Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, says Ghana recorded 5,600 fibre optic cable cuts in 2024.

This widespread damage resulted in an estimated cost of US$9.2 million, equivalent to over GH¢138 million for the sector.

The CEO made these remarks at the 24th edition of the Chamber of Telecommunications Knowledge Forum in Accra, which was attended by the Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA) and representatives from various telecommunications companies in the country.

The forum, on the theme, “Leveraging Fibre for Accelerated Development”, also saw the unveiling of the Telecommunication Industry Optic Fibre Minimum Specifications and Standards Manual.

This document is aimed at guiding and harmonising the deployment of fibre optic infrastructure across Ghana.

Dr Ashigbey emphasised the significant impact of these disruptions, extending beyond the direct financial cost to the telecommunications companies.

He highlighted the loss of revenue, reputational damage, and the extensive time spent on restoration efforts, which collectively amounted to over 432 days in 2024.

Dr Ashigbey noted the financial impact faced by the industry, stating that the average cost per fibre cut stood at approximately US$23,000.

He lamented the repeated instances of damage at the same locations, prolonging repair times and exacerbating the impact on businesses and essential services.

“This destruction costs the telecom companies, small businesses in effect, banking services, emergency communication, education delivery, among others,” he said.

He identified road construction as the primary cause of the fibre cuts, accounting for 20.68 per cent of the total.

“Other significant causes included theft and vandalism (13.98 per cent), often fuelled by the mistaken belief that copper is embedded in the fibre cables, as well as the activities of private developers,” he said.

The CEO also cited broken ports, drain construction, fire, farming, flooding, and accidental damage by utility companies like Ghana Water and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) as contributing factors to the extensive fibre cuts.

Dr Ashigbey stressed the vulnerability of the nation’s critical digital infrastructure and called for collective action to protect it.

He acknowledged the support received from regulators and policymakers, including the NCA, the Cyber Security Authority, and the Ministry of Communication, Digitalisation and Innovation.

However, he called for intensified collaboration with infrastructure stakeholders, particularly road agencies, utility companies, and assemblies, to ensure the protection of telecommunications infrastructure during development projects.

“Key recommendations included mandatory relocation of telecom data cables in new road constructions, strict enforcement of excavation permits, and the establishment of dedicated utility management units within road agencies,” he said.

Dr Ashigbey also called for decisive action against individuals and entities deliberately damaging the fibre optic network.

He pointed out that the funds spent on repairing fibre cuts could have been used to expand connectivity to underserved areas.

Dr Ashigbey appealed to stakeholders to prioritise the protection of Ghana’s digital backbone.

He urged the Minister of Communication, Digitalisation and Innovation to champion legislation that consolidates existing laws and ensures the robust protection of telecommunications infrastructure.

He also called on the Ministers for the Interior and the Attorney General to support the implementation of such a law.

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The US Supreme Court temporarily allowed President Donald Trump to enforce his ban on transgender people serving in the military while legal challenges to the policy move forward.

Shortly after taking office in January, Trump signed a pair of executive orders that enabled the Pentagon to implement the ban.

But a lower federal court blocked the policy in March, ruling that the administration had failed to provide evidence that transgender troops posed a threat to military effectiveness.

In an emergency application to the court, the Trump administration argued that the lower court should show deference to the military’s judgement in matters of national defence.

The court’s three liberal justices objected to the stay, which arrived via an unsigned order on Tuesday.

Trump’s executive order declared that identifying as transgender “conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honourable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle” and would hamper military preparedness.

In February, the Department of Defense announced it would begin discharging currently serving transgender personnel.

Seven servicemembers, including Commander Emily Schilling, a Navy fighter pilot, swiftly challenged the ban, along with a transgender individual seeking to enlist.

The plaintiffs argued that the ban “undermines military readiness, endangers our safety, and violates the United States Constitution”.”

“Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a devastating blow to transgender servicemembers who have demonstrated their capabilities and commitment to our nation’s defense,” Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, which are representing the plaintiffs, said in a joint statement.

“By allowing this discriminatory ban to take effect while our challenge continues, the Court has temporarily sanctioned a policy that has nothing to do with military readiness and everything to do with prejudice,” it said.

In March, a federal judge in Washington state ordered a nationwide halt on the administration’s ban, saying the government failed to show it would enhance “unit cohesion, good order or discipline”.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals did not block the lower court’s ruling, keeping the injunction in place.

With the Supreme Court order, that pause will lift while the servicemembers’ lawsuit makes its way through lower courts.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt called the order “another massive victory in the Supreme Court”.

Early in his second term, Trump took a series of actions that have significantly impacted transgender individuals, whose gender identity does not correspond to the sex assigned to them at birth.

He signed an executive order declaring the US would only recognise two sexes – male and female.

The order has had far reaching implications for transgender Americans, especially those seeking to obtain official documentation.

The State Department announced in February that it would no longer allow applicants to choose “X” for their gender on their US passport, but instead must choose “male” or “female” based on their sex assigned at birth.

The passport policy is the subject of a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a group of transgender and nonbinary individuals. In mid-April, a federal judge issued an injunction on the passport policy while the case proceeds.

The administration has also pushed for policies to restrict certain kinds of healthcare for minors who identify as transgender, and to prevent transgender women from playing on women’s sports teams.

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Xorlali Blog of Tuesday, 6 May 2025

Source: Xorlali Esther Kugbey

Agriculture is the backbone of Africa’s economy, employing over 60% of the continent’s labour force and contributing significantly to the gross domestic product (GDP) in many countries.

In Ghana, home to agritech startup Complete Farmer, agriculture makes up 54% of its GDP, accounts for over 40% of export earnings, and employs 52% of the labour force.

Despite its importance, the sector faces a myriad of challenges, from the adverse effects of climate change to infrastructure and technological gaps, and access to markets.

Complete Farmer, an eight-year-old startup, is bidding to improve financial outcomes for the millions of farmers in Africa by providing access to markets and technological inputs.

The origins of Complete Farmer 

For many people, the seeds for their future are planted in childhood. That was the case for Desmond Koney, Founder and CEO of Complete Farmer. The son of a farmer, he intended to pursue a career as a mechanical engineer, but his father’s death meant the farm was passed on to him.

In an interview with TechCrunch, Koney noted that his initial goal was to digitise the farm, but the business ended up going through multiple iterations before landing at its present state.

“This aspiration can be vague, as one must determine what business model works, what the product is, etc. We’ve had to make several adjustments to determine both.”

Today, the startup operates as a global marketplace linking farmers with international buyers while ensuring that the farmers have the inputs needed to give maximum yield.

Building an agricultural ecosystem  

While it styles itself as a marketplace, a look at its product offerings shows it is more an agricultural ecosystem than a marketplace.

The startup’s anchor offering is the grower platform, which serves as an entry point for farmers. Through the grower platform, farmers complete KYC processes and access agricultural information.

They are assigned agents who provide hands-on support and monitor their activities throughout the planting and harvest seasons. Furthermore, SMS and IVR-based alerts ensure that farmers receive timely information, even without direct access to smartphones.

A second feature is the marketplace, CF Buyer. CF Buyer allows international buyers, such as FMCGs and food processors, to source directly from local farmers. The platform matches orders to a group of farmers based on their skillset, ensuring that buyers receive quality produce. Pricing mechanisms include market price guidance, price floors and ceilings, and negotiations, allowing for fair transactions.

CF Storefront is another component of the platform that provides farmers with access to inputs and services via USSD and vendor listings. Farmers can place orders through a short code, which is then routed based on their needs. According to Teddy Appah-Dankyi, Chief Commercial Officer at Complete Farmer, this feature was developed in response to feedback from farmers, ensuring that it addresses their specific requirements.

In November 2024, the startup began beta testing a financial service product with 1,000 farmers. Appah-Dankyi notes that CF Transact is a fintech wallet designed to provide farmers with savings, credit access, and payments on the platform.

Farmers can fund their wallets from their mobile money accounts, allowing them to pay vendors on the platform. It’s also a long-term strategy by Complete Farmer to provide a store of value on which it can layer additional services.

“We implemented this product to rope farmers into the financial ecosystem because we realised that the only value they get from the traditional MoMo solution is just the movement of money, but CF Transact gives them access to credit, and they have a store of value they can save on top.”

Settlement to vendors isn’t automatic, and farmers must send a short code after each purchase confirming that they received value for their money. Only then is the money released to the vendor.

Merging technology and human inputs  

One of the biggest challenges to building technology products in Africa is user adoption. While smartphone penetration rates have soared in the last decade, more than half of the population still lacks access to smartphones.

Consequently, startups, especially those that intend to reach underserved populations, cannot rely solely on digital methods to deliver their products.

Two examples stand out. Moniepoint and TymeBank are two of the most valuable fintechs on the continent, but their success has not come from depending on digital platforms.

For Moniepoint, its ability to get its blue point-of-sale machines into the nooks and crannies of Nigeria has seen it quickly win market share, something it has now leveraged to build consumer-facing products. Similarly, TymeBank has seen success by combining a mobile app with physical touchpoints.

Complete Farmer is taking a similar route. The farmers it serves fall into two categories: commercial farmers with the resources to invest in technology and smallholder farmers who are often not tech savvy. For the second group, it depends on a network of over 200 agents to deliver services to them.

Agents perform a variety of functions. For example, each new farmer is assigned an agent who is responsible for ensuring that they get the right inputs to meet the standard Complete Farmer’s clients require. Since some farmers do not own smartphones, they also help with requesting input and relaying performance reports.

Its agents require some knowledge of agricultural practices, so the startup works closely with the Ministry of Agriculture in Ghana and agricultural colleges to recruit agents. Additionally, it provides a six-module training platform for aspiring agents.

“Overall, when they go through this, they are able to give the farmers hands-on support during the planting season and even during the harvest season. When it’s time to buy from the farmers, these agents are trained to do some quality inspections at the aggregation points before the commodities are bagged and shipped to our fulfilment centres.”

About 40,000 farmers have conducted some transactions on Complete Farmer, but Appah-Dankyi notes that only 12,000 are active. While this is a large number for less than 300 agents to manage, he adds that the startups benefit from the seasonal nature of agriculture in Ghana, as it allows agents to focus on a small set of farmers each season.

Growing pains and outlook 

Complete Farmer’s growth has attracted the attention of investors who have put in more than $10 million so far. But that growth hasn’t come without its hurdles.

According to Appah-Dankyi, one persistent challenge is competition from other buyers attempting to poach farmers the company has supported. While a few have been lured away, he maintains that the issue hasn’t reached a scale significant enough to cause concern.

“It is very evident that our pricing is better, and farmers gain more if they sell to us. It’s not a service where we just give you protocols and walk away. We are giving them inputs and credit. We are also giving them some level of insurance and financial literacy, so this has made the switching cost very high for the farmer.”

Volatile market prices present another significant challenge, one largely beyond the startup’s control. For instance, the Russia-Ukraine war led to a global surplus of soybeans, making it difficult for Complete Farmer to offer competitive prices to its farmers.

According to Appah-Dankyi, expansion has been gradual because of the business’ asset-heavy nature, buyers’ strict requirements, crop availability in new regions, and farmers’ responses to the business model.

Now present in Ghana and Togo, it is planning to expand into Côte d’Ivoire this year and increase the type of crops its farmers can produce.

Samuel Abu Jinapor, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee

Samuel A. Jinapor, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, has clarified that the widespread introduction of Ghana’s chip-embedded passport is not a recent government initiative, as some have suggested, but rather the result of years of careful planning, procurement, and implementation during the previous Akufo-Addo administration.

In a press statement dated May 6, 2025, Jinapor outlined the policy actions and timelines that culminated in the successful creation and rollout of the chip-embedded biometric passport program.

He described subsequent attempts to relaunch the initiative as “unnecessary” and a misrepresentation of the facts.

“Every essential aspect of the chip-embedded passport programme—from policy formulation to contract execution and logistical delivery—was meticulously completed by the Akufo-Addo Government before it handed over on 7th January 2025,” he emphasized.

Jinapor noted that the initiative was inspired by the 2013 ICAO TRIP Strategy, which promoted the adoption of electronic travel documents. While preliminary discussions began under earlier administrations, he asserted that it was the Akufo-Addo government that prioritized the program in 2017 as part of its broader digitalization agenda.

He detailed how 25th Century Technology Limited and Buck Press Limited were selected through a competitive procurement process to execute the project under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The two firms subsequently formed Biometric Travel Solutions Limited. This arrangement, Jinapor noted, helped minimize the financial burden on the state.

High-ranking officials received the first batch of chip-embedded passports, which were formally launched by then-President Akufo-Addo on December 2, 2024. At the time, the project had already secured 50,000 passport booklets, with an additional 200,000 on order, laying the groundwork for a smooth nationwide rollout.

“It is, therefore, through the hard work and dedication of the Akufo-Addo Government that Ghana is now issuing electronic chip-embedded passports,” Jinapor stated.

The former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources urged the current administration to “focus on effective distribution and roll-out” instead of seeking credit for the initiative.

He criticized what he described as the current government’s “alleged re-launch,” calling it “an unnecessary burden on the public purse” and a betrayal of institutional integrity.

Jinapor concluded by affirming the Minority Caucus of the Foreign Affairs Committee’s commitment to protecting the public interest and ensuring the historical record is set straight.

KA

Meanwhile, watch why #SaveTheJudiciaryDemo is trending on GhanaWeb TV below

GFL General Secretary Abraham Koomson

The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has clarified that the Trades Union Congress (TUC) no longer holds the legal status as the sole mouthpiece of organised labour in Ghana, following legislative changes made in 2003.

Speaking on Accra 100.5 FM’s Ghana Yensom morning show on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, GFL General Secretary Abraham Koomson explained that the Industrial Relations Act of 1965 (Act 299), which designated the TUC as the accredited representative of the labour movement, was repealed and replaced with the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).

He noted that the original law was inconsistent with International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98, which promote freedom of association, and conflicted with the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

Koomson pointed out that the Labour Act of 2003 replaced the TUC’s monopoly with a broader concept of “Organised Labour.”

However, the new law did not provide a legal definition for Organised Labour, leaving a vacuum that the TUC, according to him, has continued to exploit by positioning itself as the sole representative of Ghanaian workers.

“By law, the TUC is just one of many labour unions in the country. It is not the embodiment of Organised Labour,” Koomson emphasised.

He added that the GFL challenged the TUC’s position in court in 2013, resulting in a consent judgment in 2016 that reaffirmed the need for a more inclusive structure for organised labour.

He further criticised the government for failing to provide a clear definition and institutional framework for Organised Labour, a gap that has enabled the TUC to continue assuming a central role.

Koomson stressed that this stance violates ILO conventions and Ghana’s constitution, both of which safeguard workers’ rights to freely associate.

Responding to these claims on the same programme, the President of the TUC, Bernard Owusu, dismissed Koomson’s assertions and urged the public to disregard them.

He insisted that the TUC has no issues with the GFL but accused Mr. Koomson of trying to sow division within the labour movement.

“He’s just being a destructive element,” Mr. Owusu said, reiterating that the TUC remains committed to protecting the interests of all Ghanaian workers.

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May – 07 – 2025 , 00:14

2 minutes read

Declan Rice says Arsenal need “big balls” and “magic moments” if they are to overturn their semi-final deficit against Paris St-Germain and reach the Champions League final.

Mikel Arteta’s side face the French champions in Paris on Wednesday (20:00 BST) after losing the first leg 1-0 courtesy of Ousmane Dembele’s early strike at Emirates Stadium last week.

Arsenal are attempting to reach their first Champions League final since 2006.

“We need to have big balls and we need to go out there on the biggest stage and show that we’re ready to play at this level,” said Rice.

He added: “It’s a semi-final, it’s 90 minutes away from a final – I think that tells you everything you need to know.

“I think the manager spoke to us – us as a group of players know what we can achieve tomorrow night and it’s a game of football.

“We can go out there and we can achieve something great for this club, and that’s what we want to do. We obviously know we’re 1-0 down, but we have full belief, full positivity that we’re going to go out there and win tomorrow night.”

Arsenal struggled to contain PSG in the early stages of the first leg but Rice said, after Arteta made changes, he and his team-mates are full of confidence that they can get a result.

“You felt in the first leg that there was a lot of movement in midfield. They [PSG] run around so much and create a lot of space for each other,” he said.

“The way they move between the lines was really, really smart. But once we worked out how we could beat them, obviously we missed a few chances, but in terms of how we were driving with the ball, giving our winners one-on-one opportunities, chances started to open up.

“I think tomorrow night we need to do the same.”

Rice has played a big part in Arsenal reaching this stage of the competition.

The England international scored two free-kicks in the 3-0 quarter-final first-leg victory over Real Madrid and received the player of the match award in both ties.

He said manager Arteta speaks regularly to his players about producing in high-pressure situations.

“He always talks about having someone deliver a magic moment,” Rice said.

“I think in that game against Madrid, obviously, I was able to produce two free-kicks, which were incredible.

“But tomorrow night, a semi-final is set up for someone else to maybe get that magic moment.

“Hopefully it’s me again, but you’re going to need a moment of magic to win a game, and as a team we’re going to need that.

“So tomorrow night hopefully, we can deliver something special.”

‘We are here to make history’

The Champions League is Arsenal’s last chance to win a trophy this season, now that Liverpool have secured the Premier League title.

Arsenal lost to Bournemouth in the Premier League at the weekend but Arteta says his team have “huge enthusiasm and huge energy” that they can progress to the European final.

“We are a win away from being in the Champions League final and in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, against a great opponent – it doesn’t get much better than that,” he said.

“We are here to make history – we have a big opportunity tomorrow.

“We bring a result [from the first leg] that gives us so much clarity about what we have to do. A lot of learning from the first leg as well and how small the margins are between the two teams.

“The result, in my opinion, should have been very different to that one. So tomorrow, another opportunity to prove that and the right to be in the final.”

When asked if this game was his biggest since he became Arsenal manager in 2019, Arteta said it is “one of the most beautiful, for sure”.

“I mean, again, one win away from being in the final,” he added.

“Let’s not do the talking – let’s do that tomorrow on that pitch at 9pm when the game starts to show [our] best, best, best, best version and win the game.”

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

In reaction to the Ghana Police Service’s call seeking the Speaker of Parliament to release the Minority Leader for questioning, the Gallant Cadres of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a strongly worded statement suggesting that the Minority Leader of Parliament, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, needs psychological attention more than an arrest.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, and signed by the PRO, Mr. Richard E. A. Sarpong, commonly called Father Casford, the Cadres highlighted that, judging from the viral video capturing the altercation between the Minority Leader and the Police Officer during the recent ‘Save the Judiciary’ demonstration, they are taken aback and find Afenyo-Markin’s petition to the IGP alleging assault by a Police Officer as disturbing.

Stemming from this and other attention seeking stunts from the Mr. Afenyo-Markin, the statement avers that the “the Minority leader needs psyche and attention deficit assessment”, stressed the release.

Below is the full statement:

Press Release

To All Media Houses

The Gallant Cadres of NDC

0208573712

0243179445

0542002741

Minority Leader Afenyo Markins Needs Psychological Care Rather Than Arrest

In a vivid demonstration of Ghana’s democratic maturity, the recent “Save the Judiciary” protest highlighted the John Dramani Mahama’s administration commitment to freedom of expression and assembly. Under President John Dramani Mahama’s leadership, the government facilitated the peaceful demonstration by citizens , allowing opposition members to voice their concerns over the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

However, the event took an unexpected turn when Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, was allegedly involved in an altercation with a police officer. Video footage from the protest appears to show the lawmaker in a physical confrontation with the officer, prompting the Ghana Police Service to request the Speaker of Parliament to release Hon. Afenyo-Markin to assist with investigations into the incident. Clearly, the Minority leader needs psyche and attention deficit assessment. The pronouncement of Afenyo-Markin from the Ministerial vetting through to press conferences elaborate

big time attention seeker, too pompous. The continuous exhibition of arrogance by quite a number of these people in this Corrupt, arrogant Akuffo Addo and Bawumia Government is worrying.

In response, Hon. Afenyo-Markin filed a formal petition to the Inspector-General of Police, alleging that he was the victim of an unprovoked assault by the Police Officer, identified as Constable Forson. He described the act as “reprehensible and disgraceful,” in his approach to repaint the true picture.

This incident underscores the contrasting approaches to democratic engagement between the current administration of John Mahama and the NPP opposition. While the Mahama government has demonstrated a commitment to upholding democratic principles, facilitating peaceful protests and ensuring the safety of its citizens, the alleged actions of the opposition leader raise questions about their adherence to these same principles.

As Ghana continues to navigate its democratic journey, the Mahama administration’s dedication to upholding the rights of its citizens serves as a beacon of hope and a model for governance in the region. As proud Ghanians and Galant Cadres of the National Democratic Congress, we gladly say *Mahama, Twasooooo!!!!!*

Comrade Richard E A Sarpong, Father Casford. The PRO, 0208573712

Ohemaa Akosua Borngreat, Deputy PRO, 0243179445

Mr F Kadan, Secretary. 0242776044

Carrick Kpeglo, Chairman. 0542002741

“It gave us everything. From start to finish last week to this week, everything about this semi-final has been pure entertainment,” said Alan Shearer.

For the second time in six days Inter Milan and Barcelona served up a European classic as the champions of Italy won 4-3 on the night – 7-6 on aggregate – to reach the Champions League final.

In a thriller that will be remembered for years to come, Barca had trailed 2-0 and 3-2 in the first leg in Catalonia before salvaging a 3-3 draw.

On Tuesday in Milan, they were then 2-0 behind at half-time – 5-3 on aggregate – before scoring three times without reply.

Raphinha’s 87th-minute strike was the first time Barca had taken the lead on aggregate but Francesco Acerbi’s first European goal at the age of 37 took an utterly absorbing tie into extra time, with substitute Davide Frattesi scoring the winner to send more than 70,000 Inter fans inside the San Siro into raptures.

It was the joint highest-scoring Champions League semi-final ever, with the 13 goals equalling the 2018 semi-final when Liverpool also defeated Roma 7-6 on aggregate.

“We didn’t expect this, did we?” added former England captain Shearer, who was inside the San Siro for Amazon Prime.

“We expected a good game, but this? Thank you Inter Milan, thank you Barcelona for providing us with incredible entertainment and two great football matches.

“What we have witnessed has been something very special. It’s been a pleasure to be here.”

Inter will face either Paris St-Germain or Arsenal – who meet in the other semi-final in France on Wednesday (20:00 BST) – after one of the great modern classics.

PSG lead 1-0 from the first leg.

A new chapter has begun for Ghana’s Olympic movement, as the immediate past President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Ben Nunoo Mensah, officially handed over the reins of leadership to his successor, Richard Akpokavie, at a symbolic ceremony held on Tuesday at the GOC headquarters (Olympic House) at Ridge, Accra.

The handover, which included the presentation of official documents, office keys, and unused sporting kits from Ghana’s 2021 Olympic and 2022 Commonwealth Games campaigns, marked the final step in a smooth and orderly transition of power. 

It followed Mr Akpokavie’s emphatic victory at the recent GOC Congress in Accra, setting the stage for a new era of visionary leadership rooted in grassroots development and athlete empowerment.

“This is a new chapter for the Olympic movement in Ghana,” Mr Akpokavie declared, who finally ascended to the top post after an unsuccessful attempt four years ago.   

Unity and hard work

He said for the new leadership to succeed would require unity of purpose from the GOC board, the federations, and the media to work towards making the GOC an engine for the transformation of Ghanaian sports for excellence at the international level.

Mr Nunoo Mensah, who completed two terms spanning eight years, urged his successor to consolidate the gains made under his administration.

He emphasised the need to complete key legacy projects, particularly the OlympAfrica Juvenile Sports Excellence Centre at Amasaman.

In a show of accountability, outgoing GOC Treasurer, Frederick Acheampong, handed over all financial records and assets to the newly elected Treasurer, Evans Yeboah.

Newly appointed GOC Secretary-General, Mohammed Muniru, also paid tribute to Mr Nunoo Mensah’s impactful leadership and reaffirmed that the door remained open for the former president to offer his guidance and experience.

The ceremony was attended by a cross-section of GOC board members, including the First Vice-President, Mawuko Afadzinu; the Third Vice-President, Ernest Danso; the Deputy Secretary-General, Bawa Fuseini; the Assistant Treasurer, Nii Lante Bannerman; Kamal Sulley, and former Assistant Treasurer, Isaac Duah.

Accra, May 6, GNA – Mr Kwabena Boateng, Deputy Managing Director of Wholesale Banking at Fidelity Bank Ghana, has reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to driving investment transformation and pension optimisation in the country.

He made the remarks at the 2025 edition of the Money Summit, organised by the Business and Financial Times at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, on the theme: “Optimising Investment and Pensions Management: Strategies for Sustainable Retirement Income and Economic Growth.”

He highlighted opportunities within the 2021 framework introduced by the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), which allows Tier 2 pension schemes to create multiple constituent funds tailored to various risk and age profiles.

“The framework exists, but the implementation timeline remains unclear,” he said. “We urge the NPRA to move forward. This is not just about optimising returns -it’s about using pension capital as a vehicle for national development.”

On pension fund management, Mr Boateng expressed concern over growing calls to lower fees to unsustainable levels. 

While acknowledging the need to manage costs, he cautioned against compromising professional quality.

“You cannot safeguard the future of Ghanaian retirees with a system that disincentivises quality,” he stated. “We need professionals who are not just managing money but building futures.”

Mr Boateng lauded the organisers for consistently fostering national dialogue on key financial and economic issues, and said Fidelity Bank’s participation was driven by a sense of national duty, not mere corporate obligation.

“As Ghana’s largest privately-owned indigenous bank, we believe in actively participating in forums like this, where we can contribute our expertise, learn from others, and collectively work towards a more robust and sustainable financial future for all Ghanaians,” he said.

The Deputy Managing Director outlined three strategic focus areas essential to unlocking long-term investment outcomes for individuals and the nation.

He first called for a market-driven approach to macroeconomic stability, proposing a shift from traditional reliance on interest rate adjustments to policies that encourage more capital market financing.

“Rather than relying solely on monetary tightening to control inflation, we should be enabling businesses, especially SMEs, to access long-term financing through bonds, equities, and other instruments,” Mr Boateng said.

“This reduces pressure on the banking sector and builds resilience in the broader economy.” 

He noted that high Treasury bill rates continued to crowd out investment in longer-term instruments and acknowledged that private sector credit, which had been on the decline, had begun to recover. 

As of February 2025, private sector credit grew by 3.1 per cent in real terms, compared with a decline of 14.7 per cent in February 2024.

Mr Boateng emphasised that capital market development must be matched by fiscal discipline and inflation control to support macroeconomic policy.

He reiterated Fidelity Bank’s long-standing commitment to building an inclusive and sustainable financial ecosystem, pointing to the Bank’s track record of supporting long-term development, including in sectors considered risky or underserved.

“Fidelity Bank’s purpose has always been clear – to support the ambitions of Ghanaians, from market women to young professionals. It is time for all of us – regulators, institutions, and individuals – to align our strategies to secure not only our financial futures but the sustainable growth of the entire nation,” Mr Boateng said.

The 2025 Money Summit brought together policymakers, financial institutions, investment professionals, and regulators to explore strategies for strengthening Ghana’s pensions and investment framework in the context of emerging macroeconomic realities.

GNA

BAS 

Inter Miami have relinquished their option to hold talks with departing Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne – leaving Chicago Fire in pole position to sign him should he decide to move to Major League Soccer.

Miami had the 33-year-old on their ‘discovery list’, meaning they were the only MLS team able to negotiate with him in the United States.

They had until mid-July to decide whether to hold talks, but sources have told BBC Sport they will not pursue his signing, meaning De Bruyne will not link up with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets.

Chicago now have the first option to speak to De Bruyne, who announced in April he would be leaving City when his current deal expires at the end of the season.

Sources say De Bruyne’s representatives are to meet with Chicago, who are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference.

The Belgian later said he was surprised not to be offered a new contract by the club.

De Bruyne has won 16 trophies at Etihad Stadium, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023.

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The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) is hailing what it calls a remarkable rebound of the local currency, the cedi.

It praised the Bank of Ghana (BoG) for restoring confidence in the cedi and turning the tide against years of foreign exchange anxiety.

In a statement signed by GUTA President Dr. Joseph Obeng and Head of its Business and Economic Bureau, Charles Kusi Appiah Kubi, the Association noted that from January to date, the cedi has shown steady gains against major trading currencies.

This development, they say, has brought “respite and confidence” to the business community.

“This has brought hope to the business community in recouping some of the lost capital during the last couple of years,” the statement read.

“Importantly, it has also brought a positive speculation and predictability around the foreign exchange space, thereby eroding the notion that the foreign currency is a store of value in the Ghanaian community.”

GUTA credited not only the central bank’s efficient forex market management but also government’s apparent fiscal discipline as key factors behind this newfound stability.

The union is urging the authorities to “sustain these prudent measures”, which, if maintained, could help the country “achieve full economic recovery, make businesses competitive, increase productivity, and alleviate the high cost of living.”

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Financial risk escalates by 13%

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Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel A. Jinapor, has clarified that the mass rollout of Ghana’s chip-embedded passport is the result of years of strategic planning, procurement, and execution under the previous Akufo-Addo administration, not an initiative by the current government, as recent narratives suggest.

In a press release dated May 6, 2025, Jinapor outlined the timeline and policy actions that led to the development and successful launch of the chip-embedded biometric passport programme, describing recent attempts to re-launch the initiative as “unnecessary” and a misrepresentation of the facts.

“Every essential aspect of the chip-embedded passport programme, from policy formulation to contract execution and logistical delivery, was meticulously completed by the Akufo-Addo Government before it was handed over on 7th January 2025,” he emphasised.

According to Jinapor, the project stemmed from the 2013 ICAO TRIP Strategy, which encouraged the adoption of electronic travel documents. While early discussions began under previous governments, it was the Akufo-Addo administration, he said, that decisively moved the project forward in 2017 as part of its digitalisation agenda.

He detailed the competitive selection process that led to the engagement of 25th Century Technology Limited and Buck Press Limited, who together formed Biometric Travel Solutions Limited to execute the project under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This model, he noted, minimized the financial burden on the public purse.

By December 2, 2024, the chip-embedded passports had been officially launched by then-President Akufo-Addo, and high-ranking officials were issued the first batch. At the time, 50,000 booklets were already in stock, with 200,000 more ordered—positioning the project for a seamless nationwide rollout.

“It is, therefore, through the hard work and dedication of the Akufo-Addo Government… that has led to Ghana issuing electronic chip-embedded passports,” Jinapor stated, urging the current government to “focus on the effective distribution and roll-out” rather than claiming credit.

He criticised what he described as a “purported re-launch” by the current administration, calling it “an unnecessary burden on the public purse” and a disservice to institutional integrity.

The Minority Caucus on the Foreign Affairs Committee, he said, remains committed to defending the national interest and ensuring that records are set straight.

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla have unveiled their new state portraits at the National Gallery on the second anniversary of their Coronation day.

The paintings will be displayed in the gallery’s Central Hall before moving to Buckingham Palace in June.

The portrait of the King shows him wearing the Robe of State alongside his naval uniform with medals, and the Queen is portrayed wearing her coronation dress.

There was applause at the gallery on Tuesday as the couple pulled down coverings to reveal both portraits, before stepping back to admire the paintings.

The King was painted by Peter Kuhfeld, who has known him for more than 40 years, while the Queen was painted by Paul S. Benney.

The robe worn by the King is the one used during the first part of the coronation service. In keeping with tradition, alongside him is the Imperial State Crown.

Alongside the Queen in her portrait is her crown and the Robe of Estate she wore as she left Westminster Abbey on coronation day.

The King sat for Mr Kuhfeld at St James’s Palace five times over a year and a half. There were also two separate sittings with just the crown.

“I’ve spent quite a long time with him over the years so I’m used to being with him, ” the artist said.

“As a person he’s very interesting, he is very understanding of what a painter needs to do the job.”

Mr Benney had six official sittings with the Queen in the Garden Room at Clarence House. He was also allowed to set up a studio there allowing him to meet the Queen informally many times.

“The sittings were extremely pleasurable on my part,” he said. “I like to talk when I’m painting… and so we had a lot of chat and stories which we told each other.

“At times I would be holding my tummy from laughing so much. The Queen is very witty.”

What do the royals think of the portraits?

Both the King and Queen reacted positively as they looked at the portraits after their unveiling.

“I suppose he thinks it’s okay,” Mr Kuhfeld said. “You never ask a sitter what they think of their own picture because I’m not sure that they know.”

The Queen could be heard telling Mr Benney about her portrait: “I think it’s really lovely”.

He also benefitted from some crucial family support: the Queen’s daughter, Laura Lopes, was at the National Gallery for the unveiling and complimented the painting.

Mr Benney said: “The Queen has said nothing but wonderful things about it – but more importantly Laura, her daughter, likes it.

“And you know when the kids like it that you’re probably on the right track.”

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Politics

May – 06 – 2025 , 21:19

2 minutes read

General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has described the party’s 2024 general election victory as a reflection of the collective will and deep desire of Ghanaians.

Speaking during an interview on Channel One TV’s Face to Face with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Mr. Kwetey said the NDC’s win over the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was not just political, but symbolic of a higher calling from the nation itself.

“This victory was way beyond even the NDC. It was a victory that came from somewhere higher. It was not normal, it was a victory that came through the very soul of Ghana,” he remarked.

Kwetey, while acknowledging the scale of the win, cautioned his party against complacency and urged members to remain grounded and focused on delivering for the people.

He stressed that the resounding mandate is a call to action, challenging the party to rise to the expectations of Ghanaians and deliver meaningful change.

“I keep telling my NDC people we need to understand that instead of starting to feel all powerful, let’s do what the people want. It’s a victory that should humble us and put us in a situation of soberness.

“It made us raise the enormity of the call upon us. In order for us to rise to the occasion and do what the people want,” he said.

Read the full text of Mahama’s Code of Conduct for appointees

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The Head of Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank Ghana, Kobby Bentsi-Enchill, has urged entrepreneurs and financiers to embrace patient capital and equity-led financing as key pathways to sustainable business growth in Ghana.

He made this call during a panel discussion on the topic, “Creating New Pathways Between Credit and Equity,” at the Ghana Venture Capital Association (GVCA) Conference 2025.

In his submission, Mr. Bentsi-Enchill highlighted the reality of the entrepreneurial journey, emphasising the value of starting small with personal or family support and scaling with long-term financing.

“Every big idea starts as a dream, a desire to solve a real problem. But the first step is often self-funded. Entrepreneurs typically begin with their own resources or those of close friends and family to test the viability of their ideas. Once that proof of concept is clear, what’s needed next is patient capital – money that isn’t in a hurry for returns, but is aligned with long-term growth,” he said.

He noted that equity financing plays a critical role at this stage, allowing entrepreneurs to access capital without the pressure of immediate repayments.

“Equity is foundational to a healthy capital structure. When entrepreneurs show they’ve invested their own money, what we call ‘skin in the game’, it signals commitment and builds investor confidence,” he added.

Stanbic Bank executive further acknowledged the macroeconomic challenges facing both lenders and borrowers. “In many economies, we’ve seen distortions where governments borrow heavily, offering high returns on treasury instruments. This incentivizes banks to park funds there instead of lending to businesses, creating an imbalance,” he explained.

He also addressed the pressures of borrowing at high interest rates in local currency. “With debt rates around 35% in cedis, many entrepreneurs struggle with the idea of giving up a significant portion of their profits just to service loans. Some resort to borrowing in dollars, betting against forex depreciation — and while that can work short term, it also carries serious risks.”

Despite these challenges, Mr. Bentsi-Enchill expressed optimism about Ghana’s financial future. “This conference has been incredibly inspiring. We’re beginning to have the right conversations about long-term investing, about the role of equity, and about building financing models that support innovation and resilience. It feels like we’re turning a corner.”

The GVCA Conference 2025 convened key stakeholders in Ghana’s investment ecosystem, including fund managers, institutional investors, policymakers, and development partners. The gathering served as a platform to explore innovative strategies for unlocking domestic capital to drive inclusive growth and private sector development.

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