Economist, Professor Godfred Bokpin

Renowned economist and Professor of Finance, Godfred Bokpin, has dismissed claims that the GH¢1 fuel levy and the controversial Electronic Levy (E-Levy) implemented under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government are similar.

Some critics have drawn parallels between the two taxes, arguing that both measures place an undue burden on consumers.

However, speaking on Morning Starr, Prof. Bokpin countered that while the E-Levy was fundamentally flawed and economically unjustifiable, the fuel levy is necessary under current circumstances.

Prof. Bokpin explained that prematurely taxing the growing digital economy, as was done with the E-Levy, was a misstep.

“They are not similar. They are on different pathways. I am unable to situate these levies side by side with the E-Levy, not at all. The E-Levy did not meet the basic principles of taxation in economics, and from conceptualization to implementation, it was clearly flawed,” he stated.

He emphasized that the global transition toward a digital economy should be nurtured, not taxed harshly in its early stages.

“If you look at the economy, the traditional economy, based on bricks and mortar, versus the digital economy, driven by apps and technology — the projection is that the digital economy will expand faster. The global shift is increasingly toward digital platforms.”

“Even within finance, the future is digital. These days, we talk about digital economics, digital finance, and digital currency. The future of money and business is digital, so digitization should not be merely used as a taxation tool,” he added.

Prof. Bokpin argued that even leaders within the NPP, including its flagbearer and then-Vice President, acknowledged that the E-Levy was a mistake, describing it as a classic case of a “nuisance tax.”

“And we all agree, even including the vice president at that time, and the flag bearer of the NPP, that E-Levy had to go. There are taxes that can be classified as nuisance taxes, and E-Levy was one of them,” he asserted.

In contrast, he defended the GH¢1 fuel levy, describing it as a pragmatic move, especially considering the recent appreciation of the cedi, which has helped ease fuel prices at the pump.

“Given that there is aggressive spending of the currency, the impact of the fuel levy will not be as heavy on consumers compared to times of severe economic volatility,” he explained.

The GH¢1 fuel levy was introduced through the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which Parliament passed on Tuesday, June 3.

The measure imposes a GH¢1 tax on every liter of petroleum product, a decision that has drawn criticism from transport unions, the general public, and the Minority in Parliament.

However, government officials, including Finance minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, have defended the levy, calling it a necessary intervention to address the country’s $3.1 billion energy sector debt.

The Minister also assured Ghanaians that the new tax would not lead to an increase in fuel prices, citing recent gains in the cedi’s value.

Revenue from the levy is expected to fund fuel purchases for electricity generation, helping to minimize power outages and stabilize the national grid.

Watch drivers react to government’s new GH¢1 energy levy on petroleum products

By Kingsley Mamore, GNA  

Dambai (O/R), June 6, GNA- The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in Krachi East marked World Environmental Day with a vibrant march on the principal streets and a clean-up exercise. 

The event, held on June 5, brought together students, community members, and stakeholders to promote environmental awareness and encourage sustainable practices. 

The march through the major streets in the Municipality saw participants carrying placards with messages on the environment.  

The procession culminated in a clean-up exercise at the bank of River Oti, where volunteers collected refuse and debris. 

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr. Robert Boame, the Oti Regional Director, said the NCCE aimed to educate residents on the importance of maintaining a clean environment and its impact on public health. 

 He said the event served as a platform for community engagement and sensitization on environmental issues. 

 Mr Boame told GNA that by engaging the community in this meaningful activity, the commission was seeking to inspire a culture of sustainability and collective action in protecting the environment. 

Mr. Emmanuel Atali, Assembly Member for Dambai Lakeside Electoral Area, expressed gratitude to the NCCE and Environmental Health Officers for organizing a clean-up exercise in the area to commemorate World Environment Day. 

GNA 

Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Christian Akorlie  

By Iddi Yire, GNA  

Accra, June 06, GNA – Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, has inaugurated the Sixth Governing Council of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Accra.  

The UMaT, in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the newly constituted UMaT Governing Council would be chaired by Professor Goski Alabi.  

As part of the ceremony, the Minister administered the oaths of office and secrecy to the newly appointed Council members and conveyed the best wishes of President John Dramani Mahama to the appointees.   

In his address to the Council, Mr Iddrisu emphasised the need for strong leadership, the promotion of academic excellence, and innovation in mining and applied sciences to drive Ghana’s industrial growth.  

Other members of the newly constituted Governing Council of UMaT include Government appointees: Professor Richard Acquaye, Dr Francis Ferguson Howard, Mr Andrew Acquah Oppan, and Dr Lena Awoonor-Aziaku.   

Others are Professor Richard Kwasi Amankwah, Vice Chancellor of the University, UMaT; Reverend Father George Eduayaw Ansah, representative of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS); and Professor Benard Kumi-Boateng, representative of Professorial members of convocation.  

The rest are Dr Henry Otoo, representative of the non-professorial members of convocation; Madam Cecilia Baffoe, representative of Junior staff; Mr Bashirudin Adam, representative of Senior staff; Dr Peter Emerson Sampson, Alumni representative; Kevin Ofori Junior, Undergraduate students’ representative; Ebenezer Narteh Hargoe, Postgraduate students’ representative; and Dr Sulemanu Koney, representative for the Ghana Chamber of Mines.  

Prof Goski Alabi, in her response to government on behalf of the Council, thanked the President of Ghana for the confidence reposed in them and gave assurances of their commitment to the training of quality human resources for Ghana and the global community.  

Present at the inauguration were Mr Matthew K. Okrah, Registrar; Professor Mrs Grace Ofori-Sarpong Akuffo, Pro-Vice Chancellor; Mr Jonathan Sakoe, Finance Officer and Mrs Lydia Ephraim, Deputy Registrar and Head of Academic and Student Affairs.  

The reconstituted Council is expected to begin work immediately, their responsibilities include institutional governance, policy oversight, and guiding the strategic direction of the university.  

GNA   

Edited by Christian Akorlie   

Dr Randy Abbey is the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD)

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Randy Abbey, has disclosed that the institution is burdened with considerable debt, accrued to be around $33 billion, which is posing significant challenges to its financial stability.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition, he said the severe financial situation facing COCOBOD has brough immense pressure on it from suppliers, contractors, and banks.

The acting CEO added that the institution’s financial crisis stands at approximately $33 billion, with the figure potentially varying based on the cedi’s performance against the dollar.

He went ahead to clarify that the Cocoa Roads Programme is not the primary contributor to the institution’s $33 billion debt .

Dr Randy Abbey also acknowledged that COCOBOD still has a long way to go before balancing its books, describing the road ahead as tough.

He added that it would take about four years to get back to its financial order.

“Our first task was to look at how we’re going to deal with it, and the projections we made was that by year four, we should be fine,” he stated.

He explained that due to the cedi’s appreciation, the institution now needs to redo its financial records to reflect the shift in currency dynamics.

DR/AE

This week, specifically on June 4, 2025, Citi FM’s Eyewitness News broadcast the most important news of the year. 

It was to the effect that “government is ramping up efforts to promote the commercial production of eco-friendly Pozzolana cement as part of a strategic move to reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported building materials”

Speaking at the opening of the Biannual Ministry of Science and Technology Forum in Accra, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, called for strong political will and coordinated efforts to scale up the use of Pozzolana cement in Ghana’s construction industry.

His observation was apt: “Many institutions have great ideas, but lack the resources to bring them to life. 

It is crucial that we come together –government, industry and academia – to build the necessary linkages and support systems.”

In an article in the Daily Graphic on May 11, 2022, yours truly did an analysis headlined, “Pozzolana: Thirsty in the abundance of water” in which I wondered why housing and other building projects were so expensively priced. 

In the article, I declared that I knew the answer. Below, I reproduce the article. Please, read on:
                
“(The answer) lies in official lack of confidence in African/Ghanaian solutions. That mindset has, since the overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah, manifested itself in Ghanaian officials, business executives and public servants looking down on and actually rejecting local technologies and expertise. 

The Tema township, the first purpose-planned enclave in West Africa, was designed and built by Ghanaian engineers and building technologists in the 1960s (note: early 1960s!); the Achimota Overpass in Accra, constructed in the 1970s (repeat: 1970s!) was the work of Ghanaian engineers.

Today, 60 years down the line, when knowledge abounds and the know-how of our scientists has increased, Ghanaian engineers and building technologists are sidelined in favour of Brazilians and Chinese, (“white men”), with presumably “superior intelligence”.

A guest on a TV programme blamed our excessive dependence on imported inputs, citing the case of the poorly patronised Ghana-made Pozzolana cement in the construction industry. 

In a country where government is the biggest client in the construction sector, all it takes is a change of official mindset. It should be possible for government to decree that a certain minimum percentage of local materials should be used on all projects. 

Pozzolana

Never heard of Pozzolana cement? It was invented by the Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI) of the CSIR. 

The “Clay Pozzolana” replaces up to 40 per cent of imported Ordinary Portland Cement for both concrete and general cement works. 

For your money, a bag of pozzolana cement costs less than its Portland cement counterpart. Thus, on the market today (2022), while a bag of Portland cement is going for GH₵60.00, you get Pozzolana cement, same quantity, for GH₵50. 

The cost saving was demonstrated when BRRI undertook the construction of 650 housing units at Ashongman, Accra, using Pozzolana. By the time it handed over the houses, there had been a saving of 30 per cent.          

Talk of quality and durability. The user will discover that decades after completion, there will be absolutely no cracks in a house built with Pozzolana. It is also more resistant to rain penetration and chemical attacks. 

You want to know the millions of dollars Ghana spends importing cement? The country consumes eight million tonnes of cement a year. One tonne costs US$80.00. I leave readers to do the math. 

Scientists

Ghanaian scientists do not blow their horn, but talking about durability, it is on record that when the fence walls of the Aboadze Thermal Plant in the Western Region were collapsing as a result of acids and salts eating away the sandcrete block wall and metal fence, it was BRRI that went to the rescue, using salt-resistant burnt bricks and Pozzolana cement.

Yet, in spite of these facts and figures, how many Ghanaian real estate developers, government institutions and individual builders will opt for Pozzolana? 

It takes official policy. 

To be fair, there used to be a government policy in favour of 60 per cent of local materials for public buildings, but it has remained mere paper tiger. The reason is not far to fetch: the very government officials who have to promote Ghanaian solutions or ensure compliance with the law are themselves slaves to imported “quality”.  

Mindset

It’s a mindset. The story is told of an attempt by the Building and Road Research Institute to introduce low-cost housing built with local materials – such as burnt bricks, clay roofing tiles, bamboo and compressed earth blocks – for workers in one of Ghana’s regional capitals. 

A top government official moved heaven and earth to have the project stopped, describing the houses as Atakpami houses, implying they were below standard for educated city dwellers. 

It is this mindset that moved Bob Marley to sing: “in the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty”. 

This article is a thumbs-up to Citi FM for its news-judgement and the Ministry for its boldness.
But let’s beware of nine-day wonders.

The writer is Executive Director, Centre for Communication and Culture.
E-mail: [email protected]

Accra, June 6, GNA- A Ghanaian casting director and international film professional Mawuko Kuadzi has been appointed to the jury of the 2025 Uganda Film Festival (UFF), solidifying his position as a leading figure in Africa’s creative landscape.

Mawuko Kuadzi, who made history earlier this year as the first African to win the prestigious Artios Award from the Casting Society of America, joins a distinguished jury panel that includes Ugandan veteran actor and academic Philip Luswata-Kafuluma, Nigerian film executive Segilola Aboaba-Olunaike, director and producer Irene Kulabako, and media and distribution legend Simon Christian Tchokonte.

The announcement, made by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), comes as the festival prepares for its highly anticipated edition on the theme “Local Stories, Global Impact.” The UFF has grown into one of East Africa’s most prominent cultural events, celebrating excellence in African filmmaking while positioning Uganda as a regional hub for cinematic innovation.

“Mawuko Kuadzi brings not just global recognition, but a strategic Pan-African perspective that is crucial to where African cinema is headed,” said UCC spokesperson, Leonard Amanya. “His track record of talent discovery and his ability to connect African creatives with global platforms are vital assets for this year’s festival.

Following the UFF, there are plans to send some of this year’s winners to participate in a residence programme on acting in Ghana as exchange creative students”, he added.

Kuadzi’s inclusion on the jury follows a decade of impactful work across the continent.

Through his company MK Casting, he has contributed to internationally acclaimed productions including Beasts of No Nation (Netflix), Treadstone (Amazon Prime), and Black Earth Rising (BBC/Netflix). His leadership of the Africa Monologue Challenge has helped nurture actors across 25 African countries, reinforcing his commitment to cross-border creative collaboration.

The appointment is being seen by many analysts as a soft power boost for Ghana-Uganda relations, with creative diplomacy at its core.
“This is a win for Africa,” said Benjamin Dwomoh-Doyen, President of the African Chamber of Content Producers. “It’s about leveraging our stories to shape perception, attract investment, and drive regional cooperation.”

As UFF 2025 comes off this evening, the 6th of June 2025, expectations are high for a festival that not only showcases African narratives but helps define the continent’s voice in global cinema. With Kuadzi’s influence and experience now in the jury mix, that goal seems more achievable than ever.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba

The 24-Hour programme is government’s flagship programme

President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled a transformative economic initiative dubbed the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme (24H+), positioning it as Ghana’s flagship agenda to achieve inclusive growth, job creation, and long-term economic resilience.

The programme, according to the government, is designed to build a self-reliant, industrial, and export-driven economy anchored in integrated value chains, efficient markets, skilled labour, and enhanced regional and global competitiveness.

The 24H+ programme serves a dual purpose, both a vision and a framework for implementation. As a destination, it also envisions a Ghana where economic activity operates around the clock, reflecting a robust, high-productivity environment across sectors.

The programme lays out a strategic roadmap for restructuring the economy through targeted interventions in agro-processing, digital innovation, infrastructure, logistics, skills development, and export competitiveness.

“This is not just a plan, it is a national call to action,” President Mahama stated during a recent policy dialogue. “It is about harnessing the full power of our people, our industries, and our global partnerships to transform the Ghanaian economy from the ground up.”

The 24H+ initiative also aligns with global trends where round-the-clock economies are emerging in response to technological advances and shifting consumer demands. It particularly draws inspiration from successful models in countries like Singapore and South Korea, which have leveraged 24-hour economic systems to drive export-led growth and employment.

The president’s team emphasised that the 24H+ is “fundamentally a citizens’ and partners’ mobilisation programme,” built on the belief that the transformation Ghana seeks cannot be accomplished by government alone.

It also calls for full national mobilisation with defined roles for both the public and private sectors, as well as development partners and the diaspora.

In line with this inclusive approach, the 24H+ Programme document is currently being circulated widely to solicit input and build momentum. Citizens, investors, civil society, and international partners are being invited to engage with the policy as stakeholders in Ghana’s development journey.

The 24H+ rollout comes at a time when Ghana is grappling with persistent trade deficits, high youth unemployment, and vulnerability to external economic shocks.

The Mahama led government hopes that the programme will serve as a long-term blueprint for addressing these structural issues by reducing import dependence, generating foreign exchange through exports, and creating decent, sustainable jobs for millions of Ghanaians.

A speeding driver, believed to have been under the influence of alcohol has been involved in a road accident on the Aburi-Madina Highway, causing temporary traffic congestion.

The incident occurred on  Friday afternoon, June 6, 2025, when the driver of a red Toyota Corolla with registration number GS 6332-17 lost control and rammed into a truck parked at the roadside, reportedly loading building blocks.

The impact left the Corolla severely damaged, with debris scattered across the road.

An eyewitness, Justlord Estey, told Citi News that the driver was travelling at high speed before the crash.

Photos from the scene revealed about five bottles of alcoholic beverages on the front passenger seat of the vehicle.

The driver, whose name was not disclosed, sustained a minor injury and was immediately rushed to Mampong Hospital for treatment.

The accident briefly disrupted traffic flow on the busy highway, but normalcy was restored after emergency services cleared the scene.

Read also

Ghanaians no longer require visas to travel to Morocco – Ablakwa

An anti-Fraud Professional and Lecturer, Ransford Nana Addo Jnr, has warned that employee fraud is widespread and affects all types of businesses and even homes.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, he said, “Employee fraud is something that nobody or no business is spared, from banking to aviation, telecom, even our domestic helps.”

He shared a telling example of a house help who gave her employers a sudden notice that she would be leaving. “They said she should go and bring her things so they could drop her at the station. The bag she brought out compared to what she brought in years ago was something else.

“To shock you, they found provisions enough to set up a business in her hometown,” he recounted. “The kids she was supposed to take care of, they were three, were meant to take a tin of milk every day. But she used a tin for them the whole week or two before they drank one. The rest were being stored for a provision business in the village.”

Mr Addo Jnr explained that people who engage in this kind of fraud are often those seen as hardworking and trustworthy.

“Their hard work will take your eyes off their tricks,” he said. “You go to a mechanic shop very hardworking man and he’ll say, ‘Don’t worry, our boss. This thing is very expensive, if you bring it here, we know how to get it for you.’ But meanwhile, he is not stealing your lubricants, or your money but he is pushing your customers away

He warned that employee fraud can quietly destroy a business. “You’ll be there thinking nothing is missing, but gradually your business is going to shrink.”

To manage employee fraud, he suggested several approaches. One is to completely avoid business types where fraud risk cannot be managed. Another is to transfer the risk through insurance packages, like employee fidelity plans, or outsource that part of the business to people with time and resources to manage it. A third option is to mitigate the risk directly by being deliberate about internal controls. The last option which he discouraged is to simply accept the risk and do nothing about it.

“There are people who say, ‘I’ve brought 50 vehicles, I don’t care who runs away with one. I’ll keep praying and hope God sends me good people.’ But if you really want to deal with these things, you have to be very intentional,” he said.

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.

Michael Abbey is the CEO of VCTF

Ten young graduates have embarked on a career path in venture capital and private equity through the Venture Capital Analysts Programme.

According to a citinewsroom.com report, VCTF CEO, Michael Abbey, speaking during the beginning of the one-week orientation, expressed optimism about the venture capital ecosystem’s potential to drive Ghana’s economic development.

The ten young graduates, part of the Venture Capital Analysts Programme’s third cohort, will embark on a year-long training, featuring a one-week orientation, six months of classroom instruction, and a six-month practical attachment with coaching and mentorship.

According to Michael Abbey, he hopes that the participants will become key players in major investment deals and top-notch investment analysis in the future.

“I would be very much happy if looking back many years from here, where we talk about the big investment deals in Ghana, those who are involved in structuring the deals, those who are involved in top-notch investment analysis, it would be guys from here,” he said.

DR/AE

At first glance, the title “Nurses at War?” may conjure images of nurses in military gear, marching to defend the nation, or perhaps locked in physical confrontation, throwing syringes and ampoules at one another. While nursing indeed has historical ties to wartime service, this piece is not about literal combat. Rather, it explores a different kind of war: the silent but dangerous division within Ghana’s nursing unions. As leadership battles, conflicting loyalties, and politicized agendas seep into the professional space, nurses risk losing the very unity needed to protect their collective interests. This internal conflict, fueled by misinformation, rivalry, and lack of coordinated advocacy, is threatening to unravel the progress made in Ghana’s healthcare sector. The time has come to ask: who truly benefits from a divided nursing front?

The Ghanaian nursing profession, long seen as a unified and dependable pillar of healthcare delivery, is gradually becoming fragmented, divided by union rivalries, personal interests, and internal politics. What should be a collective force fighting for the welfare and future of nurses has turned into a battleground for supremacy, competing egos, and disjointed efforts. While professional associations and unions are vital for progress, their unchecked division can weaken the very cause they were created to protect.

How Did We Get Here?

The emergence of multiple nursing unions such as GRNMA (the long-standing holder of the Collective Bargaining Certificate), UPNMG, NARM-G, and other associations including groups of rotation nurses did not happen in a vacuum. It arose out of valid concerns: dissatisfaction with representation, delays in benefit disbursements, limited inclusivity in decision-making, and uneven welfare schemes.

But over time, the response to these challenges has shifted from demanding accountability and change from within to creating parallel unions. Instead of reforming leadership by standing for office and influencing policy from inside, many chose to break away entirely. This has led to unnecessary competition, sometimes focused solely on who holds the CBC, rather than on how all nurses can collectively win better working conditions, fair wages, and respect.

It is important to ask: what good is holding a CBC if the people you claim to represent are not united behind your cause?

When the Cause Turns Personal

Sometimes, causes that begin with genuine intentions slowly become led by disappointment, bitterness, or personal ambition. A call for fairness can evolve into a personal campaign. What starts as an advocacy effort for “the people” becomes a mission to prove a point, settle scores, or build personal prestige. When that happens, the original purpose is lost.

Instead of focusing on collective progress, energy is wasted on making one union or its leaders look bad. There are public spats, smear campaigns, and back-and-forth exchanges that bring nothing but shame to the profession. Internal arguments take precedence over constructive dialogue. Nurses begin to shame each other publicly, forgetting that their strength lies in solidarity.

This is not leadership. It is not activism. It is the very thing that divides and weakens a profession.

The Cost of Division

A fragmented nursing front leads to weakened bargaining power, confusion among members, and a loss of credibility before policymakers and the public. When nurses fight among themselves, politicians and external forces are given the room to manipulate, divide, and ignore their concerns. A divided voice is an easy one to silence.

Furthermore, nurses who focus only on what they can get from a union such as loans, insurance, or land schemes without paying attention to the broader mission risk turning unions into service providers, not advocacy bodies. The true power of unions lies in their ability to influence national policy, shape working conditions, and lead the transformation of the healthcare sector.

We must also consider the optics. The public, other professionals, and decision-makers observe how nurses carry themselves. Disunity does not inspire confidence. Instead, it sends the message that nurses cannot manage their own affairs, a perception that can be used to sideline the profession in national discussions.

Lessons from Other Professions

Nurses can learn from the mistakes of other professions in Ghana that fractured into several unions and fought publicly, such as teachers, transport operators, and even some security services. Many of these groups eventually realized, after years of rivalry and setbacks, that they needed to stand together to truly win the fight for better conditions.

Unity does not mean there will never be disagreements, but it means those disagreements are handled internally, maturely, and constructively. When each group tries to build their own kingdom, everyone loses.

The Way Forward: Reform Through Leadership, Not Rivalry

If you want to correct a wrong in the nursing profession, rise through the ranks. Stand for a position. Campaign with a clear agenda. Earn the trust of your colleagues and change the system from within. Division is not the path to reform. It is a detour that leads to confusion, stagnation, and collapse.

Nurses must return to the principles of dialogue, shared vision, and collective action. Union leaders must embrace transparency, and members must prioritize unity over personal benefit. Collaborations between unions should be encouraged on key national issues. No single union can win this fight alone.

Conclusion

The future of nursing in Ghana cannot be built on fragmented voices and rival factions. The profession is too important to be undermined by internal politics, vendettas, and ego-driven campaigns. Nurses must look beyond CBCs, land schemes, and personal scores and remember their core mandate, which is to care, to advocate, and to lead change in healthcare.

Unity does not erase our differences. It channels them into strength. And for nurses, now more than ever, unity is not an option. It is the only way forward.

As knowledge workers, nurses must begin to verify information for themselves and not rely solely on emotionally charged narratives. Misinformation thrives in divided spaces. A profession rooted in science must also be driven by research and truth. Embracing continuous education, critical thinking, and peer-reviewed evidence will help nurses make informed choices about leadership, unions, and representation.

Leaders of UPNMG, GRNMA, NARM-G, and other associations must stop fueling division and inciting hate. The future of nursing depends on their maturity, diplomacy, and willingness to put collective interests above personal or organizational pride. The goal must be the protection and advancement of all nurses, not just their own members.

The time to heal, unify, and rise as one profession is now. Anything else is a disservice to the calling and to the lives nurses are entrusted to protect.

By: Bright Kwaku Banitsi

Ken Ofori-Atta is a former Minister of Finance

An INTERPOL red notice alert was issued for Ghana’s former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, for ‘using public office for profit.’

This follows the declaration of the former finance minister as a fugitive wanted for several corruption-related cases.

The issuance of the INTERPOL red notice for Ofori-Atta has made international news headlines, including in the United Kingdom, where the former finance minister has reportedly visited several times after leaving Ghana months ago.

The British broadcaster, the BBC, in its report, explained the ramifications of Ofori-Atta being added to INTERPOL’s Red Notice database.

Below is their report:

Interpol issues red notice for Ghana’s ‘fugitive’ ex-minister

Ghana’s former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been placed on Interpol’s red notice list for allegedly using public office for personal gain.

This comes after Ghanaian prosecutors declared him a wanted person as well as a fugitive from justice, as he was outside the country, over his alleged involvement in several corruption cases when he was in government.

A red notice is not an arrest warrant but a request to police worldwide to detain someone pending extradition.

Ofori-Atta, who is said to be out of the country for medical reasons, has not commented on the allegations, but he has said he has been unlawfully treated.

The AFP news agency is quoting Frank Davies, on Ofori-Atta’s legal team, criticising the prosecutor’s approach.

“We submitted medical records in good faith, and the office has chosen to ignore them,” Mr Davies told AFP.

“The special prosecutor is not being sensitive to the issues at hand, especially knowing that Mr Ofori-Atta is unwell and receiving treatment.”

The 65-year-old has been accused of causing financial losses to the state.

The allegations include questions over procurement procedures in the building of a controversial national cathedral, which remains a hole in the ground despite the alleged spending of $58m (£46.6m) of government money.

Ofori-Atta’s lawyers had offered to represent him, but the state prosecutor said they could not respond to criminal charges on behalf of their client.

In February, Ofori-Atta appealed to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to remove his name from the wanted list and provided a definite return date in May.

State prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng accepted Ofori-Atta’s assurance and subsequently took his name off the wanted list.

But in March, Ofori-Atta filed a lawsuit, claiming unlawful treatment and requesting removal of related content from the OSP’s social media platforms.

Early this month, Ofori-Atta was re-declared a wanted person and a fugitive from justice after failing to appear before an investigative panel.

Agyebeng subsequently formally initiated the Red Notice request, seeking international help in tracking down the former official, local media reported.

“We want him here physically, and we insist on it. A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its investigations,” Agyebeng said.

In the Red Notice released late Thursday, Interpol said Ofori-Atta is wanted on charges of “using public office for profit”.

He was finance minister from January 2017 to February 2024, when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was in power.

The NPP lost last December’s elections to the National Democratic Congress.

President John Mahama, who was inaugurated in January, went on to establish an investigative committee known as Operation Recover All Loot.

The committee has received over 200 complaints of corruption, amounting to more than $20bn in recoverable funds.

Mahama has directed the attorney general and minister of justice to launch investigations into these allegations, stating that Ghana will no longer be a safe haven for corruption.

However, some Ghanaians have criticised him for discontinuing cases against his former allies on trial.

BAI/AE

The ‘Dumsor Levy’ imposes a GH¢1 fee on petroleum products

Parliament, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, passed the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, under a certificate of urgency.

The bill, introduced by the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, imposes a GH¢1 fee on petroleum products.

Since its passage, the levy has been widely referred to as Dumsor Levy, or ‘D-Levy.’

Public reaction to the Levy

Many Ghanaians have since taken to social media to express their displeasure, arguing that the D-Levy replaces the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) introduced under the Akufo-Addo administration.

This assertion is corroborated by some critics as well.

The Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) was introduced by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government under President Nana Akufo-Addo through the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022 (Act 1075).

Passed on March 29, 2022, after a contentious parliamentary process, the law imposed a 1.5% tax, which was later reduced to 1%, on electronic transactions, including Mobile Money payments, bank transfers, and merchant payments.

Purpose of the D-Levy

Providing more insight into the new tax, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, stated that the revenue generated will be used to fund liquid fuel purchases.

He explained that the government requires over US$1 billion in 2025 to procure liquid fuels.

According to him, the cost of liquid fuel is not included in the electricity tariff structure, posing financing challenges for the government.

Additionally, the levy is intended to raise additional revenue to address energy sector debts and mitigate intermittent power supply issues affecting Ghanaians.

Ghana’s Thermal Energy Situation

Currently, Ghana has 15 thermal plants, many of which are designed to run on natural gas.

Eight of these plants can switch to liquid fuels when gas is unavailable, whether from the Atuabo Gas Plant or due to disruptions along the West African Gas Pipeline (WAPCo).

About liquid fuels

This refers to all petroleum, including crude oil and products of petroleum refining, natural gas liquids, biofuels, and liquids derived from other hydrocarbon sources including coal to liquids and gas to liquids.

Liquid fuels, according to Research Gate, are those combustible or energy-generating molecules that can be harnessed to create mechanical energy.

Most liquid fuels, in widespread use, are or derived from fossil fuels such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, alcohols, and hydrogen.

About ESLA

The Energy Sector Levies Act (ESLA) was introduced in 2015 and implemented in 2016, aimed at streamlining energy-related taxes and rescuing struggling state-owned utilities.

Since the inception of the program, total expected collections were projected at GH¢29.27 billion.

However, according to the Ministry of Finance, total collections from all ESLA levies between January 2016 and December 2024 amounted to GH¢27.24 billion, leaving a shortfall of GH¢2.03 billion.

Details about the D-Levy

The GH¢1 levy on petroleum products, also known as the Dumsor Levy or D-Levy, is a tax imposed on every liter of fuel purchased.

This means that if a consumer buys 10 liters of fuel, they will pay GH¢10 in total. The more liters purchased, the higher the amount paid as D-Levy.

Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s analogy supports this calculation, noting that for every GH¢1,000 spent on fuel, consumers will pay GH¢83 in taxes.

It is important to note that the Dumsor Levy component is calculated based on the number of liters purchased.

SA/AE

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Showbiz News

Jun – 06 – 2025 , 14:52

1 minute read

At the 2025 Hamburg Sustainability Conference, one of the defining themes that emerged was the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and the future of work. As cities and countries worldwide grapple with the dual challenge of climate resilience and economic transformation, the role of innovation ecosystems, particularly innovation hubs, is gaining unprecedented recognition.

For Ghana, where the need to create green jobs, transition to low-carbon growth, and empower a rising youth population is urgent, innovation hubs offer a practical and scalable platform for driving sustainability. Anchored in the spirit of co-creation, experimentation, and entrepreneurship, these hubs are uniquely positioned to foster solutions that are local in insight and global in relevance.

What Hamburg Taught Us: Innovation as a Climate and Economic Strategy

The Hamburg conference showcased how innovation spaces are being harnessed globally as strategic instruments for both economic inclusion and climate action. In Germany, hubs have evolved into collaborative ecosystems that unite startups, academia, government, and civil society around mission-driven challenges — from renewable energy to circular economy models and sustainable urban farming.

Crucially, these hubs are no longer just startup incubators. They are policy partners, research testbeds, and civic platforms. Their value lies in their agility — the ability to test solutions quickly, fail fast, and scale what works.

This model is highly relevant for Ghana, where climate risks, youth unemployment, and informal urbanisation converge as pressing policy issues.

Ghana’s Innovation Hubs: Seeds of a Green Future

The Role of Ghana Hubs Network in Driving Sustainability

1. Localizing Sustainability Solutions:
 Hubs can serve as centers for developing and deploying community-level solutions in waste management, clean cooking, water access, and green mobility — ensuring that sustainability is not an abstract policy goal, but a lived, localized reality.

2. Building the Green Workforce:
 Through partnerships with universities and vocational institutes, hubs can offer training in green skills — from solar panel installation to sustainable agriculture and eco-design — preparing youth for the jobs of the future.

3. Acting as Policy Labs:
 GHN can support the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) in piloting climate innovation policies. For instance, by serving as experimental zones for green financing models, low-emission technologies, or carbon credit tracking tools.

4. Supporting Green Entrepreneurship:
 Hubs already host and nurture entrepreneurs. By embedding sustainability criteria into incubation programs, such as climate-smart agriculture, circular product design, or digital tools for environmental monitoring, hubs can accelerate the emergence of eco-enterprises.

Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships: A National Imperative

To achieve this vision, cross-sector collaboration is key. The Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology  can provide policy direction and integrate hubs into national sustainability planning and climate strategies such as the National Adaptation Plan.

The German Development Cooperation in Ghana (GIZ), which already supports several innovation and skills projects, can play a pivotal role by aligning its support with a green innovation mandate. Technical expertise, funding, and exposure to German green technologies can significantly enhance the capabilities of Ghanaian hubs.

Together, GHN, MEST, and GIZ can co-create an Innovation for Sustainability Framework, guiding how hubs contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

The Future of Work: Green, Digital, and Inclusive

Conclusion: A Decade to Deliver

Ebbo Botwe is the President of the Plastic Manufacturers Association of Ghana

The President of the Plastic Manufacturers Association of Ghana, Ebbo Botwe, has pushed back against President John Dramani Mahama’s recent announcement of a planned ban on the importation and production of Styrofoam in Ghana, calling for broader consultation and a more informed approach to policymaking.

President Mahama made the announcement on June 5, 2025, during the launch of the 2025 national tree planting exercise, an initiative aimed at restoring forest cover and combating climate change.

He cited Styrofoam’s significant contribution to environmental pollution, especially due to its widespread use in food packaging, as justification for the proposed ban.

“Styrofoam is one of the most harmful pollutants. We must move urgently to adopt safer, more sustainable alternatives,” President Mahama said.

However, in an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on June 5, 2025, Botwe expressed concern about what he described as widespread misconceptions surrounding Styrofoam.

While acknowledging its visible environmental nuisance when improperly disposed of, he argued that its actual plastic content is minimal.

“Let me try to clear up some misconceptions. The Styrofoam that you see contains between 4% to 5% maximum plastic. The rest is air. It is basically air. It becomes more of an eyesore in terms of impacting the environment. We have a meeting with the Minister of Environment between June 16 and 20. We really want to give the minister a proper overview of the plastic industry so when the government wants to initiate any programmes or any decision, he will be well informed,” he said.

He stressed that a blanket ban could have unintended consequences for manufacturers, workers, and consumers.

Botwe called for a more nuanced approach that prioritises investment in waste management infrastructure, recycling systems, and public education over product bans.

“We are not opposed to protecting the environment. But there must be stakeholder engagement and a data-driven assessment to ensure that any policy introduced is effective and fair,” he indicated.

MRA/AE

Watch as Muntaka Mubarak criticises Afenyo-Markin in Parliament

President John Dramani Mahama says the cost of Hajj is still high

President John Dramani Mahama has acknowledged the financial strain many Muslim families face in performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

Speaking at the 2025 Eid-ul-Adha celebrations at the Black Star Square, he announced the government’s commitment to making the Hajj pilgrimage more affordable for Muslim families, with optimism that costs could significantly drop by 2026.

He stated that the government is working closely with relevant agencies and some Saudi counterparts to reduce Hajj costs, despite high fares in 2025.

“This year, despite efforts, the cost remain high, even though we cut it. But I want to assure you that we are working closely with the relevant agencies and our Saudi counterparts, and if Allah accepts our supplications, and the Cedi continues to show the recent strength that it has shown, I’m optimistic that next year we’ll see a very significant drop in the Hajj fare,” he said.

He also stated that if the current strength of the Ghana cedi continues, Hajj fares could come to around GH¢45,000.

He went ahead to announce that the government has also prepared a bill to designate Eid-ul-Adha as an additional public holiday.

He added that the bill will soon be presented to Parliament, recognising the spiritual significance of the festival in the lives of Muslims.

DR/AE

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says Ghanaians travelling to Morocco will no longer need traditional visas, following a new bilateral agreement.

In a Facebook post on Friday, June 6, Mr. Ablakwa revealed that under the new arrangement, Ghanaians can obtain online travel authorisation within 24 hours, without the need for embassy appointments.

The move, finalised during his two-day working visit to Morocco, was agreed upon in talks with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita.

“With existing direct flights which would be increased following this new agreement, we expect this bilateral visa waiver policy to greatly facilitate trade, tourism and deepen people-to-people engagements between both countries,” Mr. Ablakwa noted.

He added that the development is part of a broader diplomatic vision to transform African borders into “bridges of connectivity” and ensure diplomacy delivers real benefits to citizens.

Mr. Ablakwa concluded his message by extending Eid greetings to Muslims across the country.

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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.