The Concerned Doctors of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS.D) have raised alarm over what they describe as a growing national crisis, the prolonged unemployment of over 1,000 highly trained laboratory doctors for the past six years.

In a press statement issued, the group said their continued joblessness poses a direct threat to patient safety and the overall quality of healthcare delivery in Ghana.

“This is no longer just a personal or economic challenge; it has become a national issue that undermines the foundation of effective medical treatment,” the statement noted.

According to the group, the affected graduates underwent six years of rigorous academic and professional training in areas such as Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology, Hematology, Immunology, Molecular Diagnostics and forensic analytical techniques.

Despite possessing the critical skills needed for early disease detection, monitoring and surveillance, they remain outside the health system.

“Our expertise places us at the forefront of modern diagnostic medicine, yet we are left unemployed at a time when Ghana needs us most,” said Dr Essuman Dadzie, one of the signatories.

They warned that the country’s diagnostic capacity remains overstretched, leaving patients to endure long delays for essential laboratory results due to understaffed facilities. The group argued that this has serious implications for national health goals, including Ghana’s commitment to diagnosing at least 95% of all persons living with HIV.

“Every Ghanaian deserves accurate and timely laboratory diagnosis, but this cannot be achieved when the trained professionals remain idle,” said Dr Kwasi Asante Otchere.

They also referenced recent remarks by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang at ICASA 2025, stressing the need for an inclusive and resilient health system.

The MLS.D graduates have therefore urged the Minister for Health, the Minister for Finance and the Presidency to urgently intervene by granting financial clearance for their recruitment.

They also called for their full integration into Ghana’s healthcare structure as key contributors to clinical decision-making and disease prevention.

“How can a nation achieve quality healthcare when its human capital is left to waste away?” the group queried in the statement, adding that the workload on currently employed laboratory professionals has become unsustainable.

The group emphasised that employing them is not a favour but a national necessity that aligns with Ghana’s broader goals of strengthening health systems and improving public health outcomes.

They expressed readiness to contribute their skills to national development and urged the government to treat the matter with urgency.

“Honourable Ministers, the time to act is now,” said Dr Precious Achana. “Employing the Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science graduates is essential to safeguarding patient safety and enhancing healthcare quality in Ghana.”

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 Abbiw is the President of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG)

The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG), has called for deeper collaboration with government to strengthen the country’s competitive identity, arguing that Ghana’s long-term economic transformation hinges on a deliberate, data-driven approach to national branding.

President of CIMG, Michael Abbiw, noted that no country has achieved sustained development without first defining and projecting a clear national brand grounded in insight, consumer behaviour, and strategic policy design.

He urged the government to work more intentionally with professional bodies, including CIMG, to embed the ‘Brand Ghana’ agenda into development frameworks, thus positioning the country as a leading hub for investment, tourism, trade, and talent on the continent.

Addressing members and guests at the 34th CIMG President’s Ball in Accra, Mr. Abbiw stressed: “As the country navigates economic growth, structural challenges, and global competitiveness, effective marketing must become a central pillar of national policy – not a peripheral afterthought.”

He also called for strengthened consumer protection, noting that CIMG continues to advocate for stronger enforcement of consumer rights, ethical marketing, and market regulation. “When consumers trust the marketplace, economies grow faster,” he said.

On marketing integration in the public sector, Mr. Abbiw highlighted its value across agriculture, health, education, and sanitation. He urged government agencies to collaborate with CIMG in designing social and behavioural change campaigns that shift attitudes, improve adoption, and drive sustainable impact.

“Ghana must accelerate its digital transformation by embracing data as a national asset. CIMG stands ready to support government in crafting digital communication frameworks, citizen-engagement models, and e-governance strategies that deliver transparency and efficiency,” he added.

He reaffirmed CIMG’s commitment to supporting policymakers with evidence-based insights, advisory support, and national marketing development programmes, adding that “when professional bodies and government work hand in hand, Ghana wins.”

The 34th President’s Ball, held under the theme ‘Repositioning Brand Ghana: Marketing for Economic Growth and Transformation’, saw 23 out of 35 applicants conferred as Chartered Marketers after a rigorous process.

Mr. Abbiw highlighted CIMG’s forward-looking strategy for membership, which prioritises engagement to expand and strengthen the community of marketing professionals nationwide. This growth, he said, enhances collective influence and reinforces the Institute’s advocacy within the industry.

“Members benefit from tailored professional development opportunities, dynamic networking events, awards recognising excellence, and support programmes designed to promote well-being,” he added.

The newly conferred Chartered Marketers pledged to uphold the values of the Institute, apply marketing strategically within their organisations, and contribute meaningfully to CIMG activities.

“We step forward ready to serve, ready to innovate, and ready to champion marketing as a catalyst for CIMG’s progress and the growth of our various organisations,” a spokesperson said.

Outgoing Governing Council and Committee members expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Institute and noted key successes during their tenure.

“We are proud to have championed several pioneering initiatives, including the establishment of Ghana’s first-ever Customer Satisfaction Index and Regional Brand Index – a major milestone in building a research-driven, insight-led marketing environment for our country,” they said.

They also highlighted steps taken toward the localisation agenda and said they leave with pride and confidence in the new Governing Council, pledging to remain active ambassadors and supporters of CIMG even after their official roles end.

John Dumelo is the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture

John Dumelo, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, has encouraged young people in the Volta Region to take advantage of the vast opportunities in agriculture and entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the Volta Youth Entrepreneurs Forum, held as part of the ongoing Volta Trade and Investment Fair in Ho, he said not everyone would secure a “white-collar” job, making it essential for young people to pursue ventures that enable them to create livelihoods and employ others.

He noted that a stronger entrepreneurial and agricultural drive among the youth would help reduce Ghana’s overdependence on imported products.

Mr Dumelo described the forum, on the theme: “Empowering Volta’s Young Entrepreneurs for Global Partnerships and a Thriving 24-Hour Economy,” as timely and crucial in preparing young people for a sustainable future.

“By next year, I want to return and see many young people actively engaged in entrepreneurship and farming,” he stated.

Mrs Elsie Appau-Klu, Technical Advisor to the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), described the forum as an innovative and much-needed platform for training, mentorship, and business guidance.

Sharing her experience as a former young entrepreneur, she said the GRA considers young business owners not only job creators but key drivers of national economic growth.

“Without the growth of Ghana’s economic sectors, we at the GRA cannot mobilise the revenue needed for national development,” she said.

Mrs Appau-Klu outlined new GRA interventions, including a modified taxation scheme aimed at simplifying tax processes through digital platforms.

She said entrepreneurs earning below GH¢500,000 annually benefit from exemptions or flexible arrangements, while people under 35 enjoy additional reliefs under Ghana’s tax laws.

Businesses located outside Accra and Tema, she added, also qualify for tax holidays of up to five years.

She encouraged the youth of the Volta Region to explore opportunities in tourism, agriculture, education, and other sectors, noting that the GRA remains committed to supporting young entrepreneurs to understand the tax system and grow their enterprises.

Mama Bobi III, Queen of Bake and Afetornyornufia of Ho-Bankoe, applauded the initiative, describing it as necessary to shift the mindset of young people toward entrepreneurship.

Drawing from her background as a judge, she said the realities of the modern world show that entrepreneurship is a true driver of national growth.

“Today, the wealthiest people are not those in eight-to-five jobs. Entrepreneurship is the way forward, especially at a time when formal employment is scarce,” she noted.

Mama Bobi lamented the low participation of young people in developmental programmes compared to entertainment events, observing that while the fairgrounds were full at midnight, only a fraction attended the forum.

She called on the youth to pursue ventures that solve societal problems and take advantage of platforms offering mentorship, partnerships, and networks.

“As leaders, we are ready to support you, but your interest, commitment, and presence are essential,” she said.

She also encouraged improved access and engagement between leaders and young people seeking guidance, stressing the need to bridge the gap for meaningful impact.

Some young entrepreneurs who attended the forum told the Ghana News Agency that the programme offered valuable exposure, connections, and inspiration to sharpen their skills and pursue their goals with renewed determination.

The forum brought together young business owners, CEOs, traditional leaders, legal practitioners, and aspiring entrepreneurs from across the region.

A new study has found that the air in several senior high schools in Kumasi is far dirtier than what health experts consider safe, putting thousands of students at risk of developing serious health problems.

The research, conducted between September 2022 and August 2023 in six schools, using air quality sensors, revealed that pollution levels, specifically tiny particles one cannot see with human eyes known as PM2.5, consistently exceeded the World Health Organisation’s recommended limits.

Dr Victoria Owusu Tawiah, Lead researcher, explained to Ghana News Agency that the levels recorded were worryingly high.

“Think of a big bucket of water, like the ones used at home. Clean air should have only five tiny grains of dust in that bucket. But in Kumasi schools, the bucket has about fifteen grains instead of five,” she told the Ghana News Agency.

PM2.5, she said, refers to extremely tiny particles that cannot be seen with the eye but can travel deep into the lungs when breathed in, increasing the risk of asthma, lung disease, and other health complications.

“Children breathe in more air than adults and their bodies are still developing, so they are more likely to suffer from the effects of air pollution,” she added.

The study found that pollution was much worse during the dry season, when Harmattan dust from the Sahara mixed with smoke from burning rubbish, vehicle emissions, and household cooking fires.

During this period, the air was almost twice as polluted compared to the rainy season.

Mornings and evenings were identified as the most polluted times of the day, largely due to heavy traffic and domestic burning. Saturdays also recorded the highest weekly pollution levels, driven by increased weekend cooking and waste burning.

“Local factors like busy roads and open fires near schools make the situation worse,” Dr Owusu-Tawiah said.

Using an international air quality scale, the study found that air in the monitored schools frequently entered the ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ category, posing particular danger to children, people with asthma, and those with respiratory conditions.

Dr Owusu-Tawiah called for urgent action, including stopping open burning, promoting cleaner cooking methods, planting more trees around school compounds, and planning outdoor activities based on real-time air quality alerts.

“This is not just a school problem. It’s a city problem. Kumasi is growing fast, and if we don’t act now, more children will suffer from breathing problems and other health issues.”

She urged schools, government agencies, and parents to work together to protect students and reduce pollution around learning environments.

Air pollution remained one of Ghana’s deadliest public health threats. In 2023 alone, it claimed over 32,000 lives, according to the State of Global Air 2025 report by the Health Effects Institute (HEI) and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).

The report showed that air pollution caused nearly 14 per cent of all deaths in Ghana last year, making it the country’s second leading risk factor, after high blood pressure.

The World Health Organisation earlier estimated that about 28,000 Ghanaians died prematurely in 2019 due to polluted air. By 2025, this figure had risen by more than 4,000, signalling a disturbing trend.

The Air Quality Life Index 2025 report also notes that dirty air is cutting nearly 0.8 years (or about nine months) from the average Ghanaian’s life expectancy.

While global deaths from air pollution remain around 7.9 million, Ghana’s burden remains disproportionately high.

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.

President John Dramani Mahama has warned that Ghana is facing rising structural unemployment due to a mismatch between the skills graduates possess and industry’s needs.

Speaking on Saturday, December 6, at the Doha Forum on Economic Empowerment in Africa: Pathway to Inclusive Prosperity, President Mahama highlighted that universities continue to produce large numbers of graduates in fields that do not align with current job openings.

“Employers across Ghana are calling for middle-level technicians rather than graduates with high academic qualifications,” he said. “If you speak to captains of industry in Ghana, they are looking for technicians more than professors and other high academic laurels.”

President Mahama explained that while jobs exist, many remain unfilled because graduates lack the practical skills required. “We are not training enough for the world of work. There are jobs looking for technicians, yet we are producing more business administration, marketing, and humanities graduates,” he noted.

President Mahama also stressed the importance of preparing young people for the digital economy.

“By 2030, there are expected to be 230 million digital jobs in Africa. We must equip our youth with the skills to take advantage of that,” he said.

He warned that unskilled youth are at risk of being exploited by criminal elements.

“We have many young people ready to be hired by bad actors—drug traffickers, terrorists, and other criminals,” he said.

Mahama concluded that stronger technical, vocational, and digital training is critical to ensuring Ghanaian youth are ready for available jobs and can build stable livelihoods.

In support of technical and vocational training, the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP), launched in April, offers practical skills development in carpentry, plumbing, auto mechanics, agro-processing, tailoring, and electrical work.

The programme currently targets 10,000 apprentices across all 261 districts, with plans to scale up to 100,000 annually, including reserved slots for women and persons with disabilities.

Rasmus Hojlund scored both goals as Napoli went top of Serie A with a 2-1 win over Juventus.

The Denmark forward, who is on loan from Manchester United, slid in to put the defending champions ahead before Juventus hit back when Kenan Yildiz equalised after a counter-attack.

However, Hojlund secured the points with his second, a 78th-minute header from point-blank range.

He now has six Serie A and Champions League goals for Napoli since moving to Italy on a season-long loan at the beginning of September.

Former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay nearly scored just before the interval when his header glanced past the near post.

McTominay was forced to visit the touchline several times for treatment, though he managed to play on.

Napoli have 31 points, one ahead of Inter Milan in second. Juventus are seventh on 23 points.

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.

Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has urged West African governments to accelerate efforts toward a fully interconnected regional power system, arguing that the future of the sub-region’s energy security depends on deeper cooperation, harmonised regulation, and coordinated investment.

Expressing these thoughts at the 2025 West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit in Accra, Jinapor stated that the region can no longer afford fragmented approaches that isolate national utilities and increase system-wide costs.

Addressing colleagues, regulators, and private-sector operators, he said West Africa must “move with urgency towards a fully interconnected, interoperable, and inclusive energy system,” warning that years of working in isolation had weakened resilience and restricted economic growth.

He stated that integration remained the most viable route to delivering reliable, affordable power to households and industry.

“For too long, our energy systems have operated in isolation, undermining our collective resilience. Today, we must move with urgency towards a fully interconnected, interoperable, and inclusive energy system,” he said.

The minister’s appeal comes as Ghana positions itself as a central hub for power distribution within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He argued that by aggregating the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of member states, the region could negotiate more favourable financing terms for infrastructure than any single nation could achieve alone.

The economic logic presented by Mr. Jinapor rests on the complementary nature of regional demand cycles. He noted that peak demand periods in Ghana often coincide with off-peak periods in Nigeria due to differing industrial and festive calendars, creating a natural arbitrage opportunity. “In times when we need more, and they have less, we can take that from them,” he explained.

The minister highlighted a landmark achievement in November 2025, when the West African Power Pool (WAPP) successfully conducted a four-hour synchronisation trial linking the Ghana–Togo–Benin network with Nigeria at the Sakete substation in Benin. The trial represented the first time the entire regional grid had operated as a single system, marking what he described as “a significant leap towards our regional power market.”

According to him, the exercise demonstrated both the technical feasibility and economic potential of deeper interconnection. Data from the trial are now being analysed to inform a permanent synchronisation strategy, which officials say will pave the way for real-time power trading, shared grid services, and more efficient utilisation of generation assets across West Africa.

Jinapor said the achievement “reminds us of what is possible when countries commit to integration,” adding that a fully unified grid is no longer aspirational but “within reach if governments sustain political will and regulatory discipline.”

The Ghanaian minister placed this cooperation within a broader continental context, noting that energy will play a decisive role in the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM).

He argued that cross-border manufacturing, logistics, and digital innovation cannot expand without dependable and competitively priced power.

“AfCFTA and AfSEM must go hand-in-hand,” he said, calling for standardised grid codes, coordinated investment planning, and bankable regional power purchase agreements to support industrial clusters and enable scale.

During a Ministers Roundtable—moderated by Kweku Awotwi, Co-Founder & Director, Cenpower Generation, under the theme: ‘Maximising the Power of Regional Collaboration to Scale up Energy Development’— Jinapor outlined Ghana’s domestic reforms, positioning the country as a stable and commercially reliable partner for regional integration.

He pointed to recent improvements in liquidity, including a sharp increase in payments to independent power producers and greater reliance on natural gas to stabilise generation. The government’s renewed commitment to competitive procurement and its plan to add over 1,200MW of solar capacity, he said, would reinforce Ghana’s ability to serve as a dependable node within the emerging regional market.

Mr. Jinapor was candid about the costs of reliable energy, defending recent tariff adjustments and aggressive revenue collection measures.

He revealed that payments through the cash waterfall mechanism—the system used to distribute revenue to value-chain stakeholders—have surged from GH₵6 billion to over GH₵15 billion this year. Consequently, Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are now receiving full payment for their invoices, a marked improvement from the 35 to 40 per cent recovery rates of previous years.

“There are no shortcuts. If you pretend to subsidise, you can’t pay it… If you want a reliable supply of power, you have to be honest, you have to be firm, and you must do what is right,” Mr. Jinapor warned.

Regional counterparts expressed complementary priorities while acknowledging that the viability of this regional market relies heavily on Nigeria, the region’s largest economy and gas producer.

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, confirmed that Africa’s most populous nation is undergoing a significant infrastructure overhaul to meet these regional aspirations.

Adelabu reported that Nigeria’s installed generation capacity has risen to over 14 gigawatts (GW) in the last two years, with transmission capacity currently at 8,500 megawatts (MW). Under the Presidential Power Initiative, often referred to as the Siemens Project, Nigeria targets a transmission capacity of 15,000 MW by 2028.

“If Nigeria can be fixed, the entire West Africa will be fixed,” Mr. Adelabu told the summit. He added that the country had reduced grid collapses from nearly a dozen annually to a single minor disturbance this year, signalling the stability required for reliable cross-border trade.

The benefits of integration were corroborated by smaller markets in the bloc. The Gambia’s Minister of Petroleum, Energy & Mines, Nani Juwara, noted that interconnection with Senegal and Guinea had transformed energy access in his country, shifting communities from 14 hours of power daily to 24-hour availability.

“It used to be power cuts on a daily basis before we were interconnected with Senegal. In some parts of the country, they only enjoyed power for less than 14 hours a day. But when we got interconnected with Senegal on the eastern part, we are now able to provide 24-hour electricity supply to those communities for the first time.”

Similarly, Liberia reported stability improvements following the completion of the CLSG transmission line connecting Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.

“Increasingly, we are seeing the benefits of cooperation across the region, and we are working towards seeing it deepened,” Deputy Minister of Mines & Energy of Liberia, Charles Umehal, said.

The ministers all agreed that while infrastructure is being built, the regulatory and market frameworks must now catch up to allow for efficient, real-time energy trading.

Martin Kpebu (L) pledges to file petition for removal of Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng (R)

Renowned private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has made some wild corruption allegations against the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng.

According to a report by citinewsroom.com, Kpebu, who has been calling for the head of Kissi Agyebeng for his handling of the case of former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta, accused him (the Special Prosecutor) of taking bribes in his role.

Martin Kpebu accused the Special Prosecutor of demanding an alleged sum of $40,000 from former Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen, in order to drop the charges against the former minister, who was then under investigation.

“I want to show Ghanaians that I’m not scared. When Kissi Agyebeng freed Adu Boahen, he wrote to him to bring him $40,000 cash, after telling Ghanaians he had not committed any crime within his jurisdiction. What is your mandate to collect $40,000?” he is quoted to have said.

The lawyer, who is reported to have made these remarks during an interview on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on Saturday, December 6, 2025, said that he has the evidence to prove his allegation against Kissi Agyebeng.

He also accused the Special Prosecutor of interfering in an investigation against the current Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa South, Dr Kingsley Agyemang, who was a suspect in a corruption scandal during his tenure as the Registrar of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat.

He claimed that Kissi Agyebeng stopped the investigation because he feared it would hurt the parliamentary ambitions of Dr Agyemang.

“[Dr] Kingsley Agyemang, MP now, used to be in charge of the Scholarship Secretariat [Registrar]. A corruption case against Kingsley Agyemang was reported to the OSP, and he was due for arrest to write his statement. But Kissi Agyebeng blocked the arrest and said Kingsley was his friend and it was going to affect his chances of winning the primaries in Abuakwa South,” he said.

Anonymous OSP officer shares supposed details of Kpebu’s clash with soldier

He further alleged that the Special Prosecutor not only stopped the corruption investigation against Dr Agyemang, but also led a smear campaign against Samuel Atta Akyea, who was then the MP for Abuakwa South.

“He employed some people to do a smear campaign against Samuel Atta Akyea, former MP for Abuakwa South, in order to secure the seat. One of the guys has confessed to being promised two slots of scholarship,” he added.

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Dr. Yao Graham, Coordinator of the Third World Network-Africa, has called on African countries to adopt a regional approach in harnessing critical minerals such as lithium, manganese, and bauxite to accelerate the continent’s energy transition and industrialization.

Speaking at a high-level conference on Africa’s critical minerals strategy, Dr. Graham emphasized that while individual nations were developing their own policies, a fragmented approach weakened Africa’s negotiating power and limited its ability to benefit fully from global demand for green energy resources.

“Lithium is essential for battery production, manganese and bauxite are key for electrification. These minerals are central to the global energy transition, and Africa holds significant reserves,” he said.

“However, Ghana’s mineral policy is not sophisticated enough. Discussions are narrowly focused on royalties, while other countries link critical minerals to industrialization and energy strategies.”

The conference brought together stakeholders from African civil society, policy institutions, private sector actors, and international partners, including representatives from Europe, Indonesia, and organizations such as UNCTAD.

The aim was to share experiences and develop a framework aligned with the African Mining Vision and the African Green Mineral Strategy.

He warned that Ghana and other African nations risked missing out on opportunities if they failed to move beyond narrow national strategies.

He said Africa’s tendency to compete internally for investment allowed external actors to exploit divisions.

“Cooperation strengthens our hand. We need common frameworks, similar to Europe, to manage trade and investment relations and to ensure our minerals benefit Africa’s development rather than fueling other regions’ energy transitions,” he noted.

“A country like Ghana cannot have a national strategy alone. We need to be looking at regional approaches. Nigeria is producing lithium, Ghana is producing lithium—are we all going to set up individual plants? Cooperation strengthens our hand in attracting investment,” he stated.

Dr. Graham also highlighted the need for Africa to learn from global best practices. “Europe has a common framework for dealing with the world. Africa has common interests too. We have the African Mining Vision and the African Green Mineral Strategy, but we need to operationalize them,” he said.

On the urgency of the energy transition, he stressed: “Africa is the continent worst impacted by climate change. We cannot have a chauvinist attitude. The phasing out of fossil fuels is in our interest. The operative word is transition—nobody is asking us to jump overnight, but we must plan our transition.”

He cautioned against complacency, noting that climate change is already affecting livelihoods across the continent. “Climate change is real, and it’s impacting us every day. It is not a choice. We need to get a move on,” he said.

Dr. Graham urged civil society to push for policies that prioritize value addition and regional integration.

“We have mineral endowments which can help with the energy transition. We should act quickly so that we are benefiting from the use of those minerals, rather than our minerals benefiting other people’s energy transition while we remain dependent on exporting raw materials,” he said.

“Africa must act quickly so that our mineral wealth supports our own industrialization and energy needs, rather than remaining raw material exporters,” he concluded.

According to the organisers, the first part of the meeting, scheduled for December 1-3, will focus on strategic questions and policy options for Africa’s energy transition and critical minerals sector.

It will produce proposals for action through research, policy dialogue, advocacy and community mobilisation.

The second part, on December 3-4, will involve 15 key civil society organisations to establish a core working group to advance the consultation’s conclusions and promote a shared framework on critical minerals and Africa’s economic transformation.

The event comes in the wake of the adoption of the African Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS) by African governments earlier this year.

The AGMS, developed under the auspices of the African Union, provides a roadmap for harnessing Africa’s vast reserves of green minerals—such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements—to drive sustainable industrialisation, energy security and inclusive growth.

It seeks to move the continent beyond raw mineral exports by promoting local beneficiation, integrated value chains, job creation and economic diversification.

The strategy is anchored on four pillars: advancing mineral development, building technological capabilities, developing key value chains, and promoting responsible mineral stewardship for environmental sustainability.

Topics to be discussed include: “Energy Transition and Critical Minerals: Evolution of Ideas and Initiatives,” “Africa’s Prospects with Critical Minerals,” and “Bilateral Agreements and Africa’s Future: EU, China, US.”

Speakers will include representatives from UNCTAD, UNU-INRA, the African Union, AfDB, academics and civil society leaders.

Michael Abbiw is the President of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG)

The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG), has called for deeper collaboration with government to strengthen the country’s competitive identity, arguing that Ghana’s long-term economic transformation hinges on a deliberate, data-driven approach to national branding.

President of CIMG, Michael Abbiw, noted that no country has achieved sustained development without first defining and projecting a clear national brand grounded in insight, consumer behaviour, and strategic policy design.

He urged the government to work more intentionally with professional bodies, including CIMG, to embed the ‘Brand Ghana’ agenda into development frameworks, thus positioning the country as a leading hub for investment, tourism, trade, and talent on the continent.

Addressing members and guests at the 34th CIMG President’s Ball in Accra, Mr. Abbiw stressed: “As the country navigates economic growth, structural challenges, and global competitiveness, effective marketing must become a central pillar of national policy – not a peripheral afterthought.”

He also called for strengthened consumer protection, noting that CIMG continues to advocate for stronger enforcement of consumer rights, ethical marketing, and market regulation. “When consumers trust the marketplace, economies grow faster,” he said.

On marketing integration in the public sector, Mr. Abbiw highlighted its value across agriculture, health, education, and sanitation. He urged government agencies to collaborate with CIMG in designing social and behavioural change campaigns that shift attitudes, improve adoption, and drive sustainable impact.

“Ghana must accelerate its digital transformation by embracing data as a national asset. CIMG stands ready to support government in crafting digital communication frameworks, citizen-engagement models, and e-governance strategies that deliver transparency and efficiency,” he added.

He reaffirmed CIMG’s commitment to supporting policymakers with evidence-based insights, advisory support, and national marketing development programmes, adding that “when professional bodies and government work hand in hand, Ghana wins.”

The 34th President’s Ball, held under the theme ‘Repositioning Brand Ghana: Marketing for Economic Growth and Transformation’, saw 23 out of 35 applicants conferred as Chartered Marketers after a rigorous process.

Mr. Abbiw highlighted CIMG’s forward-looking strategy for membership, which prioritises engagement to expand and strengthen the community of marketing professionals nationwide. This growth, he said, enhances collective influence and reinforces the Institute’s advocacy within the industry.

“Members benefit from tailored professional development opportunities, dynamic networking events, awards recognising excellence, and support programmes designed to promote well-being,” he added.

The newly conferred Chartered Marketers pledged to uphold the values of the Institute, apply marketing strategically within their organisations, and contribute meaningfully to CIMG activities.

“We step forward ready to serve, ready to innovate, and ready to champion marketing as a catalyst for CIMG’s progress and the growth of our various organisations,” a spokesperson said.

Outgoing Governing Council and Committee members expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Institute and noted key successes during their tenure.

“We are proud to have championed several pioneering initiatives, including the establishment of Ghana’s first-ever Customer Satisfaction Index and Regional Brand Index – a major milestone in building a research-driven, insight-led marketing environment for our country,” they said.

They also highlighted steps taken toward the localisation agenda and said they leave with pride and confidence in the new Governing Council, pledging to remain active ambassadors and supporters of CIMG even after their official roles end.

Donald Trump has slammed Democrat Henry Cuellar’s “lack of loyalty” for not defecting to the Republican Party after he was pardoned by the US president.

In issuing his pardon on Wednesday, Trump said the Texas representative, who was charged last year with bribery and money laundering, had been politically targeted by the Biden administration after he “bravely spoke out against Open Borders”.

Hours after he was pardoned, Cuellar filed for re-election as a Democrat, dashing Republicans’ hope that he might switch parties and pad their narrow majority in the House of Representatives.

“Such a lack of LOYALTY,” Trump wrote of Cuellar on social media. “Oh’ well, next time, no more Mr. Nice guy!”

The Justice Department, under the Biden administration, charged that Cuellar and his wife had accepted $600,000 (£450,600) from Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil company and an unnamed Mexican bank in exchange for advancing their interests in Congress.

The couple, who have maintained their innocence, were charged with 14 counts in 2024, including conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, money laundering and violating a ban on acting as agents of a foreign organisation.

In his Sunday social media post, Trump accused “radical left” Democrats of “mercilessly” going after Cuellar – who is a moderate Democrat – in an “evil quest” to “destroy” him and his family “all because Henry strongly wanted, correctly, BORDER SECURITY!”

Trump said in the lengthy post that he had never spoken to the congressman or his family but “felt very good about fighting” for his family because they were “treated sooo BADLY!”

Trump added that despite his pardon, Cuellar decided to run again as a Democrat, “continuing to work with the same Radical Left Scum that just weeks before wanted him and his wife to spend the rest of their lives in Prison – And probably still do!”

And that “lack of loyalty”, Trump wrote, would not sit well with Texas voters or with Cuellar’s daughters, who had written a letter to the president urging him to pardon their parents.

Still, Cuellar doubled down on his intentions to remain in the Democratic party, telling Fox News on Sunday: “I’m an American, I’m a Texan and I’m a Democrat – in that order.”

When asked to respond to Trump’s social media post, Cuellar said: “I am a conservative Democrat, but I will work with the president.”

Cuellar added that Trump was on his mind while he attended church on Sunday morning.

“I prayed for the president,” he said. “I prayed for his family, and I prayed for the presidency because if the president succeeds, the country succeeds.”

Trump’s attack on Cuellar is the latest example of the president expecting loyalty from those he helps.

A group of federal labour unions filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration last month over what they called a “loyalty question” included in thousands of federal job applications. The question asks applicants to identify Trump policy initiatives that are significant to them, and to describe how they personally would advance Trump’s agenda.

Trump has long said that loyalty is the most important thing to him.

“I value loyalty above everything else – more than brains, more than drive, and more than energy,” he once said.

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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.

Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia is Nigerian music legend

Nigerian music legend Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia has raised the alarm over what he described as a dangerous campaign by some family members and associates to distort his image, sabotage his relationships and portray him as mentally unstable.

In a video released online, the veteran singer said he could no longer remain silent as the situation had escalated beyond normal family differences.

“I’m okay. I’m perfectly normal. Please stop painting me as mentally unstable,” he said.

2Baba alleged that the same pattern of interference that affected his marriage to Annie Idibia was now being directed at his partner, Natasha, who he said is receiving death threats.

“My family destroyed my marriage with Annie. Now they are after Natasha,” he claimed.

“Natasha is getting death threats right now. This has gotten dangerously out of hand.”

He expressed frustration that the people claiming to be helping him were instead putting him and Natasha in danger.

“You say you’re trying to save me, but you’re killing me. You’re killing us,” he said.

“I’m a grown man, and I have the right to be with who I want to be with.”

The singer insisted he is fine and active, noting that he recently performed in Abuja and has been seen publicly by fans.

“Everybody has been seeing me out there. Anybody who has eyes knows I’m okay,” he said.

Condemning alleged lies and fabrications being spread about him, 2Baba said the situation has become unbearable.

“What my family is doing—fabricating so many lies… It has become so dangerous. It’s not funny anymore. I’m totally devastated,” he lamented.

He appealed for the attacks and threats to stop, urging the public and his relatives to respect his privacy and personal choices.

“Please, just stay out of my private and personal life. Just let us be,” he pleaded.

2Baba hinted that he will speak more openly in the coming days, saying he has endured enough.

“I’m not going to be quiet anymore,” he said.

“In the next couple of days, I’m going to speak a whole lot of truth.”

Ghana’s benchmark reference rate for bank lending has witnessed its steepest monthly decline this year, offering a rare boost for businesses and consumers entering the final month of 2025.

Fresh data from the Ghana Association of Banks shows the Ghana Reference Rate (GRR) fell sharply from 17.93% in November to 15.9% in December, a notable 200-basis-point drop driven by improvements across key macroeconomic indicators that feed into the benchmark formula.

Bank treasurers attribute the decline largely to the Bank of Ghana’s recent 350-basis-point cut in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 18%, alongside moderating Treasury bill yields and easing interbank market rates – all of which helped pull the GRR downward.

The December rate shift is expected to reduce borrowing costs across the banking sector, with commercial banks likely to adjust their lending rates downward over the month.

Loans contracted in December will be benchmarked against the new GRR, meaning new borrowers should face noticeably lower interest charges relative to November.

Borrowers on fixed-rate facilities will see no changes, but those with variable-rate loan agreements may experience marginal downward adjustments depending on their bank’s pricing methodology.

The decline comes at a crucial time for businesses still grappling with a tight credit environment. Liquidity constraints – a consequence of sustained monetary tightening aimed at taming inflation and stabilising the cedi have made loan access increasingly difficult, particularly for SMEs.

However, the Bank of Ghana’s latest Monetary Policy Report suggests a gradual easing: average lending rates have already dropped from 26.6% to 24.2%, signalling early signs of improved credit conditions.

Analysts note that while the GRR decline will not instantly translate into cheap credit across all banks, it marks a significant turning point after months of contractionary policy.

The coming weeks will indicate how swiftly banks recalibrate their loan pricing structures and how strongly borrowers respond.

With the cost of capital now on a downward path, December may offer the most favourable lending conditions businesses have seen all year.