A Nigerian pastor has become the target of intense online mockery after his “divine” prediction about the UEFA Champions League semifinals dramatically unraveled.
In a sermon delivered to his congregation, the pastor confidently declared that he had received a vision showing Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona reaching the final, with the Spanish giants ultimately lifting the trophy.
But football, as always, had other plans.
Barcelona came heartbreakingly close to the final but were stunned in a dramatic second-leg showdown by Inter Milan.
The Italian champions, trailing 3-2 on the night and 6-5 on aggregate, pulled off an unforgettable comeback.
With just minutes to spare, 37-year-old defender Francesco Acerbi smashed home a crucial equaliser before substitute Davide Frattesi sealed the win in extra time with a sublime finish, securing a 7-6 aggregate victory and sending Inter to their second final in three years.
As the final whistle blew, social media users turned their attention to the pastor, unleashing a wave of hilarious and scathing commentary.
“He will come back to say he was referring to the 2095 Champions League, not 2025,” one user quipped.
“Drop his number, we for touch am small,” another chimed in.
“Make we call this man come ask am if he no wear glasses that day e see what he talk,” a tweet read, accompanied by laughing emojis.
Some even joked that church members should “invest in a better prophet,” while others questioned which “god” had sent such a misleading vision.
Despite the backlash, the pastor has yet to issue any clarification or follow-up prophecy.
Read some of the comments below:
Dem for catch this man of God and lash am waaaaaaaaa
The Pallisa Roundabout where Margret Kabasa collapsed
The deceased, identified as Margret Kabasa from Olok Village in Olok Sub-county, was undergoing a physical fitness test as part of the Police Probationer Constable (PPC) recruitment
A 25-year-old woman collapsed and died on Tuesday morning during a police recruitment exercise in Pallisa District, Eastern Uganda.
The deceased, identified as Margret Kabasa from Olok Village in Olok Sub-county, was undergoing a physical fitness test as part of the Police Probationer Constable (PPC) recruitment. The test involved a timed run from Kalaki Primary School playground to Pallisa Roundabout and back.
According to police, Kabasa successfully reached the roundabout but collapsed on her return leg near the Pallisa–Mbale taxi stage. She was rushed to Pallisa General Hospital by the police medical team but was pronounced dead on arrival at around 10am.
Bukedi North Regional Police Spokesperson, ASP Wilfred Kyampasa, confirmed the incident and said a death inquiry has been opened.
“Yes, it’s true. The deceased collapsed during the physical exercise and was later confirmed dead at Pallisa General Hospital. A death inquiry file has been opened, and investigations are underway to establish the exact cause,” Mr Kyampasa said.
He added that statements had been recorded from eyewitnesses and the deceased’s relatives, and that the scene was documented by the District Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO). The body was later transported to Mbale City Mortuary for a postmortem examination.
A police detective, who requested anonymity, said the postmortem results would be key in determining the cause of death.
“The results will reveal what exactly could have killed her,” the officer said.
Kabasa’s death adds to a growing list of fatalities reported during security recruitment exercises across the country. In a related incident, Geoffrey Atim, a 30-year-old university graduate, collapsed during a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) recruitment exercise in Apac District. He died the following day after being discharged from the hospital
Police said more details regarding Kabasa’s case will be shared as investigations continue.
Valéria Pantoja became seriously unwell on Friday, May 3, and was rushed to a hospital – but was unresponsive by the time she arrived, her heartbroken family said
Mum-of-one Valéria Pantoja was recovering from weight loss surgery
A beauty influencer who underwent weight loss surgery has tragically died after falling seriously ill during her recovery.
Mum-of-one Valéria Pantoja, from Brazil, became seriously unwell on Friday, May 3, and was rushed to a hospital – but was unresponsive by the time she arrived. Her heartbroken family took to Instagram to break the news to her 12,700 followers. As the word spread, some began speculating on the cause of Valéria’s death. Her sister-in-law then clarified: “She didn’t take her own life, and she didn’t fall down the stairs. We still don’t know the cause of death. Only the autopsy will tell us. She was recovering from bariatric surgery, was very weak, felt unwell during the night, and sadly arrived at the hospital with no signs of life.” Valéria’s family did not reveal the influencer’s age.
Valéria’s family broke the news to her 12,700 followers
Her follower Luh Sales said: “She had the surgery last year, but her recovery didn’t go smoothly.”
Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, is a procedure designed to treat obesity and other related health conditions. Before her death, Valéria had worked as a beautician in Manaus, Brazil, offering lip fillers, Botox, and micropigmentation. Her Instagram bio read: “I help you find the best version of yourself.”
One of her clients, influencer Caila Carim – who boasts 287,000 Instagram followers- says she had an appointment booked with Valéria on the day of her death on May 3. Caila shared a clip of herself to the platform in tears as she discovered the news.
The influencer died on May 3 after being rushed to hospital
Follower Ana Paula commented: “Her craziness and contagious laughter will live on in the hearts of many who had the pleasure of knowing Valéria.” And her daughter, Ana Cecília, wrote: “Losing your mum is one of the hardest things. If you still have your mum by your side, cherish her, because losing the person who brought you into this world is not easy at all.
“For those of you who argue with your mum or disobey her, don’t. Because the day after an argument, she’ll be there making you a special breakfast and saying, ‘I love you, my daughter. You mean everything to me.’ No one is ever truly prepared to lose their mum, the one who gave them life.
“My mum always told me she loved me whenever she could. Every night before bed, she’d say, ‘Daughter, I love you, okay? Never forget that.’ So value her, because you only get one mum. I love my mum with all my heart.”
The Minority in Parliament says the chip-embedded passport project being paraded as a new initiative was fully executed under Akufo-Addo.
In a statement signed by Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minority described the recent launch as a “purported re-launch” and accused the government of distorting facts.
“The planning, procurement, and execution were all done under the Akufo-Addo Government,” the statement read.
Keta (VR), May 7, GNA – Residents of Keta in the Volta Region have hailed and commended President John Dramani Mahama for fulfilling most of the promises made to deliver on his commitments within his first 120 days in office.
They expressed appreciation for the President’s efforts for addressing some of the country’s pressing issues to give comfort and alleviate the plight of the majority in the area.
Mr Dzidefo Isaac Aborhor, a businessman at Keta, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said President Mahama promised to take bold steps to address some of the country’s challenges within his first 120 days in office indicated his dedication and commitment to giving hope to Ghanaians.
“We are impressed with the President’s commitment to keeping his promises and we are hopeful that he will continue to deliver on his campaign promises,” he said.
He said that many residents within the areas were optimistic that the President’s policies would help improve the economy, create jobs, and enhance the overall well-being of all for better development and progress in the country.
Mr Aborhor appreciated the commitment and accountability efforts exhibited by the President and believed that his ability to report on his progress within the first 120 days in office demonstrated commitment to open and transparency in government.
“We still have confidence in President Mahama’s ability to lead the country; we hope that his visions and the leadership skills will take Ghana forward.”
He explained that the President’s economic initiatives have been welcomed and efforts to convene a National Economic Dialogue, allocation of money for the establishment of the Women’s Development Bank and others would help develop a roadmap for fiscal recovery and promote economic growth for the benefit of all.
Mr Gabriel Dzramdo, an Educationist, impressed excitement about the President’s initiatives in education and healthcare sectors and the introduction of free Tertiary Education for Person with Disabilities, No-academic fee policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions, and efforts to host an Education Dialogue and establishment of the Mahama Cares Health Fund.
Mr Anthony Dagadu, an Economics and Policy Analyst, told the GNA that the President had made a good start in fulfilling his 25 promises made to be delivered in the first 120 days in office and many were hopeful that he would continue to deliver on his campaign promises.
He said that the prospects for Ghana looked promising under President Mahama’s leadership and his commitment to transparency, accountability, and economic growth had the potential to take Ghana forward and improve the lives of its citizens.
He said other promises such as nomination Cabinet Ministers for parliamentary approval within the first 14 days, constituting of the leanest government of 54 out of 60 ministers promised under the fourth republic in first 90 days in office as well as scraping of the E-levy, COVID levy, 10 per cent levy on bet winnings, and Emissions levy were recommendable.
Mr Dagadu said the President’s initiatives to establish a robust code of conduct and standard for all government officials, commencement of free sanitary pad to female students in primary and secondary schools, institute a government policy to ban political appointees from purchasing state assets and ‘Adwumawura’, National apprenticeship programmes and one million coder programme should be applauded.
He advised the government to also enact stronger policies to purge state security agencies of all militia and vigilante elements and the ban on illegal mining activities in the forest reserves.
Some other residents in Keta GNA interacted with pledged their support for President Mahama to continue the hard work towards delivering on the rest of his campaign promises to improve the lives of Ghanaians and promote economic growth.
Renowned economist and governance expert, Professor Stephen Adei, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for what he describes as an impressive start to his administration, following the completion of his much-publicised 120-day social contract with Ghanaians.
In an interview with JoyNews on Wednesday May 7, Prof Adei noted that “anybody who is objective would say he has done very well.”
The economist acknowledged the significant milestones achieved in a short time, including policy reversals, government downsizing, and the reopening of long-demanded criminal investigations.
However, he also issued a cautionary note against premature celebration, urging Ghanaians and political commentators to avoid overpraising the administration too early.
“We must be very careful over praising John in 120 days,” Prof. Adei said. “Because in the first term of Akufo-Addo, I think that he performed very well and then everybody’s hopes were dashed… and I think that Akufo-Addo’s government in the second term did so badly.”
He emphasised that while Mahama’s current performance is commendable, what truly matters is long-term consistency and the ability to correct emerging flaws.
“We hope he will be able to continue and sustain it, make corrections of any lapses, and deliver the Ghana we want,” he added.
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Inflation falls further to 21.2% in April marking eight-month low
Ghana’s Black Satellites secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Senegal in their second Group C match at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Egypt 2025.
Emmanuel Mensah netted the decisive goal in the 15th minute, capitalizing on a sharp pass from Jerry Afriyie. Despite sustained pressure from Senegal, Ghana held firm thanks to standout performances by goalkeeper Gidios Aseako and midfielder Lord Afrifa.
Aseako made several key saves, including a close-range stop in the 27th minute and a crucial intervention in added time. Ghana created more chances in the second half but couldn’t extend their lead. Afrifa controlled the midfield, winning tackles and disrupting Senegal’s rhythm throughout the match.
Coach Desmond Ofei made timely substitutions to maintain Ghana’s energy and composure. Senegal pushed for an equalizer but were let down by wasteful finishing, including a late header and a free-kick attempt in stoppage time.
Mensah was named Player of the Match as Ghana moved to four points—second in Group C behind DR Congo on goal difference. The top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals.
Ghana will wrap up their group-stage campaign against the Central African Republic, who lost 3-1 to DR Congo earlier.
play videoProfessor Ransford Gyampo, CEO of Ghana Shippers Authority
Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has argued that the current executive body of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lacks the quality and integrity of its founding fathers, such as B.J. Da Rocha, Peter Ala Adjetey, and Haruna Eseku.
According to the outspoken academic, the NPP has “lost its soul” due to the caliber of individuals it now chooses to represent the party.
Speaking in an interview with Metro TV, Professor Gyampo, who is also the CEO of the Ghana Shippers Authority, said the NPP must return to its foundational values and traditions if it wants to be taken seriously.
“The caliber of people that the NPP now has as leaders, I compare them to those I saw growing up. I used to work with B.J. Da Rocha at the Institute of Economic Affairs after he had retired. He would often visit the IEA secretariat, and I used to talk to him about how he conducted himself as the founding chairman of the NPP. I also engaged with Dan Botwe, Haruna Esseku, Odoi Sykes, Ala Adjetey, and Agyenim Boateng. I know what they stood for and how they managed the party’s affairs. I don’t see the current crop of NPP leadership doing the same.”
He continued, “The current NPP has lost its soul because of the caliber of people they have recruited to lead them. If the party wants to be taken seriously, it must trace its roots back to its traditions.”
Professor Gyampo emphasised that the NPP is an elite party rooted in constructive debate, not one that promotes young, inexperienced individuals to push partisan agendas and attack others.
“NPP is a party that believes in healthy debate, not a party that sponsors small boys on social media to insult people they should be learning from,” he concluded.
Prof. Gyampo reflected on his interactions with the founding fathers and past leaders of the NPP, noting that he does not see the same qualities in the current leadership.
He remarked that the party has lost its soul due to the kind of individuals it now chooses to represent… pic.twitter.com/kiO42h3bvJ
The police commander and chiefs in a group photograph
NIMA CHIEFS in the Ayawaso East Municipality have engaged the Nima Divisional Police Commander, ACP Reginald Solomon Osei, pledging their commitment to help fight crime activities in the community.
The brief meeting, which took place yesterday at the Nima Police Command, witnessed a total of twelve chiefs representing various tribes in the community.
They called on the police commander to rely on their support in eradicating crime in the community.
Issues such as assault, robbery, and drug abuse were major topics discussed during the engagement.
Chairman of the Ayawaso Council of Zongo Chiefs, Chief Seidu Louis, lamented the growing incidence of drug abuse in the Zongo community, emphasising that in spite of many arrests made, the problem persists.
“We have been battling drug abuse in our community. If you walk around the Nima vicinity, you will witness for yourself young promising boys engaging in hard drugs, this is disheartening to say the least,” he lamented.
Chief Seidu Louis, leader of the delegation, also bemoaned the rising conflicts in the community which, according to him, requires police intervention through constant patrols.
He emphasised that the chiefs are ready to support the police commander to stop the anomalies. “Commander, as you see we are pledging our unwavering support to your office, call on us anytime you need our help and we are ready to help you out,” he stressed.
ACP Reginald Solomon Osei, on his part, commended the chiefs for their offer to assist him fight crime.
“This engagement gives me the assurance that when we collaborate, everything will work perfectly and the fight against crime will reduce drastically,” he stated.
The University of Ghana has formally welcomed Ms. Marietta Agyeiwaa Brew as the new Chairperson of the Governing Council.
The Chancellor, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, extended her warm congratulations and expressed confidence in Ms. Brew’s leadership to advance the University’s mission and global ambitions during the event.
The brief introductory ceremony took place at the Chancellor’s residence, following the official inauguration of the Council by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, presented Ms. Brew to the Chancellor, noting that she joins the reconstituted Council alongside four new government appointees.
“This Council benefits from a healthy blend of new voices and diverse professional and academic expertise,” said Prof. Amfo. “It’s a timely development as we navigate a period of transformation at the University.”
She expressed gratitude to the Chancellor for her unwavering support and guidance. “Your consistent presence and wise counsel have been invaluable to our growth,” Prof. Amfo remarked.Highlighting the critical role of the Governing Council, she noted ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing academic and co-curricular programmes to better prepare students for industry demands.
In her remarks, Ms. Brew thanked the University for its trust and pledged to foster collaboration among stakeholders to achieve the institution’s strategic goals.“The Honourable Minister’s charge to us is clear—we must work diligently to support the University in producing graduates capable of transforming society,” she said.
Ms. Brew emphasized the importance of unity and teamwork, assuring that the government and its appointees are committed to supporting, not interfering with, the University’s operations.
“We are here to contribute meaningfully, not to disrupt. Teamwork will be our guiding principle,” she added.
Chancellor Chinery-Hesse welcomed the new Chair’s remarks and expressed her confidence in the Council’s ability to carry the University forward. “You’re inheriting a fantastic team,” she said, “and I’m optimistic about the direction in which you will lead.”
“You bring a wealth of experience and expertise and I am confident that you and your team will offer strong leadership to guide this University to greater heights,” she said.
She congratulated Ms. Brew on her appointment and commended the outgoing Council for their commitment and significant contributions that have helped redefine UG’s strategic direction and achievements on the African higher education landscape.
The Chancellor pledged her continued support to the Council, Vice-Chancellor and Registrar in the management and administration of the University. She urged the new Council to remain focused on aligning UG’s training programmes with labour market needs.
“We must ensure our graduates are not only educated but also industry-ready,” she stressed. “Our cooperation with the government remains strong and the management is committed to ensuring that the University of Ghana is not just a premier university by name, but in reality.”
Mrs. Chinery-Hesse also called on the Chair to use her goodwill and voice to advocate for the University and help amplify its priorities.
Also present was Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, who serves as Secretary to the Council.
Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has alleged that former presidential aspirant Kennedy Agyapong orchestrated the publication of the famous Agyapadie document for political gain.
According to Abronye DC, the former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, allegedly conspired with some National Democratic Congress (NDC) media outlets to publish the document, intending to tarnish the image of his then-contender in the NPP presidential primaries, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who was serving as Vice President in the ruling government at the time.
Speaking in an interview on Movement TV on May 4, 2025, Abronye DC stated, “He collaborated with NDC media houses and paid them to publish the Agyapadie document against Nana Addo’s family so that Ghanaians would dislike Bawumia and vote against him.”
About the Agyapadie document.
One of the major occurrences in the build-up to the 2016 general elections was the emergence of a book christened “Agyapadie.”
The 38-page document, which had no recognized author, featured the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, on the cover photo, and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his father Akufo-Addo on the following page.
The book is essentially the Bible of a supposed plot for total state capture by some powerful persons of Akyem descent, with the sole aim of establishing the Akyem kingdom as the most powerful in the country.
In its ‘Table of Contents,’ the book breaks down the various aspects of Ghanaian life that the cabal, dubbed the ‘Akyem Mafia,’ intended to control, making the rest of the country acquiescent to the dictates of the selected Akyem.
From chieftaincy to the economy to politics and all aspects of Ghanaian society, the book outlines a detailed plan by the supposed Akyems to establish total dominance and ensure that the running of the country is done at their beck and call.
The book predicts key happenings in the country, including changes in leadership at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust, the collapse of indigenous Ghanaian banks and financial institutions, and the deliberate and conscious positioning of the Okyenhene as the most powerful chief in the country, among others.
In the religious sphere, certain powerful and popular men of God who were deemed opponents of the regime were going to be targeted and destroyed, while those believed to be in favour of the government were going to be supported.
Why the document was back in the news
Owing to the goodwill that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo enjoyed then and the timing of the release, which coincided with the elections, the document was outrightly rejected as many believed it was a propaganda tool.
However, happenings in the first term of the Akufo-Addo administration and recent events reignited conversations around the document, with most people forming conspiracies about the authenticity of the book.
Okyenhene’s reaction
While officialdom has remained silent on the book and treated it with contempt, the Okyenhene has been compelled to rubbish its relevance following recent claims by some persons, particularly members of then opposition National Democratic Congress.
“We saw this during the period of J.B. Danquah, and we’re seeing this now. In and around October 2016, about a few months before the election, the same document known as the ‘Akyem Project’ was in circulation. The focus of that was to fan hatred between Okyeman and Asanteman to undermine the electoral efforts of Nana Akufo-Addo. Unfortunately for them, it came too late to the election.”
“This diabolic plan was revised in 2019. In the year 2020, when the Agyapa business became a political issue, the book suddenly metamorphosed into ‘Agyapadie,’” Okyenhene noted in a State Council meeting at Kyebi.
“Many kingdoms have seen greater development over the years, but some people always have issues whenever the government decides to bring development to Okyeman. I have heard things in recent times. The funniest of it is that I am the richest chief in Ghana. I mean, how? Anyway, when anyone regards you as a rich person, you must receive it. I received it,” Okyenhene said with a smile.
Arthur Kennedy believes in the conspiracies
Dr Arthur Kennedy, a leading member of the NPP, holds a divergent view to that of Okyenhene as he believes in the content of the book.
“That is all part of the state capture, and the whole Agyapadie document is a blueprint for state capture,” he stressed.
“The problem we have in our country is that there are a lot of people in our public space and governments whose sole purpose, regardless of the policy initiative, is to figure out how to milk the public space and transfer public resources into private hands for it to become private wealth. That is why there is so much incompetence, he said on JoyNews on Saturday, July 26, 2024.
AM/KA
#TheAdutwumFactor! Watch as Yaw Osei Adutwum declares intent to contest NPP flagbearership for 2028
Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor
Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, has urged global investors to explore the growing opportunities within Ghana’s revitalised energy sector.
Speaking at the 2025 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, United States, the sector minister positioned Ghana as a ready and reliable investment destination.
He emphasised government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for sustainable investment, particularly in energy and related infrastructure.
While wooing investors, he stated that; “Ghana is the right place to do business… With a new administration focused on overhauling systems and implementing bold fiscal and regulatory reforms, we are open and ready for investment.”
The minister outlined recent policy decisions and structural reforms that are already yielding tangible gains in the sector.
John Jinapor said Ghana is strategically expanding its energy infrastructure to solidify its role as a regional hub for energy supply and logistics across West Africa.
Highlighting the importance of regional collaboration in achieving shared development goals, he said; “The prospects are already becoming evident. We are determined to reverse the trend and scale up production. With these efforts, we will continue to supply reliable power to Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. Ghana remains a pivotal force for energy security in the West African sub-region.”
A key highlight of his remarks was the US$60 billion Petroleum Hub project located in Jomoro in the Western Region, which is set to transform Ghana’s energy and economic landscape.
Speaking earlier at the “Invest in African Energy: Accra Investor Briefing” on April 14, 2025, Jinapor reaffirmed the government’s unwavering dedication to the hub’s completion.
He stated that; “We are resolute in completing Africa’s largest and only petroleum hub, complete with world-class ancillary infrastructure. This development opens up vast investment opportunities across the value chain.”
The energy and green transition minister added that Ghana’s vision includes the construction of three oil refineries, each with a minimum processing capacity of 300,000 barrels per stream day, alongside five petrochemical plants, extensive tank farms, and other critical infrastructure.
The Offshore Technology Conference brought together global industry professionals to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and address key challenges in the offshore energy sector.
Ghana’s presence at the 2025 OTC was led by the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), represented by its CEO, Dr Toni Aubynn; Deputy CEOs Onasis Rosely and Halimatu Sadia Abdulai; and Senior Business Development Manager, Abigail Abrokwa.
SA/MA
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After releasing the popular street anthem ‘Grind’ in 2016, along with a string of bangers and notable collaborations, Emmanuel Kwadwo Oware, better known as AI or Ayisi, took a bold creative turn with a project that marked a clear departure from the sound he was widely known for.
His 2022 album, Unbroken, signalled a rebirth, introducing a new sound, a refined artistic direction, and a deeper, more personal version of Ayisi.
Born out of a mentally dark period marked by broken friendships, betrayal, confusion, and emotional turmoil, Ayisi revealed that Unbroken is more than just an album; it is a deeply personal body of work.
The album, which resonates strongly with his core fanbase, has gradually gained recognition.
Its growing impact has become even more evident now, with one of its tracks, ‘Can I Live’, receiving nominations in major categories at the forthcoming Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA).
Ayisi, who previously had no TGMA nominations, now finds himself with three straight nods from this project alone, something he admits he didn’t expect, but sees as well-deserved, much like his fans do.
These and many more personal revelations are shared in his latest exclusive interview with GhanaWebTV’s Elsie Lamar.
Watch the full video below for more insights and thrills
The newly launched Code of Conduct by President John Dramani Mahama spells out a set of directives meant to foster transparency, sound leadership and accountability for government appointees.
The Code launched on Monday, May 5, 2025, applies to all ministers, deputy ministers, chief executives, and presidential staffers, including the President and Vice-President.
The document, unveiled at Jubilee House, establishes legally binding guidelines that appointees must strictly adhere to.
This write-up seeks to highlight ten (10) important rules that are intended to serve as checks and balances for all government appointees.
It is noteworthy to state that this directive is not novel to the Mahama-led Government, as a similar code was instituted during his tenure in office in 2013.
Here are 10 key directives outlined in the Code:
1. No acceptance of gifts valued over GH¢20,000.00 without declaration
Appointees must not accept gifts or favours from individuals or businesses who have interest in government decisions. Resultantly, gifts exceeding GH¢20,000.00 must be declared and can only be retained with written presidential permission.
2. Strict ban on buying state assets
Political appointees are barred from purchasing government properties—land, buildings, vehicles, or shares—either directly or indirectly. Defaulters of this directive face immediate dismissal.
3. Declare assets or face dismissal
All appointees must declare their assets. Those who took office before March 31, 2025, had until May 7 to comply or risk losing three months salary or even dismissal.
4. No use of public funds for gifts or hampers
The Code prohibits using public funds, including internally generated funds, to purchase hampers or gift items, except modest ones given for staff excellence or retirement, with prior approval.
5. Declare conflicts of interest
Appointees must disclose all business interests, especially those connected to government agencies. They are forbidden from using their positions to benefit relatives or associates.
6. Ban on nepotism and influence peddling
Using influence to secure contracts or appointments for friends or family is not permitted. Even the appearance of bias is grounds for investigation.
7. Mandatory reporting of official travels
All official and unofficial foreign travels require prior approval from the Chief of Staff. Appointees must file a report within 14 days of returning.
8. Sanctions for breach of code
Offenders face penalties ranging from reprimand and suspension to dismissal. The President made it clear that “there will be no sacred cows.”
9. Online reporting system for citizens
A digital portal is being established to allow citizens to confidentially report suspected breaches, ensuring community oversight.
10. Regular briefings and training on ethics
Appointees will undergo periodic ethical training and must sign annual declarations reaffirming their commitment to the Code.
VKB/VPO
Meanwhile, watch as former KATH CEO Professor Otchere Addai-Mensah ‘takes side chicks seriously’
Ghana is aiming to increase its non-traditional export earnings from the current US$3.5 billion annually to at least US$10 billion annually by 2030, President John Dramani Mahama has said.
This ambitious target, the President said, would be achieved through value addition, industrial expansion, and fixing long-standing trade bottlenecks.
Inaugurating a 19-member Accelerated Export Development Advisory Committee (AEDAC) which he chairs in Accra on Monday, President Mahama said Ghanaian exporters face major challenges with at least 47 percent of them having to deal with delays, high costs, and excessive paper works when exporting.
“An exporter may need up to 16 different documents just to get a certificate of origin,” President Mahama revealed.
“These inefficiencies cost Ghana US$4.3 billion in export revenue losses every year, according to the International Trade Center.”
With this in mind, President Mahama announced a raft of interventions government was to roll out including modernising the ports, revamping the Volta Lake Transport Company, complete the Mpakadan and Boankra inland ports amongst others to ameliorate the situation.
The President was convinced that the above stated measures would reduce logistics costs, adding that Ghana’s export industry would be hinged on digitalisation, creativity and knowledge-based going forward.
“Our future exports will not just be about cocoa and gold. We must also sell our innovations to the world,” he stressed.
He announced performance-based tax rebates, faster certification for exporters, and grants for businesses as part of measures to encourage local production.
“We want a Ghana that earns more than it borrows. A Ghana that processes more than it exports raw,” the President emphasised.
The initiative aims to broaden Ghana’s export base, enhance foreign exchange earnings, and fuel economic growth through the implementation of the 24-Hour Economy agenda.
The committee’s mandate includes providing strategic guidance, fostering innovation, and strengthening public-private partnerships to drive value addition, increase non-traditional exports, and diversify export markets.
Other members of the Committee are Augustus Goosie Tanoh, Presidential Advisor, 24-hour economy policy; Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance; Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare, Trade; Emelia Arthur, Fisheries; Eric Opoku, Food and Agriculture; Dominic Ayine, Attorney-General; Gen. Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, and Gerald Nyarko Mensah.
The rest are Dr Eben Anuwa-Armah, Dr Akushika Andoh, Kwesi Korboe, Sampson Asaki Awingobit, Davies Narh Korboe, Dr Humphrey Darkeh, Jacob Ainoo Ansah, Gabriel Opoku Asare and Prof. John Gatsi.
Ghana international Inaki Williams has suffered an injury ahead of Athletic Bilbao’s crucial Europa League clash against Manchester United.
The Black Stars attacker was forced off due to injury during his team’s pulsating goalless draw with Real Sociedad in La Liga last Sunday.
Williams was replaced in the 62nd minute by Alvaro Djalo after suffering a muscle discomfort.
The former Spain international, who missed training on Tuesday morning, has raised concerns about his availability for the important second-leg fixture against Manchester United on Thursday.
Athletic Bilbao are gearing up for the crucial game, as the Spanish club seeks to overturn the 3-0 deficit from the first-leg clash at San Mamés.
The 30-year-old has made 48 appearances for Athletic Bilbao this season, scoring 11 goals and providing 9 assists across all competitions.
The police spokesman for Kigezi sub-region, Mr Elly Maate confirmed the raid
A 30-year-old man in Kisoro District is nursing a gunshot wound after four gunmen raided the shop where he was working and robbed him of about Shs23 million.
The police spokesman for Kigezi sub-region, Mr Elly Maate, on Wednesday said Kenneth Mucunguzi, a shop attendant, was attacked at around 8:30 pm at Mugomberero trading centre in Rushenyi village, Soko parish, Muramba Sub County in Kisoro District.
“It’s alleged that four men, all armed with guns, allegedly attacked the shop of one Michael Turinayo, where the shop attendant, one Kenneth Mucunguzi, was shot in the right arm before they robbed Shs 23 million from the shop. The armed robbers shot many bullets in the air to scare away people who were around the said trading centre before they ran away to an unknown place,” Mr Maate said.
Police visited the scene of crime and recovered nine bullet cartridges as part of their exhibits. Mucunguzi was taken to the nearest health facility for medication.
“A case of aggravated robbery and attempted murder by shooting has been recorded at Kisoro police station. Inquiries into this matter have commenced and efforts to have the suspect arrested are being made,” Mr Maate said.
According to Mr Turinayo, the assailants were wearing police uniforms.
The Kisoro district LCV chairman, Mr Abel Bizimana on Wednesday appealed to the district security committee to use its apparatus to trace and arrest the armed thugs to save the innocent traders in the area from such criminality.
“Despite the ongoing armed conflict in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, armed robbery has not been a practice in Kisoro district. I appeal to the district security committee members, chaired by the resident district commissioner, to tighten security operations so that the culprits are arrested and guns recovered from them before they commit another offence,” Mr Bizimana said.
Mr Fred Ndagije, the LCI chairperson of Rushenyi village, attributed the raid to inadequate security in the area.
In a landmark move to promote Ghana’s cultural and creative industries, President John Dramani Mahama, alongside veteran musician Rex Omar, has officially appointed celebrated actress and media personality Nana Ama McBrown as an ambassador for the Black Star Experience.
The announcement was made during a special segment on Onua Showtime, where McBrown expressed her excitement and commitment to the initiative.
The Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has stated that the propaganda and lies peddled by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) linking him to the Bawku conflict has been exposed.
According to him, NDC affiliated politicians falsely claimed he was involved in the ongoing dispute between the Kusasis and Mamprusis in Bawku.
Ing. Kwadwo Twum Boafo, Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Intelligence Centre, has described the ‘Thank You’ tour led by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate for the 2024 elections, as a calculated attempt by Bawumia and his supporters to undermine potential rivals in the party’s flagbearer race and tilt the contest in his favor.
During a panel discussion on the Friday, April 2, edition of Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana program, Ing. Twum Boafo drew parallels between Dr. Bawumia’s post-election maneuvers and those of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the past.
He illustrated how Nana Akufo-Addo employed similar strategies to outmaneuver his competitors and establish himself as the NPP’s leader.
According to Ing. Twum Boafo, Dr. Bawumia, a protégé of the former president, is adopting comparable tactics to weaken his rivals and secure another opportunity to contest for the presidency.
“Dr Bawumia is replicating what Akufo-Addo did. Beat possible contenders down into submission and let me be re-elected as flagbearer,” he said.
Ing. Twum Boafo, however, argued that instead of naming the tour ‘Thank You,’ Dr. Bawumia and the NPP should have opted for an ‘Apology Tour,’ as it would better reflect the circumstances.
“They should have labelled it an apology tour. He should apologize to us all for all he has done. What are you thanking us for? For forcing us to go down the depth of deprivation? He wants to come back? Come back and do what?,” he said.
The prominent National Democratic Congress (NDC) member asserted that Dr. Bawumia’s attempt to use the tour to promote himself will prove ineffective, as Ghanaians have become discerning and can see through such tactics.
According to him, Dr. Bawumia had eight years to demonstrate his presidential credentials and impress Ghanaians. Instead, he was a central figure in a government that inflicted significant hardships on the populace.
“What is different now is that Ghanaians are very very wise to what the NPP did in the eight years that they were in power. Ghanaians are wise to the lack of leadership that Bawumia showed in the eight years that he was there. The dereliction of duty that the vice president did,” he 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.
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) communication team, Hamza Suhuyini, has affirmed that President John Dramani Mahama will uphold the rule of law and respect the outcome of any court ruling regarding the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, even if the decision goes against the interests of the government.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Wednesday, May 7, Suhuyini emphasised the NDC’s commitment to due process and judicial independence in response to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Chief Justice’s suspension.
“The fact that Paul Baffoe Bonnie is the acting CJ doesn’t mean that he will be the substantive CJ if Torkornoo’s suspension is upheld and eventually removed from office. The same courts have held and continue to defend that when it comes to the administrative justice of the Chief Justice, the principles of natural justice do not apply. So this strange legal gymnastics being adopted by the NPP is quite surprising to us,” he said.
Chief Justice Torkornoo was suspended on April 22, 2025, after a prima facie case was established against her following petitions submitted by a private citizen, a police officer, and the civil society group Shining Stars of Ghana.
In response, a five-member committee has been formed to investigate the matter under Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution.
The suspension has sparked sharp criticism from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which has petitioned the Presidency, Parliament, and the Judiciary to reverse the decision. The Ghana Bar Association has also called for the revocation of the suspension.
Addressing these reactions, Suhuyini noted that the judiciary remains under the stewardship of judges appointed by previous administrations and that they can consult the court on the situation at hand, for President Mahama is open to any directive from the court.
“Again, the courts are there. We have not put in place a single judge. These are the people they appointed for the good people of the country, and they are those still manning the judicial system.
“Let Godfred Dame and the NPP and probably Dr. Bawumia go and deal with the legal process, and if they are successful, they should be assured that President Mahama would respect the outcome of any court decision, even if it goes against the interest of his government or the NDC,” he added.
Accra, May 7, GNA – A coalition of political parties has urged Ghanaians to support the ongoing process to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo, to ensure it follows due process to conclusion.
The five parties, under the umbrella name, the Third Force Alliance, Ghana, said this would establish the truth or otherwise of the claims against the Chief Justice.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Ms Linda Ocloo, has called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) aspirants to desist from instigating assembly members to vote against the President’s MMDCE nominees.
She said if other shortlisted aspirants think rejecting the president’s nominee would give them the opportunity to be nominated, then it was not going to happen.
“You should not instigate people not to vote for the Presidential nominees by disgracing the president, if you think your name is shortlisted so you will be appointed, then it’s a lie.
We’ll make sure that if you don’t vote for the nominee, those shortlisted will also not be appointed, even, if we have to re-appoint someone, we’ll go outside the box to do that,” she cautioned.
The Minister made this known in Accra on Monday, when the Shai Osudoku District Assembly rejected Mr Ignatius Godfred Dordoe, the President’s nominee for the position of District Chief Executive.
Out of 32 votes, 10 government appointees and 22 elected, Mr Dordoe secured 17 out of votes, falling short of the required number for confirmation.
Despite her earlier plea to the assembly members to vote overwhelmingly for the nominee, the assembly members remained adamant as they voted against him.
“We are entering into the flooding season, and so the DCE should be at post and be doing sanitation works to prevent flooding in the region.”
Also, at the La Nkwantanang Municipal Assembly, there was a re-run of the election leading to the confirmation of Mr Ibrahim Faila Fuseini as the MCE.
Mr Fuseini secured 13 votes out of the 20 votes cast in the initial round, falling short of the required number for confirmation.
With tension rising, a closed door meeting was held before members, in which they agreed to go for the re-run.
Mr Fuseini secured all the 20 votes, confirming him as the MCE for the La Nkwantanang Municipal Assembly.
He was sworn in by the Greater Accra Regional Minister and witnessed by the Member of Parliament for the Madina Constituency, Mr Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu.
Interestingly, Ms Ella Esinam Nongo was confirmed as MCE in the Adenta Municipal Assembly peacefully after securing 13 votes representing 72 per cent out of the 18 votes.
The Minister expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the two assemblies and commended the assembly members and government appointees for siding with the president and having a peaceful election.
Both MCEs expressed their sincerest appreciation to the President for entrusting them with the responsibility.
The MCEs also thanked members of the assemblies for their support by stating that their presence and support symbolised their faith in them.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to provide concrete evidence that supports the claim that President John Dramani Mahama personally authored the petition seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The call comes in response to allegations by the former General Secretary of the NPP, John Boadu, who claimed that President Mahama wrote the petitions himself in a bid to replace the Chief Justice.
Speaking to Citi News on Tuesday, May 6, the Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the NDC, Dr. Rashid Tanko-Computer dismissed the allegations, describing them as baseless.
He claims that the NPP’s poor performance in the recent elections has left the party disoriented and desperate.
“In that case, they are telling us something we don’t know. And that is, when they were in power, all the petitions that Nana Akufo-Addo received, were drafted at the Flagstaff House, or written by him. Maybe they are revealing what they were doing.
“In any case, then Prof Kwaku Ansah, wrote a petition seeking the removal of the chief justice, was that written by Nana Akufo-Addo?
“You see because they lost, it has affected their thinking capabilities. So, they just open their mouth and anything that comes out doesn’t make sense to anybody,” he stated.
Mahama authored petitions against Chief Justice – John Boadu alleges
President John Dramani Mahama has instructed all political appointees within his administration to contribute one month’s salary to the newly established MahamaCares Medical Fund. This initiative, announced on May 5, 2025, aims to support Ghanaians in need of emergency medical care.
Objective of the MahamaCares Medical Fund
The MahamaCares Medical Fund is designed to provide financial assistance for emergency surgeries, life-saving medications, and treatments not covered under the National Health Insurance
Gomoa Potsin (C/R), May 7, GNA – A multi-million Cedis Museum has been commissioned at Potsin in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region to promote the Country’s traditions, customs and tourism.
Named ‘Scenes of Yester Years’, the Museum is strategically located at Potsin, few meters drive to Winneba-Junction – Kasoa road with seven scenes of sculptures, restaurant and entertainment centre.
Dr Ekuah Owusuwaa Amartey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Museum, said the purpose of putting up the edifice at Gomoa Potsin was to create jobs and wealth among the youth in and around the enclave.
It is also to tell the real-life story of the Country’s forefathers from where they migrated from many years ago to settle in Ghana and to let the youth understand and appreciate their traditions.
The CEO said some of the incidents in the olden days such as the slave trade by colonial people, who took our kith and kin into slavery must be retold.
She said Ghana’s tourism had great potentials and there was the need to explore more to improve its economic and financial impact on the citizenry.
The CEO disclosed that tourism development in Ghana was capital intensive, especially for private investors, adding that there was the need for the government to lend support to them to enhance tourism.
Dr Owusuwaa Amartey said aside from hotels and other tourists’ attractions, the Museums also had great potentials that needed to be developed with full financial and logistical support to boost tourism in the Country.
She further stated that it was incumbent on government and its agencies to offer more technical and managerial support to enhance economic development in that sector.
Dr Owusuwaa Amartey expressed disappointment that letters sent by her outfit to Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) requesting for technical assistance during the construction of the Museum, were not heeded to.
She extended appeals to the GTA and the Year of Return Secretariat to go to the aid of the Museum Center to help achieve its aims and objectives.
The CEO commended some travel and tour companies for the support given her during the construction of the museum and expressed the hope that they would continue to rally behind the Postin Museum to become the most attractive tourism centre in the Gomoa East District of the Central region.
Ebusuapanyin Kwesi Jacob of Borda Asona Family of Potsin commended Dr Amartey for siting the museum at Postin to create jobs for some of the unemployed youth in the Area.
He appealed to the government to construct the road linking Postin town to Postin-Junction to facilitate transport of goods and services and to attract tourists to visit the museum without hindrance.
He gave assurance that the Chiefs and elders of the town would continue to rally behind the CEO and entire management of the Museum to become one of the best tourism attractions in the Region.
Alfredos Nii Anyetei secured only 5 out of the 14 votes
A group of concerned members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the La Dade Kotopon Constituency has formally appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and the appointing authorities to renominate Alfredos Nii Anyetei as Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the La Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly.
Their appeal comes after Anyetei failed to secure the required votes for confirmation during a crucial assembly election held on May 6, 2025. Out of 14 votes cast, he garnered only 5, falling short of the number needed for endorsement.
Despite the outcome, the group maintains that Anyetei remains the most competent and visionary leader to steer the affairs of the municipality. Citing his service as a Constituency Youth Organiser, the group described him as “a pragmatic leader whose commitment to development, accountability, and participatory governance has transformed the community.”
“Under his leadership, we witnessed significant improvements in the Constituency, youth empowerment, and stakeholder engagement across La Dade Kotopon,” the group said in a statement.
The group praised Anyetei’s ability to maintain productive relationships with traditional leaders, opinion influencers, and assembly members, which they believe contributed to a peaceful and united atmosphere within the municipality.
“His dedication to serving the people with humility and competence has left a lasting positive impact that we, as concerned party members, cannot ignore.”
The concerned members argue that his performance in office and popularity among constituents warrant a second chance. They have, therefore, urged President John Dramani Mahama to renominate Alfredos Nii Anyetei for the MCE role.
“We believe that with his reappointment, La Dade Kotopon will continue to progress and thrive under responsible and inclusive leadership,” the group emphasized.
AM/KA
#TheAdutwumFactor! Watch as Yaw Osei Adutwum declares intent to contest NPP flagbearership for 2028
The expansion will support the creation of over 1,000 additional jobs by 2026
Growth Investment Partners (GIP) Ghana Ltd, an investment platform established by British International Investment (BII), has invested in Maagrace Garments Industries Limited (MGIL), a Ghanaian garment manufacturing company.
The investment will finance the construction of a new production facility at MGIL’s premises in Koforidua, aimed at developing the industry by boosting production capacity, increasing export volumes, and creating employment at scale particularly for women and youth.
Jacob Kholi, Chief Executive and Investment Officer of GIP Ghana in a statement issued in Accra yesterday said, “This investment is a testament to Ghana’s industrial potential and our ability to compete globally in ethical garment manufacturing.
“MGIL’s track record in creating jobs, especially for women, while driving export growth aligns with our mission to back scalable and inclusive businesses,” he said.
Since acquiring MGIL, EAA has invested heavily in productivity-enhancing technologies, including solar power systems, digital pattern software, smart metal detection, and a custom enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform.
These innovations have doubled productivity and enabled the successful transfer of technical skills to local middle managers.
MGIL is a subsidiary of Ethical Apparel Africa (EAA), an apparel sourcing and manufacturing firm headquartered in the United Kingdom.
It currently employs over 700 direct workers, with 72 percent of its workforce being women.
The company exports over 90 per cent of its products to major international brands based in the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe.
EAA has a strong social purpose and has a mission to create over 10,000 quality manufacturing jobs in West Africa by 2030, while shaping the emerging apparel ecosystem to prioritise people and protect the planet.
Keren Pybus, Co-Founder and CEO of Ethical Apparel Africa said, “We are delighted to partner with GIP to further expand MGIL’s operations. This investment supports our vision of building a world-class garment industry in Ghana, one that raises the standard for ethical manufacturing, women’s empowerment, and environmental responsibility.”
The expansion of the Koforidua facility will more than double
existing capacity through installation of new production equipment and warehousing space. The company estimates the expansion will support the creation of over 1,000 additional jobs by 2026.
The statement said Maagrace was deeply committed to measuring and continuously improving worker well-being, having already built an on-site wellness centre and implemented pay structures that offer wages four times higher than previous average earnings.
MGIL is actively working toward a 60 percent female leadership target and is recognised as a 2X-aligned company for its measurable progress in gender inclusion.
It is also playing a key role in establishing Ghana as a highly competitive garment manufacturing hub, attracting foreign direct investment and contributing to the country’s foreign exchange earnings as an export-focused business
Ghanaian media personality and singer, Afua Asantewaa
Ghanaian media personality and singer Afua Asantewaa has stated that she is still waiting for an official response from Guinness World Records following her second attempt at breaking the record for the longest singing marathon by an individual.
In an interaction with a fan on TikTok, Afua Asantewaa gave an update on the status of her record attempt.
The fan had commented under a video of her dancing, asking about the outcome of the singing marathon she embarked on in December 2024.
Responding directly to the fan’s comment, she said she was yet to hear back from the Guinness World Records team.
“We are still waiting,” she responded.
It’s been several months since the attempt, with the official waiting period for verification already surpassed.
According to information on the Guinness World Records website, the usual processing time for standard applications is between six to twelve weeks.
However, the timeframe can be longer depending on the type of record and how complex the evidence submitted is.
In cases where a Guinness World Records judge is present during the attempt, results can be confirmed immediately but that wasn’t the case for Afua’s marathon.
Afua Asantewaa began her second attempt on December 21, 2024, at Heroes’ Park in Kumasi.
Though this attempt has not been confirmed yet as successful, it followed her initial effort in December 2023, where she had also tried to break the existing record of 105 hours set by Indian singer Sunil Waghmare.
During her December 2024 attempt, she sang non-stop for 121 hours and 39 minutes.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Randy Abbey, has called on the Attorney General and Parliament to implement more stringent legislation to safeguard cocoa trees from the destructive activities of illegal miners and chainsaw operators.
Speaking during International Labour Day celebrations with cocoa farmers in Nkawie in the Ashanti Region, Dr Abbey highlighted the catastrophic loss of thousands of cocoa trees to illegal mining and logging operations, posing an existential threat to Ghana’s vital cocoa sector.
“The current legal framework protecting our cocoa trees lacks sufficient punitive measures, effectively emboldening illegal operators to continue destroying our national treasure.
“After over a century of cocoa serving as the backbone of Ghana’s economy, this resource deserves robust legislative protection,” Dr Abbey stated.
COCOBOD, he said, was actively collaborating with the Attorney General’s Office and Parliament to draft comprehensive legislation specifically designed to protect cocoa trees from unauthorised destruction.
Dr Abbey assured farmers that his administration was committed to halting the illicit destruction of cocoa plantations and establishing a collaborative framework for effective sector management.
The CEO also revealed concerning financial mismanagement within the sector, noting that a $263 million fund intended for rehabilitating 156,000 hectares of cocoa farms had been improperly utilised by the previous administration.
Despite allocating $223 million for rehabilitation and $40 million for irrigation, the entire amount was channelled solely toward rehabilitation efforts, resulting in only 40,000 hectares being restored, a significant shortfall from the targeted area.
According to him, the rehabilitation programme was initiated after it was determined that roughly 40 percent of the country’s cocoa farms were severely impacted by disease, necessitating urgent intervention.
While the intention behind the project was commendable, the actual execution had come under scrutiny.
In addition to the $263 million loan, Dr Abbey revealed that a further GH¢700 million was pumped into the programme, raising further questions about fund utilisation and project outcomes.
He said COCOBOD had since referred the matter to the appropriate authorities for a full investigation.
“This represents a critical missed opportunity to substantially increase our cocoa yields,” Dr Abbey lamented during his address.
He further emphasized that COCOBOD’s current financial constraints were hampering efforts to improve cocoa road infrastructure and implement other essential interventions.
Despite these challenges, Dr Abbey reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to addressing the sector’s problems, pledging to manage resources prudently as directed by President Mahama.
He urged cocoa farmers to work in close partnership with COCOBOD to overcome the industry’s obstacles and secure the future of Ghana’s cocoa production.
Ebenezer Kwabena Agyin, Ashanti Regional Manager, COCOBOD, commended the farmers for their enormous contributions to cocoa production in the country.
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak (L) and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal (R)
Barcelona faced significant backlash on social media after crashing out of the UEFA Champions League, following a dramatic 4-3 loss to Inter Milan at the San Siro on May 6, 2025.
Goals from Lautaro Martínez, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Francesco Acerbi, and Davide Frattesi sealed the victory for the Italian side, despite a spirited second-half comeback from Barcelona.
The Catalan club responded with goals from Dani Olmo, Eric Garcia, and Raphinha, but it wasn’t enough. Inter Milan advanced to the next round with a 7-6 aggregate scoreline.
A wave of reactions swept through social media, as fans ridiculed Barcelona, who had been widely tipped to win a treble (three major trophies) this season, following their strong domestic and European form.
Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick and several players criticised referee Szymon Marciniak, accusing him of favoring Inter Milan in several 50/50 decisions. They claimed these calls had a significant impact on the outcome of the match, contributing to the club’s painful exit.
Meanwhile, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal found himself trending for both positive and negative reasons. Some fans mocked him for prior comments that implied Barcelona were clear favorites to win the competition.
Others, however, praised the 18-year-old for his outstanding performance, highlighting his relentless attacks that troubled Inter’s defense throughout the game.
Barcelona’s Champions League drought, now stretching to nine years, continues, despite a season filled with promise and widespread predictions of European glory.
When you win, you say “we shouldn’t talk about refs” but when you lose, it’s only the refs fault?? This is why your club is never going to be legend. Keep crying.
Flick, Your substitutions never helped the team. You were about to win. Before you changed Olmo, the team was ahead and very well constructed. Gavi will not score or makes any chances, why he was in?? Inzaghi beat you.
Lamine is just getting started. These nights will belong to him for many more years. For Barca, they’re back to being the team that neutrals love to watch most.
M23 rebels stand guard during a meeting organised by the M23 at the Stade de l’Unite
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have restarted peace talks in Qatar, sources said on Tuesday, part of a diplomatic effort to end fighting in Congo’s war-ravaged east.
The two sides last met in Doha in April to discuss a deal that would end fighting this year that has killed thousands, displaced hundreds of thousands more and raised fears of a wider regional war.
An official with knowledge of the talks in Doha told Reuters that the latest round began on May 3.
“The negotiations are being held in a positive atmosphere, and both parties have expressed optimism about the dialogue,” said the official, who asked to remain anonymous.
However, two rebel sources said M23 had sent a lower-level delegation than in the earlier round last month, and complained that government delegations had not been empowered to make any decisions in Doha.
They also said government officials had not done enough on confidence-building measures such as the release of suspected M23 members held by Congo.
A government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. A source in Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s office said Kinshasa’s priority was peace and it was open to amnesty in some cases.
In statements released after last month’s talks, both sides committed to ending acts of violence and hate speech and called on the Congolese people to support a ceasefire and help create a constructive environment for dialogue.
However, participants complained that the talks had quickly become bogged down in technical details.
Fighting in eastern Congo has since continued. The UN humanitarian office said on Tuesday that armed clashes in North Kivu province had displaced at least 30,000 people since Friday.
Washington eyes minerals deals
Qatar has been involved in talks to end the ongoing flare-up of violence in eastern Congo, part of a conflict that goes back decades and is rooted in the Rwandan genocide, since brokering a surprise meeting between Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame in March.
The United Nations and Western governments say Rwanda has provided arms and troops to M23. Rwanda denies backing M23 and says its military has acted in self-defence against Congo’s army and a militia founded by perpetrators of the 1994 genocide.
Washington is also trying to broker peace between Congo and Rwanda, pushing for a deal along with bilateral economic packages with each country to be finalised by July.
Massad Boulos, U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, has said the bilateral deals would bring billions of dollars of Western investment to a region rich in critical minerals.
A two-year affair between a Zimbabwean border control official and a police officer’s wife has been exposed after the jilted lover decided to retaliate by outing their relationship to the woman’s husband.
The affair, which began in 2023, came to light after Tafadzwa Sigauke ended her relationship with Nhlanganisi Sibanda, an immigration officer stationed at Beitbridge Border Post.
Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai has responded to the Supreme Court’s narrow 3-2 ruling dismissing an injunction application filed by Old Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah, which sought to halt the petition process for removing Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.
Speaking to TV3, Srem-Sai emphasized that the decision allows the constitutional process to proceed without interruption, reinforcing the government’s stance that there is no legal basis to stop it.
As part of efforts to rejuvenate Ghana’s aviation sector, the Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has inaugurated a 10-member task force charged with steering the establishment of a new national airline.
The initiative aims to position Ghana as a competitive aviation hub in West Africa and bolster regional air connectivity.
The task force is chaired by Charles Asare, former Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited.
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Nikpe emphasised the government’s commitment to establishing a sustainable and efficient national carrier.
“We have facilities at our national airport and other airlines are taking advantage of it. It is only proper that as people, we get a portion of these advantages.
“We are the gateway to Africa, and we are establishing ourselves to become the aviation hub of Africa. We cannot do this without participating in that industry. For this reason, the president has constituted you, to ensure that we compete and also take advantage of the facilities we have worked so hard for over the years.
“Our vision as a government and as the Ministry of Transport is to make Ghana a transportation hub, whether in aviation, maritime, or by road. Our vision is that you play the role of connecting people within the sub-region and the rest of the world,” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of the task force, Chair Charles Asare, pledged the team’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the successful realisation of the national airline.
He stated that the task force will diligently work to develop a robust business model.
“The vision is very clear to us and the task ahead is quite defined. Some members of the team, I have worked with I can say that we have the right skills and experience to deliver this dream,” he added.
Analysts warn of cedi volatility risk despite recent gains
The wife of late Nollywood actor, Junior Pope, Jennifer Awele, has penned a heartfelt tribute to her late husband on his posthumous 45th birthday.
Naija News reports that Awele, via her Instagram page, on Wednesday, shared a video of the late movie star playing joyfully with their children.
She recalled a sweet memory from 2010, when he told her his birthday was the last day in the first week of May.
Awele expressed sadness about not celebrating her late husband’s birthday with surprises but tears.
Recall
Israel marked its 77th Independence Day in Ghana with a colourful celebration in Accra.
The anniversary, held under the theme “Bridges of Hope,” brought together members of the diplomatic community, the Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the clergy, traditional leaders, and government ministers.
The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Roey Gilad highlighted the longstanding ties between Israel and Ghana, dating back to 1956 when Israel first established its presence in Africa.
He acknowledged that, despite the strength of these bilateral relations, certain challenges persist. Among them, he cited the geographical distance—requiring two connecting flights—and the ongoing war in Israel as factors slowing progress.
The event served as a call for renewed hope, peace, and solidarity with the people of Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Ambassador Gilad revealed that over 1,200 people have died in the conflict, with more than 50 still held hostage after 578 days.
“578 days of pain and uncertainty not only for the hostages but also for us,” he said, stressing, “Hamas needs to release our hostages, lay down their weapons, and leave Gaza,” adding that Hamas holds the key to ending the tragedy.
Minister for Works and Housing, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, delivered the keynote address on behalf of the government.
He acknowledged Israel’s significant contributions to Ghana, particularly in agriculture, health, cybersecurity, and technology.
He also praised the role of Israeli companies in creating jobs and supporting Ghana’s economic development.
The celebration stood as a testament to resilience, partnership, and the shared aspiration for peace.
Govt to inaugurate task force to fast-track National Airline establishment
Creating subtle, delightful rhythms on a variety of African instruments that stimulate invigorating traditional dance movements has almost become a way of life for members of the Basa Dance Ensemble.
They have been at it in Ghana and across the sub-region since 2015, and are more than ever determined now to make more people aware of the package of goodies they unload at every performance.
Group leader and drummer, Mike Frempong, aka Skido, has been a staunch advocate for Ghanaian and African traditional music for over two decades.
He is happy the Basa Dance Ensemble is treading a path that constantly exposes the vibrant music and dance traditions truly cherished in this part of the world.
“We are nothing if we don’t show the world the unique performance arts we have inherited from long ago,” says Skido. “That’s why we create rhythms with our authentic instruments like rattles, bells, flutes, xylophone, gonje and an assortment of drums like the Fontomfrom, Osrama, Atumpan, Atsimevu and Dondo.
“We felt really proud when we performed in 2023 to cheering audiences at the Freedom Park on Lagos Island, Nigeria. In 2024, we put on a show at the Grand Bassam National Park in Cote d’Ivoire. The audiences knew Ghana was endowed with wonderful rhythms but it was a different experience completely when they heard live renditions of some of our traditional stuff.”
According to Skido, the audiences were moved by the thrilling Kpanlogo, Adowa, Borborbor, Agbadza, Apatampa, Bamaya and other rhythms from across Ghana. The group showcased traditional classics and also offered re-worked contemporary pieces.
“There are so many captivating rhythms and dances from Ghana to fall on at all times. They evoke different moods. Interestingly, audiences not familiar with some of the items get curious and ask questions. We are often patient enough to explain the things that catch their fancy. That helps them to appreciate us more,” states Skido.
The Basa Dance Ensemble is looking forward to performing in more African countries as a way of spreading the great vibes and dances from Ghana, as well as learning from those places to enrich their repertoire. It has plans to tour southern Africa in the near future.
To the members, Ghana is only a small section of Africa and spreading their wings to embrace and incorporate more of Africa enhances their acceptability in more places.
“The world is a big place and we are poised to make a good impression wherever we go. We are entertainers with a mission to sell Ghana and Africa to the world, and we will succeed,” the group’s leader said with confidence.
Dr. Frank Amoakohene (3rd left) with some fire officers
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has revealed that over GH¢900 million in startup capital alone was lost during the Adum Bluelight fire outbreak that occurred on March 21, 2025.
The fire significantly damaged multiple shops, with the blaze reportedly starting in a two-storey building near Hello FM. The fire quickly spread, causing extensive damage to businesses in the area. Eyewitnesses suggested the fire may have originated from a flickering electricity pole.
While firefighters eventually arrived at the scene, they reportedly faced difficulties in containing the blaze.
The unfortunate incident has since displaced over 2,000 traders, with many losing their capital.
The Ashanti Regional Minister made this revelation when he joined the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to observe the International Firefighters Day at Atonsu on Monday, May 5, 2025.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Amoakohene continued that other landmark fire incidents have also caused havoc in the region, particularly the one at Konongo, which claimed properties worth GH¢10 million.
However, he appreciated the fire officers for their commitment to protecting lives and properties, pledging government’s support to the fire officers, to help them work effectively.
Dr. Amoakohene, in his address, revealed that most of the fire tenders that were out of commission have been fixed.
The government, he said, was working on getting sophisticated equipment for the fire officers to help them execute their duties effectively.
Chairman of Parliament’s Works and Housing Committee, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, is calling on the government to impose a nationwide ban on plastics due to their harmful environmental impact and significant contribution to flooding in Accra.
This call was made during a site inspection of the Odawna drainage system under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project.
The project, funded by a $200 million World Bank grant since 2020, aims to address perennial flooding challenges in Accra, particularly within the Odaw River basin.
According to Vincent Oppong Asamoah, plastic waste continues to clog major drains, undermining the project’s progress. He believes that a total ban on plastics would drastically improve the situation.
Supporting his position is a recent global Ipsos poll, which revealed that 85% of respondents support a global ban on single-use plastics, while 87% advocate for reduced plastic production.
The poll also showed that 90% back a ban on harmful chemicals used in plastics, with overwhelming support for promoting reusable and recyclable alternatives.
Asamoah’s stance aligns with international calls for stricter, legally binding measures to combat plastic pollution—efforts championed by organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Plastic Free Foundation.
Meanwhile, the Ranking Member of the Works and Housing Committee, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, is advocating for the arrest and prosecution of individuals who deliberately dump refuse into drains, describing the act as criminal and a major contributor to the country’s flood problems.
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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.
Ghana’s consumer inflation has continued on a downward trajectory for the fourth consecutive month, dropping to 21.2 per cent in April 2025 from 22.4 per cent in March, according to new figures published by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The decline reflects easing pressures across both food and non-food categories, yet food inflation remains high at 25 per cent, posing an ongoing challenge for households and policymakers alike.
At a press briefing today (May 7, 2025) in Accra, Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu explained, “Year-on-year inflation slowed to 21.2 per cent in April 2025 and this is largely driven by a moderation in both food and non-food prices, though food inflation remains elevated.”
Despite the annual slowdown, monthly inflation edged up to 0.8 per cent in April, from 0.2 per cent the previous month—an early sign of renewed upward price pressures, particularly within the food segment. “On a month-on-month basis, food inflation increased, whilst non-food inflation was maintained,” Dr Iddrisu added.
Inflation figures showed a notable split between locally produced and imported items. Domestic goods registered a year-on-year inflation of 22.7 per cent, significantly higher than the 17.7 per cent recorded for imported items. Month-on-month inflation for local goods was also twice that of imports, highlighting internal supply constraints as a key inflation driver.
Economists say the figures underscore Ghana’s complex inflation landscape, where external price stabilisation is being undercut by lingering local inefficiencies, especially in food production and distribution.
The continued decline in inflation may offer some policy space for the Bank of Ghana, which surprised markets in March with a rate hike aimed at arresting inflation expectations. Governor Dr Johnson Asiama is expected to re-evaluate the policy direction at the central bank’s next Monetary Policy Committee meeting in May.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has meanwhile maintained that the government’s fiscal restraint will help push inflation down to 11.9% by December 2025, aligning with medium-term economic recovery targets.
The GSS also issued several policy recommendations in its April Consumer Price Index release. These include targeted interventions for food markets, especially monitoring inflation-sensitive items such as ginger, beans, and vegetable oil, and accelerating the roll-out of the Agriculture for Transformation Programme.
“The government must sustain macroeconomic stability measures and strengthen social protection schemes to shield vulnerable groups from the impact of inflation,” Dr Iddrisu urged. These include the LEAP programme, Capitation Grant, National Health Insurance Scheme, and school feeding interventions.
Recommendations were also extended to businesses and households. The GSS called on firms to consider easing prices or rebuilding margins where input cost pressures have declined, especially in food and hospitality sectors. Households were advised to manage spending prudently and remain alert to changes in transport and food prices.
With the upcoming 4-Nation Tournament in London this May, Black Stars head coach Otto Addo is expected to include five locally-based players with two from Kotoko in the Black Stars squad as part of efforts to integrate top-performing talents from the Ghana Premier League.
The Unity Cup, a special 4-Nation Tournament set to take place in London this May, will feature African powerhouses Ghana and Nigeria alongside two other invited nations.
The competition is aimed at promoting peace, unity, and sporting excellence among participating countries, while offering coaches a chance to assess talent ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
Here are five standout local players who are strong candidates for selection:
Stephen Amankona (Berekum Chelsea)– The attacking midfielder has been in superb form this season, showing creativity, leadership, and goal-scoring ability.
Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak)– Asare has emerged as one of the most reliable goalkeepers on the local scene, with consistent performances and clean sheets.
Karamadini Mamudu (Medeam)– A versatile and disciplined defender, Mamudu’s performances in the GPL this season has made him one of the best.
Kwame Poku (Asante Kotoko)– The striker has regained form and is once again proving to be a handful for defenders, making a strong case for a national team return.
Andrews Ntim Manu (Asante Kotoko)– A dynamic and hardworking midfielder, Ntim Manu has been a key figure in Kotoko’s midfield this season and offers energy and composure.
Ghanaian musician Efya has admitted that Ghanaian musicians cannot match their Nigerian counterparts when it comes to financial strength.
Speaking during an interview with Nana Romeo on Accra FM, Efya was addressing why Ghanaian artistes rarely make lavish public giveaways like their Nigerian peers.
The conversation was triggered by Nigerian musician Davido, who recently gifted a Ghanaian fan $5,000 for promoting his song “With You,” which features Omah Lay.
Efya explained that while Ghanaian artistes also support their fans in various ways, they usually prefer to do so privately.
According to Efya, she has personally helped fans by paying school fees and giving out gifts. However, she admitted she has never given out an amount as huge as $5,000 to a fan.
She pointed out that, although Ghanaian artistes may rock shoulders with Nigerians, there is a clear gap when it comes to financial capacity.
“Most Ghanaian artistes do give their fans money, but they just don’t like to bring it to the public attention. We don’t have enough money like the Nigerians to be able to engage in such giveaways. Even though we rock shoulders with the Nigerians, I don’t think financially it is the same, I don’t mind admitting that,” she said.
Efya further explained that the disparity largely stems from the fact that Nigerian artistes are paid more because they perform at bigger shows across the world.
“We don’t get paid the same way they get paid because they are playing bigger shows,” she stated.
She used the platform to advocate for more industry support, stating that greater collaboration and backing could help Ghanaian artistes access bigger platforms and earn more.
“Which is why we need to support each other more so that we can get on bigger platforms to be able to be collecting enough money so we can be dashing our fans 5000,” she added.
Days before the 2024 presidential election, President John Dramani Mahama, either confident of emerging victorious or as a campaign tactic, signed a social contract with Ghanaians.
This contract, which Mahama dubbed, “Mahama’s First 120 Days Social Contract with the People of Ghana,” as the name suggests, outlined things he would undertake in the first 120 days of his government.
The promise list had 25 actions, programmes, and policies Mahama promised to undertake within the 120 days, which are aimed at economic recovery, governance reform, and social interventions.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025, marks exactly 120 days since President Mahama and his vice, Prof Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang – the first female vice president of Ghana, were sworn into office on January 7, 2025.
This GhanaWeb article analyses Mahama’s 120-day social contract to ascertain the status of all the promises in it.
Analysis:
The GhanaWeb Data Desk has evaluated 25 of these promises, assigning scores based on their completion statuses by May 7, 2025 – the 120th day of Mahama’s presidency.
The scoring system awards 1 point for completed promises, 0.5 for partially completed promises and 0 for uncompleted promises.
In all, 17 out of the 25 action items listed in the contract have been completed per GhanaWeb’s analysis, representing 68%. Three (3) of the promises, representing 12% of the total, have been partially completed so far, while five (5), 20% – remain untouched.
Accumulating the points from the established scoring system gives President Mahama a score of 18.5 out of 25.
This, in percentage terms, translates to the president scoring 74% on his social contract with Ghanaians. The 74% score in Ghana’s grading system is equivalent to a grade B, which means that Mahama has done a “good,” not an “excellent” or a “very good” job on his contract with the people of Ghana.
Here is a breakdown of the status of actionable items on Mahama’s social contract:
Completed action items on the social contract:
1. President Mahama has achieved his promise to nominate, within the first 14 days, the complete list of Cabinet ministers for parliamentary approval.
The president, within the 14 days, nominated a total of 42 ministerial nominees, which included Cabinet, non-Cabinet and regional ministers.
All of these nominees were vetted and approved in less than a month, which in itself is unprecedented.
2. Mahama also achieved his promise to hold a National Economic Dialogue to discuss the true state of the economy and prepare a homegrown fiscal consolidation programme to guide the budget.
3. He established a seven-member National Economic Dialogue Planning Committee, led by renowned economist, Dr Ishmael Yamson, which organised the forum from March 3, 2025, to March 4, 2025.
Mahama has also fulfilled his promise to convene a national consultative conference on education to build consensus on needed improvements to the sector.
The president established an eight-member committee to oversee the National Education Forum, which will review the educational sector. The forum was held from February 18, 2025, to February 28, 2025.
4. Mahama also promised to reopen investigations into major unresolved criminal cases, including the 2020 Election killings, Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence, the murder of Ahmed Hussein-Suale, and Silas Wulochamey.
He has so far ordered the Inspector General of Police to open investigations into electoral killings that were experienced in the 2020 and 2024 elections.
5. Mahama promised, “Within my first 90 days in office, [I will] scrap the following draconian taxes to alleviate hardships and ease the high cost of doing business: E-Levy, COVID Levy, 10% Levy on Bet Winnings, and Emissions Levy.”
This promise was achieved after the passage of the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.
6. Mahama has also achieved his promise to implement the ‘No-Academic-Fee’ policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions — universities, colleges of education, nursing training institutions, etc.
7. He has also fulfilled his promise to introduce the following social interventions: Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities and the Ghana Medical Care Trust (MahamaCares) Fund.
8. Mahama has also achieved his promise to commence the distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools.
9. He has allocated seed money of about GH¢500 million for the establishment of the Women’s Development Bank, as promised.
10. He has also launched the following priority job creation programmes: the ‘Adwumawura’ Programme, the ‘National Apprenticeship Programme’, and the ‘One Million Coders Programme’.
11. As promised, Mahama has allocated monies to compensate the flood victims from the Akosombo Dam spillage, including those in the Oti, Bono East, and Savannah regions.
12. The president promised to constitute the “Leanest and Most Efficient” government under the 4th Republic of not more than 60 ministers and deputy ministers in his first 90 days in office.
The president, within 30 days of his government, appointed 56 ministerial and deputy ministerial nominees (23 ministers, 16 regional ministers, 13 deputy ministers and 4 ministers of state). It is not clear whether there is going to be an additional ministerial or deputy ministerial appointment to get the 60 ministers he indicated.
13. He also promised to commence drafting needed legal amendments and prepare for implementing the 24-Hour Economy Policy under the Office of the President.
President Mahama, in relation to this promise, has appointed former presidential hopeful, Augustus Goosie Tanoh, as the Presidential Advisor for the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development. Augustus Goosie Tanoh has also briefed Parliament on the policy and presentation of the draft document on the policy.
14. President Mahama has also fulfilled his promise to establish a robust “Code of Conduct and Standards” for all government officials.
15. He has also instituted a government policy banning political appointees from purchasing state assets, as promised. This promise was one of the provisions listed in the “Code of Conduct and Standards” for all government officials.
16. The government, as promised, has also commenced the review of the Customs (Amendment) Act 2020 to scrap the law banning the importation of salvaged vehicles to rescue the local automotive industry at Suame Magazine, Kokompe, Abossey Okai, among others.
17. He has also launched ‘The Black Star Experience’ initiative as Ghana’s flagship culture, arts, and tourism brand to transform Ghana into a preferred tourism destination.
Partially completed social contract promises:
President Mahama promised to ban illegal and new mining activities in forest reserves, and roll out the ‘Tree for Life’ and Blue Water Initiative to heal and sustainably harness the environment by turning areas and water bodies degraded by illegal mining into economic and ecological recovery hubs.
This promise has been partially achieved because, even though the president issued a directive, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for the immediate halt of illegal mining activities in forests and water bodies and launched the Tree for Life and Blue Water Initiative, he has not repealed the law on mining in forest reserves, which will completely outlaw the practice that was allowed by the previous government.
2. Mahama has also partially fulfilled his promise to lay before Parliament a new bill to streamline government scholarship administration, prohibit political appointees from accessing government scholarships, and eliminate political patronage, cronyism, nepotism, and corruption in awarding government scholarships.
The Minister of Education has announced that the bill has been drafted and will be laid before Parliament, which has been on recess for about two months, when it reconvenes.
3. The promise to carry out a shake-up of all loss-making State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and realign them to break even and transition into profit-making has also been partially fulfilled.
Though the presidency has held a number of engagements with the heads of State-Owned Enterprises he has appointed, a clear policy on how to make them profitable has not been outlined.
Uncompleted promises:
1. The president has also failed to “within my first 90 days in office, review taxes and levies on vehicles and equipment imported into the country for industrial and agricultural purposes.”
2. Mahama has also not achieved his promise to establish an Accelerated Export Development Council (AEDC) to promote exports as part of a broader strategy for economic transformation.
3. The president is also yet to institute inquiries and/or forensic audits into the following matters of public interest: the collapse of indigenous Ghanaian banks and financial institutions at a supposed cost of GH¢25 billion, illegal printing of money, the US$58 million National Cathedral scandal, illegal and inflated single-sourced contracts, COVID-19 expenditure scandal, PDS, Agyapa, SML, ambulance spare parts deal, 13th African Games, Sky Train, Pwalugu Dam, mathematics sets, galamsey fraud, missing excavators and tricycles, Sputnik-V, BOST scandal, and others, as he promised.
4. His promise to commence investigative processes to purge state security agencies of all militia and vigilante elements is also yet to be fulfilled.
5. He has also not initiated a probe into the man-made disaster caused by the VRA’s spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams that displaced and destroyed the livelihoods of thousands of citizens in the Volta, Eastern, and Greater Accra regions.
All in all, President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, for the most part, has shown commitment, largely, to achieving those contracts with the people of Ghana.
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Meanwhile, watch as frustrated Ghanaians speak out on poor network challenges
Former Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST), Dr Edwin Provencal, has raised concerns about a slowdown in Ghana’s gold reserve accumulation in early 2025.
He is therefore calling for increased transparency and strategic intervention to address the issue.
In an analysis shared on his Facebook page on May 7, 2025, Dr Provencal presented a forecasting model built using historical reserve data from May 2023 to December 2024.
The model projected steady monthly growth in gold holdings throughout 2025, using the formula: ln (Gold) = 2.366 + 0.05686 × Month_Index
The model demonstrated a strong correlation (R² ≈ 0.907) and anticipated that Ghana’s gold reserves would exceed 33 tonnes by April 2025.
However, Dr Provencal noted that actual figures for the period from January to April 2025 indicate a slower pace.
Ghana’s gold reserves hovered around 31.4 tonnes at the end of April, falling short of the forecast.
The former BOST MD said this divergence signals a disruption in the previously steady accumulation trend observed over the prior 20 months.
“This discrepancy indicates slower reserve accumulation,” Dr. Provencal explained, citing potential operational bottlenecks, budgetary limitations, market constraints, or geopolitical developments that may be affecting gold procurement.
He also pointed to internal challenges, including the regulatory transition from PMMC to GoldBod, and the possible impact of illegal mining, smuggling, or gold diversion.
Dr Provencal however emphasised that gold reserve growth remains a critical national economic priority and urged the government to take proactive measures.
“We must increase transparency around monthly reserve accumulation targets and performance,” he wrote.
He further recommended establishing strategic buffers or contingency plans to cushion shortfalls and restore momentum.
In conclusion, Dr Provencal made an appeal saying, “A focus on improving the current run-rate to the previous rate will ensure we’re on track to fixing our key fundamental – RESERVES!”
Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana (BoG), in a recent public update, reported that the country’s gold reserves stood at 31.37 tonnes as of April 30, 2025, marking a sustained upward trend in the central bank’s effort to bolster foreign exchange reserves and reinforce monetary policy credibility.
The April figure reflects a modest increase from 31.01 tonnes in March 2025, continuing the growth trajectory that began in May 2023, when reserves were just 8.78 tonnes.
The more than threefold increase over the past two years highlights a decisive policy shift by the central bank, which has been leveraging Ghana’s gold production through the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme to support macroeconomic stability.
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Richard Ofori Agyemang is the Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly
The Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Richard Ofori Agyemang, widely known as King Zuba, has boldly expressed his dream of one day leading Asante Kotoko SC as its Chief Executive Officer.
In a candid interview on Kessben FM, Zuba made no secret of his ambition, declaring his desire to helm one of Africa’s most iconic football clubs.
According to him, his current mission is to prove his capability through relentless dedication at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, hoping his efforts will eventually catch the attention of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the royal patron of the club.
“I want to work so well as KMA boss that Otumfuo will one day say, ‘Bring me that young man to manage my club,’” he stated.
From sports media to municipal governance, Zuba’s journey has been anything but conventional. His deep roots in sports commentary, coupled with his strong presence in public service, have uniquely positioned him to aspire to such a role.
For Zuba, managing Kotoko isn’t just an executive position, it’s a calling to serve the kingdom and uphold a storied legacy.
FKA/MA
Shocking! Watch why a young woman in the US questioned Alban Bagbin’s Ghanaian identity
As the sun set over Lake Turkana, a mother sobbed and threw flowers into the greenish-blue water to remember her teenage daughter who had drowned trying to reach Kenya via a new route being used by people smugglers.
Senait Mebrehtu, a Pentecostal Christian Eritrean who had sought asylum in Kenya three years ago, made the pilgrimage to north-western Kenya to see for herself where 14-year-old Hiyab had lost her life last year.
The girl had been travelling with her sister, who survived the late-night crossing over the vast lake, where winds can be powerful.
“If the smugglers told me there was such a big and dangerous lake in Kenya, I wouldn’t have let my daughters come this far,” Ms Senait told the BBC as she sat on the western shoreline.
Ms Senait had arrived by plane in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, on a tourist visa with her two younger children, fleeing religious persecution. But she was not allowed to travel with her two other daughters at the time as they were older and nearer the age of conscription.
Eritrea is a highly militarised, one-party country – and often national service can go on for years and can include forced labour.
The teenagers begged to join her in Kenya, so she consulted relatives who told her they would pay smugglers to get the girls out of Eritrea.
The fate of the two girls was put into the hands of traffickers who took them on a weeks-long trip by road and foot from Eritrea into neighbouring Ethiopia – then to the south into Kenya to the north-eastern shores of Lake Turkana, the world’s largest permanent desert lake.
A female smuggler in Kenya confirmed to the BBC that Lake Turkana was increasingly being used as an illegal crossing for the migrants.
“We call it the digital route because it is very new,” she said.
The trafficker, who earns around $1,500 (£1,130) for each migrant she traffics into or through Kenya (four times the average monthly salary of a Kenyan worker), spoke to us about her work at a secret location and on condition of anonymity.
For the last 15 years she has been part of a huge smuggling network that operates across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and South Africa – mainly moving those fleeing Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
With Kenya having stepped up patrols on its roads, smugglers are now turning to Lake Turkana to get migrants into the country.
“Agents” on the new route, she said, received the migrants in the Kenyan fishing village of Lomekwi where road transport was organised to take them to Nairobi – a journey of about 15 hours.
Warning of the dangers of travelling on the rickety wooden boats, she appealed to parents not to allow their children to make the crossing alone.
“I won’t say I love the money I make – because as a mother I can’t be happy when I see bad things happening to other women’s children,” she told the BBC.
“I’d like to advise migrants if they’ll listen to me. I’d like to beg them to stay in their countries,” she said, further cautioning of the callous attitudes of many traffickers.
Osman, an Eritrean migrant who did not want to give his real name for security reasons, made the crossing at the same time as Hiyab and her sister.
He recalled how Hiyab’s boat capsized in front of his eyes not long after leaving the fishing village of Ileret as it was heading south-west to Lomekwi.
“Hiyab was in the boat in front of us – its motor wasn’t working and it was being propelled by a strong wind,” he said.
“They were about 300m [984ft] into the water when their boat overturned, resulting in the deaths of seven people.”
Hiyab’s sister survived by clinging to the sinking boat until another vessel – also operated by the smugglers – came to the rescue.
Ms Senait blamed the smugglers for the deaths, saying they overloaded the boat with more than 20 migrants.
“The cause of deaths was plain negligence. They put too many people in a small boat that couldn’t even carry five people,” she said.
During the BBC’s visit to Lomewki, two fishermen said they saw the bodies of migrants – believed to be Eritreans – floating in the lake, which is around 300km (186 miles) long and 50km wide, in July 2024.
“There were about four bodies on the shores. Then, a few days later other bodies appeared,” Brighton Lokaala said.
Another fisherman, Joseph Lomuria, said he saw the bodies of two men and two women – one of whom appeared to be a teenager.
In June 2024, the UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, recorded 345,000 Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in East Africa, out of 580,000 globally.
Like Ms Senait’s family, many flee to avoid military conscription in a country that has been embroiled in numerous wars in the region, and where free political and religious activity is not tolerated as the government tries to keep a tight grip on power.
Uganda-based Eritrean lawyer, Mula Berhan, told the BBC that Kenya and Uganda were increasingly becoming the preferred destination of these migrants because of conflict in Ethiopia and Sudan, which both neighbour Eritrea.
The female smuggler said in her experience some of the migrants settled in Kenya, but others used the country as a transit point to reach Uganda, Rwanda and South Africa, believing it easier to get refugee status there.
The smuggling network operates in all these countries, handing over migrants to different “agents” until they reach their final destination, which – in some cases – can also be Europe or North America.
Her job is to hand over those migrants who are in transit in Nairobi to agents who keep them in “holding houses” until the next leg of their trip is arranged and paid for.
By this stage each migrant has probably paid around $5,000 for the journey up to that point.
The BBC saw a room in a block of flats that was being used as a holding house. Five Eritrean men were locked inside the room, which had just a single mattress.
In the holding houses, migrants are expected to pay rent and also pay for their food – and the smuggler said she knew of three men and a young woman who had died of hunger as they had run out of cash.
She said the agents simply disposed of the bodies and called their deaths bad luck.
“Smugglers keep lying to the families, saying their people are alive, and they keep on sending money,” she acknowledged.
Female migrants, she said, were often sexually abused or forced to get married to male smugglers.
She said she had no intention of giving up the lucrative trade but felt others should be aware of what could lie ahead of them.
It is little comfort for Ms Senait, who still mourns the death of her 14-year-old, while expressing relief that her elder daughter survived and was unharmed by the smugglers.
“We have gone through what every Eritrean family is going through,” she said.
“May God heal our land and deliver us from all this.”
Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has advised men against marrying of the same age or younger by only a few years.
In a post on his X handle, Omokri cited religious, biological and sociocultural arguments to support his stance. He wrote;
“As much as possible, think twice before you marry a woman your age or even a bit younger than you. Take a cue from the first marriage. God created Adam. And Adam was already well settled and established in age at the Garden of Eden before God created Eve for him. They were not age mates or even in the same age bracket. At all!
“Marriage is beyond love and your emotions. As a man, you are also a biological being with bodily needs. Except you are a Ruffian who works at Arise.
“All things being equal, you will be virile and libidinous until your nineties. Women are not biologically built that way. They reach menopause in their forties. What will you do then? Become celibate and risk prostate cancer? Are you happy with the prostate cancer epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa?Or engage in extramarital affairs?
“These are the things you should consider before taking a spouse because there are bodily consequences to adopting a wholly Western way of life. What is an ideal age gal between man and wife? Ten to fifteen years is ideal. Especially if you desire a long life.
“Please fact-check me: Men who marry significantly younger women tend to live longer than males who marry their age mates or a few years younger. But to wed your senior in age is to play Russian Roulette!”
A coalition of five minority political parties, Third Force Alliance-Ghana, has backed President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend the Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Essaba Torkornoo, describing the move as a constitutional necessity rather than a political manoeuvre.
The group stated that, based on their observations, they found the President’s actions consistent with constitutional requirements and commended him for adhering to due process in handling the petition for the Chief Justice’s removal under Article 146 of the Constitution.
The Alliance — comprising the Convention People’s Party (CPP), People’s National Convention (PNC), Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), and the All People’s Congress (APC), made this known at a press conference held yesterday in Accra.
The General Secretary of the PNC, Awudu Ishaq, who read the statement on behalf of the group, explained that the Supreme Court itself had interpreted Article 146 to require a preliminary determination of a prima facie case in consultation with the Council of State before the President may set up a committee under Article 146(6), which the group believed the President had not violated.
“There is no indication that the President has acted outside the bounds of the Constitution.
“That procedure, to our knowledge, has been duly followed,” he said.
They also expressed confidence in the Council of State’s recommendation and described the decision to suspend the Chief Justice pending investigations as responsible and well-grounded.
NPP’s involvement
He criticised the decision by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to turn itself into a “vanguard” to support the suspended Chief Justice and, by extension, to oppose the decision by the President to exercise a constitutionally guaranteed power.
Commenting on the demonstration against the Chief Justice’s suspension, Mr Ishaq described the NPP’s motives as politically driven and dismissed the protests as insincere.
He further stated that attempts to frame the President’s action as politically motivated or anti-female were misleading.
“His bold action in responding to the petitions against the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkornoo, is a defining moment in the annals of Ghana’s democracy.
It sends a strong message: No one is above the Constitution, and no institution is too sacred to be scrutinised,” Mr Ishaq added.
Reforms
The Alliance also used the opportunity to propose several reforms to address gaps and strengthen the judicial accountability process.
These included the creation of an Independent Assessment Committee for prima facie reviews, setting statutory timelines for Article 146 proceedings, and the publication of committee reports post-determination.
They further called for the establishment of a Judicial Integrity Commission and urged the newly established Constitutional Review Commission to consider revising Article 146 to clarify grounds for removal to avoid the vague nature of certain terminologies, enhance transparency and reduce opportunities for executive or partisan interference.
The pastor during church service
He stated that the task force will diligently work to develop a robust business model.
The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Roey Gilad highlighted the longstanding ties between Israel and Ghana, dating back to 1956 when Israel first established its presence in Africa.
The event served as a call for renewed hope, peace, and solidarity with the people of Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Minister for Works and Housing, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, delivered the keynote address on behalf of the government.
He also praised the role of Israeli companies in creating jobs and supporting Ghana’s economic development.
![Black Stars technical team to invite five [5] local players including two Kotoko sensational players for 4-Nation Tournament in London](https://www.ghanamma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/otto-addo-1-768x432.png "Black Stars technical team to invite five [5] local players including two Kotoko sensational players for 4-Nation Tournament in London")
