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Jul – 14 – 2025 , 20:07

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has introduced a new theme ahead of its 2025 National Annual Delegates Conference, aimed at reconnecting with disillusioned supporters and reinforcing the party’s core values of the rule of law, limited government, and grassroots inclusion.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, July 14, 2025, the party’s Director of Communications, Mr Richard Ahiagbah, said the theme, “Building Together with Our Values”, reflects the party’s intention to respond to public feedback and rebuild confidence in its political direction.

“This is an indication to Ghanaians that we hear you,” Mr Ahiagbah stated. “All the feedback we received while in government on the issue of limited government, we have taken seriously. We are going back to the standards Ghanaians expect from the NPP.”

He explained that the party’s current efforts are aimed at reaffirming its identity as a party rooted in democratic principles, individual rights, and private enterprise. Mr Ahiagbah said these values are not just part of the party’s tradition but remain relevant to the country’s development.

Referring to the NPP’s origins in resisting the military-led Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), he credited the party’s forebears for their role in establishing Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

“Our forebears stood and resisted during very difficult times. It is because of their belief in the rule of law and order, not chaos, that we enjoy democratic governance today,” he noted.

Mr Ahiagbah also addressed concerns about economic policy, defending the party’s flagship industrialisation initiative, One District, One Factory (1D1F), which he said helped to create over 160,000 jobs nationwide.

He contrasted it with the current administration’s 24-Hour Economy programme, which he described as unclear and lacking direction.

“In place of a functioning industrialisation programme, the NDC has introduced something we don’t know when it will begin or end,” he said.

On cultural matters, Mr Ahiagbah reiterated the NPP’s position on traditional values and criticised what he described as the growing promotion of LGBTQ+ rights in the country.

He claimed that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) had shown support for what he called “a rather obnoxious phenomenon.”

He added that the NPP would continue to uphold values that reflect the beliefs of the Ghanaian people.

Acknowledging past criticisms, Mr Ahiagbah admitted that the NPP’s previous administration had allowed the size of government to expand beyond what many party supporters and citizens considered acceptable.

He assured that the party had taken note of these concerns.

“This theme is our way of responding to Ghanaians who felt left behind, or who believed we had become too similar to the opposition,” he said. “We are determined to return to the values that made the NPP a party of choice.”

The 2025 National Annual Delegates Conference is set to be held on Saturday at the Legon Sports Stadium in Accra.

Mr Ahiagbah said the party intends to use the gathering to unify its base and outline its future direction.

Sprout Source Ghana Limited, a Tema-based nursery certified by Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), is producing disease-resistant coconut, cashew, and rubber seedlings to boost farmer incomes and combat climate change.

The company focuses on scientifically optimized varieties tailored to Ghana’s agro-ecological conditions, offering farmers 30–50% higher survival rates and accelerated yields.

Coconut seedlings are bred for root strength and drought tolerance, while cashew varieties resist pests and maximize nut production. Rubber seedlings prioritize rapid growth and latex yield. This approach supports Ghana’s $200 million Tree Crop Diversification Project, which aims to scale climate-resilient crops like coconut and cashew for export markets. Sprout Source’s methods align with regenerative agriculture trends, incorporating biochar and micro-irrigation.

Economically, the initiative taps into booming global demand: coconuts represent a $20.24 billion market (projected to reach $38.58 billion by 2030), cashew trades at $9 billion annually, and rubber’s value chain exceeds $300 billion. By supplying CSIR-approved seedlings, Sprout Source helps position Ghana to expand its non-traditional exports beyond cocoa and gold while creating rural jobs.

The company’s model addresses climate vulnerabilities highlighted by recent droughts in northern Ghana. Its climate-smart seedlings enable agroforestry systems that improve soil health and buffer against extreme weather, directly supporting national goals for carbon reduction and agricultural modernization.

Elsie Appau-Klu has been accused of abusing her political power in a land litigation issue

The embattled Deputy Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Elsie Appau-Klu, has been dragged to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) over allegations of abusing her political power in a land litigation case.

In his petitions, private citizen, Nana Awuku Bram, accused Elsie Appau-Klu of allegedly encroaching on his one-acre parcel of land located in Oyarifa, a suburb of Accra, and attempting to use her office to unlawfully enter the property and destroy a structure belonging to him.

Copies of the petition filled with pictures and dated July 8, 2025, and addressed to EOCO, CHRAJ, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah; and the party’s General Secretary, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, have been sighted by GhanaWeb.

In the petition, Nana Awuku Bram is calling on these institutions and individuals to investigate Elsie Appau-Klu’s alleged encroachment and displacement of occupants from the disputed property, which he describes as ‘unlawful.’

Providing further details in his petition, Nana Awuku Bram alleges that, in addition to encroaching on his property, Elsie Appau-Klu enlisted the help of individuals he described as thugs to forcibly access the land and commence construction activities.

“I write respectfully to petition your esteemed office concerning the abuse of public office by Elsie Appau-Klu, who has forcibly entered and caused destruction on my property at Oyarifa, Accra. The land in question forms part of a development project being undertaken by me, Nana Awuku Bram of Oyarifa,” portions of the petition read.

It further stated; “Despite this, Appau-Klu has used persons suspected to be thugs and uniformed personnel, and allegedly invoked her status as a public official, to demolish part of the wall enclosing the site and to forcefully enter the premises. Appau-Klu has also commenced illegal construction activities on the land and has issued renewed threats of violence against anyone who challenges her actions or attempts to report the matter to the authorities.”

Awuku Bram is also seeking a restraining order to prevent Elsie Appau-Klu from continuing construction activities on the disputed land.

Furthermore, he has called on the relevant institutions to sanction her if it is confirmed that she used state security and resources in connection with the alleged encroachment.

“Restrain her from continuing any further activity on the disputed land pending the resolution of ownership and possession rights. Sanction any misuse of state security or public resources that may have been employed in furtherance of her private interests,” he added.

See copies of the petitions below:

MAG/AE

Meanwhile, you can watch GhanaWeb TV’s exclusive interview with Arathejay below:

By Iddi Yire  

Accra, July 14, GNA – President John Dramani has reiterated that Africa’s Reparations call is now w unified demand. 

“Africa’s call for reparative justice is no longer a whisper—it is a unified demand grounded in historical truth, moral clarity and our unwavering commitment to dignity,” he said. 

He added: “As we implement the 2025 Theme of the Year on Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through reparations, we reaffirm our shared resolve to correct historical wrongs and injustices through restitution, healing and holistic systemic transformation.” 

A statement issued by the Presidency said President Mahama, who is the African Union Champion for Reparations made the declaration in his progress report at the Seventh African Union (AU) Mid-Year Coordinating Meeting in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. 

The Summit on the theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”, focused on coordinating the efforts of the AU, Regional Economic Communities, and Regional Mechanisms. 

President Mahama said notable progress had been achieved by the AU Commission and Member States in implementing the theme.  

He expressed satisfaction with the recent decision by the Executive Council to extend the focus on reparations for a decade, covering the period from 2026 to 2036. 

“This undoubtedly affords us, as a Union, the opportunity to sustain the momentum for the realisation of this noble cause, as well as map out well-thought-out strategies to mobilise adequate resources to champion implementation of the theme domestically,” President Mahama said. 

He issued a call for global partnership, saying, “We call upon all nations, within and beyond Africa, to partner with us in shaping a more just and equitable world for the sons and daughters of the motherland.” 

He said the deep connection between reparations and African identity and dignity.  

“Restitution to the African, therefore, is restoration of our full human dignity,” he stated, adding that the movement aims “to speak of history on African terms, of healing deep civilisational wounds and of restoring to African peoples our rightful agency in shaping our past, present and future.” 

He underscored the necessity of reparations for African progress and unity, arguing, “We cannot speak of development without identity or speak of unity without acknowledging the erasure that has fractured our heritage.” 

President Mahama stressed the importance of a unified African narrative on the global stage and encouraged robust partnerships, particularly with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).  

Looking ahead, he announced that Ghana and Togo would co-sponsor a high-level event in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2025 “to further bolster efforts at achieving the justice and closure which has eluded us for centuries. 

“As we do more to correct historical wrongs, we are reasserting our full humanity. We are reaffirming our sovereignty. We are reigniting the flame of dignity that has always burned within the African soul,” assuring the Union of Ghana’s continued support for this agenda towards “The Africa We Want.” 

GNA  

Edited by Benjamin Mensah 

Renowned security analyst, Professor Kwesi Aning, has described the violence that marred the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun as “unfortunate but unsurprising,” pointing to Ghana’s repeated failure to act decisively on electoral violence.

The Ablekuma North rerun descended into chaos after unidentified armed men disrupted voting at some polling centres, assaulting party agents, journalists, and even a former minister. The incident triggered widespread condemnation from political leaders and civil society, prompting calls for accountability and reform.

Speaking in an interview on Citi Eyewitness News on Monday, July 14, Prof Aning lamented the country’s entrenched pattern of responding to such incidents with symbolic gestures rather than concrete reforms.

“It was unfortunate, but I am not surprised because we establish commissions of enquiry, a report is written, the government issues a white paper… This has become a game of cyclical patterns of violence — talk, talk, drink tea, and then it is business as usual,” he stated.

Despite the outrage, Prof Aning expressed skepticism about whether the government’s latest promises would lead to real change.

“It was most unfortunate, but I wasn’t surprised at all, and I am really looking forward to what will happen in this particular case with all the strong statements coming from government ministers,” he said.

Read also

Ablekuma North chaos a wake-up call for Akwatia by-election – Muntaka

Seidu Issifu (R) flanked to the left by Jürgen Heissel during their meeting

The Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Ghana, Jürgen Heissel, has paid a courtesy call on the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Seidu Issifu, to explore opportunities for bilateral collaboration in areas of environmental governance, renewable energy, climate finance, and green innovation.

During the visit, Heissel warmly welcomed the appointment of Seidu Siedu, describing it as historic, and a bold step by Ghana to elevate climate change to a national priority.

He lauded the foresight of John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, for establishing the ministerial position as a demonstration of strong political will in confronting the climate crisis.

Seidu Issifu expressed his appreciation for the Ambassador’s remarks and reaffirmed that his appointment reflects the highest level of political and governance leadership ever conferred on the climate agenda in Ghana.

He emphasised that the Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability was created to champion a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to climate action.

The minister shared his vision to establish a Climate Change and Sustainability Hub in Ghana, a proposed centre of excellence that will serve as a platform for policy research, innovation, capacity building, mobilizing finance and stakeholder dialogue.

The hub aims to position Ghana as a thought leader in the region, driving transformative solutions that respond to national and continental climate challenges.

Seidu Issifu also outlined plans to create Climate Change and Sustainability Units within all Ministries, Agencies, and across the 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies.

These institutional units will support the integration of climate considerations into planning, budgeting, and policy execution, thereby strengthening Ghana’s ability to implement its climate commitments at all levels.

Further, the minister disclosed preparations toward hosting a Climate Business Summit in Ghana, which will serve as a platform to attract climate investments, mobilize the private sector, and showcase innovative green solutions aligned with national development priorities.

Jürgen Heissel welcomed these ideas with optimism and expressed Austria’s readiness to align its expertise with Ghana’s emerging climate ambitions.

He highlighted opportunities for institutional exchanges, academic scholarships, and cultural cooperation, noting that such partnerships can play a significant role in building local capacity and accelerating climate solutions.

The visit concluded with a mutual commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation and transform shared visions into meaningful actions that deliver sustainable and climate-resilient outcomes for both countries.

The University of Ghana (UG), Legon, has officially lifted the restriction on social gatherings that was introduced following the recent resurgence of COVID-19 on campus.

In a notice issued by the Office of Student Affairs and signed in consultation with the University Health Services and University Management on Monday, July 14, the university community was informed that the ban has been lifted with immediate effect.

“The restriction on social gatherings on the University of Ghana campus due to the resurgence of COVID-19 has been lifted with immediate effect,” the statement announced.

This decision paves the way for student bodies and campus-based organisations to resume their activities.

The notice specifically mentioned that groups such as the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG), Students’ Representative Council (SRC), Junior Common Rooms (JCRs), religious groups, as well as departmental and school associations, are now allowed to organise their weekly celebrations and other events.

“GRASAG, SRC, JCR, religious groups, departmental and school associations are now permitted to organise their week celebrations,” the notice stated.

Despite the easing of restrictions, the university authorities stressed that health and safety must remain a top priority. Students and event organisers are expected to comply with COVID-19 safety measures to prevent any new wave of infections.

“Note that all COVID-19 protocols should be adhered to. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated,” the statement added.

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

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

Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance

The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has inaugurated a new seven-member Board for the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), tasking them with the crucial responsibility of strengthening Ghana’s fight against financial crimes.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on July 14, 2025, the finance minister emphasised the importance of the FIC’s role in safeguarding the integrity of the country’s financial system.

“This Board will play a critical role in our ongoing fight against money laundering, terrorism financing, and other financial crimes that threaten the integrity of our financial system,” he stated.

The newly constituted Board is chaired by Mike Kofi Afflu, with Albert Kwadwo Twum Boafo serving as Chief Executive Officer.

Other members include; Grace Mbrokoh-Ewoal from the Ministry of Finance, Elizabeth Ama Yankah from National Security, Dr Kwasi Osei Yeboah, a representative from the Ministry of the Interior, and another from the Attorney-General’s Department.

The sector minister congratulated the appointees and expressed confidence in their capacity to deliver on their mandate.

“I congratulate the new Board members and urge them to work diligently to support national and international efforts aimed at combating financial crime,” he said.

The Financial Intelligence Centre serves as Ghana’s national agency for receiving, analysing, and disseminating financial intelligence relating to suspicious transactions and other activities connected to financial crime.

MA

Cheque Fraud EXPOSED: How it works and how to stay safe

Watch the latest episode of Health Focus below:

 

Policy analyst Bright Simons

Policy analyst, Bright Simons, has clarified that he does not engage in advocacy on behalf of any organisation, following suggestions that he may be biased in the ongoing standoff between Engineers and Planners (E&P) and Azumah Resources.

In a post shared on his X page on Monday, July 14, 2025, Simons set the record straight after an E&P statement suggested that he was siding with Azumah Resources.

“I don’t think that there was any doubt about this in the mind of any serious person who has followed my work in the past decade and before. But since E&P, in their formal press statement, suggested that I am somehow biased towards the Azumah side, this statement that I am neither a representative nor an advocate for Azumah and its investors should seal the matter.

“I am an independent analyst working in the public interest and have always been,” he wrote.

Simons further shared his perspective on the involvement of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), taking a different stance from Azumah.

“Contrary to Azumah’s deference, my position is that the ECOWAS Bank must answer to the citizens of ECOWAS, its ultimate shareholders, how it got involved in this acquisition that clearly hadn’t happened as announced. And when it clearly knew that an earlier offer had been rejected in May 2024 and that the issues that triggered the rejection remained unresolved,” he said.

Simons expressed hope that the two companies would resolve the impasse amicably.

“All that said, we hope the two parties – E&P and Azumah – find an amicable solution to this bizarre impasse soon. Meanwhile, accountability is a marathon,” he added.

Background

His comments follow escalating tensions between the two companies, with both sides trading accusations over the status of a US$100 million acquisition agreement signed in October 2023.

E&P, in a press statement dated July 8, 2025, rejected what it described as “a deliberate effort to distort facts” surrounding its purchase of Azumah’s Black Volta Gold Project.

The company insisted that the agreement was reached in good faith after Azumah’s shareholders approached them in May 2023 to offload the struggling mine.

According to E&P, the original deal involved a US$100 million purchase price to be paid in two instalments.

The company claimed it assumed all liabilities, including debts exceeding US$5 million owed to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Minerals Commission, and has since invested an average of US$500,000 monthly in maintaining the project.

However, the dispute intensified in August 2024 when Azumah’s director, James Wallbank, allegedly demanded a revised price of US$300 million, citing rising global gold prices. E&P rejected the demand and subsequently initiated arbitration proceedings.

In June 2025, an Accra High Court ruled that Azumah’s attempt to terminate the agreement had no legal effect and ordered that the status quo be maintained.

The July 7, 2025 signing ceremony at the Marriott Hotel, which Azumah publicly distanced itself from, was later clarified by E&P to be a formal agreement between the company and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) for a US$100 million facility to finance the acquisition.

E&P’s Business Development Director, Emmanuel Erskine, stated that the project remains a fully commercial transaction and is not politically motivated.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Azumah Resources Ghana Limited and E&P to resolve their ongoing dispute over ownership and control of the Black Volta Gold Project.

Read his post below:

I don’t think that there was any doubt about this in the mind of any serious person who has followed my work in the past decade and before.

But since E&P, in their formal press statement, suggested that I am somehow biased towards the Azumah side, this statement that I am… pic.twitter.com/4pI7mDdpNd

— Bright Simons (@BBSimons) July 14, 2025

JKB/MA

Meanwhile, you can watch GhanaWeb TV’s exclusive interview with Arathejay

below:

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN boss Luis Enrique faces a TOTAL coaching ban for his Club World Cup Final slap attack on Chelsea star Joao Pedro.

Spaniard Enrique lost control after his side crashed 3-0 to Chelsea in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

After squaring up to the Brazilian striker, the PSG chief slapped him once to the side of the head, before players rushed in to separate the duo.

The incident sparked a major melee involving 20-plus players and staff from both sides. Fifa is now poised to open a formal disciplinary probe into Enrique’s behaviour.

But world chiefs are UNABLE to impose a specific match sanction because PSG and Enrique will not play any games under their jurisdiction until the Champions League winners represent Europe in the InterContinental Cup in December.

And that leaves a TIME penalty – a period in which the Catalan would be prevented from doing ANY training ground or match day work – as the most likely punishment if Enrique is charged with misconduct.

“Fifa is above Uefa. If Fifa tells you there are three matches it’s in their competition, but since in this tournament the yellow and red cards ended, FIFA can, on the other hand, sanction players based on time.”

The time-based penalty was handed out to former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez when he bit Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in Uruguay’s World Cup group game at the 2014 finals.

Suarez was initially banned from “all football-related activities” for four months and banned for nine international matches, although an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport was partially successful allowing the striker to train with new club Barcelona.

Fifa have yet to confirm whether disciplinary procedures have been opened against Enrique or anybody else involved.

In a strategic move to promote fiscal transparency and inclusive governance, BudgIT Ghana has announced the launch of its Simplified 2025 Budget Statement, alongside a high-impact stakeholder capacity workshop targeted at civil society organisations and the media.

The event is scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at DynaSpace, The Signature, Shiashie – Accra, starting at 9:00 AM GMT. Themed “Enhancing Stakeholder Capacity for Inclusive Development”, the initiative will bring together civil society actors, development partners, and journalists for a day of collaboration, training, and innovation.

A key highlight will be the presence of Oluseun Onigbinde, Global Director and Co-Founder of the BudgIT Foundation, who will serve as Guest of Honour and Lead Facilitator. Onigbinde is a recognised leader in civic technology and public finance advocacy across Africa and is expected to lead participants through hands-on techniques in simplifying budget data, data visualisation, and citizen-centric storytelling.

“This initiative is about equipping our civic and media partners with practical skills to interpret fiscal documents, track public expenditure, and communicate insights effectively to the public”, the press release noted.

The Simplified 2025 Budget Statement transforms complex government financial documents into accessible, easy-to-understand formats for citizens. The aim is to make budget data more actionable, especially for grassroots advocates and community leaders focused on public resource allocation and service delivery.

By facilitating data-driven dialogue and increasing accessibility to budget information, BudgIT Ghana hopes to foster a more participatory fiscal ecosystem, one that places citizens at the core of governance and accountability

BudgIT Ghana, a civic-tech organisation, is known for leveraging data storytelling and technology to simplify public finance, thereby empowering citizens.

We’re engaging E&P to resolve impasse – Azumah Resources

Policy analyst Bright Simons

Azumah Resources has firmly disassociated itself from recent public comments made by policy analyst Bright Simons, clarifying that he does not speak for the company in any way.

In a statement issued by its Board of Directors on Sunday, July 13, 2025, the mining company moved to clear up what it called growing media speculation about its legal and commercial dispute with local firm Engineers & Planners (E&P).

Azumah stressed that while Mr. Simons has every right to share his personal opinions, he does not represent the company’s shareholders or directors and has no mandate to comment on its behalf.

“Mr. Bright Simons does not represent, act on behalf of, or speak for the Shareholders or Directors of Azumah Resources Ghana in any capacity.

“His public commentary constitutes his personal opinion and should not be construed, implied, or interpreted as reflective of the official position, intentions, or legal standing of Azumah Resources or its Shareholders,” the statement read.

The company also addressed reports involving the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), stating that although representatives of Azumah and E&P visited the bank in Lomé last year, any mention of EBID’s involvement beyond preliminary talks is “unwarranted and inaccurate.”

Azumah however says it remains in confidential negotiations with E&P aimed at finding a fair and legal resolution to their dispute, and called on media outlets and commentators to avoid speculation that could undermine the talks.

Read the full statement below:

FKA/MA

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