Jerry Shaib Ahmed, MP for Weija-Gbawe and Dr Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings, MP for Klottey Korle

Deputy Minority Whip Jerry Shaib Ahmed has expressed disappointment over the absence of an appointment for the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, in President John Mahama’s government.

According to him, Dr Zanetor Rawlings is competent and capable of handling any portfolio in government.

President John Mahama has declared that his administration is the most efficient and leanest in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, boasting a record-low number of ministerial appointments.

Delivering an address to the nation to mark his first 120 days in office, President Mahama stated that he had fulfilled his promise to form a lean government within 90 days of assuming office.

The President revealed that only 56 ministers and deputy ministers have been appointed so far—the lowest number by any president under the Fourth Republic.

“I promised to constitute the leanest and most efficient government under the Fourth Republic within the first 90 days.

“As promised, I announced the complete list of my cabinet ministers for parliamentary approval within the first 14 days of being sworn in. They were all successfully vetted and approved, and they have hit the ground running,” he said.

“Indeed, I have so far appointed only 56 ministers and deputies—so far, the smallest number of ministers and deputies appointed by any president in the Fourth Republic,” he touted.

But speaking on Starr FM on Thursday, May 15, 2025, Jerry Shaib Ahmed, MP for Weija-Gbawe, stated that Zanetor, given her competence and the fact that she is the daughter of the founder of the NDC, should not have been excluded from the Mahama government.

“I think that the reduction in the number of ministers… I think it’s not even up to 60. It’s short by four, but those four are becoming a problem because I was expecting Zanetor Rawlings. I am very disappointed. She is the founding father’s daughter—the founder of the NDC party. I think she is quite a sharp lady. For me, Zanetor’s exclusion is surprising; I never expected that President Mahama would not give her an appointment.

“I think the President should have considered her either for Health, Defense, or National Security. Now, National Security and Interior have been combined, and so perhaps that’s where the challenge lies.”

I’m very disappointed that Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings hasn’t received an appointment in this government… – Jerry Ahmed Shaib (Weija-Gbawe MP) #StarrFM #EIBNetwork#StarrNews #NewsAlert

#StarrChat pic.twitter.com/2XO5iSn1MP

— Starr 103.5 FM (@starr1035fm) May 16, 2025

KA

You can also watch the latest news on GhanaWeb TV below:

Homegrown multi-site data capturing platforms such as Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited’s (SML) could position the country as a significant player in the rapidly expanding global revenue assurance market, according to respected supply chain governance expert Professor Douglas Boateng.

“Now is the perfect time for Africa to shine with multi-site data capturing, and SML, subject to the independent study and further roll out, could be our shining example and strategic weapon. It is not just a revenue assurance tool. It is a platform for data sovereignty, transparency, and industrial accountability. It is a system the continent can export, not a concept to be explained and validated,” he said.

The platform, which captures and analyses real-time data across multiple industrial sites, comes at a time when the global revenue assurance market is experiencing substantial growth. Industry analysts value the market at US$6.37 billion in 2024, with projections indicating it representing a compound annual growth rate of 11.51 percent to reach US$18.93 billion by 2034.

Speaking at an event marking SML Ghana’s fifth anniversary of operations in the petroleum downstream sector, Prof. Boateng described the platform – developed by the firm – as “a generational innovation with the power to reshape how Africa governs, minimises revenue leakages, secures, and scales its industrial future toward 2030 and Agenda 2063.”

Positioning Ghana to leverage global growth

“This growth is driven by the increasing complexity of revenue streams and the need for businesses to ensure accuracy and reliability in financial transactions. Ghana stands at the cusp of leveraging this growth. By implementing advanced revenue assurance systems like SML’s platform, Ghana can position itself as a leader in the African revenue assurance landscape.

By adopting and potentially exporting such technologies, Ghana can tap into the rapidly growing market, enhance its revenue collection capabilities, and contribute to economic growth nationally, regionally, and even globally. In today’s data-driven world, sovereignty is no longer measured by flags or borders, but by a nation’s capacity to own, interpret, and act on its data in real-time to achieve long-term socio-economic development,” Prof. Boateng, who holds the distinction of being Africa’s first appointed Professor Extraordinaire for Supply and Value Chain Management, said.

The professor, who has monitored SML’s development in consultation with experts from the UK, Canada, South Africa, and the USA, added that “the SML’s fused platform, until the end of the third quarter of 2024, was the only known system in an emerging economy operating at scale with proven multi-site, real-time data capture functionality.”

SML’s platform has already attracted positive attention from the tax authorities. “Even the Ghana Revenue Authority has publicly acknowledged that the platform is indeed enhancing their revenue assurance processes,” Prof. Boateng noted, also referencing a KPMG report that “reaffirmed SML’s value-add to revenue assurance.”

Extant data shows that SML’s services have increased taxable monthly petroleum volumes from an average of 208 million litres to 450 million litres. From May 2020 to December 2024, this translated into 14.1 billion litres in captured excess volume and more than GH¢20 billion in additional tax revenue.

The technology has applications across numerous sectors, from “oilfields to telecom towers, from petrochemical plants to water systems,” potentially creating significant export opportunities for Ghana within the African continent and beyond.

“Imagine a Ghanaian-built platform deployed across Zambia’s copper belts, Nigeria’s oil terminals, and Kenya’s utility corridors, all feeding real-time, tamper-proof data back to African governments,” Prof. Boateng noted.

To document and study this innovation, Prof. Boateng revealed that an international academic and industrial consortium is being assembled with connections to institutions like the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa and various global universities.

Despite the platform’s apparent success, Prof. Boateng acknowledged ongoing debates about SML’s contractual arrangements with the government, noting that “it is not the technology that is on trial; rather, it is the risk-reward framework that demands more explanation to the public.” He advocated for refining “the governance surrounding SML’s risk-reward relationship framework” while protecting “what is already working.”

Industry analysts suggest that successful entry into the global revenue assurance market could provide significant economic benefits for Ghana, particularly in technology exports and services. The country’s ability to develop such systems domestically rather than importing them represents a potential shift in Africa’s position in the global technology ecosystem. “This is not innovation by import. This is innovation by intention, determination and perseverance,” Prof. Boateng stressed.

The professor further called for unity in supporting homegrown innovation. “Let us not fumble a generational opportunity because we were too distracted by temporary noise and a relative lack of understanding of the emerging business risk and reward relationships,” he said.

Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd. (SML) is a wholly Ghanaian-owned technology-driven company specialising in revenue assurance, audit, and compliance solutions across Ghana’s extractive and trade sectors.

Established in 2017, SML has pioneered the deployment of real-time monitoring systems in the downstream petroleum industry, significantly enhancing transparency and tax compliance.

The company’s services have since expanded to include upstream petroleum and solid minerals auditing, as well as transaction audits at ports of entry. SML operates on a risk-based model, fully funding its technological infrastructure without upfront government payments. Its work has been credited with helping the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) recover billions of cedis in previously lost revenue.

The  Ghana Insurance College (GIC) on Friday awarded 254 students with Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas and Certificate in Insurance at its 18th graduation ceremony in Accra.

The graduands for the 2024 ac­ademic year comprise 14 students with Certificate in Insurance, 141 students with Diploma in Applied Insurance studies, 22 students in Advanced Applied Insurance Studies- Advanced Diploma in Insurance 2023, 24 in Insurance Broking Specialty, 41 Underwriting Specialty, and 12 students in Life and Health Insurance Specialty.

The President of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International Ghana, Mr Baba Mahama, urged the graduands to come out with innovative products to meet the needs of insurance consumers, and address societal problems.

He said innovating for the future in the current disruptive times was important for businesses and professionals to thrive.

Mr Mahama who is the former President of the Ghana Insurers Association, said insurance profes­sionals should rise to the shifting sands of the growing dynamics in the insurance market.

Mr Mahama also entreated the graduands to pursue further educa­tion, saying that was crucial to help them improve their skills and learn new trends in the industry.

The Commissioner of Insur­ance, Dr Abiba Zakaria, urged the graduands to hold high ethical standards to promote the insurance profession.

She said integrity, faithfulness, determination were crucial for them to succeed in the insurance industry.

Dr Zakaria further urged them to apply the knowledge they had acquired to help promote the in­dustry, saying “Insurance penetra­tion can be increased by applying the knowledge you have acquired.”

The Director of Ghana Insur­ance College, Richard Okyere, said the college was established in 2006 and started operations in 2007.

He said the objective of the college was to build capacity and promote insurance education in the country.

Mr Okyere urged the graduands to work as teams to succeed, saying working as a team was not a sign of failure.

Awards were presented to de­serving students.

The University of Ghana, Legon, has dismissed as inaccurate findings in the Auditor-General’s report which indicated that the institution overstated staff compensation between 2022 and 2024 by GH¢59.2 million.

A special payroll verification audit report published by the Auditor-General claims the University of Ghana was the biggest culprit in inflating salary claims among government institutions.

The University alone, according to the report, accounted for GH¢59.2 million, or 68%, of the GH¢86.86 million saved through payroll audits between 2022 and 2024.

But, in a statement issued Friday, the university said: “The reported figure of GH¢59.24 million that was supposedly disallowed is a gross exaggeration resulting from a misinterpretation of the University’s payroll structure.”

“The University of Ghana (UG) operates a dual payroll structure comprising the Government of Ghana (GoG) payroll and the Internally Generated Funds (IGF) payroll. These are clearly separated in UG’s records and also well-delineated in the submissions to the Audit Service. IGF payroll reflects payments made from the University’s IGF to legitimately engaged staff, including faculty on post-retirement contracts, such as professors between the ages of sixty-five and seventy, for which Cabinet approval was granted,” the satement indicated.

The university describes the payments as essential and were in accordance with law.

“These were not irregular or unaccounted expenditures (disallowance), but essential payments made transparently in accordance with public financial reporting standards. The IGF payroll is only included for audit purposes and not a request for payment from GoG and the Audit Service is fully aware of this, so they could not be ‘disallowed’,” it said.

“It is important to reiterate that the GH¢59.24 million is not a loss or misapplication of public funds. It represents the cost of strategic staffing interventions aimed at sustaining teaching, research and administrative work at the University in the face of the University’s inability to recruit on government payroll, without financial clearance. These payments were necessary, transparent and responsibly managed through IGF. It indicates the University’s ingenuity to support the government’s financial provision for qualified human resources required for the quality provision of higher education.”

Criticism of Auditor-General

The University of Ghana said the Auditor-General failed to follow “standard audit protocol” because his office failed to give the university the opportunity to provide context or submit relevant documents.

It said: “The University fully complied with the Auditor-General’s audit processes by submitting both its GoG and IGF payrolls for review. However, the standard audit protocol, which requires that initial findings be communicated to the institution for clarification, was not followed. UG was not given the opportunity to provide context or submit relevant documentation before the final report was published.”

Criticism of report

While the university did not disclose its actual payroll cost, it claims the GH¢59.2 million figure cited by the Auditor-General as an overstatement of employee compensation was exaggerated and should not have been published by JOYNEWS. Editors at Myjoyonline.com have rejected the claim, maintaining they reported the figure as it appeared in an official document from a statutory body.

Meanwhile, Myjoyonline.com has since heard and reported the university’s side of the story.

UG debunks claim of overstating employee compensation by GH¢59m

Here is the full statement issued by the university:

Management of the University of Ghana (UG) has taken notice of a publication by Anthony Manu, carried by Joy News on 16 May 2025 and headlined: “UG overstated its employee compensations by GH¢59.2m between 2022 and 2024 – Auditor General’s Report.”  This publication has been accompanied by various artworks and summaries circulating on social media, which misleads the public and distorts the facts.

The University wishes to provide the following clarifications:

The reported figure of GH¢59.24 million that was supposedly disallowed is a gross exaggeration resulting from a misinterpretation of the University’s payroll structure. The University of Ghana (UG) operates a dual payroll structure comprising the Government of Ghana (GoG) payroll and the Internally Generated Funds (IGF) payroll. These are clearly separated in UG’s records and also well-delineated in the submissions to the Audit Service. IGF payroll reflects payments made from the University’s IGF to legitimately engaged staff, including faculty on post-retirement contracts, such as professors between the ages of sixty-five and seventy, for which Cabinet approval was granted.

These were not irregular or unaccounted expenditures (disallowance), but essential payments made transparently in accordance with public financial reporting standards. The IGF payroll is only included for audit purposes and not a request for payment from GoG and the Audit Service is fully aware of this, so they could not be ‘disallowed’. 

In compliance with Section 48 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), UG disclosed all IGF collections and their utilisation as required of all covered entities. Unfortunately, the Special Audit Report did not acknowledge the distinction between the two payroll sources. Instead, it presented the figures as a single, aggregated total, creating a misleading impression of payroll overstatement.

Between August 2021 and 2024, a total of 887 staff exited the University through retirement, resignation, death and other forms of separation. During this same period, the only Government clearance the University received was to recruit only 102 new employees in 2024. Meanwhile, student enrolment steadily increased over the years, from 61,640 in 2021 to 68,126 in 2022, rising further to 76,136 in 2023, before recording 73,155 students in 2024. This required proactive staff recruitment measures, on the part of Management, even in the absence of government financial clearance, in order to maintain quality.

To maintain academic standards, operational continuity and industrial harmony, the University has adopted innovative financial and human resource strategies to engage critical personnel, including those on post-retirement contract, funded through IGF. These appointments were made in full compliance with institutional and national financial regulations.

The University fully complied with the Auditor-General’s audit processes by submitting both its GoG and IGF payrolls for review. However, the standard audit protocol, which requires that initial findings be communicated to the institution for clarification, was not followed. UG was not given the opportunity to provide context or submit relevant documentation before the final report was published.

It is important to reiterate that the GH¢59.24 million is not a loss or misapplication of public funds. It represents the cost of strategic staffing interventions aimed at sustaining teaching, research and administrative work at the University in the face of the University’s inability to recruit on government payroll, without financial clearance. These payments were necessary, transparent and responsibly managed through IGF. It indicates the University’s ingenuity to support the government’s financial provision for qualified human resources required for the quality provision of higher education.

The University of Ghana remains committed to transparency, accountability and adherence to all relevant national financial regulations. UG will continue to collaborate with the Auditor-General’s Department, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department and other oversight bodies to enhance audit processes and institutional governance.

We also wish to stress that the ethics of journalism require journalists and media houses to seek the views of individuals or institutions named in news reports before publication. This ensures accuracy, balance and fairness in public discourse.

The University is disappointed in the failure of the reporter, Anthony Manu and Joy News to contact the University for its position, which has resulted in a publication that risks damaging the reputation of UG and creating public disaffection, based on an inaccurate narrative.

As Ghana’s premier University and the highest-ranked institution in West Africa, UG has become a frequent target of misleading and sensationalised media reportage. While we remain open to scrutiny, we urge all journalists and media houses to uphold the professional standards of their field and report with accuracy and integrity.

All media outlets and reporters are urged to conduct thorough research, verify facts and engage with the University officials before publishing stories, particularly on matters of public interest.

UG encourages the public to disregard the false narrative presented in the said report and to rely on verified, contextual information regarding the University’s operations.

The University remains firmly focused on its vision of achieving global impact through innovative research, teaching and learning. This is guided by a technology-driven and people-centred approach, as outlined in the 2024–2029 Strategic Plan. In particular, Strategic Priority 5 (SP5) commits UG to mobilising and managing resources sustainably through responsible stewardship and Management of the University is committed to leading the University to achieve this Strategic Priority.

                                               Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, Registrar.

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.

Accra, May 16, GNA – An eleven-member Board of Directors for the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has been inaugurated with a call to urgently reverse the fortunes of the ailing cocoa sector.  

The new board is chaired by Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo and includes key figures such as the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson; Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama; and Chief Executive Randy Abbey.  

The rest are Alhaji Alhassan Kobina Ghansah; Vincent Oppong Asamoah; Deputy Minister for Trade, Samson Ahi;   

Deputy Minister for Agriculture, John Dumelo; Alhaji Alhassan Bukari; Nana Charles Owusu and Eric Turkson.  

The inauguration was chaired by Energy Minister John Jinapor, who also serves as the Alternate Minister for Finance.  

Mr Jinapor congratulated the new board members but expressed grave concern over the current state of COCOBOD.   

He noted that while the institution was once a shining symbol of Ghana’s economic strength, recent years have seen a worrying decline.  

He said the crop production, which previously peaked at 1 million metric tonnes, had slumped to about 500,000 metric tonnes.  

He, however, expressed confidence in the calibre of the newly constituted board, stating that he was convinced they possessed the expertise and integrity to restore COCOBOD’s lost glory.  

Dr Forson expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the board once again, having previously been a member in his capacity as Deputy Finance Minister.  

He explained that the new law governing COCOBOD mandated the inclusion of both the Finance Minister and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana on its board.  

Dr. Forson underscored the enduring importance of cocoa to Ghana’s economy, describing it as the “jewel of the economy,” and lamented the massive mismanagement of COCOBOD in recent years.   

He outlined plans by the government to introduce plantation farms by acquiring about 200,000 hectares of cocoa land, aiming to restore production levels to 1 million metric tonnes.  

The Finance Minister asked the board to decisively address the issue of diseased cocoa farms, especially in the Western Region, which continues to hamper productivity. He assured COCOBOD of the full support of the Finance Ministry in all its endeavours.  

Newly sworn-in Board Chairman, Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, expressed his appreciation to the President for the confidence reposed in the board.  

He described their appointment as both an honour and a call to duty, pledging on behalf of the members to lead a transformational agenda for the cocoa sector.  

Dr. Ofosu Ampofo promised to “reset, retool, and reimagine” COCOBOD to restore it as a pivotal institution in Ghana’s economy.  

He urged members of the political class to lead by example by actively engaging in farming to inspire the youth.  

GNA  

CA/  

Featured

Gifty Owusu-Amoah

Showbiz News

May – 16 – 2025 , 23:40

1 minute read

By Jibril Abdul Mumuni   

Accra, May 16, GNA- Ghana will host 500 Marketing and Information Technology (IT) Professionals for the 2025 African Marketing Confederacy (AMC) and Technology Information Confederation Africa (TICON Africa) conference.  
The AMC and TICON Africa Meeting, scheduled from 20th to 22nd August, promises to be a pivotal event focused on “Enabling Africa’s Take on Future   
Innovation Standards and Global Influence.”  

Mr. David Gowu, President of TICON Africa, said the landmark conference presented a unique opportunity for Ghanaian companies to expand their reach across the continent by connecting with professionals and decision-makers in technology and marketing from various African nations.  

He noted that the event would provide a platform for these local businesses to exhibit their products and services, fostering potential collaborations and growth.  

“Ultimately, this collaborative gathering aims to be more than just a conference;   
it’s a movement to amplify the work being done by ICT and marketing associations across Africa, driving sustainable development through strategic partnerships,” he said.  

He added that the three-day event would delve into five key sub-themes through expert-led workshops designed to provide delegates with significant knowledge gain and foster collaboration across the continent.   

Mrs  Ama Amoah, The  Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG),emphasized that the upcoming AMC TICON 2025 Conference in Accra would position Ghana as a hub for Africa’s marketing and tech innovation.  

 She  noted that the event would explore AI-driven strategies, digital commerce, and purpose-driven branding to address key industry challenges.    

Mrs. Amoah urged local businesses and marketers to actively participate, stressing that the conference presented a unique opportunity to shape Africa’s marketing future.  

She  called for partnerships
with private and public sector stakeholders to drive sustainable growth and generational impact.    

Mrs Amoah expressed optimism that the event will elevate Ghana’s role in advancing Africa’s digital and commercial landscape.  
GNA

CA/  

Ghana’s infrastructure deficit is no longer just a statistic—it’s a development emergency. For decades, we have witnessed successive administrations make modest gains in road development, housing, water access and transport systems. Yet, the scale of the problem has consistently outpaced the pace of intervention.

This is why former President John Dramani Mahama’s proposed “Big Push” agenda—an ambitious $10 billion infrastructure investment plan—is not only welcome, but absolutely essential. As an analyst who has monitored Ghana’s infrastructure trajectory over the years, I firmly believe this initiative represents one of the most comprehensive blueprints for tackling the country’s deep-rooted structural challenges. It must not be allowed to remain a campaign promise—it must be implemented.

Ghana’s Infrastructure Deficit: A Barrier to Development

The numbers are staggering. Ghana has an estimated housing deficit of over 2 million units, and the shortfall continues to grow due to rapid urbanisation, population pressure, and lack of affordable housing finance. In the transport sector, road quality has deteriorated significantly: over 57% of urban roads are classified as poor, and an estimated GH₵20 billion in unpaid road contractor debts has stalled hundreds of projects.

These infrastructure deficits are more than technical failings—they are bottlenecks to productivity, regional equity, and social cohesion. Poor roads limit market access for farmers. Inadequate housing fuels urban slums. Patchy transport systems choke business efficiency. Simply put: we cannot develop without fixing our infrastructure base.

The Big Push: A Holistic, Strategic Framework

What sets the Big Push apart is not just its scale, but its strategic focus on five core pillars:

1. Housing:
   Investment in affordable housing, especially for low- and middle-income Ghanaians, will not only reduce the housing deficit but create jobs and expand local industry supply chains—from cement to fittings and home décor.
   
2. Road Infrastructure:
   Dualisation of critical highways such as Accra-Kumasi, Accra-Aflao, and Accra-Takoradi, coupled with the construction of bridges and rural feeder roads, would significantly ease transport costs, facilitate trade, and enhance regional integration.
   
3. Rail and Urban Transit:
   Revitalising the Eastern and Western rail corridors and introducing light rail systems in Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi will modernise Ghana’s mobility and help decongest cities—something Accra, in particular, urgently needs.
   
4. Water and Sanitation:
   Expanding safe water access in underserved regions, including Ho, Tamale, and Yendi, is not just a matter of development—it’s a matter of dignity and public health.
   
5. Youth Employment:
   Infrastructure projects, if well-structured, are labour-intensive. This plan offers an opportunity to engage thousands of unemployed youth in productive work while building national capacity in engineering and project management.

Implementation Is the Litmus Test

Ideas are not in short supply in Ghana. Implementation is. The real test of the Big Push will be in how it is executed—how resources are mobilised, how priorities are set, how transparency is maintained, and how efficiently projects are delivered.

To ensure success, government must:

• Strengthen the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) to manage and disburse funds efficiently.
• Leverage private sector partnerships through well-structured public-private arrangements.
• Depoliticise project selection so that infrastructure benefits are equitably distributed across regions.
• Ensure accountability by subjecting projects to regular audits and public reporting.

A National Imperative

We are at a crossroads. Ghana’s infrastructure crisis can no longer be treated as a long-term aspiration—it must be a top-tier national priority. The Big Push offers a ready-made, well-articulated plan to respond to this urgency. It is strategic, inclusive, and economically sound.

Whether or not one supports the politics behind it, there is no denying that the policy logic of the Big Push is strong. It is now up to the government—current or future—to take this plan seriously and commit to its implementation.

As an analyst and concerned citizen, I urge policymakers to act. Ghana cannot wait any longer.

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.

Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko is a leading member of the New Patriotic Party

New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has called out the United States (US) government over its proposed 5% tax on the transfer of remittances by foreign nationals living in the US.

Gabby indicated that after the closure of USAID, the Donald Trump government is now attacking the people sent back to their home countries.

“America now to tax Diaspora transfers? First, it was USAID, and now what you send to your families back in Africa is also under attack,” he wrote on X on May 15, 2025.

The NPP stalwart said that what is happening now should serve as a lesson to African countries, including Ghana.

He indicated that the continent must do all it can to move away from relying on support from the West.

“Now is the time to look at how we can mobilise and aggregate diaspora funds (and contributions from Africa’s growing middle class) to fund the kinds of infrastructural projects that will accelerate development, integration and prosperity of Africans in Africa,” he said.

US lawmakers have proposed a 5% excise tax on all remittances sent abroad.

The new draft bill, which is now in the House of Representatives, if passed, means that Ghanaians living in the US will have to pay a 5% tax on any money they send back home.

View Gabby’s post below:

America now to tax Diaspora transfers? First it was USAID and now what you send to your families back in Africa is also under attack. Now is the time to look at how we can mobilise and aggregate Diaspora funds (and contributions from Africa’s growing middle class) to fund the…

— Gabby Otchere-Darko (@GabbyDarko) May 14, 2025

BAI/GA

Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:

Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Business WhatsApp channel

Join GhanaWeb’s X spaces to review the just ended TGMAs

The 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards, which was held on May 10, 2025 at the Grand Arena, may be over, but the conversations are still going on strong on social media.

Entertainment pundits and media personalities are on a GhanaWeb X Space, discussing and sharing their thoughts about the general overview, the rights and wrongs on the just-ended event.

Some of the speakers on the X space are media personality and talent manager Nana Poku Ashis; media personality MC Portfolio; entertainment pundit and media personality, Nana Romeo; and among other notable names in the Ghanaian entertainment industry.

Join the X spaces below

https://t.co/rFXkEjVOrw

— GhanaWeb (@TheGhanaWeb) GhanaWeb/status/1923438386049630442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>May 16, 2025

AK/AE

Service Commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces (GFA) have donated their one-month basic salary to support the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, widely known as Mahama Cares.

The contribution is aimed at bolstering national efforts to provide medical relief for vulnerable Ghanaians battling serious health conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, chronic kidney failure, and other life-threatening ailments.

During a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama on Friday, May 16, the Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier General William Agyapong, spoke on behalf of the military leadership, underscoring the importance of the fund in easing the burden on citizens facing critical health challenges.

“We are intrigued, and it is heartwarming to know that persons with conditions such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney failure, stroke, among many others, will equally benefit from this fund. Your Excellency, that is why my military command and I have decided to contribute our one-month basic salary to the fund,” he said.

President Mahama, who is leading the Mahama Cares initiative, expressed gratitude for what he described as a remarkable show of patriotism and compassion by the Armed Forces.

“Let me take this opportunity to thank our high command for this initiative. It shows that aside from your primary responsibility of protecting our territorial boundaries and wielding weapons, you have a heart and soul beating in your chest.

“You have love for the country and love for the people you are protecting. On behalf of the people of Ghana, I thank you for this,” he said.

The Mahama Cares aims to provide dedicated financial support to individuals suffering from chronic and debilitating illnesses.

The initiative is designed to ensure fairness in healthcare access, particularly for those facing financial barriers to treatment.

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.

Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association chairman, Henry Okyere

The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association is championing a bold move to locally manufacture oil filters in Ghana.

According to the association’s chairman, Henry Okyere, discussions with potential investors are already underway, aiming to reduce the country’s reliance on imported parts.

“Our aim is to change the narrative,” he said.

“We want to ensure that, in our time, Ghana produces oil filters locally, shifting from import dependency to local production.”

Speaking at the West African Automotive Show in Nigeria, Okyere highlighted the economic impact such a move could have, from job creation to stabilizing the cedi.

He emphasised the need for public-private partnerships to develop a complete value chain for the spare parts industry in Ghana.

“We want to move beyond trade to actual production. Ghana has the capacity to become a hub for auto parts manufacturing in West Africa,” he stated.

Okyere also highlighted the association’s success in connecting with shaft and crank sellers offering products at more affordable prices, describing it as a step toward making the industry more competitive and accessible.

The association is also advocating for Ghana to host the annual WAAS expo in the near future.

In a related statement, the Kumasi Chamber of Commerce has called for stronger government support for local manufacturers like Kantanka.

“We need to pay attention to our own,” Abaase stated.

“With the right support, companies like Kantanka can scale up production and contribute significantly to our economy.”

AM/KA

#TheAdutwumFactor! Watch as Yaw Osei Adutwum declares intent to contest NPP flagbearership for 2028

Nungua Coldstore Basketball Club head coach Joy Ofori says the best chance for his team to beat big rivals Spintex Knights is now.

Coldstore take on Knights in the biggest game of the Accra Basketball League Men’s Division I’s latest round of games on Saturday, May 18 at 18:00 GMT at the El-Wak Stadium.