Prices of the petroleum products are set to witness the biggest drop at the pumps today May 16, 2025.

This is according to the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) Pricing Outlook for the second pricing window for the month of May 2025.

Price quotes for various products 

According to the pricing guidelines for the window, petrol is expected to go down between 6.7 percent and 8.8 percent per liter from today.

By this, a litre could be sold for GH₵13.27 or even lower.

Diesel on the other hand should be reduced by 4 percent or 6 percent per litre.

This could result in a litre going for GH₵ 14.40 or even lower.

 Liquefied Petroleum Gas is likely to sell for GH₵16 per kilogram if the various Oil Marketing Companies adjust their prices by 5.3 percent.

 Reasons for the reduction

The chamber has attributed the reason for the sharp drop in prices to the cedi’s record appreciation against the U.S dollar.

The chamber in its report notes that “between May 1 and May 15, 2025, the Ghanaian cedi appreciated significantly against the US dollar, strengthening from GHS14.27 to GHS12.45, a gain of approximately 12.8%”.

Crude oil prices and prices of finished petroleum products have also witnessed some significant decline during the period under review.

Fuel prices have witnessed a downward trend for the 5 consecutive window.

Petrol prices fell marginally by 0.34%, LPG dropped by 2.70%, while gasoil recorded the highest decline among the products, falling by 3.54%.

Oil Marketing Companies responding

Market leader GOIL has announced a reduction in prices of the various products at its service stations across the country.

Petrol is going for GH₵13.32 per litre. Diesel is selling at GH₵13.91.  

GOIL’s adjustment, shows the 7th consecutive time the company has reduced prices since February 2025.

However, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has argued that the reductions are not enough to reduce transport fares.

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.

Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending Project (GIRSAL) has disclosed that the export of Chilli pepper from Ghana will within the next three years accrue over $30 million in revenue for the government.

This according to the project is because of an initiative to train farmers to produce 30 hectares of Chilli peppers for export.

The farmers are expected to be trained on meeting the quality standards of export purposes.

Addressing the press, Chief Operating officer of GIRSAL, Samuel Yeboah indicated that the first phase will give the country $3 million in revenue.

“These farmers who are taking part in this project in the first place will have their capacities built. They will learn how to produce chilies under safe conditions more efficiently to be able to develop and scale up their productions to the highest level.

“This project, the first phase alone will be bringing in about $3 million into the country. We hope that in the next three years, we should be getting over $20-30 million from chili exports alone into the country. This aligns with the government’s accelerated export development agenda. We are going to work in partnership with the government agencies to ensure that we achieve this aim,” he said.

Susana Asiedu, also known as Maabena

A 45-year-old farmer, Kwabena Asiedu, has been arrested by police in the Bibiani District for allegedly stabbing his 18-year-old daughter over a pregnancy dispute.

The incident is reported to have occurred at Sefwi Tanoso Praso, a community within the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality in the Western North Region, according to adomonline.com news report.

According to police reports, the victim, identified as Susana Asiedu, also known as Maabena is a hairdressing apprentice.

She was reportedly visiting a friend when her father confronted her, accusing her of being five months pregnant while still undergoing training.

Susana confirmed her pregnancy, which allegedly led to a heated argument. The confrontation quickly escalated, resulting in Asiedu allegedly pulling a kitchen knife and chasing his daughter into her friend’s room, where he stabbed her multiple times.

Eyewitnesses say the suspect fled the scene immediately after the attack.

Susana, who lost consciousness due to the injuries, was rushed to the Bibiani Government Hospital by a local unit committee member.

However, police have confirmed the arrest of Kwabena Asiedu. He is currently in custody as investigations into the case continue.

The Association of Automobile Assemblers Ghana has officially launched the second edition of the Ghana Automotive Summit 2025, with a strong focus on showcasing locally assembled vehicles, and promoting policy dialogue to accelerate the sector’s growth.

Held under the theme “The Future of the Automotive Industry,” this year’s summit is positioned as a platform to deepen industry collaboration, raise awareness about the quality of locally manufactured vehicles, and stimulate demand among Ghanaian consumers.

Speaking at the media launch in Accra, President of the Association, Jeffrey Oppong Peprah, stressed the economic and developmental benefits of supporting made-in-Ghana vehicles.

“There’s going to be exhibitions of vehicles that we’ve been assembling in Ghana to showcase the good work that we are doing — to let the public know that the vehicles produced locally are no different from what we look up to abroad,” Mr. Peprah said.

“You save a lot of time, you save a lot of money when you buy locally. You also contribute to the growth of Ghana. That’s why we say: Drive Local, Drive Made-in-Ghana.”

Mr. Peprah also underscored the importance of vehicle asset financing in increasing ownership levels, noting that accessible and affordable financing solutions are key to expanding the consumer base for locally assembled cars.

The Ghana Automotive Summit 2025 is slated for June 3, 2024, at the Grand Arena in Accra. It will feature exhibitions from leading brands including Toyota, Nissan, and Volkswagen, among others. The event is open to the general public, automobile enthusiasts, policy stakeholders, and industry professionals.

Joy Business is the official media partner for the summit.

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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 new chapter in community healthcare has begun in Berekuso, Akuapim South municipality of the Eastern region, with the commissioning of a modern clinic, thanks to a six-year partnership between FirstBank Ghana and the Rotary Club of Accra Ring Road Central.

The newly built Berekuso Community Clinic replaces an older facility that served the community for nearly 20 years under difficult conditions.

The upgraded clinic comes with improved infrastructure and modern medical equipment, aimed at delivering quality and inclusive healthcare to Berekuso and neighbouring communities.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Rotary International President-Elect (RIPE) Mario César Martins de Camargo, Rotary District 9104 Governor Florence Maame Hagan, FirstBank Ghana Managing Director and Rotary Past District Governor Victor Yaw Asante, and Rotary Club of Accra Ring Road Central President Albert Bahun Wilson.

Describing the project as “a symbol of compassion and a beacon of hope,” Mr. Camargo said, “We are not merely commissioning a building; we are igniting hope, affirming dignity, and laying the foundation for a healthier, stronger, more empowered community.”

District Governor Hagan said the clinic aligns with Rotary’s focus areas, including maternal and child health, disease prevention, and water sanitation.

She stressed that staff training and integration with the Ghana Health Service would ensure the long-term sustainability of the facility.

FirstBank Ghana’s Managing Director, Victor Yaw Asante, expressed the bank’s pride in being part of such a transformative project, saying, “Our collaboration with the Rotary Club of Accra – Ring Road Central has enabled us to contribute significantly to improving the lives of Ghanaians. This project symbolises our shared commitment to building stronger, healthier communities.”

Rotarian Albert Bahun Wilson added that the new clinic marks a turning point for Berekuso. “This facility represents hope and dignity. It will lay the foundation for a healthier and more empowered community.”

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former GIHOC Distilleries Managing Director, Maxwell Kofi Jumah

National security operatives conducted an early-morning operation at the residence of former GIHOC Distilleries Managing Director, Maxwell Kofi Jumah, in an attempt to recover state-owned vehicles reportedly in his possession.

According to a news report filed by citinewsroom.com on May 15, 2025, the raid occurred at approximately 5:00 am on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

However, the report detailed that, Jumah, a former appointee under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was not present at the time.

According to further details, the former GIHOC MD is under investigation for alleged financial impropriety during his tenure, including questionable acquisition of state vehicles and mismanagement of company assets.

A letter dated August 1, 2019, from the Board of Directors of GIHOC approved Jumah’s purchase of a Genesis G90 saloon car (registration number GE 86 22-19), in accordance with his Conditions of Service as Managing Director.

Initially valued at over $100,000, the vehicle was sold to him at a significantly reduced price of GH¢ 4,943.11, just 5% of its worth, according to documents signed by the company’s Secretary and Head of Administration, Apea Twumasi-Ankrah.

Further investigations revealed that an independent valuation by the State Transport Corporation had placed the car’s value at GH¢98,862.00. The appraisal, conducted by valuation expert Daniel K Orhin, confirmed the vehicle’s market worth.

Additionally, Jumah is being scrutinized for allegedly retaining two other official vehicles, including an Audi valued at over $60,000, without formal approval from the Board.

Reports indicate that he later instructed security personnel to return the vehicles, one of which had been in his son’s possession. So far, one of the cars has been successfully retrieved and transported back to Accra.

Beyond vehicle-related allegations, concerns have also surfaced regarding financial irregularities at GIHOC under his leadership.

Jumah is accused of inflating staff numbers, placing undue financial strain on the company.

Reports suggest he authorised the sale of company properties in Tema, valued at over $700,000, without the necessary board approvals.

AM/KA

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

Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor

The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has announced that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will now be required to make budgetary allocations to cover their electricity consumption.

He made this statement during a meeting between the Energy Committee and power sector agencies on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

The minister emphasized the need for MDAs to take responsibility for their electricity bills.

“All MDAs are required to pay their electricity bills. They must include this in their budgets. This directive applies to the health sector, education, security agencies, and even the presidency. However, in the health sector, only laboratories, theatres, and wards will be exempted.

“In the education sector, dormitories and restaurants are excluded; only lecture halls are covered. We have categorized these areas, and once Parliament approves the classifications, we will publish them,” he stated.

Some of the apprehended Indian nationals

An intelligence-led operation by National Security and the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has led to the arrest of six Indian nationals for engaging in illegal gold trading activities in Ghana.

Three of the suspects were apprehended in Anyinam in the Eastern Region, while the other three were arrested in Adiembra in the Ashanti Region.

The operation, spearheaded by National Security Coordinator DCOP Abdul Osman, resulted in the seizure of hundreds of gold bars, large sums of Ghana cedis, and money-counting machines.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, held at the National Security Secretariat in Accra, Media Relations Officer for the Ghana GoldBod, Prince Kwame Minkah, confirmed the arrests and assured the public that all involved will face appropriate legal consequences.

According to him, the first group of foreign nationals were arrested before the April 30 deadline set by the GoldBod banning foreign participation in the local gold trade. Therefore, they will be deported rather than prosecuted.

However, the second group, arrested after the May 1 enforcement of the new directive, will face prosecution in court.

“For the latest bust, those involved will face the full rigours of the law. The confiscated items included gold bars, money-counting machines, and cash in cedis. This is a clear warning to all foreigners—local gold trading is exclusively reserved for the Ghana GoldBod,” he stated.

National Security Coordinator DCOP Abdul Osman also disclosed that some Ghanaians were complicit in the scheme, aiding the foreign nationals by registering companies in their names to help them evade taxes and conceal their operations.

He assured that investigations are ongoing and that all Ghanaians found to have played a role in the illegal activities will also be prosecuted.

The Ghana GoldBod had earlier announced a ban on all foreign and unauthorized individual participation in the local gold market, effective May 1, 2025. The agency now holds exclusive authority to regulate and control artisanal and small-scale gold mining in the country.

According to the directive, any foreigner or individual wishing to trade in gold must now apply for approval to purchase or off-take gold directly from the GoldBod.

The First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Mumuni Zakaria, says the central bank is not using up reserves to support the cedi. He insists the recent gains are not artificial.

“If we were that heavy in terms of our support to the market, we would not be doing well with our reserves accumulation,” he said.

He described the market rally as credible and rooted in real confidence, dismissing speculation that the central bank is drawing down its buffers to defend the local currency.

“Unfortunately, if this were the case, market players who are very smart would have seen through it,” Dr. Zakaria said. “The rally would have been short-lived. They wouldn’t trust you.”

He said the central bank has actually been building reserves faster than anticipated.

“We are even accumulating reserves much, much faster than what has been expected,” he said. “And that is why the market really thinks this can be sustained.”

Dr. Zakaria stressed the quality of the reserves. “These are not debt-creating reserves,” he said.

“These are organically accumulated reserves. At the end of April, we had over $10 billion. We expect to hit $11 billion by the end of June.”

He said these figures are far above IMF targets. “The IMF program set a target of three months of import cover. We are now at 3.7 months using IMF metrics,” he said.

“If you include petroleum funds, we’re around 4.7 months. That’s quite a lot.”

He said this performance shows policy innovation.

“We have devised very strategic ways of meeting market demand while still accumulating external buffers,” he explained.

“What we are doing now places more weight on building reserves than on direct market support.”

He told Joy News that the approach has shifted. “This time is different,” Dr. Zakaria said.

He acknowledged that other factors also support the cedi’s strength.

“We’ve had a Staff Level Agreement with the IMF. That sent a strong message globally. It means things are changing.”

He pointed to disinflation. “Inflation dropped from nearly 24% to 21.2%. That’s progress,” he said.

“Fiscal consolidation is also taking shape. Public sector borrowing has slowed sharply compared to last year.”

He said the Bank of Ghana has taken deliberate steps to manage liquidity. “We’ve sterilised three times more than last year,” he said.

“So we’re keeping cedi liquidity tight while still meeting forex demand.”

He said all these efforts work together. “We are not intervening recklessly,” he said. “We’re building confidence, not burning reserves.”

He repeated the central point. “This is not smoke and mirrors,” Dr. Zakaria said. “This is real. And we intend to sustain it.”

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.

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has firmly dismissed reports linking it to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd. (SML), stating that it has no dealings, contract, partnership, or relationship whatsoever with the company.

Describing the claims as “completely false,” the Board urged the public to treat such reports with the utmost contempt.

In a statement issued on Thursday, 15 May 2024, GoldBod emphasised its commitment to transparency and responsible governance in Ghana’s gold sector. It also warned against attempts to mislead the public through misinformation.

This clarification comes amid broader confusion surrounding the role of SML in Ghana’s extractive industries.

In a separate but related development, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has also firmly denied reports suggesting that SML has been authorised to resume or expand its revenue assurance role in the upstream petroleum and solid minerals sectors.

According to a press release from the GRA’s Communication and Public Affairs Department, media publications on Wednesday, 14 May 2025—including reports in the Business and Financial Times and Graphic Online—incorrectly stated that SML had launched an expanded oversight mandate.

The GRA clarified that no such directive has been issued. It reiterated that SML’s operations in both the petroleum and solid minerals sectors remain suspended—a decision enacted in April 2024 and still in effect, pending further review.

“GRA has not instructed SML to activate or resume operations under the 2023 Consolidation of Revenue Assurance Services Contract covering those sectors,” the statement read.

Both agencies, GoldBod and the GRA, reaffirmed their dedication to upholding transparency, integrity, and the protection of national interests in the management of Ghana’s natural resource revenues.

The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, on Thursday, May 15, 2025, received the United States Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Virginia Palmer, at his office in Accra.

The visit formed part of Ambassador Palmer’s farewell engagements as she officially announced the end of her tenure in Ghana.

Discussions between the two leaders centred on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Hon. Muntaka Mubarak commended Ambassador Palmer for her exemplary service and contributions to the Ministry and its agencies, noting the progress achieved under her leadership in U.S.-Ghana relations.

“Ambassador Palmer has been a true partner in our shared mission to promote peace, security, and good governance. Her tenure has seen remarkable collaboration between our two countries, especially within the security sector,” the Minister stated.

Ambassador Palmer, in turn, expressed her appreciation for the productive partnership and reaffirmed the U.S. government’s continued commitment to supporting the Ministry of the Interior and the Government of Ghana.

“It has been an honour to serve in Ghana. The strength of our partnership has been deeply encouraging, and I am confident it will continue to grow stronger,” she said.

The meeting highlighted the enduring relationship between Ghana and the United States, built on mutual respect and shared goals.

Minister Energy and Green Transition Minister John Abdulai Jinapor

Energy and Green Transition Minister John Abdulai Jinapor has disclosed that Ghana Water Limited has failed to pay the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for power consumed over the past seven months, resulting in an accumulated debt of approximately GH₵1 billion.

This revelation was made during a meeting with Parliament’s Energy Committee and key stakeholders in the power sector, where the Minister directed ECG to urgently recover the outstanding amount to sustain operations amid growing financial stress in the sector.

“Ghana Water hasn’t paid even GH₵1 for seven months, and it has compounded to GH₵1 billion. The power sector will not be stable if such debts continue. The private sector or ordinary citizens alone cannot shoulder this burden,” Jinapor stated.

He made these comments while responding to complaints from Ghana Water Limited about erratic electricity supply affecting water distribution.

In a related development, the Minister revealed that Karpower, one of Ghana’s key Independent Power Producers (IPPs), has issued a notice of shutdown effective May 18, citing over $400 million in unpaid government debt.

“Karpower has just sent us a letter that by the 18th, they will shut down the plant because we owe them more than $400 million. In total, we owe IPPs about $1.7 billion,” Jinapor added.

These revelations come as Ghana’s energy sector grapples with a deepening liquidity crisis, exacerbated by underreported revenues, ballooning government arrears, and delays in implementing cost-reflective tariffs.

The Minister stressed the urgency of improving revenue recovery, warning that failure to act would further destabilize power generation and supply nationwide.

The Country Director of Amnesty International Ghana has urged Parliament to fast-track the passage of the reintroduced Anti-Witchcraft Bill to outlaw witchcraft accusations and attacks. 

Genevieve Partington said their engagements with relevant stakeholders on the matter, including the Attorney General’s Office, offered hope that once the bill was passed, it would be assented into law. 

Ms Partington made this appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra. 

“I am actually quite happy that this bill, once it is passed, will be signed into law. So far, we have not gotten any pushback from the government. They say if it passes in Parliament, they will sign it,” she added. 

The Anti-Witchcraft Bill aims to criminalise witchcraft accusations to protect vulnerable individuals and strengthen social cohesion.  

Also, it seeks to make it illegal to accuse someone of witchcraft, establish protective measures for victims, and provide a legal pathway for justice. 

Ms Partington called for the Government’s intervention in providing a conducive environment and stay for the victims at the camps, prior to their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. 

She said they faced harsh and inhumane conditions in the camps, adding that many of the women lived without access to basic services such as healthcare, clean water, and sanitation. 

Ms Partington said governments over the years had failed to ensure access to adequate food, safe housing and clean water in the camps. 

She added that the state’s failure to investigate and prosecute “witch attackers” contributed to the recurrence of accusations. 

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.

Decongestion exercise at the Central Business District in Kumasi

A trader at the Central Business District in Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region, has called on God to destroy the world following an operation by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to clear hawkers and traders off pavements.

The frustrated trader, who could not bear the sight of the destruction of traders’ wares and other items during the decongestion exercise, called on the Creator of the universe to end the world.

“God, the country we live in is not of God. Destroy the world so everyone will die because of what the KMA is doing to people. They are just destroying people’s properties,” the trader is heard saying in a video posted on the social media platform X.

In the video members of the KMA Taskforce are seen confiscating some items of the traders and putting them into a big track parked nearby to transport the items.

Since assuming office, the KMA Chief Executive, Richard Ofori Boadi Agyemang, also known as King Zuba, has prioritised the removal of traders operating in unauthorised areas.

Last week, KMA launched a decongestion operation targeting several parts of the Central Business District in an effort to reduce human and vehicular congestion and improve sanitation.

A statement issued by the Assembly listed the affected areas as Adum, Kejetia, Pampaso, Dr. Mensah, the Zoo enclave, Dunkirk, Roman Hill, the area around the Kejetia Market, Adehyeman, and Alarba. The KMA further warned that trading in those locations and other unsanctioned areas will no longer be tolerated.

“God should destroy the world because this our country is no good”

—A trader at Kumasi reacts to the operations of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly officials as decongestion efforts take full swing in the central business district. pic.twitter.com/lrqlub9htH

— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) May 15, 2025

KA

Watch as Agradaa promises to share church money with Sammy Gyamfi if he’s fired

President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled an ambitious package of road infrastructure projects and socio-economic development programmes for the Upper West Region under the government’s Big Push initiative, pledging accelerated growth and improved livelihoods for residents.

Speaking at a durbar at the Wa Jubilee Park as part of his thank-you tour, President Mahama expressed gratitude for the region’s overwhelming support in the 2024 elections.

He assured constituents that their loyalty would be rewarded with tangible development, particularly in the areas of roads, agriculture, education, and youth empowerment

The Upper West Region, long hindered by poor infrastructure and limited economic opportunities, is poised for transformative change under the government’s Big Push agenda.

President Mahama announced a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate the Wa-Tumu-Bolgatanga trunk road, construct new roads along the Techiman-Wenchi-Bole-Wa-Hamile corridor, resurface portions of the Sola-Fufulso road, and upgrade roads in several districts, including Wa East, Nadowli, Daffiama-Bussie-Issa, and Sissala East.

“During the campaign, we travelled on a terrible road network that has become characteristic of the Upper West Region. Work will begin very soon. In a few months, you will see contractors on all these roads,” he said.

Cedi gains, lower prices show economy is stabilising – Mahama

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will travel to the United States on a working visit next week and will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on May 21, Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement late on Wednesday.

“President Ramaphosa will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington DC to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of interest,” South Africa’s presidency said.

“The president’s visit to the US provides a platform to reset the strategic relationship between the two countries,” the statement added.

Relations between South Africa and the U.S. have soured significantly since Trump returned to the White House in January.

Trump has cut all U.S. financial assistance to South Africa, citing disapproval of its land reform policy and of its genocide case at the International Court of Justice against Washington’s ally Israel.

This week the Trump administration welcomed 49 white South Africans it has granted refugee status, having deemed them victims of racial discrimination.

South Africa maintains there is no evidence of persecution of white people in the country and Ramaphosa has said the U.S. government “has got the wrong end of the stick”.

The United States is South Africa’s second-largest bilateral trading partner after China.

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.

Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumu

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Chairman Wontumi, has claimed that he funded the party’s congress held in Tamale in the Northern Region with GH₵1 billion in 2014.

According to the outspoken politician and businessman, he has always been selfless and remains committed to supporting the party both financially and through other means to ensure the NPP wins the 2028 elections.

Chairman Wontumi, who has declared his intention to contest for the National Chairman position of the party, made this statement during an interview on his media outlet, Wontumi TV, on Thursday, May 15. He stated that his generous contributions to the party are well documented and beyond doubt, adding that he has always supported the party without expecting any rewards.

“If Jake Obetsebi Lamptey were alive, he would have led my campaign. When I was the Bosomtwe Constituency Chairman, I supported both my constituency and the regional party. I also sent money to the national office every month because, at the time, we were in opposition.

“In 2014, I contributed funds at the national level for the Tamale Congress that elected Chairman Afoko and Kwabena Agyepong as National Chairman and General Secretary, respectively. After organizing the Ashanti Regional Congress, I donated GH₵1 billion from the remaining funds to the party. This is something I do regularly—I am a very selfless person.”

He also shared how he personally rented an office building for the regional party for 10 years and later secured a permanent office for them.

Chairman Wontumi further expressed his gratitude to the NPP for the popularity he has gained over the years through his service as Regional Chairman.

#WontumiNews : “I supported the NPP with Ghc1billion in 2014 for the Tamale Congress.I’ve always been selfless and I promise to forge unity in the party ahead of the 2028 elections” -Chairman Wontumi pic.twitter.com/Qqw3NMSznF

— Wontumi Communications (@WontumiTV) May 15, 2025

KA

Watch as Agradaa promises to share church money with Sammy Gyamfi if he’s fired

Tanzanian authorities arrested a senior opposition official as he was departing for a political conference in Belgium, his party said on Tuesday, as fears grow of an escalating crackdown ahead of an October election.

While President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who plans to seek reelection, says the government is committed to respecting human rights, a recent string of high-profile arrests has thrust her record into the spotlight.

Amani Golugwa, a senior member of Tanzania’s main opposition CHADEMA party, was arrested at Julius Nyerere International Airport in the capital Dar es Salaam on Monday, his party wrote on X.

Tanzanian police confirmed his arrest in a post on their Instagram account, writing that Golugwa “has a trend of leaving and returning to the country without following legal procedures.”

“Dar es Salaam police special zone is continuing with the investigation on the matter in collaboration with other security organs,” the post added.

A government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Golugwa had been due to represent his party in Brussels at a forum organised by the International Democracy Union, a grouping of centre-right parties that CHADEMA belongs to and which also counts the British Conservatives and U.S. Republicans as members.

“The IDU strongly condemns the unlawful arrest and assault of CHADEMA’s (Golugwa),” the organisation posted on X. “Silencing opposition voices violates the core of democracy. We call for his immediate release.”

Police arrested Tundu Lissu, CHADEMA’s leader and Tanzania’s main opposition figure, last month.

Lissu, who was shot 16 times in a 2017 attack and came second in the last presidential poll, was subsequently charged with treason over what prosecutors said was a speech calling upon the public to rebel and disrupt the elections.

He had held several rallies in early April under the slogan “No Reforms, No Election”, where CHADEMA demanded significant changes to an electoral process they say favours the ruling party.

Days after Lissu’s arrest, the election commission disqualified CHADEMA from participating in the polls over its refusal to sign a code of conduct.

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.

Mali’s military government announced on Tuesday that it had dissolved all political parties, approving a recommendation publicised last month that spurred unprecedented protests in the capital, Bamako.

A statement read on state television said the decision had been validated by military leader Assimi Goita, who seized power in the West African country after coups in 2020 and 2021.

Last month, a national conference of political actors in Mali recommended naming Goita as president with a five-year mandate as well as dissolving the parties.

In protests in Bamako on May 3 and May 4, several hundred critics carried placards displaying messages calling for multi-party elections and chanted slogans such as: “Down with dictatorship, long live democracy.” The junta originally committed to holding elections in February 2022.

Ahead of another planned protest on May 9, Mali suspended political activities across the country, forcing the opposition parties to call off their gathering.

Meanwhile, three opposition politicians are feared to have been abducted in recent days, according to party officials and human rights activists, raising fears of mounting repression.

Human Rights Watch said in a statement last week that Abba Alhassane, secretary general of the Convergence for the Development of Mali (CODEM), was arrested by “masked gunmen claiming to be gendarmes” on May 8.

The group also said “unidentified men” seized El Bachir Thiam, leader of the Yelema party, in the town of Kati outside Bamako on the same day.

On Tuesday, a member of CODEM, speaking on condition of anonymity for safety reasons, told Reuters that the party had not heard from Abdoul Karim Traore, a party youth leader, for two days and feared he had been abducted too.

Mali’s security ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

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A court in Thailand has issued 17 arrest warrants for people connected to the building of a skyscraper that collapsed during an earthquake in March.

The 30-storey tower, being built to house the State Audit Office, was felled when Bangkok felt tremors of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck neighbouring Myanmar.

Authorities said they had recovered 89 bodies from the rubble of the tower, while seven remain unaccounted for.

Police investigating the cause of the collapse said the warrants were issued to people involved in the design, construction and building supervision of the tower, local media reported.

Police named only one of the individuals as businessman Premchai Karnasuta, a former president of Italian-Thai Development PLC., one of Thailand’s largest construction firms.

Thai media reported on Thursday that investigators had found structural flaws in a lift shaft in the building. Thai authorities are yet to release their findings into the cause of the building’s collapse.

Footage showed high-rise buildings in Bangkok swaying and water falling from rooftop pools onto the streets below resulting from the strong tremors.

Buildings in the Thai capital emerged from the quake largely unscathed except for the State Audit Office – a tower made of blue glass and steel that was situated opposite the Chatuchak market, a popular tourist attraction.

It had been under construction for three years at a cost of more than two billion Thai baht ($59m; £45m) before it was reduced to rubble.

More than 400 workers were at the site when it collapsed, and drones, sniffer dogs, cranes, and excavators were brought in to help with the rescue effort.

The earthquake that hit Myanmar on 28 March caused the deaths of more than 3,000 people and injured more than 4,500, with tremors felt elsewhere, including in Thailand and south-west China.

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Ghana is strategically positioned now to manufacture its own vaccines, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has disclosed.

He said Ghana had established the National Vaccine Institute; hence, the nation was well-placed to produce its own vaccines.

Moreover, other leading pharmaceutical companies in the country had also taken the lead in that respect.

Mr. Akandoh disclosed at a press conference at the Presidency in Accra, during a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama by Dr Jean Kaseya, Director-General, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa-CDC).

The Africa-CDC Director-General is in the country to sign a data-sharing agreement between Ghana and Africa-CDC.

Mr Akandoh said: “As we all recall during the pandemic, we have countries who looked into our eyes and told us that, look, not until they satisfy their citizens, they were not going to allow the export of vaccines into our country, and therefore I think that we must learn lessons from that to be able to prepare adequately for any future pandemic”.

“We also think that we should be able to build or scale up our primary health care services as we roll out the free primary health care.”

He said the Mahama Cares also needs some kind of collaboration for its sustainability, and it could also be an innovation that could also be emulated by other African countries.

He said the resource support from other partner donors or development partners were dwindling.

“We all know that we have been signalled that by the year 2030, we’ll be exiting Gavi, and therefore there is a need for us to find a sustainable way of financing our vaccines in this country.

This, he said, was one of the ways they could collaborate well with Africa-CDC to ensure that they had sustainable sources of funding for their vaccines, saying “and if we do, then other countries can also emulate same”.

Mr Akandoh said Dr Kaseya’s visit to Ghana and the objectives of the Africa-CDC aligned very well with one of the priorities of the President by putting in place a robust mechanism to have a robust healthcare system to be able to respond promptly to pandemics and to ensure that we have health security in this country.

He said that as a country, they had collaborated so well with Africa-CDC and that they had enjoyed some support from Africa-CDC for some time now.

Highlighting that, Mr Akandoh said Ghana had enjoyed about $2.4 million to strengthen its primary healthcare system.

He said they were at the moment training or had trained about 400 epidemiologists through the Africa-CDC’s assistance.

He said they raised not less than $400,000 to train such people.

He said the Africa-CDC had also assisted Ghana to raise not less than $1.6 million for the procurement and delivery of coaching and IT equipment as a country.

Mr Akandoh said that by the grace of God, Ghana was playing a vital role in terms of health in Africa.

He said the School of Public Health at the University of Ghana was currently serving as the sub-regional centre for training epidemiologists.

Mr Akandoh said the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) was also at the maturity level for what was playing a vital role in promoting continental health security.

He said the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was one of the strongest health financing schemes within the sub-region, declaring that “other countries are also learning from us”.

“We are leading by example, not only the National Health Insurance Scheme, but at the moment, as you all know, it is His Excellency John Dramani Mahama’s priority area to roll out what we call the Free Primary Healthcare, which we believe that that will catalyze or be a catalyst to arriving at the Universal Health Coverage on time,” the Minister said.

He also mentioned the Mahama Cares (Ghana Medical Trust Fund), which was set-up by the Government as part of efforts to relieve the financial burden of sufferers of chronic diseases (Non-communicable Diseases).

Dr Jean Kaseya, Director-General, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa-CDC), lauded President John Dramani Mahama’s visionary leadership in transforming Ghana’s health sector.

“I’m so impressed, so impressed by President Mahama. This is why I told him I would come to visit you in Ghana, and I want you, the media to say that someone who came from the African Union, someone who is the leader of health in Africa, is impressed by what Ghana is doing,” Dr Kaseya said.

He underscored the African Union and the Africa-CDC’s commitment to support Ghana and to share the good news and experiences.

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Last Tuesday, 6th May, the Supreme Court of Ghana in a 3-2 majority dismissed an application by Vincent Ekow Assafuah, a member of parliament who invited the court to halt the suspension of Ghana’s Chief Justice as effected by the president of the republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama.

The decision followed the unanimous ruling of the court dismissing the objection of the lawyer for the applicant against Acting Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie from presiding over the injunction application. In an interview after the proceedings, the lawyer asserted that in the constitutional history of the country there has not been any instance of a Chief Justice presiding over proceedings when the matter concerns the Chief Justice. Thus, as an Acting Chief Justice and a direct beneficiary of the issue at hand, he is not supposed to preside over the proceedings.

The process for the removal of the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Getrude Torkornoo was initiated on 25th March where an official communique from the office of Ghana’s president stated that three petitions from different persons have been received by the president seeking for the removal of the chief justice, her Ladyship Getrude Torkornoo.

The communique also stated that the president has upon receiving the petitions, forwarded them to the Council of State to commence the consultation process mandated by article 146 of the 1992 Constitution. By the communique, a lot of issues was raised concerning the constitutionality of the process as initiated by the president.

Two separate writs by Ghanaian citizens Vincent Ekow Assafuah and Ebenezer Osei-Owusu were issued on 27th of March invoking the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, arguing that the process as initiated by the President of Ghana is in clear violation of the constitution, specifically article 146. Former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame representing his client Vincent Ekow Assafuah argued that there ought to be a notification to the Chief Justice before processes under 146 can be triggered as this is in consonance with all rules of natural justice and constitutionalism.

In addition, the chief justice issued a communication requesting the president and eminent members of the council of state to forward the petitions against her to her and be allowed at least seven days after receipt to respond to same. She argued,

It is the most fundamental percept of the common law and our constitutional dispensation ingrained into the justice delivery process, that no consideration that affects the rights of a defendant can be made unless the defendant has been given notice of the contents of a charge, and an opportunity to respond to them.

Thus, her response together with the evidence in the petition should be obtained before the procedure under article 146(6) can be triggered.

Pursuant to the combined reading of clauses (6) and (7) of article 146, the president is required to appoint a committee acting in consultation with the Council of State to determine the merits when a petition is for the removal of the Chief Justice. Thus, the constitution is silent on obtaining the preliminary response of the Chief Justice and determining a prima facie case before the setup of a committee.

The logical gap of a determination of a prima facie case was presented before the court in the case of Frank Agyei Twum vs. Attorney General & Akwetey [2005-2006] where the plaintiff prayed for reliefs inter alia that the court should construe article 146 (6) concurrently with article 146(3) and 146(4) which requires the establishment of a prima facie case prior to the setting up of a Committee to investigate complaints in a petition against a Justice of the Superior Court because the Chief Justice is first and foremost a Judge of the Superior Court.

Upholding the plaintiff’s averments, the court through Date-Bah JSC (as he was then) declared,

In my view, the objective purpose and spirit of the 1992 Constitution require that a Chief Justice be given the benefit of a prior determination as to whether there is a prima facie case established against him or her, before the President may establish a committee to consider a petition for his or her removal. A comparative examination of the relevant provisions dealing with petitions for the removal of other Superior Court Justices (in articles 146(3) and 146(4)) reveals an omission in the plain language of article 146(6) relating to the impeachment process of the Chief Justice which, in my view, could not have been intended by the framers of the Constitution.

The question that stirred public reactions, including the two suits, was whether or not the president has a mandate to first obtain the Chief Justice’s preliminary response before the determination of a prima facie case.

In response to the Chief Justice’s letter the president gave the Chief Justice 10 days to give her preliminary response to the petition before the establishment of a prima facie case.

Following the establishment of a prima facie case, the president on 29th of April established a 5-member committee in compliance with article 146(6) to inquire into the merits of the petitions. Consequently, the president suspended the Chief Justice pursuant to article 146(10) from office pending the outcome of the committee’s proceedings. It is noteworthy to quote the provision in article 146(1) which deals with the conditions of a removal of a justice of a superior court.

Article 146(1) – A Justice of the Superior Court or a Chairman of the Regional Tribunal shall not be removed from office except for stated misbehaviour or incompetence or on ground of inability to perform the functions of his office arising from infirmity of body or mind.

While the suspension of the Chief Justice has raised many public concerns including a #SaveTheJudiciaryDemonstration, literally the president is following the constitutional requirements under article 146. Ghana lies in wait for both the court’s reasoning in upholding the suspension of the Chief Justice (which is set to be out on 21st May) and for the outcome of the findings of the committee set up to investigate the petitions against the Chief Justice.

Opinions expressed in JURIST Dispatches are solely those of our correspondents in the field and do not necessarily reflect the views of JURIST’s editors, staff, donors or the University of Pittsburgh.

Richmond Rockson, Head of Communications at the Energy Ministry

The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has assured Ghanaians that the country is not on the brink of a power crisis, despite growing concerns over rapidly depleting fuel reserves.

The reassurance comes amid heightened public anxiety about potential power outages and questions surrounding the sustainability of Ghana’s energy supply.

These concerns were sparked by recent comments from Energy Minister John Jinapor, who revealed that the country requires GH₵1 billion to procure emergency liquid fuel for power generation to address current challenges.

However, speaking with Starr News, the Head of Communications at the Energy Ministry, Richmond Rockson, offered clarification, stating that the government has already secured 450,000 barrels of Light Cycle Oil, which is scheduled to arrive on May 16, 2025, to help avert any potential blackouts.

“Procurement has already been made for 450,000 barrels of Light Cycle Oil, and we expect to receive even more. So, there’s no need for panic—measures have indeed been put in place,” Rockson said.

He clarified that the minister’s comments were meant to highlight systemic inefficiencies in the power sector.

“It’s true that we’re facing serious challenges, including a debt of about $3 billion. Additionally, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) experiences under-recovery each month, amounting to approximately GH₵2 billion. When projected annually, this figure rises to nearly GH₵30 billion.”

“The core issue being discussed is inefficiency within the system. One major challenge is that the fuel component is not factored into the tariff structure. As a result, the government must continually intervene financially to maintain power supply—a model that is clearly unsustainable,” he explained.

Rockson added that the Ministry of Finance has made the necessary financial provisions for fuel procurement to ensure Ghanaians are not left in darkness.

“In the interim, the government remains committed to delivering an efficient and stable power supply. But the long-term solution lies in addressing structural inefficiencies—particularly under-recovery and the sector’s growing debt. These issues must be resolved to build a truly sustainable and reliable energy future.”