Basake Holy Stars are demanding full points for the abandoned match
Basake Holy Stars have formally written to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), requesting to be awarded three points and three goals following the abandonment of their Ghana Premier League clash with Nations FC.
The penultimate fixture of the league season descended into controversy when Nations FC walked off the pitch. According to the GFA, the matter is under investigation.
Holy Stars were leading by a lone goal, scored from the penalty spot, and had been awarded a second penalty when tempers flared. A scuffle ensued on the pitch, prompting security personnel to intervene, after which Nations FC exited the match.
Later on Sunday, Nations FC issued a strongly worded statement alleging maltreatment. The club claimed their chairman, Dr. Kwame Kyei, was assaulted, fans were intimidated, officiating was substandard, and security was inadequate.
The club has since threatened to withdraw from the league, with Dr. Kyei publicly expressing regret over his investment in Ghanaian football. The incident adds to an already difficult season marred by controversy, including the earlier stabbing of Kotoko supporter Nana Pooley, which led to a temporary suspension of the league.
Despite reforms introduced in the aftermath of that incident, the turmoil continued, with Nsoatreman eventually withdrawing from the competition. Now, Nations FC appears to be on the verge of doing the same.
Basake Holy Stars, meanwhile, are pushing to be awarded the points, which could significantly impact the title race. Nations FC, who are chasing their first-ever Premier League crown, would have boosted their chances with a win. However, their decision to abandon the match makes it more likely that the points could be awarded to Holy Stars, or a replay could be ordered.
Nations FC and second-placed Bibiani Gold Stars are currently level on points heading into the final matchday. The GFA is expected to deliver a verdict on the incident in the coming days.
We’ve lodged a formal protest against Nations FC with the Ghana Football Association Disciplinary Committee, seeking to be awarded 3 points and 3 goals following our GPL week 33 match against Nations Fc.#bigholy
The Axim Divisional Police Command, in an intelligence-led operation on June 2, 2025, arrested three suspected armed robbers at their hideout in Axim, Western Region.
The suspects, identified as Emmanuel Arthur, alias “Possible,” Elisha Arthur, alias “Sconzy” (both 21), and David Agyarko, alias “Big Man” (22), are believed to be involved in multiple robberies within the Tarkwa Nsuaem enclave.
Superintendent of Police Olivia E.T. Adiku, Head of the Regional Command’s Public Relations Office, stated in a news brief that information gathered suggests the suspects were wanted in a series of robbery cases in the region.
The suspects have been handed over to the Western Central Police Command for further investigations.
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, June 05, 2025 — Amid the rising sun and the rhythmic chirping of birds, 12-year -old Afia Mensah kneels beside a young mahogany sapling, cupping soil around its base. “This is my tree,” she whispered proudly. “I will take care of it like it is part of me.”
Across Ghana, thousands of children like Afia will be participating in the national “One Child, One Tree” under Tree for Life initiative, which marks this year’s World Environment Day — a global event themed, “Beat Plastic Pollution and Restore Our Earth.”
Backed by President John Dramani Mahama, the initiative aims to instill a culture of environmental stewardship in the country’s future leaders while tackling two pressing environmental challenges: plastic pollution and deforestation.
The Plastic Paradox
Ghana generates an estimated 1.1 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with only about five per cent recycled. The rest clogs gutters, pollutes rivers, suffocates marine life, and contributes to deadly flooding, especially in urban centres.
In response, the government, in collaboration with stakeholders, has developed a Plastic Waste Management Roadmap, part of which focuses on collecting single-use plastics and incorporating them into construction materials for housing and pavements.
In Accra, the Metropolitan Assembly has established plastic buy-back centres in key markets, offering residents token incentives to return used plastics.
Environmental start-ups are also transforming waste into paving blocks, school furniture, bags, buttons, and household items.
A significant breakthrough is the conversion of plastic bottles, once considered a burden, into yarn, thanks to a pioneering project supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented through UNIDO.
“Plastic pollution is not just an eyesore; it is a crisis,” says Professor Chris Gordon, an environmental scientist. “It affects our health, economy, agriculture, and biodiversity. We need both behaviour change and systemic interventions.”
Still, experts caution that without strong enforcement, bans and recycling policies risk becoming symbolic.
“We need bold policies that regulate plastic production and distribution, not just post-consumer clean-up,” adds Dr. Agyekum, a researcher on circular economy solutions.
For Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, bans must be matched with realistic alternatives. “Without viable substitutes, a ban could have dire consequences,” he warns.
He noted that government is prepared to expand plastic collection and recycling programmes to significantly reduce the menace.
Greening the Future — One Child at a Time
Even as Ghana battles its plastic problem, a new green movement is springing to life, beginning today, June 5.
At the heart of the One Child, One Tree campaign is a simple yet powerful idea: every school child plants and nurtures a tree.
Launched by President Mahama and championed by the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), the Ministry of Education, and several environmental NGOs, the initiative seeks to plant over five million trees nationwide by the end of 2025.
“Children are powerful agents of change,” says Dr. Peter Dery, Director of Environment at MEST. “By making them part of the solution early on, we’re sowing the seeds of long-term environmental responsibility.”
At Kwabenya Senior High School, a colourful ceremony will see hundreds of pupils gather under banners reading, “My Tree, My Future” to begin their tree-planting activities. While some will plant fruit trees like mango and guava, others will choose hardy shade trees such as neem and mahogany.
The programme is not a one-day event. Schools are incorporating tree care into the curriculum, with monthly lessons on watering, pruning, and learning about biodiversity and ecosystem services. Parents are encouraged to support children in nurturing their trees at home and in the community. Looking Forward
As Ghana joins the global community to commemorate World Environment Day 2025, the message is resounding: the era of passive concern is over.
Action, especially community-driven and youth-led, is the new currency for environmental change.
From battling the scourge of plastic pollution to nurturing seedlings that will grow into towering canopies, Ghana is showing that a cleaner, greener future is possible when policy meets passion and education meets action.
Back in Accra, Afia Mensah gently waters her sapling before heading home. “Someday,” she smiles, “this tree will give shade to someone else. That’s my gift to the world.” GNA 05 June 2025 Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong
Prophet Kumchacha has weighed in on the ongoing debate over the place of secular music in Christian spaces, urging churches to reconsider what he views as unfair discrimination against musicians who don’t sing gospel.
Speaking in an interview on Okay FM, the outspoken preacher, known privately as Nicholas Osei, argued that secular songs are not automatically “worldly,” emphasizing that many carry strong moral and inspirational messages.
“We are all in this world, but what the Bible meant by ‘worldly’ is ‘senseless’ music that encourages immorality,” he explained.
Kumchacha called for nuance in how churches judge music, pointing out that the biblical meaning of “worldly” refers to songs that glorify vices such as fornication, drug use, and violence, not all non-gospel content.
Citing examples, he praised veteran highlife stars like Amakye Dede and KK Kabobo, commending the substance and wisdom in their lyrics.
“Their music is as good as gospel songs because it inspires and educates. We shouldn’t reject them,” he said.
Kumchacha also criticized churches for what he sees as selective acceptance, claiming some secular artists are welcomed while others are dismissed simply due to perception.
“Because you believe someone sings secular songs, you tag them as ‘worldly’ and reject them. That’s wrong,” he added.
His remarks come at a time when the Ghanaian Christian community continues to grapple with the role of secular artists in church spaces and whether collaborations between gospel and non-gospel musicians should be encouraged or condemned.
play videoFormer Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta
Nana Akomea, the former Chief Executive of InterCity State Transport Corporation, has urged the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, to handle the case of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta with sympathy.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has re-declared Ken Ofori-Atta “wanted.”
At a press conference on Monday, June 2, 2025, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stated that his office had been informed by the former minister’s lawyers that he has cancer.
However, Ghana’s Special Prosecutor indicated that he has not received any medical report confirming Ofori-Atta’s health condition.
Speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” show, Nana Akomea argued that Ken Ofori-Atta’s health condition is no secret, questioning why the Special Prosecutor would make a fuss about the issue.
“By declaring him [Ofori-Atta] wanted, what’s next? Does it mean you won’t send him to court?” he asked.
He added, “So, if he doesn’t return for two or three years, does it mean he remains wanted but won’t be taken to court? The OSP should have been patient because we all know Ofori-Atta is ill.”
He urged Kissi Agyebeng to remain calm, stressing, “He should be a bit more sympathetic with Ken Ofori-Atta.”
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, has called on the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) to collaborate closely with the Gold Board (GoldBod) to significantly increase indigenous stakes in Ghana’s mineral assets.
Speaking at the inauguration of MIIF’s new nine-member board in Accra on Tuesday, Dr. Forson emphasised the government’s commitment to ensure meaningful local participation in the mining sector through comprehensive local content policies.
“Ghana must not only mine gold – we must own a stake in it,” Dr. Forson said adding that; “MIIF must pursue significant equity in mining ventures and ensure that Ghanaian businesses benefit meaningfully from our natural resources.”
Strategic leadership
The newly inaugurated board marks a pivotal moment for Ghana’s sovereign wealth fund as it prepares to navigate recent legislative amendments and chart a new strategic course.
Dr. Forson congratulated the new board members and urged them to work closely with MIIF’s management and staff to revitalise the fund’s performance by focusing on its core mandate.
He said the Ministry of Finance will closely monitor MIIF’s progress to ensure adherence to its founding Act as amended.
Dr Forson said the board’s responsibility is to provide strategic leadership during this transition period and charged members to collaborate with management to transform the fund’s trajectory.
The Finance Minister gave the assurance that his ministry stands ready to provide the necessary guidance to ensure MIIF fulfills its mandate while maximizing benefits from Ghana’s mineral wealth for all citizens.
Board’s commitment
In his acceptance speech, Board Chairman Richard Kwame Asante expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for the confidence placed in the board members.
He pledged unwavering commitment to address existing challenges and transform them into opportunities for growth.
“The new board and management are committed to working tirelessly to correct past shortcomings and position the Fund for success,” Mr. Asante said.
MIIF’s strategic mission
Chief Executive Officer of MIIF, Justina Nelson reinforced the Fund’s role as Ghana’s sovereign wealth fund, established to strategically manage and invest the nation’s mineral royalties and equity stakes in mining ventures.
“MIIF’s mandate is unambiguous: maximise long-term value from Ghana’s abundant mineral resources while ensuring sustainable economic benefits for current and future generations.
We recognise the responsibilities ahead, particularly given recent amendments to our Act, and stand ready to collaborate with the board to transform the Fund,” Mrs. Nelson explained.
Following the inauguration ceremony at the Ministry of Finance, board members engaged directly with MIIF’s management and staff, signaling a collaborative approach to the fund’s future strategic direction.
The board is chaired by Richard Kwame Asante, an astute chartered accountant and Managing Partner of Kwame Asante and Associates (KAA), and includes MIIF’s Chief Executive Officer, Justina Nelson.
Additional board members who represent key government institutions and parliamentary constituencies are: Dr. Zakaria Mumuni, First Deputy Governor, Bank of Ghana; Edward Apenteng Gyamena, Commissioner of Domestic Tax Revenue, Ghana Revenue Authority; Dr. Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, Member of Parliament, Ablekuma South; Yakubu Mohammed, Member of Parliament, Ahafo Ano South East; Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, Member of Parliament, Prestea Huni-Valley; Yaa Asantewaa Asante, Director, Public Debt Management Office, Ministry of Finance; and Ama Mawusi Mawuenyefia, Director of Communications, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Galatasaray are interested in signing Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.
The Turkish Super Lig champions are monitoring the 30-year-old Ghana international following his strong performances in La Liga.
Williams, who captains the Spanish side, has attracted interest from several European clubs, with Galatasaray now reportedly among the frontrunners.
Williams could offer added firepower to a Galatasaray side preparing for both domestic and Champions League campaigns.
While no official bid has been tabled, discussions are expected to intensify in the coming weeks. Supporters of the Istanbul giants have already expressed enthusiasm over the prospect of seeing the Bilbao star in their colours.
Williams has spent his entire professional career at Athletic Bilbao, earning admiration for his loyalty and consistency. A potential move to Turkey would present a new challenge after over a decade in Spanish football.
Four people have been put before the Dansoman Circuit Court for allegedly illegally transporting cocoa beans worth more than GH¢1,000, 000.
Kofi Boateng, a driver; Seth Kwabena Baffour, a driver’s assistant; Joseph Yakubu, a driver and Amonsah Paul, a driver’s assistant are said to have concealed the 350 bags of cocoa beans in a cargo truck and loaded plantain on top of them.
They have pleaded not guilty to three counts of transporting cocoa beans from Tepa to Accra without authority at the court presided over by Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit.
Their pleas were taken on Wednesday [June 4, 2025].
Boateng has been admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢500,000 with three sureties one to be justified with two of the sureties being public servants earning not less than GH¢2,000.
Baffour has also been admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢650,000 with three sureties one to be justified with two of the sureties being public servants earning not less than GH¢2,000.
Yakubu and Amonsah on the other hand have been admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with three sureties with two being public servants. One of the sureties must provide justification.
The accused persons are to deposit their Ghana cards at the court registry.
Prosecution’s facts
Per the facts of the case, the complainant, Patrick Ocansey is a Principal Service Officer of Ghana Cocoabod while Boateng is a driver in charge of cargo truck with registration number GN 8967- 17,
The truck was loaded with 159 bags of cocoa beans.
Baffour, is the driver in charge of the cargo truck with registration number AS 4066-21, which was also loaded with 198 bags of cocoa beans.
Yakubu and Paul are both driver’s assistants.
On May 30, 2025 at about 8:30 am, the complainant had intel that the above-mentioned trucks which were loaded with cocoa beans were packed at the Dome market.
“Complainant with a team of Police men, proceeded to the scene and arrested the accused persons and brought them to the Accra Central Police station. Investigations revealed that the accused persons loaded the cocoa beans from Tepa in the Brong Ahafo Region to be sent to Ashaiman in Greater Accra.
“Accused persons knowing very well that they cannot transport cocoa beans without the authority of Cocobod, and for the fear of being arrested by the Police, loaded plantain to cover the cocoa beans,” Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder told the court.
He added that when the accused persons got to the Dome market, they offloaded all the plantain, leaving the cocoa beans, hence their arrest.
“During interrogation the accused persons in their caution statements told police that the goods belonged to one Kwame but could not lead police to his arrest.”
He told the court that after investigations, the accused persons were charged with the offences stated on the charge sheet and arraigned before the court.
Executive Director of Africa Sustainable Energy Centre, Justice Ohene Akoto
The Africa Sustainable Energy Centre (ASEC) has voiced strong opposition to the government’s GH¢1 levy on every litre of fuel, describing the measure as “short-sighted” and disproportionately burdensome on citizens.
The levy, which is intended to raise funds to support the country’s beleaguered energy sector, has sparked concern that it will exacerbate the financial strain on households and businesses already grappling with a challenging economic climate.
ASEC cautions that the levy, approved by Parliament on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 could have far-reaching consequences on inflation, transport costs, commodity prices, and the general cost of living.
“Fuel is central to Ghana’s economy. From agriculture and logistics to food distribution, the price of fuel has a direct bearing on virtually every essential good and service,” it said in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Justice Ohene-Akoto.
Currently, more than 40 per cent of fuel pump prices in Ghana are attributable to taxes and levies, including the Energy Sector Recovery Levy of 20 pesewas per litre. The introduction of a new levy would only intensify this fiscal pressure, ASEC argued, without resolving the underlying inefficiencies in the energy system.
Structural issues, not revenue shortfalls
According to ASEC, the core challenges within the sector lie not in insufficient revenue, but in systemic inefficiencies, particularly within the operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
These issues include: outdated infrastructure; inconsistent revenue collection; illegal electricity connections/electricity theft and; technical and administrative losses.
“Before imposing additional taxes, we must ask: why are we not able to collect what is already owed?” the statement posed rhetorically.
The centre called on government to prioritise transparency, digital reforms, and operational efficiency, rather than shifting the financial burden of mismanagement onto the public.
Reallocate existing funds properly
ASEC also raised concerns about the use of existing energy-sector levies, notably the Energy Sector Recovery Levy. According to the statement, these funds are often diverted to unrelated infrastructure projects, undermining their intended purpose.
“The government must ensure proper appropriation and oversight of energy-related funds. Misapplication not only reduces their impact but also erodes public trust,” ASEC warned.
Inefficiency should not be incentivised
ASEC cited remarks made by the Minister of Finance, who previously noted: “We must not reward inefficiency with higher tariffs”.
The think-tank argues that this principle should extend to taxation. Without meaningful reform, introducing a new fuel levy would serve only to entrench inefficiency and defer the structural changes required for long-term sustainability.
Reforms
The energy sector is reportedly accruing liabilities of around US$70 million each month, a trend ASEC says is unsustainable without bold and immediate reform. It
To remedy the situation, the think-tank is advocating comprehensive operational reforms at ECG, investment in smart metering and digital infrastructure and enhanced regulatory oversight.
In addition, it is calling for the elimination of technical and commercial losses, as well as accountability for funds already collected
“We may need to root out non-performing actors from the system, or all efforts by government will be undermined,” ASEC stated.
The statement concluded by urging the government to focus on sustainable, long-term reforms instead of short-term revenue-generating measures: “Let us fix the system, not just the symptoms”.
At least 98 people are still missing in addition to 160 confirmed dead, a week after floods ripped through a town in central Nigeria, the national emergency agency said on Wednesday, as hopes of finding survivors fade.
Heavy rainfall unleashed waters that destroyed homes and overwhelmed local drainage systems in Mokwa, about 270 km (168 miles) west of Abuja, in one of the deadliest floods to hit Africa’s most populous country.
Although search and rescue operations continue, damage to roads and bridges was hampering access, said the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), which has enlisted the help of Nigerian Red Cross, police and army.
“Teams are working to locate missing persons. There is heightened risk of disease outbreaks due to overcrowding and contaminated water sources,” NEMA said in a statement.
Habiba Abdulahi, a 27-year-old resident, said four of her five children had been washed away by the floods, and that like other victims’ relatives she was still hoping that the bodies would be found.
“Just like that, my children were gone. Even now, we haven’t found them, but we are still hoping to recover their bodies,” she told Reuters by phone.
The United Nations Children’s Fund in Nigeria said it had deployed a team to provide essential healthcare services, including to pregnant women.
Nigeria frequently experiences floods during the rainy season, which typically begins in April and ends in October.
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.
Media personality DJ Slim has fired back at Ghanaian rapper King Paluta following the latter’s recent comments describing his criticism as “loose talk.”
During a recent episode of his show Street Is Watching, DJ Slim responded directly to King Paluta’s remarks made on Nhyira FM, where the rapper expressed disappointment in DJ Slim for suggesting he didn’t deserve the Telecel Ghana Music Award (TGMA) Artist of the Year (AOTY) due to poor category promotion.
DJ Slim, clearly unamused by the backlash, said he was surprised by the “Makoma” hitmaker’s reaction—especially considering that he had actually shown him support during TGMA night.
He emphasized that his initial comments were not personal but purely business, rooted in his honest view of the music industry.
“Everyone who knows me knows I speak my mind,” he added. “Before the TGMAs, I simply stated that artists like King Promise and Stonebwoy, who are heavyweights in the mainstream, were doing more than Paluta. That’s not hate—that’s business.”
DJ Slim further issued a word of caution to the rapper, hinting that the tables may soon turn in the future and that King Paluta would need him.
“King Paluta, you will come and look for me,” he declared. “And pray that when the time comes, you come laughing and not crying.”
Rev Eshun admitted to burying the child without informing his wife
]Rev. Israel Eshun, founder of God Host Favour Chapel and operator of Yesu Agyemie Herbal Centre, has been taken into custody for allegedly burying his deceased two-year-old son in secret.
According to available information, Rev. Eshun reportedly buried the child in a room within the church premises without informing his wife or anyone else.
The incident has shocked his wife, Mrs. Christian Marcathy, also known as Maame Ama, and residents in the area.
Mrs. Marcathy stated that their son was admitted to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, where doctors advised the family to take him home for his final moments.
Rev. Eshun allegedly returned home ahead of the family and, upon finding the child had passed away, buried him without his wife’s knowledge or consent.
Maame Ama, who is currently eight months pregnant, said she discovered what had happened when she asked her husband about their son’s whereabouts.
The pastor then showed her where he had buried the child. The reverend minister reportedly attempted to flee after the matter was reported to the police.
Mrs. Marcathy has also accused her husband of repeated physical abuse during her pregnancy, claiming she had previously reported the abuse to neighbors and the police.
Rev. Eshun was arrested when he returned to the premises to gather items, and during interrogation, he admitted to burying the child without informing his wife.
The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has criticized the former NPP government, stating that the appreciation of the Ghana cedi is not due to a lack of government spending, but because the era of reckless spending has ended.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the finance minister and Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, Dr. Ato Forson, debunked the propaganda by the Minority caucus in Parliament, whose position has been that the Ghana cedi is experiencing dramatic growth against major trading currencies, including the United States dollar, because the government has not paid contractors and other fund-demanding projects.
“It is not true that the government is not spending. Mr. Speaker, we have ended the era of reckless spending. We are spending prudently. The NDC will not spend recklessly. We will spend according to what we have,” he stated on the floor of Parliament.
Speaking further, Dr. Ato Forson argued that the government can only spend what it has. According to him, the previous government spent money it didn’t have, which led to a haircut on the bonds of Ghanaian pensioners and other bondholders.
The management team of Ghanaian musician Patapaa has issued a strongly worded defamation notice in response to a rising wave of negative commentary directed at the artist, both publicly and privately.
In a statement released by One Corner Management, the team expressed their disappointment over what they describe as a growing trend of individuals targeting Patapaa with harmful remarks.
“It has become common practice for individuals… to speak negatively about our artist both privately and publicly,” a part of the statement mentioned.
The management also emphasized the damage these comments have caused to the Patapaa brand, which gained national and international recognition following the viral success of the 2017 hit song One Corner.
The statement further warned that legal action will be pursued against anyone who continues to defame the artist.
“Through this press release, we wish to highlight the harm continuously inflicted upon the Patapaa brand. Management will pursue legal action against anyone who continues to defame Patapaa.”
The statement was signed by Abdul M. Abass, Patapaa’s manager.
The government has disbursed GH¢987.96 million to the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) as the first quarter allocation for 2025, the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has told Parliament.
The disbursement, he said, underscored the government’s renewed commitment to fiscal decentralisation and the empowerment of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country.
He stated further that the amount had already been transferred from the Consolidated Fund to the DACF Administrator and would be governed by strict Cabinet-approved guidelines to ensure transparency and alignment with national development goals.
Breakdown
Briefing parliament on the development yesterday, Dr Forson, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, disclosed that Cabinet had approved detailed expenditure categories to guide how the disbursed funds were spent at the local level.
He explained that 25 per cent of the total amount was earmarked for the design and construction of a model market in each district while health infrastructure would receive 10 per cent of the funds, with a minimum of two health compounds to be constructed in rural assemblies.
Dr Forson also said another 10 per cent had been set aside for educational infrastructure, specifically the construction of a kindergarten block, a primary school block and a junior high school block in each district.
“Mr Speaker, again, we have earmarked 10 per cent of the amount that will be sent directly to the Assemblies for the provision of school furniture,” he added.
In the area of water and sanitation, the Finance Minister said 10 per cent was allocated to provide potable water, including at least 10 boreholes in rural assemblies.
Additionally, he said 20 per cent of the released amount was to be used to complete abandoned and uncompleted legacy projects initiated by the former regional development authorities — Middle Belt, Coastal and Northern Development Authorities.
Dr Forson, however, stated that administrative costs, monitoring and evaluation had been capped at five per cent to prevent the misuse of funds.
Accountability
The Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam legislator stated that under the new directive, the Administrator of the DACF was mandated to ensure that not less than 80 per cent of the amount was transferred directly to the district assemblies without fail.
He added that assemblies were required to submit detailed expenditure returns to the Ministry of Finance before subsequent quarterly disbursements were made.
Dr Forson said the release of funds marked a turning point after years of erratic disbursements that undermined the effectiveness of local governments.
He pointed out that between 2017 and 2024, only 40 per cent to 50 per cent of DACF allocations were actually transferred to the assemblies, leaving MMDAs under-resourced and unable to meet the development needs of their communities.
The current administration, he assured, was determined to reverse that trend.
“We are committed to adequately resourcing MMDAs and ensuring that effective and accountable utilisation of these resources is maintained at all times,” he said.
Revitalising local development
Dr Forson said the total DACF allocation for the year 2025 stood at GH¢7.57 billion, out of which GH¢6.1 billion — representing 80 per cent — would be disbursed directly to the assemblies to spur local economic activities.
“Mr Speaker, in view of that, every District Assembly will receive a minimum of GH¢25 million this year,” he explained.
“Let us work together to strengthen the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and position them as engines of local economic development,” Dr Forson urged his fellow MPs.
He further encouraged MPs to monitor the implementation of the spending guidelines within their constituencies to ensure that the intended development outcomes were achieved.
Ghanaian rapper Amerado has made a candid confession about his journey into music, revealing that his entry into the industry was driven not by passion, but by the harsh need to survive.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with DJ Slim, the ‘Abronoma’ composer opened up about the disillusionment that often shadows his career.
“The main reason I got into music was to survive—I just wanted to eat,” he admitted. “Most of the time, I don’t even enjoy being an artiste.”
For Amerado, the spotlight comes with burdens. He pointed to a lack of personal freedom and constant societal expectations as major factors that drain the joy from his profession.
“I feel restricted,” he said. “Whenever you’re in public, especially in traffic, you’re expected to hand out money to fans.”
The pressure, he noted, isn’t just about public generosity—it extends to the relentless effort required to maintain an image and meet fan expectations.
“The maintenance no be easy,” he added, underscoring the emotional and financial demands that come with the territory.
Despite his reservations, Amerado admitted there’s still one aspect of his career that brings genuine fulfillment: performing.
On stage, he finds rare moments of connection and purpose. It’s where he sees the real impact of his music and feels most alive in his craft.
When asked about life outside music, Amerado shared that football might have been his path—if the mic hadn’t called first.
Renowned international evangelist and economist, Dr. Lawrence Tetteh has been appointed to serve on the Sale of State Lands Committee, a body tasked with overseeing and reviewing the administration, allocation, and disposal of public lands across the country.
The appointment has been met with widespread commendation, with many expressing confidence in Dr. Tetteh’s integrity, experience, and commitment to national development.
In a message of support, well-wishers extended heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Tetteh and his team, praying for divine wisdom, strength, and grace as they embark on this critical national assignment.
“May the Lord grant you wisdom, strength, and grace as you undertake this important national duty,” the message read.
Dr. Tetteh, also the founder of Worldwide Miracle Outreach, is expected to bring his vast knowledge in governance, finance, and public accountability to bear on the committee’s work, promoting transparency and fairness in the management of state lands.
The CEO of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs) has questioned the impact of the Energy Sector Levy Act (ESLA), after Parliament approved a new GH¢1 levy on petroleum products under the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Dr. Riverson Oppong, speaking on Joy News’ PM Express with Evans Mensah on Wednesday, June 4, expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and tangible results from the existing levy, warning that simply piling more costs on fuel prices will not resolve Ghana’s power crisis.
“Last year alone, according to our table-top calculations, ESLA raised no less than GH¢9 billion,” he revealed. “And you’re going to ask yourself—where did the money go?”
Dr. Oppong said the electricity sector has long been supported by the downstream petroleum sector through levies like ESLA. But he believes the core issue is poor financial management, not a lack of revenue.
“It is not about increasing the ESLA or adding another GH¢1 to it that might solve the problem,” he stressed. “We need to understand what the exact problem is.”
He drew an analogy to underscore the point: “Building a storey building on a very soft foundation will cause a collapse.”
The new GH¢1 energy levy, approved by Parliament on June 3, is aimed at raising revenue to clear crippling legacy debts in the energy sector and ensure stable power supply.
But critics, including civil society groups and consumer advocates, say it will increase the cost of living without guaranteeing an end to power cuts.
Dr. Oppong did not oppose the principle of supporting the energy sector. However, he argued that such support must be backed by clear outcomes, transparency, and structural reform.
“The Energy Sector Recovery Programme (ESRP) was enacted to solve this particular problem,” he noted. “And yet, we still sit here discussing how to avoid what we might face in the near future.”
He also pointed to the human cost of persistent power outages, especially in a country with limited alternatives for households and small businesses.
“If you are an ordinary Ghanaian and you have your power off in the middle of the night when the weather is hot, it’s very painful,” he said.
“Even for the government, when there is ‘dumsor’, I don’t think it’s a sweet thing to have in the middle of the night.”
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In a landmark decision this afternoon, Ghana’s Parliament ratified the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, signalling a renewed national commitment to curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and promoting sustainable fisheries management.
The ratification, championed through a joint memorandum by Hon. Emelia Arthur, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, marks Ghana’s formal endorsement of a global agreement adopted at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva in June 2022.
The WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement is designed to eliminate harmful subsidies contributing to overfishing and IUU practices, particularly on the high seas and waters where fish stocks are overexploited or of unknown status. The agreement introduces prohibitions on subsidies for IUU fishing and the exploitation of overfished stocks and grants transition periods to developing countries like Ghana.
Speaking on the decision, Hon. Emelia Arthur noted that, “The ratification of this Agreement aligns with Ghana’s Marine Fisheries Management Plan (2022–2026), our national blueprint to restore marine fish stocks, enhance data collection, and improve enforcement. It also supports our broader efforts to build a resilient, equitable fisheries sector.”
Ghana’s fisheries sector remains a critical pillar of the national economy, providing livelihoods for millions and contributing significantly to food security, nutrition, and foreign exchange earnings. However, it faces severe challenges, including dwindling catches, fleet overcapacity, and environmental degradation.
The decision to ratify the WTO agreement comes at a pivotal time, as the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture prepares to implement the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), a measure aimed at replenishing depleted fish stocks and sustaining the livelihoods of coastal communities.
According to the memorandum submitted to Parliament, ratification of the WTO Agreement is not only a requirement under Ghana’s constitutional process for international treaties but also a strategic move to level the playing field for Ghana’s artisanal and semi-industrial fishers, who face stiff competition from heavily subsidised industrial fleets from countries such as China, Japan, and the EU.
The agreement is also a step forward in meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.6, which calls for eliminating harmful fisheries subsidies by 2025.
Following today’s parliamentary approval, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture will transmit the Assent document to the WTO Secretariat, formalising Ghana’s commitment. The Ministry has also pledged to integrate the Agreement’s provisions into national legislation, with ongoing revisions to the country’s fisheries legal framework.
In the words of Minister Ofosu-Adjare, “This is not just a trade agreement; it is a pact to protect the future of Ghana’s marine resources and the millions who depend on them. Ratifying this Agreement reinforces Ghana’s standing as a responsible coastal and flag state, committed to fairness, sustainability, and international cooperation.”
As implementation begins, the government has assured stakeholders that continuous engagement will be prioritised to ensure broad understanding and practical application of the Agreement’s measures.
This development further positions Ghana as a regional leader in sustainable fisheries governance, particularly as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It underscores its dedication to both environmental stewardship and economic resilience.
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Dr. Benedict Arkhurst, Head of Plan Preparation at the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), has attributed the tragic June 3, 2015, disaster to a lack of proper development control and failure to implement spatial plans.
The disaster, one of Ghana’s worst, occurred when torrential rains led to severe flooding around the Kwame Nkrumah Circle. Floodwaters mixed with leaking fuel from a nearby GOIL fuel station, triggering a massive explosion that killed over 150 people who had sought shelter from the downpour.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View with Bernard Avle on Wednesday, June 4, Dr. Arkhurst said the tragedy should have been a turning point for urban planning in Ghana.
“It was a disaster that we all thought that, in going forward, such a thing shouldn’t happen again,” he indicated.
Dr. Arkhurst blamed the incident on the “non-implementation of the spatial plans and lack of proper development control by the planning authorities,” underscoring the urgent need for stricter enforcement of planning regulations to prevent future occurrences.
“Non-implementation of the spatial plans and lack of proper development control by the planning authorities,” he said.
GHC1 fuel hike: Bawumia slams Mahama over ‘Dumsor’ Levy
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The Criminal Division of the High Court has ordered the destruction of over $350 million worth of cocaine seized in Ghana, following confirmatory tests by state authorities.
On Wednesday, more than three tonnes of the suspected narcotics were inspected and tested at the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) headquarters in Ridge, Accra.
The process was carried out under a court directive issued by Justice Ruby Aryeetey in the ongoing narcotics trial involving Isaac Quarcoo, Kenneth Cobbinah, and Mawuko Kudufia.
State attorneys, defence lawyers, technical experts from the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), and the presiding judge were present as samples were subjected to the Cobalt Thiocyanate field test.
The samples turned blue, indicating a presumptive positive result for cocaine.
Subsequent laboratory analysis by the GSA using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) confirmed the substance as cocaine hydrochloride.
The narcotics—approximately 3.3 tonnes—were intercepted in March this year at Pedu Junction in the Central Region. They had been hidden under sand in a tipper truck heading to Accra.
The court has scheduled the destruction of the exhibits for June 20 at Bundase in the Greater Accra Region.
Meanwhile, the NIB has launched a manhunt for three additional suspects: Kelian Julien Mensah, Jefflean Kwadjo Ntow, and Charles Hagan, who remain at large.
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The National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) has declared three more individuals – Kelian Julien Mensah, Jefflean Kwadjo Ntow, and Charles Hagan – wanted in connection with Ghana’s largest drug bust this year.
This follows the testing of over three tonnes of suspected cocaine at the NIB headquarters in Ridge, Accra, in line with a court order issued by the Criminal Division of the High Court, presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey.
The substances, intercepted in March at Pedu Junction in the Central Region, were hidden under sand in a tipper truck en route to Accra.
Field testing using the Cobalt Thiocyanate reagent turned blue, indicating a presumptive positive result for cocaine. Subsequent laboratory analyses conducted by the Ghana Standards Authority — including High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) — confirmed the substance as cocaine hydrochloride.
With confirmation now out of the way, the NIB can proceed with destroying the narcotic exhibits, as ordered by the court.
During Wednesday’s session, however, an attempt by the State Attorney to tender in the laboratory results from the GSA through a lab technician was challenged.
Lead defence counsel Victor Adawudu objected, arguing that the Case Management Conference (CMC) had not been completed, and therefore, tendering such evidence was premature. The court upheld the objection.
The remaining exhibits, valued at over $350 million, will be destroyed at Bundase in the Greater Accra Region on June 20, 2025.
The case itself has been adjourned to June 24, with additional samples collected in the presence of all parties for trial.
Meanwhile, the NIB says a manhunt is actively underway to locate and arrest the three newly named suspects.
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The National Labour Commission has directed GRNMA members to resume work with immediate effect
The National Labour Commission (NLC) has declared the ongoing industrial action by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) illegal and ordered its members to resume work immediately.
According to a statement signed by the Deputy Chairperson of the NLC, Rose Karikari Anang, the directive follows GRNMA’s failure to comply with the legal requirements for initiating a strike, as outlined in Section 159 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).
The statement, dated Wednesday, June 4, 2025, noted that on May 29, 2025, the GRNMA notified the NLC of its intention to embark on industrial action, beginning with the wearing of red bands and escalating to a full withdrawal of services.
In response, the NLC—citing its authority under Section 138 of the Labour Act, and recognizing nurses and midwives as essential service providers under Section 162 and Regulation 20 of L.I. 1833 (Labour Regulations, 2007)—summoned the GRNMA to appear before it on June 4, 2025.
The Commission also directed the GRNMA to halt all planned actions to allow for mediation.
“While the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, represented by its Chief Executive, the Ministry of Health and allied institutions, and the Ministry of Finance were present before the Commission on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association failed to appear and has carried out its intended industrial action.
“The Commission notes that the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association failed to comply with Section 159 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), which outlines the proper procedures for declaring industrial action,” the statement read.
Citing this violation, the NLC has ordered GRNMA members to return to their respective health facilities immediately.
Additionally, the Commission directed the GRNMA leadership to continue negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) regarding the implementation of their Collective Agreement and to report the outcome to the NLC by June 25, 2025, at 2:30 PM.
Deputy Minister of Works and Housing, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, has called for stricter enforcement of health and safety measures at fuel stations, following reflections on the tragic June 3, 2015, disaster.
The incident, considered one of Ghana’s worst national tragedies, occurred when torrential rains caused severe flooding at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle. Floodwaters mixed with leaking fuel from a nearby GOIL fuel station, triggering a deadly explosion that claimed over 150 lives.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of Viewwith Bernard Avle on Wednesday, June 4, Tetteh-Agbotui said the disaster highlights the urgent need for reforms in how fuel stations are sited and monitored.
“I think that health and safety issues at filling stations must be strengthened and tightened and that is just how it is.”
She also questioned land sale practices in flood-prone areas, blaming poor regulation and oversight.
“Those who sell lands, if you know the land that you are selling is in an area liable to flood, why do you sell? And why are they also allowed to sell? It may be land owners, it may be families, it may be chiefs, but why are they allowed to sell in areas that are liable to floods? Who controls that?
The Deputy Minister reinforced the ongoing public discourse about the need for effective urban planning and stricter development controls to prevent such preventable disasters.
GHC1 fuel hike: Bawumia slams Mahama over ‘Dumsor’ Levy
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A U.S. appeals court appeared likely on Wednesday to conclude that President Donald Trump’s executive order curtailing automatic birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, though it may wait for the Supreme Court to first decide whether to narrow judicial orders that have prevented it from taking effect.
During arguments in Seattle, a majority of a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals expressed scepticism about the administration’s claim that the U.S. Constitution does not extend citizenship to nearly all children born in the United States regardless of immigration status.
The Republican president signed the order on January 20, his first day back in office. Trump directed federal agencies to refuse to recognise the citizenship of U.S.-born children who do not have at least one parent who is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident, also known as a “green card” holder. The directive is part of his hardline approach toward immigration.
The Constitution’s 14th Amendment citizenship clause states that all “persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.”
Justice Department lawyer Eric McArthur argued that this language was being wrongly interpreted in a way that encourages “birth tourism” by expectant mothers traveling to the United States to give birth and secure citizenship for their children.
“It forces our immigration law to be at war with itself, prohibiting illegal immigration with one hand while inducing and rewarding it with the other,” McArthur said. “The Constitution does not require those perverse results.”
McArthur argued that when the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868, congressional debates made clear that lawmakers were seeking merely to guarantee the citizenship for the freed slaves after the U.S. Civil War and aimed to only cover children born to people “domiciled” in the country who owed allegiance to it.
“I’m looking at the language of the citizenship clause,” responded U.S. Circuit Judge Ronald Gould, an appointee of Democratic former President Bill Clinton. “I don’t see any language in there textually that says they have to be domiciled.”
U.S. Circuit Judge Michael Hawkins, also a Clinton appointee, suggested that the administration’s focus on congressional debates would have earned the scorn of former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a conservative luminary who “was widely critical of looking at congressional history.”
The arguments came in the administration’s appeal of a nationwide injunction issued by Seattle-based U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, who called Trump’s order “blatantly unconstitutional.” Federal judges in Massachusetts and Maryland also have issued similar orders blocking the order nationwide.
More than 150,000 newborns would be denied citizenship annually if Trump’s order takes effect nationally, according to the plaintiffs.
Democratic attorneys general from 22 states and immigrant rights advocates in lawsuits challenging Trump’s directive argued that it violates the 14th Amendment.
Coughenour, an appointee of Republican former President Ronald Reagan, has presided over a legal challenge brought by the states of Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon and several pregnant women.
Washington state Solicitor General Noah Purcell during Wednesday’s arguments called the Trump administration’s position “radical.” Purcell said the U.S. Supreme Court made clear in 1898 in the case called United States v. Wong Kim Ark that the 14th Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship regardless of the immigration status of a child’s parents.
“The executive order is unconstitutional and un-American,” Purcell said.
U.S. Circuit Judge Patrick Bumatay, a Trump appointee, pushed back, saying that the holding of the 1898 ruling was “limited to children of aliens that are permanently domiciled in the United States.”
The Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, heard arguments on May 15 in the administration’s bid to narrow the three injunctions.
Those arguments did not center on the legal merits of Trump’s order, instead focusing on the issue of whether a single judge should be able to issue nationwide injunctions like the ones that have blocked Trump’s directive.
The Supreme Court, which has not yet issued its ruling, could allow the directive to go into effect in large swathes of the country.
Lawyers on both sides of Wednesday’s arguments suggested that the 9th Circuit wait until after the Supreme Court acts and then swiftly issue a decision on the legal merits of the dispute.
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Former Greater Accra Regional Minister Henry Quartey has attributed the June 3, 2015 disaster to a combination of public indiscipline and political interference in urban planning and development.
Speaking about the tragic event, which claimed over 150 lives in Accra after a deadly flood and explosion at a GOIL fuel station, on Channel One TV‘s The Point of View on Wednesday June 4, Quartey stressed that Ghana’s inability to prevent such disasters is often rooted in political expediency and a disregard for standards.
“One is indiscipline. The other one is when you add the lack of planning, standards and things—it’s politics, and that is a fact,” he said.
He further criticised the influence of politicians on regulatory institutions, suggesting that technical officers often know what steps to take to improve safety and urban management, but are held back by political calculations.
“The man at Land Use and Spatial Planning knows what to do, but the politician thinks, ‘No, if you do this, I won’t win elections.’ I mean, let’s call a spade a spade. That is what to do,” Quartey added.
3.3-tonne cocaine haul is said to be the largest bust in Ghana’s history
The High Court in Accra has ordered the destruction of a massive 3,319.66-kilogram (3.3-tonne) haul of cocaine, valued at approximately $350 million, on June 20, 2025. The order follows the interception of the drugs by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in March 2025.
The seizure, confirmed as the largest cocaine bust in Ghana’s history, involved cocaine concealed in a tipper truck and discovered at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast, Central Region, while en route to Accra from the Western Region.
The cocaine, hidden in 143 sacks beneath heaps of sand, was initially seized on March 4, 2025, weighing 2,974 kilograms. Subsequent intelligence-led operations on March 8 led NIB officers to a suspect’s residence, where an additional 13 sacks and one bag—totaling 345.07 kilograms—were recovered.
According to a report by Graphic Online, laboratory tests conducted by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) confirmed the substance as high-purity cocaine, with purity levels ranging from 50% to 70%.
A presumptive cobalt thiocyanate test was conducted on June 4, in the presence of trial judge Justice Ruby Aryeetey, state and defense attorneys, as well as personnel from the NIB and NACOC. The test, which involved random sampling from three of the 2,970 slabs, verified the substance as cocaine.
The court’s order for inspection, testing, and destruction paves the way for the disposal of the seized cocaine, with samples retained for the ongoing trial, which has been adjourned to June 24, 2025.
Three suspects are currently standing trial for allegedly importing drugs without lawful authority and engaging in prohibited narcotic business. They include the tipper truck driver, Isaac Quaicoo (39), his mate, Kenneth Cobbinah (25), a tertiary student, and Mawuku Kudufia.
According to the Graphic Online report, state attorneys attempted to tender laboratory results from the GSA as evidence, but defense counsel Victor Adawudu objected, citing the incomplete Case Management Conference (CMC). The trial judge upheld the objection.
Meanwhile, the NIB has identified additional suspects, including Charles Hagan, who allegedly contracted the driver, as well as Kelian Julien Mensah and Jefflean Kwadjo Ntow, who remain at large. A search of the residence of Francis Awortwi, a close associate of Hagan, uncovered further suspected cocaine.
Coach Otto Addo has expressed satisfaction with the team’s win against Trinidad and Tobago and the spirited performance against Nigeria in the Unity Cup, praising new players’ and noting the challenge of selecting the best players for the World Cup qualifiers in September due to the high level of talent. Otto appreciates opportunities like the Unity Cup for evaluating players but acknowledges scheduling constraints. The former Ghana winger plans to continue monitoring players, including those injured, and preparing for the World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali in September. He emphasizes the importance of staying humble and working hard to achieve their goals.
Read on for the Transcript:
On win against Trinidad and Tobago
I am very satisfied; we brought in new players, again, who are fresh, and I think we really did well in the first half, to press, to create chances, except this one situation where they had a shot on target which flew in front of the post. Everything went well and I am very, very satisfied that everybody could show himself.
On the players performance in two matches
The challenge is on. A lot of players showed that they can compete at the highest level, and this makes my work hard. But this is how we want it. You can see that in Ghana there is a lot of talent, and I am happy to give them the chance in this tournament. This will make the decisions a little bit more difficult even though we played well in our last World Cup qualifying games. We really have to think about how to include one, two or three players. I don’t know, let’s see. We will still observe them. We will look at how their season will go, next season. I am happy for them to have holidays now. They should rest to start fresh and surely how they will perform with their clubs will also decide in the end for September.
On getting more games like the Unity Cup
If possible, why not. The calendar is very, very tight for a lot of clubs in Europe especially. That is why I think it would be difficult. But if we could arrange something like this more often, it would be really, really good because it gives me a bigger and brighter picture of all the players. It was a good competition for us, like I said this tournament, despite the results was a big, big win for us because it answered a lot of questions for us.
On plan from now until September
Surely, I will be visiting players like I always do when the season starts. I will be watching matches and come together with my team to decide who will come for the next game. We are really looking forward to that; we want to start to start with a win in the World Cup qualifiers against Chad. Before that we will start to prepare well. There is also a lot of injured players, we will keep in touch with them and stay connected so that when we come together in September, everybody will be ready to do the job.
On being calm now that results and performance are getting better
It’s always easier to work when you win. But on the other hand, we have to stay humble. We have to keep on working. If anybody thinks we are already at the World Cup, I can guarantee you, it’s not like that. I have seen too many things in football and we really, really have to work hard to fulfil our aim.
President John Dramani Mahama has defended the introduction of a new petroleum levy, describing it as a necessary intervention to rescue Ghana’s ailing energy sector from collapse and safeguard national productivity.
He made this known when the National Economic Dialogue Planning Committee presented its final report to him on Wednesday June 4, 2025.
He revealed that the energy sector currently shoulders a debt of over US $3.1 billion, with an additional US$1.8 billion needed in the coming months to procure fuel for uninterrupted thermal power generation.
“Our energy sector carries a debt burden of over US$3.1 billion, with an estimated US$1.8 billion more required to finance fuel procurements for uninterrupted thermal power generation in the coming months. If left unaddressed, this situation significantly threatens national productivity and industrial growth.
“While we have devised a strategy to liquidate this debt and stop the bleeding in the power sector, we must take advantage of recent gains created by appreciation in the value of our currency to accelerate the solution to our energy sector challenges. In line with the dialogue’s recommendation to boldly tackle the crisis in the energy sector, Parliament yesterday approved an amendment to the Energy Sector Levies Act and the certificate of agency introducing a one Ghana cedi increase in the energy sector recovery levy. This decision, though difficult, is necessary and justifiable”, he added.
He was emphatic that the funds from the levy would not be subjected to the risks associated with the Consolidated Fund.
“The fund will be regularly audited, and audit reports made public to ensure its transparent use,” he added. “I know when money falls into the Consolidated Fund, it faces certain hazards. It will not be subject to the hazards of the Consolidated Fund,” he added.
Parliament has approved the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing a GH¢1 levy on petroleum products.
It aims to raise additional revenue to address the nation’s severe energy sector debt and ensure a stable power supply.
Watch the video below:
“This decision, though difficult, is necessary. We must take advantage of recent gains created by appreciation in the value of our currency to accelerate the solution to our energy sector challenges.” – President Mahama justifies additional GHC 1 levy per litre of fuel.… pic.twitter.com/pwtRpUnUKA
President John Dramani Mahama has defended the introduction of a new petroleum levy, describing it as a necessary intervention to rescue Ghana’s ailing energy sector from collapse and safeguard national productivity.
He made this known when the National Economic Dialogue Planning Committee presented its final report to him on Wednesday June 4, 2025.
He revealed that the energy sector currently shoulders a debt of over US $3.1 billion, with an additional US$1.8 billion needed in the coming months to procure fuel for uninterrupted thermal power generation.
“Our energy sector carries a debt burden of over US$3.1 billion, with an estimated US$1.8 billion more required to finance fuel procurements for uninterrupted thermal power generation in the coming months. If left unaddressed, this situation significantly threatens national productivity and industrial growth.
“While we have devised a strategy to liquidate this debt and stop the bleeding in the power sector, we must take advantage of recent gains created by appreciation in the value of our currency to accelerate the solution to our energy sector challenges. In line with the dialogue’s recommendation to boldly tackle the crisis in the energy sector, Parliament yesterday approved an amendment to the Energy Sector Levies Act and the certificate of agency introducing a one Ghana cedi increase in the energy sector recovery levy. This decision, though difficult, is necessary and justifiable”, he added.
He was emphatic that the funds from the levy would not be subjected to the risks associated with the Consolidated Fund.
“The fund will be regularly audited, and audit reports made public to ensure its transparent use,” he added. “I know when money falls into the Consolidated Fund, it faces certain hazards. It will not be subject to the hazards of the Consolidated Fund,” he added.
Parliament has approved the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing a GH¢1 levy on petroleum products.
It aims to raise additional revenue to address the nation’s severe energy sector debt and ensure a stable power supply.
Watch the video below:
“This decision, though difficult, is necessary. We must take advantage of recent gains created by appreciation in the value of our currency to accelerate the solution to our energy sector challenges.” – President Mahama justifies additional GHC 1 levy per litre of fuel.… pic.twitter.com/pwtRpUnUKA
Former Asante Kotoko and Black Stars assistant coach, Maxwell Konadu
Ghanaian giants Hearts of Oak have reached an agreement in principle to appoint Maxwell Konadu as their new head coach, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively report.
The former Asante Kotoko and Black Stars assistant coach is expected to take over from Aboubakar Ouattara, who will transition into the role of technical director.
The Phobians are currently finalizing the details of the agreement with Konadu, who has been without a job since parting ways with South African outfit Black Leopards. His return to the Ghana Premier League marks a significant move by Hearts as they aim to restore their former glory and reassert themselves as a dominant force in Ghanaian football.
Konadu, 52, is no stranger to the Ghana Premier League, having recently guided Nsoatreman FC to an impressive MTN FA Cup triumph before a short-lived stint in South Africa.
His extensive coaching résumé includes spells as head coach of Ghana’s U-23 side and multiple stints as assistant coach for the senior national team, the Black Stars. Over the years, he has worked under renowned tacticians, including Milovan Rajevac, Avram Grant, Kwesi Appiah, Otto Addo, and Chris Hughton.
If the deal is finalized, Konadu will face an uphill task. While Ouattara has led Hearts to a respectable fifth place in the current Ghana Premier League campaign, the club is in a transitional phase. Several key players are expected to leave at the end of the season, necessitating a major squad overhaul. Konadu will be tasked with not only steadying the ship but also rebuilding a competitive side capable of challenging for titles.
Hearts of Oak have not won the league since their 2021 triumph and are determined to return to the summit of Ghanaian football. The club’s decision to elevate Ouattara to a strategic technical role while bringing in an experienced and high-profile coach like Konadu signals renewed ambition.
As one of Ghana’s most respected coaches, Konadu’s imminent appointment is likely to galvanize the fanbase and bring renewed optimism to the club. With a rich blend of domestic and international experience, Hearts will be hoping his leadership can spark a new era of success.
Rev Ntim Fordjour donated 3,400 mathematics sets to all registered BECE candidates in Assin South
The Member of Parliament for Assin South, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, has urged this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in his constituency to stay focused, confident, and committed as they prepare for their final exams.
The former Deputy Education Minister encouraged the candidates to prepare for a brighter future as they advance their educational journey.
The Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee made the call during a three-day tour of schools in the Assin South Constituency.
As part of the tour, he donated 3,400 mathematics sets to all registered BECE candidates in the constituency to aid them in their upcoming external examination.
The MP was accompanied by the District Director of Education, Mr Opoku Inkoom, during the donation exercise, which forms part of his annual support program for final-year pupils.
The initiative aims to equip candidates with the essential tools necessary for effective exam preparation and performance.
Speaking to the candidates, Rev Ntim Fordjour reaffirmed his commitment to supporting their academic journey.
“Get ready for a bright future. With discipline and diligence, there is no limit to what you can achieve,” he encouraged the students.
He also emphasised the importance of equal access to educational resources, stating that no candidate in the constituency should be disadvantaged due to a lack of basic learning tools.
Teachers and school authorities across the constituency commended the MP for his consistency and dedication to improving education. They described the donation as timely and impactful, especially at this crucial stage of the pupils’ academic journey.
Environmental scientist, Professor Christopher Gordon, has stated that the tragic June 3, 2015, disaster in Accra, which claimed over 150 lives, could have been avoided with proper planning and enforcement of safety measures.
The June 3 disaster, marked by deadly flooding and a fuel station explosion at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, remains one of Ghana’s gravest national tragedies. Torrential rains caused widespread flooding, during which leaking fuel from a GOIL station ignited, killing scores of people who had taken shelter at the site.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of Viewwith Bernard Avle on Wednesday, June 4, Prof. Gordon described the incident as a national tragedy that was preventable.
“My personal recollection was that this was a tragedy. A tragedy that could have been avoided. When the number of people who had perished started to be reported. I found it so unbelievable, it was like the stadium disaster, in terms of its magnitude, again, something that could have been avoided.
“Death by fire or drowning is nothing to be wished for on anybody. But you remember that so many people were maimed,” he said.
Prof. Gordon attributed the catastrophe to a combination of poor urban discipline, the impact of climate change, and the lack of regulatory enforcement.
“I would say it was a combination of indiscipline and climate change, coupled with a lack of standards,” he asserted.
Key Facts About the June 3 Disaster:
The Fire:
The disaster was triggered when floodwaters caused a fuel leak at a GOIL fuel station near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle (also known as Circle).
People had taken shelter from the heavy rains at the station.
The leaked fuel ignited, reportedly due to a lit cigarette or electrical fault, causing a massive explosion and intense fire.
The fire engulfed the station and nearby buildings and vehicles, killing many instantly.
GHC1 fuel hike: Bawumia slams Mahama over ‘Dumsor’ Levy
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Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr Stephen Amoah
The Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr Stephen Amoah, has accused the government of hypocrisy and propaganda over their stance on taxation, citing what he describes as a complete reversal of their previous position on imposition of new taxes.
In an interview with 1975 News on Wednesday June 4, 2025, Dr Amoah argued that Ghana operates a negative effective tax rate economy, meaning the country spends more than it generates internally—hence constantly running a deficit. From this perspective, he said there is nothing inherently wrong with introducing or increasing taxes.
“Honestly speaking, considering the fact that we are running a negative effective tax rate economy, I don’t want to give a very long explanation. All it means is that characteristically, we spend more than we generate internally. So, we are always running a deficit economy. From that background, I would have said there is nothing wrong with introducing taxes,” he explained.
Dr Amoah expressed surprise that the same individuals who previously opposed tax measures often vehemently have now turned around to introduce new taxes within just five to six months of assuming power.
“You can’t forget that they demonized any form of tax introduction or increment in this country. Even I personally was attacked by people from different social groups because they thought it was evil to introduce any tax. So, I’m surprised that within a few months, these same people are introducing new taxes—some of which were in their own budget,” he said.
The lawmaker called on the current government to issue a public apology to Ghanaians.
“They should come and apologise to the minority, apologise to the then NPP government, and apologise to Ghanaians. They should admit they lied, used propaganda, and incited the entire Ghanaian community against the very policies they are now pursuing—and in some cases, doing even worse”, Dr Amoah added.
He stated that in due time, the NPP will scrutinise the government’s new tax measures within the context of national fiscal policy and what he called the politicisation of taxation in Ghana.
Parliament has approved the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing a GH¢1 levy on petroleum products.
It aims to raise additional revenue to address the nation’s severe energy sector debt and ensure a stable power supply.
Watch the video below:
The Member of Parliament for Nhyaeso Constituency, Stephen Amoah, says he does not oppose the newly introduced GHC 1 Energy Levy but insists the government must apologize to Ghanaians for harshly criticizing the previous administration over similar taxes, only to now introduce… pic.twitter.com/1ZYlnkoAYQ
Hearts of Oak coach Aboubakar Ouattara is set to be elevated to the role of technical director at the Ghanaian powerhouse following the imminent appointment of Maxwell Konadu as the club’s new head coach, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively report.
The Ivorian tactician, who has been at the helm during the 2024–25 Ghana Premier League season, will step aside at the conclusion of the campaign to make way for Konadu’s arrival. Ouattara is expected to officially transition into his new strategic role once the season wraps up on Sunday, June 8, 2025.
GHANAsoccernet.com reports that Hearts of Oak have reached an agreement in principle with Maxwell Konadu to take over from the Ivorian coach. The club’s hierarchy is determined to finalize the deal swiftly to avoid any disruption ahead of the anticipated technical reshuffle.
Ouattara has guided the Accra-based side to fifth place in the current standings, with a strong chance of securing a top-four finish on the final matchday. While his tenure has brought stability, the club is now looking to inject new energy and experience into the dugout as they aim to reclaim their place at the pinnacle of Ghanaian football.
Hearts have not lifted the league title since 2021, and pressure is mounting to end the drought. Club executives view Maxwell Konadu as the ideal candidate to lead a revival. With an extensive coaching résumé that includes roles with Ghana’s U-23 team, several stints as assistant coach of the Black Stars, and domestic success with Nsoatreman FC, whom he led to an FA Cup triumph, Konadu brings both pedigree and perspective to the role.
The move also reflects a strategic restructuring, with Ouattara’s new position as technical director allowing him to oversee the club’s broader football philosophy, youth development, and long-term technical planning.
Member of Parliament for Effia, Isaac Boamah Nyarko, has described the recent GHS1 increase on the Energy Sector Levy as excessive.
This comes amid growing controversy following the passage of the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which authorises the upward adjustment of the levy on petroleum products. The increase has sparked public backlash, with concerns about its impact on the already burdened cost of living.
In an interview on Channel One Newsroom on Wednesday, June 4, the Effia MP expressed frustration over the government’s decision, citing inconsistency with earlier promises to reduce taxes.
He emphasised that the newly introduced levy is significantly higher than the electronic levy (e-levy) implemented by the previous government, a policy the current administration vehemently criticised and later abolished.
“You owed it to the good people of Ghana, you promised them that you were removing taxes. You took away the e-levy. E-levy was just 1% up to a cap, and it was generating 1.2 billion, and we had an issue with e-levy. If someone sends GHS1000, he is charged only GHS10, and we made noise about removing e-levy, and we thought we had done a good thing for Ghanaians.
“Five months down the line, less than three months, we are here facing more than 400 percentage points in terms of taxation, and I think that is too much. We should let the people of Ghana understand that the government is not deceitful. We are saying that the levy and the quantum are too much,” he said.
The GHS1 fuel levy, introduced under the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is expected to generate GHS5.7 billion annually. The government has pledged that all revenue from the levy will be ring-fenced for critical energy-related expenditures, including debt repayment and fuel procurement, ensuring a stable power supply.
However, the bill’s passage was met with resistance from the Minority Caucus. Members walked out during the vote, arguing that the Majority side lacked the quorum necessary to legally approve the measure. The Minority also criticised the levy as ill-timed and burdensome for Ghanaians.
GHS1 fuel levy hike ‘difficult but necessary’ – Mahama
The Member of Parliament for Kade, Alexander Agyare, has stated that the conduct of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Kissi Agyebeng, appears to be a calculated effort to safeguard his job rather than serve the public interest.
According to the MP, the contrasting track record of the OSP during the former Akufo-Addo New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration and the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) government raises serious concerns about the office’s impartiality.
Mr. Agyare described the OSP’s approach as “purely hypocritical,” accusing the office of deviating from its core mandate in an attempt to please political paymasters.
“What I am saying is that Kissi Agyebeng wasn’t appointed recently. His behavior is strange and unfamiliar to Ghanaians. Was he engaged in such frequent public addresses under the NPP? How many press conferences or briefings did he hold then, compared to this year alone? You have to understand my point,” he said.
He continued, “Again, compare the cases he handled over the past three to four years in office with what he’s done in just the last five months. It clearly shows he is focused on safeguarding his job. Many people prioritize personal interests in their duties, but the office he holds is crucial to Ghana’s progress. We expect him to deliver, not offer these lamentations.”
The MP further questioned the credibility of the OSP’s current posture: “Is the OSP trying to suggest that, after four years in office, he is only now beginning to work? Are they saying he didn’t discover any corruption cases before?
“I don’t support anyone embezzling state funds because those funds belong to the people. But what I dislike is hypocrisy,” said the Kade MP.
Ghana has recorded its lowest inflation rate in more than three years, as the country’s remarkably strong currency continues to reduce the cost of goods brought in from abroad.
The West African nation’s inflation rate fell to 18.4% in May, down from 21.2% the previous month, marking the fifth consecutive month of declining price rises. Government Statistician Alhassan Iddrisu announced the figures to reporters in the capital, Accra, on Wednesday, noting that prices rose by just 0.7% during May itself.
Read Also: President Tinubu flags off Afam 2, commends Sahara Power Group for adding 180mw to national grid
Ghana, which produces more gold than any other African country, has benefited enormously from soaring gold prices this year. This surge has driven a spectacular 44% increase in the value of Ghana’s currency, the cedi, making it the world’s best-performing currency by Tuesday’s close.
The cedi’s remarkable performance, combined with falling global oil prices, has helped control inflation that had remained above 20% for the past three years. However, the currency did weaken slightly on Wednesday, dropping 0.1% to 10.25 cedis per US dollar by 10:12 a.m. in Accra. Despite the overall improvement, certain sectors continue to face significant price pressures. Food costs rose by 22.8% whilst non-food items increased by 14.4%, according to Iddrisu.
The encouraging inflation figures may prompt Ghana’s central bank to reduce interest rates when it meets next month. The bank kept rates unchanged at 28% in May, but economists believe cuts are now inevitable.
Kwabena Adu-Boahene, former Director-General of NSB
An eyewitness, whose identity remains confidential according to asaaseradio.com, has cast doubt on the Attorney-General’s assertion that the GH₵49.1 million involved in the case against former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, equates to a $7 million transaction.
The eyewitness contends that using the government’s own exchange rate of GH₵5.45 to the dollar, the amount translates to over $9 million, not the $7 million figure presented by the Attorney-General.
This discrepancy, they argue, undermines the prosecution’s narrative and raises questions about the accuracy of the financial representations in the case.
The source further asserts that the GH₵49.1 million in question were designated as special operations funds, disbursed in Ghanaian cedis for specific national security activities, rather than being part of a dollar-denominated transaction.
This perspective aligns with Adu-Boahene’s own defence, wherein he maintains that the funds were utilised for various operational purposes, including payments to Members of Parliament and support for election-related activities, as part of his role in national security operations. (gbcghanaonline.com)
The Attorney-General’s office, however, alleges that Adu-Boahene, along with his wife and associates, diverted these funds for personal gain, including investments in real estate and luxury vehicles.
The prosecution maintains that the funds were intended for a $7 million cybersecurity contract with ISC Holdings Limited, which was allegedly never fulfilled, leading to charges of stealing, defrauding by false pretences, and money laundering against the accused.
Meanwhile, watch as Diana Asamoah faces Prophet Adom Kyei Duah, B00T for B00T!
Arsenal have officially announced that discussions are ongoing with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey over a new contract as the club prepares for a major reshuffle ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Partey’s current deal is set to expire on June 30, 2025, prompting widespread speculation about his future in North London.
However, following the publication of Arsenal’s retained list, the club confirmed it is in talks with the 31-year-old, whose performances last season were among his most consistent since joining from Atlético Madrid in 2020.
The midfielder enjoyed a standout campaign, making 52 appearances in all competitions—his highest in an Arsenal shirt by a considerable margin.
He contributed four goals and three assists while playing a key role in Mikel Arteta’s midfield setup during their push for silverware across domestic and European fronts.
In a statement released on the club’s official website, Arsenal addressed Partey’s status directly, stating: “The following players’ contracts also expire on June 30, 2025. Discussions are ongoing, and once matters are finalized between all parties, we will communicate in due course: Chloe Kelly, Thomas Partey, Michal Rosiak.”
While talks continue with select players, the Gunners also confirmed the departure of several senior squad members whose contracts will not be renewed.
Among the notable names leaving are Raheem Sterling, Kieran Tierney, Neto, and Jorginho—players who have played varying roles in recent seasons but are now set to move on as the club reshapes its squad.
The summer is expected to be a critical period for Arsenal, with manager Mikel Arteta looking to bolster his squad for another Premier League title challenge and an improved UEFA Champions League campaign. Partey’s future, along with key reinforcements, will be central to those plans.
Dr Rashid Tanko-Computer, Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has strongly criticised the protest by New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament over the delayed Ablekuma North election results.
Speaking on the matter on Citi Eyewitness News on Wednesday June 4, Dr Tanko-Computer argued that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) should have outrightly dismissed the petition and taken legal action against the protesting MPs.
“They should be dismissed with the contempt it deserves. We are not supposed to give them any [space] of listening at all. The IGP should have arrested them,” he stated.
He further alleged that the actions of the NPP MPs bordered on criminality, particularly during the collation of results from 59 out of 62 polling stations. According to him, some presiding officers refused to authenticate scanned copies of pink sheets submitted by the NPP, citing discrepancies.
“Do you know that some of their presiding officers were running away from their scanned copies brought by the NPP because they had gone to fake figures unto the pink sheets?” he claimed.
Dr. Tanko-Computer referenced live footage showing a presiding officer rejecting a scanned copy that contained a rejected ballot figure, which he insisted was not present in the original pink sheet. Another officer reportedly denied signing the document, raising concerns about potential electoral fraud.
“That means that some level of criminality was conducted by the NPP,” he added.
Read also
Call off ‘illegal’ strike immediately – NLC directs nurses and midwives
Football has always been a part of Liam Delap’s life. Perhaps that is why little appears to faze the 22-year-old. He knows what the game demands; he understands the expectations. It’s why he feels ready for Chelsea.
The net in front of the Matthew Harding Stand ripples and Liam Delap instantly turns away, ready to receive the next ball. That one is dispatched, too. And another. And another. All the while, photographs are being taken and video is captured.
The technique is second nature to the striker, yet one powerful attempt crashes against the crossbar and bounces away. That miss is what Delap reflects upon after the shoot; it is a window into the uncompromising mindset of a player who struck 12 Premier League goals last season.
It is also a firm indication of the standards Delap sets for himself. He has not arrived at Chelsea by chance, it has taken years of hard work and dedication. The journey has been important.
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‘It’s a lifetime of graft,’ he says. ‘Since I was eight or nine years old, I was focused on football. I never wanted to do anything else, and I’ve given everything I could to make it happen.
‘It’s such a long and hard period and things can be tough for you, but I’ve always enjoyed it. I just love football; I’d be playing with my mates if I wasn’t a professional.
‘Fortunately, I’m alright at it – and I’m delighted that graft has worked out and I’m here now at Chelsea.’
Delap is accompanied throughout the shoot at Stamford Bridge by his mother, Helen, and father, Rory.
Of course, the latter is well known to football supporters given his 20-plus-year playing career, which included 14 seasons in the Premier League with Derby County, Southampton, and Stoke City.
‘Some of my earliest football memories are watching him playing – and launching throw-ins – for Stoke at the Britannia!’ says Liam. ‘We tried to get to as many games as possible, and I had a great upbringing in that I was so close to it all.
‘It gave me that feeling of football early; it was incredible and something I wanted. But I knew it wouldn’t be easy, I had to work hard for it.
‘I owe both mum and dad so much. I’ve got a younger brother and sister, and while dad was playing, my mum was so important to balance us and make sure we got to where we are today.
‘I can’t repay them enough, but I’m sure they are very proud and that is what makes me happy.’
Liam’s football journey started in the academy of Derby County. He spent almost a decade with the club before moving to Manchester City in 2019. There he became a team-mate of Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer, and was coached by Enzo Maresca during the 2020/21 season.
Powered by Delap’s goals – he netted 24 times in 20 matches – City won Premier League 2 for the first time. He also made his senior debut during the campaign, scoring against Bournemouth in the League Cup.
Yet with Sergio Aguero and then Erling Haaland leading the City attack, further senior experience was sought elsewhere, with Delap spending time on loan in the Championship with Stoke City, Preston North End, and Hull City.
‘I had a few loans and I learned a lot from then,’ he says. ‘You are a mixture of all these different experiences, so I’ve taken little bits from everywhere I’ve been and then built it together as one. I’m always learning and developing.’
An important step was taken in Delap’s career last summer as he left City permanently to join Ipswich Town, then newly promoted to the Premier League. The move provided the young striker with stability and a platform to perform, something he firmly took advantage of.
Six goals were struck in his opening 11 Premier League matches for the Tractor Boys, including a winner away at Tottenham Hotspur. His seventh came in a victory over the Blues at Portman Road before five more were added over the remainder of the campaign.
‘The most important thing for me last summer was going somewhere where I could play a lot of minutes. That was the opportunity I felt I needed, to go and express myself and show the player I am. Ipswich gave me that opportunity, which was so important, and I’m very grateful for that.’
Delap will not be short of further opportunities to prove himself at Chelsea. Next season, the Blues return to the Champions League, a competition we have twice won, and our quest for silverware never stops.
That is something the England Under-21 international is well aware of. He knows his history.
‘Growing up watching this club, I understand the stature of it and how incredible it has been over the years,’ he says.
‘I wanted to come here to win trophies. When I spoke to the club, everyone wanted to get back to the very top, and they have the quality and the players to do that. The hunger and desire to keep adding trophies, to take the club back to where it belongs, that is the main objective.’
Former Vice President and 2024 NPP presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has sharply criticised the NDC government for introducing what he calls a “Dumsor Levy” on fuel, describing it as a betrayal of campaign promises and far more punitive than the now-scrapped E-Levy.
Addressing party supporters in Cape Coast during the final leg of his nationwide “Thank You Tour” of the Central Region, Dr Bawumia accused the governing NDC of hypocrisy and deception.
“They promised to scrap the E-Levy, and they have. But what have they done next? They’ve introduced a new tax that is eight times worse — the so-called Dumsor Levy,” he charged. According to Dr Bawumia, the new GH¢1.00 levy on every litre of fuel is a heavier financial burden than the E-Levy ever was.
“If you buy GH¢1,000 worth of fuel today, you’ll pay GH¢83 in tax. Under the E-Levy, transferring GH¢1,000 would only attract a GH¢10 charge. So tell me, which one is more painful to the average Ghanaian?” he asked.
He warned that Ghanaians should prepare for even more taxes, claiming the NDC administration is headed down a path of fiscal overreach masked as economic recovery. “And more is yet to come,” he warned. “By 2028, Ghanaians will realise the extent of the deception. But by then, they will call on us, the NPP, to return and govern this country properly.”
Meanwhile, Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has defended the introduction of the GH¢1.00 petroleum levy. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Jinapor said the levy is a prudent fiscal measure to stabilise the country’s energy sector.
“We couldn’t impose it earlier due to high petroleum prices. But this is the right time to act. It’s a strategic intervention to address long-standing energy challenges,” Mr Jinapor explained.
Still, Dr Bawumia insists the government has failed to live up to its own standard of accountability and has instead deepened the financial hardship it once campaigned against.
Read Also: Bawumia slams NDC, says they’ve told a lie by introducing ‘dumsor levy’ after removing E-levy
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 massive 3319.66 kilogrammes of substance, which had been concealed in sacks, bags, and hidden in heaps of sand in a tipper truck to evade detection while being transported to Accra, have tested positive and confirmed to be cocaine.
The substance was intercepted at Pedu junction in Cape Coast by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in March 2025, with a street value of approximately $350 million.
They were hidden in a tipper truck loaded with sand. The cocaine is currently at the centre of a trial at the High Court in Accra.
A presumptive test from the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) on Wednesday [June 4] confirmed it to be cocaine.
The interception of the substance is the largest cocaine seizure in Ghana’s history.
It was tested by personnel of the GSA by taking samples randomly from three slabs of the 2,970 slabs of substance.
The cobalt thiocyanate test was conducted in the presence of the trial judge, Justice Ruby Aryeetey, both state and defence attorneys, the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and the Narcotic Control Commission (NCC) on Wednesday (June 4).
The exercise followed an order for inspection, testing and destruction which was granted by the High Court where three persons are currently standing trial on charges of allegedly importing drugs without lawful authority and engaging in prohibited narcotic business.
With confirmation out of the way, the NIB can go ahead and destroy the exhibits following the court order.
Following the test, the state attorney had sought to tender the laboratory result covering several samples conducted at the GSA through one of the lab personnel but counsel for the accused persons, Victor Adawudu, objected to the tendering of same.
He argued that since both parties had not completed Case Management Conference (CMC), it was premature for the state to tender that document.
This argument was upheld by the trial judge.
The case has been adjourned to June 24, 2025 with samples taken in the presence of the parties for trial.
The remaining exhibit is set to be destroyed on June 20, 2024.
Background
In March this year, the NIB intercepted a staggering 3,319.66 kilogrammes (3.3 tonnes) of substances suspected to be cocaine, with a street value of approximately $350 million.
The massive haul was concealed in sacks and bags cleverly hidden in heaps of sand in a tipper truck to evade detection.
However, the vigilant NIB operatives were able to uncover the illicit cargo, marking a significant milestone in the country’s fight against narcotics
The tipper truck was arrested at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast in the Central Region en route to Accra.
The interception of the over 3,300kg of cocaine is a significant achievement, marking about the largest cocaine seizures in the country’s history.
The driver of the tipper truck, 39-year-old Isaac Quaicoo, and his mate, Kenneth Cobbinah, a 25-year-old tertiary level student were arrested for investigation.
Also in the dock with them is Mawuku Kudufia.
Kelian Julien Mensah, Jefflean Kwadjo Ntow and Charles Hagan, who the state consider as prime suspects are still on the run.
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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.
The Member of Parliament for Kade, Alexander Agyare, has stated that the conduct of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Kissi Agyebeng, appears to be a calculated effort to safeguard his job rather than serve the public interest.
According to the MP, the contrasting track record of the OSP during the former Akufo-Addo New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration and the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) government raises serious concerns about the office’s impartiality.
Mr. Agyare described the OSP’s approach as “purely hypocritical,” accusing the office of deviating from its core mandate in an attempt to please political paymasters.
“What I am saying is that Kissi Agyebeng wasn’t appointed recently. His behavior is strange and unfamiliar to Ghanaians. Was he engaged in such frequent public addresses under the NPP? How many press conferences or briefings did he hold then, compared to this year alone? You have to understand my point,” he said.
He continued, “Again, compare the cases he handled over the past three to four years in office with what he’s done in just the last five months. It clearly shows he is focused on safeguarding his job. Many people prioritize personal interests in their duties, but the office he holds is crucial to Ghana’s progress. We expect him to deliver, not offer these lamentations.”
The MP further questioned the credibility of the OSP’s current posture: “Is the OSP trying to suggest that, after four years in office, he is only now beginning to work? Are they saying he didn’t discover any corruption cases before?
“I don’t support anyone embezzling state funds because those funds belong to the people. But what I dislike is hypocrisy,” said the Kade MP.
Police discovered a total amount of GH¢1,021,700 stashed in fertilizer sacks
The Volta Regional Police Command intercepted a Ford Transit Van loaded with 68 fertilizer bags containing over one million Ghana cedis in coins and one-cedi notes at Juapong in the Eastern Region.
According to a statement by the Ghana Police Service on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the total amount of cash, hidden in fertilizer bags at Juapong, was discovered at the Juapong Snap Check while being transported to Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
“On June 3, 2025, at about 16:45, upon information, the Regional Police Command intercepted a Ford Transit Bus loaded with sixty-eight (68) fertilizer bags containing one-cedi notes and coins totaling One Million, Twenty-One Thousand, Seven Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢1,021,700) at Juapong Snap Check en route to Kumasi, Ashanti Region.
“The driver of the vehicle, suspect Edward Ansah, upon interrogation, told the police he was engaged by a man in Kumasi to convey the currency notes and coins from Ho, Volta Region, to him in Kumasi, Ashanti Region,” the police statement said.
The statement added that the suspect is in police custody, assisting with investigations.
Pictures shared by the Ghana Police Service show dozens of fertilizer sacks packed in the bus, while other pictures display fresh bundles of one-cedi notes packaged in the sacks.
The National Labour Commission (NLC) has directed the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) to immediately call off its strike and return to work after declaring the industrial action illegal.
In a directive issued on Tuesday, June 4, 2025, the Commission expressed strong disapproval of the GRNMA’s decision to proceed with its strike, despite being summoned to appear before the NLC to resolve the impasse.
This follows healthcare services across the country being severely impacted as members of the GRNMA continued their strike, leaving patients stranded and medical facilities struggling to cope.
According to the Commission, the nurses and midwives failed to comply with the legal procedures required under Section 159 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).
The GRNMA had notified the NLC of its intent to embark on industrial action in a letter dated May 29, 2025, in protest over delays in the implementation of their 2024 Collective Agreement.
However, the Commission, invoking its powers under Section 138 of the Labour Act, directed the association to suspend all planned actions—including wearing red bands and the eventual withdrawal of services—pending mediation.
While the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Finance all appeared before the Commission on June 4 for the scheduled meeting, the GRNMA failed to attend and proceeded with the strike.
“The Commission declares the industrial action by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association as illegal and directs them to call it off with immediate effect,” the statement read.
The NLC further instructed all members of the GRNMA to resume work at their respective facilities immediately.
Additionally, the Commission directed the GRNMA leadership to continue engagement with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on implementing the collective agreement. They are required to report progress to the NLC by June 25, 2025, at 2:30 pm.
The NLC’s directive underscores the critical nature of health services and the legal obligations of essential service providers, urging compliance to avoid disruption in healthcare delivery across the country.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Kade Constituency, , has asserted that the immediate past New Patriotic Party (NPP) government settled all common fund payments without any arrears.
According to him, the common fund is a responsibility that aligns with any government; however, the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration should not assert that they are the only government fulfilling this obligation in the country.
The Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD) of the Savannah Regional Police Command, in collaboration with the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), has launched an operation aimed at enforcing strict compliance with traffic regulations across the region.
The exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to reduce road accidents, particularly those caused by the indiscipline of motor riders.
Speaking to Channel One News, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Monica Adzo Ocloo Deh of the MTTD disclosed that the region recently recorded two road accident-related deaths, prompting intensified enforcement action.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety of all road users. Motor riders found flouting the law will be processed for court in the coming days,” ASP Ocloo Deh stated.
During the operation, several motor riders were apprehended. Some expressed surprise at the crackdown, while others admitted wrongdoing and pledged to obey traffic laws moving forward.
The queen mother of the area, Memunatu Damba-Wurche, lauded the efforts of the police and the NRSC, describing the initiative as timely and necessary for saving lives in the Savannah Region.
Minority MPs march to Police Headquarters over delay in Ablekuma North election results
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Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced plans to resume the construction of nine Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) school projects, which were previously suspended due to the country’s economic challenges and inability to service its debts.
The projects were initially rolled out under a broader infrastructure development agenda spearheaded by Planet Core. However, the initiative stalled amid Ghana’s debt restructuring efforts.
Speaking during the inauguration of the National TVET One-Week Planning Committee on Wednesday, June 4, the Minister revealed that President John Dramani Mahama has officially approved the continuation of the projects, which form part of government-approved pipeline initiatives.
“I am happy to note and inform that the President has approved the continuation of nine TVET schools under the government-approved pipeline project. We will benefit from this. I am sure this was an initiative undertaken by Planet Core, which got halted following Ghana’s inability to service its debt or sustain it. We are happy that those TVET schools will now continue,” he said.
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Basake Holy Stars are demanding full points for the abandoned match
![DJ Slim [L] and King Paluta](https://cdn.ghanaweb.com/imagelib/pics/989/98975773.295.jpg "DJ Slim [L] and King Paluta")
