The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has urged private schools to support brilliant needy children at various levels with scholarship packages to help them access education smoothly.

That, he said, would significantly help in the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Four, which focuses on access to quality education.

Mr Gunu was speaking at the 15th Anniversary, Graduation, Speech and Prize-giving Day of the Henry Community School at Kpenoe, near Ho, last Saturday.

The event was on the theme: “Rooted in partnerships, rising through educational excellence”.

Dropout

The regional minister described as unjust how some talented children dropped out of school due to the lack of support to learn towards a brilliant future.

He paid glowing tribute to the Henry House Community School for its policy to offer academic scholarships to at least one-third of the students, saying that it aligned perfectly with the national goal of inclusive, quality education for all.

“This commitment directly supports Ghana’s efforts to achieve SDG 4,” he reiterated.

Mr Gunu said the Volta Regional Coordinating Council was proud of the impact the basic school was making in the region, adding that the council remained committed to supporting initiatives that empowered the youth through education, as evident at the Henry House Community School.

ICT

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the school, Akorfa Wallace, said Henry House Community School, which started in 2010, had the appropriate resources to deliver the Ghana National Curriculum to an exceptional standard.

She said with support from its partners, the school, with an enrolment of 192, had expanded its ICT laboratory and now had 16 working PCs installed with Windows 2017 software, a router, and new chairs.

She said the well-secured school also had a child safeguarding policy, trained key staff in basic first aid, and an established sickbay with support from the Clarke Education Foundation.

Meanwhile, the CEO said a Dutch organisation, Help Ghana, had assisted the school in establishing a modern community library.

“We are also blessed by a phenomenal donation of approximately 10,000 books from a 16-year-old author, Sasha Segbawu, after whom the library is named,” the CEO added.

A Supreme Court Judge and chairman of the school board, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, said children were great treasures for the nation, for which reason the Henry House Community would continue to give them the best of knowledge and values to become responsible future leaders. 

The U.S. Embassy’s FBI Legal Attaché Office, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State’s Counterterrorism Bureau, has completed a comprehensive six-week capacity-building initiative for Ghana’s National Intelligence Bureau–Counterterrorism Directorate (NIB-CTD). 

This marks the first extended, modular training effort of its kind focused on the Counterterrorism Directorate’s operational and legal competencies in counterterrorism (CT) investigations.

Thirty-five NIB-CTD officers from various regions of Ghana participated in the program, selected for their current or future involvement in counterterrorism casework and interagency coordination.

The intensive training program was designed to develop core competencies across six critical areas: Basic Counterterrorism Investigations, CT Intelligence Operations, Interview and Interrogation Techniques, Report Writing and Documentation Standards, Investigating Terrorist Financing & Emerging Technologies, Legal Frameworks for CT Prosecution and Human Rights Compliance.

A distinguished team of instructors from the FBI Academy at Quantico, prosecutors from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) of Kenya and Ghana’s Attorney General’s Department delivered the comprehensive curriculum.

Charles A. Kipo, Director General of the National Intelligence Bureau, in his remarks said, “The training and equipment provided will significantly enhance the capabilities of our personnel, enabling us to better address the complex security challenges we face and ultimately contribute to a safer and more secure environment for our citizens. 

“The gesture demonstrates the strong partnership and commitment to our shared security goals.”

To mark the occasion and reinforce operational capability, the U.S. Embassy donated laptop computers and printers to support the Directorate’s new centralised case reporting and investigative functions. 

The Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy, Rolf Olson, in his closing remarks, highlighted the United States’ commitment to strengthening Ghana’s security and counterterrorism response through the rule of law.

The initiative represents a significant milestone in U.S.-Ghana security cooperation and underscores the shared commitment to combating terrorism through enhanced investigative capabilities and adherence to international legal standards. 

The training program reflects the U.S. government’s ongoing dedication to building partner capacity in West Africa’s counterterrorism efforts.

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Inspector General of Police, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno

The Inspector General of Police, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has cautioned against electoral violence and misconduct within the police service as preparations continue for the upcoming by-election in Akwatia.

He made this disclosure at the 17th Regional Commanders’ Conference held in Accra on Friday, July 18, 2025.

Yohuno said a technical team has been set up to oversee security operations for the election and further warned that anyone found guilty of committing electoral offences, whether a civilian or a police officer, would be prosecuted.

“The Ghana Police Service does not condone, support, or turn a blind eye to violence associated with our democratic processes,” he said.

He revealed that the Police Service is “reviewing footage from recent elections, and those involved in wrongdoing will be held accountable.”

The Akwatia by-election follows the death of Member of Parliament Ernest Yaw Kumi.

Parliament officially declared the seat vacant on July 17, 2025, paving the way for the Electoral Commission to begin arrangements for other polls to replace the deceased MP.

Yohuno’s remarks come in the wake of violence that marred the recent parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North.

During that election, former Members of Parliament Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie and Hawa Koomson were assaulted at polling stations.

The violence was condemned by the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO). The Coa

The scramble for gold through artisanal mining in Ghana’s rivers is leaving a trail of deaths: of fish, marine life, mangroves, livelihoods, and mostly for millions of dollars laundered abroad.

While Ghana’s fishing industry has long been one of its economic mainstays, riverine gold mining is changing all that.

Data from the Fisheries Commission reveals a disturbing trend of dwindling local fish production. Total inland fish production, which refers to fish from lakes and rivers, decreased to 131,551mt in 2024 from 142,583mt in 2023. Compared to 146,000mt in 2022.

Ghana continues to import hundreds of thousands of metric tons of fish, costing the country billions of cedis. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, Ghana imported over GH¢1.2 billion of frozen fish alone in 2024, underscoring this worrying trend.

Galamsey (illegal mining) isn’t just wrecking ecosystems—it’s a full-blown economic heist, poisoning rivers like the Pra and Ankobra, destroying mangroves, and billions siphoned out of the country under the cloak of gold trade.

The effect, fishermen are losing their livelihoods as harmful metals such as led and arsenic and silt found in these waters are killing marine and riverine species and destroying mangroves.

Sadly, gold mined through these illegal ways rarely enters Ghana’s formal economy. It’s sold to foreign middlemen—many from India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and smuggled out through airports, seaports and border towns like Bole. Swissaid, a nonprofit, reported that Ghana loses about $2billion worth of gold through smuggling to the UAE alone.

But President John Mahama has warned against the illegal trading of gold. Offenders could face a fine of up to GH₵2.4 million, a jail term of five to ten years, or both.

“Operate within the law, or face the full consequences,” he cautioned while delivering an address at the launch of the Goldbod special task force.

How mud and polluted water are destroying habitats for fish breeding

Mangroves are nature’s coastal defenders and natural nurseries; unfortunately, it is under threat by human activities such as deforestation and water pollution caused by Galamsey.

Dr. Etornam Kassah is a fisheries scientist and a lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba. She emphasises the importance of mangroves in marine and aquaculture ecosystems.

“Mangroves serve as a breeding ground for both marine and riverine species that come into the estuary to lay eggs. These eggs hatch into juveniles who live in the estuary until conditions are safe enough for them to either return back to sea or move upstream into the rivers.”

But today, the effects of artisanal mining have left the once-clear estuaries silty, their banks stripped of rich mangroves, and waters lethal to fish and other marine species.

The Pra estuary, which is the second largest to the Volta estuary, used to boast of over 30 marine species, but now, studies show that less than 30% of these remain.

Fish such as groupers (known locally as ‘efiii’), threadfin, referred to as ‘sukwei,’ a delicacy enjoyed with kenkey, shrimps and also oysters, used to be common in these estuaries but not anymore.

“Now you’d see clay particles clogging the gills of the fish, which results in a lot of die-offs. All we have now are catfish (adwen), snakeheads and a few other species capable of taking air from the surface of waterbodies for survival.” Dr. Kassah highlighted.

Kobla Agbetey is a fisherman who resides at Anlo beach, a small fishing community on the bank of the Pra estuary. Inhabitants of Anlo Beach are mainly fisherfolk who engage in artisanal fishing along the Pra and its estuary.

“We hardly see shellfish like ‘apoofii’, the mangroves have been covered with mud. The big fish do not breed in the mangroves anymore,” he emphasised.

Although research shows that soils and river bodies have some deposits of metals, human activities such as galamsey are increasing the heavy metal constituents in these water bodies, leading to several deficiencies in these riverine and marine species, which is also transferred to humans when fish are consumed.  

The effects: a toll of economic hardship on fishermen

Anlo Beach is not the only fishing community suffering from this menace, although it is one of the hardest-hit due to its proximity to the Pra estuary.

Other relatively large fishing towns such as Shama, Aboasi and Aboadze are suffering from the infiltration of pollutants into the sea and spreading widely across the shores from the Pra estuary.

Fishermen in these communities say they have to travel about triple the distance they used to do over a decade ago, since the contaminated water is driving fish deep into the sea.

“At first, we used to catch tilapia and other fish, right here, close to the shore; unfortunately, that is not the case now.” Madam Takyiwaa, the fishing queen mother of Shama, emphasised.

Chief fisherman of Aboadze, Nana Adam Eduafo, decried the increased cost associated with travelling farther for a catch.

“Chemicals from polluted rivers are driving the fishes away, these fishes do not taste the same, sometimes the fish gets rotten a day or two after a catch. Previously, 10 gallons was enough to fish all night long, now, we use about 32 gallons.” 

Industrial trawler invasion and pair-trawling raiding Ghana’s nearshore waters

Galamsey is not the only activity depleting fish stock, pair-trawling and catching of juvenile fishes also lingers. Artisanal fishing communities across Ghana’s coast are sound alarms as industrial pair trawlers increasingly invade upon nearshore waters destroying fish stocks.

“They catch the fingerlings, small fishes, they do not allow these fingerlings to grow.” Nana Adam Eduafo laments, despite increased patrols by the Ghana Navy and Marine Police.

Findings from a June 2025 report by Mongabay reveal rising tensions between traditional fishers and powerful industrial fleets. In response, Ghana’s fisheries minister, Emelia Arthur has announced an expansion of the Inshore Exclusion Zone (IEZ) from 6 to 12 nautical miles an effort aimed at protecting more than 200,000 small-scale fishermen across 12,000 canoes.

She made this announcement at the U.N. Ocean Conference in Nice, France

Response by Authorities

Chief Executive of Shama Municipal Assembly, Ortis Dentsu expressed worry about the development. He was optimistic that efforts by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and other related ministries in the fight against ‘galamsey’ will be crucial to the restoration of aquatic habitats along the river and sea.

“The galamsey task force set up by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources will be crucial in combatting the menace upstream. I believe their collaboration with security forces will help.”

He supports plans to enroll some of these fishermen, who have lost their livelihoods onto some of government’s support programmes.

“We have plans to register some of these fisherfolk on the National Apprenticeship Programme and the Adwumawura Project to support their livelihoods.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture inaugurated a 13-member Technical Advisory Committee in May 2025, to provide strategic guidance and oversight on the management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

The committee will also promote the resilience of coastal ecosystems and local livelihoods ensuring the replenishment of fish stocks aimed at safeguarding an effective conservation of marine biodiversity.

The project received support from the Thomson Reuters Foundation through the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) as part of its global work aimed at strengthening free, fair and informed societies. Any financial assistance or support provided to the journalist has no editorial influence. The content of this article belongs solely to the author and is not endorsed by or associated with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Thomson Reuters, Reuters, nor any other affiliates.

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For the first time in two months, Ghana’s Treasury recorded an oversubscription in its primary T-bill auction last week, with investor demand surging by 97.82 percent above the government’s target.

According to the latest data from the Bank of Ghana, the auction attracted total bids worth GHS 20.98 billion. Out of this, the Treasury accepted GHS 10.64 billion—more than enough to cover both its target of GHS 5.44 billion and the upcoming maturity of GHS 5.24 billion.

The strong demand signals renewed investor confidence in short-term government securities, following weeks of tepid performance in the T-bill market.

The data revealed that GHS 5.65 billion out of GHS 13.77 billion in bids for the 91-day bill were accepted. For the 182-day bill, GHS 2.99 billion was taken from GHS 4.22 billion in bids, while the 364-day bill recorded GHS 2.00 billion in accepted bids from a total of GHS 2.98 billion.

Yields on short-term securities nosedived. The 91-day yield dropped by 93 basis points to 13.72 percent, while the 182-day fell by 41 basis points to 14.61 percent from 15.02 percent. The 364-day yield also declined by 68 basis points to 14.73 percent.

Looking ahead, the government aims to raise GHS 7.70 billion at the next auction.

President John Dramani Mahama

Ghana’s president has hinted at punishment awaiting road contractors who took double pay for their work done under the previous administration.

He says that after the Auditor General delivered his audit of the roads constructed, it emerged that some road contractors had taken money from the Road Fund and the Ministry of Finance, and these contractors will be punished for the duplication.

“When we came, we asked the contractors to halt the work they were doing. We realised that with some of the roads, the road fund had paid, and the finance ministry has also paid for it, because they sent the certificate there too.

“The Auditor-General has come with his report. So, we are going to make the contractors go back to the site. But those who had double payment will be punished,” he stated.

President Mahama made this announcement during his thank-you tour in the Eastern Regional capital, Koforidua.

He again seized the opportunity to assure the chiefs and people of the Eastern region that work on their roads will commence soon to make them motorable, indicating that it is part of the big push he promised during the 2024 campaign.

Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson

The Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson has thrown his support behind the government’s decision to slash fuel allocations to political appointees, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and heads of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), describing it as a crucial move to rein in public spending and revive Ghana’s ailing economy.

Koomson commended the policy, stressing that public officials must begin to shoulder the true cost of their consumption rather than depending on excessive state subsidies.

“This is a step in the right direction,” he said. “Political appointees should not expect the state to bear the cost of everything they consume.

If we are committed to reviving the economy, we must cut down on government waste and excesses.”

The move follows a directive from the finance minister in the 2023 Budget Statement, instructing all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), MMDAs, and SOEs to reduce fuel allocations to their leadership by 50 per cent. The cuts affect all forms of fuel access, including coupons, e-fuel cards, chits, and depot supplies.

The government clarified that only half of the previous year’s fuel budget would now be available for official use.

While welcoming the policy, Mr. Koomson cautioned against its uneven application, warning that some civil and public servants may be unfairly forced to use personal funds to fulfil official duties.

“It’s critical that this policy is implemented with fairness and transparency,” he noted. “No worker should be expected to fuel their own vehicle for government business.

That would be unjust and counterproductive.”

He stressed that although cost-cutting is essential, it must be accompanied by proper planning and accountability to ensure that lower-level workers are not disproportionately affected.

“We cannot fix the economy by shifting the burden onto the backs of ordinary workers.

There must be a structured approach that includes support systems for those impacted by these cuts,” Mr. Koomson said.

He concluded by calling on the government to extend such cost-reduction measures across other sectors of public expenditure, while promoting transparency and ensuring that sacrifices made by citizens and public workers translate into tangible economic recovery.

He gave this backing to the policy while speaking on Ahotor FM’s Yepe Ahunu show on Saturday.

Professor Kwame Karikari, a renowned Journalism and Mass Media Scholar, has called for a renewed commitment to volunteerism and national service among Ghanaians, particularly the youth. 

He expressed concern that the culture of volunteerism, once widespread and practised with national pride, was fast declining in contemporary Ghanaian society, where many now demanded payments before offering help, even for communal tasks. 

“Today, if you don’t pay people, they won’t even sweep the dirt they themselves have created,” Prof. Karikari observed.  

“We must ask ourselves: What is the value of life for me? At the end of the day, when I go to sleep, what makes me happy?” 

Prof. Karikari, founder of the award-winning Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), made the call during a public lecture in Accra on Thursday to mark his 80th Birthday. 

The event, on the theme: “Celebrating a Life of Commitment and Service to Free Expression, Democracy and Social Justice,” drew prominent figures from academia, civil society, and the media. 

Recounting his formative years, Prof. Karikari noted how volunteering made him and many of his peers acquire essential skills and knowledge that shaped their careers and contributed meaningfully to society. 

“It was not money that built us; it was service, passion, and sacrifice,” he said, urging today’s youth to embrace similar values to drive national progress. 

He stressed that wisdom, not just money, was required to effectively govern and advance a country’s development.  

Despite his concerns, Prof. Karikari expressed the hope in the potential of the current generation to overcome challenges and lead Ghana forward. 

“I am optimistic about the future prospects and capabilities of the current youth towards nation building, and I hope that they will solve the challenges of their times,” he said. 

Dr Yao Graham, Coordinator of Third World Network-Africa, called for a more nuanced understanding of politics and leadership, beyond the confines of the binary party politics, loyalty and electoral cycles. 

“When non-political actors such as NGOs, faith-based institutions, and the media view themselves as active players in the national agenda, they can help push political leadership to act in the national interest,” he noted. 

Born on July 16, 1945, in Akim Awisa in the Eastern Region, Prof. Kwame Karikari is internationally celebrated as a bold and vocal advocate for freedom of expression, democratic reforms, and social justice in Africa. 

The MFWA, the pacesetting Foundation he established in 1997, is widely regarded as the leading media rights organisation in West Africa.  

Under his leadership, the Foundation launched The Fourth Estate, an accountability journalism project that won the Media and Information category at the 2024 World Justice Challenge. 

Prof. Karikari served as Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in the early 1980s and has trained and mentored generations of journalists both in Ghana and across the continent.  

He was also a long-time professor at the School of Communication Studies, University of Ghana. 

Beyond academia, he has championed human rights and democratic reforms and continues to serve on the boards of various African and international rights organisations, as well as editorial boards of scholarly journals. 

He studied at the City College of New York and Columbia University in the United States, institutions that shaped his early passion for media freedom and justice. 

Prof. Karikari currently serves as the Board Chairman of the Graphic Communications Group Limited.  

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The Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has urged ECOWAS member States to unite in combating Money Laundering (ML), Financing Terrorism (FT) and all Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) to safeguard regional stability and economic integrity.  

“As leaders, our responsibility is to ensure that our regional architecture for combating ML, FT and weapon proliferation remains robust, inclusive, and forward-looking. This is critical to enhance security and sustain development in the West African sub-region,” she said. 

Vice President Opoku-Agyemang said this when she opened the Second Extraordinary Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) Ministerial Committee (GMC) meeting in Accra. 

It brought together key policymakers, experts and leaders from across the West African sub-region to discuss their shared commitment towards safeguarding the integrity of the region’s financial and economic systems and expanding the frontiers of cooperation. 

The meeting would also look into the merit of admitting Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger (Alliance of Sahel States, or the AES) into GIABA as non-ECOWAS countries. 

The Vice President explained that IFFs and related crimes often thrived under weak coordination and fragmented institutional presence, which was why discussions around deepening engagement with all parts of ECOWAS, including those currently undergoing political transition, had become critical. 

She said that although the current political transitions in parts of the sub-region posed complex governance and security challenges, they had reignited important conversations on the need for regional cohesion, enhanced institutional engagement, and the shared fight against transnational threats. 

The Vice President stated that discussions about the roles and status of the AES within GIABA member States raised further questions around protecting the entire region, closing gaps in intelligence, reinforcement, and balancing standards with solidarity. 

These questions were worth tackling in the spirit of regional unity and resilience and required prudence, patience and principled dialogue, she said. 

She expressed confidence in the Committee’s ability to remain guided by a commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, recognising their interdependence and the belief that every country in the region had a key role to play in building a secure and prosperous future.  

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang commended GIABA for its commitment to ensuring that its member States adopted adequate measures against ML, TF and weapon financing in line with acceptable international practice and standards and to safeguard and protect the integrity of economies across West Africa. 

“Your work, often behind the scenes, is of great importance to regional security and sustainable development,” she said. 

Mr Edwin W. Harris Jnr, the Director-General of GIABA, highlighted the importance of continuous relations with AES countries for intelligence sharing, transaction monitoring, and collective efforts to track and disrupt all terrorists’ funding networks. 

He announced the successful exit of Mali from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in June 2025, while Nigeria and Burkina Faso were expected to make significant progress by the committee’s next review meeting. 

He also gave information on GIABA’s continuous progress within the global network after its exit from the FAFT Effectiveness Improvement Programme, and these included Senegal’s invitation in 2024, to serve as a guest member of the FAFT for a year, showcasing the positive efforts being made by the region. 

In the same vein, Nigeria had been invited to sit as a guest member spanning from October 2025 to October 2026, he said and thanked the GMC for supporting the GIABA secretariat and its member States. 

He paid tribute to the immediate past Chairman of the GMC, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Nigeria, for his great stewardship and hard work during his tenure. 

Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem, Ghana’s Deputy Finance Minister, highlighted the devastating impact of IFFs on economic stability, governance structures, and social development. 

He acknowledged GIABA’s central role as a specialised ECOWAS institution in coordinating regional efforts to combat these threats through robust policy development, technical support, and mutual evaluations. 

Mr Ampem said the meeting would allow participants to carefully consider the implications of the proposed membership of AES countries within GIABA’s framework, and urged members to approach the discussion with vision, strategy and a commitment to inclusiveness, to strengthen the regional mechanisms and promote a united and resilient ECOWAS community. 

He reaffirmed the Finance Ministry’s resolve to support GIABA’s work, particularly in promoting sound financial governance, an effective regulatory framework, and international cooperation. 

Mr Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, the Minister of Finance, Sierra Leone, who now chairs the GMC, pledged his full commitment to work with all Committee members to advance GIABA’s vital mission and the GMC as the Group’s supreme decision-making body under its statutes. 

He suggested, among others, that GIABA’s strategic focus must shift from technical compliance to demonstrable effectiveness in combating financial crimes, saying it was only through collective resolve and sustained partnerships that they could build a secure and prosperous West Africa, resilient against illicit finance.  

Ambassador Mohammed Lawan Gana, the Special Representative of the ECOWAS President to Ghana, noted that the corrosive impact of terrorism and violent extremism, the rise of transnational organised crime, and the political complexities arising from their withdrawal, were developments “not only to test our unity: they strain the foundations of our regional integration project and challenges our collective resolve.” 

He suggested that countries look inward by addressing the root causes of illicit financial flows, including weak governance, endemic corruption, declining value systems, and lack of transparency. 

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Ghana has paid $24.5 million to GAVI to secure a regular supply of vaccines, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Health Minister, has disclosed. 

He said the Government had demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the health and well-being of its children.  

“This year, we increased the budget for vaccines by 46 per cent. As of today, we have fully paid the country’s $24.5 million to GAVI,” Mr Akandoh stated in his half-year report on the health sector presented at a press conference during the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency in Accra. 

“This prompt payment will help ensure we avoid recurring shortages of critical vaccines, which can lead to outbreaks,” he said. 

The Minister reiterated that by August, Ghana would receive hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses ready to reach every community across the nation.  

“As we say, investing in our children’s health today is securing Ghana’s  

tomorrow,” he stated, adding that, “we are not resting on our achievements. The government will continue to prioritise and invest in immunisation to protect every child and build a healthier nation for generations to come.” 

With regards to Vaccine Manufacturing, Mr Akandoh said the government had pledged and remains dedicated to making Ghana a centre for vaccine manufacturing.  

He said in this regard, the National Vaccine Institute was collaborating with the  

regulatory authority and pharmaceutical industry stakeholders to bring this plan to reality. 

Mr Akandoh announced that one of their private sector partners had obtained market authorisation from Ghana’s  

Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to produce Snake Anti-Venom Serum on a commercial scale, marking the next step in their goal to shift Ghana from a consumer to a producer. 

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Frank Anane Dekpey, the First Prosecution Witness in the trial of Kwabena Adu-Boahen, a former Director of the National Signals Bureau and three others, says he usually delivers money from the bank in “Ghana Must Go” for Mr Adu-Boahen.”

He said he was unaware of the exact amounts as the cheques were sealed, and noted that the funds were typically deposited into accounts held by “Perfect Solutions.”

In an evidence-in-chief led by Dr Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney General, the witness said he worked for Adu-Boahen and the other accused persons as their chauffeur for five years, and mostly ran bank errands for them.

Mr Frank Anane Dekpey, a resident of Accra, told the court, before working as a chauffeur for the accused persons, he was a taxi driver for 12 years.

He said he knew the third accused, Mildred Donkor, from the Cedar Mountain Chapel International, where they both worshipped and ran errands for her, including washing her vehicle.

He claimed Donkor often sent him to deposit or withdraw money at UMB or Stanbic Bank to be given to Mr Adu-Boahen at his office located at Labone in Accra.

He said he used to collect money from the Labone branch of UMB bank and also make deposits and withdrawals from the Airport branch of Stanbic Bank on the instructions of Madam Donkor.

The witness said most of the time, he did not know the exact amount of money he withdrew because the cheques were sealed in an envelope and directed by Madam Donkor to be delivered to a specific staff member at the bank for cashing.

In a cross-examination, Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, Counsel for the defence, asked the witness whether he had worked with the National Security before, but the witness answered in the negative.

Mr Atta Akyea inquired into the arrest of the witness by EOCO, and the witness admitted that he was invited by the Organisation, which he voluntarily honoured.

Mr Anane Dekpey said he was detained for almost a week, interrogated, and released on bail.

The witness said he was interrogated because his signature was found behind the bank receipts.

The case has been adjourned to July 25, 2025.

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British number one Jack Draper has withdrawn from forthcoming tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati because of an arm injury.

But the 23-year-old is targeting a return at the US Open, which begins on 24 August.

Draper, who reached the US Open semi-finals in 2024, said on social media: “After Wimbledon I picked up an injury in my left arm, nothing serious.

“I have to make sure it recovers fully for the rest of the season.”

The Canadian Open gets under way on 26 July, while the Cincinnati Open starts on 4 August.

Draper was knocked out of Wimbledon in the second round as he lost in four sets to Croatia’s Marin Cilic.

He is not the only big name to withdraw from the Canadian Open, with Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic also confirming they will not play.

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An awards-based competition on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been held for female students from selected Senior High Schools (SHSS) in the Northern Region.

It was to raise awareness and deepen students’ understanding of the SDGs while promoting innovation, critical thinking, and empowering girls to lead change in their schools and communities.

It was organised by Norsaac, a civil society organisation, in partnership with ActionAid Ghana on the theme: “Climate Action for a Sustainable Future”.

Members of the Young Female Platform (YFP) project, an initiative being implemented in SHSS to bridge the gap in female leadership, from Ghana SHS (Ghanasco), Northern School of Business SHS, Bimbilla SHS, Yendi SHS, and Gushegu SHS were the participants.

They pitched innovative solutions aligned with SDGs four, five, eight, and 13, under themes such as “Empowering Women and Girls: Promoting Gender Equality in Schools and Workplaces”, “Trees for Tomorrow: From Seeds to Shield”, “Green Ghanasco for Future Generations”, “Girls for the Green Future”, and “Breaking Barriers: Empowering Students for Gender Equality”.

At the end of the competition, Ghanasco emerged overall winners and received GHc5,000 and a certificate, Gushegu SHS placed second and received GHc3,000 and a certificate while the Northern School of Business SHS came third taking home GHc2,000 and a certificate.

Bimbilla SHS and Yendi SHS placed fourth and fifth respectively.

Madam Salimah Abdulai, YFP Project Officer at Norsaac, speaking during the competition in Tamale, said it was not solely about winning but about evaluating the students’ creativity and innovation.

She said it was also to inspire girls to confidently express their ideas and aspire to leadership roles.

She urged the award winners to make prudent use of the funds to ensure the sustainable implementation of their proposed projects in their schools.

Madam Alia Mumuni, a Programmes Officer at ActionAid Ghana, expressed satisfaction with the confidence, intelligence, and creativity displayed by the students describing it as a strong indication of their determination, resilience, and readiness to shape their future.

Mr Mashud Zakaria, Chief Inspector of Schools, Northern Regional Directorate of Education commended Norsaac and ActionAid Ghana for implementing the project saying it complemented government’s efforts to promote inclusive education.

Miss Osman Muslimah Maligu, a student from Ghanasco, described the competition as a wonderful experience. She said her school would embark on planting 50 mango trees to help preserve the school’s environment.

An awards-based competition on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been held for female students from selected Senior High Schools (SHSS) in the Northern Region.

It was to raise awareness and deepen students’ understanding of the SDGs while promoting innovation, critical thinking, and empowering girls to lead change in their schools and communities.

It was organised by Norsaac, a civil society organisation, in partnership with ActionAid Ghana on the theme: “Climate Action for a Sustainable Future”.

Members of the Young Female Platform (YFP) project, an initiative being implemented in SHSS to bridge the gap in female leadership, from Ghana SHS (Ghanasco), Northern School of Business SHS, Bimbilla SHS, Yendi SHS, and Gushegu SHS were the participants.

They pitched innovative solutions aligned with SDGs four, five, eight, and 13, under themes such as “Empowering Women and Girls: Promoting Gender Equality in Schools and Workplaces”, “Trees for Tomorrow: From Seeds to Shield”, “Green Ghanasco for Future Generations”, “Girls for the Green Future”, and “Breaking Barriers: Empowering Students for Gender Equality”.

At the end of the competition, Ghanasco emerged overall winners and received GHc5,000 and a certificate, Gushegu SHS placed second and received GHc3,000 and a certificate while the Northern School of Business SHS came third taking home GHc2,000 and a certificate.

Bimbilla SHS and Yendi SHS placed fourth and fifth respectively.

Madam Salimah Abdulai, YFP Project Officer at Norsaac, speaking during the competition in Tamale, said it was not solely about winning but about evaluating the students’ creativity and innovation.

She said it was also to inspire girls to confidently express their ideas and aspire to leadership roles.

She urged the award winners to make prudent use of the funds to ensure the sustainable implementation of their proposed projects in their schools.

Madam Alia Mumuni, a Programmes Officer at ActionAid Ghana, expressed satisfaction with the confidence, intelligence, and creativity displayed by the students describing it as a strong indication of their determination, resilience, and readiness to shape their future.

Mr Mashud Zakaria, Chief Inspector of Schools, Northern Regional Directorate of Education commended Norsaac and ActionAid Ghana for implementing the project saying it complemented government’s efforts to promote inclusive education.

Miss Osman Muslimah Maligu, a student from Ghanasco, described the competition as a wonderful experience. She said her school would embark on planting 50 mango trees to help preserve the school’s environment.

Network International (Network), a leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa, has announced a collaboration with Blu Penguin, a Ghana-based fintech and mobile money aggregator, to provide mobile money transactions via Network’s N-Genius™ payment terminals.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in expanding financial inclusion and driving payment innovation across Ghana and the broader West African region.

Through this collaboration, Network’s clients in Ghana can now process mobile money payments from all providers using their current N-Genius point-of-sale terminals. This development strengthens Network’s role as a third-party payment processor (TPP), broadening its service offerings and demonstrating its commitment to adapting to evolving market needs.

This partnership with Blu Penguin reinforces Network’s commitment to advancing digital commerce and financial inclusion. By integrating mobile money transaction capabilities into the N-Genius terminals, Network is providing a seamless payment experience that caters to the needs of both banked and unbanked individuals, helping businesses and financial institutions offer greater transaction flexibility.

This collaboration represents a significant advancement for Ghana’s payments landscape. It enhances Network’s service offerings for banks by combining the strong mobile money processing capabilities of Blu Penguin with its card infrastructure to provide a unified app for merchants to deliver secure, accessible, and convenient payment capabilities.

Through this collaboration, Blu Penguin will integrate its technology with Network International’s acquiring infrastructure, ensuring a secure and efficient backend for processing mobile money transactions across major telecom networks. With operations in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and DRC Congo, Blu Penguin’s mobile-first strategy streamlines transactions, making digital payments more accessible to millions of consumers across the region.

This collaboration goes beyond technology integration; it is a strategic effort to improve payment accessibility and convenience for merchants in Africa. By partnering with Network International, Blu Penguin is equipping banks and merchants with the ability to offer multiple payment options in a single app, making transactions more seamless. The partnership leverages the strengths of both companies in a collaborative effort with financial institutions to drive faster adoption and usage of digital payments to support greater financial inclusion in Africa.

The initial phase of the partnership has commenced, and plans are to enable this feature across all financial institutions using Network International’s N-Genius™ terminals in Ghana and ultimately Sub-Sahara Africa.

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Rocky55 Blog of Monday, 21 July 2025

Source: Isaac Appiah

The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition is actively championing green energy transition as part of efforts to combat climate change.

Mr John Abdulai Jinapor, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, said the various initiatives being undertaken by the Government and other players in the energy sector were geared towards a more sustainable energy future.

The Minister said this in his half year report on Ghana’s energy sector when he took his turn at the Government Accountability Series press conference at the Presidency, in Accra.

The Government Accountability Series is being organised by the Presidency Communications Bureau as part of efforts to deepen transparency and accountability in governance.

Mr Jinapor said the Ministry mandate had been expanded with a focus on shifting the nation’s energy sector and economy towards sustainability and long-term economic growth underpinned by renewable energy.

This, he said, includes promoting renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, mini-hydros, and other new forms of renewable energy to ensure that we have a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon future.

Mr Jinapor noted that in this regard, the ministry had launched the Ghana Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Programme (SREP), which was funded with an $85 million grant from the African Development Bank, Climate Investment Fund, SECO, and the government of Ghana.

He said the project aims to deploy 12,000 net-meter solar PV systems across homes, construct 35 mini-grids to supply electricity to 70,000 people in 47 island communities, and ensure that we supply 1,450 solar home systems for off- remote grid households and public facilities.

He said the Ministry was also facilitating the development of a 200-megawatt solar project at various locations across the country.

The Minister said in addition, a 25-megawatt floating solar plant was being built at the Bui Power Station to bring the total capacity to 30 megawatts, with the floaters being manufactured locally in line with our local content participation policy.

He said the Volta River Authority (VRA) was also developing a 30-megawatt floating solar facility at the Kpong Hydro Reservoir and was being funded by KFW.

“What we are seeking to do is that we are deploying a lot of solar panels to feed into the grid,” Mr Jinapor said.

“So, daytime will depend on these solar panels, and at night, we’ll switch to hydropower so that the hydro dams more or less become like battery storage,” he added.

He noted that in that way, they could bring about longevity in terms of how they manage the nation’s hydro dams.

Mr Jinapor said as part of efforts to increase local content and local participation in the renewable energy sector, they had gone into partnership with the International Solar Alliance to train Ghanaians in solar energy technologies, and this would certainly create a lot of jobs.

He said they were working very hard to also ensure that they realize the Renewable Energy Authority Act; declaring that they had made significant progress, and that they would be going to Parliament for approval.

To address the funding gap and to ensure that we achieve our objective, we have established a Renewable Energy and Green Transition Fund so that we can leverage that fund to raise capital to invest massively in renewable energy.

He said they were also working to ensure that they distribute 450,000 LPG cookstove to increase access to clean cooking in Ghana.

Touching on streetlights, Mr Jinapor said as part of their street lighting project, he was happy to announce that they had commenced the installation of all-in-one solar streetlights.

“We intend to do 23,500 units covering a distance of 700 kilometers so that gradually we can take solar as the main focus and move our streetlights away from the grid,” he said.

The Minister said the streetlights depend largely on the grid, and unfortunately, these streetlights come on during the peak period.

He said the difference between the peak period and the off-peak period could range from around 400 to 600 megawatts, and these streetlights alone account for more than 200 megawatts.

“And so, if we can take them off and put them on solar systems, it means that we’ll be shaving off about 200 to 300 megawatts, and that will contribute significantly towards efficiency in the sector,” the Minister said.

Ghana’s monetary policy has shown mixed trends, with interest rates decreasing and private sector credit growth rebounding. The World Bank has revealed in its 2024 Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) 2024.

Similarly, the non-performing loan ratio has risen.

The report indicated that the Ghanaian economy demonstrated resilience, with strong growth in real gross domestic product driven by the performance in mining.

It, however, called for the enforcement of monetary financing limits for the budget, aimed at combating high inflation caused by excess fiscal financing in the past.

It also called for continued efforts needed to stabilise the economy and enhance transparency in fiscal management.

“Ghana has progressed with tax reforms, raising the VAT [Value Added Tax] rate and introducing a high-income tax bracket. The Medium-Term Revenue Strategy aims to boost revenue collection, but issues like complex corporate tax structures and inefficiencies need to be addressed for better revenue generation”, it added.

Ghana’s CPIA score of 3.4 was higher than the Sub-Saharan Africa average. It was also above the West and Central Africa average.

Its highest score of 3.7 was in the area of Social Inclusion and Equity and the lowest score of 2.8 was in Economic Management.

Read More

News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, James Kweku Baako, https://www.newsghana.com.gh/parliamentary-select-committee-on-health-calls-on-coa-rmcl/

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Health has pledged its commitment to ensuring that the COA Research Manufacturing Limited Company receives the necessary support from the government to thrive, making a positive impact on society and the environment.

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Health called on the COA Research Manufacturing Limited Company at Wusorkrom in the Central Region.

The COA-RMCL’s Chief Executive Officer, Professor Samuel Ato Duncan, welcomed the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health and disclosed that his research into finding a cure for HIV showed about 80 per cent of positive responses. However, the appropriate authorities responsible for assessing the efficacy of this potential cure have declined to recognise and approve it.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, and if untreated, it can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), a condition characterised by severe immune system damage.

Prof. Duncan noted that his desire to find an antidote to HIV, Ebola, and other viral diseases led him to visit South Africa to conduct further research.

Sadly, after using empirical evidence to prove that his medicine could cure HIV during the World HIV/ AIDS celebration day, his ingenuity courted enemies, who would go to any length to thwart his reach for global recognition. He received a tip-off that his life was in danger and had to flee the country.

Prof. Duncan revealed that several prominent personalities and institutions continue to testify to the potency of his herbal medicines after using them for treatment during the COVID-19 outbreak. He hoped his research team could impact more lives and prove the power of herbal medicine if the government would give them adequate support.

He urged the government to provide the right regulatory frameworks and support for the herbal medicine industry to curb the emergence of quack herbal practitioners, whose products are endangering human lives.

He disclosed that he signed an MOU with the University of Cape Coast, the Takoradi and Cape Coast Technical universities, the UMAT, and the Centre of Scientific Research into Plant Medicine for the best cure of diseases that pose a threat to the expected global peace.

Professor Samuel Ato Duncan informed the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health that he was planning to acquire a ten-thousand-acre land for the cultivation of plants used for medicinal preparation.
This idea, according to him, when supported by the government, will help in creating jobs and reducing unemployment among the youth.

The Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Council, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, called for all hands on deck to advance COA-RMCL’s goals, ridding the society of sicknesses and diseases. He asked Ghanaians and the global audience to unite against life-threatening diseases by supporting COA Research and Manufacturing Limited Company.

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee, Nawaane Kurt Mark, likened the neglect of the COA Research Manufacturing Limited Company to the biblical phrase: “A prophet is not without honour except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He urged the public not to look down on herbal medicine, but to embrace it, explaining that approximately 70 per cent of Ghanaians rely on herbal medicine to cure their diseases.

He pledged to table whatever the committee has seen and heard from the day’s encounter with Professor Samuel Ato Duncan before the House for consideration.

A member of the Committee and board chairman of the National Vaccine, Charles Agbesi, pledged to suggest to the appropriate authority the involvement of Professor Samuel Ato Duncan in establishing Ghana’s first vaccine production centre.

Some stakeholders urged the Parliamentary Select Committee and the government of Ghana to protect and utilise the research works of Professor Samuel Ato Duncan.

The Registrar of the Traditional Medicine Council, Dr. Yakubu Tobor Yusif, lauded the call by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health.

He appealed for a greater partnership between the government and COA Research and Manufacturing Limited Company to elevate the status of disease control using herbal medicine.

Professor Samuel Ato Duncan presented some of his medicine to the Parliamentary members at the end of the meeting.

About COA-RMCL

The COA Research and Manufacturing Limited Company was incorporated under the Companies Act in the year 2020 as a Limited Liability Company. The COA-RMCL is an offshoot of the Centre of Awareness Global Peace Mission. The COA-RMLC is the producer of COA Mixture, an herbal medicine registered by the FDA for general well-being.

The COA-RMLC presently has a staff strength of 160 and hundreds of Distributors, Agents, and retailers in Ghana, UAE, USA, UK, Europe, among others. The company is known for its innovative approach in the field of research and manufacturing.

With a team of brilliant minds, COA’s primary focus is on developing groundbreaking solutions in the area of plant and natural medicines. Our relentless pursuit of knowledge and deep understanding of scientific principles has propelled the company to the forefront of our respective fields.

COA’s commitment to research and development is unparalleled. The company is in the process of establishing a state-of-the-art laboratory and research facility, equipped with cutting-edge technologies to facilitate its investigations. By fostering a collaborative work environment and encouraging interdisciplinary research, COA-RMLC has successfully bridged the gap between theory and practical application.

In terms of manufacturing, COA-RMLC is renowned for its precision and attention to detail. The company can produce high-quality products, meeting the requirements and demands of clients.

It is worth mentioning that COA-RMLC is not just a profit-driven company. The company strives to make a positive impact on society and the environment. Through our extensive corporate social responsibility initiatives, COA-RMCL supports educational programs, environmental conservation efforts, and community development projects.

In conclusion, COA Research and Manufacturing Limited Company stands as a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and innovation. With our unwavering dedication to research, state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities, and commitment to social responsibility, COA continues to shape the future relative to the integration of traditional and orthodox medicine.

The company has a Quality Assurance Department that is responsible for the implementation of Good Quality Management Systems. The COA-RMLC is working towards achieving ISO 9001-15. The COA-RMLC is poised to be the Standard in plant medicine production in Africa.

News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, James Kweku Baako, https://www.newsghana.com.gh/parliamentary-select-committee-on-health-calls-on-coa-rmcl/Read More

Ghanaian youngster Prince Amoako Junior stunningly announced himself with a goal and assist on his senior debut for FC Nordsjaelland in the Danish Superliga on Sunday afternoon.

The 18-year-old, a product of the famed Right to Dream Academy, was handed his first senior start – and he delivered a performance brimming with flair, intelligence, and confidence.

Amoako Junior needed just 45 minutes to make a lasting impression.

He calmly slotted home his debut goal before turning provider for a teammate moments later, underlining his vision and composure in the final third.

The teenager’s performance has already sparked excitement back home, with many touting him as the next breakout Ghanaian star to emerge from the Right to Dream conveyor belt.

This remarkable debut comes a year after he was first introduced to a wider audience alongside fellow Ghanaian prospect Araphat Mohammed.

Another standout on the day was Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi, who put in a commanding shift, showcasing strength and composure at the back.

With performances like this, Amoako Junior looks set for a bright future. Ghana may have just unearthed another gem.

Nordsjaelland claimed a deserved 3-2 victory against league debutants FC Fredericia on the opening league fixture of the 2025-26 season at the Monjasa Park.

Archbishop Dr Kofi Adonteng Boateng, General Overseer of Divine Word International Ministries

Renowned Ghanaian-American theologian, preacher, and philanthropist, Archbishop Dr Kofi Adonteng Boateng, has been honoured with the prestigious Africa Impact Personality of the Year Award (Philanthropy Category) at the African Ambassadors Economic Forum 2025, held in Washington DC, USA.

The honour, presented by the Global Initiative for the Advancement of Africa (GIAA) in collaboration with Hope Edge International USA, recognizes Dr Adonteng Boateng’s outstanding dedication, invaluable contributions, and steadfast commitment to the socio-economic advancement of Africa through philanthropy.

The certificate of honour, signed by distinguished leaders including Dr Nelson Aluya (President, Hope Edge International USA), Dr Utchay Odims (President, GIAA), and Dr David James Egwu (Co-founder/Managing Director, GIAA), highlighted the archbishop’s unwavering support for humanitarian and development initiatives across the continent.

Archbishop Adonteng Boateng, who serves as the General Overseer of Divine Word International Ministries, Virginia, USA, is widely known for his philanthropic interventions in education, healthcare, and community development, benefiting several African communities.

Expressing his appreciation for the honour, Dr Adonteng Boateng stated that receiving the award in July, which also marks his birth month which will be celebrated on July 21, 2025, made the recognition even more special.

GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey

Ghana Premier League side Asante Kotoko have landed a partnership agreement with Summit Industries Ltd.

The deal announced on Sunday, July 30, makes Le Country Mineral Water, one of the products produced by Summit Industries Ltd, the Exclusive Official Hydration Partner of the Kumas-based club.

According to an official club notice from Asante Kotoko, the partnership agreement with Summit Industries Ltd is for two years.

“Asante Kotoko Sporting Club is delighted to announce a new partnership agreement with Summit Industries Ltd, producers of Le Country Mineral Water, as the Exclusive Official Hydration Partner of the club.

“The agreement, effective immediately, will run for a period of two years. As part of this partnership, Le Country Mineral Water will serve as the primary hydration provider for Asante Kotoko’s players, technical team, and staff, ensuring premium-quality hydration at all training sessions, matches, and club-sanctioned events,” the MTN FA Cup holders said in their notice.

Under the agreement, Summit Industries Ltd will enjoy a range of valuable commercial and branding benefits, including Hydration Supply & Sales Rights Provision of hydration products to all club players, staff, and official events.

They will also enjoy exclusive sales rights for Le Country Mineral Water at all Asante Kotoko home matches.

“Asante Kotoko SC continues to welcome valuable partners into our growing ecosystem, all with a shared vision to empower the club, its players, and its fans,” the club added in its notice.

KINSHASA, July 20, (Xinhua/GNA) — The declaration of principles signed in Doha on Saturday between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group, has been broadly welcomed as a step toward ending the long-running conflict in the eastern DRC.The document, brokered by Qatar after months of discreet mediation, outlines a series of agreed-upon principles to guide further talks.

While not a final peace deal, the declaration marks a key step toward a comprehensive agreement.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, Qatari minister of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the declaration reflects the parties’ commitment to a peaceful settlement. He said Qatar remains committed to supporting the process to bring peace, development, and stability to the DRC people.

According to the document, both sides have agreed to resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation, within the existing peace framework endorsed by the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the African Union (AU).

The declaration outlines a commitment to a permanent ceasefire, and prohibits any attempt to seize new positions by force. It calls for the creation of an oversight and verification mechanism to ensure the ceasefire is properly implemented and applies to all armed forces involved in the conflict.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the AU Commission, welcomed the signing of the declaration as “a major milestone” in the ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace, security, and stability in the eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region.

He acknowledged the invaluable contributions of all stakeholders, including regional facilitators from the EAC and the SADC.

Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, said the declaration laid a “foundation for fruitful negotiations, leading to a permanent ceasefire with M23.” With Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe appointed the AU mediator in the DRC crisis, Dussey reaffirmed his country’s support for the mediation efforts.
The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) welcomed the signing of the declaration, saying that it “paves the way for durable peace, security, and the return of displaced persons and refugees.”

Crucially, the declaration commits both the DRC government and the M23 rebels to protecting civilian populations and to facilitating the enforcement of the ceasefire. MONUSCO is expected to play a key role in this process, alongside regional mechanisms, through a jointly agreed verification mechanism aimed at ensuring compliance on the ground. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the declaration signed in Doha, crediting Qatari mediation in facilitating the agreement. “For the Congolese people and the Great Lakes region, this peace dynamic rekindles hope and trust,” Macron said, adding that France would continue its efforts in support of peace in the region.

As part of its commitment, France is set to host a high-level meeting on the Great Lakes region in September, aimed at reinforcing international support for regional stability and diplomatic coordination.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, welcomed the signing of the declaration and called on all parties to fully and sincerely implement their commitments to achieve a comprehensive peace deal. He urged stakeholders to act “in good faith” and to fully honor the obligations outlined in the agreement.
GNA