Von der Leyen noted in the article published on Tuesday that she is engaged in numerous discussions with heads of state and government, citing countries such as Iceland, New Zealand, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, India, Thailand, Mexico – and also South America.

She expressed that she could conduct such discussions around the clock, emphasizing that many countries are seeking closer ties with Europe.

In the ongoing trade dispute between the European Union and the United States, both parties have recently agreed to suspend certain extra tariffs for 90 days to facilitate negotiations.

The EU has consistently stated it will implement decisive measures against US tariffs if these negotiations do not succeed.

GNA

PDC

London, Apr. 15, (PA Media/dpa/GNA) – British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has urged the warring parties in Sudan to “put peace first” and ensure aid is distributed across the country, following a £120 million ($158.8 million) boost in funding from the UK.

Lammy said it is “morally wrong” to give up on Sudan, as he spoke at a conference in London to mark the conflict’s anniversary.

Fighting in the north-east African country began in April 2023 with armed clashes between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary organization and the Sudanese Armed Forces.

According to United Nations (UN) agencies, more than 12.7 million people have been forcibly displaced in the war, with 1.1 million moving into South Sudan and 1.5 million into Egypt.

The British government has said the £120 million food and aid package will aim to reach more than 600,000 people, by supplying people including vulnerable children with pulses, oils, salts and cereals.

It will also help provide emergency support to survivors of sexual violence.

In his opening remarks at the London Sudan Conference on Tuesday, Lammy said: “Two years on from this war starting, with front lines shifting again, I fear that many onlookers feel a sense of deja vu.

“The country’s fraught history also means that some conclude that further conflict is effectively inevitable. Many have given up on Sudan. That is wrong.

“It’s morally wrong when we see so many civilians beheaded, infants as young as one subjected to sexual violence, more people facing famine than anywhere else in the world. We simply cannot look away.

“And, as I speak, civilians and aid workers in El Fasher, Zamzam IDP camp, are facing unimaginable violence.

“With over 4 million refugees having fled the country and instability spreading far beyond Sudan’s borders, it’s also strategically wrong to forget Sudan.

“And that’s why, as Foreign Secretary, I refuse to turn away, I felt a duty to confront this war’s horrors head on.”

He added: “Today I’m announcing a further £120 million worth of support. But the biggest obstacle is not a lack of funding … it’s a lack of political will.

“Very simply, we have got to persuade the warring parties to protect civilians, to let aid in, and across the country, and to put peace first. And so we do need patient diplomacy.”

The UK is co-hosting the London Sudan Conference alongside the 55-member African Union bloc, the European Union, France and Germany, attended by representatives from other states including South Sudan, Saudi Arabia and the US.

Lammy said he hopes principles for future diplomatic engagement can be agreed upon during the conference.

He added: “We cannot resign ourselves to inevitable conflict, we cannot be back here one year from now having the same discussions.”

The aid package follows a separate £113 million aid package announced last November, before the British government decision to cut UK development spending from 0.5% of GNI (gross national income) to 0.3% by 2027.

Ahead of the meeting, United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the UN wants to see Sudan’s “neighbours and the international community move in unity of purpose towards peace instead of fuelling the conflict.”

GNA

PDC

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has underscored the vital role of guidance and advisory services in ensuring the success of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana.

Speaking on the challenges faced by SMEs, Mr. Debrah noted that many businesses struggle or collapse prematurely due to a lack of proper support and foundational knowledge.

In an interview with Citi News on Tuesday, April 15, Mr. Debrah explained why financial institutions such as the African Development Bank and Exim Bank will be participating in the upcoming Kwahu Business Forum 2025, scheduled for Saturday, April 19.

“You know, as we all sit here, generally speaking, everybody says that, oh, if you need support, go to the bank. If you need support, go to the bank. People may not even know that there are banks that even offer advisory services,” he remarked.

He highlighted the importance of these advisory services, which help entrepreneurs navigate essential early steps, such as conducting feasibility studies before starting a manufacturing venture.

Mr. Debrah stressed that without such guidance, many SMEs are ill-prepared for long-term sustainability.

“They think they could just do it, you know, and that’s why most SMEs start and they fail. But they don’t get appropriate guidance from the word go,” he added.

He expressed confidence in the positive impact of institutions participating in the Kwahu Business Forum, noting their ability to educate and support entrepreneurs.

“These institutions that are coming, I believe they are all gonna talk about the various things they can do to support the business community,” he said.

Mr. Debrah encouraged entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the forum by engaging with these institutions, listening to their advice, and aligning their business goals with the resources available to them.

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No law supports flogging of defiant traders – Simon Osei-Mensah

In an era of geopolitical tensions, climate disruptions, and shifting trade dynamics, supply chain stability has become a strategic priority for CEOs.

Companies that once optimised for cost now realise that resilience, flexibility, and visibility are critical to sustained success. CEOs must lead the charge in future-proofing their supply chains.

Key Actions for Building a Resilient Supply Chain

1. Map and Monitor the Entire Chain.
• Gain visibility beyond your Tier 1 suppliers.
• Use digital tools to monitor risk hotspots in real time.

2. Diversify Sourcing and Logistics.
• Avoid overdependence on single suppliers or regions.
• Build alternative routes and partners to ensure business continuity.

3. Invest in Local and Regional Sourcing.
• Explore opportunities for nearshoring or local partnerships to reduce reliance on international supply routes.
• Strengthen Ghanaian supplier ecosystems where possible.

4. Use Data to Anticipate Disruptions.
• Leverage AI and predictive analytics to forecast potential delays or shortages.
• Make scenario planning part of your supply chain strategy.

5. Collaborate Closely with Strategic Partners.
• Treat suppliers as long-term collaborators, not just vendors.
• Co-create contingency plans and innovation roadmaps with them.

Actionable Tip for Today:

Request a supply chain risk assessment from your operations or procurement team. Identify at least one high-risk dependency and create a plan to mitigate it over the next quarter.

Why This Matters:

In today’s interconnected global economy, supply chain disruptions can cripple a company’s operations and reputation. CEOs who invest in resilience gain a competitive edge by protecting margins, ensuring reliability, and earning customer trust.

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 Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly has confirmed the President’s nominee, Lawyer Frederick Festinous Faidoo, as the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE).

Lawyer Faidoo, a former parliamentary candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Takoradi Constituency, received 41 votes out of the 52 total ballots cast, securing his position as the new CEO of the Assembly.

His confirmation was followed by a swearing-in ceremony held on Tuesday, April 15, where he expressed his appreciation to the President for the nomination and the assembly members for their overwhelming endorsement.

In his inaugural address, Lawyer Faidoo outlined his vision for the metropolis, pledging to focus on enhancing local economic development to create jobs, improving revenue mobilisation, and enforcing bylaws with greater efficiency.

“I will also encourage strong collaboration between the Assembly and the judiciary in the enforcement of our bylaws,” he stated.

He emphasised his commitment to inclusive governance and promised to work closely with Members of Parliament and key institutions under what he described as the “resetting agenda.”

“My tenure will be remarkable for consultation with relevant stakeholders in decision-making. I am also committed to accountability through proven good governance practices, including periodic engagements and town hall meetings,” he added.

In a related development within the region, Otis Dentu, the NDC Constituency Communication Officer for Shama, has also been confirmed as the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Shama.

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has highlighted the Kwahu Business Forum as a key initiative to foster entrepreneurship and support the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana.

Speaking about President Mahama’s vision in an interview with Citi News, Debrah emphasised the need to unlock the country’s entrepreneurial potential and leverage the vast opportunities within the West African subregion.

According to Debrah, the forum scheduled for Saturday April 19, is designed to help Ghanaian businesses expand their reach to markets in neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso and Mali.

“The objective of this Kwahu Business Forum is to grow businesses,” he stated, adding that the initiative aligns with the President’s goal of developing more Ghanaian-owned SMEs that champion export and manufacturing.

Debrah clarified that while the government will not directly establish factories or industries, it is committed to providing the necessary support to enable the private sector to thrive.

The forum serves as a platform for private participants, particularly SMEs, to brainstorm and collaborate on strategies for growth.

This year’s edition of the Kwahu Business Forum builds on the success of the inaugural event. Debrah noted that financial institutions, investor banks, and other organisations have been invited to participate, with many managing directors and chief executives personally attending.

These leaders will deliver presentations on products and services that can benefit SMEs, while an exhibition will showcase offerings from various banks.

Debrah expressed optimism about the forum’s potential to create a lasting impact, stating that it reflects President Mahama’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and driving economic growth.

“At the end of the day, he’ll be able to say that during my tenure as president, I was able to help develop businesses that are championing export and manufacturing,” he remarked.

Read also…

Prioritise unity, avoid public outbursts – Afenyo-Markin urges NPP

The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has opposed the recent increase in utility tariffs approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

GUTA argued that the reasons for the tariff hike are unjustified, citing systemic inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement within the utility sector as the primary issues.

This was contained in a statement signed by the union’s General Secretary, Alpha Shaban on April 15.

The statement explained that the tariff hike unfairly burdens consumers, particularly domestic and commercial users, and criticizes the PURC and utility providers for failing to address wastage and corruption.

GUTA highlighted several problems, including inflated procurement costs benefiting individuals, ineffective bill collection from state institutions leading to debts passed on to consumers, rampant illegal connections, weak oversight by the PURC, and theft such as the missing ECG containers scandal.

On the back of this, GUTA is demanding stronger government action against corruption, including recovering stolen state assets and improving utility management.

They stressed the country’s potential for economic growth if resources are properly managed.

Mismanagement in the utility sector raises production costs for local industries and agriculture, worsening inflation and currency depreciation. GUTA urged collaboration among stakeholders to leverage resources for national development.

GUTA’s statement condemns the utility sector’s inefficiencies and calls for urgent reforms.

They stress the need for transparency, accountability, and better governance to protect consumers and stabilise the economy, arguing that Ghana’s development is hindered by corruption and poor management.

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.

eTranzact Ghana Limited, a leading provider of innovative payment technology solutions, has been honoured with two prestigious awards at the Ghana Corporate Finance Awards and Dinner Gala 2025.

The Fintech company won the Outstanding Payments Technology Provider of the Year 2024, while its Chief Executive Officer, John Apea, was crowned the Outstanding Fintech CEO of the Year.

These awards reaffirm eTranzact Ghana’s leadership in financial technologies service provision, commitment to the growth of the Fintech ecosystem as a pacesetter, and excellence in corporate finance.

eTranzact Ghana has consistently pioneered fintech industry transformation, integrating new technological innovations to enhance its business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-customer (B2C) offerings for improved client experience.

Winning Outstanding Payments Technology Provider of the Year highlights eTranzact’s successful deployment of user-friendly digital solutions, including the XCEL Ghana mobile app which has made day-to-day electronic transactions more convenient, secure, and efficient.

The innovative XCEL mobile app available on Apple store and Google platform enables sending and receiving money effortlessly to bank accounts, mobile wallets, and between XCEL virtual accounts, Micro-Savings with eSusu, Bill Payments and Airtime Top-Ups, Bill Payments & Airtime Top-Ups, Affordable Transaction Costs, and seamless payment gateways setting new standards in the industry and enabling millions of Ghanaians to access secure and convenient financial services.

These new laurels are the fourth for the brand this year as it was similarly crowned ‘Fintech Company of the Year’ 2024 and also secured the ‘Leading Payments Technology Service Provider’ of the Year for the second consecutive year, at the fourth Ghana Fintech Awards (GFA) held in March 2025.

The award-winning eTranzact CEO, John Apea, in an exclusive interview with the B&FT after the honours, emphasized that the awards reflect the company’s consistency in delivering reliable, scalable, and user-friendly payment solutions that empower businesses and individuals to transact with ease.

“What is interesting about the awards is that usually pioneers don’t win awards after 20 years of set up because new entrants try to justify themselves and win these awards, but we are still winning, which shows that we are always reinventing ourselves and raising the standards high.”

“These laurels again, are a testament to our hard work and continuous innovation. Most of the time, we are seen as pioneers in digital payment systems. Before the word Fintech became a sexy buy word, we were already doing it in a form known as ‘text me cash’,” he said.

Mr. Apea elaborated that the Fintech industry is a disruptive space and eTranzact is always trying to be disruptive and partners with banks and other FinTechs to innovatively deliver the best of products to the public.

He assured the public of the introduction of some new disruptive products that will be in the coming month before the end of year 2025.

The Ghana Corporate Finance Awards

The Ghana Corporate Finance Awards gala and dinner, organised by the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana (EFG), was held under the theme, “Celebrating Excellence in the Corporate Finance Industry,” and is designed to highlight the most exceptional achievements of CEOs, organisations and service providers across the various categories within the finance industry.

It is a symbol of prestige that validates an organisation’s hard work and dedication.

The Financial service industry is the backbone of the Ghanaian economy, facilitating trade, investments and economic growth. Amidst the fierce competition and constantly changing market dynamics, standing out as a leader is a testament to an organization’s excellence.

This award program celebrates banks and financial institutions that have achieved remarkable success and growth. The award is based on achievements made in the period 1 January 2024 – 1 January 2025.

The CEO concluded that the company would continue to pursue excellence in delivering cutting-edge, secure, and reliable payment technology solutions to businesses.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin

The Minority in Parliament is raising red flags over what it describes as data manipulation by the government, following the announcement of a new staff-level agreement between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Ghana.

According to the Minority, discrepancies between fiscal figures presented by the Finance Ministry and those assessed by the IMF suggest deliberate efforts to misrepresent the country’s economic performance for political gain.

“While the Minister for Finance, in the 2025 Budget, announced the primary fiscal deficit on a commitment basis (the fiscal anchor of the IMF programme) to be 3.9% of GDP, the IMF found it to be 3.25%, a difference of about 0.7% of GDP,” the Minority stated.

They also accused the IMF of shifting the goalposts in its analysis, stating:

“The IMF itself departed from its own definition of the primary fiscal balance as outlined in the Technical Memorandum of Understanding agreed at the beginning of the programme.”

The Minority’s concern centers on the treatment of multi-year payables.

“By allowing multi-year payables to feature in the determination of the primary fiscal balance as if they occurred in 2024, the IMF Ghana Mission has effectively assessed the fiscal balance using metrics that differ from all previous reviews conducted under the programme.”

Despite their concerns, the Minority expressed hope that the IMF Executive Board’s final decision would be grounded in transparency and objectivity.

“We are confident that the Executive Board of the IMF will review the fiscal performance with integrity and ensure that our economy is free from data manipulation, thereby restoring confidence in the country’s fiscal data,” the statement concluded.

While acknowledging progress under the Extended Credit Facility programme, the IMF also flagged a sharp decline in performance toward the end of 2024.

The Fund cited several issues, including fiscal slippages ahead of the elections, ballooning government arrears, inflation overshooting targets, and stalled structural reforms.

If approved, the new agreement will unlock an additional US$370 million in financial support for Ghana, a critical injection as the country continues efforts to restore macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.

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Dr. Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, Acting Director General, GAC

Ghana has set the wheels in motion for the local manufacturing of HIV commodities including condoms, test kits and anti-retroviral medications, the Ghana AIDS Commission has announced.

Plans are afoot and officials are already in talks with pharmaceutical companies in the country to commence production in earnest from next year.

The move is part of a grand domestic HIV response sustainability programme to make the country self-reliant in the wake of the recent decline in foreign funding for the disease.

Dr Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, the Acting Director-General of the Commission, observed that about 80 per cent of the commodities used for HIV care services were imported, making local manufacturing extremely necessary.

He made the remarks when he met stakeholders in the Central Region to introduce himself as the new Director General and to rekindle collaborations in the response to HIV.

The meeting discussed achievements, setbacks, and new strategies to drive down the disease in Ghana.

Dr Akanbong noted that there were some existing pharmaceutical factories that had the capacity and would be supported with adequate technology.

“We are collaborating with GIZ who are bringing them technology, and we are looking at the challenges that affect the local manufacturers and with the support of the technology, those pharmaceutical companies should be able to produce those commodities that we want,” he said.

Aside from the HIV commodities, the Acting Director-General explained that the move also included the local manufacturing of vaccines through the West Africa Vaccines Centre, to save foreign exchange on the importation of medications, commodities, and vaccines.

“In the long term, we need to also strengthen our health system where we can have the capacity to do viral load, drug resistance and laboratory tests,” he stressed.

Dr Mrs Agnes Achiama Anane, the Acting Central Regional Director of Health, indicated that new HIV infections had increased in the region and it required all stakeholders’ participation to mitigate it.

She expressed worry over the worsened incidence of drug abuse and risky sexual behaviours among the youth, calling for intensified education on the virus.

She suggested that HIV clubs in various basic and secondary schools must be reactivated to drive behavioural change among students.

Dr Anane further raised concerns about the increasing number of patients on free treatment who were defaulting, citing stigma as leading cause.

Mr Bless Darkey, the Acting Regional Coordinating Director, acknowledged the progress made in the region over the years but was quick to admit that they were not out of woods yet.

He observed that despite the hard efforts by stakeholders, there had not been any serious behavioural change with new cases being recorded daily, stressing the need to strengthen the fight.

He commended the Director General for embarking on the exercise to whip up interest to combat HIV aids in the region.

Mr Emmanuel Essuman, the Central Regional Director of Education, pledged the commitment of the Ghana Education Service to the HIV response but urged stakeholders to follow due process to access the schools.

Dr Fred Nana Poku, the Director for Technical Services of the Ghana AIDS Commission, emphasised the need for Ghana AIDS Commission, the Ministry of Gender, human rights institutions, CSOs, MMDAs, the private sector, corporate institutions, and all relevant groups to strengthen the response.

“We need to collaborate and complement one another’s strength to drive down the new infections and the prevalence rate,” he said.

Ever heard of a colonial fort with a children’s dungeon and a unique shrine for the slaves? Find out the details with Etsey Atisu as he toured Fort William at Anomabo below:

 The Coordinating Director of the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaD­MA), Daniel Nkrumah, has cau­tioned residents of La against open defecation, particularly along the La beach area, stating that those caught will face legal action.

‘’No one would be spared, if you are caught defecating openly along the La Beach or any place within the municipality’’ Mr Nkrumah cautioned.

Speaking at the inauguration of a new Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facility at Kowe-Jorna in the Abafum-Abese Electoral Area on Thursday, Mr Nkrumah revealed that a dedicated sanitation task force would soon be formed to monitor and patrol the beach and other areas.

According to him, the task force would operate both day and night, and anyone caught engaging in open defecation would be prose­cuted at the La Sanitation Court.

The WASH facility, he said, comprises of a 32-seater water closet toilet, 20 bathrooms fitted with showers, two storage rooms, a gatehouse and a borehole.

The Director further elaborated that the project was made possible through a public-private partner­ship (PPP), between the assembly and Aging Developers Company Limited.

He urged the community to serve as ambassadors by encour­aging others to use the facility responsibly rather than going to the seaside.

“I urged you all to comply with the directives by ensuring that ev­eryone utilises this facility respon­sibly other than going to defecating at the seaside” Mr Nkrumah stated.

The Director stressed that maintenance was the key factor for a longevity of the facility and pleaded with the community to ensure nothing get destroyed or broken at the place.

He reiterates the commitment of the assembly to replicate such projects at all the communities in the municipality.

In a message delivered on her behalf, the Member of Parliament for La Dade-Kotopon Constit­uency, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, stated that the project would help to improve sanitation and promote good health in the municipality.

The MP, who is also the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, asked the operators of the facility to the ensure that the place was maintain regularly to curtail un­foreseen health issues.

The La Shiketele (Kingmaker), Nii Adjei Koofeh IV, expressed the Councils appreciation to the assembly for the provision of the facility and pleaded with the com­munity to make good use of it.

“No one has any excuse to def­ecate at the seaside again because the assembly has provided us with this modern WASH facility in the community, please use it respon­sibly for the sake of our health and wellbeing,” Nii Koofeh IV advised.

Nii Koofeh IV also entreated each user to make sure the place is safe and neat after they use it to enable the next user to use it without challenges.

 BY VICTOR A. BUXTON

The tariff of electricity has been increased by 14.75 percent and water by 4.02 percent from May 3

The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) has strongly opposed the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s (PURC) recent utility tariff increase, describing the justification as untenable, citing systemic mismanagement in the sector.

The Public Utilities Regulato­ry Commission (PURC) announced an upward adjust­ment in water and electricity tariffs effective May 3, 2025.

Under the new tariff adjustment, the tariff of electricity has been increased by 14.75 percent and water by 4.02 percent.

A statement signed by the new Executive Secretary of PURC, Dr Shafic Suleman, explained that a total payment of the outstanding revenues from the previous quarters had resulted in a much higher increase in both electricity and water tariffs.

However, according to a statement released on April 15, 2025, and signed by Secretary-General Azimy Alpha Ashaban, GUTA dismissed the reasons given by the PURC, adding that there is a lot of wastage in the sectors which first needed to be addressed.

“For us, these reasons do not hold water. We appreciate the fact that life is not static; changes are inevitable when they are necessary but not at the whim of any particular body.

“It is an open secret that there is a lot of wastage in the management of electricity and water, which every well-meaning Ghanaian will attest to this plain truth,” the statement read.

GUTA highlighted five key inefficiencies plaguing Ghana’s utility providers including inflated procurement costs benefiting individuals at state expense, poor debt collection from state institutions, burdening other consumers, unchecked illegal connections due to lax enforcement, regulatory failures in monitoring service providers and the theft of ECG assets, including missing containers recently found in Tema.

“If indeed the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission is strict on the management of these utility Service Providers to ensure there is value for money, most of the wastages due to a combination of factors, including stealing and stealing-related cases, could have been halted,” the association stated.

The traders’ body demanded immediate government action to recover stolen state funds and prosecute offenders, arguing that tariff hikes cannot substitute for proper sector reforms.

“GUTA is asking the state actors to sit up, collaborate with all relevant stakeholders, harness all available resources, and leverage them for our national development, rather than living in this seeming poverty and squalor in the midst of plenty.

“We, therefore, appeal to the government to focus much attention on this negative attitude to public service, identify all those who steal, divert, misappropriate, misapply and/or loot state funds or property and deal with them decisively to recover all stolen properties of the state,” the body concluded.

The PURC has yet to respond to these allegations as tensions mount between regulators and business operators ahead of the tariff implementation.

See the statement below:

ID/MA

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By Edward Dankwah

Accra, April 15, GNA – The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, has announced that the Government will reintroduce National Sanitation Day on May 3, 2025.

“As such, a directive will be issued to all churches during the Easter weekend—Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—to inform their congregants on the urgent need to address the country’s sanitation challenges,” he stated,

Mr. Ibrahim made the disclosure during a courtesy call to the Christian Council of Ghana, the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, and the Southern Ghana Union of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

He was seeking their partnership in the fight against poor sanitation.

From early morning until 1000 hours on May 3, commercial activities will be suspended, shops closed, and citizens expected to refrain from work during this period.

Mr. Ibrahim stressed the importance of unified efforts to combat the ongoing cholera outbreak, which has claimed 49 lives, with 581 recorded cases across 58 districts since October.

“Tackling poor sanitation is a national concern, and it requires a united, collective effort from every citizen,” he emphasised.

“It is a shared responsibility, and together, we must take action” he added.

The minister highlighted environmental degradation caused by human activities, noting, “Fishermen increasingly return with plastic waste instead of fish, and farmlands face reduced soil fertility due to environmental damage.”

“While a ban on plastics may not be immediately feasible, our primary strategy is to promote recycling.

“With recycling plants already established in the country, the focus now is on public education and waste segregation,” he added.

The initiative will include nationwide clean-up efforts in partnership with environmental service providers to desilt gutters and collect waste.

Mr. Ibrahim urged engagement with traditional authorities, religious institutions, and communities to mobilize support.

Right Reverend Dr. Hilliard Dogbe, Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, pledged the Council’s commitment to support the initiative.

“We assure you of our full commitment to this cause, not merely as a responsibility, but as a moral and spiritual obligation,” he noted,

Dr. Dogbe linked ethical leadership to environmental stewardship, stating, “Caring for the environment is not only a national and civic duty but also a Christian obligation.”

“We assure you of our full commitment to this cause, not merely as a responsibility, but as a moral and spiritual obligation.

“We will continue to advocate strongly for environmental care and ensure it remains a priority in our collective actions,” he stressed.

GNA

KAS

The Electricity Company of Ghana has commenced the construction of another distribution line (feeder) to improve power supply in some Greater Kumasi towns under the Atwima Kwanwoma Constituency.

According to the power distributor, the Project which has seen 40% of work done is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 at a cost of GHs2,287,841.31.

Ing. George Amoah, ECG General Manager for Ashanti West Region disclosed that the project is a  Creation of a new 11kv feeder from the Kumasi Asekyem Primary Sustation to relieve the 11kv Kokoben and Ampabame feeders.

When completed consumers around Ahenema Kokoben, Trede, Heman, Darko, Ampatia, Ampabame, Kotwi, Pakyi, Bebu, Brofoyedru, Bekwame and its environs will benefit significantly.

Ing. Amoah explained that the new distribution line includes erecting 85 new Hight Tension poles, 11kV headgear, stringing of new conductors and other materials.

According to the Ashanti West Regional General Manager, Ing. George Amoah, the mission of the company which is  “to provide quality, reliable and safe electricity services to support the socio-economic growth and development of Ghana informed management’s decision to commence this project to provide convenience for our customers.

“We are aware of significant load growth towards the Ampabame enclave with the ongoing road construction and massive infrastructure springing up everyday, hence the need to initiate and complete this project to relieve existing distribution lines like Apire, Kokoben, Ampabame and also take care of future demand in the area.

The General Manager revealed that the project has the following benefits:

1)Reduction of system losses.

2)Improved reliability and stable power supply within the enclave to enhance customer satisfaction.

3) Improved Voltage Profile as the issues of low voltage will be addressed with the completion of this new distribution line.

4)Operational efficiency and flexibility since the company can now supply power to that enclave with four different distribution lines.

Ing. Amoah underscored the importance of this project as a step in the right direction towards the  provision of reliable and quality power supply to attract businesses to the Region and ensure all customers are happy with the services of ECG.

Ing. Amoah announced that the company is embarking on similar projects across the Region to improve electricity supply to customers.

He urged customers to desist from illegal connections and pay their bills promptly to enable ECG to serve them better through the completion of existing projects and initiation of new ones that will inure to their benefits.

Ing. Amoah also advised customers to take advantage of the newly introduced ECG cashless system by downloading the ECG PowerApp from Google playstore or AppStore or use the shortcode *226# to pay their bills before ECG Officials visit their premises.

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.

Cedi sells at GH¢21.00 at some forex bureaus

For the first time since November 2024, the British Pound is currently selling above GH¢21.00 at some forex bureaus.

The cedi has remained relatively stable in recent weeks, despite ongoing trade tensions in the United States.

According to the Bank of Ghana’s daily update on April 15, 2025, the cedi was trading at a buying price of GH¢15.50 and a selling price of GH¢15.52 to the US dollar.

The British Pound was being bought at GH¢20.43 and sold at GH¢20.46, while the Euro traded at a buying price of GH¢17.62 and a selling price of GH¢17.63.

However, checks by GhanaWeb Business on CediRates on April 15, 2025, at 2:40 PM indicate that the cedi is trading at GH¢16.05 to the dollar, while the Pound is being sold at GH¢21.00 at some major forex bureaus across the country.

Additionally, the Euro is trading at GH¢18.10 on the retail market.

In practical terms, converting £1,000 today would require approximately GH¢21,000.

Reports suggest that while the dollar rate has remained stable, the Euro and Pound have experienced fluctuations due to shifts by investors following recent trade agreements.

SSD/MA

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The Minority Caucus in Parliament

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has donated GH¢200,000 to support victims of the Kantamanto Market fire outbreak.

During a visit to the market on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, appealed to the government to provide assistance to the affected traders.

“Parliament recently approved the 2025 budget; we are aware that the Contingency Fund exists to support individuals during times like this.

“We also appeal to financial institutions to take the situation into account and reduce interest rates to offer some relief.

“Additionally, we urge companies from whom traders have taken loans to consider the circumstances and ease the financial burden by lowering interest rates,” he remarked.

On January 2, 2025, hundreds of traders were displaced after a devastating fire engulfed the Kantamanto Market in Accra.

Watch the video below:

Minority donates GHS200k to Kantamanto fire victims

The Minority in Parliament, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has donated GHS200,000 to support victims of the January 2 fire at Kantamanto Market.

They’ve also urged government to tap into the Contingency Fund to offer more… pic.twitter.com/1bgeSGW7Y5

— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) April 15, 2025

JKB/MA

Ever heard of a colonial fort with a children’s dungeon and a unique shrine for the slaves? Find out the details with Etsey Atisu as he toured Fort William at Anomabo below: