Unilever Ghana PLC, despite the challenging macroeconomic environment, posted a profit of GH¢ 58 million in 2024.

The company also maintained a strong cash position of GH¢ 97 million.

The Managing Director of Unilever Ghana PLC, Mr Christo­pher Wulff-Caesar, who stated this last Friday, during the company’s turn at the “Facts Behind the Fig­ures” series of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) said the compa­ny performed creditably amidst a dynamic economic landscape.

“Our performance in 2024 re­flects not only the strength of our trusted brands but also the agility of our business model,” he said.

He said Unilever Ghana PLC reported a revenue of GH¢ 930.8 million in 2024, compared with 2023 GH¢ 908.6 million,” Mr Wulff-Caesar, stated.

He said Unilever Ghana con­tinued to lead in the Oral Care and Personal Care categories.

“The company has remained focused on innovation, opera­tional efficiency, and building the equity of its heritage brands such as Pepsodent, Geisha, and Vaseline,” he said.

Mr Wulff-Caesar stated that in 2024, the company further ex­panded its product portfolio, with the launch of Omo Autos and the reintroduction of Omo Handwash, which had significantly strength­ened the company’s Home Care segment.

In alignment with Unilever’s Growth Action Plan (GAP), the Managing Director emphasised several impactful sustainability initiatives, particularly in support of plastics and livelihoods.

He said through the Ghana Recycling Initiative by Private En­terprises the company had champi­oned the development of a viable plastic economy.

The Managing Director said the company initiated a plastics educa­tion programme at its site and in various basic schools in collabora­tion with key players in the plastics industry.

The Managing Director indi­cated that Unilever Ghana PLC also partnered with the British Government and Ernst & Young to support two Ghanaian enterprises in the plastic and agriculture sectors with funding of one hundred thou­sand pounds (£100,000) each.

“Through our hygiene educa­tion programmes, Pepsodent teach­es over one million Ghanaians an­nually the proper way of brushing their teeth day and night through the twice-brushing campaign in basic schools and communities across the country, alongside prod­uct donations aimed at enhancing the health and hygiene status of the beneficiaries,” he said

Mr Wulff-Caesar reiterated the company’s purpose of “Brightening Everyday Life for All,” asserting: “We remain committed to driving consistent, competitive, profitable, and responsible growth through innovation, sustainability, and our people.”

 BY KINGSLEY ASARE

Ghana’s local currency, the cedi trading at GH¢10.30 to $1

Ghana’s local currency, the cedi, has appreciated slightly on the interbank market against major trading currencies, particularly the US dollar.

In its daily update, the Bank of Ghana noted that the cedi is trading at a buying price of GH$10.29 and a selling price of GH¢10.30 to the dollar.

The British pound is being bought at GH¢13.86 and sold at GH¢13.88, while the euro is trading at a buying price of GH¢11.86 and a selling price of GH$11.87.

Checks by GhanaWeb Business on June 18, 2025, at 8:40 AM indicate that the cedi is trading at GH¢12.00, while the pound is selling at GH¢16.90 at some forex bureaus across the country.

Additionally, the euro is trading at GH¢14.70 on the retail market.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana has announced that Ghana is expected to receive $360 million from the IMF in July 2025 to further stabilise the cedi.

SP/AE

#TrendingGH: Drivers react to government’s new GH¢1 energy levy on petroleum products

BRUSSELS, June 19, (Xinhua/GNA) — The European Commission on Tuesday proposed legislation to phase out all Russian natural gas and oil imports to the European Union (EU) by the end of 2027.

The draft regulation, part of the Commission’s REPowerEU Roadmap, bans the conclusion of new contracts for Russian gas as of Jan. 1, 2026, and mandates the termination of existing short-term contracts by June 17, 2026.

Long-term pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) contracts with Russian suppliers would be permitted to run only until the end of 2027.

EU member states are required to present diversification plans with precise measures and milestones for the gradual elimination of Russian gas and oil imports, said the Commission in the press release.

EU member states will also be required to report on Russian gas volumes and contractual obligations, including LNG shipments, to enhance transparency and enforceability.

The plan also targets Russian oil, setting a 2027 deadline for ending imports. While Russian oil has already dropped from 27 percent of EU imports in early 2022 to just 3 percent in 2024, the Commission argued that a complete cessation is necessary to eliminate residual risks.

The regulation still requires adoption by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, with a qualified majority needed for approval.
GNA

CAIRO, June 19, (Xinhua/GNA) — Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, on Tuesday called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions between Iran and Israel, advocating for political and diplomatic solutions and a return to negotiations.

During a phone conversation, the two ministers stressed that there is no military solution to the crisis, warning that further escalation could have dire repercussions for regional security and stability, according to a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Both Abdelatty and Lavrov affirmed that restoring calm, is the sole pathway to prevent the current conflict from expanding to neighboring countries and the broader region.

The two ministers also exchanged the results of their recent contacts, with a number of ministers and senior officials in the region and the United States to de-escalate the situation.

The deadly aerial conflict between Iran and Israel has entered its fifth day, with at least 244 people killed in Iran and 24 in Israel.

The escalation was triggered by Israel’s surprise airstrikes across Iran on June 13.
GNA

The said image has reportedly been circulated widely across billboards and social media

An onion seller near Makola Market in Accra, Madam Faustina Djagbele Abbey, has filed a GH¢2 million lawsuit against telecom giant Telecel, operated by Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited, for what she describes as a gross violation of her privacy, personal liberties, and image rights.

According to court documents filed at the High Court, through her legal counsel Bernard Owiredu Donkor of Thompson Law Consult, Madam Abbey claims Telecel used her photograph without her knowledge or consent in marketing campaigns for the company’s “Telecel Red Save” product.

The said image has reportedly been circulated widely across billboards, traditional media, and social media platforms.

In her statement of claim, Madam Abbey avers that she only became aware of the unauthorised use of her image after being alerted by friends and customers. She says the unexpected publicity has led to psychological distress, strained family relations, and misconceptions about her financial status.

According to her, some family members now assume she has become financially well-off, resulting in tension and discomfort in her personal life.

“The use of my photograph without my consent has unnecessarily exposed me,” Madam Abbey noted in her writ.

“I am unable to deal with the enormous publicity. It has impacted heavily on my mental health.”

She also alleges that Telecel’s actions were deliberate and targeted, exploiting her vulnerable position as a market trader for corporate gain. She warns that the company is likely to continue its conduct unless the court intervenes.

Madam Abbey is seeking three key reliefs from the High Court:

1. A declaration that Telecel violated her privacy and personal liberties.

2. A declaration that her image rights were abused through the unauthorized use of her photo.

3. An order directing Telecel to pay GH¢2,000,000.00 as compensation for the alleged violations.

Additionally, she wants all advertisements bearing her image whether on billboards, social media, or any other platforms to be pulled down.

AM/KA

Over the years, many economists and finance experts have espoused laudable ideas and proposed various initiatives to revive and make the country’s oil refinery entity, the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) viable.

A strong TOR has manifold benefits to the functioning of the Ghanaian economy in various aspects, stemming from energy and fuel security and sustainability, stability of fuel prices, potent weapon for mitigating foreign exchange pressures/volatility , strengthen Ghana’s trade balance. seeking multi-sectorial industrial expansion and economic diversification through to balancing of the economic fundamentals to ensure sustained economic recovery

The Current State

TOR, established in 1963, currently has a total installed capacity of 45,000 barrels per stream per day (bpsd). Over the decades, Ghana’s only petroleum refinery has been dormant because of operational and financial challenges, including maintenance issues, capacity under-utilisation, operational inefficiencies, under-investment, incoherent policies, financial mismanagement and political interference.

Currently, TOR only supports importers of finished petroleum products with its facilities. The refinery has a crude storage capacity of 1,925,348 barrels across 59 tanks, representing 44% of Ghana’s national storage capacity. TOR is also the country’s sole producer of Premix fuel and operates the largest LPG storage facility in Ghana. Looking ahead, the refinery is seeking $25 million to support the maintenance and reactivation of an essential unit within its crude distillation unit. The goal is to enhance operational efficiency and ensure TOR’s continued role in sustaining national fuel distribution and energy security.

Ghana is poised for a significant expansion in crude production. Backed by over 1.1 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and 2.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, the country is said to be ramping up production. This must be backed by indigenous refinery efforts.

There is an urgent need to inject new capital and technical expertise into the refinery, open up the place to partnerships to rejuvenate the fortunes of the ailing Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) as the refinery is in dire need of partnerships to help retool, modernize and expand its capacity. The revival of TOR is seen as critical to reducing Ghana’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products and strengthening the country’s energy security.

An OILBOARD to the Rescue?

The country is already reaping the benefits of the novel Gold-for-reserve programme which is being bolstered by the establishment of GOLDBOD. The Cedi is gaining momentum and has held ground against major currencies in the past months. This has been attributed in part to the growing Gold reserves the country is accumulating. Considering this evidential success, can we replicate the same in the petroleum sector to rescue TOR?  

An OILBOARD, just as a GOLDBOD in the mining sector, could be replicated in the oil sector through reviewing the acts that established the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Petroleum Commission to envelop this innovation to help revive and revamp TOR.

In Ghana, large-scale mining firms are required to retain 20% of their gold output domestically to support the country’s gold reserves programme. This could be replicated in the oil sector to feed TOR.

An OILBOARD should be championed by reaching an agreement with the upstream Oil companies, mandating them to sell a portion of their crude production to TOR and receiving cedis at a 1% discount to international crude spot prices. This structure guarantees a domestic market for drilling companies while providing the government cost-saving benefits including TOR’s revival. Thus, the OILBOARD will purchase 20% of the monthly output of oil firms for TOR through the Bank of Ghana. Purchases are settled in the Ghanaian Cedi currency. This proposal will be a comprehensive turnaround strategy aimed at reviving the state-owned refinery after years of inactivity and is critical to Ghana’s economic recovery.

Every 10 barrels of oil produced from our fields, at least 1 or 2 barrels being 10% or 20% must be sold to TOR. To show good faith, the government’s share of the output should also be given to TOR. With this initiative, foreign exchange demand for oil importation would be conserved. This collaborative effort between the public and private sectors will breathe new life into the once-thriving refinery, making a potential turning point in the facility’s trajectory a necessity

The total consumption of petroleum products is projected at 5,484.73 kilotonnes, a 5.13% increase over 2024, driven by increased demand for gasoil, gasoline, and LPG. Ghana’s crude oil production is approximately 186,000 barrels per month. The country’s total crude oil exports reached around 48 million barrels in 2023. As of December 2024, the crude oil production capacity in Ghana stood at 188,000 barrels per day, Overall, a total of around 5.3 million metric tons of petroleum products were consumed in Ghana in 2024.

Currently, TOR only supports importers of finished petroleum products with its facilities. The refinery requires an estimated $25 million to undergo a complete revamp and resume full operations. This could be provided for in 2026 budget as a step forward to attracting strategic private sector investment to restore TOR to optimal performance

Securing the necessary funds through key partnerships and the introduction of the OILBOARD would allow the refinery to function at full capacity, ensuring efficient fuel production at competitive costs. The overarching goal of this innovative programme is to stabilize fuel prices and reduce dependency on foreign currencies for oil imports, conserve foreign exchange reserves, promote economic stability and self-sufficiency.

The OILBOARD Potential Benefits

The new oil board programme in Ghana will strategically devise means to eliminate the necessity for foreign exchange in the pricing mechanism of petroleum products. By intentionally excluding the exchange rate from the pricing formula for fuel and utilities, domestic fuel vendors are relieved of the requirement for foreign currency when importing petroleum products.

This policy shift has a benefit of lowering product prices at the pumps, offering relief to the Ghanaian population. The innovative approach of eliminating the dollar component in pricing calculations will translate into tangible benefits for consumers, providing economic relief and contributing to a more stable domestic market. This approach will not only sustain the positive impacts achieved but also serve as a model for responsible and innovative economic recovery and indigenization

Furthermore, currency instability remains a significant concern for the business community, as it increases the cost of doing business and surges inflation. When importers require more Cedis to obtain foreign currencies, prices inevitably go up, affecting every Ghanaian. Given the assured sources of supply of crude locally, TOR could leverage its balance sheet to raise bonds to wean itself off government support.

TOR’s rejuvenation will empower local businesses and entrepreneurs by creating opportunities in the oil and gas value chain. By reducing reliance on imported refined products, the country can stabilize fuel prices, mitigate foreign exchange pressures, and strengthen its trade balance. It will also ensure Increase employment levels across various sectors, from skilled refinery technicians to supply chain managers and local service providers.

Financially, TOR’s revitalization is expected to contribute significantly to GDP growth. Ghana’s petroleum sector currently accounts for approximately 7% of GDP, and with improved refinery operations, this contribution could rise to over 10% within the next five years. Moreover, efficient refinery operations will minimize fiscal losses associated with importing petroleum products, potentially saving the economy millions of dollars annually.

A rejuvenated TOR through the OILBOARD initiative will enhance national capacity by fostering knowledge transfer, technological development, and industrial expertise among Ghanaians. Local businesses involved in logistics, transportation, and petroleum retailing will have expanded market opportunities.

Strengthening indigenous capacity in the petroleum industry aligns with the vision of reducing dependency on foreign aid and fostering self-sufficiency. Technical training institutions and vocational centers can align their curricula with the industry’s evolving needs, thereby creating a skilled workforce.

The price of oil is closely tied to the world’s economy, and fluctuations in oil prices can have a significant impact on global markets. TOR when fully operational will serve as a hedging mechanism against crude oil market disruptions like wars, natural disasters etc such as the current Israel -Iran war, Russia-Ukraine war and COVID-19 pandemic

Revamping of TOR will ensure the reliability of petroleum products on the Ghanaian market and to export to the ECOWAS Sub-region.

We can as a nation and as a matter of utmost priority make TOR become the first choice for Bulk Distribution Companies (BDC) for finished petroleum products. Government must avert its mind to and explore the opportunities abound in the petrochemical sector of the petroleum value chain.

This initiative will occasion a crucial step towards economic resilience and self-reliance. By prioritizing local participation, empowering indigenous businesses, and aligning with broader economic sustainability goals, this initiative will have far-reaching effects on employment, industrialization, and national energy security. With the right approach, TOR can be transformed into a model refinery that supports national development and positions Ghana as a formidable player in the global petroleum industry. So, I say, an OILBOARD could do the rescue we have been chasing over decades.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

A significant legal battle is brewing in Ghana’s High Court as Faustina Djagbele Abbey, an onion seller operating near the bustling Makola Market in Accra, has initiated a GH¢2 million lawsuit against Telecel, the telecommunications giant operated by Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited.

The suit alleges egregious breaches of her “privacy” and “personal liberties” due to the unauthorised use of her image for product marketing.

Filed on May 23, 2025, by her legal representative, Bernard Owiredu Donkor of Thompson Law Consult, Madam Abbey’s writ contends that Telecel’s failure to seek her consent and subsequent use of her image to promote, market, and advertise its ‘Telecel Red Save’ product across various platforms, including prominent social media channels, constitutes a clear abuse of her image rights.

The ‘Telecel Red Save’ product is understood to be a digital financial service aimed at encouraging savings among its subscriber base.

The legal action highlights a growing global and local awareness of individual privacy and image rights in the digital age.

Ghana’s Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843), for instance, provides a framework for protecting personal data and privacy, requiring consent for the processing of personal information, which would arguably extend to the commercial use of an individual’s likeness.

According to her Statement of Claim, Madam Abbey only became aware of the pervasive advertisement through customers and other individuals who recognised her from the bustling Makola Market, a vibrant commercial hub known to attract tens of thousands of traders and shoppers daily.

The impact on Madam Abbey extends beyond the alleged commercial exploitation.

She states that the unauthorised advertisement has brought her unwanted public scrutiny, with family members and acquaintances mistakenly believing her to be of significant financial means due to her perceived association with a major telecom brand.

This misconception, she avers, has led to strained relationships with others and significantly impacted her mental health, highlighting the often-unseen personal toll of digital privacy infringements.

Telecel Ghana, a major player in the country’s telecommunications landscape with a reported 17.2% market share in voice and data as of July 2024, now faces a potentially landmark case that could set precedents for image rights and corporate marketing ethics in the nation.

The lawsuit seeks not only monetary compensation but also declaratory reliefs from the High Court, demanding that all billboards, social media campaigns, and traditional media advertisements featuring the ‘Telecel Red Save’ product with her image be immediately pulled down.

The writ filed by Mad. Abbey is expected to be a crucial test of how Ghana’s legal system addresses individual privacy rights in the rapidly evolving digital marketing sphere.

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.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Dr Sharif Mahmud Khalid is the Economic Policy Advisor to the Vice President

The Economic Policy Advisor to the Vice President, Dr Sharif Mahmud Khalid, has stated that the government is not planning to re-enter the international capital markets anytime soon.

According to him, the recent update by Fitch is not a signal to return to fiscal indiscipline, but rather a testament to the fact that the government’s reforms are driving the economy toward recovery.

Fitch recently upgraded Ghana’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating from ‘Restricted Default’ to ‘B-’ with a Stable Outlook.

Dr Khalid emphasised, “This rating is not just for us to celebrate and go back to borrowing. We are not getting bullish. We are focused. We want to stabilize the domestic market first.”

He further explained that despite the improved rating, Ghana is not yet ready to return to the external market.

“This is for the external market, which we are not ready to engage with at this point. We believe in stabilizing the domestic market, which is why we have internal controls in place,” he added.

Dr Khalid reiterated, “We’re not here celebrating. We are building. And we’ll continue to keep our eyes on stabilizing the Ghanaian economy.”

Meanwhile, some analysts have also advised against Ghana’s re-entry into the international capital market, noting that the country is still under a $3 billion bailout programme from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and is not expected to re-enter the market until after 2026.

SSD/MA

Tyler Perry’s latest movie did not only gain traction in Hollywood—it created a global wave that swept through Ghana as well.

Many Ghanaian movie lovers, critics, and film buffs took to various media platforms to comment on or analyse the film upon its release.

While some praised Straw for its storyline, which they said highlighted the challenges faced by single parents, others criticised it as another example of Perry’s overindulgence in sensationalism.

Speaking to Doreen Avio on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz, film producer and director Shirley Frimpong-Manso expressed her frustration over what she described as the Ghanaian media’s excessive focus on Straw.

She argued that if local filmmakers received the same attention, it would go a long way to promote and sustain the Ghanaian film industry.

“Why are we talking about Tyler Perry’s movie when we could easily have that same attention come to a Shirley Frimpong-Manso movie?” she questioned.

Shirley lamented that despite consistently producing high-quality films, her works—and those of other local filmmakers—are often overlooked.

“We have put films out there that critically examine a lot of things. We released a film called Chasing Lullaby on Mother’s Day. It’s a film we shot a few years ago and released on our YouTube page—and you should see the film. It’s a beautiful story that talks about mothers in all forms. But I didn’t see the media pick it up and make a whole song and dance about it like they are doing with Tyler Perry’s movie. He doesn’t care about us,” she said.

Shirley, who has been in the filmmaking industry for 17 years, is widely regarded as one of Ghana’s top directors.

On 25th February 2025, she launched Sparrow Station, a YouTube channel dedicated to showcasing her film productions.

She is known for several acclaimed movies including Perfect Picture, Scorned, Life and Living It, 6 Hours to Christmas, A Sting in a Tale, and Checkmate.

Washington, June 19, (dpa/GNA) – US President Donald Trump, said on Wednesday he has encouraged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stick to

his line, regarding Iran.

When asked what he had communicated to Netanyahu, Trump told journalists: “I said: Keep going.” He mentioned that he speaks with Netanyahu every day.

“He is a good man,” Trump emphasized.

When asked whether he had indicated to Netanyahu that he intended to help Israel more than before, Trump replied: “No.” Israel’s prime minister was

doing his job well so far, he said.

The US military supports Israel in its defence. However, the US government has so far stressed that it does not intend to participate in the fighting

between Israel and Iran.

Regarding his approach towards Iran, Trump was also asked whether he had given the country an ultimatum. After a brief pause, the US president responded

that one could say that. “Maybe you could call it the ultimate, the ultimate ultimatum, right?”
GNA

Ghana’s local currency, the cedi, has maintained the gains it made earlier this week, holding steady against the US dollar while appreciating slightly against the euro and the pound on the interbank market.

In its daily update, the Bank of Ghana noted that the cedi is trading at a buying price of GH¢10.29 and a selling price of GH¢10.30 to the US dollar as of June 19, 2025.

The British pound is being bought at GH¢13.86 and sold at GH¢13.88, while the euro is trading at a buying price of GH¢11.86 and a selling price of GH¢11.87.

Checks by GhanaWeb Business on June 19, 2025, at 8:30 AM, indicate that the cedi is trading at GH¢12.00 to the dollar, while the pound is selling at GH¢16.90 at some forex bureaus across the country.

Additionally, the euro is trading at GH¢14.70 on the retail market.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana has announced that Ghana is expected to receive $360 million from the IMF in July 2025, a move expected to further stabilise the cedi.

SSD/MA

Featured

GNA

Politics

Jun – 19 – 2025 , 07:20

1 minute read

Ghana’s First Lady, Mrs Lordina Dramani Mahama, has praised Merck Foundation for its outstanding contri­bution to healthcare delivery in Africa and Ghana.

The First Lady was speaking at the opening of the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit 2025, held in Dubai.

The summit brought together 14 First Ladies from across Africa and Asia, including Ghana, Senegal, Sao Tome and Principe, Nigeria, Mozam­bique, Maldives, Liberia, Kenya, The Gambia, Gabonese Republic, Central African Republic, Cabo Verde, and Angola.

The annual gathering aims to strengthen healthcare systems, pro­mote girl-child education, and fight stigma surrounding infertility and other pressing health challenges.

In her address, Mrs Mahama commended Merck Foundation’s initiatives, especially the talent development programmes that had supported 110 Ghanaian youth in areas such as music, ICT, filmmaking, and fashion.

She said the programme had given many young people a new sense of purpose and belief in their God-giv­en talents.

Ghana’s First Lady also acknowl­edged the strong partnership between Merck Foundation and the Lordina Foundation, pledging to deepen their collaboration to enhance access to health and education in Ghana.

She further emphasised the need for unity in championing the rights and welfare of women and children, stressing that collective action is key to building inclusive and healthier societies.

“When compassion meets exper­tise, real change happens. We must carry this spirit home and work even harder to build more inclusive societ­ies,” she added.

The Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, highlighted the significant strides the foundation had made in healthcare training.

She announced that Merck Foun­dation had awarded 2,270 scholar­ships to doctors from 52 countries in Africa and some in Asia.

According to her, the scholarships covered 44 critical and underserved specialties, including oncology, diabetes, fertility care, hypertension, internal medicine, clinical psychiatry, dermatology, and trauma care.

Dr Kelej noted that in many coun­tries, these scholarship beneficiaries had become the first specialists in their fields, transforming access to medical care in underserved areas.

She added that these doctors treat­ed more than 1,000 patients month­ly, especially in rural communities, where access to specialist care was previously non-existent.

Dr Kelej said that nearly 1,000 scholarships had been awarded to girls in 17 countries, in partnership with First Ladies.

The Chair of the Merck Founda­tion Board of Trustees, Professor Dr Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, said Merck Foundation’s vision was root­ed in building healthcare capacity and empowering women and youth.

According to him, some countries had only one or no medical school at all, while the continent bears 24 per cent of the global disease burden with just 2.9 healthcare workers per 1,000 people.

He expressed pride in the achieve­ments made through the scholarship program, noting that it had brought lasting change to healthcare delivery in many countries that previously had no experts in fields like Inten­sive Care Unit, oncology, or fertility

 FROM AGNES OPOKU SARPONG, DUBAI AL HABTOOR CITY

Bank of Ghana’s new headquarters

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has raised GH¢4.05 billion through the issuance of its 56-day bills, underscoring its commitment to tighten liquidity conditions and maintain a firm monetary policy stance amid ongoing disinflation efforts.

The securities, auctioned on Tuesday, June 18, 2025, were priced at an interest rate of 27.9%, in line with the prevailing benchmark policy rate.

The issuance forms part of the BoG’s broader Open Market Operations (OMO) strategy, which seeks to absorb excess liquidity from the banking sector, manage inflation expectations, and signal the central bank’s rate direction.

While the Central Bank published the interest rate and total funds raised, it withheld details on the bid volume and auction target, key indicators typically used by market participants to gauge investor appetite and the strength of demand.

The elevated yield suggests the BoG remains firmly committed to disinflation despite the pressures of a fragile post-crisis recovery and fiscal adjustments under Ghana’s ongoing three-year IMF programme.

Proceeds from the issuance are expected to provide short-term funding support to the government, a practice common in BoG’s liquidity management operations.

SP/MA

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has urged the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management (CIHRM) to play a more proactive role in Ghana’s legislative processes, emphasizing the critical role of professional bodies in shaping sound public policy.

Addressing participants at the 2025 CIHRM Conference, held under the theme “Regulating HRM in Ghana: Standards, Ethics and Sustainability,” the minister challenged the institute to critically assess proposed legislation and contribute meaningfully to national discourse.

“Parliament is passing legislation—where do you stand, and what role do you play? Do you even analyse these bills, provide feedback, or demand that CIHRM be represented on relevant policymaking boards?” he asked.

Haruna Iddrisu reminded the gathering that under Article 106 of the Constitution, every bill must be gazetted to allow public input—an opportunity he believes professional bodies are not fully utilizing.

“When you hold back and do not contribute, you only help us pass bad laws,” he warned, urging the HR community to step forward and ensure their expertise shapes policies that affect both the workforce and national development.”

NPP Race: We’re keeping aspirants in check – Justin Kodua

Residents of Bolgatanga, the capital of Ghana’s Upper East Region, and surrounding communities have heaved a sigh of relief following the inauguration of the ultra-modern Pentecost Hospital at Kumbagre, a suburb of Bolgatanga.

The 35-bed, AI-powered facility, an initiative of The Church of Pentecost, arrives at a critical time, as the region continues to grapple with limited access to quality healthcare. According to the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, only 60% of births in the region were attended by skilled health personnel, and antenatal care coverage remains below national targets.

The new Pentecost Hospital is expected to ease the burden on existing health infrastructure and improve health outcomes, particularly in maternal and child health, in a region where healthcare access has long been a challenge.

The facility was commissioned and dedicated by the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost and President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, assisted by traditional leaders, officials of the Ghana Health Servicew, government functionaries and top security offiicals in the region.

The AI Hospital Advantage

Beyond its impressive physical infrastructure, the Pentecost Hospital stands out as an ‘AI hospital.’ This designation signifies its integration of artificial intelligence technologies aimed at enhancing diagnostics, improving clinical decision-making, and streamlining patient management.

In a region facing workforce challenges, AI can augment the capabilities of healthcare providers, assist in early disease detection through medical imaging analysis, and potentially facilitate remote consultations, thus expanding reach to underserved communities. This aligns with Ghana’s national AI strategy, which seeks to leverage technology for improved public health delivery.

The 35-bed facility is equipped with advanced medical technologies and will offer a comprehensive range of services, including general outpatient and inpatient care, emergency services, maternity care, and various specialised clinics.

How the journey began

The journey to this significant milestone began in 2017, ignited by a harrowing car accident involving a pastor of the Church and his family. The subsequent 16-hour ordeal to transfer the critically injured to distant hospitals underscored the dire need for accessible, quality healthcare in Bolgatanga. This spurred the Church’s Bolgatanga Area Executive Committee, then led by Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah Agyeman (current Area Head for Teshie-Nungua), to envision a local clinic, a vision that rapidly expanded under the Church’s broader societal transformation agenda (Vision 2028).

Bridging the Healthcare Gap

The Upper East Region currently grapples with significant healthcare challenges, including a severe shortage of medical professionals (one doctor for every 24,124 patients, one nurse for every 313 patients), inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to essential medical supplies, particularly in rural areas. High attrition rates among health professionals further exacerbate these issues. The Pentecost Hospital arrives as a critical intervention.

‘This region has long struggled with access to quality healthcare,’ stated a local health official, adding, ‘The arrival of a facility of this caliber is truly transformative.’

A Lasting Legacy

As the doors of Pentecost Hospital opens, it is poised to significantly alleviate healthcare burdens in the Upper East Region, serve the broader Northern regions of Ghana, and potentially extend its impact to neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso. It stands as a powerful testament to The Church of Pentecost’s commitment to compassionate healthcare, promising to be a place where lives are saved, health is restored, and dignity is upheld, marking a new era of hope and healing for the people.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Gladys Gillian Naadu Tetteh, Deputy Executive Director of the CLGA

The Centre for Local Governance Advocacy (CLGA), with funding support from the European Union, has officially launched the 2024 edition of the Public Financial Management Compliance League Table (PFMCLT).

This key initiative assesses and ranks the performance of all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country, based on their adherence to sound public financial management practices.

Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Executive Director of the CLGA, Hon. Gladys Gillian Naadu Tetteh, announced that the national average compliance score for 2024 stands at 33 percent, representing a notable improvement over the previous year’s performance.

“We are encouraged by the steady progress being made in financial governance at the local level. A 33 percent national average may not seem high, but it marks a clear improvement and signals that assemblies are gradually embracing better financial practices,” she said.

The La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly emerged as the top-ranked assembly on the 2024 league table, securing 1st place for its exemplary financial management and compliance.

The PFMCLT continues to serve as a vital tool for promoting transparency and accountability in local governance. It is designed to strengthen public financial governance and enhance service delivery across all MMDAs.

“This league table is not just about numbers, it is a call to action. It holds our local governments accountable and encourages continuous improvement,” Gladys Tetteh added.