Antoine Semenyo believes Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is cut out for the top following his impressive job at the club.

The Spanish trainer is looking to become the first manager to lead the Cherries to play European football as they look to end the season on a high.

Bournemouth sit 10th on the league table and find themselves eight points behind the last European spot, which is occupied by Newcastle United.

Speaking with SuperSport, Semenyo was full of praise for his boss.

“He has the potential to be a top manager. Great guy, player management besides, he’s so good,” he said.

“I feel like he gets on with the players. He gets on with the team so well, and that’s so important. You want to be able to get on with the players off the pitch as well as on the pitch. So I feel like he does a good job of that. Hence why we’re where we are in the table.”

The Ghanaian forward is thriving under the Spaniard this season with nine goals and five assists across all competitions in 35 appearances.

Those figures are Semenyo’s best tally for the club since arriving from Bristol City.

“He’s given me that freedom in attack. He’s seen it in training over and over, where I just feel free, feel relaxed, and I’m just easing, going past players with ease, shooting from long range, getting that success,” he continued.

“So he’s given me that licensing games to do that as well, but I’m also reciprocating and helping in defense and recovery, runs and whatever it is defensively.

“I feel like that’s the reason why I’m getting so much freedom, because I’m doing the defensive job that I need to. So then we get the ball, I’ve got all the space in the world for attacking. So, yeah, he’s giving me that license of freedom.”

Semenyo has scored the third most goals for Bournemouth in the league this season (7) behind Jistin Kluivert (12) and Evanilson (9).

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Acting Commissioner of Insurance, Dr. Abiba Zakariah

Ghana has taken a bold step toward reshaping the future of the insurance industry in Africa by hosting the continent’s first-ever Sustainability Insurance Conference.

The three-day event, held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, was organised through a collaboration between Ghana’s National Insurance Commission (NIC) and the Secretariat of the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance (NDSI).

Held under the theme “Building a New Sustainability Culture for Africa’s Insurance Markets,” the summit convened insurance leaders, policymakers, and regulators from across the continent to explore how sustainability and climate resilience can be integrated into insurance practices.

In a speech delivered on behalf of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the government reiterated its commitment to advancing green financing and sustainable risk management.

“A sustainable insurance industry is essential to protect policyholders,” the statement read, emphasising the need to develop tailored insurance solutions for climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and renewable energy.

Speaking at the conference, Acting Commissioner of Insurance, Dr. Abiba Zakariah, emphasised the strategic importance of sustainability in Africa’s insurance regulatory frameworks.

“This conference aligns with the NIC’s vision to attract investment, technical expertise, and innovation to Ghana’s insurance sector,” she said.

“We must move beyond traditional compliance models and embrace Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. It is crucial that African regulators embed climate risk disclosures into their regulatory frameworks to build a resilient and future-ready industry,” she added.

Dr. Zakariah further urged stakeholders to see ESG not just as a reporting obligation, but as a transformative tool to strengthen the long-term viability of the insurance sector.

Key industry voices including Philip Lopokoiyit (NDSI Chair and CEO of ICEA Lion Group), Kelvin Massingham (FSD Africa), Emeka Akwiwu (Continental Reinsurance), and Patty K-Martin (NamibRe) highlighted the importance of collaboration between governments and the private sector in driving sustainable insurance solutions.

The conference addressed critical topics such as agricultural and parametric insurance, climate risk mitigation, and sustainable underwriting.

Discussions aimed to reposition the insurance industry as a key player in Africa’s broader development and climate resilience agenda.

The event concluded with a resounding call to action; for stakeholders to transition from dialogue to implementation by adopting concrete policies that bolster both environmental and economic resilience across the continent.

SP/MA

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Controversial legal practitioner, Maurice Ampaw, has dismissed circulating rumours of his death following the spread of farewell images on social media.

According to the lawyer, although he believes in death and acknowledges that everyone will eventually die, his time has not yet come.

He emphasized that he intends to fulfill his destiny before passing on.

In a viral video believed to have been taken at a funeral ground, a woman confronted him about the rumours. In response, Ampaw confidently declared that he is strong, healthy, and very much alive.

“When I saw you, I thought I had seen a ghost. So, lawyer Maurice Ampaw, are you a human being or a ghost?” the lady asked.

He responded, “I am alive. I am not dead. By God’s grace, I am still alive. Yes, death is inevitable; everyone will die, but my time is not yet. They should wait for me to fulfill my destiny.”

AM/KA

Meanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s tour of Fort Victoria and the Cape Coast Lighthouse below:

Sophia Akuffo, former Chief Justice of Ghana (L)

Sophia Akuffo, former Chief Justice of Ghana and Distinguished Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), has called for an end to natural resource contracts that give foreign companies an unfair advantage over the country.

Speaking at an IEA press conference on March 24, 2025, under the theme ‘Maximising the Benefits from Ghana’s Natural Resources’, Akuffo stressed that the nation must adopt modern policies that ensure a fair share of resource wealth stays in it – instead of benefitting foreign mining firms.

She explained that the country has vast mineral and petroleum resources worth trillions of dollars, yet it continues to struggle financially.

“The current system allows foreign companies to extract Ghana’s resources and keep most of the profits while the country receives only a small portion in royalties and taxes. This needs to change,” she said.

Despite high taxes, government revenue is often insufficient for development – forcing the country to borrow frequently and seek bailouts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). She believes that proper resource management could ease these financial pressures.

IEA welcomed President John Dramani Mahama’s recent announcement of his intention to review all extractive sector agreements and urged him to go further with key reforms.

One of its major recommendations is for government to set up a five-member committee of Ghanaian experts to review and amend all natural resource laws to maximise national benefits.

IEA also called for the nation’s mineral and resource laws to align with international agreements such as the United Nations General Assembly Resolutions 1803 (1962) and 3281 (1974), which emphasise a country’s right to benefit from its own natural wealth.

Additionally, it believes the country should allow local governments to manage some mineral resources so that communities benefit directly.

Another concern raised by the IEA is that the nation’s Constitution gives the president full ownership of all minerals, arguing that this could be one of the reasons the country is not benefitting as much as it should. Instead, it suggests that ownership of minerals should be transferred to the state rather than an individual leader.

Another recommendation is for government to focus on setting up its own mining and oil production companies instead of relying on foreign firms. If this is not possible, the institute proposed that government should at least ensure that local businesses have a fair share in joint partnerships with foreign investors.

IEA also stressed the need for technology transfer in the oil and gas sector, saying the country should ensure that oil agreements include training programmes for citizens so they can gain the skills needed to manage the resources in future.

It further proposed a shift from the current system of concession and royalty payments to a production-sharing system. This means that instead of companies paying the country a small fixed fee, the nation would take a direct share of the profits from resource extraction. IEA said this would increase government revenue.

To improve the country’s bargaining power in future contracts, IEA called for more investment in the Geological Survey Department. It said if the nation has better data on its mineral deposits, it can negotiate stronger agreements with investors.

The Institute said that President Mahama’s renewed interest in resource reform presents a crucial opportunity. It urges him to act decisively, as many countries have successfully adjusted their resource policies to better serve their national interests.

For instance, it said, in the United Kingdom oil and gas companies pay multiple taxes, including a 30 percent corporate tax, a 10 percent supplementary charge and an extra 38 percent energy profits levy. Australia applies a 30 percent tax on mineral resources, in addition to a 30 percent corporate tax. In Qatar, government takes 50 percent of petroleum profits before companies receive their share.

IEA added that some African countries have also introduced changes, citing Tanzania and Botswana as examples of such countries. Moreover, it urges the country to learn from these examples and take steps to secure more benefits from its natural resources.

Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe has assured Ghanaians that transport fares will remain unchanged for now, despite recent reductions in fuel prices.

His assurance comes amid growing public calls for a decrease in fares, particularly after previous threats by transport unions to raise prices during fuel hikes.

Speaking on the matter, Mr. Nikpe said the Ministry is in continuous engagement with transport unions and operators, noting that any fare adjustment is guided by a well-established formula.

“I am in constant touch with the unions and transport operators. We have a formula in which we use to either increase or reduce prices, and we have not gotten there yet,” he said.

The Minister emphasised the importance of collaboration with stakeholders to maintain stability in the sector, reassuring commuters that prices will hold steady for now.

“We are in good touch. We are working together, and Ghanaians should be rest assured that prices will be kept for some time before any of the adjustments will be made,” Mr. Nikpe added.

The Ministry’s stance aims to balance commuter relief with the operational sustainability of transport operators, as discussions on possible fare reviews continue.

The US Supreme Court has cleared the way for President Donald Trump to use a rarely-invoked wartime powers law to rapidly deport alleged gang members – for now.

A lower court had temporarily blocked the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador on 15 March, ruling that the actions under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act needed further scrutiny.

Trump has alleged that the migrants were members of the Tren de Aragua gang “conducting irregular warfare” against the US and could therefore be removed under the Act.

While the administration is claiming the ruling as a win, the justices mandated that deportees must be given a chance to challenge their removal.

“The notice must be afforded within a reasonable time and in such a manner as will allow them to actually seek habeas relief in the proper venue before such removal occurs,” the justices wrote in the unsigned decision on Monday.

“The only question is which court will resolve that challenge,” they wrote.

Monday’s ruling said the challenge – brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of five migrants – was raised improperly in a Washington DC court and not in Texas, where the migrants are confined.

Conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court’s three liberal justices in dissenting with the majority ruling.

In the dissent, they wrote that the administration’s “conduct in this litigation poses an extraordinary threat to the rule of law”.

Trump called the ruling a “great day for justice in America”.

“The Supreme Court has upheld the Rule of Law in our Nation by allowing a President, whoever that may be, to be able to secure our Borders, and protect our families and our Country, itself,” he wrote on Truth Social.

The ACLU also claimed the rulingas “a huge victory”.

“We are disappointed that we will need to start the court process over again in a different venue but the critical point is that the Supreme Court said individuals must be given due process to challenge their removal under the Alien Enemies Act,” lead ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt said in a statement to US media.

At least 137 people have been deported by the Trump administration under the Alien Enemies Act, a move widely condemned by rights groups.

The act, last used in World War Two, grants the US president sweeping powers to order the detention and deportation of natives or citizens of an “enemy” nation without following the usual processes.

It was passed as part of a series of laws in 1798 when the US believed it would enter a war with France.

The Trump administration says all the deportees are members of the Tren de Aragua gang. The powerful multi-national crime group, which Trump recently declared a foreign terrorist organisation, has been accused of sex trafficking, drug smuggling and murders both at home and in major US cities.

US immigration officials have said the detainees were “carefully vetted” and verified as gang members before being flown to El Salvador, under an agreement with that country.

But many of the deportees do not have US criminal records, a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official acknowledged in court documents.

Some relatives of the deported migrants have told the BBC the men have been wrongly swept up in the immigration crackdown, and that they are innocent.

Several other families have said they believe that deportees were mistakenly identified as gang members because of their tattoos.

Monday’s decision vacates an earlier ruling by federal judge James Boasberg, later upheld by a federal appeals court, which had temporarily blocked the use of the law to carry out the deportations.

Boasberg had dismissed the government’s response to his order as “woefully insufficient”. The White House had said the judge’s order itself was not lawful and was issued after two flights carrying the men had already left the US.

Rights groups and some legal experts have called the invocation of the Act unprecedented, arguing it has only previously been used after the US officially declared a war, which under the US constitution only Congress can do.

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.

President John Dramani Mahama

Government has vowed to clamp down on illegal mining, calling it a direct threat to the country’s economy and environment, following its widespread devastation across mining regions.

President John Dramani Mahama, in a speech read on his behalf during the Association of China-Ghana Mining’s (ACGM) inauguration in Accra, described the practice as a form of “environmental terrorism” and warned that the state will show no mercy to offenders.

“We consider illegal mining as an act of economic sabotage – one that devastates livelihoods, poisons our water-bodies and degrades our lands,” he stressed.

Against this backdrop, he said, there will be no leniency, no exception and no comfort for those who flout the country’s laws, regardless of nationality, political ties or business clout – adding, “The full force of our laws will be brought to bear”.

President Mahama therefore entreated the Association to steer its members toward strict compliance with Ghana’s mining laws and regulations.

“The Association must serve as a beacon of integrity, ensuring that its members operate within the set legal frameworks of our country, uphold environmental standards, uplift local communities and contribute positively to our nation’s sustainable development agenda.”

President Mahama reaffirmed government’s commitment to working closely with ACGM to enhance and streamline Chinese investment in Ghana’s mining sector.

“Through structured cooperation, we can unlock new opportunities while ensuring that mining activities align with Ghana’s broader developmental and sustainability goals,” he noted.

Furthermore, he emphasised the importance of leveraging China’s expertise in underground mining, low-grade ore development and mining-related technical training to boost efficiency and global competitiveness in Ghana’s mining industry.

“By integrating these advancements, we can build a mining sector that is both economically robust and environmentally sustainable,” he added.

President Mahama was the Guest Honour at the event, represented by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, commended the of the Association’s formation – describing it as a bridge for mutually beneficial cooperation and an important platform for dialogue between governments, businesses and local communities.

“I urge the Association to help Chinese enterprises better integrate into the local market, enhance the quality of collaboration and ensure that our cooperation yields win-win outcomes,” the Ambassador said.

He also encouraged ACGM to focus on job creation, value addition to minerals and community development.

The Chairman of ACGM, Mr. Tang Zhenjiang, in his inaugural remarks outlined the Association’s vision to move beyond profit and serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in Ghana’s mining sector.

“Through this Association, we will unify industry consensus, integrate resources, uphold our social responsibilities and benefit community development,” he stated.

“Together, we will write a new chapter in China-Ghana collaboration and further strengthen the enduring friendship between our nations.”

Tang Zhenjiang also reaffirmed ACGM’s support for national development programmes, including the Youth in Mining Initiative led by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment.

ACGM pledged to drive capacity building and skills transfer for Ghanaian youth through technical exchanges and collaborative projects.

The ACGM brings together leading Chinese mining enterprises operating in Ghana, including Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd. (a subsidiary of Shandong Gold Group), Golden Star (Wassa) Ltd. (a subsidiary of Chifeng Gold Group) and other established companies.

As a non-profit platform, the Association aims to promote shared growth, responsible mining practices, community development and technology transfer between China and Ghana.

Ghana’s local currency, the cedi, has recorded marginal gains against major trading currencies, particularly the US dollar, at some forex bureaus.

In its daily update, the Central Bank noted that the cedi is trading at a buying price of GH¢15.51 and a selling price of GH¢15.52 to a dollar.

The British pound is being bought at GH¢19.75 and sold at GH¢19.77, while the euro trades at a buying price of GH¢16.91 and a selling price of GH¢16.92.

Checks by GhanaWeb Business on April 8, 2025, at 08:00 AM indicate that the cedi is trading at GH¢16.05 to the dollar, while the pound is trading at GH¢20.70 at some major forex bureaus across the country.

Additionally, the euro is trading at GH¢17.70 on the retail market.

To curb the cedi’s depreciation, the Bank of Ghana sold over $200 million in the last quarter of 2024.

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The GETP is a flagship initiative of government

The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) has secured nearly US$100 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) commitments since 2019 under the Ghana Economic Transformation Project (GETP).

The GETP is a flagship initiative of the government, implemented by the Ministry of Finance with funding from the World Bank. It aims to promote private sector-led growth, economic diversification, and job creation.

Under one of its four components, which focuses on improving the enabling environment for investment and business growth, the project supports key institutions such as GIPC to strengthen their capacity in investment promotion, investor services, and strategic outreach—particularly beyond Accra and the country’s major urban centers.

This support is geared toward creating a robust, decentralized investment ecosystem that drives inclusive economic transformation across all regions of the country.

Gabriel Benaiah Kofi Dake, Senior Operations Officer for GETP at the Ministry of Finance, highlighted these efforts at a brief ceremony in Kumasi, where two Toyota pick-ups procured under the project were formally handed over to support GIPC’s operations in the Ashanti and Northern Regions.

“This gesture is not just about transportation; it symbolizes the project’s commitment to deepening institutional capacity and decentralizing investment promotion,” Mr. Dake said.

“These vehicles will support GIPC’s Ashanti and Northern Regional Offices in fulfilling their mandate—facilitating outreach, investor servicing, and field-based monitoring to unlock investment opportunities beyond Accra.”

He further expressed excitement about GETP’s role in strengthening GIPC’s systems, enhancing strategic outreach, and boosting institutional visibility.

GIPC Chief Executive Officer Simon Madjie expressed appreciation to the World Bank and GETP for the donation. He noted that the vehicles will significantly enhance staff mobility in the Ashanti and Northern Regions, enabling them to engage more effectively with businesses at the grassroots level and facilitate investment that benefits all.

In a related development, GIPC has launched a new 24-hour premium service aimed at enhancing Ghana’s appeal as an investment destination. The service will offer round-the-clock support to investors, ensuring timely assistance and continuous engagement.

Featured

Kweku Zurek

Apr – 08 – 2025 , 07:25

2 minutes read

Some of the leaders who were present at the event

Government has vowed to clamp down on illegal mining, calling it a direct threat to the country’s economy and environment, following its widespread devastation across mining regions.

President John Dramani Mahama, in a speech read on his behalf during the Association of China-Ghana Mining’s (ACGM) inauguration in Accra, described the practice as a form of “environmental terrorism” and warned that the state will show no mercy to offenders.

“We consider illegal mining as an act of economic sabotage – one that devastates livelihoods, poisons our water-bodies and degrades our lands,” he stressed.

Against this backdrop, he said, there will be no leniency, no exception and no comfort for those who flout the country’s laws, regardless of nationality, political ties or business clout – adding, “The full force of our laws will be brought to bear”.

President Mahama therefore entreated the Association to steer its members toward strict compliance with Ghana’s mining laws and regulations.

“The Association must serve as a beacon of integrity, ensuring that its members operate within the set legal frameworks of our country, uphold environmental standards, uplift local communities and contribute positively to our nation’s sustainable development agenda.”

President Mahama reaffirmed government’s commitment to working closely with ACGM to enhance and streamline Chinese investment in Ghana’s mining sector.

“Through structured cooperation, we can unlock new opportunities while ensuring that mining activities align with Ghana’s broader developmental and sustainability goals,” he noted.

Furthermore, he emphasised the importance of leveraging China’s expertise in underground mining, low-grade ore development and mining-related technical training to boost efficiency and global competitiveness in Ghana’s mining industry.

“By integrating these advancements, we can build a mining sector that is both economically robust and environmentally sustainable,” he added.

President Mahama was the Guest Honour at the event, represented by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, commended the of the Association’s formation – describing it as a bridge for mutually beneficial cooperation and an important platform for dialogue between governments, businesses and local communities.

“I urge the Association to help Chinese enterprises better integrate into the local market, enhance the quality of collaboration and ensure that our cooperation yields win-win outcomes,” the Ambassador said.

He also encouraged ACGM to focus on job creation, value addition to minerals and community development.

The Chairman of ACGM, Mr. Tang Zhenjiang, in his inaugural remarks outlined the Association’s vision to move beyond profit and serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in Ghana’s mining sector.

“Through this Association, we will unify industry consensus, integrate resources, uphold our social responsibilities and benefit community development,” he stated.

“Together, we will write a new chapter in China-Ghana collaboration and further strengthen the enduring friendship between our nations.”

Tang Zhenjiang also reaffirmed ACGM’s support for national development programmes, including the Youth in Mining Initiative led by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment.

ACGM pledged to drive capacity building and skills transfer for Ghanaian youth through technical exchanges and collaborative projects.

The ACGM brings together leading Chinese mining enterprises operating in Ghana, including Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd. (a subsidiary of Shandong Gold Group), Golden Star (Wassa) Ltd. (a subsidiary of Chifeng Gold Group) and other established companies.

As a non-profit platform, the Association aims to promote shared growth, responsible mining practices, community development and technology transfer between China and Ghana.