Oak FC

All is set for a thrilling finale in the Greater Accra Regional Football Association (GARFA) Women’s Division One League as Oak FC face Sissamba Ladies in the Champion of Champions clash on Sunday at 1:30pm at the McDan Sports Complex in Teshie.

The highly anticipated encounter will decide the overall regional champion after both teams topped their respective zones in the 2024/25 season.

Oak FC, the women’s team of Hearts of Oak, have impressed with their tactical discipline and attacking flair throughout the campaign, earning promotion to the Women’s Premier League.

Their opponents, Sissamba Ladies, have also shown remarkable consistency and defensive strength, making Sunday’s showdown one to watch.

With regional bragging rights and the championship title at stake, excitement is building among local football fans. GARFA has assured a well-organised event and is encouraging supporters to fill the stands in support of women’s football.

The match is expected to showcase the growing strength of the women’s game in the region, marking another step forward in its development.

BY Wletsu Ransford

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GraphicOnline

Jun – 25 – 2025 , 12:29

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Since Independence, Ghana’s export earnings still remains driven by primary commodities after several failed interventions, this is according to economist, Professor Godfred Bokpin.

He argued that the situation leads to weak economic fundamentals as the country misses out on the benefits of value addition and secondary exports.

Prof. Bokpin spoke on the Joy Business Economic Forum held on June 25, 2025 under the theme; “Ghana at Risk: The economic fallout of distance conflicts”.

He maintained that if primary commodities remain unprocessed, Ghana will continue to earn less to develop its infrastructural needs and make it resilient.

“From Independence, more than 70 percent of our export earnings are still driven by primary commodities. We are still talking about the same percentage now and when we say we have done well, it’s more of the same, so how do you talk about resilient”, he quizzed.

He explained that even though Ghana’s economy is currently benefiting from gold, the positive impact would have been more, if the commodity is processed in the country.  

“The economy is only resilient because the negative events we are seeing now turns to disproportionately benefit gold and therefore we’re getting some gains from there but what if the crises had come from the perspective of commodities, what would have happened to us?”

Prof. Bokpin called for radical structural transformation to make Ghana’s economy resilient.

“So over the years, decades, we have not really structurally transformed this economy, we haven’t diversified the economy” he charged.

He therefore called on government to initiate bold solutions to change the dynamics of the economy.

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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.

Ghana National Gas Company

The management of Ghana National Gas Company (Ghana Gas) has attributed the rise in the company’s operational costs to an increase in staff numbers.

According to the Ghana Gas Chief Executive Officer, Judith Blay, the company’s staff strength grew from 250 in 2016 to 1,290 as of 2024.

She emphasised that the costs associated with staff management form a significant part of the company’s current challenges.

“At Ghana Gas, we are about 1,290 in number. This is our staff strength. I needed to establish that because I know that Honourable Members are interested in employment, so I must make this point, Ghana Gas is seriously overstaffed,” she told the Energy Committee of Parliament on June 20, 2025.

She further noted that the steady growth in staff numbers over the past eight years has contributed significantly to the company’s rising financial costs.

“In 2016, we were 250, and now, Ghana Gas’s staff strength is over 1,200,” she reiterated.

Blay explained that the company’s primary mandate is to maintain its plant and ensure the continuous supply of gas for power generation, adding that this operational focus is one of the company’s key cost drivers.

She also highlighted the company’s strong commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR).

“I’m sure you are also aware that Ghana Gas has done a lot in the area of corporate social responsibility,” she said.

SSD/MA

How social engineering hacks your mind and your bank account

President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Brussels, Belgium, as a prominent advocate and ambassador for the GAVI Alliance’s crucial vaccine replenishment efforts.

President Mahama wlill participate in the Global Summit on Health and Prosperity through Immunisation, co-hosted by the European Union, the Gates Foundation, and the Vaccine
Alliance

The Summit aims to secure vital support for Gavi’s ambitious 2026-2030 strategy.

This strategy seeks to immunise an additional 500 million children, save over 8 million lives, and protect against up to 150 disease outbreaks, delivering over $100 billion in economic
benefits.

President Mahama’s presence highlights the vital role of global cooperation in providing
fair access to vaccines, especially in lower-income countries.

Having experienced the transformative impact of immunisation in Ghana and across Africa first-hand, President
Mahama has been dedicated to advocating for a fully funded Gavi.

In 2013, he played a similar role to support the Alliance in its mission to save children’s lives and protect health by increasing immunisation

President Mahama believes that a fully funded Gavi will save millions of lives, unlock significant economic potential, and strengthen global health security

The Global Summit provides a critical opportunity to garner renewed commitment from traditional and newer donors, highlighting the proven effectiveness and value of Gavi’s
partnerships with governments, international organisations, civil society, communities, and
industry leaders.

Since 2000, Gavi has reached over a billion children with life-saving vaccines, preventing more than 18.8 million deaths and generating over $250 billion in economic benefits for
lower-income economies.

While in Brussels, President Mahama will also hold discussions with many leaders, including the President of the EU Council of Ministers and Bill Gates.

Promoting Local Innovation and Sustainable Products

Plastic Waste Crisis in Ghana

A Shift Toward a Greener Future

By Simon Asare

Accra, June 24, GNA – Former Head Coach of Accra Hearts of Oak has been appointed as the Special Advisor to the Board of the club.  

Ouattara recently left his role as head coach of Hearts of Oak senior team,with Mas-ud Didi Dramani taking over for a two-year period.  

According to a statement made by Hearts Management, Ouattara has been reassigned to serve as the board’s advisor for the foreseeable future.    

“As a special advisor, Aboubakar Ouattara will be working directly with the Board of Directors on special assignments and duties.  

“The Board conveys its congratulations to Aboubakar Ouattara in his new role and looks forward to a good collaboration to move the club to new heights.  

“We take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the professionalism and Innovation Aboubakar Ouattara brought to the senior team during his term as Head Coach,” the club statement said.  

GNA  

Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade  

Asiedu Nketia in black suit and red tie taking the oath of office alongside other board members

The Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has officially been sworn in on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, as the Board Chair of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) is a state-owned logistics service provider offering port facilities and related services to its customers.

The Authority manages and operates the Port of Tema and the Port of Takoradi in collaboration with several private service providers.

These partners handle vessel operations, stevedoring, cargo transfer, storage, and the receipt and delivery of both containerized and general cargo.

The GPHA also oversees safety, security, and conservancy services within the ports.

In a video sighted by GhanaWeb Business, Asiedu Nketia, dressed in a black suit with a red flying tie was seen taking the oath of office alongside other board members, including Professor Ransford Gyampo.

Asiedu Nketia is a trained teacher and former banker, who represented the Wenchi West Constituency as a Member of Parliament for 12 years.

During his tenure in Parliament, he served on several key committees, including the Appointments Committee, Finance Committee, Public Accounts Committee, and was Chairman of the Mines and Energy Committee.

He also served as the Minority Spokesperson on Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs.

From 1997 to 2001, he held the position of Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture (Crops).

Currently, Brigadier-General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono is the Acting Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA)

He also serves as the Deputy Commandant of the National College of Defence Studies (NCDS) at Burma Camp.

Brigadier General Tanye-Kulono holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution from the George Washington School of Law, a Master’s in Management Studies from Osmania University in India, and a Master of Arts in International Affairs from the University of Ghana.

He was called to the Ghanaian Bar in 2015.

How social engineering hacks your mind and your bank account

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Dennis Miracles Aboagye, Director of Communications for the 2024 Bawumia Campaign Team, has stated that the Minority’s opposition to the approval of seven new Supreme Court justices was not due to concerns about the competence of the nominees, but rather what he described as the political motive and premeditated intent behind President Mahama’s appointments.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Wednesday, June 25, Dennis argued that the President’s earlier comments about rebalancing the judiciary had sparked political suspicion and controversy over the nominations.

“The Minority objected to the approval not because they had problems with the noble judges, but because of the utterances, intention, and premeditation that the President came into office with,” he said.

He recalled that President Mahama had previously stated that the judiciary was politically skewed and had pledged to correct it if elected. According to him, these remarks planted the seeds of public doubt well before the appointments were made.

“You come and tell the country that in your view, you think the court is packed with political people, so your party people should be ready. When you come, you are going to balance a bench and elevate it to the bench,” he recounted.

He emphasised that while the nominees were indeed qualified, the political context surrounding the appointments fueled the controversy.

“Immediately you come, you appoint seven. I may not have any problem with it, but I am clear in my mind that the seven you appointed may not be true, but are NDC people. That is because you set the tone,” he added.

Despite strong opposition from the Minority, Parliament approved all seven Supreme Court nominees appointed by President John Dramani Mahama. The approval followed a heated plenary session and a voice vote, with the Majority side endorsing the Appointments Committee’s final report.

The Minority had raised constitutional concerns, especially in light of the suspension of the Chief Justice. They also criticised the Supreme Court’s handling of certain high-profile cases and questioned the timing and rationale behind the appointments.

President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday held a bilateral meeting with visiting King Mswati III, Ingwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini at the Presidency in Accra.

The King, who is on a four-day state visit to Ghana at the invitation of President Mahama, was received at the forecourt of the Presidency with a guard of honour, a number of gun salutes and some cultural performances.

President Mahama warmly welcomed the King and the Queen and their delegation to Ghana.

He reaffirmed the strong bilateral relations between Ghana and the Kingdom of Eswatini, and further pledged to work with the King to boost the relations between their two nations.

The President said King Mswati’s visit would cement the ties and the relationship that exists between our two countries.

“We wish to warmly welcome you to the country of freedom and justice, the first nation south of the Sahara to gain independence, and which was responsible for most of the liberation struggles that liberated the rest of Africa from colonial rule,” he said.

“Ghana believes that we must continue to forge even closer ties. Our first President, President Kwame Nkrumah, had actually talked of African unity over and over again.

“Unfortunately, the dream was not realised in his time. But I think that it would be wholesome, as the leaders of today, to do whatever we can to bring our countries even closer today, together.”

President Mahama said the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol, had allowed African countries to be able to ship goods and services to each other’s markets.

He said the King’s visit and their bilateral discussions formed the framework for the cooperation that existed between their two countries.

On his part, King Mswati congratulated President Mahama on his victory in Ghana’s December 7, 2024 general election.

He expressed gratitude to President Mahama, the Government and People of Ghana for the warm reception accorded him and his delegation to Ghana.

He said having known the history of Ghana; that it was amongst the African countries, which were the ones to defeat colonization and stabilize the African region.

“So many things have come out of here. So many of the leaders have put frameworks for all of us in Africa,” the King said.

He acknowledged the big role of Ghana in the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU).

He said the OAU had transformed into AU, which was trying to transform the people of Africa, make Africa a place of great opportunities and to make Africa the one they want with African solutions.

He called for the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries in areas such as trade and investment.

He said the AfCFTA was trying to promote trade within Africa and that it was high time African countries trade more among themselves.

King Mswati paid tribute to Mr Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations for the important role he played as the UN Secretary-General; declaring that “And we were very proud of him, of his work”.

He also commended Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration on her successful assumption of office as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

King Mswati expressed the hope that his visit to Ghana would offer them the opportunity to see how the two countries could share in a lot of information, exchange of culture, trade, and tourism, and other sectors that were there.

Touching on exchange visits, the King said: “We are so happy that we have quite a big community from Ghana, which are staying in Eswatini, and I can assure you, Excellency, that all of them, they are well behaved. So there is nothing you can do about it. And they are contributing a lot into the economy of Eswatini”.

“And we are looking for more opportunities like this one. Let’s work together and let’s see what things we can do.”

At the meeting, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the two countries; Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Foreign Minister signed for Ghana; whereas Madam Pholile Shakantu, Eswatini’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, signed for her country.

In attendance at the meeting was Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.

King Mswati’s four-day state visit to Ghana will take him to Kumasi for a visit to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Source: GNA

As part of efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, the government is implementing several measures to support the country’s green transition.

Ghana is gradually shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower.

In the transport sector, Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been introduced, but are fraught with several challenges including the lack of adequate charging infrastructure across the country.

Speaking at the Environmental Sustainability Summit held in Accra on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, disclosed that a memo has been submitted to Cabinet to explore a transition from fossil fuel vehicles to electric mobility solutions.

While fossil fuels remain a significant energy source, they are associated with high carbon emissions. Transitioning to renewables is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 7, which seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

Dr Muhammed noted that the government is working to install charging infrastructure at strategic points, including fuel stations, to improve accessibility and convenience.

To further support EV adoption, the government is also considering tax incentives for manufacturers, allowing them to bring electric vehicles into the country at lower costs.

This will make EV vehicles more attractive and affordable to the public.

“There are two reasons why many Ghanaians are not interested in getting electric vehicles. One, we don’t have the infrastructure. If you own an EV, you need a charging system at home. I’ve seen one that can travel about 500 kilometers. So, for a trip from Accra to Tamale, you’d need to charge again before reaching. That’s why we’re exploring charging points at key locations,” he said.

“The other factor is affordability. We’re looking at providing tax breaks so manufacturers can import EVs at lower prices. If half the vehicles in this country switch from fossil fuels to electricity, it would be a great achievement,” he added.

He stated that the increasing EV use in Ghana will not only reduce pressure on fuel demand but also promote a healthier environment.

SA/MA

How social engineering hacks your mind and your bank account

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