By Erica Apeatua Addo

Tarkwa (W/R), June 14, GNA-The Tarkwa District Court One has fined two persons, Emmanuel Tawiah, labourer; and Ibrahim Mohammed, businessman, a total of GH¢1,560 for stealing and dishonestly receiving.  

They pleaded guilty, and each person was expected to pay a fine of GH¢780 or in default serve three months imprisonment each.  

Prosecuting, Police Sergeant Enoch Assan-Donkoh, told the court presided over by Mr Charles Owusu Nsiah that the complainant, Gilbert Adom Mensah, worked with the AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, and the accused persons were residents of Mile 7 in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.  

He said the Iduapriem Mine has been experiencing series of diesel theft within the company’s premises.  

The prosecutor said based on this information, the youth of Mile 7 formed a watchdog committee to patrol the town so they would apprehend those behind the criminal activity.  

Sergeant Assan-Donkoh said on January 15, 2025, around 2:00 am, Michael Boamah, who was a member of the watchdog committee while patrolling, saw Tawiah and one Arhin at large, with a jerry can of diesel each.  

He said Boamah suspected the diesel were stolen, followed Tawiah and Arhin to Mohammed’s house, where he confronted them, but they were not able to provide any convincing answer.  

Prosecution said Boamah informed the other committee members, and they arrested the accused persons with the assistance of police operation officers at Iduapriem Mine.  

He said the two were handed over to the police with the jerry cans of diesel, and both were re-arrested and detained for investigation.  

Sergeant Assan-Donkoh said during investigation, the police discovered that Tawiah and Arhin conspired and siphoned diesel from parked machines at Amax Yard within Iduapriem Mine’s concession, and they subsequently sold same to Mohammed.  

GNA  

Edited by Justina Paaga/Benjamin Mensah 

John Jinapor is the Minister of Energy

Government has postponed the implementation of the GH¢1 “Dumsor Levy” to a later date.

The Spokesperson and Head of Communication, Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, Republic of Ghana, Richmond Rockson, announced this in an X post on June 14, 2025.

He wrote, “The implementation date for the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1141), which would have taken effect from Monday, 16th of June 2025,

has been postponed after consultations with stakeholders.”

This comes after the government had earlier noted that the collection of the levy will begin on June 16, 2025 – the opening of the second pricing window of the month.

“A new effective date will be communicated in due course,” he added.

The postponement has been confirmed in a statement by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Due to rising global tensions, oil prices surged on June 13, 2025, causing Oil Marketing Companies to hint at increasing the prices of petroleum products at the pumps on June 16, 2025.

President Mahama has therefore asked the minister to monitor the tensions to gauge their impact on Ghana’s gains in the oil sector.

It is, however, unclear what has triggered the government’s decision to postpone the levy.

SSD/GA

By Godwill Arthur-Mensah 

Accra, June 13, GNA-Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, is scheduled to appear before the Committee of the Whole of Parliament next week, ending June 20, 2025, to answer urgent questions. 

Mr Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader and Chairman of the Business Committee of Parliament, made the disclosure on the floor of Parliament on Friday, June 13, during the presentation of the Business Statement for the fourth week of June. 

In all, 10 Ministers of State would also appear before the House including Mr Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources, Mr John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammad, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Madam Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry. 

For instance, Mr Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources, will appear before Parliament on Wednesday, June 18, to brief the House on the recent flooding incidents across the country and measures being implemented to mitigate the impact as well as avert future occurrences. 

Pursuant to Order 97, Ministers of State may also lay papers, as well as reports from Committees and government policy statements. 

Additionally, motions may be debated on the floor of the House and their consequential resolution. 

Meanwhile, the Majority Leader hinted that mid-year budget review would be presented to the House next month (July) barring any last-minute changes. 

GNA 

Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba 

Featured

Tutuwaah Aning

Life

Jun – 14 – 2025 , 18:30

2 minutes read

Accra, June 14, GNA – The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), has validated Ghana’s first National E-Commerce Strategy. 

The validation, which was done at a stakeholder workshop in Accra on Thursday, marks a major milestone in the country’s efforts to use digital trade for inclusive economic growth and transformation. 

The event brought together senior government officials, private sector actors, academia, civil society organisations, and development partners to review and endorse the draft strategy, which outlines key actions to address structural and trade-related barriers in Ghana’s e-commerce space. 

A joint press release by the Ministry and UNCTAD explained that the strategy sought to empower micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), promote decent job creation, enhance social inclusion, and support economic diversification through a more vibrant and inclusive digital economy. 

The initiative follows an eTrade Readiness Assessment (eT Ready) conducted by UNCTAD in response to a 2023 request by the Ministry. 

The assessment, published in November 2023, highlighted policy gaps and development opportunities in Ghana’s e-commerce ecosystem. 

The Ministry subsequently requested UNCTAD’s technical assistance in March 2024 to develop a comprehensive national e-commerce roadmap. 

Speaking at the workshop, Mr Sampson Ahi, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, said the strategy was both ambitious and practical, aiming to build trust in the digital space, improve logistics and digital payment systems, support MSMEs, and ensure equitable access for women and rural communities. 

“It is the beginning of a coordinated national effort to make e-commerce work for all Ghanaians,” he added. 

As part of the implementation efforts, the Ministry, in collaboration with its partners, is establishing an E-Commerce and Digital Trade National Steering Committee. 

The multi-stakeholder body, comprising representatives from the public and private sectors, academia and civil society, will oversee the implementation and ensure policy coherence across sectors. 

UNCTAD’s support for the strategy falls under a broader joint UN programme aimed at leveraging digital ecosystems to enhance MSME productivity. 

The programme is jointly implemented with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO). 

The Joint SDG Fund Digital Transformation Round (2023) funds it. 

The draft strategy was shaped through a participatory process, including national dialogues in June 2024 and extensive stakeholder consultations through October and November. 

The process strengthened inter-ministerial coordination and deepened public-private 

engagement in Ghana’s digital economy discourse. 

Mr Torbjörn Fredriksson, Head of the E-Commerce and Digital Economy Branch at UNCTAD, lauded Ghana’s commitment to building an inclusive and forward-looking digital economy. 

“UNCTAD is proud to support this process, which not only aligns with national development goals but also strengthens the digital capabilities of MSMEs as engines of growth and job creation,” he added. 

The validation of the National E-Commerce Strategy marks a pivotal step in positioning the country to capitalise on opportunities within the global digital economy. 

GNA 

Agnes Boye-Doe

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Ayariga, has announced that Ghana will for the first time, host a national Ghana Youth Festival in August to coincide with International Youth Day on August 12.

Speaking in an interview on Kasapa FM, Mr. Ayariga disclosed that the NYA is taking a bold step to launch this landmark initiative aimed at addressing the most pressing issues facing the Ghanaian youth today.

“It is not just about training and jobs, but also about the mental and emotional well-being of our youth,” he stated.

The Ghana Youth Festival will feature a series of conferences, forums, and campaigns focusing on mental health, drug abuse, unemployment, and other socio-economic challenges hindering the progress and productivity of young people across the country.

A special emphasis will be placed on mental health, which Mr. Osman Ayariga described as a critical foundation for youth development.

“If the mental health of our youth is not stable, then providing jobs and training alone will not yield the needed results,” he stressed.

The festival will also include a national street campaign against drug abuse, which has become a growing concern among Ghanaian youth.

Topics such as youth entrepreneurship, digital literacy, leadership, and civic responsibility will also be explored during the week-long event.

To cap off the festival, youth-centered entertainment and recreational activities will be organised to ensure that young people are not only engaged intellectually but also celebrated and empowered in a holistic way.

“This is the first time in our history that the NYA is organising something of this magnitude for the youth,” Mr. Ayariga added, emphasising that the goal is to inspire change, build resilience, and promote nationwide youth inclusion.

As part of the long-term plan, Osman Ayariga also disclosed that a youth fellowship programme would follow in October, offering young people further opportunities to learn, connect, and lead.

The Ghana Youth Festival is expected to become an annual platform to unite the country’s youth, amplify their voices, and push for policies and interventions that will shape a more promising future.

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ashaiman Chairman and member of the party’s National Zongo Caucus Coordinating Team, Shaddad Umar Jallo, has died.

He reportedly passed away on Saturday afternoon, June 14, 2025, at East Legon after suddenly complaining of ill health. While the exact cause of death is yet to be officially confirmed, close family sources suspect high blood pressure may have been a contributing factor.

Jallo, who was serving his second term as constituency chairman, played a pivotal role in the NDC’s 2024 electoral campaign.

He was instrumental in drastically reducing the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) vote share in Ashaiman, almost halving their 2020 performance.

Beyond Ashaiman, Jallo traveled extensively as part of the National Zongo Caucus coordinating team, helping galvanize support for the NDC across key communities nationwide.

However, his final days were reportedly clouded by disappointments. A close family member, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed, “Shaddad Umar Jallo died an unhappy man. Despite his sacrifices to return the party to power, he regretted that no one from Ashaiman Constituency has received any significant appointment in the Mahama-led administration despite promises prior to the elections. He spoke of that pain often”, the source iterated.

JoyNews can confirm that his body has been transported to Akatamanso in the Kpone-Katamanso Constituency.

Burial arrangements are underway, with interment scheduled for 9:00 am Sunday, June 15, 2025, in accordance with Islamic rites.

He left behind a wife and 8 children.

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.

The former Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has described President John Mahama’s recent clemency for the 64 radio stations which were recently shut down by the National Communication Authority (NCA) as a public relations stunt, lacking genuine commitment to press freedom.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, June 14, Mr. Mercer said the move was more about optics than substance.

“Pure PR, nothing else,” he asserted.

“Because knowing how our governance system works, I’m not so sure the minister [Samuel Nartey George], especially with respect to the sensitivity of radio station ownership and what has transpired in the past, would take this step without recourse to the presidency.”

He further suggested that President Mahama’s involvement in the matter appeared to be choreographed, aimed at portraying a tolerant image.

“To confirm that indeed, this is nothing but to throw dust in the eyes of the public that Mr. Mahama, the President, is some tolerant president, he is in favour of press freedom… it’s all theatrics and no more,” he said.

Mr. Mercer also disputed claims that only NDC-aligned stations were affected by regulatory closures in 2017, citing the shutdown of First Deputy Speaker Joe Osei Owusu’s station as an example.

His comment comes after President Mahama directed the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, to collaborate with the NCA to restore the affected stations without delay, shortly after it was shut down.

In a statement signed by Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the President underscored the need to balance regulatory compliance with media freedom.

The directive followed a swift enforcement exercise by the NCA, which saw stations including Happy FM, Asaase Radio, and Wontumi FM taken off air for violating provisions of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991).

The NCA cited Regulations 54 and 56 and conditions attached to their authorisations as grounds for the shutdown.

The President’s statement emphasised that forcing media houses off-air while awaiting regularisation could stifle press freedom in a democratic society.

He also instructed the Communications Ministry to work with the NCA to set a “reasonable timeframe” for the affected stations to rectify their status.

On the back of this, the Communications Minister announced that the government has granted a 30-day grace period to radio stations shut down by the NCA, giving them time to rectify regulatory breaches and resume operations.

Addressing Parliament on Thursday, June 12, Mr. George said the decision followed a directive from President John Mahama earlier in the day, instructing the ministry and the NCA to collaborate in restoring services to the affected media houses.

“Mr. Speaker, a few minutes ago, His Excellency John Mahama directed that the Ministry work with the regulator at the NCA to allow all the affected radio stations some additional time to correct the identified breaches within a defined time frame,” the minister said.

He added that stations that fail to regularise their authorisations within the 30-day period would face formal revocation in accordance with existing regulations.

However, the Minister said as part of what the government calls a more compassionate and democratic approach, all fines that would have been imposed on the stations have been waived.

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.

Manasseh Azure is an investigative journalist

Investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni, has lauded President John Dramani Mahama for taking decisive action by discontinuing the Zoomlion‑Youth Employment Agency (YEA) sanitation contract, saying it has rekindled his faith in Ghana’s democratic leadership.

In a heartfelt letter addressed to President Mahama, Manasseh detailed his 12‑year investigative journey uncovering corruption and impropriety under the longstanding Zoomlion contract signed in 2006.

He praised Mahama’s bold decision not to renew the deal and highlighted it as a rare moment of accountability by a civilian leader.

“Your decision to discontinue this contract has reinforced my long‑held faith in not giving up on a just and noble cause even if nobody else believes in it. It’s been 12 years fighting, and your action is the most appropriate response to those who asked why I would not give up and move on, when nobody was prepared to discontinue the contract.”

He continued: “In a significant way, you have restored my faith in our democracy.”

Manasseh’s open letter comes after President Mahama responded in a letter dated 11 June 2025, confirming that the expired contract will not be renewed. He pledged a full audit of recent payments and committed to a competitive procurement process for future sanitation services.

In response, Manasseh described Mahama’s move as one of the high points of his journalism career, recognising it as “one of the best pieces of news” he has witnessed.

He added that the action encourages investigative journalists and civic activists committed to exposing wrongdoing.

Manasseh further promised to monitor reforms, including better compensation for sweepers, decentralised contract management, and the cleanup of remaining questionable agreements such as the SML (Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited) contract.

Featured

Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor

Jun – 14 – 2025 , 16:18

1 minute read

President Mahama promises to construct a rice mill factory in the North East region

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that his administration, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), will establish a modern rice mill in Jadima, located in the Mamprugu Moagduri District of the North East Region.

The rice processing facility is expected to handle over 30,000 metric tonnes of locally grown rice every year and create more than 2,000 jobs, prioritising opportunities for women, children, and the youth.

Speaking at a durbar of Chiefs and People in Nalerigu as part of his Thank You Tour of the region, President Mahama described the project as a major step in transforming the region’s agricultural economy.

“This rice mill is not just a factory, it is a symbol of hope, a signal of change, and a tool for empowerment,” he stated. “We are moving from subsistence to sustainability, and from survival to prosperity.”

He emphasised that Ghana’s future in agriculture depends on commercial production and agro-industrial transformation, rather than small-scale farming alone.

“Our farmers work hard, but for too long, they’ve lacked the systems to add value to their produce. This facility will ensure their efforts are rewarded,” Mahama said.

“We will drastically reduce post-harvest losses, and more importantly, keep the profits here in Ghana.”

To ensure that the rice produced does not go to waste, the President revealed a strong partnership with the National Buffer Stock Company.

“I have instructed the Buffer Stock Company to purchase all the rice produced from this mill,” he announced. “We will pay for it and use it to feed our children in senior high schools across the country. This is how we create a complete local value chain, from the farmer’s field to the dining halls.”

President Mahama also touched on the project’s broader impact on the community.

“This will not only boost incomes for farmers but also improve livelihoods, reduce youth migration, and foster stability in this part of the country,” he said.

The Minister for Works and Housing, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling coastal erosion, particularly in the Volta Region, as construction officially begins on the long-awaited second phase of the Blekusu Sea Defence Project.

Speaking during an engagement with residents in the Ketu South Municipality, the Minister described Ghana’s coastline—especially in the Volta Region—as one of the hardest hit by erosion, with more than 300 kilometres at risk.

He noted that the newly commenced 8-kilometre project is a critical part of efforts by President John Mahama’s administration to provide long-term protection to vulnerable coastal communities.

“The ongoing 8-kilometre Phase II of the Blekusu Sea Defence Project is a clear demonstration of President Mahama’s resolve to implement lasting solutions to protect vulnerable coastal populations,” Mr. Adjei told residents.

The project, awarded to Amandi, has begun with site preparations ahead of full-scale construction. Once completed, it is expected to end years of tidal wave destruction in communities like Amutinu, Salakope, and others along the Ketu South coastline.

Residents have welcomed the news with enthusiasm. Sylvester Kumawu, Assembly Member for the Amutinu-Salakope Electoral Area, described the project as a lifeline.

“I am truly happy that the president has awarded the second phase of the sea defence to start the construction as soon as possible. My colleagues are extremely happy and welcoming of the news, and this is more or less a lifeline for the community. We expect the people to expedite action so that construction will be swift,” he said.

The four-year project is seen as a crucial step toward restoring security and stability for thousands living under the constant threat of sea encroachment.

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