By Prince Acquah   

Cape Coast, Dec 21, GNA – The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has appealed to the government for financial clearance to recruit more academic staff to foster effective academic work.   

The request follows the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission’s (GTEC) directive on retirement, enjoining staff of universities who had attained the age of 60 to proceed on compulsory retirement.   

Speaking at the climax of the university’s 58th congregation on Saturday, Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, indicated that 38 academic staff involving senior faculty in the ranks of professors, associate professors and senior lecturers had been affected by the directive.   

He said many of them had to leave impromptu without any formal planning, a situation which had put a lot of constraints on the university’s administration.   

He indicated it was not sustainable for the university to rely on part-time lecturers, particularly for the emerging programmes, stressing the need for permanent recruitments.   

The climax of the 58th congregation was a special occasion for the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) where a total of 4,154 postgraduate students were honoured and duly graduated.   

While the ninth session graduated 1,904 students, the 10th and final session graduated 2,250 students including 128 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduands.   

Also among the graduands were 433 senior police officers who had successfully completed their postgraduate diploma in security studies, a programme which equipped them with enhanced analytical, managerial, and strategic skills to address complex security challenges.   

Meanwhile, the university graduated a total of 13,388 undergraduates in the first to eighth sessions held from Tuesday to Friday, bringing the total number of graduates for the 58th congregation to 17,542.   

Prof Aheto lamented the age-old infrastructure deficit in the university, particularly accommodation for students, which he said was taking a dire toll on enrolment and students’ welfare.   

He noted that of the 11,500 students who enrolled in the 2024/2025 academic year, the university could only provide on-campus accommodation for nearly 6,000 students, leaving the rest to their own fate.    

“Approximately 5,500 first year students require hostel accommodation while nearly 20,000 continuing students depend on private hostels in surrounding communities and neighbouring towns.  

“The situation is further compounded by postgraduate students who also compete with undergraduate students for the limited facilities on and around campus,” he said.   

The Acting Vice-Chancellor announced that the university’s governing council at its recent meeting considered a comprehensive proposal aimed at guiding strategic partnerships and sustainable financing mechanisms for students housing development as part of efforts to mitigate the challenge.   

He called for strategic interventions and investment in student housing infrastructure, appealing to development partners, investors and all relevant stakeholders.   

Prof Aheto reaffirmed UCC’s commitment to graduate education to foster quality teaching, research and community service.   

He said SGS was contributing immensely to Ghana’s human capital development , research output, policy discourse and living up to the hallmark of the university.   

Touching on the postgraduate diploma for the senior security officer, he said the course demonstrated UCC’s shared commitment to professional development, strategic leadership and national security.   

“The department has also developed the top-up for the programme for a masters degree and hopefully by 2026, the programme will begin,” he announced.   

In spite of the challenges, Prof Aheto said UCC was breaking barriers and setting the pace in many areas, especially in research.   

Touching on some achievements, he said the university had been ranked first in Ghana and West Africa for fifth consecutive year and rated 11th in Africa by the Times Higher Education in its 2026 World University Rankings.   

Justice William Anaam Atuguba, Chairman of Governing Council, reminded the granduands of their responsibility to society and entreated them to deploy their expertise with integrity, humanity and a strong sense of social responsibility.   

GNA   

Edited by Alice Tettey/Christian Akorlie    

Tese suspects were arrested during the raid

The Upper East Regional Police Command has arrested four suspects in a targeted operation at Paga in the Upper East Region.

This operation is part of efforts to clampdown crimes in the northern part of the country especialyy the borders.

Three suspects arrested over viral video of toddler served alcohol

According to a post shared on social media by the Ghana police service, the suspects arrested on December 18, 2025, at various locations along the Paga border, were identified as Kofi Boateng, Eric Owusu and Godwin Agosa, all porters and Abdul Aziz Bukari, a driver’s mate.

They were arrested during a coordinated raids on criminal hideouts and areas suspected of being peddling locations within Paga in the Upper East Region.

The police said that several exhibits were retrieved during the operation, including eight jackpot gaming machines, thirteen rolls of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, and three mobile phones.

Police nab 25 suspected criminals at Techiman in major security swoop

Other items were three scissors, three lighters, one power bank, one empty phone case and an amount of twenty-five Ghana cedis.

According to the police, all the suspects are in police custody assisting with investigations, and those found guilty will be arraigned before the court to face the law.

Read full post below:

RAD/AM

AG transmits extradition requests to US authorities for Ken Ofori-Atta and Ernest Akore

Africa’s downstream energy sector is increasingly being positioned as one of the world’s next major investment frontiers, as rising population, urbanisation and industrial growth drive unprecedented demand for fuel and clean cooking solutions.

The African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) says while the continent has enormous energy potential, attracting global capital will depend on improving bankability through regulatory discipline, infrastructure development and harmonised fuel standards.

A statement issued by Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary of ARDA, said investors were not deterred by demand, but by uncertainty.

“Africa has plenty of potential, but capital flows to predictability, discipline and credibility,” the statement said in an industry brief, noting that fragmented regulations, weak infrastructure and financing risks had historically undermined investor confidence in downstream projects.

It said Africa’s energy demand is projected to grow sharply over the coming decades. By 2050, one in every four people globally was expected to live on the continent, intensifying demand for refined petroleum products, LPG and associated infrastructure.

ARDA estimated that crude oil consumption in Africa could rise from about 1.8 million barrels per day in 2024 to 4.5 million barrels per day by 2050.

Despite this growth, it said downstream investment had lagged behind upstream production, forcing many countries to export crude oil while importing refined products at higher cost.

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) estimates that Africa would require more than 100 billion dollars in refining investment by 2050 to meet rising demand, including upgrades to existing facilities, refinery expansions and new projects, the statement said.

It, however, said many downstream projects across the continent struggle to reach financial close due to what it describes as a “bankability gap”.

Global investors, it noted, required stable regulatory frameworks, predictable feedstock supply, bankable offtake arrangements, enforceable contracts and credible project preparation.

It said often countries encountered inconsistent fuel standards, shallow ports, congested depots, limited storage capacity, exchange-rate volatility and policy uncertainty.

“One major constraint identified is the lack of harmonised fuel specifications across Africa. Out of 54 countries, 46 maintain national fuel standards, resulting in 12 different gasoline grades and 11 diesel grades, with sulphur levels varying widely,” it said.

The statement said that upgrading African refineries to cleaner fuel standards would require about 16 billion dollars in investment, and that such spending would unlock regional trade, reduce costs, improve public health and align the continent with global fuel norms.

“Infrastructure bottlenecks also continue to weigh heavily on the sector. A 2024 industry whitepaper cited by ARDA highlights shallow ports, congested berths, inadequate storage, overused roads and pipelines, and single points of failure across fuel supply chains,” it said.

“These inefficiencies, ARDA said, add between 20 and 30 dollars per tonne to landed fuel costs and weaken confidence in the reliability of supply systems, even as new refining capacity, including the Dangote refinery, comes onstream.”

The statement said ARDA pointed to clean cooking as one of Africa’s most significant untapped energy markets.

More than one billion Africans it said relied on biomass for cooking, with the number increasing by about 220 million since 2010, posing serious health, environmental and social risks.

The Association said the scale of unmet demand makes Africa one of the most attractive global markets for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) investment.

The statement recommended a blueprint aimed at making Africa’s downstream markets more investment-ready to address the issues.

It called for priorities, including harmonising low-sulphur fuel standards, rebuilding infrastructure across the value chain, embedding regulatory and investment discipline, scaling up LPG adoption and developing a pipeline of bankable projects.

The statement said it was working with the African Union Commission, United Nations agencies and regional economic communities to promote cleaner fuels, while also advocating deeper ports, expanded storage, rehabilitated pipelines and more resilient logistics systems.

It said it was also supporting initiatives to mobilise large-scale financing for clean cooking, including a proposed one-billion-dollar LPG fund to support bankable projects across the continent.

“Through thematic workgroups, training programmes and high-level industry forums, ARDA says it is building technical capacity, strengthening governance and supporting the development of a skilled workforce to drive Africa’s energy transition,” it said.

Africa’s downstream sector represents one of the last large-scale, high-growth energy investment opportunities globally.

“For investors seeking long-term returns anchored in real demand, Africa’s downstream sector is not just an opportunity, it is the next frontier,” it said, stressing that sustained capital inflows would depend on discipline, transparency and credible project delivery.

By Michael Foli Jackidy  

Ho (V/R), Dec. 21, GNA – Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, has attended the opening ceremony of the Second Volta Regional Youth Camp and Leadership Training organised by the Ghana Red Cross Society at Sokode Senior High Technical School.  

The five-day camp, scheduled from December 19 to 23, is being held under the theme: “Empowering Youth Leadership for Humanitarian Action and Resilience.”  

It brought together young people from across the region to equip them with essential leadership skills, humanitarian values, and the mindset required to serve humanity and build resilient communities.  

Delivering the keynote address, Mr Gunu reaffirmed the Red Cross’s core principle that “Humanity Comes First,” and stressed the critical role of young people in responding to climate challenges, health emergencies, and growing social pressures.  

He encouraged participants to look beyond personal interests and embrace compassion-driven action, noting that even the smallest act of kindness could make a significant difference when motivated by a genuine desire to serve others.  

As a demonstration of his commitment to youth development and humanitarian service, Mr Gunu donated GHS10,000.00 to support the successful organisation of the camp.  

He commended the Ghana Red Cross Society, facilitators, partners, and stakeholders for their dedication to empowering young people and strengthening humanitarian leadership in the region.  

The Regional Minister urged the participants to learn with humility, lead with integrity, and serve with passion, encouraging them to carry the values of humanity, service, and resilience into their schools, communities, and everyday lives.  

“When youth are empowered, communities are transformed. The future of humanitarian leadership begins with you,” he stated.  

In his remarks, Mr Bright Agordzor, the Volta Regional Chairman of the Ghana Red Cross Society, outlined the key objectives of the camp, which include training in first aid, youth leadership development, and volunteer ethics.  

Mr Agordzor appealed for financial and logistical support, as well as sponsorship for school-based Red Cross groups, and expressed appreciation to Mr Gunu for his continued support in his role as the Regional Chief Patron of the Ghana Red Cross Society.  

GNA  

Edited By: Maxwell Awumah/Christian Akorlie   

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has officially confirmed that virtual asset trading, including cryptocurrency activities, is now legal in the country, assuring the public that individuals engaged in such transactions will not face arrest.

Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, made the announcement while speaking at the annual Nine Lessons, Carols and Thanksgiving Service held at the Bank Square in Accra on Friday December 19.

According to the Governor, the development follows the establishment of a regulatory framework that allows authorities to oversee the sector while managing the risks associated with virtual asset trading.

“Effectively, virtual assets trading is now legal and no one is going to be arrested for doing crypto, but we now have the framework to manage the risks involved,” Dr. Asiama stated.

He explained that the move goes beyond legal recognition, describing it as a critical step toward strengthening regulation and supervision within the financial sector.

“These are not just legal milestones; they are enablers of better policies, stronger supervision and more effective regulation,” he noted.

Dr. Asiama emphasised that while the new framework provides flexibility for innovation and growth, it also demands caution from both regulators and participants in the crypto space.

“The progress gives us room to move, but it also calls for responsibility and vigilance,” he added.

The Governor further stressed that the regulatory framework is designed to ensure that risks linked to virtual asset activities are properly managed, safeguarding the stability of the financial system while allowing digital finance to evolve within clear rules.

“What this means is that now we have the framework to manage it and to manage the risks that can involve that kind of activity,” he said.

President John Dramani Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Finance to release GH¢1 billion to contractors who have been owed payments by the state since 2017.

The directive was issued during a sod-cutting ceremony for the Sunyani–Atronie–Acherensua Road Project in the Bono Region on Sunday, December 21, 2025.

Mahama orders $78m payment for work to resume on Agona-Nkwanta road project

“I have directed the Finance Minister, Dr Ato Forson, to release GH¢1 billion to settle debts owed to contractors since 2017 before Christmas. All the contractors will be paid, and the families of deceased contractors should also follow to receive the money,” President Mahama said.

He further encouraged contractors to submit their documents promptly to ensure timely payment.

“I want to urge contractors to hurry up with their certificates to receive your money. Your money will only be delayed if you are lazy,” he added.

Government owes road contractors about GH¢21 billion – Roads minister

President Mahama also reiterated that funds have been allocated for contractors under the Big Push programme, which is aimed at reviving and completing stalled infrastructure projects across the country.

JKB/EB