Insecurity Has Heightened In Prez. Mahama’s 1 Year- Minority Peacefmonline.com
24-hour economy policy inspires remarkable GPCL turnaround
President Mahama has praised the remarkable turnaround of the Ghana Publishing Company Limited
President John Dramani Mahama has praised the remarkable turnaround of the Ghana Publishing Company Limited (GPCL), following strategic reforms that have significantly improved the company’s productivity and financial standing.
Speaking during a working visit to the company, management recounted the difficult state of GPCL when the current leadership took office on 16 February. According to them, the company was grappling with severe overstaffing and financial insolvency, raising concerns about its ability to meet salary obligations.
To address the situation, management said it adopted principles inspired by the 24-hour economy, introducing a night shift system that created a two-shift operational model. This move helped improve efficiency and avoid large-scale layoffs, while ensuring staff were better utilised.
As a result, turnaround times for critical services such as the publication of gazettes have improved drastically, reducing processing periods from as long as eight weeks to just three weeks. The company has also introduced a 24-hour gazette turnaround, allowing clients to receive services within a day.
Management further disclosed that the reforms opened new revenue streams and led to a sharp rise in income. Among the major achievements is the establishment of a fully equipped digital press centre, converted from a previously unused warehouse facility.
Financially, GPCL has moved from a precarious position, where salaries were once paid through bank overdrafts and the company held a bank balance of about GH¢400,000, to a much stronger footing. Within ten months, the company has paid staff a 13th-month salary without borrowing, committed to a 40 per cent salary increase, and placed GH¢15 million in fixed deposits.
The leadership expressed optimism about the future, noting that with increased government printing jobs, particularly from agencies such as the Ghana Education Service (GES), the company’s fortunes are expected to improve even further.
President Mahama commended the management and staff for the progress made, describing the transformation as a positive example of how state-owned enterprises can be revitalised through innovation, discipline and commitment.
Government pledges support for Gomoa Central Special Economic Zone
Gomoa Central MP Asare Obeng showing Vice President Prof Opoku Agyemang details of proposed GCSEZ
The Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, has assured of the government’s unwavering support for the development of the Gomoa Central Special Economic Zone, stating that the project aligns with key government initiatives such as the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development policies.
Located in Bewuadze, Gomoa Central District, the zone is expected to feature industrial parks, residential apartments, and eco-parks, among other amenities. Its strategic location along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor, responsible for $300 million worth of trade annually, presents a significant opportunity for Africa’s trade and industry, according to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.
During a site visit to the proposed Gomoa Central Special Economic Zone (GCSEZ), Professor Opoku Agyemang expressed the government’s commitment to the project’s realisation, citing its potential to generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and stimulate industrial growth, thereby reshaping Ghana’s economic landscape.
“The project aligns with our key national priorities, including the 24-Hour Economy policy and the Accelerated Export Development programme,” she said.
The Vice President also emphasised the government’s commitment to rallying all state institutions to support the project, ensuring that it receives the necessary backing to succeed.
The AfCFTA Secretariat has welcomed the project, calling for support from Africa’s financial institutions to help drive the development of a local market for Africa, amidst challenging global economic and trade policies.
The GCSEZ is expected to play a vital role in promoting Ghana’s economic growth, with its competitive production hub, powered by renewable energy, set to attract investors and create employment opportunities for many Ghanaians.
Minnesota officials say FBI blocked their access to ICE shooting probe
Minnesota officials say the FBI has blocked their access to an investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.
People have taken to the streets of Minneapolis to protest the killing of 37-year-old Renee Good, who died on Wednesday after being shot in her car.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has accused the Trump administration of blocking state officials from involvement in the case, but the US vice president said the investigation is a federal issue.
Officials have offered differing accounts of the incident, with the Trump administration claiming the ICE agent was acting in self-defence, while local officials say the woman posed no danger.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has claimed the ICE agent shot Good multiple times because she was trying to run over the officer in her car.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation said it would investigate the incident.
Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) said the FBI had initially agreed to a joint investigation with state officials but then reversed course and denied the state access to materials and evidence.
Without the ability to access all the necessary case materials and evidence, the BCA has “reluctantly withdrawn” from the investigation, the BCA’s superintendent Drew Evans said in a statement.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Walz said he was worried the federal government would not be able to carry out an unbiased investigation.
“It feels now that Minnesota has been taken out of the investigation,” Walz said. “It feels very, very difficult that we will get a fair outcome.”
Vice President JD Vance told reporters on Thursday that the investigation into the shooting was a federal issue, arguing it would go against precedent for a local official to be involved in prosecuting the case.
Videos of the incident show ICE agents approaching a car which is in the middle of the street, and tell the woman behind the wheel to get out of the SUV. One of the agents tugs at the driver’s side door handle.
As the vehicle attempts to drive off, one of the agents points their gun at the driver and several shots are heard.
The car then continues to drive away from the officer and crashes into the side of the street.
At the scene of the crash on Thursday, blood from the shooting could still be seen in the snow. People set up a vigil at the site to honour Good, lining the bank with candles and roses.
Hundreds of demonstrators showed up throughout the day, shouting insults at ICE and offering their neighbours coffee on the cold winter day.
Susie Hawyard, a minister, said she went to the scene of the shooting as soon as she heard the news to verify “with my own eyes” what happened.
“I was horrified,” she said. “I saw the car, I saw Renee’s car, I saw Renee’s blood.”
Protesters also gathered at a federal building in Minneapolis early Thursday morning, where they were met with armed officers. The protests remained largely peaceful there, as residents expressed their anger over the killing of Good.
“They cannot get away with killing someone. There have to be consequences for actions,” said Gavin, one of dozens of people outside the federal building.
Those who knew Good said she was a poet and guitarist who had just moved to the city of Minneapolis.
Her mother, Donna Ganger, told the Minnesota Star Tribune that her daughter was “probably terrified” during the confrontation with officers who saw her fatally shot.
“She was extremely compassionate,” Ganger told the daily newspaper. “She’s taken care of people all her life. She was loving, forgiving and affectionate. She was an amazing human being.”
Even those who did not know Good said they were touched by her death.
“Renee was everything that was good about our community,” said Nimco Ahmad, a Somali immigrant who grew up just blocks from the incident.
Ahmad said she and others were gathered to help ensure justice would be secured for Good.
The exclusion of state authorities from the probe into Good’s killing is likely to undermine public trust, said Edward Maguire, a criminology professor at Arizona State University.
“From a criminological perspective, jurisdictional claims in cases like this are often less about legal requirements and more about political efforts to control the investigation and shape its outcome,” he said.
But the state could still file criminal charges later against the federal officer who killed Good, said Bryna Godar, a staff attorney with the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School.
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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.
GNFS officers interdicted following Kasoa journalist assault – Mahama reveals
President John Dramani Mahama says assault on journalists would not be tolerated
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the Ghana National Fire Service officers implicated in the attack on a Class Media Group (CMG) journalist while covering a fire outbreak at Kasoa in the Central Region have been interdicted.
He condemned the incident as intolerable, stating that it goes against the principles of press freedom and professional conduct, and emphasised that such actions fall far below the standards expected of personnel in the security services.
Speaking on the assault on Thursday, January 8, he called for the reorientation of officers to ensure proper engagement with journalists, highlighting that both security personnel and reporters serve the public.
“There is no way we will tolerate the continued assault on journalists.
We have engaged with the Ghana Journalists Association on these issues and will ensure they are in touch with the security services.”
President Mahama stated that many members of the security services require renewed training to appreciate that journalists, like security officers, are carrying out a public service.
He emphasised that the work of the media complements that of security agencies and that the two should not be viewed as being in opposition.
The remarks follow an incident involving journalist Samuel Addo, who was at the Kasoa New Market on Monday, January 5, 2026, reporting on a fire outbreak when he was allegedly accosted and roughly handled by officers of the Ghana National Fire Service who sought to stop him from recording the scene.
Kade SHTS Tutor Assault: 5 accused persons convicted
The five suspects who were accused of assaulting a teacher of Kade Senior High and Technical School (SHTS) have all been convicted, a statement by the Ghana Police Service has said.
This comes after the five suspects arrested by the police from various hideouts were arraigned before the Kade District Court for their involvement in an assault case on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
According to the statement, the accused persons—Felix Nana Danquah, Isaac ‘Dubai’ Okai, Edward ‘Missed Call’ Baah, Maxwell ‘Ozil’ Kwasi Antwi, and Richmond ‘Star Boy’ Yeboah—were charged with conspiracy to commit crime, to wit assault, and assault.
It said they pleaded guilty to the charges and were convicted based on their own pleas.
The court, however, deferred sentencing and ordered that they be remanded into prison custody.
GNAT, NAGRAT condemn Kade SHS teacher assault
The convicts are expected to reappear before the court on January 20, 2026, when sentencing will be pronounced.
The police cautioned the general public, particularly the youth, to refrain from engaging in violent attacks, whether willingly or through any form of motivation, noting that such acts constitute criminal offences under the law.
The police further assured the public of their continued commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining law and order across the country.
Read the full statement below:
BAI
You can also watch more videos from Naser Toure’s funeral below:
Ofori-Atta’s visa will expire on Feb 14; he applied for extension on medical grounds – Lawyer speaks
Frank Davies (R) is a lawyer of Ken Ofori-Atta
Legal counsel for embattled former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, Frank Davies, has given details on the detention of his client by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to a report by myjoyonline.com, Ofori-Atta’s lawyer affirmed that his client ended up in the custody of ICE because of issues relating to his visa.
He indicated that the former finance minister’s visa was set to expire on February 14, 2025, and he has started the process to get it extended.
He said that Ofori-Atta needs his visa extended so that he can continue seeking medical attention that took him to the US in the first place, adding that the American authorities would soon determine whether his application is justified.
“Ken Ofori-Atta left here, and then he gave notice that he was going for a medical procedure that had been done. And if we all know what he’s suffering from, it is not easy. After that, he has to go through a period of recuperation.
“And that is exactly what he is doing. He is in constant consultation with his medical team, and if they advise that at the stage at which they are, it is imperative for him to continue to remain in the States so that they can attend to him, what exactly is wrong with that?” the lawyer is quoted to have said.
He added, “If you visit a country and, for some reason, are unable to leave when you are supposed to, you apply to extend your stay. What is so strange about that? Yes, he has applied for an extension, and the petition is with ICE. They will determine it, and in the fullness of time, we will all know whether the petition has merit or not.”
Ken Ofori-Atta arrested and detained in the US
Frank Davies refuted assertions that there was something wrong with the move to get his client’s visa extended, saying the application is a routine immigration process.
“This is a normal practice in every jurisdiction. If someone is unable to leave a country when their visa expires due to unforeseen circumstances, they apply for an extension,” he said.
Ofori-Atta’s American lawyers issued a public notice on his detention by ICE on January 8, 2025.
Ofori-Atta is a suspect in multiple criminal investigations by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor, which declared him wanted and placed him on an Interpol Red Notice.
See details of the US ICE facility where Ken Ofori-Atta is being held
Below are the cases the OSP has declared Ofori-Atta wanted for:
1. Contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority, aimed at enhancing revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals resources value chain.
2. Termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC) for the Distribution, Loss Reduction, and Associated Network Improvement Project.
3. Procurement of contractors, materials, and payments related to the National Cathedral project.
4. Activities and payments associated with a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health (initially commenced by the Ministry for Special Development Initiatives) to Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the purchase and after-sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 305 CDI ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.
5. Payments and utilisation of funds from the Tax Refund Account of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
BAI
You can also watch more videos from Naser Toure’s funeral below:
AFCON Report: Final Eight Finalized Following Memorable Knockout Roun
Senegal continued their pursuit, scoring two disallowed goals in quick succession; however Gueye converted his second moments before the break. Les Lions de la Teranga continued to apply the pressure, earning their third and final breakthrough in the 77th minute as substitute Ibrahim Mbaye met Manè’s pass with precision.
Next up on the schedule was Mali versus Tunisia. The West African outfit survived most of the game with ten men following Woyo Coulibaly’s dismissal in the 26th minute. Sami Trabelsi’s side broke the deadlock in the dying embers of the game, only to be undone by a Lassine Sinayoko penalty conversion in one of the last kicks of regular time.
Persons with Albinism call for specialised healthcare in Ghana
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