Parliament Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources meets with Zoomlion

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources, John Oti Bless, has called for the establishment of a dedicated source of funding as a way forward in addressing the country’s sanitation problems.

He said sanitation is a daily necessity and that without a dedicated source of funding, Ghana will continue to face the same sanitation challenges.

“As a committee, we will advocate for a dedicated sanitation fund. If 40 pesewas is being raised through the levy, 20 pesewas should go to sanitation while the other 20 goes to energy. This will bring real change,”

Oti Bless made the recommendation while responding to questions about the disparity between sanitation levy collections and tangible outcomes, during a tour of Zoomlion’s Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP) at Adjen-Kotoku on April 23, 2025.

He pointed out that with prompt payments, service providers in the sanitation sector can be held accountable for performance.

He questioned how Zoomlion could operate effectively without receiving payments from the government for the past two years for services rendered, asking, “How can a company function effectively without resources?”

“As a committee, we want to give him the benefit of the doubt. The finance minister, who appeared before our committee prior to the budget presentation, pledged a sum to clear outstanding debts, including those owed to Zoomlion. With about GHS 13 billion budgeted for this purpose, I trust the finance minister will fulfill this promise,” he assured.

Bless who doubles as the member of Parliament for Nkwanta North Constituency, Oti Region, assured that his committee will ensure the right steps are taken.

“We’re working closely with the media and need your support to drive change. We won’t rest until there’s visible and meaningful progress in this country. Every district assembly has until December to address pressing issues, particularly concerning YEA workers.”

According to him, during their field visit, YEA workers raised several concerns, and Zoomlion has shared their perspective.

“We’ve invited the YEA CEO to appear before the committee to explore reviewing the allowances paid to these workers. For years, they’ve received minimal amounts; it’s time for a review to better motivate them,” he added.

Another critical issue, Oti Bless indicated, was public behaviour, stressing that this is why “we need the media’s support for a nationwide public education campaign.”

He underscored the need for the local bye-laws to be enforced though he admitted many were not gazetted, rendering them unenforceable.

“We’ll work with the Minister for Local Government to address this. When people dump refuse indiscriminately, they must be held accountable. Let’s look at countries like Rwanda – clean and orderly – because their bylaws are active and strictly enforced,” he stated.

For his part, the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, fervently urged the committee to back Zoomlion’s efforts in enforcing sanitation and environmental bye-laws, with strict prosecution of offenders.

This, he said, would significantly reduce indiscriminate waste dumping in public areas.

He explained, “Our work at Zoomlion transcends mere cleaning services.”

“We’re combating cholera, addressing environmental issues, and even supporting tourism initiatives, all while enhancing public health and sanitation infrastructure,” he highlighted.

He underscored the immense value of a clean and safe environment, stating, “A well-maintained environment can substantially improve people’s quality of life and longevity.”

However, Dr Agyepong expressed disappointment at the lack of sufficient incentives and support for this critical sector.

SP/MA

Meanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s tour of Odweanoma Paragliding Field below:

Accra, April 24, GNA – The Ghana Chamber of Mines has commended the Government and Gold Fields Ghana Limited for reaching a constructive and forward-looking agreement on the transition arrangements for the Damang Mine.

The Chamber welcomes the decision to issue a new 12-month mining lease to Abosso Goldfields Limited, a subsidiary of Gold Fields, which will enable the safe resumption of open-pit mining during the transition period.

“The joint commitment to maintaining jobs, progressing feasibility studies, and ensuring continued processing of stockpiles underscores the shared interest in sustaining mining operations for the benefit of employees, local communities, and the broader Ghanaian economy,” the Chamber said in a statement.

Importantly, the Chamber acknowledges the establishment of a joint asset transition team, comprising representatives from both parties, to oversee the eventual transfer of the Damang Mine to Ghanaian ownership, it added.

“This is a laudable step towards promoting local participation, investor confidence and ownership in themining sector. “We are encouraged by the spirit of collaboration that has characterized the engagement between the Government and Gold Fields,” said Ahmed Dasana Nantogmah, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines.

“Such partnerships not only enhance investor confidence but also reflect a commitment to good governance, transparency, and inclusive development.”

The Chamber also lauded the parties’ willingness to initiate early discussions on the renewal of the lease for the Tarkwa Mine, due in 2027.

The Chamber said the proactive approach was essential to ensuring stability and long-term value creation in Ghana’s mining sector.

As the umbrella body representing the interests of the mining industry in Ghana, the Chamber urged all stakeholders to continue engaging in open dialogue and collaborative action.

“This will further entrench transparency, build public confidence, and position Ghana as the mining investment destination of choice,” it added.

GNA

CA

US President Donald Trump

A trade war between the world’s two biggest economies is now in full swing.

Chinese exports to the US face up to 245% tariffs, and Beijing has hit back with a 125% levy on American imports. Consumers, businesses and markets are braced for more uncertainty as fears of a global recession have heightened.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s government has repeatedly said it is open to dialogue, but warned that, if necessary, it would “fight to the end”.

Here’s a look at what Beijing has in its arsenal to counter US President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

China can take the pain (to a point)

China is the world’s second-largest economy, which means it can absorb the impacts of the tariffs better than other smaller countries.

With more than a billion people, it also has a huge domestic market that could take some of the pressure off exporters who are reeling from tariffs.

Beijing is still fumbling with the keys because Chinese people are not spending enough. But with a range of incentives, from subsidies for household appliances to “silver trains” for travelling retirees, that could change.

And Trump’s tariffs have given the Chinese Communist Party an even stronger impetus to unlock the country’s consumer potential.

The leadership may “very well be willing to endure the pain to avoid capitulating to what they believe is US aggression”, Mary Lovely, a US-China trade expert at the Peterson Institute in Washington DC, told BBC Newshour earlier this month.

China also has a higher threshold for pain as an authoritarian regime, as it is far less worried about short-term public opinion. There is no election around the corner that will judge its leaders.

Still, unrest is a concern, especially because there is already discontent over an ongoing property crisis and job losses.

The economic uncertainty over tariffs is yet another blow for young people who have only ever known a rising China.

The Party has been appealing to nationalist sentiments to justify its retaliatory tariffs, with state media calling on people to “weather storms together”.

President Xi Jinping may be worried but, so far, Beijing has struck a defiant and confident tone. One official assured the country: “The sky will not fall.”

China has been investing in the future

China has always been known as the world’s factory – but it has been pouring billions into becoming a far more advanced one.

Under Xi, it has been in a race with the US for tech dominance.

It has invested heavily in homegrown tech, from renewables to chips to AI.

Examples include the chatbot DeepSeek, which was celebrated as a formidable rival to ChatGPT, and BYD, which beat Tesla last year to become the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) maker. Apple has been losing its prized market share to local competitors such as Huawei and Vivo.

Recently Beijing announced plans to spend more than $1tn over the next decade to support innovation in AI.

US companies have tried to move their supply chains away from China, but they have struggled to find the same scale of infrastructure and skilled labour elsewhere.

Chinese manufacturers at every stage of the supply chain have given the country a decades-long advantage that will take time to replicate.

That unrivalled supply chain expertise and government support have made China a formidable foe in this trade war – in some ways, Beijing has been preparing for this since Trump’s previous term.

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture has announced the launch of the National Heritage Photo Competition 2025 in Accra.

The competition, which is open to all the 16 regions of Ghana, seeks to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage through photography.

Giving an overview of the competition, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the sector minister, said the competition aimed at promoting Ghana’s cultural heritage and providing a platform for young creatives to showcase their talents.

Beyond showcasing the unique heritage, cultural and tourism sights of all the metropolitan, municipal and districts to the world, the competition would foster national pride and appreciation of Ghana’s rich cultural diversity.

“We are not only promoting our rich cultural heritage but providing opportunities for young Ghanaians to showcase their creativity,” she said.

On the eligibility and requirements, Madam Gomashie said participants should not be more than 25 years and entries could include photographs of heritage sites and cultural products such as traditional dresses and foods.

The competition is being organised in collaboration with UNESCO and supported by the Ghana Tourism Authority, National Folklore Board, National Commission for Culture, and Bureau of Ghana Languages.

The others are the National Theatre, National Film Authority, Tourism Development Authority, Pan African Writers Association, Hotel, Catering and Tourism Training Institute, Museums and Monuments Board, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Creative Arts Agency, and W.E.B Du Bois Centre.

Entries are to be submitted to heritagesites@motac.gov.gh not later than Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

GNA

Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson

Ghana’s economic outlook received a significant boost following a high-level investor meeting held in Washington, D.C., led by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

Investors responded positively to the progress Ghana has made in stabilizing its economy.

This was after the finance minister did a detailed presentation explaining the cedi has remained relatively stable, with signs of appreciation, while international reserves are strong, currently covering four months of imports.

These indicators were presented as evidence of the government’s commitment to restoring macroeconomic stability.

Dr Forson reported that domestic revenue performance has been strong. The Ghana Revenue Authority exceeded its first-quarter target by over 2.4 billion cedis, driven by strong performances in VAT and other key tax categories.

Expenditure is also being carefully managed. The government has kept allocations for goods and services at 2023 levels, a move aimed at maintaining fiscal discipline while still delivering essential services.

With improved revenue and controlled spending, Ghana is on track to achieve a 1.5 percent primary surplus for the year.

The Bank of Ghana’s ability to meet coupon payments as they fall due, backed by significant reserves, provided additional reassurance to investors. This measure supports financial stability and enhances market confidence.

Dr. Forson also announced that the government will present a comprehensive debt management strategy during the upcoming Mid-Year Budget Review.

The plan is expected to outline key steps for sustaining growth, managing public debt, and maintaining investor trust.

The meeting reinforced growing confidence among the investor community in Ghana’s economic direction and the government’s commitment to disciplined, transparent financial management.

Meanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s tour of Odweanoma Paragliding Field below:

 Cashew farmers in the Bono Region have called on the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) to facilitate the establishment of a process­ing factory for the cashew apple to generate more income.

According to the farmers, almost all the cashew apple are left to rot on the farms due the lack of technical know-how and industries to process them into useful projects.

Some of the products from cashew apple includes, juices, jam, alcoholic beverages such as wine.

These came to light during the launch of the second phase of Amplifying Voices of Cashew farmers by the Cashew Watch Ghana, a civil society advocacy group at Banda in the Bono Region, yesterday.

The project seeks to among other things, strengthen and em­power cashew farmers to know their rights through the forma­tion of cooperatives, so as to receive the needed support from state actors and organisations for their farming activities.

Mr Alex Bonsu, who rep­resents farmers on the Tree Crop Development Authority, told the Ghanaian Times that the cashew sector was bedeviled with many challenges and expressed the hope that the government estab­lished a cashew board to regulate the sector.

Mr Bonsu revealed that the TCDA had plans in the future to establish a processing factory at vantage points in the country to add value to the cashew crop

He explained that due to lack of processing factory, most farm­ers were not deriving the needed benefits from the crop, saying farmers had no other options than to leave the apple to rot on their farms.

According to him, members of the Tree Crop Development Authority had met the Food and Agriculture Minister, Eric Opoku, on the issue and his response was positive.

Mr Bonsu also revealed that illegal mining activities in cashew growing areas in the region was posing a serious threat to the sus­tainability of the cashew sector and appealed to the government to find lasting solution to the menace.

“Most of the youth at Banda, Sarbie and other surrounding communities are engaged in galamsey destroying cashew farms in search of gold,” he stated.

The Tain District Director of Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Alfred Anaman, advised the farmers against the misuse of agrochemicals, including weed­icides and pesticides indicating that the practice posed threat to the environment and lives of farmers.

He then urged them to adhere to good agronomic practices including periodic pruning and smart agriculture to mitigate the negative impact of climate change.

Mr Anaman told the farmers to always approach agric extension officers for advice to improve upon their yields.

The Tain District MoFA also commended Cashew Watch Gha­na for the initiative, which ac­cording to him, would go a long way to empower the farmers.

The National Coordinator of Cashew Watch Ghana, Mr Raphael Ahenu, said under the phase of the project, cashew farmers would be registered to be recognised as a mouthpiece to champion their course.

“We would also organised an­nual cashew festival to showcase cashew products as a form of marketing strategy.

“In order to mitigate climate change impacts on cashew farm­ers, the project would promote smart agriculture and farmers would be taken through training,” he added.

Madam Veronica Azaanab, a cashew farmer, also appealed for a fair stable prices for farmers in order to enable them derive their best.

ROM DANIEL DZIRASAH,
BANDA

Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance and World Bank’s MD of Operations, Anna Bjerde

The World Bank has committed to supporting Ghana in addressing its youth unemployment challenge by backing a new Growth and Jobs Strategy aimed at creating opportunities for over 500,000 young people entering the job market annually.

The announcement followed a high-level meeting at the World Bank headquarters between the Bank’s Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, and Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.

The two leaders discussed plans to collaborate on the design and implementation of the strategy, which focuses on job creation, skills development, and inclusive economic growth.

“This initiative reflects our shared priority of unlocking opportunities for young people,” Bjerde said.

“We are proud to work with Ghana on a strategy that will create jobs and build a stronger, more resilient economy.”

Dr Forson welcomed the support, emphasising the importance of bold, targeted interventions to address the growing number of job seekers.

“This partnership is a major step forward in our efforts to provide decent and sustainable jobs for our youth,” he said.

File photo of cement bags

A media personality, Bridget Otoo, has reacted to claims by some NPP propagandists regarding the recent increase in cement prices.

According to her, the previous government drove cement prices from GH¢32 to GH¢120, a situation she believes the opposition should be embarrassed about.

She noted that under the current administration, cement prices have only increased marginally by GH¢8.

On her X (formerly Twitter) page, she wrote, “I see many NPP foot soldiers lately trying to push the narrative that ‘cement is now 130 cedis,’ as some sort of big gotcha moment to rewrite a history we all lived through.

“It got me thinking, the NPP government drove the price of cement up from GH¢32 to GH¢120 a bag. Yet instead of being embarrassed by this, their supporters are complaining about a marginal increase of GH¢8,” she added.

Bridget Otoo also lamented the impact of cement price hikes on local suppliers, noting how many businesses struggled during that period.

“I saw many cement businesses buckle and fold, unable to keep up with rampant price hikes in the NPP era. I personally lost capital during that same period, and to this day, I’m still reeling from those losses,” she pointed out.

Bridget, who is also a cement supplier, urged citizens to allow the current government the space to work.

“If you truly care about cement prices, as any warm-blooded citizen should, simply allow the government to do the work it was elected for, to rebuild our currency and reset the economy after eight years of mismanagement. Let Ghanaians decide what the future holds,” she added.

SSD/MA

Meanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s tour of Odweanoma Paragliding Field below:

By Stephen Asante

GNA Special Correspondent, Beijing, China

Beijing (China), April 24, GNA – The People’s Republic of China will remain steadfast in promoting global green development, President Xi Jinping has assured.

“However, the world may change, China will not slow down its climate actions,” he stated while addressing a virtual summit for global leaders on Climate and the Just Transition.

The President said since announcing the country’s goals for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality some five years ago, the Asian giant had built the world’s largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system as well as the largest and most complete new energy industrial chain.

“China also leads the world in the speed and scale of greening, contributing a quarter of the world’s newly added area of afforestation,” he added.

The summit comes ahead of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 30), which will be hosted in November 2025, in Brazil.

It sought to accelerate global climate ambition in the run up to the Conference, strengthen global action under the Paris Agreement, and build momentum for stronger national climate plans to be announced this year.

President Xi said harmony between man and nature had been a defining feature of Chinese modernisation, and that, the authorities would, therefore, not reduce the country’s support for international cooperation on climate-resilient actions.

“With the future of humanity and the wellbeing of our people in mind, let us earnestly honour the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, do our utmost respectively and collectively, and build a clean, beautiful, and sustainable world together.

“As long as we enhance confidence, solidarity and cooperation, we will overcome the headwinds and steadily move forward global climate governance and all progressive endeavours of the world,” he emphasised.

The Chinese President’s address encompassed a four-point agenda, ranging from adherence to multilateralism, deepening international cooperation, accelerating the just transition, and strengthening results-oriented actions.

He said it was imperative that global leaders upheld the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement, which represented the legal cornerstone of international climate cooperation.

“It is important for all countries to champion the rule of law, honour commitments, prioritise green and low-carbon development, and jointly respond to the climate crisis through multilateral governance.

“Instead of talking the talk, we must walk the walk. We must turn our goals into tangible results through systematic policies and concrete measures.

“All parties should do their utmost to formulate and implement their programmes of action for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) while coordinating economic development and energy transition,” the President advised.

He indicated that China would announce its 2035 NDCs, covering all economic sectors and greenhouse gases before the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belém.

GNA

SOF

As Ghana sharpens its focus on workplace safety and technological transformation, the inaugural National Conference by the Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Practitioners Association of Ghana (SHEQPA-GH) is set to be a defining moment. Scheduled for April 28, 2025, at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra, the conference will bring together

leading voices under the theme: “Revolutionising Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalisation at Work.”

Serving as Special Guest of Honour is Hon. Dr. Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo (MP), Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment. A longtime advocate for inclusive labour policies and safe working conditions, Dr. Pelpuo’s participation underscores the government’s commitment to supporting innovation in workplace safety across Ghana’s industries.

Richard Kofi Adjei, Chief Inspector of Mines, will deliver the keynote address, offering a regulatory perspective on how AI tools are shaping the future of mining safety and compliance in high-risk environments.

Dr. Koduah Dapaah, a respected authority in occupational health, will explore how technologies are enhancing safety protocols and reshaping health-first organisational cultures. Meanwhile, Desmond Boahen, Deputy Chief Inspector of Mines for Technical Services & Explosives, will address the role of inclusive practices in contractor safety, offering a human- centric take transformation.

A powerful industry panel will feature:

• Georgette Sakyi-Addo, President of Women in Mining Ghana, bringing gender equity into the safety conversation;
• Kwabena Owusu-Akyaw, Senior Processing Manager at Golden Star Wassa Ltd, sharing strategies for safety integration at scale;
• Kwadwo Opoku Ansah, General Manager at Adamus Resources Ltd, advocating for proactive safety cultures; and
• Ahmed Salim, General Manager of Operations at Atlantic Lithium, highlighting leadership’s role in elevating care and wellbeing beyond compliance.

Gert Venter, General Manager for Africa at Strata Worldwide, will also speak on how innovation and streamlined product development are transforming mine safety. With over 25 years in South African mining, Venter brings deep experience in embedding operational accountability and continuous improvement in safety systems.

The conference is proudly supported by ZiJin Mining as Platinum Sponsor and Strata Worldwide as an official Sponsor, reinforcing the industry’s alignment behind SHEQPA- GH’s mission.

This event is more than a gathering—it is a launchpad for Ghana’s safety future. Stakeholders across sectors are encouraged to attend, learn, and lead.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old man, Robert Kwabena Boamah, in connection with the gruesome murder of a young woman whose body was discovered with multiple stab wounds earlier this week.

Boamah was apprehended on Wednesday, April 23, at his hideout in Namong, near Offinso, following a swift police investigation into the killing of 23-year-old Dorothy Owusu Annor, popularly known as Maa Abena.

The incident came to light on Monday, April 21, after police received a distress call from the Tanoso Electoral Area in the Kwadaso Municipality. The caller reported the discovery of a female body near the Mighty Jesus Educational Complex at Dominase. A team of officers responded promptly and confirmed the tragic scene.

Family members later identified the deceased, whose body had several stab wounds. At the scene, investigators also found an abandoned Opel Astra taxi with registration number AS 8575-Y, its ignition key still in place—an early clue that led authorities to the suspect.

Investigations confirmed the vehicle belonged to Boamah, who was subsequently tracked and arrested. During police interrogation, he reportedly confessed to the murder.

According to the police, Boamah appeared physically weak at the time of his arrest. He later admitted to attempting suicide by ingesting a bottle of weedicide. He was rushed to the Abuakwa Polyclinic, treated, and discharged.

The suspect is expected to be arraigned before court in the coming days to face charges.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has assured the public of its unwavering commitment to fighting violent crime and ensuring justice for victims.