​Sponsors of the 2025 Channel One TV/Citi FM “Back to Your Village” Food Festival have praised the event for significantly boosting their brand visibility and engagement with the community.

Notable sponsors included Jibu, Gino, KOA Natural, Twellium Industries, Pan African Savings and Loans, OCM, and the Contract Cleaners Association of Ghana.​

Robert Anokye, Marketing Manager for Jibu Ghana, highlighted the brand’s active involvement by providing free water samples to keep attendees hydrated.

“We’ve partnered with Citi FM for quite a long time… We hydrated customers and the people who participated with clean and hygienic water… We will be here next year [2026] to do the same,” he stated.​

Similarly, Ato Kwamena Appiah, Junior Sales Operations Manager at KOA Natural, emphasized the festival’s alignment with their mission to promote Ghana’s cocoa heritage.

“What better product can be displayed as part of the heritage of Ghanaian food or the Ghanaian culture than cocoa? This is a great opportunity for sponsors to showcase what we have to people,” he noted.

Appiah expressed gratitude for the positive reception and affirmed the company’s intent to continue partnering with Citi FM and Channel One TV for future events.​

Oromesis Anang from GBfoods’ marketing department highlighted the enthusiastic response to their products.

She noted that the company distributed free samples of their Gino Jollof Mix, launched in August 2024, which combines essential ingredients like pepper, onion, ginger, garlic, and curry to simplify the preparation of traditional Ghanaian Jollof rice.

Anang expressed satisfaction with the feedback and confirmed GBfoods’ intention to return in 2026.

“We gave free samples of our new product, which was launched in August 2024—Gino Jollof Mix. People are buying. People are buying. So next year, of course, we will be here,” she said.

The “Back to Your Village” Food Festival, organized by Channel One TV with support from Citi FM, celebrates Ghana’s rich culinary heritage by bringing together diverse food vendors and cultural performances. The event provides sponsors with a unique opportunity to connect with the community and enhance brand visibility in an immersive cultural setting.

…..

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CEO of the McDan Group of Companies, Dr Daniel McKorley

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the McDan Group of Companies, Dr. Daniel McKorley, has called for a radical shift in how internships are structured.

Delivering a keynote address at a chancellor’s lecture and history book launch as part of Kumasi Technical University’s (KsTU) 70th-anniversary celebration, Dr. McKorley criticized the common practice of companies using interns as “messengers” rather than providing meaningful training.

“Whenever you send students to companies to learn, they end up being turned into messengers. They send them to buy food,” Dr. McKorley lamented.

He highlighted the absurdity of assigning tasks like running errands to students studying electrical engineering or other technical fields, effectively wasting valuable learning time.

While acknowledging the importance of understanding workplace culture, Dr. McKorley emphasized that companies must prioritize the development of interns’ skills.

“Too often, businesses use interns as a source of free labor, assigning them tasks meant for paid employees while offering little or no professional development in return. If we truly want to prepare our youth for the workforce, we must give them real work experience—not lunch delivery schedules,” he said.

Dr. McKorley reaffirmed the McDan Group’s commitment to skills training through initiatives like the McDan Entrepreneur Challenge and scholarships.

He urged businesses, policymakers, and educational institutions to take action.

“It is time to move beyond just discussing the skills gap. It is time to take action,” he added.

Beyond internships, Dr. McKorley spoke passionately about Ghana’s industrial sector, particularly the salt industry, given McDan’s ownership of one of Africa’s largest salt mines.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that technical students benefit from this resource. He also announced the construction of a salt refinery and a chlor-alkali plant to produce chemicals for the mining industry—projects that will provide valuable opportunities for KsTU students.

Dr. McKorley further advocated for a significant overhaul of the university’s curriculum, suggesting that students spend their second year in the field to gain practical industry knowledge before graduation.

“I will advocate for students to gain industry experience before they complete their studies so we don’t continue producing graduates who must start learning from scratch,” he added.

He also emphasized the need for increased industry collaboration through mentorship programs, urging universities to bring industry experts into the classroom to share practical knowledge.

“I believe that everyone who goes through a technical institution is an entrepreneur by nature,” he noted, stressing the importance of entrepreneurship training in the curriculum. “The moment they leave here and start their own business, they should understand that in business, one plus one equals three.”

Dr. McKorley concluded by stating that “investment in technical education is an investment in our future.”

He called for prioritizing infrastructure, curriculum reform, and industry collaboration to better prepare students for success.

Additionally, he urged a shift in mindset, encouraging Ghanaians to “think local and act global” to foster entrepreneurship and build a prosperous future.

The government has allocated a total of 4.72% of the national budget, equivalent to GH₵490.65 million, to the Ministry of Education and associated agencies within the education sector.

According to a committee report from Parliament, the funding will support key operations such as the GETFund, the Youth Employment Agency, and the Scholarship Secretariat, all of which play crucial roles in advancing education across the country.

Additionally, the budget includes provisions for the completion of the GETFund Office Building, which is expected to improve the Fund’s operational efficiency.

A further allocation has also been made under the MP’s Emergency Projects and Monitoring Fund, which will receive GHS 96.6 million, representing 0.93% of the total projected national expenditure.

The report also stated that the funding will be used to assist Members of Parliament (MPs) in undertaking development projects within their constituencies, as well as in monitoring the progress of ongoing projects.

The specifics of the MP-related allocations are as follows:

• Each MP will receive GH₵200,000 to fund education-related projects within their constituencies, amounting to a total of GH₵55.2 million across the entire Parliament. This is a significant increase from the GH₵150,000 allocated to each MP in 2024.
• An additional GH₵150,000 per MP, amounting to GH₵41.4 million overall, has been earmarked for the monitoring of these constituency-based projects. This also represents an increase from the GH₵ 100,000 provided for this purpose in 2024.

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In his consuming desire to return to the Jubilee House, the Nationala Democratic (NDC’s) 2024 flagbearer, President John Dramani Mahama, gave all sorts of richly interesting, albeit unachievable promises, among other things, the seemingly nebulous 24-hour economy.

As I write, there are no meaningful measures or steps being put in place to implement the seemingly vague 24-hour economy promised by President John Dramani Mahama.

Whilst some of us do not want to acquiesce to the widely held notion that politics in general is a dirty game, one would not be far from right in suggesting that the political terrain is full of inveterate propagandists and manipulating geezers.

Prior to the 2024 general elections, I received an interesting telephone call from my Sister, a bigtime kenkey seller, who was somehow having sleepless nights over Mahama’s much-publicised 24-hour economy and wanted further and better particulars.

Without wasting time, I informed my dear Sister that, 24-hour economy is more or less a free market economy which draws its strength from the all-important supply and demand, with minimal or no government interference whatsoever.

In effect, no government on planet earth can legislate, coerce business owners, or have total control over a 24-hour economy.

Besides, with the evolving global economy and the advent of AI and digital transformation, industries and businesses won’t require a large workforce in order to engage in a 24-hour economy.

Take Ghana for example, with the advent of Bawumia’s all-important digital transformation, many businesses are engaging in 24-hour economy unbeknownst to some Ghanaians.

Indeed, the introduction of a programme such as the mobile money interoperability has ensured a 24-hour banking service in Ghana.

My dear reader, I am a living witness. Although, I domiciled in the United Kingdom, I am able to transact business around the clock, transfer money anytime from my MTN mobile money account to my bank account and vice versa.

Succinctly put, some industries and businesses are already engaging in a 24-hour economy in Ghana.

That being said, the idea of legislating or spreading the 24-hour economy to cover every business is virtually impossible, as a matter of fact.

Like my dear Sister’s 24-hour kenkey business, the emphasis is on supply and demand. Needless to say, my Sister cannot work around the clock without the needed patronage.

That is, my dear Sister has to keep improving on the quality and thereby increasing her customer base so as to work around the clock.

My dear reader, indeed, 24-hour economy is driven by supply and demand. Take for instance, many supermarkets in the United Kingdom have ceased their 24-hour services due to poor patronage.

And, aside of the supply and demand challenges, my dear Sister and many self-employers face other exigencies, most notably, dumsor(erratic electricity supply).

Honestly, no business or industry can blossom in the midst of erratic electricity supply(dumsor).

Suffice it to say, businesses and industries did not thrive in the midst of inexpressible dumsor during the erstwhile Mahama administration.

My dear reader, of all the abysmal performances I yet have witnessed in Ghana, it seems to me most unfortunate that the Mahama’s dumsor, which lasted for well over four years, remains the most appalling in contemporary Ghana.

In the days of the unspeakable dumsor under the Mahama administration, we witnessed the endless buzzing of generators all over the country. Most businesses folded up amid massive unemployment.

In those days, self-employers like my dear Sister, the kenkey seller, Hairdressers, Ice Kenkey Sellers, Butchers, among others, were the worst affected.

The annoying and costly buzzing of generators across the length and breadth of the country, unfortunately, went on for well over four years to the utter disgust of the good people of Ghana.

As I stated elsewhere, businesses do not need any massive interventions from government in order to offer a 24-hour service to their customers.

Needless to say, businesses rather need a conducive environment and the provision of vital services such as uninterrupted electricity supply.

My dear reader, please tell me, if I’m operating a successful restaurant, why do I need a government to coerce me to offer 24-hour service to my customers?

The 24-hour economy is not a policy, it is an economic system already being practised in most free market economies, including Ghana. So what is the big deal?

In fact, I was quite amazed to see booming business activities in some areas in Accra and Kumasi when I visited Ghana last December.

Evidently, the industrious Ghanaians including my dear Sister, the kenkey seller, and her minions, are blissfully engaging in 24-hour economy without any intervention from any government whatsoever.

Well, I would like to believe that President John Dramani Mahama was only trying his level best to hoodwink the unsuspecting voters. If that were not the case, how on earth would Mahama promise a 24-hour economy after bizarrely sitting on a common dumsor for close to five years?

If you may remember, it was the same NDC tradition, strongly imbibed with defeatist mentality, unpardonably sold Dr Nkrumah’s numerous industries, which were designed to augment Ghana’s economic growth.

You may believe it or not, it was the NDC tradition that peremptorily adopted a disastrous Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), under the auspices of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Regrettably, the vast majority of tangible national assets, including the state owned enterprises were allegedly sold to friends and families for pittance.

The apparent unfavourable Economic Recovery Programme culminated in a catalogue of hardships.

And, on top of the harsh programmes and policies which threatened the economic fundamentals, the population had to clutch itself for food shortages, a situation which the world press somehow ignored in favour of the concurrent Ethiopian famine that resulted in millions of deaths.

Indeed, their desperate attempts to initiate the Programme of Action to Mitigate the Social Costs of Adjustment (PAMSCAD) did nothing to improve the unfortunate situation as untold hardships permeated many households.

Starvation, destitution, and irreversible depression, so to speak, visited the vast majority of Ghanaians, and hence developing revoltingly ugly collar bones which the humorous Ghanaians renamed as “Rawlings Chain”. That was indeed the pernicious extent of the hunger.

My dear reader, I have always held a firm and unadulterated conviction that the NDC apparatchiks, who bizarrely take pride in the social democratic ideology, are not in the business of promoting the welfare of the masses, but they are rather on a mission to advance their parochial interests by persistently proselytising and hoodwinking the unsuspecting voters to gain electoral advantage.

The 24-hour economy is already being practised in some sectors in Ghana. So what is the big deal?

Apparently, the 24 hour economy exists in Ghana in the media-radio and television, the transport sector, some hospitals, some selected private businesses, among others.

The people who aspire to lead must rather learn to think outside the box and try to be innovative.

My dear reader, isn’t it quite unconscionable to hear that the same people, desperately pushing for a 24-hour economy unpardonably sold most of Dr Nkrumah’s industries, which were built purposely to boost Ghana’s economic growth?

Given the circumstances, we can understand the concerned Ghanaians genuine apprehension on the feasibility of Mahama’s 24-hour economy promise.

I’m afraid, the 24-hour economy promise is a sham, comparable to the one-time NHIS premium, promised by the erstwhile Mills/Mahama Administration, which was destitute with honesty and integrity.

Meanwhile, watch this concluding part of our sit-down with the 100-year-old World War II veteran, who was also present at the 28th February Shooting, below: 

Sixty-three inmates from the Nsawam Medium Security Prison have graduated from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) after successfully completing studies in various disciplines under the Prison Inmates Tertiary Education Programme (PITEP).

The graduates received degrees, including a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Accounting and Management options) and a Bachelor’s degree in Education (Junior High School Education) and were awarded certificates through UCC’s College of Distance Education (CoDE).

The ceremony, held at the Nsawam Prison precinct, marked the ninth session of the university’s 57th congregation, but the maiden graduation under PITEP.

PITEP, an initiative of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Plan Volta Foundation, provides incarcerated individuals with free access to higher education, enabling them to pursue university degrees while serving their sentences. 

Implemented in partnership with the Ghana Prisons Service, the programme aims to rehabilitate inmates by equipping them with academic and professional skills, increasing their chances of reintegration into society upon release.

Best student

The Best Student of the graduating class, Matthew Milluzieh, stated that their successful completion of a degree programme was not merely about acquiring knowledge and skills but also a positive experience that enabled them to critically examine their past actions and understand the consequences of their choices.

A section of the inmates during the graduation

“We entered these walls not as students but as individuals to be reformed.

Today, we are not just degree graduates but renewed and ambitious individuals that will prove wrong society’s perception that once an inmate, always a criminal,” he said. 

Mr Milluzieh is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence since 2018.  

Two other inmates were also awarded special scholarships to further their education in recognition of their exemplary academic performance during their studies.

The ceremony also saw the presentation of plaques of honour and citations to various stakeholders for their outstanding contributions to the success of the programme.

Additionally, individuals and organisations that have consistently supported the welfare and rehabilitation of inmates were recognised for their efforts.

Testament

The Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, described their graduation as a testament to what strength, character and commitment to personal growth and desire for rehabilitation could achieve.

He further urged them not to view their accomplishments as the end of their journey because they were now change markers, leaders and role models who would inspire others to pursue personal development and academic excellence.

Mr Terlabi commended the Ghana Prison Service for its forward-thinking approach to rehabilitation and reformation, stressing that education was a tool for transformation and a platform to enable inmates to contribute their quota to society.

“Government remains committed to the continuous rehabilitation of all inmates because we recognise it as an essential component of our justice system.

So we are ready to partner all stakeholders, including civil society organisations (CSOs) to achieve this goal,” he added. 

Mindset change

The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, urged the inmate graduates to adopt a complete change in mindset, emphasising that their education should go beyond academic excellence to truly transform their lives.

She gave an assurance that the service would seize every opportunity to improve the well-being of inmates, reinforcing its commitment to rehabilitation and called for a dedicated budget to support inmate education, stressing the need for sustained investment in their future.

Funding

In a speech read on his behalf, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. John Nyarko Boampong, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to sustaining the programme.

He disclosed that UCC had so far spent over GH¢2.5 million on the initiative through its fee-waiver policy, which covered face-to-face tutorials, printing of modules, examinations and other academic services.

Prof. Boampong emphasised that student inmates are not required to pay any fees to access the programme.

However, he lamented that the high cost of running the initiative had made it challenging to extend the training to other prisons across the country. 

He, therefore, called for greater support from stakeholders to ensure its continuity and expansion.

File photo of the logo of ECG

In a country grappling with a stubborn corruption pandemic, the time has come for Ghana to rethink its traditional approaches to accountability. The recent scandals—from the mysterious disappearance of over 1,300 containers meant for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), to the alleged corruption case against Adu Boahene, to the attempt by his spouse to cart away suspected illicit cash, and the submission of over 2,400 corruption complaints to President Mahama’s “Operation Recover All Loot” (ORAL) team—paint a disturbing picture of systemic failure and entrenched impunity.

These developments underscore a troubling reality: our public institutions alone cannot be entrusted with rooting out corruption. Too many times, internal audits are delayed, reports are buried, and whistleblowers are silenced. It is in this context that private investigators must rise as an indispensable ally in Ghana’s war on corruption.

An Unseen but Capable Force

Private investigators operate outside the political and bureaucratic maze that often impedes timely, transparent investigations. Our work is discreet, efficient, and immune to political interference. We deploy surveillance, forensic audits, digital tracking, and undercover work—tools that are essential for exposing hidden networks of corruption.

Imagine how swiftly the ECG procurement scandal could have been unraveled had independent investigators been empowered to probe the supply chain and identify who benefitted from the GH₵8.3 billion overspending spree in 2023 alone. The disappearance of over 1,300 containers is not just theft—it’s a betrayal of public trust. Yet, even today, the system struggles to hold anyone accountable.

Collaboration, Not Competition

Private investigations are not meant to supplant the work of the Attorney General, the Auditor-General, or EOCO. Instead, we offer a complementary service—one that fills the gaps and accelerates justice. In many countries, private investigators have been engaged by civil society, private sector actors, and even governments to conduct parallel investigations that expose the rot from within.

In Ghana, we need legislative reform that recognizes and regulates the role of private investigators in public interest cases. Licensing, oversight, and clear legal boundaries are necessary, but so is the political will to embrace innovation in anti-corruption work.

The Mahama Opportunity

President Mahama’s renewed commitment to fighting corruption offers a fresh opportunity. His ORAL initiative has already received over 2,400 complaints—evidence of widespread public dissatisfaction and a hunger for justice. However, no matter how committed the new administration may be, it cannot succeed alone.

The ORAL team, which includes respected anti-corruption figures, could enhance its impact by commissioning vetted private investigators to pursue leads, recover stolen assets, and build prosecutable cases. This is especially crucial when public officials, security operatives, or political insiders are implicated—cases where public investigators might face pressure or conflict of interest.

Conclusion: Empower the Unafraid

Corruption thrives in darkness. Private investigators bring light to places others fear to go. We are not bound by political loyalty or bureaucratic inertia. We are bound by results and by a commitment to truth.

Ghana stands at a crossroads. If we are truly serious about ending the culture of impunity, then we must empower every legitimate force available to us—including the often-overlooked private investigator. Let us open the door for meaningful partnerships and give corruption nowhere to hide.

Stay tuned for a heartwrenching investigation into a food processing company with offices in Tema and Labone, engaged in Ghana’s biggest corporate corruption scandal. It is simply mind-boggling.

Meanwhile, watch this concluding part of our sit-down with the 100-year-old World War II veteran, who was also present at the 28th February Shooting, below: 

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Mar – 30 – 2025 , 10:53

1 minute read

By Simon Asare

Accra, March 30, GNA – Nigerian boxer, Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, has died during a bout against Ghanaian boxer John Mbanugu at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.

The boxer was unable to be resuscitated by medics after collapsing during the bout, and GNA Sports has learnt that his body was later deposited at the Korle Bu mortuary.

The unfortunate incident happened during an undercard bout at the Ghana Professional Boxing League (Season 3) Fight Night 15 on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

During the bout, John Mbanugu threw a combination of punches at the deceased boxer, who landed on the ropes and subsequently on the canvas in the third round.

After falling on the ropes, the referee counted for a knockdown initially but realised the situation was more dire and called for medical assistance.

This devastating news has sent shockwaves through the global boxing community, with fans mourning the loss of Olanrewaju, who had 24 professional fights, 13 victories, eight losses, and three draws. 

The Ghana Boxing Association is expected to release an official statement on the unfortunate incident involving the Nigerian boxer.

More to follow…

GNA

KOA

Opanyin Wadie is a man believed to be among the richest Kwahu men in Ghana

This article was first published on Saturday, January 21, 2023

In Ghana, the Kwahu people are distinctly described as industrious, hardworking, and business-smart, and at the same time, they are unapologetically teased as “misers.”

They are also known for putting up grandiose mansions with distinctive architecture on sprawling acres of lush, green lands.

Just like Osei Kwame Despite, Ernest Ofori Sarpong, Sammy Kuffour, Sam Jonah, Ibrahim Mahama, and Dr. Gifty Akushika Lamptey, who have become household names, there are some big Kwahu men like Opanyin Kwame Wadie doing extremely well, but who have not enjoyed much of the spotlight.

Speaking in a recent interview with Odame Agyare, aka Kwahu Ambassador, and monitored by GhanaWeb, Opanyin Wadie disclosed how he started off as a businessman.

Sitting in his densely gold-themed living room, Opanyin said that he quit Benkum Senior High School to pursue business.

His decision to quit paid off because at the time, he became the second-highest dealer in the sale of fabrics in Koforidua.

“My parents are from Kwahu Nkwatia, I am the second of my siblings. I was born and bred in Kwahu Nkwatia. After Junior High School, I gained admission to Benkum Senior High School, but I couldn’t complete it due to some reasons. I then told my father that I wanted to do business. I was in the business of selling materials that I purchased from Spintex, a factory near Rana Motors. At that time, I was the second highest dealer in the sale of fabrics in Koforidua,” he said in the interview monitored by GhanaWeb.

After some time, due to his love for squash sports, in 1984, the then regional minister under the PNDC era introduced him to construction business.

“I ventured into the sale of rice, sugar, alcohol, and cigarettes. At the time, there were a lot of returns in the sale of cigarette. At the same time, I was a squash player. During the PNDC era, that was the popular sport.

“As a storekeeper who used to play sports with the big men, the then regional minister advised me to register a construction company. He told me he could assist me in getting contracts. I thought about it and registered my company in 1984. After sometime, I left the store for my wife and concentrated fully on the construction job. I made all my wealth through construction,” he added.

Opanyin Wadie, who is still in the construction business, has contributed a lot to Kwahu Nkwatia, including building an 18-unit classroom block, a staff bungalow, and a dormitory block for the St Peters Senior High School, the Ghana Police Service Divisional Headquarters at Kwahu, and several others.

On the number of cars and properties that he owns, Opanyin Wadie failed to disclose when quizzed by the reporter.

Watch him narrate his story below:

Former West African light-heavyweight champion, Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, has reportedly died after collapsing during a boxing match in Ghana on Saturday.

Olanrewaju was competing against Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League at Bukom Boxing Arena when he suddenly lost consciousness.

Segun, a 40-year-old veteran of the sport, was competing in an undercard bout of Ghana’s Professional Boxing League’s Fight Night 15 when the unthinkable occurred.

Known for his powerful punches and resilient spirit, Segun had reportedly been leading on points in a competitive yet friendly exchange with Mbanugu, nicknamed “Power,” an Accra-born rising star in the Ghanaian boxing scene.

A widely circulated video on social media captured the moment he collapsed in the ring, further shocking fans and the boxing community.

Olanrewaju, a highly respected figure in Nigerian boxing, held both the Nigerian and West African light-heavyweight titles during his career.

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Graphic.com.gh

Mar – 30 – 2025 , 10:53

1 minute read

In 2015, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) while discussing requests for a bailout for Ghana, classified the country as “high risk of debt distress” under a new debt sustainability analyses.

At that time, the public debt stood around GH¢97 billion.

However current figures published by the Bank of Ghana shows a high figure of GH¢726.7 billion, which is $49.4 billion and constitutes 61.8 per cent of GDP.

The breakdown is as follows: GH¢416.8 billion or $28.3 billion in external debts which is 35.4 per cent of GDP and domestic debt totalling GH¢309.8 billion.

The Bank of Ghana in its recent Monetary Policy Committee report indicated that the 2024 fiscal deficit, on commitment basis, was 7.9 per cent of GDP against a target of 3.8 per cent of GDP, on the back of higher expenditures than target.

“This notwithstanding, early indications from banking sector data suggest some improvements in fiscal performance in early 2025. This, along with the commitment to fiscal consolidation presented in the 2025 budget, should support the fiscal outlook. Also, the ratio of public debt declined supported by the debt restructuring,” the Governor, Dr Johnson Asiama said. 

The country, driven by the economic crisis, occasioned among others by its debt crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, succumbed to an IMF programme in May 2023.

Ghana and the IMF signed a $3 billion, 36-month Extended Credit Facility programme, with the first tranche of $600 million immediately disbursed, expected to restore macroeconomic stability, ensure debt sustainability, and foster higher growth.

According to the central bank, the stock of Gross International Reserves, at the end of February 2025, was $9.4 billion, enough to cover 4.2 months of imports of goods and services. This, it said, compares to the stock of $5.9 billion at the end of December 2024, equivalent to 4.0 months of imports of goods and services.

The Gross International Reserves, as defined under the IMF programme to exclude the encumbered assets and petroleum funds, increased to $6.9 billion, equivalent to  3.0 months of imports of goods and services, in February 2025, the Bank added.

By Emmanuel K Dogbevi
Copyright ©2025 by Creative Imaginations Publicity
All rights reserved. This article or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in reviews.

Ghana spends over US$400 million annually on importing tomatoes from neighbouring countries

The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) has appealed to the government to revive the Pwalugu tomato factory.

According to the General Secretary of the union, Morgan Ayawine, reviving the factory will create jobs for the many unemployed youth in the Upper East Region.

He added that reopening the tomato factory would also help reduce the high importation of tomatoes, saving the country significant amounts of money.

Speaking at a regional conference in the Upper East Region on Saturday, March 29, 2025, Morgan Ayawine said, “So many businesses and industries have been left to go fallow. This is a serious concern for the Union, as it is exacerbating the already precarious unemployment situation in the country. A typical example is the Pwalugu tomato factory in the Upper East Region, which has been abandoned over the years, while the indigenes of the region remain unemployed.”

“For the factory to realise its economic potential and fulfil the purpose for which it was established, we wish to use this forum to appeal to the government to seriously consider reactivating the Pwalugu tomato factory to create employment for the unemployed youth and also save the nation the huge foreign exchange used to import tomatoes into the country,” he added.

According to reports, Ghana spends over US$400 million annually on importing tomatoes from neighbouring countries, including Burkina Faso.

Despite the Pwalugu tomato factory having the capacity to produce almost 500,000 metric tonnes of tomato paste per day, the factory has remained closed due to several factors, including a lack of raw materials, inadequate machinery for canning the paste, and various managerial issues.

The factory’s inability to operate at full capacity and the unprofitability of tomato farming in the area, due to low demand, has caused the factory to fail since its extended closure in the 1990s.

As a result, many farmers have shifted their attention to cultivating other crops or have migrated to the south for menial work.

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Politics

Mar – 30 – 2025 , 10:08

2 minutes read

Accra, March 29, GNA – Muslims in Ghana preparing for the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the significant surge in the prices of Abaya and Jalbab, traditional garments widely worn for the festive occasion.

In exclusive interviews with the Ghana News Agency, several celebrants voiced their concerns about the escalating cost of these essential Eid outfits, making it difficult for many to afford new attire for the significant religious holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

Madam Fatima Ali, a resident of Nima, lamented the steep increase in the prices of Abayas.

“Last year, I bought an Abaya for 400 cedis, but this year the same abaya is selling at 800 cedis. It is becoming hard for some of us to buy new clothes for ourselves and relatives for the Eid festivities,” she said.

She told the GNA that similar Abayas with the same features were being sold at lower prices in Togo and Nigeria.

She reiterated that, “Why do we do this to ourselves? We are all Muslims, but the way we cheat one another when it comes to trade and pricing is not fair.”

Another celebrant, Musah Safian, also shared similar sentiments but highlighted the cultural significance of new garments for Eid.

“Wearing new clothes on Eid is a cherished tradition.

It symbolises renewal and joy after the period of fasting. However, the current prices are simply exorbitant and will prevent many from fulfilling this tradition,” he said.

According to Sheikh Yunus Adam, an Islamic Scholar, wearing new garments for Eid festivities is not compulsory but highly recommended and encouraged.

He also advised Muslims to adhere to Prophet Mohammed’s ways of modesty and shun opulence and extravagance.

“If you think you cannot afford the Abaya, then wear your old dress. Just get it ironed and clean for the day,” he said.

Market surveys conducted by the Ghana News Agency in various markets of Accra, including Nima, Makola, and Tudu, confirm a substantial increase in the prices of Abayas and Jalbabs.

The price range for a decent quality Abaya now starts from GHS 600 and can go up to GHS 5,000 or more depending on the fabric, design, and embellishments.

Similarly, the price of Jalbabs has seen a considerable increase, ranging from GHS 300 to GHS 3,000 and above.

Traders attribute the hike in prices to the Cedi’s depreciation, high import duties, and transportation costs.
GNA
SOF