play videoMP for New Juaben South, Michael Okyere Baafi

A former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi, has raised concerns over what he describes as a deliberate attempt by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to create a false impression regarding the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) on third-party motor insurance.

Speaking to GhanaWeb on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the MP for New Juaben South emphasised that while a law existed for the collection of the said tax, it was never implemented under the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, contrary to the impression being created by the current government.

“I was not satisfied at all because I wanted the minister to clarify the issue well for us to understand. He created the impression to the Ghanaian people that there was a VAT component on third-party motor insurance, which, in actual fact was not so. As a matter of fact, the reality is that the law was passed; however, it was not implemented. As far as there was no implementation, you cannot come to the House of Parliament to create the impression that the law was in existence and had been implemented.

“That is what I sought him to clarify, but he was not able to do justice to it, and that is the problem we have. We want to put it on record that in Ghana, as we stand here, there is no VAT on third-party motor insurance, and that is the fact. This is a house of records; it can be checked anywhere. There is no VAT on third-party motor insurance, so the minister has no right to deceive the public like that. That is the clarity we wanted from the minister, but he was not able to make it clear for us,” he stated.

The comment by the MP was in response to a question he posed to the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, when he appeared before Parliament on Tuesday to respond to questions.

While the MP sought to question the minister on whether the tax policy was actually implemented, he accused Dr Ato Forson of being evasive in his answer and insisted that the collection of VAT on third-party motor insurance has never been practiced in Ghana.

In the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, presented to the Parliament of Ghana on March 11, 2025, by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the government announced the repeal of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on third-party motor insurance.

This decision was part of a broader set of tax relief measures aimed at easing the financial burdens on Ghanaians and fulfilling campaign promises made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the 2024 Election.

The announcement has been met with mixed reactions, with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) arguing that the tax had not been fully implemented under their administration, questioning the NDC’s narrative of abolishing the policy.

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Meanwhile, watch as Otumfuo urges government to cancel or review Free SHS if students cannot be fed or accommodated

Telecel Ghana Foundation’s steadfast commitment to education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment has earned it the prestigious SHIMEI Sustainability Award.

This recognition highlights the Foundation’s far-reaching impact, which has directly benefited over 6,000 Ghanaians through health initiatives in communities, STEM education in schools, and digital and financial literacy workshops across the country within the last year.

For years, the Foundation has been at the forefront of bridging the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through its Grow Girls in STEM and DigiTech Academy programmes.

These initiatives have equipped junior and senior high school girls with firsthand experience in artificial intelligence, data science, and robotics, preparing them for roles in the digital economy.

Beyond education, the Telecel Ghana Foundation continues to make a tangible difference in community healthcare. Through Healthfest, it has provided free medical screening and primary healthcare services to thousands in underserved communities.

Additionally, its Rural Ultrasound Screening for Expectant Mothers project addresses maternal health challenges head-on, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing.

Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, Head of Foundation, Sustainability, and External Communications at Telecel Ghana, underscored the significance of this achievement: “At Telecel Ghana Foundation, we believe true sustainability is about impact, ensuring that every initiative leaves a lasting mark on individuals and communities.

This award is a celebration of the thousands of lives we have touched and fuels our commitment to do even more.”

As the Foundation continues to drive purpose-driven initiatives, this recognition reaffirms its role as a key force in corporate social responsibility, ensuring that no community is left behind in Ghana’s journey toward sustainable development.

As the corporate social responsibility arm of Telecel Ghana, Telecel Ghana Foundation is committed to contributing directly to positive change in communities through the ‘Connected for Good’ initiatives focused on three pillars – education, health and community partnerships.

Aligned with Telecel’s purpose-driven vision of “Connecting Energies,” the Foundation invests in initiatives that advance digital and STEM education, enhance the health and wellbeing of communities, and strengthen local collaboration to improve the quality of life and future outcomes of people.

The Minister for Energy Minister and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, yesterday assured the Asantehene and residents of the Ashanti Region that efforts are underway to stabilise the power supply and address persistent challenges in the electricity supply.

Speaking during a courtesy call on the Asantehene, H.M. Otumfour Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace, as part of his working visit to the Ashanti Region, John Abdulai Jinapor, highlighted ongoing interventions, including the installation of a new transformer, to improve power supply.

He informed Otumfour that the newly installed transformer, which replaces an older 66MVA unit, has more than double the capacity of the previous system.

This upgrade, he noted, will significantly enhance power distribution in Kumasi and beyond.

“The electricity demand has been increasing, and the existing infrastructure was unable to keep up. With the completion of this transformer new 145MVA, we expect a remarkable improvement in power delivery,” Jinapor said.

Me. Jinapor further addressed the power rationing (load shedding) issues that have affected businesses and households, revealing that at its peak in December, Ghana experienced up to 750 megawatts of load shedding. 

He, however, assured that the power supply situation has since stabilised, with Ghana, exporting excess electricity to neighboring countries.

According to the Minister, despite these improvements, more work needs to be done to achieve a fully stable energy supply.

He stressed the need for a comprehensive approach, including power generation, transmission, and distribution, to ensure long-term stability.

“We are working around the clock to resolve these challenges and guarantee a reliable power supply. Beyond generating enough power, we need to effectively transmit and distribute it to consumers,” he said.

Me. Jinapor commended the technical team for completing the new transformer installation, acknowledging that the transition between transformers caused some temporary disruptions. 

He assured Otumfour that the situation has been resolved, and the region will receive improved service moving forward.

Additionally, he urged power providers in the Ashanti Region to improve communication with consumers, particularly during scheduled maintenance or emergency power switches, to minimize panic and inconvenience.

Mr. Jinapor hinted at ambitious plans to make Kumasi a major power generation hub, with multiple plants expected to be operational in the coming years.  He indicated that these projects could contribute up to 500 megawatts of electricity from the region, further strengthening Ghana’s energy security.

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the country’s energy challenges and ensuring uninterrupted power supply for both residential and industrial users.

On his part, H.M. the Asantehene expressed gratitude to the Minister and his team of engineers for the swift response to addressing the power challenges in the Ashanti Region. 

Otumfour Osei Tutu II assured the Minister of his support while he worked to improve the power situation in Kumasi and the Ashanti Region in general.

The Minister, as part of the visit inspected the newly commissioned GRIDCo’s 145MVA Transformer at Anwomaso, the Ameri Plant, the construction of the AKSA plant, the construction of the Cenit Plant, the ECG double circuit tower line from Anwomaso BSP to the Airport Junction.

The Minister was accompanied by officials from the Ministry, VRA, GRIDCo, and ECG.

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Francis-Xavier Sosu in the middle with the Heritors Labs team

On 14th March, representatives from Heritors Labs, Kofi Ocloo and Programme Engagement Lead, Barbara Aidoo paid a courtesy visit to Francis-Xavier Sosu, Member of Parliament for the Madina Constituency.

This high-level engagement underscored the shared commitment to fostering a robust, innovation-driven economy through strategic partnerships between THE government, private sector stakeholders, and research institutions.

Discussions focused on accelerating Ghana’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy by addressing commercialisation bottlenecks and strengthening policy frameworks that support Science, Technology, Innovation, and Research (STIR).

At the heart of the conversation was ARICS 2025 — a flagship initiative shaping Africa’s research-to-commercialisation agenda.

Sosu reaffirmed his commitment to supporting this game-changing platform, highlighting the critical role of policy advocacy, regulatory facilitation, and legislative backing** in accelerating Ghana’s innovation-driven economic growth.

From Suppliers to Global Power Players

A key highlight of the meeting was Sosu’s agreement to deliver a keynote address at ARICS 2025 on the topic: “The Africa Trade Awakening – From Suppliers to Global Power Players.”

For decades, Africa has powered global industries, supplying the raw materials that drive economies worldwide. But the time has come for more Africa to Lead. The address will focus on shifting from being suppliers to building, owning, and leading industries on a global scale.

Sosu’s address will dive into how we can create the right environment for African innovators, start-ups, and businesses to break barriers, scale beyond local markets, and compete at the highest levels.

As part of the discussions, Ocloo presented the Innovation Trust Corridor Evidence Report — a cross-continental economic partnership to foster innovation and accelerate the commercialisation of research for economic impact between the UK and African Commonwealth countries.

Building upon the UK’s robust innovation ecosystem, the ITC offers a structured framework to facilitate co-creation, intellectual property exchange, and regulatory alignment. This initiative will provide critical policies and infrastructure to support shared innovation among participating countries, fostering mutual growth.

Countries currently being considered for this innovation economy partnership are: Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda and the United Kingdom under the UK Africa Innovation Trust Corridor.

Speaking on the significance of this initiative, Mr Ocloo stated; “Innovation thrives on collaboration, and the Innovation Trust Corridor (ITC) is a bold step towards bridging the gap between research and commercial success across the UK and African Commonwealth countries. By leveraging the UK’s well-established innovation ecosystem, this partnership creates a structured framework for innovation co-creation, intellectual property exchange, innovation trade and innovation resource and infrastructure sharing. Our goal is to propel innovation beyond development and into active commercialisation, driving economic impact for all participating nations.”

This engagement marks a pivotal step in aligning Ghana’s Science, Technology, Innovation, and Research (STIR) policy objectives with a broader innovation and industrialisation agenda that spans continents.

By fostering strategic partnerships, intellectual property exchange, and regulatory alignment, Heritors Labs is driving investment in cutting-edge research, talent development, and market-driven solutions.

This approach is set to accelerate the commercialisation of innovation for lasting economic impact, strengthening Ghana’s position within the global innovation ecosystem.

As Ghana positions itself at the forefront of Africa’s innovation revolution, Heritors Labs stands ready to champion this vision through sustained engagement, investment, and policy-driven action.

Acting Director-General CSA, Divine Selase Agbeti

Divine Selase Agbeti has officially resumed office as the Acting Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority, taking over from Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako.

His first day in office was marked by a warm and spirited welcome ceremony at the CSA office in Accra.

The transition was characterised by a formal handing over ceremony on Thursday, March 13, 2025, where, Dr. Antwi-Boasiako who led the institutionalisation of Ghana’s cybersecurity development from 2017, reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to advancing Ghana’s cybersecurity landscape.

In his inaugural speech, Agbeti pledged to foster a culture of collaboration and excellence in the CSA, emphasising the power of teamwork.

The ceremony brought together management and employees, all eager to extend their support to the new Acting Director-General.

The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George, also graced the event.

He underscored the critical need for sustainable funding for cybersecurity activities in the country.

He also pledged his ministry’s support to continue working with the CSA.

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Alexander Afenyo-Markin is the Minority Leader and Effutu MP

The Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo–Markin, has applauded the NDC for turning the perception of NPP being known as the party of elites over in the last 6 years.

He said the NDC, over the last years, have sponsored many of their youth to pursue higher education in areas that were mostly NPP particularly; the law field.

“Let me give credit to the NDC because I think over time, they have deliberately sponsored and encouraged their youth to study in areas such as law when they realised that was their handicap,” he said.

Speaking on KSM show titled “Nation Building”, Afenyo–Markin stated that the NPP took many things for granted that led to their defeat in the ended elections in December 2024.

“One thing we took for granted as a party was thinking every lawyer was an NPP but got shocked on hearing and seeing many young men and women lawyers tagged as NDC.

“Those days during my school in Cape Vars, it was difficult for a student to openly say I am NDC, but now, the NDC has managed to win even with student leadership elections,” he noted.

He, however, encouraged the party to pay attention to their branding, focus on working collectively to resolve the internal issues and forge ahead the task of winning the 2028 Election.

Afenyo-Markin stated that though there are issues internally to resolve, they should not let the misunderstanding divide them but remain focused and champion the course of the party’s visions.

“I am not saying we should not talk about our issues but internal issues should be discussed internally, not openly, for others to know,” he said.

The Minority Leader also advised NPP supporters to be strong and energise with a collective spirit, adding that “1996, when we lost the election, the J.H Mensahs did not give up but fought together.”

He pointed out that the back and forth among party members on air will not do the party any good but rather drive potential floating voters, who may want to vote the party, away.

Afenyo-Markin added that Ghana is a country of diversity and needs a fair distribution to be able to slowly meet the needs of everyone and not leave some behind for a better and improved system.

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You can also watch a compilation of the latest Twi news on GhanaWeb TV below:

Catch up on the mysterious and historic details of Fort Amsterdam in this final part of our Ghana Month Series on People and Places on GhanaWeb TV below:

Ghana Bauxite Company Limited (GBC) has refuted recent claims regarding its acquisition by Ofori-Poku Company Limited (OPCL), labeling them as misleading and inaccurate.

In a statement released on Monday, March 17, the Ghana Bauxite Company emphasized its commitment to transparency and ethical business practices, addressing several concerns surrounding the transaction.

The company clarified that the sale to OPCL was conducted transparently and in full compliance with regulatory requirements.

In 2010, when Rio Tinto divested its 80% stake in GBC, the Government of Ghana, holding a 20% share, declined to purchase the majority stake, allowing BOSAI Minerals of China to acquire it. Similarly, in 2022, the government again chose not to exercise its right of first refusal, leading to OPCL’s acquisition of the 80% stake from BOSAI Minerals under the same terms offered to the government.

GBC also addressed reports suggesting a significant increase in the company’s valuation—from $12.5 million in 2022 to over $1 billion currently—calling such claims unfounded. The company noted that valuations fluctuate due to investments, operational improvements, and market conditions. Since acquiring the company, OPCL has made substantial financial investments and strategic interventions that have enhanced efficiency, increased output, and strengthened its market position, naturally influencing valuation.

Regarding allegations of conflict of interest, GBC refuted claims that an individual involved in the company’s valuation later became OPCL’s Chief Financial Officer. The company stated that all management appointments under OPCL are based on professional competence and industry experience, dismissing any suggestions of unethical behavior.

On concerns over OPCL’s ownership, GBC reaffirmed that OPCL is a legally registered company with a clear and publicly verifiable ownership structure under Ghanaian law. The company rejected accusations that OPCL is secretly owned by a financier of a political party, stating that such claims are intended to create public distrust. The acquisition, according to GBC, was a purely commercial transaction based on business strategy and investment potential, without political interference.

Addressing allegations of insider trading, GBC acknowledged that OPCL’s owner was a board member at the time of acquisition but insisted that this does not constitute insider trading. The company explained that insider trading laws apply to publicly traded companies, not private transactions like this one.

“It also noted that it is standard corporate practice for board members, including government representatives, to have access to financial and operational information.

GBC reiterated its commitment to operational excellence, investment, and value creation for all stakeholders. The company urged the public to disregard misleading reports and trust that its growth is driven by sound management, strategic planning, and investment.

My X account has been restored – Mahama announces

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Some Ghanaians have expressed outrage over Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s renewed push for a new parliamentary chamber, condemning it as a reckless and tone-deaf demand amid the country’s challenging economic crisis.

Parliamentary watchdog PN Africa is demanding full accountability for the latest refurbishment of the chamber and other related structures, questioning the necessity when the country has already invested heavily in the existing chamber and other structures there.

There has been a massive push back by a section of Ghanaians against the Minority leader’s renewed call for a new parliamentary chamber, citing economic hardships.

In 2019, a similar proposal was widely rejected as unnecessary. Speaking at the swearing-in of the Parliamentary Service Board, Afenyo-Markin also called for a dedicated hospital for MPs and staff.

The comment is attracting backlash from a cross-section of the public who say it will be a misplaced priority given the current economic conditions.

“I think building a new hospital for the MPs is not necessary, because we have a lot of hospitals in Ghana here. Korle-bu is there, the Legon Hospital is there, and a lot of hospitals are in Ghana. So I want my brother, my father Afenyo-Markin to know that this is not good.”

One individual also argued that the continued reliance on foreign medical facilities by high-ranking officials contrasts with the demand of the Minority leader.

“We all know that these hospitals, they will not even use it. Just recently we know that the former Finance Minister was out of the country for a medical check-up the other day,” he argued.

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.