Dr. Ahmed Qinan Lukeman, a Physician Specialist, has revealed that 10 percent of the global population and 13 percent of Ghana’s population suffer from chronic kidney disease.

He noted that many cannot afford dialysis, resulting in loss of life.

A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency said Dr. Lukeman, of the Ghana Armed Forces Critical Care and Emergency Hospital (GAFCCEH), made these remarks during a free kidney screening and medical check-up at the 37 Lorry Station for drivers and the public.

The screening, held on March 14, 2025, was organized by GAFCCEH and the Ghana National Gas Company Limited as part of the 2025 World Kidney Day celebrations under the theme: “Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health.”

Dr. Lukeman stressed the importance of protecting kidney health through regular exercise, staying hydrated, and maintaining a balanced diet.

He noted that the overuse of painkillers, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, hypertension, and diabetes are major contributors to kidney disorders.

Mr. Bright Ohene Okyere, Community Relations and CSR Officer of the Ghana National Gas Company, said the partnership with GAFCCEH aligned with his organization’s Corporate Social Responsibility, particularly in ensuring accessible healthcare.

He noted that the collaboration would strengthen advocacy for kidney care.

Andy Coffie, Area Sales Manager of MTN Ghana, expressed his outfit’s support for the screening event, which also showcased their products.

Key attendees included Brig. Gen. Thomas Aquinas Gbireh, Head of the Surgical Division; Lt. Col. Richard Otchere Mintah, Acting Commanding Officer of GAFCCEH; Col. Evelyn Azera, Chief Nursing Officer of GAFCCEH; Capt. Irene Boahemaa Koranteng, Administrative Officer of GAFCCEH, and other GAFCCEH staff.

Ghana National Gas Company Limited staff involved in the screening included Madam Fidelia Ohemaa Adjoyi, Manager of Community Relations and CSR, and Madam Augustina Asare Osei, Senior Manager of Government Relations.

Some of the items included 540 cholera vaccines, 3000 tablets of chlorine

The Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS), through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, has presented various health emergency response relief items to the Central Regional Coordinating Council to tackle the cholera resurgence in the region.

The items included 540 cholera vaccines, 3,000 tablets of chlorine, knapsack engine-powered spraying machines, personal protective equipment, Veronica buckets, and handwashing stands.

The items are for onward distribution to health facilities to contain the outbreak, which began in October 2024 and spread to more than 36 districts across five regions—Greater Accra, Central, Western, Eastern, and Ashanti.

The region also benefited from a health volunteers training program by the Ghana Red Cross Society, with 80 out of the 250 trainees coming from the region.

The volunteers are operating in the Greater Accra, Western, Ashanti, and Central Regions.

The Central Region recorded more than 3,000 suspected cholera cases, with 260 confirmed. Four health workers were infected in late 2024, and 19 people died from the disease.

Cholera is a highly fatal disease that spreads through contaminated food and water, leading to severe diarrhea, dehydration, and, if left untreated, death.

In severe cases, a healthy individual can succumb within hours due to rapid fluid loss.

Although entirely preventable through access to clean water, proper sanitation, and good hygienic practices, cholera continues to pose a recurring public health challenge, particularly in areas with inadequate waste management and limited healthcare services.

The ongoing outbreak has placed immense strain on health facilities, stretching both medical staff and resources to their limits.

The Red Cross volunteers will operate in three districts in the region, including Mfantseman, Cape Coast, and Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Cape Coast, Solomon Gbolo Gayori, Secretary-General of the GRCS, said the interventions were essential relief measures to enhance the public health education drive and containment efforts.

He said the GRCS had been at the forefront of the response, providing sanitation resources and engaging communities to curb the spread of the outbreak.

It has implemented multi-faceted interventions in the region through house-to-house campaigns by trained volunteers and the promotion of handwashing practices.

The acting Managing Director of the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), Sammy Gyamfi, says that under the proposed GoldBod framework, only a single state-backed entity will have the authority to export gold from Ghana.

Speaking on JoyNews PM Express on Tuesday, March 25, Mr. Gyamfi explained that the unregulated nature of Ghana’s gold exports has led to significant losses in foreign exchange, contributing to the depreciation of the Cedi.

“The unstructured, unregulated system led to a situation where we were not getting the forex we are supposed to get as a nation, from the gold we export from Ghana,” he stated.

According to him, multiple exporters, including private firms licensed by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, compete with institutions like the Precious Minerals Marketing Company and the Bank of Ghana.

This, he stated, has created a scenario where many of these exporters either fold up or resort to smuggling due to unfavourable market conditions.

“If the person wants to export through legal means, he loses out completely. So most of these people, especially the foreigners, they buy to smuggle, and when they smuggle, the state is deprived or denied of the forex,” he added.

Mr. Gyamfi stated that the smuggling of gold has worsened Ghana’s forex crisis, making it difficult for businesses to access dollars, thereby increasing the cost of imports and raising inflation.

To address this, he explained that the GoldBod initiative will centralise all gold exports under one entity, ensuring that forex earnings from gold sales are immediately repatriated to stabilise the Cedi.

“So under the GoldBod, no one can export gold except the GoldBod, and once we are the ones exporting, all the dollars will come back,” he stated.

The PMMC acting Managing Director noted that under the current system, private exporters are required to repatriate only 80 per cent of their forex earnings within 30 days, but many do not comply.

This, he stated that the GoldBod will ensure that once gold is exported, 90 per cent of the earnings will be credited to the Bank of Ghana the same day, with the remaining balance arriving within 48 hours.

“When you have GoldBod, you buy the gold, you export the gold. When you export the gold that same day, you get 90% of the dollars in the country. It’s in your account at the Bank of Ghana.

“So we don’t have to wait for 30 days for an exporter, a private person, to bring us dollars. Because it is GoldBod, once we export that same day, we get 90 to 95% of the dollars, and within 48 hours, the remainder of the dollars come,” Mr. Gyamfi assured.

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.

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Dr. Wilfred Ochan

Dr. Wilfred Ochan, Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, on March 25, 2025, to discuss key issues related to family planning and its benefits.

With over 20 years of experience in international development, Dr. Ochan emphasized the crucial role of family planning in achieving better health outcomes and improving the overall well-being of individuals and communities.

Minister Akandoh welcomed Dr. Ochan’s remarks and called for a stronger partnership between the Ministry of Health and UNFPA to ensure that government programs align with UN support.

He stressed the need for better coordination, stating, “We must prioritize government programs and ensure that both parties are aligned to achieve maximum impact.”

This courtesy call highlights the importance of collaboration between government agencies and international organizations like UNFPA in advancing health and development initiatives.

As the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA plays a critical role in promoting family planning and expanding access to reproductive health services.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both parties to addressing pressing health issues in Ghana.

AM/

Meanwhile, catch the first in the series of our special episodes on Forgotten Forts on People and Places on GhanaWeb TV below. This episode focuses on Fort Amsterdam at Abandze:

A new twist has taken place in Group I of Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification phase with Ghana’s lead atop the group standings cut from five points to three points due to Comoros’ latest win in the qualifiers.

Comoros beat Chad 1-0 to clinch its fourth win in six qualification games and move to second place in the standings with 12 points.

The island nation has bumped fellow island nation, Madagascar (10 points) to third place in the standings with Mali in fourth place with nine points.

Ghana held a five point lead after bagging a 5-0 win over Chad and registering a 3-0 win over Madagascar in the double header. The Black Stars have five wins in six games with its sole loss coming at the hands of Comoros.

Comoros’ next FIFA World Cup qualifier takes place on September 3 against Mali in a crucial tie that could effectively rule Mali out of contending for the group’s sole automatic qualification spot should the Eagles lose.

Scroll down to view a detailed breakdown of Group I standings.

 

 

In less than three months as Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Johnson Pandit Asiama has set in motion a critical shift—one that may prove to be the foundation for restoring confidence in the country’s monetary policy.

His approach has been measured but unmistakably firm: driving transparency, reinforcing institutional credibility, and acknowledging the economic realities facing Ghana.

This should come as little surprise, seeing his deep understanding of the workings of central banking, owing to his experience in various capacities at the bank.

Johnson Asiama, Governor of the Bank of Ghana

At the commencement of the 123rd Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, Asiama directly addressed concerns about the opacity of central bank decisions.

“There’s a growing sense in public commentary that MPC decisions are taken behind closed doors without clear, data-driven reasoning,” he stated. It was an admission that many in the business and financial community had been waiting for—recognition that economic decision-making must be clearer, more accessible, and ultimately, more accountable.

This stance is significant, not only because transparency has long been lacking, but also because it comes at a time when monetary policy credibility is being tested. With inflation in excess of 23 percent and external risks mounting, businesses, investors, and consumers alike need clarity. Asiama’s early interventions suggest he understands this necessity and is willing to lead differently.

Why transparency matters

In recent years, monetary policy in Ghana has often felt like a black box—decisions were made, but the rationale was not always easy to decipher. Markets reacted to interest rate adjustments without fully grasping the central bank’s underlying calculations. Investors, in turn, hesitated, fearing unpredictable shifts in policy direction.

Asiama’s emphasis on communication is not just an exercise in public relations; it is an essential economic tool.

By proposing to publish MPC voting outcomes and enhance the narrative clarity of policy statements, he is aligning the BoG with best practices seen in advanced economies. More importantly, he is ensuring that financial markets and businesses can better anticipate policy direction, thereby reducing uncertainty.

This is particularly crucial as speculation grows over a potential interest rate hike. With inflation proving persistent, analysts now believe the central bank may be compelled to raise rates by as much as 100 basis points. Without clear communication, such a move could have destabilising effects. However, under Asiama’s leadership, it is likely that any decision—whether to tighten, hold, or ease policy—will come with a well-defined rationale, something that had previously been lacking.

The balancing act

Beyond transparency, Dr. Asiama has quickly positioned himself as a leader capable of balancing the competing demands of inflation control, financial sector stability, and economic recovery. His remarks at the MPC have made it clear that he understands the need to navigate carefully.

This is a crucial acknowledgment. While banks are pushing for policies that allow more liquidity, the central bank must also ensure that excess money supply does not further fuel inflation. His approach—considering both financial sector concerns and broader macroeconomic stability—suggests a steady hand in a turbulent environment.

Breaking with the past without assigning blame

What is particularly striking about Dr. Asiama’s early leadership is his ability to acknowledge past policy missteps without turning them into political debates. “We must also acknowledge that some of today’s challenges stem from earlier monetary and fiscal policy missteps—particularly loose fiscal policy during periods of macro stress, weak monetary-fiscal coordination, and delays in key structural reforms,” he said.

This is rare in our sociopolitical context and is a refreshing development. Ghana’s economic difficulties cannot be addressed effectively without recognising the root causes. However, by steering clear of blame games, Dr. Asiama is ensuring that his leadership remains focused on solutions rather than rhetoric.

A long road ahead, but a strong start

Of course, transparency alone will not resolve all the economic challenges Ghana faces. Inflation remains high, fiscal consolidation is still a work in progress, and external vulnerabilities persist. However, confidence is the cornerstone of economic stability, and Asiama is rebuilding it where it matters most. His commitment to open communication and evidence-based decision-making is restoring trust in the BoG at a critical moment. If he continues on this trajectory—ensuring that monetary policy is not just effective but also well understood—he may succeed in restoring both credibility and stability to Ghana’s financial system.

It is too early to declare success, but three months in, Asiama is proving that strong leadership is not about dramatic announcements or sweeping policy shifts. Sometimes, it is about making institutions work the way they should—openly, predictably, and with a steady hand at the helm.

>>the writer is a Chartered Banker and a Chartered Global Investment Analyst with over eight years’ experience in mainstream banking, having worked in various capacities. He is the Head of Member Experience, Regulations, and Business Development at Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana. He has been a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana with a good membership standing since the year 2013. He also holds an EMBA and a BA from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the University of Ghana, respectively.

 

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Accra, March 25, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has referred three petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo to the Council of State for consultation, in line with constitutional requirements.

A statement issued by the Spokesperson to the President, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, stated that the petitions had been submitted by various individuals. 

The move marks the beginning of the process outlined under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, which governs the procedure for the removal of a Chief Justice.

The Council of State is expected to advise the President on the next steps as required by law. 

The nature of the petitions and the specific allegations against the Chief Justice were not disclosed in the statement.

Chief Justice Torkornoo was sworn into office on June 12, 2023, succeeding Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, who retired in May 2023.

Prior to her appointment as Chief Justice, Justice Torkornoo served as a Justice of the Supreme Court, having been appointed to the apex court in 2019. 

She joined the Judicial Service in 2004 as one of the first Justices of the Commercial Division of the High Court.

Throughout her judicial career, she is credited with playing significant roles in judicial reforms, including serving as vice chair and later chair of the E-Justice Oversight and Implementation Committee, and as a member of the faculty and Governing Board of the Judicial Training Institute.

Justice Torkornoo is the third female Chief Justice in Ghana’s history, following Justices Georgina Theodora Wood and Sophia Akuffo.

GNA

BAS

A growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in job applications risks employers hiring candidates who cannot do the work, a business owner has said.

Advertising boss James Robinson said he and other business leaders were seeing a “real trend” in applicants using generative AI chatbots, and warned that candidates who were good at using the technology could “engineer” the process without being “capable of doing the job”.

Careers adviser Megan Cooper said that while AI could be a useful tool for job hunters, it should never replace “human judgement”.

A recent survey of more than 2,000 job applicants in the UK found just under half had used AI to help them with the application process.

Mr Robinson, who runs Hello Starling, a Cardiff-based advertising agency, said vacancies at his business were attracting applications that were riddled with AI-generated sentences.

“There are some common sentences that we see. People are always trying to ‘leverage their skillset’,” he said.

“They’re often saying things like ‘my skills align with your organisation’s objectives and goals’.”

He said the chatbot ChatGPT confirmed that these were phrases it was likely to generate for a covering letter.

“[It is] very difficult for me to try and work out who is real, versus which ones are robots,” he admitted.

Mr Robinson shared his experiences of receiving AI-generated job applications on LinkedIn and said the responses from other business leaders “really surprised” him.

“I was really, really surprised to receive messages from people saying, ‘I’m in exactly the same boat as you. How are we going to tell them apart?’

“You know, ‘do we need to be using AI to fight against this and get on top of it?’

“So I think it is a real challenge in itself, but I don’t think that I’m alone.”

Mr Robinson said however that “appropriate” use of AI could help his business, and that the technology was helping applicants to be more succinct in their applications.

What is AI?

AI allows computers to learn and solve problems in ways that can seem human.

Computers cannot think, empathise or reason, but scientists have developed systems that can perform tasks which usually require human intelligence, trying to replicate how people acquire and use knowledge.

Generative AI is used to create new content which can feel like it has been made by a human. It does this by learning from vast quantities of existing data such as online text and images.

At Cardiff Metropolitan University, careers advisor Megan Cooper said she was trying to steer students through the ethics of using AI as they applied for jobs.

“AI can be used as a tool. It can be used as an aid. It’s something that can complement, but absolutely not replace, human judgement,” said Ms Cooper.

Ms Cooper said that in many cases, students were responding to an expectation from employers that candidates understood Generative AI and could use it with confidence.

“They don’t want to be seen as cheating or getting it wrong in any way at all.”

She said the university was encouraging students to understand when it was appropriate to use AI.

“Maybe that’s in the research stages of the application process. It might be asking AI to give feedback or help structure their CV.

“Maybe it’s asking AI to help read a cover letter that they have already written to help refine it and help it sound a little bit more eloquent.”

Ultimately the job interview process required applicants to ensure “what makes them unique is able to shine through”, she added.

‘It’s too much of a risk’

Student Jasmine James, 18, said she was avoiding using AI for her university work.

“I feel like it’s too much of a risk, with plagiarism and stuff like that,” she said.

“But I can understand why people do use it, because it is a quicker and easier alternative.

“I just feel like the information isn’t always correct, so it’s best to avoid it for uni work.”

Fellow student Jacob Morgan, 19, said he believed AI could be a “really helpful tool”.

“I use it a lot, especially instead of Google. Sometimes I’ll just search up on AI instead, because you get better results. So it’s definitely very useful,” he said.

AI technology was “here to stay” and “it’s only going to get better and better”, he added.

Timothy Mitchell, who is in his second year of studying computer security at Cardiff Metropolitan University, said he believed those who did not use artificial intelligence were “cheating themselves”.

“Everybody uses it. Tutors use it, employers use it,” he said.

Mr Mitchell accepted there were “definitely some fears” around the wider use of AI, “but I personally believe they are somewhat unfounded”.

He added: “What humans are best at is the creative stuff and creating new things. And AI, by principle, can’t think beyond what it’s been taught.”

Generative AI could be used “in a way that aids us rather than replaces us”, he added.

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.

The Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has criticised the Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine, for using the media to address legal matters instead of following the proper judicial process.

His remarks followed a media briefing by Dr. Ayine regarding the ongoing investigations into the government’s anti-corruption drive and the “Operation Recover All Loot” initiative, which took place yesterday.

During the briefing, Dr. Ayine discussed various corruption cases under investigation. However, Mr. Shaib expressed concerns about how these cases were being handled in the public domain, rather than through formal legal channels.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse Show, Mr. Shaib questioned why the Attorney General would resort to the media instead of pursuing the cases in court.

“If the Attorney General has every reason to prosecute someone, why come to the media?” Mr. Shaib asked. “The media is not giving the alleged person the opportunity to respond. Does that make sense?”

Mr. Shaib further stressed that accusations of criminal behaviour should be addressed through the legal system, where individuals can defend themselves before a judge.

“If you have evidence that someone is involved in a criminal enterprise, the right thing to do is go to court,” he explained. “When you go to court, you present your evidence, and the judges will have their say. They will determine whether the person has, in fact, committed the offence.”

The MP expressed disappointment with what he saw as the Attorney General’s approach, labelling it as “political crucifixion” rather than the pursuit of justice.

“What you have done is not justice; it’s political crucifixion,” Mr. Shaib remarked. “You are using the media for this, not the courts. This is not the proper way to handle legal matters.”

He also raised concerns about the political motivations behind the Attorney General’s actions, suggesting that they might resemble tactics sometimes employed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

“If the OSP sometimes engages in this, is the Attorney General now following suit? Are we now engaging in press crucifixion? Is that what we want to do?” he asked.

Mr. Shaib concluded by emphasising that legal matters should be handled in the proper judicial framework, ensuring a fair trial and the presumption of innocence.

He expressed concern that public media trials could unfairly damage reputations without due process.

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Accra, March 25, GNA – Advocates for Biodiversity Conservation (ABC), a non-profit environmental organisation, has raised concerns over the uncontrolled harvesting of bamboo, warning of severe environmental and economic consequences if urgent action is not taken. 

Bamboo, a vital natural resource in Ghana, plays a key role in environmental protection, livelihoods, and cultural heritage. 

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Mr. Vincent Awotwe-Pratt, Director of Technical Operations at ABC, said bamboo prevents soil erosion, provides wildlife habitats, and regulates water cycles.  

“Many communities also depend on bamboo for construction, crafts, furniture, and as a fuel source. However, unsustainable harvesting is threatening its availability, raising alarms among environmentalists,” he said. 

Mr. Awotwe-Pratt explained that cutting bamboo without regulation was unsustainable and harmed natural habitats, destabilizing the environment by increasing the risk of soil erosion, flooding, and biodiversity loss. 

He noted that Ghana lacked strong policies to regulate bamboo harvesting, leading to over-exploitation, with no significant efforts to restore or expand bamboo forests. 

Mr. Awotwe-Pratt, an ecologist, called for policy reforms to ensure sustainable bamboo management.  

This includes setting harvesting limits, encouraging replanting, and raising public awareness about bamboo conservation. 

“We need a collective effort from government agencies, local communities, and environmental groups to ensure that bamboo remains a renewable resource,” he said. 

Mr. Awotwe-Pratt emphasised that sustainable bamboo management in Ghana could contribute to climate change mitigation. 

“Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that absorbs carbon dioxide at a higher rate than most trees, making it an effective tool for reforestation and afforestation projects.  

“It can also rehabilitate land degraded by illegal mining (galamsey) by absorbing harmful chemicals from the soil,” he said. 

Mr. Awotwe-Pratt warned that without immediate action, Ghana risks losing a vital natural resource. 

“The preservation of bamboo is not just about saving a plant; it is about safeguarding the future of Ghana’s biodiversity and ensuring a greener, more sustainable tomorrow,” he said.

GNA 

KAS 

Ken Thompson, former Chief Executive Officer of Dalex Finance, has delivered a scathing critique of former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration, accusing it of running the economy aground.

Speaking on Channel One TV‘s Face to Face on Tuesday, Thompson expressed frustration over the former government’s handling of key issues.

“They run the economy aground,” Thompson stated, emphasising the dire consequences of the administration’s policies.

He accused former President Akufo-Addo of prioritising personal interests over the needs of the people.

“He was more interested in himself than anybody else. He wasn’t addressing the issues that faced the people,” Thompson remarked.

Thompson highlighted the suffering endured by young Ghanaians, pointing to widespread economic hardships.

Reflecting on his attempts to engage the President, Thompson revealed his disappointment in the lack of action.

“I felt that after I had spoken to Ken and he didn’t listen, I needed to go further and make a point and say, ‘President, look, you are destroying the lives of millions of Ghanaians,’” he added.

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Mahama consults Council of State on petitions for Chief Justice’s removal