Delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Ghana Security and Safety Conference and Expo held at the University of Ghana, the Deputy Minister for the Interior, Hon. Ebenezer Okletey Terlarbi urged stakeholders in Ghana’s security and safety sectors have to adopt innovative and collaborative approaches to address evolving security challenges.

The conference, themed “Innovating for Safety: Strengthening National Preparedness Against Emerging Threats,” brought together public and private sector leaders, innovators, and advocates to discuss strategies for strengthening Ghana’s security landscape.

Hon. Terlarbi emphasised the need for a unified and proactive response to emerging threats, including cybercrime, climate-induced disasters, public health crises, and transnational terrorism. He noted that technology offers unprecedented tools to enhance security and emergency response capabilities, citing examples such as drones, surveillance systems, and cybersecurity frameworks.

The Deputy Minister reiterated the Ministry of the Interior’s commitment to modernising its approaches, investing in training, and adopting innovative tools to enhance effectiveness.

He urged all stakeholders to seize the moment to invest in innovation, strengthen partnerships, and demonstrate through their actions that Ghana is a secure, stable, and forward-looking nation.

President John Dramani Mahama has announced a comprehensive set of reforms aimed at modernising Ghana’s disability rights framework and promoting greater inclusion for persons with disabilities.

Speaking at the launch of the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities initiative in Accra, the President unveiled plans for a new Persons with Disability Act and accompanying Legislative Instrument to update and strengthen the country’s legal regime on disability rights.

“We will introduce a Persons with Disability Act and a Legislative Instrument to modernise Ghana’s disability rights regime and ensure effective enforcement,” President Mahama said.

“This new amendment act will amend the Persons with Disability Act that was passed in 2006 in order to bring it up to date with current realities.”

The proposed legislation, he noted, will be complemented by several institutional and policy interventions designed to enhance healthcare, rehabilitation, and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

President Mahama announced the establishment of district health and resource centres across the country to provide specialised health assessments and to build a credible national health database for persons with disabilities to inform evidence-based decision-making.

In addition, the government will construct and upgrade rehabilitation centres in all regions to support physical recovery and provide vocational training for persons with disabilities.

“Every District Assembly and Municipal Assembly will establish a Disability Desk,” he added.

“These Disability Desks will integrate disability issues into the Assemblies’ development planning.”

To promote inclusive employment, President Mahama pledged to enforce a minimum 5% employment quota for persons with disabilities across both the public and private sectors.

“Private sector organisations that meet the quota will be given tax incentives,” he explained. “And every public sector institution, through their respective ministers, will have to report annually that they have met the 5% quota.”

He reaffirmed that inclusion and accessibility are central to the government’s national development agenda.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

By Joyce Danso 

Accra, Oct. 24, GNA - Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe Bonnie has expressed condolences to the family of the late Nana Konadu Agyeman- Rawlings, former First Lady of Ghana, who died on Thursday, October 24. 

“The entire Judiciary and the Judicial Service of Ghana wish to extend our deepest condolences to the Family and Children of the late Former First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings,” a statement issued in Accra on Friday quoted him as saying. 

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie described the late Nana Konadu as a woman of remarkable vision, courage, and conviction.  

He said throughout her public life, she championed the causes of women and children, tirelessly advocating gender equality and social justice.  

 “Her impactful work through the 31st December Women’s Movement stands as a testament to her enduring commitment to women and children’s empowerment, as well as national development.” 

While her passing marked the end of an era, her influence would continue to resonate in the hearts of countless Ghanaians whose lives she touched through her service, compassion, and leadership, the Acting Chief Justice said. 

“The Judiciary joins the family of the late President Jerry John Rawlings, the children, and all Ghanaians in mourning this painful loss. We pray that the Almighty God grants comfort to the bereaved family and eternal rest to her gentle soul.” 

The former First Lady, the widow of former President Jerry John Rawlings, passed away on October 24, 2025. 

GNA 

Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe 

The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, has called for the Minister for the Interior and the Acting Minister for Defence to be summoned before Parliament over recent violent disturbances in Gbinyiri and Sampa.

The conflict in Gbinyiri, which stems from a long-standing land dispute, has forced over 13,000 Ghanaians to flee into neighbouring Ivory Coast, while in Sampa, violent clashes left a police officer and seven others injured.

Raising the issue on the floor of Parliament on Friday, October 24, Reverend Ntim Fordjour said it would be highly irresponsible for the House to remain indifferent to such crises that have displaced thousands and endangered lives.

“The conflict that took place in Gbinyiri resulted in an estimated 10,000 refugees to Burkina Faso and another estimated 13,000 refugees to the Ivory Coast, and 48,000 displaced residents within the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba districts and the Bole-Bamboi districts. Also, another very worrying development in Sampa, which resulted in the killings of very dear residents within that area. It is important that, as a matter of urgency, within next week, the Minister for Interior and the Minister now responsible for Defence must appear before this house to give us updates,” he said.

He stressed, “Lives are more important, security is more important than everything else that we demand accountability on, and it will be highly irresponsible on our part as a House if we do not demonstrate that interest in these killings that took place and even so concerned as to the state of our compatriots who have become refugees in other places.”

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CEO of the Chamber of Licensed Gold Buyers, Kwaku Amoah

The Chamber of Licensed Gold Buyers (CLGB) has commended the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) for its strides in formalising the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector and driving significant increases in gold production and exports.

In a statement issued on October 23, 2025, CLGB highlighted GoldBod’s role as the sole authorised buyer, assayer, seller, and exporter of gold from licensed ASM producers, noting that the formalisation efforts have enhanced traceability, accountability, and value retention in the sector.

“As the Chamber representing licensed gold buyers in Ghana, we are deeply encouraged by the performance of GoldBod,” CEO of CLGB of Kwaku Amoah said.

GoldBod Taskforce arrests American, Moroccan and Ghanaians for illegal gold buying

“The formalisation of the ASM sector is not just a regulatory improvement, it is a game-changer for value retention, economic development and sustainable mining practices. The figures speak for themselves: a 70% increase in ASM output in one year, US$4 billion in exports in just four months…”

CLGB noted that Ghana’s ASM production rose to 1.9 million ounces in 2024, contributing about 39% of the nation’s total gold output, while total gold production reached approximately 4.8 million ounces.

Between February and May 2025 alone, GoldBod purchased and exported 41.5 tonnes of ASM gold, valued at about US$4 billion (GH¢40 billion).

The Chamber also encouraged further support for ASM miners, expansion of digital traceability systems, and increased downstream value addition within Ghana.

“GoldBod has demonstrated that it is forward-looking with its goals in consolidating the formalisation of ASM, as applications for refinery, fabrication and jewellery have been opened as at 22-10-2025,” the statement added.

CLGB reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with GoldBod, the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and other stakeholders to sustain transparency, ethical sourcing, and growth in the gold sector.

MA

The call was made at the ongoing 2025 Quantity Surveying Division Conference and AGM

The Quantity Surveying Division of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) is advocating for the integration of value management into infrastructure procurement to enhance project delivery and ensure value for money.

This advocacy, according to the Division, will guarantee the involvement of all stakeholders, particularly government and professional surveyors, from the inception of public infrastructure projects through to completion, in order to prevent poor-quality work and promote maximum value for clients and the public.

The call was made at the ongoing 2025 Quantity Surveying Division Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Cape Coast in the Central Region.

The initiative has become even more critical as government prepares to roll out its flagship national infrastructure programme, “The Big Push,” valued at about US$10 billion.

This year’s conference is on the theme: “Integrating Value Engineering into Infrastructural Procurement.” Nearly 300 Quantity Surveyors are participating in the AGM.

The construction industry is central to Ghana’s socio-economic development, providing essential infrastructure for healthcare, education, housing, energy, and transportation.

However, recurring challenges, such as cost overruns, project delays, substandard construction, limited use of local materials, and inadequate focus on sustainability, continue to undermine progress.

These issues are largely attributed to procurement practices focused on the lowest initial cost rather than long-term value, alongside limited use of advanced cost-management tools.

President of GhIS, Surv. Kofi Obeng Ayirebi, stressed that value engineering is not merely about cutting costs but about optimising function, improving performance, and ensuring maximum returns for every cedi invested.

Chairman of the Quantity Surveying Division, Surv. Osei Agyemang-Badu, urged government to prioritise value expectations rather than short-term cost-saving during project initiation, especially for public infrastructure.

The Chairperson of the Continuous Professional Development Sub-Committee, Dr Naa Adjeley A. Doamekpor, also expressed concern over the frequent public complaints about the quality of completed infrastructure, an indication that citizens may not be getting true value for money.

She emphasised that the conference aims to explore solutions to guarantee high-quality and value-driven public infrastructure delivery across the country.

The event brought together 16 tertiary institutions from across the country

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has emerged victorious in the grand finale of the 2025 National Insurance Debate Competition, held at the Insurance House in Accra.

The event brought together 16 tertiary institutions from across the country to engage in intellectually charged debates on critical issues shaping Ghana’s insurance industry.

After weeks of rigorous preliminary and zonal contests, Ada University College of Education and KNUST advanced to the final round, representing the southern and northern zones respectively.

The final motion for debate was: “Insurance should be treated as a fundamental human right rather than a commercial business.”

Ada University College of Education, champions of the southern zone, passionately supported the motion, arguing that recognising insurance as a human right would ensure equitable protection for all citizens, especially the vulnerable.

They emphasised that treating insurance purely as a profit-driven commodity deprives many Ghanaians of access to basic financial security and social protection.

KNUST, on the other hand, strongly opposed the motion. They contended that making insurance a fundamental human right would undermine the sustainability of the industry, distort market principles, overburden government resources, and limit private sector participation.

The team maintained that while insurance is essential, it functions best within a well-regulated commercial environment that balances public benefit with business viability.

The two-hour intellectual exchange was intense and insightful, featuring evidence-based arguments, compelling examples, and critical reflections on indemnity, economic implications, and policy frameworks. Judges praised both teams for their research depth, clarity, and composure under pressure.

At the end of the contest, KNUST clinched first place with a total score of 83 points, earning the championship trophy and a GH¢5,000 cash prize. Ada University College of Education followed closely with 73 points, receiving a GH¢3,000 cash prize and a plaque for their impressive performance.

Following their victory, the KNUST team expressed gratitude to the Insurance Awareness Coordinators’ Group (IACG), organisers of the competition, for promoting insurance literacy and policy awareness through such educational platforms.

They reaffirmed their commitment to advancing discussions that strengthen the link between academia, industry, and national development.

The National Insurance Debate Competition continues to serve as a platform for nurturing the next generation of insurance professionals and thought leaders, reinforcing Ghana’s vision of becoming the Insurance Hub of Africa.

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has described the late former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings as an indispensable figure in Ghana’s history, noting her immense contributions to the nation and her enduring legacy.

The wife of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, passed away at the Ridge Hospital in Accra on Thursday October 23 at the age of 76. She was Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady and a leading advocate for women’s empowerment and social justice, most notably through her leadership of the 31st December Women’s Movement.

Speaking during a visit to commiserate with the family in Accra on Friday October 24, Mr. Kufuor said, “She did her best in her own way. In her life, she gave birth to beautiful children and served Ghana well.”

“You cannot write Ghana’s history without her name in it. She contributed significantly to the making of Ghana, and her name will forever be etched in granite in our history. So please, do not be sad. The whole of Ghana, and indeed the world, mourns her loss.”

Former President Kufuor recounted his personal encounter with Nana Konadu shortly before her passing.

“I am truly surprised because on Wednesday, I went to church late. When I got there, she was already seated, and my friend was sitting beside her. During the offertory, she came to ask me how I was doing, and I told her I was fine; there was nothing to suggest she was unwell.

“Yesterday, around 10 a.m., I had some visitors, and one of them asked if I had heard what had happened—that Nana Konadu had passed away. I asked how that was possible, because I had seen her yesterday. But God knows best, and I have come to commiserate with you.”

Her passing has elicited condolences from across Ghana. The Acting Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, in a statement on October 24, 2025, described her as a woman of “remarkable vision, courage, and conviction,” whose life and work left an enduring mark on Ghana’s social and political landscape.

He emphasised her tireless advocacy for gender equality and social justice, noting that her influence would continue to resonate with the countless Ghanaians whose lives she touched.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in due course, as the nation continues to mourn the loss of a stateswoman whose contributions helped shape modern Ghana.

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US President Donald Trump has announced an immediate end to all trade negotiations with Canada over an advert critical of the tariffs he has imposed on the nation.

The advert, sponsored by the government of Canada’s province of Ontario, quoted Trump’s predecessor, Ronald Reagan, an icon of US conservatism, saying tariffs “hurt every American”.

Trump wrote on social media that the advert was “FAKE” and “egregious”, adding that trade talks were “HEREBY TERMINATED”.

His administration has imposed a 35% levy on many Canadian imports, as well as individual tariffs targeting particular industries like car and steel manufacturing. Ontario has been particularly hard-hit by these.

Trump has allowed exemptions for goods that fall under a free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada that he negotiated during his first term.

But Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has since his election earlier this year attempted to strike a deal that would ease the US tariffs.

This has been complicated by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who is one of the most vocal critics of the taxes levied on US firms buying Canadian products.

In the minute-long advert published last week, Reagan’s voice can be heard narrating over images that include the New York Stock Exchange and cranes adorned with both US and Canadian flags.

The video excerpts a 1987 national radio address by Reagan that focused on foreign trade.

“When someone says, ‘let’s impose tariffs on foreign imports’, it looks like they’re doing the patriotic thing by protecting American products and jobs. And sometimes, for a short while it works, but only for a short time,” Reagan says in the advert.

“Over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American, worker and consumer.

“High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars… Markets shrink and collapse, businesses and industries shut down and millions of people lose their jobs.”

The Ronald Reagan Foundation – which is charged with preserving his legacy – released a statement on Thursday saying the advert had used “selective” audio and video of the former president’s remarks.

It said the advert “misrepresents” the former president’s address, without specifying why, and accused the Ontario government of not seeking permission to use and edit the remarks.

The foundation said it was “reviewing its legal options”.

Trump referenced this statement, and said the video was designed to “interfere with” the US Supreme Court’s upcoming decision in November on whether Washington’s sweeping tariffs on many nations’ products are legal.

The court’s decision represents the biggest test of Trump’s presidential authority and signature economic policy, potentially forcing the US to refund billions collected in tariffs.

While the minute-long advert only includes excerpts from the original, five-minute-long address, it does not alter Reagan’s words.

The order in which he makes the comments has been changed. The advert’s penultimate sentence is taken from near the beginning of his speech, and a phrase that features about halfway through the advert is likewise taken from an earlier point in the address.

The original address – titled Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade – is regarding a specific set of tariffs the Reagan administration had at the time imposed on some Japanese goods.

Reagan seeks to use the speech explain why he had introduced the tariffs in this “special case” despite his belief that “imposing such tariffs or trade barriers and restrictions of any kind are steps that I am loath to take”.

He makes clear that he wants to lift them as soon as possible “to promote the prosperity and economic development that only free trade can bring” – a position he stresses throughout the speech.

Trump later doubled down on his criticism of the advert, writing that “Ronald Reagan did not like Tariffs, when actually he LOVED TARIFFS FOR OUR COUNTRY, AND ITS NATIONAL SECURITY”.

The advert was run as part of a campaign worth $75m Canadian dollars (£40m; $54m) on mainstream TV channels in the US.

In a post accompanying the advert, Ford wrote that “we’ll never stop making the case against American tariffs on Canada”.

China’s embassy in Washington also used a similar Reagan clip in a post on X to cast doubt on Trump’s global tariffs earlier this year.

Ontario is Canada’s most populous province and its largest regional economy, and has suffered the most as a result of the US tariffs.

Ford hit back at Trump’s earlier tariff threat against Canada by saying he was willing to cut off power supply to the US.

He had also described Washington’s trade policies against Canada as having pulled a knife and “yanked it into us”, and called on US lawmakers to put pressure on Trump.

Trump’s sector-specific levies on Canadian goods include a 50% levy on metals and 25% on automobiles.

The White House’s global tariffs – particularly on steel, aluminium and cars – have hit Canada hard, forcing job losses and putting pressure on businesses.

Carney and Ford have not yet commented on Trump’s announcement.

It is the second time Trump has said he was ceasing trade talks with Canada, after Ottawa announced it would impose a digital services tax on US technology firms earlier this year.

When Canada rescinded the tax, the White House said Carney had “caved” to pressure from Trump.

By Isaac Arkoh/Elizabeth Arko Egyir

Cape Coast, Oct 23, GNA – The Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) has handed over packages of books, callipers and a range of surveying equipment to the Mfantsipim and Holy Child Schools in Cape Coast. 

The presentation formed part of activities marking the Institution’s ongoing annual conference in Cape Coast from Thursday, October 23, to Friday, October 24, 2025.  

The gesture sought to boost practical learning, connect education with industry, strengthen school capacity, encourage surveying careers and foster public-private collaboration. 

The initiative also served to improve hands-on training in geomatics and related fields, align student skills with professional needs, expand teaching resources and attract more students to surveying as a noble profession.  

It is also to ultimately build sustained partnerships and contribute to effective land management and infrastructure planning to enhance national development. 

Presenting the items, Mr Osei Agyeman-Badu, Chairman of the Quantity Surveying Division of GhIS said the Institution’s annual gestures included donating computers to educational facilities across the country to reflect its spirited social responsibility and commitment to supporting institutions that trained future professionals.  

Providing textbooks, manuals and surveying equipment directly, he said had supported hands-on learning and enabled students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world contexts to enhance competence in fields like geomatics, land surveying and mapping, which are foundational for planning and development projects. 

Access to these additional resources, he said would expand the capacity of participating teachers in the schools to teach more effectively, potentially reaching more students and improving learning outcomes in Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics related subjects, including geospatial studies. 

He encouraged the management of the schools to put the items to good use, ensure regular maintenance to benefits more students in the future. 

Subsequently, Professor Bamfo Agyei, a Surveyor and a Senior Lecturer at the Cape Coast Technical University and Mr Samuel Okyere, the Head of Construction at the University of Education, Winneba among other members of GhIS took turns to address some pertinent questions of the students on surveying. 

Encouraged the students, they underlined the role and importance of surveyors as a noble profession playing critical functions in land measurement, boundary determination, mapping and supporting infrastructure development.  

They said surveyors were essential for ensuring order in land ownership, enabling the planning, design and execution of all important civil engineering projects such as highways, bridges, tunnels and dams across the country. 

Their expertise, according to them, had provided the foundation for quality infrastructure development, helping to prevent disputes, save costs and enhance project accuracy and safety. 

On carrier progression, they said in Ghana, to qualify as a surveyor, one must hold at least a first degree in a core surveying-related field recognised by the Ghana Institute of Surveyors (GhIS).  

Candidates with a bachelor’s degree typically underwent a training programme at an approved firm, followed by examinations and interviews to gain licensure.  

They explained that entry into surveying education required passes in core academic subjects like English, Mathematics and Integrated Science at the secondary school level.  

Professional certification and continuous development through the Ghana Institution of Surveyors are essential for career advancement. 

“Surveying is the bedrock of quality infrastructure, the silent architect upon which every great development stands—truly the best profession among the rest. 

“This highlights surveying as a foundational and honourable profession crucial to societal progress and infrastructure excellence,” Mr Okyere told the students. 

Madam Josephine Asamoah, Assistant Head Administration at Holy Child on behalf of the school that the group for the honour, pledged to safeguard them and called for more support. 

GNA  

Edited by Alice Tettey/Benjamin Mensah