This blog is managed by the content creator and not GhanaWeb, its affiliates, or employees. Advertising on this blog requires a minimum of GH₵50 a week. Contact the blog owner with any queries.

Ted News Ghana Blog of Monday, 19 May 2025

Source: TEDDY VAVA GAWUGA

Treasury Bills faces third consecutive undersubscription

The government turned down more than GH¢2.59 billion in bids at its latest treasury auction despite falling short of its GH¢6.68 billion target, deepening concerns over waning investor appetite for domestic debt.

Total bids submitted for the short-term instruments amounted to GH¢5.35 billion, some GH¢1.33 billion below the auction target, marking the third straight week of undersubscription.

The auction was heavily tilted towards the 91-day treasury bill which attracted GH¢4.36 billion in bids, however only GH¢2.09 billion was accepted.

Investor demand for the 182-day and 364-day tenors also remained subdued with the government accepting GH¢513 million and GH¢154 million out of the GH¢731 million and GH¢270 million bids tendered respectively for the maturities.

Yields on all three tenors eased modestly in line with recent monetary policy trends.

The 91-day bill declined by six basis points to 15.10%, the 182-day slipped to 15.68%, and the 364-day bill fell to 16.78%.

The next auction under Tender 1956 seeks to raise GH¢5.54 billion some GH¢1.14 billion less than the previous week’s target, suggesting a recalibration in issuance strategy in response to evolving market dynamics.

SP/AE

Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:

Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Business WhatsApp channel

The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey has demanded a quick action from the state, urging the government to “arrest and prosecute the Managing Director/CEO, all Directors of Akonta Mining Ltd, and any culpable government officials without further delay” for their supposed complicity in the company’s alleged environmental crimes.

It said this should be done with urgency “as a clear testament” of government’s commitment to the fight against illegal mining, commonly called galamsey in local circles.

“The government must act decisively in accordance with Act 995 to demonstrate that no one is above the law,” the coalition stated in a release dated May 18, 2025 and signed by its Convener, Ken Ashigbey, and member, Senyo Hosi.

The group criticised government for its failure to prosecute Akonta Mining Limited, the mining entity linked to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, for its alleged involvement in serious environmental crimes.

It said the coalition was equally “highly disappointed and shocked by the government’s copious failure to enforce Ghana’s laws against the criminal conduct of Akonta Mining Ltd. 

“In the wake of the devastating pollution of our water bodies, such as the Tano River, and the decimation of our forest resources, including the destruction of the Tano Nmiri Forest Reserve, the well-documented illegal activities of Akonta Mining Ltd, since 2022, remain not only outstanding without action, but are seemingly ignored,” the statement said.

Statement

The statement comes four weeks after the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, ordered the revocation of the mining licence of Akonta Mining at a news conference in Accra.

Mr Buah said Akonta Mining, although legally registered and granted a lease to mine off-reserve, had been involved in egregious breaches of mining regulations, including operating illegally in protected forest reserves.

“This company has not only trespassed into protected reserves but has become a criminal syndicate, selling access to the Aboi Forest Reserve to illegal miners for a staggering GH₵300,000 per concession,” Mr Buah said.

“Worse, these illegal miners operate under Akonta’s protection, devastating the River Tano and surrounding forests with impunity,” the minister added.

False assurance

The coalition said following a documentary facilitated by the group and aired by the ministry during the April 21, 2025 news conference, “we were assured of swift action against the directors of Akonta Mining and government officials (Mineral Commission, Forestry Commission and security services) found culpable through negligence or aiding and abetting”.

“It has been a month on, and yet no arrest has been effected, nor has prosecution commenced.

This sets a dangerous precedent as it paints a picture of the reign of impunity and political accommodation,” the statement said.

It said while the coalition acknowledged that the government had done well to freeze the accounts of Akonta Mining Ltd, which confirmed its recognition of the company’s involvement in illegal activities, there was no justification for the continued delay in prosecuting those alleged responsible for the environmental crimes.

“This is the time to send a strong and unambiguous message to politically exposed persons that impunity will not be tolerated, whether under the cover of political association, high social status, or any other privilege.

The fight against galamsey must be fair, fearless, and uncompromising.

The government must prove its commitment by ensuring that justice is served swiftly and without exception,” the statement said.

The coalition further reminded President John Dramani Mahama and the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumani Kingsford Bagbin, of the petitions submitted to them requesting presidential and parliamentary action on allegations of illegal mining involvement by the Member of Parliament for Aowin Constituency, Oscar Larbi, stating: “we are still awaiting a response to the petition”.

The second edition of the Ghana Automotive Summit, themed “Towards the Future of Mobility,” is set to take place on June 3, 2025, in Accra. Launched this week, the summit aims to highlight the progress and potential of Ghana’s fledgling automotive sector — including the achievements of vehicle assemblers, expansion of brands and models produced locally, and the broader vision for job creation through industrialization. But while the summit signals a commitment to growth, it also arrives at a moment of reflection. Key challenges continue to stifle the industry’s development, from low demand and policy uncertainty to mounting competition from used vehicle imports. Addressing these bottlenecks is now crucial if the sector is to fulfíil its promise.

Ghana’s automotive industrialization strategy is supported by the Ghana Automotive Development Policy (GADP), under the Ghana Manufacturing Development Programme (GMDP). These policies were designed to attract assemblers and build a foundation for a competitive local industry. The Customs (Amendment) Act, 2020, which bans the import of salvaged vehicles and vehicles over 10 years old, was meant to reinforce this ambition—protecting new entrants from a flooded used-car market and encouraging demand for locally assembled vehicles.

But beneath this policy architecture, the sector faces challenges that limit its potential. Despite assembly plants being operational, local patronage remains low. Dr. I ¹ssaka Lawerh Tetteh stated that affordability is a major constraint[1]: many Ghanaians cannot afford new locally assembled cars. The Ghana Automotive Development Policy envisioned asset-based vehicle financing and tax reliefs to close this gap, but these have either been slow to materialize or ineffective in stimulating mass adoption.

READ ALSO: 3 confirmed dead in Adentan flood, MCE blames construction on waterways

The Customs (Amendment) Act, 2020, which banned the import of salvaged and over-aged vehicles, was designed to protect local assemblers by limiting cheap used car imports. However, the law was enforced unevenly and met with strong opposition from spare parts dealers and used car importers in hubs like Abossey Okai and Suame Magazine. President Mahama’s recent pledge to review and repeal this ban, sends mixed signals. Reversing the ban without new safeguards could undermine the competitiveness of local assemblers, whose business models depend on controlling used vehicle inflows.

Used vehicle imports — typically older, cheaper, and more accessible — dominate the Ghanaian car market, accounting for over 70% of annual car imports. These imports, particularly salvaged vehicles, offer a direct threat to the competitiveness of locally assembled vehicles. The lack of strong disincentives or regulation around emissions and roadworthiness further tilts the market in favour of secondhand cars.

For Ghana’s automotive industry to move from assembling vehicles to building a vibrant, competitive ecosystem, a few strategic shifts are necessary.

First, there must be deliberate efforts to stimulate demand. Without a strong domestic market, local assembly plants will continue to operate below capacity. This means expanding access to vehicle financing scheme for locally assembled vehicles to ensure affordability for vehicle buyers. Such interventions could help convert interest into actual purchases.

At the same time, clarity and consistency in policy are essential. The industry cannot thrive if manufacturers are unsure whether the protections and incentives they were promised will endure. Any review of the Customs (Amendment) Act, 2020, which currently restricts the import of salvaged vehicles, must be carefully managed. If the ban is to be lifted, it should be replaced with clear regulations that discourage the most problematic imports (such as unsafe or highly polluting vehicles and age limits), while balancing the interests of the informal vehicle economy and the goals of industrialization.

Another critical area is skills development. As echoed by industry leaders, the future of this sector hinges not just on assembly lines, but on the ability to grow a pipeline of technicians, engineers, and parts manufacturers. Without these, Ghana risks being stuck at the basic assembly stage, with limited local value added. Investing in tailored vocational training and automotive engineering programmes can help shift this trajectory.

Finally, public procurement could play a stronger role. Government institutions purchasing locally assembled vehicles would not only demonstrate confidence in the policy, but also help generate the volumes needed to sustain production lines.

The Ghana Automotive Summit presents an important platform to celebrate progress — but more importantly, to chart a realistic path forward. The sector’s success will depend not just on the presence of multinational assemblers, but on resolving core structural challenges: demand, affordability, policy clarity, and industrial depth. Without action, the summit risks becoming a ceremonial event rather than a turning point for transformative reform.

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.

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 Ga Mashie Traditional Council has summoned 15 churches, including Calvary Baptist Church and Lighthouse Chapel, for allegedly violating the ongoing ban on drumming and noise-making, which took effect on May 12, 2025.

According to Asafoatse Mankatta, leader of the task force enforcing the month-long directive, the affected churches were found clapping during their services—a direct breach of the Traditional Council’s rules.

In an interview with Adom News, Mr. Mankatta revealed that some of the churches even refused to accept their summons letters.

“We have great respect for Calvary Baptist Church, but we were surprised to see them flouting the orders of the Traditional Council. They were making noise as if nothing was at stake,” he said.

The summoned churches are expected to appear before the Traditional Council on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Mr. Mankatta cautioned that failure to comply could result in serious consequences.

He reiterated the ban’s guidelines, which prohibit clapping and drumming during the period, though singing is permitted.

He noted that churches with soundproof auditoriums that prevent noise from escaping may be exempt from sanctions.

Mr. Mankatta called on the Christian community to respect the directives, adding that the taskforce would step up enforcement efforts from Sunday.

The annual ban forms part of traditional rites ahead of the Homowo Festival and applies to all forms of loud public religious activity.

It specifically prohibits the use of loudspeakers outside places of worship, roadside evangelism, megaphones, tambourines, and other musical instruments during the ban period.

Three dead in Adentan floods after torrential rain – MCE confirms

The claims that the current dropping of the oil prices at the pump and the declining of the dollar against the Ghana Cedi is predominantly as a result of some extraordinary economic measures put in place by the President John Mahama-led administration are false.

It is 100% accurate to say that global oil prices have been on a downward trend for some time now. In other words, oil prices on the international market are falling rapidly.

In fact, the low level of prices the world is seeing now, we have not seen that in the last four years since February 2021. For purposes of this analysis, I want us to look at these two commodity trading terminologies: Contango and Backwardation.

For ease of understanding, the petroleum market is said to be in contango when prices of petroleum continue to increase to a point that it can be fair to say prices will continue in the upward manner in the near foreseeable future.

When the market is in contango, petroleum traders buy more than they immediately need so they can store the remaining for sale in the next pricing window so as to make more profit.

Such traders therefore will require more dollar each time they buy. Producers also produce more or will be tempted to produce more in order to meet the high demand during contango.

Backwardation on the other hand is when prices of petroleum continue to fall to a point that it can be fair to say prices will continue in the downward trend in the near foreseeable future. When the market is in backwardation, petroleum traders buy only the quantities they require for immediate onward sales.

They cannot afford to store any of the petroleum products as they know the prices will go further down in the next pricing window. During backwardation, the pressure on the dollar will also reduce as traders will not require too many dollars each time they buy.

In the opposite direction to contango, during backwardation, producers tend to cut production so as to create excess demand over supply in an attempt to raise the prices over time.

As I speak to you right now, the international oil market is in backwardation! Crude oil is selling on average for around $60 per barrel. In December 2024, the average price was more than $75 per barrel. In January this year, the average price was hovering around $80 per barrel.

That records about a 25% reduction in the crude oil price just between January 2025 and May 2025. Industry analysts predict that if all other things remain equal, the crude oil prices could drop to about $40 per barrel sooner rather than later.

Two main factors account for this current decline in international oil prices. Firstly, the trade wars in the form of sweeping tariffs are creating economic uncertainty globally – there is a general belief that, as the tariffs are trade barriers, they could slow down the global economy. Demand for oil is closely correlated with economic prosperity.

This is no brainer! When economies are booming, factories are being opened, and people are buying things and going places, oil consumption will automatically increase.

However, when economies slow down, demand for oil will also decline. For the fear of the tariff war implications, traders are not willing to buy a lot of petroleum at the moment, so there is an excess supply over demand in the market, leading to surplus, hence the fall in prices. The second factor is that OPEC+ is flooding the market with more oil than the quantity required.

While there are already concerns about a drop in the demand for oil, production is set to rise.

The oil cartel OPEC and its allies, collectively known as OPEC+, have decided to increase the production of oil. But the question is, why? Saudi Arabia, which is seen as the de facto leader, wants OPEC+ members to produce more to bring down the price in an effort to pressure OPEC+ member countries such as Iraq and Kazakhstan to comply with earlier agreed quotas.

President Donald Trump has also directly asked OPEC+ to produce more oil to bring down prices because it was part of his campaign message to bring down prices at the pump.

I think I need to throw a bit more of light on who OPEC and OPEC+ really are. OPEC is a permanent, intergovernmental Organization created in Baghdad, Iraq, initially by five countries in 1960. These five countries include Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. Other oil-rich countries joined OPEC in subsequent years.

Currently, there are 12 members, namely Algeria, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela. OPEC is headed by a Secretary General on a rotational basis. The current Secretary General is HE Haitham Al Ghais from Kuwait.

Their primary objectives include but not limited to: a) to co-ordinate and unify petroleum policies among Member Countries b) to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers; c) ensure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations; d) create a fair return on capital to those investing in the industry.

In September 2016, an agreement in Algeria, involving 23 oil-exporting countries, including then 13 OPEC members, aimed to reduce oil production to improve market prices. This agreement was termed OPEC+.

OPEC+ includes major oil-producing nations such as Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Bahrain, Malaysia, Mexico, Sudan, and Oman. Despite being around 50 years younger than OPEC, OPEC+ is more powerful due to its control over the richest global oil and natural gas reserves. OPEC+ has observer states: Canada, Egypt, Norway, and Oman. It is estimated that 82% of the world’s proven oil reserves are located within the OPEC+ nations.

This is how powerful OPEC+ is.

Talking of why petroleum prices are dropping at the pump in Ghana, I will simply say two main reasons. In the first place, it is established that petroleum prices are dropping globally.

As a substantial 97% of Ghana’s refined oil products are imported from the very international market where the prices have fallen, it is not shocking to see a reflection of that in our local pump prices.

The second reason is the falling trend of the dollar against the cedi. While importing refined petroleum products to Ghana, almost every aspect of the arrangement is done in the US Dollar.

Fast forward, the key factors that are integrated into the price build-up of the refined products for the final consumer in our domestic market include the landed costs; which encompass all expenses incurred in bringing the refined petroleum products from the international market to the storage tanks in Ghana, plus government taxes which are accumulated to the end-users, BDC and OMC margins.

To be specific, the landed costs include the cost of the products at source, insurance, freight, customs duties, taxes, supplier’s premium, and other related fees and charges on arrival such as Conventional Buoy Mooring (CBM) System fees, Booster Pump Fees, Storage & Loading Rack Fees, Inspection and Verification fees, Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority (GPHA) Charges, Sampling and Analysis for QC fees, Discharge Assistance/Agents Fees, and Operations Facilitation Expenses.

Though the taxes accumulated to the end-users, BDC and OMC margins are calculated in Ghana Cedis, about 99.5% of the total landed costs is quoted in the US Dollar.

So, the Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs) pay for the refined petroleum products in US Dollar and subsequently convert the total amount into the Ghana Cedis prior to quoting prices for the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in Ghana Cedis.

This implies that the exchange rate as at the time of transaction actually determines how much a metric tonne should cost in Ghana Cedis. This is why the falling Dollar rates at the moment directly lead to the reduction in the prices of petroleum products at the pump.

I want to indicate unequivocally that the current dropping of petroleum prices at the pump in Ghana is not as a result of any special or extraordinary measures put in place by the President Mahama-led administration as some people are led to believe.

Because Ghana’s petroleum downstream is running a price deregulation system, the government does not at any point determine the prices of petroleum products in the country. Unlike in some other countries, in Ghana, external suppliers do not go through Competitive Tender Process of any form and there is absolutely no Subsidy System in place.

The government of Ghana does not form Ad hoc Committees to fix the prices of petroleum products, hence, the sector is technically depoliticized and liberalized. Price Deregulation ensures that demand and supply determine the oil prices of refined petroleum products in Ghana.

Compounding to that, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) only has Licensing Authority, Sanction Powers, Monitoring and Evaluation Functions, and Policy Formulation obligations. The only thing NPA has to do with pricing is to set Price Ceilings and Price Floors to prevent monopoly.

People who are making effort to put out there that the current falling oil prices were triggered by government’s deliberate actions, are the same people who literally think the strong performance of the Ghana Cedi against the US Dollar at the moment was orchestrated by the government’s strategic plans. I totally disagree with this assertion as I would want to postulate otherwise.

The strong performance of the Ghana Cedi against the US Dollar has absolutely nothing to do with Dr. Ato Forson’s exceptional prowess in handling the economy nor does it have anything to do with the Bank of Ghana Governor.

The Cedi is gaining value by default as we saw within same time frame in the year 2020 when Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta was the Finance Minister and Dr. Ernest Addison was the Governor of Bank of Ghana. At that time, Bloomberg ranked the Ghana Cedi as the best performing currency against the dollar. The Ghana Cedi’s strong performance in 2020 was triggered by Ghana’s 2020 Eurobond which was successfully oversubscribed by almost 350% as investors hugely bid more than $14 billion as against Ghana’s required $3 billion.

Within the global commodity trading space, any time the international oil market is in backwardation due to a global issue, commodity traders globally divert part of their oil trading funds to trade in other commodities such as gold, cocoa, diamonds, etc.

In most cases, when this happens, Ghana automatically becomes one of the biggest beneficiaries as Ghana is Africa’s largest producer and exporter of gold, sixth in the world, and at the same time the world’s second largest exporter of cocoa.

Backwardation in the international crude oil market generally increases demand exponentially for both gold and cocoa, and in fact, creates excess demand over supply for the two commodities, thereby leading to very high prices for both gold and cocoa on the international market.

Take a look at the current situation and you will see that as the crude oil prices on the international market declined from about $80 per barrel in January 2025 to about $60 per barrel in May 2025 with industry experts predicting a possible $40 per barrel in the coming months, gold prices on the other hand have skyrocketed on the international market from an average of $2,175 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 2024 to an all-time high of about $3,300 per ounce in May 2025.

This exponential increment in price amounts to about 51.73% which has eventually given Ghana a whopping $2.3 billion between January 2025 and May 2025 against $1.4 billion for the entire year of 2024. What really increased Ghana’s gold export is the domestic gold purchase programme launched by the erstwhile President Akufo-Addo administration.

This same programme increased Ghana’s gold reserves from 8.7 tonnes in 2023 to 31.37 tonnes in January 2025 at the time of handing over to President Mahama. As I speak right now, Ghana’s current gold reserves stand at 31.37 tonnes which implies that the PMMC/Goldbod has only added 0.87 tonnes since the inception of the President Mahama’s administration on January 7, 2025.

Comparatively, on 8 March 2020, Saudi Arabia initiated a price war on oil with Russia, which facilitated a 65% quarterly fall in the price of oil. The price war was triggered by a breakdown in dialogue between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia over proposed oil-production cuts in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Russia walked out of the agreement, leading to the fall of the OPEC+ alliance.

In July 2020, both Brent and WTI crude oil prices experienced significant declines. By the end of the month, Brent futures were trading around $39.45 per barrel, and WTI futures were around $36.36 per barrel. These were some of the lowest levels in over two months, reflecting a drop in demand due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the crude oil prices were crushing, in June 2020, gold prices were generally trending upwards, influenced by factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and investor demand for safe-haven assets.

It continued in that trend into July 2020, when the price of gold generally fluctuated, with a noticeable increase towards the end of the month. Specifically, on July 8th, 2020, gold closed at $1,809.88 per ounce. By July 31st, 2020, it had risen to $1,974.00 per ounce, according to Gold Price.

In conclusion, Ghana is currently receiving dollars in abundance from our massive export of gold and cocoa, which are currently trading at very high prices on the international market due to backwardation in the global crude oil market.

In addition, the recent staff-level agreement with the IMF on the 4th review, which is expected to lead to the disbursement of $370 million, has automatically forced the business community hoarding the Dollar within Ghana to also release their dollar into the system.

The Bank of Ghana also injected $490 million into the foreign exchange market in April 2025. As the hardship continues in Ghana, most families are heavily depending on their relatives living abroad hence a high level of remittances also flooding the system.

With all these happening at the same time, Ghana is currently experiencing excess supply of the Dollar over its demand, which in turn leads to surplus of the Dollar in Ghana and subsequently making way for the decline in the value of the Dollar against the Ghana Cedi.

I am aware of the argument by a cross-section of Ghanaian intelligentsia that if it is because of external factors relating to the Dollar, why is it that the Ghana Cedi is equally doing well against the British Pound and the Euro.

My response to those with that school of thought is that first of all, this whole disruption in the currency market is caused by the shift in the commodity market, of which the EU and the UK are not producers of gold nor of cocoa. The Euro and the Pounds are equally chasing safe-haven investments like gold and cocoa.

Prince Ellis Antsroe is the Chief Executive Officer of the Swift Petrotrade Group (SPG), a Ghanaian-owned international petroleum and petrochemical trading company with offices in Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, and in Ghana.

He is a professional member of International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, a member of the Energy Institute, Aberdeen Highlands & Islands branch, Scotland, UK, a member of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN) in Houston, Texas, USA and a member of Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), International.

Antsroe holds an MSc. in Oil and Gas Management from Coventry University and an MBA in Oil and Gas Management from University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, India.

By Iddi Yire

Accra, May 19, GNA – The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is collaborating with the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) to restore power supply to affected areas within the Greater Accra Region.

It said the heavy rainstorm that hit the Greater Accra Region on Sunday, 18th May, had caused flooding, and some outages within their network.

In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, the ECG said after the rainfall, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) requested that some affected areas be isolated due to the flooding, namely Borteyman Stadium, Affordable Housing, Borteyman Township, Little Roses, Lakeside, Nanakrom, Kissieman, Dome Pillar 2, and Christian Village.

Others are School Junction, School Junction Melcom, Nmaidzor Zoomlion, University Farms, Trasacco 3rd gate, Legon Hill, Santoe, Blue Kiosk, Adenta ECG office, and Madina Islamic University.

The statement said the ECG was collaborating with the NADMO team for their directives before power supply was restored.

It said individual/localised outages and incidents of fallen poles, or sagging conductors within customers’ vicinities should be reported to the ECG Call Center on 0302-611611, the nearest ECG office, or reach them on their social media handles via @ECGghOfficial on Facebook, X, or Instagram for prompt intervention.

GNA

Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba

The University of Ghana and the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management (CIHRM) have launched Ghana’s first Professorial Chair in Human Resource Management, marking a major step toward strengthening HR research and practice in the country.

The initiative, announced on Tuesday, May 13 at the University of Ghana Business School, follows a formal partnership between the two institutions aimed at bridging the gap between academic theory and workplace realities.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at the RS Amegashie Auditorium of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS). The event followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions and brought together stakeholders and practitioners from across academia and industry. It marked a significant step toward bridging the long-standing gap between theory and practice in Ghana’s HR landscape. 

The partnership aims to address pressing challenges, such as talent shortages despite the availability of vacancies—one of the key drivers of rising unemployment in the country. 

The Professorial Chair is expected to strengthen HR research, training, and policy engagement at a national level. CIHRM President, Mrs. Florence Hutchful, underscored the link between effective HR management and national development. “Ghana’s development depends on a well-trained and effectively managed workforce. This is an essential pillar and the foundation of any thriving nation,” she said. 

She also expressed concern over the declining workplace ethics and productivity, citing examples of managerial neglect and employee misconduct. “At a recent business forum, the President himself expressed concern about the exploitation of employment opportunities by some workers. This behavior reflects a deeper challenge confronting our national HR values,” she noted. 

Mrs. Hutchful further highlighted CIHRM’s initiatives to elevate HR professionalism, including the upcoming rollout of national HR standards. She emphasized the importance of character and ethics in the workplace, stating that staff development must focus not only on competencies but also on shaping ethical behavior. 

“This Professorial Chair will drive context-specific research to inform effective HR policy and practice—an important step toward Ghana’s growth agenda,” she added. 

Mrs. Ellen Hagan, Founder and CEO of L’aine Services and co-founder of Legacy Girls College who is also the Chair of the Fundraising Committee, stressed the importance of equipping HR professionals with the right tools to support national workforce development. 

“We must support research and create frameworks for key initiatives,” she said. “That’s why we’re starting with a press conference—to raise awareness. This marks the first time such an initiative is being launched in Ghana.” 

Mrs. Hagan clarified that this was not just a ceremonial position. “This Chair is dedicated to Human Resource Management, which shows how seriously we’re beginning to take people management in this country,” she said. “For years, I’ve witnessed brilliant people being frustrated due to poor leadership, unclear direction, and untrained managers. This Chair aims to correct that.”

Dr. Francis Eduku, CEO of CIHRM, applauded the initiative, stating that research is the only way to advance the HR profession. “The idea behind the Chair is to appoint someone who not only understands the HR terrain but also has the competence to work with the institute to drive HR research in Ghana,” he noted. 

He also made a passionate call for financial support, noting the substantial investment required to sustain a five-year tenure for the Professorial Chair. “We need a significant financial commitment to make this a success. This Chair is a game changer, and we must all contribute to realize its full impact.” 

Finally, he challenged the current education system, questioning why HR is not introduced at the senior high school level. “HR is all about people. If we think people are critical, then we need to start early,” he said. “Why should people only study HR at the university? It’s something we need to challenge the minds of policymakers about—HR must be embedded in national education strategies.” 

Professor Obi Berko Damoah, Head of the Department of Human Resource Management at UGBS, reiterated the university’s commitment to national development. “As a higher education institution, we partner with professional bodies to show our contribution to society,” he stated. 

“This partnership with CIHRM is a demonstration of that vision.” With industry leaders, academics, and policymakers in attendance, the launch of the Professorial Chair laid the foundation for a future-ready HR ecosystem. 

To raise awareness and build momentum around the initiative, several key events have been scheduled throughout the year. These include a Corporate Walk (June 14), a major HR Conference (June 19), an HR Community Forum (July 17), a CEO Roundtable (August 22), a Public Lecture (October 16), and an End-of-Year Review (November 22). Each event is designed to drive engagement, share insights, and measure progress toward establishing a stronger, more strategic HR framework in Ghana.

Kwabena Adu-Boahene is a former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau

The embattled former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), reportedly over a fraudulent scheme which diverted GH¢1.3 million per month to his personal account.

The GH¢1.3 million monthly payment was the proceeds of an agreement for the National Security to provide internet service to the Ghana Water Limited (GWL).

The Acting Director of the GWL, Adam Mutawakilu, during an interview on TV3 over the weekend, gave details of the said contract between his outfit and National Security.

He said that the payment of the GH¢1.3 million started in 2018 and was done in two instalments every month till the contract was suspended in April 2025.

Adam Mutawakilu indicated that the payment was deducted from the GWL accounts automatically every month.

“They (the Ghana Water Limited) used to go private to be able to connect internet to the head office and all these regions and then the districts. So, when government under Nana Addo secured this internet and fibre optic installation at that time, they decided that okay, why don’t we extend not only Ghana Water but also to other government agencies. So, they will provide us with the internet and the cybersecurity to all, but at the end of the month, Ghana Water is required to pay some amount for maintenance.

“So, this agreement was entered into in 2018, and it (the 1.3 million) is on two instalments. So, you pay within the month 650 (650,000) and another 650 (650,000), and it is by standing orders – it’s like LCs, Ghana Water Company instructed that this amount should be deducted… it was paid every month from 2018. It was stopped in April 2025,” he said.

He added that it was the Director-General of National Security who spearheaded the agreement and gave out the bank account details the payments should be made into.

However, it turned out that the account details, even though they looked like that of the National Security, were not.

“We had an agreement with National Security, and we have a liaison officer to National Security.

“So, to the best of the knowledge of Ghana Water Company, we are paying the money to National Security… not knowing, a similar account was opened, just like National Security in terms of name and this money, this account was given to Ghana Water Limited to pay,” he said.

The GWL boss also disclosed that the said agreement – that is the supposed agreement that was signed by the Ghana Water Company and the National Security – is nowhere to be found.

“I’ve looked for the agreement up to now. I haven’t gotten the agreement… Somebody offered to give me the agreement. I asked the NIB, they don’t have it,” he said.

Watch his remarks below:

Ghana Water MD Adam Mutawakilu with more expose’, says Ghana Water Company Ltd (GWCL) has been paying GHC1.3m monthly since 2018 to BNC under a National Security agreement to different account but has been suspended since April.

Interesting days ahead.#OralLoading pic.twitter.com/pCjGSVhtx5

— Aristotlektv (@aristotledada) May 18, 2025

BAI/AE

You can also watch the latest news on GhanaWeb TV below:

By Emelia B. Addae

Asuom (E/R), May 19, GNA – The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Kwaebibirem Municipality, Eastern Region, has emphasized the crucial role of fair policing and civic responsibility in effective law enforcement and public trust-building.

As part of the 2025 Constitutional Week celebration, on the theme: “Ghana First: Our Collective Responsibility,” the Commission underscored that equitable policing practices were essential for fostering cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the public.

During a visit to the Ghana Police Service command in Asuom, Kwaebibirem Municipal Director of NCCE, Mrs. Gertrude Adwoa Defoe, reiterated the importance of strengthening police-community relations and upholding constitutional values in governance.

She commended police personnel for their dedication and commitment to duty, noting that fair application of the law was key to fostering trust and encouraging citizens to report abuses without fear.

“A fair and just police service is essential for public confidence,” Mrs. Defoe stated. “When citizens trust law enforcement to apply justice equally, they will freely report crimes and abuses, ensuring a safer society.”

She further stressed that upholding constitutional rule was a shared national responsibility, urging all Ghanaians to exhibit patriotism, integrity, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law.

Expressing concern over misconceptions about democracy, she warned against equating democratic freedoms with lawlessness.

Welcoming the initiative, DSP Richard Kudesey, Police Commander for Asuom, lauded the NCCE’s efforts to annually educate citizens on constitutional governance.

“The Constitution Week is a vital reminder of our collective duty to uphold Ghana’s democratic principles,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NCCE engaged members of the Ghana Dressmakers Association in Kade, furthering discussions on national values.

The session, held in front of the Department of Agriculture, saw active participation from 26 female members and one male.

Mrs. Hillary Ohene, Assistant Civic Education Officer (ACEO), led the discussion by outlining five essential values crucial for national development.

She emphasized the importance of patriotism, urging citizens to prioritize Ghana in their daily actions, including supporting and patronizing locally made products.

She highlighted unity and tolerance as fundamental to national cohesion, stressing that collaboration across ethnic, religious, and political divides was vital for peace and stability.

Mrs. Ohene also underscored the need for accountability, encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their actions and promote transparency in governance and society.

She advocated civic responsibility, calling on citizens to actively participate in democratic processes such as voting and community service to shape the country’s future.

She also reinforced the significance of respect for the rule of law, stating that adherence to laws and institutions fostered trust, fairness, and justice within society.

GNA

DL/CA

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo is likely to hand a debut call-up to England-born Ghanaian striker Eddie Nketiah, as Ghana prepares for the upcoming Unity Cup tournament in the United Kingdom later this month.

The 25-year-old, who recently helped Crystal Palace secure their first-ever domestic cup title with a historic win over Manchester City in the FA Cup, has reportedly declared his readiness to switch international allegiance and represent Ghana, following years of being overlooked by England.

A product of England’s youth system, Nketiah who was born to Ghanaian parents, has featured for the Three Lions at U-18, U-19, and U-21 levels. 

However, his patience appears to have run out after failing to receive a senior team call-up, prompting him to make himself available for the Black Stars.

Recently, he declared his intention to play for the Black Stars in an interview after he had previously snubbed suggestions to switch to Ghana.

“When I was younger, representing England was a natural choice after progressing through the youth system. However, if Ghana invites me, I will gladly accept,” Nketiah said in a recent interview with The Beautiful Game podcast.

Born in London to Ghanaian parents, Nketiah’s decision has been warmly welcomed by many Ghanaian fans eager to see fresh attacking options in the national team setup.

Speaking to Akoma FM, Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, hinted at the inclusion of new faces in the squad for the Unity Cup. 

While he did not confirm any specific names, he noted that the technical team was considering how best to approach the tournament.

“There will be some fresh additions while keeping the core of the team,” Asante Twum said. “Coach Addo sees this as an opportunity to test new players ahead of more competitive fixtures.”

The Unity Cup will bring together four national teams—Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago—at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford. 

Ghana will face West African rivals Nigeria in the semifinal on May 28, with the winner advancing to the final on May 31 to face the victor of the match between Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.

Coach Addo is expected to announce his squad within the week, as the Black Stars look to blend emerging talent with experience for what promises to be a high-profile mini-tournament celebrating African and Caribbean football.