The City of Memphis, in collaboration with GUBA (Grow, Unite, Build Africa), has successfully hosted a high-level delegation from Ghana as part of the recently concluded Memphis-Ghana Trade Mission—a powerful initiative aimed at fostering collaboration, attracting investment, and strengthening cultural and tourism ties between Memphis and Ghana.

The delegation was led by Ghana’s Hon. Yussif Issaka Jajah, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Maame Efua Houadjeto, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority; Ben Anane Nsiah, Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority; Paul Cudjoe, Head of Mission from Washington D.C.; Mr. George Bright; Annabelle McKenzie Director, International Affairs Secretariat GTA and Chief Moomen, Ghanaian poet and playwright, along with representatives from various Ghanaian businesses across key sectors. Over several days, the group engaged with public and private institutions, identifying opportunities to build sustainable partnerships and promote bilateral growth.

This landmark mission was coordinated by Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE, President and CEO of GUBA Enterprise, and Augustine Boateng, Deputy Chief Information Officer at the City of Memphis, in partnership with the Mayor’s office.

The Trade Mission featured high-level engagements with:
• The Greater Memphis Chamber
• Memphis Tourism
• Memphis Black Chamber
• The Entrepreneurs Network Center
• The City of Memphis Office of Contract Compliance
• The Ghanaian Association in Memphis
• University of Memphis – Ghanaian student community

Beyond business, the delegation experienced Memphis’ cultural richness, including visits to Bass Pro Pyramid and the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, underscoring the shared heritage and cultural synergies that exist between the two regions.

A special highlight was the delegation’s visit to the University of Memphis, where they met Ghanaian students currently studying in the city.

This session created a heartfelt connection, sparking discussions on exchange programs, scholarships, and staying connected to one’s roots—paving the way for educational bridges between Ghana and Memphis.

A pivotal moment of the mission was a formal meeting with the Honorable Mayor Paul Young. In a high-level dialogue with the delegation, Mayor Young reaffirmed Memphis’ commitment to building a meaningful and enduring relationship with Ghana.

“This Trade Mission lays the foundation for ongoing collaboration that can benefit our people economically, culturally, and educationally,” said Mayor Young.

Among the significant topics discussed was the potential for bilateral cooperation in public safety and emergency response.

Both parties explored plans to initiate training programs for Ghanaian police and fire service personnel in partnership with Memphis’ emergency services departments.

This initiative would enable Ghana’s public safety officials to benefit from Memphis’ expertise in community policing, fire safety, and emergency response systems, fostering knowledge exchange and strengthening institutional capacity on both sides.

The Memphis-Ghana Trade Mission marks a significant step toward building a lasting bridge between Memphis and Ghana.

From policy dialogues and business networking to cultural appreciation and educational engagement, the visit opened doors to joint projects, tourism campaigns, investment pipelines, and knowledge exchange.

Discussions also explored the potential for a Sister City relationship between Memphis and Accra, and Mayor Young was officially invited to Ghana to lead a reciprocal delegation.

As the Ghanaian delegation returns home, both sides are energized by the momentum built and are committed to nurturing the partnerships established. GUBA is proud to have collaborated with the City of Memphis to bring this historic mission to life and remains focused on strengthening bonds between Africa and the diaspora.

About GUBA

The Grow, Unite, Build Africa (GUBA) Enterprise is a social enterprise dedicated to diaspora engagement, African excellence, and global collaboration. With a strong record of building cross-continental partnerships, GUBA creates platforms that amplify African voices, empower entrepreneurs, and drive social and economic impact.

Through initiatives like the Memphis-Ghana Trade Mission, GUBA continues to serve as a powerful bridge between Africa and its global diaspora, fostering sustainable development and inspiring unity around the world.

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.

Osaka, Apr. 11, (dpa/GNA) – The opening ceremony for this year’s world exhibition Expo 2025 will take place in the Japanese city of Osaka on Saturday in the presence of Japanese Emperor Naruhito.

The gates will open to the general public on Sunday. The Expo site, located on the artificial island of Yumeshima, is surrounded by the Grand Ring, a two-kilometre-long and up to 20-metre-high wooden construction which the organizers say is the largest in the world.

The imposing structure is intended to symbolise the overarching concept of the Expo – diversity and unity.

Over a period of six months, until October 13, more than 160 countries, regions and international organizations will be presenting their ideas in their pavilions on the central theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”.

The organizers expect 23 million visitors, although surveys indicate that interest among the Japanese population has so far been much lower than hoped for. Osaka last hosted the Expo in 1970, when more than 64 million visitors came.

GNA

PDC

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced an upward adjustment in electricity and water tariffs, set to take effect on May 3, 2025.

The revision follows the Commission’s quarterly tariff review process for the first and second quarters of 2025.

The review is aimed at ensuring revenue stability for utility service providers while minimising the financial impact on consumers.

Under the new rates, electricity tariffs will increase by an average of 14.75%, while water tariffs will go up by 4.02%.

The PURC attributed the adjustments to several factors, including the exchange rate between the Ghana cedi and the US dollar, inflation projections, fuel costs (particularly natural gas), and the current hydro-thermal generation mix.

In a statement issued on Friday, April 11, the Commission also cited the need to recover 50% of outstanding revenue—amounting to GHS976 million—from previous quarters in 2024. This repayment obligation significantly influenced the upward adjustment. To mitigate the burden on consumers, the remaining 50% will be spread over subsequent quarters in 2025.

The PURC emphasised that the tariff increments are essential to addressing under-recoveries by utility companies, which, if unaddressed, could result in service disruptions. Despite the increase, the Commission underscored its commitment to balancing the interests of both consumers and utility providers amid ongoing economic pressures.

The full details of the tariff adjustments will be published in the government gazette and made available on the Commission’s official website for public access.

The Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of GOIL PLC, Edward Abambire Bawa has toured the Tema Lubes Oil Company, TLOC, to acquaint himself with the operations of the lubricants manufacturing company.

He was accompanied by some key members of management

The visit also afforded Mr. Bawa the opportunity to deepen the collaboration between the two companies for mutual benefit.

GOIL is share-holder of TLOC and sources the majority of its mineral-based lubricants from the company.

Mr. Bawa lauded the efforts of TLOC in ensuring the delivery of quality products, reiterating that it resonates with GOIL’s own quality ethos.

He assured the TLOC of GOIL’s commitment to fostering closer partnership and teamwork with TLOC.

He was hopeful TLOC would achieve more profitability which would translate into more dividends to shareholders.

The Managing Director of TLOC, Amos Donkor, described the relationship between the two companies as good and encouraged GOIL to increase its lifting of more products from the company.

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Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has expressed disappointment over the poor state of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, popularly known as Ridge Hospital.

During an unannounced inspection of the hospital on April 11, 2025, he criticised the management for allowing the facility to deteriorate.

“This is not the Ridge Hospital we handed over to the former administration. I must be honest, this is not the Ridge Hospital we have all been boasting about. Ridge must return to its former glory, and we will ensure that happens. The MRI is not working. The CT scan is not working. I asked them to take me to the washroom, we walked more than 2 km looking for one. So yes, that is true.

“During the transition period, we read certain documents indicating that there was a program in place to fix all this equipment. But later, upon reviewing the reports and verifying for ourselves, we realised the reality was quite the opposite,” he lamented.

Watch the video below:

‘This is not the Ridge we handed over’ – Mintah Akandoh blames previous gov’t for hospital decline#3NewsGH pic.twitter.com/VyvZPh1yWe

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) April 11, 2025

JKB/MA

Ever heard of a colonial fort with a children’s dungeon and a unique shrine for the slaves? Find out the details with Etsey Atisu as he toured Fort William at Anomabo below:

Dr Saajida Shiraz, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Dr Saajida Shiraz, has confirmed the full settlement of arrears owed to teacher trainees across the country.

In an official statement issued on Thursday, April 10, 2025, Dr Shiraz stated, “Management announces the successful disbursement of arrears of teacher trainee allowances to a total of 65,685 trainees across all accredited Colleges of Education in the country.”

According to the statement, “The arrears, which cover a three-month period, have now been fully settled.”

This payment, she noted, forms part of a broader commitment to “providing equal financing to all eligible tertiary students.”

It also supports “the government’s reset agenda aimed at strengthening support systems within the education sector and ensuring uninterrupted academic progression for our future leaders,” the statement emphasized.

The allowance scheme has, over the years, served as a vital source of support for teacher trainees, many of whom rely on it to meet their academic and personal needs.

AM/KA

Meanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s tour of Fort Victoria and the Cape Coast Lighthouse below:

Real Madrid need to pull off a miracle to revive their UEFA Champions League title defence hopes next week.

Los Blancos play host to Arsenal on Wednesday night in a crunch quarter final second leg following their brutal 3-0 defeat in London.

Mikel Arteta’s side stormed to a dominant first leg lead via two Declan Rice free kicks at the Emirates Stadium with Real Madrid left stunned.

Carlo Ancelotti was furious with his players at full time as the Italian coach openly called out their attitude in the second half of the contest.

Ancelotti now faces the task of producing a historic comeback with only three previous instances of a team overturning a three-goal first leg deficit in UCL knockout stage history – and Barcelona the only team to come from four goals down.

Alongside the storm of pressure surrounding Ancelotti, he also faces a battle to keep Real Madrid on Barcelona’s tail, as the La Liga title race tightens up.

Ancelotti will rotate for the weekend trip to Alaves but he will need everything to go right against the Gunners on April 16.

However, Real Madrid have developed a reputation for coming back from the dead in the Champions League in recent seasons, and Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente believes the tie is still within Ancelotti’s grasp.

“It’s still very open. We all know how Real Madrid can play at home, particularly in Europe, and I’m not giving up on that tie,” as per quotes from Diario Sport.

“Barcelona played a fantastic game in their match with Borussia Dortmund.”

De la Fuente could be in attendance at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg with Raul Asencio and Fran Garcia potential starters and Dani Ceballos working back to full fitness.

David Raya and Mikel Merino will be looking to catch his eye for Arteta’s visitors with the latter netting the third goal in the first leg.

At the prestigious Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit in Paris, Professor Amos Laar of the University of Ghana’s School of Public Health presented Ghana’s innovative approach to reforming food policies, transforming food environments, and addressing the growing burden of obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Invited by the Government of France and UNICEF, Professor Laar contributed to three high-level events.

Thus, the Transforming Food Environments for Children, co-hosted by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and French parliamentarians at the Assemblée Nationale (French National Assembly), The N4G Scientific Conference, hosted by CIRAD (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development) and the French Development Agency (AFD) and  A Roundtable on Enabling Environments for NCD Prevention, organized by the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and WHO.

In each forum, Professor Laar highlighted Ghana’s existing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax and its bold pursuit of healthier food environments through a suite of double-duty food-based policies. These include front-of-pack nutrition labelling, marketing restrictions, public food procurement standards, and fiscal measures promoting healthy diets.

These policies are anchored by the Ghana Double-Duty Nutrient Profiling System, an initiative spearheaded by the Healthier Diets for Healthy Lives (HD4HL) Project, which he leads.

“The Ghana experience reflects both the promise and complexity of food policy reform. The SSB tax, for example, resulted from years of evidence generation, stakeholder engagement, and coalition advocacy,” Professor Laar noted. “It marks a shift from individual responsibility to structural accountability – recognizing the state’s ethical duty to foster healthier environments.”

He emphasized the pivotal role of civil society coalitions, particularly the Advocacy for Health (A4H) Coalition, which includes the Coalition of Actors for Public Health Advocacy (CAPHA), Ghana NCD Alliance, Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND), Ghana Public Health Association (GPHA), and the Ghana Medical Association. These groups countered industry narratives and shaped public discourse, with strong political will and partnerships driving policy progress.

Also at the summit, Ghana unveiled its 2025 N4G Commitments – 10 ambitious goals to strengthen climate resilience, food security, nutrition, and public investment. Professor Laar, was commissioned by the Government of Ghana to facilitate the development of the Commitments.

Reflecting on Ghana’s journey, and the role of academics in national policy development, he said:

“This has been a long journey. In 2012, we faced a rude awakening that data poverty and policy inertia needed to be addressed. We spent tens of thousands of hours generating, curating, and strategically sharing evidence. That evidence now informs the current food policy initiatives.

However, he warned of the increasing threat of commercial interference in policy spaces:

“Corporate influence is not just a barrier – it is a structural threat to healthy policy progress. Policy spaces must be protected – not just occupied.

Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance

The President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Dr Humphrey Ayim-Darke, has called on the government to take proactive measures in response to the 10% tariff imposed on Ghana by the United States.

According to him, the Minister of Finance must take decisive action to manage the situation and prevent a potential fiscal crisis.

Ghana’s key exports could be significantly affected by the tariff, especially given the country’s economic vulnerability to external pressures.

“The Finance Minister knows that if he doesn’t get it right, he’ll have a tough time balancing the books, generating revenue, and raising domestic income, which is largely dependent on imports. The government must take bold steps to ensure some level of certainty in the cocoa market and the broader export space,” Dr Ayim-Darke was quoted by myjoyonline.com.

The United States has announced a temporary 90-day pause on the implementation of the tariff.

The AGI President said the pause presents Ghana with an opportunity to engage in meaningful consultation and develop strategic solutions in response to the situation.

“This is still an unfolding event, and we are closely studying its dynamics. Without the 90-day pause, our anxiety levels would have been much higher. For now, we are using this time to consult, engage with the government and our counterparts, and assess the position of our regional bloc,” he explained.

He cautioned against issuing premature public statements that could cause panic, emphasising the importance of a united and deliberate national response.

“It will be more useful if the country adopts a collective engagement approach,” he added.

SSD/MA

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Anti-corruption crusader and renowned Pan-Africanist, Professor P.L.O. Lumumba, has called for a rethinking of Ghana’s legal and judicial systems, urging the country and the continent to cast off colonial legacies and embrace laws and customs rooted in African identity and contemporary realities.

Speaking at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) Public Lecture Series on Friday, April 11, Prof. Lumumba challenged the prevailing tendency of African legal systems to defer to colonial-era practices and foreign precedents

“Must we always have this inadequacy to compare ourselves with others? We must change in order to enter the 21st century with confidence,” he noted.

In a pointed critique of judicial symbolism, he mocked the outdated dress code of legal practitioners.

“When you see our judges addressing, they still dress like Father Christmas. Whoever told us that justice could only be administered when you dress like Father Christmas, I do not know,” he remarked.

Prof. Lumumba particularly highlighted Ghana’s continued reliance on English legal precedents, even in cases involving local matters such as land disputes.

“When we are deciding our own land matters in Ghana in Cape Coast we still want to cite some decision that was made by some English judge, as if we do not have our own land laws,” he remarked.

He stressed that the time has come for Ghana, and by extension Africa, to “rethink and re-enter the 21st century with laws that are known to Ghana.”

According to him, this is not merely a legal matter, but one of sovereignty, cultural pride, and practical relevance.

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 Minority in Parliament has urged the government to take immediate and decisive action to find a sustainable resolution to the ongoing conflict in Bawku.

According to the group, the current efforts have fallen short of restoring peace and stability to the area.

They stressed the need for more robust and strategic measures to end the violence and ensure lasting calm.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra today, (April 11, 2025), Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, cautioned that the failure to de-escalate the situation risks triggering a cycle of reprisals that could further entrench insecurity in the region.

Also present at the press conference were MP for Atwima Kwanwoma, Amankwa-Manu Kofi; MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh; and MP for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei.

“The Minority in Parliament is deeply concerned about the worsening security situation in Bawku, where persistent violence continues to endanger lives and displace residents,” Rev. Ntim Fordjour said. 

“Over the past few months, the intensity and frequency of attacks including sporadic shootings, arson, and home invasions-have escalated, with reports suggesting a high death toll with many more people said to be missing than those reported dead,” he stressed.

Sophisticated weapons

He expressed concern over the increasing sophistication of weapons being used in the attacks, raising serious questions about the sources of these arms and the effectiveness of existing measures to prevent their proliferation.

“The growing sophistication of weaponry used in these attacks is particularly alarming, raising questions about the sources of arms and the effectiveness of measures to curb their proliferation.”

“Recent developments, including targeted bus attacks and the setting ablaze of the residence of Hon. Mahama Ayariga, reflect the increasing volatility of the situation and the level of frustration among sections of the youth,” he stressed. 

National concern

Rev. Ntim Fordjour also stressed that, as a strategic border town, instability in Bawku presents a broader national and regional security threat. 

He said the spread of attacks to other areas, including the North East and Ahafo regions, highlights the urgent need for a more coordinated and comprehensive response.

“It is evident that the current approach to addressing the conflict has not been sufficient to restore calm. The government must demonstrate greater urgency and decisiveness. The deteriorating situation in Bawku is a national concern, and the government must take immediate action to prevent further escalation.”

“The people of Bawku deserve to live in peace and security, and we urge the government to prioritize a sustainable resolution to this crisis before it spirals further out of control,” he said.

Additionally, he lamented the persistent insecurity in the area, noting that it is gradually crippling essential services, exacerbating the suffering of residents, and deepening the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

“Beyond the immediate security concerns, the instability has devastated the affected communities. Schools have been forced to shut down, depriving children of their right to education, while key institutions and businesses are fleeing the area due to safety concerns.” 

“Critical sectors such as education and healthcare are severely impacted, with teachers, nurses, and other professionals refusing postings to Bawku for fear of their safety,” he added.

IGP’s promises

Responding to questions, Member of Parliament for Atwima Kwanwoma, Amankwa-Manu Kofi, referenced circulating messages on social media suggesting that Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, had allegedly promised to recruit members of the warring factions into the security services if they agreed to disarm.

Mr Amankwa-Manu described the alleged promise as “absurd,” warning that such a gesture could set a dangerous precedent by encouraging individuals from other ethnic groups to engage in conflict with the expectation of eventual recruitment once they lay down their arms.

“The visit by the IGP to the Bawku enclave is a step in the right direction that everybody should applaud but what i am reading on social media, if that is true, then the IGP is rather going to create more problems than good. To say that lay down your tools and that if you lay down your tools, we will consider you for recruitment is something that one cannot understand” ” he said.

He continued “To de-escalate the tension in Bawku it is important that we get the all parties involved to lay down their tools but for me, it will be absurd to recruit people into the security services based on the fact that they have laid down their tools. What it means is that if you do not even meet the criteria to be recruited, you will be recruited because you have laid down your tools.  That obviously is not the way to go.”

Minority’s commitment

Mr Amankwa-Manu reaffirmed the Minority’s commitment to supporting the government in finding a lasting solution to the Bawku conflict. 

He emphasized the need for decisive and fair action, stating: “It is important that we address the Bawku issue once and for all. We all understand how sensitive this matter is. If care is not taken, and one ethnic group lays down its arms and is then recruited into the security services, we can all foresee the chaos this could spark across the nation.”

“We from the minority will support every move to bring finality and then to find solution to the situation in Bawku because Bawku is a border town and if care is not taken and we get these armed groupings using Bawku as a weak point, the entire country will be on its knees. We don’t want that,” he added. 

Starlink is currently operating in Ghana

The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has stated that it has become necessary for Starlink to establish a physical office in Accra, Ghana, since the company is already operating its services in the country.

He revealed that he has directed regulators to notify Starlink of the need to set up a local office.

According to the Minister, the decision to grant Starlink a license to operate in Ghana without ensuring the company had a physical presence was not well thought through.

Speaking in an interview on TV3 on April 11, 2025, he said, “They need to have an office, yes, they need to. You can’t operate in our country and not have a presence here. I mean, I thought that the decision to even give the license without making sure they are resident in the country was poorly thought through.”

Last year, Ghana’s communications regulator, the National Communications Authority (NCA), announced that Starlink, a company affiliated with American billionaire and inventor Elon Musk, would officially begin operations in Ghana by the end of August 2024.

A statement issued by the NCA on August 22, 2024, confirmed that the decision followed the completion of all administrative and licensing procedures. It also stated that the internet service would be managed by SpaceX Starlink GH LTD.

Starlink is currently operating in Ghana.

Sam George expressed concerns that Starlink’s lack of local presence poses a risk to consumers, particularly when issues arise.

“Because today, if there’s a problem involving a Starlink client and the regulator needs to speak with them, we have to send an email to someone sitting somewhere in the US, and it can take two to three weeks for them to come down. What kind of regulation is that?” he said.

“All the other players in the industry are resident here. When I need to meet the CEO of any MNO, I can call, and within an hour, he’s in my office or at the regulator’s office. To protect the interest of the Ghanaian people, why should I have to send an email to someone offering services in my country and then wait weeks for a response?”

He added that this issue is not unique to Ghana, as many ICT ministers across the sub-region have also expressed concerns about the lack of physical representation by Starlink in their countries.

SSD/MA

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By Francis Blankson

Tema, April 11, GNA – Pupils and staff of the Dorsons School Complex in Tema Community One, on Friday, observed this year’s “Palm Sunday” with a road procession.

The pupils, accompanied by brass band music, waved palm fronds and flowers, mimicking the biblical triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, drawing cheers from some residents of Tema Community One.

According to the teachers, the Palm Sunday march is part of the school’s programmes to create awareness of the Easter activities.

Miss Mavis Asare, a teacher, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that it was important to nurture the spiritual growth of the pupils alongside academic excellence.

Miss Asare said the ‘Palm Sunday’ was not just a Christian ritual but a reminder of humility, sacrifice and the power of peace of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem.

She added that it was their duty as educators to instill such values in children to know who Christ was and the reason why he died for mankind.

Miss Agustina Addo, another teacher, explained that the school was celebrating Palm Sunday on Friday, as the school would vacate before the actual day.

Miss Addo said they always observed the death of Jesus Christ and the benefit of his death, advising Ghanaians to promote peace and unity during the Easter season, regardless of their religious backgrounds.

She urged the public, especially Christians and Muslims, to use the season to reflect, love and live in harmony with other religious groups.

GNA

LS/KOA

11 April 2025

Captio

The Gender-Based Violence Court, located at the Police Headquarters in Accra, has sentenced 29-year-old fisherman Nii Baah Afful to one week in prison with hard labour for physically assaulting his partner, Francisca Aryee.

The assault occurred on March 20, 2025, at Korle Gonno, where the suspect was seen attacking the victim while she held their 8-month-old baby during a domestic dispute.

Further investigations revealed that the couple lived together and shared two children.

Following the incident, Afful was arrested on March 22, 2025, by the Accra Regional Police Intelligence Unit and subsequently remanded by the court.

He was arraigned on March 24 and, during a court hearing on April 9, 2025, pleaded guilty to the charges, leading to his imprisonment at the Nsawam Maximum Security Prison.

In a statement issued on Friday, April 11, the Greater Accra Police Command urged the public to report all forms of domestic abuse and encouraged victims to speak up and seek assistance through appropriate legal and support channels.

Minister of Communications Samuel George with officials and management of Afriwave

The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has assured stakeholders in the telecom sector of his commitment to resolving key industry challenges and elevating the sector to greater heights.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the Management of Afriwave Telecom on Friday, April 11, 2025, the Minister acknowledged the company’s contributions to the telecom ecosystem and promised to engage the National Communications Authority (NCA) to address concerns raised during the meeting.

He also emphasised that all telecom licenses due for renewal would be subject to strict scrutiny to ensure compliance and protect national interests.

“We are committed to building a robust telecom industry that works for all Ghanaians. Every license renewal will be properly evaluated before approval,” the Minister stated.

The leadership of Afriwave Telecom, led by Board Chairman David Poku, on April 11, 2025 paid the courtesy call to congratulate the Minister on his recent appointment by President John Dramani Mahama and to discuss pressing matters affecting the Interconnect Clearinghouse (ICH) operations.

Mr. Poku highlighted the positive impact of the ICH since its inception, noting that it had successfully eliminated settlement disputes between Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and improved transparency in interconnect traffic management.

He noted that MNOs now confidently issue invoices based on reconciled traffic data provided by the ICH.

He further shared that national interconnect traffic, which had declined to an average of 800 million in 2016, had increased to 930 million in the first quarter of 2025, with projections of continued growth.

However, he outlined key challenges, including outstanding debts owed by some MNOs for ICH services, and the financial strain resulting from ICH service charges being pegged in Ghana cedis while most service provider contracts are billed in US dollars.

“The mismatch between currency denominations, especially in times of depreciation, significantly affects our financial viability,” Poku stated.

He called on the Minister to intervene and assist in addressing these bottlenecks to ensure Afriwave Telecom remains strong as a wholly Ghanaian-owned company.

Poku also pledged the company’s full support for the Minister’s vision and leadership.

In closing, the Minister reassured Afriwave of the government’s strategic commitment to nurturing the telecom sector and reiterated his readiness to work with stakeholders to enhance efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in the industry.

MA