CEO of AGI, Seth Twum Akwaboah

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has expressed deep concern about the recent developments regarding the Electricity Company of Ghana’s large number of imported containers of electrical cables and the apparent ‘loss’ of over one thousand of such containers, as reported.

Rumours of huge unwarranted imports of material especially aluminium conductors have been circulating for over a year.

According to AGI, for a state institution that is already saddled with huge debts, this is most unfortunate, and it acknowledges the efforts so far by the honourable Minister of Energy.

A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of AGI, Seth Twum Akwaboah noted that ECG over the years, has distinguished itself as a proponent of local content and encouraged local manufacturers to set up factories for manufacturing aluminium conductors, treatment of wooden poles and assembly of meters and transformers.

It further noted that to “support ECG, government in 2017 passed the local content law, L.I. 2354 to ensure policy uniformity which gave much credibility to this initiative. As a result, thousands of jobs were created. Local manufacturers further responded and actively started using aluminium from VALCO as raw material. Indeed, this was a classic example of local vertical integration which could have served as a model for the country.

Today, Ghana has a 100% LOCAL production capacity for aluminium conductors with raw material from VALCO and therefore importing such huge volumes breaches L.I. 2354.”

The statement however observed that “It is sad to note that our local manufacturers of aluminium conductors who continue to create jobs, are owed huge sums of money, yet importers are promptly paid.

With the foregoing, AGI is calling on the Minister of Energy and Green Transition to:

Strengthen the Public Financial Management Systems with more robust internal controls, to monitor and enforce compliance with frequent audits.

Investigate all imports which are contrary to L.I.2354 and refuse to accept responsibility for such imports as these constitute illegal contracts which must be nullified.

Ensure prompt payment of all local manufacturers, which are in huge arrears. Indeed, payment for local manufacturers must be prioritized in the same manner as local power generators.”

It additionally stated that “Without rigorous enforcement of significant local content as a strategic option to accelerate economic growth, Ghana’s quest for industrialization cannot be achieved. AGI wishes to emphasize that local suppliers who merely import finished items do not qualify to be classified as local content suppliers.”

According to AGI, it awaits government action on this critical matter and is ready to engage and support in every way possible.

KA

Absa Bank Ghana and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) have partnered to help Ghanaian businesses appreciate and respond to the opportunities presented in the 2025 National Budget.

The fifth edition of the Chamber National Dialogue Series was organised by GNCCI in partnership with Absa Bank and served as a platform for dialogue on how the private sector can strategically respond to the government’s budget priorities.

Speaking at the event, Dr Edward Nartey Botchway, Managing Director of Absa Bank Ghana Limited, said, “In this climate, businesses must sharpen their value proposition and remain attuned to policy direction—identifying the areas government prioritises and ensuring their offerings speak clearly to national development goals.”

He also outlined how Absa Bank is positioned to support its customers to take advantage of those opportunities, highlighting the bank’s SME Loan at 10% per annum in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, an initiative which has provided over $84 million to more than 7,000 SMEs.

He went on to highlight Absa’s broader support for businesses navigating the current economic climate.

These include trade finance and investment banking solutions that help businesses access global markets, optimise supply chains, and structure long-term financing.

He also referenced the bank’s risk management offerings, like currency hedging, to help businesses navigate volatility and protect their margins.

Dr Botchway closed his remarks with a strong call to businesses to take action, stressing Absa Bank’s readiness to support their endeavours.

“At the end of the day, it is the actions we take that will make a difference. Absa stands ready to support businesses navigating this landscape, ensuring they are equipped to take full advantage of the opportunities ahead.”

The Chamber National Dialogue Series, in partnership with Absa Bank, brought together policymakers, academics, business leaders and financial sector representatives to analyse the 2025 National Budget and explore ways the private sector can capitalise on its provisions.

The event, held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, featured presentations and panel discussions from key figures including Mark Badu-Aboagye, CEO of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI); Clement Osei-Amoako, President of GNCCI; Prof Peter Quartey, Director of ISSER at the University of Ghana; Prof Godfred Bokpin, Professor of Finance at the University of Ghana Business School; and financial analyst Joe Jackson, Director of Business Operations at Dalex Finance.

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.

Controversial legal practitioner, Maurice Ampaw, has dismissed circulating rumours of his death following the spread of farewell images on social media.

According to the lawyer, although he believes in death and acknowledges that everyone will eventually die, his time has not yet come.

He emphasized that he intends to fulfill his destiny before passing on.

In a viral video believed to have been taken at a funeral ground, a woman confronted him about the rumours. In response, Ampaw confidently declared that he is strong, healthy, and very much alive.

“When I saw you, I thought I had seen a ghost. So, lawyer Maurice Ampaw, are you a human being or a ghost?” the lady asked.

He responded, “I am alive. I am not dead. By God’s grace, I am still alive. Yes, death is inevitable; everyone will die, but my time is not yet. They should wait for me to fulfill my destiny.”

AM/KA

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

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has criticised the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) regarding its over 1,000 containers of imported electrical cables, which have gone unaccounted for.

The Association described the development of importing those cables as “most unfortunate” and potentially illegal under Ghana’s local content laws.

AGI expressed deep worry about the ballooning rumours that have circulated for over a year regarding massive, unwarranted imports of materials, particularly aluminium conductors, by ECG, a state institution already drowning in debt.

“For a state institution that is already saddled with huge debts, this is most unfortunate,” the AGI said, while acknowledging the ongoing efforts of the Minister of Energy in addressing the issue.

The statement, signed by AGI CEO Seth Twum-Akwaboah and issued on April 5, 2025, decried the breach of the Local Content and Local Participation in Electricity Supply Industry Regulations, 2017 (L.I. 2354), which was enacted to boost local industry.

AGI asserts that Ghana now has the full capacity to produce aluminium conductors locally—100% of the country’s needs—with raw materials sourced directly from VALCO, making these massive imports both unnecessary and unlawful.

“It is sad to note that our local manufacturers of aluminium conductors, who continue to create jobs, are owed huge sums of money, yet importers are promptly paid,” AGI lamented, stressing the gross unfairness in the current payment structure.

“Importing such huge volumes breaches L.I. 2354.”

AGI warned that if Ghana fails to rigorously enforce its local content policy, its dream of industrialisation will remain just that—a dream.

“Without rigorous enforcement of significant local content as a strategic option to accelerate economic growth, Ghana’s quest for industrialization cannot be achieved.”

AGI praised ECG’s earlier efforts in encouraging the establishment of local industries for manufacturing aluminium conductors, treating wooden poles, and assembling meters and transformers.

The group stressed that these initiatives had created thousands of jobs and fostered a model of local vertical integration that could have been a national blueprint.

However, the new wave of large-scale imports threatens to unravel years of progress.

AGI called on the Minister of Energy and Green Transition to act decisively by strengthening public financial management systems, investigating all imports that violate L.I. 2354, and rejecting responsibility for “illegal contracts.”

Specifically, the AGI demanded that internal controls be tightened to ensure compliance, supported by frequent audits, all illegal imports be probed and nullified and local manufacturers, currently owed vast sums, be paid promptly and prioritized just like local power generators.

The group also drew a firm line between genuine local content producers and businesses that merely import finished products, stating clearly: “Local suppliers who merely import finished items do not qualify to be classified as local content suppliers.”

AGI says it is ready to engage and support the government on the matter but awaits decisive action on what it calls a “critical national issue.”

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.

One of the airplanes suspected to have carried cocaine

The landing of two airplanes suspected of transporting cocaine and cash into Ghana recently has generated significant public interest and has dominated media headlines and discussions over the past week.

The flights in question-AirMed flight N823AM and Cavok Air’s Antonov An-12B-reportedly landed at Kotoka International Airport from Gran Canaria, Spain, before departing on March 25, 2025.

What We Know So Far About the Two Flights in Ghana

Press Conference:

The issue of the two suspicious airplanes entered the public domain and became a topical matter after the Minority Caucus in Parliament, led by Reverend Ntim Fordjour, Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, held a press conference on April 1, 2025.

The Minority claimed that intelligence intercepted by their members indicated that AirMed flight N823AM, an air ambulance, did not transport any patients but allegedly carried suspicious cargo believed to contain cocaine and U.S. dollars.

“There is no evidence of any medical referral or patient on board. Rather, our intelligence suggests that the aircraft was used to smuggle illicit cargo,” the Minority stated.

AIRMED FLIGHT N823AM

Arrived in Ghana: March 25, 2025

Carried no patient

Carried suspicious cargo suspected to be cocaine

Stationed in Ghana for five days

The Minority also raised concerns about Cavok Air’s Antonov An-12B, which landed on March 12 and remained in Ghana for thirteen days before departing on the same day as the AirMed flight.

CAVOK AIR ANTONOV AN-12B

Arrived in Ghana: March 12, 2025

Stationed in Ghana for 13 days

Departed Ghana on March 25, 2025, and headed for Gran Canaria

Government Response

The government, through the Minister in Charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, swiftly responded to the allegations made by the Minority Caucus, dismissing the claims that the two airplanes were used to smuggle illicit drugs suspected to be cocaine.

He provided the following details:

Cavok Air Antonov An-12B

Cargo plane arrived on March 12, 2025, with a valid landing permit

Purpose of arrival: Technical fault

Arrived in Ghana from Luanda, Angola

Was carrying oil drip equipment and lubricant oil

Intended to carry out certification, including scanning and screening of products meant for the EU market

Developed an engine blade fault and severe oil leakage upon arrival

Replacement aircraft UR-CEZ (CVK 7007) was brought in to evacuate the cargo

Damaged aircraft remained in Ghana for 13 days

Inspected by Aviation Security, NACOC, National Security, and the NIB

No contraband was found

AirMed Flight N823AM

Air ambulance

Arrived in Ghana from Gran Canaria via Luanda, Angola

Landed due to a technical fault, refueling needs, and crew rest

Had a valid landing permit

Suffered a tyre burst and issues with the landing gear upon arrival

A second aircraft, N864, arrived on March 22 with replacement tyres and flight engineers from Luanda

Departed Ghana on March 25 after inspection

No contraband was found

Public Reaction

The issue has sparked mixed reactions among the Ghanaian public. While the government has categorically dismissed the claims as baseless, a section of the public believes there may be some truth to the allegations, calling for a non-partisan and thorough investigation to resolve the matter conclusively.

KA

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:

Algeria has banned flights to and from Mali for “recurrent violations” of Algerian airspace, a week after it shot down a drone belonging to its neighbour.

State television in Algeria announced the decision on Monday, which came shortly after Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger recalled their ambassadors to Algiers in response to the downing of the Malian drone.

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a confederation of the three African nations, accused Algeria of an “irresponsible act” that violated international law as it announced the withdrawals on social media.

The move escalates tension between the trio of allied military governments and Algeria.

The AES said it considers the act “an aggression against the entire confederation” and “contrary to historical relations and fraternal relations between the peoples of the AES confederation and the Algerian people”.

The envoys have been recalled for consultations over the contribution “to destabilisation in the region”, the AES added.

The destruction of the aircraft, which was flying near the Algerian border town of Tin Zaouatine on the night of March 31-April 1, “prevented the neutralization of a terrorist group that was planning terrorist acts against the AES”, an AES statement said.

Separately, Prime Minister General Abdoulaye Maiga, leader of Mali’s military authorities, asserted that the incident proves “that the Algerian regime sponsors international terrorism”.

Algiers claimed earlier in the week that the drone was targeted as it had violated its airspace by more than 2km (1.2 miles), and called it an “armed surveillance drone”.

Bamako said a preliminary investigation has revealed that the drone was flying over Malian territory about 10km (6 miles) from the Algerian border.

Shifting dynamics

The AES was formed last year in the aftermath of several coups and following the exit of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the nearly 50-year-old regional bloc known as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The three countries, located in the Sahel region on the southern edge of the Sahara, have been plagued for years by armed groups affiliated with ISIL (ISIS) and al-Qaeda that carry out bloody attacks on civilians and increasingly control territory.

Algeria served for many years as a key mediator as Mali’s government faced off against Tuareg rebels for decades after the country gained independence from France in 1960, but tension has been growing in recent months.

However, two military coups in Mali in 2020 and 2021 shifted dynamics, pushing the two countries away from each other, with Mali and the other AES members moving to cut links with France and strengthen ties with Russia.

Algerian officials have denounced Mali’s use of Russian mercenaries and armed drones near Tin Zaouatine, the border town in the northern part of the country where the drone was found.

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Actor and Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo

Actor and Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo has sparked reactions on social media after he reacted to the police’s recent destruction of 61 bags of cannabis.

It could be recalled that on April 3, 2025, the Volta Regional Police Command burnt 61 sacks containing 40 parcels of the illicit substance in order to prevent the drugs from re-entering the black market.

However, reacting to the news, Dumelo took to his X handle on April 5 with the statement, “… yet cigarettes are legal in Ghana.”

His comment has reignited discussions around Ghana’s drug laws, particularly the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020, which permits medicinal and industrial cannabis use under strict licensing but bans recreational consumption.

While authorities defend the destruction as necessary for “crime prevention”, critics like Dumelo argue that the policy is inconsistent, given the known health risks of “tobacco”, which remains legally available.

ID/KA

Minister of Finance Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson

The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has described the Goldbod initiative as a game changer for Ghana’s economy.

He highlighted its role in stabilising the cedi, boosting foreign exchange inflows, and creating sustainable jobs.

Speaking at a recent meeting with the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Myriam Montrat, Dr Forson emphasized the government’s commitment to leveraging Goldbod to address key economic challenges.

He explained that the initiative is designed not only to enhance the tracking and management of gold exports but also to support broader economic objectives such as currency stability and long-term growth.

“There is so much to gain from this initiative,” the Minister stated.

“Goldbod will give us better control over our gold exports and help shore up our foreign exchange reserves. It is part of our strategy to reduce pressure on the cedi and to prioritize job creation over short-term revenue.”

Dr Forson acknowledged recent mismanagement within COCOBOD, but was quick to caution against using those setbacks to discredit the broader Goldbod vision.

“While COCOBOD has faced some challenges, we must not lose sight of its significant contributions to Ghana’s development. The Goldbod builds on that legacy with a renewed focus on transparency, efficiency, and impact.”

He expressed confidence that Goldbod will be fully operational soon.

The minister also noted that the government has taken corrective actions under the IMF programme to address structural slippages inherited from the previous administration.

The High Commissioner of Canada to Ghana, in her remarks, congratulated Dr. Forson on his appointment and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to its longstanding partnership with Ghana, particularly in the areas of agriculture and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

The Government’s decision to deport foreign nationals involved in illegal mining and other crimes, rather than prosecute them locally, is drawing mixed reactions from sections of the public. Some Ghanaians have questioned why citizens involved in similar offenses are prosecuted in Ghana, while foreign offenders are repatriated.

Citi News checks have confirmed that foreign nationals, once deported, are handed over to law enforcement authorities in their home countries for prosecution. Sources at the Ministry of the Interior revealed that Ghana’s foreign missions, including the Embassy in China, monitor the legal proceedings closely and provide regular updates to the Ministry.

In a recent operation, 30 Chinese nationals arrested for engaging in illegal mining—popularly known as galamsey—were repatriated and handed over to Chinese immigration officials at the Kotoka International Airport. The handover, led by Superintendent Li Ran, Head of Airport Operations, was conducted in what sources described as a “polite and professional manner.”

According to the source, the Chinese government has expressed support for Ghana’s actions, describing the involvement of its nationals in illegal mining as “disgraceful” and damaging to the strong diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

“Foreigners arrested for illegal mining often exploit loopholes in the judicial process,” the source explained. “They establish connections within security agencies and deliberately choose courts that offer favorable bail terms. Once granted bail, they relocate to different districts and resume their illegal activities, while court cases drag on for years without resolution.”

Since Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak assumed office as Minister for the Interior, more than 100 foreign nationals—including Chinese citizens—have been deported for offenses related to illegal mining and other crimes.

Officials from the Interior Ministry stressed that the deportation strategy is not designed to favor foreigners, but rather to prevent abuse of Ghana’s legal system and safeguard national interests. “The aim is to ensure swift justice and reduce the risk of recidivism among offenders who manipulate court delays and lax bail conditions,” one official noted.

Ghanaian nationals found to have colluded with foreign illegal miners are being prosecuted locally, with the Ministry insisting that there are no exceptions.

Speaking during a meeting with police officers in the Ashanti Region, the Interior Minister issued a stern warning to law enforcement personnel and prosecutors. He cautioned against the practice of altering the identities of foreign suspects in order to shield them from deportation, stressing that those found culpable would face disciplinary action.

The Ministry is also working closely with the embassies of the deportees to streamline repatriation processes. While the embassies cover the cost of flights for their nationals, the Government of Ghana covers travel expenses for Immigration Service officers who accompany them.

According to the Ministry, this approach not only strengthens international cooperation in the fight against transnational crime but also enhances national security and the efficiency of justice delivery. Photographs provided by immigration authorities show Chinese nationals being escorted and received by Chinese officials upon their return for prosecution on charges related to illegal mining and fraud.

An artistic impression of the National Cathedral. President Mahama

The Centre for Public Opinion and Awareness (CenPOA), a non-partisan, non-governmental civil organisation founded to promote civic engagement and participation in public administration, has expressed deep concern over recent comments made by Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, regarding the National Cathedral project.

In a statement, CenPOA asserted that any attempt by the government to reintroduce the project by investing public funds would amount to political dishonesty and a serious betrayal of the trust placed in the Mahama-led administration by Ghanaians.

CenPOA argued that the project was originally a personal religious vow made by former President Akufo-Addo, who failed to complete it despite serving two terms in office.

“It is worth noting that the project became a major point of political contention during the 2024 elections. The now-ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) explicitly opposed the project, vowing to repurpose it into a 500-unit children’s hospital and fertility centre. This was publicly communicated in a Facebook post by Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, then Director of Elections and IT for the NDC,” the statement read.

In light of this, CenPOA finds the Minister’s recent remarks inconsistent with the NDC’s stated position and urges the government to stay true to its commitment to reset Ghana’s priorities. Many Ghanaians voted for this administration with the understanding that public funds would no longer be wasted on non-essential projects like the National Cathedral, particularly at the expense of critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and job creation.

CenPOA further stated that if the Minister’s remarks were intended as personal opinion, it respectfully reminds him that, in his official capacity, he must refrain from imposing personal religious beliefs on matters of governance and public administration.

Blurring the lines between religion and state affairs could have serious consequences for his political career and the credibility of the NDC government.

The organisation also advised former President Akufo-Addo to fulfil his vow to God using private means, stating, “With his tenure now concluded, he has the opportunity and time to mobilise private support to complete the project, in line with his original intent.”

Edwin Arthur, PRINPAG president

The Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) has launched a Legal Support Desk at its headquarters in Accra to offer legal assistance to its members in the line of duty.

In a statement jointly signed by PRINPAG Executive Secretary Jeorge Wilson Kingson and President Edwin Andrew Arthur, the Association explained that the initiative is in response to a recent surge in invitations, arrests, and detentions of editors and publishers over stories published by their media outlets.

According to the statement, the Association’s National Executive Council has made arrangements for dedicated legal professionals to be on standby to offer prompt support to any member facing legal challenges related to their journalistic work.

“Members who receive an invitation, are arrested, or are detained by any security agency in relation to their professional duties are encouraged to immediately contact the PRINPAG Secretariat for legal assistance,” the statement emphasized.

While providing this support, PRINPAG also urged its members to continue upholding high standards of professionalism, responsibility, and ethics in their work as media practitioners.

The Legal Support Desk is part of a broader set of services PRINPAG offers to ensure the protection and welfare of its members.

The Association also organizes training workshops, recognition awards, and welfare programmes aimed at promoting excellence and professional development within Ghana’s media landscape.

PRINPAG remains committed to fostering a strong, independent media and maintains formal representation on the National Media Commission and other constitutional bodies, as stipulated in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

Torrential rains and floods have killed at least 33 people in Kinshasa – the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo – according to officials.

“The republic will not abandon you,” President Félix Tshisekedi promised victims on Monday, saying he had called a government crisis meeting.

Desperate residents are trying to flee the floodwaters by wading, swimming or paddling to safety in homemade canoes.

The city is home to 17 million people and sits on the Congo river, which is one of the biggest in the world and stretches across the country.

Flooding is common – the river recently reached its highest level in six decades.

Parts of the capital are prone to soil erosion and in recent years the Congolese president has warned that the climate crisis is making flooding worse.

Many homes in west Kinshasa were swept away following flooding overnight from Friday into Saturday.

About half of the city’s 26 districts are affected in total, according to the capital’s mayor, who says search and rescue teams have been sent out.

Worst affected are the city’s outskirts as well as some of its poorest neighbourhoods.

“The water has reached 1.5 metres high. We have just managed to save ourselves, the rest is trapped in our homes,” Christophe Bola who lives in the Ndanu area told the AFP news agency.

Other local residents have told reporters they are angry with the authorities, accusing them of being too slow to react and not sending enough help.

The floods have also left people across much of Kinshasa struggling with water shortages, after water treatment pumps in the city were themselves inundated.

The city’s busiest road, which connects the centre with the international airport, is impassable, as is some of the motorway that connects the capital to the country’s main port, Matadi.

At least one tributary leading off the Congo river – the N’djili river – has burst its banks, trapping many residents there, said Deputy President Jacquemain Shabani in a statement on Sunday.

It is said to be one of the more polluted rivers which Congolese scientists say contains high levels of fecal matter and other waste.

Sewage maintenance is poor in many areas of Kinshasa, and there is little evidence of town planning.

Last year the government announced plans to tackle this long-standing problem.

Further heavy downpours are expected in Kinshasa in the coming weeks, as well as in the eastern city of Goma, which was seized by rebel forces earlier this year.

The national meteorological agency also warns of heavy rains elsewhere, especially in the north and north-east of the country.

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.

Nigerian police have withdrawn a summons issued to one of the country’s most respected traditional leaders after it was widely condemned.

The emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, is engaged in a tussle for the crown with his cousin Aminu Ado Bayero, who is said to enjoy the support of the national government.

Prior to the recent Eid al-Fitr celebration, police in Kano banned the annual horse parade, or durbar, fearing trouble between supporters of the rival claimants.

However, Sanusi chose to ride on horseback after Eid prayers, accompanied by local vigilantes.

This led to clashes between rival groups, which saw one man stabbed to death, prompting the police to order Sanusi to appear at the national police headquarters in the capital, Abuja.

However, this prompted an outcry with many Nigerians saying it showed a lack of respect to the emirate, which is one of the oldest institutions in the country.

Traditional leaders in Nigeria hold few constitutional powers but are able to exert significant influence as they are seen as custodians of both religion and tradition.

In response to the strong reaction against the summons and following the intervention of “respected stakeholders”, Nigeria’s police chief said that officers would instead go to Kano to obtain Sanusi’s statement.

The emir has not commented on the summons.

Sanusi returned to the Kano throne last year after he was ousted in 2020 for “insubordination” to the then Kano state government under Abdullahi Ganduje.

Sanusi, a former head of Nigeria’s central bank, was reappointed by Kano’s current Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, last May, and Bayero was sacked after four years as emir.

However, some of Bayero’s supporters have gone to court, maintaining he is the rightful emir.

While Sanusi is living in the emir’s official residence, Bayero is residing in one of the emirate’s smaller palaces.

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.

A day before Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs are scheduled to kick in, the US president appears locked in a high-stakes game of chicken, with the world’s economy hanging in the balance.

Some nations labelled “worst offenders” are scrambling to make nice with the White House to end this game before it reaches a potentially devastating climax.

China, in contrast, is playing a different game, one of retaliation and resistance.

Meanwhile, Trump has pressed ahead, even as some allies – in Congress and on Wall Street – wonder if he’s going too far. On Sunday, when asked what level of market fall he would tolerate before changing course, he snapped that it was a “stupid question”.

So is it all a negotiating tactic as many investors and politicians hope – or is he playing a longer game aimed at permanently restructuring the global economy and America’s place in it? In this new world, whether a country is an ally or an adversary depends on whether that nation is giving the US a good deal.

On Monday afternoon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the first world leader to visit the president since his trade announcement, tried his hand at playing Trump’s new game. He pledged that his nation – which has been slotted for tariffs of 17% – would drop its trade barriers and move to eliminate its trade surplus with the US.

“We think it is the right thing to do,” he said. “I think Israel can serve as a model to many countries that ought to do the same.”

Other nations appear to be pursuing a similar strategy in the hopes of a positive result.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called Trump on Monday morning, prompting Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to state that the US was beginning negotiations with the nation to “implement the president’s vision for the new Golden Age of Global Trade”.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe was “ready to negotiate” with the US, offering a mutual reduction of tariffs on industrial goods to zero – a proposal that Trump praised during remarks at the Oval Office, while saying it was still “not enough”.

There were no such gestures from China. On Monday morning, America’s top economic competitor announced that it was responding to Trump’s 34% tariff increase with an additional 34% of its own.

That prompted Trump to threaten another 50% to US tariffs on China if it does not back down by Tuesday.

“China has chosen to isolate itself by retaliating and doubling down on previous negative behaviour,” Bessent posted on X. “Over 50 countries have responded both openly and positively to Donald Trump’s historic action to create a fairer, more prosperous system of global trade.”

China’s reaction to Trump’s latest move was equally blunt.

“We have stressed more than once that pressuring or threatening China is not a right way to engage with us,” Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told BBC partner CBS News. “China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”

Such a series of reactions and reprisals from China and the US appeared to be exactly what investors feared last week, as American stock indexes dropped by double-digit percentages.

By Monday a growing chorus of business leaders were speaking out against Trump’s tariff plan, including Wall Street financiers who had been strong public supporters of his administration – trying, it appeared, to get the president to back down by force of will alone.

Meanwhile, US markets were poised to jump at any reason for hope. When a social media post on Monday morning indicated that the president was contemplating a 90-day delay on new tariffs – perhaps drawn from a misinterpretation of comments made by Trump economic adviser Kevin Hassett on Fox News – US stock indexes soared. The S&P 500 index added $2.4tn in market value for about 10 minutes, only for it to all vanish once the White House quickly denied the president was contemplating such a move.

Trump further closed the door on Monday afternoon, saying he was not “looking at” any kind of delay. It was still full speed ahead on tariffs.

“We’re going to have one shot at this,” he said.

Perhaps the most concerning message for investors and foreign leaders hoping for a last-minute reprieve – and an exit ramp to stability – came from one of Trump’s top trade advisers, Peter Navarro.

“This is not a negotiation,” he wrote in a Financial Times opinion piece published on Monday afternoon. “President Trump is always willing to listen. But to those world leaders who, after decades of cheating, are suddenly offering to lower tariffs – know this: that’s just the beginning.”

So if this is about the start of broader systemic change – what is the desired end goal worth potentially tanking the global economy?

One theory is that Trump has a plan with several of his top advisers – the “Mar-a-Lago accord”, it is called – with the ultimate goal of compelling America’s trading partners to weaken the US dollar on the international currency exchange. Such a move would make American exports more affordable to foreign markets and diminish the value of China’s large reserves of US currency.

It’s a plan pushed by Trump economic adviser Stephen Miran, although he has denied that it is current administration policy.

That’s just one of the possible explanations for the current stock market mayhem that Trump has purposefully instigated – one that many other prominent economists warn is risky. It is far from the only one.

Ever since Trump shocked the world with his sweeping tariff plan, White House officials have fanned out across media to preach patience and offer a selection of sometimes contradictory explanations as to the strategy behind Trump’s global trade war. He is doing it to raise revenue and protect American industry – or as a negotiating tool. The tariffs are permanent – or they are temporary. They will prompt individual deals with other nations – or compel some grand multilateral agreement.

As Trump presses on to Wednesday’s tariff cliff with no signs of backing away, he seems willing to keep the world guessing.

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Deputy Trade Minister, Sampson Ahi, has disclosed that President John Mahama has directed them to do everything within their power to resolve the controversial 10% tariff imposed on Ghana’s exports by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, April 7, the Bodi MP said the President considers the issue a matter of national interest and has given his full backing to any diplomatic and strategic effort needed to reverse the tariff, which many in Ghana see as unjustified.

“President John Mahama has tasked us to ensure that efforts have been made to ensure that this problem of Trump tariffs slapped on the country is addressed,” Mr Ahi revealed during the interview.

The Deputy Minister’s comments followed a high-level meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, earlier in the day.

The meeting was prompted by the Trump team’s decision to include cocoa—Ghana’s top export commodity—in a list of products targeted for new tariffs, despite the fact that the United States does not produce cocoa.

“I am sure that once we have his blessings, if he has to intervene, he will certainly do,” Mr Ahi added, suggesting that the President himself is prepared to engage at the highest levels if necessary to protect Ghana’s economic interests.

He said the Ghanaian delegation questioned the logic behind targeting cocoa with a 10% tariff, especially as the U.S. has no domestic cocoa industry to protect.

“If you want to impose taxes on commodities to remain competitive, you would do that based on the commodities that you have a competitive advantage over us,” Ahi argued.

“The U.S. doesn’t produce cocoa, but they have slapped a 10% tariff on its exports.”

According to Ahi, Ambassador Palmer herself appeared taken aback by the inclusion of cocoa in the tariff scheme and suggested that Ghana pursue resolution at a higher diplomatic level.

“She was surprised,” Ahi said.

“She felt that if we pursued it, a commodity like cocoa can be exempted from the 10% tariff. She thinks we should engage at a higher level—that is, bringing in the President at a top governmental level.”

Sampson Ahi said Ghana is not standing alone in this fight, as the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are also preparing to respond collectively.

“We also know that as Africans, we have agreed to fight this collectively. And so on the 14th of this month, AfCFTA is organising a meeting with African trade ministers to look at this situation.”

He emphasised that Ghana would not relent in pursuing what he described as an “unfair” trade decision.

“This is a matter that affects our economy, our farmers, and our export earnings. We are not treating this lightly.”

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Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Sampson Ahi, has revealed that United States Ambassador to Ghana, was left surprised and concerned over the recent 10% tariff slapped on Ghana’s cocoa exports by President Trump.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, April 7, the Bodi MP disclosed that the tariff issue came up during a meeting with Ambassador Virginia Palmer earlier in the day.

The discussion was prompted by what the Ghanaian delegation views as an unfair imposition of trade restrictions on a commodity the US does not even produce.

“Again, we asked why,” Mr Ahi told Evans Mensah during the interview.

“Because if you want to impose taxes on commodities to remain competitive, you would do that based on the commodities that you have a competitive advantage over us. The US doesn’t produce cocoa, but they have slapped a 10% tariff on its exports.”

He continued, “We sought clarification, and the ambassador, too, was surprised. She felt that if we pursued it, a commodity like cocoa could be exempted from the 10% tariff.”

The introduction of the tariff by the Trump campaign, as part of a broader trade strategy targeting several foreign imports, has drawn sharp criticism from cocoa-producing nations, who argue that it directly affects their economic lifelines and undermines global efforts at equitable trade.

Ghana is one of the world’s top cocoa producers and relies heavily on the commodity for foreign exchange.

Any new barriers to the export of cocoa are likely to have significant implications for the country’s economy and the livelihoods of millions of cocoa farmers.

According to the Deputy Minister, Ambassador Palmer did not attempt to justify the tariff but instead recommended further engagement between Ghana and the US at a much higher diplomatic level.

“No, she suggested that we should have a higher platform for discussing this particular matter,” Mr Ahi noted.

“She thinks that we should engage at a higher level—that means bringing in the president at a top governmental level.”

“She didn’t understand why cocoa is included. They know that they don’t produce cocoa, and so that was stated clearly,” he added.

Ghana, along with other African cocoa-producing nations, is expected to collectively respond to the new tariff measures.

Sampson Ahi indicated that plans are underway for a continental dialogue under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.

“Apart from that, we also know that as Africans, we have agreed to fight this collectively. And so on the 14th of this month, AfCFTA is organising a meeting with African trade ministers to look at this situation,” he stated.

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The British woman at the centre of a Netflix documentary on how she allegedly duped her son and left him in debt to fund her champagne-sipping lifestyle has been charged with fraud in Singapore.

Alleged victims of Dionne Marie Hanna, 84, filed police reports after watching Con Mum, local media reports.

They accuse the Singapore resident of taking their money with the promise that they would be reimbursed through her inheritance from Brunei’s royal family.

The ploy is similar to the one she allegedly used against London pastry chef Graham Hornigold, after she contacted him in 2020, claiming to be his long-lost mother.

A DNA test later proved that Ms Hanna was indeed Mr Hornigold’s mother.

Ms Hanna, who was charged with five counts of fraud, appeared before a district court on Saturday via video link. She was seen lying on a hospital bed, accompanied by an investigating officer, Singapore’s Channel NewsAsia reported.

She is accused of deceiving three men in Singapore and France into transferring money to her accounts, claiming the funds were needed as legal fees and for the opening of new bank accounts.

Ms Hanna sought their sympathy by saying she was terminally ill and vouched to reimburse them through inheritance, claiming that she is part of the Brunei royal family. Her son questions these claims in the documentary.

In exchange for their money, she also made promises to donate millions of dollars to a mosque and a Muslim non-profit organisation in Singapore, the court heard.

It is unclear how much money her alleged victims lost, but Singapore police said preliminary investigations show she is involved in at least five cases of cheating with losses amounting to more than S$200,000 ($149,000; £115,400).

If convicted, Ms Hanna faces up to 20 years in jail and a fine.

Con Mum, which was released on Netflix on 25 March, follows Mr Hornigold’s reunion with Ms Hanna in the UK during the pandemic.

She presented herself as a wealthy, illegitimate daughter of the sultan of Brunei, initially showering Mr Hornigold, his then-partner Heather Kaniuk and his friends with lavish gifts, from cars to homes.

Though initially sceptical, Mr Hornigold, who has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants and founded Longboys Doughnuts, quickly developed a close relationship with his mother.

Over time however, Ms Hanna began to leave Mr Hornigold and his friends to foot her escalating bills – Mr Hornigold said in the film that he lost £300,000 – while she disappeared.

The film suggests that Ms Hanna had previously been convicted in the UK for shoplifting and fraud.

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The US Commerce Secretary has defended the country’s decision to impose tariffs on a group of uninhabited islands, which are populated only by penguins and seals.

The imposition of tariffs on the Heard and McDonald islands was meant to close “ridiculous loopholes” and would prevent other countries from shipping through the islands to reach the US, Howard Lutnick told the BBC’s US partner CBS.

Authorities in Australia reacted with surprise last week when they found out about the tariffs on the island, which sits 4,000km (2,485 mi) from Australia.

Its trade minister Don Farrell told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation the tariffs were “clearly a mistake” and indicated a “rushed process”.

But when asked about the inclusion of the Australian territory on Trump’s tariffs list, Lutnick said: “If you leave anything off the list, the countries that try to basically arbitrage America go through those countries to us.”

“The President knows that, he’s tired of it, and he’s going to fix that.”

Lutnick’s interview was one of several given by US government officials to defend the president’s new tariffs after all three major stock indexes in the US plunged more than 5% on Friday, in the worst week for the US stock market since 2020.

Shipping products through one port to another in a process known as transshipment is common in global trade. But Pew Charitable Trusts, a public policy organisation, says this method can also “enable bad actors to obscure or manipulate data” around the shipping events.

They estimate that hundreds of millions of dollars of tuna and similar species are illegally moved via this method in the western and central Pacific each year.

It’s difficult to get a clear picture on the imports from the Heard and McDonald islands to the US.

According to export data from the World Bank, the islands have, over the past few years, usually exported a small amount of products to the US.

It peaked in 2022, when the US imported US$1.4m (A$2.3m; £1.1m) from the territory, nearly all of it unnamed “machinery and electrical” products.

Also included on Trump’s list was the British Indian Ocean territory, which is solely occupied by military personnel and requires a permit to visit. World Bank export data shows the territory exported US$414,350 to the US in 2022.

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Donald Trump has threatened China with an additional tariff of 50% on goods imported into the US if it does not withdraw a countermeasure, as global markets tumbled for a third day.

Speaking at the White House on Monday, the US president said that he was not considering a pause on new tariffs to allow for negotiations with other countries.

“We’re not looking at that. We have many, many countries that are coming to negotiate deals with us, and there are going to be fair deals,” he said.

Trump reiterated his threat of 50% duties on Chinese goods if Beijing did not retract its counter-tariff plans by Tuesday. If imposed, US companies bringing in certain goods from China could face a 104% tax.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said he would introduce the extra tariff unless China withdrew its own 34% counter-tariff on American goods, which it announced on Friday.

Trump said last Wednesday that he would impose a tax of 34% on Chinese imports as part of his “Liberation Day” that placed a minimum 10% levy on nearly all of America’s trading partners.

If he does impose that, US companies would then pay a total rate of 104% on Chinese imports- as it comes on top of 20% tariffs already put in place in March and the 34% announced last week.

Trump said China had introduced its countermeasure “despite my warning that any country that Retaliates against the U.S. by issuing additional Tariffs… will be immediately met with new and substantially higher Tariffs”.

Beijing shot back, saying that “pressuring or threatening China is not a right way to engage”.

“The U.S. hegemonic move in the name of ‘reciprocity’ serves its selfish interests at the expense of other countries’ legitimate interests and puts ‘America first’ over international rules,” Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said in a statement.

“This is a typical move of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying.”

Speaking from the White House, the US president said there could be both permanent tariffs and negotiations.

“We have $36 trillion debt for a reason,” he said, adding that the US would be talking to China among other countries to make a “fair deal and a good deal”.

“It’s now America first,” the US president said.

The escalating tension between the US and China has increased fears of a global trade war. The tariffs would come as a major blow to China’s manufacturers, for whom the US is a key market for exports.

Uncertainty around the tariffs led to a turbulent day on global stock markets.

Markets worldwide have tumbled since Trump announced fresh tariffs on imports from nearly all economies.

The value of US stock markets dropped sharply again on opening, while Europe’s biggest markets, including London’s FTSE 100, have all closed more than 4% down.

Asian share indexes nosedived, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index falling by more than 13%, its biggest one-day fall since 1997.

The impact on the FTSE 100, America’s S&P 500, Germany’s Dax and Japan’s Nikkei has been wide-ranging.

Negotiations

Trump’s post also indicated that negotiations on countries’ tariff rates would “begin taking place immediately”.

Trump met Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, on Monday in the White House. Netanyahu said that his country would eliminate the trade imbalance with the US, which he said was the “right thing to do”.

“We intend to do it very quickly… and we’re going to also eliminate trade barriers.”

Israel faces a 17% tariff from April 9 under Trump’s “Liberation Day” policy.

The US president also posted earlier that Japan was sending a negotiation team to discuss tariffs.

And Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, offered Trump a “zero-for-zero tariff” deal – although she previously said that she had not ruled out retaliation.

“We are also prepared to respond through countermeasures and defend our interests,” she said.

Trump said later that the EU had been formed “to really do damage to the United States and trade”.

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