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Five things Ghanaians will remember Dampare for

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Five things Ghanaians will remember Dampare for

Former Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare Former Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare

COP Christian Tetteh Yohunu has assumed office as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) following his swearing-in by President John Dramani Mahama on Friday, March 14, 2025, replacing Dr George Akuffo Dampare, who served as IGP from 2021 to 2025.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, the president commended the former IGP for his professionalism and commitment to national security.

“Dr Dampare has served the nation with dedication and commitment, and his contribution to law enforcement and national security will not be forgotten. We thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavours,” he stated.

The tenure of Dr Dampare witnessed some notable developments and controversies.

While there were a number of events that defined his tenure, GhanaWeb takes a look at some 5 things Ghanaians will remember him for.

Renovation of Police Headquarters

While Dr Dampare oversaw a number of infrastructure upgrades during his tenure, one of the most notable was the renovation of the Police Headquarters in Accra, along with the upgrade of several facilities of the police to enhance the image of the service and ultimately improve working conditions for officers.

Centralisation of Police Communications

During his tenure, police communications was centralised as part of efforts to streamline information flow and prevent miscommunication.

However, this development faced public backlash as many saw the initiative as limiting the work of some police officers trained to handle police communications.

Launch of Ghana Police TV

During the tenure of Dr Dampare, the Police TV was introduced in 2023 to create awareness about police operations, improve public engagements and educate the public about law enforcement matters.

Police Promotions Controversy

On May 15, 2023, 82 police officers sued Dr Dampare for failing to promote them.

According to them, they were unfairly denied promotions despite completing their studies during the 2017/2018 academic year.

Leaked Tape Saga

On July 11, 2023, a leaked audio recording allegedly involving a police commissioner and a politician discussing a plot to remove IGP Dampare from office, ahead of the 2024 general election, flooded social media.

Subsequently, Parliament established a committee to investigate the matter.

After some months of hearings, the former IGP was exonerated by the committee, and it also concluded that three of the police officers: COP Alex Mensah (rtd), Superintendent George Lysander Asare, and Superintendent Eric Emmanuel Gyebi, breached section 17(d) Police Service Act, 1970 (Act 350) and Regulation 82 (1)(c) of the Police Service Regulations, 2012 (C.I. 76).

Public Engagements in Informal Settings

The former IGP was also recognised for his humane approach to policing and his interactions with the public in informal settings, such as playing draughts, engaging with school children, among others.

Dr Dampare was appointed by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2021, taking over from James Oppong-Boanuh, who had served since October 2019.

He was the youngest IGP appointed in the Fourth Republic and the eighth youngest since Ghana gained independence.

JKB/AE

Meanwhile, watch as Otumfuo urges government to cancel or review Free SHS if students cannot be fed or accommodated

Orange Growers Association engages MoFA on financing, market reforms

Ghana News
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Orange Growers Association engages MoFA on financing, market reforms

Executives of the Orange Growers Association of Ghana with Agric minister, Eric Opoku Executives of the Orange Growers Association of Ghana with Agric minister, Eric Opoku

The Orange Growers Association (OGA) has engaged the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in a high-level discussion to address critical challenges in Ghana’s citrus industry, including financing constraints, market inefficiencies, and post-harvest waste management.

The meeting, held in Accra, brought together key industry stakeholders, processors, and government representatives to explore solutions aimed at stabilising and growing the sector.

A key issue highlighted during the meeting was the lack of working capital for citrus farmers, with many struggling to sustain operations due to long payment cycles from processors.

Although Ghana produced 440,000 tons of citrus in 2024, only 40 percent of the harvest was monetised, leaving farmers vulnerable to financial distress. “Our biggest challenge is liquidity. We do not have the working capital to wait 60 days for payments. Farmers need immediate financial support to keep their farms running,” Theodore Tsidi Kloba, Business Development Manager at OGA said.

He explained that his outfit would like to leverage existing parastatals of the Ministry to find solutions to the prevailing issues.

The meeting also addressed the significant volume of citrus waste, which presents an untapped US$100 million market opportunity in animal feed, biofertilisers, and essential oil extraction.

“Right now, we are throwing away what could be a major revenue stream,” Mr. Kloba noted. “If we invest in citrus waste processing, we can generate additional income for farmers while reducing environmental damage,” he added.

One of the most promising solutions discussed was black soldier fly farming, where citrus waste is used to produce protein-rich feed for livestock. “We need to stop seeing waste as a burden and start seeing it as a business opportunity,” Kloba noted.

In response to these concerns, the sector Minister, Eric Opoku outlined potential interventions, which aim to integrate processing, storage, and financing support for farmers.

He outlined the government’s commitment to transforming the citrus industry into a major economic pillar.

“The citrus sector represents one of our most promising agricultural frontiers, with production volumes now surpassing even some of our traditional staples. This government recognises that unlocking its full potential requires addressing the current liquidity challenges faced by our farmers and processors,” he stated.

Kwasi Etu Bonde, Technical Director at MoFA, also said the Ministry has already re-evaluated its framework to provide critical support for the industry. The meeting concluded with a commitment to pursue financial interventions, including a structured revolving fund for citrus farmers.

Furthermore, there was a consensus to develop a waste-to-value strategy that supports livestock feed production, fertiliser manufacturing, and citrus oil extraction as well as engage other stakeholders, including policymakers, financial institutions, and private investors to create a sustainable citrus value chain.

“This is a defining moment for Ghana’s citrus industry. With the right financial and policy interventions, we can transform citrus farming into a high-value agribusiness sector,” Kloba added.

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Agyemang-Badu reacts to alleged appointment of Jordan Ayew as Black Stars captain

Ghana News
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Agyemang-Badu reacts to alleged appointment of Jordan Ayew as Black Stars captain

Jordan Ayew and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu Jordan Ayew and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu

Former Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has entreated Ghanaians to accept whoever Otto Addo selects as the captain of the Black Stars.

He opined that people don’t have to criticize the coach or the technical team over the decision, as the team needs to have a leader.

The former Great Olympics midfielder said that he has no problem with Jordan Ayew being appointed Black Stars captain, considering his commitment and performances.

“No time for blame games anymore, let’s reset the Black Stars. Jordan Ayew is the captain of the Black Stars, let’s respect that and move on,” he told Takoradi-based Connect FM.

This comes after reports emerged that head coach Otto Addo is set to announce Jordan Ayew as the captain of the Black Stars, following the absence of his brother André Dede Ayew.

There has been controversy surrounding the role after it was given to Mohammed Kudus and later taken from him during the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The Black Stars will face Chad on March 21, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium before facing Madagascar in an away fixture on March 24, 2025.

Ghana are second in Group I with nine points, tied with leaders Comoros, while Madagascar are third with seven points, followed by Mali with five points.

Also, watch Legon Cities coach Yaw Acheampong discuss the GPL and the Black Stars

SB/EK

Rwanda severs ties with Belgium over ‘neo-colonial delusions’

Ghana News
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Rwanda severs ties with Belgium over ‘neo-colonial delusions’

Rwanda President Paul Kagame previously vowed to Rwanda President Paul Kagame previously vowed to

Rwanda has cut diplomatic ties with Belgium, saying it has been “consistently undermined” by the European nation during the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Brussels has been leading calls for European nations to sanction Rwanda over its support for the M23, a rebel group at the centre of DR Congo’s crisis.

The authorities in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, have given Belgian diplomats 48 hours to leave the country.

Belgium, which is the former colonial power, has said it will respond to these measures and labelled Rwanda’s decision “disproportionate”.

Despite assertions from the UN and US, Rwanda has denied backing the M23.

In its statement on Monday, Kigali accused Brussels of attempting to “sustain its neo-colonial delusions”.

“Belgium has clearly taken sides in a regional conflict and continues to systematically mobilise against Rwanda in different forums, using lies and manipulation to secure an unjustified hostile opinion of Rwanda, in an attempt to destabilise both Rwanda and the region,” the statement said.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot responded to Rwanda’s measures on social media, saying: “This is disproportionate and shows that when we disagree with Rwanda they prefer not to engage in dialogue.”

Prevot said Rwandan diplomats in Belgium will be declared “persona non grata”.

This declaration can lead to the removal of diplomatic status and often results in the expulsion or the withdrawal of recognition of envoys.

Around 7,000 people have been killed in the fighting between the M23 and DR Congo’s armed forces in the east of the country since the beginning of the year, the Congolese authorities have said.

According to the UN children’s agency, Unicef, more than 850,000 people have been forced to flee their homes since the conflict increased in intensity in January.

In the past two months, the M23 have taken control of two key cities – Goma and Bukavu.

In an attempt to pressure Rwanda into withdrawing its support for the M23 Britain has cut some of its aid to the country.

Last month, the UN Security Council demanded that the M23 end hostilities and that Rwanda should pull its troops out of DR Congo.

Before Kigali cut ties with Brussels, Rwandan President Paul Kagame vowed that his country would “stand up” to Belgium.

“We would ask [Belgium]: ‘Who are you by the way? Who put you in charge of us?’ Rwandans believe in God, but did God really put these people in charge of Rwanda?” Kagame asked in an address on Sunday.

Annie Idibia Leaves Rehabilitation Centre

Ghana News
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Annie Idibia Leaves Rehabilitation Centre

The estranged wife of legendary Afrobeat singer and Nollywood actress, Annie Idibia, has reportedly departed the rehabilitation centre where she has been undergoing treatment following the end of her 13-year marriage to Innocent Idibia, better known as 2Face.

New Telegraph recalls that following the announcement of the end of his marriage with Annie, 2Face publicly declared love for Edo State House of Assembly member, Natasha Osawaru.

High-Neck Dress Styles For Fashionable Mothers

Ghana News
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High-Neck Dress Styles For Fashionable Mothers