Dr Kwame Despite (in white shirt) cutting plantain

Dr Osei Kwame Despite, the owner of Despite Media Group, has been spotted engaging in farming activities.

In a video shared by United Television (UTV) on X, Dr Osei was standing by a small area with plantain and other crops, inspecting the vegetation on the land.

The business mogul, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, was harvesting a plantain by cutting the bunch from the tree using a cutlass.

Afterward, he continued inspecting how the other crops were faring in terms of growth and progress.

It’s worth noting that the place appears to be a garden around a house rather than a full-fledged farm.

Dr Kwame Despite’s business conglomerate includes; Neat Fufu, Neat Banku, Neat Abenkwan, Neat Hausa Koko, Neat Dairy Products, This Way Chocolate Drink and others.

Watch Dr Kwame Despite’s video below:

Dr. Osei Kwame Despite living his best farm life.#UTVGhana pic.twitter.com/5SOaPMgRkD

— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) May 16, 2025

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

SB/MA

The University of Ghana (UG) has refuted a media report alleging that the institution overstated employee compensation by GH¢59.2 million between 2022 and 2024.

Describing the claim — reported in a May 16, 2025 Joy News article — as a misrepresentation of facts, the University said the story misleads the public and distorts the institution’s financial operations.

The report, which cited findings from the Auditor-General’s report, suggested that irregularities in UG’s payroll were cause for concern.

However, in a detailed press release issued on Friday, May 16, the University clarified that the purported GH¢59.24 million “disallowance” arose from a fundamental misunderstanding of its dual payroll system.

UG explained that it operates two separate payroll structures: the Government of Ghana (GoG) payroll, which covers state-funded salaries, and an Internally Generated Funds (IGF) payroll used to compensate faculty and staff employed through internally mobilised resources.

These include retired professors working under post-retirement contracts — a practice the University noted is fully sanctioned by Cabinet.

“These were not irregular or unaccounted expenditures,” the statement emphasised, “but essential payments made transparently in accordance with public financial reporting standards.”

The University further explained that the IGF payroll is not a request for GoG reimbursement but is included in audit reports for the sake of transparency — a fact UG says is well understood by the Audit Service.

UG accused the Special Audit Report of failing to distinguish between the two payrolls, instead presenting an aggregated figure that falsely suggests an overstatement in compensation costs.

Providing broader context, the University highlighted major staffing challenges. Between August 2021 and 2024, a total of 887 employees exited the institution, while only 102 new hires received government clearance in 2024. During the same period, student enrolment increased significantly — from 61,640 in 2021 to over 76,000 by 2023 — prompting the University to act swiftly.

“In the absence of government financial clearance, we had to recruit qualified personnel through IGF to maintain academic standards and ensure continuity,” the statement explained.

UG also expressed disappointment that Joy News did not reach out to the institution for comment before publishing the article.

“This failure undermines the ethics of journalism,” the statement read, warning that such reporting risks damaging the University’s reputation and misleading the public.

The University reiterated its full compliance with financial regulations, including Section 48 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), and highlighted its ongoing cooperation with national oversight institutions.

It also underscored its broader commitment to responsible governance, as reflected in its 2024–2029 Strategic Plan, specifically under Strategic Priority 5 (SP5), which focuses on sustainable resource management.

UG urged the public to disregard what it called a “false narrative” and encouraged journalists to seek balanced perspectives in their reporting.

“The University of Ghana remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest standards of education and institutional integrity,” the statement said.

Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association chairman, Henry Okyere

The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association is championing a bold move to locally manufacture oil filters in Ghana.

According to the association’s chairman, Henry Okyere, discussions with potential investors are already underway, aiming to reduce the country’s reliance on imported parts.

“Our aim is to change the narrative,” he said.

“We want to ensure that, in our time, Ghana produces oil filters locally, shifting from import dependency to local production.”

Speaking at the West African Automotive Show in Nigeria, Okyere highlighted the economic impact such a move could have, from job creation to stabilizing the cedi.

He emphasised the need for public-private partnerships to develop a complete value chain for the spare parts industry in Ghana.

“We want to move beyond trade to actual production. Ghana has the capacity to become a hub for auto parts manufacturing in West Africa,” he stated.

Okyere also highlighted the association’s success in connecting with shaft and crank sellers offering products at more affordable prices, describing it as a step toward making the industry more competitive and accessible.

The association is also advocating for Ghana to host the annual WAAS expo in the near future.

In a related statement, the Kumasi Chamber of Commerce has called for stronger government support for local manufacturers like Kantanka.

“We need to pay attention to our own,” Abaase stated.

“With the right support, companies like Kantanka can scale up production and contribute significantly to our economy.”

AM/KA

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Ted News Ghana Blog of Saturday, 17 May 2025

Source: TEDDY VAVA GAWUGA

Ghana Airways ceased operations in 2004, followed by Ghana International Airlines in 2010

The Government of Ghana is exploring a strategic partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to revive a national airline, following high-level discussions between senior officials from both countries in Abu Dhabi.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed the development in a Facebook post on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, after leading a government delegation on a two-day official visit to the UAE at the invitation of its government.

According to Ablakwa, the talks covered a range of bilateral issues, with particular focus on two key priorities of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration: labour export for Ghanaian youth and technical support for a new national airline.

“We also discussed two priority areas of President Mahama’s government, labour export for Ghanaian youth to the UAE and technical support for a new national airline,” he wrote.

Ablakwa held meetings with top UAE officials including His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State; and Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs.

Other ministers overseeing foreign trade and investment also participated.

The Foreign Minister noted that both countries had agreed to initiate formal political consultations, a first in the history of Ghana-UAE relations.

Efforts to restore a national carrier have been made in the past, but with limited success. Ghana Airways ceased operations in 2004, followed by Ghana International Airlines in 2010.

Additionally, several proposals since then, both private and public, have failed to materialize.

As part of renewed efforts, the government on May 8, 2025, inaugurated a 10-member National Airline Task Force to drive the airline’s revival.

The task force has been tasked with developing a viable business model, engaging strategic and technical partners, overseeing regulatory approvals, and handling critical operational areas such as staffing, fleet acquisition, and route planning.

The task force is chaired by Charles Asare, former Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, and includes aviation professionals, former regulators, and Presidential Advisor Joyce Bawah Mogtari.

Ablakwa further revealed that his engagements in Abu Dhabi had opened new opportunities for Ghana in areas such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence, healthcare, education, aviation, and defence, pointing to growing investor interest from the Gulf state.

MA

Ghana has recorded a 45% reduction in malaria cases among children under five, according to the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP).

Dr. Kezia Malm, Programme Manager at the NMEP, told the Ghana News Agency that the significant decline was largely due to the integration of malaria vaccines into the country’s routine immunisation programme, an intervention that has saved the lives of many children.

Malaria remains one of the leading causes of death in Ghana, disproportionately affecting children under five. According to data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), the prevalence of malaria among this age group dropped from 26.7% in 2014 to 8.6% in 2022, a decrease of more than a third.

This age group continues to bear the highest burden of malaria-related illness and death. In response, the NMEP implemented a range of control strategies, including the piloting of malaria vaccines specifically targeting children under five.

The country made a significant advancement in its fight against malaria by rolling out the vaccines, beginning with a pilot programme aimed at reducing severe cases.

The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, the second vaccine recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for use in malaria-endemic regions, was introduced as part of this initiative.

Dr. Malm explained that the vaccines were initially deployed in 43 malaria-endemic districts, including areas in the Upper West, Northern, Savannah, and Western North regions.

By the end of 2022, 1.3 million doses had been administered, a notable achievement for a newly piloted vaccine. The four-dose vaccine schedule is designed for children under two years of age and is administered at six months, seven months, nine months, and 18 months.

Due to the success of the pilot phase, the vaccine was expanded into additional districts and incorporated into the national routine immunisation programme.

“Due to the success of the vaccines in Ghana, other countries, including Kenya and Malawi, also began their implementation,” Dr. Malm added.

She noted that two years into the pilot, the Expanded Programme on Immunisation officially adopted the malaria vaccine as part of routine immunisation, now reaching children in 135 districts nationwide.

“So far, so good. We are seeing 80 per cent coverage for the third dose. And that’s encouraging. We have been able to get a considerable number of people to come back for the fourth dose, which is happening in the second year of life,” she said.

According to the NMEP, the vaccine has proven to be effective alongside other malaria control interventions, contributing significantly to the reduction in confirmed malaria cases.

Since 2001, Ghana’s immunisation programme has benefited from support by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, helping to achieve strong national coverage.

Looking ahead, Dr. Malm expressed optimism about Ghana’s preparedness to sustain its immunisation efforts as the country transitions away from Gavi support.

“That plan is being led by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance to make sure that we’re able to follow the roadmap to be able to be self-sufficient by 2030,” she said.

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RoyalNews360 Blog of Saturday, 17 May 2025

Source: Boateng Kakape Nana

Homegrown multi-site data capturing platforms such as Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited’s (SML) could position the country as a significant player in the rapidly expanding global revenue assurance market, according to respected supply chain governance expert Professor Douglas Boateng.

“Now is the perfect time for Africa to shine with multi-site data capturing, and SML, subject to the independent study and further roll out, could be our shining example and strategic weapon. It is not just a revenue assurance tool. It is a platform for data sovereignty, transparency, and industrial accountability. It is a system the continent can export, not a concept to be explained and validated,” he said.

The platform, which captures and analyses real-time data across multiple industrial sites, comes at a time when the global revenue assurance market is experiencing substantial growth. Industry analysts value the market at US$6.37 billion in 2024, with projections indicating it representing a compound annual growth rate of 11.51 percent to reach US$18.93 billion by 2034.

Speaking at an event marking SML Ghana’s fifth anniversary of operations in the petroleum downstream sector, Prof. Boateng described the platform – developed by the firm – as “a generational innovation with the power to reshape how Africa governs, minimises revenue leakages, secures, and scales its industrial future toward 2030 and Agenda 2063.”

Positioning Ghana to leverage global growth

“This growth is driven by the increasing complexity of revenue streams and the need for businesses to ensure accuracy and reliability in financial transactions. Ghana stands at the cusp of leveraging this growth. By implementing advanced revenue assurance systems like SML’s platform, Ghana can position itself as a leader in the African revenue assurance landscape.

By adopting and potentially exporting such technologies, Ghana can tap into the rapidly growing market, enhance its revenue collection capabilities, and contribute to economic growth nationally, regionally, and even globally.

In today’s data-driven world, sovereignty is no longer measured by flags or borders, but by a nation’s capacity to own, interpret, and act on its data in real-time to achieve long-term socio-economic development,” Prof. Boateng, who holds the distinction of being Africa’s first appointed Professor Extraordinaire for Supply and Value Chain Management, said.

The professor, who has monitored SML’s development in consultation with experts from the UK, Canada, South Africa, and the USA, added that “the SML’s fused platform, until the end of the third quarter of 2024, was the only known system in an emerging economy operating at scale with proven multi-site, real-time data capture functionality.”

SML’s platform has already attracted positive attention from the tax authorities. “Even the Ghana Revenue Authority has publicly acknowledged that the platform is indeed enhancing their revenue assurance processes,” Prof. Boateng noted, also referencing a KPMG report that “reaffirmed SML’s value-add to revenue assurance.”

Extant data shows that SML’s services have increased taxable monthly petroleum volumes from an average of 208 million litres to 450 million litres. From May 2020 to December 2024, this translated into 14.1 billion litres in captured excess volume and more than GH¢20 billion in additional tax revenue.

The technology has applications across numerous sectors, from “oilfields to telecom towers, from petrochemical plants to water systems,” potentially creating significant export opportunities for Ghana within the African continent and beyond.

“Imagine a Ghanaian-built platform deployed across Zambia’s copper belts, Nigeria’s oil terminals, and Kenya’s utility corridors, all feeding real-time, tamper-proof data back to African governments,” Prof. Boateng noted.

To document and study this innovation, Prof. Boateng revealed that an international academic and industrial consortium is being assembled with connections to institutions like the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa and various global universities.

Despite the platform’s apparent success, Prof. Boateng acknowledged ongoing debates about SML’s contractual arrangements with the government, noting that “it is not the technology that is on trial; rather, it is the risk-reward framework that demands more explanation to the public.” He advocated for refining “the governance surrounding SML’s risk-reward relationship framework” while protecting “what is already working.”

Industry analysts suggest that successful entry into the global revenue assurance market could provide significant economic benefits for Ghana, particularly in technology exports and services. The country’s ability to develop such systems domestically rather than importing them represents a potential shift in Africa’s position in the global technology ecosystem. “This is not innovation by import. This is innovation by intention, determination and perseverance,” Prof. Boateng stressed.

The professor further called for unity in supporting homegrown innovation.

“Let us not fumble a generational opportunity because we were too distracted by temporary noise and a relative lack of understanding of the emerging business risk and reward relationships,” he said.

Ghanaian highlife artiste Dada Kwaku Dua, popularly known as Dada KD, is reported dead.

Dada KD’s manager King Pee confirmed the news to myjoyonline.com.

According to his account, when he got to the artiste’s house, the musician was inactive and couldn’t talk.

They then rushed him to the Gbawe SDA Hospital, but unfortunately passed away this on Friday evening. 

Dada, before his death, was preparing for show in London on 25th May, 2025. 

The highlife musician is known for songs such as ‘Odo Mu Anigye’, ‘Ene Me Nye’, ‘Yebeye Yen Ho Fi’, ‘So Mu Gye’, ‘Obiaa Se Eye’, among others. 

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

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

President John Dramani Mahama

President John Mahama has announced plans to introduce a second gas processing train to facilitate Ghana’s transition from crude oil to natural gas for power generation.

“Ghana is seeking to phase out the use of crude oil in its power generation mix over the medium term,” President Mahama stated.

According to Mahama, this initiative will not only reduce the country’s reliance on crude oil, but also lower electricity costs and enhance energy security.

The planned development of a second gas processing train is intended to improve energy efficiency, expand the domestic gas supply, and promote a cleaner and more sustainable fuel source, according to a report by citinewsroom.com

President Mahama added; “There was a bit of disinvestment in the energy sector, but new commitments are coming up. So, for instance, we are going to build a second gas train, which is going to handle more gas from our first field.

“We are going to put more gas on stream, so we need a second train because our current plant in Atuabo cannot handle the extra gas.”

This project aims to optimise Ghana’s energy mix and promote sustainable development.

Crude oil has been a volatile and costly fuel source for Ghana’s thermal power plants.

However, the president believes that replacing it with natural gas will alleviate the pressure on the energy sector, which has faced challenges such as mounting debts and high operational costs for independent power producers (IPPs).

“ENI is back; they are drilling again, and early signs are that we might find a considerable quantity of oil and gas. When that happens, we can eliminate crude oil power generation completely in the next three to five years,” the president remarked during the 2025 Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan.

He also noted that the current economic recovery positions Ghana as an attractive destination for both midstream and upstream opportunities, emphasising that the current macroeconomic environment is favorable and stable for business.

President John Dramani Mahama invited investors to partner with the government in scaling up oil and gas infrastructure for long-term growth.

“The oil and gas sector was toxic. I don’t know for what reasons, but I think governments have not prioritised the sector. But I will lay a red carpet for anyone who wants to drill and pump in Ghana,” he concluded.

Mahama’s proposal underscores efforts to diversify Ghana’s energy sector and mitigate the impact of fluctuating crude oil prices on the economy.

NAD/AE

President John Dramani Mahama

President John Mahama has announced plans to introduce a second gas processing train to facilitate Ghana’s transition from crude oil to natural gas for power generation.

“Ghana is seeking to phase out the use of crude oil in its power generation mix over the medium term,” President Mahama stated.

According to Mahama, this initiative will not only reduce the country’s reliance on crude oil, but also lower electricity costs and enhance energy security.

The planned development of a second gas processing train is intended to improve energy efficiency, expand the domestic gas supply, and promote a cleaner and more sustainable fuel source, according to a report by citinewsroom.com

President Mahama added; “There was a bit of disinvestment in the energy sector, but new commitments are coming up. So, for instance, we are going to build a second gas train, which is going to handle more gas from our first field.

“We are going to put more gas on stream, so we need a second train because our current plant in Atuabo cannot handle the extra gas.”

This project aims to optimise Ghana’s energy mix and promote sustainable development.

Crude oil has been a volatile and costly fuel source for Ghana’s thermal power plants.

However, the president believes that replacing it with natural gas will alleviate the pressure on the energy sector, which has faced challenges such as mounting debts and high operational costs for independent power producers (IPPs).

“ENI is back; they are drilling again, and early signs are that we might find a considerable quantity of oil and gas. When that happens, we can eliminate crude oil power generation completely in the next three to five years,” the president remarked during the 2025 Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan.

He also noted that the current economic recovery positions Ghana as an attractive destination for both midstream and upstream opportunities, emphasising that the current macroeconomic environment is favorable and stable for business.

President John Dramani Mahama invited investors to partner with the government in scaling up oil and gas infrastructure for long-term growth.

“The oil and gas sector was toxic. I don’t know for what reasons, but I think governments have not prioritised the sector. But I will lay a red carpet for anyone who wants to drill and pump in Ghana,” he concluded.

Mahama’s proposal underscores efforts to diversify Ghana’s energy sector and mitigate the impact of fluctuating crude oil prices on the economy.

NAD/AE

Credit rating agency, Moody’s

The US has lost its last perfect credit rating, as influential ratings firm Moody’s expressed concern over the government’s ability to pay back its debt.

In lowering the US rating from ‘AAA’ to ‘Aa1’, Moody’s noted that successive US administrations had failed to reverse ballooning deficits and interest costs.

A triple-A rating signifies a country’s highest possible credit reliability, and indicates it is considered to be in very good financial health with a strong capacity to repay its debts.

Moody’s warned in 2023 the US triple-A rating was at risk. Fitch Ratings downgraded the US in 2023 and S&P Global Ratings did so in 2011. Moody’s held a perfect credit rating for the US since 1917.

The downgrade “reflects the increase over more than a decade in government debt and interest payment ratios to levels that are significantly higher than similarly rated sovereigns,” Moody’s said in the statement.

In a statement, the White House said it was “focused on fixing Biden’s mess”, while taking a swipe at Moody’s.

“If Moody’s had any credibility,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said, “they would not have stayed silent as the fiscal disaster of the past four years unfolded.”

A lower credit rating means countries are more likely to default on their sovereign debt, and generally face higher borrowing costs.

Moody’s maintained that the US “retains exceptional credit strengths such as size, resilience and dynamism and the continued role of the US dollar as the global reserve currency”.

The firm said it expects federal debt to increase to around 134% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035, up from 98% last year.

GDP is a measure of all the economic activity of companies, governments, and people in a country.

The BBC has reached out to the US Department of Treasury for comment.

The downgrade came on the same day as Trump’s landmark spending bill suffered a setback in Congress.

Trump’s so-called “big, beautiful bill” failed to pass the House Budget Committee, with some Republicans voting against it.

Figures showed the US economy shrank in the first three months of the year as government spending fell and imports surged due to firms racing to get goods into the country ahead of tariffs.

The economy contracted at an annual rate of 0.3%, a sharp downturn after growth of 2.4% in the previous quarter, the Commerce Department said.

File photo of Ghanaian pilgrims travelling to Mecca

Ghanaian Hajj pilgrims from the northern sector of Ghana, who have arrived in Makkah, Saudi Arabia for this year’s pilgrimage, have expressed deep dissatisfaction over the poor services being offered by the Hajj Task Force.

The task force, which was set up by President John Dramani Mahama to replace the Hajj Board, had earlier assured Ghanaian pilgrims of a quality Hajj experience.

However, with nearly half of Ghana’s 5,000 pilgrims already in Saudi Arabia following departures from Tamale, many are seething with rage over unfulfilled promises.

Several pilgrims have taken to social media to voice their frustrations, accusing the Hajj Task Force of failing to provide value for money. They have shared various challenges they are facing in Makkah, with some of the complaints captured in a viral video recorded by frustrated pilgrims who departed from Tamale.

Speaking in Dagbani, some angry pilgrims expressed concern about poor accommodation located far from the Holy Mosque. They warned fellow pilgrims yet to travel from Ghana to brace themselves for substandard services.

In another social media post, a respected Islamic cleric from Tamale, Sheikh Hashim Ibn, also shared his frustration over the conditions in Makkah.

“I paid GH¢62,000 in cash from my sweat for Hajj 2025. I got here and ended up becoming a member of the Da’awa Committee, assisting other pilgrims against my own schedule and the purpose for which I came, due to insufficient personnel from the committee I paid to serve,” he lamented.

“The worst part is the hotel we’re lodged in. It is a total mess — not only is it located far from the Haram (Holy Mosque), but it also has only three very old lifts that carry just five people at a time in a 10-storey building. Each floor has about 10 rooms, and each room accommodates 4–5 pilgrims. Just imagine.”

“Multiply 5 people by 10 rooms — that’s 50 people per floor. Multiply that by 10 floors, and you have about 500 people relying on 2–3 oven-like lifts. I’m crammed into a room with four others, with no air conditioning in a city where temperatures often exceed 45°C,” he added.

According to him, the only source of relief is “a fan that could wake the dead.”

“There’s just one bathroom for 8 to 10 people. Imagine spending 3–4 weeks in these conditions. I don’t know how they manage this every year. This is my first Hajj. I’ve been here a few times for Umrah and received excellent service then.”

“Please quote me anywhere: Pilgrims are not fine this Hajj. And don’t make this a political issue — I have nothing to do with politics,” he concluded.

AME