Peasant farmers are warning that Ghana’s annual food import bill of over $3.5 billion could climb even higher if government fails to take stronger action against illegal mining.

Their concerns follow a new study by Pure Earth and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which revealed widespread contamination from mercury, arsenic, lead, and other heavy metals across artisanal and small-scale gold mining areas. The findings pose grave risks to both public health and food security.

Speaking to Citi Business News, the Executive Director of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, Bismark Nortey, cautioned that the country’s food import costs may escalate further if farmlands and water sources are not safeguarded.

“I urge all ministries and government agencies responsible to use this report as a benchmark to protect our farmers. If the situation continues and farmers are forced to abandon production, the impact on our nation will be catastrophic.

The current amount we spend on food imports, which we have already complained about, could escalate even more if nothing is done—especially as Ghanaian consumers become increasingly cautious about the safety of locally produced food,” he said.

The year-long study titled, Mercury and Other Heavy Metals Impact Assessment, conducted from August 2024 to September 2025 by Pure Earth in collaboration with the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), examined soil, water, air, fish, and food crops in six regions: Ashanti, Eastern, Central, Western, Western North, and Savannah.

Mercury Pollution Off the Charts

In Konongo Zongo (Ashanti Region), mercury levels in soil reached 1,342 ppm, over 130 times the safe limit. Airborne mercury at Wassa Kayianko (Western Region) peaked at 150 μg/m³, 150 times above Ghana’s permissible level.

Arsenic Contamination Widespread

Dangerous arsenic levels were found in nearly all regions. Soil in Konongo Zongo recorded 10,060 ppm, 4000% above safe levels, while water in Konongo Odumase showed concentrations of 3.3 mg/L, vastly exceeding drinking water standards.

Lead in Food and Fish

Lead concentrations in fish from Akwaboso (Central Region) and Konongo Zongo surpassed WHO safety limits, with some samples reaching 2.8 mg/kg. Vegetables such as pumpkin leaves in the Western North also showed lead levels as high as 3.1 mg/kg.

Crops Contaminated Across Regions

Mercury, arsenic, and lead were detected in kontomire, tomatoes, cereals, legumes, and tubers, with some values well above international food safety thresholds.

Water Sources Polluted

Several boreholes and streams used for drinking water were contaminated, with lead and arsenic levels exceeding WHO guidelines, posing a direct risk to community health.

Public Health at Risk

The study warns that residents, especially in mining communities, face chronic exposure through multiple routes — inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact — with potential long-term effects on the nervous system, kidneys, and child development.

Recommendations

The researchers propose urgent multi-sectoral action, including remediation pilots in hotspots like Konongo Zongo using low-cost technologies such as phytoremediation.

The Ghana Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) is pressuring banks to reduce interest rates on agricultural loans after the Bank of Ghana (BoG) approved its guarantees as acceptable collateral, potentially transforming financing for the country’s flagship 24-Hour Economy initiative.

GIRSAL’s credit guarantees now carry zero percent risk rating from BoG, providing banks with cash-backed protection against agricultural loan defaults up to 70 percent coverage. The policy change removes the most significant financial barrier facing Ghana’s agriculture sector, which has struggled with prohibitively high lending rates.

At Thursday’s Banking Roundtable on financing the 24-Hour Economy, GIRSAL officials argued that banks should eliminate default risk premiums from agricultural loan pricing since guarantees provide comprehensive indemnification against losses.

“We are saying our guarantee can be used as collateral to support funding to the agriculture sector. In the event of defaults, GIRSAL will be ready to indemnify you or pay back the outstanding portion,” the institution stated, emphasizing that 22 financial institutions including rural community banks have signed master agreements.

The intervention comes as government targets eight to 12 percent interest rates for small-medium enterprises, particularly agribusinesses expanding for export markets under the 24-Hour Economy program. Current agricultural lending rates often exceed 30 percent due to perceived sector risks.

GIRSAL’s justification centers on loan pricing methodology, where rates combine the Ghana Reference Rate (GRR) plus margins including default risk components. Since guarantees directly cushion lenders against defaults, the institution argues this risk premium should no longer influence agricultural loan calculations.

Presidential Advisor Augustus Goosie Tanoh warned at the banking roundtable that systemic financial challenges could undermine the economic transformation program, calling for comprehensive banking sector reforms to support round-the-clock production financing.

The timing proves critical as government seeks banking sector buy-in for the ambitious 24-Hour Economy requiring substantial credit expansion. The initiative demands sustainable financing mechanisms to enable continuous agricultural production and processing operations.

GIRSAL has guaranteed GH¢1.2 billion in agricultural loans since inception five years ago, successfully de-risking financing for a sector traditionally considered high-risk by financial institutions. The organization provides technical assistance and capacity building for fund providers including Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) and Ghana EXIM Bank.

Beyond risk-sharing, GIRSAL offers training programs for financial institutions to appraise agribusiness projects while preparing borrowers to meet lending standards. This comprehensive approach aims to boost confidence in agricultural lending beyond guarantee mechanisms.

The BoG policy change positions Ghana’s agricultural sector for unprecedented financing access, potentially unlocking growth in cocoa, palm oil, and emerging crops targeted for 24-hour processing cycles. Reduced borrowing costs could enable farmers to invest in irrigation, mechanization, and value-added processing.

Banking sector response remains cautious despite government pressure for credit expansion. Industry executives acknowledge guarantee benefits but emphasize broader risk management considerations including commodity price volatility and climate change impacts.

The 24-Hour Economy initiative faces testing ground in banks’ risk appetite, with policymakers acknowledging heavy dependence on financial sector willingness to expand credit while managing exposure. Government plans to mobilize $4 billion through blended finance, pension funds, and diaspora capital.

GIRSAL’s guarantee scheme covers diverse agricultural value chains from primary production through processing and marketing. The organization’s zero percent risk rating from BoG provides unprecedented security for lenders venturing into agricultural financing.

Market analysts suggest successful rate reductions could trigger agricultural lending surge, supporting government objectives to transform Ghana into food processing hub operating continuous production cycles. The policy alignment between GIRSAL guarantees and 24-Hour Economy financing needs creates optimal conditions for sectoral transformation.

As banking executives evaluate GIRSAL’s rate reduction demands, the agricultural sector awaits concrete interest rate adjustments that could determine the 24-Hour Economy’s success in unlocking Ghana’s agricultural potential through accessible, affordable financing mechanisms.

As Ghanaians mark the return of Founder’s Day to commemorate the birthday of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, a private legal practitioner, Victoria Bright, has stated that Nkrumah’s vision of true independence and self-reliance remains an “uncompleted dream.”

Speaking on JoyNews AM Show on Monday, September 22, Ms Bright argued that Ghana has only taken “baby steps” towards achieving the full promise of Nkrumah’s legacy.

She emphasised that while Dr. Nkrumah “undoubtedly laid the foundation of our independence”, the subsequent generations have a duty to complete the building.

“I see it as an uncompleted house. It’s up to us to build the house, complete it, furnish it, etc, etc, and we are forever in the process of building this house,” she said.

Ms Bright’s comments come amid a national conversation about Ghana’s development trajectory since gaining independence on March 6, 1957.

Ghana, the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to break free from colonial rule, has been a beacon of hope for the continent.

However, the nation continues to grapple with economic challenges, including a national debt that reached GH₵658.6 billion in 2024 and a persistent trade deficit.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects Ghana’s economic growth to be around 2.8% in 2025, a figure that some analysts see as a struggle to keep pace with the nation’s potential.

According to Bright, Nkrumah was a “bold, visionary, inspirational leader” who embodied the spirit of nationalism and Africanism. His foreign policy placed Ghana at the forefront of the decolonization movement across Africa, causing the nation to “punch far above its weight.”

Ms Bright argued that Ghana should be “leaping” forward by now, but is failing to do so. She stated, “development doesn’t happen overnight, but the steps we are taking are just baby steps; we should be leaping now. We should be leaping, and we are not doing so.”

Her words serve as a reminder that every Founder’s Day should not just be a celebration of past achievements, but also a sober reflection on the work that remains.

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.

Ghana’s agricultural transformation hinges on empowering women farmers through targeted government programs and expanded access to modern farming technologies, Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku declared at a major industry gathering in Accra.

Speaking at the second Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Association of Female Agricultural and Fish Farmers Award Winners (GAFAFAW), Opoku emphasized that women remain the backbone of Ghana’s food systems and must be empowered to play a leading role in shaping the future of agriculture. The event, held under the theme “Rooted in Experience, Rising in Leadership: Rural Women at the Heart of Agricultural Transformation,” brought together award-winning female farmers from across the country.

The Minister outlined ambitious plans under the government’s Feed Ghana Programme, implemented through the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA), to address longstanding barriers facing women in agriculture. The initiative promises enhanced access to modern farming technologies, expanded extension services, support for value addition and agro-processing, promotion of climate-smart agriculture practices, and improved market and financial access.

Opoku’s remarks highlight a strategic shift in Ghana’s agricultural policy, recognizing women’s pivotal but often undervalued contributions to the sector. Rural women serve multiple roles as farmers, processors, traders, and innovators who sustain both households and national food systems, he noted, while acknowledging their expertise frequently goes unrecognized.

The timing of these commitments proves particularly significant as Ghana grapples with food security challenges. The country faced decreased agricultural production in 2024 due to drought conditions, underscoring the urgent need for agricultural innovation and resilience-building measures.

GAFAFAW, established in 2023, represents a unique coalition of twenty award-winning female farmers from all sixteen regions of Ghana. The association aims to champion the cause of women in the agricultural sector through networking, skills-sharing, and mentorship programs. Since its launch, the organization has emerged as an influential voice in national policy dialogues and agricultural development discussions.

The association’s Chairperson, Ernestina Osei-Tutu, has previously called on government and institutions to provide greater recognition and support for rural women farmers. Her advocacy emphasizes that rural women remain central to the country’s agricultural transformation and economic development.

Minister Opoku praised GAFAFAW’s achievements in its brief existence, particularly commending the organization’s advocacy work in national policy discussions and its mentorship initiatives supporting smallholder farmers. The Minister’s endorsement signals growing government recognition of organized women farmers as key stakeholders in agricultural policy development.

The Feed Ghana Programme represents President John Dramani Mahama’s administration’s flagship agricultural initiative, designed to revitalize the sector through comprehensive reforms and targeted investments. Opoku unveiled the innovative program in April 2025 as part of broader efforts to modernize Ghana’s agricultural economy.

However, significant challenges persist in ensuring equitable access to agricultural opportunities. Female farmers in northern Ghana and the Volta Region continue struggling to access arable lands due to traditional beliefs that prohibit women from owning parcels of land, highlighting the complex cultural barriers that government programs must address alongside technical and financial constraints.

The Minister’s commitment to women’s agricultural empowerment reflects broader recognition across Africa of women’s crucial role in food production and rural economic development. Women farmers constitute a significant portion of agricultural producers across the continent, yet they often face disproportionate challenges in accessing credit, land rights, technology, and markets.

Looking ahead, the success of Ghana’s agricultural transformation will likely depend on the government’s ability to translate policy commitments into tangible improvements for women farmers. The collaboration between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and organizations like GAFAFAW represents a promising model for inclusive agricultural development that could serve as a template for other West African nations.

The emphasis on women’s leadership in agriculture also aligns with international development goals focused on gender equality and food security. As Ghana works to build a more resilient agricultural sector, empowering women farmers emerges not as a social imperative alone, but as an economic necessity for sustainable growth and food security.

From a tiny village in the Western part of the Gold Coast emerged a little boy who would grow up into a giant for African independence and the voice for the oppressed.

He personally did not bother about his ethnic roots because he always said that he was an African, and that his ideas were for the wider continental space and its occupants who have endured all manner of brutal attacks from all directions.

He saw Africa’s glorious past and inner greatness as her strengths, and that although her slavery, slave trade, colonial past were tragic circumstances, they gave the African a reason to rise and become great so that such evils will not ensnare him or her in future.

Dr Kwame Nkrumah as a little boy on his mother’s back, fording a local stream, asked his mother to standstill because she had stepped on a fish. And it was true! His mother had really stepped on their dinner.

Such high energy and foresight will guide his life to become the greatest African of the last millennium.

His early life was shaped by his mother, Elizabeth Nyanibah, a fishmonger and petty trader. Her deep love for Kwame was tested after his overthrow when at the point of death, she was asked to deny her son. She said, Kwame is my child.

His father, Opanyin Kofi Nwiana Ngolomah, was a goldsmith who will later send for the young Nkrumah to live with him in Half Assini, where he began his elementary education.

Goldsmithing is an integral part of Akan royalty and culture as the craftmen play a significant role in the creation of ornaments, crafts and even items which hold the spirit and soul of nationhood.

To have a goldsmith father enriched his flourishing mind with ideas and philosophies that will help him in his personal and political life.

He sometimes watched his father craft and shape his creations with utmost concentration.

Goldsmiths draw inspiration from many sources, including nature, architecture, and cultural motifs, to create unique and eclectic design.

Guided by design philosophy, Nkrumah’s father shaped his aesthetic appeal of his creations, creating pieces that evoked emotion and told a story through intricate details, reflecting his personal and societal vision and craftsmanship.

Nkrumah’s father, according to rare sources, put quality and craftsmanship above all considerations, leading to the achievement of higher standards.

Goldsmiths in his day were meticulous and had deep understanding of materials.

Nkrumah’s father was in a business and craft which is largely influenced by cultural narratives, traditions, and philosophies.

It is significant to note that throughout Nkrumah’s personal and political pursuits, he drew inspiration from African cultural, philosophical and historical narratives.

A critical study of his political struggles will show that he continually sought new ways to elevate his game, experimenting with new ideas, unconventional methods which encouraged creativity and progress in the liberation struggle and national development.

These are all the hallmark of a master Goldsmith.

His closeness to his mother made him sympathetic to the vulnerable and marginalised. His deep love for female empowerment was evident in his political appointments and scholarships to girls to study, “as far as you can go”

Other influences

One of his early mentors at elementary school in Half Assini was a German Roman Catholic priest named George Fischer, who also shaped his views on rudimentary theology and Universalism.

While training as a teacher at Achimota School in Accra, Nkrumah met another great or perhaps, his real childhood mentor called Dr Kwegyir Aggrey, an Assistant Vice Principal and the first African member of staff at Achimota School.

Dr Aggrey was a Pan Africanist, a philosopher and great orator. Nkrumah learnt a lot from him, shaping his adult life.

Nkrumah’s leadership skills were evident even in his early years, and all these personalities planted in him the willingness and ability to see beyond the horizon.

Certainly, Nkrumah’s childhood laid the foundation for his future as a leader, with his experiences shaping his passion for education, leadership, and Pan-Africanism.

Throughout his political life, he preached African Unity because it was common sense to him.

The balkanisation of Africa was a deliberate deed to weaken the people, and distract them from achieving any significant political and economic measure.

He had observed through his studies and childhood that without unity, Africa is fair game for political, economic and even cultural trophy hunters.

He warned that, if Africa did not unite, the colonialists will come back in a more complex shape and form, and that a more brutal struggle will have to be waged to drive them out. And it could take centuries.

In the Christian Bible, Jesus says, if a demon leaves the human body, it will come back one day and see if it is not protected, and if it is not well fortified, it will go and call stronger demons to join it to occupy the body.

That is the mind of a colonialists and the exploitative class. And he was aware of that fact.

His birthday

 Many Pan Africanists are eternally grateful to the creator for allowing such a great personality to walk the path of the African continent.

The little boy from Nkroful says we have stepped on a fish for dinner the murky streams of our circumstances. Are Africans ready for the dinner or still happy to pick the crumps on the floor of others?

Dr Kwame Nkrumah was born on September 21, 1909. He founded Ghana in AD1957

By Samuel Osei-Frempong

Source: GNA

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has handed over a hand-held borehole to the Dakuma/Hiel Basic School in the Sissala West District as part of efforts to boost enrolment in the school, especially among girls.

The water facility is expected to reduce water-related absenteeism and the burden associated with water collection, especially on girls as well as improve sanitation and hygiene practices among the school children.

A similar facility had earlier been handed over to the Kanee Basic School in the Jirapa Municipality.

The intervention under the “Promoting Academic Success among Underprivileged Schoolchildren at Rural Areas through School Feeding Programme in Ghana” project was implemented by the Millennium Child Support Group (MCSG).

The ECOWAS and Spanish Cooperation provided technical and financial support for the regional project through the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (RAAF) to promote academic success through school feeding.

Speaking at the commissioning, Mr Francis Dabiré, who represented the Executive Director of RAAF, Mr Mohamed Zongo, commended MCSG for its leadership and community-centred approach in the project delivery.

He said the MCSG had demonstrated how meaningful development must reflect the realities and aspirations of the people it serves.

Mr Dabiré described that intervention as “a symbol of hope, dignity, and shared progress and prosperity.”

Dr. Godfrey Ato Parker, the Chief Executive Officer of MCSG, indicated that, “Ending classroom hunger is an integral part of the ambition of our Group geared towards saving the child, saving the future and saving the world.”

He, therefore, said the Group’s collaboration with ECOWAS on that project was instrumental in helping it to achieve that ambition.

Dr. Parker appealed for greater collaboration, partnership and support from stakeholders, including ECOWAS to reach out to more vulnerable schools and pupils in the near future.

Mr Fuseini Gbene, the Sissala West District Chief Executive (DCE), expressed gratitude to ECOWAS, the Spanish Cooperation and MCSG for their partnership on the project, which he said complemented Ghana’s school feeding policy.

He indicated that the government of Ghana remained committed to improving the educational sector in partnership with the necessary stakeholders including ECOWAS considering the numerous challenges in that sector.

The opinion leaders and people in the community as well as the teachers thanked the benefactors for the intervention and pledged commitment to maintaining the facility to serve posterity.

The integrated nutritional enhancement project also considered the need to improve water resources availability and management, including the development of agro ecological vegetable gardens and livestock to enrich canteens with animal proteins.

Through its regional school feeding programme, ECOWAS continued to invest in human capital development and promoting rural business opportunities for agricultural sector actors across its member states, including Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

Source: GNA

The Ghana Police Service has closed the Kukurantumi Police Station in the Eastern Region and withdrawn all personnel after violent attacks by some residents of the town.

According to a statement issued by the Eastern Regional Police Command, the incident occurred on Sunday, September 21, when agitated youth stormed the police station and barracks around 0700 hours.

Armed with stones, clubs, and other weapons, the group attempted to set the facility ablaze after learning of the death of a suspect.

Bright Kena, who had been arrested on charges of unlawful entry and stealing, reportedly died while receiving treatment at the Community Hospital in Kukurantumi.

His death sparked outrage among sections of the community, culminating in the violent confrontation.

Police reinforcement teams were swiftly deployed to the area and succeeded in restoring calm and order.

The statement, signed by Superintendent George Peprah Mills of the Public Affairs Unit, said the Inspector-General of Police had ordered the closure of the station and withdrawal of officers while investigations continued.

The Police Professional Standards Bureau and the Criminal Investigations Department have launched a probe into the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death.

Meanwhile, the police command has engaged the deceased’s family and community leaders, assuring them of a thorough and transparent investigation.

Authorities say footage of the attack on the police station is being reviewed to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

The police urged the public to seek lawful avenues for addressing grievances and avoid resorting to violence.

Source: GNA 

Ghanaian scientist, Professor Nii Narku Quaynor

Africa was detached from the reality of other parts of the world due to the lack of internet connectivity on the continent.

The interaction level with people in other countries was low at the time as it was mostly done face-to-face or by phone call.

For others to get connected to their friends and loved ones in other parts of the world, one needed to send a letter or run the message by fax.

But the narrative changed in 1994 when Professor Nii Narku Quaynor introduced internet in Africa.

Professor Quaynor pioneered the development of internet and its expansion throughout Africa for nearly two decades.

He also set up key organizations including African Network Operators Group to ensure African countries, especially, Ghana were connected to the internet.

Speaking on BizTech on GhanaWeb TV, Professor Nii Narku Quaynor recounted the evolution of internet in Africa.

He also told the host, Ernestina Serwaa Asante, about some challenges in the usage of this technology – internet – and how users can be protected.

This story was earlier published on Feb 10, 2023

Watch the video below:

SA/AE

By Joyce Danso, GNA  

Accra, Sept 21, GNA – The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, has between September 5 and 19, 2025 rescued 60 victims of human trafficking.  

Speaking at a media briefing in Accra on Saturday, Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General of CID said the trafficked victims, including 41 foreign nationals, were rescued in Ghana and 19 others rescued abroad.  

“All rescued persons have since been handed over to the appropriate authorities for reintegration with their families.”  

According to her, some criminals continue to lure victims with the promises of securing lucrative job opportunities abroad, only to subject them to exploitation.  

“Investigations have shown that traffickers now adopt new methods, transiting victims through multiple countries before reaching their final destinations to evade detection.”  

COP Donkor said the Police administration remained unrelenting in its fight against human trafficking.  

In a caution to the public, she said, “No legitimate recruitment agency will require people to travel by road through several countries as part of an employment process.  

Individuals are encouraged to verify the authenticity of offers before committing themselves.”  

The CID Boss indicated that it was an offence “to lure or recruit others under false pretences. Those found culpable will face the full rigours of the law.  

She further entreated victims of trafficking to report promptly to the nearest police station for assistance, adding “This fight requires collective efforts, Families, communities and survivors are urged to share their experiences to prevent others from failing victims.”  

GNA  

Christian Akorlie   

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and the Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX) have initiated discussions aimed at promoting gold trading on the GCX platform, in a move expected to expand access to gold ownership and investment opportunities for individuals and institutions.

The collaboration seeks to explore innovative gold trading models, including tokenisation and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), to create new avenues for investment and wealth creation.

The initiative will formalise and modernize gold trading in Ghana, while positioning Ghana as a key player in structured gold markets across Africa.

Gold exports exceed total imports in June 2025 – BoG report

GoldBod has also begun similar engagements with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to ensure that the frameworks for gold investment instruments meet regulatory and investor protection standards.

The Board has assured that it will update the public once the discussions are finalised.

The partnership represents a strategic step in Ghana’s efforts to leverage its gold resources more effectively, offering Ghanaians innovative and transparent ways to invest in the nation’s most valuable mineral.

Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:

SP/EB

A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Communication Team, Delali Sewoekpor, has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of attempting to downplay the legacy of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Speaking on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV on Monday, September 22, 2025 — as Ghana marked Founder’s Day on September 21 — Sewoekpor argued that successive NPP governments have deliberately tried to “obliterate” Nkrumah’s role in Ghana’s independence and nation-building.

“Over the years, anytime the NPP has had the opportunity to rule this country, you realise that there is a deliberate attempt to obliterate, to undermine the achievement and the role of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. And you see I think by now the NPP as a political party, with their tradition must come to appreciate the fact that nobody can obliterate the name of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as the Founder of this country of ours,” he said.

He accused leading NPP figures of branding Nkrumah a dictator who opposed democracy but insisted such claims ignore the historical context of the repeated assassination attempts on his life.

“But the fact of the matter is we’ve also read about a story where several attempts were made on the life of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. We have read several articles where there was a deliberate orchestration to kill Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. And obviously any leader, any President of a country, where is obvious that your opponents were making anything possible to eliminate you, there are certain measures you put in place to address that,” he said.

Citing Nkrumah’s lasting infrastructural legacy, Sewoekpor pointed to projects like the Tema Motorway as evidence of his unmatched contribution to Ghana’s development.

“If for nothing at all, I know how many times driving to the Volta Region, I have used the Tema Motorway. These are the solid achievements of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. We can make numerous references with projects of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah that has outlived Dr. Kwame Nkrumah,” he said.

On the longstanding debate over whether September 21 should be marked as Founder’s Day or Founders’ Day, he dismissed attempts to credit other figures with equal recognition, insisting that Nkrumah stands alone.

“This argument about people should be included as far as the Founder’s Day, we should not make it apostrophe ‘s’, we should make it Founders’ Day is neither here nor there. Let’s accept that this is a man who stands tall. This is a man who is celebrated not only in Ghana, beyond Ghana. You know he was touted as the African man of the Millennium,” he said.

He further dismissed claims about the contributions of Dr. J.B. Danquah, a leading figure in the NPP’s Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition, describing his actions during the independence struggle as counterproductive.

“It’s obviously within the NPP rights, to continue to tout, the credentials of Dr. J.B. Danquah. But what I’m saying is this, that per what I have read to you, relative to a letter that was authored by Dr. J.B. Danquah to frustrate Ghana’s road to become an independent State in itself makes mockery of the argument that Dr. J.B. Danquah played an important role as far as Ghana attaining independence is concerned,” Sewoekpor argued.

According to him, Nkrumah’s unmatched vision and continental stature make him the undisputed Founder of Ghana, and any attempt to diminish his legacy is bound to fail.

Ghanaians marked Founder’s Day on Sunday, September 21, to commemorate the birthday of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who was earlier Prime Minister and Africa’s foremost champion of continental unity and liberation of the black race.

Read also…

Ghana has no single founder – Palgrave

Former Minister of Agriculture and NPP flagbearer aspirant, Bryan Acheampong, is under fire for claiming credit for a COCOBOD policy he is said to have fiercely opposed while he served as Agric Minister under the immediate past Akufo-Addo government.

The policy, championed by then COCOBOD CEO, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, sought to move COCOBOD away from its traditional and much-criticised syndicated loan system to a new, sustainable financing model designed to reduce mounting debts. However, it faced stiff opposition from the sector minister.

According to highly placed cabinet sources from the Akufo-Addo administration, Bryan Acheampong, with the support of the Finance Ministry, strongly resisted the proposal. Their opposition led to a compromise announcement of a “middle-ground” approach, described by Acheampong at the time as a way to “complement” the syndicated loan system.

Contrary to his earlier position, a video has now emerged of Acheampong claiming credit for the very funding model he opposed — a move that has drawn sharp criticism from individuals familiar with his stance and his clashes with the former COCOBOD management over the matter.

Insiders from the former government, including Michael Kwesi Aidoo — MP for Oforikrom and son of the former COCOBOD CEO — have expressed shock at Acheampong’s apparent U-turn.

“What a turn of events! They say ‘vindication is in the womb of time,’ and watching this video left me absolutely stunned,” Aidoo wrote, recalling how his father faced fierce resistance over the new proposal and even drafted a resignation letter at one point.

“I still remember how the former CEO of COCOBOD nearly resigned over the new financial model and the cancellation of the syndicated loan, due to opposition from those so-called ‘latter-day prophets.’ In his frustration, he even drafted his resignation letter, ready to submit it. It was only thanks to the timely intervention of one determined woman on the board that he reconsidered,” he revealed.

Aidoo added: “He truly believed the new model was the way forward after years of borrowing, despite the vehement protests. I can only imagine how my younger brother, a financial analyst who helped build that model, must be cringing now. I can imagine how J.B. will be feeling right now. And all those who know the untold story, how are they feeling today? The NDC government is now using the model — a model we couldn’t campaign on because of the opposition to it. Negative media was even sponsored against it. God! Thank you for life. Indeed, it’s a good time to be alive. Astonishing!”

Other former government insiders have also criticised Acheampong’s claims.

“I have watched a video of Bryan Okai Acheampong claiming credit for COCOBOD’s decision not to pursue a syndicated loan,” wrote Fred Gakpo Etse.

“It is imperative that Bryan Okai Acheampong, MP for Abetifi, ceases attributing the ingenuity of the former COCOBOD boss to himself and refrains from taking credit for a decision he opposed.

“How can Bryan claim credit for something he vehemently opposed? Something he openly disagreed with in Cabinet? Something he openly opposed at the Finance Committee of the 8th Parliament? Is he not aware that there are living witnesses?”

Both Aidoo and other commentators have shared links to local and international reports showing how Acheampong and the Finance Ministry had publicly confirmed the continuation of the syndicated loan policy, in direct contradiction to COCOBOD’s proposal, which was pushed by the then CEO.

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.

Mikel Arteta had no choice but to throw on more attacking players in the second half as his Arsenal side chased an equaliser at home to Manchester City.

But did the Gunners boss start too cautiously?

The Spaniard began the game with three defensively-minded central midfielders in Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino.

Arsenal’s starting XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Merino, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Trossard

Eberichi Eze replaced Merino at the start of the second half in a double substitution that also saw Noni Madueke make way for Bukayo Saka on his return from injury.

With 10 minutes remaining, Arteta sacrificed right-back Jurrien Timber for eventual goalscorer Gabriel Martinelli, while Leandro Trossard was replaced by Ethan Nwaneri four minutes later.

In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Arteta reverted to four defenders, replacing Zubimendi with Christian Mosquera.

Arsenal’s finishing XI: Raya; Saliba, Gabriel, Mosquera, Calafiori; Martinelli, Rice, Eze, Nwaneri, Saka; Gyokeres

Image source, Getty Images

The Ghana cedi has crossed the GH¢12 mark on the interbank exchange market.

This is the first time since May 2025, following a period of consistent appreciation against the US dollar.

As of Monday, September 22, 2025, Bank of Ghana published rates indicate that the cedi is trading at GH¢12.27 to the dollar, reflecting renewed pressure on the local currency amid persistent economic challenges and high demand for foreign exchange.

Despite headline inflation dropping marginally, the cedi continues to struggle on both the interbank and forex markets, depreciating steadily against the dollar.

The depreciation is expected to impact fuel prices at the pump in the upcoming pricing windows, increase the cost of living, and likely complicate the government’s quest to achieve single-digit inflation by the end of the year.

Here’s how the cedi is faring on the BoG interbank market as of 8:00 AM, September 22, 2025:

• Dollar – Buying at GH¢12.26, Selling at GH¢12.27

• Pound – Buying at GH¢16.53, Selling at GH¢16.55

• Euro – Buying at GH¢14.41, Selling at GH¢14.42

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Here’s how the cedi is trading at the forex bureaus

• Dollar – Buying at GH¢13.00, Selling at GH¢13.45

• Pound – Buying at GH¢17.50, Selling at GH¢18.40

• Euro – Buying at GH¢15.20, Selling at GH¢16.00

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