play video“No Worry” is the second single from Kay9ice’s upcoming album

Ghanaian music sensation Kay9ice is back with a banger, dropping a brand-new single titled “No Worry,” which is already proving to be a certified party starter.

Produced, mixed, and mastered by Brikibeatz, “No Worry” is the second single from Kay9ice’s upcoming album.

The song is accompanied by a stunning music video that effectively conveys a message of resilience and determination.

With his signature Afrobeat style, Kay9ice delivers a catchy and memorable melody that resonates with fans of all ages.

“No Worry” follows the success of Kay9ice’s previous single “Pema”, which received massive airplay, online streams, and strong support from fans across the country.

The new single is expected to further establish Kay9ice as a rising star in the music industry.

With its inspiring message and infectious beat, “No Worry” is poised to become a favorite among music lovers.

The track is now available on all digital music platforms, allowing fans to stream and download it with ease.

AM/GA

President of the Ghana Institute of Architects, Tony Asare, has sounded the alarm over the far-reaching consequences of the ongoing Weija Dam spillage, stressing that its impact goes well beyond the displacement of residents.

Speaking on Channel One Newsroom, Asare drew attention to the potential health hazards resulting from the flooding, warning that contaminated water poses serious risks to affected communities.

“The worry is not just about spilling the dam and dislocating or dislodging people who are within that settlement. But there are other issues such as septic tanks that will be flooded, wells that will be flooded,” he explained.

He cautioned that the mixing of floodwaters with sewage and other pollutants could lead to secondary health crises, including the spread of waterborne diseases.

“If you have water that is mixing up with sewage and such things, then we are even worried about secondary issues beyond the destruction of properties.

“But we are looking at health issues and a whole lot of other issues. So this thing is really worrying,” Asare stressed.

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GWL begins controlled spillage from Weija Dam, warns of possible flooding

His Eminence, Ing. Kwame Baah-Acheamfuor

His Eminence, Ing. Kwame Baah-Acheamfuor, a renowned global digital technologies engineer and diplomat, has been conferred a Doctor of Philosophy in Business and Management by the University of Zambia.

With this achievement, Ing. Dr. Kwame becomes a pioneering researcher and scholar in digital competence for employability, having published three articles in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals.

Ing. Dr. Kwame Baah-Acheamfuor is a seasoned telecommunications/ICT engineer with 25 years of rich experience. His expertise spans multidisciplinary communication services licensing, telecommunication network planning, operations, maintenance, and technology diplomacy.

He was among the pioneer mobile network engineers who built the OneTouch network, which became Vodafone (now Telecel), from 1999 to 2006. He has been a devoted public servant, working between the regulator and policymaker of the communications sector from 2006 to the present.

In tech diplomacy, Ing. Dr. Kwame was the first African to serve as a Study Group Chairman at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 2012. He played a pivotal role in developing and approving over 80 global telecommunications standards, a testament to his profound contributions to the industry.

Ing. Dr. Kwame Baah-Acheamfuor chaired the 2022 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference Resolutions on Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, among other policies.

From 2019 to 2025, he served as Ghana’s Councillor to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and was responsible for international telecommunication/ICT policies.

In 2021, the Initiators of Change Foundation honored Kwame as the Eminent Telecom and ICT Pillar of the Decade.

Before starting his career in telecommunications and ICT, he was an event organizer and radio presenter for six years.

Ing. Dr. Kwame is the Global Vice President of the Prempeh College Old Students Association (Amanfoo), District 9104 Rotaract Chair from 2022 to 2025, Past Rotary Club President, Ghana National Polio Plus Committee Chair for Club Engagement and Publicity, a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow, and a Benefactor of The Rotary Foundation.

He is also a Toastmasters Area Director, a Past Toastmasters Club President, and a Division Table Topics Champion for The Rotary Foundation. Ing. Dr. Kwame is a talent scout, life coach, mentor, and sponsor.

Introduction

In the bustling and rapidly transforming urban landscapes of Ghana, especially in major city centres like Accra and Kumasi, the heartbeat of economic resilience can be found not just in skyscrapers or shopping malls, but on the pavements, sidewalks, roundabouts, and traffic intersections. Here, street vendors and hawkers form a vibrant, dynamic, and often overlooked urban tapestry, one that is as resilient as it is essential. These enterprising individuals predominantly women, and the youth populate the informal sector with remarkable tenacity, braving harsh weather, regulatory crackdowns, and infrastructural limitations to earn a living. Their stalls, carts, and baskets may seem ordinary to the untrained eye, but they tell a deeper story: one of survival, creativity, informal innovation, and the right to urban space.

To some observers, street vending presents an urban management dilemma one associated with congestion, sanitation concerns, and by-law violations. Yet, to the vendors themselves and to countless families who rely on the daily income it provides, this informal economy represents more than commerce. It is an ecosystem of livelihoods, a platform for socio-economic mobility, and a silent but powerful force that underpins urban survival in cities where formal employment opportunities remain insufficient.

As a Spatial Planner and Planning Officer within the Ministry of Local Government, I am compelled to advocate for a paradigm shift in how we understand and respond to this reality. Informality is not an aberration of urban order, it is, in fact, the organic response of citizens navigating economic exclusion and institutional gaps. Rather than being treated as a nuisance or impediment to modernization, street vending must be acknowledged as a legitimate, evolving component of the urban economy. It offers a critical lens through which we can evaluate our planning frameworks, regulatory structures, and developmental priorities.

To relegate these economic actors to the periphery of urban planning is to ignore the very soul of our cities. It is time we adopt a more generous, informed, and place-based approach one that reframes informality not as a problem to be eradicated, but as an opportunity to co-create inclusive cities that reflect the realities of all who inhabit them. This is the call to action: to reimagine our urban futures with the informal sector at the centre of planning discourse, innovation, and transformation.

What does the Laws and Policies Say

The regulation and governance of urban informality in Ghana particularly the phenomenon of street vending and hawking are grounded within a broader legal and policy framework that, while often fragmented in implementation, provides a foundation for inclusive urban development.

At the heart of this framework lies the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), which mandates all 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with the responsibility to ensure order, safety, and sanitation in their jurisdictions. Yet, this same Act goes beyond mere enforcement duties; it also entrusts local authorities with the critical mandate to promote equitable development that responds to the needs of all segments of the urban population including those operating outside the formal economic grid.

Complementing this is the Draft Final National Urban Policy Framework, Ghana’s flagship policy on urban development. The policy makes a conscious shift from conventional urban planning approaches by recognizing the informal economy not as a marginal entity, but as a significant and enduring component of Ghana’s urban landscape. It articulates the necessity of building cities that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, principles that align closely with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 11. Notably, the policy emphasizes the need to integrate the informal sector into broader urban strategies, acknowledging that informality, in its many forms, is not merely a symptom of underdevelopment but a structural reality that requires targeted policy responses.

While less direct, the Streetism Policy Framework, which primarily focuses on safeguarding vulnerable children living and working on the streets, also touches on the broader socio-economic conditions that give rise to street-based livelihoods. Many of these children are embedded in informal economies either as helpers to hawkers or through their own small-scale selling activities. Thus, policies targeting street children inadvertently intersect with the larger dynamics of urban informality and survival strategies. The lessons here are significant: if the street serves both as a marketplace and a makeshift home for the urban poor, then our response must go beyond enforcement and delve into structural solutions that foster dignity and opportunity.

Together, these legal instruments and policy documents illustrate that Ghana possesses a normative basis for embracing a more inclusive urban planning philosophy. However, the critical challenge lies not in the absence of policy, but in the operational will and creativity required to translate policy ideals into localised, actionable urban solutions. This is the policy and planning juncture at which street vendors and hawkers must be consciously included not as afterthoughts, but as co-architects of our urban futures.

What Other African Cities Are Doing

Across the African continent, cities grappling with the complex dynamics of informality have begun to adopt progressive and context-sensitive strategies that recognize the informal economy not as a nuisance, but as a powerful force for urban inclusion, resilience, and economic vibrancy.

In Kigali- Rwanda, a city often lauded for its orderliness and rapid urban transformation local authorities have pioneered an initiative that integrates street vendors into the formal urban economy by establishing designated vending zones equipped with standardized kiosks, vendor identification cards, and uniforms. This approach has not only helped regulate informal commerce but has also enhanced safety, cleanliness, and accountability, without stripping traders of their livelihoods.

In South Africa, the city of Durban provides a more participatory and socially rooted example through the Warwick Junction Urban Renewal Project. Here, urban planners, architects, and municipal authorities collaborated directly with local street traders to reimagine one of the busiest market intersections in the city. Instead of displacing vendors, the project focused on redesigning and upgrading trading spaces, offering improved infrastructure such as weather-protected stalls, sanitation facilities, and waste disposal systems, while preserving the organic economic activity that had flourished in the area for decades. This model stands as a testament to the power of inclusive planning and the importance of engaging stakeholders as co-creators in urban design.

Similarly, in Nairobi, Kenya, where rapid urbanization has placed immense pressure on public infrastructure, transport authorities have creatively integrated informal trading into the design of the city’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Recognizing the inevitability of informal vending in and around transport corridors, planners designated specific vending zones with clearly defined access schedules, allowing hawkers to operate during off-peak hours. This innovative model reduces conflicts between pedestrians, traders, and commuters, while preserving the economic opportunities that such spaces naturally generate.

These African experiences underscore a profound lesson: informality is not inherently at odds with regulation. Rather, when governments adopt an empathetic, consultative, and context-driven approach, regulation can coexist harmoniously with support, yielding safer, cleaner, and more economically inclusive cities.

Towards a Localised Ghanaian Model

Towards the development of an inclusive and sustainable urban future, Ghana stands at a critical juncture where the old model of punitive enforcement of street vending must give way to a more empathetic, pragmatic, and co-creative approach. The realities on the ground, especially in cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale, point to the fact that street vendors are not anomalies to be cleared off the pavements, but citizens with agency, resilience, and legitimate economic contributions that urban planning must accommodate rather than displace.

First and foremost, urban authorities should consider the establishment of designated vending zones within strategic commercial and transportation nodes. These zones, thoughtfully integrated into the broader city plan, would be outfitted with essential amenities waste management systems, potable water, shaded structures, public lighting, and rest areas. By offering secure and organized environments, city authorities can ensure both order and dignity for vendors while enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of urban spaces.

Secondly, the success of any planning intervention rests upon the principle of participatory urban governance. It is imperative that informal workers and their associations are actively engaged in the decision-making processes that affect their daily lives. When vendors are consulted in planning committees and policy formulation, their unique insights contribute to crafting more grounded and effective solutions. Such an inclusive approach not only builds trust but ensures that regulations are more likely to be adhered to because they emerge from dialogue rather than imposition.

Moreover, the concept of time-sharing urban spaces already successfully trailed in cities like Nairobi holds significant potential for Ghana. City authorities could designate specific urban corridors, particularly in high-footfall areas, for vending during off-peak hours. This flexible use of space helps decongest critical pedestrian walkways and vehicular routes during the busiest times, while still preserving economic opportunities for hawkers and small-scale traders.

In addition to physical and regulatory interventions, there is a pressing need to invest in the capacity building and financial empowerment of street vendors. Initiatives such as training workshops on hygiene, product presentation, customer service, and financial literacy should be institutionalized across municipalities. These efforts could be coupled with increased access to microcredit through state initiatives like the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) or the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), enabling traders to grow and formalize their businesses progressively.

Finally, Ghana must embrace the transformative power of digital inclusion in informal commerce. With mobile money already widespread, vendors can be encouraged and supported to adopt digital payment platforms. This reduces the risks associated with cash transactions, enhances transaction transparency, and positions informal traders to engage more fluidly with formal financial institutions. Partnerships with fintech firms and municipal IT departments can help in rolling out training, platforms, and support systems tailored for this group.

Conclusion: From Obstruction to Inclusion

The phenomenon of street vending in Ghana must be reimagined not as an impediment to urban progress, but as an indispensable part of the nation’s social and economic fabric. Far from being a nuisance, street vending represents a lifeline for thousands of households supporting families, fuelling local economies, and injecting vitality into urban life. These informal actors are not just surviving in the city; they are shaping it, enriching it with their presence, goods, and entrepreneurial ingenuity.

To treat informality as synonymous with illegality is to fundamentally misread the role it plays in urban development. Informality is, in truth, a parallel economic ecosystem dynamic, adaptive, and rooted in the lived realities of the people. It is an organic response to the rigidities and exclusions of the formal sector, and as such, demands recognition, accommodation, and strategic integration. The informal economy is not beneath the radar of governance; it is a frontier where innovation and inclusion must meet.

Ghana stands to benefit immensely by reframing how we manage and plan for this sector. Through thoughtful, localized planning grounded in cultural context, economic reality, and participatory principles we can turn what many view as disorder into a catalyst for urban transformation. Our cities can draw powerful lessons from sister cities across the African continent, where progressive models of inclusion like designated vending zones, participatory planning processes, and time-shared spaces have successfully balanced regulation with opportunity.

As the pressures of urbanization intensify, the challenge before us is not to eliminate street vending, but to channel its potential constructively. This is the moment for city authorities, urban planners, development practitioners, and policymakers to show bold leadership. It is time to shift from punitive enforcement to co-creation, from marginalization to empowerment, and from reaction to anticipation.

In embracing street vendors as integral actors in the urban space, we uphold the dignity of labor, honor the entrepreneurial spirit of Ghanaian citizens, and lay the foundation for cities that are not only economically vibrant but also socially just. This is not just a matter of planning; it is a matter of principle, equity, and shared vision. By transforming our mindset from obstruction to inclusion, we can build a future where Ghana’s urban centres are places of opportunity for all—formal and informal alike.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Ghana has maintained the policy rate at 28 per cent, citing the need to consolidate gains made in controlling inflation and supporting currency stability.

Speaking at a media briefing in Accra last Friday, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, said the decision was driven by the central bank’s latest forecast, which indicated a continued easing of inflationary pressures, supported by a tight monetary policy stance, relative exchange rate stability, and ongoing fiscal consolidation.

Headline inflation fell to 21.2 per cent in April 2025, representing a 2.6 percentage point drop from the beginning of the year. Dr Asiama attributed the decline to a mix of tight monetary policy, enhanced liquidity management, reduced ex-pump petroleum prices, and a stable cedi.

“Inflation is expected to ease faster towards the medium-term target in the first quarter of 2026 as opposed to the second quarter as earlier envisaged, barring unanticipated shocks,” Dr Asiama noted, adding that the Bank is targeting an end-of-year inflation rate of 12 percent.

Despite the progress, the MPC said the current inflation level remains above target and emphasised the importance of holding the policy rate steady to reinforce the ongoing disinflation process.

“Under the circumstances, the Committee, by a unanimous decision, maintained the policy rate at 28.0 percent,” the Governor said.

Dr Asiama also highlighted the cedi’s strong performance as a key development. The local currency, which had faced persistent pressure in previous years, has appreciated significantly in 2025. As of May 21, it had gained 24.1 per cent against the US dollar, 16.2 per cent against the British pound, and 14.1 per cent against the euro.

This resurgence, the Governor explained, has been driven by tight monetary policy, improved market sentiment, record foreign exchange reserves, fiscal discipline, and stronger regulatory oversight of the forex market.

He also pointed to continued improvements in the external sector, including a provisional current account surplus of US$2.1 billion in the first quarter of 2025, largely due to higher gold and cocoa prices, rising export volumes, and robust remittance inflows.

This, he said, helped to generate a balance of payments surplus of US$1.1 billion, while Gross International Reserves rose to US$10.7 billion by April 2025, equivalent to 4.7 months of import cover.

The Bank of Ghana said it will remain vigilant and committed to maintaining macroeconomic stability while ensuring the disinflation process is sustained over the coming quarters.

By Kamal Ahmed

Nsawam (E/R), May 24, GNA — Calm has been restored in Nsawam Adoagyiri after violent clashes erupted between rival youth groups on Wednesday, May 22, 2025.  

The Eastern South Regional Police Command, supported by reinforcement teams from the National Police Headquarters and the National Formed Police Unit, successfully intervened to quell the unrest.   

The disturbances, which involved nearly 300 youths, followed a fatal shooting incident on May 20, 2025. 

The initial attack resulted in one death and left another individual wounded.  

In the days that followed, retaliatory violence led to three additional injuries, further escalating tensions within the community.   

The situation reached a boiling point when a critically injured victim, Isaah Masawudu, succumbed to his wounds while receiving treatment.  

His death sparked large-scale protests, with enraged youth from Adoagyiri Zongo taking to the streets, blocking roads, burning tyres, and vandalizing shops and vehicles.   

Concerned about public safety, authorities deployed specialised units to restore order.  

ASP Foster Owusu, Public Affairs Officer for the Eastern South Regional Police Command, confirmed that extensive operations were ongoing to apprehend individuals involved in the violence.   

“We urge all residents to remain calm as we continue to enforce law and order in Adoagyiri and surrounding communities,” ASP Owusu stated, emphasizing the need for community cooperation.   

Security presence remains heightened in the area as investigations continue into both the initial shooting and the subsequent violent incidents. 

Authorities are calling on residents to support police efforts in maintaining peace and to refrain from retaliatory actions that could further destabilize the town.   

GNA  
Edited by D.I. Laary/Benjamin Mensah

By Francis Ntow

Accra, May 24, GNA – The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) says it is not waiting for a 60-day window to make made-in-Ghana products affordable to consumers, following recent macroeconomic improvements. 

However, the Association said the 60-day request, made during a meeting with the Trade Minister last week, was to ensure a full implementation of a gradual process that manufacturers had started towards reducing prices. 

Mr Seth Twum-Akwaboah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AGI, called for sustained stability in inflation and lower monetary policy and exchange rates to enable local manufacturers to produce at cost-effective rates to make their goods cheaper. 

“We’re not waiting for 60 days to reduce prices, what we’re saying is that by that time, the lower prices in our products will be fully reflected on the market,” Mr Twum-Akwaboah told the Ghana News Agency on Friday. 

He was answering a question as to whether the AGI would stick to a joint request with the Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) to reduce prices of goods and services in 60 days, following the cedi’s appreciation and overall macroeconomic gains. 

“Our members have already started reducing prices, and manufacturing is often done within a 90-day cycle, and we’ve already done a month. So, in the next 60 days, the new production will be based on the new exchange rate and reduced prices,” he said. 

Mr Twum-Akwaboah urged the Government to sustain the cedi’s appreciation against its major trading currencies; [dollar, Euro and Pound Sterling], reduce electricity tariffs, and lower monetary policy rate to ease interest on loans from commercial banks. 

“When the macroeconomic environment is stable, businesses can plan, expand, and employ more people,” he said. 

Similarly, Dr Joseph Obeng, the President, Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA), have said traders were willing to make prices of goods affordable to consumers. 

“Prices have started responding and we are duty-bound to respond to any gains, especially this particular one, which is substantial, and we have to share it with the consumer,” he said. 

“All that we need is for the government to continue its good work by ensuring that we have a sustained stability,” he said, calling for reform to the Value Added Tax (VAT) to further cushion traders. 

Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Finance Minister, said earlier this month that the Government was addressing structural issues like port charges, levies, and smuggling “because we understand how these factors impact prices.”  

He appealed to traders to lower the prices to give the consuming public some relief on the back of recent ease in macroeconomic pressures. 

Last Wednesday, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, engaged the leadership of AGI and GUTA on the need to reduce prices of goods and services, while pledging the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. 

She said that was fair to enable businesses transfer part of their dividends of the macroeconomic stability to customers when the opportunity came. 

“We are all working together as a country so that the cost of living will reduce,” she said.  

GNA 

Agnes Boye-Doe

Chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee, Dr. Randy Abbey, has suggested that Ghana may be without several key players for the upcoming 2025 Unity Cup in London.

The Black Stars are set to face arch-rivals Nigeria in the semi-final of the four-nation tournament on May 28, with the winner advancing to play either Jamaica or Trinidad and Tobago in the final on May 31 at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Speaking to 3Sports, Dr. Abbey disclosed that injuries and club commitments may affect player availability for the tournament.

“There are quite a number of players who are injured. There are a few players who are also engaged in qualifying games for Europe, and so their clubs won’t release them. Mind you, this period is outside the FIFA free period,” he explained.

“For those whose leagues will still be in session, and who are still in contention, they might not be available, plus the injured players,” he added.

The Unity Cup fixtures will serve as vital preparation for Ghana ahead of their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali in September.

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.

Chelsea were close to doing a deal with the 20-year-old in January but in the end it failed to materialise.

New Serie A champions Napoli were also keen on the forward, who was born in Spain and joined United’s academy from Atletico Madrid in October 2020.

Asked about Garnacho on Saturday, before Sunday’s final Premier League game of the season against Aston Villa, Amorim said: “I will speak with my players but the focus is the last game.

“I don’t know what is going to happen but we have a plan.

“We were prepared for both situations, with Champions League and without. We have an idea of the type of squad we want but we still have the last game. We have time to address all these situations.”

It remains to be seen if Garnacho will be involved against Villa.

As the player classes as ‘homegrown’ under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, his sale would create greater flexibility for Amorim, who is preparing to reduce the size of his squad given they have no European commitments next season, to make new signings.

United have been heavily linked with Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, who has a release clause of £62.5m in his contract.

Amorim has had an uneasy relationship with Garnacho.

He had only been at United for a month when he axed the winger, along with Marcus Rashford, for the victory at Manchester City on 15 December.

Amorim said the decision was because of “training performances, game performances and engagement with team-mates”.

Unlike Rashford, Garnacho was handed an immediate recall. Yet he has always seemed an uneasy fit in the system Amorim’s prefers because there is no space for an orthodox wide player.

Although Garnacho is United’s second highest scorer this season with 11 goals, he was omitted in Bilbao as Amorim preferred Amad Diallo and Mason Mount in the advanced roles behind central striker Rasmus Hojlund.

play videoProfessor John Gartchie Gatsi will lead BoG’s expert team to operationalise Islamic Banking in Ghana

The Bank of Ghana is taking strategic steps toward the implementation of Islamic Banking, with newly appointed Monetary Policy Committee advisor, Professor John Gartchie Gatsi, spearheading the initiative.

Professor Gatsi, who also serves as Dean of the Business School at the University of Cape Coast, will work with a dedicated team to develop this alternative financial system.

Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, announced at the 124th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) press briefing held in Accra on Friday, May 24, 2025.

He underscored the central bank’s readiness to accommodate Islamic Banking, a financial model compliant with Islamic Shariah law that prohibits interest-based transactions.

“Professor Gatsi is purposely here to help drive this introduction. Let me say that we have internal capacity, we have some people who know what it takes and what to do. However, we need a few steps. The head of banking supervision has gone through a lot of programmes, he is very comfortable with them,” Dr Asiama revealed.

Dr Asiama acknowledged that while the current regulatory framework, specifically the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930), allows for Islamic banking, certain critical elements were not included in the legislation.

“The current banking law, which is Act 930, which we passed in 2016, provides for it. However, there were some lapses. For example, the establishment of the Sharia supervisory boards and the like. Those were not captured in Act 930, so Professor Gatsi and his team will be doing some work in that regard to ensure that we are able to operationalise Islamic financing, especially Islamic banking,” he explained.

“Remember, it goes just beyond Islamic Banking; there are other aspects of financing involved. So we are working on it. Hopefully, very soon, when we are ready, we can consider licenses to establish an Islamic Bank,” Dr Asiama added.

Addressing broader economic concerns, Dr Asiama also touched on recent developments in the exchange rate market.

Following the Ghanaian cedi’s significant rebound against major international currencies, many consumers are anticipating downward adjustments in prices.

“You can understand that some people stock their goods at a higher exchange rate, and so naturally, even with the appreciation, it takes a while for you to see that adjustment. However, rest assured that you will see the adjustment certainly so long as there is competition, so long as it is not a monopoly, and we will see that kind of phenomenon very soon,” Dr Asiama said.

Responding to a question on the sustainability of the cedi’s appreciation, he emphasised the importance of focusing on long-term trends rather than short-term gains.

“The Cedi appreciation has to be put into proper context. Much as you want to have Cedi stability in nominal terms, the important thing here is to ensure that in real terms, the Cedi is not appreciating persistently. And so the MPC went into a lot of deliberations, looked at the real movement of the exchange rate, and we think that where we are now, we don’t have that problem of real appreciation that would adversely impact our competitiveness,” he added.

He was quick to clarify that the current currency gains are market-driven, not propped up by central bank interventions.

“But the appreciation is largely driven by the markets, it is not something that the central bank is using its reserves for. If you look at the data pack we have put out, you can see that our reserve programme is growing, so we are not using our reserves to intervene in the market, therefore, the appreciation you are seeing is driven by economic policy stance of the monetary policy, by international flows. So yes, it is appreciation; however, for us, it is about maintaining exchange rate stability,” he explained.

FKA/MA

In a heartfelt ceremony steeped in tradition and legacy, the Busia family has launched the Amma Busia Memorial Foundation, a charitable initiative focused on two of Ghana’s most pressing issues—diabetes and access to education.

Held in Wenchi, in the Bono Region—birthplace of the late Obaapanyin Nana Amma Bame Busia, a revered stateswoman and family matriarch—the launch paid tribute to her enduring legacy of public service and community empowerment.

The foundation will serve as a beacon of hope for underserved communities, targeting diabetes prevention and treatment, while supporting the educational advancement of disadvantaged youth.

A Nation Under Siege by Diabetes

According to national health data, over 2.4 million Ghanaians are currently living with diabetes, with an alarming 200,000 new cases reported annually. The chronic illness has reached epidemic proportions, silently burdening families, healthcare systems, and the economy.

In his keynote remarks, Nana Akwesi Agyeman Busia, son of the late Amma Busia, emphasized the foundation’s dual mission to confront one of Ghana’s deadliest but most overlooked health challenges, while investing in the minds of tomorrow’s leaders.

“This is not just a memorial,” Nana Akwesi stated. “This is a call to action, one that my mother would be proud of—advancing healthcare equity and access to quality education for children who need it most.”

Foundation Pillars: Health, Education, and Opportunity

The Amma Busia Memorial Foundation will operate as a non-profit organization working in collaboration with both local and international partners. Its activities are rooted in three core pillars:

• Diabetes Research & Awareness: Hosting community health screenings, data-driven outreach, and treatment programs in vulnerable communities.
• Educational Support: Offering scholarships, mentorship, and career development programs for brilliant but economically disadvantaged students in Wenchi and surrounding areas.
• Institutional Partnerships: Collaborating with hospitals, research institutions, and schools to amplify the reach and sustainability of its programs.

Healthcare Institutions Join the Cause

In a significant endorsement, Alexander Kweku Kyei, CEO of Wenchi Methodist Hospital, pledged the hospital’s commitment to the Foundation’s objectives.

He revealed that the facility would integrate the Foundation’s health campaign into its outreach programs to boost screening and treatment efforts.

“Our doors are open to the Amma Busia Memorial Foundation,” said Kyei. “We will work hand in hand to scale up diabetes education and ensure no patient is left behind.”

A Legacy Reimagined

Amma Busia, the sister of Ghana’s late Prime Minister Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, was known not only for her political insight but also for her compassion and commitment to public service. Her memory, through this foundation, is now poised to transform lives across Ghana, beginning in the very town that nurtured her values.

The launch of the Amma Busia Memorial Foundation marks more than the beginning of a non-profit; it represents a movement to inspire healthier lives and brighter futures, led by the spirit of a woman whose life was defined by service.

By Claude Kumi Abisa

Transport fares to go down by 15% effective May 24, 2025

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has called on the government to do more to strengthen and stabilise the cedi as the union reduces transport fares.

According to Bismark Adjin-Frimpong, the Sunyani Main Branch Secretary of the GPRTU, the union was also unhappy when transport fares went up, saying that the appreciation and stability of the cedi, transport fares would be stable and low too.

The GPRTU announced a 15 percent decrease in transport fares, effective Saturday, May 2025.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, Mr Adjin-Frimpong said all was set for the reduction to take effect.

Meanwhile, a cross-section of the public in the Sunyani Municipality had commended the government for the reduction in lorry fares.

They comprise commuters, commercial drivers, tricycle riders, market women, entrepreneurs and petty businesses, saying they welcomed the announcement of the decrease with excitement and joy, hoping that the new fares would be set soon.

“The transport fares are worth reducing considering the appreciation of the cedi against the US dollar as well as a marginal decrease in prices of petroleum products,” Abigail Yeboah, a businesswoman, stated.

Edward Mensah, a commercial driver, commended the government, saying the reduction in lorry fares would correspond to President John Dramani Mahama’s reset Ghana agenda.

“We are also looking to see businesses reducing commodity and food prices as well”, he stated.

Abraham Tetteh, another driver, said he was also hopeful that prices of spare parts would go down, saying the current prices of tyres, batteries and lubricants were very high.

Pyramids netted a stoppage-time equaliser to spoil the party for Mamelodi Sundowns and leave the African Champions League final finely poised at 1-1 after the first leg in Pretoria.

The hosts took the lead at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld eight minutes after half-time when forward Lucas Ribeiro followed up a shot and tucked the ball into the net from just outside the six yard box.

After dominating the second period, fans of the South African club were beginning to celebrate what they thought would be an important victory until Walid El Karti connected with Mohanad Lasheen’s cross and sent his header past Sundowns keeper Ronwen Williams in the 94th minute.

In a tournament where the away goals rule is still in effect, the late leveller could prove enough for first-time finalists Pyramids to lift the new-look Champions League trophy and pick up $4m in prize money.

Only formed in 2008, the club has been transformed into one of Egypt’s top sides since being taken over by Saudi Arabian investors in 2018.

Sundowns, who will play in Fifa’s expanded Club World Cup next month, are chasing their second continental title and are back in the final for the first time since their triumph in 2016.

The two sides will meet again at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday, 1 June (17:00 GMT).

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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 relative of Ama Endorsed has indicated that the female celebrity carpenter was about to get married before she passed
• In a video, the visibly distraught relative talked about the deceased’s beautiful wedding dress which was ready
• Netizens who saw the video were heartbroken and expressed their sympathy in the comments section

A relative of Ghanaian celebrity female carpenter, Ama Endorsed, has opened up about her wedding that was supposed to take place before her untimely demise.

In a video, the female relative, completely heartbroken, was heard wailing and telling the deceased about how beautiful her wedding gown looks.

“Your wedding ring, your wedding outfit is ready and it’s not easy,” the relative was heard saying in the video sighted by YEN.com.gh.

Ama Endorsed goes home

On Saturday, May 24, 2025, the famous Ghanaian female carpenter’s final funeral rites were held at the St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ashaley-Botwe, Accra.

Relatives and friends, including some celebrities, showed up to pay their last respects to her. Her mother and sister could not contain their tears at the event.

At the funeral, it was unveiled that Ama had been preparing to get married and had already begun making arrangements, including making her wedding dress.

It is however unclear who her groom-to-be is.

Watch the video of Ama Endorsed’s relative speaking about her wedding plans below:

Source: YEN.com.gh

Gabriel Asempa Antwi – Accra.

In an address delivered at Jubilee House during a formal audience with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday, president of the Conference, Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, decried the rampant degradation of Ghana’s forests and rivers, warning that the crisis is as much moral as it is environmental.

The ecological damage is grave

“Mr. President, we are also burdened by the devastation of illegal mining. What began as subsistence activity has grown into a threat of national proportion,” he said.

He outlined that over 4,000 hectares of forest cover has been lost within two years, and rivers such as the Pra, Offin, and Ankobra now reduced to “bywords for environmental collapse.”

“The ecological damage is grave, but the social and moral disintegration it breeds is just as perilous,” Bishop Gyamfi added. “We must act—not only with force, but with foresight. Enforcement must be balanced by credible and sustainable alternatives for those driven by desperation,” said Bishop Gyamfi.

An action plan to arrest Galamsey

In one of the most detailed Church-led policy interventions in recent years, the Bishops proposed a comprehensive 7-point action plan to arrest what is locally known as galamsey.

The first is, Repeal of Permissive Legal Instruments: They called for a review and repeal of sections of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and its associated regulations which permit unchecked licensing.

Moratorium on New Licenses: An immediate freeze on new artisanal and small-scale mining licenses until environmental and social reviews are complete.

Some of the Catholic Bishops

Need for a temporary state of emergency

The Bishops also suggest a Targeted State of Emergency: This would be a temporary state of emergency in severely affected zones to halt mining, allow military-led reclamation, and the restoration of lawful governance.

Decentralised Oversight: The formation of district-level mining taskforces with participation from civil society and the Church to monitor and report violations.

Eco-Social Mining Audits: Public, independent audits of the environmental impact, social benefits, and legal compliance of all current mining operations.

Environmental Restoration Fund: Enforce mandatory reclamation bonds and establish a co-governed Restoration Fund involving the State, Church, and Traditional Authorities.

Alternative Livelihood Development: Use part of the Minerals Development Fund to support vocational training and eco-friendly enterprises like agroforestry and aquaculture.

In a technologically progressive recommendation, the bishops also proposed a digital mineral traceability system based on blockchain to stem smuggling, enforce legal compliance, and recover lost state revenues.

After months of relying on the Tordze River for domestic use, despite repeated warnings to use only treated water, residents of Kpetoe can now breathe a sigh of relief.

This follows the construction of mechanised boreholes to serve parts of the Kpetoe Township.

Previously, residents had to walk considerable distances to fetch water from the river, even though the government’s ‘5 Districts Water Supply Project’ had been extended to the Agotime Ziope District.

A treatment plant built decades ago to purify water from the Tordze River has been overwhelmed by increasing demand due to the town’s growing population. The ageing facility has been stretched beyond capacity, resulting in irregular access to clean water and growing frustration among residents.

A resident, Dennis Soku, recounted how the community struggled for clean water.

“At times, we wouldn’t get water for days. We complained, but nothing changed. We were also warned not to drink from the Tordze river, and this has been very challenging for us.”

Speaking to Citi News at the commissioning of two new boreholes for Kpetoe, philanthropist Jeffery Kavianu urged the government to do more.

“The boreholes are a step in the right direction,” Kavianu stated. “But the real issue lies with the old treatment plant. I urge the government to expedite renovation works so that the people of Kpetoe can have consistent and safe access to water.”

Despite the relief these boreholes bring, some community members emphasised the need for a more sustainable, long-term water solution.

“We’re happy, but boreholes are not enough. What we need is a reliable, treated water supply that can serve everyone in the long term.”

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