Sam George, Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation

The Minority Caucus has backed down on their demand for a secret vote on the approval of Sam George, Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.

The Caucus has instead elected to abstain on the matter.

The Minority Caucus had expressed its opposition to Sam George’s nomination as Minister citing his previous criticism of former President Nana Akufo-Addo and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo and his refusal to retract or apologise as reasons for objecting to his nomination.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on February 4, 2025, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin contended that Sam George’s prior comments on these influential people were inappropriate for a ministerial candidate.

The Minority further maintained that, among other things, Mr. George was unable to produce records to back up his assertions about his income sources.

On this point, Afenyo-Markin questioned if he was qualified for the position.

NDC MP, Kwame Governs Agbodza disagreed with this stance.

“Sam George is not the owner of his wife… If your wife owns a business, you need her permission to be able to give details of that business. So the idea that when you’re being vetted, you can be vetted on everything including personal things,” he responded.

The nominees were subsequently approved by the Majority decisiib after the Minority stayed away from the exercise.

The ministerial nominees are:

Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, Human Resources Minister

Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Science and Technology

Minister of Communications, Sam George

Minister of Sports, Kofi Adams

Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe

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A former District Chief Executive for Sekyere Afram Plains, Fuseini Donkor, has revealed the government will be embarking on a project of using bamboo to reclaim lands degraded by illegal mining activities.

According to him, President Mahama sought the collaboration of some foreign partners who have started planting bamboo in the country.

“When you go to Atebubu and Bantama, these foreigners have planted about 15 thousand acres of bamboo. These trees within five years can grow over eight metres,” he said.

Speaking on Nhyira FM’s morning show, “Kuro Yi Mu Nsem,” Mr. Donkor told Nana Kwadwo Jantuah that a feasibility study worth thousands of dollars was conducted by the partners for free on the destroyed lands before initiating the project.

He explained negotiations between President Mahama and the foreigners started during the NDC’s previous tenure.

“It was in 2016, during NDC’s previous term. But when the government changed, things didn’t go as planned. And they decided to plant and wait till the NDC is in power again.

“In 2022, the president pleaded with them to find trees they could plant on lands that are being destroyed by Galamsey practices. Trees that will be productive, can’t be easily destroyed and grow fast,” he stated.

Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant in the world. It has been recorded to grow at an amazing 47.6 inches in 24 hours. They can be used as building materials, food, medicine and air purification.

Mr Donkor explained that the type of bamboo to be used for the reclamation can also be used for ethanol production.

“They have brought us a better type of bamboo. The research shows these have very thick mass. It is not like the normal bamboo with bigger holes inside. The most amazing part of it is that it can be used for ethanol,” he added.

He stated that President Mahama is targeting 1 million acres of land across the country for the plantation.

The former DCE for Sekyere Afram Plains announced the Ashanti region is greatly going to benefit from this project, especially the Sekyere Afram Plains.

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Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin

Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for the Effutu constituency, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has responded to resurfaced reports about his past business debts, emphasizing that he has fully settled all outstanding obligations.

Speaking in an interview on GHOne TV’s State of Affairs with Lantam Papanko, Afenyo-Markin addressed the claims, describing them as outdated publications from nearly a decade ago.

He explained that like any business, his companies, Square Logistics, and Excel Courier, faced financial challenges but ultimately honored all commitments.

“In the life of every business, you go through low moments,” he stated. “I started dealing with Access Bank and Intercontinental Bank in 2009. They financed some trucks for my business. Along the line, we defaulted on loan repayments, and we even sued Access Bank on some issues. However, we resolved it and settled the matter legally.”

The MP clarified that while his companies had financial struggles around 2014-2015, they had since cleared all debts. “Access Bank was paid long ago. My company does not owe them. Both Square Logistics and Excel Courier fully settled their obligations,” he confirmed.

Beyond Access Bank, Afenyo-Markin revealed that his businesses also had financial dealings with Standard Chartered Bank, Barclays, and the National Investment Bank (NIB).

“We owed Standard Chartered and defaulted, but we finished paying over $4 million. Our loan with NIB was also fully settled. When you pay off your loan, the bank releases your collateral and notifies the credit bureau that you no longer owe,” he explained.

Highlighting his extensive business experience, Afenyo-Markin noted that he had managed a group of companies involved in courier, logistics, and transport, working with major clients such as Ghana Bauxite and Ghana Manganese.

He also detailed his role in introducing large-capacity Mahmoud trucks and trailers into Ghana from Dubai and Turkey.

Concluding his remarks, the MP reaffirmed his financial integrity.

“It’s normal for businesses to owe at some point, but what matters is that I paid. I am a person of substance, and I stand by my assets,” he stated.

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Members of Parliament are currently considering the Appointments Committee’s report on ministerial nominees who have been vetted.

The Minority caucus is opposing the approval of Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George.

They accuse him of using unprintable words on former President Akufo-Addo during his vetting and failed to retract the words.

Watch a livestream of the sitting below:

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The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has strongly condemned the attack on the Clerk to the Appointments Committee, Gifty Jiagge-Gobah.

His remarks follow an outburst by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who, during a live televised session last week, accused Gifty Jiagge-Gobah of partisanship.

He alleged that she was working in favour of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the Appointments Committee’s vetting of ministerial nominees on Thursday, January 30.

This accusation triggered a brawl, leading to chaos that disrupted the vetting process.

The Minority Leader further attributed the parliamentary disorder to the Clerk’s handling of the ministerial vetting process, citing a series of miscommunications and procedural lapses.

Mr Afenyo-Markin expressed frustration over how she scheduled and announced the vetting of nominees.

In response to the incident, Speaker Alban Bagbin suspended four MPs and directed the Clerk to lodge a formal complaint with the police.

Speaking on the matter in Parliament on Tuesday, February 4, Speaker Bagbin expressed his displeasure over the attacks on the Clerk to the Appointments Committee.

“As the Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Parliamentary Service Board, I strongly condemn that incident,” he stated.

He stated that the Clerk is a public servant and should not be blamed for the failure of Committee members to resolve their differences.

“This Clerk has worked with us for 19 good years, and she is one of the best Clerks we have had,” he added.

The Speaker clarified that a Clerk to a Committee serves as the chair of the committee’s secretariat and acts as the procedural and technical advisor to both the chairperson and committee members.

Citing Order 266 (3) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, he explained that a committee must convene to consider business at a date and time determined by its chairperson.

“It is the duty of the Clerk to the Committee to transmit the notice of the meeting in accordance with the instructions of the chair and the provisions of Order 270(1)(b),” he stated.

“Therefore, any displeasure by a member on the date, hour of business of consideration at a committee ought to properly be directed at the chair and not the Clerk to the Committee who is duty bound under the said Order to transmit notices and to organise meetings.”

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Dzifa Gomashie is the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts

Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has called on businesses and individuals to prioritise the use of Ghanaian-made goods in the hospitality industry to support local industries and drive national economic growth.

The minister made the appeal during her keynote address at the annual Dinner and Awards Night organised by the management of Coconut Grove Hotel to honour its staff for their hard work and dedication.

Held on the hotel’s premises, the event featured a series of fun-filled activities and the presentation of awards to outstanding employees.

Gomashie seized the opportunity to emphasise the importance of local sourcing in addressing Ghana’s import dependency challenges and fostering a resilient local economy.

She urged businesses in the hospitality industry to explore partnerships with local producers for essential items such as furniture, soaps, and lotions.

“By sourcing locally, businesses can directly contribute to the growth of our economy while creating sustainable opportunities for Ghanaian producers,” the minister stated.

She cited Coconut Grove Hotel as a prime example of a business successfully integrating local products into its operations, encouraging other businesses to follow suit.

Dzifa Gomashie also highlighted the significant role of tourism in Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and commended businesses like Coconut Grove Hotel for their contributions to the sector.

She expressed her commitment to supporting multi-generational Ghanaian enterprises, and called on the hotel to incorporate the government’s “Black Star Experience” programme into its strategic planning.

The initiative, which aimed at driving innovation and change, aligns with the ministry’s vision for a vibrant and sustainable tourism industry.

On his part, Dr. Kweku Nduom, Vice President of Groupe Nduom Ghana, emphasised the contributions of the staff to the hotel’s success and encouraged them to remain steadfast in their efforts.

He reiterated the company’s philosophy of sharing its success with all stakeholders, including shareholders, staff, and their families.

Dr. Nduom also highlighted the hotel’s tradition of recognising top performers, expressing confidence in another successful year ahead.

At the event, staff members were honoured for their outstanding performance throughout the year.

Joyce Kyeremateng was named the Best Worker for 2024, while Samuel Donkor and Samuel Massillino took second and third positions respectively.

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Guinea has officially joined Ghana, Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, and Chad in eliminating human African trypanosomiasis as a public health issue. This achievement was confirmed following validation by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Togo eliminated the disease in 2020, followed by Benin and Côte d’Ivoire in 2021, Uganda and Equatorial Guinea in 2022, Ghana in 2023, and Chad in 2024. The rhodesiense form of the disease was also declared eliminated as a public health problem in Rwanda, with WHO validation in 2022.

The gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis, the only type transmitted in Guinea, becomes the first neglected tropical disease to be eradicated in the country. This milestone is a significant achievement in public health, coinciding with the observance of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day on January 30.

WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the announcement is a testament to the global progress made in combating neglected tropical diseases and a beacon of hope for countries still fighting human African trypanosomiasis.

“Today’s announcement is both a testament to the global progress against neglected tropical diseases and a beacon of hope for nations still battling human African trypanosomiasis,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a parasitic disease transmitted through the bite of infected tsetse flies. Early symptoms include fever, headaches, and joint pain, while more severe stages can lead to neurological issues such as confusion, disturbed sleep, and changes in behavior.

There are two forms of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT): one caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, which is found in 24 countries across West and Central Africa and accounts for more than 92% of cases, and the other caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, present in 13 countries in East and Southern Africa, responsible for the remaining cases.

The primary strategies for controlling sleeping sickness include reducing infection reservoirs and minimizing the presence of the tsetse fly. Screening individuals at risk plays a critical role in early diagnosis, enabling treatment before the disease reaches its advanced stage. Early diagnosis helps avoid complicated and risky treatment procedures while improving the chances of a successful cure.

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Brigadier General Ziblim Bawah Ayorrogo is the Commissioner of the GRA

Brigadier General Ziblim Bawah Ayorrogo, Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division, has announced stringent measures to ensure that only approved goods enter the country while enhancing revenue collection.

Speaking at the 2025 International World Customs Day celebration on the theme “Customs Delivering on its Commitments to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity,” he emphasised the division’s commitment to upholding national safety standards, preventing substandard imports, and safeguarding the country’s borders.

Brigadier General Ayorrogo said that despite challenges in revenue collection, often during the first quarter, largely due to decreased imports after the peak period of November and December, he was optimistic that the division would meet its revenue target once they strived to meet that of the first quarter of the year.

Reading the message from the World Customs Organization (WCO), he highlighted that customs was focused on turning its commitments into concrete actions that would enhance trade facilitation, strengthen security, and promote sustainable economic growth.

“WCO members are reminded of the direction set by the organisation and encouraged to showcase actions taken to build momentum and share measurable progress,” he said.

Explaining the theme, he said efficiency was driven by modernised customs procedures, digital services, data-driven operations, and collaboration with public and private stakeholders, while security entailed customs operations such as safeguarding supply chains, preventing the movement of illicit goods, combating money laundering, and enhancing crisis preparedness.

For prosperity, he underscored the importance of fair revenue collection, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and supporting sustainable economic growth through inclusive policies that address the diverse needs of citizens.

The commissioner called for customs to enhance visibility and communication, showcasing their efforts and results to the government and society, saying, “We are embarking on a path that challenges us to communicate more and better.”

Alhaji Iddrisu Iddisah Seidu, the chairman for the occasion, highlighted the pivotal role of customs in facilitating global trade, protecting national borders, and promoting economic growth, describing their work as often unseen but impactful to businesses and individuals worldwide.

He said this year’s theme was a reminder that their commitment to efficiency, security, and prosperity was unwavering, adding that efficient customs procedures were essential for trade facilitation and economic growth, adding that security remained paramount in protecting the nation’s borders.

Assistant Commissioner Theresah Portakey, Sector Commander of the Tema Customs Division, reaffirmed customs’ dedication to integrity, transparency, and accountability in their operations.

She stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to achieve their goals, saying that collective efforts would foster economic growth and ensure customs’ principles and values resonate in all operations.

The event also recognised individuals and teams whose contributions had significantly advanced customs operations in Ghana.

Presentations on “customs delivering in efficiency, security, and prosperity,” “Ghana Customs then and now,” and “advancing commitment on the theme through higher specialised education on customs administration.”

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