The dealers argue that their current stock was purchased when the exchange rate was significantly higher, making it economically unfeasible to reduce prices at this time.

This stance contrasts with a directive from the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, which has urged members to adjust prices in line with the cedi’s recovery.

Speaking to Citi Business News, several dealers explained that price reductions would only be possible once they are able to restock at the current, more favourable exchange rates.

“For now maybe it can’t be possible because we ordered the goods at a certain rate which is higher than what we are seeing now. With that price we have to sell and when the goods finish and you are ordering another one with a reduced [exchange] rate, then definitely the prices will come down,” said Francis Appiagyei, a spare parts dealer at Abossey Okai.

Yaw Ansong, another dealer, echoed the sentiment. “Unless I sell the one which I already ordered and finish before I can reduce the [price] of the goods. I haven’t ordered new one so I can’t reduce the price. If I reduce the price I am going to lose my job,” he stated.

For others, price reductions may come—but only if the cedi’s performance remains stable over time.

“We have come to understand that the dollar is down and the cedi is also going up so we are going to do what they say but not now. We will go down on prices when we see the dollar is still stable at where it is,” Eric Osei Danso explained.

England will be the first country in the world to start vaccinating people against the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhoea.

It will not be available for everyone. The focus will mainly be on gay and bisexual men with a history of multiple sexual partners or an STI.

The vaccine is 30-40% effective, but NHS England hopes it will reverse soaring numbers of infections.

There were more than 85,000 cases in 2023 – the highest since records began in 1918.

Gonorrhoea does not always have symptoms, but they can include pain, unusual discharge, inflammation of the genitals and infertility.

How many people will chose to be immunised is uncertain.

But projections by Imperial College London show that if the jab proves popular then it could prevent 100,000 cases and save the NHS nearly £8m over the next decade.

Max, a sexual health campaigner, told BBC Newsbeat he would “100%” take the vaccine after being diagnosed with gonorrhoea twice within a year.

“I think this is great that it’s been announced”, he says, adding: “It’s going to take the pressure off the clinics, it’s just a big win all round.”

Vaccination will start in August and will be offered through sexual health services.

Public Health Scotland said it was also working on plans to launch its own programme for high-risk individuals.

BBC Newsbeat has asked health bodies in Wales and Northern Ireland whether they intend to do the same.

Is it effective enough?

This vaccine wasn’t designed for gonorrhoea. It’s the meningitis B vaccine currently given to babies.

But the bacteria that cause the two diseases are so closely related that the MenB jab appears to cut gonorrhoea cases by around a third.

That will require a delicate conversation in sexual health clinics as the vaccine will not eliminate the risk of catching gonorrhoea. It is normally caught while having sex without a condom.

But Prof Andrew Pollard, the chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which recommended the vaccine, said despite it only being 30% effective, it was “worth having” and could have “a huge impact” overall.

The decision is not just about the record numbers of cases. Gonorrhoea is becoming increasingly difficult to treat.

Most cases are treated with a single dose of antibiotics, but there is an 80-year history of the bacterium which causes gonorrhoea repeatedly evolving resistance to our antibiotics.

It’s happening to the current treatments too and is why some doctors are concerned gonorrhoea could one-day become untreatable.

The best way to deal with a drug-resistant infection is to never catch it in the first place.

Dr Amanda Doyle, from NHS England, said: “The launch of a world-first routine vaccination for gonorrhoea is a huge step forward for sexual health and will be crucial in protecting individuals, helping to prevent the spread of infection and reduce the rising rates of antibiotic resistant strains of the bacteria.”

The people most affected by gonorrhoea in the UK are those aged 16-to-25, gay and bisexual men, and those of black and Caribbean ancestry.

The vaccine – which costs around £8 per dose – is value for money when primarily offered to gay and bisexual men, rather than all teenagers.

However, clinicians do have the freedom to use their own judgement and offer the vaccine to people using sexual health services they think are of equally high risk.

People will be offered mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), HPV and hepatitis vaccines at the same time.

Prof Matt Phillips, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, said: “This is excellent news and a landmark moment for sexual health in England.

“Gonorrhoea diagnoses are at their highest since records began and this has the potential to help us to turn that around.”

It is not known how long the protection provided by the vaccine will last or how often booster jabs might be required.

The decision comes almost a year and a half after a vaccination programme was recommended by the UK’s JCVI.

Sexual health campaigners had criticised the long wait, but have welcomed this decision.

Katie Clark, head of policy and advocacy at the Terrance Higgins Trust, called it a “huge win”.

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.

The fate of US President Donald Trump’s centrepiece budget plan remains mired in uncertainty despite a last-minute, in-person pitch to House Republicans on Tuesday.

Trump departed the comfortable confines of the White House for a far more raucous setting – Capitol Hill – where he tried to rally squabbling factions within his party to back his “big, beautiful” bill.

Some members are at odds over changes to healthcare and tax deductions in the bill, which also includes about $4.9tr (€3.7tn) in tax breaks.

Trump, who wants it passed by 26 May, is amping up pressure on Republicans to support it. Some conservative hardliners pushing for deeper cuts are meeting fierce resistance from moderates.

It was obvious something big was happening on Capitol Hill from blocks away, as lines to get into different congressional buildings wrapped around blocks.

That, coupled with scurrying Secret Service agents lining the halls, were just some of the signs of a distinguished guest: Trump.

While Trump’s pitch earned him the support of some House Republicans, not all left the meeting enthused and ready to support the bill.

The measure still needs to pass a full House vote before it heads to the Senate, where Republicans there have their own qualms with the legislation.

Trump downplayed dissent from some conservatives when he spoke to reporters after meeting House Republicans.

“This was a meeting of love; there was great unity in that room,” Trump said. “We’re going to have a great victory.”

Others in his party weren’t so emphatic. “As it stands right now, I do not support the bill,” said Congressman Mike Lawler of New York.

The president has emphasised that the bill gets rid of the “waste, fraud and abuse” included in the budget, but not all Republican members agreed on what that means.

Much of the division in the party centres on changes to state and local tax deductions – known as Salt. The bill proposes to triple the allowable deduction from $10,000 to $30,000 for couples.

That’s irked Republicans in states with higher taxes, such as New York, California and New Jersey, who are pushing for a higher cap. Lawmakers in those states argue a higher cap will give relief for middle-class Americans in high-taxed jurisdictions.

Mike Lawler appeared frustrated, saying he wouldn’t back the measure in the upcoming full house vote.

“While I respect the president, I’m not budging on it,” Lawler said.

About half a dozen members are similarly standing firm, threatening to hold out support.

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, a New York Republican who previously expressed some scepticism about the Salt proposals, said she is satisfied with how the issue has been resolved but does not blame other representatives for pushing back.

“They’re fighting for their districts, and they should be, but when it comes time to vote for the bill, it’s get the best deal possible and vote for the bill” Malliotakis said.

Beyond the Salt dissenters, Republicans in both legislative chambers remain divided on perhaps the most contentious element of the bill – cuts to the healthcare program designed to assist lower-income Americans.

Some support tightening eligibility requirements for Medicaid, while others fear the proposal goes too far.

The bill currently would require that states deny Medicaid coverage, which is offered for free or a very low-cost, if able-bodied Americans using the programme are not working at least 80 hours a month or undertaking other community options – from 2029, after Trump has left office.

In private meetings with Republicans, Trump reportedly sought to ease concerns that his planned cuts were too deep.

Congressman Jodey Arrington, chair of the budget committee, said members found Trump’s pitch convincing.

“His push to unify, keep the focus on reducing spending, on rooting out waste and reminding us what’s at stake was exactly the right message, and the right tone,” Arrington said.

However, that view wasn’t universal.

“The president I don’t think convinced enough people that the bill is adequate the way it is,” said Republican Representative Andy Harris, who leads the hard-right House Freedom Caucus. He’s among Republicans pushing for deeper cuts to Medicaid.

Last week, the legislation failed to pass a key a procedural committee vote, giving Trump his first legislative bruise of his second term.

On Sunday, days after the first vote failed, the bill cleared its first hurdle and passed the committee in a 17-16 vote.

Trump is now lobbying Republicans as the bill heads for a full House vote where his party has a narrow majority and cannot afford to lose support.

A full House vote is expected on Wednesday or Thursday.

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.

Transport unions have announced a 15% reduction in fares

The Public Relations Officer of the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana, David Agboado, has cautioned drivers who do not comply with the directive to reduce transportation fares by 15%.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on the Happy Morning Show, David Agboado emphasised that any driver who does not comply with the directive to reduce transportation fares by 15% will be arrested and prosecuted.

“We will arrest and prosecute all drivers who do not comply with the directive,” he said.

Agboado added that the association is pleased with the decision and has welcomed the reduction wholeheartedly.

He further stated that the reduction was agreed upon following broad consultations with the government and other stakeholders.

John Jinapor is the Minister of Energy and Green Transition

The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has accused the Minority in Parliament of ‘setting him up’ and then falsely accusing him of prioritising media headlines over addressing the persistent challenges facing the energy sector.

Speaking at a recent workshop organised by the Energy Committee of Parliament, Mr Jinapor disclosed that the country was left with 2.6 days of liquid fuel stock to power its thermal plants. However, he added that there is no cause for alarm, as the country has imported light crude oil that is expected to arrive soon.

Members of the Minority, however, argue that such public pronouncements risk inciting public panic and could send negative signals to investors and the broader business community.

Addressing journalists in Parliament on Monday, 19th May, the Ranking Member on the Energy Committee, George Kwame Aboagye, expressed serious concern over the Minister’s approach.

Mr. Aboagye urged the Minister to shift his focus from what he described as “media theatrics” and instead prioritise the urgent task of stabilising Ghana’s struggling energy sector.

He emphasized that the days of dumsor (persistent power outages) should be over, and the government must ensure that the country does not suffer frequent power disruptions.

“In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, and members of the press: One, the patience of the Ghanaian people is wearing thin. Two, we demand action and results from the Minister of Energy and the government. Three, it is time to stop the talking and turn the lights on—because Nana Akufo-Addo did the same.

“Four, businesses are collapsing. Five, the Minority MPs, especially those on the Energy Committee, are urging the Minister to take immediate action. Six, dumsor is slowing down the economy. Seven, the honeymoon is over, Mr. Minister. Eight, enough is enough,” the Minority stated.

However, speaking in an interview with Metro TV on Tuesday, 20th May 2025, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, expressed surprise at the conduct of the Minority.

“I am surprised by the Minority. I was in my office working when they invited me to brief them on the state of Ghana’s energy situation—the challenges and what we are doing to address them. As Minister, I obliged. I went to give the briefing, and they brought in the press to cover it. The press reported on it, and now the same Minority is asking why the Minister is talking.

“I did not invite the press, nor was I seeking publicity. They brought the press and I provided the facts—our debt situation, fuel reserves, generating capacity, and our interventions to address the inherited challenges.

“In providing the data, I stated that we had two days and six hours’ worth of light crude oil for one of the plants. I didn’t say there would be load shedding. I didn’t say a crisis was imminent. I even mentioned that we had imported 450,000 barrels of light crude oil to supplement our current stock.

“But for some reason, some media outlets focused on the ‘two days, six hours’ part and portrayed it as though a crisis was looming. As Minister, I had to correct that narrative and reassure the public that while the reserve was indeed 2.6 days, there was no cause for alarm as additional fuel was on the way.

“Then the same Minority held a press conference and accused me of talking too much. They even demanded that I publish a load shedding timetable—despite the fact that at the meeting, I had given them data on our generation capacity and demand. I also informed them that, in order to meet local demand, we had reduced electricity exports to virtually zero.

“So I ask: If we are not shedding load, how do you publish a load shedding timetable?” he questioned.

NPP ‘set me up’ but… – @JohnJinapor hits back at Minority & clarifies 2.6 days fuel cover comment#GoodMorningGhana #MetroTV pic.twitter.com/3wJbCLxQHi

— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) May 20, 2025

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After the heavy rains over the weekend, a lot of debris have been left across many parts of Accra. Watch some of the destructions below:

The central bank is tightening its grip on liquidity faster than it did a year ago, significantly scaling up its open market operations in the first four months of 2025 as inflation stays sticky around the 20 percent range amid fiscal pressures.

The Bank of Ghana mopped up a total GH¢79.8billion through its liquidity absorption operations between January and April 2025 – marking a 76.6 percent jump from GH¢ 45.1billion during the same period last year.

The surge in tightening was most pronounced in April, when the central bank drained a record GH¢33.3billion from the financial system following it’s 123rd Monetary Policy Committee meeting in March 2025.

The aggressive absorption comes as BoG contends with enduring inflationary momentum and a need to sterilise excess liquidity carried over from an expansionary 2024 fiscal stance. This also signals a firm commitment to anchor inflation expectations and maintain macroeconomic stability under Ghana’s IMF-supported reform programme.

“The need for a policy reset has become more compelling to re-anchor inflation expectations,” the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee said in its March statement.

BoG added that tight liquidity management, reinforced by complementary policy tools, is crucial to keeping disinflation on track.

The data indicate a possible shift from a relatively conservative approach in 2024 to a more aggressive stance in 2025. The total mop-up in just four months of 2025 represents nearly 60 percent of the entire 2024 total of GH¢134billion, underscoring BoG’s intensified effort to control money supply and stabilise the macroeconomic environment.

While January 2025 saw a dip in mop-up compared to the previous year, February and March 2025 reversed that trend with auctions rising to GH¢15.5billion and GH¢21.6billion respectively. These are well above 2024 averages for the same months and indicate heightened liquidity-tightening measures.

The sharp uptick reflects a deliberate policy stance aimed at draining excess liquidity from the banking system and aligning short-term rates with tighter monetary conditions.

OMO instruments, once a routine tool of liquidity fine-tuning, have taken centre-stage in BoG’s tightening toolkit. The central bank recently introduced a 273-day sterilisation bill and launched a review of the cash reserve ratio framework to further strengthen monetary policy transmission.

Despite the liquidity tightening, short-term yields on Treasury bills have been on a decline. Last week’s auction saw the 91-day and 182-day bills ease 7bps each to 15.16 percent and 15.70 percent respectively, while the 364-day bill fell 15bps to 16.80 percent w/w.

Inflation softens, but core pressures persist

The central bank’s aggressive mop-up appears to be bearing early fruit. Headline inflation eased to 21.2 percent in April from 22.4 percent in March – well below the 41.2 percent rate recorded a year earlier. The deceleration was largely due to falling food prices, a steady cedi and favourable base effects. Still, month-on-month inflation edged up to 0.8 percent from 0.2 percent – signalling that price pressures remain embedded in the system.

Core inflation- which strips out volatile food and energy prices – remains elevated, underscoring BoG’s cautious tone.

“While headline inflation has declined marginally, it remains a concern,” the MPC warned, pointing to persistent second-round effects from supply shocks and fiscal policy spillovers.

With the disinflation path still fragile, BoG delivered a 100-basis point policy rate hike in March – its first increase in several months – bringing the benchmark rate to 28 percent. The move reinforced a hawkish pivot after a brief pause, as policymakers stressed that a tighter stance would help cement inflation expectations and discourage speculative pressures on the currency.

Cedi resurgence

Investor appetite, however, remains robust. Strong demand at auctions has been driven by improved macroeconomic sentiment and relatively stable exchange rate conditions.

The cedi’s resurgence, after depreciating 19.2 percent against the US dollar in 2024, has been a central factor in this turnaround. Since the start of 2025, the currency has appreciated by 10.5 percent – strengthening from GH¢14.71 to the dollar in December 2024 to GH¢13.31 by end of the first week in May 2025. The gains have also been felt against the British pound and euro, with respective year-to-date appreciations of 5.9 percent and 5.8 percent.

OMO tightening has also served to shore-up the cedi among other contributing factors such as the gold for reserve programme, which has over the past weeks been appreciating against all major currencies… especially the US dollar.

At close of the last week’s trading – Friday, May 16, 2025 – the cedi gained 2.26 percent w/w against the US dollar, 3.50 percent w/w against the British pound and 3.68 percent w/w against the euro. The exchange rates quoted at the mid-rates of GH¢13.30/$ (+16.73% YTD), GH¢17.15/£ (+12.24 percent YTD) and GH¢14.95/€ (+7.69 percent YTD).

The central bank’s strategy of absorbing surplus liquidity has helped stem speculative currency pressures while preserving external balance.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD), Sammy Gyamfi

The National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana has formally requested a one-month extension of the deadline for submitting applications for the Gold Buyers Licence, currently set for 21 May 2025.

The request was made in a letter dated 20 May 2025, signed by the association’s president, Mr Michael Kwadwo Peprah, and addressed to the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD), Sammy Gyamfi.

In the letter, the association acknowledged GOLDBOD’s initiative to regulate gold purchases and curb illegal mining, money laundering, and gold smuggling.

However, it highlighted significant challenges faced by many of its members in compiling the required documentation within the stipulated timeframe.

These documents include Tax Clearance Certificates, Business Operating Permits, Environmental Protection Permits, SSNIT Clearance Certificates, GRA Certificates, Police reports, and other regulatory requirements, which according to the association have proven time-consuming and cumbersome to obtain.

The association noted that a significant number of its members have been unable to complete their online applications, leaving them pending. It argued that extending the deadline by an additional month would provide small-scale miners with sufficient time to meet all requirements and participate fully in the licensing process.

“We believe that granting this extension will not only ensure broader compliance but also support your agency’s goal of fostering a transparent and responsible gold trading ecosystem in Ghana,” the letter stated.

The association appealed for fairness and inclusion, emphasising its commitment to supporting proper regulation of the small-scale mining sector.

The request follows GOLDBOD’s earlier decision to extend the application deadline from 30 April 2025 to 21 May 2025, providing an additional three weeks for gold dealers and small-scale mining companies to reapply for licences, as announced by Sammy Gyamfi on April 30, 2025.

GA

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD), Sammy Gyamfi

The National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana has formally requested a one-month extension of the deadline for submitting applications for the Gold Buyers Licence, currently set for 21 May 2025.

The request was made in a letter dated 20 May 2025, signed by the association’s president, Mr Michael Kwadwo Peprah, and addressed to the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD), Sammy Gyamfi.

In the letter, the association acknowledged GOLDBOD’s initiative to regulate gold purchases and curb illegal mining, money laundering, and gold smuggling.

However, it highlighted significant challenges faced by many of its members in compiling the required documentation within the stipulated timeframe.

These documents include Tax Clearance Certificates, Business Operating Permits, Environmental Protection Permits, SSNIT Clearance Certificates, GRA Certificates, Police reports, and other regulatory requirements, which according to the association have proven time-consuming and cumbersome to obtain.

The association noted that a significant number of its members have been unable to complete their online applications, leaving them pending. It argued that extending the deadline by an additional month would provide small-scale miners with sufficient time to meet all requirements and participate fully in the licensing process.

“We believe that granting this extension will not only ensure broader compliance but also support your agency’s goal of fostering a transparent and responsible gold trading ecosystem in Ghana,” the letter stated.

The association appealed for fairness and inclusion, emphasising its commitment to supporting proper regulation of the small-scale mining sector.

The request follows GOLDBOD’s earlier decision to extend the application deadline from 30 April 2025 to 21 May 2025, providing an additional three weeks for gold dealers and small-scale mining companies to reapply for licences, as announced by Sammy Gyamfi on April 30, 2025.

GA

An Accra Circuit Court has ordered a mental evaluation for Adina-Akapo Abdou Moudjibou, a businessman extradited from Togo over a series of robberies.  

Moudjibou, charged with robbery, had his plea reserved.  

His alleged accomplice, Marzouk Alidu, a motor rider, is facing a charge of abetment of crime.  

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Richard Amoah, prosecuting, told the court that Moudjibou began exhibiting unusual behaviour after his caution statement was taken.  

ASP Amoah requested the court to order a psychiatric evaluation, stating that Moudjibou’s condition had worsened to the extent that he sometimes defecated and consumed the waste.  

The prosecution also sought to amend the charge sheet, which previously indicated Moudjibou was at large, despite his extradition from Togo through police collaboration.  

The court, presided over by Basilia Adjei Tawiah, did not take pleas and remanded Moudjibou into National Intelligence Bureau custody.  

Alidu was granted bail but has yet to fulfil the conditions.  

The case was adjourned to June 3, 2025.  

The complainant, Dr Jemimah Asare Morjah, a medical doctor at Accra Regional Hospital, resides in East Legon.  

On April 13, 2024, around 0300 hours, Alidu allegedly entered her bedroom through the washroom window, masked and armed, demanding valuables.  

He ransacked the room and stole $200,000 in cash, a gold waist chain worth GH₵20,000, a gold necklace worth GH₵18,000, assorted jewellery worth GH₵5,000, and a registered CZ 75.5P pistol belonging to her husband, Agbenyo Clement Edem. 

Alidu packed the stolen items into a backpack, warned the complainant to remain inside, and fled.  

Police investigations confirmed the robbery, revealing that Moudjibou had transported Alidu to the scene on a motorbike.  

On September 4, 2024, Alidu was arrested at East Airport after another robbery involving Moudjibou.  

During interrogation, Alidu admitted transporting Moudjibou to the complainant’s house for the robbery and later picking him up.  

He provided police with Moudjibou’s contact details and led officers to Madina Libya Quarters, but Moudjibou escaped.  

On September 7, 2024, Alidu led police to the crime scene for reconstruction and pointed out where he dropped Moudjibou.  

He also directed officers to other locations linked to similar robberies.  

An arrest warrant was issued for Moudjibou, and Interpol was alerted.  

On January 30, 2025, Interpol Togo informed Ghana Police of Moudjibou’s arrest in Lomé.  

He was extradited to Ghana on May 14, 2025, for prosecution.  

That same day, an identification parade was conducted at CID Headquarters, but Alidu failed to recognise Moudjibou as his accomplice.  

However, in his caution statement, Moudjibou admitted involvement in multiple robberies, aided by a motor rider and Mohammed Djando, who remains at large.  

Investigations continue. 

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.

Ayew is the most capped Ghanaian footballer, with a record 120 appearances and 24 goals for Ghana

Former Ghana captain Andre Morgan Ayew is set to become a free agent as his contract with Le Havre ends on 30 June 2025.

Ayew rejoined the French Ligue 1 outfit on a short-term deal, helping the club escape relegation at the weekend. His performances, in fact, overshadowed the side’s struggles in the recently concluded campaign.

The experienced forward lasted 64 minutes as his team secured a 3-2 victory over Strasbourg to cement their place in the top flight.

With his contract expiring and no renewal talks yet underway, the former Swansea star could depart the club for a new challenge.

After joining Le Havre in October 2024, the high-profile Ghanaian attacker made 28 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing one assist during this period.

Ayew will need to find a new club if he is unable to renew his contract with the French Ligue 1 side.

The 35-year-old forward has had an illustrious career, featuring for several clubs in Europe, including Marseille, West Ham United, Swansea City, Fenerbahce, and others. He recently marked his 500th career game in the just-concluded season.

The former Swansea City and Marseille star has not featured for the Black Stars since his involvement in international friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda in March 2024.

Ayew is the most capped Ghanaian footballer, with a record 120 appearances and 24 goals for Ghana.

Transport unions have announced a 15% reduction in fares

Some residents of Nungua have expressed appreciation to the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) for its decision to reduce transportation fares by 15 per cent.

The reduction, which will take effect from 24 May 2025, follows a decline in fuel prices across the country.

According to the residents, the move brings significant relief to commuters who have been burdened by the high cost of transportation in recent months, stating that this action by the GPRTU demonstrates a commitment to the welfare of ordinary Ghanaians.

The residents are now calling on the Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) to emulate the GPRTU’s gesture by reviewing and reducing the prices of goods, especially food items and household products, as soon as possible.

They argue that, although fuel prices have fallen, the prices of essential goods remain high, adding that a reduction in these prices would help improve living conditions and reduce inflation.

They further noted that traders have a role to play in easing economic pressure on households.

Ms Okainley Teye, a businesswoman, said, “Things are hard, so this small reduction means a lot to some of us. I thank the GPRTU for listening to the people; they have done so well. It’s important we feel the impact of the drop in fuel prices.”

Mr George Adjetey, a teacher who commutes daily from Nungua to Tema, noted that the decision sets a good example for other organisations, stating, “This is the kind of leadership we want to see. If fuel prices go down, then fares should go down too; the GPRTU has shown they are serious about fairness.”

Mr Solomon Mensah, a welder, asked, “Why are food prices still the same when fuel prices and transport costs have reduced? We expect GUTA and market leaders to also bring down prices; traders cannot continue to use high transport fares as an excuse.”

Meanwhile, some commercial drivers have expressed hope that the fare reduction will attract more passengers and help restore public confidence in the transport sector.

“When we increase fares, people complain; some even stop boarding cars for a while. Now that we are about to reduce them, we expect more passengers to come on board,” Mr Nana Kwame Agyekum, a driver, said.

An Accra High Court, Commercial Division will hear the trial of an alleged breach of the distribution agreement contract between Dram Oil and Trading Limited and Alfapetro Ghana Limited on June 10, 2025. 

Dram Oil (the Plaintiff) wants an order to recover the sum of USD 887,671.69 (or 11,362,197.63 equivalent, calculated using the March 2024 prevailing exchange rate of GH12.8 to $1) being the principal of under-recoveries money due to it and received by Alfapetro Ghana Limited (Defendant) from the National Petroleum Authority under the category labelled Tranche 1, but which the defendant allegedly refused or failed to pay over to the plaintiff. 

It also wants an order for an interest on the sum of $887,671.69 in Tranche 1, currently standing at 54,458,449.38, being the applicable interest rate of 46 per cent per annum. 

This will include the facility interest rate incurred by the plaintiff on account of the defendant’s default, calculated from December 2013, when the defendant ought to have disclosed and liquidated  

Tranche 1’s payments to the plaintiff in respect of the under-recovery monies they received thereto, until December 2023, when the Amended Writ of Summons and statement of Claim was issued, with the accrued interest to be recalculated at the date of final payment. 

The plaintiff again wants a recovery of the sum of $79,977.26 (or GH¢1,023,708.93 equivalent, calculated using the March 2024 prevailing exchange rate of GH12.8 to USD 1). 

It said this was the principal of under-recoveries money due to the plaintiff and received by the defendant from the Petroleum Authority under the category labelled Tranche 2, but which the defendant allegedly refused or failed to pay over to the plaintiff. 

“Interest on the sum $79,977.26 Tranche 2, currently standing at 3,767,248.87 being applicable interest rate of 46 per cent  per annum,” it said. 

This included the facility interest rate incurred by the plaintiff on account of the Defendant’s default calculated from April 2016 when the defendant ought to have liquidated Tranche 2’s payments to the plaintiff in respect of the under recovery monies they received thereto, until March 2024 when the Amended Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim was issued, with the accrued interest to be re-calculated at the date of final payment. 

Dram Oil wants a recovery of the sum of $1,325,207.45 or the Ghana Cedis equivalent, calculated using the March 2024 prevailing exchange rate of GH¢12.8 to USD 1, being the principal of direct sales proceeds outstanding and due to the plaintiff and received by the defendant from the OMCs but which defendant has allegedly failed to pay. 

It required an interest on the sum $1,325,207.45 in direct sales, which currently stands at GH¢78,028,214.50, being an applicable interest rate of 46 per cent per annum. 

 The facility interest rate incurred by the plaintiff on account of the defendant’s default, calculated from December 2013, when the defendant ought to have disclosed and paid to the plaintiff the direct sales of monies received from the OMCs, until December 2023, with the accrued interest to be recalculated at the date of final payment. 

The plaintiff states that sometime in 2012, the Managing Director of the defendant, Mr. Eric Forson, contacted the Chief Executive Officer of the plaintiff, Mr. Randolph Koranteng, to plead with him to consider giving him and his company, the defendant, a distribution contract for some of the plaintiff’s oil trading work which it was undertaking. 

The plaintiff averred that based on Mr. Forson’s pleas of business from the plaintiff and on account of the plaintiff CEO’s willingness to assist Mr. Forson with some business, on or about September 13, 2012, it entered into a distribution agreement with the defendant to distribute 7,100 metric tons of petroleum products which the plaintiff had imported into the country for sale using a credit facility, being Letters of Credit, worth $9,993,529.00. 

The Letter of Credit was issued to the plaintiff by the then UT Bank Ghana Limited (now defunct and taken over by GCB Bank Limited) pursuant to a Trade Finance Credit Facility Line established with the said bank. 

The plaintiff states that under the terms of this distribution agreement executed with the defendant, it agreed to distribute the said products on behalf of the Dram Oil and was also responsible for issuing proforma invoices to oil marketing companies provided by the plaintiff showing the quantity, price and load point of the said product. 

It said it was agreed with the defendant that the defendant was to pay all proceeds realised from the sale of the products into a specific Collection Account at UT Bank established by Dram Oil. 

 ”The plaintiff avers that by so doing, the parties also agreed that the defendant will be entitled to a distribution fee of US$8.00 per metric ton of the products distributed, and for which full payments  

were duly effected to the defendant,” it added. 

It said following the execution of the distribution agreement, sometime after December 2012 and at least by the end of January 2013, the defendant had completed the distribution of the 7,100 metric tons of petroleum products purchased and imported by the plaintiff. 

It said rather that the defendant, through Mr. Forson, had since then allegedly refused, ignored or neglected to pay the full underrecoveries received from the Authority for the distribution of the plaintiff’s cargo, which underrecoveries was due to the plaintiff by reason of the terms of the distribution agreement. 

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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.

The Minister made the announcement in his keynote address at the Urban Property Tax Workshop

Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister of Local Government, Religious and Chieftaincy Affairs, has announced the government’s decision to abolish the centralised collection of property tax by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

He said the decision reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fiscal decentralisation and empowering Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

The Minister made the announcement in his keynote address at the Urban Property Tax Workshop, organised by the Africa Cities Research Consortium in collaboration with the People’s Dialogue on Human Rights Settlement and Local Government Network (LOGNET).

The three-day workshop brings together city managers, policymakers, and international experts to strategise on improving property tax systems in Ghana and across Africa.

Key focus areas include adopting digital tools for efficient tax administration, enhancing local capacity for revenue mobilisation, and ensuring taxpayer confidence through visible service delivery.

The Minister stated that the centralisation of key revenue items for the assemblies, such as property tax, had denied them significant Internally Generated Funds (IGF), thus affecting the delivery of essential services to local areas.

This centralised collection of property tax, according to the Minister, undermined the decentralisation of fiscal policy measures for the assemblies.

“The President has been emphatic: we are not going to centralise property rate collection. The suspension of the GRA’s vendor arrangement in the 2023 budget was just the beginning. We are now fully returning this responsibility to the MMDAs to enhance their revenue mobilisation and service delivery,” he said.

The Minister announced the government’s plans to ensure and promote fiscal decentralisation, including proposals to reintroduce municipal bonds and enact a Local Government Borrowing Act to enable MMDAs to access capital markets for development projects.

Mr Ibrahim called for institutional collaboration between the Land Valuation Division, local government authorities, and the private sector to address challenges with the updated land valuation.

He urged stakeholders to leverage the workshop to share best practices, explore digital solutions for property tax administration, and improve compliance through transparency and citizen engagement.

The Minister also highlighted the ministry’s partnership with the ACRC in producing the Accra City Foundation Report, which identified key reform areas in urban governance, including land and property taxation.

There have been incidents of flooding following the recent rains

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has disclosed that it does not have enough relief items to support flood victims displaced during the heavy downpour on Sunday, 18 May 2025.

According to the Deputy Director General of Protocol and Relief at NADMO, Mr Samuel Aboagye, although the organisation is always ready to serve victims with much-needed relief items, it remains constrained due to insufficient resources.

In an interview on Accra-based 3FM, Mr Samuel Aboagye said, “Our teams are on the ground to monitor the situation, and based on that—whether it is 10, 100, or 50 people who are critically affected—we will provide support to those individuals. If the resources are not adequate to serve everyone, we will request assistance from the district assemblies and head office to come to our aid. But, indeed, we do not have enough resources to help all these people when it hits us hard.”

He further urged affected individuals to exercise restraint as NADMO officials work diligently to provide the necessary support to help them recover from the trauma caused by the unexpected flood.

“Please bear with us when you don’t receive the needed relief items on time. We are managing with what we have,” he pleaded.

He added, “We had signals that we were going to get more rain than usual, so we, as an organisation, were prepared for any circumstance.”

NADMO has officially confirmed that over 3,000 people have been displaced and four people have been confirmed dead following the heavy rainstorm that hit Accra and its environs on Sunday, 18 May 2025.

“Over 3,000 residents have been displaced, with four deaths recorded so far—one from Abokobi and three from Adenta—following Sunday’s downpour.”

File photo: The economist indicated that the majority of goods sold in Ghana are imported

Ghanaian economist, Mr Emmanuel Amoah, has revealed that the cost of many goods sold in Ghana remains unchanged despite the cedi’s strength due to long shipping times.

“There are certain goods that take time to buy and time to sell. Cars, for instance, unlike consumables like tomatoes, will take some time before the change reflects in their pricing,” he stated.

Speaking in an interview on Happy 98.9FM’s Happy Morning Show, the economist indicated that the majority of goods sold in Ghana are imported and purchased at high prices.

“The turnaround time that traders observe is highly important because it is also a factor that contributes to the pricing of goods,” he explained.

Mr Amoah encouraged traders to set prices that correlate with the strength of the cedi against the dollar, as other sectors implement changes.

“Once the cedi has been strengthened, you should do the right thing by also allowing the changes to reflect in the pricing of your goods,” he urged.

The Amasaman Circuit Court has sentenced an apprentice to three years’ imprisonment in hard labour for stealing his trainer’s cameras and other valuables.  

Benjamin Okyere was convicted of stealing two R10 Canon cameras worth GH¢30,000, along with a silver bracelet and wristwatch valued at GH¢500.  

His alleged accomplice, Bernard Nwaeze, was arraigned for purchasing one of the stolen cameras, valued at GH¢18,000.  

Okyere denied the charge but was found guilty after trial and sentenced to three years.  

Nwaeze was granted GH¢30,000 bail with two sureties but has since absconded.  

Police Chief Inspector Frederick Awuah-Ansah told the court, presided over by Justice Enid Marful-Sau, that the complainant, Francis Sarkodie, a photographer, resides in Achiaman near Amasaman.  

Okyere, a labourer, and Nwaeze, a phone repairer, both live in Nungua.  

On December 2, 2023, Sarkodie reported to Amasaman Police that Okyere had stolen his cameras, jewellery, and gone into hiding.  

Efforts to trace him failed until June 6, 2024, when police arrested both suspects following a tip-off.  

Investigations revealed Okyere sold one camera to Nwaeze for GH¢1,000 and sent the other to his hometown, Peki, but police were unable to recover it.  

During questioning, both men admitted to the offence. They were subsequently charged and arraigned. 

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File photo of Apostle Isaac Owusu Bempah preaching in his church and Afia Schwarzenegger

Afia Schwarzenegger, an outspoken character on social media, has taken a swipe at the head pastor of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International, Apostle Isaac Owusu Bempah, over the latter’s recent comments targeted at the opposition New Patriotic Party.

The New Patriotic Party which was voted out of power during last year’s elections has over the past weeks been a topic for discussion for the renowned man of God.

He has been holding some sessions in his church, addressing political matters with his primary focus on the New Patriotic Party.

Regarding some of his comments, Apostle Owusu Bempah states the New Patriotic Party won’t win the 2028 elections.

He claims until the New Patriotic Party comes to see him to help them elect their next flagbearer, the party will suffer a similar fate as they did in the 2024 general elections.

These comments and others have infuriated Afia who, speaking in a video on TikTok, has warned Owusu Bempah to stop involving himself in the affairs of the party.

She cautioned the Apostle saying “stay away from the NPP. Stop your unnecessary comments against the NPP”.

Afia, visibly annoyed with Owusu Bempah and his continued remarks about the New Patriotic Party, further stated; “Rev Owusu Bempah, if you say you are no longer a supporter of the NPP, then remain in your grave.”

AME

Pep Guardiola has said he will quit as manager of Manchester City if he is given a big squad to select from after the summer transfer market.

A number of Man City’s senior players were not included in the squad for Tuesday’s 3-1 win against Bournemouth and Guardiola says he is unhappy at leaving so many players out.

Abdukodir Khusanov, Savinho, James McAtee, Claudio Echeverri and Rico Lewis all missed out on Tuesday’s 20-man matchday squad as City moved to third in the Premier League and within a point of Champions League qualification.

But, despite this showing the depth Guardiola has at his disposal, the Spaniard wants to work with a smaller squad.

He said: “I said to the club I don’t want that [a bigger squad]. I don’t want to leave five or six players in the freezer. I don’t want that. I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay.”

Guardiola says it is “impossible for my soul” to leave players watching from the stands. 

“Maybe [for] three, four months we couldn’t select 11 players, we didn’t have defenders, it was so difficult. After people come back but next season it cannot be like that,” the 54-year-old added.

“As a manager I cannot train 24 players and every time I select I have to have four, five, six stay in Manchester at home because they cannot play. This is not going to happen. I said to the club. I don’t want that.”

When asked if it meant more exits were inevitable, Guardiola – who signed a dealkeeping him at the club until 2027 – said: “It is a question for the club. I don’t want to have 24, 25, 26 players when everyone is fit. If I have injuries, unlucky, we have some players for the academy and we do it.

Guardiola said a big squad is unstainable and that it is important for “the soul of the team” that his players “create another connection with each other that this season we lost it a bit”.

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.

General Overseer of Heaven Way Chapel, Evangelist Patricia Asiamah

The General Overseer of Heaven Way Chapel, Evangelist Patricia Asiamah, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, has once again stirred controversy with a bold statement, amid ongoing tensions with Acting CEO of Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi.

The controversial evangelist has come under fire in recent days after a video surfaced showing Sammy Gyamfi gifting her dollar notes, a gesture that has sparked massive backlash.

While many criticized Sammy Gyamfi for allegedly breaching the code of conduct for government appointees, others condemned Agradaa for dragging the Gold Board Chair into controversy by openly requesting money from him.

In a new video circulating on X, shared on May 20, 2025, Agradaa was captured adressing her congregants on the situation.

She stated that she remains unbothered by the public backlash and claimed that even if she ever meets President John Dramani Mahama, she would return home with a large sum of money.

“The day I meet the sitting president, I will go home with a ‘Ghana-must-go’ bag full of money. I don’t joke when it comes to spirituality. I am a spiritual woman who carries power in the spiritual realm,” she declared.

Agradaa also issued a strong warning to her critics, stating that her spiritual authority is enough to crush anyone who attacks her.

“Don’t joke with me, because if you do, I’ll crush you. That’s why I don’t respond to non-entities. I only reply to people who have made a name for themselves. You can never defeat me,” she added.

Prior to this, Agradaa claimed to possess spiritual oil and soap that allows her to command money from anyone she desires, adding that it would not be a challenge to do the same with the president.

Watch the video below:

“The day I meet the sitting President, John Mahama, I will go home with a ‘Ghana Must Go’ bag. I don’t joke when it comes to spirituality. I am a spiritual woman, and I carry power in the spiritual realm.”

– Evangelist Patricia Asiedua popularly known as Nana Agradaa pic.twitter.com/ienfNfyO50

— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) May 19, 2025

JHM/EB

Meanwhile, watch as Robert Klah gives reasons why Charterhouse delayed TGMAs red carpet

Ghana Water MD, Adam Mutawakilu [L] and Kwabena Adu-Boahene

The Managing Director of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Adam Mutawakilu, has clarified that the state utility did not enter into any direct contractual relationship with Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the embattled former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau, amid a growing scandal involving alleged financial misconduct.

Appearing on TV3’s Hot Issues with Keminni Amanor on Sunday, May 18, 2025, Mutawakilu stated emphatically that Ghana Water Company did not sign any agreement with Adu-Boahene or any private firm associated with him. Instead, he said, the agreement was with Ghana’s National Security.

“Ghana Water Ltd had been paying GH¢1.3 million every month since 2018 to BNC. Ghana Water Ltd did not enter into any agreement with any individual (Kwabena Adu-Boahene), but with National Security,” he stated.

His clarification follows startling disclosures by Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine, who announced that funds intended for National Security had allegedly been diverted into private accounts controlled by BNC Communications Bureau Limited.

At a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, disclosed that the former Director of the National Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, will soon be charged for his alleged role in a GH¢1.3 million internet services scandal involving Ghana Water Limited.

According to Dr. Ayine, Adu-Boahene orchestrated an improper financial arrangement in which his private company, BNC Communications Bureau Limited, received substantial sums from Ghana Water Limited under the pretext of providing secure internet services supposedly through the government’s Bureau of National Communications (BNC).

“The contract documents showed that Ghana Water was to pay BNC the sum of GH¢650,000 every two weeks for secured internet services from BNC,” the Attorney-General said.

However, instead of payments being routed to the official BNC, Adu-Boahene is alleged to have supplied his company’s bank account details to Ghana Water, which then made routine payments to his private entity.

“So, every month, Adu-Boahene’s company received a total sum of GH¢1.3 million from Ghana Water Limited in exchange for internet services supposedly provided by the government,” Dr. Ayine explained.

He further indicated that initial investigations have uncovered that Adu-Boahene’s company received over GH¢6 million through this arrangement, which has now been deemed a “criminal enterprise.”

“Our investigations have revealed that, conservatively, Adu-Boahene received in excess of GH¢6 million from Ghana Water Limited,” Dr. Ayine said, adding that the docket on the matter is almost complete.

“We are about to complete the docket on that investigation and will charge him and his accomplices involved in this criminal enterprise separately,” he added.

The Attorney-General explained that the delay in bringing charges was to ensure that the financial transactions involved were not interrelated with other ongoing investigations.

AM/KA

Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology speaking at the event

On May 20, 2025, Ghana joined the global community in observing the International Day for Biological Diversity, making a strong call for renewed commitment to preserving biodiversity while pursuing sustainable development.

The 2025 celebration is being held under the global theme: “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development.”

In a press statement released by the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), the sector minister, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, emphasized the urgent need for society to recognise that development cannot be achieved at the expense of nature.

“The 2025 theme reminds us of the vital relationship between the health of our natural environment and the pursuit of inclusive, long-term development,” Dr. Mohammed stated.

“It is a call to action for all sectors—government, private sector, traditional leaders, youth, and civil society—to ensure that our progress respects the ecological systems that sustain life.”

Ghana is known for its rich biodiversity, stretching from tropical forests in the south to savannah grasslands in the north, as well as inland wetlands and marine ecosystems.

These natural assets play a key role in supporting agriculture, protecting water sources, regulating the climate, and contributing to the country’s tourism and cultural identity.

However, the minister warned that the country’s biodiversity is under serious threat due to deforestation, illegal mining, pollution, and habitat destruction—factors that exacerbate climate change and environmental degradation.

“If we do not act decisively, we risk undermining our own progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to poverty, health, clean water, and climate action,” he noted.

To counter these threats, Dr. Mohammed outlined several initiatives undertaken by the government under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. These include:

Revision of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2030) to establish targets for conserving ecosystems and ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources.

Implementation of Natural Capital Accounting reports, such as the Land and Ecosystem Extent Account and the Ecosystem Services Account, to guide decision-making.

Development of Biodiversity Mainstreaming Guidelines to integrate biodiversity into national and local development plans and budgets.

Promotion of ecosystem restoration through projects like the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project.

Dr. Mohammed also highlighted Ghana’s commitment to advancing science, technology, and innovation to enhance biodiversity monitoring, support climate-smart agriculture, and create green jobs.

Calling on Ghanaians to adopt environmentally responsible lifestyles, he urged citizens to reduce waste, plant trees, conserve water, and respect protected areas.

“Let this 2025 celebration be a turning point in how we view and value nature—not as a commodity to exploit, but as a partner in our journey toward prosperity,” he said.

AM/KA

Kevin de Bruyne signed off from his last home game for Manchester City on a high, as they beat Bournemouth to close in on a place in the Champions League next season – and both sides finished with 10 men.

City were stunned by Crystal Palace in Saturday’s FA Cup final and desperately needed victory against the Cherries to help ensure they finish in the Premier League’s top five in an otherwise miserable season.

Pep Guardiola’s men are now third, in a strong position heading into Sunday’s last game of the season at Fulham (16:00 BST), where a point should be enough to ensure a return to Europe’s top table.

While all eyes were on De Bruyne on his final appearance at Etihad Stadium, a huge roar greeted the return from injuryof Rodri, who last featured back in September.

Striker Omar Marmoush opened the scoring with a sensational 30-yard strike which swerved and crashed into the net via the post.

De Bruyne, though, was sniffing a goal and should have converted when Marmoush laid the ball to him a couple of yards out with an open net to aim at, but to the astonishment of all in attendance, he somehow scooped his effort on to the crossbar.

Bernardo Silva poked home a second but City showed their vulnerabilities at the back in between the goals, as Evanilson stretched a foot out at a cross and rattled the post.

Substitute Nico Gonzalez lashed in the third, and although Dan Jebbison grabbed a late consolation, the loss ended Bournemouth’s hopes of qualifying for Europe next season.

Both sides had players sent off as last man Mateo Kovacic was dismissed for a tug on Evanilson, while Lewis Cook was also given a red card for a lunge on Gonzalez.

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.

play videoDeputy National Women’s Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hajia Safia Mohammed

The Deputy National Women’s Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hajia Safia Mohammed, has criticised the government of President John Dramani Mahama for terminating the contracts of school feeding caterers just days before the reopening of schools.

Hajia Safia, a former Coordinator of the Ghana School Feeding Programme under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, expressed concern over the timing of the decision, describing it as unfair and inconsiderate—particularly toward women who have no political affiliations.

According to her, the termination occurred merely three days before schools were set to reopen, at a time when most caterers had already purchased cooking materials, including perishable items such as tomatoes and onions, in preparation for the new term.

“This is a clear case of injustice,” she said during an interview on Movement TV on May 20, 2025.

“We are all Ghanaians, and this action is most unfair, especially to women. We told the transition team that the academic calendar would end in August and that the women were still under contract. They accepted it, yet this happened.”

“School was scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, and the termination letter came on Friday. If you take out Saturday and Sunday, just imagine—only one working day’s notice,” she lamented.

She further stated that more than 34,000 women, including single mothers, widows, and other vulnerable individuals, had invested heavily in food items in anticipation of cooking for schoolchildren.

“These women went to the market, bought ingredients—tomatoes, onions, and everything needed—only to be told they’ve been removed from the programme three days before reopening. That is a serious financial burden placed on innocent women,” she added.

Hajia Safia emphasised that under the NPP administration, former President Nana Akufo-Addo allowed caterers to complete their one-year contract terms before any decisions regarding renewal or termination were made.

“The NPP did not do the same. We waited for them to finish their contracts, paid them fully, and then made decisions. But under the NDC, not only have the contracts been terminated abruptly, but the women are also still owed payments for the second term,” she alleged.

She called on the government to uphold the rule of law and ensure that citizens, especially women, are treated with fairness and respect.

Meanwhile, the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) Secretariat has confirmed the termination of contracts for all caterers across the country.

A press statement dated May 2, 2025, and signed by the National Coordinator, Hajia Fati Forgor, stated that the termination takes immediate effect.

“Please be informed that the contracts of all caterers of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) nationwide have been terminated with immediate effect,” the statement read.

It directed that no existing caterer should provide meals for the upcoming third term of the 2024/2025 academic year.

The statement further assured caterers that all outstanding arrears for the second term would be paid in due course.

The Secretariat explained that the termination forms part of an ongoing restructuring exercise aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the programme.

AM/KA

A family of Italian burglars who stole luxury goods worth more than £1.2m from homes, including that of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, have been jailed.

Brothers Valentino and Giacomo Nikolov, their sister Jela Jovanoic and her son Charlie Jovanovic travelled to the region to raid three houses in April 2024, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Daniel Cordey said the foursome, two of whom had been banned from Switzerland for thieving, were a professional gang of touring burglars.

Valentino, 32, who was found guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary, was jailed for 10 years while the others, who admitted their involvement, were imprisoned for between six and eight years each.

Mr Isak said the “attack” on his home had left him with a sense of unease.

The gang arrived in the UK on a ferry from Calais in the early hours of 27 March, the court heard, with the family travelling in a black Citroen C3 and a Ford campervan.

Their movements over the following days were tracked by SIM cards in their phones and the C3, as well as automatic number plate recognition cameras, Mr Cordey said.

They parked their “base of operations” campervan at Scotch Corner and Durham service stations while they used the C3 to scout out their targets and carry out the burglaries, the court heard.

Jela, 43, who was born in Zagreb, Croatia, and had previous convictions for fraud and theft in Belgium from 2011, was the gang’s driver while her son and brothers ransacked the homes, Mr Cordey said.

They first targeted a home on Clayton Road in Jesmond, Newcastle, while the owners were on holiday, the court heard.

At about 20:45 BST on 31 March, the men broke in through a first-floor balcony door and stole a safe, high value watches, designer clothing, handbags, a CBE medal and gold coins, Mr Cordey said.

The total value of the stolen goods exceeded £1m, the prosecutor said, with the vast majority of it unrecovered.

The following night, the gang broke into a home on a gated cul-de-sac in Whitburn, South Tyneside, and stole designer handbags, jewellery and shoes worth more than £100,000, the court heard.

They then spent two days near Newcastle United’s training ground, monitoring the movements of staff and players, before targeting Mr Isak’s home in Ponteland, the court heard.

On the evening of 4 April, the burglars smashed their way into the house on Middle Drive in Darrass Hall while the Swedish striker was visiting a teammate, the court heard.

They took an empty safe, which had been left by a previous owner, up to £10,000 in cash and “bespoke” jewellery worth £68,000, Mr Cordey said.

They also stole the footballer’s car keys so they could use his Audi RS6 as a battering ram to force open his gates, with the vehicle, worth £120,000, later found abandoned nearby, the court heard.

Mr Cordey said the gang wore gloves and masks, switched their phones off as they neared their targets and strapped a number plate, which had been stolen from a garage in Chester-le-Street, on to their car with elastic bands.

They escaped with their loot to the Walsall and Birmingham area, where their car was stopped and they were arrested on 13 April, the court heard.

Giacomo, 28, who was born in Napoli and had convictions for theft in Italy, was wearing a Rolex watch stolen from the home in Jesmond, the court heard.

Valentino, who was born in Milan and had links to an address in Birmingham, and his 22-year-old nephew Charlie, born in Brescia, had both been jailed in Switzerland for carrying out a burglary on Christmas Eve 2022, the court heard, with the pair then expelled from the country for five and seven years respectively.

‘Club increased security’

In a statement read to the court, Mr Isak said the “attack” on his home had left him with a “sense of unease” every time he left and returned to the house.

None of the goods taken from his home were recovered, the court heard, apart from the safe which was found heavily damaged in the Birmingham area.

Newcastle United’s player liaison officer Glenn Patterson said he had always been “proud” to tell new and prospective recruits that the area was safe but the burglary of Mr Isak’s home was one of several against players in recent times.

He said the club had had to invest heavily in security systems and patrols, with players fearing for the safety of their homes and families during matches and being instructed to “moderate” what they posted on social media.

“I’m not trying to be alarmist or over-reactive but these crimes have had an impact on the club which cannot be overstated,” Mr Patterson said, adding it affected player recruitment and retention.

‘Stolen our security’

The victim of the Jesmond burglary said she and her husband had worked “extremely hard” for everything they owned and they had been devastated by the burglary.

She said much of the jewellery had been of great sentimental value and was irreplaceable, while her CBE medal had no worth to the burglars but was intended by her to become a family heirloom.

“The thieves have not only stolen our belongings but, just as importantly, they have stolen our privacy and security,” she said.

The woman whose Whitburn home was targeted said she and her young children had lived in fear ever since.

“The peace, safety and security taken from us is unacceptable, let alone the stress and heartbreak caused,” she said.

All four burglars apologised for the impact of their actions and said they wanted to be deported back to Italy to be with their families, the court heard.

Judge Robert Spragg said it was a highly sophisticated and planned “family affair” by a professional group of criminals.

Giacomo was jailed for eight years, Jela for seven years and two months and Charlie for six years and nine months.

He said deportation was automatic for foreign nationals jailed for more than a year.

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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.