By Anthony Adongo Apubeo

Bolgatanga, May 26, GNA – The implementation of the Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) project in some districts in the Upper East Region, is making progress in promoting adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights.

A midterm evaluation of the five-year project (2021-2026) in beneficiary districts revealed increased adolescents’ access to accurate information regarding their sexuality which was helping them to make informed decisions to avoid risky behaviour.

These came to light during dissemination of findings of research in Navrongo ,conducted by Professor Duah Dwomoh, of the D&D Statistical Consulting Services Limited, the Consultant for the research.

Implemented by consortium led by Right To Play in partnership with WaterAid Ghana, Forum for African Women Educationalists Ghana (FAWE-Ghana) and FHI 360, with finding support

from the Global Affairs Canada, the project is being rolled in the Builsa North and Kassena-Nankana Municipalities, Kassena-Nankana West, and Bongo districts.

The project targets in- and out-of-school adolescents across the four districts, with the goal of empowering youth through SRHR education, gender equality initiatives, and access to youth-friendly services.

The findings revealed increase in the active participation of adolescent girls and young women in SRHR advocacy and social action initiatives, highlighting the growing confidence and leadership among young women.

“I know my rights and can speak up now,” said one adolescent girl during a focus group discussion, capturing the transformative effect the project has had on self-confidence and empowerment”, Professor Dwomoh stated.

The project’s integration of life skills training, such as menstrual pad-making, and gender-sensitive programming has helped to reduce stigma and fostering supportive environments in both schools and health facilities according to the findings.

The findings further revealed positive trend in community participation, with more caregivers and stakeholders attending SRHR-focused forums, indicating growing acceptance and openness around adolescent reproductive health topics, which had traditionally been taboo in many parts of Ghana.

Additionally, adolescents reported improved communication with parents on SRHR issues and demonstrated better negotiation skills in relationships, further contributing to their autonomy and safety.

The findings revealed that training of community health workers, teachers, and facility staff, as well as the establishment of peer-led youth clubs and advocacy networks, were already proving to be effective in sustaining SRHR engagement even beyond the project’s direct intervention.

Continued investment, community collaboration, and youth empowerment and inclusive campaigns to reduce stigma and increased awareness to enhance the outcomes and ensure lasting change are among recommendations of the findings

Mr Evans Sinkari, Program Director, Right To Play, said the findings suggested that the project was making some progress and the inputs and recommendations from the stakeholders would be taken into consideration to strengthen implementation for lasting change.

Ms Rita Abamah, Bongo District Girl Child Officer, said apart from preaching abstinence, there was the urgent need for increased concerted efforts to ensure that the adolescents were abreast with the use of contraceptives particularly condoms to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS.

GNA

FAA/Kenneth Odeng Adade

The visit aimed to brief the NAFCO boss on a new five-year agriculture intervention project

A joint team from the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has held discussions with the Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) in Accra.

The visit aimed to brief the NAFCO boss on a new five-year agriculture intervention project dubbed “Strengthening of Agribusiness Value Chain for Local Economic Development in Ghana.”

The project, which begins this year in the Central and Volta Regions, seeks to increase the average income of farmers and create jobs in the targeted areas by enhancing the agribusiness value chain.

Valued at US$ 9.5 million, the initiative is being financed by the Korean government with counterpart support from the Government of Ghana. It focuses on three widely consumed vegetables, tomatoes, onions, and peppers, with the goal of increasing self-sufficiency rates by 2029, when the project ends.

The Chief Executive Officer of NAFCO, George Abradu-Otoo, told the visiting team that the government is taking urgent steps to reduce and ultimately curb what he described as the worrying phenomenon of post-harvest losses experienced by farmers across the country.

Sharing some startling statistics, Abradu-Otoo revealed that in some cases, as much as 60% of harvested crops are lost, leading to significant financial setbacks for farmers.

Post-harvest losses in Ghana are a major challenge, estimated to cost the country approximately US$ 1.9 billion annually. These losses occur at various points along the value chain, from harvest to consumption, and are attributed to poor post-harvest handling, inadequate storage, and lack of infrastructure. Estimates suggest that losses can range from 20% to 50% of total production.

Abradu-Otoo cited various causes of increasing post-harvest losses, including on-farm inefficiencies such as improper threshing, winnowing, and drying of grains. Other contributing factors include poor harvesting timing, adverse climatic conditions, improper handling practices, and market access challenges.

He noted that the government is addressing these issues under the Feed Ghana Programme and commended the Korean government for its longstanding support to Ghana.

According to him, any substantial reduction in post-harvest losses would contribute to price stability and help reduce inflation as the government works to reset the broader economy.

An official from the NDPC, Richard Tweneboah Kodua, stated that the project seeks to complement the government’s flagship agricultural intervention, the Feed Ghana Programme, and to consolidate national development gains.

The Deputy Country Director of KOICA, Eunsoo Oh, added that the project will introduce new technologies, improved seed varieties, and expert knowledge to enhance local farming, harvesting, and processing of the targeted crops.

The outgoing United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, has reiterated her commitment to supporting Ghana’s eligibility for a future Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC), should one become available.

In a yet-to-be-aired interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, Ambassador Palmer reflected on past challenges with the second MCC Compact and voiced her personal disappointment over the cancellation of more than $190 million due to implementation setbacks.

“I told former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that I would work with him to see if we could get another compact. Because there were some missteps on the second compact, and we had to cancel a 190 million dollars,” she said.

“To my personal disappointment and the disappointment of the Millennium Challenge Compact… Right now, we don’t know what form the Compact will take.”

Despite the uncertainty surrounding a potential new compact, Ambassador Palmer reaffirmed her dedication to Ghana’s future participation.

“I remain committed to helping Ghana if a new Compact becomes available, to helping Ghana become eligible.”

She commended Ghana’s performance in key areas such as governance and anti-corruption—important criteria for MCC eligibility—but stressed that reforming the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) must be a priority.

“The true factors that are essential to eligibility or passing a scorecard are governing well on behalf of your people, which Ghana does, maintaining a certain score on anti-corruption, which Ghana does, and it’s important to keep that up. And also to demonstrate that the last Compact was successful,” she said.

Highlighting the urgency of action within ECG, Ambassador Palmer warned that the utility provider’s mounting losses threaten both the country’s economic health and its eligibility for international support.

“A key element is the financial viability of the ECG, because the ECG is bleeding, and it’s bleeding more than we thought. There are losses either at the electricity poles or in the counting rooms that are enormous.”

She emphasized that reforms at ECG are not only vital for MCC considerations but for Ghana’s long-term economic and energy stability.

“Reforms of ECG are going to be good for the Ghanaian economy, not just an incentive for the Compact. It puts the country in a position to benefit from whatever assistance is available.

Ambassador Palmer concluded by stressing the need for sustainable, long-term solutions to Ghana’s energy challenges as intermittent power supply continues to affect the country.

Ghana CEO Summit: Mahama unveils eight-pillar economic reset plan

…..

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Police have retrieved five sacks filled with dangerous drugs—including high-dose ‘red’ tramadol, Volume 10, and other illicit substances—as well as a pump-action shotgun from a 30-year-old trader at Sabon-Zongo, a suburb of Accra.

The suspect, Abdul Amidu Mohammed, is currently standing trial for unlawful possession of arms and illegal drugs.

Addressing the media on Monday, May 26, the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Duuti Tuaruku, revealed that the arrest and subsequent seizure were made possible through actionable intelligence provided by the Accra Regional Intelligence Team.

“The suspect has been arraigned before court and is facing charges related to the possession of illicit drugs and an unlicensed firearm,” DCOP Tuaruku stated.

The commander emphasised the importance of community cooperation in the ongoing nationwide crackdown on drugs and arms, calling on the public to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activities.

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Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, has revealed that the cedi’s recent 24.1% appreciation against the US dollar is entirely market-driven, dismissing speculation that the Bank intervened.

According to him, claims that the Bank of Ghana is engineering the cedi’s appreciation or supporting it with international reserves are completely false.

Speaking at the 9th Ghana CEO Summit on Monday, May 26, 2025, Dr Asiama attributed the appreciation to a combination of disciplined monetary policy, targeted foreign exchange auction reforms, enhanced remittance channels, and stricter market surveillance.

“Our cedi has appreciated by 24.1% against the US dollar on a year-to-date basis. Now, colleagues, let me emphasise that the central bank is not—and the ‘not’ is in capital letters, using its international reserves to support the cedi. Nor are we engineering an appreciation in the cedi that would be unsustainable,” he stated.

Despite setbacks linked to the government’s broader efforts to stabilise the economy, the Governor stressed that the measures implemented by the central bank are not short-term fixes but long-term structural reforms aimed at maintaining stability in the foreign exchange market.

“It’s all market-driven, and the strengthening of the currency reflects a blend of disciplined monetary policy, tailored foreign exchange auction reforms, enhanced remittance channels, and stricter market surveillance. These are not mere short-term interventions,” he explained.

Dr Asiama’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions about the cedi’s strong performance in 2025, with financial analysts urging robust policies to prevent further depreciation in the final quarter of the year.

BoG Governor Denies Exchange Rate Manipulation Claims:

Dr. Johnson Asiamah, speaking at the Ghana CEO Summit, dismissed claims that the Central Bank is deliberately engineering the cedi’s recent appreciation.#CitiNewsroom pic.twitter.com/lB59dTuFNU

— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) May 26, 2025

SP/MA

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Abu Safian Osman (L) and his son Safian Osman Zaid (R)

Thirty years ago, Abu Safian Osman captained Hohoe United to Ghana’s Division One League, earning a place in the country’s second-tier competition.

Fast forward to 2025, and history has remarkably repeated itself, only this time through his son, Safian Osman Zaid.

The younger Osman, now captain of Hohoe United Football Club (HUFC), has led the club into the Ghana Premier League for the first time in its rebranded history, achieving a historic promotion that has brought pride and joy to the Volta Region.

On Sunday, May 25, 2025, HUFC sealed their place in the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League with a convincing 3-1 victory over Inter Allies at the Hohoe Stadium.

Goals from Anass Ganiu, Faruk Mohammed, and captain Safian Osman secured the decisive win that crowned them champions of the Division One League Zone Three.

Founded in 2023 after Liberty Professionals officially withdrew from competitive football, Hohoe United emerged under a new leadership structure spearheaded by John-Peter Amewu.

The new administration acquired Liberty’s Division One League slot, with the Ghana Football Association approving the transition.

This move saw HUFC inherit Liberty’s rights, obligations, and position in the league, but with a renewed focus and community spirit.

In just two years, the team has gone from formation to top-flight promotion, a remarkable achievement in Ghanaian football.

Their 3-1 win against Inter Allies marked their 22nd victory in 29 games, underlining a season built on tactical discipline, consistent performances, and attacking flair.

Captain Safian Osman’s leadership has not only been pivotal on the pitch but also symbolic. Wearing the armband once held by his father in the 1990s, Osman has carried the weight of legacy and turned it into triumph.

His goal in the final match served as both a personal milestone and a moment of poetic justice, finishing the job his father started, but this time, elevating the team to Ghana’s elite level.

From father to son, Hohoe United’s rise to the Premier League is more than just a footballing success story, it is a generational legacy fulfilled and a moment of pride for the people of Hohoe and the entire Volta Region.

FKA/MA

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The government has approved a policy exempting selected strategic institutions from paying electricity bills, following a cabinet meeting chaired by President John Dramani Mahama.

The initiative is designed to ensure uninterrupted operations of essential national services, particularly in the security, health, and education sectors.

Announcing the decision, Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, said, “The policy is intended to enhance accountability in energy consumption while safeguarding the operational resilience of critical government institutions.”

He explained that the Ministry of Finance will absorb electricity costs for the listed institutions through their approved budgetary allocations.

The exemption applies to the Office of the President, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education.

Mr Jinapor clarified that only core operational units would benefit from the exemption.

“This does not include auxiliary and non-essential facilities,” he emphasised.

In the education sector, only classrooms, universities, laboratories, lecture halls, and research facilities are covered, excluding dormitories and recreational spaces.

For health, the exemption includes hospitals, theatres, blood banks, laboratories, and wards, but not staff residences.

In the defence sector, it is limited to installations such as military intelligence and emergency systems.

Within the interior ministry, it covers police and emergency response units alone.

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) have been tasked with stepping up revenue collection from non-exempt institutions.

They have also been authorised to disconnect electricity from any such entity with unpaid bills.

Mr Jinapor added, “This measure reflects our commitment to financial discipline in the energy sector and our responsibility to ensure a stable power supply for all Ghanaians.”

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The Ghana Embassy in Washington DC, has been ordered shut immediately and all employees recalled to Ghana following a scandal that has hit the mission.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the drastic decision on his Facebook page Monday morning. He said an employee of the mission working in the IT department had diverted visa and passport fees payment to a private account, and that had been going on for five years.

He also announced the immediate dismissal of the employee involved – one Fred Kwarteng and dissolution of the IT department.

The Minister who said the decision to shut the Embassy has the full backing of the President John Mahama, indicated that the act was discovered by a special audit team tasked with auditing the mission to investigate alleged corruption.

According to the Minister, Kwarteng was a local staff recruited on August 11, 2017 to work in the embassy’s IT department.

“According to findings and his own admission, he created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website which diverted visa and passport applicants to his company, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC) where he charged extra for multiple services on the blind side of the ministry and kept the entire proceeds in his private account.

His illegal extra charges which were not approved by the ministry and parliament as required under the Fees and Charges Act ranges from $29.75 to $60 per applicant. The Investigations reveal that he and his collaborators operated this illegal scheme for at least five years,” the Minister wrote.

He also stated that the conduct has been reported to the Attorney-General for possible prosecution and retrieval of funds obtained through fraudulent schemes.

The Minister further announced that all locally recruited staff at the embassy have been suspended, and the Auditor-General invited to conduct forensic examination of all transactions and to determine the total cost of the elaborate fraudulent scheme.

As a result, he announced a closure of the Ghana embassy in Washington DC for a few days from today Monday May 26, until the ongoing restructuring and systems overhaul are finalised.

President John Dramani Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has urged businesses to reflect the recent appreciation of the cedi in their pricing structures, calling for broader private sector support to ease cost pressures on consumers amid signs of macroeconomic stability.

Speaking at the 9th Ghana CEO Summit on Monday, May 26, 2025, President Mahama reiterated his government’s commitment to fiscal prudence, describing price adjustments as a necessary complement to efforts aimed at consolidating economic recovery.

“I commend all businesses that have acted in good faith by lowering prices in line with the cedi’s performance. This gesture helps ease the financial burden on citizens and demonstrates true partnership in national development,” he said.

The President also praised the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) for reducing transport fares, describing the move as both timely and socially responsive.

The cedi has appreciated against major currencies in recent weeks, driven by tighter monetary policy, improved foreign exchange inflows, and growing market confidence.

He further emphasised that the private sector remains a critical partner in ensuring that the benefits of macroeconomic stability reach a wider audience.

“On the government’s part, I assure you of continued fiscal discipline and a commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive,” he added.

SP/MA

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A GNA feature by Daniel Adu Darko.  

Accra, May 25, GNA- In the heart of Ghana’s rural economy, agriculture beats as a lifeline, providing food, livelihoods, and purpose. Yet, as fields yield harvests and agribusinesses grow, a significant segment of the population remains left behind. 

Women with disabilities (PWDs), particularly the youth, remain on the fringes of the agricultural value chains, not for lack of interest or ability, but because of systemic barriers deeply rooted in social norms, economic exclusion, and institutional neglect. 

This was the stark reality highlighted in the recently launched HAPPY Programme Report in collaboration with Mastercard Foundation, which presents a sobering yet hopeful assessment of disability inclusion in Ghana’s agricultural landscape.  

Double Disadvantage: The Gender and Disability Intersection  

Women with disabilities in Ghana often face a unique and layered marginalisation. Not only are they discriminated against because of their gender, but their disabilities further limit their access to agricultural land, credit, training, and markets.  

“Female PWDs are caught in a cycle of exclusion that begins with cultural perceptions and ends in economic dependency,” the report noted. 

Traditional land ownership structures often favour men, and even when opportunities arise, disabled women are rarely considered. As a result, many young women between the ages of 18 and 35 find themselves trapped, willing but unable to contribute meaningfully to the sector that feeds the nation.  

In Ghana’s Northern Zone, the challenges are even more acute. Limited infrastructure, information gaps, and weak institutional support make it difficult for young PWDs, especially women, to access the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.  

Breaking Stereotypes, Unleashing Potential 

The HAPPY Programme’s assessment found that societal perceptions about disability remained one of the most persistent barriers. PWDs are often viewed as incapable of contributing to agricultural productivity. For women, these perceptions are magnified by patriarchal norms that restrict their mobility, voice, and visibility.  

However, these stereotypes couldn’t be further from the truth. “There is a strong willingness among young PWDs to engage in agriculture, particularly in value-added roles like processing and marketing,” said the report. 

These roles not only required less physical labour but also tap into areas where PWDs can excel, organisation, coordination, and innovation.  

Young women with disabilities have expressed interest in agro-processing, managing distribution channels, and starting agribusiness ventures. 

But interest alone is not enough. The report warns that unless adaptive tools, training, and financing are made accessible, this untapped potential will remain just that, untapped.  

Policy Gaps and Opportunities  

The report presents a suite of comprehensive policy recommendations aimed at transforming the sector into an inclusive space where no one is left behind.  

From land allocation quotas for PWDs and input subsidy programmes, to tailored financial products and adaptive equipment grants, the path toward inclusion is well-charted. What’s missing is political will and coordinated implementation.  

Key among the immediate actions recommended is the prioritisation of accessibility and adaptive technologies across all zones. Without tactile guides, lightweight ploughs, and voice-activated tools, many women with disabilities will continue to face barriers that are entirely preventable.  

Importantly, the report also calls for childcare support for female PWDs and gender quotas for access to land and training. These gender-sensitive interventions recognise the disproportionate burden placed on women and offer practical solutions to ease their entry into agricultural livelihoods.  

Community, Culture, and Change 

Inclusion is not merely a policy issue, it’s a cultural one. The HAPPY Programme underscores the need for community sensitisation campaigns to shift public perceptions about disability. Traditional leaders, religious heads, and media organisations must be part of a national conversation that redefines ability, uplifts female PWDs, and dismantles stigma.  

Success stories of women with disabilities thriving in agribusiness must be amplified across radio, TV, and digital platforms. Visibility fosters acceptance. Acceptance births opportunity.  

A Strategic Economic Priority 

Including women with disabilities in Ghana’s agricultural value chain is not just the right thing to do, it’s a strategic move for national development. It aligns directly with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).  

“When PWDs, especially women, are given a fair chance, they don’t just survive, they thrive,” the report insists.  

A Call to Action 

The HAPPY Programme’s recommendations are a blueprint for change, but they require action, urgent, coordinated, and inclusive.  

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture, traditional authorities, NGOs, and private agribusinesses must come together to dismantle barriers and unlock opportunity. 

Women with disabilities are not liabilities. They are leaders in waiting. With the right support, they can contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s agricultural transformation and help build an equitable society for all. Because in the agricultural fields, there is room for every hand.  

GNA  

Edited by Christian Akorlie 

Accra, May 26, GNA -The Young Christian Workers Movement (YCWM) of Christ the King Catholic Church has reaffirmed its commitment to saving lives by organising its annual blood donation exercise in partnership with health institutions.

Dozens of voluntary donors were there to support the country’s urgent need for blood.

The initiative forms part of YCWM’s longstanding mission to contribute to national health efforts and encourage a culture of voluntary blood donation among the youth and wider community.

The movement has been at the forefront of this life-saving campaign for over 15 years.

The exercise brought together parishioners and health professionals at the forecourt of Christ the King Catholic Church in Accra.

Medical staff from the 37 Military Hospital were on-site to assist donors and ensure the smooth running of the event, which saw enthusiastic participation from first-time and regular donors.

Speaking during the event, Flight Lieutenant Rashid Bashiru, a Medical Laboratory Scientist with the Blood Bank Department at the 37 Military Hospital, urged Ghanaians to embrace voluntary blood donation as a lifesaving civic duty.

“A single unit of donated blood can save up to three lives. Blood is essential to human survival, and donating even twice a year could save up to six lives annually,” he said in an interview with the media.

He emphasised the need for individuals to take personal responsibility in supporting the national blood supply encouraging citizens not to wait for special campaigns but to visit nearby hospitals and donate regularly.

The President of the Young Christian Workers Movement, Ms. Lucy Dzata, highlighted the group’s longstanding support for blood donation efforts adding that “for more than 15 years, we have been organising these drives to help maintain adequate blood supplies in our hospitals. It is our way of giving back and ensuring that no life is lost due to the lack of blood.”

Some of the donors at the event shared personal motivations for participating, expressing their desire to contribute to saving lives and encouraging others to follow suit.

The YCWM continues to play a vital role in promoting health and community service in Ghana, and their partnership with the 37 Military Hospital underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in strengthening the country’s healthcare system.

GNA

Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba

Global Entrepreneurship Network-Ghana and VoazokAgritours-Canada are delighted to announce that the  Minister of Agriculture, Eric Opoku, will be attending the upcoming Canada-Ghana Agribusiness Summit as the Guest of Honor. The summit is scheduled to take place from July 14-15, 2025, at Innovation Place,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

This groundbreaking summit aims to create a dynamic platform for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development within the agribusiness sectors of Canada and Ghana. It will bring together leaders, policymakers, investors, researchers, and entrepreneurs to exchange ideas, foster partnerships, and explore cutting-edge opportunities that drive economic transformation and food security.

The Summit will feature a combination of keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, networking sessions, and business matchmaking activities. The summit will be organised over 2 days, with each day focusing on specific themes or topics relevant to the agribusiness sector.

Objectives

1. Facilitate Collaboration: Bring together stakeholders from Canada and Ghana to explore opportunities for collaboration, partnership development, and investment in the agribusiness sector.

2. Share Knowledge and Best Practices: Provide a platform for knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices, innovations, and success stories in agricultural production, processing, marketing, and technology adoption.

3. Promote Investment Opportunities: Showcase investment opportunities in agribusiness value chains, including crop production, livestock farming, agro-processing, agri-tech, and agricultural infrastructure development.

4. Support Capacity Building: Offer workshops, seminars, and training sessions to build capacity among farmers, entrepreneurs, and agricultural professionals in Ghana, focusing on skills development, technology transfer, and market access.

5. Foster Networking and Partnerships: Facilitate networking sessions, B2B meetings, and matchmaking opportunities to connect stakeholders, promote collaboration, and facilitate business partnerships between Canadian and Ghanaian organisations.

6. Drive Innovation and Sustainability: Highlight innovative solutions, technologies, and practices that promote sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and Resilience to climate change in both Canada and Ghana.

Themes for the Summit

a) Agricultural Value Chain Development: Enhancing efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness across agribusiness value chains, from farm to fork.

b) Agro-processing and Value Addition: Promoting value addition, processing, and packaging of agricultural products to create higher value and expand the market
opportunities.

c) Agri-tech and Innovation: Harnessing technology and innovation to drive efficiency, sustainability, and resilience in agricultural production, processing, and distribution.

d) Market Access and Trade Facilitation: Exploring opportunities for export-oriented agriculture, market access, trade facilitation, and international partnerships to enhance global competitiveness.

e) Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Resilience: Addressing challenges related to climate change, environmental sustainability, and natural resource management in Agricultural production systems.

The summit aims to foster deeper collaboration, knowledge sharing, and business partnerships between key agribusiness stakeholders in Canada and Ghana.

The Minister’s participation underscores Ghana’s strong commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture and agribusiness development through international cooperation and investment. During the summit, the Minister will engage with Canadian policymakers, agribusiness leaders, investors, and development organisations to explore strategic opportunities in technology transfer, agricultural trade, investment, and innovation.

The Canada-Ghana Agribusiness Summit will bring together participants from across both countries’ agricultural value chains. The event will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, B2B matchmaking sessions, and exhibitions focused on climate-smart agriculture, agri-tech, food security, and cross-border agribusiness investment.

Speaking ahead of the summit, Hon. Eric Opoku noted: “This summit presents a timely opportunity to strengthen Ghana’s partnership with Canada in promoting modern and inclusive agribusiness. Our participation marks a significant step towards realising the government’s vision for agricultural transformation, which aims to create sustainable jobs and drive economic growth in Ghana.

By leveraging the potential of agribusiness, we can stimulate economic growth, enhance food security, and alleviate poverty, ultimately fostering a more prosperous future for both our nations through enhanced trade and collaboration in the agriculture sector.

The Ministry welcomes this platform as a continuation of its commitment to building global partnerships that support innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth in agriculture.” Ghana’s delegation will include officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, private sector agribusiness leaders, investors, and agri-tech entrepreneurs.

The summit also provides an opportunity for Ghanaian businesses to showcase their products and explore market entry and partnerships in the Canadian agriculture sector. For more info, visit www.caghagribizsummit.com

Global Entrepreneurship Network-Ghana:
Global Entrepreneurship Network – Ghana (GEN-Ghana) is an entrepreneurship and innovation advancement organisation that provides and promotes a platform of local, international programs and activities aimed at making it easier for anyone to start and scale a sustainable business. We work by fostering deeper cross-border collaboration and initiatives between entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers and entrepreneurial support organisations.

We work with the government, corporations, NGO’s, and development agencies to fuel a healthier start and scale ecosystems that create more jobs, wealth, educate individuals, and accelerate innovations for sustainable social and economic impact.

GEN-Ghana is a company limited by guarantee under the laws of Ghana, registered in March 2010. An affiliate of Global Entrepreneurship Network, headquartered in Washington, USA, which operates in over 160 countries independently, working to build one entrepreneurial ecosystem around the world.

Our programs have directly and indirectly impacted over 1 million people in Ghana, also unleashed some of the many thriving startup entrepreneurs who have founded ventures in Ghana, such as Famerline, Impact Hub, Egotictes, Kudigo, and Silicon Accra, Selina Beb, etc. Ghana site www.gengh.org or Global site www.genglobal.org Voazok Agritours Inc.

Voazok Agritours is a Canada-based agribusiness company that specialises in customised technical agricultural tours globally, focusing on Canada and international destinations, particularly in Africa. The company provides tailored experiences that bridge continents and cultivate growth, emphasising cultural exchange, hands-on learning, and international partnerships to enhance the agricultural sector.

Whether you are looking to expand your knowledge, seeking partnerships or investing in global agricultural ventures, Voazok Agritours offers agricultural tours, educational programs, advisory services, investment support, agritourism, agri-trade missions,  and industry events to foster business connections and trade
opportunities. Global site: https://www.voazokagritours.ca

Road and bridge tolls are set to be reintroduced

President John Dramani Mahama has urged compliance with the newly introduced automated system for collecting road tolls.

Speaking at the CEO Summit in Accra on May 26, 2025, President Mahama explained the seamless transition from physical toll booths at designated road points to an automated toll collection system.

In a video report shared by JoyNews’ X account on May 26, 2025, he detailed the processes involved in the new automated road toll system.

President Mahama explained that the system would be managed electronically through the Ghana Identity Card, also known as the Ghana Card.

“We said in our budget that we would reintroduce road tolls. There has been discussion about the modalities, but the good thing is that every car is linked to the owner’s Ghana Card. So, we no longer need the old toll booths.

“If you cross the East Legon bridge, we simply take a picture of your car, and the system will automatically charge the toll to your mobile money or bank account. You will just pay 1 cedi, only 1 cedi,” he stated.

Background

The reintroduction of road tolls, as previously announced by the Government of Ghana, is set to commence with the necessary processes already underway.

A report by graphic.com.gh, indicated that the reintroduced road tolls will incorporate technology-driven solutions aimed at modernising the system to improve efficiency, boost revenue generation, and ensure greater transparency.

The report further indicated that the new road toll system will be implemented at 65 toll booths nationwide, an increase from the previous 39 booths that were in operation before the suspension under the previous administration.

The Ministry of Roads and Highways, which is leading the initiative, is therefore inviting qualified Ghanaian private sector entities to submit tenders for pre-qualification in the areas of design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of the new tolling system.

Additionally, this process is in line with the Public Private Partnership Act, 2022 (Act 1039).

“We are beginning the procurement process, where we are inviting Ghanaian-owned companies or a consortium that is led by Ghanaians. At least they should prove that the Ghanaians have about 51 per cent in that consortium.

“We are doing what we call the pre-qualification, where we look at the technical, the financial capacity of the firms and their legal status,” the Head of Public Relations of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Nasir Ahmad Yartey, is quoted as saying by Graphic online on May 22, 2025.

The deadline set for the submission of bids from qualified entities is June 19,2025.

According to Ahmad Yartey, the successful bidder would be responsible for mobilising capital for the tolling system’s modernisation and also undertake the design and construction through engineering, construction and installation of toll gantries/plazas and related infrastructure.

In the operation and maintenance, he said the selected bidder would manage toll collection and related road/bridges and ensure system reliability and that with revenue collection, it would implement robust systems to maximise efficiency and minimise revenue leakages.

Watch the video below

Road Toll: Every car is linked to the owner’s Ghana Card, so we don’t need the old toll booths anymore. If you cross the East Legon bridge, we simply take a picture of your car, and the system will automatically send the toll charge to your mobile money or bank account. You’ll… pic.twitter.com/xNdy1MDibc

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) May 26, 2025

VPO/MA

GUIDE RADIO energised the capital on Saturday with a vibrant health walk from the Polo Beach Club to the Burma Camp Roundabout. The event, hosted by Guide Radio and Polo Beach Club, brought together fitness lovers, wellness advocates, and community members for a morning of health and fun. The event was held in observance of Mental Health Awareness Month and also served to build excitement for the upcoming UEFA Champions League Finals viewing party, scheduled for May 31 at the Polo Beach Club.

Participants gathered as early as 6:00 a.m., with energy levels boosted by a 30-minute warm-up aerobics session led by professional coaches from Activ8. The event attracted strong support from sponsors and partners, including Polo Beach Club, Activ8, Jay Fitness Club, 7even, and Kiki & Co., DSTV, Blue Jeans Energy Drink, Black Volta, Bel-Aqua, Pulse Ghana, who also had their members actively participate.

With an ambulance and police escort on standby for safety, the walk officially began at 6:40 a.m. and ended at 8:40 a.m. Hydration stations provided water throughout the route, and on arrival, participants enjoyed fresh coconut water and drinks.

Coach Puchie, founder of Bloom Girl Health Foundation, delivered an inspiring health talk, emphasising the power of mindset, hydration, and social support in staying fit.

“When you wake up tired or stressed, a simple walk can release endorphins and uplift your mood,” she said. “Surround yourself with health-conscious friends, stay hydrated, and balance fitness with enjoyment,” she added.

The Health talk was followed by aerobics sessions led by coaches of the various fitness and wellness groups in attendance.

Ben Osei Bonsu, head of Guide Sports, shared more details about the upcoming UEFA Champions League Watch Party, highlighting that the event will feature giant screens and an electric atmosphere, promising an unforgettable night for both football fans and partygoers alike.

BY Wletsu Ransford