Ghana’s ministers of defence and environment have died in a military helicopter crash in the central Ashanti region, along with six other people, a government spokesperson says.

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah told a press conference that Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed had been killed in the crash, which he described as a “national tragedy”.

Earlier, the Ghana Armed Forces said the aircraft, which was carrying three crew and five passengers had gone “off the radar”.

It had taken off from the capital, Accra, at 09:12 local time (and GMT) and was heading to the gold-mining town of Obuasi for a national event.

The authorities have not confirmed the cause of the crash.

The chief of staff has directed the country’s flags to fly at half-mast.

He extended condolences to “the servicemen who died in service to the country,” on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the government.

play videoDr Johnson Asiama is the Governor of the Bank of Ghana

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, is urging financial institutions to prepare for a major shift in the banking sector as banks will soon be required to lend at rates below 10 percent.

According to him, it is time for local banks to move away from treasury bills and the central bank’s lending instruments, and instead provide a more secure foundation for private sector growth.

Ghana’s current lending rate hovers around 27.4%, making access to affordable credit a challenge for businesses and SMEs.

Meanwhile, the central bank is targeting a single-digit lending rate within the next four years.

Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) Ghana post-MPC roundtable discussion on August 5, 2025, Dr Asiama urged banks to refocus on credit expansion to productive sectors, particularly the private sector to stimulate economic growth.

“What are our banks going to do in the post-stabilisation phase? Are they prepared to lend at less than 10%? Are they ready to look beyond T-bills? Are they willing to move away from high-yield Bank of Ghana instruments? The era of high interest rates and passive investment by banks in government securities is ending. Banks must now begin to reimagine their business models, refocusing on intermediation, innovation, and credit expansion to productive sectors,” he stated.

Dr Asiama also emphasised the need to fully support key sectors of the economy, in line with the ongoing decline in inflation.

He noted that banks should prioritise and commit to green financing to support the government’s sustainability agenda.

“With inflation decelerating and rates on a downward path, there is a unique opportunity to support private sector growth, SMEs, agriculture, and above all, green financing,” he said.

“A stable macroeconomic environment is only meaningful if it translates into access to affordable credit, job creation, and inclusive economic transformation. The financial sector must be the bridge your industry must be the bridge, not the bottleneck.”

SP/MA

How Virtual Reality is enhancing business and customer experience

By Michael Foli Jackidy

Ho (V/R), Aug. 6, GNA – Mr. Lawrence Awilo Attitoe, Vice Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) in Ho, has dismissed reports of a 20 per cent transport fare increase as false and unauthorized.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr. Attitoe stated that no transport union, including the GPRTU, has approved any fare adjustment. He emphasized that the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) lacks the authority to unilaterally declare fare increases.

His remarks follow a GRTCC press release, signed by its General Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Ohene-Yeboah, and Acting Chairman, Alhaji Tanko, announcing a 20 per cent fare hike effective Friday, August 8.

“That directive should be disregarded. No driver union is implementing any fare increase,” Mr. Attitoe stressed.

He said GPRTU’s national office confirmed that no meeting had been held to consider or approve the proposed increase and insisted that decisions on fare adjustments are made collectively by driver unions—not the GRTCC.

“The GRTCC does not speak for us. We consult among ourselves and with the Minister for Transport before any adjustment,” he explained.

Mr. Attitoe added that the Automatic Adjustment Formula, which previously guided fare reviews, was abolished by the former government, making consensus and consultation essential.

He acknowledged the impact of the recent GH₵1.00 per litre fuel levy but urged patience, expressing hope that commodity prices would fall rather than prompting fare hikes.

He also warned that any union implementing the proposed hike would face legal consequences.

Meanwhile, the GRTCC has justified the fare increase, citing rising operational costs due to the new fuel levy, lack of price reductions in spare parts, and worsening road conditions that have escalated vehicle maintenance expenses.

GNA

Edited By: Maxwell Awumah/Audrey Dekalu

Olympic torchbearer at 109, now Japan’s oldest citizen at 114: About former doctor Shigeko Kagawa

She graduated from medical school prior to World War II, served at a hospital in Osaka during the conflict, and subsequently managed her family clinic until retiring at the age of 86. According to a local television interview, her family emphasised that she follows a simple and disciplined lifestyle — rising and sleeping at fixed times and eating three modest, balanced meals every day.

A Ghana Air Force helicopter carrying eight people, including top government officials, has gone missing after reportedly crashing near Adansi Sikaman in the Adansi North District of the Ashanti Region.

Eyewitnesses at the scene say the aircraft caught fire upon impact around mid-morning, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air and drawing dozens of residents to the site. “It just came down fast and burst into flames,” one resident recounted, and added, “We couldn’t get close because of the heat and smoke.”

Local reports indicate that the passengers were en route to Obuasi to attend a high-level government programme when the incident occurred. While the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed, onlookers fear that all on board may have perished.

In a press release issued this afternoon, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) confirmed that the aircraft – a Z9 military helicopter – took off from Accra at 0912 hours heading for Obuasi, but went off radar shortly after. Efforts to re-establish contact have so far been unsuccessful.

According to the statement signed by Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, Acting Director General of Public Relations for the GAF, three crew members and five passengers were on board at the time of the incident.

The military and emergency responders have since moved into the area, cordoning off parts of Adansi Sikaman as search, rescue, and recovery operations continue.

More details will be shared as they become available.

A Daily Guide Report

South African supermarket store Shoprite is selling its operations in Ghana and Malawi.

The move, announced by the retailer on Tuesday, is part of the chain’s efforts to focus on its home market. The planned sales follow the retailer’s exits from DR Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Uganda in the last few years.

The retrenchment follows years of expansion across the continent during which the grocery store became Africa’s top food retailer in around 15 countries. Shoprite changed course after encountering currency volatility, double-digit inflation, restrictive import regulations, and leases pegged to the US dollar — problems which were most pronounced in Angola and Nigeria.

Shoprite’s departure from other African markets contrasts with its expansion within South Africa. It has launched hundreds of new stores in its home market over the last year, scaled up its Sixty60 e-commerce delivery service, and diversified into pet supplies, health care, and outdoor gear.

The development, which caused power outages across the area, prompted an urgent working visit

The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has announced the full restoration of electricity supply to Tamale and surrounding communities, following a temporary service withdrawal by staff of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and the Volta River Authority (VRA).

The development, which caused power outages across the area, prompted an urgent working visit by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor (MP), who held a series of high-level engagements with stakeholders to resolve the impasse.

During his visit, John Jinapor met with the Northern Regional Minister, the Mayor of Tamale, the management of NEDCo, leadership of the Senior Staff Association and Workers’ Unions of NEDCo and VRA, as well as regional heads of the Ghana Police Service and National Security.

The Minister also paid courtesy calls on the Gukpenaa, Kuga Naa, and Gbewaa Palaces, where he listened to the concerns of traditional authorities. He extended the Ministry’s appreciation to the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II, for his warm reception and leadership.

“The Ministry extends its gratitude to the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Mahama

Abukari Gariba II, for his gracious reception and insights during the visit.

“As a direct result of the Ministry’s proactive engagement, power has been fully

restored to the affected areas. The staff of NEDCo and VRA have rescinded their

decision to suspend services. The security services remain vigilant to ensure the safety and security of all,” the statement noted.

Following the intervention, staff of NEDCo and VRA have rescinded their decision to withdraw services and returned to work. The Ministry noted that security personnel remain deployed in the area to ensure the safety of utility workers and installations.

The statement signed by Energy Ministry spokesperson Richmond Rockson urged the public to avoid any acts of aggression toward utility staff.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to continuous stakeholder engagement, stressing that proactive dialogue is key to preventing future disruptions.

The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has inaugurated a committee to lead the operationalisation of the Komenda Sugar Factory. 

The factory, constructed more than 10 years ago, has remained dormant for the better part of its life.

The interim management committee (IMC), chaired by Kwame Owusu Sekyere, a lawyer, also has Douglas Mensah, an engineer; John Doku, Lt Col George Afful (retd), and Ransford Vanni Amoah as members.

The six-point Terms of Reference given to the IMC comprise conducting a technical assessment of the factory’s assets, reviewing its financial and business viability, evaluating the sugarcane raw material supply chain, identifying a credible strategic partner, reviewing the ministry’s operational roadmap, and proposing a transition plan towards full operations.

The committee is expected to submit its preliminary findings and recommendations to the ministry within eight weeks.

The inauguration, held in Accra last Monday, marks a renewed national effort to restore the factory to full functionality and economic relevance.

Government officials said it signalled a renewed determination to breathe life into one of Ghana’s key industrial initiatives and transform it into a sustainable source of employment and import substitution.

Inauguration, history

Inaugurating the committee, Mrs Ofosu-Adjare emphasised the significance of the factory as a “prized national asset” initiated under the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

She said it had been left to deteriorate due to a host of operational and supply chain challenges.

The factory dates back to 2013, when the government at the time contracted Seftech India Pvt to construct a sulphurless sugar plant on a turnkey basis.

Designed to produce 125 tonnes of sugar daily, with plans to expand into ethanol production and power generation, the project initially cost $36.25 million, funded through a loan from India EXIM Bank and a grant from EDAIF, now Ghana EXIM Bank.

Mrs Ofosu-Adjare said in spite of subsequent efforts, including the engagement of Park Agrotech as a strategic investor in 2020 and the involvement of West Africa Agro-Tech Company Limited (WAATCO) under the 1D1F initiative, the factory had not been able to achieve sustainable operations.

“In spite of these interventions, several attempts to operationalise the factory have not been successful,” the minister said.

To break this cycle, she said the government had constituted the high-level IMC to diagnose and address the root issues hindering the factory’s viability. 

National significance

Mrs Ofosu-Adjare underscored the broader national significance of the project.

“The Komenda Sugar Factory holds the potential to create enormous jobs in the catchment area, and cutting down on the volume of sugar imports into the country,” she said.

She added that the ministry was committed to supporting the IMC with the resources required to fulfil its mandate effectively.

The chairman of the IMC expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry for entrusting the committee with the task of reviewing and reviving the factory.

“We are honoured by the confidence reposed in us and pledge to diligently work on the terms of reference and deliver within the timelines assigned to us,” Mr Owusu Sekyere said.

Background

The Komenda Sugar Factory was originally established in 1964 by Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, but later collapsed.

The government secured a $35-million Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, India loan to re-establish the factory.

An additional $24 million facility was set aside to support out-grower farmers.

The factory was commissioned on May 30, 2016, by President John Dramani Mahama to produce sugar, but it became stillborn due to a multiplicity of factors that were described as “technical and operational challenges”.

The factory, which was expected to employ 7,300 people along the value chain in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem municipality, has not been operational since then.

While addressing a durbar of the chiefs and the people of Komenda in the Central Region on September 14, 2018, then President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, gave an assurance that the government was in the process of getting a strategic investor to revive the factory.

On April 5, 2019, a former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, also assured Parliament that a strategic investor would be named by the end of that month to acquire the assets of the factory and help to operationalise it.

Following mounting pressure from the chiefs, youth groups and the people of Komenda for the revival of the factory, the government announced on November 26, 2019, that Park Agrotech Ghana Limited, a Ghanaian-Indian company, had been selected as the strategic investor to revamp the factory.

It was explained that Park Agrotech emerged as the successful bidder after a rigorous selection process conducted by the accounting and advisory firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

The Ghana-based company, a subsidiary of the Skylark Group of Companies of India, one of the largest integrated farming businesses in India, was expected to inject $28 million into the factory between 2020 and 2023.

The company was expected to invest $11 million of the amount into sugarcane cultivation, $6 million to upgrade plant and machinery and $11 million as working capital to bring the ailing factory back on its feet.

The STM Project Limited, a company renowned for sugarcane development and sugar plant modernisation, expansion and rehabilitation for more than 200 sugar factories in India and other parts of the world, was supposed to serve as the technical partner, with technical support from the University of Cape Coast.

However, when the Daily Graphic followed up on the progress of work in March 2020, it emerged that no contract was signed between the government and the company. 

American sprinter, Ken­ny Bednarek, has branded compatriot, Noah Lyles, as “unsportsmanlike” after he lat­ter beat him to gold in the 200m event at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

The duo were racing in the 200m event at the annual cham­pionships in Oregon with Lyles pipping his Team USA teammate to gold with a time of 19.63s and were involved in a scuffle as they crossed the finish line, with Bednarek pushing Lyles and the pair exchanging words.

“I tell you, if you’ve got a problem, I expect a call,” Bednarek said in the post-race interview. “You know what, you’re right. You’re right. Let’s talk after this,” replied Lyles.

Speaking individually later on, Bednarek said: “Like I’ve said before, Noah’s going to be Noah. If he wants to stare me down, that’s fine.

“The summary is, don’t do that to me,” he said. “I don’t do any of that stuff. It’s not good character right there. That’s pretty much it. At the end of the day, he won the race. I’ve got to give him props. He was the better man today.

“What he said didn’t matter, it’s just what he did,” Bednarek said. “Unsportsmanlike expletive, and I don’t deal with that. It’s a respect factor. He’s fresh. Last time we lined it up, I beat him, that’s all I can say. Next time we line up, I’m going to win. That’s all that matters,” he added.

“On coach’s orders, no com­ment,” said Lyles when asked about the incident.

The result means that the pair face a rematch at the World Championships in Tokyo on 19 September, with Lyles a three-time defending world champion in his favourite event and the defending champion in the 100m too.

And Bednrek said that the pair will “go fresh and we’ll see what happens” in Japan. “I’m very con­fident I can beat him. That’s all I can say,” he added.-independent

A photo of police officers arresting an individual

The Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) has disclosed that it will begin prosecuting employers who hire individuals who have defaulted on their student loans.

The institution indicated that these measures are part of its recovery efforts to reclaim amounts owed by loan defaulters.

According to Enoch Asumadu Koranteng, Manager in charge of Enforcement, speaking on GH One on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, employers are mandated by the Student Loan Trust Fund Act to deduct loan repayments from the salaries of employees who are student loan beneficiaries and remit them to the Fund.

He stated that employers who fail to act accordingly would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Student Loan Trust Fund is set up by an Act of Parliament and Section 24 of the Act is saying that if you are an employer who employs beneficiaries of student loan, at the end of the month you need to deduct and remit the student loan repayment to us at the Fund. This is a statutory obligation so, if you are an employer and you fail to do these deductions and remittances, then the law says that we should prosecute you,” he said.

Asumadu Koranteng, explaining how the Fund is able to track defaulters and the institutions where they are employed, said that their database can identify all beneficiaries and their places of employment.

“Student Loan is a data controlling institution and so from our database, we are able to detect that an individual is working with this institution. I mean, based on our database, we are able to determine where you are.”

He continued, saying that through their database, the Fund writes to employers, directing them to deduct loan repayments from the salaries of defaulters.

He added that if employers fail to respond, the next steps include issuing warning letters, followed by possible prosecution as a final measure.

“When we get to know, we write to you demanding the repayment of the loan. We continue with a warning letter if you fail to respond to the demand earlier and the next step is the prosecution.

“By the time we get to the prosecution, it means we have done the first, demand notice, the second, which is the warning, and then the third, the prosecution. So, in accordance with the law, we prosecute employers who fail to deduct,” he continued.

He added: “In section 24, it places a statutory obligation on the employer, saying that at the commencement of employment, you inquire from the employee if they took student loan when they were in school. At section 27 of the Act, it places an obligation on this employee that when you get a job, inform your employer that you took student loan.

“So, there is an inquiry and there is a confirmation coming from the employer and the employee. So, by that, employers will get to know that yes, there’s a need to satisfy that obligation at section 24.”

MAG

Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:

By Michael Foli Jackidy

Ho (V/R), Aug. 5, GNA – The Volta Regional Directorate of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has successfully resolved 1,348 out of 1,353 complaints lodged against the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Ghana Water Limited (GWL) in the first half of 2025, achieving a 99.63 per cent resolution rate.

A press release signed by Mr. Philip Agbezudor, Volta and Oti Regional Manager of PURC, indicated that ECG accounted for 1,180 complaints—87.21 per cent of the total—with 1,175 resolved, reflecting a 99.60 per cent resolution rate. GWL received 173 complaints, all of which were fully addressed.

The Commission noted that 97.26 per cent of complaints were related to quality-of-service issues, including frequent power outages, voltage fluctuations, phase-offs, low water pressure, discoloured water, leakages, and pipe bursts. Billing-related issues comprised 1.63 per cent of complaints, covering high bills, overbilling, estimated charges, bulk billing, and discrepancies on the ECG PowerApp.

Complaints were received through various channels, including field visits, written submissions, phone-ins, walk-ins, and digital platforms. Notably, nearly 92 per cent of complaints were submitted via WhatsApp and email, highlighting the growing use of technology in public engagement.

A five-year trend analysis showed that the 2025 mid-year figure represents the highest number of complaints received since 2021. The increase is attributed to persistent service challenges and intensified public education campaigns by the Commission across the Volta and Oti regions.

As part of its outreach, PURC continued to educate communities on preventing bushfires that damage electricity poles—particularly in areas impacted by nomadic herdsmen. Community engagements were held in Fodome, Jasikan, Hohoe, Gbledi, Adaklu, Mafi, Kpando, Dzolokpuita, and parts of the Ho Municipality.

The 2025 Mid-Year Report reaffirms PURC’s commitment to regulatory effectiveness, consumer protection, and enhanced utility service delivery in the Volta and Oti regions.

GNA

Edited By: Maxwell Awumah/Audrey Dekalu

A military helicopter has reportedly crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, with initial reports indicating that some passengers on board have been burnt to death

The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 6, but details remain scant as emergency response teams race to the scene.

Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the crash or release a full list of those on board.

In a brief statement, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) stated that a helicopter, identified as a Z-9, has reportedly gone off the radar after taking off on the morning of Wednesday, August 6, 2025. The aircraft was headed to Obuasi when contact was lost.

The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that efforts are underway to trace the missing helicopter and re-establish communication.

According to initial reports, the aircraft was carrying a total of eight people—three crew members and five passengers. Authorities have not yet released the full list of individuals on board.

The Ghana Armed Forces, along with other relevant agencies, are expected to provide further updates as investigations continue.