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Beatrice Laryea

Jul – 23 – 2025 , 19:00

1 minute read

Dr Kenneth Ashigbey is the CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines

The Ghana Chamber of Mines is urging the government to review its decision to raise the Growth and Sustainability Levy from 1% to 3% ahead of the upcoming mid-year budget presentation.

The Chamber explained that the increased rate poses challenges for some mining firms, particularly smaller companies that earn significantly less than the larger players in the industry.

At a press conference held in Accra on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, the Chamber’s CEO, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, stated that lowering the levy would help stabilise the sector and encourage further investment.

He expressed optimism that the government would reconsider the levy in the mid-year budget.

“There have been conversations about the Growth and Sustainability Levy. Our hope is that it would be reduced in the mid-year budget,” he said.

Dr Ashigbey also noted that Ghana’s improving macroeconomic indicators are largely supported by the mining sector.

“The macro-economy is pointing in the right direction. The strength of the Cedi currently is predominantly based on gold,” he added.

He urged the government to recognise the vital role of the mining sector in the national economy and emphasised the importance of making decisions that support the industry’s long-term sustainability.

DR/MA

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The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emanuel Armah Kofi Buah says the ministry now has the capacity to track earth-moving equipment such as excavators even before they enter Ghana’s ports.

During his presentation at the Government Accountability Series held at the Jubilee House, the minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, indicated that a new digital tracking system has been introduced to monitor all imported excavators from the point of entry into the country.

The initiative, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division), and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, aims to clamp down on the use of unregistered and illegal machinery in mining operations across the country.

The Government Accountability Series is an initiative by the Ministry of Information in collaboration with key civil society groups to ensure that leaders remain answerable to the people they serve.

Mr. Kofi Buah explained that so far, over 1,200 excavators have been impounded at the ports, pending proper validation and clearance.

He said this is part of efforts to sanitize the mining sector and prevent illegal mining activities, popularly known as “galamsey”.

He further noted that the Minerals Commission is now using real-time geo-fencing and tracking technology to monitor equipment movement across mining areas.

He revealed that a pilot programme involving 191 excavators is currently underway at a dedicated control room within the commission.

“This is a very innovative move. We are now able to know when an excavator is shipped, when it lands, and where it is headed. We will no longer allow the free movement of mining machinery without proper monitoring,” the minister said.

He pointed out that the new system forms part of a broader national plan to enforce mandatory registration and tracking of all mining and heavy-duty equipment used in the country.

Mr. Buah assured the public that government remains committed to cleaning up the mining sector and protecting Ghana’s forests and water bodies from destruction caused by illegal mining.

By Jacob Aggrey

By Jibril Abdul Mumuni

Accra, July 22, GNA – Ghana’s agriculture sector is facing shortage of extension officers, with each officer currently serving an average of 1500 farmers lower than the standard of 500.

The alarming deficit was disclosed by Mr. Eric Opoku, Minister of Food and Agriculture, during the presentation of 150 motorbikes to extension officers to improve mobility and service delivery.

“ Our records show that one extension officer in Ghana caters to about 1,500 farmers, making it nearly impossible to provide effective training and support. This gap severely limits the adoption of modern farming techniques and keeps productivity low,” he said.

He noted that agriculture extension played a crucial role in bridging the gap between research institutions and farmers by disseminating knowledge on improved seeds, soil management, pest control and post-harvest practices.
However, their limited numbers have left thousands of farmers without vital guidance.

“ Without sufficient extension services, even the best agriculture policies and research breakthroughs will fail to reach smallholder farmers,” he said.

The Minister, stated that this situation contributed to Ghana’s reliance on $2 billion worth of food imports annually, despite having fertile land and favourable weather.

Mr. Opoku disclosed that the Ministry was recruiting additional Feed Ghana Coordinators to support overburdened extension officers.

He said the newly procured motorbikes will also enhance mobility enabling officers to reach remote farming communities regularly.

“These motorbikes will help our officers move from farm to farm, ensuring no farmers is left behind. Thirty of them are specially designed for female extension officers to promote inclusivity.

The Minister also said his outfit had also registered 42, 822 farmer cooperatives nationwide to streamline extension services.

This, he noted, would be implemented by grouping farmers to crop type and location ensuring that officers conducted training sessions and distributed inputs efficiently.

GNA
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong

Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has indicated that the Ministry is currently reviewing a proposal worth over 200 million euros aimed at improving educational infrastructure at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR).

He made this known during the swearing-in ceremony of the university’s governing council.

The Minister acknowledged the significant infrastructure deficits facing the institution and assured that concrete steps are being taken to give the university a much-needed facelift.
“It is estimated that, where the Republic of Ghana can be able to borrow, because of IMF limitations, we are unable to do that. However, there is a proposal I am reviewing worth over 200 million euros to support aggressive infrastructure development for the institution,” Haruna Iddrisu said.

He further revealed engagements with the Chief Executive of SIC Life, who has expressed interest in extending support through corporate social responsibility initiatives.

The Education Minister also inaugurated the Governing Councils for University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in addition to the Bolgatanga Technical University and the Koforidua Technical University, where he called on them to ensure they focus on rebranding technical education.

The Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) is decrying the severe shortage of lecturers and tutors which is affecting academic quality and stretching existing faculty.

With a student population exceeding 30,000, the university is still improvising and managed by a limited number of tutors, who endure double duty of overseeing large classes.

University management is urging the Minister of Education, through the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), to grant urgent clearance for the recruitment of additional lecturers.

Insufficient lecturers at the Appiah-Menka University is compounded by the lack of infrastructure, affecting the student populace and lectures.

The Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Mathematics Education, Professor Yarhands Suantah highlighted these concerns.

He urged the Minister of Education to take decisive action and provide the necessary support for the university.

While appealing for extra recruitment to fill the staff-to-student gap, he appealed for the establishment of a modern ICT laboratory to enhance the learning experience.

These concerns were raised at the Apex Conclave Leadership Conference of the National Union of Ghana Students at the University.

The conference was on the theme “Empowering the Next Generation of Ghanaian Leaders; Unity, Responsibility and Action.”

Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, advised the students to embrace leadership roles in all sectors.

President of the NUGS, Fusena Mohammed, emphasised that true leadership goes beyond holding a position.

She admonished aspiring leaders to fundamentally care, serve others, inspire change, and have the courage to take bold steps in any situation.

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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 Bank of Ghana’s headquarters

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) raised GH¢2.53 billion in its latest short-term debt issuance, following the results of its 56-day bill auction held on Monday, July 21, 2025.

The auction, identified as Tender 819, saw investor bids ranging between discount rates of 11.7820% and 24.0741% per annum.

However, the Bank allotted bids more selectively accepting only those within a significantly narrower range of 11.78% to 12.74%.

The weighted average discount rate for the accepted bids was 12.27%, translating to an equivalent interest rate of 12.51% per annum.

The issuance attracted strong demand despite the conservative bid allocation approach, reflecting what market analysts suggest is BoG’s ongoing monetary policy posture aimed at stabilising short-term yields while cautiously managing liquidity.

The total amount raised from the auction; GH¢2.53 billion signals, continued reliance on open market operations as a tool to mop up excess liquidity and guide inflation expectations.

This issuance comes amid heightened investor interest in short-term sovereign instruments as uncertainty around medium to long-term fiscal consolidation persists.

SP/AE

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L-R Nii Tackie Adama Latse II, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II

The Supreme Court of Ghana has quashed an order to reinstate Nii Tackie Adama Latse II as the Ga Mantse, thus reaffirming King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II as the undisputed Ga Mantse.

This judgement marks the end of a 4-year legal battle involving the two parties who have been contending for the Ga stool.

The court’s ruling quashed an earlier directive by the Court of Appeal, which had ordered the National House of Chiefs to reinstate Nii Adama Latse’s name in the register of chiefs, effectively challenging King Teiko Tsuru’s legitimacy.

Background

In April 2021, Nii Tackie Adama Latse II claimed that his name had been removed from the register of the National House of Chiefs.

According to him, this removal was done without a formal destoolment process, prompting Nii Adama Latse to seek redress in court.

In June 2025, the Court of Appeal upheld a High Court decision instructing the National House of Chiefs to restore his name within 14 days. The ruling was interpreted by many as a validation of Nii Adama Latse’s claim to the Ga Mantse title.

However, King Teiko Tsuru II challenged the decision at the Supreme Court, arguing that the lower courts had acted without jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters, which are traditionally adjudicated by Judicial Committees within the chieftaincy system.

His lawyers contended that he was neither notified nor allowed to be heard, a violation of the principles of natural justice.

They also pointed out that the High Court had overreached by interfering with a matter reserved for the National House of Chiefs, thereby breaching constitutional boundaries.

Aftermath

According to a report by GhOne on its social media channels, the Supreme Court, in its ruling on July 23, 2025, agreed with King Teiko Tsuru’s position and ruled that the June 12 Court of Appeal judgement was unlawful.

By quashing the order to reinstate Nii Adama Latse II, the court upheld the authority of the National House of Chiefs and reaffirmed King Teiko Tsuru II’s standing as the legitimate Ga Mantse.

ID/MA