Police in Singapore can now seize control of a person’s bank account and block money transfers if they suspect the person is being scammed, under a new law that kicked in on Tuesday.

The move is aimed at addressing a common issue faced by the police, where victims often refuse to believe they are being scammed despite warnings, authorities have said.

The law was passed earlier this year by lawmakers, though some members of parliament have described the measure as intrusive.

Singapore has seen a worsening problem with scams, which surged to a record S$1.1 billion ($860m; £630m) in 2024 in the island-state.

Under the new Protection from Scams Act, the police can order banks to block a potential victim from making transactions if they suspect the person is being scammed.

Police can also block a potential victim’s use of ATMs and credit services.

The decision can be taken by a police officer even if the potential victim does not believe warnings that they are being scammed.

The bank account owner will still have access to his funds for legitimate reasons, such as to pay for their daily expenses and bills, but can only use their money at the discretion of the police, according to Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The MHA has said that a potential victim’s bank account can be controlled by the police for up to 30 days at a time, with the option for a maximum of five extensions if more time is needed.

Critics of the law have raised concerns over accountability and the possibility of abuse of power. In Parliament in January, some MPs suggested allowing citizens to opt out of the law, or giving people the option to nominate someone else to freeze their transactions instead of the authorities.

But proponents have said that the law is needed to stem the huge losses incurred by victims and to protect them.

The MHA said the decision would be based on the facts offered by the individual and family members. “The restriction order will only be issued as a last resort, after other options to convince the individual have been exhausted,” it said in a statement.

The number of reported scams in Singapore has grown from around 15,600 cases in 2020 to more than 50,000 cases in 2024.

Common scams in Singapore include job and investment scams, and e-commerce fraud where users are duped into paying for items they never receive. Many are also increasingly falling prey to internet love scams, where fraudsters spend months building online relationships before tricking victims into sending money.

The new law is the latest anti-scam measure authorities have rolled out in Singapore. Since 2023, bank users can lock up a portion of money in their account so that they cannot be transferred digitally.

Most banks also have an emergency “kill switch” that lets customers freeze their bank accounts immediately if they suspect it has been compromised.

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 videoGoosie Tanoh is the Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy

Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy, Goosie Tanoh, has projected that Ghana’s ambitious 24-Hour Economy initiative will attract an estimated $4 billion in private sector investment over the next few years.

Speaking ahead of the official launch of the policy on Monday, June 30, 2025, Tanoh highlighted the initiative’s core objective of fostering long-term industrial growth, creating sustainable jobs, and boosting the country’s export competitiveness.

“The total investment required is about $4 billion times ten, so GH¢400 billion. We hope it stays that way, and most of it is going to come from the private sector,” he stated.

He emphasised that the policy will focus on key structural reforms to make Ghana a more attractive destination for businesses, particularly in light of the growing trend of firms relocating to neighboring Côte d’Ivoire due to more favorable business conditions.

“One of the problems investors have faced in Ghana, and I’m sure you’ve all heard this, is the unpredictable and incoherent incentive regimes, the high cost of operations, and under-the-table payments and corruption. Some companies have moved to Ivory Coast, where it’s easier to do business. Our aim is to reverse that,” he added.

Tanoh further explained that the 24-Hour Economy will focus on three main pillars: a coherent and transparent performance-based incentive regime, improved infrastructure, and secured industrial lands free from title disputes.

“The key components are a coherent, practical, transparent incentive regime with very little discretion—that’s how we eliminate corruption. Secondly, we will build ecological paths to ensure both domestic and foreign investors have access to land without litigation or disputes,” he explained.

The 24-Hour Economy, a flagship policy of the current administration, is expected to transform Ghana’s economic landscape by encouraging round-the-clock industrial activity, increasing productivity, and strengthening the country’s export base.

SP/MA

How social engineering hacks your mind and your bank account

Ghana’s ambitious quest to revitalise its poultry sector confronts a fundamental reality: its smallholder base profoundly shapes the agricultural landscape. Over 80 per cent of Ghanaian farms are typically less than two hectares (MoFA, 2022). 

Yet, a multitude of formidable challenges consistently impedes their growth and competitiveness.

While the undeniable efficiency of large-scale operations holds significant allure, the most sustainable path forward for Ghana’s agricultural industry in the medium term critically depends on empowering these numerous smallholder farmers, transforming them into efficient, resilient contributors. 

In this context, the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) model has proven particularly effective. Its broad applicability spans various agricultural commodities, extending well before and beyond just poultry.

The VSLA revolution: A grassroots powerhouse

VSLAs are not just microfinance schemes; they are community-based engines of empowerment. Imagine a collective where individuals, often in rural and underserved areas, pool their meagre savings, building a shared fund from which members can borrow at low-interest rates. 

This transparent, self-managed system, governed by elected officers and with clear bylaws, rebuilds trust where formal banks often fail. Women dominate these groups and are led by women. 

Crucially for smallholder farmers (SHFs), these groups offer immediate, collateral-free loans for critical needs.  

Beyond credit, VSLAs enable collective procurement of inputs. By aggregating demand, groups can negotiate substantial bulk discounts on inputs, significantly driving down costs for each farmer and streamlining the supply chain. This collective muscle transforms individual struggles into shared strength.

A 2019 report by Ghana’s Ministry of Finance, referencing the Savings Groups Information Exchange, revealed that VSLAs in Ghana had mobilised $56 million in savings among more than 850,000 members, primarily women in rural and peri-urban areas. 

Globally, CARE—pioneer of the model—estimates that VSLAs now control over $1 billion in savings annually, underscoring their transformative potential.

Beyond finance: Knowledge, tech and resilience

The impact of VSLAs extends far beyond financial transactions. Their weekly gatherings naturally evolve into informal farmer field schools, where members organically share invaluable agronomic tips and demonstrate new techniques. 

This peer-to-peer learning creates a robust, localised extension service. Furthermore, VSLAs are proving to be powerful gateways for ICT4Ag services. Digital tools, such as mobile-based savings ledgers, SMS alerts for market prices, or even weather advisories, become highly cost-effective when deployed to an existing, cohesive group. 

These groups foster digital literacy, turning early adopters into trainers who rapidly multiply technological know-how across the community.

The impact is tangible: lenders across the spectrum, from commercial banks, through rural banks to input credit providers, all attest to the high repayment behaviour of the VSLAs.

Also, numerous studies show that VSLA members were twice as likely to purchase improved seeds and agrochemicals. In northern Ghana, VSLA-affiliated SHFs reported a 30 per cent increase in off-season vegetable production, spurred by micro-credit for irrigation. 

Fortifying the future: Social protection and embedded insurance

To truly make these VSLAs resilient and propel the agricultural sector forward, we must integrate crucial layers of protection. Smallholder farmers, particularly in rural areas, face disproportionate risks from climate change (floods, droughts) and personal vulnerabilities (illness, accidents, ageing). 

Here, VSLAs can evolve to become platforms for comprehensive social protection products. By leveraging their social funds, VSLAs can offer microinsurance cover for life, death, on-farm accidents, hospitalisation and contribute to informal pensions. 

This layered protection safeguards livelihoods and prevents minor shocks from becoming catastrophic setbacks. For poultry farmers, this could mean specific coverage for disease outbreaks, unexpected flock mortality or losses due to extreme weather, ensuring they can rebuild without spiralling into debt.

Furthermore, fostering resilience and mitigation demands innovative financial tools. Embedded insurance models that bundle crucial crop and livestock insurance with VSLA financial products can be deployed.

Imagine an agric-loan or input credit that automatically includes climate-risk insurance, protecting the farmer’s investment against unforeseen weather patterns.

This approach de-risks the entire value chain, encouraging greater investment and more sustainable practices.

By promoting widespread awareness and adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and ICT4Ag tools—providing critical support for informed decisions on optimal planting date, input selection and enhanced productivity— farmers are empowered to navigate a changing climate. 

Market access and value addition

Even with enhanced production, the smallholder poultry and crop farmers often struggle to access lucrative markets. VSLAs offer a powerful solution. 

By pooling their produce, members can collectively meet larger market demands, negotiate better prices with buyers and reduce individual transportation costs. 

This aggregated volume makes them more attractive to larger off-takers, including hotels, restaurants and even formal processing plants that might otherwise overlook individual smallholders.

VSLAs can facilitate direct linkages to these markets, bypassing exploitative middlemen and ensuring farmers receive a fairer share of the value chain. 

Moreover, groups can collectively invest in basic value addition, such as improved cleaning, packaging or even small-scale processing equipment, which can significantly enhance the marketability and profitability of their poultry products. This shift from scattered sellers to organised suppliers is a game-changer.

Policy pathways

For VSLAs to truly revolutionise Ghana’s agricultural sector, supportive policy is paramount.

Government and development partners must recognise VSLAs as key agents of change, moving beyond short-term projects to integrate them into national agricultural development strategies. This includes:

•    Formal recognition and capacity building: Providing legal recognition and tailored training for VSLA leadership in governance, financial management and cooperative principles.

•    Support to form Apex VSLA (or VSLA Federation/Network): A secondary-level organisation formed by multiple, mature, individual VSLAs that come together to collectively pool larger capital, provide bigger loans and access more sophisticated financial services and market opportunities beyond what a single group can achieve.

•    Linking VSLAs to formal finance: Creating pathways for successful VSLAs to transition into or partner with formal financial institutions, allowing them to access larger credit lines and expand their operations. This could involve guarantees or blended finance mechanisms.

Conclusion

The journey to revive Ghana’s poultry sector is complex, but the path of empowering smallholder farmers through resilient VSLA models offers a powerful, proven solution. 

By championing their access to flexible finance, fostering collective action in input procurement, leveraging peer-to-peer knowledge transfer, embracing digital innovation, streamlining market access, facilitating value addition and crucially integrating robust social protection and embedded insurance, we can transform the landscape. 

These tools are not mere additions; they are the bedrock upon which our smallholder farmers can build unshakeable resilience, driving the agricultural sector—and, indeed, Ghana’s economic renewal—confidently forward.

CUTS International has announced plans to seek a court injunction against the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) over its approval of new electricity tariffs, accusing the regulator of failing to address inefficiencies at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The move follows PURC’s recent announcement of a 2.45% increase in electricity tariffs for all customer categories, which took effect on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Water tariffs, however, remain unchanged.

Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Tuesday, July 1, West Africa Regional Director of CUTS International, Appiah Kusi Adomako, stated that PURC’s continued approval of tariffs despite ECG’s unresolved technical and commercial losses is unacceptable.

“For us as an organisation, what we intend to do is go to court to also mandate PURC not to approve tariffs for ECG, until ECG can address the inefficiencies in the energy sector. Already we know that there are a lot of technical and commercial losses which are unacceptable,” he said.

He stressed that the Commission appears more focused on burdening consumers than holding ECG accountable.

“PURC is unable to tell the ECG to bring those losses down, but anytime PURC is looking at the low-hanging fruits, taxing you and me to pay, and that is where we can go to court to put further injunction on any tariff review,” Mr. Adomako added.

An emotional Coco Gauff said she will need to “make changes” to be successful at Wimbledon after she was knocked out in the first round on a day of shocks at the All England Club.

The American second seed was beaten 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 by Ukraine world number 42 Dayana Yastremska on a packed Court One under the roof.

Gauff, 21, was a contender for the title at SW19 following her triumph at Roland Garros less than a month ago.

But a performance strewn with double faults and unforced errors handed Yastremska a rare opportunity against the world number two and she grasped it with both hands to reach the second round.

Gauff teared up as she expressed “disappointment” at the loss and said she would do things differently in the build-up to the grass-court swing next time, particularly after a deep run at the French Open.

“I think it’s just changing my playing style a little bit, which is difficult,” she said.

“I have faith that if I can make these adjustments, I can do well here. I really do want to do well here.

“I’m not someone who wants to write myself off grass this early in my career, but I definitely need to make changes if I want to be successful here.”

The shock result follows first-round exits for fellow top-five seeds Jessica Pegula and Zheng Qinwen on day two at the Championships.

American third seed Pegula lost 6-2 6-3 to Italy’s world number 116 Elisabetta Cocciaretto, while Olympic champion Zheng went down 7-5 4-6 6-1 to Katerina Siniakova.

Gauff questions Wimbledon preparations

Just three and a half weeks ago, Gauff was on top of the world, having lifted the trophy at Roland Garros after beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

But a lacklustre performance laden with mistakes on her unfavoured surface saw the two-time major winner head out early against the unseeded Yastremska, leading her to question her build-up to the grass-court major.

“I just feel like the surface, I maybe could have used more matches,” she said.

“If you go deep in Roland Garros, you’re debating: ‘do I rush and play that week, or do I take time and play the week before?’ It’s a tricky thing.

“It’s like finding the puzzle. I don’t like to play the week before. It’s a quick turnaround, so I think just trying to learn whether it’s better to train more and maybe play Bad Homburg or Eastbourne.

“If that time comes around again, I’ll approach it differently.”

Since winning her first title on the Paris clay last month Gauff has played just one match, a first-round defeat by qualifier Wang Xinyu of China at the Berlin Open.

In that match, she was plagued by double faults, and those demons were back to haunt her again at SW19.

Gauff recorded nine double faults and 29 unforced errors compared with just six winners and struggled against Yastremska’s aggressive style and powerful ground strokes.

Success on grass continues to elude her, with Wimbledon the only Grand Slam where Gauff is yet to reach the last eight.

Pegula records ‘worst result of year’ as Zheng also falls

Pegula said her first-round exit earlier on Tuesday was her “worst result of the year” as she was beaten by a player ranked 113 places below her.

The 31-year-old had heavy strapping on her right knee but said that did not bother her as she was dismantled in just 58 minutes on Court Two by Cocciaretto.

“This is definitely probably the worst result I’ve had all year,” the American said.

“I’ve been winning lots of matches. It’s just all about it having to come together for two weeks. Sometimes it doesn’t quite all align when you need it to.”

Pegula has only once gone beyond the quarter-final stage of a major – at last year’s US Open, where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the final – and has gone out before the last eight in all three Grand Slam tournaments since.

This marks her worst performance at a major since the 2020 French Open.

Less than three hours later, she was followed out of the door by Chinese fifth seed Zheng after a grass-court lesson from doubles champion Siniakova.

Siniakova, who has won the Wimbledon women’s doubles title three times, showed her grass-court pedigree to ensure Zheng’s challenge ended at the first hurdle for the third year in a row. It was the Czech who also knocked her out at the same stage two years ago.

Polish eighth seed Iga Swiatek advanced with a comprehensive 7-5 6-1 victory over Russia’s Polina Kudermetova.

Teenager Mirra Andreeva was also a 6-3 6-3 winner against Egypt’s Mayar Sherif while 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina cruised through with a 6-2 6-1 victory over Armenia’s Elina Avanesyan.

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.

MEST Africa releases transforming lives and shaping futures

The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa) has released Transforming Lives, Shaping Futures: AgTech in Ghana, a five-part docu-series that is now streaming on its social media channels.

The series follows Complete Farmer, Agro Innova and Farmerline, AgTech Companies, as equip smallholder farmers with digital tools that raise yields, open markets, and build climate resilience across the country.

In 2022, Ghana imported roughly US$2.6 billion in food and farm products—a cost driven by low on-farm productivity, post-harvest losses of up to 50 percent, patchy storage, transport, and limited local processing.

The series sets this backdrop in the fields, weaving on-site footage with voices of farmers, AgTech founders, sector experts, and agronomists to show how home-grown AgTech is narrowing the gap: lifting yields, linking smallholders to new markets, and building a climate-resilient, more self-reliant food system.

“By putting real farmers and founders side-by-side on screen, we show how technology grounded in local know-how can be both practical and profitable,” said Greg Coussa, Strategic Director at MEST Africa. “Climate change isn’t a distant forecast for Ghana’s farmers—it’s the weather they work in every day. This series proves that the same tech-and-talent partnership can turn climate risk into resilience, strengthening food systems for tomorrow while delivering prosperity today.”

Across the five episodes, viewers see technology applied in real time—from precision weather alerts that help farmers time their planting, to data-driven supply chains that shorten the road from field to market.

The series shows that when locally built solutions meet the everyday realities of Ghana’s smallholders, the results are tangible: higher yields, steadier incomes, and farming practices that can withstand erratic rains and rising temperatures.

“Digital tools are finally giving Ghana’s farmers the information, markets, and predictability they’ve always needed,” said Desmond Koney, CEO of Complete Farmer, a MEST Portfolio Company. “Sharing our story through MEST’s docu-series lets us show—practically—how tech can turn daily challenges into stable, growing livelihoods for smallholders.”

Founded on the conviction that ‘talent is everywhere yet opportunity is not’, MEST Africa has spent more than 17 years turning that gap into growth, training over 2,000 tech entrepreneurs and backing 90-plus startups across fintech, healthtech, e-commerce, and now AgTech.

‘Transforming Lives, Shaping Futures: AgTech in Ghana’ carries that work to the farmgate, documenting how home-grown digital solutions are already helping smallholders boost yields, reach new markets, and weather a changing climate. All five episodes are live on MEST’s social channels, with wider distribution to follow on YouTube, national broadcasters, and international platforms.

Parliament has approved a $360 million financing agreement between the Government of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group to support the country’s post-crisis economic recovery and long-term resilience.

The facility—part of the Second Resilient Recovery Development Policy Financing (DPF) operation—is expected to bolster Ghana’s fiscal consolidation efforts, strengthen the financial sector, promote energy sector reforms, and enhance social and climate resilience.

The agreement was laid before the House and reviewed by the Finance Committee, which presented its report in Parliament this week. According to the Committee, the funds are crucial to sustaining the current momentum in macroeconomic stabilisation and implementing reforms under the government’s Post-COVID-19 Programme for Economic Growth (PC-PEG).

Key Areas of Focus

The financing is structured around three main pillars:

1. Restoring Fiscal Sustainability – The facility will help consolidate gains made under the IMF-supported programme, particularly in domestic revenue mobilisation, public financial management, and debt transparency.

2. Strengthening Financial Sector Stability and Energy Sector Reform – It aims to enhance the operational and financial viability of the energy sector and improve risk-based supervision of financial institutions.

3. Enhancing Social, Climate, and Economic Resilience – This includes expanding access to social protection, addressing gender gaps, and improving climate-responsive planning and spending.

Favourable Terms

The loan comes with highly concessional terms, including a 1.25% service charge, no interest, a 5-year grace period, and a 30-year repayment schedule. The Committee emphasised that the facility is aligned with Ghana’s medium-term debt strategy and will not unduly burden the country’s debt sustainability outlook.

Background and Context

This facility is part of a broader World Bank support package to Ghana, which also includes investment lending and technical assistance. It complements earlier budgetary support under the first Resilient Recovery DPF and is designed to reinforce ongoing reforms under Ghana’s IMF programme.

The Committee, chaired by Hon. Isaac Adongo, recommended the agreement for adoption after noting that the terms were favourable and the intended reforms were essential for building a more resilient and inclusive economy.

The motion was subsequently adopted by Parliament, clearing the way for the Ministry of Finance to access the funds and commence implementation of the outlined policy actions.

Business leaders at the Ghana Outstanding Business Achievement Awards forum

The Technical Director of Monty Prestige Engineering and Consultancy Limited (MPEC), Anthony Herbert Montford, along with several business leaders, has called on the government to enhance support for startups and local enterprises.

He argues that targeted support for startups is a key strategy to tackle unemployment and drive inclusive economic growth.

“If we want to see long-term, sustainable economic growth, we must prioritise the entrepreneurial ecosystem,” he said.

“Our company was founded in 2016, and the journey hasn’t been easy. For both local and international mining firms to now trust us with their equipment is not just a win for MPEC, it shows how local businesses can thrive with the right support,” he pointed out.

He made the appeal during the 2025 edition of the Ghana Outstanding Business Achievement Awards (GOBAA) forum, held in Accra.

Several award recipients echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the urgent need for stronger collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to make existing support programmes more transparent, accessible, and impactful.

Head of Finance at Zipline, Samuel Nsiah Ansong, also weighed in on the topic, noting that improved partnerships could create more jobs for the youth.

“With enhanced collaboration between the public and private sectors, we can create more job opportunities in security and logistics, particularly for the youth,” he said after Zipline was named Best Security Service Company.

Country Manager of Cosmo Cosmetics Ghana, Comfort T. Nomo, also highlighted how the macroeconomic environment has presented new business opportunities.

“The recent depreciation of the dollar has actually helped create more revenue and jobs in the importation sector,” she said.

“Cosmo Cosmetics is here to stay, and we have plans underway to expand our brand reach across the region.”

According to recent data from the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) contribute more than 70% to the country’s GDP and provide nearly 80% of private-sector employment.

However, many SMEs continue to face persistent challenges, including limited access to financing, inadequate regulatory support, and a lack of technical expertise.

SSD/MA

GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey

How social engineering hacks your mind and your bank account

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has cautioned the public against engaging with investment products promoted by News GH and Ghana News, describing both entities as unlicensed and operating outside Ghana’s regulatory framework.

According to the SEC, the two companies have been using social media platforms to advertise unapproved investment schemes. News GH is reportedly promoting a scheme called the “Gold AI Rise Platform,” while Ghana News is offering an unnamed product that promises unrealistically high returns with no associated risk.

In a statement issued on July 1, 2025, the Commission stated that neither News GH nor Ghana News is licensed to conduct capital market activities under Section 3 of the Securities Industry Act, 2016 (Act 929), as amended.

As part of its investor protection mandate, the SEC has launched enforcement actions in collaboration with law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute individuals behind the schemes.

The Commission is also urging the public to remain vigilant and verify the regulatory status of any investment offer through official SEC channels before participating.

The advisory was issued pursuant to Sections 3 and 208(c) of the Securities Industry Act, reinforcing the SEC’s commitment to protecting investors from fraudulent and unregulated market operators.

Majority of Ghanaians believe Ghana is headed in the right direction – Global InfoAnalytics

Information gathered by dailyguideonline indicates that the United States and Ghanaian Security Authorities have extradited Real Estate Mogul Joseph Badu Boateng, aka Dada Joe Remix, to the U.S. to face charges over a multi-million dollar fraud ring involving romance and inheritance scams.

The operation was led by the Diplomatic Security Service and the FBI.

More to come

BY Prince Fiifi Yorke

Some Ghanaians say their standard of living has improved

A study by Global InfoAnalytics has revealed that a significant number of Ghanaian voters have experienced an improvement in their standard of living this year compared to the same period last year.

The survey, conducted by Mussa K. Dankwah, Pollster and Head of Research at Global InfoAnalytics, found that 59% of voters say their standard of living has improved compared to this time last year.

Only 12% say it has worsened, 25% say it has remained the same, and 11% had no opinion.

When asked whose policies are responsible for the current economic conditions Ghanaians are experiencing, 62% of voters attributed it to the policies of the Mahama administration, while 23% pointed to the Nana Addo administration, and 15% were unsure.

However, a majority of voters support the Energy Sector Levy, also referred to as the ‘Dumsor Levy’, which increases the price of fuel by GH₵1 per litre.

According to the research, 55% of voters approve of the levy, 22% oppose it, and 23% are neutral.

The online survey involved 1,092 participants and was conducted between May 10 and May 20, 2025, using probability random online sampling.

It has a margin of error of ±3.82% and a 99% confidence level.

“When voters were asked to rate the president on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being excellent, the poll showed that the president’s top-performing area is stabilising the cedi, where he scored 7.0 out of 10. This was followed by the economy and oral communication, each scoring 6.6, stabilising prices of goods and services (6.5), electricity and water prices (6.0), galamsey (6.0), dumsor (5.8), and job creation (5.6),” parts of the research indicated.

SSD/KA

GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey

How social engineering hacks your mind and your bank account

GAND moves to create food label literacy in Ghana

As part of activities to mark this year’s Nutrition Month, Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND) is leading a month-long campaign under the theme, “Behind Every Food Label Lies a Story — Make Yours a Healthy One.”

The initiative underscores the Academy’s commitment to raising awareness and improving food label literacy across the country — a crucial step in promoting long-term public health.

In an era where pre-packaged foods dominate the market, GAND is intensifying education on the health risks posed by hidden levels of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, often masked in technical label jargon.

The campaign seeks to empower consumers to make informed choices by decoding these labels.

Evidence from the World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa shows that countries implementing front-of-pack labelling policies have seen a 15–20% drop in the purchase of unhealthy foods. However, in Ghana, food label literacy remains low.

A 2023 University of Ghana survey revealed that while 70% of pre-packaged foods are high in sodium, sugar, or saturated fats, only 22% of consumers check food labels regularly, and less than 15% understand what they mean.

To help bridge this gap, GAND has outlined a wide range of activities for the month. These include the daily release of flyers offering insights into food labels and healthier alternatives, as well as informative discussions on television and radio to enhance public understanding.

Webinars will also be held to provide practical guidance on how to apply label knowledge in everyday life, alongside short educational videos and jingles circulating on social media and radio.

Nutritionists and dietitians will also be taking education directly into communities and healthcare facilities nationwide, offering on-the-spot guidance to members of the public on how to read and interpret food labels.

On campuses, special stands will be set up to engage students in direct demonstrations, while nutrition students will take to the streets with interactive quizzes designed to boost awareness and participation.

Despite a significant boost in funding to the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies through the District Assemblies Common Fund, the agriculture sector— a key driver of the economy and employing over 50 per cent of the population—has been neglected, with no direct allocation from the GH¢987.96 million first-quarter 2025 disbursement, a Graphic Business analysis has found.

This means that agricultural initiatives such as the Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project are helping smallholder farms increase their productivity, and the Savannah Agricultural Value Chain Development Programme, which is working to expand the production of key crops like maize, soybean, and rice, will face challenges.

Additionally, the Inland Valley Rice Development Project, which focuses on developing rice production in inland valleys, providing infrastructure support and improved inputs, and the Youth in Agriculture Programme, which is designed to attract the youth into agriculture, will also be hard hit due to low funding. 

This is because the disbursements to the MMDAs were allocated to specific projects. The projects include: 25 per cent for model markets, 10 per cent each for health infrastructure, educational infrastructure, school furniture, and water and sanitation projects, plus 20 per cent for completing abandoned legacy projects. 

This represents a notable improvement from 2017-2024, when only 40-50 per cent of DACF allocations reached the assemblies, leaving local governments under-resourced. 
 

Funding gap

The funding gap has prompted urgent calls for policy reform, with experts warning that systematic underfunding of agriculture at the local level jeopardises Ghana’s food security and rural development goals.

An agribusiness and investment strategist, Raymond Denteh, told the Graphic Business that the District Assemblies Common Fund’s lack of direct funding for agriculture was a significant misalignment between national development goals and local government planning in a country where over half the population depends on farming. 

He said the district-level Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) offices remained severely under-resourced, with extension officers lacking basic tools, mobility and digital infrastructure, while they maintained unacceptably high officer-to-farmer ratios that limited their effectiveness. 

Key recommendations

He explained that the lack of DACF allocation to agriculture could hinder its growth at the local level in Ghana. However, he stated that district assemblies should adopt several innovative and strategic approaches to maintain service delivery and promote local economic development.

Mr Denteh made several key recommendations, including diversifying and strengthening Internally Generated Funds (IGF) by improving collection systems for property rates, market tolls, and business permits through digitisation, with a portion allocated explicitly for agricultural development and extension services. 

He further advocated the establishment of agricultural land banks in collaboration with traditional authorities to attract investors and facilitate land access for youth and agripreneurs, while leveraging strategic partnerships with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and donor-funded projects for co-financing opportunities. 

Furthermore, he suggested expanding support for Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) via Social Welfare and Community Development departments to enhance grassroots financial inclusion and serve as platforms for microenterprise growth, especially benefiting women and youth in rural areas.
 

Efficient resource utilisation

Meanwhile, in a separate interview, the former General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) argued that effectively using allocated resources was more important for transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector than a significant budget increase. 

“While it is desirable to allocate more resources to agriculture, we must remember that the key to advancing agriculture is ensuring the efficient use of resources within the sector,” he stated.

He cited the Planting for Food and Jobs programme as an example, explaining that although over GH¢5 billion had been invested, the country had little to show for it due to the imprudent use of resources.

He identified significant weaknesses in the implementation of agricultural policies that needed to be addressed to ensure the success of new initiatives.

He said allocated funds in the budget were often not fully disbursed at the end of the day, creating a gap between planned and actual spending. He said that where disbursements were made, the money did not always reach the target beneficiaries, with funds sometimes diverted for other purposes or inputs smuggled out of the country.

Additionally, he said that even when resources reached farmers, there was no guarantee they would be used as intended, with some farmers selling fertilisers meant for their farms or using less than the recommended quantities.

“You need to trace the value chain of the supply to ensure that at every stage, the things are properly done the way you want it to be done,” he advised, stressing the critical role of agriculture in the country’s economic development, particularly in light of the government’s 24-hour economy policy.

“Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy. It produces food for us to feed on. It also produces the raw materials for most of our industries,” he stated, adding that the 24-hour economy, which seeks to increase manufacturing and productivity, would require raw materials that must come from the agricultural sector.

“I would strongly suggest that we should get agriculture to get back to its glory days, to serve as the foundation to produce enough foodstuff for this country and, at the same time, raw materials for our industries,” he said.

Frank Adu Jnr is a former Chief Executive Officer of CalBank

Former Chief Executive Officer of CalBank, Frank Adu Jnr, has disclosed that his exit from the bank was not voluntary but the result of an administrative decision by the Bank of Ghana.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, June 30, 2025, he revealed that his contract had not yet expired when the decision was made.

“You mean my forced retirement from CalBank? Well, I say forced because I had a contract which hadn’t expired, and the Bank of Ghana Governor thought that he would use this administrative decision to cause me to take early retirement,” he said.

He emphasised that he harbours no resentment over how his nearly two-decade tenure ended.

“I bless him for it because I think I’ve profited from that,” he added.

Frank Adu clarified that his concerns were with the administrative process, not with any individuals often blamed for changes within the financial sector.

He said he could have legally challenged the Bank of Ghana’s decision to end his tenure, as it violated an active contract.

Although urged by influential figures to take legal action, he chose not to pursue the matter.

He explained that his retirement plan was always flexible, and stepping down at 57 was close to his original goal of retiring at 55.

He expressed no regrets and said he feels at peace, viewing early retirement as a blessing that freed him from the stress of handling bad loans and regulatory demands.

His comments come amid ongoing discussions about regulatory interventions and leadership changes in Ghana’s banking industry.

DR/MA

GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey

How social engineering hacks your mind and your bank account

Two policy think tanks have called for full public disclosure of the data and methodology used in determin­ing the tariff rates by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

The two noted that the recent 2.43 per cent tariffs increments announced by the commission and scheduled to start today was outrageous.

In a statement, jointly signed by West Africa Regional Director of CUTS International and Benja­min Nsiah, Executive Director of CEMSE, the civil society organi­sations (CSOs) and copied to The Ghanaian Times, stated that the tariff adjustment violates Section 3(c) of the PURC Act 538 of 1997, which mandates fairness in electricity pricing to benefit gov­ernment, producers, and consum­ers alike.

The CSOs argued that consum­ers had anticipated a reduction in electricity tariffs due to the cedi’s significant appreciation against the dollar and declining inflation both critical indicators used in deter­mining electricity pricing.

They explained that the cedi appreciated by over 30 per cent between the first and second quarters of the year, moving from GH¢15.70 to GH¢10.31 per dollar.

This, they emphasised, translat­ed into overpayments by end-us­ers and generated approximately GH¢1 billion in windfall revenues for the government and distri­bution companies, which could have been used to clear arrears or finance emergency power supply, rendering the new tariff increase unjustifiable.

They further criticised the PURC for relying on a miscalcu­lated inflation rate of 20.67 per cent, instead of the current rate of 18.4per cent.

The CSOs also argued that the minor increase in gas prices by 1 per cent or $0.08 had a negligible impact on overall cost and could not reasonably support the tariff hike.

The CSOs questioned why the PURC cited a GH¢488 million deficit without accounting for the earlier windfall from currency gains.

BY TIMES REPORTER

By Gifty Amofa  

Accra, July 1, GNA – The Koforidua Circuit Court 2 has remanded 15 Chinese and a Ghanaian for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities at Akyem Amenase in the Eastern Region. 

The Ghanaian is Abdul Mumin Adams, 42, while the Chinese are Wang Fu Qing, 39, Ye Bi Hua, 44, Zheng Zhou Yi, 64, Ye You Ming, 55, Luo Jian Bo, 59, Tian Yu Bing, 46, Fan Shu Hui, 47 and Du Cheng Quan, 54. 

The rest are Yuan Jian Dong, 33, Wu Ke Hu, 57, Zhu Ling Ceng, 49, Chen Yi, 38, Shi Gao Hui, 43, Tan Tao Zhong, 53 and Lin Li Zhong, 60. 

Adams admitted masterminding their coming through one Zhou, to the site belonging to Mr George Wussah, the complainant. 

The Chinese also admitted travelling to Ghana on tourists’ visas and had no permits to work in the country. 

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director General of Criminal Investigation Department, during a press briefing, said they would return on July 3, 2025. 

She said the CID received a petition from Mr Wussah that some people were engaging in illegal mining on his concession at Akyem Amenase in the New Abirim District of the Eastern Region. 

A day after the petition (June 20, 2025), a team from the CID Headquarters and the National SWAT went to the site and arrested the suspects. 

DCOP Donkor said efforts were underway to get Zhou. 

She warned that the police remained committed to dismantling organised criminal networks to ensure the safety and security of all persons and property in the country. 

She urged the public to continue to support the police to make their work effective. 

GNA 

Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe