Haruna Iddrisu, the former Minority Leader in Parliament, has stated that he holds no resentment over his replacement in the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus.
Reflecting on his tenure and the leadership changes, Haruna Iddrisu expressed pride in his contributions and emphasized that his decisions were guided by the collective will of the party.
Describing his time as Minority Leader as a “rare opportunity to serve,” he reaffirmed his commitment to the ideals of the NDC and the nation.
“There were some decisions that you’re guided collectively by the party, and then we take a decision. But as I said, I never, never changed being changed as a Minority Leader. I don’t carry guilt in my heart; I had my opportunity.
“I went out there to campaign for the NDC because I was convinced that, in terms of the management of the economy, I wasn’t satisfied with how the NPP managed the country. I don’t carry guilt in my heart. I had the rare opportunity to serve,” Haruna stated.
The leadership of the NDC, under the chairmanship of Johnson Asiedu Nketia, recently replaced Haruna Iddrisu with Cassiel Ato Forson, the Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam and former Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, as the new Minority Leader.
Armah Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle, succeeded James Klutse Avedzi, MP for Ketu North, as Deputy Minority Leader, while Kwame Agbodza, MP for Adaklu, replaced Muntaka Mubarak, MP for Asawase, as Minority Chief Whip.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Ibrahim and Comfort Doyo-Ghansah retained their positions as First and Second Deputy Whips, respectively.
Haruna Iddrisu: Mahama has no plans to cancel Free SHS
Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo got netizens gushing after he proposed to his wife, Mildred, after 20 years of marriage
The surprise proposal was at an event they both attended, and his wife’s reaction got people talking
Many who came across the video celebrated the couple and congratulated them as they announced their vow renewal ceremony
The lead pastor of David’s Christian Centre, Kingsley Okonkwo, melted hearts as he proposed to his wife. Mildred, after 20 years of marriage.
Pastor Kingsley was speaking at an event when he made the surprise proposal with a diamond ring.
He knelt down to propose again. Photo: @kingsleypstSource: Instagram
In a video on his Instagram page, the cleric praised his wife before informing her of a surprise.
She didn’t know the surprise but was visibly excited about it.
Pastor Kingsley proposes to wife again
After hailing his wife, he asked for a song to be played, and unbeknownst to Mildred, it was a live performance.
She was so happy to see the singer, not knowing that more surprises were coming.
He then said:
“I want to formally ask you again to marry me agian this time. I didn’t propose officially before so I want to propose officially to you.”
At that moment, he fell on one knee and gave her the ring.
She was visibly surprised and excited at his gesture as they hugged after he stood up.
In the caption, the pastor announced their vow renewal ceremony.
He said:
“….And she said yes. Special thanks to the over 100 people involved in the plan. So see you all at the destination wedding (vow renewal) on the 3rd of September 2025.”
Watch the video below:
Reactions trail Pastor Kingsley’s proposal
Many who came across the video celebrated the couple and congratulated them as they announced their vow renewal ceremony.
TheTalk.NG compiled some of the reactions.
@Speakwithblesing said:
It’s the way Pastor M screamed, it’s giving about to get married.
@kaffydance said:
See me smiling and tearing and smiling and tearing and clapping and awwwwwwwwww
@jaynigz
This love is so admirable. Love way get PHD from Harvard University.
@thiscahris_
The best thing on the internet right now!! I’m not crying, it’s you!! PM is so cute and if course she is everything and more! Thank you PK for giving our PM another irreplaceable memory.
@femiadeite
Congrats mama bae @pastormildred I’m happy that you were totally surprised. Surprising you dey hard #ifyouknowyouknow this is so beautiful
Lady Cries As Her Boyfriend Proposes To Her on Graduation Day
Man Proposes to His Girlfriend While She Was Making TikTok Video At Home
Mixed Reactions as Lady Kneels to Accept Her Man’s Marriage Proposal
Man proposes to lady via video call
In a related story, a pretty lady showed how her man proposed to her in a video call that has gone viral on social media.
The man proposed to the lady via video call, and she was so excited about the proposal after watching her man via laptop.
Many who came across the proposal video shared their thoughts about how the couple got engaged
Source: TheTalk.NG
Lady who married Catholic priest shares testimony about it in Jerry Eze’s church
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Man shares thought-provoking observation after Bishop David Abioye held his Sund…
On Sunday, January 19, Bishop David Abioye, a former first vice president of Winners Chapel, had his Sunday service in Abuja The Sunday service came as a surprise to some people because he was retired from Bishop Oyedepo’s church on October 18, 2024 A Nigerian man took to social media to give his take on … Continue reading here ▶
The Member of Parliament of Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has questioned President John Dramani Mahama regarding his directive for the management of AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) to fully cover the medical expenses of the injured individuals.
Appearing as a guest panelist on UTV on Monday, January 20, 2025, Assafuah questioned the basis on which the president is issuing such a directive to the mining company, considering that investigations have yet to begin and no findings have been established.
The New Patriotic Party lawmaker suggested that the content of the statement released by the presidency implies that President Mahama has already taken sides with the deceased illegal miners, branding the mining company as the guilty party.
“Armed Forces have stationed men at the AngloGold Ashanti and they witnessed people besieging the premises. The report provided by them which we, as lawyers call prima facie evidence or case, has given you an outline of what happened, adding that they were attacked unprovoked,” he said.
Assafuah argued that the president should have waited for the findings from the investigations before directing the company to cover the expenses.
“How do you include in your statement that AGA should bear the expenses of the medical expenses of the deceased and facilitate the burial arrangements for those who lost their lives? These people were there unprovoked and so, one way or the other, it is like you have already taken a stance.
“You have already taken sides asking people to compensate the deceased while asking for an investigation. On what basis are you telling the company to bear the cost? If you read the entirety of the statement, you can clearly see he has already concluded that the company is guilty,” he added.
His statement follows the violent clash between illegal miners and military personnel, which resulted in the loss of seven lives and left many others injured.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has directed an investigation into the incident so that the persons found culpable for the incident would be held accountable.
“The government wishes to express deep regret over the tragic loss of up to eight (8) lives, said to be illegal miners, following a violent clash at a mining site at Obuasi.
“In response to the unfortunate incident, President John Dramani Mahama has ordered an immediate investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the clashes and ensure that any individuals found to have acted unlawfully are brought to justice,” part of the statement read.
The government also asked the management of AngloGold Ashanti to bear the medical expenses of the injured individuals fully and facilitate the burial arrangements of those who have lost their lives.
The Minister-Designate for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has revealed that approximately GH₵345 million will be needed to fully implement the government’s proposed free tuition policy for first-year tertiary students.
Speaking during his vetting by the Appointments Committee in Parliament on January 20, 2025, the Tamale South MP emphasized the policy’s potential to make tertiary education more accessible to a large number of students nationwide.
He noted that the allocated funds would cover tuition fees for students entering tertiary institutions, ensuring equitable access to higher education.
Haruna Iddrisu further explained that the government plans to channel the required funds directly to the affected universities.
He added that the initiative would include provisions for reimbursing students who have already paid their tuition fees, safeguarding fairness in the policy’s implementation.
“The country will require about ₵345 million for the population of students who enter tertiary institutions, that is what the state will be required to do. We intend to provide that money to the affected universities, at least, to make refunds to those who have already paid fees,” he stated.
He further emphasised that the new policy will offer flexibility to parents, allowing those who are willing to pay fees to do so under the framework introduced by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“The beauty of this is that parents who are willing to pay can do so under this policy that has been introduced by the NDC,” he stated.
The announcement comes after the NDC pledged to implement the free tertiary tuition policy during their 2024 campaign, aiming to ease the financial burden on students and their families while promoting greater access to higher education.
The minister-designate in his submission pledged to follow the policy through and ensure its effective implementation.
I acknowledge my temperament, I’ll work on it – Kwame Agbodza
Former majority leader who doubled as a Member of Parliament for Suame Constituency, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has added his scent to the Obuasi brouhaha.
The diligent politician was speaking on Lawson FM/ TV today, Monday, January 20 when he decided to wade into the ongoing brouhaha.
Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, after sending his condolences to the bereaved families of the victims and the people of the Obuasi community stated that he does not understand why despite the free and fair election, and smooth transition
Education Minister nominee, Haruna Iddrisu, has pledged that a future administration under President John Dramani Mahama will uncap the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to free up additional resources for robust infrastructure development in the education sector.
According to him, he will “engage the Minister for Finance to do this as a matter of expediency and for the President to engage with the IMF to review the memorandum, which included the GETFund in the negotiations.”
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointment Committee on Monday, January 20, Mr. Iddrisu noted that President Mahama has committed to reviewing the International Monetary Fund agreement, and part of that review will focus on uncapping GETFund to free up resources for education financing, particularly higher education.
“President Mahama and the Minister of Finance have gone public, and I joined them in saying that we will uncap the GETFund to free additional resources to support robust infrastructure development.”
He criticised the decision by a former Minister of Finance to cap GETFund, which he said has significantly limited the fund’s capacity to address critical infrastructure needs in the education sector.
“Capped, GETFund currently generates about GHS 3.2 billion. Uncapping it will make available GHS 7.9 billion to the Ministry of Education, which will accelerate expanded infrastructure development,” he stated.
He highlighted the pressing needs within the sector, including overcrowded classrooms, lack of sanitation facilities for young girls, and inadequate junior high schools, adding that “uncapping GETFund will provide the resources to tackle these challenges head-on.”
Mr. Iddrisu concluded by reaffirming the party’s commitment to using GETFund as a strategic tool to enhance access to quality education and improve infrastructure for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
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Minister-designate of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza
The Minister-designate of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has advised the youth to establish stable careers before pursuing a full-time career in politics.
This, he explained, would provide the financial stability necessary to navigate the high demands of political life.
Speaking during his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, January 20, 2023, Kwame Agbodza shared insights into the financial realities of being a politician.
He pointed out the significant expenses associated with constituency responsibilities, which often outweigh the incomes earned from public office.
“In my own life, the resources I spend in my constituency, the bulk of it does not come from my political salary. As you know, my salary is GHc15,000 cedis. By the time I finish my weekend funeral rounds, I must have spent all of that. The rest comes from my consultancy work and other small ventures,” he explained.
Agbodza emphasised that political office alone is insufficient to sustain the financial obligations expected of politicians, particularly in rural and underprivileged communities where many residents look to their representatives for support.
He noted that the ability to provide such assistance often depends on income streams outside of politics.
He further encouraged young people interested in public service to acquire practical experience and build sustainable livelihoods before entering the political arena.
“My advice to the young man who wants to enter politics is to get a day job that is sustainable first,” he stated.
The Member of Parliament of Adaklu, Kwame Agbodza, was the first ministerial nominee to be vetted as part of the ongoing approval process for President John Dramani Mahama’s latest ministerial appointments, although this is the second list of nominees being vetted.
Ghanaian gospel musician, Broda Sammy, has explained his reason for performing at a secular concert after severe criticisms by some netizens.
In an interview with JoyNews, Broda Sammy noted that he performed at the event hosted by Mimlife Records at Tema as a way of winning souls for Christ.
He explained that Christians already know the gospel, hence, his mission is to bring the gospel to those who may not be familiar with it.
“This is the place I am supposed to be because my God told me he came because of sinners. I haven’t said everybody is a sinner. We are all sinners. But here is the place I am supposed to bring the gospel. Not in the church.
“The church people know God already. So, I have to introduce my God to those who don’t. That’s why I normally come here,” he said.
In an earlier interview in 2024, Broda Sammy expressed his willingness to perform in drinking spots and nightclubs if invited.
He stated that he does not discriminate against non-believers and sees everyone as people deserving of the gospel.
He said he believes that nightclubs and drinking spots are prime locations for evangelism, as they attract individuals who may not typically attend church.
ID/AE
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Meanwhile, watch what Diana Hamilton said at the funeral of Agaga:
The Minister of Roads and Highways-designate, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has announced that the John Dramani Mahama government will not be putting up toll booths for the re-introduction of road tolls.
Speaking at his vetting in Parliament on Monday, January 20, 2025, Kwame Agbodza said that the government would be rely on technology for the collection of the tolls when they are re-introduced.
He said that there would be no physical structures on the roads for the collection of the tolls; adding that the use of technology would not only ensure efficiency in the collection of the tolls, but would also ensure accountability.
“Yes, the road toll is coming back, but not in the form of building obstructions on the road for drivers to stop and somebody taking money from them. It will be coming back based on a technological platform that makes it fair and that makes it easy to collect, easy to account for and for the public to know what the money is actually being used for.
“Together with the (sic) minister, we shall come out with a policy as to how that will be done,” he said while answering a question on the tolls being reintroduced.
The minister-designate also criticised the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government over the cancellation of the road tolls in 2021.
He said that the cancellation of the tolls by the government was illegal because only Parliament had the power to stop its collection.
“When the issue of the road toll started, our side, the former Minority Leader, together with me, decided to caution the government not to cancel or suspend road tolls, (but) let’s rather find ways of plugging the leakages in terms of the collection and enhance it. Hon. Haruna and I met Hon. Amoako Attah and gave our commitment that don’t cancel it. Indeed, we were surprised on the day they claimed they zeroed it.
“For me, it was an act of illegality. Yes, they said they just zeroed it, but it was a road fund and it had an Act, it was a law. So, you couldn’t unilaterally do that. As a result, I believe there was some level of negligence in the way it was done. They claimed the road toll was accruing only about 80 million. But today, there are contractors working for government of Ghana who are owed GH¢5,000 for weeding the roadside. Can you imagine how many roadside weed cleaners will be paid with 80 million? So, they cancelled it and our side consistently stood on principle and said bring the road toll back,” he reiterated.
In November 2021, the then Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, unilaterally abolished the collection of road tolls despite opposition from the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, who stated that the action of Amoako-Attah was illegal and must be reversed.
Watch videos from Kwame Governs Agbodza’s vetting below:
Lionel Messi gesturing to the Mexican fans after scoring
Lionel Messi’s goal celebration during Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw with América de México has sparked controversy, as many Mexican fans interpreted his gesture as a taunt. The incident deepened the long-standing rivalry between Argentine and Mexican supporters.
Adding fuel to the fire, Mexican sports legend Adolfo “Bofo” Bautista shared his reaction, criticizing Messi’s behavior.
During the match at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Messi faced relentless boos and jeers from Mexican fans. Frustrated by the hostility, he celebrated his goal by holding up three fingers—a clear reference to Argentina’s three World Cup titles.
In response, Bautista took to Instagram to express his disapproval. While acknowledging his admiration for Messi as a player, he questioned the Argentine’s professionalism and character.
“I looked up to you as a player. But mocking my country shows a lack of professionalism and education,” Bautista wrote in an Instagram story. He also included a photo of himself evading Messi during their 2010 World Cup encounter in South Africa, a match Argentina won 3-1 in the round of 16.
Ghana President John Mahama don direct say make di police investigate one deadly clash between soldiers and residents for Aglogold Ashanti im Obuasi gold mine wey kill eight pipo.
Di clash happun as plenti residents wey Anglogold bin describe as illegal miners storm dia operation area wia dem don fence.
For one statement wia di company release, dem tok say “plenti illegal miners wey carry arms try to force dia way into di mine area and guard soldiers defend diaserf and di mine infrastructure.”
Dem add say “authorities don confam say seven illegal miners die for di attack wia some of dem hurt togeda wit one soldier.”
According to some of di residents, na dem dey enta di area of di concession wia Anglogold no dey mine for dia again.
“We bin gather for Anwiam bifor we begin to enta di area wia our leaders tok say Anglogold no dey operate for dia again,” one of di miners tok local media.
“We begin dey cut di fence for dat area wia our leaders enta di yard bifor di soldiers don arrive for di place wey dem order say make everybodi comot di area – na so di clash happun.”
Wetin di Ghana armed forces tok
Inside one statement, tok tok pesin for di armed forces Brigadier-general Eric Aggrey Quarshie don explain wetin happun.
Im tok say “about 60 illegal miners bin try to trespass di Anglogold Ashanti mines wia dem fire di military deployment on site wit dia local rifles, pump action guns, gas cylinders, knife and oda tins.”
Di armed forces tok tok pesin add say, “di troops return fire in self defence wey lead to di death of di seven pipo, di odas run away.”
“Pellets from one pump action gun from di illegal miners bin hit one soldier wey im hurt, we don also collect six pump action BB cartridges from some of di pipo.”
Di GAF end dia statement say, “soldiers wey dey lawful duty get di right to defend diaserf, innocent civilians and property including lethal force, if necessary to preserve life.”
Dem also warn oda illegal miners to stay away from mining concessions wia dem tok say make pipo no engage soldiers for shootout sake of e fit be fatal.
Goment direct investigations
Goment tok say di tin wey happun na sad tin, as im claim di life of at least eight pipo.
Tok tok pesin for President John Mahama explain say, “di president don order immediate investigation for dis mata to find out wetin happun and if pipo don act unlawfully, dem go face di law.”
For di statement wia oga Felxi Kwakye -Ofosu bin sign tok say “goment don ask Anglogold Ashanti say make dem pay di medical expenses of di pipo wey hurt and also make dem facilitate di burial of di pipo wey die.”
“Di goment don also task di security agencies to restore peace for di area and implement measures to prevent similar tins.”
Some pipo don chook mouth for dis mata as dem dey wonder why di goment dey ask di company to pay di medical bills of di pipo wey hurt when dem no investigate di mata.
Schools bin shutdown for di area
Afta di clash, angry residents bin storm di street wia dem burn some of di company buses, cars and oda properties.
Sake of di kasala wey happun on 19 January, schools wia Anglogold Ashanti bin build for di area don shutdown.
Simon Attah-Cato wey be executive director for Anglogold Ashanti schools announce say “management bin notice di mata wey involve di burning of cars of private pipo and companies, na so we close di schools on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 January 2025.”
“Dis na to safeguard lives and property and to promote safety and welfare of our students, staff and parents.”
Some sabi pipo don raise concern about di latest development
Di bureau of public safety don tok say “di soldiers don kill di residents wey dem suppose protect.”
Nana Yaw Akwaada tok say, “wetin di armed forces tok for statement no be enough. To issue statement afta una kill citizens no good, dis approach na insult to di families of pipo wey die.”
“Wetin di soldier bin do na unprofessional wia I see say di goment don tok say make dem investigate di mata, but who go do dat investigation? Make we no repeat mistakes wey we bin do again.”
Background of clash between Anglogold Ashanti and Obuasi residents
Anglogold Ashanti na ogbonge gold mining company for di world wit dia operation for 11 kontris across 4 contents.
Di company get assets for ogbonge gold areas like Tanzania, DRC, Guinea, Egypt, Cote D’ivoire, Australia, US, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia.
Dem don begin to mine for Obuasi in 1897 wia dem stop for di last quarter of 2014 for one redevelopment project.
Dem reopen di mine for October 2020.
Dem don list di company for di New York, Johannesburg and Ghana stock exchange.
Ova di years, residents of Obuasi bin complain say di company no dey try for dem as dem no do plenty development for di area.
Di residents been do demonstration, dem bin clash wit workers at di mine and even petition traditional authorities about di mata.
Dem tok say even though di company bin dey mine gold for di area for many years, dem no get good roads, health facilities wia dia youth neva get jobs.
For July 2023, youth groups for dia – Obuasi community mining association bin beg di president and chiefs say make Anglogold “release some of dis concessions to di community make we use for mining.”
But di company say dem do a lot for di community.
Sustainability manager for di company for 2023 tok say dem spend plenty dollars to build schools and oda tins.
“We bin build hospital for di community wia pipo bin dey use, di hospital don employ ova 200 staff. For 2019 and 2020 we support di goment hospital for di area to build maternity block,” oga Emmanuel Baidoo tell journalists.
Di company also tok say dem don impact ova 12,000 pipo for di Obuasi community wia dem register 7,000 pipo for di national health insistence scheme since 2019.”
Despite dis, di clash between residents and di company don dey happun; many pipo don die in di past wia odas injure.
The Member of Parliament for Jomoro, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has taken to social media to express her admiration for her daughter, Fantana.
The Ghanaian singer and reality TV star is currently making waves as a cast member on the popular Netflix series Young, Famous & African.
Fantana, whose vibrant personality and musical talent have earned her a spot on the show, represents Ghana among a line-up of renowned African celebrities across the globe.
The reality series showcases the lives, relationships, and challenges of young, successful Africans in the entertainment industry, and Fantana’s presence has brought significant attention to Ghana’s creative talent on a global stage.
Her mother, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, could not hide her excitement and pride in her daughter’s accomplishments. In a heartfelt post, she celebrated Fantana’s journey from her early days to her current status as a global icon. “From raising a queen to watching her shine on Netflix. I am incredibly proud of you, Fantana. You continue to break barriers and show the world what Ghana has to offer.” She wrote on IG.
Meanwhile, Ghanaians have rallied behind Fantana, for putting the country on the map.
The Obuasi East Parliamentary candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 General Elections, Samuel Aboagye, has vowed to fight for justice for the people in his constituency by reversing what he calls an illegal re-collation.
Speaking to the media in Kumasi, Mr.
Aboagye emphasized that the will of the people, as demonstrated in the original collated results, which declared him the winner, must be legally protected.
The Electoral Commission (EC) had initially declared Samuel Aboagye as the
Former President Nana Akufo-Addo has emphasized that his government will be remembered as one that championed development and equality.
Speaking during a thanksgiving mass held in his honour at Accra Ridge Church, former President Akufo-Addo outlined the significant progress made during his two terms, highlighting the long-term impact of his administration’s policies on Ghana’s future.
“The records of my two governments in educational reform, healthcare delivery, industrial development, agricultural expansion, infrastructural development, digital transformation, and environmental protection are now part of our history,” Mr. Akufo-Addo stated.
He expressed confidence in the enduring benefits of his initiatives, asserting that while immediate results may be visible, it is ultimately history that will judge their effectiveness.
In his address, Mr. Akufo-Addo highlighted key achievements from his tenure, including the strengthening of national security amid rising terrorism threats in the Sahelian region and the revival of Ghana’s economy following significant challenges.
He also noted the successful promotion of Ghana’s tourism potential, the enhancement of the nation’s global image, and contributions to the integration of ECOWAS and engagement with the global African community.
Despite acknowledging that every administration faces criticism, Mr. Akufo-Addo remained resolute in defending his contributions.
“Despite what the naysayers say, I did my best for Ghana,” he asserted, expressing satisfaction with the accomplishments of his presidency.
Mr. Akufo-Addo was also honored during his Thanksgiving Mass for his political leadership and the remarkable health and resilience he exhibited during his eight years in office.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Daniel Sylvanus Mensah Torto, the Anglican Bishop of Accra, presented a citation acknowledging the significant achievements of Mr. Akuffo-Addo’s administration, particularly in education, economic development, industrialization, and his steadfast commitment to democratic principles.
The citation also recognized the former President’s contributions to the Anglican Church in Ghana, reflecting his support for religious institutions during his time in office.
His efforts were seen as a testament to his belief in the importance of education, economic growth, and nurturing spiritual and social values.
Nollywood actress cum politician, Tonto Dikeh, has shared an emotional testimony of how God miraculously reunited her family.
Naija News reports that Tonto, during the Sunday service at Pastor Jerry Eze’s Streams of Joy International Church in Abuja, said she tapped into the clergy’s prophetic word some weeks ago, which focused on restoring lost relationships.
Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Roads and Highways Minister-designate has revealed that Road tolls will be reintroduced in a new form.
The minister-designate for Roads and Highways further revealed that road tolls will be reintroduced with new technological platforms to rationalise revenue collection and ease traffic.
He further detailed that the events leading up to the controversial cancellation of the road toll have had financial implications with some contractors just being owned 5000 cedis.
During the inaugural of President Mahama on 7th January, the person who got the most applause, besides the President was coup-maker and Burkinabe leader Traore.
To discerning Ghanaians, despite the surface euphoria, Comrade Traore’s reception should have rung alarm bells. Despite voting for decisive change every 8 years, Ghanaians seem to get more of the same. Even before his inauguration, President Mahama acknowledged the importance of corruption by naming ORAL.
The very naming of ORAL and its overwhelming public reception underlined our lack of confidence in the myriad anti-corruption agencies that litter our political landscape. Why does corruption keep growing despite the existence of Attorney-General, National Investigations Bureau, Serious Fraud Office, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and now Office of Special Prosecutor?
Why do Anas and Manasseh Azure uncover more fraud than many of our funded anti-corruption bodies? Corruption, which is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, has bedeviled our republic since its founding– maybe before its founding since Nkrumah’s government almost collapsed before independence, leading to Ohene Djan’s imprisonment. We have analyzed it– as the Justice Anin Commission did in 1970. Leaders have sermonised on it and condemned it–from Nkrumah’s dawn broadcasts to Busia’s lamentations to Rawlings’ accountability and probity booms.
Leaders have confessed to it as Kufuor did in his, “they are bringing the money ‘waa-waa’” comment. We have sacrificed some scapegoats– as in the execution of the Generals in 1979, and before then, in the resignation of General Ankrah for the Nzeribe bribe. While the legal bonafides of ORAL has been vouched for by the likes of Prof. Asare, it won’t be enough. It won’t attain much.
Alone, ORAL is a strategic band-aid on the large, deep and odious corruption wound applied by the well-intentioned President Mahama. The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament alone has more evidence of corruption in its archives for any of the last 10 years than ORAL can collect in a year.
The records of judgment debts negotiated without litigation under NADAA (Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo) will dwarf anything ORAL would collect if it worked for 10 years. The Ghana Governance and Corruption Survey of 2000 sponsored by the World Bank showed how serious the problem is. 3 out of every 4 Ghanaians and 4 out of every 5 public officials saw corruption as a major problem.
Ghanaians reported paying about 10% of their income as bribes. 44% of firms admitted to paying bribes to officials. The public identified MTTU, CEPS, the Police and Immigration as the most corrupt. Firms put CEPS first in the ranks of corruption.
Corruption is what happened at Public Procurement Authority. It is why our banking collapsed. It is why GRA cannot collect enough revenue. It is why GALAMSEY goes on despite our outrage. It is why government officials are selling lands to themselves at donkomi prices at Cantonments and other places. Now, if the citadels of corruption are the MTTU, CEPS and the Police etc, how can we claim to be tackling corruption without tackling these institutions? What reforms are being undertaken to rid the Police of corruption?
Just last week, the widow of Dr. Prempeh, a deceased teacher at the Medical school, complained about being forced out of her home by Land Guards. For how many years have we been bedeviled by Land Guards? Why can’t the Police solve it? President Mills commissioned Anas to unearth corruption at CEPS that had tongues wagging for weeks. And nothing happened.
The same Anas stripped naked some of our Judicial high rollers and showed them taking money, goats and comely maidens in exchange for judgments and nothing happened. Too many of our corruption networks reach into the highest echelons of our society.
Honestly, we cannot destool “Nana Corruption ” without going to his “Ahenfie”. The sad truth, my fellow Ghanaians, is that too often, in our country, ” the thief” and “the watchman” are the same. We must add our political parties and Judiciary to the citadels of corruption. We cannot be against corruption and have our political party nominations bought and sold openly.
We cannot be against corruption and have our Presidency admit to paying MPs money under the table to do Ghana’s work. The sad truth is that we seem to have an understanding between our two major parties that state, ” don’t touch my thieves and I won’t touch yours”.
The fight against corruption will never take off unless there is a Presidency committed to it. Sadly, even honest Presidents can preside ignorantly over corrupt governments– as Nkrumah, Limann and Mills did. Mr. President, if you desire to enter history as the anti-corruption President of the 4th Republic, consider the following actions:
1: Open the books on Judgment Debts for us to know who authorized these debts and to whom they were paid and the amounts paid.
2: Ask for and publish the updated assets of all those who just left government, besides their original asset forms, besides that of your appointees.
3: Order the Installation of cameras at every Police barrier and every CEPS office with periodic review by media and NGOs.
4: Make our PPA processes accessible to the media and public.
5: Establish a Whistle-blower system with rewards for members of the public who report hidden assets for a reward. Sometimes, these proceeds of corruption are in plain sight. When a man earns 200,000 in salary over 2 years and puts up a mansion worth a million cedis, he is corrupt until proven otherwise.
6: Sack Ministers against who the Public Accounts Committee reports missing funds unless they can provide satisfactory explanations in 30 days.
7: Send legislation to Parliament that will make the sale of public lands transparent. Parliament too has a role.
Mr. Speaker, hold hearings on our banking clean-up. Why did banks that could have been rescued for 6 billion or so get sucked into a 22 billion Ghana cedi clean-up? Who was responsible for the banking crisis and what accountability did they face?
Require the Bank of Ghana Governor to report regularly in public to Pariament. Bar MPs from serving on public boards because it is a conflict of interest and stop MPs from taking envelopes. A respected Parliament must police itself.
Finally, the public can help. Let’s stop celebrating charlatans and honour integrity. Let churches stop making thieves harvest Chairpersons and honour honorable citizens even if they are poor.
Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Roads and Highways Minister-designate, has described the scrapping of road tolls by the Akufo-Addo government as illegal.
According to him, the cancellation was surprising, as the then Minority members of Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee had advised the government against removing the tolls.
Speaking during his vetting by members of the Appointments Committee on Monday, January 20, 2025, he stated that the decision had significant financial implications for the road sector.
He hinted at the possible reintroduction of road tolls as a measure to enhance revenue generation for the development of road infrastructure.
“We urged the government not to abolish the road tolls, but it did so instead of exploring ways to improve them,” Mr. Agbodza stated. He emphasized that the system could have been reformed to reduce inefficiencies and minimize financial leakages.
Mr. Agbodza also labeled the cancellation as an “act of illegality,” asserting that it was carried out without following the proper legal procedures, despite the toll system being underpinned by legislation.
He further pointed out that the toll system was not only a legal framework but also a vital mechanism for financing road infrastructure projects.
The minister-designate also challenged the previous government’s claim that the toll system only generated GH¢80 million, suggesting that this figure was misleading.
“The abolition of the toll system has placed road contractors in a difficult situation, and it is clear that the government needs to reconsider its strategy for financing road development,” he explained.
Agbodza went on to announce that the road toll system would be reinstated, but in a revamped form. He assured that the new system would eliminate physical barriers and manual toll collection by attendants, instead introducing a more modern and efficient, technology-driven approach to ensure a fair and seamless process.
“It is a matter that has attracted national attention. The accrual to the road fund was only GH¢250 million, and we worked to increase it to GH¢1.5 billion. Today, it is over GH¢2 billion. So, we cautioned the government against cancelling the road tolls, and we were surprised that they did. It was an act of illegality to cancel it,” he reiterated.
Mr. Agbodza expressed confidence that this new road toll system would address both the concerns of road users and the need for sustainable funding for road infrastructure.
The police and military in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region have seized a cache of weapons including firearms, cartridges, and knives, in a joint operation aimed at containing recent violence in the area.
The joint operation, launched over the weekend marks a decisive response to the escalating violence that has gripped the area in recent weeks.
So far security personnel have arrested at least 16 individuals in connection with the unrest as authorities intensify investigations into illegal arms possession and related crimes.
The Security have also zeroed in on key conflict hotspots, where tensions have boiled over due to what local sources describe as a protracted land dispute among tribal factions.
On Wednesday January 1, 2025, the clashes turned deadly when unidentified assailants opened fire, killing several residents and leaving many others injured. In the aftermath, homes were set ablaze, forcing families to flee and plunging the community into fear and uncertainty.
Survivors are calling on the government and local stakeholders to ensure justice for the victims.
The Minority in Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama to call his party thugs to order.
Speaking to the press during a minority press conference that was held today Monday January 20, 2025 the minority caucus led by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Weija Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib vowed to cooperate in government business on the floor of parliament only if President John Dramani Mahama addresses the post-election lawlessness.
Adako-Jachie (Ash), Jan 20, GNA – Mrs Philomena Owusu-Ansah, General Manager of Prefos Limited, an electrical engineering company based in Kumasi, has stressed the need for Ghana to focus attention on the production of solar energy systems in its energy mix.
She said it was time for Ghana to reduce its over-reliance on hydro and thermal energy and focus more attention on the development of solar systems to ensure sustainable energy production in the country.
Addressing the annual thanksgiving service of the company at Adako-Jachie in the Ejisu municipality, Mrs Owusu-Ansah, pointed out that, the company was committed to work closely with the government to expand solar power systems in the country.
According to her, sunlight was always available in almost all the seasons and the country could take advantage and store enough sun and convert it into energy to power industrial machines and domestic use.
“….so, in the event of the new government administration, we will present solar power proposals to see whether they can assist in the solar system in Ghana.
This is intended to help the nation to improve its solar energy mix and reduce the over-dependence on hydropower.
We can harvest more solar from the sun, install more panels both for commercial and home use in Ghana”, she explained.
She said stable power supply enhanced development, adding that Prefos Limited was ready to support the course of quality lighting systems across Ghana.
On skills training acquisition, Mrs Owusu-Ansah stressed the need for the government to equip technical and vocational training institutions to train the youth to acquire skills to help reduce the unemployment situation in the country.
She pointed out that most of the workers at Prefos, who assembled, installed and maintained streets lights in the country received skills training from the company.
Mrs Owusu-Ansah said the company aimed to, on a larger scale, support Africa’s development and industrialization agenda by providing modern, durable high quality electrical installation and civil engineering services.
The company used the 2025 annual thanksgiving and prayer event to usher themselves into the new year with praises and worship song ministrations from some renowned Ghanaian gospel musicians and preachers.
play videoMinister of Roads and Highways-designate Kwame Governs Agbodza
The Member of Parliament of Adaklu and Minister of Roads and Highways-designate, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has given details of the debts accumulated by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration in the road sector.
According to the minister-designate, the Akufo-Addo government left behind unpaid road construction certificates worth GH¢20 billion.
He indicated that the interest composition of the debts is more than 100% of the actual amount the state owes.
“The NPP government is leaving a minimum of GH¢100 billion commitment. What you should be worried about though is that in that same document, they are saying that certificates unpaid as of today from GoG amount to about GH¢20 billion. The ones with road fund is about GH¢15 billion.
“What you should be more worried about, my brothers and sisters and colleagues listening to us from outside of this hall is that if you take the indebtedness up to 2025 which is the road fund debt alone out of the 15 billion,” he said at his vetting on Monday, January 20, 2025.
Kwame Agbodza went on to give a breakdown of the debts as follows:
“In 2018, we were owing about GH¢113 million, the interest on the GH¢113 million this year will be GH¢665 million – the debt was GH¢113 million, and the interest on the GH¢113 million is GH¢665 million. When you take 2019, GH¢210 million. The interest on the GH¢210 million is GH¢960 million. In 2020, we were owing GH¢424 million. The interest on the GH¢424 million is 1.5 billion. In 2021, the debt was GH¢616 million. The interest on that is currently GH¢1.69 billion. In 2022, GH¢693 million and currently GH¢1.4 billion.”
play videoGoverns Kwame Agbodza is the Minister of Roads-designate
The Minister of Roads and Highways-designate, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has reiterated the reasons why the former opposition did not support the suspension of road tolls in 2021.
According to him, road tolls were generating revenue that could pay some contractors and road maintenance workers.
The nominee, who was a ranking member on the roads committee, noted that there were incessant calls for the government to reconsider the decision, but these fell on deaf ears.
He added that the suspension of the road tolls was an illegality.
Appearing before the Appointments Committee on January 20, 2025, he said, “We decided to caution the government not to suspend road tolls; instead, let’s find ways to plug leakages in the collection process and enhance it. We met with Hon Amoako-Atta to express our commitment. We were surprised on the day that they abolished it. For me, it was an act of illegality. It was a law, so you couldn’t unilaterally undo that.”
He added, “They claim road tolls were accruing about 8 million, but today contractors are working for Ghana who are owed GH¢5000 cedis. Can you imagine the number of road maintenance workers who will be paid with GH¢80 million?”
Road tolls were abolished in November 2021 by the former Nana Akufo-Addo administration.
Ghanaian midfielder Augustine Boakye showcased his brilliance once again for French side St. Étienne during their Ligue 1 Matchday 18 encounter against Nantes on Sunday, January 19, 2025.
Boakye, who joined St. Étienne from Austrian club Wolfsberger AC, has enjoyed a stellar start to his time in France.
Against Nantes, he underlined his potential by coming off the bench to rescue a crucial point for his team, who were on the brink of defeat.
Nigeria’s Moses Simon had put Nantes ahead early in the game, setting them up for what would have been their first victory in four matches.
However, St. Étienne’s coach, Horneland Eirik, brought on Boakye with 30 minutes left to play, and the Ghanaian repaid the manager’s faith with a sublime equalizer.
With just four minutes remaining, Boakye received the ball just outside the box. A deft touch allowed him to glide past his marker before unleashing a thunderous curling strike into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
This was Boakye’s third Ligue 1 goal of the season, achieved in just 11 appearances since joining St. Étienne at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
As the final whistle blew, St. Étienne secured a 1-1 draw, with Boakye’s moment of magic proving decisive in their fight for survival.
Queues don already start to dey appear for fueling stations sake of di tori of fuel price increase
Just few weeks into di new year, Nigerians don dey brace up for anoda increase in di price of premium motor spirit (PMS) wey pipo know as petrol.
Dis dey come as di kontri current biggest functioning refinery – Dangote Refinery – don already clear demsef from di increase even wen e neva fully take effect across di kontri.
As at today, fuel stations of di Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) still dey sell at N925 for Lagos and N965 for Abuja, but staff of one of di fuelling stations for Abuja tell BBC Pidgin say, “I dey sure say within dis week dem go give us instruction on wetin di new price go be”.
On how much dem expect di new price go be, di staff wey no wan to publish im name bicos e no dey authorised to speak to tori pipo, tok say e go be around N1,040
Dangote refinery, for inside one statement tok say “increase for petrol pump price no be from us”.
Dem explain say di increase na sake of di about 15% increase for di international price of crude oil “wey don see Brent Crude rise from $70 to $82 in a matter of days”.
However, di refinery say na only 5% adjustment dem make to dia price of petrol from N899.50 to N950, and dem promise say dia partner fuelling stations go continue to dey sell fuel at N970 per litre.
Dangote refinery add say if dem transfer all di cost from di rise in crude prices to di consumer, di real retail price of PMS for be around N1,150 to N1,200.
NNPC recently announce say dia Port Harcourt and Warri refineries don start to dey work again, so e no too dey clear now how much petrol NNPC dey offtake from Dangote refinery, if at all.
Independent marketers increase prices
Checks for oda independent fueling stations show say stations wey bin dey sell fuel for N970 last week don increase to between N1,050 and N1,090 per litre; dat na about N90 to N120 increase. Dis na within Abuja and di neighbouring Nasarawa and Niger States.
Already, long queues don dey appear for several fuel stations for Abuja, especially di ones wey still dey sell petrol for below N1000 per litre, as e fit be say car owners dey try to buy bifor di price increment go come into effect.
Alhaji Yakubu Dimka, a former national executive member of di Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) tell BBC Pidgin say, fluctuations for di price of petrol for Nigeria na wetin pipo suppose to dey expect since di removal of subsidy.
Oga Dimka tok say di global price of crude oil go continue to dey impact on retail price of petrol, but di impact now no go dey as serious as e for be if Nigeria still dey rely 100% on imports.
“Di price of fuel now no go eva be di same tin, e go dey go up and e go dey come down. E depend on how di marketer take buy. And we wey be independent marketers no fit say exactly how much di pump price go be,” e tok.
About dis recent reported increment, Oga Dimka tok say NNPC dey try to update dia system wit di latest ICT equipment wey go enable dem dey track and monitor loading of trucks and sales of products for dia stations in real time to prevent diversion of products.
“Di less loading of trucks by NNPC na wetin cause di shortage of products to independent marketers and cause di slight increase in price,” oga Dimka explain.
Di international price of crude oil rise to a 4-month high dis January afta di U.S. bin sama anoda fresh sanction against Russian oil.
Di International Energy Agency tok say dis new sanction go significantly affect Russian oil supply”, but e go also affect distribution chains worldwide.
Since Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announce di removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023, di implication be say di price of petrol for di kontri go dey determined by market forces wey include di global price of crude oil, foreign exchange rates and oda factors.
However, Nigeria no longer dey heavily dependent on imported petroleum products since di start of Dangote refinery in Lagos, and di recent coming back on stream of two goment-owned refineries for Port Harcourt and Warri, all in di southern region of di kontri.
Popular broadcast Journalist, Kofi Adoma Nwanwani, has found himself at the centre of a new controversy as a young man has alleged that an incident involving him getting shot in the eye was premeditated by the youth of Dormaa.
According to the young man, the supposed act was a reaction to statements Kofi made during an interview two years ago that reportedly disrespected the people of Dormaa.
The young man’s allegations are based on a video from two years ago in which one lady took to TikTok to express her disappointment in Kofi Adoma. The video reportedly surfaced during a dispute between the Ashanti and Dormaa people, where Kofi’s remarks were seen as biased and disrespectful to the Dormaa community.
According to the accuser, tensions had been brewing since the interview, with some members of the Dormaa youth allegedly vowing to “teach Kofi Adoma a lesson” for what they perceived as unfair representation of their views during the conflict.
While these claims remain unverified,social media users have expressed mixed reactions, with some sympathising with Kofi Adoma and condemning any premeditated actions against him, while others believe his past comments may have contributed to the alleged hostility.
One commenter stated, “Even if he said something wrong, it doesn’t justify any planned retaliation. We need to settle matters peacefully, not through confrontation.” Another added, “Journalists must learn to stay neutral. Words can be powerful, especially when addressing community issues.”
The vetting of Roads Minister-designate Kwame Governs Agbodza was delayed as Alexander Afenyo-Markin accused the Majority of being ‘very rude’.
The second sitting of Parliament’s Appointment Committee on Monday, January 20, 2025, was marred by heated exchanges and disagreements, delaying the vetting process for Roads and Highways Minister-designate, Kwame Governs Agbodza.
Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister-Designate for Education, has reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to reviewing the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.
The policy, introduced by the Akufo-Addo administration, was a central theme in President Mahama’s 2024 election campaign, where he pledged to refine and improve it if elected.
Speaking during his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 20, Haruna Iddrisu clarified that the government has no plans to cancel the Free SHS policy.
Instead, he highlighted plans to make the initiative more sustainable and to broaden its scope, ensuring greater benefits for Ghanaians.
Haruna Iddrisu also announced the government’s intention to convene a stakeholder forum to gather insights and recommendations aimed at enhancing the education sector.
“Let me assure this committee that President John Dramani Mahama, has no option to cancel Free SHS. Therefore, those who listen to him, even in the cause of his campaign, he has stated that he will expand Free SHS.
“It was to tell Ghanaians that as President of the Republic, he wants to give 2 million to Article 25 of the 1992 Constitution and Article 38, which spells out the objective of our educational policy.
“Chair, the important thing is that he will subject the Free SHS to a review.”
Agbodza: NPP left GHC100bn in commitments in road sector
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Timileyin’s parents reacted differently to the situation.
Embattled gospel singer, Timileyin Ajayi’s parents have spoken out about their son’s alleged murder of his girlfriend, Salome Adaidu.
His father, Sunday Ajayi, pleaded for mercy, asking the government to intervene, while his mother, Dorcas Ajayi, seemed resigned, leaving the decision to the government, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.
The Minister-Designate for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has revealed that the controversial E-Gate system at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) lacks a formal contract.
This revelation, made during his vetting in Parliament on Monday, January 20, raises serious questions about the procurement process and financial claims surrounding the project.
The E-Gate system, introduced as part of efforts to modernise operations at Ghana’s premier international airport, was reportedly set to cost the government a staggering $240 million.
However, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) refuted these claims in a statement issued on December 19, 2024, dismissing the alleged cost as inaccurate.
Agbodza, who is also the Member of Parliament for Adaklu, provided additional details during his appearance before the Appointments Committee stating that the project was part of ongoing work by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and was initially intended to be implemented at no cost to the government.
The Minister-Designate explained that the GCAA had already been working on a similar system as part of its broader modernisation efforts. According to him, the E-Gate was meant to be developed as a complimentary feature, requiring no additional cost.
“If the government had listened to what I was saying, it wouldn’t have resulted in some of the embarrassment we saw at the airport when the former Vice President was trying to commission it. There is not even any contract for the E-Gate. There is no contract for the $1.7 million they were talking about.
“When I started talking, this project was already being implemented by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the E-Gate was supposed to be done for free so when I started talking, they went and prepared a memo for it.”
The President, John Dramani Mahama, will be the special guest of honour at the 49th Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Awards slated for the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Friday.
A statement from the association’s secretariat confirmed the President Mahama’s attendance and participation at the prestigious awards that recognises excellence among the country’s athletes both home and abroad.
According to the statement, the president’s attendance was an endorsement for the event and a clear indication of an interest, focus and willingness to support sports development and promotion in Ghana.
Signed by the General Secretary of the association, the statement said, “the President has shown his commitment to promoting sports in Ghana, and his attendance at the SWAG Awards despite his tight schedule will be a testament to his dedication to recognising and celebrating the achievements of Ghana’s sports heroes.”
President Mahama is expected to deliver a keynote address on the theme: ‘Gold and Glory, a call for change in national orientation and investment in sports.’
In his address, he will share his vision for sports development in Ghana and honour the achievements of the award winners.
As the longest-running award scheme in Ghana, the SWAG Awards have consistently recognised and rewarded top-performing sportsmen and women since 1975 and President Mahama’s presence at the event will undoubtedly add to the excitement and prestige of the occasion.
“The SWAG Awards have a history of attracting high-profile guests, and President Mahama’s presence will only add to the event’s glamour and appeal. As Ghana’s president, Mahama has demonstrated his support for sports, and his attendance at the SWAG Awards will be a fitting tribute to his commitment to promoting sports excellence in Ghana,” the statement explained.
The association also announced a huge entertainment package as Highlife sensation, Peter Fameye Gozah, aka Fameye, storms the stage to deliver a massive entertainment to thrill patrons.
The 49th SWAG Awards is expected to attract a large audience of sports enthusiasts, stakeholders, and media personnel.
Moreover, the 49th SWAG Awards promises to be an unforgettable and exciting evening, with over 50 top-performing athletes and officials being honoured for their contributions to Ghanaian sports.
It will be broadcast live on television and streamed online, allowing millions of Ghanaians to join in the celebration.
Economist, Dr Benjamin Amoah, has called for a deliberate approach to link the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy to businesses to tackle Ghana’s unemployment challenge.
The senior lecturer with the department of finance at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), lauded the investment of the government into the initiative over the past seven years.
He said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, noting that, it was worrying that there had not been a strategic collaboration between the implementation of the initiative with the private sector to absorb students after school.
Figures provided by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) show that the country’s almost 12 million Ghanaians were employed, but some 2.6 million others were unemployed, representing an unemployment rate of 14.7 per cent.
Also, some 530,000 individuals transitioned from employment into unemployment status between the fourth quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, the Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (AHIES) Labour Force Bulletin, disclosed.
Dr Amoah said, “There is nothing wrong with building human capital, but what we’ve had not is any proper plan in channelling the knowledge that we have developed from the free SHS concept into job creation and onto the job market.”
He stated that while some of the students had progressed to various tertiary institutions, with some graduating,” the question is, how many of these beneficiaries have been employed? And how many of them are paying taxes?”
The economist, therefore, asked the government to deliberately involve private sector businesses in the implementation of the Free SHS programme, as those employed would eventually contribute to economic growth by paying taxes.
“The only way the State will benefit from this investment is to create an avenue where when these beneficiaries go through the system, they quickly get employed. And then when they are employed, we can tax them. It is through the taxes that we will get from them that will be an indirect or paying for the investment that has been made in them,” he added.
Connecting the situation to skilled labour emigration, Dr Amoah said it was important to conscientise the youth while in school so that they could accomplish their dreams in Ghana, rather than travelling abroad to seek for greener pastures.
Achieving this, he said, would require the creation of a system that would not only aid the transition of students into the world of work but motivate them to stay and work in Ghana.
“We realise that the individual who stays in Ghana and works and contributes through taxes gives a higher return on capital to the State than the one who travels out at a periodically send remittances,” he said.
“We need to also look at how best we can incentivise the private sector to absorb these individuals, because once they are employed, they are definitely going to pay taxes, and the economy will benefit from the taxes that they will pay,” Dr Amoah said.
Meanwhile, the current government has hinted of launching the ‘Adwumawura’, the One Million Coders and National Apprenticeship programmes as priority job creation initiatives in its first budget.
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Accra, Jan.20, GNA–Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minister-designate for Roads and Highways, has commended former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for quickly conceding defeat after realising the NPP had lost the 2024 general election.
“I must commend former Vice President Bawumia that despite the rhetoric that the NPP will not handover power, but quickly conceded defeat when he realised the NDC has won the December 7 Election convincingly,” he said.
Mr Kwame Agbodza was responding to a question from Mr Frank Annor- Dompreh, the NPP Member of Parliament for Nsawam- Adoagyiri and First Deputy Minority Chief Whip, to mention three things or policies he could commend the NPP government for.
This came to light when Mr Kwame Agbodza appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament in Accra on Monday for vetting.
The nominee also lauded the NPP government for having a good vision about education by implementing the Free Senior High School policy.
Responding to the legacy he would like to leave at the Roads Ministry upon his approval, Mr Kwame Agbodza said he would chart a way towards ensuring an efficient and viable road industry.
“I’m unhappy about the level of debt in the road sector, and so, we will find a sustainable way to paying road compensation.
“I will also do things profitably and on timely manner and promote the vision of President Mahama at the Ministry to deliver on his mandate,” he explained.
On road sector debt left behind by the previous government, Mr Kwame Agbodza said the Akufo-Addo-led government left GHc135 billion debt in 2024.
The debt, he explained, comprised GHc100 billion commitment to road contractors, GHc20 billion unpaid certificates and GHc15 billion owing road stakeholders by the Road Fund.
The Minister-designate for Roads and Highways said upon his approval, his outfit would collaborate with the Minister of Finance to find a sustainable way to offset the debt.
He averred that more funds should be expended on road maintenance rather than constructing new ones.
He expressed misgivings about the bad lightning system on the Tema Motorway and other major road networks because of the absence of streetlights and pledged to resolve those challenges upon approval.
Touching on the electronic gate (e-gate) at the Kotoka International Airport, Mr Kwame Agbodza explained that the e-gate constructed by the previous government “has no contract and Ghana ought not to have even pay one dollar,” noting, “the e-gate should have been done for free” because it was part of the National Border Management System being implemented by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority.
The Minister-Designate for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has revealed that approximately ₵345 million will be needed to fully implement the government’s proposed free tuition policy for tertiary institutions.
Speaking during his vetting by the Appointments Committee in Parliament on January 20, 2025, the Tamale South MP emphasized the policy’s potential to make tertiary education more accessible to a large number of students nationwide.
He noted that the allocated funds would cover tuition fees for students entering tertiary institutions, ensuring equitable access to higher education.
Haruna Iddrisu further explained that the government plans to channel the required funds directly to the affected universities.
He added that the initiative would include provisions for reimbursing students who have already paid their tuition fees, safeguarding fairness in the policy’s implementation.
“The country will require about ₵345 million of the population of students who enter tertiary institutions that is what the state will be required to do. We intend to provide that money to the affected universities, at least, to make refunds to those who have already paid fees,” he stated.
He further emphasised that the new policy will offer flexibility to parents, allowing those who are willing to pay fees to do so under the framework introduced by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“The beauty of this is that parents who are willing to pay can do so under this policy that has been introduced by the NDC,” he stated.
The announcement comes after the NDC pledged to implement the free tertiary tuition policy during their 2024 campaign, aiming to ease the financial burden on students and their families while promoting greater access to higher education.
The minister-designate in his submission pledged to follow the policy through and ensure its effective implementation.
I acknowledge my temperament, I’ll work on it – Kwame Agbodza
Minister-designate for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza has revealed that Ghana’s road sector has been sunk into great debts with insurmountable interest payments.
According to him, the erstwhile government incurred high amounts of debt, attributing these debts to financial mismanagement.
“In 2018, we owed about GHC113 million; the interest on the GHC113 million this year will be GHC665 million.
Ho, Jan. 20, GNA – The World Bank Family Network has donated assorted books to the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) through the instrumentality of Professor John Owusu Gyapong, the immediate Past Vice Chancellor of the University.
During his sabbatical leave at Georgetown University, Professor Gyapong secured a significant educational donation of a 40-foot container of books for the country.
This was as a result of his introduction to the book project by his colleague Professor Bernhard Liese, whose wife is connected to the World Bank Family Network.
While making the application, the former Vice Chancellor ensured that UHAS was a beneficiary institution, alongside some second-cycle institutions in Ghana.
UHAS received 32 boxes of educational materials that cut across various disciplines and 22 boxes were allocated to the Main University Library, while 10 boxes were for the UHAS Basic School.
The donation reflects Professor Gyapong’s commitment to enhance the fluency of English language among students, especially in Ghana.
Present at the handing over ceremony were the Vice Chancellor, Professor Lydia Aziato, the Registrar, Ms. Yaa Amankwaa Opuni, Deans and Directors.
Ms. Yaa Amankwaa Opuni, the Registrar expressed the gratitude of Management to Professor John Owusu Gyapong for his contributions and continued support to the development and growth of UHAS.
She also charged the leaderships of the University Library and the UHAS Basic School to maximise the use of the academic resources received.
Dr. Theresa Adu, the University Librarian, on her part appreciated Professor John Owusu Gyapong for the donation and promised to ensure that the materials would be used to serve their intended purpose.
Private legal practitioner and activist, Oliver Barker-Vormawor
Private legal practitioner and activist, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has expressed his admiration for Bernard Ahiafor, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, following his handling of the tense ministerial vetting sessions on Monday, January 20, 2025.
Barker-Vormawor shared his thoughts on X, stating, “May God grant us all the serenity and maturity of @Ben_Ahiafor. In the face of immaturity and tantrums, he has kept his dignity intact. To those criticising him for refusing to engage Afenyo-Markin in his temper tantrums, what would you have him do? Engage in a fistfight? Strength is not loud; it is patient and deliberate. Shalom.”
The vetting process, which saw heated exchanges and escalating tensions, was particularly fraught when Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, raised concerns about the appointments of Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors.
However, the Majority side argued that these issues fell outside the scope of the ministerial vetting, leading to further disputes.
The session, which was scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM with the vetting of Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minister of Roads and Highways-designate, was delayed due to the rising tensions.
By 11:54 AM, the vetting had not yet started.
In an attempt to restore order, the session was briefly suspended for five minutes, but tensions remained high even after the break.
Afenyo-Markin, visibly frustrated, accused his colleagues, including the Deputy Speaker, of rude behavior and criticised Chairman Ahiafor for proceeding in bad faith.
He claimed that despite the brief suspension, the session resumed without the presence of the Minority members.
“Chairman, don’t raise your voice. You suspended the sitting for five minutes, and when I said I was having a meeting with my caucus, you started the session without me,” Afenyo-Markin protested. “I want to register my protest that you proceeded in bad faith,” he noted.
He added, “This is not the understanding we had. I was responding to a point of order when you rudely interrupted me. Chairman, lower your voice. All of you have been rude to me this morning, including you, Chairman. The rate at which I’ve been interrupted is unacceptable.”
Despite his outbursts, Afenyo-Markin later apologised to the Chairman after objections were raised.
Throughout the proceedings, Ahiafor’s calm demeanour stood despite the intense confrontations around him.
Read his post below:
May God grant us all the serenity and maturity of @Ben_Ahiafor.
For in the face of grave immaturity and tantrums, he retains his dignity.
To those of you saying he is weak for refusing to engage Afenyo-Markins in his temper tantrums, what would you have him do?
Engage him in a…
— Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor (@barkervogues) January 20, 2025
Asante Kotoko have bolstered their squad with the signing of 24-year-old right-back Daniel Adrian Adjetey on a one-and-a-half-year deal following a successful medical.
Adjetey, who brings significant international experience, previously played for Naestved in Denmark’s Division 2 and BFC Daugavpils in Latvia’s top division.
He began his career in Ghana with Nania FC, where he developed a reputation as a reliable right-back, combining defensive stability with attacking prowess.
Kotoko’s Head Coach, Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum, expressed his excitement about the new addition, particularly in light of the squad’s recent injury concerns.
“With Kotei’s unfortunate ACL injury, it was important that we reacted in the market. In Daniel, we are not just bringing in a player but someone who brings quality, experience, and competitiveness,” he said. Ogum added:
“He will not only strengthen our squad but also challenge Lord Amoah for that position, which is key for us moving forward. We’re confident he’ll make an impact both defensively and offensively.” Speaking about his move to the Porcupine Warriors, Adjetey shared his enthusiasm:
“It’s an incredible feeling to join Kotoko. This is one of the biggest clubs in Africa, and I’m honored to be part of it. I’ve had the privilege of playing abroad, but coming back to represent Kotoko feels special.
The project presented by the club’s management is exciting, and I’m confident this is the right place for me to grow as a player and contribute to something great.
I know the expectations here are high, and I’m ready to work hard, compete for my place, and give my all to help the team succeed.
“Adjetey is expected to provide much-needed depth and competition in the right-back position as Kotoko look to strengthen their squad for the remainder of the season.
Artiste manager Mr. Logic, and musician Monique Spence
Red Panther Music Productions, the record label belonging to artiste manager, Christopher Nelson, popularly known as Mr. Logic, has debunked claims made by former signee, Monique Spence.
In a statement issued by the Head of Public Relations, Aaron Martins, he noted that the artiste Monique Spence, popularly known as Mo’ Spence, agreed to bear all service and production costs provided by the label until the end of their contract.
“Monique Spence professionally signed a managerial contract with the record house, which obliges all services and production costs provided by the label to be borne by the artiste until the end of the duration.
“The label secured all necessary visual production arrangements with selected visual production houses. Unfortunately, the artiste has not fulfilled scheduled attendance,” the statement read.
The statement further noted that the record label bears the cost of where the musician stayed during her stay in the country.
“Her residential estate was a sublet facility. Therefore, Red Panther Music Production held the legal tenancy throughout the period of 24 months of her stay till her exit in December 2024, while the tenancy approached an end in February 2025.
“Repairs of the estate and arrears of 6 months are the responsibility borne by the company according to the sublet contract. All arrangements with the homeowner were solely a company-to-landlord transaction,” the statement added.
What happened?
Monique Spence, a former Canadian musician signed to Mr. Logic’s record label, accused Mr. Logic of defrauding her and threatening her life if she steps foot in Ghana.
In a video shared on social media, Monique Spence alleged that she was made to bear the cost of production, which wasn’t the initial agreement.
These allegations come after Monique Spence claimed that Mr. Logic, who also served as her manager, defrauded her under the guise of promoting her music career.
Former President Nana Akufo-Addo claimed his government constructed 11,000km of new roads
One of the issues that was hugely debated on during the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration was the amount of new roads the government had constructed since it took over office on January 7, 2017.
Akufo-Addo, in one of his State of the Nation addresses, claimed that his government had constructed an unprecedented 11,000 kilometres km of new roads since 2017, which was refuted by a number of experts who asserted that the figures were grossly exaggerated.
Now Ghanaians get to know the exact kilometres of new roads constructed by the Akufo-Addo government.
Speaking at his vetting at Parliament on Monday, January 20, 2025, Minister of Roads and Highways-designate, Kwame Governs Agbodza, disclosed that the records the Akufo-Addo government handed over to the John Dramani Mahama administration showed that the previous government constructed less than 700 km of new roads.
“He made us aware of a certain figure of new roads at that time. It wasn’t pleasant to try to contradict the president because his sources of information are better than mine. But the figure 11,000 km just jumped out as new roads. And my side said that was a bit less than the truth. Since then, the agencies under the road ministry attempted to adjust the figure. And you remember our view was that only 617 km of roads were new roads at that time.
“At the transition, they provided details. At the time of the transition, the new roads constructed were 673 km, which is not far from the 617 km we talked about at that time, because it means that a few more routes have been completed. So, that issue is in the record of Parliament that indeed Ghana did not construct 11,000 km of new roads since 2017. Rather, 673 km have been constructed as new roads.”
He added, “The bulk of the work in the 13,624.25 km is re-gravelling and gravelling – that is 6,185.90 km. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”
Watch videos from the minister-designate’s vetting below:
The BRICS group of emerging-market powers — the acronym stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — has gone from a slogan dreamed up at an investment bank two decades ago to a real-world club that controls a multilateral lender.
Comprising 10 member states, it pairs several major energy producers with some of the biggest consumers among developing countries.
The group has been increasing its ranks, enhancing its economic clout in a US-dominated world.
Who are the new members of BRICS?
The bloc expanded in early 2024 to include Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Egypt. Saudi Arabia was also announced as a new member, though the kingdom has yet to take a final decision on whether to join.
Argentinian President Javier Milei, who took office in December 2023 and is steering his country’s geopolitical alignment toward the US and away from China and Brazil, declined a membership invitation.
In November 2024, Turkey said it had been granted “partner-country status,” short of its expectation that it would gain full admission. A number of other countries have also been offered such second-tier membership, which would come without voting rights.
The group agreed by consensus to admit Indonesia in January 2025, according to Brazil’s government. Nations still seeking to join include Malaysia and Thailand.
What is the impetus for expansion?
The push has been driven largely by China, now the world’s pre-eminent industrial power, which is trying to boost its global clout.
South Africa and Russia have backed the expansion. India was initially hesitant because it was concerned that a bigger BRICS would transform the group into a mouthpiece for China, while Brazil was worried about alienating the West — although both eventually agreed to an enlargement.
For new members, BRICS offers the potential for easier access to financing from its wealthier members, and a political venue independent of Washington’s influence.
What does a larger BRICS mean for the world?
The addition of major fossil-fuel producers may give the bloc more scope to challenge the dollar’s dominance in oil and gas trading by switching to other currencies, a concept referred to as dedollarization.
That prospect has drawn the ire of US President-elect Donald Trump, who said any nation that abandons the greenback can forget about selling anything to America and find another “sucker” to trade with.
Analysts at Bloomberg Economics say the expansion of BRICS is “more about politics and less about economics.” Beijing is trying to build an alternative world order by pulling southern hemisphere countries into its economic orbit in a challenge to US hegemony.
The enlarged alliance may become a stronger counterweight to the Group of Seven industrialized nations — the US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK. Russian President Vladimir Putin, isolated by the US and its allies over his war in Ukraine, is also keen to see Washington’s global influence recede.
Other groupings that are already promoting a move toward a more “multipolar” world — and away from the post-Cold War dominance of the US — include OPEC, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), and the African Union.
What does BRICS do?
The biggest achievements of the group have been financial. The countries agreed to pool $100 billion of foreign-currency reserves, which they can lend to each other during emergencies.
That liquidity facility became operational in 2016. They also founded the New Development Bank, a World Bank-inspired lending institution that has approved almost $33 billion of loans since it began operations in 2015, mainly for water, transport and other infrastructure projects.
By comparison, the World Bank committed $117.5 billion to partner countries in fiscal 2024.
How did BRICS get started?
“BRIC” was coined in 2001 by economist Jim O’Neill, then at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., to draw attention to strong economic growth rates in Brazil, Russia, India and China. The term was intended as an optimistic scenario for investors amid market pessimism following the terrorist attacks in the US on Sept. 11 that year. The four nations took the concept and ran with it.
Their rapid growth at the time meant they had shared interests and challenges, and combining their voices could increase their influence.
The first meeting of BRIC foreign ministers was organized by Russia on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in 2006.
The group held its first leaders’ summit in 2009. South Africa was invited to join in 2010, adding another continent and the letter “S.”
Who’s in charge?
For most of the time BRICS has existed, China’s gross domestic product has been more than twice the combined economic output of the four other members prior to the expansion.
In theory, that should give it the most sway. In practice, India, which recently surpassed China in population, has been a counterweight.
BRICS didn’t formally endorse China’s big push to build infrastructure abroad, called the Belt and Road Initiative. That’s partly because India objected to such projects in disputed territory held by Pakistan, its neighbor and archrival.
The New Development Bank has no dominant shareholder: Beijing agreed to the equal holdings for each member advocated by New Delhi.
The bank is headquartered in Shanghai, but has been led by an Indian and two Brazilians, most recently former President Dilma Rousseff.
Did Russia’s invasion of Ukraine affect the group?
The other BRICS countries have adopted a broadly neutral stance toward the war, viewing it as more of a regional issue than a global crisis. However, the war changed Russia’s relations with BRICS institutions.
The New Development Bank quickly froze Russian projects, and Moscow hasn’t been able to access dollars via the BRICS shared foreign-currency system.
Essentially, with US sanctions piling up, other BRICS countries prioritized ongoing access to the dollar-based financial system over helping Russia.
Moscow has proposed changes to cross-border payments between BRICS countries, a system that would circumvent the global financial system and help sanction-proof its own economy.
The alternatives include developing a network of commercial banks that can conduct such transactions in local currencies as well as establishing direct links between central banks, a report prepared by the Russian Finance Ministry, the Bank of Russia and Moscow-based consultancy Yakov & Partners shows. It also envisions the creation of centers for mutual trade in oil, gas, grain, gold and other commodities.
Are investors still interested in BRICS?
There’s still interest in emerging markets. But BRICS is largely irrelevant as an investment theme today due to geopolitical changes and the members’ different economic trajectories. US-led sanctions have put Russia off limits for most foreign investors, and some sectors in China — especially technology companies — have also been sanctioned or face potential investment bans.
China also is a maturing economy, increasingly separated from other emerging markets and facing a structural slowdown. Brazil’s economy slowed markedly following the end of a global commodity boom about a decade ago.
South Africa’s economy has been hamstrung by rolling power blackouts and logistics snarls, although it’s recently made some tentative progress in tackling those problems.
India is still a growth story that investment banks compare with China 10 or 15 years ago, though it’s unclear if it can follow China’s manufacturing-led model.
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Sports journalist Patrick Osei Agyemang, popularly known as Countryman Songo, has criticised the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) decision to reconstitute the Black Stars Management Committee.
He argued that restructuring the committee without revamping the technical team may not necessarily lead to positive results.
The host of the “Fire for Fire” show on Adom TV stated that the GFA’s decision to retain the Black Stars coach while focusing on other areas demonstrates poor managerial skills.
“Reconstituting the Black Stars Management Committee while keeping the coach is a display of remarkable ineptitude,” Countryman Songo wrote on X.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the GFA is planning to dismiss assistant coaches John Paintsil and Joseph Laumann to recruit new personnel and strengthen the technical team.
About the Black Stars Management Committee
Dr. Randy Abbey, an Executive Council member of the GFA, has been appointed to chair the committee and lead engagements with the government and other key stakeholders.
Stephen Appiah, the former Black Stars captain, will serve as Vice Chairman, focusing on player relations.
Samuel Aboabire, Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Football Association and a GFA Executive Council member, along with Moses Armah, President of Medeama Sporting Club, will manage operations and matchday activities, ensuring that the interests of sponsors, partners, and collaborators are well attended to.
Richard Nsenkyire, President of FC Samartex 1996, the Ghana Premier League champions, will oversee special duties.
All eyes dey on United States of America as di whole world dey wait for di inauguration of di 47th US president.
On im part, US President-elect Donald Trump break tradition unto who im invite and who im no invite come im inauguration – coronation style.
Both Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance dey set to take oath of office and begin new administration inside one long day of celebrations wey go include musical performances and parade.
However, unlike traditional inaugurations of US presidents, dis one go include plenty foreign leaders, including Trump close supporters and even some of im rivals.
At least seven sitting heads of state and two former leaders na im dem invite. According to Reuters, about 500,000 guests dey expected in total.
Dis na breakdown of some of who dem invite and who dem no invite and why di guest list dey so different from wetin dey happun bifor:
Wetin different about dis inauguration?
President-elect Trump dey break wit US tradition for dis event.
Usually, presidential inaugurations na domestic affair: meaning say di president and vice president go take dia oath wit US officials, past heads of state and other American VIPs present on di steps of US Capitol building.
Dem dey allow di public to watch from di surrounding grounds.
However, for dis event, wey go get inaugural speech, parade, musical performances and balls, go also be international affair.
Tori be say na close to twelve world leaders na im dem invite.
Foreign leaders no dey usually attend US presidential inauguration; instead na diplomats like kontri ambassadors to di US, or foreign ministers, dey act as representatives.
Who dem no invite?
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer no get invitation, im office confam on Thursday. However, dem invite di far-right politician, Nigel Farage of di Reform UK party, and im go dey present.
Trump completely ignore European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, and most of European Union and members of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation).
Germany President Olaf Scholz, wey dey lead EU largest economy, dem shun am too.
Dem however send invitation to Alice Weidel, leader of di opposition party Alternative for Germany (AfD), wey her co-leader Tino Chrupalla go attend.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Modi and Trump bin share “bromance” since di first Trump presidency.
Following im election victory for December, Modi bin dey among di first to call and congratulate Trump.
While di PM no go attend, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar go represent am.
Santiago Abascal, wey dey lead di Spanish right-wing Vox Party, and Andre Ventura of Portugal majority Chega party, go dey dia.
French President Emmanuel Macron no get invitation, although Macron and Trump get friendly relations.
Instead, French far-right politician Eric Zemmour of di Reconquest party go dey present.
Who dem invite?
Several heads of state, popular leaders wey support Trump go show, but so too some of im rivals go also show. Dem include:
Argentina President Javier Milei: Milei don confam say im go attend.
Trump bin hail di leader one time as a man wey fit “make Argentina great again” and, for December, im welcome Milei for im Mar-a-Lago residence for Florida.
Chinese President Xi Jinping: Trump invite Xi to di ceremony for December, move wey im tok tok pesin say na signal of im readiness to interact wit im Chinese counterpart, even wit di trade war wey dey hang for air.
Xi no go attend, however, Vice President Han Zheng go show.
Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: Meloni, of di Brothers of Italy party, visit Mar-a-Lago for January. Her office say she fit to attend if her schedule permit.
Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban: Orban na close Trump supporter and im bin don say im believe di president-elect go end Russia war on Ukraine.
According to local media, im no go fit make am sake of one state address.
Ecuador President Daniel Noboa: Noboa bin hail Trump December victory as victory for Latin America, too.
Im office confam say im go pause im re-election campaign to travel go Washington for di inauguration.
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele: Bukele office never confam say im go attend yet.
Trump son, Donald Trump Jr, na friends wit Bukele, and for July 2024, im bin attend im inauguration for San Salvador.
Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro: politician wey dem nickname di “Trump of di Tropics” bin also get invitation, but im no go attend sake of im ban from travelling.
Im kontri Supreme Court seize im passport as im dey face several investigations, including alleged attempt to turn di results of di 2022 general election, wey im lost.
Former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawieck, wey recently become leader of di European Conservatives and Reformists party for EU parliament, go also attend.
The Minister-Designate for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has denied assertions made by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that his administration built 11,000 kilometers of new roads between 2017 and January 2025.
Agbodza refuted the former President’s claim during his vetting before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday, January 20, by presenting what he called factual facts on road construction finished during that time.
Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Minister-Designate for Roads and Highways, has addressed concerns about his temperament, assuring his commitment to improving in this area as he prepares for his new role.
During his vetting on Monday, January 20, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, raised concerns that could potentially impact Mr. Agbodza’s tenure if confirmed as Minister.
In response, Mr. Agbodza expressed a willingness to listen and adapt, emphasizing his readiness to work on maintaining a balanced and professional demeanor in his interactions.
He acknowledged that while he is passionate about his work and the issues he cares about, however, he recognises the importance of maintaining a balanced and professional approach in his interactions with others.
“I want to thank colleagues for the feedback. I think it is important. They raised issues about my temperament and you are right. When I believe in something, sometimes you tell me I should be mindful of the way I put it. I will work on it,” he stated.
Agbodza: NPP left GHC100bn in commitments in road sector
The Chairman of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, engaged in a heated exchange with the Ranking Member, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, during the ministerial vetting of Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minister of Roads and Highways-designate.
The calm and serene atmosphere in the vetting room quickly became tensed and heated when Ahiafor was accused by Afenyo-Markin of proceeding in bad faith, following a 5-minute recess taken by the committee.
The misunderstanding began when Afenyo-Markin took the floor to give his remarks.
However, he was sharply interrupted and prevented by Ahiafor, who told him to wait for his turn to speak, as another member, Mahama Shaibu was already addressing the committee.
Afenyo-Markin, who also serves as the Minority Leader and Member of Parliament of Effutu, was insistent on speaking, despite being told to wait for his turn, an effort by the Chairman to maintain decorum at the committee.
To assert his authority in the room, the Chairman said, “Honorable Ranking and Minority Leader, you do not have the floor. You don’t have the floor now; allow Honorable Mahama Shaibu to conclude, then I can give you the floor,” raising his voice at Afenyo-Markin, attempting to silence him.
Offended by the Chairman’s attitude, Afenyo-Markin also raised his voice in return, warning Ahiafor not to raise his voice at him.
“Chairman, don’t raise your voice. You suspended sitting for five minutes and called me for a discussion. I told you I was having a discussion with my caucus. We didn’t spend more than 5 minutes. Chairman, let’s operate in good faith. You had called me and I said ‘give me a moment, I will join you’, then the next moment you go ahead and start.
“Chairman, I want to register this protest that you have proceeded in bad faith. It is not the understanding we had. We got to a point where I was responding to a point of order where you came in rudely to say that you have ruled,” Afenyo-Markin said amid shouts of ‘ei, ei, ei,’ from the members, calling for him to withdraw his word.
Ahiafor once again sharply interjected Afenyo-Markin over his claims, urging him to refer to and be guided by the rules of the committee, which do not permit the usage of certain language, such as rudely.
In a high tone, he said, “Honorable member, you could be guided by the rules that in this House, you don’t use insulting, disparaging and abusive language…”
Unperturbed by Ahiafor’s words, Afenyo-Markin interjected again, saying, “Chairman, bring your voice down, bring your voice down. Bring down your voice, you are raising it. Bring down your voice.”
Following the release of 10 amazing singles in 2024, Sofie returns with “Leo Sun,” her first full-length mixtape. “Leo Sun” is available on all digital streaming platforms worldwide here: https://unitedmasters.com/m/leo-sun-sofie
This 10-track masterpiece chronicles the journey of falling in love in your 20s, healing and standing up for what you believe in. It’s a deeply personal and eclectic project that captures Sofie’s diverse artistry within the Afro/R&B soundscape.
“Leo Sun” brings together every song Sofie dropped in 2024, plus three bonus tracks, offering listeners a blend of Afrobeats, R&B and Pop. From the infectious energy of ‘Party Pooper’ to the introspective, melodic tones of ‘FAME,’ Sofie’s versatility shines throughout the mixtape.
Tracks like ‘Krobo Princess’ highlight her ability to weave cultural pride into her music, while ‘FALLING IN LOVE’ is a R&B/Pop banger about embracing the moment and what can come from shooting your shot. The bonus tracks add elements of vulnerability showcasing Sofie’s real life and growth as an artist.
Whether you’re driving, unwinding or reflecting, “Leo Sun” is the perfect soundtrack to ground you in 2025.
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Wa, (UW/R), Jan. 20, GNA – The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has commenced assessing 165 people who have expressed interest in heading the various Municipal and District Assemblies in the Upper West Region.
The vetting, which started on Monday, January 20, 2025, is expected to end on Friday, January 24, 2025.
Three aspirants, Mr Albert Kansuglo Kachu and Yakubu Naaba Saani from the Sissala East Municipality and Mr Issa Kantagyere from the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District, who is also the Upper West Regional Communications Officer of the NDC, had announced withdrawal from the contest.
The vetting committee is made of Professor Benjamin Kumbuor, a former government appointee, Mr Cletus Seidu Dapilah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Jirapa Constituency, who represented the MPs, Mr Abdul-Nasir Saani, the party’s Regional Chairman and Charles Lwanga Puozuing, the NDC’s Regional Secretary.
The rest are: Mr Thomas Mwinbahaara, the Regional Organiser, Madam Prisca Domanyevi, Regional Women’s Organiser, Mr Basiera Sankara, the Regional Youth Organiser, Alhaji Al-Hassan Yakubu and Hajia Bintu Al-Hassan, Members of the Council of Elders.
According to the party’s regional leadership, the five-day exercise is a significant and pivotal process in the efforts of the NDC’s new government to identify and place competent individuals as heads of the eleven MDAs in the region.
Some of the aspirants, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), indicated their resolve to facilitate the development of their respective constituencies if given the opportunity.
Madam Helen Tanlugu, an aspirant in the Sissala East Municipality, said she had an interest in the development of the municipality and would work hard to achieve it if she is appointed the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Sissala East.
“The Sissala East Municipality has a lot of internal revenue that can be used for the development of the municipality.
All is about inclusive decision making which, if I am given the opportunity, I am going to bring on board,” she explained.
Madam Tanlugu told the GNA that she would ensure accountability in her leadership which would enhance the development of the municipality and encourage the taxpayers to religiously pay their taxes.
