President John Dramani Mahama has publicly reaffirmed his steadfast dedication to the enduring legacy of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, lauding him as a paramount symbol of peace, justice, and humility in Ghana’s political narrative.
Speaking at the 13th annual wreath-laying ceremony at Asomdwe Park in Accra, President Mahama paid tribute to the former leader, highlighting his unwavering moral compass and dignified approach to governance.
The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced that the nation saved a total of GH¢4.9 billion on domestic interest payments as of the end of June 2025.
He attributed this achievement on domestic interest payments – Treasury bills (T-bills), Government bonds and other debt instruments purchased by local banks, institutions, or individuals, to prudent debt management during the period under review.
Dr Ato Forson made the disclosure while presenting the 2025 Mid-Year Budget to Parliament on Thursday, July 24.
“Right Honorable Speaker, we have indeed saved 4.9 billion Ghana cities on domestic interest payment as at end June 2025 due to our prudent debt management policy,” he said.
Dr Forson also mentioned that strong fiscal discipline has produced significant results, including a lower-than-targeted deficit and a higher-than-expected primary surplus in core fiscal performance.
“Mr. Speaker, our fiscal discipline has yielded the needed remarkable results so far. We have delivered below target deficit on both cash and commitment basis. We have delivered a greater than anticipated primary surplus in the core fiscal income,” he stressed.
“We have delivered a strong expenditure and commitment control. We have delivered robust tax revenue performance. Mr. Speaker, provisional data shows that the primary balance on commitment basis, I mean the fiscal income, as at end June 2025 recorded a surplus of 1.1 per cent of GDP, surpassing the target surplus of 0.4% of GDP set for the same period,” he stressed.
He went on to say that Ghana’s fiscal performance has outperformed projections with the overall fiscal deficit was 0.7 per cent of GDP on a commitment basis (better than the 1.8 per cent target) and 1.1 per cent on a cash basis (better than the 2.4 per cent target).
He added that the primary balance showed a surplus of 0.7 per cent of GDP, outperforming the projected deficit of 0.2 per cent. Non-oil tax revenue exceeded targets by GH¢787 million, with corporate income tax alone surpassing its target by GH¢555.3 million (2.9 per cent above target).
Mr Speaker, interest payment amounted to 25.4 billion, which is 1.8 per cent of GDP. This is below the target of 30.5 billion, which is 2.2 per cent of GDP, and this was mainly due to lower domestic interest payment. Domestic interest payment amounted to 21.6 billion, against a target of 26.5 billion, representing a reduction of 4.9 billion Ghana cities, mainly on account of planned domestic borrowing and a decline in the T-bill rates.
Mr Speaker, external interest payment amounted to 3.8 billion Ghana cities, against a target of 4 billion, due mainly to the appreciation of the Ghana cities. Other expenditure, mainly comprising energy sector levies, transfers and energy sector payments shortfalls, amounted to 11.4 billion Ghana cities, or 8% of GDP. This was 12.7 per cent below the target of 13.1, or 0.9% of GDP for the same period.
Right Honorable Speaker, arrest clearance amounted to 4.8 billion Ghana cities. It is important to know that there was no build-up in arrest payable during the period under review, signalling strong commitment control and fiscal discipline. Mr. Speaker, we are very different from our friends that decided to flee from the chamber.
Mr Speaker, the deficit was largely financed from domestic sources, with net domestic financing of 13.1 billion, well below the 18.7 billion target. The net foreign financing was 2.8 billion, mostly from the utilisation of the 4.5 billion IMF disbursement.
Mr Speaker, between 1st of January to 6th of January, the IMF disbursement of 4.5 billion was spent before the Mahama administration took office, just in six days.
Ghana will host the Global Africa Summit in December, bringing together investors, professionals and business leaders from across Africa and the diaspora to explore trade, investment and partnership opportunities.
The summit, launched in Accra, is an initiative of the Africa Investment Network aimed at strengthening economic ties between Africa and its diaspora. It will feature stakeholders from the private sector, government, academia and global entrepreneurship networks.
Speaking at the launch, Founding President and CEO of the Africa Investment Network, Mrs Jane Reindorf-Osei, said Ghana was deliberately chosen as the starting point for the summit series.
“As a proud Ghanaian, there was no better place to start than here. Ghana has so much to offer, not just resources, but the energy and talent of its people,” she said. “We aim to bring our diaspora and global partners to experience the investment, partnership, and tourism potential Ghana offers.”
Mrs Reindorf-Osei added that the two-day event would focus on trade and investment and is supported by partners such as the National Black Chamber and members of the Africa Investment Network.
“It’s not only about business. Many in the diaspora feel Ghana is home. Some are coming to Africa for the first time, and they want to be part of the Black Star experience,” she noted.
Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Mr Kofi Okyere Darko, highlighted the economic significance of the diaspora, stating that remittances to Ghana now exceed $6.4 billion.
“President Mahama has maintained the Diaspora Affairs Office to show how much we value engagement with Ghanaians abroad. We want teachers, doctors, and business owners to return and contribute,” he said.
He urged members of the diaspora to visit Ghana in December, not only for recreation but also to take part in the National Diaspora Summit and the newly launched Black Star Experience.
Mrs Yvonne Ocloo, CEO of TopDog Africa and a summit partner, said the event is designed to build lasting economic bridges.
“This is about creating jobs and driving growth. The Summit will move from Washington DC in October to Toronto before culminating in Ghana, which will take centre stage this December,” she said.
Read More
Sammy Gyamfi (L) is demanding four reliefs from Afia Schwarzenegger (R) in his lawsuit
Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD), Sammy Gyamfi, has filed a legal lawsuit against socialite Afia Schwarzenegger.
Sammy Gyamfi, through his lawyers, on July 23, 2025, filed a GH¢10 million defamation suit, citing that Schwarzenegger had accused him of infidelity, engaging in extra-marital affairs, and purchasing vehicles for female students at the University of Ghana.
In his lawsuit, Gyamfi outlined four key demands from Schwarzenegger.
Here is a breakdown of Sammy Gyamfi’s four demands:
Restraining injunction on Schwarzenegger from making any further publication against him:
Gyamfi is praying for the court to place a perpetual injunction on Afia Schwarzenegger.
According to the politician, the court should restrain Schwarzenegger from making any publication and also using any defamatory words about him, either through social media or print.
“An order of this honourable court in the nature of a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant herein from making any further publication and/or causing to be printed, published, distributed, and/or otherwise circulated same and/or other similar defamatory words touching and/or otherwise concerning the plaintiff herein,” the document states.
Exemplary damages of GH¢10 million against Schwarzenegger:
Gyamfi is also praying the court for a sum of GH¢10 million from Schwarzenegger as compensation for the alleged damages that her publications have had on his reputation.
According to him, he has received numerous calls from people in high-ranking positions, questioning him about the accusations.
“Exemplary damages of ten million Ghana cedis (GH¢10,000,000.00) against the defendant.”
Retraction and public apology:
In his lawsuit, the politician is also demanding an unqualified apology from the socialite.
According to Gyamfi, Afia Schwarzenegger should retract her initial statements and also apologise through the front and back pages of The Daily Graphic Newspaper.
He is also asking the defendant to similarly apologise on TikTok and other media platforms that published her allegations.
“A retraction and an unqualified apology by the defendants to be published on the front and back pages of The Daily Graphic Newspaper on three consecutive occasions, and the same to be published on TikTok,” he said.
Legal counsel fee:
In his defamation suit, Gyamfi is demanding that the socialite pay fees charged by his legal team.
See the suit below:
JHM/VPO
Meanwhile, watch what Jane Reindorf Osei says about Ghana’s readiness for tourism investment:
The Minority in Parliament has staged a walkout ahead of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review
The Minority Caucus in Parliament staged a walkout ahead of the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review in protest of alleged government inaction on violent attacks during the recent election rerun in Ablekuma North.
The walkout on Thursday, July 24, 2025, ahead of the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review, was to protest the violence that marred the recent parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North among other issues the Minority demands urgent action on.
The caucus cited voter intimidation, violence, and the abuse of state security agencies as ills that marred the Ablekuma North election rerun which led to the voting of a new Member of Parliament for the constituency.
According to the Minority, these actions amount to a serious breach of democratic principles and electoral fairness.
Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, speaking in Parliament before the walkout, said the caucus could not in good conscience remain part of proceedings while such violations went unaddressed.
“Mr Speaker, with all due respect, I will not on any day defy your authority. We have lined up a number of activities to battle these demands, and to the extent that this violence visited on Ghanaians are not addressed, we cannot be part of the presentation of the mid-year budget review,” he stated.
The walkout provoked strong reactions from the majority side of the House with some MPs hooting and jeering at them as they (Minority) exited the chamber.
The Ablekuma North rerun has since become a flashpoint in national politics with calls from civil society and opposition leaders for an independent probe into the events that unfolded on that fateful day.
MRA/VPO
Meanwhile, watch as KOD cites diaspora investment as the key to Africa’s rise:
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson is the Minister of Finance
The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has said the government has managed to restore economic stability, clarity, and direction in less than 200 days since taking office.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, July 24, during the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review, he said the government’s swift and targeted measures are beginning to produce real results.
“In under 200 days, we have brought clarity, certainty, stability, and purpose to our economic management,” he stated.
According to him, these efforts are helping to rebuild trust in the economy and provide hope to both citizens and investors.
He added that the improvements go beyond just figures and reports.
”This turnaround is not just something we are saying. People are beginning to feel it in businesses, households, and investors alike,” he said.
He said the government remains committed to staying on track with its economic recovery plan and will continue to implement policies that bring long-term growth and stability to the country.
DR/AE
Meanwhile, you can also watch videos from the NPP’s National Delegates Conference below:
File photo of a crime scene
Police in Kitgum District are investigating a horrific incident in which a 36-year-old school cook was allegedly raped and fatally assaulted in a forest in Latiti Cell, Pager Division, Kitgum Municipality.
The victim, identified as Agness Aneno, who worked at Kitgum Boys Primary School, was discovered unconscious and severely injured after a brutal early-morning attack on Wednesday. She was rushed to St Joseph Hospital in Kitgum but was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to preliminary police reports, Aneno was heard crying for help around 5:00am, prompting nearby residents to respond.
“It was reported that at around 5:00am, a lady was heard crying in a forest belonging to the late Opia. The community members responded only to find a woman tied to a tree and badly injured,” said Mr Joe Oloya, spokesperson for the Aswa East Region Police.
He added: “A piece of stick was pushed into her private parts.”
The crime scene was documented by the District Criminal Investigations Department and a team of detectives. Her body was later transferred to Kitgum General Hospital for a postmortem examination.
A case of murder has been registered, although by press time no suspects had been arrested. Police say investigations are ongoing, and there are unconfirmed reports that the victim may have been pregnant at the time of the attack.
This incident adds to the growing concerns about violent crime in the region. Since the start of the year, at least nine people have been murdered in the Aswa East Region alone.
According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report (2023), Kitgum District recorded the highest number of homicides in the Acholi sub-region, with 34 murder cases. These included incidents of domestic violence, shootings, stabbings, and assaults.
Other districts followed closely:
Gulu City registered 28 murders
Omoro District had 27 cases
Pader District recorded 18, and
Gulu District reported 12 cases
In total, 218 people were murdered in the Acholi sub-region in 2023. Nationwide, Uganda recorded 4,248 homicides, translating to an average of 11 people killed per day last year.
A scene during the match
Ghana’s Black Queens suffered a heartbreaking exit from the 2025 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after losing 4-2 on penalties to host nation, Morocco in the semifinals at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, Tuesday night.
The high-stakes clash saw both teams fiercely battle for the final ticket to face Nigeria in Saturday’s final match. Ghana struck first in the 26th minute when Stella Nyamekye coolly finished to give the visitors a deserved lead. Morocco, unsettled by the early setback, pushed forward through captain Ghizlane Chebbak and Fatima Tagnaout, but struggled to break through Ghana’s compact defense before the break.
The Atlas Lionesses roared back in the second half, spurred on by a boisterous home crowd. Sakina Ouzraoui Diki levelled the score in the 55th minute, tapping in at the far post after sustained Moroccan pressure. The remainder of regulation time was a tense, physical battle marked by midfield duels and injury stoppages, with neither side able to find a decisive goal.
Extra time produced end-to-end chances, but both teams remained deadlocked, forcing a penalty shootout. Morocco held their nerve, with Hanane Aït El Haj, Ibtissam Jraïdi, Kenza Chapelle, and Anissa Lahmari converting their spot-kicks. Goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi emerged as the hero, saving Comfort Yeboah’s effort before Evelyn Badu sent her shot wide, sealing Ghana’s defeat.
Ghana will now face defending champions South Africa in the third-place playoff, while Morocco advance to meet record holders Nigeria in the final on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
By Wletsu Ransford
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has strongly condemned the violence that occurred during the recent election rerun in the Ablekuma North Constituency, calling on the government to take immediate steps to ensure justice is served.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 22, and signed by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Bishops urged the state to carry out prompt, thorough, and transparent investigations into the incident and ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable.
“We unequivocally condemn all forms of electoral violence, especially the brutalisation of citizens, including journalists,Such acts violate human dignity and threaten the foundation of our democracy” the statement said.
The Bishops stressed that impunity should not be allowed to fester, as it undermines public trust and promotes a culture of lawlessness.
They called on the government to implement the recommendations of past commissions of enquiry into electoral violence, so that Ghana can learn from the past and make necessary reforms.
According to the conference, elections are not a show of power but a platform for sharing ideas.
They appealed to political parties and their supporters to exercise restraint and put the nation’s peace above partisan interests.
The Bishops also urged the Electoral Commission to deepen engagement with stakeholders to build public confidence in the electoral process.
They called on the security services to act with professionalism and fairness when dealing with election-related conflicts.
By Jacob Aggrey
A photo collage of Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka (L) and Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin (R)
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawase, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, has threatened that the Majority Caucus will vote to take away all the privileges of the Minority Leader if he defies the resolution passed by the House on Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on July 22, 2025, when the resolution was passed, Mohammed-Mubarak, who is also the Minister of the Interior, indicated that the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, has no option but to accept the decision of the House.
He said that he was surprised that Afenyo-Markin would be the person challenging the decision of the House because he was at the receiving end when a member of his caucus defied the resolution of the House on the delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament.
“We are capitalising on our knowledge of the ECOWAS and Pan-African Parliaments to make it difficult for this House. Because in the case of the ECOWAS Parliament, if a member is elected, even if his Parliament doesn’t send him and he still insists he wants to be a member, the ECOWAS Parliament will support him.
“We have a clear example when a former whip in this House, from our colleagues on the other side, decided to defy leadership. When he went there, interestingly, the Minority Leader, who is taking an interim position, was the one who was disadvantaged. So, I thought that if for nothing, he should learn from that. He should learn from that history that being and taking an interim position will come and haunt you one day,” he said.
“This House, if it becomes necessary, we may have to vote and support you. If the Minority Leader insists, he wants to go to ECOWAS, he must be stripped of all the other privileges of the Minority Leader. We are talking about IPU. We are talking about CPA,” he added.
The minister said that Afenyo-Markin’s privileges must be taken away because he cannot be enjoying them and still represent the country at the ECOWAS Parliament.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, while moving the motion on the composition of membership for representation at the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), proposed some amendments, including the replacement of Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin with his deputy, Patricia Appiagyei.
Despite opposition from members of the Minority Caucus, the House, by a voice vote, adopted the amended list, made up of George Ricketts-Hagan as Leader, Emmanuel Kwame Bedzrah, Laadi Ayii Ayamba, Eric Afful, Dominic Napare, Patricia Appiagyei, and Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi as members, with Millicent Yeboah Amankwah as observer.
Watch a video of Muntaka’s remarks below:
BAI/VPO
Meanwhile, you can also watch videos from the NPP’s National Delegates Conference below:
This article was supported by SGCI.
[ACCRA, SciDev.Net] In Ayigbe, a rural community in Ghana’s Bono Region, 35-year-old Michael Kyereme paid off a university debt of GHS 3,500 (US$335) in just three months.
He managed this not by getting a highly paid salaried job, but by selling juice made from the fleshy part of the cashew fruit that most farmers throw away.
“Cashew apples are easy to find, and free,” he tells SciDev,Net.
“Now I make about 60 bottles of juice per cycle a day and sell through my wife’s shop and social media platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp.”
Cashew apples, the fruit attached to the cashew nut, are usually discarded during harvesting.
Michael Kyereme paid off a university debt by selling juice made from the fleshy part of the cashew fruit. Copyright: Albert Oppong-Ansah / SciDev.Net
But under a research-backed project, young people are learning how to turn the apples into juice, snacks, compost and animal feed.
The initiative, called Maximising Gains from Cashew Production for Youth Development (MA-CASH), is run by Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, with support from the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology and funding from Canada’s International Development Research Centre.
It trains young people to process cashew apples into products that reduce food waste and provide income in rural areas.
“Most alternative livelihoods require capital, but this one did not. That’s why I embraced it immediately,” says Kyereme.
He hopes to invest in processing equipment and try out new products like cashew apple kebabs and poultry feed.
Globally, about 37 million metric tonnes of cashew apples are produced each year. But only about 1.3 million tonnes of these are commercially processed, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
George Asare, a researcher at Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, who was involved in the project, says Ghana produced over 1.6 million tonnes of cashew apples in 2024, 90 per cent of which went to waste.
“This translates to about 1,449,000 metric tonnes of lost produce,” Asare says. “It’s a big loss both economically and nutritionally.”
MA-CASH trains young people to process the fruit into juice, meat alternatives and other products. It also promotes composting and animal feed production, creating small businesses that use all parts of the fruit.
“This project is not just about juice,” says Sefakor Heloo, senior development planning officer at Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.
“It is about sustainability, food security, climate resilience, and giving young people practical skills.”
The idea for the project came during a field visit by crop scientist Francisca Aba Ansah, who saw piles of rotting cashew apples and wondered why no one ate them.
Back in the lab, the team found two challenges: the fruit’s high tannin content, which can block nutrient absorption, and the need for a protein-rich ingredient that wouldn’t trigger allergies.
“We used scientific processes to reduce tannin levels in the juice,” Ansah says.
To boost protein levels they added a legume, in order to develop a sausage-like protein-rich food for vegetarians.
Cashew kebab on display. Researchers are working on extending shelf life of cashew fruit products. Copyright: Albert Oppong-Ansah / SciDev.Net
The team tested the new sausage product in Accra after receiving ethical clearance and running a small social media campaign to recruit tasters.
“There was no significant difference between our sausage and commercial vegan sausage,” she says.
So far, more than 300 young people have been trained in six communities, and the next training session, scheduled for January 2026, is already full.
MA-CASH also focuses on reducing waste. Leftover pulp is used for compost and feed, and the project is experimenting with simple cooling technologies to extend the fruit’s shelf life.
“We have developed and tested a clay cooler that extends shelf life from 24 hours to six days,” Ansah says.
“But we are exploring technologies that can stretch it to three months or more.”
The project also encourages beekeeping under cashew trees to improve pollination and boost honey production.
With help from Opportunity International Savings and Loans, a savings and loans institution licensed by the Bank of Ghana, savings groups have been set up to support participants who need loans to buy equipment or expand their business. Participants are also receiving training in financial literacy and digital tools.
Paul Adu-Gyamfi, director of research at the Consultative International Cashew Council, says cashew is Ghana’s top non-traditional export and could grow further with better use of the apple.
“The cashew apple has potential for value-added products,” he says.
“Its spread into regions like the Eastern Region creates more room for processing and local business.”
He says more than 4,000 farmers are involved in growing cashew, with others working in processing and export. Institutions like the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana are helping address farming challenges, while agencies such as the Food and Drugs Authority are working on product quality and safety.
Cashew apples are high in nutrients, says Daniel Kwame Antwi, a nutrition officer, at the Dormaah Sub-District of the Ghana health Service in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana, who wasn’t involved in the study.
Bottled juice made from the fleshy part of the cashew fruit. Copyright: Albert Oppong-Ansah / SciDev.Net
“It is rich in carbohydrates, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants. It boosts immunity, supports heart health, and can reduce obesity risks,” he says.
“Cashew juice is good for all age groups. We’ve focused too long on the nut. It is time we explored the fruit.”
The MA-CASH model is being expanded to regions such as Ahafo, Ashanti, and Northern Ghana, with training materials now available in local languages.
For Michael Kyereme, the change has been life-altering.
“This skill changed my life,” he says. “It is a profitable business, and more young people want to join. We just need the machines and support to grow bigger.”
SGCI is a multilateral initiative established to strengthen the institutional capacities of public science funding agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa to support research and evidence-based policies that will contribute to economic and social development.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
DEAR ABBY: I have been a little sad lately. The reason is that my best friend is acting weird. It makes me wonder if our friendship is slowly going away. Throughout our friendship, we have always jokingly made fun of each other. Lately, it seems that anything I say makes it awkward, and she hasn’t been wanting to talk to me as often or acting the same way she did before. I’m afraid we are not going to be friends much longer, which scares me. How do I fix our friendship without asking for it upfront and without being weird? –– HER BESTIE IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR BESTIE: You may be scared, but the only way you may be able to repair your friendship is to tell her how you are feeling. Because you sense she is distancing herself, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by being honest. A way to start the conversation would be to ask if you may have offended her in some way with your jokes because, if you did, they weren’t intended to be hurtful.
DEAR ABBY: I am a 47-year-old male who is 20 days from being divorced. For the past three months, I have been dating a woman I’ve known for 26 years. We love each other and plan to be married. We have great times when we are together but struggle on the phone or with texting. I’m not sure why this is, but she says it’s because we need to be together all the time.
We generally see one another on weekends. She says she has a tough time and cries a lot when I’m not around. My question is, is this normal? If I don’t see her for two days, she gushes that she “missed me so much,” whereas I miss her, but it’s not a big deal to me. We aren’t married now so I’m not in that frame of mind until we are. What can we do? — NAVIGATING LOVE IN FLORIDA
DEAR NAVIGATING: What your lady friend is telling you may seem like a protestation of devotion, but it could instead be a red flag. Her discomfort at being apart could eventually become smothering. She’s obviously emotionally needy. Although you have discussed marriage, PLEASE be sure the two of you have premarital counseling before proposing anything more than a warm friendship.
DEAR ABBY: How does one overcome a fear of heights? I have had it from the time I was a little girl. There was a bridge I had to cross walking home from school. I had to look down at my feet to cross it.
I recently purchased a condominium on the 16th floor in a high-rise building. I love the view, but I’m too afraid to walk out on my balcony. How do I overcome this? — UP HIGH IN GEORGIA
DEAR UP HIGH: You are far from the only person who has a fear of heights. Consider installing some waist-high plants in front of the patio railing. This may allow you to enjoy your view without your knees wobbling. If you try this, do not look directly down. (I speak from experience.)
The Minority in Parliament has petitioned the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Maher Kheir, over alleged acts of electoral violence during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun held on Friday, July 11.
The group later proceeded to the Jubilee House, where they presented a similar petition to President John Dramani Mahama, expressing concerns over what they describe as escalating political intimidation and electoral irregularities.
These actions follow their walkout ahead of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget presentation — a protest the Minority says was meant to highlight the deepening threat to Ghana’s democratic processes.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament prior to the walkout, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh Dompreh addressed the growing concern over election-related violence.
“Increasingly, electoral violence is rearing its ugly head in our fledgling democracy,” he said. “The recent rerun in 19 polling stations in Ablekuma North is clearly revealing.”
While reaffirming respect for the authority of the Speaker of Parliament, Annoh Dompreh explained the basis for the boycott, stressing that the violence witnessed was a direct challenge to democratic norms.
“Speaker, with respect, I will not on any day try your authority. We have lined up a number of activities to back our demands, and to the extent that these acts of violence are not addressed and are visited on us at home, we cannot be part of the mid-year budget review. And to that extent, we are exiting and cannot be part of this,” he stated.
Speaker Alban Bagbin acknowledged the importance of deliberating on electoral violence but indicated that such discussions could be scheduled for a later date.
Following that, the Minority Chief Whip confirmed the caucus would not remain for the budget presentation.
Stratcon Energy and Trading Company Limited, alongside its Chief Executive Officer, Harry Campbell, has dragged Bright Simons, a Vice President of IMANI Africa, to court.
Stratcon Energy are demanding GH¢22 million in general damages in the lawsuit against Bright Simons.
The plaintiffs, Stratcon Energy, described Bright Simons’ searing social media post as false, malicious, reckless and defamatory publications.
By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ohawu (V/R), July 24, GNA – Mr Eric Edem Agbana, the Member of Parliament for Ketu North, has joined the chiefs and people of Ohawu to commission two major sanitation facilities, aimed at improving hygiene and public health in the area.
The newly inaugurated projects include 16-seater and 10-seater Water Closet (WC) toilet facilities respectively for the Ohawu and Amanu communities.
Each facility comes with a mechanised borehole and a 9,000-litre capacity water tank, ensuring a sustainable water supply for proper sanitation.
The projects were fully funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose support was described as a remarkable act of social responsibility and generosity.
At the commissioning ceremony, Mr Agbana commended the Church for its timely intervention and encouraged residents to adopt a strong culture of maintenance to preserve the facilities for long-term use.
He further urged community members to take a forward-thinking approach by including toilet facilities in all new homes, which he said would help reduce pressure on public infrastructure while promoting dignity and healthier living conditions.
The MP also praised Togbui Kordor III, the Chief of Ohawu, and his elders for their continued leadership and commitment to the community’s development.
“I am deeply grateful to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for this invaluable support. With partners like these, we are confident that many more developmental needs of our people will be addressed,” Mr Agbana said.
Mr Benjamin Ofori, the District President of the Church in Ho, called for a collective responsibility to care for the projects to ensure their lasting benefit to the community.
Togbui Kordor, on behalf of the chiefs and people of Ohawu and Amanu, thanked the Church for its benevolence and vision, saying these projects marked a major milestone in their community’s development and would greatly improve the health and well-being of the people.
He called on all residents to celebrate the achievement and renew their commitment to the progress and prosperity of Ohawu and Amanu.
GNA
Edited By: Maxwell Awumah / Christabel Addo
Fameye is a Ghanaian musician
Ghanaian musician, Fameye, has stated that he and a few artistes have made efforts to make Highlife music appealing to the younger generation.
He asserted that while some artistes shied away from the genre, he and a few others have been tirelessly working to keep it alive and introduce it to new audiences.
In an interview on Angel FM, on July 24, Fameye explained how he made conscious effort and dedicated his craft to keeping the Ghanaian music genre alive.
“Some of us have worked hard to make Highlife music attractive to young generation. Normally, people shy away from being associated with Highlife, but we’ve dedicated ourselves on making it attractive. The award I’ve won even shows that I’m doing something right,” he said.
Fameye recently received recognition for his efforts from the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).
He was honoured at the inaugural edition of a new initiative celebrating artists who win Highlife Artiste of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards.
This event was a collaborative effort between the GTA, the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), and other stakeholders in the tourism and creative industry.
During the ceremony, Fameye was presented with a citation acknowledging his role in promoting Highlife music both in Ghana and internationally.
To his surprise, he also received a GHS 10,000 cash gift, made possible with the support of Abeiku Santana, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority.
Meanwhile, you can watch GhanaWeb TV’s exclusive interview with Arathejay below:
AK/VPO
The Minority in Parliament has staged a walkout from the reading of the budget
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has staged a walkout moments before the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review.
The caucus boycotted the presentation after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, stopped the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, from making a statement on electoral violence.
The Speaker explained that a day would be scheduled to critically look into the issue of electoral violence.
The Minority Chief Whip, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsawam Adoagyiri, said that his side cannot participate in the presentation of the review if the issue of electoral violence is not addressed.
“Mr Speaker, with all due respect, I will not on any day defy your authority. We have lined up a number of activities to battle these demands, and to the extent that this violence visited is not atoned for, we cannot be part of the presentation of the mid-year budget review,” he stated.
Annoh-Dompreh and the members of his caucus, who were all clad in black attire, after his remarks, started walking out of the House after his remarks, as the Members of the Majority Caucus were hooting at them.
It is worth noting that the boycott of the presentation would not prevent the presentation of the mid-year review from proceeding because a two-thirds majority of the ruling National Democratic Congress means they don’t require the presence of the Minority Caucus to undertake any activity in the House.
The country’s Financial Administration Act mandates this review.
It aligns with Section 28 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), which requires the Finance Minister to update Parliament on the execution of the national budget and outline the fiscal strategy for the remaining half of the year.
BAI/AE
Meanwhile, you can also watch videos from the NPP’s National Delegates Conference below:
John Jinapor, Minister of Energy and Green Transition
The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has debunked reports that there is a shortage of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) fuel in Ghana.
The ministry assured the public and all airlines that there is currently no shortage of ATK fuel, and sufficient supplies are available for all aircraft operations.
In a statement on July 24, 2025, it said; “Recent maintenance work was completed on the ATK jetty pipeline. This maintenance was long overdue, and further delays would have threatened the integrity of the jetty and the fuel security of Ghana. To further ensure a stable supply, Ghana recently received an ATK vessel carrying 11,984 metric tons (MT).
“Of this, 4,583 MT have already been successfully discharged to PWSL over the past two days. The remaining fuel is currently being discharged to Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the Ridge Depots via the TOR Jetty, with completion expected by tomorrow, 25th July, 2025 at midday.”
The ministry noted that the Deputy Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, has engaged with key stakeholders in the downstream petroleum sector and the Management of Ghana Airport Company Limited.
“We reassure all stakeholders that there is no cause for alarm. We urge the public to disregard any false reports of ATK shortages in the country,” the statement added.
Background
Airlines operating through Kotoka International Airport (KIA) were earlier advised to make prior refuelling arrangements with their service providers as Ghana braces for a potential shortage of aviation fuel.
The advisory, issued as a precautionary measure, aims to minimise operational delays and ensure flight safety amid concerns that limited fuel supply could disrupt schedules in the coming days.
Airlines have been urged to coordinate closely with fuel handlers before arrival to avoid last-minute complications.
According to a citinewsroom.com report, the anticipated shortage stems from supply challenges within the Joint User Hydrant Installation (JUHI) system at KIA.
The situation has forced the two main suppliers of aviation fuel, TotalEnergies and Shell, to suspend refuelling services indefinitely.
The suspension, which took immediate effect, affects both ad-hoc or spot flights and existing fuel orders, raising concerns over possible disruptions to scheduled airline operations.
Management of Kotoka International Airport has yet to officially comment on the matter or outline contingency measures to address the fuel shortfall.
However, sources indicate that the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), which regulates fuel supply and distribution at the airport, is in active talks with stakeholders to stabilise the situation and prevent further escalation.
SSD/AE
Watch the latest episode of BizTech below:
Police destroy an illegal marijuana garden in Zirobwe Sub-county
The government has granted an experimental licence to Bright Sparks Farm Limited for growing, processing, and exporting medicinal cannabis (marijuana) with strict guidelines under police watch as the supervisory authority. A clearance letter dated July 21, signed by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen (rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, and copied to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), grants an experimental licence to the directors of Bright Sparks Farm Limited to venture into the business.
“The licence is not transferable and guides the farm to conduct its business in Kisweramindu and Lwampanga in Nakasongola District, and Muwanya in Luweero District. In line with the existing controls, the Uganda Police Force will supervise the farm operations as mandated,” the letter reads. The grant of an experimental licence follows an earlier application dated June 11, for the grant of a licence to grow, process, and export medicinal cannabis by the same firm.
In February last year, President Museveni assented to the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act 2023, which, among others, allows licensed farming and use of cannabis strictly for medicinal use. The Ugandan law sets harsh penalties for a multitude of offences related to substance abuse. The law criminalises persons found cultivating prohibited plants without a licence issued by the Minister of Health, and such persons are liable to pay a fine of Shs2.4b or three times the market value of the prohibited plant, or imprisonment for five years or both. Some of the controlled substances listed under the law include cannabis and Khat, commonly known as mairungi or miraa.
While the law is in place to safeguard against the abuse of prohibited substances, a section of leaders, among other stakeholders, want the government to initiate community sensitisation programmes about the new law. Mr Superito Kirori, the chairperson of Zirobwe Sub-county in Luweero District, said some people in his area are secretly cultivating marijuana, claiming the law allows it for medicinal purposes. “Our people need to be sensitised about the different clauses of the Narcotics and Psychotropic Control Act 2023. Many local farmers are already misinterpreting the law under the guise of cultivating cannabis for their own medicinal use,” Mr Kirori said.
The law
On February 2, 2024, President Museveni assented to the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act 2023, an act that seeks to consolidate and amend the law relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances with respect to the control, possession, and trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The law regulates the cultivation and gathering of prohibited plants; provides for the forfeiture of property derived from or used in illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances within the provisions of international conventions on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu
Ghana’s public debt for the 2024 financial year stood at GH₵737.17 billion lower than the GH₵876.08 billion earlier reported in the government’s consolidated financial statements, according to the 2024 Auditor General’s report.
According to the report, the findings show an overstatement of GH₵138.91 billion as a result of discrepancies between records from the Ministry of Finance and the Whole of Government Accounts (WGA).
The variances highlighted by the Auditor General in the report include domestic external debt figures, as well as loans by COCOBOD
The report revealed that external debt was overstated by GH₵1.77 billion, domestic debt by GH₵132.98 billion, and COCOBOD’s domestic debt by GH₵4.15 billion, while COCOBOD external debt was understated by GH₵2.1 million.
“We noted from our review of public debt that the Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) that CAG reported GH₵876,081,091,891 as total public debt whiles our review of public debt records from the Ministry of Finance indicated total public debt of GH₵737,172,532,902 leading to an overstatement of GH₵138,908,558,917,” said the Auditor General Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu.
“Section 54 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), mandates that public debt be fully and accurately reported,” the report stated, noting the need for financial statements to present a true representation of the country’s fiscal position.
The report warned that the inflated figures could mislead the public and stakeholders regarding the country’s debt sustainability and also called for improved reconciliation practices between the Ministry of Finance and accounting entities to ensure accuracy and transparency in public financial reporting.
Some economists have raised concerns about data reliability within the country’s public finance system especially, as the country navigates a debt restructuring programme under the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah
Richard Akumbasa headmaster of Zebilla Senior High School
The headmaster of the Zebilla Senior High School, Richard Akumbasa, has cried out that students are now hiding phones in their private parts.
The Zebilla SHS headmaster noted that some students even hide their phones in shito and gari to smuggle them into the school.
According to the headmaster, students now go the extra mile in trying to bypass school rules.
Speaking on Dreamz FM’s Breakfast Today show, Richard Akumbasa stated, “There are times the
The Minister of Finance Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced significant gains in Ghana’s fiscal management, highlighting a sharp decline in Treasury Bill (T-Bill) rates and a corresponding GHC4.9 billion savings on domestic interest payments in the first half of 2025.
Presenting the Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 24, 2025, Dr. Forson attributed the progress to the government’s prudent debt management strategy and improved investor confidence in the domestic market.
“The 91-day T-Bill rate has reduced by 13.2 percentage points, from 27.7% in December 2024 to 14.7% in June 2025,” he told Parliament. “Similar trends were observed across the 182-day and 364-day instruments.”
According to the minister:
The 182-day T-Bill rate declined from 20.4% to 15.34%, a drop of 5.06 percentage points.
The 364-day T-Bill saw a dramatic fall from 29.95% in December 2024 to 15.76% in June 2025, a reduction of 14.19 percentage points.
The average lending rate across the banking sector also dropped from 30.3% to 24% over the same period.
He added that the Ghana Reference Rate, which serves as a benchmark for loan pricing, decreased from 28.31% in December 2024 to 24% by June 2025.
“These developments reflect renewed market confidence and effective debt management strategies,” Dr. Forson said, noting that the interest savings had freed up space for other government priorities.
The Finance Minister emphasised that the government remains committed to maintaining fiscal discipline while pursuing growth-friendly reforms.
Minority stages walkout ahead of Mid-year budget review
News Hub Creator4h
Veteran Kumawood actor Agya Koo has fired back at his colleague, Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lilwin, following Lilwin’s bold claim of being the best actor in Africa.
Reacting on Facebook, Agya Koo dismissed Lilwin’s statement as baseless. In a lengthy post, he firmly stated that Lilwin is far from being the best actor in the world, emphasising that true greatness is demonstrated through actions, not empty boasting.
He further likened Lilwin to “an empty barrel that makes the most noise,” suggesting that his colleague’s self-praise lacks substance.
Agya Koo wrapped up his post with a warning: “I haven’t even started yet ooo. I need to come back like I never left. I was just warming up.”
Watch the video below where Lilwin claims, “No actor in Ghana is bigger than me.”
source; ghanaweb
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, opinions, and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Opera News
Ghana’s U-19 team
Ghana’s National U-19 Boys team has arrived in Switzerland for a series of friendly matches against FC Basel 1893’s youth teams, as part of a collaboration between the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Swiss club.
The 18-man squad, accompanied by six officials, is set to face FC Basel’s U-21 and U-19 sides on July 25, 2025, at the Nachwuchs Campus Basel, Academy FC Basel 1893. The match will serve as key tests to gauge the team’s development over the past four months.
The initiative, spearheaded by the GFA, aims to strengthen the competitiveness and productivity of Ghana’s national teams while creating a smoother transition pathway from the Black Starlets (U-17) to the Black Satellites (U-20). The technical team will use the friendlies to assess player growth, refine tactical approaches, and prepare the squad for upcoming international assignments.
This collaboration with FC Basel forms part of Ghana football’s broader strategy to provide young talents with top-level exposure and opportunities for accelerated growth on the global stage.
By Wletsu Ransford
A family in Nigeria was left stunned after discovering that the househelp they had employed as a woman was, in fact, a man.
In a now-viral video, the guy who had disguised himself as a woman was made to undress to confirm their biological sex.
The clip shows the moment it was uncovered that he had been using a silicone bra to appear as a female.
He was also made to remove the skirt he was wearing, revealing male genitalia.
Social media users who have come across the video have condemned the deception.
However,
In what has become the most inspiring performance of the 2025 NSMQ regional qualifiers so far, Amaniampong Senior High School, located in Mampong, Ashanti Region, stunned many by scoring a remarkable 82 points — the highest recorded in the qualifiers to date.
But behind the school’s victory is a powerful story of resilience, dedication, and quiet strength—embodied in their quiz coordinator, Isaac Banyala Junior, a physically challenged teacher whose impact on the team has become the heartbeat of Amaniampong’s NSMQ journey.
Mr. Banyala, affectionately known by students as “Onipa,” has defied the odds by working long hours, sacrificing his comfort, and showing that true leadership transcends physical limitations. Contestants and supporters alike broke into cheers and lifted him high in celebration after the contest, not only for the school’s qualification to the nationals and zonals but also for the symbolic victory his commitment represents.
“Our coordinator is the best. He gives us all the books and equipment we need, and even when he punishes or scolds us, it pushes us to be better,” one contestant shared with pride.
The contestants recounted how Mr. Banyala would stay with them late into the night, sometimes from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, despite the physical demands of his condition.
“Even I couldn’t stay that long. Around 10 pm, I get sleepy, but he stays and teaches. He’s a very hardworking man.”
When asked how he felt hearing the students’ admiration, Mr. Banyala responded with humility and conviction.
“I feel good. These boys have done very well. Despite some obstacles, they’ve performed. I’m happy,” he said. “Disability is in the mind, not in the body. My mind is sound. The things I do, those with two legs may not be able to do. I am just like any other normal person, and that’s why I do my work perfectly.”
The contest itself showed Amaniampong SHS as a well-rounded team, peaking in almost every round. They secured 28 out of 36 points in the Speed Race and capped their performance with a clean sweep in the riddles round. Though they dipped slightly in the true or false segment, their final score of 82 points was more than enough to outclass Agric Nzema SHS (22pts) and Prince of Peace Girls’ SHS (18pts).
Now headed for the zonal championship, Mr. Banyala says his team is focused and undeterred by whatever draw they may face.
“A step at a time. We’re preparing for any school and praying that we can excel in the quarterfinals during the nationals.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Ghana recorded a modest but meaningful decline in extreme poverty in 2024, according to the latest country report released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this month.
The share of the population living in extreme poverty, defined as surviving on less than $2.15 per day, decreased from 26.4% in 2023 to 25.9% in 2024, according to the report.
The IMF attributes the decline primarily to stronger-than-expected economic growth in 2024, particularly in the services sector, which remains a key driver of Ghana’s economy. Growth in agriculture, though more subdued, also contributed to poverty reduction, providing rural households with improved income opportunities.
In addition to economic performance, the report highlights that the government’s sustained investment in social protection programmes as a critical factor in cushioning vulnerable populations. Four flagship initiatives, the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), the Ghana School Feeding Program (GSFP), the Capitation Grant, and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), have seen expanded coverage and increased budgetary support under the IMF-supported program.
The report underscores that while the poverty decline is a step in the right direction, the pace of reduction remains gradual. Analysts note that sustained poverty alleviation will require not just economic growth, but inclusive policies that expand access to quality education, healthcare, and job opportunities, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
The IMF also stressed the importance of protecting social spending amid fiscal consolidation, warning that any significant cuts to these programs could reverse the recent gains in poverty reduction.
By Ekow Quandzie
Schwarzenegger has been at the receiving end of some defamation lawsuits from some public figures
Popular Ghanaian socialite and influencer, Valentina Nana Agyeiwaa, also known as Afia Schwarzenegger, is no stranger when it comes to controversies.
The outspoken commentator has earned a reputation for ‘dropping keys’ about popular personalities in the country, especially through her social media commentaries.
However, not all her comments have gone by silently.
Schwarzenegger has been at the receiving end of some defamation lawsuits from politicians and other public figures over her comments.
Here are some instances where Afia Schwarzenegger has found herself in trouble over her comments.
1. Defamation Lawsuit by Chairman Wontumi – GH₵2million (June 2022)
In June 2022, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, filed a defamation suit against Afia Schwarzenegger, demanding GH₵2 million in damages.
The suit was based on her social media posts and public claims alleging a sexual relationship with him, which he vehemently denied.
Wontumi sought not only damages but also a public retraction and unqualified apology from Afia Schwarzenegger as reported by atinkanews.net
2. Contempt of Court conviction and penalties – December 2022 to January 2023
During the defamation suit, Afia Schwarzenegger publicly reiterated the alleged affair on UTV’s United Showbiz, in breach of a court injunction restraining her from commenting on the matter.
As a result, in December 2022, she was sentenced to 10 days in prison by the Tema High Court.
However, the sentence was suspended after she turned herself in, issued an apology, and her lawyer petitioned for alternative sanctions.
She was then ordered to pay a fine of GH₵60,000, sign a 36-month bond of good behaviour, and refrain from discussing the case on any platform during that period – breach of which could trigger re-arrest.
3. GH¢500,000 defamation lawsuit (2020)
In 2020, Schwarzenegger was dragged to court over a defamatory statement she made on Instagram about the telecommunication company, P‑Mobile and its CEO, Philip Kwame Brobbey.
According to a writ by an Accra High Court, the socialite made some damaging statements against Brobbey and his company despite fulfilling their contractual obligations when Afia Schwarzenegger was signed as brand ambassador in 2018.
It demanded ‘aggravated or exemplary damages to the tune of GH¢500,000’, plus publication of a retraction across her social media pages.
She was also cautioned against making such defamatory remarks about Brobbey and his company in the future.
4. Defamation Lawsuit by Sammy Gyamfi (2025)
On July 23, 2025, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD), Sammy Gyamfi, through his lawyers, filed a GH¢10 million defamation suit, citing that Schwarzenegger had accused him of infidelity, engaging in affairs, and purchasing vehicles for female students at the University of Ghana.
In his lawsuit, Gyamfi demanded a restraining injunction on Schwarzenegger from making any further publication against him, a sum of GH¢10 million from Schwarzenegger as compensation for the alleged damages that her publications have had on his reputation and an unqualified apology and retraction from the socialite.
ID/VPO
Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Entertainment WhatsApp channel
You can also watch an exclusive interview with AratheJay on the latest edition of Talkertainment below:
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has shared reflections on the humble nature of the late former President John Evans Atta Mills, describing how humility defined both his leadership and personal character.
Speaking at a memorial lecture on July 22, 2025, Debrah highlighted how, despite becoming President, Professor Atta Mills remained deeply humble and consistently showed respect to his subordinates.
Recalling one moment which he believes truly defined Prof Mills’ humility, Debrah recounted how the late former president personally called him to offer both an explanation and words of comfort after he was turned down for a ministerial nomination.
He shared that he had been informed of his name being considered for nomination as Eastern Regional Minister—an announcement that filled him with great anticipation and excitement.
“Talking about his humility, let me share a personal experience with you. So, one day I got a call from Uncle Bebako Mensah who said, (in Fante dialect) ‘Julius, Prof wants to send you to the Eastern Region as Eastern Regional minister so, bring your CV’. Then I went to see Uncle Bebako with my CV,” he recalled.
Debrah shared that, to his disappointment, his name was omitted and he did not receive the appointment.
However, he later received a call from the late former President himself, offering an apology and explanation for the decision.
Debrah said that he felt humbled by the gesture, stating that he believed Prof Atta Mills owed him neither an apology nor an explanation for his decision-making.
“There was supposed to be an announcement on one particular day after the independence celebration so, I was so excited. I had dressed in my white dress, seated on my bed, and waiting for the announcement. Unfortunately, when the announcement came, my name was omitted. I felt very sad. Then to my surprise and amazement, if a president tells you he will do something for you, and for a reason or two, he’s not able to do it, I don’t think he owes you an apology,” he said.
Debrah added that, in Professor Mills’ explanation, he was told, in a touching manner that among all the nominees, he was the only one who would have truly understood the reasoning behind the decision hence, the reason why he was left off the list.
“One morning, my phone rang and when I picked it, it was Honorable Sam Atta Mills. I picked it and said Uncle Sam and he said ‘Julius, hold on for the president’ and I said yes, sir. Prof was like (in fante), ‘Julius, I have heard that the incident has really left you disturbed’ and I said, oh, but I’m managing. He said, ‘Julius, what happened was that of all the people that were nominated, you are the only who understands me better and that’s why I dropped your name’,” he added.
He concluded by expressing his admiration for the late President, eulogising him for his visionary leadership.
“Till date, I still think about it. Does a president owe an ordinary person like me an apology? That is the level of his humility. As destiny may have it, a few months down the line, President Mahama fulfilled the promise President Atta Mills gave me by making me the Eastern Regional Minister,” he remarked.
Watch the video below:
MAG/VPO
Meanwhile, watch what Jane Reindorf Osei says about Ghana’s readiness for tourism investment:
Joe Jackson is the CEO of Dalex Finance
The Chief Executive Officer of Dalex Finance, Joe Jackson, has attributed recent decline in inflation to the Bank of Ghana’s interventions in the foreign exchange market.
Ghana’s inflation rate fell sharply to 13.7% in June 2025, down from 18.4% from the previous month.
The drop was driven by a combination of factors, including lower food prices, reduced transportation costs, and the appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi.
Speaking during a GhanaWeb X Space ahead of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review, Jackson noted that the strengthening of the cedi and the central bank’s management of foreign currency reserves have played a significant role in easing inflation.
“What the Central Bank has done with regards to our foreign currency reserves, value of the cedi, that has also contributed to reduce our inflationary pressures,” he said.
He stressed that while broader structural reforms are still necessary for long-term economic stability, the Bank of Ghana’s short-term strategies particularly in the forex market are already yielding results.
“The appreciation of the cedi has been remarkable. Inflation has come down from highs of over 50%, through the 30% range, to where it is now. This is good progress, and I’ll be watching closely to see what steps they take next,” he added.
The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, as part of his mid-year budget review in Parliament on Thursday, July 24, 2025, is expected to give clarity on government’s plans to control inflation as rating agencies and market watchers are projecting a single digit inflation by end of 2025.
https://t.co/qAcZ9xZMLy
— GhanaWeb (@TheGhanaWeb) GhanaWeb/status/1948080530387275911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>July 23, 2025
SP/AE
How Virtual Reality is enhancing business and customer experience
Godfrey Wayengera is Finance Director at Compassion International Uganda
Mukono Grade One Magistrate’s court presided over by Elizabeth Peace Lamunu on Wednesday remanded seven suspects to Luzira prison in connection with the murder of Godfrey Wayengera, a Finance Director at Compassion International Uganda.
The prosecution told court that during the night of June 9, 2025, Ashraf Tumusiime, also known as Obadiah, 40; Muhammad Mwesigye, popularly known as Jet Lee, 50, a UPDF deserter; Fahad Kasolo, 30; Mike Ssenteza, also known as Mwagamwaga, 40; and Cpl Borban Mugabe attached to military police at Kololo, Dauda Kyangwe, Derrick Keeya, and others still at large, at Nsuube in Mukono, used a fake pistol gun and sticks to abduct Wayengera and Christine Najjabi, and later beat Wayengera to death.
His body was dumped in Namumira near the railway line.
Prosecution also told the court that after abducting the two, they robbed them of their property, including Wayengera’s mobile Phone, estimated to cost Shs 1.3 million, and a laptop of about Shs 3 million, while Najjabi lost a techno phone worth about Shs800,000.
Prosecution added that investigations into the case are still ongoing and submitted that the accused persons be remanded to allow smooth investigations.
The magistrate did not allow the suspects to take a plea because the nature of their offences, being capital, are only tried in the High Court.
They were remanded until August 7, 2025, when they will re-appear for mention of their cases.
The accused were arrested from various places following a directive from President Museveni to do everything possible to apprehend Wayengera’s killers.
According to security sources, the gang headed by Tumusiime had been operating in the Greater Mukono area for some time and were previously involved in criminal activities, including highway robberies.
Tumusiime was arrested at Kussatu, along the Mukono-Kayunga Road in Nama sub-county.
Ssenteza was picked from a hideout in Busawuli Ward, Wakiso District, while Kasolo was arrested in Kireka, Wakiso District. Both Mwesigye and Mugabe were arrested in Kagugube, Wandegeya, Kampala.
Wayengera was also the director of Beloved Daycare and Nursery School, located in Nsuube A Cell, Mukono Central Division, Mukono Municipality.
The deceased, who lived in Nsuube ‘A’ Village, was also a Rotarian and a church leader at St Hannington Church of Uganda, Mukono.
By Kingsley Mamore
Dambai (O/R), July 24, GNA – Mr Nelson Kofi Djabab, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Krachi East, is set to launch a familiarisation and gratitude Tour, dubbed the “Thank You Tour,” in his constituency on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
The tour’s primary objective is to express his heartfelt appreciation to the people of Krachi East for entrusting him with their mandate.
During the tour, Mr Djabab would visit various communities, engaging with residents, listening attentively to their concerns, and sharing his vision for the constituency’s development.
This initiative would provide a valuable opportunity for the MP to reconnect with his constituents, gain a deeper understanding of their needs, and outline his plans to address them.
Again, by embarking on this tour, Mr Djabab would demonstrate his unwavering commitment to serving the people of Krachi East and his desire to build a stronger, more meaningful relationship with them.
The “Thank You Tour” is expected to foster a sense of unity and cooperation, enabling the MP to effectively represent the interests of his constituents in Parliament.
The tour marks a significant milestone in Mr Djabab’s tenure as first-term MP, showcasing his dedication to constituent engagement and his passion for delivering meaningful development to Krachi East.
As the MP interacts with residents, he would undoubtedly gain valuable insights that would inform his decisions and actions in Parliament, ultimately benefiting the people of Krachi East
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah / Christabel Addo
The District Court has adjourned the case involving the alleged murder of 38-year-old Immigration Officer, Stephen King Amoah, to August 8, 2025.
The adjournment was announced during proceedings on Thursday, July 24, 2025. The prime suspect remains in custody as police investigations continue.
What was initially treated as a kidnapping has since been reclassified as a murder case, leading to its transfer to the District Court, which has broader jurisdiction.
Amoah was reported missing on July 3 after he left home to meet a friend at Ashongman Estate. His partially burnt body was discovered five days later at Abuom Junction, near Kwabenya.
A key suspect, Bright Aweh—believed to be the last person Amoah contacted before his disappearance—has been arrested and remains in custody pending further investigations.
A man has cried out on live TV about how his wife concealed her positive HIV status from him.
According to the man, his wife contracted HIV in 2017 and never informed him before their marriage in 2020.
The man revealed that after their marriage in 2020, his wife got sick, and the doctor asked him to do some tests, leading to him discovering his wife’s HIV-positive status.
Rex Omar is a veteran musician and a presidential staffer
Veteran musician and presidential staffer, Rex Omar, has asserted that Highlife music is far from dead.
He argued that many Highlife songs are simply being rebranded as Afrobeats because Ghanaians have failed to properly document and promote their musical heritage.
In an interview with TV3 on July 23, Rex Omar emphasised that Highlife remains vibrant, despite often being mislabeled.
He believes this repackaging under the Afrobeats umbrella stems from a lack of intentional effort by Ghanaians to preserve their musical identity.
“Highlife music can never die. I’m sure that by the close of this year, I think the UN is making Highlife a heritage genre. It falls on Ghanaians to delve into what Highlife actually is and then put emphasis on it. So, Highlife music cannot die,” Rex Omar confidently stated.
According to him, many popular songs currently classified as Afrobeats are, in fact, Highlife compositions.
He attributed this misclassification to a lack of ownership and awareness within Ghana’s music scene.
This, he explained, is precisely why initiatives like the Black Star Experience—a creative arts program promoting Ghanaian music, culture, and identity—are crucial for heritage preservation.
“Most of these songs that you hear that they call Afrobeats, most of them are Highlife,” Rex Omar clarified.
“It is sad that because we have not been intentional about it, people will play Highlife and then give it a different name. But these are some of the reasons why the Black Star Experience is there; we are going to reclaim our identity,” he said.
While acknowledging the challenges within Ghana’s creative industry, Omar encouraged Ghanaians not to be discouraged.
Instead, he urged them to find unique ways to celebrate their distinct heritage.
“We have to learn how to tell our stories our own way. We package the best of Ghana and put it out there for us. We find solutions to deal with our challenges. There is no country that doesn’t have challenges. I’m not saying that because of that, we should be complacent,” he said.
Meanwhile, you can watch GhanaWeb TV’s exclusive interview with Arathejay below:
AK/VPO
This article was supported by SGCI.
[ACCRA, SciDev.Net] In Ayigbe, a rural community in Ghana’s Bono Region, 35-year-old Michael Kyereme paid off a university debt of GHS 3,500 (US$335) in just three months.
He managed this not by getting a highly paid salaried job, but by selling juice made from the fleshy part of the cashew fruit that most farmers throw away.
“Cashew apples are easy to find, and free,” he tells SciDev,Net.
“Now I make about 60 bottles of juice per cycle a day and sell through my wife’s shop and social media platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp.”
Cashew apples, the fruit attached to the cashew nut, are usually discarded during harvesting.
Michael Kyereme paid off a university debt by selling juice made from the fleshy part of the cashew fruit. Copyright: Albert Oppong-Ansah / SciDev.Net
But under a research-backed project, young people are learning how to turn the apples into juice, snacks, compost and animal feed.
The initiative, called Maximising Gains from Cashew Production for Youth Development (MA-CASH), is run by Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, with support from the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology and funding from Canada’s International Development Research Centre.
|
SciDev.Net provides award-winning science news coverage free of charge. We rely on donations from readers like you to keep going. Donate to SciDev.Net today
|
||
|---|---|---|
It trains young people to process cashew apples into products that reduce food waste and provide income in rural areas.
“Most alternative livelihoods require capital, but this one did not. That’s why I embraced it immediately,” says Kyereme.
He hopes to invest in processing equipment and try out new products like cashew apple kebabs and poultry feed.
Globally, about 37 million metric tonnes of cashew apples are produced each year. But only about 1.3 million tonnes of these are commercially processed, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
George Asare, a researcher at Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, who was involved in the project, says Ghana produced over 1.6 million tonnes of cashew apples in 2024, 90 per cent of which went to waste.
“This translates to about 1,449,000 metric tonnes of lost produce,” Asare says. “It’s a big loss both economically and nutritionally.”
MA-CASH trains young people to process the fruit into juice, meat alternatives and other products. It also promotes composting and animal feed production, creating small businesses that use all parts of the fruit.
“This project is not just about juice,” says Sefakor Heloo, senior development planning officer at Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.
“It is about sustainability, food security, climate resilience, and giving young people practical skills.”
The idea for the project came during a field visit by crop scientist Francisca Aba Ansah, who saw piles of rotting cashew apples and wondered why no one ate them.
Back in the lab, the team found two challenges: the fruit’s high tannin content, which can block nutrient absorption, and the need for a protein-rich ingredient that wouldn’t trigger allergies.
“We used scientific processes to reduce tannin levels in the juice,” Ansah says.
To boost protein levels they added a legume, in order to develop a sausage-like protein-rich food for vegetarians.
Cashew kebab on display. Researchers are working on extending shelf life of cashew fruit products. Copyright: Albert Oppong-Ansah / SciDev.Net
The team tested the new sausage product in Accra after receiving ethical clearance and running a small social media campaign to recruit tasters.
“There was no significant difference between our sausage and commercial vegan sausage,” she says.
So far, more than 300 young people have been trained in six communities, and the next training session, scheduled for January 2026, is already full.
MA-CASH also focuses on reducing waste. Leftover pulp is used for compost and feed, and the project is experimenting with simple cooling technologies to extend the fruit’s shelf life.
“We have developed and tested a clay cooler that extends shelf life from 24 hours to six days,” Ansah says.
“But we are exploring technologies that can stretch it to three months or more.”
The project also encourages beekeeping under cashew trees to improve pollination and boost honey production.
With help from Opportunity International Savings and Loans, a savings and loans institution licensed by the Bank of Ghana, savings groups have been set up to support participants who need loans to buy equipment or expand their business. Participants are also receiving training in financial literacy and digital tools.
Paul Adu-Gyamfi, director of research at the Consultative International Cashew Council, says cashew is Ghana’s top non-traditional export and could grow further with better use of the apple.
“The cashew apple has potential for value-added products,” he says.
“Its spread into regions like the Eastern Region creates more room for processing and local business.”
He says more than 4,000 farmers are involved in growing cashew, with others working in processing and export. Institutions like the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana are helping address farming challenges, while agencies such as the Food and Drugs Authority are working on product quality and safety.
Cashew apples are high in nutrients, says Daniel Kwame Antwi, a nutrition officer, at the Dormaah Sub-District of the Ghana health Service in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana, who wasn’t involved in the study.
Bottled juice made from the fleshy part of the cashew fruit. Copyright: Albert Oppong-Ansah / SciDev.Net
“It is rich in carbohydrates, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants. It boosts immunity, supports heart health, and can reduce obesity risks,” he says.
“Cashew juice is good for all age groups. We’ve focused too long on the nut. It is time we explored the fruit.”
The MA-CASH model is being expanded to regions such as Ahafo, Ashanti, and Northern Ghana, with training materials now available in local languages.
For Michael Kyereme, the change has been life-altering.
“This skill changed my life,” he says. “It is a profitable business, and more young people want to join. We just need the machines and support to grow bigger.”
SGCI is a multilateral initiative established to strengthen the institutional capacities of public science funding agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa to support research and evidence-based policies that will contribute to economic and social development.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Ghanaian actor and filmmaker Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lilwin, has claimed that he was recently contacted by Ghana’s National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and National Security regarding his soon-to-be-released biographical film on Captain Ibrahim Traore, the military leader of Burkina Faso.
Speaking during an interview on Y102.5 FM in Kumasi, Lilwin stated that the two state security institutions reached out to him to gain insight into the content and possible implications of the film, which traces Traore’s controversial rise to power.
The biopic, according to the actor, chronicles the events surrounding the 2022 military coup in Burkina Faso that led to Traore’s assumption of leadership and his subsequent portrayal as a symbol of resistance by some sections of West African youth.
Lilwin suggested that the inquiries were prompted by the sensitive nature of the film’s subject matter, especially considering Traore’s outspoken political stance and the wider geopolitical implications it may hold in the region.
He noted that authorities were particularly concerned about whether the film could pose a threat to Ghana’s internal stability or strain its diplomatic relations with neighboring countries.
“I was first invited by the BNI, and shortly after, I received a call from National Security,” Lilwin said during the live broadcast. “They wanted to understand what the movie was about and whether it could cause any security concerns.”
The actor, who has produced and starred in numerous popular Ghanaian films, is currently promoting the biopic ahead of its scheduled premiere on August 2 in Kumasi.
During the radio interview, he showcased his enthusiasm for the project by delivering a few lines in French, aiming to generate excitement for the film’s release and broaden its appeal to Francophone audiences.
Source
Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit can help slow the signs of aging and lower the risk of chronic diseases. Fruits like berries, grapes, apples, and oranges are packed with antioxidants that help protect your body over time.
1. Blueberries
Blueberries are well-known for their , which help protect your body from damaging free radicals that may contribute to premature aging and the development of certain chronic health conditions.
The Minority Caucus in Parliament staged a walkout on Thursday ahead of the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review, in protest of the violence that marred the recent parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North.
The action follows the controversial rerun, which the Minority claims was characterised by voter intimidation, violence, and the misuse of state security apparatus.
Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, stated that the caucus could not in good conscience participate in the budget proceedings while remaining silent on what they described as a grave assault on democratic processes.
The walkout drew sharp criticism from the Majority side, with some members hooting and jeering at the departing Minority MPs as they exited the chamber.
Nollywood veteran Pete Edochie has given an insight into the reason politicians from the Igbo extraction find it difficult to adapt in Nigerian politics.
Edochie said most of the Igbo men struggle in politics because they find it difficult to tolerate the treacherous attributes associated with politics.
Speaking in an interview with Afia TV, the actor Igbo politicians are quick to end their relationship with colleagues who betray them rather than seek ways to endure their treacherous behaviours.
A throwback video of veteran broadcaster Kwami Sefa Kayi cautioning Sammy Gyamfi after he defamed him has resurfaced.
The video has resurfaced following Sammy Gyamfi dragging Afia Schwarzenegger to court for defaming him.
Kwami Sefa Kayi, in the viral video, recounted that Sammy Gyamfi had defamed him by accusing him of using his radio platform to perpetuate fraud and hypocrisy.
Black Queens paid a courtesy call on Ghana’s Ambassador to Morocco, Her Excellency Charity Gbedawo, at her residence in Rabat as part of their official engagements at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON)
The team was warmly received by the Ambassador and staff of the Ghana Embassy, with an atmosphere of hospitality, shared pride, and encouragement. Her Excellency praised the Queens for their efforts and determination throughout the tournament.
“Your journey here has inspired many. Win or lose, you have made Ghana proud, and we stand firmly behind you,” she said.
The visit featured a traditional Ghanaian banquet, offering the players and officials a comforting taste of home. Team captain Portia Boakye expressed appreciation for the continuous support from the Ambassador and the Ghanaian community in Morocco, describing it as a key source of motivation for the team.
The interaction served as a morale boost ahead of the team’s third-place clash with South Africa. The match is scheduled for Friday, July 25, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, with kickoff at 19:00 GMT.
Akuapem Poloo is a Ghanaian actress and entrepreneur
Ghanaian actress and entrepreneur Haniya Rosemond Alade Brown, popularly known as Akuapem Poloo, has revealed how she managed to get fame and opportunities to excel in life.
Speaking in an interview on Joy Prime on July 23, 2025, Poloo disclosed she had to commit to some acts to climb the ladder of success in her career.
Recounting some of the things she did to gain popularity and financial power, Akuapem Poloo stated that she, at a point in time, was paid by musician Fameye to twerk on his music video.
According to her, she was paid GH₵5000 by the musician to do the twerking.
She explained that she so wanted recognition because she had been in the industry for a while and no one was noticing her, therefore her resort to various methods to come into the limelight.
“At first, I was paying to be insulted for a year because I really wanted the recognition. I’ve been in the industry and no one calls or recognised me but after the controversy, people were calling me for interviews and skincare deals.”
She continued, “Even artistes will reach out to me to dance and twerk on their songs and I was getting paid. Even Fameye was giving me GH₵5000 to twerk on his songs.”
FG/AME
Meanwhile, you can watch GhanaWeb TV’s exclusive interview with Arathejay below:
Kwame Governs Agbodza is the Minister of Roads and Highways
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has announced that the government is set to launch a large-scale road infrastructure programme in the coming weeks, warning cement producers to align prices with economic realities or risk being sidelined from supply contracts.
Speaking to the media in Parliament ahead of the Mid-Year Budget Review presentation on Thursday, the minister stressed that the upcoming projects would require large quantities of cement and that price fairness would be a key factor in supplier selection.
“We are about to unveil a massive road infrastructure programme which will consume a lot of cement.
“We shall be ready to determine that cement used for government projects should be sourced from sources that are cheaper on the market. It’s as simple as that,” he stated.
Kwame Agbodza expressed concern over the high cost of cement, which he said directly affects the cost of public infrastructure and, ultimately, taxpayers.
“The price of cement is directly linked to the cost of government projects and indirectly, it is the Ghanaian taxpayer who will pay for those projects,” he said.
He urged cement dealers to reduce prices in line with gains made from the appreciation of the cedi and other economic improvements.
“Cement producers who are refusing to pass on the gains made in the economy in terms of stability of the currency to consumers will not be favoured,” he warned, adding; “This rent-seeking must stop.”
He also noted that the government is not introducing price controls but is demanding fair pricing.
“I’m not trying to control prices, but I believe that everybody, including yourselves, knows that even trotro drivers and fuel traders have reduced their prices. What justification do we have for cement dealers not to do the same?” he asked journalists.
He said a fair price for cement should be around GH¢95 per bag, rather than the current GH¢120 in some markets.
“From the calculation that I’ve seen, I will not be surprised or it should not be out of place for cement to be sold at GH¢95. Of course, prices will differ slightly due to transport costs, but GH¢120 is just not fair to Ghanaians,” he added.
Responding to claims from cement producers that imported clinker drives up costs, the minister countered that the stronger cedi has lowered import costs.
“They said when the dollar was up, that’s why prices rose. Now, the dollar is down. What’s the excuse now?” he questioned.
Joe Jackson is the CEO of Dalex Finance
The Chief Executive Officer of Dalex Finance, Joe Jackson, is urging the government to revisit the bond market as a move to fund its key projects.
Speaking during a GhanaWeb X Space discussion ahead of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review, which will be presented by the Minister of Finance on July 24, 2025, Jackson said the current economic conditions demand bold fiscal action.
He said with borrowing costs still relatively favorable and investor appetite for government securities on the rise, now is the time for the government to re-engage the capital markets.
“The difficulty comes when the borrowing is so short term. With that, we are in trouble when we have to pay back because more than 50 percent of the money we earn is going to service that debt. The government should go back to the bond market. The sooner, unfortunately, the better,” he stated.
Responding to questions on the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) under the previous government, Jackson acknowledged the damage it caused but said long-term borrowing through bonds should be the way to go.
“In spite of the bad experience with the DDEP and the haircut our foreign debtors had, we should go back in borrowing long term. Borrowing long terms through bonds allows us to spread the payment to a point where we can afford it,” he added.
He also warned against over-reliance on treasury bills, arguing that short-term instruments are not sustainable, given the country’s fiscal challenges.
“The government is between a rock and a hard place. You can’t rely on short-term treasury bills as your main source of funding. The bond market experience was traumatic, Ghanaian bonds were considered toxic. Let’s keep to our commitment to our fiscal responsibility. Let’s make a stand on borrowing on the bond market,” he stressed.
https://t.co/qAcZ9xZMLy
— GhanaWeb (@TheGhanaWeb) GhanaWeb/status/1948080530387275911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>July 23, 2025
SP/AE
How Virtual Reality is enhancing business and customer experience
Former Education and Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh
The 2024 Vice-Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has called for renewed unity and a focus on practical solutions as the party works to rebuild its core values and reconnect with its base.
In a post shared on his official Facebook page, Dr Opoku Prempeh popularly known as ‘Napo’ stressed the need to put patriotism before partisanship at a time when the party is recalibrating ahead of the 2026 general elections.
“At this juncture of rebuilding the values of our Party, we cannot afford to politicise what should be patriotic,” he wrote.
He further urged party members and supporters to shift away from internal speculation and divisive commentary, and instead focus on collective progress through action.
“It is high time we moved our strategies from speculations to solutions, creating narratives that reflect our collective efforts to rebuild together the values of our Party,” he said.
The post comes amid ongoing internal discussions within the NPP around leadership direction, campaign messaging, and how best to regain the confidence of the Ghanaian electorate after a turbulent election cycle.
Dr Opoku Prempeh, partnered Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the party’s running mate in the 2024 elections.
“Let’s stay united and use our platforms to build our Party,” he concluded.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tax Analyst Francis Timore Boi has urged the Mahama-led administration to sustain the economic progress achieved so far and implement policies that will ease the burden on Ghanaians.
Speaking during a panel discussion on Channel One TV with Vivian Kai-Lokko, ahead of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Presentation scheduled for Thursday, July 24, Mr. Timore Boi cautioned against any measures that could reverse current gains.
“We shouldn’t destabilise where we are now. If we can make it better, that will be very good. But anything that will take us back will be worrying. It’s a critical moment for him [Ato Forson, Finance Minister], and so we just want to watch him see what he can deliver,” he suggested.
He also commended Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson for his efforts in stabilising the economy, saying, “So far, he has done very well.”
The review comes at a time when Ghana’s macroeconomic indicators are showing marked improvements, bolstering expectations for a policy direction that reinforces fiscal consolidation, investor confidence, and price stability.
Inflation, which began the year at 23.5 per cent, declined significantly to 13.7 per cent by the end of June 2025. This positive disinflation trend has sparked optimism among analysts that Ghana may close the year with single-digit inflation, well ahead of the government’s original end-of-year target of 11.9 per cent.
One of the biggest concerns for businesses and households at the start of President Mahama’s second term was the volatility of the cedi. The local currency, which traded at around GH¢15 to the US dollar on the interbank market in January, is now exchanging at approximately GH¢10.45 — marking a substantial appreciation.
Uphold Mills’ legacy of integrity and peace – Nana Oye urges Ghanaians
…..
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spam, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital
The victims are currently being held in Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Benin, and Togo after being lured with false promises of travel opportunities to countries like France, Canada, Belgium, and Qatar.
The victims were deceived under the pretext that QNET would process travel documents for them using West African countries as transit points. Many paid between GH¢18,000 and GH¢40,000 for these supposed services.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Mr. Ablakwa revealed that the Ghanaian government, in collaboration with Ivorian immigration authorities, is working to rescue and repatriate over 200 Ghanaians currently stranded in isolated areas in Cote d’Ivoire.
“Ghana’s diplomatic missions in those countries are providing consular services to the victims,” he said.
Since 2021, 400 trafficked Ghanaians have been successfully repatriated, with efforts ongoing to rescue an estimated 500 more still held in Cote d’Ivoire and 202 in Nigeria.
The minister stated that Ghana’s embassies are also working with Interpol and local immigration services to track down and apprehend the scammers responsible.
In response to the crisis, the Foreign Affairs Ministry plans to partner with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to launch nationwide awareness campaigns starting in September to educate citizens on the dangers of such fraudulent schemes.
So far, no arrests have been made, and Mr. Ablakwa urged the public to report any information that could aid in identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators.
The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has firmly denied recent media reports suggesting a shortage of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) fuel in the country, assuring the public and the aviation sector that there is sufficient supply to support all aircraft operations.
In a press release issued on Thursday, the Ministry described the reports as false and misleading, stating that Ghana currently has adequate reserves of ATK fuel.
The Ministry attributed the temporary speculation to scheduled maintenance work recently carried out on the ATK jetty pipeline—critical infrastructure for fuel handling at the ports.
“This maintenance was long overdue and further delays would have threatened the integrity of the jetty and the fuel security of Ghana,” the statement explained.
To reinforce fuel availability, the Ministry confirmed that Ghana recently received a shipment of 11,984 metric tons of ATK fuel. Of this amount, 4,583 metric tons have already been successfully discharged to PWSL (Petroleum and Warehousing Services Limited), while the rest is currently being offloaded to the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and Ridge Depots. The full discharge is expected to be completed by midday on July 25, 2025.
The Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah (MP), has also engaged key players in the downstream petroleum sector as well as officials from the Ghana Airports Company Limited to ensure continued coordination and transparency.
“We reassure all stakeholders that there is no cause for alarm. We urge the public to disregard any false reports of ATK shortages in the country,” added Richmond Rockson, Spokesperson and Head of Communication at the Ministry.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining energy stability and supporting the smooth operation of Ghana’s aviation and transport sectors.
GACL: Airlines urged to plan refuelling as fuel shortage looms
Read also…
The annual pre-season competition, slated for August 20-24, is set to feature four of Ghana’s Premier clubs, thus teams that finished top 4 of the table at the end of the season. This season teams has Bibiani Gold Stars FC, Heart of Lions, Asante Kotoko, and Hearts of Oak qualifying.
GHALCA few weeks ago, announced the Baba Yara Sports stadium as venue for the tournament but would have to change location due to the unavailability, thus according to the National Sports Authority (NSA) Boss Yaw Ampofo Ankrah.
Speaking to Sporty FM, Ankrah revealed the venue is uncertain for use due to infrastructural concerns.
“At this moment, the stadium is not ready, and we’ve told GHALCA. They are aware,“We’ll meet next week and see. We’ll be in Kumasi to assess the situation and determine what needs to be done.”
He again, cited financial constraints as the primary obstacle preventing the necessary upgrades to the stadium.
“The bottom line is money. If we had a million Ghana cedis or a million dollars today, we could get to work,” he said.
According to Ampofo Ankrah, while temporary repairs have been made, long-term improvements require substantial investment to meet acceptable hosting standards.
“It’s just a matter of time, but maybe we don’t have the luxury of time,” he concluded.
The Ghana League Club Association(GHALCA) has being informed the unavailability of the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium after scheduling to hold the 2025 GHALCA Top 4 tournament there.
The annual pre-season competition, slated for August 20-24, is set to feature four of Ghana’s Premier clubs, thus teams that finished top 4 of the table at the end of the season. This season teams has Bibiani Gold Stars FC, Heart of Lions, Asante Kotoko, and Hearts of Oak qualifying.
GHALCA few weeks ago, announced the Baba Yara Sports stadium as venue for the tournament but would have to change location due to the unavailability, thus according to the National Sports Authority (NSA) Boss Yaw Ampofo Ankrah.
Speaking to Sporty FM, Ankrah revealed the venue is uncertain for use due to infrastructural concerns.
“At this moment, the stadium is not ready, and we’ve told GHALCA. They are aware,“We’ll meet next week and see. We’ll be in Kumasi to assess the situation and determine what needs to be done.”
He again, cited financial constraints as the primary obstacle preventing the necessary upgrades to the stadium.
“The bottom line is money. If we had a million Ghana cedis or a million dollars today, we could get to work,” he said.
According to Ampofo Ankrah, while temporary repairs have been made, long-term improvements require substantial investment to meet acceptable hosting standards.
“It’s just a matter of time, but maybe we don’t have the luxury of time,” he concluded.
