Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has described the condition of sports infrastructure in Ghana as “quite gloomy,” urging a sustained and collaborative effort to reverse the decline.
Speaking to Joy Sports after presenting the NSA’s first report to the new Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, Ankrah admitted the current state of facilities is concerning.
“It’s quite gloomy, but we need to address them,” he said. “From Nkawkaw, where Honourable Bryan Acheampong intends to support Accra United through the construction of a stadium, subject to him presenting the relevant documents, I think it’s a good intervention.”
He called on corporate Ghana, private individuals, and foreign investors to partner in revitalising sports infrastructure across the country, noting that such efforts align with the government’s reset agenda.
Ankrah also asked for patience from the public. “It will take time. What we’ve come to meet is not something we can fix in a few months. It’s taken years to reach this point, and it will take years to fix,” he added.
The NSA says it remains committed to long-term solutions, not shortcuts.
Nearly a decade after surviving a tragic accident, Italy-based Ghanaian artiste and OGB Music boss, Ogidi Brown, has shared an emotional reflection on the experience.
In an interview with ZionFelix in Italy, Ogidi Brown recounted the accident that left him in a wheelchair, noting that he was a passenger at the time it occurred.
In a touching statement, he expressed gratitude that the accident didn’t happen in Ghana, even if it was his destiny.
“I thank God it didn’t happen in Ghana,” he said, citing the lack of support and inadequate compensation for accident victims in the country.
He noted that in Ghana, many victims are left to struggle with little or no help. “Some would even be glad to receive as little as GHS 10,000,” he said. “Sadly, others don’t get any compensation at all.”
Brown further contrasted his experience with the support he has received from the Italian government. He revealed that the authorities were deeply concerned about his welfare following the accident, ensuring he had proper accommodation and providing him with a high-quality wheelchair and a motorized device to aid his mobility.
“They gave me an expensive wheelchair, and every five years, I can apply for a new one,” he said.
Despite the support, Ogidi Brown clarified that insurance payouts abroad are not as enormous as many people believe.
“The monthly payments I receive are not as massive as people think,” he noted, pushing back against assumptions about life in Europe after such incidents.
Solomon Owusu is a leading member of the Movement for Change
A leading member of the Movement for Change, Solomon Owusu, has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to rerun the entire parliamentary election in the Ablekuma North constituency.
Speaking on TV3 New Day on Wednesday, July 9, he established that all key stakeholders, including the EC, the NPP and the NDC, have admitted that the original results from the 281 polling stations cannot be traced, leaving the integrity of the electoral process in question.
“All of them at this stage are saying that the foundation document, based on which you can make a declaration, they don’t have the originals.
“If you are an institution, what would you do? Are you going to rely on a photocopy or a stamp copy, or whatever, to declare your results?” he asked.
He emphasised that relying on unofficial copies or unverifiable figures is unacceptable and called for a fresh vote across the entire constituency to restore confidence.
“The reasonable thing that should have even been done was to rerun the entire constituency.”
His comments follow a press conference by the NPP, during which the party’s General Secretary announced that the NPP will not take part in any rerun in the constituency.
AS/EB
You can also watch the latest news in Twi on GhanaWeb TV below:
Cheque Fraud EXPOSED: How it works and how to stay safe
Azumah Resources Limited denies involvement with E&P
Azumah Resources has insisted that it is not selling the Black Volta Gold Project to Engineers and Planners (E&P), despite the signing of a funding facility on July 7 between E&P and the ECOWAS Bank.
In a statement issued on July 8, 2025, Project Director Rob Cicchini clarified that E&P has not secured full funding for the project and lacks the capacity to develop the mine.
He stated that E&P does not have the required resources to fully finance the project.
“The future of this project should be in the hands of those who can deliver, not those who cannot. A sale to E&P, without a demonstrated ability to fund the full development of the Black Volta Gold Project, would not be in Ghana’s national interest.
“Even if E&P could raise the funds to acquire the project, it has already demonstrated, over several years, that it does not have sufficient resources to fund the development,” he said.
Cicchini further emphasised that the project would be difficult to execute if sold to E&P.
“Without that funding, Ghana would suffer. Local communities would suffer. Jobs would be lost. Growth would stall. Azumah Resources is proud to assist the government of Ghana in delivering real value for all Ghanaians,” he stated.
Azumah Resources also noted that E&P has yet to present any formal offer either to assist in funding the Black Volta Mine or to invest in Azumah.
“E&P does not own any shares in Azumah,” the company stated.
“We are very disappointed that E&P has made and continues to make a number of misleading public statements. Their statements are visible to mining companies around the world and severely impact upon their international standing as a Ghanaian company,” it added.
Azumah said it remains open to funding from international banks, and commented, “With their reported availability of funds from international banks, Azumah looks forward with great interest to receiving any offer of funding from E&P. However, Azumah takes note of the comments made by E&P in the press and will consider these when evaluating any future potential transaction with E&P.”
The company also advised stakeholders to disregard the signing event that took place this week between E&P and the ECOWAS Bank.
“Azumah urges all regulators, financial institutions, potential investors, and the Ghanaian public to disregard this week’s staged event and any related claims. The dispute between Azumah and E&P should be resolved through international arbitration and not through media stunts,” Cicchini concluded.
SSD/MA
Cheque Fraud EXPOSED: How it works and how to stay safe
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
Dwight Howard and wife Amber Rose Howard are reportedly splitting up
Just six months after tying the knot, former NBA star Dwight Howard is facing an unexpected split as his wife, Amber Rose Howard, has reportedly filed for divorce, and wants the couple’s marital assets fairly divided.
The pair, who only made their relationship public in December 2023, surprised fans by announcing their engagement and then marrying just a month later on January 11, 2024.
But according to TMZ, court documents show that Amber Rose, who is known in the music scene by her stage name Amy Luciani, filed for divorce in Georgia on July 1, 2025.
Within the filing, she cited that her marriage to the eight-time NBA All-Star is “irretrievably broken” and that “there are no prospects for reconciliation.”
She is now seeking an equitable division of all marital property and assets, potentially putting a significant portion of Howard’s fortune at stake.
The rapper and social media personality has also wiped any trace of Howard from her social media pages.
It’s a sharp contrast to just months ago when she publicly gushed about how the ex-Orlando Magic center had changed her life.
Back in December 2025, Luciani posted a video of Howard admiring her diamond ring at a club, writing:
“I was enjoying you so much out of the public eye but here we are… I prayed reallllll deep on a Thursday not knowing 2 days later God would send me a Bible totin’, tattooed giant with the same heart as me. Thank you.”
Howard responded in the comments with a string of heartfelt emojis, an infinity sign, a red heart, and a lock and key.
The couple even made a public appearance together at the Atlanta screening of “Den of Thieves 2” to mark their relationship milestone.
So far, neither Howard nor Luciani has commented publicly on the filing or what led to the sudden breakdown of their whirlwind romance.
FKA/MA
Meanwhile, watch as historian Annam details how Swedru All Blacks started as a military club
Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has said that calls by party supporters for the revocation of the appointment of a former aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to a position at the Presidency are justified.
Speaking on Face to Face on Channel One TV, Gbande acknowledged the frustration among grassroots members, describing the President’s decision as “unpopular” and “a bad one” from the perspective of the party base.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has reaffirmed its decision not to participate in the Electoral Commission’s planned rerun of parliamentary elections in 19 polling stations in the Ablekuma North constituency, scheduled for July 11, 2025.
This comes in the wake of Justice Ali Baba Abature’s ruling on Wednesday, July 9, which dismissed the party’s 2024 parliamentary candidate, Nana Akua Afriyie’s application for an interim injunction, describing it as “unmeritorious.”
The court held that halting the rerun would obstruct the Electoral Commission’s constitutional mandate and deny constituents representation in Parliament.
The NPP had argued that the EC’s decision to organise a rerun contradicted a binding High Court ruling from January 4, 2025, which directed the collation and declaration of results from 62 outstanding polling stations.
According to the party’s legal counsel, only three polling stations were uncollated as of January 27, based on public communications from the EC.
Speaking after the ruling on Citi Eyewitness News, NPP Deputy General Secretary Haruna Mohammed stated that the party maintains its belief that it legitimately won the original election and sees no reason to re-contest.
“We think that we have won the election. The law will definitely speak on this particular matter. We don’t go to contest for an election that we have won,” Mohammed said.
He added that the party would pursue all available legal remedies, underscoring its commitment to the rule of law.
“We intend to pursue further the case in court, and at any point in time, the remedy that the court will proffer, we as a law-abiding party, a corporate institution — the NPP — will follow suit,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reiterated its commitment to ensuring peace and security during the upcoming parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North.
Ablekuma North rerun will be fair and peaceful – NDC assures
In spite of the seeming economic gains, especially with the stability of the local currency in the past few weeks, the Africa Policy Lens has issued a strong warning against how the economy is being managed by the Mahama administration.
According to the Africa Policy Lens (APL), the economy is running on a “borrowed breath”.
Reacting to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) injection of US$367 million into Ghana after its fourth review of its Extended Credit Facility Program, the APL bemoaned Ghana’s over-reliance on foreign support, therefore cautioning that without proper measures for home-grown solutions, the country may suffer a serious setback.
“Ghana’s economy today is running on borrowed breath, temporary fixes, not fundamental strength,” a statement by APL read.
It continued; “The IMF disbursement is like a steroid shot: it pumps up reserves, props up the cedi, and gives a cosmetic boost to market confidence. But the real muscles, domestic production, access to affordable credit, and a disciplined fiscal framework, remain weak and undertrained.”
“Until these foundational issues are addressed, each foreign injection only postpones the inevitable collapse.”
“Ghana doesn’t need more steroids; it needs structural fitness. And that will only come through bold reforms, local productivity, and a home-grown growth model that is not outsourced to Washington.”
Read APL‘s full statement below:
Fiscal impact of IMF disbursement: Real reform, not Washington remedies
Ghana’s economic recovery is leaning heavily on foreign lifelines, the latest being a US$367 million disbursement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following the fourth review of its Extended Credit Facility program.
This injection of cash, while timely, exposes a deeper and more uncomfortable truth: the economy is surviving on external steroids, while its core growth drivers, domestic production, affordable credit, and consistent fiscal discipline, remain dangerously underdeveloped. Though the disbursement has boosted reserves and stabilized the currency, it masks the structural weakness that continues to define Ghana’s macroeconomic landscape.
The disbursement pushes Gross International Reserves from US$10.67 billion to an estimated US$11.04 billion, raising import cover marginally from 4.7 to 4.8 months. A stronger reserve position helped the cedi appreciate sharply from GHS 14.15 to 11.85 per dollar, a 16% gain within a month. But this currency bounce is externally induced, not domestically earned.
The real production economy remains sluggish, with real private sector credit growth sliding into negative territory at −1.1% in April 2025. In simpler terms, businesses can’t access affordable capital, and productive sectors aren’t leading the recovery.
The fiscal impact of the disbursement is equally paradoxical. While the GHS 4.35 billion equivalent of IMF cash helped finance 22% of the cumulative fiscal deficit for early 2025, it only delays the reckoning with Ghana’s chronic overspending and revenue underperformance.
Primary balance and overall deficit indicators remain negative, and government expenditure continues to outpace revenue in structural terms. Without serious revenue mobilization and expenditure control reforms, these external inflows merely plug short-term holes in a leaky ship.
On the monetary front, while Net Foreign Assets jumped to GHS 134.5 billion and liquidity conditions improved, lending to the productive private sector has stagnated. Banks remain risk-averse amid high non-performing loan levels, with NPLs hovering around 23.6%.
The financial sector’s liquidity may be improving, but that liquidity is not flowing into the real economy. This is a clear indication that the supposed “recovery” is not broad-based, it’s trickling down slowly, if at all.
Moreover, Ghana’s reliance on concessional debt, while preferable to commercial borrowing, still contributes to long-term debt accumulation. With total public debt standing at GHS 769.4 billion (55% of GDP), the real problem is not debt alone, but what the borrowed money is used for. With minimal capital expenditure and weak industrial growth, the debt isn’t fueling transformation, it’s merely sustaining survival.
Ghana’s economy today is running on borrowed breath,temporary fixes, not fundamental strength. The IMF disbursement is like a steroid shot: it pumps up reserves, props up the cedi, and gives a cosmetic boost to market confidence. But the real muscles, domestic production, access to affordable credit, and a disciplined fiscal framework, remain weak and undertrained.
Until these foundational issues are addressed, each foreign injection only postpones the inevitable collapse. Ghana doesn’t need more steroids; it needs structural fitness. And that will only come through bold reforms, local productivity, and a home-grown growth model that is not outsourced to Washington.
Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has officially inaugurated a new 10-member Governing Board of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), tasking it to strengthen the country’s appeal as a destination for foreign direct investment (FDI).
Chaired by Akwasi Oppong-Fosu, the board is expected to play a strategic role in supporting GIPC’s mandate to attract and retain quality investments that drive economic growth and job creation.
Other members include Dr. Zakaria Mumuni, Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Sampson Ahi, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem, CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Simon Madjie, Dr. Reuben Owusu Gyamfi, CEO of the Ghana Association of Banks John Awuah, Major Christine Naa Adoley Oko (Rtd), and President of Greater Accra Markets Association Mercy Afrowa Needjan.
During the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday July 9, 2025 , the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare underscored the critical function of GIPC in driving Ghana’s investment agenda.
She also hinted at an impending review of the GIPC Act to better position the institution to meet current investment trends and deliver effectively on its mandate.
“I am confident that you know the mandate of the board for which you have been called to serve – primarily to bring foreign direct investment into Ghana. We are looking at your law again to make it more robust, more effective and to help you achieve your mandate as reposed in you by His Excellency the president of the Republic of Ghana,” Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare said.
Chairperson of the new 10-member Governing Board of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Akwasi Oppong-Fosu on his part underscored the role of GIPC while pledging to ensure that it supports the sector minister to transform the country.
“We do not take these responsibilities lightly. We pledge that we are committed to supporting your efforts in achieving the vision of the His Excellency the president in transforming this country,” he said.
The Kwabenya Circuit Court has remanded into custody a 36-year-old man, identified as a friend of the late Nana Kofi Amoah, in connection with the tragic death of the immigration officer and staunch Asante Kotoko supporter.
The court’s decision was made on Monday, July 8, 2025, as investigations into the shocking case continue.
The suspect is believed to be one of the last individuals to have seen Amoah before his disappearance on Thursday, July 3rd.
His alleged involvement has raised serious questions, and security authorities are intensifying efforts to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the murder.
Nana Kofi Amoah’s body was found near Berekuso, showing signs of stab wounds to the neck and chest, with partially burnt remains, reportedly wrapped in a woolen carpet—details confirmed by his brother, Akwasi Amoako.
The police and investigative agencies have assured the public that a thorough probe is underway to ensure justice is served.
President John Mahama is scheduled to visit the Western North Region on July 15, 2025, as part of his nationwide “thank you” tour, following his election victory in December 2024.
The President is expected to address a grand durbar at Juaboso, which would be attended by traditional authorities, heads of departments, Metropolitan, Municipal District Chief Executives (MMDCES) and party faithful.
A statement signed by George Ofori Danquah, the Western North Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, directed constituency executives to liaise with their respective Members of Parliament and MDCEs to ensure effective mobilisation of the party base for the event.
The ruling National Democratic Congress won eight out of the nine parliamentary seats in the Western North Region.
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.
The Northern Excellence Awards (NExA), has honored the Vice President, National House of Chiefs & Paramount Chief, Buipe Traditional Area, His Royal Majesty, Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor II, as the NExA2025 Development-Oriented Chief of the Year Award.
The Northern Excellence Awards (NEXA) board described His Royal Majesty Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor II as a distinguished traditional leader whose name has become synonymous with visionary leadership, progressive development, and social impact.
“In an era where traditional leadership must rise to meet modern challenges, Your Royal Majesty has stood tall as a beacon of transformation, championing the socio-economic advancement of the Buipe Traditional Area and beyond. Your unwavering dedication to community welfare, coupled with your strategic foresight, has ushered in a new era of industrial growth and hope for thousands across Northern Ghana,” parts of the award citation read.
The NEXA, indicated that his resolute efforts in spearheading the industrial transformation of Buipe to his impactful advocacy against drug abuse, his reign has not only inspired progress but has created a legacy of action, compassion, and purpose.
“The Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign, under your leadership, continues to resonate across communities empowering youth, restoring lives, and reinforcing public safety and dignity. Your contributions reflect the true spirit of excellence and development that the Northern Excellence Awards exist to honour,” it further added.
The Executive Director of Northern Excellence Awards (NExA), Abdul-Latif Alhassan, at the event noted that NExA honored individuals and institutions who have left indelible marks in areas such as education, health, agriculture, digital innovation, gender empowerment, civic leadership, humanitarian service, and cultural conservation.
“Each award presented tonight is not just a trophy, it is a testimony. A reminder that excellence does exist among us, and that the North is rising, with purpose and pride.
To our award recipients: your work inspires. You represent the bold face of Northern potential, we simply pause to say thank you,” he said.
Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare has officially inaugurated 12-member governing board of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA).
The governing board of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), chaired by Hudu Mogtari, is expected to provide strategic direction to the Authority as it pursues its mandate of setting and maintaining standards for goods and services across the country.
The newly inaugurated board includes West African Regional Director for CUTS International Appiah Kusi Adomako, Micheal Agbeko Kwadjo Seneyah, Roderick Kwabena Daddey-Agyei, Dramani Bukari, Ph.D., and Samuel Akrofi.
The rest are Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, President of the Association of Ghana Industries Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, Acting CEO of Ghana Shippers Authority Professor Ransford Edward Van Gyamfo, Professor Charles Tortoe, Jane Dede Senam Tachie-Menson, and Rodaline Zumale Adama.
Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, speaking during the inauguration on Wednesday July 9, 2025 charged the board to support the Authority in promoting quality assurance and safeguarding consumer interest in both domestic and international markets.
She also urged the board to ensure standard harmonization for effective trading with other countries under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“We also want you to work very hard in the area of the African Continental Free Trade Area because it is our best bet. We need to do a lot of standard harmonization because once we harmonize our standards with other countries it makes the trading with those countries very easy under the African Continental Free Trade Area,” Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare said.
Chairperson of the governing board of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) on his part expressed the commitment of the board to deliver on their mandate.
“I wish to commit that we will work together to enhance the work of the Ghana Standards Authority working with management and staff of Ghana Standards Authority. We believe that the job of protecting the safety of consumers, protecting industry and contributing to the development of this country is our key priority and we must make sure that we work towards that,” he said.
The Album introduces a dynamic and refreshing soundscape
Celebrated Ghanaian twin duo DopeNation has officially released their third studio project, GhanaPiano (The Album), a genre bending 17 track album that boldly reimagines the fusion of Ghanaian musical roots with the electrifying pulse of Amapiano.
As self-produced artists, DopeNation not only take center stage as performers but also as sonic architects, crafting every sound on the album from scratch, a true testament to their artistry and innovation.
GhanaPiano (The Album) introduces a dynamic and refreshing soundscape that merges Ghana’s cultural rhythms from Highlife to Afrobeat and HipLife with South Africa’s infectious Amapiano wave.
The result is a rhythmic crossover that is deeply African yet globally palatable. With each track, DopeNation weaves complex drum patterns, melodic log drum grooves, rich vocal textures, and masterful arrangements that keep listeners moving, reflecting, and vibing in equal measure.
Beyond its musical brilliance, the album is a cultural statement. It celebrates collaboration across borders, the evolution of African sound, and the power of self-expression.
DopeNation’s production finesse shines through every second of the project, establishing them not just as hitmakers but as one of Africa’s most forward-thinking musical forces.
The duo’s ability to produce, write, and perform across multiple genres is on full display, underscoring their place as trendsetters within the modern music movement.
From high energy anthems to soulful grooves and experimental soundscapes, DopeNation ensures each song serves a purpose both musically and emotionally.
Every beat, hook, and lyric are purposefully crafted, affirming their reputation as one of the few African acts with complete creative control over their music.
This album marks a major milestone in DopeNation’s journey, signifying not just growth, but a bold new era of sound.
With all 17 tracks fully produced by the duo themselves, GhanaPiano (The Album) is not only a celebration of African excellence it is a declaration of independence, creativity, and evolution in an ever-changing music landscape.
The album is now available on all major streaming platforms.
GA
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
The Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, has called for a collective and bipartisan approach to address what he describes as a “broken” Electoral Commission (EC).
His comments follow growing concerns after the Commission’s decision to rerun elections in 19 polling stations within the Ablekuma North constituency.
In a Facebook post on July 8, 2025, Dr Boamah, who also served as the immediate past Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), expressed deep concern over the state of the EC.
He noted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had previously failed to heed warnings and concerns raised ahead of the 2024 general elections.
“The issues that were flagged before the elections were ignored, and now the consequences are unfolding,” Dr Boamah stated.
He warned that Ghana’s democracy is at risk if electoral processes are not conducted with integrity and transparency.
Despite his criticism, the Minister struck a conciliatory tone, urging the NPP and all political stakeholders to come together in the national interest.
He emphasised that restoring trust in the EC should not be treated as a partisan issue, but as a shared democratic obligation.
“It is not too late to act. Let’s work together to fix the broken Electoral Commission and save Ghana’s democracy,” he stressed.
Read the Facebook post below:
MRA/MA
Meanwhile, watch as Parliamentary leadership visits wife of late Ernest Yaw Kumi
Amaralingaeswara Rao is among the three men who have been missing since they were abducted in Mali
A week after three Indians were kidnapped in Mali, their families say they still have no information about their whereabouts and are concerned about their safety.
India’s foreign ministry said the men, who worked in a cement factory in Mali, were “forcibly taken” by a group of “armed assailants” last Tuesday.
The Mali government is yet to comment, but the abductions took place on a day an al-Qaeda linked group – Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) – claimed it had carried out several attacks in the African country.
According to government data, some 400 Indians live in Mali, a country that India has had trade relations with since the 1990s.
Last week’s incident comes after five Indian citizens were kidnapped in Niger, in April during an attack by armed men who also killed a dozen soldiers, Reuters news agency reported. There’s no update on their whereabouts.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso are fighting an insurgency linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) that began in northern Mali in 2012 and has since spread to neighbouring countries.
Mali is the eighth-largest nation in the African continent and falls in the Sahel region of Africa, which the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) described as the “epicentre of global terrorism” earlier this year. The region accounts for “over half of all terrorism-related deaths”, according to GTI.
In a statement a day after the abductions, India’s foreign ministry urged citizens living in Mali to “exercise utmost caution, remain vigilant and stay in close contact with the Indian embassy in [Mali’s capital] Bamako”.
The men were taken from the Diamond Cement Factory, operated by Indian-business conglomerate Prasaditya Group, in Kayes city. The firm and factory have not issued any statements so far. The BBC has reached out to them for a response.
The same day the men were abducted, Jihadist fighters had launched a series of simultaneous attacks on military posts across numerous towns in Mali.
A resident of Kayes, where the cement factory was located, told the BBC that gunshots could be heard “everywhere” during the attack.
The abductions have sparked a wave of panic among the Indian relatives of those living in Africa.
The Indian government said it was in touch with the authorities in Mali, the factory where the men worked, and the relatives of the kidnapped men – but BBC Telugu has spoken to family members of two of the men who said they had little information about their relatives.
The mother of Panad Venkatramana, one of the abducted men who worked as an engineer at the factory, said she last spoke to her son on 30 June.
“He said he was going to work and would call later,” Narsamma, who goes by only one name, said.
“Three days later, we received a call from the company, but we couldn’t understand what the caller was saying. Later, we saw on television that my son had been kidnapped,” she added.
Venkatramana is from the eastern state of Odisha and his family have lodged a complaint with the local police, seeking their help to find him.
They have found support from former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik who posted on X, urging Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to “personally intervene in the matter” and ensure “early and safe release” of Venkatramana.
In the southern states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the family members of another of the abducted men – Amaralingaeswara Rao who worked as an assistant general manager at the factory – are waiting anxiously for him to return home.
His father Koorakula Venkateswarlu told BBC Telugu that his son went to Mali eight years ago to support his family.
“The salary [in India] was low. He has three children to raise,” Mr Venkateswarlu said.
His son was planning to visit India in October and had booked flight tickets. But now, he says, they have no idea when they will see him.
Ghanaian midfielder Ebenezer Ofori played a key role for FK Zalgiris on Wednesday July 9, 2025, helping his side to defeat Hamrun Spartans F.C. 2-0 in the first leg of their clash in the first qualifying round for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
In the game played at the LFF Stadium in Vilnius, Ofori started for the home team and played the entire 90 minutes.
Operating in the midfield, the 30-year-old provided good cover for the defence of FK Zalgiris and combined well with the attackers when the team moved forward.
In the 85th minute, Ebenezer Ofori set up Comoros forward Kassim Hadji to score to seal a delightful 2-0 win for the hosts.
Before that equaliser, a goal by Liviu Antal earlier in the 59th minute had already set up Hamrun Spartans F.C. on their way to defeat.
The victory on Wednesday night gives Ebenezer Ofori and his teammates a good advantage heading into the second leg of the tie against the Maltese opponent next week.
The leadership of Ghana’s Parliament, led by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, on Tuesday, July 9, 2025, paid a visit to the family of the late Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia, Ernest Kumi, to commiserate with them.
The atmosphere at the late MP’s residence was filled with deep sorrow, as family members and fellow MPs struggled to come to terms with the tragic loss.
The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has hit back at the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over its recent criticisms of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
Responding to claims that President John Mahama is delaying action on the bill, the Abura Asebu Kwamankese MP argued that the NPP lacks the moral right to criticise.
In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr Ofosu stated that the NPP, under former President Akufo-Addo, had eight years to pass the bill but failed to act.
“Yet, they remained hesitant, even when Akufo-Addo had the opportunity to sign it before leaving office. How do you expect us to do in six months what you failed to deliver in eight years?” he questioned.
He emphasised that both the NDC and President Mahama have consistently demonstrated their support for the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
“Between us and them, we know who is genuinely committed to the bill. We all saw the shenanigans they pulled in court just to delay the process so Akufo-Addo would not sign the bill. These things will not sidetrack us. We are committed to ensuring that the bill is passed not to promoting LGBTQ activities in Ghana,” he asserted.
Mr Ofosu also rejected suggestions that the NDC MPs who sponsored the bill have gone silent following their party’s electoral victory.
The debate over the controversial bill has reignited following Ghana’s abstention from a United Nations Human Rights Council vote during its 59th session.
The vote sought to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. At the end of the vote, 29 member states voted in favour, 15 opposed, while Ghana was one of three countries that abstained.
Amid public backlash, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration clarified that Ghana’s abstention was guided by the principles enshrined in Chapter 5, Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on gender, race, colour, ethnicity, religion, creed, or social and economic status.
The Ministry also dismissed suggestions that Ghana has compromised its stance on homosexuality.
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.
The Ministry of Interior has disclosed that it is working closely with the United States Embassy to verify the authenticity of suspected counterfeit US dollars seized during a recent security operation in Sapeiman, Accra.
In addition, the Ministry revealed that it is collaborating with the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Gold Board to authenticate intercepted gold bars and Ghanaian cedis that were discovered during the same operation.
On February 9, 2025, National Security operatives confiscated counterfeit currency and suspected gold bars concealed in 12 containers at Sapeiman, a suburb of Accra.
Providing an update to Parliament on Wednesday, July 9, Interior Minister Mubarak Muntaka Mohammed stated that investigations are ongoing to track down individuals linked to the illegal consignment.
“The National Security is also collaborating with the United States Embassy to confirm the authenticity of the suspected counterfeit currency. At the same time, there is communication with the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Gold Board to verify the legitimacy of the intercepted gold bars and Ghana cedis,” the Minister explained.
Addressing additional concerns, Mr. Muntaka also debunked rumours suggesting that Members of Parliament or former ministers are involved in a separate drug-related case. This follows the seizure of 3,313 kilograms of cocaine in operations conducted across the Central and Western Regions.
“None of the suspects is a Member of Parliament, a minister, or a former minister,” he clarified.
DopeNation releases 3rd studio album GhanaPiano (The Album)
Featured
GraphicOnline
Showbiz News
2 minutes read
Celebrated Ghanaian twin duo DopeNation has officially released their third studio project, GhanaPiano (The Album), a genre-bending 17-track album that boldly reimagines the fusion of Ghanaian musical roots with the electrifying pulse of Amapiano.
As self-produced artists, DopeNation not only take centre stage as performers but also as sonic architects, crafting every sound on the album from scratch, a true testament to their artistry and innovation.
GhanaPiano (The Album) introduces a dynamic and refreshing soundscape that merges Ghana’s cultural rhythms from Highlife to Afrobeat and HipLife with South Africa’s infectious Amapiano wave. The result is a rhythmic crossover that is deeply African yet globally palatable. With each track, DopeNation weaves complex drum patterns, melodic log drum grooves, rich vocal textures, and masterful arrangements that keep listeners moving, reflecting, and vibing in equal measure.
Beyond its musical brilliance, the album is a cultural statement. It celebrates collaboration across borders, the evolution of African sound, and the power of self-expression. DopeNation’s production finesse shines through every second of the project, establishing them not just as hitmakers but as one of Africa’s most forward-thinking musical forces.
The duo’s ability to produce, write, and perform across multiple genres is on full display, underscoring their place as trendsetters within the modern music movement.
From high-energy anthems to soulful grooves and experimental soundscapes, DopeNation ensures each song serves a purpose both musically and emotionally. Every beat, hook, and lyric is purposefully crafted, affirming their reputation as one of the few African acts with complete creative control over their music.
This album marks a major milestone in DopeNation’s journey, signifying not just growth, but a bold new era of sound. With all 17 tracks fully produced by the duo themselves, GhanaPiano (The Album) is not only a celebration of African excellence it is a declaration of independence, creativity, and evolution in an ever-changing music landscape. The album is now available on all major streaming platforms.
Malik Basintale speaking to a teeming NDC supporters in Ablekuma North
The Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Malik Basintale,
has said the governing National Democratic Congress[NDC] will deal decisively with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun scheduled for Friday, July 11, 2025 if it resorts to violence.
Speaking at a campaign event in Ablekuma North on Wednesday evening, the young and energetic politician stated that the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) will not remain passive but will respond to any acts of violence from the NPP with equal force.
“I will be here on Friday. Will you turn out in your numbers? I, Basintale, will be here on Friday. Will you show up? And if I come and the NPP by any means makes kɛ, we will make kɛkɛ,” he declared.
Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has firmly rejected the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to conduct a parliamentary rerun in 19 polling stations within the Ablekuma North Constituency, insisting that the NPP candidate, Akua Afriyie, rightfully won the 2024 election.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, July 8, Mr. Kodua argued that the NPP secured a clear victory in the constituency and accused the EC of undermining the will of the people by ordering a rerun.
“For us in the New Patriotic Party (NPP), we are resolute, and we know that our candidate, Nana Akua Afriyie, won the election with a margin of 414 votes. This is based on facts and figures. Yesterday, when the National Executive Committee met, we said that under no circumstances will we be intimidated.
“Under no circumstances will we go for a rerun. We will not go for any rerun. The New Patriotic Party will not go for any rerun. We have won the election. What we are asking the Electoral Commission to do is to follow the court’s directive to complete the collation and declare our candidate, Akua Afriyie, as the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North,” the NPP General Secretary stated.
“I will be here on Friday, and if by any means we hear ‘k3’ from the NPP, they’ll hear from us…” — Youth Employment Agency (YEA) CEO, Malik Basintale, speaking on the campaign trail in Ablekuma North ahead of Friday’s parliamentary election rerun in 19 polling stations. pic.twitter.com/GL7d6yNKau
The track is set to captivate music lovers with its fresh sound
Ghanaian artistes Muzic Mensah and Kwame Yogot have joined creative forces to release their brand new single titled ‘Ankwanoma’.
Produced by the talented Y shart Beatz, the track is set to captivate music lovers with its fresh sound, energetic vibe, and authentic Ghanaian essence.
‘Ankwanoma’ blends rhythmic Afrobeat influences with smooth, witty lyrics, reflecting both artists’ distinct styles while delivering a song that is as catchy as it is relatable. Backed by vibrant production and a lively beat, the single tells a story that listeners from all walks of life can connect with.
Speaking about the collaboration, Muzic Mensah shared, “Working with Kwame Yogot brought a unique energy to this project. We wanted to create something people can dance to, but also something that feels real and Ghanaian at its heart.”
Kwame Yogot added, “The process was fun and authentic. We stayed true to ourselves and to our fans. We hope everyone feels the vibe and the message behind ‘Ankwanoma’.”
The single is accompanied by striking cover art featuring colorful characters and sunset city vibes, perfectly reflecting the song’s upbeat and stylish mood.
“Ankwanoma” is now available on all major streaming platforms. Fans and music enthusiasts are encouraged to stream, share, and vibe along.
The deceased, 38-year-old Steffen King Amoah was reported missing n July 4, 2025
Tragedy struck the family of a missing Ghana Immigration Service officer after his partly burnt body was discovered near Abuom Junction, close to Kwabenya in the Greater Accra Region, five days after he was last seen, according to myjoyonline.com report.
According to the report, the deceased, 38-year-old Steffen King Amoah, popularly known as Nana Kofi, was reported missing on July 4, 2025, after he failed to return home or respond to calls.
His family, alarmed by his disappearance, lodged an official complaint with the Taifa Police at around 4:30 p.m. the same day.
According to relatives, Amoah had informed his family that he was leaving his residence at Gye Nyame House, Musuku Junction, Kwabenya, to meet a friend at Ashongman Estate for a discussion.
That was the last time he was seen alive.
His body, which bore multiple stab wounds to the chest and neck, was discovered partly burnt, apparently an attempt by his assailants to dispose of the remains.
The lifeless body was reportedly wrapped in a woolen carpet and set alight along the Abuom-Abokobi road.
The discovery was made after days of intense worry by his family. His brother, Akwasi Amoako, confirmed the death to myjoyonline.com and revealed that the body was identified by relatives before being conveyed to the Police Hospital Mortuary.
Born and raised in Old Tafo in Kumasi, Amoah was enlisted into the Ghana Immigration Service in 2013.
He was well-known within the Sports Department of the Service’s headquarters.
In March 2018, he married his longtime partner, a police officer, at Tafo Nhyiaeso. The couple has two young children a 4-year-old son and a 5-month-old baby.
Meanwhile, the Kwabenya Circuit Court has remanded into custody a 36-year-old man identified as a close friend of Amoah. The suspect was arraigned on Monday, July 8, 2025, as police investigations into the murder continue.
The motive behind the killing remains unclear, but unconfirmed reports suggest Amoah had gone to retrieve an amount of GH₵20,000 from the friend before his disappearance.
AM/KA
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
Finance Minister, Dr Ato Forson with members of the Board of Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited (CBG)
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has issued a stern warning to the newly inaugurated board of Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited (CBG), stressing that the era of excessive board allowances and inflated salaries in State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) is over.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday, Dr Forson declared: “I made it clear that the era of excessive salaries and bloated board allowances in State-Owned Enterprises will not be entertained under our administration.”
He called on the board to exhibit financial discipline and lead by example.
The Finance Minister’s warning comes amid growing public scrutiny over compensation packages in SOEs, many of which have received significant government support.
He urged the CBG board to prioritise accountability, performance, and value for money in all their operations.
Political analyst Dr. Kwasi Amakye Boateng has raised red flags over the Electoral Commission’s decision to rerun parliamentary elections in 19 polling stations within the Ablekuma North Constituency.
Dr. Boateng expressed deep concern about the credibility of the entire process in an interview on Morning Starr with Joshua Kodjo Mensah on Wednesday, July 9.
The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has declared that the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has lost its foothold in Ablekuma North.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Wednesday, July 9, Mr Gbande claimed that the electorate in Ablekuma North and across the nation are disillusioned with the NPP’s governance, particularly under former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration.
“The NPP knows that with what Nana Addo has done in this country, leading a gang of old men who have committed countless injustices against the people of Ghana and rendered the country useless, it is unforgivable, unpardonable, and unforgettable,” he stated.
He challenged the ruling party’s belief that public discontent could be reversed in time for the 2025 general elections.
“For them to think that within six months, Ghanaians would have forgiven them enough to hand them victory at the polls shows a clear lack of political maturity and experience,” Mr Gbande asserted.
According to him, the NPP has already begun testing its popularity on the ground in areas such as Ablekuma North, but the results have been disappointing.
“They have gone there to test their popularity and it’s simply not working,” he said.
“It is about good conscience, it is about service to the people and if we talk about these virtues.”
Mr Gbande argued that, when measured by these values, the NPP falls far short. “If we are to talk about virtues like honesty, compassion, and service, the NPP is nowhere close,” he added.
The Electoral Commission has scheduled Friday, July 11, a rerun of polls in 19 polling stations in yet another attempt to settle the disputed Ablekuma North constituency parliamentary election in the Greater Accra region.
According to EC, this forms part of its efforts to resolve the ongoing impasse surrounding the constituency’s results, which has consequently left the constituents without a Member of Parliament.
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.
President John Mahama has revealed that Ghana’s international reserves has now increased to six months of import cover with the president expressing optimism that this would go a long way to help build the needed balance to aid in the cedi’s stability
This is higher than the 4.7 months quoted by the Bank of Ghana in April this year.
“This is one of the highest that the country has recorded in the last 15 years,” he announced during an interaction with members of the Council of State at the Jubilee House.
“We are also looking forward to Ghana’s International Reserves reaching 10 months of import cover,” he added.
According to him, the significant growth in the country’s reserves can be linked to programmes implemented over the past months by the government and the Bank of Ghana.
“We have instituted a lot of measures that have helped improve transparency around Ghana’s gold exports, and that is also helping us improve our forex earnings and inflows as well,” he said.
“Looking at the way things are going, we are hopeful that the country’s international reserves could reach record levels in the coming weeks,” he reiterated.
He pointed out that the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board has brought some sanity into the industry and has helped improve the country’s forex inflows.
President Mahama announced that the upcoming Mid-Year Budget will be presented by Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson later this month, and will give more details about development in the economy.
“We will have a better view on what has been done over the past six months, in terms of real economic data” he said.
The President expressed his optimism about the economy in the coming months, pledging that the government will continue to undertake steps to stabilize the economy.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has inaugurated a 13-member Governing Council of the Ghana Prisons Service, tasked with driving the transformation of the country’s correctional system.
The council is chaired by Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, the immediate past General Secretary of the Church of Pentecost. Other members include Deputy Interior Minister Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Member of Parliament for Nandom Kuuire Richard, Suhail Abdul Mumin, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, Esq., Nana Mprah Besemuna III, and other individuals nominated by President John Dramani Mahama.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony held at the Interior Ministry in Accra on Wednesday, July 9, he charged the council to leverage their diverse expertise to provide strategic oversight for the operations of the Prisons Service.
“Upon assumption of office, you are expected to bring your expertise on board and provide strategic oversight for the operations of the Service. Increase advocacy and stakeholder engagement, support prison reforms and mechanisation, and ensure accountability in all transactions,” he stated.
He assured the council of the Ministry’s full support and commitment to resourcing, modernising, and guiding the Prisons Service with sound policy and ethical leadership.
Bolgatanga, July 9, GNA – The Upper East Region has recorded a total of 2,436 teenage pregnancies from January to May 2025, raising fresh concerns over adolescent health and protection in the region.
Ms Charity Tanni, the Upper East Regional Health Information Officer of the Ghana Health Service who revealed this said 25 of the teenagers were between ages 10 and 14, while 2,411 of them were between ages 15 to 19.
Ms Tanni was making a presentation in Bolgatanga during a review meeting on the Essential Services Package (ESP) for women and girls subjected to violence, a project being implemented by the Department of Gender in collaboration with the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council with Funding support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The meeting brought together key stakeholders from institutions including the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, DOVVSU, Legal Aid Commission, Department of Social Welfare, Judicial Service, and Civil Society Organisations.
The data presented further indicated that the Bawku West District recorded the highest number with 372 cases, followed by Pusiga with 276, Bongo with 212, Talensi with 210, Kassena Nankana West with 198, the Kassena Nankana Municipality with 196 and the Bolgatanga Municipality with 152.
Others included Bawku Municipality with 147, Tempane with 123, Garu with 118, Builsa South with 116, Nabdam with 100, Binduri with 86, Builsa North with 78, and Bolgatanga East recording the least of 52 teenage pregnancies.
Mr James Akandi, the Registrar at the Circuit Court, indicated that among the 24 gender-based violence cases before the court, 14 of them were defilement cases.
He, however, bemoaned the failure of witnesses to show up in court to testify, coupled with resource and logistical constraints as impeding justice delivery.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mariam Awemoni, the Regional DOVVSU Coordinator, indicated that the lack of coordination between her office and the district offices across the region was not only thwarting the fight against gender-based violence but also hampering data gathering.
“As the Regional Coordinator, I don’t get reports from our officers at the district level. They report to the District Police Commander who reports straight to National, and so unless a case is reported directly to us, we are not able to get data from the district level on cases and their progress,” she stated.
Mr James Twene, the Acting Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Gender, called for stronger institutional collaboration to address gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy.
According to him, coordination, data gathering and segmentation were key to the fight against gender-based violence and he charged the essential service providers to work collaboratively on cases for positive results.
Ms Yvonne Wonchua, the UNFPA Focal Person at the Regional Coordinating Council, also highlighted the importance of coordination among ESP institutions and called for resource mobilisation to improve service delivery and survivor protection.
John Jinapor , Minister of Energy and Green Transition
The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has announced a significant enhancement to Ghana’s domestic natural gas supply, following a new agreement with energy giant ENI to ramp up production by an additional 30 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd).
Effective Sunday, July 13, 2025, ENI’s total gas supply to the country will rise to 270 MMscfd.
The Ministry described the development as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening Ghana’s energy infrastructure and improving supply reliability.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry noted that the output increase would require a temporary suspension of ENI’s gas exports to allow full prioritisation of domestic demand.
“This temporary measure is essential for optimising the supply chain and ensuring the successful implementation of the supply increase,” the statement explained.
While the Ministry acknowledged the potential for short-term impacts on power generation due to the reallocation of gas resources, it assured the public that adequate mitigation measures have been put in place to minimise any disruptions to the electricity supply.
The boost in gas production is expected to bolster energy security, support industrial operations, and advance the government’s energy transition agenda.
Late MP for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi and Effia MP, Isaac Boamah-Nyarko
The Member of Parliament for Effia, Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, has paid glowing tribute to the late Ernest Kumi, the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, shedding light on the quiet but impactful contributions he made during his short time in Ghana’s Parliament.
Speaking in a heartfelt recollection on Peace FM, Boamah-Nyarko revealed that Kumi, despite facing legal battles early in his political career, remained deeply committed to serving his constituents and upholding the dignity of Parliament.
“When he was dragged to court, he confided in me that he did not want to contribute on the floor of Parliament because of the case. He felt that any public comment could be used against him,” Boamah-Nyarko disclosed. “He told me, ‘Lawyer, because of what I am being put through, I don’t want to make any contribution on the floor for some time.’”
Despite his silence in the House during that period, Hon. Boamah-Nyarko described the late Kumi as a man of depth and intellect, someone who could confidently discuss issues ranging from economics to business in private conversations.
“He was very knowledgeable and well-versed in many areas. Those who interacted with him knew his worth,” he added.
According to Boamah-Nyarko, Ernest Kumi was cautious not to give his political opponents ammunition while his legal matters were ongoing, especially after he was accused of speaking too freely despite being in court and was later cited for contempt.
“Eventually, after two months, we discussed the matter again and agreed that the people of Akwatia deserved to hear from their MP. We re-strategised, and he returned to parliamentary debates with renewed focus,” the Effia MP stated.
Hon. Boamah-Nyarko praised Kumi’s courage in eventually breaking his silence, noting that unlike many MPs who spend years in Parliament without finding their voice, Kumi rose to speak about five to six times, always extemporaneously and with conviction.
He also recalled Kumi’s development-focused vision for his constituency. “When he visited Takoradi, he outlined his plans to lift the people of Akwatia out of poverty and improve education in the area. That’s why he was always visiting the constituency, he genuinely cared.”
Ernest Kumi, a first-timer in Parliament served for six months amid the legal battle challenging his victory in the 2024 parliamentary election.
He passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025 after a short illness.
Solar Taxi has assembled over 500 electric vehicles locally
Ghanaian electric vehicle (EV) assembling company, Solar Taxi, has initiated discussions with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition on possible collaborations to accelerate the country’s clean energy agenda and expand e-mobility solutions nationwide.
During a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, the company’s management expressed strong interest in partnering with the Ministry to support Ghana’s transition toward renewable energy and a low-carbon transportation system.
The delegation from Solar Taxi highlighted that the company, which began operations in 2019, started by assembling electric two-wheelers in 2021 before expanding to three- and four-wheeled vehicles.
To date, Solar Taxi has assembled over 500 electric vehicles locally and is currently working with international partners to scale up its electric bus programme.
“Our mission is aligned with the government’s clean energy drive. We are excited about opportunities to deepen partnerships and contribute meaningfully to the e-mobility ecosystem in Ghana,” said Loving Asibey Koranteng, Chief Investment Officer at Solar Taxi.
Welcoming the initiative, Deputy Minister Gyan-Mensah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a sustainable energy future and emphasised the importance of private sector participation in achieving national clean energy goals.
“The Ministry is open to collaborations that will strengthen our green transition.
The private sector remains a vital partner in deploying infrastructure and solutions that advance e-mobility,” he stated.
According to the Ministry, its core focus in the e-mobility space includes ensuring the availability of clean, sustainable electricity and supporting the development of EV charging infrastructure across the country.
It is currently rolling out a five-year strategy to establish EV charging stations along major highways and promote the use of electric buses for intra- and inter-city transport.
The Ministry also plans to introduce smart metering systems to facilitate energy trading between EV operators and utilities.
While the government will not provide direct funding, it is working to create an enabling environment for private investment and innovation in the sector.
The Ministry further announced plans to engage with key stakeholders to outline long-term strategies and identify areas for partnership, particularly in infrastructure development and nationwide EV adoption.
The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has announced plans to fix and upgrade the Baba-Yara Sports Stadium.
This statement followed a working visit to the stadium, led by Adams and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene.
During the visit, the minister and his technical team toured the facility to assess its current condition and identify key challenges.
The Regional Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Kwame Baah Mensah, gave an overview of the stadium’s issues, citing problems with safe zones, non-functional floodlights, deteriorated washrooms, reserve benches, high electricity bills, non-functional irrigation pumps for watering the pitch, and obsolete PA systems.
He also highlighted the overdue refurbishment of the playing turf and security concerns within the security zone, meant to safeguard players and officials.
Kofi Adams emphasised that the directive from President John Dramani Mahama is clear: to restore the Baba-Yara Sports Stadium to its former glory, where it served as a hub of national pride and happiness.
“This stadium has a storied history and holds a special place in the hearts of Ghanaians. We are committed to ensuring it meets international standards once again,” he stated.
“All efforts will be made to bring this facility back to life and maximise its potential for the benefit of our nation.”
The Kumasi-based stadium, originally constructed in 1957 by the United African Company (UAC), was officially inaugurated as a football pitch in 1959.
Over the decades, it has undergone several renovations, including significant upgrades completed in 2008. The last major renovation effort was initiated in 2020, with the first phase completed and handed over in November 2022, which included upgrades to the tartan tracks, pitch, floodlights, and irrigation systems.
Despite these improvements, the stadium has faced prolonged neglect, leading to its current state of disrepair, and was deemed unfit by CAF for international matches.
Notably, the stadium has hosted numerous significant matches, including a World Cup qualifier between Ghana and Nigeria. The venue has also been a crucial home ground for the national team, which has historically performed better when playing in Kumasi.
Adams expressed optimism about the future of the stadium, highlighting its enormous potential.
“This facility can generate substantial revenue and catalyse local economic development. It’s about time we fix this gem and uphold its legacy,” he affirmed.
As renovation plans unfold, stakeholders and fans alike are hopeful that the Baba-Yara Sports Stadium will soon reclaim its status, inspiring pride and unity among Ghanaians.
The UN has criticised the use of lethal force during Monday protests
The number of people killed in Monday’s anti-government protests in Kenya has risen to 31, the country’s human rights commission said, sparking public outage and calls for justice.
The state-run commission previously said that 11 people had died.
More than 100 people were injured and about 532 arrested in the protests which hit the capital Nairobi and other major cities, said the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
The UN said it was deeply troubled by the killings and criticised the Kenyan police for using “lethal ammunition” against protesters.
The Kenya police still says that 11 people died.
There has been rising tension in the country since the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody last month brought people back onto the streets, a year after young protesters stormed parliament angered by a wave of tax rises.
Monday’s protests were intended to commemorate Kenya’s decades-long struggle for democracy but they quickly escalated into deadly clashes in 17 out of the country’s 47 counties, local media reported.
Many of those demonstrating chanted “Ruto must go” and “wantam”, meaning “one term”, a popular rallying call demanding President William Ruto leave office.
In a statement issued on late Tuesday, the KNCHR said the sharp rise in the death toll was “deeply troubling”.
“The KNCHR strongly condemns all human rights violations and urges accountability from all responsible parties, including police, civilians and all other stakeholders,” it added.
The commission also documented widespread looting and destruction of both public and private property by unidentified individuals.
Among those killed was a 12-year-old pupil who was hit by a stray bullet while at home in Kiambu, in the outskirts of the capital, local media reported.
“It is very concerning that these latest incidents come barely two weeks after more than 15 protesters were reportedly killed and many more injured in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya on 25 June,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
“Lethal ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons were used,” Shamdasani added.
At least two hospitals were damaged after unidentified attackers raided the facilities and stole medical equipment and harassed staff, Reuters news agency reported.
Religious and rights groups have demanded a prompt and independent investigation into the killings, destruction of property and arbitrary arrests.
However, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen has praised police officers for containing the protests, which he said were infiltrated by criminals.
Opposition leaders on Tuesday accused the government of deploying unmarked police vehicles to transport armed gangs to perceived opposition strongholds during the protests.
They called for a national boycott of all businesses affiliated with President Ruto’s administration, accusing his government of deploying state-sponsored violence and extrajudicial killings on Kenyans.
“This regime is hostile. It cannot be reasoned with. It must be resisted. We will not rest. We will not retreat. We will not surrender,” the opposition said in a joint statement.
Kenya’s Chief Justice Martha Koome has cautioned the country against the increasingly violent protests, saying they risked the nation’s democratic fabric.
Monday’s demonstrations were organised primarily by the so-called Gen-Z young people, demanding good governance, greater accountability, and justice for victims of police brutality, continuing the wave of anti-government protests since last year.
On 25 June, at least 19 people were killed and thousands of businesses looted and destroyed in a day of nationwide protests that were being held in honour of those killed in last year’s anti-tax protests.
More than 140 people have been killed since 2023 in protests, according to a tally by The Star newspaper.
SINCE THE days when Nkrumah dreamt of freedom and gutters still ran free, the rains have come, and every single time, we act like it’s the first flood since Noah.
Streets turn to rivers, homes sink beneath brown waters, and properties are washed away, with lives lost and time and dignity swept away. We cry, we blare, and we point, but rarely do we build. And the question lingers: Who is responsible?
We blame the government for poor drainage, failed enforcement, and empty promises. But what of the citizens who build in waterways, who choke gutters with waste, and wait until the water rises to remind us that it flows, and we all who do nothing until disaster comes knocking? What of the local assemblies that look the other way, the institutions that prioritise paper over people and ceremonies over infrastructure, the educators who teach compliance but not conscience?
And where is faith in all of this? Even religion, which is meant to be a bridge between man and meaning, seems more focused on rituals than renewal. Sanctuaries overflow, yet our spirits stay low. We have prophets, priests, and prayer lines, but no clear path. Our altars echo with hope but not with instruction. Spirituality has become a shelter from responsibility instead of a force that calls us to it.
We are drowning not just in floodwaters but in neglect, ignorance, and moral inertia. We’re flooding in marriages that were never built to last. In parenting that shelters but doesn’t shape. In education that fills heads but not hearts. In careers that pay but don’t fulfill. In lives that drift because they lack direction. And all the while, we wait for someone else to save us. We wait for a superhero. For divine intervention. For a miracle. But the flood rises, and still, we don’t move.
“I’m drowning” is no longer just about rain. It’s about a generation lost in the storm of its own making. A people who saw the signs but turned away. A society where the spiritual is disconnected from the practical, and the sacred has grown silent in the face of decay.
We’ve mistaken survival for success. We turned waiting into worship. We’ve forgotten that flooding doesn’t begin when the rain falls. It begins when we ignore the cracks, abandon wisdom, and stop building bridges that hold.
It’s time to stop looking for saviours and start becoming stewards of our lands, our lives, and our legacies. Because the waters are rising. And this time, no one is coming to save us.
The partly burnt body of a 38-year-old immigration officer has been discovered at Abuom Junction in Kwabenya of the Greater Accra region, five days after the family declared him missing.
The frustrated family of Steffen King Amoah, also known as Nana Kofi, lodged a complaint with the Taifa Police on July 4, 2025, at about 4:30 p.m., after several attempts to reach the deceased on his cell phone proved futile.
He is said to have left his Gye Nyame House, Musuku Junction at Kwabenya, to meet a friend at Ashongman Estate, also in Accra, for a discussion.
His brother, Akwasi Amoako, who confirmed the death to myjoyonline.com, says Amoah’s body was riddled with stab wounds in the chest and neck.
Body of Steffen King Amoah was found here
According to him, it was partly burnt as his alleged the killers attempted to burn the body believed to have been wrapped in a woolen carpet at a spot on the Abuom-Abokobi road.
Steffen King Amoah, according to family sources was inlisted into the Ghana Immigration Service in 2013
The body has since been deposited at the Police Hospital Mortuary after being identified by Amoako and other relatives.
Born and bred in the Old Tafo neighbourhood in Kumasi, Amoah was enlisted into the Ghana Immigration Service in 2013.
Steffen King Amoah
Amoah, a popular figure at the Sports Department of the Ghana Immigration Service headquarters, married his sweetheart, a policewoman, on March 28, 2018, at Tafo Nhyiaeso in Kumasi.
The couple are blessed with a 4-year-old boy and a 5-month-old baby.
Meanwhile, a Kwabenya Circuit Court on Monday, July 8, 2025, remanded into custody a 36-year-old man identified as a friend of Amoah.
Executive Director of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, has dismissed media reports suggesting that the National Cathedral project has been abandoned or is being converted into a Cultural Convention Centre.
In a statement following an emergency Board meeting on July 7, the National Cathedral Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to completing the project, describing the claims as misleading and unsubstantiated.
According to Dr. Opoku-Mensah, while the Board has not received any official communication regarding a change in the use of the site, the land for the Cathedral was legally transferred to the National Cathedral of Ghana, a company limited by guarantee, and all project designs — including for the Bible Museum, Biblical Garden, and supporting facilities — have already been completed.
“The National Cathedral is not an abandoned project,” he stated. “Construction began in 2021 and, despite financial challenges, about 8% of the project has already been completed. Delays have largely been due to lack of funding and politicization, which have adversely affected fundraising efforts.”
He noted that the National Cathedral was envisioned as sacred infrastructure for national religious functions such as state funerals and thanksgiving services. The recent institution of July 1 as Ghana’s National Day of Prayer, he said, further justifies the project’s relevance and urgency.
In response to concerns over financial transparency, Dr. Opoku-Mensah referenced an audit conducted by Deloitte and Touche, which verified that all state funds were properly accounted for, with payments made in accordance with signed agreements for work done.
The Executive Director also revealed that efforts are underway to develop a new pathway for completing the Cathedral through a “process of depoliticisation, statutory accountability, and a state-church-society partnership.”
This, he believes, will help mobilize the resources needed to realize the vision of a unifying national and religious landmark.
The Board remains resolute in its mission to complete the National Cathedral, which is designed not only as a sacred space for Christians but also as a broader interfaith and cultural center, capable of boosting religious tourism and national heritage appreciation.
In closing, Dr. Opoku-Mensah urged the public to disregard unverified reports and support the ongoing efforts to deliver a project that he described as “a family house for all Christians in Ghana, and a symbol of unity for the nation.”
The Bank of Ghana’s 2024 Annual Report and Financial Statement revealed that the Bank’s staff population rose by 6 percent, reaching 2,368 by the end of December 2024, up from 2,233 at the end of December 2023.
According to the report, in order to strengthen its human resource capacity, the Bank updated its Handbook on Human Resource Policies to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness.
In addition, the report stated that the Bank enhanced its HR functions, which included the automation of staff job descriptions and competency profiles through its enhanced Performance Management System (ePMS).
“The total number of staff recruited in 2024 was 201. A total of 64 members of staff exited the service of the Bank during the year. This resulted in a net intake of 137,” the report noted.
In the area of the banking sector, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, stated in the foreword of the report that the sector’s performance continued to improve, supported by strong asset growth.
He added that financial soundness indicators reflected gains in solvency, liquidity, and operational efficiency across the banking industry.
The industry’s Capital Adequacy Ratio stood at 14 percent, above the prudential minimum requirement of 10 percent.
Despite these improvements, Dr Asiama noted that credit risk remained a concern, as the non-performing loan (NPL) ratios of banks had increased.
To mitigate this risk, he said, the Bank continued to enforce rigorous credit risk management and underwriting standards for regulated financial institutions.
“In addition, the Bank issued several directives to further strengthen the resilience of the banking sector. Looking ahead, these will require sustained reforms to strengthen the sector’s resilience,” he said.
Dr Asiama further stated that the Bank undertook several initiatives to promote financial inclusion, the fair treatment of customers, and adherence to consumer protection principles.
SP/MA
Cheque Fraud EXPOSED: How it works and how to stay safe
Former Accra Hearts of Oak striker, Afriyie Barnieh
Former Accra Hearts of Oak striker, Afriyie Barnieh, signed a two-year deal with FC Aarau after terminating his contract with FC Zurich in the Swiss Super League.
The Ghanaian joined FC Zurich in January 2023 on a three and a half year deal from Accra Hearts of Oak.
He made 50 appearances for the Swiss side and managed to score two goals in all competitions. He struggled to secure a regular starting position during his time at the club.
Upon signing for FC Aarau in Switzerland’s second tier, Ghanaians have shared their views on X (formerly Twitter).
One X user was happy he’s got another chance to explore and hopes he gets more playing time and scores more.
Barnieh’s career at FC Zurich was full of injuries, which almost ruined his career at
Other users also believe that this is a good move and they hope Barnieh prioritises playing time and tactical fit over prestige.
Barnieh rose to prominence with Accra Hearts of Oak and also captained the Ghana U-20 team to victory at the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.
Barnieh will look to stay fit and use the opportunity given at FC Aarau to revitalise his career and get a call-up to the Black Stars.
Injury almost ruined his career at Zurich but I’m happy for him now
— Jesse The Talker on Youtube (@jesse_legendary) July 8, 2025
Yes, this is a good move but only if Barnieh prioritizes playing time and tactical fit over prestige. His talent isn’t in doubt but his career needs resuscitation. A reset in the right environment could make this Zürich exit the catalyst for his comeback.
🇬🇭⚽
— Collins Little-Tetteh♻️ (@clittle_Tetteh) July 8, 2025
Yes, this is a good move but only if Barnieh prioritizes playing time and tactical fit over prestige. His talent isn’t in doubt but his career needs resuscitation. A reset in the right environment could make this Zürich exit the catalyst for his comeback.
🇬🇭⚽
— Collins Little-Tetteh♻️ (@clittle_Tetteh) July 8, 2025
PM/EB
You can also watch the latest news in Twi on GhanaWeb TV below:
The United States has announced sweeping changes to its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigeria, cutting the duration and conditions under which most Nigerian travellers can enter the country.
As from 8 July, the US Department of State says nearly all non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be single-entry and valid for only three months.
It says this is part of a global reciprocity realignment, a sharp shift from previous visa terms, which often allowed for multiple entries over two years or more.
Nigeria also offers single-entry visas valid for three months only for those planning to visit the country from the US.
The Nigerian government has not yet commented.
The State Department says visa policies remain “subject to ongoing review” and may change depending on evolving diplomatic, security, and immigration benchmarks.
In a statement, the US government said it was working closely with Nigerian authorities to ensure the country meets key international standards.
The US also ordered that the social media accounts of all foreigners applying for visas, including from Nigeria, would be vetted for “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States”.
Nigerians account for one of the highest number of student-visa applications to the US in the world.
According to the 2024 Open Doors report on international education exchange, Nigeria was the seventh largest source of international students globally to the US and the highest in Africa, with 20,029 enrollees.
The report published by the US department of state, bureau of educational and cultural affairs showed a 13.5 percent increase from 2023.
Reacting to the cut, former president Muhammadu Buhari’s aide said he believes US is not reciprocating but showing discomfort with Nigeria.
Bashir Ahmad whose post on X generated conversation on the topic is of the opinion that President Bola Tinubu‘s recent visit to Brazil for the BRICS gathering was behind the move.
“This is not solely about reciprocity. Rather, it appears to reflect growing US discomfort with Nigeria’s increasing global realignment, particularly the warm reception we are receiving from the BRICS,” he wrote.
Ghanaian philanthropist and host of popular “Oyerepa Afutuo”, Eunice Naa Amerly Nortey, known popularly as Auntie has fired back at the eldest child of Yaw Boateng, the eldest child of her late panelist, Girls Girls.
Speaking on today’s edition of “Oyerepa Afutuo” which Ghanacelebrities.com monitored, Auntie Naa refuted claims by Yaw Boateng as she took a swipe at him.
The Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Boamah, has expressed shock over Ghana’s decision to abstain from a United Nations Human Rights Council vote on the renewal of the mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The vote, held on Monday, July 7, 2025, during the Council’s 59th session, saw 29 member states vote in favour, 15 against, while Ghana was among three countries that abstained.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, July 9, Patrick Boamah, who is also a member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, stated that the Mahama-led government should have demonstrated a clear and firm stance against LGBTQ+ activities by voting against the resolution.
“We were promised by the government of the day that they were not going to support that activity. So, we expected that Ghana should have taken a firm position on that. I was a bit surprised to see that Ghana abstained. So, we will be asking the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the representative of the government as to why Ghana abstained.
“I intend to file a question to understand the basis of the abstention. This is not a foreign policy matter; this is a cultural issue, a value issue, a constitutional issue, things that are alien to our culture and wellbeing…it was a clear opportunity for the government to demonstrate its position on this matter,” He said.
The incident has reignited debates around LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana and the protection of national symbols, as Parliament prepares to take a final vote on a controversial bill that seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ advocacy and activities.
Ghana’s parliament on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, unanimously passed a controversial anti-homosexuality bill that has drawn international condemnation.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, on May 28, 2025, announced that the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill—commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill—is set to be introduced for its first reading during the second meeting of the Ninth Parliament.
The proposed legislation aims to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana, as well as the promotion, advocacy, or funding of such activities.
Members of the Minority in Parliament have accused the government of causing a financial loss of $1.2 million through what they describe as an unnecessary relaunch of Ghana’s chip-embedded biometric passport.
According to the Minority, the project was fully completed and officially launched by the previous Akufo-Addo administration in December 2024, making the current expenditure unjustified and a waste of public funds.
Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, July 9, Deputy Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, stated: “The outgoing government secured supply credit, completed all testing, and officially launched the chip-embedded passport on December 2, 2024. They procured 50,000 booklets with a standing order for 200,000 more. This is all on record at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
Mr. Ayeh argued that the $1.2 million spent on relaunching the passport could have been better allocated to improve passport service delivery and resolve operational challenges at passport offices across the country.
The Minority also raised concerns about the abrupt three-day closure of Ghana’s embassy in Washington, DC, in May 2025. According to them, the closure resulted in the cancellation of 437 passport appointments, caused at least 112 travellers to miss connecting flights, and led to a loss of over $38,000 in expedited service fees.
“By dawn on May 26, 2025, the embassy had shut its doors. The Minister’s decision cancelled 437 confirmed appointments for that week, cost Ghana over $38,200 in expedited service fees, and disrupted travel plans for at least 112 individuals,” Mr. Ayeh noted.
The Minority has called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to present a comprehensive audit report to Parliament covering both incidents and to provide compensation to those affected by the embassy closure.
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.
The Member of Parliament for Hohoe, Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, has asserted that residents voted out former MP John Peter Amewu in the 2024 general election because they felt deceived by unfulfilled promises made during his tenure.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Wednesday, July 9, he described the current state of affairs in Hohoe as “disheartening,” citing poor roads, water challenges, and educational infrastructure that contradict the image previously portrayed by the former MP and the previous government.
According to him, constituents made their decision not based on influence or resources, but on broken commitments from the previous administration.
“They weighed the two candidates. Yes, one may be more powerful than the other. We have all the resources it takes to run and win an election, but the people went deep into the promises that were made in 2020 to them by the former administration and former MP, but I can tell you, they voted based on the unfulfilled promises. They felt scammed.
“The current situation I have met in Hohoe is very disheartening. I am not painting my predecessor black. We have made the people of Ghana believe that all our road networks are okay, the water situation and education are okay, but you can take a trip to Hohoe today, and you will be sad. All the entry roads are in a deplorable state,” he said
He, however, assured that the current administration has initiated measures to address the educational and infrastructure challenges facing the constituency.
Ghana didn’t vote on LGBTQI rights — Foreign Affairs Ministry clarifies
The Executive Director of Global Info Analytics, Musah Danquah, has cast doubt on the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) chances in the upcoming Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun, predicting a likely defeat to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking on Joy FM’s , Mr Danquah said the NPP’s threats to boycott the July 11 rerun would have minimal effect, as enthusiasm among the party’s base is already low.
According to him, morale and motivation within the NPP in the constituency have significantly declined, making it difficult for the party to mobilise voters effectively.
“Even without the boycott, the party would have struggled with turnout. The signs of voter apathy have been there for some time,” he stated.
Mr Danquah observed that the current political climate in Ablekuma North appeared more favourable to the NDC, adding that available data and ground reports suggest the opposition party is in a stronger position to win the seat.
His comments come just a day after the High Court dismissed an application filed by the NPP parliamentary candidate, Nana Akua Afriyie, which sought to stop the rerun in 19 polling stations.
The Electoral Commission has since confirmed that the rerun will go ahead as scheduled on Friday, July 11.
The fresh poll seeks to resolve the dispute over the December 2024 parliamentary elections in Ablekuma North, which were marred by uncollated results and legal wrangling.
US President Donald Trump began a three-day summit in Washington D.C. with the leaders of five African states, an event the White House sees as an “incredible” commercial opportunity.
Trump’s guests include the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal – none of whom represent the major economies of the continent.
The meetings are expected to concentrate on Trump’s “trade, not aid” policy, and with all of them facing 10% tariffs on goods exported to the US, they may be hoping to do deals to negotiate this rate down.
During a televised lunch at the White House on Wednesday, the African leaders lavished Trump with praise while encouraging US economic partnership.
Seated diagonally from Trump across a long wooden table, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani was the first African leader to speak.
“In the short time you’ve been back in office, the last few months you came to the rescue for peace,” Ghazouani said.
“You rushed to Africa to resolve a longstanding problem,” he continued, referring to a peace deal between DR Congo and Rwanda facilitated by the White House.
His remarks were echoed by the other African state leaders, most of whom made direct comments in support of Trump being nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye complimented his golf skills, inviting him to build a golf course in Senegal.
“Thank you very much. Very nice. Thank you. I didn’t know I’d be treated this nicely. This is great,” Trump responded. “We could do this all day long.”
The African state heads also used the platform to talk about their respective natural resources and raw materials, including rare earth minerals. Some made direct appeals to US investors and the president.
Faye spoke about the prospect of building a “tech city” in Dakar with “views of the sea”, and said: “I would like to invite American investors to take part in this”.
Gabon President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema said his country has “a great deal of resources”, including rare earth minerals.
“You are welcome to come and invest; otherwise, other countries might come instead of you,” Nguema said.
Senegal’s former ambassador to Washington, Babacar Diagne, said the invitations to the African leaders reflected the recent “paradigm shift” in US policy towards the continent.
After taking office in January for his second term, Trump cut US aid to the continent, saying it was wasteful and incompatible with his “America First” policy.
With Trump and the Republican Party at the helm, there is also doubt about whether the US will renew later this year its African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which guarantees duty-free access for certain goods from Africa.
“It’s not like before with the Democrats. There were two strong points with them: poverty reduction and development issues, through AGOA and other initiatives. All that is over,” Mr Diagne told the BBC.
According to the former diplomat, the Trump administration’s position will mirror how it has dealt with Ukraine wartime leader Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Pure trade. It’s give and take, win and win. We saw it with Ukraine. You sign the agreement on minerals and you’ll have us on your side; otherwise, you forget everything,” Mr Diagne said.
Last month’s peace deal signed in Washington between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic is a case in point – trade diplomacy that will potentially see the US gain lucrative mineral access.
Indeed, Nicaise Mouloumbi, head of a leading non-governmental organisation in oil-rich Gabon, said the Trump administration’s focus on Africa was down to increasing competition from rival powers – including China and Russia – for its prized resources.
“All these [invited] countries have important minerals: gold, oil, manganese, gas, wood and zircon – Senegal, Mauritania and Gabon, in particular,” he told the BBC.
Gabon holds around a quarter of the global known reserves of manganese, and it provides 22% of China’s of the mineral, which is used in the production of batteries and stainless steel.
Oil-rich Gabon intends to shift towards deep-water exploration and production in future
Mr Mouloumbi added that the US might be most keen to strengthen ties with Gabon, not only because it had “strategic” minerals like manganese and uranium, as well as oil, but also because it was strategically located along the Gulf of Guinea, with a coastline of about 800km (500 miles).
It could host a US military base that America plans to build in the region, Mr Mouloumbi said.
Mr Diagne made a similar point about piracy, saying that “maritime terrorism in the Gulf of Guinea has become an extremely important issue” for the US.
Many tankers carrying oil and gas travel through the Gulf of Guinea, which has been known as a piracy hotspot for several years.
For Mauritania and Senegal, migration will be central to discussions, according to Ousmane Sene, the head of the West African Research Centre (WARC),
“Let’s not forget that between 2023 and 2025, no fewer than 20,000 young Mauritanians left for the US via Nicaragua, along with hundreds of young Senegalese,” the analyst told the BBC.
“All these countries are also departure points for illegal emigration,” he added.
“That’s an extremely important point in his [Trump’s] migration policy, and every day people are turned back at the borders.”
Mauritania is the only one of the five countries that does not have diplomatic ties with US ally Israel, cutting them in 2009 over an offensive in Gaza, and sources have told Semafor that restoring them may be a sticking point for any would-be White House deal.
Visa overstay rates are another issue to be settled, especially for Gabon and Liberia, which both have higher ones than Burundi, which last month became subject to US travel restrictions with visa overstays cited as a key reason.
Liberia’s health system is fragile – and before Trump, US funding accounted for 48% of its budget
Liberia may also be considering a US proposal to accept people deported by the US, including criminals. The country, which has close historical links to America, was reportedly included on a proposed list of countries that the US had approached.
The country, which was brought to its knees by a 14-year civil war and then the devastating Ebola epidemic of a decade ago, is in desperate need of cash as it has been severely affected by US aid cuts.
In particular, the impact has been felt by its fragile health system, which had relied on US funding for 48% of its budget.
Guinea-Bissau, which has suffered a series of coups and attempted coups over the years, is reportedly keen for the US embassy to reopen in the capital, Bissau, following its closure after the army mutinied in 1998.
President Umaro Cissoko Embaló was clearly proud of the White House’s invitation for Guinea-Bissau, which several years ago was labelled a “narco-state” by the US and UN as it was once a major transit hub for cocaine from Latin America to Europe and North America.
“Guinea-Bissau has now emerged from a state of disorder to become a real state. The Americans do not invite just any state to their country – only a well-structured state,” he was quoted as saying at the airport before he left for Washington.
He and his counterparts – Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon, Joseph Boakai of Liberia, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania and Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal – will be hoping they hold some cards to do a deal with Trump.
They certainly do not want a replay of May’s infamous high-stakes meeting between South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa and Trump in the Oval Office, which did little to ease relations.
In fact, it seems to have completely backfired as this week Africa’s biggest economy found out that from next month, its exports to the US are being slapped with a 30% tariff.
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.
The Executive Director of Global Info Analytics, Musah Danquah, has expressed strong doubts about the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) chances in the upcoming Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun, predicting a likely loss to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Tuesday, July 9, 2025, Mr Danquah said the NPP’s threats to boycott the July 11 rerun would have little to no impact on the outcome, as enthusiasm among the party’s base is already at a low point.
He explained that morale and motivation among NPP supporters in the constituency had significantly declined, making it unlikely for the party to mobilize voters effectively.
He further stated that even in the absence of boycott threats, the party would have faced challenges in achieving meaningful turnout.
Mr Danquah noted that signs of voter apathy had been evident for some time and that, in his assessment, the current political climate in Ablekuma North was more favourable to the NDC.
He added that based on available data and the mood on the ground, the NPP was unlikely to win the seat and was on course to lose to the NDC.
His remarks came just a day before the High Court dismissed an injunction filed by the NPP’s parliamentary candidate, Nana Akua Afriyie, which sought to halt the rerun in 19 polling stations.
The Electoral Commission has since confirmed that the election will go ahead as scheduled on July 11.
The rerun aims to resolve the dispute over the December 2024 parliamentary elections in Ablekuma North, which were marred by uncollated results and legal challenges.
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.
The Minority in Parliament has accused the government of causing financial loss to the state by spending $1.2 million on what they described as an unnecessary relaunch of Ghana’s chip-embedded biometric passport.
According to the Minority, the project had already been fully secured and launched by the previous Akufo-Addo administration in December 2024, making the current government’s expenditure wasteful and unjustifiable.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, July 9, Deputy Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, stated, “The outgoing government secured supply credit, completed all testing, and formally launched the chip-embedded passport on December 2, 2024. They secured 50,000 booklets and a standing order of 200,000. This is all on record at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
He argued that the $1.2 million spent on the relaunch could have been channelled into improving service delivery and addressing logistical challenges at passport offices across the country.
The caucus also revisited the issue of the sudden three-day closure of Ghana’s embassy in Washington, DC, in May 2025, which they say resulted in a loss of over $38,000 in expedited service fees. The closure led to the cancellation of 437 appointments and caused at least 112 travellers to miss their connecting flights.
“By dawn, May 26th, 2025, the embassy doors were closed, and 437 confirmed applicants for the week had been cancelled. In three days, the Minister’s decision cost Ghana over $38,200 in expedited service fees and forced at least 112 travellers to miss their connecting flights,” he said.
They have demanded that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs present a full audit report to Parliament on both incidents and compensate those affected by the embassy shutdown.
![Burnt body of missing immigration officer found at Kwabenya [Photos]](https://www.ghanamma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/b2adedca7ff7032769de02b4fc20d40b.jpeg "Burnt body of missing immigration officer found at Kwabenya [Photos]")
