TIG Post

Author: Amanda Cartey

  • Responsible gold sourcing programme launched to boost economic growth

    Responsible gold sourcing programme launched to boost economic growth

    The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has identified gold as a crucial strategic reserve asset that significantly influences economic growth.

    However, the Central Bank emphasizes the need for responsible gold mining practices to fully harness its benefits while reducing environmental harm.

    In response to these concerns, the BoG has initiated the Responsible Sourcing Programme, which aims to encourage ethical gold procurement.

    This initiative includes the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP), which outlines essential processes, Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, due diligence requirements, supply chain transparency, and risk management practices.

    The DGPP operates through two primary avenues: Gold for Reserves and Gold for Oil. By implementing stringent KYC and due diligence measures, the BoG ensures that its gold acquisitions conform to Ghana’s legal standards and do not contribute to human rights violations, conflict, or environmental degradation.

    Under the Gold for Oil initiative, the government plans to utilize locally sourced gold to settle payments for imported oil, thereby establishing a direct barter system leveraging the gold reserves held by the Central Bank.

    As detailed in the G40 Programme Framework dated February 3, 2023, oil payments can be conducted through direct barter, wherein suppliers accept gold in exchange for petroleum products, or via foreign exchange, where the BoG sells gold to brokers and uses the proceeds to fund oil imports.

  • 1,020 farmers in Asunafo South receive fertilizers to boost agriculture

    1,020 farmers in Asunafo South receive fertilizers to boost agriculture

    A total of 1,020 farmers in the Asunafo South District of the Ahafo Region have received bags of fertilizers and urea from the District Assembly to support their farming activities.

    The distribution event, held in Kukuom, featured District Chief Executive (DCE) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary candidate, Frank Aduse-Poku, who explained in an interview that the delivery consists of 3,000 bags of ammonia and 1,000 bags of urea.

    These supplies aim to address the difficulties farmers encounter in obtaining fertilizers.

    Mr. Aduse-Poku highlighted that this complimentary distribution will greatly enhance food production in the district, which is recognized as one of the country’s major agricultural zones.

    The farmers who benefited expressed their appreciation, noting that this assistance will significantly improve their harvests and boost their earnings.

  • BoG FX Rate set to better align with market trends using new methodology

    BoG FX Rate set to better align with market trends using new methodology

    In accordance with international best practices, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has rolled out a new approach for calculating its Foreign Exchange Market Reference Rate (MRR).

    This adjustment is designed to provide a more accurate representation of market conditions.

    The updated methodology aims to expand data coverage and capture daily transactions conducted between commercial banks and their customers.

    In a press release copied to GhanaWeb Business, the central bank said “this change is the first step in the Bank of Ghana’s long-term strategy to align its MRR methodology with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles of Financial Benchmarks.”

    It further said, “the reference rate published every day on the Bank of Ghana website will be computed from data submitted by all banks. Each working day, all banks submit data on all spot US$/GH₵ transactions concluded on the reporting day before 3.30 pm.”

    “The data will cover all spot transactions on the interbank markets as well as transactions with their clients that have nominal values of US$10,000 or more, mutually reflective of prevailing market conditions,” it added.

    The provided data will be utilized to calculate the weighted median exchange rate, which will be made available on the Bank of Ghana’s website as the closing rate for daily transactions.

  • Music producer Unda Beatz passes away just days after his birthday celebration

    Music producer Unda Beatz passes away just days after his birthday celebration

    Renowned Ghanaian music producer Eric Nkrumah, widely known in the industry as ‘Unda Beatz,’ has tragically passed away, only days after his birthday celebration.

    The announcement of his unexpected death has reverberated throughout the entertainment community.

    Close friends and colleagues, including Yaa Pono, have taken to social media to confirm the heartbreaking news and voice their shock. Many are still grappling with the sudden loss, as the cause of death remains unclear.

    Fans and fellow artists, like Stay Jay, have posted moving tributes online, mourning the departure of a creative talent who made significant contributions to Ghanaian music.

    Just four days prior, Unda Beatz shared a joyful photo on Instagram, celebrating his birthday with a radiant smile, a post that now carries a heavy sentiment as fans reflect on his vibrant personality.

    Unda Beatz established himself in the music industry by collaborating with some of Ghana’s most prominent artists, including Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, and Yaa Pono.

    He was the creative force behind hit tracks like Stonebwoy’s “Top Skanka” and “Sobolo,” the latter of which won the 2021 3Music Highlife Song of the Year award.

    His remarkable skills led to a nomination for Instrumentalist of the Year at the 2019 Telecel Ghana Music Awards.

    Hailing from Mankessim in Ghana’s Central Region, Unda Beatz completed his education at Mando Senior High School.

    His significant contributions to music will be cherished as an important part of Ghana’s entertainment history.

  • 1,000 bottles of baby oil in Diddy’s house may have been exaggerated – Lawyer

    1,000 bottles of baby oil in Diddy’s house may have been exaggerated – Lawyer

    Sean “Diddy” Combs’ attorney has clarified the rapper’s supposed possession of 1,000 bottles of baby oil, suggesting that the hip-hop mogul tends to purchase items in bulk.

    These comments follow federal prosecutors’ assertions that Homeland Security discovered the large quantity during a raid on Diddy’s properties as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation.

    In an interview with TMZ, Diddy’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, expressed doubts about the reported number of bottles.

    “I don’t know where the number ‘1,000’ came from. I can’t imagine it’s thousands,” Agnifilo said, adding that the quantity may have been exaggerated. “One bottle of baby oil goes a long way,” he noted, questioning the need for such a large supply.

    Agnifilo also proposed that Diddy, who has several properties, may just be buying items in bulk.

    “He has a big house. He buys in bulk. I think they have Costcos in every place where he has a home,” he stated, making light of the situation by referencing the bulk-buying habits commonly associated with large retail stores.

    The baby oil was reportedly discovered alongside other items during a raid connected to allegations that Diddy hosted “freak off” sex parties involving coerced sexual performances, claims that the 54-year-old mogul has denied. Agnifilo insisted that any activities involving Diddy were consensual, adding, “These are consensual adults doing what consensual adults do.”

    Diddy was taken into custody on September 16 in New York and subsequently charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for the purpose of prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and is currently being held as he awaits trial.

  • Water supply disruptions in various parts of Accra due to faulty pumps – GWCL

    Water supply disruptions in various parts of Accra due to faulty pumps – GWCL

    Chief Productions Manager of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Mr. Charles Tulasi, has admitted the growing difficulties many Accra residents are experiencing with water supply, attributing the shortages to malfunctioning pumps at several critical stations.

    He reassured the public that new water plants have been acquired and are scheduled to become operational by the end of October.

    Mr. Tulasi also highlighted the significance of prompt water bill payments, stressing that these funds are essential for maintaining and improving the company’s infrastructure, which is key to delivering a steady and dependable water supply for all.

    “We understand the frustration of our customers, and we want to assure them that relief is on the way. The faulty pumps will be replaced with new ones, which we expect to improve water supply significantly,” Mr Tulasi stated.

    Residents in various areas of Accra have been grappling with severe water shortages, a problem that has worsened in recent months.

    The unreliable water supply has led many households to rely on expensive private water vendors to fulfill their needs.

    Areas such as Dansoman, Achimota, and surrounding communities have been experiencing irregular water supply, with some residents receiving water just once a week.

    In certain parts of Dansoman, the shortage has persisted for over six months, compelling residents to rely on expensive tanker operators for water.

    Frustrated locals have shared that they are paying between 50 and 70 cedis per tank from private vendors, significantly straining their household budgets.

    For many, these rising costs are becoming unsustainable, yet they feel they have little choice as their taps remain dry.

    One resident from Achimota expressed her distress, stating, “We’ve been without regular water for months. We only get supply once a week, and that’s not enough. We have no choice but to buy from the water tankers, but it’s expensive. This can’t go on.”

  • End prosecution, release protestors in custody – Opoku-Agyemang to Ghana Police

    End prosecution, release protestors in custody – Opoku-Agyemang to Ghana Police

    National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Presidential Candidate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has raised concerns over reports of excessive force used against Democracy Hub protesters during their three-day demonstration in Accra.

    In a statement released by Mr. James Agyenim-Boateng, spokesperson for the NDC’s Running Mate, and shared with the Ghana News Agency, it was noted that the incidents of manhandling, arrests, starvation, and denial of access to family and legal representation by the police, along with the remand of protesters, including a pregnant woman, were deeply troubling.

    The statement criticized the authorities’ harsh response, questioning the government’s seriousness in tackling illegal mining and its devastating impact on Ghana’s water bodies, forests, and farmlands.

    It further highlighted that Prof. Opoku-Agyemang expected the government to shift its focus from suppressing protesters to addressing illegal mining and its detrimental effects on water sources, public health, and cocoa farms, which could jeopardize food security.

    The statement underscored the irony of illegal miners enjoying freedom and profit while those protesting the environmental damage caused by their activities face repression. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang urged the government to uphold the right of Ghanaians to protest, emphasizing that it is a fundamental human right.

    The statement said the “feudal, authoritarian, and early century reactions by the Government to a peaceful protest,” had no place in a 21st century democracy, and called for an immediate end to the persecution of the protesters and unconditionally release those in custody.

    The statement said the Government should be taking a cue from the NDC’s pledge to professionally train illegal miners and give them expert mining advisory services, including attaching mining engineers to their operations, to ensure responsible mining without adverse impact on water bodies, forest reserve and the environment.

  • Let us embrace reforms to improve ECG, not board dissolution – Afenyo-Markin

    Let us embrace reforms to improve ECG, not board dissolution – Afenyo-Markin

    The Board Chairman of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has rejected the recent demands for the board’s dissolution, calling them unwarranted and misguided.

    The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), which has been at the forefront of these calls, cites claims of mismanagement and growing financial losses within the company which has increased from GH¢295 million in 2017 to GH¢9.7 billion by 2022.

    In response to these calls during the appointment of David Asamoah as the acting Managing Director, ECG Board Chairman Alexander Afenyo-Markin emphasized that what is necessary for the efficient operation of the company is stakeholder engagement, rather than board dismissal.

    “I think that is a misplaced position. However, I accept the fact that we must place our shoulders to the wheel for reforms. I mean, from outside and coming in. I think that ECG can be very efficient if we subject ourselves to reforms. And reform would involve engaging all stakeholders internally and communicating these to the external stakeholders.

    “So it is an all-inclusive matter and I don’t want this blame game approach that we are blaming the public and the public is also blaming us,” the board chair indicated.

    News came in during the late hours of September 25, 2024 that the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Dubik Mahama, resigned from his position.

    The now former ECG boss is said to have resigned in a letter to the Board Chairman of the Electricity Company of Ghana, providing no official reason for the resignation.

    There had not been any prior information to his resignation as people close to the matter have been tight-lipped about it.

    This has come as a surprise to many as Mahama has only been in office for the past two years.

  • Even NPP’s Owusu-Bempah has acknowledged Mahama’s Victory -Sammy Gyamfi

    Even NPP’s Owusu-Bempah has acknowledged Mahama’s Victory -Sammy Gyamfi

    The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has stated that all predictions, polls conducted and the sentiments of the people has already proven that Mahama is winning election 2024

    “Everything shows that John Mahama is winning and winning big. The polls say so, the prophets have said so, and the people have said so.

    “We have three factors that mostly decide who will win the elections: the polls, the prophets, and the people,” he said.

    During a sermon on Sunday, Reverend Isaac Owusu-Bempah, founder and leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministry International, expressed concern over what he described as attacks from certain New Patriotic Party (NPP) members, warning that these actions would harm the party.

    Using a veiled biblical analogy, he hinted at the likely winner of the upcoming election.

    Responding to this message in a September 25, 2024, interview on Asempa FM, Sammy Gyamfi interpreted Owusu-Bempah’s illustration as signaling a victory for John Dramani Mahama.4o

    “Let me tell you something, NPP’s biggest prophet who anointed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said John Mahama will be the one to win.

    “…didn’t you listen to his preaching on Sunday? He did a clear scenario about David’s vacant kingship position. After the scenario, he said Solomon would be the king and said Solomon was the NDC, so he should have mentioned in clear terms that the NDC had won. This is a man that Bawumia has even gone to his church to receive prayers.

    “A big prophet like this who has helped NPP physically and spiritually. They had gone to beg him, and even after the apology, still, the NPP’s cup is full,” he added.

  • Ghana’s national debt hits GHS761.2bn

    Ghana’s national debt hits GHS761.2bn

    As of July 2024, Ghana’s debt stock has soared to GH₵761.2 billion, accounting for 75.7 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

    In comparison, the debt stock at the same time last year was GH₵587.7 billion, which represented 70.3 percent of GDP.

    This information was revealed in the latest Summary of Economic and Financial Data published by the Bank of Ghana in September 2024.

    The report indicated that the external portion of the debt increased to US$31.6 billion, up from US$30 billion during the same period last year, making up 46.1 percent of GDP.

    Meanwhile, the domestic debt stood at GH₵290.9 billion, which is 28.5 percent of GDP.

    When divided by the current population, each Ghanaian is estimated to owe approximately GH₵22,076 as of the end of July 2024.

    Ghana under IMF support

    Ghana is presently engaged in an International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, aiming for a US$3 billion bailout to support its economic recovery efforts.

    Following a positive assessment of the country’s progress, Ghana received a third tranche of US$360 million on Monday, July 1, 2024.

    The IMF has noted that Ghana’s overall performance under the program has been largely strong.

    Third review underway

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has begun its third review of Ghana’s progress under the program, which is necessary for the release of the next tranche of funding.

    Dr. Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, earlier urged government officials to focus on meeting the criteria outlined for the review.

    He warned that any delays in achieving the set benchmarks could undermine progress and negatively impact the third review, which is particularly important as the year draws to a close.

    Dr. Addison issued this reminder during a joint press conference with the Ministry of Finance and the IMF on July 2, 2024.

  • TOR guarantees swift resolution for LPG shortage affecting some regions

    TOR guarantees swift resolution for LPG shortage affecting some regions

    Certain regions in the country are experiencing a shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

    On Thursday, September 26, 2024, Joy Business reported seeing lengthy queues at various LPG stations across the Greater Accra region.

    The LPG Marketers Association of Ghana has cautioned that the situation may worsen if there isn’t a prompt improvement in supplies from the Bulk Oil Distributors.

    “If this problem is not resolved today, then it means going into the weekend, we are likely to have a serious shortage issues. About 60 to 70 percent of us have run out of LPG”, Vice President of the association, Gabriel Kumi told Joy Business.  

    He revealed that the limited LPG stations are already feeling the strain because of the current situation.

    “This is putting a lot of pressure on the 40 to 30 percent that have the product. If we don’t get the supplies from the BDCs, then by close of tomorrow Friday, September 27, the whole system will be dried up”, he cautioned again.

    The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has confirmed that the problems have been addressed.

    TOR stated that the difficulties arose from initial issues with the Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs).

    A representative from TOR informed Joy Business, “WWe expect supplies to improve very soon for the situation to be normalize” a source at TOR told the media.”

  • Regional Airlines, including ASKY, Air Peace, set for relocation to T2 at KIA

    Regional Airlines, including ASKY, Air Peace, set for relocation to T2 at KIA

    The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has revealed plans to move all regional airlines from Terminal 3 (T3) to Terminal 2 (T2) at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

    This decision aims to “decongest” Terminal 3 and bring new life to Terminal 2.

    The airlines affected by this move include Air Cote D’Ivoire, ASKY Airlines, Ibom Air, Air Peace, and Africa World Airlines (AWA), which currently operate regional routes.

    GACL has set December 1, 2024, as the target date for this relocation. However, the airlines raised concerns regarding the short timeline and questioned whether the facilities at Terminal 2 would meet the standards expected by passengers, who pay a substantial Airport Passenger Service Charge, similar to their counterparts on both African and non-African airlines.

    To illustrate, passengers flying round-trip from Accra to Lagos on airlines like AWA, ASKY, Air Cote D’Ivoire, or Air Peace are charged GHC 948 for the services and use of facilities at KIA under the Airport Passenger Service Charge.

    According to sources from AviationGhana.com, while discussions between the airlines and the GACL were productive, no final decision was reached. The airlines have requested a “detailed operational plan” for the relocation before committing to the move.

    Relocation to Save ‘Ghost’ Terminal

    Upon entering the departure hall of Terminal 2 at Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport, one is immediately struck by the vast, underutilized spaces, now reserved primarily for domestic flights.

    This terminal, once the hub for international travel until October 8, 2018, remains largely underused. Airport officials are hoping to maximize its potential through the gradual growth of domestic passenger traffic.

    In 2023, the two leading domestic carriers—Africa World Airlines and PassionAir—handled 17,786 passengers at Terminal 2 on routes to and from Kumasi, Tamale, Wa, Sunyani, and Takoradi.

    Background

    Domestic flight operations at Accra’s Kotoka International Airport (KIA) were officially relocated from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, previously designated for international flights, on Monday, October 8, 2018.

    This change came after all international flights successfully transitioned from Terminal 2 to the newly built Terminal 3 at KIA.

    As a result, passengers flying between Accra and regional capitals with operational airports—such as Takoradi, Kumasi, Tamale, Sunyani, and Wa—were now required to complete their departure procedures and board at Terminal 2.

  • We will not entrust our election concerns to any court – NDC

    We will not entrust our election concerns to any court – NDC

    The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Kwetey, has stated that the party does not plan to pursue legal action if the Electoral Commission (EC) does not fulfill their requests.

    Mr Kwetey emphasized that the NDC will take appropriate measures if their demands are not addressed by the EC before the deadline they have set.

    “So, please don’t just ask what the NDC is suppose to do. That is why a gentleman mentioned that NPP did something tremendous. So, I was like it is good, tell us what they did. He said they went to court, really? Really went to court? We are not leaving this election to any court,” he said.

    He made this statement during the party’s meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s) recently.

    Fifi Kwetey added that he prays the EC agrees to the independent forensic audit demand to avoid the next action from the NDC.

    “We are hoping that it does not come to some of the things that we got to do if we ought to do it for the sake of our own country. That is why your voices are critical. That is where the voices of all who love the country become critical,” he added.

    Background

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on September 17, 2024, issued a one-week ultimatum to the Electoral Commission (EC) to take an action on their petition concerning a call for a forensic audit of the voters register.

    Watch video of his statement below

  • I will accept results if Mahama wins 2024 election with ‘flawed’ voters register – Sammy Gyamfi

    I will accept results if Mahama wins 2024 election with ‘flawed’ voters register – Sammy Gyamfi

    National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has declared that he will accept the election results if John Mahama wins the presidential election on December 7, even with the voters’ register that the party considers flawed.

    This statement comes in light of the party’s demand for a forensic audit of the voters’ register, which they believe undermines the integrity of the electoral process.

    As the NDC prepares for the upcoming elections, concerns about the credibility of the voters’ register have become a focal point. Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the party’s Director of Elections and IT, voiced his worries in a Facebook post, describing the current register as “unfit for purpose.”

    He has called for a forensic audit or a thorough parliamentary investigation to rectify what he characterizes as “incurably defective” anomalies within the register.

    Dr. Boamah highlighted that the NDC’s careful examination during the exhibition exercise uncovered numerous issues with the voters’ register. He warned that if these concerns are not addressed, the credibility of the 2024 elections could be significantly jeopardized.

    “The register compiled by the EC is unfit for purpose. Without a forensic audit or thorough parliamentary investigation of the EC’s voter register, the register will remain incurably defective,” he stated.

    “Forget about adjudication! It’s obvious the register has deliberately been tampered with!”

    On September 23, 2024, the NDC met with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), labor unions, and religious leaders to push for a forensic audit of Ghana’s voter register after presenting its case on the need for the forensic audit of the voter register and the EC’s IT system.

    Following the NDC’s persistent demands, the party’s National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, in an interview on Asempa FM, was asked the following questions:

    “After this advocacy and what you are requesting is turned down by the EC, and we go into the elections with this, in your own words, ‘flawed’ voter register and John Mahama wins the elections, would you reject the results?”

    Sammy Gyamfi responded, “Why will I reject the results?” Then the host retorted, “Based on the flawed voter register, as you said.”

    Sammy Gyamfi responded: “What are you talking about?” he asked, and the host chipped in, “Are you not the one who claimed the voter register is flawed?”

    Then Sammy Gyamfi replied, “Master, what you are saying is neither here nor there.”

    The host asked again, “You said the voter register is flawed, and I am asking you if the corrections are not made and we vote with this register and Mahama wins, are you rejecting the results?”

    Sammy Gyamfi responded, “I will not reject the results, but I will not be happy with the elections.”

  • BoG implements new approach for calculating FX Market Reference Rate

    BoG implements new approach for calculating FX Market Reference Rate

    The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has implemented a revised approach for calculating its Foreign Exchange (FX) Market Reference Rate (MRR) in accordance with global best practices.

    This change aims to provide a more accurate reflection of current market trends.

    “The new methodology seeks to broaden the data coverage and reflect daily transactions executed between commercial banks and their clients”, a statement from the BoG said.

    The statement clarified that this modification marks the initial phase of the Bank of Ghana’s long-term plan to align its MRR methodology with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles of Financial Benchmarks. It also noted that the daily reference rate published on the Bank of Ghana’s website will be derived from data provided by all banks.

    “Each working day, all banks submit data on all spot US$/GH¢ transactions concluded on the reporting day before 3.30 pm. The data will cover all spot transactions on the interbank markets as well as transactions with their clients that have nominal values of US$10,000 or more, mutually reflective of prevailing market conditions”.

    “The data submitted is used to compute the weighted median exchange rate. The weighted median exchange rate will be published on the Bank of Ghana website, as the closing rate for the day’s transactions”, the statement concluded.

  • Government’s $1bn debt puts GNPC’s financial stability at risk – PIAC

    Government’s $1bn debt puts GNPC’s financial stability at risk – PIAC

    The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) has expressed worries about the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation’s (GNPC) financial sustainability if it loses cash allocations from the Petroleum Holding Fund by 2026, as stipulated by the Petroleum Revenue Management Act.

    PIAC claims that GNPC is facing significant challenges, with the government and its agencies owing the corporation nearly $1 billion.

    During a discussion on the ‘Highlights of PIAC Issue Paper II’ on Time with PIAC, Technical Manager Mark Agyemang emphasized that these financial pressures are creating serious difficulties for GNPC.

    “The government is responsible for the development of the country. These state-owned enterprises can come in through corporate social responsibility or investment, as you may want to call it. We have instances, which we have documented extensively, where the government will ask GNPC to pre-finance or give guaranties or give loans to other state-owned enterprises.

    “We have the case of VRA, we have the Karpowership, we have ECG, we have the western corridor road enclaves, and we have the Tema Oil Refinery, where currently, as we speak, GNPC is owed almost to the tune of a billion dollars. And the state is supposed to pay them but it is the same state that is funding them. You see the dichotomy here. It is an issue and that actually causes financial headaches to the corporation.”

    Mr Mark Agyemang is therefore calling for a reassessment of P.N.D.C.L 64, the legislation that created GNPC, to enable the national oil company to achieve greater financial autonomy.

    “If the governance structure of GNPC is diversified enough where all appointees are not from the government, we will have independent bodies also making appointments to the governance board of GNPC, they can be in the position to say no to some of these government demands.”

  • EPA calls for collaboration to combat air pollution in Greater Accra

    EPA calls for collaboration to combat air pollution in Greater Accra

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has called for a collaborative effort to curb rising air pollution and protect public health in the Greater Accra Region.

    According to the Director of the Environmental Quality Unit at the EPA, Ms. Selina Amoah, air pollution continues to contribute to health challenges in the country, making urgent intervention necessary.

    “Collaboration is essential to manage air quality effectively and achieve the desired outcomes,” she said at a workshop organized for some Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Accra on September 25, 2024.

    Ms. Amoah pointed out that pollution sources are diverse and come from different sectors, but emphasized that measures must be implemented to manage and improve air quality.

    The workshop, featuring Ms. Amoah, was organized by PSS Urbania Consult Limited, an environmental and research firm engaged by the Clean Air Fund (CAF) in Ghana, under the Breathe Accra initiative. This initiative aims to support 15 MMDAs in Accra to develop Air Quality Action Plans (AQAPs).

    The Breathe Accra initiative is a project designed to equip communities in the Greater Accra Region with the tools to tackle air pollution and reduce climate emissions.

    According to Ms. Amoah, air quality management efforts would help the MMDAs raise awareness, deepen knowledge, and improve understanding of air quality issues among decision-makers, stakeholders, and the public in Accra.

    She also warned the public against practices such as open burning, labeling it illegal and a contributing factor to the worsening air pollution problem.

    “Many people, in one way or another, contribute to this menace. We all need to be responsible enough to make sure we are contributing to solutions to curb this issue, rather than making the situation more unbearable,” she added.

    Another representative of PSS Urbania Consult Limited, Dr. Fred Out-Larbi, highlighted that Ghana faces significant air quality challenges, exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) interim targets.

    The WHO Air Quality Guidelines provide recommended levels and interim targets for common air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2), which are crucial for Ghana as the country grapples with rising pollution levels, particularly in urban areas like Accra.

    The Clean Air Fund’s mission is to support the government’s objective to improve air quality in Ghana and meet WHO guidelines by 2040.

    Touching on the main goals of the Greater Accra Air Quality Management Plan, Dr. Out-Larbi mentioned that it aims to ensure collaborative governance to promote the effective implementation of the plans, which include conducting a preliminary scan of generic air pollution hotspots in the respective assemblies.

  • GRIDCo silent on load shedding amid energy sector crises – Minority alleges

    GRIDCo silent on load shedding amid energy sector crises – Minority alleges

    The Minority in Parliament has expressed worries about the return of load shedding, commonly referred to as ‘dumsor,’ attributing it to questionable contracts signed by the government via the Ghana Gas Company.

    The caucus claims that the Ghana Gas Company is under pressure from the Presidency to finalize an $800 million agreement with the Phoenix Park Gas Processors Consortium under suspicious conditions, all without parliamentary consent.

    They reported a power shortfall of over 500 megawatts on Tuesday, September 24, which has adversely affected customers.

    John Jinapor, the Ranking Member on the Energy Committee of Parliament, voiced these concerns during a discussion with reporters.

    “Because of such dubious contracts, as we speak, there is load shedding ongoing. GRIDCo has been cautioned not to inform customers. On [September 24], there was a deficit of more than 500 megawatts. On [September 25], they are going to shed a load and customers in Ghana will be affected.

    “Tullow Ghana has not been paid even $1 for the past nine months for gas supplied to Ghana Gas and Tullow is threatening to curtail supply of gas.

    “The IPPs have just dispatched a letter to the Minister of Finance intending to halt the supply of power for debt and liabilities hovering around $1.2 billion. Sadly, the energy sector is collapsing.”

  • I will consider myself greedy if I support NPP – Christian Awuni

    I will consider myself greedy if I support NPP – Christian Awuni

    Renowned Ghanaian actress Christiana Awuni has denied allegations that she was paid by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to endorse their campaign.

    In an interview with Zionfelix, Awuni made it clear that her backing of the NDC is based on her principles, not financial gain.

    “People say I have taken money to campaign for the NDC, but that’s not true,” she clarified.

    She remarked that if her motivation were financial, she would have aligned with the New Patriotic Party (NPP), as they currently manage the country’s resources.

    “If I am greedy and want to enjoy politics money, I would rather opt for NPP because they are the ones handling the state’s money currently. But because I’m not greedy, I will not campaign for NPP like some of my colleagues” she explained.

    Miss Awuni proceeded to detail her reasons for supporting the NDC and its presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama.

    She emphasized Mahama’s commitments, which include revitalizing abandoned projects, reopening banks to assist traders, enhancing educational facilities, providing free first-year university education, and restoring the Free SHS initiative.

    “We want Mahama to prioritize health, education, and employment. Akufo-Addo’s government is a mess,” she said, criticizing the current administration for issues like polluted water and frequent electricity interruptions.

  • Samuel Dubik Mahama resigns as MD of ECG

    Samuel Dubik Mahama resigns as MD of ECG

    Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Dubik Mahama, has stepped down from his role.

    Mahama reportedly submitted his resignation in a letter to the Board Chairman of ECG, without offering an official explanation for his decision.

    His departure came without prior notice, as those familiar with the situation have remained tight-lipped.

    The resignation has surprised many, given that Mahama had only been in the position for two years.

    Appointed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Mahama assumed office on May 16, 2022.

    He had previously served as a non-executive director at ECG and brought with him extensive experience from both the private and public sectors.

    Mahama’s professional background includes roles as a non-executive director at GIHOC Distilleries, country representative for Gulfsouth Forest Products, and partner at Dubik & Associates and Wilkins Engineering, among others.

    In addition, he is a legal practitioner and an alumnus of the University of Ghana.

  • Yellow Ghana candidate gives EC ultimatum to resolve “wrongful” disqualification from election 2024

    Yellow Ghana candidate gives EC ultimatum to resolve “wrongful” disqualification from election 2024

    Yellow Ghana presidential candidate, Samuel Apeah-Danquah, has called for a swift and amicable resolution with the Electoral Commission (EC) after being disqualified from participating in the upcoming December 7 elections.

    In a letter dated September 20, addressed to EC Chairperson Jean Mensa, Apeah-Danquah’s legal team urged that the issue be resolved “within three days of receipt of the letter, failing which we will explore other legal avenues for redress.”

    The legal team asserts that their client was “wrongfully disqualified and seeks immediate redress to partake in the election.”

    The EC recently disqualified several presidential aspirants, citing their inability to rectify errors on their nomination forms. This announcement was made by Jean Mensa during a press briefing in Accra last Friday.

    According to the EC, all disqualified candidates were given sufficient time to address the issues found in their submissions but failed to meet the required standards.

    Among those disqualified were Bernard Mornah of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Janet Nabla of the People’s National Party (PNP), Nana Stephens Adjepong, Paul Perkoh, James Kwesi Oppong, John Enyonam Kwakwu Kpikpi, Dr. Samuel Sampong Ankrah, and Nii Amu Darko.

    Samuel Apeah-Danquah, along with Desmond Abrefah and Kofi Asamoah Siaw of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), were also among those disqualified.

    The EC stressed that the disqualification process adhered strictly to electoral regulations to ensure transparency and fairness.

    Jean Mensa stated: “Mr. Samuel Apeah-Danquah was presented with a number of issues to resolve, including not filing a tax certificate for his Vice Presidential candidate, missing pages from the form, and incomplete particulars for some of his supporters. Unfortunately, though he was provided the opportunity to correct this, he was unable to do so, and the committee recommended his disqualification.”

    Apeah-Danquah’s legal team, however, refutes this assertion, contending that their client addressed all the concerns and submitted the required documents within the deadline.

    They have outlined a comprehensive sequence of events, backed by evidence, and are currently awaiting an official reply from the EC.

  • #OccupyJulorbi, #FixTheCountry protest primarily driven by NDC’s interests – Kwame Bediako

    #OccupyJulorbi, #FixTheCountry protest primarily driven by NDC’s interests – Kwame Bediako

    Nana Kwame Bediako, also known as Cheddar, an independent presidential candidate, has expressed his view on the Democracy Hub-led protest aimed at ending illegal mining (galamsey).

    In a video posted on his social media on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, the leader of the New Force Movement suggested that the #ReoccupyJulorbiHouse protest, along with others like the #FixTheCountry demonstration, are tactics orchestrated by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    “Well, let me tell you something, all of these protests and demonstrations that have been organized in this country in the past year or two, they are organized by one of the duopolies. It is the same politician, and I said it. I am not going to mention names, but you know that Julorbi and FixTheCountry were fixed by one of the existing parties. We cannot do this to ourselves and destroy this country because of a politician, personal interest, or a party interest.

    “Please, Ghana, do your research. The people in front of all these demonstrations, some of them have treason charges. Ask, find out who is sponsoring them for the mobilization and all the things that happened. This is not about galamsey; this is about political interest,” he stated.

    Cheddar’s remarks follow a previous statement where he criticized the #ReoccupyJulorbi protest, calling it illegal and an improper course of action.

    “Power is taken and not given, and if you want to take power, you should take it with wisdom and knowledge. After all, power comes out of knowledge. I want us to use our knowledge, for violence is not the right way for us to send a message,” he said.

    He appealed to the youth to exercise patience as the country is known for its peace-loving nature. “I am appealing to you as youths of the country to be patient as we approach the election season. Let’s find an amicable way to deal with it.”

    He believes that violence cannot build a country.

    “Instead of trying to mess it up, let’s build it together. That’s what I am here for. Violence, I don’t believe in it. Whatever you guys are doing, protesting and all of this, I can’t support you because that is not the right way.”

    Nana Kwame Bediako has made a passionate call on opinion leaders to ensure peace. “Let’s not make this also full of violence and misunderstanding. Let’s find an amicable way to deal with this. On the 7th of December, we are going to have peaceful elections and the people can decide.”

    The protest, which sought to pressure the government to put an end to illegal mining, was disrupted by police arrests, with the Ghana Police Service citing unlawful actions by the demonstrators.

    More than 40 protesters were detained by the police between Sunday and Monday and have since faced legal proceedings.

    Nonetheless, Cheddar’s opposition to the protest and his labeling of the organizers as NDC puppets has sparked significant criticism across social media platforms.

    See some social media reactions to Cheddar’s statement below:

  • Bawumia lacks capabilities to rule Ghana – GUM flagbearer

    Bawumia lacks capabilities to rule Ghana – GUM flagbearer

    Founder and leader of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM), Christian Kwabena Andrews, widely known as Osofo Kyiri Abosom, has expressed doubts about Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s ability to lead the country as president.

    He argues that Bawumia lacks the depth of thought required for the presidency and is not deserving of the nation’s highest office.

    In an exclusive interview with GHOne TV on September 25, 2024, he pointed out various statements made by Bawumia that, in his view, undermine his suitability for the presidency.

    “As for Bawumia, he does not have the capacity to become the president because he is not a deep thinker. I am telling you the fact.

    “Is it not these economists that are collapsing the country?”

    When he was challenged by the host, he stated, “Will a deep thinker exchange his gold for oil? Will a deep thinker tell people that we are going to give you 32 toilets and an airport?

    “You just need an assemblyman to tell people such things, not the vice president. Going to give mobile phones on credit while people are suffering, what is this? If we don’t eat, do we go to the toilet?”

    He also added that the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, is also not fit to lead his party to the presidency again.

  • Ghana reports GHS5.4b trade surplus in Q2 2024, through gold exports

    Ghana reports GHS5.4b trade surplus in Q2 2024, through gold exports

    In the second quarter (Q2) of 2024, Ghana’s overall trade value reached GH₵123.0 billion, with exports totaling GH₵64.2 billion and imports amounting to GH₵58.8 billion.

    This quarter, the nation reported a trade surplus of GH₵5.4 billion, a significant improvement from the GH₵3.1 billion deficit seen in the same timeframe last year. In terms of US dollars, the total trade value was $9.0 billion.

    During the announcement of the Q2 trade statistics by the Ghana Statistical Service, Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, the Government Statistician, noted that the results reflect a trade surplus largely fueled by a marked increase in gold exports.

    He also pointed out that Asia continued to be Ghana’s primary trading partner, accounting for over 50% of both the country’s imports and exports in Q2 of 2024.

    “China plays a centralized role, contributing more than two-fifths of Asia’s exports to Ghana and about one-fifth of Ghana’s exports to Asia,” he added.

    He noted that from the second quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024, imports from Europe fell by 7.5%, whereas imports from Asia saw a significant rise of 8.5%.

    The Government Statistician pointed out that gold bullion was the leading export for Ghana, valued at GH₵37.0 billion, which constituted 57.6% of all exports.

    Other significant exports included crude petroleum worth GH₵12.6 billion and cashew nuts valued at GH₵1.2 billion.

    He mentioned that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continued to be Ghana’s largest export market, with exports totaling GH₵15.0 billion, accounting for 23.3% of total exports, followed closely by Switzerland at GH₵13.2 billion (20.5%), and South Africa at GH₵8.3 billion (12.9%).

    Prof. Annim indicated that gas oil imports amounted to GH₵7.3 billion, while imports of motor spirit were GH₵7.2 billion, together representing 24.7% of the total import value of GH₵58.8 billion.

    He stated that China was the largest supplier of imports for Ghana, contributing GH₵12.3 billion, which is 20.9% of total imports, followed by the UAE at GH₵9.1 billion (15.4%) and the United Kingdom at GH₵5.2 billion (8.8%).

    The Export and Import Unit Value Indices (UVIs) showed changes in prices for key commodities.

    Export prices experienced a year-on-year surge of 40.5%, primarily due to rising gold prices, while import prices rose by 18.9%.

    He explained that during this period, real trade figures reflected a deficit of GH₵2.1 billion, with exports totaling GH₵22.5 billion and imports reaching GH₵24.6 billion.

    In contrast, the nominal values indicated a different picture, showing nominal exports at GH₵64.2 billion and nominal imports at GH₵58.8 billion, which resulted in a trade surplus.

    This surplus was attributed to the increase in export prices outpacing those of imports, particularly driven by the significant price rises of gold and crude oil.

  • Ghana’s cocoa exports plummet 26.9% in Q2 2024

    Ghana’s cocoa exports plummet 26.9% in Q2 2024

    Ghana’s cocoa bean exports have suffered a notable decrease, with a staggering 26.9% drop recorded in the second quarter of 2024, as reported by the Ghana Statistical Service.

    The value decreased from GH₵1.57 billion in Q2 2023 to GH₵1.15 billion in 2024, marking the fifth consecutive quarterly decline.

    This reduction is part of an ongoing downward trajectory, following a 24.7% fall in Q1 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year. The export value further dropped by 80% between the first and second quarters of 2024, resulting in a GH₵4 billion loss.

    Ghana’s cocoa sector is facing a difficult production season, with output by June 2024 reaching just 429,323 metric tonnes—less than 55% of the usual average. This could lead to the country’s lowest cocoa production in more than 20 years.

    Globally, the cocoa market is contending with a four-year supply deficit due to poor harvests in Ghana and Ivory Coast, pushing prices higher. However, Ghana has not capitalized on the price surge due to widespread smuggling. Frustrated by low domestic prices and delayed payments, many farmers have turned to smuggling operations, leading to a loss of over a third of the 2023/24 cocoa harvest—around 160,000 metric tonnes.

    In response, Ghana’s Cocobod has increased the farm gate price by 45% for the 2024/25 season, raising it from GH₵2,070 to GH₵3,000 per 64-kilogram bag. Previously, Ghana’s prices were GH₵490 lower than those in neighboring Côte d’Ivoire, fueling the smuggling problem.

    With the new adjustment, Ghana now offers GH₵440 more per bag compared to Côte d’Ivoire, though the latter has not yet released its pricing for the 2024/25 season.

  • Ghana’s cedi falls to GHS16.18 per US dollar amid depreciation

    Ghana’s cedi falls to GHS16.18 per US dollar amid depreciation

    Ghana’s cedi continues to face persistent depreciation against major global currencies, including the US dollar.

    After months of pressure, the cedi experienced brief stability in July, amid declining inflationary trends.

    However, as of September 16, 2024, at 10:00 AM, checks by GhanaWeb Business revealed that the cedi is trading at GH¢16.18 to the dollar, while the British pound is valued at GH¢21.62 in several major forex bureaus.

    In addition, the Euro is trading at GH¢18.08 in the retail forex market.

    Bloomberg also reported that the cedi weakened by 0.1%, trading at GH¢15.67 per dollar, a development likely to exacerbate Ghana’s economic challenges, especially with ongoing price adjustments by businesses.

    According to Bloomberg, the cedi has depreciated nearly 1% against the dollar in the past month and has lost about 24% of its value this year.

    In another report, Ghana’s dollar bonds set to mature in 2032 gained 0.2 cents, trading at 52.36 cents on the dollar at 11:38 a.m. on September 11, 2024, in London.

  • Arda Turk seeks court injunction against GRA over alleged illegal auction

    Arda Turk seeks court injunction against GRA over alleged illegal auction

    Arda Turk Ghana Limited has initiated legal action at the Accra High Court, requesting an interlocutory injunction to block the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) from proceeding with what the company describes as an unlawful auction of its assets.

    The dispute centers on unpaid duties totaling over GH¢4 million (GH¢4,084,038.33), for which Arda Turk says it had previously agreed to a payment plan with the GRA. However, the company alleges that the GRA has since disregarded the agreement and is planning to auction the assets to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

    In the suit, Arda Turk argued that under the Customs Act, the GRA does not have the authority to allocate uncleared goods to any beneficiary.

    Additionally, the company contends that the GRA lacks the legal right to handle its assets in a way that conflicts with the company’s interests, particularly when efforts are being made to settle the outstanding duties and taxes through officially approved channels.

    The company accused the GRA of acting in bad faith and warned that, without court intervention, the GRA’s actions would cause irreparable harm to its business.

    Arda Turk is asking the court to stop the GRA, its agents, and officers from dealing with its assets in a manner that violates the company’s rights and ownership until the case is resolved.

    Facts of the case

    In a lawsuit filed on September 10, 2024, Arda Turk Ghana Limited detailed that it had secured a contract from the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) for a water expansion project.

    To fulfill the contract, its parent company, Arda Muthendislik, imported vehicles, machinery, and equipment. The Ministry of Finance granted permission to clear these items under a permit, pending parliamentary approval for exemption from Customs duties and taxes.

    Upon project completion, GWCL handed the assets back to Arda Muthendislik. Following this, Arda Muthendislik established Arda Turk Ghana Limited and sought a customs duties and taxes assessment from the GRA for the assets.

    However, before the company could settle the duties, its local consultant, Jooes Company Limited, sued. In 2019, the court issued an injunction preventing Arda Turk from relocating or disposing of the assets until the case was resolved.

    Disputed payment process

    In 2021, the GRA calculated the duties and taxes owed by Arda Turk, but the company explained that it was unable to make payments due to the existing injunction. After the court lifted the restriction on the assets, Arda Turk notified the GRA, which then issued a final assessment in 2023, totaling over GH¢4 million (GH¢4,084,038.33).

    In November 2023, Arda Turk applied for installment payments, a request that the GRA accepted, provided the company could secure a bank guarantee. Unable to obtain the guarantee, Arda Turk offered an insurance bond as an alternative, which the GRA agreed to.

    On March 15, 2024, after paying the required premium, the company submitted the insurance bond, and following a review by the GRA’s Risk Management Unit, approval was recommended.

    Although the Commissioner-General initially approved the arrangement, the GRA later stated that the agreement hadn’t been reviewed by its legal department. After additional checks, the legal team gave its clearance, and the Commissioner-General reaffirmed approval in August 2024.

    Auction threat

    Despite the approvals, Arda Turk claims the GRA has failed to print the tax bill to facilitate payment. Without any reasonable and tangible explanation the agreement had been terminated, the company alleges that in late August 2024, the Head of the Auction Unit at GRA, Eric Afari, informed them that the agreement had been discontinued and that GRA had seized their assets.

    On September 3 and 4, 2024, Mr. Afari of GRA reportedly led a team of customs officials to take stock of the assets, with plans to allocate them to the Defence Industries Holding Company (DIHOC), a subsidiary of the Ghana Armed Forces.

    Allegations of influence

    Arda Turk has accused DIHOC of leveraging its position as a state entity to pressure the GRA into confiscating its assets and transferring them to DIHOC.

    The company alleges that in 2023, Brigadier General Benjamin Amoah-Boakye, head of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Legal Unit, approached them with a business partnership proposal. After extensive negotiations, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Arda Turk and DIHOC.

    However, Arda Turk contends that DIHOC’s influence over the GRA was an attempt to acquire the assets at no cost. As a result, the company decided to terminate the MoU.

    Subsequently, the Ghana Army allegedly escalated its efforts to take over Arda Turk’s assets using state machinery and the GRA. These actions have led to the lawsuit and the request for an interlocutory injunction against the GRA.

  • Tanzania opposition leaders detained amid crackdown

    Tanzania opposition leaders detained amid crackdown

    Two leaders from Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema, were among 14 members briefly detained on Monday as police moved to prevent a banned demonstration in Dar es Salaam.

    Chadema announced on X that its chairman, Freeman Mbowe, was taken into custody while preparing to “lead a peaceful protest.” Meanwhile, police visited the home of deputy leader Tundu Lissu with a convoy of 11 vehicles, arresting him as well.

    Critics express concerns that these detentions signal a potential return to the oppressive governance reminiscent of former President John Magufuli’s era.

    The demonstrations were organized to protest recent killings and abductions of opposition officials in Tanzania.

    Last week, President Samia Suluhu Hassan cautioned against any demonstrations, emphasizing that her administration would not tolerate actions that threaten law and order. Despite police declaring the protests illegal, the opposition has pledged to go ahead with their plans.

    Mbowe told journalists shortly before his arrest that “we’re paying the full price of democracy… as opposition leaders we have to show the way”.

    Local news outlet The Citizen reported that journalists covering the protest were also taken into custody.

    On Monday morning, police cordoned off the residences of the two Chadema leaders in Dar es Salaam and interrogated individuals about their potential participation in the protest, according to the party’s statement.

    Later that day, Chadema announced that Mbowe and Lissu were released on bail, though the party did not disclose the specific charges that authorities intended to file against them.

    Since Saturday, riot police have been stationed on major roads throughout Dar es Salaam.

    Last year, President Samia lifted restrictions on opposition gatherings and promised to revive competitive politics. However, recent events have led some to believe that the commitment to enhance political freedom may be waning.

    Human rights organizations and critics are apprehensive that the president’s approach is designed to intimidate her political opponents as the country approaches local government elections in November and the general elections in October 2025.

  • Schools in Burundi take measures to curb prevalence of children aged 5 to 19

    Schools in Burundi take measures to curb prevalence of children aged 5 to 19

    As mpox cases rise among young people in Burundi, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) highlights that individuals aged 5 to 19 now represent 33 percent of reported infections.

    This alarming statistic is prompting schools and parents to take proactive measures as the new academic year begins.

    At a school in western Burundi, staff members are implementing protective strategies for both students and themselves.

    The director of ‘Les petits trésors’ stated, “When they line up in front of the flag, they have to keep their distance to avoid touching their friends. And they have to wash their hands.”

    In recent weeks, the country has witnessed a more than 40 percent increase in mpox cases, with hundreds reported since July.

    Similarly, the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo is also experiencing a surge in mpox infections.

    According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), suspected cases in the DRC account for the majority of nearly 30,000 cases recorded across Africa since the start of the year.

    In August, the WHO declared the outbreak in parts of Africa a public health emergency. Outside of Africa, a few cases have been confirmed in countries such as Sweden and Pakistan.

  • American hiker found dead on South Africa’s table mountain after going missing

    American hiker found dead on South Africa’s table mountain after going missing

    20-year-old student from North Carolina, Brook Cheuvront, who went missing while hiking on South Africa’s Table Mountain has been found dead, authorities confirmed.

    The American woman had been in Cape Town for an internship with a local NGO.

    She was reported missing on Saturday after the tracking app she was using during her solo hike stopped updating, and she became unreachable.

    On Sunday, her body was discovered in the Devil’s Peak area, a mountainous region near Table Mountain, according to police reports.

    South African National Parks (SANParks), which oversees Table Mountain, stated that Cheuvront had left her accommodation around noon to begin the hike. Concerned friends alerted police when there were no further updates from her tracking app, and she could not be reached by phone.

    Search teams, including rangers and wilderness crews, initiated a rapid search on Saturday but had to halt operations later that evening. Efforts resumed on Sunday, with a helicopter joining the search and eventually spotting her body on the mountain’s slopes.

    “The circumstances around the hiker’s death are still being investigated,” SANParks said in a statement.

    Police said an autopsy would be conducted to determine the possible cause of death.

    SANParks said an investigation into Cheuvront’s death was ongoing.

    In a Facebook post, Cheuvront’s father said the family was “devastated.”

    “God help me and us,” Steve Cheuvront wrote.

    She was a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, interning with a non-governmental organization (NGO).

    While South African officials have refuted claims of a crime issue in Table Mountain National Park, they advised hikers in a separate statement to refrain from trekking alone.

  • Zambian president suspends 3 judges over alleged misconduct in 2016 election petition

    Zambian president suspends 3 judges over alleged misconduct in 2016 election petition

    Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has suspended three senior judges, citing allegations of judicial misconduct, a move that has sparked accusations of political meddling in the justice system.

    In 2016, the suspended Constitutional Court judges dismissed a petition filed by Hichilema, challenging the election win of former President Edgar Lungu. The judges were also involved in a contentious decision that allowed Lungu to contest the 2021 elections, despite serving as Zambia’s leader twice.

    As the country braces for the 2026 elections, tensions are rising, with expectations that Hichilema and Lungu will face off for a fourth time. The suspended judges were set to preside over a case this week, determining whether Lungu can run in those elections.

    The suspension, which has stirred strong reactions, follows a recommendation from a panel that reviews judicial conduct, according to the presidency.

    The judges, Justice Annie Sitali, Justice Mungeni Mulenga, and Justice Palan Mulonda, have not yet publicly responded. They were the subject of an inquiry by the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC) after lawyer Joseph Busenga, now a diplomat in Belgium, lodged a complaint in 2022, accusing them of improperly handling the 2016 election petition.

    Following a two-year investigation, Hichilema acted on the JCC’s recommendation, suspending the trio on Monday.

    “The suspensions of the three is in exercise of the powers vested in the president,” the presidency statement stated, without giving further details.

    The move sparked sharp criticism, with Lungu’s Patriotic Front (PF) saying the suspension was illegal.

    “I want to say to the Zambian people that the time has come for you to stand up and fight the injustice which is being applied to the judiciary because when we lose the judiciary, we would have lost everything,” Lungu told journalists on Tuesday.

    Critics have accused President Hichilema of interfering with judicial independence.

    The president and his office have yet to address these claims.

    Others, however, argue that the judiciary is already politicized.

    Social and political analyst Laura Miti believes the judges should be dismissed but suggests the president’s actions are at least partly driven by a desire for revenge.

    “My honest view is that the judges harmed the country and now and the president is doing the same,” she wrote on her Facebook page.

    The suspension of the judges comes just 48 hours before the Constitutional Court is scheduled to hear Lungu’s re-opened eligibility case.

    The former president, who has announced his political return, is preparing to challenge Hichilema in next year’s presidential election.

    “It is an extremely dangerous political game that Hichilema is playing over this desire to exclude Lungu,” political analyst Sishuwa Sishuwa posted on X.

    The three judges are set to face a disciplinary process, which will determine whether they are dismissed from their positions or reinstated.

    According to Zambia’s constitution, the president appoints all judges, including the chief justice, based on recommendations from the JCC and with the National Assembly’s approval.

    Critics argue that the president’s role in appointing and removing judges undermines the judiciary’s independence.

  • Burkina Faso Security Minister alleges foreign plot against nation

    Burkina Faso Security Minister alleges foreign plot against nation

    Burkina Faso’s Security Minister Mahamadou Sana has disclosed that individuals residing in Côte d’Ivoire have been implicated in subversive activities aimed at destabilizing Burkina Faso.

    In a televised address on Monday night, the minister specifically accused 14 individuals of conspiring against the state, including junta opponents, the leader of the January 2022 coup, two former ministers, and two journalists. He also mentioned the involvement of unidentified conspirators, believed to be Western intelligence officials.

    According to authorities, a sophisticated three-phased plot was orchestrated by Burkinabé civilians and servicemen living abroad, who allegedly financed and trained armed groups to carry out attacks within Burkina Faso. The minister noted that both economic operators and civil society leaders were involved in these destabilization efforts.

    The proposed plan’s first phase reportedly included a jihadi attack that resulted in the deaths of at least 100 people in central Burkina Faso last month. The subsequent phases aimed at attacks on critical targets, including the presidential palace, a military drone base, and an airport, with the final phase focusing on assaults near the Ivory Coast border.

    However, Minister Sana stated that all phases of the plot have been thwarted. He revealed that several arrests were made in Niger, leading to the dismantling of a significant portion of the conspiracy.

    In response to the threats, the government has initiated a special anti-terrorist operation to neutralize any remaining dangers. The authorities have also issued a warning that such destabilizing activities will not be tolerated, urging the families of the alleged plotters to denounce their actions and distance themselves from any subversive activities.

  • UAE retains status as Ghana’s leading export destination – GSS

    UAE retains status as Ghana’s leading export destination – GSS

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to be Ghana’s leading export destination for the second quarter of 2024, with exports totaling GH₵15.0 billion, according to data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

    This figure accounts for 23.3 percent of Ghana’s total exports.

    Following closely is Switzerland, with exports valued at GH₵13.2 billion, representing 20.5%, while South Africa ranks third, with exports reaching GH₵8.3 billion (12.9%), as indicated by the data.

    A detailed analysis reveals that Ghana’s import market is dominated by gas oil (GH₵7.3 billion) and motor spirit super (GH₵7.2 billion), which together account for 24.7% of the total import value of GH₵58.8 billion.

    China remains the largest supplier of imports to Ghana, contributing GH₵12.3 billion (20.9% of total imports), followed by the UAE with GH₵9.1 billion (15.4%) and the United Kingdom at GH₵5.2 billion (8.8%).

    The Export and Import Unit Value Indices (UVIs) indicate significant price changes in key commodities.

    “Export prices recorded a 40.5 percent year-on-year increase, driven largely by surging gold prices while import prices increased by 18.9 percent”.

  • Trafigura eyes Ghana’s assets in SA over stalled amicable deal in $134m judgement debt

    Trafigura eyes Ghana’s assets in SA over stalled amicable deal in $134m judgement debt

    Oil company Trafigura has appealed to Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, demanding payment of a judgment debt owed by the government.

    The firm has threatened to confiscate Ghanaian assets in South Africa if the debt is not resolved.

    Trafigura has already seized control of Regina House, a prime Ghanaian-owned property in London, after the government defaulted on a $134 million judgment debt.

    This liability originated from the cancellation of a power purchase agreement, which resulted in a legal conflict between Trafigura and the Government of Ghana.

    For the past four years, Trafigura has attempted, without success, to collect payment from the government, leading to a U.S. court ruling that granted the company an extra $111.4 million in unpaid interest.

    In petition, the energy company asked for immediate payment and cautioned that it would pursue additional legal measures to recover the funds if the government does not meet its obligations.

    The petition, submitted to the Finance Ministry on September 23, conveyed the firm’s frustration with the government’s prolonged delay in settling the debt, despite several efforts to negotiate a resolution.

    The debt traces back to January 26, 2021, when a UK tribunal determined that Ghana had violated its contractual obligations by terminating a power purchase agreement with the foreign energy company GPGC in 2018.

    The tribunal awarded GPGC $134 million in compensation, which included interest and arbitration costs. Despite the ruling, Ghana only made partial payments, leaving a significant portion unpaid.

    In January 2024, GPGC took the matter to the U.S. District Court, aiming to recover the remaining balance under the New York Convention.

    Although Ghana was notified of the lawsuit, it missed the response deadline. The court, citing Ghana’s waiver of sovereign immunity and acceptance of international arbitration, ruled in favor of GPGC.

    As a result, post-judgment interest was added to the debt, intensifying Ghana’s financial difficulties in settling the amount owed.

  • Retire now! – Mustapha Abdul-Hamid to Mahama

    Retire now! – Mustapha Abdul-Hamid to Mahama

    Former Minister for Zongo and Inner-Cities Development, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has provided unsolicited advice to former President John Dramani Mahama regarding his intention to run for re-election after completing a presidential term.

    While addressing a gathering of Imams, Zongo Chiefs, and settler communities in Donkro Nkwanta, located in the Nkoranza South Constituency of the Bono East Region, Dr. Abdul-Hamid shared his perspective that if he were in Mr. Mahama’s shoes, he would have chosen to retire by now, recognizing the numerous blessings God has granted him.

    He highlighted that among the 32 million Ghanaians, John Mahama stands out as the only person who has held various significant public positions, including Assemblyman, Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister, Minister, Vice President, and ultimately, President.

     “If the former President were a good Christian, he would have retired by now because the good Lord has been very good to him,” Dr. Abdul-Hamid remarked, suggesting that Mr. Mahama should be grateful for his long service rather than seeking to return as President.

    Dr. Abdul-Hamid also emphasized the exceptional opportunity the 2024 Presidential election offers, noting that it will result in the election of a President from Northern Ghana. He expressed his support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s presidential candidate, contending that Bawumia represents the superior choice since he has the potential to serve two full terms, unlike Mr. Mahama, who is constitutionally restricted to only one additional term.

    He further underscored the significance of public accountability, suggesting that Dr. Bawumia would govern Ghana more effectively due to his motivation to seek re-election, while Mr. Mahama, who cannot run for another term, may lack that drive.

  • Treasury bill yields expected to rise amid easing inflation

    Treasury bill yields expected to rise amid easing inflation

    The increase in treasury bill yields is anticipated to persist, even with inflation declining for the fifth consecutive month.

    Strong demand, coupled with tighter market liquidity, is also hindering a reduction in yields.

    This week, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Ghana will convene to discuss potential adjustments to the benchmark rate.

    Most analysts predict that the policy rate will remain unchanged despite the recent drop in inflation.

    “Despite the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut and disinflation trend, we expect the MPC to uphold a tight monetary stance in line with the IMF (International Monetary Fund) programme parameters, to control inflation expectations amid election-induced spending while adopting a forward guidance approach to tame cedi depreciation pressures”, Databank Research said.

    The yields on the 91, 182, and 364-day treasury bills rose by 9.0 basis points, 2.0 basis points, and 1.0 basis points, respectively, reaching 25.01%, 26.82%, and 28.08% on a week-on-week basis.

    However, the Treasury did not meet its auction target of GH¢5.88 billion, successfully raising only GH¢4.39 billion, leading to a shortfall of GH¢1.49 billion.

    In the meantime, the Treasury intends to raise GH¢7.44 billion through the issuance of 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day bills on Friday, September 27, 2024.

    This issuance aims to cover GH¢2.99 billion in maturing bills.

  • I quit schooling because my mates laughed at my body size –  Adwoa Smart

    I quit schooling because my mates laughed at my body size –  Adwoa Smart

    Well-known Ghanaian actress Adwoa Smart has made a shocking revelation about her past, revealing that persistent teasing and bullying led her to drop out of school.

    In a recent interview, Adwoa Smart, born Belinda Naa Ode Oku, is best known for her performance in the Akan Drama TV series “Obra.”

    She revealed that the relentless ridicule and taunting caused her to lose her passion for education.

    “I stopped going to school because my mates were laughing at me because of my size… It got so bad that I lost interest in going to school so I dropped out”, she said.

    Adwoa Smart’s voice was filled with disgust as she criticized school officials for ignoring her bullying experience at that time.

    “The teachers didn’t help me at all. They were supposed to protect me, but they didn’t.”

    When asked why she didn’t transfer to another school, the ‘Obra’ actress stated, “It was beyond me…I was very young and couldn’t make decisions on my own…If it were to be now I would’ve continued.”

    Despite encountering significant obstacles, Adwoa Smart has overcome her struggles to emerge as a respected personality in Ghana’s entertainment industry.

  • Daddy Lumba to mark 60th birthday with star-studded highlife party on Sep 29

    Daddy Lumba to mark 60th birthday with star-studded highlife party on Sep 29

    Celebrated Ghanaian highlife artist Charles Kojo Fosu, widely recognized as Daddy Lumba, is set to perform for his fans at a special event titled “Daddy Lumba @ 60.”

    This highly anticipated gathering will unite highlife music enthusiasts and Daddy Lumba’s fans for an enjoyable musical experience, taking place at Bay View Village in Atomic Junction, Accra, on September 29, 2024.

    The event aims to honor the highlife music icon who has produced numerous hit songs over the decades in Ghana.

    Presented by DL FM, the celebration will include live performances, heartfelt tributes, and a lively atmosphere that reflects the essence of Daddy Lumba’s remarkable career.

    As the main performer, Daddy Lumba promises to deliver an authentic highlife experience, vowing to provide a memorable evening filled with his beloved songs for Ghanaian music lovers.

    He is expected to thrill fans with some of his popular tunes which include ‘Aben Woha’, ‘Awosuo’, ‘Obi Ate Me So Buo’, ‘Adepa Hye Adepa’, ‘Poison’, ‘Ofie Banbofo’, among others.

    It will also feature some seasoned highlife music stars who will entertain fans with great hits from their various albums.

    Music lovers and fans of Daddy Lumba should expect a fun-packed night at the event which kicks off at 8:pm.

    Music fans who will attend the show will be given the rare opportunity to interact with Daddy Lumba as well as take photographs with him before and after the event.

    As anticipation mounts and excitement builds, all roads lead to Bay View Village for what is sure to be a night to remember.

  • APC will build platform for artistes and producers to mentor upcoming talent – Hassan Ayariga

    APC will build platform for artistes and producers to mentor upcoming talent – Hassan Ayariga

    Presidential candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), Dr. Hassan Ayariga, has pledged in his policy statement for the creative arts that he will establish platforms to nurture emerging artists if he wins the December 7, 2024 election.

    His policy proposals, which focus on artist education, innovation, and investment, highlight his commitment to enhancing the creative arts sector.

    “APC will build platform for artistes and producers to mentor upcoming talent, help them refine their skills and understand the industry and create platforms in each region to mentor upcoming musicians from infancy to adulthood.”

    He continues that they “shall create an online radio platform for the upcoming artiste to sing/rap through the phone and microphone.”

    Dr. Hassan Ayariga asserts that enhancing the music industry in Ghana demands a comprehensive approach that includes artists, industry professionals, the government, and various stakeholders, which is why he has developed these policy ideas for the arts.

    Here are 10 key strategies that the APC government plans to implement to promote the growth and international recognition of Ghana’s music industry:

    (1) APC will build modern studios and infrastructure to support the industry and Invest in Music
    Education and Talent Development.

    A. Music Schools and Workshops

    The APC Government will establish new modern musical schools, workshops, and training programs that focus on the technical, creative, and business aspects of music.

    B. Mentorship Programmes

    APC will build platform for artistes and producers to mentor upcoming talent, help them refine their skills and understand the industry and create platforms in each region to mentor upcoming musicians from infancy to adulthood. We shall create an online radio platform for the upcoming artiste to sing/rap through the phone and microphone.

    (2) APC will Create market opportunities for musicians to Leverage Digital Platforms

    A. Create market opportunities for musicians.

    The APC will encourage and support Ghanaian artistes to take advantage of global streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube to expand their reach beyond the local market.

    B. Social Media platforms for Musicians

    The APC government will introduce social media platforms for musicians to leverage platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter to promote their work and engage with international audiences.

    C. Monetization: Artistes should explore various ways to monetize their content digitally, such as selling music, offering exclusive content, and collaborating with brands.

    (3) Enhance Production Quality

    A. Professional Studios

    Invest in more high-quality recording studios across the country to ensure Ghanaian music
    meets international production standards.

    B. Producer Artiste Collaboration

    The APC government will encourage more collaboration between artistes and top tier producers to ensure music is produced at a competitive quality level.

    C. Technical Expertise

    APC will task the industry to provide training for sound engineers, producers, and music video directors to improve overall production value.

    (4) Strengthen Intellectual Property Rights

    A. Copyright Enforcement

    APC will strengthen copyright laws and enforcement to protect artists’ intellectual property and ensure they are properly compensated for their work.

    B. Awareness Campaigns

    APC government will put up musical training institutions to educate musicians and industry players about the importance of registering their work and the legal means to protect their creations. Provide legal support for licensing, contracts, royalties for the industry.

    (5) Create Platforms for Music Exposure

    A. APC will create platforms for the music industry to explore local and international festivals, organize more local music festivals, concerts, and showcases that give Ghanaian artists a platform to perform and attract international recognition.

    B. Collaborations with International Artistes

    Encourage and facilitate collaborations between Ghanaian artistes and international stars to increase visibility on the global stage. We will encourage local media to prioritize playing and promoting Ghanaian music, including on TV, radio, and online platforms.

    (6) Support from the APC Government and Private Sector

    A. APC will create a music production fund

    The APC government will collaborate with private organizations, investors to provide financial support for artists, music festivals, and industry events.

    B. Export Policies
    We will introduce development apps and policies that will make it easier for Ghanaian musicians to tour and distribute their music internationally.

    C. Public-Private Partnerships

    Foster partnerships between the government and private sector to create infrastructure and
    opportunities for musicians.

    (7) Build a Strong Music Industry Network

    A. Industry Unions and Associations

    The APC will strengthen associations like MUSIGA (Musicians Union of Ghana) to advocate for the interests of artists, address industry challenges, and organize collective bargaining.

    B. Collaboration among Stakeholders

    Encourage collaboration between artists, managers, promoters, producers, and other industry professionals to create a more unified and thriving music ecosystem.

    (8) Promote Ghanaian Music Globally

    A. Cultural Diplomacy

    Use music as a tool for cultural diplomacy by promoting Ghanaian music through embassies, international festivals, and events.

    B. Global Recognition

    Focus on pushing for international awards and recognition, such as the Grammys and other music accolades, to put Ghanaian music on the world map.

    (9) Diversify Music Genres

    While Afrobeat and Highlife are dominant, the APC will encourage Ghanaian artistes to explore other genres like hip-hop, jazz, gospel, and reggae to reach a wider audience. Create platform to exchange knowledge

    (10) Develop the Business Side of Music

    A. Music Management and Marketing

    Train music managers and marketers to help artistes navigate contracts, brand themselves, and effectively market their music.

    B. Music Distribution Networks

    Build stronger distribution networks to ensure Ghanaian music is available both locally and globally, including physical sales and digital downloads.

    C. The APC government shall establish a Music Royalty Collection Agency to ensure fair compensation and collection for artiste. We shall develop a National Music Industry Database to track industry growth and trends.

  • CLOGSAG halts planned nationwide strike today

    CLOGSAG halts planned nationwide strike today

    The Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) has temporarily called off its planned nationwide strike, initially set to commence on September 25, 2024.

    This decision comes after the National Labour Commission (NLC) reached out to invite CLOGSAG executives to a meeting aimed at addressing the issues outlined in their strike notice, dated September 17, 2024.

    In response to this development, CLOGSAG has instructed all regional secretariats to suspend any strike-related actions until further notice.

    Members are encouraged to await further updates, which will be provided after the meeting with the NLC concludes.

    The notice was signed by CLOGSAG’s Executive Secretary, Isaac Bampoe Addo, who urged members to comply and exercise patience.

  • Food and Beverage Association opposes introduction of Excise Tax Stamp machine

    Food and Beverage Association opposes introduction of Excise Tax Stamp machine

    The Food and Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG) is opposing the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) introduction of new machines for applying Excise Tax Stamps to their products.

    In a statement from its Chairman, Reverend John Awuni, FABAG emphasized, “we unequivocally reiterate our rejection of any moves to introduce new machines to replace what we currently use in our facilities for the Excise Tax Stamp System.”

    “Our members are satisfied with the current machines Ghana Revenue Authority has installed in our premises to facilitate their compliance effort,” the Association added in the statement.

    The Association also disclosed that they are against the introduction of these machines, as their members have not yet recouped the expenses incurred in acquiring and installing previously purchased machines to facilitate the tax implementation.

    FBAG was even quick to add that “most of the players even acquired their machines as recent as 2020 and any replacement at this time will mean that the Ghana Revenue Authority is not bothered about the expected financial cost”

    They noted that the “Long-standing working capital inadequacy challenges is going to be compounded by any forced introduction of a new machine for manufacturing firms and businesses”

    “We will interpret any arrangement to replace our current machines as a calculated scheme to exploit the manufacturer rather than making payment of the stamp convenient,” the Association added.

  • Chief, linguist, 2 others face Kumasi High Court over galamsey

    Chief, linguist, 2 others face Kumasi High Court over galamsey

    The Paramount Chief of Twifo Atti-Morkwa in the Central Region, along with his linguist and two others, has been summoned to the Kumasi High Court for allegedly participating in illegal mining activities on a licensed mining concession.

    In a writ filed by officials of Kadesh Mining Enterprise, it is claimed that illegal mining operations have devastated over 85 percent of their 14.73-acre concession in Twifo Atti-Morkwa.

    Kadesh Mining Enterprise was awarded a five-year small-scale mining license on June 11, 2024, after submitting an application for a mining lease in 2023.

    However, before the company could commence commercial operations, the concession was reportedly taken over by the Omanhene of Twifo Atti-Morkwa, Oseadeayo Kwasi Kenin IV, along with Okyeame Yaw Asamoah, Ernest Ahorlu, and their foreign associates, including a Chinese national, Wu Ming Ji.

    Court documents reveal that the paramount chief acknowledged, via electronic communication, his involvement in the illegal mining activities, which have resulted in significant financial losses for Kadesh Mining.

    “The first defendant is the Paramount Chief of Twifo Atti-Morkwa Traditional Area, while the other defendants are his mining partners, who are Ghanaians, except for the third defendant, who is a Chinese national,” reads part of the plaintiff’s claim.

    The Paramount Chief of Twifo Atti-Morkwa in the Central Region, along with his linguist and two others, has been summoned to the Kumasi High Court for their alleged involvement in illegal mining activities on a licensed concession.

    In a writ filed by officials from Kadesh Mining Enterprise, it is claimed that more than 85 percent of their 14.73-acre concession in Twifo Atti-Morkwa has been ravaged by illegal mining operations.

    Kadesh Mining Enterprise was issued a five-year small-scale mining license on June 11, 2024, following its initial application for a mining lease in 2023.

    However, before the company could commence commercial operations, the concession was reportedly seized by the Omanhene of Twifo Atti-Morkwa, Oseadeayo Kwasi Kenin IV, along with Okyeame Yaw Asamoah, Ernest Ahorlu, and their foreign partners, led by a Chinese national named Wu Ming Ji.

    Court documents reveal that the paramount chief acknowledged his involvement in the illegal mining activities via electronic communication, which has led to considerable financial losses for Kadesh Mining.

    “The first defendant is the Paramount Chief of Twifo Atti-Morkwa Traditional Area, while the other defendants are his mining partners, who are Ghanaians, except for the third defendant, who is a Chinese national,” reads part of the plaintiff’s claim.

    Omanhene galamsey www.myjoyonline.com
    85% of the concession is allegedly destroyed

    Kadesh Mining Enterprise is seeking the recovery of GH¢15 million in gold mined by the defendants and an additional GH¢20 million in general damages.

    The writ further states, “A declaration that the defendants, having illegally and unlawfully trespassed onto the Plaintiff’s mining concession without consent or authority under Small Scale Mining License No. LVD/CR/1750/2024 dated June 11, 2024, and having mined approximately 85% of the entire 14.73 acres, caused commercial disadvantage and economic loss to the Plaintiff.”

    When the case was called on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at the Commercial Division of the Kumasi High Court, the paramount chief, Oseadeayo Kwasi Kenin IV, was notably absent. Only Okyeame Yaw Asamoah and Ernest Ahorlu appeared before the court.

    Counsel for the plaintiff, Hansen Kwadwo Koduah, stated that his client had conducted private investigations into the illegal mining operations involving the Omanhene and his partners.

    Oseadeayo Kwasi Kenin IV, the first defendant, has filed a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the Kumasi High Court, arguing that the case should be heard at the Cape Coast High Court since all defendants reside in Twifo Praso. He has requested the court refer the matter to the Chief Justice for consideration.

    Speaking on the case, Counsel for the Plaintiff, Hansen Kwadwo Koduah, described the writ as part of a national fight against illegal mining.

    Omanhene-galamsey www.myjoyonline.com
    Some of the alleged foreign collaborators of the Omanhene

    “That particular land and whatever interest therein had been granted by the Minerals Commission to the plaintiff. It is only my client who has the right to enter the land and mine, not the Omanhene, who claims that because he is the chief of the area, he has the right to mine with or without a license,” Koduah said.

    “His activities on the land constitute illegal mining. In local parlance, it’s called galamsey, and that’s what we are seeking to prevent. This is a national fight.”

    In the meantime, the trial judge, His Lordship Samuel Faraday Johnson, has verbally ordered the Omanhene and his assigns to stay off the disputed land until the final determination of an interlocutory injunction filed by the plaintiff. The case has been adjourned to October 14, 2024.

  • Ghana Police Service is the most lawless institution – Lawyer for arrested protesters

    Ghana Police Service is the most lawless institution – Lawyer for arrested protesters

    A lawyer representing the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protesters Prince Ganaku, has accused the Ghana Police Service of being the most lawless institution in the country, following the arrest of demonstrators advocating for government accountability.

    During an interview on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, the legal practitioner denounced the police for abusing their authority and behaving as if they were above the law.

    “If I should mention the institution that abuses their power in this country, you know who comes to mind? It is the Ghana Police Service. So this is not about enforcing the law because there is nobody more lawless than the Ghana Police Service,” he stated.

    The lawyer also expressed his frustration with the police’s handling of the protest, criticizing how their actions contradicted the very laws they are supposed to uphold.

    “This is not about enforcing the law. It has never been about enforcing the law,” he stated.

    He questioned the police’s decision to obtain an ex parte injunction just two days before the protest, despite being notified several months prior.

    “If they were acting in good faith, they would have gone to court three months ago. What they chose to do was wait, act in bad faith, and go to court two days before the protest to get an ex parte injunction.”

    Mr. Ganaku emphasized the police’s tactics, notably their refusal to grant the protesters access to legal representation.

    “The police take the protesters, drive around with them, win, turn around, and come back. You ask where the protesters are, and they don’t let you see them.

    “Lawyers have gone to the police station to see their clients, and there’s an order from above that nobody should be allowed to see anybody,” he explained, criticising the police for playing a cat-and-mouse game with the legal process.

    Mr Ganaku’s concern extends beyond the actions of the police, as he also pointed to the courts’ complicity in the issue.

    “The courts are, in a sense, complicit in endorsing the tactics of the police. The Supreme Court has already settled the issue of the right to protest, yet we still have the police overreaching and trying to make themselves regulators of a right that’s inherent in all of us, with the tacit and express endorsement of the court.”

    He went on to emphasize that the police and courts were colluding to undermine the rights of the protesters.

    “The police are behaving as though the government has entered into a joint venture with the courts to suppress protests. The people under whose authority this has gotten so bad live in mansions, their kids go to school abroad, and they have double passports. They are the new colonial masters.”

    Mr. Ganaku contends that the protesters’ arrests and the denial of bail are intentional efforts to stifle activism and suppress dissenting voices.

    “You don’t want a system where people internalize their frustration and feel as though the entire government machinery is against them. That is a recipe for disaster,” he warned, citing past instances in Ghana’s history where military interventions were preceded by a “culture of silence.”

    In his concluding statement, the lawyer reaffirmed his dedication to defending the protesters and safeguarding their rights.

    “If I have to, I will apply for a copy of the court proceedings and publish it online. Let everyone see the arguments made by both sides and draw their conclusions,” Ganaku declared, calling for transparency in the legal process.

    As the battle against galamsey persists, Prince Ganaku’s pointed criticism of the police and judiciary highlights crucial issues regarding the balance between upholding order and safeguarding citizens’ fundamental rights.

  • GIFF protests shipping lines over unjustifiable costs harming freight forwarders, importers , others

    GIFF protests shipping lines over unjustifiable costs harming freight forwarders, importers , others

    The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), alongside the Association of Customs House Agents of Ghana, Freight Forwarders Association of Ghana, and Customs Brokers Association of Ghana, in collaboration with various trade groups and manufacturers, are protesting against what they label as exploitative actions by shipping lines operating in the country.

    Also participating are the Ghana Union of Traders Association, EXIM Frozen Foods Association of Ghana, and the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana.

    They are marching through Tema, submitting petitions to the Ministries of Transport, Trade, Finance, and other key bodies, urging immediate regulatory intervention.

    GIFF asserts that these unregulated practices have severely harmed the logistics industry and the broader Ghanaian economy.

    “Shipping lines have operated with impunity for too long, imposing unjustifiable costs that harm freight forwarders, importers, exporters, and ultimately consumers,” said a spokesperson for GIFF.

    The group highlighted that these charges, when combined with delays and inefficiencies, inflate the cost of doing business and contribute to Ghana’s weakened foreign exchange position.

    The protest also seeks to address a practice in which shipping lines, contrary to the Customs Act of 2015, are engaging in customs brokerage, sidelining freight forwarders and monopolizing services in a manner that the association views as anti-competitive.

    Some of the clearing agents told 3news.com that many of their mates have folded up with many more of the getting out of business.

    “The shipping lines now engage our clients behind us making us lose our business”.

    The group has served notice of another massive protest towards the presidency in 14 days if their concerns are not addressed.

  • NDC to focus on bringing back capital market after election success – Adongo 

    NDC to focus on bringing back capital market after election success – Adongo 

    A member of the Economic Sub-Committee for the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) 2024 campaign team, Isaac Adongo, has revealed that a key priority for the next NDC administration will be to realign and revamp Ghana’s financial system.

    He emphasized that the goal is to strengthen Ghana’s capital market, enabling both the government and local businesses to access international borrowing opportunities.

    While the NDC plans to drive a 24-hour economy as part of its efforts to revive the struggling economy, Adongo stressed that restoring Ghana’s credibility on both the domestic and global capital markets is also a top priority for the party.

    Addressing students at Tamale Technical University on Saturday, September 21, 2024, the Bolgatanga Central MP explained that  “even though we are doing all of this using 24-hour economy to make sure that we are able to expand production, some of the measures that we are introducing would be to refocus and reset the financial system. We want to bring back the capital market both domestically and internationally.”

    He explained that the initiative would be imperative in resuscitating the ailing economy “because it becomes a benchmark for Ghanaian businesses that want to borrow abroad.”

    “So, we need to build instruments that will bring back the confidence in the capital market. Now we cannot build the confidence in the capital market if we don’t address the challenges within the global financial system,” he added.

    Ghana has over the past two years been prevented from going onto the international market to raise dollars from investors, due to rising debt levels, slow economic growth and low balance of payment account.

    Government was shut out of that market after; it announced that it is working to restructure debts owed commercial creditors.

    The Eurobond holders also disclosed that, government was undertaking some measures which will protect investors’ funds. It was expected that the conclusion of the debt restructuring was going to restore some market confidence.

    Other financial observers, however, warned that it will not be prudent for government to immediately rush to the capital market to raise funds in dollars considering the country’s debt levels.

    This, they argued, could have a negative impact on the economy since Ghana was forced to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for bailout due to over borrowing.

  • IPPs urge government to address PPA restructuring concerns or risk abandoning process

    IPPs urge government to address PPA restructuring concerns or risk abandoning process

    The Chamber of Independent Power Generators Ghana (IPGGs) have expressed worries about the ongoing delays in securing governmental approvals for the restructuring documents related to the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

    The Chamber warns that its members are close to withdrawing from the PPA restructuring process and reverting to their original PPAs.

    In a statement addressed to the Ministry of Finance and signed by the Chairman of the IPGGs, Togbe Afede XIV, which was received on August 16, 2024, and noted by Joy Business, the Independent Power Generators (IPGs) or Independent Power Producers (IPPs) urgently requested a meeting with Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam to address and resolve these pressing issues.

    “We respectfully, as a matter of urgency, demand an appointment to meet with you to discuss and resolve these critical issues. This meeting must occur at the earliest opportunity next week, as any further delay could be catastrophic for the nation’s power supply stability. We kindly request that you confirm your availability for this meeting at your soonest convenience.”

    It continued “The current situation is extremely disappointing as the IPGs played a major role in working with the government to support its necessary restructuring of the country’s indebtedness in order to qualify for the IMF [International Monetary Fund] loans. Not only did many of the IPGs agree to a haircut on the arrears owed to them at the time; IPGs agreed to defer a significant portion of future payments to enable the government to recover under the IMF programme.”

    “Despite the economic hardship this caused the IPGs, we agreed to this structure to ensure the IPGS would receive consistent payments to cover our operations and debt obligations. We are hardly a year removed from shaking hands with this new arrangement and ECG is already materially in default to the amount of $1.4 billion. As you can imagine, we feel highly betrayed by the situation we find ourselves in today”, it said.

    It concluded “We are in a dire strait as the Government of Ghana and ECG have not fulfilled their end of the bargain. If the current situation continues, the IPGs will be left with no option but to exercise their rights under their respective contracts and to discontinue any unfulfilled negotiations. At this point, we cannot guarantee our cooperation moving forward, nor can we guarantee the continued reliable supply of electricity beyond August 30, 2024.

  • Investors affected by banking sector cleanup to receive account credits by end of September

    Investors affected by banking sector cleanup to receive account credits by end of September

    Investors impacted by the revocation of licenses for fund management companies in November 2019 are expected to see their accounts credited by the end of this month.

    This development follows the government’s recent approval of a GH¢1.5 billion bailout package, facilitated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The funds will be distributed in multiple phases, with GH¢700 million released in August 2024 and subsequent amounts of GH¢400 million each in October and December 2024.

    As reported by Citi Business News, this progress comes after discussions between the lead fund manager, GCB Capital, and investors regarding the implementation plan for the initial tranche of GH¢700 million. The final terms outlined in the agreement are anticipated to be finalized by the end of September.

    During these discussions, significant attention was given to ensuring that affected customers of the failed fund management firms can easily access the funds. Consequently, all investors with outstanding balances will be compensated on a pro-rata basis to provide financial relief after their investments were frozen due to the cleanup effort initiated in November 2019.

    The Securities and Exchange Commission of Ghana previously indicated that investors will receive either GH¢50,000 or 15% of their outstanding balance in this phase. Specifically, those with outstanding amounts of GH¢20,000 and below will receive their full funds by the end of this month (September 2024).

    For customers with balances of GH¢100,000, they will receive GH¢50,000, while those with remaining amounts of GH¢500,000 will get GH¢75,000 as part of the bailout. Customers with larger balances, such as GH¢1 million and GH¢5 million, will receive GH¢150,000 and GH¢750,000, respectively.

  • Serwaa Amihere praised for elegance while eating fufu at funeral

    Serwaa Amihere praised for elegance while eating fufu at funeral

    Media personality Serwaa Amihere has been lauded for her poise and grace after being seen eating fufu at a funeral.

    Over the weekend, Amihere attended a funeral where she took a moment to enjoy some ‘item 13’.

    The GHOne TV presenter was captured savoring her fufu in an elegant and composed manner.

    Take a look at her in the video below…

  • Disqualified presidential candidate questions EC regarding grammatical mistake in disqualification notice

    Disqualified presidential candidate questions EC regarding grammatical mistake in disqualification notice

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has been accused by a disqualified independent presidential candidate for the 2024 elections, Desmond Kwame Abrefah, for unlawfully removing him from the race.

    Mr Abrefah stated that the EC reached out to him after he submitted his nomination forms, requesting that he rectify what they termed as “incomplete forms.” However, he contends that the grounds for his disqualification contradict the EC’s original guidance.

    “I picked and filed my nominations, and the EC called and sent me a letter indicating that certain parts of my forms were incomplete, so I had to complete them.

    “The EC made a mistake in their letter because they used the wrong adjective. They referred to ‘incomplete records of supporters’ on pages 7, 9, 53, and 36, which we corrected. But then, they told the public I was disqualified for providing ‘wrong information.’ How can ‘incomplete’ and ‘wrong information’ have the same meaning?” he questioned in a media interview on September 23, 2024.

    Abrefah argues that the Electoral Commission‘s failure to use the correct terminology in their communications renders his disqualification unlawful, and he suspects a hidden agenda behind it due to the inconsistencies in the EC’s messages.

    He is now urging the EC to promptly review its decision or risk legal action from his lawyers in the coming weeks.

    Additionally, he voiced his frustration at finding out about his disqualification through the media, especially after the election balloting had already occurred.

    Abrefah characterized the treatment he received as both unfair and unjust.

  • High port charges crippling businesses in Ghana – GIFF chairman

    High port charges crippling businesses in Ghana – GIFF chairman

    The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) chairman, Romeo Frimpong, has raised concerns about excessive port charges that are severely impacting businesses in Ghana.

    “Between 2021 and now, I cannot count the number of meetings we’ve held,” he said.

    “Shipping line charges were GHC 5,000 in 2020, but now they’ve skyrocketed to GHC 13,000. I have two containers, and we’re paying GHC 29,000 just for verification to prove I am the rightful owner of the goods after already paying duty.”

    Mr Frimpong cautioned that if the issue remains unresolved, the rising costs will hinder the ability of businesses to succeed.

    “The cost of doing business is becoming unbearable, and it is not making business appealing,” he added.