Dubbed the Small Scale Mining Incubation Programme, this initiative represents a substantial investment that stands to benefit many Ghanaians by leveraging the nation’s mineral resources.
Chief Executive of MIIF, Edward Nana Yaw Koranteng, announced the programme’s upcoming pilot phase during a speech at the University of Mines and Technology’s Distinguished Speaker Series in Tarkwa.
“MIIF is about to pilot what has been described as the most revolutionary financing initiative for small-scale gold mining in Africa. This initiative termed the small-scale mining incubation programme shall provide support for licensed small-scale gold mining companies from $200,000 to $ 5 million per mine”, he disclosed.
The support will include providing working capital and capital for mining machinery, establishing corporate governance structures, implementing a traceability and tracking mechanism for gold production, and creating a market for the gold through the MIIF Gold Trade desk.
The theme of this year’s Distinguished Speaker Series was “Mining as an asset class – the strategies for utilizing the stock market as a catalyst for wealth creation.”
MIIF has allocated $32.9 million towards lithium production, in alignment with the Government of Ghana’s critical minerals policy. Of this, $5 million has been invested in the holding company, Atlantic Lithium, with the remaining $27.9 million invested in local assets of Atlantic Lithium.
Production at the Barari BV for the Ewoyaa project is expected to commence in 2025, along with operations at seven other tenements in the Central region.
The MIIF-UMaT Distinguished Speaker Series is an annual one-day event that facilitates dialogue between industry experts and academia, aimed at enhancing the mining sub-sector.
A final-year student at Esiama Senior High Technical School, Philip Armah Ludtroth, has tragically lost his life while attempting to jump over the school’s fence wall.
Sources close to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) reported that Ludtroth, 19, tried to leap over the wall to buy food outside on Wednesday, March 20, around 1300 hours GMT. Sadly, he landed on his neck, suffering a severe sprain.
When the GNA contacted Wilfred Adodoadji, the Ellembelle District Director of Education, to verify the incident, he explained that the day in question was designated as Heroes Day.
The school had organized a program to honor retirees of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and teachers in the Ellembelle District for their dedication and hard work.
On that day, Ludtroth’s mother had visited the school with provisions for him. However, he attempted to sneak out by jumping over the school’s fence wall, leading to the tragic accident.
“Unfortunately, he landed on his neck and sustained a neck sprain, and was later rushed to the Clinic at Esiama,” Mr Adodoadji said.
After his attempt to jump the school fence, Ludtroth was rushed to St. Martin’s De Porres Hospital at Eikwe, where he was later pronounced dead.
His body has been transferred to the Eikwe Hospital Morgue awaiting an autopsy. The Esiama Divisional Police Command has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
A clash between residents and the military in the Karaga District of the Northern Region, has resulted in the death of an individual, according to sources.
A young girl died from bullet injuries at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where two others with serious injuries are also receiving treatment.
The conflict began with disturbances on Monday morning in Karaga township, where men in military uniforms and vehicles attempted to arrest the Regent of Karaga, Adam Sumani, at the old Karaga Palace.
Residents resisted the arrest, leading to gunshots being fired for about 45 minutes and injuring 12 people. Three of the injured were referred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where one later died.
The military also conducted a house-to-house search, lasting nearly two hours. Tensions in Karaga have been ongoing for two years, stemming from the installation of Abdulai Nantogma as Chief of Karaga by Ya Na Abukari II, which has been resisted by some who support Mahama Sumani as Kar-Naa.
Adam Sumani assumed the role of regent after Mahama Sumani’s death on March 12, 2024, escalating the recent disturbances.
A disturbing video circulating on social media shows a school building, constructed with clay and straw, collapsing on students and teachers.
The location and time of the incident are unknown, but the video suggests that it occurred in an African country.
In the video, cries of distress can be heard as a group of men work tirelessly to rescue children trapped under the debris. One child is seen being pulled out, while efforts continue to locate others.
The user who shared the video, TheNewForceParody, blamed African leaders for the incident, citing a failure to invest in children’s education and inadequate infrastructure as contributing factors.
The incident underscores the urgent need for governments to prioritize education infrastructure and ensure the safety of school buildings to prevent such tragedies in the future.
School collapsed during the class session.
In 2024, Africans are proud to call this a classroom.#Vote for the visionary to transform rural schools into modernized schools pic.twitter.com/t8v04qytZq
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has highlighted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, which has gained prominence since the establishment of the League of Nations to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts.
He commended African parliamentarians for their significant role in providing legislative support for peacekeeping missions to address conflicts and stabilize fragile states in Africa.
He highlighted that parliamentarians play a crucial role in providing legislative support, oversight, and funding for these missions. He also advocated for international support and cooperation to enhance peacekeeping efforts on the continent.
Speaker Bagbin made these remarks at the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), held from March 23-27, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The IPU serves as a platform for parliamentarians worldwide to exchange ideas, collaborate on shared challenges, promote democratic values, address global issues, and advance peace and understanding globally. The Union aims to contribute to building a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous world for all.
He spoke on the theme “Parliamentary Diplomacy: Building Bridges for Peace and Understanding.”
“By affirming our commitment to diplomatic efforts, prioritising peace and cooperation in parliamentary agendas, and calling for collective action towards building bridges and fostering global harmony, we in Africa can contribute to overcoming the challenges confronting parliamentary diplomacy and advancing the interests of our countries and the continent as a whole.”
He emphasized that parliamentary diplomacy plays a crucial and indispensable role in addressing complex global challenges and fostering peace and understanding.
Throughout their discussions, it had become abundantly clear that the involvement of legislative bodies was not just essential but necessary for effective governance on the international stage, from the historical roots of parliamentary engagement in diplomacy to the contemporary challenges facing parliamentarians.
“We cannot overlook the key challenges, such as limited resources and political instability, that must be addressed to enhance the efficacy of parliamentary diplomacy,” Speaker Babgin said.
“One central theme has emerged from our discussion: parliamentary diplomacy is fundamental to building a better world, and there can be no doubt about that.”
He highlighted that by providing platforms for dialogue, collaboration, and conflict resolution, parliamentarians could bridge divides, promote mutual understanding, and advocate peaceful resolutions to conflicts. The democratic legitimacy and grassroots representation inherent in parliamentary diplomacy enrich diplomatic discourse and contribute to more inclusive and effective global governance.
He highlighted that by providing platforms for dialogue, collaboration, and conflict resolution, parliamentarians could bridge divides, promote mutual understanding, and advocate peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
The democratic legitimacy and grassroots representation inherent in parliamentary diplomacy enrich diplomatic discourse and contribute to more inclusive and effective global governance.
He highlighted that by providing platforms for dialogue, collaboration, and conflict resolution, parliamentarians could bridge divides, promote mutual understanding, and advocate peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
The democratic legitimacy and grassroots representation inherent in parliamentary diplomacy enrich diplomatic discourse and contribute to more inclusive and effective global governance.
“As we look toward the future, we must express our deepest gratitude to parliamentarians around the world for their tireless efforts in promoting peace and understanding.”
Speaker Bagbin noted that despite the challenges they faced, there was hope for a future where nations came together in cooperation and solidarity.
“We must reaffirm our commitment to diplomatic engagement, prioritise peacebuilding efforts, and foster collaboration among nations, so we can build a more peaceful and prosperous world for generations to come,” he said.
“For democracy, for everyone, leaving no one behind, we move together to build bridges for peace and understanding. Together we can.”
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has commended African parliamentarians for their significant role in providing legislative support for peacekeeping missions to address conflicts and stabilize fragile states in Africa.
He highlighted that parliamentarians play a crucial role in providing legislative support, oversight, and funding for these missions. He also advocated for international support and cooperation to enhance peacekeeping efforts on the continent.
Speaker Bagbin made these remarks at the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), held from March 23-27, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The IPU serves as a platform for parliamentarians worldwide to exchange ideas, collaborate on shared challenges, promote democratic values, address global issues, and advance peace and understanding globally. The Union aims to contribute to building a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous world for all.
Speaking on the theme “Parliamentary Diplomacy: Building Bridges for Peace and Understanding,” Speaker Bagbin highlighted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, which has gained prominence since the establishment of the League of Nations to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts.
“By affirming our commitment to diplomatic efforts, prioritising peace and cooperation in parliamentary agendas, and calling for collective action towards building bridges and fostering global harmony, we in Africa can contribute to overcoming the challenges confronting parliamentary diplomacy and advancing the interests of our countries and the continent as a whole.”
He emphasized that parliamentary diplomacy plays a crucial and indispensable role in addressing complex global challenges and fostering peace and understanding.
Throughout their discussions, it had become abundantly clear that the involvement of legislative bodies was not just essential but necessary for effective governance on the international stage, from the historical roots of parliamentary engagement in diplomacy to the contemporary challenges facing parliamentarians.
“We cannot overlook the key challenges, such as limited resources and political instability, that must be addressed to enhance the efficacy of parliamentary diplomacy,” Speaker Babgin said.
“One central theme has emerged from our discussion: parliamentary diplomacy is fundamental to building a better world, and there can be no doubt about that.”
He highlighted that by providing platforms for dialogue, collaboration, and conflict resolution, parliamentarians could bridge divides, promote mutual understanding, and advocate peaceful resolutions to conflicts. The democratic legitimacy and grassroots representation inherent in parliamentary diplomacy enrich diplomatic discourse and contribute to more inclusive and effective global governance.
He highlighted that by providing platforms for dialogue, collaboration, and conflict resolution, parliamentarians could bridge divides, promote mutual understanding, and advocate peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
The democratic legitimacy and grassroots representation inherent in parliamentary diplomacy enrich diplomatic discourse and contribute to more inclusive and effective global governance.
He highlighted that by providing platforms for dialogue, collaboration, and conflict resolution, parliamentarians could bridge divides, promote mutual understanding, and advocate peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
The democratic legitimacy and grassroots representation inherent in parliamentary diplomacy enrich diplomatic discourse and contribute to more inclusive and effective global governance.
“As we look toward the future, we must express our deepest gratitude to parliamentarians around the world for their tireless efforts in promoting peace and understanding.”
Speaker Bagbin noted that despite the challenges they faced, there was hope for a future where nations came together in cooperation and solidarity.
“We must reaffirm our commitment to diplomatic engagement, prioritise peacebuilding efforts, and foster collaboration among nations, so we can build a more peaceful and prosperous world for generations to come,” he said.
“For democracy, for everyone, leaving no one behind, we move together to build bridges for peace and understanding. Together we can.”
In the first two months of 2024, Ghana’s Gross International Reserves (GIR) excluding Encumbered Assets and Petroleum Fund increased by 9.99% to $4.02 billion in February 2024, equivalent to 1.8 months of import cover.
Gross international reserves are defined as the US dollar value of holdings of foreign exchange, special drawing rights, reserve position in the IMF, and gold at the end of a given period.
The GIR stood at $3.66 billion in December 2023, representing 1.7 months of import cover. It rose to $4.17 billion in January 2024 but declined slightly to $4.02 billion in February 2024.
The Bank of Ghana’s March 2024 Summary of Economic and Financial Data shows that the country’s reserves have been growing consistently, albeit slightly, since August 2023.
However, the country’s trade surplus was $392.8 million in February 2024, about 0.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), lower than the $862.5 million (1.1% of GDP) recorded during the same period in 2023.
Total exports in February 2024 were estimated at $2.86 billion, while total imports stood at $2.47 billion. Gold remained the dominant export, with an export value of $1.26 billion in February 2024, benefiting from both volume and price increases.
Crude oil exports were the second-highest, bringing in $619.8 million as of February 2024, compared to $551.3 million in February 2023. Cocoa export proceeds in February 2024 stood at $508.4 million, lower than the $711.5 million a year ago, due to lower volumes and prices.
Other exports, including non-traditional exports, marginally decreased to an estimated value of $479.5 million in February 2024, compared to $480.0 million a year ago.
Flamengo and Brazil striker Gabriel Barbosa, also known as ‘Gabigol’, had denied claims of attempted anti-doping fraud.
Presently, Gabigol has been suspended for two years for attempted anti-doping fraud.
Local media reports suggest that the 27-year-old made it difficult to undergo an anti-doping test the day before a game.
The Brazilian Doping Control Authority said: “The aforementioned athlete was judged by the Anti-Doping Sports Court of Justice and, by a majority vote, it was decided that a violation of the anti-doping rule of attempted fraud had occurred.”
But Barbosa, who has represented his country 18 times, denies the allegations.
“I have never attempted to obstruct or defraud any test, and I trust that I will be cleared by the higher court,” he said in a post on X.
“Since the beginning of my career as a footballer, I have always followed the rules of the game and never used banned substances. I have been subjected to dozens of tests, all of which have always been negative.
“I am disappointed with the outcome of the judgement, but I will continue co-operating with the sporting authorities and trust that my innocence will be proven and re-established by the higher court.”
The two-year ban for Gabriel Barbosa starts from the date of the violation, which occurred on 8 April 2023.
The Brazilian Serie A season begins on 14 April and concludes on 8 December, meaning Barbosa will miss the entire season but should be available for the start of the 2025 campaign.
Flamengo expressed surprise at the verdict and stated that they would assist the player with an appeal.
“(The club) will assist the athlete in presenting an appeal to CAS, since it understands that there was no fraud, not even an attempt, to justify the punishment applied,” they said in a statement.
Barbosa signed for Flamengo on a permanent deal in 2020 after a successful loan spell from Inter Milan, where he only played nine times in four years.
The forward scored the winning goal in the 2022 Copa Libertadores final – South America’s version of the Champions League – in a 1-0 win over fellow Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense.
Barbosa made his Brazil debut in a 2-0 friendly win over Panama in May 2016 and has scored five international goals.
Flamengo and Brazil striker Gabriel Barbosa, also known as ‘Gabigol,’ has been suspended for two years for attempted anti-doping fraud.
According to local media reports, the 27-year-old made it difficult to undergo an anti-doping test the day before a game.
The Brazilian Doping Control Authority said: “The aforementioned athlete was judged by the Anti-Doping Sports Court of Justice and, by a majority vote, it was decided that a violation of the anti-doping rule of attempted fraud had occurred.”
“I have never attempted to obstruct or defraud any test, and I trust that I will be cleared by the higher court,” he said in a post on X.
“Since the beginning of my career as a footballer, I have always followed the rules of the game and never used banned substances. I have been subjected to dozens of tests, all of which have always been negative.
“I am disappointed with the outcome of the judgement, but I will continue co-operating with the sporting authorities and trust that my innocence will be proven and re-established by the higher court.”
The two-year ban for Gabriel Barbosa starts from the date of violation, which occurred on 8 April 2023.
The Brazilian Serie A season begins on 14 April and concludes on 8 December, meaning Barbosa will miss the entire season but should be available for the start of the 2025 campaign.
Flamengo expressed surprise at the verdict and stated they would assist the player with an appeal.
“(The club) will assist the athlete in presenting an appeal to CAS, since it understands that there was no fraud, not even an attempt, to justify the punishment applied,” they said in a statement.
Barbosa signed for Flamengo on a permanent deal in 2020 after a successful loan spell from Inter Milan, where he only played nine times in four years.
The forward scored the winning goal in the 2022 Copa Libertadores final – South America’s version of the Champions League – in a 1-0 win over fellow Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense.
Barbosa made his Brazil debut in a 2-0 friendly win over Panama in May 2016 and has scored five international goals.
Spokesperson for the New Force Movement, Shalimar Abbiusi, who was recently repatriated has filed a lawsuit through her lawyers, led by Francis Xavier Sosu, at the international ECOWAS Court on January 23, over human rights violations and injustice.
Among nine reliefs, she is seeking one million dollars in compensation from Ghana for alleged violations of her human rights.
In December last year, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) arrested and charged her for “obtaining for yourself a student permit by false declaration contrary to section 52 (1) (i) of the Immigration Act 2000 {Act 573).”
After the charges against her were dropped, Shalimar Abbiusi was repatriated. Dissatisfied with the circumstances of her arrest, repatriation, and the subsequent criticism of the GIS for human rights abuses by her attorney, Francis-Xavier Sosu, she sued the state, seeking compensation.
“An order directed at the Republic of Ghana to pay compensatory damages of Ghana Cedis equivalent of one million United States dollars (USD 1.000.000.00 to the applicant who is a victim of human rights violations by the Republic of Ghana,” the 30-year-old Belgian stated in her writ filed on January 23, 2024.
“The originating application for the enforcement of the human rights of the applicant pursuant to Articles 9(4) and Protocol A/P.1/07/91 and Suplementary Protocol A/SP.1/01/05 respectively was filed on January 24.
The applicant is seeking the following reliefs:
I. A declaration that every individual within the territorial jurisdiction of the Republic of Ghana is entitled to the internationally recognised human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the Body of Principles for the protection of all persons under any form of detention or imprisonment; and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
II. A declaration that the Republic of Ghana has an obligation to respect, protect and fulfil within the territorial jurisdiction of the Republic of Ghana the internationally recognised human rights of every individual enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the Body of Principles for the protection of all persons under any form of detention or imprisonment and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
III. A declaration that the Republic of Ghana has violated the Applicant’s rights to liberty and security of her person and freedom from unlawful and arbitrary arrest and detention enshrined in Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; Principles 2 and 11 of the Body of Principles for the protection of all persons under any form of detention or imprisonment and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
IV. A declaration that the Republic of Ghana violated the Applicant’s rights to fair hearing and administrative justice, enshrined in Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Articles 5(2); and 14(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and Article 7(1)(a) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
V. A declaration that the Republic of Ghana has violated the Applicant’s rights to equality before the law and freedom from discrimination enshrined in Articles 2 and 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Articles 2; 14(1); and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and Articles 2 and 3 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
VI. A declaration that the Republic of Ghana has violated the Applicant’s rights to freedom of movement enshrined in Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Article 11 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and Article 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
VII. An order directed at the Republic of Ghana to pay compensatory damages of Ghana Cedis equivalent of one million United States dollars (USD 1.000.000.00) to the applicant who is a victim of human rights violations by the Republic of Ghana.
VIII. Costs including legal fees on full indemnity basis.
XI. Any other order(s) or direction(s) as the Court deems appropriate for giving effect to or enabling effect to be given to the declarations made herein.
The government, through the Ministry of Housing, has initiated a resettlement program for communities affected by floods caused by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams along the upper Volta in 2023.
The program aims to provide suitable housing units for people whose homes were destroyed by the floods, rendering them uninhabitable.
Preliminary data indicates that approximately 5,200 households were affected by the floods in 19 districts along the Volta River in the Volta, Eastern, Greater Accra, and Oti Regions. In the Volta Region, communities in the North, Central, and South Tongu, Anloga, Keta, North and South Dayi Districts, as well as Kpando and Ketu South Municipalities, were impacted.
During a stakeholder engagement, the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, revealed that nine sites have been identified in the affected areas and cleared for the construction of housing units.
“We have started the process for resettlement, the sites have been cleared, contractors have come. The [Housing] Minister is here for us to validate the assessment that we have done”, he said.
The Minister-designate for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, headed a delegation to engage stakeholders and inspect construction sites in the Central and North Tong.
He conducted a ceremonial sod-cutting at New Bakpa and Mepe sites, two of the nine earmarked for the housing project in the region. He assured that the units would be ready in six months.
Oppong-Nkrumah clarified that due to government policy decisions guiding the project’s implementation, the housing units would not be identical to what the victims had before the disaster.
“We must also understand that there would be a policy decision around the resettlement because not everybody will get exactly what they had before the disaster, but we have to be able to bring some.
“May I say, uniformity and basic to the intervention that government has provided. That is why we also need the cooperation and collaboration of the potential beneficiaries”, he said.
“We also want to ask the potential beneficiaries that all the data that we need for this exercise must have integrity. Now is not the time for people to play friendly games in an attempt to get more than what ought to be made available to them.
He also mentioned that the National Intelligence Bureau has deployed officers in various districts to work with them to ensure the integrity of the data collected for the resettlement project is maintained.
Mr. Oppong-Nkrumah appealed to traditional authorities to provide land for the construction of housing units to facilitate the successful implementation of the resettlement program.
In a related development, the Manklalo of the Mepe Traditional Area, Torgbe Korsi Nego VI, called for the judicious use of the lands allocated for the housing projects. He also appealed for the reconstruction of roads affected by the floods.
He further urged the government to carry out extensive preventative measures, such as constructing and dredging drains and building defense walls, in the affected areas.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has issued a cautionary advisory to Ghanaian citizens, advising against non-essential travel to countries experiencing conflicts.
Additionally, the Ministry has urged citizens to be vigilant regarding intermediaries who promise enticing opportunities such as employment, residency, and citizenship permits.
This warning comes in light of the ongoing wars and conflicts in various parts of the world. The Ministry emphasized the significant risks associated with such travels, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safety and security for all travelers.
“Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to caution the travelling public to be wary of the activities of middlemen/agents who purport to have the ability to secure citizenship, resident permits and job offers in conflict areas and countries at war as these journeys are perilous and often have dire consequences.
“In light of ongoing conflicts and the risk of conscription in certain countries or regions around the world, travellers are strongly advised to exercise caution and carefully consider their travel plans,” parts of the statement read.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency has noted that sunny weather will dominate the entire country as the day progresses.
Nonetheless, there are chances of localised thunderstorms or rain over parts of the middle and transition sectors.
This morning, variably cloudy conditions are expected over the country, with mist forming over parts of the west coast, forest and hilly grounds early this morning.
Meanwhile, the extreme portions of the northern sector will continue to be slightly hazy for the forecast period.
As the government rolls out the Ghana Smart School Project to distribute 1.3 million tablets to public Senior High School and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students, teacher unions are highlighting the government’s failure to fulfill its promises under the 1 Teacher 1 Laptop project.
During an appearance on JoyNews’ PM Express, President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, Rev. Isaac Owusu, explained that the ongoing strike by public school teachers, which started last Wednesday, is a result of over 100,000 teachers not receiving the laptops they were promised and have been deducted for since 2021.
Rev. Isaac Owusu responded to criticism of the strike by the CEO of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Ben Arthur, stating, “Engineer [Fair Wages CEO] has been attacking us at every opportunity since Wednesday when we declared the strike.”
“When it comes to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the unions have raised five solid issues, and each of the issues is very important and dear to the teacher we’re representing. Regarding the issue concerning the laptop, the contract says that within 12 calendar months; that is from January 2021 to December 2021, the supplier should have finished the distribution and we are in 2024. More than 100,000 teachers have not received the laptop, and what is the engineer talking about?” he fumed.
As of December 2021, the Ghana Education Service (GES) reported that approximately 80% of the 62,000 laptops allocated for teachers in Senior High Schools had been distributed in the first phase of the project.
President Akufo-Addo, speaking at the launch of the Ghana Smart Schools Project aimed at providing smart tablets for SHS students, stated that the Ministry of Education had already distributed 200,000 laptops to teachers in pre-tertiary institutions nationwide.
On March 20, the three major teacher unions – the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Ghana National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT-GH) – declared a strike due to unsatisfactory conditions of service. They cited the government’s failure to renew their collective agreement, which expired in 2023, among other concerns.
Despite efforts to engage the government in negotiations, the unions claimed that the government had not shown willingness to address their grievances, leading them to resort to industrial action.
The CEO of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) criticized the unions for declaring the strike without following due process and for not adhering to an order by the National Labour Commission to call off the strike. He also expressed disappointment that the unions did not attend a meeting called by the FWSC and the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations.
“There are procedures, there are provisions as to what must happen before you can really embark on a strike. You failed to notify the employer, Fair Wages was not in the know, and what was statutory of you to notify the National Labour Commission was also not done, and then all of a sudden we’re ambushed.”
The President of GNAT affirmed to host Evans Mensah that teachers would remain on strike until all their demands are met, regardless of any criticism directed at them. This statement came in response to remarks made by the CEO of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission during the show regarding their ongoing strike.
“The collective agreement, before the 2020 one that we signed, we were having 2009 collective agreement and we used it from 2009 to the year 2020. I want Engineer [FWSC CEO] to understand that, yes, you’re under the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, but you’re not the employer of the teacher. The law says that if we want to embark on industrial action we should notify the employer. Engineer, are you the Director-General for GES? Evans, we wrote two separate letters on the 29th of February and in those letters, the NLC was duly notified.”
“The teachers of today are not the teachers of yesterday. The teachers of today are demanding results from leadership, and that’s what we are doing. We don’t have any ill motives and nobody is behind us,” he noted, in response to Mr Ben Arthur’s query to know what their true motivation for the strike is.
He mentioned that they have a meeting scheduled with the National Labour Commission on Tuesday, March 26, to address the same issues.
A prominent Ghanaian pop culture journalist and TV Host with 3Music TV, Olele Salvador, is being chastised by an X user for his comments over an alleged assault against social media personality Albert Nat Hyde, popularly referred to as Bongo Ideas, by some men said to be policemen.
Albert Nat Hyde has shared chilling details of an alleged abduction and torture he recently endured. Several weeks ago, Bongo Ideas was reported to have been arrested by state security agents. Curiously, both the police and national security agencies later disavowed any knowledge of his detention.
After days of uncertainty, he was eventually released, but not unscathed. During an engagement with DW Africa, the social commentator recounted how he was dragged out of his room by some men, disguised as policemen.
So Bongo Ideas deserves torture and beatings from unknown assailants because he is a cyber bully who harasses people online? That's the punishment for a bully in a democratic country? And people like @OleleSalvador justify this with no shame? Amazing!
The said policemen forced, he said, their way into his room around 3am on 14th March 2024.
This comes after Bongo Ideas made some scathing remarks about the president and his wife , where he described her as a trophy wife during the first lady’s birthday celebration.
According to him, the supposed policemen warned him to never speak about the president after giving him a good beating.
Reacting to this, Olele Salvador described Bongo Ideas as a “cyber bully”. According to him, the narrative where Bongo Ideas is being seen as “a martyr of free speech” is false due to his consistent attacks on individuals.
“That reportage positioned the notorious cyber bully as “a martyr of free speech” to an uninitiated audience when in actual fact he’s not. At best, half truth. This is where others believe if extensive research was done, he wouldn’t have been the ‘best’ example to use in that video. Why weren’t the tweet(s) by the individual captured in the video used in provisional examples about the subject in the intro? Are you suggesting DW didn’t see the tweet(s) from the same individual? & supposing they did, why didn’t they amplify them for better context?” he quizzed.
In response, X user, Abdul Hameed stated that it is unfair for Salvador to justify the attack against Bongo Ideas.
“So Bongo Ideas deserves torture and beatings from unknown assailants because he is a cyber bully who harasses people online? That’s the punishment for a bully in a democratic country? And people like @OleleSalvador justify this with no shame? Amazing!”
But Olele Salvador noted that he has no issue with Bongo but the
Because among other things, the media has an ethical responsibility ensuring that the ‘presentation’ of the news does not mislead the audience about the subject(s); broader implications & the societal impact must be considered. This where I have an issue with DW & not the said individual or what should be allowed in democracy or not.
👨🏾🍳🇬🇭: Justice, for you, I’ll try and explain my ‘logic’ one more time.
Nobody is denying what is allowed under the guise of freedom of speech & democracy. That has never been my argument. In fact I believe in democracy and the rule of law; I’m able to do what I do because of… https://t.co/tLmJ9iXfMF
More than half of Ghana’s 23 banks have successfully met the required capitalization, according to Dr. Ernest Addison, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
He stated that most of the remaining banks have achieved over two-thirds of the required recapitalization within a three-year period.
Dr. Addison announced this during a press briefing, highlighting that despite elevated credit risks, the banking sector has remained stable. He noted improvements in the sector’s liquidity and profitability positions.
Key financial soundness indicators showed mixed trends. The Capital Adequacy Ratio, adjusted for reliefs, was 13.6% in February 2024, exceeding the regulatory minimum of 13.0%, compared to 12.6% in February 2023. Liquidity and profitability ratios also improved from the previous year.
However, the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio increased to 24.6%, attributed to downgrades of several large exposures. Excluding the loss category, NPLs remained in single digits at 9.8%.
The Bank of Ghana anticipates that completing the recapitalization process early will enhance the banking sector’s resilience and enable it to better support the recovery of the real sector.
In a related development, credit to the private sector by banks remained low. Private sector credit growth was 5.1% in February 2024, compared to 29.5% in February 2023.
Conversely, banks’ investments in Government of Ghana and Bank of Ghana instruments increased significantly, reaching GH₵53.6 billion, a 67.6% year-on-year increase, compared to 36.9% for the same period in 2023.
Reports indicate that one of the four individuals hit by comedian Funny Face in Kasoa over the weekend was sent away by two health institutions.
Initially, attempts were made to admit the victim to Ridge Hospital, but due to bed shortages, this was not possible.
Subsequently, the victim was redirected to the Police Hospital, where admission was also unavailable.
The victim is currently receiving treatment at Nyanyano Kakraba Community Hospital. But he is currently in a coma, according to statements from the victim’s brother, Isaac Asare.
Meanwhile, the other three injured individuals have been transferred to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital.
Funny Face, accompanied by his manager and associates from the film industry, is cooperating with investigations at the Kasoa Divisional Police Command.
Eyewitness Açcount of how drunk Funny Face knocked down 5 people with his car at Kasoa, Kakraba Junction#tigpost Rest In Peace Sam George Asenso Boakye UGMC Kasoa Nsawam VGMA mahama Daddy Lumba pic.twitter.com/awc6V37K5b
It is reported that one out of the four knocked down by comedian, Funny Face at Kasoa over the weekend, is currently in a coma.
The news reported by the media has been attributed to the victim’s brother, Isaac Asare. Asare’s brother has been admitted to Nyanyano Kakraba Community Hospital.
Initially, the victim was transferred to Ridge Hospital, but due to bed shortages, he couldn’t be admitted. He was then redirected to the Police Hospital, where admission was also unavailable.
Faced with these challenges, he was finally taken to the community hospital in Kakraba, with hopes for a transfer to a larger medical facility through divine intervention.
The three injured victims have been transferred to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital.
Unfortunately, one victim is in a coma at the Nyanyano Kakraba community hospital, as reported by the victim’s brother, Isaac Asare.
Funny Face, along with his manager and some friends in the film industry, is at the Kasoa Divisional Police Command to assist with investigations.
Eyewitness Açcount of how drunk Funny Face knocked down 5 people with his car at Kasoa, Kakraba Junction#tigpost Rest In Peace Sam George Asenso Boakye UGMC Kasoa Nsawam VGMA mahama Daddy Lumba pic.twitter.com/awc6V37K5b
— The Independent Ghana (TIG) (@tignews_) March 25, 2024
Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has made a statement currently deemed controversial over the recent power supply disruptions across Ghana.
In his message to Ghanaians who have called for a load-shedding timetable due to the erratic power supply, he noted that such people are wishing doom for the country.
According to him, there is no need for a timetable especially when the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has said otherwise.
He thereby noted that those in need of one should create one for themselves.
“Let those who want the timetable bring it. What do you mean? I don’t know of any timetable because the ECG has said it is not necessary. Why would someone just wish evil for the country?” he asked while speaking at the inauguration of the NPP campaign team in the Ashanti Region.
In recent weeks, various areas have experienced interruptions in electricity supply, leading to dissatisfaction among citizens with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
The ECG has refused to describe the power outage as “dumsor”. It has attributed the outage to maintenance issues.
But the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) among other directives, has ordered the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to submit a comprehensive load management timetable by April 2, in response to recent power supply disruptions.
Presently, netizens are reacting to the Energy Minister’s comment. They appear unenthused.
"There's no Dumsor. Those asking for time table should provide one themselves" -[NAPO,Energy Minister]
"The funny thing is you walk around thinking having electricity is a right. It's not a right, it's a previlege"-[Dubik Mahama, ECG Boss]
— Awakened Conscience 💡 (@musqoo_official) March 25, 2024
Energy Minister Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh says those calling for a load-shedding timetable should release one themselves.#NewsCentralpic.twitter.com/tVCM1H6dHj
Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has addressed the recent power supply disruptions across Ghana.
In his message to Ghanaians who have called for a load-shedding timetable due to the erratic power supply, he noted that such people are wishing doom for the country.
According to him, there is no need for a timetable especially when the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has said otherwise.
“Let those who want the timetable bring it. What do you mean? I don’t know of any timetable because the ECG has said it is not necessary. Why would someone just wish evil for the country?” he asked.
In recent weeks, various areas have experienced interruptions in electricity supply, leading to dissatisfaction among citizens with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
The ECG has refused to describe the power outage as “dumsor”. It has attributed the outage to maintenance issues.
But the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) among other directives, has ordered the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to submit a comprehensive load management timetable by April 2, in response to recent power supply disruptions.
Energy Minister Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh says those calling for a load-shedding timetable should release one themselves.#NewsCentralpic.twitter.com/tVCM1H6dHj
On March 24, 2023, Irene Gyamfi, the wife of Ghanaian politician Sammy Gyamfi, celebrated her birthday in style, capturing attention with her stunning outfits designed by talented Ghanaian designers.
For her birthday celebration, Irene dazzled in an elegant corseted kente gown, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ghana. She also wore a beautiful white wedding gown, exuding grace and sophistication.
Irene’s birthday ensemble included a red long-sleeve blazer dress with exquisite details such as four buttons, two square pockets, and buttons on each sleeve, adding a touch of elegance to her look.
Accessorizing with an expensive gold wristwatch and a necklace, Irene flaunted her beautiful wedding ring, accentuating her overall appearance. Her silky lustrous colored hairstyle and flawless makeup complemented her outfit perfectly.
To complete her stunning look, Irene wore expensive Valentino Garavani high heels, adding a touch of glamour and sophistication to her birthday celebration.
Former President of the Ghana Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi, has hinted at the possibility of contesting in the Ejisu by-election on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) ticket.
Although the Electoral Commission has not yet announced a timetable for the by-election, Nyantakyi expressed his readiness to participate.
He acknowledged the constituency’s grieving process following the loss of the late Deputy Finance Minister, Dr John Kumah and believes that his candidacy is feasible.
Mr Nyantakyi subtly revealed his intentions during an interview in Kumasi at the launch of the New Patriotic Party’s Ashanti Regional Campaign team, indicating his willingness to contest once the official timetable is announced.
“The Ejisu by-election will definitely come on, but the timetable has not been published yet so we don’t know those who want to contest. Since I come from there and I have the right to contest, at the right time, we’ll see what will happen.
“But at the moment, we are mourning the demise of a very dear son of the constituency. The Member of Parliament is a big loss to the constituency and let’s see what happens after the one week,” Nyantakyi stated.
He called on the rank and file to give the party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia peace of mind in the selection of a running mate.
“I think it is a prerogative of the flagbearer to select the running mate, so let’s leave it to him. At the right time, he’ll do that.”
He emphasized his connection to the constituency and his eligibility to contest but recognized the current mourning period for the late MP.
▶️Kwesi Nyantakyi eyes Ejisu seat as by-election nears
The Member of Parliament, Francis-Xavier Sosu, is making efforts to ensure he gets in touch with his constituents, those in localised and far-reaching areas to be abreast of their wellbeing.
In a video shared on his X platform, the MP had to jump a gutter with no safe medium of commuting across to engage those who have been marginalised.
According to the MP, it is his aim to “reach the unreachable.”
“We must confront the barriers that obstruct our path—be they social injustices, systemic inequalities, or technological limitations. We must extend our hands to those who have been marginalized, ensuring no one is left behind,” he added.
While some netizens have lauded the MP for making the effort to ensure no one is left behind, others have entreated him to construct a sizeable bridge that would see residents cross the gutter with ease and ensure their safety.
Interest rates continued their downward trend for the 12th consecutive week in 2024, aligning with analysts’ forecasts and the disinflation process.
Results from the treasury bills (T-bills) auction by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) indicated falling interest rates.
The 91-day bill decreased by 50 basis points to 25.99%, while the yield on the 182-day bill dropped to 28.49% from the previous week’s 28.99%.
Similarly, the 364-day bill declined by 50 basis points to 29.09%.
The T-bills auction was oversubscribed by 41.15%, reaching GH¢4.77 billion, but the government accepted GH¢4.75 billion. The 91-day bill was the most popular, with about GH¢2.50 billion tendered and an uptake of about GH¢2.48 billion.
The 182-day bill received bids worth GH¢1.34 billion, all of which were accepted.
Ghanaian presidential hopeful and businessman, Nana Kwame Bediako, known as Freedom Jacob Ceasar or Cheddar, has elaborated on his ambitious plan to connect Kumasi, a landlocked region in Ghana, to the sea.
Bediako previously pledged to dredge a sea to Kumasi to stimulate economic activities in the country, a proposal met with skepticism by many Ghanaians.
During a listening tour at the University of Cape Coast, Cheddar explained his vision, citing his childhood fascination with maps and Africa’s geographical layout. He also highlighted the untapped potential of Ghana’s water bodies, including the Pra and Oti Rivers.
“When I was checking the map of this country, I saw the rivers Pra and Oti. When you’re coming from Kumasi to Cape Coast, the big river is just there. It’s not connected.
“When I started this tour, I went to Techiman, then to Tamale, then to Bolga, then to Bogoso, then to Techiman. So every time I went to the room, I quickly studied the map of that region. Then I found out that there’s a river Tano in Techiman, and it goes all the way to the end of Takoradi, sharing the border with the Ivorian coast. Next to it is the sea,” he explained.
Cheddar said he was going to leverage these rivers for transportation by connecting them to the sea through dredging.
“So what we have to do is just dredge our land, let the sea merge with the water bodies, the river, and the lagoon, and start to use it as a transportation. It’s been there, but we haven’t thought of it.
“You can look at the Manchester canal, all of you can google how they dredged the sea to merge with the river for it to become that,” he said.
The leader of the New Force, Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar, has explained how he will dredge the sea to Kumasi. According to him, he will merge the sea with the River Tano, other rivers, and lagoons and use it for transportation. pic.twitter.com/Q8y5CVFgRr
The proposal, which has sparked debate, aims to transform the economic landscape by positioning Kumasi as a hub for sea transport, potentially creating new trade routes and opportunities.
Cheddar’s plan draws inspiration from global examples like the Manchester Canal, where inland areas have been connected to the sea, suggesting a similar possibility for Ghana.
Former President and flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, is currently lacing his boots for the 2024 elections to claim power from the incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP).
As the two major political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the polls, one issue has been highlighted. The timeframe John Mahama has to govern Ghana should he emerge victorious in the next elections.
His main contender, NPP flagbearer, Vice President Dr Mahamudud Bawumia has noted that Mr Mahama should not be given the nod as he would lack the needed time to transform the country as pledged.
This statement got The Independent Ghana (TIG) to look into Ghana’s constitution and what it says about the number of terms a president can serve.
Per the constitution, a president has at most two terms to serve the country. A term comprises four years.
Article 66 of the 1992 Constitution indicates the following:
(1) A person elected as President shall, subject to clause (3) of this article, hold office for a term of four years beginning from the date on which he is sworn in as President.
(2) A person shall not be elected to hold office as President of Ghana for more than two terms.
(3) The office of President shall become vacant—
(a) on the expiration of the period specified in clause (1) of this article; or
(b) if the incumbent dies or resigns from office or ceases to hold office under article 69 of this Constitution.
(4) The President may, by writing signed by him, and addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, resign from his office as President.(1) A person elected as President shall, subject to clause (3) of this article, hold office for a term of four years beginning from the date on which he is sworn in as President.
(2) A person shall not be elected to hold office as President of Ghana for more than two terms.
The late President Atta-Mills, who won the 2008 elections passed away in July 2012, and as such, his then Vice President, Mahama, became President due to the vacancy left.
He completed Mills’ tenure and in 2013, managed to win the elections to be elected President. He lost the seat to now President Akufo-Addo in the 2016 elections. As such, he governed Ghana for one term, and per the constitution, he is entitled to another as he laces his boots for the 2024 elections.
Should Mahama win the 2024 elections, he would not be able to contest the 2028 elections.
John Tia Akologo was a prominent figure in Ghanaian politics, known for his service as a Member of Parliament for the Talensi Constituency and as Minister for Information under the late President Mills.
He began his political career in 1982 as the Press Secretary for the Upper East Regional Secretariat of Peoples Defence Committees/Workers Defence Committees, established by the Provisional National Defence Council military government.
Tia entered Parliament in 1992, representing the Talensi constituency under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) until 2012, where he made significant contributions.
In 2009, President Mills appointed him as Minister for Information, recognizing his capabilities and dedication to public service.
He later served as Ghana’s Ambassador to Cuba under President John Mahama, showcasing his diplomatic skills on the international stage.
Tia’s commitment to regional cooperation was evident through his membership in the ECOWAS Parliament, where he represented Ghana’s interests and contributed to regional initiatives.
Despite losing his parliamentary seat in 2012, Tia remained influential in Ghanaian politics.
In 2016, he announced his retirement from parliamentary elections, marking the end of an era in his political career.
John Tia Akologo passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at the Upper East Regional Hospital, leaving behind a legacy of service and dedication to Ghanaian politics.
Director of Research and Innovation at Kumasi Technical University (KTU), Prof. Smart Sarpong, has expressed his support for Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, the Chief of Staff, as a strong candidate for the position of running mate.
During an interview on Kessben TV on Thursday, March 21, 2024, Prof. Sarpong compared Osei-Opare’s political prowess to that of the current NDC running mate, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
He highlighted Osei-Opare’s political achievements, such as her grassroots experience as a former MP and her tenure as Chief of Staff, as factors that make her well-suited for higher office.
Prof. Sarpong emphasized Osei-Opare’s rise through the political ranks and her effectiveness in education, noting that her impact is comparable to that of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang.
He contrasted this with Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s lack of political representation at the constituency level, suggesting that Osei-Opare’s grassroots political experience gives her an advantage in connecting with the electorate.
When it comes to discussions on who would better and ideally be the running mate and subsequent Vice President, it is more deserving and favourable for Frema Osei-Opare than Jane Naana Opoku. Because Frema was a grassroots MP before. For instance, she is a former Ayawaso West Wuogon Member of Parliament,” he stressed.
He indicated that “if both Mrs. Frema Osei-Opare and Prof. Jane go on a political campaign debate, it will be interesting because they will both have the flare to talk about their education portfolios, with Prof. Jane talking about UCC and Frema Osei-Opare talking about UG, which will be refreshing.”
Prof. Sarpong also addressed concerns about Frema Osei-Opare’s age potentially hindering her eligibility as a running mate, stating that divine intervention ultimately determines political appointments.
He emphasized the significance of Osei-Opare’s potential candidacy in strengthening the electoral prospects of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and supporting Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia in securing victory in the 2024 elections.
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has emphasized his commitment to accountability if elected president.
During the NPP International Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday, March 23, 2024, he contrasted his approach with that of his main contender, former President John Mahama, whom he suggested would not be as accountable because Mahama has stated he would not seek re-election.
Dr. Bawumia highlighted his lack of prior presidency, explaining that this would make him more accountable to Ghanaians as he would have the opportunity to seek re-election and be judged by the people again. This, he argued, contrasts with Mahama’s situation, as Mahama has indicated he will serve only one term in office.
“Apart from my proven track record as Vice President, hard work, credibility and vision for the future of Ghana, another reason I should be voted for is that I will be more accountable to the people of Ghana than John Mahama.” Dr. Bawumia said.
“As President, I will be more accountable because I will have another opportunity to seek the mandate of the people after 2024. Mahama has just one term and he will not come back to Ghanaians to seek re-elections so he will not be accountable,” Dr. Bawumia added.
Article 66 of the 1992 Constitution indicates the following:
(1) A person elected as President shall, subject to clause (3) of this article, hold office for a term of four years beginning from the date on which he is sworn in as President.
(2) A person shall not be elected to hold office as President of Ghana for more than two terms.
(3) The office of President shall become vacant—
(a) on the expiration of the period specified in clause (1) of this article; or
(b) if the incumbent dies or resigns from office or ceases to hold office under article 69 of this Constitution.
The late Atta-Mills passed away in July 2012, and as such his then Vice President, Mahama became President due to the vacancy left. He completed Mills’ tenure and in 2013, managed to win the elections to be elected President. He lost the seat to now President Akufo-Addo in the 2016 elections. As such he governed Ghana for one term and per the constitution he is entitled to another as he laces his boots for the 2024 elections.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized the need for Ghana to have a leader with credibility and a proven track record to address generational problems and combat corruption. He asserted that his record as Vice President demonstrates his ability to solve problems and advocate against corruption through the policies he has championed.
“Ghana needs problem solvers, generational thinkers and people with innovative ideas,” Dr. Bawumia said.
Dr. Bawumia highlighted several key policy initiatives he has led that are addressing long-standing issues in Ghana. These include the digital national identity system, the national property address system, mobile money interoperability, and the digitalization of public services. He also mentioned the delivery of essential drugs to remote areas through drones and initiatives like One Ambulance One Constituency and Agenda 111 hospitals.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized his strong commitment to fighting corruption, stating that the digitalization of public services has been instrumental in this effort. He contrasted this with what he perceives as a lack of action from former President Mahama, suggesting that tangible steps, not just rhetoric, are needed to combat corruption effectively.
“What policies did former President Mahama initiate to fight corruption as President or Vice President? If you ask him, he cannot state one because he was not committed to fighting corruption as Vice President and President.”
“I am a problem solver and a generational thinker with innovative ideas. I have a solid track record as Vice-President to prove it,” he added.
In preparation for the upcoming 2024 election, the National Peace Council has initiated efforts to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
Among these efforts is the establishment of political trust-building platforms to encourage collaboration among political parties and other stakeholders.
During TUDEC’S 12th National Dialogue and Peace Iftar Dinner, George Amoh, the Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, disclosed ongoing discussions with political parties. The aim is to have presidential candidates commit to a peace pact, thereby promoting a violence-free election.
“We’ve set up what we call a political trust-building platform, and for some time now this year, we have met our political leaders on a number of occasions. Indeed, we are hoping we’ve written to the former president, the candidate for the NDC, and the candidate for the NPP that we want to meet them, and we hope to meet all the other stakeholders who have a role to play in making our election very peaceful.
“We are going to do what we call a peace pact where we’ll bring the presidential candidates together to sign on to a peace pact. We hope that when we approach them, they would once again come together and help assure this country that we would continue the path of peace we have all chosen.”
Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, the spokesperson of the National Chief Imam, also addressed the audience at the event. He called on the youth to resist manipulation by politicians who may seek to incite violence.
“Be careful you are not deployed and reduced into a tool for violence against a political opponent. Never accept because you are human beings. Human beings at a peak but created it for a purpose and for somebody’s interest, you should not be reduced to a tool that can be used to visit violence or wrath against a political opponent.”
The President of TUDEC, Cafer Tepeli, called on Ghanaians to uphold the peace that is being enjoyed in the country.
“As we have gathered here, let us reflect on the blessings of living in a country where diverse cultures, religions, and beliefs coexist harmoniously. It is incumbent upon each of us to uphold and strengthen this peace through our actions, words, and deeds. Let us strive to emulate the values of tolerance, mutual respect, and cooperation advocated by the National Peace Council of Ghana, as we work together to build a more just and compassionate society.”
President Akufo-Addo has assented to a bill approved by Parliament that prohibits the payment of compound interest by the state in transactions entered into on her behalf by public officers.
The law, known as the Contracts (Amendment) Act, 2023 (Act 1114), was sponsored by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, and was passed by Parliament in July 2023. However, it was only presented to the President for assent on March 5, 2024, and he assented to it on March 8, 2024.
The purpose of this amendment to the Contracts Act is to address the tendency of public officers to enter into contracts with high rates of interest, especially compound interest, which has led to significant financial losses for the state.
The Attorney-General noted that many large claims against the state were due to the accumulation of compound interest, often levied and awarded by the courts. As a result of this amendment, public officers are now prohibited from entering into contracts on behalf of the state that stipulate compound interest rates.
In addition to this law, the Attorney-General has also laid a Bill in Parliament known as the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) (Amendment) Bill. This bill, approved by Cabinet on February 2, 2024, aims to reform the criminal procedure laws of the country to expedite the adjudication of criminal cases.
The proposed reforms include abolishing trials on indictment except for offences punishable by death, allowing trials to proceed in the absence of the accused, providing for day-to-day trials of criminal cases, limiting interlocutory appeals to cases of submission of no case, and allowing examination of witnesses by video conferencing. The bill also aims to reform the jury trial system by reducing exemptions from jury service, changing the composition of the jury, and other measures.
The Attorney-General believes that these measures will modernize criminal justice administration in the country and align it with practices in more advanced democracies.
He has called on the public, the legal profession, and all stakeholders in the administration of justice to support the swift passage of the bill into law by Parliament.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has reiterated his strong support for the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, also known as anti-LGBTQ bill, recently passed by parliament.
Speaking at the 2024 Suma Akwantu Kesie Festival in Suma in the Bono Region, his aide, Mr. Peter Bamfo, delivered the keynote address on his behalf.
The Speaker emphasized that the passage of the bill was a significant milestone for Ghana’s democratic principles and a clear indication of the nation’s commitment to preserving traditional values. He urged traditional leaders to continue advocating for the preservation of these values.
Mr. Bagbin praised the Suma Traditional Council for its forward-thinking leadership in using the festival as a platform for development in the region.
He also commended the council for its initiative to establish a modern social center in honor of the late Nana Kwadwo Adinkra, the inventor of the Adinkra symbols.
“The Adinkra Center will serve as a beacon of hope and opportunity, providing invaluable resources for youth training, cultural education, and socio-economic empowerment,” Speaker Bagbin said.
The Speaker also called on the people of Suma to rally behind their leaders to ensure the development of the area.
Award-winning broadcast journalist, and activist, Bridget Otoo and two individuals have sued the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General over the assault they suffered at the hands of some police officers during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest organised last year.
This is according to reliable information from credible sources.
The three applicants, Bridget Otoo, Vanessa Edotom Boateng and George Agyening Anyang, have prayed to the court for an application for the enforcement of fundamental human rights (Articles 24 (1), 162 (5), 21 (1) (A), 162 (4), 21 (1) (D), 15 (1) and (2), 14 (1) and 18 (2) of the constitution.
The three are being represented by Samson Lardy Anyenini, Esq, per a writ sighted by The Independent Ghana (TIGpost).
From the writ, it appears this suit actually predates that of the Democracy Hub, the organizers of the #OccuppyJulorbiHouseDemo who have also made their way to court over human rights infringement by the police.
In September last year, a video circulating on social media showed the moment when Bridget was attacked. Two men not in uniform came out of the Accra Regional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service located at Tudu and charged at her, pushing her with extreme force in an attempt to drag her into the gated yard of the building, amid protests from fellow protesters who were in front of the facility demanding the release of their colleagues who had been detained.
Bridget Otoo, who was seemingly later let go, stated that the police tore part of her shirt, physically assaulted her, and other participants.
Presently, Democracy Hub and 23 other applicants have also sued the Ghana Police Service (GPS) over alleged unlawful arrest, torture, and detention of protestors during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration.
In a press release signed by Benjamin Akuffo Darko, the organisation said arrested demonstrators were assaulted at the Regional Police Headquarters in Accra.
“21st September, more than fifty police officers encircled and aggressively apprehended demonstrators who had congregated to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed right to protest.
“These citizens were then forcibly transported to the Regional Police Headquarters in Accra, where they faced further assaults and were detained without just cause,” portions of the release read.
The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest was a three-day demonstration organized by a group of citizens who are dissatisfied with the performance of President Nana Akufo-Addo and his administration.
The group called for better governance, accountability, transparency, and social justice in Ghana. The group has been using social media to mobilize support and express their grievances over various issues such as e-levy, galamsey, fuel prices, unemployment, education, health care, security, among others.
Reports from local media suggest that Asante Kotoko coach Prosper Narteh Ogum is under increasing pressure, facing an ultimatum of three games to secure his position.
The team has faced notable challenges in the latter part of the ongoing 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season.
With just one victory in five matches, Kotoko’s recent loss to Nations FC on Sunday at the Baba Yara Stadium during Matchday 23 has intensified scrutiny on Ogum’s future. This defeat has left the team in 9th place on the Premier League standings, with 32 points.
Speculations abound that Ogum has three upcoming games to reverse the team’s fortunes and secure his job. Kotoko will face Bechem United at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, followed by a home game against Nsoatreman FC at the Baba Yara Stadium. The final match in this crucial period will be against Dreams FC at the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu.
Ogum’s return to Kotoko coincided with a shakeup in the club’s management structure, following the dissolution of the management committee and board of directors by the club’s life patron, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. This led to the establishment of the Interim Management Committee (IMC).
The pressure is on for Ogum to deliver results, as his future at the club hangs in the balance.
The total value of mobile money transactions for the first two months of 2024 reached a record GH¢394.2 billion, compared to GH¢264.1 billion during the same period in 2023.
According to the March 2024 Summary of Economic and Financial Data by the Bank of Ghana, mobile money transactions in January 2024 amounted to GH¢198.4 billion, with February 2024 reaching GH¢195.8 billion.
Despite the implementation of the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy), mobile money transactions continue to thrive.
The total number of transactions in January 2024 was 618 million, with February 2024 recording 609 million transactions. The active mobile money accounts in January 2024 were estimated at 22.9 million.
In 2023, the total value of mobile money transactions reached a record GH¢1.912 trillion, compared to GH¢1.07 trillion in 2022.
The data from the Bank of Ghana shows a consistent surge in mobile money transactions from January 2023 to January 2024, with a slight drop in February 2024. All 14 months recorded transactions exceeding GH¢100 billion each.
Kwesi Ahwoi, a stalwart of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has issued an apology to the party’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, and his running mate, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, following his remarks in a viral video.
During an event in Accra for Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Mr. Ahwoi suggested that she should be prepared for any scenario that could lead to her presidency.
His comments faced criticism from some NDC members who interpreted them as implying that he did not expect Mahama to complete a potential four-year term.
Below is the full statement by Kwesi Ahwoi
Kwesi Ahwoi writes:
I have taken notice of the unfortunate controversy that has arisen as a result of a comment I made at a reception organized last Thursday by the Churchstreet group of NDC faithful for Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Running Mate to our esteemed flagbearer, H.E. John Dramani Mahama.
I sincerely regret the wrong impression that my comment has created. Indeed, it was not my intention, and never will it be my intention to pray that H.E. John Mahama does not serve his full four-year term when he wins the 2024 general elections.
I concede that I misspoke on the occasion. I accept the criticisms in good faith, even though some of the criticisms arise out of a deliberate misrepresentation of my statement.
Indeed, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang in response to my toast, pointed out the erroneous impression created by my statement and was categorical in asserting that she was certain that H.E. John Mahama will win the 2024 general elections and serve his full four-year term.
It is unfortunate that my statement appears to have taken the shine off what was otherwise a cheerful and light-hearted occasion.
I hereby render an unreserved and unqualified apology to H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the leadership and rank and file of the great NDC.
Comrades and friends, let us put this unfortunate incident behind us and unite behind our flag-bearer, the visionary Nation Builder, to rescue our beloved country in the December 2024 elections.
Arsenal staged a late comeback to defeat Aston Villa 3-1 and keep their slim Women’s Super League title hopes alive.
Despite dominating most of the match, Arsenal had to come from behind at Villa Park, in a game delayed by 45 minutes due to travel disruptions.
Villa opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a well-executed counter-attack. Jordan Nobbs played a precise through ball to Adriana Leon, who passed to Ebony Salmon to score past Manuela Zinsberger.
Arsenal equalized in the 54th minute when Victoria Pelova capitalized on a rebound from Alessia Russo’s shot. Lotte Wubben-Moy then headed Arsenal into the lead two minutes later from Russo’s cross.
Substitute Stina Blackstenius sealed the victory controversially in the 86th minute. She appeared to handle the ball before scoring, but the goal stood despite Villa’s protests.
Arsenal’s victory keeps them six points behind joint WSL leaders Chelsea and Manchester City.
England suffered their first defeat since the World Cup as teenage star Endrick came off the bench to secure Brazil a late victory against Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 hopefuls.
The highly anticipated friendly, dominated by the controversy over an altered St George’s flag on the new shirt and speculation about the manager’s future, failed to live up to expectations.
Southgate’s injury-hit side survived a few scares before 17-year-old Endrick’s first senior international goal secured a 1-0 win at a sold-out Wembley, ending England’s 10-match unbeaten run.
Brazil, under new boss Dorival Junior, had the better chances in a stop-start game, with Lucas Paqueta hitting the post and Vinicius Jr and Raphinha also going close.
The night started with a minute’s applause to honor the recent passing of football figures such as Stan Bowles, Ron Baynham, Mario Zagallo, and Terry Venables.
Initially Endrick was like it's just another goal, then remembered it's against England & at f*cking WEMBLEY and celebrated like hell. https://t.co/mbFda6kgYb
Brazil, on a run of three straight losses, showed promise under their new manager, with Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr posing early threats.
England struggled to create clear chances, with Ollie Watkins and Phil Foden unable to test the Brazilian defense effectively.
Brazil continued to press, with Paqueta coming close to scoring before the break with a shot that went just wide.
Both teams made changes in the second half, including England giving 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo his debut.
In the 80th minute, a defensive error by Lewis Dunk allowed Andreas Pereira to set up Vinicius Jr, whose shot was saved by Jordan Pickford, only for Endrick to score the rebound.
England pushed for an equalizer, but Brazil held on for the win, marking England’s first defeat at Wembley since the Euro 2020 penalty shoot-out loss to Italy.
A delegation from Tanzania recently visited Ghana to study the operations of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) in the petroleum downstream sector.
During their five-day visit, officials from the Tanzanian Ministry of Energy and the fuel agency focused on understanding NPA’s effective regulation and administration of the petroleum downstream, which they found to be convenient, cost-effective, and worthy of emulation.
The delegation was in Ghana from Monday, March 18, 2024, to Friday, March 22, 2024, and was received by the Chief Executive of the NPA, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, at an opening session held on Monday at the NPA. Also present were the Deputy Chief Executive, Perry Okudzeto, Directors, Heads of Department, and some staff of the Authority.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Abdul-Hamid expressed excitement about hosting the delegation and assured them that the NPA was ready to share its experience, particularly regarding the administration of the Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF), which was a key area of interest for the Tanzanians.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid also mentioned that the Authority had made thorough preparations to ensure that the delegation’s five-day visit, including the scheduled field tours, would be fruitful.
Mr. Msafiri Mtepe, the Head of the delegation from the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority in Tanzania, commended the NPA for the warm reception and expressed optimism about the learning experience they would gain from studying the Ghanaian model of petroleum regulation. He noted that Ghana’s approach has become a model for many countries in Africa and beyond.
The primary objective of their study visit was to understand the successful implementation of Ghana’s Unified Petroleum Price Scheme and other pricing mechanisms. During their stay, they engaged in formal sessions with technical experts at the NPA, covering a wide range of topics related to Ghana’s petroleum value chain.
Presentations included discussions on Ghana’s pricing policy objectives, the Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF), and the legal framework for petroleum regulation, among others.
The delegation also visited the Ministry of Energy, where they were briefed on Ghana’s petroleum downstream policies by the Chief Director, Mrs. Wilhelmina Asamoah, on behalf of the Minister of Energy.
Furthermore, the delegation went on field visits to the BOST terminals in Tema and Akosombo to observe practical operations and interact with key actors in Ghana’s petroleum downstream sector.
No Ghanaian athlete has yet qualified for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris later this year.
Despite a seemingly successful 2023 African Games for Team Ghana, none of the performances at Accra met the required standards for Olympic qualification in track and field events.
Joseph Paul Amoah, who won gold in the men’s 200m event at the Games with a time of 20.70 seconds, fell short of the accepted qualifying time of 20.16 seconds. Amoah’s personal best in the 200m is 20.08 seconds, and he will need to replicate that form to qualify for the Olympics.
In the high jump, Ghana claimed double gold medals in the men’s and women’s divisions, with Cadman Yamoah clearing a height of 2.23m and Rose Amoanima Yeboah clearing 1.90m. However, the Olympic qualifying heights for the high jump are 2.33m for men and 1.97m for women.
Benjamin Azamati, Ghana’s fastest man, will also need to improve his performance to qualify for the Olympics. Despite finishing 5th in the 100m final in 10.45 seconds, Azamati’s time falls far short of the Olympic qualifying time of 10.00 seconds.
Ghana’s female sprinters also showed promise but will need to achieve a time of 11.07 seconds to qualify for the Olympic Games.
In long-distance running, William Amponsah’s performances in the men’s 10,000m and half marathon were commendable but did not meet the qualifying times for both events.
With the outdoor season underway and athletes having until June 30th to achieve Olympic qualification, it is hoped that more Ghanaian athletes will put themselves in contention for a place at the Games.
Director of the Ghana School of Law (GSL), Barima Yaw Kodie Oppong, has highlighted that many legal practitioners in Ghana provide their services for free, even when they should be paid.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Law, he explained that this situation arises because some clients do not see the need to pay for services such as consultation unless they are involved in a court case.
Mr. Oppong noted that in Ghana, there is a perception that legal advice is not worth paying for, unlike other services like tiling, where payment is expected. He emphasized that while the original purpose of the legal profession was not solely for financial gain, it has gradually been recognized as a business.
He emphasized that practicing law should not be limited to receiving payment only for court appearances or successful cases.
“I perform a service, you pay me. A lot of lawyers are doing free work where they should have charged. Sometimes, the rules make it seem as if this is a profession that makes people perform a service without expectation of remuneration but at the same time, it is also a business…The law has prescribed strictly how that business is to be rendered and the fees for it,”he said.
The GSL Director added that “it is not how much to be taken but how it should be taken. That is why there are a number of cases where when a lawyer has not specifically entered into an agreement with a client, the case is ended and he sends a bill and the court says no to that. From the beginning, you did not even tell him this is how much I’ll charge you or even when you have charged the person, give him prior notice to pay this amount. So not even giving a notice to your own client can be a problem.”
Mr. Oppong mentioned that in the legal profession, there are rules that can be challenging to enforce when they benefit the lawyer but are easily enforced when they go against the lawyer.
“If you were to follow strictly these rules, a lot of Ghanaians cannot access these services. People think talking about law (on TV shows and programmes) I am charging, and they think that is how I make my money,” he said, adding that although that is how it should be, in Ghana that is not the case.
Mr Oppong said that these rules need to be looked at again. “We should recognise the business aspect of it and also the fact that we are also called upon to render service without claiming any deal and merge it. And when these matters come up the general public should understand that we have rendered free services as well.”
The Office of the Registrar of Companies has announced that starting on Monday, March 25, it will begin conducting visits to various offices, businesses, and company premises to examine their records and registration documents.
In addition to the inspections, the Office will provide guidance to businesses on complying with regulations related to their operations.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, March 19, inspectors from the Office of the Registrar of Companies will conduct the inspection process nationwide, covering all regions.
Companies are advised to cooperate fully with the inspectors to facilitate a smooth exercise.
“We urged all company officials and business owners to collaborate with our company inspectors for this exercise,” an excerpt of the statement said.
A stalwart of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kwesi Ahwoi, has issued an apology to the party’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, and his running mate, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, following his remarks in a viral video.
At an event in Accra for Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, Mr. Ahwoi suggested that she should be prepared for any scenario that could lead to her presidency.
However, his comments were criticized by some NDC members who interpreted them as implying that he did not expect Mahama to complete a potential four-year term.
In a statement on Sunday, March 24, Kwesi Ahwoi clarified that he had no intention of wishing harm upon the former President. He acknowledged his mistake and expressed regret over the misunderstanding caused by his comments.
“I sincerely regret the wrong impression that my comment has created. Indeed, it was not my intention, and never will it be my intention to pray that H.E. John Mahama does not serve his full four-year term when he wins the 2024 general elections.
“I concede that I misspoke on the occasion. I accept the criticisms in good faith, even though some of the criticisms arise out of a deliberate misrepresentation of my statement.
“I hereby render an unreserved and unqualified apology to H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the leadership and rank and file of the great NDC.”
He called on the party’s supporters to move beyond the incident and rally behind Mr. Mahama for the upcoming 2024 elections.
“Comrades and friends, let us put this unfortunate incident behind us and unite behind our flag-bearer, the visionary Nation Builder, to rescue our beloved country in the December 2024 elections.”
A man believed to be in his late thirties was found dead by the roadside at Kasoa Walantu junction in the Awutu Senya East Municipality of the Central Region.
The unidentified man was discovered naked with visible head injuries. Sources suggest that he was killed elsewhere and dumped at the Walantu junction.
In an interview with Adom News, Robert Arthur, the Assembly Member for the Kasoa Walantu Electoral Area, stated that the deceased is not known in the area.
However, a resident identified him as a resident of Liberia Camp. Mr. Arthur expressed concern about the rising criminal activities in Kasoa Walantu and its surroundings, urging the police to improve security measures to protect lives and property.
Meanwhile, Nana Kofi Ahomka, an elder of the community, lamented the ongoing terrorizing of the community by criminals. He called on the government to help establish a community watchdog group to assist law enforcement in combating crime.
These officers were instrumental in the elections, training and deploying over 100,000 officials to 38,000 polling stations nationwide in December the previous year.
Despite assurances from the EC regarding timely payment, the officers are still waiting for their stipends. Nii Adjin Tettey, a contracted presiding officer, expressed his concerns to Citi News, noting the prolonged wait for payment.
“We are given forms to fill out to provide our bank details. However, whatever work that needed to have been done for months, since December, electoral officers have not heard anything. And it is not only about a particular constituency, but I am talking about the whole nation.
It is not like one region has been paid and some other regions have not been paid. The Electoral Commission hasn’t released money to those who worked in the field since the last election,” Nii Adjin Tettey said.
During a recent interview, rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, expressed his feelings about Jesus, stating that he has “issues with Jesus” and prefers to take matters into his “own hands” rather than giving Jesus full control.
The interview, which also featured rapper Ty Dolla $ign, a collaborator on Ye’s new album Vultures 1, was conducted by radio personality Big Boy and posted on his Big Boy TV YouTube channel on Sunday.
“I have my issues with Jesus,” West began during the interview, which lasted for over an hour. “There’s a lot of stuff I went through, and I prayed, and I ain’t see Jesus show up.”
“I had to put my experience in this world, my experience with my children, my experience with other people, my experience with my account, my experience with my brand and my experience with the level of music that I was dealing with, in my own hands.”
West criticized American Christians today for not being proactive enough when given opportunities to help others.
“I just feel like in our society and America, people, Christians will depend on Jesus so much that we don’t put the word in ourselves. And the main thing that I don’t rock with is like, ‘I’m going to pray for you.’ It’s just like, you can actually physically do something yourself, too, more than just praying.”
“And we’re so in this mentality that that’s all that needs to happen. But we aren’t praying our way out of prison. We aren’t praying our way out of the abortion clinics. We aren’t praying our way to get our land back that was always ours after gentrification after the Harlem Renaissance and Black Wall Street was burned to the ground. Them prayers are not working.”
The rapper argued that taking physical action is key to making things happen.
“We are going to have to apply actual physical building partnerships, and it don’t start unless we could really be real with each other,” the 46-year-old said.
“You know how many threats we’ve been dealt with. And I haven’t prayed my way through them threats either. I had to get up and do it myself. I had so much to do, I haven’t have time to pray.”
Later in the interview, West asserted that he is the god of himself.
‘Cause I’m God,” he said, when asked about his success in the music industry and how he hasn’t “disappeared.” “And anyone who wants to disagree, I’m the God of me. You can’t tell me who I am. I can’t tell y’all. I could tell y’all. It’s your job to listen. I’m the God of me. I don’t know if I’m in heaven already.”
In previous years, West attracted attention and made headlines for his apparent embrace of Christianity and his public conversion to the Christian faith. He released his album “Jesus is King” in 2019 and invested over $50 million in hosting “Sunday Service” events across the country, which he described as an attempt to spread the Gospel.
His recent comments in the interview sparked reactions from Christians online.
West faced criticism last month after referring to himself as “the new Jesus” in his album “Vultures 1,” released on Feb. 10. The album features a track titled “Carnival,” known for its explicit language and themes of sexual violence. This new album was a collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign.
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has issued a caution to Ghanaians against rejecting the one and five pesewas coins, emphasizing that they are legal tender intended for transactions.
Head of Currency Management at the Central Bank, Dominic Owusu, affirmed that the coins are still being issued and are expected to be used in the country for transactions.
He also stated that the Bank will continue to monitor its currency in circulation to support the economy.
Mr Owusu made these remarks during a media engagement as part of the Ghana Month Celebration.
“If we mint a coin and issue it for circulation, it takes about 15 years or so before we withdraw it from the system. They fall within the change class and we want to encourage the public to use this coin because it supports the economy”.
“The coins play a key role in the economy because if you want to buy some worth one cedi you can buy with 200 cedis so we have different classes which are the change, transaction, and the store of value class”, he stated.
There are several reports of a section of the public refusing to use the one pesewas and the five pesewas coin for transactions.
Meanwhile, the bank said those practices were unpatriotic, as they amounted to disrespect for the national currency.
An eatery at East Legon, Levels Joint, has been destroyed by fire.
The facility caught fire today, per a video sighted on Instagram.
In the video, people around could not do much to quench the blaze as the fire grew intense. The Ghana National Fire Service was not spotted at the scene.
It is unknown the extent of the damage caused by the fire and whether there were any casualties.
The District Court, Kaneshie, has issued a warrant of arrest dated September 26, 2023, for the immediate arrest of suspect Samuel Nana Kofi Sarfo.
The suspect is wanted by the Financial Forensics Unit at the CID headquarters to assist investigation in a case of stealing.
Samuel Nana Kofi Sarfo is alleged to have fraudulently withdrawn an amount of GH¢163,827.00 from a bank and has since gone into hiding and all efforts made to trace him have proved futile.
Samuel is about 42 years old, 5 feet.7 inches in height, dark in complexion, has black hair, and stoutly built. He is a native of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
He was last seen at the Airport Residential Area in Accra. He is suspected to be hiding in Accra in the Greater Accra Region and its environs.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of suspect Samuel Nana Kofi Sarfo should kindly contact the Financial Forensics Unit at the CID/Headquarters on telephone numbers 0243922292, or contact the Emergency Command Centre on 191 (all networks) 18555 (MTN and Vodafone networks) or report to the nearest police station.
Chief Executive of the Ghana Association of Banks, John Awuah, has announced that online banking and other services provided by commercial banks have been completely restored.
He attributed this success to the resilient structures that have been put in place.
He noted that as banks, “we have always built in three resilience structures for developments like these” and this helped us to quickly recover to offer services.
He added that “all the banks have their primary sites, secondary, and other channels that they can fall on. And don’t forget, these are regulatory requirements.”
The Chief Executive of the Ghana Association of Banks made this disclosure during an interview on the PM Express Business Edition with host George Wiafe on March 21, 2024.
Some of the banks have “your normal connectivity with fiber, some have radio as secondary redundancy line and in some cases satellite”, he mentioned.
“Today I have done two separate transactions through the various banking platforms”, Mr. Awuah continued.
There are concerns that this development could impact confidence in online banking and virtual products.
But Mr. Awuah disagrees, saying, “Looking at the time that we were able to restore full service, there is no way this will push people from these services and product offerings”.
Mr. Awuah noted, “Based on the systems that we have built; we also moved to assure customers that all their funds are safe and there is no need to be worried.
“At the bank level, we can assure everyone that everything is safe”, the CEO of the Ghana Association of Banks said.
Mr. Awuah emphasized that the banking system has indeed built the necessary systems to withstand future disruptions. He stated that this should not be seen as a problem for now or going forward.
However, he acknowledged that more needs to be done to build additional “backup” to minimize expected shocks.
He highlighted that many commercial banks have their data centers hoisted locally, which ensured that the recent internet disruptions did not significantly impact their operations.
