Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe has assured Ghanaians that transport fares will remain unchanged for now, despite recent reductions in fuel prices.

His assurance comes amid growing public calls for a decrease in fares, particularly after previous threats by transport unions to raise prices during fuel hikes.

Speaking on the matter, Mr. Nikpe said the Ministry is in continuous engagement with transport unions and operators, noting that any fare adjustment is guided by a well-established formula.

“I am in constant touch with the unions and transport operators. We have a formula in which we use to either increase or reduce prices, and we have not gotten there yet,” he said.

The Minister emphasised the importance of collaboration with stakeholders to maintain stability in the sector, reassuring commuters that prices will hold steady for now.

“We are in good touch. We are working together, and Ghanaians should be rest assured that prices will be kept for some time before any of the adjustments will be made,” Mr. Nikpe added.

The Ministry’s stance aims to balance commuter relief with the operational sustainability of transport operators, as discussions on possible fare reviews continue.

The US Supreme Court has cleared the way for President Donald Trump to use a rarely-invoked wartime powers law to rapidly deport alleged gang members – for now.

A lower court had temporarily blocked the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador on 15 March, ruling that the actions under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act needed further scrutiny.

Trump has alleged that the migrants were members of the Tren de Aragua gang “conducting irregular warfare” against the US and could therefore be removed under the Act.

While the administration is claiming the ruling as a win, the justices mandated that deportees must be given a chance to challenge their removal.

“The notice must be afforded within a reasonable time and in such a manner as will allow them to actually seek habeas relief in the proper venue before such removal occurs,” the justices wrote in the unsigned decision on Monday.

“The only question is which court will resolve that challenge,” they wrote.

Monday’s ruling said the challenge – brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of five migrants – was raised improperly in a Washington DC court and not in Texas, where the migrants are confined.

Conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court’s three liberal justices in dissenting with the majority ruling.

In the dissent, they wrote that the administration’s “conduct in this litigation poses an extraordinary threat to the rule of law”.

Trump called the ruling a “great day for justice in America”.

“The Supreme Court has upheld the Rule of Law in our Nation by allowing a President, whoever that may be, to be able to secure our Borders, and protect our families and our Country, itself,” he wrote on Truth Social.

The ACLU also claimed the rulingas “a huge victory”.

“We are disappointed that we will need to start the court process over again in a different venue but the critical point is that the Supreme Court said individuals must be given due process to challenge their removal under the Alien Enemies Act,” lead ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt said in a statement to US media.

At least 137 people have been deported by the Trump administration under the Alien Enemies Act, a move widely condemned by rights groups.

The act, last used in World War Two, grants the US president sweeping powers to order the detention and deportation of natives or citizens of an “enemy” nation without following the usual processes.

It was passed as part of a series of laws in 1798 when the US believed it would enter a war with France.

The Trump administration says all the deportees are members of the Tren de Aragua gang. The powerful multi-national crime group, which Trump recently declared a foreign terrorist organisation, has been accused of sex trafficking, drug smuggling and murders both at home and in major US cities.

US immigration officials have said the detainees were “carefully vetted” and verified as gang members before being flown to El Salvador, under an agreement with that country.

But many of the deportees do not have US criminal records, a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official acknowledged in court documents.

Some relatives of the deported migrants have told the BBC the men have been wrongly swept up in the immigration crackdown, and that they are innocent.

Several other families have said they believe that deportees were mistakenly identified as gang members because of their tattoos.

Monday’s decision vacates an earlier ruling by federal judge James Boasberg, later upheld by a federal appeals court, which had temporarily blocked the use of the law to carry out the deportations.

Boasberg had dismissed the government’s response to his order as “woefully insufficient”. The White House had said the judge’s order itself was not lawful and was issued after two flights carrying the men had already left the US.

Rights groups and some legal experts have called the invocation of the Act unprecedented, arguing it has only previously been used after the US officially declared a war, which under the US constitution only Congress can do.

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President John Dramani Mahama

Government has vowed to clamp down on illegal mining, calling it a direct threat to the country’s economy and environment, following its widespread devastation across mining regions.

President John Dramani Mahama, in a speech read on his behalf during the Association of China-Ghana Mining’s (ACGM) inauguration in Accra, described the practice as a form of “environmental terrorism” and warned that the state will show no mercy to offenders.

“We consider illegal mining as an act of economic sabotage – one that devastates livelihoods, poisons our water-bodies and degrades our lands,” he stressed.

Against this backdrop, he said, there will be no leniency, no exception and no comfort for those who flout the country’s laws, regardless of nationality, political ties or business clout – adding, “The full force of our laws will be brought to bear”.

President Mahama therefore entreated the Association to steer its members toward strict compliance with Ghana’s mining laws and regulations.

“The Association must serve as a beacon of integrity, ensuring that its members operate within the set legal frameworks of our country, uphold environmental standards, uplift local communities and contribute positively to our nation’s sustainable development agenda.”

President Mahama reaffirmed government’s commitment to working closely with ACGM to enhance and streamline Chinese investment in Ghana’s mining sector.

“Through structured cooperation, we can unlock new opportunities while ensuring that mining activities align with Ghana’s broader developmental and sustainability goals,” he noted.

Furthermore, he emphasised the importance of leveraging China’s expertise in underground mining, low-grade ore development and mining-related technical training to boost efficiency and global competitiveness in Ghana’s mining industry.

“By integrating these advancements, we can build a mining sector that is both economically robust and environmentally sustainable,” he added.

President Mahama was the Guest Honour at the event, represented by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, commended the of the Association’s formation – describing it as a bridge for mutually beneficial cooperation and an important platform for dialogue between governments, businesses and local communities.

“I urge the Association to help Chinese enterprises better integrate into the local market, enhance the quality of collaboration and ensure that our cooperation yields win-win outcomes,” the Ambassador said.

He also encouraged ACGM to focus on job creation, value addition to minerals and community development.

The Chairman of ACGM, Mr. Tang Zhenjiang, in his inaugural remarks outlined the Association’s vision to move beyond profit and serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in Ghana’s mining sector.

“Through this Association, we will unify industry consensus, integrate resources, uphold our social responsibilities and benefit community development,” he stated.

“Together, we will write a new chapter in China-Ghana collaboration and further strengthen the enduring friendship between our nations.”

Tang Zhenjiang also reaffirmed ACGM’s support for national development programmes, including the Youth in Mining Initiative led by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment.

ACGM pledged to drive capacity building and skills transfer for Ghanaian youth through technical exchanges and collaborative projects.

The ACGM brings together leading Chinese mining enterprises operating in Ghana, including Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd. (a subsidiary of Shandong Gold Group), Golden Star (Wassa) Ltd. (a subsidiary of Chifeng Gold Group) and other established companies.

As a non-profit platform, the Association aims to promote shared growth, responsible mining practices, community development and technology transfer between China and Ghana.

Ghana’s local currency, the cedi, has recorded marginal gains against major trading currencies, particularly the US dollar, at some forex bureaus.

In its daily update, the Central Bank noted that the cedi is trading at a buying price of GH¢15.51 and a selling price of GH¢15.52 to a dollar.

The British pound is being bought at GH¢19.75 and sold at GH¢19.77, while the euro trades at a buying price of GH¢16.91 and a selling price of GH¢16.92.

Checks by GhanaWeb Business on April 8, 2025, at 08:00 AM indicate that the cedi is trading at GH¢16.05 to the dollar, while the pound is trading at GH¢20.70 at some major forex bureaus across the country.

Additionally, the euro is trading at GH¢17.70 on the retail market.

To curb the cedi’s depreciation, the Bank of Ghana sold over $200 million in the last quarter of 2024.

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The GETP is a flagship initiative of government

The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) has secured nearly US$100 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) commitments since 2019 under the Ghana Economic Transformation Project (GETP).

The GETP is a flagship initiative of the government, implemented by the Ministry of Finance with funding from the World Bank. It aims to promote private sector-led growth, economic diversification, and job creation.

Under one of its four components, which focuses on improving the enabling environment for investment and business growth, the project supports key institutions such as GIPC to strengthen their capacity in investment promotion, investor services, and strategic outreach—particularly beyond Accra and the country’s major urban centers.

This support is geared toward creating a robust, decentralized investment ecosystem that drives inclusive economic transformation across all regions of the country.

Gabriel Benaiah Kofi Dake, Senior Operations Officer for GETP at the Ministry of Finance, highlighted these efforts at a brief ceremony in Kumasi, where two Toyota pick-ups procured under the project were formally handed over to support GIPC’s operations in the Ashanti and Northern Regions.

“This gesture is not just about transportation; it symbolizes the project’s commitment to deepening institutional capacity and decentralizing investment promotion,” Mr. Dake said.

“These vehicles will support GIPC’s Ashanti and Northern Regional Offices in fulfilling their mandate—facilitating outreach, investor servicing, and field-based monitoring to unlock investment opportunities beyond Accra.”

He further expressed excitement about GETP’s role in strengthening GIPC’s systems, enhancing strategic outreach, and boosting institutional visibility.

GIPC Chief Executive Officer Simon Madjie expressed appreciation to the World Bank and GETP for the donation. He noted that the vehicles will significantly enhance staff mobility in the Ashanti and Northern Regions, enabling them to engage more effectively with businesses at the grassroots level and facilitate investment that benefits all.

In a related development, GIPC has launched a new 24-hour premium service aimed at enhancing Ghana’s appeal as an investment destination. The service will offer round-the-clock support to investors, ensuring timely assistance and continuous engagement.

Featured

Kweku Zurek

Apr – 08 – 2025 , 07:25

2 minutes read

Some of the leaders who were present at the event

Government has vowed to clamp down on illegal mining, calling it a direct threat to the country’s economy and environment, following its widespread devastation across mining regions.

President John Dramani Mahama, in a speech read on his behalf during the Association of China-Ghana Mining’s (ACGM) inauguration in Accra, described the practice as a form of “environmental terrorism” and warned that the state will show no mercy to offenders.

“We consider illegal mining as an act of economic sabotage – one that devastates livelihoods, poisons our water-bodies and degrades our lands,” he stressed.

Against this backdrop, he said, there will be no leniency, no exception and no comfort for those who flout the country’s laws, regardless of nationality, political ties or business clout – adding, “The full force of our laws will be brought to bear”.

President Mahama therefore entreated the Association to steer its members toward strict compliance with Ghana’s mining laws and regulations.

“The Association must serve as a beacon of integrity, ensuring that its members operate within the set legal frameworks of our country, uphold environmental standards, uplift local communities and contribute positively to our nation’s sustainable development agenda.”

President Mahama reaffirmed government’s commitment to working closely with ACGM to enhance and streamline Chinese investment in Ghana’s mining sector.

“Through structured cooperation, we can unlock new opportunities while ensuring that mining activities align with Ghana’s broader developmental and sustainability goals,” he noted.

Furthermore, he emphasised the importance of leveraging China’s expertise in underground mining, low-grade ore development and mining-related technical training to boost efficiency and global competitiveness in Ghana’s mining industry.

“By integrating these advancements, we can build a mining sector that is both economically robust and environmentally sustainable,” he added.

President Mahama was the Guest Honour at the event, represented by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, commended the of the Association’s formation – describing it as a bridge for mutually beneficial cooperation and an important platform for dialogue between governments, businesses and local communities.

“I urge the Association to help Chinese enterprises better integrate into the local market, enhance the quality of collaboration and ensure that our cooperation yields win-win outcomes,” the Ambassador said.

He also encouraged ACGM to focus on job creation, value addition to minerals and community development.

The Chairman of ACGM, Mr. Tang Zhenjiang, in his inaugural remarks outlined the Association’s vision to move beyond profit and serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in Ghana’s mining sector.

“Through this Association, we will unify industry consensus, integrate resources, uphold our social responsibilities and benefit community development,” he stated.

“Together, we will write a new chapter in China-Ghana collaboration and further strengthen the enduring friendship between our nations.”

Tang Zhenjiang also reaffirmed ACGM’s support for national development programmes, including the Youth in Mining Initiative led by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment.

ACGM pledged to drive capacity building and skills transfer for Ghanaian youth through technical exchanges and collaborative projects.

The ACGM brings together leading Chinese mining enterprises operating in Ghana, including Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd. (a subsidiary of Shandong Gold Group), Golden Star (Wassa) Ltd. (a subsidiary of Chifeng Gold Group) and other established companies.

As a non-profit platform, the Association aims to promote shared growth, responsible mining practices, community development and technology transfer between China and Ghana.