Government plans to legalise ‘okada’

Some commercial motorbike riders, popularly known as “Okada” riders, in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region are calling on the government to reconsider a provision in the new Legislative Instrument (LI) aimed at regulating their business.

The proposed law, which seeks to amend the existing Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (Legislative Instrument 2180), stipulates that Okada riders must be at least 25 years old and belong to a recognised union.

However, many young riders are worried that this provision will take away their livelihood.

Atsu Mortey, a 21-year-old Senior High School graduate who has been riding Okada since he finished school at 17, expressed his concerns.

“The okada business is the only job I know how to do, and it has been my source of income since I graduated,” Mr. Mortey said.

He added: “If the government doesn’t reconsider this provision, many of us will be rendered jobless.”

Philip Nyamor, a 23-year-old Junior High School dropout, echoed Mortey’s sentiments. Nyamor, who has been riding Okada for several years, said the business has enabled him to support his younger sister, who is currently studying in the Sogakope Senior High School.

“We urge the government to look at this provision again,” Nyamor said.

He added: “Not all of us have the opportunity to go to school. This is what we do for a living, and we are ready to acquire the necessary licenses and documents. But we plead that the government reconsider the age limit.”

Some riders also expressed concerns that if the age limit is not revised, it could lead to an increase in robbery and social vices in the district.

“A man must hustle,” they said. “We are not asking for a handout, but we want to be given the opportunity to work and provide for our families.”

The riders have appealed to the government to review the provision and consider the impact it will have on their livelihoods. They are willing to comply with other provisions in the legislative instrument but are pleading for a reconsideration of the age limit.

The Ghana News Agency observed that the Okada business has become a vital source of income for many young people in the district.

Many have turned to okada riding as a means of survival, especially those who have dropped out of school or are unable to find formal employment.

The proposed law has sparked a heated debate in the district, with some residents calling for the government to reconsider the age limit provision.

Others at Mepe and Battor in the North Tongu District have argued that the law is necessary to regulate the okada business and improve road safety.

Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “The government should consider alternative livelihoods for okada riders who may be affected by the new regulations. This will help to mitigate the impact of the law on their livelihoods.”

The Ghana News Agency will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

UN Tourism has taken another major step towards advancing South-South cooperation in tourism development with the successful hosting of the 2nd UN Tourism Africa & The Americas Summit in Livingstone, Zambia.

Building on the foundation laid in Punta Cana last year, this year’s summit outlined concrete strategies to implement the Punta Cana Declaration, focusing on innovation, technical cooperation, connectivity, investment, and enhancing tourist confidence and safety.

Bringing together key leaders from Africa and the Americas, the summit reflected a growing movement of cross-continental unity. In his opening address, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili described the event as “proof of the enduring commitment of Africa and the Americas to cooperate across borders and oceans.”

“Now, with recovery complete, we look to the future,” he told the packed room of ministers and tourism stakeholders. “Our theme today reflects our priorities. We must build a more resilient tourism sector — and do so through the key pillars of connectivity, investment, and workforce development.”

Strong recovery and new momentum

The Secretary-General celebrated the resilience of the tourism sector, citing UN Tourism’s latest data. In 2024, Africa welcomed 74 million international travellers, a 12% increase over 2023 and 7% more than in 2019. The Americas saw 213 million arrivals, representing 97% of pre-pandemic levels.

“Our latest data makes clear the huge potential of tourism – as well as its resilience,” Zurab noted. “This is a sector that not only survived the pandemic – it’s bouncing back stronger and more united.”

“Africa and the Americas are not just connected by history and culture – they are now connected by ambition, opportunity, and a shared vision for inclusive growth through tourism.”

Connectivity, Investment and Skills

Pololikashvili outlined three strategic pillars that will guide the next phase of South-South tourism development: improved connectivity, increased investment, and accelerated human capital development.

On connectivity, he said:“This is a proven way to build opportunities for economic and cultural exchange. We are committed to working with our Member States to boost connections within regions and between regions.”

On investment, he emphasised: “Between 2019 and 2023, Africa and the Americas welcomed over $40 billion in foreign direct investment across 520 greenfield projects, generating around 150,000 jobs. But there is massive room for further growth.”

“More than half of recent tourism investments now lean toward environmentally conscious projects, showing our shared drive for sustainability in line with the 2030 Agenda.”

On skills development, he stressed the importance of youth: “By focusing on training and skill-building, we’re giving our people, especially the youth, the means to succeed in today’s competitive world.”

He also praised the Travel Hospitality & Tourism Education Summit held in Lusaka the day before:

“It was striking that all stakeholders – from both the public and private sectors – agreed on the importance of human capital development. We are proud to support our Member States in making this happen.”

Real action on South-South cooperation

The Summit also showcased progress in implementing the Punta Cana Declaration, particularly in fostering tourism investment between regions. UN Tourism reported that between 2019 and 2024, Africa invested approximately USD 3.9 billion in 36 projects across the Americas, while Latin America and the Caribbean matched this with 34 projects in Africa.

To build on this, UN Tourism announced plans for a Biennial Africa-Americas Tourism Investment Conference, designed to connect public and private stakeholders, stimulate cross-border investment, and align capital with sustainability goals.

Innovation, education and future talent

A major theme was preparing for the future through education and innovation. Pololikashvili highlighted efforts such as the ZITHS Mukuni International Academy for Tourism and Hospitality in Livingstone and a forthcoming start-up competition called “Bridges of Innovation” to spotlight sustainable and inclusive tourism enterprises.

“Education, investment, and cultural exchange were the cornerstones of the Punta Cana Declaration. This Summit is our chance to build on those foundations—and build a tourism sector that works for everyone,” the Secretary-General said.

“We will make sure that tourism not only preserves our shared heritage but, more importantly, lifts living standards across borders.”

Additionally, UN Tourism aims to reach 2,000 beneficiaries through new WhatsApp-based professional development courses in both regions.

Enhancing connectivity and security

Addressing structural barriers to tourism, the summit spotlighted efforts to improve air connectivity through partnerships, such as the new work plan with INGUAT (Guatemala) and the upcoming 2nd Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa, to be held in Angola in July 2025.

Tourist safety was also a priority. The ongoing Safety of Destinations Initiative (SAFE-D) was discussed, designed to strengthen public-private collaboration, promote crisis preparedness, and build confidence in travel to both regions.

A shared roadmap forward

As the summit drew to a close, the message was clear: the Africa-Americas partnership in tourism is no longer aspirational – it is operational. Through joint strategies in education, innovation, investment, and connectivity, the two regions are laying down the pathways to a tourism sector that is not only resilient but also inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready.

“I’m extremely excited about our upcoming conversations,” Pololikashvili concluded. “Together, we are mapping out new pathways for sincere and authentic cooperation between Africa and the Americas.”

Ghanaian boxing prospect Jonathan Mbanugu, known in the ring as Jon Power, is grappling with the haunting aftermath of a tragic fight that ended in the death of his opponent, Nigerian boxer Gabriel Olusegun Olanrewaju.

The 22-year-old pugilist is now at a crossroads, unsure whether he will lace up his gloves again.

What was supposed to be an exciting international showdown ended in heartbreak on March 29, after just two rounds of action.

Olanrewaju, aged 40, collapsed against the ropes and lost consciousness. Immediate attempts by ringside medical staff and paramedics to revive him proved futile.

He was rushed to the nearby Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital but was pronounced dead minutes later. What was meant to be a stepping stone in Jon Power’s blossoming career quickly descended into horror.

Post-mortem results have since confirmed that the Nigerian pugilist died of cardiac arrest, according to media reports in Nigeria citing the Secretary General of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBBoC), Oluremi Aboderin.

However, in Ghana, officials have declined to publicly release the report until a High Court judge ratifies it.

Investigation

Nonetheless, the fallout from the incident is far from over. The Ministry of Sports and Recreation this week inaugurated a seven-member committee to probe the circumstances surrounding the fight.

Authorities in Nigeria are also demanding answers from the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), citing concerns about the conditions under which the bout was sanctioned.

Back in Accra, Jon Power is struggling. Two weeks on from the tragic fight at the Bukom Arena, the psychological weight of that night continues to torment him.

His once-promising career hangs in the balance, as he questions whether he has the mental fortitude to ever step back into the ring.

Adding to the trauma is the wave of vitriol directed at the young boxer on social media. A viral video captured Jon Power speaking to ring announcer Mohammed Amin Lamptey moments after the fight. In it, he appeared unaware of the full gravity of what had happened and expressed joy over the victory—one that has since been struck from the records.

Upon realising the seriousness of the situation, Power quickly changed tone and offered prayers for his opponent’s recovery, though it was tragically too late.

“He is very sad, down and distraught and has been struggling to cope with what has happened,” said his manager, Gordon Frimpong of Osebor Boxing Management and Promotions.

“All the people insulting Jon Power are shameless and inconsiderate. Who says he was excited? These things always happen in sports and this is not the first time [in boxing] and it certainly wasn’t Jon’s fault.”

Mr Frimpong revealed that Jon Power’s mother has been emotionally shattered by the incident and has urged her son to quit boxing altogether.

In response, the promoter and a team of veteran trainers visited the boxer’s home in a bid to console and counsel him through the trauma.

“We showed him videos of similar tragedies in boxing to let him know he’s not alone and that even the greats have walked this difficult path,” he disclosed to the Daily Graphic.

“These interventions have helped lift some of the guilt from his shoulders. He’s beginning to heal, and we believe he’ll return to the ring soon. This is his livelihood—we can’t let one tragic event end his future.”

Trauma and support

Boxing is a sport that demands immense physical and mental resilience. Jon Power’s ordeal underscores the urgent need for comprehensive support systems that address both the physical and psychological well-being of boxers and other athletes—particularly those facing traumatic experiences or navigating the challenges of early retirement.

Indeed, the sport is no stranger to such heart-wrenching stories. British legend Barry McGuigan remains haunted by the death of Young Ali, who fell into a coma and died weeks later following their 1982 fight in London.

The tragedy shaped McGuigan’s life and spurred him to successfully campaign for tighter medical protocols around boxing matches in the UK.

Chris Eubank, another British icon, still carries the burden of his brutal 1991 clash with Michael Watson. Though Eubank won the fight, Watson suffered catastrophic brain injuries and spent 40 days in a coma.

The guilt altered Eubank’s entire approach to boxing—he avoided knockouts and sought points victories in his subsequent bouts.

In a tearful reunion years later on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, Eubank apologised to Watson, who gracefully responded: “Let’s move on… we are born warriors, we are real.”

Nigel Benn, the ‘Dark Destroyer’, lived with a heavy conscience for over a decade after his 1995 slugfest with American Gerald McClellan, who was left permanently disabled.

Benn later found peace through faith and eventually reunited with McClellan at a charity dinner in London in 2007, where emotions ran high but forgiveness prevailed.

Now, Jon Power finds himself in similar emotional territory. His story adds to the long list of boxers whose careers have been derailed by tragedy—not through fault or malice, but by the brutal realities of the sport.

For the Ghanaian boxing authorities, the incident sparked urgent calls for reform. The ongoing inquiry into Olanrewaju’s death is expected not only to determine what went wrong at the Bukom Arena but also to propose reforms to safety protocols for professional fights to safeguard the health of boxers.

The tragic events of March 29 have, sadly, become another chapter in boxing’s bloodstained history — but they may yet spark overdue reforms in the sport in Ghana.

For Jon Power, his road to recovery — both personal and professional — will be long, but the story of how he faces and overcomes this moment could ultimately define him.

ALSO READ:

By Erica Apeatua Addo

Enchi (WN/R), April 12, GNA – The Enchi District Magistrate Court will deliver verdict on April 23, 2025, in the case of a woman who allegedly destroyed and set on fire her ex-lover’s property in Amonie in the Aowin municipality.  

The accused person, Ruth Arthur, alias Amina, is a 36-year-old trader, earlier pleaded guilty with explanation to unlawful entry, causing damage and stealing.  

The court presided over by Mr Lawrence Buanor-Buer granted her bail in the sum of GH¢30,000 with two sureties.  

General Sergeant Stephen Offei Asante, who led prosecution, told the court that David Anni, alias Nana Atopah, is the complainant and an Okada rider lived in Amonie.  

 According to him, Ruth was also based in the same community with the complainant.  

The prosecutor said the complainant and Ruth were in a relationship for two years, but following the demise of their two-month-old child, the accused family objected to their companionship, hence a divorce.  

On March 3, 2025, around 0710 hours, while the complainant was attending a brother’s wedding at Nyameah, he received a call from his friend Akwasi, that the accused, who had previously moved out, had broken into his room and intentionally touched his belongings, General Sergeant Asante said 

He informed the court that upon receiving the call, the complainant hurriedly returned home to discover that Ruth had forcibly broken to his room.  

The prosecutor said when the complainant entered his room, he went straight to where he kept his GH¢22,000, but the cash was missing.  

He said accused allegedly damaged various appliances, including a 32-inch Hisense flat-screen television, a Binatone standing fan, Sony speakers, a master decoder, and a double-bed mattress. 

The accused also went to the kitchen to destroy items, including a container drum and other valuables at a cost of GH₵27,019.00. 

Prosecution said after receiving the report, the Police accompanied the complainant to the crime scene, where he guided them to the room that the accused had apparently set on fire and destroyed his belongings. 

General Sergeant Asante added that during the inspection, a double-bed mattress and some personal effects of the complainant were discovered to be partially burnt.  

The prosecutor said when the accused was interrogated, she admitted the crime in her caution statement and was subsequently charged and put before court for trial.  

GNA 

JP/LAA 

By Gifty Amofa

Accra, April 12, GNA – The Greater Accra Regional Police Command has arrested Nana Anderson, a suspected car rental thief and fraudster operating across the country. 

A press release signed by Superintendent of Police Ms. Juliana Obeng, Public Relations Officer, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, disclosed that Anderson, 37, unemployed, and also known as Anderson Nana Abeka, Essel Kofi Elvis, and Wilson Kojo Bismark, was apprehended on April 5, 2025, at a hideout in Atasemanso, Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region. 

His alleged accomplice, Gideon Baah, remains at large. 

Superintendent Obeng stated that investigations revealed Anderson fraudulently rented a Hyundai Elantra, registration number GT 114-25, on March 25, 2025, from a car rental partner of the complainant.  

Using forged ECOWAS identity and driver’s license cards with different names but his photograph, he deceived the witness into handing over the vehicle at Community 25, Tema. 

 Anderson later failed to return the vehicle and disabled its tracking system. 

“Further investigation uncovered that Anderson was part of a syndicate that employed similar fraudulent methods between January and March 2025 to steal several vehicles, including a Kia Forte at Hatso, a Honda Civic at Amasaman, and a Kia Ultima at Spintex, all in the Greater Accra Region,” the release noted. 

Police found that Anderson received GH¢4,000 for each stolen vehicle. 

Upon arrest, he admitted the offense and led the police to a location in Millennium City, near Kasoa, believed to be Baah’s residence, but Baah was not found.  

“Efforts are underway to apprehend Baah, popularly known as Nana,” Superintendent Obeng confirmed. 

Anderson has since been arraigned, and investigations continue.  

GNA 

KAS 

Dr Ato Forson meeting with the World Bank MD

Wencai Zhang, Managing Director of the World Bank Group, has reiterated the Bank’s commitment to supporting Ghana, particularly in agriculture, which he identified as a key priority for the institution. 

He noted that the World Bank had significant experience in agricultural transformation and was well-positioned to assist Ghana in evolving its agricultural sector.

Mr Zhang, who is also the Chief Administrative Officer of the World Bank Group, made the commitment during a courtesy call on Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister for Finance, on Friday.

The meeting focused on deepening cooperation between Ghana and the World Bank in critical areas such as agriculture, transportation, and energy.

He also disclosed that the Bank was currently working on initiatives aimed at boosting Ghana’s energy sector.

Dr. Forson appealed to the World Bank for increased support in these sectors, which he described as essential to the country’s long-term economic growth and development. 

He also proposed the establishment of a World Bank regional hub in Ghana to enhance collaboration and facilitate the timely implementation of development projects.

The visit forms part of ongoing engagements between Ghana and the World Bank aimed at strengthening development cooperation and driving inclusive economic growth.

Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:

Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Business WhatsApp channel

The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) will require about four billion dollars to expand its operations in bauxite mining, aluminium smelting, as well as refining alumina in the country.

Mr Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah, the Chief Executive Officer of GIADEC, made this known in a media interview when Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, paid a working visit to the company in Accra on Thursday.

Mr Ankrah said, for instance, the Company needed $800 million to expand the operations of VALCO, $1.5 billion for railway and ports expansion and $250 million for mining of bauxite.

The CEO of GIADEC said that although some investors had expressed a desire to invest in the aluminum value chain, they are yet to make a firm commitment to put money into it.

He was of the belief that investment in GIADEC’s operations would be a game-changer towards enhancing the aluminum downstream businesses.

Mr Ankrah stated that Ghana’s bauxite ore was of high quality and investing into its exploration and mining would bolster the country’s economy and create job opportunities for the Ghanaian youth.

Earlier, Mr Buah, the sector minister, engaged the management and staff of GIADEC and shared President John Mahama’s vision to reset the nation and industrialise through the aluminum industry.

He believed that expanding the aluminum industry required a multi-sectoral approach involving the transport and energy ministries to improve the supply of electricity, fuel, and gas to power the factories.

The Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation was established through an Act of Parliament, 2018 (Act 976) to promote and develop a globally competitive integrated aluminum industry in Ghana.

GIADEC is the holding company for all government investments and interests in their integrated aluminum industry.

The companies under GIADEC are VALCO and Ghana Bauxite Company, and the mining rights to Ghana’s bauxite reserves.

Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:

Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Business WhatsApp channel

The Trump administration has granted tariff exclusions for smartphones, computers and other electronics imports supplied largely by China, sparing them from much of President Donald Trump’s steep 125% duties.

In a notice to shippers, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency published a list of tariff codes that will be excluded from the duties. The exclusions are retroactive to 12:01 a.m. on April 5.

The U.S. CBP listed 20 product categories, including the very broad 8471 code for all computers, laptops, disc drives and automatic data processing. It also included semiconductor devices, equipment, memory chips and flat panel displays.

The notice did not provide an explanation for the Trump administration’s move, but the late-night exclusion provides welcome relief to major U.S. technology firms, including Apple (AAPL.O), Dell Technologies and countless other importers.

White House officials did not immediately reply to a request for comment on why the latest tariff exemptions had been made.

But the exemptions suggest an increasing awareness within the Trump administration of the pain that his tariffs had in store for consumers, especially on popular products such as smartphones, laptops and other electronics.

Trump ran for re-election last year largely on a promise to bring down prices that, fueled by inflation from the pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine, had rocketed and tarnished the economic reputation of President Joe Biden and his Democratic allies.

But Trump also promised as a candidate to impose the tariffs that have become a central part of his economic agenda, and the president has dismissed the turbulence in financial markets and expected price increases arising from the levies as a disturbance that was a necessary part of realigning the global economy and world trading order with his vision.

His so-called “reciprocal tariffs”, however, raised fears of a U.S. recession and drew criticism from his fellow Republicans, who do not want to lose control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in next year’s midterm elections to Democrats, who have sharply attacked Trump’s policies.

Trump, who is spending the weekend at his residence in Florida, told reporters on Friday he was comfortable with the high tariffs on China but respected President Xi Jinping and believed something good would come out of the trade conflict between them.

Source: Reuters

The Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin Initiative has called on politicians to depoliticize the Bawku conflict and allow the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to mediate a resolution using his proven wisdom.

The statement therefore urged the feuding factions to lay down their arms and support the Asantehene’sutions to peacebuilding and national development, noted that the acclaimed wisdom that Otumfuo used to resolve the Dagbon conflict over 17 years and involving over 1,000 mediation sessions would bring peace to Bawku.

Pillar of Peace

Hailed as a “Pillar of Peace”, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will require the full cooperation of all parties involved to achieve lasting reconciliation.

The statement therefore urged the feuding factions to lay down their arms and support the Asantehene’s efforts.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Cocoa is one of Ghana’s largest exports

The President of the Association of Ghana Industries, Dr Humphrey Ayim-Darke, has bemoaned the probable risks associated with the 10% tariff imposed by the US in relation to Ghana’s cocoa exports.

According to him, a chunk of Ghana’s revenue is derived from cocoa; therefore, a hit could be a challenge.

He said the government must account for the deep interconnections between cocoa exports, import-based revenue, and Ghana’s overall fiscal health.

“If you look into the domestic revenue mobilisation, about 50 plus percent — just about 50 — comes from the ports, and these are largely imports. And then from export as well, which includes cocoa. Unfortunately, we know we had a cocoa drop by virtue of the events of the galamsey and the cocoa export,” he was quoted to have said by myjoyonline.com.

If government revenue should take a hit by external factors, he said; “It has a ripple effect on the macro… If you’re not getting enough domestic build, you slap more monetary policies on us.

“It will trigger the policy rate, lending rates. The cycle continues, and it has a consequential effect on the US Dollar as well, which is our medium of trading.”

While Ghana has been slapped with a 10% tariff by the US, its neighboring country, Cote d’Ivoire, has been slapped with 14%.

The AGI president said this calls for a collaboration between the two countries to secure their cocoa exports.

“We are also concerned about the disparity between the tariff on Ghana and Ivory Coast, where we are together seeking to harmonise our total cocoa export and the benefits to the farmers. Today, you are happy, but the next time, it will all catch up with you. You cannot look at this in isolation… We need to be concerned with looking at the macro picture and the micro picture,” he said.

Dr Ayim-Darke also lamented the effects of US inflation on inward remittances.

“Remittances have become part of our inflows. If the inflationary rate hits the U.S. by virtue of the tariffs and chocolate prices going up, and the consumers’ disposable income is reduced, how much remittance will come to your family? That will affect government, too,” he added.

SSD/AE

Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:

Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Business WhatsApp channel

The group gathered outside Marlborough House in London’s Pall Mall

In July 1965, a group of sharply-dressed protesters, many holding placards,gathered outside Marlborough House in London’s Pall Mall during the Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference.

Their target; Ghana’s then president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who was once hailed as a hero of African independence before being accused of betraying democracy.

A black-and-white photograph shared on YouTube by Nigerian lawyer, Adeyinka Makinde captures the tense moment, with the demonstrators, dressed in suits, raising signs that read “Ghana is a Prison” and “Free the Judges.”

What Sparked the Protest?

Barely a year after assuming office, Dr Nkrumah, Ghana’s first post-independence leader, was accused of increasingly centralising power and silencing dissent through the Preventative Detention Act (1958), which allowed imprisonment without trial.

By 1964, Ghana became a one-party state after a heavily controlled referendum. The final straw for many was Nkrumah’s dismissal of Chief Justice Sir Arku Korsah in 1963 after he acquitted three opposition figures in a treason trial.

Judges who resisted political interference were removed, and universities faced censorship.

Exiled opponents, including former ministers, helped organise several protests in London to pressure Commonwealth leaders to isolate Nkrumah.

The Aftermath

Just eight months after that protest, in February 1966, Nkrumah was overthrown in a CIA-backed coup while visiting Vietnam. Ghana’s new military junta cited his autocratic rule as justification.

Though Nkrumah remained a Pan-African icon, his later years were marked by exile and disillusionment. Dr

Nkrumah died on April 27, 1972, in Bucharest, Romania, after a prolonged illness. He was 62 years old. Nkrumah had been in exile in Guinea following his overthrow in 1966.

Meanwhile, catch up on the concluding part of the story of Fort William, where children were sold in exchange for kitchenware, others, below:

ID/AE

Featured

Graphic Showbiz

Showbiz News

Apr – 12 – 2025 , 16:37

2 minutes read

Member of Parliament for Tano North, Dr Gideon Boako

Member of Parliament for Tano North, Dr Gideon Boako, has condemned the decision of the government to increase utilities.

He has questioned where the reduced cost of living they promised the Ghanaian people is if, after three months in government, they are increasing utilities.

In a post shared via social media, Dr Gideon Boako could not fathom why the NDC in power will continue to make the lives of Ghanaians bitter with increased utilities but poor services.

His post chronicled the increases of utilities between the two leading political parties drawing the attention of Ghanaians to the fact that the NPP manages the sector well and do not increase utilities as compared to the NDC.

His post read “The data I am sharing below depicts increases/reduction in electricity tariffs under the NDC (from 2009 to 2016) and NPP (from 2017 to 2024). It is instructive to note that both political regimes experienced IMF programmes in their first and second terms.

Under NDC

* 2009 – nill

* 2010 – 89% increase

* 2011 – 10% increase

* 2012 – 7.42% increase

* 2013 – 58.9% increase

* 2014 – 28.35% increase

* 2015 – 90.93% increase

* 2016 – 10% increase

Under NPP

* 2017 – nill

* 2018 – 17.5% reduction

* 2019 – 17.46% increase

* 2020 – nill

* 2021 – nill

* 2022 – nill

* 2023 – 51.02% increase

* 2024 – 6.47% increase

The NDC from 2009 to 2016 did a cumulative percentage increase in electricity tariffs of 294.6%, which translates into an average increase in electricity tariffs of 36.8% over their 8 years period in government

The NPP, on the other hand, did a cumulative percentage increase in electricity tariffs of 57.45% and an average of 7.2%.

While under the NDC, electricity tariffs were increased astronomically, Ghanaians at the same time were living in dumsor.

Under the Nana Addo-Bawumia government, electricity tariffs saw minimal increase with corresponding steady and reliable supply of electricity power.

Today, the government of the NDC that promised to reduce the cost of living for Ghanaians has, in their first four months in office, increased electricity tariffs by 14.75%. Coming events, they say, cast their own shadows.

And, hey! Let this not be blamed on any IMF programme because the data above shows that under the same IMF programmes, the NPP managed the electricity tariffs better.

Accra, April 12, GNA- Qatar Charity, an International non-governmental organization in Ghana, has commissioned a Centralized borehole water system at Sanalirigu in Tamale in the Northern Region.
The borehole uses solar panel Energy to power reservoirs to produce clean drinking water for residents.

The project was powered with some sustainable climate resilient solar panels and pumps which are sustainable, pilot, and unique to that effect, offering the Qatar Charity their largest ever water solutions model project in Ghana.

The programmes Manager of Qatar Charity, Mr. Abdullah Muslem said the method adopted in the project design was cost effective, environmentally friendly, and implemented to fulfil the needs of clean drinking water for the residents of the area as it operated with sunlight in the day and filled the reservoir tanks to provide a means of water storage for use during the night.

The demonstrated the engineering of the project where two boreholes were dugout to complement each other in case of low or dry water, and allowing two solar pumps to pump the two boreholes water to three water storage tanks installed on the stand with the capacity of 5000 litre each tank (15000) Whereas a main tank was installed on ground with the capacity of 10000 litre.

The total water storage is 350000 liters at main project site. There are 14 main water storage points/tanks, installed at four different locations along with 3 tap stands for easy access to water near to the doorsteps.
All the water points across the area have been connected to the centralized reservoirs.

Mr. Muslim highlighted on the significance of the role and responsibilities of the residents of the Sagnarigu community for purposes of development of the area, and for sustainability of the project.
He saidQatar Charity’s role was to provide clean drinking water, whereas the people, after the implementation, had the ultimate responsibility to ensure its safety, operation, and maintenance.

The main objective for the implementation of the project was to provide a clean and safe drinking water to more than 10000 men, women, and children of the villages through a network of pipelines and fixed storing reservoirs/tanks at various central points along with installation of group taps for easy access to all.
According to the people of Sagnarigu, the project had been the first and best ever water intervention that the village has witnessed so far:

“This project is one of its kind in our village that we have witnessed. We are very thankful for QATAR CHARITY in this regard, and we hope that they will continue to work for our community in future,” the constituency communication officer, Abdullah Muhammed Amin added.

The chief of the area, Mr. Yakubu Abdulai, expressed his feelings of gratitude to QATAR CHARITY during the opening ceremony.
He said the lack of access to clean drinking water was a big issue for the entirearea , which had been resolved by QC.

He acknowledged, with gratitude to Qatar Charity, the fact that the project will forever serve as a lasting blessing for the residents of Sagnarigu, contributing to the promotion of health and well-being for the entire community.

“The efficient solar-powered water distribution system represents a positive step towards improving living conditions and enhancing development prospects in this remote village of the northern region, ” the Chief added.
GNA
GRB

Former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has called for a complete overhaul of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) leadership following the party’s defeat in the 2024 general elections.

Speaking in an interview on Nhyira FM in Kumasi, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng described the current leadership as ineffective and accused them of contributing to what he termed a “shameful” and “unprecedented” electoral loss.

“All the executives must resign for leading the party to an unprecedented defeat. If the demons in the NPP are not removed from their leadership positions, the party will continue to suffer,” he stated.

The renowned heart surgeon, who previously served under the Akufo-Addo administration, emphasized that the removal of “bad elements” within the party is critical to restoring trust and dignity among the party’s grassroots base and the general public.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng also took aim at former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, criticizing his leadership style and describing him as “unreceptive and close-minded.”

His remarks come at a time when the NPP is grappling with internal divisions and facing calls for reform in the wake of the 2024 electoral outcome, which saw a significant drop in the party’s parliamentary representation and loss of the presidency.

E/R: Joint Police-Military team arrests seven galamseyers

…..

Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!

Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x

No spam, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital

Government revoked some small scale mining licenses

The Ghana National Association of Rock Miners (GNARoM) has appealed to the Government to reconsider its decision to halt the issuance of prospecting licences for small-scale mining in the country.

Rather, it urged the government to address the bureaucratic system associated with acquiring such licenses to mitigate the illegal prospecting and its related activities.

The government, early this week, said it was considering halting the issuance of prospecting licences for small-scale mining as part of measures to overhaul the mining sector and curb illegal mining, also known as “galamsey.”

Addressing a news conference in Accra, Dr Twum Barimah, President, GNARoM, said such a decision would create “deep confusion” within the mining sector.

He dispelled claims that the issuance of prospecting licences for small-scale mining was the major cause of “galamsey.”

According to him, the reason for the rise in the illegal mining activity was the hijacking of the small-scale mining by some political figures, adding that such persons circumvented the mining laws to their advantage.

“When we were young guys, when I was about 15, we went into mines, and there was a scatter. The government brought a system where soldiers would come to the site, chasing people. Some fell into the pit, some of the soldiers got injured, and the Police died from that incident.

“So, promulgation of the mining law stopped that system, and the small-scale mining law was introduced. It helped us to a certain level; we formed a small-scale mining association, which also brought it to a certain level,” Dr Barimah said.

He added that: “Now, you know the reason why illegal mining has come out so much? It is because the land, which was demarcated for small-scale mining activity has finished, and some government comes in, changing the rules, but not the law.

“They are not changing the law, they adopted some rules to hijack small-scale mining activities. So, government stopping giving licences or signing licences will lead to a very deep confusion,” he stressed.

Additionally, Dr Barimah indicated that the delay in acquiring these licenses was also a major contributory factor to the galamsey activities and urged the government to address it.

“We are also having a problem where an application will be put to the Mineral Commission, and it will take years for us to get the licence. It will lead the person to go into illegality,” he said.

He expressed GNARoM’s commitment to responsible, environmentally friendly, and sustainable mining, indicating that about 90-95 per cent of its operations occurred underground, limiting destruction of the environment.

Dr Barimah also lauded the establishment of the Goldbod, which seeks to regulate the gold industry, stabilise the cedi, and maximise revenue from gold exports.

He described the Goldbod as a “game-changer” for the Ghanaian economy and pledged the Association’s support to the board to realise its objectives.

“We believe that hard rock mining holds the key to Ghana’s economic growth and development, and we are eager to collaborate with the Ghana Goldbod to make this vision a reality,” he said.

Dr Barimah also pledged the Association’s readiness to collaborate with the Goldbod and other relevant statutory bodies to restore and promote sustainable mining practices in the country.

Eric Offei, Legal Adviser for GNARoM, said as an Association, it was committed to ensuring that its members operated within the established legal framework to ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly mining.

“Operations of mining companies in Ghana cannot be for the fun of it. It must be done within the remit of the law,” he said.

Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:

Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Business WhatsApp channel

The taskforce set up by the Eastern Regional Security Council to clamp down on illegal mining has apprehended eight illegal miners and impounded dozens of mining equipment in the Denkyembuor,Atiwa West, Fanteakwa and Ayensuano districts.

The operation was carried out on Friday by the taskforce made up joint police/ military officers from the Eastern regional police command and the Southern Command respectively.

The items confiscated include 24 excavator batteries, 16 pumping machines, a chainsaw,
3 monitors, 5 control boards, 3 single-barrelled guns, 2 pump-action rifles, cartridges and cash amounting to GHȼ3,000.

Addressing the media after what she describes as a successful exercise , the regional minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, emphasised President John Mahama’s commitment to the fight against illegal mining.

“For the past days, we have been combing the Eastern region with our military and police to make sure the mandate by the president is obeyed.”

“If you go around, our waters are so bad, the environment is destroyed, pits are uncovered, our forest is being destroyed. It is a hazard to our nation and the region, so for the few days our men have been on the ground and here you are with several excavators that have been seized from them,” she observed.

According to her, it is as a result of government’s decision to ensure that there is access to clean raw water for the Ghana Water Company Limited to supply for domestic use.

“For the past days, we’ve been to our service providers especially water works because we don’t have clean water and it’s become a problem for us in our communities.”

We are telling the people that the men are on the ground, they’re not leaving anytime soon until we stop the illegal mining and the environment is cleared,” she assured.

She further assured the public that none of the seized equipment would be released to their owners, stating that the suspects will be put before the law courts.

“They’re not disappearing because it is the excavators that are used to destroy the environment and anytime we leave it for the people, they are going back into the forest, we’re keeping it until the president directs us what we should do with it.”

“We’re leaving them to the laws to take its own course, so whatever the law says about what they’ve done, we leave it to them,” she explained.

Unlike previous governments that resorted to the burning of excavators as a solution to illegal mining, the regional minister said “We have said that our government will not burn any excavator but if the orders come that we should use it to work in the region, we can use it.”

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Rev John Ntim Fordjour has been at the center of the flights claims

In the wake of a controversial claim made by Assin South MP and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, a retired military officer and security analyst, Col Festus Aboagye (Rtd), has called on the lawmaker to back his statements with concrete evidence.

Rev. Fordjour alleged that two aircraft had landed in Ghana under suspicious circumstances—sparking public discourse and raising concerns about national security. However, Col Aboagye believes the matter requires more than vague assertions, especially coming from a legislator entrusted with such a sensitive portfolio.

Speaking during an interview on TV3’s The KeyPoints, Col Aboagye questioned the manner in which the MP chose to share the information.

“The honourable MP, Ranking Member, Defence and Security portfolio, is not an ordinary person on the street. If there is credible threat to the security of this country, I don’t expect anybody of his calibre and stature to go to the media and inform them.

“The first elements that you want to get in touch with are the security structures of the state — a whole plethora of them, including that portfolio committee of Parliament,” he said.

According to Col Aboagye, the MP’s claims raise even more questions, especially since Rev. Fordjour does not work directly at the Kotoka International Airport, where the alleged incident took place. He called for clarity on the source of the information.

“We know that Rev Ntim Fordjour does not work at the Kotoka International Airport, so somebody would have informed him about the goings on. I am asking him today, through this portal, who informed him? Was it one of the security elements — BNI/NIB or was it an external agent? Maybe a member of the diplomatic community. Who gave him that information?”

He added that the lawmaker needed to move beyond insinuations and provide specifics on the intelligence he supposedly received.

“He needs to give us better particulars of the intelligence and so far, he has been hedging. Indeed, in several instances he seems to suggest that the state agencies must come and brief him as a member of the portfolio committee. What is the intelligence? What exactly was he told?”