IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva

Trade tariff uncertainty is “literally off the charts” but there will not be a global recession, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said.

The international economic group said in its forecast for the world economy that global share prices have dropped “as trade tensions flared” and warned about an “erosion of trust” between countries.

However, it stopped short of predicting a worldwide recession, saying “our new growth projections will include notable markdowns, but not recession”.

The comments come as leaders and businesses respond to US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs announced on 2 April.

Global stock markets plummeted following the announcement and many have not recovered since – with the FTSE 100 index of the largest firms listed in the UK still 4.6% lower than a month ago.

Meanwhile, predictions of a global recession have risen as firms slash spending and investment amid the uncertainty and some countries respond to Trump with tariffs of their own.

On Wednesday, the World Trade Organization (WTO) forecast that global trade will fall this year because of Trump’s tariffs.

It follows similar comments from the Bank of England, which has said that rising trade tensions from tariffs have “contributed to a material increase in the risk to global growth” and financial stability.

Meanwhile, the European Central Bank (ECB) said on Thursday it had reduced its key interest rate “owing to rising trade tensions”.

But the IMF’s outlook is rosier by contrast. “[This] is a call to respond wisely,” said IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva on Thursday.

“A better balanced, more resilient world economy is within reach. We must act to secure it.”

She added “all countries must redouble efforts to put their own houses in order” in response to the uncertainty.

She specifically called on Europe to cut down on “restrictions on internal trade in services” and “deepen” its single market.

She also said China needs to increase its social safety net so that there is less “precautionary saving” and said the US government needs to reduce its debt.

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Ted News Ghana Blog of Friday, 18 April 2025

Source: TEDDY VAVA GAWUGA

• Skilled Ghanaian female carpenter, Ama Endorsed, had a great taste in cars when she was alive, and this was evident in the pictures she shared on Instagram
• The Lady Carpenter, as she was affectionately called by many, was reported to be dead on April 17, 2025
• YEN.com.gh put together pictures of the cars the skilled carpenter owned before her untimely passing

Female Ghanaian carpenter Ama Endorsed reportedly passed away, and the news of her passing took over social media on April 17, 2025.

Ama Endorsed car collection

The late Ama Endorsed was more than just a talented carpenter and successful businesswoman.

She was also known for her vibrant personality, inspiring work ethic, and taste for the finer things in life, especially cars and luxury jewellery and bags.

Before her untimely passing, Ama Endorsed proudly showcased glimpses of her car collection on social media over the years, offering fans and followers a peek into the rewards of her dedication and hustle.

Read also

Ama Endorsed: Late celebrity carpenter speaks about her ill health in old video, netizens react

For her birthday on February 17, 2025, Ama Endorsed gifted herself a brand new Range Rover in the colour white with a registered number plate dated 2025.

She shared pictures of her posing with her tools in the booth of the expensive car, while slaying in a black mini dress.

The expensive car was a gift to herself for her hard work in the architectural industry. As part of her birthday celebrations, she held a grand opening for the first phase of her factory

Ama Endorsed on her birthday

More pictures of Ama Endorsed with her Range Rover

The Lady Carpenter, as she was affectionately called by many, was captured posing with a white Mercedes-Benz, which further heightened her preferences in white cars.

The beautiful pictures in the carousel post below were taken at the Aburi Botanical Gardens. She flaunted her designer bag and fine beauty.

Read also

Ama Endorsed: Beautiful photos of the late carpenter slaying in outfits surface

Ama Endorsed dazzled in a brown figure-hugging dress while seated on the car’s bonnet.

In June 2019, Ama Endorsed flaunted her silver Hyundai Elantra while dazzling in a pair of gym shorts and a top.

The car was the first ever she posted on her Instagram feed, and it featured in her pictures until she changed to the white Mercedes-Benz.

Her changing from the Hyundai Elantra to the Mercedes-Benz showed that she was a lover of cars, and she proudly showcased that part of her.

More pictures of Ama Endorsed with her Hyundai Elantra

Pictures of Ama Endorsed

Photos of late carpenter Ama Endorsed emerge

YEN.com.gh reported that the sudden passing of celebrated businesswoman and skilled carpenter, Ama Endorsed, was announced on April 17, 2025, leaving many in sorrow.

Following the heartbreaking news, celebrities, friends, and fans flooded social media with tributes, offering condolences to her family and remembering her remarkable talent and vibrant personality.

Read also

Real name, age, businesses, photos, and other details of famous lady carpenter Ama Endorsed surface

In honour of her life and legacy, YEN.com.gh compiled a collection of beautiful photos showcasing Ama Endorsed’s unique fashion sense and style — a flair that endeared her to many and will be fondly remembered.

Source: YEN.com.gh

A US judge has ruled tech giant Google has a monopoly in online advertising technology.

The US Department of Justice, along with 17 US states, sued Google, arguing the tech giant was illegally dominating the technology which determines which adverts should be placed online and where.

This is the second antitrust case Google has lost in a year, after it was ruled the company also had a monopoly on online search.

Google said it would appeal against the decision.

“Publishers have many options and they choose Google because our ad tech tools are simple, affordable and effective,” the firm’s head of regulatory affairs Lee-Ann Mulholland said.

US district judge Leonie Brinkema said in the ruling Google had “wilfully engaged in a series of anticompetitive acts” which enabled it to “acquire and maintain monopoly power” in the market.

“This exclusionary conduct substantially harmed Google’s publisher customers, the competitive process, and, ultimately, consumers of information on the open web,” she said.

Google lost on two counts, while a third was dismissed.

“We won half of this case and we will appeal the other half,” Ms Mulholland said.

“The court found that our advertiser tools and our acquisitions, such as DoubleClick, don’t harm competition.”

The ruling is a significant win for US antitrust enforcers, according to Laura Phillips-Sawyer, a professor at the University of Georgia School of Law.

“It signals that not only are agencies willing to prosecute but also that judges are willing to enforce the law against big tech firms,” she said.

She said the verdict sets an important legal precedent and is likely to affect decision-making in corporate America.

Google’s lawyers had argued the case focused too much on its past activities, and prosecutors ignored other large ad tech providers such as Amazon.

“Google has repeatedly used its market power to self-preference its own products, stifling innovation and depriving premium publishers worldwide of critical revenue needed to sustain high-quality journalism and entertainment,” said Jason Kint, head of Digital Content Next, a trade association representing online publishers.

‘Structural changes’

Google owns large companies on the buyer and seller sides of the online advertising market, as well as an ad exchange which matches demand and supply.

Internet users will not notice a difference online as a result of the decision, said Anupam Chander, professor of law and technology at Georgetown University.

But it affects “the division of monies between advertisers, publishers, and ad service providers”.

“The judge seems willing to order structural changes in Google’s ad exchange practices, which may affect Google’s bottom line somewhat, but don’t seem to necessarily threaten its core value proposition as an advertising middleman,” he added.

In an ongoing series of antitrust lawsuits, the US government argues Google and its parent company Alphabet should be broken up – which could include selling off parts of the company such as the Chrome browser.

The US case will now move to a second “remedies” phase, which could also lead to Alphabet being broken up, said John Kwoka, a professor of economics at Northeastern University.

In September, the UK’s competition watchdog provisionally found Google was using anti-competitive practices to dominate the market for online advertising technology.

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Bangladesh has formally demanded a public apology from Pakistan for atrocities committed by the Pakistani military during the 1971 war, which led to the country’s independence.

The demand was put forward during a high-level diplomatic meeting held in Dhaka on Thursday, marking the first such engagement between the two nations in 15 years. The discussions touched on long-standing unresolved issues between the two countries.

In addition to the apology, Bangladesh is also seeking financial reparations totalling $4.52 billion from Pakistan. The claims cover Bangladesh’s share of pre-independence Pakistan’s foreign reserves, unpaid provident funds owed to public servants, and unsettled foreign aid commitments dating back to the country’s liberation.

“We raised the historical unsettled issues with Pakistan, including a formal public apology for the atrocities committed during the 1971 liberation war and the pending financial claims,” Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin told reporters after the meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, Amna Baloch.

He added, “Pakistan has assured us of continued engagement on these matters. Resolving them is essential to laying a strong foundation for our bilateral relations.”

While Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, Amna Baloch, who arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday for a diplomatic visit, did not make any public statements during her trip, officials noted that the tone of discussions remained cordial.

Another key issue raised by Dhaka was the repatriation of more than 324,000 stranded Pakistanis, mostly referred to as “Biharis,” who have lived in refugee camps across Bangladesh for over five decades since the end of the war.

According to Bangladeshi estimates, the nine-month conflict in 1971 resulted in the deaths of approximately 3 million people and left lasting scars that continue to influence the countries’ bilateral relationship.

The latest round of talks is seen as a significant opportunity to address these long-standing grievances and rebuild diplomatic ties between the two South Asian nations.

play videoEdward Bawa is the Group CEO of GOIL PLC

Group CEO of GOIL PLC, Edward Bawa has raised concerns over Ghana’s declining oil production, attributing the issue to deep-rooted structural challenges within the sector.

Speaking at an oil and gas forum in Accra on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Bawa revealed that Ghana’s oil production has dropped by more than 25 percent in recent years.

“Let’s not deny or pretend that the situation in Ghana today is not good. It’s not good because if we look at the data from 2019 to now, production has declined by about 25%,” he said.

Bawa’s remarks underscore the urgent need for reforms and investment to address the obstacles hampering the country’s oil output and to ensure long-term sustainability.

He further explained that the decline in production is primarily due to underinvestment and inefficiencies, noting that some license holders have failed to effectively develop or utilise their allocated resources.

“This has been caused by various factors, underinvestment and cases where even those holding licenses are not actively developing resources,” he added.

Bawa was first appointed Acting CEO of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) in January 2025 by President John Mahama, before he was later reassigned as GOIL Group as CEO in February 2025.

FKA/MA

File photo of US Embassy in Accra, Ghana

The Donald Trump administration is said to be proposing major cuts to the United States (US) State Department’s budget, with plans to reduce it by over $30 billion, more than half, for the 2026 fiscal year.

According to CNN journalist Larry Madowo, this cost-cutting initiative includes the closure of up to 30 US diplomatic missions worldwide, with around 60% of the affected posts located in Africa.

In a video shared on his X platform on April 17, 2025, Madowo cited an internal memo indicating that the Trump administration intends to shut down at least 27 diplomatic missions, including both embassies and consulates, primarily in Africa and Europe.

The said memo also outlines plans to transition some missions to lower-cost operational models and consolidate multi-mission posts, such as the one at UNESCO in Paris.

These proposed closures are part of a broader strategy to reduce foreign aid by nearly 75% and restructure the US diplomatic corps in line with the administration’s “America First” agenda.

Among the African countries likely to see embassy closures, if the plan is approved, are South Sudan, Lesotho, The Gambia, Eritrea, the Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic.

“They also want to shut down the consulates in Douala in Cameroon and in Durban, South Africa, and reduce the size of the mission in Mogadishu, Somalia,” Madowo reported.

While the proposal remains under review and has yet to be finalised, the US State Department, the White House, and the Office of Management and Budget have not issued any official comments on the matter.

Meanwhile, the potential impact of these closures is significant, especially in Africa, where US embassies play vital roles in diplomacy, development aid, and regional security cooperation.

Critics have warned that reducing the US diplomatic footprint could weaken American influence on the continent at a time when global competition for strategic partnerships is intensifying.

The proposed downsizing is however expected to also spark concern among diplomats, lawmakers, and international partners, who fear long-term consequences for US foreign policy and global engagement.

Watch the video below:

Trump plans to close some US embassies to save money – 60% of them are in Africa.

Here’s the full list pic.twitter.com/lREC1qqGKY

— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) April 17, 2025

MA

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Some of the arrested Chinese, Korean nationals involved in illegal mining activities

A joint large-scale operation conducted on Thursday by the Ghana Police Service and the Forestry Commission at six illegal mining sites near Samreboi in the Western North Region has led to the arrest of 26 individuals involved in illegal mining activities, locally known as galamsey.

According to police sources, the sites are allegedly linked to Akonta Mining, a company reportedly owned by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The raid resulted in the arrest of 26 individuals, including six Chinese nationals, two Koreans, and 18 Ghanaians.

Additionally, 18 excavators used in the illegal mining operations were seized and placed in police custody.

Providing an update on Friday, April 18, 2025, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, revealed that five of the excavators were left behind due to what he described as “mobility challenges.”

“On the eve of Good Friday, just after wrapping up my working visit to the Ashanti Region, I joined an intelligence-led operation by the Ghana Police Service on behalf of the Forestry Commission of Ghana in a raid of about six illegal mining sites allegedly belonging to Akonta Mining (which is believed to be owned by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi) in Samreboi, Western North Region.

“The exercise resulted in the arrest of 6 Chinese, 2 Koreans, and 18 Ghanaians. A total of 8 excavators were also taken, while 5 were abandoned at their locations due to mobility challenges,” he stated in a Facebook post.

Other equipment, including three vehicles, motorbikes, and various mining tools, were also seized and taken into custody.

The arrested individuals have been transported to Accra for further investigation and legal action.

Read the full post below:

MAG/MA

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

Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance

The Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has clarified that the recent increases in electricity and water tariffs are part of Ghana’s obligations under its ongoing program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

His comments come in the wake of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s (PURC) announcement of a 14.75% increase in electricity tariffs and a 4.02% rise in water charges, both set to take effect on May 3, 2025.

Dr Ato Forson, speaking at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 explained that the tariff adjustments were a requirement for Ghana to access the next $370 million tranche under the IMF deal.

“We have begun the implementation, which you recently saw, the quarterly adjustment by PURC, which was supposed to have been done by last year. But we have ensured that it has been done in line with the statutory benchmark as agreed in the third review,” he explained.

Dr Ato Forson also responded to growing speculation about a possible renegotiation of Ghana’s agreement with the IMF, making it clear that the government has no intention of revisiting the terms.

“Renegotiating presupposes that you don’t believe in the program, and so you want to open up the conversation to look at other parameters of the program. That isn’t the position of the government. The government is committed to the implementation to achieve the objectives of the IMF program,” he said.

The finance minister further acknowledged that although some structural benchmarks and quantitative targets were missed prior to the current administration taking office, the government remains focused on meeting the program’s goals moving forward.

MA

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File photo of US Embassy in Accra, Ghana

The Donald Trump administration is said to be proposing major cuts to the U.S. State Department’s budget, with plans to reduce it by over $30 billion, more than half, for the 2026 fiscal year.

According to CNN journalist Larry Madowo, this cost-cutting initiative includes the closure of up to 30 U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide, with around 60% of the affected posts located in Africa.

In a video shared on his X platform, Madowo cited an internal memo indicating that the Trump administration intends to shut down at least 27 diplomatic missions, including both embassies and consulates, primarily in Africa and Europe.

The memo also outlines plans to transition some missions to lower-cost operational models and consolidate multi-mission posts, such as the one at UNESCO in Paris.

These proposed closures are part of a broader strategy to reduce foreign aid by nearly 75% and restructure the U.S. diplomatic corps in line with the administration’s “America First” agenda.

Among the African countries likely to see embassy closures, if the plan is approved, are South Sudan, Lesotho, The Gambia, Eritrea, the Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic.

“They also want to shut down the consulates in Douala in Cameroon and in Durban, South Africa, and reduce the size of the mission in Mogadishu, Somalia,” Madowo reported.

While the proposal remains under review and has yet to be finalised, the U.S. State Department, the White House, and the Office of Management and Budget have not issued any official comments on the matter.

Meanwhile, the potential impact of these closures is significant, especially in Africa, where U.S. embassies play vital roles in diplomacy, development aid, and regional security cooperation.

Critics have warned that reducing the U.S. diplomatic footprint could weaken American influence on the continent at a time when global competition for strategic partnerships is intensifying.

The proposed downsizing is however expected to spark concern among diplomats, lawmakers, and international partners, who fear long-term consequences for U.S. foreign policy and global engagement.

Trump plans to close some US embassies to save money – 60% of them are in Africa.

Here’s the full list pic.twitter.com/lREC1qqGKY

— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) April 17, 2025

MA

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Prof Nyarko (in pink shirt) presenting laptop to Kwadaso Municipal Health Directorate officials

The Member of Parliament for Kwadaso Constituency, Professor Kingsley Nyarko, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to complete the Agenda 111 hospital projects if he truly cares about Ghana’s health sector.

According to him, completing these projects will bring healthcare delivery to the doorsteps of Ghanaians.

The MP expressed concern over the perceived lack of commitment from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration to continue the project.

Professor Nyarko believes that government is a continuous process, and therefore, the NDC administration should work on the project given its potential to benefit ordinary Ghanaians.

On Thursday, April 17, 2025, Professor Nyarko presented items worth over GH¢100,000 to the Kwadaso Municipal Health Directorate.

The donated items included refrigerators, laptops, office furniture, and more, intended for distribution among health facilities such as Atwima Takyiman Health Center, Nwamase Health Center, and the Directorate.

Speaking to OTEC news, Professor Nyarko pledged to collaborate with stakeholders to improve the well-being of his constituents.

The Municipal Health Director, Grace Billie Kampitib, expressed gratitude for the gesture, noting that it will enhance healthcare delivery in the area.

“Professor Nyarko’s donation is not an isolated incident; he has consistently supported various institutions in his constituency,” she said

In 2023, he donated ICT equipment to Asuoyeboah M/A JHS and Ohwimase Anglican JHS to promote digital education. Similarly, in 2021, he donated streetlight bulbs, hand sanitizers, and face masks to Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED).

View imaged from the event below

The Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has issued a strong call to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), and the Ministry of Energy to urgently resolve the ongoing power outages affecting the constituency.

In a statement released on Friday, April 17, the MP expressed deep concern over the persistent and unannounced power cuts commonly referred to as dumsor, which have plagued communities in the area for several months.

He noted that these outages occur without prior communication from the power distribution agencies, leading to severe disruptions.

“These unplanned outages occur without prior notice or communication from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) or the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), causing widespread disruption to households, healthcare facilities, educational institutions and businesses,” the statement read.

The MP warned that the consequences of the unreliable power supply were far-reaching, undermining economic activity, endangering lives, and compromising the delivery of critical services in the constituency.

Although he acknowledged that the current power crisis is a nationwide issue, he spotlighted that Weija-Gbawe has been disproportionately affected.

According to the MP, some areas within the constituency have experienced continuous outages lasting more than four days, with some incidents extending even longer.

“Despite several engagements with ECG officials aimed at resolving this crisis, there has been no meaningful progress. While we have received assurances of GRIDCo’s intervention, residents of Weija-Gbawe continue to endure the burden of unreliable electricity supply,” he said.

Shaib stressed the urgency of the situation and called for immediate and decisive measures to permanently resolve the issue.

He described the appeal as “respectful but firm,” asserting that the people of Weija-Gbawe deserve a reliable power supply.

‘No more neo-colonial deals’ – Minerals Commission

Cocoa is a key export commodity for Ghana

Over the years, a rules-based global trading system has boosted international commerce and contributed to a gradual, steady decline in tariffs — a tax that countries levy on imported goods. In 2023, about two thirds of world trade occurred without tariffs.

In contrast, a sweeping spate of steeper tariffs recently introduced by major economies are raising concerns over escalating trade tensions and their impact on developing countries.

In a new report released on 14 April, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is amping up calls that the poorest and most vulnerable economies be exempt from “reciprocal tariffs”.

Such tariffs, currently on pause for 90 days, were calculated at rates to balance bilateral merchandise trade deficits between the United States and 57 of its trading partners – ranging from 11% for Cameroon to 50% for Lesotho.

The report, entitled “Escalating tariffs: The impact on small and vulnerable economies”, finds that in many cases, reciprocal tariffs risk devastating developing and least developed economies, without significantly reducing US trade deficits or increasing revenue collection.

Most vulnerable economies at risk

The 57 trading partners concerned – 11 of them least developed countries – contribute minimally to US trade deficits, UN Trade and Development notes.

For instance, 28 of them each account for less than 0.1% of the deficits yet could still be subject to reciprocal tariffs.

As many of these economies are small in size, structurally weak with low purchasing power, they offer limited export market opportunities for the US.

“Any trade concessions they grant would mean little to the United States, while potentially reducing their own revenue collection,” the UN Trade and Develop report underscores.

Reciprocal tariffs likely to have ‘minimal’ impact on US

If the reciprocal tariffs kick in again, demands for many imported goods are likely to decrease because of higher prices.

Even if US import levels were to remain at 2024 levels, additional tariff revenue collected from poorer and smaller economies would be minimal.

For each of 36 of the 57 trading partners, the reciprocal tariffs would generate less than 1% of US current tariff revenues (at approximately $83 billion in 2024).

This means the total contribution of these 36 economies would be some $4 billion, or about 5% of what the US collected in custom duties in 2024.

Potential negative impact on US consumers

The report also notes that several countries facing potential reciprocal tariffs export agricultural commodities the US doesn’t produce, for which there are few substitutes.

Some examples can be vanilla from Madagascar’s or cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.

In 2024, the US imported vanilla worth approximately $150 million from Madagascar. Cocoa imports from Côte d’Ivoire were close to $800 million, while imports from Ghana were valued at about $200 million.

Increasing tariffs on these goods, despite possibilities to add some revenues, is likely to result in higher prices for consumers.

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The British High Commission has donated over 19 cartons of international standard rugby kits and balls to the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) in a bid to promote the sport in Nigeria. 

The ceremony where the donation was made took place on Thursday at the Media Centre of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

UK Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, expressed her excitement about the potential of Nigerian rugby players, stating, “Over 120 countries globally participate in rugby. Why shouldn’t Nigeria be one of the countries climbing up the league tables both in Africa and beyond? I believe Nigeria can achieve that.” 

She praised the country’s rapid progress, noting that Nigeria has moved from 24th to 8th in Africa’s rugby rankings in under three years.

Lever also highlighted the positive impact of rugby on society, saying, “Rugby is famous for its team spirit, shared goals, and strong values like integrity, honesty, and respect. It’s a physically tough game that teaches mental resilience and promotes social inclusion.” 

She commended the NRFF’s efforts to bring more women into the sport, particularly the Rugby Rising Play Programme, a girls-only initiative for teenage girls aged 10 to 18 across 15 states.

The Assistant Director in the Ministry of Sports, representing the National Sports Commission Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Maigidasama expressed gratitude to the British High Commission for the donation, stating, “We have over 40 sporting federations in Nigeria, so this support to rugby is a huge plus. We urge the UK Commission to extend similar gestures to other federations.”

NRFF General Manager, Azeez Ladipo, thanked SOS Kit Aid, a UK-based organization, and the British High Commission for their support. He highlighted the progress of Nigerian rugby under Dr. Ademola Are’s leadership, which includes soaring in rankings which saw Nigeria climbing from 24th to 8th in Africa’s rugby rankings. Launching of Rugby Rising Play programme, the initiative that is meant for only teenage girls, hiring of a qualified and internationally renowned rugby coach for the national team, Steve Lewis, who is a two-time USA Coach of the Year.

Other achievements include winning the President’s Cup against Ghana and reviving the women’s rugby programme

Ladipo assured that the donated kits would be utilised for the development of sports in Nigeria.

Credit: Deeonemedia

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Former Managing Director of the State Transport Corporation, Nana Akomea

The former Managing Director of the State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea, has expressed disappointment in the current government.

He stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC), under John Dramani Mahama, has let down the Ghanaian people by engaging in the same practices they once criticized during the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) tenure.

According to him, if John Dramani Mahama genuinely intends to “reset” Ghana, then several things need to change.

He took the opportunity to condemn the use of security agencies to intimidate citizens and called for effective interventions to resolve the Bawku conflict.

“While we were in office, the NDC accused us of running a ‘family and friends’ government. They convinced Ghanaians that they would do things differently, and that’s why they were voted into power. But now, they are doing the very things they once condemned,” he said.

He added, “They have deceived the people of Ghana, and that’s why faith in democracy is dwindling. I am deeply disappointed. They claimed they came to reset the country, but look at the situation at the Bank of Ghana—where the Governor also serves as the Board Chairman. How is the Bank of Ghana’s work supposed to be independently monitored? John Mahama came across as a reformer, yet he has maintained this flawed arrangement. If you claim to be resetting the country, then you must be truly committed to that goal,” he said in an interview on Accra-based Asempa FM.

Accra, Ghana – The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Andrews Tandoh, has dismissed concerns that Ghana is veering toward nationalisation of its mining sector, asserting that the country is instead pursuing a strategic indigenisation agenda to secure fairer outcomes for its citizens.

“There hasn’t been a policy for nationalisation. We are not Burkina Faso. We are not Mali. But we are pushing for indigenisation,” Tandoh said during an interview on Joy News.

His remarks come amidst public debate over the government’s decision not to renew the mining lease for Gold Fields Ghana’s Damang Mine—a move some critics have interpreted as a shift toward state control. But Tandoh was firm in his rebuttal, stressing that the core objective is to reform outdated agreements and create more equitable partnerships.

Beyond Perpetual Leases

“We support foreign investment,” Tandoh affirmed, “but some of these agreements cannot be in perpetuity. If you’ve been given a lease for 30 years and you’ve worked through the 30 years, it cannot be business as usual. Those neo-colonial types of agreements cannot continue.”

Tandoh described the government’s stance as measured and deliberate, not reactionary. “This is about Ghana. This is about ensuring our infrastructure, our communities, and our people benefit from what is under their feet.”

A Call for Balanced Partnerships

The Commission’s position, he said, is rooted in the principle of mutual benefit. Ghana welcomes investors, but under fair and forward-looking terms.

“We’re not saying don’t come. We’re saying, let’s do fair business. Let’s look again at what we signed 30 years ago. The times have changed.”

Tandoh revealed that the Minerals Commission is actively reviewing existing mining agreements as part of a broader effort to reform the sector and promote sustainability and inclusive growth.

“Genuine investors are not afraid of fairness. They are afraid of instability,” he noted. “We are offering structure, fairness, and a clear plan for growth.”

National Interest at the Core

Tandoh concluded with a strong emphasis on national interest, noting that the government’s approach is rooted in long-term strategy, not populism.

“This is not abrupt. This is deliberate. It is strategic. And above all, it is for Ghanaians.”

As Ghana repositions itself within the global mining economy, Tandoh’s comments serve as a clear message to both foreign and domestic stakeholders: the era of extractive imbalance is coming to an end, and a new era of fairness, equity, and national benefit is on the horizon.