Associate Professor at the University of Ghana School of Law, Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, has sought to calm public concerns over the potential disruption to Ghana’s judicial system following the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.

His remarks follow President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend the Chief Justice on April 22, 2025, after a prima facie case was established based on three separate petitions seeking her removal from office.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Prof. Appiagyei-Atua emphasized that Ghana’s 1992 Constitution has adequate provisions to ensure continuity in judicial operations, even in the absence of the Chief Justice.

“I’m not sure that justice delivery will be affected so much because the constitution makes room for somebody to stand in for the Chief Justice when a such situation arises. So we have the most senior Supreme Court judge will stand in during the period until the matter is resolved,” he said.

When asked about the fate of cases presided over by the suspended Chief Justice, Prof. Appiagyei-Atua clarified that such matters would be addressed under the direction of the acting Chief Justice.

Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, is currently serving as the Acting Chief Justice in accordance with Article 144(6) of the Constitution.

The suspension of Justice Torkornoo and the subsequent judicial developments have sparked widespread discourse, but experts like Prof. Appiagyei-Atua maintain that the integrity and functioning of the judiciary remain intact.

Mahama suspends Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo

On April 6, Lazio faced off against Atalanta in a blockbuster Serie A fixture.

All eyes were on the reigning African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman to come up clutch and deliver the goods for Atalanta; instead, it was a different Nigerian player who proved decisive. 

The sole goal of the match came in the 54th minute, when Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas launched the ball up the pitch, where Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was there to beat Isak Hien to the ball and head it sideways into the path of Gustav Isaksen, who coolly slotted into the back of the net.

It was yet another impressive performance for Dele-Bashiru who completed 14 out of 19 passes (including two key passes), and who also completed two out of four dribble attempts.

Born in Lagos, Dele-Bashiru moved to England at a young age alongside his brother Tom and made his way through the ranks at Manchester City before joining Sheffield Wednesday in 2020.

He emerged as a crucial figure for the Owls before deciding to take his talents to Turkey in 2023, joining Hatayspor on a three-year contract. He scored eight goals in his first Süper Lig season, finishing as their joint-top scorer, including a vital goal in the final matchday in a 2-0 win vs. Rizespor to secure the club’s survival in the top-flight.

These performances prompted the attention of Lazio, who signed him on loan with an obligation to buy for €5.4 million. The Manchester City academy product has quickly emerged as a key player for the Biancocelesti, racking up 5 goals and 3 assists in 26 appearances and becoming a reliable impact sub for Marco Baroni.

After gradually biding his time on the bench, Dele-Bashiru is playing week in week out and even being given the occasional start – as was the case vs. Atalanta.

“Fisawo Dele-Bashiru is a very good player and he’s shown that with the Super Eagles and at Lazio,” stated Mutiu Adepoju. “He’s an impressive player, and if I believe that if he continues working hard, he will reach the highest level.”

“Lazio isn’t a small club, but doing well at Lazio means that he can do well in any team that he plays in…I’m actually impressed with what he’s doing at Lazio and I hope he’ll continue that way,” added Adepoju, who led Nigeria to their first-ever World Cup and won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles.

Dele-Bashiru’s versatile skillset and aggression has allowed him to slot into a number of different positions across midfield.

Capable of stepping in and making a well-timed challenge, the Nigerian has been utilized in a defensive midfield role, but he also has the engine, creativity and overall vision to play in a box-to-box central midfield role.

Moreover, his work-rate and technical finesse has seen him slot into the attacking midfield role, where he’s able to impact the final third and link up with his fellow attackers.

It’s this complete profile which has seen many Lazio fans draw comparisons to Lazio legend Sergej Milinković-Savić. He constantly backs himself to win ground duels and is capable of hoodwinking defenders with his remarkable dribbling skills, and whose efficiency in the final third enables him to find the target or pick out a teammate in a dangerous area without needing a ton of touches.

Despite often playing in a deep-lying playmaker role, Dele-Bashiru has racked up 4 goal contributions in the UEFA Europa League, second only to veteran forwards Pedro Rodríguez (6) and Valentín Castellanos (6) and midfielder Gustav Isaksen, whilst his two big chances created are second only to Pedro and Isaksen (3 and 4).

At 24 years of age, Dele-Bashiru is flourishing in Europe’s top five leagues and helping Lazio challenge at the top of Serie A, with the Italian side currently sitting one point behind sixth-placed Roma and three behind fifth-placed Juventus. And whilst they missed out on a spot in the Europa League semifinals after a heartbreaking penalty shootout vs. Bodø/Glimt, they have six matches to salvage their campaign and qualify for Europe’s major competitions.

Expect Dele-Bashiru to continue proving essential off the bench and delivering the goods for a Biancocelesti side that is enjoying an impressive transition under Marco Baroni.

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Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), Dr Adam Atiku

The Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), Dr Adam Atiku, has been dismissed from his position following allegations of negligence that led to the recent death of a patient at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Ward.

According to information shared by Joy News on social media, the dismissal was effected by the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, after he visited the hospital on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, to assess the situation firsthand.

“I have formally sacked the CEO of the Tamale Teaching Hospital with immediate effect,” Joy News quoted Kwabena Mintah Akandoh as saying.

The decision comes amid growing concerns over the deteriorating state of healthcare delivery at the facility, where several essential medical machines are reportedly non-functional.

During his visit, the minister expressed serious concern about the number of idle medical machines, despite payments having been made to suppliers.

He also highlighted the impact of the ongoing water crisis in Tamale on hospital operations, describing it as part of a broader regional issue requiring urgent presidential intervention.

Addressing plans to resolve the hospital’s equipment challenges, Akandoh stated that any actions taken by the ministry would be guided by the priorities set by the hospital’s management.

“When we finish with them, we will all think through it together. I cannot do it all alone; I have to involve them, and we are thinking through it collaboratively. Everybody should remain calm and continue to patronize the facility,” he said.

AM/KA

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The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has confirmed the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Dr. Adam Atiku, with immediate effect.

Speaking on Joy FM‘s NewsNight on Tuesday, April 22, the Minister revealed that a formal letter had been issued to communicate Dr. Atiku’s termination.

“As I speak to you now, we have thanked him for the services he rendered at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. We believe it is time for someone else to continue as CEO.

“He has been sacked with immediate effect,” Mr Akandoh stated.

When asked whether Dr. Atiku had accepted the dismissal or intended to challenge it, the Minister responded, “I don’t know yet.”

“Relieving him of his position is not only because of the incident that happened on Sunday, and the appointing authority owes nobody any explanation for hiring or firing an employee.”

He further disclosed that a committee has been established to investigate the circumstances surrounding a recent death at the hospital that has drawn public attention.

This comes after the Minister visited the Tamale Teaching Hospital on Tuesday morning to familiarise himself with the facility and understand an incident that transpired on Sunday.

He noted that during a tour of the emergency unit, the doctor was explaining the incident, but some of his remarks were insensitive, saying that the doctor did not seem to grasp the seriousness of the issue, which he found troubling.

Mr Akandoh emphasised the need for empathy in healthcare, especially when a death occurs under questionable circumstances.

“I had to draw his attention that when life is lost, it’s very, very important, and we must all show concern, especially when people believe that it is avoidable or preventable,” he said.

The Minister also expressed dissatisfaction with the hospital’s overall condition and management of resources.

“There were a lot of things that I was not happy about, especially when equipment bought by my government has been run for some time and is being left unattended. They couldn’t maintain, they couldn’t replace. Yet they are expecting the government to bring money to come and maintain or replace.”

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By Stanley Senya  

Accra, April 22, GNA – Ghana is developing West Africa’s first integrated petroleum hub, with the aim of enhancing regional fuel security and reducing petroleum costs.  

The hub is being developed in three phases between 2024 and 2036.  

The first phase, which broke ground in 2024, includes a 300,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) refinery, a 90,000-bpd petrochemical plant, storage tanks and marine port infrastructure.  

Dr. Toni Aubynn, CEO of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation, speaking dring the Invest in African Energies: Accra Investor Briefing shared details on the investment opportunities tied to the hub.  

He said, “Our responsibility is to ensure that we bring the ideas of the state into reality: that is to build three refineries and five petrochemical plants.”  

He said Ghana would be the first to establish a facility such as this and “we are going to rely on investors to develop these important industries and our target is local investors.”  

The CEO said the country’s sole operating refinery, the Tema Oil Refinery, already played a key role in reducing refined petroleum imports and although the refinery had been operational since 1963, modernization efforts were underway to improve its units and increase productivity.  

Dr. Yussif Sulemana, Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery, explained that the refinery’s success was driven by efficient work processes.  

“Short-term, our strategy is to maximize existing assets. Medium- to long-term, we are looking at partnership and strategic investment. We have a lot of investors interested and are looking for capital injection and expertise,” he said.  

He said on the storage side; Ghana was investing in infrastructure to boost capacity and enhance its inter-depot pipeline networks. Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST), responsible for the country’s strategic fuel reserves, is working to strengthen industry infrastructure.  

Nana Amoasi VII, Technical Advisor of BOST, said, “Going forward, we plan to double our fleet of barges and introduce a pipeline from Tema to the Accra Plains Depot. We want to develop another storage facility and ensure that we use  

alternative fuels.”  

He said in line with this surge in downstream investment, Ghana was also prioritizing local content and human capital development to unlock greater value for the local population.  

Mr Kwaku Boateng, Director of Economics and Local Content at Ghana’s Petroleum Commission, emphasized that “We need to maximize the oil and gas industry, and to achieve the stability of the hydrocarbon industry, we need local content.”  

He said at the Petroleum Commission, they have a strategy to ensure that across every petroleum activity, there was a Ghanaian possibility. Ghanaian companies were strong partners to the international oil companies.  

Mr David Pappoe, President of the African Energy Chamber in Ghana, said both the government and private companies had roles to play.  

“Ghanaian companies must build capacity… Without human capacity, technology and knowledge, you cannot compete. We want to drive collaboration across the African continent. Through collaboration, we will be on our way to ending energy poverty,” he added.  

The Invest in African Energies: Accra Investor Briefing served as a prelude to the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies conference, taking place from September 29, 2025, to October 3, 2025, in Cape Town.  

The event highlighted commercial oil and gas opportunities in Ghana, setting the stage for further discussions and deal-making in Cape Town.  

GNA  

CA/  

New Delhi, Apr. 22, (dpa/GNA) – More than 20 people were killed when a group of suspected extremists opened fire on tourists in the volatile Indian region of Kashmir, according to officials.

Indian Interior Minister Amit Shah described the attack as a “dastardly act of terror,” without providing information on the perpetrators.

The attackers opened fire on tourists in a popular tourist area near the town of Pahalgam, killing 26 people, according to reports by Indian broadcaster NDTV and the newspaper Greater Kashmir, citing officials.

Most of the fatalities were tourists. Several people were also injured. There was no official confirmation of the death toll.

The context of the situation was initially unclear and no group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

NDTV had earlier reported at least one person was killed and six people injured in the attack.

Other local outlets earlier said it was likely that several people were killed.

According to Greater Kashmir newspaper online, a group calling itself The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for the attack.

Expressing his shock in a post on X, Omar Abdullah, chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, condemned the attack on tourists as “an abomination.”

According to media reports, security forces assumed that this was a targeted attack on tourists.

Kashmir is a contested region spanning India, Pakistan and China.

Extremist groups have been active in the Indian-administered part for years challenging the country’s sovereignty over the region.

GNA

PDC

Nigeria’s Ambassador to ECOWAS, Musa Nuhu, has lamented the challenges faced by West African countries, particularly in the communications and banking sectors.

He emphasised that it should be seamless for Africans to trade among themselves, especially within the ECOWAS sub-region.

In an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb’s Stella Dziedzorm Sogli, on the sidelines of the launch of the 50th ECOWAS anniversary on April 22, 2025, Nuhu praised the achievements of the community over the past five decades.

“For me, all the achievements that ECOWAS has made in the last 50 years are formidable, and I truly appreciate their efforts. What we need to sustain this momentum is to introduce more initiatives that will deepen regional integration,” he said.

Nuhu stressed that trade should be a priority in Africa, allowing traders to move goods freely across the ECOWAS sub-region.

He also expressed concern about the challenges involved in transferring money across African countries.

“The issue of free movement for goods and services is very important because we need this free movement to achieve integration as one. It’s not just about human beings, but also goods, services, and the right to establish businesses. Secondly, we must continue harmonizing our policies.

“Take communication, for example. We need a roaming policy where if I have a phone number in Nigeria, I don’t need to change it when I come to Ghana. It should work under normal charges, not roaming charges,” he noted.

Nuhu called on African leaders to make payment systems more seamless for the people of Africa.

“We need to make more progress in this area. In our banking sector, improvements are also necessary. For instance, we have First Bank in Nigeria and First Bank in Ghana, but they are not operating in sync. We need to do more to harmonize our payment systems. If we can address these issues, it will go a long way,” the Ambassador concluded.

The launch of the 50th ECOWAS Summit took place on April 22, 2025, in Accra.

SSD/MA

The Minority in Parliament has strongly criticised President John Dramani Mahama following his decision to suspend Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, describing the move as ‘tyranny’ and a deviation from good governance.

The suspension comes after a prima facie case was established in relation to three petitions calling for the Chief Justice’s removal from office.

The decision, taken in line with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State, sets the stage for a formal inquiry into Ghana’s highest-ranking judicial officer.

A five-member committee has since been constituted under Article 146(6) to investigate the matter.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, April 22, the Minority described the suspension as a politically motivated witch-hunt aimed at controlling the judiciary and reckless abuse of power.

The minority contended that the President’s action is neither good governance nor a credible attempt to “reset” the judicial system.

The Minority further alleged that the suspension is part of a broader pattern of political persecution and misuse of state institutions to intimidate opponents.

“The decision by President John Dramani Mahama to suspend Her Ladyship Chief Justice Gertrude
Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo under the purported authority of Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, is nothing short of a brazen judicial coup, a reckless abuse of Executive power, and a direct assault on the independence of Ghana’s Judiciary.

“This move, taken while legitimate legal challenges are pending before the Supreme Court, reeks of intolerable political vendetta, Judicial intimidation, and a calculated attempt to pack the courts with NDC-sympathetic justices – as openly promised by President Mahama in Akosombo in 2023.”

The Minority demanded the immediate reinstatement of the Chief Justice pending the Supreme Court’s
determination of the pending legal challenges.

“A halt to all removal proceedings until the judiciary has conclusively ruled on the constitutionality of the process.

“The integrity of Ghana’s judiciary is non-negotiable. We shall vigorously oppose any and all attempts to turn our courts into political tools.”

The Minority warned that any further attempts to harass, intimidate, or unlawfully remove the Chief Justice will be met with fierce legal and public resistance.

Kwakye Ofosu justifies Mahama’s suspension of Chief Justice Torkornoo

…..

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Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) President Losson Mtongwiza for being named runner-up in the 2024 Administrator of the Year category at the Annual National Sports Awards (ANSA), praising his exceptional leadership and rapid impact on Zimbabwean rugby.

In a letter issued by the continental rugby boss, Herbert Mensah lauded Mtongwiza’s visionary approach, noting the swift progress made under his stewardship since his election in May 2024.

Within just six months, Mtongwiza oversaw Zimbabwe’s national men’s team, the Sables, as they clinched the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup in Uganda—marking the team’s second continental title since 2000.

“While I admire Losson’s visionary leadership for Zimbabwean rugby, I also applaud the impressive short-term gains under his administration,” Herbert Mensah said. “He has quickly built a formidable national side and united key stakeholders around a common goal.”

Mtongwiza’s leadership also saw the Sables named Team of the Year at the ANSA Awards, outperforming other top-performing national teams across various sporting codes in Zimbabwe.

Herbert highlighted Mtongwiza’s success in forging strong partnerships with sponsors and stakeholders, which he described as crucial to the resurgence of Zimbabwean rugby.

“This achievement by Losson and his team comes at a special time for Zimbabwe, as the country celebrates one of its greatest sports icons, Kirsty Coventry, being elected the first African and first female President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC),” he added.

Herbert Mensah also recognised the leadership transition within Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Sport, welcoming the appointment of General Anselem Sanyatwe as the new Sports Minister.

He expressed optimism about working closely with both Sanyatwe and Mtongwiza to harness Zimbabwe’s potential as a major rugby-playing nation on the continent.

“I want to express my appreciation to Losson for safeguarding rugby’s prosperity in his home nation and across Africa. His collaboration with Rugby Africa and dedication to his people reflect both humility and strong leadership,” Herbert Mensah concluded.

The letter underscores the strengthening ties between Rugby Africa and its member unions, with Zimbabwe emerging as a key partner in the development and promotion of the sport across the continent.

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Minister for Lands and Natural Resources , Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah

The government has taken a decisive step in its renewed fight against illegal mining, with the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, ordering the immediate revocation of the lease granted to Akonta Mining Company Limited.

The directive follows a joint security operation that led to the arrest of 51 individuals, including eight Chinese nationals, alleged to be engaged in illegal mining under the cover of Akonta Mining’s name.

“Akonta Mining does not have a lease to mine in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, and their activities there are illegal and criminal,” Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah said at a press briefing in Accra.

“The Mahama government will stop at nothing to bring the company to book. This is a warning to all large-scale mining concession holders hiding behind legal leases to fund the destruction of our forests and river bodies.”

The Minister said investigations revealed that although Akonta Mining holds a legal lease to operate off-reserve, the company was found to be actively mining within forest reserves, including the Samreboi enclave in the Western North region.

Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah described the company as having “trespassed into protected reserves” and alleged it was operating a “criminal syndicate,” charging GH₵ 300,000 per concession to illegal miners in the Aboi Forest Reserve.

He said the illegal miners, under the company’s protection, were damaging the River Tano and surrounding forest areas, including compartments 49 and 121 of the Tano Nimiri reserve.

According to the Minister, some of the illegal miners reportedly paid Akonta Mining 250 grams of gold weekly.

He also alleged collusion between the company, forestry officers, and some security personnel, who received cuts of the fees in exchange for providing protection and advance warnings of possible raids.

“Another heartbreaking revelation is that this criminal enterprise thrives because of the active collusion and connivance of some forestry officers and security personnel,” Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah said.

Several Forestry Commission officials have been interdicted pending investigations and possible prosecution, the Minister added.

The 12-hour operation by the Ghana Police Service and Forestry Commission reportedly targeted six sites linked to the company.

Authorities seized approximately 30 excavators – five of which were impounded – along with two pump-action shotguns, a single-barrel gun, mining equipment, two Toyota Hilux pickups, one Toyota RAV4, and four motorbikes.

“To the youth engaged in illegal mining: There is a better way. We stand ready to support you with better alternatives. But to those who persist in defiance, the state will act without mercy,” the Minister warned.

The Ministry said the arrests and the license revocation are part of a broader government crackdown on illegal mining, which continues to threaten Ghana’s forests and water bodies.

Speaking on behalf of Akonta Mining, in a telephone interview, Andy Appiah Kubi said the company has not sent any person or persons to any of the mining areas.

“Whoever comes there is fraudulent. We haven’t sent anybody to the forestry lands. We have also not given access to anybody to go into forestry lands, for mining,” he stated.

He maintained that Akonta Mining Company Limited is a legitimately licensed mining company. However, at the moment, he said the company has suspended its mining activities or operations and, therefore, not true that some officials of the company are working on any of the forestry lands.

Additionally, Mr. Appiah Kubi indicated that the company has not been invited by any investigative committee or agency concerning mining in any of the forestry lands.

“We have not been given any opportunity to present our position, so the Minister is acting ultra vires,” he observed.

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Deputy CEO of Petroleum Development Corporation, Onasis Rosely Kobby

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Development Corporation (PHDC), Onasis Rosely Kobby, has praised President John Dramani Mahama for demonstrating exceptional camaraderie and tolerance by visiting his predecessor, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during the Easter celebrations in Kwahu, Eastern Region.

In a social media post on April 21, 2025, Kobby lauded President Mahama, noting that his actions should serve as an example for politicians across the country.

Onasis Rosely expressed confidence that President Mahama could be a strong contender for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize after retiring from active politics.

“John Mahama must be studied. He is a different kind of politician. After his service to the nation, I believe he must be a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize and an envoy for the United Nations on conflict resolution. An out-of-this-world politician,” he said.

During the 2025 Easter celebrations in Kwahu, President Mahama and former President Akufo-Addo shared a cordial moment together.

The encounter was highlighted on Akufo-Addo’s official Facebook page on Sunday, April 20, 2025, with the caption, “On Sunday, April 20, 2025, President H.E. John Dramani Mahama and I met in the scenic landscape of Kwahu, where I have consistently visited for nearly two decades to commemorate the sacred period of Easter.”

President Mahama was in Mpraeso, Eastern Region, to attend the second edition of the Kwahu Business Forum, held on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

The Kwahu Easter Festival, originally a homecoming event for the people of Kwahu in the Eastern Region, has evolved into a vibrant celebration attracting adventurers and culture enthusiasts from across Ghana and beyond.

Each year, hundreds flock to the serene Kwahu mountains to participate in a variety of activities that seamlessly blend tradition, business, and entertainment.

Read his post below:

JKB/MA

Is Mahama also a traitor for meeting Akufo-Addo? Watch as Koku Anyidoho questions Ghanaians

Thirteen individuals have been arrested and 13 excavators seized following a special anti-galamsey operation carried out by the Ghana Police Service at Aboifie, a suburb of Samreboï in the Western Region on April 21, 2025.

The operation, conducted as a follow-up based on credible intelligence, forms part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the area.

During a swift search of the seized equipment, security personnel discovered two pump-action shotguns and one single-barrel gun hidden inside the excavators.

Investigations are currently ongoing, and the suspects are in police custody assisting with further inquiries. Authorities say the operation signals their continued resolve to protect Ghana’s natural resources and enforce laws against illegal mining.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the excavators were actively operating within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve — a protected area that had been raided just a day earlier as part of the police’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal mining.

The suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with further investigations. Additional arrests and equipment seizures may follow as operations continue in the region.

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Dr. Randolph Nsor-Ambala, CEO of Development Bank Ghana

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Development Bank Ghana (DBG), Dr. Randolph Nsor-Ambala, says the Bank will this year roll out GH¢500 million to support Ghana’s agricultural ecosystem.

According to him, the money is to strengthen and support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the agriculture value chain and consequently rejuvenate the economy by improving food security, enhance productivity and create employment opportunities.

Dr. Nsor-Ambala made this known when he delivered a speech at the Kwahu Business Forum in Mpraeso, Kwahu over the weekend.

The Forum which was under the theme: “The Future of Business: The Role of the Financial Sector” forms part of government’s vision of building a more resilient and inclusive economy through SME empowerment.

The Forum had President Mahama as its most prominent guest. It also brought together various business owners, industrialists, investors, start-ups, various financial institutions including banks and captains of industry to engage stakeholders, discuss policy interventions and explore strategies to enhance Ghana’s business landscape.

The DBG approach focuses on sustainable transformation rather than isolated interventions, ensuring that capital flows to where it can have the greatest impact on economic development.

Over the past years, DBG has provided GH¢1.62 billion in loans to over 650 businesses, with tenures up to 15 years. These investments are projected to generate over 18,000 direct jobs across the country.

The Development Bank currently has active portfolios in 13 regions and will be aiming to cover all of Ghana’s 16 regions this year.

In his remarks at the event, Dr. Nsor-Ambala stated that “what we exist to do is to provide a comprehensive set of support for businesses. Most people would know us for affordable long-term loans but beyond that we do a lot more.

As we speak, we are working with our partner financial institutions to get them to be able to understand the agriculture sector to evaluate it properly. The default position for most financial institutions is to see any such business case as risky and dangerous to invest in.”

“Through the technical assistance programmes we provide, first to the businesses themselves and secondly to the financial institutions with whom we work, we have been able to build capacities within the financial institutions for them to understand especially the agriculture sector to be able to value it properly. Related to that we are working with our development partners around putting in place mechanisms for partial guarantee for the agriculture sector as well an agric-insurance programme that will further reduce the risk associated with the sector”, he added.

Dr. Nsor-Ambala explained that the development finance institution, DBG, is rolling out GH¢500 million to support SMEs in the agriculture value chain to unlock growth potential and ensure sustainable development right from input suppliers and farmers to processors and distributors.

He added that this support was also in alignment with the government’s broader economic recovery agenda, which includes broadening access to affordable financing for local businesses and offering targeted support to SMEs through tailored financial solutions and technical assistance.

“DBG is about inclusive opportunity, that is, creating jobs for our youth, building sustainable businesses, and positioning Ghana as a competitive force in African and global markets” he reassured.

According to the DBG CEO, the Bank’s main areas of focus, in terms of providing support, are ensuring food security through the support the Bank provides to the agriculture value chain, be it farming or agribusiness and others, as well as the manufacturing sector with a focus on import substituting and export.

The Bank also has a value proposition dedicated to the ICT sector and supports human capital development by focusing on health and education. Infrastructure including transport is also a key DBG focus area.

DBG’s commitment to empowering local businesses is not only about fostering innovation and job creation but to also position the private sector as a key economic driver of the economy which contributes meaningfully to national economic transformation.

Development Bank Ghana is a wholesale financial institution established by the Government of Ghana. Since its inception three years ago, DBG has facilitated significant disbursements through Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), unlocking projects and value chains to empower several businesses across agribusiness, manufacturing, ICT, and high-value services.

The Bank has received funds from the World Bank, European Investment Bank, Kreditanstalt Für Wiederaufbau (KfW), and the African Development Bank.