By Kekeli K. Blamey

Xevitoe (V/R), March 26, GNA – A 27-year-old herdsman, Musa Yusif, was brutally attacked and severely injured by unknown men at his residence in Xevitoe, a community near Mafi-Aflavenu in the Central Tongu district.

The incident occurred on March 23 at 0005 hours, while Yusif, his wife, and their two-year-old daughter were asleep.

According to Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Hogo, a cousin of the victim, Yusif was attacked by armed men, who also demanded the keys to his motorbike.

Narrating the incident to the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Hogo stated that Yusif was shot at and severely wounded with a machete, resulting in grave injuries to his head and right hand as the attackers made away with his Houjoue motorbike.

“When Yusif regained consciousness, he narrated the incident to me that they were asleep in the room when they heard a heavy knock on the door of their room and the person was with a gun and asked them to lie down and bring the keys to his motorbike.”

Mr Hogo said that “Yusif declined and the person shot his gun as a warning. Realising that the gun is a single bar, Yusif quickly held the gun and struggled with the gunman not knowing there were two other people behind him in the room, who came to severely and mercilessly slash the victim with a machete until he felt unconscious, and they bolted with the motorbike.”

Mr Hogo mentioned that after the incident, he received a call from his uncle, Mr Abdulai Hogo that some people had gone to the village to attack Yusif in his room and absconded with his Houjoue Motorbike.

He said the neighbors who attempted to intervene were deterred by gunfire from the perpetrators.

“I rushed Yusif to the Volta River Authority Hospital at 01:00 hours after I received the call. However, we were later transferred to the Ho Teaching Hospital for further treatment on the right-hand bone and head which were severely affected from the machete attack.”

According to Mr. Hogo, Yusif was undergoing medical treatment and was currently stable.

The Police have confirmed the incident and indicated that investigations were ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators. The Police urged residents to support the investigation and provide any relevant information.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community as some disclosed that the same incident had occurred two years past in the area.

The residents have appealed for increased security measures to prevent such attacks in the future.

GNA

MA/GRB

The levy was introduced by the erstwhile Akufo-Addo government in 2023

Parliament has officially repealed the controversial Emissions Levy following public outcry and concerns from businesses over its potential economic impact.

The levy, introduced by the erstwhile Akufo-Addo government in 2023 but taking effect in February 2024, was intended to tax carbon emissions from fuel usage.

However, it faced strong opposition from industry players and citizens, who argued that it would increase the cost of living and place an additional burden on businesses.

On March 26, 2025, lawmakers voted to scrap the levy, citing the need for a more balanced approach to environmental sustainability and economic growth.

The bill is now awaiting presidential assent.

Meanwhile, parliamentary leaders emphasised their commitment to exploring alternative policies that promote green initiatives without imposing excessive financial strain on businesses and consumers.

Background

In 2023, Ghana’s Parliament introduced the Emissions Levy Act, 2023 (Act 1112).

The Act was passed as part of the tax measures outlined in the government’s 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy (the 2024 Budget).

Its objective was to generate revenue to support various sector reforms while promoting a green economy.

MA

This blog is managed by the content creator and not GhanaWeb, its affiliates, or employees. Advertising on this blog requires a minimum of GH₵50 a week. Contact the blog owner with any queries.

Ted News Ghana Blog of Wednesday, 26 March 2025

Source: TEDDY VAVA GAWUGA

The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Hiroshi Yoshimoto, has pledged to deepen educational cooperation with Ghana to promote responsibility and cultural values among students from an early age.

Speaking at a cultural exchange event between Japanese students and their counterparts from the University of Ghana, Mr. Yoshimoto highlighted the longstanding bilateral ties and Japan’s interest in sharing its educational philosophy.

He revealed ongoing discussions with Ghana’s Ministry of Education to enhance teacher training and curriculum development, including non-academic programmes that encourage cooperation and accountability.

“We are currently having productive discussions with the ministry to integrate aspects of the Japanese system, particularly in teacher training and curriculum development. This could include non-academic activities that foster student teamwork and responsibility,” Mr. Yoshimoto said at the event in Accra.

Organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with the Centre for Asian Studies at the University of Ghana, the event aimed to facilitate an exchange of ideas between students in both countries to deepen their understanding of each other’s educational systems.

“For now, we would like to start by sharing information and experiences between teachers and experts in both countries. Ghana already has strong educational practices, but also faces challenges. Through collaboration, we can find ways to complement each other,” Mr. Yoshimoto noted.

The ambassador emphasised that Japan’s education system focuses on collective responsibility, teamwork and voluntary cooperation—values developed in primary school.

“In Japan, students not only concentrate on academics but also take on responsibilities such as cleaning their classrooms, discussing concerns with peers and collaborating to solve problems. This fosters a sense of responsibility and the determination to achieve goals,” he said.

He further noted that Japanese teachers go beyond subject instruction to mentor students, assisting them in developing life skills essential for personal and professional success.

The Chief Representative of JICA Ghana, Momoko Suzuki, also highlighted the significance of a holistic approach to education in Ghana’s development.

She emphasised the role of soft skills, values and community engagement in shaping future leaders.

“Education is not just about academic performance in subjects like Mathematics and English; but also about instilling values such as teamwork, leadership and communication skills,” Suzuki said.

She added that these soft skills are crucial for employability and personal growth, as they help individuals understand their roles in society and contribute meaningfully to national development.

The Director of the Centre for Asian Studies at the University of Ghana, Prof. Lloyd Amoah, on his part, noted that while Ghana’s education system shares similarities with Japan’s, it lacks strategic organisation and refinement.

He suggested that Ghana could benefit from Japan’s structured approach to instilling civic responsibility.

“Japan’s education system produces well-rounded citizens who take their cities seriously and love their country. These are values we also have in Ghana, but we have not thought through them systematically,” Prof. Amoah said.

He expressed concern that Ghana’s growing emphasis on individualism has contributed to societal issues such as environmental degradation and lawlessness.

By incorporating key aspects of Japan’s educational model, he argued Ghana could foster a more conscientious and community-oriented society. Prof. Amoah highlighted Japan’s focus on cleanliness, environmental awareness and respect for public spaces as practices that Ghana could adopt to create a more organised and developed society.

 Journalists have been urged to use their platforms to amplify the voices of vulnerable children, particularly girls, through ethical and im pactful storytelling.

This call was made at the opening of a three-day training workshop in Ho, Volta Region on Wednesday, which was organised by Plan Internation­al Ghana (PIGHA), to equip journalists with the skills needed to advocate for child rights and gender equality.

On the theme: ‘Amplifying Community Voices: Storytell­ing with Integrity and Impact,’ the workshop was part of Plan International Ghana’s broader mission to strengthen media capacity in highlighting critical social issues.

Speaking at the opening session, the Country Director of Plan International Ghana, Constant Tchona, who made the call, underscored the crucial role of journalists in shaping nar­ratives around child rights and gender equality.

“The work being done is more relevant than ever, as achieving full gender equality remains a sig­nificant challenge,” he stated, cit­ing reports that indicate it could take over 130 years to achieve equality for girls globally.

He stressed the urgency of mobilising efforts to sustain and accelerate progress, urging journalists to challenge harmful stereotypes, document success stories, and ensure that the voices of the most marginalised are heard.

He further highlighted the im­portance of ethical reporting and community engagement, calling on journalists to take an active role in showcasing the resilience and achievements of young girls in Ghana.

According to him, responsible journalism plays a critical role in breaking down barriers that hindered equal opportunities for children, particularly girls, in mar­ginalised communities.

He emphasised that the media must move beyond merely report­ing challenges to actively shaping positive narratives that inspire change.

A key component of the workshop was a field visit to four rural communities in the Jasikan Municipality of the Oti Region, where journalists interacted di­rectly with children, parents, and community leaders to gain first-hand insights into the impact of Plan International Ghana’s interventions.

The topics for discussion were key reporting topics, in­cluding Safeguarding and Child Protection in News Reporting, Gender-Transformative Ap­proaches in News Reporting, an Overview of Youth Engage­ment, and an Overview of Com­munications and Brand Policy.

Moreover, Mr Tchona encouraged journalists to use their platforms to highlight positive changes within commu­nities, stressing that their role in shedding light on progress and inspiring further action is vital.

He also stated that media professionals must work collab­oratively with civil society or­ganisations and policymakers to ensure that children’s voices are not only heard but also influence meaningful action at both local and national levels.

The journalist made com­mitment to strengthen their reportage on child rights, gender equality, and social development issues.

 FROM STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG, HO

By Kingsley Mamore

Dambai (O/R) March 26, GNA – Shoppers at the Krachi East Municipal market have called on the Municipal Assembly to construct a pavilion to protect their goods from the weather.

The patrons, who frequent the market to purchase essential items, are concerned about the lack of shelter for the goods, which are often exposed to the heavy rainfall and scorching sunshine.

According to the shoppers, the absence of a pavilion has resulted in significant losses for traders, who have seen their goods damaged or destroyed by the weather.

They urged the Municipal Assembly to take immediate action to address the issue and provide a safe and secure environment for trading.

Madam Sekyebia Mercy and many others shared stories of their struggle to protect their goods with the Ghana News Agency (GNA).

Madam Sekyebia recounted the repeated lose of her goods to the vagaries of the weather, resulting in significant financial losses.

“ I have lost count of how many times my goods have been destroyed by the rain and sun, it’s not just about the money, it’s about the effort and time I put into acquiring those goods; I’m appealing to Krachi East Municipal Assembly to please provide us with a shelter to protect our livelihoods,” Madam Sekyebia added.

GNA

MA/CA

Parliament has officially approved the Electronic Transfer Levy Repeal Bill 2025, effectively abolishing the controversial E-Levy, which previously taxed electronic financial transactions in Ghana.

The E-Levy, which was initially introduced at 1.75% before being revised to 1%, imposed taxes on electronic transactions, including mobile money payments, bank transfers, and inward remittances.

The levy, introduced in 2022, faced significant opposition from the public and various stakeholders who argued that it placed an additional financial burden on citizens and discouraged digital transactions.

During parliamentary debates on the repeal bill, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem highlighted the financial relief the move brings to Ghanaians. He stated that the abolishment of the E-Levy will effectively return GH¢2 billion to the people, helping to ease financial pressures and improve livelihoods.

The repeal of the E-Levy aligns with the government’s efforts to promote financial inclusion and encourage the use of digital payment platforms without imposing additional costs on users.

Many business owners, mobile money agents, and financial analysts had previously criticized the levy, citing its impact on digital transactions and financial accessibility.

With the passage of the Electronic Transfer Levy (Repeal) Bill 2025, Ghana’s financial sector is expected to witness increased electronic transactions, boosting digital commerce and economic growth.