play videoSecretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, Abraham Koomson

The Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has backed calls for the reversal of excise duty on fruit juices and sweetened beverages.

According to him, removing the tax policy is essential to prevent the beverage sector from imminent collapse.

In an interview with GhanaWeb Business, Koomson stated, “The fruit juice industry is suffocating as a result of the multiple and excessive taxes imposed by the government.”

He further explained, “Two years after the excise tax law took effect, the beverage manufacturing sector is struggling with extraordinarily high taxes, which hinder competitive production and distribution.”

In 2022, the government introduced the Excise Tax (Amendment) Bill 2022, imposing a 20% excise tax on locally produced mineral water and beverages.

Local manufacturers, along with the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), petitioned Parliament to suspend the bill for broader stakeholder consultation.

However, the GFL insists that imposing a 20% excise tax on some products, including sweetened beverages, requires urgent review, as local manufacturers are already burdened with at least 17 different taxes.

The GFL and AGI argue that multiple economic factors, including:

The increase of the policy rate to 28% by the Bank of Ghana,

• A 2.5% VAT increment,

• A 30% increase in electricity tariffs, and

• A 50% increase in water tariffs for industry (effective February 1, 2023), have collectively raised the cost of doing business in the country.

Despite appeals from the GFL, AGI, and other labour unions, the previous government implemented the Excise Duty (Amendment) Act 2023 (ACT 1093).

SA/MA

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The Minister for the Interior has on the advice of the Bono Regional Security Council has reviewed the curfew hours for Sampa  Township in the Jaman North District  of the Bono Region to  10:00 pm to 4:00 am each day effective Thursday, February 27, 2025.

Government calls on Chiefs, Elders, Opinion Leaders, Youth and People of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace.

Meanwhile, there is a total ban on all persons in the afore-mentioned communities and their environs from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapon and any persons found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted.

Signed:

MUNTAKA MOHAMMED-MUBARAK (MP)

MINISTER FOR THE INTERIOR

Issued in Accra this Thursday, February 27, 2025

By Edward Williams 

Ho, Feb. 27, GNA – The establishment of a state-of-the-art Aviation Academy in the Volta Region is to begin in eight months, following the conclusion of a feasibility study undertaken by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and key stakeholders. 

The proposed Academy is envisioned as a centre of excellence in aviation training, incorporating a Pilot Training School, Cabin Crew and Technician Training Facility, and a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Facility.  

It is aimed at enhancing aviation education, create employment opportunities and position Ghana as a regional hub for aviation training and services. 

This came to light when a team of the stakeholders visited the Ho Aerodrome.  

Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, said the project would create job opportunities, boost tourism growth and economic transformation for the region and beyond. 

He emphasised the strategic importance of the initiative, adding that “Togbe Afede XIV is a great asset to Ghana, and I admire the partnership between him and Ghana Airports. A pilot training school will boost tourism, create jobs, and positively impact other sectors. Whatever needs to be done must be done now.” 

Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, reaffirmed his vision, highlighting that the plan dated back to 2019, and now is “God’s own time” to bring it to reality. 

He said the project held immense promise not only for the Volta tegion but for Ghana’s aviation sector. 

“With dedication, strategic planning, and collaboration, we remain confident in delivering a world-class aviation academy that meets international standards and contributes to the nation’s economic and aviation industry growth.” 

Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, Managing Director, GACL, also stated that regional airports must be self-sustaining, and that the academy project would be a step in the right direction. 

She said with global demand for aviation professionals increasing, Ghana was well-positioned to become a key player in training pilots and aircraft technicians for the entire continent. 

The visit marked the second attempt at assessing the feasibility of the project, following an earlier effort that encountered challenges. 

GNA 

Vice President of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, has responded to former Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s denial of involvement in the controversial unitization directive between Springfield Exploration and Production Limited and Eni Ghana Exploration and Production Limited (ENI).

In response to a statement released by Dr. Prempeh (also known as NAPO) and his demand for an apology, Simons clarified that while the initial directives were issued in 2020 under Dr. Prempeh’s predecessor, the former Minister played a significant role in escalating the dispute in 2021, leading to international arbitration.

In a statement released on February 27, 2024, Simons acknowledged that the initial unitization directives were issued in April, October, and November 2020 by Dr. Prempeh’s predecessor.

However, when Dr. Prempeh assumed office as Energy Minister in March 2021, Bright Simons claimed that he spearheaded a new process that culminated in a Heads of Decision (HoD) document.

“It is true that ‘directives’ were issued by his immediate predecessor in April, October, and November of 2020 in an escalatory fashion to compel unitization of the Eni-Vitol and Springfield blocks, and that these actions formed the genesis of the dispute.

“As the Arbitral Tribunal noted, following these preliminary directives in 2020, a decision was made by the political authorities at the highest level in 2021, when Mr. Prempeh came into office, to suspend these preliminary directives.

“A whole new process was thus begun, one that he spearheaded. This new process culminated in a Heads of Decision seeking to impose final terms on the disputing parties—ENI/Vitol and Springfield,” Simons wrote.

Simons also cited extracts from the arbitral tribunal’s findings, which highlighted Dr. Prempeh’s “personal hostility and bias” against ENI/Vitol.

The tribunal noted that Dr. Prempeh threatened to enforce unitization regardless of judicial proceedings and even suggested replacing ENI as the operator of the Sankofa field.

“The Minister may want to absolve himself and his conduct entirely of all blame, but the records of proceedings are exceedingly clear that he was the principal factor in the decision by the two international companies to take the matter outside the Ghanaian jurisdiction at the time they did in 2021,” Simons added.

According to Simons, the former Minister’s insistence on enforcing the HoD destroyed any prospects of negotiation.

“It is the complaining former Energy Minister’s insistence that Eni and Vitol comply with the terms of his one-sided HoD that destroyed every prospect of negotiation,” he added.

Simons concluded that while Dr. Prempeh may not refer to his actions as “directives,” his role in the dispute is well-documented.

Read his full statement below:

My response to Mr. Matthew Prempeh, former Minister of Energy

I have seen a statement from the former Energy Minister effectively washing his hands off the whole embarrassing spectacle that the forced unitisation saga has become following the current government’s decision to abort the policy.

I think that the former Minister is, unfortunately, harbouring some misapprehensions about the timeline of events leading to the arbitration. Furthermore, he has settled on his own definition of what a “directive” means, which limits his ability to reckon with his full role in this sad episode.

It is true that “directives” were issued by his immediate predecessor in April, October, and November of 2020 in escalatory fashion to compel unitisation of the Eni-Vitol and Springfield blocks and that these actions formed the genesis of the dispute.

However, I shall refer to these as preliminary directives for reasons that I will explain forthwith.

As the Arbitral Tribunal noted, following these preliminary directives in 2020, a decision was made by the political authorities at the highest level in 2021 when Mr. Prempeh came into office to suspend these preliminary directives.

A whole new process was thus began, one that he spearheaded. This new process culminated in a Heads of Decision seeking to impose final terms on the disputing parties – ENI/Vitol and Springfield. To all practical intents and purposes, this new document has to be regarded as a new directive at the time it was issued. It was a directive in the same line of dictates marked by a failure to accommodate the concerns and interests of the two private companies.

It is this substantive directive that triggered the decision by Eni and Vitol to finally resort to arbitration.

The Minister may want to absolve himself and his conduct entirely of all blame but the records of proceedings are exceedingly clear that he was the principal factor in the decision by the two international companies to take the matter outside the Ghanaian jurisdiction at the time they did in 2021.

Below are extracts from the tribunal’s findings that establish both the timeline and his involvement.

1. “At various meetings that took place between February and October 2021, the Minister of Energy displayed his personal hostility and bias against the Claimants by making repeated accusations and threats, including that the MoE would enforce unitisation irrespective of the judicial review proceedings, and that it would replace Eni as the operator of the Sankofa field.”

2. “At the 21 July 2021 meeting between the Claimants [Eni-Vitol], the President, and the MoE [Ministry or Energy], the parties decided to enter into HoD [Heads of Decision] agreeing (i) to the suspension of the Unitisation Directives; (ii) to the suspension of the Judicial Review Proceedings and Springfield’s litigation against the Claimants; and that (iii), provided conditions (i) and (ii) were met, the Claimants would negotiate a PUA with Springfield on the basis of the Claimants’ Technical Report.”

3. “On 3 August 2021, the Claimants (Eni-Vitol) sent a letter to the MoE contending that the HoD [ sent by the Energy Ministry ] did not reflect the discussions at the 21 July meeting. They reiterated their position that the agreement had been to suspend the October and November Directives, as well as the ongoing judicial proceedings.”

It is the complaining former Energy Minister’s insistence that Eni and Vitol comply with the terms of his one-sided HoD, which destroyed every prospect of negotiation. If he chooses not to call his instructions to them to submit to his will “directives”, he is free to do so and choose his preferred language.

This entitlement, however, does not negate his contribution to the animosity that landed Ghana in international arbitration, with embarrassing results.

Next time, I will be more diligent in adding footnotes to any term I use for the conduct of the former Minister so as not to offend his definitional sensibilities.

Bright Simons

ID/MA

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Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, has urged Ghanaians to approach President John Dramani Mahama’s economic promises with scepticism, pointing to his past struggles in resolving the country’s persistent power crisis, known as “dumsor.”

His remarks come in response to President Mahama’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, February 27, 2025, where the president pledged to restore economic stability and drive national growth.

“I, John Dramani Mahama, will fix the economic crisis confronting our country and reset it on a path of growth and prosperity,” Mahama assured in his address.

However, speaking on Eyewitness News, Oppong Nkrumah, a former Minister for Information, questioned Mahama’s ability to deliver on these commitments, citing his previous administration’s handling of economic and energy sector challenges.

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has confirmed the arrest of a suspect believed to be behind the tragic killing of Miss Joana Deladem Yabani, a final-year Biological Science student.

In an update on the incident, the university revealed that the suspect, a fellow student residing in the same hostel as the deceased, was apprehended by the Regional Police following a review of CCTV footage.

The suspect was found with clothing worn during the crime, which has been retrieved as evidence. Authorities have urged students and the university community to remain calm as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, security on campus has been significantly reinforced. Over 50 police officers have been deployed across the university, with five mobile police patrol teams from the Anti-Robbery Squad and 34 patrol officers from the SWAT Unit in the Ashanti Region also assigned to enhance safety. Additional security personnel have been stationed at key locations to improve vigilance.

KNUST management, in collaboration with security agencies and the Regional Police Command, is taking further steps to ensure the safety of students. The university has stated that 80% of the campus, including the area where the incident occurred, is under CCTV surveillance, with efforts underway to achieve full coverage soon.

As a precaution, students have been advised to walk in pairs at night, avoid dark and isolated areas, refrain from carrying valuables in the night, and report any suspicious activities immediately.

KNUST extended its deepest condolences to the family of Miss Yabani, expressing sorrow over the loss and assuring the university community of its commitment to their safety.

Read also: 4th-year KNUST student’s death sparks investigation, university calls for calm

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.

Government withdraws directive to unitise Eni, Springfield

Eni has welcomed the decision of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition to withdraw the unitization directives about the Sankofa Oil Field issued in 2020.

A statement issued by Eni, as quoted by the Ghana News Agency, said: “In line with the Government’s objectives, Eni remains committed to leverage its portfolio of innovative projects, seizing new opportunities both in traditional and transition energy sector, while strengthening domestic energy security and sustainability.”

On February 27, 2025, the government of Ghana withdrew an earlier directive issued by the erstwhile NPP administration, which mandated a compulsory unitisation between Springfield Exploration and Production Limited (Springfield) and Eni Ghana Exploration and Production Limited (ENI) concerning the Afina-1X Discovery and the Sankofa Cenomanian Oil Field.

The directive, issued in 2020 by the then-Ministry of Energy under the Akufo-Addo administration, has now been officially revoked.

In a letter addressed to the respective parties and signed by the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, the government stated that the decision followed a thorough review of the Arbitral Award-referenced SCC Arbitration U2021/114 (ENI & Vitol v. Ghana & GNPC) dated July 8, 2024, along with the legal opinion provided by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

The Tribunal, while acknowledging the potential value of unitisation in principle, identified several procedural flaws in the implementation of the directives, including:

• Absence of a statutory trigger for unitisation: The Tribunal determined that the conditions required under Section 34 of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, 2016 (Act 919), and Regulation 50 of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) (General) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2359) were not satisfied.

• Arbitrary determination of initial tract participation: The allocation of participation interests was deemed arbitrary and unsupported by sufficient evidence, etc.

The Ministry of Energy, on its part, acknowledged the tribunal’s findings that while the issuance of the directives breached the Petroleum Agreement due to specific circumstances surrounding their implementation, the concept of unitisation itself was not deemed inherently unlawful.

This latest development provides Ghana with the flexibility to determine the most appropriate course of action in the national interest.

“In consequence, and in alignment with the discretionary powers vested in the Minister under Section 34 of Act 919 and Regulation 50 of L.I. 2359, the Ministry hereby withdraws the Unitisation Directives.

“The withdrawal of the directive is without prejudice to the power of the Minister to issue new directives upon subsequent evidence that such a measure is required for the equitable and efficient development of Ghana’s petroleum resources,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the government of Ghana reiterated its commitment to maintaining a conducive environment for investments in the upstream petroleum sector, while ensuring compliance with the legal and regulatory framework governing the industry.

“I look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to advance Ghana’s upstream development goals and strengthen trust with all our partners,” the Minister of Energy concluded.

On July 8, 2024, the International Court of Arbitration ruled that Springfield E&P should do further work to complete the unitisation process.

Following that ruling, and to comply with it, Springfield has worked to secure a rig and all other technical requirements to appraise and conduct a well test on the Afina-1x well.

SSD/AE

SONA 2025: National Service personnel to undergo military training – Mahama

Vice President of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, has responded to former Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s denial of involvement in the controversial unitisation directive between Springfield Exploration and Production Limited and Eni Ghana Exploration and Production Limited (ENI).

In response to a statement released by Dr. Prempeh who demanded an apology, Simons clarified that while the initial directives were issued in 2020 under the former Minister’s predecessor, Dr. Prempeh played a significant role in escalating the dispute in 2021, ultimately leading to international arbitration.

In a statement issued on February 27, 2024, Simons acknowledged that the unitisation directives were initially issued in April, October, and November 2020. However, when Dr. Prempeh assumed office as Energy Minister in March 2021, he initiated a new process that culminated in a Heads of Decision (HoD) document.

“It is true that ‘directives’ were issued by his immediate predecessor in April, October, and November 2020 in an escalatory fashion to compel unitization of the ENI-Vitol and Springfield blocks, forming the

Read his full statement below:

My response to Mr. Matthew Prempeh, former Minister of Energy

I have seen a statement from the former Energy Minister effectively washing his hands off the whole embarrassing spectacle that the forced unitisation saga has become following the current government’s decision to abort the policy.

I think that the former Minister is, unfortunately, harbouring some misapprehensions about the timeline of events leading to the arbitration. Furthermore, he has settled on his own definition of what a “directive” means, which limits his ability to reckon with his full role in this sad episode.

It is true that “directives” were issued by his immediate predecessor in April, October, and November of 2020 in escalatory fashion to compel unitisation of the Eni-Vitol and Springfield blocks and that these actions formed the genesis of the dispute.

However, I shall refer to these as preliminary directives for reasons that I will explain forthwith.

As the Arbitral Tribunal noted, following these preliminary directives in 2020, a decision was made by the political authorities at the highest level in 2021 when Mr. Prempeh came into office to suspend these preliminary directives.

A whole new process was thus began, one that he spearheaded. This new process culminated in a Heads of Decision seeking to impose final terms on the disputing parties – ENI/Vitol and Springfield. To all practical intents and purposes, this new document has to be regarded as a new directive at the time it was issued. It was a directive in the same line of dictates marked by a failure to accommodate the concerns and interests of the two private companies.

It is this substantive directive that triggered the decision by Eni and Vitol to finally resort to arbitration.

The Minister may want to absolve himself and his conduct entirely of all blame but the records of proceedings are exceedingly clear that he was the principal factor in the decision by the two international companies to take the matter outside the Ghanaian jurisdiction at the time they did in 2021.

Below are extracts from the tribunal’s findings that establish both the timeline and his involvement.

1. “At various meetings that took place between February and October 2021, the Minister of Energy displayed his personal hostility and bias against the Claimants by making repeated accusations and threats, including that the MoE would enforce unitisation irrespective of the judicial review proceedings, and that it would replace Eni as the operator of the Sankofa field.”

2. “At the 21 July 2021 meeting between the Claimants [Eni-Vitol], the President, and the MoE [Ministry or Energy], the parties decided to enter into HoD [Heads of Decision] agreeing (i) to the suspension of the Unitisation Directives; (ii) to the suspension of the Judicial Review Proceedings and Springfield’s litigation against the Claimants; and that (iii), provided conditions (i) and (ii) were met, the Claimants would negotiate a PUA with Springfield on the basis of the Claimants’ Technical Report.”

3. “On 3 August 2021, the Claimants (Eni-Vitol) sent a letter to the MoE contending that the HoD [ sent by the Energy Ministry ] did not reflect the discussions at the 21 July meeting. They reiterated their position that the agreement had been to suspend the October and November Directives, as well as the ongoing judicial proceedings.”

It is the complaining former Energy Minister’s insistence that Eni and Vitol comply with the terms of his one-sided HoD, which destroyed every prospect of negotiation. If he chooses not to call his instructions to them to submit to his will “directives”, he is free to do so and choose his preferred language.

This entitlement, however, does not negate his contribution to the animosity that landed Ghana in international arbitration, with embarrassing results.

Next time, I will be more diligent in adding footnotes to any term I use for the conduct of the former Minister so as not to offend his definitional sensibilities.

Bright Simons

ID/MA

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Authorities at KNUST are investigating the death of a final-year student

The authorities of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a final-year student.

In a statement addressing the tragic incident, the university’s management confirmed that the lifeless body of the deceased student, Joana Deladem Yabani, a final-year Bachelor of Science student in Biological Sciences, was found and the matter reported to the institution’s security services.

The statement noted that the university is fully cooperating with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to determine the true facts of the incident and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

“A comprehensive investigation is underway in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), KNUST Internal Security and the University Health Services to determine the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident.

“The University Management is fully committed to ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to ascertain the facts,” it said.

Additionally, the statement said that the deceased was confirmed dead after being transported to a medical facility.

“At approximately 5:00 a.m. on February 27, 2025, the KNUST Security Services received a report of a lifeless body of a female near the KNUST Disability and Rehabilitation Centre. The body was promptly transported to the University Health Services, where she was confirmed dead. The deceased was later identified as Miss Joana Deladem Yabani a fourth-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences,” it read.

Management further disclosed that the family of the deceased student has been informed of the incident, and expressed their condolences to them.

KNUST reaffirmed its commitment to identifying the culprit and emphasised its priority of ensuring the safety and welfare of its students.

“The University has officially informed her family, and we extend our deepest condolences to them during this difficult time. We wish to assure the university community and the public of our unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of all students and staff.”

It concluded, “We urge everyone to stay calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and respect the privacy of the bereaved family during this difficult time. We will provide further updates as the investigation unfolds.”

Read the full statement below:

MAG/AE

Also, watch as Ahiafor explodes at Habib over ‘insulting’ deputy minister question

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has described Ghana as being at its lowest point but says President John Dramani Mahama’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) has brought renewed hope.

On Thursday, February 27, President Mahama delivered his first SONA in Parliament, pledging to restore the country’s struggling economy.

Following the address, Bagbin took to Facebook to express his concerns about the nation’s state while acknowledging the president’s commitment to addressing the challenges.

“Clearly, our country is not in good shape. The decay is massive. Ghana, an African icon, is at our lowest point,” Bagbin stated, underscoring the severity of the situation.

However, Bagbin found hope in President Mahama’s address, describing it as rejuvenating. “But the address of President John Dramani Mahama is rejuvenating. It’s stimulating confidence about quick recovery, resetting, and restoration to a more rewarding investment climate and social justice,” he remarked.

As a passionate advocate for persons with disabilities, Bagbin expressed particular happiness about the government’s bold move to make tertiary education free for individuals considered disabled.

“As a passionate advocate for persons with disabilities, I am particularly happy about the bold move of Government to make tertiary education free for persons considered disabled.
God bless our dear nation Ghana!”

Read also…

Ayariga: Mahama’s SONA brings renewed hope for Ghanaians

Former Minister of Energy, NAPO

The office of former Minister of Energy Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) has refuted claims by Bright Simons, Vice President of the policy think tank IMANI Africa, that he issued the controversial unitization directive involving Springfield Exploration and Production Limited and Eni Ghana Exploration and Production Limited (ENI).

The directive, which has since been withdrawn by the current government, was at the center of a dispute over the Afina-1X Discovery and the Sankofa Cenomanian Oil Field.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bright Simons criticized the previous government’s decision to unitize the two oil fields, describing it as “bizarre” and attributing the directive to NAPO, who served as Energy Minister from 2021 to 2025.

However, in a statement released on February 27, 2024, by NAPO’s Press Aide, Kofi Abrefa Busia, the former minister clarified that the unitisation directive was issued in 2020 when he was serving as Minister of Education, not Energy.

According to NAPO, the directive was referenced in a withdrawal letter signed by the current Energy Minister, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, which clearly dates the directive to 2020.

“In the withdrawal letter signed by the current Energy Minister, Hon. John Jinapor, all the unitization directive letters he referred to were from the year 2020, when Dr. Prempeh was serving as Minister of Education. In fact, Dr. Prempeh assumed office as Energy Minister on March 7, 2021.

“A careful reading of the withdrawal letter and a recollection of historical facts could have prevented Mr. Simons from making this avoidable error,” the statement read.

NAPO’s office described Simons’ attribution as “untrue” and demanded a retraction and apology, emphasizing that opinions on government decisions should be expressed with accuracy and decorum.

“Opinions may be expressed regarding decisions by the new government on any matter, but they must be done with accuracy, circumspection, and decorum.

“As a sign of courtesy and good faith, we therefore demand that Mr. Simons retract and apologize to Dr. Prempeh for this wrongful attribution, as it is untrue,” the statement concluded.

ID/MA

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