Archives

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that 50 out of 150 Ghanaians detained in the United States have received final deportation orders and are expected to return to Ghana by mid-2025.

In a briefing to Parliament on Thursday, March 13, 2025, Ablakwa confirmed that three Ghanaians have already been processed for deportation, with departures set for April 1, 2025.

“Updates from our mission in Washington indicate that 150 Ghanaians are currently detained in various U.S. centers for offenses like rape, internet fraud, and illegal entry,” he said.

Ablakwa further disclosed that while 50 of these individuals have received final deportation orders, the remaining 100 are either appealing their cases or have been dismissed.

He also highlighted that representations had been made on behalf of one Ghanaian detainee who was granted medical release due to health concerns. Three Ghanaians are scheduled to depart the U.S. on commercial flights on March 19, March 28, and April 1, 2025.

Additionally, 10 detainees have been interviewed by the Ghanaian Embassy to verify their nationality and ensure they received a fair hearing. The government continues its engagement with U.S. authorities, advocating for the rights of the affected Ghanaians throughout the process.

The Minority in Parliament has strongly criticized the Mahama-led government for its GHS2.7 billion budget allocation for the Office of Government Machinery (OGM) in 2025.

They highlighted the significant increase in expenditure compared to the previous administration’s budget.

“During the NPP era, the Office of Government Machinery had a budget for compensation of GHS326 million, and that included the development authorities, a national secretariat, and a couple of other agencies, MASLOC, SIGA, and the others,” Abena Osei Asare, Member of Parliament for Atiwa East stated.

She expressed concerns over the drastic rise in the budget allocation, noting that the current compensation under OGM is GHS2.7 billion. Abena Asare emphasised that this increase is particularly concerning given that some agencies have been removed from the OGM’s purview.

“But here we are in 2025 when you look at the expenditure numbers, the compensation under OGM is GHS2.7 billion. From GHS326 million of a perceived overblown government to a lean government of GHS2.7 billion where they have also taken away some of these agencies,” she said.

Tano North MP Dr. Gideon Boako also strongly criticised President John Dramani Mahama for allocating GHS70 million to the research department and GHS79 million to government communications at the Jubilee House.

“President Mahama is allocating GHS50 million for goods and services for the research department and CAPEX GHS20 million. Office of government machinery—maybe a head and office assistants sitting in one office—GHS70 million,” he said. Boako further pointed out the allocation for government communication, led by Felix Ofosu Kwakye and deputized by Shamima Muslim, noting that the budget for goods and services in this department alone stands at GHS8.8 million.

“Again, we have government communication headed by Felix Ofosu Kwakye, deputized by Shamima Muslim. Let’s say they have two or three research assistants helping them scroll through social media to see what is happening and respond—they are getting a goods and services budget of GHS8.8 million.

“Maybe they will use some to buy internet data to go online and respond to what the Minority is saying, and they are getting GHS70 million, making it GHS78.8 million,” Boako stated.

He argued that these allocations surpass the budgets of three or four ministries combined under the previous Akufo-Addo administration and contradict Mahama’s promise of a lean government. “This is higher than about three or four ministries put together under President Akufo-Addo. This is not the lean government Ghanaians voted for,” Boako said.

Energy and Green Transition Minister John Jinapor has revealed that the government is projected to spend over $800 million on liquid fuel in 2025 to power the country’s thermal plants.

According to the minister, this level of expenditure is unsustainable and could put a strain on Ghana’s financial resources if alternative solutions are not implemented.

Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, the minister stressed the urgent need for a collaborative effort to establish a new gas processing plant.

He highlighted that without strategic interventions, Ghana’s electricity generation costs would remain high, further burdening consumers and slowing down industrial growth.

“This year alone, we require about $800 million to procure liquid fuels. If we had established a gas processing plant, we could save $400 million of that amount annually.

“And so if we are able to do a gas processing plant and process domestic gas, it will strengthen the currency and make fuel really available and gives you cheaper alternative sources of fuel which can be passed on to consumers. Also, we are diversifying our energy mix and bringing in renewable energy.”

Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo has announced that 50% of her promise to improve street lighting in the capital within her first 50 days in office has been fulfilled.

She stated that the ministry will soon hold a press briefing to update the public on the progress made and the specific areas where streetlights have been installed.

With the deadline fast approaching, concerns have been raised about the feasibility of the initiative, as several parts of the capital remain poorly lit at night.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Linda Ocloo reassured the public that efforts were ongoing to complete the remaining work before the deadline.

“I will say so far so good. We are 50% through. We will be having a press briefing soon to let the people know exactly the streets that we have worked on so far. Today, the team is working around the Jubilee House and also a couple of streets around. I can assure you of the 50% work done.”

“We are hoping that by the time the 50-day period elapses, we will cover the remaining 50%. We have some challenges with the streetlights, but we are trying to work around it to make sure that we meet the mark,” she added.

Despite the progress, Ocloo acknowledged several challenges hindering full implementation of the initiative.

“About two days ago, our attention was drawn to the fact that some streetlights around Okponglo were being tampered with. There is a copper in the pole, and it seems some people are interested in that.”

“Some also want the photocell that is in the bulb. That photocell is being sold currently at GH¢150, so imagine a person steals 10 of those. These are some of the challenges we are facing,” she noted.

Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson has credited the decline in Ghana’s debt-to-GDP ratio to debt restructuring efforts, particularly last year’s 37% Eurobond principal haircut, rather than the economic policies of the previous government.

Speaking on The Point of View on Channel One TV on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Dr. Forson explained that the drop in Ghana’s debt burden was largely due to the government writing off 37% of Eurobond principal owed to investors.

Additionally, accumulated interest on these bonds was slashed by another 37%, significantly lowering the country’s debt obligations.

“Debt-to-GDP has only come down not because of what the previous government has done, but because last year the government gave Eurobond holders 37% principal haircuts,” Dr. Forson stated.

“I don’t know whether they are celebrating the haircut they gave to investors,” Ato Forson said.

Ghana reached a debt restructuring agreement with Eurobond holders, resulting in a 37% haircut on the principal of $13 billion of its debt, a significant milestone in the country’s economic recovery efforts.

The agreement resulted in a 37% reduction in the nominal value of Ghana’s debt, equivalent to a US$5 billion reduction.

Speaking during the presentation of the 2025 Budget Statement in Parliament on Tuesday, 11th March, Dr. Ato Forson highlighted the progress made in managing the country’s debt burden.

“The debt-to-GDP ratio reduced drastically in 2024, reflecting our commitment to restoring macroeconomic stability and ensuring a sustainable debt trajectory,” he said.

He further noted that Ghana’s economic performance had exceeded expectations despite prevailing global financial challenges.