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The Kumasi metropolis is expected to experience an acute water shortage beginning Monday, March 17, 2025, as the Ghana Water Limited in Ashanti region prepares to shut down the Barekese Water Treatment plant.

Management of the water distribution company, in a press release, indicated the planned shutdown is to make way for the installation of new interconnection pipelines and foot valves at the Suame roundabout.

The temporary shutdown, which is expected to last for three days, is part of efforts to improve water supply to the metropolis.

Customers of the water company in the entire Kumasi metropolis, Offinso and adjoining communities will have to seek alternative water sources for their daily chores during the period.

“These communities are therefore urged to bear with us during this period of shutdown,” the statement read.

Other essential service providers, including hospitals and schools in the affected areas, have also been advised to store adequate water for the period.

Acknowledging the inconvenience the exercise may cause, the GWL assured of working diligently to restore water supply to the affected communities within the estimated timeframe.

“This measure is in-line with GWL’s commitment to enhance the water supply capacity from the Barekese Water Treatment Plant to improve water service delivery, and address the supply challenges in the metropolis,” the statement read.

The statement concluded that “Management of GWL deeply regrets the inconvenience that the interruption will cause but pleads with consumers to bear with the situation since the project is meant at improving on the services to the public”.

The Coalition of District Assembly Members (CODAM) has expressed gratitude to President John Mahama for responding to their plea and allocating funds to begin the payment of monthly allowances to them.

During the presentation of the 2025 Budget Statement in Parliament on Tuesday, March 11, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced that the government had allocated GH¢100 million for the payment of monthly allowances to Assembly Members across the country.

In a press statement signed by CODAM President and Dean of Presiding Members, Volta Region’s Mawunyo Agbe, the Coalition extended its heartfelt appreciation to the government.

“Today, at our commendation press conference, the Coalition of District Assembly Members (CODAM) expresses its heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, and his government for their decisive action in fulfilling a key promise of the 2024 NDC manifesto.”

The Coalition further stated, “As clearly stated in the manifesto on page 10, paragraph 4, the commitment was made to ensure that all Assembly Members receive their rightful remuneration. This promise has been decisively acted upon, as further confirmed during today’s budget reading on page 14, paragraph 2.”

According to them, the move to begin paying them is a significant step “that reinforces our collective commitment to good governance, transparency, and the efficient functioning of our Assemblies. By honouring this pledge, the President has not only strengthened public confidence but also set a benchmark for accountability and inclusive development in our nation.”

CODAM congratulated President Mahama on what they described as a milestone achievement and reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with the government.

“We are confident that this action will enhance the operational capacity of our Assembly Members, thereby contributing to more effective service delivery at the grassroots level,” Mawunyo Agbe added.

The Coalition emphasized, “We extend our sincere thanks to President Mahama for his visionary leadership and commitment to realizing the promises made to the people. We look forward to continued collaboration as we jointly work towards a more prosperous and equitable Ghana.”

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has criticized the 2025 Budget, describing it as an “Azaa budget,” meaning a deceptive budget.

According to him, the budget offers no hope and fails to provide clear solutions to Ghana’s economic challenges.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament after Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s presentation on Tuesday, the Effutu MP expressed disappointment over the lack of a detailed plan for the much-discussed 24-hour economy policy.

“Mr Speaker, we have witnessed what we can best describe as an ‘Azaa budget’. Their much-talked-about 24-hour economy—where is it? The President came here and said it was already in motion. Now, the Finance Minister presents the budget, and there is no mention of it,” he stated.

He also dismissed the government’s economic projections and questioned its recovery strategy.

“This afternoon, we have been presented with part two of the lamentation series. The first was ‘Mahamanomics,’ and now we have ‘Forcinomics,’” Afenyo-Markin said.

“Under the economy they complain about, growth was 5.7 percent, but under their so-called reset economy, growth is projected to decline,” he added. He emphasized that Ghanaian youth had high expectations for the 24-hour economy policy, hoping it would create jobs and drive economic transformation.

“Mr. Speaker, the youth of this country have been waiting for this 24-hour economy policy, yet the Minister tells us it will be brought later. Eii, Ato! So, all the jobs they promised were merely an ‘Azaa’ promise?” he quizzed.

Former Finance Minister Amin Adam has dismissed claims that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration implemented the 10% tax on sports betting winnings.

His response follows an announcement by current Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson that the government has scrapped the tax while presenting the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy in Parliament on Tuesday, March 11.

“We will abolish the 10% withholding tax on winnings from lottery, otherwise known as the ‘Betting Tax’,” Dr. Forson stated.

In addition to the betting tax, the government has also removed the E-levy, the COVID-19 tax, and the emission levy.

However, addressing the media after the budget reading, Amin Adam challenged the claim, insisting that the previous government never enforced the betting tax.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we never collected or implemented the betting tax. So to come and tell Ghanaians that you have abolished something we never implemented is to deceive the people of Ghana,” he stated.

The betting tax was introduced in 2023, but ahead of the 2024 elections, John Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had promised to eliminate it if elected.

The removal of the 10% betting tax is expected to be welcomed by many young Ghanaians, particularly those who rely on gambling as an alternative source of income amid limited job opportunities.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has revealed that Ghana’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) was strategically structured to push major debt repayments to 2027 and 2028, providing short-term financial relief.

Presenting the 2025 Budget Statement to Parliament on March 11, Dr. Forson explained that the restructuring was necessary to create fiscal space and improve the government’s ability to manage its financial commitments effectively.

“The DDEP was designed to allow Ghana to make significant repayments in 2027 and 2028, providing much-needed relief in the interim,” he stated.

He emphasized that this approach is crucial for ensuring debt sustainability and preventing future economic instability.

Dr. Forson reassured Parliament of the government’s commitment to implementing prudent financial policies that balance debt management with economic growth.

While acknowledging the challenges associated with the DDEP, he stressed its role in stabilizing the economy and ensuring Ghana meets its future debt obligations without compromising fiscal stability.

He added that the government would continue engaging stakeholders to maintain a well-managed debt repayment framework.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has disclosed that Ghana’s cocoa production has declined by nearly 50% over the past three years, posing a significant challenge to the country’s economy and export commitments.

Presenting the 2025 Budget Statement on March 11, Dr. Forson revealed that during the 2023/2024 crop season, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) was unable to supply the required 330,000 tonnes of cocoa to meet its contractual obligations.

“This under-supply has been rolled over for subsequent supply by the new administration,” he stated, emphasizing the impact on Ghana’s export agreements.

The Minister stressed the urgent need for policy interventions, noting that the cocoa sector remains a crucial pillar of the economy.

“Cocoa production has dropped by nearly 50% over the past three years,” he told Parliament, acknowledging growing concerns among industry stakeholders.

Dr. Forson assured lawmakers that the government would introduce measures to boost productivity and stabilize cocoa exports in response to the crisis.