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Former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has been honored with the prestigious Lifetime Nationalist Achievement Award at the Central Legends Honors and Awards ceremony held at the University of Education, Winneba.

The event, themed “Celebrating Living Legends, Fostering Unity Towards National Development and Kingdom Expansion,” recognized outstanding individuals from the Central Region for their contributions to socio-economic progress, humanitarian efforts, and employment creation.

Delivering the keynote address, Nana Ahunuabobirim Prah Agyensaim VI, Paramount Chief of Assin Owirenkyi Traditional Area and chairman of the awards ceremony, emphasized the need for greater commitment to regional development. He acknowledged the selfless efforts of distinguished individuals but called for increased collaboration to drive sustainable growth in the region.

As the guest of honor, Kennedy Agyapong underscored the importance of unity and collaboration between traditional authorities, policymakers, and business leaders in tackling the growing unemployment crisis.

He reassured the audience of his dedication to attracting investments that will create sustainable jobs for the youth in the Central Region and beyond.

“This recognition is not just for me but for everyone striving to uplift our communities. We must work together to create economic opportunities, empower the youth, and build a stronger future for Ghana,” Hon. Agyapong stated.

The Central Legends Honors and Awards continues to serve as a platform to acknowledge and celebrate influential figures whose efforts are shaping the region’s economic and social landscape.

Work on the multipurpose Hajj Village at Kotoka International Airport is ongoing in earnest as the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama cut sod on Friday, February 28, 2025.

GACL being a state-owned self-sustaining commercial entity, generates its own funds internally. In so doing, the company needs to generate revenues from commercial partnerships with various investors to generate revenue while facilitating the movement of aircraft, passengers, cargo and mail. One of such ventures is the hajj village which is a GACL initiative to facilitate pilgrims during the months of hajj and to cater for the needs of the general public all year round. This also boosts the non-aeronautical revenue streams of GACL.

Delivering the keynote address, the President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama highlighted his administration’s resolve to fulfilling promises made to the Muslim Community noting that the new hajj village would offer improved coordination and enhance comfort for pilgrims. The President indicated that the project aligned with government’s commitment to religious inclusivity and a demonstration of its dedication to supporting the needs of Ghana’s diverse religious communities.

The New Hajj Village is a transformative mixed-use development located near Kotoka International Airport. It will feature six essential facilities designed to support the annual Hajj pilgrimage while also serving the general public throughout the year. Key amenities include, residential accommodation, clinic, terminal, conference spaces, recreational areas and offices.

Upon completion, the New Hajj Village will offer pilgrims and the broader community a world-class experience, ensuring a dignified, relaxing and conducive atmosphere and a one-stop shop for Hajj pilgrims and other activities. The commercial facilities such as the residential accommodation, conference centre and sports complex will serve the general public during non-hajj months to generate revenue for the sustenance of GACL.

The project is being developed by Mawums Limited, a Ghanaian Civil Engineering and real Estate firm, in partnership with Ghana Airports Company Limited and is expected to be completed in 24 months.

The event brought together notable personalities including the Chief Imam, His Eminence Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, Moslem Scholars, Government Officials and Representatives from the Hajj Task Force and various Muslim Groups.

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has announced the suspension of the Gold-for-Oil programme, citing policy and operational challenges that have led to financial losses.

The initiative, designed to reduce reliance on foreign exchange for fuel imports and stabilise domestic fuel prices, has been temporarily halted as the Central Bank reassesses its economic strategies.

In an interview with Bloomberg, BoG Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama acknowledged the setbacks, stating, “We have had to incur some losses on that, so we have put some suspension on the trade.”

While Dr. Asiama did not elaborate on the specific challenges, the decision aligns with a broader policy shift under the new administration.

Despite the programme’s suspension, he remains optimistic about Ghana’s economic outlook, particularly the stability of the cedi, which faced significant volatility last year.

“We intend to maintain an appropriate monetary policy stance. Together with commitments to fiscal discipline under the administration of President John Mahama, this should help us maintain stability in the foreign exchange markets,” he assured.

The Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has criticized the government’s National Economic Dialogue, arguing that its call for economic continuity is at odds with recent policy decisions.

His concerns follow the suspension of the Gold-for-Oil programme, an initiative aimed at stabilizing fuel prices and reducing reliance on foreign exchange.

The suspension was announced by the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Johnson Asiama, on March 3. Additionally, the revocation of appointments and recruitment made after the December 7 election in various public sectors has raised further concerns.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Monday, March 3, Oppong Nkrumah questioned the rationale behind the conference when key economic projects are being abandoned.

He described the Gold-for-Oil programme as a crucial intervention in stabilizing the cedi and criticized the government for terminating initiatives that contributed to economic stability.

Oppong Nkrumah also condemned widespread job losses under the current administration, stating that thousands have been dismissed without any prior dialogue.

He further questioned the government’s sincerity in its commitment to economic stability, asserting that its actions directly contradict the objectives outlined in the National Economic Dialogue.

“This administration has come to power and started by truncating some of the things that are helping us get on the economic path. The Gold For Oil programme which has been suspended was one of the major programmes helping us to shore up our currency. So if the same government is going for a conference that is asking for continuity in economic programmes and that same government is cancelling economic programmes, then what are we going to get out of this conference?

“There are thousands of people who have been sacked from their work without any discourse. If a government is staged for a conference talking about continuity in economic programmes, and at the same time they are truncating the jobs of other people, then you ask yourself where we are going with this conference.

“If you have a project that is talking about continuity of the economic programme and at the same time is cancelling and truncating, then where are we going with the conference,” he asked.

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has confirmed that he authorized the arrest of former Public Procurement Authority (PPA) Board Chairman, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi.

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi was taken into custody by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) on February 23, 2025, at Kawukudi, near Nima in the Greater Accra Region. He is currently under investigation for financial matters related to his tenure as Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructural Investment Fund (GIIF).

According to his lawyer, Ken Kuranchie, a group of men in three pickups arrived at Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi’s residence on the day of his arrest and informed him that he was needed at the NIB. He voluntarily accompanied them to the NIB head office before being transferred to the agency’s Kawukudi offices in Accra.

When questioned about the arrest during a media interview on Monday, March 3, 2025, Dr. Ayine confirmed his involvement, stating, “Yes, I did.”

Providing further details, he added, “Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi was arrested and questioned, and he did admit that the $2 million was paid for no work done.”

“We’re still investigating the circumstances of the payment and those who were involved,” Dr. Ayine stated.

The Minister of State in Charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has charged the Ghana Publishing Company Limited (GPCL) to enhance its efforts in operations to remain competitive.

He emphasized that while the company faces challenges, it should not let them hinder its operations, noting that private-sector businesses also face difficulties but continue to thrive.

On Monday, March 3, the Ghana Publishing Company launched its 24-hour service in line with the government’s ‘24-Hour Economy Policy’, which aims to address Ghana’s economic challenges through strategic interventions. Speaking at the launch, Felix Kwakye assured that he would advocate for the company’s concerns, including ensuring that the government’s printing and publishing contracts are awarded to the Ghana Publishing Company.

“Your Longevity should equip you with the experience and know-how to be able to do much better than your competitors in the Market. I will champion your case strongly on the need for you, to get even preferential treatment.

“So that your mandate can be performed because there is no point in setting up a printing house without getting work to do,” he stated. Addressing the gathering, the Managing Director of Ghana Publishing Company Limited, Nana Kwasi Boatey Esq, highlighted that the new steps taken by the company would strengthen production and create more job opportunities.

“By running this service system, we will be able to enhance service delivery, ensuring that government agencies, businesses, and individuals that bring work to us receive their materials on time. We will also increase production capacity, enabling us to take on larger products without delay.

“We will create more job opportunities as more hands will be required to support the expanded operation sphere.” The Minister toured the publishing facility to assess its operations, also marking the launch of the Ghana Publishing Company Limited’s new 24-hour service delivery.

The Electronic Money Issuers (EMIs) Chamber of Ghana has condemned the recent wave of violent attacks targeting mobile money agents across the country.

In a press release, the Chamber expressed its deepest condolences to the families of agents who have lost their lives and called for urgent measures to protect these essential workers in Ghana’s financial ecosystem.

The Chamber highlighted the critical role mobile money agents play in facilitating secure and accessible financial transactions for millions of Ghanaians.

However, the alarming rise in attacks on these agents has raised serious concerns about their safety and the stability of the financial services sector.

“Three mobile money agents dying in one month is entirely unacceptable. One life lost is one too many,” the Chamber stated.

The EMIs Chamber thus called on the government, including the President, the Interior and Finance Ministers, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, to collaborate on urgent measures to protect mobile money agents.