Category: Local News

About 66 illegal miners have been arrested by a joint military and police operation at the Tilli forest in the Upper East Region. The operation, which took place on Tuesday, March 4th, 2024, was a swoop to end the activities of illegal mining in that forest. The suspects include two Burkinabes, 26 Togolese, and 38 Ghanaians. The Tilli forest is one of the biggest forest reserves in the Upper East Region, where some of these illegal miners are engaging in illegal mining activities, deteriorating the forest ecosystem.

The forest also contains wildlife species like elephants and other organisms that depend on the forest ecosystem for survival. Speaking to the Upper East Regional Minister, Akamugri Donatus Atanga, after the arrest, he stated that the operation was motivated by the paramount chief of Sakote, who called on him to help curb the situation in that area.

Former Deputy Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Gifty Oware Mensah, has returned to Ghana amid an ongoing investigation into a ghost names scandal at the NSA.

Reports indicate that Oware Mensah, who had been in the United States after the elections, arrived in the country on Tuesday afternoon and was met at the airport by some family members.

Her arrival follows reports that officials of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) had been seeking her arrest in connection with the scandal.

Her return comes shortly after Former Deputy Director of Operations at the NSA, Kwaku Ohene Gyan, popularly known as Osonoba, was detained by the NIB.

The National Service Scandal

The ghost names scandal at the NSA involves allegations of fraudulent payments made to non-existent personnel on the National Service payroll.

Investigations suggest that thousands of ghost names were inserted into the system, leading to significant financial losses for the state.

Preliminary findings indicate that some officials at the NSA allegedly facilitated these payments, diverting funds meant for genuine national service personnel.

The scandal has prompted calls for greater transparency and accountability in the administration of the scheme, which enrolls thousands of young graduates annually.

While Gifty Oware Mensah’s role in the scandal remains unclear, her return to Ghana signals potential legal proceedings or further questioning by the authorities.

Security agencies are expected to intensify their probe as they work to unravel the full extent of the fraudulent scheme.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has strongly condemned the unsavory comments made against Dr. Zanetor Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Korle-Klottey, during parliamentary proceedings on February 4, 2025

During parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday, February 4, a male voice was heard shouting, “Daughter of a murderer, sit down! Daughter of a murderer, sit down!“ The outburst occurred while Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin was addressing the House and calling for calm.

The remark came during heated discussions on the 60th anniversary of the death of Joseph Boakye Danquah. Tensions escalated when Tamale Central MP, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, challenged what he described as exaggerated praises from the Minority regarding JB Danquah’s legacy.

The exchange grew intense, prompting the presiding Speaker, Andrew Asiamah, to limit contributions to only parliamentary leadership, effectively silencing other MPs.

In a formal communication during parliamentary proceedings on March 3, Speaker Bagbin apologized to Dr. Rawlings and her family and gave the culprit an ultimatum to come forward within a week or face the consequences.

“It is regrettable that an Hon. Member was subjected to an unwarranted, unjustified and deeply offensive reckless remark. I apologise for repeating it. Such conduct is dishonourable, and I strongly condemn it as a behaviour unbefitting of a sitting MP.

“I extend my deepest apologies to Hon. Zanetor Rawlings, H.E. Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings, former first lady, the family, the chiefs and all the good people of Anlo and Anlo land.”

President and Chief Executive Officer of the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET), Mavis Owusu Gyamfi, has described the U.S. government’s decision to discontinue USAID support as a wake-up call for Ghana to reclaim ownership of its development agenda.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Channel One Newsroom on Monday, March 3, Ms. Gyamfi emphasized that no country has ever achieved sustainable development solely through foreign aid.

According to her, developed nations rely on a range of financial instruments to sustain their economies, with aid being just one component. She further argued that debt, when managed properly, can be a beneficial tool for growth.

“We need to grow and transform our economies so that we have enough money on our own to continue to develop. Debt is not a bad thing. Debt is a good thing if you use it well,” she stated.

While acknowledging that the funding cuts are unfortunate and will have a severe impact, Ms. Gyamfi believes they serve as a necessary wake-up call for African nations to take charge of their own progress instead of depending on external assistance.

“We all borrow. If we can get back on track, we can get to the market, borrow, and go even further. So for me, the cuts are sad, and the impact is going to be harrowing, but it is a wake-up call. Stop handing over your development to the rest of the world and do it yourself in-house,” she added.

Telecel Ghana is celebrating International Women’s Week with a vibrant line up of activities under the derivative theme ‘Accelerate HER.’

The week-long celebration, which runs from March 3 to 8, is aimed at empowering women, challenging gender biases, and advancing inclusivity.

In line with International Women’s Day 2025 celebration under the global theme – Accelerate Action, the telecommunications giant has outlined a number of internal and external activities to amplify women’s voices, invest in their future, and challenge gender stereotypes.

In a message to launch International Women’s Week, chief executive of Telecel Ghana, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai highlighted the importance of taking bold steps to elevate and empower women, noting that progress toward gender equality remains slow globally.

“At Telecel Ghana, we don’t just talk about change, we drive it. This International Women’s Week, we are taking concrete steps to ensure that women receive increased support and the push they need to succeed. Accelerating HER is everyone’s responsibility.”

The celebration kicks off with Wear Purple Day, where employees will wear purple attire to symbolise solidarity with women’s empowerment.

The #SheElevatesMe campaign will be rolled out to encourage staff to share posts appreciating the inspiring women in their lives.

A wealth building and financial planning webinar will be organised for Ladies in Telecel to provide valuable insights on achieving financial independence and equipping women with economic strategies to secure their futures.

Telecel Ghana will organise the “Accelerate HER Future” Mentorship initiative at the Kanda Cluster of Schools, where female employees will inspire young girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). Additionally, the ‘Buy A Math Set for HER’ campaign is crowdfunding donations to provide essential math tools for girls, ensuring they have the resources for academic
studies.

The telco will also host a night of engaging conversation over drinks focused on strategies for women to accelerate their personal and professional growth.

This will be preceded by a ‘Boss Lady Headshot Shoot’, offering female employees the chance to enhance their professional profiles with high-quality headshots.

The climax of the International Women’s Week will be the second edition of the Women 100 Power Connect, a gathering of accomplished and influential women from all sectors of our country to share experiences, inspire one another, exchange ideas and discover areas for collaboration.

“This month is about more than celebration; it’s about concrete action. We are committed to creating opportunities for women to thrive, both within Telecel Ghana and in the communities we serve.

The ‘Accelerate HER’ theme reflects our belief that empowering women is essential for building a stronger, more inclusive and equitable world,” said Daniel Adanu, acting Human Resources Director of Telecel Ghana.

Telecel Ghana hopes the Accelerate HER campaign for International Women’s Week will empower more women, challenge biases, and create opportunities for growth to drive gender equity

The Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, has commended the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama, for suspending the Gold-for-Oil programme.

His comments follow the Bank of Ghana’s announcement on the suspension of The Gold For Oil Programme due to financial losses and operational challenges on  March 3, 2025.

According to Duncan Amoah, the programme, which was designed to reduce Ghana’s reliance on foreign exchange for fuel imports and stabilize domestic fuel prices, was neither sustainable nor a viable solution to addressing fuel price fluctuations.

In an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM,  he stated that he was neither surprised nor shocked by the decision, adding that the suspension had been long overdue but was likely delayed due to administrative considerations.

“It is not shocking or surprising. If anything, the suspension came a bit late, but we understand that certain administrative processes had to be followed,” he remarked.

The Executive Secretary of COPEC further urged the government not to introduce another similar initiative in an attempt to control fuel prices. Instead, he called for a focus on revamping Ghana’s refinery to reduce the country’s reliance on petroleum imports.

“The Gold-for-Oil programme was never going to be the solution to Ghana’s fuel price fluctuations. It was unsustainable and unsafe. Kudos to the new governor for suspending it, but I hope they don’t introduce another scheme. The real solution is to fix our refineries. That way, Ghanaians can rest assured that we are refining our petroleum products instead of relying on imports.”

He also noted that rather than using Ghana’s gold reserves for oil procurement, the government should have prioritized strengthening the country’s currency through strategic economic measures.

The government is set to provide $7 million in grants to eight plastic recycling companies across the country to support the growth of their businesses.

The Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology noted that the companies, including Universal Plastic Products and Recycling Ghana (UPPR) Limited under the Jospong Group of Companies, will use the funds to enhance their capacity to collect, recycle, and reuse plastic waste.

During a recent tour of some recycling companies in Accra to assess their preparedness for the funding, sector Minister Murtala Mohammed underscored the importance of increasing support for businesses within the circular economy.

“We are looking forward to expanding this grant assistance to more entities with the expertise to manage plastic waste. If we are only able to recycle 10%, what happens to the remaining 90%? They contribute to the environmental degradation and hazards we face,” he said.

He also mentioned that a decision will be made after visiting several facilities. Murtala Mohammed called on the beneficiary companies to create job opportunities once they receive the funding.

On Monday, March 3, 2025 the Minister visited four plastic waste recycling facilities, including UPPR, Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant Limited (IRECOP), Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO) Maternal Recovery Facility, and Nelplast Ghana Limited.

The funding for these businesses is part of the government’s project, aimed at establishing a circular economy framework for the plastic sector in Ghana.

Castel Group has reached an agreement to acquire an 80.4% shareholding in Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC from Diageo Holdings Netherlands B.V.

The transaction, valued at GHȼ 5.15 per share, was formalized through a share purchase agreement signed on January 28, 2025.

The deal is contingent upon regulatory approval from the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA).

Castel Group also plans to adhere to the requirements outlined in Ghana’s Securities and Exchange Commission’s Code on Takeovers and Mergers.

In line with regulatory provisions, a mandatory takeover offer for the remaining shares could follow upon completion of the acquisition and receipt of necessary approvals.

Castel Group, a major player in the global beverages industry, has an existing partnership with Diageo in 11 other African markets.

The company has expressed its commitment to fostering the growth of Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC following the acquisition.

Acting Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Sarpong, has defended the ambitious GH₵200 billion revenue target set for 2025, insisting it is achievable with the right strategies.

Despite skepticism from some quarters, Sarpong remains confident that the target can be met through enhanced tax measures and improved compliance.

He pointed to underperforming tax areas, particularly VAT, as key opportunities for revenue growth.

“Indeed, it looks insurmountable on the face of it. But I believe that with determination, the right strategies, and teamwork, we will be able to meet this challenge. And I say so on the grounds that, as I’ve already mentioned, there are several areas where our tax handles are not performing.

“Indeed, the minister did mention the performance of VAT, which contributes about 17% of our domestic tax composition compared to our peers that are running around 50%. Therefore, if we focus on VAT, we should be able to close some of the gap.”

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

Prof. Ameyaw was apprehended by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) on the morning of Sunday, March 2, 2025, in connection with an ongoing investigation into financial transactions during his tenure as Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). However, he was released later that evening.
Speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb TV, Dr. Ayine revealed that the former chairman was questioned regarding payments made under his leadership.
He further disclosed that Prof. Ameyaw admitted that a sum of “two million dollars” was paid for certain works, yet no work was actually done.
“We are still investigating the circumstances of the payment and those who were involved,” the Attorney-General stated.

Meanwhile, lawyers for Prof. Christopher Ekumfi Ameyaw have strongly defended their client, asserting his innocence following the arrest.
“We the lawyers absolutely are confident that Professor Ameyaw Ekumfi is innocent of whatever they raised against him,” Kenneth Korankye, one of Prof. Ameyaw’s lawyers, said.
The lawyer added, “Let them bring all the facts that they have, once they bring all the facts we shall answer them as counsels of Professor Ameyaw Ekumfi.”
He further emphasized, “I believe that our client is absolutely innocent of any charges, that’s what I can say, let them do their homework, let them do it well and then when they come we shall also have our side of the story.”