Category: Local News

The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Agbodza, has directed an immediate investigation into the deterioration of parts of the newly reconstructed Tarkwa-Agona Nkwanta Road.

The 66-kilometre stretch, which cost €95 million, has shown visible signs of damage just months after completion.

This discovery was made during his inspection tour of key infrastructure projects in the Western Region on Friday.

Project Manager Joaquim Ferreira explained that the early damage was primarily due to excessive overloading by heavy-duty trucks transporting manganese, bauxite, and other mining-related materials.

He warned that if such overloading continues, the lifespan of the road would be drastically shortened, undermining the significant investment made by the government.

In response, Minister Agbodza and his team conducted an unannounced inspection at the Apimanim axle load station, where five trucks were apprehended for carrying loads far beyond the permissible limit, with some exceeding the limit by up to 20 tonnes.

“There is no doubt that overloading is damaging our roads, and the axle load programme is problematic,” Agbodza stated during the visit.

To address the issue, the Ministry has established a five-member committee to investigate the operations of the axle load programme nationwide.

Agbodza stated that the committee’s findings would guide government efforts to reform the system and better protect the country’s road infrastructure from preventable damage.

Former Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has entreated political leaders and actors to shift away from what he terms “slash and burn” politics to collectively drive national development.

According to him, the ideas of opposing parties should not be rejected solely because a ruling government disagrees or seeks to score cheap political points.

Dr. Adwutum observed that some political opponents often criticise government policies and projects, not because they are inherently bad, but to score political points.

“Sometimes, your opponents know what you’re doing is right, but they may say it’s bad in order to score political points. I’ve always said that E-blocks were a good thing, but if the location is not suitable for a Day School, I will add a dormitory block so that the building becomes useful to the community,” he said.

Speaking to JoyNews during a TEKTALK event organised by the Students’ Representative Council of the KNUST, Dr. Adutwum suggested a bipartisan approach to critical national initiatives.

“If we have some critical national commissions in the future, let’s look at how we can do bi-partisan representation, where if the party in power selects three people, the party that is not in power can select two,” he proposed.

The TEKTALK event was under the theme: “Pioneering National Transformation through Politics, Finance, and Entertainment”.

Sharing his thoughts on the role of politics in driving national transformation, the Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe emphasised that politics can be a “force for good” and explained how he used his political career to make a difference.

“I sponsored 150 students in my constituency to become engineers and doctors. I also championed STEM education, and now STEM is a household word. And so, politics can be a ‘force for good’ for national transformation,” said Dr. Osei-Adutwum.

Founder and CEO of 3Music Network, Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu, also spoke on the role of the entertainment industry in driving national transformation.

According to him, politics plays a foundational role in creating an environment for economic growth.

“Politics sets the tone and avenue for national transformation. Creating a political environment is the genesis of having a very strong economy. If politics sets the tone, everything else can be built on it, including finance,” said Baba Sadiq.

A 25-year-old man, Richmond Owusu Kankam, has been found dead under mysterious circumstances in Ahwiaa, a suburb of the Kwabre East Municipality in the Ashanti Region.

Richmond’s lifeless body was discovered on the roadside near the Ahwiaa RC School on the morning of Sunday, 6th April 2025, sparking tension and sorrow within the local community.

The deceased, who lived with his grandmother in Mamponteng, was last seen on Friday when he left home to run errands at the market. His mother, Nana Yaa, recounted receiving a distressing phone call later that day.

“One of my siblings in Accra called to ask if I had heard that Rich had been killed,” she said.

Worried, Nana Yaa visited his workplace, only to find it closed with no sign of her son’s presence. She then visited various locations he frequented in an attempt to find him, but her search was in vain. Desperate, she filed a report with the Mamponteng Police.

“They told me he might have spent the night at his girlfriend’s house,” she said, expressing frustration over the lack of urgency in the response.

The next day, determined to continue her search, Nana Yaa set out again. While traveling in a tricycle, the rider mentioned that a body had been found nearby. Trusting her instincts, she visited the site and was heartbroken to identify the body as her son’s.

The discovery has left the community in shock, with residents calling for a swift and thorough investigation into the circumstances of Richmond’s death.

Police have yet to release an official statement regarding the case.

In a shocking turn of events, National Security operatives have uncovered several official Bank of Ghana (BoG) cash boxes at a crime scene in Sapeiman, Ga West Municipality, Greater Accra, raising serious concerns about their connection to a sophisticated counterfeit currency syndicate.

The discovery of the genuine BoG cash boxes follows the bust of ten 40-foot containers filled with counterfeit Ghana cedi and US dollar notes in February 2025.

During a tour of the site on Sunday, Richard Jakpa, Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, confirmed that the boxes were not replicas but genuine BoG property.

Authorities are now investigating how these state-sanctioned financial assets found their way into the hands of the criminal network behind the counterfeiting operation.

The discovery has raised more questions about the extent of the syndicate’s reach and how long it may have been operating undetected.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jakpa disclosed that a manhunt is underway for the alleged kingpin behind the sophisticated counterfeiting syndicate.

The elderly man operating as a front, known locally as the “Battery Doctor,” is believed to have served as a cover for the real activities—namely, the mass production of counterfeit currency and fake gold bars.

Investigators are currently pursuing a man known only as “Alhaji,” who is suspected to be the mastermind behind the operation.

Jakpa revealed that authorities have solid evidence linking Alhaji to the crime scene and to a broader network of illegal activities.

“We are confident that it is only a matter of time before he is apprehended,” Jakpa stated, assuring the public that National Security is determined to bring the individuals behind this illegal operation to justice.

Celebrated veteran Ghanaian disc jockey and staff member of the Multimedia Group, Samuel Tei Mensah Nartey, popularly known as DJ Awana, has passed away.

DJ Awana died on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at the 37 Military Hospital after a short illness.

He began his remarkable media career over two decades ago with Adom FM when the station was operating in Tema.

Quickly rising to prominence, DJ Awana became a well-known figure in Ghana’s media and live event industries.

He won the hearts of many with his gentle demeanor, soft-spoken nature, and his careful selection of songs that fit every occasion.

DJ Awana became a household name in the media and entertainment industry with his signature jingle, “Awana was Onie o! Awanna Nie o! Ɛyɛ wo nwanwa!!!”

Following the news of his death, many Ghanaians and media personalities, including Afia Pokua (Vim Lady), Nana Yaa Konadu Yiadom, Ohemaa Woyeje, and veteran disc jockey DJ Ashmen, have taken to social media to mourn the loss of the beloved figure.

The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has sent a strong message to municipalities and districts across the region, emphasising the need for close collaboration with traditional authorities and religious leaders.

“I will not tolerate any municipality or district that will not work with traditional authorities and religious leaders,” Mr. Gunu warned during the confirmation ceremony of the President’s nominee for the Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive.

He noted that the president, in his wisdom, merged the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs to demonstrate a commitment to collaborating with traditional authorities and religious leaders in development.

The Regional Minister’s declaration came amid a week-long confirmation process of the President’s nominees for Municipal and District Chief Executive (MDCE) positions in the region—a critical step in the governance structure of local assemblies.

The confirmation exercise began on Wednesday, 2nd April, starting with Akatsi North, Agortime Ziope, and Adaklu districts, each of which delivered a unanimous 100% endorsement of the President’s nominees.

The process continued into the second day with South and North Dayi districts. However, the journey was not smooth for all nominees. Courage Kwame Kokoroko, the nominee for South Dayi, failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the initial round of voting.

According to the law, a second vote can be conducted within 10 days if the nominee secures at least 50% in the first round. After a 30-minute recess, a second vote was held— and this time, Kokoroko clinched 26 out of 31 votes, representing 83.87%, confirming him as the DCE for South Dayi.

Meanwhile, Ernest Adevor, nominee for North Dayi, sailed through smoothly, securing 30 out of 32 valid votes.

In their acceptance speeches, both DCEs pledged their commitment to development.

“As the District Chief Executive, I am committed to working with the agenda of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama to improve road infrastructure and ensure that potable water reaches the rest of our communities. We will also work to improve agriculture, education, and quality healthcare in our district,” said Courage Kwame Kokoroko.

Ernest Adevor also highlighted job creation and youth empowerment as his top priorities. “Developing the youth through skills acquisition will be at the heart of my administration,” he stated.

On the third day of the exercise, Hohoe Municipal Assembly unanimously endorsed Prosper Kumi with a 100% vote. However, Afadjato South nominee Manfred Tawiah fell short by just one vote in the initial round. A subsequent vote gave him 24 out of 32 votes, translating to 75%—confirming his appointment.

In his speech, Prosper Kumi pledged to foster collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure the development of the municipality. “We will build strong partnerships with private individuals and institutions to drive Hohoe forward,” he said.

Manfred Tawiah, on the other hand, called for unity. “Let us put aside our differences, divisions, and personal interests. Together, we will make Afadjato South great,” he urged.

So far, 7 out of 18 districts in the Volta Region have confirmed the President’s nominees.

The process resumes on Monday, 7th April, in the Kpando Municipal, Ho West District, and Ho Central. The full slate of confirmations is expected to be completed by Friday, 11th April 2025.

Retired Supreme Court Justice Nasiru Sulemana Gbadegbe has passed away at the age of 74, following a brief illness. His death occurred on Saturday, April 5, 2025, marking the end of a remarkable life devoted to the service of justice in Ghana.

Justice Gbadegbe’s judicial career spanned more than 30 years, during which he earned widespread respect for his integrity, legal acumen, and unwavering commitment to ethical conduct.

He served on the Supreme Court from 2009 until his retirement on December 8, 2020, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Prior to his appointment to the apex court, he served on the Court of Appeal from 1999 to 2009. His judicial journey began in 1989 as a High Court judge, where he quickly distinguished himself as a principled and thorough adjudicator.

One of the most defining moments of his career came when he sat as one of the nine justices on the panel that presided over Ghana’s landmark 2012/2013 presidential election petition — a case that tested the strength and maturity of the nation’s democratic institutions.

Known among his peers as a “stickler for procedure,” Justice Gbadegbe was celebrated for his meticulous application of the law and deep reverence for due process. His judicial philosophy was rooted in fairness, and he consistently championed the rule of law throughout his tenure.

At his retirement, then Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah lauded him as a pillar of judicial excellence, stating, “Justice Gbadegbe served this country with commitment and left an indelible mark on Ghana’s judiciary.”

His death is a significant loss to Ghana’s legal fraternity. Tributes from colleagues, legal practitioners, and former students are expected in the days ahead, honouring a man whose legacy will continue to influence Ghana’s legal landscape for years to come.

Elikem Kotoko, Deputy National Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticized Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, describing him as lacking credibility.

Kotoko took aim at Rev. Fordjour over his recent claims linking two foreign aircraft — AirMed Flight N823AM and the Cavok Air Antonov An-12B — to cocaine trafficking activities in Ghana. He dismissed the allegations as baseless and unsupported by any verifiable evidence.

According to Kotoko, such serious claims regarding national security and international crime must be backed by concrete proof.

Speaking on Channel One News’s Breakfast Daily on Monday, April 7, he stressed that any individual making public allegations on matters of national interest should not delay in providing credible evidence to support their assertions.

“Reverend Ntim Fordjour, if he cares about his integrity as a Member of Parliament, his credibility owing to the title ‘Reverend’ which he has aligned to the Victory Bible Church should not be taken lightly. If he cares about how he’s seen by his church members and constituents…” Kotoko stated.

He further questioned the sincerity behind Fordjour’s claims, arguing that a person acting in good faith would not wait for a government directive or legal compulsion before presenting evidence.

“Ntim Fordjour, in his presentation, said ‘according to their trusted intelligence,’ but upon further questioning, everybody could see that the gentleman lacks credibility and was just on a hot air chase,” he added.

“Don’t you think that if you have any evidence to support what you are alleging, you should fully submit it? Are you waiting as a citizen to be arrested or directed before presenting the evidence?”.

His comments follow a warning by the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who cautioned that Rev. Ntim Fordjour could face arrest if he fails to honor an invitation from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) over the allegations involving suspicious flights.

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) is set to auction $120 million to Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs) in the second quarter of 2025.

This forms part of its broader strategy to ease foreign exchange (FX) demand pressures and support the stability of the Ghana Cedi.

The auction calendar, scheduled across six dates from April to June, are exclusively for Bulk Oil Distribution Companies to secure dollars for petroleum imports, a key driver of forex demand in the country.

Each auction will offer $20 million, bringing the total allocation for the second quarter to $120 million.

The auctions form part of targeted interventions by the Central Bank to manage volatility in the foreign exchange market, especially in the downstream petroleum sector where dollar demand is typically high.

According to the published calendar, the first auction is set for April 10, with subsequent auctions on April 29, May 14 , May 28, June 12 and June 26.

“The Bank of Ghana announces for the information of all Authorised Foreign Exchange Dealing Banks, the Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs) FX forward Auction Calendar for the second quarter of 2025. In accordance with the BDCs Forex Forward Auction guidelines, bids are invited as per the prescribed format to purchase United States Dollars against Ghana cedis, separately on each auction date and should be submitted via the dedicated email [email protected],” part of a statement issued the Central Bank read.

Bids are to be submitted by authorised foreign exchange dealing banks on behalf of BDCs during designated hours on each auction day. The results of each auction will be announced later in the afternoon.

The Central Bank has urged all authorized dealers to adhere strictly to the auction guidelines available on its website.

The government has once again fallen short of its Treasury bill target, missing it by GH¢2.69 billion for the third week in a row after rejecting GH¢2.37 billion in bids, likely misaligned with its yield expectations.

According to the latest data from the Bank of Ghana (BoG), the government sought to raise GH¢4.39 billion from short-term debt instruments but received bids totalling GH¢1.69 billion, resulting in an undersubscription of 61.46%.

For the 91-day Treasury bill, GH¢3.38 billion was tendered, with GH¢1.45 billion accepted. The 182-day bill saw GH¢501.17 million tendered, but only GH¢81.09 million was accepted. Meanwhile, GH¢176.26 million was tendered for the 364-day bill, of which GH¢161.26 million was accepted.

Interest rates on Treasury bills continue to trend between 15% and 18%. The 91-day yield declined by six basis points to 15.65%, while the 182-day bill fell by 23 basis points to 16.50%. The 364-day bill dipped by two basis points to 18.83%.

This development follows the Bank of Ghana’s recent decision to raise the policy rate by 100 basis points—from 27% to 28%—to rein in inflationary pressures.

While the Treasury’s sustained bid rejections and efforts to moderate yields may seem at odds with the MPC’s hawkish stance, analysts see it as a move to anchor short-term rates, support liquidity sterilisation, and reset Treasury bills as a benchmark for upcoming longer-dated issuances.

However, continued rejections risk drawing down cash buffers, potentially tightening fiscal space in the near term.

In the next auction, the Treasury aims to raise GH¢6.68 billion.