Ghanaian talent manager Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson,popularly known as Bullgod,has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his officials to brace themselves for imprisonment after their term ends on January 7, 2025.
Bullgod suggested that the President and his appointees should prioritise the renovation of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, as he believes they will eventually face prosecution for alleged corruption and their involvement in illegal mining (galamsey).
“…Starting from Nana Akufo-Addo to all the presidential staffers, I am giving you a job and the job is very simple; you see the three months that are left, if you know what is good for you, go and renovate Nsawam.
Go and renovate Nsawam because that is where you will spend the rest of your life,” Bullgod said.
Bullgod madethese comments while appearing as a guest on UTV’s United Showbiz on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
Recently, the government has faced mounting pressure to address illegal mining. Tensions have further heightened following the arrest and prosecution of protesters opposing illegal mining two weeks ago.
On Saturday, hundreds of Ghanaians concluded a three-day demonstration led by the Citizens Coalition Against Illegal Mining.
The protesters, who were demanding decisive government action against illegal mining and the release of those arrested, marched through the streets of Accra to voice their concerns.
Rev. Obofour, the founder and leader of the Anointed Palace Chapel (APC), passionately criticized Ghana’s leadership during his sermon on Sunday, September 21, 2024.
Expressing his frustration, he condemned the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration for its perceived inaction regarding illegal small-scale mining, known as galamsey, which he claims is devastating the country’s water resources and endangering lives.
He characterized the government’s negligence as a sign of “witchcraft” overtaking the nation, suggesting that only those devoid of compassion would misappropriate funds intended for public health infrastructure.
Rev. Obofour stated, “We have MPs who are witches, we have presidents who are witches. I’m telling you this. We have MPs who are witches, we have teachers who are witches, we have a DCE who is a witch, and for him, he is also a fool in addition. If not, why would politicians be stealing money and saving it abroad while students are being killed when they try crossing rivers because there are no bridges?
“Because they are witches, they don’t have empathy. They are the same as demons. If not, people would not be using funds meant for the construction of toilet facilities to buy plane tickets for their girlfriends and their communicator would come and defend this, saying other governments have been doing the same,” he said in Twi.
He further lamented the state of the healthcare system, pointing out that nursing mothers are forced to sleep on the floor at Korle-Bu Hospital due to lack of resources.
He questioned the absence of a standard stadium for sports events and the neglect of existing facilities, attributing these issues to a lack of accountability and empathy among leaders.
Despite the potential backlash from his remarks, Rev. Obofour made it clear that he would not shy away from speaking out against what he views as systemic failures within the government, even invoking curses against anyone who might seek to silence him.
“Witchcraft has taken over the nation. We are all sitting and watching as our water bodies are being destroyed… If not for witchcraft, why would people be given money to fix our hospitals but you go to Korle-Bu and see nursing mothers sleeping on the floor? If you aren’t a witch or foolish, why would you sit down and allow a country like Ghana to be without a standard stadium for matches? If not for witchcraft, how can you sit and allow a stadium to deplete to the level where it cannot be used? How can you look on while our stadiums go to waste?”
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo are actively rallying support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer for the upcoming elections.
Following his designation as the first candidate on the ballot for the December 7, 2024 elections, the president shared Bawumia’s campaign materials on social media, urging voters with the hashtag #ItIsPossible.
Rebecca Akufo-Addo echoed this call on Facebook, emphasizing the importance of voting for Bawumia as the number one candidate.
Other party officials, including Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the NPP’s running mate, also promoted the campaign, while Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister for Works and Housing, and Richard Ahiagbah, the NPP’s Director of Communications, reinforced the message on various platforms.
Henry Nana Boakye, known as Nana B, the NPP National Organizer, joined in, proudly declaring the party’s top position on the ballot.
The Electoral Commission’s recent ballot draw placed Dr. Bawumia first among 13 presidential candidates, setting the stage for a competitive election season.
KOD, a prominent media and fashion figure, was instrumental in launching the “Believe in Ghana” platform, which aimed to leverage the creative arts to boost Nana Akufo-Addo’s campaign.
“That was in 2008. The platform that launched Nana’s campaign called Believe in Ghana,” he said. “I was one of the orchestrators of the platform.”
It all started when KOD “got a call from my great friend and brother Gabby Otchere-Darko,” who informed him Nana Akufo-Addo was going to run for office and “the platform he wants to use is the creative arts”. Later, “I had a conversation with Nana himself, His Excellency,” KOD added on Accra FM.
KOD shared that his involvement began when his close friend, Gabby Otchere-Darko, informed him about Akufo-Addo’s candidacy and his plan to utilize the creative sector for his campaign.
He then had a direct conversation with Akufo-Addo, who had a notable background in the arts and had maintained significant connections with artists like Fela Kuti and Hugh Masekela.
Impressed by Akufo-Addo’s apparent understanding of the creative economy and his promises to support the arts, KOD rallied behind him.
The campaign featured performances by various artists, including Kwabena Kwabena and Wutah, aiming to attract and engage voters through music.
“Everyone wants to go out and listen to music, so once they’re out, that platform was used to communicate to the people,” the Nineteen57 founder explained, noting, however, “It didn’t work [Akufo-Addo didn’t win the election].”
Despite the effort, Akufo-Addo did not win the election, and KOD decided to withdraw his support.
This decision stemmed not from the campaign’s failure but from personal challenges he faced, including tensions with colleagues at Radio Gold, where he worked at the time.
“After 2008, I took a backseat. After the Believe in Ghana project, that was it for me,” he said.
His reason was “not because the project failed” but “I went through something.
“Some of my colleagues at Radio Gold where I worked – [since] like a year after the station’s inception – were not too happy with me: ‘Kofi, you’ve always been with us and you went to support Nana Akufo-Addo’. So they proposed to kick me out. If it [Akufo-Addo’s campaign] had succeeded, I probably wouldn’t have gone back to Radio Gold so [the question was:] ‘Why come back?’” he recalled.
They were displeased with his political alignment, leading to potential repercussions at work.
Fortunately, his mentor, Kwasi Sainti Baffoe-Bonnie, intervened, and President John Atta Mills also offered support, acknowledging KOD’s right to support a different candidate.
“the great Prof Mills – His Excellency – also, said, ‘Kofi’s my son’. So if he’s supported one of the candidates – this man’s great heart tells him that: There were two great people running for the office of the land, and I chose one side. It’s okay if I didn’t support him.
“That’s what changed it for me. His [Prof Mills] heart,” KOD emphasized, explaining his permanent shift from supporting the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
KOD’s experience shifted his political allegiance from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), influenced by the kindness shown by President Mills.
Currently, KOD is an outspoken critic of Akufo-Addo’s presidency and serves as a creative arts spokesperson for the NDC’s 2024 campaign, advocating for John Dramani Mahama’s return to power.
He noted that while his political stance has cost him friendships, it has also marked a significant evolution in the openness with which individuals can express their political views.
“We’ve come a long way,” to a place where individuals can publicly declare their political beliefs with consequences minimal to yesteryears.
“If you look back, I was not as vocal, and visible as I am now,” he remarked.
On Wednesday, September 4, tensions flared at the Ministry of Finance when the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Brigade, a youth faction of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), clashed with security forces.
The ORAL Brigade, largely comprised of young NDC supporters, assembled to protest alleged financial mismanagement by the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The group’s protest seeks to spotlight what they claim are severe issues in financial administration.
Central to their concerns is the unresolved $34.9 million Ambulance Spare Parts deal, which they argue has raised significant doubts about the procurement process and the proper use of funds meant for emergency medical services.
Additionally, they are scrutinizing the involvement of the Ghana Revenue Authority with the Strategic Mobilisation Limited deal and are demanding a full accounting of the 2023 All-African Games expenditures.
Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho has voiced strong criticism against the party’s presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama.
This backlash follows Mahama’s comments during the NDC’s manifesto unveiling event held in Winneba on August 24, 2024.
In his address, Mahama cited insights from investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni’s latest book,The President Ghana Never Got, to target President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
During the event, Mahama took a swipe at President Akufo-Addo, mockingly labeling him as “The President Ghana Never Got.”
He accused the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration of poor governance, stating that their tenure has made life unbearable for Ghanaians.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgDVPrH9Vt8
“Most Ghanaians will agree that Nana Akufo-Addo is indeed the President Ghana never got. Indeed, I dare say, his much-touted economic whiz kid, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is also the economic messiah Ghana never got,” Mahama stated during his address.
However, Koku Anyidoho has voiced his dissatisfaction with Mahama’s remarks. He argues that Mahama’s allusion to the book might inadvertently suggest that the former president had some involvement in its production, stirring unnecessary speculation.
“When you refuse to exercise deep discretion, and use the title of a recently launched book this way, would people not be allowed to speculate that you had a hand in the manufacturing of the book? I wrote speeches for Candidate/Prez Mills so I know what I’m talking about. SMH,” Anyidoho questioned in a social media post on the same day.
He added, “Irony: he has decided to be the promoter of the book titled ‘The President Ghana Never Got’ while his brother is threatening to go to court over the same book.
The spirit of confusionis certainly hovering over a certain family,” he said in a social media post on August 24, 2024.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has instructed the Ministry of Finance to disburse GH¢200 million as compensation to communities impacted by the initial phase of the Jomoro Petroleum Hub Development project.
This is because some landowners, particularly those represented by the Coalition of Concerned Nzema People, have expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s approach to land acquisition, citing issues of inadequate compensation and procedural lapses.
The project, which is estimated to sit on twenty thousand acres of land on several communities in the Jomoro District, will have three refineries, five petrochemical plants, storage tanks, jetties and port infrastructure.
It seeks to be the leading integrated petroleum and petrochemical complex to add value to the upstream and downstream oil and gas value chain in Africa.
It will also have ancillary infrastructure for transportation, settlement and utilities among others.
This follows the signing of a twelve-billion-dollar agreement between the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation, PHDC and the TCP-UIC Consortium in Accra.
This directive was announced at the sod-cutting ceremony in Nawuli, within the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region on August 2024.
The President highlighted the strategic importance of the Jomoro Petroleum Hub in addressing challenges within Ghana’s energy sector.
He envisions the hub as a leading integrated petroleum complex in Africa, enhancing the oil and gas value chain from both upstream and downstream perspectives.
It is poised to revolutionize the petrochemical industry across the continent, with projections indicating that it could generate $1.56 billion in export taxes by 2030, boost Ghana’s GDP by 70%, and create over 780,000 jobs.
In response, President Akufo-Addo reassured the affected communities of the government’s commitment to addressing their concerns, stating that the initial GH¢200 million compensation is a step towards resolving these issues.
“The chiefs and people of Jomoro have generously offered their lands for the development of these vital projects. In recognition of their contribution, I have instructed the Ministry of Finance to release an initial GH¢200 million to commence the payment of compensation for the affected lands,” he stated.
In an interview on Property FM in Cape Coast, Appiah emphasized that the President has firmly denied any connection to the book’s claims.
“I was watching the President address the Agyapadie issue on TV, and he clearly stated that the allegations are false. From the start, I believed the accusations were unfounded, and the President’s denial reinforces this,” he stated.
He called on people to dismiss the rumors about attempts to misappropriate state assets under the guise of Agyapadie.
Appiah warned that if such schemes are indeed happening, they would ultimately have negative consequences for everyone in the country.
“If some individuals are trying to monopolize the nation’s properties, the repercussions of their actions will impact us all. We must be vigilant to prevent any such misdirection that could harm the country,” he added during his conversation with host Amansan Krakye.
A recent video capturing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, and other prominent figures dancing at the Founders’ Day luncheon has gone viral.
The footage, showing the leaders dancing to Amakye Dede’s popular songs ‘Sike ne Barima’ and ‘Akwadawesoa,’ has sparked controversy online.
Critics on social media have expressed discontent, accusing the government of attempting to manipulate historical narratives for personal gain.
Others questioned the appropriateness of hosting such an event amid the country’s economic struggles. Some viewers have also voiced concerns about the apparent lack of visionary and empathetic leadership.
Founders’ Day, observed annually on August 4, honors the contributions of the ‘Big Six’ Kwame Nkrumah, Joseph Boakye Danquah, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey, Ebenezer Ako-Adjei, William Ofori Atta, and Edward Akufo-Addo who played pivotal roles in Ghana’s fight for independence.
Watch below video:
Akufo-Addo, Konadu Rawlings, Chief of Staff jam to Amakye Dede’s live performance#leaked | Kennedy Agyapong | Bongo | Mbappe | Burkina Faso | Mugeez | Barca | Akyem | Scanty | #tigpostpic.twitter.com/IfrWzqlpSH
Professor Godfred Bokpin from the University of Ghana Business School has criticized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo‘s performance over the past eight years, suggesting that the results have been underwhelming.
Speaking on TV3’s Big Issue on July 30, Prof Bokpin argued that the President should have achieved more given his extended time in office.
“That is why four years ago we were not speaking like this, five ago we were more sympathetic towards the government.” Prof Bokpin highlighted that public sympathy towards the government was higher five years ago compared to now, attributing this shift to perceived inefficiencies in leadership.
He also pointed out that both major political parties in Ghana, the NPP and the NDC, have failed to justify the extensive borrowing they’ve undertaken.
He questioned the value of the borrowed funds, asking what tangible assets have been created and how responsibly the money has been spent.
He stressed the need for a thorough evaluation of both parties’ records, advocating for a more transparent approach in assessing their performance. “Let me ask you and ask our government, not only this government but including the NDC government, what did they use the borrowed funds for? What assets did we create? How prudent were we in spending the funds?
“If you look at it across the two political parties and here I say there is none holy, let us look at it objectively
“A good way to do it is not just to say this flagbearer is holy and therefore let us vote for him. No, there is none holy, let us give them the data as it is.
“I will be happy for a flagbearer to say that we admit our errors, we have been therefore before, all the two main political parties that probably have the chance of governing this country from 2025 have had the chance under the Fourth Republic, we know their errors, we know what they have done, let them admit, let them show repentance, let them demonstrate to us how they have learned from their past, how the data has convicted them and how resolved they are to correct them.”
When his attention was drawn to the fact that the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (ND) former president John Dramani Mahama has admitted he learned from the mistakes he made which is why he is taking that we give him another chance, he answered that “That is not enough.”
Prof Bokpin emphasized the importance of acknowledging past mistakes and demonstrating genuine learning and improvement.
He expressed skepticism towards former President John Dramani Mahama’s claims of having learned from past errors, suggesting that more substantial evidence of growth and repentance is needed.
Since taking office in 2017, his government has completed over 12,830 kilometers of road and constructed six interchanges, achievements he contrasts with those of the previous administration.
Speaking at the launch of the District Road Improvement Programme on Wednesday, July 31, the President emphasized that this initiative embodies his administration’s dedication to decentralizing development and ensuring equitable progress across Ghana.
He also revealed the commissioning of 2,240 pieces of essential equipment, including motor graders, backhoes, and rollers, describing them as vital tools for transformation and a reflection of the government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Ghanaians.
“Improving our road infrastructure is crucial for economic growth and social development,” President Akufo-Addo remarked.
“This programme will not only advance our road networks but also generate 10,000 jobs for Ghanaians, including roles for mechanics, engineers, and artisans. By equipping local assemblies with necessary resources, we are promoting community ownership and responsibility.”
He called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives to fully embrace the initiative and adhere to the guidelines set out by the relevant ministries and stakeholders to ensure the programme’s success.
Prophet Nicholas Osei, also known as Prophet Kumchacha, the founder and leader of Heaven’s Gate Ministries, has attributed the low offerings in his church to the economic policies of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
In a viral video shared on the EDHUB page, Prophet Kumchacha voiced his frustration with the small amounts his congregation has been able to contribute.
Expressing his disappointment, he remarked, “Today is July 28, 2024, and we were not able to collect any significant offerings. Most contributions were in coins and 1 Ghana cedi notes. With these small amounts, it is challenging to sustain and grow the church.”
However, Prophet Kumchacha also showed understanding towards his congregation, acknowledging the economic hardships they face.
He placed the blame on the government for the current state of the economy, which he believes makes it difficult for church members to give more.
“I don’t blame you too much. I blame Nana Addo and Bawumia. The offering bowl contains mostly coins and only a few notes. The poor economic situation under this administration has left everyone struggling,” he told his congregation.
Watch video below:
Akufo-Bawumia gov't to blame for low offerings -Prophet Kumchacha
Nico Williams | BREAKING NEWS | KNUST | Anita | Kwaku Manu | Volta Region | Kivo | Ghana | Black Sherif | #tigpostpic.twitter.com/vGHuM1uj3M
Ghanaian broadcaster Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, widely known as KKD, has criticized the judiciary and police for their perceived inaction amidst what he terms as state plunder by the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
In an interview on Joy News on July 29, 2024, KKD refuted allegations that the controversial ‘Agyapadie’ document, which supposedly details a strategic plan to control the Ghanaian economy, is fictitious.
“We have prosecutors, magistrates, judges, and a police system, yet we observe the implementation of the Agyapadie document’s contents while they do nothing, merely twiddling their thumbs, scratching themselves, and laughing.
“The plunder of the state is undeniable. Ignoring it is an act of sabotage against the nation.
“I initially dismissed the document as nonsense, but after observing events over three and a half years, I now see it as the plunderers’ blueprint,” myjoyonline.com quoted him during the interview.
KKD’s comments follow a declaration by the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, who labeled the ‘Agyapadie’ document as a fabricated attempt to damage the reputation of the Ofori Panin household and the Akyem people.
The Okyenhene’s remarks came after the document, which purportedly outlines a plan for Akyem dominance in various sectors of the Ghanaian economy, gained renewed attention in both traditional and social media.
Security expert Richard Kumadoe has suggested that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo‘s recent appointment of Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations may be part of a larger strategy to sideline IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
The appointment, announced by Presidency’s Director of Communications Eugene Arhin, follows advice from the Police Council, which praised COP Yohuno’s extensive career and commitment to duty spanning over three decades.
In response, Kumadoe commented on 3FM’s Hot Hot Edition, stating, “There is a conspiracy theory suggesting that they are preparing to remove the IGP.”
Meanwhile, former Police officer and current lawmaker for Wa West, Peter Toobu, also appearing on the show, expressed support for the appointment, noting the need for experienced leadership to ensure security during the upcoming elections.
A former presidential spokesperson, Samuel Koku Anyidoho, has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to decline a statutory office and residence once his term ends in January 2025.
Anyidoho described the practice of providing retired presidents with such facilities as a “despicable culture” that must be discontinued.
On June 20, 2024, he announced on X that he would contemplate organizing a protest to reinforce the demand that retired presidents should not receive state property or be supported by the state in their retirement.
“This despicable culture must stop. I will also organize a demonstration to stop all Presidents from acquiring state property after they enjoy all the largesse of state while in office. It is extremely disgraceful. Prez Akufo-Addo must ask for nothing to set a precedent,” he captioned his post.
Accompanying the post was a letter dated 2016 from the outgoing President at the time, John Dramani Mahama, wherein he requested specific buildings designated as his office and residence, as provided for by law for former presidents.
Read post below:
This despicable culture must stop. I will also organize a demonstration to stop all Presidents from acquiring state property after they enjoy all the largesse of state while in office. It is extremely disgraceful. Prez Akufo-Addo must ask for nothing to set a precedent🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/lvNo0BDio2
— Samuel Koku Anyidoho🇬🇭 (@KokuAnyidoho) June 20, 2024
Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has emphasized the importance of closer cooperation and mutual development at the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul.
Speaking to a distinguished gathering, Akufo-Addo highlighted the long-standing partnership between Ghana and Korea, which was formed in 1977.
He emphasized the value of economic cooperation, citing Africa’s youthful population and wealth of natural resources as advantages.
He highlighted advancements in economic cooperation, such as higher trade volumes and joint ventures in information technology, manufacturing, and agriculture.
To realize the full potential of this cooperation, Akufo-Addo emphasized the need for infrastructure improvements, abolishing trade barriers, and fostering knowledge exchange.
He also urged Africa to take advantage of Korea’s leadership in sustainable development and green technology.
Akufo-Addo concluded by expressing optimism for the future of relations between Korea and Africa, urging them to strengthen their partnership and create a more promising future.
Founding father of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Attah Boamah in New Jersey, has called for a new leadership within the national party.
He expressed that the NPP requires new leaders due to widespread dissatisfaction with the current administration led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Boamah criticized Akufo-Addo for failing to uphold the principles of discipline and accountability that he had promised.
Speaking at the NPP USA’s 30th anniversary event, attended by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Boamah stated, “What our forefathers did is what we are supposed to continue with. The party right now needs good leadership.”
“Nana Addo has failed the NPP. Why? He came in and swore to us that he would use discipline and accountability,” he added.
Boamah also issued a warning to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and other party officials, including former senior minister Osafo-Maafo, reminding them that the NPP is not the property of any single ethnic group.
“He (Akufo-Addo) failed. Look at what is going on in Ghana right now. The party doesn’t belong to the Akyem people. How many Akyem people in Ghana have registered to vote?
“This is a warning to the Vice President and the party officials, Osafo-Maafo, and the rest of them; they all need to sit back,” he said.
During an appearance on Onua TV on May 22, 2024, former Third National Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Michael Omari Wadie, failed to mention any completed hospital projects by the government in the Ashanti Region, a key stronghold of the party.
When asked to name a single project completed since the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration took office in 2017, Wadie struggled to provide an example and even resorted to searching on his phone.
The host of the show, Captain Smart, along with co-guest Hopeson Adorye, dismissed Wadie’s reference to the Sewua Hospital project. Captain Smart remarked, “Mahama built Sewua; it’s completed and has been left to rot in the bush.”
When Adorye questioned why Wadie couldn’t mention any of the Agenda 111 hospital projects, Wadie responded that some of these projects are expected to be commissioned in September 2024. Captain Smart and Adorye concluded that, in reality, the NPP had not completed any such projects.
Adorye also expressed frustration over a recent promise by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to ensure the completion of the Pwalugu Dam, a project that began in 2019.
Pwalugu Dam Project: Progress Stalled Despite Initial Promises
Nearly five years after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo initiated the construction of the Pwalugu multipurpose dam project in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region, progress remains stagnant.
Despite a historic sod-cutting ceremony in November 2019, the project, which had been on the drawing board since the early 1960s, has faced significant delays due to long planning periods and bureaucratic hurdles.
The dam’s construction, aimed at addressing annual floods and deaths caused by the Bagre Dam’s overflow from upstream Burkina Faso, was expected to be completed in about four years and two months.
The project is being executed by Sinohydro, a Chinese state-owned hydropower engineering and construction company.
Financial challenges have been a primary reason for the delay.
Despite the government’s commitment, securing the necessary funds has proven difficult. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s flagbearer, acknowledged these financial constraints as a significant hurdle.
At the launch of the Northern Development Authority’s five-year strategic plan in Tamale, Dr. Bawumia emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to secure funds to complete the dam.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has taken a significant step by formally submitting a petition for the removal of Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng from office.
The submission of the petition was confirmed by GhanaWeb, revealing that it was initiated by Agyebeng’s predecessor and vocal critic, Martin Amidu.
Reports indicate that Amidu’s grounds for seeking Agyebeng’s removal include procurement breaches and alleged abuse of office during Agyebeng’s tenure at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Accra-based TV3 has outlined six key allegations in the petition:
1.Accroachment of Authority: Amidu claims that Agyebeng overstepped his authority by appointing staff to the OSP without proper approval, allegedly encroaching on the president’s powers.
2.Inducement of Staff: The petition alleges that Agyebeng induced staff from other law enforcement agencies with promises of higher salaries and ranks, citing recruitment from agencies like EOCO and the Ghana Police Service.
3.Abuse of Citizens’ Rights: Amidu accuses the OSP under Agyebeng of abusing the rights of citizens through arrests and detentions in various cases.
4.Abuse of the Judiciary: Agyebeng’s criticism of judicial decisions regarding OSP cases is seen as abusive by Amidu, who claims it undermines the judiciary’s integrity.
5.Procurement Breaches: The petition highlights alleged procurement rule violations in the OSP’s office refurbishment and vehicle acquisitions.
6.Refusal to Comply with RTI Requests: Amidu alleges that the OSP did not fulfill multiple Right to Information requests, indicating a lack of transparency.
The Chief Justice has requested Agyebeng’s responses to these allegations to determine the next steps in the process.
This development underscores ongoing tensions within Ghana’s legal and law enforcement landscape.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has emphasized the unparalleled accomplishments of his administration in enhancing road infrastructure and the transportation network of Ghana.
He asserted that no other government in history has matched their achievements in constructing interchanges, bridges, and revitalizing railway lines.
“Our record in road infrastructure and the transportation network of our country is unmatched,” stated President Akufo-Addo on his communication platform.
During his State of the Nation address in Parliament in 2023, President Akufo-Addo highlighted that a substantial portion of the funds borrowed by his administration was invested in road construction.
Addressing Parliament, he remarked, “I am proud of the extensive work we have undertaken, particularly in the road sector. Roads are the most frequently raised topic in this House, and a significant portion of our borrowing is dedicated to road construction. Should we cease building roads?”
He also pointed out, “This Government has constructed more roads than any other in the history of the 4th Republic,” providing detailed information in an annex to his statement for transparency and accountability.
The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has firmly rejected claims suggesting that the Yagbonwura was directed to stand and acknowledge President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Various media outlets had hinted that during an event in Damongo on Saturday, April 27, 2024, the Overlord of Gonja, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, was instructed to rise and greet the President.
In a statement, Minister Stephen Asamoah Boateng urged the public to disregard these erroneous reports.
He clarified, “For the avoidance of doubt, it is important to reiterate that at no point during the President’s visit to Damongo on Saturday, 27th April 2024, was the Yagbonwura asked to stand up and greet the President.
“As Minister, I was with the President at the event, and, as seen clearly on videos, the President, beaming with smiles, walked over and paid homage to the Yagbonwura, who was the host of the event in Damongo. The general public is urged to avoid this deliberate and misleading piece of propaganda which is being distributed by mischief makers.”
As per video evidence, the President approached the Yagbonwura with a smile, paying homage as the host of the Damongo event.
Minister Boateng emphasised the importance of respecting authority and traditional customs, adding that such gestures reflect Ghana’s rich heritage.
The Ministry highlighted that the tradition of Chiefs standing to greet the President is not about undermining their dignity but rather acknowledging their esteemed role in society.
“In conclusion, the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs reaffirms President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to upholding Ghanaian cultural values and fostering harmonious relations within the nation. The tradition of showing respect for authority, including the request for Chiefs to stand when greeting the President at public events, serves as a testament to Ghana’s rich heritage and traditions.
“The call for Chiefs to stand when greeting him at public events is not intended to undermine the dignity or autonomy of traditional leaders. Rather, it is a recognition of their esteemed role in Ghanaian society by embracing the Head of State thereby showing brotherly love and mutual respect,” the Ministry said.
This reaffirms President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to upholding Ghanaian cultural values and fostering unity.
A viral video circulating on social media captures a group of young individuals willing to sell their votes for money in the ongoing Ejisu by-election.
This election features candidates from three political parties and three independents, all vying for the vacant parliamentary seat representing Ejisu in Ghana’s Parliament.
Among the contenders are the governing NPP’s candidate, up against Beatrice Boakye of the LPG, Esther Osei of the CPP, along with independent candidates Gabriel Agyemang Joseph and Attakorah Joseph.
The by-election holds significant importance for the NPP, as it aims to defend a traditionally safe seat in Ejisu.
Despite projections indicating a close race, including insights from Global InfoAnalytics, and the absence of a candidate from the main opposition NDC, the NPP is on edge, evident from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo‘s recent campaign visit to rally support for their candidate, Kwabena Boateng.
The by-election follows the passing of the area’s former MP and Deputy Minister of Finance, John Ampontuah Kumah, earlier this year.
With 106,812 registered voters spread across 204 polling stations in the constituency, today marks a pivotal day for Ejisu’s political landscape.
Ghanaian musician and politician Kwame Obeng Asare, known as A-Plus, in a recent outburst on UTV, has lambasted President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for allegedly forgetting the challenges he faced to attain the presidency as his term nears its end.
A Plus didn’t mince words, labelling Akufo-Addo’s election as a deception on the Ghanaian people, acknowledging his own role in promoting Akufo-Addo as the best candidate back in 2016.
During his impassioned speech, A-Plus delved into various topics, including a viral video showing Akufo-Addo requesting seated chiefs to stand and greet him at a public function.
In the brief footage lasting 12 seconds, the president is seen approaching traditional leaders, prompting some to rise at the signal of Akufo-Addo and one of his security personnel before receiving his greeting.
“If you put your trust in Akufo-Addo, he will let you down. He’s wrapping up his term, having deceived everyone. He begged for votes, and now he expects chiefs to stand for him,” A Plus remarked on MzGee’s show, expressing Akufo-Addo’s perceived indifference towards the populace’s concerns with little time left in his tenure.
While the exact location and nature of the event remain undisclosed, the video gained traction on social media, with users highlighting instances where Akufo-Addo greeted seated chiefs in contrast to this particular incident.
A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) communication team, Saaka Salia, provided reasoning behind President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s decision to relocate and rename the African and Middle East Resources Investment Group Plant (AMERI Plant).
During an interview on GHOne TV on April 22, 2024, Salia asserted that although the AMERI plant was established and inaugurated during the John Dramani Mahama administration, it was the Akufo-Addo government that primarily financed the plant.
He stated that while the Mahama government contributed only 10% of the plant’s cost, the Akufo-Addo administration covered approximately 90% of the project’s expenses, eventually leading to the country’s full ownership of the plant.
“… Let Ghanaians understand that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo paid for the AMERI. John Mahama didn’t use his money to pay for it and Nana Addo didn’t also use his money to pay for it. But the NPP government paid 90% of the AMERI deal because it was BOOT (Build, Operates, Own and Transfer).
“So, the AMERI that they said is their project… at the end of the day, you went and hired it and the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government paid 90% of the AMERI price. Because it was commissioned in 2016, you only paid for one year, the rest of the four years were paid by the Akufo-Addo regime,” he said.
The NPP communicator mentioned that the Akufo-Addo government chose to relocate the AMERI plant for strategic advantages.
“Once it is the property of Ghana, we should not let it be here and rot. Let us make the maximum use of it. Then we decided to take six of the turbines and then we sent them to Kumasi. And that is the first time that we have such a plant in Kumasi.”
The bill, initially named the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Act, aims to prohibit LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana and uphold Ghanaian family values and sexual rights.
President Akufo-Addo cited pending Supreme Court cases related to the bill as his reason for not signing it into law.
“I think it will serve little purpose to go, at this stage, into the details of the origin of this proposed law, which is yet to reach my desk. But, suffice it to say, that I have learnt that, today, a challenge has been mounted at the Supreme Court by a concerned citizen to the constitutionality of the proposed legislation.
“In the circumstances, it would be, as well, for all of us to hold our hands, and await the decision of the Court before any action is taken. The operation of the institutions of the Ghanaian state will determine the future trajectory of the rule of law and human rights compliance in our country,” a statement dated March 4, 2024 said.
In a statement dated March 4, 2024, he urged everyone to await the court’s decision before taking further action.
“It is the understanding of this Office that both applications have also been duly served on Parliament. Therefore, it would be improper for you to transmit the Bill to the President and equally improper for this Office to receive the Bill until the Supreme Court determines the matters raised in the suits…In the circumstances, you are kindly requested to cease and desist from transmitting the Bill to the President until the matters before the Supreme Court are resolved,” parts of the letter read.
Additionally, the president sent a letter to Parliament requesting them to refrain from transmitting the bill to him due to pending applications for injunctions in the Supreme Court.
Expressing his disappointment on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show, Dr. Otchere-Ankrah criticized the president, asserting that he is currently a problem for Ghana.
He acknowledged the president’s past contributions but emphasized his discontent with the current situation, calling it a concerning issue for the nation.
“President Akufo-Addo has done some things for Ghana but at this point, he is the problem…I’m not comfortable with his actions as President…I respect him as president, but at this point, he is our problem,” he fumed.
Former General Secretary of the People National Convention PNC, Atik Mohammed has criticised President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo regarding his refusal to approve the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill passed by Parliament.
Atik Mohammed advised President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to take action despite a delay in assent due to a Supreme Court challenge.
The bill, aimed at curbing homosexual practices with penalties of six months to five years imprisonment for offenders, is awaiting the President’s assent to become law.
However, President Akufo-Addo has cited an ongoing legal challenge in the Supreme Court as the reason for postponing his assent.
The President emphasized the need to await the court’s decision before making any further move, asserting, “The operation of the institutions of the Ghanaian state will determine the future trajectory of the rule of law and human rights compliance in our country.”
Additionally, the Office of the President has written to Parliament, advising them not to transmit the bill for assent until the Supreme Court addresses the pending legal matters.
The letter highlighted two applications for an order of interlocutory injunction filed in the Supreme Court, urging Parliament to refrain from transmitting the bill until the court reaches a final determination.
Atik Mohammed reacted to the President’s lack of action by asserting that the President must take a proactive stance, or else the New Patriotic Party’s prospects in the upcoming 2024 elections will be jeopardised.
“Akufo-Addo should take passing of the antiLDBTQ+ bill seriously or the chances of the NPP winning the 2024 elections will be impossible, he must pass the bill inorder not to have any repercussions,” Atik Mohammed stated.
Atik Mohammed’s caution comes amidst a complex legal landscape surrounding the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, underscoring the ongoing debate and legal challenges surrounding the legislation.
There have been rising tensions sparked by intents by Minority MPs to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over a constitutional matter.
The recent move comes after the Executive Secretary to the President, in a letter dated March 18, 2024, asked the Clerk of Parliament to desist from transmitting the anti-LGBT+ Bill to the Jubilee House for assent by the president.
This has been deemed undemocratic and unacceptable by the Minority, reigniting discussions surrounding the powers vested in parliament to hold the executive accountable.
Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, said on March 21, 2024, that “We stand with the Speaker of Parliament in this. Let the President of Ghana and his government be aware that where this country is going is strange under his watch and the NDC Minority will not countenance it.
“But I want to end that it is obvious that His Excellency the President has breached the constitution and we will advise ourselves. In the coming days, don’t be surprised that we will begin impeachment proceedings against the President.”
As these developments unfold, GhanaWeb delves into what the intricacies of an impeachment process is, as outlined in Article 69 of the 1992 constitution.
Here is the Procedure for Removal of President from Office
(1) The President shall be removed from office if he is found, in accordance with the provisions of this article—
(a) to have acted in willful violation of the oath of allegiance and the presidential oath set out in the Second Schedule to, or in willful violation of any other provision of, this Constitution; or
(b) to have conducted himself in a manner—
(i) which brings or is likely to bring the high office of President into disrepute, ridicule or contempt; or
(ii) prejudicial or inimical to the economy or the security of the State; or
(c) to be incapable of performing the functions of his office by reason of infirmity of body or mind.
(2) For the purposes of the removal from office of the President, a notice in writing—
(a) signed by not less than one-third of all the members of Parliament, and
(b) stating that the conduct or the physical or mental capacity of the President be investigated on any of the grounds specified in clause (1) of this article,
shall be given to the Speaker who shall immediately inform the Chief Justice and deliver the notice to him copied to the President.
(3) The notice referred to in clause (2) of this article shall be accompanied by a statement in writing setting out in detail the facts, supported by the necessary documents, on which it is claimed that the conduct or the physical or mental capacity of the President be investigated for the purposes of his removal from office.
(4) Subject to clause (5) of this article, the Chief Justice shall, by constitutional instrument, immediately convene a tribunal consisting of the Chief Justice as Chairman and the four most senior Justices of the Supreme Court and the tribunal shall inquire, in camera, whether there is a prima facie case for the removal of the President.
(5) Where a notice under clause (2) of this article is delivered to the Chief Justice in respect of the removal from of tile President, on the grounds of physical or mental incapacity Chief Justice shall, in consultation with the professional head of the Ghana Health Services, cause a medical board to be convened which shall consist of not less than four eminent medical specialists and the President shall be informed accordingly.
(6) The President shall be invited to submit himself for examination by the medical board within fourteen days after the appointment of the board.
(7) The President shall be entitled during the proceedings of the tribunal or of the medical board to be heard in his defence by himself or by a lawyer or other expert or person as the case may be, of his own choice.
(8) The Rules of Court Committee shall, by constitutional instrument, make rules for the practice and procedure of the tribunal or of the medical board for the removal of the President.
(9) Where the tribunal or medical board specified in clauses (4) and (5) of this article determines that there is a prima facie case for the removal of the President or that the President is by reason of physical or mental incapacity unable to perform the functions of his office, the findings shall immediately be submitted to the Speaker of Parliament through the Chief Justice and copied to the President.
(10) Parliament shall, with in fourteen days after the date of the findings of the tribunal or medical board, move a resolution whether or not the President shall be removed from office.
(11) The resolution for the removal from office of the President shall be by a secret ballot and shall be taken to be approved by Parliament if supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the members of Parliament after prior debate.
(12) The proceedings of Parliament for the removal of the President shall not be held in camera except where Parliament otherwise orders in the interest of national security.
(13) The President shall cease to hold office as President on the date Parliament decides that he be removed from office
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on Ghanaians to seize the opportunities presented by the 13th African Games for the benefit of future generations.
Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the Legon Sports Stadium in Accra, the President emphasised the importance of cherishing the unique contributions of participating countries with their diverse cultures, traditions, and identities.
President Akufo-Addo expressed his delight at witnessing the unifying power of sports on the continent, urging athletes to recognize the inspirational impact of their efforts across Africa.
“As you compete in the games in the coming days, remember that your efforts inspire countless individuals across the continent.Strive for excellence, push your limits and showcase the immense talents that Africa possesses,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
He encouraged participants to strive for excellence, push their limits, and showcase the immense talents inherent in the African continent.
Highlighting the values of integrity and sportsmanship, the President called on participating countries to compete with fairness and mutual respect throughout the competition.
He also extended congratulations to all involved, acknowledging their dedication and determination in making the 13th African Games a prestigious event.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations for your dedication and determination in reaching this prestigious game.”
Ghana, having won the bid to host the games in 2018 for the first time in its history, is currently welcoming over 6,000 athletes from 53 countries competing in 29 disciplines.
The diverse array of sports includes Armwrestling, basketball, boxing, chess, football, volleyball, handball, athletics, table tennis, tennis, badminton, among others, making this edition of the African Games a memorable and significant occasion.
This year’s Independence Day is being held in Koforidua with a grand parade to commemorate Ghana’s 67th Independence Day anniversary.
The event, themed “Our Democracy, Our Pride,” is set to highlight democratic values and foster peace, especially in anticipation of the upcoming 2024 general elections.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to address the gathering, emphasizing the significance of maintaining and cherishing democratic principles.
The celebration will be graced by distinguished guests, including Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, who will serve as the Special Guest of Honour.
The parade promises a spectacle with 21 contingents from various security agencies, representatives from 11 schools, and diverse traditional groups, all joining forces to make the event a memorable one.
As Ghana revels in its independence, the occasion serves as a platform to unite the nation in a shared commitment to democracy and peace.
Mercer, previously with the Ministry of Energy, highlighted the vast opportunities within the tourism sector and conveyed his determination to contribute to its growth and development.
During the interview on Citi FM, Mercer emphasised that the move from the Ministry of Energy to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture was not prompted by day-to-day issues but rather by the significant potential he sees in the tourism sector.
He acknowledged the pivotal role tourism plays in the country’s economy and committed to working diligently to expand the sector.
Recognizing the economic impact of tourism, Mercer pledged to build on the efforts of those who have contributed to the sector’s success.
“We all know the role tourism can play and have played in our economy, so I see it as an opportunity to do my best. Others have laboured, and we shared their glory, so it’s up to us to exploit and add to their gains,” he stated.
His nomination on February 14 was part of a broader cabinet reshuffle announced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, marking changes in key ministerial positions since his assumption of office in 2017.
Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal is Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Outspoken media personality and musician, Abubakar Ahmed known populary as Blakk Rasta, has taken a swipe at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for postponing a ministerial reshuffle until the eleventh hour.
Blakk Rasta argues that the dismissal of Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang-Manu and Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta should have happened much earlier to salvage Ghana’s struggling economy.
Expressing his discontent on the UrbanBlend show, Blakk Rasta accused Akufo-Addo of negligence, asserting, “He arrogantly sat watching as the ship was sinking. Today, everybody is drowned; that is when he is pulling out life jackets for people to wear.”
He criticised the President for contributing to the economic hardship faced by Ghanaians by retaining underperforming ministers for an extended period.
In a recent shake-up on February 14, 2024, President Akufo-Addo relieved 13 central and local government ministers of their duties, including Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and Roads and Highways Minister Kwasi Amoako-Atta.
Blakk Rasta emphasized that the reshuffle came too late, likening it to “injury time massage,” and lamented the adverse effects on the Ghanaian economy.
Notable personalities, including Nana Aba Anamoah, Rex Omar, Bridget Otoo, OB Amponsah, and Prince David Osei, have also shared their reactions to President Akufo-Addo’s ministerial reshuffle.
PresidentNana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo highlighted the significant strides made in decentralization reforms since 1988, bringing the government closer to the people than ever before.
The President emphasised the crucial role of District Assembly Members in deepening deliberative, legislative, and executive functions at the local level.
President Akufo-Addo urged Assembly Members to forge strong partnerships with local structures and collaborate with urban, town, zonal, and area councils, unit committees, traditional authorities, and other groups.
He stressed that such collaborations were essential for optimising the ideals of local governance and benefiting the people.
Addressing the need for improved resource mobilisation, the President called on Members to create innovative ways to generate funds for the development of their respective districts.
“It is through these partnerships and collaborations that the ideals of local governance are optimised for the benefit of the people,” President Akufo-Addo in an inaugural speech delivered on his behalf at Hohoe by Dr Eric Oduro Osae.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to building the capacity of Members through the retooled Institute of Local Government Studies.
President Akufo-Addo underscored the importance of citizen participation in the development process, encouraging the Assembly to establish platforms such as town hall meetings and digitised citizens’ engagement tools.
“It is through these partnerships and collaborations that the ideals of local governance are optimised for the benefit of the people.”
He reminded Members of their responsibilities, emphasising selflessness, devotion to duty, and accountability in stewardship.
“We have retooled the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) with state-of-the-art facilities and other training resources to enable them to effectively provide the needed training for your competence enhancement.”
Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Daniel Noble Awume, expressed confidence in the commitment of the Members to the growth and development of Hohoe.
He assured them of the Assembly’s full support and logistics to fulfil their mandate, calling on them to contribute to the vision of improving living standards in the Hohoe Municipality and beyond.
The ceremony saw the swearing-in of 25 Members, comprising 17 elected and eight government appointees, marking a milestone as 259 District Assemblies are inaugurated nationwide, with only Nkoranza South Municipal and Nkoranza North District Assemblies yet to complete their tenure.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been honored with the Star Prize for the Black History Makers Award in New York. This award recognizes his outstanding contributions to the promotion of Diaspora Engagement, Investment, and Cultural Exchanges.
The award was presented to President Akufo-Addo during the Global Africa Forum held at the Dentons Office in New York, as a sideline event of the 78th UN General Assembly.
The African Union Ambassador to the United States, Hilda Suka–Mafudze, presented the award and emphasized the partners’ commitment to promoting the 2024 Black History Festival. The festival aims to strengthen connections and facilitate the exchange of ideas, businesses, and culture within the diaspora.
In response, President Nana Akufo-Addo expressed his gratitude to the organizers and pledged his government’s commitment to bridging the gap between Ghanaians and their counterparts in the diaspora to foster a strong partnership for development. He encouraged investors to take advantage of the Black History Festival platform for business innovations.
The Executive Coordinator of the Festival and President of the Bureau for International Development, Exchanges, and Commerce (BIDEC), Mr. Stephen Selasie Asuo, announced that the next Black History Festival and Black History Makers Awards would take place from February 21 to 25, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio, USA. He encouraged governments, businesses, institutions, and individuals interested in the Global African Trade Market and celebrating the continent’s rich history and culture to join in celebrating its legacy.
The Global Africa Forum, curated by the Africa Prosperity Network, the Africa-America Institute, and contributions from BIDEC, aimed to inspire outstanding contributions to the promotion of diaspora engagement, investment, and cultural exchanges. It was attended by various dignitaries, including the President of the AfriExim Bank, the Secretary General of the AfCFTA, and ministers from Ghana.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, departed from Ghana for Johannesburg, South Africa, in response to an invitation from President Cyril Ramaphosa. The purpose of the trip is to participate in the 15th BRICS Summit, a gathering of leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
The Summit which is being held from August 22 to August 24 will be attended by the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa. President Vladimir Putin of Russia will not attend the Summit but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister, Mr Sergey Lavrov.
The world economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa collectively make up the BRICS, which was created in 2010 after South Africa joined the BRIC group. Despite the fact that the BRICS Summit is a gathering of heads of state and government, a comprehensive business programme has been organised around it, and it culminates in the BRICS Business Forum.
An address by President Akufo-Addo is expected at the summit. He was accompanied by Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, as well as representatives from the White House and the Foreign Ministry.
The Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, shall act in the President’s absence in accordance with Article 60(8) of the Constitution. The Vice President will return to Ghana on Friday, August 25, 2023.
Former Member of Parliament for Buem Constituency, Daniel Kwesi Ashiamah,has raised concerns about the allegiance of the presentGovernor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison, to the nation.
Mr. Ashiamah has questioned Dr. Addison’s commitment to the country, stating that his reluctance to step down from his position despite continuous urging from the parliamentary Minority raises doubts about his patriotism as a Ghanaian.
“Even this ultimatum is charitable. If Addison were a true Ghanaian with Ghana at heart, we needn’t [have to ask], after reading this report, he should have resigned, and nobody should worry that the NDC should go and pull him out after 21 days,” the former National Democratic Congress MP stated on Okay FM during a discussion on the 21-day ultimatum issued to the governor by his party to resign.
The Bank of Ghana and its leadership are currently under thorough public examination following the release of the 2021 annual report, which discloses a loss exceeding GH60 billion cedis.
Moreover, professionals and representatives of the opposition party have alleged that the bank printed GH22.04 billion in 2022 without obtaining parliamentary authorization. Additionally, there are accusations that the bank absolved GH32 billion of government debt.
The opposing party argues that the combined actions of the central bank and the government underNana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo have played a substantial role in exacerbating the ongoing economic difficulties within the country.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has designated Evans Aggrey-Darkoh as the new head of the Civil Service of Ghana, succeeding Nana Kwasi Agyekum-Dwamena.
Before assuming this new role, Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh held the position of chief director at the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
In a letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, it was stated that Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh has a period of 14 days to indicate his acceptance of the appointment or decline it.
“Pursuant to Article 193(1) of the Constitution and Section 6 (1) of the Civil Service Act, 1993(PNDC 327), I am pleased to inform you that the President has appointed you to act as the head of the Civil Service, pending receipt of the constitutionally required advice from the Public Services Commission.
“I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your appointment,” the letter says.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has emphasized that the resolution of instability in certain West African nations would be most effectively addressed through the leadership of democratically elected officials.
“As it were, you cannot deal with security on its own without taking into account quality of governance of those who are prosecuting the battle for security, it is a mistaken view,” he added.
During a meeting with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UN Office for West Africa and Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simao, at the Jubilee House in Accra last Monday, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo urged for enhanced cooperation between the United Nations (UN) and member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to collaboratively address security and stability issues in troubled countries and facilitate their return to democratic governance.
The President said the preoccupation of most leaders in the region was about how to re-establish democratic rule in countries that had experienced coups in recent times.
“Efforts that are being made in Burkina Faso to confront the terrorists menace have not improved, they have not been able to turn the tide of terrorism in that country.
We need to restore these countries to democratic rule,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo, however, said methods to be used to address those challenges were proving to be difficult and, therefore, urged the UN to expand the mandate of its Multidimensional Integrate Stabilisation Mission that was in Mali (MINUSMA) to make it more robust and forceful.
He said it was quite clear that the relatively limited mandate MINUSMA had in Mali, including its inability to act when actions were required, made the intervention unsuccessful.
President Akufo-Addo further said in dealing with issues of security, “we cannot overlook the need to find means to propel economic growth and development of our nations”.
“We are talking about poor states with major problems of poverty and youth unemployment, and it is only by improving the economic situation that we can address these issues,” he added.
The President said as the region strove to ensure peace and stability, it should also dedicate space and time to continue the search for means to improve its economies because “that is an indispensable part of the search for stability.
This is an area the UN and ECOWAS can profitably work together, coordinate ideas and arrive at some consensus”.
For his part, Mr Simao said his outfit had briefed the UN Security Council on two occasions on the situation in Niger and the threat of terrorism and violent extremism, including issues related to governance and environmental challenges.
He said he had toured almost all the troubled areas in West Africa and held discussions with their leaders on the way forward.
Mr Simao also sought the views of President Akufo-Addo on how the UN could work better in the region to help overcome the prevailing challenges, particularly in the areas of fighting terrorism and violent crimes.
On July 14, 2023, Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, inaugurated the 2023 Ghana Mining Expo.
During the opening ceremony, he emphasized the importance for mining stakeholders to invest in the complete value chain to maximize the benefits from the country’s abundant mineral resources.
“It is trite learning that the real value of these minerals lie in value addition. For example, the difference between the prices of bauxite and aluminium ingot, which is produced from bauxite, is over three thousand percent (3000%)” He added.
The Minister touted that it is for the same reason of value addition that the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has since 2017 pursued a number of policies aimed at adding value addition to the country’s mineral resources.
Citing some examples to this effect, the Minister said through a Public Private Partnership, the government has established a Gold Refinery, and is currently working to secure a London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Certification, to enable Ghana easily trade gold refined in the country on the International market.
The government, he said has also established the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), and the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), to promote and develop integrated aluminium and iron and steel industries in the country.
For green minerals, the Minister disclosed that the Cabinet that is currently considering, a policy proposal for the exploitation, management and utilisation of these minerals. The country’s goal he said is to ensure that, as much as possible, “we retain a significant proportion of the value chain of these future and other critical minerals in our country.”
The Minister in his speech also called for the diversification of Ghana’s mineral resource base to exploit other lesser-known minerals, including the critical minerals required for the green energy transition.
The Ghana Geological Survey Authority he pointed out has conducted considerable geological investigations into these minerals, and the global energy transition makes investment in these minerals very viable.
Touching on the theme for the event; “Sustainable Mineral Resources Development and Well-Being of Mining Communities” Minister Jinapor stated that the theme calls for an examination of some of the most important issues in the mining industry, that is, responsible and sustainable mining, and leveraging on that for sustainable development and the well-being of peoples, particularly those affected by mining operations.
“It brings to sharp focus issues of value addition, maximisation of value chain development, environmentally-responsible extraction, formalisation, best practices, upscaling of exploration, and above all, optimising all stages of the mining value chain as an anchor for sustainable, inclusive and wholistic national development.” He continued
Speaking on the Domestic Purchase Programme, under the umbrella of Ghana’s Gold for oil policy, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addision, said the it has helped to stabilise prices on the market, increased the foreign exchange reserves and has contributed highly to the economic growth of the country.
He said it’s the expectation of the Bank that through the efforts of this Expo and as much as possible, all activities of illegalities will be reduced to the barest minimum in the country.
The Governor gave the assurance that the Bank is determined to provide the programme with all the needed support to make it a success now and in the future.
The Chairman for the event, Awulae Angamatu Tuagyan, The Paramount Chief of Gwira Traditional Council lauded the organisers of the programme for highlighting the needs of Mining communities but asked for more developmental projects to be pushed into such areas.
He stressed on the need to take into account the long term mining impact of the actions of miners in local communities and also called for local participation in the decision making on mining activities.
In his welcome address, the Western Regional Minister, Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah opined that this year’s programme seeks the collaboration of all stakeholders to analyse the state of corporate social responsibility of mining companies in Ghana and their impact on the host communities to come up with best ways these companies can contribute positively in the lives of these communities.
He also disclosed that as part of the consolidated idea of the Ghana Mining Expo initiative, partners Ghana Gold Expo Foundation, together with the Western Regional Coordinating Council have secured a partnership of corporate social responsibility with the Oxford University.
The objective of this partnership he said is to setup leadership and workshop programmes to offer some technical knowledge to mining institutions on their Corporate social responsibilities. This initiative he belives this a step in the right direction and assured would be continued and sustained.
As of now, 88 hospitals are being built as part of the government’s “Agenda 111,” according to Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the information minister.
On August 17, 2021, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo initiated the construction of the facilities by breaking ground, pledging to accomplish the project within a span of 18 months.
The plan to construct the hospitals was first announced in the 8th COVID-19 national address, on April 26, 2020, by the President months after the Coronavirus pandemic hit Ghana.
It was initially “Agenda 88” but government later revised it to “Agenda 111.” The 23 additional facilities included, 13 more district hospitals bringing the total figure to 111.
The standard 100-bed facilities which will be in districts without hospitals will also have accommodation for staff.
Beneficiary regions and respective breakdown are Ashanti, 10, Volta, nine, Eastern, eight, Greater Accra, seven, Upper East, seven, Oti, five, Upper West, five, Bono, five, Western North, five, Savanna, three, Bono East, two, North East, two.
The remaining are six regional hospitals in the newly created regions, two specialised hospitals in the middle and northern belts, as well as a regional hospital in the Western Region and renovation of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.
Each unit is supposed to have facilities such as outpatient services, including consultation for medical and surgical cases, ophthalmology, dental and physiotherapy and imaging services.
At a press briefing yesterday at Trede, where the sod-cutting ceremony was held, the Information Minister said “the brief I have is that 88 are currently under construction and it is grouped into eight zones and in those eight zones, you will find 54 projects. We have visited 33 sites so far and we thought that coming to Trede, where it all began, it is important to showcase from Trede all that has gone on so far.”
He noted that some districts had faced challenges in acquiring land for construction, leading to doubts about the government’s commitment to the projects.
“However, the government remains confident that all the hospitals will be completed before the end of President Akufo-Addo’s second term,” he assured.
Mr Nkrumah stated that some of the hospitals which were behind schedule had been terminated.
“We have provided you with the reports of the sites that we have visited so far, the majority of them that are doing well, the few of them that are behind schedule. We have also updated you on the ones that we have had to terminate because they are behind schedule,” he indicated.
Contributing, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, the Presidential advisor on Health, assured that there was sufficient funding available for the completion of the projects.
Additionally, he said upon completion, the hospitals would create employment opportunities for nurses and contribute to the overall economic growth of the country.
Acknowledging the outcome of the Assin North Constituency by-election, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has formally conceded its defeat and expressed its acceptance of the people’s verdict in favor of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its candidate James Gyakye Quayson. The NPP affirmed that although it made concerted efforts to regain the parliamentary seat, it holds respect for the decision and judgment of the electorate.
The party made this known in a statement dated June 28, 2023 to congratulate the NDC on their electoral victory.
Strong democracy, gratitude
A statement issued by the party on Wednesday, June 28, a day after the by-election, said the NDC’s victory added to the country’s democratic credentials.
“Indeed, the recent two by-elections have demonstrated the strength of the country’s democracy, with outcomes favouring different political parties.
This is a testament to Ghana’s much touted accolade as a bastion,” it explained.
The party expressed its gratitude to all who contributed to the preparations for the by-election, which was held on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
Notable among these were: President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare; the party’s regional chairmen and flagbearer hopefuls.
“We are equally grateful to all ministers, Members of Parliament, chief executive officers, deputy chief executive officers, metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives, other government appointees, and all party adherents for their diverse contributions towards our efforts,” the statement added.
The party also commended the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Ghana Police Service for their joint efforts in ensuring a successful election.
“Finally, we express our gratitude to the hundreds of journalists who worked tirelessly and responsibly to provide up-to-date feedback from the Assin North poll for the benefit of all Ghanaians,” it added.
Background
On May 31, 2023, the EC announced Tuesday, June 27, 2023, as the date for a by-election for the parliamentary seat of the Assin North Constituency in the Central Region.
This came after the EC was notified by Parliament that the seat had become vacant on account that the Supreme Court had declared the election of the then MP, James Gyakye Quayson, as unconstitutional.
The court held that his election was null and void because at the time he filed to contest, he owed allegiance to another country which was contrary to the laws of Ghana.
Mr Quayson won with 17,245 votes, representing 57.56 per cent of the valid votes cast, with the NPP candidate, Charles Opoku, coming second with 12,630 votes, representing 42.15 per cent.
The Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) candidate Sefenu Bernice Enyonam got 87 votes, representing 0.29 per cent.
This was the second by-election held this year with the first being in the Kumawu Constituency in the Ashanti Region.
During the New Patriotic Party’s final rally before the June 27 by-election in Assin North, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo engaged in a spirited exchange with his predecessor, John Dramani Mahama.
Mahama, who had previously spoken at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) final rally in Gangan, expressed his concerns about the politicization of the courts, which resulted in the removal of James Gyakye Quayson from his position as a Member of Parliament.
This removal subsequently necessitated the by-election.
Akufo-Addo blasted Mahama for the comments describing it as unfortunate but unsurprising for a man who ever said that ‘Ghanaians are forgetful.’
The president referred to the case of NPP MP Adamu Dramani Sakande who was jailed during Mahama’s presidency over a dual citizenship case, a similar incident to what Quayson is facing in an Accra High Court.
“John Mahama says if not for politics, what the courts have said of Mr. Quayson will not be. Essentially that theSupreme Court has been politicized. Ghanaians easily forget and that is why he said that.
“What happened to Adamu Dramani Sakande during his presidency, he seems to have forgotten. It is the exact same thing that has befallen Quayson.
“Was it politics that led to Sakande’s jailing during his presidency? Why is he relating it to that now, let us be truthful, we should be truthful, people should stop lying to people in the villages,” he jabbed.
He drummed the advantages of choosing the NPP’s Charles Opoku over Quayson stressing that the constituency needs someone from the ruling party and not a lawmaker who could potentially be in jail or who would be frequenting the courts during his tenure.
“Don’t elect someone who will be frequenting the courts – Appeal, Supreme, High Courts, that is not what you need. I came to appeal to you to elect a lawmaker who can join government to continue the work government is executing in Assin North.
“Ghanaians are forgetful, does such a person think well of Ghanaians? We are not a forgetful people. What happened to Sakande, it is on the same path Quayson is traveling. It is not for me to say.
“The NPP is not interested in intimidating or scaring him, it is the laws that are after him, it is not me scaring him, it is the laws. If the laws come after you, it is not Nana Addo, it is the law,”Akufo-Addo stressed stating that he has never sought to influence the courts in his time in office.
The by-election has attracted a lot of political activity in the past few weeks. Campaigns ended on June 25 ahead of the vote.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and prominent African and Caribbean figures to headline Afreximbank’s 30th Annual Meetings in Accra from 18 to 21 June 2023.
According to a provisional programme released in Accra, President Akufo-Addo and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados will be among a set of high-profile leaders comprising heads of state and government, former heads of state, other political leaders, business leaders, African trade practitioners, trade finance experts, members of academia and senior public figures scheduled to address participants at the Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2023).
Other confirmed speakers include Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria; Dr. Donald Kaberuka, Chairman-Board of Directors, SouthBridge Group and Former president of the African Development Bank (AfDB); Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat; Ambassador Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Minerals, African Union Commission; Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman-Econet Global and Cassava Technologies; Arnold Ekpe, Former Group CEO-Ecobank and Chairman, the Business Council of Africa and Baobab; Dr. Vera Songwe, Board Chair, Liquidity and Sustainability Facility and Former Executive Secretary-United Nations Economic Commission for Africa; and David Coffey, CEO-African Association of Automotive Manufacturers.
Also confirmed to speak are Ahmed El Sewedy, president and CEO-Elsewedy Electric of Egypt; Oussama Kaissi, Chief Executive Officer, Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit; Florie Liser, president and CEO-Corporate Council on Africa; Kayode Pitan, CEO-Bank of Industry of Nigeria; Hani S. Sonbol, CEO-International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation; Simon Tiemtore, Chairman and CEO-Lilium Capital, and Group Chairman-Vista Bank Group; Samaila Zubairu, president-Africa Finance Corporation; Rosa Whitaker, president and CEO-The Whitaker Group; Adam Molai, Chairman-TRT Investment; and Dr. Mima Nedelcovych, Chairman-AfricaGlobal Schaffer.
The four-day AAM2023 is being held under the overarching theme ‘Delivering the vision: Building prosperity for Africans’, and will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, plenaries and fireside-type conversations focusing on African trade, trade finance and development issues, including implementation of the AfCFTA.
Some of the topics listed for discussion include ‘Turbo-Charging Implementation of the AfCFTA: Building Prosperity for Africans’; ‘The Challenges of Peace and Security: What would it take for Africa to feed itself – Overcoming the challenges of food security for sustainable development in Africa’; ‘Building Prosperity: African Culture and Literature as a Foundation for African Renaissance’; ‘Delivering the Vision – Corporate Perspectives’; and ‘The Future of Integration in Africa’.
Other sessions will cover ‘The Benefits of Strong Continental Financial Institutions’; ‘Toward a Unified Vision for the Prosperity of Africans’; ‘A New Middle Passage by Africans for Africans – Strengthening interconnectivity between Africa and its Diaspora for shared Prosperity’; ‘From Parents to Off-springs: Realising the Vision of PanAfricanism across Generations’; ‘Sport as a new Opportunity for Inclusive Growth’; ‘Lessons from History as an Opportunity for the Future – Reflections from Africa and the Caribbean’; ‘Delivering Prosperity Through Industrialisation’; ‘Leveraging the Power of Intra-African Trade and Commodity-based Industrialisation’; ‘Leveraging the Power of Science and Technology in a Digital Era’; ‘United We Stand: Deploying AfriCaribbean Resources for Sustainable Development – Perspectives from Monetary Authorities’; ‘Unlocking Capital to Deliver Prosperity for Africans’; and ‘Thirty Years of Making a Difference: Reflections from Former Presidents’.
Afreximbank Annual Meetings are attended by business and political leaders, banking industry professionals, trade and trade finance practitioners and other parties involved in economic development from across Africa and beyond. The Meetings, which have been ranked among the most important gatherings of economic decision-makers in Africa, are covered by African and international media.
Members of the public interested in attending AAM2023 can register at https://2023.afreximbankevents.com/register/. The detailed programme of the event will soon be available on the following webpage: https://2023.afreximbankevents.com/programme/ – Please visit the following webpage to access the list of confirmed speakers: https://2023.afreximbankevents.com/speakers/ (page regularly updated)
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions which support transforming the structure of Africa’s trade and accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa.
A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA secretariat and AU, the Bank is setting up a US$10billion Adjustment Fund that supports countries to effectively participate in the AfCFTA.
At the end of 2022, Afreximbank’s total assets and guarantees stood at over US$31billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$5.2billion. The Bank disbursed more than US$86billion between 2016 and 2022. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure.
As part of the Ghana Trade Fair Redevelopment Project, Africa Data Centres (ADC) will soon commence building of its strategic international data center.
This serves as a major boost for Ghana in the Government’s push to make digitalisation a major economic growth pillar and employment pool for the youth.
ADC recently signed the deal with the Ghana Trade Fair Company after a year of negotiations. All is now set for construction to begin at the Trade Fair site, La, Accra.
The ADC facility will support computation, data storage, and network and business applications for enterprises and institutions in both Ghana and abroad, particularly, the regional market.
Before a location for a new data centre facility is selected, the key factors an investor will consider include the cost and reliability of power, the cost of construction, the country’s telecom infrastructure/reliability, and the risk of natural disasters.
The Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited embarked upon the redevelopment of its current site into a modern mixed-use commercial enclave in 2019. As part of the project, a portion of the land was carved out to develop a modern Technology Park, dubbed “The Tech Hub” similar to Silicon Valley in California, on the master plan for the Redevelopment project.
The New ADC data center will be located within this Tech Hub area of the redevelopment master plan. The company is in talks with other technology companies to develop incubators and commercial facilities within the Tech Hub enclave.
Welcoming the new investment, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, The President of the Republic of Ghana, said, “The establishment of Africa Data Centre’s new 10MW data centre, in the heart of Accra, is a significant step towards bridging the infrastructure gap, and developing further our digital economy. This investment and the Government’s drive at digitising all sectors of the economy will enable us to increase our capacity to access digital services and help even more to attract foreign direct investment into our economy.”
CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited Dr Agnes Adu stated that: “Africa, for the most part, has been left out of the technology infrastructure until now. The new ADC data center is a huge step in the right direction. It comes just in time as Ghana is focused on digitisation and using technology to develop and boost our economy.”
The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced a $300 million loan facility to Africa Data Centers (ADC), to construct this first-of-its-kind data centre in Ghana at the Trade Fair site.
The Accra data center is part of ADC’s expansion plans in Africa, spanning 10 markets across the continent, including South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Rwanda, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Angola.
Construction of the Accra Data center at the Trade Fair site is set to begin in June of 2023.
The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu IImarked his 73rd birthday in style in London, where he was attending the coronation of King Charles III with his wife Lady Julia.
The birthday bash was held at a luxurious venue in London on May 6 and was attended by several dignitaries, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, and other sub-chiefs.
President Akufo-Addo delivered a speech at the event, praising the Asantehene for his invaluable role in the governance and stability of Ghana.
He cited the example of the Asantehene’s involvement in resolving the conflict in Dagbon and expressed confidence that he would do the same for the Bawku crisis. He then proposed a toast in honour of the Asantehene.
The Asantehene and his wife Lady Julia also showed their dancing skills on the dance floor, as they boogied to Amakye Dede’s ‘Iron Boy’ track surrounded by invited guests.
Otumfuo and his wife arrived in the UK last week and met King Charles at a private meeting before joining the coronation events on May 6 clad in Kente.
Akufo-Addo attended the coronation in his capacity as president of Ghana along with First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is the 16th Asantehene, enstooled on 26 April 1999. He was born on May 6, 1950 making him 73 years this year. His stool name, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is in direct succession to the 17th-century founder of the Ashanti Empire, Otumfuo Osei Tutu I.
He is currently the Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and one of the most respected traditional leaders in the country.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reached out to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for help in resolving the protracted conflict between the Kusasis and Mamprusis in the Bawku area of the Upper East Region.
Addressing an audience at a birthday dinner held for the Asante King in London on May 6th 2023, President Akufo-Addo praised the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his immense role in the political stability of Ghana.
The president said the Asantehene is ‘an invaluable partner in the governance of Ghana.’
Akufo-Addo mentioned the specific example of the Otumfuo’s involvement in resolving the conflict in Dagbon, where he was a mediator, and expressed hope that the Asantehene will do the same for the Bawku crisis. He urged birthday attendees to “make merry and remember the contributions of Asantehene to national lives, not the least to the stability of our country.
“Remember the role he played in bringing a settlement to the crisis in Dagbon and I am confident he is going to repeat that for me in the Bawku crisis,” he said.
The Bawku crisis is an inter-ethnic conflict between the Kusasis and Mamprusis over land rights, chieftaincy and political power.
The conflict has claimed many lives and properties and has disrupted social and economic activities in the area. The government recently announced that soldiers will be deployed to restore peace.
Otumfuo and Akufo-Addo are in the UK with their spouses for the May 6 coronation of King Charles III.
The 73rd birthday celebration of the Asantehene took place after they had attended the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Secretary General of TUC, Dr Anthony Yaw Baah speaking during the May Day celebration, cautioned President Akufo-Addo not to touch the pension funds of TUC members.
According to Dr Yaw Baah, one of the priorities of TUC is to protect the pension funds of members from the domestic debt exchange programme.
He said, “We want to once again remind government that the memorandum of understanding he signed on December 22, 2022, stated clearly that all pension funds have been exempted from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, nothing has changed.”
“So Mr. President please, do not touch our pension funds,” the TUC Secretary General lamented.
Government of Ghana is seeking to revive the economy through a $3 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund.
As part of its efforts to meet the conditions required for the loan, the government introduced a domestic debt exchange programme aimed at varying the terms of existing government bonds.
Government on Monday, December 5, 2022, rolled out a debt restructuring programme to restore its capacity to service its high-rising debt.
Under this programme, all domestic bondholders were charged to exchange their instruments for new ones.
Existing domestic bonds as of December 1, 2022, were exchanged for a set of four new bonds maturing in 2027, 2029, and 2037.
The annual coupons on all of these bonds were set at 0% in 2023, 5% in 2024 and 10% from 2025 until maturity.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) last year December registered its displeasure over government’s intended debt exchange programme, saying the plan when executed will have a negative impact on workers’ pensions.
After a thorough analysis of the Debt Exchange Programme and extensive discussion of its implications, the TUC has come to a firm conclusion that the initiative will negatively impact pension funds of members, and consequently the retirement income security of workers.
Secretary-General of TUC, Dr. Yaw Baah, speaking to the B&FT in Accra yesterday at a press conference said: “The TUC and its affiliate National Unions have decided that the pension funds of our members will not be part of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme”.
The TUC is also worried over the lack of engagement with Labour before considering the plan, given that a substantial portion of workers’ pensions is invested in government bonds.
Dr. Baah said the TUC took special notice of the statement by the finance ministry – that the programme is voluntary – and promised its members that they will be fully protected from the programme.
Indeed, the TUC, according to Dr. Baah, has already dispatched a letter to Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta to exempt all pension funds invested in government bonds from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.
The letter, dated December 12, 2022, asked the government to – within a week of receiving the letter – announce that all pension funds, including SSNIT, are excluded from the programme.
The letter, which is available to the B&FT, has the TUC concluding that: “the Union will advise itself if government fails to accede to this demand”.
“I would like to remind you that the one-week ultimatum for government to announce the exemption of pension funds from the Debt Exchange Programme will expire on December 19, 2022. We’ll hold another presser on that day to update members and the public on the General Council’s decision, and actions that will be taken in the event that government refuses to accede to our demand to exempt pension funds from the programme,” Dr. Baah disclosed.
He asked workers to get ready to participate fully in any industrial action to protect pensions funds, adding: “Workers will no longer bear the consequences of any IMF-inspired policies. Government is responsible for all the consequences of its decisions”.
The Domestic Debt Exchange Programme
The Domestic Debt operation involves an exchange for new Ghana bonds with coupons of a longer average maturity. Existing domestic bonds as of December 1, 2022 will no longer be exchanged for a set of four new bonds maturing in 2027, 2029, 2032 and 2037.
The annual coupon on all these new bonds according to the MoF, will be set at zero percent in 2023, five percent in 2024, and 10 percent in 2025 until maturity. Coupon payments will be semi-annual, with the programme not affecting individual bondholders.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has charged African regional leaders to continue pursuing the dream of building high-speed road networks that would connect all major cities across the continent.
They should also push towards the construction of highways with piping infrastructure for energy, gas, oil, and water, as well as Information Communication Technology (ICT) fibre optic cables,
as those were crucial catalysts for the development of the manufacturing sector, uptake in Technological Skills Development and Research and Innovation on the African continent.
President Akufo-Addo made the call at the opening of the 3rd International Road Federation (IRF) Africa Regional Congress and Exhibition, in Accra, on Wednesday.
The conference is on the theme: “Delivering Tools for Mobility and Regional Connectivity.”
The objective of the three-day event is to, among other things, adopt a long-term transport infrastructure funding and procurement framework for the continent, deliver “Vision Zero” for safer road mobility, and introduce world-class Traffic Engineering and Management Solutions in the region.
It is also to enhance the quality of the transportation network through durable pavement design, climate-resilient infrastructure, and preventive asset management strategies.
President Akufo-Addo noted that despite Africa’s many challenges, the continent continued to take bold steps to boost trade among countries, specifically, the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He also indicated that major road projects were currently being pursued by African leaders to enhance inter-mobility and promote trade on the continent.
For instance, the African Union in conjunction with regional bodies such as the African Development Bank, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, are pursuing the development of the trans-Africa highway.
Within the West Africa region of ECOWAS, detailed engineering studies were far advanced on the 1,028-kilometer six-lane expressway corridor from Abidjan to Lagos, of which 576 kilometres representing 56 per cent of the road is situated within Ghana.
When completed, the highway would augment existing transportation infrastructure and boost trade in one of Africa’s most vibrant economies.
“The Africa we all want should be an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful continent, driven by our own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.
“Vision is very achievable. It requires visionary leaders who will…. contemporary challenge and will be able to provide the necessary, diverse climate-resilient and robust transport sector, accelerate growth, technological transformation, trade, and development,” President Akufo-Addo said.
The President told the gathering that his government had undertaken several road projects to improve inter-mobility, emphasising that since his assumption of the office six years ago, Ghana’s transport sector had witnessed considerable growth, with roads across all 16 regions receiving major improvement.
He stated that his administration had also revamped the railway, aviation and inland water transport systems and the ports, saying, “it would continue.”
President Akufo-Addo urged African leaders to pursue safety in every aspect of the policies they implemented to reduce the rate of fatalities on roads.
Dr Wm. H. (Bill) Sowell, IRF Chairman, said the Federation recognized the crucial role that roads play in promoting economic development, improving access to essential services, and enhancing the quality of life for citizens.
He said rapid urbanisation and population growth required urgent investment in sustainable transportation infrastructure that was resilient, safe, and efficient.
Through the congress, Dr Sowell said the IRF hoped to foster greater collaboration and knowledge sharing among delegates, as well as highlight the latest technological advancements and best practices in roads and mobility.
“We are confident that this congress will provide a valuable platform for delegates to learn, explore and share insights and experiences, and ultimately contribute to the development of sustainable and resilient road infrastructure across the African continent.
Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah, Minister for Roads and Highways said Ghana had achieved significant strides in the provision and improvement of its road systems despite international global challenges.
With hard choices ahead, he said Ghana was at a crossroads as it sought to select appropriate technical choices and innovative funding models to achieve its socio-economic objectives.
“This 3rd IRF Africa Regional Congress has therefore come at a most opportune time where International Road professionals will share their experiences and forge lasting bonds with our planners and engineers,” he said.
Mr Pierre Frank Laporte, the World Bank Country Director, gave the assurance that the Bank would continue to support African governments to improve the roads infrastructure on the continent.
The Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Dubik Mahama, has commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his support in the ongoing revenue mobilization exercise aimed at retrieving all debts owed by the company’s customers.
According to Mahama, he spoke to the president before the revenue mobilization exercise began, and received the green light to go after the debtors. He further revealed that there were cases reported to the president concerning the exercise, but the President was resolute in his stance, telling those individuals to pay their debts.
Speaking in an interview with Peace FM’s Kokrokoo on April 17, 2023, the Managing Director also disclosed that he had the backing of other high-ranking officials, including Vice President Bawumia, the Chief of Staff, and the Minister of Energy, noting that they had all been instrumental in the process.
“The president, I really salute him, because before I started the exercise I spoke with the president, and the president told me point blank that, Mister, go for the monies, is about time that we do the right thing.
“So, in most of the cases that went to him, he told them point blank that they should go and pay, because if they don’t pay, do they expect him to pay it for them? So, everyone should pay. The Vice president also, the same…when you speak the truth it is good, I cannot emphasize it, the kind of support I have gotten from the Chief of Staff, president, Vice president, and Minister…”
The revenue mobilization exercise, which began some weeks ago, has been aimed at recovering all debts owed to the ECG. Mahama urged all customers who were yet to settle their debts to do so as soon as possible to avoid disconnection. He further reiterated the company’s commitment to providing reliable and uninterrupted power supply to Ghanaians, urging customers to cooperate with the ECG in achieving this goal. The revenue mobilization exercise is expected to continue until all debts owed to the ECG have been recovered.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo responded to Al Jazeera’s request for information regarding an accusation leveled against him by a notorious gold smuggler, the Doha-based international news outlet has revealed.
The self-acclaimed smuggler Canadian Alistair Mathias is on record as saying Akufo-Addo was his friend and lawyer whiles speaking to undercover agents in a four-part documentary on Zimbabwe known as ‘Gold Mafia.’
At the tail end of the fourth episode of Gold Mafia titled ‘Have the King With You,’ a number of the accused persons including Alistair denied all the things they had said on tape and which had been recorded by undercover agents.
The part specific to Ghana read: “Mr Mathias denied ever being awarded any tender by the Ghanaian government or entering any government contracts in any African country.
“President Akufo-Addo of Ghana told us that he had no recollection of acting as a lawyer for Alistair Mathias or his company,” a text-on-screen by Al Jazeera read.
‘Akufo-Addo has not been in private practice since 2000’ – Lawyer dispels links to notorious gold smuggler
Kow Essuman, lawyer to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has revealed that the president hasn’t been in private practice in the past 23 years.
Essuman was responding to allegations by Alistair Mathias, a Canadian gold smuggler, that the president is his friend and lawyer.
In a tweet shared on Sunday, April 16, 2023, Kow Essuman affirmed that the president’s law firm has also not in any way represented Alistair Mathias as he claimed in the Al Jazeera investigative film.
“The President has not been in private practice since 2000, neither has the President nor his law firm, Akufo-Addo, Prempeh and Co, acted as a lawyer for this Alistair Mathias or Guldrest.
“The President does not know this Mathias or Guldrest. Ignore the spurious allegations,” the tweet he shared read.
What Alistair Mathias said about Akufo-Addo:
Alistair Mathias, who smuggles $40 million worth of gold from Ghana every month, disclosed the kind of close relationship he has with Ghana’s president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Alistair Mathias, who is a gold trader with expertise in designing money laundering schemes for Africans, said that his work has given him access to every president or head of state on the continent.
Speaking in the final episode of the undercover investigations of gold smuggling in Africa by the Investigative Unit of Al Jazeera, Alistair Mathis, who is one of the main characters in the video, boasted about his relationship with the Ghanaian president.
He (described as a financial architect) told the undercover reporters, who had posed as Chinese criminals seeking to launder dirty money from Africa, that his relationship with Akufo-Addo is a close one.
He also claims that the Ghanaian president is his lawyer.
“There’s no head of state or president that either of us can’t get to on this continent. Next door in Swaziland, the king is a close friend of mine. Zambia’s president is a close friend of my friend. DRC Congo, the president has invited me several times to come and build a refinery.
“Ghana’s president is a good friend of mine. In fact, he was my lawyer. Cyril Ramaphosa here; I know him. I know his kids,” he bragged.
