Author: Enestina GhanaMPs

 nmThe Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) has called on the public to disregard and treat the allegations of drug trafficking regarding the two aircraft that landed at the Kotoka International Airport some weeks ago.

In a press statement released on April 8, 2025, GACL said there was no evidence of any illegal substances on board both aircraft; and distances itself and its Managing Director from media publications making false allegations concerning the involvement of Ghana Airports Company Limited officials in passing false Information to one Rev. Ntim Fodjour who has made allegations of drug trafficking regarding two (2) aircrafts landing at Kotoka International Airport some weeks ago”.

GACL further contends that:
1. Landing permits of all aircraft entering Ghana are issued by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in conjunction with the National Security and NOT GACL.
2. All security checks were by Aviation Security and National Security while ground
3. The Managing Director, Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare does not know or has never met or spoken to Rev. Ntim Fordjour.
4. Therefore, the onus is on the groups or individuals making false allegations to provide evidence of same.
GACL thus, “served notice that the company will not hesitate to seek redress against any media house, individual or any other entity for any intentional or mischievous publication on Rev. Ntim Fordjour’s false allegations and related matters that seek to bring the image of the company, its Managing Director or the government into disrepute regarding the two (2) aircraft.”

Ghanamps.com

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has assured his constituents that the Government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by President John Dramani MAhama will see to the construction of the Volivo Bridge.

The Asutuare – Volivo – Dorfor to Adidome Bridge would also see the light of day, he said, stating that he has had discussions with the Japanese Ambassador when he paid courtesy call on him and gave him full assurance that since the bridge is in his constituency it would not be long before the Japanese commence work on it.

The previous NDC government under President John Dramani Mahama in 2016 signed an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for a Japanese-funded Official Development Assistance loan of USD$100million for the construction of a new bridge (cable-stayed bridge) across the Volta River on the Eastern Corridor Project.

However, since 2016 the project never came to fruition.

However, in assuring his constituents, Mr Ablakwa affirmed that work has already started on the road from Aveyime through Asutuare to Juapong with contractor on site working hence the people will soon witness changes in the development of the area.

He said the NDC will right the wrongs of the previous government in the development setbacks they experienced under the previous government.

Mr. Ablakwa gave the assurance when he visited and sympathized with some of the communities affected by recent rainstorm during which he presented roofing sheets, money rice and cooking oils to be distributed to households.

He said various campaign promises would be executed including improving town roads, construct new school blocks, and establish factories among others that would go a long way to positively impact the lives of the people.

Ghanamps.com

The Wa West Member of Parliament, Toobu Lanchene Peter has launched ‘The Future Today; MP-Led Youth Entrepreneurship Fund (MLYEF).

The initiative, a bold step toward empowering the vibrant youth of Wa West was born out of the urgent need to tackle youth unemployment.

It offers a holistic approach to entrepreneurship, providing interest-free loans, capacity-building training, and mentorship to young people with innovative business ideas.

Out of over 200 proposals received, 40 outstanding youth have been selected to form the first cohort of beneficiaries under this GHS 200,000 seed fund initiative.

“This initiative is not just about money; it’s about seeding transformation. As I said during the launch, I have brought seeds to the youth of Wa West, and I expect you to turn them into plantations through hard work, honesty, and accountability.”, the MP stated.

The future of Wa West lies in the hands of our youth. With the right support, guidance, and mindset, I believe they can build thriving businesses that uplift families, communities, and our entire district.

The MP also donated a brand new motorbike to the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer to enhance his mobility and work efficiency across the district.

Ghanamps.com

The North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has commenced steps to renovate schools affected by recent rainstorms.

The MP who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs visited villages in the Dorfor Traditional Area in the constituency to commence the rebuilding efforts.

He disclosed that he will be renovating all 15 affected schools, as well as help constituents to reconstruct their homes.
During the visit, he also donated food items to the affected individuals.

Ghanamps.com

The Parliament of Ghana on Wednesday, March 27, 2025, enacted 10 revenue legislations to give effect to tax repeal and alignments as announced by the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson in the 2025 Budget Statement and Fiscal Policy of the Government.

10 Revenue Legislations Passed by Parliament

1. Electronic Transfer Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025

2. Emissions Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025

3. Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to abolish
• Betting Tax
• Taxes on Gaming and Lotteries
• 1.5% Withholding Tax on unprocessed Gold

4. Revenue Administration (Amendment) Bill, 2025

5. Value Added Tax (Amendment ) Bill, 2025

6. Special Import Levy (Amendment Bill, 2025 – ( to extend the implementation of the law from 2026 to 2028)

7. Growth and Sustainable Levy (Amendment Bill, 2025) – (to raise levies imposed gold mining companies, and other mining operators and upstream oil and gas companies by 3%)

8. Energy Sector Levy

9. The Earmarked Funds Capping & Realignment (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – (seeks to expunge the schedule NHIF, GETFund, MIIF, GIIF & TRF to GNPC from petroleum revenue. The uncapped amounts will serve as a dedicated source of funding for the FSHS, free tuition for disabled students among others).

10. Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (Amendment Bill), 2025.

Ghanamps.com

Parliament on Tuesday approved GH¢3.2 billion allocation for the Ministry of Roads and Highways for the year 2025.
The significant funding is expected to drive major infrastructure projects and improvements in the country’s road network.

According to reports, the Ghana Highway Authority, under the Ministry, plans to recruit 137 new staff members to address the shortfall created by the establishment of new regions and regional offices.

The move is part of the Ministry’s decentralization efforts to enhance operations.

The Ministry has outlined ambitious plans to dualize and improve safety on major trunk roads across the country.
Additionally, the ongoing construction of four by-passes on the Accra-Kumasi Highway at Osino, Anyinam, Enyiresi, and Konongo is expected to continue, further enhancing the country’s transportation infrastructure.

The 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government was presented to Parliament by Dr. Caasiel Ato Forson, the Minister of Finance on Tuesday, March 11 on the theme: “Resetting Ghana for the Economy We Want.”
The comment on the budget ended on Tuesday March 25 2025 following the Majority and Minority
Leader’s comments.

Elsie Appiah-Osei

The Parliament of Ghana has been called upon to priorities the economic empowerment and financial literacy of women.

Dorcas Affo-Toffey, the Member of Parliament for the Jomoro constituency in the Western Region made this call in a statement on the floor of the House.

According to her this is very important and emphasizing women’s crucial role in Ghana’s economy.
The MP who strongly advocates for women empowerment indicated that, despite owning nearly 44% of businesses and contributing 20% to GDP, many women face challenges in accessing credit due to collateral requirements, high-interest rates, and limited financial education.

She thus commended the government’s 2025 budget allocation for the Women’s Development Bank, a move aimed at providing affordable credit and business support for women.

Drawing from international success stories like India’s Self-Help Groups and Bangladesh’s Grameen Bank, she stressed that financial inclusion leads to economic growth and poverty reduction.

However, she noted that access to finance alone is insufficient without financial literacy. She urged the government and financial institutions to implement nationwide financial literacy programs, offer business development training, and strengthen policies promoting inclusive financing for women.

Hon. Affo-Toffey concluded by stating that investing in women is essential for national progress therefore, calling for the removal of financial barriers to ensure women can fully participate in Ghana’s economic development.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation Samuel Nartey George has hinted that sixty-three radio stations would have their frequencies suspended of which six have had theirs suspended.

According to him, unlike the immediate past government they would not revoke the licenses of the radio stations and with the first six to have their frequencies suspended, he would come before Parliament to brief the House.

Addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps he noted that he is already engaging the Ghana Independent Broadcast Association and the Media Foundation for West Africa, as they are already in line with the process being undertaken.
“We cannot have a situation where media house would default the regulations and say that because of press freedom the condition of their licenses would not be met”.

And further added that, President Mahama has intervened and ask that they wave all those finds; some are four million Ghana cedis, “we are waving and giving them a time frame to remedy their situation.”

The Communications Minister affirmed that he has authorized the revocation of radio licenses by the NCC of only one radio station, Gooma FM, “and I did that on the national security consideration. I did not just wake up and do that, I got the request from the Ministry of Interior on behalf of National Security that there were commentaries on that frequency that have huge security implications in Bawku and I wrote back to the Ministry of the Interior telling them I do not take instructions on the shut down or revocation from national security, that I would only take that action if I saw a layer of process that was done and so Interior Ministry went back to local government and had the regional minister convene regional security decision and the minute of which they met took their decision through the Local Government Minister to the Interior”.

According to him, another letter was done and sent to the Communications Ministry, “before I wrote to the NCA ten days from the original date given to the day when I gave the authorization. Unfortunately during that period seven people were killed. So when people say I acted anyhow, no, I followed the process through and when I am acting on the basis of national security”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Minister for Communications Samuel Nartey George on Monday, March 24, 2025, revealed that he has inherited a very deeply troubled Ministry that calls for a lot of re-engineering legislative wise and financially.

According to him the legislation on the sector is over twenty-two years old and gave example of the Ghana Telecom Act, 2003, Law on Post and Currier Regulative Commission Act 2003, Law on Data Protection Act 2012, Electronic Transition Act 2008 and Electronic Communications Act 2008.

“The sector’s legislation is supposed to be in the museum not in the ministry; so we are planning in the next four months to bring fresh legislations for all the agencies under the ministry to re-structure it”, he said at a media brief after addressing the House.

Hon Samuel George further revealed that the ministry is debt ridden; the National Communications Authority (NCA) which used to be very buoyant institution that everybody looked up to has been rendered a pale shadow of itself.

Again, NITA has twenty-five Ghana cedis, eighty pesewas as its bank balance at the Bank of Ghana, whiles the agency owes eight hundred and thirteen million, four hundred and eighty six thousand, five hundred and five Ghana cedis eighty-nine pesewas; this is the ministry that we took over.

NITA has a certain contract arrangement with a third party vendor, “I have summoned the third party vendor to appear before me today, I do not understand why all the revenue coming to NITA, the previous administration signed the contract that has taken all of that fund, the revenue that comes and given it to a third party. So, NITA is not getting any money; almost everything at the ministry goes to a third party. Just January this year, services that are run using NITAs infrastructure, that I was supposed to approve to a third party company was almost four million Ghana cedis”.

“I have refused to sign it and it has been referred to the Attorney General and Minister for Justice; I would not sign until I understand why NITA is not getting any money and a private sector player is using NITAs infrastructure earning in excess of almost four million Ghana cedis and all the debt in NITAs book and revenue going to the private sector. The Ministry is a true definition of state capture; and I would take my time to come before the House and brief the House extensively on the rot in the Ministry.”

On staff rationalization ongoing at the ministry, the Minister showing frustration on his face questioned, “if you are a minister and you take over a ministry that has three thousand one hundred and seventeen staffs in the ministry and its agencies and you notice that almost 600 were employed after Saturday December 7, 2024”, basically, you cannot expect me to come and inherit such a mess and continue with it. So the rationalization is ongoing; today I have authorized the termination of a few more at Ghana Post, almost a hundred that were done post December 7, 2024.

“We would continue this rationalization; I would clean up the Ministry and make sure its lean and efficient and carries out its work, and I would be counting on you the media”.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Minority is calling on the John Dramani Mahama led government to follow due process to arrange former appointees of the Nana Akufo-Addo before court if they have any case against them than raiding their residence like they did in the case of the immediate past Governor Dr. Ernest Addison and several former appointees.

Addressing the media on Monday, March 24, 2025, Jerry Ahmed called on the media to advocate against such backward behavior as Ghana is progress and moving forward.

When questioned on his view about appointees of John Mahama in his first administration where appointees suffered the same fate in 2016 when there was change of government, he said, “It may be me today, it maybe you tomorrow you would not know which position you would be occupying, let people allow the structures to work. As the chief legal adviser to the people and to government, what you must do is to adhere to the very principles of the constitution”.

“Again, we should stop the conversation that happened previously. Why are we in government; are we in government to always think of retribution, are we in government to always be using state power to just empower ourselves to the detriment and neglect of people? There is a need for us to have genuine conversations about the way forward.

Allow the state structures to work; let us not make state structures partisan, all we are saying is that this is becoming persistent and consistent and if this is the way to go that is not what we are looking for”.

Jerry Ahmed s added that he does not think the president had this overwhelming vote by Ghanaians to come and perpetuate this illegality. “Ghanaians voted for you because they needed a change and that change should resonate in the way and life style of the people in your action”.

In addition, why would I vote for you when you promise to do better in addressing galamsey and it is becoming worse? We voted for better standard of living and there is increase in transport fairs, we should have the mentality of Ghana first and change from our old ways of doing things, he affirmed.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com