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Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, a National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa East and Chairman of the Agric and Cocoa Affairs Committee of Parliament, is representing Ghana at the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Science Week in Nairobi, Kenya.

This year’s event, scheduled from Monday, April 7 to Saturday, April 12, 2025, and launched on Monday, brings together global leaders in research, policy, and development to discuss innovative solutions for food, land, and water systems transformation.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Accra, ahead of the conference, Dr. Jasaw said it was an opportunity to strengthen research-policy linkages. “As a key figure in Ghana’s agricultural sector, I will share insights into CGIAR’s new Policy Champions Network.

“This initiative aims to bridge the gap between research and policy in agriculture and food systems, promoting evidence-informed decision-making,” he told the GNA. At the Science Week, the MP will engage with policy practitioners from over 26 countries to identify national policy research needs and enhance collaboration between science and policy.

Dr. Jasaw’s expertise in sustainable food systems will be invaluable in shaping and driving the Policy Champions Network. The Chairman of the Agric and Cocoa Affairs Commitee’s participation will help foster partnerships and inspire change for resilient food, water, and land systems. The event’s plenary program features global and regional leaders discussing ways to harness and scale science and innovation.

Some key topics to be discussed during the CGIAR Science Week will include Climate Action; strategies for mitigating climate change impacts on agriculture; Sustainable Farming; launch of the Sustainable Farming Science Program; Capacity Sharing; enhancing capacity development for agricultural research and innovation and Genebanks Accelerator Strategy; accelerating the development and deployment of improved crop varieties.

Dr. Jasaw’s participation in the CGIAR Science Week underscores Ghana’s commitment to strengthening research-policy linkages in agriculture and food systems. The MP’s contributions will help shape the future of agricultural research and policy in Ghana and beyond.

CGIAR is a global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for a food-secure future, focusing on reducing rural poverty, increasing food security, improving human health and nutrition, and ensuring sustainable management of natural resources.
GNA

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 Minority in Parliament has raised concerns over what they say are two suspicious flights that landed in Ghana in March.

According to them, the two flights suspected to be carrying cocaine and an undisclosed amount of cash landed in Ghana between March 20 and March 25,

2025.

Addressing a press conference on April 1, 2025, the Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, said the Minority caucus intercepted an intelligence indicating that an air ambulance landed in Ghana without any referral of patients.

He said: “On the matter of AirMed flights and Cavok Air private jets transporting suspected cocaine and cash, ladies and gentlemen, on another security matter related to our airspace, the Minority Caucus calls on National Security to provide the contents of a cargo suspected to be carrying contents suspected to be cocaine and cash imported into the country by two suspicious flights, namely AirMed flight NH23AM and Cavok Air private jet Antonov AN 12 B which landed at the tarmac of Kotoka International Airport on March 2025 from Gran Canaria, an island in Spain and departed to the same Gran Canaria after the arrival.”

It added that reliable intelligence intercepted by the Minority Caucus says that on March 20,2025, AirMed flight NH23AM, which is an air ambulance designed specifically to carry patients, landed at Kotoka International Airport in Accra and remained in the country before departing at 1am on March 25, 2025, back to Gran Canarian Island.

“Our intelligence further posits that no patient was transported by the said air flight neither to or from Accra. There is no evidence of medical referral of patients or onboard the flights on either legs of the flight.

We are reliably informed that contrary to the expectation that the AirMed flight would carry patients, the purpose for which it was designed and operates, it rather, on this —. occasion, carried suspicious Cargo suspected to be cocaine and cash in various United States dollars denominations,” he added The Minority also said a private jet, Cavok Air Antonov ANN12B also landed at the Kotoka International Airport on March 12, 2025 from the same island of Spain, Gran Canaria, and remained in the country for 13 days and departed at 6:40 am on March 25, 202 to Gran Canaria the very day AirMed flight also departed to Gran Canaria.

“While it is intriguing that the two suspicious flights would depart to the same location on the same day, even more intriguing is the cargo suspiciously transported by these aircrafts to and from Gran Canaria, an island known for its notoriety in drug trafficking, money laundering, among others,” the Minority noted. They have, however, called on the National Security to make full disclosure of the content of the cargo carried by these two aircraft into the country, as well as the cargo carried out of the country by the same aircraft to Gran Canaria.

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Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Member of Parliament for the Ellembele constituency, has called for swift intervention in the unfolding fish disease crisis in Kamgbunli.

The alarming situation, attributed to contamination in the Ebi River, has disrupted fishing activities, the community’s primary livelihood, and raised public health concerns. The MP issued the appeal following reports of fish caught in the river exhibiting severe skin infections, accompanied by a noxious odour and unusual discolouration of the water.

To protect residents, a temporary ban on fishing in the Ebi River has been imposed. While necessary, the ban has left many fishermen without an income, exacerbating the community’s economic hardship. “I am deeply troubled by the alarming reports emerging from Kamgbunli, a town in my beloved Ellembele constituency, where a mysterious fish disease is wreaking havoc on the livelihoods of our fishermen and posing a significant threat to the health of our community“, the MP said in his statement.

Hon. Buah has appealed to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and other relevant agencies to collaborate in investigating the root cause of the crisis. “I…call on the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and other pertinent agencies to collaborate and offer the requisite support to investigate and address this pressing crisis“, he added.

He has also emphasised the need for immediate support for the affected fishermen, whose livelihoods have been brought to a standstill by the temporary ban on fishing in the Ebi River.
“I stand in solidarity with the people of Kamgbunli and call on all stakeholders to prioritize this issue and work together to address the urgent needs of our constituents,” the MP added.

It is now official as the President John Dramani Mahama has assented to bills that abolish Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), Betting Tax, and Emissions Tax.

Parliament on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 passed 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.

Notable among these taxes include the Electronic Transfer Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025; Emissions Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025; Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to abolish
•⁠ ⁠Betting Tax
•⁠ ⁠Taxes on Gaming and Lotteries
•⁠ ⁠1.5% Withholding Tax on unprocessed Gold; Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 among others.

There was high anticipation among the public for the President’s assent last week when parliament concluded work on the tax amendment bills.
The President’s action thus comes as huge relief to the public and a promise fulfilled to the people.

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

Agona East Member of Parliament, Queenstar Pokuah Sawyerr made her annual visit to the Islamic communities in Agona East Constituency.

The visit began with a house-to-house outreach to the elderly, where they received special packages containing undisclosed amounts of money.

The Member of Parliament was accompanied by Samuel Oscar Mensah, the Constituency Chairman, and other party executives.

During the visit, donations were made to the communities, including bags of rice, oil, milo, and milk. A prayer was said for the MP and President John Dramani Mahama.

The Muslim community expressed gratitude to the National Democratic Congress government for reducing Hajj fees and building the Hajj village at Accra International Airport.

Hon  Queenstar Pokuah Sawyerr thanked the community for their support in the general elections and promised to represent their interests in Parliament. She also committed to developing the Zongo community and Agona East as a whole.

Ghanamps.com

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced that Government has successfully reclaimed all lands belonging to the Ministry.

“We have reclaimed all of the Ministry’s lands, and I can boldly say that the adjoining lands to the Foreign Ministry and they are now fully belonging to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the people of Ghana “.

The Minister who disclosed this in parliament on Friday affirmed that they have served notice that no ministry’s land would be up for sale .

Relatedly, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed that they have stopped the attempted sale of diplomatic properties in Nigeria and Zambia, affirming that they have declared a zero tolerance against the sale of diplomatic assets.

He said “under President Mahama’s government, no diplomatic property would be sold, and we are leading by example, and the attempted sale in Nigeria and Zambia have been g and sanctioned”, he stated.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com

The Minister for Energy and Green Transition John Abdulai Jinapor has vowed to ensure he secures all the missing containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana, (ECG).

“As the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, currently my vision is simple, I want all the 1346 containers accounted for; 1346 containers, whatever it takes I would bring these containers to where they ought to be”.

Setting the record straight on the controversies with regards to the numbers being churned out since news about the missing ECG containers broke out, Mr Jinapor on the floor of Parliament said, “there’s not been any inconsistency; at the Transition Committee, Hon. Ayariga was there, they gave us a figure of 3000, then they told us it had incurred a demurrage of 1.5 billion; I was sworn into office on the 17th, on the 24th, I visited the harbour. At the harbour, I was told the containers were 2500; that is what aroused my suspicion. I didn’t say at the harbor that the containers are 2500; I couldn’t have counted 2500 containers instantaneously”

He continued that he briefed the president on the 27th “and by 31I had established this committee”.

He disclosed that the auditing was done by Professor Senyo, a Chartered Procurement expert and it was during the presentation of the report that he was told that contrary to the figures given out, over 1300 containers cannot be accounted for. “These are the facts and nothing but the facts”, he added.

The Minister, however, assured that he would not be deterred by publications on social media about the development, and would do all it takes to secure the containers and bring the perpetrator to justice.

He disclosed that he and the National Security operatives visited four warehouses at Kpone on Friday; two of which are factories, “and what they’ve been doing over the years is that they buy these containers with brand new aluminum cables and then melt them into aluminum rods and export them”.

He also affirmed the president’s commitment to getting to the root of the problem, stating that “yesterday when the President Mahama called me, his message was simple, Jinapor you have my full backing, go the full trotting”.

He assured that they are working to achieve the president’s wish thus some Chinese Nationals have been arrested and they are on the trail of some Indian Nationals who have bolted.

According to him, he has received a lot of briefing; and he is getting to know the people behind it”, stating that these unfortunate actions have been going on for years but he will stop it.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com