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Vice President Opoku-Agyemang begins three-week medical break 

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Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has begun a three-week medical leave, effective April 7. 

The Vice President’s three-week medical leave was based on the recommendation of her doctor, a source at the Presidency told the Ghana News Agency. 

It would be recalled that the Vice President received medical treatment at the University of Ghana Medical Centre on Saturday, March 29, due to a sudden illness that occurred after work on Friday, March 28. 

A statement issued on Sunday, March 30, by Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Presidential Spokesman and Minister of State in-charge of Government Communications, copied to the Ghana News Agency said based on expert medical opinion, she was seeking further medical care abroad. 

Businesses must act fast to mitigate US trade tariff hikes

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Dr Ekow Spio-Garbrah, a former Minister of Trade and Industry, has asked Ghanaian businesses to take immediate strategic actions to mitigate the effects of the recent United States (US) trade tariff hikes.

He noted that US President Donald Trump-imposed export tariffs, ranging from 10 to 50 per cent on Ghana and over 180 countries, posed significant threat to Ghana’s economy and businesses.

Dr Spio-Garbrah said this at the 2025 Ghana Corporate Finance Awards, held by the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana, at the weekend in Accra.

“Businesspeople have to prepare and take the remedial measures and take appropriate strategic decisions to forestall the impact. What the Government can do to aid the business community is a political and governmental decision,” he said.

The former Trade Minister urged the Government to institute measures to reduce the number of items imported by state-owned institutions, which could readily be manufactured in the country.

“Our government can take some measures to alleviate the likely impact of some of these international actions in the domestic economy through at least protecting the Ghanaian industry and preventing us from importing things that we can readily produce, manufacture, sell, and distribute here in Ghana,” he added.

Mr Prince Kofi Amoabeng, a renowned Ghanaian businessman, called for the building of business and financial manpower with a priority on ethical and national values.

Over the years, the nation had focused on building entrepreneurial and financial leaders but neglected the creation of value-oriented leaders, he said. 

He indicated that when such leaders were trained, the country would give hope a chance, “otherwise we will not have the chance to turn things around and change the narrative….”

“As you do your financing and business, think about how we create leaders for the next generation who are caring of other people and their country and have respect for systems and are God fearing,” Mr Amoabeng said.

He challenged people in the corporate finance and entrepreneurship space to devote their attention to investing in creating special leaders that would be ethical in their decisions, drive success and create positive impact.

The Ghana Corporate Finance Awards 2025 is a symbol of prestige that validates an organisation’s hard work and dedication as well as the exceptional achievements of business executives.

The awards ceremony also celebrates banks and financial institutions that have achieved remarkable success and growth, recognising institutions with excellence in financial performance, customer service, operational efficiency and market innovation for their contributions to the sector.

President Mahama’s nominee for Ho West approved  

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Mr. Francis Proferr Dusey, nominee for Ho West District Chief Executive (DCE), has been approved by the District’s General Assembly.  

He polled 36 ‘Yes’ votes representing 97 per cent and one ‘No’ vote representing three per cent after the second round of votes.  

The nominee, after the first round of voting could not secure the DCE slot after polling 23 ‘Yes’ votes representing 62 per cent and 14 ‘No’ votes representing 38 per cent.  

Mr. Dusey in his speech said he intended to operate an open-door administration that took into account the holistic interests of the entire District. 

He said the hallmark of his administration would be anchored on hard work, inclusivity, discipline and social justice.  

Mr. Dusey said he would bring his customized short-term and middle-term agenda, crafted from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto to the District’s General Assembly. 

Mr. James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, said the DCE had already kicked start his role and there was no doubt that he would perform to develop Ho West.  

Mahama applauded for scrapping E-Levy and other taxes 

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President John Dramani Mahama is receiving widespread praise from residents of the Krachi West Municipality in the Oti Region for fulfilling a major campaign promise made during the 2024 general elections. 

During his campaign as the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Mahama pledged to abolish several taxes, including the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) and betting tax, which many Ghanaians described as a significant financial burden. 

The E-Levy, introduced in 2022 under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was met with nationwide criticism and disappointment due to its impact on electronic transactions and small businesses. 

True to his word, President Mahama, on April 2, 2025, signed into law a suite of legislative bills passed by Parliament to officially abolish the E-Levy, betting tax, emissions levy, income tax increases, and other levies. This move has been hailed as a significant step toward easing the financial strain on citizens. 

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), several residents of Kete-Krachi commended the President for honouring his promise. 

Mr. Twumasi Emmanuel, a small-scale businessman, expressed relief over the decision, “We suffered a lot under the E-Levy, which almost collapsed our businesses. But we thank God and President Mahama for scrapping it. 

“President Mahama has shown real commitment to reducing our financial burden. This is the change we voted for,” he said. 

Another resident also shared his excitement: “We are grateful to Mahama for the relief he has given us. This is the moment we were waiting for. He has proven to be a committed leader. If for nothing at all, the abolishment of the E-Levy and betting tax is enough reason to celebrate him.” 

Further checks by GNA revealed that many residents across the municipality and its surroundings are happy with the decision, describing it as a timely intervention that has restored public confidence and brought economic relief. 

The E-Levy had imposed a 1 per cent charge on electronic transactions, including mobile money and online payments, while the betting tax levied a 10% charge on gross gambling winnings.  

With these taxes now scrapped, many Ghanaians feel a renewed sense of hope and economic freedom under the Mahama-led administration. 

Residents have commended President Mahama for his steadfastness and dedication to improving the lives of ordinary Ghanaians through policy decisions that prioritize their welfare. 

Ablakwa congratulates Botchwey on assumption of office as Commonwealth Secretary-General  

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Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has congratulated Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey on her assumption of duty as the seventh Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.  

“Being the first African Woman to occupy this prestigious office, we know she will continue to make Ghana and Africa proud,” Mr Ablakwa said in a statement. 

Madam Botchwey upon her assumption of office as the new Commonwealth Secretary-General, paid a courtesy call on King Charles, the Head of the Commonwealth, at Windsor Castle in London on Friday, April 4. 

Madam Botchwey, a former Ghanaian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration officially assumed office as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth on April 1, pledging to advance the values of the Commonwealth Charter in a world marked by rising tensions and shifting alliances.  

Madam Botchwey, who succeeds Madam Patricia Scotland, is the first African woman and the second African overall to lead the association of 56 countries.  

The Commonwealth represents a third of the world’s population and more than a quarter of the United Nations membership.  

Give Bawumia second chance in 2028 presidential elections 

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Friends of Bawumia, a dedicated political association formed to rally support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has appealed to the leadership, grassroots, and sympathizers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to give Dr Bawumia a second opportunity to lead the NPP into the 2028 general elections. 

A statement made available to the Ghana News Agency and signed by Mr Winfred Kofi Gidiglo, the National Chairman, said the appeal was rooted not only in loyalty or sentiment. 

It said it was also rooted in strategic realism, historical precedence, and the urgent need to consolidate the party rather than divide it further in these critical times. 

The statement said history had repeatedly shown that the path to presidential victory in Ghana, especially within the party, had never been a one-time sprint, but a journey that required perseverance and consistency. 

“In 2007, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo won the NPP’s presidential primaries after a fiercely contested battle with Hon. Alan Kyerematen” 

“Despite the internal friction and expenditure, Nana Addo still emerged victorious in subsequent primaries, ultimately becoming our party’s candidate again in 2010, and once more in 2014, when Alan Kyerematen no longer contested,” it added. 

The statement stressed that it was on his third attempt, that he finally led the NPP back to power. 

It said similarly, former President John Agyekum Kufuor contested twice against Nana Addo during the NPP’s internal elections in the 1990s. 

It said, however, when Nana Addo chose not to contest him again in 2000, Kufuor led the NPP to victory in the general elections, defeating the late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills. 

“These precedents affirm a simple truth that no one has ever won the presidency on their first attempt,” it added. 

The statement said it takes resilience, national acceptance, party unity, and time-tested trust to win the Ghanaian electorate. 

It said the party was currently in opposition, and as such, it was imperative that they managed their limited resources wisely. 

It said another long, bruising, and expensive internal flagbearership contest would not only drain them financially, but further weaken an already shaken base following the 2024 loss. 

The statement said Dr Bawumia, having led the party into the 2024 elections, remained their best chance moving forward because he has been tested. 

It added that he has been exposed to the electoral terrain, built a national brand, cultivated strong grassroots support, and most importantly his social capital stretches across religious, regional, generational, and economic lines. 

The statement said in 2028, the opposition NDC was expected to present a new candidate, which meant that their candidate would be embarking on their first national test, trying to win over Ghanaians for the first time. 

It said by contrast, Dr Bawumia has already done the groundwork, known, understood, and crucially trusted by many across the country. 

It added that to present a fresh candidate in 2028 would be a dangerous political experiment for the NPP, effectively setting the party back to square one. 

The statement said the aftermath of the 2024 elections had left fractures within their ranks, such that rekindling the flames of internal rivalry through another contentious flagbearer race risked deepening those cracks. 

“Let us rebuild and present a unified front to the Ghanaian people” 

“Let us choose continuity over conflict and give Dr Bawumia the chance to finish what he started for the good of our party and for the future of Ghana,” it stressed. 

Virgil van Dijk claims Liverpool contract impasse is FINALLY ended, but stops short of committing his future to the Reds

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Virgil van Dijk has confirmed that his contract dispute with Liverpool is officially finished, and that there has been ‘progress’ in talks over an extension.

Liverpool captain Van Dijk’s contract with the club is scheduled to expire at the end of the season, along with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah. However, unlike the last two, it was assumed that the Dutchman would remain with the Merseyside club.

However, Van Dijk and Liverpool have yet to agree to a deal as the two parties have been stuck in a contract standoff. The Reds’ captain has now revealed that the extension talks have now reopened, but he has not committed his future to the Reds.

Speaking to the media, Van Dijk said: “There is progress, yeah. I don’t know [if I’ll stay], we’ll see. Listen (laughs), these are internal discussions and we’ll see.

“I love the club, I love the fans and they were there for us again and we wanted to reward them but I want them to be there Sunday again and make the stadium an amazing venue like always for us. We have to make it work and we will.”

UN increases patrols at displacement camps amid growing violence in South Sudan.

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As a consequence of escalating tensions throughout the country, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan is now monitoring a displacement camp adjacent to its peacekeeping headquarters 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Tens of thousands of people living in the camp are facing new risks, with conflicts between troops affiliated with the two main parties to the peace accord occurring in a number of areas around the nation and political tensions rising in the capital.

“In light of the current security developments, we recognize through our engagements with the communities and the displaced persons, that they have some concerns about their safety and their future. As United Nations police, we have engaged through the communities, actively patrolling, being present in the areas, in an aim to help them feel safer.” Christine Fossen, UNMISS Police Commissioner said.

With the signing of the Revitalized Peace Agreement and ceasefire in 2018, the security situation began to stabilize. In 2020, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) transitioned almost all the displacement sites, which had been under UN protection for seven years, into conventional camps under the responsibility of the Government.

But the country now appears to be back on the brink of war.

Former Akan MP urges Kadjebi Assembly members to confirm Dr. Suraj’s nomination

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Mr. Aziz Abdul Muniru, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Akan Constituency in the Oti Region, has urged the Kadjebi Assembly members to confirm the President’s nominee, Dr. Sam Suraj Issaka, as the District Chief Executive (DCE).

“I want to use your medium [Ghana News Agency (GNA)] to appeal to the assembly members to try and confirm Dr. Sam Suraj because he has paid his dues in the NDC party, being a beloved figure in the Akan Constituency, appreciated by both NDC and NPP alike,” he said.

Mr. Muniru made these statements while engaging with the GNA on the sidelines of the impending confirmation of the nominee on Wednesday, April 9 in Kadjebi.

The former Legislator stated that the nominee “has a very good reputation, good working relationships, and is a good listener. We believe he would carry these qualities into leading the Kadjebi District, and in the end, we will be happy when he is able to perform successfully.”

Dr. Sam Suraj Issaka is a Research Scientist with the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission.

He is the Oti Regional Director of Research and Innovation for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a former Assemblyman for the Mempeasem Electoral Area for two consecutive terms.

Ghana’s Agriculture Reset: Dr. Azinu proposes 13-point plan 

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Dr. Amos Rutherford Azinu, Seed Business Executive at Legacy Crop Improvement Centre, has proposed a 13-point reset to transform Ghana’s agriculture, tackling food security challenges through policy reform, irrigation, financial solutions, and modernized farming practices. 

Speaking at the Fourth Edition of the FESF Foundation Food Security Lecture, held at the Nursing and Midwifery Council in Accra, Dr. Azinu highlighted that despite numerous agricultural policies, Ghana continued to grapple with food security challenges, evidenced by an annual food import bill of $2.4 billion.  

He proposed a 13-point reset for Ghana’s agriculture, starting with a mindset revolution to reposition the sector as a dignified, technology-driven business opportunity rather than a profession of last resort.  

He emphasized the need for effective policy implementation, moving beyond well-crafted but poorly executed agricultural policies.   

Dr. Azinu advocated for scaling operations, providing pathways for smallholder farmers—who produce 80 per cent of Ghana’s food—to achieve economies of scale.  

He urged the expansion of the animal and fish industries, reducing reliance on imported meat and poultry.   

Among his recommendations, he stressed the need for irrigation infrastructure, as only two per cent of Ghana’s cultivated land is currently irrigated.  

He also called for improvements to road networks to connect farms to markets, reducing post-harvest losses, and proposed reliable procurement systems to guarantee markets for farmers.   

Addressing Ghana’s complex land tenure system, he underscored the importance of land tenure reform, which would encourage long-term agricultural investments.  

He called for a robust financial architecture, with tailored financial products beyond conventional banking systems that often come with prohibitive interest rates.   

Further, Dr. Azinu emphasized managerial capacity building, equipping farmers with business skills, and ensuring skilled labour development to enhance modern agricultural practices. 

He also recommended the introduction of floor price mechanisms to protect farmers from price volatility.   

Significantly, he highlighted the urgent need to develop the seed sector, citing that only 11 per cent of Ghanaian farmers use improved seeds, while local production meets less than 20 per cent of national requirements. 

Dr. Azinu noted that Ghana has the natural endowments to achieve food security and serve as a food basket for West Africa but stressed that this required decisive action from all stakeholders beyond policy discussions. 

Among the dignitaries at the event were Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness at the Presidency, who served as Chairman, and Mr. John Dumelo, Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, was the special guest.  

The event was hosted by Prof. Richard Bani, the President of FEST Foundation. 

The FESF Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing food security in Ghana, hosted the lecture as part of its ongoing commitment to education, training, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. 

It is aimed at increasing food production, reducing post-harvest losses, and improving household incomes.   

This fourth edition lecture series reaffirmed the Foundation’s mission to drive meaningful dialogue and implement practical solutions in Ghana’s agricultural sector.   

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