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Alan’s Movement for Change prescribes bold Anti-Corruption Plan and urges President Mahama to act decisively

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Alan Kyerematen’s Movement for Change has emphasized the need for a more radical and institutionalized approach, warning that Ghana risks falling into the familiar pattern of “No Action, Talk Only” (NATO) if concrete measures are not taken.

At a conference held in Accra, the group outlined a plan to fight corruption effectively.

A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday said the event, led by the spokesperson of the Movement, Mr Andrew Appiah Danquah, highlighted the need for a more aggressive, structured, and independent approach to tackling corruption.

The Movement said while the government’s recent efforts, such as the establishment of the ORAL Team and the actions of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) may signal progress, those measures alone were insufficient.

“The ongoing investigations, including those involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, provide an opportunity for due process to take its course. However, the Movement for Change insists that systemic reforms are needed to ensure that corruption is tackled comprehensively and not selectively.

“As part of its Great Transformational Plan (GTP), the Movement for Change has outlined six key measures to curb corruption.

“The first is the creation of an Anti-Corruption Czar with full constitutional backing. This office, which would replace the current Special Prosecutor’s establishment, would have prosecutorial powers protected under the Constitution, making it immune from political interference. The movement believes that as an independent constitutional body, the Czar would be better equipped to take on corruption without fear or favour”.

The statement said another key proposal was the consolidation of all anti-corruption laws into a single legal framework.

“Currently, multiple institutions – including the OSP, EOCO, CHRAJ, the Police CID, and National Security – handle corruption cases, leading to confusion and inefficiency. The Movement for Change argues that merging these laws into a unified Anti-Corruption Act will ensure clarity, define corruption-related offenses explicitly, and introduce stringent penalties for offenders, especially political appointees and public officials”.

It said the Movement for Change also called for compulsory asset declaration and lifestyle audits for public officials.

It insisted that periodic and verifiable asset declarations, coupled with real-time monitoring of unexplained wealth, will serve as a strong deterrent against corruption. This will prevent public officials from illegally amassing wealth while in office.

“In addition, the movement is pushing for procurement system reforms to eliminate political patronage and cronyism. It believes that Ghana’s current procurement system is riddled with corruption, where contracts are awarded based on political affiliations rather than merit. Reforming procurement laws will ensure greater transparency and accountability in public sector spending”.

Recognizing the role of citizens in fighting corruption, the Movement for Change is proposing the introduction of an Anti-Corruption Citizens’ Charter to empower Ghanaians to act as watchdogs.

This initiative will provide strong legal protections for whistleblowers and offer incentives to those who expose corruption.

The movement also wants greater support for civil society organizations advocating against corruption, ensuring that no government official – regardless of rank – can manipulate the system for personal gain.

The Movement for Change is urging the President to take tougher actions on corruption beyond mere rhetoric.

It insisted that the fight against corruption must be institutionalized through strong laws and independent bodies, rather than relying on political will.

Without bold reforms, corruption will continue to cripple the nation’s progress and deepen public distrust in government.

We need an independent investigative team against national Looters- Prince Mba

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Mr Prince Bagnaba Mba, President of Forum for Equity, a human rights Non-Governmental Organisation has called on the government to establish an all-rounder independent investigative team to be in charge of national assets.

Team members, he suggested should be firm and devoid of political inclination to ensure that they would at all-time be fair to all political parties and leaderships.

Mr Mba who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency on corruption and the looting of the national coffers said situations, where new governments set up investigative teams made up of party members was not sustainable, as a shift in government could derail the process.

“We want a team that will do its work effectively, irrespective of which political party was in power.”

He said that would also reduce the conflicting mandates, the Office of Special Prosecutor, National Investigations Bureau, EOCO, and the CID and of the Ghana Police Service were currently going through.  

“Democracy is much more preferred because of probity and accountability. At the rate, we are presently engaged with the investigation of the past government’s alleged looting, but to all intent and purposes, the ordinary Ghanaian would appreciate it if such audit could extend to the beginning of the fourth Republic by an independent team rather than opponents of the political parties.

“We call for the Reawakening of National Moral Conduct, whereby sincere nationals will repatriate illegal acquisitions back to the state”.

Establishing an objective and independent investigative body, he said would scare public servants, especially Politicians from looting the national coffers when given the opportunity to serve.

“Until the day, a past and present serving government officials openly confess and return illegal acquisitions, the present laudable policy of recovery of commonwealth would not only be an  exercise in futility, but rather a political swing hunting game”.

Align asset declaration with international benchmarks-Think Tank

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The African Continental Union Consult (ACUC), an African governance think tank, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for declaring his assets, calling for the declaration to be aligned with international benchmarks.

The ACUC noted that aligning asset declarations with international benchmarks, which include public accessibility, regular updates, independent verification, and enforceable sanctions, would be crucial in cementing a culture of transparency and integrity in Ghana.

Dr. Benjamin Anyagre Aziginaateeg, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ACUC, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that by embracing the best practices observed globally, Ghana would be poised to set a new standard in governance and accountability.

Dr. Aziginaateeg said President Mahama’s move to publicly declare his assets within 45 days in office was more than symbolic, as it was a strategic step toward eradicating corruption and fostering a government that truly serves the people. 

“This landmark move, the first of its kind in Ghana’s political history, signals a new era of transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership. It not only reinforces the constitutional mandate but also aligns Ghana with international best practices in asset disclosure,” he indicated.

He observed that across the world, effective asset declaration systems have long been recognized as essential tools in curbing corruption, adding that since 1974, Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom have been required to publicly disclose their financial interests, thereby reinforcing public trust.

He added that in the United States, the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 made asset declarations a key pillar in ensuring accountability among public officials, noting that recently, Georgia has launched a digital portal that publishes comprehensive asset declarations, setting a high benchmark in the use of technology to promote transparency.

“These examples illustrate that when public officials are held accountable through transparent disclosure, trust between the government and its citizens is significantly enhanced.”

The ACUC CEO said traditionally, asset declarations in Ghana were often kept confidential or were disclosed in a limited manner that made public scrutiny difficult; therefore, President Mahama’s public declaration marked a sharp contrast to past practices by not only fulfilling a constitutional requirement but also by demonstrating a commitment to transparency that resonates with global standards. 

According to him, the President’s decisive action sends a clear message that public office was not a venue for personal enrichment but a position of trust and responsibility.

Dr. Aziginaateeg said best practices in asset disclosure systems emphasize not only transparency but also regular updates and strict enforcement, adding that in many countries, asset declarations must be updated periodically.

“For example, Kenya enforces regular declarations with clearly defined deadlines and sanctions for non-compliance,” he indicated, adding that President Mahama’s directive that appointees must declare their assets by March 31, with the risk of severe sanctions including removal from office, mirrors international practices where delays or failures were met with significant consequences.

He added that “by setting such clear expectations, the President’s initiative creates an environment where accountability is not optional but a mandatory standard for all public officials.”

Savannah Women Farmers Association holds Regional Business Forum in Tamale 

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Representatives of the Savannah Women Farmers Association in the Northern Region have participated in a day’s forum to expose them to some business opportunities in the agribusiness sector to leverage on them to improve their livelihoods. 

As part of the forum held in Tamale, resource persons from Government agencies, financial institutions and buyers, took participants through ways to access funding and other opportunities at the various institutions to enhance the operations of their businesses. 

The forum was organized by the Association and formed part of the implementation of the Restoration Project, under the Ghana Federation of Forest and Farm Producers (GhaFFaP) with funding support from the Food and Agriculture Organization. 

Participants for the forum were selected leaders of the association, drawn from 23 communities in the five operational districts of the association, namely Savelugu, Kumbungu, Nanton, Mion and Tolon. 

Mr Oseni Kabiru, Programme Coordinator of the Savannah Women Farmers Association, during the forum, said it was intended to enhance the understanding of members of the association on the procedures and processes required to access services at various departments and agencies in the region. 

He indicated that it was a further platform for stakeholders at the institutions to educate members on some of the available opportunities that the association members could take advantage of to enhance their operations. 

Mr Matthew Angbanyere, Nanton District Director of Agriculture, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), underscored need for the women to prioritise formation of registered groups and associations to enable them access support from MOFA and other NGOs. 

He explained that the formation of such groups would also enable the few Technical Officers in the districts to effectively disseminate information on available technologies and services to enhance their activities. 

Mr Angbanyere said, “Unfortunately most of the communities do not see the importance of the associations, until there is an opportunity for them to benefit. At that stage it makes it difficult for us to support them, because we prioritise supporting groups than individuals.” 

Madam Mumuni Wedad, MOFA Officer in charge of Women in Agriculture Development in the Savelugu Municipality, urged women not to shy away from programmes and other agribusiness related initiatives in their communities to ensure sustainable development. 

Madam Bridgette Sheini, Head, Kumbungu District Business Advisory Centre of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, encouraged participants to take advantage of the business counselling and the digitisation skills training initiatives at the district to enhance their operations. 

Kpone residents express frustration over persistent water shortages  

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Some residents of the Kpone-Katamanso Municipality in the Greater Accra Region have expressed their frustration over experiencing severe water shortages in the area for years, without lasting solutions.  

They said the persistent issue was resolved temporarily for about two weeks during December 2024, only for it to resurface. 

Mr. Francis Tetteh, Organizer of Neem Estate Development Association, Kpone, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that they were frustrated over the difficulty in accessing clean water for their daily activities. 

Mr. Tetteh stated that the unavailability of water had made life extremely challenging, forcing them to rely on alternative expensive sources such as water tankers and sachet water. 

He lamented that the situation was affecting their hygiene and health, as most residents were compelled to wake up at dawn in search of water, walk long distances just to fetch a few buckets, or alternatively buy water from the trucks, which had become expensive even though they did not know the source from which they drew the water. 

He revealed that operations of small businesses, such as food vendors, hairdressers, and laundry services, were being affected due to the water shortage.  

He said the situation persisted because some big manufacturing companies had been connected into the water lines serving the communities and therefore called on the government and relevant agencies to intervene and provide a lasting solution. 

Ms. Regina Amanquah, Assemblywoman for the Lalooi Electoral Area, said she had reported the issue to the Ghana Water Company (GWC) and other authorities and was awaiting their response.  

She stated that the water challenge that had resurfaced affected their entire Kpone township, expressing the hope that it would be resolved soon. 

She mentioned that concerns regarding B5 Company and Belaqua Company being on the same water line had been reported to the Kpone Assembly, saying that assurances had been given to resolve the issue.  

She promised to continuously follow up on the issue to ensure a sustainable solution. 

Small-scale miners condemn burning of excavators, demand probe 

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The National Concerned Association of Small-Scale Miners, Ghana (NCASMG) has strongly condemned the recent burning of excavators by the Forestry Commission, describing the practice as illegal, ineffective, and harmful to both livelihoods and the national economy. 

The Association argues that the government’s continuous reliance on this controversial approach has done little to address the root causes of illegal mining.  

Instead, it has exacerbated economic hardship by destroying valuable mining equipment, resulting in job losses and further destabilising the livelihoods of thousands of small-scale miners. 

In a statement signed by its President, Mr. Michael Kwadwo Peprah, NCASMG expressed deep frustration with what it described as a “lazy approach” to combating illegal mining. 

“While we acknowledge the urgent need to combat illegal mining, the burning of excavators is not a sustainable or effective solution. 

Many of these machines, even if used in unauthorised operations, could have been confiscated and repurposed for land reclamation projects,” the statement read.  

The Association stressed that rather than addressing the crisis, the destruction of excavators was worsening Ghana’s economic situation because thousands of workers depended on small-scale mining for their survival, and the loss of critical equipment threatened their ability to earn a living. 

The Association further accused the Bekwai Forestry District Manager, Mr. Ernest Adofo of leading the burning of excavators in the Manso area, while allegedly allowing certain miners to operate before the 2024 general elections.  

The group claimed that some illegal mining operations were overlooked, raising concerns about corruption and selective enforcement of the law. 

It called for an immediate investigation into the unjustified action of the Forestry Commission, alleging selective enforcement and political bias in its operations. 

“There are instances where government officials have granted mining permits to some individuals, yet their machines are being destroyed without due process. Meanwhile, in other areas where miners operate without the necessary documentation, their activities remain unchecked,” the statement noted. 

The Association called on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and all relevant authorities to immediately halt the burning of excavators, conduct a full audit and investigation into the Forestry Commission’s operations and sanction any official found culpable. 

They must also ensure fairness and transparency in enforcement, while prioritising land reclamation efforts instead of destroying equipment which could be used for environmental restoration projects. 

The Association argued that while small-scale miners, many of whom are Ghanaian citizens, were being targeted, large-scale mining concessions owned by politically connected individuals and foreign entities remained untouched, despite the environmental impact of their operations.  

The government cannot continue to protect foreign-owned mining companies while destroying the livelihoods operations of Ghanaians. 

“If illegal mining is to be tackled effectively, it must be done without favoritism or discrimination of its own people,” the statement concluded. 

Sekondi MP reaffirms commitment to fulfil social contract  

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Mr Blay Armah Nyamekye, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sekondi, in the Western Region has reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling his social contract with his constituents.  

He said Sekondi Constituency would experience a significant social and economic revival through partnership with investors to bring in the desired growth.  

The MP said this on the side-lines of an investment meeting held at the Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC), at Sekondi, which was led by Mr Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister. 

It was attended by key development stakeholders, including Chinese partners from Jiangsu Zhenhuai Construction Group Company Limited.  

Mr Nyameke expressed confidence that the constituency would receive investments and regain its past glory under his leadership as the MP.  

He said: “As we promised that we will bring in investors to help develop Sekondi, today we have brought some investors from China that are going to help us rebuild the market and expand the Naval Hospital and others.” 

The MP continued: “They will also invest in the Fishing Harbour. We promised the people of fishing vessels and they are all going to come to improve upon the sector for our people.” 

Meanwhile the Chinese investors, led by Li Gang have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the WRCC. 

Shippers call for friendly insurance policies and flexibility of BoG transactions

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Stakeholders in the shipping trade have called on sector actors to promote Shipper friendly Insurance Schemes to cushion players.

They also prayed for the ban of the exportation of raw rubber which was affecting the businesses of GREL and other local factories that add value to the commodity for export.

The Bank of Ghana must also be flexible on demands placed on Letters of Credit (LOC) and allow for transactions with CFA to advance Ghana’s competitiveness in the trade.

The stakeholders told Professor Ransford Gyampo, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority in Takoradi in the Western Region.

The industry gurus revealed how the shipping lines were frustrating the system with undue charges and bemoaned the bad nature of roads in transit trade while, calling for a uniform regulatory agency to ensure that shipping processes were easier.

Other issues of critical concern were the overloading of the transit trucks putting pressure on the roads while, causing unnecessary accidents on the roads.

At the Port of Takoradi, the Director of the Port, Mr. Peter Amo-Bediako congratulated the CEO on his appointment and pledged the Port’s readiness to engage to grow the sector.

He described the Takoradi Port as strategic to the economy of Ghana and thus must be assisted to grow.

He said turnaround time had significantly improved with many expansion projects to ensure that larger vessels could berth at the port.

Mr. Amo-Bediako, however urged the Chief Executive Officer to implore the Ministry of Interior to speed up processes on explosives and hazardous goods.

Professor Gyampo, overwhelmed by their concerns promised to form a coordinated agency engagement for intimate discussions on the concerns raised for an improved business environment.

He said the Authority would not allow the inactions of some value chain members to put extra financial burden on importers resulting in unwarranted demurrages.

Professor Gyampo said the country was bent on promoting international trade that offered a win -win opportunities to all players.

He mentioned a planned engagement with stakeholders to come out with a legislative instrument for the implementation of the Shippers Acts adding, “when we are ready, we will request that you send competent people with experience to make rich contributions.”

Centre for National Culture Visual Arts Department contributing to economic development through job creation

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The Visual Arts Department of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Kumasi is contributing to the economic development of the country through skills development and job creation.

Mrs. Grace Agyapong Fosu, Head of the Department, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Kumasi that through the technical and vocational training programmes offered by the Department, many young people had acquired skills which had helped them to create their own businesses and jobs.

She indicated that a total of 276 people, including students and foreigners, received training in all sections under the Visual Arts Department in 2024.

The sections include Batik, Tie and Dye, Graphic Design and Painting, Fashion, Broad Loom and Asante Kente weaving as well as the Pottery and Ceramics.

Mrs. Fosu said it was important to note that the relevance of the CNC in the preservation and promotion of the Ghanaian indigenous culture was being championed through its training programmes.

She recalled that early this year, a training programme was organised for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at the Garden City Special School as a way of including PWDs in the skills development training.

“Some of them might have hidden talents in arts which must be harnessed through training. This is why we don’t want to leave them out,” Mrs. Fosu indicated.

Apart from the training and internship programmes, she mentioned that the Visual Arts Department organized yearly bazaars and exhibition of creative arts.

“This year we will organize the bazaar in mid-July to September and top it up with the arts exhibition in December,” she said.

She called on all visual arts enthusiasts not to hesitate to reach out to the CNC Visual Arts Department to either polish their skills or be trained in any of the sections of the department.

Mrs. Fosu appreciated the Ashanti Regional CNC for providing the Graphic Design and painting section with a computer and its accessories to aid in service delivery.

Jules Kounde is unable to control himself! Hansi Flick chastises the Barcelona defence once more.

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Due to Jules Kounde’s lack of discipline, Hansi Flick benched the defender for the third time this season.

Coach Hansi Flick chose to bench the French defender for Monday night’s La Liga encounter against Rayo Vallecano after Jules Kounde was late for the pre-game routine once more. Hector Fort was selected to start at right-back instead of Kounde.

This isn’t the first time Flick has reprimanded Kounde for his lack of punctuality. During pre-season, the French defender was benched after arriving late for one of the fixtures. In October, Kounde was dropped from the starting lineup against Alaves for being two minutes late.

Similarly, in November, he was once again punished by Flick and excluded from the XI for the match against Espanyol. “When I say 13:30 hours, it’s neither 13:29 nor 13:31,” Flick told Kounde at the time, emphasizing his strict approach to punctuality.

Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Rayo propelled them to the top of the LaLiga table. Just under three weeks ago, they were seven points behind Real Madrid. But the reigning LaLiga champions dropped as many points in the three league games since, allowing Barca to return to the summit.

Kounde will be aiming to avoid Flick’s punishments and start next time around as Barcelona are set to travel to Las Palmas on Saturday, February 22, in hopes of maintaining their lead at the top of the LaLiga table.

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