Speaking on PM Express on Joy News, he cautioned that rising energy costs could trigger broader inflationary pressures, particularly in food prices.

“Listen, the energy prices are but one of the major effects that we could have. The bigger challenge would be food price inflation, because the cost of food, even locally grown food, has embedded in it up to 40% of logistics costs,” he said.

He warned that any increase in fuel and transport costs would inevitably feed into food prices.

“So if, the if, if the cost of fuel and logistics go up, we’re going to be hit eventually. Where to hit us hardest will be food,” he stated.

Mr Jackson noted that both local and imported food would be affected by rising global costs.

“Now, even if the food was imported, remember that the cost per container has gone up. Insurance and transportation costs have gone up. So any which way, we are between a rock and a hard place where food prices are concerned,” he explained.

He added that recent low inflation could make the impact of any price shock feel worse.

“And the worst part is the very low levels of inflation we’ve been having over the last few months will make the way we feel this effect worse, because when inflation is high, any shock is really absorbed and expected. But when inflation is low, the effect is hard, and it feels harder,” he said.

Mr Jackson warned against panic-driven policy responses.

“The biggest danger we have now is that there is a possibility of an impending crisis, but the crisis is not there yet, and we should avoid overreacting.

“We should avoid this effect. Should be treated as if a shock may be coming. We should go at it with a scalpel, not with a sledgehammer; we risk actually making the effect worse,” he cautioned.

He stressed that poor policy choices could inflict more pain than the shock itself.

“If we lose our discipline and don’t keep the macroeconomic numbers right, the pain we will have after reacting, overreacting to this shock could be worse than the shock itself,” he added.

Outlining his recommendations, Mr Jackson said the government must prioritise targeted support rather than broad price controls.

“Number one, protect households, not prices. The mistake would be to suppress prices worldwide through blanket subsidies or administrative controls. That will be expensive. It will be distorting. It will be regressive,” he said.

He urged authorities to focus on vulnerable groups.

“Instead, government should expand tip-free support for the most exposed households, urban poor, low-income, transport-dependent workers and food-insecure districts,” he noted.

On implementation challenges, he acknowledged the difficulty but insisted action was necessary.

“It’s going to be difficult, but we have to make an attempt. Because if we are, if we go through this, remove subsidies, administrative controls, we’re going to be heading for real trouble in the medium term,” he said.

Mr Jackson also called for urgent action to stabilise food logistics.

“As food inflation rises, it is not because farm produce is less. It is because transport, storage and wholesale distribution have become more expensive,” he explained.

He proposed a coordinated national response.

“One of the things I will be looking for tomorrow will be to set up a food logistics Task Force, trade, agree, transport, local government and security in one room focused on the movement of staples,” he said.

He cautioned against interventionist policies.

“Please, we should not react with export bans, price controls in any of those anti-market theatrics that play to the gallery,” he warned.

Rejecting calls to suspend fuel taxes, he was emphatic.

“No, I’m not in favour. And I say again, let us not do blanket interventions… it will distort. It will be expensive, and worst of all, it will be regressive,” he said.

“Regressive means the poor will benefit least… what are we trying to do to remove blanket subsidies so that those of us who drive big engine cars can still get fuel at a lower price? No, we shouldn’t do that,” he added.

He urged government to maintain fiscal discipline.

“Let’s keep our macroeconomic stability intact. Let’s keep the discipline that we’ve heard about government expenditure intact, otherwise the cost will be higher than the shock itself,” he concluded.

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The body, believed to be that of a man in his late 20s, was discovered in a drain feeding the Odaw River, opposite the Iran Clinic, in the early hours of Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

A rescue team was dispatched to the scene following a distress call and recovered the body upon arrival.

The remains have since been handed over to the police for preservation and further investigation.

Authorities are yet to establish the identity of the deceased or the circumstances surrounding his death as investigations continue.

Under the new arrangement, each committee will now supervise 25 polling stations, up from the previous 10, in a move aimed at streamlining the process and reducing the number of committees.

Speaking after an emergency NEC meeting, Director of Communications Richard Ahiagbah described the change as a minor adjustment to improve efficiency.

He explained that the decision followed feedback on earlier guidelines and is intended to simplify election management at the grassroots level.

Mr. Ahiagbah also confirmed that the NEC has maintained its earlier directive barring members who registered online but failed to validate their details at polling stations from participating in the elections.

He stressed that the timelines for the exercise have closed, ruling out any extension, but noted that discussions are ongoing on possible measures, including a register exhibition, to address concerns around integrating online and physical records.

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Highlighting NPP achievements across various sectors, Mr. Aboagye began with healthcare: “Go to the health sector. The single most important policy that deals with the fundamentals of our health system, National Health Insurance, is under the NPP.”

He also pointed to education reforms initiated during former President John Kufuor’s administration, saying that Kufuor had identified poverty as the main reason Ghanaian children were dropping out of school by year four or five.

He explained that Kufuor made FCUBE a reality at the basic school level, ensuring that every child could attend school without financial barriers. He said that even after school fees were removed, many children were still unable to attend because families could not afford food.

To address this, he added, the NPP government introduced school feeding, which doubled at the basic level. He further said that secondary school education was also made free by the NPP.

Social intervention programmes also featured prominently.

“Take the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme. It takes care of extremely poor people by providing quarterly and monthly stipends. That’s the NPP,” he said.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM show on April 7, Mr. Aboagye outlined the party’s ongoing reorganisation, explaining that every organisation evolves and that the NPP is being shaped by lessons from the past, experiences from the present, and a vision for the future.

He noted that the party would not be the same as it was in 2023 or 2024, reflecting the ideas and aspirations of the people.

Describing the NPP as a mass political party, he added: “The aspirations and ideas of the people will inform and form what we will become afterwards. And that’s what we are working towards. We believe that we provide the most credible alternative to the challenges of this country.”

Mr. Aboagye also criticised the performance of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), asserting that its policies have yet to deliver life-changing results for Ghanaians.

“Albeit we are not perfect, if you pick sector by sector across the country, tell me, which aspects of our country will this NDC government beat us at? Mention any legacy, developmental performance, or anything you have in this country. What do you have on top of your mind that you will say, ‘This is life-changing for the Ghanaian person,’ and it’s from the NDC? Mention one,” he challenged.

Mr Aboagye further highlighted improvements in the country’s emergency services: “When the NPP came into office in 2017, our emergency system was broken and practically non-existent. Today, compared to eight years ago, it is highly elevated thanks to the ambulances introduced by the NPP.”

He also cited post-COVID interventions in healthcare, noting that the NPP addressed gaps in district hospitals, providing facilities for about 88 districts that previously lacked them.

“Every monumental agenda that this country has pursued is by the NPP. And that is what we believe, and that’s what we are presenting to the Ghanaian people,” he said.

Concluding, Mr. Aboagye acknowledged that all governments face challenges but argued that the NPP is committed to delivering lasting solutions:

“Every government will have its downsides. Every government will have its challenges. But we need to look at a government that doesn’t deliver mediocrity. A government that delivers lasting, life-changing solutions to every Ghanaian everywhere—that is the NPP. And those are the things we are riding on in our reorganisation.”

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Each year, an estimated 30,000 vessels pass through it. But these are not ordinary shipments. Flowing through Hormuz is nearly a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas, alongside the invisible essentials of modern life: fertilisers that grow food, aluminum that builds cities, helium that cools semiconductors, and petrochemicals that sustain industries from medicine to manufacturing.

When Hormuz works, the world barely notices. When it fails, everything changes.

A waterway shaped by power

Hormuz has always been a prize worth fighting for. In 1622, Abbas I of Persia, with English naval support, seized control of the strait, marking the beginning of centuries of geopolitical struggle.

By the mid-20th century, the stakes had only grown. In 1951, Britain blockaded the strait to pressure Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh after he nationalised Iran’s oil industry. The blockade lasted more than two years and contributed to the 1953 coup that reshaped Iran’s political future.

Decades later, during the Iran–Iraq War, Hormuz became a battlefield. Between 1984 and 1987, attacks on commercial shipping left more than 430 seafarers dead and 546 vessels damaged. Yet even under fire, oil continued to flow, proof of the strait’s irreplaceable role.

THE INVISIBLE CARGO THAT FEEDS THE WORLD

While oil dominates headlines, Hormuz carries something even more critical: the building blocks of global food security.

More than 30 percent of the world’s ammonia, nearly half of its urea, and 20 percent of diammonium phosphate pass through this narrow passage. These are not optional goods, they are the backbone of modern agriculture.

Synthetic nitrogen fertilisers alone sustain nearly half of the global population.

If Hormuz closes, these supplies don’t just slow down, they stop.

WHEN HORMUZ FAILS

A shutdown of the strait would trigger a chain reaction unlike any other.

Oil prices would surge immediately, sending shockwaves through global markets. Energy-dependent industries would stall. Manufacturing costs would rise. Inflation would accelerate worldwide.

But the deeper crisis would unfold more quietly, in the fields.

Unlike oil, fertilizers cannot be easily rerouted. There are no pipelines for ammonia or urea. A disruption in March means missed planting windows in the Northern Hemisphere, and by September, lower harvests.

The result: rising food prices, shrinking supply, and growing insecurity.

For the Gulf region itself, the danger is even more immediate. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar import over 80 percent of their food. Wealth cannot compensate for blocked supply routes. When Hormuz closes, access — not money — becomes the defining factor of survival.

A SINGLE POINT OF FAILURE

For over 100 million people living around the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz is not just a trade route, it is a lifeline.

Its closure would expose a harsh reality: the modern world, for all its complexity, still depends on a single, narrow passage of water.

The global economy is diversified. Supply chains are vast. Technologies are advanced. Yet all of it can be disrupted by the failure of a 39-kilometre chokepoint.

THE WORLD ON EDGE

Hormuz has endured wars, blockades, and decades of geopolitical tension. Each time, it has held; barely.

But the lesson is clear.

The world has now seen what happens when Hormuz falters: energy markets tremble, industries slow, and the foundation of global food systems begins to crack.

In an interconnected world, the fate of billions can hinge on a single stretch of water.

And if Hormuz fails completely, the consequences will not be regional.

They will be global.

The Chief Commercial Officer and Director of Industrial Development at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Kofi Addo, made this known during an interview on JoyNews’ AM Show on Monday, April 6.

He explained that the government moved quickly to engage manufacturers and producers after receiving indications of an impending price increase in the sector.

“You will recall, last week, we had the message that this increment was coming on board,” he said. “And as a ministry, for the protection of our consumers and to ensure price stability in the environment, we quickly started the engagement with the manufacturers and producers.”

Mr Addo said the immediate priority is to stabilise the market and protect consumers, while ensuring that all stakeholders along the value chain are involved in finding a solution.

“So all that we did is to make sure that we bring stability and to protect our consumers,” he added.

He disclosed that a key meeting scheduled for Wednesday will bring together manufacturers and producers to address the challenges driving the price increases, particularly rising production costs.

“What we are doing is that we are having this meeting to understand the issues that led to the increment,” he said. “We also want to make sure that all the other players are brought on board so that when we come out with the solution, everybody will be happy along the value chain.”

On the urgency of the engagement, he added: “On Wednesday, we are bringing the manufacturers and the producers to make sure that these issues are resolved with the speed of light.”

Addressing concerns over reliance on imported raw materials, particularly polymers used in production, Mr Addo said the government is actively exploring local alternatives.

“As a ministry, we are very concerned about feeding the industry with available raw materials. In fact, that has been our mandate since the government took over,” he said.

“So what we are doing right now is speaking to other stakeholders in the value chain to see if we can have locally available polymers, which are the main ingredients in sachet production.”

He added that discussions are ongoing to determine the feasibility of local sourcing to reduce exposure to global price fluctuations.

On policy reforms, Mr. Addo noted that the government is working on key documents aimed at strengthening competition and improving pricing structures for essential goods.

“As we are speaking right now, the ministry is working on these two important documents to make sure that they are completed on time to support the issues you have raised,” he said.

He also cited external economic pressures, including disruptions to global supply routes, as contributing factors to recent price movements.

“The economic environment is also good apart from this war and the closure of the Straits of Hormuz, which is not allowing people to get their imports. That is why this price increment came about,” he said.

Mr Addo added that the government is pursuing both local and external sourcing options to ensure competitive pricing for producers.

“If we are not able to get these raw materials locally, we will get them so that we will be able to have a competitive import price to support our producers,” he said.

He also confirmed that the government would engage the Bank of Ghana over concerns about the rejection of lower denomination coins, such as 10 and 20 pesewa coins, by some traders.

He added that similar engagements in the past had yielded positive outcomes, citing discussions on the repatriation of export proceeds between the government and the central bank.

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The call was made by Majeed Governor, the Adansi Asokwa District DRIP Coordinator, during an inspection of ongoing feeder road projects in the Ashanti Region.

Speaking to Adom News, he emphasised that young officials must justify the confidence placed in them by delivering effectively in their roles.

He noted that strong performance by youth in leadership positions will build trust and encourage current and future leaders to continue appointing young people to key positions.

Mr Governor cited officials such as Sammy Gyamfi and Dr Frank Amoakohene as examples of young leaders whose work should inspire confidence in the capabilities of the youth.

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The inspection, carried out in parts of the rural areas within the Adansi Asokwa District, was to assess progress on road reshaping efforts and engage field operators on the status of work.

Speaking to Adom News, the MP said his immediate contribution to improving road conditions in the district is to support DRIP operations with fuel, ensuring that machinery continues to reshape roads and make them motorable for residents.

He explained that the intervention is a temporary measure to ease movement and boost economic activity while awaiting permanent construction support from the central government.

The DCE, Albert Dakura, noted that poor road conditions have for years affected farmers and residents, making travel both difficult and costly.

He added that transporting sick patients and pregnant women has been particularly challenging, with motorbikes often serving as the only means of transport due to the poor state of the roads.

According to him, the ongoing reshaping works have brought significant relief by restoring access to previously cut-off communities.

The district DRIP Coordinator, Majead Governor, confirmed that more than 120 kilometres of roads have been reshaped so far.

He said 40 major road sections, which were previously in deplorable condition, have been rehabilitated, with about three remaining and expected to be completed soon.

The crash occurred in the early hours of Saturday, involving a Kia Rhino truck carrying poultry feed and a Sprinter bus transporting passengers.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Bono East Region, said it received an emergency call at 06:55 GMT and immediately dispatched an eight-member rescue team led by Assistant Station Officer Emmanuel Agyekum.

Upon arrival, firefighters found both vehicles severely damaged, with several occupants trapped inside. Rescue teams worked to free those pinned in the wreckage.

Four victims were extracted unresponsive and later confirmed dead, with their bodies handed over to the Police. Fourteen others sustained various injuries and were rushed to Kintampo Municipal Hospital for emergency care.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. The GNFS has urged drivers to exercise caution and strictly follow road safety rules to prevent further tragedies.

Addressing the Kwahu Business Forum on Friday, April 3, 2026, the Minority Leader described the sidelining of local farmers as a calculated subversion of national food security goals. He argued that while the state has publicly championed the “Buying Ghana” agenda, the reality reflects a systemic preference for imported grains, leaving local warehouses with unsold produce.

The controversy centres on the School Feeding Programme, a multi-million-cedi initiative intended to provide a guaranteed market for Ghanaian rice growers.

However, according to Mr Afenyo-Markin, contractors awarded supply deals are bypassing local silos in favour of cheaper imported alternatives.

“Contractors engaged to supply the School Feeding Programme with locally produced rice are bypassing farmers who had prepared their produce following a direct presidential directive,” he stated.

He noted that the situation has had a severe impact on the rice value chain, with many farmers—who had ramped up production in anticipation of ready markets—now facing mounting debts and post-harvest losses.

Mr Afenyo-Markin further criticised the lack of transparency at the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), revealing that despite repeated petitions from agricultural groups, the identities of contractors involved remain undisclosed.

“The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana has repeatedly requested that NAFCO publish the names of those contractors. NAFCO has not responded,” he said, adding: “What has been described is not a market failure. It is a procurement betrayal.”

The Minority Caucus has signalled plans to pursue a parliamentary inquiry aimed at compelling the release of all active supply contracts and identifying beneficiaries involved in the procurement process.

Mr Afenyo-Markin warned that such lapses not only undermine the economy but also erode trust between the state and rural communities.

Without immediate reforms to ensure that state-backed programmes genuinely support local producers, he cautioned that Ghana’s drive toward self-sufficiency will remain elusive.

“Let us choose accountability over secrecy,” he concluded, urging government to align its procurement practices with its stated commitment to protecting the livelihoods of local farmers.

This session, serving as the climax of the inaugural day of the widely anticipated Kwahu Business Forum, will afford these captains of industry an opportunity to engage in profound and riveting dialogues with President Mahama.

Set to be held at the newly constructed Kwahu Convention Centre located on the scenic Mpraeso Hills in the Eastern Region, the session has been billed for an extensive conversation between President Mahama and the business leaders.

In line with the spirit of Easter, the night will be further enriched by musical performances from renowned Ghanaian artistes Stonebwoy and Kwabena Kwabena.

The duo will serenade President Mahama and his gathering of the nation’s most successful entrepreneurs with some of the finest songs.

During the meeting, President Mahama will articulate his administration’s economic policies and elaborate on how his administration will be executing strategic initiatives like the Kwahu Business Forum to ignite entrepreneurial spirit and propel sustainable business growth.

It is anticipated that the President will also solicit candid feedback from these accomplished business titans regarding his government’s ongoing efforts to streamline investment facilitation and catalyse robust expansion across Ghana’s private sector.

The three-day Kwahu Business Forum gets underway today, April 3, 2026, with over 1000 participants expected to participate in the forum, which sets out to provide a platform for entrepreneurs to engage with their potential investors.

Key features of the 2026 edition include networking opportunities for small, medium, and large businesses, investor matchmaking sessions, and a trade exhibition where companies can showcase their products and services.

The Friday session will feature an official opening ceremony which will be graced by leading government officials, a tour of the exhibition centre, and high-level panel discussions.

Selected business leaders from the Kwahu enclave will also share their inspirational success stories and offer valuable insights to the youth on building sustainable businesses.

The day will also include masterclasses on various business topics and will culminate in a presidential dinner.

Saturday’s proceedings will continue with industry leaders delivering keynote addresses with President Mahama present. The Governor of the Bank of Ghana is expected to join later in the day to deliver a special address on the economy and engage in discussions with business leaders.

The event will climax with a health walk in the Kwahu Business Village, where participants will take part in the 1,000-step exercise.

Later that day, leaders of banking institutions will hold closed-door meetings with the Bank of Ghana on economic matters.

The Kpando-based side says its move is rooted in concerns over what it describes as systemic unfairness in the competition.

According to Yussif Uthman, the club has already submitted its position to the FA but is yet to receive any formal response.

Speaking in an interview with Sporty FM, he noted that communication had been completed, though feedback from the governing body is still pending.

“We have officially communicated to the Ghana Football Association, but have yet to receive any response from them,” he said.

He further revealed that the club intends to provide a more comprehensive explanation for its decision in an upcoming statement.

“I’m sure by the later closure of the day, we will issue an elaborate press release to cite some of the more reasons why those decisions were taken,” Yussif added.

With the GFA expected to respond, uncertainty now surrounds Hohoe United’s status in the Ghana Premier League, raising questions about the broader implications for the competition should the decision stand.

Hohoe United sit 17th on the league standings with 30 points after 27 matches played.

In a statement issued on Thursday, April 2, organisers Charterhouse said the closure follows a one-week “Errors and Omissions” window, which marked the final stage of the nominations process.

According to the Board, the review period was strictly limited to addressing verifiable administrative issues, including incorrect attribution of songs, technical misclassification of entries, omissions of eligible works, as well as spelling and metadata errors.

The Board revealed that it received a number of petitions and appeals from artistes, management teams, and industry stakeholders after the nominees were announced. These concerns largely focused on category placement, nomination eligibility, and inclusion in specific categories.

However, following what it described as a thorough and fair review conducted in line with established guidelines, the Board confirmed that all submissions were carefully examined, with no changes made to the nominees list.

The organisers also expressed appreciation to stakeholders for their engagement and feedback, noting that such contributions are essential to strengthening the credibility and relevance of the awards scheme.

The 27th TGMA nominations, unveiled in March, recognise works released in 2025 after an extensive submission and vetting process involving industry players.

As the scheme transitions into the public voting phase, the Board has encouraged fans and the general public to actively support their favourite artistes through official voting channels.

Voting on the Telecel network can be done by dialling *1767#, while free online voting is available via the official Ghana Music Awards website.

The awards season will continue with the TGMA Xperience Concert scheduled for April 11, 2026, at the Koforidua Youth Resource Centre.

The Board wished all nominees the best and expressed anticipation for the main awards ceremony slated for May 9, 2026, where excellence in Ghanaian music will be celebrated.

The decision, announced through a joint communiqué by Burkinabe authorities, follows improvements in tomato supply to local processing factories and renewed commitments by stakeholders to prioritise domestic industrial needs.

Ghanaian officials say the development will ease the flow of fresh tomatoes into the country, offering relief to traders and consumers who have faced supply constraints in recent weeks.

The breakthrough also underscores the impact of ongoing bilateral engagements between the two countries. One of the key discussions held between Ghana’s Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and her Burkina Faso counterparts on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization’s Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon, directly contributed to the lifting of the restriction.

The government says it will continue working closely with Burkinabe authorities and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial trading environment.

At the same time, officials have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Ghana’s local tomato industry. Ongoing programmes aimed at boosting production, improving yields, and ensuring year-round supply are being intensified under initiatives such as Feed the Industry and Feed Ghana.

Plans are also underway to expand irrigation projects, support large-scale tomato farming, and promote stronger collaboration between farmers and processors to reduce reliance on imports over time.

Government has encouraged tomato traders and industry players to support these efforts as it moves to balance immediate supply needs with long-term sustainability in the sector.

At a brief ceremony, Ecobank presented 300 laptops to the Vice Chancellor’s office as part of the One Student, One Laptop initiative, aimed at equipping students with essential digital tools.

According to Mrs. Osei-Poku, the donation is intended to empower students academically and technologically, helping them better meet the demands of modern education.

She emphasized that education remains a key priority for Ecobank, noting that feedback from the first batch of laptop distributions demonstrated a positive impact on student learning and empowerment.

“We remain committed to partnering with the university and implementing initiatives that positively impact society. Supporting education and promoting digital inclusion remain core priorities for us,” she stated.

Professor Peter Quartey, Chairman of the One Student, One Laptop Initiative Committee, emphasized the significance of the laptops in bridging the digital divide among students.

He disclosed that about 40 percent of the required laptops have been received so far, with Ecobank contributing 30 percent of that total. He added that the initiative will enable students to connect to the global digital space and enhance their academic experience.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, explained that the initiative was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic when access to laptops became a major challenge for many students.

She noted that with the ongoing support, the university can now expand training opportunities and improve access to digital resources.

“This initiative will allow students to explore new learning opportunities and help us better equip our computer laboratories,” she said, adding that the university looks forward to strengthening its partnership with Ecobank.

The event also honoured several queen mothers for their outstanding contributions to the agricultural sector.

Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, who led the initiative, provided beneficiaries not only with day-old chicks but also a comprehensive support package to aid their poultry farming activities.

Speaking at the event, she explained that the gesture fulfilled a promise made during the previous edition of the gathering to support queen mothers with poultry resources under the Nkoko Nkitinkititi project.

According to her, beneficiaries were also given feeds, vaccines, and feeding trays to ensure they have everything needed to start and sustain their poultry ventures successfully.

She noted that the goal of the initiative is to empower women in agriculture, particularly queen mothers, by equipping them with the necessary tools to expand their economic activities and contribute to food production.

The Royals Gathering, now in its 8th edition, continues to serve as a platform to recognise and support the role of traditional female leaders in community development and agriculture.

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Addo, who had been reappointed on a three-year contract, was dismissed on Monday, March 31, following a series of disappointing results in Ghana’s 2026 World Cup preparatory matches.

The Black Stars suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat to Austria in Vienna before losing 2-1 to Germany in Stuttgart, results that intensified scrutiny on the team’s direction.

Speaking to 3Sports, Okraku said the decision was influenced by both personal observations and wider feedback from stakeholders within the football ecosystem.

“I don’t know whether it’s about what did I see or what did I hear, or perhaps both. I’ve seen Otto work over time since we engaged him. I’ve heard millions of comments. I’ve seen him prepare the team for games. I’ve seen the last four or five games that we have played. I’ve seen the group, I’ve seen the executive committee discuss the games that we have played,” he said.

He further noted that the FA’s long-term ambitions played a key role in the decision.

“And I’ve also heard about our shared vision for the World Cup. And I thought that it was time for us to look at another direction for our common vision.”

Although Addo successfully guided Ghana to qualification, his tenure was often marked by inconsistency, particularly against stronger opponents.

The Black Stars are expected to return to action in May, with friendlies scheduled against Mexico on May 22 and Wales on June 2 as part of preparations for the tournament.

Ghana will be making their fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026, having been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, with hopes of progressing beyond the group stage for the first time since their memorable 2010 campaign.

This follows the innovative efforts of a 38-year-old female Class 3 teacher at Abankoro M/A Basic School, who has created a food bank from her meagre resources to feed pupils in the farming community.

Abigail Boakye, who also distributes school uniforms to needy pupils in the area, has earned praise from education authorities.

Abankoro M/A Primary and JHS had for some time been battling a growing number of pupils’ absenteeism. Authorities at the Ejisu Municipal Education Directorate say many pupils stayed away from school because their parents were unable to feed them.

However, through the intervention of Madam Boakye, who established the food bank in the school, pupil retention is no longer a challenge for teachers.

At least 325 pupils and their teachers in the local primary and junior high schools are regularly served breakfast.

Abigail Boakye also provides basic necessities such as food, school uniforms, shoes, and socks to pupils who lack them.

“Coming here, I realized that learners were not coming to school as expected. So I went out to find out the main reason why learners were not coming to school. Enrolment was very low. Through my investigation, I realized that learners do not have the basic needs required.

“And you can see that hunger is a major hindrance to learning. If a child is hungry, that child cannot concentrate in class. So that is what led to absenteeism and low attendance,” Abigail Boakye told JoyNews.

The Headmistress of Abankoro M/A Junior High School, Joyce Kusi Mensah, said the gesture has improved academic work, as pupil retention has increased.

According to her, pupils who come to school on an empty stomach are now assured of a meal.

“The kids need support like this. When they get food like this, they are encouraged to come to school. In one way or the other, it motivates them and helps increase enrolment,” she said.

School Improvement Support Officer for the area, Dominic Kwadwo Adu, told JoyNews that the era when pupils stayed at home due to their parents’ inability to provide food is over.

He praised Madam Boakye, describing her as an exceptional teacher.

“It is a very good programme to help the children, especially those who do not have money during break time. This programme supports them and also helps them to learn,” he said.

The Ejisu Municipal Education Director, Kwabena Owusu, said he had noticed Madam Boakye’s dedication during her previous posting at Ejisu Model School, where she supported needy pupils with uniforms, shoes, and socks.

He noted that she extended this initiative to Abankoro M/A Basic School after she was transferred there two years ago.

Mr. Owusu said her contributions not only promote teaching and learning but also inspire leadership among teachers.

“Most times, parents are not able to feed their children well, so when they come to school, it becomes very difficult to teach them,” he said.

“I appreciate what she has done at Abankoro. When children are not well-fed, teaching becomes difficult. What she has been doing is helping,” he added.

Madam Abigail Boakye was crowned Best Differentiated Learning Teacher at the 2025 National Teachers Awards.

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The initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers to basic healthcare, expand access at the community level, and strengthen preventive health services across the country.

Speaking during an engagement with civil society organisations at Jubilee House on March 30, the President highlighted the need for collaboration to ensure the programme’s success.

“I count on CSOs to support public education, assist in monitoring implementation, and provide feedback to ensure this programme achieves real impact,” he said.

The government expects the programme to significantly improve access to essential health services, particularly for vulnerable groups, while enhancing overall health outcomes nationwide.

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Acting on behalf of the African Union and the entire continent, President John Dramani Mahama last week secured a landmark global recognition of slavery as the gravest crime against humanity.

By this, President Mahama and Ghana reminded the world of a truth that had long been buried under silence. From oral and written history, we have learned of the painful situation where millions of Africans were stolen, broken, and sold.

These enslaved Africans helped to build the present day wealth of Europe and the Americas through their bonded suffering, while Africa was left weak, fractured and hating each other.

In many ways, the recognition, which was voted against by the United States of America, Argentina and Israel matters. It restores dignity and tells African children that what happened to our ancestors was not normal, not acceptable, and not forgotten.

But like every situation, recognition is only a good beginning to something meaningful. Alone, it will not save us.

Economic dependence
If slavery was the crime of yesterday, then economic dependence is the danger of today. And unless we act, it could become the shame of tomorrow, haunting our children and bonding their dreams down like the chains used by the slave trades to shackle our ancestors.

This is more so because the chains may be gone, but the structure remains. We still dig the minerals, grow the crops, and export them raw. In return, we import finished goods at high prices, calling it trade. To help normalize and deepen this, many countries have signed duty-free or favourable export terms African nations, the latest being China, allowing our raw materials to be shipped abroad to feed their factories at the expense of our jobs and fragile industries.

In the business world, this is a softer, quieter form of control that keeps us at the fringes, where we cannot dictate how much we earn for our own resources. This explains why Ghanaian cocoa farmers, though the people toiling to supply the premium beans, will still earn penance from the global multibillion-dollar chocolate industry that their sweats sustain. The same applies to gold, bauxite, iron ore, copper, cobalt and lithium, which Africa has vast reserves of.

Harsh but relevant questions
These explain why Ghana’s success at the UN must now mean something at home and across Africa. It must force us to ask difficult questions about the kind of economy we are building and who it truly serves.

As has been said in multiple ways, true independence is not only about flags and speeches. It is about ownership, production and the ability of a people to turn their own resources into prosperity with their own hands.
Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah warned decades ago that political freedom without economic freedom was empty. Decades down the line, that statement has grown mightier in truth and with evidence.

While slavery, colonialism and the global financial architecture have largely worked against African nations, the continent is blessed with innovative and resilient minds, capable of turning of our challenges into business opportunities. A look around you reveals this.

Yet, Ghana and the broader Africa still export raw materials and jobs while our youth idle in droves. Our entrepreneurs are bypassed by governments for contracts and local businesses endure the full brunt of taxes and general fiscal policies while multinationals, some of them the fruits of slavery and colonialism, benefit from tax exemptions. While their governments speak for them in high-level meetings with our governments, it only takes demonstrations for the local entrepreneur’s concerns to be felt and heard.

Instructively, Ghana and Africa should be places where local businesses are not treated as afterthoughts. The continent should be where laws are written to help investors grow, not to permanently favour foreign capital. Our youth must be supported to dream of building factories and companies, not just chasing foreign visas.

I agree that foreign investment has its place in every nation’s development but evidence abounds that partnership is the winning equation in today’s world. Partnership involves creating platforms for local and foreign entities to co-create opportunities, share in their respective expertise and grow in ways that respect the uniqueness of one another. It allows the local entrepreneur to ride on the broad wings of foreign firms to grow while the multinational taps the indigenous expertise to deliver value in-country.

But this cannot be possible under our current policy structure, which literally favours FDIs over local capital. It requires that our laws change to protect local capital, reward domestic production, and encourage Ghanaians/Africans to take risks and build.

Push for domestic process
For us in Ghana, it is encouraging to note that President Mahama has started a process to revamp local processing of raw materials. It makes no sense for a cocoa growing, gold-and textile producing nation like us to import chocolate, jewellery and fabrics.

Over the years, we have made domestic processing an afterthought, suggested to multinationals rather than a policy priority backed by law. Where we have capacity, raw exports should be limited. Where we lack capacity, government should help build it. Public institutions should buy Ghana made products first. Ghanaians should be encouraged to consume what they produce.

That is why it motivating to hear Zimbabwe, Guinea and Gabon are mandating mining companies to process their lithium, bauxite, iron ore and manganese locally or risk losing their licences.

It is tough route, yes but if there is any lesson in the mighty rise of China, it is that no nation can grow its way out of poverty without industrialization. It is the surest way to internalizing, be it technically sophisticated processing such as surface one like making toothpicks.

Looking ahead
Thus, as we celebrate the win for our ancestors and our children’s children, we must know that it took as a century to achieve it and it must mean something beyond pride.
It must unite and galvanize us to meaningfully seek and achieve economic sovereignty.

To do that we must unite and rise above party politics. We must not belong to the NDC or the NPP or whatever party in Africa but belong to Ghana and the broader Africa.

Industrial policies should outlive governments. National priorities should not change every election cycle for serious nations do not start and abandon economic visions every time a new leader takes over.

As the new scramble for Africa intensifies, this time for our minerals, land and data, we must be interested in who benefits. We must be sure we are not chaining our wealth and generations away but creating linkages that grow local economies and retain values for communities.
We must break the chains, this time round through business and entrepreneurship.

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The transformer installations, which began earlier in 2026, form part of over 100development projects earmarked by the region for execution this year. These initiatives are aimed at strengthening the power distribution network, expanding capacity, and improving the quality of electricity supply to several communities within the region.

In recent months, several communities within the region have experienced intermittent power supply largely due to overloaded distribution transformers. Many of the existing transformers, which serve growing communities, have reached or are operating close to their maximum load capacity.

Speaking during the technical commissioning of some of the newly installed transformers in the Adenta District last Friday, the Regional General Manager for Accra East, Ing. Bismark Otoo, said the installations were part of strategic measures being implemented by management to address the challenge and improve the stability of power supply.

He explained that due to the growing demand of electricity, most of the distribution transformers serving communities within the region were heavily loaded, with some operating at nearly 90 percent of their capacity, which has contributed to the erratic power supply experienced in some parts of the region.

Ing. Otoo noted that the newly installed transformers, with capacities ranging between 100kVA and 200kVA, would help relieve pressure on the existing network. Customers connected to overloaded transformers are being transferred to the new ones to balance the load and improve supply reliability.

“This intervention will significantly improve voltage levels and ensure safer and more reliable electricity supply to our customers,” he said.

More than 100 communities are expected to benefit from the installations, including Adenta Commandos, East Legon Hills, New Legon, Pantang Focos, Adjiringanor, Twumasiwaa, Ogbojo, Kitiwake Gardens, Teshie Kakalika, Okpoi Gonno, Appolonia, Teiman, Ablor Adjei, Ayikuma, Teshie Bush Road, Atomic Down, Oyarifa, Agbogba, Danfa, Haatso Ecomog, School Junction and Teshie, among others.

Ing. Otoo further revealed that the region has initiated processes to install additional transformers in other communities where demand has outgrown the capacity of existing infrastructure.

“Our objective is to relieve all overloaded transformers within the region to ensure that customers enjoy stable and quality electricity supply,” he said.

He therefore appealed to customers to exercise patience as the company continues to implement interventions aimed at improving service delivery.

In addition to the transformer installations, the region is also undertaking other system improvement projects, including vegetation control and the creation of new feeders to strengthen the distribution network and further enhance power supply reliability across the region.

According to ECG, 38 of the affected feeders have already been restored, while 19 remain offline as engineers continue efforts to repair the remaining infrastructure.

The storm led to power fluctuations in several parts of the capital.

Areas still experiencing power interruptions include Nmaijorm, parts of Ashaley Botwe, Lakeside Estates, Lartebiokorshie, Zongo Junction, Parakuo Estate, Pure Fire, BOG Warehouse, Papaya, Adabraka, parts of South Industrial Area, East Legon, Russia, Zamrama Line, Sukura, Ayawaso, Olebu, Ashuman, parts of Dansoman, parts of North Kaneshie, Gandour Cosmetics, Sintex, and surrounding communities.

ECG has assured customers that teams are working diligently to restore full power supply.

Residents experiencing localized outages are urged to report through the company’s Contact Centre on 0302611611, visit the nearest ECG office, use the ECG PowerApp, or connect via social media handles (@ECGghOfficial on Facebook, X, or Instagram).

The company apologized for the inconvenience caused by the storm and thanked the public for their patience as restoration efforts continue.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), led by a team from the Amasaman Fire Station, responded swiftly after receiving a distress call at 2:04 a.m., arriving at the scene within minutes to combat the blaze.

The fire, which tore through sections of the wood market, destroyed several wooden structures and large quantities of wood products. It also partially damaged a maltese machine and a maize feed mill.

Despite the intensity of the fire, coordinated firefighting efforts helped to save adjoining structures and additional wood stock, preventing the situation from escalating into a wider disaster.

Reinforcements from the Anyaa and Madina Fire Stations, as well as the Ghana Armed Forces Fire Service, supported the operation. Personnel from the Ghana Police Service and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) were also on hand to ensure safety and assist in managing the scene.

No casualties were recorded.

Authorities say investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the fire.

Reacting to the announcement by the State Interests and Governance Authority, Mr. Awuah said the recognition as Overall Best Specified Entity underscores the success of measures he implemented to reverse years of financial decline.

“We inherited a loss-making, debt-ridden company that was struggling to pay staff salaries,” he said.

“Together, under my leadership, we worked to turn around the fortunes of the company so that by the end of 2024, it had become highly profitable.”

He highlighted that consistent performance assessments by SIGA played a key role in shaping the reforms, noting that he personally led engagements where feedback was received and acted upon.

“We took the feedback in good faith and resolved to do better,” he added, linking the company’s improved performance directly to those interventions.

Mr. Awuah maintained that the awards serve as validation of the transformation he led and urged the current management to build on the foundation he established.

“These awards should be a source of motivation to continue growing the fortunes of the company,” he said.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) says eligibility will be determined by a “once-in-a-lifetime” sex test, which would prevent transgender women and those with differences in sexual development (DSD) who have gone through male puberty from competing.

It will take effect from the Los Angeles Olympics.

IOC president Kirsty Coventry said the policy was the result of a review “led by medical experts”.

“At the Olympic Games even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat,” she said.

“So it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”

The IOC said eligibility for the female category would be determined by a screening to detect the SRY gene – the sex-determining region Y gene – which is part of the Y chromosome and causes male characteristics to develop.

“The IOC considers that SRY gene screening via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample is unintrusive compared to other possible methods,” it said.

The IOC said athletes who fail the test would “continue to be included in all other classifications for which they qualify. For example, they are eligible for any male category, including in a designated male slot within any mixed category, and any open category, or in sports and events that do not classify athletes by sex.”

Until this announcement, the IOC left sex eligibility regulations to the governing bodies of individual sports, rather than applying a universal approach.

While athletics, swimming, cycling and rowing have brought in bans, many others allowed transgender women to compete in female competition if they lowered their testosterone levels.

New Zealand Laurel Hubbard became the first openly transgender women to compete at an Olympics after being selected for the women’s weightlifting team at Tokyo 2020.

But by the Paris 2024 Games, there were not known to be any transgender women competing in female events.

There was, however, controversy in the boxing after Algeria’s Imane Khelif won the women’s welterweight boxing gold medal, a year after being disqualified from the World Championships for reportedly failing a gender eligibility test.

Some reports took the IBA saying Khelif has XY chromosomes to speculate that the fighter might have DSD. However, the BBC was not able to confirm whether this was or was not the case. Khelif has always insisted she is a woman and said earlier this year that she would take a sex test to compete at LA 2028.

The IOC launched a review shortly after the Games, and the ban will also apply almostall athletes with a DSD.

It is a rare condition in which a person’s hormones, genes and/or reproductive organs may be a mix of male and female characteristics.

Two-time Olympic women’s 800m champion Caster Semenya’s DSD means she has male XY chromosomes.

Previously, DSD athletes who had been through male puberty could compete in women’s sport, provided they kept their testosterone within certain levels.

There is an one exemption in the policy for DSD athletes with a rare condition – complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), which means they have not gone through male puberty.

How the IOC reached its decision

The IOC said its working group reviewed the latest scientific evidence over the past 18 months, which it said showed a “clear consensus” that “male sex provides a performance advantage in all sports and events that rely on strength, power and endurance”.

It consulted a “wide range of experts in relevant fields” and an online athlete survey that had more than 1,100 responses.

Interviews were also conducted with “impacted athletes from around the world”.

The IOC said: “Feedback from the athlete consultation revealed that, although nuances exist across sex and gender, region and athlete status (active/retired), there was a strong consensus that fairness and safety in the female category required clear, science-based eligibility rules, and that protecting the female category is a common priority.”

The move does not apply to any grassroots or recreational sports programmes, and the IOC said the findings of any tests would not be applied retrospectively.

Coventry said: “Every athlete must be treated with dignity and respect, and athletes will need to be screened only once in their lifetime.

“There must be clear education around the process and counselling available, alongside expert medical advice.”

Reaction to the IOC decision

• A World Athletics spokesperson said: “We have led the way in protecting women’s sport over the last decade. Attracting and retaining more girls and women into sport requires a fair and level playing field where there is no biological glass ceiling. This means that gender cannot trump biology. A consistent approach across all sport has to be a good thing.”
• Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns for sex-based rights charity Sex Matters: “…the International Olympic Committee has finally done the right thing. Women have been cheated of medals and of fairness in sport for years. Males never should have been allowed into the women’s category, whether they’re beginners or elite, young or old.”
• Su Wong of the campaign group SEEN in Sport: “Protecting the female category doesn’t just matter for our Olympic athletes. It impacts ordinary women and girls who just want fair and safe sport. For over a decade, international and national sporting bodies have relied on IOC policy to justify males in the female category. This justification ends today.”
• Caster Semenya: “If the IOC had truly listened — if President Coventry had done what evidence-based policy demands — this policy would not exist. It does not smell of science. It smells of stigma. It was not born from care for athletes. It was born from political pressure. As a woman from Africa, I had hoped President Coventry would be different. I had hoped she would listen to all of us — not just the powerful, not just the comfortable. She had the chance. She failed us.”
• Professor Alun Williams, Sport and Exercise Genomics, Manchester Metropolitan University: “I am not surprised [by the decision] but I am disappointed. You’re using a sledge hammer to crack a nut – in terms of the problem. You do not need genetic tests to regulate the participation of transgender women athletes. You can do that through other means. This new policy can only be interpreted of targeting those that are recorded as female at birth with a Difference of Sex Development (DSD) but that have some elements of male-like characteristics perhaps in their genetics or in their biology.”
• LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall: “Sport has a unique power to bring people together, and the Olympics is always the epitome of this. Today’s decision will be one that stokes further division in our increasingly polarised world. Considerations of safety and fairness should always sit at the heart of sporting competition; but there will undoubtedly be an unintended ripple effect across community and grassroot sports, where many trans people, young and old, will hear the message they are unwelcome and that sport is not a place for them.”

Transgender and DSD athlete controversies

In recent years a growing number of sports federations, including World Aquatics and World Athletics, have barred athletes who have undergone male puberty from competing in elite female competition amid concerns over fairness and safety.

Last May the Football Association and England and Wales Cricket Board were among a number of British sports bodies to follow suit after the UK Supreme Court’s ruling that the legal definition of a woman was based on biological sex.

The moves have been opposed by trans rights campaigners who argue they could violate human rights, and insist inclusion should be prioritised.

However, this year US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that prevents transgender women from competing in female categories.

He said it would include the 2028 Olympics and that he would deny visas for transgender athletes trying to visit the US to compete at the Games.

At the 2020 games, Hubbard failed to record a successful lift in the women’s +87kg weightlifting.

Four year later, the IOC cleared 25-year-old Khelif to compete, along with Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, who was also banned by the suspended International Boxing Association (IBA).

The IOC said competitors were eligible for the women’s division if their passports said they were female.

Last week it was announced that Lin could return to women’s sport after passing a sex test.

At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, all three medallists in the women’s 800m, including winner Semenya, were DSD athletes, intensifying calls for tighter rules.

World Athletics then insisted that for track events from 400m up to the mile, DSD athletes must reduce their testosterone levels in order to be eligible.

Semenya refused, arguing it was an infringement of her human rights and discriminatory.

Amid a long legal battle, World Athletics’ made its rules stricter in 2023. Last year the governing body claimed that between 50 and 60 athletes who went through male puberty had been finalists in the female category in global and continental track and field championships since 2000.

“I am not the traditional MP. I am doing my own thing and not looking at anyone,” he said on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, underscoring how his personal ethos defines his public service.

Before entering Parliament, he explained, he mobilised funds and resources independently—often out of pocket or through personal influence via The People’s Project (TPP) initiative. However, he noted that access to the Common Fund has now made his work easier.

“Now, the government gives me the Common Fund and it makes the work easy,” he said. “People say it is not enough, but there are a lot of things that can be done.”

A-Plus, who won the seat as an independent after a long career as a musician and activist, said his transition into Parliament did not come with unexpected challenges, adding that his sense of achievement is not driven by public praise.

“When I got to the House, there are certain things that I am really impressed with, so most of the things don’t come to me as a surprise. I get excited when we are able to help someone get a scholarship to go to school. I don’t want the person to come and thank me—I get excited because naturally God has directed me to help people,” he said.

He emphasised that gratitude from constituents is not his motivation, noting that he is not disappointed when people fail to show appreciation after receiving support.

The MP also made it clear that he has no interest in government contracts or personal enrichment through public office.

“I don’t spend or steal government money, so if someone does that, I will tell the person my mind and the truth. I am not greedy, so I will not even fight with an assemblyman or DCE over a project. I don’t fight over school feeding contracts because I don’t even like government contracts,” he stated.

He described his relationship with local officials as collaborative rather than competitive, citing a recently completed health project as evidence of effective cooperation.

“The DCE was my friend before his appointment. He is a very good guy and doing very well. The DCE and the assembly told me they were going to build a CHPS compound and in three months, they did it. So, I trust them.”

“If I set out to do something, nobody can stop me. Now when people say something, I don’t even take it seriously,” he added.

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In “Global Cross-Sector Analysis of Iran War Adverse Risk Scenario”, Fitch analysed global exposures across its rated portfolios to assess the potential effects on issuers’ Standalone Credit Profiles, or Viability Ratings (VRs) for banks, under such an adverse scenario, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining effectively closed until June.

The effects on Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) if such a scenario were realised would also be influenced by other factors, notably the potential for ratings to benefit from support, for example, from parent entities or governments.

Fitch assessed material threats to ratings under the scenario in a number of sectors. Most of these are sectors in the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including hotels and restaurants, homebuilders, airlines and diversified industrials, reflecting the fact that the region is the most directly affected by the conflict.

“Turbulence in energy markets is a key vector for potential rating effects under the adverse scenario. We see chemicals sector issuers’ credit profiles facing material threats in the GCC, Europe and APAC, given their vulnerability to higher feedstock costs, demand destruction and supply chain disruption, though North American chemicals producers are less exposed”, it said.

“We also see material threats to APAC refiners, which are heavily reliant on oil from the Gulf. Issuers in some sectors, such as North American oil and gas, could benefit from the market disruption”, it added.
It concluded that the destructive effects of the adverse scenario for global demand are another important channel for potential rating implications.

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Led by the JoyNews Impact Makers Foundation, the initiative seeks to confront the rising cost of political participation, the surge in vote buying and the increasing role of illicit financing in shaping electoral outcomes.

In the lead up to Friday’s forum, the team has been actively engaging residents across Tamale, from busy markets and lorry stations to the Tamale Teaching Hospital and the University for Development Studies, gathering firsthand accounts on how money is influencing political choices.

These interactions form part of a broader research effort aimed at ensuring the conversations are grounded in real citizen experiences, rather than held in isolation.

The Tamale dialogue is the first of ten regional forums to be held across the country, creating a national platform for citizens, political actors, governance institutions and civil society groups to interrogate issues of campaign financing, vote buying and democratic accountability.

The initiative, which will be hosted by JoyNews’ premier news anchor Fostina Sarfo, comes at a time when concerns are mounting over the escalating cost of elections in Ghana, with studies indicating that campaign financing particularly during party primaries continues to favour wealthy candidates and raises questions about transparency and fairness.

Beyond discussions, the forums are expected to generate citizen driven recommendations that will feed into a proposed Citizens’ Blueprint for Campaign Finance Reform, while also pushing for concrete commitments from political leaders and institutions.

Friday’s forum in Tamale will be held at the GNAT Hall at 4 PM and will be broadcast live on JoyNews, Joy 99.7 FM and affiliate stations.

As the conversations begin in Tamale, the broader goal remains clear, amplifying citizen voices, exposing the realities of money politics and driving meaningful reforms to safeguard Ghana’s democracy.

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Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, he alleged that about GH₵30 million has been allocated for renovation works at the Department of Feeder Roads headquarters, with an additional GH₵5 million also assigned for related contracts.

He described the situation as worrying, questioning how such amounts could be spent simply to refurbish a government office.

“It is very sad that such huge amounts are being used just to fix a headquarters. Is that how to run a country?” he asked.

Mr. Braimah further questioned whether the government’s so-called “reset agenda” reflects such spending patterns, insisting that public funds must be used more prudently.

“If this is the reset they are talking about, then we need to rethink things,” he added.

He also raised concerns about procurement practices, alleging that some contracts include provisions such as the use of luxury vehicles.

“Some contracts even indicate the need for V8 vehicles. If you are awarding a contract to fix roads, where do the V8s come in?” he queried.

Mr. Braimah said the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has serious questions to answer regarding these allocations and procurement decisions.

He stated the need for transparency and accountability, urging the government to ensure that public funds are used strictly for their intended purposes to benefit citizens.

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There was a time in Ghana when the idea of tomato scarcity in March would have sounded almost absurd.

For those of us who grew up in the Kassena-Nankana areas in the 1980s and 1990s, tomatoes were not just a crop. They were an economy, a culture, and in many ways, a future for the youth.

I do not speak from hearsay. I was part of that system. I farmed. I dug wells with my own hands. I drew water with buckets and ropes to water my beds of tomatoes. I watched seasons rise with promise and fall with loss.

Today, those same lands tell a different story. And if we are honest with ourselves, this is not an accident. It is a policy failure.

The golden era of dry-season farming

In the Upper East Region, particularly within Kassena-Nankana communities such as Doba, Kandiga, Mirigu, Manyoro, Nayagegnia, Nyangua, Navio, Nakolo and Pungu (not exhaustive), dry season farming was once the backbone of local livelihoods.

Tomatoes dominated production. Pepper, garden eggs, okro, onions and watermelon complemented the system, but tomatoes were king.

Farmers began planting as early as October to secure early harvests which sold higher between December and February. A second cycle, planted between December and January, extended harvests into April and May.

This was not subsistence farming. It was organized, predictable, and commercially viable.

As the Akan proverb goes, “se wo werɛ fi na wosankɔfa a, yenkyi”, it is not wrong to go back for what you have forgotten. Ghana must remember this system.

A Thriving Market System Driven by Women Traders

At the heart of this agricultural success was a vibrant market network led largely by women traders (Tomatoe Queens), particularly from southern Ghana. These traders travelled long distances, settled temporarily in towns like Navrongo and Bolga, and moved across farming communities to purchase tomatoes directly from producers.

Mini-markets sprang up organically. Food vendors, water sellers, transport operators, and traders of clothing and footwear all benefited. The local economy pulsed with life.

The Tono and Vea irrigation dams were central to this ecosystem, supporting tomato production in the dry season and rice cultivation during the rains.

It was, in many respects, a self-sustaining rural economy with little or no support from government rather the distirct assemblies collected taxes from these farmers once they sold their produce there and then.

The Unfortunate Turning Point: When the Market Walked Away

Then, slowly but decisively, things began to change. The same traders who once sustained the local economy began to bypass Ghanaian farmers, crossing into neighboring Burkina Faso to source tomatoes at the full glare of secretary forces at Navrongo and the Paga Boarder. Their reasoning was simple: Burkina Faso’s tomatoes were firmer, more resilient, and less prone to post-harvest losses.

Ghana’s tomatoes, by contrast, they said were softer and perished quickly.

What seemed like a minor preference shift became a structural rupture. This shift is what became known as the “Wagyea Tomato Business” spurning from the late 90s to today.

Many accidents killing many Ghanaians by the Kia Drivers who carried tomatoes from Burkina. It became a ritual that many will die during every ‘Wagyea’ season through uncontrollable accidents. Some attributed it to witchcraft, juju, while the elite called it reckless driving and carelessness. Oh many a life we lost!

Farmers in Kassena-Nankana began to record significant losses. Harvests rotted without buyers. Investments turned into debts. Confidence eroded.

And eventually, many farmers walked away. As another proverb reminds us, “The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people.” In this case, it began on its farms.

Burkina Faso’s Strategic Shift vs. Ghana’s Policy Silence

While Ghana’s farmers struggled, Burkina Faso made a strategic decision: invest in value addition.

Tomato processing factories were established to absorb excess production and stabilize the market. The goal was clear, feed local industry, reduce waste, and create jobs.

Ghana, on the other hand, watched helpless-No policy, no action and no results. Thanks to Captain Ibrahim Traore for action they say speaks louder than words.

Projects such as the Pwalugu Tomato Factory and other agro-processing initiatives remain either stalled, abandoned, or underperforming. Critical infrastructure like the Tono and Vea dams, once symbols of productivity, are now underutilized.

This contrast is not merely economic. It is political. It reflects a difference in policy intent and execution.

The Politics of Convenience and Missed Responsibility

Over the years, the response to this decline has been shaped more by political rhetoric than strategic action. Both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have, at different times, reduced the issue to partisan debate to seek populist importance rather than national priority.

When traders began sourcing from Burkina Faso, the prevailing argument centered on market freedom and cross-border trade rights.

While economically valid, this perspective ignored the long-term consequences for domestic production. I am sure if that was the thinking of the Burkinabe government their current action would never have come to play.

More recently, even security-related incidents involving tomato traders in Burkina Faso who were involved in terrorist attacks have been politicized, with blame shifting overshadowing problem-solving.

Meanwhile, farmers continue to bear the cost.

As we say locally, “When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.” In this case, the grass is the Ghanaian farmer, not the NPP or NDC.

From Farms to Pits: The Rise of Galamsey

The collapse of the tomato economy in the Upper East Region has had unintended consequences on thew Ghanaian farmer and especially the youth.

With farming no longer viable, many young people have migrated into illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.

This shift is not simply about income. It reflects a failure of an opportunity.

Where there were once farms, there are now pits. Where there was once food production, there is now environmental degradation and, too often, loss of life.

This is not just an agricultural issue. It is a national development crisis.

The Unasked Questions

Several critical questions remain unanswered:

• ​Why did Ghana fail to study and adapt Burkina Faso’s more resilient tomato varieties?
• ​Why was there no sustained investment in post-harvest technology and storage?
• ​Why were irrigation schemes not modernized to support year-round production?
• ​Why have processing factories remained dormant while imports continue to rise?

These are not technical questions. They are governance questions.

A Path Forward: Policy, Not Promises

Ghana does not lack the capacity to revive its tomato industry. What it lacks is a deliberate, coordinated policy action.

The following steps are urgent:

​1.​Revamp and operationalize tomato processing factories

Facilities like the Pwalugu Tomato Factory must be completed and run efficiently to guarantee a ready market for farmers.

​2.​Invest in research and seed development

Ghana must develop or adopt tomato varieties that are firm, durable, and suited for long-distance transport.

​3.​Strengthen irrigation infrastructure

Modernizing systems around Tono and Vea dams will ensure consistent production.

​4.​Establish guaranteed pricing and market systems

Similar to cocoa, a structured pricing regime can stabilize farmer incomes.

​5.​Enhance post-harvest handling and storage

Reducing losses is as important as increasing production.

Conclusion: A Nation at the Crossroads

There is a quiet truth many of us are reluctant to admit.

We once had it right.

We had the land, the knowledge, the labour, and the market. What we lacked was sustained policy vision. Today, Ghana imports tomatoes while regions that once fed the nation struggle to sustain basic livelihoods. It does not have to remain this way.

As the proverb goes, “A child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.” If we do not reinvest in our farmers, we should not be surprised when they turn elsewhere for survival.

The time for reflection has passed.

What is needed now is action.

The writer, Francis Atayure Abirigo is a development communication expert, former tomato farmer, a journalist, a climate change advocate and a politician.

By Francis Atayure Abirigo │ Contact: 0244161902 │ Email: aabirigo@yahoo.com

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, he said that after government, through the Finance Minister, announced plans to spend GH₵50.9 billion on the initiative under the Ministry of Roads and Highways, many expected a competitive procurement process.

However, he noted that there were no visible advertisements or public notices inviting contractors to bid for the projects, which he said raised suspicion.

According to him, this prompted further checks, during which it was discovered that all 50 projects under the programme had been awarded through sole sourcing, with none going through competitive bidding.

He added that attempts to access information from agencies such as the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Department of Feeder Roads proved difficult, describing the process as highly confidential.

Kennedy Osei Nyarko further claimed that even some senior officers within these institutions have not seen the contract documents, including details on specifications and the scope of work.

He alleged that the contracts have been deliberately withheld from key officials to prevent possible leaks to the public or the opposition.

The MP questioned how long such information could be kept from public scrutiny, insisting that transparency is crucial, as governments do not remain in power forever.

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It was not a Saturday evening scene at Brennan Hall, celebrating a GHS 5 million lotto draw win for a man with a 10-year losing streak.

Instead, it was something invaluable, a triumph of spirit, endurance and joy.

An 80-year-old grandmother had just completed a gruelling three-kilometre mountain hike at the exciting ‘Joy Safari Experience 2026’ organised by Joy FM.

With head held high and legs trembling but unyielding, Mrs. Cecilia Renner pressed on step by step through the steep terrain of the Safari mountains. Around her surged a protective ring of families and fellow adventurers, a living guard of honour escorting a heroine to victory.

For a woman who normally limits her exercise to a simple gutter-to-gutter stroll at Burma Camp–Labadi Villas, this was not merely a hike. It was a personal Everest.

“This is the first time that I have tried to climb such a mountain. It was very steep, and by God’s help, I was able to get to the top. I don’t even know how I completed it,” she remarked, still breathless with disbelief and pride.

Day Two of the Safari began at first light, when mist still clung to the hills and birds stitched music into the quiet morning air. Leading the expedition was fan favourite Joy FM presenter Lexis Bill, whose booming laughter and encouraging words transformed the demanding trek into a moving carnival of resilience.

Participants wound through lush forest trails, narrow ridges and rolling slopes, rewarded at every turn with sweeping views of valleys painted in green and gold.

Between jokes, motivational pep talks and bursts of laughter, Lexis Bill kept spirits soaring even as muscles burned.

Many hikers later described the journey as deeply therapeutic, a cleansing escape from the relentless noise, bustle and endless stress associated with life in Accra.

Mrs. Renner’s greatest strength, however, came from the people walking beside her.

“My children and the others in the team were happy for me. Sometimes they would tell me to sit and rest a bit when they realised I was tired, but I was determined to finish,” she recalled with shining eyes.

“The hiking poles helped a lot to support me.”

Each careful step was a dialogue between fatigue and faith, and faith won.

But the Joy Safari Experience is far more than a mountain trek.

It is a full immersion into Ghana’s wild beauty and luxury, a showcase of why the country is fast becoming a premier destination for adventure tourism on the back of ordinary activities that surprisingly ballooned the country’s appeal, the most recent being the visit by American streamer IShowSpeed.

Mrs. Renner revelled in activities she never imagined attempting at her age.

Under the moonlight at night, she was at it again, dancing to the lovely tunes of The Ramblers Dance Band together with other revellers, while popular ‘two left feet’ Lexis Bill was caught on the wrong side of the music rhythm as usual.

Guests explored serene waterways by boat, observed animals in near-natural habitats, captured postcard-perfect photographs and bonded with strangers who quickly became friends.

“It was a nice and exciting trip. The whole arrangement was very apt,” Mrs. Renner commented on the trip. “I had lots of fun. From the boat ride to sightseeing and feeding some animals, it has all improved my wellbeing.”

“Moving around to watch animals in their natural environment and the whole scenery experience really improved my wellbeing. You get immersed in the excitement and don’t even think about anything else.”

Back home, Mrs. Renner has become an unlikely ambassador for adventure tourism among senior citizens.

“I told my peers after I returned about the whole experience. They expressed interest and were eager to join the fun next year.”

She even has suggestions for organisers, as she requested Joy FM to extend the package to “three days, two nights, so we can enjoy more.”

“I encourage every old person to participate in such activities, as it exposes them to nature while making new friends and engaging with other families.”

Mother of five and grandmother of 10, she has proven that adventure has no expiration date.

In the end, Mrs. Cecilia Renner did more than climb a hill. She climbed into the hearts of everyone who witnessed her journey.

Data from tanker-tracking firm Kpler show Nigeria’s exports of clean ​petroleum products – which include gasoline, diesel, kerosene and jet fuel – have risen to about 214,000 barrels ​per day so far in March from an average of 100,000 bpd in February.

Shipments to ⁠other African countries have climbed to about 90,000 bpd from 38,000 bpd previously.

The 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote refinery has ​sold 12 cargoes of premium motor spirit, totalling 456,000 metric tons, on a free-on-board basis to international traders, ​with shipments delivered to Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ghana, and Togo, sources familiar with the deals said.

The sales mark Dangote’s first gasoline exports since the plant reached full capacity in February.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR REFINERS WITH SHORTER SUPPLY CHAINS

The escalating Middle East conflict ​has pushed up global crude prices, lifting feedstock costs for refiners worldwide. At the same time, shipping disruptions ​and lower fuel availability from Europe and the Gulf have cut flows of low-cost refined products into West Africa.

That has created ‌opportunities ⁠for suppliers with shorter supply chains.

Dangote’s owner Aliko Dangote has been sparring with Nigerian regulators over continued petrol imports, which he contends undermine his refinery.

Nigeria halted imports last month. Since then, domestic pump prices have risen more than 50% as the Iran conflict roiled energy markets.

The country consumes an estimated 50 million to 60 million litres of gasoline a day — nearly one-fifth of Africa’s total demand — making fuel availability and pricing acutely sensitive to swings in global markets.

For decades, West Africa has depended heavily on imported fuel cargoes from Europe and the Middle East, ​often of lower quality, leaving the region exposed to logistical delays and external ​supply shocks.

Preliminary data ⁠shows that Nigerian fuel imports are at a daily average of 90,000 bpd so far in March, according to Kpler, down from 209,000 bpd for the whole of February.

Arrivals from offshore Togo, which Dangote has previously accused of being the source of dirty fuel imports into the country, have fallen to zero so far in March, compared with 60,000 bpd in February.

As the Dangote Refinery seeks to end all imports, the Middle East crisis ​is pushing more local fuel traders to seek supply from the refinery.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, March 24, the Ranking Member on the Roads and Transport Committee, Kennedy Nyarko Osei, said many contractors have left project sites across the country, with some withdrawing their equipment despite significant public investment.

“At the point of transition, when the administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo handed over governance, there were over 1,000 road projects actively ongoing across the country,” he said.

He added that the situation has worsened months into the current administration.

“However, fifteen months into the administration of the Mahama government, more than 80 per cent of these projects have effectively been abandoned completely. Across the country, contractors have vacated sites and, in many cases, fully demobilised equipment.”

According to the Minority, the affected projects cut across major implementing agencies, including the Ghana Highway Authority, the Department of Urban Roads, and the Department of Feeder Roads. Many were already at advanced stages before work came to a halt.

Mr. Nyarko Osei cited the Accra-Kumasi Highway corridor as an example, noting that sections such as Osino, Anyinam, Enyiresi, and Konongo had reached between 57 per cent and 93 per cent completion as of December 2024.

“Despite this substantial advancement, these road projects have been completely abandoned by the government,” he stated.

The Minority argued that halting ongoing infrastructure projects after a change in government leads to inefficiencies and waste of public resources, stressing that continuity is key to maximising public investment.

They also raised concerns about the financial situation in the sector, particularly the management of the Ghana Road Fund, where they estimate arrears to be around GH₵20 billion.

Mr. Nyarko Osei noted that only GH₵1 billion has been released out of a GH₵5.8 billion allocation for 2025 and 2026, describing the amount as insufficient to meet existing obligations.

He urged government to prioritise the payment of arrears, restore confidence among contractors, and ensure that infrastructure development is not disrupted by political transitions.

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Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, FABAG President John Awuni described the situation as a reflection of weaknesses, poor planning, and policy failures within Ghana’s agricultural sector.

“If a country like Ghana cannot produce tomatoes, onions or pepper, then what is the relevance of our Ministry? It is a shame. This is not an emotional statement but the reality. Maybe it is just a ministry to be holding meetings and pushing papers,” he lamented.

Mr. Awuni criticised Ghana’s continued reliance on imports for a basic commodity like tomatoes, despite the country’s vast agricultural resources.

“This situation has once again exposed the dangerous weakness, poor planning, and policy failure within Ghana’s agricultural sector. It is completely unacceptable that a country with vast agricultural land, irrigation dams, agricultural colleges, research institutions, extension officers, and a full Ministry of Food and Agriculture cannot produce enough tomatoes to feed its own population,” he said.

He added that if the Ministry of Food and Agriculture cannot coordinate nationwide tomato production within two to three months, the government should consider restructuring it into a more production-focused institution with clear targets and accountability.

“FABAG wishes to state clearly and without apology that if the Ministry of Food and Agriculture cannot mobilize the country to produce tomatoes within two to three months, then the Ministry has failed in its core mandate and has no justification to continue to exist in its current form,” he stated.

Mr. Awuni noted that tomatoes are a short-cycle crop that can be grown and harvested within 60 to 90 days, arguing that with proper planning and irrigation, Ghana could cultivate the crop multiple times a year.

He maintained that the country has the capacity to address the current shortage in a short period if the right measures are implemented.

FABAG further pointed out that Ghana already has fertile land, irrigation systems, research institutions, extension officers, and access to inputs such as improved seeds and fertilisers, yet production challenges persist.

Mr. Awuni said this reflects leadership and policy gaps rather than a lack of resources.

He warned that reliance on other countries for essential food items poses a national security risk and called on the government to take urgent steps to boost local production.

As part of their recommendations, he urged the declaration of a national emergency tomato programme, distribution of improved seeds, provision of subsidised inputs, activation of irrigation systems, and mobilisation of youth into commercial tomato farming.

He also called for support for greenhouse production, revival of tomato processing factories, and investment in storage and transportation systems to reduce post-harvest losses.

Mr. Awuni further urged the government to set a target for Ghana to achieve tomato self-sufficiency within one year, stressing the need to move from policy discussions to practical results in food production.

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According to him, efforts to eliminate galamsey outright are unrealistic given the powerful economic and political forces sustaining it.

“We have to get the reality that Galamsey is not going anywhere. That is what I see. We have to find a way to correct the externalities around that,” he stated in an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, March 21.

He explained that the sector has become deeply embedded in Ghana’s socio-economic structure, providing livelihoods for thousands, while also feeding into political financing and broader economic stability.https://www.youtube.com/embed/yrmf5546Msk?si=zkdbaoKRzz3NkQlx

Mr. Hosi noted that even government faces a dilemma, as slowing gold production could trigger macroeconomic consequences.

“Gold production drops, and then you’re dealing with macroeconomic problems. Politicians are also being funded by actors within this space,” he added.

Shift From Elimination to Control

Rather than continued crackdowns, Mr. Hosi is proposing a strategic pivot—one that focuses on managing and formalising the sector. He argued that the current approach risks failure because it ignores the economic incentives driving participation in illegal mining.

“There’s no going back. The question is: how do we rationalise what is happening?” he asked.

Low Recovery, High Losses

A key concern he raised is inefficiency in current small-scale mining operations. According to him, galamsey activities are only yielding about 30% gold recovery, meaning the country is losing significant value from its natural resources.

By contrast, large-scale mining operations achieve 85% to 95% recovery rates.

Technology as the Game-Changer

Mr. Hosi believes technology holds the key to transforming the sector. He proposed deploying modern mining techniques to: Improve recovery rates, reduce environmental damage and increase state revenue.

“Can we use technology to correct the losses and move closer to large-scale recovery levels?” he suggested.

Formalisation Over Criminalisation

Beyond technology, he is calling for the full regularisation of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). This would involve: Making operators compliant with regulations, providing structured support and oversight and integrating them into the formal economy.

According to him, this approach allows government to maintain control while preserving livelihoods.
“Let it be fully compliant, supported with technology, so government can guide the sector while people do it properly,” he said.

Environmental Concerns Still Critical

While acknowledging that solutions like water-cleaning technologies may help, Mr. Hosi stressed they are not sufficient on their own. He warned that harmful practices, including the use of chemicals like cyanide, must be better regulated—not ignored.

A Call for Policy Realism

Mr. Hosi concluded that Ghana must abandon idealistic approaches and adopt realistic, balanced strategies that align policy with on-the-ground realities. “Technology and policy must be brought together to correct this. Doing nothing is not going to help anybody,” he cautioned.

According to airport authorities, the works were concluded in the early hours of Saturday, March 21, 2026, with maintenance carried out overnight to minimise disruption to passengers and airport operations.

“The maintenance, including repainting and installation, was carried out at night after the last flight due to the height of the structures and the impact on the car park area, to minimise inconvenience to the public and travelling passengers,” officials explained.

The upgraded signage is expected to improve navigation within Terminal 3 and strengthen Ghana’s position as a leading aviation hub in the sub-region.

The Ghana Airports Company Limited also expressed appreciation for public feedback, noting that input from passengers and stakeholders remains vital in supporting ongoing improvements across the airport.

The development follows the government’s decision to restore the airport’s original name—Accra International Airport—after years of being known as Kotoka International Airport.

In a statement issued on Monday, February 23, the Ministry of Transport explained the rationale behind the change, noting that the facility was originally known as Accra International Airport before its renaming.

The Ministry added that reverting to the original name reflects the airport’s broader international recognition and assured the public that the change will not affect airport operations, safety standards, or international travel arrangements.

It further noted that the airport’s code under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) remains unchanged as “ACC.”

Just a day before the first strikes, Gallup polling had shown Americans’ views of Israel hitting a 21st century low; most strikingly, Americans for the first time didn’t sympathize more with Israelis than Palestinians.

Making matters even more fraught, the right has in recent months become riven over how to deal with what many regard as a troubling rise in antisemitism in its base and influencer class. Some of the biggest names in conservative thought have increasingly — and often conspiratorially — linked Israel to all manner of American maladies.

Given Americans seemed quite skeptical of this war from the jump, it didn’t take an active imagination to surmise that some people would blame Israel and even craft conspiracy theories about that.

And that’s certainly happened. But, in a twist, that’s thanks in large part to some of the Trump administration’s rhetoric about the war.

The president and those around him have done Israel no favors with some of their claims.

On two major occasions now, the administration has gestured at Israel being mostly responsible for major inflection points in the war — even though the evidence on both counts isn’t totally clear.

Rubio’s claim about an ‘imminent’ Iranian threat

First, it was Secretary of State Marco Rubio making a kind of bank-shot case for why Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States. Rubio said Israel was going to strike Iran no matter what, and Iran was going to retaliate by striking at US targets; ipso facto, the argument went, Iran was an imminent threat to the United States.

The political problem with this formulation, though, was that it sounded a lot like the United States government was having its hand forced by Israel.

So the Trump administration quickly abandoned that argument and moved on to another in its long line of justifications for the war.

Joe Kent’s resignation

But this week has showed how Israel’s PR problem is going nowhere.

On Tuesday, we learned that the first high-profile Trump administration official had resigned while citing the Iran war. But outgoing National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent didn’t just criticize the war; he heavily blamed “pressure from Israel and its powerful lobby” for coercing the United States into it.

Kent in his resignation letter went on to repeatedly cite Israel and blame it for other wars, too. And in an interview with Tucker Carlson on Wednesday, he played into conspiracy theories about Israel and the assassination of late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The reaction on much of the establishment right has largely been to dismiss Kent as an antisemitic crank. But this is someone Trump put in a powerful position — and did so despite his known past associations with extremists, including White nationalists and a Nazi sympathizer. And Kent is now using the credibility the administration vested in him to target Israel.

Trump’s latest claim

And finally came Trump’s bizarre missive late Wednesday night.

In a social media post at about 10 p.m. ET, he disclaimed any US role in the major Israeli attacks on facilities linked to the South Pars gas field in Iran.

“The United States knew nothing about this particular attack,” Trump maintained.

The attack was a big deal because Iran responded by striking Qatar’s portion of the gas field, raising tensions between neighbors in the region. (Trump also threatened to “massively blow up” Iran’s portion of the gas field if it keeps attacking Qatar.) And the gas field is the world’s largest, meaning its destruction could have an outsized impact on the already struggling global energy markets and supplies.

The first thing to note is that Trump’s account has been contradicted. A US source has told CNN that the US was “aware” of the strike, and an Israeli source has said the two sides coordinated on the strike. (Other experts, including former US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, have noted it would be shocking if Israel didn’t loop the United States in on an attack of this scale and significance.)

But setting that aside, Trump’s comments — much like Rubio’s — imply that Israel is singularly responsible for this escalation, and they cast the United States in a role of responding to that Israeli-imposed escalation.

Disclaiming involvement might serve Trump’s domestic political purposes, but it doesn’t help Israel’s reputation in the United States. If anything, Trump’s position that the US knew nothing feeds those harboring theories like Kent’s.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said Israel had “acted alone” in a strike on a processing facility linked to the South Pars gas field, without directly addressing whether the United States was aware of the operation beforehand.

Netanyahu also rejected the idea that Israel coerced the United States into the war, casting doubt that anyone could do that to Trump.

“This canard that we dragged the United States into it – it’s not just a canard; it’s ridiculous. It’s just ridiculous,” Netanyahu said at his news conference.

Uncomfortable questions

Trump seemed to double down on his claim on Thursday, telling reporters that the US and Israel were “independent” but “get along great.”

He said of Netanyahu: “It’s coordinated. But on occasion he’ll do something, and if I don’t like it, and so we’re not doing that anymore.”

But the situation is again posing uncomfortable questions for the administration.

At Thursday’s Pentagon briefing, a reporter for the right-wing website Gateway Pundit asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about Trump’s Wednesday Truth Social post.

“Why are we helping Israel prosecute this war, if they’re going to pursue their own objectives?” the reporter asked.

Hegseth didn’t address the substance of Trump’s post, instead offering vague assurances that US objectives were being met.

“We hold the cards. We have objectives. Those objectives are clear,” he responded. “We have allies pursuing objectives as well, and the truth speaks for itself.”

Later that morning, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was asked at a House intelligence committee hearing why Israel would strike Iranian energy infrastructure (purportedly) against Trump’s wishes.

“I don’t have an answer for that,” she responded.

Gabbard was then asked if Israel’s objectives aligned with the United States’, and she again appeared stumped. After a long pause, she said she was “thinking carefully” about what she could say publicly.

(She eventually acknowledged that Israel was more focused on taking out Iran’s leadership, while the United States was more focused on disarming Iran — both on the nuclear front and with its conventional weapons.)

Also at the hearing, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that what Rubio said had a real basis in US intelligence.

Ratcliffe said there was a “body of evidence” available that said, “in the likely event of a conflict between Iran and Israel, that the US would be immediately attacked — regardless of whether the United States stayed out of that conflict.”

This war was always going to be a tough sell with the American people and a real test of the US-Israeli relationship.

But through its inability to craft a consistent message and Trump’s tendency to say whatever might be expedient at the moment, the administration has made the latter portion of that equation even more complicated than it had to be.

American society — and Israel’s reputation — could be feeling the effects of that for a long time.

She described their situation as a matter of life and called for urgent government attention.

Her concerns follow a recent visit to cocoa farming communities in the Ashanti Region, part of the Minority Caucus’s ongoing tour to engage farmers and better understand their challenges.

Speaking to Adom News on the sidelines of a cocoa farmers’ engagement event held at Kwakokrom in the Amansie West District, the legislator said the accounts shared by female farmers were deeply troubling and reflected severe hardship that can no longer be ignored.

“These women are not just farmers, they’re mothers, they’re breadwinners,” the MP said.

According to her, the farmers are struggling to provide basic necessities such as food, healthcare, and education for their children.

She expressed concern over the hardships endured by many farmers, stating that some have died while others are bedridden, largely due to cocoa price reductions and delayed payments.

She recounted the distressing case of a female cocoa farmer whose husband was hospitalized, but they could not afford his treatment because the purchasing clerk had taken their cocoa without making payment.

She questioned the President and those managing the cocoa sector on how many more farmers must suffer before appropriate measures are taken.

“We implore the President to understand that the reality on the ground is not what was promised. Some farmers cannot feed their children, pay their medical bills, or even afford their children’s school fees,” she stated.

“How many more cocoa farmers must die before the government understands the plight of the farmers and takes appropriate action?” Damata Ama Appianimaa Salam asked.

After engaging with the farmers, the MP noted that many are calling for cocoa prices to be restored to previous levels, particularly if government is unable to meet its commitments.

She emphasized that the challenges facing cocoa farmers should not be politicised, describing the situation as a humanitarian crisis.

“This is not about NPP or NDC,” she stressed. “What I witnessed should not be our usual political conversation. The reality on the ground is very sad, and it is escalating beyond the cocoa sector.”

She also urged the President and female Members of Parliament to treat the issue with the urgency it deserves.

Her remarks add to growing calls for government action to address concerns within the cocoa sector and protect the livelihoods of farmers.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, he stated that persons with disabilities, while vulnerable, should also be considered within the broader context of fairness and equal treatment.

“Because we are special, that is why we are working on it,” he said, noting that efforts are underway to improve their situation.

He explained that in some instances, opportunities are limited, citing an example where only three people were selected out of 35 applicants.

He also referenced how persons with disabilities are recognised in education as students with special needs.

According to him, government has taken steps to support persons with disabilities, including increasing feeding grants from five cedis to fifteen cedis.

“Now our feeding grants have been increased… because we are special,” he added.

Mr. Assor stressed that while persons with disabilities deserve attention, they should also be treated fairly alongside other citizens.

“I urge my people that since we are special, we will make sure they are treated well and equally,” he said, calling for cooperation and patience.

His comments come in response to concerns raised by a coalition of unemployed graduates with disabilities, who have threatened a nationwide demonstration on March 24 if the government fails to provide a clear roadmap to address their long-standing unemployment challenges.

The group issued a one-month ultimatum on February 9, which has since expired without a concrete response.

Speaking at a press conference, the coalition expressed frustration that many qualified persons with disabilities remain unemployed despite years of education and sacrifice, insisting that urgent action is needed to address the issue.

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According to her, many of the students are prioritising such relationships over their education, often for as little as GH¢2 transport fares.

Speaking to Adom News during the Asanteman Nkosuo Honorary Awards 2026, she urged young women to focus on their academic and skills development rather than engaging in what she described as unnecessary relationships.

“I have consistently advised them to prioritise their education, which will secure a better future, rather than following men. Such behaviour can lead to teenage pregnancy and negatively affect their education,” she stated.

The Queen Mother further noted that she has taken it upon herself to help find employment opportunities for unemployed youth in Goaso in order to keep them engaged and productive.

The Asanteman Nkosuo Honorary Awards 2026 was held in Kumasi to celebrate excellence and recognise individuals contributing to development within Asanteman.

Speakers at the event used the platform not only to celebrate achievements but also to engage the youth on values that promote success and community development.

Chairman for the occasion and CEO of CAKEM Enterprise Ltd, Mr. J. A.Kuffour , who was also an award recipient, advised young job seekers to cultivate trustworthiness.

Some awardees of Asanteman Nkosuo honorary awards were CEO of Alexiboam Company Alex Boampong, Maxi Da Car Dealer CEO, Prince Kumi and Barimah Twereku Ampem lll, the Paramount Chief of Ntotroso Traditional Council.

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In a letter dated March 16, signed by both the Trades and Agriculture ministers of the Francophone country, it noted that a ban is necessary to feed the country’s national processing units.

Consequently, the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) has also been suspended.

The letter cautioned operators holding valid fresh tomato export permits that they have two (2) weeks from the date of signature of this communiqué to complete their export procedures.

Following this period, the permit will be considered invalid.

The Burkinabé government warned that any violator of the directive will be sanctioned in accordance with applicable regulations.

“Furthermore, any goods seized in violation of this measure will be returned, free of charge, to the fresh tomato processing plants established under the popular shareholding scheme,” the letter translated to English noted.

It continued that, “The Government is counting on the understanding and cooperation of all stakeholders in the tomato sector, as well as all state technical services, particularly border control services and security forces, to ensure the proper implementation of the terms of this communiqué”.

Kumasi vendors are already feeling the heat

The impact of the ban is being felt well before any formal shortage sets in.

Some tomato vendors at the Racecourse Market in Kumasi are already expressing frustration over the development, warning that prices could spike if the situation is not quickly addressed.

The vendors are using the occasion to call on the government to prioritise the local tomato industry by revamping irrigation systems and investing in local processing facilities — longstanding concerns that have left Ghana’s tomato sector heavily dependent on imports from neighbouring countries, particularly Burkina Faso.

Ghana has historically relied on cross-border produce flows from Burkina Faso to supplement domestic tomato supply, especially during lean seasons when local harvests are insufficient to meet demand.

A sudden and indefinite halt to those exports is therefore expected to tighten supply significantly, with knock-on effects on prices at markets nationwide.

Northern Ghana, which serves as the main corridor for produce trade with Burkina Faso, is expected to feel the shortage most acutely in the short term.

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Suzana painted a painful picture of a marriage that, she says, collapsed over one unborn child.

According to her, the conflict began when she became pregnant with their last child.

“He said the children were too many and I should abort it,” she recounted.

She claims her husband did not just suggest it—he allegedly pressured her repeatedly and even gave her pills in an attempt to terminate the pregnancy.

“He gave me medicine to take so that the pregnancy would come out,” she alleged. But the attempt, she says, failed.

Suzana told the panel that when it became clear the pregnancy would continue, her husband made a drastic decision.

“He left the house,” she said.

According to her, he has since moved on and is now living with another woman, leaving her behind with all their children.

Perhaps the most controversial part of Suzana’s claim came when she described her attempts to seek support from him.

“When I go to him, he shows me money but refuses to give me,” she said. “He says he will not spend his money on me.”

Show host, Ohemaa Benewa, did not hide her concern: “Fifteen years of marriage, several children, and this is how it ends? Over a child that has already been born?”

Lady Gold condemned the alleged pressure to abort: “No woman should be forced into that decision. It must be her choice.”

Evangelist de Graft Addai added a moral perspective: “If you create life, you must take responsibility for it. Running away does not erase fatherhood.”

Meanwhile, Big Mama (Gifty Donkor) focused on the children caught in the middle: “This is no longer about the couple. It is about the children who now depend on one parent alone.”

A Mother Left Alone

Suzana says that since her husband left, she has been solely responsible for raising all their children—feeding them, caring for them, and meeting their daily needs without support.

“I am suffering with the children alone,” she said, her voice breaking, drawing sympathy from sections of the audience.

Interestingly, Suzana made it clear she is no longer fighting to save the marriage. Instead, she is demanding structure, accountability, and closure.

“He should come and settle things properly,” she stated.

Her demands are direct: that the marriage be formally dissolved, that accommodation be provided for the children, and that he takes full responsibility for their upkeep.

“After that, he is free to marry whoever he wants,” she added.

As the programme drew to a close, Ohemaa Benewa delivered a firm and thought-provoking message: “Marriage is not a place to run from responsibility. Children are not mistakes to be erased when they become inconvenient.”

She urged men and women alike to make responsible decisions, especially when it comes to family planning, communication, and conflict resolution.

The case remains unresolved, with the husband yet to respond to the allegations.

But one question continues to echo beyond the Obra studio: Can a man walk away from a family simply because he did not want one more child—or does responsibility outlive regret?

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During the engagement with the Minister, Hon. Eric Opoku, and officials of the Ministry, the Vice President commended the Ministry’s sustained efforts to transition agriculture from subsistence farming into a modern, competitive agribusiness sector.

Discussions highlighted key interventions aimed at addressing food security challenges, including the implementation of the Feed Ghana Programme, expansion of irrigation and vegetable production, strengthening of the National Food Buffer Stock system, and strategic investments in soil and crop testing.

Additional initiatives to revitalize the poultry industry, support vulnerable women, and establish Farmer Service Centres nationwide are expected to boost productivity, create jobs, and improve access to modern agricultural services.

The Vice President underscored food security as a central pillar of national development, reiterating the importance of achieving greater self-sufficiency in food production. She further emphasized the need to deepen collaboration with research institutions such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to drive innovation, while promoting local participation in the assembly and maintenance of agricultural machinery.

The Government of Ghana remains resolute in its commitment to supporting the Ministry’s mandate and strengthening coordination across institutions to build a resilient, productive, and self-sufficient agricultural sector for the country.

The payments were made to key state institutions, including the Ghana Revenue Authority, Forestry Commission and the Ministry of Finance.

The company’s full-year contribution includes GH¢5.382 billion in corporate tax, GH¢1.628 billion in mineral royalties and GH¢1.832 billion in carried interest.

It also paid GH¢3.025 billion in capital gains tax following the sale of its Akyem Mine in April 2025, alongside GH¢514 million in PAYE tax and GH¢434 million in withholding tax.

Additional payments include a forestry levy of GH¢15 million and property rates of GH¢2 million.

Beyond statutory payments, Newmont says it continues to support Ghana’s socio-economic development through investments in infrastructure, environmental sustainability and community initiatives.

In 2025, the company partnered with the government through the Ministry of Roads and Highways to rehabilitate the 46-kilometre Sunyani–Ntotroso–Akyerensua road, a key corridor linking the Bono and Ahafo regions.

The project is expected to improve road safety, enhance connectivity and boost economic activity in communities along the route.

Newmont also contributed to Ghana’s Tree for Life initiative, a national programme aimed at restoring degraded lands and promoting environmental sustainability.

Commenting on the company’s contribution, Country Manager Danquah Addo-Yobo said the company remains committed to transparency and responsible operations.

“Over the years we have been playing a leading role in the mining industry, in terms of our fiscal contribution, as well as our environmental stewardship and the value we generate for local businesses and communities.

“The promptness, accuracy, and public disclosure of our statutory payments underscore our strong and transparent governance principles.”

Newmont remains one of Ghana’s leading gold producers, with a continued focus on responsible resource development that delivers value for both local communities and the national economy.

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Beyond her hospital duties, Dogoe runs a community outreach program, educating parents on proper feeding practices, early medical care, and malnutrition prevention.

The prevalence of malnutrition among children aged 1 to 5 in the municipality is alarmingly high. A 2019 health facility-based study indicated stunting at 12.5% and wasting at 27.5%, significantly higher than the national averages of 17.5% and 6.8%, respectively. Factors contributing to malnutrition include short birth intervals, incomplete vaccination, parental unemployment, non-exclusive breastfeeding, and recurrent diarrhea.

In January 2026, the Nkwanta South Municipal Hospital launched its community nutritional outreach program. Through home visits, counselling, and continuous monitoring, Dogoe helps families take practical steps to protect children from the long-term effects of poor nutrition, including stunted growth and weakened immunity.

Among the many success stories is Farouk, a 13-year-old boy who had deteriorated to a “skeletal” state. His mother, Christiana Adwoa Bronya, a single parent, had struggled to manage his condition and was told it was spiritual. Through Dogoe’s guidance—offering nutrition education, feeding advice, and support with supplements—Farouk gradually regained his strength. Today, he is recovering and dreams of becoming a military officer.

A similar story unfolded in Barabo, where Mborla Bindupun, 13, suffered severe malnutrition after a prolonged illness linked to typhoid perforation. Dogoe provided nutrition management during and after her hospital stay. Mborla is now recovering and aspires to become a nurse. Her father, Kofi Kpebu, praised the hospital, the Church of Pentecost, and contributors who supported her recovery, while cautioning parents against delaying medical care in favor of spiritual explanations.

Speaking to Adom News, Nancy Dogoe highlighted that rising malnutrition in Nkwanta South is partly linked to recent unrest, which disrupted livelihoods, food security, and access to healthcare. She stressed that education is a long-term solution, noting that parents who understand malnutrition’s signs and prevention are better equipped to act early.

Dr. Prince Yeboah, clinical coordinator for the hospital, commended Dogoe and her team for their dedication, urging the government and international organizations to support facilities with fortified foods and other resources to reduce malnutrition and stunting.

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Organised by the 24-Hour Economy Authority in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana and the Ghana Seed Partnership, the programme seeks to create a modern, coordinated pipeline to ensure farmers have reliable access to improved seed varieties.

Head of Sector Strategy and Integration at the 24-Hour Economy Authority, Dr. Charles T. Nornoo, emphasised that a reliable and efficient seed delivery system is crucial to Ghana achieving its ambitious plans to expand irrigated farming along the Volta Basin.

The government aims to cultivate up to two million hectares of farmland, particularly along the Volta Basin and its tributaries, as part of a strategic push to modernise the agricultural sector and strengthen national food security.

The initiative will leverage the Volta Economic Corridor to provide infrastructure, irrigation systems and multimodal transport networks to facilitate production and market access.

“In addition to what we already have, we are looking at what exists along the Volta Basin and its tributaries,” Dr. Nornoo said.

“To do two million hectares of cultivation requires a lot of enablers, which we recognised at the very beginning.”

He highlighted that seed availability is one of the most critical factors underpinning the success of large-scale irrigation and multiple cropping cycles.

“You cannot think about doing two million hectares of planting and irrigation, which means multiple crops in a year and different types of seeds, and not think about how you are going to get that seed,” he said.

While Ghana has strong research capacity and sufficient planting materials, Dr. Nornoo noted that the country’s key challenge lies in ensuring that improved seeds reach farmers effectively.

“We do not have a problem with research. We do not have a problem with material to plant,” he said. “The problem we have is how to ensure that our farmers get the seed to be able to plant.”

The programme seeks to build a robust delivery pipeline connecting research institutions, seed multipliers, certification bodies, government agencies and farmer organisations.

“All of us gathered here have a role to play,” Dr. Nornoo told participants, stressing that the discussions will culminate in the formation of a task team tasked with implementing decisions and ensuring effective rollout.

Dr. Nornoo acknowledged the support of development partners, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Dutch Embassy and the J.E.T. Project, which have helped lay the groundwork for Ghana’s seed system reforms.

“It is just the beginning of what we have to do,” he said, calling for recognition of these partners’ contributions.

Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy initiative, Goosie Tanoh, described the programme as a central component of the government’s 24H+ vision, highlighting the potential of a modern seed system to serve as core economic infrastructure.

Participants toured WACCI’s laboratories, early-generation seed facilities, certification labs and the Horticulture Innovation Hub, observing first-hand the scientific and institutional foundations Ghana already possesses.

“What we experienced this afternoon is not a side event; it is the front door to how Ghana will deliver the 24H+ vision on the ground,” Mr Tanoh said.

He stressed that Ghana’s challenge is not a lack of technical capability but rather the need for stronger coordination, clear institutional architecture, and effective execution.

The programme featured exhibitions from several public and private organisations, including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the National Seed Trade Association of Ghana, the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, the government’s Feed Ghana Programme, Legacy Crop Improvement Centre, Integrated Water & Agricultural Development (Ghana) Limited, the Beela Project in partnership with TRAX, and the Ghana–Netherlands Seed Partnership.

“Private and public capabilities are not our constraint; architecture, coordination and execution are,” Mr Tanoh noted.

The Presidential Advisor outlined key performance targets for 2026, including:

• Activation of 200,000 jobs across priority sectors
• Integration of 500 SMEs into structured finance and industrial park ecosystems
• Mobilisation of over GH¢10 billion in capital commitments
• Operationalisation of the Volta Economic Corridor, including at least five agro-ecological or aquaculture parks and three industrial parks
• Establishment of three cooperative-owned production and processing enterprises

He stressed that achieving these objectives depends on an organised and well-financed seed system.

“When we discuss activating parks, corridors, export platforms and cooperative enterprises, we are essentially talking about reliable access to quality seed combined with anchor demand, finance and logistics,” Mr Tanoh said.

Mr Tanoh emphasised the need to protect intellectual property to incentivise innovation. Plant breeders, research institutions and private seed companies must be assured that their work is safeguarded through enforceable licensing agreements and clear legal frameworks governing plant breeders’ rights.

“Our aim is not to create barriers for farmers, but to balance affordable access to quality seed with clear rules on ownership, revenue sharing and technology transfer,” he said.

The Development Director at the British High Commission in Ghana, Terri Sarch, highlighted Ghana’s agricultural progress over the past two decades, noting that yields for crops such as Maize have doubled due to adoption of improved seed varieties.

She stressed that the adoption of certified seeds must increase if Ghana is to sustain productivity growth and adapt to climate change challenges, citing the need for early-maturing and drought-resilient varieties.

“Events like this remind us that progress is not driven by any single actor alone but through the combined efforts of farmers, researchers, policymakers, innovators and development partners like the UK and the Netherlands,” Ms Sarch said.

Mr Tanoh urged participants to move from discussion to practical action. He highlighted the formation of a Seed Systems Task Team with a 60-day mandate to present a detailed implementation roadmap and stressed that early-generation seed plans, regulatory reforms and pilot delivery models for maize and rice should be in place within 90 days.

“As we close Day One, we must return tomorrow not to recount problems but to design the seed system that will feed our parks, our cooperatives, our exporters and our urban consumers in a 24-hour economy,” he said.

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Robert Klah, Head of Public Events and Communications at Charterhouse, explained that Dope Nation did not submit entries for nomination, even though their works were captured within the awards’ monitoring system. Efforts to reach the duo for feedback and potential participation were unsuccessful.

Klah noted that initial contact was made with representatives linked to the group, and assurances of follow-up communication were given, but no response was received after subsequent engagements. Charterhouse acknowledged Dope Nation’s significant contributions to the music scene, particularly their hit songs and dance anthems, and emphasized that the awards scheme remains open to continuous engagement with all artistes.

Regarding Shatta Wale, organisers highlighted the artiste’s long-standing public position of disinterest in the awards, which explains his absence from the nominations. However, they remain open to future reconciliation, as has been the case with other artistes in previous editions.

Charterhouse affirmed that it maintains open communication with all artistes and hopes that ongoing dialogue will encourage broader participation in future editions of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards.

Watch video below:

Speaking on DaybreakHitz, Klah said several factors determine an artiste’s eligibility for a category, including submission timelines, category requirements, and the level of competition.

According to him, missing out on a nomination does not necessarily mean an artiste did not perform well during the year.

“For any reason an artiste couldn’t make it into a specific category, it could be one of many things. Sometimes it means the person just couldn’t make the cut in comparison to others in that space because the process is inherently competitive,” he explained.

Klah added that the evaluation process goes beyond local performance, with organisers considering a broader range of data before making decisions.

“When we say global view, we are not only looking at what happens here. We also look at streams, feedback from other regions, and airplay, among other elements,” he said.

He noted that while some may believe certain artistes deserve nominations in particular categories, the final decisions are made after reviewing all available data and evaluation criteria.

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“Go and speak for the farmers — we are behind you,” the chief told the lawmakers when a delegation of Minority MPs paid a courtesy call on him and the Offinso Queenmother, Nana Adwoa Afranewaa III, during the Akwasidae celebration on Sunday.

Led by the Minority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the delegation sought the blessings of the chiefs ahead of a week-long engagement with cocoa farmers starting Monday.

The MPs said the tour aims to listen directly to farmers and gather firsthand information on the impact of recent producer price reductions, widely described as “cocoa price haircuts.” They also plan to brief the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on the outcomes of the tour.

In receiving the delegation, Nana Dwamena Akenten II urged the MPs to address farmers’ concerns fairly, emphasizing that cocoa is the backbone of Ghana’s economy and that issues affecting farmers should be treated as national rather than partisan matters.

The chief also called on Parliament to enact laws protecting traditional leaders from public insults and unfounded allegations, stressing that respect for chieftaincy is essential for preserving Ghanaian cultural values and social harmony.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh said the Minority caucus considers it important to seek the blessings of traditional authorities before engaging farmers, noting the critical role chiefs play in the governance and development of cocoa communities.

“We are here to listen to the voice of the cocoa farmer,” he said, adding that concerns raised during the tour will be carried to Parliament to find solutions that improve farmers’ livelihoods.

The Ashanti Region tour follows a similar engagement in the Eastern Region, where farmers raised issues of declining incomes, rising production costs, and reductions in producer prices from over GH¢3,500 per bag to about GH¢2,500.

The Minority delegation, including MPs serving on committees covering economic affairs, agriculture, and cocoa matters, says the nationwide engagement will gather evidence-based feedback to support calls for policy review in the cocoa sector. The Ashanti tour will continue throughout the week, with MPs visiting several cocoa-producing communities to interact with farmers and document their concerns.