His assurance comes after members of the coalition staged a protest on Thursday, October 2, 2025, demanding payment of nine to ten months’ arrears owed to about 7,000 nurses and midwives.

The demonstrators marched from the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health, where they submitted petitions.

Receiving the petition, Mr. Ampem acknowledged the challenges and reaffirmed government’s commitment.

“Your issue is being addressed. In the next month or so, when the Finance Minister presents the budget, the matter of unpaid health workers, including doctors and nurses, will be considered. You are going to receive your salary,” he assured.

He also expressed gratitude to the nurses and midwives for their service and apologised for the delays.

Meanwhile, Convenor of the coalition, Stephen Kwadwo Takyiah, described the situation as unfair and unsustainable, warning that the prolonged non-payment is demoralising health workers and undermining healthcare delivery nationwide.

Source: AdomOnline

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The initiative, launched by Deputy Finance Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) for Asuogyaman, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, was designed to sharpen the academic abilities of JHS 2 students and improve performance at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

Held at the Akosombo International School from August 10 to 24, the Educamp brought together 400 top-performing students from 70 public and private schools. The programme focused on English, Mathematics, and Science—subjects critical for academic success.

Mr. Nyarko said the camp was born out of concern for the declining educational performance in the district.

“The best way to motivate and sharpen the abilities of our brightest students is to create this camp. We brought five of the best students from each school to prepare them to do better,” he noted.

The camp featured problem-solving drills, mentorship sessions, and career coaching led by experienced educators. Participants also received over 2,000 exercise books, mathematical sets, and 400 Maths and Science textbooks donated by the MP.

One of the highlights was the recognition of outstanding students, with Zoe Kudo Yayra named overall best performer after an examination.

Mr. Nyarko commended teachers for their commitment and encouraged students to apply their training to achieve improved results in the BECE.

“Education is the key to growth, and I am pleased to help our students succeed,” he said.

District Education Director, Augustina Adwoa Owusu, described the MP’s interventions as timely and impactful.

She acknowledged challenges such as infrastructure deficits but praised ongoing efforts, including the construction and renovation of school blocks.

She expressed optimism that with initiatives like the Educamp, Asuogyaman would soon rank among the districts producing top-performing students.

Source: Adomonline

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The Minority had earlier claimed that the government’s touted economic gains were deceptive, arguing that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) had not received budgeted funds and contractors had not been paid.

They suggested this alleged non-spending was the real reason behind any perceived stability.

Responding ahead of the mid-year budget review presentation in Parliament, the Deputy Finance Minister called the allegations false and says today’s presentation will show that the claims are outright falsehood.

“At the end of this presentation, you will realise that contrary to what the opponents have been saying that we are not spending we are spending,” he said. “And so you’ll hear details about it.”

He also addressed updates to the Fees and Charges Act, explaining delays and changes in policy.

“You see, the Fees and Charges Act requires the finance minister to come to Parliament every year to review fees and charges,” he said.

“For about three years now, there haven’t been a review of some of the fees and charges. In fact, the previous administration laid the amendment in the 8th Parliament, but it did not make the required number of days certain for it to pass into law.”

He clarified that the current government had chosen to approach the review more comprehensively. “Instead of relaying the exact term that they brought, we decided to look at it holistically and bring it. So that is exactly what we are doing, there’s nothing new.”

Mr Nyarko also confirmed the reintroduction of road tolls and new charges from the Narcotics Control Commission, including fees related to cannabis regulation. He explained these adjustments are driven by economic realities.

“We use the cumulative inflation factor,” he said. “You will agree with me that if fees are fixed three years ago with inflation as high as it was and as low as we are trying to bring it you need to adjust it almost every year so that you maintain the value of the fees.”

Source: Myjoyonline.com

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During the Eastern Region Townhall Meeting in Koforidua on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, Dr. Ampaabeng outlined significant economic achievements that demonstrate the government’s ongoing commitment to improving the lives of the people.

“We’ve delivered, and we’ll continue to do more for you,” Dr. Ampaabeng declared to the audience, emphasising that the government’s economic policies have yielded positive results across various sectors.

“Our economy is on a strong recovery path from the shocks we experienced in 2020 and 2022, which brought lots of hardship to Ghanaians. Now, sustained recovery is evident in that there’s a declining inflation rate, there’s a quarter-on-quarter GDP growth rate, from 3.8% in 2023 Q4 to 4.7% in Q1 of 2024, and a remarkable balance of trade surplus. These indicators reflect our dedication to sound economic management and the well-being of our citizens,” he said.

Dr Ampaabeng noted that inflation, which had reached worrying levels in previous years, has significantly declined, indicating a path to sustained recovery.

“We’ve managed to bring inflation from 54% experienced in 2022 November due to the effects of the external forces, especially the Russian/Ukraine war and Covid-19 pandemic to 20.9 in just over a year and a half [july 2024]. Although this remains high, assessing this from where we were, there’s a strong indication that we will achieve the end-of-year target of 15[±2]

Dr. Ampaabeng also touched on the stable supply of electricity, which has been a cornerstone of the government’s efforts to support businesses and improve the quality of life for all Ghanaians.

“We have ensured that the days of erratic power supply are behind us. Today, businesses can operate with confidence, and households enjoy uninterrupted power, which is essential for our economic growth and development,” he added.

Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, whose Ministry oversees the town hall meetings, also addressed the audience, emphasizing the significance of the town hall meetings in enhancing government transparency and accountability

“These town hall meetings are crucial because they allow us to bring governance closer to the people,” she said. She stressed that the meetings provide a platform for citizens to engage with government officials, ask questions, and receive updates on government projects and policies.

She further noted that such meetings help bridge the gap between the government and the public, fostering trust and ensuring citizens are informed about initiatives undertaken in their regions.

“By promoting open dialogue and sharing information, we build a stronger relationship with the people we serve, which is essential for maintaining a healthy democracy and ensuring inclusive development,” she added.

The Eastern Region Townhall Meeting, held at the Centre for National Culture in Koforidua, is part of a series of town hall events aimed at promoting citizen engagement and inclusive governance The initiative, which began in the Greater Accra Region, allows residents to interact directly with government officials, learn about ongoing projects, and provide feedback.

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He succeeds John Kumah who passed on March 7, 2024.

His appointment was contained in a statement signed by Director of Communications, Eugene Arhin.

Per the statement, the appointment takes effect immediately.

Following the reassignment, Achiase MP, Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo has also been appointed as Deputy Minister-designate for Trade and Industry subject to parliamentary approval.

The President has expressed hope that Parliament will, on a bi-partisan basis, “expedite the approval of his nominee, so he can join the Government forthwith, and assist in the delivery of his mandate for his second term in office.”

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Below is the statement:

A Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei Asare, has fought off claims by Labour Unions that there were no consultations over the Debt Exchange Programme.

According to him, relevant authorities were duly consulted with their proposals adopted by the government prior to the public announcement.

“We did a broad consultation on our debt exchange programme with various stakeholders. We engaged Securities and Exchange Commission, BoG, National Pensions Regulatory Authority, and National Insurance Commission because they represent the individuals and the financial institutions,” she said on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen.

Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta on Monday duly launched the operations of the Debt Exchange Programme as part of government’s effort to reduce public debt.

The Minister revealed it is part of a key requirement to obtain an economic programme from the International Monetary Fund.

He said as part of the process, there will be a cut in bond interest with no coupon payment for 2023.

Following the announcement, the Minority as well as labour unions such as NAGRAT and TUC, Ghana Medical Association have kicked against it and have cautioned the government not to touch workers’ funds.

The Chamber of Corporate Trustees has also rejected the debt exchange programme proposed by the Ministry of Finance.

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But Madam Osei-Asare, who doubles as Atiwa East MP, believes the programme is a positive step to help the country out of the economic difficulty.

She has maintained a lot went into the process, stating it was not a one-man idea and has therefore urged cool heads.

“We did not arrive at this point through one person’s idea but the engagements during which questions were raised and answers provided,” she added.

Meanwhile, she assured stakeholder engagements will continue until the entire process is dealt with.

Play the audio above:

According to the Member of Parliament for Ejisu, this is why the government is committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive to employ the teeming youth of the country.

Speaking at the Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen National Dialogue Series on Youth Entrepreneurship: The catalyst to Ghana’s independence and financial independence on Friday, he said the government remains resolute to support the youth.

“The government alone cannot solve the problem of unemployment but we are ready and committed to partner with the private sector to give the necessary support. The government will create an environment that will boost entrepreneurship,” he said.

Dr Kumah explained the government, among other things, is willing to offer incentives including tax holidays to young entrepreneurs.

He also reiterated the commitment of the government to roll out the ‘Youstart programme’ through which millions of jobs will be created.

Dr Kumah maintained the programme is dear to the heart of President Nana Akufo-Addo whose agenda is to create blue chip companies among local investors through the entrepreneurship project.

According to a Deputy Finance Minister, Dr John Kumah, the programme is dear to the heart of President Nana Akufo-Addo whose agenda is to create blue chip companies among local investors through the entrepreneurship project.

Speaking at a signing ceremony with 13 Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) to support the implementation of the commercial part of the ¢10 billion ‘YouStart entrepreneurship programme, Dr John Kumah said the partnership was very important to government’s ambition of creating future entrepreneurs who will dominate the economy.

Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, signed for the government, while John Awuah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Association of Bankers, signed for the coordinating institution of the PFIs, which the GAB represent.

He told Joy Business that government will create an environment that will boost entrepreneurship.

“We need to create the opportunities in which people can be trained as entrepreneurs, and they also hire other people to grow. I mean if you look at the population statistics of almost 37% of our people being between 15 and 35, it creates a lot of pressure. And I think it is incumbent on us to create the financial system with training and reward system that encourages entrepreneurship to take risks”.

He explained that the partnership with the banks is key to the sustainability of developing the entrepreneurship eco-system.

“The banks have committed about ¢5 billion over three years to be deployed to SME’s and that’s what we going to work with for it to happen. And so that will create excitement, especially, in this period that we are also having an arrangement with the International Monetary Fund. So that we move beyond dependence on government and donors into our own creative energies”.

The PFIs are to support the programme and ensure its extension to entrepreneurs with businesses in rural areas to help create jobs and improve the livelihood of the people.

The funds would be used to meet the working capital requirement of businesses, support their expansion through acquisition of equipment to enhance productivity and create more well-paid jobs, especially for the youth.

According to the Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr John Kumah, an IMF programme will be pursued if needed.

This is coming at a time government has been criticised for failing to take the bold step of subscribing to a Fund programme to address the imbalances within the economy.

“If it [bringing the economy back to life] becomes impossible, then it is the only alternative to salvage our economy. But where we are now, we think we are in the position to salvage the economy or to try the homegrown policy we are adopting.

“If our programmes fail us and we are not able to get the confidence and the results in the fiscal space discipline, which we have to impose on ourselves, then we don’t have a choice”, the Deputy Finance Minister stressed.

According to him, going to the IMF is not about politics, but for COVID-19, there will not be any need for talking about going to the IMF for a programme.

“It is not about politics when it comes to the economy. But for COVID-19, there is no way we should be discussing IMF by this time”, he explained.

“When President Akufo Addo picked this economy and started growing it with an average of 7%, we saw how the economy was doing so well”, he explained.

According to him, despite the economic struggles, most of which are occasioned by the covid-19 pandemic, the government has been diligent in its financial obligations and will continue to do so.

“It is not true. Even when COVID-19 hit us hard, and we were struggling as a country, we still managed to pay all public workers on time.

“In January this year, workers were paid on time,  We are hopeful that of February will be paid on time,” he said in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM.

The comments by Dr Kumah who doubles as Ejisu MP’s follow a disclosure by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin on Thursday.

Against this backdrop, Mr Bagbin urged the MPs to exhibit leadership towards forestalling any difficulty including remuneration.

“This is not to discourage the committee from doing their work. If something is not done within the next three months, the government may not be able to even pay salaries.

“So we have to take leadership. We have to do a lot of things,” the Speaker said.

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He said the new integrated system being managed by Universal Pass (UNIPASS) should be used at all the 49 border posts including, Elubo and Aflao.

The new system has been deployed by Ghana Link Services Limited and Korea Customs Services in collaboration with the Ghana Revenue Authority.

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The Minister made the comment in reaction to assertions by some freight forwarders that the old management system worked better for them.

Mr Kwarteng said it will be in the interest of the freight forwarders to comply with the government’s directives.

“If anybody that is required to process through the new system chooses to do it through the old system so be it…at some point they are not going to be able to do that. So the earlier they start doing business through the new system, and if there are challenges they get them resolved, the better it will be,” he said.

He added that the government will not pay the old vendors if they process declarations by the freight forwarders and at some point, they will be compelled to shut down their system.