Two Dead in Mankessim-Accra Highway Collision

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A fatal collision between a tanker truck and a Toyota sedan on the Mankessim-Accra highway has claimed two lives, according to the Ghana National Fire Service.

The accident occurred near Ekumfi Essam on June 20 when the vehicles traveling in opposite directions collided head-on.

Fire service personnel responding to the 9:16 a.m. distress call arrived within ten minutes to find both vehicles severely damaged. Crews extracted two victims from the Toyota, who were pronounced dead upon arrival at Roman Hospital in Mankessim. The tanker driver survived the crash, which remains under investigation by authorities. The force of impact rendered the Toyota’s make unidentifiable at the scene.

This latest incident highlights ongoing road safety concerns along Ghana’s major highways, where speeding and dangerous overtaking frequently contribute to fatal accidents.

Teacher Unions Slam Government’s Reversal on School Feeding Procurement

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Ghana’s leading teacher unions have strongly criticized the government’s abrupt decision to revoke school heads’ authority to procure student meals, warning the policy reversal could exacerbate food quality issues and enable corruption.

The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) expressed dismay over Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu’s June 18 announcement, which contradicts both the 2025 budget allocation of GH₵1 billion for student feeding and campaign promises to decentralize food procurement.

NAGRAT President Angel Carbonu questioned the timing and rationale behind the U-turn, suggesting vested interests may be driving the return to centralized procurement through the buffer stock system. “Politicians and private actors benefited financially from the old system,” Carbonu asserted, arguing that school heads are better positioned to ensure quality and accountability. TEWU General Secretary King James Azortibah linked current meal quality problems to systemic underfunding and delayed disbursements, noting that heads of 5,000-student schools cannot deliver adequate meals without reliable, timely resources.

The controversy highlights growing tensions over education sector reforms, with unions accusing the government of abandoning its pledge to empower school administrators despite allocating substantial feeding funds. As stakeholders await official justification for the policy shift, concerns mount about potential disruptions to student nutrition and the erosion of institutional trust in Ghana’s educational system.

Kwabena Agyepong writes to all NPP delegates

Dear Patriots of our beloved New Patriotic Party,

I hope this message finds you in good health and spirits. I am extremely grateful to both the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Council (NC) for adopting almost entirely the constitutional reforms proposed by my humble self.

It is essential that we, as dedicated patriots of the NPP, fully comprehend and respond to this decision with a clarity of purpose.

The NC endorsed a limited expansion of our electoral college to include past National Executives, Regional executives, Constituency executives, MMDCEs, Members of Parliament, Ministers and Deputies among others.

While this represents a significant step forward, I must express my disquiet at the exclusion of past electoral area coordinators and polling station executives.

The polling station is the basic unit of political activity and represents the heart and soul of the party. The polling station is where campaigns begin, where volunteerism is born, where our people give their all, often with little or no reward just for the love of party and country.

Expanding participation at the top while excluding the polling station executives – the true engine of our grassroots – cannot only be an oversight but a gross injustice.

Adding a paltry two more undermines the very spirit of inclusiveness and unity we seek to build. We risk creating further tension and dissatisfaction among our already demoralized ranks.

The current situation at the polling station level is very strained and this decision does not adequately address the challenges we face.

A more extensive and inclusive electoral college will drastically minimize monetary inducements and promote a true contest of ideas where the best vision carries the day not the deepest pockets.

I urge all patriots especially constituency executives to advocate for the inclusion of past ward/polling station executives and electoral area coordinators from the inception of the party in 1992 to date. Besides, who determines the two extra polling station executives and the additional four electoral area delegates?

We cannot afford any more manipulation and confusion.

Let’s build a party that recognizes every hand that lifts a flag, every knuckle that knocks a door and every voice that calls out for equity.

Humbly submitted 1.20pm Friday 20th June 2025

Yours Sincerely,

Ing Kwabena Agyei Agyepong KAA
SERVICE, SACRIFICE, SELFLESSNESS

Ghana Calls for Global Support in Fight Against Illegal Mining

Ghana has appealed for strengthened international cooperation to combat the growing threat of illegal mining, citing the transnational nature and increasing sophistication of these operations.

Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister Sulemana Yusif made the urgent call during the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative ceremony, where he outlined Ghana’s comprehensive five-point strategy to address the crisis.

The government’s approach combines regulatory reforms with environmental restoration and alternative livelihood programs, recognizing that illegal mining poses existential risks to water security and sustainable development. Yusif highlighted the 30-million tree planting target for 2025 as part of broader efforts to rehabilitate degraded lands. Forestry Commission Board Chair Prof. Martin Oteng-Ababio and Lebanese Ambassador Maher Kheir joined in emphasizing the need for coordinated global action, positioning the Green Month initiative as a platform for sustained multilateral engagement on environmental protection.

As Ghana intensifies its anti-galamsey campaign, officials stress that lasting solutions will require both local commitment and international partnerships, particularly in technology transfer, capacity building, and sustainable investment for mining-affected communities.

Fintech Revolution Transforms Credit Scoring Across Global Markets

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The financial technology sector is fundamentally reshaping credit assessment systems worldwide, deploying innovative digital solutions that analyze alternative data streams to evaluate borrower risk.

This transformation is particularly impactful in emerging markets where traditional credit infrastructure remains underdeveloped, opening new financing channels for previously excluded populations.

Fintech companies now utilize mobile money transactions, utility payment histories, and digital commerce activity to construct credit profiles for individuals and small businesses lacking formal financial records. These algorithm-driven systems enable faster loan approvals at reduced costs while supporting the growth of embedded finance – credit products seamlessly integrated into platforms like ride-hailing apps and e-marketplaces. Nigeria exemplifies this shift through its initiative to link National Identification Numbers with unified credit profiles, enhancing financial transparency.

While digital credit scoring expands access to capital and stimulates economic activity, concerns persist regarding data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the absence of standardized regulatory frameworks. Industry analysts emphasize the urgent need for balanced governance that fosters innovation while protecting consumers, as these technologies become increasingly central to global financial systems.

GOIL Posts 55% Profit Growth in 2024 Financial Year

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Ghana Oil Company PLC (GOIL) has reported a 54.82% increase in net profit to GH₵84.7 million for the 2024 financial year, demonstrating strong performance amid economic challenges.

The state-owned oil marketing firm announced these results during its 56th Annual General Meeting in Accra, where Board Chairman Nana Philip Archer credited the achievement to strategic management and operational efficiency.

The company’s financial statements revealed significant growth across key metrics, with consolidated assets expanding by 20.1% to GH₵4.8 billion and current assets increasing by 34%. Despite rising operating costs (11.2%) and finance costs (20.25%), GOIL maintained profitability through disciplined revenue generation and asset management. Shareholders will receive a dividend of GH₵0.056 per share, totaling GH₵21.9 million, while earnings per share grew by 54.3% to GH₵0.216.

GOIL’s performance stands in contrast to many struggling state-owned enterprises, offering a model of effective public sector management. The company has committed to expanding its market share while contributing to Ghana’s economic growth, demonstrating how strategic leadership can drive success in state-led enterprises.

Ghana Positions Itself as Africa’s Economic Transformation Leader

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Ghana is emerging as a driving force in Africa’s economic revolution through strategic investments in agriculture, technology, and youth development, government officials announced at the African Rising Symposium in Accra.

Deputy Tourism Minister Yussif Issaka Jajah, representing President John Mahama, outlined the nation’s comprehensive development strategy before an audience of continental leaders and investors.

The government’s agricultural modernization program is addressing the entire value chain, from production to market access, with the goal of achieving food security and increasing rural incomes. Digital transformation efforts include nationwide skills training and the establishment of a National Digital Innovation Hub to support tech entrepreneurs. Ghana’s youth development initiatives, such as the revitalized technical education program, aim to harness the nation’s demographic potential, with over half of government appointees now under 50 years old.

Jajah emphasized Africa’s shift from aid dependency to self-reliant growth, stating “We are rewriting the narrative.” The symposium continues through June 21 as participants explore collaborative opportunities for continental economic transformation, with Ghana’s multifaceted approach serving as a potential model for sustainable development across Africa.

Ghana Anti-Galamsey Coalition Demands Immediate Government Action

The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) has called for urgent measures to combat illegal mining, warning that the practice threatens the nation’s environmental sustainability and governance integrity.

Convenor Kenneth Ashigbey urged authorities to stop justifying illegal mining through economic arguments and instead enforce existing laws without exception.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Ashigbey emphasized the need to revoke Legislative Instrument 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves. “We cannot continue to sacrifice our future for short-term gains,” he stated, citing alleged collusion between some officials and illegal miners. The coalition also demanded protection for Forestry Commission officers facing increasing violence during enforcement operations.

The GCAG’s demands include declaring mining zones as emergency areas and prosecuting politically connected individuals involved in illegal activities. Environmental experts warn that continued galamsey operations could devastate Ghana’s water resources and agricultural lands, with long-term consequences for food security and economic stability.

Ghana Urged to Adopt Scientific Farming to Boost Rice Production

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Deputy Agriculture Minister John Dumelo has called for a science-based transformation of Ghana’s agricultural sector to bridge the productivity gap with countries like South Korea.

Speaking at the Citi Business Forum in Accra, Dumelo revealed Ghana’s rice yields average just 3-4 tons per hectare compared to South Korea’s 6-7 tons, attributing the difference to research-driven efficiency.

The actor-turned-politician emphasized that modernizing Ghana’s agriculture requires more than input distribution. “The real issue is whether we’re applying the right fertilizer to the right soil,” he said, highlighting ongoing nationwide soil testing initiatives by ministry scientists. His comments come as Ghana seeks to reduce its annual $500 million rice import bill through improved domestic production.

Dumelo’s vision for agricultural reform focuses on data-driven decision making across the value chain, from soil-specific fertilization to optimized farming techniques. The ministry’s push for scientific farming methods aligns with broader government efforts to achieve food security and reduce reliance on imports through targeted, knowledge-based interventions.

Ghana’s Economic Gains Fail to Lower Consumer Prices

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Despite Ghana’s improving macroeconomic indicators, consumers continue facing high prices as the benefits of currency appreciation and slowing inflation have yet to translate into tangible relief.

University of Ghana Business School economist Professor Patrick Asuming explained that while inflation has declined from 54% in 2022 to 25% currently, “prices are still rising, just at a slower pace.”

The disconnect between economic recovery and consumer experience stems from multiple factors. Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama attributed persistent high prices to inventory cycles, noting traders purchased goods when the cedi was weaker. The currency has gained 24% against the dollar this year, supported by tight monetary policy and strong gold and cocoa exports. However, rising utility tariffs and stagnant wages continue squeezing household budgets.

The central bank maintained its 28% policy rate in May to further anchor inflation expectations, even as gross international reserves reached $10.7 billion. Economists warn that without addressing structural issues in production and distribution, Ghana’s economic recovery may remain uneven, with financial sector improvements outpacing real economy benefits for ordinary citizens.