Author: Political Desk

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Sanitation Court has remanded seven persons to prison custody for open defecation in parts of Accra after they failed to pay a fine of 50 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢600. They are Samuel Aryeequaye, Evans Derry, Kwesi Milla, Richard Quintin Coffie, Seidu Aminu, Awuaaba Michael, and Quarcoo Ernest. An eighth offender, Raphael Adjetey, who was also convicted for the same offence, paid the fine imposed by the court. Speaking after the court proceedings, the Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, Mr. Gilbert Nii Ankrah stated that Environmental Health Officers arrested the offenders during a…

Former Majority Leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has commended the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) minority caucus in Parliament for their performance, describing their role as a challenging task in a House controlled by the opposition. In an exclusive interview on Joy News’ AM Show, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the minority lawmakers are making every effort under tough conditions. “But let me just say that they are doing their best under very difficult circumstances,” he stated. He drew parallels between the present situation and the NPP’s position when the party first entered Parliament in 1997 following the return to multiparty democracy.…

The Member of Parliament for Bekwai in the Ashanti Region, Ralph Poku Adusei, has criticised the government’s plan to establish a 24-Hour Economy Authority, describing it as unnecessary and a potential misuse of scarce public resources. In an interview on Amansie 91.7 FM, the lawmaker argued that the national debate should shift away from the concept of a 24-hour economy itself and focus instead on whether a new dedicated authority based in Accra is needed to drive its implementation. According to Mr Adusei, Ghana can achieve a functioning 24-hour economy by strengthening existing institutions and improving operational systems across various…

The Court of Appeal in Kumasi has quashed a directive issued by Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, which required a senior lecturer to apologise to two colleagues. The court ruled that the directive breached the rules of natural justice. In a unanimous decision delivered on February 12, 2026, a three-member panel consisting of Justices K. Baiden (presiding), Richard Mac Kogyapwah, and John Bosco Nabarese allowed an appeal filed by Prof. Rexford Assasie Oppong against the university’s Registrar. According to a Citinewsroom report, the Court of Appeal set aside an earlier High…

Traffic gridlock in Ghana’s capital is costing the national economy an estimated GH¢4.5 billion every year, according to a new policy brief by Glima Research, a Ghana-based consulting firm. The report, titled “The cost of gridlock: a policy brief on Ghana’s Urban Traffic Crisis,” highlights how long hours spent in traffic during peak periods are severely undermining worker productivity, draining household incomes, and diminishing quality of life in Accra and other urban centres. Lead research analyst Andy Sevordzi and geodetic engineer Franklin Owusu-Kwakye co-authored the study, with contributions from statistician Yusif Mohammed and biochemist Rudolph Djirackor. The breakdown of the…

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has appealed to party members to forgive one another and close ranks following the intense exchanges that characterised the recent election campaign. Speaking at the National Thanksgiving Service organised by the NPP at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Dr Bawumia urged members to let go of any bitterness or hurt stemming from the campaign period. “On this day as we celebrate and give thanks together, I want to ask all of us, from the bottom of my heart, that we forgive each…

Ghana’s telecom operators now face significantly stricter quality standards following new directives from the National Communications Authority (NCA). The regulator, on February 15, 2026, announced revised Quality of Service (QoS) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that take immediate effect, replacing standards that have remained largely unchanged since 2004. Under the updated framework, mobile network operators (MNOs) must maintain a Call Drop Rate (CDR) of less than 1%, down sharply from the previous threshold of ≤3%. Telcos are also required to achieve a Call Connection Success Rate (CCSR) of more than 95%, with successful connections recorded in over 90% of operational cells…

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the private sector to thrive, create decent jobs, and boost local apparel manufacturing across the country. According to the minister, Ghana remains open and ready for business, and President John Dramani Mahama is fully committed to creating sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for the youth. She emphasized that the government will continue to implement policies and initiatives that strengthen the private sector as a key driver of economic growth. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare made these remarks during a one-day working visit to Northshore Apparel Ghana Ltd…

The Minority in Parliament has condemned the government’s decision to slash the cocoa producer price, calling it an unfair and unprecedented blow to hardworking farmers who have long sacrificed for the nation. Ranking Member on the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku, voiced strong outrage during a press conference in Parliament on Thursday, February 12, 2026, shortly after Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced the reduction. The new farmgate price, effective immediately, stands at GH¢41,392 per tonne (equivalent to GH¢2,587 per 64kg bag), down from the earlier rate of GH¢51,660 per tonne—or GH¢3,625 per bag…

The Government of Ghana has announced a significant downward adjustment to the producer price of cocoa for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season, reducing it from GH¢51,660 per tonne to GH¢41,392 per tonne. The new price, equivalent to GH¢2,587 per 64kg bag, takes effect immediately on Thursday, February 12, 2026, following approval by the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC). Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson made the announcement at a press briefing in Accra, explaining that the revision was driven by prevailing conditions in the international cocoa market. He noted that the adjustment reflects the sharp decline in global…