James Agalga, the Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, has vehemently denied allegations that the committee received GH¢960,000 to facilitate the passage of the National Signals Bureau Act, 2020 (Act 1040).

“I categorically deny the spurious claims made by Adu Boahene through his lawyer,” a statement signed by Mr. Agalga, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Builsa North, said.

“As the current chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, who also served as the Ranking Member of the same committee at the time Parliament considered and duly enacted the National Signals Bureau Act, 2020 (Act 1040), I find it appropriate to categorically deny the claims made by Adu Boahene through his lawyer,” he added.

Mr. Agalga clarified that the National Signals Bureau was established in 2020 following the passage of the National Signals Bureau Act, 2020 (Act 1040), towards the end of that year.

“At the time of the passage of Act 1040, Hon. Seth Acheampong, former MP for Mpraeso, was the chairman, while I served as the ranking member,” he explained.

Mr. Agalga continued by pointing out that the National Signals Bureau, the agency that Adu Boahene later headed as Director-General, did not exist before the passage of Act 1040, making it impossible for him to have facilitated the act by paying money to the Defence and Interior Committee.

“At the time of the passage of Act 1040, Adu Boahene was not yet involved with the National Signals Bureau,” Mr. Agalga emphasised. “In fact, I only met Adu Boahene in April or May 2021 when he appeared before our committee for the first time and was introduced to us by Albert Kan Dapaah, the then Minister of National Security, as the newly appointed Director-General of the National Signals Bureau—long after the passage of Act 1040.”

“It is not possible that Adu Boahene could have facilitated the passage of Act 1040 by paying monies to the Defence and Interior Committee, as he was not involved in the process,” Mr. Agalga added.

Mr. Agalga also explained that during the law’s passage, the committee had worked closely with the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah, and the National Security Coordinator, Joshua Kyeremeh.

“The committee had no dealings with Adu Boahene at the time Parliament enacted Act 1040, and as such could not have received any money from him,” he stated.

Expressing his disappointment over the allegations, Mr. Agalga emphasised the importance of upholding the integrity of Parliament.

“It is crucial to note that throughout the period of the enactment of Act 1040, the committee worked exclusively with the Minister of National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah, who was the principal sponsor of the bill, and the late National Security Coordinator, Joshua Kyeremeh,” Mr. Agalga remarked. “Thus, the committee had no dealings with Adu Boahene at that time and could not have received money from him for any purpose.”

Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, an Oncology Nurse Specialist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, has been chosen as one of the top 10 finalists for the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025, which will award her a $250,000 cash prize. She was selected from over 100,000 nominations from 199 countries.

The award acknowledges outstanding nurses who have displayed exceptional dedication and guidance in the progression of healthcare. Naomi’s selection, alongside Khadija Mohamed Juma from Kenya, signifies a significant achievement for African excellence in healthcare internationally. The ultimate recipient will be declared at a lavish event held in Dubai on May 26, 2025.

Naomi has been acknowledged for her significant contributions to cancer care in Africa. In addition to being the Head of Nursing at Ghana’s National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre, she has dedicated 23 years to pioneering oncology training in Ghana. Her efforts have resulted in the mentoring of over 60 oncology nurse specialists and 10 breast care nurses and the establishment of Ghana’s first postgraduate oncology nursing curriculum in 2015.

Naomi’s efforts reach far beyond her home country of Ghana. As a member of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), she also serves as co-investigator for the Global Bridges Oncology Grant, expanding her impact on an international level.

Along with her role as global faculty for the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Multidisciplinary Cancer Management Courses, she has received recognition for her contributions in the field. This includes being honoured with both the Ministry of Health’s Excellence Award and the Dr Dorcia Kisseh International Award.

Dr Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, commended the remarkable influence of the two African finalists. Their experiences showcase remarkable bravery, creativity, and dedication to improving community health. From revolutionising blood donation procedures to transforming cancer treatment, these nurses are reshaping the concept of leadership in healthcare.

The fourth edition of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, considered one of the most prestigious accolades for nurses worldwide, has been finalised. Ernst & Young LLP coordinated an independent process that evaluated the finalists, who were then selected by a panel of healthcare professionals from around the world.

The public voting period to show support for the finalists will continue until May 19, 2025. Ghanaians can visit https://apo-opa.co/44vBEWR to vote for Naomi.

S&P Global Ratings has upgraded Ghana’s foreign currency issuer credit rating from ‘SD’ (Selective Default) to ‘CCC+’ following the country’s progress in debt restructuring and an improved macroeconomic outlook.

The upgrade follows the successful conclusion of key phases of Ghana’s domestic debt exchange program and ongoing negotiations with external creditors.

“We affirmed our ‘CCC+’ issue ratings on Ghana’s debt. We also affirmed our ‘CCC+/C’ long- and short-term local currency ratings on Ghana. The outlook on both the foreign and local currency ratings is stable. Ghana’s transferability and convertibility assessment remains ‘CCC+’,” the rating agency stated in its May 9, 2025, assessment, as reported by Citi Business News.

This upgraded credit rating reflects the strengthening of external indicators, particularly a significant increase in gold export earnings and the steady re-accumulation of foreign exchange reserves. These developments signal improved external liquidity and better capacity to meet near-term external obligations, as the restructuring of outstanding commercial debt is also nearing completion.

Following the successful Eurobond exchange in October 2024, the revised ‘CCC+’ rating better reflects Ghana’s improving creditworthiness. This marks a significant milestone after the successful completion of both local currency and Eurobond restructurings, along with the ratified memorandum of understanding with bilateral creditors signed on January 29, 2025.

Downside Caution

However, S&P Global Ratings has cautioned that Ghana’s credit rating could face downward pressure in the next 12 to 18 months if fiscal performance weakens or financing conditions tighten. Such a scenario could exacerbate the already high debt servicing costs and limit the government’s ability to refinance upcoming debt maturities, creating further fiscal and external stability risks.

“While some lenders could still become holdout creditors, the likelihood of related disruption or unwinding of the debt restructuring process is mitigated from the principles of comparability of treatment under the G20 Common Framework, most-favoured creditor clauses in its restructured bonds, and the process’s advanced stage,” the rating agency stated.

Fiscal reforms are currently being implemented to address economic vulnerabilities amid the structural challenges in the country’s fiscal outlook. Although inflation remains elevated at 21.2%, it is on a downward trend, marking its lowest level in eight months, as a stronger cedi has helped mitigate import-related price pressures.

The local currency, which had crossed the GH¢17 mark on the retail market in 2023, is now trading at around GH¢14, showing signs of resilience.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has assured that these gains are not temporary but the result of well-coordinated and prudent economic policies. He attributes the sustained progress to strong fiscal planning and targeted policy actions to restore macroeconomic confidence.

The Director of Research and Corporate Affairs at the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Dr. Eric Obutey, has stated that utility tariffs could experience a reduction if the Ghanaian cedi maintains its current strength against the US dollar over the next three months.

In a conversation with JoyNews, Dr. Obutey elaborated on the factors influencing the PURC’s quarterly tariff reviews, highlighting key elements such as inflation, fuel price variations, and the exchange rate.

“PURC is not only there for price adjustments. We are also there for the quality of service as well. We look at both the quality of service and the pricing of the commodity,” he said.

Dr. Obutey’s remarks followed the recent strengthening of the cedi against the dollar, prompting public speculation about whether this trend could lead to a reduction in utility tariffs. These tariffs had been increased during the Commission’s quarterly review for the first and second quarters of 2025.

“If the cedi is appreciating against the dollar, it means it will impact the next tariff window. At the end of this current window, we will take into consideration all those varying factors that will impact the tariff in the next tariff window,” Dr. Obutey explained.

He also emphasised that the Commission’s tariff review process is data-driven and takes place every three months.

“We look at the exchange rate over the three-month period and make the adjustment based on the review. So, if we observe a consistent appreciation of the cedi during that period, it will certainly have a downward impact on the tariffs,” he concluded.

Ghana once again showcased its digital innovation leadership. The winners of the prestigious World Summit Awards (WSA) gathered at the offices of IT Consortium. This event occurred on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. This engagement followed Ghana’s remarkable performance at the WSA Global Congress held in Hyderabad, India. The country secured three out of the 40 global awards. This strengthened its reputation as a rising hub for impactful and inclusive digital solutions.

Expert nominations have been submitted from over 182 countries. The WSA continues to be one of the most competitive digital innovation platforms worldwide.

Madam Dorothy Gordon is a WSA board Member and National Expert for Ghana. She participated in the event with representatives from the WSA Global Office. The event served as a dynamic platform for dialogue. It brought together Ghana’s top digital innovators and global thought leaders. They discussed the future of technology, equitable information access, and sustainable digital development.

In her welcoming address, IT Consortium’s Chief Business Development Officer emphasized the pivotal role of partnerships. She highlighted how knowledge exchange amplifies African technological solutions globally. Hosting the event also signalled IT Consortium’s ongoing commitment to nurturing innovation and leadership within Ghana’s technology ecosystem.

In her keynote address, Madam Dorothy Gordon applauded the Ghanaian winners for their creativity. She also commended their resilience and commitment to leveraging technology for social good. She emphasised the importance of locally grounded innovations with global reach.

“The future of digital development lies in the hands of innovators who understand their communities and are inspired to build solutions that transcend borders,” she remarked.

Ghana’s Winning Innovations

The projects that won Ghana recognition at the WSA are distinguished by their creativity, measurable social impact, and full compliance with operational and regulatory standards:

• Chango: Chango is led by John Joojo Esua-Mensah, Yussif Markstar, Hosny Ben Savage, and Matilda Amuzu. It is a crowdfunding and group contribution platform. The platform enables users to raise funds for causes such as healthcare, education, and emergencies. The platform is fully regulated by the Bank of Ghana and adheres to the country’s financial regulatory frameworks.
• Achieve by Petra: Represented by Huzaifa Abdulai and Daniel Anaman. Achieve is a savings and financial planning app. It is designed to help users achieve their financial goals through automated behavioural nudges. It operates under the regulations of Ghana’s Securities and Exchange Commission, ensuring consumer protection and economic security.
• KhayaAI: Founded by Dr. Stephen Moore, Lawrence Adu-Gyamfi, and Dr Paul Azunre. KhayaAI is an artificial intelligence platform. It focuses on local language processing, inclusive learning, and research accessibility. The platform supports several African languages. This makes it invaluable for underserved communities. It is fully compliant with Ghana’s data protection regulations.

Strategic Participation and Global Recognition

Ghana’s prominence at the WSA Global Congress was further bolstered by the Mohinani Group. The group sponsored the participation of Kwesi Hayford (President, e-Sports Association Ghana). They also supported Kafui Anson-Yevu (Kraado) and Ato Ulzen-Appiah (GhanaThink Foundation). Their participation highlighted the growing role of the private sector in supporting digital innovation.

The WSA Global Congress gave Ghanaian winners a chance to present their innovations. They engaged with global peers. They participated in high-level discussions on scaling operations. They discussed digital inclusion. They also explored the legal frameworks that foster trust in digital development.

Building Africa’s Digital Future

At the IT Consortium gathering, discussions continued. They focused on strategies to increase the global relevance of African digital solutions. They also aimed at boosting their regional importance. Madam Gordon and the WSA Global team engaged directly with the winners. They stressed the importance of sustainable digital development. They emphasized the need for collaboration across sectors.

The event emphasised the celebration of individual achievements. It highlighted the need for policy advocacy, capacity building, and public-private partnerships. These efforts aim to unlock Africa’s full digital potential. The Chango team also highlighted the need for greater investment in Africa’s digital economy and innovation ecosystem.

As the event concluded, there was a renewed sense of optimism surrounding Ghana’s digital future. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration and creating solutions that will have a lasting and meaningful impact across the continent.

The World Summit Awards is one of the most esteemed global platforms. It recognizes digital innovations supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through such initiatives, Ghana continues to earn global recognition. It actively shapes the future of digital development in Africa and beyond.

Introduction

On Thursday, the 23rd of April, 2025, the Government of Ghana unveiled its Free Sanitary Pad Initiative, a program intended to keep girls in school and uphold the dignity of menstrual health.

Though late, Ghana’s initiative joins a growing global movement recognizing menstrual health as a right, not a privilege. Countries like South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, and Zambia are already providing free pads to curb absenteeism and protect girls from exploitation.

Further afield, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United States, France, and South Korea have embraced similar policies, ensuring young women are no longer penalized for nature’s design. In West Africa, Ghana now steps forward as a pacesetter. The promise is bright — but only if we nurture it wisely.

As a woman, a mother, and a legislator, my heart should be brimming with pride. Instead, it aches with worry.

The intentions behind this policy are noble. No girl should be forced to miss school or resort to rags, leaves, or bits of mattress foam during her period. But good intentions, without careful execution, often pave the way to bitter disappointment. Unless urgent corrections are made, this initiative risks becoming a national symbol of mismanagement, lost opportunity, and broken promises.

The Perils of Poor Planning

1. The Math Doesn’t Add Up

The government has earmarked GH¢292.4 million for 2 million girls, about GH¢146 per girl annually. Yet a single pack of quality pads costs between GH¢15 and GH¢40 monthly. Even the simplest arithmetic reveals the budget falls dangerously short. Is this a genuine intervention, or a political gimmick dressed in the cloth of compassion?

2. A Tale of Two Ghanas: The North Forgotten Again

The girls who need these interventions most are those in the five northern regions, where poverty is cruel. Launch events and early distributions are always centered in Accra. Videos have already surfaced of boys in better-endowed urban schools misusing free pads for play, while girls in Zebilla, Bunkpurugu, and Savelugu among others are left waiting. Is this the equity we claim to champion?

3. Toilets Matter Too

According to a 2024 report by the NGO, SEND Ghana, 63% of basic schools in the country lack access to adequate toilets and essential WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities. Therefore, it is not enough to simply place a sanitary pad in a young girl’s hand; without safe and private spaces to change, wash her hands, and manage her menstruation with dignity. The gift of a pad can become a burden rather than a blessing. In the absence of clean water, hygienic toilets, and proper disposal systems, hope quietly crumbles into humiliation, stripping girls of their confidence when they need it most.

Looming Challenges

Without serious rethinking, the programme faces grim prospects:

1. Delayed Supplies:

Like other government interventions, pads may arrive late, failing girls when they need them most.

2. Poor Quality:

Rushed procurement risks flooding schools with unsafe, substandard products.

3. Corruption and Diversion:

Without strong tracking, pads may be stolen and resold — another betrayal of trust.

4. Dependency, Not Dignity:

Handing out disposable pads year after year, without building resilience or infrastructure, fosters dependency.

5. Volatile Government funding:

Worse still, the programme’s reliance on volatile government funding, without a sustainable financing model, leaves its future dangling by a thread.

A Blueprint for Success: Solutions for a Dignified Policy

1. Build Factories, Not Dependence

Revive Ghana’s cotton industry, especially in the North. Resurrect the dormant cotton factory in Tumu, and establish pad-manufacturing hubs in Savelugu and Tamale. Let Ghanaian girls use Ghanaian-made products, weaving pride and empowerment into every pad.

2. Remove Taxes on Sanitary Products

It is a quiet cruelty that sanitary pads are taxed like luxury goods. Menstrual products are necessities, not privileges. Zero-rate sanitary products and remove import duties and hidden fees because dignity should never be taxed.

3. Prioritize the Poorest First

Use data from Ghana Education Service (GES), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the LEAP programme to target the most vulnerable first — rural girls, girls with disabilities, and the marginalized. No child should be invisible.

4. Fix School Infrastructure

Direct the GETFund and WASH initiatives to build gender-friendly toilet facilities, with running water and disposal units, in every school no later than 2026. A pad without privacy is an empty promise and an achievement not worth celebrating.

5. Sustainable Funding and Accountability

Dedicate 1% of VAT revenue to menstrual health. Deploy blockchain technology to transparently track procurement and distribution. Publish real-time reports to earn and keep the public’s trust.

A Call to Action

To President Mahama:

Publish a detailed, costed implementation plan. Launch pilot programs first in the five northern regions to refine systems before national roll-out. Involve civil society, traditional leaders, and local assemblies as true partners and not spectators.

To Every Citizen:

Demand accountability. Speak out against diversion and corruption. Support local pad producers. Break the silence around menstruation in homes, schools, and public spaces.

Conclusion: Turning Rhetoric into Results

This initiative is bold, visionary, and filled with hope. But hope alone is not enough. If properly implemented, this policy can transform communities, fuel local industry, and protect dreams. If mishandled, it will be another promise squandered.

Our girls deserve better. They deserve not just pads but dignity. Not just words

Hon. Hajia Fatahiya Abdul Aziz,
Member of Parliament(Savelugu ),
Deputy Ranking to the Committee on Gender, Children and Social Welfare

Hajia Fatahiya Abdul Aziz is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Savelugu in the Northern Region. She has expressed concerns about President John Dramani Mahama’s Free Sanitary Pads initiative.

While she commended the initiative’s good intentions, Hajia Fatahiya warned that poor execution could lead to “bitter disappointment.”

“Good intentions, without careful execution, often pave the way to bitter disappointment,” she remarked in an article.

The Savelugu MP, serving as the Deputy Ranking Member on the Gender, Children, and Social Welfare Committee of Parliament, proposed a more targeted approach. The approach starts with the five northern regions—Northern, Upper East, Upper West, North East, and Savannah. These regions are known for their high levels of poverty and underdevelopment. She also called for improvements in school hygiene facilities.

The NPP MP highlighted several challenges. These included funding gaps, geographic disparities, and inadequate infrastructure. They questioned whether the initiative was a genuine effort or a “political gimmick dressed in the cloth of compassion.”

Hajia Fatahiya recommended the local production of sanitary pads. She also suggested tax exemptions on hygienic products. Additionally, she proposed data-driven strategies to effectively target vulnerable girls.

She also proposed improving school infrastructure. She suggested establishing gender-friendly toilets. Additionally, she recommended allocating one per cent of VAT revenue to support menstrual health.

The MP urged President Mahama to ensure a well-detailed implementation plan. He should initiate pilot phases in the northern regions. Civil society organizations should be involved in the program’s rollout.

“Our girls deserve more than promises — they deserve dignity,” she concluded.

President John Mahama has assured Ghanaians that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) will remain state-owned. It will not be privatised. This assurance addresses ongoing concerns regarding the country’s power sector.

During his address at the May Day celebration at Black Star Square, the President spoke on Thursday, May 1. He directly addressed the rising concerns about the potential privatisation of ECG. He made it clear that his administration has no intention of selling the state-owned power distributor.

“Let me assure you that it is not my intention to privatise ECG as an institution. Our attention is more on public-private collaboration to inject efficiency into our downstream electricity distribution system,” the President stated.

He elaborated on the financial challenges facing ECG. He also discussed the operational challenges, including its heavy debt burden and inefficiencies. These issues are threatening the stability of the entire power sector.

“The ECG has been brought to its knees by a culture of poor governance over the last eight years, with a debt of GH¢68 billion and rising. If we do not do something drastic, our whole power sector will collapse. We can only bring down power tariffs if we improve efficiency in the distribution of power,” he explained.

President Mahama proposed that public-private partnerships could be a practical solution. He pointed to a successful model from his earlier term in office as an example.

“When I was President, in the free zones, a private company, Enclave Power, was given the right of metering and billing in the free zone. ECG provided them with a bulk supply of power.

“They pay ECG, and until today, they still pay ECG monthly on time. Their billing and collection in the free zones enclave is 99% of revenue collected,” he shared.

He said this example illustrates how partnerships with private firms can enhance operational efficiency without the need to transfer ownership.

“I am confident that through public-private partnerships, we can make our electricity distribution system more effective, but I assure you that ECG as an institution will not be privatised,” President Mahama stressed.