The Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also called the ‘MahamaCares’ initiative, has been officially introduced by the Government of Ghana. This new healthcare intervention strives to safeguard lives, uphold dignity, and fortify the nation’s healthcare infrastructure.

At the launch event on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh praised the initiative. He described it as a significant advancement. It marks progress in the country’s support for individuals battling chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These diseases include cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney failure, and stroke.

” This is a promise fulfilled,” he emphasized. He recalled that the creation of this fund was a significant commitment. President John Dramani Mahama made this commitment during the 2024 election race. The fund’s purpose is to provide financial assistance. It targets those facing chronic illnesses. These illnesses are often accompanied by high costs and challenges in treatment.

Per the World Health Organization, NCDs were responsible for 75% of deaths around the globe this year, excluding pandemics. In Ghana, they contribute to 43% of all fatalities. They have a greater effect on the most productive demographic, which is 18-45 year olds.

Minister Akandoh emphasized that chronic diseases in Ghana have an average treatment cost of GHS 53,000 per patient annually. This causes financial struggles for over 60% of households. These households deal with these illnesses. A significant portion of their non-food income is allocated towards healthcare expenses. He stressed the urgency of taking action to prevent families from sliding into poverty due to illness.

The Mahama Care Fund aims to address gaps in healthcare coverage. These are gaps that the National Health Insurance Scheme does not currently address. This will involve providing specialist-level treatment and promoting early diagnosis. Moreover, it includes initiatives to enhance the capacity of our healthcare workforce through training programs.

The latest public poll revealed strong backing for the project. A notable 79% of Ghanaians expressed their belief in the necessity of the fund. More than half indicated their willingness to make regular contributions.

Three key accomplishments have been reached thus far. We have formulated a comprehensive policy document. We have finalized a draft bill for presentation to Parliament. We eliminated a significant financial obstacle by lifting the National Health Insurance Fund cap.

The Minister urged all health organizations and collaborators to fully support the execution of the fund. He stated, “Together, we can ensure the success of this life-changing initiative.”

Eight individuals have been confirmed dead following a tragic accident on the Yeji-Kumasi Highway in the Bono East Region. Approximately 11 others are reported to be in critical condition after the incident, which took place around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025, near Nyumuase in the Atebubu-Amantin Municipality.

The injured passengers are currently receiving medical care at Mathias Hospital in Yeji. The accident involved a minibus, with registration number AS 4360-23, carrying 19 passengers traveling from Ejura to Yeji.

The victims were believed to be business people engaged in cattle trading. They returned home from their daily activities. That is when the crash occurred.

According to reports, the driver was speeding and lost control after hitting a pothole, which caused the crash. The Pru East District Chief Executive (DCE), Abdul-Nasir Dauda, has linked the accident to the road’s poor condition. The problem is between Amantin and Yeji. He has urged drivers to be extra cautious while traveling along that stretch of the highway.

On a somber note, some of the deceased are expected to be buried today, April 29, 2025, by Islamic tradition.

Renowned legal practitioner Thaddeus Sory has criticized the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) for what he sees as selective activism and a conspicuous silence in the face of past judicial misconduct. In a statement issued on April 29, he called into question the legal and moral integrity of the Bar’s recent resolution demanding the reinstatement of the suspended Chief Justice and the withdrawal of the Acting Chief Justice’s administrative directive.

“It took two whole days for the Bar’s resolution to even see the light of day,” Mr Sory remarked, questioning both the timing and the sincerity behind the Association’s position, which was passed on Saturday, April 26, but only became public on Tuesday, April 29.

He was particularly critical of the GBA’s demand for the President to revoke the suspension of the Chief Justice, calling the request “legally flawed and disrespectful.”

Thaddeus Sory: Revoke and Suspend the Bar

The GBA’s resolution argued that the President’s actions were “unconstitutional” and taken “in the absence of a published Constitutional Instrument, Statutory Instrument or Regulation(s),” according to Article 296 of the 1992 Constitution. However, Sory rejected this reasoning.

“Article 146(10) of the 1992 Constitution clearly states: ‘… the President may, acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of State, suspend the Chief Justice.’ This means that unless there is advice from the Council of State, the President cannot suspend the Chief Justice,” Sory explained.

“The word ‘may’ here does not grant discretion to act unilaterally. Once advised by the Council of State, the President is constitutionally bound to act—he must suspend.”

But Sory didn’t stop at constitutional interpretation. He pointed out the GBA’s silence in the face of administrative overreach by the now-suspended Chief Justice.

“When she was in office, the Bar raised no objections as she reassigned judges and altered case allocations,” Sory wrote. “Did they then suggest she rely on an algorithm or random generator to assign cases?”

Sory further alleged that unconstitutional and unlawful administrative guidelines were issued under the Chief Justice’s leadership, leading to “financial loss to the Republic through ill-conceived launches.”

He said bluntly, “Where was the Bar when the suspended Chief Justice issued unconstitutional and unlawful administrative guidelines and practice directions?”

If the GBA claims ignorance of these actions, Sory insisted that defence would not be valid: “I wrote publicly on those very matters.”

He accused the Bar of inconsistency, hypocrisy, and politicizing the law.

“The Bar’s position implies that the powers of the office are personal to the suspended Chief Justice,” he said, countering that the administrative authority to assign cases lies with the office of the Chief Justice, not the individual.

“Therefore, anyone constitutionally recognized as the Chief Justice, including one serving in an acting capacity, is empowered by law and practice to assign cases.”

Thaddeus Sory ended by challenging the Bar to test its claims in court.

“There is no need for threats or rhetorical outrage. If the Bar believes it has a case, let it go to court. But history is not on their side. Past attempts have yielded embarrassing defeats.”

In one of his most striking statements, Sory drew a clear line between legal principle and institutional entitlement: “The law is not in the bosom of the Bar!”

John Abdulai Jinapor, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, urges Ghanaians to remain patient. He asks them to be understanding as the country prepares for a 14.75% hike in electricity tariffs beginning May 3, 2025.

According to the recent statement from the PURC, the tariff revision aims to provide stability to the energy industry. It also addresses enduring issues with its operations and finances.

Addressing the Committee of Ministers at the West African Gas Pipeline Project meeting in Accra, Mr. Jinapor emphasized the significance of conducting a review to maintain the country’s power supply and drive progress in sector reforms.

The speaker expressed their plea to Ghanaians and the overall public to understand. They are implementing necessary, albeit challenging, decisions. These decisions aim to have dependable power sources for the country’s economic progress.

According to the IMF, Ghana is expected to experience a 4 percent growth rate by the end of 2025. The updated prediction was included in the IMF’s April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook Report. It was published during the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.

The anticipated 4 percent expansion is consistent with the number disclosed by Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson in his March presentation of the 2025 Budget. The IMF predicts that Ghana’s economy will experience a 4.8 percent growth in 2026. It seems unlikely that the 2025 inflation target will be met.

According to the IMF, the inflation rate for 2025 is predicted to reach 17.5 percent by the end of the year, which exceeds the government’s desired target of 11.9 percent outlined in the national budget. It appears that meeting the inflation target for the year may prove difficult for the government.

Despite ongoing challenges, the IMF maintains a positive outlook and predicts a significant drop in inflation to 9.4 percent by the end of 2026. This would bring Ghana one step closer to achieving its longstanding goal of single-digit inflation.

The ratio of debt to GDP is expected to increase before eventually decreasing. As of December 2024, Ghana’s overall public debt reached GHS 726.7 billion, equivalent to 61.8 percent of the country’s GDP.

Per the IMF’s report on the Regional Economic Outlook, there is a projected increase in the debt-to-GDP ratio, reaching 66.4 percent by the conclusion of 2025, followed by a gradual decrease to 62.7 percent in 2026.

The goal of the IMF program is to decrease the rate to 55 percent by the end of 2028. Stéphane Roudet is the head of the IMF Mission to Ghana. He expressed confidence during an interview with Joy Business at the Spring Meetings. He is confident that all key benchmarks, including the 2028 debt target, can be achieved by Ghana. This is possible as long as Ghana remains dedicated to meeting program requirements.

The status of foreign reserves and the trading forecast.

According to the IMF, Ghana’s import cover is expected to increase to 3.6 months by the end of both 2025 and 2026. Furthermore, the report stated that the U.S. receives approximately 1 percent of Ghana’s total GDP through exports.

The recent security breach has impacted around 5,700 MTN Ghana customers, as stated by the MTN Group. The DPC is currently conducting an investigation. They are looking into a possible cyber security breach. It resulted in the unauthorized access of personal data belonging to certain MTN Ghana customers.

MTN Group reassured the public of its close collaboration with top cyber security professionals. It is conducting a thorough forensic inquiry. This follows standard security procedures to determine the impact.

On April 28, MTN Group released a statement promising to reach out to all impacted customers personally.

The company stated that the investigation is still ongoing. It underscored its commitment to allocating the necessary resources to resolve the issue promptly.

“MTN assures its customers that the privacy of information is our top priority, and we remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of our systems and the trust placed in us by our customers and other stakeholders. We will continue to contain and manage this matter carefully,” it pledged.

In addition, the MTN Group advised its customers to stay alert and adhere to regular security protocols, emphasizing:

To prevent potential repercussions of fraud, individuals have an option. They can place a fraud alert on their credit report. They can do this with any of the main credit bureaus.

Make sure to keep all your MTN, MoMo and banking apps and devices updated.

Consider using robust and distinctive passwords for your accounts, and remember to update them periodically.

It is essential to exercise caution when receiving unexpected messages and avoid clicking on any suspicious links.

Avoid revealing sensitive information like passwords, PINs, and OTP when requested via phone, text, or email.

The Progressive Peoples Party (PPP)has issued a press statement on the suspension of the Chief Justice. Released this evening, the PPP sort validate the action so far. Find the full statement below.

28th April, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) Statement on the Suspension of the Chief Justice
Accra, April 28, 2025 – The Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) has been following with keen interest the recent suspension of the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana. We wish to reiterate our firm belief that the suspension, as executed by the President, was lawful and in full compliance with the due process of law as enshrined in our 1992 Constitution.

Due process necessitates adherence to established principles of procedure, respect for the rule of law, and the safeguarding of an individual’s rights. In this instance, it is our understanding that the President acted on the advice of the Council of State in suspending the Chief Justice. This action followed a preliminary determination of a prima facie case against the Chief Justice, made by the President in consultation with the same Council of State.

Furthermore, we acknowledge that the Chief Justice was afforded the opportunity to respond to the specific allegations outlined in the petitions presented. This process, in our view, unequivocally demonstrates the President’s commitment to adhering to laid down procedures, upholding the rule of law, and respecting fundamental human rights.
The Constitution remains the supreme law of our land, applicable to all persons and in all circumstances. Therefore, the PPP maintains its position that no constitutional provisions have been breached by the President in the matter of the current Chief Justice. We call upon all parties to remain calm and allow the constitutional processes to proceed without hindrance.

We find it pertinent to express our concern regarding the stance taken by the Ghana Bar Association (GBA). As an association of learned lawyers, we had hoped the GBA would affirm the adherence to due process in this matter. Instead, their call for a “suspension of the CJ’s suspension” is perplexing and could be interpreted as an attempt to suspend due process itself, potentially setting aside portions of our Constitution.

Such calls from the GBA and other entities are not only a threat to our democratic principles but also suggest a selective and subjective application of the law, contingent on the individuals involved. While we respect the democratic right of individuals and groups to defend the Chief Justice and advocate for her reinstatement, we must also underscore the fundamental principle of accountability within a democracy.

The principle of strict separation of powers, crucial for preventing interference between the arms of government, must not preclude the opportunity for citizens to hold the heads of these institutions accountable. It is in this spirit that the Constitution provides clear avenues for holding not just the Chief Justice, but also the President and the Speaker of Parliament, accountable.

For clarity, our Constitution lays out explicit procedures for the removal of the President, the Speaker of Parliament, the Chief Justice, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, and other public officeholders. In the specific case of the Chief Justice, Article 146 clearly outlines the procedure to be followed, and it is our assessment that these provisions have been fully respected by the President in the current situation.

The privileges, conditions of service, powers, and the honor bestowed upon the heads of the three arms of state necessitate that they are held to the highest standards of accountability.

We recall the events of 2018 concerning the removal of members of the Electoral Commission, including its Chairperson. The PPP’s position at the time was clear: if these individuals had not engaged in acts of stated misbehavior and incompetence, there would be no basis for their removal. Ultimately, the Committee of Inquiry found procurement violations constituting stated misbehavior, leading to the Chairperson’s removal, a process later validated by the Supreme Court.

Therefore, in our defense of the Chief Justice, we must not lose sight of the essential requirements of accountability, due process, the rule of law, and absolute compliance with constitutional provisions.

Signed,
Nana Ofori Owusu
Chairman
Progressive Peoples Party

President John Dramani Mahama has launched an initiative that aims to provide young individuals with the means to establish their businesses.

Named the Adwumawura Programme, it was inaugurated in Kumasi on Monday, [April 28, 2025] by President Mahama.

During his address at the ceremony in Kumasi, President Mahama emphasized the significance of the initiative in providing viable prospects for young Ghanaians to turn their ideas into lasting businesses.

The goal is to establish a minimum of 10,000 businesses owned by Ghanaian youth annually for the next four years.

Enhancing women’s capabilities through the development of skills.

According to him, the Adwumawura Programme will provide a range of resources to support business growth. These include training for development, opportunities for funding, mentorship, market assistance, and ongoing advisory services. The programme is open to both emerging ventures and established small businesses, with the option to apply through an online platform.

President Mahama addressed a crowd of government officials, development partners, traditional authorities and young entrepreneurs, reiterating our aim to establish a minimum of 10,000 youth-owned businesses in Ghana annually for the next four years.

According to Mr. Mahama, the Adwumawura Programme has been fully financed and received the required allocation from the Ministry of Finance under the 2025 national budget.

He highlighted that the current program is distinct from past youth initiatives that were introduced with much excitement but ultimately lacked sufficient funding.

NEIP, under the newly established Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, will be in charge of carrying out the Adwumawura initiative.

According to Mr Mahama, the initiative aims to be all-encompassing, driven by the youth, and inclusive of individuals from diverse backgrounds in Ghana, regardless of their educational background.

According to him, numerous major corporations we witness today initially began as modest enterprises.

Proper support can empower young Ghanaians to establish businesses that not only enhance their own lives but also bolster our national economy.

The application process for the initial group of recipients has officially begun, overseen by an independent selection committee.