The 2024 Annual Report recently published by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) reveals a trend. Ghana’s crude oil production has decreased for the fifth year in a row. It has gone down from its highest point of 71.44 million barrels in 2019 to 48.25 million barrels in 2024.

The report showcases a slight decrease of 0.01 percent compared to the previous year and an average yearly drop of 7.4 percent during the five years.

The decrease in production is ongoing. This causes worry about the future viability of Ghana’s upstream petroleum industry. It also raises concerns about its potential effects on the economy. This is especially concerning since the country heavily depends on oil profits to support critical national initiatives.

In addition, the report raises significant issues surrounding petroleum revenue management. It discloses that in 2024, GNPC Explorco did not deposit US$145.68 million — the full amount from their liftings — into the Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF), as mandated by law. This exclusion brings the total unpaid revenue held by JOHL and GNPC Explorco to US$488.79 million by the end of 2024.

According to GNPC, the funding from Explorco liftings should not automatically go towards the PHF fund, which has been a concern for PIAC. In response, the oversight committee has consistently requested clear guidelines and proper adherence to laws in managing these funds to promote transparency and accountability within the industry.

Moreover, the report draws attention to ongoing surface rental delinquencies. According to the report, the IOCs had an outstanding balance of US$2.89 million in rental fees owed to the government as of December 2024. Three companies account for approximately 60 percent of these arrears, and their petroleum agreements were revoked in 2021. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of enforcement and revenue retrieval measures.

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.

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.

Up to 50,458 teachers out of a total of 54,227 teachers who were successful in last year’s aptitude test have been promoted, the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has confirmed.

In addition, GNAT said 1,417 out of 1,579 teachers removed from the payroll have also had their salaries reactivated, with only the remaining 162 yet to be impacted.

“We can confirm that out of the 54,227 teachers who were successful in the 2024 aptitude test for promotion, 50,458 have been placed on their correct grades in April 2025.

The outstanding, together with the backlog of the 2023 batch, to be placed in May 2025,” a letter signed by the General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah, to members of the association said.

It said the development followed a meeting with the Ghana Education Service (GES) on Friday, April 25, 2025.

On lower rank promotions, it said as of last Friday, the GES had informed the unions that all 16 regions had submitted the data, and the placement would be effected in May 2025.

Regarding the upgrading relative to returnees from further studies, the statement indicated that “a significant number of teachers in this category had not been upgraded, since 2023”.

Agreement
The communication said it had been agreed that all such teachers would be upgraded by the end of May 2025.

“The Director-General of Ghana Education Service (GES) has promised to write to the Regional Directors to ensure that the upgrading is done without fail,” it said.

A stakeholders meeting, it said, would be held in May 2025, to fix dates for the next aptitude test for promotion.

It said all the outstanding issues in the Collective Agreement for GES staff would be addressed next month, prominent among them being the salary disparities on the Single Spine Pay Structure.

The teacher union consequently expressed gratitude to President John Mahama for the 20 per cent allowance for teachers in deprived areas.

Gratitude
“The Teacher Unions express our gratitude to His Excellency the President of the Republic for his pronouncement on its payment, following the understanding that work on it is to be done, commencing May 2025,” the statement said.

With regard to the decoupling of Director 2 and Director 1, it said: “We again express our gratitude to His Excellency for the decoupling of Director 2 and subsequently Director 1 from being coterminous with political districts and regions, thus paving the way for the promotion of Deputy Directors to Director 2, and subsequently Director 1.

“It’s welcome news, and we hope to work with the relevant stakeholders to bring it to fruition,” it said.

The statement further commended the President for the supply of sanitary pads to female learners, and expressed the hope that it would attain the envisaged outcomes.

“We wish to assure our members that the unions, together with the relevant parties, are working tirelessly to conclude discussions on all other issues, and we shall not fail you,” the statement said.

GNAT reaction
Mr Musah later told the Daily Graphic that the development was a breakthrough between the government and teachers.

“We would like to express our profound gratitude to the President, at least, for his timely intervention,” he said.

He said since the issues came up, the GES had been very forthcoming, and expressed the hope that by next month, “we will be able to resolve the issue”.

Background
GNAT had given the government up to April 30, 2025, to address all issues affecting teachers.

The issues included the non-implementation of the Scheme of Service for GES staff and the implementation of the Human Resource Management Information System, which GNAT said had caused some challenges to teachers, including delays in their salaries and promotion.

The demands were part of the directives given by the National Labour Commission after meeting three teacher unions and their employers, represented by ministries and the GES, after the unions embarked on strike on March 20 last year.

At the time, the commission communicated that “having heard the disputes and having met the parties jointly and in separate (caucus) sessions, made some findings and thereby gave some directives, among which was that since the GES had no Scheme of Service for the GES Staff, and to ensure that future appointments do not encounter such challenges, the GES must provide its staff with a Scheme of Service”.

UEW Chancellor Neenyi Ghartey VII has urged the government and other stakeholders involved in the Bawku conflict to prioritize their efforts towards achieving long-term peace.

He called upon the government and relevant agencies to intensify efforts, utilizing diplomatic, developmental, and security-based strategies, in order to achieve lasting peace in the area.

The matter at hand is not limited to Bawku. It is a responsibility that falls on the nation as a whole.

Neeyi Ghartey made a fervent plea for us not to view this as a remote conflict but rather as a wound that affects our entire nation and demands our joint efforts for healing.

During the second gathering of UEW’s 29th Congregation this past weekend, Neenyi Ghartey emphasized the need for prompt action to resolve the conflict and bring back harmony to the region while also advancing its growth.

Neeyi Ghartey’s call is prompted by the ongoing turmoil in the area, which has caused significant setbacks for education, health care and other economic factors.

The GNAT and Pre-tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana have both highlighted the impact of the volatile conditions in Bawku on education in the region.

According to GNAT’s General Secretary, Thomas Musah, there are currently 2,070 employees in the enclave.

Due to the current circumstances, a nearby GNAT conference that was scheduled to take place last month had to be suspended.

Additionally, the district conference scheduled for next month has also been postponed.

According to the President of the Pre-tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana, King Awudu Ali, Bawku has been experiencing significant disruptions to academic activities for quite some time now.

According to him, numerous teachers have requested a transfer from Bawku, and there are also no takers for new teaching positions in the area.

He emphasized that the loss of lives and property does not benefit ordinary citizens, particularly those in Bawku.

According to Neenyi Ghartey, or Daniel Kobena Bortse Ghartey, in his personal life, Bawku is renowned for its vibrant culture and resilient people who have always been known for their hardworking nature. However, the ongoing conflict has had negative impacts on the community.

“Families are being torn apart, children cannot go to school, and livelihoods are crumbling under the weight of persistent violence. We cannot educate a nation while part of it burns. We cannot and must not allow this to continue,” he stated.

Neenyi Ghartey urged the residents of Bawku to maintain peace.

“Let peace reign. Let the guns go silent. Let peace be loud in Bawku. Let us silence the guns and raise the voices of reason, unity, and brotherhood. Let us remember that conflict only brings suffering, loss, and destruction, not only to lives and property but to the future dreams of our young ones,” he emphasized.

He specifically urged the young people in Bawku and its surroundings to refrain from being manipulated into causing harm but instead to emerge as advocates for peace and progress. Additionally, he appealed to the older generation and influential members of the community to utilize their influence in promoting unity rather than division.

Although the congregation ceremony was filled with joy, it would be remiss to ignore the pain and uncertainty that currently plague the people of Bawku due to its volatile state.

Neenyi Ghartey, who serves as both the Paramount Chief of the Effutu Traditional Area and an advocate for peace, emphasized that Bawku and Ghana must prioritize peace in order to promote national unity and progress. He urged all members of society, including intellectuals and decision-makers, to actively promote peace throughout the country, emphasizing that peace is not a sign of weakness but rather a display of strength, integrity, and foresight.

According to him, a peaceful Ghana serves as the cornerstone for a thriving Ghana.

The traditional leader emphasized the importance of every Ghanaian child growing up in a peaceful environment, regardless of their location. They expressed hope for peace to be restored in Bawku and for healing to reach every household, ultimately leading to a strong and united Ghana that provides opportunities for all children.

During the commencement ceremony, a total of 6,969 students were awarded degrees and diplomas. This included 2,969 male graduates and 4,000 female graduates.

The group consisted of 503 individuals pursuing postgraduate studies, 38 individuals working towards a doctoral degree, 5,958 individuals with a first degree, and 308 diplomates.

In total, 220 graduates achieved a first-class degree, with 1,427 earning a second-class upper division and 2,188 receiving a second-class lower division. Within this group, 3,620 females obtained their first degree.

Regarding educational progress, Neenyi Ghartey praised President John Mahama for his commitment to fostering inclusive education and his aspiration for lasting and fair education, stating that it aligned with the university’s mission of unlocking the capabilities of each student.

He encouraged the graduating class to strive for excellence and put in diligent effort, emphasizing their potential to make a positive impact in any field they enter. The university has faith in their ability to excel based on the knowledge and skills they have gained.

The Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Professor Stephen Jobson Mitchual, expressed gratitude to the government for its policies promoting access and equity, digital transformation, and capacity-building. He acknowledged that these efforts have been beneficial in equipping institutions like UEW to produce competent graduates.

According to Prof. Mitchual, the university’s investment in digital accessibility and internet connectivity has resulted in improved efficiency for teaching, learning, and examinations.

To defuse growing tensions, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has expressed regret over the events surrounding his unannounced visit to Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), emphasizing that he never intended to disrespect medical professionals during the encounter.

The visit, which took place on April 22, was reportedly triggered by the death of a patient, Bavug Salim, who allegedly passed away due to the absence of a functional ventilator in the hospital’s emergency unit.

A video of a heated exchange between Akandoh and Dr. Valentine Akwulpwa, the Head of the Accident and Emergency Department, quickly went viral, fueling widespread public debate and criticism.

In response to the incident, the Doctors Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH) announced an indefinite suspension of emergency and outpatient services. The group cited “unwarranted attacks” from the Health Minister and other officials, demanding unconditional apologies and immediate provision of essential medical equipment and supplies before any resumption of services.

However, in a press briefing held in Accra on Thursday, April 24, Akandoh recalled a personal experience to underscore his empathy and commitment to the health sector.

“It can happen to anyone. It happened to me. When I had an accident, the first place I was rushed to was Nyinahini District Hospital. I never thought I’d find myself there, but I did,” Akandoh shared, conveying his understanding of the challenges faced by healthcare workers.

Reaffirming his respect for the medical community, Akandoh stated, “And so, today, from where I sit, I will contribute my quota to the development of this sector. I have no intention to disrespect any medical doctor or health worker; that will be the last thing I will do. But let it be said that respect is reciprocal.”

The Minister also expressed his willingness to collaborate, adding, “I am ready to work with everyone in the sector.”

He directly appealed to the medical staff at TTH, saying, “My humble appeal to the medical doctors and health practitioners at Tamale Teaching Hospital is that I am the first person to take care of your interests. Therefore, let us call off the strike and all regroup and strategize the way forward.”

Akandoh noted, “There are things we can address using our internally generated funds, so let’s tackle the issues as they are.”

Despite the Minister’s efforts to clarify his position, the fallout from the incident persists. Akandoh’s decision to dismiss TTH’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Adam Atiku, has been widely criticized. The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has condemned the dismissal, calling it a violation of due process and an abuse of power, and has urged the Minister to offer an apology.