The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned last Friday’s actions by operatives of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) at the residences of two prominent personalities of the opposition party.

The NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, in a release on the subject, called on all Ghanaians and cherishers of democracy to condemn the storming and arrest of a party member, Alfred Ababio Kumi, aka Adenta Kumi, from his residence.

“NPP condemns in the strongest terms the growing pattern of politically motivated intimidation and harassment of its members,” the release stated.

The party accused the NDC government of misusing state security agencies to directly assault members of the NPP.

Recalling the incident at the residence of Adenta Kumi on Friday morning, the General Secretary said:

“At about 7 am on Friday, April 23, Alfred Ababio Kumi, aka Adenta Kumi, a member of the NPP, Adenta, was arrested by operatives of the NIB wielding AK 47. Six of them wore masks. This is clearly related to the petition for the dissolution of the Justice Torkornoo Committee. Rather than address the petition, the response is the harassment of the whistleblower.”

In a related development, the General Secretary said NIB operatives also descended upon the residence of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi-Bosiako, aka Chairman Wontumi, to arrest him and take him to Accra.

He noted that the operation was in connection with an earlier invitation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to Wontumi to assist in an ongoing investigation.

He explained that due to a medical situation, Chairman Wontumi could not report on the initially scheduled date of May 21 but had informed authorities that he would be available on May 26, 2025.

“It was surprising, therefore, when NIB operatives stormed his residence on Friday morning,” the General Secretary noted, adding that “this is a threat to democracy and designed to weaken opposition voices as well as erode democratic fabric.”

“Such actions do not only violate the fundamental rights of Ghanaian citizens but also endanger principles of transparency, justice and equal protection under rule of law,” the General Secretary said.

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The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) recently hosted a delegation from Indiana University’s Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as part of the university’s 2025 Study Abroad program to Ghana.

The visiting group, led by Dr. Nana Abena Amoah-Ramey, engaged in a vibrant cultural exchange with MUSIGA, represented by its President, Bessa Simons. The meeting highlighted MUSIGA’s vital role in advancing Ghanaian music and supporting musicians nationwide.

As part of the visit, the delegation was given a detailed overview of MUSIGA’s ongoing initiatives and upcoming activities, including preparations for its Golden Jubilee Celebration, which marks 50 years of promoting and preserving Ghana’s rich musical heritage.

A standout moment of the visit was an interactive Highlife music workshop led by legendary Ghanaian musician Smart Nkansah of Sweet Talks fame. The hands-on session provided students with a rare opportunity to explore the origins, rhythms, and cultural relevance of Highlife, Ghana’s iconic music genre.

Speaking at the event, MUSIGA President Bessa Simons expressed enthusiasm about the exchange:

“We are honoured to host Indiana University’s delegation and share our musical heritage. This partnership highlights the value of cultural exchange in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through the universal language of music.”

Dr Nana Abena Amoah-Ramey also praised the experience:

“This visit has been instrumental in broadening our students’ understanding of African music and culture. MUSIGA’s leadership and the Highlife workshop with Smart Nkansah provided invaluable insights that greatly enhance our academic programme.”

MUSIGA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering international collaborations that spotlight Ghana’s musical influence while empowering the next generation of cultural ambassadors and creatives.

Photo Caption: Indiana University delegation in a group photo with MUSIGA executives.

The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has announced that the Cabinet has approved the exemption of electricity bills for selected strategic institutions, including security agencies and those in the health and education sectors.

Mr. Jinapor said the decision was reached after a Cabinet meeting held during the week in Accra, chaired by President John Dramani Mahama.

The Minister explained that the initiative is intended to safeguard the uninterrupted operations of essential national services in key sectors such as security, health, and education.

He further stated that the new policy aims to enhance energy consumption accountability and strengthen critical government institutions’ operational resilience.

Mr. Jinapor noted that the measure taken by the John Mahama-led government reflects its commitment to financial discipline in the energy sector and to maintaining a stable power supply for all Ghanaians.

“This exemption ensures uninterrupted services in sectors vital to national security, health, and education while also enforcing accountability among non-exempt users,” he stated.

Under the directive, the Ministry of Finance will absorb the electricity costs for these institutions through their approved budget allocations.

The exemption applies to the following ministries: the Office of the President, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education.

The exemptions are strictly limited to core operational units, excluding auxiliary and non-essential facilities.

The exemption applies to classrooms, universities, science and computer laboratories, lecture halls, and research facilities in the education sector. It does not cover dormitories, dining halls, or recreational areas.

The health sector includes hospitals, operating theatres, blood banks, medical laboratories, and wards. Staff residences and leisure facilities are excluded.

Only critical installations such as military intelligence, national defence communications, and emergency systems are covered for the defence sector. Non-emergency sites are excluded.

Under the Interior Ministry, police and emergency response units are included, while other facilities remain outside the exemption.

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) have been directed to intensify revenue collection efforts from institutions not covered under the exemption.

They are authorised to disconnect power to any non-exempt entity with unpaid bills.

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.