Ghana’s Central Bank Chief Challenges IMF to Move Faster on African Debt Relief
Ghana’s central bank governor has issued a pointed challenge to the International Monetary Fund, demanding swifter debt relief and more powerful crisis response tools, warning that the continent’s economies are buckling under pressures that the Fund’s current mechanisms are simply too slow to address. Bank of Ghana Governor Johnson Pandit Asiama delivered the appeal on Tuesday during a meeting of the African Consultative Group in Washington, making clear that the time for incremental adjustments had passed. What Africa needs, he argued, is a fundamental “step-change” in how the IMF responds to debt distress, climate shocks, and the tightening of global financial conditions. “African economies continue to operate in an exceptionally challenging macroeconomic environment,” Asiama told the gathering, laying out a stark picture of high debt vulnerabilities, shrinking fiscal space and a relentless succession of external shocks. He pointed specifically to spillovers from the conflict in the Middle East, which he said had worsened inflation and placed severe strain on external balances across the continent. His words resonated in a room where frustration had been building. African policymakers at the meeting made clear they believe the pace of international financial support is falling dangerously short of the scale of the region’s challenges, a sentiment Asiama gave voice to with unusual directness. At the heart of his critique was the IMF’s existing debt resolution machinery, including the Group of 20’s Common Framework, which he described as too slow and too rigid for the urgency of the moment. Delays in restructuring, he warned, were not merely administrative inconveniences; they were prolonging uncertainty, chilling investment, and keeping countries locked out of international capital markets long after they should have regained access. “Time-bound restructurings anchored in credible comparability of treatment are essential,” Asiama said, calling for stronger participation by private creditors and clearer rules on burden-sharing, two areas where progress has historically stalled. He also took aim at how IMF programme design handles delays caused by creditor coordination problems, arguing firmly that such delays should not be recorded as policy failures on the part of borrowing countries. It was a pointed rebuke of a framework that African nations have long felt places an unfair burden on the most vulnerable parties in any restructuring process. Asiama’s demands extended well beyond debt restructuring. He pressed for broader reforms to the IMF’s policy framework, including improved debt sustainability assessments for low-income countries and wider deployment of the Fund’s Integrated Policy Framework. He urged faster implementation of the IMF’s “three-pillar approach” for countries facing or at risk of crisis. He called for increased use of the Fund’s balance sheet to support vulnerable economies, through scaled-up concessional financing, the institutionalisation of Special Drawing Rights reallocation, and a more responsive Resilience and Sustainability Trust. “Recent shocks have exposed the need for emergency financing that is adequately resourced and readily accessible,” he said, in what amounted to a direct call for the IMF to match its rhetoric on African development with tangible, timely action. Rounding out his address, Asiama stressed the importance of capacity-building support in areas including domestic revenue mobilisation, public financial management and financial regulation, with particular attention to emerging risks tied to digital finance and cyber threats, sectors where many African economies remain exposed. His remarks come at a moment of acute pressure for the continent. Rising borrowing costs, slowing global growth and escalating climate disruptions are converging to test the resilience of economies that, in many cases, have yet to recover from the shocks of recent years fully. The IMF has not yet formally responded to the calls. But with debt restructuring and crisis financing set to dominate global economic discussions in the months ahead, Asiama’s voice, and Africa’s, will be difficult to ignore. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Chieftaincy Dispute Turns Deadly as Fire Ravages Five Communities in Gushegu District
A simmering chieftaincy dispute has exploded into open violence in the Nawuhugu/Kolick electoral area of the Gushegu District, leaving a trail of destruction across five communities after rival factions clashed over the installation of a new chief in Yidaan. The affected communities, Yidaan, Busum No. 2, Kukpok, Nagnan, and Nayagil, woke to scenes of devastation as homes were set ablaze, property destroyed, and livestock killed in clashes that swept through the area with alarming speed. While no deaths have been confirmed, several people sustained injuries, and residents are living in fear that the worst may still be to come. The seeds of the conflict were sown by the death of the area’s previous chief, Sakpi, whose passing created a vacancy that two powerful factions have been unable to agree on how to fill. At the heart of the dispute lies a fundamental disagreement over authority, specifically, who has the right to perform the enskinment of a successor. The Binamob group holds firmly that the Zantali-Lana is the rightful authority to carry out the installation. The Bikpaangib group, however, sees it differently, insisting that the honour belongs to either the Chief of Nagnan or the Chief of Nasu. Neither side has shown willingness to yield, and what began as a succession disagreement has steadily hardened into something far more dangerous. The breaking point came when the Binamob faction moved ahead with its position, proceeding to install its chosen nominee through the Zantali-Lana. For the opposing side, it was a provocation too far. Tensions that had been building beneath the surface erupted into violence, with clashes rapidly spreading from one community to the next, consuming homes and livelihoods in their wake. The scale of the destruction has sent shockwaves through the region, with residents pleading for urgent intervention before the situation deteriorates further. Their calls appear to have reached the highest levels of the security services. Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno has responded by deploying additional personnel to the area, including a special operations team equipped with armoured vehicles, a sign of just how seriously authorities are taking the threat. Police say the deployed team will work in close collaboration with the Northern Regional Command to intensify patrols and bring calm to the battered communities. For the people of Yidaan and its neighbouring villages, the hope now is that the security presence will hold the line, and that those with the power to broker peace will act before another night of fire and fear descends on the Gushegu District. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NPP Slams Arrest of Party Communicator as Political Witch-Hunt
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has fired back at the government of President John Dramani Mahama, condemning the arrest and remand of one of its communicators, Baba Amando, as a calculated act of political persecution and a blatant misuse of state power. Speaking at a press conference in Accra on April 15, 2026, the party’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, painted a troubling picture of what he described as a deliberate campaign to silence and intimidate opposition voices. His words were measured but sharp, carrying the weight of a party that believes it is fighting not just for one man, but for the soul of democratic governance in Ghana. According to Boakye, the ordeal began on April 13, when Baba Amando, accompanied by his lawyer, voluntarily honoured a police invitation in Sunyani, a gesture of cooperation that, in the NPP’s view, should have set the tone for a fair and transparent process. Instead, what followed was anything but. Amando was transferred to Accra, with police citing vague “orders from above” as justification, a phrase the party found deeply alarming. The situation took a further turn when, despite being granted police bail and asked to report the following day, Amando was arraigned before court and remanded in custody. Most striking, the NPP noted, was the fact that the prosecution itself did not oppose bail, making the court’s decision to remand him all the more difficult to justify. Boakye did not hold back in his assessment of the Presiding Judge, accusing the court of judicial overreach and describing the remand order as entirely unwarranted. For the NPP, Amando’s case does not stand alone. Boakye drew a direct line between this arrest and the recent detention of NPP Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe Abronye, arguing that the two incidents are not isolated events but part of a broader, more sinister pattern, a systematic targeting of opposition figures by a government increasingly willing to weaponise state institutions against its critics. Central to the NPP’s accusations is the alleged involvement of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), which the party claims is being deployed not to fight crime, but to stifle dissent. The party warned that such actions pose a serious threat to free speech and civil liberties, values it insists must be protected regardless of political affiliation. The NPP’s demands were unambiguous: an immediate review of the remand order, an end to the politicisation of law enforcement agencies, and a formal investigation by the Chief Justice into the conduct of the court in this matter. The party also issued a broader challenge to the Mahama administration, urging it to redirect its energy toward the real issues confronting Ghanaians, soaring unemployment, a rising cost of living, and crumbling infrastructure, rather than what it described as a relentless pursuit of political enemies. As the dust settles on what has become one of the more charged political episodes of the year, one thing is clear: the NPP has drawn a line in the sand, and it intends to fight back. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
APC South: Neurosurgeon Congratulates Nwoye, Calls for Unity, Inclusive Leadership
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Dr. Ugwuanyi Ugochukwu Charles, has congratulated the party’s newly elected Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr. Ben Nwoye, describing his emergence as a significant milestone in consolidating the APC’s influence across the Southern region. In a press statement issued following the party’s National Convention held on March 28, 2026, Dr. Ugwuanyi, a Chief Consultant Neurosurgeon and Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, praised Dr. Nwoye’s track record as a former APC Chairman in Enugu State and his reputation as an inclusive, grassroots-oriented leader. “Dr Nwoye’s emergence marks a significant step in strengthening the party’s foothold in the Southern region,” Ugwuanyi said. “His proven track record … positions him well to consolidate the gains already recorded by the party across the South.” He also acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, whose tenure, he noted, laid a solid foundation for party growth and cohesion. The APC stalwart further commended the growing influence of the party in the South East, singling out the pioneering role of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, in advancing the party’s presence in the region. He equally lauded Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for a governance style he described as visionary, inclusive, and development-focused, citing notable strides in aviation, education, and healthcare as evidence of disciplined planning. While acknowledging that ongoing reforms by the APC-led Federal Government may pose short-term challenges, Ugwuanyi expressed strong optimism that these measures would yield lasting benefits and sustainable development for Nigerians. He urged Dr. Nwoye to recognise the enormity of his responsibility—not only to deepen party structures across the South but also to promote political stability as a foundation for delivering democratic dividends. Dr. Ugwuanyi also commended the APC Enugu State Chairman, Dr. Martins Chukwunweike, for his commitment to party leadership at the state level, describing his role as critical in fostering unity and mobilising support. In a direct appeal to party members, stakeholders, and supporters, especially in Enugu State, he called for unity, cooperation, and shared purpose. “Stability, cooperation, and shared purpose are essential for sustained progress,” he said. Dr. Ugwuanyi, a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FRCS) in Neurosurgery and founder of Wellington Neurology and Neurosurgery Hospital, Abuja, has been an active pillar of the APC in Igbo Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State. Read the full statement below: PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Consolidating Party Strength, Stability, and Inclusive Leadership in APC I wish to extend warm congratulations to the newly elected Deputy National Chairman(South), Dr Ben Nwoye, following the successful conclusion of the APC National Convention held on March 28, 2026. Dr Nwoye’s emergence marks a significant step in strengthening the party’s foothold in the Southern region. His proven track record as former APC Chairman in Enugu State, combined with his reputation as an inclusive and grassroots-oriented leader, positions him well to consolidate the gains already recorded by the party across the South. I also acknowledge the contributions of his predecessor, Chief Emma Eneukwu, whose tenure laid a solid foundation for party growth and cohesion. The growing influence of the APC in the South East continues to reflect strategic leadership and sustained efforts over time. Notably, the pioneering role played by the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, in advancing the party’s presence in the region remains commendable. Equally significant is the leadership of the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, whose governance style reflects vision, inclusiveness, and a commitment to development. His efforts demonstrate a clear intention to carry all stakeholders along, fostering unity and strengthening confidence in governance. The strides recorded in key sectors, including aviation, education, and healthcare, are a testament to disciplined planning and purposeful leadership. While ongoing reforms by the APC-led Federal Government may present short-term challenges, there is strong optimism that these measures will yield lasting benefits and sustainable development for Nigerians. As I congratulate Dr Ben Nwoye, I recognize the enormity of the responsibility before him—not only to deepen party structures across the South but also to promote political stability as a foundation for delivering democratic dividends. I also commend the APC Enugu State Chairman, Dr Martins Chukwunweike, for his commitment to party leadership at the state level. His role remains critical in fostering unity and mobilizing support for the party’s vision. Importantly, at this crucial time, I call on all party members, stakeholders, and supporters, essentially in Enugu State, to remain united, supportive, and focused on the collective goal of building a stronger, more inclusive APC. Stability, cooperation, and shared purpose are essential for sustained progress. Signed: Dr Ugwuanyi Ugochukwu Charles FRCS (SN) England Editors Note: PROFESSIONAL BOILERPLATE (BRIEF) Dr. Ugochukwu Charles Ugwuanyi, FRCS (Eng) Neurosurgery, FMCS, FACS (SN), FICS (SN), MD, MBA, KSJI Dr. Ugochukwu Charles Ugwuanyi is a highly accomplished Chief Consultant Neurosurgeon with over three decades of experience in clinical practice, medical education, healthcare leadership, and public service. He is the Founder of Wellington Neurology and Neurosurgery Hospital, Abuja, and currently serves as Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment on medical and pharmaceutical matters. A Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FRCS) in Neurosurgery, Dr. Ugwuanyi has received multiple prestigious fellowships and advanced specialist training in the United Kingdom, United States and across Europe. He previously served as Head of Neurosurgery at the National Hospital Abuja, where he trained and mentored numerous neurosurgeons and contributed significantly to research and global medical discourse. He also served as Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association Federal Capital Territory. He is an advocate for healthcare innovation, private sector participation, and sustainable health financing, with a strong commitment to advancing quality healthcare delivery in Nigeria. His philanthropic efforts and community interventions further underscore his dedication to societal development. Statement of Preparedness: Dr. Ugwuanyi’s extensive experience, leadership, and service have equipped him for higher responsibilities. He
Cut the “Dumsor Levy” by Half — COPEC Urges Government for Immediate Fuel Relief
Ghana’s Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) is calling on the government to slash the Energy Sector Shortfall and Recovery Levy, popularly known as the “dumsor levy”, by 50 percent for a limited period, as part of a package of measures aimed at bringing down fuel costs for ordinary Ghanaians. The proposal was contained in a statement released on Friday, April 10, in response to the government’s ongoing review of taxes and levies within the petroleum price build-up, a review that has raised public expectations of relief at the pumps. Under COPEC’s proposal, the levy would be temporarily reduced from GH¢1 to 50 pesewas per litre, a cut the Chamber says would translate directly into a 50 pesewa reduction in fuel prices for consumers. According to COPEC, the impact would be immediate and tangible, significantly reducing household expenditure on transport and energy at a time when public anxiety over rising fuel costs and the prospect of renewed power outages is running high. COPEC framed the proposal not just as consumer relief, but as a strategic balancing act for the government. By retaining half of the levy rather than scrapping it entirely, authorities would continue to collect revenue to support the energy sector and keep power plants running, reducing the risk of costly emergency power procurement and protecting industrial productivity. The Chamber argued that sustaining a revenue stream, even at half the current rate, would also help shield long-term tax revenues from the kind of disruption that a complete removal of the levy might trigger. COPEC was candid about the limits of its own proposal. A 50 percent cut in the levy would inevitably reduce funds set aside for servicing energy sector debts, and could slow planned maintenance activities if the intervention stretches beyond its intended window. That is precisely why, the Chamber stressed, the reduction must be strictly time-bound. COPEC proposed a one-month window, a timeframe it described as sufficient to deliver meaningful economic relief while remaining short enough to avoid long-term disruptions to the energy sector. The Chamber argued that such targeted, time-limited measures demonstrate genuine responsiveness to public concerns without sacrificing fiscal prudence. Urging policymakers to act with urgency, COPEC called on the government to give the proposal serious consideration as part of its broader short-term strategy to cushion consumers against rising global petroleum prices. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Court Eases Bail Conditions for Ex-National Service Boss Amid Ghost Names Trial
The High Court in Accra has amended the bail conditions of former Executive Director of the National Service Authority, Osei Assibey Antwi, permitting him to report to the Kumasi office of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) rather than making the trip to Accra, a concession his legal team had sought and the state did not resist. The development came during court proceedings on Monday, where the defense applied for a variation of the bail terms alongside a request for additional time to review case materials. Prosecutors informed the court that 49 documents had already been disclosed to the defense, with further disclosures still to come. The defense, citing the need to thoroughly examine the materials, requested a one-month adjournment. The presiding judge granted both applications, adjourning the case to May 13. Mr. Antwi faces serious charges, including stealing, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state, all stemming from his tenure at the National Service Authority. But beyond the bail amendment, Monday’s proceedings also shed light on significant revisions to the charges themselves. The principal allegation of causing financial loss to the state has been amended in two notable ways. Originally, prosecutors alleged that Mr. Antwi authorised payments totalling GH¢500,861,744.02 to more than 60,000 purported “ghost” national service personnel. The amended charge tells a somewhat different story, reducing the alleged financial loss to GH¢431,761,556.76 and replacing the reference to “ghost names” with the broader description of “non-service personnel and unverified individuals.” Investigations by the National Intelligence Bureau paint a troubling picture of what allegedly transpired at the Authority over several years. Findings reportedly indicate that 63,672 unverified registrants were submitted into the payment system between 2018 and 2024 for service allowances or vendor payments. Between August 2021 and February 2025, the Authority is alleged to have disbursed GH¢431,761,556.76 to individuals who either did not undertake national service or whose identities could not be verified, a staggering sum at the centre of what has become one of Ghana’s most closely watched public sector fraud cases. The case returns to court on May 13. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Israel Opposed UN Slavery Reparations Resolution Over “Gravest Crime” Language, Ambassador Explains
Israel’s Ambassador to Ghana, Roey Gilad, has broken his silence on why Israel voted against a recent United Nations resolution on reparations for the transatlantic slave trade, and his explanation centres not on a denial of history, but on a dispute over a single word. Speaking on JoyNews, Ambassador Gilad said Israel’s opposition was rooted in the resolution’s description of the transatlantic slave trade as the “gravest” crime against humanity, a characterisation he argued amounts to an unacceptable ranking of historical suffering. “Our problem with this resolution was exactly that, the gravest,” he said. “There were quite several crimes against humanity… Who are we to judge which is the gravest and which is less grave?” Gilad invoked some of history’s darkest chapters to make his case, the Holocaust, the Armenian genocide, and the Rwandan genocide, arguing that placing such tragedies in a hierarchy diminishes none of them, but distorts all of them. For Israel, a nation whose identity is inseparable from the memory of the Holocaust, the idea of ranking atrocities carries particular weight. The Ambassador was clear that Israel’s vote should not be misread as indifference to the horrors of the slave trade. “We believe that making a hierarchy and saying which was greater than the other is a mistake,” he said, reiterating that Israel fully recognises the severity and lasting consequences of the transatlantic slave trade. What makes Israel’s position notable is how close a compromise apparently came. Gilad disclosed that Israel, alongside the United States, the United Kingdom, and members of the European Union, engaged Ghana’s delegation at the United Nations before the vote, proposing a straightforward amendment that the resolution describe the slave trade as “one of the gravest” crimes against humanity rather than simply “the gravest.” “There is no doubt that had the resolution called the Atlantic slave trade one of the gravest, we had no problem,” he stated plainly. The proposal, it appears, was not adopted, and the resolution went to a vote with its original language intact. It reportedly received strong backing at the UN, with Ghana among its leading champions. Ghana has been at the forefront of international advocacy for reparations tied to slavery and colonial injustices. Ambassador Gilad’s remarks offer a window into the complex diplomatic undercurrents surrounding the global reparations debate, where the choice of a single word can determine whether nations stand together or apart. For Israel, the line is not drawn around the recognition of suffering, but around the language used to weigh it. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Signs Major Agro-Industrial Deal to End Fertiliser Imports and Boost Food Processing
Ghana has taken a significant stride toward transforming its agricultural sector, with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) signing a landmark partnership agreement with Sentuo Group Limited aimed at industrialising the country’s food production and ending decades of dependence on imported fertilisers. The signing ceremony, held in Accra on Monday, April 13, 2026, was accompanied by a media engagement at which Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku described the deal as a “bold and deliberate step” toward repositioning Ghana’s agriculture under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama. At its core, the agreement rests on two key pillars: the development of large-scale agro-processing infrastructure and the establishment of a national fertiliser manufacturing plant backed by an integrated agricultural input supply system. The initiative will target key commodities, cashew, maize, rice, soybean, and oil palm, with the overarching goal of shifting Ghana away from a raw commodity-based economy toward a value-driven, industrialised agricultural sector. Perhaps the most consequential aspect of the deal is its fertiliser component. For decades, Ghana has relied heavily on fertiliser imports, leaving farmers vulnerable to global price fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and the pressures of foreign exchange constraints. “With this agreement, we are taking a decisive step toward fertiliser independence,” Minister Opoku declared, noting that the project will enable local production of a wide range of fertiliser types, including NPK, urea-based, blended, organic, and specialty formulations. The Minister also highlighted the government’s existing support for farmers through the 2026 budget, which includes the distribution of 272,000 metric tonnes of fertilisers nationwide, targeted supplies exceeding 164,000 metric tonnes for intensified crop production, and a GH¢2.7 billion allocation for cocoa fertiliser support benefiting over 661,000 farmers. He was quick to stress, however, that government support alone is not sustainable without local production, making the Sentuo Group partnership what he described as “strategic and transformational.” The Minister commended Sentuo Group’s representative, Ningquan Xu, for the company’s commitment to finance, design, construct, and operate the proposed facilities under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement, a structure aligned with Ghana’s Public-Private Partnership Act 2020. He said the deal signals growing investor confidence in the country’s economic direction. Mr. Opoku was also keen to reassure the public about safeguards built into the agreement. The Memorandum of Understanding signed is a non-binding framework, he clarified, with all subsequent stages subject to feasibility studies, environmental and social assessments, regulatory approvals, and government oversight to ensure transparency and protect national interest. Beyond fertiliser production, the partnership is expected to catalyse broader development across Ghana’s agro-industrial ecosystem through the establishment of processing plants, warehousing systems, packaging facilities, and export-oriented production infrastructure. The anticipated benefits are wide-ranging: reduced post-harvest losses, increased export earnings, stabilised input costs, job creation, improved food security, and stronger economic resilience. The Ministry also plans to align the project with key national initiatives, including the Feed Ghana Programme and the 24-Hour Economy Policy. “Today’s signing is not just an agreement, it is a signal that Ghana is ready for serious, long-term industrial investment,” Mr. Opoku stated, reaffirming the government’s commitment to building a modern agricultural economy capable of delivering sustainable benefits for generations to come. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Warehouses Full, Promises Empty: Asutsuare Rice Farmers Cry Out for Help
Rice farmers in Asutsuare, Kadjanya, and Akuse in the Shai Osudoku District of the Eastern Region are sinking into a financial crisis, as large quantities of harvested rice sit unsold and post-harvest losses mount with each passing day. The situation is most acute at the Asutsuare rice irrigation scheme, one of Ghana’s major rice-producing hubs, spanning over 4,000 hectares and supporting thousands of smallholder and commercial farmers. Warehouses have been filled to capacity, leaving farmers with no choice but to leave excess produce exposed to the elements, where it risks spoilage. Despite significant investments in mechanisation and irrigation, farmers say the absence of a reliable market is steadily eroding their hard work and livelihoods. The hardship has gone beyond financial strain. Reports indicate that a farmer identified as Zola allegedly died by suicide after struggling to repay a bank loan tied to his farming activities, a tragic development that has cast a dark shadow over the farming communities. Authorities have yet to publicly confirm the details surrounding the incident. The story of Zola, however, has put a human face on what might otherwise be seen as an economic statistic, underscoring the very real and personal consequences of the crisis gripping the region. Philip Akpoka Anumah, President of the Osudoku Rice Farmers Association, has been vocal about the pricing crisis at the centre of the problem. He pointed out that buffer stock authorities are offering just GHS350 per bag, a figure that falls below production costs, meaning farmers are effectively selling at a loss. The situation is made worse by the continued influx of imported rice, which farmers say is suppressing demand for locally produced rice and driving prices even lower. Adding to the frustration is what farmers describe as unfulfilled assurances from the highest levels of government. The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, and the Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, reportedly visited the area and pledged interventions, including buffer stock purchases. Those promises, farmers say, have yet to translate into action, deepening their sense of abandonment. Compounding the crisis further, rehabilitation works on sections of the irrigation scheme have stalled, leaving more than a thousand farmers idle for over a year, unable to farm, unable to earn, and increasingly unable to cope. With their backs against the wall, the farmers are now issuing an urgent call for government intervention. Their demands are straightforward: improved market access, fair and realistic pricing for their produce, and the completion of long-delayed infrastructure projects. They warn that continued inaction will not only devastate local rice production but could permanently damage rural livelihoods across the district, a consequence, they say, that the government cannot afford to ignore. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
UTAG Demands Sacking of GTEC Top Officials Over Governance Failures
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has issued a bold ultimatum to the government, demanding the immediate dismissal of the Director-General and Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai and Augustine Ocloo, over what it describes as persistent overreach and governance lapses threatening the stability of Ghana’s public universities. Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, UTAG President Vera Fiador revealed that the association had first raised the alarm through a formal petition to the Presidency on February 17, 2026, outlining serious concerns about unilateral decision-making and an increasingly coercive leadership style at the Commission. Nearly two months on, UTAG says it has received no response, a silence that has now compelled the association to take its grievances public. At the heart of UTAG’s frustration is what it sees as a systematic overstepping of GTEC’s regulatory boundaries. The association argues that the Commission’s actions are eroding institutional autonomy, academic freedom, staff welfare, and the overall stability of public universities — values it considers non-negotiable in a healthy tertiary education system. UTAG levelled a string of specific accusations against the GTEC leadership, including interference in internal university governance, overriding decisions made by governing councils and academic boards, introducing unapproved appointment requirements, and disregarding established institutional statutes. The association further alleged that GTEC has wielded excessive discretionary powers, including threats to withdraw accreditation and funding, and the abrupt abolition of certain administrative roles without due process. UTAG also trained its sights on directives issued by GTEC in September and October 2025, particularly those affecting post-retirement contracts and salary administration. According to the association, these measures directly conflict with agreed conditions of service, breed uncertainty among staff, and are disrupting core academic functions including teaching and research. The association warned that the deteriorating situation is straining labour relations and could tip over into industrial action if the government fails to act. Pointing to reputational damage already done, UTAG cited a 2025 incident involving the University of Cape Coast, where GTEC temporarily withdrew accreditation services before reversing course, a move that, according to the association, created significant uncertainty for students and damaged Ghana’s standing with international academic partners. UTAG’s demands are unambiguous: the removal of GTEC’s top officials, the reversal of all contentious directives, and the swift passage of a Legislative Instrument to give full effect to the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020. The association also called for the protection of existing post-retirement arrangements and meaningful stakeholder engagement in future regulatory decisions. In a firm closing warning, UTAG gave the government 14 days to act, making clear that failure to address these concerns within that window will trigger further, unspecified action. Source: Apexnewsgh.com