The Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), Kofi Owusu Hene, widely known as Kofi Kapito, has sounded a clarion call to DSTV and GOtv subscribers: Switch off your services in protest against soaring subscription fees. After weeks of engaging with frustrated subscribers, Mr. Kapito revealed that the CPA’s offices have been inundated with complaints about the rising cost of pay-TV, which many Ghanaians now find unaffordable. Despite the Minister for Communications’ attempts to mediate, the prices remain stubbornly high. “Consumers have the right to protest unfair business practices. If subscribers switch off their DSTV and GOtv services, these companies will be forced to listen and review their prices,” Mr. Kapito declared. He pointed to powerful examples of consumer boycotts in Nigeria and the United States, underscoring that when customers unite, their collective action can spark real change. “Ghanaians should use this tool to demand fair prices,” he urged. According to the CPA, the boycott aims to send a clear message to service providers that subscribers are dissatisfied with the current prices. It also seeks to compel companies to reassess their pricing strategies and promote fair business practices, ultimately safeguarding the interests of consumers. While describing the move as bold but necessary, the CPA stressed that the power to influence business decisions rests in the hands of subscribers. The agency is confident that coordinated action will create enough pressure to secure more affordable subscription costs for Ghanaians. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Disqualified Akwatia Candidate David Ankomah Fights Back, Challenges EC’s Decision in Court
David Ankomah, the disqualified parliamentary hopeful for the Action People’s Party (APP) in the upcoming Akwatia by-election, has rejected claims that he failed to meet his tax obligations, branding the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision as unfair and unjustified. Ankomah’s response comes in the wake of a lawsuit he has filed at the Accra High Court, seeking to halt the by-election scheduled for September 2, 2025. Speaking in an exclusive interview on Citi FM/Channel One TV’s Akwatia Watch on Tuesday, August 26, Ankomah maintained that he has always fulfilled his tax responsibilities and submitted the necessary documentation to the EC during his registration process. “We have completed balloting, and the EC has agreed that I am a candidate. I followed all the due process and qualified. After printing the ballot papers, EC reached out to me to present my tax clearance certificate. Meanwhile, while I was registering to contest the elections, I made it known to the commission that I pay direct tax. Taxes are deducted even before I receive my monthly earnings. The EC accepted my documents. Then I had not gone for my Tax Clearance Certificate from GRA, but I presented my payslip to the commission as proof that I pay tax,” he explained. Ankomah argued that the EC’s reversal of his candidacy after the ballot process was arbitrary and unfair. He insists his payslip served as adequate evidence of tax compliance at the time of registration. The Akwatia by-election was necessitated by the recent passing of Member of Parliament Ernest Kumi. Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) have ramped up their campaigns—NPP aiming to maintain its hold on the constituency, while the NDC seeks to swing it in its favour. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
COCOBOD Boss Dr. Randy Abbey Sues Abronye DC for GHS 20 Million Over Defamation Claims
Acting Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD and renowned broadcaster, Dr. Randy Abbey, has filed a defamation lawsuit against outspoken politician and NPP Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC. The suit, lodged on August 26, 2025, seeks GHS 20 million in damages for what Dr. Abbey describes as false, malicious, and defamatory remarks made by Abronye during a public broadcast and widely circulated on social media. According to court documents, Abronye accused Dr. Abbey of abusing public resources and engaging in corrupt activities during his tenure at COCOBOD. Among the claims, Abronye alleged that Dr. Abbey used multiple state-owned Land Cruisers to transport a personal chair from Accra to cocoa farms, refusing to use chairs provided by farmers. He further accused Dr. Abbey of manipulating internal appointments to facilitate the embezzlement of public funds. Filed by COCOBOD’s Legal Department, the lawsuit contends that these statements have severely damaged Dr. Abbey’s reputation, exposing him to public ridicule and contempt. The suit seeks: – A declaration that Abronye’s statements are defamatory – A full retraction and unqualified apology published on all platforms – Removal of all defamatory content from the internet – General, punitive, and compensatory damages totaling GHS 20 million – A perpetual injunction against further defamatory publications – Legal costs and further relief as the court deems fit Dr. Abbey maintains that the allegations are entirely false and calculated to tarnish his hard-earned professional reputation. His legal team stresses the need for truth and accountability in public discourse, especially regarding individuals in positions of public trust. As of now, Abronye has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit. This case follows a similar defamation action in July by Hugh Clement A. Brown, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s Forestry Commission, who is also seeking GHS 20 million in damages against Abronye DC, the NPP Bono Regional Chairman. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Pantang Hospital Director Calls for Special Mental Health Levy and New Facility
The Director of Pantang Hospital, Dr. Yenusuom Maalug, is advocating for the introduction of a dedicated mental health levy in Ghana, citing chronic underfunding as a major obstacle to providing quality care. In an interview, Dr. Maalug emphasized the urgent need for sustainable financial support to strengthen mental health services nationwide. He argued that a special levy would help cushion Pantang Hospital—Ghana’s flagship psychiatric institution—and ensure better treatment for those battling mental health conditions. Dr. Maalug also appealed to the government to include certain aspects of mental health care under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), pointing out that the high cost of psychiatric drugs often forces patients to forgo treatment, leading to relapse and worsening health outcomes. As Pantang Hospital celebrates its 50th anniversary, Dr. Maalug called on the public, corporate bodies, and stakeholders to rally behind the facility, describing mental health as a collective responsibility. In a direct message to President John Dramani Mahama, he proposed the construction of a new, modern Pantang Hospital as a lasting legacy project. Such an initiative, Dr. Maalug said, would not only upgrade infrastructure but also signal a strong national commitment to addressing Ghana’s escalating mental health needs. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
President Mahama Woos Global Investors at Africa–Singapore Forum
President John Dramani Mahama has sent a clear message to the world: Ghana is ready for business, day and night. Addressing government leaders and business executives at the 8th Africa–Singapore Business Forum on Tuesday, August 26, President Mahama outlined his administration’s ambitious economic strategy, emphasizing productivity, exports, and job creation. “Our economic strategy is anchored in productivity, exports, and jobs. We call it the 24-hour economy for a reason. Ghana is open for business 24 hours a day,” President Mahama declared, assuring international investors of Ghana’s commitment to providing a business-friendly environment round the clock. He detailed government initiatives to back this vision, including investment in infrastructure, attractive incentives, and robust skills training for businesses eager to operate beyond traditional hours. From factories and farms to sports facilities and service centres, Mahama said, the government is laying the groundwork for a truly nonstop economy. At the heart of this strategy is the Volta Economic Corridor, described as Ghana’s most ambitious development plan yet. The Corridor is built on four pillars: irrigating over two million hectares for year-round farming; establishing agro-industrial parks for textiles, pharmaceuticals, and food processing; boosting tourism and hospitality along Lake Volta; and transforming the lake into a transport spine to cut logistics costs and connect producers to markets. President Mahama highlighted ongoing flagship projects supporting these pillars, such as the Legon Pharmaceutical Innovation Park, the Kumasi Machinery and Technology Park, the Akosombo and Juapong Garments and Textiles Park, Digital TVET Centres of Excellence, and the development of Renewable Corridors. With these initiatives, Mahama reaffirmed that Ghana’s doors are open to global investors—24 hours a day, seven days a week. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
12,000 Strong: YEA Graduates Second Batch of Community Police Assistants
The Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Mr. Malik Basintale, is set to preside over the graduation ceremony for the second batch of Community Police Assistants today, marking a significant milestone in the agency’s ongoing initiative to empower youth and strengthen public safety. With this latest cohort, the total number of recruits under the Community Police Assistant programme has reached 12,000 nationwide. The programme, a collaborative effort between YEA and the Ghana Police Service, is designed to bolster law enforcement capacity while creating valuable employment opportunities for young people across the country. As part of the government’s broader strategy to address youth unemployment, the initiative also aims to enhance community policing and further public safety objectives nationwide. Officials indicate that the freshly graduated recruits will soon be posted to communities throughout Ghana, where they will assist the police by increasing visibility, participating in patrols, and engaging with residents to foster a safer environment. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NLA Rolls Out Sticker System to Clean Up Ghana’s Lottery Industry
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Mohammed Abdul-Salam, has announced a bold new plan to tighten regulation of Ghana’s lottery industry. This move is part of a sweeping set of reforms designed to boost revenue generation and enhance efficiency within the sector. At the heart of the new measures is the introduction of a sticker system aimed at identifying licensed lottery ticket sellers. Beginning September 1, all authorised operators must enroll in the system, which will make it easier to distinguish legitimate sellers from unlicensed operators. Mr. Abdul-Salam emphasized the importance of this crackdown on unlicensed sellers, describing it as vital to sanitizing the industry and ensuring that lottery revenue is properly directed into government coffers. “The sticker system will provide transparency and accountability in the lottery space. This reform will not only protect the integrity of the industry but also ensure that revenues are properly accounted for and used for national development,” he stated. The NLA is urging all stakeholders—including lottery writers and private collaborators—to cooperate fully to ensure the success of these reforms. The Authority believes that with strong collaboration, it can effectively regulate the sector and open up new streams of revenue. Confident in the impact of the new system, the NLA expects these measures to significantly increase revenue generation and position itself as a key contributor to Ghana’s economic growth. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Energy Minister Calls for Overhaul of NPA Act to Support Ghana’s Green Transition
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition has called for a comprehensive review of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Act 691 of 2005, emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen regulations and align the petroleum downstream sector with Ghana’s ambitious energy transition agenda. Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ engagement on the NPA Bill, 2024, the Minister described the review as critical for positioning the industry to thrive in an increasingly competitive and sustainable environment. The meeting brought together a cross-section of industry stakeholders, chief executives of state agencies, association leaders, and key players from across the petroleum downstream sector. Outlining the main objectives of the review, the Minister highlighted three core priorities: First, strengthening regulation to ensure the sector’s regulatory framework is both effective and fair; second, aligning the downstream industry with Ghana’s energy transition goals by integrating cleaner and alternative fuels and encouraging private investment in low-carbon energy solutions; and third, fostering a more enabling environment for private sector participation in sustainable energy development. The Minister stressed that the review process must be collaborative and inclusive, urging all stakeholders to actively contribute their input and expertise. “The review is not the sole responsibility of the government. The input and expertise of stakeholders are crucial to developing a legal framework that is effective, fair, and responsive,” the Minister said. Expressing optimism, the Minister concluded that the collective dedication and knowledge of all parties involved would ensure a successful review. The goal, he added, is to create a downstream petroleum sector that not only addresses Ghana’s current energy needs but also lays the groundwork for a greener, more sustainable future. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Nine Institutions Owe State GH¢47 Million in Taxes, Says GRA
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has revealed that nine institutions owe the state a staggering GH¢47 million in unpaid taxes as of the close of 2023. The disclosure was made when the Commissioner General, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday, August 25, 2025. Topping the list of debtors is the Graphic Communications Group, with an outstanding tax bill of GH¢3.4 million. GIHOC Distilleries follows closely, owing GH¢2.1 million, while the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has a debt of GH¢136,000. GRA management explained to the Committee that many of the indebted institutions—particularly state-owned enterprises—blame their inability to pay on persistent cash flow problems. Compounding the situation, the Authority also reported that unpaid Value Added Tax (VAT) liabilities across various institutions have reached GH¢116 million. This was confirmed by Edward Apenteng Gyamerah, Commissioner for Domestic Tax Revenue. Mr. Sarpong assured the Committee that the GRA is ramping up efforts to recover the outstanding amounts and is committed to ensuring tax compliance across all sectors of the economy. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Controller and Accountant General’s Department Refutes Claims of Overstating Ghana’s Public Debt
The Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) has firmly denied allegations that it overstated Ghana’s public debt by GH¢138.91 billion in the 2023 Whole of Government Accounts, urging the public to disregard such claims. The controversy began after the Auditor-General’s report flagged discrepancies between figures reported by the CAGD and those from the Ministry of Finance. According to the report, while the CAGD placed the country’s total public debt at GH¢861.4 billion, records from the Ministry of Finance reflected a lower figure of GH¢737.17 billion. Addressing the issue before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament on Monday, August 25, 2025, Controller and Accountant General Kwasi Agyei explained that the matter had already been resolved through a thorough reconciliation exercise between the two institutions. His clarification was supported by the Assistant Auditor-General in charge of Whole of Government Account Audit, Paul Affram, who confirmed that the figures were reconciled and validated following the release of the Auditor-General’s report. This reconciliation, he noted, affirms the accuracy of the CAGD’s final figures. With the matter now settled, the Controller and Accountant General’s Department has called on the public to disregard any suggestions that it overstated the national debt, assuring citizens of its commitment to transparency and accuracy in public financial reporting. Source: Apexnewsgh.com









