Ghana’s Public Transport Fares to Rise by 8% After Weeks of Negotiation
For weeks, passengers and drivers across Ghana anxiously awaited news on transport fares. The air was thick with speculation as fuel prices climbed, spare parts became more expensive, and vehicle maintenance costs soared. Behind the scenes, intense discussions were underway between the government and the nation’s leading transport unions. It all began when the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) tabled a bold proposal: a 30% increase in fares to keep up with rising costs. The unions argued that without such an adjustment, the viability of commercial transport was at risk. Their representatives, including GPRTU’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, Samuel Amoah, insisted the 30% increment was essential and negotiations were ongoing. On September 8, union leaders met with the Ministry of Transport. The government acknowledged the unions’ concerns and proposed a GH¢2 per litre intervention on diesel to help cushion operators. The two sides agreed to form a joint team, made up of the Ministry, GPRTU, and GRTCC—to carefully review the true cost of running commercial vehicles. As negotiations progressed, it became clear that compromise was needed. The unions stood firm on their request, but the government sought to balance the interests of operators and the traveling public. After much deliberation, all parties agreed on a more modest 8% increase in fares. Starting Saturday, September 26, 2026, commuters will feel the change as new fares take effect nationwide. The 8% adjustment will impact trotros, shared taxis, and other public transport services, following the fare structure hammered out by the government and transport unions. While smaller than initially requested, this new rate reflects a hard-fought compromise after weeks of debate, a story that echoes the daily negotiations of life on Ghana’s busy roads. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
SCRAS Project Records 51% Adoption of Sustainable Farming Practices Among 7,200 Farmers – NABOCADO
The Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability Coordinator of NABOCADO, Dr. Michael Ayamga, has disclosed that 51 percent of the 7,200 farmers supported under the organisation’s SCRAS Project have comprehensively adopted sustainable agricultural practices. According to him, the farmers are spread across six districts and 16 rural communities where the project is being implemented. Dr. Ayamga made the disclosure during an exchange learning activity organised under the Strengthening of Smallholder Farmers’ Resilience towards a Changing Climate and Promotion of Environmentally Friendly Agriculture in the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga SCRAS Project. He explained that the project focuses on promoting sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as women’s enterprise development to help farming households diversify their sources of livelihood. Dr. Ayamga said 51 percent of the farmers have so far comprehensively adopted the sustainable agricultural practices being promoted by the project. He explained that “comprehensive adoption” refers to farmers who have consistently adopted compost application and at least two other sustainable farming practices on their fields over a number of years. He, however, noted that almost all the farmers supported by the project have adopted at least one or two of the sustainable practices. The target crops under the project include millet, sorghum, beans and groundnuts, with Dr. Ayamga indicating that assessments have recorded an average 13 percent increase in yields across the crops. He said although the project had set a target of a 15 percent increase, the results represented progressive improvement and farmers were being encouraged to continue adopting the practices to further improve or sustain their yields. According to him, the yields recorded by farmers using sustainable practices are not significantly different from those of farmers who rely heavily on external inputs such as synthetic fertilisers. Dr. Ayamga said the SCRAS Project also encourages farmers to develop and use local solutions to address challenges affecting agricultural production. He said the innovations cover areas including soil fertility, pest control and post-harvest storage. According to him, assessments conducted by the project indicate that the adoption of plant-based and other locally available solutions has contributed significantly to reducing post-harvest losses. He noted that food shortages are not caused only by low agricultural yields, but are also linked to poor storage practices, which can result in significant quantities of harvested produce being destroyed. He said the use of plant-based materials and shrubs to control pests in storage facilities has contributed to a 64 percent reduction in post-harvest losses among participating farmers. Dr. Ayamga further disclosed that local innovations promoted under the project have also contributed to reducing livestock losses, particularly among guinea fowl farmers. He explained that many smallholder farmers rear guinea fowls, chickens, goats and other livestock as an alternative source of income when they are unable to immediately sell their farm produce. However, guinea fowl mortality has been a major challenge. According to him, the adoption of locally developed interventions has resulted in a 44 percent reduction in guinea fowl mortality among participating farmers. He said farmers visited during the exchange learning activity had been able to raise guinea fowls beyond the stages where mortality is usually high. On climate change, Dr. Ayamga said the project works directly with communities to develop Community Climate Change Adaptation Action Plans. He explained that communities identify the climate-related hazards they face and, with support from the project, develop practical measures they can implement to reduce the impact of those hazards. He stressed that communities may not be able to prevent climate-related events from occurring, but they can strengthen their capacity to withstand their effects. According to him, 26 communities across the six districts have so far developed such climate change adaptation plans. He said the plans are guiding communities in implementing adaptation and mitigation activities. Tree planting and the integration of trees into farming systems, he added, are among the activities being implemented under the plans. Dr. Ayamga said the interventions are intended to strengthen the adaptive capacity of communities so that households can continue their livelihood activities and secure food even when climate-related hazards occur. The NABOCADO coordinator also highlighted the project’s focus on women’s economic empowerment. He further explained that the project recognises the vulnerability of women who depend heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods and therefore promotes alternative income-generating activities. According to him, women are supported with technical training, basic record-keeping and financial management skills to enable them to establish and manage sustainable businesses. He disclosed that approximately 2,580 women are currently engaged in various livelihood and income-generating activities across the project communities. He said the livelihood diversification programme is intended to reduce households’ overdependence on a single source of income, particularly agriculture, which can be severely affected by climate change. Dr. Ayamga emphasised that the SCRAS Project is not primarily an input-distribution programme but a knowledge-based intervention designed to encourage farmers and communities to adopt sustainable practices. He explained that the project engages communities over several years to allow farmers to understand, test and eventually adopt the practices. According to him, demonstration farms play an important role in the process, with early adopters serving as examples for other farmers. He said Bongo and Talensi have been part of the programme since 2011 and are expected to exit the project this year. Builsa South and West Mamprusi were subsequently brought into the programme in 2017 and are expected to exit next year. Dr. Ayamga said communities that have been engaged for several years are increasingly becoming learning centres for farmers from newer project areas because of their experience with sustainable agricultural practices. He explained that farmers from newer communities are taken to these established communities to observe and learn from farmers who have already adopted the practices and experienced their benefits over time. The Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability Coordinator disclosed that the SCRAS Project is currently being implemented in Kassena-Nankana West, Builsa South, Bongo, West Mamprusi, Nabdam and Talensi. However, the farmers could barely contain their excitement as NABOCADO Team visited their various farms. Smiling and exchanging cheerful words, they
NABOCADO Promotes Sustainable Farming Practices to Help Smallholder Farmers Build Climate Resilience
The Director of Livelihood and Agriculture Programme at the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organization (NABOCADO), Dominic Avea Aniah, has highlighted a range of sustainable agricultural practices being promoted among smallholder farmers to improve productivity, build resilience to climate change and reduce dependence on agrochemicals. With conviction, Mr. Aniah described a new chapter unfolding for the region’s farmers. Gone were the days of relying solely on expensive chemical fertilizers and external inputs. Instead, NABOCADO was ushering in a wave of sustainable, climate-smart practices, methods designed not only to boost yields but also to build resilience against the ever-shifting climate. He spoke of compost, made from farm residues and livestock droppings, now replacing synthetic fertilizers. He explained how integrating cereals and legumes, especially nitrogen-fixing beans, replenished soil nutrients and nurtured healthier crops. Crop rotation, he emphasized, was more than tradition: it was a shield against pests and the notorious Striga weed, which once choked maize and other cereals. “When you rotate with soybean, Striga loses its grip,” Mr. Aniah explained, his voice confident. The exchange was not just talk. On demonstration farms, local farmers saw firsthand the results of these innovations. One plot, Mr. Aniah pointed out, had switched from maize to soybean this season. The difference was clear: healthier plants, fewer weeds, and less need for costly inputs. Other demonstration sites showcased cover cropping and plant-based products for pest control, showing that nature’s own resources could replace many chemicals. The project, funded by Misereor and Bistum Münster, spread across six districts, Kassena-Nankana West, Builsa South, Bongo, West Mamprusi, Nabdam, and Talensi, touching the lives of over 5,000 farmers. Women found new opportunities too, forming savings and lending groups to start businesses and strengthen their households. Mr. Aniah reminded everyone that the goal was not just bigger harvests, but sustainable progress. Compost, he said, released nutrients gradually, building up the soil year after year, unlike synthetic fertilizers that quickly faded. The SCRAS Project, he concluded, was about practical, affordable farming, methods that protected both land and livelihoods for generations to come. As the activity ended and farmers prepared to return home, they carried with them more than just new knowledge, they carried hope for a greener, more resilient future for their farms and communities. Meanwhile, beneficiary farmers, Abdul-Rauf Mahamadu, Yin Bugmah, and Assibi Tiia, stood at the edge of a demonstration farm, their faces beaming with satisfaction. Not long ago, these fields had been like any others in Keta, West Mamprusi, and Nabdam: tilled heavily, dependent on expensive fertilizers, and often plagued by stubborn weeds. But this year was different. Their journey began when NABOCADO, through the SCRAS Project, invited them to a series of farmer training sessions. “We had always done things the old way,” Abdul-Rauf recalled, his hands tracing the lines of the healthy soybean stalks. “But NABOCADO showed us another path.” For the first time, the farmers learned to make and use compost, embrace zero tillage, and practice crop rotation, techniques that sounded strange at first, but soon revealed their worth. “Before the training, we didn’t know what compost was for or that you could plant without ploughing the land,” Abdul-Rauf explained. “Now, our crops are stronger and the soil is happier.” Season after season, they had planted maize and soybeans the same way, never pausing to consider the toll on the land. But with NABOCADO’s guidance, they rotated their crops: soybeans where maize once grew, and vice versa. The result? Lush, green fields and the promise of harvests bigger than ever before. Abdul-Rauf’s eyes sparkled as he estimated four to five bags of soybeans and up to seven of maize from the demonstration plot. The cost savings were equally striking. Gone were the days of buying bag after bag of fertilizer, herbicides, and insecticides, expenses that often left them with little or nothing after the sale of their grain. “Sometimes, after subtracting all we spent, we made no profit at all,” Abdul-Rauf admitted. But with compost and the new methods, input costs dropped dramatically. “We hardly had to buy anything. And the results are even better than before.” The farm’s transformation drew attention from across the community. Fellow farmers came to watch and learn, eager to try the new practices themselves. Even passing traders stopped to marvel at the thriving soybeans. “They ask me, ‘How did you do it?’ and I tell them, it’s thanks to NABOCADO’s training.” As the sun set behind the demonstration farm, Abdul-Rauf spoke for his friends and neighbors. “We are grateful to NABOCADO for opening our eyes. We hope more farmers will join us on this new journey, for the good of our land and our future.” Source: Apexnewsgh/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
STRIGA: Agric Director Urges Media to Intensify Awareness on Parasitic Weed
The Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture, Alhaji Zakaria Fuseini, has challenged journalists to take a more active role in educating the public and amplifying farmers’ concerns in the fight against Striga, a persistent agricultural challenge in northern Ghana. Speaking at a sensitisation forum for media practitioners on Striga control in northern Ghana held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Blue Sky Hotel in Zuarungu, Alhaji Fuseini said the media could become a critical link between agricultural experts, policymakers and farmers. The programme was organised by the Forum for Natural Regeneration (FONAR) in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Upper East Region Chapter. Alhaji Fuseini said Striga repeatedly appeared in reports submitted by agricultural extension officers across the region, describing it as a problem farmers encounter season after season. He observed that while farmers had considerable practical experience dealing with the weed, many still lacked sufficient public information on its causes, persistence and effective control measures. He said this was where the media could make a significant difference. MoFA, he explained, had been working with farmers through improved seed varieties, agronomic recommendations and agricultural extension services. However, because extension services operate largely at the district and community levels, he said the media was needed to take the message to a much wider audience. Alhaji Fuseini therefore urged journalists to use the forum to interrogate agricultural policies and interventions rather than simply reproduce statements from officials. He specifically encouraged journalists to ask why some farmers struggle to obtain certified seeds, why certain interventions require several seasons before results become visible, and what additional measures government could introduce to strengthen Striga control. He stressed that constructive scrutiny would help ensure that challenges confronting farmers were properly identified and addressed. The Regional Director further pointed out that agricultural practices and land restoration must work together in tackling Striga. He explained that MoFA’s agronomic interventions and FONAR’s land restoration initiatives represented complementary approaches rather than competing solutions, with healthy soils and proper crop management both important to addressing the problem. Participants were also expected to receive technical education on the biology of Striga, factors responsible for its persistence and recommended control measures before, during and after planting. The forum also included a planned farm visit, where journalists were expected to interact directly with farmers and examine their experiences with Striga control. Alhaji Fuseini said such firsthand experiences were crucial because farmers ultimately provided the practical test of whether recommendations being promoted by experts were producing results. He urged journalists to ensure that farmers remained central to their reporting, saying their experiences should inform public discussion about agricultural challenges and solutions. He thanked FONAR, the GJA Upper East Region Chapter and participating media practitioners for supporting the initiative and expressed hope that the forum would strengthen public education and reporting on Striga and agricultural development in northern Ghana. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
GJA Upper East Chairman Challenges Journalists to Lead the Fight Against Striga
The Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Sore, has challenged journalists to look beyond headline-making agricultural crises and investigate the less visible problems that continue to undermine farmers’ livelihoods. Mr. Sore said Striga was one such challenge that had affected farmers for years but had not received the level of sustained media attention that issues such as floods, drought and rising food prices often attract. He made the remarks on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Blue Sky Hotel in Zuarungu, Bolgatanga East, during a day’s sensitisation forum for media practitioners on Striga control in Northern Ghana. The engagement brought together journalists, FONAR and officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to deepen media understanding of the parasitic weed and its implications for farmers. Mr. Sore said journalists could play an important role in ensuring that technical knowledge about Striga reached farming communities and the wider public. He admitted that many media practitioners might not yet have a full understanding of the weed, including why it persists, how it damages crops and what farmers can realistically do to control it. He therefore urged journalists to use the forum to engage experts critically and ask the difficult questions that farmers themselves would want answered. He particularly encouraged participants to use the field visit to understand the lived experiences of farmers, including the length of time they had battled Striga, the costs involved, the methods they had attempted and the support they needed. According to him, such firsthand accounts would enable journalists to produce stories that went beyond simply describing the existence of the problem. Mr. Sore argued that agriculture deserved consistent media attention because several challenges affecting food production develop gradually and may remain unnoticed until their effects become severe. He urged journalists to continuously follow agricultural interventions and hold discussions on whether such interventions were producing the desired results. At the same time, he cautioned media practitioners to maintain professional standards by relying on verified facts and avoiding sensational reporting, particularly when dealing with technical agricultural matters. He said farmers needed accurate, balanced and consistent reporting that could help inform policymakers, development partners and the public. Mr. Sore stressed that the sensitisation programme should not end with the day’s activities. He called on individual journalists and media houses to continue returning to the Striga story, investigate interventions being implemented and report on both progress and outstanding challenges. He commended FONAR and MoFA for recognising the media as an important partner and expressed the hope that the engagement would lead to stronger collaboration between the GJA, FONAR, MoFA and other stakeholders in addressing agricultural challenges in Northern Ghana. He concluded by urging journalists to make the most of the engagement and use the knowledge gained to tell farmers’ stories accurately, responsibly and meaningfully. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
FONAR Calls for National Action as Striga Threatens Cereal Production in Northern Ghana
The Executive Director of the Forum for Natural Regeneration (FONAR), Mr. Sumaila S. Saaka, has called for increased national investment and coordinated action to tackle the growing threat posed by Striga, commonly known as witchweed, to cereal production in Northern Ghana. According to Mr. Saaka, Striga should no longer be treated merely as a farmer’s private challenge but as a national food security threat requiring sustained government attention and investment. He made the call on Thursday, September 17, 2026, when he delivered the opening remarks at a sensitization forum for media practitioners on Striga control in Northern Ghana, held at the Blue Sky Hotel in Zuarungu in the Bolgatanga East District of the Upper East Region. The forum was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Upper East Region Chapter. Mr. Saaka explained that Striga poses a serious threat to staple cereal crops, particularly sorghum, millet and maize, because the parasite attaches itself to the roots of crops and draws away essential water and nutrients before becoming visible above the soil. He noted that by the time the characteristic purple flowers of Striga become visible, significant damage may already have been done to the affected crops. “For a farmer in the Upper East Region watching sorghum, millet or maize wither in a field that received good rains, Striga is a very familiar and very painful reality,” he said. The FONAR Executive Director stressed that the organisation views Striga not only as an agricultural pest but also as an indication of deeper challenges associated with declining soil fertility and land degradation. He said declining soil fertility, loss of tree cover and depletion of organic matter from farmlands create conditions that allow Striga to thrive. Mr. Saaka therefore advocated an integrated approach that combines direct Striga control measures with long-term land restoration. He said FONAR’s work in promoting Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), climate-smart agroforestry and integrated soil fertility management was aimed at restoring the health and productivity of degraded agricultural lands. “Where soil fertility declines, where tree cover is lost, where organic matter is stripped from the land season after season, Striga finds exactly the conditions it needs to thrive,” he stated. Mr. Saaka also urged journalists to use their platforms to educate farmers and the wider public about Striga and the available control measures. He said accurate and well-informed journalism could help reach farming communities with practical information while also holding institutions accountable for interventions aimed at addressing the problem. “A single well-researched broadcast can reach many farming households that no extension officer ever will,” he said, adding that well-told stories could help replace myths and misinformation about Striga with practical knowledge. He encouraged media practitioners to pay particular attention to the experiences of farmers affected by Striga, describing their lived experiences as an important measure of whether interventions are producing the desired results. Mr. Saaka further called on the government to invest in community-level biocontrol and awareness programmes, alongside measures to restore degraded soils and strengthen pest-control interventions. He argued that cereal production in Northern Ghana should receive sustained attention as part of the country’s broader food security strategy. According to him, Striga infestation could result in substantial yield losses in affected areas, particularly in parts of the Upper East and Upper West Regions. He warned that continued inaction could contribute to early food shortages and worsen the economic pressures confronting farming households. “Government cannot treat Striga as a farmer’s private burden. It is a national food security threat, and it demands national investment,” Mr. Saaka said. FONAR seeks stronger collaboration Mr. Saaka said FONAR, MoFA and the media needed to strengthen collaboration in addressing the Striga challenge. He explained that the forum was expected to help journalists understand what Striga is, why it persists, the relationship between the weed and soil health, and the range of available control measures. He stressed that the agronomic recommendations promoted by MoFA’s extension officers and FONAR’s land restoration and natural regeneration approaches should be viewed as complementary rather than competing interventions. The forum also provided an opportunity for journalists to hear directly from a farmer affected by Striga and to visit an affected farm as part of efforts to gain a practical understanding of the problem. Mr. Saaka expressed the hope that the engagement would mark the beginning of a sustained working relationship between FONAR, MoFA and media organisations in promoting public awareness and action on Striga. He also expressed appreciation to the Awaken Trees Association of Austria for funding the activity, as well as MoFA and the GJA Upper East Regional Chapter for their partnership in organising the forum. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
20 NEDCo Transformers Destroyed in Upper East and North East Regions Between January and August 2026 — PURC
The Upper East Regional Office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has disclosed that 20 transformers belonging to the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) within Upper East and North Region were reportedly destroyed between January and August 2026, raising concerns about the impact of illegal electricity-related activities on power distribution across the region. According to the Upper East Regional Office of the PURC, led by Mohammed Adam Sulaiman, the destruction of the transformers is among a number of challenges affecting both electricity consumers and NEDCo as a distributor. Mr. Sulaiman made the revelation during an exclusive engagement with Apexnewsgh, where he spoke about some of the challenges confronting consumers and the electricity distribution company in the Upper East and North East regions. He said threats and attacks against NEDCo staff linked to illegal electricity use and nonpayment of electricity bills are gradually gaining ground in some communities, creating additional challenges for the effective delivery of electricity services. According to him, some of the concerns include the nonpayment of electricity bills, meter bypassing, meter tampering and illegal direct connections from distribution lines. He explained that such activities could damage NEDCo’s electrical infrastructure, including transformers and electricity meters, thereby affecting the reliability and sustainability of electricity distribution. Mr. Sulaiman also clarified that not all power outages should be attributed to NEDCo, noting that some interruptions could result from natural causes such as windstorms, which may damage electricity infrastructure and disrupt power supply. PURC urges consumers to seek lawful redress The PURC Regional Director stressed the importance of fairness in the provision of public utility services, explaining that the Commission exists to protect the interests of both consumers and utility service providers. He noted that consumers have a legitimate interest in receiving a quality and reliable supply of electricity, while utility service providers also have a legitimate interest in receiving payment for the services they provide. Mr. Sulaiman therefore appealed to consumers to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands whenever they encounter challenges involving electricity or water services. He encouraged affected consumers to seek redress through the PURC, rather than resorting to threats, attacks or other unlawful actions against utility workers. “PURC is a creation of the law, and so we apply the law in whatever we do,” he emphasised. The concerns, according to the information presented during the engagement, affect communities in parts of the North East Region, including Nasuan, Chirifoyili and Wundua, as well as Tongo and Bongo in the Upper East Region. The PURC’s call comes amid growing concerns over the need for stronger collaboration between consumers, utility providers and regulators to address illegal electricity connections, payment challenges, infrastructure damage and disputes over power supply. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Dangote Launches Africa’s Biggest IPO, Opening Oil Refinery to Public Investment
In a landmark move for African capital markets, billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote on Monday launched Africa’s largest-ever initial public offering (IPO), opening a roughly 3% stake in his state-of-the-art oil refinery to public investors. The offering, dubbed a “people’s IPO” by Dangote, aims to raise as much as $2.1 billion to fund further expansion of the refinery, already the continent’s largest. Dangote, Africa’s richest man, said the IPO is designed to “democratise wealth creation,” giving ordinary Nigerians a chance to share in the refinery’s success. The minimum investment is set at just 10 shares, about $4, making entry accessible through fintech and digital investment platforms. The IPO is expected to raise at least 2.15 trillion naira ($1.6 billion), but could reach $2.1 billion if oversubscribed and the company issues more shares. The launch comes on the heels of a July private placement that raised $2.5 billion for a 6% stake, valuing the company at $40 billion. The IPO, however, moves the refinery’s valuation closer to $49 billion. While retail investors will pay a higher price per share than the institutional buyers in July, company officials say the earlier discount was due to lockup periods and other conditions. Interest in the IPO is high: Nigerian investment app Bamboo reported record traffic, with some users temporarily unable to log in as excitement surged. “I’ll buy 2,000 shares,” said Lagos business owner Chris Chijioke, citing Dangote’s track record despite concerns over pricing. Institutional investors in the refinery already include the Africa Finance Corporation, sovereign wealth funds, and development finance institutions. The United Arab Emirates’ ADNOC has also shown interest, according to Dangote, though details remain under wraps due to confidentiality agreements. Built at a cost of $20 billion and operational since 2024, the refinery has redefined Nigeria’s fuel market. It processes 700,000 barrels of crude daily, with ambitions to double that by 2029. Analysts say the plant has transformed Nigeria from a net importer to a net exporter of refined petroleum products, cementing its role as an economic powerhouse. Dangote revealed plans to eventually list all his conglomerate’s companies, including cement, sugar, and salt divisions, and suggested a possible secondary listing for the refinery in the United States within three to four years. “This IPO is a huge event for Nigeria and a symbol of African self-reliance,” said Charles Robertson, head of macro strategy at FIM Partners. With excitement running high and Nigeria’s equities market booming, the Dangote refinery IPO is poised to reshape the continent’s investment landscape. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Workers Are Receiving Salaries for No Work’ — Sumaila Abubakari Demands BOST Depot Reactivation
A well-known and active member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper East Region, Sumaila Abubakari, has intensified calls on the government to urgently restore full operations at the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) depot in Bolgatanga. According to him, the prolonged inactivity of the facility is denying the Upper East Region a major economic opportunity while government continues to spend taxpayers’ money on workers who, he claims, have little or no work to do. The Bolgatanga BOST Depot was established as a strategic petroleum storage and distribution facility, with the potential to serve northern Ghana and provide an important supply route to landlocked Sahelian countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The facility also has the potential to reduce the dependence on long-distance fuel transportation by tankers to northern Ghana, thereby easing pressure on major roads while supporting economic activities within the region. In July 2026, Apexnewsgh contacted the BOST headquarters in Accra for clarification on the status of the Bolgatanga depot. The company indicated that the facility had been undergoing an upgrade. However, Mr. Sumaila says the continued delay has become a source of concern, particularly among residents who believe the facility should have resumed operations by now. Speaking on the matter, he appealed directly to President John Dramani Mahama and all 15 Members of Parliament in the Upper East Region to take urgent steps to ensure that the depot becomes operational. “The President and his team, and all the 15 MPs in the Upper East Region, this is the only company we have in Bolga and they stopped work almost two years now.” He said residents had repeatedly raised the issue but were yet to see the desired action. “We fight, fight, fight but nothing is happening. We are begging the President. He should quickly, as possible, let the depot start work.” Mr. Sumaila further expressed concern about workers and other personnel stationed at the facility, including security personnel, customs officers and fire officers. According to him, these workers report to the facility but have limited activities to engage in because the depot remains inactive. “All are coming, sitting, looking at the quota and the tanks. We are working almost two years. So we are appealing to the government. You should quickly stand up and then open the depot to start work.” He argued that reopening the depot would have significant economic benefits for the region, particularly by creating a more efficient fuel distribution system for communities in northern Ghana. Mr. Sumaila also raised concerns about what he described as vested interests surrounding the transportation of petroleum products. He suggested that some stakeholders within the tanker transportation business could be benefiting from the current arrangement because fuel has to be transported over long distances. “I know the connection between the tanker drivers, tanker owners. They are doing that thing. Because if here is working, they can’t get the long journey.” He maintained that an operational Bolgatanga depot could supply petroleum products to areas including Navrongo, Bolgatanga, Wa and Bawku, potentially reducing the need for some long-distance tanker movements. Mr. Sumaila therefore called on all 15 MPs in the Upper East Region to speak collectively on the issue and push for the speedy completion of the depot’s upgrade and its return to full operation. “All the MPs in this region, they should wake up and talk about the company.” He said the people of the Upper East Region voted massively for the governing NDC and therefore expected their representatives to champion issues that directly affect the region’s economic development. For Mr. Sumaila, the immediate reopening of the Bolgatanga BOST Depot is not merely about the facility itself but about employment, local economic activity and creating better opportunities for families and young people in the region. He concluded that the government and the region’s 15 MPs must act decisively to ensure that the facility resumes operations. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Importers and Exporters Warn of Business Exodus Amid Port Congestion Crisis
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has sounded the alarm over worsening congestion at the nation’s ports, urging the government to take swift action or risk losing vital import business to neighbouring countries, most notably Côte d’Ivoire. At a press conference in Accra on Monday, September 14, 2026, IEAG Executive Secretary Samson Asaki Awingobit painted a stark picture of delays and uncertainties in cargo clearance, warning that Ghana’s trade competitiveness hangs in the balance. He revealed that some importers are already exploring alternative routes through the Port of Abidjan due to the persistent challenges at Ghanaian ports. “IEAG is already receiving indications that some importers are exploring the possibility of routing their cargo through the Port of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire because of the delays and uncertainties associated with clearing cargo through Ghana’s ports,” Awingobit stated, highlighting the urgency of the situation. He cautioned that once importers and exporters establish reliable alternative supply chains, reclaiming that business for Ghana could prove difficult, with long-term consequences for the country’s economy. To avert a crisis, IEAG is calling on the Chief of Staff at the Presidency to urgently convene a high-level meeting with key ministers, including Finance, Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, and Transport, as well as port authorities and regulatory agencies. The Association insists that an immediate action plan is needed to decongest the ports and streamline cargo clearance processes. IEAG also highlighted several factors exacerbating the congestion, such as excessive routing of containers for physical examination, breakdowns in coordinated inspections, increasing regulatory fees and charges, and lengthy truck turnaround times. To address these systemic issues, the Association proposed introducing measurable performance targets for port operations, setting maximum turnaround times for examinations, valuation disputes, regulatory inspections, truck processing, and cargo release. With the December peak trading season approaching, IEAG warned that without decisive intervention, Ghana could face even more severe congestion and the lasting challenge of winning back importers who have shifted their business to competing ports in the region. Source: Apexnewsgh.com