Agriculture Minister-designate Eric Opoku Sounds Alarm on Youth Disinterest in Agriculture
Ghana’s Agriculture Minister-designate, Eric Opoku, has expressed concern over the lack of interest in agriculture among Ghanaian youth. Apexnewsgh reports Speaking during his vetting on January 20, 2025, Opoku noted that a mere 5% of Ghana’s youth are engaged in agriculture, a statistic he deemed unacceptable. To address this issue, Opoku pledged to implement policies that would make agriculture more attractive to young people, particularly in the area of agribusiness. He emphasized the need to create a vast market for agricultural products, which would give farmers confidence in their produce. Opoku also highlighted the alarming ratio of agricultural extension officers to farmers, which stands at 1:1500. He stressed the need to employ more extension officers to support farmers. The Minister-designate’s concerns are not unfounded. Ghana’s agricultural sector faces significant challenges, including an aging population of farmers and limited opportunities for young people. To revitalize the sector, Opoku’s administration plans to focus on agribusiness, creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs to engage in farming and related activities. As Opoku noted, making agriculture attractive to young people requires a multifaceted approach. This includes providing training and resources, as well as creating a supportive environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship. By doing so, Ghana can unlock the potential of its youth and ensure a brighter future for its agricultural sector. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Donald Trump inaugurated as US president again
Republican Donald Trump was inaugurated again Monday as the 47th U.S. president, calling for a “revolution of common sense” and vowing to quickly order sweeping policy changes, including the deportation of millions of undocumented migrants living in the United States back to their home countries. “The golden age of America begins right now,” Trump declared in his half-hour inaugural address. “From this moment on, America’s decline is over. We will lead it to new heights of victory and success. There is no dream we cannot achieve. We will not be broken. We will not fail. “I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country,” Trump told a crowd of about 600 people in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol and millions watching on TV throughout the country. “My message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor and the vitality of history’s greatest civilization,” he said. Photo Gallery: In photos: Trump inauguration Trump, 78, was the country’s 45th president, and only the second after Grover Cleveland in the 1890s to serve a second nonconsecutive term. With Trump’s inauguration, President Joe Biden leaves office after a single four-year term in the White House. In his address, Trump vowed to quickly carry out a litany of 2024 campaign promises, citing the fact that he swept all seven political battleground states in defeating his Democratic challenger, former Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump said he will “declare a national emergency,” close the southwestern U.S. border with Mexico to stem the flow of thousands of migrants seeking to enter the U.S., with many of them looking to escape poverty, crime and unemployment in Central American countries and elsewhere. Trump said he would enforce a “stay in Mexico” policy for migrants looking for asylum in the U.S. and end the policy of catching other migrants at the U.S. border and then releasing to them to live in the United States while they await adjudication of their asylum requests, a process that can take months, even years. He said he would declare Mexican drug cartels as “foreign terrorists,” although said nothing about how he would deal with them. US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden pose alongside President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump as they arrive at the White House on Jan. 20, 2025, before departing for the US Capitol where Trump will be sworn in as the 47th US President. On the domestic front, he said he would declare a “national energy emergency,” even though production is already at a record high. “We will drill, baby, drill,” he declared emphatically. Trump said he would end Biden policies to promote the production and sale of electric vehicles, while also overhauling U.S. trade policies, imposing new tariffs on key trade partners, levies expected to include those imposed on Canada, Mexico and China. “The American dream will soon be thriving as never before,” he contended. “We will forge a society that is fair and merit based.” Much like at a campaign rally last year when Biden was still running for reelection before dropping out in favor of Harris, Trump assailed his predecessor’s performance in office as Biden sat immediately behind him. “We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home,” Trump said, “while at the same time, stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad. It fails to protect our magnificent law-abiding American citizens but provides sanctuary and protection for dangerous criminals, many from prisons and mental institutions that have illegally entered our country from all over the world.” Trump, accompanied by his wife Melania, new Vice President JD Vance and their families, began his second inaugural day eight years after his first by attending a traditional service for incoming presidents at St. John’s Episcopal Church across a park from the White House. Afterward, the Trumps headed to the White House for a preinaugural tea with Biden and first lady Jill Biden, before heading to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony. Trump is the oldest person ever inaugurated as U.S. president, eclipsing Biden who was five months younger when he took the oath four years ago. Vance, 40, and most recently a U.S. senator from the Midwestern state of Ohio, was sworn in as the 50th vice president and is the third youngest in history. Trump is also the first felon to serve as U.S. president, after his conviction last year on 34 criminal charges linked to falsifying business records to hide a $130,000 hush money payment to porn film star Stormy Daniels, although a judge declined to penalize him in any way. Charges that Trump tried to illegally overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden were dropped because of a long-standing Justice Department policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. U.S. presidential inaugurations, a symbol of the democratic country’s norms of a peaceful transition of presidential power, are traditionally held on the steps of the Capitol overlooking the vast sweep of the National Mall. But with freezing temperatures hitting Washington, Trump days ago moved the ceremony into the Capitol Rotunda, where 2,000 of his supporters rioted in 2021 to keep Congress from certifying Biden’s 2020 victory. SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk arrives to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2025. Several U.S. billionaires — Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla chief executive and X owner Elon Musk — were among those who watched the inauguration, as was TikTok chief executive Shou Zi Chew. Foreign dignitaries were there as well, including Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentina President Javier Milei and Ecuador President Daniel Noboa. Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni arrives for the inauguration ceremony before Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th US President in the US Capitol Rotunda in
Haruna Iddrisu Clarifies Free SHS Policy and Outlines Free Tertiary Tuition Plans
Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister-designate for Education, faced Parliament’s Appointment Committee on January 20, 2025, and addressed key questions surrounding the future of Ghana’s education system. Apexnewsgh reports Iddrisu firmly dismissed rumors of Free SHS being scrapped, emphasizing President Mahama’s commitment to reviewing and improving the program. “President John Dramani Mahama has no option to cancel Free SHS,” Iddrisu assured the committee. “Instead, he plans to expand it, making it more sustainable and beneficial to a wider population of Ghanaian students.” To achieve this, the government plans to hold a stakeholder forum to gather diverse perspectives and recommendations on how to enhance the education sector. Iddrisu also revealed that approximately ₵345 million will be allocated to implement the government’s ambitious free tuition policy for first-year tertiary students. Key Highlights of the Free Tertiary Tuition Policy: – Allocation of ₵345 million: Funds will be disbursed directly to universities to cover tuition fees for first-year students. – Reimbursement for paid fees: Students who have already paid their tuition fees will be reimbursed. – Flexibility for parents: Parents who can afford to pay tuition fees will be allowed to do so if they choose. Iddrisu’s clarification on the Free SHS policy and outline of the free tertiary tuition plans aim to provide a comprehensive and inclusive education system for Ghanaian students. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Medical Students Excluded from Government’s Admission Fee Refund Policy
The Minister of Education-designate, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that the government’s decision to refund admission fees of first-year university students will not apply to medical students. Apexnewsgh reports Instead, the policy will cover students studying “normal subject areas”. This move is part of President Mahama’s ‘No fee stress’ promise, aimed at alleviating the financial burden on parents and students financing tertiary education. According to Iddrisu, the Minister of Finance-designate, Dr. Ato Forson, will allocate GHC345 million in the government’s maiden budget to cater for the refund of admission fees. The government views this as an experimental model, and its success will determine whether it can be expanded to cover more areas. Iddrisu clarified that students who have already paid their admission fees will receive a refund. However, he noted that tuition fees are already free in all public universities in Ghana, so the refund policy only applies to admission fees. When asked if the policy includes Colleges of Education and Nursing and Midwifery Training Colleges, Iddrisu stated that he was only referring to admission fees, without elaborating further. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Education Minister-Designate Vows to Uncap GETFund for Robust Development
In a move aimed at boosting Ghana’s education sector, Education Minister-designate Haruna Iddrisu has pledged to uncap the Ghana Education Tertiary Fund (GETFund) as a matter of urgency. Apexnewsgh reports Appearing before the Appointments Committee on Monday, January 20, Haruna emphasized that this decision will be made in consultation with the Finance Minister. The GETFund has faced significant challenges in recent years due to the decision by the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, to cap it as part of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recommendations for securing a loan deal. However, Haruna explained that uncapping the GETFund will be done concurrently with reviewing negotiations with the IMF. President Mahama has already expressed his commitment to reviewing the IMF negotiations, and Haruna assured that uncapping the GETFund will be a key part of this review. The Ghana Education Trust (GET) Fund plays a vital role in supporting quality education in Ghana, from basic to tertiary levels, through dynamic funding policies. By uncapping the GETFund, the government aims to free up additional resources to support robust infrastructural development in the education sector. This move is expected to have a positive impact on Ghana’s education system, ultimately benefiting students and the broader population. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Franklin Cudjoe Demands Clarity on President’s Private Jet Use
Franklin Cudjoe, President of the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, is seeking answers from the Presidency regarding President John Dramani Mahama’s recent use of his brother’s private jet for official travels to The Gambia and Senegal. Apexnewsgh reports Cudjoe acknowledges that Ibrahim Mahama, the President’s brother, has a history of philanthropic efforts, but insists that Ghanaians deserve transparency on the cost of the flight and whether it was declared as a gift to the state. Cudjoe’s concerns are rooted in past experiences, such as the case of Kenneth Ofori-Atta, brother of former President Akufo-Addo, who allegedly took a percentage from loans he facilitated as Minister of Finance, leaving the nation with a significant debt burden. Acting Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has stated that the presidency has not received a report on the state of the presidential aircraft and that President Mahama’s use of the private jet was at no cost to the state. However, Cudjoe is calling for further clarification on the matter, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. In a Facebook post, Cudjoe questioned whether the cost of the flight was classified as a gift to the state and declared, given that the President’s brother is a private citizen. He urged Ofosu to provide a clear explanation, citing concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Road Tolls Make a Comeback: Minister-Designate Announces Technological Revamp
Minister-designate for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has announced plans to reintroduce road tolls in Ghana, but with a twist. Apexnewsgh reports Unlike the traditional toll booths that caused traffic congestion, the new system will utilize technological platforms to make toll collection easier and more efficient. Agbodza made this announcement during his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday, January 20. He emphasized that the new system will not cause obstructions on the road, but rather provide a seamless and mechanized platform for toll collection. The minister-designate also recalled the controversy surrounding the Akufo-Addo administration’s decision to remove road tolls, which was met with opposition from the then-NDC Minority. Agbodza noted that there was negligence in the way the removal was handled. In addition to the reintroduction of road tolls, Agbodza highlighted the need to address the significant debt in the road sector, which currently stands at 130 million Ghana Cedis with an accrued interest of 665 million Ghana Cedis. He pledged to discuss the issue with the Finance Minister to find a solution and prevent further wastage of funds. Agbodza also emphasized the need to review the contract awarding process for road projects in Ghana, citing concerns about the transparency and accountability of the current system. He advocated for a collaborative approach, involving stakeholders, contractors, and awarding agencies to address the issues. The introduction of technological platforms for toll collection is expected to improve efficiency, reduce congestion, and increase revenue generation for road maintenance and development. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
President Mahama Renews Curfew on Saboba Township
The Interior Ministry has announced that President John Dramani Mahama has renewed the curfew on Saboba Township in the Northern Region, effective January 15, 2025. The curfew hours will remain from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am. According to a statement by the Chief Director of the Ministry, the government urges local leaders and residents to exercise restraint and use non-violent means to resolve conflicts and maintain peace in the area.¹ Additionally, a total ban on carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons has been imposed on the communities and their environs. Anyone found with such items will be arrested and prosecuted. This move aims to maintain law and order in the region, ensuring the safety and security of all residents. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Minority Leader Accuses Appointments Committee Chair of “Bad Faith”
A heated exchange erupted in Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, January 20, 2025, as Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin accused Chairman Bernard Ahiafor of acting in “bad faith.” The controversy began when Ahiafor proceeded with the vetting of Roads and Highways Minister-designate Governs Kwame Agbodza without the presence of minority MPs. The committee had suspended its meeting for five minutes due to disagreements over standing orders and other matters. However, when the minority MPs returned, they found that the vetting had already commenced. Afenyo-Markin took offence, stating that the chairman had proceeded in “bad faith” and contrary to their understanding.¹ The situation escalated when Ahiafor demanded that Afenyo-Markin apologize for using the word “rude” to describe the chairman’s actions. Ahiafor emphasized that such language is unacceptable in Parliament and urged Afenyo-Markin to retract his statement. Afenyo-Markin eventually apologized, expressing his concern about being interrupted and stating that he would withdraw his previous remark. The exchange highlights the tensions within the Appointments Committee as it continues to vet ministerial nominees. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Road Sector Debt: Minister-Designate Vows to Act
Minister-designate for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has pledged to tackle the alarming road sector debt, which currently stands at 130 million Ghana Cedis with an accrued interest of 665 million Ghana Cedis. Apexnewsgh reports Agbodza made this commitment during his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday, January 20. The Adaklu lawmaker emphasized the urgent need to address this issue, stating that the accrued interest is essentially “money being wasted.” To rectify this situation, Agbodza plans to engage in discussions with the Finance Minister to explore viable solutions. Agbodza also highlighted the need to review the contract awarding process for road projects in Ghana. He noted that the current system is “problematic” and requires stakeholders, contractors, and awarding agencies to come together to address the issues. As a seasoned politician and member of the National Democratic Congress, Agbodza is well-equipped to tackle the challenges facing the road sector. His commitment to addressing the road sector debt and reforming the contract awarding process is a promising step towards improving Ghana’s infrastructure. Source: Apexnewsgh.com