Former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah Invited by CID in Operation Recover All Loot Probe
Former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has been invited by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to assist with ongoing investigations under the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative. Police sources indicate that Madam Dapaah is expected to answer questions regarding state funds allegedly misappropriated during her tenure. Her invitation is part of a wider push by the CID, in collaboration with the Attorney-General’s office, to trace and recover assets believed to have been unlawfully acquired by both current and former public officials. ORAL, launched earlier this year, is a flagship anti-corruption programme designed to retrieve misused state resources and reinforce accountability in public service. President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated that no individual will be shielded from scrutiny under the initiative. It remains unclear whether Cecilia Dapaah will face formal charges. CID officials, however, have confirmed that she will be questioned to clarify her role in the matters under investigation. The former minister has yet to make a public statement regarding the invitation. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
President Mahama Vows Unwavering Pursuit of Stolen State Funds, Warns Against Interference in ORAL
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s determination to recover stolen state funds, declaring that no individual will be permitted to interfere with the ongoing Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL). Speaking during a media engagement at the Presidency, President Mahama stressed that every corruption case under the Attorney-General’s office would be rigorously monitored to ensure that officials found guilty face justice. His assurance comes in the wake of revelations by NDC General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, at the party’s 5th Annual General Meeting, alleging that some party lawyers were negotiating clandestine deals to shield individuals under prosecution. President Mahama responded firmly: “Any attempt to derail the legal process or shield offenders will not be tolerated.” He emphasized that ORAL would remain uncompromising in retrieving misappropriated public funds. In a related development, President Mahama highlighted the urgent need for robust regulations to govern the operations of new media platforms in Ghana. While acknowledging the positive impact of digital spaces on free expression and civic participation, he cautioned that these platforms have increasingly become conduits for hate speech and disinformation. “These practices pose real risks to national unity and public safety,” President Mahama warned, adding that the government would collaborate with stakeholders to ensure digital platforms are used responsibly and in the public interest. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
GPRTU and Transport Operators Issue One-Week Ultimatum to Spare Parts Dealers Over Soaring Prices
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC, together with allied commercial transport operators, has given spare parts dealers a one-week ultimatum to immediately reduce the prices of vehicle parts. In a strongly worded statement jointly signed by Alhaji Abass Ibrahim Moro, the transport operators described the current cost of spare parts as “unreasonable, unacceptable, and unsustainable,” warning that the escalating prices were crippling their businesses. The operators explained that previous discussions with spare parts dealers had failed to produce any meaningful results, despite repeated assurances that prices would be reviewed. “We cannot continue to operate with such high costs, and immediate action must be taken to reduce prices,” the statement emphasized. Frustrated by the lack of progress, the transport operators warned that if prices were not reduced within the one-week window, they would be compelled to seek alternative suppliers, including foreign nationals, who might offer more competitive rates. This ultimatum highlights the growing discontent within Ghana’s transport sector, which is already grappling with rising fuel prices, increasing maintenance expenses, and declining passenger numbers. As of now, spare parts dealers have yet to issue an official response to the demands. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Mexico mulls 50% tariff on Chinese car amid US
Mexico, under pressure not to serve as a back door for Chinese goods entering the United States, has proposed a 50 per cent duty on car imports from the Asian giant — up from 15-20 per cent. The initiative, contained in a bill submitted by the government to Congress, seeks to assuage US President Donald Trump — who has repeatedly urged trading partners to increase duties on China — while also bolstering Mexico’s industrial sector. The White House has said Chinese producers are abusing a free-trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada to send goods northward over the Mexican border tariff-free. Beijing criticised the proposed tariffs on Thursday, with a foreign ministry spokesman saying, without mentioning the United States, that China “firmly opposes any coercion.” So This Happened (EP 335) reviews: Tinubu says Nigeria met 2025 revenue target in August Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has also complained of the impact of Chinese imports on domestic manufacturing, and the bill says the increased tariff will seek to protect 19 industrial sectors considered “strategic.” It also proposes raising tariffs on other countries with which Mexico has no trade agreement. Mexico replaced China in 2023 as the United States’ largest trading partner, with the Latin American country’s northern neighbour buying more than 80 per cent of its exports. It sends nearly three million automobiles to the United States a year, including cars and trucks assembled by US auto companies in Mexico. China said it opposed any restriction that “undermines China’s legitimate rights and interests.” “China attaches great importance to the development of China-Mexico relations, and hopes that Mexico will move forward in the same direction with China,” Lin told a regular news briefing in Beijing on Thursday. Light vehicle imports from China would be subject to a 50 per cent tariff, and auto parts between 10 and 50 per cent, if the bill is approved. The bill, announced by the economy ministry on Wednesday, said the changes sought to “protect the national industry in strategic sectors, replace imports from Asia with domestic production” and “improve Mexico’s trade balance.” The initiative should protect 325,000 jobs in strategic industries and create thousands more, the ministry said. Two out of every 10 light vehicles sold in Mexico are Chinese, according to official data. Sales in the sector grew by 10 per cent last year. Several auto giants, including America’s General Motors and Ford, Germany’s Volkswagen and Japan’s Nissan, Honda, and Toyota, have factories in Mexico. According to the wording of the bill, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand and Turkey would also be affected by the tariff increases. Trump has imposed a 25 per cent tariff on car imports, with exemptions for vehicles with US content assembled in Mexico. Sheinbaum’s ruling party holds a majority in Congress, and the bill is likely to pass. AFP
Police Restore Calm in Sampa After Deadly Chieftaincy Clashes
The Ghana Police Service has announced that calm has been restored in Sampa following violent chieftaincy-related clashes on September 10, which resulted in the death of one person and left several others injured. In an official statement, the police confirmed that the Inspector-General of Police deployed reinforcement teams to the Bono Region to bolster local officers’ efforts in maintaining law and order. Security presence has since been strengthened, with intensified patrols in Sampa and surrounding communities aimed at preventing further disturbances. Authorities assured residents that investigations into the incident are ongoing, and the police remain committed to ensuring peace and stability in the area. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Begins Accepting West African Nationals Deported from U.S., President Mahama Confirms
Ghana has started accepting West African nationals deported from the United States, including Nigerians, President John Dramani Mahama revealed on Wednesday. According to a Reuters report, Mahama announced that a first group of 14 deportees, comprising Nigerians, a Gambian, and others, had already arrived in Accra. Ghanaian authorities, he said, are working to facilitate the return of these individuals to their respective home countries. “We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US, and we agreed with them that West African nationals were acceptable because all our fellow West Africans don’t need a visa to come to our country,” President Mahama explained. He justified Ghana’s cooperation by noting that West Africans are permitted to enter Ghana without a visa under regional protocols. This arrangement comes as the U.S., under President Donald Trump, intensifies its deportation efforts, including the practice of sending migrants to “third countries” as part of a stricter immigration policy. In the past, the Trump administration has overseen removals to countries such as Eswatini, South Sudan, and Rwanda, despite concerns from rights groups about the safety of deportees. Not all West African nations have agreed to similar arrangements. Nigeria, for instance, has rejected U.S. requests to accept deportees who are not Nigerian citizens, citing national security and economic reasons. In July, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that the Federal Government would not accept deportees from outside Nigeria. The issue was reportedly discussed at a July 9 White House meeting hosted by President Trump with five West African leaders, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal, where persuading them to receive third-country deportees was a key objective. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
K.T. Hammond Warns of Hardship if Dr. Bawumia Is Not Elected President in 2028
Former Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, K.T. Hammond, has cautioned that Ghanaians could be faced with severe hardship if former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia does not emerge victorious in the 2028 presidential elections. Hammond’s remarks came as he spoke during Dr. Bawumia’s campaign tour of the Ashanti Region on September 10. Expressing unwavering confidence in Dr. Bawumia’s leadership, Hammond praised the former vice president as a competent and hardworking leader who is well equipped to manage the country’s affairs if given the mandate. He urged voters to look beyond religious lines and focus on the qualities that matter most for national progress. Addressing criticisms rooted in Dr. Bawumia’s faith, Hammond dismissed suggestions that he could not be president because he is a Muslim, calling such claims “madness.” “Have you monitored Bawumia’s capabilities and hard work? It’s madness to say Bawumia is a Muslim, so he can’t be President. We will suffer if Bawumia is not elected as President,” Hammond declared passionately. He appealed to Ghanaians to set aside religious bias and instead prioritize competence and dedication when choosing the nation’s next leader, insisting that performance—not faith—should be the standard for leadership. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
President Mahama Directs 80% of Common Fund to Districts, Launches Major Local and National Development Initiatives
President John Dramani Mahama has announced a bold step towards empowering local governance, revealing that 80% of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) has been directly transferred to assemblies across Ghana. Speaking during a media engagement on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, President Mahama emphasized that this policy is designed to fast-track local development initiatives by providing assemblies with the necessary resources to address pressing community needs without bureaucratic delay. “This move is a clear demonstration of our commitment to decentralization and grassroots development,” President Mahama explained. He added that the direct funding is already yielding tangible improvements in infrastructure, education, and social services throughout various districts. Beyond local development, President Mahama highlighted further government interventions aimed at strengthening the national economy and promoting security. He revealed that ₵14 billion of oil revenue has been earmarked for the ambitious “Big Push” infrastructure programme, a transformative initiative to drive Ghana’s industrialization and expand its road networks. In a bid to enhance national safety and operational efficiency, President Mahama disclosed that ₵1 billion has been allocated to retool the country’s security agencies. The investment, he said, will provide modern equipment, logistics, and training to ensure security personnel can effectively respond to emerging threats and safeguard the nation ahead of key national programmes. “Our security services must be well-equipped to protect the nation, and that is exactly what we are doing,” the President affirmed. In addition to these efforts, President Mahama announced the confiscation and destruction of over 300 illegal “changing machines” nationwide. This crackdown forms part of a broader campaign against illicit economic activities that undermine Ghana’s financial stability and drain state resources. The operation, carried out in collaboration with empowered security agencies, sends a strong message that such illegal operations will not be tolerated at the expense of national development. Through these initiatives, President Mahama’s administration signals its unwavering commitment to both local empowerment and national growth, combining decentralization, robust security measures, and decisive action against economic crimes. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
President Mahama Reaffirms Security Commitment, Sets Aside ₵1 Billion to Retool Agencies
President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that his administration is making national security a top priority, with ₵1 billion allocated to retool the country’s security agencies. Addressing the media on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the President explained that this investment will provide modern equipment, logistics, and specialized training for security personnel, enhancing their capacity to respond to new and emerging threats. “Our security services must be well-equipped to protect the nation, and that is exactly what we are doing,” President Mahama stated, underscoring the government’s determination to safeguard lives, property, and national stability—especially ahead of major national programmes. The security investment, he noted, is part of a broader effort to strengthen the economy and drive development. President Mahama highlighted the dedication of ₵14 billion in oil revenue to the ambitious “Big Push” initiative, an infrastructure programme designed to accelerate Ghana’s industrial growth and modernization. In a related development, the President revealed that over 300 illegal “changing machines” had been seized and destroyed in a nationwide crackdown on illicit operations undermining economic stability. This exercise, carried out in collaboration with empowered security agencies, signals his administration’s resolve to stamp out economic crimes that drain state resources and threaten development. President Mahama’s announcements reflect a comprehensive approach to securing Ghana’s future—combining robust security reforms, major economic investments, and decisive action against illegal activities. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
President Mahama Announces Destruction of Over 300 Illegal ‘Changing Machines’ in Nationwide Crackdown
President John Dramani Mahama revealed a significant victory in the fight against illicit economic activities in Ghana. During a media engagement, he announced that his government, in collaboration with the country’s security agencies, has confiscated and destroyed more than 300 illegal “changing machines” across the nation. President Mahama explained that this bold operation is part of a broader crackdown on activities that threaten Ghana’s financial stability and deplete state resources. “Such illegal operations cannot be allowed to flourish at the expense of national development,” he declared, emphasizing the government’s resolve to protect the country’s economic interests. He further noted that security agencies have been empowered to intensify enforcement measures, ensuring that perpetrators of illicit acts are brought to book and similar schemes are swiftly dismantled. In addition to the crackdown, President Mahama highlighted other government initiatives aimed at bolstering the economy and advancing national development. He disclosed that ₵14 billion of oil revenue has been allocated to the ambitious “Big Push” infrastructure agenda, which seeks to transform Ghana’s physical landscape and create jobs. Furthermore, ₵1 billion has been set aside to retool security agencies, enabling them to deliver more effective and responsive services. These interventions, the President affirmed, reflect his administration’s unwavering commitment to economic growth, national security, and the well-being of all Ghanaians. Source: Apexnewsgh.com