Government Targets 60% Boost in Coconut Export Earnings with Nationwide Expansion Drive
The government has announced an ambitious plan to raise Ghana’s annual coconut export earnings from $11.4 million to $18.1 million, a nearly 60 percent increase. The strategy, unveiled by Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture and Agribusiness, is aimed at consolidating Ghana’s status as Africa’s leading coconut exporter and enhancing the industry’s global competitiveness. The announcement came alongside the launch of a nationwide farmer registration exercise for the government’s Three Million Coconut Seedlings Programme. “The distribution of three million elite coconut seedlings, which we are opening registration for today, is designed to expand cultivation by 20,000 hectares,” Dr. Otokunor explained. “The outcomes will be bold and transformational, expanding cultivated area from 90,000 hectares to 110,000 hectares, and eventually to 150,000 hectares in the medium term. Most importantly, this initiative will increase export revenue by 60%, from $11.4 million to more than $18.1 million annually.” Farmers, cooperatives, and young agri-preneurs can sign up for the seedlings through the official portal www.piaa.gov.gh, with registration closing on September 30, 2025. In a move to position Africa as a global coconut industry hub, Dr. Otokunor also revealed that the Presidential Initiatives Directorate is backing the Coconut Federation of Ghana in establishing the African Coconut Board (AFRICOBOD), which will be headquartered in Ghana. AFRICOBOD will unite coconut-producing countries across the continent to spur growth and development within the sector. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
CDD-Ghana Warns Rising Campaign Costs Could Threaten Country’s Democracy
The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has voiced concern over the escalating cost of contesting presidential elections, warning that the country’s democracy could be captured by a wealthy elite. Speaking at an Open Society forum in Accra, CDD-Ghana’s Executive Director, Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, revealed that running a successful presidential campaign in Ghana now demands an estimated $200 million. He cautioned that such prohibitive expenses effectively bar capable but less affluent leaders from seeking office. “You now need about $200 million to win a presidential contest. How many of you can ever realistically be in that category? Even at the parliamentary and primary levels, the barriers are already far too high for many,” Prof. Prempeh remarked. He further warned that if politics becomes the preserve of only the wealthy and well-connected, Ghana’s democratic and developmental aspirations will be jeopardized. “We cannot have that kind of democracy and expect it to be developmental. That is why campaign financing and regulation of internal party democracy must become urgent national priorities,” he emphasized. CDD-Ghana’s caution highlights the pressing need for reforms to ensure inclusivity and fairness in Ghana’s political process. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Bar Association Rejects Attorney-General’s Allegations of Partisan Advocacy
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has firmly dismissed claims by Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, that the Association has shown partisan bias in its advocacy work and been selective in its public positions. Speaking at the opening of the GBA’s Annual General Conference on Monday, September 15, 2025, Dr. Ayine accused the Bar of inconsistency in its responses to Article 146 petitions, which have led to the removal of prominent public officials. He cited the dismissals of former CHRAJ Commissioner Lauretta Lamptey in 2015, former Electoral Commission Chair Charlotte Osei in 2018, and former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo earlier this year, arguing that the Bar was silent on the first two cases but outspoken on the latter—suggesting political bias. In response, GBA Public Relations Officer Saviour Kudze rejected the Attorney-General’s assertions, stressing the Association’s commitment to principle rather than partisanship. “The Bar’s position is clear—we respectfully disagree with him,” Kudze said. He explained that the removal of Lauretta Lamptey and Charlotte Osei occurred under Article 146 when no formal regulations existed, and similar removals of superior court judges proceeded in the same way. Kudze emphasized that the GBA’s current push for formal regulations to guide Article 146 is about strengthening due process and constitutional governance—not political alignment. “If, as a society, we are now deciding to formalise this process and the Bar is advocating for clear regulations, what is partisan about that?” Kudze asked. “The fact that you didn’t take a certain decision yesterday doesn’t mean you can’t take it today or tomorrow. We disagree with him.” The GBA reiterated that its advocacy is focused on institutional maturity and the protection of constitutional order, not the advancement of any political agenda. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Finance Ministry Unveils Major Road Projects Under Big Push Programme in 2025 Fiscal Review
The Ministry of Finance has released a comprehensive list of road infrastructure projects approved for implementation under the government’s ambitious Big Push Programme, as detailed in the 2025 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, addressing Parliament on Thursday, July 24, 2025, confirmed that commitment authorisations have been granted to advance construction, upgrading, and rehabilitation works on several critical roads across the country. Key projects include the construction of a new bridge over the Oti River at Dambai, the dualization of the Winneba–Mankessim and Cape Coast–Takoradi roads, and the development of the Kumasi Outer Ring Road (Eastern Quadrant). Other major works will see the rehabilitation of the Wa–Han, Techiman–Nkonsia–Wenchi, Wenchi–Sawla, and Dodowa–Afienya–Dawhenya roads; upgrading of the Tumu–Hamile, Tumu–Han–Lawra, and Navrongo–Tumu roads; and reconstruction of the Atimpoku–Asikuma Junction, Anujrawasi–Ho Tritrinu, and Tema–Aflao (Section 1) roads. Additional projects include the rehabilitation of Ho–Kpetoe, Kpetoe–Afadengigba, Afadengigba–Pengi, and Pengi–Aflao roads, as well as upgrading the Akosombo–Gyakitikudikope, Asikuma–Anum Boso–Kpalime, and Adomi Bridge–Akwamufie roads. Construction works are also planned for the Enchi–Elubo, Dadieso–Akontombra, and Enchi–Kudjouru–Pekgi roads. Dr. Forson emphasized that these initiatives are strategically designed to improve national connectivity, ease traffic congestion, and stimulate economic activity throughout the country. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to realizing its infrastructure vision under the Big Push Programme, underscoring that enhanced road networks are vital to Ghana’s sustained growth and development. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Catholic Bishops Warn Galamsey Is a ‘Cancer in Our National Soul,’ Call for Urgent Action
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has sounded a grave warning about the devastating impact of illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, describing it as a “cancer in our national soul” that is eating deep into the fabric of the nation. In a strongly worded statement signed by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Bishops painted a dire picture of the destruction caused by galamsey, noting that rivers, forests, farmlands, and even the country’s moral fibre are being steadily eroded. They highlighted the contamination of once-pristine rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, Birim, Offin, and Ayensu, now heavily polluted with mercury and toxic effluents. The Ghana Water Company, they noted, now struggles to make water even barely potable, with turbidity levels in the Ayensu River reaching an alarming 32,000 NTU—vastly above the company’s maximum treatment capacity of 2,500 NTU. The Bishops warned that the consequences of galamsey extend far beyond environmental damage. Millions of Ghanaians are at risk as toxins enter the food chain, causing cancers, skin diseases, kidney failure, and neurological disorders. They also lamented the human toll, with children abandoning their education for dangerous mining pits, often dying in preventable accidents while chasing illusory quick riches. The GCBC further pointed out that galamsey undermines governance, fuels lawlessness, and deepens violent conflict in mining areas. They called for urgent and extraordinary interventions, declaring the situation a national emergency that cannot be addressed with “half-hearted measures.” Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Catholic Bishops Urge President Mahama to Prosecute Powerful Figures in Galamsey Fight
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on President John Mahama and his government to demonstrate true courage in combating the galamsey menace by prosecuting not only vulnerable small-scale miners but also the politically connected individuals who enable and profit from illegal mining. In a strongly worded statement, the Bishops highlighted that some politicians, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), chiefs, religious leaders, and security officials are complicit in the destruction of the environment. They noted that these influential figures often shield galamsey operators or facilitate illicit concessions for personal gain, a betrayal the Bishops described as one that “cuts to the very marrow of the nation’s identity.” The statement criticized President Mahama’s response so far as unsatisfactory, pointing out his dismissal of calls for a state of emergency and a perceived focus on economic gains at the expense of broader concerns. Warning that policies and laws will fail without a holistic and brave approach that holds all offenders accountable, the Bishops recommended establishing special courts to fast-track galamsey cases and creating a permanent, corruption-proof task force comprising security agencies, environmental experts, and local authorities. They emphasized that no real progress can be made if those in positions of power remain untouched while only the powerless are punished. Source: Apexnewsgh.com