Public frustration over Ghana’s economic travails, including high prices and a dearth of jobs, has dominated the run-up to Saturday’s general election, which will likely test the nation’s longstanding democratic credentials. Support for outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo and his ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) party has sunk in his second term amid the West African nation’s worst economic crisis in a generation, along with cost-of-living protests and turmoil in its vital cocoa and gold industries. Indeed, the clamour for change has tipped the presidential and legislative race firmly in favour of opposition leader John Dramani Mahama and his National Democratic...
Akufo-Addo to inaugurate hospitals under Agenda 111 today
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will today, December 5, 2024, inaugurate several hospital projects under the government’s flagship Agenda 111 initiative. The initiative, aimed at expanding healthcare infrastructure across the country, seeks to improve access to quality healthcare services. The inauguration will include the Atwima Kwanwoma Municipal Hospital at Trede and the Oforikrom Municipal Hospital, both in the Ashanti Region. These facilities are part of a broader plan to construct 111 districts and specialised hospitals nationwide. Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, highlighted the significance of these projects, emphasising that they are equipped with modern units, advanced medical equipment,...
Special Voting: CODEO condemns violation of electoral laws; calls for punitive action
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has raised concerns over violations of electoral laws during the Special Voting exercise held on Monday, December 2, calling for swift action against those responsible. In a statement issued on December 3 and signed by CODEO’s National Coordinator, the coalition highlighted serious incidents, including allegations of vote-buying and the photographing of cast ballots. CODEO expressed alarm that such actions compromise the integrity of the electoral process and criticized the apparent lack of intervention by presiding officers and security personnel at polling stations where these breaches occurred. “CODEO is alarmed by the observed incidents...
November inflation climbs to 23%, marking third consecutive rise
Inflation for November 2024 edged up to 23.0%, compared to 22.1% in October. This was driven by increases in food inflation. This marks the third consecutive monthly rise following a five-month decline. Food inflation rose from 22.8% to 25.9%, while non-food inflation dropped slightly from 21.5% to 20.7%. The 23.0% rate for November 2024 represents a 0.9 percentage point increase relative to the 0.6% year-on-year inflation recorded the previous month. Prof. Samuel Kobina Anim made this known in Accra on Wednesday, December 4. “Consumer price index for November 2024 stood at 243.9 relative to 198.2 that was recorded for this...
Man jailed four years for threatening to shoot, kill citizens during Dec. 7 elections
A Sowutuom Branch Organiser of the National Democratic Congress, who threatened to kill citizens during the December 7 general election, has been sentenced to four years imprisonment. Mohammed Ibrahim was found guilty by an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Evelyn Asamoah, at the end of the trial. Ibrahim was charged with publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm, threat of harm, and offensive conduct to breach the peace. He pleaded not guilty. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment for publication of false news with intent to cause harm, four years on the charge of...
Election 2024: Bawumia is experienced and ready to lead Ghana – Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed confidence that his Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is well-prepared to become Ghana’s next president. Speaking at a meeting with members of Organised Labour on Tuesday, December 3, President Akufo-Addo highlighted that Bawumia has gained the necessary knowledge and experience over the past seven years to effectively lead the country. The president further emphasized that a vote for Dr. Bawumia is a vote for continued progress and development. “I have no doubt in my mind that my vice president who was with me eight years in opposition and who was a Deputy Governor...
Fuel prices up again: Diesel selling at GH₵15.72, petrol now GH₵14.99 per litre
Some Oil Marketing Companies have started marginally increasing fuel prices following the commencement of the first pricing window in December. Shell has already taken the lead by increasing the prices of both petrol and diesel. A litre of petrol, which previously sold for GH₵14.82 during the second pricing window in November, is now being retailed at GH₵14.99, reflecting a marginal increment. Similarly, diesel, previously priced at GH₵15.66 per litre, is now being sold at GH₵15.72. This development comes at a time when only petrol prices declined, while diesel prices remained unchanged during the second pricing window of November, despite expectations...
Police intercept 88 individuals allegedly recruited for election security in Western North
The Ghana Police Service is investigating 88 individuals who were intercepted on board two Metro Mass Transit buses at Benchema near Asawinso in the Western North Region on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Preliminary investigations indicate that the individuals were allegedly recruited by a man identified as Sammy from various locations in the Greater Accra Region, including Adenta, Oyarifa, and Madina. They were reportedly being transported to provide security at polling stations in some constituencies within the Western North Region. The suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with the investigation. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to locate and apprehend Sammy, the...
Mahama vows to tackle galamsey, promote responsible mining practices
Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has vowed to introduce sustainable mining practices to address environmental degradation in areas prone to illegal mining. Speaking to party supporters at Akrokkeri in the Fomena Constituency on the third day of his six-day campaign tour in the Ashanti Region, Mahama acknowledged the critical role of small-scale mining in the local economy. He assured miners that his administration would implement policies aimed at safeguarding the environment while enhancing mining livelihoods. “I know that here in Adansi, you deeply value small-scale mining. The NDC will bring policies to support small-scale miners...
Election 2024: EC destroys defective ballots for Eastern region
The Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the Eastern Regional Elections Security Taskforce on Tuesday, December 3, supervised the destruction of the defective ballot papers, which were recalled by the Electoral Commission (EC). The exercise was also under the strict supervision of all constituency election directors of all the political parties who monitored the exercise right from their various armories to the regional dump site on the Akwadum road. EC suspended the Special Voting exercise for the Eastern and Western regions due to these breaches. The exercise was also under the strict supervision of all constituency election directors of all...