President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Muslim communities and Zongo areas in Ghana. In his 2025 State of the Nation Address, he outlined several initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Muslims and Zongo residents. Enhancing Islamic Education Mahama announced plans to resource the Islamic Education Unit, recruit more Islamic and Arabic tutors for English-Arabic schools, and support Islamic colleges of education with infrastructure and logistics. Promoting Inclusive Development The president also pledged to enroll youth in Zongo and deprived urban communities in the National Apprentice Program, offering them free technical and vocational training. Improving...
Mahama Exposes Critical State of Sinking Fund: $64,000 and GHS143m Remain”
President John Dramani Mahama revealed the truth about the state of Ghana’s finances during his first State of the Nation Address of his second term on Thursday, February 27, 2025. According to President Mahama, Ghana’s Sinking Fund, which was meant to provide a financial cushion for debt repayment, has been depleted to a mere $64,000 and GHS143 million. This revelation contradicts claims made by the previous Akufo-Addo administration that it had left substantial reserves for debt repayment. “There have been claims that buffers were left for ongoing debt repayments in 2025. The Sinking Fund shows a balance of only $64,000...
SONA: I’ll fix Ghana’s economic crisis – Mahama pledges
President John Dramani Mahama has made a bold promise to Ghanaians, assuring them that his administration will turn the country’s economy around by the end of his four-year term. In his first State of the Nation Address of his second term, delivered to Parliament on February 27, Mahama acknowledged the severe economic challenges facing Ghana, but expressed his commitment to putting the nation back on a path of growth and prosperity. “I John Dramanai Mhaam will fix the economic crisis confronting our country and reset it on a path of growth and prosperity.” President Mahama added, “The state of the...
2025 SONA: President Mahama Assures Bondholders of Prompt Payment
President John Mahama delivered a reassuring message to bondholders during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on February 27, 2025. He pledged to uphold all financial commitments, ensuring that bondholders receive their payments in full. Mahama’s promise aimed to calm the nerves of bondholders, particularly retirees, who had grown anxious about the impact of the political shift on bond payments. The president guaranteed that his government would not default on payments, stating, “Bondholders can rest assured that they will be paid up to the last pesewa” This assurance comes on the heels of a GH₵6 billion payment, which...
Full Text: President Mahama’s SONA 2025 to Parliament
President John Dramani Mahama has delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) since returning to office for a second term, marking his comeback to Parliament after nearly a decade. He expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their historic electoral mandate and acknowledged the unpredictability of life. Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to resetting Ghana’s economy, tackling economic hardship, and addressing the challenges that have caused suffering among citizens. With a majority in Parliament, he’s poised to implement his “Resetting Ghana” agenda, aiming to revive the economy, create jobs, and restore stability During his address, Mahama emphasized the importance of unity...
NPA sets new price floor for petroleum products
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has introduced a new price floor for petroleum products for the second pricing window of February, requiring Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and LPG Marketing Companies (LPGMCs) to adhere strictly to the set minimum prices. The directive, effective from February 16 to 28, 2025, mandates that no company should sell fuel below the established threshold, with violators at risk of facing potential sanctions from the regulator. The price floor for petrol and diesel has been set at GHȼ12.56 and GHȼ 13.45 per litre, respectively, while LPG has been fixed at GHS 14.26 per kilogram. The move...
Allow state agencies to probe ‘ghost names scandal’ – NSA boss
The Director General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Felix Gyamfi, has urged The Fourth Estate to allow state agencies to complete their investigations into the ghost names scandal before drawing conclusions. His remarks follow President John Dramani Mahama’s directive for an inquiry into 81,885 suspected ghost names on the NSA payroll. Presidential Spokesperson and Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, stated that the irregularities were uncovered during a headcount of active national service personnel. The audit was initiated at the request of the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, as part of efforts to clear outstanding allowance...
NPP govt never defaulted on coupon payments since restructuring of Domestic Debts – Amin Adam
Since the restructuring of the Domestic Debts, the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government did not default on coupons, former Finance Minister, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam has said. Buffers were also built in the Debt Reserves Accounts to support upcoming debt service obligations such as the 4th coupon payments, he said. Dr Amin Adam explained that the NPP government paid a total of GHS17.25 billion in Payment-In-Cash (PIC) and GHS9.77 billion in Payment-In-Kind (PIK) to bondholders. Also, he said, individuals who did not tender their bonds were paid coupons amounting to GHS515.17 million at various times between 2023 and 2024,...
Ablakwa vs Kusi Boateng: Court Sets March 4 for Ruling on Witness Testimony”
The High Court is set to rule on March 4, 2025, whether Victor Kusi Boateng, also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, must testify in his ongoing defamation case against Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. Kusi Boateng, who filed the defamation suit against the Member of Parliament, concluded his case after presenting two witnesses: his brother, Samuel Kusi Boateng, and Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah of the National Cathedral. However, Ablakwa’s legal team has subpoenaed Kusi Boateng to testify in their defense, a move that was strongly opposed by Kusi Boateng’s team. Despite the objections, the court ordered Kusi Boateng to appear in person...
Gyakye Quayson Trial: High Court to Decide Fate of Assin North MP on March 3
The Accra High Court has scheduled March 3 to decide whether the prosecution has presented a strong enough case against James Gyakye Quayson, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, to require him to open his defense. Quayson is facing charges including deceit of a public officer, forgery of passports and travel certificates, making a false statutory declaration, perjury, and false declaration for office. At the last court session, the prosecution applied to recall their fifth witness, Latif Oshenu. During his cross-examination, Oshenu informed the court that a page was missing from an exhibit he had previously submitted. The...