The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has criticised the former administration led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, accusing it of leaving behind a fragile and under-resourced local governance system. Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, April 20, Mr Ibrahim said the current government inherited a decentralisation framework that was ineffective due to inadequate funding, which undermined the ability of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to deliver services and implement development projects. “The government of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama inherited in 2025 a dysfunctional local governance sector and decentralisation structure, occasioned by...
Ghana, Spain Deepen Cooperation as Ablakwa Commends Immigration Policy
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP), has held bilateral discussions with his Spanish counterpart, His Excellency José Manuel Albares Bueno, in Barcelona. The talks focused on migration, labour mobility, and maritime security, underscoring the growing partnership between the two nations. Hon. Ablakwa commended Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the Government of Spain for their flagship immigration policy, which seeks to legalize and integrate 500,000 undocumented migrants living in Spain at least five months before December 31, 2025. The policy, being implemented between April 16 and the end of June 2026, guarantees legal status, dignity, and employment...
President Mahama Inspects Construction of New Cardiology Centre in Tamale
President John Dramani Mahama has inspected ongoing works on a new cardiology centre under construction at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The project, being undertaken by the MahamaCares Ghana Medical Trust Fund, is designed to strengthen specialised healthcare delivery in the Northern Region. The facility will provide advanced diagnosis and treatment for cardiovascular conditions, reducing the burden on patients who often travel long distances to access cardiac care in Accra or Kumasi. Once completed, the centre is expected to serve as a major hub for heart-related medical services in northern Ghana. During the inspection, President Mahama reiterated government’s commitment to investing...
Greater Accra Zongo Caucus Appeals for Postponement of NDC Branch Elections
The Greater Accra Zongo Caucus of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has formally appealed to the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to postpone the upcoming branch elections originally scheduled for May–June 2026. In a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the NDC at Adabraka, Accra, and signed by Hon. Horoya Ismaila Ali, Greater Accra Regional Zongo Caucus Coordinator and aspiring National Zongo Caucus Coordinator, the caucus cited the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage and the FIFA World Cup as major events likely to affect participation among party members. The appeal stressed the importance of inclusivity, unity, and fairness, urging the NEC...
President Mahama Clarifies Role of Tricycles in Free Primary Healthcare Programme
President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed claims circulating on social media that tricycles distributed under the Free Primary Healthcare Programme are ambulances. Speaking on the first day of his #ResettingGhana tour of the Northern Region, the President explained that the vehicles are designed to support community outreach, not emergency medical transport. “Recently, at Dodowa, where I launched the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, we handed over equipment, including vehicles, for distribution to CHPS compounds. Among them were tricycles. Let me be clear for those who don’t understand the policy. Those tricycles are not ambulances. They are meant for the health workers...
Mahama Launches 24-Hour Economy Market Project in Bimbilla
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to stimulating economic growth through the construction of modern multipurpose markets across Ghana. Speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony for a 24-hour model market in Bimbilla, Northern Region, the President explained that the initiative was a major campaign promise aimed at creating wealth and boosting local economies. The new market model departs from traditional structures by incorporating banking services, storage facilities, fire and security protection, restaurants, crèches, and clinics to cater to the health needs of traders. President Mahama assured that each of Ghana’s 261 districts will benefit from the project. “Everywhere we...
Government Moves to Cushion Consumers Against Petroleum Price Hikes
The Presidency has announced temporary measures to ease the impact of rising petroleum prices on households, transport operators, and businesses. Effective Thursday, April 16, 2026, the Government will absorb GH¢2.00 per litre on diesel and GH¢0.36 per litre on petrol. The intervention, approved by Cabinet, is designed to cushion consumers amid global market volatility that has sharply increased ex-pump prices in Ghana. According to the statement issued by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP, Spokesperson to the President and Minister of Government Communications, the measure will remain in force for one month. During this period, Government will monitor developments in the international...
Mahama Assures Priority Postings for Free Primary Healthcare Volunteers
President John Dramani Mahama has pledged that health professionals and volunteers who participate in the rollout of the government’s Free Primary Healthcare Programme will be given priority when recruitment opportunities arise. He explained that the initiative is designed to reward service and encourage more trained health workers to support the early stages of the policy as it expands nationwide. Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, April 15, Mr. Mahama indicated that lifestyle changes and preventive health education will form a central part of the programme, alongside treatment and primary care services delivered across health facilities. According to him, Community-based Health...
Mahama Launches Free Primary Healthcare to Advance Universal Coverage
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana’s newly introduced Free Primary Healthcare Programme is part of wider efforts to achieve universal health coverage. Speaking at the launch at Shai Osudoku District Hospital in the Greater Accra Region, the President explained that the initiative is intended to complement existing health interventions and address critical service delivery gaps. Mr. Mahama acknowledged that while the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has expanded access, many communities remain underserved. “We have been talking about the Universal Health Coverage; every country is working to achieve universal health coverage. It is a situation where every citizen...
Conflicting Court Rulings Cloud OSP’s Mandate in Rice Scandal Case
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced that conflicting judicial decisions have emerged in the ongoing Republic v. Issah Seidu & 3 Others (Suit No. CR/0513/2025), popularly known as the “rice scandal case.” The accused persons are currently standing trial before the High Court (Criminal Division), where proceedings remain active. The Criminal Court recently dismissed an application by the defense seeking to strike out the case, adjourning proceedings to await a Supreme Court ruling on whether the OSP possesses independent prosecutorial authority. Both the OSP and the Attorney-General are parties to that constitutional matter. In a parallel action,...