Danquah Addo-Yobo, Country Manager for Newmont Ghana
Newmont has paid GH₵ 2.388 billion in taxes, royalties, levies, and carried interest to the Government of Ghana for the third quarter of 2025. These payments were made through the respective government agencies, including the Ghana Revenue Authority, Forestry Commission, and the Ministry of Finance.
The third quarter payment includes Corporate Tax of GH₵1.192 billion, Capital Gains Tax of GH₵511 million, Minerals Royalty of GH₵309 million, Carried Interest of GH₵234, Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Tax of GH₵75 million, and Withholding Tax of GH₵67 million.
This brings Newmont’s year-to-date fiscal payments (from January to September 2025), to GH₵ 9.874 billion, reaffirming the company’s consistent contribution to Ghana’s fiscal and economic development.
“These payments demonstrate our ongoing commitment to honouring our tax and other obligations to the state, as well as to our local communities.
“By paying our fair share of taxes and disclosing these payments, we help to promote transparency and good governance”, said Danquah Addo-Yobo, Country Manager for Newmont’s Ghana operations.
Newmont is one of Ghana’s leading taxpayers and a key contributor to national development through tax payments, employment creation, local procurement, and community investment.
With the official opening of the company’s Ahafo North mine in October this year, which is expected to deliver between 275, 000 to 325,000 ounces of gold annually, Newmont will increase its production footprint in Ghana, along with increased contribution to Ghana’s economy.
Naa Lanjagor Karley II - Paramount Chief of Jama Traditional area at a durbar of chiefs
The Paramount Chief of Jama Traditional area, Naa Lanjagor Karley II, has the stressed the importance of peace and unity to foster development and progress and called on colleague chiefs to work for peace to prevail in their areas.
“Peace is paramount, without peace and unity there can be no meaningful development and progress”, Naa Karley, known in private life as Professor Noah Kofi Karley, who doubles as the President of the four MO Traditional areas in Savana, Bono and Bono East regions emphasised when he met the media at his palace at Jama.
He said the four Traditional areas, which could be found in Savana (Jama and Bamboi Traditional areas), Bono East (New Longoro stretching to Kintampo) and Branam on Wenchi to Bamboi road, (Bono Region) are lacking behind development and social amenities.
According to him, the coming together of the four prominent Paramount chiefs to fight against poverty and hardships of their peoples is timely and must be sustained.
He suggested that the chiefs must embark on an education of their people on the need to see themselves as one people and unite for the purpose of developing their areas and improve the lot of their peoples.
Naa Karley called on all MO citizens home and abroad to join hands with the Chiefs and people of MO to champion the desired development of Mo. The Jama Paramount chief appealed to the youth to be law abiding and desist from all social vices and forge ahead for a secured future.
The Dean of the Rock Bible Institute, Rev. Israel Mawunu, has urged newly ordained ministers to uphold integrity and commit themselves to genuine kingdom service as they step into their various callings.
Speaking at the 2024/2025 Graduation and 7th Ordination Service of the institute, held at the Agape Power Ministry in Accra ,under the theme “Raising Kingdom Impactors,” Rev. Mawunu said the school was established to raise men and women who would make lasting impact in the body of Christ and in society.
He stressed that the institute prioritises “quality, not quantity,” explaining that its mission is to train dedicated ministers,not those who see the pulpit as a money-making platform.
“The years have been eventful, with those who pass through this school shaping destinies and impacting communities,” he said. “To the graduates, you are sent as ambassadors to bring light to society. Let your life be a testimony of the life of God at work in you.”
Charging the class, he added: “Go forth and make impact in the kingdom of Christ, raising kingdom impactors with integrity.”
This year’s graduates were Pastor Alberta Tawiah, Michael Asare, Pastor Philip Adjei, and Pastor Sampson Boadu.
Start with the Word — Rev Chris Anim
Founder and Head Pastor of the Agape Power Ministry, Rev. Chris Anim, delivered the exhortation, drawing his message from John 6:28. He reminded the ministers that the work of God does not begin with outward activities such as preaching, but with deep devotion to Scripture.
“Start with the study of the Word of the Lord and let the Word mould you to teach,” he said.
Rev. Anim described ministry as both “an honourable job and a dangerous one,” insisting that God must be served with reverence and obedience.
“God cannot be served anyhow. If you will not do it His way, keep away,” he cautioned.
He urged the graduates to guard their faith diligently, warning that “the man behind the pulpit is sending many to hell more than sinners.” He advised them not to rush into activities for God, but to first sit, study, and grow in the Word.
“People’s destinies will be in your hands. Don’t rush to do anything for God ,sit and study the Word,” he emphasised.
The ceremony drew family, clergy and worshippers who celebrated the new ministers as they prepared to enter service.
Nana Appiah Sarfo Kantanka, Chief of Akropong – 2nd respondent
A motion on notice has been field before a Kumasi High Court seeking an order to commit Nana Appiah Sarfo Kantanka, chief of Akropong Ashanti, Nana Ampofo Twumasi, caretaker chief (Odikro) of Dwenewoho community and five others for contempt of court.
The court will be moved on December 18, 2025 to determine the motion and fate of the respondents.
The application filed by James Asamoah, Esq. for the plaintiffs was on the premises of an affidavit in support by Albert Osei Banahene, third plaintiff and deponent.
The action follows an order of the Mankranso District Court on December 20, 2023.
The Court, presided over by Her Worship Juliana Milicent Ocran ordered that the defendants in a suit, their assigns, agents be restrained from undertaking any form of activities or any development, or cultivating any new or alienating any part of the land in dispute, till the final determination of the suit.
Yaw Sarfo, Akosua Dufie and Albert Osei-Banahene, Head of the Aduana Family (the plaintiffs) had sued the defendants for declaration of title to and ownership of all parcels of land in dispute situated between Akropong and Kunsu.
Nana AmpofoTwumasi – Odikro of Dwenewoho, 4th respondent
The plaintiffs are seeking damages for trespass, recovery of possession and perpetual injunction to restrain the defendants, their assigns and agents from interfering with the title, ownership and possession of Aduana Royal family of Yabi that acquired the said land from the then chief of Akropong, Nana Kwabena Sarfo in 1925.
The court heard that the first defendant was undertaking illegal mining on the land while the substantive case was pending before the court.
As a result, the plaintiffs filed a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction to restrain the defendants and their agents from undertaking any illegal mining activities on the land in dispute.
They claimed the illegal mining activities on the land by the second defendant and the use of heavy earth moving machines including excavators had caused waste to the disputed land and impacted negatively on the vegetation.
The plaintiffs argued that the vegetation of the land had been destroyed by the intrusion and galamsey activities of the defendants and that unless the Court restrained the defendants the entire land would be destroyed by the time the case is determined.
According to the plaintiffs, they had suffered loss and damages from the wrong act of the defendants and that the intervention of the Court was needed to preserve their property from further destruction by the defendants through illegal mining.
They argued that if the defendants are allowed to undertake illegal mining on said land and the case is determined in their favour, they would have no land to take hence the need to restrain the defendants till the final determination of the case.
The plaintiffs also argued that if the defendants are allowed to undertake illegal mining and they (plaintiffs) win the case, the damage cannot be compensated in monetary terms.
The defendants, however, contended that the plaintiffs do not have the requisite capacity to initiate the action against them.
They also claimed that the Akropong Stool had been granted the land since 1958.
Guided by Order 13(1) of the District Court Rules, 2009, the Court upheld the application of the plaintiffs on the grounds that they (plaintiffs) had legal or equitable rights in the disputed land which, if not protected by the court, will cause irreparable damage to them.
The court, therefore, deemed the grant of an injunction as just and convenient and accordingly granted the application for injunction to restrain the defendants until the final determination of the case by the court.
However, the defendants are said to have flouted the December 20, 2023 court order.
In an affidavit in support of the motion on notice filed on October 31, 2025, the plaintiffs stated that despite sufficient awareness of the legal consequences of the restraining order, the respondents have since been using earth moving machines to clear the land indispute in order to demarcate for sale to prospective developers while allocating portion of the land to some people to undertake illegal mining on the land.
The plaintiffs argued that the conduct of the respondents in disregarding, disobeying and disrespecting the express orders must be punished.
They said any defiance of court order by a litigant is likely to cast dark clouds on the administration of justice and subjects the court to public ridicule and contempt hence the need to punish the respondents to serve as a deterrent to like-minded persons.
The High Court in Tarkwa has convicted five persons for contempt of court, after finding that they defied ongoing legal processes by outdooring a chief and queen mother for Daboase, while a chieftaincy case was still pending.
Her Ladyship Justice Mercy Adei Kotei, delivering a detailed ruling on Thursday, September 11, 2025 held that the respondents; Kweku Ekye, Tawiah Kakrabekaw, John Armoh, Florence Arkoh and SafoheneAhenakwa, wilfully engaged in acts that undermined the authority of the WassaFiase Traditional Council (WFTC) and the administration of justice.
The court imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units on each contemnor, with a default sentence of 30 days’ imprisonment.
A bench warrant was also issued for the arrest of the 1st respondent, who was absent in court. Outdooring Ceremony Held Despite Pending Suit The case was initiated on September 27, 2023 when the applicants; Obaahema Nana AmaAnimaa (later substituted by Kate Kwaw), Ebusuapanyin Cobbina and Ebusuapanyin Kofi sued before the WFTC to restrain the respondents and others from installing or presenting any individual as chief or queen mother of Daboase.
On the same day, the applicants also filed for an interlocutory injunction seeking to halt any such installations until the substantive matter was determined.
Although the respondents were duly served, the court found that, on March 1, 2024 they led a public procession and outdoored the 3rd and 4th respondents as chief and queen mother of Daboase.
Photographs and video recordings tendered in evidence captured the ceremony, including the presence of police personnel.
The applicants argued that the respondents’ actions amounted to a deliberate affront to the authority of the WFTC and an attempt to prejudice ongoing litigation.
Respondents Insist Ceremony Occurred Earlier
In opposing the contempt application, the respondents claimed the installation took place earlier on September 24, 2023 before the suit was filed. They tendered a police notification letter and a charge sheet relating to that earlier ceremony.
But the court rejected the explanation.
Justice AdeiKotei noted that: The digital details on video evidence clearly showed the recording was made on March 1, 2024 and that Police presence seen in the March 1 footage did not match the September 2023 event, where no police were officially informed or present.
The court also noted that the respondents did not dispute being participants in the event captured in the exhibits.
The judge concluded that the outdooring indeed took place during the pendency of the case and in direct disregard for the justice system.
Capacity Challenge Dismissed
The respondents also questioned the capacity of the substituted 1st applicant, arguing that the original applicant had been absent from public view for years and was believed dead.
However, the court noted that the original applicant died on June 15, 2024, with a mortuary chit and interrogatory answers confirming the date.
The substitute applicant acted under the deceased’s authority, and no challenge had been raised earlier before the WFTC.
The court also noted that a Power of Attorney was not a mandatory requirement for her substitution.
Justice Adei Kotei, therefore, upheld her capacity and proceeded to determine the contempt application on its merits. Conduct Described as “Grave” In concluding, the court stated that the respondents’ actions were intentional and aimed at undermining lawful processes.
“The Respondents intentionally engaged in conduct that tended to bring the administration of the law into disregard and disrepute,” the judge ruled.
They were accordingly convicted and sentenced, with the court signalling strong disapproval of acts that interfere with pending judicial or traditional adjudications.
The majority in Parliament has used its numbers to grant a GH¢10.46m tax exemption to Tata Consultancy Services Limited, an Indian IT company, as their colleagues on the other side opposed the motion.
According to the minority, their disagreement stems from principles, given that just last year, the now majority opposed a similar move by the now minority for some companies under the 1D1F.
At the time, the then minority, now in the majority, particularly led by the current Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, argued that tax waivers to those companies would have serious fiscal implications for the country.
The minority was thus surprised that the group that vehemently opposed a similar decision and ensured it did not hold is ironically doing the same.
OPPOSE
The Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, spoke for the record that the decision was solely by the majority, with his side dissenting, a position they made clear at the committee level.
“Speaker, let the record reflect that the same was discussed at the committee and that it was a majority decision.
“And our dissenting view is premised on principle. Speaker, last year, I witnessed the passion with which he (the Finance Minister, as the minority leader then) spoke against exemption generally.
“And even at the point when we’re bringing exemptions that were related to 1D1F, with the intention of creating jobs, our friends held the red flag and it was all over the country. I don’t know what has changed. We are opposed.”
He continued that, “We want to appeal to our colleagues. They should stay on principle. He had expressed his principle last year when he was then minority leader; now he’s finance minister. One would have thought that he’s empowered to ensure that his principle that he believed in will be put into force.
“Now he is picking and choosing. When it is about TATA, he is bringing the exemption. When it is about something else, we hear a different story. It is disappointing.”
MINISTER
Wrapping up debate on the motion, the Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, gave the chronology of events leading to the tax waiver. He stated that the previous government had signed a contract granting a 20% tax waiver. He indicated that though he did not sign the deal, he was in Parliament “to ensure that the right thing is done. I am cleaning your mess.”
Finance minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
The minister said the previous government failed to present the deal to Parliament, though TATA is a foreign company, a reason he had to take the step to right the wrong.
“Mr. Speaker, apart from that, for this tax obligation, the Ministry of Finance cannot sit at the office and approve it because if you look at the wording in the addendum, it further states that the GRA shall be responsible and do all such acts required for obtaining such approvals from the Parliament of Ghana. And immediately notify TATA Consultancy Services of such approval. Mr Speaker, I’m only doing my work. I’m only doing what I have been asked to do. Mr Speaker, I thought my colleague would rather applaud me.”
RENEGOTIATION
Dr Ato Forson mentioned the outcome of the renegotiation, saying that he has been able to reduce the cost of software and related items from $25.3 million to $20 million, saving $5.3 million on one line alone.
He also noted that the downwards hardware and related items have been reduced from $15 million to $13.7 million, saving the government over $9 million.
The ITAS software, the minister told Parliament, has been endorsed by the IMF, which says that “it is good software that will work for the people of Ghana.”
Meanwhile, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson denied the claim that his position on tax is “unwavering”, and “everyone knows my views about tax exemption,” insisting that he was doing the job started by the previous government.
OBLIGATION
On May 28, 2024, the GRA signed a contract with Tata Consultancy Services Limited, but the process, whose competitive bidding was done in January of the same year, was cancelled.
On November 4, 2024 an addendum signed by TATA Consultancy Services Limited and GRA included the 20% withholding tax exemption from January 1, 2025 till the end date.
ITAS will provide a 360-degree view of taxpayers’ obligations and interactions to enable risk-based compliance management, timely enforcement and targeted taxpayer support, [for] the domestic tax administration system with existing customs platforms, such as ICOMS.
It will also integrate with the registrar of companies for GRA to be able to know who is behind every single transaction.
Chinese film distributors have suspended the release of two Japanese anime films amid an escalating diplomatic row over Taiwan.
Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: SuperHot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers and Cells at Work! will not be screened in mainland China as originally scheduled, Chinese state-run broadcaster CCTV said on Tuesday.
The move comes as relations between Tokyo and Beijing are at their lowest ebb in years following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s suggestion that Tokyo could intervene militarily if China attempted to take control of Taiwan.
CCTV said distributors made the “prudent” decision to postpone the releases in view of the overall market performance of Japanese films and “Chinese audience sentiment”.
Film distributors reported that Takaichi’s “provocative remarks” would inevitably affect Chinese audience perceptions of Japanese cinema, CCTV said, adding that the companies would follow “market principles and respect audience preferences” by delaying the releases.
Naoise McDonagh, an expert in economic coercion at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia, said the postponements followed a well-worn playbook in Chinese statecraft.
“China is usually careful to target trade that is non-essential for China, but which will impact Japanese firms, creating both financial costs and symbolic pressure,” McDonagh told Al Jazeera.
Such incidents allow Beijing to signal that parties who act against its interests will face costs, “providing China some degree of influence on other governmental decision-making processes that impact China’s red line,” McDonagh said.
The delayed film releases follow a series of retaliatory moves by Beijing in response to Takaichi’s comments, including an advisory warning its citizens against travel to Japan and the deployment of warships to waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands.
Japan on Monday issued its own travel advisory for China, warning its citizens to respect local customs, avoid crowded places and exercise caution in their interactions with Chinese people.
US rapper Eminem has taken legal action against an Australian beachwear company called Swim Shady, saying its name is too similar to his trademarked rap pseudonym Slim Shady.
In September, Eminem – whose real name is Marshall B Mathers III – filed a petition to the US Patent and Trademark Office, calling for it to cancel a trademark that was granted to the company. US law requires the company to respond to the petition by next week.
The 53-year-old rapper’s lawyers accused the Sydney-based brand of creating a “false association” with Eminem.
Swim Shady told the BBC in a statement that it would “defend our valuable intellectual property”.
The company’s name was registered in September 2023, according to Australia’s business regulator, having originally launching under the name Slim Shade. It officially launched in 2024.
The brand sells portable beach umbrellas, swim bags and other beach accessories.
Earlier this year, the brand filed a trademark in the US for the term “Swim Shady”, which was granted. Shortly afterwards, Eminem’s team filed a petition to cancel the trademark.
Eminem has also filed an opposition to the brand’s name in Australia.
“Swim Shady is a grass roots Australian company that was born out of a desire to produce stylish and effective sun shades and other items to protect from the harsh Australian sun,” the company said, adding that it could not comment further due to the ongoing legal case.
Court documents show Eminem trademarked the name Slim Shady in the US in 1999 with the release of the eponymous album. However, he only filed a trademark for the Slim Shady name in Australia in January 2025.
Eminem shot into fame in 2000 with the release of his hit single The Real Slim Shady, which earned him a Grammy for best rap solo performance.
His lawyers said the name has become “distinctive and famous” and exclusively associated with his rap career.
Sydney intellectual property legal specialist firm Meyer West IP is listed as Swim Shady’s legal representative.
Kojo Soboh, the Executive Director of EMY Africa, has addressed the growing chatter about his personal life.
When he appeared on the Prime Time show on Joy Prime, he stated clearly that he is not married and is not hiding any marital ties.
“I am in a stable relationship,” he said confidently, putting to rest the rumours that claimed otherwise.
Soboh explained that although he attracts attention, he remains focused on his work and committed to the person he is with.
“Even though ladies like me, I’m able to ignore them because of the distractions of my work,” he added, stressing the discipline that has guided both his personal and professional life.
When the subject of marriage came up, Soboh said he preferred something intimate and financially sensible. He noted that he could not realistically cater for a large gathering.
He also shared his hope of having “two kids, a boy and a girl,” giving a glimpse into the family life he imagines.
Widely known for his strong work ethic, Soboh admitted that he is indeed a workaholic. He said his constant urge to create drives much of his success.
Travel, he explained, plays a key role in this. “It helps me get a broader mind and acquire ideas,” he said, pointing out how new environments shape his outlook. .
Gospel musician Piesie Esther has revealed that she finds songwriting to be a natural and effortless process, crediting her creativity to divine inspiration.
“I always give thanks to God for that because I am someone who does not struggle when it comes to writing my songs,” she said on Channel One TV during an interview.
Piesie Esther shared the story behind her hit song ‘Nyame Ye,’ explaining that it was born during a sleepless night.
She said she reflected on God’s goodness in her life and turned to her Bible for guidance, landing on 1 Samuel 12.
Although she could not recall the exact verse, she described how the chapter recounts the Israelites sinning against God and Samuel interceding on their behalf. The Israelites were preparing to go to war against the Philistines, and despite challenges, Samuel’s appeal helped them prevail. The story mentions Mizpah, where Samuel placed a stone to mark God’s faithfulness.
“That is where I got the inspiration from because I remember where I was some years ago and what I have been through. God has been good,” Piesie Esther explained.
