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South Africa’s firebrand MP found guilty of hate speech

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South African opposition politician Julius Malema

South African opposition politician Julius Malema has been convicted of hate speech by the country’s equality court, following remarks he made at a rally in 2022. Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, often sparks controversy in a nation where, 31 years after apartheid ended, racial tensions still linger.

After an incident where a white man allegedly assaulted an EFF member, Malema said: “No white man is going to beat me up… you must never be scared to kill. A revolution demands that at some point there must be killing.”

The equality court ruled that these remarks “demonstrated an intent to incite harm”, but the EFF said they were taken out of context.

Two complaints had been made against the 44-year-old MP – one by South Africa’s Human Rights Commission and another by a person who alleged they had been threatened because of the politician’s remarks.

In its ruling, the court said: “Whilst calling out someone who behaves as a racist may be acceptable, calling for them to be killed is not. And calling for someone to be killed because they are a racist who has acted violently, is an act of vigilantism and an incitement of the most extreme form of harm possible.”

In a subsequent statement, the EFF said the ruling “is fundamentally flawed and deliberately misreads both the context and the meaning of the speech”.

“It assumes that the reasonable listener is incapable of understanding metaphor, revolutionary rhetoric or the history of liberation struggles,” the EFF added.

In June, Malema, whose party came fourth in last year’s parliamentary election, was denied entry to the UK.

Credit: bbc.com

European leaders outraged after Russian strikes kill 18 and damage EU’s HQ

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EU officials shared images of damage to their delegation in Kyiv

The head of the European Union’s executive Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has spoken of her outrage at Russia’s deadliest onslaught on Kyiv since July – which also damaged the EU’s delegation office in the Ukrainian capital.

At least 18 people including four children were killed and dozens more wounded in the bombardment, Ukrainian officials said. A five-storey residential building was destroyed, and the EU mission and nearby British Council were damaged.

In a strongly worded statement, von der Leyen said that Russian missiles struck in close proximity to the diplomatic mission: “Two missiles hit in a distance of 50m (165ft) of the delegation within 20 seconds.”

The overnight attacks followed a US-led diplomatic offensive aimed at bringing an end to the war and infuriated the UK as well as the EU.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accused Russia’s Vladimir Putin of “sabotaging hopes of peace”, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said they showed “a deliberate choice to escalate and mock peace efforts”.

Moscow had chosen “ballistics instead of the negotiating table”, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who reiterated the need for “new, tough sanctions” on Russia.

Although the Kremlin said Russia was “still interested” in negotiations, von der Leyen said the strikes were “another grim reminder” that Russia would “stop at nothing to terrorise Ukraine”, killing men, women and children and even targeting the EU.

An EU spokeswoman said no diplomatic mission should ever be targeted and the Russian charge d’affaires in Brussels was being summoned in response to the attack. The UK said Russia’s ambassador to London, Andrey Kelin, would be summoned to the foreign office.

Credit: bbc.com

Tips to Reduce Stress in Women Over 50

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What is stress?

Stress is a natural human reaction that happens to everyone. In fact, your body is designed to experience stress and react to it. When you experience changes or challenges (stressors), your body produces physical and mental responses. That’s stress.

Stress responses help your body adjust to new situations. Stress can be positive — keeping you alert, motivated and ready to avoid danger. For example, if you have an important test coming up, a stress response might help your body work harder and stay awake longer. But stress becomes a problem when stressors continue without relief or periods of relaxation.

Types of stress

There are three main kinds of stress: acute, episodic acute and chronic.

  • Acute stress: Acute stress is short-term stress that comes and goes quickly. It can be positive or negative. It’s the feeling you get when you’re riding on a rollercoaster or having a fight with your boyfriend. Everyone experiences acute stress from time to time.
  • Episodic acute stress: Episodic acute stress is when you experience acute stress on a regular basis. With this kind of stress, you don’t ever get the time you need to return to a calm, relaxed state. Episodic stress frequently affects people working in certain professions, like healthcare providers.
  • Chronic stress: Chronic stress is long-term stress that goes on for weeks or months. You may experience chronic stress due to marriage troubles, issues at work or financial problems. It’s important to find ways to manage chronic stress because it can lead to health issues.

 

Navigating the changes of midlife causes stress, there’s no doubt about it, and we’d all like to reduce stress in our lives.

But stress can be positive, keeping us on our toes. Stress becomes negative when we continually face challenges without relief. Tension builds in the body, causing an assortment of physical problems — such as headaches, upset stomach, high blood pressure, chest pain, and sleep problems.

For women over 50, the effects of chronic stress are compounded. Your body isn’t as resilient as it once was, so it needs better maintenance — a healthier lifestyle — to repair itself. Face it: It’s time to reduce stress.

The keys to less stress and greater happiness? They aren’t more money or material objects, says Charles Raison, MD, professor of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They’re positive action, good health, good relationships, and a sense of optimism.

How to Reduce Stress and Achieve Emotional Balance

  1. Exercise regularly.Exercise reduces stress, improves mood, and boosts overall health. It also helps you sleep better.
  2. Build a support system. For some people, becoming part of a religious community helps reduce stress. For others it may be diving into a swim club, or a sewing circle. But wherever you find them, solid friendships help you feel warmth, security, connection.
  3. Keep a positive attitude. Look for silver linings and good news. Make a gratitude list.
  4. Let go of negatives. Accept that there are things you cannot control.
  5. Be assertive instead of aggressive. Instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive, assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs.
  6. Find ways to relax. Learn to meditate. Try a relaxation app. Listen to the great music of classical composers.
  7. Develop new interests. Having a sense of adventure can help you reduce stress. Tune in to your dreams. Find things to be passionate about. Find a hobby. Be creative!
  8. Get enough rest and sleep. When you’re under stress, your body needs time to recover. Give it the rest it needs.
  9. Eat healthy, balanced meals. Your body needs good nutrition to fight the effects of stress. Also, don’t rely on alcohol to quiet your anxiety.
  10. Volunteer. When you commit yourself to helping others, you find purpose. You take the focus off yourself, but you achieve a feeling of accomplishment.

Don’t let a harried and hectic world get the better of you. Make a little time, try a few of these tips — and reduce stress.

Credit: webmd

God’s Anger At Sin

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Dr. Joyce Rosalind Aryee, Executive Director, Salt and Light Ministries

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. – Matthew 5:22.

INTRODUCTION

Romans 1: 18-32 – 2:16 develops Paul’s argument that no one can claim by his or her own efforts or merit to be good in God’s sight. All people everywhere deserve God’s condemnation for their sin. The wrath of God is not an uncontrolled emotional burst of anger like humans often display.  Rather, it is a display of justice and a holy reaction toward anything that is contrary or defiant against God’s standards and character.

God’s wrath is provoked by the wicked behaviour of individuals and nations and by the unfaithfulness of His people. Any judgement or punishment that results from God’s wrath against sin is actually an expression of His righteousness and holiness.

ROMANS 1:18-32 – 2:16

But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, He abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

WHY IS GOD ANGRY AT SINFUL PEOPLE?

Because we have substituted the truth about Him with a lie. We have stifled the truth God naturally reveals to all people in order to believe anything that supports our own self-centered lifestyles. God cannot tolerate sin because His nature is morally perfect. God wants to remove the sin and restore the sinner – and He is able to, as long as the sinner does not stubbornly distort or reject the truth.  But God shows His anger against those who persist in sinning. Let’s make  sure we are not pursuing a lie rather than the true God and not suppress the truth about Him to merely protect our own lifestyle.

 

CONCLUSION

  1. In the past, God’s justified anger toward sin and rebellion were revealed through such things such as the flood, famine and plague, total destruction, scattering of people and burning of the land.
  2. In the present, God’s anger is seen in how He gives wicked and defiant people over to moral filthiness, spiritual corruption and ungodly passions. That is to say, he allows people who rebel against Him to go their own wicked and selfish way, bringing ruin, destruction and death on themselves.
  3. In the future, God’s wrath will include great distress for the ungodly of this world and a coming day of judgement for all people and nations. The final end of God’s wrath will be eternal punishment and permanent separation from God for those who refuse to turn from their own way, surrender to His purposes and receive His gift of eternal life.
  4. God’s wrath is not His final word to humans because He has provided a way of escape. People may admit their sin, accept God’s forgiveness, turn from their own ways and yield their lives to Jesus Christ.

We must identify with and participate in God’s anger against sin, not in the sense or retaliation or revenge, but by showing true love for what is right and true hatred for what displeases God according to His holy standard. This attitude should not be shown through personal judgement toward those who do not follow God – judgement is God’s right alone. Instead, our hatred for evil should be shown through our refusal to compromise with or participate in ungodly behaviours and lifestyles that exist around us. While we hate sin, we must show compassion for sinners in the hope that our message and lifestyle may lead some to accept and follow Christ for themselves.

Remain Blessed!

Please note that the preaching program on Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays at 5:30 am has been temporarily put on hold. However, please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays at 5:30 am and YFM 107.9 – Sundays at 6:30 am for our Radio Bible Study, as well as on Sunny 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm for Hymns and Their Stories.

Feature: Asantehemaa’s One-Week Observance

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Africanus Owusu Ansah (Hot Issues)

“All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players:

They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays

many parts”. – As You Like It, William Shakespeare

IT WAS ALL BLACK – Kuntunkuni cloth and black Ahenema footwear – The message was terse (very few words: Nana, due; Nana, yaako). It was as if time had stopped. The eyes were red; the dirges were sonorous; the lamentations elegiac, and the atmosphere, memorably funereal and somber.

The songs depicted more the Asante traditional funeral: “Nyankonton ko nyaa”; “Maame, w’adaka na yeretwe no nyaa”.

“Kyenkyen bi adi m’awu”. The Christian “Abide with me” “Guide me o

thou great Yehovah” and “Halleluia Chorus” could wait – and that was

Thursday (Yawoada – a day of pain) 21/08/25.

Roads close to the Manhyia Palace had been closed to traffic except for

those vehicles carrying top people or call them prominent citizens. We left

our vehicles at the Court of Appeal premises Kumasi and boarded a VIP

bus: there was a Police escort for those of us who had something to do with

law – the judges, the lawyers and the judicial staff. Sir Dennis Adjei, a

Justice of the Supreme Court was in charge representing Justice Paul

Baffoe-Bonnie, the Acting C. J. Strict protocol – no hanky panky. O-r-d-e-

r: “Behold to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of

rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).

At around 1.00 pm, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II accompanied by some of the

Amanhene, the palace chiefs, the Akyeamehene, Abrafoɔ, arrived at

Bogyawe where Otumfuo sat in state: he wore a black cloth and a black

headgear. The mourners had already taken their seats, and got entertained

by the cultural performances, the kete, adowa and nwomkro drummers and

singers. The fetish priests could be clearly seen displaying … The musketry symbolized the readiness of the mourners to defend the Asantehemaa, but for natural death.

Among the personalities who went to shake the golden hands of Otumfuo were Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang the Vice-President accompanied by Julius Debrah, the Chief of Staff, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the NDC Chairman, Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister.

Many of the NPP Presidential candidates were there; Kennedy Agyapong, Adutwum, Kwabena Agyapong.

As expected, John Agyekum Kufuor, the former President of Ghana as well

as Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, also former President of Ghana had

taken their seats.

Also present were Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, ex Vice-President and his wife, Samira and Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, NPP’s

2024 Vice-Presidential candidate and, of course, Hon. Addo Kufuor, ex-Minister of Defence. Adding to the tall list of top personalities were some present and former Ministers and MPs. The IGP,  Christian Tetteh Yohuno arrived on the funeral grounds with 15 top Police Officers. There were as well the diplomatic corps; Christian Rogg, the British High Commissioner and Stefano RamellaPezza, the Italian Vice Honorary Counsel.

Businessman Kwame Despite leading the East Legon Big Men and Entertainer Lil Win were also present. All paramountcies were represented (by the Amanhene) just as companies and government establishments.

All persons present offered “boa-mu-adee” monetary donations which were

received by the Standard Chartered Bank (Traditionally, gifts or donations of money to Otumfuo are not declared to the public, but this was different for accountability sake).

We say kudos for the tight security by the National Security, Military, Police, Prisons, Fire Service, Immigration and Customs, together with private security outfits.

It was a good job well done by the various security outfits. They ensured that everything went orderly, and, no wonder, in the evening of that Thursday, some of us gathered at Patasi Brotherman’s Pub

to give Inspector Awayi of the Visibility Unit of the Kumasi Police and his band some bottles of water … for the professional way they handled their assignment.

The announcement for the doteyie (burial) of the Asantehemaa was made: Lying in state on Sunday, 14th September, 2025: the body of the Asantehemaa would lie in state that day: Filing past on Monday 15th

September; on Tuesday 16th September, mourners will be permitted to file

past the body; on Wednesday, 17th September. Asantehene will sit in state

and receive dignitaries and delegations; on Thursday 18th September (1.00pm)

a burial service would be held at the Manhyia Palace. It will be non-

denominational (Anglican, Catholic, Baptist, Salvation Army, Saviour Church…): we will see James Osman Adjei in his role as Acting President.

Meanwhile, a ban has been placed on all funerals from 1st September until after the burial on 18th September. People in Kumasi are enjoined to observe the days with due grace and respect.

Nana Konadu Yiadom III was such a peaceful and benevolent woman – a

woman from whose breasts we have all sucked. Until death, she remained

a great confidante of Opemsuo. The 98- year old Nana Konadu Yiadom III reigned for eight years from 2017 till she died on Thursday 7th August, 2025. She wore the sandals of her mother, Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem II who went to the village on 15th November, 2016, aged 111 after holding the mantle of Asantehemaa for 39 years.

She hardly went out, and she had a council whose secretary was Bomsohemaa. She shared a common appellation with one of the women-in-council, and whenever there was a knotty question, the woman would

shout: “w’ataaso” and the problem would get solved.

Family cases referred to Opemsuo would in turn be referred to the Asantehemaa who had fixed dates for settling matters referred to her. It is remarkable that personalities

like Adumhene, Mamensenhene, Kenyasehemaa and Esresohemaa were

almost always around, to lend their support: she was always an intermediary for erring chief who had a case before Opemsuo – and her advice to Opemsuo, her younger brother, always carried weight.

In The Tempest (Act iv Sc1) Prospero: says “Our revels now are ended – These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits, and Are melted into thin air, into thin air, And, like the baseless fabric of this vision … leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded in sleep”. – the ephemeral nature of life.

Well was it said by Calpurnia in Julius Caesar’s “When beggars die, there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes” there is a proverb in Twi which says; “Aboa a oso na ne honam so”: Yes Nana Asantehemaa deserves a “fitting” funeral, and the one-week

observance has given a fair notice of what is to follow.

Liverpool and Man City draw Real in Champions League

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Zlatan Ibrahimović draws Manchester City from Pot A

Both Liverpool and Manchester City will face 15-time winners Real Madrid in the league phase of the Champions League, while Tottenham and Newcastle must both play holders Paris St-Germain.

The 36-team league – introduced last season – will see six Premier League teams in action for the first time, but they can not face each other until the knockout stages.

As well as coming up against Trent Alexander-Arnold and Real at Anfield, six-time winners Liverpool face Atletico Madrid and beaten finalists Inter Milan in their eight games, with Pep Guardiola’s City taking on Napoli and Borussia Dortmund.

Chelsea face giants Barcelona and Bayern Munich while Arsenal also play Harry Kane’s Bayern and Inter.

Newcastle’s return to the competition includes a trip to St James’ Park for Barcelona, while Tottenham – who qualified by winning the Europa League – play Dortmund and Monaco.

The first matches will be played on Tuesday, 16 September and the last round of league games take place on 28 January 2026, with exact scheduling to follow in the coming days.

This season’s final will be held in Budapest.

Who the Premier League sides will face

Liverpool: Real Madrid (home), Inter Milan (away), Atletico Madrid (home), Eintracht Frankfurt (away), PSV Eindhoven (home), Marseille (away), Qarabag (home) and Galatasaray (away).

Manchester City: Borussia Dortmund (home), Real Madrid (away), Bayer Leverkusen (home), Villarreal (away), Napoli (home), Bodo/Glimt (away), Galatasaray (home) and Monaco (away).

Chelsea: Barcelona (home), Bayern Munich (away), Benfica (home), Atalanta (away), Ajax (home), Napoli (away), Pafos (home) and Qarabag (away)

Arsenal: Bayern Munich (home), Inter Milan (away), Atletico Madrid (away), Club Brugge (home), Olympiacos (away), Slavia Prague (home), Kairat Almaty (away) and Athletic Bilbao (home).

Tottenham: Borussia Dortmund (home), Paris St-Germain (away), Villarreal (home), Eintracht Frankfurt (away), Slavia Prague (home), Bodo/Glimt (away) Copenhagen (home) and Monaco (away).

Newcastle: Barcelona (home), Paris St-Germain (away), Benfica (home), Bayer Leverkusen (away), PSV (home), Marseille (away), Athletic Bilbao (home) and Union SG (away).

How does the league format work?

Each of the 36 teams plays eight different teams – four at home and four away – in the league phase.

Teams who finish in the top eight automatically qualify for the last 16, while those placing ninth to 24th will compete in a two-legged knockout play-off for the chance to join them.

Sides who finish 25th or lower will be eliminated – and will not drop into the Europa League.

Last season Liverpool topped the table with 21 points, while Arsenal and Aston Villa also made the top eight.

Celtic, Newcastle and Manchester City progressed to the play-off round, as did 24th-placed Club Brugge with just 11 points.

Credit: bbc.com

GoldBod Introduces Bonanza For Licensed Miners

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Mr Sammy Gyamfi

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) says it has introduced a special (temporary) bonus of GHS832 per pound of gold for all licensed Miners across the country.

A statement issued by the Media Relations Unit of the GoldBod yesterday said the special bonus will ensure that licensed miners who have contributed immensely to the country’s increased gold output and foreign exchange earnings, do not indirectly suffer as a result of the significant appreciation of the Ghana cedi.

The following is the full statement;
In a bid to motivate licensed miners and fight gold smuggling, the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has today, Wednesday, 27th August, 2025 introduced a special (temporary) bonus of GHS832 per pound of gold, for all licensed Miners across the country.
As a result of this initiative, a pound of gold which should have sold in the local market for GHS8,868 is today selling at a price GHS9,700.

This novelty is in response to legitimate complaints from licensed miners about the significant reduction in the local price of gold in the last few months, due to the continuous appreciation of the Ghana cedi.
The special bonus will ensure that licensed miners who have contributed immensely to the country’s increased gold output and foreign exchange earnings do not indirectly suffer as a result of the significant appreciation of the Ghana cedi, that they have helped the country achieve.
The GoldBod has adequately resourced and directed its licensed traders across the country to ensure the prompt payment of this special bonus to all licensed miners who sell their gold to the GoldBod.

Bawumia Will Win If Primary Were Held Today …Says Fred Oware

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Dr Mahamudu Bawumia

Mr Fred Oware, Senior Advisor to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former Vice President, says the latter, who led the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 general elections, enjoys overwhelming support from the grassroots supporters of the party.

According to Fred Oware, if the NPP presidential primary were held today, Dr Bawumia would secure a resounding victory, owing to his popularity and the trust he enjoys among delegates.

“From the support we continue to see across the country, there is no doubt that if the election were held today, Dr Bawumia would win massively.

“His message continues to resonate and our delegates know the future of the NPP is safe with him,” he stated, whilst speaking on Pure FM yesterday.

He stressed that Dr Bawumia’s track record, particularly his leadership in economic management and digital transformation, during his tenure as Vice President, had endeared him to the rank and file of the party.

“The delegates and the ordinary Ghanaian can testify to the work he has done. That is why his support base has only grown stronger since the last primary,” Mr Oware added.

He pleaded with party members to remain united behind Dr Bawumia, as the NPP prepares for the 2024 general elections, noting that internal cohesion will be key to securing victory.

“This is the time for us to rally behind our candidate. Unity is our strength and with Dr Bawumia at the helm, the NPP is poised for success,” he said.

GRA Edges Closer To Revenue Target

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Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, Commissioner General of GRA

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is inching closer to meeting its revised annual revenue target for 2025, despite facing headwinds in domestic tax mobilisation and the volatile performance of the cedi.

As of June 2025, the Authority had mobilised GH¢89.45 billion out of its revised GH¢229.1 billion annual target, according to figures published in its mid-year report.

This represents 39.1% of the target and a 6.4% increase over collections from the same period last year.

While the original revenue target, announced by the Finance Minister, was pegged at GH¢227.9 billion, it was slightly revised upward during the mid-year budget review to GH¢229.1 billion signaling government’s push to stabilise the fiscal framework amidst domestic and global economic pressures.

Direct Taxes Drive Recovery

Direct taxes continued to be a strong anchor for revenue mobilisation, with collections totalling GH¢42.1 billion in the first half of 2025. This amount surpassed initial estimates by GH¢6.5 billion.

Corporate income tax performed especially well, rising to GH¢20.19 billion, which is a 21.7% surge above the budgeted figure as businesses continued to rebound from pandemic-era slowdowns.

PAYE contributions stood at GH¢12.95 billion, marginally ahead of the GH¢12.87 billion target, indicating steady compliance among salaried workers.

Self-employed taxes also saw an 18.7% year-on-year increase, reaching GH¢788.95 million. A particularly noteworthy increase was recorded under “other taxes,” which spiked by 1,198.6% due to intensified enforcement and broader compliance coverage.

Mineral royalties and the financial sector recovery levy also exceeded expectations, posting gains of 25.8% and 25.6% respectively, reflecting improved sectoral reporting and remittances.

However, not all direct tax categories met expectations. Collections under the Ghana Stabilisation Levy (GSL) and National Fiscal Stabilization Levy (NFSL) fell sharply by 30.4%, highlighting persistent challenges in certain regulated industries.

Indirect and Customs Revenues Show Mixed Performance

Indirect taxes, comprising VAT, excise duties, and the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), totalled GH¢19.4 billion. While excise and NHIL outperformed projections, domestic VAT underwhelmed falling 14.6% short of target due in part to subdued local consumption.

Customs duties remained a bright spot, contributing GH¢24.59 billion, a 1.8% uptick over budgeted levels.

The value of imports rose by 5% at the end of June and is expected to climb to 8% by the end of the fourth quarter. These increases, coupled with currency appreciation, are expected to further bolster import-related revenues.

According to the report, exchange rate volatility has had a considerable impact on customs revenue. The cedi, which stood at GH¢10.30 per dollar in June, is projected to depreciate to GH¢12.80 by December. While this enhances cedi-denominated tax collections from imports, it also poses risks to inflation and consumer purchasing power.

Looking Ahead to 2025 and Beyond

The GRA is forecasting an ambitious GH¢220 billion in total tax revenues by year-end 2025 — a 10.6% increase over the GH¢198.8 billion collected in 2024. Growth is anticipated across all major tax segments: PAYE: +29.3%, Corporate Tax: +20.2%, Mineral Royalties: +29%.

The tax-to-non-oil GDP ratio is projected to inch up to 14.1%, suggesting improved efficiency in domestic resource mobilisation despite macroeconomic challenges.

However, the report also flagged concerns around underperformance in certain tax categories, such as petroleum excise duties and COVID-19-related levies. Analysts warn that while the overall target is achievable, sustained performance will depend heavily on enforcement, compliance, and adaptive fiscal strategies.

With less than five months to go, the GRA appears on track but not yet assured of meeting its full-year revenue target. A stronger push in the second half, including improved tax administration, digital tools, and cross-sectoral coordination will be critical to closing the remaining GH¢139.65 billion revenue gap.

As Ghana aims to balance economic recovery with fiscal discipline, the 2025 tax mobilisation trajectory offers both optimism and a reminder of the complexities facing tax authorities in a turbulent global economy.

 

Oppong Nkrumah Inspects New School Blocks In Ofoase Ayirebi

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The drive to improve educational infrastructure in Ofoase Ayirebi is gathering momentum, with several new classroom blocks completed and others at advanced stages of construction.

Over the weekend, Member of Parliament for the area, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, inspected a newly built six-unit classroom block with a six-seater W/C toilet facility at Akim-Anyinase, now ready for commissioning.

The facility is expected to relieve congestion in classrooms, provide a more conducive environment for learning, and enhance sanitation standards for pupils and teachers alike.

“This is not just a new block; it is an investment in the future of our children,” Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said during the tour.

“We are determined to ensure that every child, no matter where they live, has access to a decent classroom and proper facilities for learning,” he added.

The MP also confirmed that similar efforts are underway in other parts of the constituency. At Adjobue, construction is ongoing on another six-unit classroom block, while at Abenase, a completed six-unit block with modern toilet facilities has already been delivered.

At the secondary school level, work is progressing steadily on a two-storey dormitory block at Ayirebi Senior High School. Once completed, it will expand boarding capacity, reduce pressure on existing dormitories, and encourage more students to pursue higher education within the constituency.

Teachers, parents, and community members who joined the MP on the inspection expressed their appreciation, noting that the facilities would significantly improve learning outcomes and student retention.

By prioritising schools, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah has positioned education at the centre of his development agenda, ensuring that the next generation of Ofoase Ayirebi students has the resources needed to succeed.

 

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