The Government of Ghana has welcomed a major policy shift by France on reparatory justice and anti-slavery reforms following recent announcements by French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledging the historical injustices of transatlantic slavery.

In a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, May 23, 2026, the Government described President Macron’s position as a significant and commendable step toward addressing the enduring legacy of the transatlantic enslavement of Africans.

According to the statement, President John Mahama praised President Macron for what he described as “honest, open, conciliatory and exemplary leadership” on the issue of reparatory justice.

The Government noted that France’s decision to work with Ghana on reparatory justice issues was announced during an event marking the 25th anniversary of France’s law declaring slavery a crime against humanity.

Ghana also welcomed France’s intention to repeal the colonial-era slavery statutes known as the Code Noir, describing the move as an acknowledgment that such laws are incompatible with modern democratic values and human rights principles.

The Ministry stated that Ghana appreciates President Macron’s recognition of the need for honest engagement with history and believes such acknowledgment is necessary to advance meaningful dialogue and action on reparatory justice.

The statement further revealed that Ghana and France are expected to collaborate on a proposed Ghana-France Scientific Commission to be established in Ghana as part of broader efforts to deepen historical research, institutional cooperation and reconciliation initiatives.

Government also expressed gratitude to President Macron for accepting an invitation to participate in the “Next Steps” High-Level Conference on Reparatory Justice scheduled to take place in Accra from June 17 to June 19, 2026.

The conference is expected to bring together Heads of State, ministers, scholars and civil society representatives from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and the Americas to deliberate on reparatory justice and the long-term effects of slavery.

The Ministry indicated that the summit seeks to move global discussions beyond recognition toward concrete action, including scholarly partnerships, policy frameworks and mechanisms for redress grounded in good faith and mutual respect.

The statement also referenced the landmark United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted on March 25, 2026, by 123 member states, which recognised the transatlantic enslavement of Africans as one of the gravest crimes against humanity and called for constructive international engagement on reparatory justice.

Government said the resolution, led by President Mahama in his role as African Union Champion on Reparatory Justice, has opened a new chapter in international conversations on historical accountability and justice for descendants of enslaved Africans.

The Ministry reaffirmed Ghana’s readiness to engage bilaterally and multilaterally with countries and institutions willing to pursue meaningful dialogue and concrete actions on reparatory justice.

It added that achieving lasting justice would require sustained commitment, honest dialogue and cooperation among nations with shared histories connected to slavery and colonialism.

The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has announced a major push by the government of President John Dramani Mahama to revive abandoned road projects and expand road infrastructure in the Savannah Region as part of the administration’s national “Resetting Ghana” agenda.

Speaking during President Mahama’s Savannah Regional tour, the Roads Minister disclosed that nearly all contractors had abandoned sites before the current administration assumed office, largely due to non-payment and uncertainty surrounding government transitions.

According to him, unlike previous administrations that suspended road contracts awarded by predecessors, President Mahama had adopted a different approach by allowing all ongoing projects to continue irrespective of which government awarded them.

“President Mahama decided that no road contract should be terminated or suspended because it was awarded by the previous government,” Mr Agbodza stated.

He explained that the administration had also prioritised the payment of contractors’ certificates in order to restore confidence in the road sector and return contractors to site.

“A president within 12 months has paid in excess of GH¢12 billion to contractors he did not appoint,” he revealed, describing the move as part of the government’s “reset” strategy for infrastructure delivery.

The Roads Minister argued that previous road expenditure patterns created deep regional inequalities, claiming that nearly 70% of road budgets were concentrated in Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions at the expense of less-developed regions such as Savannah, Oti and Upper West.

According to him, the Mahama administration was now shifting towards what he termed an “equity-based development model,” under which all regions would receive a fair share of national infrastructure investments.

“So every region must feel part of the development,” he stressed.

Mr Agbodza identified the Wechi-Wa corridor as one of the flagship projects under the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure programme, describing it as the longest corridor currently under construction through the Savannah and Upper West enclaves.

However, he admitted there were concerns over the pace of work on some stretches and warned contractors against delaying projects.

“We are not going to sit down for anybody to take jobs and not do it,” he cautioned.

The Minister issued a direct appeal to contractors who abandoned projects before the change of government to immediately return to site, assuring them that the current administration was committed to honouring payment obligations.

“I want to encourage all those contractors who got projects before President Mahama came. He is encouraging you not to be scared that when you work, you will not be paid,” he said.

He further disclosed that government had identified seven additional critical feeder roads in the Savannah Region for rehabilitation under a new infrastructure arrangement expected to commence next month.

The Roads Minister linked deteriorating road conditions to rising insecurity and road accidents on highways, arguing that pothole-ridden roads force drivers into dangerous manoeuvres.

“Part of the insecurity on our roads is actually the nature of the road. When the road has so many potholes, drivers cannot drive at a consistent pace,” he explained.

Also addressing the gathering, the Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, assured residents that government was intensifying efforts to improve highway safety and reduce armed robbery incidents on major roads.

“As you know, we are writing a wonderful signature on most of our long straight roads,” he remarked in reference to highway robberies, adding that the Inspector-General of Police and his team were implementing new security measures to make highways safer.

“We want to believe our highways will be much safer than they were before,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Agbodza revealed that the government had introduced stricter monitoring systems to track the performance of contractors nationwide, including direct public feedback mechanisms that allow residents to report inactive contractors and stalled projects.

According to him, the administration currently has over 2,000 kilometres of roads under construction across the country.

He urged citizens, especially young people, to actively monitor projects in their communities and report delays or inactivity to government.

“Tell us what is happening on projects in your community so that together President Mahama will go down on record as the person who made the biggest intervention on our roads,” he appealed.

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

President John Dramani Mahama has warned that persistent underdevelopment and poverty in Northern Ghana are fuelling rural-urban migration and placing increasing pressure on infrastructure and social services in the more economically-endowed parts of the country.

Addressing residents during his “Resetting Ghana” tour in the Savannah Region, President Mahama said national poverty surveys continue to show that the five northern regions remain among the poorest areas in the country, despite constitutional provisions requiring equitable national development.

According to him, the imbalance in development opportunities between northern and southern Ghana has created a dangerous socio-economic trend in which people migrate from deprived regions in search of jobs and better living conditions elsewhere.

“If we have a situation where a certain part of the country is richer and has more opportunities, then what happens is you have migration from the poorer parts of the country to the other parts where there are opportunities,” the President stated.

He explained that the resulting population movement places enormous strain on housing, healthcare, roads, schools and other public infrastructure in urban centres already struggling with rapid expansion.

“And when that happens, it means that there’s pressure on social services and infrastructure in the areas that are more endowed,” he added.

President Mahama argued that balanced national development was not merely a constitutional obligation, but also an economic necessity to prevent widening inequality and demographic pressure on cities.

“That’s why every country tries to achieve balanced development,” he stressed, adding that poorer regions must receive targeted interventions to close development gaps.

The President identified the Savannah Region as one of the areas requiring urgent state attention and outlined a series of infrastructure and social investment projects his administration is undertaking to improve living conditions and reduce outward migration.

Among the flagship interventions announced was the establishment of a Science and Technology University in the Savannah Region to expand access to higher education and create opportunities for young people within the area.

President Mahama disclosed that the Chinese government had already provided a $30 million grant for the commencement of the university project, while Ghana had applied to the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for an additional $100 million to support the construction of the campus.

“Savannah Region is going to get a new university dedicated to science and technology,” he announced.

The President also revealed plans for a 300-bed Savannah Regional Hospital, expected to serve as a referral centre for district hospitals across the region.

According to him, the facility would be equipped with modern medical infrastructure, including CT scan, MRI and X-ray facilities, to improve healthcare delivery and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for specialised treatment.

In the area of water supply, President Mahama announced that government was finalising processes to commence the Damongo Water Project, which will draw water from Yapei and supply several communities including Busunu, Damongo, Larabanga and the Mole enclave.

He further indicated that Savannah Region would benefit from ongoing road projects under Phase Two of the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure programme, while additional investments in electrification were expected to increase the region’s electricity coverage from the current 68% closer to the national average of nearly 90%.

The President disclosed that 172 communities in the region had already been earmarked for electrification under Phase One of the programme, with solar-powered solutions planned for remote communities beyond the national grid.

President Mahama maintained that such investments were necessary not only to improve living standards in deprived regions, but also to stem the tide of migration that continues to widen the development divide between northern and southern Ghana.

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

President John Dramani Mahama has declared that Ghana’s economy has staged a major recovery under his administration, moving from the 11th to the 8th largest economy in Africa within a little over a year.

Addressing residents and stakeholders in the Savannah Region during his nationwide “Resetting Ghana” tour, President Mahama said the country’s economic turnaround was evident in falling inflation, stable exchange rates, rising foreign reserves and rapid expansion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to him, Ghana’s economy, which stood at approximately $80 billion when his administration assumed office, has now grown to $114 billion.

“Today, as I speak with you, Ghana has moved from number 11 biggest economy in Africa to the 8th biggest economy in Africa,” he announced to applause from the gathering.

The President attributed the growth to what he described as prudent economic management and strict fiscal discipline introduced after inheriting an economy that was struggling under an IMF-supported programme.

He disclosed that inflation, which previously reacted sharply to external shocks, had remained relatively stable despite recent global economic pressures.

“We have achieved macro-economic stability. Inflation came down to 3.2% and recently rose marginally to 3.4% because of external factors, but that is a sign of a resilient economy,” he stated.

President Mahama further revealed that Ghana’s foreign reserves had risen to $13.9 billion, enough to cover 5.7 months of imports, with government now targeting reserves capable of supporting up to 15 months of imports to shield the country from future external shocks.

On Ghana’s engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the President said his administration had succeeded in restoring confidence in the programme after it had veered off-track before the change of government.

He explained that stringent measures introduced by his government helped realign the programme, leading to successful reviews by successive IMF missions.

“The final mission just left Ghana last week and they have given us a satisfying mark for performance,” he said, adding that the IMF Board was expected to approve the release of the final tranche of $380 million.

However, President Mahama stressed that his administration would not celebrate Ghana’s exit from the bailout programme prematurely.

“We are not going to have a kinky party because we know that our economy still needs a lot of work,” he remarked, in what appeared to be a swipe at previous celebrations marking Ghana’s exit from earlier IMF arrangements.

Instead, he disclosed that government had agreed with the IMF to transition from the Extended Credit Facility to a Policy Coordination Instrument, under which Ghana and the IMF would continue periodic assessments of economic reforms and fiscal discipline without additional bailout support.

“It is my hope that this is the last time Ghana will go to the IMF for a bailout,” he declared.

President Mahama also highlighted growth in non-traditional exports, noting that earnings from the sector had increased from $3.83 billion to over $5 billion within a year.

He argued that the expansion of exports and the broader economy would create jobs and enable government to invest more heavily in education, agriculture, roads and local infrastructure.

The President further touted reforms in the disbursement of the District Assemblies Common Fund, stating that 80% of the allocations are now transferred directly to district assemblies in a timely manner, compared to barely 40% under the previous administration.

According to him, the increased releases are already driving visible development across the districts, including the construction of schools, CHPS compounds and 24-hour markets.

President Mahama said every one of Ghana’s 261 districts would receive a 24-hour economy market to stimulate local commerce and improve opportunities for farmers and traders.

“Markets are centres where money circulates among the people,” he noted, explaining that the initiative was intended to deepen economic activity at the grassroots level.

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has refuted claims that some National Security operatives were involved in illegal mining activities along the Ankobra River.

In a statement posted on the Ministry’s official Facebook page on Friday, May 22, 2026, the Ministry described the allegations as “completely false, misleading and without any merit or basis whatsoever.”

The statement followed the arrest of some suspected illegal miners along the Ankobra River on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. According to the Ministry, the suspects alleged during interrogations that their activities were being aided by some National Security operatives within the Prestea enclave.

However, the Ministry said preliminary investigations conducted into the matter established that the claims were untrue.

“It has been observed that some illegal miners have now made a habit of making baseless claims against state institutions and security agencies in their attempts to evade accountability for their unlawful activities,” the statement said.

The Ministry further indicated that the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) remains determined to apprehend and prosecute individuals masquerading as National Security operatives to facilitate illegal mining activities.

As government intensifies efforts to combat galamsey across the country, the Ministry commended the continued collaboration, resilience and commitment of National Security and other stakeholders in tackling the menace.

The statement was signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Paa Kwesi Schandorf.

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has defended the party’s controversial leadership reshuffle in Parliament ahead of the 2024 general elections, insisting the changes were necessary to secure victory for the party.

Speaking during a visit to Tamale in the Northern Region, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah revealed that he had strongly pushed for a reorganisation of the NDC’s parliamentary front despite opposition from the party’s 2024 presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama.

According to him, the party needed a new strategy and leadership structure in Parliament to strengthen its electoral chances against the governing party.

“We have to change the forward line of our leaders in Parliament otherwise it will be difficult to win the 2024 election,” he stated.

Mr. Asiedu Nketiah disclosed that when he first proposed the changes, Mr. Mahama disagreed with him. However, he insisted that as National Chairman, he had the responsibility to take bold decisions in the interest of the party.

“When I told John Mahama, he disagreed with me, but I told him I have been elected as chairman of the party and I am the GOAT of the party going into the 2024 election,” he said.

The NDC Chairman explained that the reshuffle was intended to reposition the party ahead of the elections and ensure a stronger political strategy.

“So let’s make the changes going into the election. When we win, we will all enjoy,” he added.The changes eventually saw senior parliamentary figures including Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka Mubarak stepping aside from their leadership positions to make way for a new parliamentary leadership team.

Defending the decision, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah likened politics to a football match, arguing that a coach must sometimes reorganise his squad to secure victory.

“Since I made that changes, I said Haruna, Muntaka step aside for new leadership and sit and watch. I am the GOAT and I must watch how our opponents are playing, so I have to arrange my team for us to go into the election and win,” he stressed.

He further touted the NDC’s performance in the 2024 elections, describing the party’s victory as unprecedented in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

“That victory NDC got in the 2024 election — have you seen some before in the Fourth Republic?” he quizzed supporters amid cheers.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah’s comments are expected to reignite debate within political circles over the NDC’s parliamentary reshuffle and the internal disagreements that preceded the party’s electoral campaign strategy.

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z