The Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC), led by the Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has launched an operation to crack down on illegal miners along the Ankobra River.
The joint operation carried out on Tuesday, this week, involved personnel from the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Police Service, Takoradi Air Force, Western Naval Command and Second Infantry Battalion.
The operation yielded significant results, including the retrieval of eight excavators, seven pump-action guns, sixty-six cartridges and four mobile phones.
That apart, several water pumping machines and shelters belonging to the illegal miners were destroyed.
Western Region National Security Liaison Officer, Brigadier General Musa Whajah (Rtd), promised to ensure that Ankobra River had returned to its normal state.
Speaking to the media, Brigadier General Musa Whajah (Rtd) said, “At the end of the operation, we seized eight excavators, seven pump-action guns, sixty-six cartridges and four mobile phones for further investigation.
“Additionally, several water pumping machines and shelters belonging to the illegal miners were destroyed”.
He stressed “this won’t be a one-off operation. We’ll conduct more operations and possibly deploy canoes to patrol the Ankobra and Pra rivers, ensuring they return to their normal state.
“Farm lands including that of cocoa, and the Ankobra River are under severe threat due to illegal mining activities atAmpasie, Atongo Junction, Petro, and Dominase in the Evalue Ajomoro Gwira Constituency.
“Our site visit revealed extensive land destruction in the pursuit of gold, with several acres ravaged. Alarmingly, these mining activities are occurring less than a kilometer from the Ankobra River, posing a direct risk of contamination,” he said.
He noted, however, that logistics have become a significant challenge in conducting operations, but that would not hinder their efforts.
“A key challenge has been logistics, but it hasn’t hindered our efforts to conduct operations. The devastation along the riverbanks sometimes also slows our movement and activities, but we’re up to the task,” he added.
Ghana’s economy is beginning to show early signs of stability following recent policy interventions, but significant risks remain, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama, said at the opening of the 124th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meetings.
Speaking at the Bank Square in Accra, Dr. Johnson Asiama noted that while macroeconomic indicators are improving, the path to full recovery is still complex and vulnerable to both domestic and global shocks.
“We convene at a time when Ghana’s macroeconomic conditions are exhibiting early signs of stabilization,” he said, citing improving fundamentals and policy discipline.
“However, the path ahead remains complex and fraught with risks.”
One of the key indicators of progress, he highlighted, was the continued moderation in inflation. Data from the Ghana Statistical Service shows that inflation dropped to 21.2% in April 2025. Although this marks a significant decline from previous highs, it remains above the medium-term target band of 8 ± 2%.
In response, the MPC raised the policy rate by 100 basis points to 28% in March. Dr. Asiama said this move has begun to dampen inflationary pressures.
“Preliminary evidence suggests this action has contributed to dampening inflation momentum,” he said.
Adding to the optimism, the Ghanaian cedi appreciated by nearly 19% between April and May supported by improved market sentiment, prudent monetary policy, and gains in the external sector.
“This appreciation has helped ease imported inflation pressures and restore public confidence,” Dr. Asiama explained.
He also pointed to broader macroeconomic progress, including a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the Fourth Review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Programme and an S&P upgrade of Ghana’s sovereign rating from Selective Default to CCC+.
“These developments affirm the progress being made,” he said, adding that external reserves have strengthened, the trade balance has improved, and consumer and business confidence is on the rise.
Despite these gains, Dr. Johnson Asiama warned of persistent risks. Inflation remains susceptible to food supply constraints, particularly from northern Ghana and the Sahel, as well as global price shocks and geopolitical tensions.
He also referenced U.S.-led tariff disputes as a factor that could disrupt financial flows to emerging markets.
To strengthen monetary policy transmission, the Bank of Ghana is shifting from reliance on the unremunerated Cash Reserve Ratio to a more active Open Market Operations regime, including the use of longer-tenor instruments.
The governor emphasised the importance of the Committee’s upcoming decisions, urging members to assess whether the current policy stance remains adequate to drive disinflation without jeopardizing fragile economic recovery.
He concluded by underscoring the significance of clear communication through the post-meeting communiqué.
“It must articulate the rationale behind our policy decisions and provide an accessible, transparent account of recent economic trends,” he said.
The recent surge in the value of the Ghanaian cedi against major international currencies has sparked a wave of political debate, with both the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) laying claim – or casting doubt – on the reasons behind the currency’s performance.
While the NDC touts the cedi’s appreciation as a direct result of its economic interventions, the NPP has dismissed this assertion as baseless.
The President of the Republic, John Dramami Mahama, is on record to have attributed the strength of the local currency to his administration.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia – addressing Cambridge business forum in UK
But speaking at the Young Executive Forum in London – a key NPP Diaspora group,known for its financial support – NPP’s 2024 presidential candidate, Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia challenged the NDC’s claims.
As part of his UK “Thank You Tour,” Dr. Bawumia argued that the NDC has yet to implement any concrete policy capable of influencing the currency markets positively.
“If you ask the NDC to point out exactly what policy they have implemented that has led to the cedi’s appreciation, they cannot mention a single one,” Dr Bawumia asserted.
According to him, the NDC passed its maiden budget only in March and has yet to award or pay for any significant contracts that would affect macroeconomic indicators such as the currency’s strength. He described the government’s self-congratulations as premature and unfounded.
However, the Deputy Minister for Finance, Mr. Nyarko Ampem, swiftly rebutted Dr. Bawumia’s claims. In an interview on Accra-based Joy FM, the Deputy Minister accused the former Vice President of resorting to his familiar rhetoric without evidence.
“I’m not surprised by the statement made by the former Vice President. A man known for sloganeering during his time in office would naturally make such comments,” Mr. Ampem said.
He insisted that the NDC government is focused on delivering tangible results, not engaging in political showmanship. He outlined key interventions that have contributed to the cedi’s recent strength, citing the establishment of the Gold Board as a turning point.
“We told Ghanaians the Gold Board would make a difference. From January to April 2024, gold exports stood at around $860 million. Today, thanks to our structured approach, we’ve exported over $2.7 billion worth of gold. That is not talk – that is delivery,” he emphasised.
Mr. Nyarko Ampem also credited the revival of a previously stalled IMF programme with restoring investor confidence and macroeconomic stability.
He noted that borrowing has reduced and Treasury bill rates have consistently been declining since February 2024.
“These are tangible results, not slogans. And that is what is driving the growing confidence in our economy,” he added.
In a final swipe at Dr. Bawumia, the Deputy Minister urged him to reflect on the economic hardships Ghanaians endured during his tenure as Vice President.
“The difference is obvious. Lives are becoming bearable again and that is what matters most,” Mr. Nyarko Ampem concluded.
As political parties continue to debate the root cause of the Cedi’s strength, many Ghanaians are hoping that the stability lasts, regardless of who takes the credit.
Cedi Appreciates by 3.9% as at April 2025 -Mahama
In a related development, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the Ghanaian cedi has appreciated by 3.9% against the US dollar by the end of April 2025 – a significant turnaround from the 19.2% depreciation recorded in 2024.
Addressing delegates at the opening of the 2025 Ghana-EU Business Forum in Accra, the President credited the Cedi’s recovery to “stronger forex inflows, improved trade balances and growing investor confidence,” further citing a broader trajectory of economic rebound following years of fiscal stress.
“When this Administration assumed office in early 2025, Ghana was emerging from a period of fiscal distress, high inflation, and declining investor confidence. We had to take urgent steps… These bold and targeted interventions are beginning to witness the early signs of economic recovery and renewed momentum,” the President said.
He noted that gross international reserves improved significantly from $8.9 billion in December 2024 to $10.6 billion by April 2025, representing close to five months of import cover.
The movement of the Cedi gainst the US dollar
The increase, he said, reflects enhanced export earnings, particularly from gold and non-traditional exports, alongside timely disbursements from multilateral partners.
Inflation, which had peaked at 25.8% in December 2024, fell to 21.2% in April 2025. “We are projecting to achieve the single-digit inflation trajectory by the middle of 2026,” the President affirmed.
He also pointed to resurgence in economic activity, with Ghana’s GDP growth reaching 5.7% in 2024 driven by mining, construction, and the service sectors.
The Real Composite Index of Economic Activity (CIEA) also recorded an annual growth of 2.3% in March 2025, up from 1.0% during the same period in 2024.
Speaking on fiscal discipline, President Mahama disclosed that Ghana reduced its fiscal deficit from 7.5% of GDP in 2024 to 6.4% in the first half of 2025, and is on track to meet the 2025 target of 3.1%. “These figures, though early in the year, are clear signs of a disciplined and inclusive economic recovery,” he said.
The President used the platform to encourage European investors to deepen collaboration in key sectors of Ghana’s economy under the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
He identified agro-industrial zones, green energy, pharmaceuticals, digital innovation, and transport infrastructure as critical areas for joint investment.
“With a population of over 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of more than $3 trillion, the AfCFTA presents a historic opportunity. I invite EU investors to explore opportunities in agro-processing, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, digital infrastructure and smart transport systems,” he said.
Emphasising Ghana’s readiness for business, the President assured investors of a transparent and predictable policy environment.
“We are restoring confidence in our public procurement systems, enforcing contract sanctity, and protecting investor rights,” he stressed.
The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Ramiandrasoa Razaaly, also reaffirmed the EU’s confidence in Ghana’s economic prospects, declaring the country “ready for business again” and emphasised the EU’s commitment to deepening bilateral trade and investment partnerships.
Ambassador Razaaly described the forum as a meaningful “gesture” of the EU’s belief in Ghana and a platform to strengthen collaboration between businesses from both regions.
“This is a great gesture that we have both undertaken – from the European Union and the Ghanaian side – to create a space for fostering business conversations, encouraging deals and possibly creating more jobs, supporting economic growth and diversifying the Ghanaian economy,” the Ambassador said.
The EU envoy noted that the organisation of the forum was a direct response to President Akufo-Addo’s recent declaration that “Ghana is ready for business again,” adding that the EU not only believes in Ghana’s economic potential, but also has a growing appetite for collaboration across multiple sectors.
“Beyond trade and the economy, our partnership is anchored in shared values – our commitment to a rules-based multilateral order, regional security and stability, and the creation of new perspectives for the youth, especially Ghanaian entrepreneurs,” he said.
Ambassador Razaaly also acknowledged the strong support from the EU headquarters in Brussels, particularly the participation of Madame Ferrand, Deputy Director-General for International Partnerships, who he said symbolises the EU’s commitment to not just economic, but also security and development cooperation.
“This forum is not something we do every year,” the Ambassador noted. “It is a gesture that underscores our belief in this partnership – one that we are committed to nurturing.”
He also recognised the support of other diplomatic partners, especially ambassadors from the United States, whose collaborative efforts have helped facilitate stronger international ties and investment opportunities in Ghana.
The Tanzanian police have launched an investigation into who targeted its social media accounts
Access to the social media platform X has been restricted in Tanzania after some official accounts of government and private institutions were targeted by hackers.
On Tuesday, the official police account was compromised, with sexually explicit material and false information that the president had died being posted.
The police dissociated itself from the information and said an investigation was under way to identify those responsible.
Users in Dar es Salaam, the country’s biggest city, could still not access the site on Wednesday, unless they use virtual private networks (VPNs), which is illegal without a permit, although some people in other regions indicated they were able to log on.
The authorities have not commented on whether they are blocking access to X.
But Information Minister Jerry Silaa has acknowledged the hacking and assured MPs in parliament that the affected government social media accounts had since been secured.
Earlier, government spokesman Gerson Msigwa warned those responsible that immediate action was being taken.
The problems with accessing X come amid the continued uproar over the deportation of prominent Kenyans – a move that prevented them from attending the court case of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is accused of treason.
Police say the suspect targeted young boys and girls from the indigenous San community
A British national has been arrested in Namibia for allegedly sexually molesting minors and taking nude photographs of them.
Douglas Robert Brook is also accused of touching the children inappropriately while on a holiday in central Namibia.
Police said the suspect targeted young boys and girls from the indigenous San community in the central Otjozondjupa region.
The 65-year old Briton faces 38 charges, including rape, indecent assault and child exploitation, Namibia local media reported.
The British national, who arrived in Namibia last week for a holiday, is yet to respond to the charges. He was arrested on Sunday after he allegedly lured 34 young children with sweets and money to take their photos while they were naked.
Maureen Mbeha, a regional police boss, told state media that the tourist sexually abused 16 teenage girls and 14 boys.
Some of the nude photographs of the children were reportedly found on the Briton’s camera, which was confiscated by police after his arrest.
He appeared in the Grootfontein Magistrate court, north of the capital, Windhoek, on Tuesday where he was denied bail and remanded in custody, the Namibia Press Agency reported.
The case was postponed to next month after the state prosecutor requested more time for investigations.
The UK embassy in Namibia said it had “no information beyond what has been reported in the media”.
A Russian missile strike on a training exercise in Ukraine’s Sumy border region has killed six servicemen and wounded more than 10 others, says Ukraine’s National Guard.
Russia’s defence ministry had earlier released a video purporting to show an Iskander missile attack on a training camp, and state news agency Tass said up to 70 people had died.
The Sumy region has come under repeated bombardment, and Ukraine launched a months-long occupation of part of Russia’s neighbouring Kursk region from there.
The Ukrainian military said the aim of the offensive had been to help create a buffer zone to protect Sumy, but some have complained of the scale of military losses.
Separately, the Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin had visited officials in Kursk the previous day, in his first visit to the region since Ukrainian forces were pushed out.
He met volunteers as well as acting local governor Alexander Khinshtein, and he toured a nearby nuclear power plant, state media reported.
The deadly Russian strike on Ukrainian servicemen in Sumy was confirmed early on Wednesday by Ukraine’s National Guard, which said the attack took place while the unit was carrying out exercises at a firing range. The commander was suspended and an official investigation launched, it added.
The unverified Russian military video showed dozens of servicemen walking on a path near a wooded area followed by an explosion and a large plume of smoke.
Research by BBC Verify showed the training camp was targeted in the far north of the Sumy region, some way south of the Russian border.
The attack comes as a heavy blow to the Ukrainian military, and the National Guard said it had previously developed an “algorithm of actions” as well as orders to deal with the threat of air strikes and people gathered in one place.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney with President Donald Trump
The Canadian government said it is in talks with the US over joining its proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system, aimed at countering “next-generation” aerial threats.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office said there are “active discussions” between Canada and the US on security, including on existing and new programmes like the Golden Dome.
US President Donald Trump unveiled the plan for the new missile defence system on Tuesday, announcing an initial pricetag of $25bn (£18.7bn). He said Canada was interested in joining the project.
There are doubts from experts on how the US would deliver a comprehensive system and it is unclear how Canada would participate or how much it would pay. Canada’s openness to joining the proposed Golden Dome system comes amid ongoing trade and security negotiations between the two countries, after Trump threatened steep tariffs on Canada and said it would be better off as a US state.
This galvanised a wave of national patriotism in Canada that was credited with ushering in a historic election win for Carney’s Liberal government.
“Canadians gave the prime minister a strong mandate to negotiate a comprehensive new security and economic relationship with the United States,” said Audrey Champoux, a spokeswoman for Carney.
“To that end, the prime minister and his ministers are having wide-ranging and constructive discussions with their American counterparts,” she said.
“These discussions naturally include strengthening Norad [North American Aerospace Defense Command] and related initiatives such as the Golden Dome.”
But Ms Champoux added it is too early to say what Canada might pay into the programme, or how it would work for the country.
Mr. Anwel Sadat Ahmed, the ex-Parliamentary Candidate for Oforikrom has been confirmed as the new Municipal Chief Executive for the Oforikrom Municipality in the Ashanti region.
Twenty-two of Assembly members, including government appointees, cast their vote to decide his fate.
He was able to secure 17 votes against five ‘No’ votes, representing 68.28% and subsequently declared the MCE by the Municipal Electoral Commissioner, Madam Mrs. Matilda Kwarteng.
He expressed his commitment to ensure that the Assembly gets a new administrative block and also provide social amenities to improve the living standards of the residents.
Mr. Ahmed expressed his profound gratitude to the Assembly members, party supporters and all stakeholders that contributed to the success of his elections.
He pleaded with everybody to put their differences aside and put their hands on deck to support him deliver on the mandate to ensure the total development of the Municipality.
Engineer Abdulla Hamidu, the President’s nominee for DCE for the Bosomtwe district in the Ashanti region, has been confirmed.
Ing. Hamidu obtained 100% of the votes over and above the two thirds majority of votes required to be confirmed as the DCE after all 35 members voted in his favour last Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
The new DCE expressed his profound gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for the confidence reposed in him by giving him the opportunity to serve the chiefs, people, party sympathisers and well-wishers of Bosomtwe district and assured the President and the people that he would not let them down.
He disclosed that his vision for the District was to improve the road networks and also improve Lake Bosomtwe to attract more tourists and generate revenue to complement the developmental agenda of the government towards improving the lot of the people.
Eunice Ohenewaah Ansu declared victorious as Juaben MCE
Madam Eunice Ohenewaah Ansu, the former Parliamentary Candidate for Juaben Constituency on the ticket of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti region has been declared and officially confirmed by the EC officials as the Municipal Chief Executive for the Juaben Municipality.
Madam Ansu secured the mandate of 24 Assembly Members out of the 25 present and thus got confirmed with a 96% endorsement on Monday May 19, 2025.Mr. Francis Owusu Achiaw, Member of Parliament for Juaben Constituency commended the Members of the Assembly for the endorsement of the President’s nominee.
According to him, the people of Juaben need development and that there cannot be development without unity among the residents.
He disclosed that what the Constituency needed was the improvement of the living standards of the people, which he said, both himself and the incoming MCE promised them when campaigning in the 2024 elections.
He called for unity and encouraged the residents to put their political affiliation aside after the elections and support both the MP and MCE.
The new MCE also commended the Assembly Members, chiefs, party executives and all stakeholders who contributed immensely for her endorsement and assured them of her readiness to welcome every tangible idea that could help move the Municipality forward irrespective of one’s political dispensation.
He expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for the opportunity to serve in his government.
According to Madam Ohenewaah Ansu, the journey ahead demanded unity, accountability and innovation and believed that together, they could revitalise good governance at the local level, in line with the resetting agenda of President John Dramani Mahama.
