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Mahama’s 10% base pay is a cheat -Minority

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Some minority members chanting in the house

The Minority in Parliament have criticised President John Mahama for granting only a 10% increase in the base pay of public sector workers. This decision, they stated, was woefully inadequate to cushion workers against rising inflation and economic hardship.

The Minority, led by Stephen Amoah, described the increment as a betrayal of Ghanaian workers, especially considering that the previous NPP administration approved a 25% wage adjustment in 2024, despite operating under an IMF programme and global economic challenges.

“With the same level of inflation last year, President Mahama short-changed Ghanaian workers by making an adjustment in the base pay by only 10%, citing economic difficulties,” Stephen Amoah said, during the presentation of the Minority’s True State of the Nation Address on Thursday.

The MP for Nhyiaeso Constituency added, “We are at a loss how an economy described by President Mahama as “criminally mismanaged” could deliver a wage adjustment of 25% and yet a reset economy cannot accommodate more than 10%, given the same level of inflation?”

 

The Minority argued that the decision flies in the face of President Mahama’s campaign promises, where he assured workers that his government would prioritise their welfare.

The opposition contended that Ghanaian workers were being forced to bear the brunt of the government’s fiscal mismanagement.

The Minority also highlighted that the NPP government, during its tenure, consistently offered better wage adjustments.

According to their data, the NPP government increased base pay by 25% in 2024 despite high inflation and economic restructuring under the IMF.

Labour unions have already begun expressing their disappointment with the base pay rise. The Ghana Registered Nurses Association and the Ghana National Association of Teachers have both called for the government to revisit the increment.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has expressed dissatisfaction over the 10 percent wage hike for public sector workers, maintaining its calls for a 30 percent increase.

The adjustment which marks the second in less than a year is expected to take effect on March 1, 2025.

Speaking during an interview on the Channel One Newsroom, Chairman of the TUC, Bernard Owusu, said they accepted the new wage adjustment due to a pending negotiation with the government in April this year.

“Nobody is okay with whatever the government gave to us. We accepted it on condition that we will be going for another negotiation around April and once that is done, we can then add more to what we have already acquired by having this negotiation with government.

“So nobody is happy about that because we could have gotten more but this is what the government is saying that yes we can give you ten percent because of the conditions that we came to meet,” he said.

Additionally, the opposition questioned how the government could justify the meagre pay rise when it had inherited significant revenues from the previous administration, including GH¢3 billion left in public accounts and GHS38 billion raised through Treasury Bills in January 2025.

When partners build bridges: Ghana and the European Union

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Opinion

Ghana welcomes the latest delivery of advanced military equipment from the European Union. The deliveries bolster Ghana’s capacity to safeguard its people from security threats, and positively impact the sub-region. The equipment also sends an important political signal and partnership offer to the new administration, in recognition of Ghana’s stability and confirmed democratic credentials.

Ghanaian culture-inspired products

The European Union and Ghana have a lot in common. They both face conflict at their doorstep, and are both committed to building bridges in the face of shared challenges like international terrorism, global pandemics, or climate change. To the European Union, Ghana constitutes a preferred political partner and ally that has consistently championed multilaterism, the rule of law, and peace through regional integration.

Ghana: Anchor of Democracy and Stability

Ghana’s peaceful transfer of power in December and January presented an important lesson not just to West-Africa, but to the world over. In a region grappling with political turbulence, and a world where power balances are rapidly shifting, Ghana remains an appealing partner to European friends devoted to peace, mutual respect, and human rights.

Ghana is a self-confident and respected international partner. Its contribution to peacekeeping, dialogue and regional integration underscores its commitment to international order. That is why the European Union views Ghana not just as an economic or trade partner, or a recipient of development aid, but as a true ally in a turbulent world.

Protecting Stability, Investing in Peace

Ghanaian culture-inspired products

The advanced military equipment, worth over GHS 800M, is part of a broader GHS 10B EU commitment to strengthen peace and security across the Gulf of Guinea. Recently, the EU delivered 105 militarised vehicles, 20 motorbikes and 150 radio-communication devices, with additional equipment arriving later in 2025. EU support to Ghana’s security transcends hardware. Well over 30 programs contribute to training, border security, maritime security and mediation support, empowering Ghana’s conflict prevention capabilities, and advancing the human security of its people.

Through one of the projects (NORPREVSEC), the EU conducted 34 training sessions with 1,400 personnel from all the security agencies in the five regions of northern Ghana. The EU provided trainings on conflict prevention and risks of radicalisation to 625 paramount chiefs and queen mothers, and 140 youth. Crucially, this aligns with the EU’s philosophy of backing “African solutions to African problems.”

Lasting peace requires more than arms. It demands addressing root causes of conflict: inequalities, unemployment, and distrust. In northern Ghana, the EU is investing GHS 3.5B (€220M) to improve public services, create jobs, and empower communities. These are just some of the targets covered by the EU Global Gateway, a strategy that realizes large-scale infrastructure projects through hundreds of sustainable and quality investment projects worldwide, each developed and supported by the EU and its Member States. In Ghana, Global Gateway boosts Ghana’s ambition to become a vaccine-manufacturing hub, and improves Ghana’s energy supply.
This holistic approach—blending security with diplomacy and development—reflects a shared belief that stability cannot be sustained without opportunity.

Empowering Youth, Building Tomorrow’s Economies

If security lays the groundwork for stability, Ghana’s youth will design its future. Over 60% of Ghana’s population is under 25—a demographic brimming with talent, ambition, and untapped potential. The EU routinely engages in dialogue with students, entrepreneurs, and young activists to shape the contours of the Ghana-EU partnership.

This is no one-off, but a long-term commitment to Ghana’s future generations. Over the past five years, more than 50,000 young Ghanaians have gained skills in agro-business, e-waste recycling, and renewable energy through EU programs, while 100,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have received support to scale innovations—from solar-powered taxis to sustainable cocoa processing.

Education exchange opportunities like Erasmus+ and other scholarships offered by EU Member States enable 1,000 Ghanaian students to study at Europe’s top universities every year, fostering bonds between future leaders. These investments are not charity or wasteful spending; they are strategic steps towards Ghana’s transformation and self-reliance, cultural exchange and future collaboration.

A Partnership of Equals – here to stay

The EU-Ghana partnership is rooted in mutual respect and shared ambition. From climate resilience to vaccine production, the EU-Ghana partnership is distinctively stable, and will not unwind anytime soon.
The EU is convinced that Africa’s future is inextricably linked to its own. Our message is clear, to President John Mahama, and to the vibrant people of Ghana: Europe stands with you, and is here to stay.

Source: citinewsroom.com

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s stance.

Editorial: Cocoa Farmers Expect Better Pricing This Year

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THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

Just this week, The Chronicle.com.gh reported that border officials at Ave-Havi Border Post in the Akatsi North District of the Volta Region had arrested a truck carrying hundreds of jerry cans that had been filled with cocoa beans en-route to Togo. This is not the first time this is happening, as Ghana Cocoa Board itself had, on several occasions, arrested people smuggling cocoa to the republic of Togo for sale.

Indeed, in December 2023, The Chronicle quoted Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the then Chief Executive (CE) of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) as saying that  farmers in Oti and Volta regions are smuggling every single cocoa bean they produce to the Republic of Togo.

From February to October 2023, he revealed that  COCOBOD purchased only 70 bags of cocoa beans from farmers in the two regions, despite having the potential to offer the country about 10,000 metric tons of cocoa.

Joseph Boahen Aidoo went on to state that his outfit  had targeted to buy about 800,000 metric tons of cocoa from farmers that year (2023), but they were limited to the region of 650,000 metric tons. Blaming the situation on the farmers, he said “but for the smuggling, we should now be doing about 850,000 metric.”

What is motivating the smugglers, according to our sources, is the low price we offer farmers in Ghana. Though Togo is not major a cocoa producing country, she offers better incentives to farmers and this is what is attracting our ‘nation wreckers’ to smuggle the commodity, which is the life blood of our national economy to our neighbouring country.

But this is not the only problem affecting the sector that rakes in over $1billion every year to shore up our forex reserves. In some of the mining areas, farmers are cutting down cocoa trees and selling the land to illegal miners. In their opinion, they would earn more from selling the land to the illegal miners than to keep the economic trees.

In some of the areas too, farmers are cutting down the cocoa trees and planting rubber trees instead. This chronology of events tells a story that all is not well when it comes to pricing of cocoa in Ghana. Ghana, Ivory Coast and Togo are all selling their produce in the same world market – yet their local prices are always higher than ours.

This is a mystery, but we are happy that the Deputy Minister designate for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has acknowledged these disparities, when he appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament recently. According to graphic.com.gh report, John Dumelo underscored the urgent need for improved cocoa pricing to discourage farmers from leasing their lands to illegal miners.

“Giving cocoa farmers the right price will deter them from selling their cocoa farms,” he stated, stressing that fair compensation for their produce is key to retaining farmlands for agricultural purposes. Beyond pricing, John Dumelo also called for stricter regulations in the mining sector to mitigate its negative impact on the country’s cocoa industry.

“The second one is also to restructure or structure the whole mining industry well so that wherever they mine, it wouldn’t be able to affect these cocoa farms. But I think that the main one is about pricing,” he added.

Having acknowledged the problem and based on what his boss, Mr Eric Opoku, the sector minister  stated when he also appeared before the same Appointments Committee, The Chronicle does not expect low pricing of cocoa for farmers this year. Judging From what Mr Opoku told Parliament, Ghanaians do not expect anything less than 70% of the world price of the commodity being given to the farmers.

As we earlier indicated, cocoa fetches a lot of foreign exchange for the country and if we, as a country, have come to accept that low prices being offered on the local market is what is motivating people to smuggle the precious commodity, then it means we have already found the solution to the problem and must find the way in paying the farmers appropriate prices.

The Chronicle is, therefore, challenging John Dumelo and his boss, the minister of Agriculture, Eric Opoku to prove to Ghanaians that what they told the Appointments Committee were not just political talks and that they meant every word that they uttered. Should they fail to honour their own words, Ghanaians have the right to punish them at the polls.

Stephen Agordotse Remanded, Pending Extradition to Nigeria 

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Accra Circuit Court

The Accra Circuit Court has remanded Stephen Agordotse in custody as he awaits extradition to Nigeria to face trial over allegations of vehicle and electronics theft.

Agordotse, a Ghanaian national, is accused of stealing items valued at approximately 8.76 million Naira from Discovery Logistics and E-Commerce Service, a company based in Lagos, Nigeria.

He has appeared before the court two times, with the hearing presided over by His Honour Jojo Amoah Hagan.

He is scheduled to reappear on March 12, 2025.

The Charges

Stephen Agordotse faces charges of stealing, contrary to Section 124 (1) of Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

According to court documents, he allegedly stolea KIA Cerato Saloon Vehicle (JJJ 697) valued at ₦5,500,000 -Two motorcycles valued at ₦2,000,000 – One laptop valued at ₦450,000 -One mobile phone valued at ₦280,000 -One flat-screen television valued at ₦350,000 and Cash amounting to ₦180,000

Interpol Alert and Arrest

On January 13, 2025 Ghanaian authorities received an alert from INTERPOL Abuja, Nigeria, detailing Agordotse’s alleged theft from his employer.

The report stated that Agordotse, who worked as an operations manager at Discovery Logistics, fled after stealing company assets.

The Accra Central Police Station arrested Agordotse, following intelligence received from INTERPOL.

During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to the crime in his caution statement.

Authorities in Nigeria have been informed of his arrest and are processing deposition documents for his extradition. INTERPOL’s Secure Channel (124/7) Network is being used to facilitate further legal proceedings.

The case remains under investigation as Ghanaian and Nigerian authorities coordinate Stephen Agordotse’s transfer to face trial in Lagos.

15 members appointed to Bosomtwe District Assembly

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SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Ten out of 15 members appointed to the Bosomtwe District Assembly have been sworn into office at a ceremony at Kuntanase, the Bosomtwe district capital.

They are Hon Nana Akomeah Sakyi Tutu Ampam II – Abuontemhene; Hon Nana Agyekum Tuffour – Old/New Kokobirikohene; Hon Kwame Amankwah (Rep. former executives); Hon Musa Baba (Rep. People with Disabilities); Hon Dr. Charity Azumi Issaka (Rep. PROFORUM);

Hon Agambah Patrick Justice (Constituency Secretary) and Hon Alhaji Ayuba Mohammed (Rep. Muslim community).

Others are ⁠Hon Abdul Aziz Salia (Constituency Organiser), Hon Frank Agyei (Constituency Youth Organiser) and Hon Taiba Halidu (Constituency Women Organiser).

Sources from the Assembly revealed that arrangement is being made to ensure that the remaining five are duly sworn in at an appropriate time.

The five members yet to be sworn in areHon Dickson Manu – Constituency chairman; Prof Joe Oteng-Adjei (Rep. former appointees), Hon Nana Kwabena Nsiah Appiah – Pipiehene; Hon Seyram Agbemenu – Rep. Settlers community and Hon Paul Ampong – (Rep. Christian community).

They replace those whose appointments were revoked on January 8, 2025 as directed by the President under the provisions of the Local Government Act 936 of 2016.

Meanwhile, concerned constituents in the Bosomtwe constituency have objected to the appointment of Justice Agamba Patrick (Secretary), Aziz Ben Salia (Organiser) and Alhaji Ayuba (Vice chair), as well as three other constituency officers.

The aggrieved constituents disagree with the fact that one person gets two appointments in government because there are other young graduates who have same or better qualifications to be appointed into other portfolios.

They reminded the appointing authority that it is not only the constituency officers who worked for the party in the constituency and that the grassroots should be given the opportunity to serve. They have, therefore, threatened to deal with any constituency officer attempts to grab appointments. The concerned constituents cautioned that the party executives must be seen as selfless leaders and not self-centered and greedy ones.

CSIR-CRI launches Ghana Wheat Initiative to establish Domestic Wheat Production

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ERNEST BEST ANANE
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CSIR

The CSIR-Crop Research Institute has taken a bold step towards Ghana’s food security with the launch of the Ghana Wheat Initiative, an initiative led by Barima Farms with research support from CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CRI).

Dr Felix Frimpong, the lead Researcher of the initiative, at the launch explained that the initiative aims to establish domestic wheat production, reduce imports, and create economic opportunities for farmers.

The initiative, under the guidance of Col. Ing. Jonathan Opai-Tetteh, Advisor, Strategic Development and Barima Acheampong Sarpong II, Director, Business Development, in collaboration with the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi are pioneering a commercial social enterprise model in Kumawu that blends sustainability with economic growth.

Dr. Felix Frimpong acknowledged the late Prof. Moses Bradford Mochiah, whose leadership laid the foundation for ongoing agricultural advancements.

He expressed his profound gratitude to His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and traditional leaders for their unwavering support and commitment to agricultural transformation.

He urged the Varietal Release Committee to fast-track approvals to accelerate production and ensure that farmers can cultivate without delay, Protecting intellectual property rights and securing fair market access remain key to attracting long-term investments.

He disclosed that their global partners, Mahindra and Mahindra and Jain Irrigation, bring cutting-edge mechanisation and irrigation solutions, while the India High Commission and ICAR continue to strengthen Ghana-India agricultural cooperation.

The lead researcher noted that beyond wheat, they recognize the contributions of Dr. Kennedy Agyeman in soybean production and Dr Michael Kwabena Osei, whose tomato project with ICAR is now in its second phase.

He stated that Barima Farms’ journey in Ghana began with the vision of KC Ezhilarasan, who saw the potential for an integrated agricultural model to transform food security and took another step toward that vision.

He reminded the stakeholders that the initiative is more than a launch and described it as a call to action towards collectively achieving wheat self-sufficiency, empower the farmers and build a stronger agricultural future for Ghana.

Gunmen Kidnap Four Female Varsity Students In Benue

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Gunmen

The Police has confirmed the kidnapping of female students from the Joseph Saawuaan Tarka Federal University Makurdi, formally known as Federal University of Agriculture.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Benue State Command, CSP Sewuese Anene, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, confirmed the incident, noting that investigation and rescue efforts have begun.

Sources around the university said that four female students were allegedly abducted by gunmen yet to be identified.

“Four female students were kidnapped at the university premises at about 8:30pm, causing panic about students’ safety as the sounding area share boundaries with communities which have been affected by suspected herdsmen attacks.

“Some of the students here have been identified simply as, Emmanuella Oraka, who was dressed in just a wrapper dress, Fola in yellow top, Susan in flower top and Ella in black top,” the police PRO said.

A senior staff member in the school, who preferred to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak, confirmed the incident.

The source said the students were going to read that night when they were kidnapped between their hostels and the reading point at North Core area of the school campus.

Meanwhile, the news of their kidnap immediately sparked wild protests from the students who matched round the school with tree branches in their hands demanding immediate action from the school authorities.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac Itodo, is yet to respond to any inquiry with little information on what is being done to assure the students of their safety and restore public confidence.

Credit: channelstv.com

 

Tax Reform Bills ‘ll improve economic growth, standard of living –Senator Lado

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Senator Lado

The Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, has assured Nigerians that the proposed Tax Reform Bills currently undergoing legislative process in the National Assembly, would significantly improve the economy and the standard of living for all citizens.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by a delegation of professors, scholars, and commissioners from Kano State, Lado emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to creating a fair, transparent, and growth-oriented tax system.

“This visit reflects your commitment to Nigeria’s economic future. Let me reassure all Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the nation’s best interest at heart.

“These reforms aim to promote fairness, transparency, and economic growth, ultimately improving investment and living standards for everyone,” he said.

The delegation, led by Dr. Muhammed Sagagi, an economist and Prof. Auwal Yadudu, shared their views on the Tax Reform Bills, highlighting the importance of inclusive policies for sustainable development.

Lado assured them that the National Assembly, under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, would address the reforms with the seriousness they deserve.

Tinubu had on October 3, 2024 forwarded to the National Assembly four Tax Reform Bills to overhaul tax administration and revenue generation in the country.

They are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.

Credit: dailypost.ng

I’ve resumed as Lagos Assembly Speaker –Obasa declares

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Impeached Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa

Amid the protracted speakership tussle which has unsettled the hitherto calm legislative arm of Lagos State, ousted Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, showed up at the Assembly Complex on Thursday.

Obasa was chaperoned by a retinue of armed, stern-looking uniformed security operatives as he walked into the hallowed chambers which he has not been publicly seen since his removal as Lagos speaker on Monday, January 13, 2025.

In a show of solidarity, his supporters gathered at the entrance gate of the Assembly Complex, chanting and cheering on the lawmaker who represents Agege Constituency I in the 40-member House.

Back in January, Obasa was removed as Lagos speaker when more than two-thirds of the house voted him out over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.

Obasa’s then deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected the new Speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the South-West state.

A day after she became the speaker, Meranda visited members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) to “brief them about what happened at the House of Assembly yesterday and to seek their blessings which we have gotten”.

Mudashiru Obasa said “I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly,” Obasa said.

On January 13, 2025, lawmakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly had impeached Obasa for alleged misappropriation.

Obasa was away in the United States when he was removed as Speaker.

While away, his deputy, Mojisola Meranda was appointed Speaker and sworn in.

Upon his return, Obasa contested his removal, saying his impeachment did not follow due process.

Credit: channelstv.com

 

Govt vows to go after oil spillers, pipeline vandals

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The Federal Government, through the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, has vowed to go after oil spillers and pipeline vandals in the country, irrespective of their position in the society.

The newly appointed Chairman of the Governing Board of NOSDRA, Edward Omo-Erewa, made the vow on Thursday in Abuja during his familiarisation visit to the agency.

Omo-Erewa said that it was time to hold those who spill oil, vandalize pipes, pollute and cause harm to the society responsible for their actions.

“We will go after those who spill oil irrespective of who they are. Over the years, there has been no discipline, and because our problem is indiscipline, we are ready to change the narrative.

“Few weeks ago some tankers got spilled, now we will go after them so they will know we are serious.

“We need to make ourselves known and that is how to also draw the government’s attention to the agency,” he said.

Omo-Erewa also said that he was aware of the staff strength of the agency and the poor working conditions staffers were subjected to.

He pledged to enhance the agency, improve staff welfare and boost overall productivity, while calling for robust collaboration between the agency’s management and the board.

In his remarks, the Director General of NOSDRA, Chukwuemeka Woke, expressed optimism that Omo-Erewa’s presence would make a positive impact in the agency.

Woke stressed the need for synergy between the board and management with a view to achieving the mandates of the agency.

Credit: dailypost.ng

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