The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission has announced a downward review of electricity tariffs effective December 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024.
The adjustment is in line with the Commission’s Quarterly Tariff Review Mechanism using key factors such as the exchange rate between the US$ and the Ghana Cedi, domestic inflation rate, the electricity generation mix, and the cost of fuel, mainly natural gas.
While electricity tariffs saw a downward adjustment of 1.52%, water tariffs, on the other hand, were adjusted upwards.
Using the same key indicators, water tariffs have increased by 0.34% for the same period.
Advertisement
According to the PURC, “Adjustments to the existing electricity and water tariffs is undertaken on a quarterly basis to maintain the real value of the tariffs, thereby keeping the utility service providers financially viable to enable them deliver on their services to consumers.
“In addition, the Commission considered the competitiveness of industries and the general living conditions of the Ghanaian.”
“The Commission is grateful to all stakeholders for their support as it continues to implement Quarterly Tariff Reviews per its Rate Setting Guidelines to address changes in operational conditions, whiles holding the Utility Service Providers to strict adherence to its regulatory standards and benchmarks by continually monitoring operations of the Utility Service Providers to ensure value for money and quality of service delivery,” it added.
Former Minister for Central Region, Kwamena Duncan has admonished the Ghanaian electorate not to make a mistake to vote for the opposition during next year’s December polls.
Firing subtle shots at former President and leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, Kwamena Duncan described him as the past and advised Ghanaians to leave the past in the past.
He made this comment during discussions on the enskinment of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as Konukolewura (Chief of Unity) by the Overlord of Gonjaland, Jire Kuunu-bi I.
The Yagbonwura (Gonjaland Overlord) enskinned the Vice President in recognition of his character traits as a unifier and with a tolerant heart.
Speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” programme Wednesday morning, Kwamena Duncan congratulated the Vice President for the honor and commended him for pledging to renovate the Jakpa Palace, the seat of the Gonja Kingdom which is in a deplorable condition.
“Bawumia is now and the future. Others are the past. The greatest harm you can do to yourself is to go to the ballot box and cast your ballot for those who are the past. The greatest harm any Ghanaian can do to themselves is to, on the 7th of December, 2024 queue and go to the poll and cast their ballot for those who are the past”, the former Minister asserted.
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has firmly refuted suggestions that he is actively lobbying to be selected as the running mate for Dr. Mahammudu Bawumia in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
His response comes in the wake of an admonition from the former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, who urged the Majority Leader to focus on his critical oversight responsibilities as the leader of government business in Parliament rather than engaging in a campaign for the position of running mate to the NPP flagbearer.
Dr.Bawumia and Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu
Addressing a similar remark from the Minority Chief Whip, Governs Agbodza, the Suame MP categorically dismissed any such notions, emphasizing that he is not actively involved in a campaign to secure the position of Dr. Bawumia’s running mate.
“Mr Speaker, let me state that there is no contest for running mate and I’m not involved in campaigning for the running mate position, it should be loud and clear,” Osei-Kyei-Mensah said on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, November 23.
The Majority Leader entreated members of the minority caucus not to engage in conjectures and focus on the debate of the 2024 budget statement.
Information reaching “The New Trust” newspaper indicates that the name of Dr. Ben K. D. Asante, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Gas Company, has popped up for consideration by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as his running mate for the 2024 polls.
So far, the following names have come up for consideration with regard to Dr. Bawumia’s running mate: Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, aka Napo, Energy Minister; Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum, Education Minister; Madam Akosua Frema Opare, Chief of Staff; Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Leader; and Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, with Dr. Ben Asante’s name being the latest.
Summary profile of Dr. Ben Asante
Dr. Ben K. D. Asante, a renowned Oil and Gas Engineer, is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana National Gas Company (Ghana Gas). He has over 25 years of global experience in the oil and gas industry.
Dr.Mahamudu Bawumia and Dr Ben Asante
He is one of the few black oil and gas engineers to have testified as an expert pipeline engineer before the US Supreme High Court.
He has also provided expert witness testimonies on gas custody transfer disputes in South America.
Background
Dr. Asante is a lecturer at the School of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a former Engineering and Technical Director of Ghana’s premier Gas Infrastructure project, which birthed the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant and allied gas infrastructure in the Western Region. He is the mastermind of Ghana’s first Gas Master Plan in 2008.
Dr. Ben K. D. Asante
He has provided consulting, engineering services, project management, and technical support for various projects throughout the world, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
He has also worked in various technical and management roles for major operating companies and engineering consulting companies in Canada, including Nova/TransCanada; US and Ghana.
In 2001, he was adjudged the Best Worker for Excellence at the global energy firm, Enron Corporation.
Other Academic Laurels
Dr. Asante holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering from KNUST, Ghana, and MSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calgary, Canada.
He also obtained a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, London/University of Calgary, where he later taught Gas Processing and Pipeline Engineering.
He has published 15 technical papers and made over 80 technical presentations within and outside North America on Oil/Gas Infrastructure Design and Operations.
Former President, John Dramani Mahama says the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will choose his running mate for the next election in 2024.
This was in response to calls from some traditional authorities in Asunafo South for the flagbearer to consider their MP, Eric Opoku for the position.
Already, the queen mother of the Bono Traditional Council has made similar calls for a Bono native to be chosen for the role.
But Mr Mahama said, in as much as the role is important there are laid down procedures for choosing the right person.
Mr Mahama, at one of the public engagements in the Ahafo Region, called for calm as the party looks forward to making the decision.
He told the gathering; “What I will say is that, just like custom has it, our party also has processes to select candidates for various roles.”
“It is the Presidential candidate, National executives, and Council of Elders who come together to select a running mate. But that process will start next year. So keep praying for such a time,” Mr Mahama explained.
The 2023 National Education Week which is the 6th edition of the event is currently underway at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.
The event organized annually by the Education Ministry in collaboration with its agencies and other local and international partners assesses the performance of Government policies, programmes, and projects in the Education sector.
Present at the event are development partners, academicians, industry players, directors of education, students, policymakers, researchers and others.
Dr.Osei Yaw Adutwum, Education Minister in a group photograph with stakeholders
Opening the session, the Vice President, Dr Mahmoud Bawumia in an address read for him acknowledged and applauded the useful contributions this platform has been in shaping key policy interventions in the sector through the creation of the needed avenue for stakeholders in the education space to deliberate on best practices to improve education delivery in Ghana.
Dr Osei Yaw Adutwum speaking at the event
Some scenes from the event
He stated that “mindful of the reality that education is the best investment, the Government under the leadership of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo since January 2017 has invested massively for the growth and development of human capital in the country through the implementation of the innovative and transformative programmes in education”.
The Vice President mentioned some of the key innovative and transformative programs in the education sector as the roll-out of Free SHS and TVET; equitable provision of infrastructure at all levels; restoration of teacher trainee allowances; harmonization and prioritization of TVET education with the passage of the Pre-Tertiary Act, 2020 (Act 1049); review of the previous curriculum to focus on 21st Century Skills and the deepening of inclusive, special and complementary education.
Dr Bawumia described the nation’s effort at using STEM education as a driving force for national transformation as crucial and called on all stakeholders to contribute their quota towards its development and sustenance.
“I stand before you today to emphasize the utmost importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in shaping the future of Ghana.
As the Vice President of our great nation, it is both an honour and a responsibility to advocate for the development of a robust STEM and TVET ecosystem that empowers our youth and drives Ghana into a new era of innovation and progress”. he said.
He added that “the evolution of 21st Century Skills and the digitalization era has increased calls for the training of our students in various fields with much focus on STEM and TVET. Indeed, as a country, we cannot overemphasize the overall importance of STEM and TVET education to our socio-economic transformation”.
The Vice President described the theme for this year’s event, “EDUCATION DELIVERY FOR NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION: THE CASE FOR STEM AND TVET’ as very appropriate and timely, where all odds point to the fact that the nation needs to produce a critical mass of human capital with the right skills mix to drive Government’s transformation agenda.
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Education Minister, praised the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for the huge budget support he has been voting for the education sector leading to a massive transformation in the sector.
He described the ongoing transformation in the education sector as a catalyst for national development and called on all stakeholders to continue supporting the government to ensure that the outcomes would continue to improve
The Education Minister assured the nation of the Ministry’s readiness to foster closer ties with all stakeholders to promote the development of education in the country.
The Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Prof Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson, who chaired the function described the current craving for STEM and TVET education in the country as very laudable since it held the key to changing the state of development in the country.
She reminded the youth to embrace STEM and TVET education which held the key to job creation for the country.
In the heart of Ghana’s evolving educational landscape stands Vida Torgbe, a dynamic and dedicated professional whose unwavering commitment to equity and educational improvement has left a lasting impact on students, teachers, and policymakers alike. Vida is making significant contributions to Ghana’s education and social protection systems through her academic achievements, field experience, and research innovation.
Vida Torgbe
A proud alumna of the University of Cape Coast, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Economics, Vida’s academic journey provided her with a strong foundation to understand the socio-economic forces influencing education.
Her academic curiosity and passion for social equity led her to immerse herself in both research and fieldwork, particularly in underserved rural communities.
From 2021 to 2023, Vida worked in multiple capacities with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
As a Contract Staff, and National Service Personnel, she played a pivotal role in organizing workshops, analyzing data, and producing critical reports that guided social protection policies. She was also a key player in the monitoring and evaluation processes for programs like LEAP (Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty) and the Ghana National Household Registry—initiatives targeting the most vulnerable populations in Ghana.
In addition to her academic and field achievements, Vida served as a Rapporteur for high-level stakeholder engagements with UNICEF,
The World Bank, and Ghana’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. These forums focused on gender mainstreaming and national shock response strategies—areas that intersect closely with educational resilience and equity.
Through her work, she engaged with local communities, gathered critical insights, and championed data-driven decision-making – skills that have become hallmarks of her approach to public service.
In 2023, Vida published groundbreaking research titled “Examining the Influence of Teacher Distribution, Infrastructure Development, and Government Funding on Student Educational Attainment in Rural Ghana” in the World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews. This study, focused on the Volta Region, brought to light the systemic inequities that have long hindered academic success in rural schools.
Using structural equation modeling and data from over 300 teachers, her research showed that student success in rural areas is significantly influenced by how teachers are distributed, the state of school infrastructure, and the level of government funding. She advocated for strategic teacher placement, investment in facilities, and increased financial support for rural education.
The study not only validated the Education Production Function (EPF) Theory but also provided practical recommendations for Ghanaian policymakers and development stakeholders. Vida’s work continues to be cited in discussions about education reform in Ghana and other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Vida Torgbe has demonstrated an exceptional ability to bridge research and practice. Her mission remains clear: to ensure every child, regardless of geography or socio-economic status, has access to quality education.
A private legal practitioner,Lawyer Obiri Yeboah,has declared his intention to contest for Subin New Patriotic Party (NPP) slated for early next year.
Many residents of Subin, especially sympathizers of NPP believed that Lawyer Obiri Yeboah is the only hope for the constituency..
A cross section of NPP activists sample are clamoring for Lawyer Obiri Yeboah to enable him leads the party to break the 8 in 2024 and lobby for the needed development for the area.
Lawyer Obiri Yeboah
One of the lobbyists for Lawyer Yeboah to this portal that “Subin is crying for him(Lawyer Obiri Yeboah) because he is the only one who can help change the constituency. Subin is seriously yearning for lawyer Obiri Yeboah to come and change the area for us”,he added.
According to the lobbyists,
Lawyer Obiri Yeboah,has the vision to change Subin constituency because of that all the delegates are yearning for him to contest”..
In a detailed analysis of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) electoral prospects for the upcoming 2024 elections, Former Afigya Kwabre South Constituency Chairman, Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, emphasized the critical role of the Ashanti Region in the party’s political fortunes.
The comprehensive analysis of Ghana’s political landscape and a retrospective examination of past elections revealed intriguing patterns and trends that have significantly influenced the fortunes of the major political parties.
The analysis also shed light on the delicate balance in the Ashanti Region, considered a political stronghold for the NPP.
He highlighted the correlation between NPP’s success and maintaining substantial votes in the Ashanti Region
COKA’s analysis emphasized the delicate balance in the Ashanti Region’s electoral dynamics.
He reiterated that “It is a known fact that the Ashanti Region is the political World Bank (base) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).”
COKA believes that if the NPP is to break the 8-year political cycle, the groundwork in the Ashanti Region must be at its highest.
Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah (COKA)
Therefore, the running mate should be a “resourceful and charismatic” individual to rejuvenate the party’s base and also to “counter the NDC and Alan Kyerematen’s butterfly movement shenanigans in the region.
He delved into historical election data, dating back to 1996, highlighting the Ashanti Region’s unwavering support for the NPP.
He pointed out that the NPP has consistently secured significant victories in the region, citing percentages ranging from 65.8% to 77% in various elections.
BAWUMIA’S Running mate hopefuls
COKA acknowledged the Ashanti Region as a target for the NDC and Alan Kyerematen’s butterfly movement, emphasizing the need for strategic planning to maintain dominance.
He explained, “Anytime the NDC appreciates votes in the region (above 28%) and NPP depreciates votes in the region (below 71%), the party (NPP) finds itself in trouble (opposition).”
He cautioned that any depreciation of votes below 71% in the region could spell trouble for the NPP, especially if the NDC gains ground with votes above 28%.
In the 1996 elections, the NPP had 65.8%, and the NDC had 32.8%, resulting in an NDC victory.
In the 2000 elections, the NPP secured 74.8%, while the NDC obtained 22.5%, leading to an NPP win.
The 2004 elections saw the NPP with 77%, and the NDC with 21.8%, resulting in another victory for the NPP.
In the 2008 elections, the NPP obtained 72.5%, and the NDC had 26%. Although the NPP led in the first round, they lost to the NDC in a runoff.
The 2012 elections had the NPP with 70.9%, and the NDC with 28.4%, leading to an NDC win. In 2016, the NPP secured 76.3%, while the NDC received 23%, resulting in an NPP victory.
The 2020 election was particularly interesting, as the NPP garnered 71.6%, and the NDC received 26%, yet the NPP emerged victorious.
Moreover, COKA pointed out a broader electoral trend that affects parties seeking a third consecutive win.
He noted a consistent 2% or 3% apathy and a drop in votes, particularly in their strongholds.
This phenomenon poses a challenge for any party in government aiming for an extended tenure
The seasoned politician also drew attention to Vice-President Dr. Bawumia’s historic position as the first Northern flag bearer of the NPP, highlighting the party’s increased need to secure its southern stronghold, particularly in the Ashanti Region.
COKA proposed a strategic move for the NPP to break the eight-year political cycle, suggesting that the running mate for the flagbearer of Northern descent should be from the south, specifically the Ashanti Region.
He emphasized the importance of selecting a “resourceful and charismatic” individual to counter the perceived threats posed by the NDC and Alan Kyerematen’s butterfly movement in the region.
The seasoned politician concluded that for the NPP to secure victory in 2024, meticulous groundwork in the Ashanti Region is essential.
His analysis underscored the significance of understanding electoral trends and countering opposition movements, urging the party to be vigilant in maintaining its stronghold in the political world bank of the Ashanti Region.
As Ghana prepares for the 2024 elections, these insights from historical data provide valuable considerations for political strategists and analysts navigating the complex terrain of Ghana’s democratic processes.
The interplay of regional dynamics, historical trends, and voter sentiments will undoubtedly shape the strategies of political parties in the upcoming electoral battle.
