Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has extended support to traders affected by the recent devastating fire at Adum, Kumasi, donating GH¢200,000 and 1,000 bags of cement to aid in rebuilding their businesses.
The fire, which broke out on Friday, March 24, ravaged several shops and stalls in the bustling business district, destroying goods worth millions of Ghana cedis.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia interacting with the victims
During his visit to the scene on Tuesday, March 25, Dr. Bawumia expressed his sympathies to the affected traders and called on Ghanaians and private businesses to assist in their recovery.
“I am donating GH¢200,000 and 1,000 bags to the victims, and I urge private individuals to also support the traders in getting their livelihoods back,” he stated.Source:By:Kabah Atawoge
The Ashanti Regional Organiser for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Francis Adomako, popularly known as Francois, has called for urgent retooling of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and other security agencies to work effectively and efficiently instead of demoralising them.
According to him, the need for the government and all Ghanaians to support the GNFS, especially with the needed tools to work, especially when there are fire outbreaks and other emergencies, cannot be overemphasised.
A scene from the firefighters dousing inform
Dr. Adomako, who doubles as the Dean of all Regional Organisers, expressed concerns about attempts to demoralise the personnel of the GNFS like what happened last week during the fire outbreak in the Adum Blue Light area within the Central Business District (CBD) of the Kumasi metropolis.
The appeal by Francois follows a clash between the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and some personnel of the GNFS in their efforts to quench last Friday’s inferno.
In a viral video, Dr. Amoakohene is heard clearly shouting and making demoralising comments against some personnel of the GNFS. In his opinion, they were not committed to dousing the fire.
The Minister’s comments have so far attracted widespread criticisms.
Francois said, “Instead of demoralising our gallant fire service personnel and other security agencies whenever they’re in the battle front, let’s give them the necessary equipment and logistics, so that we can hold them accountable.”
“Yes, Dr. Amoakohene might have been overtaken by the inferno leading to his unfortunate comments captured by the media, I wish to appeal to the government and all Ghanaians to support the GNFS and other security agencies devoid of politics since fire outbreaks and disasters are no respecter of political party colours or ethnic colours. Let’s rally behind GNFS and other security agencies at all times for our own good,” he stressed.
It would be recalled that on Friday, 21st March 2025, fire destroyed over 5,000 shops. And the victims are still counting their losses as they wait for the necessary support from the government as promised by the President of the Republic of Ghana, Mr. John Mahama.
First and foremost, we would like to use this opportunity to commend President John Mahama led government for the 2025 Budget, capturing few of their policies and programmes(about 10%) that they promised the Ghanaian people during the 2024 general elections.
Kwabena Owusu Junior
However, there are some weaknesses and inconsistencies contained in the 2025 Budget that Ghanaians need to know as follows:
1. Resetting the Economy and Creating Prosperity for All(Chapter 1 of 2024 Manifesto of NDC). According to the 2024 Manifesto of the NDC, to achieve macro-economic stability, restore fiscal and debt sustainability for long-term economic growth and prosperity, they will:
(a). Scrap the import duty on vehicles and equipment imported into the country for industrial and agricultural purposes. Unfortunately, nothing was heard about the scrapping of the aforementioned tax regime in the 2025 Budget.
(b). Reduce food inflation to lower the high cost of living in the country through agriculture for economic transformation(point 9 of page 3 of 2024 Manifesto of NDC.
However, in terms of resource allocations to Key Policy Initiatives and Interventions of Mahama’s government, only 1.5 Billion Ghana Cedis was allocated to Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA) of which Feed Ghana Programme, Ghana Grains Development Project, Vegetable Development Project and Nkokor Nketenkete are all key components of the 1.5 Billion Ghana Cedis.
Dr Ato Forson, Finance Minister
Meanwhile, Ghana Gold Board(GoldBod), a national looting agenda also aimed at creating monopoly of gold trading business in Ghana was allocated US$ 279 Million at current(23/03/2025) Cedi equivalent of over 4.3 Billion Ghana Cedis.
So, now John Mahama and the NDC want to tell Ghanaians that the purchase, selling, export and import of gold is highly essential and Paramount than Food and Agriculture in the Country, and that the trading of gold is superior to Food and Agriculture when it comes to the GDP of Ghana. This is serious a terrible error in judgement thinking that GoldBod is important than Food and Agriculture.
Absolutely, there is no Country around the world that the budgetary allocation for Food and Agriculture is far less than the budgetary allocation of gold trade.
The decision of Mahama’s government to allocate more financial resources to GoldBod at the detriment of Food and Agriculture can best describe as a criminal enterprise committed against the citizens of Ghana. Food and Agriculture is undeniably more important than gold for human survival and well-being. When it comes to the growth of GDP, gold trading doesn’t come close near to Food and Agriculture
President John Mahama.
(c). Prioritise investments in the productive sectors of the economy (point 1 of 1.1.2 of 2024 Manifesto of NDC). Sadly, the 2025 Budget of Mahama’s government woefully FAILED to allocate significant investments in the productive sectors of the economy.
(e). To manage the Exchange Rate, lower Inflation, the government will review the Foreign Exchange Act 2006(Act 723), under point 2 of 1.2.2 of 2024 Manifesto of NDC.
However, in the 2025 Budget, Mahama’s government is now telling us under 131 and 132 sections of the 2025 Budget Speech that, the establishment of the GoldBod would be the key measure to stabilize the exchange rate (Cedi Depreciation), inflation and fuel prices.
The big question is, how would the GoldBod with a budget of $279 million (over 4.3 Billion Cedis at current rate of 23rd March 2025) help Ghana to stabilize exchange rate, imported inflation and fuel prices?
Has even Guyana that John Mahama’s government is blindly copying their GoldBod initiative been able to stabilize its currency, inflation and fuel prices with the trading of gold business?
(f). Roll-out of “the Big-Push”
In accordance with section 191(ii) of the 2025 Budget Speech, the government would roll out the implementation of US$10 Billion “Big Push” policy for strategic infrastructure development to open up the country and drive sustainable economic growth and transformation under the 24-hour economy policy. But unfortunately under 195 of the same 2025 Budget Speech, only 13.85 Billion Ghana Cedis(around US$ 900 million) was allocated for the Big Push Programme. Who is John Mahama’s government deceiving?
Set up Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) to regulate the small-scale mining sector, and this board will restructure the small-scale mining sector(point 15 under 4.3.2.1 of the 2024 Manifesto of the NDC).
However, deliberately, erroneously, and diabolically under 191(iii), the primary objectives of the GoldBod are as follows: “shall regulate, oversee, monitor, and undertake the purchasing, assaying, refining, exporting, selling, and other related activities concerning the gold resources of Ghana.”
This is completely crazy, ridiculous, and unwise strategy to create useless monopolization for the gold trading industry in the Country.
How do you rationalise the Gold Purchase Programme(point 4 of 1.2.2 of 2024 Manifesto of NDC) with the establishment of a Monopoly Entity of GoldBod?
What is the interest of a Socialist Political Party with predominantly capitalist gold trading industry as a key operator instead of being a regulatory body?
What would then be the use of Minerals Commission, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) and the role of Private Sector as enshrined in Article 36 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana if the senseless intents and purposes of Ghana Gold Board are implemented?
Again, the Minister of Finance, Hon. Ato Forson stated that, “the government will abolish the 1.5% withholding tax on winning of unprocessed gold by small-scale miners” under section of 141 of the 2025 Budget Speech. Why then should the government turned around to increase the Growth & Sustainability Levy from 1% on the gross production of mining companies to 3% under the same 2025 Budget?
Respectfully, does it make sense politically, socially, and economically for a Socialist government of NDC to allocate feeding cost per meal per child per day to 2 Ghana Cedis while GoldBod enjoys an overwhelming budget of over 4.3 Billion Ghana Cedis?
… Signed…
Kwabena Owusu Junior
Chief Executive Officer
UP Tradition Institute
The Presiding Member (PM) for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) in the Ashanti Region, Mr. Patrick Kwame Frimpong, has expressed his deepest sympathy to the victims of last Friday fire disaster at Adum in Kumasi.
He has, therefore, appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to fast-track the nomination of a mayor for KMA so as to speed up support for the victims to go back to their work.
According to him, most of the shops affected by the inferno belong to the Assembly, for which reason there is an urgent need to get a mayor for some actions to be taken to reconstruct the destroyed structures to get their tenants (traders) back to work.
Mr Patrick Kwame Frimpong
Mr. Frimpong, who doubles as the elected Assembly Member for the Krofrom East Electoral Area and National Vice-Chairman of NALAG, in an interview with “The New Trust” newspaper on Saturday, 22nd March 2025, cautioned that any further delay of nominating the mayor of the city to ensure some legal decisions by the Assembly could worsen the plight of the victims who have lost everything to the fire.
President John Mahama
Mr. Frimpong, who is also the Dean of Ashanti Regional Conference of Presiding Members Association, commended President Mahama and the Ashanti Regional Minister for their swift visits to sympathise with the victims.
He also commended the personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and other security agencies for quenching the fire.
He renewed his passionate appeal for the government to urgently equip the GNFS with the needed equipment and logistics to enable it to continue to deliver its mandate effectively.
It would be recalled that President Mahama visited the Central Business District of Adum to assess the effects of a devastating fire that destroyed hundreds of shops.
He emphasised the need for a swift action to assist those who have lost their livelihoods and called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire. The President also interacted with the fire victims.
The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Friday, March 21, destroyed hundreds of shops and items. The fire that quickly spread through the market was fuelled by flammable materials stored in the shops.
Firefighters faced challenges in containing the blaze due to obstructed access routes and delayed response times. Some traders blamed the incident on the ongoing power outages, which they believe might have contributed to the fire.
President Mahama’s visit was met with gratitude and cheers from the traders.
President John Dramani Mahama has visited the Central Business District of Adum in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region to assess the aftermath of a devastating fire that destroyed hundreds of shops.
The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Friday, March 21, left traders distraught as they struggled to salvage their goods amidst the chaos.
During his visit, Mahama interacted with affected traders, expressing his sympathy and pledging his support.
President John Dramani Mahama at Adum in Kumasi
He emphasised the need for swift action to assist those who have lost their livelihoods and called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire.
But he also cautioned the traders not to cook in the market as the use of cylinders were a contributing factor to the incident.
Meanwhile, the fire which started early Friday morning and quickly spread through the market, was fueled by flammable materials stored in the shops.
Firefighters faced challenges in containing the blaze due to obstructed access routes and delayed response times. Some traders blamed the incident on ongoing power outages, which they believe may have contributed to the fire.
President Mahama’s visit was met with gratitude and cheers from the traders.By:Abigail Arthur
Two-story buildings housing several shops have been torched in a fire outbreak in the central business district of Adum in Kumasi.
The fire at the popular Blue Light arena, close to Hello FM, started around 6am and spread rapidly as fire officers made attempts to contain the blaze.
Some scenes from the fire
Panicking traders had to break into their shops to throw out their wares as the fire ravaged.
Most of the shops deal in mobile phones and accessories, jewellery, and clothing.
According to an eyewitness account, the fire sparked from a flicking electricity pole in the area, leading to a spark on the top floor of one of the buildings.
Programmes Director at Hello FM, Nana Ama Ataffuah Quainoo, confirmed the evacuation of staff as the fire spread rapidly. She, however, says the Fire Service personnel kept long in coming.
Several fire tenders later arrived at the scene but faced difficulties fighting the fire.
The Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has expressed deep concern over what he said is insufficient budgetary allocation to his office, stating that the GH¢78 million assigned for the year is woefully inadequate to meet the operational needs of the three key agencies under his supervision.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, March 19, Kwakye Ofosu underscored the pressing financial needs of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), the Information Services Department (ISD), and the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
These institutions, he stressed, play a crucial role in disseminating government information, keeping the public informed, and upholding media integrity.
However, he lamented that the current funding levels would severely hinder their ability to function effectively.
In his submission, the minister detailed the financial burden placed on these institutions, noting that they collectively employ 2,537 civil servants who rely on the budgetary provision to carry out their duties.
He went on to highlight the urgent financial demands of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), which has been tasked with expanding its services to cover the six newly created regions.
“There are three agencies that I superintend, namely the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, the Information Service Department and the Ghana News Agency. These three agencies alone have 2,537 civil servants and it is these civil servants who have been allocated GH¢78 million in both goods and services.
“Mr. Speaker, it is woefully inadequate for them because the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation alone needs GH¢36 million to establish a presence in the six regions that they [the previous administration] created.”
Accra, March 17, 2025 – Scancom PLC (MTN Ghana) will hold its 7th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Shareholders on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 11:00 GMT. This year’s AGM will be a hybrid event, with an in-person meeting taking place at the Accra International Conference Center, as well as a live stream for Shareholders who prefer to join virtually.
Dr.-Ishamel-Yamson-Board-Chairman-Scancom-PLC
The agenda for the AGM is as follows:
To receive and consider the Audited Financial Statements together with the reports of the Directors and Auditors thereon for the year ended December 31, 2024;
To declare a final dividend for the year ended December 31, 2024;
To re-elect or appoint the following as Directors of the Company:
To re-elect Sugentharen Perumal who is retiring by rotation:
To re-elect Fatima Daniels who is retiring by rotation:
To re-elect Ebenezer Twum Asante who is retiring by rotation:
To re-elect Tsholo Molefe who is retiring by rotation; and
To appoint Nosisa Fubu as a director of the Company.
To approve Directors’ fees for the financial year 2025; and
To authorize the Directors to fix the remuneration of the Auditor for the financial year 2025.
Shareholders are invited to attend the in-person meeting at the Accra International Conference Center or participate virtually via www.mtnghagm.com from 11:00 AM GMT on March 27, 2025. Participation through the virtual link will be free for all Shareholders on MTN’s network. MTN will reimburse Shareholders on MTN’s network who incur charges.
Alternatively, Shareholders without smartphones may participate in the AGM by dialing +233244300025, entering the access code 8000, or entering the conference PIN 056789.
A unique token number has been sent to Shareholders by email and/or SMS to grant access to the AGM. Registration for the AGM will begin at 10:00 AMat the Accra International Conference Center.
Shareholders have the option to appoint a proxy to attend and vote on their behalf. The proxy does not need to be a Shareholder of the Company. A copy of the Proxy Form can be downloaded from www.mtnghagm.com, and must be completed, signed, and sent via email only to info@csd.com.gh as soon as possible and no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting.
To allow Shareholders to review the 2024 Audited Financial Statements before the AGM, a copy has been uploaded online and can be accessed at www.mtnghagm.com.
Voting during the AGM will be conducted electronically by dialing USSD code 8990#. Shareholders who do not submit proxy forms prior to the meeting may vote using their unique token number.
For further information about this year’s AGM, Shareholders may contactinfo@csd.com.gh or call 0302 906 576 or 0303 972 254.
Media Contacts:
Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe
Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer
