Ghana has been ranked 8th among Africa’s top 10 manufacturing countries, according to a report by The African Exponent, an analytical business information source for entrepreneurs and potential investors in Africa.
The report stated that Ghana’s long-term focus on value-added manufacturing in agriculture and cocoa has transformed its industrial landscape.
Again, the “One District One Factory” initiative has fostered Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) growth, while established firms like Kasapreko and Fan Milk extend Ghana’s manufacturing reach internationally.
Trade Minister Elizabeth A.Oware
According to the report, within the last decade, a few countries have stood out for hosting the largest manufacturing companies in Africa, both in scale and influence.
South Africa came 1st followed by Egypt and Nigeria in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.
Morocco (4th), Kenya (5th), Algeria (6th), Ethiopia (7th), Tunisia (9th), and Zambia (10th) followed suit.
The report stated that South Africa is Africa’s most industrialized nation.
Its advanced infrastructure, diversified industrial base, and global partnerships, especially in the automotive and chemical sectors, make it the continent’s undisputed manufacturing giant in 2025. The leading sectors are Automotive, Steel, Chemicals, and Food Processing.
Similarly, the report revealed that Egypt’s manufacturing ecosystem thrives on exports to Europe and the Middle East.
With a strong presence in chemicals, cement, and pharma, Egypt has positioned itself as a continental manufacturing leader supported by industrial reforms. The country is known for the production of Cement, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, and Petrochemicals.
Also, the report said Nigeria is home to some of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerates. The Dangote Refinery project and BUA Group’s rapid expansion illustrate Nigeria’s manufacturing ambitions, buoyed by a large domestic market and policy reforms.
In addition, the top manufacturing sectors in the country include Cement, Consumer Goods, Food and Beverages, and Oil Refining, handled by leading manufacturers like Dangote Group, BUA Group, Nestlé Nigeria, and Unilever Nigeria.Source: Joy Business
The Elections Committee of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is pleased to announce the official publication of the full list of candidates approved after vetting to contest both national and regional executive positions of GJA Elections on June 30th, 2025.
A total of 13 national candidates and 49 regional candidates were approved by the Elections Committee to contest various leadership positions across the Association. However, nominations for the vice chairperson position in the Volta Region remain open until 5pm on Monday, June 17, 2025.
Approved candidates after vetting will be included in the Elections.
The publication of these nominations marks a significant milestone in the electoral process, setting the stage for a healthy and transparent democratic contest.
In line with the GJA’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and due process, the Vetting
Committee duly reviewed and investigated petitions that it received against some candidates in line with the relevant Constitutional provisions of the GJA Constitution as well as the decisions and recommendations of previous GJA Election Dispute Adjudication Committee.
The Committee commends the petitioners for their vigilance and their commitment to democratic due process within the Association.
It wishes all candidates the very best of luck.
The Ejurahene, Barimah Osei Hwedie II, has garnered widespread admiration and praise from netizens for his outstanding work in organizing the burial rites of the late Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, Paramount Chief of the Asante Mampong Traditional Council.
As the Adontenhene of the Mampong Traditional Council and a seasoned protocol officer with over two decades of experience at the Office of Ghana’s Vice President, Barimah Osei Hwedie II brought his expertise in security and event organization to the planning committee.
Ejurahene, Barimah Osei Hwedie II
Under his leadership, the committee successfully managed the complex burial rites, which drew thousands of mourners, including high-profile individuals such as the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, President John Dramani Mahama, former presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo, and dozens of paramount chiefs from across the country.
Despite the large turnout, the event was executed without any major issues, a testament to Barimah Osei Hwedie II’s exceptional organizational skills.
Netizens took to social media to hail Barimah Osei Hwedie II for his dedication to Asanteman and Ghana, commending his commitment to ensuring a befitting burial service for the late chief.
His ability to bring together various stakeholders and coordinate the event seamlessly has earned him widespread recognition and admiration.
The successful organization of the burial rites is a reflection of Barimah Osei Hwedie II’s experience and expertise in event management and protocol.
As a respected chief and protocol officer, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to handle high-profile events with precision and finesse.
The praise he has received from netizens is a testament to his hard work and dedication to serving Asanteman and Ghana.
Barimah Osei Hwedie II’s achievement serves as an inspiration to others in the traditional and public sectors, highlighting the importance of effective planning, coordination, and leadership in ensuring the success of high-profile events.
The Science and Technology Communicators of Ghana (SaTCOG) has stressed the crucial role of science journalism in promoting public understanding and engagement with science in the country.
According to the Association “science journalism is not just about reporting on scientific breakthroughs or discoveries. It is about telling the stories that matter, stories that impact our daily lives, our environment, and our future”.
Speaking at the second biennial media forum on natural resources, environment, climate change and science (BIM-NECS FORUM 2), an Executive Director of the Association, KINGSLEY E. HOPE, noted that “science journalism is about making complex scientific concepts accessible, understandable, and relevant to the general public”.
Mr. HOPE, the outgoing Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association observed that Ghana faced numerous challenges that required scientific solutions. From climate change to environmental degradation, from health pandemics to food security, “science journalism plays a critical role in informing the public, policymakers, and stakeholders about the issues, the science behind them, and the potential solutions”.
Mr.Kibgsley E.Hope, Aahanti GJA Chairman
However, he observed that science journalism faced its own set of challenges pointing to limited resources, lack of access to scientific information, and the complexity of scientific concepts “that can make it difficult for journalists to report accurately and effectively on scientific issues”.
“This is where organizations like SaTCOG come in. By promoting science journalism and providing training, resources, and support to journalists, we can enhance the quality and quantity of science reporting in Ghana”,he intoned.
To promote science journalism in Ghana, he stressed the need to build capacity, to provide training and resources to journalists to help them understand complex scientific concepts and report accurately on scientific issues.
Mr. HOPE, who doubles as the Ashanti Regional Correspondent of the Ghanaian Times mewapaper,mentioned the need to promote access to scientific information.
“We need to encourage scientists, researchers, and institutions to share their findings, data, and expertise with journalists and the public. We need to recognize and reward excellence in science journalism. We need to celebrate journalists who do an outstanding job of reporting on scientific issues and inspire others to follow in their footsteps”.
He encouraged the Ghana Journalists Association ro collaborate effectively with science related associations to promote public understanding and engagement with science.
“It is our collective responsibility to promote science journalism, build capacity, promote access to scientific information, and recognize excellence in science reporting.
The forum, which was held on Tuesday, 3rd June 2025, at True Vine Hotel, was on the theme: “Ecosystem Restoration: The Politics, the Science, the Human and the Economy”.
It brought together key stakeholders from the Bono East, Bono, Ahafo and Ashanti regions to brainstorm the need to restore the ecosystem.
BIM-NECS FORUM is a joint initiative of Media Platform on Environment and Climate Change (MPC), the Afro-Sino Centre of International Relations (ASSCIR) and Steminist Foundation.
The goal is to contribute to the conversation about the importance of the media and information dissemination for the governance and management of NECS.
Key speakers included Professor (Mrs) Mercy Afua Adutwumwaa Denkyi, who is the Director of Quality Assurance and Academic Planning Directorate (QAAPD), University of Energy and Natural Resources (UNER), Sunyani.
Mr. HOPE commended the forum for the engagement as he noted the role of the media in ensuring ecosystem restoration could not be overemphasised. Hence, he called for an effective environmental reportage with in-depth knowledge acquisition by media personnel.
The paramount chief of Moshie in Ghana, Naaba Wobgo II,has commended President John Dramani Mahama for showing commitment in bringing a lasting peace to the troubled Bawku town by initiating the peace pact through the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Naaba Wobgo II
He noted that, the Moshie community are much concern about the happenings in Bawku as the two feuding faction are traditional grandparents of the Moshie people . He, however, urged the Mamprusi and the Kusasis to build forces towards appreciating different cultures and building alliance for sustainable development in the area.
President John Mahama
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,Asantehene
Speaking at the second General meeting of Ghana Moshie traditional area , to evaluate the establishment of traditional village of the paramountcy at Nalerigu in the North East region ,known as Zindiya , The Nayiri , Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga in November 2023, created the Moshie paramountcy in Ghana with the installation of Naaba Wobgo II as the paramount chief of Moshie in Ghana . and donated substantial hectares of lands in Nalerigu for settlement. History has it that in the past when warriors were conquering territories , a man named Atalmiro migrated from Gambaga in the present day north East region to Zecco the then upper Volta. According to history, Atalmiro had 5 children out of which 4 are male and one female , who also migrated and settled in various communities .
The eldest son, by name Adare was said to have migrated from Zecco to form his family whose children created the present day Tungo and Yelwongo in the Burkina Faso and Yua in Ghana , while the second , third and forth Sons created Singu and Shengu in Bolgatanga and Navrongo.The only daughter, Anyelinga married a man, who was believed to be staying in a bush and gave birth to the Moshie in Burkina Faso .
The name Moshie ,means bush , to depict that, the first man to be called a Moshie was staying in a bush . The relationship between the Mamprugu and the Moshie spanned from centuries when the then Nayiri install his grandson as the Chief of Moshie , This century tradition, has been followed till date . Speaking at a meeting to strategies how to build a Zindiya community and palace , chief Yusif Alhaji Adam Timptori, who spoke on behalf of Naaba Wobgo I, debunked the misconception that Moshies are not Ghanaians.He emphasized that, it was important for people to trace their roots to know that, they came from to build forces for peace and development.
Chief Yusif Alhaji Adam Timptori, stressed that knowing one’s history was key to appreciating different cultures and building alliance for sustainable development. He, therefore, called on the Mamprusi and Kusasis to laid down their tools and come together as one people from one descendant, this he noted will help strengthen their unity and promote cultural unity and heritage .
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has withdrawn all six charges of corruption and bribery against Owusu Andy Thomas, effectively clearing him of those allegations.
Andy Thomas was facing trial alongside Charles Bissue, former Secretary of the defunct Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining, over a total of 15 counts related to corruption and bribery.
Kussie Agyebeng,OSP
The charges stemmed from a 2019 investigative exposé by undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, which implicated several officials in alleged misconduct connected to illegal mining operations.
At the time of his discharge, Owusu was facing nine charges, including six directly tied to bribery and corruption.
However, the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra on Wednesday discharged him from all six corruption-related charges after a plea bargain agreement was reached and accepted by the OSP.
As part of the negotiated settlement, the Court ordered Owusu Thomas to pay GH¢200,000 as restitution and reparation to the Republic. This payment settles the remaining three charges, in accordance with Section 71(4) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).
The resolution of the case against Owusu marks a significant development in the broader legal proceedings that followed the anti-galamsey exposé, which triggered public debate and calls for accountability within Ghana’s fight against illegal mining.
The case involving his co-accused, Charles Bissue, remains pending.
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiko, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn a motion seeking a review of his bail conditions.
The motion, which was filed at the High Court in Accra on 30 May 2025, had been scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, 3 June.
However, the legal team formally withdrew the application on Monday, 2 June, ahead of the hearing.
Chairman Wuntomi had challenged the GH¢50 million bail imposed by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), arguing through his lawyers that the amount was excessive and appeared designed to hinder his release.
The application had called on the court to revise the bail terms, citing grounds outlined in an accompanying affidavit.
The application to withdraw was filed by private legal practitioner Gary Nimako on behalf of the embattled NPP regional chairman.
Meanwhile, lead counsel Andy Appiah-Kubi has confirmed that all the necessary documentation for the two justified sureties has now been completed
He noted that this progress, which has rendered the court application unnecessary, was made possible with considerable assistance from former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.Source: Ernest K. Arhinful
H.E. Maher Kheir
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps &
Ambassador of Lebanon to Ghana
Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon
No. 7 4th Circular Road, Cantonments
P.O. Box CT 3962, Cantonments
Accra, Ghana
May 30, 2025
PETITION TO INTERVENE IN THE SUSPENSION AND REMOVAL PROCESSES OF CHIEF JUSTICE GERTRUDE TORKONOO AND THE ATTACK ON POLITICAL OPPONENTS TO PROTECT THE INDEPENDENCE OF GHANA’S JUDICIARY AND MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY
We, the undersigned Coalition of Political Parties in Ghana, respectfully write with a strong sense of urgency to draw your esteemed attention to a matter of critical international concern. Ghana, recognized as a symbol of democratic governance in West Africa, is currently facing a significant threat to the core of its democracy—the independence of the judiciary and multiparty democracy.
On April 22, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama, responding to three petitions, announced the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo and initiated an inquiry through a five-member committee. While grounded in constitutional procedures, this action is widely viewed as part of a broader agenda to undermine and politically capture the judiciary—an institution that has steadfastly protected the rule of law and maintained checks and balances within Ghana’s democratic system over the decades.
Your Excellency, the president’s action must be viewed within the broader context of troubling political developments in the West African and Sahel regions. Since 2020, seven coups have rocked these areas, four of which were successful—Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger—each justified by the juntas on the grounds of economic hardship, insecurity, and failed governance. These nations, characterized by poverty, inadequate health systems, and low human development indicators, have seen their democratic fabrics torn apart, plunging them into deeper instability. Ghana has admirably stood apart from this tide, remaining committed to constitutional democracy, peaceful transitions of power, and the principle of separation of powers. It is this enviable record that now faces a real and present danger.
We recall with dismay that as far back as 2023, the then-flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Mahama, made statements indicating a clear intent to “balance out” the judiciary with partisan-aligned judges, accusing the previous government of appointing judges to protect its interests. These public pronouncements disrespect judicial officers’ integrity and competence and reveal a calculated plan to politicize the bench. His exhortation to NDC-aligned lawyers to position themselves for judicial appointments exposed an agenda to undermine the constitutional principle of impartial justice.
Your Excellency, recent events bear the unmistakable imprint of an agenda to politicize and undermine the independence of the judiciary. The suspension of the Chief Justice, swiftly followed by the nomination of seven new Supreme Court justices, strongly suggests a plan to restructure the Court in favor of President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress, to the detriment of our democracy. This action compromises the delicate balance of powers enshrined in our Constitution and risks public trust in the judiciary as the last bastion of impartiality and fairness.
We, the Coalition of political parties, believe that the petitions against Chief Justice Torkonoo and her subsequent suspension represent a direct attack on the independence of the judiciary and a challenge to democratic governance. The integrity and autonomy of the judiciary are essential pillars of any effective democracy, and attempts to undercut them threaten Ghana’s democracy and the stability of the sub-region and beyond. Ghana’s standing as a beacon of democratic resilience is at risk, with potential consequences for peace and security that may ripple across the continent.
In addition to the government’s unholy attempt to weaken the judiciary, it has also focused on political opponents, particularly the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The recent arrests and harassment of NPP officials and appointees demonstrate a preconceived agenda to use executive power to intimidate political opponents under the guise of fighting corruption. These arrests reveal nothing more than a gross disregard for the rule of law and due process, as well as a violation of citizens’ fundamental human rights. President John Dramani Mahama’s goal is to silence political dissent and consolidate power, a condition imposed on Ghanaians by the NDC’s predecessor, the Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC). If President Mahama is not stopped, his actions will jeopardize Ghana’s democracy, peace, and development.
We respectfully appeal to your esteemed office and, through you, to the entire diplomatic corps in Ghana to urgently intervene and support us in defending judicial independence and the future of Ghana’s democracy. Specifically, we urge that you:
Urge the Government of Ghana to rescind the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo and reinstate her promptly.
Reinforce the expectation of the international community that Ghana will uphold the rule of law, respect judicial independence, and refrain from any form of political interference in the judiciary.
Mobilize diplomatic channels to closely monitor developments and, when necessary, issue joint statements supporting the independence of Ghana’s judiciary.
Engage in dialogue with civil society and political actors to ensure Ghana’s democratic institutions remain strong and free from undue political manipulation.
Urge the government to cease harassing, intimidating, and mistreating its political opponents, to align with our forebears’ commitment to strengthen multi-party democracy in Ghana.
Your Excellency, in conclusion, we would like to inform you about the steps we have taken regarding the removal of the Chief Justice from office. On May 5, 2025, the Coalition undertook a historic demonstration themed “SAVE THE JUDICIARY” to express the people’s displeasure with the proceedings. We used the occasion to petition the judiciary, legislature, and executive. To date, we have not received any response or seen any change in the stance of the President and his government. We have attached the three petitions for your review.
We trust your dedication to democratic principles and hope your leadership will motivate swift and effective action to strengthen Ghana’s judiciary.
Please accept the assurances of our utmost respect.
Respectfully submitted,
Coalition of Political Parties
New Patriotic Party (NPP)
National Democratic Party (NDP)
Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG)
People’s National Party (PNP)
ACCRA, May 28, 2025 (GJA) – A Court of Appeal Judge, His Lordship Justice Noble Jerome Nkrumah, sworn-in new members of the National Media Commission (NMC) at the Supreme Court in Accra Wednesday.
The newly sworn-in members later elected Prof. Akua Biritwum as the Chairman of the 18-member Commission who will serve for a three-year term.
She makes history by becoming the first ever female chairperson of NMC since it was established in 1993. Prof. Biritwum is one of two representatives of the Office of the President on the NMC. The other representative is Richard Mawuli Quashigah.
Per Article 166 of the 1992 Constitution, the NMC is constituted by identified institutions, including the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
Vincent Kobby Asmah, the immediate-past Editor of Graphic of the Graphic Communications Group Limited, is one of two GJA representatives on the current Commission.
In that capacity, his mandate involved supervising all the flagship brands of the GCGL (Daily Graphic, The Mirror, Graphic Business, Graphic Sports, Graphic Showbiz, Junior Graphic, Graphic Online and Graphic Apps) which are all market leaders in Ghana’s media industry.
With three decades of experience in journalism, two decades of which were spent at the newsroom senior management level, Kobby Asmah’s areas of interest are international and local politics; development journalism; media and conflict resolution, and international relations.
As an objective, fair-minded, and analytical writer, Kobby Asmah is in key position to influence editorial decisions and publish insightful articles on local and international relations.
His write ups have also received commendation from local and international groupings and he was adjudged the GCGL Managing Director’s Best Worker in 2008.
He also won the GJA 2008 Best Journalist in Political and Parliamentary Reporting Award, and the GJA Outstanding Editor of the Year.
The prestigious Chevening Scholarship by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK through the British Council to pursue a Masters programme.
Kobby Ashmah also won Indian Scholarship to pursue an Advance Diploma Course at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication.
The second GJA representative on the NMC is Kofi Yeboah, the General Secretary of the Association and Media Law lecturer at Wisconsin International University College, Ghana.
He has practiced journalism for 30 years, having worked in all the four state-owned media – Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Graphic Communications Group Limited, New Times Corporation and Ghana News Agency.
He has also worked extensively in the private-owned media and across all the various media platforms (print, electronic, news agency and online).
Kofi Yeboah, a multiple award-winning journalist, is the author of the book: ‘Perils & Pearls… Scribbles of a stammering scribe’, which is an autobiography of his professional career.
His academic and professional interests include media freedom, media rights and ethics, media responsibility, development communication, democratic development and human rights.
Kofi Yeboah holds a Master of Arts in Democracy, Governance, Law and Development, from the University of Cape Coast; Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights Law and Practice, from the University of Ghana; Postgraduate Diploma in Communication Studies, also from the University of Ghana; Bachelor of Laws (LLB), from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and Diploma in Journalism, from the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
The other members of the NMC and the institutions they represent are: Cecil Sunkwa-Mills –Association of Private Broadcasters, Hajj Muhammad Amir Kpakpo Addo – Federation of Muslim Councils and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission; Anthony Obeng Afrane – Ghana Association of Writers and the Ghana Library Association; Ernest Owusu Addo – Publishers and Owners of the Private Press; Prof Isaac Abeku Blankson – Training Institutions of Journalists and Communicators; Esther Numaba Cobbah – Ghana Advertisers Association and the Institute of Public Relations of Ghana, and Eva Okyere – Ghana Bar Association.
The rest are: Joseph Yao Hotor – Trades Union Congress; Abena Annobea Asare – National Council on Women and Development; Rev Isaac Owusu – Ghana National Association of Teachers; Rev Ruby Amable – Christian Groups (National Catholic Secretariat, Christian Council of Ghana, Ghana Pentecostal Council); Mahama Shaibu – Parliament of Ghana (Majority); Philip Fiifi Buckman – Parliament of Ghana (Majority), and Korkor Laurette Asante – Parliament of Ghana (Minority)
END.
The Supreme Court has struck out a supplementary affidavit filed by suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo in support of her injunction application.
The affidavit alleged inhumane treatment, violation of her dignity, and described the ongoing proceedings as a “mockery of justice” and a “ruse” aimed at unjustifiably removing her from office.
However, the apex court ruled that the contents of the affidavit referred to events that occurred before the committee investigating the petitions for her removal — proceedings which, by law, are expected to be held in camera.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo
A five-member panel of the court upheld an objection raised by the deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem Sai who argued that the supplementary affidavit violated Article 146(8) of the Constitution. That provision mandates that proceedings concerning the removal of justices be conducted in private.
According to the deputy Attorney General, by deposing to an affidavit that disclosed aspects of the committee’s deliberations, the suspended Chief Justice breached this constitutional requirement.
Former Attorney General and legal counsel for Justice Torkonoo, Godfred Yeboah Dame, countered that the affidavit was submitted within a judicial forum and not disclosed to the general public. He argued that this did not constitute a breach of Article 146(8).
Nonetheless, the Supreme Court held that the contents of the affidavit indeed violated the confidentiality provisions under the Constitution and accordingly struck it out.By:Hanson Agyemang
