Mines & Energy

 

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has secured a decisive legal victory in London after an international arbitration tribunal dismissed all claims brought against it by Power Distribution Services Ghana Limited (PDS).

The ruling, delivered after nearly three years of proceedings, ends a long-running dispute over the controversial termination of the PDS concession agreement, a deal that was once touted as a major step toward reforming Ghana’s power distribution sector.

Background

In 2019, PDS took over the management of ECG under a 20-year concession agreement, which was part of the Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) programme between the Government of Ghana and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the United States.

The agreement was intended to bring private-sector efficiency into ECG’s operations and improve electricity distribution across the country. However, just months into the arrangement, the Government of Ghana, through ECG, suspended and later terminated the contract.

The termination followed revelations that the payment guarantees provided by PDS—through Al Koot Insurance and Reinsurance Company of Qatar—were fraudulent.

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These guarantees were a key requirement of the deal, designed to secure PDS’s financial obligations under the concession.

Despite assurances from PDS that it had fulfilled all preconditions for the transfer, investigations revealed that Al Koot had not authorised the guarantees in question. Subsequent court rulings in Qatar, including from the Qatari Court of Cassation, confirmed that the documents were indeed forged.

The Legal Battle

Following the termination, PDS initiated arbitration proceedings in London, claiming ECG’s actions were wrongful. The company sought a declaration of wrongful termination, direct costs of about US$39.4 million, and alleged lost profits of US$351.5 million.

ECG, represented by Omnia Strategy LLP, led by Cherie Blair KC, robustly defended the case, maintaining that the termination was fully justified and in the national interest. ECG argued that PDS had failed to exercise due diligence in verifying the authenticity of the payment guarantees—an omission that fundamentally undermined the concession.

The Tribunal’s Decision

After years of legal submissions and hearings, the London-seated tribunal dismissed all of PDS’s claims in their entirety. The tribunal upheld ECG’s position that the fraudulent guarantees went to the heart of the concession and justified its termination of the agreement.

Significance of the Ruling

The ruling is a major win for ECG and the Government of Ghana, shielding the state from potential financial liability amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. It also brings closure to one of the most contentious chapters in Ghana’s recent energy sector history.

With this victory, ECG is now positioned to move forward and focus on improving power distribution for Ghanaians without the shadow of the PDS dispute.Source:Citi NewsroombyCiti

The Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has clarified his involvement in the recent confrontation between residents of his constituency and members of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) task force at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region.

In a statement issued on November 3, 2025, Mr. Addo said he felt compelled to respond to what he described as “an unfortunate misunderstanding” surrounding his role in the incident, which has drawn national attention.

Narrating the events, the MP explained that on November 1, 2025, he was on his way to a funeral at Achrensua in the Asutifi South Constituency when he received information about a tense situation at Hwidiem involving military personnel conducting operations at a gold extraction site.

Ebenezer Kwaku Addo

He said he immediately contacted the MP for Asutifi South, Hon. Collins Dauda, who was outside the country at the time, and was asked to visit the site on his behalf to ascertain the situation.

Mr. Addo said that upon arriving at Hwidiem with his constituency vice chairman and driver, he introduced himself to the security officers present and encouraged them to speak directly with Hon. Dauda by phone.

“At the site, I saw some youth gathering, so I advised that we move to the police station to officially make a statement and hand over any suspects to the police to calm tensions,” he said.

He added that upon reaching the Hwidiem Police Station, they noticed that the main road had been blocked, preventing vehicles from moving. Together with officials from the military, police, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), and other local security leaders, they remained at the police charge office while statements were taken.

The MP said he subsequently called the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem to assist in calming the situation, which the chief successfully did. According to Mr. Addo, the Zongo Chief later volunteered to transport the military officers in his vehicle after realizing that their pickup truck had been tampered with.

Mr. Addo reaffirmed his commitment to peace and collaboration with security agencies, stating that his intervention was intended solely to help defuse tension and prevent any escalation.

His clarification follows a police statement alleging that while the NAIMOS team was preparing to hand over suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station, the Asutifi North MP reportedly arrived at the scene with a group and demanded their release.

When the request was denied, the police said, a mob forcibly freed the suspects and chased the NAIMOS team from the area. A group of about 600 people, allegedly incited by the MP, later besieged the Hwidiem Police Station, demanding the release of the arrested miners.

They reportedly vandalised vehicles, including that of the NAIMOS Director, damaged parts of the police station, and attempted to set the facility ablaze.

Source:Leticia Osei

Calm has returned to Ahafo Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region following violent clashes between illegal miners and soldiers on national duty, according to JoyNews Editor Erastus Asare Donkor.

Erastus Asare Donkor, who has been monitoring the situation, confirmed on the AM Show that the area remains peaceful as of this morning, though some arrests have been made.

“The situation is calm as of this morning over there. From what I’m gathering, there have been some arrests of the rioters. I’m still trying to get more information from the ground, but the situation is calm,” he said.

The calm follows a chaotic confrontation captured in a viral video showing a police reinforcement team rescuing nine Ghana Armed Forces officers from an angry mob believed to be involved in illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.

The video, which has been widely circulated on social media, shows five of the officers being escorted into a vandalized 4×4 vehicle, surrounded by a crowd of irate youth. Reports indicate that the soldiers were part of a national anti-illegal mining operation in the area.

According to sources, the soldiers had stormed an illegal mining site at Bronikrom near Hwidiem, arrested the site owner, and confiscated two vehicles, mobile phones, and pistols before setting fire to some wooden structures and mining equipment.

The action reportedly angered the miners, leading to a violent confrontation during which the mob vandalised a Toyota Hilux pickup belonging to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations (NAIMOS) team.

Security has since been reinforced in the community, and investigations are underway to identify and prosecute those involved in the violence.

The incident has reignited national debate about the escalating tensions between security forces and illegal miners, as the government continues its crackdown on galamsey — a menace that has devastated water bodies and farmlands across the country.Source: Myjoyonline

 

 

By: tntnewspapergh com

The members of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) have passed a resolution to demand a full-scale investigation into the unfair distribution of streetlights to electoral areas across the country.

The members are not taking it lightly after their preliminary investigation revealed that instead of 65,000 streetlights meant for the Ashanti region, available records show that only 45,000 were released.And instead of the 40 electoral areas in the 5 sub-metros within KMA getting about 12,000 streetlights, some of the electoral areas didn’t even get a single streetlight.

What sparked the members most to pass a resolution to invite the investigative agencies to conduct a full-scale investigation to trace the whereabouts of their fair share of the streetlights was that, apart from Bantama sub-metro, out of the five (5) sub-metros within the same KMA, where some electoral areas received fifty (50) streetlights, other electoral areas within the same assembly had between five (5) and ten (10) streetlights, and other electoral areas didn’t even benefit from a single streetlight.

The members passed the resolution during the 2nd ordinary meeting of the 2nd session of the 9th Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) held on Monday, 27th and Tuesday, 28th October, 2025, at Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi. Speaking to “The New Trust” newspaper after the resolution, Mr Patrick Kwame Frimpong, the Presiding Member (PM) for the Assembly, who doubles as the longest-serving elected member for the Krofrom East electoral area, explained that Prefos Limited and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), through the Energy Ministry, decided to fix street lights in the various electoral areas in all the District Assemblies across the country. And KMA, having 40 electoral areas with five (5) sub-metros, was supposed to get their fair share of the streetlights. But per their assessment, they realised that only small street lights came to the Assembly. Mr Frimpong said, ‘Our investigation revealed that, apart from Bantama sub-metro, out of the five (5) sub-metros within the same KMA, where some electoral areas received fifty (50) streetlights, other electoral areas had between five (5) and ten (10) streetlights, and some electoral areas didn’t even benefit from a single streetlight.’

 

The Assembly members have, therefore, resolved to write to petition the Energy Ministry and Local Government Ministry, respectively, to investigate the unfair distribution of the streetlights. Besides, the Assembly members have also resolved to write to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the National Investigation Bureau (NIB), formerly BNI, to also conduct a full-scale investigation for them to know the whereabouts of the remaining streetlights meant for electoral areas within KMA.According to KMA PM, the Ashanti region was supposed to get about 65,000 streetlights, and only 45,000 out of the number per record had been released.”Our investigation further revealed that, when you go to other district assemblies, 300 streetlights were fixed at each electoral area, but the story at KMA is different because the electoral areas didn’t benefit the same. By simple calculation, if each electoral area were to get 300 streetlights, KMA, with 40 electoral areas, would be supposed to have gotten 12,000 streetlights, but unfortunately, some electoral areas didn’t even get a single streetlight,” he added. Mr Frimpong said when they detected the anomaly, they decided to write to ECG to come and explain to them what happened, but ECG officials in their response indicated that, since the contract was signed by the Energy Ministry and Prefos Limited, they (ECG) couldn’t provide any explanation to the Assembly.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced an immediate ban on the fabrication, importation, sale, and use of “Changfan” machines, citing their destructive impact on Ghana’s water bodies and ecosystems.

In a directive issued on 29 October 2025, the EPA stated that many individuals and workshops were producing the machines without the required environmental permits, in breach of the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124) and the Environmental Assessment Regulations, L.I. 2504.

Although the fabrication of Chanfan machines—locally used for small-scale alluvial mining—has provided income for some artisans, the EPA warned that their use has caused severe environmental destruction, including the pollution of rivers, siltation of riverbeds, and the loss of aquatic biodiversity.

“Any workshops or shops found producing or selling these machines will be shut down, and all existing equipment will be seized and dismantled,” the Authority said in the statement.

The EPA further warned individuals and companies engaged in illegal mining within water bodies to halt such operations immediately, describing them as serious violations of national environmental and mining regulations.

Enforcement operations are expected to begin immediately in collaboration with security agencies. The agency said these joint operations will include monitoring, seizure, and prosecution where necessary to ensure compliance.

The directive marks one of the strongest nationwide environmental enforcement actions in recent years and forms part of government efforts to curb illegal mining activities—commonly known as galamsey—which continue to threaten Ghana’s major river systems, including the Pra, Offin, and Ankobra rivers.

For further information, the public has been urged to contact the EPA via its client relations unit or visit its website at www.epa.gov.gh.Source :Abigail Teye

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, has announced that the government will embark on an ambitious programme to reclaim degraded mining lands and convert them into productive agricultural farmlands as part of efforts to promote sustainability and accountability in Ghana’s extractive sector.

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah

The announcement was contained in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, at the launch of the Africa Extractives Media Fellowship at the Australian High Commission in Accra on Tuesday, October 28.

Mr. Debrah said the initiative forms a key component of the government’s Reset Agenda, which aims to ensure that Ghana’s natural resources benefit all citizens while protecting the environment and promoting long-term national development.

“As outlined in the 2024 Resetting Ghana Manifesto, the government will reclaim and convert mined lands into viable agricultural farmlands,” he stated.

He further indicated that government will enhancing the capacity of the Minerals Commission to effectively regulate the mining industry, facilitate gold trade, and ensure efficiency and sustainability in operations.

According to the Chief of Staff, government will also deploy advanced technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to track excavators and geo-fence mining concessions as part of a broader strategy to improve transparency and curb illegal mining.

“The extractive sector cannot be left to chance,” Mr. Debrah stressed. “It must be regulated, monitored, and reported on with precision, and the media has a central role to play in that accountability chain.”

He added that the government remains committed to openness and welcomes constructive scrutiny from the media as a partner in promoting accountability and sustainable governance of the extractive sector.

“The Reset Agenda is built on transparency,” he said. “We see media oversight not as confrontation, but as collaboration — a partnership to protect our environment and ensure equitable use of our natural wealth.”

The Africa Extractives Media Fellowship, supported by the Australian High Commission and partner institutions, aims to build the capacity of journalists to report on natural resource governance and strengthen transparency across Africa’s extractive industries.By:Abigail Arthur

 

Illegal miners have encroached on land designated for a school park at Konkoma in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region, leaving the area severely degraded and posing a serious threat to the only public school and health centre in the community.Buy vitamins and supplements

The miners, in their search for gold, have dug dangerously close to the Konkoma D/A Basic School and the community health centre.

Illegal miners have taken over the land — once the only park and playground for pupils of the Konkoma D/A Basic School and the wider community.

The mining activities, taking place barely 100 meters from the school and health centre, have left deep pits and loose earth behind.

According to school authorities, the situation poses a major safety risk to pupils, while the abandoned pits have become mosquito breeding sites, worsening health conditions for patients at the nearby facility.

Assembly Member for the Konkoma Electoral Area, Stephen Abrokwah says the situation poses a serious risk to the community.

Citi News has gathered that officials from the National Security have effected some arrests in connection with the illegal mining activities.

District Chief Executive for Bosomtwe, Engineer Abdullah Hamidu, has since intervened and initiated a reclamation exercise to restore the degraded land.

He has also vowed to pursue those responsible for the destruction.

Meanwhile, the Assembly is urging residents to support efforts to clamp down on illegal mining in the area.

Source Hafiz Tijani

The Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) has expressed deep concern over the increasing cases of kidney and liver diseases in communities affected by illegal mining activities.

The association said the surge in renal and hepatic complications is directly linked to the high levels of mercury and other toxic metals contaminating water sources used by households in mining areas.

Dr Emmanuel Owiafe, National Chairman of GHOSPA, made these remarks on the sidelines of Pharmacy Technicians Association of Ghana’s (PTAC) 16th Annual General Conference, under the theme “Transforming Pharmacy Technicians Education and Practice in Ghana, 50 years of Innovation, Excellence and Impact” on October 17 in Kumasi.

He said the situation poses a major public health threat and requires urgent government intervention.“A number of patients are now being reported with increased issues related to their kidneys and livers, and it is becoming a menace to the entire population. That is why we, as the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana and the GHOSPA alike, are calling for swift and decisive action from the government,” he stated.

Dr. Owiafe added that the association has long discussed the health implications of galamsey and believes it is time for authorities to move beyond dialogue and take concrete steps to curb the practice. “We have examined several aspects of the health effects of galamsey. The decision now must be something decisive that the government can take,” he emphasised.By:S:ammi Wiafe

Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has revealed that the government has saved about $300 million through renegotiations with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) — a move he says is critical to safeguarding Ghana’s energy sector.

Speaking during a working visit to the Volta River Authority (VRA) in Accra on Friday, October 17, Mr. Jinapor expressed confidence that the renegotiation efforts will yield significant long-term benefits for the country.

“The IPPs, based on the numbers I’m seeing, I’m confident that we can save a lot of money. And so far, what the IPPs renegotiated team has done tells me that we’re saving about $300 million from the IPPs,” he said.

John Abdulai Jinapor

The Minister noted that the Mahama administration is building on the progress made by the Akufo-Addo government in tackling challenges within the energy sector, stressing that the ongoing reforms are not driven by politics but by national interest.

“The previous administration did its bit, and we have also come to improve on it. It’s not always about politics, but Ghana first. I don’t care about your political affiliation as you sit here. Let’s work and turn around this sector,” he added.

Mr. Jinapor reiterated his commitment to ensuring stability and sustainability in the power sector, urging all stakeholders to collaborate in the national interest.By:Samuel Ackom

Ghana’s small-scale gold export sector has generated over US$8 billion in foreign exchange between January and 15th October 2025, according to new figures from the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC).

Data released by GoldBod shows that small-scale miners exported 81,719.23 kilograms of gold during the period, valued at US$8.06 billion. This marks a sharp increase from US$4.61 billion recorded in 2024 and nearly quadruple the US$2.19 billion achieved in 2023.

The data highlights a consistent upward trend in both gold volume and export value over the three-year period, reflecting improved regulation, transparency, and compliance within Ghana’s small-scale mining sector.

Sammy Gyamfi,CEO

Significant monthly gains were recorded in May (US$1.17 billion), June (US$957.9 million), and April (US$897.6 million), underscoring strong performance in the second quarter of the year.

GoldBod attributed the positive results to its continued partnership with PMMC and strengthened oversight of small-scale gold exports.

The collaboration has been instrumental in curbing illicit trade and ensuring that proceeds from gold sales are properly repatriated into the Ghanaian economy.

The surge in export earnings is expected to boost Ghana’s foreign reserves and support the country’s ongoing economic recovery efforts.By:Kobina Welsing