Author: THE NEW REPUBLIC

By Nelson Ayivor A prominent traditional leader in the Volta Region, Torgbi Agbelorm-Agbotokor II, has paid glowing tribute to the late Maj. General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, but lamented what he described as a worrying culture among the Ewes — failing to honour their own heroes. Speaking in an interview with The New Republic, the Chief of Salo-Sokutsime, a chiefdom in the Anlo state, described General Kotoka as “a courageous son of the soil” whose contributions to Ghana’s political history cannot be erased, despite the controversies that surround his role in the country’s past. “History must be told in full,” Torgbi…

By Nelson Ayivor The Ghana Armed Forces has successfully evacuated three Ghanaian traders who survived a deadly terrorist attack in northern Burkina Faso, marking a critical step in the government’s humanitarian and security response to an incident that claimed eight Ghanaian lives. The evacuation, carried out by the Ghana Air Force on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, followed a directive from President John Dramani Mahama and reflects heightened efforts to protect Ghanaian citizens affected by rising insecurity in the sub region. Per a release issued by the Department of Pulic Relations at GAF General Headquarters, Burma Camp, the injured traders were…

By Nelson Ayivor The National Democratic Congress has formally terminated the membership of Umar Sanda after he declared his intention to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming Ayawaso East Constituency by-election scheduled for March 3, 2026. The decision, communicated in an official letter dated February 17, 2026, underscores the party’s resolve to enforce internal discipline and uphold the authority of its constitution and collective decisions. “By virtue of your decision to break ranks with the Party and contest against the officially endorsed candidate of the NDC, you have, in accordance with the provisions of the Party’s Constitution, automatically…

By Nelson Ayivor The Government of Ghana has announced new travel guidelines for citizens moving within high-risk areas of the sub-region following a recent deadly terrorist attack in northern Burkina Faso that claimed the lives of eight Ghanaians. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the measures are aimed at strengthening consular protection and reducing exposure to violent extremism as insecurity escalates across parts of the Sahel. “The Government of Ghana wishes to advise Ghanaians who intend to embark on essential travels to areas of concern to first contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or our Embassies accredited to the territories…

By Nelson Ayivor Government has paid GH¢10 billion in interest under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), marking a major milestone in the country’s fiscal consolidation efforts. The payment, announced in a statement on Wednesday, is the sixth coupon settlement under the programme and the second made entirely in cash, with no Payment-In-Kind component. The full cash settlement covers cedi-denominated DDEP coupon obligations, in line with the restructuring memorandum and the Government’s broader debt management strategy. Officials say the move demonstrates strengthened fiscal capacity and solvency, reassuring both domestic and international investors. “This timely payment sends a strong positive signal…

By Nelson Ayivor Co-founder of Sunon Asogli Power, Togbe Afede XIV, has outlined an ambitious expansion plan by the power producer, aimed at positioning Ghana as a major power exporter within the sub-region.‎‎Speaking at the 2026 Sunon Asogli Chinese New Year celebration held at Kpone on Monday, February 16, to mark the Spring Festival and the Year of the Horse, Togbe Afede revealed that in addition to the 560 megawatts currently supplied to the national grid, the company is pursuing significant renewable and thermal projects to expand generation capacity. ‎“The vision that was planted in my mind in 2006 is…

By Nelson Ayivor Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has reaffirmed the strategic value of Ghana–China cooperation in strengthening the country’s energy security, highlighting the critical role of the Sunon Asogli Power Ltd. in stabilising electricity supply during difficult periods. Speaking at the 2026 Sunon Asogli Chinese New Year celebration held at Kpone on Monday, February 16, to mark the Spring Festival and the Year of the Horse, the Vice President said Ghana remains deeply appreciative of the contribution of the Sunon Asogli Thermal Power Station to the national grid, particularly at times when the country faced power constraints.‎‎She stressed…

By Nelson Ayivor Following the recent terrorist attack in northern Burkina Faso that resulted in the deaths of eight Ghanaian traders, the Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association of Ghana (VEPEAG) has pledged to intensify local tomato production to help mitigate the risks and challenges faced by traders who travel abroad to source tomatoes for Ghana’s market. VEPEAG emphasised that a robust local supply chain is essential for ensuring both reliability and safety in tomato distribution. In a statement released on Tuesday, February 17, and signed by Dr Felix Kamassah, VEPEAG president, the association urged the government to upgrade and expand…

President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana will invest $500 million to develop 100,000 hectares of oil palm and create 250,000 direct jobs, as his administration moves to position tree crops as a central pillar of the country’s “reset” agenda and broader green economy strategy. Speaking at the inaugural Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit in Accra, Mahama also announced the relaunch and acceleration of the $200 million World Bank-supported Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project, which will distribute millions of seedlings to farmers and provide matching grants to small and medium-sized enterprises. The summit is being held under the theme: “Sustainable Growth…

By Nelson Ayivor Following the government’s landmark declaration of every Wednesday as National Fugu Day, the state has moved swiftly to transition this cultural milestone into a robust industrial engine. The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, recently convened an emergency session with smock producers and dealers. “The objective was to ensure that the surge in domestic demand triggered by the February 10 declaration is backed by a resilient supply chain that can move the Fugu from a ceremonial garment to a global export staple.” The…