Author: THE NEW REPUBLIC

By Dr. John Osae-Kwapong My soon-to-be 88-year-old mother is a cocoa farmer. She has devoted at least the last fifty years of her life to cocoa farming. Her life as a cocoa farmer meant many things. For example, being able to afford private catholic school education for her children, including me, was always closely tied to how well COCOBOD – the responsible state agency for marketing and export of cocoa, managed its affairs. Even at her current age, cocoa contributes to her livelihood, even as she enjoys the blessings of having children. You can therefore imagine the many phone calls…

By Nelson Ayivor President John Dramani Mahama has departed Accra for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate in the 39th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. The high-level summit brings together African leaders, policymakers, and heads of multilateral institutions to deliberate on the continent’s political, economic, and social priorities at a critical moment in global and regional affairs. The Assembly is expected to focus on issues of regional integration, development financing, peace and security, and Africa’s collective voice in global governance. President Mahama’s participation comes against the backdrop of Ghana’s renewed emphasis on continental cooperation, Pan…

By Nelson Ayivor Experts from various disciplines in Ghana and Germany have expressed concern about the increasing impact of climate change on communities, particularly those in flood-prone areas. Drawing lessons from the experiences of communities such as Mepe in the North Tongu District and Agbozume and Agavedzi both in the Ketu South Municipality, that have previously suffered severe flooding, the experts have developed a knowledge-based framework aimed at building resilient communities and improving flood risk management. The initiative, dubbed “Building Resilient Communities through the Integration of Climate Adaptation with the Sustainable Development Goals for University Education and Research (BRIDGE),” seeks…

The Duamenefa Foundation in collaborations with Tanko Foundation and other supporters began their annual covenant keeping humanitarian outreach program in line with the gospel according to Mathew chapter 25: 35, this morning, to nine selected hospitals and orphanages, bringing meals, prayers, and encouragement to patients and healthcare workers. The outreach sponsored by His Excellency, Dr. Gabriel Kwamigah Atokple Tanko – Togbi Nyaxordeakorla I, Founder and CEO of Tanko Foundation and Mr. Emmanuel Ketaman Evortepe, the Executive President of the Duamenefa Foundation and CEO of Fafaa 100. 3 Fm, with supports from Dr. Attipoe Joseph, the deputy president of the Duamenefa…

By Nelson Ayivor The government is taking decisive steps to stabilize the cocoa sector by transferring the Cocoa Board’s legacy debt to the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Ghana. The move, disclosed by the Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, aims to restore positive equity and reinforce the Board’s balance sheet, paving the way for broader reforms and a new financing model. Cabinet has directed the Finance Minister to seek parliamentary approval for the transfer of approximately 5.8 billion Ghana cedis in inherited debt. This includes 3.7 billion cedis arising from non-marketable cocoa bills converted into loans, as…

President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated the Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy, marking a renewed effort to strengthen economic governance and restore long term stability. Speaking at the Jubilee House during the group’s inaugural meeting, the President described the moment as both consequential and demanding, urging members to approach their task with honesty, independence, and a deep sense of national responsibility. He thanked the appointees for accepting the call to serve, noting that their collective experience and expertise come at a time when Ghana faces complex economic challenges that require careful judgment rather than easy solutions. According to the…

By Nelson Ayivor Ghana’s food insecurity situation has worsened significantly, raising serious concerns about its implications for economic stability and long-term development. According to the latest Quarterly Food Insecurity Report released by the Ghana Statistical Service, national food insecurity prevalence rose from 35.3 percent in the first quarter of 2024 to 38.1 percent by the third quarter of 2025. This increase reflects a volatile upward trend, with food insecurity peaking at 41.1 percent in the second quarter of 2025 before easing slightly. In population terms, the figures are stark. The number of food-insecure persons increased from 11.2 million in early…

The Government of Ghana has officially declared every Wednesday as a day to wear a traditional smock, also known as batakari or fugu, in a nationwide initiative aimed at celebrating and promoting Ghana’s cultural heritage. The announcement, made by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, emphasized the importance of deepening national cultural awareness, affirming Ghanaian identity, and projecting the country’s heritage with pride both locally and internationally. The directive encouraged all Ghanaians, as well as friends of Ghana at home and abroad, to don Fugu in all its diverse forms, designs, and expressions on the stated day to…

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has cleared Baba Jamal to contest the upcoming Ayawaso East by-election, following the submission of a report by an internal investigative committee into alleged vote-buying during the party’s primaries. The announcement was made by Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, General Secretary of the NDC, after the committee presented its findings to the party’s Functional Executive Committee. According to Kwetey, the committee’s investigation concluded that inappropriate conduct occurred among nearly all the candidates during the primaries. “Let me just say that the long and short of the report was this, that inappropriate conduct was exhibited by almost all…

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance, declaring the country ready to undergo a comprehensive peer review under the African Peer Review Mechanism. He described the APRM as an essential continental framework for measuring governance performance, strengthening democratic institutions, and guiding reforms that respond to the expectations of citizens. The President made these remarks after swearing in members of the National African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council, a body mandated to oversee Ghana’s participation in the APRM process and coordinate engagements with continental institutions. The ceremony marked a significant step in Ghana’s preparations…