The Danquah Institute is set to host Islamic scholar, academic, politician and former Minister of State, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, as the keynote speaker for its 2026 Liberty Lecture, scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the Ridge Arena, Alisa Hotel, Ridge, Accra.

The lecture, which forms part of the Institute’s Liberty Lecture Series, will be held under the theme: “One Nation, Many Faiths: Emerging Threats to Religious Tolerance in Ghana.”

Dr Abdul-Hamid is expected to use the lecture to examine Ghana’s long-standing tradition of religious tolerance and the values that have enabled Christians, Muslims and adherents of other faiths to coexist peacefully over generations.

According to the Danquah Institute, Ghana, although predominantly Christian, has developed an admirable multifaith society built on mutual respect and the equal participation of different religious communities in national life.

The Institute says this culture of tolerance has become an important part of Ghana’s national identity and provides a model of interfaith harmony for Africa and the wider world.

Dr Abdul-Hamid will explore the historical, cultural and constitutional foundations of Ghana’s religious tolerance, with particular attention to the country’s secular state, shared institutions, everyday relationships and common values that have allowed Ghanaians to place their national identity above religious differences.

The lecture will also examine emerging developments and narratives that could threaten Ghana’s multifaith heritage.

Drawing on principles and teachings from the world’s major religions, as well as Ghana’s rich mix of traditions, customs and values, Dr Abdul-Hamid is expected to challenge prejudices, misconceptions and false notions about religious communities.

The Danquah Institute said the lecture will ultimately make a call for continued vigilance in protecting Ghana’s atmosphere of religious tolerance, peace and harmony.

“The central message of this year’s Liberty Lecture Series is that although the lamps may be many, the light is one and Ghana’s unity and progress depend upon safeguarding the mutual respect and shared values that have sustained its multifaith society,” Mansa Williams Esq., Secretary of the Danquah Institute, said.

Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid is an accomplished Islamic scholar, academic and public intellectual who has served Ghana in several senior public positions.

His previous roles include serving as Minister for Information and Minister for Inner-City and Zongo Development.

The 2026 Liberty Lecture will be chaired by Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Addow Obeng, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, former President of Central University and former President of Presbyterian University.

Event details

Event: 2026 Liberty Lecture
Theme: One Nation, Many Faiths: Emerging Threats to Religious Tolerance in Ghana
Speaker: Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid (PhD)
Chair: Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Addow Obeng
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Venue: Ridge Arena, Alisa Hotel, Ridge, Accra

Guests are expected to arrive from 4:00 p.m., with all attendees required to be seated by 4:30 p.m.

The Danquah Institute has provided 050 553 3642 as the RSVP contact for the event.

The lecture is expected to bring together academics, religious leaders, public officials, members of civil society and other stakeholders to reflect on the importance of preserving Ghana’s tradition of peaceful religious coexistence.

The Institute says protecting this heritage will require continued commitment to mutual respect, shared national values and peaceful engagement among Ghana’s various religious communities.

DI Press Release – One Nation, Many Faiths August 2026

A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Marfo, has expressed confidence that the party will return to power in the 2028 general elections, insisting that its period in opposition has taught it valuable lessons and prepared it for a stronger comeback.

Speaking on Kessben Maakye, hosted by  Kojo Preko Dankwa on Kessben TV and Kessben 92.9FM in Accra, Mr Marfo also praised the newly elected Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, describing him as a strategic politician who does not rely on excessive noise-making to achieve political objectives.

According to him, the outcome of the recent NPP regional elections, particularly in the Ashanti Region, gives him confidence about the party’s prospects.

“I am very happy about how the regional elections went, especially in the Ashanti Region. Odeneho is someone I have really worked with, and I like the way he conducted his campaign.”

Mr Marfo argued that modern politics should not be driven by noise-making but by intelligence, strategy and careful planning.

He said some politicians within the NPP have been overly vocal, but stressed that Odeneho Kwaku Appiah is different and should not be expected to operate in the same manner.

According to him, although some party members initially doubted whether Odeneho could effectively lead the Ashanti Region, his experience, strategic approach and organisational skills would prove his critics wrong.

He described the new regional chairman as a “strategic and good planner” who understands when and how to act, rather than someone who simply makes political noise.

Mr Marfo further urged Odeneho to maintain his strategic approach and concentrate on building a stronger party structure across the region.

He said the NPP’s strategy ahead of the 2028 elections would involve reaching out directly to Ghanaians, particularly those who may have become disappointed or dissatisfied with the party.

“We are not here to make noise. We are coming to use our minds and sense to work for those who are angry. We are going to find a very good strategy to visit these people one after the other.”

He expressed confidence that such a strategy, combined with Odeneho’s leadership, would significantly transform the NPP’s fortunes in the Ashanti Region.

Mr Marfo maintained that Odeneho’s organisational strength and active approach would help rebuild the party’s grassroots structures and position the NPP strongly ahead of the 2028 elections.

He consequently dismissed suggestions that the NDC would be difficult for the NPP to defeat in 2028, insisting that the party’s time in opposition has provided important lessons.

“The NDC is no match for us in 2028. Being in opposition has taught us valuable lessons, and we are ready to bounce back stronger,” he said.

Mr Marfo concluded that the Ashanti Region should expect a different style of political organisation under Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, predicting that the new chairman would deliver an extraordinary performance as the party prepares for the next general election.

The host of Kessben Maakye Morning Show, Kojo Preko Dankwah, has raised serious concerns about the treatment and welfare of tanker drivers, warning that poor working conditions are contributing to stress, road accidents, vehicle damage and broader safety challenges.

Speaking on Kesben FM, Mr Dankwah argued that the welfare of tanker drivers must be treated as an important component of safety within Ghana’s petroleum downstream sector.

According to him, drivers who spend long hours working under difficult conditions without adequate comfort or proper welfare arrangements may become stressed and less comfortable behind the wheel, potentially increasing the risk of accidents.

“You are hurting the system. Drivers’ welfare is becoming a problem. If they are working but do not have comfort and happiness to drive, what do you expect?” he questioned.

He expressed concern over what he described as the repeated accidents involving tanker trucks, asking authorities and industry stakeholders to investigate the operational conditions surrounding the incidents.

“We are seeing large numbers of these tankers getting involved in accidents back-to-back. What is going on with the operation? It should be stopped and looked at,” he said.

Mr Dankwah also called for the possible reintroduction of the T-bar system as a measure to improve accountability and transparency in the handling and transportation of petroleum products.

He argued that the system had previously provided a clear mechanism that allowed stakeholders to identify and monitor the measurement process.

“If it is the T-bar that will be reintroduced, then use that measure so everyone will know that it is the T-bar. That was what we were using, and it was working well. It should be brought back so tanker drivers will be comfortable,” he stated.

He further drew attention to concerns surrounding the operations at the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) Terminal 3 in Kumasi, particularly allegations of fuel shortages, road deterioration and fuel theft.

According to him, tanker drivers are being placed under significant pressure over alleged shortages recorded during the loading and discharging of petroleum products.

He questioned the fairness of imposing severe consequences on tanker drivers and tanker owners when the alleged shortages may be linked to operational challenges at the depot.

“If indeed between 200 and 400 litres are short every day, for tanker drivers to face punishment and tanker owners to face punishment, while you risk GH¢10 million, it is not fair,” Mr Dankwah said.

He stressed that the issue should not be viewed solely as a matter of enforcing discipline against drivers, but also as a broader safety and welfare concern that requires urgent attention from petroleum-sector authorities and management.

He also raised concerns about the condition of roads around the Kumasi Terminal 3 area, arguing that poor road conditions involving heavy tanker traffic could further expose drivers, other road users and communities to danger.

Mr Dankwah therefore called on BOST management, petroleum-sector regulators, tanker owners and other stakeholders to examine the entire operational system and address the underlying challenges rather than placing the burden solely on tanker drivers.

He maintained that protecting the welfare of tanker drivers is essential because they are responsible for transporting petroleum products across the country, and their working conditions can directly affect road safety and the security of petroleum products.

“The safety risk and the welfare of the ordinary tanker driver are important,” he stressed.

His comments come amid continuing concerns about petroleum product handling at BOST’s Kumasi Terminal 3, where disputes over product shortages, measurement systems, tanker operations and alleged fuel losses have generated tension within the downstream petroleum industry.

Mr Dankwah is therefore urging stakeholders to find a transparent and reliable system for measuring petroleum products, improve conditions for tanker drivers and address operational challenges at the depot to prevent further accidents, road damage and losses within the petroleum supply chain.

The Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North Constituency in the Central Region, Hon. Dr Kwamena Minta Nyarku, has raised concerns about what he considers excessively high hotel rates in Cape Coast, warning that the situation could discourage tourists from visiting and staying in the city.

According to the MP, the rising cost of accommodation is becoming a major factor for visitors when deciding whether to explore Cape Coast and its numerous historical, cultural and natural attractions.

Dr Nyarku made the remarks at the second edition of the Cape Coast development forum and fundraising ceremony, held to support the city’s eight-year development plan.

He challenged the widely held view that Cape Coast has already reached its full potential as a tourism destination, stressing the need for the metropolis to diversify its tourism attractions beyond the Cape Coast Castle.

The MP noted that for Cape Coast to become a competitive tourism hub, authorities and stakeholders must ensure that visitors have access to affordable accommodation, quality entertainment, reliable transportation, adequate security and other essential services.

He explained that tourism is not sustained by attractions alone, but by the overall experience visitors receive from the moment they arrive until they leave.

Cape Coast remains one of Ghana’s major tourism destinations, attracting both local and international visitors to its historic landmarks, cultural sites and coastal attractions. The tourism sector also supports hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transport businesses and numerous small enterprises in the city.

However, Dr Nyarku warned that expensive accommodation could threaten these economic benefits if tourists begin to view Cape Coast as an overly costly destination.

He therefore called for greater attention to the pricing of tourism-related services and the development of new attractions that can encourage visitors to spend more time in the city.

The MP believes that improving affordability, infrastructure and the overall tourism experience will be crucial to unlocking Cape Coast’s full potential and ensuring that tourism continues to contribute significantly to the city’s economic development.

Tanker drivers in Kumasi have accused the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST) of making more than GH¢10 million from charges arising from alleged inaccurate readings by an automated flow-meter system at its Terminal 3 depot.

The allegation forms part of a broader dispute that has led tanker drivers in Kumasi to begin a three-day sit-down strike over persistent product shortages recorded during the discharge of petroleum products.

According to a statement issued by the affected stakeholders, the shortage problem has existed since 2022 and has created serious financial and operational difficulties for tanker owners and drivers.

The stakeholders insist that the reported shortages are not the result of theft or actual loss of petroleum products but are allegedly caused by inaccuracies in the automated flow-meter system used at the BOST depot.

They claim the machine records shortages of between 200 and 400 litres per tanker discharge, with tanker owners subsequently being billed for the differences.

The stakeholders allege that the current BOST management is aware of the problem but continues to pass the cost of the alleged artificial shortages on to tanker owners.

They claim that the resulting deductions have generated more than GH¢10 million for BOST.

The allegation has not been independently verified, and BOST has not, in the information provided, publicly confirmed the claimed amount or the basis of the charges.

The stakeholders say the problem began after a previous BOST management replaced the traditional manual T-bar measurement system with an automated flow meter.

They allege that the automated technology has consistently produced inaccurate readings and is therefore unsuitable for accurately measuring petroleum products discharged into storage facilities.

According to them, previous management acknowledged the alleged inaccuracies and decided not to transfer the cost of the discrepancies to tanker owners.

They contend that the current policy represents a departure from that approach.

Tanker owners face financial losses

The stakeholders argue that tanker owners are being forced to absorb losses arising from the alleged meter inaccuracies.

They say the deductions are particularly burdensome because owners already incur high costs to secure petroleum-product loads.

They allege that tanker owners can pay as much as GH¢10,000 to secure BOST loads from the Accra Plane Depot before transporting the products to Kumasi.

When deductions are subsequently made at the Kumasi depot because of shortages recorded by the meter, the owners’ earnings are allegedly reduced further.

Drivers complain about unpaid salaries

The financial pressure on tanker owners is also said to be affecting drivers.

The stakeholders claim that some owners are struggling to pay drivers’ salaries because of the accumulated deductions.

They say the situation has caused psychological distress among some drivers.

One driver has reportedly argued that the stress associated with unpaid salaries could be contributing to recent tanker accidents on Ghanaian roads.

That claim has not been independently established, and the causes of specific road crashes would require investigation by the appropriate authorities.

Strike threatens fuel distribution

The dispute has now resulted in a three-day sit-down strike by tanker drivers in Kumasi.

The drivers say some operators are also refusing to transport petroleum products to the depot because of the recurring shortage deductions.

They warn that if the situation persists, fuel distribution in Kumasi and other parts of the Ashanti Region could be severely affected.

A prolonged disruption could put pressure on the downstream petroleum supply chain because tanker operators are responsible for transporting fuel from storage facilities to various destinations and filling stations.

Parking problems add to grievances

The drivers are also demanding improved parking arrangements at the Kumasi depot.

They say inadequate parking space forces tanker operators to park their vehicles along roadsides while waiting to load or discharge petroleum products.

According to the drivers, the situation creates safety risks and inconvenience for other road users, particularly on busy routes.

They are therefore calling for a suitable, secure and designated parking facility for tanker operators.

The stakeholders say the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has intervened several times in an attempt to resolve the shortage dispute.

However, they allege that the shortages continue to recur after NPA officials leave the depot.

They are consequently calling for a permanent technical solution rather than temporary interventions.

The statement further alleges that BOST has asked two senior staff members, identified as Josiah and Sam Yalley, to step aside.

However, the stakeholders say the action has failed to resolve the alleged underlying technical problem, as shortage incidents reportedly continue.

They are therefore demanding an investigation into the flow-meter system, its calibration and the procedures used to determine shortages.

Calls for government intervention

The stakeholders are calling on the government to intervene urgently and have proposed three key measures.

They want authorities to:

Immediately replace or recalibrate the disputed flow meters.

Order an independent audit of all shortage billings dating back to 2022

Compel BOST to return to the previous policy of not passing alleged artificial shortage costs on to tanker owners.

The stakeholders warn that failure to resolve the dispute could lead to a wider breakdown of fuel logistics in the Ashanti Region.

The tanker drivers say they are ready to return to work once concrete measures are taken to address the metering concerns, review the disputed deductions and provide adequate parking facilities.

For now, the three-day sit-down strike remains in force as the drivers push for what they describe as a fair and lasting resolution.

Kumasi Bost Issues (1)