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Democracy Fund: IEA opposes state funding of political parties

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The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has rejected a proposal to use taxpayers’ money to finance the non-electioneering activities of political parties, warning against making the state responsible for the routine operations of political organisations.

The position forms part of the IEA’s broader response to proposals contained in the report of the Constitution Review Committee chaired by Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, as well as the government’s position on the proposed constitutional reforms.

IEA says ‘no’ to broad state funding

The Prempeh Committee proposed the creation of a Democracy Fund to support the non-electioneering activities of political parties.

The fund would be administered by an Independent Registrar and Regulator of Political Parties and Campaigns (IRRPC).

Although the government has accepted the idea in principle, it prefers the fund to be established through legislation rather than being entrenched directly in the Constitution.

The IEA, however, has rejected the proposal for broad public financing of political parties.

‘Taxpayers should not finance party operations’

The IEA’s position is that political parties should not routinely depend on public funds to finance their organisational and non-election activities.

The institute argues that political parties are political organisations and should therefore bear responsibility for financing their normal operations rather than placing that burden on taxpayers.

The proposal has consequently opened another important debate over the relationship between public financing and Ghana’s multiparty democracy.

But IEA makes one major exception

Interestingly, the IEA has not completely shut the door on state support for political parties.

It says limited and clearly defined assistance could be considered for specific democratic activities.

One example it cited is the possibility of the state paying the Electoral Commission (EC) to supervise internal elections of political parties if Ghana eventually abolishes the existing delegate system.

This, the institute believes, would be different from giving parties unrestricted access to public funds for their routine activities.

IEA pushes wider constitutional reforms

The Democracy Fund issue is only one part of the IEA’s 18-point position on Ghana’s proposed constitutional reforms.

The institute has also called for measures to reduce presidential appointment powers, strengthen Parliament and the Judiciary, deepen local democracy and improve accountability in public institutions.

It has supported stronger asset declaration rules, including lifestyle and wealth audits for public officials, and wants greater institutional independence in areas such as national development planning.

Concern over rushed constitutional amendments

The IEA has also raised concerns about the government’s proposed timeline for implementing the constitutional reforms.

It says reforms of such magnitude require sufficient time for public education, consultation, national debate and consensus-building, warning against rushing the process.

The government is targeting February 2027 for amendments to non-entrenched provisions and plans a referendum on entrenched provisions alongside the 2027 District Assembly elections.

The bigger question: Who should finance democracy?

The IEA’s latest position has brought a fundamental question to the centre of Ghana’s constitutional reform debate: should taxpayers be required to finance the political parties that compete for political power?

While proponents of a Democracy Fund could argue that public financing may strengthen political parties and make democratic participation more sustainable, the IEA is drawing a firm line between supporting democratic processes and funding the routine activities of political organisations.

For now, the institute’s message is clear: Ghana can strengthen its democracy without making the taxpayer the automatic financier of political parties.

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Osebo Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plan to Move Kwadwo Safo Kantanka’s Remains

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Ghanaian fashion personality Osebo The Zaraman has raised concerns over an alleged plan to remove the remains of the late Apostle Prof. Emeritus Kwadwo Safo Kantanka from his burial site in Winneba.

In a video shared on Sunday, September 6, 2026, Osebo claimed that some individuals linked to the Kristo Asafo Mission were behind the reported move.

He appealed to the Ghana Police Service to intervene and prevent the alleged action, describing the situation as worrying.

Osebo, however, did not provide evidence to publicly establish the claim, and no official confirmation has been issued by the Kristo Asafo Mission or the family.

Who was Kwadwo Safo Kantanka?

Apostle Prof. Emeritus Kwadwo Safo Kantanka was a respected Ghanaian industrialist, inventor and religious leader.

He founded the Kristo Asafo Mission and established the Kantanka Group of Companies, which became known for locally manufactured and assembled vehicles and other technological innovations.

His contributions to Ghanaian industry and his religious work made him one of the country’s notable personalities.

Osebo’s latest comments have once again drawn public attention to issues surrounding the late industrialist’s burial and legacy.

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ISRAEL KILLS 8-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND HER FATHER IN AIRSTRIKE WEST OF GAZA CITY

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GAZA CITY — An eight-year-old Palestinian girl and her father were killed in an Israeli airstrike on their vehicle in western Gaza City, according to reports from local medical sources and media outlets.

The girl, identified as Wafaa Akila, was reportedly killed on Sunday, September 6, on what was supposed to be her first day of school. She was travelling with her father when their vehicle was struck in the western part of Gaza City.

According to KPD Online reports, Wafaa did not return home after her first day of school. Her death has drawn attention to the continued risks faced by Palestinian civilians, particularly children, amid ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip.

 

The Israeli military said the strike was aimed at a Hamas militant, while reports identified the victims as Wafaa and her father.

The incident occurred as schools reopened and families attempted to resume aspects of daily life amid the continuing conflict.

Reports also said that other Palestinians were wounded in separate strikes in the area around Gaza City.

Wafaa’s death has sparked renewed concern over the protection of children and civilians caught in the conflict, with calls for greater international attention to civilian casualties.

The killing comes as Gaza continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis, with civilians living amid widespread destruction and persistent insecurity.

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RE-CONSIDER CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN BASIC SCHOOLS – EDUCATIONIST BESEECHES GES

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The founder of Blissful Home Basic Academy, Kasoa,  Mrs Agnes Lartey has appealed to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to consider a form of soft Corporal Punishment for pupils in Basic Schools instead of totally abolishing it. She made the appeal during the 17th Speech and Prize-Giving Day of the School.

Speaking on the theme ”DISCIPLINE IN SCHOOLS FOR A BETTER FUTURE”, the veteran educationist said
The African environment cannot completely do away with corporal punishment and therefore needs a mild dose of it regulated by the GES due to the changing dynamics of time.
 

She argued that

Although the Biblical advice of ‘Spare the rod and Spoil the Child’ does not necessarily imply the frequent use of the cane, Corporal Punishment does correct children for the better.
 

She therefore appealed to the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Idrisu to take a second look at the issue of Corporal Punishment in Basic Schools.

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CSIR-Water Research Institute will become centre of excellence in water research by 2030 — New Director

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The newly inducted Director of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Water Research Institute (CSIR-WRI), Dr Emmanuel Obuobie, has set an ambitious 2030 target to transform the institute into Ghana’s leading centre of excellence for water research.

Dr Obuobie, a Senior Research Scientist specialising in Hydrology and Climate, made the commitment after officially taking over as Director of the institute.

His vision comes at a critical time when Ghana faces growing challenges around water security, pollution, climate change and sustainable management of the country’s water resources.

New Director unveils ambitious 2030 vision

Dr Obuobie wants CSIR-WRI to emerge as a leading institution for water-related research, generating scientific evidence that directly supports national development and policymaking.

The vision is not limited to producing academic research. It is aimed at strengthening the institute’s ability to develop practical solutions to Ghana’s water challenges and position the country as a hub for water research and expertise.

Water pollution remains a major threat

Ghana’s water bodies continue to face serious pressure from illegal mining, agricultural activities, climate variability and other forms of environmental degradation.

The CSIR-WRI has already been involved in research and technical interventions aimed at understanding and addressing these challenges.

For instance, researchers from the institute have participated in government’s pilot testing of innovative technology designed to treat polluted water from small-scale mining areas, including assessments of heavy metals, mercury, lead, turbidity and other water-quality indicators.

Research must translate into solutions

The new Director’s vision also comes against a broader push within CSIR to ensure that scientific research moves beyond laboratories and academic publications to deliver measurable national impact.

CSIR has previously stressed the importance of partnerships with industry and other stakeholders to translate research into practical, market-ready solutions.

For the Water Research Institute, that could mean deeper collaboration with government agencies, universities, development partners, private-sector players and communities.

Climate change adds urgency

Water security is becoming increasingly connected to climate change, with changing rainfall patterns, droughts, flooding and increasing pressure on freshwater resources posing significant risks.

Dr Obuobie’s expertise in hydrology and climate is therefore particularly relevant to the institute’s future direction.

The ambition is to strengthen research capable of helping Ghana better understand, manage and protect its water resources in the face of these emerging threats.

A research institution with national importance

The importance of CSIR-WRI extends beyond scientific research.

Reliable and safe water is directly connected to public health, agriculture, industry, energy production and economic development.

The institute’s work therefore has implications for virtually every major sector of the Ghanaian economy.

As Ghana grapples with polluted rivers and growing concerns over water security, the new Director believes stronger science and evidence-based solutions can help reverse the trend.

The 2030 countdown begins

Dr Emmanuel Obuobie’s target is bold: by 2030, CSIR-WRI should no longer simply be viewed as another research institution, but as Ghana’s centre of excellence for water research.

Achieving that ambition will require investment, modern research infrastructure, skilled scientists, international partnerships and, perhaps most importantly, a clear pathway for turning research findings into action.

With Ghana’s water resources facing mounting threats, the next four years could determine whether the institute’s 2030 vision becomes a landmark achievement—or another unfulfilled institutional promise.

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Fibre cuts, grid instability undermine network quality — Sam George`

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Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has identified frequent fibre optic cable cuts and instability in Ghana’s national electricity grid as two major factors undermining the quality and reliability of telecommunications services across the country.

Speaking on the challenges facing the telecommunications sector, Sam George said poor network quality is not always the direct result of failures by mobile network operators, as critical infrastructure outside their control can significantly affect service delivery.

The minister said the problem requires a broader national response involving telecommunications companies, utility providers, road contractors and other stakeholders.

Fibre cuts disrupting services

According to Sam George, frequent damage to fibre optic cables has become a major headache for the telecommunications industry.

Fibre cables are essential to the transmission of voice and data services, meaning damage to critical lines can disrupt internet connectivity, mobile services and communication networks.

The minister explained that road construction, excavation works and other infrastructure projects sometimes result in fibre cuts, creating outages that affect thousands of customers.

He stressed that protecting critical telecommunications infrastructure must become a national priority if Ghana is to improve the reliability and quality of its digital services.

Grid instability hits telecom infrastructure

Beyond fibre cuts, Sam George pointed to instability in the national electricity grid as another major challenge.

Telecommunications infrastructure depends heavily on stable power to keep towers, transmission equipment and data systems operational.

When there are power fluctuations or outages, telecom operators are forced to rely on backup power systems, including generators and batteries, to keep networks running.

According to the minister, such disruptions can affect network performance and increase the operational costs of service providers.

Not every network problem is the telcos’ fault

The minister’s comments appear to push back against the widespread assumption that poor call quality, slow internet or network outages should always be blamed solely on mobile network operators.

While acknowledging the responsibility of telecom companies to improve their services, Sam George argued that external infrastructure challenges can have a direct impact on network performance.

The issue, he suggested, requires all stakeholders to work together rather than placing the entire burden on the telecommunications companies.

A call for stronger coordination

Sam George called for improved coordination between telecom operators and agencies undertaking construction and utility works.

He believes stronger systems are needed to prevent contractors from accidentally damaging fibre infrastructure, while also ensuring that electricity supply to critical telecommunications installations remains reliable.

The minister’s remarks come as government continues to push its digitalisation agenda and expand access to high-quality internet and mobile services.

The bigger challenge

For millions of Ghanaians, complaints about dropped calls, slow internet and sudden network outages have become part of everyday life.

Sam George’s explanation points to a much wider problem behind those frustrations.

The fibre can be cut. The power can go off. And when either happens, the network suffers.

As Ghana pushes towards a more digital economy, the minister’s message is clear: improving network quality will require more than asking telecom companies to fix their systems — the infrastructure supporting those networks must also work.

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