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President Mahama Reveals Plan for Seven-Nation African Free Movement Pact

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President John Dramani Mahama has announced an upcoming initiative to establish a seven-nation African free-movement bloc aimed at eliminating visa requirements and easing travel for citizens across participating countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 80th Anniversary Conference on the Fifth Pan-African Congress on Tuesday night 18th November, 225, the President disclosed that the idea was born out of a recent conversation with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.

According to Mahama, “Just before I finished speaking to President Obasanjo on Sunday, we discussed the issue of free movement of people, and we suggested a list of seven African countries that would be the League of African Free Movement. It’s some amorphous name — we haven’t decided yet.”

He revealed that the process will begin with formal communication to the leaders of the selected countries. “I’m going to write to all the presidents,” he said, adding that the initiative will start with the removal of visa requirements among the participating states.

Mahama explained that under the proposed arrangement, citizens of the seven countries would be able to travel freely among one another without visas. “For those seven countries, if any of our citizens want to travel to each other’s countries, they won’t require a visa,” he stated.

He also expressed confidence that more countries would join once the framework is established. “We expect that as others agree and join, we shall welcome them into our league, until finally, we have an Africa where our people can move freely, without obstruction.”

The President concluded his address by officially opening the historic Pan-African gathering, calling for unity and deeper continental integration. “On that note, I wish to declare officially the 80th Anniversary Conference on the Fifth Pan-African Congress duly opened.”

The announcement has generated significant interest as African leaders continue to debate practical steps toward full continental integration, including travel freedom, trade cooperation, and shared development goals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Parliament approves electronic road tolls under 20-year concession agreement

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Parliament  has approved the electronic road tolls concession agreement, paving the way for the return of toll collection on roads and bridges across Ghana through a public-private partnership.

The agreement establishes the legal and commercial framework for financing, designing, constructing, operating, maintaining and eventually transferring a nationwide electronic toll collection system to the Government of Ghana.

The initiative is expected to modernise toll collection by introducing internationally recognised electronic tolling technology. It also seeks to restore a sustainable source of funding for road maintenance, improve operational efficiency, reduce revenue leakages and increase transparency in toll administration.

The concession agreement is between the Ministry of Roads and Highways, acting on behalf of the Government of Ghana, and a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to be incorporated by Rock Africa Limited. The company will mobilise private sector investment to develop and operate the electronic tolling system.

66 toll locations across Ghana

Under the agreement, the electronic tolling system will cover 66 toll locations spread across 13 operational corridors. These include 38 existing toll booths and 28 newly identified strategic toll points.

Revenue generated from the toll system will be shared between the government and the concessionaire. The Government of Ghana will receive 70 percent of gross toll revenue, while the concessionaire will retain 30 percent.

The concession will run for 20 years, with the first three years dedicated to the design and construction phase, followed by 17 years of operation and maintenance. At the end of the concession period, all project assets will be transferred to the Government of Ghana in accordance with the agreement.

Parliament approves concession agreement

The concession agreement was laid before Parliament on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on behalf of the Minister for Roads and Highways.

The House approved the motion after the Chairman of the Roads and Transportation Committee, Isaac Adjei Mensah, presented the committee’s report and recommended that Parliament adopt it and approve the agreement.

MPs back return of road tolls

Seconding the motion, the Ranking Member on the Roads and Transportation Committee, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, said the committee concluded that reintroducing road tolls would generate more revenue for the Road Fund to support road maintenance across the country.

He noted that the previous administration suspended road toll collection in 2022 to create a better framework for an expanded tolling system. According to him, Cabinet had already approved a roadmap for the reintroduction of tolls before the change in government.

Mr Osei Nyarko welcomed the decision of the current administration to continue with the earlier plan instead of abandoning it.

Supporting the motion, the Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul, explained that the previous government suspended road tolls after introducing the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) to avoid placing an additional financial burden on Ghanaians.

He said government projected significant revenue from the E-Levy at the time, while road tolls generated comparatively lower income, making the decision to suspend toll collection more practical.

Mr Nitiwul, however, expressed support for the new electronic tolling system, saying the technology-driven approach would minimise delays and inconvenience for motorists.

“The road tolls are electronic and it is for 20 years. I think it is good for us to support it,” he said.

Source:Graphiconline

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Government backs five-year presidential and parliamentary terms in major constitutional reform

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Government backs five-year presidential and parliamentary terms, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has announced as part of the government’s response to the Constitution Review Committee’s (CRC) recommendations to amend the 1992 Constitution.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, July 30, Dr Ayine said the government has accepted the committee’s recommendation to extend the tenure of the President from four years to five years. It has also accepted in principle a corresponding extension of Parliament’s term from four years to five years.

According to the Attorney-General, the government believes the current four-year constitutional term does not provide sufficient time for administrations to effectively formulate, implement and assess national policies.

He explained that the first few months of every administration are usually dedicated to the transition process, while the final year is largely occupied by election-related activities, leaving a relatively short period for governance.

“A longer term provides a more realistic timeframe for the formulation, implementation, and assessment of government policy. The current four-year cycle limits the period available for governance, as the early months of each administration are consumed by transition, while the final year is largely focused on the elections,” the government’s Position Paper stated.

Dr Ayine said the proposed five-year term would give both the President and Members of Parliament greater opportunity to deliver on their mandates and implement development programmes without the constraints imposed by the existing electoral cycle.

On Parliament, the government also accepted in principle the recommendation to extend the tenure of Members of Parliament to five years to align with the proposed presidential term. It further endorsed amending the Constitution to explicitly provide that parliamentary and presidential elections be held on the same day, although this is already the practice.

The proposal forms part of a broader package of constitutional reforms being considered by the government following the submission of the Constitution Review Committee’s report. The recommendations will have to go through the constitutional amendment process before they can take effect.

CRC Report_Government Position Paper (Clean) TheIncomingLawyer Media share

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11 Lower Primary Pupils Involved in Sprinter Bus Crash with Tipper Truck on Dzorwulu–Accra Mall Road

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A Sprinter bus crash on the Dzorwulu–Accra Mall stretch in Accra has left emergency responders at the scene after a vehicle transporting about 11 lower primary school pupils collided with a loaded tipper truck on Thursday, July 30.

According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), firefighters were swiftly dispatched to the accident scene to conduct an initial assessment and assist with ongoing emergency operations.

The GNFS disclosed in a social media update that the Sprinter bus carrying approximately 11 lower primary pupils was involved in the collision with the tipper truck. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the number of casualties or disclosed the condition of the children and other occupants.

The cause of the Sprinter bus crash on the Dzorwulu–Accra Mall road has not yet been established. Emergency personnel continued to assess the situation while providing the necessary response at the scene.

The Ghana National Fire Service indicated that further updates will be provided as investigations continue and more information becomes available.

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President to Pay Taxes on Salary and Allowances, Retirement Benefits Remain Tax-Free

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The government has accepted a key recommendation from the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) requiring the President to pay taxes on salary and allowances while in office, marking a significant step towards promoting accountability and fairness in public office.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, announced the decision on Thursday, July 30, during a briefing on the government’s response to the Constitutional Review Committee’s report.

According to Dr Ayine, the government agrees with the principle that the President should no longer enjoy tax exemptions simply because of the office he occupies.

“The Government has accepted the principle that the President should not enjoy tax exemptions by virtue of office alone. The President will pay tax on salary and allowances, as well as the applicable indirect taxes on goods and services,” he stated.

Retirement Gratuity and Pension Exempt

Despite accepting the recommendation for the President to pay taxes on salary and allowances, the government rejected the proposal to tax the President’s retirement gratuity and pension.

Dr Ayine explained that retirement benefits would remain exempt from taxation, while the specific details of the President’s tax obligations would be outlined in future tax legislation.

“The Government has not, however, accepted the proposal to tax the President’s retirement gratuity and pension, and the details of the President’s tax liability will be worked out in the tax laws, where such details belong,” he added.

Constitutional Reforms Underway

The decision forms part of the government’s broader response to recommendations submitted by the Constitutional Review Committee, which was tasked with reviewing Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and proposing reforms to strengthen governance, transparency and public accountability.

The committee’s recommendations are expected to guide future constitutional amendments and legislative reforms following the nationwide constitutional review process.

The government’s acceptance of the proposal requiring the President to pay taxes on salary and allowances is seen as one of several measures aimed at reinforcing public confidence in leadership and ensuring greater equity in the country’s tax system.

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Police reportedly stop funeral vehicle carrying Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka’s body

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Ghana Police Service has reportedly intercepted the hearse designated to transport the body of Apostle Prof. Emeritus Ing. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka from Transitions Funeral Home following a 10-day interim injunction issued by the Accra High Court.

The reported incident occurred on Friday as thousands of mourners gathered at Gomoa Mpota in the Central Region for the scheduled funeral of the founder and leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission.

According to reports circulating on social media and shared by CDR Africa, police officers stopped the hearse from leaving the funeral home in compliance with the court order, which temporarily suspends the funeral and burial arrangements pending the resolution of an ongoing legal dispute.

CDR Africa shared footage of the incident with the caption:

“Police have stopped the hearse meant to transport the body of the late Apostle Prof. Emeritus Ing. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka from Transitions Funeral Home over a court order, while the funeral continues in Gomoa.”

The injunction, granted by the Accra High Court on July 29, 2026, restrains former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament Sarah Adwoa Safo from proceeding with the funeral arrangements until the court determines who has the legal authority to organise the late religious leader’s final rites.

Despite the court order, large crowds of mourners travelled from different parts of Ghana to Gomoa Mpota to honour Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka. Many supporters arrived in organised buses to participate in what had been announced as his final funeral ceremony.

Several prominent personalities were also present at the venue, including actress Mercy Asiedu, fashion entrepreneur Osebo the Zaraman, traditional leaders, members of the Kristo Asafo Mission, family members and admirers.

The High Court’s interim injunction was issued to preserve the status quo while the legal dispute over the funeral and burial arrangements is heard and determined.

As of the time of publication, the Ghana Police Service has not released an official statement regarding the reported interception of the hearse. Likewise, the parties involved in the legal proceedings have yet to publicly comment on the latest development.

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