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.

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.

Government moves to revive VALCO:  The government has clarified that it has not sold the Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO), but is instead exploring strategic investment opportunities to revive the company, improve production and create more employment opportunities for Ghanaians.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, made the clarification during a visit to VALCO, where he explained that the government’s priority is to restore the company to its former strength and ensure it contributes meaningfully to Ghana’s industrial development.

According to the Minister, several challenges have affected VALCO’s operations over the years, including outdated equipment, damaged production cells, high operational costs and financial difficulties.

He noted that many of the machines currently being used are old and frequently break down, affecting the quality and quantity of aluminium produced.

The Minister explained that if VALCO continues operating with outdated systems, the company risks losing customers due to concerns about product quality.

He added that the company’s financial situation has also affected its ability to meet obligations, including payments to power producers and suppliers who provide essential services and materials needed for operations.

“Many things have happened, and everyone is giving their own side of the story. But the reality is that the government has assessed VALCO’s situation and is taking steps to change its fortunes,” the Minister said.

He stressed that turning around VALCO requires major investment in modern equipment, improved technology and better management systems to enable the company to produce quality aluminium products that can compete on the global market.

The Minister further explained that the government has created an opportunity for investors who are willing to partner with VALCO and inject the needed capital into the business.

He said such investment will help upgrade the company’s facilities, improve productivity, protect existing jobs and open up new employment opportunities for young Ghanaians.

The Lands Minister dismissed claims that the government has sold VALCO, describing such reports as inaccurate.

He explained that the government’s approach is to find credible partners who can support the revival of the company while ensuring that Ghana continues to benefit from its aluminium resources.

The move, he said, forms part of efforts to restore VALCO’s reputation, strengthen Ghana’s industrial sector and return the company to a position where it can contribute significantly to national development.

Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dr Dominic Ayine has stated that American citizenship does not shield Ken Ofori-Atta from extradition to Ghana, dismissing claims that the former Finance Minister’s United States citizenship could prevent him from being returned to face trial if required.

Speaking to journalists at the Jubilee House on Thursday, July 30, during a briefing on the Constitution Review Committee Report, Dr Ayine explained that Ghana’s extradition laws apply irrespective of a person’s citizenship status.

“Ken Ofori-Atta was a Minister of State, our former Finance Minister. The fact that a person is an American citizen does not immunise them from extradition,” Dr Ayine said.

He further noted that while no American citizen may have previously been extradited to Ghana, the law permits such action where legal requirements are met.

“American citizens can be extradited to Ghana. The fact that it has never happened doesn’t mean that it cannot happen,” he added.

Dual Citizenship Not a Barrier to Extradition

The Attorney General emphasised that holding dual citizenship does not create a legal obstacle to extradition proceedings.

According to Dr Ayine, even individuals who are not Ghanaian citizens can be extradited to Ghana if they are required to stand trial under the country’s laws.

“The fact that somebody is a dual citizen doesn’t make it difficult, doesn’t put a roadblock on the way to extradition, even if that person is not also a citizen of Ghana. They can be extradited to Ghana to stand trial,” he stressed.

US Immigration Judge Grants Ofori-Atta Adjustment of Status

Dr Ayine’s comments follow a recent ruling by a United States immigration judge granting Ken Ofori-Atta an adjustment of status, allowing him to remain legally in the United States.

In the decision, Judge David Gardey ruled that the former Finance Minister’s positive personal circumstances outweighed concerns arising from the criminal allegations brought against him in Ghana.

The court considered Ofori-Atta’s longstanding ties to the United States, including his education, professional career with financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley and Salomon Brothers, as well as his family connections, including a son who is a US citizen.

Judge Gardey also took into account Ofori-Atta’s ongoing medical treatment, noting that his health had deteriorated following his detention in connection with the criminal allegations.

“The court finds that the positive equities far outweigh the negative equities such that the court will exercise its discretion and grant the respondent’s request for adjustment of status,” Judge Gardey ruled.

The judge further acknowledged the challenges Ofori-Atta had experienced and concluded that he had demonstrated sufficient grounds to remain in the United States under the adjustment process.

Ghana Maintains Extradition Option

Despite the US immigration ruling, the Attorney General insisted that American citizenship does not shield Ken Ofori-Atta from extradition to Ghana if the country’s legal processes require his return.

Dr Ayine maintained that Ghana remains entitled to pursue extradition in accordance with international legal procedures should the former Finance Minister be required to appear before the courts.

Dr. Mrs. Adelaide Araba Siaw Agyepong, CEO of the African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC) and Executive Director of the Jospong Group of Companies, on Thursday welcomed home
118 young Ghanaian scholars sponsored by the Jospong Group and AAC to pursue graduate studies in Russia.

The scholars arrived at the Accra International Airport after successfully completing two years of postgraduate studies at the People’s Friendship University in Russia (RUDN University)

The programme, a flagship initiative of the Jospong Group through AAC, focused on Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Waste Management and Sustainable Development. It is designed to build a new generation of skilled professionals to drive Ghana’s agricultural modernisation agenda.

“Investment In Human Capital For Ghana’s Future”

Addressing the media at the welcome ceremony, Dr. Mrs. Adelaide Siaw Agyepong said the decision to invest in agriculture education followed Jospong Group’s growing involvement in the sector.

“By the grace of God, after several years of contributing significantly to Ghana in sanitation and waste management transformation, the Jospong Group made another bold decision a few years ago to support the transformation of Ghana’s agricultural sector,” she said.

“As we became more involved in the agriculture sector, we realised that Ghana has enormous agricultural potential. Transforming the sector would require the active participation of a new generation of skilled and passionate young people. That is why, in partnership with RUDN University in Russia, we sponsored 118 young students to pursue graduate studies in agriculture and environmental sciences and technology.”

She expressed confidence that the scholars would impact the sector beyond their personal growth.

“I believe their investment will not only be to the benefit of the individuals, but will also contribute to the backbone of the agriculture sector and the development of our country. We are confident they will become change-agents in their respective fields.”

*Partnerships Acknowledged*
Dr. Mrs. Adelaide Siaw Agyepong thanked the Executive Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong and RUDN University in Russia, Ghana’s mission in Moscow, Ghana’s Ministry of Agriculture and other individuals and institutions for their support during the scholars’ stay.

“I say thank you to the People’s Friendship University of Russia, RUDN University, for being a valued partner in this journey, and to the Embassy of Ghana in the Russian Federation for their unwavering support and commitment to the welfare of our students throughout their two years of studies. Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong and the Minister of Agriculture have been very supportive to the success of this initiative ”

*Scholars Pledge To Apply Skills In Climate And Transport*

The returning scholars said they are ready to apply their training to national challenges.

Mr. Saviour Kweku Dotsey, President of the Jospong Scholars RUDN Group, said he built skills in climate project management and will deploy them for the country.

“We have built skills in climate project management and we will use our skills to contribute to climate emissions initiatives for both the Jospong Group and the country,” Mr. Dotsey said.

Another beneficiary, Charlotte Opoku Gyamfua, who specialised in carbon reduction in the transport sector, said her expertise will target emissions in Ghana’s growing transport industry.

“I specialised in carbon reduction in the transport sector. I will use my skills to help manage the carbon emissions in the transport sector and help in climate related data collection and calculations in the transportation sector,” Ms. Gyamfua said.

*Deploying Knowledge For National Development*
Upon their return, the 118 beneficiaries are expected to deploy their expertise to address challenges in food security, rural development, waste management and climate-smart agriculture.

The Jospong Group, through AAC, says the scholarship programme forms part of its long-term commitment to education and sustainable development, and to positioning Ghanaian youth at the forefront of the nation’s economic transformation.