Honourable Joan Gyan Cudjoe, member of Parliament for Amenfi-Central, has been named as a recipient of the World Diplomatic Federation’s prestigious Pillar of Community Development Honour at the upcoming Blackstar Acclamation Honorary Award Summit 25/26, in recognition of her outstanding commitment to community development, public service, and social empowerment.

The award, one of the summit’s most revered distinctions, celebrates individuals whose leadership and service have produced lasting impact at the grassroots and national levels. Hon. Joan Gyan Cudjoe’s selection reflects years of dedicated advocacy, people-centred governance, and a consistent drive to uplift communities through inclusive development initiatives.

Known for her unwavering dedication to social progress, Hon. Cudjoe has distinguished herself as a leader who places community welfare at the heart of governance. Her work has touched critical areas such as youth empowerment, women’s advancement, education advocacy, and community cohesion, earning her respect across political, civic, and traditional spheres.

The Blackstar Acclamation Honorary Award Summit 25/26 seek to spotlight exemplary leaders whose contributions align with nation-building, ethical leadership, and sustainable development. Hon. Cudjoe’s recognition as a Pillar of Community Development underscores her role as a bridge between policy and people, one who understands that meaningful leadership is measured by lives improved, not titles held.

World Diplomatic Federation, organisers of the award summit, emphasised that the Pillar of Community Development Honour is reserved for individuals whose influence inspires collective responsibility and positive social change. Hon. Cudjoe’s leadership journey, marked by accessibility, integrity, and purposeful action, aligns seamlessly with these values.

Beyond formal leadership, Hon. Joan Gyan Cudjoe has remained deeply rooted in community engagement, championing initiatives that promote unity, opportunity, and resilience. Her approach continues to inspire emerging leaders and reaffirm the importance of service-driven leadership in Ghana’s democratic and developmental landscape.

The Blackstar Acclamation Honorary Award Summit 25/26 on the theme “Rebuilding Trust, restoring Hope: A New Era of Governance in Ghana, ‘‘focusing on President John Dramani Mahama’s extraordinary performance and commitment to public service and also recognizing the entirety of the fourth Republic of Ghana are expected to bring together policymakers, traditional authorities, diplomats, creatives, entrepreneurs, and development stakeholders to celebrate excellence and discuss pathways for Africa’s growth. Hon. Cudjoe’s recognition will stand as a defining highlight of the summit, an affirmation that community-focused leadership remains central to national progress.

As Ghana and Africa continue to shape narratives of excellence on the global stage, the honour bestowed on Hon. Joan Gyan Cudjoe serves as both recognition and reminder: that enduring impact begins with service, and true leadership is built on community.

The Blackstar Acclamation Honorary Award ceremony will take place on Friday, 27th March, 2026, at the luxurious Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, starting at 9 pm.

Ghana’s cocoa farmers have long served as the cornerstone of the national economy. From the verdant cocoa-growing enclaves of the Western North, Ashanti, Bono, Eastern, and Central Regions, these industrious men and women have laboured under the relentless sun and torrential rains to sustain the very lifeblood of Ghana’s foreign exchange earnings.

Cocoa has historically played a pivotal role in Ghana’s GDP and continues to be one of the nation’s foremost export commodities, generating billions of dollars in annual revenue. Yet today, these same farmers find themselves mired in economic despair, political disillusionment, and institutional neglect.

Ghana is the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, trailing only Côte d’Ivoire, yielding between 600,000 to 900,000 metric tonnes annually, contingent upon the season. The sector directly supports over 800,000 farming families and indirectly sustains more than 2 million Ghanaians. Cocoa revenues constitute a significant portion of Ghana’s export earnings and profoundly contribute to rural livelihoods. The cocoa pricing system in Ghana is meticulously regulated by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), which announces producer prices each season.

Under the administration of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), under the esteemed leadership of H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the prices for cocoa producers have experienced a remarkable escalation over the years. From a modest GH¢300 per bag in the nascent years of the Fourth Republic, the price surged dramatically to GH¢3,100 per 64kg bag by the onset of the 2023/2024 cocoa season.

This increase, albeit fraught with challenges, was widely acknowledged as a concerted effort to shield cocoa farmers from the vicissitudes of global market fluctuations and domestic inflationary pressures.

During the 2024 electoral campaign, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), under the aegis of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, made emphatic and unequivocal pledges to cocoa farmers throughout Ghana. The promise was both audacious and politically alluring to elevate the cocoa producer price from GH¢3,100 to GH¢6,000 per bag upon assuming office.

AFRICAN UNIVERSITY OF COMMUNICATION AND BUSINESS (AUCB) – TESCON

E-mail: aucbtescon@gmail.com

H.E. Kwasi Ohene-Bugyei (President) – 0558200320

H.E. Stephen Boateng Osei-Bonsu (Vice President) – 0241421593

Lisa Abiana Codjoe (Secretary) – 0553706609

Justice Kwasi Forson (Communication Director) – 0241819541

Muniratu Mohammed (Nasara Coordinator) – 0552680408

Tedra Bampoe (Women’s Commissioner) – 0554750725

Ebenezer Orkoh Ayesu (Organizer) – 0559761014

Daniel Akowuah (Treasurer) – 0596055084

AFRICAN UNIVERSITY OF COMMUNICATION AND BUSINESS (AUCB) – TESCON

E-mail: aucbtescon@gmail.com

This proclamation was reiterated at rallies, community engagements, and campaign platforms across cocoa-producing regions.

The commitment was not merely rhetorical; it was articulated as an immediate economic intervention poised to transform the livelihoods of farmers, enabling them to cover educational expenses, address medical bills, expand their agricultural endeavors, and lead lives imbued with dignity..

The repercussions of this failure are dire: Escalating rural poverty, Increasing school dropout rates within cocoa-producing communities, Intensified rural-urban migration, Deterioration in the upkeep of cocoa farms, jeopardizing future yields, and Growing disenchantment with democratic accountability. Cocoa farmers perceive a profound sense of disrespect, not only in economic terms but also politically, as their electoral support was secured through a promise that now appears to be illusory.

The Government must urgently reassess the cocoa producer price, necessitating a commitment to transparency. If the GH¢6,000 pledge cannot be realized immediately, a phased increment strategy with explicit timelines should be articulated. Cocoa farmers are entitled to dignity and integrity.

Cocoa farmers are entitled to economic justice and Ghana’s prosperity has historically been predicated upon cocoa. To disregard the very hands that nurture it, is to undermine the very foundation of the Republic itself. The era of rhetorical assurances has elapsed. The moment for decisive action is upon us. Cocoa farmers in Ghana deserve far better than the current government’s treatment, which belittles their significant contributions to Ghana’s economy.

Long live Ghana!

Long live Ghana Cocoa Farmers!

Long live AUCB-TESCON!

May the Lord make us great and strong!

Issued By:

AUCB TESCON

Signed:

H.E. Kwasi Ohene-Bugyei

AUCB TESCON President

COMMITMENT WITHOUT INDUCEMENT

President Recalls Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria Over Alleged Vote Inducement

President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the immediate recall of Ghana’s High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, popularly known as Baba Jamal.

The directive follows allegations of voter inducement during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries held on Sunday in the Ayawaso East Constituency, in which Mr Baba Jamal contested as a candidate.

In a letter addressed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, President Mahama explained that although allegations of vote-buying were levelled against several aspirants in the primaries, Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among the candidates. The President stressed that this distinction necessitated swift executive action.

President Mahama also took note of a public statement by the General Secretary of the NDC, confirming that the party has initiated its own internal investigations into the allegations arising from the primaries.

According to the statement, the recall decision is not intended to prejudice the outcome of the party’s internal processes. Rather, it is based strictly on the standards of conduct expected of public office holders and the need to safeguard the integrity of public office.

The President stated that the action was necessary to avoid any perception of impropriety or conflict with the Government’s Code of Conduct for Political Appointees, especially given the sensitive nature of the allegations.

The recall takes effect immediately. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has been directed to take all required administrative and diplomatic steps to implement the President’s directive.

The statement was signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Member of Parliament and Spokesperson to the President, who also serves as Minister for Government Communications.

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