Ghana and the Netherlands have signed a special Letter of Intent aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the fight against illicit drugs and drug markets.

The agreement was signed by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the Minister of Justice and Security of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, D.M. Van Weel, during the Dutch Minister’s official visit to Ghana.

According to Mr Ablakwa, the agreement builds on the Accra Call to Action and reflects the commitment of both countries to providing stronger international leadership in tackling the growing threat posed by illicit drugs.

He said the drug trade continues to have devastating consequences, particularly for young people, while placing pressure on public health systems, undermining the rule of law and contributing to human rights violations.

“Genuine and reliable international collaboration” will be critical to dismantling criminal networks and disrupting drug markets, Mr Ablakwa noted.

He said the cooperation between Ghana and the Netherlands is expected to contribute to efforts to tackle the trafficking of cocaine, synthetic drugs and illicit financial flows associated with organised crime.

The Foreign Affairs Minister expressed confidence that closer international cooperation would help the two countries confront criminal networks responsible for flooding their markets with illegal drugs and criminal proceeds.

The Letter of Intent therefore marks a renewed commitment by Ghana and the Netherlands to deepen collaboration, share expertise and strengthen collective action against the international drug trade.

The initiative also positions both countries to work together in protecting young people, safeguarding public health and strengthening the rule of law in the face of the growing global drug threat.

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Ghana has received five newly designated diplomatic representatives from Nigeria, India, Lebanon, Australia and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), as the country continues to strengthen its relations with key international partners.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the development in a post shared on his X page, where he said Ghana was delighted to welcome the new envoys and expressed confidence in their role in advancing the country’s diplomatic relationships.

According to Mr Ablakwa, he formally received the open letters of the five envoys in an atmosphere marked by honour, duty, warmth and friendship.

The newly designated representatives are:

H.E. Shehu Ilu Barde – Nigerian High Commissioner-Designate to Ghana.

H.E. Surinder Bhagat – Indian High Commissioner-Designate to Ghana.

H.E. Fouad Khazzaka – Lebanese Ambassador-Designate to Ghana.

H.E. Keara Shaw – Australian High Commissioner-Designate to Ghana.

H.E. Emmanuel Kalenzi – UNIDO Resident Representative to Ghana.

Mr Ablakwa said the arrival of the new diplomatic representatives presented an opportunity to further deepen Ghana’s longstanding partnerships and cooperation with the respective countries and international organisation.

The engagement with Nigeria is particularly significant given the longstanding historical, cultural, economic and people-to-people ties between Ghana and Nigeria. Both countries remain key partners within West Africa and continue to cooperate on regional and bilateral matters.

Ghana’s relationship with India also spans several areas, including trade, investment, education, development cooperation and diplomatic engagement. The appointment of a new Indian High Commissioner-Designate is therefore expected to provide an avenue for further strengthening those ties.

The new Lebanese Ambassador-Designate will represent Lebanon in Ghana at a time when both countries maintain diplomatic relations and cooperation across a range of areas.

Australia is another important partner for Ghana, with bilateral engagement covering development cooperation, education, governance and other areas of mutual interest. The designation of Keara Shaw as High Commissioner is expected to contribute to continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the appointment of Emmanuel Kalenzi as UNIDO Resident Representative underscores Ghana’s engagement with the United Nations agency responsible for promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

Mr Ablakwa’s announcement forms part of Ghana’s broader diplomatic efforts under the current administration to deepen international partnerships and advance cooperation with countries and multilateral institutions.

The Foreign Affairs Minister also reaffirmed Ghana’s welcoming posture towards diplomatic representatives, stressing the importance of friendship and constructive engagement in moving the country’s international relations forward.

His post was accompanied by photographs of the engagements with the newly designated envoys.

The development comes as Ghana continues to position its diplomatic relations as an important tool for advancing national interests, strengthening economic partnerships and promoting cooperation on shared international and regional priorities.

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has completed the election of regional chairpersons in 15 of Ghana’s 16 regions, as part of its ongoing efforts to reorganise and strengthen the party’s structures.

The Western North Region is the only region yet to elect its regional chairman, with delegates expected to go to the polls on August 16, 2026.

The regional elections have brought a mix of experienced party members and new leadership into key positions as the NPP seeks to rebuild its grassroots structures following its defeat in the 2024 general elections.

In the Western Region, Ignatius Kwasi Africa was elected Regional Chairman, while Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana won the position in the Savannah Region.

Bono Region Chairman Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, successfully retained his position after defeating his challengers.

In Greater Accra, former Health Minister and former Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku, Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, secured the chairmanship. In the Ashanti Region, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, received strong support from delegates to become Regional Chairman.

The Eastern Region elected former NPP General Secretary Jeff Konadu Addo as its chairman, while Joseph Kobinah Esibu emerged victorious in the Central Region.

Former Member of Parliament Robert Sarfo Mensah was elected chairman of the Ahafo Region.

In the Northern Region, Mohammed Baatima Adam, popularly known as Samba, won the chairmanship race, while Alhaji Mohammed Fuseini was elected to lead the NPP in the North East Region.

Elvis Awonekai Figo emerged as chairman in the Upper East Region, with Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman winning the position in the Upper West Region.

In the Volta Region, delegates elected Makafui Kofi Woanya as chairman, while Dr Frank Yirenkyi emerged as the winner in the Oti Region.

Bono East Region delegates also elected Ibrahim Bukari Baba as their regional chairman.

The completion of the regional elections marks another stage in the NPP’s internal reorganisation programme. The party is seeking to strengthen its structures at the regional and grassroots levels while preparing for its next major political contests.

Attention now turns to the Western North Region, where the final regional chairmanship election is scheduled to take place on August 16, 2026.

The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has announced a planned power interruption in parts of the Greater Accra Region on Sunday, August 16, 2026, to enable emergency restoration works on the Tema-Achimota 161kV transmission line.

The interruption is scheduled to begin at 3:30 a.m. and end at 6:00 p.m., during which GRIDCo will replace a damaged transmission tower at Ashaiman.

According to GRIDCo, the tower was damaged after a fuel tanker exploded while welding work was being carried out on its tank within the transmission line’s Right-of-Way (RoW).

In a statement issued on Saturday, August 15, GRIDCo apologised to affected customers for the inconvenience and appealed for their patience and cooperation while the emergency works are undertaken.

The company explained that the restoration is necessary to restore the integrity of the transmission line and ensure the safety of both its personnel and the general public.

GRIDCo also renewed its warning against encroachment on transmission line Rights-of-Way, stressing that such occupation and activities are prohibited by law.

The company cited the Transmission Line Protection Regulations, 1967 (L.I. 542), as amended by L.I. 1737 of 2004, which prohibit activities such as unauthorised construction, excavation, drilling, commercial operations, lorry parks, shops, garages and other activities that could compromise the safe operation and maintenance of the transmission system.

GRIDCo further referred to a directive issued by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, requiring individuals and businesses encroaching on transmission line corridors across the country to stop unauthorised activities and vacate the affected areas within one month.

The directive affects people who have erected structures, established businesses, parked heavy vehicles, undertaken welding or excavation, or otherwise occupied or obstructed transmission line corridors.

GRIDCo warned that after the one-month deadline, it would collaborate with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, other statutory institutions and security agencies to enforce the law and remove unauthorised structures and activities from the affected corridors.

The company has consequently urged traditional authorities, landowners, businesses, local authorities and the general public to cooperate in keeping transmission line Rights-of-Way clear.

GRIDCo said maintaining clear transmission corridors is essential to ensuring the safe and reliable operation of Ghana’s national electricity transmission system.

National Treasurer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and aspirant for the position of General Secretary, Dr Charles Dwamena, popularly known as Dr China, has called for a public debate among all contenders for the party’s General Secretary position.

According to Dr Dwamena, the General Secretary position is critical to the NPP’s efforts to support the presidential ambitions of the party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and ultimately return the party to government.

Speaking on Oman FM, Dr Dwamena said he had consistently advocated for a debate among aspirants and was reiterating the call because of the importance of the upcoming contest.

“I have said it at many places, and I want to say it again: the position of the General Secretary is very important to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s victory,” he stated.

He argued that the party should organise a debate before the election to allow all candidates to present their track records, explain their vision and tell delegates what they intend to bring to the party if given the mandate.

Dr Dwamena said such a debate would allow delegates to properly assess the candidates based on their competence, experience, achievements and proposed programmes rather than on financial strength.

“I think that it is time that even before the election, there should be a debate for those who have come to contest for all the positions. Let us have a debate. Everyone should show what he has done before, and everyone should say what they are bringing on board,” he said.

He explained that the exercise would enable party members and delegates to carefully examine the various candidates and determine who truly deserves to occupy the positions being contested.

“So that we check and assess and say, indeed, this person deserves the position,” Dr Dwamena added.

The NPP National Treasurer stressed that the party’s internal elections should not become a contest dominated by money. He believes that candidates should be judged primarily on their records, ideas, leadership capacity and ability to contribute to rebuilding the party.

He therefore urged the NPP to create a platform where aspirants can openly debate their plans and demonstrate their readiness to serve.

Dr Dwamena has formally declared his intention to contest the NPP General Secretary position. In his campaign, he has pledged to rebuild the party’s structures, strengthen discipline and restore confidence among members under the theme, “Let’s Rebuild to Restore the Love.”

He has also pointed to his experience as National Treasurer and his previous service at the NPP headquarters and Ghana’s diplomatic mission in China as part of the experience he would bring to the General Secretary’s office.

Dr Dwamena was elected NPP National Treasurer at the party’s 2022 National Delegates Conference, where he secured 2,917 votes in the contest for the position.

Dr Dwamena said the debate would allow delegates to compare the aspirants’ records, ideas and plans before deciding who is best suited for the General Secretary position.