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Mahama Announces July Launch of 24-Hour Economy Policy with Bold New Initiatives

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President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will officially launch its flagship 24-Hour Economy Policy in July, with plans to activate the Volta Lake as a major national logistics and transport corridor.

Speaking during a multi-sectoral engagement at the Jubilee House, President Mahama disclosed that the final draft of the policy has been reviewed and is ready for implementation.

“I have reviewed it, and I’m confident we now have a coherent and actionable framework to deliver results,” he said. “A stable macroeconomic environment is key to the success of the 24-hour economy, and we are achieving this through strong coordination between monetary and fiscal authorities.”

To coordinate the rollout, the government will establish a 24-Hour Economy Secretariat. Mahama revealed that steps are being taken to formalise the secretariat as an independent authority, reporting directly to the presidency and backed by legislation.

A major feature of the policy is the transformation of the Volta Lake and its basin into an economic corridor. The plan includes cultivating over two million hectares of arable lakeside land, revitalising the fishery sector, and creating industrial parks to serve both local and regional markets.

“The lake will serve as a transport highway, efficiently moving food, people, and goods—relieving pressure on our congested road networks,” Mahama explained. Investments in floating assets, lake ports, and strategic partnerships are planned to support this initiative.

The 24-Hour Economy Policy aims to drive job creation and inclusive growth. It identifies priority value chains such as agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, light manufacturing, tourism, digital services, and the creative economy. Each sector will benefit from targeted solutions to existing bottlenecks.

Infrastructure development will be spearheaded by the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, which will lead the construction of industrial parks, logistics hubs, and transport upgrades. Financial support will be provided through the Development Bank of Ghana and the Venture Capital Trust Fund to enhance SME participation across value chains.

Additionally, land and workforce development are integral to the plan. Mahama announced the creation of investment-ready land banks and the launch of Aspire24, a sub-program to train youth for shift-based jobs, digital careers, and entrepreneurship.

Implementation will be decentralised, with each district forming its own task force under the local assembly to align with regional development priorities.

“This is not a top-down approach,” Mahama stressed. “Each region will drive its own industrial transformation based on its unique strengths.”

The draft programme document is scheduled for public release on Tuesday, with the official launch planned for Republic Day in July.

“This is no longer just an idea,” Mahama concluded. “It is a structured, sequenced, and inclusive plan—and we are ready to begin implementation.”

The 24-Hour Economy Policy was a central promise in Mahama’s 2024 campaign and is now set to become a cornerstone of his administration’s economic transformation agenda.

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Gold Board CEO Sammy Gyamfi Sues Afia Schwarzenegger for Defamation

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Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has filed a defamation lawsuit against media personality Valentina Nana Agyeiwaa, popularly known as Afia Schwarzenegger. The case has been lodged at the High Court in Accra.

 

According to court documents, Gyamfi alleges that Afia Schwarzenegger—who currently resides in the Bronx, New York—made and published defamatory statements that have severely damaged his reputation. The suit claims that these remarks portrayed Gyamfi as morally corrupt and lacking integrity.

 

The writ states that the statements, made in the Asante Twi language and widely shared on social media, included false accusations about Gyamfi’s personal life, including his marital status and alleged inability to support a woman named Vida. The comments also allegedly targeted his wife’s sister.

 

Gyamfi contends that the statements were made with full awareness of their falsehood and with reckless disregard for the truth. As a result, he says he has faced a barrage of phone calls, public embarrassment, and uncomfortable questions from political figures and other prominent individuals.

 

Describing Afia Schwarzenegger’s actions as malicious, Gyamfi is seeking several legal remedies. These include general damages, aggravated and exemplary damages, a perpetual injunction to prevent further defamatory publications, and a public apology to be published in multiple media outlets. He is also requesting that the court award legal costs, including his lawyer’s fees.

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PAC Chair Demands Urgent Probe into GH¢138.91 Billion Public Debt Overstatement

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Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Abena Osei-Asare, has described the GH¢138.91 billion overstatement in Ghana’s 2024 public debt as revealed by the Auditor-General as a serious error that demands immediate investigation.

 

According to the 2024 Audit Report, while the Controller and Accountant-General (CAG) reported Ghana’s total public debt as GH¢876.01 billion, the Ministry of Finance recorded a significantly lower figure of GH¢737.17 billion. This discrepancy exposes an overstatement of GH¢138.91 billion in the Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) submitted by the CAG.

 

In a Facebook post, Ms. Osei-Asare, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, stressed that such a substantial misstatement is more than just a clerical error. She said it highlights troubling gaps in internal controls, data consistency, and coordination among key financial management institutions.

 

“This is no ordinary mistake,” she stated. “The responsibility for preparing the Government of Ghana’s accounts lies solely with the Controller and Accountant-General. A misstatement of this magnitude raises important questions about internal controls, data harmonisation, and institutional coordination within our public financial management framework.”

 

Citing the Auditor-General’s own recommendations, she emphasized the need for urgent reforms and improved collaboration between the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, the Ministry of Finance, and other relevant bodies to enhance the accuracy and integrity of national financial reporting.

 

Ms. Osei-Asare assured that the PAC will launch a thorough probe into the matter, engaging all institutions involved to uncover the root cause of the discrepancy and ensure full implementation of the Auditor-General’s proposed measures.

 

“This is about protecting the integrity of our public financial systems and rebuilding public trust. We must demand precision — not approximation — in our national accounts,” she stated, reaffirming the Committee’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and value for money in the use of public funds.

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Ablekuma North MP Ewurabena Aubynn Joins Ghana Shippers Authority Board

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Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North, Ewurabena Aubynn, has been officially sworn in as a member of the Governing Board of the Ghana Shippers Authority.

 

Her appointment follows a historic electoral victory, where she became the second National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate to win the Ablekuma North seat since 1992. She secured the position during a highly competitive rerun on Friday, July 11, 2025.

 

As a first-time legislator, Aubynn brings a strong background in community service and social impact to the Board. She is well known for her grassroots engagement and philanthropic efforts, particularly through the Awula Foundation—a nonprofit she established in February 2023.

 

The Foundation has played a significant role in supporting vulnerable groups across the Ablekuma North Constituency, reinforcing her commitment to social development.

 

Her addition to the Ghana Shippers Authority Board is expected to deepen community-level engagement and influence inclusive policymaking in Ghana’s trade and logistics sector.

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