Political activist and former government spokesperson Dennis Miracles Aboagye has challenged claims that the Ghana Cocoa Board’s (COCOBOD) inherited debt is the primary reason for delays in payments to cocoa farmers.

Aboagye made the remarks while responding to a series of publications by writer and market researcher Kay Codjoe, who has argued that the current financial difficulties facing COCOBOD stem largely from debt obligations inherited from the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

According to Aboagye, the ongoing discussion should focus less on historical debt accumulation and more on the present circumstances affecting cocoa farmers across the country.

He contended that while debt may be a factor, it cannot fully explain the challenges currently confronting farmers, including concerns over delayed payments and pricing issues.

Aboagye pointed out that the NPP administration also inherited significant financial challenges when it assumed office in 2017. These, he said, included debt obligations, unsold cocoa stocks, an exhausted syndicated loan facility, and declining global cocoa prices.

Despite those difficulties, he argued, the previous administration did not reduce producer prices or delay payments to cocoa farmers.

Drawing a comparison with the current administration, Aboagye questioned why farmers continue to face payment challenges despite what he described as substantial revenue generated by COCOBOD in recent years.

He cited figures he said were provided by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, claiming that COCOBOD generated approximately GH¢39 billion in revenue in 2025 while inheriting debts estimated at GH¢26 billion.

“Debt is not an excuse. It never has been. It never will be,” Aboagye stated.

He further questioned how the reported revenue has been utilized and called on government officials to provide clear answers regarding the financial position of COCOBOD and the welfare of cocoa farmers.

According to him, the key issue is not the explanation of inherited debt but ensuring that cocoa farmers receive their payments on time and benefit from the revenues generated within the sector.

The comments are the latest contribution to an ongoing public debate over COCOBOD’s financial health, debt profile, and the treatment of cocoa farmers. The discussion has attracted attention from political commentators, economists, and stakeholders within Ghana’s cocoa industry, with differing views emerging on the causes of the current challenges.

As the debate continues, many stakeholders are calling for greater transparency and accountability in the management of COCOBOD’s finances to ensure the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa sector.

Source By BigTimezGH 

The Gallant Cadres of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have issued a strongly worded statement urging the government to operationalise the Komenda Sugar Factory, insisting that the revival of the facility is critical to the economic rejuvenation of the ancient town.

In a release dated Sunday, June 21, 2026, the group cautioned the government against taking the people of Komenda for granted, stressing that any failure to honour the pledge to reactivate the dysfunctional plant would amount to a betrayal of trust.

Tracing the factory’s chequered history, the Cadres noted that the facility, originally established in 1964, began facing operational hurdles in the 1990s and subsequently collapsed. They recalled that it was under former President John Dramani Mahama that a modern reconstruction and revamp was initiated around 2013. The statement added that the factory was completed and inaugurated with fanfare in 2016 by President Mahama, raising high hopes among residents for jobs and a total economic transformation of Komenda and its environs.

The group contends that the people of Komenda voted massively for the NDC in the belief that the factory would be revived, following the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) failure to act on the matter over eight years. However, since the NDC assumed office in January 2025, no meaningful progress has been recorded regarding the facility, prompting the Cadres to demand urgent clarity on the following issues:

· Does the Minister of Trade and Industry possess full knowledge of the factory’s current state?

· Is the Presidency, alongside all officials who pledged to revive the factory, aware of its present condition?

· Is the Member of Parliament for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) constituency informed about the status quo?

· Does the Municipal Chief Executive have an accurate update on the situation on the gground

· Is it true that personnel are still receiving salaries to oversee the facility’s operationalisation?

· Who can provide a comprehensive update to the people of Ghana and Komenda regarding the factory’s fate?

The statement concluded that prompt and transparent responses from duty bearers would go a long way in reassuring Ghanaians and reviving the fading hope of producing sugar from the much-touted Komenda Sugar Factory once again.

Below is the full statement:

Press Release
To All Media Houses
The Gallant Cadres of NDC

0208573712
0243179445
0546572070

Put The Komenda Sugar Factory To Use Now -The Gallant Cadres of NDC

The diminishing expectations of the Kinsmen of Komenda is the Komenda Sugar Factory of Saga. The history of Komenda is interesting. Do we know Komenda was originally called KOMEH KROM, named after KOMEH, a hunter who migrated from Techiman and settled there?

Tradition informs us that, for certain strange reasons, visitors to the place were warned “if you go, do not sleep” ,(Ko ma nda) giving birth to the name KOMENDA.
Komenda’s history reveals very interesting phases depicting a determined people who have survived many challenging landmarks.

Komenda was an important trading zone in the Gold Coast when the Europeans arrived. The Dutch began trading in the area in the late 1500s. The British, Danes and others also arrived and built forts along the coast to trade.To control their trade both the British and Dutch built forts close to each other. These forts were used for gold and ivory trade and used for military defence where slaves were kept.

The presence of these rival European powers led to conflicts and the Komenda wars in the 17th century. The European powers fought over control of trade and political interests. Komenda became part of the Trans-Atlantic Trade Network where the forts were used as trading and holding points for slaves. The resistance of Komenda and other surrounding enclaves made them a strong and a resistant people during these times.
After the abolition of the slave trade in the 19th Century, the forts were abandoned.

The legacies of these historical events depict what the people of Komenda have currently. Fort Komenda is now recognized as part of Ghana’s UNESCO World Heritage forts and castles.

The former naval barracks for the British, after the second World War, was used by the Methodists to establish Komenda College, for the training of teachers in 1948.

The biggest asset the town ever had from the “spoils of war” was the establishment of the KOMENDA SUGAR FACTORY in 1964. This big factory which was generally referred to as GHASEL, contributed immensely to the economy of Ghana.

GHASEL, in those days supported Ghana’s industrialization and agricultural development. GHASEL created direct employment to hundreds of workers and indirectly supported many more by creating opportunities for thousands who found jobs along the value chain.
GHASEL encouraged farmers to farm sugar cane as the factory provided ready market for them. Transport operators and other service providers as well as small and medium enterprises benefitted from the existence of GHASEL. It actually stimulated the local economy. GHASEL was producing electricity for its own operations and for the immediate communities surrounding it.

In the late 1990s, our dear GHASEL started collapsing. The supply of its raw materials (sugar cane) started dwindling. The small holder farmers upon whom the factory depended for supply started facing production difficulties.

The irrigation systems started breaking down. Technical and Machinery problems continued to compound. Key parts of the factory like the Boilers, Generators and other key motor parts lacked repairs or replacement. These and many more other factors contributed to the total collapse of GHASEL.

Workers who were owed several amounts started taking parts of the machinery away. Eventually GHASEL became defunct. For so many years, one could just see the skeleton of a once vibrant factory. The effect of this collapse is obvious as hundreds of workers lost their direct employment and many others like drivers, traders, farmers and casual workers lost their sources of income.

It is in the light of the effects of the collapse of GHASEL that the National Deomcratic Congress (NDC) goevrnment under John Dramani Mahama initiated the modern revamp and reconstruction of the factory around 2013. The government contracted an Indian company to do the rehabilitation and rebuild the factory into a modern sugar processing plant.
We know that in 2016 the factory was completed and inaugurated by the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama amid fanfare and jubilation. The citizens of Komenda and its surrounding had hopes of securing jobs. The people were hopeful of a total economic transformation of Komenda and its environs.

The NDC government lost the general elections in December 2016. This led to the handing over of the factory to the new New Patriotic Party in January, 2017.
From 2017 up till today, the Sugar Factory has never been functional. The expectations of the people of Komenda have never materialized.

The New Patriotic Party could not operationalize this big factory. The reasons and the excuses are varied. They sat idle and supervised the deterioration of this new factory over their eight years of misgovernment Ghana.

In January 2025, the factory was handed over back to the National Democratic Congress under John Dramani Mahama. The people had hopes of its revival. The government promised to fully operationalize this factory to create direct factory jobs and indirect jobs in farming large quantities of sugar cane. This would automatically revive businesses, transport services and other small businesses around Komenda and its environs.

However, a visit to the factory site very recently has prompted the Gallant Cadres of the National Democratic Congress to demand for answers to many questions being asked by the people of Komenda.

The factory as at this time is still not in operation. A cursory look from afar showed no activity. The main gates remained locked. One could feel a sense of neglect and abandonment. The factory buildings looked rusted and dejected. Other portions showed weeds and bush. One could hear the chirps of birds in the compound. There was no security man to talk to. The factory was just not operational.

The Gallant Cadres of NDC want to ask the following questions for the authorities to respond to:

Does the Minister of Trade and the Ministry know of the current state of the factory?

Is the presidency and all who have made promises to revive this factory aware of the current state of the factory?

Is the Member of Parliament for the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abram Constituency aware of the factory’s present state.

Does the Municipal Chief Executive of the Municipality know of the current state of the Komenda sugar factory.

Is it true that there are people who are paid salaries to see to the operationalization of the factory?

Who can update the people of Ghana and the people of Komenda on the state of this factory?

Responses to these questions are quickly needed to reassure the people of Ghana and rekindle their dying hopes of getting sugar again from the MUCH TOUTED KOMENDA SUGAR FACTORY.

It must be remembered that the failure of this factory has serious consequences since big promises were made to lure people to vote for the current government.

Is it another four years of ‘failed promises”. The people of Komenda and Ghana want to know. We need updates now.

Signed :The Gallant Cadres of the National Democratic Congress.

Source By DC Kwame Kwakye

U.S. stock futures rallied sharply on Monday after the United States and Iran announced a preliminary agreement aimed at ending months of hostilities and reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.

The breakthrough in negotiations sparked optimism across global financial markets, with investors welcoming signs of reduced geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all moved higher in pre-market trading as traders responded positively to the development.

The preliminary agreement, which is expected to be formally signed in Switzerland later this week, includes an immediate halt to military operations and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway is responsible for transporting nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, making it one of the most important energy corridors globally.

Following the announcement, oil prices dropped significantly, falling to their lowest levels in three months. Analysts say the decline reflects expectations of improved global energy supplies and easing inflationary pressures that had intensified during the conflict.

The positive sentiment extended beyond the United States. European and Asian stock markets also posted strong gains, with major indices recording significant increases as investors shifted back toward riskier assets.

Technology companies and travel-related stocks were among the biggest winners in early trading. Airline and cruise operators saw their shares rise on expectations that lower fuel prices could improve profitability and stimulate global travel demand.

Despite the market rally, experts caution that the agreement remains preliminary and several critical issues still need to be resolved. Negotiations surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and broader regional security concerns are expected to continue during a proposed 60-day ceasefire period.

Political analysts have described the agreement as the most significant diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East in recent months, though they warn that the success of the deal will ultimately depend on both sides honouring their commitments.

Investors are also closely watching this week’s U.S. Federal Reserve meeting, where policymakers are expected to discuss interest rates and the broader economic outlook amid the changing geopolitical landscape.

For now, however, global markets are celebrating what many see as a major step toward peace and economic stability.

Key Market Reactions:

• U.S. stock futures rose sharply in pre-market trading.
• Oil prices fell by nearly 5%, hitting a three-month low.
• European and Asian stocks rallied on improved investor sentiment.
• Airline, travel, and technology stocks led market gains.
• A formal signing of the agreement is expected later this week.

As the world awaits further developments, the preliminary U.S.-Iran agreement has already delivered a powerful message to financial markets: diplomacy can quickly restore confidence and reshape the global economic outlook.

Source By Bigtimezgh.com

In a significant effort to support his constituents, the MP for Cape Coast North Constituency, Hon. Dr. Kwamena Mintah Nyarku, has donated 10 hospital beds with mattresses to seven health facilities across his constituency, a Pool Board, a refurbished one and a new Table Tennis Board to the Seniors Common Room of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Club House.

During the presentation ceremony on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the UCC Senior Club House, Ragga as the MP is affectionately called, noted as an old staff and regular patronizer of the Club House as a former Senior Member of the university, he felt obliged to help upon reading the state of the place. “The pool board was spoilt, and I decided to fix it, add a new one and a table tennis board to make the gaming room more functional and lively”, he said.

In appreciating the MP for his support and kindness, Prof. Paul Asare, Chair of the UCC Senior Members Club House, thanked Dr Minta Nyarku, alluding to the fact that sometime past the MP complained about the spoilt pool board. “We had a chat and he complained about the  state of our pool board”, surprisingly ” He has repaired the old one, added another and new table tennis board. To this we we thank you”, he said.

Later in the day, Dr. Kwamena Mintah Nyarku, aka (Ragga) has distributed ten hospital beds with mattresses to seven health facilities across the constituency to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve patient comfort.

The beneficiary health facilities were Eyifua Aged Clinic, Kakumdo Health Centre, Kwaprow Health  Centre, Essuekyir CHPS Compound, Brimsu CHPS Compound, Efutu Model Centre,  and Krofofrodo CHPS Compound.

Addressing at the recipients at Eyifua Ageded Health Centre, Dr. Nyarku said the gesture was part of his social responsibility and commitment to enhancing healthcare services for constituents. He stressed improving access to quality healthcare remains a priority, hoping the beds and mattresses contribute to  ameliorating the operational challenges at the various facilities.

“As part of my social responsibilDr. Nyarku donates 10 hospital beds to health facilities, pool board, table tennis board to UCC Club House

CAPE COAST, Ghana — The Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North, Dr. Kwamena Mintah Nyarku, has donated 10 hospital beds with mattresses to seven health facilities in his constituency, along with a refurbished pool board, a new pool board, and a new table tennis board to the Seniors’ Common Room at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Club House.

The presentation took place on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the UCC Senior Club House. Nyarku, affectionately known as “Ragga,” is a former senior member and regular patron of the club. He said he felt obliged to help after observing the poor condition of the gaming room.

“The pool board was spoilt, and I decided to fix it, add a new one, and a table tennis board to make the gaming room more functional and lively,” he said.

Professor Paul Asare, Chair of the UCC Senior Members Club House, thanked the MP and recalled a previous conversation in which Nyarku had complained about the broken pool board.

“We had a chat, and he complained about the state of our pool board. Surprisingly, he has repaired the old one, added another, and also provided a new table tennis board. For this, we thank you,” Prof. Asare said.

Later in the day, Nyarku distributed the 10 hospital beds with mattresses to seven health facilities across the constituency: Eyifua Aged Clinic, Kakumdo Health Centre, Kwaprow Health Centre, Essuekyir CHPS Compound, Brimsu CHPS Compound, Efutu Model Centre, and Krofofrodo CHPS Compound.

Addressing recipients at the Eyifua Aged Health Centre, Nyarku said the donation was part of his social responsibility and commitment to improving healthcare delivery. He stressed that enhancing access to quality healthcare remains a priority and expressed hope the beds would ease operational challenges at the facilities.

“As part of my social responsibility and commitment to the well-being of my constituents, it is imperative that I support the healthcare needs of my people. I hope this equipment makes the needed impact to provide quality services to the people,” he said.

Receiving the beds on behalf of the facilities, Dr. Samuel Kobina Ofoso, Cape Coast Metropolitan Director of Health Services, thanked the MP for the timely intervention. He noted that the donation would significantly improve service delivery across the beneficiary centres.

Dr. Ofoso also appealed to stakeholders, development partners, and philanthropists to support the renovation of facilities such as the Nkanfoa Clinic, which urgently needs upgrades to create a more conducive environment for staff and patients.

Source By DC Kwame Kwakye

The Adentan High Court in Accra has delivered a major ruling in favour of holders of doctoral degrees from the Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica (UNEM), setting aside a Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) directive that sought to bar the use of UNEM qualifications in the country’s tertiary education sector.

GTEC’s directive, issued on 5 November 2025 and addressed to all public tertiary institutions, instructed universities and colleges not to recognise UNEM degrees for teaching, appointment, promotion, or related academic purposes. The order triggered widespread concern among affected academics and professionals across the country.

In his ruling, Justice Kwame Gyamfi of the Adentan High Court delivered what legal observers have described as one of the most significant judicial pronouncements in recent years on administrative fairness, higher education regulation, and the protection of vested rights in Ghana.

The case was brought by a group comprising mainly university academics and professionals whose qualifications and career progression had been harmed by GTEC’s directive. They challenged the legality of the directive and the procedure through which it was issued.

Represented by counsel Solomon Faakye, Esq., the applicants argued that GTEC acted unlawfully by retrospectively invalidating qualifications that had already been recognised and relied upon for appointments, promotions, teaching, and other academic purposes. They further contended that the commission failed to follow mandatory legal procedures governing the suspension or revocation of accreditation under the relevant regulatory framework.

The applicants also maintained that GTEC’s actions violated the principles of natural justice, legitimate expectation, fairness, and administrative legality. Counsel argued that public institutions and universities could not lawfully take punitive measures against holders of the affected qualifications based on an unlawful directive.

Upholding these submissions, the court held that statutory bodies such as GTEC are bound by law and must act strictly within the limits of their granted powers. It found that the impugned directive and the process leading to it were legally flawed and could not justify the adverse consequences imposed on degree holders.

Justice Gyamfi granted several reliefs in favour of the applicants, including declarations that the directive was unlawful, invalid, and of no legal effect. The court expressly held that all qualifications obtained before the GTEC directive was issued remain valid and cannot lawfully be invalidated retrospectively.

The court further quashed the directive and restrained GTEC from acting on or enforcing it against affected persons. Additionally, it ordered all tertiary institutions that had implemented the directive or taken adverse decisions against holders of UNEM qualifications to reverse such actions.

It will be recalled that in recent months, GTEC has intensified a nationwide crackdown on what it describes as fake, unaccredited, or improperly used academic qualifications and honorary titles. That campaign has included directives against unaccredited institutions, the abuse of honorary doctorates, and the use of questionable foreign qualifications. The UNEM directive was part of that broader regulatory drive.

The judgment is expected to have far-reaching implications for universities, public institutions, and regulatory bodies in Ghana’s higher education sector, particularly those that had implemented or relied on GTEC’s directive in matters of appointments, promotions, confirmations, and academic recognition.

Source By DC Kwame Kwakye