PARLIAMENT APPROVES GHC ¢6,371,467,598 FOR DEFENCE MINISTRY. Parliament has today approved the sum of six billion, three hundred and seventy-one million, four hundred and sixty -seven thousand, five hundred and ninety- eight Ghana cedis for the implementation of the programs of the ministry of defence and its agencies for the 2025 financial year. According to the report of the defence and interior committee on the 2025 budget estimates, this amount will further empower the armed forces to effectively play their constitutional mandate. The report revealed some updates from the ministry. It stated that, the Afari Military Hospital in Kumasi will be operationalised by the end of this financial year. Some lands belonging to the Armed forces are constantly encroached by private individuals without course to the ministry. The ministry has however, initiated steps to liaise with the lands commission to ensure legal documentation to protect the lands. In their recommendati

PRU EAST MP CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION ON WATER CRISIS. The Member of Parliament for Pru East Constituency in the Bono East Region, Emmanuel Kwaku Boam, has raised concerns over the acute water shortage affecting his constituency. He has called on the government to implement urgent measures to address the situation. Speaking to the press in Parliament, Boam highlighted the severe impact of the crisis on residents of Yeji and its surrounding communities. He revealed that the lack of access to clean drinking water has led to a surge in waterborne diseases, with over 187 people, including children under the age of two, contracting cholera and typhoid. Several severe cases required surgery. Boam emphasized the irony of the situation, noting that Pru East is surrounded by the Volta Lake. He urged the government to put in place the necessary infrastructure to ensure that residents can benefit from this natural water resource. He further stated that once the national budget is approved, he

PARLIAMENT ABOLISHED 10% ON BETTING TAX As of March 26, 2025, the Ghanaian Parliament has passed a bill to repeal the 10% withholding tax on betting and lottery winnings. This tax, introduced in 2023, applied to all gross gaming winnings. The repeal is pending presidential assent to become law. The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, praised this development, stating it fulfills a promise made to investors and stakeholders in the gaming industry. The abolition is expected to boost participation in the formal gaming sector and encourage compliance within the industry. After the bill went through the third reading, The 1st Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor presiding at the time thereby ensured that the bill was duely passed.

PARLIAMENT REPEALS E- LEVY Parliament has officially repealed the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), a tax imposed on electronic transactions such as mobile money transfers. The decision was made on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, and will take effect once the president gives assent. The E-Levy, introduced in 2022 to broaden the country’s tax base and increase government revenue, faced widespread opposition. Critics argued that the levy disproportionately affected the poor and negatively impacted the economy by discouraging digital transactions. Fulfilling a campaign promise, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government moved to abolish the tax upon assuming office. The motion to repeal the levy was led by the Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo. Presenting the committee’s report, Mr. Adongo highlighted that the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022 (Act 1075), imposed a 1% charge on electronic transactions, including mobile money payments, bank transfers,

2025 Budget: Government to Incorporate Constructive Criticism – Finance Minister The Minister of Finance, Ato Baah Forson, has assured that the government will take into account constructive criticism raised during the debate on the 2025 Budget Statement. Expressing gratitude to members on both sides of Parliament following the conclusion of the budget debate, the minister emphasized that all concerns raised will be considered as part of efforts to reset Ghana’s economy. “Mr. Speaker, we have set ourselves key targets, and we are confident that these targets will be achieved. Our goals include growing the economy by at least 3.4%, reducing inflation to a minimum of 11.9%, stabilizing the exchange rate, and accumulating international reserves to cover no less than three months of imports. Additionally, we have set an ambitious target to improve the primary balance to a surplus of 1.5% of GDP and beyond,” he stated. He further assured that the government is committed to reviving the

INVESTING IN WOMEN IS INVESTING IN GHANA' S FUTURE - JOMORO MP. Majority member of parliament, Madam Dorcas Affo-Toffey has made some statements on the economic empowerment and financial literacy of women on the floor of parliament. According to her, women are major contributors to our economy owning nearly 44% of businesses and contributing about 20% to our GDP. She said despite this, many women struggle to access credit due to lack of collateral,high interest rates and limited financial education. The MP for Jomoro said addressing these challenges is not just about fairness but about ensuring Ghana's economic prosperity by unlocking the full potential of half of our population. She commended H.E John Dramani Mahama and the Finance minister, Mr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson for allocating seed funding for the Women's Development Bank in the 2025 budget . She explained that, this initiative is a bold step towards closing the financial gap for women, ensuring that women have acce

WHY RENDER AN APOLOGY IF THERE IS NO WRONG DOING - MINORITY QUESTIONS JAKPA. The Second Deputy Minority Whip, Mr Jerry Ahmed Shaib has questioned the National Security Coordinator Mr Richard Jakpa as to why he apologized to Dr Ernest Addison former BoG governor if there was no wrong doing in raiding his house unlawfully. Addressing the press, Mr Ahmed Shaib said his attempt to sanitize his actions by claiming he had access to legal counsel does not address the fundamental question. " Was the raid a necessary and lawful exercise or was it an abuse of power designed to intimidate and humiliate? He lamented. The member of parliament for Weija Gbawe assured that, the minority will not remain silent while state institutions are used in that manner. He added that Mr Jakpa's actions appears to be part of a broader pattern of politically motivated actions, targeted in a manner that suggests a deliberate attempt to harass and intimidate rather than pursuing legitimate legal process.

GOV’T TO REVIEW FREE SHS TO IMPROVE QUALITY – Haruna Iddrisu The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has emphasized that the government’s review of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy aims to improve quality over quantity and not to abolish the program. During a debate on the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, he reaffirmed that Free SHS remains a key government initiative, as stated by President John Mahama. However, concerns have been raised about its implementation, particularly regarding student assessments and educational standards. Iddrisu referenced discussions from the recent National Education Forum, where over 5,000 stakeholders participated. He noted that Ghana’s education system currently lacks clear academic distinctions in student performance, allowing nearly all students to progress regardless of their assessment scores. Stakeholders have questioned whether the program should continue in its current form or if a means-testing system should be introduce

MINORITY CALLS ON PREZ OVER INTIMIDATIONS AND ATTACKS ON NPP APPOINTEES. The minority caucus in parliament has raised some concerns of lawlessness in the operations of the national security raiding the premises of some NPP government officials causing intimidations and attacks. Addressing their concerns to the Media, The minority leader Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin said one Richard Jakpa a known NDC activist who described himself as director of operations national security led some armed men to raid the house of the former governor of the central bank Dr Ernest Addison residence at Roman Ridge Accra. According to him, when Dr Addison enquired from Mr Jakpa on his mission, he said he was looking for a vault which to them, Mr Addison had some money in it. Osahen Afenyo Markin alleged that some of the NDC foot soldiers who paraded themselves as national security operators took away some cash, earrings and jewelry belonging to the wife of the governor. Some gadgets in

Anas, sued Ken for defamation. Defamation is when someone makes false statements that harm another person's reputation. Where did the statements happen? • The initial defamatory statements were made on an online program called "Daddy Fred's Show." • These statements were then repeated in a newspaper called "Amanee newspaper" on March 17, 2022. Why was Anas able to sue in the USA? Because the defamatory statements, after being made on the online platform, were published in the USA through the "Amanee newspaper." This publication in the US gave US courts jurisdiction (the legal authority to hear the case). What was the difference between the Ghana and USA cases? • USA: In the United States, the case was decided by a jury of 8 people. The jury unanimously found Ken guilty of defamation. • Ghana: There was a separate, previous case related to the same issue in Ghana. In Ghana, a judge, rather than a jury, made the decision. What mistake did Ken's lawyers make in the US case? Ke

Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, today launched a book authored by Dr. Harrison Kofi Belley titled "Parliamentary Diplomacy - The Ghanaian Approach". During the launch, Speaker Bagbin urged leaders across the nation to cultivate the habit of reading, emphasizing that effective leadership is grounded in continuous learning. "If you want to lead, you must learn to read." Ghana Parliament