"Ghana's Youth Minister Unveils Plans to Tackle Drug Abuse, Campus Violence" Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment of Ghana, Mr George Opare-Addo has highlighted how his ministry plans to tackle the root causes of drug use and violence in schools. Answering his questions at the Government Assurance committee meeting on when to implement the national service military, he revealed that, the ministry has been conducting some in-depth research on the issues affecting young people, especially in educational institutions According to him, the findings on drug use, particularly the prevalence of awareness about heroin, cocaine, weed, and alcohol on campuses, are quite concerning. He mentioned that, the survey covered the second cycle and tertiary institutions, and the data showed some alarming trends, especially among students aged 14-16. He added that, the Redmi Stop Campaign and the Peace security program are steps in the right direction to tackle his issues. Addressi

HON BUCKMAN ADVOCATE FOR NATURAL GRASS OVER ARTIFICIAL ASTRO TURF. Member of Parliament for Kwesimintsim, Philip Fiifi Buckman, is advocating for natural grass pitches over artificial AstroTurfs, citing climate concerns. In his question to Mr John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister for energy and green transition when he met with Government Assurance committee, He suggested sustainable options like natural grass or hybrid pitches, considering the cost and maintenance. The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, agrees, emphasizing the need for Sports Ministry involvement in astro turf contracts to ensure standard requirements are met.

*MINORITY LAMENTS GOVERNMENT'S ABANDONMENT OF RAILWAY PROJECTS* The Minority in Parliament has expressed deep concern over the government's apparent lack of commitment to the railway development sector, citing abandoned projects and meager budget allocations. Hon Kennedy Osei Nyarko, Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru and Ranking Member on Roads and Transport Committee, revealed that despite a significant investment of over $1.1 billion in the sector between 2017 and 2024, several key railway projects have been abandoned. Notable among them are the Tema-Empakanan railway line, which is 99% complete but non-operational, and the Kojo Chrome-Mansu railway line, which is 95% complete with no visible continuation. The Manso-Honi Valley section of the Western railway line has also been left idle. Hon Osei Nyarko questioned the government's commitment to railway development, pointing out that no budgetary allocation was made for the sector in 2025, and only $73 million has been alloca

Minority on Roads and Transport Committee Calls for Transparency in Infrastructure Financing The Minority members on Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee have called on the government to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the financing and execution of road and transport projects across the country. Addressing a press conference, the Ranking Member on the Committee and Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, Hon. Kennedy Osei Nyarko, stated that the concerns raised by the Minority are not politically motivated but are driven by the need to promote transparency, fiscal discipline, project continuity, and policy credibility in the sector. He emphasized that infrastructure development remains a key driver of economic growth and job creation, and therefore requires a well-coordinated and strategic approach. According to him, sustainable infrastructure development must be anchored on three key pillars: long-term planning, stable financing, and consistent implementat

MINORITY SLAMS GOVERNMENT OVER ABANDONED BOANKRA INLAND PORT PROJECT The Minority in Parliament has accused the government of abandoning the Boankra Inland Port project, a move they claim is driven by partisan and regional considerations rather than national interest. Addressing a press conference, Hon Kennedy Osei Nyarko, Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru and Ranking Member on Roads and Transport Committee, questioned why a project with immense potential for job creation, trade facilitation, and regional integration was being allowed to stagnate. "If decisions are being influenced by the perception that the project primarily benefits the Ashanti region, then that's a fundamentally flawed approach," he said. "National infrastructure must be viewed through the lens of collective benefits, not partisan or regional considerations." Hon Osei Nyarko alleged that the government's claim of investigating the project is a mere excuse, pointing out that there is little evidence of any inv