"MPs Urged to Showcase Local Treasures: Afenyo-Markin Calls for Intra-National Tourism Boost" Minority leader, Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin has challenged members of parliament to start promoting local tourism in their area. Commenting on a statement made by MP for Mpraeso, Mr Frank Davis Opoku, he said everyone in the chamber has a story to tell about their community, and if they tell it well, they can attract tourists. According to him, not just foreigners, but people from other parts of the country who want to learn about the local culture. He also mentioned the Deer Hunting Festival in his community in Winneba, where people hunt for a live deer, and invited MPs to come and celebrate with their families. He also linked this to economic growth, saying if they can attract more visitors, it'll create opportunities for locals to sell their goods, showcase their crafts, and maybe even get some investments in tourism infrastructure like lodges or restaurants.

*Minority in Parliament to drag Ibrahim Mahama before CHRAJ* The minority has declared its intention to submit a petition to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), seeking an investigation into businessman Ibrahim Mahama and his company, Engineers & Planners. This move pertains to their alleged involvement in the acquisition of the Damang Mine, as well as the utilisation of his private jet by former President John Dramani Mahama. The caucus expressed concerns regarding purported irregularities and potential breaches of the constitution during the selection process for an investor for the Damang Mine. According to Kwaku Ampratuwm-Sarpong, the procedure lacked transparency and fairness, thereby casting doubt on the validity of the outcome. He contended that the entire process appeared predetermined, rather than being conducted through a genuinely competitive and merit-based selection system. “The minority will not accept the government characterisation o

*"Minority's Call for Road Toll Reintroduction Lacks Moral Justification - Hon. Isaac Adjei Mensah"* Hon. Isaac Adjei Mensah, MP for Wassa East and Chair of Parliament's Roads and Transport Committee, has intensified criticism against the Minority Caucus for calling for the reintroduction of road tolls, saying their stance lacks moral justification. Speaking at a Parliamentary Press Conference, Mensah recalled that the previous government, led by the Minority, had abolished road tolls, leading to significant financial losses for the state. "They were advised not to go that route, but they didn't listen," he said, implying that the decision was politically motivated. Mensah stated that the current government has taken deliberate steps to fix the issue, with the ministry working diligently to finalize the electronic toll system by the fourth quarter. "The committee has been regularly following up, and the ministry is on track," he added, highlighting the government's commitment to t

*"Previous Govt Has No Moral Ground to Criticize Road Efforts - Hon. Isaac Adjei Mensah"* Hon. Isaac Adjei Mensah, MP for Wassa East and Chair of Parliament's Roads and Transport Committee, has defended the government's handling of the Road Maintenance Trust Fund, saying it was a major agenda to reset Ghana's road infrastructure. Speaking at a Parliamentary Press Conference, Mensah explained that the previous government's concept of a "road fund" has been replaced with the Road Maintenance Trust Fund, established by an Act of Parliament. "We've put sanity into it and it's working very well," he said. Mensah disclosed that the government inherited a total commitment of ₵104 billion, including unpaid bills to contractors. "Over ₵40 billion was owed to contractors, but we've paid over ₵10 billion," he revealed. He added that the Road Fund owes ₵11 billion, but the president has ordered ₵1 billion to be released to pay small contractors. "All SMCs have been paid, and we're working to

*Roads and Transport Committee Chairperson Lashes Out at Previous Govt's Railway Legacy: 'Coaches They Brought Were Scraps* Hon. Isaac Adjei Mensah, MP for Wassa East and Chair of Parliament's Roads and Transport Committee, addressed the Parliamentary Press Corps, providing a detailed update on the government's efforts to revitalize Ghana's railway system. He began by criticizing the previous government's legacy, stating that they inherited a dilapidated system with vandalized infrastructure, including the Tema-Pakadam stretch. "The coaches they brought in were scrap," he added, highlighting the poor state of the railway sector. Under the current government, Mensah said sanity has been restored, with notable progress made in several areas According to him, the Tema-Pakadam stretch is now operational, providing much-needed relief to commuters and boosting economic activity. Also Work has resumed on the western corridor (Takwadi-Manso-Nsuaem), a critical project that had stalled un

MAHAMA ADMINISTRATION DO NOT PRIORITIZED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT- MINORITY Minority Caucus in Parliament and its Committee on Sports and Recreation has strongly condemned the act of President John Dramani Mahama neglecting the Youth Development in Ghana. According to the Committee, in 2026 budget nothing was allocated for both National Youth Authority (NYA) and Youth Employment Authority (YEA) by District Assembly Common Fund (DACF). Speaking on behalf of the Parliamentary select committee on Sports and Recreation and Member of Parliament (MP) for Old Tafo Constituency, Vincent Ekow Asafuah said the NPP administration did much for Youth Development with their budgetary funds to support their cost yearly. He stressed the neglect of Resource Centre by the Mahama Government as he allegedly disclosed huge sums of money been channeled by this government to District Road Infrastructure Project (DRIP) And District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) without paying attention to the Youth Developm

*Parliament’s Women’s Caucus to ‘name and shame’ men contesting female MPs* The Chairperson of the Women’s Caucus in Parliament, Comfort Doyoe, has warned that men who contest female candidates in the 2028 general elections risk being publicly “named and shamed.” Her remarks come amid growing concern over Ghana’s low ranking in women’s political representation, with the country currently placed 149th out of 188 nations globally. Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, March 25, Doyoe called on stakeholders and authorities to take deliberate steps to promote women’s empowerment and increase female participation in governance. “Mr Speaker, all men who will contest women in this Parliament in the next election, we will name and shame them because we need to protect them,” she said. She described findings from a recent United Nations report as worrying, noting that Ghana lags significantly behind many countries in advancing women’s representation. “Right Honourable Speaker

*Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku's Bold Plan to Boost Tomato Yields and Cut Post-Harvest Losses in Ghana* The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon Eric Opoku, has announced plans to increase tomato production in Ghana, citing a new variety with a yield of over 20 tons per hectare. Speaking in Parliament, Minister Opoku said his ministry is working with research institutions to develop the variety, which is expected to bring a lasting solution to the country's tomato production challenges. Addressing post-harvest losses, which currently stand at 30%, Minister Opoku noted that eliminating these losses alone could add 153,000 tons of tomato to the country's production, reducing the gap from 300,000 to 140,000 tons. The minister highlighted the Vegetable Development Project, launched in June/July last year, which focuses on three key areas: seed, irrigation, and market development. The project aims to increase production, reduce waste, and improve the overall tomato value chain in

"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