The German government through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, today, donated a total of 370 laptops to the Ministry of Communications Digitalisation (MoCD) to support the Girls in ICT Programme. The Deputy Minister, Ms. Ama Pomaa-Boateng (MP) , who received the donation on behalf of the Sector Minister, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful (MP). She commended GIZ Ghana for their continuous support to the ministry's commitment to bridging the digital divide through the Girls in ICT initiative which is currently ongoing in the Savannah Region. The Deputy was joined by the Chief Director, Mr Alexander Yaw Arphul , The Chief Executive Officer of GIFEC, Mr. Price Sefah, Director PPME, Mr. Emmanuel Ofori, and other officials of the ministry and GIZ. Credit: MOCD

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has cautioned fuel retail outlets and motorists against using ramps to aid the pumping of fuel into vehicles. It said tilting vehicles on ramps to fill them to the brim could damage fuel tanks and lead to explosion and destruction of vehicles and lives. The Eastern Regional Manager, David Owusu-Kena, gave the caution at an NPA media engagement in Koforidua. The media engagement organised by the Communications Department was to highlight the Authority’s activities in the petroleum downstream industry and respond to industry-related questions from the media. Mr. Owusu-Kena said fuel tanks were not supposed to be filled to capacity since fuel require space for expansion. He said fuel in fully filled tanks spilled over on the vehicle and on the forecourt of fuel stations, which could spark fire. Besides, he said, the expanded fuel could  damage the fuel gauge and leak through old tanks into the exhaust pipe, which could start fire and burn down the vehicle and cause injuries and loss of lives. Touching on requirements for siting a filling station, Mr. Owusu-Kena said the prospective applicants needed permits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EP), the Ghna National Fire and Rescue Service (GNFRS) and the assembly before the NPA’s grants permit for construction of a fuel station. He said the authority made sure that the application had secured all the necessary approvals from the EPA, the GNFRS and the assembly in order to ensure the safety of residents and protection of the environment. Taking his turn, the Head of Planning of NPA, Dominic Aboagye, outlined measures the authority had put in place to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability and supply in the country. The interventions include management of storage depots, the laycan allocation programme and stock monitoring and reporting. Besides, he said, the Gold for Oil programme, the Bank of Ghana forex support to Bulk Oil Distribution Companies and the granting of Special International Oil Trading License were key to preventing any risk of fuel supply disruption. Mr. Aboagye said local refining of crude oil by Akwaaba Oil Refinery and the Platon Gas Oil Refinery were supporting the sector. He said local fuel refinery would be ramped up with the expected start of operation by the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the completion of the Sentuo refinery. Welcoming the media on behalf the NPA Chief Executive, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the Corporate Affairs Director,Maria Edith Oquaye, said last year’s media engagements across the country focused on pricing and quality of petroleum products, and indicated that this year’s sensitization would be on requirements for siting filling stations and security of supply of petroleum products. For his part, a member of the Governing Board of NPA and Chairman of the Consumer Services sub-committee, Kwami Sefa Kayi, lauded the NPA for the sensitization drive and urged the media to be more proactive by asking the NPA industry-related questions for clarifications. Credit: Myjoyonline.com

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has promised to address the concerns of customers of defunct Gold Coast Fund Management Company Limited. The aggrieved customers on Thursday, May 4, returned to the premises of SEC to picket for the third day in a bid to demand payment of their locked-up funds. The leaders of the aggrieved customers presented a petition to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the Authority to consider releasing their funds to them. The collapsed financial institution under the name BlackShield Capital Limited had about 55,000 customers whose funds were locked up shortly before the regulator revoked its license. Charles Nyame, the Convenor said their members need their monies to pay for hospital bills and take care of emergency needs. Speaking to Citi News, the Director of Communications at SEC, Dr Godwin Ansah, assured the group that the petition will be relayed to the appropriate quarters. He further refuted claims that the Director General of the Commission has deliberately withheld the Funds of the aggrieved customers as explained that the funds reported to have been released by the government were disbursed to the affected 47 financial institutions. “We cannot agree with the numbers by their representatives, but we were very clear in terms of what we have done so far. Over 73, 000 claims have actually been paid with about 1.3 billion Ghana cedis. Also, as far as 61, 000 claims have been covered with 750 million Ghana cedis which have been used to settle these customers”. “So whiles we know that a lot has been done it is also important to say that we remain important to the process.” Credit: Citinewsroom

Al Jazeera Network has said it has responded to the letter that was written to them by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, demanding an apology and retraction for a documentary in which it was stated that Mr Akufo-Addo acted as a lawyer for one Mr Alistair Mathias, a Canadian Gold smuggler and money launderer, and also benefited from an alleged $100million infrastructure contract awarded to Mathias. This was after a journalist with TV3 wrote to Al Jazeera, enquiring whether or not they received the letter from Ghana’s Presidency. In a response Al Jazeera said: “We have responded to the letter from the president of the Republic of Ghana, correcting some parts of its content and clarifying various points. “Prior to the publication of Gold Mafia, we wrote to the president outlining the claims made by Alistair Mathias. The president’s response appears near the end of the documentary.” Portions of the letter to Al Jazeera dated 25th April 2023 said: “The documentary in question made baseless claims that the President acted as a lawyer for one Mr Alistair Mathias and implied that the president personally benefited unlawfully from an alleged $100million state infrastructure contract purportedly awarded to Mr Mathias.” It added: “It is imperative that you act forthwith on this request within seven days from the date of receipt of this letter.” In the final episode of Al Jazeera’s undercover investigation into Mathias’ gold smuggling and money-laundering activities across Africa, he boastfully claimed to have relationships with various presidents on the continent including President Akufo-Addo. He described Ghana’s President as a good friend and alleged that the President was his lawyer. The President’s lawyer Kow Essuman also refuted attempts to link Mr Akufo-Addo to  Alistair Mathias. In a tweet on Sunday 16 April 2023, Essuman wrote that: “The President has not been in private practice since 2000, neither has the President nor his law firm, Akufo-Addo, Prempeh and Co. acted as a lawyer for this Alistair Mathias or Guldrest”. “The President does not know this Mathias or Guldrest. Ignore the spurious allegations”, he added. Some members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) latched on to these claims and raised various accusations against the President. However, the claims were denied by legal counsel to the President, Kow Essuman who revealed that President Akufo-Addo had not been in private practice as a lawyer since 2000 and his legal chambers has not in any way acted as lawyers to Alistair nor any of his associates. Mathias is a gold trader with expertise in designing money laundering schemes, a skill that he claims has given him access to heads of states across the continent. Posing as Chinese criminals seeking to launder money from Africa, Al Jazeera’s investigative team caught up with Mathias who spilled out his modus operandi. The so-called financial architect also boasted about his alleged relationships with Presidents of some countries and the king of Swaziland. “There’s no head of states or president that either of us can’t get to on this continent. Next door in Swaziland, the king is a close friend of mine. Zambia’s President is a close friend of mine. DRC, the president has invited me several times to come build a refinery”, he claimed. Credit: 3news.com

President Akufo-Addo, has appointed Dr Yaw Twerefour as Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency. His appointment, made in accordance with Article 195(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 100(1) of the Health Institutions and Facilities Act, 2011 (Act 829), will see him in charge of the licencing, control, and regulation of facilities involved in the storage, transportation, and disposal of human remains. The new appointee is a public health specialist and a medical practitioner with over ten years of experience. He previously worked as the Medical Superintendent of Anyaa Polyclinic and in various capacities at Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Region. He has also served as an external consultant to the National Health Insurance Authority and has worked as a resident medical and COVID support doctor at GHACEM and other corporate institutions. In view of this, Kwame A. Plus writes on his facebook page below: "Me papa Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, me serɛ me bisa ooo, ahobraseɛ mu ara 🙏🏾. Mepawokyɛ ooo, abrantiɛ wei nadwuma paa ne sɛn? Ɔyɛ national chief mourner, anaa ɔno na ɔbɛ kyekyɛ ayiese jollof, anaa ɔyɛ national samaley coordinator? 😂 Agyewodin Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. Wo yɛ too much wate... 😂" Profile of Dr. Yaw Twerefour Dr. Yaw Twerefour obtained his bachelor’s degree in medicine at First Moscow State Medical Academy. He also holds Certificates in Occupational Health Safety (Nebosh International, United Kingdom) and Global Health Project Management and Leadership Management from the University of Washington in the United States. Dr. Twerefour pursued postgraduate certificate courses in Health Administration and Management (HAM), Monitoring, and Evaluation, both at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Accra. Credit: Thinknewsonline.com

Celebrated Kumawood Actor, Abraham Kofi Davies, popularly known in showbiz as Salinko has finally opened up on why his marriage has fallen on rocks. Salinko made the remarks in an interview monitored by Thinknewsonline.com. He said "My wife has divorced me because she said she was fed up" He added that all efforts to get his wife to rescind her decision has yielded no results. "We went to see her father and he even told me that his daughter says she is fed up with the marriage" The couple have been married for many years. Salinko also mentioned that the divorce really got to him adding that he almost went mad. Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The 11th prosecution witness in the trial of Aisha Huang has testified that the accused forged documents to obtain a residential permit. According to the witness, Superintendent Divine Ahumah Ocansey, an officer of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Huang forged her marriage certificates to acquire permits. Ms Huang has been charged with undertaking a mining operation without a licence, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation, the illegal employment of foreigners and entering Ghana while she had been prohibited from re-entry. Evidence-in-Chief Explaining further, Superintendent Ocansey told the Court that the accused, who is also known as En Huang, was admitted into the country on May 28, 2010, and was granted a 30 days visitor's visa. The witness noted that Aisha travelled in and out of the country on visitor's visas until she obtained a dependent permit on November 25, 2010, as the wife of Mr Anthony Fabien, a Ghanaian. The dependent permit, he said, restricted the accused from working in the country but was renewed on April 28, 2015, when she obtained an indefinite residence permit as the wife of Anthony Fabien. The 11th witness added that En Huang conducted mining operations at Bepotenten where she engaged the services of Lu Qi Jun, Gao Jin Cheng, Habin Gao and Zhang Zhipeng to mine at the mining site where the four Chinese nationals were arrested by the Obuasi GIS District Command on May 5, 2017. Untrue report During investigations, the witness explained that Aisha told security officers that she was not mining but rather rendering mine support service to one Aunty Maggie at her concession at Bepotenten, adding: “But this was found to be untrue.” “Following the arrest of En Huang, the process leading to her acquisition of the indefinite residence permit was reviewed and it was found that most of the documents supporting her application like the Ghana passport biodata pages of Anthony Fabien and the marriage certificate of her alleged marriage to Anthony Fabien were forged. “The Passport Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Births and Death Registry, Accra, did not have any records on the accused person's husband, Anthony Fabien,” he added. Accused En Huang has been accused of being deeply involved in illegal mining, commonly called galamsey, especially in the Ashanti Region. She was deported from the country in 2018 after the state decided to discontinue her trial, in which she was accused of engaging in small-scale mining without a licence. However, she was said to have sneaked back into the country to allegedly engage in the same activities. The Attorney-General, then, decided to prosecute her for the alleged crimes before her deportation and new ones committed since her return to the country. It is the case of the prosecution that Huang had an illegal mining concession at Bepotenten in the Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region and also operated a mining support services company. She has denied the charges levelled against her and has since been remanded in police custody. Credit: 1 Ghana Tv

An Accra High Court, presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, (Mrs) J.A, sitting in as an additional High Court Judge on April 6 has convicted and sentenced two accused persons to 12 months imprisonment. According to the Accra High Court, the two accused are to pay a fine of two thousand (2000) penalty units each or in default serve twenty-four months in prison in hard labour. The accused persons were Linda Abakah and Solomon Ofosu. They were charged and convicted with the offence of conspiracy to steal, stealing and money laundering. The court held that the two accused persons having been in custody for a significant period of six (6) months and the fact that the bulk of the benefit or proceeds of the crime has not been accrued to them they were given a relatively lenient sentence. The other two accused persons, Derick Obeng aka Chilling and Ezekiel Otoo who were at large at the time of sentencing, were however charged with same offences. Prelude to the conviction It will be recalled that in April, 2022, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in a joint collaboration with the Ghana Association of Bankers (GAB) and the Ghana Police Service arrested a criminal syndicate based in Assin Fosu. The syndicate was involved in mobile banking application fraud and sim swap fraud. The syndicate operates using sim swap and mobile banking application fraud schemes. The mobile application fraud is an online scamming method in which monies are stolen through social engineering by luring customers of banks to divulge their phone numbers, passwords, pin codes, and One Time Password (OTP). After having access to these information, they take over the customer’s bank account, mobile and electronic cash. The fraudsters fraudulently withdrew the remaining balance from the customers’ accounts at Agency Points. EOCO further explained that this was mostly achieved with support of agents from the banks and staff of telecommunication companies to swap sim. Through their fraudulent activities, customers’ mobile numbers were swapped without their knowledge and allowed them to gain access to their mobile banking application to steal funds. They were able to illegally withdraw an amount of GHc257,472.22 from 11 customers. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) is calling on government to put measures in place to save the Ghanaian media industry from dying. In a statement to celebrate World Press Freedom Day, PRINPAG further appealed to the government to support all media houses to be able to stand on their feet. “On this special occasion, PRINPAG would want to seize the opportunity to urge the Government’s media handlers to be proactive and to engage media owners, editors and senior journalists more in an attempt to save the Ghanaian media from dying”. “It is the prayer of PRINPAG that, the Government, through its handlers will put in place mechanisms to ensure that, all media outlets are supported to stand on their feet, whichever is feasible to do, to foster a close partnership and collaboration between the media and the government in the interest of the development of mother Ghana,” PRINPAG appealed. PRINPAG admonished government to desist from discriminating in their dealings with journalists. “We again urge the Government’s media handlers not to discriminate in their dealings with the media but to open up and to bring all media practitioners and their organisations on board to promote the national agenda,” PRINPAG entreated. PRINPAG called on lovers of media freedom to stand up and defend media practitioners by condemning all acts perpetuated against journalists. “On this day, it is important to continue highlighting the need to protect journalists and their sources from censorship, intimidation, and any act of violence" "This year’s World Press Freedom Day must serve as a wake-up call to all lovers of media freedom to stand up and defend media practitioners by condemning all acts that end up negatively affecting the practice of journalism in this country,” it entreated. PRINPAG urged journalists to stay focused and united to prosecute the national agenda irrespective of perceived political ideologies. “Ayekoo to all media practitioners in Ghana as we urge you all to stay focused and united to prosecute the national agenda irrespective of perceived political ideologies,” the association urged its members. Read below full statement by PRINPAG STATEMENT BY THE PRIVATE NEWSPAPERS AND ONLINE NEWS PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION OF GHANA (PRINPAG) ON THE WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 2023 PRINPAG SALUTES ALL MEDIA PRACTITIONERS FOR STERLING PERFORMANCE AMIDST CHALLENGES Fellow Media Practitioners and Members of the prestigious Fourth Estate, as the World marks this year’s World Press Freedom Day today, May 3, 2023, on the theme: “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all other human rights,” the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), salutes all media practitioners in Ghana, who have sacrificed to take up the crucial role of the media practice in a democratic society. On this day, it is important to continue highlighting the need to protect journalists and their sourcess from censorship, intimidation, and any act of violence. This year’s World Press Freedom Day must serve as a wake-up call to all lovers of media freedom to stand up and to defend media practitioners by condemning all acts that end up negatively affecting the practice of journalism in this country. It is also a wake-up call to all lovers of media growth to partner the Ghanaian and to support them in these difficult times to stand on their feet to defend our nation and our enviable democracy, which has become the toast of many in recent times. On this special occasion, PRINPAG would want to seize the opportunity to urge the Government’s media handlers to be proactive and to engage media owners, editors and senior journalists the more in an attempt to save the Ghanaian media from dying. It is the prayer of PRINPAG that, the Government, through its handlers will put in place mechanisms to ensure that, all media outlets are supported to stand on their feet, whichever is feasible to do, to foster a close partnership and collaboration between the media and the government in the interest of the development of mother Ghana. We again urge the Government’s media handlers not to discriminate in their dealings with the media but to open up and to bring all media practitioners and their organisations on board to promote the national agenda. PRINPAG is of the view that, as we celebrate this year’s World Press Freedom Day, it is the desire of the Association and its members that, government reconsiders or restrategises on its media policy, particularly the distribution of state sponsored adverts so as to benefit the majority of media houses in the country, a move PRINPAG believes, will go a long way in sustaining the Ghanaian media and saving them from eventual collapse. PRINPAG again urges the Government and its media handlers to consider bringing all media houses onto a common platform, irrespective of perceived political persuasion as a way of making information readily accessible to all to avoid the situation where due to lack of information some media houses are left with no option than to engage in speculations and conjectures to survive, This way, the Government and its media handlers will be promoting press freedom and pluralism of the media, which is crucial for our development in these contemporary times, not forgetting the need to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression, as enshrined in Chapter 5 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana. For us at PRINPAG, the theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day emphasizes the crucial role of press freedom, media independence and pluralism as well as the freedom of expression in upholding all human rights. The theme also marks the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day and coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Conference and its Declaration and Programme of Action on Human Rights, as well. PRINPAG is of the firm belief that, our Common Agenda in the fight against media oppression and press freedom, is to enforce the right to access information that allows us to seek, receive and disseminate information, ideas, concepts and beliefs across borders and cultures. As a result of the widely accepted role of the media in today’s contemporary World, PRINPAG is amazed by the continued attempts to silence the media around the globe, with old methods of censorship, violence and harassment accompanied by increasingly pervasive digital attacks. On this occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, PRINPAG calls on all media stakeholders, especially the government, to as a matter of urgency, prioritize the welfare and wellbeing of journalist throughout the country so as to ensure that, they are better placed to lend support to the national agenda through the practice of their chosen profession. We also call for a swift release of outcomes/information on investigations into deaths and attacks on Journalists in their line of duty in Ghana. For us at PRINPAG, we will continue to uphold the fundamental human rights of all persons and also use our mediums to protect and promote the rights of all persons in the country and these we will do by strictly displaying professionalism and the understanding of the nuances of the journalism profession. Ayekoo to all media practitioners in Ghana as we urge you all to stay focused and united to prosecute the national agenda irrespective of perceived political ideologies. Long Live Ghana’s Media Industry Long Live Press Freedom Long Live PRINPAG Credit: Citinewsroom

The Ga Traditional Council has announced a ban on drumming and noise-making effective May 15 to June 15, 2023. The month-long ban forms part of activities to mark this year’s Homowo festival. The ban affects any form of noise-making, including the use of loudspeakers, drums, tambourines, funeral rites and roadside evangelism. Addressing the media on behalf of the Ga Mantse, the Public Relations Officer of the Ga Traditional Council, Nii Lartey Anum Tetteh, urged the public to respect the month-long ban stating that a task force has been constituted to prosecute offenders. The following guidelines have been set to ensure full compliance with the directive: 1. During the period of the ban, the usual form of worship should be confined to the premises of churches/mosques and noise levels be minimized to the barest limits possible. 2. Religious bodies and the Traditional Authorities must show respect for one another and restrain their followers from making derogatory and inflammatory remarks about the beliefs and practices of one another. 3. The positioning of loudspeakers outside the premises of churches, mosques and pubs are banned. Roadside evangelists are to cease their activities during this period. 4. Apart from an identifiable task force which consists of AMA personnel, the Police Service and Representatives from the Traditional Councils with tags, no other person or group of persons should be seen or found enforcing the abatement of noise in the metropolis. Boundaries to be affected are: Northern Boundary: Boundary dividing Accra from the Eastern Region. Western Boundary: Odukpon Kpehe (Kasoa) Eastern Boundary: Osu in addition, residents are to note that all villages and towns under the Osu, Ngleshie Alata and Ga Traditional Councils are affected by this ban. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Government of Ghana has charged the Ghanaian media to keep the spotlight on all human rights in its various reportage. Government made these remarks following the celebration of World Press Freedom Day on May 3. Addressing Journalists in Accra on Wednesday, the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said "While urging the Media in Ghana to keep the spotlight on all human rights, we encourage an even sharper focus on efforts to ensure that the economic rights of citizens are fully actualised" Mr. Oppong-Nkrumah added that programs by state and non-state actors to support the Ghanaian people in building back faster after the recent economic challenges should be given deeper attention. Government further added that it is encouraging the media to give more media mileage to content that empowers citizens to fully enjoy their economic rights. "The Government of Ghana renews its commendation of the media in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day. The occasion's thirtieth (30th) anniversary is on the International Theme: Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a driver for all other human rights" "The media has been instrumental over the years in highlighting various rights that require attention for full enjoyment" "The work of the media also in highlighting instances of abuse of some rights by sections of society has led to redress in many instances. We urge the media to remain resolute on this path" "The quest to have all citizens fully access their economic rights is yet to achieve full effect, especially as the world faces dim economic forecasts following recent global challenges." The Ministry of Information added that it has renewed its commitment to support the media stakeholder groups such as the Ghana Journalists Association, the Private Independent Newspapers Association, the Communication Educators platform, Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association and the National Media Commission to implement Ghana's Media Support Programs. The Ministry further encouraged all other stakeholders including development partners to support the Media Capacity Enhancement Program and the Coordinated Mechanism for the Safety of Journalists as sure instruments to better equip the media to discharge its mandate for our democracy. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Oheneba Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei has launched the 2022 Non Traditional Export Statistics in Accra. According to her, she was delighted to see that, the non traditional exports have continued to show resilience in the face of the global economic challenges. Addressing Journalists in Accra on Wednesday, she said "As the Deputy Minister responsible for International Trade, I am particularly pleased with the outcome of the 2022 Non Traditional Export Statistics as it is a testament to the relentless work put in by every individual along the export value chain" "We have often emphasised the importance and contributions of Ghana Non Traditional Export sector to the Ghanaian economy and while this sounds like a broken record, it cannot be dismissed" Explaining further, she hinted the report on the offered analysis aims to inform the populace of the critical trends and patterns in the sector. She also noted that the report highlights the growth of the Non Traditional Export with a considerable increase in exports volume over the previous years. "This indicates that the efforts to promote the NTE through the government's numerous initiatives and interventions are achieving the objectives" She noted that the Non Traditional Export sector has been a key driver of Ghana's economic growth, providing much foreign exchange earnings and providing employments opportunities for the citizenry. The Deputy Minister also mentioned that the NTE has contributed significantly to Ghana's overall export earnings accounting for over 20.22% total exports in the past year. "It is refreshing to note that the NTE sector will catalyse and consolidate the gains of the initiatives such as the 1D1F programme, promote product development and market access opportunities for products of these factories, address supply side constraints and improve the competitiveness of goods and services produced" The Deputy Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akropong Constituency stressed that the report will provide valuable insight into the performance of the NTE in 2022. "The NTEs increased by 6%, or USD3,531,048,234 over the previous year and accounted for over 20.22% of total export earnings over the same period" "It is no doubt that the implementation of the NEDS by GEPA and relevant stakeholders contributed to this positive growth and if we maintain our resilience and hard work, accomplishing the strategy's aim in the next ten years will be a walk in a park,” Taking her turn, the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) of Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Dr. Afua Asabea Asare told Journalists that the NTEs, which encompass a range of diversified products recorded earnings amounting to US$3,531,048,234 in 2022, compared to US$3,330,317,588 in the previous year. She also mentioned that the growth has been attributed to a combination of structural changes within Ghana's NTE ecosystem and the effective implementation of the National Export Development Strategy (NEDS). "We are delighted to report a 6% increase in Ghana's Non-Traditional Export earnings for 2022. This positive trend can be attributed to the successful implementation of the National Export Development Strategy and the strategic changes made within our NTE ecosystem" "The implementation of the NEDS played a crucial role in facilitating the growth of the NTE sector. The strategy focused on enhancing market access, improving product quality and standards, promoting value addition, and exploring emerging markets. These initiatives have led to an overall strengthening of Ghana's NTE sector and a diversification of its export offerings" She cited cocoa paste, cashew nuts, cocoa butter, iron and steel circles, rods, sheets, billets, articles of plastics, aluminium plates, sheets and coils, canned tuna, natural rubber sheets, cocoa powder, and shea oil as part of the top ten NTE products for 2022. Dr. Asabea revealed that Ghana's cocoa paste emerged as the highest earner, contributing US$520.3 million, followed by cashew nuts with US$294.2 million. She, however, hinted that shea oil ranked as the lowest earner with US$92.6 million. "The ECOWAS market remained the leading destination, accounting for 34.59% of the total market, followed closely by the EU & UK markets, contributing 31.90%" She also disclosed that Burkina Faso came out as the leading market destination for Ghana's NTEs, with a consumption value of US$425.01 million, representing a 16% increase from the previous year. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith