Category: Daily Guide Network

West African leaders have formally endorsed the legal and institutional framework governing the Nigeria-Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a proposed 6,800-kilometre energy corridor intended to transport Nigerian natural gas across the Atlantic coast of Africa to Morocco, with the possibility of eventually supplying European markets.

The intergovernmental agreement was signed on Sunday in Freetown during a summit of heads of state and government of the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS.

The agreement formalises the collective participation of ECOWAS member states in the pipeline’s legal and institutional framework, giving the project broader regional political backing and moving it closer to its operational phase.

The signing in Freetown of an intergovernmental agreement governing the Nigeria-Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline marks a significant step towards the development of one of Africa’s most ambitious energy infrastructure projects. Initiated by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, the pipeline is increasingly emerging as a West African integration project rather than a solely bilateral undertaking.

Originally conceived as a joint initiative between Morocco and Nigeria, the project was launched following King Mohammed VI’s visit to Nigeria in 2016 and his discussions with the country’s then-president, the late Muhammadu Buhari.

The initiative has since received the renewed backing of Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is being jointly developed by Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

Moroccan officials describe the pipeline as a central component of King Mohammed VI’s vision for an economically integrated, prosperous and energy-secure Africa. The project also reflects Rabat’s broader approach to South-South cooperation, based on regional connectivity, shared infrastructure and the development of African resources for the benefit of African economies.

The Freetown agreement represents an important institutional milestone by incorporating ECOWAS countries into a common legal framework for the pipeline’s development and governance.

Morocco is not an ECOWAS member but was associated with the ceremony as one of the project’s two founding partners.

The Freetown signing does not, however, represent the final stage of the institutional process. A separate ceremony is expected to be held in Morocco involving Morocco, Nigeria and Mauritania.

Mauritania, like Morocco, is not a member of ECOWAS but is a key country along the proposed pipeline route.

The forthcoming ceremony is expected to focus on arrangements for the establishment of the project’s management and operating structures, marking the transition from regional political endorsement to technical, financial and operational implementation.

The next phase of the project will include the creation of a dedicated project company, which is expected to be based in Casablanca.

A separate pipeline governance body, referred to as the Pipeline Higher Authority, is expected to have its headquarters in Abuja.

Together, the two institutions would oversee the project’s operational, regulatory and financial dimensions, while coordinating relations between participating governments, national energy companies, investors and international financial institutions.

Once these governance structures are established, the project partners are expected to intensify efforts to mobilise investors and financing ahead of a final investment decision.

ONHYM and NNPC Ltd. have said that the main technical, environmental and engineering studies have been completed, allowing the pipeline to move progressively towards its development phase.

The planned ceremony in Morocco is therefore expected to represent a decisive shift from institutional preparation to implementation.

Once completed, the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline would cross 13 countries along Africa’s Atlantic coastline before reaching Morocco, where it would connect to the existing Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline network.

The pipeline is expected to have an annual transportation capacity of approximately 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas.

Up to 15 billion cubic metres could eventually be supplied to Morocco and European markets, while the remaining volumes would be used to meet demand in participating West African countries.

The project is estimated to cost approximately $25 billion. The first sections could enter service during the early years of the next decade, although the overall construction timetable will depend on financing, regulatory coordination and the completion of technical preparations.

Given its scale, the pipeline would rank among the largest infrastructure projects undertaken on the African continent.

Its implementation will require sustained coordination between the countries along the route, regional organisations, energy operators, development institutions and private investors.

Morocco-Nigeria partnership at the project’s core

The strategic partnership between Morocco and Nigeria remains the foundation of the project.

Developed over the past decade, the partnership is based on sustained political dialogue and a shared commitment to strengthening African economic integration.

Rabat and Abuja have jointly promoted the project since its inception, while cooperation between ONHYM and NNPC Ltd. has provided its principal technical and institutional framework.

The partnership combines Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s leading natural gas producers with Morocco’s infrastructure experience and strategic geographical position between sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and the wider Atlantic region.

The cooperation also extends beyond the gas sector, covering broader economic, diplomatic, industrial and security interests.

The project’s gradual progress reflects the two countries’ decision to pursue a phased approach, beginning with political consultation and feasibility studies before moving towards institutional, financial and operational arrangements.

The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline is intended to serve not only as a gas transportation system but also as a regional development corridor.

Several countries along the proposed route continue to face energy shortages, limited electricity generation and high production costs. Access to natural gas could support more reliable power generation and strengthen the competitiveness of local industries.

The pipeline could also provide participating countries with an opportunity to connect their own gas reserves to a regional transmission network, encouraging domestic resource development and investment.

Supporters of the project argue that it could stimulate industrialisation, facilitate local processing of raw materials and generate employment across the region.

By helping to create an integrated West African gas market, the pipeline could also strengthen economic interdependence and reduce reliance on more expensive or environmentally damaging fuels.

For European countries seeking to diversify their energy supplies amid geopolitical uncertainty, the project could eventually provide an additional source of natural gas.

However, its primary strategic objective remains the development of African energy markets and the improvement of energy access in the countries along its route.

The pipeline forms part of King Mohammed VI’s wider Atlantic vision, which seeks to transform Africa’s Atlantic coastline into an interconnected area of economic cooperation and shared development.

The strategy aims to strengthen transport, trade and energy links between African countries while expanding the continent’s connections with Europe and the Americas.

It also complements Moroccan initiatives intended to improve the access of landlocked African countries to Atlantic ports and international markets.

In this context, the pipeline is presented as an ‘energy highway’ and a ‘development highway’, connecting territories, economies and populations through shared infrastructure.

The endorsement of the intergovernmental agreement in Freetown confirms that the project has moved beyond its original bilateral framework.

What began as a strategic initiative between Morocco and Nigeria is now increasingly being embraced as a regional West African undertaking, with potential implications for energy security, industrial development and economic integration across the continent.

The Freetown signing is therefore an important milestone, but not the final one. The project’s next major test will be the establishment of effective governance and financing structures capable of translating political support into construction and long-term operation.

The Chief Executive (CEO) of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ing. Edward E. Obeng-Kenzo, has called on engineers to take on a more strategic leadership role in driving the country’s industrial transformation, stressing that the success of the Government’s 24-Hour Economy agenda will depend largely on engineering innovation, resilient infrastructure and long-term planning.

According to him, engineers will be at the centre of efforts to build the factories, power systems, transportation networks and digital infrastructure needed to transform Ghana into a globally competitive industrial economy.

Speaking at the second Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE)-Professor Douglas Boateng Lecture Series in Accra, Ing. Obeng-Kenzo described the 24-Hour Economy initiative as both a challenge and an opportunity for the engineering profession.

‘The engineers gathered here today will play a defining role in its success. We have both the responsibility and the privilege of building the foundation upon which future generations will prosper,’ he stated.

He urged the GhIE to position itself as the country’s leading engineering think tank by providing evidence-based policy recommendations, strengthening professional standards and promoting strategic leadership within the engineering community.

The VRA boss outlined several measures he believes are necessary to support the nation’s industrial ambitions.

These include championing infrastructure development to ensure reliable electricity supply, reducing technical losses in power systems through engineering solutions, influencing national energy policy and establishing a long-term engineering foresight agenda to guide infrastructure planning over the next two to five decades.

He also advocated stronger engineering ethics, improved contract management practices, continuous professional development and greater investment in specialised engineering skills to equip the workforce for emerging energy and infrastructure demands.

Ing. Obeng-Kenzo further challenged engineers to apply their expertise to solving pressing national problems, including the recurring flooding that affects Accra and several other parts of the country.

He urged the profession to support government efforts by developing innovative and sustainable engineering solutions capable of addressing such long-standing challenges.

The lecture series also featured remarks from Professor Douglas Boateng, founder of the initiative, who said the platform was created to celebrate excellence in Ghana’s engineering profession while promoting thought leadership on industrialisation and national development.

Professor Boateng stressed the need for engineers to adopt a long-term perspective in their work, arguing that sustainable industrial growth can only be achieved through planning that extends beyond political cycles.

He noted that engineering decisions made today would shape the country’s economic future for generations and therefore required a strategic and forward-looking approach.

The President-Elect of the Ghana Institution of Engineering, Ing. Sophia Tijani, said the annual lecture series was designed to bring together ideas, expertise and innovation to advance Ghana’s development agenda and strengthen collaboration across Africa.

She explained that this year’s theme was chosen to highlight the indispensable role of reliable electricity in achieving the Government’s 24-Hour Economy vision, describing the Volta River Authority as an appropriate partner for the national discussion.

‘We cannot achieve a successful 24-hour economy without reliable power generation,’ she said.

Ing. Tijani noted that the lecture series has become an important platform for engineers, policymakers and industry leaders to exchange ideas and explore practical solutions to the country’s infrastructure and industrialisation challenges.

The annual GhIE-Professor Douglas Boateng Lecture Series continues to serve as a forum for advancing engineering excellence and promoting dialogue on strategies that can support Ghana’s industrial growth and sustainable national development.

An International Relations student of Cumbria University, Rumzia Sule, has been officially crowned Miss Ghana 2026.

She emerged victorious over 12 other contestants to claim the coveted national title on Sunday.

The grand finale of the 69th edition, held under the theme ‘Empowering Women, Enduring Legacy,’ saw the University of Ghana graduate, Fatimatu Zara Ishacu, finish as the first runner-up, and Whitney Opoku Nketia was adjudged the second runner-up.

Anita Dankwa and Nedlyn Appiah won 3rd and 4th runners-up respectively.

Other awards, such as Miss Fitness, Miss Talent, Miss Eloquent, Most Beautiful Skin, Miss Congeniality, Most Disciplined, and Miss Photogenic, went to Nedlyn Appiah, Lucille Akua Oputa-Otutu, Davinia Owusu Kuffuor, Lawrencia Serwaa Amankwa, Fatimatu Zara Ishacu, Anita Appiah, and Whitney Opoku Nketia, in that order.

Rumzia also won the Beauty with A Purpose award.

Unlike previous editions, this year’s pageant adopted a strategic, scaled-down format. Shifting away from traditional pomp and pageantry, to a more personal and community skills development theme.

The final selection was held at the Oak Plaza Hotel in Accra before an elite panel of judges, relatives of contestants, amongst others present to witness the historic occasion.

According to the organisers, Exclusive Events Ghana and the Miss Ghana Foundation, the format change was a deliberate choice, as part of preparations towards the upcoming milestone for the brand, both nationally and internationally, i.e., next year’s landmark 70th anniversary in Ghana and this year’s 75th anniversaries internationally.

‘We made a deliberate choice this year,’ stated the organisers. ‘We did not want to be only entertainment-focused, but more of the personal and corporate development skills. This platform has always been, and will always be, about beauty with a purpose, tangible impact, and an enduring legacy. This crown is not simply an honour; it is a profound responsibility.’

Despite the cosy setting of the coronation, the finalists underwent the full, rigorous pageant journey following auditions on June 27, 2026. The young women participated in an intensive, weeks-long mentorship, leadership, and entrepreneurship program designed to test their resilience, empathy, discipline, and professionalism.

The comprehensive training curriculum included: Financial Literacy and Sustainability: Facilitated by Fidelity Bank, Identity, Poise, and Leadership: Coached by Ivana Annan, Chief Executive Officer of Ivana Couture, Personal Branding and Media Excellence: Led by Dr Ike Tandoh (Founder and CEO of 1PR Communications and Dean of Students at UniMAC-GIJ) at the Honeysuckle Restaurant in Labone, Movement and Flexibility: Taught by Dr Terry Bright Kweku Ofosu, Head of the Department of Dance Studies at the University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts and the 1989 Ghana National Dance Champion, Fitness and Mental Well-being: By Philippa Pepera, the Director at Pippa’s Health Centre, Etiquette, and Personal Development with Jennifer Agyemang, Founder of Amazing U.

To further inspire the contestants, the cohort toured the Despite Automobile Museum in East Legon, learning from the remarkable entrepreneurial journey of businessman Dr Osei Kwame Despite to reinforce resilience in the face of challenges.

True to the pageant’s core mission, these lessons were translated into nationwide social intervention projects. Through the Miss Ghana Foundation’s Beauty with a Purpose initiative, the contestants led a youth mentorship program at Martey Tsuru Presbyterian JHS in Accra, impacting over 300 pupils with sessions on patriotism, civic responsibility, and resilience.

Furthermore, the contestants demonstrated their commitment to national development by rolling up their sleeves for the National Clean-Up Exercise, supporting President John Dramani Mahama’s call to restore cleanliness across Ghana by desilting choked gutters in parts of Accra.

The Foundation emphasised that these outreach programs were vital evaluation tools used to identify a queen who genuinely embodies compassion and a willingness to serve society beyond the glamour of the stage.

The outcome was determined by a combination of the preliminary journey, which accounted for a massive 80% of the total score, and the public vote, which made up the remaining 20%.

However, organisers indicated that a key turning point was the final presentations, where each finalist took the stage one last time to pitch her 12-month vision for driving social impact through the Miss Ghana Foundation. Rumzia’s exceptional public speaking and commanding vision ultimately separated her from the field.

As the newly minted Miss Ghana 2026, Rumzia will now begin preparations to represent the nation on the international stage at the upcoming Miss World pageant in Vietnam.

Partners and Sponsorship

Acknowledgements: The 69th Miss Ghana pageant received key media support from Multimedia Ghana, and Daily Guide Network.

A veteran City Guard of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Nana Kojo Poku Ware, popularly known as ‘IGP,’ has been enstooled as the Adum Hene Kyeame, pledging to serve the Adum Stool, the Asantehemaa and Asanteman with loyalty, humility and dedication.

The colourful ceremony, held on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the Adum Stool House, was performed under the auspices of the Adumhene, Baffour Agyei Kese IV, and attracted traditional authorities, KMA officials, colleagues, traders, family members and well-wishers, who gathered to witness the installation and pay homage to the newly enstooled linguist.

Representing the Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, popularly known as King Zuba, was the KMA Operations Commander, Mohammed Muntari, also known as ‘Bounty.’ He was accompanied by military officers attached to the Assembly, who joined the gathering to honour the newly installed traditional leader.

Until his enstoolment, Nana Kojo Poku Ware had served with the KMA for more than two decades as a City Guard, earning admiration for his discipline, professionalism and commitment to enforcing the Assembly’s by-laws. His nickname, ‘IGP,’ reflects the respect he commands among colleagues and the trading community within the Kumasi Central Business District (CBD).

Clad in a white traditional cloth, with white powder smeared on his head and body to symbolise victory and a successful transition into his new traditional office, Nana Kojo Poku Ware took his seat on the ancestral stool amid traditional rites, drumming and jubilation.

He later received handshakes and congratulations from Baffour Agyei Kese IV, chiefs, family members, friends, colleagues, KMA officials and hundreds of traders who lined up to pay their respects.

Speaking to DAILY GUIDE, many traders described the newly installed linguist as a disciplined, approachable and affable officer whose fairness, humility and dedication have earned him widespread admiration over the years.

They said his elevation was well deserved, praising his dedicated service to Asanteman and expressing confidence that his vast experience in public service and community engagement would enable him to discharge his traditional responsibilities with diligence and integrity.

As Adum Hene Kyeame, Nana Kojo Poku Ware will serve as the principal spokesperson and adviser to Baffour Agyei Kese IV, playing a key role in preserving the customs, traditions and values of the Adum Stool while strengthening communication between the traditional authority and the people. He will also perform traditional duties in service to the Asantehemaa whenever called upon, representing the Adum Stool in accordance with the customs and traditions of Asanteman.

His installation is widely regarded as a fitting recognition of a man whose decades of dedicated service have positively impacted the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, the Kumasi business community and the Adum Traditional Area. Many attendees expressed confidence that his discipline, humility and wealth of experience would enable him to excel in his new role in service to Baffour Agyei Kese IV, the Asantehemaa and Asanteman.

Only the so-called cadres, who it would appear have no genuine regrets over the travesty of justice which took place under the junta of Rawlings, see no evil about the tribunal system.

We find it difficult to think that President Mahama would want to evoke memories of the dark days of our recent history by re-enacting the tribunal system.

Voices of reason have spoken and continue to do about the repercussions of the return of the kangaroo court system which Ghana lived with in those bloody days of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).

Although those who lost their lives following the unjust decisions of the tribunal courts of the years in reference are no more, their relatives have lived long enough to witness an attempt to relive those murderous days. These survivors will always remember the trauma they went through when their loved ones were summoned before the kangaroo courts.

The ‘Colonel Bogey’ martial music signal tune preceding announcements during the junta period sounded ominous. This was followed by an announcement that ‘so and so’ persons should report at Gondar Barracks. ‘Talking back’ was not allowed let alone the engagement of lawyers to speak on behalf of the accused. This is what lovers of the system want the country to embrace, but they are few and we outnumber them.

Here is to endorse the call by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to the President not to sign the Tribunals Bill, which to all intent and purposes was hurried through the legislative process.

Unless the thinking of most Ghanaians is wrong, the President and his government intend to expedite politically motivated cases, by sidestepping the traditional court system and the technicalities embedded in it to ensure fair trial and strict adherence to the rule of law, no more no less and reintroducing the tribunals.

The excuse that the tribunals are intended to address the shortage of courts does not make sense when the physical provision of infrastructure is what is being referred to. The tribunal system cannot be an answer to this challenge when construction of court houses is the solution.

The previous government, while appreciating the problem, proceeded with the provision of 120 court houses across the country.

This government does not see the foregone as the antidote to this challenge and would rather the memories of the murderous days of our chequered history are re-enacted.

This is not the time not to listen to the worries of Ghanaians who understand what it means to reintroduce the tribunal system in our justice administration.

Those who suffered humiliation or had their mothers do, when the ‘?y? kania, ?y? hain’ refrain played out in the country know the fallouts of a tribunal system.

We cannot have this obnoxious system reshape our justice administration in the country.

Let us reflect on our historical antecedents and act accordingly. Although many think that President John Mahama, obsessed with passing the bill could ignore the lamentations of Ghanaians and append his signature, perhaps he could change his mind and do the needful.

This is the time that the Council of State’s intervention is required. Let them advise the President truthfully with the love of the nation’s interest guiding them as they do so. Pleasing the President is immaterial at this stage when the country is on the verge of being plunged into a judicial doom.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, yesterday landed himself a 20-year jail term for permitting others to undertake mining on his company’s concession at Samreboi in the Western Region, without written approval from the sector minister.

He was also fined GHS120,000 for the offence while his company, Akonta Mining Limited was fined GHS180,000 for its role in unlawfully assigning the concession to a third party.

A High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, in her judgement, said the court took notice of the gravity of the offence and the need for deterrent sentence to address the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining.

Chairman Wontumi, who was wearing a bright yellow and blue Agbada, looked dejected the moment the court found him guilty of the offences.

Charges

Chairman Wontumi was charged with one count of assignment of mineral rights without approval, and another count of purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, contrary to Section 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended by Section 3 of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).

His company, Akonta Mining and another person identified as Kwame Antwi, who is on the run, were charged with the same offences.

Chairman Wontumi pleaded not guilty to the charges and pleaded not guilty on behalf of the companies. Kwame Antwi never showed up for the trial and no effort was made to locate him during the pendency of the trial.

AG’s Case

The prosecution, led by the Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, called four witnesses, including Michael Gyedu Ayisi, an artisanal miner, Henry Okum, a small-scale miner, Joseph Iroko, a Senior Manager (Legal) at the Minerals Commission, and Detective Chief Inspector Sarfo Asiedu Kwasi, the case investigator.

Michael Gyedu Ayisi told the court that he worked under Henry Okum on the Samreboi concession and that he got to know that the concession belonged to Wontumi based on information provided by Okum.

Henry Okum also told the court that he entered into a verbal arrangement with Chairman Wontumi to undertake land reclamation and mining activities on the Samreboi concession.

However, he confirmed under cross-examination that there was no written agreement, deed of assignment, or ministerial approval validating the alleged arrangement between him and Chairman Wontumi.

The prosecution’s third witness, on his part, told the court that a search of the Commission’s records revealed no application, approval, or documentation indicating that Akonta Mining Company Limited had assigned or transferred its concession at Samreboi to Henry Okum, adding that in the absence of ministerial approval, no assignment could be considered formally recognised.

The case investigator, Detective Chief Inspector Sarfo Asiedu Kwasi, testified about police investigations into mining operations at Samreboi and parts of the Tano Nimiri Forest. He said police arrested 29 suspects and seized excavators, gold, firearms, ammunition, and cash.

Wontumi’s Defence

Chairman Wontumi then opened his defence and testified himself, while calling four witnesses, including Wisdom Edem Gomashie, a mining expert; George Mireku-Duker, former Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mining; Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, former Western Regional Minister and Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), and Evans Addae.

Chairman Wontumi denied ever permitting any person to undertake mining on his Samreboi concession.

He told the court that the company had acquired a lease but since there was no parliamentary ratification, the company did not undertake any mining operations on the concession.

Mr. Darko-Mensah, also ‘categorically and unequivocally’ rejected the assertion that Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining Company Limited were engaged in or facilitating illegal mining on the company’s concession at Samreboi.

Mr. Mireku-Duker, on his part, also told the court that Akonta Mining Limited’s concession was invaded by illegal miners and a report of same was forwarded to the ministry during his tenure.

Judgement

Justice Kocuvie-Tay, in her judgement, said the issue in contention is that Chairman Wontumi admitted he permitted Henry Okum to enter the concession but not for mining but rather for reclamation purposes – planting coconut on the degraded portion of the land, while Henry Okum also told the court that Chairman Wontumi had permitted him to mine on the concession and use the proceeds to undertake the reclamation.

She, however, noted that the agreement between them is not documented and there is no witness to that agreement so, there is no direct evidence of the nature of the agreement.

Justice Kocuvie-Tay therefore relied on circumstantial evidence to hold that Chairman Wontumi permitted Okum to illegally mine on the concession and use the proceeds to undertake the reclamation.

She said no reasonable evidence existed to rival the conclusion that Chairman Wontumi permitted Henry Okum to reclaim the land with proceeds Okum generated from the illegal mining activities on the Akonta Mining’s concession.

The court said evidence in the trial point to the fact that Chairman Wontumi alone was the sole controlling mind and hand of Akonta Mining Limited at all times material, holding that the company did not have any proper corporate governance structure.

The court, therefore, lifted the corporate veil and held Chairman Wontumi responsible for acts done on behalf of the company, holding that there is no difference between him and the company as far as their dealing with Henry Okum was concerned.

‘This Court finds that the 1st accused (Chairman Wontumi) was the true and de facto mineral rights holder in the concession in question,’ the court held.

Justice Kocuvie-Tay also held that Okum is not a registered mining support services provider, yet Chairman Wontumi admitted permitting him to enter the concession to undertake reclamation activities without visiting the concession himself to confirm whether Okum was doing what he was assigned to do.

The court, therefore, found Chairman Wontumi guilty of all two charges and after considering the plea mitigation, sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment in hard labour and also fined him GHS120,000, on each counts, in default he will serve additional three years. The sentences are to run concurrently.

The court further ordered that some items found on the concession during the arrest of illegal miners, including GHS157,000 cash, eight (8) pump action guns, one (1) single-barreled gun, five (5) pieces of metal suspected to be gold concealed in a sachet, should be confiscated to the state.

Other items include four (4) machetes, several water pumping machines, 310 AAA/BB cartridges, one (1) grease gun, four (4) motorcycles, two (2) vehicles, 25 serviceable excavators, and four (4) non-serviceable excavators.

After years of debt, operational difficulties and repeated calls for privatisation, Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has recorded its first profit in a decade under a new Board and management team.

‘Losses escalated significantly in prior years, but in 2025, this trend reversed, resulting in a foreign exchange gain of approximately GHS 1.38 billion. As a result, the Company recorded: Operating profit: approximately GHS 1.25 billion Profit before tax: approximately GHS 1.42 billion Profit after tax: approximately GHS 1.09 billion. This represents the refinery’s first profit in over a decade, marking a historic financial turnaround’ the report read.

Addressing stakeholders at the company’s 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM), in Accra, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor following the release of the refinery’s latest financial statements, commended the Board and Management of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) for steering the state-owned refinery back to profitability.

‘This achievement demonstrates what effective leadership, discipline and sound corporate governance can accomplish. Recording a profit after ten years is not only remarkable but also a strong indication that Tema Oil Refinery is on the path to sustainable recovery.’

The Minister noted that TOR’s performance reflects the commitment of the current leadership to restoring one of Ghana’s most strategic energy assets.

‘The Board, under the leadership of Chairman Najon Bilijo, together with the Managing Director, Edmund Kombat, and the entire management team, deserve commendation for the work they have done so far. They have demonstrated that with the right leadership and accountability, TOR can once again become a commercially viable national asset.

‘He has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that he is capable. Every objective person who takes a critical look at where TOR was, where he took the refinery and where he has brought it so far can only say 100 out of 100″he added.

The Minister stated that government remained committed to supporting reforms which will consolidate the refinery’s gains while positioning it to contribute more effectively to Ghana’s energy security and industrial development.

He explained that once the company becomes financially stronger, it will help strengthen Ghana’s petroleum value chain, improve energy resilience and reduce dependence on imported refined petroleum products.

The Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Edmond Kombat, said the current management inherited a company saddled with severe financial, operational and governance challenges.

He said the management inherited a legacy debt portfolio of approximately USD517 million arising largely from statutory obligations, trade liabilities, and unresolved claims with receivables of approximately GHS 3 billion accrued under the ESLA framework, which did not translate into liquidity, as proceeds were largely applied to settling obligations directly with creditors coupled with unaudited financial statements from 2019 to 2024.

‘Critical processing units including the Crude Distillation Unit and the Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit were either non-operational or significantly degraded due to prolonged inactivity and deferred maintenance.’he stated

According to Mr. Kombat, the management’s immediate priority was restoring operational capacity and rebuilding governance systems especially critical infrastructure that had also deteriorated after years of inactivity.

‘I am pleased to report that turnaround maintenance on the Crude Distillation Unit has been successfully completed, leading to the resumption of refinery operations’.

He said in December 2025, the processing of approximately 600,000 barrels of crude oil provided clear evidence of renewed operational capacity and technical resilience.

This he explained represents the refinery’s first profit in over a decade, marking a historic financial turnaround adding that the cumulative losses recorded by the Company over the preceding nine years amounted to GHS6.08 billion.

‘This single year’s profit does not erase that history, but it marks a decisive inflection point’. he noted

The Managing Director also highlighted what he described as one of the most significant governance reforms undertaken by the current management.

‘By 30 April 2026, all six years of outstanding financial statements covering 2019 through to 2024 had been audited and finalised. The 2025 accounts were also completed and audited by 30 May 2026. In total, seven sets of audited financial statements were produced and presented in a single effort.’

‘The year 2025 was a turning point. We cleared six years of audit arrears. We recorded the first profit in a decade. We reduced debt, cut payables and improved collections. We have consolidated. We have shown what is possible. Now we build. ‘he added

While welcoming the financial turnaround and progress made, Mr. Kombat however said that the journey to full recovery is a work in progress as the Board and Management remain firmly committed to strengthening operational efficiency, improving financial performance and ensuring long-term sustainability.

‘The recovery of Tema Oil Refinery is not merely a corporate objective, it is a national imperative. A fully operational refinery will reduce Ghana’s foreign exchange expenditure on imported petroleum products, strengthen national energy security, promote local content development and enhance value addition to Ghana’s crude oil resources’.

For more than a decade, TOR struggled with mounting debts, intermittent shutdowns, inadequate working capital, obsolete infrastructure and low refining capacity, leaving the refinery unable to operate consistently to achieve its vision.

Analysts said the prolonged financial challenges fuelled continuous public debate over the future of the refinery, with some stakeholders proposing partial or outright privatisation to reduce losses and attract investment.

Over the years, energy experts have also pointed to poor corporate governance, political interference and accumulated liabilities as some of the major factors behind TOR’s decline.

Energy analysts believe the challenges significantly weakened TOR’s balance sheet and reduced its competitiveness within the downstream petroleum sector.

The Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) and other researchers, in a publication titled ‘Plugging the Two-Decade Leak: Strategic Options for the Sustainability of Tema Oil Refinery, observed that TOR’s operational inefficiencies and financial constraints had affected its ability to function effectively as a refinery.

They argued that the long-term sustainability of Tema Oil Refinery depends on strong corporate governance, financial discipline and sustained capital investment to modernise operations.

The policy think tank has consistently maintained that while TOR remains a strategic national asset, its continued relevance depends on implementing reforms that improve efficiency and commercial performance.

In the light of this, energy expert have said that, the refinery’s financial turnaround in the 2025 financial year marks a significant departure from years of recurring losses and has largely credited it to reforms introduced by the current Board of Directors, chaired by Najon Bilijo, and the management team led by Managing Director Edmond Kombat.

According to the company, since assuming office, the Board and Management have implemented measures to strengthen corporate governance, improve financial controls, reduce operational costs, restructure debts and reposition the refinery for long-term sustainability.

These interventions, the Board said, have improved operational efficiency while rebuilding stakeholder confidence.

Analysts have said the 2025 audited financial statement shows that the refinery’s return to profitability demonstrates that ‘the strategic reforms undertaken by the Board and Management are beginning to yield measurable financial and operational results.

Some energy experts believe TOR’s return to profitability is expected to strengthen investor confidence and reinforce calls for continued reforms rather than wholesale divestiture.

Energy sector observers say the latest financial results validate longstanding recommendations by policy experts that governance reforms and prudent financial management, rather than outright sale of the company, offer a more sustainable pathway to reviving the refinery.

While acknowledging that significant challenges remain including recapitalisation, infrastructure modernisation and expanding refining capacity from the current 28,000 barrels per day towards the installed capacity of 45,000 barrels and eventually 60,000 barrels, the refinery’s improved financial performance is widely regarded as an important first step in restoring its position as Ghana’s premier petroleum refining company.

Industry analysts have also said sustaining the momentum will require continued investment, operational discipline and adherence to sound corporate governance principles to ensure that the refinery’s return to profitability becomes a permanent feature rather than a temporary recovery.

The Presiding Bishop of Christian Faith Church International (CFCI), Bishop Emmanuel Botwey, has bemoaned the commercialisation of ministry in some places which has overshadowed the simplicity and purity of the Gospel.

He said some believers pursue spectacular experiences while neglecting genuine transformation of character.

‘Discipleship has often given way to shallow Christianity, producing converts who know how to attend church but not necessarily how to follow Christ wholeheartedly,’ he indicated.

Presiding Bishop Botwey, a member of the National Executive Council of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), was delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Annual General Council Meeting of CFCI in Takoradi last Saturday.

The event was graced by the Oversight Executive Committee and Interim Management Committee Members as well as Founding Ministers, Elders and Supporting Leaders of the church.

He said, ‘Within the Church itself, we face additional concerns that require sober reflection. Secularism continues to erode biblical values. Moral relativism questions absolute truth.’

Bishop Botwey, who is also the Chairman of the Western Regional Peace Council, expressed disappointment that materialism has subtly shifted the focus of many believers from eternal priorities to earthly pursuits.

‘Consumer Christianity has replaced committed discipleship in many quarters. Our families are under increasing pressure. Young people are confronted daily with ideologies that contradict biblical truth,’ he stressed.

He indicated that the credibility of the Church depends greatly on leaders whose lives reflect humility, integrity, holiness, accountability, and servant-heartedness.

‘But the challenges the church faces should not discourage us. Rather, they should drive us back to the One who alone empowers the Church-the Holy Spirit,’ he pointed out.

Bishop Botwey reminded Christians that before Jesus commissioned His disciples to evangelise the nations, He instructed them to wait until they were clothed with power from above.

‘So programmes, structures, financial resources, and strategic planning all have their place, but none can substitute for the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.

‘Men and women who know Christ, obey His Word, grow in holiness, serve faithfully, and reproduce themselves by discipling others,’ he mentioned.

He encouraged churches to become a disciple-making community where believers are grounded in Scripture, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and equipped for Kingdom and national service.

A dual national is, functionally, a bridge: bank accounts, credit histories, and boardroom relationships in London, New York, and Toronto; land, family, and lifelong obligation in Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale. That combination – creditworthiness abroad, commitment at home – is the scarcest input in African development finance, and no policy can manufacture it. The remittances discussed at the outset are only its visible surface. Beneath them sit the diaspora-financed property market of Greater Accra; the investment surge the Year of Return unlocked in 2019; and a generation of returnee-built institutions – Databank, which helped build Ghana’s modern capital markets, founded by young Ghanaians home from Wall Street; Ashesi University, founded by Patrick Awuah after leaving Microsoft; and the fintech and remittance corridor itself, built largely by founders who carry two passports and raise capital on both sides of the Atlantic.

The pattern is global. China’s economic miracle was seeded by overseas Chinese capital flowing into the early special economic zones, and Beijing courted its ‘sea turtles’ home to run companies and public institutions. India answered its circulating Silicon Valley diaspora not with exclusion but with the Overseas Citizen of India regime, designed to deepen the tie. In each case, the state understood that the citizen with a foot in two worlds is not a divided asset but a doubled one.

Every serious government deploys such people deliberately – as trade envoys, investment ambassadors, and, yes, actual ambassadors – because they can walk into a pension fund in Toronto and walk out with commitments for their home country. Ghana alone looks at this profile and declares it constitutionally unfit for a state title. We ask them to be Ghana’s ambassadors in every boardroom except the embassy. That is not merely bizarre; it is economic self-harm written into the supreme law of the land.

Answering the Objectors: Safeguards, Not Barricades

The concerns behind the Council’s advice deserve a serious response – and each can be met with an instrument sharper than a blanket ban.

Objection 1: Divided loyalty in sensitive offices. Loyalty is not a function of how many passports a person holds; it is a function of character, incentives, and oversight – which is why single-citizen officials have perpetrated every coup and every act of grand corruption in Ghana’s history. The correct instrument is a statutory security-vetting regime: any appointee to a designated sensitive office – dual citizen or not – undergoes graduated clearance administered by the National Security Secretariat, with foreign attachments assessed individually. This is how the UK, US, and Canada protect their secrets – far better than a passport test, which vets nothing.

Objection 2: Accountability flight – the official who loots and escapes. The answer is twofold. First, disclosure: amend Act 550 to require declaration of all nationalities, foreign residencies, and foreign assets on assumption of office, with criminal penalties for concealment. Second, jurisdictional consent: dual-citizen appointees to designated offices execute a statutory undertaking submitting to Ghanaian jurisdiction and consenting to extradition – paired with extradition treaties with the principal diaspora states, which Ghana needs anyway, since sole citizens abscond too.

Objection 3: Some offices are simply too sensitive. Perhaps – so offer a principled compromise. Adopt the narrow-core model: retain a sole-allegiance or renounce-on-appointment requirement for a short, closed, constitutionally-entrenched list – the Presidency, Chief of Defence Staff, and the intelligence chiefs – while opening everything else, subject to vetting. Crucially, renunciation should operate at appointment, not at aspiration: no Ghanaian should surrender a second citizenship merely to stand for an office they may never win. That single change would have spared the Republic the entire Quayson debacle.

Objection 4: Diaspora candidates will crowd out home-based talent. The electorate answers this one. Voters – as Assin North demonstrated twice – are perfectly capable of judging who serves them, and appointive offices already face parliamentary vetting. A citizenship bar stacked on top of democratic scrutiny is not a safeguard; it is a statement of distrust in the very voters and institutions the Constitution empowers.

Add two systemic safeguards: a public register of foreign interests for all covered officeholders, maintained by CHRAJ and searchable by any citizen; and a five-year statutory review requiring the Attorney-General to report to Parliament on the regime’s operation – evidence of actual harm, not speculation – so the debate continues on facts.

Conclusion: Sovereignty Resides in the People – All of Them

Parliament faces a simple question dressed in complicated clothing. The Supreme Court has already held the statutory scaffolding built on Article 8(2) unconstitutional. What remains produces absurdity – a dual citizen may head the Judiciary but not a border post – and its most famous achievement is the years-long prosecution of a duly elected MP over the timing of a renunciation. The comparative record, from Ottawa to Jerusalem to Kigali, shows nations gaining talent, capital, and reach by opening their institutions to their Diasporas.

But the deepest argument is the Constitution’s own first principle. Article 1 declares that the sovereignty of Ghana resides in the people of Ghana, in whose name and for whose welfare the powers of government are to be exercised. It does not say some of the people. Article 17 forbids the state to sort its citizens into grades. A constitution that opens by vesting sovereignty in all the people, and then quietly maintains a class of citizens who may vote, pay, and obey but never serve, is at war with itself. The Amendment Bill ends that war. A republic that trusts its people to choose their governments must also trust the people they choose.

The Council of State was entitled to its opinion; Article 291(2) guarantees it a voice, not a veto. The last word belongs to Parliament, and through Parliament to the sovereign people – including the voters of Assin North, who have already given theirs. Twice.

Pass the bill. Attach the safeguards. Vet the individual, not the passport. And let every Ghanaian, wherever the accident of economics or the operation of another country’s law has placed a second document in their hands, come home to serve.

As Accra’s real estate market becomes increasingly sophisticated, investors are looking beyond the biggest developments; they are prioritising exclusivity, privacy, security, location, quality, and sustainable returns over sheer scale. The Chestnut, located in the prestigious Airport Residential Area, embodies this new approach to property investment, where less is deliberately more.

Its carefully curated collection of studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments offers an opportunity to invest in a development defined by enduring value, lasting demand, and timeless quality that ensures long-term performance of the asset.

What makes The Chestnut’s boutique scale a genuine investment advantage?

Unlike large developments with hundreds of units, The Chestnut creates a low-density environment that offers greater privacy and a more personalized living experience. This deliberate approach ensures residents enjoy premium amenities without the overcrowding often associated with larger developments.

Security is at the heart of The Chestnut’s boutique living experience. Our three-factor authentication access control system ensures only authorised residents and approved visitors can enter the development, offering greater privacy, reduced foot traffic, and a more secure environment.

These qualities contribute to higher tenant satisfaction, longer tenancy periods, reduced vacancy, and lower turnover costs, all of which improve the overall return on investment.

Why one-bedroom apartments are one of the most attractive investment opportunities in Accra?

One-bedroom apartments continue to outperform other unit options because they appeal to a broad segment of the rental market, including young professionals, expatriates, corporate executives, and frequent business travellers seeking both short-term and long-term rentals.

This offers investors the flexibility to maximise returns while responding to changing market demand. For residents, a thoughtfully designed one-bedroom provides the perfect balance of convenience and functionality, offering private spaces to unwind while still accommodating guests social entertaining without compromising personal space.

Premium one beds in a prime location like The Chestnut generate consistent demand which results in reliable occupancy and stable rental income throughout the year, making it an ideal choice whether purchasing a first investment property or expanding an existing portfolio.

How do The Chestnut’s amenities enhance the value of a one-bedroom apartment?

Today’s tenants expect more than just a beautifully designed apartment, they expect a complete lifestyle. Every unit at The Chestnut provides access to thoughtfully curated amenities, including a rooftop swimming pool, rooftop restaurant, café, gym, co-working spaces, concierge services, and professional property management.

Due to its limited number of residents, these facilities remain private, accessible, and enjoyable throughout the day. This boutique experience improves everyday living and also strengthens the property’s appeal in the rental market, allowing owners to command competitive rental rates while attracting quality tenants.

82% Sold in Just Seven Months

Why is now the right time to invest?

The Chestnut’s market performance is already demonstrating the strength of its investment proposition. Just seven months after launching sales, the development is already 82% sold, reflecting strong buyer confidence in its boutique concept and long-term investment potential.

Starting from US$131,000 with a flexible 24-month payment plan, this is the ideal time to secure one of the remaining one-bedroom apartments before they are fully sold out.

Whether your goal is to generate rental income, preserve wealth, or build long-term capital appreciation, a one-bedroom apartment at The Chestnut represents an investment built on quality, location, and enduring demand.