The Vice President of Ghana, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has said the perception that foreign aid to Africa was a one-sided act of charity was not true and that wealth flows out of the continent far more than it receives.

Speaking at a meeting with students from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) at Jubilee House on Monday (March 17, 2025), she responded to a question about foreign aid and recent remarks by US President Donald Trump on cutting assistance to Africa.

“You see, one of the questions he hasn’t asked himself is how much leaves our continent for his [Donald Trump’s] country. They think it’s just charity. It is not,” she said.
“If even a fraction of what is taken from our continent remained, we wouldn’t have issues with unemployment, sanitation, or many other challenges.”

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang warned that Africa would not continue to accept economic imbalances. “At the right time, we’ll also take action. And it will not be funny,” she stated.

She referenced Niger’s recent decision to renegotiate its mineral contracts, which saw its national revenue rise from $1 billion to over $10 billion in a year.

The discussion, which brought together students from Harvard Kennedy School and MIT’s urban planning program, covered a range of issues, including women’s empowerment, climate action, and regional integration in Africa.

On climate justice, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang pointed out the unfair burden placed on African nations despite their minimal contributions to global emissions. “We are responsible for less than 5% [of emissions], yet we are expected to bear the consequences,” she noted.

By: Akora Kofi Darko

Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has firmly dismissed swirling rumours about the health of Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, assuring the public that she is “doing very, very well” and recovering steadily.

The Vice President reportedly fell ill shortly after concluding official duties on Friday, March 28, 2025, initially receiving care at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) before being flown abroad for further treatment.

Since then, speculation about her condition has been rife on social media.

Addressing members of the Ghanaian community in Lagos, Nigeria, on Sunday, April 6, Minister Ablakwa debunked the rumours and attributed her recovery to widespread public support.

“Your prayers have worked—Ghanaians at home and abroad. I have heard from her, so I know what I’m talking about. She is doing very, very well,” he affirmed.

He urged Ghanaians to ignore what he called “vicious and un-Ghanaian propaganda,” describing the rumours as politically motivated and lacking credibility.

“Please ignore all of that malicious speculation. Our mother—the first female Vice President of the Republic—is recovering well and will soon resume her duties,” he emphasized.

Ablakwa praised Prof. Opoku-Agyemang as a trailblazer for women in leadership, highlighting her grace under pressure and the hope she inspires across generations.

“She continues to prove that women are equally capable of leading and excelling at the highest levels of national service,” he concluded.

The Vice President is expected to return to Ghana soon and resume her official duties.

By: J. W Quarm

Elikem Kotoko, the Deputy National Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has sharply criticized Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, over his recent allegations linking foreign aircraft to cocaine trafficking in Ghana.

Kotoko took particular issue with Fordjour’s claims regarding AirMed Flight N823AM and Cavok Air Antonov An-12B, accusing the MP of making unfounded and baseless allegations about drug trafficking without providing verifiable evidence. According to Kotoko, serious national security allegations—especially those involving international crime—must be substantiated with concrete proof.

In an interview on Channel One News’s Breakfast Daily on Monday, April 7, Kotoko challenged Fordjour’s credibility, stressing that anyone making such grave assertions on national matters must present reliable evidence. “If Reverend Ntim Fordjour cares about his integrity as a Member of Parliament, he should not take lightly the credibility tied to his title as ‘Reverend’ and the reputation of the Victory Bible Church,” Kotoko stated.

Kotoko further questioned the sincerity behind Fordjour’s statements, noting that anyone acting in good faith would promptly submit evidence to relevant authorities instead of merely making public claims. “If you have any evidence to support what you are alleging, you should fully submit it.

Are you waiting for a government directive or legal compulsion before presenting the evidence?” Kotoko asked.

This critique follows a warning from Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who cautioned Fordjour that he could face arrest if he fails to respond to an invitation from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) concerning the allegations of suspicious flights.

By: J.W Quarm

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has reaffirmed the government’s resolute commitment to deporting all foreign nationals involved in illegal mining—locally known as galamsey—as part of the ongoing efforts to safeguard Ghana’s natural resources.

Speaking to the Ghanaian community in Lagos, Nigeria, Minister Ablakwa emphasized the strong stance of President John Dramani Mahama on halting illegal mining activities, particularly in Ghana’s river bodies and forest reserves. “President Mahama has said that he will not tolerate any form of mining in our river bodies or forest reserves,” Ablakwa stated.

The Minister revealed that a military operation targeting illegal miners is set to begin shortly.

He confirmed that round-ups and prosecutions would take place in the coming days as the government intensifies its efforts to dismantle illegal mining operations. “In the next few days, we’re going to round people up and prosecute them,” he added, referencing the military deployment aimed at curbing illegal mining.

Minister Ablakwa also noted that the government has already carried out several deportations of foreign nationals involved in galamsey, although these actions have not been widely publicized. “Already, a lot of deportations have been carried out.

We’ve just not been advertising them,” he explained.

A key focus, according to the Minister, will be addressing repeat offenders—foreign nationals who return to restricted zones after military operations have removed them.

He expressed confidence that the intensified operations would lead to improvements in water quality, particularly in reducing water turbidity caused by illegal mining.

In his address, Minister Ablakwa appealed to the Ghanaian diaspora in Nigeria to support the government’s efforts in eradicating illegal mining.

He assured them that the government would continue taking all necessary steps to bring the situation under control.

Minister Ablakwa remains optimistic that the ongoing actions will significantly reduce the threat illegal mining poses to Ghana’s environment and resources.

By: J.W Quarm

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, was visibly disheartened during his visit to the Ghanaian Chancery in Lagos, Nigeria, as he witnessed the severe deterioration of state-owned properties.

The condition of the building and its facilities left him deeply concerned.

Upon inspecting the chancery, which is described as small and cramped, the Minister was taken aback by its outdated furniture and malfunctioning air-conditioners.

The washrooms were equally in poor condition, and the Minister’s shock grew as he saw leaking roofs and deteriorated ceilings in the residential apartments housing Ghana’s diplomats.

“This is sad,” he remarked, clearly shaken by the state of disrepair.

The Head of Chancery, Barbara Entee, emphasized the urgency of repairs, noting that the structural defects were undeniable. “When it rains, water enters the residence,” she said. According to her, the visit could not have come at a more opportune time.

She stressed the high cost of maintaining the property and expressed hope that the Minister would push for the reconstruction of both the chancery and residential units. “The property doesn’t speak well of Ghana,” she added.

The property in question was acquired from the defunct Nigerian Airways in 2008, and Ghana currently owns two properties in Lagos, with one being rented to a multinational company.

The Lagos chancery and residential buildings house 23 staff members, including 10 diplomats.

In his remarks, Minister Ablakwa assured the staff and the wider Ghanaian community of his commitment to addressing the issue. “My actions will be louder than my words when I return to Ghana,” he promised. He further pledged to ensure that Ghana’s foreign properties are renovated or reconstructed to meet the required standards.

In Abuja, Ghana owns four properties, one of which was abandoned after a fire incident. The Minister assured that his ministry would focus on acquiring new properties annually, rather than selling existing ones.

This visit served as an eye-opener for Minister Ablakwa, who admitted that it was his first time seeing many of Ghana’s properties abroad.

He vowed to prioritize the improvement and upkeep of these assets, ensuring they reflect the dignity of Ghana’s representation overseas.

By: J.W Quarm