Ing. Francis Addai-Nimoh, a distinguished member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former Member of Parliament for Mampong, has officially announced his withdrawal from the party’s presidential primary scheduled for January 31, 2026.

In a statement issued on August 27, 2025, Addai-Nimoh cited bias, bad timing, and what he described as the “unhealthy monetization” of the process as reasons for his decision. He specifically condemned “the seeming inclination and bias of Party executives towards one candidate” and the astronomical GHS 4.6 million required from aspirants.

He further argued that the timing of the contest was “inappropriate political timing” and that the steep fees placed “unethical emphasis on money rather than competence and winnability.” His withdrawal, therefore, represents not just a personal decision but also a critique of the party’s internal processes.

Addai-Nimoh, who represented Mampong in Parliament from 2008 to 2016, is no stranger to the NPP’s presidential race. He contested in the 2014 primaries and attempted the 2015 parliamentary primaries, both without success. At the NPP’s Annual National Delegates Conference in 2022, he had also predicted surprises in the party’s leadership, stressing that Ghanaians were eager to see “new faces” emerge within the NPP.

Despite bowing out, the former legislator extended goodwill to the remaining contenders. “Nevertheless, I wish all the aspirants well in their campaigns. Long live the NPP and long live our homeland, Ghana,” he concluded, leaving the contest with both a critique and a message of unity.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to building strong partnerships with stakeholders to ensure the transparent and responsible management of Ghana’s natural resources.

The Ministry noted that collaboration with relevant institutions remains a central part of the ministry’s reform agenda.

This assurance was given when a delegation from the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), led by its President and CEO, Madam Suneeta Kaimal, paid a courtesy call on him in Accra. The team also included NRGI’s Africa Director, Madam Nafi Chico Quashie, and other officials who discussed strategies for strengthening natural resource governance in Ghana.

The Minister highlighted the balance between welcoming investment into the sector and ensuring that such activities are carried out responsibly. He emphasized that transparency and effective institutional partnerships are necessary to safeguard the country’s resources.

He further pointed to ongoing projects such as the Tree for Life initiative, which aims to rehabilitate 5,500 hectares of degraded forest in partnership with the Forestry Commission.

“It is not an easy task, but we are determined to restore these areas and make them green again,” he stated. In addition, he outlined the Blue Water Guards program, which will recruit 2,000 people this year to help protect river bodies.

The NRGI leadership commended the ministry’s efforts and pledged support to enhance reforms. They also underscored the importance of effective natural resource governance in shaping the wellbeing and sustainable development of the country.

President John Mahama has described Africa the world’s most dynamic emerging market as he impressed on the investing community to consider it.

According to him, African’s youthful population coupled with its fast urbanization drive and digital connectivity makes it the preferred investment destination.

Speaking at the African Singapore Business Forum on Monday August 25,2025, President Mahama intimated that investment in Africa will yield the needed returns for mutual growth and benefits. He said Africa is “the world’s most dynamic emerging market today.”

Highlighting the potentials of the continent in terms of investment, President Mahama said, “We are 1.4 billion people, young, fast urbanizing, digitally connected, rapidly growing middle class and Africa’s cities will host more than 700 million consumers by 2030.”

Data available indicates that Africa-Singapore trade rose by 50% between 2020 and 2024, to nearly $14 billion with West Africa accounting for more than half of that.

He urged investors to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to invest in agriculture value chain, manufacturing, technology amongst others.

President John Dramani Mahama has highlighted five (5) key areas of partnership and growth between Ghana and Singapore.

The President says Ghana continues to avail herself as the preferred investment hub for investors.

He makes the remarks at the opening of the Africa Singapore Business Forum in Singapore on Monday, August 25, 2025.

The areas include; efficient, green supply chain, Agribusiness and food systems, Clean energy and carbon markets, Digital economy and services, Advanced manufacturing and critical minerals.

He explained that with Ghana’s efficient, green supply chains, investors can partner with Ghana to modernise ports, inland
waterways and cold chains adding that “Your world-class logistics and standards can reduce
Africa’s trade costs and unlock export competitiveness”

On agriculture and food systems, President Mahama intimated that “from precision irrigation to processing and packaging,
Singaporean technology and African scale can turn our farms into reliable suppliers for
Asia, the Middle East and Europe” he said.

He said Ghana’s new environmental legislation, will ensure transparency and alignment with international best practices in Ghana’s Clean energy and carbon markets drive.
“Ghana and Singapore signed an Article 6
Implementation Agreement in 2024. We have established a Carbon Markets Office
and Ghana Carbon Registry, anchored in new environmental legislation, to ensure
transparency and alignment with international standards. Invest with us in renewable energy, waste-to-energy, regenerative agriculture and
forestry. Generate high-integrity credits while delivering jobs, clean air and resilience” he empathies.

President Mahama impressed on Singapore investors to create BPO and shared-service hubs to serve Africa from Accra on a 24/7 basis.
“Build with us on e-payments, cybersecurity, digital ID and smart government. Create BPO and shared-service hubs to serve Africa from
Accra, 24/7’ he wooed.

On the final final pillar of advanced manufacturing and critical minerals, President Mahama said Ghana has strong manganese output and significant lithium potential, alongside graphite, gold, copper and rare earth
prospects.

He emphasized that Ghana’s policy is value addition Our policy is value addition at home—battery precursors, components and
downstream manufacturing—powered by clean energy and world-class standards.

He expressed gratitude to Enterprises Singapore for its role over the period.
“Enterprise Singapore has been an outstanding partner in building these bridges, helping
Ghanaian firms access Asian markets and enabling Singaporean champions to succeed in
Ghana”

President John Dramani Mahama has outlined five key pillars where Ghana and at large African and Singapore can bridge capacity and chart shared growth.

President Mahama is of the firm belief that Africa remains the ‘world’s most dynamic and emerging markets’ with a potential of hosting more than 700 million consumers by 2030. He adds that “We are 1.4 billion people, young, fast urbanizing, digitally connected, rapidly growing middle class”

He has outlined five key areas of partnership between the two countries including;
Efficient, green supply chains, Agribusiness and food systems, Clean energy and carbon markets, Digital economy and services which hinges on e-payments, cybersecurity, digital ID
and smart government. Create BPO and shared-service hubs to serve Africa from
Accra, 24/7 and Advanced manufacturing and critical minerals

Find below the full speech.

President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday co-chaired the second plenary session on the ‘Economy: Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa’ of the ongoing 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama, Japan.

Mr Mahama co-chaired the session with former Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, with interventions from Kenyan President William Ruto, Togolese leader Faure Gnassingbe, and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa. The UN Under-Secretary General Cristina Duarte and Comoros President Azali Assoumani also delivered remarks.

In his concluding remarks, President Mahama said TICAD-9 is happening at a time of a rapidly changing world order.

“The world’s largest economy, which should be the driver of global trade and investments, has become more insular and transactional in its relationship with the rest of the world”, he noted.

He had advice for African leaders and their people: “Africa is open for business. We wish to partner with any nation in the world on a win-win basis. But let’s not kid ourselves! Trade and investments will not come to Africa because we wish for it.”

According to President Mahama, “Africa must undertake the hard but necessary reforms, as countries on the continent, to make Africa an attractive destination for investments.”

“That is why we must silence the guns and stop the fighting. That is why we must reform our economies and make them more stable and predictable. This is why we must reform our governance and make public service accountable and corruption-free”, Mr Mahama added.

Ghana and Japan have signalled a new push to deepen economic cooperation and accelerate priority infrastructure projects during a bilateral meeting between President John Dramani Mahama and the Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan on the sidelines of TICAD 9 in Yokohama.

President Mahama acknowledged Ghana’s central role in Japan’s cocoa supply, noting that Ghana accounts for about 70% of Japan’s cocoa imports.

He encouraged Japanese firms to expand investments in Ghana’s cocoa value chain, including a public–private partnership with the Cocoa Processing Company to revamp the plant and boost value addition.

The President also highlighted upcoming milestones in Ghana–Japan relations, including the centenary of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi’s arrival in Ghana and the 50th anniversary of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) in 2027—anniversaries he previously discussed with H.E. Hiroshi Yoshimoto, Japan’s Ambassador to Ghana.

Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah has indicated that the three (3) days set aside by the nation to mourn the eight (8) who died in the helicopter crash are not enough to fill the void.

According to the Chief of Staff, Ghanaians are left in shock and it will take a long time to heal from the trauma that hit the nation.

At a night of reflections & Memorable for the departed, Mr Debrah said “Our eyes flood with tears and our hearts choke with tears. Our minds are unsettled and our souls will be restless. Currently these three days are certainly not enough to fill the heart with tears. Perhaps it will take a long while to forget or heal these scars” he said

He added that the departed will be urging Ghanaians to remain through to the values that binds us as a nation
“ I’m sure on this day our comrades will be urging us to wipe our tears. They will be telling us to remain true to our values. To live by the values of truthfulness and dignity. The values of security, selfless leadership, bravery and service to the nation” he intimated

The event was attended by President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, First Lady Lordina Mahama, Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio, Former President John Agyekum Kuffour, Former Vice President Dr Alhaji Bawumia, Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Alban Bagbin, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Members of Parliament, the Clergy and a host of other signatories.

A government delegation led by the Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah, was at the Air Force Base on Wednesday night to receive the remains of the eight individuals who died in the military helicopter crash in Adansi in the Ashanti Region.

The Ghana Air Force helicopter transporting the remains arrived at exactly 9:30 p.m. The caskets were received in the presence of senior government officials, military officials, and party executives.

Among those present were the Service Commanders, the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Mr. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey; Government Spokesperson and Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu; Minister for Education, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, Presidential Staffer and Special Aide to the President, Joyce Bawa Mogtari; Deputy Chief of Staff, in charge of Administration, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, and Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Mr. Stanislav Xoese Dogbe.

A short military ceremony was held following the arrival. Prayers were offered for the departed, and the necessary military protocols were observed.

The remains were subsequently conveyed in hearses from the Air Force Base to the morgue.

Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Agbogza Governs has warned that road contractors who shortchange the country will be surcharged.

According to him, government henceforth, will not tolerate shoddy works under any circumstances adding that agents of the ministry found culpable will not be shielded. He made the remarks when he took his turn at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

“So this is a very clear message to contractors and consultants. We are no longer going to tolerate shoddy work under any circumstances.

And also the third leg, staff of my agencies who supervise, and indeed read what the finance minister said, and part of our laws” he warned.
He says any contractor executing any project must show competence and commitment to the work they do. He says the days of road constructed failing to meet the required threshold of years must end.

“Everybody knows a road that was built, which should last for 10 years, which is failing. What we are doing is to let agents of state who look into this, to look into them. But going forward, we are seeing that from now, contractors who get work must show competence and commitment to do their good job” he said.

Kwame Agbodza maintains that contractors who connive with bond issuers must be cautious going forward. “For instance, we notice at the ministry that contractors get work and then when they are asked to buy, let’s say, a performance bond, they go to an entity, the entity without making any checks, gives them some cover, believing that government will never come back to cash the bond if things go wrong. Let me sound this warning. From now, when you are a contractor, you do work, and the work fails without explanation. We shall cash the bond.

We shall cash the bond to you to restore the road. If you are a consultant, before you get work at the Ministry of Roads and Highways from now, you will need to buy professional indemnity insurance, because if you supervise work that fails without an explanation, we will draw down on your insurance cover to make sure we cover the damages that you have caused” he stated.
He says the ministry is collaborating with sector agencies to ensure sanity in the award of contracts and execution.

“ If you are working with highways, feeder road, urban road, and you supervise work, or authorize payment for works that were not done, or were not done properly, if we find you out, you will be surcharged. I think that is just quite clear. That is the only way we can restore some sanity and decency, and also improve the quality of work” he emphasized

President John Dramani Mahama has warned that the current state of affairs in Bawku and all other areas where conflicts continue to impede progress cannot be accepted.

The President said the recent killings in Bawku and Nelerigu where students where shot and killed on campus are nothing short of derailing the mediation process started by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. This he said cannot be accepted.

“We cannot accept a situation where students are shot in school and killed. We can’t accept the current situation where teachers and public officers have all run away from Bawku because they are afraid for their lives,” he stated

President Mahama says government in the quest to achieving lasting peace in Bawku has since shifted from peace keeping to peace enforced. A development he says will deploy a more robust approach by the Military.

“As the army has announced, I have directed the army to move from peacekeeping to peace enforcement. That means they are going to be a bit more robust with anybody who is involved in criminality,” he stated.

Addressing a gathering during a courtesy call by the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soaale I, at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the President made a passionate appeal to both Kusasis and Mamprusis as well as the people of Nkwanta to give peace.

“Let us give peace a chance, not only in Bawku, but in Nkwanta and all the other places where we currently are suffering conflict,” he appealed.
He revealed that the mediation process, led by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has made significant progress and is close to achieving a resolution adding that any adverse actions were only to derail the mediation efforts.

“Otumfuo has been briefing me constantly on the progress he’s been making, and we are almost there. The current fighting and killings can only be done by people who want to derail the mediation efforts.” He said.

The African Union Executive Council has approved the establishment of two new reparations bodies.

This represents a turning point in Africa’s pursuit of historical justice.

Speaking at the opening of the 13th High-Level Dialogue on Democracy and Human Rights on Tuesday, President John Dramani Mahama disclosed that the AU has approved terms of reference for both the African Union Commission of Experts on Reparations and the African Union Reference Group of Legal Experts on Reparations.

“I wish to commend the African Union Executive Council for approving the terms of reference for the African Union Commission of Experts on Reparations and the African Union Reference Group of Legal Experts on Reparations. These are decisive milestones,” the President said.

The president emphasised that the approval represents just the beginning, calling for immediate action to transform the bodies from paper institutions into active agents of change.
He said, the continent “must now move swiftly to operationalize these instruments” and empower the bodies with “the resources, visibility and mandate to lead us on this noble journey of truth, justice and restitution.”

He warned delegates that the new reparations bodies must not become “another declaration left on paper” but rather function as “a living mandate for action.”

He positioned the new institutions as essential tools for addressing what he called the “enduring legacies of slavery, colonial exploitation, systemic racism and economic subjugation” that continue to shape African states.

He stated that these historical injustices remain visible today in “arbitrary borders that divide our peoples,” “financial hardships imposed by unjust global systems,” and “fragile governance systems” that African nations are still struggling to strengthen.

The president argued that the reparations bodies will play a central role in restoring “African agency, sovereignty and dignity” and building governance systems “informed by our context, shaped by our people and owned by our African communities.”

According to the president, the establishment of these bodies comes at a defining moment when Africa’s citizens – particularly young people – are growing increasingly impatient with ceremonial gestures over concrete action.

He stated that Africa’s youth majority is “not asking for charity” but demanding “fairness” and “opportunity,” making the operationalization of reparations institutions more urgent than ever.
He declared that the new bodies must rise to meet these expectations, telling delegates that “our citizens are watching and waiting” for results rather than rhetoric.

The president said the institutions will work within the broader context of the AU’s declared “Decade of Reparations” spanning 2026-2036, representing a sustained continental commitment to addressing historical injustices.

The High-Level Dialogue continues through the week as African leaders work to define the specific mandates and operational frameworks for the newly approved reparations bodies.