Author: johnmahama

File photo to represent the story The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has taken keen interest in the recent media investigative reports, including the BBC Africa Eye documentary, which sought to expose the illegal importation and distribution of highly dangerous opioids into Ghana and other West African countries. As the professional body representing pharmacists and pharmaceutical stakeholders in Ghana, PSGH unequivocally condemns the proliferation of unapproved and harmful pharmaceutical products, particularly those containing tapentadol and carisoprodol, which pose severe public health risks.Regulatory Breaches and the Threat to Public HealthThe documentary allegedly highlights how pharmaceutical companies, including Aveo Pharmaceuticals of India,…

Some commercial drivers in the Ashanti Region are calling on President John Dramani Mahama to reduce taxes on petroleum products in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA).They believe that lowering these taxes will lead to a decrease in fuel prices at the pumps.The drivers expressed their expectations to OTEC News, hoping that the President will announce measures that will positively impact their lives, including a reduction in fuel taxes.President Mahama is scheduled to deliver the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, February 27, as announced by the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Mahama Ayariga, on…

Afenyo-Markin (L) was silenced by Bernard Ahiafor (R) during the vetting of a dep minister nominee The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament of Akatsi South, Bernard Ahiafor, enforced his powers as the Chairman of the Appointments Committee of Parliament during the vetting of the Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice-designate, Justice Srem-Sai.During the vetting of the nominee on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the Minority Leader, who also serves as the Ranking Member on the Committee, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, asked the nominee to demonstrate borborbor, a dance indigenous to the Ewe tribe.However, the chairman of the…

Ghana’s Minister for Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has announced a series of new measures introduced by the government to curb the inflow of highly addictive opioids into the country. A recent BBC investigation revealed that one pharmaceutical company, Aveo, had been illegally exporting a harmful mix of tapentadol and carisoprodol to Ghana and other West African countries. Delivering a statement in Parliament, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh explained that a joint task force comprising state security agencies is tightening surveillance to ensure that no such harmful substances are allowed into the country. “A Joint Task Force involving the FDA, the Narcotics Control…

Ghana’s 2024 Trade Report according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), revealed an increasing export strength, with total exports of GH₵294.9 billion compared to imports of GH₵250.2 billion.The figure resulted in a trade surplus of GH₵44.7 billion, increasing astronomically in comparison to the previous year’s performance.Gold emerged Ghana’s top export commodity, contributing 55.3 per cent of total export revenue.Exports of Petroleum and oils followed, making up 17.8 per cent, while cocoa and cocoa products accounted for 8.4 percent.This was announced at the launch of the 2024 Annual Trade Report and the Quarter four (Q4) 2024 Trade Newsletter in Accra.Professor Samuel…

– Source:The US decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement has raised questions about whether progress can still be made on global policy to mitigate climate change. To explore these questions, Imraan Valodia, pro vice-chancellor: climate, sustainability and inequality and director of the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, spoke to Professor Sir David King, who founded the Climate Crisis Advisory Group, a collection of influential, diverse, and interdisciplinary climate experts. Sir David was born in South Africa. His resistance to apartheid eventually forced him to leave the country, an experience that instilled in him…

The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson speaking during the engagement The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has declared the region as the right investment destination in the country.The description follows the geographical disposition, natural resources and human capital, all endowed by the region.Consequently, he called on both domestic and external investors to make their way into the region to take up investment opportunities currently available. Considering the natural resources available in the region, and the level of projects required to spread development, he said definitely, private investment would shore up government’s efforts in driving Ghana’s economy with the right investment…

The acting Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Kwasi Sarpong has promised to build a strong collaboration with MTN Ghana, one of the highest tax paying companies in the country. In a quest to enhance visibility with tax payers, the Commissioner General embarked on a visit to the telecom firm to engage management and assure them of government’s support to drive economic growth. The visit by Mr. Sarpong forms part of initiatives to improve visibility with tax payers and rebuild relationship with the private sector. After a short interaction, Mr. Sarpong disclosed plans to open up his…

The concept of the “Cheetah Generation,” introduced by renowned economist, Prof. George Ayittey, refers to young, dynamic, resilient, and innovative Africans [willing and] driving change and progress on the continent. This concept has significant implications for developing countries seeking economic growth. This group is powerful without guns. They are not necessarily Gen Zs, but a close picture of the influence of this generation is the Gen Z protests experienced across Africa in 2024. In Ghana, the Cheetah Generation recently played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s political landscape. The hung parliament of 2020 and the 2024 election outcome were…

Some traders in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti Region have shared their expectations for President John Dramani Mahama’s upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, February 27.Top on their list are concerns over the high cost of food and the completion of the second phase of the Kejetia redevelopment project.The traders are appealing to President Mahama to expedite the completion of the market facility, which would provide them with a suitable place to work.Currently, many traders are forced to operate on pavements, exposing them to harsh weather conditions and other risks.In addition to their concerns about the…