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Bawumia announces plan to introduce solar-powered outboard motors to curb premix fuel issues

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The Vice President and flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has announced what he has called, a bold solution to ending the age-old problems over premix fuel for fisherfolks.

Speaking at Saltpond in the Mfantseman constituency during his on-going campaign tour of the Central Region, Dr. Bawumia said, after many attempts to deal with the issue of premix fuel for fisherfolks, including the setting up of automated dispensing machines at various landing beaches and fishing communities, which have not completely dealt with the issue, he has come up with a new. bold solution – the introduction of solar-powered outboard motors, which he stressed, will permanently address the problem.

“When we came into office, we brought premix automation. And in Mfantseman here and other places, we have pre mix automation machines. But when you look at the premix problems, we have not addressed all. We still have problems with the premix so I have been thinking a lot and discussing how we are going to solve the problem permanently,” Dr. Bawumia said.

“We need a permanent solution to this problem because every time we move, we don’t solve the problem permanently. So I have finished some discussions and by God’s grace, I believe we have a permanent solution to this problem,” Dr. Bawumia said, amidst loud cheers of endorsement.

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He stressed, “I want us to move away from the dependence on premix fuel to solar power for the boats. Let’s go for solar power to power the boats. So, before the end of this year, we are going to pilot the solar power outboard motors.”

According to him, “With this, we will make the outboard motors available to the fishermen and they don’t need to buy premix anymore. Once the sun is shining, their batteries will be charging and they can go across.”

Dr. Bawumia added that once the fisherfolks get the solar powered outboard motors, there will no longer be the need to buy pre mix fuel to power outboard motors.

“We will have meetings with the fishermen on this in the next few weeks and the pilot programme will take place next month and we will start a whole new regime for fisherfolks because there is too much ‘kululu’ (fraud) in the premix matter,” he said.

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“We will take them out of the way and we will give the fisherfolk outboard motors powered by solar and then we will solve the problem.”

Dr. Bawumia’s announcement attracted wild cheers from the crowd, which included members of the fishing community in Saltpond and surrounding villages.

The piloting of the solar powered outboard motors, Dr. Bawumia stated, will start most likely next month, so that the fisherfolks can be shown how it works.

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MTN Ghana, FC, Rainforest Alliance move to restore Chipa Forest Reserve

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A Forestry Commission staff demonstrating how to plant and nurture a tree

MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.

The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.

It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.

Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.

The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.

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Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.

“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.

The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.

The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.

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Education Ministry warns of fake, manipulated CSSPS placement slips

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Haruna Iddrisu


The Ministry of Education (MOE) has warned students, parents and guardians against fake and digitally manipulated Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) placement slips being circulated on social media. 

 The MOE said it had detected attempts by some unscrupulous individuals to digitally alter placement slips and circulate them online with claims that students’ original school placements had been changed by the Ministry. 

A statement signed by Mr Hashmin Mohammed, the Press Secretary to the Minister of Education issued to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, described the claims as “false and misleading.”  

 It said preliminary internal verification had established that some of the placement slips being circulated did not correspond with records generated from the official CSSPS platform. 

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The statement noted that discrepancies had been identified in the barcodes and QR codes appearing on some of the purported placement slips. 

 “The codes did not match the placement information displayed on the documents being circulated as evidence of alleged changes,” it added. 

The Ministry’s system records and audit logs did not support the claims being made by individuals circulating the materials, the statement said. 

“The evidence available to the Ministry indicates that the affected documents have been digitally manipulated or otherwise altered to create the impression that students’ placements have been changed.”  

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 It described the alleged manipulation as a serious attempt to undermine public confidence in the CSSPS process and create confusion and anxiety among students, parents and guardians. 

 The statement indicated that the Ministry had referred the matter to the Cyber Security Authority and other relevant security agencies for further investigation and appropriate action.  It urged the public to exercise caution and avoid sharing unverified placement slips or claims about placement changes on social media. 

 Parents, guardians and students have also been advised to rely only on placement information obtained through official CSSPS channels. 

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the 2026 CSSPS exercise was conducted with transparency, fairness, integrity and accountability, adding that legitimate concerns regarding placement would be investigated through the appropriate channels.

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