News
Mahama, Macron strengthen Ghana–France relations at Paris Peace Forum
President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana has called for stronger cooperation between Ghana and France during bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 2025 Paris Peace Forum, focused on deepening ties in security, trade, education, and infrastructure development.
President Mahama began by expressing appreciation for France’s continuous partnership with Ghana and highlighted key areas for future collaboration.
He requested French support to help Ghana combat increasing piracy threats in its territorial waters and the wider Gulf of Guinea.
He appealed for assistance to fast-track a French concessionary loan for Ghana’s health sector, which is awaiting parliamentary approval.
President Mahama further asked President Macron to use his influence with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help Ghana access funding from the French Development Bank, citing Ghana’s improved debt-to-GDP ratio as a positive indicator of economic progress.
In his capacity as the African Union (AU) Champion of African Financial Institutions, President Mahama advocated for the renegotiation of Africa’s infrastructure loan agreements to secure lower interest rates.
He stressed the importance of fairer financial terms to promote sustainable development across the continent.
The President also underlined Ghana’s key role as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, noting that improved road and transport networks are essential to facilitate trade within Africa.
Highlighting Ghana’s digital transformation agenda, President Mahama spoke about the country’s “One Million Coders” programme, which has already registered 200,000 young learners.
He appealed for French assistance in training more French language teachers to improve language education in Ghanaian schools.
President Mahama raised the issue of reparations for slavery, an initiative Ghana is currently leading at the international level.
He urged France to support the cause as part of a broader effort toward historical justice and reconciliation.
On regional peace and stability, President Mahama discussed the worsening security situation in the Sahel region, including terrorist incursions in Mali and other Alliance of Sahel States (AES) countries.
He emphasized Ghana’s commitment to promoting peace and stability across West Africa.
In response, President Emmanuel Macron expressed condolences over the recent passing of Ghana’s former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
He praised President Mahama’s leadership in championing regional cooperation and economic reform.
President Macron assured Ghana of France’s continued partnership in areas such as security, health, education, and digital innovation.
He mentioned upcoming opportunities for collaboration, including the VivaTech Summit in Nairobi in May 2026, the AU–EU Summit in Angola, and the G7 Summit in June 2026, where France intends to advocate for greater support for Ghana.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Police Service has launched a manhunt for a suspect in connection with the disappearance of a 27 year old man at Oyibi.
In a press release dated April 14, 2026, the Police identified the suspect as Wisdom Tetteh and said he is being sought over the disappearance of Theophilus Ashitey Amarh.
According to the Police, the case was reported on April 7, 2026, after the victim failed to return home.
He had left the previous day with the intention of selling his Hyundai Elantra saloon car after being introduced to a prospective buyer by the suspect.
Investigations revealed that the victim was last seen at the suspect’s residence at Saasabi, where he had gone to meet the supposed buyer.
The Police noted that a follow up visit to the suspect’s residence on April 10 led to the discovery of suspected bloodstains in a room, raising concerns of possible foul play.
The scene has since been examined by the National Crime Scene Management Team with support from the Anti Armed Robbery Unit of the CID Headquarters.
The Police added that search efforts involving community members and local authorities have been carried out in the area, but the victim is yet to be found.
Further intelligence suggests that the suspect may have fled the country to neighbouring Togo.
The Police indicated that steps, including INTERPOL processes, have been initiated to track and arrest him.
The Command assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to arrest the suspect and uncover what happened.
It also urged anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspect or the missing person to report to the nearest police station to assist investigations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
A team member of the Kwahu Business Forum and special aide to the Chief of staff, Benjamin Essuman has revealed that the team is working on developing the forum into a major platform to support business growth and policy dialogue in Ghana.
According to him, efforts are underway to transform the Kwahu Business Village into an International Conference Hub that will attract businesses and investors from across the world.
He made the remarks during an interview with ghanaiantimes.com.gh journalist, Jacob Aggrey in Accra.
He said the forum was designed to bring together regulators, policymakers, entrepreneurs and investors to share ideas and help shape policies that support business development.
According to him, the concept began in 2024 when John Dramani Mahama and his Chief of Staff conceived the idea during the Easter period in Kwahu, where many entrepreneurs gather annually.
He said the first edition created a platform for business people to engage leadership directly and present their concerns.
According to him, the success of the maiden event led to the decision to make it an annual forum.
He said the second edition in 2025 focused on improving access to finance by bringing banks and financial institutions to interact with businesses.
He said institutions such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank participated and engaged entrepreneurs on funding opportunities.
According to him, the forum has now gone beyond dialogue and has become a platform for partnerships, negotiations and investment deals.
He said some entrepreneurs who participated in previous editions have secured support from financial institutions, with their projects progressing steadily.
According to him, the presence of the President at the forum continues to boost confidence among businesses and deepen engagement.
He said the 2026 edition was larger than the previous ones and was held at the newly developed Kwahu Business Village.
According to him, traditional authorities in Kwahu donated about 150 acres of land to support the development of a permanent business conference centre.
He said the forum is attracting both local and international companies, creating opportunities for networking and collaboration.
According to him, the initiative also promotes tourism activities such as paragliding in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority.
He said the forum will continue to be held in Kwahu and is being positioned as Ghana’s version of the World Economic Forum.
Mr.Easuman further challenges such as overcrowding in previous editions have been addressed through the introduction of a digital registration system.
He said small scale businesses must take advantage of opportunities such as partnerships, mergers and government incentives to expand.
According to him, entrepreneurs should also collaborate with institutions like the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority to access international markets.
He said the long term vision includes developing the Kwahu Business Village into a world class facility capable of hosting global conferences, with possible plans to construct an airstrip.
According to him, the forum remains an important platform for businesses seeking growth, funding and expansion beyond Ghana.
Background
The Kwahu Business Forum was introduced in 2024 as an initiative to bring together business leaders and government officials during the Easter festivities in Kwahu.
It was conceived as a platform for dialogue but has since evolved into an annual event focused on promoting investment, networking and policy engagement to strengthen Ghana’s business environment.
By: Jacob Aggrey
