News
Former deputy finance minister criticises budget allocation for fight against illegal mining
Former deputy dinance minister Abena Osei Asare has criticised the 2026 national budget for what she describes as a weak commitment to the fight against illegal mining.
During the debate in Parliament today, she argued that government cannot claim illegal mining threatens national survival while allocating what she believes is an insignificant amount to address the problem.
She noted that only 0.003 percent of the total budget has been set aside for efforts to curb illegal mining.
According to her, this shows that the fight is not being taken seriously.
Osei Asare compared the situation to going to a battlefield with plastic chairs instead of ammunition, stressing that the resources provided are far too small to deal with a problem that continues to destroy water bodies, farmlands, and food sources.
She warned that illegal mining is harming communities, poisoning food, and endangering lives.
She urged Parliament to push for an increase in funding before passing the budget.
Osei Asare called for better support for alternative livelihoods for people who depend on illegal mining, noting that such measures would show genuine commitment to protecting the country’s future.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority, Edudzi Tameklo, has disclosed how he was appointed to the role, describing the process as sudden and unexpected.
He explained that on a Thursday evening, he received a call from the Secretary to the President, who requested that he forward his curriculum vitae for consideration.
Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV over the weekend, he indicated that the request suggested he was being considered for the position of CEO, prompting him to quickly retrieve and update his CV that same night to make it more presentable.
According to him, the process moved swiftly after that.
He noted that the following morning, he received another call inviting him in, where he was handed his appointment letter on January 17, 2025.
He added that he was among the first batch of chief executives appointed.
Mr Tameklo also addressed claims that his appointment was influenced by close ties to the First Lady, dismissing suggestions that the position had been reserved for him.
He maintained that there were no favourites in the process and described such claims as mere speculation.
He further explained that even within his political party, many people had expected him to be appointed as a Deputy Attorney General rather than head the National Petroleum Authority.
He stressed that his eventual appointment came as a surprise to many, including members of his own party.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced plans to replace a batch of 2026 vehicle number plates found fading.
In a statement issued on April 27, 2026, the authority explained that routine quality checks revealed that some of the embossed plates did not meet its durability standards.
It noted that the defect causes the printed characters on the plates to fade over time.
The authority indicated that once the issue was detected, the affected batch was immediately withdrawn from circulation, although some had already been issued to vehicle owners.
DVLA has therefore invited all affected vehicle owners to visit any of its offices across the country to receive free replacements.
It apologised for the inconvenience caused and took full responsibility for the oversight.
The authority assured the public that it is strengthening its quality control processes to prevent similar issues in the future.
It reaffirmed its commitment to providing safe, reliable and high-quality vehicle registration services.
By: Jacob Aggrey
