News
Ghana Gas marks international women’s day, calls for more women’s inclusion in energy sector
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-11-at-18.46.05.jpeg&description=Ghana Gas marks international women’s day, calls for more women’s inclusion in energy sector', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-11-at-18.46.05.jpeg&description=Ghana Gas marks international women’s day, calls for more women’s inclusion in energy sector', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The Ghana National Gas Company has marked this year’s International Women’s Day with a call for stronger mentorship, collaboration and deliberate action to promote women’s participation and leadership in Ghana’s energy sector.
The event, held under the theme “Give to Gain,” brought together government officials, industry leaders, students and women’s groups to reflect on the progress women have made and the steps needed to expand opportunities for them, particularly in the energy industry.
The event sought to empower women and create equal opportunities that would strengthen institutions, drive innovation and contribute to national development.
In her opening remarks, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, stated that the progress women enjoy today did not happen by accident but was the result of sacrifices made by others who created opportunities and opened doors.
She explained that every generation had a responsibility to protect and expand those gains, noting that more women were now entering sectors that were once dominated by men.
Madam Arthur added that institutions must intentionally create opportunities through mentorship, professional development and leadership support for women.
According to her, this would not only promote fairness but also strengthen Ghana’s competitiveness in sectors driven by science, technology and innovation.
She urged women who had benefited from opportunities to help open doors for others, stressing that true leadership was measured not by how far individuals rose but by how many others succeeded because of their support.
Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration at the Presidency, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, said the month of March remained important for Ghana because it celebrated both the country’s independence and the achievements of women worldwide.
She noted that the annual observance provided an opportunity not only to celebrate women’s contributions but also to examine barriers that continued to limit their full participation in several sectors.
Madam Bampoe Addo explained that the theme “Give to Gain” highlighted the importance of women supporting one another through mentorship, knowledge sharing and opportunities, adding that when women thrived, institutions and societies also benefited.
She pointed out that women were increasingly making an impact across Ghana’s energy sector, while government efforts to stabilise the sector and expand electricity access remained crucial for economic growth and job creation.
Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Gas Company, Judith Adjobah Blay, said the theme emphasised the reciprocal benefits of investing in women.
She announced the formation of the Ghana Gas Ladies Association, describing it as a platform to support mentorship, professional development and collaboration among women within the company and the wider energy sector.
Madam Blay added that the initiative would help encourage more women to pursue careers in areas such as engineering, science and leadership within the industry.
Board member of Ghana National Gas Company, Emmanuel Vincent, stated that the company recognised the important role women played in shaping the energy sector.
He noted that management was making deliberate efforts to increase the representation of qualified women, especially in engineering and leadership positions, adding that empowering women would support innovation and national development.
International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 every year to recognize the achievements of women across the world and to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment and equal opportunities in all sectors of society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, Mustapha Gbande, has alleged that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) appears more concerned and emotionally invested in the imprisonment of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, than the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking on Joy Prime on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in Accra, Mr. Gbande argued that the NPP played a major role in the legal process that led to Wontumi’s conviction.
According to him, the law under which Wontumi was convicted originally carried a maximum prison sentence of three years but was later amended by the NPP administration to increase the maximum punishment to 15 years.
“The law that jailed Wontumi was three years. The NPP enhanced it to 15 years,” he stated.
Mr. Gbande further claimed that the evidence used to prosecute Wontumi was gathered during the previous NPP administration.
He maintained that the case against the NPP chairman did not begin under the current government but was built by officials who served in the former administration.
“The docket that jailed Wontumi was built by the NPP. The evidence that convicted him was built by the NPP,” he asserted.
To support his argument, Mr. Gbande referred to actions taken by the former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in July 2022, when the minister declared activities linked to Wontumi in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve illegal.
He stressed that once an activity has been declared illegal, it remains a breach of the law regardless of who is involved.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has warned that traders, transport operators, businesses and individuals who refuse to accept Ghana cedi coins as payment for goods and services could face arrest, prosecution, fines or imprisonment.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the central bank expressed concern over the widespread refusal to accept 1 pesewa, 5 pesewa, 10 pesewa, 20 pesewa and 50 pesewa coins, as well as the GH¢1 and GH¢2 coins.
It explained that all coins issued by the Bank of Ghana remain legal tender and must be accepted for transactions across the country.
According to the BoG, none of the coins has been withdrawn from circulation or demonetised, and no trader, transport operator, business or individual has the right to reject them because they consider them inconvenient or of low value.
The bank cited the Bank of Ghana Act, 2002 (Act 612), as amended, and the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242), as the laws governing the use of the country’s currency.
It noted that under the Currency Act, refusing to sell goods or provide services simply because a customer is paying with legal tender coins or banknotes is a criminal offence, unless the currency has been withdrawn from circulation.
The BoG stated that anyone convicted of the offence could face up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
It added that people who encourage or instruct others to reject coins, including business owners who direct their employees to do so, are equally liable under the law.
The bank further indicated that a person caught committing the offence may be arrested without a warrant.
To ensure compliance, the BoG said it would work with the Ghana Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to enforce the law against offenders.
It encouraged members of the public to report cases of coin rejection to the nearest Bank of Ghana office, the Ghana Police Service or through the bank’s official communication channels.
The central bank called on individuals, businesses and institutions to accept and handle Ghana’s currency responsibly in all its denominations, saying this would help uphold confidence in the country’s legal tender.
By: Jacob Aggrey
