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Committee On Trade engages key stakeholders on impact of cedi appreciation
The Committee on Trade, Industry, and Tourism has engaged key stakeholders within its purview to discuss the impact of the appreciation of the cedi on the prices of goods and services in the country.
The Chairman of the Committee, Alexander Roosevelt Hottordze noted that, the cedi’s relationship with the dollar affects most indicators for determining the prices of goods and services in the country since most of the raw materials used by local businesses are imported.
“Even though we have oil, the fuel sold by the Oil Marketing Companies in the downstream are mainly imported, as a result, changes in the exchange rates affect these items” he stated.
Commenting on issues at the port, the Chairman indicated that, the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders has accused shipping lines and agents of charging unauthorized fees, including container administrative fees, processing fees, evacuation fees, container washing fees, and demurrage charges applied on weekends and public holidays.
“As a committee, our mandate is to enquire into matters affecting trade and industry towards easing the cost of doing business in Ghana and making Ghana an investment hub,” he added.
In his presentation to the Committee, the President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) Mr. Joseph Obeng noted that, prices on certain items on the market have been reduced.
He however pleaded with the government through the Committee to ensure the stability in the exchange rate for consumers to continually enjoy reduction in prices.
The Committee also interreacted with representatives from the Association of Ghana Industries, Importers & Exporters Association of Ghana, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana, Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders and Shipowners and Agents Association of Ghana.
The Committee is expected to meet the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Tourism before presenting its report on the floor of the House.
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
