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Dedicated cruise vessel for Takoradi Port
The Takoradi Port is set to establish a dedicated cruise ship terminal to promote tourism within Ghana’s maritime domain, the Port Director, Peter Amo-Bediako, has hinted.
“This year, under the auspices of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), we anticipate receiving proposals for developing a cruise ship or passenger terminal through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement,” he explained.
Mr Amo-Bediako announced this at a press soiree on Monday.
The initiative, he explained, was consistent with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA’s) strategic vision to enhance tourism and maritime connectivity within Ghana.
Already, he reported that, cruise or passenger ship calls recorded a 100 per cent growth, increasing from seven cruise vessel calls, at the end of November 2023, to 14 cruise vessel calls, at the end of November 2024.
Mr Amo-Bediako told the journalists that, in June 2024, the Elmina Port was handed over to GPHA and placed under Takoradi Port, and that was the first time a cruise vessel anchored at Elmina.
He said the facilitators of the tourist vessel anticipates bringing into Ghana another vessel for the same purpose.
“We expect to collaborate with GTA as to how to build the terminal to meet the growing tourists’ interest in Ghana and we’ll see how best this come to fruition,” Mr Amo-Bediako said.
He added “These achievements reflect our unwavering commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction, but also, most importantly, they reflect the positive brand image generated by the professional coverage and reportage by you and the media”
On health, the Takoradi Port Director spoke about the opening of the GPHA Medical Diagnostic Centre in April 2024, following a commitment made in 2023.
The GPHA’s state-of-the-art Medical Diagnostic Centre, according to Mr Amo- Bediako, now delivers exceptional healthcare services to the port community and the wider population.
He indicated that GPHA would this year, procure a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, adding that, research showed that, there was no MRI in Western North, Western and Central Regions, and so, patients need to travel all the way to Accra, for such services.
News
Declare a state of emergency in parts of the country affected by illegal mining – Coalition Against Galamsey to Mahama
The Coalition Against Galamsey is asking President John Mahama to declare a state of emergency in areas badly affected by illegal mining.
According to the Convenor of the Coalition, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the situation has gone beyond control and requires urgent action to save lives and protect the environment.
He explained that the Constitution allows a state of emergency to be declared when the actions of criminals threaten essential resources such as water, safety, and the survival of communities.
He said illegal miners were destroying water bodies and depriving large communities of clean drinking water, which is an “essential of life.”
Dr. Ashigbey stressed that the call was not for the entire country, but only for parts of Ghana where the destruction is severe.
He added that declaring a state of emergency in these areas will give government the legal power to act quickly and decisively.
He also called on the President to provide clear timelines and targets to guide the fight against galamsey.
This, he said, would help demonstrate government’s seriousness and commitment to ending the menace.
The Coalition insisted that declaring a state of emergency was no longer a last resort but an immediate step needed to save Ghanaians and protect the future of the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
The Ghana Bar Association must be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties – Dominic Ayine urges
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has called on the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to remain non-partisan in the discharge of its duties.
He said the credibility of the legal profession would be at risk if the bar allowed itself to be influenced by political interests.
Speaking at the GBA 2025/ 2026 annual general conference, Dr. Ayine reminded members that their first allegiance was to the Constitution and the Republic, not to any government or opposition party.
He stressed that for over three decades, the GBA had played an important role in helping the Supreme Court interpret and enforce the law, but outside the courtroom, its advocacy had often lacked consistency.
Dr. Ayine pointed to past cases such as the 2015 petition against the former CHRAJ Chairperson, Loretta Lamptey, and the 2017 petition for the removal of Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, where the bar remained silent.
He noted that the association only found its voice during the petition against former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, a stance he said coincided with the position of the opposition.
He questioned why the bar acted differently in those situations, especially since all three cases involved women of repute who held positions in key constitutional bodies.
Dr. Ayine urged the GBA to be the conscience of the republic, saying lawyers must defend the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the rights of citizens regardless of which political party was in power.
He warned against inviting foreign interference in Ghana’s constitutional matters, saying international collaboration should be limited to professional exchanges and not politics.
He further encouraged the GBA to promote integrity among its members, strengthen pro bono services to support the poor, and embrace digital reforms such as e-filing and electronic court records to modernize the justice system.
According to him, the destiny of Ghana is tied to the integrity of the legal profession.
He added that if lawyers stand firm, the country will also stand firm, but if they falter, the republic will stumble.
By: Jacob Aggrey
