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Food security top Agenda for NSA- Director General
The Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Gyamfi Felix, has assured Ghanaians of the Authority’s commitment to spearheading initiatives that will promote food security under his leadership, thereby addressing food inflation and unemployment challenges in Ghana.
He said this during a media interview today after the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare-Addo, upon assuming office, paid his first-ever working visit to the National Service Authority (NSA) headquarters in Accra to engage in discussions aimed at enhancing greater opportunities for the youth through national service.
Mr. Gyamfi emphasised that with the current challenges posed by rising food prices and Ghana’s reliance on imports, the NSA was strategically positioned to leverage its extensive agricultural resources.
The Authority’s large t racts of arable land, he explained, could be utilised to create sustainable solutions to the twin challenges of food insecurity and unemployment.
“We cannot overlook the opportunity we have as an institution with vast arable lands at our disposal. The NSA’s contribution to agriculture will not only reduce our dependency on food imports but also tackle unemployment, especially among the youth. This is a vision we are keen on pursuing to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economic recovery,” he said.
He said there was more to be done at the Authority and revealed plans to reassess and expand the Authority’s agricultural activities to achieve measurable outcomes.
“It is important to acknowledge the groundwork laid by those before us. Our approach will be to evaluate and continue successful initiatives while identifying areas where expansion or improvement is needed to ensure that the desired impact is realised by all stakeholders,” he stated.
Mr. Gyamfi specifically decried the issue of “ghost names” under the former administration, noting that it had undoubtedly caused significant damage to the Authority’s reputation.
He indicated his resolve to clamp down on such incidents under his watch, ensuring that the NSA continues to achieve significant progress in mobilising, deploying, and training the youth from tertiary institutions during their mandatory one-year national service.
For his part, Mr. Opare Addo stated that the visit formed broader efforts to collaborate with one of the key agencies like NSA to address challenges faced by the Ghanaian youth and identify potential avenues for empowerment.
He stressed the critical role of the National Service Authority in building the capacity of the youth and preparing them for the job market.
He assured that his ministry will closely collaborate with the Authority to create a supportive framework for service personnel to ensure meaningful contributions to national development.
“We must position the National Service Authority as a foundation for skills development and entrepreneurship to give young people a viable start after their service year. I will continue to champion the interests of Ghana’s youth to fulfil the promises of President John Mahama,” he stated.
He added that President Mahama’s government focus on youth policies and empowerment programmes will be met under his leadership because the youth are the country’s greatest asset, and efforts must be made to protect them, invest in them, and give them a helping hand if Ghana is to realise a better future.
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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
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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
