The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, has expressed disappointment that key government ministers have not briefed Parliament on the reported killing of eight Ghanaian tomato traders in Burkina Faso.

He noted that more than a week after news of the incident emerged, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Defence, and the Interior had not appeared before the House to provide updates.

“We have waited for over a week, yet none of the ministers had the courtesy to come before Parliament to brief us,” he remarked.

According to him, the Minority members on the relevant parliamentary committees have formally written to the ministers, requesting their presence before a joint committee sitting.

He explained that the request involves the Defence and Interior Committee, the Security and Intelligence Committee, and the Foreign Affairs Committee.

He stated that the purpose of the meeting is to seek clarity on the circumstances surrounding the attack, the factors that may have contributed to it, and the government’s response so far.

“We want to understand what occurred, what contributed to the attack, what has been done, and what measures must be put in place,” he indicated.

The lawmaker argued that the incident points to gaps in preventive mechanisms, stressing the need for stronger security and diplomatic arrangements to protect Ghanaian citizens both at home and abroad.

“There was clearly a failure somewhere, and the right measures must be implemented to prevent a recurrence. Never again should such a terrorist killing happen,” he emphasised.

He added that while the Minority acknowledges the complex security and political dynamics within the sub region, Parliament expects government policies that ensure the safety of Ghanaians.

“We are aware of the geopolitical challenges, but our focus is on the right policies, proper mechanisms, and effective collaboration with partners to protect our citizens,” he stated.

By: Jacob Aggrey

Transport Minister,Joseph Nikpe Bukari has dismissed claims that changing the name of Kotoka International Airport back to the Accra International Airport would impose a heavy financial burden on the state.

Addressing concerns about the potential cost of the renaming, he described suggestions of significant expenditure as inaccurate.

He explained that key international aviation identifiers remain unchanged, which removes the need for expensive adjustments at the global level.

“The organizations that regulate aviation have not altered the country code. The IATA code and the location code are still the same, so there is nothing to modify internationally,” he stated.

According to him, the only visible changes required involve signages and billboards within the airport.

He added that these updates would not trigger new procurement processes since existing vendors already handle such materials.

“The same companies that produce our letterheads, stamps, and other printed items will continue the work. It is not a new contract. It is simply a replacement of names,” he noted.

He further pointed out that the airport is currently undergoing renovation works, which makes the timing of the name adjustment more practical and less costly.

“We are already carrying out construction and refurbishment. Some signages would naturally be replaced as part of that process. The additional cost will be very small,” he indicated.

While acknowledging that the exercise would involve some expense, the minister assured the public that the amount would be minimal and would not disrupt airport operations.

He recognized the public’s interest in how taxpayer funds are spent. However, he maintained that internal arrangements have been made to ensure the process remains cost effective.

“I understand why people are asking questions. This is public money. But I want to assure Ghanaians that the renaming will not add any huge cost to the system,” he emphasized.

By: Jacob Aggrey