News
Infrastructure needed to boost hospitality industry – Dzifa Gomashie
Minister-designate for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has underscored the importance of improving infrastructure in Ghana’s hospitality industry to attract more visitors and boost national revenue.
Concerns have been raised by key stakeholders about the declining state of the hospitality sector, which has led many Ghanaians to seek tourism opportunities abroad.
Appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 22, 2025, Abla Dzifa Gomashie lamented the inadequate infrastructure needed to meet both domestic and international demand.
She pledged to collaborate with the private sector to enhance infrastructure and increase the sector’s capacity to accommodate the growing interest in tourism.
According to Dzifa Gomashie, “This is an unending discussion, especially where hotel rates are concerned. Even hotels that have franchises in other countries, tend to be very high, comparatively. I agree with you about the lack of infrastructure to meet the growing demands of the world and our country is bear in our faces.
She noted “Apart from engaging with the minister of finance, I think that everybody and anyone listening to me who is willing to engage with the private sector in Ghana, out of Ghana to ensure that we improve on our infrastructure capacities, you’re welcome to engage me after the vetting and if I get the nod this is an issue that we must deal with.”
“I agree with you that the lack of these facilities takes away from what could be revenue for our country,” she concluded.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
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
