News
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah credits sharp rise in cocoa prices and production to previous administration
The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Standing Committee on the Economy, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has said that the significant increase in Ghana’s cocoa earnings is largely due to the work of the previous administration.
In an interview with the Asaase Breakfast Show via Zoom, he revealed that after the Economics Committee of Parliament met with the Bank of Ghana, it became clear that both global cocoa prices and export volumes had seen a sharp rise between January and June this year.
According to him, Ghana earned $2.1 billion from cocoa exports in the first half of 2025, compared to $762 million during the same period in 2024.
He explained that the Bank of Ghana attributed the surge in revenue to a 97% increase in the market price of cocoa, which moved from $2,694 to $5,313 per ton.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah noted that the volume of cocoa exports rose from 150,000 tons to 244,000 tons, a 62% increase within the same period.
He emphasized that cocoa does not grow in six months, adding that it takes about three years to mature.
He therefore pointed out that the current increase in earnings was the result of cocoa planted under the previous administration.
He added that the combined effect of higher market prices and increased production volumes had led to the jump in revenue.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Turn your attention to the religious bodies – GTEC urged
A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, has called on the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to extend its regulatory work to unaccredited religious leaders and institutions in the country.
Speaking in an interview with Channelone TV, Dr. Boakye-Danquah urged GTEC not to focus its attention on the Deputy Education Minister, but rather turn to the growing number of individuals who parade themselves with unverified academic and religious titles.
He said while Ghana has credible theological institutions such as Trinity Theological Seminary, the Ghana Baptist Seminary, and the Assemblies of God Seminary, many people still assume titles such as “Reverend Doctor,” “Apostle,” or “Professor” without going through accredited training.
“I would want to urge the GTEC to turn their attention to religious bodies… that will sanitize the system in our country,” he said.
Dr. Boakye-Danquah expressed concern that some individuals who previously had no religious background suddenly establish churches and assume high-ranking titles without proper training.
According to him, this trend undermines the integrity of both the academic and religious systems.
He added that enforcing standards in theological education and religious leadership would help create a more credible and well-structured society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Review feeding allocation for prisoners from GHS1.80 to GHS5 – Human Rights Committee to Mahama
The Human Rights Committee of Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama to increase the daily feeding allocation for prisoners from GHS1.80 to at least GHS5.
The Committee, chaired by Kumawu MP Ernest Yaw Anim, said the current amount was inadequate and therefore ought be reviewed to safeguard the rights and dignity of inmates.
It argued that an increment would help the country meet both local and international standards on prison welfare.
The call comes after the Committee commended President Mahama for granting a presidential amnesty to 998 prisoners.
The group described the gesture as a positive step towards advancing human dignity and easing congestion in prisons.
The Committee recalled that it had earlier visited the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons on May 19, 2025, where it urged government to fast-track efforts to improve conditions in correctional facilities nationwide.
According to the Committee, reviewing the feeding allocation alongside the amnesty will help create a fairer and more progressive society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
