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Let’s use Ada Asafotufiami festival to promote Ghanaian tourism-Mankralo
The Mankralo of Ada, Nene Agudey Obitchere III, has called on Ghanaians to utilise the celebration of festivals to promote tourism which will serve as huge economic boost for the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Ada Traditional Area, Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku II at the launch of the 2024 Ada Asafotufiami festival (for the people of Ada in the Greater Accra Region), he said, there were many tourism attractions within the country that could be highlighted and promoted during such celebrations.
“Aside the fact that festival serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by forefathers to secure the Ada state, with thousands of Ghanaians especially Ada natives, home and abroad expected to grace the festival, it would serve as a huge tourist attraction for the country at large,” he stated.
“Let us also be worthy ambassadors to the rest of the world. At least, we can tell people of the Estuary where the Volta River joins the sea and the beautiful islands created by the huge volumes of water washing its way right from Burkina Faso and entering Ghana from the north, all the way here to the lowest point in the South of Ghana,” he stated.
He said there were abundant spread of tourism and hospitality facilities in the area, with some offering horse-riding, jet skiing, kayaking canoeing, cycling and whale watching.
“Asafotufiami resonates with most Ghanaian communities, especially the Ga-Dangmes and it reminds us of the heroic traits of our forebears in fighting for self-preservation and fending off domination,” he stated.
He added that, it was important to celebrate, reunite and remind the younger generation of Ghanaian culture and identity.
The Mankrola who doubles as the Chairman of the 2024 Asafotufiami Planning Committee, added that, the festival would be a time to reunite, mend fences and work together towards development of Ada and the country at large.
“The euphoria that engulfs the celebrations lives beyond the few days that are spent here. Ada has benefitted greatly therefrom, and surely would keep the festival flame burning always,” he stated.
He called on the youth within and without to come on board to make the celebrations a memorable one for visitors and tourists.
This year’s festival, the 87th edition would be held under the theme, “Upholding the Discipline of Our Forebears as a Tool for Sustainable Development and Unity of Ada,” and scheduled for August 1-8.
The launch was held by the Ada Traditional Council in collaboration with the Asafotu Planning Committee with support from Electrochem Ghana Limited and other sponsors.
Consequently, Electrochem Ghana Limited,operators of the Songhor Salt Lagoon donated GHC200,000 to support the festival.
The launch was held amidst firing of musketry (a symbolic feature of the festival), performance by Awa Group (a traditional singing and dance group) as well as a display by the Ada Youth Organisation.
Aside the chiefs and traditional leaders, the occasion was also graced by dignitaries including the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ada, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah and the District Chief Executives of Ada West and East, Mr Sampson Tetteh Kpankpah and Ms Sarah Dugbaki Pobee respectively.
By Michael D. Abayateye
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Prof Alidu Seidu files nomination for Tamale Central seat
The newly elected parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Tamale Central, Prof Alidu Seidu, has submitted his nomination forms to the Electoral Commission.
As of 10:00 a.m. today, he was the only person who had filed to contest the seat.
Nomination of candidates will close at the end of the day.
Associate Professor and Head of the Political Science Department at the University of Ghana Legon, Prof. Alidu Seidu won the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries in the Tamale Central constituency with a landslide victory.
The elections, supervised by the party’s Elections and IT Directorate in the Northern Region, saw Prof. Seidu poll 840 votes out of the total valid ballots cast.
His closest contender, Lawyer Hanan Gundadow Abdul-Rahaman, secured 536 votes.
The other aspirants could not make significant gains, with Dr. Seidu Fiter obtaining 44 votes, Aliu Abdul-Hamid 23 votes, and the rest recording fewer than 10 votes each.
In all, 1,500 ballots were cast, with 6 ballots rejected and 7 spoilt ballots recorded.
The results were signed and declared by Dr. Arnold Mashud Abukari, NDC Northern Regional Director of Elections and IT.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) held parliamentary primaries in Tamale Central to choose a candidate for the upcoming by-election following the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. Dr. Mohammed, who also served as Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, tragically died in a military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District on August 6, 2025, alongside seven others.
His passing left the Tamale Central seat vacant, as required by Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
The Electoral Commission has scheduled the by-election for September 30, 2025. While the NDC moved quickly to open nominations and vet aspirants, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) announced it would not contest the seat, citing the need to respect the somber circumstances and promote national unity.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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Ghana to locally refine its gold starting October 2025 – Sammy Gyamfi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has announced that plans are far advanced for the establishment of a state-owned gold refinery in the country.
Speaking at the 2025 Minerals and Mining Convention, Mr Gyamfi said the refinery will process locally mined gold into bullion instead of exporting it in its raw state.
According to him, it is unacceptable that Ghana, despite being a leading gold producer in Africa, continues to export raw gold known as dore.
He explained that the Gold Board, working with the Bank of Ghana and local refineries, will from October 2025 begin refining gold locally.
He also disclosed that an ultramodern assay laboratory will be built to ensure international standards in testing gold quality.
Mr Gyamfi noted that the refinery will be wholly state-owned and will help Ghana move away from raw mineral exports to value addition.
This, he said, will boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and position Ghana as a hub for gold refining and jewellery production in Africa.
The CEO stressed that the project forms part of government’s strategy to ensure the country benefits fully from its natural resources and to transform the mining sector into a driver of economic growth.
By: Jacob Aggrey
