News
Mahama, Macron strengthen Ghana–France relations at Paris Peace Forum
President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana has called for stronger cooperation between Ghana and France during bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 2025 Paris Peace Forum, focused on deepening ties in security, trade, education, and infrastructure development.
President Mahama began by expressing appreciation for France’s continuous partnership with Ghana and highlighted key areas for future collaboration.
He requested French support to help Ghana combat increasing piracy threats in its territorial waters and the wider Gulf of Guinea.
He appealed for assistance to fast-track a French concessionary loan for Ghana’s health sector, which is awaiting parliamentary approval.
President Mahama further asked President Macron to use his influence with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help Ghana access funding from the French Development Bank, citing Ghana’s improved debt-to-GDP ratio as a positive indicator of economic progress.
In his capacity as the African Union (AU) Champion of African Financial Institutions, President Mahama advocated for the renegotiation of Africa’s infrastructure loan agreements to secure lower interest rates.
He stressed the importance of fairer financial terms to promote sustainable development across the continent.
The President also underlined Ghana’s key role as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, noting that improved road and transport networks are essential to facilitate trade within Africa.
Highlighting Ghana’s digital transformation agenda, President Mahama spoke about the country’s “One Million Coders” programme, which has already registered 200,000 young learners.
He appealed for French assistance in training more French language teachers to improve language education in Ghanaian schools.
President Mahama raised the issue of reparations for slavery, an initiative Ghana is currently leading at the international level.
He urged France to support the cause as part of a broader effort toward historical justice and reconciliation.
On regional peace and stability, President Mahama discussed the worsening security situation in the Sahel region, including terrorist incursions in Mali and other Alliance of Sahel States (AES) countries.
He emphasized Ghana’s commitment to promoting peace and stability across West Africa.
In response, President Emmanuel Macron expressed condolences over the recent passing of Ghana’s former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
He praised President Mahama’s leadership in championing regional cooperation and economic reform.
President Macron assured Ghana of France’s continued partnership in areas such as security, health, education, and digital innovation.
He mentioned upcoming opportunities for collaboration, including the VivaTech Summit in Nairobi in May 2026, the AU–EU Summit in Angola, and the G7 Summit in June 2026, where France intends to advocate for greater support for Ghana.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
