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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
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced that it will begin a special revenue mobilisation exercise on Monday, November 10, 2025, to recover all monies owed to the Assembly for the 2025 fiscal year.
According to the AMA, the exercise aims to boost revenue generation and improve service delivery across the city.
it sais a Revenue Mobilisation Task Force will visit businesses, properties, and outdoor advertising locations to reconcile bills and collect outstanding payments.
The Assembly advised all ratepayers to make available valid receipts of payment for Business Operating Permits (BOPs), Property Rates, Outdoor Advertising Fees, and Rents.
The Assembly added that those who may not be present during the exercise are encouraged to leave their receipts with caretakers to avoid penalties, as no excuses will be accepted from defaulters or their agents.
The assembly noted that the task force will also remove all unauthorised billboards, and companies found to have erected such structures without permits will be surcharged with the cost of removal.
The AMA urged all businesses and property owners to cooperate with the exercise, noting that the funds collected will help the Assembly continue to provide essential services such as sanitation, infrastructure development, and public safety.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former Greater Accra Regional Minister, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to review his approach to governance, describing it as “not the best.”
He said the recent bail conditions imposed on some former government officials are unfair and appear to be punitive rather than just.
Mr. Glover made these comments during an interview on Metro TV.
He explained that bail is supposed to allow an accused person to appear before the court while the case is being tried, and not to serve as a form of punishment.
“If you want me to appear regularly before the police and the court, you can put a condition for me, but it should not be punitive. You can take my passport, ask me to report, or inspect my property. But where you make the bail so high that the person cannot even meet it, that becomes punishment,” he said.
He noted that some of the accused persons, including former government officials such as “my brother Assibey and my sister Gifty,” are still in custody because they have not been able to meet their bail requirements.
“What is the use of it? You keep them in incarceration, and they cannot have their day in court. Then you slap them with high bail conditions, making it difficult for them to secure their release. So what kind of justice are we talking about?,” he questioned.
Mr. Glover further criticized what he described as prejudicial comments made against accused persons before their cases are even heard in court, adding that it undermines justice.
He said the government, through agencies like the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the police, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, should ensure fairness and transparency in handling such cases.
He urged President Mahama to pay attention to these developments, warning that such practices affect the country’s image and governance.
By: Jacob Aggrey
