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President Mahama admits flying cash to Brazil damaged Ghana’s image
President John Dramani Mahama has acknowledged that the decision to fly cash to Brazil to pay the Black Stars during the 2014 World Cup dented Ghana’s international image.
Speaking on lessons from the incident in an interview with Sporty FM’s Gary Al-Smith, President Mahama explained that tensions had arisen between the players, the Ghana Football Association (GFA), and the government over payment delays. The players refused to train or play until they received their allowances in cash.
In an effort to prevent the team from being demoralized and to ensure Ghana’s continued participation, the government decided to airlift the money to Brazil.
The President noted that the incident created suspicion among the parties involved, as the players believed that funds meant for them might be diverted.
He emphasized that valuable lessons had been learned from the experience and assured that such a situation would not happen again.
President Mahama added that the GFA had been encouraged to process payments to players promptly to maintain trust and discipline in future tournaments.
He stressed that the matter was now behind the nation, with focus shifting to transparency and proper management in future World Cup campaigns.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Dramani Mahama has visited the Akosombo Dam to assess the impact of a fire incident at a substation operated by the Ghana Grid Company.
The fire is reported to have caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts from the national power grid, affecting electricity supply in parts of the country.
During the visit, he inspected ongoing restoration works and received briefings from engineers on efforts to restore power. He commended them for what he described as a swift and professional response to the situation.
According to him, the government remains committed to restoring stable electricity supply as quickly as possible.
He added that steps are also being taken to strengthen the resilience of Ghana’s energy infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ghana Grid Company has not yet provided a detailed timeline for full restoration, but work is ongoing to bring affected systems back on stream.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, says he and his deputy have publicly filed their annual tax returns to demonstrate leadership and encourage compliance among citizens.
In a facebook post, he explained that the move was meant to show that public officials must lead by example when it comes to fulfilling civic duties.
“Leadership must be demonstrated, not declared,” he said.
He commended Ghanaian taxpayers for their continued contribution to national development, noting that tax compliance plays a key role in sustaining government activities.
According to him, paying taxes is both a legal and moral responsibility. He stressed that all citizens, including public officials, professionals, and businesses, are equal before the law and must meet their tax obligations.
He added that tax revenue is essential for funding key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
The minister praised the Ghana Revenue Authority for its work, especially during the ongoing Tax and Good Governance Month in April. He said the initiative helps to educate the public and promote voluntary compliance.
He urged the authority to intensify public education and continue reforms aimed at simplifying tax processes, reducing compliance costs, and improving transparency.
He further encouraged individuals and businesses that are yet to file their returns to do so promptly, adding that support systems and digital platforms are available to assist them.
He said building a strong tax culture would strengthen the country’s economy, improve accountability, and promote fairness in society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
