News
President Mahama leads initiative to transform Ghana into an export-driven economy
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/EX8-scaled-1-1000x600.jpeg&description=President Mahama leads initiative to transform Ghana into an export-driven economy', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/EX8-scaled-1-1000x600.jpeg&description=President Mahama leads initiative to transform Ghana into an export-driven economy', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated an Accelerated Export Development Advisory Committee, a strategic initiative to propel Ghana towards becoming a leading export-driven economy.
The 19-member committee, chaired by the President himself, will lead the implementation of the 24-Hour Economy policy, prioritising value addition and economic diversification through strong partnerships with the private sector, particularly in agro-processing and light manufacturing.
President Mahama, an advocate for job creation and national development under his #ResettingGhana agenda, emphasised the critical role of the Committee in achieving ambitious economic goals.
“Through targeted incentives and strategic partnerships, we will scale up local production and participation in the value chain,” Mahama stated during the inauguration.
He noted that “Our 24-hour economy strategy will complement this ambition by developing focused value chains including cassava, tomato, palm oil, pharmaceuticals, textiles and garments, and industrial machinery.”
The President expressed confidence that implementing the export development strategies would lower the national unemployment rate from 14.7% to below 5% by 2034.
To facilitate efficient export operations, the government will invest heavily in modernising critical infrastructure, including upgrading and expanding ports, revitalising the Volta Lake Transport Company, developing the Mpakadan Port, operationalising the Boankra Inland Port, and expanding cold chain infrastructure to support the fisheries and horticultural sectors.
The Accelerated Export Development Programme and the National Export Development Strategy are central to achieving these goals.
“We aim to grow Ghana’s non-traditional export earnings from $3.5 billion annually to at least $10 billion by 2030,” President Mahama affirmed.
The Accelerated Export Development Advisory Committee will foster close collaboration with the private sector, development partners, academia, and regional institutions to address export barriers, identify emerging opportunities, and drive coordinated reforms.
The Committee will be supported by the 24-hour economy secretariat, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and other relevant agencies to ensure a seamless transition from strategic planning to tangible results.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE ACCELERATED EXPORT DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1. HE John Dramani Mahama
2. Mr Goosie Tanoh
3. Hon. Dr Cassiel Ato Forson (MP)
4. Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu Agyare (MP)
5. Hon. Emelia Arthur (MP)
6. Hon. Eric Opoku (MP)
7. Hon. Dominic Ayine (MP)
8. Mr Anthony K. Sarpong
9. Professor John Gatsi
10. Brigadier General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono
11. Gerald Nrako Mensah
12. Dr Akushika Andoh
13. Dr Eben Anuwa-Amarh
14. Kwesi Korboe
15. Sampson Asaki Awingobit
16. Jacob Ainoo Ansah
17. Gabriel Opoku Asare
18. Gerald Nyarko Mensah
19. Davies Narh Korboe
The Bono Regional Drug Law Enforcement Unit has arrested a 66-year-old woman and her 29-year-old son after police allegedly found suspected Indian hemp, Tramadol and other restricted drugs in their rooms at Dormaa Ahenkro.
The suspects, Mary Awuni and Maxwell Akukah, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation at Kumi Daa Street, a suburb of the Dormaa Central Municipality.
According to the Bono Regional Police Command, a search conducted in their rooms led to the recovery of 147 yellow compressed slabs wrapped in sellotape and suspected to be Indian hemp.
Police also retrieved 270 boxes and 329 blisters of assorted Tramadol, 14 blisters of Rohypnol, GH¢87,751 and CFA 2,000.
The police explained that Mary Awuni was found with a metal trunk containing the 14 blisters of Rohypnol, GH¢72,612 and CFA 2,000.
She allegedly told investigators that the items and money had been given to her by a man in Accra to be delivered to another person in Côte d’Ivoire. However, she admitted ownership of the items found in her room.
Her son, Maxwell Akukah, was arrested in a separate room where the suspected Indian hemp, Tramadol and GH¢15,139 were found.
He allegedly claimed that the items belonged to his brother, Anthony, who was said to be outside Dormaa Ahenkro.
In a press release issued on September 4, the Bono Regional Police Command stated that the two suspects remain in custody and are assisting with investigations.
The police added that investigations were ongoing to identify and prosecute all persons found to be involved.
The Command assured the public of its commitment to combating narcotics-related offences and urged residents to provide credible information to help police protect communities and maintain public safety.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ashanti Region have been crowned champions of the 2026 MTN Elite U-19 Championship after edging defending champions Eastern Region 4-3 in a pulsating final at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, Prampram.
The final provided a fitting climax to 11 days of exciting football, delivering a seven-goal thriller at the GFA Technical Centre on Friday.
In a contest full of attacking intent and drama, Eastern Region fought back three times but Ashanti held their nerve to dethrone the holders and send the trophy to Kumasi.
Ashanti made a blistering start and took the lead in the 7th minute through Mohammed Dayvon. Eastern responded quickly, with Umar Archraf levelling matters in the 12th minute.
Issah Seidu restored Ashanti’s advantage six minutes later, but Tetteh Narh again drew Eastern level at 2-2 before the break in what was a fiercely contested first half.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Elvis Kwarteng put Ashanti ahead for the third time in the 78th minute with a performance that would later earn him the Final’s Most Valuable Player award.
Eastern refused to give up and equalised again three minutes later to make it 3-3, setting up a tense finish.
But their joy was short-lived. Substitute Emmanuel Boateng struck the winner in the 82nd minute to seal a dramatic 4-3 victory for Ashanti.
Eastern piled on pressure in the closing stages, but Raphael Amankwah’s side stayed resolute to see out the win.
The triumph capped an impressive campaign for Ashanti, who showed consistency and resilience throughout the tournament.
Individual Honours
Elvis Kwarteng was named Most Valuable Player of the final, while Central Region’s Desmond Korlettey was adjudged Overall Most Valuable Player after winning four MVP awards during the tournament.
Central Region also picked up the Fair Play award, while Ashanti’s Raphael Amankwah was named Best Coach.
Kelvin Osei Owusu of Ashanti won Best Goalkeeper, with Greater Accra’s Dennis Adjei finishing as Top Scorer with six goals.
The closing ceremony was led by Chairman of the Championship Committee, Hon. Eric Edem Agbana, and MTN representative Andy Cofie, joined by Executive Council members Samuel Aboabire and Eugene Noel Nobel, Juvenile Committee Vice-Chairman Samuel Anim Addo and Black Satellites head coach Maxwell Konadu.
Reserved exclusively for Second Division players, the championship once again proved a vital platform for discovering and showcasing Ghana’s next generation of talent.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
