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President Mahama visits tidal waves victims in Volta region, pledges swift action
President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, on March 6, 2025, visited victims of the recent tidal waves disaster in Agavedzi, Salakofe, and Amutinu to assess the extent of the devastation and expressed his solidarity with the affected communities.
The President was welcomed and briefed by the Regional Minister, James Gunu.
Accompanied by key government officials and Members of Parliament, President Mahama assured residents of immediate intervention to alleviate their suffering. 
President Mahama reassured the victims that his government remains committed to finding a lasting solution to the recurrent tidal waves crisis.
He announced that Phase 2 of the Blekusu Sea Defense Project, which will cover Agavedzi, Salakofe, and Amutinu, will be included in the national budget set to be released in the coming days.
Additionally, he promised to provide decent accommodation for those displaced by the disaster.
The President also highlighted some of the relief efforts and donations made by key personalities and organizations to support the victims.
They include, Kwame Governs Agbodza, Minister for Roads and Highways (250 bags of rice), Ibrahim Mahama, GHC 100,000 and Volta Caucus of MPs, GHC 100,000.
NADMO also donated several relief items, including 500 bags of rice, 200 cartons of cooking oil, 100 cartons of soap, 30 cartons of mosquito coils, 300 blankets, 300 plastic buckets, cups, and plates.
During his tour of the affected areas, President Mahama also inspected the ongoing Ghana Gas Project and raised serious concerns over its execution.
He noted that the contractors had done shoddy work, questioning the quality and durability of the project.
Additionally, he pointed out that the site where the building had been constructed is prone to flooding, especially during the rainy season, which could pose serious risks in the future.
Residents welcomed the President’s visit with gratitude and expressed hope that the promised interventions would be swiftly implemented to prevent further devastation.
They called for urgent government action to protect their homes and livelihoods from future tidal waves.
With this visit, President Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to the people of the Volta Region, pledging that his administration will prioritize their safety, infrastructure needs, and overall well-being.
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced the commencement of enforcement of the National Identity Register (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2523), warning institutions that fail to comply with the new requirements of possible fines of up to 2,000 penalty units.
The Authority says it will deploy a Biometric Verification Implementation Task Force to inspect institutions and ensure they comply with the regulations, following the expiration of a three-month grace period granted to businesses and public institutions.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, November 2, 2026, the NIA’s Corporate Affairs representative, William Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, said the Authority had completed its public education and stakeholder engagement activities and was now moving into the enforcement and compliance monitoring phase.
He explained that the regulations require institutions that verify the identities of customers or applicants as part of their operations to use the NIA’s approved biometric verification platform instead of relying solely on visual inspection of the Ghana Card.
Under the new rules, institutions are prohibited from photocopying, scanning or keeping copies of the Ghana Card for identity verification purposes.
Mr Darlas stressed that simply collecting a customer’s Ghana Card, looking at the photograph and comparing it with the person presenting it would no longer be accepted as a valid method of identity verification.
He, however, clarified that the Ghana Card remains the country’s official national identity document and that citizens are not required to register for a new card or capture their biometrics again under the new regulations.
He said the new system is intended to reduce identity fraud, impersonation and other crimes by ensuring that the person presenting the Ghana Card is the actual owner.
According to him, the biometric verification process will rely on information already captured during Ghana Card registration, including fingerprints, iris details and facial features stored in the card’s chip.
Mr Darlas warned institutions against using third-party companies or individuals to access the NIA’s identity verification platform, insisting that the Authority does not work with intermediaries.
He said institutions seeking access to the National Identity Register must deal directly with the NIA and complete its official onboarding process.
The process requires institutions to prove that they are legally registered companies in Ghana, obtain certification from the Data Protection Commission and work with the NIA’s technical team to establish the necessary connection to its platform.
He further cautioned institutions already connected to the platform against subletting their access to other businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
He disclosed that the Authority had received reports of some institutions providing their verification services to other businesses without the NIA’s approval and warned that those involved would face legal action.
Mr Darlas said organisations that fail to comply with L.I. 2523 could face fines ranging from 500 to 2,000 penalty units, depending on the nature of the offence.
He explained that the NIA does not have the authority to impose the fines directly but would take offenders to court for the appropriate punishment.
He indicated that Institutions found guilty could also face additional administrative measures, including being barred from accessing the NIA’s verification platform in the future.
The NIA representative further clarified that the new regulations do not prohibit all institutions from physically using the Ghana Card during transactions.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Publishing Company Limited, Nana Kwesi Boatey, has revealed how he transformed a major overstaffing challenge into a success story through the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, November 2, Mr. Boatey disclosed that when he assumed office in February 2025, and inherited a bloated workforce of 250 employees doing work that could be efficiently handled by 150 people, a situation that created serious liquidity challenges for the state-owned company.
Instead of resorting to downsizing, he adopted an innovative approach by instituting a 24-hour operational system.
Under the new system, staff were redistributed across three shifts: 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and 10 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.
This not only ensured optimal use of labour but also maximized machine utilization and improved overall output.
According to him, the single move redefined the productivity culture within the company, reinforcing discipline, accountability, and efficiency.
The Ghana Publishing Company’s turnaround is being cited as a practical example of how the 24-Hour Economy policy can drive growth without job losses.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
