News
TMA pledges support for Kpelejoo festival
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has reaffirmed its support for the Kpelejoo festival, assuring residents of adequate security before, during and after the celebration.
This follows a visit by the management of the Assembly to the Tema Traditional Council, where a donation was made to support the annual festival.
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Ebi Bright, described the gesture as part of the Assembly’s responsibility to uphold the cultural heritage of the people of Tema.
She said the visit was to pledge the Assembly’s support and reaffirm its commitment to work closely with traditional authorities to ensure a successful celebration.
Ms Bright assured that the Assembly, in collaboration with security agencies, had put in place measures to prevent any disturbances, stressing that there would be zero tolerance for acts of indiscipline.
She noted that the Kpelejoo festival symbolised peace, unity and reconciliation, and must be celebrated in an atmosphere that reflects those values.
Ms Bright also highlighted ongoing efforts to restore order in the city, including addressing encroachment and improving sanitation, to enhance Tema’s image as an industrial and port city.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the Council, the Acting President of the Tema Traditional Council, Nii Adjetey Agbo expressed gratitude to the Assembly for the continued support.
He commended the TMA for its commitment to strengthening ties between the local authority and traditional leadership, adding that the contribution would go a long way to ensure a successful festival.
He also assured that the Council would work closely with the Assembly and security agencies to maintain law and order throughout the celebration.
Commending the MCE for her performance in office so far, Nii Agbo pledged the Council’s support towards restoring and maintaining Tema as the model City in Ghana.
The Kpelejoo Festival is marked by traditional rites, drumming and dancing, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Tema people.
From Ken Afedzi, Tema
The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Finance Committee and the member of parliament for Bolgotanga Constituency , Isaac Adongo, has defended the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama, describing him as the right person to manage the country’s central bank.
According to Mr. Adongo, Ghana would have faced a difficult situation if the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had not won the 2024 elections and Dr. Asiama had not been appointed governor.
Speaking in an interview with Edem Mensah-Tsotorme, Online Editor for ghanaiantimes.com.gh, Mr.Adongo said the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), including Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, only wanted to remain relevant within their party.
“Well, the NPP and Kojo Oppong Nkrumah have a job to do. They want to remain relevant in their party. I don’t begrudge them,” he said.
Mr. Adongo praised President John Dramani Mahama for appointing Dr. Asiama as Governor of the Central Bank after returning to power.
He explained that the President carefully assessed the country’s economic challenges while in opposition and chose Dr. Asiama as the best person for the role.
According to him, the governor has so far shown strong leadership at the central bank.
“I’m not saying this because I work closely with him, but sitting on the board with him, his leadership is on par,” he stated.
The lawmaker further noted that the governor understands the concerns of Ghanaians, especially regarding the rising cost of living and economic pressures.
He said government had already done the “heavy lifting” in stabilizing the economy and would now reassess some of its policies to reduce pressure on public finances.
Mr. Adongo expressed optimism that the country would not witness the same level of government expenditure from 2026 onwards.
“We’ll go back to the drawing board and consider the fiscal implications of some of the actions we have taken. I believe that from 2026, we will not see the same magnitude of expenditures,” he added.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has clarified that it did not approve or endorse the recent Karnival Kingdom Festival held in Accra.
In a statement issued on May 7, 2026, the ministry said it did not receive any proposal, request for approval or official communication concerning the organisation of the event.
According to the ministry, it was also unaware of the processes through which the festival was allegedly approved to take place in Ghana.
“The Ministry wishes to state unequivocally that it neither endorsed, sanctioned nor authorised the staging of the event,” the statement said.
The clarification follows public criticism and discussions on social media over activities associated with the festival, including the circulation of what many described as culturally unacceptable content.
The ministry acknowledged concerns raised by sections of the public and various stakeholders regarding the conduct and nature of the event.
It explained that as the supervisory institution for the tourism, culture and creative arts sector, it expects all organisers of public festivals and entertainment events to follow established regulatory procedures and engage the relevant state institutions before holding such activities.
The ministry therefore urged organisers of tourism, cultural, entertainment and recreational events to obtain the necessary approvals before staging programmes in the country.
According to the statement, the ministry remains committed to promoting tourism and cultural activities that respect Ghana’s laws, values and cultural identity.
It added that the country’s reputation as a safe and culturally respectful destination must be protected at all times.
By: Jacob Aggrey
