News
No tolerance for arrogance and disrespect – President Mahama tells appointees

President John Dramani Mahama has advised his appointees to eschew any form of disrespect and arrogance to Ghanaians.
According to him, the people wield the power and have entrusted in them to serve and for that reason, they should serve them with respect.
He made this remarks at Jubilee House on January 22, 2025, during the swearing-in ceremony of six ministerial appointees.
John Mahama reiterated his government’s commitment to upholding good governance and accountability.
“We must exhibit tolerance for their views and work to meet their aspirations. This government will not tolerate arrogance or disrespect for the people who elected us into office. Modesty and prudence must be the guiding principles upon which you, myself, and our Vice President fashion our governance,” he added.
According to him,“The people of Ghana will hold us accountable for the trust they have placed in our hands. It cannot be business as usual. We must be transparent and fair in all our dealings,” he emphasised.
“As I pointed out during my inaugural speech, Ghanaians have, through their votes, declared their intention to demand the highest standards of governance, and we cannot afford to fail them,” he stated.
The ministers are Dr Ato Forson- Minister for Finance, John Jinapor- Minister for Energy & Green Transition, Dr Dominic Ayine- Attorney General &Minister for Justice, Haruna Iddrisu- Minister for Education Eric Opoku- Minister for Food and Agriculture and KwameAgbodza- Minister for Roads and Highways.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
Mahama scales down celebration of independence anniversary

President John Dramani Mahama has suspended the rotational celebration of the Independence Anniversary across various regions to save cost.
The president has also directed the National Planning Committee to revise the programme of activities for the national celebration in Accra to scale down the scope of the celebration and reduce the amount of money spent annually.
Addressing a press conference, Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the government in 2024 spent almost fifteen million Ghana Cedis (GH¢ 15,000,000) on the celebration in Koforidua.
“For that reason, he has decided that this year’s celebration will not take on the spectacular form that we have been used to over the years. Rather than a major event at the Independence Square, where there are contingents of men from the various security agencies and hundreds of schoolchildren, there will be a scaled-down commemoration at the forecourt of the Presidency,” the Minister said.
PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON 68TH INDEPENDENCE DAY COMMEMORATION
1. There’ll be a scaled-down commemoration of this year’s commemoration at the National & District Levels ONLY.
2. There’ll be no commemoration at the Regional Level.
3. The scaled-down National Celebration will take place at the forecourt of the Presidency.
4. There will be no parade or match past of security agencies and school children during the National Celebration.
5. The Regional Ministers are to ensure that MMDAs scale down the commemoration in their Districts.
6. Other activities approved by the President are the 28th February Crossroads Shooting Incident and the President’s Special Awards for Children.
REVISED ACTIVITIES FOR THE NATIONAL CELEBRATION
1. Mounting of a Guard of Honour by the Security Agencies
2. Cultural Performances & Recitals
3. National Address by the President and Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces.
News
EC to re-run Council of State Elections in North East and Ashanti Regions

The Electoral Commission (EC) is set to re-run Council of State Elections in North East and Ashanti Regions.
In a press statement issued yesterday, they stated that “The Electoral Commission wishes to inform the General Public that, the Council
ofState Elections in two regions, namely North East and Ashanti, willbe re-run on
Monday, 17th of February, 2025.”
According to them, this is because there was a tie in the Election in the North East Region.
The top two candidates each had six (6) votes. As such, the Election has to be re-run.
However, in the Ashanti Region, the Election was disrupted by thugs and could therefore not be concluded.
The Commission has therefore written to the Ghana Police Service and copied the National Election Security Taskforce to heighten security at the venues of the elections to prevent any disruptions.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme