News
Okudzeto Ablakwa meets US Ambassador over imposition of 10% tariff
The Ambassador of the United States of America, Her Excellency Virginia Palmer today honoured an invitation from the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) to discuss the imposition of 10% tariff by the United States of America on Ghana, effective April 5, 2025.
The Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi and other officials from his Ministry joined the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The US Ambassador indicated that the tariff did not maliciously target Ghana but was intended
to address the significant trade imbalances between the USA and its partners such as Ghana.
The Ambassador however, informed that the tariff is being imposed, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA).
She further intimated that the 10% tariff imposition exempts some products like oil and gas,
and energy related products that Ghana exports to the United States.
It emerged that products
exported under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) initiative are affected.
The meeting additionally discussed the possible exemption of other sectors, particularly with cocoa and garments.
Both sides agreed towork together to mitigate challenges including
potential job losses.
The Ministries of Foreign A ffairs and Trade, Agribusiness and Industry would continue to engage the USA authorities on how to mitigate and alleviate the effect of the tariffs on Ghanaian businesses and the Ghanaian economy generally through bilateral and diplomatie means.
Ghana and the USA affirm their strong and cordial relations.
News
Minister of Health appeals to Tamale Teaching Hospital striking doctors
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has appealed to the striking doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) to calll off the suspension and come to the negotiation table.
However, he refused to apologise as demanded by the striking doctors.
The doctors after a meeting yesterday have withdrawn emergency services following the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.
This follows an unannounced visit to the hospital by the Minister on Tuesday.
The Minister made the appeal when addressing the media in Accra on Today, April 24 2025.
According to him, dialogue is the only way out to resolve the issue, adding that he was ready collaborate with them.
“I am prepared for us to come around the table and discuss whatever we need to discuss,” Mr Akandoh said.
“My humble appeal to my wonderful medical doctors and health professionals at Tamale Teaching Hospital is that I am the first person to take care of your interests. Therefore, let’s call off the strike and let’s all regroup and strategise going forward,” he concluded.
News
Health Minister donates medical equipment to Tamale Teaching Hospital, pledges commitment to reforms
The Minister for Health Kwabena Miintah Akandoh has reiterated government’s commitment to address long-standing challenges in the health sector, describing the health system as one that requires urgent reform and collective responsibility.
He made these remarks during a donation of some essential medical equipment and supplies to the Tamale Teaching Hospital on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
The donation included a wide range of equipment such as ECG machines, ICU ventilators, cardiac monitors, anesthesia machines, infant incubators, and essential
Consumables amounting to about 35 items.
Among the items highlighted were
Emergency Health Equipment (EHE) sets, nebulizer sets, and medical-grade towels.
The Health Minister acknowledged the difficult working conditions health professionals continue to endure and emphasized that government efforts alone would not be enough to resolve systemic issues.
He called for unity across the health sector and urged all stakeholders, including medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, to work together to ensure that the country’s limited resources are used efficiently.
He noted that the wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian should be central to healthcare delivery, cautioning against practices that marginalize the underprivileged due to resource scarcity. According to him, every Ghanaian life is valuable, and the system must reflect that belief in both policy and practice.
Mr.Akandoh stressed that his leadership approach is rooted in humility, collaboration, and respect for all health workers. While acknowledging that change may come with challenges, he maintained that cooperation is key to achieving lasting improvements in the sector.
The Minister pleaded with health professionals in the Tamale Teaching Hospital to call off the strike and regroup to strategize on more effective ways to address their concerns through dialogue and collaboration with relevant authorities.
The donation to the Tamale Teaching Hospital forms part of a broader national initiative to modernize medical infrastructure and enhance service delivery in Ghana’s healthcare.
