The Thunder Gh News, Accra (2026)

18/03/2026

The Gbese District Court has scheduled Wednesday, March 25, 2026, to deliver its ruling on a preliminary legal objection in the extradition case of Frederick Kumi, also known as “Abu Trica.”

The case stems from a formal request by United States authorities seeking Abu Trica’s extradition to face criminal charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Abu Trica’s legal team, led by Oliver Barker Vormawor, filed a preliminary objection challenging the legal basis of the extradition proceedings. Counsel argued that the offences cited are not covered under the 1931 extradition treaty between the two countries.

According to Vormawor, neither wire fraud nor money laundering is expressly listed as an extraditable offence under the treaty, and the inclusion of conspiracy is limited to specific categories that do not apply in this case.

The Gbese District Court has scheduled Wednesday, March 25, 2026, to deliver its ruling on a preliminary legal objection in the extradition case of Frederick Ku

18/03/2026

Ghana’s lending rates are showing signs of moderation, but the pace of decline remains slower than market expectations, raising concerns about the transmission of monetary policy to the real economy.

Latest data from the Bank of Ghana indicates that the average lending rate fell to 19.7% in February 2026, a significant drop from 30.12% recorded in February 2025.

While this marks a notable year-on-year improvement, analysts argue that borrowing costs remain elevated relative to prevailing macroeconomic conditions.

A closer look at the trend in 2025 shows a gradual but uneven decline. The average lending rate eased from 29.18% in March 2025 to 27.40% in April, and further to 26.90% in May.

However, the trajectory was briefly interrupted in June, when rates edged up to 27.0%, before resuming a downward trend to 26.59% in July, eventually dropping sharply to 20.45% by December 2025.

Ghana’s lending rates are showing signs of moderation, but the pace of decline remains slower than market expectations, raising concerns about the transmissio

18/03/2026

President John Dramani Mahama has welcomed 54 personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces following their return from a humanitarian mission in Jamaica after the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Mahama praised the troops, drawn mainly from the 14 Engineer Brigade, for what he described as a successful “non-combat, humanitarian mission” grounded in shared Afro-Caribbean history and Pan-African solidarity.

The 54-member team, drawn from the Ghana Armed Forces’ 48th, 49th, and 50th Engineer Regiments, was to work closely with the Jamaica Defence Force’s 1 Engineer Regiment.

Their assignment included repairing damaged public infrastructure and constructing temporary accommodation for residents displaced by the storm. They departed in December 2025.

The President, after welcoming the personnel on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, said their work demonstrated Ghana’s commitment to international cooperation beyond military operations, highlighting the importance of solidarity in times of crisis.

President John Dramani Mahama has welcomed 54 personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces following their return from a humanitarian mission in Jamaica after the deva

18/03/2026

The value of mobile money transactions in Ghana reached GH¢447.4 billion in February 2026, underscoring the continued dominance of digital payments in the country’s financial ecosystem.

Data from the Summary of Economic and Financial Data released by the Bank of Ghana shows that the February figure represents a slight increase from GH¢446.2 billion recorded in January 2026, although it remains below the GH¢518.4 billion peak registered in December 2025.

In terms of transaction volume, mobile money platforms processed 899 million transactions in February, down from 949 million in January and 982 million in December.

The report also indicates that the number of registered mobile money accounts climbed to 81.8 million in February, up from 81.2 million the previous month, reflecting continued expansion in digital financial access across the country.

The value of mobile money transactions in Ghana reached GH¢447.4 billion in February 2026, underscoring the continued dominance of digital payments in the coun

18/03/2026

The Koforidua High Court has granted bail to former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Freddie Blay, in the sum of GH₵800,000 with two sureties who must be residents in Accra and possess valid Ghana Cards.

The decision follows his earlier remand by the Akropong Circuit Court in connection with an alleged demolition dispute at Kitase. Freddie Blay is expected to reappear before the circuit court on April 9 as investigations into the matter continue.

He was handed over to the Akropong Police after a warrant issued for his arrest was executed in Accra on Monday, March 16, 2026. The case stems from claims that he ordered the demolition of a house under construction on a parcel of land at Kitase.

According to police, the landowner filed a complaint after Mr Blay allegedly failed to honour an invitation to assist with inquiries.

The Koforidua High Court has granted bail to former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Freddie Blay, in the sum of GH₵800,000 with two sureties who

18/03/2026

The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to scrap the GH₵1 levy on petroleum products, arguing that it has outlived its purpose and is worsening the financial burden on citizens amid rising fuel costs.

Deputy Ranking Member of the Energy Committee, Collins Adomako Mensah, said the ongoing tensions involving Israel, the United States, and Iran have driven up global crude oil prices, directly impacting fuel costs in Ghana.

“Keeping the one Ghana Cedi levy is punishment,” he said, urging the government to repeal it immediately under a certificate of urgency and conduct a comprehensive review of all taxes and levies embedded in petroleum prices.

As of the second pricing window of March 2026, diesel was selling at GH₵15.60 per litre, and petrol had exceeded GH₵12.40 per litre. The Energy Sector Levy’s Amendment Act of 2025 added approximately GH₵1 to the price build-up, bringing the total levy for debt repayment and sector shortfall to GH₵1.95 for petrol and GH₵1.93

The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to scrap the GH₵1 levy on petroleum products, arguing that it has outlived its purpose and is worsenin

13/03/2026

Ghana and South Korea have agreed to begin negotiations on a visa waiver agreement following bilateral talks between President John Dramani Mahama and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

The development was disclosed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a Facebook post on Friday, March 13, 2026.

According to him, both leaders directed their respective foreign ministers to commence discussions aimed at finalising the visa waiver arrangement, which is expected to ease travel between the two countries.

He noted that the foreign ministries of Ghana and South Korea have been tasked to conclude negotiations on the agreement by June this year.

“The two Foreign Ministers have been urged to conclude negotiations by June this year”, he said

The proposed visa waiver agreement is expected to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations, while facilitating easier movement for citizens for business, tourism and other engagements.

Ghana and South Korea have agreed to begin negotiations on a visa waiver agreement following bilateral talks between President John Dramani Mahama and South Kor

13/03/2026

The government has laid before Parliament the Growth and Sustainability Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to reduce the tax on gold mining companies from 3% of gross production to 1%.

The move forms part of efforts to cushion gold mining firms following the introduction of the Minerals and Mining Royalty Regulations, 2025.

The Legislative Instrument establishes a sliding-scale framework that allows royalty rates to be adjusted in response to fluctuations in international market prices, enabling the state to earn more during periods of high commodity prices.

However, the Minority Caucus has raised concerns that the new L.I. could cost Ghana up to one million jobs and make the mining sector less attractive to investors.

In response to these concerns, the government said the proposed reduction in the Growth and Sustainability Levy is intended to mitigate the potential impact of the Minerals and Mining Royalty Regulations on mining companies.

The government has laid before Parliament the Growth and Sustainability Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to reduce the tax on gold mining companies from

13/03/2026

Ghana international Thomas Partey is set to deny two new allegations of r**e after appearing in court proceedings in the United Kingdom.

The midfielder was charged in February with two counts of r**e relating to an alleged incident involving a woman in December 2020. The charges add to five counts of r**e and one count of sexual assault brought against him last year involving separate complainants.

Partey did not attend the preliminary hearing for the latest charges at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, March 13, 2026. His lawyer, Emma Fenn, told the court that the former Arsenal player intends to plead not guilty when he appears at a crown court hearing scheduled for April 10.

The 32-year-old, who currently plays for Villarreal CF, has already entered not guilty pleas to the earlier allegations, which date between 2021 and 2022. His trial on those charges is expected to begin at Southwark Crown Court in November.

Ghana international Thomas Partey is set to deny two new allegations of r**e after appearing in court proceedings in the United Kingdom. The midfielder was c

13/03/2026

Ghanaian reggae and dancehall icon Samini has taken to social media to share a message of encouragement with young people, reflecting on his journey in the music industry and the lessons he has learned along the way.

The veteran musician noted that he rose to fame at the age of 21 and remains active and thriving in the industry at 44.

Samini expressed gratitude to those who believed in him throughout his career while urging young people to stay focused on their goals. “I became a star at 21 and I’m still thriving at 44 and counting. All I can say is thank you to those who believed,” he wrote, before adding that the message was particularly directed at those currently in their early twenties.

The award-winning artist also advised the youth to guard their energy and attention as they grow older, stressing that maturity often brings clarity and quiet reflection.

Ghanaian reggae and dancehall icon Samini has taken to social media to share a message of encouragement with young people, reflecting on his journey in the musi

13/03/2026

The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has announced plans to install about 1,500 new transformers nationwide by the end of March as part of efforts to stabilise electricity supply and strengthen the country’s power distribution network.

The transformers will be deployed by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to address power fluctuations reported in several parts of the country and improve the reliability of the national grid.

Dr. Jinapor disclosed this during the launch of ECG’s new corporate strategy in Accra, describing the intervention as a critical step toward enhancing electricity distribution and meeting growing consumer demand.

According to the Minister, although ECG had initially planned to procure the transformers independently, the government intervened after it became apparent that the company might lack the financial capacity to fully fund the acquisition.

The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has announced plans to install about 1,500 new transformers nationwide by the end of March a

13/03/2026

The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has appealed to Ghanaians to exercise patience with the government over the ongoing recruitment into the country’s security services, following public concerns about the limited number of available positions.

Addressing party supporters at Dodowa on Thursday, March 12, the NDC Chairman explained that although about 500,000 people applied to join the police service, the government is unable to absorb all of them due to practical and financial constraints.

According to him, recruiting every applicant would not only be unrealistic but would also defeat the purpose of the service. He illustrated the point humorously, stating that if all applicants were enlisted, there would be no one left for the police to arrest.

“This is not 500 or even 50,000 applicants; this is about 500,000 people applying for recruitment into the police service.

The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has appealed to Ghanaians to exercise patience with the government over the on

The Thunder Gh News

18/03/2026

18/03/2026

18/03/2026

18/03/2026

18/03/2026

18/03/2026

13/03/2026

13/03/2026

13/03/2026

13/03/2026

13/03/2026

13/03/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Nana Ama Mcbrown and Baby Maxin