The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has issued a firm warning to contractors engaged in the government’s 24-Hour Economy Model Market programme, cautioning that poor workmanship, project delays, and failure to adhere to specifications will not be tolerated.

The Minister delivered this warning as construction officially commenced on new 24-Hour Economy Model Markets in Bimbilla and Kukuo. These projects form part of the government’s broader Resetting Ghana Tour and its decentralised infrastructure development agenda aimed at boosting economic activity at the local level.

Ahmed Ibrahim stressed that the market projects are critical national investments designed to strengthen local economies, improve trading environments, and support small businesses. As such, he emphasised that contractors must strictly comply with quality standards, timelines, and cost requirements to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the initiative.

He noted that the government is committed to delivering durable, high-quality infrastructure that can withstand the demands of continuous, round-the-clock economic activity. According to him, any compromise in quality or delivery would undermine the objectives of the programme and waste public resources.

The Minister further revealed that monitoring and evaluation systems across all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have been significantly strengthened to ensure closer supervision of ongoing projects. These enhanced oversight mechanisms are intended to enforce accountability and ensure that contractors meet their contractual obligations.

He warned that any contractor who fails to meet the agreed standards or timelines will face serious consequences, including possible termination of contracts and other sanctions.

The 24-Hour Economy Model Market programme is being rolled out across all 261 MMDAs nationwide, reflecting the government’s commitment to decentralised development. In the current phase, 16 assemblies within the Northern Region are benefiting from the initiative.

The programme is designed to promote continuous economic activity by providing modern market infrastructure that supports traders, farmers, and small-scale enterprises. It also aims to improve sanitation, enhance market organisation, and create safer and more efficient trading spaces.

The markets in Bimbilla and Kukuo are part of a wider strategy to strengthen rural-urban economic linkages, increase local productivity, and expand access to economic opportunities at the grassroots level. By improving infrastructure in underserved areas, the government hopes to stimulate inclusive growth and reduce regional disparities.

The initiative is also aligned with the Accounting to the People Interactive Forum on Local Governance and Decentralisation, a key component of the Resetting Ghana Tour that promotes transparency, citizen participation, and accountability in governance.

The sod-cutting ceremonies for the projects were attended by cabinet ministers, senior government officials, local authorities, traditional leaders, traders, youth groups, and community members, reflecting broad stakeholder support for the initiative.

Many stakeholders have welcomed the programme, describing it as a transformative step toward improving livelihoods, enhancing local commerce, and creating sustainable economic opportunities within districts.

The government has reiterated that strict supervision, quality assurance, and performance enforcement will remain central to the successful implementation of all infrastructure projects under the 24-hour economy programme, as it seeks to deliver long-term benefits to communities across the country.

The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) has firmly rejected claims circulating on social media that a senior civil servant at Ghana’s Defence Ministry received unearned salaries amounting to GH¢427 million over a 29-month period.

The Auditor-General’s Office has officially withdrawn a significant error contained in its nationwide payroll audit report, acknowledging that it mistakenly attributed an amount of GH¢427,995,661.40 in unearned salaries to a single public servant, Frank Oliver Kpodo.

The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has raised concerns over what he describes as the growing use of sole sourcing by the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), warning that the trend could undermine transparency, accountability, and value for money in public procurement.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, April 19, the legislator highlighted a number of high-value transactions he claims were executed without competitive bidding, including a GH¢4.2 million consultancy contract and a vehicle procurement deal exceeding GH¢17 million and $160,000.

Mr Assafuah questioned the rationale behind engaging an external consultant at an estimated monthly cost of GH¢175,000, arguing that such an arrangement may duplicate roles already existing within the Authority.

He suggested that the decision raises critical questions about:

• Institutional efficiency
• Cost justification
• Whether internal expertise is being underutilised

According to him, public institutions like the NPRA are expected to maximise in-house capacity before resorting to costly external engagements.

The MP also drew attention to procurement records indicating that several vehicles were acquired by the Authority in 2025 under sole sourcing arrangements.

He further alleged that one of the vehicles is reportedly registered under a company linked to the supplier, raising concerns about:

• Asset ownership transparency
• Potential conflicts of interest
• Compliance with procurement regulations

He argued that such developments warrant closer scrutiny to ensure adherence to due process and safeguard public resources.

While acknowledging that sole sourcing is permitted under Ghana’s procurement laws in specific circumstances—such as urgency or limited supplier availability—Mr Assafuah cautioned against its frequent use for major contracts.

“Sole sourcing is meant for urgency and necessity, not convenience and favouritism,” he stated.

He warned that repeated reliance on sole sourcing without clear and justifiable reasons could erode public trust, particularly in an institution responsible for overseeing pension funds.

The concerns raised highlight ongoing debates around procurement practices within public institutions in Ghana, especially regarding:

• Transparency in contract awards
• Value for money in public spending
• Strengthening oversight mechanisms

Analysts note that issues surrounding procurement integrity are particularly sensitive in agencies like the NPRA, given their role in safeguarding long-term financial security for workers.

Mr Assafuah is calling for increased scrutiny of the Authority’s procurement processes and greater transparency in future transactions.

The NPRA is yet to publicly respond to the allegations, but the issue is expected to generate further discussion among policymakers, civil society organisations, and oversight bodies in the coming weeks.

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has strongly criticised the previous administration led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, accusing it of leaving behind a weak and under-resourced local governance system.

Dr. David Tetteh has been elected and sworn in as a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NDC Professionals Forum, in a development widely interpreted as a move to enhance the Forum’s technical strength and policy direction.

Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has renewed calls for increased African representation on the United Nations Security Council, warning that the continent’s continued marginalization undermines both the credibility and effectiveness of the global body.

President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled a strategic plan to establish five maize processing plants across Ghana, a major intervention aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening the country’s agricultural value chain.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has clarified that the appointment of Okyeame Kwame as an Ambassador for the Feed Ghana initiative is entirely voluntary and not tied to any financial compensation from the state.

The National Service Authority (NSA) has announced a significant reduction in its annual payroll, cutting it from approximately GH₵1.6 billion to about GH₵700 million after implementing stricter verification systems to eliminate ghost names. The move forms part of broader reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of public funds.

President John Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to maintaining inflation within single-digit levels, following a significant decline in the rate to 3.2 per cent. The President emphasized that this milestone is part of a broader economic strategy aimed at stabilising the country through disciplined fiscal management, responsible spending, and prudent financial policies designed to restore confidence in Ghana’s economy.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has clarified that the appointment of celebrated Ghanaian musician Okyeame Kwame as an ambassador for the Feed Ghana initiative is purely voluntary and does not involve any form of state payment.