A coalition of civil society organisations is urging the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to take decisive action by clamping down on fuel supplies to illegal mining operations, arguing that restricting access to diesel could play a critical role in curbing galamsey activities across Ghana.

The Ghana National Fire Service has identified five main causes of fire outbreaks in the country, even as it reports a significant reduction in fire incidents, deaths, and injuries for the first quarter of 2026. The latest figures highlight both progress in fire prevention efforts and ongoing challenges that require sustained public attention.

The Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company has raised concerns over household safety, revealing that a significant proportion of gas cylinders submitted for refurbishment under the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) are unfit for continued use. The findings point to a growing safety challenge in domestic energy use, particularly as more households rely on LPG for cooking and other needs.

The High Court of Ghana has declined an application seeking to discharge former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority, Mustapha Hamid, and his co-accused in an ongoing prosecution brought by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

The High Court of Ghana has granted bail in the sum of GH₵30 million to Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, marking a major development in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding his extradition case.

Ghana has taken a major step toward strengthening its technological and economic partnership with Zambia, as a high-level delegation led by Felix Mutati visits Accra for a two-day strategic engagement focused on innovation, collaboration, and investment.

Government Triples Allowances for Paramount Chiefs and Queen Mothers to GH¢3,000

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has announced a substantial increase in monthly allowances for paramount chiefs and queen mothers across Ghana, marking a major policy shift aimed at strengthening traditional leadership support.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, April 20, the Minister disclosed that the allowance has been increased from GH¢1,000 to GH¢3,000 in 2025—representing a 300 percent increment.

According to him, the previous allowance had remained unchanged for the past eight years under the former administration, leaving many traditional leaders with limited financial support despite their expanding roles in governance, mediation, and local development.

“The ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, increased the allowance of paramount chiefs from GH¢1,000 to GH¢3,000. For the last eight years, our chiefs were stagnated in the allowance they were receiving. It was GH¢1,000, and in 2025, the president increased it by 300 percent, and the same increment applies to paramount queen mothers,” he stated.

Recognising the Role of Traditional Authorities

Ahmed Ibrahim emphasized that the increase is part of broader government efforts to formally recognise and strengthen the contribution of traditional authorities in national development.

Paramount chiefs and queen mothers play critical roles in:

• Conflict resolution and community mediation
• Cultural preservation and social cohesion
• Land administration and local governance support
• Advocacy for development projects in rural and urban communities

The Minister noted that enhancing their financial support is essential to enabling them to carry out these responsibilities more effectively.

Policy and Governance Implications

The increment is also seen as a strategic move to deepen collaboration between the state and traditional institutions, which remain influential in Ghana’s governance structure, particularly at the grassroots level.

Analysts suggest the decision could improve morale among traditional leaders while reinforcing their role as key stakeholders in implementing government policies and development initiatives.

However, some observers are likely to raise questions about long-term sustainability, funding sources, and whether similar adjustments will be extended to other categories of traditional leaders.

Looking Ahead

The Ministry is expected to provide further details on the implementation framework, including payment structures and any additional support mechanisms for traditional councils.

The announcement has already generated significant public interest, with many viewing it as a long-overdue adjustment that aligns compensation with the evolving responsibilities of traditional leadership in modern governance.

A fire outbreak at the Kumasi New Kejetia Market has caused significant damage to goods at a retail shop on the first floor, although swift intervention by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) prevented the incident from escalating into a larger market disaster.

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed strong optimism about achieving a more stable and resilient power supply across Ghana, as the government intensifies efforts to modernize the country’s electricity infrastructure.