Professor John Gartchie Gatsi, Board Chair of Energy Commission
By Adnan Adams Mohammed
The Energy Commission of Ghana has graduated 340 at its 23rd Electrical Wiring Certification & Awards Ceremony with a call for improved customer services.
Clad in their graduation attire, the newly certified practitioners stood as a reflection of the hard work, training, and dedication required to meet the standards of professional electrical wiring in Ghana.
Held under the theme “Empowering Certified Practitioners: Securing L.I. 2008 Through Professional Authentication,” the ceremony reinforced the importance of professionalism and safety in the country’s energy sector.
The Board Chairman of the Commission, Professor John Gartchie Gatsi, in his remarks called for inclusion of customer service training as part of the soft skills training of the electrical wiring professionals to help them improve on customer service experience. Further indicating that, the Commission places high premium on the ceremony because it is one of the objective ways to ensure professionally skillful men and women involved in the electrical wiring industrial, commercial and domestic facilities are awarded and motivated.
“We are happy to carry out one of our mandates as a Commission under the Electrical Wiring Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 2008), and related regulations. Electrical wiring of our domestic, commercial and industrial facilities should be done within the context of safety and professionalism to build lasting trust and credibility”, he noted.
Prof Gatsi assured the Ghanaian public that the Commission will step up its regulatory efforts; including activating the sanctions regime to enhance the environment within which all actors in this industry operate in certifying more Electrical Wiring Professionals. Further indicating that, the Board had already directed management to review the curriculum to include customer relations and care which are key parts of the profession but with less attention being paid.
“We encourage women to go through the certification process as only 233 females have been certified in the past 12 years representing only 1.3% as against over 17,000 men over the same period.
“We will also ensure that the annual knowledge update (CPD)for those who have been certified is taken seriously before renewal of practicing licenses are granted.
According to the Board Chair, over the past 12 years, the Commission certified about 18,000 electrical wiring practitioners. Out of the number, 11,040 focus on domestic facilities while 5,788 on commercial facilities and 827 on industrial facilities. With less than 700 inspectors. We encourage more to enroll to increase safety and credibility in the electrical wiring profession.
“Regulatory sensitivity and reforms are needed to deliver professional electrical wiring and protect property and business assets. We will therefore strengthen regulatory collaboration and improve our public education. We will step up inspections at the ports of entry to ensure substandard electrical materials are cleared.”
He called on the graduates, as expected of them in accordance with the ethics of their profession, to report substandard electrical wiring materials which find their way into the marketplace.
“To our graduates, today’s gathering is not merely to celebrate your achievements, to serve professional ambassadors within the industry and also signal to the public to engage only professionals to undertake electrical wiring of their facilities.”
President John Dramani Mahama has formally designated the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) as the government’s primary focal institution for coordinating philanthropic and grant-based partnerships.
In a letter dated September 19, 2025, addressed to the Chairperson of MiDA and copied to the Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs, President Mahama cited MiDA’s track record of technical excellence, fiduciary discipline, and effective delivery as the basis for the new designation.
The move is intended to streamline and enhance the country’s engagement with major international philanthropic entities.
“This designation affirms Government’s confidence in MiDA’s institutional strength,” the letter stated, emphasizing MiDA’s historical success in implementing large-scale development projects such as the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compacts.
The new role empowers MiDA to serve as the central coordinating body for all government engagements with philanthropic partners.
This includes strategic alignment with national priorities like the Feed Ghana Programme and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As part of its expanded mandate, MiDA will now be responsible for acting as the lead institution for aligning philanthropic efforts with national development goals, managing secured funds grants, and implementing robust procurement systems.
MiDA’s designation specifically includes, but is not limited to, collaboration with global philanthropic giants such as the Open Society Foundation (OSF), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Mastercard Foundation, and other similar entities.
President Mahama has instructed MiDA to work proactively with the Ministry of Finance, relevant sector ministries, and designated organizations to unlock impactful development financing opportunities for Ghana.
“We are confident that under your leadership, MiDA will excel in this strategic role,” the President’s letter concluded, expressing optimism about Ghana’s potential to become a trusted global partner in international philanthropy.
This strategic shift is expected to bolster Ghana’s capacity to attract and manage international grants effectively, ensuring that partnerships deliver measurable, lasting benefits to the Ghanaian people
The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak, has announced that, at about 8:00pm GMT on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) released the results of the 2025 Senior High School (SHS)/Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) placement.
According to Dr. Apaak, a total of 603,328 students sat for the BECE, surpassing last year’s numbers. Out of this number, 590,309 candidates qualified for placement into SHS, SHTS, and TVI across the country.
Placement Figures
Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Accra, Dr. Apaak revealed that 483,800 candidates (82%) have been successfully placed, with 248,038 females (51.4%) and 234,783 males (48.6%). However, 107,509 candidates (18.2%) could not be matched with their initial school choices due to high demand for certain Category ‘A’ schools.
Self-Placement Portal
To address this, the self-placement portal has been activated and is now live. All qualified candidates who were not automatically placed are encouraged to log onto the system and select from schools with available vacancies.
Placement Program Coverage
The placement program covers 724 public SHSs/SHTSs, 233 TVIs, and 70 private SHSs under the pilot Free SHS Programme.
Caution Against Placement Scams
Dr. Apaak cautioned parents and guardians against paying money to any individual, whether a Ministry official or a third party, for placement. Anyone soliciting payment must be reported immediately to the nearest police station or to the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
Support Channels
For further inquiries, the Ministry’s support channels are available:
– Call Center: 0541548223
– WhatsApp: 0244908957
Meanwhile, Dr. Apaak extended warm congratulations to all candidates, whether placed directly or through the self-placement portal, and encouraged parents, teachers, and communities to support students in their educational journey.
Eni Ghana and its Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) project partners, Vitol and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), has signed a Memorandum of Intent with the Government of Ghana, represented by the Minister of Energy and Green Transition and the Minister of Finance, targeting the country’s oil and gas production increase and new sustainable initiatives.
The signing was held at the presence of the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama.
The agreement will evaluate a comprehensive and integrated investment plan, aimed at contributing to national goals for reliable, affordable, and low-impact access to energy.
Among the key initiatives proposed is the possible increase in OCTP project production capacity, leveraging synergies between offshore and onshore upgrades, aimed at increasingly meeting the country’s growing domestic energy demand.
The collaboration focuses also on the evaluation of Exploration activities and the new potential development of the Eban-Akoma field in Cape Three Points Block 4, which, following the declaration of commerciality announced in July 2025, is set to become a new and significant source of supply, leveraging on existing infrastructure for the benefit of value and time to market.
Eni and OCTP partners have already invested over US$10 million in social programs directly benefiting more than 10,000 people in the areas of education, access to clean water, health and hygiene, and support for the local economic fabric. With the launch of a second phase, new initiatives will be introduced in these areas, along with services dedicated to the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises will be expanded.
Eni has been present in Ghana since 2009 with offshore hydrocarbon exploration and production activities, with an equity production of around 34,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The company operates the OCTP project with a 44.4% stake, in partnership with Vitol (35.6%) and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (20%). Since 2018, the OCTP project has produced over 107 million barrels of oil and 480 billion standard cubic feet (Bscf) of gas, helping to meet approximately 70% of the country’s gas demand for power generation. The joint venture’s project portfolio also includes initiatives in training, economic diversification, access to water and sanitation, and energy access.
ADB’s MSMEs Coordinator interacting with a prospective customer
Agricultural Development Bank’s (ADB) Coordinator in Charge of Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), is currently leading a team to promote retail banking at the Fetu Afahye festival in Cape Coast.
Joseph Mensah Abakah, has been drumming home the need for Ghanaian traders and businesses to do business with the ADB Plc Ghana for greater access to funding and other loan services.
As part of the customer outreach, the MSMEs Coordinator educated patrons at this year’s Fetu festival on the range of retail banking products tailored to meet the financial needs of individuals, businesses, and organizations.
Some of the key products include: Loans and Credit Facilities, Savings Accounts, Current Accounts, Fixed Deposits and Digital Banking Services.
Mr Abakah, as part of his role, works closely with customers to understand their financial needs and provide tailored solutions to help them achieve their goals. He plays a crucial role in helping increase customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention, ultimately driving business growth and profitability for the bank.
“Any business person or petty trader can reach out to me anytime for personal consultation and advisory service to tailor their needs to a product and services ADB offers”, Mr Abakah intimated.
Joseph Abakah can be reached through his dedicated contact on 0242313417.
Following thundering anger from users of the Ofankor-Nsawam Road, President John Dramani Mahama has paid a working visit to the project site yesterday, September 3, 2025.
The President charged the contractors to beat the delayed time and complete works on schedule by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
“I can see that drivers are happy now, and I hope that from now till you finish the project, you will maintain a smooth flow of traffic even as you are working so that you don’t impede the flow of traffic,” President Mahama, while addressing the contractors and motorists, in the company of Road Minister cautioned.
“So we will hold you to your work. You say by the end of the second quarter next year you should be finished.”
Mr. Mahama’s remarks come amid growing public concern over the state of major highways and traffic congestion, especially along key commuter routes like Ofankor-Nsawam.
The Ofankor road construction officially began in July 2022, under the previous Akufo-Addo government, with an initial completion target set for July 2024.
However, the completion target has been postponed several times due to funding challenges, sparking protests by drivers and residents over the heavy traffic congestion and environmental pollution caused by the ongoing construction.
Gilbert Sebe-Yeboah, Head of Consumer Finance Department, Agricultural Development Bank Plc]
The honey badger is one of the most interesting characters in the animal kingdom. I came across this creature on the animal world channel for the first time in a documentary and it has remained a fascinating character for me. It is a medium-sized mammal (a little bit longer than a grasscutter) with thick skin, sharp claws and has a good sense of smell. It is also called ratel and it’s native to Africa and Asia. It got its name, the honey badger, from its unrestrained love for honey as it would do anything including climbing and entering holes in trees for honey despite bees’ sting. It is known for its toughness, intelligence, determination, resilience and resourcefulness. This little creature is worth studying as it has a lot to teach mankind for survival.
One of the areas of business that holds the key to its survival in a competitive world is sales and marketing. Without a thriving salesforce, no business can thrive irrespective of the support system in place. A lot more people shy away from sales because it is considered as battlefield for a business and a hard ground. The qualities needed to succeed in sales I believe can be traced in honey badger through its approach for survival, therefore becoming a role model for developing winning sales attitudes and strategies for the average sales professional in Ghana and elsewhere. This article therefore seeks to draw an analogy between the honey badger and a professional salesman.
Understanding the Honey Badge
The honey badger is a medium-sized mammal with a robust build, sharp claws, and an incredible sense of smell. Its thick, loose skin serves as natural armor, making it difficult for predators or prey to harm it. Its fearless attitude allows it to take on creatures much larger than itself, including venomous snakes and even lions. It is considered nature’s resilient predator.
In hunting, the honey badger is a master strategist. It uses persistence and intelligence to locate and secure food, often digging deep into the ground or breaking through barriers to reach its prize. Its ability to adapt to its environment ensures its survival in some of the harshest terrains, from dry savannahs to dense forests.
For sales professionals, this combination of fearlessness, resilience, and adaptability mirrors the qualities needed to thrive in a challenging and ever-changing market. Without courage, the salesman would often look at the assigned target as mountainous and may often find reason not to achieve citing impossibilities. No matter how daunting the target may be, the fearless salesman would always make a headway.
1. Resilience: Bouncing Back from Setbacks
One of the honey badger’s defining traits is its resilience. When attacked, it doesn’t retreat or surrender—it fights back, no matter how tough the opponent. Similarly, in sales, setbacks such as customer rejection, unmet targets, or fierce competition are inevitable. A resilient salesperson sees these challenges as opportunities to learn and improve, not as failures. A young entrepreneur in Accra selling locally made fruit drinks for example may face initial resistance from customers accustomed to imported brands. Instead of giving up, she/he may press forward by using another strategy where samples can be offered free of charge to clients so they can judge for themselves the taste of these drinks. A thriving business can be made out of clients who would endorse the taste and make recommendations thereafter.
2. Fearlessness: Moving Forward in the Face of Challenges
The honey badger’s fearlessness enables it to tackle daunting tasks, such as confronting venomous snakes for a meal. In sales, being fearless means having the confidence to approach high-value clients, negotiate deals, or try unconventional methods to achieve results. It means no target is too big to be avoided. I must admit however that not all targets would require same approach but the emphasis is that every target within your market is reachable and must be considered for prospecting. For example, a car dealer in Sunyani can win the contract for supplying Parliamentarians cars if they are not afraid to say that this is highly competitive and strategically make a move to compete, which would mean increased sales. I am guided by this quote in Latin “fortuna fortiter favet” which means “fortune favors the brave”.
3. Strategic Thinking: Adapting to the Environment
The honey badger doesn’t rely on brute force alone; it’s a strategic thinker. It studies its environment, adapts its tactics, and uses its unique strengths to achieve its goals. The honey badger goes to the extent of intentionally going for snake/scorpion bites to toughen its skin and also develop antibodies against these antigens. This is in preparation towards future expedition in its environment. Sales professionals must do the same by understanding their target audience, adapting to market trends, and leveraging available resources. A thorough understanding of the sales environment is a key requirement for success particularly in highly regulated industries. A sales approach that integrates technology in the 21st Century environment is like record sustainable gains.
4. Persistence: Never Giving Up
The honey badger is relentless in its pursuit of food, often digging tirelessly to uncover prey. If it smells food/prey in an ant-hill for example, it would dig until it reaches the prey; it doesn’t back-down. In one of the videos, the honey badger was seen beaten by large swamp of bees to the extent that it got swollen face but it didn’t give up due to the sweetness in the honey. It has the right motivation not to give up in any hunting expedition. This persistence is a valuable lesson for salespeople, who must stay determined and keep following up on leads until they close a deal. Remember, results matter not efforts. I will make reference to a quote by Martin Luther King Jnr which says “if you can’t fly then run, if you can run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
5. Leveraging Unique Strengths: Standing Out in the Market
The honey badger’s unique physical attributes and fearless nature make it one of the most formidable animals in the wild. In sales, professionals must identify and leverage their unique selling points (USPs) to stand out from the competition. For instance, I know a fashion designer in Accra who has carved out a niche by utilizing traditional Ghanaian fabrics to make modern stylish outfits that is selling both locally and abroad. The strategy is using what sets you apart from the competition as selling proposition in customer persuasions.
Conclusion: Be the Honey Badger in Sales
The honey badger’s makeup and behavior provide helpful lessons for sales professionals. By embracing resilience, fearlessness, strategic thinking, persistence, and uniqueness, the average Ghanaian salesperson can face challenges head on, seize opportunities, and thrive in their markets. The right motivation could translate sales into a successful enterprise making it fun the sales team. The honey badger has the right motivation for food especially honey.
In a country where innovation and determination drive success, adopting the honey badger spirit can transform sales strategies and lead to remarkable results. Whether you’re selling in the busiest streets of Makola or the quiet towns of the Bono Region, remember: the honey badger doesn’t give up, and neither should you.
Writer: Gilbert Sebe-Yeboah, Head of Consumer Finance Department, Agricultural Development Bank Plc]
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) set the record straight defusing claims by the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) in regards to auction of perishable goods at the country’s ports.
The Authority, in a statement issued by the Communication & Public Affairs Department, clarified that its actions are in line with the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891), which contains specific provisions for both perishable and non-perishable goods.
The statement explained that, perishable goods left unclaimed for over 21 days can be legally disposed of through public auction by a “Proper Officer,” as stipulated in Section 53(3)(a) of the Act. Motor vehicles, on the other hand, are given a longer window of 60 days for clearance.
Emphasizing that, it is misleading for importers to claim that they have 60 days to clear perishable goods. Instead, importers are urged to use pre-cargo arrival clearance processes to settle duties early and avoid delays. However, GRA reiterated its commitment to fairness, integrity, and strict adherence to customs laws, assuring the public and stakeholders of its continued transparency and service.
Meanwhile, IEAG has accused politically connected cartels of hijacking the auctioning of perishable goods at the country’s ports, warning the practice is crippling businesses and eroding investor confidence.Travel deals
In a strongly worded statement, the Association linked the development to Ghana’s persistent foreign exchange shortages, which it says have left importers unable to access dollars quickly enough to clear shipments.
According to the Association, under existing law, goods on the Uncleared Cargo List (UCL) are meant to enjoy a 60-day grace period before being auctioned. But the IEAG says this window has been slashed to just 21 days without explanation, a loophole it claims is being exploited by politically connected businessmen who scoop up consignments at cut-rate prices, often without any proper gazetting or legal process.
Even more galling for traders, according to the group, is that while importers lose their goods and still face heavy demurrage charges, the beneficiaries of these auctions pay little more than a service fee of GH₵6,000 to GH₵10,000.
“This fraudulent system not only robs importers of their hard-earned capital but also denies the state valuable revenue at a time when Ghana desperately needs every pesewa,” the Association said.
The IEAG is demanding the immediate restoration of the 60-day grace period, a first-time clearance option for importers struggling with forex, and a full investigation by the Customs Division and security agencies into what it calls a “political cabal” profiting from the system. It is also calling on the Bank of Ghana to ensure that commercial banks make forex available at fair rates.
The Association has warned it could mount mass action if authorities fail to intervene swiftly.
At the Future of Energy Conference (FEC) spearheaded by the Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP) and partners, women miners, industry leaders, and governance experts gathered for a powerful side event moderated by Faith Mutete a small scale miner, Founder & CEO of Women in Mining Zimbabwe (WIM Zimbabwe) and Resource Governance Ambassadors under ACEP.
The session explored how energy, mining, and women’s leadership intersect to drive Africa’s just transition.
From Kenya, Michelle Mwambela of AWEIK (Association of Women in Extractives in Kenya) showcased an inspiring innovation: a solar-powered water pumping system developed through a hackathon. She explained how clean, off-grid energy improves safety, increases productivity, and creates opportunities for value addition and green skilling for women miners.
Georgette Banzi, CEO of Women in Mining Ghana (WIM Ghana), shared success stories of gender-smart financing models that enabled women miners to grow from small-scale operations into sustainable businesses. She stressed that financing women in mining is a pathway to strengthening entire communities.
From Tanzania, Lightness Mushi of TWIMMI (Tanzania Women in Mining and Mineral Industry) lifted grassroots voices. She described how women miners often face barriers such as limited financial literacy, poor access to equipment, and cultural biases. Yet, she highlighted creative resilience, like women repurposing traditional stoves into stools, showing how local innovation can transform livelihoods.
Mahumuza Diders of Uganda focused on governance, emphasizing the need for policies and partnerships that hold both government and industry accountable to ensure equitable access to energy for women miners.
Joelle from Madagascar, representing Transparency International, underscored the importance of accountability and anti-corruption measures in extractives. She warned of exploitative foreign investment models and argued that women’s inclusion is essential to safeguard community benefits.
As the discussion wrapped up, Faith Mutete shared her closing message:
👉 “Energy is not just power. Energy is a proxy indicator of development. When women miners access energy, communities thrive, productivity increases, and Africa takes a bold step toward a just energy transition.”
Speaking in her capacity as ACEP Resource Governance Ambassador, she added: “I have a lot to do back home in Zimbabwe to continue supporting women miners in renewable energy, governance, and innovation. This is only the beginning—and many thanks to the Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP) for making this a reality.”
Faith also serves as a Technical Advisor at the Investing in African Mining Indaba under the Just Energy Transition Committee, where she continues to amplify the voices of women miners in shaping Africa’s extractive and energy future.
The session concluded with a united call to action: scale innovation, finance women miners, and embed accountability—placing women at the center of Africa’s mining and energy transition.
Sub-Saharan Africa is staring at a staggering $500 billion bill to bridge the energy poverty gap and transition to a sustainable energy system, according to Suneeta Kaimal, President and CEO of the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI).
Speaking at the Future of Energy Conference 2025 in Accra, Kaimal highlighted the enormous financing gap, noting that in 2023, financing for clean and renewable energy in all developing countries reached only $22 billion.
The stark reality is that over 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, and nearly a billion rely on traditional biomass for cooking, perpetuating cycles of poverty and environmental degradation.
Kaimal emphasized that innovative financing solutions are necessary to address this challenge, citing the potential for taxing premium air travel to raise new revenue streams for sustainable development
Among some of the key challenges she noted included mounting debt burden, financing gap and unsustainable lending.
According to available statistics, African governments spend nearly 17% of their revenues on debt service, the highest of any developing region, with over half of Africans living in countries that spend more on debt than on health or education.
It is required that $500 billion is needed for sub-Saharan Africa’s energy transition, a significant challenge, with current financing models falling short. To avert this, new lending models are needed to mobilize private capital at fair interest rates, avoiding overburdening public budgets.
The NRGI Chief proffered that, to remedy the current situation; strategic, inclusive transitions are needed. Emphasising that, context-specific solutions aligned with development ambitions and public priorities are essential for successful energy transitions.
Also, leveraging Africa’s immense resources, including 30% of the world’s transition mineral reserves, can help increase public resources and drive sustainable development and exploring new financing mechanisms, such as the tax on premium air travel, can provide predictable revenue streams for sustainable development.
