ghananlpcommunity/ghana-gov-speeches-sentences huggingface dataset:
That new Africa is ready to fight his own battles and show that after all the black man is capable of managing his own affairs.
We are going to demonstrate to the world, to the other nations, that we are prepared to lay our foundation – our own African personality.
As I said to the Assembly a few minutes ago, I made a point that we are going to create our own Africa personality and identity.
It is the only way we can show the world that we are ready for our own battles.
But today, may I call upon you all, that on this great day that let us all remember that nothing can be done unless it has the support of God.
We have won the battle and again rededicate ourselves … OUR INDEPENDENCE IS MEANINGLESS UNLESS IT IS LINKED UP WITH THE TOTAL LIBERATION OF AFRICA.
Let us now, fellow Ghanaians, let us now ask for God’s blessing for only two seconds, and in your thousands and millions.
I want to ask you to pause for only one minute and give thanks to Almighty God for having led us through our difficulties, imprisonments, hardships and sufferings, to have brought us to our end of troubles today.
One minute silence.
Ghana is free forever!
And here I will ask the band to play the Ghana National Anthem.
Reshaping Ghana’s destiny, I am depending on the millions of the country, and the chiefs and the people, to help me to reshape the destiny of this country.
We are prepared to pick it up and make it a nation that will be respected by every nation in the world.
We know we're going to have difficult beginnings, but again, I am relying on your support….
I am relying upon your hard work.
Seeing you in this… It doesn’t matter how far my eyes go, I can see that you are here in your millions.
And my last warning to you is that you are to stand firm behind us so that we can prove to the world that when the African is given a chance, he can show the world that he is somebody!
We have awakened.
We will not sleep anymore.
Today, from now one, there is a new African in the world!
Thank you for this opportunity to share the work of my office and the Lordina Foundation in transforming lives across Ghana.
The Lordina Foundation operates through health, education, women empowerment and poverty alleviation.
As we advance towards 2026 and beyond, we are intensifying our focus on three critical areas.
Access to health: Health care access remains our cornerstone.
We provide free nationwide screening, examination, counseling, and treatment for communities unable to afford medical care.
In partnership with the Ghana AIDS Commission, we conducted comprehensive screening in Greater Accra and Bono regions, providing HIV testing and counseling, syphilis and hepatitis B screening, free natal education and safe delivery guidance, breast and eye screening with basic care, general check-up and treatment.
Thousands of women, children and the elderly have received early detection, guidance and treatment.
Lives have been saved and we combat stigma, especially towards people with HIV and AIDS, promoting compassion and support.
Since 2024, we have conducted quarterly health screening for retired pastors and their wives, providing screening, medication and dignity to these faithful servants of God.
The foundation has built three modern maternity and children’s wards at Bole, Nkroransa and Bodom.
There is another facility nearing completion in Asukoko.
We have renovated facilities and donated critical equipment, hospital beds, incubators, and ultrasound machines, among others, nationwide.
In 2025, I hosted fellow first ladies at the ICASA conference in Accra.
With UNAIDS, WHO, and the UNFPA, we addressed prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission and newborn infections across Africa.
Going forward, we’ll expand the interventions to hard-to-reach communities, support facility construction, hospital equipment and health education through local leaders.
We’ll collaborate with the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to fund treatment not covered under the national health insurance scheme.
tawa555 situs slot777 madridtoto Good health is the foundation.
When women and children are healthy, families are stronger and nations prosper.
Education: I’ll continue to support brilliant but underprivileged students through scholarship.
Recently, the Foundation partnered with Merck Foundation to launch the education scholarship program.
It is currently supporting 40 underprivileged junior high school girls with uniforms, stationery, amongst others, helping them to stay in school and achieve their dreams.
My focus is simple.
Education unlocks potential.
Every girl with the right support becomes a leader, a change maker and a nation builder.
Economic Empowerment of Women: We support women artisans; hair dressers and dressmakers by providing tools and equipment to help them run their businesses after training and by helping them to begin the process of securing decent livelihoods.
In 2026, my office will continue empowering women in small and medium-scale businesses, helping improve profit, build enterprises and independent, fulfilling lives.
We will align with government initiatives such as the 24-hour economy and the Women Development Bank, which will be launched this year.
The foundation will collaborate to ensure that women and girls receive the capital support they need.
We'll introduce basic training in beading, hairdressing technology and practical skills.
In today's digital world, the internet offers instant and significant opportunities with proper knowledge and tools.
When we empower a woman economically, we empower an entire family and they uplift the whole community.
I am fully committed to supporting OAFLAD in building a resilient campaign with a focus on access to health.
This aligns seamlessly with our mission that good health is the foundation of life, especially for women and children.
Through medical outreaches and community support, we are working towards a future where no woman or child is left behind due to a lack of quality health care access.
I invite all partners, institutions, and friends to join this journey.
Let us build systems that protect women and children and gives then hope.
My office remains a true partner in this important work.
Since the Russian Federation and Belarus started military operations in Ukraine on the 24th of February, 2022, hundreds of lives have been lost through bombardments.
Normal life in Ukraine has also been disrupted for the rest of its citizens, including for those of our compatriots living in Ukraine.
The Government of Ghana remains concerned for the safety and security of our people currently in Ukraine.
As you will recall, Ghana, in her capacity as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council had supported calls and efforts to dissuade the Russian Federation from using force to address what it said were its security concerns related to NATO expansion.
We encouraged dialogue and peaceful resolution of the differences between Russia and other parties.
We also warned of the humanitarian consequences of any conflict.
With the security and safety of our compatriots in mind, we actively monitored the massing of over 100, 000 Russian and Belorussian troops on the borders of Ukraine.
Like the rest of the world, we accepted the word of Russia that they did not intend to attack Ukraine.
On 24th February, 2022, we were stunned by news of the bombardment and invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation.
I would like to state, at the outset, that Ghana will continue to condemn, unreservedly, this unprovoked attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a United Nations Member State and calls on Russia to withdraw and end the war.
Russia bears responsibility for the security and safety of our citizens and we call on her leadership to respect humanitarian law.
Government is determined to ensure the security and safety of all our citizens in Ukraine.
The ongoing military operations have put the lives of our compatriots in danger and we have called on Russia to end the war and withdraw.
Members of the Media, Ladies and gentlemen GHANA’S INTERESTS IN UKRAINE Relations between Ghana and Ukraine have been steady and in 2021, the Government of Ghana granted approval to the government of Ukraine to establish a resident diplomatic mission in Ghana in accordance with article 2 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.
Economic and trade exports between Ghana and Ukraine have been quite encouraging as major exports from Ghana include manganese, aluminium ore and cocoa powder, whereas major imports to Ghana from Ukraine included hot-rolled iron bars, raw iron bars and cold-rolled iron.
Practical steps were underway to further enhance our relations.
However, the current crisis is bound to affect, for now, any meaningful strategic outcomes.
EFFECTS OF THE CRISIS ON GHANAIAN NATIONALS IN UKRAINE Members of the Media, Ladies and gentlemen, Following the attacks by Russian forces on Ukraine, the latter closed its airspace to civilian flights.
The country is considered a high risk to flight safety due to the use of weapon and military equipment.
Also, the European Union (EU) aviation safety agency has warned the risk in flying in airspace near to Ukraine’s border, including Russia.
Ghanaian students like all foreigners including our compatriots in Ukraine have, therefore found themselves in a very precarious situation.
Consequently, based on the overall objective of government to ensure the safety of our citizens in the ongoing crisis, directives were immediately issued to five of our relevant Diplomatic Missions in Europe as well as our Honorary consulate in Ukraine to immediately commence steps to evacuate our willing compatriots.
The deteriorating military situation in Ukraine directly impacts on the safety and security of Ghanaian nationals, including about 1000 students in that country, 27 of these students are on the government of Ghana scholarships (scholarships secretariat), while the rest are predominantly self sponsored students.
Let me state categorically that although most of the students went there on their own, government has a responsibility to all of them to ensure their safety and that we will do.
Following the closure of Ukrainian airspace, it had become a challenge to airlift our compatriots from Kiev and other parts of the country, thus, leaving the only viable option of evacuation by land to neighboring countries such as Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic.
Consequently, my Ministry collaborated with the Ghana Diplomatic Missions in Bern in Switzerland, Prague in the Czech Republic, Ankara, Turkey, and the Vatican, Holy See, Ghana’s Honorary Consuls in Ukraine, Hungary, Romania as well as Ghanaian communities and student unions in Poland, Hungary and Romania to facilitate the evacuation of our nationals after being conveyed from Ukraine by road to the closest borders of the European Countries mentioned earlier.
May I, however, add that information received indicates that there are still three cities in Ukraine where students cannot be evacuated from due to the high risk situation identified there, as reported by our Honorary consul.
These cities are: Kharkov (hotspot on the way), Sumy (hotspot on the way), and Dnipropetrovsk (locked down).
Another challenge which our compatriots are faced with is the fear of crossing at borders close to Russia for obvious reasons.
We had requested our Diplomatic mission in Moscow to assist with their passage as it will be unreasonable and dangerous to now start looking for another border to access.
Unfortunately, there are reports of incursions at the border called Suny which has posed a challenge for about 85 of our compatriots who sought to exit that side of Ukraine into Russia.
STEPS TAKEN Ladies and gentlemen, We can confirm that an unknown number of Ghanaian Students are reported to have left Ukraine a week or so ago following Bern Mission’s advice as the situation was getting dire.
The Ghana Mission to Berne issued the statement below, which is also available on the twitter handle of the Ministry: “The Government of Ghana has noted with grave concern the security and safety of our nationals including the over 1000 students in Ukraine following the Russian military operations across in that country.
We urge our nationals to limit their movements in public places as they obtain adequate essential goods and remain in their homes or move to government places of shelter.
Please be assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, this diplomatic mission as well as our honorary consul are directly engaged with the relevant authorities in Ukraine to ensure your safety and security”.
Furthermore, officials of the Ministry held a meeting with the leadership of the Ghana and Ukrainian NUGS to brainstorm on the way forward including plans of evacuation.
A list of our students was compiled to facilitate a Government-facilitated evacuation and this information of a possible evacuation was conveyed to the students through our relevant Diplomatic Missions, Honorary Consul and student union leaders, to prepare them for the exercise.
Having assessed the situation, the students commenced movement by road to the various borders where officials of Ghana’s relevant Diplomatic Missions and Honorary Consuls are on standby to facilitate their passage into countries such as Romania, Poland and Hungary.
We need to appreciate the fat that coordinating evacuations in vast country such as Ukraine with students and Ghanaians spread all over the country comes with difficulties especially with restricted movement due to curfews, lockdowns etc.
Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration have held productive meetings with diplomats of the Russian and Turkish Embassies in Accra to discuss the pathway to an incident-free evacuation exercise.
Both meetings resulted in an agreement to facilitate passage of our compatriots, should the need arise.
Other meetings were held with the officials of the Scholarship Secretariat and a Ghanaian security institution all in a bid to promote multi- stakeholder engagement towards a successful evacuation of our compatriots.
The Ministry has requested five European countries bordering Ukraine (Moldova, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia) to facilitate easy passage into their countries by our compatriots.
Fortunately, the Government of Moldova has officially indicated it willingness to facilitate the passage of Foreign Nationals based on a structured exercise.
Steps are being taken to secure the contact numbers of parents or guardians of our students to enable the Ministry engage them as we seek to ensure the safety of our compatriots and allay their fears.
CONCRETE OUTCOMES The Ministry has despatched officials from our missions to various borders to assist our compatriots when they cross into neighbouring countries.
Due to the effective collaboration with the Hungarian authorities, the Government of Ghana has, secured passage through Hungary, on a visa-free basis for Ghanaian students who are in possession of Ghanaian passports.
We are told the Hungarian government is also providing coordinated assistance to enable our nationals reach airports in Budapest or Debrecen.
The Government of Ghana is grateful to the Hungarian Government.
This effective collaboration has also led to the Romanian Government according a warm reception to our compatriots.
As is the case in humanitarian exercises, women and children have been given priority.
The Government of Ghana is equally grateful to the Government of Romania for its Philanthropic gesture.
Indeed, the goodwill displayed by these friendly nations is a testament to the sound bilateral relations that exist between us and goodwill that Ghana enjoys in the comity of nations.
We call in other friendly nations to extend similar assistance to our compatriots.
So far, official information indicates the following: As at 12:00hrs GMT today (27th February), information gathered was that about over four hundred and sixty (460) students had left Ukraine enroute to Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Czech Republic.
The students will be received by officials of our Diplomatic Missions, honorary consuls and officials of the Ghana students’ associations.
We are pleased to provide the breakdown of those who have exited Ukraine as follows: 24 have arrived in Bucharest Romanian and our officer on the ground is procuring tickets for them to leave tomorrow enroute to Accra.
48 are being processed at the holding area and another 60 going through border formalities.
38 having crossed into Poland are with our officials.
We are currently also making arrangements for those who are willing to be assisted to get on flights.
25 persons enroute to Prague from Slovakia were assisted by the Honorary Consul and will be received on entry by the Mission in Prague.
25 just this morning arrived in Hungary and are being sheltered at the Pentecostal church in Budapest.
Eighty-Five (85) of our compatriots are being assisted by our Embassy in Moscow to cross the border town of Suny into Russia which as indicated earlier has posed serious difficulties.
Ladies and gentlemen, These numbers are bound to increase in a few days as we observe the team spirit being displayed by our compatriots, reaching out to each other, setting up group WhatsApp chats, sharing important phone numbers of consular officers and other personalities who could be of assistance and the cascading effects of the initiatives.
A most gratifying and heart-warming message “We are safe now”, could not have come a better time.
We hope for better days as the Ministry further engages our Diplomatic Missions and honorary consulate to extend consular assistance to our compatriots.
Government has also put in place the necessary package to facilitate transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical support, etc to ease any burden on our compatriots.
Ladies & Gentlemen, With all the collaborative efforts, I am pleased to inform you that two hundred and twenty (220) of our compatriots have exited Ukraine and should be with us in Ghana soon.
We are earnestly facilitating the safe return of a lot more.
We wish to use this platform to debunk the unsubstantiated reports, such as one alleging that a bus conveying some Ghanaians to the eastern part of Ukraine was shot at.
At such delicate times such as this, let us all endeavour to steer clear of sensationalism and unconfirmed reports that only serve to heighten tensions at these times.
Our Diplomatic missions in Bern, Ankara, Prague, Moscow, and the Vatican are working around the clock in a coordinated manner to secure the safety at all times of our citizens and their evacuation.
As stated earlier, I have ordered the despatch of officers of some of our Diplomatic Missions to meet with our citizens who are being evacuated to facilitate the processes and handle any outstanding challenges.
Together we can do this.
I would use this medium to express gratitude to Missions and Honorary Consuls working closely with the Ministry to ensure the desired outcomes, I would also thank all those who have offered various forms of assistance such as religious bodies and student groups, all working together with government in an outstanding demonstration of support for a cause which requires our wholehearted commitment and show of unity of purpose.
Thank you all for your attention, I shall now take questions and comments.
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, distinguished leaders of civil society, development partners, representatives and fellow citizens committed to accountable governance — good morning.
We gather here today not for partisan contestation, nor for institutional rivalry, but for the defence of something far greater: the constitutional architecture of decentralisation, the integrity of public finance, and the supremacy of parliamentary authority in the Republic of Ghana.
At the centre of our concern are the 2025 Guidelines for the Utilisation of the District Assemblies Common Fund ( DACF ) issued by the Ministry of Local Government and approved by Cabinet .
Upon careful review, these Guidelines contain fundamental inconsistencies, clear legal breaches, and deep contradictions with the 2025 District Assemblies Common Fund Formula duly approved by Parliament.
Let us be unequivocal.
This is not a technical quarrel.
This is not an administrative oversight.
This is not a routine policy disagreement.
For us, as the Minority Caucus and many discerning Ghanaians, this is a constitutional issue.
This is a governance issue, and, by extension, a democratic accountability issue.
Why We Are Speaking Out Article 252 of the 1992 Constitution is clear and unambiguous.
It vests in Parliament — and Parliament alone — the authority to determine the formula for the sharing of the District Assemblies Common Fund across our 261 MMDAs.
That authority is neither symbolic nor advisory.
It is binding.
In accordance with this mandate, Parliament approved the 2025 DACF Formula, allocating GHS 7.51 billion for the fiscal year and distributing it based on a scientifically grounded, equity-driven model.
Nonetheless, the 2025 Ministerial Guidelines introduce, in effect, a parallel allocation regime — one that imposes new mandatory percentages, new expenditure categories, and new national priorities that do not exist in the Parliamentary Formula.
In doing so, the Executive has stepped beyond guidance into redesign - and that, by every standard of constitutional law, is ultra vires.
The Central Conflict The Parliamentary Formula is not arbitrary.
It is not political.
It is not improvised.
It is data-driven and empirically structured.
It is built upon: Location Quotients (LQ), Need factors including health facilities, educational infrastructure, water coverage, and road networks, Equality components, Service pressure indicators, Weighted allocations under Scenario B: 40% Equality, 56% Needs, 4% Service Pressure (2025 Formula, p.18) This design ensures that districts with greater deprivation receive proportionately greater support.
It is the very essence of equitable development.
In contrast, the Ministerial Guidelines mandate fixed national percentages: 25% for 24-hour economy markets, 10% for CHPS compounds, 10% for school blocks, 10% for boreholes, 10% for sanitation, 5% for administration, 20% for legacy projects.
These percentages appear nowhere — absolutely nowhere — in the Parliamentary Formula.
In fact they are not supplementary.
They are not interpretative.
They are substitutive.
The Legal Breach Section 126(1) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) permits a Minister to issue utilisation guidelines — but only to facilitate implementation within the parameters of the approved formula.
The law does not empower the Minister to: Assign new national percentages, Redesign allocation structures, Override Parliamentary weighting mechanisms, Create a parallel formula.
The 2025 Guidelines exceed administrative authority and encroach upon constitutional power reserved exclusively for Parliament.
This is a textbook case of ultra vires executive action.
It undermines Article 252 .
It weakens Act 936.
It distorts decentralised governance and it threatens the financial autonomy of our MMDAs.
Why This Matters for Every District This is not an abstract constitutional debate.
It has tangible consequences for real communities.
Equity Is Undermined The Parliamentary Formula directs more resources to districts with greater developmental deficits.
Fixed ministerial percentages erase these distinctions.
A deprived rural district and a relatively resourced urban district are forced into identical expenditure templates, regardless of need.
Equity is replaced by uniformity.
Justice is replaced by rigidity.
Local Autonomy Is Eroded Decentralisation exists to empower local planning through approved Medium-Term Development Plans.
The Guidelines impose a top-down structure that constrains Assemblies and reduces them to implementers of centrally prescribed projects.
Governance Roles Are Blurred The expanded approval roles assigned to Members of Parliament under the Reserve Fund provisions risk distorting constitutionally defined responsibilities.
MPs are legislators and oversight agents — not executive managers of district expenditure.