Obrenpong Kru Takyi II, the Omanhene and President of the Abease Traditional Council as well as Vice President of the Bono East Regional House of Chiefs, has called on the Zabrama community to deepen their ties with Abease by investing in its vast economic opportunities.
Speaking at this year’s Zarmai Annaamai Festival of the Zabrama people at Fadama Park in Accra, Obrenpong Kru Takyi II highlighted the longstanding cordial relationship between the Abease Traditional Area and the Zabrama community, describing it as “a historical bond cemented by our forefathers.”
“In the history of Ghana, it is only in Abease that we have an entire community called Zabrama, which has become one of the key business hubs of our traditional area. As we celebrate today, I urge all well-to-do Zabrama’s to remember Abease as your home. Do well to invest in Abease and invite investors to join you. Abease is blessed with vast arable lands, and I assure you that anyone who invests in Abease will never regret doing so,” he said.
The festival, celebrated under the theme “Promoting the Culture and Heritage of the Zabrama: The Role of Traditional Chiefs in Combating Drug Abuse Within Our Communities”, attracted revered traditional leaders from Ghana, Niger, Mali, Nigeria, and other West African countries, alongside prominent Zabrama chiefs, political figures, and high-profile security officials, including COP Mohammed Fuseini Suraji, Director-General of the National Patrol Department, and COP Iddi Lansah Seidu, Director-General of Welfare at the Ghana Police Service.
In his remarks, COP Suraji expressed deep concern about the rise of drug abuse in Zongo communities, noting with alarm that “many drug peddlers are now women.” He called on the youth to shun drugs and engage in productive ventures that will benefit society, urging closer collaboration between the youth and the police in tackling the menace.
The festival also witnessed a special honour by the President of the National Council of Zabrama Chiefs, Sarki Musah Yahaya Yendu, who presented a citation of appreciation to Hon. Alhaji Lamin Abu Sadat, the Coordinator of Zongo Development, for his exceptional contributions to the growth and development of Zongo communities across Ghana.
The National Chief Imam of Ghana, commended Sarki Musah Yahaya Yendu for uniting the Zabarma people and fostering peace. He urged the Zabrama community to continue living in harmony to contribute to Ghana’s national development.

The Zarmai Annaamai Festival remains a unifying cultural platform for the Zabrama people, celebrating their heritage, resilience, and communal values.

By: Iddrisu Adam Afuli, Abease Traditional Council

The Damongo High Court has, on Monday, July 28, 2025, quashed a mandamus injunction filed by Danyapewura Rex Jingbele. Speaking to the media after the court ruling, Dabampewura Fatawu Seidu, spokesperson for the Labupe royal gate, said it was their turn to occupy the Silma skin after the death of Silmanwura Alhassan Katangwura from the Denkeri gate on April 23, 2024.

According to him, even though the Paramount Chief of the Buipe Traditional Area, Jinapor II, hasn’t nominated anyone yet for the vacant Silma title, the Labupe gate petitioned Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I), stating that it was their turn to present a candidate for the nomination of a new Silmanwura. The petition was titled “PETITION AGAINST THE CREATION OF A FOUR (4) GATE SYSTEM BY BUIPEWURA MAHAMA ABDULAI JINAPOR II” and dated July 31, 2024.

He added that after receiving their petition, the Yagbonwura wrote a letter dated August 2,2024 to Buipewura Jinapor II, restricting him from nominating a Silmawura. The restricting letter indicated that the Yagbonwura will convene a meeting of paramount chiefs to thoroughly discuss the matter raised in the petition before the pronouncement of the Silmanwura of the Buipe Traditional Area.

He indicated that it was both the petition by the Labupe gate and the restricting letter from the Yagbonwura that led to the court mandamus writ filed by Danyapewura Rex Jingbele, leader of the Dinkeripe royal gate. Danyapewura Rex Jingbele prayed the court to order Buipewura Jinapor II to enskin him as the Silmawura of the Buipe Traditional Area.

However, the Damongo High Court, presided over by His Lordship Justice Seidu Douglas, ruled out the mandamus injunction on Monday, July 28, 2025, citing that the case is a pure traditional case and should be referred to the Jakpa Palace for resolution. Danyapewura Jingbele has been fined GHS 20,000.

The New Life Preparatory School in Damongo marked a significant milestone on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, with its maiden graduation ceremony. 39 KG2 students and 59 Basic 6 pupils making a total graduant population of 95 pupils graduated successfully. The ceremony, which took place at the school’s forecourt, was a momentous occasion, marking the transition of the pupils from Basic 6 to Junior High School 1.

The event was a testament to the school’s commitment to providing quality education, despite being in existence for 25 years without holding a graduation ceremony. The pupils’ hard work and dedication were on full display as they performed a variety of choreographies, parades, and poetry recitals, showcasing their talents and confidence.

In his address, Pastor David Gbolo, the proprietor of the school, emphasized the importance of collaboration between parents and teachers in shaping the future of children. He urged parents to provide their wards with necessary educational materials to enhance their ambitions. Pastor Gbolo also expressed his gratitude to the teachers for their tireless efforts in developing the pupils over the years.

The graduation ceremony was a memorable experience for the pupils, parents, and teachers. It marked a new chapter in the lives of the graduating pupils, who are now poised to take on new challenges in Junior High School. The New Life Preparatory School’s maiden graduation ceremony is a significant achievement, and it sets the stage for future successes.

Congratulations to the graduating class and the entire New Life Preparatory School community!

By: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham(AB)
Freelance Journalist | MSc Oil and Gas Resource Management
Contact: 0241129910 / 0200704844

For many resource-rich nations, the ultimate aspiration is to transcend the cyclical trap of the “resource curse,” a paradox often attributed to the “Dutch disease.” This phenomenon arises when revenues generated from the extractive sector, particularly hydrocarbons(petroleum), distort the domestic economy by increasing demand for imports over domestic goods (“spending effect”) and shifting labor and capital away from other key sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing(“resource pull effect”). The resulting imbalance often leads to weakened economic linkages, volatile commodity markets, and long-term macroeconomic instability. Mehlum et al. (2006) observed that resource-rich nations such as Nigeria, Angola, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela have experienced slower or stagnant growth compared to resource-poor yet industrially successful countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

As a general principle, natural resource endowments,particularly petroleum, can serve as catalysts for national development if exploited efficiently and managed prudently. Petroleum refers to naturally occurring deposits of hydrocarbons, including crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids—formed over millions of years through geological processes. Ghana, having only commenced commercial hydrocarbon production fifteen years ago, is still in the formative stages of determining its long-term trajectory(success or failure) in this sector.

Historical Overview of Ghana’s Oil and Gas Sector:

Ghana’s emergence as an oil-producing nation was officially marked in December 2010 with the commencement of commercial production from the Jubilee Field, located offshore in the Tano-Cape Three Points Basin. This milestone followed the 2007 discovery and drilling of the Mahogany-1 well by a consortium comprising Kosmos Energy, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Tullow Ghana Limited, Sabre Oil and Gas Holdings Limited, the EO Group, in conjunction with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).

The Jubilee Field, located approximately 75 miles offshore, is considered one of the largest offshore discoveries in West Africa, with estimated recoverable reserves of between 600 million and 1.8 billion barrels of high-quality light crude (37.6 API), and approximately 800 billion cubic feet of natural gas (Kapela, 2009). In addition to Jubilee, Ghana has since brought two other fields—TEN and Sankofa Gye Nyame (SGN)—into production, from a total of approximately 25 offshore discoveries.

Petroleum resources in Ghana are located within four sedimentary basins: the Western Basin (Tano to Cape Three Points Basin), the Central Basin (including the Saltpond Basin), the Eastern Basin(Accra-Keta Basin), and the onshore or inland Voltaian Basin.

Following the 2007 discovery and with full awareness of the risks posed by the Dutch disease, Ghana adopted a comprehensive institutional and legislative framework to govern upstream and midstream operations. These frameworks were modelled on international best practices, particularly those of Norway, Timor-Leste, and Trinidad and Tobago. While commendable progress has been made, structural and implementation challenges persist and must be addressed—especially in light of the recent commercial discovery at Eban-Akoma.

Recent Seismic Surveys and the Eban-Akoma Discovery:

On July 3, 2025, Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition announced the successful appraisal and commercial viability of hydrocarbon deposits at the Eban-1X (oil) and Akoma-1X (gas and condensate) wells. These wells are located in the Cape Three Points Block 4 (CTP-B4), and their confirmation marks a significant advancement in Ghana’s upstream sector.

The joint venture responsible for this exploration and appraisal comprises Eni Ghana Exploration & Production Ltd, Vitol Upstream Tano Ltd, Woodfields Upstream Ghana Ltd, and GNPC’s subsidiary, Explorco, operating in collaboration with the GNPC itself.

Constitutional and Legal Framework: Resource Ownership and Citizen Empowerment.

Under Article 257(6) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, all natural resources, including petroleum, are vested in the President on behalf of and in trust for the people of Ghana. Section 3 of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, 2016 (Act 919) reiterates this point, reinforcing the notion that these resources are public assets and owned by the people of Ghana

However, the enforceability of this constitutional trust was tested in Adjaye & Others v. Attorney-General & Annor (Suit No. C144/94) where the court held that the trust created was not enforceable in the law court. The Court, in arriving at this decision, relied on Tito v. Waddell (No. 2) [1977] to hold that the trust created under Article 257(6) was not judicially enforceable since it was not in the nature of a fiduciary relationship(trust in the lower sense). Rather, it represents a higher political trust that is executed through governance mechanisms(trust in the higher sense).
To check executive authority, Article 268(1) of the Constitution mandates parliamentary ratification of any contract involving the grant of rights for resource exploitation. A two-thirds majority in Parliament may exempt certain contracts under Article 268(2). In Republic v. High Court, Ex Parte Exton Cubic (2019), the Court underscored the necessity of parliamentary oversight as a proxy for the people’s approval, reinforcing democratic accountability in resource governance.

Institutional and Legislative Frameworks for Upstream and Midstream Petroleum Operations:

Although a detailed evaluation of the adequacy of Ghana’s petroleum legislation is necessary, it is broadly acknowledged that the current legal framework is robust. The key issue lies in addressing the structural and implementation deficiencies.

The core legal instruments governing Ghana’s oil and gas sector, especially the upstream and midstream petroleum operations, include:

●1992 Constitution of Ghana.
●GNPC Act, 1983 (PNDCL 64).
●Petroleum Commission Act, 2011 (Act 821).
●Petroleum Revenue Management Act, 2011 (Act 815), as amended by Act 893 (2015).
●Petroleum Exploration and Production Act, 2016 (Act 919).
●Petroleum Income Tax Act (PNDCL 188).
●Model Petroleum Agreement (MPA).

A. Petroleum Commission: regulating the Upstream Sector.

The establishment of the Petroleum Commission under Act 821 and in accordance with article 269 of the 1992 constitution marked a significant shift in regulatory governance. The Commission assumes responsibility for oversight of upstream activities, thereby eliminating the conflict of interest previously associated with GNPC’s dual role as regulator and operator.

In addition to regulating upstream operations, the Commission promotes local content, enforces health, safety, and environmental standards, and ensures that petroleum activities contribute meaningfully to national welfare.

B. Petroleum Exploration and Production Act (Act 919):

Act 919 provides a comprehensive legal regime for managing petroleum exploration, development, and production. It defines the contractual relationship between the State, GNPC, and investors, prioritizing transparency, sustainability, and national interest.

Sections 5 and 11 prohibit petroleum operations without a formal agreement, except by GNPC. The Act mandates transparency and accountability (Section 4), empowers the Minister to demarcate Ghana’s sedimentary basins into blocks, allocate those blocks (Section 6), and restricts share transfers exceeding 5% without ministerial approval.

The State, through GNPC, has the right to acquire up to 15% carried interest during exploration and development (Section 10.14), with an option to increase its stake to 25% following a declaration of commercial discovery, safeguarding public interest in strategic resources.

C. Petroleum Revenue Management Act (Act 815, as amended):

This Act was enacted to ensure the transparent and sustainable management of petroleum revenues. Its objectives include prudent fiscal management, intergenerational equity, and public accountability in accordance with Article 36 of the 1992 constitution.

Key provisions include:

1. Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF): Established at the Bank of Ghana to receive and disburse all petroleum-related revenues.
2. Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC): A citizen-led statutory body that ensures citizen engagement, oversight, and regular reporting on the use of petroleum revenues thereby, deepening transparency and accountability.
3. Investment Advisory Committee (IAC): Develop a benchmark portfolio and advise the Minister on investment strategies for the Ghana Petroleum Funds, ensuring fiscal responsibility and reducing the risk of mismanagement.
4. Ghana Petroleum Funds (GPF): Comprising the Ghana Stabilization Fund (GSF) and Ghana Heritage Fund (GHF), these are strategic instruments for savings and stabilization(investment).GHF for instance secures the development of future generations through savings when the petroleum reserves are completely depleted.The GSF on the other hand, is to cushion and sustain public expenditure in times of un-anticipated petroleum revenue shortfall.They (GHF and GSF) are to be consolidated into the Ghana Petroleum Wealth Fund one year after the depletion of reserves.
5. Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA): Allocated to priority development areas under a medium-term framework, with a minimum of 70% earmarked for public investment and 25% for the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
6. Exceptional Transfers: Permitted for specific purposes, including tax refunds and community compensation.

Challenges and Implementation Gaps:

Despite the legislative strengths, several systemic challenges persist:

1. Over-reliance on ABFA for recurrent (consumption-based) expenditures undermining transformative potential of oil revenue.
2. Weak linkages between petroleum and non-petroleum sectors.
3. Inconsistencies in ABFA-funded priority areas due to political transitions.
4. Weak enforcement of accountability provisions leading to misuse and misapplication of earmarked funds.
5. Inefficiencies in project execution and evaluation.
6. Underfunding of the GHF, undermining intergenerational equity.

The Promise of the Eban-Akoma Discovery: Lessons and Policy Recommendations

As Ghana transitions towards commercial development of the Eban-Akoma fields, it is imperative to draw lessons from previous experiences and implement targeted reforms:

1. Establish a Sovereign Petroleum Investment Authority, modelled after Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global, to manage petroleum revenues independently and professionally.
2. Implement a long-term development framework for ABFA utilization under the National Development Planning Commission.
3. Amend the PRMA to curtail ABFA usage for recurrent expenditure and prioritize infrastructure and essential services delivery in health, education, roads, and highways.
4. Enforce stricter legal sanctions for financial mismanagement, breach of investment rules, delays, and reporting failures.
5. Strengthen PIAC’s mandate with investigative powers and enhance community monitoring capacity for projects executed with petroleum revenue to foster grassroots accountability.
6. Unify political consensus on petroleum governance to depoliticize strategic decisions, as was the case under the Norwegian model.
7. Promote local content and participation, as stipulated in L.I. 2204, to enhance state control and inclusive benefits.

Conclusion:

The aspiration of every resource-rich country is to avoid the resource curse and transform its resource wealth into sustainable national development. Ghana’s early efforts—through legislative innovation and institutional establishment have laid a solid foundation. However, the recent Eban-Akoma discovery presents a timely opportunity to reinforce these gains through reforms that promote efficiency, accountability, and long-term national welfare. Strengthening enforcement, ensuring fiscal discipline, and committing to intergenerational equity will be critical in transforming Ghana’s petroleum wealth into a blessing, not a curse.

Sources:

1. Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) 2024 Semi-Annual Report
2. Petroleum Revenue Management Act, 2011 (Act 815) as amended by Act 893 (2015)
3. Petroleum Exploration and Production Act, 2016 (Act 919)
4. Springfield Group – Offshore Discovery
5. PIAC – Oil Production Decline
6. Kwesi Dartey-Baah et al. “Emerging Dutch Disease in Emerging Oil Economies: Ghana’s Perspective”
7. “Model of State Management of Petroleum Sector – Case Study of Norway,” Interdisciplinary and Political Science Journal, Vol. 20, No. 1/2017

Two men in their 20’s from Damongo, Yussif and Bakari Nafiwu, also known as Agbey, have been apprehended by residents of Tamale for allegedly stealing goats.

In a viral video circulating on social media platforms on Friday, July 4 shows the two suspects tied together against a pillar, undergoing interrogation.

In the video, Yussif confessed to committing the crime, stating that they have been stealing the goats for a chief identified as Kukuo-Naa and an individual named Abdul-Karim.

According to Yussif, their unfortunate apprehension occurred when they attempted to deliver the slaughtered goats, wrapped in polybags, to the chief identified as Kukuo-Naa at the Industrial Area, a suburb of Tamale, where a group of residents broke out, leading to their arrest, while the said chief (Kukuo-Naa) escaped.

When questioned about the frequency of their involvement in such acts, Yussif revealed that this was their second time committing the crime for the chief, with the first incident occurring a month prior. He claimed they acted upon the chief’s request. The suspects were reportedly sent to the Choggu-Naa’s palace to assist in the investigation.

The two suspects are widely known for their alleged involvement in motorcycle theft in both Damongo and Tamale. Nafiwu Agbey is an alumnus of the Damongo College of Agriculture and Allied Sciences, who recently moved to Tamale after completing his studies, whiles Yussif is a resident of Tamale.

The incident has sparked concern among residents of Tamale and Damongo, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and cooperation to prevent and address criminal activities.

The case is currently under investigation, and authorities are working to gather more evidence and determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement in the alleged crimes.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of community policing and collaboration with law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order.