SIGA reporting should distinguish commercial performance from public service – Yaw Appiah Lartey

September 4, 2026

• Former SSNIT Board Chairperson, Elizabeth Ohene, has publicly demanded that the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) release its findings on the controversial SSNIT hotels divestment petition.
• The petition, filed over two years ago by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, alleged "stinking corruption" in the proposed sale of a 60% interest in SSNIT-owned hotels.
• Ohene's open letter to Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie criticizes his recent video remarks which she interprets as discrediting her past administration at SSNIT and praising the current one without full context.
• She highlights the severe reputational damage she and others suffered due to the corruption allegations and the prolonged absence of CHRAJ's investigative findings.
• Ohene also questioned the Chief Justice's perceived politicization of his office and urged him to ensure justice by pressing for the public disclosure of the CHRAJ report.

September 4, 2026

• Cape Coast, despite its status as an education hub, has not translated its academic strengths into sufficient economic opportunities for residents.
• A key challenge is the disconnect between knowledge production in universities and its practical application and investment in the local economy.
• Prof Ampah-Mensah urged successful indigenes to invest back into Cape Coast and called for stronger links between academic research and policymaking.
• He advocated for a fundamental shift in education towards skills development, practical application, and cultivating the right attitudes (head, hand, heart) over mere knowledge acquisition.
• He also stressed the importance of local residents taking advantage of available educational opportunities and called for community sensitization to improve school attendance.

September 5, 2026

• CUTS International has raised competition concerns over the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG)'s uniform GH¢12-per-bag clinker demurrage surcharge, labeling it as potential cartel conduct.
• COCMAG justified the surcharge due to severe congestion at Tema Port, leading to vessel waiting times of 30-40 days and estimated industry-wide demurrage costs of US$45-50 million in the first eight months of 2026.
• CUTS argues that while manufacturers have a right to recover costs, competing firms with differing cost structures should independently determine their prices or surcharges, not collectively agree on a uniform amount.
• The think tank cited the airline industry's independent fuel surcharges as a comparative example, emphasizing that a common industry problem does not necessitate a common industry price.
• CUTS called for urgent government intervention to address port operational constraints and stressed the critical need for Ghana to pass its Competition and Fair-Trade Practices legislation and establish an effective national competition authority.