Accra, Ghana – President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana will now focus on building a broad international coalition to advance CARICOM’s 10-point plan for reparative justice, describing the recent United Nations resolution on the transatlantic slave trade as only “a starting point rather than a finish line.”

Speaking at a welcome reception upon his return from the UN General Assembly on Sunday, March 29, 2026, the President said the hard diplomatic work begins now.

The resolution, which Ghana successfully piloted and which passed with 123 votes in favour on March 25, declared the transatlantic slave trade and the racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as “the gravest crime against humanity.”

“This resolution is just the beginning, it is not an end. We will work with our partners to translate this moral victory into concrete outcomes,” President Mahama stated per state-owned Informaton Services Department (ISD).

He revealed that Ghana will align itself closely with the structured 10-point reparatory justice plan long championed by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The plan includes formal apologies, repatriation, programmes for psychological rehabilitation, technology transfer, debt cancellation, and the return of cultural artefacts, among other measures.

The President outlined three key pillars for Ghana’s post-resolution strategy: dialogue, education, and remembrance. These will be pursued in partnership with the African Union, CARICOM, and other allies to move the global conversation from symbolic acknowledgment toward tangible reparative action.

Mahama emphasised that the resolution’s greatest achievement was ending the fragmented approach to the history of the slave trade. While individual countries had issued apologies or acknowledgments in isolation, the UN vote marked the first time the full weight of that history had been placed on record at the world’s highest multilateral platform.

He described the strong support — including from many nations with no direct historical connection to the trade — as evidence of what is possible when purpose and unity are aligned. Ghana, he said, remains committed to its historic role of championing justice and human dignity on the global stage.

The announcement signals a new phase in Ghana’s reparations diplomacy, shifting from securing recognition to mobilising sustained international action and building a broader coalition around CARICOM’s comprehensive framework.

Accra, Ghana – Barely one year into his second term, President John Dramani Mahama’s repeated public vows to end the “excessive abuse” of sole-sourcing in public procurement are facing mounting criticism.

A now-viral investigative report has revealed that the Ministry of Roads and Highways has awarded 81 sole-sourced road contracts worth over GH¢73 billion under the flagship “Big Push” infrastructure program.

In his first State of the Nation Address on February 27, 2025, President Mahama pledged to minimize sole-source procurement, describing it as a major drain on national finances.

He repeated the commitment at the National Economic Dialogue and again during the 2026 State of the Nation Address, promising legislation to ban sole-sourcing except in exceptional circumstances. The pledge was also a central feature of the NDC’s 2020 and 2024 manifestos.

Yet, according to data obtained by The Fourth Estate through Right to Information requests, not a single one of the 107 road contracts awarded by the Ministry of Roads and Highways between September 2025 and March 2026 was through competitive tendering. Of these, 81 contracts — representing over 90% of the total value — were awarded through sole-sourcing, while the remaining 26 were through selective tendering.

The revelations have triggered sharp public and political backlash. Civil society leaders, including Mary Addah of Transparency International Ghana, Ben Boakye of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy, and Franklin Cudjoe of IMANI Africa, have condemned the scale of sole-sourcing as a betrayal of the President’s promises and a threat to transparency and value for money.

On social media, the criticism has been particularly intense.

Ghanaians on Twitter and Facebook have accused the Mahama government of “selective amnesia,” pointing out that many leading NDC figures — including current ministers — had strongly criticized sole-sourcing when they were in opposition.

The controversy is now threatening to erode public goodwill toward the Mahama administration’s second term, with many Ghanaians questioning whether the “Resetting Ghana” agenda can deliver on its core promise of prudent public financial management.

The Ministry of Roads and Highways has defended the awards, arguing that restrictive tendering was used to ensure rapid project commencement after extensive engineering studies. However, the data obtained contradicts claims that competitive processes were the norm.

Ghanaians are watching to see whether the promised legislation to tighten procurement rules will materialize or whether the pattern of sole-sourcing will continue to define the Big Push program.

We have curated the most relevant and impactful stories from Ghana for your enjoyment and awareness.

3 Dead, 20 Rescued After Building Collapse in Accra Newtown
Three people have been confirmed dead and at least 20 others rescued after a three-storey building under construction collapsed in Accra Newtown on March 27, 2026. The incident occurred around 10 a.m., trapping several construction workers under the rubble. Emergency services, including the Ghana National Fire Service and NADMO, responded swiftly to the scene. Rescue operations continued into the afternoon as officials warned of the risk of further structural failure.

The cause of the collapse is under investigation, with preliminary reports pointing to possible structural weaknesses or non-adherence to building regulations.
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This Is Not a Personal Victory – Ablakwa Cancels Planned Airport Reception Over Historic UN Resolution Success
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has cancelled a planned grand reception at Kotoka International Airport to mark Ghana’s successful passage of the UN resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity. Ablakwa stated that the achievement belongs to Ghana, Africa, and the global African diaspora, not to any individual, and urged citizens to focus on collective celebration and the next steps in the reparatory justice journey.
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Big Push Sole-Sourced Contracts: Roads Minister Must Resign or Be Sacked – Dr Bomfeh
Dr. Kofi Bomfeh, a leading member of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), has called for the immediate resignation or dismissal of the Roads and Highways Minister over alleged sole-sourcing in the implementation of the government’s Big Push infrastructure initiative. He described the reported GH¢11 million contract awarded to the Deputy Chief of Staff as a blatant violation of procurement laws and a betrayal of the government’s promise to end sole-sourcing.
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Mahama Returns from UNGA to Warm Reception in Accra
President John Dramani Mahama has returned from the United Nations General Assembly in New York to a warm reception at Kotoka International Airport. The President was welcomed by senior government officials, party executives, and supporters who gathered to celebrate Ghana’s successful passage of the historic UN resolution on reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade.
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Tomato Prices Soar as Traders Push for Urgent Boost in Local Production
Tomato prices have surged in major markets across Ghana following Burkina Faso’s ban on fresh tomato exports. Traders and consumers are feeling the pinch, with some markets recording price increases of up to 50%. Stakeholders are calling on the government to urgently support local tomato production and processing to reduce reliance on imports and stabilise prices.
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