Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Sam George, has announced sweeping policy decisions aimed at improving the quality of telecommunication services across Ghana.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, April 9, the Minister acknowledged growing frustration among Ghanaians over poor network services and signaled firm action from government to address the issue.

“I have noted several complaints about the quality of service of almost all the network providers in the country,” he said.

To address these concerns, the Minister revealed that government has approved technology neutrality for MTN Ghana and directed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to allocate additional spectrum to both MTN and Telecel Ghana.

“I have taken decisive policy to approve technology neutrality for MTN and additional spectrum for MTN Ghana. I have also directed the NCA to make an additional spectrum offer to Telecel Ghana,” he explained.

The move, he noted, is to ensure telcos are better equipped to upgrade their infrastructure and enhance service delivery.

“This will provide operators with more resources to improve their service offerings and quality of services,” he added.

However, the Minister also issued a strong warning to the telcos, stating that the NCA will begin strict monitoring of service quality within three months of assigning the new spectrum.

“I wish to serve notice that the NCA will, within three months of the assignment of this additional spectrum, begin a rigorous enforcement of quality of service on the providers. Failure to provide an improvement and quality of service by the network operators will result in stiff fines,” he cautioned.

The announcement comes as subscribers across the country continue to grapple with frequent call drops, slow internet speeds, and other network challenges.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com| Najat Adamu

The Central North Regional Police Command’s Anti-Galamsey Taskforce has arrested five individuals—three Chinese nationals and two Ghanaians—for engaging in illegal mining along River Fum at Assin Ayitey, near Assin Akonfudi in the Assin North District.

The arrested suspects have been identified as:  

– Duut Kwabena Sakakba, 38  

– Douglas Nyamekye, 36  

– Ma Jian, 37 (Chinese)  

– Ma Young, 31 (Chinese)  

– Ma Haibi, 54 (Chinese)

Their mining activities have reportedly caused severe pollution to River Fum, a vital water source for nearby farming communities.

According to the Central North Police Command, the suspects are currently in custody and will be processed for court in the coming days.

During the operation, the task force seized two excavators with chassis numbers SY 6HK1-XABEA-01-C3 and SWE365E00762. The operators of the excavators fled upon spotting the police, taking the ignition keys with them.

A Toyota Hilux with registration number GE-2743-13 was also impounded at the scene.

Authorities say efforts are underway to transport the excavators to a secure location and to trace and arrest the owners of the machines. The police have reiterated their commitment to clamping down on illegal mining in the region.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com| Agyei Kwaku Mensah

The National Union of Tricycle Operators Ghana has endorsed the government’s proposed amendment to the Road Traffic Regulations, which seeks to tighten control over the commercial use of motorcycles (okada) and tricycles (pragyia).

Under the new proposal, only individuals aged 25 years and above will be allowed to operate commercial motorcycles and tricycles. The move, according to Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe, is part of a broader effort to improve safety, accountability, and professionalism in the sector.

The proposed changes were announced at a national stakeholder consultation held in Accra on Monday, April 7, 2025.

In addition to the age requirement, all riders must be either employed by or registered with a licensed motorcycle/tricycle union or company before they can operate commercially.

Reacting to the proposal, National Chairman of the Union, Mr. Hafiz Hamza, told Atinka News the initiative marks an important step toward formalizing and sanitizing the okada industry. He emphasized that the age restriction is intended to promote maturity and discipline among commercial riders.

However, some okada riders have appealed for a reconsideration of the age limit. Speaking to Atinka News, several riders argued that many young people under the age of 25 depend on okada operations as their main source of livelihood. They urged government to consider lowering the age requirement to 20 or 22 years to accommodate the youth who have embraced the trade out of necessity.

The proposed regulations are still under consultation, and the Ministry of Transport has indicated it will continue to engage stakeholders before final decisions are made.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com| Samuel Nyamekye Jnr 

The Accra High Court has acquitted and discharged the Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, over criminal charges linked to allegations of dual citizenship.

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, the court dismissed all five charges against him, ending a lengthy legal battle that questioned his eligibility to contest in the 2020 parliamentary elections.

Prosecutors had accused Quayson of holding Canadian citizenship at the time of filing his nomination, in violation of Ghana’s constitutional requirements for public office. He was charged with perjury, false declaration for office, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, and forgery of passport or travel certificate.

However, the court ruled that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case, upholding a submission of no case to answer filed by Quayson’s legal team.

According to the judgment, Quayson had initiated the renunciation of his Canadian citizenship before submitting his nomination and declared allegiance to Ghana in good faith. The judge noted that he did not act with malice and did not make any false statements on his nomination forms.

The court also found inconsistencies in the prosecution’s documentary evidence, including contradictions in witness statements and flaws in the statutory declarations and passport summary sheet presented.

Based on the weakness of the evidence, the judge ruled that there was no justification to call the MP to open his defense.

Following the acquittal, Quayson expressed relief and reiterated his longstanding position that he had complied with the law.

The verdict clears the legal uncertainty surrounding his position in Parliament and affirms his right to continue serving his constituents without further legal impediments.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Najat Adamu

A tragic accident at Patasi in the Ashanti Region has claimed the lives of two people and left another in critical condition, following a crash involving a school bus from Palmer International School.

The victims have been identified as Maame Serwaa, aged 72, and a man only identified as Alfred, believed to be between 45 and 50 years old. The third victim, known as Wofa, is currently receiving emergency treatment at the Suntreso Government Hospital.

Eyewitness accounts reveal that the incident occurred while Maame Serwaa and Alfred were seated at a pub in front of a residential building, discussing plumbing works in the house. 

They were reportedly estimating costs when the school bus veered off the road and crashed into the building.

The driver of the school bus allegedly cited brake failure as the cause of the crash. The impact was so severe that individuals were trapped under the wreckage, prompting a swift rescue operation by personnel from the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana National Fire Service.

The accident not only resulted in loss of life but also caused significant damage to properties, sending shockwaves through the Patasi community. 

The driver is currently in police custody as investigations continue.

The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue pending autopsy.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com| Sofoba Kwame Afrifa