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Afarinick distributes 400,000 free cocoa seedlings to farmers in Volta Region

Afarinick Company Limited (ACL) has distributed over 400,000 improved cocoa seedlings free of charge to farmers across the Volta Region, a major intervention aimed at accelerating cocoa cultivation, improving farmer livelihoods and positioning the region as Ghana’s next cocoa production frontier.

The large-scale seedling distribution exercise was held at Afarinick’s flagship cocoa project in Kpando, where the company has established a 2,000-acre Sustainable Commercial Cocoa Plantation, recognised as Ghana’s largest. The event brought together hundreds of cocoa farmers, traditional authorities, political leaders, agricultural stakeholders and representatives from the cocoa industry.

The free distribution of seedlings forms part of Afarinick’s broader commitment to supporting farmers with access to high-quality planting materials while driving sustainable cocoa expansion across suitable growing areas in the Volta Region and beyond.

From Left: Hon. Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo ( MP Hohoe), Hon. Jean-Marie Formadi MP for Biakoye, Davida Pappoe ( Programmes Manager, Afarinick ), Hon Sebastine Deh – MP for Kpando
The event was attended by several Members of Parliament, including the Member of Parliament for Kpando Constituency, Hon. Sebastian Fred Deh; the Member of Parliament for Hohoe Constituency, Hon. Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo; the Member of Parliament for Guan Constituency, Hon. Fred Agbenyo; and the Member of Parliament for Biakoye Constituency, Hon. Jean-Marie Formadi.

The MPs commended Afarinick for its significant investment in Ghana’s cocoa sector through the establishment of the 2,000-acre plantation, the development of a large-scale cocoa nursery and the free distribution of improved seedlings to farmers. They noted that access to quality planting materials remains one of the most important requirements for increasing cocoa production, improving yields and enhancing farmer incomes.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Sebastian Fred Deh described the intervention as transformative, noting that the distribution of seedlings and the establishment of large-scale cocoa infrastructure would empower farmers and contribute significantly to the Volta Region’s economic development.

Hon. Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo and Hon. Jean-Marie Formadi also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting cocoa expansion efforts within their constituencies, stressing the potential of cocoa farming to create jobs, generate income and stimulate rural development.

The 400,000 seedlings distributed were produced from improved cocoa varieties designed to deliver higher yields, better disease tolerance and greater resilience to changing climatic conditions. Farmers from various districts across the Volta Region received the seedlings as part of efforts to establish new cocoa farms and rehabilitate existing farms
According to Afarinick, the distribution programme is expected to contribute significantly to increasing cocoa acreage within the region while supporting the Government of Ghana’s efforts to expand national cocoa production.

Davida Pappoe, Programmes Manager of Afarinick Company Limited, explained that the free distribution of improved cocoa seedlings forms part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment to supporting farming communities and contributing to the sustainable growth of Ghana’s cocoa sector.

She noted that through investments in seedling production and the provision of quality planting materials to farmers, Afarinick aims to support cocoa expansion efforts, enhance farm productivity and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural households, particularly in emerging cocoa-growing areas such as the Volta Region.

She noted that the seedlings were raised in Afarinick’s state-of-the-art cocoa nursery in Kpando, which has the capacity to produce more than two million improved cocoa seedlings annually. The nursery, one of the largest of its kind in Ghana, was established to meet the growing demand for high-quality cocoa planting materials and to support the sustainable expansion of cocoa cultivation nationwide.

Afarinick also acknowledged the invaluable support of the Seed Production Division (SPD) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), which supplied the improved cocoa pods used in producing the seedlings distributed to farmers.

The seedling distribution programme was held alongside a tour of Afarinick’s 2,000-acre Sustainable Commercial Cocoa Plantation, the largest of its kind in Ghana. The plantation showcases modern irrigation systems, climate-smart agricultural practices, sustainable land management techniques and innovative cocoa production methods that can be replicated across the country.

The plantation represents a significant private-sector investment in Ghana’s agricultural sector and demonstrates the potential for large-scale, environmentally responsible cocoa production. Combined with the company’s 2-million-capacity nursery, the project is expected to play a critical role in supporting cocoa expansion and improving access to quality planting materials for farmers nationwide.

For many farmers, the free seedlings represented a valuable opportunity to establish or expand cocoa farms without the burden of acquiring planting materials. Stakeholders at the event described the initiative as a strategic investment in livelihoods, agricultural productivity and the future of cocoa farming in the Volta Region.

As Ghana continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading cocoa-producing countries, Afarinick’s distribution of 400,000 improved cocoa seedlings, together with the establishment of Ghana’s largest sustainable commercial cocoa plantation and a nursery capable of producing over two million seedlings annually, demonstrates the critical role of private-sector investment in supporting farmers, expanding production and creating new opportunities within the cocoa sector.

With hundreds of thousands of seedlings now in farmers’ hands and a strong foundation of sustainable cocoa infrastructure in place, the Volta Region is taking another important step toward becoming a major contributor to Ghana’s cocoa industry and a new frontier for sustainable cocoa cultivation.

France’s Macron set to address reparatory justice conference in Accra

In a major diplomatic development for the global reparations movement, French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to address a high-level summit on historical accountability in West Africa. The French head of state will participate in the upcoming Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice in Ghana, marking a significant shift in how European powers engage with the legacy of colonial-era exploitation.

The announcement signals a growing international willingness to debate institutional accountability for historical injustices, particularly those linked to the transatlantic enslavement of Africans. By joining the dialogue, Paris enters a complex geopolitical conversation that African nations have championed for decades.

A High-Level Diplomatic Mobilization

The framework of the upcoming summit was revealed via an official state communication early this week. “The Government of Ghana confirms that the President of France will address the Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice being hosted in Accra by President Mahama,” said Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a post on social media on Tuesday.

The high-stakes diplomatic gathering is officially scheduled to take place over three days, running from June 17 to June 19, 2026. Hosted by President John Dramani Mahama, the event will bring together an international assembly of heads of state, foreign ministers, jurists, and civil rights advocates. The multi-day program will focus heavily on advancing global discussions on reparatory justice for historical injustices, particularly those linked to the transatlantic enslavement of Africans. Observers note that the presence of a G7 leader elevates the platform in Accra from a regional advocacy forum to a critical arena for North-South diplomacy.

Parameters of the Anglo-French Dialogue

French officials have indicated that Macron’s address will not merely be symbolic but will instead outline explicit state perspectives on the issue. According to the Minister, “President Macron is expected to welcome a good faith dialogue on historical injustice against Africans and outline France’s commitment to Reparatory Justice following the landmark adoption of the Ghana-led UN resolution declaring the transatlantic enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity.”

The French presidency has faced escalating pressure from domestic civil rights groups, Caribbean overseas territories, and African partners to formalize its stance on colonial-era wrongs. This push has led to concrete bilateral concessions. Prior to the summit, France committed to supporting a joint Ghana-France Research Commission on Slavery in Accra and announced intentions to formally repeal the historic Code Noir—the notorious 17th-century decree that regulated the treatment of enslaved people across French colonies. While Paris has previously supported the restitution of looted cultural artifacts, entering a direct dialogue regarding broader reparatory frameworks in Accra represents a distinct policy evolution.

The UN Catalyst and Regional Context

The momentum driving the Accra summit stems directly from recent legislative successes achieved by African delegations on the international stage. The engagement comes in the wake of the adoption of a Ghana-led United Nations resolution which recognised transatlantic enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity, a development that has renewed international discourse on reparations and historical accountability.

The passage of that resolution altered the legal and moral landscape of international relations, providing African states with a structured multi-lateral mandate to pursue diplomatic engagement. The upcoming assembly in Accra seeks to convert that symbolic UN victory into actionable institutional policy.

Continental Leadership and the Ten-Year Mandate

The choice of Accra as the epicenter for this dialogue aligns with Ghana’s expanding mandate under the African Union. The summit takes place as the African Union enters its designated decade of “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations” running from 2026 through 2036. President John Dramani Mahama serves as the official African Union Champion on Reparations, establishing Accra as the structural headquarters for continental advocacy. Local civil society organizations note that the state-level convergence provides a unique platform to shift regional grievances into a cohesive continental strategy.

Implementation and Global Outcomes

As delegations finalize the summit agenda, organizers emphasize that the gathering aims to move beyond rhetoric toward tangible policy outcomes. The Accra conference is expected to bring together global leaders, policymakers and stakeholders to explore practical steps towards addressing historical wrongs and advancing justice-focused dialogue at the international level.

With major state figures assembling in Accra, the conference is poised to test whether European nations and African states can reconcile diverging views on historical repair, structural inequality, and global systemic reform. While African nations approach the negotiation table viewing financial and structural restitution as a fundamental right, European capitals often seek to limit liability to moral apologies and developmental partnerships. The success of the Accra summit will ultimately depend on whether these fundamentally conflicting perspectives can find common ground.

Sedina Tamakloe Attionu arrives in Ghana to serve 10-year sentence

Former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, has arrived in Ghana following her extradition from the United States to serve a 10-year prison sentence imposed on her by the Accra High Court.

Ms. Tamakloe Attionu arrived at the Accra International Airport on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, aboard United Airlines flight UA 996 from Washington Dulles International Airport. She was immediately received by security officials and taken into custody.

Sources familiar with the process said she is currently undergoing debriefing and medical examinations before being transferred to the custody of the Ghana Prisons Service to begin serving her sentence.

Her return marks the end of a lengthy extradition process initiated by the Government of Ghana after she failed to return to the country following a medical trip to the United States while standing trial.

In 2024, the Accra High Court convicted Ms. Tamakloe Attionu in absentia on charges including causing financial loss to the state and stealing. The court sentenced her to 10 years in prison after finding that her actions during her tenure as MASLOC Chief Executive between 2013 and 2016 caused a financial loss of nearly GH¢90 million to the state.

The case stemmed from allegations of misappropriation and diversion of state funds at the government-funded microfinance institution.

Ms. Tamakloe Attionu had been granted permission by the court in 2021 to travel to the United States for medical treatment while her trial was ongoing. However, she did not return to Ghana to continue participating in the proceedings, prompting the court to continue the trial in her absence.

Following her conviction, Ghanaian authorities intensified efforts to secure her return. In 2025, the government formally requested her extradition from the United States.

The request was reviewed by a US District Court in Nevada. After examining the legal documents submitted by Ghanaian authorities, the court approved the extradition request, paving the way for her return to Ghana.

Her arrival is being viewed as a major development in one of Ghana’s most high-profile corruption-related cases involving a former public official.

Authorities are expected to complete the necessary administrative, security and medical procedures before transferring her to prison to begin serving her sentence.

Officials have not yet indicated whether any additional legal proceedings will follow her return.

The extradition has been welcomed by anti-corruption advocates, who see it as an important test of Ghana’s ability to pursue and secure the return of convicted public officials who leave the country while facing criminal proceedings.

The case is also being viewed as a landmark example of cooperation between Ghanaian and United States authorities in enforcing criminal judgments across international borders.

Teacher arrested for allegedly assaulting student

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested a teacher of the Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School, Eric Buernortey Apaflo, aged 39 years, in connection with the assault of a female student of the same school captured in a viral video.

A statement signed and issued by ASP Augustine Antwi of the Public Affairs Unit of the Command, noted that the suspect was arrested by a Nyinahin District Police Patrol Team yesterday, Monday, June 8, 2026, at about 7 p.m. following reports of the assault on the 18-year-old female student, identified as Patience Chibu.

The statement said preliminary investigations have indicated that the suspect, who serves as a caretaker of the school’s hostel, confronted the student and some male students over alleged misconduct at the hostel.

It noted that during the confrontation, a misunderstanding ensued, resulting in the suspect allegedly assaulting the student.

According to the Police statement, the incident angered some students, who allegedly pelted stones at the suspect and invited some

youth from the town to the school hostel in an attempt to attack him.

The situation was, however, brought under control through the timely intervention of the police patrol team. It said a Police Medical Report Form has subsequently been issued to the victim for medical examination and

treatment, while the suspect remains in police custody assisting with investigations.

The statement has urged members of the public to remain calm and use lawful and peaceful means in resolving grievances and disputes.

One dead, three injured in Accra-Tema Motorway tanker crash

One person has been confirmed dead and three others severely injured following a horrific head-on collision between a fuel tanker and a tipper truck on the Accra-Tema Motorway late Monday night.

The catastrophic crash, which occurred around 11:50 PM on Monday, June 8, 2026, triggered a massive fire that completely engulfed the vehicles and brought movement on the international transit corridor to a complete standstill.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), according to reports, received a distress call at 11:50 PM and dispatched the Tema Motorway Fire Crew, arriving at the scene within four minutes.

Firefighters encountered a DAF fuel tanker with registration number AS 3555-24 loaded with 54,000 litres of fuel, which was fully ablaze.

Due to the volatile nature of the cargo and the severity of the fire, backup crews from the Ashaiman Fire Station and the Tema Industrial Area Fire Station, alongside an auxiliary water tanker from the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, were rushed in to contain the flames.

Firefighters battled the inferno for hours, successfully bringing it under control at 12:56 AM and completely extinguishing it by 1:44 AM on Tuesday.

According to eyewitnesses, the impact of the head-on collision and subsequent fire resulted in the immediate death of one individual.

Emergency officials retrieved the charred remains of a male victim, believed to be the driver of the tipper truck with registration number AS 466-19, which was transporting a load of wood.

The body was handed over to the Ghana Police Service at 2:19 AM for preservation and forensic investigation.

Three other occupants, identified as Kwabena Agyapong, Joseph Teye Quarshie, and Aaron Kyei, involved in the crash, sustained severe injuries.

The trio was pulled from the wreckage and rushed to the Tema General Hospital for urgent medical attention before the arrival of the main fire crews.

The incident took place between Saka Saka Park and Tanink Ghana, causing a severe, hours-long traffic gridlock that backed up for kilometres on both sides of the dual highway.

Commuters traveling from the Ashaiman Underbridge toward the 18 Junction area were stranded until Tuesday morning as emergency teams neutralized the remaining fuel hazards and pulled the mangled metallic structures off the road.

Officials from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) have commenced an intensive investigation to determine how the head-on collision occurred on a structural dual-carriage highway.

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