
The Ghana Standards Authority GSA is set to introduce new regulations for vehicle conversion garages across the country. This initiative aims to address safety concerns, particularly regarding Toyota Voxy vehicles that have been converted from right-hand to left-hand drive without proper oversight. The Ashanti Regional Director of the National Road Safety Authority, Kwasi Agyenim-Boateng, highlighted that a government review revealed many unaccredited garages performing conversions without formal accreditation or monitoring, leading to questions about safety standards. The GSA plans to develop specific standards for vehicle conversions to improve safety and ensure accountability in case of accidents. This regulatory push follows a public advisory issued by the National Road Safety Authority NRSA on April 13, warning against the long-distance use of converted Toyota Voxy vehicles due to safety risks identified by a Technical Working Group. The NRSA is collaborating with institutions like the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, the GSA, and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to implement these measures. Additionally, authorities are reminding the public that any journey exceeding 100 kilometers is classified as long-distance travel under Regulation 195 of L.I. 2180.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.

Andy Appiah-Kubi, lead counsel for Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, has accused Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai of making prejudicial remarks in the ongoing galamsey trial. Appiah-Kubi stated that Srem-Sai's comments suggested the court should proceed to convict the accused persons, describing them as "very unfortunate" and undermining the fairness of the justice system. He argued that such statements from the Attorney General's office, which also serves as Minister of Justice, compromise the neutrality required in court proceedings. Appiah-Kubi defended the defense team's decision not to file witness statements, explaining it was a strategic move based on an appeal filed at the Court of Appeal challenging the High Court’s directive. He noted that a fresh application for a stay of proceedings had been lodged, arguing that continuing the trial while the appeal is pending would prejudice the outcome. Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining Limited face six counts related to allegedly permitting and facilitating unlicensed mining activities.

Emmanuel Eshun, a former fuel station worker, has revealed alleged methods used by fuel pump attendants to defraud customers and management. In an interview with KayB Media, Eshun stated that after completing Senior High School in 2012, he began working at a fuel station. He claimed that most fuel dispensers at his former workplace were adjusted to show prices higher than the regulated rate, with only one dispenser left unaltered. This allowed staff to direct informed customers to the correct pump while less informed customers were sent to the altered ones. Eshun alleged that supervisors would tamper with the dispensers daily, then cover parts of the machine, particularly the unit price display, with Ghana Standard Authority stickers. He explained that manipulated machines would only show the total price and litres, making it difficult for customers to verify the actual price per litre. Eshun also claimed that he began adjusting the dispenser himself to earn additional income, sometimes making around GH¢4,000 or more in a day. He noted that heavy-duty vehicles were often the most affected, while commercial drivers, especially "trotro" operators, sometimes noticed inconsistencies and confronted attendants. The interviewer advised drivers to always check the unit price on the station's main signboard and avoid buying fuel if the unit price on the dispenser does not match or is covered.

Ghana's Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, announced a significant increase in monthly allowances for paramount chiefs and queen mothers. Speaking at the Government Accountability Series, the minister stated that the allowance has been raised from GH¢1,000 to GH¢3,000, effective in 2025. This represents a 300 percent increase, as the allowance had remained at GH¢1,000 for several years prior to the current administration. Ahmed Ibrahim noted that this decision, made in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, reflects the government's recognition of the vital roles traditional authorities play in governance, conflict resolution, and community development.

US-based Ghanaian legal scholar Stephen Kwaku Asare, also known as Kwaku Azar, has called on judges to be more careful with their language when delivering verdicts. In a Facebook post titled “Judges Must Be Measured in Their Words” on April 20, 2026, Professor Azar emphasized that careless language could erode public trust in the courts. He stated that courts not only decide cases but also speak for the law, highlighting that judicial language carries significant authority and consequences. Professor Azar cautioned judges against exceeding the scope necessary to resolve disputes, warning that overly expansive or emotionally charged language could shift the court's role from adjudication to moral commentary. He criticized instances where judges used strong character descriptions or introduced subjective considerations into their reasoning, stressing that courts should assess rights, contributions, and fairness, rather than relying on social or subjective judgments. He also raised concerns about judicial commentary that appears to attribute political motives to legislation, which could blur the line between legal interpretation and political analysis. To address these issues, Professor Azar proposed three guiding principles for judicial expression: necessity, neutrality, and institutional awareness. He advised judges to limit remarks to what is required for a case, maintain objectivity, and remain mindful of their constitutional role. He warned that failing to adhere to these p