This Saturday on Newsfile, host Samson Lardy Anyenini and this team delved into the long-dormant Black Volta and Sankofa gold projects in the Upper West Region, which are set for revival after Engineers & Planners (E&P), one of West Africa’s largest indigenous mining contractors, acquired full equity in Azumah Resources Ghana Ltd and Upwest Resources Ghana Ltd.

The transaction, completed with the Registrar of Companies and the Minerals Commission, transfers all issued shares of the Ghanaian beneficial owner to E&P, marking a dramatic shift in Ghana’s mining landscape.

For nearly two decades, the concessions promised much but delivered little. Legal disputes, shifting investor priorities, and lack of capital stalled development, frustrating host communities and depriving the country of revenue.

With gold prices now above $3,000 per ounce, E&P says it is ready to deploy funding and technical expertise to fast-track mine development.

President Mahama’s Media Encounter: What Did We Learn?

President John Mahama met the media for the first time after nine months in office, fielding 26 questions from local and international journalists. He touted gains in economic stabilization, education and health reforms, and youth tech programs.

But tough questions on illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, rising costs of living, and clarity on funding for projects dominated the session.

While President Mahama pledged renewed commitment to fight illegal mining and protect Ghana’s water bodies, he said his administration will not rush into declaring a state of emergency, warning that such drastic action must be the last resort.

President Mahama also announced that the government has deployed a system to track individuals who use social media to spread hate.

He said the National Signals Bureau (NSB) has been equipped with new tracking technology capable of using the IP addresses of devices to identify the sources of such messages.

Join Samson Lardy Anyenini and his panellist this Saturday at 9 a.m. on JoyNews, on digital satellite channels 421 on DSTV and 144 on GoTV, and streams on JoyNews’ Facebook or YouTube channels, and MyjoyOnline for incisive, no-holds-barred analysis as they break down the billion-dollar E&P–Azumah Resources goldfields dispute and dissect key takeaways from President Mahama’s media encounter.

Viewers can also follow the discussion by tuning in to Joy 99.7 FM or Luv 99.5 FM on the radio or stream the discussion live on either Google or Apple Podcasts.

Newsfile is your most authoritative news analysis programme.

Below is the full show: