JoyNews’ flagship current affairs programme, Newsfile, will air live this Saturday, October 31, from 8:00 a.m. to noon, bringing the nation’s most pressing political issues to the fore. Host Samson Lardy Anyenini will steer a three‑segment debate that covers President John Mahama’s ongoing battle against illegal mining, the controversy over the GH¢49.72 million spent on evacuating Ghanaians from South Africa, and the proposal to extend Ghana’s presidential term from four to five years.
The first segment will focus on the government’s anti‑galamsey campaign. President Mahama disclosed that more than 8,200 items used in illegal mining have been seized, including 135 excavators and nearly 200 firearms. He also announced plans to reclaim 5,000 acres of degraded land from 2027, with GH¢200 million earmarked for the effort. The discussion will probe whether these measures are producing lasting results and what further steps are needed to protect the country’s water bodies, forests and farmlands.
The second topic will scrutinise the GH¢49.72 million spent on evacuating 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa amid renewed xenophobic attacks. The Minority has raised concerns about alleged discrepancies in flight records, payment registers and supporting documents, calling for an independent probe. Government officials will defend the expenditure and argue that the records substantiate the costs. The segment will examine whether the available documents provide sufficient answers about the cost and management of the evacuation.
The final segment will consider former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s support for a proposal to extend Ghana’s presidential term to five years. Kufuor argues that a longer term would give administrations more time to deliver on programmes while retaining the two‑term limit. The New Patriotic Party, however, rejects the extension and calls for the retention of the four‑year term. The debate will explore whether a longer term would improve governance or weaken electoral accountability within the ongoing constitutional review process.
Listeners can tune in on JoyNews, Joy 99.7 FM and Luv 99.5 FM to hear the full discussion and hear the arguments from both sides of these critical national issues.
