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The first direct commercial flight on Friday August 19, 2016, took off from the upgraded Tamale Airport to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2016 Hajj.

President John Dramani Mahama bid the first batch of 500 prospective Pilgrims from the three regions of the north farewell, ahead of their departure.

The rest of the Pilgrims have been scheduled to depart from the Tamale Airport to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Saturday August 20th, and Sunday 21st August.

Accra, Aug. 19, GNA – Trading on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) on the third week of August bourse ended with transactions in 14 equities, with eight prices changes in an advance to decline ratio of 1:7.

The benchmark GSE - Composite Index dropped by 0.4 per cent to close at 1,824.4 points, stock market analysis made available to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday by Nordea Capital, an investment bank, has stated.

President John Mahama has taken a swipe at the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), describing it as a party that lacks visionary leadership.

Mahama said just as the NPP’s tradition undermined Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, their present leadership is working hard to mislead the public into thinking that the massive investments in infrastructure is a misplaced priority.

Mr Mahama was addressing hundreds of supporters at Kokompe near Takoradi as part of his campaign in the Western region.

Elubo (W/R), Aug 17, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama, has asked the electorate to renew his mandate in the December 7 polls, to enable him complete the numerous development projects initiated by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He said four years is woefully inadequate to transform a country, adding that his second term in office would enable him to complete all the projects dotted across the country.

Takoradi, Aug. 19, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama has said indigenous small-scale businesses have received one billion dollars worth of contracts from petroleum companies since the commencement of commercial production of crude oil in the country.

He said the award of contracts to local enterprises was in compliance with the country’s Local Content and Participation Policy which had created over 7,000 jobs aimed at ensuring that the hydrocarbon resources benefited Ghanaians.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has cancelled his trip to Ghana.

The 92-year old African leader was expected to deliver a presidential lecture at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, on the occasion of the Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize.

Organizers of the event, Millennium Excellence Foundation, say the cancellation is due to reasons beyond their control.

But sources at the Zimbabwean Embassy in Ghana, who want to remain anonymous, have told Citi News the trip was cancelled due to domestic political issues in Zimbabwe.

Accra, Aug 18, GNA - The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has urged the private sector to support government’s efforts in the establishment of EXIM Bank- Ghana.

Mr James Asare-Adjei, the AGI President, said the activities of the bank would inure to the benefit of industries and businesses in the country.

He said the AGI in its advocacy, as the leading voices of private sector, had been highlighting challenges and difficulties which frustrate growth efforts of businesses and continued to stifle the country's industrialisation drive.

Kumasi, Aug 19, GNA - Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, the Trade and Industry Minister, has cautioned importers to desist from making false declaration of goods, cleared at the ports.

He said in as much as the government was eager to create a business-friendly environment, anything illegal that denied the state vital revenue for socio-economic development would not be accepted.

The Minister described as deeply disturbing the situation where about 65 per cent of importers engaged in the unhealthy practice.

President John Mahama this morning commission the FPSO Professor John Evans Atta Mills to commence oil production from the Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme known as the TEIN fields.

The Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme is expected to produce between 20,000-23,000 barrels of oil per day.

The Electoral Commission says it is ready to ensure that this year's election is credible.

Speaking at the launch of 2016 Peaceful Election stamps by Ghana Post, Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Amadu Sulley said credible elections were crucial in ensuring peace before and after the elections.

Mr Sulley said the Commission has so far adhered to guiding principles of Electoral practices to ensure that the polls are credible.