TIG Post

Author: Abigail Ampofo

  • Bi-monthly grants given to over 800 accused of witchcraft – Gender Minister confirms

    Bi-monthly grants given to over 800 accused of witchcraft – Gender Minister confirms

    The government is currently providing both men and women who have been accused of witchcraft with a bi-monthly cash grant, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection has revealed.

    Addressing Parliament yesterday, following an urgent question posed by Francis-Xavier Sosu, the Member of Parliament for Madina, the sector minister, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, made this known.

    The question focused on measures the government is taking to safeguard individuals accused of witchcraft.

    In her response, Dr. Lartey explained that the government is providing bi-monthly cash grants to 813 men and women who have been accused of witchcraft.

    The cash grants, Dr. Agnes said, being provided under the Livelihoods Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), were intended to provide relief and support for those unjustly accused of witchcraft.

    She also explained that her outfit has increased education and is embarking on campaigns in communities where such practices were prevalent, calling on traditional leaders and the public to join forces in dismantling such harmful superstitions.

    Dr Lartey said in 2022, the Ministry submitted a position paper to amend the Criminal Offences Act of 1960, (Act 29) to prohibit witch doctors and witch-finders from practicing.

    The ministry, she said, had written to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to enact a law to explicitly criminalize the practice.

    “It’s our fervent hope that the proposed amendment will receive necessary bipartisan support from the House,” Dr Lartey stated.

    The minister further went on to urge persons accused of witchcraft to seek legal redress to restore and protect their rights and dignity.

    Dr Lartey made a passionate appeal to all citizens to desist from accusing persons of witchcraft.

  • ‘Jerry Rawlings House’: NDC to rename party HQ after late founder

    ‘Jerry Rawlings House’: NDC to rename party HQ after late founder

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is set to name its headquarters after the party’s founder, the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.

    This was announced by the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, during the 46th anniversary of the June 4 uprising, held at Agormanya Lasi Park in the Eastern Region.

    He said the party’s Functional Executive Committee (FEC) has approved a series of proposals—pending consent from the National Executive Committee (NEC)—to honour Rawlings’ towering influence.

    Top among these is the renaming of the party’s national headquarters to “Jerry Rawlings House.”

    “Party headquarters across the world are named after their founders. Ghana cannot be an exception. We will begin the process to rename our national headquarters as Rawlings House,” Asiedu Nketiah said as many responded with a roaring applause.

    The NDC intends to adjust the constitution to set Rawlings’ birthday-June 22—as an official party day.

    Also, there have been proposals to mark the month of June as an “NDC Month.”

    The national chairman went on to express his discontent with the current state of Revolutionary Square, located opposite the Jubilee House, calling for the urgent establishment of a team to restore the site to its former glory.

    As it stands, there is very little information about the current physical state of the monument, but due to its historical significance to the party’s roots, given its association with Jerry John Rawlings, Asiedu Nketiah wants it attended to and maintained appropriately.

    “Please establish a planning committee to advise on how we can get Revolutionary Square back to its original status. If we need to contact the Museums and Monuments Board, it must be done.”

    “It doesn’t just represent a monument—it teaches our youth a lesson,” he charged.

    The June 4 uprising, led by then Flight Lieutenant Rawlings in 1979, remains a cornerstone of the NDC’s political heritage, symbolising the values of accountability, discipline, and revolutionary change.

    The proposed reforms are seen as a major attempt by the party to institutionalise this legacy for future generations.

    The June 4 Uprising in Ghana was a military revolt led by the late founder and former president, Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, and junior officers, driven by frustration over corruption, poor conditions, and unpaid salaries in the armed forces.

    After a failed coup attempt in May, Rawlings was jailed but used his trial to expose the ruling regime’s corruption.

    On June 3, he was freed by junior officers, who made him their leader.

    The uprising led to the overthrow of the Supreme Military Council, the execution of senior officers, and Rawlings’ leadership of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), which briefly ruled before transferring power to civilian president Hilla Limann in September 1979.

  • Caoimhín Kelleher joins Brentford from Liverpool in £18m deal

    Caoimhín Kelleher joins Brentford from Liverpool in £18m deal

    Liverpool’s goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher has joined Brentford in a deal worth £18 million ($24.2m).

    Caoimhín Kelleher cemented his reputation at Liverpool as a second-choice goalkeeper, an immediate backup for the club’s first-choice keeper, Alisson Becker.

    However, it is reported that he has moved to Brentford as a first-choice keeper to replace Brentford’s Mark Flekken, who has completed a €10m (£8.4m) transfer to Bayer Leverkusen.

    The 26-year-old Irishman joined Liverpool’s academy in 2015, after which he made his senior debut with Liverpool on September 25, 2019, in an EFL Cup match against Milton Keynes Dons.

    He kept a clean sheet as Liverpool won 2-0. Caoimhín Kelleher, after growing through Liverpool’s academy, signed a deal with them in 2019, for a duration that is currently unknown, until he extended it by 5 years in 2021.

    The contract, which is expected to expire by the close June 2026, has now been terminated.

    According to reports, Anfield will welcome a new keeper from Valencia, Giorgi Mamardashvili, who agreed to a £29m move to Merseyside last summer.

    Kelleher has repeatedly cited his desire for more game time, telling Optus Sport last month, “I think I’ve said it before as well that I feel like I’m a number one, and I feel like I’m good enough to play week in, week out. That’s what I’m looking to do.

    “Obviously, this season I was lucky enough to play a lot of games … But yeah, it’s definitely something I’m looking at.”

    Caoimhín Kelleher has had an impressive stint at Anfield with 24 clean sheets and seven major trophies, including two Premier League titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup, two League Cups, and one UEFA Super Cup.

    Also, with 25 appearances in the Premier League, matches, he has secured 8 clean sheets and made 73 saves.

    He also saved one penalty and had 133 throw-outs throughout his league career. His win rate of 65.7% in all competitions is the highest of any Liverpool goalkeeper with 50+ appearances in the club’s history.

  • FIFA publishes revised rule on penalty kicks after Álvarez controversy

    FIFA publishes revised rule on penalty kicks after Álvarez controversy

    FIFA has published new rules regarding penalty kicks in the tournament.

    The revision of the rules stems from controversies that followed Atlético Madrid’s elimination in the Champions League after Julián Álvarez’s accidental double touch before taking a penalty.

    The new interpretation, published on June 3 in an official statement, ruled that the revised rules will take effect in UEFA-organised games on Wednesday when Germany clashes with Portugal in a Nations League semifinal in Munich.

    According to the revised rule, “… if a player scores a penalty after an accidental second touch, like slipping and unintentionally contacting the ball twice, the penalty must now be retaken, rather than ruled as a miss.”

    This means that the kind of penalty Atlético forward Álvarez had disallowed after scoring in a shootout against Real Madrid in March should now be retaken and not disallowed like it would have been initially.

    Álvarez slipped and kicked the ball against his standing left foot in the shootout in the Champions League round of 16.

    After the looping ball beat Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for an apparent score, the goal was ruled out by a video review, and Atlético ultimately lost the shootout.

    The statement continued that cases like Álvarez’s rarely happen in football; hence, Law 14, which stipulates rules about penalty kicks, doesn’t clearly explain what to do. So, referees usually decide to punish the player taking the penalty.

    However, it clarified that “However, this part of Law 14 is primarily intended for situations where the penalty taker deliberately touches the ball a second time before it has touched another player.”

    “This situation is rare, and as it is not directly covered in Law 14, referees have understandably tended to penalise the kicker.”

    “However, this part of Law 14 is primarily intended for situations where the penalty taker deliberately touches the ball a second time before it has touched another player,” IFAB said in its statement.

    IFAB also offered clarification to soccer stakeholders that a penalty kick that is scored now after an accidental double touch should be retaken.

    A double-touch penalty that is not scored will not be retaken. In a shootout, such a penalty “is recorded as missed,” IFAB said, and during regulation time or extra time, a free kick can be awarded to the defending team.

    The clarified rule also will apply at the Club World Cup, which starts on June 14 in the United States. The 32-team lineup includes Atlético.

    IFAB is comprised of FIFA plus the four British soccer federations. Rules can be changed with six of the eight votes, which are distributed by four to FIFA and one each to the British.

  • Fernandes confirms links with Al-Hilal but prefers to stay at Man Utd

    Fernandes confirms links with Al-Hilal but prefers to stay at Man Utd

    Manchester United’s skipper, Bruno Fernandes, has broken his silence on his alleged link to Saudi Arabia following the club’s disastrous campaign in the 2024/2025 campaign.

    Bruno, speaking with Sky Sports on Tuesday, June 3, confirmed the Saudi Arabia transfer speculation, saying it was a “big offer,” though he didn’t disclose the exact amount.

    Bruno Fernandes currently earns £300,000 per week at Manchester United, which amounts to £15.6 million per year, but Saudi’s Al-Hilal was allegedly willing to triple it to around £700,000 per week if he accepted their £100 million transfer offer.

    But he said despite the juicy offer, he prefers to stay with the English club.

    “There was that possibility. The president of Al Hilal called me a month ago to ask me about it. It was a big offer, very ambitious. There was a waiting period for me to think about the future.”

    “It would have been easy to move there, but I want to keep myself at the highest level, playing in the big competitions, and I feel capable of it. I am happy with my decision,” he noted.

    He was, however, ready to leave if the club wanted him out, but the club’s coach, Amorim, after learning about the links, “really tried to talk me out of it.”

    “As I have always said, I would be willing to do it if Manchester United thought so, adding that his wife also influenced his decision to choose between Saudi and Utd. I spoke to my wife and family, and she asked me what my personal goals were in my career.”

    News about Saudi’s interest in the Portuguese gained traction in late May 2025, when reports emerged that Al Hilal had met with his agent to discuss a potential £100 million transfer.

    The rumours heightened following financial difficulties the club faced following their failure to qualify for European competitions, making a big-money sale seem like a possibility.

    Fernandes led the United ranks for both goals and assists this season, racking up 19 of each across all competitions.

    Bruno Fernandes joined Manchester United in January 2020 from Sporting CP for an initial fee of €55 million (£47 million)

    He is nearing a goal-scoring milestone for his career in England, sitting on 98 as he now heads into a seventh season.

    The club captain has won the League Cup and FA Cup with United, as well as finishing as Europa League top scorer twice en route to collecting runners-up medals.

  • Those who breach football codes must be sanctioned severely – Sports Minister

    Those who breach football codes must be sanctioned severely – Sports Minister

    Minister for Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams, is advocating for the enforcement of more stringent sanctions against individuals who breach football codes and incite violence at stadiums and their environs nationwide.

    Speaking to Sporty FM, the minister emphasised the need for enhanced disciplinary actions, noting that punishment for such acts of violence should be meted out to all individuals, despite their role, status and political standing.

    “People must be punished when they are found to be doing something wrong, irrespective of their status in the country or their political affiliation.”

    “We must have the tenacity to punish people when they do wrong. That is the only way, as a country that loves football, we have to go, and we will benefit from it,” he said.

    He fears the persistent acts of violence in the Ghana football ecosystem, noting that if left unchecked, they will heighten fans’ preference for international leagues over local leagues.

    Ghana’s league is already struggling for a significant large audience.

    “If we allow such things to continue, 90 per cent of the football-loving fans will focus on the foreign leagues rather than on your own league,” he added.

    His calls follow a recent clash that occurred during the matchday 33 fixture between Basake Holy Stars and Nations FC on Sunday, June 1.

    Hosted at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena, some irate Nations FC players and officials invaded the pitch following the referee’s decision to award a penalty to Basake Holy Stars in the 63rd minute after Nations FC defender Kwame Osei was adjudged to have handled the ball while attempting to block a cross from the right flank.

    However, the referee’s decision didn’t sit well with the Nations FC players and officials. They became confrontational, and the situation later turned violent, ultimately forcing Nations FC to abandon the match.

    In a disturbing turn of events, the club’s owner, Dr. Kwame Kyei, and its president, Divine Kyei, were reportedly assaulted during the commotion.

    Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed it has launched a formal investigation into the incident.

  • I didn’t say Otto Addo should be sacked after AFCON qualification fail – C.K. Akonnor

    I didn’t say Otto Addo should be sacked after AFCON qualification fail – C.K. Akonnor

    Former Black Stars head coach Charles Kwabla Akonnor has clarified that he never called for the dismissal of current coach of the senior national team, Otto Addo, after the team failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    C.K. Akonnor made these remarks in an interview with Citi Sports. He explained that the hiring and sacking of coaches affect the progress of the team and create inconsistencies.

    “I didn’t call for Otto Addo’s sacking after the AFCON qualification setback,” Akonnor said. “The constant hiring and firing can overwhelm the players and disrupt progress,” he detailed.

    For the first time in about two decades, Ghana, four-time African champions, will miss out on the illustrious continental tournament.

    The Black Stars struggled so hard for a qualification; however, they ended the qualification campaign finishing as the last team of their group with just three points from three draws and three defeats; they didn’t win a single match.

    The disastrous finishing, which cost them a place in the AFCON, garnered heavy criticism, with many calling for the coach’s dismissal.

    The match that ultimately sealed Ghana’s fate was their 1-1 draw against Angola on November 15, 2024, at the November 11th Stadium in Luanda.

    However, after several deliberations with stakeholders and other pundits, the GFA decided to keep him. Since then, he has steadied the ship, guiding Ghana to consecutive wins over Chad and Madagascar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    The Black Stars recently secured a third-place finish in a four-nation tournament in London and are set to regroup in September for World Cup qualifying matches against Chad and Mali on Matchdays 7 and 8.

    About the 2025 AFCON

    The 2025 edition of AFCON is slated for December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco. This marks the 35th edition of the tournament and the second time Morocco will be the host country after it hosted in 1988.

    Qualified Teams
    A total of 24 teams have qualified for AFCON 2025, including:

    Morocco (Hosts)

    Ivory Coast (Defending Champions)

    Egypt

    Nigeria

    Senegal

    Algeria

    Cameroon

    South Africa

    Tunisia

    Mali

    Burkina Faso

    Angola

    Equatorial Guinea

    DR Congo

    Gabon

    Zambia

    Uganda

    Comoros

    Lesotho

    Tanzania

    Benin

    Botswana

    Mozambique

    Gambia

    Venues
    The tournament will be played across six cities in Morocco:

    Casablanca – Mohammed V Stadium

    Rabat – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium

    Tangier – Ibn Batouta Stadium

    Marrakech – Marrakech Stadium

    Agadir – Adrar Stadium

    Fez – Fez Stadium

  • District Assemblies to receive at least GHc25m in 2025 – Finance Minister

    District Assemblies to receive at least GHc25m in 2025 – Finance Minister


    Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced a GH¢25 million disbursement for all District Assemblies nationwide to improve local economic development and enhance decentralisation.

    Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, June 3, Dr. Ato Forson said the GHC6.1 billion allocation by the government is part of a broader strategy to empower local governance and ensure national resources reach the grassroots.

    “Government is guaranteeing that approximately GH¢6.1 billion of the GH¢7.57 billion earmarked for 2025 will be disbursed directly to the local assemblies to spur local economic activities at the district level.” 

    “Mr. Speaker, in view of that, every District Assembly will receive a minimum of GH¢25 million this year [2025]. Our resources extend beyond mere release of funds. We have taken decisive steps to ensure that these resources are utilised in line with the government’s economic objectives,’ the minister said.

    The sector minister also revealed that the government has approved guidelines to ensure efficient utilisation of the allocation to prevent misuse and waste.

    In compliance, the government has outlined a targeted spending plan for funds allocated to District Assemblies, with a focus on infrastructure, health, education, and sanitation — including the construction of 24-hour economy model markets, CHPS compounds, schools, and boreholes across rural areas.

    The Finance Minister detailed the spending plan as follows: “Mr. Speaker, 25% of the amount transferred to the District Assemblies is to be utilised for the design and construction of 24-hour economy model markets. 10% is earmarked for the construction of health facilities, where a minimum of two CHPS compounds are supposed to be constructed at rural assemblies. Again, 10% is earmarked for the construction of educational facilities, including one KG block, one primary school block, and one junior high school block. Another 10% of the amount is earmarked for the provision of potable water in each assembly, of which a minimum of boreholes are supposed to be constructed in rural assemblies.”

    “Additionally, 10% will be allocated for environmental sanitation, including solid and liquid waste management. Another 10% is set aside for the provision of school furniture to enhance learning conditions. 5% will go towards the administration of the Assemblies, including monitoring and evaluation. Finally, recognizing the need to complete abandoned legacy projects, including the numerous uncompleted structures left behind by the Middle Belt Development Authority, Coastal Development Authority, and the Northern Development Authority, we have allocated a whopping 20% to fix the mess,” he added.

    The Finance Minister’s appearance in Parliament yesterday was to brief the House on statutory funds following accusations by the Minority in Parliament. The Minority accused the minister of flouting Ghana’s financial laws – Act 936 of the Local Governance Act – by failing to release statutory funds nearly six months into the new administration by the minority side in Parliament.

    The District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) was created to transfer financial resources from the central government to local governments (MMDAs).

    Prior to the 2024 general elections, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) vowed to raise the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) from the existing 5% to 7%.

    He emphasised that increasing the district assembly common fund would be one of the steps his government would take to enhance local governance.

    “If God smiles on us, and we win the 2024 elections, we are going to take decentralization seriously, the rest of the ministries seriously, and the rest of the MMDAs that are still centralized. We are going to complete the decentralization so that we truly hand over power to the people at the local government level. Until we get our decentralisation right, Ghana is not going to go anywhere, and so we are going to take it seriously,” Mahama said.

  • Gov’t engaging strategic partner to take over AT; discussions to end in 60 days – Communications Minister

    Gov’t engaging strategic partner to take over AT; discussions to end in 60 days – Communications Minister

    Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has announced that the government is currently engaging a strategic partner in efforts to revamp the struggling telecommunications network, AirtelTigo.

    He noted that discussions over the matter will be undertaken in 60 days to ensure improved services are provided by the end of September.

    “For the first time, I’ll put out that the government is currently in negotiations with a strategic partner to revamp and take over AT. We’ve started those conversations. We’re giving a 60-day window for the completion of those negotiations so that by the end of Q3, we could see a full rollout of the improved services on AT,” the minister said.

    Sam George made this revelation during a high-level meeting with MTN, Telecel, and AirtelTigo executives on Friday, May 30, where they addressed persistent issues concerning the poor quality of services offered by these telcos to consumers nationwide.

    The revamp of the government-owned telco has become necessary, given its financial struggles over the years. Airtel and Tigo merged to form AirtelTigo in Ghana in 2017. 

    The merger was prompted by financial struggles, declining market share, and intense competition from dominant players like MTN and Vodafone. Despite the merger, the telco continued to struggle. 

    In April 2021, the government of Ghana signed an agreement for the transfer of ownership of telecommunications company AirtelTigo, a joint venture between Bharti Airtel and telecom operator Millicom International Cellular SA (Tigo), which jointly operates in the country.

    The then-Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful signed on behalf of the government of Ghana, while Ms. Jatina Catharina Uneken-van de Vreede, Mr. Martin P Frechette, Mr. Timothy Pennington, Mr. Eric Nana Nipah and Mr. Vish Ashiagbor signed on behalf of the seller entities. 

    This allowed the Akufo-Addo-led government to own 100 percent of shares of the telecommunications company as well as all customers, assets, and liabilities of the joint venture. The government, according to the former minister acquired the company for just a dollar.

    Mr Nartey George slammed the government’s takeover, revealing that the telco was burdened with a GH₵3.5 billion debt, with American Tower Company (ATC) demanding GH₵1.5 billion for debt owed.

    “So if someone told you that they bought it for 1 dollar, who is going to pay the 1.3 billion that is sitting there and accumulating interest?” he quizzed.

    According to the incumbent minister, AT is saddled with a $200 million debt and is losing about GH₵20 million every month.

    Network challenges

    Despite the large telecom infrastructure (like cell towers, cables, and equipment) with the many telecom companies operating in the country, users still experience poor network service, especially in growing cities and towns, where the demand for service is rising quickly.

    A nationwide service quality test, covering all district capitals, is expected to be conducted by the NCA in the third quarter of 2025. Based on its findings, the government will take “decisive action” if no significant improvements are seen.

    The government has vowed to impose financial penalties on Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) that fail to meet service quality standards before the end of the year.

    On their part, the executives of the telcos provided their strategies and investments made so far to provide quality services.

    MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett revealed that the company had invested $230 million in 2024 to strengthen its network and IT systems. 

    Plans include launching 300 new franchise outlets, hiring 400 new staff, and rolling out secure self-service tools for SIM swaps and PIN resets.

    Telecel Ghana COO Mohamad Ghaddar revealed that the company has over 400 retail shops, and there are ongoing plans to add 100 more. He also noted the company’s commitment to supporting customers with special needs and welcomed regulatory engagement.

    AT CEO Leo Skarlatos said significant network upgrades are underway, and by the first quarter of 2026, customers will begin to observe the impact.

  • Pakistan: Police in search of over 200 inmates following earth tremor

    Pakistan: Police in search of over 200 inmates following earth tremor

    Over 200 inmates are currently on the run after taking advantage of an earthquake that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at Malir District Jail in Karachi, the Pakistan police have confirmed.

    Thousands of inmates broke down doors and the locks of their cells, shattering windows after they felt the tremors.

    Many of the thousands of prisoners returned to their cells after police responded to the violence with warning shots

    The escape occurred during an evacuation due to earthquake tremors, but some inmates overpowered guards, seized weapons, and fled.

    One prisoner was killed in the operation, and two prison officers were injured.

    As of now, 80 of them have been recaptured while tracing and searches are underway to help find the over 150 who are still at large.

    A prison superintendent in an interview with the BBC said that it all started when inmates began shouting from their cells and barracks around midnight, over fears of being crushed by the building when the tremor began.

    The frenzy turned violent, necessitating some warning shots from the police.

    Many of the inmates were forced into their cells in panic, however, others stormed the main gate in panic, with 216 inmates using the opportunity to escape the prison altogether.

    Police are now on door-to-door visits to residences to arrest those who are still on the run.

    The Sindh government has, on the other hand, launched a high-level inquiry into security lapses.

    This is not the first time a jailbreak has occurred in Pakistan. The previous one before Karachi’s was in 2023, when over 100 prisoners broke out of a high-security facility in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    That incident was reportedly orchestrated by militants, who attacked the prison with explosives and firearms.

    The facility in the Malir district is Sindh province’s second-largest prison and is over capacity. While it can accommodate up to 2,200 prisoners, there are at least 5,000 inmates there currently.

  • UK threatens legal action against Abramovich to give up Chelsea sale proceeds for Ukraine relief

    UK threatens legal action against Abramovich to give up Chelsea sale proceeds for Ukraine relief

    The UK government has threatened a lawsuit against the former Chelsea Football Club owner, Roman Abramovich, to ensure that the money he made from the sale of the club goes to Ukraine.

    This comes after the Russian was ‘forced’ to sell Chelsea in May 2022 after being sanctioned by the UK government due to his alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

    Mr. Abramovich—a Russian billionaire who made his fortune in oil and gas – was granted a special licence to sell Chelsea following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, provided he could prove he would not benefit from the sale.

    Roman sold the English club at £2.5bn, and since then, the proceeds from the sale have been frozen in a UK bank account since the sale.

    It’s been three years already, and now the UK government wants Roman to give the money up for Ukrainian humanitarian aid, but it reported Mr Abramovich has said he wants it to go to “all victims of the war in Ukraine”.

    The UK government’s decision to sue him stems from Abrahamovich’s announcing that the proceeds from the sale would be donated via a foundation “for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine”, which would include those in Russia.

    In a joint statement, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required.”

    They said they wanted “to ensure people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible”.

    They added: “The government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion.

    “We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr Abramovich so far”.

    The delay in releasing the funds centres on a disagreement between the UK government and his lawyers.

    He is alleged to have strong ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, something he has denied.

    He cannot access the £2.5bn sale proceeds under UK sanctions but the money still legally belongs to him.

    The UK government has pushed back and argued that the funds should only be spent on humanitarian efforts inside Ukraine.

    A House of Lords committee said last year said it was “incomprehensible” that Mr Abramovich’s promise to use the funds to support Ukraine remained unfulfilled, and that the assets remained frozen.

    “This impasse reflects badly on both Mr Abramovich and the government, which ought to have pushed for a more binding commitment,” the report said.

  • OSP to charge former high-ranking officials at NPA in GHC280m corruption probe

    OSP to charge former high-ranking officials at NPA in GHC280m corruption probe

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is expected to file criminal charges against some former high-ranking officials of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) after discovering an alleged corrupt scheme involving over GH¢280 million.

    The alleged corrupt dealings are said to have occurred between 2022 and 2024.

    The Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, during an engagement with the press on Monday, June 2, made this revelation.

    This development comes just three months after the Special Prosecutor announced that his office had launched an investigation into the dealings of the former Chief Executive of the NPA, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid.

    The investigation concerns his alleged involvement in the embezzlement of GH₵1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF).

    The investigation into the scheme targets four individuals, i.e., the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) from 2021 to early 2024, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, alongside three other NPA officials: UPPF Coordinator Jacob Amuah, NPA staff Freda Tandoh, and NPA staff Wendy Ashong Newman.

    Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stated that criminal charges would be filed against four high-ranking officials of the NPA, although he did not reveal their names.

    He added that the OSP had launched investigations into suspected corruption and related offences involving the operations of the National Petroleum Authority and the conduct of some of its officials.

    Following investigations, it has been uncovered that between 2022 and 2024, some high-ranking and other officials of the NPA engineered a corrupt scheme to exploit their positions for personal gain.

    They used threats, intimidation, coercion, bribery, and excessive regulatory pressure to extract large sums of money from oil marketing companies and other entities under their regulatory and oversight authority in the petroleum downstream sector.

    He continued that by May 30, the OSP had traced and uncovered an amount of GH¢280,516,127.19 as proceeds from the corrupt scheme.

    According to the OSP, some of this money was used by those involved to acquire apartments, suites, and houses both in Ghana and abroad, as well as 22 fuel haulage trucks and oil marketing companies—allowing them to compete with the very companies they were supposed to regulate.

    He said the OSP, before the end of June, would file criminal charges against the first batch of the perpetrators and complicit oil marketing companies and their officials.

    He said upon filing, “We would brief you [public] in detail in respect of who did what, who acquired what, and what has been recovered.”

  • Chairman Wontumi out after meeting bail conditions

    Chairman Wontumi out after meeting bail conditions

    Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly referred to as Chairman Wontumi, has been freed from the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office(EOCO) after successfully meeting his bail conditions.

    He was released yesterday, Monday evening, June 2, and was seen captured walking with his hands around the General Secreatry of the NPP, Justin Kodua.

    Speaking to the media, Justin confirmed his release, commending the former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong, who provided one of the sureties for Chairman Wontumi’s release.

    Chairman Wontumi was granted bail to the tune of GH₵50 million with two sureties to be justified following his arrest on Tuesday, May 27, in connection with ongoing investigations into alleged fraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state.

    The charges also include a potential link to a wider international organised crime syndicate, as revealed by the Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai.

    In a related development, it is reported that the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) is also preparing its own docket as part of the ongoing investigations into Chairman Wuntomi’s activities, independent from ongoing EOCO and Criminal Investigations Department (CID) probes.

    His release follows a period of intense legal tussle and political pressure.

    Wontumi is under investigation for alleged serious criminal offences, including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering, according to Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai.

    Initially, Wontumi’s legal team struggled to meet the hefty bail terms, leading to days in detention.

    However, his lead counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed on Friday, May 30, that the necessary documentation for both sureties had been completed, significantly aided by former Minister for Food and Agriculture Bryan Acheampong, whose documents reportedly “go over and above the value of money that is required”.

    However, he remained in custody even after meeting the bail condition over what was described as an unexpected “legal challenge” – an application filed to seek a review of the bail conditions.

    His lawyers, however, expressed optimism that this challenge was going to be dealt with, and indeed it was cleared on Monday, June 2

    Some members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament and members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) massed up at the National Intelligence Bureau headquarters to demand the immediate release and waiver of bail conditions for Chairman Wontumi on Friday.

    Amongst them were former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and other bigwigs in the opposition party.

    The application to review the bail conditions was scheduled to be heard June 3, 2025, but the applicant made a U-turn Monday, withdrawing the application from the court entirely.

    While released, Chairman Wontumi is expected to cooperate fully with the ongoing probe as part of his bail terms.

  • Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa addresses pregnancy rumours

    Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa addresses pregnancy rumours

    Late NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s wife has reacted to rumours suggesting she’s pregnant.

    According to these rumours, she is expecting her fifth child with a 27-year-old unidentified basketball player.

    Taking to her Instagram page, the former NBA champion’s wife shared a meme of musician Rihanna floating in what appears to be a pool, holding a cup of drink and showing a middle finger to the camera, with a caption that effectively shut down the rumours.

    The rumours of her alleged pregnancy surfaced following some blurry, unverified photos that emerged online, stirring reactions, gossip and conspiracy threads claiming she was showing a baby bump.

    One person on X wrote, “Vanessa Bryant is pregnant with a 27-year-old basketball player. Kobe gave his life and ruined family relationships behind this woman, and just 5 years after the death of the man she spent over 20 years with, she got pregnant by another professional player 16 years younger than her. There are no rules out here, fellas.”

    Another added: “So rumor has it that Vanessa Bryant (Kobe Bryant’s widow) is pregnant, which I don’t believe, but even if it were true, the vows say ‘til death do us part.’ Kobe passed away 5 years ago!!!!”

    The internet was in full Judge Judy mode.

    Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, now 43, and the late NBA player Bryant tied the knot on April 18, 2001, when he was 22 years old and she was 18.

    Their marriage lasted close to two decades, until Kobe’s sad demise in January 2020.

    They had four daughters: Natalia Bryant (born 2003), Gianna Bryant (born 2006), Bianka Bryant (born 2016), and Capri Bryant (born 2019). Sadly, Gianna passed away alongside Kobe in the helicopter crash.

    Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna were part of seven other people in a helicopter on January 26, when it crashed in Calabasas, California.

    The accident occurred when the helicopter flew into low clouds, causing the pilot to become disoriented and lose control. The crash resulted in the death of nine individuals.

  • Barcelona eyes swoop for Arsenal’s Partey

    Barcelona eyes swoop for Arsenal’s Partey

    Barcelona is currently eyeing a free swoop for Ghana international and one of Arsenal’s pivotal midfielders, Thomas Partey, according to reports.

    It is said that the Catalan giants have already started talks with Partey’s camp over a free transfer this summer, as Partey’s future at Emirates remains uncertain.

    With what is being described as complex and slow-moving talks currently underway concerning Partey’s stay with Arsenal, sources say boss Hansi Flick is a big admirer of the ex-Atletico Madrid star.

    Partey is also seen as a cut-price fix for Barcelona’s engine room as they are still grappling with Financial Fair Play restrictions, but they love the idea of securing a top-tier player on a free transfer.

    Partey, 31, who joined Arsenal on October 5, 2020, after transferring from Atlético Madrid in a £45 million (€50 million)deal would be out of contract at the end of June but has yet to agree to a new deal with Arsenal despite Mikel Arteta publicly confirming he would like to keep him.

    Given the midfielder’s stunning form in the games played in the 2024/2025 season, Barcelona is looking to bolster its midfield muscle without breaking the bank.

    Thomas Partey, who joined Arsenal on October 5, 2020, in a £45 million transfer from Atlético Madrid, has been with the club for nearly five years.

    His stint has been plagued by injury however, he makes a stunning display after his injury returns.

    Sunsport has reported that the Ghanaian international enjoys his stay in London as he’s built his family there and has a good relationship with Arteta, who has publicly expressed his desire for Partey to continue his stay with the North London giants.

    Partey also recently welcomed a new baby, and with his family settled in London, he would love the continuity.

    One source close to the player told SunSport: “Thomas respects Arsenal massively and loves living in London, but he also knows his worth and wants a deal that reflects his standing at the club.”

    Meanwhile, Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey and his family waved at fans after Arsenal’s 1-0 win against Newcastle United on May 18 at the Emirates Stadium.

    This was after Declan Rice found the back of the net in the 55th minute, securing a crucial win over Newcastle that cemented their second spot in the Premier League table, booking qualification to the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League.

    After the game, players shared moments with fans as it was their last home game.

    Partey was spotted with his wife, a British-born model and social media influencer, Janine Mackson, who was carrying their baby, and his mother waving during the post-match celebrations.

  • Accra Lions demoted to Division One League, no longer to play in GPL

    Accra Lions demoted to Division One League, no longer to play in GPL

    Accra Lions have suffered relegation from the Ghana Premier League after a 2-0 defeat to Dreams FC at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, June 1.

    Accra Lions started well with good possession and attacking strength, especially in the first half, creating several scoring opportunities in the first half.

    Lucky Nwafor hit the crossbar, and Edmund Amakye forced a strong save from Dreams FC’s goalkeeper; however, they couldn’t notch a goal.

    Joseph Esso gave a long-range shot that narrowly missed, coming around the 22nd minute of the first half, a strike that had Accra Lions scrambling.

    Accra Lions were handed a scare halfway through the first half when Joseph Esso hit a long-range shot that missed by inches.

    Just before halftime, Lawrence Setordjie saw his lobbed effort go slightly high as Wahabu guided the ball out.

    In the second half, their defensive vulnerabilities were exposed. Razak Salifu capitalised on a defensive mix-up to score the opener for Dreams FC at the 51st minute of the match.

    Following this, Accra Lions tried a comeback with a goal-bound effort from Yao Sokpoli that hit the crossbar.

    Accra Lions made three substitutions in the 73rd minute with hopes of securing an equaliser or dominating; however, Dreams FC remained dominant and also followed with a substitution, introducing Aziz Musibau in the 77th minute.

    He brought fresh energy and secured his side’s lead with another goal in the 84th minute.

    Despite efforts to make a comeback, Accra Lions failed, causing them to be demoted to the Division One League.

    Meanwhile, Accra Lions have had a challenging season in the Ghana Premier League, finishing 16th in the standings. Their performance was marked by inconsistency, with 9 wins, 8 draws, and 15 losses across 32 matches.


    How relegation works

    Relegation in football occurs when a club fails to earn enough points to stay in the top division, usually with the bottom three teams dropping to a lower league, while top-performing teams from that lower division get promoted based on league standings, points earned, goal difference, and head-to-head results.

  • 37 Military Hospital to shut down Emergency Unit for 10-day fumigation exercise effective June 4

    37 Military Hospital to shut down Emergency Unit for 10-day fumigation exercise effective June 4

    Management of the 37 Military Hospital has announced a temporary shutdown of its Medical Emergency Unit (MEU) for a fumigation exercise to safeguard public health and ensure a clean and healthy environment for health officials as well.

    The 10-day exercise is scheduled from Wednesday, June 4, to Saturday, June 14.

    The health facility made this known through an official statement issued by Lieutenant R.K. Kotoku, on behalf of the Acting Director General of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).


    This forms part of the hospital’s “routine measures to ensure a clean and safe environment for patients and staff,” parts of the statement read.

    Consequently, the management of the facility has urged the public to use alternative emergency facilities while they embark on the 10-day exercise.

    “We urge the general public to seek medical emergency services at alternative health facilities during the specified period.”

    Major hospitals like Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), Police Hospital and Lekma Hospital are expected to absorb the diverted patient load.

    Crucially, Lieutenant Kotoku assured that specialised provisions have been made for entitled personnel. “Special arrangements have been made to cater for entitled persons through the Trauma Surgical Emergency Unit, which will remain operational throughout the fumigation period.”

    These individuals will continue to receive emergency medical attention through the Trauma Surgical Emergency Unit (TSEU), which will remain fully operational throughout the fumigation exercise.

    This strategic segregation aims to minimize disruption to critical care for specific patient populations while the MEU undergoes deep cleansing.

    Management of the health facility apologised to the general public for any inconvenience caused by the anticipated exercise. “We regret any inconvenience caused and thank the public for their cooperation.”

    In June 2024, management of the 37 Military Hospital undertook a fumigation exercise. It is unknown whether management plans to hold fumigation as an annual exercise.

    The 37 Military Hospital, one of the largest specialist hospitals in Accra, has long faced several challenges, notably accommodation shortages and the strain of serving both military personnel and civilians.


    In view of this, the incumbent government is taking a number of steps to address these challenges. Minister for Defence Dr. Edward Omane Boamah during a working visit in February, assured that the government is determined effort to resolve some pressing and critical challenges facing the 37 Military Hospital.

    “This working visit forms part of my deliberate intention to actively immerse myself in the challenges of the Ghana Armed Forces to prescribe tailored and cost-effective solutions. The challenges are numerous but not insurmountable.”

  • “Can’t you see I’m not like everybody” – Hajia4Reall announces return with new single

    “Can’t you see I’m not like everybody” – Hajia4Reall announces return with new single

    Ghanaian socialite Mona Faiz Montrage, popularly known as Hajia4Reall, has marked her return to Ghana and the music scene with a new single titled “We Move.”

    Mona returned to Ghana on May 25, following her release on May 22 after serving a year-long prison sentence in the United States.

    Taking to all her social media platforms, Mona shared her new song along with a music video.

    The video opens with dramatic scenes of newspapers flying, bearing headlines about her arrest and subsequent sentencing, followed by a shot of her outfit with the inscription “Mona Is Back.”

    The video transitions into a scene of her standing against a height chart backdrop, holding an ID placard, recreating a classic mugshot moment, symbolising her real-life legal struggle.

    Then comes her ‘signature sound,’ “Say! Say, Say Whaaat”. She begins the song lauding herself as being different, taunting herself as an obvious testimony.

    “My life is a testimony, oh, can’t you see? I’m not like everybody, I have been knocked down, but I still no give up on me, If no be god like I end up like so many.”

    The artist then shares how she remains at the top even when she falls, advising people not to blame themselves when they fail in an endeavour.

    “… adey run my race, if I fall ago rise, and I still go dey your top, if you try and you can’t, then it’s really not your fault.”

    Then it continues with the chorus, “We move, we move, onto the next, We Rule We rule like we really don’t care”.

    Find full video here:

    Background

    Mona’s legal troubles started in November 2022, when she was arrested in the UK and later extradited to the U.S. in May 2023.

    She pleaded guilty in February 2024 to one count of conspiring to receive stolen money, related to a series of romance scams that defrauded victims of over $2 million.

    Hajia was aided by a criminal group based in West Africa engaged in scamming older Americans through fake online relationships and other tricks.

    According to prosecutors, Hajia4Reall directly enjoyed benefits from the scam after preying on approximately 40 victims.

    Money from the scam was sent to U.S. bank accounts using made-up stories, like gold deals and faking FBI operations.

    She was sentenced on June 28, 2024. She was later ordered to give up $216,475 and pay back $1,387,458 to the victims as instructed by the court.

    Upon completing her sentence, Hajia4Reall’s legal team successfully negotiated a voluntary return to Ghana, avoiding further detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

  • Value of cedi to go up again this week – Reuters reports

    Value of cedi to go up again this week – Reuters reports

    Reuters has predicted further gains for the Ghana cedi to gain strength this week. It attributed the forecasted gain to continued remittance inflows and interventions from the central bank.

    The cedi has appreciated significantly since April this year. Since the beginning of 2025, it has gained 24.1% against the US dollar, 16.2% against the British pound, and 14.1% against the euro. As of May 2025, the exchange rate stands at GH₵11.85 per dollar, GH₵15.84 per pound, and GH₵13.34 per euro.

    According to data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), the cedi was trading at GHC10.25 to the dollar on Thursday, compared to 11.55 per dollar at last Thursday’s close.

    “The cedi has remained on the front foot for much of the last week; however, we’ve observed some increased hard currency demand from offshore players in the most recent sessions as they look to take profit from GHS investments.”

    “We reckon we’ll continue to see support around the current 10 levels in the very near term, however, the local unit will likely begin to rally again when this demand is cleared as the central bank continues to provide daily support to the market,” Sedem Dornoo, a senior trader at Absa Bank Ghana, said.

    According to the Governor of the BoG, Dr. Johnson Asiamah, the central bank plans to implement a series of reforms aimed at monitoring the forex market. This, he explained, will aid in preventing illegal activities that could weaken the cedi as well as destabilize the market.

    The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has indicated that it is focused on stabilizing the Ghanaian economy rather than aiming for a specific exchange rate for the cedi’s appreciation.

    “As much as we don’t want to see the Ghana cedi depreciate excessively, we don’t keep a target rate that we want to defend,” the BoG governor added.

    As of Friday, May 30, the average interbank rates used by commercial banks for transactions at the close of business showed the US dollar buying at GH₵10.27 and selling at GH₵10.28.

    The British pound is buying at GH₵13.84 and selling at GH₵13.86. The euro is currently being bought at GH₵11.66 and sold at GH₵11.67.

    Meanwhile, the Monetary Policy Committee has kept the policy rate unchanged at 28 percent. Dr Asiama explained that the committee took the decision in anticipation of the inflation rate declining at a faster rate. 

    “Despite these positive developments, the committee observed that the current level of inflation remains high relative to the medium-term target and will require maintaining the policy rate at 28.0%,” he said.

    Ghana’s inflation stands at 21.2 percent as of April 2025. President John Mahama has projected that single-digit inflation will be reported by the country at the end of the first half of the year.

    In an address at the Ghana-EU Business Forum held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra yesterday, President Mahama stated that his government will achieve this feat by effecting a tighter monetary policy rate, cutting expenditure, and reducing debt accumulation.

    President Mahama noted there are positive signs that the country is recovering in a disciplined and inclusive way, pointing to the fact that Ghana’s international reserves have increased from $8.9 billion in December 2024 to $10.6 billion by April 2025. This is equivalent to almost five months of import cover.

    During the 2025 budget presentation on March 11, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced the government’s objective to reduce inflation to 11.9% by the end of the year.

    KENYA

    On the other hand, the Kenyan shilling is expected to hold steady next week. The shilling traded at 129.00/50 per dollar, compared with last Thursday’s close of 128.95/129.45.

    While Kenya’s shilling is expected to remain steady and Nigeria’s naira to stay range-bound, traders said.

  • Parliament approves GHc10bn for NHIA to fund healthcare services

    Parliament approves GHc10bn for NHIA to fund healthcare services

    An amount of GHC10 billion has been allocated to the 2025 formula for the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) following approval by the Parliament of Ghana on Friday, May 30.

    The 2025 formula for the NHIF stipulates the efficient distribution of resources across various healthcare services and administrative expenses.

    The proposed formula for the disbursement of the fund is as follows: 2025 claims of GHc6.5 billion (65.1%), National Health Insurance Authority’s operational expenses of GHc1.2 billion (12.3%), support to the National Health Insurance Scheme District offices amounting to GHc124 million (1.2%), and GH¢984 million allocated to the Ministry of Health, representing 9.8 percent. 

    The NHIF provides financial backing for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), a social intervention programme intended to provide access to healthcare for all Ghanaians.

    Addressing the media at Parliament House last Friday, the Minister for Health, Hon. Mintah Akandoh, explained that the allocation of GHC 10 billion to the fund marks a GHC4 billion increment compared to the allocation to the fund in 2024.

    He further outlined how the extra funds would be used in various aspects of healthcare services.

    “Due to the uncapping of the NHIF in the 2025 Budget, excess funds will be directed toward supporting primary healthcare and filling the revenue gap created by the withdrawal of donor support to the health sector,” the sector minister explained.

    Mr Akandoh indicated that, beyond the aforementioned allocations, the NHIF would also allocate funds towards dialysis treatment under the NHIS.

    “Beyond these allocations, the NHIF will also provide funding for dialysis treatment under the NHIS. The Mahama Care initiative will ensure funding for chronic non-communicable diseases, including stroke and kidney infections,” he said.

    According to Mr Akandoh, the move has been necessitated by available statistics, which have attributed 45 percent of mortality in the country to non-communicable diseases (NCDs); therefore, the Mahama Care initiative would provide funding for chronic NCDs, including stroke and kidney infections.

    The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is funded through a combination of the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions, and returns on NHIF investments.

    The NHIF ensures that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), established by the government in 2003, provides financial access to quality healthcare for Ghanaians.

    In a related development, NHIA, about a week ago, paid an additional amount of GHS259,546,601 to deserving credentialed healthcare providers.

    The payment made to the public, mission, quasi-public and private facilities was sanctioned by the Chief Executive of the Authority, Dr Victor Asare Bampoe.

    A portion of the total, GHS112,607,239, representing 43 percent, was paid to public facilities in May, while private facilities received GHS104,643,070, signifying 40 percent.

    Mission facilities received an amount of GHS40,015,892, representing 15 percent, whereas quasi-public facilities paid GHS2,280,399.08, which implies 1 percent.

    So far this year, the NHIA has paid GHS1,103,028,808 in claims to credentialed healthcare providers nationwide.

  • New cocoa producer prices to be announced in August – President Mahama tells farmers 

    New cocoa producer prices to be announced in August – President Mahama tells farmers 

    Cocoa farmers nationwide are hopeful of a significant hike in the price of their produce, following President John Dramani Mahama’s assurance of new prices in the coming months.

    During his ‘Thank You’ tour in the Ahafo Region on May 31, the president noted that government will reveal the revised cocoa producer price in August.

    “And to cocoa farmers, the CEO of COCOBOD has informed me that by August, they will announce the new cocoa producer price. And I can assure you, the price is going to be very good.”

    With his confidence in the satisfaction the price review would give farmers, he entreated all individuals contemplating venturing into the cocoa farming business to do so.


    “To those of you who don’t have cocoa farms, go and start looking for land and start planting cocoa,” he said.

    In April, there were rumours of a new cocoa producer price, but the Ghana Cocoa Board refuted this report. The Board in a statement, revealed that the absence of a functional Board of Directors and Producer Price Review Committee makes it impossible for a producer price to be set.

    The current cocoa producer price in Ghana is GH¢3,100 per 64kg bag, which translates to GH¢49,600 per tonne. This price was after it saw a raise on November 8 last year, when the Ghana Cocoa Board announced an increase from GH¢48,000 per tonne to GH¢49,600. 

    The adjustment was made to align cocoa prices with prevailing market conditions and provide better support to farmers.

    In his delivery, President Mahama also disclosed that his government is taking steps to revive the country’s cocoa sector, which has faced major challenges in recent years. As part of the plan, farmers will receive incentives to boost production, and also about 200,000 hectares of cocoa farms will be added to improve cocoa output.

    “Plans are underway to revamp our collapsed cocoa sector. Incentives will be provided to our hardworking farmers to increase cocoa production. We aim to add 200,000 hectares of cocoa to Ghana’s output to increase the income of our farmers,” he said. 

    Ghana’s cocoa sector has faced significant challenges in recent years, with reports confirming a decline in production for three consecutive years starting from the 2021/2022 season. In 2021/2022, production stood at 683,269 metric tons, but it dropped to 656,140 metric tons in 2022/2023. The decline continued into 2023/2024, where production fell further to 531,000 metric tons.

    The drop to 531,000 metric tons marked one of the lowest outputs in over a decade. However, in the 2024/2025 season, production is expected to increase to 700,000 metric tons, representing a 32% recovery due to improved yields and better farming practices.

    Several factors have been attributed to the decline in output. These include erratic weather patterns, aging cocoa farms, and financial constraints. These constraints have affected Ghana’s ranking in terms of cocoa production at the global level, with competition from emerging cocoa producers like Ecuador and Brazil.

    Ghana is currently ranked as the third-largest cocoa producer in the world. At one point, Ghana was the second-largest producer, but it has been overtaken by Indonesia, which now holds the second position. 
    Ivory Coast remains the world’s leading cocoa producer, maintaining its dominance due to higher yields, better farm management, and government support for cocoa farmers.

  • GCAA, GACL announce extension of Kumasi and Tamale airports’ operational hours

    GCAA, GACL announce extension of Kumasi and Tamale airports’ operational hours

    Domestic air travellers using the Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi and the Tamale International Airport can now utilise the services of these facilities for an extended period.

    The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) have announced an extension of operational hours at these facilities, which takes effect on Sunday, June 1, 2025.

    Announcing in a joint statement, GCAA and GACL shared that Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi will no longer end operations at 8 pm but at 11 pm, representing a three-hour extension. 

    Similarly, Tamale International Airport previously closed at 6:00 PM, but its new operational hours allow it to remain open until 10:00 PM, representing a 4-hour increase in operational time.

    This change is expected to improve domestic air travel, allowing airlines to increase flight frequency and improve connectivity between the two cities.

    The statement also noted that “a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority to all airlines.”

    The GCAA has also advised domestic airlines to adjust their schedules accordingly. “Domestic airlines have been advised to increase their frequency to and from both airports,” the statement read.

    The general public is encouraged to take note of the changes and plan their travel accordingly.

    About the two airports

    The Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi was completed and commissioned on May 10, 2024, by President Nana Akufo-Addo and Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. 

    The airport officially began operations on July 1, 2024, following a series of subsystem simulations to ensure efficiency. Since its operational start, the airport has served approximately 800,000 passengers annually.

    The Tamale International Airport was completed and commissioned on August 23, 2023, following its expansion as part of a $70 million expansion project facilitated by the UK-Ghana Business Council. 

    The airport has been designed to handle 400,000 passengers annually, with modern facilities including a multi-purpose terminal, a five-kilometre access road, and a 330-capacity car park.

    Before its expansion and renovation, it’s reported to have served approximately 217,958 passengers in 2021 and 148,548 passengers in 2020.

  • Ofori-Atta to appear before OSP today or risk Interpol Red notice

    Ofori-Atta to appear before OSP today or risk Interpol Red notice

    Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to appear before the Office of Special Prosecutor (OSP) today, June 2, for questioning over a number of dealings he oversaw while in office that have caused financial loss to the state.

    Mr Ofori Atta risks being declared a wanted person again and issued an Interpol Red Notice should he fail to appear before the OSP after assuring the office of his presence.

    In February, the OSP declared Ofori-Atta wanted for causing financial loss to the state in several dealings, which include the following:

    Contractual arrangement between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority for the stated objective of the enhancement of revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and minerals and metals resource value chain.

    Termination of a distribution, loss reduction, and associated network improvement project contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xhao Chen Technology BXC.

    Procurement of contractors and materials and activities and payments in respect of the National Cathedral project

    Activities and payments in respect of a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health initially commenced by the Ministry for Special Development Initiative to service Ghana Auto Group Limited for purchases and after-sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 304 5 CDI Ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.

    Payments out of and utilization of the tax refund account of the Ghana Revenue Authority.

    Later, the legal representatives of the former finance minister informed the OSP that their client is currently undergoing medical treatment in the United States and is unable to honor an invitation for questioning.

    Ofori-Atta then assured the OSP of its commitment to appearing for questioning on a fixed date, which influenced the OSP’s decision to temporarily take his name off the list in March.

    However, the office stressed that he is legally obligated to show up on June 2. Failure to do so, an Interpol Red Notice would be issued and extradition proceedings would be initiated in any country where he may be located.

    Ken Ofori-Atta then took legal steps to block the OSP from re-declaring him wanted. His lawsuit argues that the agency’s actions are baseless and unjustified.

    Ofori-Atta has dismissed allegations of financial misconduct and corruption, insisting that he has been cooperating with investigators through his legal representatives.

    In his court filing, he contends that the OSP’s actions have inflicted serious harm on his reputation and personal life. He is seeking a legal injunction to prevent further declarations against him until the case is fully resolved.

    The Human Rights Court has adjourned to June 18 for a ruling on the motion filed by the former Finance Minister, seeking to restrain the OSP from declaring him wanted, among other reliefs. 

    INTERPOL Red Notice

    A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. 

    It is based on an arrest warrant or court order issued by the judicial authorities in the requesting country. Member countries apply their own laws in deciding whether to arrest a person.

    INTERPOL cannot compel the law enforcement authorities in any country to arrest someone who is the subject of a Red Notice.

    Each member country decides what legal value it gives to a Red Notice and the authority of their law enforcement officers to make arrests.

  • Ibrahim Traoré movie not an endorsement of coup – Director speaks after set raid

    Ibrahim Traoré movie not an endorsement of coup – Director speaks after set raid

    The director of the upcoming biopic movie on Burkina Faso’s military leader, Ibrahim Traoré, has spoken following the truncation of the shooting of the movie titled Ibrahim Traoré: The Last African Hero.

    During an exclusive interview with Sean City TV, a Kumasi-based media house, on May 31, hosted by Ruthy and Busumuru, Sean Kingston, the producer and director Jackson K. Bentum, shared insights on the purpose and vision behind the film.

    According to Bentum, some believe the production of the movie asserts an endorsement and promotion of military coups.

    However, he clarified that “We are not saying coups are good. That is not what this movie is about. The story is centered on leadership and impact. Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s leadership in Burkina Faso has brought a sense of renewed hope and sovereignty to the people.”

    He continued that he wrote the script and handed it over to Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lilwin, to produce, as he believed he was the best fit for the movie and the message they’d like to communicate to the general public.

    “When I completed the script, I knew Lilwin was the ideal person to bring this story to life,” Jackson added.

    His comments come barely 72 hours after Lilwin’s Ibrahim Traoré movie set was raided by a group of masked men on motorbikes who stormed the filming location, causing chaos and damaging equipment.

    Consequently, the owner of the property (movie set), out of fear and left with no choice, ordered Lilwin and his crew off the set, causing a suspension of the production.

    The disruption of the shoot comes just days after an initial warning from an unidentified foreigner, who offered $20,000 to halt production of the biopic, The Last African Hero, based on the life of Burkina Faso’s leader.

    Despite the warning, Lilwin proceeded with the shooting of the movie, citing the Burkina leaders’ courage as an inspiration to the youth in Africa, an epitome of an African man’s power and integrity.

    “People see him as the new Sankara,” Lilwin said in a past interview. “His courage and leadership are inspiring, especially for the youth. That’s why I wanted to tell his story.”

    The setback, which appears to have affected Lilwin both financially and emotionally, he said, wouldn’t prevent him from completing and releasing the movie, as most of the key scenes have already been shot and he is certain he will find a way to release the movie to honour the young ‘extraordinary’ leader.

    Captain Ibrahim Traoré became the interim president of Burkina Faso on October 6, 2022, after leading a military coup that ousted Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. At 37 years old, he is currently the second-youngest head of state in the world.

    Since taking power, he has expelled French troops and diplomats, nationalised key industries, including gold mining, ensuring that Burkina Faso benefits from its resources and the last move that earned him the admiration of many worldwide was the donation of his entire salary to widows.

    Traore appears to be loved by many on the global level, as unlike other military rulers who have, over the years, taken over power, he stands different as he prioritises the development and economic growth of his country over military dominance and display of power.

    While a release date has not yet been announced, Bentum and Lilwin hope the film will ignite conversations about leadership, independence, and the future of Africa.

  • The one who couldn’t afford a decent meal now CEO of 10 product variants! – Delay reflects on early struggles

    The one who couldn’t afford a decent meal now CEO of 10 product variants! – Delay reflects on early struggles

    Ghanaian media personality and entrepreneur Deloris Frimpong Manso, popularly known as Delay, whose radiant presence on TV might make it seem as though her journey has always been smooth, has opened up about her early struggles in the industry.

    Taking to Facebook, she shared a post on May 30, celebrating her growth and success over the years, reflecting on how difficult life once was, even to the point where she couldn’t afford a decent meal.

    Today, she proudly owns about 10 food brands under the Delay Foods label.

    Delay’s post on Facebook

    “It feels like just yesterday when I couldn’t afford a decent meal. Today, the small food business I started, Delay Foods, now has 10 product variants! And we’re just getting started! I’m talking about just 2004,” she wrote.

    With no direction in life and nowhere to live at that turbulent stage in her life, Delay expressed gratitude to God for his ‘mercy,’ looking back on her journey until her current status.

    “I had nowhere to live and didn’t know what to do with my life. I’m sitting here right now, wondering what I did right for God to be this merciful to me,” she reflected.

    She ended her message with encouragement and inspiration for her followers that reads,

    “Do not give up on yourself. Help is coming!”

  • Can we overlook Akon? – Sarkodie lauds singer for role in Afrobeats’ global dominance

    Can we overlook Akon? – Sarkodie lauds singer for role in Afrobeats’ global dominance

    Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie has lauded Senegalese-American music executive Akon for his contribution to the growth of Afrobeats on a global level.

    Taking to his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Sarkodie commended Akon for returning to his roots to help elevate and invest in rising talents such as himself and others within the region.

    According to Sarkodie, Akon’s contribution to Afrobeats is undeniable and deserves to be documented as a vital part of the genre’s history.

    “Big shouts to the legend, Akon, for what you did for Afrobeats!!! We can’t skip that in history… few artists in their prime will look back and put their people on from the motherland!” Sarkodie wrote.

    Acknowledging the growth of the music genre and its dominance on the global level, Sarkodie noted that it is crucial not to overlook the foundational work done by Akon.

    “He did that in a big way! Of course, it’s been bigger and better since, but we can’t ignore his contribution to the global dominance of Afrobeats,” Sarkodie added.

    Sarkodie’s accolades come weeks after Akon, in an interview with Sherri Shepherd on April 28, recounted his role in the early development of Afrobeats and his support of talents such as Wizkid, Banky W, P-Square, and D’banj – helping shape the genre’s modern sound.

    The “Lonely” hitmaker recounted how, following the release of his album Freedom, he became involved with the African music scene, particularly in Nigeria.

    “…I was in Africa, and time just flew past. 2008 was my last official album, which was the ‘Freedom’ album. And then I produced the music for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. From there, I went to Nigeria. What we created in Nigeria was what you see and hear now as Afrobeats.

    Wizkid was the first Nigerian artiste that we signed back in 2008. We went to work with him and Banky W in Nigeria. From there, we just started developing artists like PSquare, D’banj and others,” Akon shared.

  • The set alone was GHS 15k daily – Lilwin cries foul after eviction while filming Ibrahim Traoré movie

    The set alone was GHS 15k daily – Lilwin cries foul after eviction while filming Ibrahim Traoré movie

    Ghanaian actor and comedian Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly addressed in the entertainment industry as Lilwin, has currently been subjected to harsh treatment.

    Lilwin was shooting a biographical movie on Burkina Faso’s revolutionary leader, Ibrahim Traoré, when some masked men raided the movie set, which he said cost him GH¢15,000 a day to rent.

    “Everything was on track—until a group of about ten young men on motorbikes stormed the set and demanded that filming be stopped. When Lilwin’s team tried to reason with them, things quickly escalated.

    “They damaged our equipment and caused chaos,” he recalled. “The place was rented—it was someone’s property, and we were paying GHC15,000 every day to use it”, Lilwin recounted the incident via a social media post.

    Consequently, the owner of the property (movie set), out of fear and left with no choice, ordered Lilwin and his crew off the set.

    “He didn’t want any trouble, so we had no choice but to leave,” Lilwin said.

    The disruption of the shoot comes just days after an initial warning from an unidentified foreigner, who offered $20,000 to halt production of the biopic, The Last African Hero, based on the life of Burkina Faso’s leader.

    Despite the warning, Lilwin proceeded with the shooting of the movie, citing the Burkina leaders’ courage as an inspiration to the youth in Africa, an epitome of an African man’s power and integrity.

    “People see him as the new Sankara,” Lilwin said in a past interview. “His courage and leadership are inspiring, especially for the youth. That’s why I wanted to tell his story.”

    The setback, which appears to have affected Lilwin both financially and emotionally, he said, wouldn’t prevent him from completing and releasing the movie as most of the key scenes have already been shot and he is certain he will find a way to release the movie to honour the young ‘extraordinary’ leader.

    Captain Ibrahim Traoré became the interim president of Burkina Faso on October 6, 2022, after leading a military coup that ousted Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. At 37 years old, he is currently the second-youngest head of state in the world.

    Since taking power, he has expelled French troops and diplomats and nationalized key industries, including gold mining, ensuring that Burkina Faso benefits from its resources, and the last move that earned him the admiration of many worldwide was the donation of his entire salary to widows.

    Traore appears to be loved by many on the global level, as, unlike other military rulers who have, over the years, taken over power, he stands different as he prioritises the development and economic growth of his country over military dominance and display of power.

  • Time for us to build, don’t over rely on Russia, China they aren’t your friend – Wode Maya to Africans

    Time for us to build, don’t over rely on Russia, China they aren’t your friend – Wode Maya to Africans

    Popular Ghanaian vlogger, Wode Maya, has sent a wake-up call to all Africans, suggesting a regional collaboration for the continent’s growth over what he describes as our over-reliance on foreigners.

    In a video shared on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on May 30, the YouTuber warned Africans over their growing trust and partnership with countries like China, Russia and Europe.

    He said, “Africa can only be built by Africans. Don’t let anyone lie to you! China is not your friend, and Russia is not your friend. Europeans are not your friends.”

    He recommended an intra-continental trade, setting aside all politricks and differences in culture, to Africa’s development and would set a tone for the continent’s emancipation

    “It’s about time for you to start trading with each other. It’s about time for us to put our differences and tribal stuff aside. We should put our political affiliation aside, come together, and build Africa,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Wode Maya’s comments have been welcomed by many netizens. Some have backed his African Unity calls, with one user saying, “This is it right here. When the colonialists divided Africa, they didn’t consult us.

    They drew their lines in Europe without considering families, tribes, and suddenly we found ourselves in different countries. We are siblings. Mend our differences and build our continent together ”

  • Dada KD’s family engages MUSIGA to prepare for the one-week observance

    Dada KD’s family engages MUSIGA to prepare for the one-week observance

    The family of the late highlife singer, Dada Kweku Duah—popularly known as Dada K.D—has met with the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) to finalize preparations for a befitting one-week celebration in his honour.

    The memorial event is scheduled for June 21 at the East Legon Executive Club.

    Nana Kaakyire Kwame Appiah, former Vice President of MUSIGA, who led the delegation, has noted that all the necessary preparations needed for the event are going well.

    He expressed heartfelt gratitude to MUSIGA for their unwavering support during this difficult time.

    “We are grateful to MUSIGA for their unwavering support during this difficult time. Their commitment to honouring Dada K.D’s legacy means a lot to us”, he said, urging the public to respect the family while they mourn the death of their brother and relative.

    “As we mourn, we urge the public to refrain from sensationalising the circumstances surrounding his passing. Let’s ensure he receives a dignified and befitting burial.”

    MUSIGA President Bessa Simons reflected on his personal relationship with Dada K.D, which began in the early 2000s after they met in Germany. “Dada K.D was a fine gentleman—affable, humble, and immensely talented.

    He will be sorely missed,” he said. President Simons reassured the family of MUSIGA’s full support in honoring the late artist’s legacy. Dada K.D’s repertoire included hits like Fathia Fata Nkrumah, My Heart Goes Boom and Odo Mu Anigye.

    The family delegation included Kojo Brefo (brother), Michelle Sarfoah Dwomoh (niece), Kwame Kenyase (brother), Henrietta Akosua Dwomoh-Mantey (sister), John Juran Oduro (nephew), and Daniel Oduro (brother). The MUSIGA team was represented by S.K. Agyemang (General Secretary), Ahuma Bosco Ocansey (Director of Special Projects and Communications), and Brenda Badawiisi Zulfata Issah, P.A to the MUSIGA President.

    About his death

    Dada KD passed away on May 16, 2025, at the age of 56 aftera seem a short illness (seeming mild malaria symptoms) things took a turn so quickly that he couldn’t survive upon arrival at the hospital.

    What exactly caused his demise is yet to be confirmed by his family, but his manager, Clarence Kenneth Ekow Peterson, known in showbiz circles as King Pee, suggests that Dada KD could have survived if he hadn’t been turned away by three health facilities due to absent doctors.

    Dada KD’s untimely death comes just days before his scheduled trip to the UK to perform at the ‘Celebrating Hiplife & Highlife Legends’ event on May 25, at the Dominion Centre in London

  • Fielding debutants has give us some answers – Otto Addo

    Fielding debutants has give us some answers – Otto Addo

    Black Stars head coach Otto Addo says his fielding of debutants in the squad for Ghana’s clash with Nigeria has given him some answers about players.

    He made these remarks during a post-match interview on May 29, following Ghana’s 2-1 loss to Nigeria in the Unity Cup semifinal at the GTech Community Stadium in London.

    The former talent coach of Borussia Dortmund fielded debutants like Aaron Essel, Mohammed Fuseini, Christopher Bonsu Baah, and Caleb Yirenkyi, with the latter two impressing with their energetic displays.

    He excluded key players such as Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, West Ham’s Kudus, among other key Ghanaian players, during Ghana’s clash with Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

    While the move was met with mixed reactions, with many questioning his decision, he explained that it was an opportunity to monitor the performance of some new players who have been on their radar for some time now.

    Though Ghana lost, some debutants, such as Brandon Thomas-Asante, who stirred Ghana’s energy, stretched Nigeria’s defence when the Black Stars were trailing 0-2 during the second half.

    His pressing paid off later in the 77th minute when his breakthrough came in the 70th minute, when he connected with a low cross from Ebenezer Annan to score his debut goal for the Black Stars.

    “We got some answers about players. Some young players did really well. We’re still learning and trying to improve. We’ve gotten a lot of answers from our coaching staff, and we need to keep working,” he said.

    Ghana’s 2-1 loss to Nigeria in the 2025 Unity Cup has provided valuable lessons, particularly regarding the team’s recruits.

    Ghana would now compete for the third position, while Nigeria will face Jamaica in the final on Saturday, May 31.

    Ghana will take on Trinidad and Tobago in the third-place playoff.

    Meanwhile, Nigeria, after their narrow victory over their archrivals, set up a fierce showdown against Jamaica.

  • AC Milan unveils Massimiliano Allegri as new head coach

    AC Milan unveils Massimiliano Allegri as new head coach

    AC Milan have officially announced Massimiliano Allegri as the new head coach.

    Allegri is taking over from Sergio Conceicao, whose departure was announced yesterday by the club in a statement.

    Sergio spent only six months with the club after signing an 18-month deal with the Serie A club.

    In a club statement shared on their website today, May 30, it declared that “AC Milan announces that it has entrusted the technical management of the men’s First Team to Massimiliano Allegri”.

    The ended by wishing Allegri a successful term with the club.

    “The Club wishes Massimiliano and his collaborators a warm good luck” he said.

    The current contract with AC Milan marks Allegri’s second stint with the club.

    He coached 178 games (91 victories, 49 draws, 38 defeats, 303 goals scored and 178 conceded) from 2010 to 2014, winning their last Serie A title in 2010–11, along with the Italian Super Cup in 2011.

    However, he was let go after subsequent struggles.

    Massimiliano Allegri has reportedly signed a two-year contract worth €5.5 million per season, with additional bonuses tied to performance with AC Milan.

    He has an option to extend for a third year if he performs well, including winning a Serie A title.

    Allegri has six Scudetti (Serie A titles) on his personal honours board – one with Milan and five with Juventus – plus three Supercoppa Italiani (one with Rossoneri, two in Turin) and holds the record for Coppa Italia wins: five, all with Bianconeri.

    He joins a Milan that must be reborn after a failed season, without any European football to think about and a project to launch. To mark a new era, the Diavolo felt they needed a coach like him: an experienced, winning coach with personality.


  • Govt pays all coaches owed salary arrears dated as far back as 2020

    Govt pays all coaches owed salary arrears dated as far back as 2020

    The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has settled all salary arrears owed to both current and former coaches of the Black Stars.

    The government settled all arrears, including those owed to coaches dating back as far as 2020.

    In a statement shared on Friday, May 30, all coaches owed by the government have been settled following a detailed audit and inter-agency coordination to ensure fairness and transparency.

    “The Government of Ghana has fulfilled its commitment to fairness and accountability by settling all outstanding salary arrears owed to both current and former coaches of the Black Stars,” parts of the statement read.

    The statement continued that the recent payment affirms the government’s commitment to ensuring timely payment and remuneration for coaches and their staff.

    “This initiative is a demonstration of respect for national service and a step toward building a more accountable and professional sports framework.”

    “We recognise the dedication of these professionals and remain committed to ensuring timely remuneration for all national team staff moving forward,” the statement added.

    Among the former coaches and their assistants, it is reported that CK Akonnor, who led the team from January 2020 to September 2021, received the biggest payout, taking home $120,000. His assistant, David Duncan, was also paid $40,000.

    Chris Hughton, who was sacked after Ghana’s poor run at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, in January 2024, received $68,904 in owed salaries and sign-on fees, while his assistants, George Boateng and Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, received $20,833 and $12,500 as owed sign-on fees.

    The current coaching staff, led by Otto Addo, who have been in charge since March 2024, had also not been paid salaries since October 2024 (the last 8 months).

    They have also now been paid up to March 2025 (6 months), with Addo, now in his second stint as Ghana coach, receiving in excess of $420,000 for that period.

    Other members of his backroom staff, including assistants Joseph Laumann ($75,000), John Painstil ($64,864), goalkeepers trainer Fatau Dauda ($19,459), and Team Coordinator Francis Bugri Tampuli ($33,000), have all been paid for the same period.

    The current coaching staff are still owed salaries for April and May 2025.

    Also, Milovan Rajevac’s assistant, Maxwell Konadu, received $30,000 in outstanding payments.

    Even though the Ghana Football Association (GFA) formally hired the coaches, the responsibility for paying them ultimately lay with the government — a duty that, in several cases, has gone unfulfilled until now.

    Ghana has a long history of delaying salaries of coaches, which is reported as a contributory factor that causes frustration and instability in the coaching setup.

  • Stop complaining, it makes you unpopular – Andy Dosty advises Keeny Ice

    Stop complaining, it makes you unpopular – Andy Dosty advises Keeny Ice

    Ghanaian media personality Andy Dosty has advised rapper Kenny Ice to stop the persistent complaining about unfair treatment in the music industry.

    Andy’s advice comes amid the young artist’s consistent advocacy for fairness and recognition for his hard work, but the music industry and its players have often fallen short.

    During an interview on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty on May 29, Kenny Ice said he has to work ten times harder to get noticed, even though industry people are aware of his contributions.

    In response to Keeny’s complaints, the host of the show advised him to limit the complaints, as too many of them will make his work unpopular.

    “A musician, everyone knew that he was a smell fungus. He would talk and talk and complain about everything. Don’t become one. I’m only advising you. The more you complain, the less your work become,” Andy Dosty said.

    He further went on to advise him to concentrate on hard work.

    “Please, work harder, make sure you keep your focus, make sure you target at your goal and score,” he added.

    Growth and success take time, Andy said, admonishing Keeny to focus on his goals to achieve them, citing the feats achieved by football legends Lionel Messi and the legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona

    “Messi or Maradona didn’t just wake up or didn’t move from wearing diapers to scoring goals. It was a process,” he stated.

    The veteran media personality also pointed out that sometimes, the challenges artistes face might come from within. He suggested that Kenny Ice take a closer look at his own efforts and approach.

    “What’s the problem? It could be from you. It could be that you are not doing enough legwork. It could be that you think you are so big that every door you get to, it must open. But sometimes you need to break it open,” he said.

    Who is Keeny Ice

    Keeny Ice born Amu Barnabas, is a Ghanaian hip-hop and hiplife artist from Aflao in the Volta Region. He is known for his energetic performances and unique blend of Ewe and English in his music.

    He claims that “When you get to the Volta Region, top three, I’m there, and this is someone pulling close to 10,000 to 12,000 crowds. I started putting up my shows in 2015.”

  • AC Milan dismisses Sérgio Conceição after just six months of work

    AC Milan dismisses Sérgio Conceição after just six months of work

    AC Milan have dismissed head coach Sergio Conceicao after just six months of leading the Serie A club.

    In a club statement released on Thursday, May 29, they announced the termination of their contract with the Portuguese manager.

    “AC Milan and Sérgio Conceição will not continue their journey together next season.”

    “The AC Milan family parts with the coach who won the 50th trophy in the Club’s history, wishing him the best for the future,” parts of the statement read.

    The club went on to express their gratitude for the coach’s contribution to the Serie A club.

    Milan said, “The club would like to thank Sergio and his staff for their commitment, professionalism, and dedication in leading the team in recent months.

    “The Rossoneri family bids farewell to the coach who contributed to the conquest of the 50th trophy in Milan’s history, wishing him the best for his future,” it added.

    This comes after the performance of the club kept declining despite Sergio’s promising start with a win of the Supercoppa Italiana against Inter Milan.

    Milan lost the Coppa Italia final to Bologna, suffering an early elimination from the Champions League.

    Inter also missed out on European qualification for the 2025-26 season after finishing eighth in Serie A.

    Conceição originally replaced Paulo Fonseca after signing an 18-month deal in December 2024, when Milan was struggling in eighth place in Serie A.

    Allegri led Milan to their first league title in seven years, finishing ahead of rivals Inter.

  • Marriage is not for everybody, don’t be forced into it – Uncle Ebo Whyte

    Marriage is not for everybody, don’t be forced into it – Uncle Ebo Whyte

    Ghanaian playwright, author, and motivational speaker, Uncle Ebo Whyte, has advised bachelors and bachelorettes not to allow themselves to be forced into marriage to satisfy societal, family, or peer pressure, emphasizing that marriage is not a requirement in life.

    “Marriage is not given to everybody. Not everybody needs to marry. Not everybody will marry. Marriage is not a magic wand. It may not deliver half of what you expect.

    So if you do choose to marry, do so because you’ve found someone with whom you genuinely want to build a life, not because society says you must,” he noted.

    Taking to his social media (Instagram) yesterday, the playwright in a video boldly challenged the longstanding norm, which asserts the need for everyone to marry, citing evolution and the growth surrounding the purpose of marriage.

    “There was a time when everybody needed to marry. That time has changed. There was a time when there was a purpose of marriage. That time has changed. There was a time when we needed to marry. That time has changed. It’s not now,” he said.

    He affirmed his stance, drawing biblical references to the teachings of Apostle Paul, which admonished that “He who marries does well. He who does not marry does even better.”

    In Ghanaian society and beyond, procreation is often emphasised to ‘pressure’ people into marriage, but Uncle Ebo Whyte argues that population control, coupled with family planning, has shifted that cultural expectation.

    “Because now we are saying there are too many people. Let’s control the population, citing his 42-year-old marriage as companionship as well. Then there’s the issue of companionship. I’ve been married for 42 years. Companionship,” he said.

    He also warned against entirely romanticising marriage, saying that it’s a commitment that requires “hard work, patience, humility, and respect,” not just love.

    Uncle Ebo reminded his audience that people can live happy lives without being married and that marital status does not define one’s values.

    “You are complete with or without marriage. Some of the most fulfilled people I know never married, and that’s perfectly okay,” he said.

  • CAMC raises alarm over fake, unhealthy and contaminated baby diapers in markets

    CAMC raises alarm over fake, unhealthy and contaminated baby diapers in markets

    The Consumer Arbitration and Mediation Centre (CAMC) has sounded an alarm over the persistent sale of banned and substandard baby diapers on the Ghanaian market, warning of their potential to hurt or pose huge risks to the health of infants nationwide.

    CAMC’s first alarm came around June 2024, following numerous complaints from parents about the usage of the diapers on their infants.

    Following the organisation’s alarm, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) seized and destroyed over one million pieces of contaminated diapers across various parts of the country on May 27.

    During a media appearance on Wednesday, May 28, the Executive Director of CAMC, Mr Nana Prempeh Okogyeabour Aduhene, disclosed that the diapers in question, mostly imported from China, Indonesia, and Turkey, have been flagged as unhealthy and subpar in these countries.

    However, some crooked importers repackaged them, even picking some from dumping sites, and have fed them to the Ghanaian market.

    “These diapers are rejected products meant for disposal. But because of greed, some importers collect them from refuse dumps, wrap them in plain polythene bags, and sell them in our markets. When we tested samples from Accra, Kasoa, and other locations, we found high levels of microbial contamination,” Mr Aduhene said.

    He clarified that their inspections and public warnings about the dangers of substandard diapers are not an attempt to take over the FDA’s role, but rather a collaborative effort aimed at safeguarding public health

    “Our work is not to replace what the FDA does. But when we found the evidence, we did not keep it to ourselves. The FDA acted on it and shut down the places where these products were being handled,” Mr Aduhene continued.

    Similarly, the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) also sounded caution over the safety of the diapers, following similar tests conducted in Greater Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Sunyani, and Sefwi Wiawso.

    The CPA confirmed that many of the substandard diapers had been smuggled into Ghana after being rejected abroad. Most lacked labels, batch numbers, or country-of-origin markings, making them nearly impossible to trace or recall.

    He quizzed, “Are the over five million babies and toddlers in Ghana not deserving of clean and safe diapers? Must our children suffer because some importers put profit ahead of their health?”.

    He also noted that although these diapers are unsafe, they are often sold at very low prices, sometimes two or three times cheaper than approved brands, making them attractive to unsuspecting parents. Hence, he warned parents to prioritize their children’s health and desist from purchasing these diapers. 

    In a related matter, Mr Aduhene revealed that his outfit has received reports of an alleged sale of unlabelled paint products tagged as “American paint.”

    Citing a case involving the death of an asthmatic child, he disclosed that the youngster died after sleeping in a freshly painted room that contained dangerously high levels of lead.

  • Energy Ministry greenlights deployment of 200 transformers by ECG to enhance power transmission

    Energy Ministry greenlights deployment of 200 transformers by ECG to enhance power transmission

    The government, through the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, has approved the procurement of 200 new transformers for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to strengthen power transmission and distribution to major cities across the country.

    The sector minister, John Abdulai Jinapor, made information public on May 28, during the opening session of the 18th West Africa Mining and Power Exhibition (WAMPEX) at the Grand Arena and Accra International Convention Centre (AICC) in Accra.

    The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) made a formal request for 200 new transformers in April 2025, and after barely a month, the government has given the green light for the deployment of the transformers.

    “Despite the challenges we inherited, recent reports show that power generation has been very stable” What we need to do is improve the transmission and distribution network.  In this regard, I have granted approval to ECG as a matter of urgency to inject about 200 transformers in our major capital cities in order to ensure that we not only generate power but we can distribute power to (sic) consumers effectively and efficiently,” Mr Jinapor said.

    Minister Jinapor noted that initial challenges with power generation have been stabilized, and Ghana is now exporting electricity to neighboring countries. The current focus is on improving power transmission and distribution systems.

    WAMPEX, the largest forum for mining and power industries in West Africa, attracted over 240 exhibitors from 30 countries and more than 5,000 visitors this year. The event provides a platform for industry professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss challenges, innovations, and future opportunities.

    The conference was jointly opened by the Ministers of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, and Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor.

    About Ghana’s energy crisis

    Ghana is currently facing a severe energy crisis, evident in the frequent power outages, financial struggles, and fuel shortages. The government is urgently seeking GH₵1.1 billion for fuel procurement. 

    The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), on the other hand, is facing a monthly deficit of GH₵2 billion due to poor revenue collection, making it difficult to pay independent power producers, who have threatened to suspend operations. 

    Government’s efforts to deal with the energy sector crisis

    Last week, the Ministry of Energy confirmed the arrival of 450,000 barrels of fuel to support power generation at a time stakeholders project imminent power outages.

    Head of Communications at the Energy Ministry, Richmond Rockson, who engaged the media in an interview noted that the challenge before his outfit is financing to procure more barrels of fuel.

    “The only challenge is financing because when you look at the tariff structure, fuels are not part of the tariff structure, so every now and then, we have to fall on the Ministry of Finance to make provisions for funding,” he said.

    Per reports, the barrels of fuel recently purchased are likely to last no more than 16 days. That sets June 4, as the next critical date by which new fuel must arrive, or the country might experience electricity generation shortfall.

    Also, the government is working on constructing a second gas processing plant to augment the shortfall and increase supply security.

    The Implementation Committee for Ghana’s Second Gas Processing Plant (GPP II) has been inaugurated and has been issued a 4-week timeline to finalise their implementation plan.

    Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson asserts that the project, which is “long overdue” will enable the country to save “nearly $500 million and create over 1,000 jobs for our people.”

  • Job creation: Govt completes Inclusive Training Centre to provide skills to PWDs

    Job creation: Govt completes Inclusive Training Centre to provide skills to PWDs

    The government yesterday, May 29, officially commissioned the Make Fashion Inclusive Training Centre after following its launch on September 16, 2024. 

    The centre, located in Kumasi, is designed to empower and equip persons with disabilities (PWDs) by providing skills training, business development support, and others.

    The initiative, led by the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) in partnership with the German Development Corporation, under the broader vision of Invest for Ghana, aims to create sustainable employment opportunities for PWDs in Ghana’s fashion industry.

    Invest for Ghana is an initiative aimed at attracting foreign and local investments to boost Ghana’s economy. It focuses on job creation, industrial growth, and infrastructure development, particularly in sectors like agriculture, energy, digital innovation, and manufacturing.

    Speaking during the commissioning, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Malik Basintale, highlighted the government’s commitment towards disability inclusion for national development. Basintale revealed that the hub would not only be trained in fashion designing but other crafts as well.

    He said, “The YEA is proud to be part of this journey that is your journey. As we open the doors of this hub today, we are opening the doors to independence, creativity, and economic opportunity for at least 100 persons living with disabilities to be trained not only in fashion design. But also be trained in embroidery, beading, and millinery works, and they will also be equipped with tools to build your businesses to employ others and to transform your community.”

    The government would also launch another programme that will train about three hundred PWDs in catfish farming, equipped with over 400 fingerlings to begin a trade.

    “And just to confess, in the next two to three weeks, a new project will be launched from tailoring jobs held, where we would train about 300 persons with disabilities, equipping them with 500 fingerlings of catfish and setting them in the backyard of their houses to sell…” he added.

    The launch saw the presence of Ghana’s Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo; GIZ; and other partners of the initiative, as well as local fashion entrepreneurs and PWD beneficiaries.

    Meanwhile, the Mahama-led government, since assuming office, has implemented several programs to help reduce unemployment in the country and empower the youth as well.

    Recently, YEA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Fire Service to recruit 5,000 young Ghanaians as fire assistants across the country.

    Also, the government launched the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP), which is aimed at equipping young Ghanaians with practical, employable skills. It is expected to train 100,000 youth annually across all 261 districts in Ghana. The government has allocated GH¢300 million to cover training costs and monthly stipends for participants.

    https://web.facebook.com/share/v/1FajJcZYbn

  • We played against a more mature team – Otto Addo after defeat to Nigeria

    We played against a more mature team – Otto Addo after defeat to Nigeria

    The Black Stars lost in their Unity Cup opener with Nigeria yesterday at the Gtech Community Stadium.

    Head coach Otto Addo has explained some of the reasons behind his side’s 2-1 defeat in the 2025 Unity Cup semifinal to the Super Eagles.

    Speaking during his post-match press conference today at the GTech Community Stadium in London on May 28, 2025, the Black Stars coach mentioned that his side competed with a more superior and experienced team.

    “We had problems getting into the duels to press well and defend well,” Addo said. “I think Nigeria had a more mature team that could adapt faster,” he noted.

    Otto Addo fielded a more experimental team, leaving out some experienced players such as Kudus, Partey, and Sulemana, among others, and featured about four debutants in his squad that faced the Super Eagles.

    However, despite the defeat, Otto Addo expressed optimism in the form and display of some of the young players who made their debut, saying they “did really well.”

    “The young players did really well,” he said. “They are still learning, trying to improve. We’ve gotten a whole lot of answers from our coaching staff.”

    With Nigeria advancing to face Jamaica, who defeated Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 in the first semifinal, Ghana will now focus on the third-place playoff against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday, May 31.

    The Unity Cup is a four-nation tournament that features Nigeria, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Tobago. It is being hosted in the United Kingdom from May 28-30.

    Ghana’s starting lineup for their 2025 Unity Cup semifinal against Nigeria on May 28, included:

    Starting XI
    Benjamin Asare (GK)

    Gideon Mensah

    Stephan Ambrosius

    Aaron Essel

    Kamaradini Mamudu

    Razak Simpson

    Abdul Samed Salis

    Majeed Ashimeru

    Christopher Bonsu Baah

    Jordan Ayew (C)

    Kwame Opoku

    Substitutes Used
    Ebenezer Annan (replaced Essel in the 29th minute)

    Caleb Yirenkyi (came on at halftime)

    Brandon Thomas-Asante (came on at halftime)

  • Ghana’s 2-1 loss to Nigeria thwarts Unity Cup finals hope

    Ghana’s 2-1 loss to Nigeria thwarts Unity Cup finals hope

    Ghana’s hopes of reaching the final of the 2025 Unity Cup have been thwarted following their 2-1 defeat to arch-rivals Nigeria at the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday, May 28.

    The Black Stars appeared to be struggling in the first half of the opener against Nigeria.

    Head coach Otto Addo expressed frustration over the team’s lack of compatibility in its defense, allowing Nigeria to leverage on that to notch their first goal in barely 20 minutes into the match.

    Otto Addo chose an experimental squad, leaving out key players such as Kudus, Partey, among others, and the unfamiliar squad struggled to find their rhythm early on.

    Consequently, Nigeria’s Cyriel Dessers was quick to notch a goal in the 14th minute into the goal following a defensive mishap from Razak Simpson, who slipped while attempting to clear a cross.

    Nigeria affirmed their lead with a second goal (own goal) from Razak again, whose header deflected, beating goalkeeper Benjamin Asare and found its way to the back of the net.

    St Johnstone’s Aaron Essel, a debutant, had to be substituted following an injury. Ebenezer Annan came on in his place, as the Black Stars trailed 2-0 at the break.

    Christopher Bonsu Baah nearly marked his debut with an assist, around the 70th minute, but Jordan Ayew failed to connect with the Genk winger’s cross.

    Addo brought in Caleb Yirenkyi and Thomas-Asante at the beginning of the second half, which brought renewed energy to Ghana’s attack.

    Their persistence paid off in the 70th minute when Annan made an incisive run down the left and delivered a precise ball to Thomas-Asante, who slotted home to reduce the deficit.

    Amid all the renewed energy and efforts by the Black Stars, the Super Eagles maintained their lead until the referee blew the closing whistle.

    Ghana would now compete for the third position while Nigeria will face Jamaica in the final on Saturday, May 31.

    Ghana will take on Trinidad and Tobago in the third-place playoff.

  • Don’t abuse Chairman Wontumi’s rights, respect them – Bawumia to EOCO, other security agencies

    Don’t abuse Chairman Wontumi’s rights, respect them – Bawumia to EOCO, other security agencies

    Former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has charged the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and other security agencies involved in the arrest of the New Patriotic Party (NPP’s) Ashanti Regional Minister, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to uphold his constitutional rights.

    Wontumi was arrested and detained on Tuesday, May 27, while he was returning from the CID office in response to an invitation for interrogations on allegations of his company’s illegal mining activities, which he has blatantly denied.

    Reacting to this, the former vice president and flagbearer of the NPP in the 2024 elections, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, May 28 expressed worry about the continued detention of Chairman Wontumi, without clear charges confirming information regarding his whereabouts.

    He acknowledged the rule of law, however, emphasizing the need to respect individual rights despite political affiliation, colour or status.

    “In a democratic environment as ours, no individual is above the law. Equally, no Ghanaian, regardless of political affiliation or status—should ever be denied their constitutional rights. Justice and due process are not optional; they are the foundation of our democracy,” Dr Bawumia wrote.

    His comments come amid growing public interest in the circumstances surrounding Chairman Wontumi’s arrest and the legal processes being followed.

    He continued that he is closely keeping an eye on the happenings linked to Chairman Wontumi, by keeping in contact with Mr Wontumi’s legal team to ensure that all legal avenues are being pursued to safeguard and protect the rights of the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman.

    “I commend them for their professionalism and vigilance,” he added.

    Dr Bawumia further went on to caution government against any attempts to abuse Wontumi’s rights or act contrary to the dictates of the law would erode public trust in Ghana’s justice system.

    “Ghana must always remain a nation governed by law—not by arbitrary power. Our Republic is strongest when our institutions are both firm and fair,” he asserted, reinforcing his call for EOCO and all related bodies to operate within constitutional limits.

    https://web.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1245574790262950&set=a.465070574980046

    How it all started

    The Ashanti Regional Chairman voluntarily made an appearance at the CID headquarters on Monday alongside his legal team, including former Attorney General Godfred Dame, after an invitation from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.

    He was cautioned on the following allegations: undertaking mining operations without a license, entering a forest reserve without authorization, and pollution of water bodies.

    However, according to sources, Chairman Wontumi denied these claims during his interrogation, presenting documents to authenticate his claims.

    He insists he was not involved in any illegal mining activities or operating in any forest reserve.

    Following the interrogations, the CID granted him bail with two sureties, though the exact amount has not yet been disclosed.

    This follows a failed attempt by a joint team of national security operatives and police officers to arrest him at his residence on May 23. After the failed search attempt, Mr. Boasiako expressed his displeasure over the search.

  • Rio Ferdinand to part ways with TNT Sports after Champions League

    Rio Ferdinand to part ways with TNT Sports after Champions League

    Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has announced his departure from his punditry role at TNT Sports after Saturday’s Champions League final.

    He confirmed in a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) platform today, Wednesday, May 28.

    He is set to focus on his “other business interests,” including his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, where he conducts exclusive interviews with football legends, discusses trending topics, and shares match analysis, among others.

    “Since retiring from football, it has been a privilege talking about the game I love for a decade for sports fans watching BT Sport and TNT Sports,”

    “As I turn the page to the next chapter, I carry with me countless memories. I am excited about what the future holds, spending more time with my family, focusing on Rio Ferdinand Presents and my other business interests,” he noted.


    He went on to express his appreciation to the backroom staff at TNT, saying, “I want to acknowledge the tremendous support from the team behind the scenes, whose hard work often goes unseen but has been essential to our success.”

    Rio left a message for all his fans as well, which read, “I hope to stay connected with you all in different capacities. Thank you once again for everything!”

    Rio announced his retirement from football in May 2015, and shortly after, he joined BT (now TNT Sport), where he started his punditry role.

    His sharp insights and analysis over the years have cemented his reputation as a leading pundit, bringing on board his experience as a former Man Utd and England defender.

    Rio Ferdinand Presents, which presently has 1.32 million subscribers, is also available on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts.

    Rio invites his fans to sit back in their homes and commute to enjoy his football treble, Rio Presents, Rio Meets, and Rio Reacts.

  • Asante Kotoko appoint Karim Zito as club’s permanent coach

    Asante Kotoko appoint Karim Zito as club’s permanent coach

    The Asante Kotoko Interim Management Committee (IMC) has confirmed Karim Zito as the club’s permanent manager after an impressive stint in charge for the past weeks since joining as an interim manager.

    Karim’s leadership has led the Porcupine Warriors to an unbeaten run, securing a place in the MTN FA Cup final.

    In a statement shared on their website and social media platforms, the club confirmed that they are impressed with Mr Zito, hence their decision to retain him.

    Karim Zito joined Asante Kotoko as interim head coach halfway through the second half of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League season.

    He replaced Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum, who was sacked for his poor performance.

    Before his dismissal, Kotoko sat 4th on the GPL table with 51 points. Given the club’s history as one of the most dominant, their finishing outside the first three meant they have missed out on continental football, as only the league winner and FA Cup champion qualify for the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

    Since taking over, the ex-Dreams FC boss has awakened the energy in the Porcupine Warriors.

    Under his leadership, Kotoko has seen no defeats in all the eight games they have played so far.

    The club has played six matches in the Ghana Premier League and two matches in the MTN FA Cup and has lost none, securing five wins and three draws, including a massive 4-1 victory over Dreams FC.

    Impressed by his performance, the IMC, chaired by Nana Apinkrah Akwasi Awuah, has opted to retain Zito beyond this season, hoping his leadership will usher in a new era of success.

    Having led his former club to the semifinals of the Confederation Cup in their debut campaign, the club’s hierarchy is hopeful that Karim will work to secure either the league title or the FA Cup.

    Zito’s immediate task is to extend his unbeaten run when Asante Kotoko face Medeama SC on Matchday 33 at the Baba Yara Stadium this Sunday.

  • Thierry Henry says Arsenal should have at least won one cup under Mikel Arteta

    Thierry Henry says Arsenal should have at least won one cup under Mikel Arteta

    Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has backed some fans who believe the club should have won a trophy under Mikel Arteta following the team’s growing form and performance.

    However, he insists that he is not disappointed with the club’s growth in recent years.

    He acknowledged the challenges a new manager encounters in his early days until he has “time” to implement all his plans.

    “I’m not saying that I’m disappointed with Arsenal, but, normally, people are raising questions now about what the team is doing,” Henry told the Stick to Football podcast.

    “It takes time, and you have to give a manager time to be able to implement what he wants to do. For the last three years, Arsenal have been in a situation where they should have at least brought home one cup or [reached] a final,” Henry said.

    Referring to ‘struggling’ Man Utd, he drew some comparisons between the two teams, saying that despite their performances over the years, which Arsenal have been better, they have still managed to reach and win multiple finals in recent years

    “Manchester United have played in five finals in the last five years, the United that everyone laughs at, whereas for Arsenal in the last three years of building, they’ve not reached a final.
    “So I do understand when people ask the question, ‘Surely you should compete for a trophy?’” he quizzed.

    For three consecutive seasons, Arsenal have finished as runner-up in the Premier League for three straight seasons, even when they won 89 points in 2023-24 — a fact that Arteta has been eager to point out when asked about the club’s lack of silverware.

    In addition, they also reached the semifinals of the Carabao Cup and Champions League this season — their deepest run in the European competition since 2009 — only to be knocked out of both.

    These ‘disappointing’ runs have stirred mixed reactions from fans, with many expressing frustration over and questioning why the team has not secured a trophy during this period.

    In a related development, Mikel Arteta congratulated Tottenham Hotspur for winning the Europa League but emphasised that success is not solely defined by trophies.

  • Mourinho lauds Man Utd for not sacking Ruben Amorim

    Mourinho lauds Man Utd for not sacking Ruben Amorim

    Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has commended the club for allowing coach Ruben Amorim to lead the team despite his disappointing results this season.

    Mourinho made his comments about Manchester United supporting Ruben Amorim on May 27, during an interview with Sky Sports.

    This comes after Man Utd ended 15th in the Premier League, their worst-ever finish. This cost Amorim’s side a place in the Champions League next season.

    United’s failure to secure a spot in Europe’s elite competition marks only the second time in the last 35 years, with a similar outcome occurring in 1990. Amorim ended his first season at Old Trafford without a trophy.

    Despite all these, the club hierarchy has decided to continue with him, saying he is the right man for the job, and Jose Mourinho sides with them.

    “From what I read, the impact [of losing the Europa League final] on Man United, of course, is huge in the sense of how many years Man Utd has not been involved in any European competition,”

    “But at the same time, it looks like they are supporting Ruben. They are giving him time and conditions to go forward,” Mourinho said.

    Following United’s damaging performance, Amorim, in one interview, mentioned that his side’s failure to make it to the Champions League gives them ample time for a good comeback.

    Mourinho, who currently leads Fenerbahce, agrees with the 40-year-old Portuguese.

    “I’ve read some quotes from him [Amorim] saying that he is happy that he came and has already these six months,” Mourinho said. Mourinho, in charge of Fenerbahce since last summer, says he can relate to what Amorim is going through.

    “When I went to Porto, the same happened to me”. “I went in January [2002], and I had a difficult six months.

    We were struggling even to qualify for the UEFA Cup, and then it happened, what happened,” he added.

    Amorim, who left Sporting CP in November to guide United, apologised to the fans after the team’s worst-ever Premier League finish.

    Manchester United has had a damaging season in the Premier League.

    Their form has been poor, with 10 wins, 9 draws, and 18 losses across 37 matches.

    They have struggled to score, managing only 42 goals while conceding 54.

    Plans are already in place to strengthen the squad in the summer.

    However, given the club’s current financial status, which also already informed some major cost-cutting initiatives, such as scrapping the sponsorship of more than two player relatives’ family tickets.

    It also embarked on major job cuts; missing out on a potential £100 million ($134m) in Champions League revenue is set to affect the club’s flexibility in the transfer window.

  • Judge in Diego Maradona’s case recuses herself after accusations of acting like an “actress”

    Judge in Diego Maradona’s case recuses herself after accusations of acting like an “actress”

    One of the three judges overseeing the trial of Diego Maradona’s medical staff has stepped down after accusations of being involved in a documentary about the case.

    Judge Makintach said she had “no choice” but to recuse herself from the case.

    The documentary titled “Divine Justice” focuses on the trial of Diego Maradona’s medical staff, who are currently facing trial. A footage from the documentary was played in court, showing Judge Julieta Makintach as one of its lead characters.

    Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari, following the showing of the footage, accused Makintach of behaving “like an actress and not a judge”, arguing that her involvement compromised the integrity of the trial.

    Consequently, Julieta has recused herself from the case.
    According to reports, the trial was supposed to end in 4 months; however, the recusal of Julieta has left the court in limbo on whether to proceed or start it all over again.

    About the case

    Seven members of the legendary Brazilian footballer’s medical team are currently facing prosecution following accusations of negligent homicide leading to the death of the footballer in 2020.

    However, they have denied these allegations. But if they are found guilty, they are likely to face between eight and 25 years in prison.

    Maradona underwent surgery after he was diagnosed with a brain blood clot (subdural hematoma) at Olivos Clinic in Buenos Aires on November 3, 2020.

    He was discharged just seven days after the surgery despite instructions from his doctor to stay at the health care facility.

    The decision to discharge him was influenced by neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, who proposed that his care continue at a private residence instead of a medical facility.

    While recovering at a private residence, he died on November 25, 2020, exactly 14 days later, of a heart attack, aged 60.

    Prosecutors allege his death could have been avoided and describe the care given as “reckless, deficient and unprecedented”.

    They claim the football star refused further treatment and should have stayed at the hospital for longer after his operation.

    Judge Julieta Makintach had denied authorising filming inside the Buenos Aires court, but her credibility was questioned after footage from a trailer emerged.

  • Lamine Yamal signs a six-year deal with Barça

    Lamine Yamal signs a six-year deal with Barça

    Lamine Yamal has extended his contract with Barcelona.

    This was announced by the club in a statement shared on their website and social media platform on Wednesday, May 27.

    Barca said Yamal signed the new contract on Tuesday in the presence of club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco at Barcelona’s offices.

    “Yamal’s renewal is a demonstration of the solidity of Barca’s project. His emergence onto the world football scene is like few others,”

    “The lad from Mataro near Barcelona has exploded onto the stage that is world football with performances that are already part of Barcelona history”, parts of the statement read.

    He signed a new six-year contract following his stellar performance, which aided the Catalan giants in the 2024/2025 season to win a local treble.

    Additionally, reports suggest that Yamal’s new contract includes a €1 billion release clause,

    The 17-year-old Spain winger signed a three-year deal with the club in 2023 when he was just 15 years and some months. The contract was due for expiry next month; however, his role in the club currently has earned him a ‘long’ stay until 2031.

    The club for the past few months have been working towards extending the youngster’s contract as he turns 18 on July 13.

    He scored 18 goals and made 25 assists in 55 appearances as Barca won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup in Hansi Flick’s first season as manager.

    He is also the youngest player to reach 100 appearances for Barca evolving from the club’s famed La Masia academy.

    He has also earned 19 caps for Spain and was part of the side that won Euro 2024, beating England 2-1 in the final in Berlin.

    Barca have also extended the contracts of their manager Flick and Brazil forward Raphinha in recent weeks, given their contributions in the club’s three trophy wins.

    Yamal’s contract extension cements his role in the club’s long-term plans to make him one of the leaders of the club, and also a piece of good news for the club’s president, Joan Laporta, as sources suggest he has always been fond of the prodigy.

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta, during an interview with TV3 on May 19, the club announced plans to give the young prodigy a “special treatment” in the club’s contract talks with him.



  • Free SHS policy to cater for private schools – Deputy Education Minister reveals

    Free SHS policy to cater for private schools – Deputy Education Minister reveals

    Infrastructure deficit and congestion – challenges associated with the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy are set to be resolved as the government announces plans to roll out the programme to private schools.

    This was confirmed in a media briefing on May 27, by Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Clement Apaak during the launch of new guidelines for this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) school selection process.

    “As part of our campaign promise, we have been working diligently to bring on board private senior high schools in the delivery of the Free SHS programme. Meetings have been held, engagements have been done, and we are very certain that with the diligence we expect from our side…” he noted

    Dr Clement Apaak said the move was part of the government’s long-term strategy to ease pressure on public schools and ultimately terminate the double-track system.

    The double-track system was introduced in 2018 by the erstwhile government to accommodate the surge in student enrollment due to the Free SHS policy, addressing overcrowding in public schools.

    Under this system, students were divided into two groups—Green Track and Gold Track—attending school in shifts, with one track in session while the other was on break.

    The anticipated extension of the Free SHS policy, according to the education minister, is a fulfilment of the government’s manifesto promise, adding that it is a step to ensure eligible students gain admission without delays.

    “We believe strongly that in fulfilling this manifesto campaign promise, this is going to serve as an artery in helping us bring an end to the double-track system,” the deputy minister said.

    According to him, the Education Ministry has received encouraging feedback from private schools, many of which have expressed readiness to meet the standards and requirements of the Free SHS framework.

    “… and the eagerness of the private schools to participate, the private schools will deliver in their participation,” he assured.

    He added that this collaboration would not only help expand capacity but also ensure a more equitable distribution of educational opportunities across the country.

    About the Free SHS policy 

    The Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy was introduced in 2017 by the Akufo-Addo-led government to make secondary education accessible to all eligible students without financial barriers.

    The policy was aimed at helping students who struggled to pay tuition, boarding, and other school-related expenses.

    However, the policy came with its challenges, such as overcrowding and congestion in schools, pressure on infrastructure and facilities, and increased pressure on teachers.

    This increased the number of enrollments in the senior high schools that were listed under the Free SHS policy. About 3.5 million students have benefited from the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program since its launch.

    The immediate-past government revealed that it had spent over GH¢12 billion on the implementation of the Free SHS policy since its inception.

  • Speaker Bagbin refers President Mahama’s SC judge nominees to Appointments Committee for vetting

    Speaker Bagbin refers President Mahama’s SC judge nominees to Appointments Committee for vetting

    Speaker of Parliament Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin has referred President John Mahama’s seven Supreme Court judge nominees to the Appointments Committee for vetting and subsequent approval.

    This is in accordance with Article 144(2) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which mandates that Supreme Court nominees undergo parliamentary scrutiny before their appointments are confirmed.

    The nominees – Justices Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, Gbiel Simon Suurbaareh, Senyo Dzamefe, Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, Philip Bright Mensah, and Janapare Bartels-Kodwo—were nominated by the president in April in a letter signed by the Executive Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, and addressed to the acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie. 

    Following Parliament’s return from recess yesterday, May 27, the Speaker read a letter from the President requesting the approval of his seven nominees to the Supreme Court. He urged Parliament to expedite the process to enable the Justices to assume office as soon as practicable.

    According to the Judicial Service, the Judicial Council will consider the nominations “in preparation towards the successive processes.”

    The president’s nomination has been lauded by political risk analyst and economist Dr. Acheampong, who noted that the nominees bring with them a wealth of experience, having risen through the ranks of the judiciary, including the Court of Appeal.

    Minority’s reaction to Mahama’s appointment of new Justices 


    Following President Mahama’s nomination, the Minority in a press conference launched an attack on the president, accusing him of scheming to secure a third term in office through strategic judicial appointments.

    Speaking at a press conference organised by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday, May 1, Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin claimed the appointments were not routine but part of a larger, calculated political manoeuvre.

    “This is not a routine judicial appointment. What we are witnessing is a strategic and deliberate effort to pack the Supreme Court with loyalists.”

    However, Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, blatantly refuted the Minority Leader’s claims, noting that he is the one who is putting the idea in the minds of Ghanaians.


    About the nominees

    Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei – A Court of Appeal judge since 2010, he was elected to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in 2022 for a six-year term. He has served as Director of the Judicial Training Institute and Dean of the Faculty of Law at GIMPA. He is an Adjunct Professor of Law at multiple universities.

    Justice Gbiel Simon Suurbaareh – Appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2010, he previously served as the Supervising High Court Judge in the Eastern Region and is known for his expertise in constitutional and administrative law and represents Court of Appeal judges on Ghana’s Judicial Council.

    Justice Senyo Dzamefe – A Court of Appeal judge since 2010, he chaired the Dzamefe Commission, which investigated Ghana’s performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was elected President of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG) in 2018.

    Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackah-Boafo – A Court of Appeal judge, has emphasised the need for legal education reforms and has advocated for the integration of artificial intelligence into Ghana’s legal system to enhance efficiency and transparency.

    Justice Philip Bright Mensah – Known for his contributions to appellate jurisprudence, he recently presided over a Court of Appeal panel that directed the Accra High Court to adopt proceedings from a previous trial in the Republic vs. Stephen Kwabena Opuni case.

    Justice Janpere Bartels-Kodwo – A Court of Appeal judge, he has been nominated to strengthen the Supreme Court’s capacity amid increasing demands on Ghana’s judiciary.

    Justice Hafisata Ameleboba – A Court of Appeal judge, she has been involved in key judicial decisions and reforms. Her nomination is expected to bring diversity and expertise to the Supreme Court.

  • Barça, Lamine Yamal near finalization of contract extension until 2031 – Sources

    Barça, Lamine Yamal near finalization of contract extension until 2031 – Sources

    Talks to finalise Lamine Yamal’s contract extension at Barcelona until 2031 ended on a high note after a meeting between club president Joan Laporta and the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, on Monday was successful, according to sources.

    The 17-year-old prodigy joined the Catalan giants on a three-year deal when he was just 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days old in April 2023.

    Due to his age, he could not sign a long-term deal until he was 18.

    The current deal is due to expire in 2026, and the club for the past few months have been working towards extending the youngster’s contract as he turns 18 on July 13.

    Consequently, his agent is reported to have met with Yamal in Barcelona last week and returned to the city on Monday to thrash out the final details of the agreement with the club.

    Meanwhile, Yamal, on several occasions, has publicly declared his desire to remain at Barça, where he has already made over 100 first-team appearances.

    In the same development, Barcelona president Joan Laporta, during an interview with TV3 on May 19, announced the club’s plans to give young prodigy a “special treatment” as talks are underway for a long-term contract with the 17-year-old forward.

    “It’s been discussed, but it’s not signed. Lamine’s a great player, an extraordinary person, and is already very mature.

    “He’s grown up here, he’s Catalan, and he’s a Barça fan. He’s happy in Barcelona and is destined to be the best player in the world,” he declared.

    Laporta has said Yamal will get “special treatment” and his new terms will not only extend his stay with the LaLiga champions, but will hand him a significant salary bump in line with his status in coach Hansi Flick’s team.

    As part of the ‘special treatment’ package for Yamal, sources assert that not only would he see a salary increase, but he would also enjoy a series of individual incentives and bonuses that will allow him to earn more.

    It is a model of contract which has always been favoured by Laporta — both in his first spell as president, between 2003 and 2010, and since he was re-elected in 2021.

    Among those bonuses will be one for winning the Ballon d’Or, with Yamal already considered among the candidates to win the most coveted individual prize in football.

    Lamine has been pivotal in Barcelona’s achievements in the just ended 2024?2025 season where they rounded off with a treble.

    His displays helped Barça win a domestic treble — LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercopa — in Flick’s first season in charge.

    In 55 appearances, he notched 18 goals and provided 25 assists.

    As a result, he has already won some of the biggest prizes for young players in the game, including the Kopa Trophy, the Golden Boy award and the breakthrough of the year award at the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards.

    Currently, the club’s hierarchy view Yamal as one of the leaders of the club in the near future with other players who have all signed new contracts in recent months, including Pedri, Gavi, Pau Cubarsí and Raphinha.