The Government of Ghana will take over the Damang mine in April 2026 following the expiration of a one-year transitional mining lease with Gold Fields.
The arrangement, aimed at ensuring a smooth handover, was disclosed by Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mike Fraser during a conference call with journalists and investors on Friday, August 22, while discussing the company’s half-year performance.
On April 23, the government announced an agreement with Gold Fields Ghana for a 12-month transitional lease, after Parliamentary approval allowed continued operations under Abosso Goldfields Limited while preparing for the handover. The lease, which is non-renewable, was explicitly designed to facilitate an orderly transition to state ownership.
“Gold Fields will continue to manage the mine during this period while working with a joint committee to explore ways to extend the mine’s life. The goal is to ensure a safe and orderly transition to a new owner,” Fraser said.
When asked if the company was considering retaining the asset, Fraser dismissed the idea, stating that transferring ownership had always been part of the plan due to the mine’s current asset profile.
“We had a plan to move the mine to a new owner because of its current status and remaining value,” he noted.
He also stressed that the decision on the mine’s future rests with the government: “Our responsibility is to ensure the mine is handed over in good condition.”
Fraser rejected claims that the company is relinquishing Damang to renew its soon-to-expire mining lease, explaining that Gold Fields remains committed to its other operations in Ghana, particularly Tarkwa.
“The government has asked us to come to the table, and we are committed to that process. We’ve invested heavily to extend Tarkwa’s life and intend to keep the operation running for the long term,” he added.
Earlier in May, the company announced it had paused its proposed joint venture with AngloGold Ashanti involving the Tarkwa and Iduapriem mines to focus on maximising Tarkwa’s potential as a standalone asset.
“We have operated here for 30 years, and we intend to continue for decades to come,” Fraser reiterated.
Gold Fields posted strong financial and operational results for the first half of 2025. Attributable production rose 24% to 1,136koz, keeping the company on track to meet its annual guidance. Damang is expected to reach commercial production in the third quarter and steady-state production by the fourth quarter of 2025.
Revenue rose 64% to US$3.48 billion, up from US$2.24 billion during the same period in 2024, driven by a 17% increase in gold sales and a 40% rise in gold prices. No fatalities were recorded across operations, compared to two incidents in the first half of 2024, which the company had previously described as an “unacceptable safety performance.”
Background
Parliament earlier approved a one-year transitional lease between the government and Abosso Goldfields Limited for continued operations at Damang in the Wassa West District of the Western Region. The initial lease was expected to expire in April 2025 but was extended to April 2026 after stakeholder consultations.
Moving the motion for ratification, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah stressed that the lease carried no option for further extension, transfer, or mortgage beyond April 2026.
Months ago, tensions rose at the Damang Mine as workers feared job losses after news of a government takeover. The Ghana Mine Workers’ Union, representing over 1,000 employees, threatened protests but was assured of job security.
“We want to assure the hardworking employees, contractors, and service providers at Damang that your dedication has been the backbone of this mine, and it will remain indispensable. Valid contracts will be honoured, wages paid, and operations sustained as we work to regularise arrangements under State stewardship,” the Minister said.
The decision to assume direct operational control came after Abosso Goldfields Limited failed to meet critical requirements for a lease renewal, including declaring verifiable mineral reserves, presenting a technical programme, and making financial provisions for exploration.
Despite these setbacks, the government is determined to maintain the mine’s contribution to the economy. “We recognise the importance of Damang Mine to the local economy and the country as a whole. We are committed to ensuring the mine continues to operate efficiently and effectively,” the Minister added.
To ensure a seamless transition, the government has developed a plan to preserve jobs, support local businesses, and maintain safety and infrastructure. Community engagement and transparency will remain central throughout the process.
“Regular updates will be provided to keep all stakeholders informed,” Buah assured, adding that the takeover aligns with Ghana’s broader goal to ensure mineral wealth contributes more directly to national development.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced that all first-year Senior High School (SHS) students in both single-track and transitional schools are to report to school on October 18, 2025, as they formally begin the 2025/2026 academic year.
The Service announced this in a statement dated August 20 and signed by the Director of Schools and Instructions Division, Prince C. Agyemang-Duah, on behalf of the Acting Director-General.
According to GES, the new timetable is designed to ensure smooth operations and consistency across all secondary schools nationwide.
“The reporting date for first-year students (Single Track and Transitional Schools) is 18th October, 2025. Other key term dates and holidays have been clearly outlined in the attached academic calendar,” the release noted.
GES went on to direct all Regional Directors to circulate the academic calendar to second-cycle institutions under their jurisdiction and ensure that all concerned parties duly comply with the new directive.
“By a copy of this letter, Regional Directors are kindly requested to disseminate the attached Academic Calendar to all Heads of Second Cycle Institutions under your jurisdiction, and ensure that Heads strictly adhere to the calendar to guarantee consistency and smooth implementation across all schools. Provide the necessary monitoring and support to Heads of Schools in the execution of the calendar,” parts of the statement read while eulogising them for their “usual cooperation to ensure effective teaching and learning in our institutions for the 2025/2026 academic year.”
As directed in the five-page statement document, the academic year will follow two main schedules – the Transitional Calendar for schools yet to fully align with the standard system, and the Single Track Calendar for schools already on the regular schedule.
The Service also assured parents and stakeholders that the transitional arrangements, which include online sessions for some year groups, are intended to improve instructional time while managing infrastructural limitations across schools.
For Single Track Schools According to the statement, SHS 3 students will reopen on October 11, 2025, and remain in school until February 27, 2026, covering 18 weeks. They will return on March 13, 2026, for a 14-week session ending June 21, 2026, ahead of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) scheduled for April 20 to June 20, 2026.
SHS 1 and 2 students will start their first session on October 18, 2025, and break on February 27, 2026, after 17 weeks. They will resume on May 4, 2026, for a 16-week session ending August 21, 2026, marking the close of the academic year.
Transitional Calendar The Transitional Calendar refers to a temporary academic schedule designed to bridge the gap between the old double-track system and the new single-track system.
On that calendar, first-year students will also report on October 18, 2025, and stay until January 30, 2026, before proceeding on a short break. Their second term will then begin on March 16 and run until June 12, 2026, with additional breaks, including some four weeks of off-site learning to help manage overcrowding in school facilities.
Second-year students in transitional schools will reopen on January 5, 2026, and vacate on May 18, 2026, with five weeks of online learning. They will then resume from the vacation later in September for the final stretch of the academic year.
Final-year students in transitional schools will begin on October 27, 2025, for a 14-week session before the Christmas break and resume in February for an 18-week preparation period before they sit for their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
GES also highlighted some significant breaks in the new timetable. The Christmas break will begin on December 20, 2025, and end on January 4, 2026. Vacation for SHS 3 students is slated for February 27 to March 1, 2026, while SHS 1 and 2 students will break from August 21 to August 23, 2026. GES has also proposed September 11, 2026, as the start date for the 2026/2027 academic year.
In an unrelated development, sixty (60) private schools have been included under the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. Junior High School (JHS) graduates will be admitted into these private schools, which fall under Category E in the school selection process. These schools will be accepting applications starting from the 2025/2026 academic year.
The new development aligns with the government’s efforts to ease congestion in public SHSs as well as promote quality education across the country.
In a press release issued on Sunday, July 20, by the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) and signed by its National Executive Director, Oberto Nana Kwasi Gyetuah, the council described the initiative as a historic and progressive move.
“This progressive move marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s educational transformation journey. It underscores the Government’s commitment to inclusive, collaborative education delivery and reaffirms the important role of private schools in advancing national development goals,” part of the release read.
The council further called on other private schools that are yet to be listed to remain patient, prepared, and compliant with regulatory standards.
In May, Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Clement Apaak announced that the inclusion forms part of a broader plan to scale up capacity and gradually end the double-track system.
“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.
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, Haruna Iddrisu, is a fulfillment 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.
Pupils at basic schools are likely to see an improvement in meal quality as the government announces an increase in meal fees from GHS 1.50 to GHS 2.00 as part of its reset agenda.
This marks a significant milestone as the last upward adjustment in meal price was in 2021 under the erstwhile Akufo-Addo-led administration, when the amount was raised from GH¢1.00 to GH¢1.20 per child per day. It was later raised to a cedi and fifty pesewas some months before 2025.
The National Coordinator of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), Hajia Fati Forgor, during a School Feeding Programme stakeholder training session held in Tamale, Northern Region, on Friday, August 22. There, she highlighted the government’s commitment to the programme, citing that arrears owed to caterers under the erstwhile government have been settled by the current government.
“Just a week or two ago, you heard that we had paid caterers who provided a service for the second term during the previous administration. (sic) During their time, it used to be GHS 1.50 per pupil. Today, they have also benefited from the reset of the school feeding program in Ghana by taking GHS 2 per pupil,” she said
She continued that efforts are underway to swiftly pay caterers who provided service in the last few days.
“As I speak to you, those of you who actually provided the service, data is being collated for us to see how quickly and fast we can pay caterers as quickly as possible, she added.
Hajia forgot to also send a passionate appeal to all parties and stakeholders to end internal conflicts and negative portrayals of the initiative, warning that such actions are discouraging potential partners from supporting the programme.
“Those of us who are fighting our colleagues, our own who have been assigned to their district, I want to plead with you. I’m begging you. Let’s stop giving the wrong signal to the general public.
The program is not being funded by the government alone. We have partners who will always come out to support the school feeding program. But since we assumed office, we have been unable to get that because of the way we are portraying the whole situation on the ground. It is not helping us,” she noted.
She sent a word of caution to all caterers to duly exert their duties or risk losing their contracts, highlighting an end to some behaviours, such as caterers’ failure to cook meals consistently, ghost cooking cases where caterers forged reports, claiming to have served meals when no cooking took place, as well as the cooking of highly malnutritious meals which often contained little to no proteins such as meat or fish or even vegetables. According to her, the days of improper supervision over their duties and lack of accountability for their services are over. Every caterer will be held accountable for their service. No cooking, no payment.
“If there’s anybody in here who thinks that it’s just a matter of getting the contract, but then you can do whatever you like with the program, then sorry, you have gotten the wrong opportunity because we will not tolerate that. Please, if you know you did not provide the service, do not expect any payment”, she affirmed.
The increase in meal price per child in the school feeding programme affirms the government’s commitment to enhancing the livelihoods of citizens and also to the broader good of the education framework in the country.
The beneficiaries of GSFP include public basic school pupils, with a focus on those in kindergarten and primary schools across all 261 districts in Ghana, to support children from low-income, food-insecure, and underserved communities across all 261 districts in Ghana.
Since the current administration assumed office, the project has seen an increase in reach by 200000 pupils, with a thirty-three percent increase in budget allocation as well. Before 2025, the programme was serving an estimated 4 million pupils with a budget of GHS 1.344 billion.
However, this year, GSFP has increased its beneficiaries to 4 million pupils f
As of 2025, the GSFP serves approximately 4.2 million children daily, marking a significant increase from the 4 million beneficiaries recorded in 2024. This growth of 200,000 new pupils within a single year reflects the government’s commitment to expanding the programme’s reach and ensuring that more vulnerable children have access to daily meals at school.
Since the current administration assumed office, the GSFP has experienced notable growth in both funding and operational capacity. The budgetary allocation for the programme has increased by 33%, rising from GH¢1.344 billion to GH¢1.788 billion, i.e., meaning it has seen a GH¢444 million increase.
Also, the Capitation Grant, which supports school operational expenses, has seen a substantial increase under this government. The grant rose by 73.2%, from GH¢84 million to GH¢145.5 million, nearly twice the allocation of the previous one, further enhancing the overall environment in which these children learn.
Govt cancelled the caterers contract
The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) has announced the immediate cancellation of contracts for all caterers working under the programme nationwide.
In an official statement issued on May 2, 2025, the GSFP directed that no existing caterer should prepare or serve meals for the third term of the 2024/2025 academic year.
“Please be informed that contracts of all caterers of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) nationwide have been terminated with immediate effect. Accordingly, no existing caterer on the programme should cook for the third term of the 2024/2025 academic year,” the statement cautioned.
The Secretariat assured affected caterers that outstanding payments for services rendered during the second term would be settled.
“All outstanding arrears for the second term of the 2024/2025 academic year will be paid in due course,” it said.
The caterers, obviously distraught by the news, appealed, calling on President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and overturn the directive that abruptly ends their contracts, describing the decision as a breach of trust and a blow to their livelihoods.
Speaking during an interview on Channel One Newsroom on Friday, May 2, the Association’s President, Nana Otu Sakyi-Amo, voiced strong disapproval of the directive, noting that it has left many caterers facing severe financial strain with only a few days to the reopening of schools.
“We are still pleading with the president, we are all crying to the president to cancel this immediate termination of our contract,” she appealed. “We know that we have a contract up to August, and this is sudden news to us.”
She revealed that most caterers had already stocked up on food items in anticipation of the upcoming school term, set to begin on Tuesday, and were shocked by the sudden notice.
“We have bought our foodstuff, and school is reopening next week on Tuesday. We have prepared ourselves… We just heard they have cancelled our contracts just like that,” she said with concern.
However, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, in a few days after the caterers’ appeal, announced that caterers who pre-financed food items in anticipation of the new school term will not be compensated for their losses.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on Thursday, May 8, Dr. Lartey sympathised with the caterers but maintained that the government would not reimburse them for food bought without official instruction to begin cooking.
“I sympathise with the situation. There’s no room for compensation, but for the period that they have cooked, they will be paid,” she said.
She clarified that the decision was reached jointly and was not a unilateral government move but one guided by World Bank requirements.
“We are not doing this alone; we are doing it with the World Bank. There are some criteria and conditions to meet, and we didn’t want to be harsh on the caterers. In all honesty, most of them know they don’t have valid contracts,” she said.
She pointed out that after the last general elections, a directive from the then-program coordinator allowed caterers to keep cooking temporarily. This directive, issued during a transitional phase, caused some confusion.
“We are supposed to move to a digital recruitment system with the support of the World Bank, but because of the academic calendar, we could not implement it as swiftly as we would have liked. That’s why we are asking for time to transition smoothly; it doesn’t mean we should maintain the current system without reform.”
The caterers went ahead to seek intervention from traditional and religious leaders, including the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu.
Deputy PRO of the National School Feeding Caterers Association, Madam Margaret Larbi, revealed that the group has begun reaching out to influential figures across the country to help present their case.
“Our President said we have petitions to be sent. We’re trying to get in touch with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, to intervene,” she disclosed.
She further indicated that other respected voices, such as the Chief Imam, would also be approached to help mediate on behalf of the distressed caterers.
“So, we’re trying to get him to go and plead on our behalf. We’re trying to go to the Chief Imam. Tomorrow [Friday, May 9], we have a lot to do to send some petitions to other influential individuals in the country to be able to speak on our behalf,” she stated.
However, the Gender Minister, in reaction, explained that the cancellation was not to punish caterers but aimed at sanitising the programme.
Spending barely two years with Media General following her move from Multi Media,MzGee’s departure from TV3 was one nothing short of rumours and claims of disputes with management and unsettled career progress.
However, in a candid self explanatory episode on her current programme, Gee O’clock, shared on social media on August 22, 2025, MzGee provided detailed account on the circumstances surrounding her departure from the network.
According to her, a death prophecy from a pastor belonging to an Aseemblies of God church influenced her decision to discontinue her career with TV3 and as host of the network’s popular reality show, Mentor.
She continued that, the service at which the said prophecy was attended by a colleague who later informed her.
Following this prophecy, dreams in which she was seeing herself dead, sealed her decision to move before she lost her life, she chose life over her promising stint with TV3.
“When I received this prophecy, at the time, my dreams were telling me that there was something wrong. And so I’m only doing this video to say yes, there’s prophecy, but sometimes your spirit also tells you there’s something wrong. Sometimes you see it in your dreams. I was dreaming of death continuously. Continuously, continuously.
“Either I was finding myself among people I know who had already died, or somebody was telling me they were seeing me dead. In fact, death was haunting me. That was how bad it was. And then I got this prophecy. Then I said, Oh, this man of God is getting too close,” so I ran with it. He didn’t tell me to resign, but I resigned.
“And if you have followed my career, you know that I used to host Mentor, and we’re getting close to that time of the year,” she recounted.
During the broadcast, MzGee played a video recording of the original prophecy, in which the pastor requested congregational prayers for a “fair, tall lady” employed at a television station who will fall to death on live TV while hosting the show.
“Pray very well, because there is somebody close to you who works with a TV station — a woman, for that matter.
I see someone on a TV reality show. The person falls… and dies. A fair, tall lady,” the pastor prophesied to the one who informed MzGee about the prophecy.
The prophecy accompanied with the dreams significantly impacted her psychological well-being and ultimately influenced her professional decision-making.
“…I asked myself, would I have ignored it and then gone to stand on stage only to fall and die? So, yes, I acted on it. That was why I resigned”.
Her explanation comes to give clarity to the years of rumours surrounding her exit from TV3.
She emphasised that her resignation was not attributable to widely speculated professional disputes or workplace rivalries but rather represented a deliberate choice to prioritise her personal safety and well-being.
“So now let me tell you: for those of you who say that, “Oh, she was jealous of her colleague and that’s why…” How would I have told you at that time that I had received a prophecy and so I resigned? You’d have said, “Oh, this girl, she’s not correct.”
“So you believe those prophets when it doesn’t happen, then we begin to say, “Oh, you believe…” But when it happens, the same people come and say, “Hey, she was told, oh, and she didn’t run with it. Oh, and my prophet even said it. I was in service that day,” and blah blah blah”.
While acknowledging the existence of fradulent and clout chasing religious leaders who give false and doom prophecies she explained that,
“Even if it’s from a questionable source, I will still turn to my faith and pray against it.”
MzGee’s career journey so far
MzGee transitioned from banking to media in 2014 when she moved from Bond Financial Services. In the same year, 2014 she joined the Multimedia Group and worked across their platforms such Joy FM, Hitz FM and joy Prime building for herself a vibrant and enagaging personality particularly in the entertainment space.
In November 2019, MzGee made a high-profile move to Media General, joining TV3 and 3FM. Her role included hosting entertainment segments and the popular music reality show Mentor. However, in October 2021, she resigned from TV3.
From Media General she moved to a Twi-speaking media House, to replace Ghanaian actress and screen Goddess, Nana Ama McBrown as host of popular United Showbiz of UTV in 2023.
Meanwhile, MzGee is not the only media personality or celebrity that has received death prophecy.
Death prophecies in Ghana, particularly among celebrities, are nothing new. Popular musicians such as Sarkodie, Wendy Shay, Stonebwoy, among others, have received prophecies from different men of God in the past years.
In 2018, Ghanaian rapper and legend, Prophet Cosmos Walker Affrangave a death prophecy about him, saying he would die in a car crash, hence urged him to pray. Though he didn’t reply, fans and netizens slammed the pastor, calling the prophecy fear-mongering.
Ebony Reigns (Priscilla Opoku-Kwarteng) also met an untimely death after she was involved in a car crash on the Sunyani road in February 2018. This was after Prophet Nigel Gaisie, widely called Eagle Prophet, prophesied in late 2017 that the dancehall artist would die in a car crash.
He wasn’t the only pastor who had predicted her death. Several others, including Rev Owusu Bempah, Founder and Leader of Glorious Word Power Ministry International, issued a prophecy that a “great musician” will die soon. Another prophecy about Ebony’s death, which was met with heavy backlash, was one from Prophet Agyei Agyeman Fredua of Rafa Ministries posted on Facebook in 2017 that “God will soon strike Ebony down.”
Wendy Shay was also prophesied to by Jesus Ahocfe in 2020 that if she doesn’t give her life to Christ, she will be kidnapped and killed for money rituals.
“Tell Wendy Shay that if she does not give her life to God before December, some people will kidnap her to acquire powers. Spiritually, I see her being kidnapped and placed in a small room for 21 days and crying, after which she will be sacrificed. Wendy Shay, this is a bad year for her—tell her.” Wendy, in response, visited the pastor’s church and stated that “God’s grace and favour can exceed common sense.”
She explained that while many fans urged her to ignore the prophecy and rely on logic, she believed that divine intervention could go beyond human reasoning. Wendy added, “God reveals to redeem.”
Stonebwoy also received a prophecy from Nigel Gaisie about an impending spiritual attack, urging him to pray.
The ‘Jejereje’ singer did not respond publicly; however, netizens did, with some questioning the authenticity of the prophecy.
Former IGP Dampare, following the rise in doom prophecies and predictions from pastors, issued a directive banning public declarations of doom prophecies in December 2021. This was to deal with the rise in death prophecies, which was causing fear and panic, especially during the 31st December watchnight services.
Since then, the police have reiterated and enforced the directive annually, with December 27th now recognised as “Prophecy Communication Compliance Day”.
The Ashanti Region (A/R) has seen a nearly fifty percent (50%) rise in maternal deaths in the first half of 2025.
The region has recorded about 74 increase in maternal death, with two hundred and thirty-two (232) cases per 100,000 live births in the first half of 2025, thus a 47% hike from 158 during the same period last year.
This marks the highest in the last three years, with a record of 144 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in the first half of 2023 and 50 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024.
“If you look at the statistics, in the 2023 half-year, we had 144 mothers dying from 100,000 live births. In 2024, we had 150 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. And then the year under review is 232 per 100,000 live births,” the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng, revealed.
This appreciation in numbers was officially announced by the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services at the 2025 Half-Year Performance Review Meeting of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), held in Kumasi under the theme ‘Strengthening Primary Health Care Through Networks of Practice Towards Universal Health Coverage: The Role of Stakeholders’.
He attributed the spike in deaths to poorly coordinated referrals and a lack of capacity at the peripheral levels. Clarifying the perception of high maternal deaths at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is misleading. According to him, most of these cases are referrals from other facilities that lacked the capacity to manage them effectively. He explained that cases handled primarily at Komfo Anokye itself rarely result in maternal deaths, highlighting the need to strengthen the peripheral health facilities to manage cases appropriately to mitigate the death rates.
“So the question is, if we can really build capacity at the peripheral areas where we can manage cases so they don’t need to refer to Komfo, then it means that all these deaths can be reduced.
“When we analysed, we saw that most of the deaths recorded at Komfo were referrals from other facilities.
I’m happy we had our friends from Komfo. We have sat down and analysed the data thoroughly and even identified the causes of these deaths. If you look at the data right now, you will see that if you take out-of-it, you see public facilities, private facilities, and CHAG facilities recording something like 64 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.
“Straight away, people say, are we achieving the SDG target, which is 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births? And then you look at Komfo’s figure, because the denominator is small — they’ll be recording over a thousand maternal deaths per 100,000. People assume that deaths are happening at Komfo, but it’s not that,” he cleared the air.
As part of efforts to fight these spiking mortality rates among mothers, Dr Adomako-Boateng detailed that immediate steps are being adopted. Peripherals, particularly those that often record the most maternal cases, will be given consultants and specialists who will mentor them on how to handle certain cases and direct them to the best and readily available referral facility.
“ What we are going to do together with Komfo is what we call clinical mentorship. We are looking at the high-volume delivery facilities, and we are going to map them together with consultants and specialists at Komfo. We have already zoned the region, and they will be giving them the support to build their capacity so that they will be able to handle some of the cases.
“And not only that — when they have been able to build such capacities and they know that somebody is going to refer a case from one of the hinterlands, they can advise: ‘No, don’t bring this case; send it to another area because the capacity is there,’ knowing that all capacities are not the same. So that’s the clinical mentorship and vertical mentorship that we are going to pursue aggressively”.
He called on all stakeholders to look beyond the numbers, the statistics and recognise the impact of these deaths on the affected families and the need to treat every case, whether one or two, and the need to take swift steps to resolve the menace.
“Normally, people hide behind statistics and talk about whether it’s significant or not. One mother losing her life is worrying because you just see it as a number. It’s more than a number. Behind the number, do you know the families they are taking care of? And so, when it comes to issues of maternal mortality, infant mortality, and neonatal mortality, it’s something that we don’t joke with at all,” he continued.
Maternal mortality remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in Africa. As of 2023, the continent records an average of 442 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, a significant improvement from 727 per 100,000 in the year 2000. However, this progress is far from sufficient. Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounts for 70% of global maternal deaths, with an estimated 182,000 women dying each year due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. These deaths are often caused by preventable conditions such as hemorrhage, hypertension, infections, unsafe abortions, and obstructed labor.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1 sets a clear global target: to reduce the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by the year 2030. The World Health Organisation (WHO) supports this target and emphasises the need for universal access to quality maternal healthcare. Unfortunately, Africa’s current trajectory suggests that the continent may reach an MMR of around 350 per 100,000 live births by 2030, which is five times higher than the global target.
One of the major obstacles is the slow pace of progress. Between 2000 and 2023, Africa achieved only a 2.2% annual reduction in maternal deaths. To meet the 2030 goal, this rate would need to increase twelvefold. The situation is even more dire in countries affected by conflict or fragility, which account for 61% of global maternal deaths, despite representing just 25% of global births. These regions face severe healthcare access gaps, making timely and quality care difficult to obtain.
Ghanaian rapper Medikal, born Samuel Adu Frimpong, has finally broken the silence following his friend and industry brother, Charles Nii Armah, Shatta Wale’s release from EOCO’s custody.
Shatta Wale’s legal entanglements started when the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) raided his house on August 2 following requests from the FBI and the US Justice Department of EOCO to track the vehicle and conduct local investigations in respect of uncovering possible co-conspirators in Ghana, EOCO began looking for the vehicle until it was identified to be in the possession of one Charles Nii Armah Mensah.
Following this raid, Shatta Wale was held in custody by EOCO attracting many of his fans massing uo in their numbers at the EOCO office on Thursday before his release later that evening.
While he went through these legal tussles during the investigations and interrogation, several of his associates, including his media manager, Sammy Flex, and Leslie Quaynor, CEO of the now-defunct Fantasy Dome, both of whom worked to ensure that the artiste met his bail conditions. Other industry colleagues, such as Bullet of Rufftown Records and Captan, were also spotted at the scene.
Notably absent, however, was Medikal, often regarded as Shatta Wale’s best friend. Fans had anticipated his presence, yet he only resurfaced on social media with a post at 6:13 p.m., around the time Shatta Wale had been released.
His post read, “God bless Shatta Wale, Long Live King Wale” with a black heart.
Medikal’s post stirred reactions from netizens with many slamming him as faske and bad friend who only hsowed up when the ‘storm was over’.
“You made a smart move by not showing up at the EOCO office today, but instead putting things in place lowkey otherwise, you would have been their next target”an X user reacted to his post.
One user @Mr Ahenkorah said “this post is not from your heart”, another user @ ENVIRONMENT shared a picture of a student from other students behind a wall.
Another user also, charged Medikal to go to EOCO other than hiding behind his phone.
“Internet friend, boys dey gather at EOCO you dey hide behind your phone”.
Others continued, slamming him as one who hides during war time.
“Obolo tui. War time you hide, ofui”.
Shatta Wale, Lambourghini and EOCO
These comments come on the back of Shatta Wale’s release from the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) after a bail variation.
Shatta Wale was on Wednesday night granted bail of GHC10,000,000 with two sureties to be justified in investigations surrounding a 2019 Lamborghini Urus, a car identified by the FBI and the US Justice Department as proceeds of a $4 million crime.
The $4 million crime involves Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian who is currently serving an eighty-six (86) months jail term in federal prison in the USA, which is just over 7 years.
However, he was not able to make bail, prompting his legal counsel to apply for a variation of bail. Subsequently, EOCO granted the singer bail of GHC5 billion with two sureties to be justified.
Under the new conditions, Shatta Wale is required to report to EOCO three times a week as investigations continue.
Shatta Wale was invited by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) following a public claim on August 5 that he purchased the car in question at a price of US$150,000 from an unidentified party.
According to EOCO in a press statement issued on August 21, an invitation was issued to Charles Nii Armah Mensah to report on August 13.
This was, however, rescheduled for August 20, 2025 at 10am.
“Counsel for Charles Nii Armah Mensah, indicated to EOCO officers that they would prefer to report at 11am. EOCO readjusted its schedule to align with their time. Shortly before 11am, Counsel for Nii Armah called EOCO to claim that his client was not available and that he was also busy,” a part of the statement noted.
EOCO indicated to the singer’s Counsel that he and his client were expected to report as scheduled.
Charles Nii Armah Mensah arrived in the Office around 3pm and, according to EOCO, insisted that he was not going to cooperate until his counsel arrived, a right which he is entitled and was accorded him.
“EOCO investigators and Charles Nii Armah Mensah waited from 11am till 5pm before his Counsel showed up. Incidentally, EOCO’s closing time is 5pm. Nevertheless, EOCO staff and the entire operational team chose to carry on with the interrogation which ended around 9pm. Officers eventually left the Office around 11pm,” the statement further revealed.
Nii Armah was only granted bail around 9pm shortly after interrogation ended.
Charles Nii Armah Mensah would only leave EOCO’s custody after it undertakes surety inspection, which is a standard protocol.
According to EOCO, Charles Nii Armah Mensah has been unable to identify the person from whom he purchased the said Lamborghini Urus vehicle.
He is reported to have said he purchased it from the “Street” and from someone possibly called “ZAK” who may have contacted him on WhatsApp but whose identity he does not know and whose contact he has thrown away.
Also, EOCO states that Charles Nii Armah Mensah does not also possess any documentation in terms of receipt or transfer documents which shows that he owns or purchased the said vehicle except a customs declaration document in his possession bearing the name of Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is currently in jail.
In the same development, The baby mama of Ghanaian dancehall artist Charles Nii Armah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, has expressed confidence in him and his innocence regarding the purported criminal charges leveled against him.
In a message expressing emotional support citing the genuity of the dancehall artist’s sucess and wealth, Maali stated that,
“My man is proof that hard work and grace speak louder than sabotage” she shared on her Snapchat story.
She called her baby daddy a blessed man, who can’t be sabotaged nor be buried, highlighting that nothing can taint his reputation.
“False rumours can’t wash away true blessings. You can throw dirt on his name, but you can’t bury a man God has already lifted”, she continued.
The baby mama of Ghanaian dancehall artist Charles Nii Armah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, has expressed confidence in him and his innocence regarding the purported criminal charges leveled against him.
In a message expressing emotional support citing the genuity of the dancehall artist’s sucess and wealth, Maali stated that,
“My man is proof that hard work and grace speak louder than sabotage” she shared on her Snapchat story.
She called her baby daddy a blessed man, whose can’t be sabotaged nor be buried highlighting that, nothing can taint his reputation.
“False rumours can’t wash away true blessings. You can throw dirt on his name, but you can’t bury a man God has already lifted”, she continued.
Her comments come on the back of Shatta Wale’s release from the custody of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) after a bail variation.
Shatta Wale was on Wednesday night granted bail of GHC10,000,000 with two sureties to be justified in investigations surrounding a 2019 Lamborghini Urus, a car identified by the FBI and the US Justice Department as proceeds of a $4 million crime.
The $4 million crime involves Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian who is currently serving an eighty-six (86) months jail term in federal prison in the USA which is just over 7 years .
However, he was not able to make bail, prompting his legal counsel to apply for a variation of bail. Subsequently, EOCO granted the singer bail of GHC5 billion with two sureties to be justified.
Under the new conditions, Shatta Wale is required to report to EOCO three times a week as investigations continue.
Shatta Wale was invited by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) following a public claim on August 5 that he purchased the car in question at a price of US$150,000 from an unidentified party.
According to EOCO in a press statement issued on August 21, an invitation was issued to Charles Nii Armah Mensah to report on August 13.
This was, however, rescheduled for August 20, 2025 at 10am.
“Counsel for Charles Nii Armah Mensah, indicated to EOCO officers that they would prefer to report at 11am. EOCO readjusted its schedule to align with their time. Shortly before 11am, Counsel for Nii Armah called EOCO to claim that his client was not available and that he was also busy,” a part of the statement noted.
EOCO indicated to the singer’s Counsel that he and his client were expected to report as scheduled.
Charles Nii Armah Mensah arrived in the Office around 3pm and, according to EOCO, insisted that he was not going to cooperate until his counsel arrived, a right which he is entitled and was accorded him.
“EOCO investigators and Charles Nii Armah Mensah waited from 11am till 5pm before his Counsel showed up. Incidentally, EOCO’s closing time is 5pm. Nevertheless, EOCO staff and the entire operational team chose to carry on with the interrogation which ended around 9pm. Officers eventually left the Office around 11pm,” the statement further revealed.
Nii Armah was only granted bail around 9pm shortly after interrogation ended.
Charles Nii Armah Mensah would only leave EOCO’s custody after it undertakes surety inspection, which is a standard protocol.
According to EOCO, Charles Nii Armah Mensah has been unable to identify the person from whom he purchased the said Lamborghini Urus vehicle.
He is reported to have said he purchased it from the “Street” and from someone possibly called “ZAK” who may have contacted him on WhatsApp but whose identity he does not know and whose contact he has thrown away.
Also, EOCO states that Charles Nii Armah Mensah does not also possess any documentation in terms of receipt or transfer documents which shows that he owns or purchased the said vehicle except a customs declaration document in his possession bearing the name of Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is currently in jail.
On the morning of the day he was released, die-hard fans of Shatta Wale massed up at the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) following the singer’s detention on Wednesday, demanding his immediate release from EOCO detention.
Following Shatta’s release, he lauded the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) for their professionalism while in custody for investigations surrounding the 2019 Lamborghini Urus.
He praised the establishment after being released from EOCO’s custody on Thursday night.
In a video on social media, Shatta Wale revealed that while being detained, he was not abused but rather taken through necessary processes as required by the law.
“To all the staff at EOCO, you guys have been wonderful. At least I came there and you guys really took me through the rightful processes that were needed. I just want to say God bless you,” he said.
Shatta Wale also used the opportunity to thank his supporters who thronged the streets to demand his immediate release from EOCO.
He acknowledged that no harm came his way while in custody and remains safe.
“One Don is safe, I’m home now, and I want to say a big thank you [to fans] for supporting and being around me in times like this because I needed you guys the most and you held me down,”
EOCO’s investigation forms part of a larger investigation regarding possible co-conspirators in the $4m crime which occurred in the US involving some Ghanaians and recoveries of the proceeds of the crime.
Following requests from the FBI and the US Justice Department of EOCO to track the vehicle and conduct local investigations in respect of uncovering possible co-conspirators in Ghana, EOCO began looking for the vehicle until it was identified and seized in or around May this year in the possession of one Charles Nii Armah Mensah.
On August 15, 2025, a United States District Court of the Eastern District of Kentucky, Central Division of Lexington in a criminal case of the United States of America vrs. Nana Kwabena Amuah issued an order Forfeiting Substitute Asset on the Lamborghini Urus in question, authorising the US Government to take possession of the said vehicle in Ghana as restitution for the crime.
Hiplife musician, Jerry Anaba, popularly known as Okomfour Kwadee, has made a comeback taking a lead role in a street campaign against substance abuse.
He joined the WillingWay Recovery and Rehabilitation Centre’s street campaign against rising substance abuse as part of the “Red Means Stop” initiative, held on Friday, August 22, in Kumasi.
The event formed part of their broader “Ghana Against Red” campaign to combat opioid abuse among the youth.
In a message to the youth, Kwadee recommended physical exercise to boost their energy levels over choosing substance abuse.
Once a victim of drug abuse, the ‘Ofie Nipa,’ hitsmaker added that, abuse of substances such as opiods, marijuana and red pills only jeopardise ones future with no better outcomes as well.
“I have devoted myself to joining the Ghana Against Red Abuse campaign by Willing Way Recovery and Rehabilitation to advise the youth because there is no better future in engaging in substance abuse,” he made this heartfelt plea to the youth during an interview with Adom TV on Friday August 21.
Kwadee later joined Akosua Agyapong perform on stage during the street campaign.
Earlier this year, Kwadee was in the news again after a disturbing footage of him emerged on social media where he was captured singing but very frail and having lost a significant amount of weight, sparking widespread concern about his health and well-being.
This came after several stays in and out of rehabs after which he was later confirmed to be receiving treatment at the Willingway Foundation-Ghana Recovery Centre at Ejisu-Asawasi.
However, reports of rejection surfaced early August after he successfully went through his rehabilitation process.
It was reported that, Kwadee’s release from the facility has been stalled due to unpaid medical bills amounting to GH¢7,000.
The facility insists that he is fully recovered and fit to return home, yet his family, led by his mother Madam Cecilia Atootaga, has refused to settle the outstanding bills, effectively leaving him stranded and abandoned.
What makes the situation even more alarming is that in March 2025, Madam Atootaga, with the support of media personality Ohemaa Woyeje, embarked on a nationwide donation campaign, appearing on platforms such as UTV to solicit funds for Kwadee’s treatment.
The emotional appeal touched many hearts, resulting in significant financial contributions from Ghanaians who believed they were helping to rescue one of the country’s most gifted musicians.
Ohemaa Woyeje, who played a leading role in the donation campaign, also comes under scrutiny in this investigative report.
After the public attention and media buzz around Kwadee’s case faded, she was reported to have taken no visible steps to follow up on the welfare of the musician.
According to reports from Purefmonlinegh.com, they claimed they could confirm that Ohemaa Woyeje has not been to the facility to visit Kwadee, nor has she shown any interest in how the funds raised were managed.
Her silence raised serious questions about whether the donation campaign was genuinely intended to support Kwadee’s recovery or was merely a publicity stunt to capitalise on his vulnerable state.
Officials at the Willingway Foundation-Ghana confirmed to Purefmonlinegh.com that Kwadee’s current stay at the facility is no longer based on medical grounds.
He has been cleared to leave, but the GH¢7,000 bill remains a barrier to his release, a bill his family refuses to settle, despite the overwhelming public support they once received in his name.
In a conversation with purefmonlinegh.com, Kwadee expressed frustration and disappointment over his continued confinement.
“I have done my part. I am ready. All I ask is for the opportunity to go home and work. My music is my life,” he said, his voice filled with emotion.
Hiplife musician, Okomfour Kwadee, is showing signs of mental recovery after months of psychiatric care, according to Ghanaian entertainment pundit, Ohemaa Woyeje.
However, she noted that Kwadee needs a conducive environment to avoid going back to his old deeds.
“Currently his condition is okay, he looks very fine. But we don’t know the person who sent him to the care home. Like I said he is fine. But you know since he is stable right now he doesn’t have to stay there.
“His mother even called me to ask me if there is any place he can stay so that he won’t go back to the drugs anymore.
“His mother is in Accra right now. I spoke to the MUSIGA president and the funds Kwadee received are with him. So we are looking for a place that can accommodate him. A place where people won’t get access to him. And influencing him into doing drugs again,” she added.
Kwadee, once a dominant figure in Ghanaian music, has battled mental health issues for years, reportedly linked to substance abuse.
In 2020, former rapper-turned-pastor Lord Kenya took him to a rehabilitation center after a severe breakdown. However, in 2022, his mother revealed that he had been abandoned at the facility, pleading with the public for support.
Concerns about his well-being resurfaced in 2024 when a video of him looking frail while drinking pito and freestyling among friends circulated online.
The claims made by Pope Skinny have reignited discussions about Kwadee’s condition, though the musician himself has not publicly responded to the allegations.
“This is what Okonfo Kwdee told me” I did not know that he was dating Akosua Puni. When I went to cantoment, Okonfuo’s house was at the back and Akosua Puni was in the main house. we were there when Akosua become pregnant. Okomfo felt he was the father. A big woman who lived with his family at Kantoment who was managing an artist. Akosua Puni was dating an ex-president, hence her level was not tallying with Okonfuo.
“Okomofour told me, skinny, I was in my room when they came for me. They took me to the Titanic beach at dawn. They stripped me naked and took pictures of me. they broke my nails and a part of the hair on my head. My hair and nails were then kept on top of a nightclub somewhere. It was a famous nightclub. Okomofour Kwadee is the one who disclosed this to me. Okomofour Kwadee’s issue is quite similar to the issue of Funny Face,” he added.
The Ashanti Regional Mental Health Coordinator, Faustina Nuako, said substance abuse among the youth in the Ashanti region is on the rise. “What we have realized is that if drug addicts start gaining mental problems, you will see them preaching instead of their families taking them to the hospital,” she stated.
The street campaign in the Ashanti region brought together some drug addicts who have been to rehabilitation centers and other health workers to advise the youth. The theme of the 2025 Ghana Against Red Abuse campaign is “Red means stop! Say no to Red.”which often drives them back.
The Ashanti Regional Mental Health Coordinator, Faustina Nuako, said substance abuse among the youth in the Ashanti region is on the rise. “What we have realized is that if drug addicts start gaining mental problems, you will see them preaching instead of their families taking them to the hospital,” she stated.
The street campaign in the Ashanti region brought together some drug addicts who have been to rehabilitation centers and other health workers to advise the youth. The theme of the 2025 Ghana Against Red Abuse campaign is “Red means stop! Say no to Red.”
Ghana Premier League (GPL) club, Hearts of Oak, has responded to FIFA’s official statement ordering a three-window transfer ban.
In a rejoinder, issued on August 22, Hearts confirmed the ban, assuring fans that the relevant engagements are being done quickly to resolve the matter.
“Accra Hearts of Oak wishes to inform its cherished supporters, stakeholders, and the wider football community of a recent communication from FIFA regarding the Rene Hiddink matter. FIFA has confirmed the implementation of a registration ban on the club due to unresolved financial obligations.
“We acknowledge the seriousness of this development and wish to assure our supporters that the Management and Board are actively engaging all relevant parties, including the Ghana Football Association and FIFA, to resolve the matter swiftly and responsibly”, the club said.
It then went on to assure fans that, all player registrations had been completed before the effect of the ban, urging fans to remain calm.
“Importantly, we wish to clarify that our current player registrations had been completed prior to the enforcement of this ban. Therefore, there will be no immediate disruption to our squad or competitive commitments
“We understand the concerns this may raise, and we appeal to our Phobian family to remain calm and united. The club’s leadership is fully committed to transparency, accountability, and the long-term stability of Hearts of Oak,” the statement continued.
The Premier League giants assured fans that “Discussions are ongoing, and we are confident that a constructive resolution will be reached. We thank you for your unwavering support and loyalty. In times like these, your belief in the club’s vision and resilience means everything,” urging their fellow Phobians to “Never say die”.
The club’s statement follows FIFA penalised the local football club after they missed the ninety-day (90) payment deadline to settle the $150,000 owed to Rene.
In a statement dated August 21, FIFA ordered the club to pay Rene what is due him since it has refused to comply with his previous directive “in the matter ref. no. FPSD-17518 (the Decision)”.
“We refer to the abovementioned matter, as well as the decision passed by FIFA in the matter ref. no. FPSD-17518 (the Decision). In this context, it appears that, despite the Decision, Accra Hearts of Oak S/C (the Respondent) has not yet complied with its financial obligations towards Rene Hiddink,” excerpts of the statement read.
Consequently, FIFA has barred Hearts of Oak from engaging in any transfer deals, both internationally and locally, for the next three windows: Window 1 (August 2025 – January 2026), Window 2 (January 2026 – August 2026), and Window 3 (August 2026 – January 2027).
“In this regard, we wish to inform the parties that a ban from registering new players internationally and nationally has been implemented by FIFA on the Respondent,”it continued.
Until they settle, Rene, the ban remains active.”The registration ban will remain active until the amount due is paid and for a maximum duration of up to three entire and consecutive registration periods”.
FIFA has therefore charged the Ghana Football Association to ensure compliance on the part of the Ghana Premier League Club.
It all started when Hearts of Oak signed a three-year deal with the Dutch football coach in July. However, before he could exhaust a year, the club sacked him in the eighth month, March 2024.
According to reports, no official letter was issued to Rene to annul his appointment, but he was simply told by word of mouth that his time with the club had come to an end.
Currently, the reasons behind his abrupt dismissal haven’t been made public; however, it is reported that it was as a result of Hearts of Oak not publicly disclosing a specific reason. The aftermath, however, suggests serious internal conflict. Visibly dissatisfied with how the club dealt with him, Rene filed a formal complaint with FIFA in mid-2024 for wrongful termination. Hiddink’s lawyer, David Winnie, slammed the club for acting “dishonestly and sneakily” by rushing player registrations before the ban took effect on August 22. He sent a petition to FIFA.
Hearts is likely to suffer from this ban as the club prepares ahead of the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) early August released the full fixture list for the 2025/26 Premier League season.
This allows fans and teams to know what to expect in the upcoming season.
Under a 34-matchday timetable, the 18 teams in the league will each play every other team twice, once at home and once away, to ensure fairness and balance.
Defending champions Gold Stars FC will start the season with a title defence fixture against Bechem United at the Duns Park in Bibiani, setting the tone for what promises to be another thrilling season of top-flight football in Ghana.
Asante Kotoko will clash with Berekum Chelsea in their opening encounter, while Hearts of Oak will start the campaign with a home clash against newly promoted Hohoe United.
Match Day 1 also features intriguing away assignments for former champions: Medeama SC visit Young Apostles, while FC Samartex make a trip to face Vision FC.
Premier League returnees Swedru All Blacks FC and Eleven Wonders FC begin their campaigns on the road, visiting Nations FC and Basake Holy Stars, respectively. Heart of Lions, last season’s runners-up, will host Dreams FC in their first fixture, while Karela United will entertain Aduana FC.
The first leg of the iconic clash between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko SC is scheduled for Match Day 5 at the Accra Sports Stadium, with the reverse fixture set for Match Day 22 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
On Match Day 9, Nations FC will play against Asante Kotoko at home and visit the Porcupine Warriors’ home for a return leg in Kumasi for Match Day 26 in the Ashanti Derby.
Hohoe United will host Kpando Heart of Lions on Match Day 17, before making the trip to Kpando for the reverse fixture on the final day of the Premier League, Match Day 34, marking the return of the Volta derby after several years.
A string of Brong Ahafo regional battles is set to heat up the calendar.
Young Apostles will face Bechem United on Match Day 5, Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 7, and Aduana FC on Match Day 16. Return fixtures are set for Match Days 22, 24, and 33, respectively. Aduana FC are also scheduled for a match against Bechem United on Match Day 9 and Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 11.
Bechem United is scheduled to lock horns with Eleven Wonders on Match Day 14 and Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 17. Eleven Wonders will travel to Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 16 for a clash at the Golden City Park.
Medeama SC will host FC Samartex on Match Day 6, with the reverse fixture scheduled for Match Day 23. On Match Day 15, Medeama will welcome Basake Holy Stars, before travelling for the return leg on Match Day 32. Meanwhile, FC Samartex will face Basake Holy Stars away on Match Day 14, with the return leg of the Western Derby set for Match Day 31.
The 2025/26 Premier League season is set to begin on September 12, 2025 and end on the weekend of May 23/24, 2026.
The eight-month schedule is in alignment with the 23rd FIFA World Cup 2026, slated for June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The FIFA World Cup will start about seventeen days after the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season ends.
This helps ensure that all elite domestic competitions end before the beginning of the global showpiece.
With the 31st Ordinary Session of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Congress, scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the Ghanaman Centre of Excellence in Prampram, the Football Association has confirmed that the Premier League will start as planned and finish in May 2026, following FIFA’s official calendar.
Matches will mostly be played on weekends, while midweek games will be used to make up for any matches that were postponed—just like in the 2024/25 season.
Hearts of Oak risk a three-year transfer ban if unable to settle the debt they owe their former Technical Director, Rene Hiddink.
This comes after FIFA penalised the local football club after they missed the ninety-day (90) payment deadline to settle the $150,000 owed to Rene.
In a statement dated August 21, FIFA ordered the club to pay Rene what is due him since it has refused to comply with his previous directive “in the matter ref. no. FPSD-17518 (the Decision)”.
“We refer to the above-mentioned matter, as well as the decision passed by FIFA in the matter ref. no. FPSD-17518 (the Decision).
In this context, it appears that, despite the Decision, Accra Hearts of Oak S/C (the Respondent) has not yet complied with its financial obligations towards Rene Hiddink,” excerpts of the statement read.
Consequently, FIFA has barred Hearts of Oak from engaging in any transfer deals, both internationally and locally, for the next three windows: Window 1 (August 2025 – January 2026), Window 2 (January 2026 – August 2026), and Window 3 (August 2026 – January 2027).
“In this regard, we wish to inform the parties that a ban from registering new players internationally and nationally has been implemented by FIFA on the Respondent,”it continued.
Until they settle, Rene, the ban remains active.”The registration ban will remain active until the amount due is paid and for a maximum duration of up to three entire and consecutive registration periods”.
FIFA has therefore charged the Ghana Football Association to ensure compliance on the part of the Ghana Premier League Club.
It all started when Hearts of Oak signed a three-year deal with the Dutch football coach in July. However, before he could exhaust a year, the club sacked him in the eighth month, March 2024.
According to reports, no official letter was issued to Rene to annul his appointment, but he was simply told by word of mouth that his time with the club had come to an end.
Currently, the reasons behind his abrupt dismissal haven’t been made public; however, it is reported that it was as a result of Hearts of Oak not publicly disclosing a specific reason. The aftermath, however, suggests serious internal conflict. Visibly dissatisfied with how the club dealt with him, Rene filed a formal complaint with FIFA in mid-2024 for wrongful termination. Hiddink’s lawyer, David Winnie, slammed the club for acting “dishonestly and sneakily” by rushing player registrations before the ban took effect on August 22. He sent a petition to FIFA.
Hearts is likely to suffer from this ban as the club prepares ahead of the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) early August released the full fixture list for the 2025/26 Premier League season.
This allows fans and teams to know what to expect in the upcoming season.
Under a 34-matchday timetable, the 18 teams in the league will each play every other team twice, once at home and once away, to ensure fairness and balance.
Defending champions Gold Stars FC will start the season with a title defence fixture against Bechem United at the Duns Park in Bibiani, setting the tone for what promises to be another thrilling season of top-flight football in Ghana.
Asante Kotoko will clash with Berekum Chelsea in their opening encounter, while Hearts of Oak will start the campaign with a home clash against newly promoted Hohoe United.
Match Day 1 also features intriguing away assignments for former champions: Medeama SC visit Young Apostles, while FC Samartex make a trip to face Vision FC.
Premier League returnees Swedru All Blacks FC and Eleven Wonders FC begin their campaigns on the road, visiting Nations FC and Basake Holy Stars, respectively. Heart of Lions, last season’s runners-up, will host Dreams FC in their first fixture, while Karela United will entertain Aduana FC.
The first leg of the iconic clash between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko SC is scheduled for Match Day 5 at the Accra Sports Stadium, with the reverse fixture set for Match Day 22 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
On Match Day 9, Nations FC will play against Asante Kotoko at home and visit the Porcupine Warriors’ home for a return leg in Kumasi for Match Day 26 in the Ashanti Derby.
Hohoe United will host Kpando Heart of Lions on Match Day 17, before making the trip to Kpando for the reverse fixture on the final day of the Premier League, Match Day 34, marking the return of the Volta derby after several years.
A string of Brong Ahafo regional battles is set to heat up the calendar.
Young Apostles will face Bechem United on Match Day 5, Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 7, and Aduana FC on Match Day 16. Return fixtures are set for Match Days 22, 24, and 33, respectively. Aduana FC are also scheduled for a match against Bechem United on Match Day 9 and Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 11.
Bechem United is scheduled to lock horns with Eleven Wonders on Match Day 14 and Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 17. Eleven Wonders will travel to Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 16 for a clash at the Golden City Park.
Medeama SC will host FC Samartex on Match Day 6, with the reverse fixture scheduled for Match Day 23. On Match Day 15, Medeama will welcome Basake Holy Stars, before travelling for the return leg on Match Day 32. Meanwhile, FC Samartex will face Basake Holy Stars away on Match Day 14, with the return leg of the Western Derby set for Match Day 31.
The 2025/26 Premier League season is set to begin on September 12, 2025 and end on the weekend of May 23/24, 2026.
The eight-month schedule is in alignment with the 23rd FIFA World Cup 2026, slated for June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The FIFA World Cup will start about seventeen days after the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season ends.
This helps ensure that all elite domestic competitions end before the beginning of the global showpiece.
With the 31st Ordinary Session of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Congress, scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the Ghanaman Centre of Excellence in Prampram, the Football Association has confirmed that the Premier League will start as planned and finish in May 2026, following FIFA’s official calendar.
Matches will mostly be played on weekends, while midweek games will be used to make up for any matches that were postponed—just like in the 2024/25 season.
Businesses will shut down, and residents will be forced to stay indoors when the final funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, are performed in Kumasi.
This directive was given by the King through one of his kinsmen during the one-week observation yesterday, Thursday, at Manhyia, Ashanti Region.
In a formal announcement on the funeral grounds, the kinsman announced that it would be a four-day funeral ceremony from Sunday, September 14, to Thursday, September 18. The 18th will mark the climax of the funeral and the day for the burial of Nana Konadu.
Per the instructions as announced by the Kingsman by the authority of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, all activities will have to come to a halt, and residents are expected to stay indoors on the night of Thursday, September 18, 2025, as part of the final burial rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
Shops, social gatherings, and all forms of public activity will come to a halt to allow for the sacred burial at Bremang, the royal cemetery.
The directive, issued by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, aligns with centuries-old Asante royal traditions, which demand absolute solemnity during the burial of a King or Queen Mother.
“On that night, the streets must be empty. No one should be seen outside. If you cross our path, you do so at your own peril. Let every son and daughter of Asanteman prepare themselves for this day, by the command of the Golden Stool and the authority of the King,” the Kingsman announced.
“Before that night, at exactly 1 pm, as part of the schedule, Otumfuo will sit in state to receive dignitaries and nobles”.
The one-week observation of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, was held yesterday at the forecourt of Manhyia Palace.
The ceremony was nothing short of star-studded, as it saw the presence of dignitaries, including both current and past presidents and government officials. Former presidents John Agyekum and Akufo-Addo, and Vice President Professor Naana Jane, who was accompanied by the Chief Justice, Julius Debrah.
They paid respects to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and signed the Book of Condolence as a gesture of sharing in his sorrow.
Profile of Asantehemaa Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III
Asantehemaa was named Nana Ama Konadu at birth and is also known by all as Nana Panin or Naa Panin. She later became Nana Konadu Yiadom III, after her enstoolment as the 14th Asantehemaa on February 6, 2016.
She was born in 1927 at Benyaade Shrine at Merdan, a small town located at Kwadaso, Kumasi, in the days of the restoration of the Asante Confederacy.
She was born to Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, Asantehemaa, who reigned from 1977 to 2016. Her father was known as Opanin Kofi Fofie, popularly as Koofie or Keewuo, a carpenter by profession from Besease near Atimatim in Kumasi.
At a very tender age, just when she was a little over a year old and being breastfed, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, Asantehemaa, was separated from her biological mother and given to her aunt (mother’s sister), Nana Afia Konadu, at Ashanti New Town (Ash-Town), a suburb of Kumasi.
Nanahemaa never had any formal education, but she underwent a rigorous and quality informal education, learning a lot of things that were not taught in the classroom.
She was initiated and underwent puberty rites together with her niece, Nana Abena Ansa, in their early teens. She married Opanin Kwame Boateng, a blacksmith by profession from Aduman in Kumasi.
She was religious, kindhearted, calm, fair and firm, hardworking, very humble, unassuming, and accommodating. In the mid-1990s, Kwaku Firi Bosomfo, the priest of Kwaku Firi, prophesied through Baffour Akoto, a Senior Linguist of Asantehene, that Nanahemaa would be Queen of Asante someday, and surely, it came to pass.
Nanahemaa achieved a lot and has been recognized as such. Through her constant generosity in doing God’s work, the Saviour Church named a school after her, Nana Konadu Saviour School. She exhibited a high level of equity, justice, and fairness, and all cases brought before her have been settled amicably to the satisfaction of both parties involved.
Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III, the 14th Queen of the Asante Kingdom (deceased)
In celebrating her 5th Anniversary as Asantehemaa, she made a huge donation to the mothers at the Mother-Baby Unit (MBU), Pediatric Emergency Care Unit (PICU) and Pediatric Emergency Unit (PEU) and paid for all the medical bills and expenses for new mothers at the Mother-Baby Unit (MBU) at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Manhyia Government District Hospital.
Nanahemaa started a vigorous campaign and instituted an annual event to encourage mothers to breastfeed their young ones, the main reason why she made a generous donation to the Mother-Baby Unit at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Manhyia Government District Hospital.
A brief history of former Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi
During the commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Sagrenti War in a panel discussion on February 6, 2024, revelations emerged about the opposition faced by the decision to engage in war against the British, led by Sir Garnet Wolseley.
Nana Afia Kobi, the Asantehemaa at that time, expressed reservations about the war, advising against it despite her son, Kofi Karikari, occupying the Golden Stool.
Discussing the role of women in Asante’s war and diplomacy, Professor Eugenia Anderson, a historian at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), recounted Afia Kobi’s stance.
On November 20, 1873, at an Asanteman Nhyiamu gathering, she reportedly said, “From olden times, it has been seen that God fights for Asante if war is just. This one is unjust.”
Despite her counsel, the decision of the military general prevailed, leading to the 1874 Sagrenti War, resulting in a significant defeat for the Asantes.
The aftermath saw the dethronement of Kofi Karikari and the ascent of Mensa Bonsu, another son of the Asantehemaa.
Afia Kobi deemed the war against the British unjust, a sentiment supported by Prof. Samuel.
Nominations have been opened for Tamale Central Constituency, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has opened announced.
The party made this announcement in an official statement yesterday, August 21, Thursday, and signed by the party Secretary, Fii Fiavi Kwertey.
The nomination forms will be available for pick-up at the Party’s office in the Northern Region within three days. This comes after the former Member of Parliament (MP), Alhaji Mutarlla, succumbed following a helicopter crash on August 6, in Adansi en route to Obuasi for an anti-galamsey event. He was laid to rest on August 10.
“Nomination forms will be available at the Northern Regional Office of the party from Friday, August 22, to Sunday, August 24, 2025, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each day,” parts of the statement read.
The party in the statement also instructed interested parties to make a payment of GH¢5,000 for the forms and a filing fee of GH¢40,000 at its official account at United Merchant Bank (UMB).
“Prospective aspirants will pay a non-refundable nomination fee of GH¢5,000 and a filing fee of GH¢40,000 to be paid in cash only into the party’s official account at UMB Bank, Adabraka Branch. No cheques or bankers’ drafts will be accepted,” it added.
There is a slash for …”female aspirants and persons with disabilities are entitled to a 50 per cent reduction on the filing fee. A certified copy of the delegates’ list will be made available to all aspirants after the vetting process.”
It also continued that, “a certified copy of the delegates’ list will be made available to all aspirants after the vetting process.”
“The party urges all prospective aspirants and stakeholders to ensure strict compliance with these directives and to conduct their campaigns and related activities with decorum, unity, and fairness.”
Meanwhile, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has stated that it will not field a candidate in the upcoming by-election in honour of the late MP.
The criteria for applicants include providing a nomination form proposed and seconded by two registered voters in the constituency and assented to by eighteen others. Nomination forms must be delivered personally by candidates or have them delivered by a proposer or seconder. The forms must be submitted in four copies. Candidates are to provide two recent bust-sized photographs against a red background.
On Monday, August 11, the New Patriotic Party declared its intention not to participate in a by-election in the area. According to a statement signed by NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the decision was taken by the Party at a National Steering Committee meeting held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Party Headquarters pursuant to Article 10(10)(1) of the Party Constitution.
According to the statement, this will be the party’s better way of honoring Dr. Murtala Mohammed and the other crash victims.
“In arriving at the decision, the Party considered many factors, including the circumstances under which the Tamale Central seat has become vacant and the possibility of a further polarization of the country at this critical time.
The NPP is of the belief that it would be inhumane and unconscionable to subject the nation to a competitive processes in search of a replacement for the departed MP. The Party believes that the tension and acrimony often associated with the conduct of by-elections in the country should be avoided.
It is the considered view of the Party that the greatest tribute that the NPP and the rest of the nation can pay in honour of the departed, is not only to win the fight against Galamsey but also to ensure a smooth and peaceful replacement for the good people of Tamale Central.
Consequently, the NPP hereby announces that when the Electoral Commission of Ghana opens nominations for the Tamale Central by-election in line with Article 112 (5) of Ghana’s Constitution, the Party will, in accord with the national interest, not take part in the contest,” a part of the statement read.
Earlier, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, urged members of the National Democratic Congress to exercise restraint from discussing and announcing their intentions to contest the Tamale Central seat.
He shared the words of caution while lauding the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision not to contest in the Tamale Central by-election.
“I beg our party members not to rush into contesting the Tamale Central constituency. Let’s stay calm and not disrupt the funeral rites of our fallen heroes. The party will meet after the funeral and set timelines to get a replacement for the late Murtala Mohammed,” he said.
Speaking at the final funeral rites of the late Dr. Murtala Mohammed at his family house in Tamale on Tuesday, August 12, Asiedu Nketia described the NPP’s move as one that demonstrates political maturity.
“We thank our brothers in the NPP for declaring that they won’t contest us in Tamale Central,” he said.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that the printing of ballot papers for the upcoming Akwatia parliamentary by-election will begin on Wednesday, August 20.
This was disclosed at a meeting convened by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) with political representatives to discuss security measures and strategies to curb electoral violence. The Commission’s Director of Electoral Services, Benjamin Bano-Bioh, told the media that, “as of now (August 19), we are going to start the printing of ballots from tomorrow (which is today).”
“Procurement has already been done. We have procured all the materials required for the election, so we are already,” he stated. Benjamin Bano-Bioh further explained that his outfit is “poised to deliver on our mandate in a professional way. We call on political parties to play by the rules,” he added.
The Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, also briefed political parties, outlining critical security arrangements for the election.
Following the death of the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi, the by-election has been scheduled to elect his successor. The Electoral Commission (EC) is expected to hold the by-election in the Akwatia Constituency of the Eastern Region on Tuesday, September 2.
The election became necessary after the death of the constituency’s representative, Ernest Yaw Kumi, who was reported dead on Monday, July 7. On Monday, August 4, the Electoral Commission will conduct balloting to ensure fairness in the order in which candidates appear on the ballot paper.
The two major political parties are preparing vigorously for the contest. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has elected legal practitioner Bernard Bediako Baidoo as its candidate for the upcoming by-election in Akwatia, Eastern Region, scheduled for Tuesday, September 2.
This follows an internal election conducted by the party on Monday, August 4, to select a representative for the by-election. The competition was between former Member of Parliament Henry Boakye, the current NDC Akwatia Constituency Secretary Bernard Bediako Baidoo, and Erasmus Koney Ali.
Bernard Bediako Baidoo polled 380 votes, Erasmus Ali Korney secured 366 votes, and Yiadom garnered 232 votes. On the other hand, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has selected the Chief Executive of Owuo Mining Company, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, as its parliamentary candidate for the upcoming by-election.
According to the Eastern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Jeff Konadu Addo, the decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has clarified that, the misunderstanding between them and the National Identification Authority has not affected port operations as it has been widely circulated.
On August 6, NIA announced that it had blocked the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) from using its identity verification system over the Authority’s GH₵376 million debt owed to them.
While GRA had yet to respond to the claims, news surfaced that the impact of the move had already begun to be felt by many importers and exporters. They have been left stranded, as they are unable to clear goods at the country’s ports.
However, the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has dismissed claims that ongoing disagreements between the Authority and the National Identification Authority (NIA) over alleged debts have disrupted the clearance of goods at the ports.
During an appearance on JoyNews’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, August 21, he said reports suggesting that importers cannot clear their goods because of the Ghana Card dispute are “not an accurate account.”
“What also came out was the negative or the incorrect news to say that because NIA has taken that action, people cannot clear their stations.
“As you speak right now, it is not an accurate account. If you look at the tax administration system today, we have the individuals, which we are using the Ghana Card, and businesses which GRA generates by itself. Most of these importers run on business TIN.
According to the GRA boss, the Authority does not depend on the Ghana Card to ensure imports are successfully done.
“We don’t rely on the Ghana Card. And therefore it couldn’t have been that if you don’t have your Ghana Card at use, you cannot import,” assuring importers that they can continue their businesses without distractions.
“So I want to use this medium to assure all importers that one, that is not the situation. We have not had any single complaint from any importer.
He however assured they are working out their differences with the NIA to return things to normalcy.
“As far as the demand for debt is concerned, when I took over, I have from leadership perspective engaged the Director-General of NIA. We met here in GRA offices, and we discussed the matter, and we agreed that as leaders, we need to look at the issues and resolve them subsequently.
“I’ve also had a conversation with them, how what GRA believes the matter should be, and how they should. So for us as GRA, it came as a matter of surprise.
“The general public should be assured that that is not the situation. And then we are also working with NIA to resolve the matter.”
He explained that the Ghana Card is not continuously validated for existing taxpayers and therefore cannot disrupt the clearing process.
“Indeed, once your Ghana Card is once validated and in your system, it’s not something we validate all the time. So if you are already in our system, you are not impacted.
“It is only needed when a new taxpayer offices and they show their Ghana Card, then we go to NIA and say, somebody has showed their Ghana Card, is it issued by you?
“And therefore, for existing taxpayers, both corporate and individuals, this matter has no (sic) impact at all. And therefore that’s why, as we say, it was inaccurate, the post that was out.”
Mr. Sarpong continued that, before the current administration assumed office, GRA had made previous arrangements with NIA, which were still in effect, hence the current crop of leaders is trying to resolve any issues faced with regard to the agreements.
“Before 2025 there was some form of legacy arrangement between the NIA and GRA. Part of it was for NIA to say that as GRA receives the data, some amount has to be paid to NIA.
“But the other part was also that GRA made available all its offices nationwide for NIA to operate. So as we speak today, NIA has offices all in GRA offices for which GRA does not pay, for which NIA does not pay anything to GRA. But these arrangements were not conclusive.”
He revealed that he had already held discussions with the NIA Director-General to resolve the issue amicably and expressed disappointment that the matter was taken to the media.
“That’s something that we are speaking on as legacy, as leaders we came to meet, we have opened the door and accepted them to discuss further and resolve, so it was a huge surprise to hear our sister agency trying to take the matter to the media and solve it there.”
According to him, government institutions need to learn to resolve their differences when the need arises, rather than quickly running to the media, citing that this move has the potential of causing instability.
“It’s important to recognize that when you have problems, you cannot solve it all in the media. It’s a matter that we need to sit, to dialogue, to discuss in a spirit of collaborative manner and solve it.
“So you will notice that from GRA perspective, we have extended another professional arm to our sister agency to say, look, let’s sit down. We know there are issues in this area. We don’t fully agree with your sessions and claims, but we are prepared to lead a way to discuss and to resolve the matter.
“So we’ve extended a hand to them to lead and resolve. I believe that that is what leadership is for, and the two of us are government institutions to serve the people. Our actions should not lead to destabilizing service to the people or disturbing our core mandate.
“So we are committed to work with NIA, and we call upon them to extend, take on the hand that we have extended, and let us resolve the matter and deal with it.”
GRA began integrating NIA data into its systems around 2021, when the two agencies started harmonising databases. By September 30, 2021, over 14.7 million individuals had already been migrated from the NIA database to GRA’s systems. To assist the GRA, the NIA had provided bulk biometric data to enable them to perform identity matching with client records. However, the GRA was never fully onboarded onto the NIA’s system via the standard API integration.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced a major shift in its number plate system as it phases out the old method of issuing plate numbers with the year of registration. The new system is expected to take effect in January 2026.
This change was announced by the Authority’s CEO, Julius Neequaye Kotey, during an interview with Channel One’s Umaru Sanda, which was aired on Tuesday, August 19. Mr. Kotey revealed that the new system will identify vehicles by the region in which they are registered rather than the year.
“And now, the concept of putting the year of registration at the end of the car number plate is coming to an end. From next year, we will no longer put the year of registration at the end of the plate.”
Explaining further, he said: “With the new plan, number plates will change. Currently, we have GW 2530. With the new plan, every region will have a regional code. For example, Greater Accra’s code could be GR. At the end of the number, where the year used to be, we will now place an area code. For example: GR 222 AD. That tells you the car was registered in Adenta, a particular district/office. So, instead of just the code, we will also put the region name on top of the plate. For example, Ashanti Region will have ‘Ashanti Region’ written on top, the regional code AS, then the number, and finally the district code — e.g., KM for Kumasi.”
According to him, Ghana currently operates the registration-year plate number system because the older method, which used alphabets, was exhausted when the final letter ‘Z’ was reached, necessitating a switch.
He noted that, globally, Ghana is the only country that issues number plates with the year of registration on them. “No country in the world puts the year at the end of the car. The whole world — there’s no single country, really. When you go to the US, you go to the UK, I’ve been to Germany — there’s no single country. So, it came because they were first using ABC at the end. Then Z came. Then there was nothing left for them to use; ‘Let’s put the 09.’”
Mr. Kotey explained that the removal of the registration year is also intended to curb the misuse of DV and DP plates, encourage proper vehicle registration, and reduce crimes involving unregistered cars. “And now, because of the year, that is why people are not willing to register their cars, and some even rent their cars out for robbery,” he said.
History of number plates in Ghana
Before 2009, Ghana used a system where number plates contained a two-letter regional code and a single letter at the end to denote the year of registration. In 1994, the single-letter code combined with a numeric code was introduced, and this system was phased out in 2009 when the alphabet series was exhausted at “Z.”
For instance, GR denoted Greater Accra, while letters were used to represent the year of registration: P for 1998, Q for 1999, R for 2000, S for 2001, T for 2002, U for 2003, V for 2004, W for 2005, X for 2006, Y for 2007, and Z for 2008. When the change was introduced in 1994, all vehicles were re-registered within three years, from 1994 to 1997, moving sequentially from “A,” “B,” “C,” through to “N” by 1997. “P” was then used in 1998, followed by “Q” in 1999.
Below are the codes for the various regions in Ghana: Ashanti Region (AC, AE, AK, AP, AS, AW), Bono Region (BA, BR, BW), Bono East Region (BT), Central Region (CR), Eastern Region (EN, ER, ES), Greater Accra Region (GB, GC, GE, GG, GH, GL, GM, GN, GT, GS, GW, GX, GY), Northern Region (NR), Upper East Region (UE), Upper West Region (UW), Volta Region (VA, VD, VR) and Western Region (WR, WT).
In addition, the DVLA recently announced plans to roll out an e-licence, as part of its broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising service delivery and improving convenience for Ghanaian drivers.
This innovation was announced by CEO Julius Neequaye Kotey on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, during the launch of the DVLA Lorry Terminal Project at Circle.
He explained: “The launch of the Lorry Terminal Project aims to bring DVLA services closer to drivers. The services provided are the acquisition of a driver’s licence, renewal of licence, replacement of missing and expired licences, and conversion of a foreign driver’s licence.”
According to him, the DVLA has intensified its adoption of digital solutions in line with global technological advancements. He emphasised that the e-licence will allow drivers to prove their eligibility to drive without necessarily carrying a hardcopy licence.
“Most of us don’t carry our licenses with us, and it shouldn’t be the case that the police or any other party takes advantage of that. If I don’t have my license with me and I am a driver, I’m still a driver. I should have an app that allows me to identify myself as a legitimate driver on the street and that’s what the e-licence is about.”
Mr. Kotey clarified that the e-licence is not a replacement but a complement to the traditional licence. “It is not here to replace the physical licence but rather to provide an additional option to access your licence on your Android or iPhone.”
The DVLA also issued a warning to the public against the misuse of Defective Vehicle (DV) plates. Providing clarification on their proper usage, Mr. Kotey explained that these plates are designated strictly for car dealers when the vehicle has not yet been certified as roadworthy.
Mining companies face risks of shorter capital-intensive investments following the government’s decision to halve mining leases from the original thirty years to fifteen years as part of a major overhaul of the sector.
Speaking during a policy roundtable discussion hosted by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana’s Minerals Commission, Martin Ayisi, revealed that his outfit decided to limit lease periods after discovering that most mining companies do not even have ore reserves to last 20–30 years.
About 80% of the mines have less than 10 years of life remaining unless they invest in further exploration. With this finding, the fifteen-year cap does not automatically become a standard lease period for all companies; rather, each company’s lease will be determined by how much ore it can prove it possesses.
“…But most importantly, we ran some models, and I realised that, as we speak, if the mining companies don’t do any extensive exploration, about 80% of them will not have more than a 10-year mine life. And I can give examples.
“On average, only about six companies can do anything more. I can talk about this Chinese mine: if no work is done in two years. But the report they submitted said they have 17 years, and underground 22 years,” he detailed.
According to him, many of the companies in Ghana do not have enough ore to even last them a decade, let alone three, hence the government’s decision to cap leases at a decade and a half.
“If you think about all this, all the other companies, even Knight, which is the biggest ore in Africa today, their lifespan is 11 years. So why should we be talking about 30 years? They found some good ore bodies; they’re saying that expansion just adds 8 years’ life, maximum 10 years’ life.
“So barely can you hit your chest and say you can get about six or seven mines that have maybe 15 years or more. So why should we keep 30 years or even 20 years in our book? So we said no — nobody can get more than 15 years. Now this is what determines, or goes into determining, the duration,” he added.
Before the government announced the capping of mining leases, companies were granted up to 30 years with the possibility of renewal under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703). Under this law, mining companies were given a three-year prospecting license, which was reportedly renewable indefinitely, often without rigorous checks. This allowed companies to hold rights without necessarily investing in exploration.
Mr. Ayisi further explained that, after conducting checks, his outfit discovered most African countries have similar lease times. He noted that many of these countries, such as Kenya, copied Ghana’s mining laws verbatim. However, these laws have not served the sector well, prompting Ghana to chart a new path that could set an example for others.
Consequently, the new lease period has been capped at fifteen years.
“It’s never helped us. I did a check around the world. I found an average between 21 and 30 years. Most countries in Africa are between 25 and 30. And a lot of the laws in African countries were basically Ghana’s law. A lot of countries copied from us. I also happen to write many of the laws in East Africa, so I know what I’m talking about. Kenya’s law is just a copycat of Ghana’s. We just do it for them. Mining is basically in Ghana.
One was in French, one was in English, etc., and some of them have gone to….. So we have decided that the upper limit of mining should be 15 years. We have the record in the world in terms of how far you can go. And don’t get me wrong — when we say the limit, it doesn’t mean the record will get 15 years. So we are dropping it from 30 to 15 years. Very significant for us,” the CEO mentioned.
The government will now determine the lease period each mining company is entitled to. The commission in charge of mining will base its decision on how much mineral the company has proven it can mine and what its feasibility studies reveal.
“So when a company does exploration: ‘I’ve done exploration for this number of years, I found some good ore, I’ve been able to convert many of my resources — let’s say a million ounces.’ It says, okay, my feasibility, they tell you everything there — the type of mineral, impact, social, whatever. …” he mentioned.
Still on mining, His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama has appointed three distinguished professionals to the GoldBod Tribunals. This was announced in a post shared on the authority’s official Facebook page yesterday, Tuesday, August 19. The inauguration ceremony was held at the Ministry of Finance in Accra, where the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, swore in the members of the tribunal.
The tribunal members who were inaugurated are Biadela Mortey Akpadzi (Chairman), Hamidu Mariam (Member), and Justin Pwavra Teriwajah (Member). The tribunal has been charged with the task of “considering appeals regarding decisions made by the Gold Board, matters relating to licensing under the Act, and rulings of the Dispute Resolution Committee.”
GoldBod is the official regulatory authority overseeing Ghana’s artisanal and small-scale gold sector. In a recent development, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) on Tuesday, July 29, handed over seventeen (17) gold bars valued at $1.7 million to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
At the Ministry of the Interior in Accra, the gold bars seized by officers of the Upper East Command of the Narcotics Control Commission at the Paga Border Post from two Burkinabe nationals who were attempting to smuggle them out of the country were received by the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi (Esq.).
The handing-over ceremony was witnessed by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mrs. Doreen Annan; the Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey; and other senior officials from NACOC and GoldBod.
This development comes after the Acting Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi (Esq.), stressed that persons who engage in gold trading without GoldBod licenses after June 21 would be prosecuted. He made this clear during a meeting with the Chamber of Licensed Gold Buyers.
“As we have announced, by the 21st of this month, we shall ensure that only holders of GoldBod licenses are able to buy gold, and so if you are not licensed by the GoldBod, you cannot buy gold after June 21st. It will constitute a punishable offence to do so.”
Mr. Gyamfi urged gold buyers to forge partnerships that will boost compliance with the new GoldBod licensing regime. The acting CEO noted that the process for registering has been made seamless and free of corruption.
“We have removed the human interface element, and so there is no corruption, bribery, inducements, or favouritism. It is a very transparent and competitive process, and once you qualify, you get the license. I don’t take or demand bribes before I issue a license.”
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has ordered banks nationwide to refrain from paying foreign currencies to large companies that do not make deposits in the same currency, effective Wednesday, August 20.
This directive was issued by the banks in an official statement dated August 20 and titled “Notice to Banks and the General Public”, expressing concerns over the rising withdrawals by large corporations without initial funding in the same currency.
“The Bank of Ghana has observed with concern the growing practice of foreign currency (FCY) cash withdrawals by Large Corporates (e.g., Bulk Oil Distribution Companies, mining companies, and other similar actors) that are not directly funded by prior FCY cash deposits”, excerpts of the statement read.
BoG explained that these withdrawals put pressure on the country’s foreign exchange, hence the need to protect the country’s foreign reserves and deal with unbalanced foreign currency flows.
“This practice exerts avoidable pressure on the foreign exchange market and undermines efforts to ensure stability”, BoG added.
Consequently, effective August 20, all banks have been ordered to put an end to payouts in dollars. It also ordered banks to keep documents on all the sources of the funds. Among the records the banks are suspected to keep are whether the cash was deposited by the company, whether it was transferred from abroad
“Accordingly, with immediate effect, all banks are directed to discontinue the payment of FCY cash to Large Corporates unless such transactions are fully supported by equivalent FCY cash deposits lodged by the same institution. Banks must retain proper documentation to confirm the source of funds for every payout”, it added.
While the BoG has issued this directive concerning the payment of foreign currencies to the large Corporates, it has assured them of the government’s commitment to make available foreign exchange liquidity to help support and sustain them in their business due to their contribution to the country’s economy
“The Bank of Ghana remains committed to supporting the operations of Large Corporates, recognising their critical role in sustaining petroleum supply, mineral exports, and other essential sectors of Ghana’s economy. To this end, the Bank, in partnership with the Government, has put in place mechanisms to source and provide foreign exchange liquidity to meet legitimate import obligations of Large Corporates. These measures are designed to safeguard market stability while ensuring that vital supply chains remain. Uninterrupted”, it continued, urging compliance from relevant stakeholders. Non-compliant bodies will face the “appropriate sanctions”
“We expect all banks to comply strictly with this directive and to cooperate fully with the Bank of Ghana in ensuring that available foreign exchange resources are applied efficiently and transparently. Non-compliance will attract appropriate regulatory sanctions.
“Relevant industry associations are kindly requested to bring this Notice to the attention of their members and ensure their adherence,” BoG added.
BoG orders banks to halt FCY cash payments to large companies without equivalent deposits#TIG#TIGNews SM4LYF | Wontumi | Raymond Archer | Kumasi | pic.twitter.com/pFI1Ys2JHB
The Ghana cedi has seen a remarkable appreciation against major trading currencies worldwide over the past six months.
During the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review yesterday, July 24, the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, revealed that the cedi has recorded a remarkable turnaround in the first six months of 2025, appreciating by 42.6% against the US dollar.
Dr Forson described the cedi’s performance as “impressive” and the first of its kind in the history of Ghana’s economy. The cedi, which was initially always experiencing depreciation, is currently showing resilience against the dollar. He noted that the cedi, which was previously trading at about GH¢17.0 to the US dollar, had strengthened to GH¢10.4 as of July 23.
“Mr. Speaker, the cedi’s performance in the first half of this year has been impressive! The Ghana cedi experienced significant appreciation against all major trading currencies in the first six months of 2025. I am happy to inform the House that our precious cedi, which once upon a time was trading at about GH¢17.0 to the US dollar, was trading at about GH¢10.4 as of yesterday, 23rd July, 2025,” he revealed.
In high spirits, the minister adopted the catchphrase from Ghanaian highlife musician King Paluta’s energetic party anthem “For the Popping (Apicki),” released on December 27, 2024, and said, “This level of appreciation of the Ghana cedi has never happened in the history of our nation. Ghanafo, cedi no apicki! Apicki apicki apicki!”
He continued that the strength of the cedi has not appreciated against just the US dollar but against the British pound as well. The cedi also gained 30.3% against the British pound and 25.6% against the euro during the same period. This marks a sharp contrast to the same period in 2024, when the cedi depreciated by 18.6% against the dollar, 17.9% against the pound, and 16.0% against the euro.
“Similarly, the cedi, which was once trading at GH¢21.0 to the Great British Pound, was trading at about GH¢14.1 as of yesterday, 23rd July 2025. Mr. Speaker, as of end-June 2025, the cedi appreciated by 42.6% against the US dollar, 30.3% against the British pound, and 25.6% against the euro,” he added.
With these gains over the past few months, Dr Cassiel stated that all the losses in the previous years had been reversed. “Mr. Speaker, I repeat, so far, we have almost reversed all the cedi depreciation in 2022, 2023, and 2024,” he mentioned.
The cedi’s appreciation, the minister continued, can be attributed to the government’s strategic economic policies and programmes, including strong fiscal consolidation, tight monetary policy, improved external sector balances, renewed investor confidence, positive market sentiments, recent credit rating upgrades, and the successful completion of the IMF programme’s fourth review.
He said, “Mr. Speaker, these gains are largely due to strong fiscal consolidation, tight monetary policy, improved external sector balances, renewed investor confidence, positive market sentiments, credit rating upgrades, and successfully securing staff-level agreement and subsequent Board approval on the 4th Review of the IMF programme.”
The current status of the cedi is proof of a growing economy whose foundations are being stabilized. “The cedi’s rebound signals that Ghana’s economic foundations are once again beginning to firm up.”
To maintain the cedi’s appreciation, Dr Ato Forson recommended, “Sustaining this stability will require continued fiscal discipline, supportive monetary policy, strong liquidity sterilisation, robust reserve accumulation supported by activities of the GoldBod and the credible implementation of structural reforms.”
In a related development, Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama also highlighted the cedi’s appreciation during the Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting held on Tuesday, 15th July, at the Labadi Beach Hotel under the theme “Sustaining Forex Gains: Business and Economic Impact.”
Delivering his keynote address, the Governor stated, “the Ghanaian Cedi has appreciated by over 42% year-to-date as of June 2025, reversing nearly all the losses incurred in 2022 and 2023,” stressing that the rising cedi must go beyond numbers and lead to real change.
The Governor further noted that Ghana’s gross international reserves now stand at US$11.1 billion, representing 4.8 months of import cover, up from US$8.98 billion at the end of 2024. He added that the country recorded a trade surplus of US$4.14 billion in the first four months of 2025, driven by export growth of over 60%, mainly from gold, cocoa, and oil.
Meanwhile, last month, a group of importers in the country expressed frustration with banks over their refusal to make US dollars available for their business needs.
According to them, what the Bank of Ghana regularly announces as the interbank rate does not reflect reality, leading to the refusal of banks to make dollars available for sale.
“On paper, the cedi is supposed to stabilise, which means we should be able to get dollars at the approved and lower rates from the bank, but that is not the case. We are not getting the dollars from the bank. It is very difficult,” they said in the statement.
The situation, they say, has compelled them to resort to the black market to bear with offers at exorbitant rates.
”As businessmen who import goods, our main trading currency is the US Dollar, which we buy from home for our external transactions. And the Cedi’s recent stability against the US Dollar came as good news to importers and traders, for obvious reasons. However, just as we began to revel in the stability, we are now confronted with another challenge of struggling to buy US Dollars from the banks,” the importers noted.
The group has raised questions about the credibility of the Bank of Ghana’s quoted exchange rate, following persistent challenges in accessing U.S dollars from commercial banks.
Kejetia, on March 21 this year, was torn through by one of the most destructive fires in the history of Ghana.
Goods worth millions of cedis were destroyed, and livelihoods that depended on the market for their livelihoods lost.
Authorities thronged the site while the fire service tried to extinguish the fire. Dr Bawumia donated ₵100,000 as relief among other authorities. Despite the numerous promises of renovation and facelift from authorities, traders at the Kejetia Blue Light Market are still struggling to recover.
Reconstruction works have yet to begin, and currently, many traders operate in the burnt-out section, leaving many at the mercy of the weather, rain and the sun.
To mitigate the impact of the sun and the rain, traders have resorted to mounting umbrellas over tables to return to business and rebuild their livelihoods with hopes of aid from authorities to rebuild the burnt to ground market structures.
According to some traders, the funds initially provided were used for drainage and minor works, leaving them with little relief.
“The leaders say the funds have run out after being used for drainage and minor works, leaving traders still operating under umbrellas in an inconducive space. Conditions worsen whenever it rains. We are appealing for at least the floor to be cast if roofing cannot be provided immediately,” Amaniampong Atakorah lamented.
Business has also been slow. “Right now, we don’t get customers like we were receiving before the market got burnt,” Joseph Darko said. Amid the struggles, one of the store blocks that bore the brunt of the fire has received a facelift from its owner, with some traders gradually moving back in. Among them is Collins Boateng, who has fully resumed operations. Despite earlier safety concerns, he now believes the structure is strong enough.
“The fire damaged our section of the building more severely because of nearby wooden structures. Initially, I was reluctant to support renovations, fearing the structure was unsafe. But after inspecting the top floor, I realised it is still very solid,” he said.
Beyond the drains, which remain the only visible works on the site, reconstruction efforts have stalled. Chairman of the Market Association, Joseph Bobie Ansah, acknowledged the intervention but stressed that more funding is urgently needed to complete the entire project.
“The donations we received have been exhausted, and we are appealing to well-meaning individuals for support. The tragedy has left us financially strained, and relying solely on government intervention will only delay reconstruction,” Mr. Ansah explained.
Meanwhile, before the major fire in March, another fire struck some parts of the market on January 24.
However, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) was able to avert what could have been a major disaster at Kejetia Market following the fire outbreak.
Their swift response saved 23 out of 25 shops in the immediate vicinity of the blaze.
The fire, which was reported at 5:27 a.m., affected two stores—S-1785 and S-1786—on the second floor of the bustling commercial hub. Within six minutes of receiving the emergency call, firefighters arrived at the scene and launched a tactical operation to contain the flames.
Using two 5kg CO₂ fire extinguishers, twenty-six 6kg dry chemical powder extinguishers, and water from a hose reel, the GNFS team worked tirelessly to bring the fire under control. Their coordinated efforts successfully prevented the fire from spreading to other sections of the market, known for its heavy commercial activity.
“We managed to salvage 23 out of the 25 shops in the immediate area. This was possible thanks to the effective strategies deployed by our team and the quick response,” a GNFS representative stated.
No injuries or fatalities were recorded, underscoring the effectiveness of the GNFS’s intervention. While two stores sustained damage, the situation could have been far worse without the timely actions of the Fire Service.
The GNFS has intensified patrols in the area to prevent future incidents, while investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire. Shop owners and market stakeholders have commended the GNFS for their professionalism and dedication.
Ghana Police, in a collaborative intelligence-aided operation with the operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, have rescued twenty Ghanaians who were trafficked to the Uyo Local Government Area of Abia State.
The twenty include 10 females and 10 males,all confirmed to be Ghanaian nationals.
The rescue was announced by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSP Timfon John, in a statement in Uyo on Wednesday.
In the statement, she disclosed that the rescue operation was undertaken following an official request for assistance from the Ghana Police Service and INTERPOL.
“On August 18, 2025, operatives of the command successfully rescued 20 Ghanians trafficked to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
‘’The human trafficking victims were rescued from a compound in Obio Etoi village, Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, after an operation that was a collaborative effort following a formal request for assistance from the Ghana Police Service and INTERPOL, she revealed adding that “the raid led to the rescue of 10 males and 10 females (names withheld), all confirmed to be Ghanaian nationals,” the statement read.
The victims who were rescued in a well-fenced building around 4 pm, John revealed, appeared disoriented and unable to speak. Investigators believe their orientation and countenance suggest potential hypnotism hence their inability to assist with investigations.
“Acting on credible information, operatives surrounded a well-fenced building at approximately 1617 hours on Monday, August 18, 2025
‘’The victims presently appear disoriented and have been unable to provide useful information, leading investigators to suspect they might have been hypnotised”, John added.
However, investigations are underway “…and further developments will be communicated to the public as they become available,’’ the statement added.
The Nigerian Police supported Operation mark about the third rescue operation successfully carried out by the Ghana Police Service this year.
About four months ago, a group of two hundred and two (202) Ghanaians who were lured with fake promises such as lucrative job opportunities in foreign countries by a human trafficking and scam syndicate, Q-Net (QuestNet International), operating in Nigeria, were rescued and repatriated, according to Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
“The traffickers lure unsuspecting compatriots under the pretext of facilitating their travel to France or other European countries for lucrative job opportunities”, he said.
He said 78 individuals were repatriated through the Abuja Mission and 124 individuals returned via the Lagos Mission.
“Our mission in Nigeria, Mr Speaker, has recently rescued and repatriated 202 Ghanaians, 78 through the Abuja Mission and 124 through the Lagos Mission.”
He made these revelations on the floor of Parliament yesterday, Wednesday, July 24, while he was addressing lawmakers during a session focused on Ghana’s diplomatic and security efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly the operations of the Q-Net syndicate in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire.
In his update, he disclosed that the victims fell for the lies and fraudulent operations allegedly spearheaded by the syndicate group, a notorious recruitment and trafficking network. Victims are mostly commuted to countries like Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, in the name of making transits and cooked up stories such as visa processing in the aforementioned countries are relatively faster than they are in Ghana.
“Victims are first brought to supposed transit countries like Nigeria or Côte d’Ivoire, where the scammers claim visa processing is quicker than in Ghana,” he explained.
The North Tongu Member of Parliament also added that approximately five hundred (500) Ghanaian nationals are reportedly being kept hostage against their will in Côte d’Ivoire. Diplomatic efforts are currently underway to identify and safely bring them back home.
“According to the Ghana Embassy in Abidjan, the clandestine nature of the operations of the scammers and the silent arrival of victims in Côte d’Ivoire make it challenging to determine the number of Ghanaians being held hostage. The Mission estimates that there are over 500 Ghanaians currently held in secluded locations. Efforts are being made to bring them home, ” he continued.
These victims, the Minister said, paid huge sums of money to secure promised jobs and travel opportunities.
He disclosed that “These individuals were lured with promises of overseas travel opportunities and paid between GH¢18,000 and GH¢40,000 to scammers purporting to facilitate travel documents and transit to destinations such as France, Canada, Belgium, and Qatar”.
In a shocking revelation, Mr Ablakwa announced that the leaders of the trafficking syndicate being operated in Cote d’Ivoire are reportedly Ghanaians, some of whom were victims of the scheme. Instead of fighting the system to save others from falling prey, they have joined the syndicate and are scamming others to recover their personal losses.
“Investigations have revealed that some of the ringleaders behind the Q-Net operations in Côte d’Ivoire are themselves Ghanaians—former victims of the same scam—who are now exploiting others in a desperate attempt to recover their personal losses”, he revealed.
Despite the significant rescues made so far, Ablakwa assured Parliament that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with national and international security agencies, is intensifying efforts to dismantle the trafficking networks and implement lasting solutions to what he described as a “deeply troubling trend.”
He said his outfit will launch an awareness and sensitisation campaign to educate the public to be vigilant when such schemes are presented to them.
“Beginning in September, the Ministry will roll out a nationwide sensitisation campaign in collaboration with the NCCE to educate the public on the dangers of QNET-related scams”, calling on all Members of Parliament to also educate their constituents to save them from becoming the next victims.
“I urge Honourable Members of Parliament to educate their constituents and help raise awareness to prevent more Ghanaians from falling victim to such deceptive recruitment schemes”, he added.
Ghana’s rescue efforts this year have been quite commendable, given the number of people that have been freed and repatriated so far.
On Monday, June 30, this year, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General of the CID, in a press briefing, revealed that 76 Ghanaian victims had been rescued in Nigeria between May 19 and June 27, 2025, in collaboration with Interpol and Nigerian authorities.
During the rescue missions, seven Ghanaian suspects were arrested and were in custody in Nigeria at that time.
She reiterated that some of the victims were promised football contracts and later kept in overcrowded, unhygienic camps with their phones and documents confiscated.
Following their being kept hostage, some were forced to reach their relatives and make demands for ransoms in exchange for their freedom under false pretences.
DCOP Donkor described the Q-Net scheme as “highly deceptive and exploitative,” targeting youth and professionals alike.
She warned that anyone involved in recruiting or harbouring victims would face prosecution under Ghana’s Anti-Human Trafficking Act.
Ghana’s Anti-Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694) is a comprehensive law aimed at preventing, punishing, and reducing human trafficking, while also protecting and rehabilitating victims.
Reacting to the growing links of fraud and human trafficking to their company, QNET’s Global CEO Malou Caluza publicly rebuffed that their company was a transparent, legitimate direct-selling company, emphasising that “some bad apples” had misused the brand in response to scam allegations on December 9, 2021.
In her statement, she said:
“We are very transparent as a company. Everything you want to know about QNET is available on our website and our social media pages.”
She also highlighted QNET’s commitment to education and awareness, noting that the company uses social media campaigns, stakeholder engagement, PR programs, seminars, and training to help people understand the difference between legitimate direct selling and illegal pyramid schemes.
This was after a wide reportage and tag that their company hid behind “ e-marketing” to exploit people.
Fast forward, QNET officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Tuesday, July 15, during a press conference in Accra. The MoU aims to combat fraud, human trafficking, and brand impersonation and includes joint efforts in public education, intelligence sharing, and enforcement support.
Santos suffered their biggest defeat in their entire football history in Brazil in Serie A play. The Brazilian club were heavily thrashed by Vasco da Gama in a 0-6 game at the Estádio Urbano Caldeira, also known as Vila Belmiro, in Santos, Brazil.
Santos’ poor and disappointing run cost the head coach, Cleber Xavier, his job as he was suspended immediately after the match.
One that hurts the fans so badly is the fact that it was a home game.
Just a few days after the game, some angry fans stormed the Santos training ground at CT Rei Pelé, confronting Neymar and the squad face-to-face, with one fan allegedly shouting “You should get a slap in the face!”, a reflection of how deeply betrayed supporters felt.
In a video making waves online, Neymar was captured listening to the angry and disappointed fans’ complaints and was even threatened with violence before telling the group that “[Santos] are trying to change things.”
The former PSG forward, visibly distressed and pained by the heaviest defeat in his entire career, acknowledged their anger.
I’m ashamed. I’m totally disappointed with our performance. The fans have every right to protest, obviously without using violence … But if they want to curse and insult, they’re in their right,” Neymar said.
Following their defeat, Neymar was overcome with emotion at full-time and consoled on the pitch by a member of the club’s backroom staff.
He continued that, “It’s a feeling of extreme shame. I’ve never experienced this in my life. Unfortunately, it happened. The tears were from anger, from everything. Unfortunately, I can’t help in every way. Anyway, it was total s—, that’s the reality.”
Neymar returned to Santos in January on a 6-month contract, after ending his contract with Al-Hilal following mutual consent by both parties.
Upon joining Santos, Neymar took a massive pay cut, from earning €1.5 million per week tax-free at Al-Hilal to taking a base salary of about £32,500 per week.
Brazil forward Neymar says he is not ready to quit football as long as his love for the game continues to drive him.
Around June this year, Neymar came under heavy criticism for his consistent injury struggles. Some pundits called for his resignation from football. However, in response, he noted that he will quit only when he feels he can ‘no longer perform’ as he wants to, he told his wife, Bruna Biancardi, who asked him why he continues playing professionally, during a family and friends interview he hosted.
He said, “What drives me is the love I still feel for football.
“The desire I feel to play, to be on the field, that’s what drives me every day; to wake up, to train. The love I feel for football will never end. It will stay with me for the rest of my life.
At some point, the desire to play, because I can no longer do it, because I can no longer perform as I want to, will end … As long as I still have the desire to play football, you’ll have to share me, my love.”
The interview was aired just days after his 6-month contract extension with his childhood club, Santos.
Others also believe his off-field lifestyle has affected his brilliance on the field.
Some fans and pundits also believe his injuries, which have affected his effectiveness, are a “wind-down” phase, prompting talk of retirement.
But Neymar believes that, “I can’t control other people’s thoughts,” he told his wife. “It’s difficult to answer people who understand absolutely nothing about our lives…
Judging is easy, but understanding what’s behind it is difficult…I’ve spent my entire career a little sad because of this, because of people who don’t know me talking about me and not just about football”.
In another development, Brazilian football star Neymar and his partner, Bruna Biancardi, have welcomed their second child (daughter) together barely two years after they welcomed their first, Mavie, on October 7, 2023.
Bianca in an Instagram post, which featured beautiful photos of herself and her husband with their newborn wrote,
“Our Mel has arrived to complete and sweeten our lives even more! Welcome, daughter! May God bless your life and free you from all evil! We are looking forward to living this new chapter with you. We love you!”
Mel becomes the second daughter and child of Bianca and the fourth of the 33-year-old footballer.
Neymar first became a father in 2011 with the birth of his son, Davi Lucca, with ex-girlfriend Carolina Dantas. He was just 19 years old.
He also has a daughter, Mavie, with Amanda Kimberly, and previously welcomed another daughter, also named Mavie, with Biancardi — adding an interesting note to his growing family tree.
Their relationship hasn’t been without challenges, with reports of the duo’s separation in 2024. And in 2024, Neymar welcomed another daughter named Helena on July 3, with Amanda Kimberlly.
In 2023, while Bianca was pregnant, there were claims that Neymar cheated, and in a post on social media, the Santos player admitted the claims with an apology to his now wife, Bianca.
The message read” …Only I solve my mistakes in personal life at home, in my intimacy with my family and friends… All of this hit one of the most special people in my life.
The woman I dreamed of following beside me, mother of my child. It touched her intimacy in such a special moment, that is, maternity. Bru, I already apologised for my mistakes, for unnecessary exposure, but I feel obligated to come publicly reaffirm that. If a private matter has become public, the apology has to be public.
Can’t imagine without you. I don’t know if we’ll work out, but TODAY you’re sure I want to try. Our purpose will prevail, our love for our baby will win, and our love for each other will make us stronger. ALWAYS US. I love you ❤️.”
Chief Executive Officer of Databank, Kojo Addae-Mensah, has advised Ghanaian international footballers to be cautious in their engagements with foreign women, particularly in terms of romance.
He opined that they pick partners from their race, locally, which he believes is safer than choosing foreign women.
Addae-Mensah made these remarks during a discussion on Joy FM’s Sports show that was aired on August 19.
“I know this will be controversial, but I want to tell the players something: Black is beautiful, so they should stop this lust for foreign girls and pick women from their Ghanaian communities,” he noted.
During the discussions, the Databank CEO referred to embattled former Arsenal player and Ghana Black Stars Thomas Partey, who is currently in a legal battle for rape and other related charges.
According to Addae-Mensah, Ghanaian players often encounter avoidable challenges when involved with women from abroad, suggesting that such relationships have, in some cases, led to damaging allegations.
“There is nothing wrong with coming to Accra or your community to pick a girl and taking her with you to your city abroad. This is because these foreign girls are trouble,” he added.
Meanwhile, Partey’s new club has given the opprotunity to play until he is found guilty.
While concerns have been expressed about Villareal’s deal with Partey as he has a pending case, the club, in reaction, issued a statement yesterday citing their respect for the player’s insistence on his innocence.
They said, while they await the final verdict, they maintain their stance as strong advocates against acts of violence in all its forms, including gender-based violence, discrimination, racism, xenophobia, or any behaviour that undermines the dignity of individuals.”
“The club is aware that the player is currently involved in legal proceedings in England. The player firmly maintains his innocence and denies all charges against him. Villarreal CF respects the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence and will await the outcome of the judicial process, which will be responsible for clarifying the facts of the case.
Due to the law in England in relation to ongoing proceedings, the club is unable to comment further. Villarreal wishes to reiterate its strong commitment to respect and diversity and firmly condemns any acts of violence in all its forms, including gender-based violence, discrimination, racism, xenophobia, or any behaviour that undermines the dignity of individuals.”
They went ahead to praise Partey for his stunning football skills, calling him a “complete midfielder with great stamina and exceptional physical attributes”.
They highlighted his successful spells with Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, and the Ghana national team, where he earned over 50 caps.
The move by the Addae-Mensah praised Villarreal for their stance, commending the club for supporting Partey while his case is before the courts.
“The prosecutor wanted to end his career, but I’m happy that someone at Villarreal was very sensible to know that you are innocent until proven guilty. This is because most of these allegations come out with a verdict of not guilty, so I really appreciate what Villarreal have done for him.”
The 32-year-old, who left Arsenal this summer, has been charged with multiple counts of rape.Thomas Partey is currently facing six serious criminal charges in the UK. The charges were formally presented at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5. These charges have been levelled against him by three different women.
In one of the charges, Complainant 1 claims that, between April and May 2021, Partey penetrated her anally during what began as consensual vaginal intercourse, without her consent. She further claims that between April and June 2021, Partey engaged her in anal sex on on at least four separate occasions without her consent.
Complainant 2 also alleges that in December 2021, after she refused to engage in sexual activity, Partey raped her vaginally. She also claims that in February 2022, he penetrated her anally after she explicitly declined anal sex. A third allegation from Complainant 2 states that during a trip to Marbella, Spain, in June 2022, Partey raped her vaginally.
Complainant 3 also claims that in February 2022, Partey lay on top of her, attempted to kiss her, and touched her over her clothes without her consent.
However, the player has denied all the allegations levelled against him. His lawyer has denied the charges of rape and sexual assault against her client.
The statement issued by Partey’s lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, noted:
“Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him. He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.”
The lawyer noted that as legal proceedings are ongoing, her client will not make any further comment on the matter.
Under UK law, rape and sexual assault are prosecuted under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which sets out clear definitions and penalties for these crimes. Rape is defined as intentional penile penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth of another person without their consent and without a reasonable belief that they consent.
Sexual assault involves intentionally touching another person sexually without their consent.
In the case of Thomas Partey, if he is found guilty of the multiple counts of rape and sexual assault, especially involving multiple complainants and repeated offences, he could face a lengthy custodial sentence, potentially 15–25 years or more, depending on the court’s assessment of harm and culpability.
However, renowned sports journalist Dan Kwaku Yeboah has accused Premier League side Arsenal of playing a role in the rape charges brought against Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey.
According to him, the fact that the charges became public immediately after Partey’s contract renewal talks with the Gunners failed suggests that club officials may have influenced the timing of the revelation.
The Peace FM journalist also noted that the alleged incidents occurred in 2022 while Partey was still playing for Arsenal, yet the charges were only made public in 2025 after he left the club which he sees as another indication of the club’s involvement.
Speaking on Radio XYZ, Kwaku Yeboah stated that the charges could negatively impact Partey’s football career as clubs may hesitate to sign him until the case is resolved.
“With the way the charges surfaced, I believe the person who influenced Arsenal’s decision not to extend Partey’s contract is behind this. At this point, it will reduce his market value and discourage interested clubs.
“They have decided to destroy his career. How could something that happened in 2022 be kept under wraps until he was out of the club? This is a calculated attempt,” he said.
Project Manager for the Pokuase-Nsawam Highway project, Ing. Awuku Asare, has expressed pessimism about his outfit being able to complete the road project within nine (9) months.
Construction works have resumed on the stalled Pokuase-Nsawam Highway project, which is expected to be completed in May 2026. However, Ing. Awuku Asare has indicated that his team is currently confronted with several challenges that may necessitate a request for an extension of the completion deadline.
Among the difficulties he highlighted, Ing. Awuku Asare explained that completing the interchange alone would likely take about seven months out of the proposed nine-month duration. According to him, by the seventh month, they might not have even “completed the top” of the interchange.
“Within 2 or 23 weeks, you must be done with the basic maintenance. Yeah, we have up to May 2026 to complete it, and if there are any snags, they will definitely ask for an extension. And I’m telling you one snag—it’s going to take us about 7 months to complete the interchange. But now, if the compensation is done and we are going to count another 3 months up to November, it means we are going to start from November. Then November to May is about 7 months; we wouldn’t have completed the top. Then we… so there will be a basis to ask for any extension if it comes like that…,” he noted.
Another setback that may delay the completion of the project is the legal tussle with affected persons, some of whom have taken the government to court over their eviction, citing delays in compensation.
“Talking about this compensation, we have to—there are some individuals who have sent us to court. In fact, they wanted to even put an injunction on the construction works. But we just had a letter from the engineer, who is the Highway Authority, that the court didn’t grant. So we can go ahead and do the demolitions and complete them,” he added.
He further mentioned that the ongoing relocation of electricity cables, which were found in the right-of-way, remains another challenge that must be resolved before full-scale work can continue.
“…So that challenge is there. There are also some electricity lines and water lines in the right-of-way. They have all encroached on the right-of-way, and it shouldn’t have happened like that,” he continued.
Meanwhile, relief has come to commuters, particularly drivers who ply the barely motorable, waterlogged Pokuase-Nsawam Highway, following the government’s settlement of GH¢809 million to the contractor working on the project.
The release of the funds was confirmed by the Controller and Accountant-General, Kwasi Agyei. According to him, as of August 4, the government had fully settled this payment to facilitate the resumption of work.
During an interview on Accra-based Peace FM on Monday, August 18, Mr. Agyei explained that the government had discharged all its financial obligations for the project. He noted that payments were made in three separate batches within thirteen days, starting from late July to early August.
“We made partial payments on 24th July, followed by another on 30th July, and the final payment was made on 4th August. In total, we have honoured the full amount of GH¢809 million as requested,” he explained.
His comments came after threats of a sit-down strike by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU). In a statement issued on Friday, August 15, the union had given a five-day ultimatum to the government to ensure the resumption of work on the road by Wednesday, August 20.
The GPRTU stressed that the only condition that would make them rescind their decision to strike was seeing contractors back on site. They described the road as a “death trap.”
“The only thing that will make us change our minds is seeing the contractors back on the road. We cannot continue to risk lives and livelihoods on a road that has become a death trap. If nothing changes by Wednesday, August 20, we will park our vehicles,” Samuel Amoah, National Deputy PRO of the union, said in the statement.
They further called on commuters, residents, and other affected parties to join them in demanding action from the government.
“We are calling on all commuters, residents, and stakeholders to join this action—not just as a protest, but as a civic duty to demand accountability. This road has become a corridor of suffering. If the government will not act, the people must,” the statement continued.
However, following the contractor’s return to the site, repair works have resumed on the vital road, bringing relief after months of heavy traffic congestion on its worsening stretch. The GPRTU has since suspended the planned action.
Meanwhile, the company in charge of the project, Maripoma Enterprise Limited, has assured the public that the project will be completed by May 2026. Following a site visit by the Member of Parliament for the constituency, Sedem Afenyo, engineers indicated that they were working to complete filling and levelling by the end of the week.
The Member of Parliament, after observing the visible improvement in the state of the road, remarked, “I have never seen vehicles drive at this speed in the past two weeks. There is always traffic here.”
In July this year, Parliament unanimously endorsed the government’s proposal to divert all royalties from oil revenues and mineral resources to support the implementation of the Big Push Programme. This decision followed a request by the government for parliamentary approval to commit funds for the construction of specific road projects.
According to the Joint Committee on Budget and Finance, “The Committee has carefully considered the Referral, and it thinks that the request is in the right direction. The Committee also noted that Parliament had already approved the policy and the allocation to the ‘Big Push’ Programme in the 2025 Budget Statement. Granting the request would enable the Government to enter into multi-year contracts to execute the road infrastructure projects under the Programme.”
“The Committee accordingly recommends to the House to approve the Request for the multi-year commitments for the selected road projects under the ‘Big Push’ Programme contained in the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review of the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana, under Section 33 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016, (Act 921).”
The initiative, aimed at improving road infrastructure nationwide, is estimated at GH¢13.8 billion. It is expected to be completed by 2028 with support from the country’s financial resources.
According to the 2025 budget, the Road Fund owes GH¢5.75 billion, with GH¢2.81 billion allocated for road maintenance. This represents a 155.5% increase from the 2024 allocation of GH¢1.1 billion, underscoring the government’s emphasis on sustaining Ghana’s road network.
With Ghana’s economy valued at GH¢1.2 trillion, stakeholders are closely monitoring how the government balances infrastructure expansion with financial obligations. Earlier this year, Minister for Roads and Highways Kwame Governs Agbodza revealed that the government would settle GH¢4 billion of the debt owed to road contractors.
Currently, the government owes road contractors GH¢21 billion, according to the Minister. President John Dramani Mahama has also announced plans to begin paying part of this debt within the month.
“The Ministry of Finance has made dedicated financial allocations to address a substantial portion of the outstanding debts. We expect this to bring much-needed relief to the contractors and help accelerate the delivery of critical infrastructure,” the President stated.
The Presidency has denied allegations of extravagant travel expenditure leveled against President John Mahama by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Old-Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, over the former’s recent official trips to Japan and Singapore.
On Sunday, August 17, the Presidency announced in an official statement issued by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP), that President John Mahama had resumed formal official duties with visits to Japan and Singapore. The president and his entourage had already departed for Japan.
Following the announcement, the Old-Tafo MP, in a Facebook post, alleged that the president had hired a private jet, which would cost the taxpayer an estimated $15,000 per hour.
“This private jet, M-BAEP, left Accra this morning around 7 a.m. It is estimated to cost $15,000 per hour to rent this flight. A simple calculation shows that the 7-hour journey already covered amounts to $105,000. If the flight proceeds to Japan, which is likely to take about 12 hours, that would be another $180,000.
“If it then continues to Singapore, approximately 7 hours away, that would add another $105,000. Finally, if the jet flies directly to Germany and then back to Accra, a total of about 20 hours return trip, that would add another $300,000. Altogether, the cost comes to an incredible $690,000 without including waiting times and/or stopovers,” he alleged.
In response, the Government Communications Minister dismissed the claims, describing them as “a mediocre attempt at propaganda.” He clarified that the president traveled to Japan on a commercial flight, Emirates, and not on a private jet.
“Well, um, clearly the MP in question is dabbling in a mediocre attempt at propaganda. He does not have any facts. He is just wasting everybody’s time with that force. President Mahama has not travelled by private jet; the President travelled to Japan via Emirates, and it is something that you can check. It is not a secret or anything. So anybody who tells you otherwise is simply false,” Felix Kwakye Ofosu stated in an interview on Citi Eyewitness News on Monday, August 18.
On the MP’s claims that the president left the country around 7 a.m., Mr. Kwakye Ofosu argued that the allegations were baseless, noting that the president was present at the Thanksgiving service of the late former Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, held at the Christ the King Catholic Church in Accra on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
“Yesterday, I’m sure your station covered the Thanksgiving service for Dr Edward Omane, who was buried over the weekend. You saw that as of 10 a.m., the President was at that service. He left the place sometime around midday. Yesterday, this MP claimed that this flight, in quotes, left at 7:30 a.m. So how did the President emerge at the Thanksgiving service three clear hours after this MP claimed that the jet he was supposedly travelling in had taken off? So it is a complete waste of everybody’s time. It’s a symbolic effort at propaganda which has badly backfired,” he fumed.
‘The presidential jet is unavailable, so President Mahama used commercial — not private — to save taxpayers’ money.’
Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu rubbished claims by Tafo MP, Vincent Ekow Assafuah on Prez Mahama’s travels. He noted the MP’s… pic.twitter.com/jU1TaCEfVw
Acknowledging the importance of parliamentary oversight, Mr. Kwakye criticized the MP for peddling “claims that have no factual basis and that do not make any kind of sense.”
“You see, parliamentary oversight is an extremely serious activity. It is engaged in by the most meticulous and serious minds we have in parliament. It is not the place for anybody to get up and purport to be doing parliamentary scrutiny only to end up wasting everybody’s time…” he added.
Another allegation raised by Mr. Assafuah, which the Presidency denied, concerned the possibility that the purported private jet might have met the president elsewhere on his trip, or that his entourage—whose travel details he has persistently demanded—were the ones aboard.
During an appearance on JoyNews, Mr. Assafuah stated: “I’m not interested in the president; I’m interested in the president and the delegation. Because in their (sic) statement, they mentioned that the president was travelling with a delegation.
“Why are you singling out the president? Is it the case that the jet is meeting the president, or, if you like, some other people, somewhere? That is why the president, probably, if what they are alleging is the case, used a commercial airline which we don’t even know. If what they are saying is true, the president did not use the aircraft that I’m talking about, it does not mean that the president will not use it during (sic) his trip.”
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu, however, firmly rejected this claim. “Nobody, nobody, nobody has flown. Indeed, if you read the post, the MP does not even say that the jet went to Japan. Why would the delegation go to Japan and then go to Germany? Nobody has sat on any private jet to go anywhere as part of this delegation going to Japan. The President himself has flown commercial. Why would anybody travel on a private jet as a member of this delegation? It’s a completely baseless claim that should be dismissed.”
He continued, questioning the MP’s line of inquiry: “Is it this government’s policy that the President will not travel by private jet when there are commercial flights? Is that the position? Or what is the position?”
Meanwhile, President John Mahama is in Japan for the three-day 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), scheduled for August 20–22, 2025, in Yokohama. The conference is co-hosted by the Government of Japan, the United Nations, UNDP, the World Bank, and the African Union Commission.
The president touched down in Tokyo aboard Emirates flight EK 318, where he was received by officials of Ghana’s Embassy in Japan and representatives of the host government. According to the Presidency, the visit is “aimed at deepening bilateral relations, expanding trade and investment links, and advancing cooperation on shared development priorities.”
After concluding his engagements in Japan, President Mahama will proceed to Singapore for a three-day visit focused on strengthening investment ties and engaging with Singaporean leaders and business magnates.
“Following his engagements in Japan, the President will undertake a three-day state visit to Singapore. The state visit will include a courtesy call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a meeting with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, participation in the Africa-Singapore Business Forum, and an address at an investment forum to present Ghana’s reform and investment priorities and strengthen private-sector linkages between Ghana and Singapore-based investors.”
According to the Presidency, these visits are intended to “attract investment, broaden market access for Ghanaian goods and services, mobilize technical and development cooperation, and bolster partnerships in technology, infrastructure, finance, and human capital development.”
His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama has appointed three distinguished professionals to the GoldBod Tribunals.
This was announced in a post shared on the authority’s official Facebook page yesterday, Tuesday, August 19. The inauguration ceremony was held at the Ministry of Finance in Accra, where the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, swore in the members of the tribunal.
The tribunal members who were inaugurated are Biadela Mortey Akpadzi (Chairman), Hamidu Mariam (Member), and Justin Pwavra Teriwajah (Member). The tribunal has been charged with the task of “considering appeals regarding decisions made by the Gold Board, matters relating to licensing under the Act, and rulings of the Dispute Resolution Committee.”
According to the Minister, the move is under Section 55 of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), which outlines its composition, qualifications, and mandate. He further highlighted that the inauguration marks “a significant step in strengthening regulation and dispute resolution within the gold sector.”
In his message to the newly appointed members of the tribunal, he urged them to give their best, noting that the President appointed them based on his confidence in their competence. “The President has appointed three of you to serve as members of the tribunal in accordance with the law. He considers you competent for this important responsibility, and I congratulate you on your appointment,” Dr. Forson said.
He also assured that the government would soon appoint a registrar and support staff to facilitate the tribunal’s operations. Chairman of the Tribunal, Lawyer Biadela Mortey Akpadzi, expressed gratitude for the trust reposed in them. “We will carry out our duties diligently and in the best interest of the nation,” he pledged.
The ceremony, held in Accra, brought together senior officials, including Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem, GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi, Board Chairman Kojo Fynn, and Board Member Dr. Abdul Basit Bamba.
Profile of the appointees
Biadela Mortey Akpadzi, the Chairman of the tribunal, is a seasoned legal practitioner and the founder of Deleric Law Consult, where he serves as a barrister, solicitor, and notary public. His legal career spans corporate law, litigation, and regulatory compliance, and he’s known for his commitment to justice and institutional integrity.
Hamidu Mariam is a distinguished lawyer with over two decades of experience. She was called to the Ghana Bar in 2003 and holds an LLM from the University of Pretoria. Her career includes roles as a Legal Researcher with the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, an intern at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and a State Attorney at Ghana’s Ministry of Justice. She’s also worked with the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah as a legal consultant.
Justin Pwavra Teriwajah is a practicing lawyer affiliated with Butu Law Centre in Accra. He was called to the Ghana Bar in October 2002 and specializes in areas such as administrative law, dispute resolution, commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, and international trade.
GoldBod is the official regulatory authority overseeing Ghana’s artisanal and small-scale gold sector. In a recent development, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) on Tuesday, July 29, handed over seventeen (17) gold bars valued at $1.7 million to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
At the Ministry of the Interior in Accra, the gold bars seized by officers of the Upper East Command of the Narcotics Control Commission at the Paga Border Post from two Burkinabe nationals who were attempting to smuggle them out of the country were received by the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi (Esq.).
The handing-over ceremony was witnessed by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mrs. Doreen Annan; the Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey; and other senior officials from NACOC and GoldBod.
This comes after the Acting Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi (Esq.), stressed that persons who engage in gold trading without GoldBod licenses after June 21 will be prosecuted. He made this clear during a meeting with the Chamber of Licensed Gold Buyers.
“As we have announced, by the 21st of this month, we shall ensure that only holders of GoldBod licenses are able to buy gold, and so if you are not licensed by the GoldBod, you cannot buy gold after June 21st. It will constitute a punishable offence to do so.”
Mr. Gyamfi urged the gold buyers to forge partnerships that will boost compliance with the new GoldBod licensing regime. The acting CEO noted that the process for registering has been made seamless and free of corruption.
“We have removed the human interface element, and so there is no corruption, bribery, inducements, or favouritism. It is a very transparent and competitive process, and once you qualify, you get the license. I don’t take or demand bribes before I issue a license.”
At the launch of a special Ghana Gold Board task force on July 8, Mr. Gyamfi pledged to sanction individuals who may abuse their authority, stressing that the task force must operate within the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct.
According to him, the office has been equipped with the necessary resources to ensure smooth and effective execution of the task force’s mandate.
“Let me say that I have firm instructions to hold you to the highest standards of ethical conduct and accountability. We will protect those of you committed to doing your job, but we will deal ruthlessly with any member who brings the name of the government or the nation into disrepute.
“With the support of the president, we’ve provided the necessary orientation, training, logistics, and resources for the task force to operate effectively and fearlessly. We expect nothing but professionalism and patriotism from them,” he added.
Smuggling of gold has an adverse impact on the country’s economy. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has noted that Ghana lost an estimated $1.2 billion in gold revenue in 2022 due to illegal smuggling. President Mahama, at the same event, also cautioned the Ghana Gold Board task force against abusing their office to undertake unlawful activities.
“To the task force, let me be clear. Abuse of your authority will not be tolerated. If any of you is found engaging in misconduct, you will face immediate sanctions, and this could include dismissal, prosecution, and forfeiture of your entitlement,” he said.
The task force will be given a special mandate with specific powers as police officers to wage war against smuggling and all forms of illegal gold trading activities in the country. According to Mr Sammy Gyamfi, this will save the government from revenue leakages in the sector, helping to generate and invest revenue for economic development.
“(This will) help the state combat and defeat the phenomenon of gold smuggling, the canker of illegal gold trading, and price disruptions that deprive the state of the needed revenue, profit, and the needed forex for our economy and the development of our country,” he announced.
The president has also announced the government’s decision to provide an incentive to members of the general public who serve as whistleblowers to aid in clamping down on illicit gold-smuggling activities. President Mahama noted that informants are eligible to receive 10 per cent of the seized gold in cash value.
“So whistleblowers, get ready. If you blow the whistle on anybody and gold is retrieved or cash is received, you’d get 10 per cent of the value of both,” he said.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has clarified that the widely circulated media reports that former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah has been cleared of corruption-related charges filed against her are misleading and false.
In an official release shared yesterday, the OSP noted that certain media outlets reported that the FBI “found no evidence of corruption,” while others claimed the FBI “found no direct evidence of corruption.” Some have gone further to publish that the FBI has cleared Cecilia Dapaah.
“These reports are inaccurate and a mischievous misrepresentation of the OSP’s Half-Yearly Report (page 9, bullet 2.26). The findings were the result of investigations conducted by the OSP and a parallel aspect by the FBI at the instance of the OSP,” a part of the statement read.
The release comes after some media houses misinterpreted a section of the OSP’s 2025 half-yearly report released yesterday, Tuesday, August 19. On page 15 of the fifty-page document, item number 2.25 is subtitled ‘Cecilia Dapaah’.
The Office commenced an investigation in July 2023 in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money and other valuable items involving Ms. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, a former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, and her associates.
After nearly seven months of extensive investigation by the Office and a parallel inquiry by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States, no direct and immediate evidence of corruption was found in respect of seized funds and frozen bank accounts linked to Ms. Dapaah and her associates—though the investigation identified strong indications of suspected money laundering and structuring, beyond the direct mandate of the Office.”
The statement continued that, following investigations by his office, there were discoveries of money laundering in the former Sanitation Minister’s case, which falls outside the office’s jurisdiction; hence, the need for it to be forwarded to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
However, the previous leadership of EOCO did nothing about it and returned the case docket to their office.
“The OSP further emphasises that the case was referred to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) under the previous leadership of EOCO because Investigations uncovered strong Indications of suspected money laundering and structuring, which fall within EOCO’s direct mandate. The previous leadership of EOCO did not act on it and returned the docket to the OSP,” the statement read.
However, following the change in administration, the docket of Cecilia Dapaah has been sent back to EOCO upon request.
Following this detailed explanation of the report on Cecilia Dapaah’s case, the OSP has urged all media outlets to report with precision and fidelity to the text of official documents to ensure accurate, fair, and responsible public communication on matters of high national interest.
As part of its update, the OSP noted that there were seven (7) convictions and one (1) acquittal in respect of the cases pending before the criminal courts during the period under review. The Office has filed an appeal in respect of the case in which the accused was acquitted. A few of the cases are stated below.
The Republic v. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid & nine others
On 23 July 2023, the Office initiated criminal proceedings in the High Court, accra against Mustapha abdul-Hamid (a former Chief executive of the National Petroleum Authority) and nine (9) others, including three (3) corporate entities. the accused persons are charged with twenty-five counts of conspiracy to commit extortion by a public officer; extortion by a public officer; using public office for profit; conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering. the case is adjourned till 26 august 2025.
The Republic v. Issah Seidu & 3 others
On 27 June 2025, the Office arraigned three (3) public officials and one (1) retired public official – Issah Seidu, James Keck Osei, John Abban, and Peter Archibald Hyde—before the High Court, Accra on charges for corruption by and of a public officer and using public office for profit concerning an attempt to unlawfully appropriate ten containers of imported rice at the tema Port. the case is adjourned to 21 October 2025.
With regard to concluded investigations, the Office has concluded investigation into suspected corruption
and corruption-related offences in respect of the procurement and the award of a contract to turfsport Ghana limited by the Gaming Commission of Ghana. The suspects have made an offer of restitution to the republic under section 71 of act 959. The Special Prosecutor, in exercise of his mandate under section 71(3) of act 959, has considered that the offer is acceptable. the terms would be duly placed before the High Court for adoption.
Meanwhile, the Office is currently seized with sixty-seven (67) cases which are at the full investigation stage. The Office is investigating suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the operations of the Minerals Income Investment fund (MIIf) between 2020-2024 – especially regarding payments made in respect of agyapa royalties limited; Small Scale Mining Incubation Programme (SSMIP); Quarry Value addition Programme (QVaP); lithium asset (projected lithium-focused exploration and development corporation); Gold asset 2 (enchi gold project); all other investments by MIIf; funds expended on the Chairman of the Board of Directors; the operational funds of MIIF; purchase of parcel of land for intended office building; contracts and agreements entered into by MIIf; and publications by MIIF. the investigation targets some former and serving officials of MIIF and the following entities:
• Asante Gold Corporation
• ElectroChem Ghana Limited
• Goldridge Ghana Limited
• GIG Minerals Limited
• RCM Properties
• Energy & Resources Company Limited
• Goldstrom Ghana Limited
• BH Minerals Limited
Also, the Office is investigating suspected corruption and corruption-related offenses in respect of the operations and contractual arrangements of Ghana airports Company limited between 2020-2024.
West Ham United Vice Chair Karren Brady has offered a breakdown of the Premier League club’s decision to part ways with Ghanaian international and former Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus.
The club sold the Ghanaian prodigy to Tottenham Hotspur in July before the start of the 2025/2026 season started in mid-August.
While many West Ham fans were upset about his departure, with some describing him as ‘Judas’, citing his betrayal, particularly for choosing to play for another direct London rival, others also reportedly set ablaze his replica No.14 shirt.
However, during a conversation with talkSPORT, Brady attributed Kudus’ transfer to his dip in form in the last season and financial constraints
“The financial restraints and the PSR and all the rules and regulations in football mean that you have to do some trading. That’s just the way it is. All clubs are having to do it… so that was the decision made. [Kudus] didn’t particularly have a good season for West Ham last year by his standards. So we looked to move on,” she explained.
Kudus, who was named West Ham’s second-best player in his debut campaign, struggled to replicate his form in his second season, registering just three assists in 32 league appearances before sealing the switch.
In May this year, former English footballer Jamie Carragher blamed West Ham’s struggles in the 2024/2025 season on Ghanaian forward Mohammed Kudus’ form slump.
According to him, the Ghanaian player’s stellar performance in the 2023/2024 campaign—scoring many goals in both the Premier League and the Europa League and providing several assists—aided his club in securing a good position compared to his current lackluster performance in this campaign.
The Sky Sports pundit stated that Kudus’ dip in form this season has played a pivotal role in West Ham’s poor campaign in the Premier League, which is worrying.
“Well, I see there’s no doubt he’s a quality player who should be playing for a team closer to the top of the table, not near the bottom. But probably one of the reasons why West Ham are where they are this season is because he hasn’t shown the form that he showed last season.
“Last season, he looked fantastic; he just hasn’t looked the same player this season,” he said while speaking on Sky Sports on May 18, 2025.
It wouldn’t come as a surprise if West Ham sells the player in the next transfer window, Carragher added, emphasizing that “West Ham need the money.”
According to Carragher, the 24-year-old star was on the radar of several top clubs, and his current form may be the opportunity for these clubs to make a swoop.
Top clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool have been reported to have interest in the Ghanaian striker.
“So, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a change there in some way, because, as you said, West Ham needs the money. But other clubs might think this is an off-season for him.
“Last season was the real cue to say you can get that type of player; maybe it’s a good sign. So it might be the type of situation that maybe works for the two clubs,” he added.
The 24-year-old has since made a bright start at Spurs, providing two assists on his Premier League debut in their 3-0 victory over Burnley.
Tottenham Hotspur on July 10 officially announced the signing of Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus.
In a social media post on X on Thursday, July 10, Spurs shared a welcome video with a caption that read, “He only wanted Spurs. Welcome to North London, Mohammed Kudus.”
The 24-year-old joined the North London side for a 55 million pound fee for his services in a six-year deal that was signed at the Tottenham Stadium.
Ghanaian forward Mohammed Kudus was one of the most talked-about players in this transfer window.
He was being sought after by both European and Saudi clubs; however, it was reported that Kudus preferred to play for a European club.
Among the prominent English clubs, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur appeared to be the front-runners in the race for the forward, with Spurs subsequently emerging as winners in the race.
Following his move to Spurs, Former Vice President and the 2024 flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, expressed his excitement about the midfielder’s move to his favourite club, Tottenham Hotspur.
Taking to his social media yesterday, July 9, Dr Bawumia posted,
“I am excited to see our Ghanaian starboy make this move to my @SpursOfficial. All the best in your medical @KudusMohammedGH.”
The Ghana international winger was expected to stay with West Ham until 2028 after joining them in August 2023 from Ajax for a reported fee of €41.5 million, with an option to extend the deal by an additional year.
Despite concerns about his inconsistencies in the last campaign, Kudus impressed in his debut Premier League season, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists across all competitions.
During the 2024/25 season, Mohammed Kudus participated in three major competitions for West Ham United: the English Premier League, the FA Cup, and the EFL Cup (Carabao Cup).
In the Premier League, he made 32 appearances, scoring 5 goals and providing 3 assists. He featured once in the FA Cup but didn’t register a goal or assist. In the EFL Cup, he played twice and provided 1 assist without scoring.
Overall, across all competitions, Kudus made 35 appearances, scored 5 goals, and contributed 4 assists.
His standout performances in his debut season made him a prime target for several top clubs.
Tottenham’s interest in bolstering their attack does not end with Kudus, as the club continues to monitor Brentford forward Yoane Wissa.
Kudus’ move to Spurs adds to the growing presence of Ghanaian talent on the global stage and is expected to further elevate his profile ahead of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
The Volta Regional Directorate of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has made another bust following the interception of a large consignment of Tapentadol Hydrochloride tablets, popularly known as “RED,” at the Kpoglu border in the Volta Region, within the Ketu South Municipal District.
The FDA made the seizure, in collaboration with security agencies, during a routine surveillance operation on August 14.
The tablets seized include 7,700 tablets of 250mg Tapentadol valued at an estimated street value of GH¢11.5 million.
During a media engagement, Volta and Oti Regional Head of the FDA, Mr Gorden Akurugu, explained that the drugs were hidden in sacks and packed in a truck with registration number TG 6891 BI, from Nigeria to Ghana.
The police have arrested the driver, identified as Oliver Takra of Go Express Transport Company, and an agent.
Also, two others have been arrested, including a Nigerian man and a woman believed to be the receiver of the drugs and they are currently assisting police with investigations.
The Volta FDA Chief, referring to Section 122 of Ghana’s Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), cautioned that the transportation of the drugs by road and without his outfit’s approval is a breach of law which warrants a prison sentence of over twenty years.
He mentioned Kotoka International Airport and Tema Harbour as the only legitimate entry points for drugs.
He assured that the suspects would be fully prosecuted under the law, commending the collaborative role of Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), the Narcotics Control Commission, and National Security in the operation.
“This interception is a clear signal that we are committed to protecting public health and ensuring the safety of Ghanaians,” he said.
On August 12, the Central East Regional Police Command arrested two suspects in possession of 519 compressed parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp. The suspects, identified as Eric Nkyeke, 30, and Francis Klu, 28, are currently in the custody of the police.
The Toyota Hilux pick-up with registration number GS 6849-21 was impounded at Nyanyano in the Gomoa East District. This was revealed in a statement issued by the command, the Nyanyano District police personnel.
In June, the police nabbed two suspects for having in their possession 84 parcels of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police team, through an intelligence-led operation on June 15, intercepted an Opel Astra vehicle with registration number GT 6430-13 driven by suspect John Dzeble together with suspect Adzobi Mesiwotso on board.
A search conducted on the vehicle revealed 86 compressed parcels of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, discreetly concealed in the inner compartments of the car, including the engine, doors, and boot.
In addition to the compressed parcels, the officers retrieved a portable measuring scale machine and a roll of masking tape, also concealed, believed to have been used in the packaging of the substances
The suspects, along with the exhibits, are currently in Police custody, assisting with investigations.
The Oti Regional Police Command has commended the swift and professional action of the personnel involved in the arrest and reaffirmed its commitment to curbing drug trafficking and related criminal activities.
The arrest comes after a recent incident where the police captured one Christopher Partey for unlawful possession of 40 parcels of a substance suspected to be narcotic drugs.
The National Highway Patrol Unit of the Ghana Police Service made the arrest on Wednesday, June 11.
The team intercepted a Ford Transit bus with registration number AS 524-16 near the outskirts of Ayikuma township while on routine patrol along the Accra–Somanya corridor.
A search of the vehicle revealed 40 tightly wrapped parcels concealed in a fertilizer sack in the vehicle’s boot. Upon interrogation, Christopher Partey, a passenger on board, admitted ownership of the items.
The exhibits retrieved have been handed over to the Drug Law Enforcement Unit at the Police Headquarters for further investigation.
The suspect is currently in police custody, assisting investigations and will be put before the court.
In April, a total of 189 Cadets were officially inducted into service to support Ghana’s ongoing efforts to combat narcotic drug trafficking and related crimes.
The induction, held at the Eastern Naval Command, marked a significant collaboration between the Leadership Training School (LTS) and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC).
The event, which featured the ceremonial swearing of an oath of allegiance, signified the commitment of the new recruits to serve the nation with dedication and uphold the values of integrity and national security.
The training, led by the Commanding Officer of LTS, is designed to build the capacity of cadets by focusing on the fundamentals of narcotics law and enforcement. The course places particular emphasis on confidence-building, professional discipline, and a thorough understanding of legal procedures necessary for their roles in narcotics control.
Also, in April this year, some 738 compressed parcels of suspected cannabis were seized by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) at the Swissport Terminal in Accra on July 5.
These compressed parcels were hidden in some boxes that were labelled “assorted food items.” The boxes were being transported to the United Kingdom.
According to reports, two suspects have been arrested for their involvement in the transportation of the suspected drugs.
Currently at large are two other key suspects, Lincoln Nii OKAIJA (born March 27, 1979) and Kate DAVIDSON, alias “Esi.”
The authorities have called on members of the general public to provide them any relevant information that could aid the capture of the suspects.
Penalties for drug trafficking in Ghana are severe, with the Narcotic Drugs (Control, Enforcement and Sanctions) Act of 1990 (PNDCL 236) stipulating a minimum of ten years imprisonment for offences related to possession, importation, or exportation of narcotic drugs without lawful authority.
Relief has been brought to commuters, particularly drivers who ply the barely motorable, waterlogged Pokuase-Nsawam highway, as the government settles GH¢809 million to the contractor working on the Pokuase–Nsawam Highway project.
The release of the said funds was confirmed by the Controller and Accountant-General, Kwasi Agyei. According to him, as of August 4, the government had settled this payment for the resumption of the work.
During an interview on Accra-based Peace FM on Monday, August 18, Mr. Agyei explained that the government had fully discharged its financial obligations for the project. He noted that payments were made in three separate batches within thirteen days, starting from late July to early August.
“We made partial payments on 24th July, followed by another on 30th July, and the final payment was made on 4th August. In total, we have honoured the full amount of GH¢809 million as requested,” he explained.
His comments follow threats of a sit-down strike from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) in a statement issued on Friday, August 15, giving a five-day ultimatum to the government to ensure the resumption of work on the road by Wednesday, August 20.
GPRTU noted that the only condition that would cause them to rescind their decision to strike was to see contractors on site working, calling the road a death trap.
“The only thing that will make us change our mind is seeing the contractors back on the road
“We cannot continue to risk lives and livelihoods on a road that has become a death trap. If nothing changes by Wednesday, August 20, we will park our vehicles”, Samuel Amoah, National Deputy PRO of the union, said in the statement.
They called on all commuters, residents, among other affected parties to join them in demanding action from the government.
“We are calling on all commuters, residents, and stakeholders to join this action—not just as a protest, but as a civic duty to demand accountability
“This road has become a corridor of suffering. If the government will not act, the people must,” the statement continued.
However, contractors have returned to the site and have begun repair works on the vital road after commuters have endured heavy and long hours of traffic on the worsening state of the road.
However, following the contractor’s return to the site, the union has suspended the planned action.
Meanwhile, the company in charge of the project, Maripoma Enterprise Limited, has promised that the project will be completed by May 2026.
Following a visit by the Member of Parliament for the constituency, Sedem Afenyo, site engineers told him that they were working to complete filling and levelling by the end of the week.
The MP, seeing the visible change in the state of the road, also stated, “I have never seen vehicles drive at this speed in the past two weeks. There is always traffic here.”
In July this year, Parliament unanimously endorsed the government’s proposal to divert all royalties from oil revenues and mineral resources to support the implementation of the Big Push Programme.
This decision followed the government’s request for parliamentary approval to commit funds for the construction of specific road projects. According to the joint committee on budget and finance, “The Committee has carefully considered the Referral and it is of the opinion that the request is in the right direction.
“The Committee also noted that Parliament had already approved the policy and the allocation to the ‘Big Push’ Programme in the 2025 Budget Statement. Granting the request would enable the Government to enter into multi-year contracts to execute the road infrastructure projects under the Programme.
“The Committee accordingly recommends to the House to approve the Request for the multi-year commitments for the selected road projects under the ‘Big Push’ Programme contained in the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review of the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana, in accordance with Section 33 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016, (Act 921).”
The initiative, aimed at improving road infrastructure nationwide, is estimated at GH¢13.8 billion. It is expected to be completed by 2028 with support from the country’s own financial resources.
According to the 2025 budget, the Road Fund owes GH¢5.75 billion, with GH¢2.81 billion allocated for road maintenance. This represents a 155.5% increase from the 2024 allocation of GH¢1.1 billion, underscoring the government’s emphasis on sustaining Ghana’s road network.
With Ghana’s economy valued at GH¢1.2 trillion, stakeholders are closely monitoring how the government balances infrastructure expansion with financial obligations. Earlier this year, Minister for Roads and Highways Kwame Governs Agbodza revealed that the government would settle GH¢4 billion of the debt owed to road contractors.
Currently, the government owes road contractors GH¢21 billion, according to the Minister. President John Dramani Mahama has also announced plans to begin paying part of this debt within the month.
“The Ministry of Finance has made dedicated financial allocations to address a substantial portion of the outstanding debts. We expect this to bring much-needed relief to the contractors and help accelerate the delivery of critical infrastructure,” the President stated.
He made these revelations during a meeting with members of the Council of State at the Presidency on Monday, July 7.
President Mahama emphasized his government’s commitment to infrastructure development under the 24-hour economy agenda. He said prioritizing road construction and the swift resumption of stalled projects will be key to promoting economic growth and productivity by ensuring regional connectivity.
The announcement has been met with excitement and optimism by many stakeholders in the construction sector. The Ghana Institute of Engineers and the Association of Road Contractors have welcomed the President’s statement but have called for transparency.
They have urged the government to publish clear timelines and payment schedules to enable contractors to plan and mobilize resources effectively.
In March this year, Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Alhassan Suhuyini, acknowledged the significant financial burden facing the government in clearing outstanding debts owed to contractors and suppliers.
His remarks followed the presentation of the 2025 budget by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who disclosed that the government’s total commitments to contractors stand at a staggering GH¢67.5 billion.
This amount comprises GH¢49.2 billion in unpaid Interim Payment Certificates and invoices from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as GH¢18.3 billion in outstanding Bank Transfer Advice at the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department.
Speaking to The Independent Ghana on Tuesday, Suhuyini admitted that while the government is committed to addressing some of these debts, it cannot clear the full amount immediately.
“They should have absolute confidence that we will settle some of the debts,” he assured. “However, we obviously cannot clear everything at once. The total financial commitment stands at about GH¢100 billion, with unpaid certificates alone amounting to GH¢21 billion. The decision to uncap the Road Fund is a step in the right direction, but it will only make GH¢2 billion available—far from enough to cover even the unpaid certificates.”
He emphasized the importance of prioritizing road maintenance, a sector that has suffered from years of neglect. “The minister has stressed that a significant portion of these funds will be directed toward road maintenance. This is a smart move because our poor maintenance culture has resulted in roads deteriorating within 8 to 10 years instead of lasting longer,” he explained.
Suhuyini noted that, in addition to paying off some existing road maintenance debts, the government is pursuing a broader infrastructure push.
“With GH¢10 to GH¢13 billion allocated under the ‘Big Push’ initiative, several new road projects will commence while some outstanding debts will also be retired. As Ghana’s economy is valued at GH¢1.2 trillion, stakeholders are keen on seeing how the government will balance infrastructure development with financial obligations. If you look at the Big Push and the amount allocated, about GH¢10 to GH¢13 billion, many of the projects under the Big Push are road projects. So that will enable us, you know, to start new projects and also retire some of the old debts,” he said.
The UK has banned a man who was arrested at Anfield on Friday, August 15, for racially abusing Ghanaian international forward, Antoine Semenyo.
During the first half of the Premier League opener, Semenyo was preparing to take a throw-in when a 47-year-old man passed some offensive comment at him. According to reports, Semenyo asked that the man repeat what he said, he did and even threw a gum at him.
He immediately reported it to referee Anthony Taylor, who paused the match in the 28th minute.
Subsequently, he was seen out of the stadium by the police and held in custody for a racially aggravated public order offence, according to the Merseyside Police on Monday.
He has, however, been granted bail on the following conditions that, not attend any regulated football match in the UK and prohibited from going within one mile of any designated football stadium
A police investigation into the incident is ongoing.
In reaction to this, Gianni Infantino, in an official statement issued on Sunday, August 17, explained that the sport has zero tolerance for discrimination and any other abuse in any form, eulogising Antoine’s resilience and stunning display in the game despite the potential emotional distress.
“It is absolutely unacceptable to see the racist abuse aimed at AFC Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, which led to a stoppage of their Premier League match against Liverpool FC at Anfield last night. Football has no place for racism or any form of discrimination – Antoine’s courage and performance on the pitch, despite such adversity, is a powerful example of strength and dignity for players worldwide”, parts of the statement read.
The FIFA president also assured Semenyo of the governing body’s full support, citing the role of the Players’ Voice Panel, established in 2024 as part of FIFA’s five-pillar strategy against racism.
“The Players’ Voice Panel, established as part of the five pillars against racism adopted by FIFA Congress in 2024, will be in touch with Antoine and is monitoring these situations closely.
“We are committed to ensuring that players are respected and protected, and that competition organisers and law enforcement authorities take appropriate action. Everyone at FIFA, The Players’ Voice Panel and the whole football community stands firmly with Antoine…” Infantino added.
Infantino however pledged his and that of his outfit’s support to implement all the necessary measures to ensure that, such demeaning acts are eradicated in the football ecosystem.
“…we will continue to offer our unequivocal support to him, Bournemouth, the Premier League and The FA to ensure strong deterrents are in place and actions taken to eradicate racism and discrimination from our game,” he added.
Despite the incident, Semenyo produced a standout performance, scoring twice to pull Bournemouth level at 2-2, before late strikes from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah secured a 4-2 victory for Liverpool.
His impressive display has earned him praise from Liverpool legend Steve McManaman.
Liverpool notched two goals in the first half, with Hugo Ekitike opening the scoring in the 37th minute, followed by another from Cody Gakpo doubling the lead in the 49th minute, just a few minutes after halftime.
AFC Bournemouth made an impressive comeback with equalisers at the 64th and 76th minutes, all goals from Antoine Semenyo displaying his pace, strength, and clinical finishing to level the match.
Liverpool responded quickly, with Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah finding the net to secure a 4-2 victory for the hosts in the 88th and 90+4th minute (stoppage time).
Reflecting on Semenyo’s performance, McManaman expressed admiration and noted that Liverpool missed out on signing him.
“Antoine Semenyo ran 50 yards to score that goal after signing a long-term contract,” he said on Premier League Production.
“He is strong and built for the Premier League, and anytime he has the ball, he looks dangerous going forward. For me, he should be playing for clubs like Liverpool. Throughout this summer, he was linked to Liverpool until Mohamed Salah extended his contract,” McManaman added.
Semenyo later expressed his gratitude to the football fraternity for their support following the racist attack.
He posted, “Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever – not because of one person’s words, but because of how the entire football family stood together… Football showed its best side when it mattered most.
Meanwhile, in May last year, FIFA announced that it had put forward a five-pillar plan aimed at addressing racist abuse in football.
The global governing body stated that it had engaged in an extensive consultation process with current and former players who are committed to instigating change.
One of the plan’s key suggestions involves implementing a standard crossed-hands gesture for players to signal racist incidents during matches.
The first pillar of the proposal intends to make racism a specific offence which is included in all member associations’ disciplinary codes and has its own “specific and severe sanctions, including match forfeits”.
Fifa said it will “pause, suspend and abandon games in cases of racism”.
The crossed-hands gesture will be used by referees to signal an in-game procedure in which matches are paused twice and warnings are given, with the game to then be abandoned in the event of further racism.
In pillar three – ‘criminal charges’ – Fifa called for racism to be recognised as a criminal offence in every country, and said it would push for severe sanctions in the countries where it is already an offence.
Fifa also said it would promote education initiatives with schools and governments to “provide a future free of racism”, while an anti-racism panel made up of former players will be set up to review the progress of the proposal.
Earlier that year, Brazil and Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr said he felt “less and less” like playing football because he had suffered repeated racist abuse.
In 2023, a FIFA report found almost 20,000 abusive social media posts were aimed at players, coaches and officials during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
And in 2021, England manager Gareth Southgate called the racist abuse aimed at Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after the Euro 2020 final “unforgivable”.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has condemned the racial abuse against Ghana international and AFC Bournemouth forward, Antione Semenyo, during the Premier League opener against Liverpool at Anfield on Friday, August 15.
This comes after the 25-year-old player was subjected to some racist comments during a throw-in around the 27th minute in the first half.
According to an eyewitness’s report, before Semenyo could make the throw, a 47-year-old man in a wheelchair made an offensive comment at the player. Semenyo asked him to repeat it, and the man did so, then threw chewing gum at him.
The eyewitness described the man as someone who had a history of inappropriate behaviour at matches, including throwing objects at officials, among others.
After the incident, the man appeared to realise the gravity of his actions and sat in silence before being removed by police around 21:01 local time.
In reaction to this, Gianni Infantino, in an official statement issued on Sunday, August 17, explained that the sport has zero tolerance for discrimination and any other abuse in any form, eulogising Antoine’s resilience and stunning display in the game despite the potential emotional distress.
“It is absolutely unacceptable to see the racist abuse aimed at AFC Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, which led to a stoppage of their Premier League match against Liverpool FC at Anfield last night. Football has no place for racism or any form of discrimination – Antoine’s courage and performance on the pitch, despite such adversity, is a powerful example of strength and dignity for players worldwide”, parts of the statement read.
The FIFA president also assured Semenyo of the governing body’s full support, citing the role of the Players’ Voice Panel, established in 2024 as part of FIFA’s five-pillar strategy against racism.
“The Players’ Voice Panel, established as part of the five pillars against racism adopted by FIFA Congress in 2024, will be in touch with Antoine and is monitoring these situations closely.
“We are committed to ensuring that players are respected and protected, and that competition organisers and law enforcement authorities take appropriate action. Everyone at FIFA, The Players’ Voice Panel and the whole football community stands firmly with Antoine…” Infantino added.
Infantino however pledged his and that of his outfit’s support to implement all the necessary measures to ensure that, such demeaning acts are eradicated in the football ecosystem.
“…we will continue to offer our unequivocal support to him, Bournemouth, the Premier League and The FA to ensure strong deterrents are in place and actions taken to eradicate racism and discrimination from our game,” he added.
Despite the incident, Semenyo produced a standout performance, scoring twice to pull Bournemouth level at 2-2, before late strikes from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah secured a 4-2 victory for Liverpool.
His impressive display has earned him praise from Liverpool legend Steve McManaman.
Liverpool notched two goals in the first half, with Hugo Ekitike opening the scoring in the 37th minute, followed by another from Cody Gakpo doubling the lead in the 49th minute, just a few minutes after halftime.
AFC Bournemouth made an impressive comeback with equalisers at the 64th and 76th minutes, all goals from Antoine Semenyo displaying his pace, strength, and clinical finishing to level the match.
Liverpool responded quickly, with Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah finding the net to secure a 4-2 victory for the hosts in the 88th and 90+4th minute (stoppage time).
Reflecting on Semenyo’s performance, McManaman expressed admiration and noted that Liverpool missed out on signing him.
“Antoine Semenyo ran 50 yards to score that goal after signing a long-term contract,” he said on Premier League Production.
“He is strong and built for the Premier League, and anytime he has the ball, he looks dangerous going forward. For me, he should be playing for clubs like Liverpool. Throughout this summer, he was linked to Liverpool until Mohamed Salah extended his contract,” McManaman added.
Semenyo later expressed his gratitude to the football fraternity for their support following the racist attack.
He posted, “Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever – not because of one person’s words, but because of how the entire football family stood together… Football showed its best side when it mattered most.
Meanwhile, in May last year, FIFA announced that it had put forward a five-pillar plan aimed at addressing racist abuse in football.
The global governing body stated that it had engaged in an extensive consultation process with current and former players who are committed to instigating change.
One of the plan’s key suggestions involves implementing a standard crossed-hands gesture for players to signal racist incidents during matches.
The first pillar of the proposal intends to make racism a specific offence which is included in all member associations’ disciplinary codes and has its own “specific and severe sanctions, including match forfeits”.
Fifa said it will “pause, suspend and abandon games in cases of racism”.
The crossed-hands gesture will be used by referees to signal an in-game procedure in which matches are paused twice and warnings are given, with the game to then be abandoned in the event of further racism.
In pillar three – ‘criminal charges’ – Fifa called for racism to be recognised as a criminal offence in every country, and said it would push for severe sanctions in the countries where it is already an offence.
Fifa also said it would promote education initiatives with schools and governments to “provide a future free of racism”, while an anti-racism panel made up of former players will be set up to review the progress of the proposal.
Earlier that year, Brazil and Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr said he felt “less and less” like playing football because he had suffered repeated racist abuse.
In 2023, a FIFA report found almost 20,000 abusive social media posts were aimed at players, coaches and officials during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
And in 2021, England manager Gareth Southgate called the racist abuse aimed at Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after the Euro 2020 final “unforgivable”.
The Presidency has announced that President John Mahama has resumed formal official duties, visiting Japan and Singapore in a new statement dated August 17 and issued from the office of Spokesperson to the President, Minister, and Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP).
President John Dramani Mahama left yesterday Sunday, August 17.
It detailed that the president will visit the Asian countries to hold discussions on investments and trade aimed at enhancing economic growth and development.
“President John Dramani Mahama will undertake an official two-country visit to Japan and Singapore aimed at deepening bilateral relations, expanding trade and investment links, and advancing cooperation on shared development priorities”, parts of the statement read.
President Mahama is set to attend the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IX) will take place from August 20 to 22, 2025, in Yokohama, Japan and is co-hosted by the Government of Japan, the United Nations, UNDP, the World Bank, and the African Union Commission.
“In Japan, the President will attend the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IX), where he will make a presentation at a plenary session on the Economy: Promoting Trade and Investment.
President Mahama will deliver an address at a Ghana Presidential Investment Forum, showcasing Ghana’s investment opportunities and the Resetting Ghana agenda. He will also hold a series of bilateral meetings with key Japanese partners, including the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), senior representatives of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), and the Prime Minister of Japan, Shigeru Ishiba, to discuss trade, investment, technical cooperation, and infrastructure partnerships”, it continued.
TICAD is a long-standing initiative led by the Government of Japan since 1993, aimed at promoting Africa’s development through international cooperation and African ownership.
TICAD IX will feature high-level discussions on key development themes such as urbanisation, economic growth, job creation, and sustainable investment. The conference is co-organized by Japan, the United Nations, UNDP, the World Bank, and the African Union Commission, bringing together heads of state, business leaders, civil society, and development partners
After he concludes all engagements in Japan, President Mahama will then proceed to Singapore on a 3-day visit to discuss investment and Ghana’s private sector with the Singaporean heads if state and business magnates.
“Following his engagements in Japan, the President will undertake a three-day state visit to Singapore. The state visit will include a courtesy call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a meeting with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, participation in the Africa-Singapore Business Forum, and an address at an investment forum to present Ghana’s reform and investment priorities and strengthen private-sector linkages between Ghana and Singapore-based investors”.
These “visits seek to attract investment, broaden market access for Ghanaian goods and services, mobilise technical and development cooperation, and bolster partnerships in technology, infrastructure, finance, and human capital development”.
The president’s formal resumption comes after he rescheduled all his duties following the demise of eight in a helicopter crash, including Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah. The government has declared the incident a national tragedy.
President John Dramani Mahama declared a three-day national mourning in honour of the victims of the Adansi fatal helicopter crash yesterday, including high-profile government officials.
In a statement dated August 6, shared by the Presidency yesterday, the president ordered that all his scheduled meetings be cancelled for the rest of the week.
“President John Dramani Mahama has suspended all his scheduled activities and programmes for the rest of the week, following Wednesday’s national tragedy involving eight persons who died in a helicopter crash.
“There will be three days of national mourning starting tomorrow, Thursday, 7 August 2025”, parts of the statement read.
The president reiterated that all flags must be flown at half-mast until further notice.
“The government, through the Chief of Staff, has meanwhile directed that all flags must fly at half-mast until further notice”.
Final funeral rites for six out of the eight victims of the Adansi helicopter crash were held on August 15. The rites are to be held for the fallen heroes who died aboard a military helicopter carrying them to Obuasi for an anti-galamsey event on Wednesday, August 6.
Among the eight victims, two Muslims — Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator in charge of Human Security, Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed — were laid to rest earlier, on Sunday, August 10, where Janazah prayers were also held at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra before they were buried at the Military Cemetery in Tse Addo.
At a press conference on Thursday, August 14, the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe, provided an outline of how the state ceremony will be carried out. The service, categorised into three folds, was largely conducted by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
“We would have the three burial services, during which period some tributes would be read, and we would have Qu’ran recitations during that period. And the second part would be the main funeral and burial service. The pre-burial will start at 7:30am and will continue to 9:00am.”
“We expect the Vice President to arrive at the funeral grounds at 8:50am in the morning, and that will be followed by the President at 9:00am, when the state service will begin. The service is programmed to last for approximately three hours, during which period we would take the biographies of the departed eight colleagues, parents, and siblings. After the biography we will take tributes from the widows and then also tributes from the children,” he added.
Tributes will also be read by senior government officials during the pre-burial period before 9:00am. Following the service, the remains of the other six victims will be taken to the military cemetery for interment at Tse Addo.
“And there as well, the GAF together with the churches of the six departed comrades, will take charge of the burial ceremony at the military cemetery,” he explained. Mr Dogbey also revealed that arrangements have been made to provide buses to convey the families that would be heading to the military cemetery.
“The idea is to reduce the traffic en route to the cemetery and also manage the traffic at the cemetery. And so buses will be provided to the six families, and a few others who would be able to join will join,” he explained.
Members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who were suspended have been reinstated, and all charges against those who were facing the disciplinary committee have been dropped, the party has announced.
The decision was taken by the National Council during an emergency meeting held on July 25.
In a statement dated August 16, and signed by the Acting National Chairman of the Party, Mr. Danquah Smith Buttey, the party informed members that as part of measures to ensure unity and cooperation, all who were banned from the party have been given the right to come back.
“This measure reflects the Party’s unwavering commitment to fostering internal cohesion, strengthening solidarity, and preparing collectively for the political tasks ahead
“I write to inform you that the National Council, at its Emergency Meeting held on Friday, July 25, 2025, resolved, in the interest of unity and reconciliation, to grant a General Amnesty to all Party members who have been suspended or whose disciplinary cases are currently pending before the appropriate disciplinary bodies” parts of the statement read.
In light of this, it urged all concerned bodies, i.e., the Regional Executive Committee, Constituency Executive Committee, to duly instate all suspended members according to laid down rules and guiding principles to that effect.
“We hereby serve notice that this directive lifts all such suspensions and nullifies any ongoing proceedings against affected members”, it continued.
However, the party explained that this recall does not cover members who willfully forfeited their membership. In any case where these members desire to return, they are expected to submit a formal reinstatement request to the party’s secretariat.
Following their acceptance, a two-year ban shall be placed on them from contesting in any internal elections.
“Members who have forfeited their membership are required to submit a formal application to the National Secretariat for reinstatement. Upon reinstatement, such members shall remain ineligible to contest any internal party election until a mandatory two-year period has elapsed”.
The directive also cautioned party executives at all levels against arbitrary suspensions, insisting that disciplinary matters must strictly adhere to the constitution, due process, and laid-down procedures.
“In view of this resolution, Party leadership at all levels is hereby strictly advised to refrain from any arbitrary suspension of members. All disciplinary matters must be handled solely in accordance with the procedures, principles, and due process provisions expressly enshrined in the Party’s Constitution”, it continued.
The y concluded with a call for coperation and full cmpliance with the new directive to foser unity.
“The National Secretariat requests your full compliance with this directive. We count on your continued cooperation,” it noted.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated development, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday, July 29, opened nominations for its 2028 flagbearer position.
The party’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, known as Nana B, confirmed the date for the nominations opening during an appearance on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen.
“We are opening nominations on Tuesday, July 29, in line with our constitutional mandate. Every aspirant will have a full month to submit their forms. This process is not just about picking forms—it’s about demonstrating readiness to lead our great party into the future. The National Executive Committee has approved the full timetable, and we are committed to a transparent and fair process,” he said.
This comes after the opposition party officially released its presidential primaries timetable on Friday, July 25, following a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra. The statement informed interested candidates to pick up their forms by Tuesday. It also noted that by August 28, all forms should have been submitted, as the party is expected to move into the vetting mode by September, approximately a month after they close the flagbearer nomination.
Former Minister of Education Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum has joined the several individuals vying for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidacy slated for January 2026. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum picked up the party’s nomination forms on Thursday, August 14.
While addressing the media on Thursday, Dr. Adutwum expressed confidence that party members will elect him as their presidential candidate for the general elections scheduled for 2028.
If elected, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, who served under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as Education Minister, plans to make Ghana a better place for all. “We are on track, and by the grace of God, my party, I believe, will vote for me and make me the flagbearer of the NPP. And after that, I will be on the journey to the promised land — the land that our nation has been yearning for years, that our nation will become a prosperous one. Our nation will wage war against poverty and win. That the poverty and deprivation will be over.”
“That is what the campaign of 2028 will be about — a country that hadn’t been independent for many years. We’ve done our very best. From the first president to the current president, each one of them has done something great. Yet, we have a lot to do. And that is what Adutwum’s presidency will be about,” he added.
In a related development, over 400 youth organisers of the party on Wednesday, August 13, picked up flagbearer nomination forms on behalf of the former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. On August 5, Kennedy Agyapong (former Member of Parliament for Assin Central) officially picked up nomination forms to contest the party’s primary elections.
Several prominent party figures have already publicly signalled their intent to contest, including Bryan Acheampong (Member of Parliament for Abetifi), former party General Secretary Kwabena Agyapong, and Senior Lecturer at Kumasi Technical University, Dr. Edmund Oppong-Peprah.
The NPP, on Tuesday, July 29, opened nominations for its 2028 flagbearer position. Aspirants will pay a whopping amount of GHC100,000 for nomination forms and GHC500,000 as a filing fee.
Nomination forms may be obtained from the Office of the General Secretary at the Party Headquarters, Asylum Down, from now until August 28. An aspiring presidential candidate shall be required to pay a development fee as determined by the National Council.
This comes after the opposition party officially released its presidential primaries timetable on Friday, July 25, following a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra. The statement informed interested candidates to pick up their forms by Tuesday.
Traders who are still pricing their goods, especially old stock, at high prices risk making losses and possibly going out of business, Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has said.
GUTA has urged traders to reduce prices of old stock to clear them, to help unlock capital and also reduce pressure on consumers.
His comments come on the back of the expiry of a 60-day grace period for price adjustments.
On May 14, 2025, the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), together with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and the Minister for Trade and Industry, following a crunch meeting, announced a 60-day window for businesses to adjust prices in response to the cedi’s strengthening. The announcement was aimed at ensuring that consumers benefit from the improved exchange rate.
GUTA’s Public Relations Officer, Joseph Paddy, explained in an interview that, due to the stability of the Ghana cedi over the last eight months, which exceeds the normal business cycle of six months, they are now able to clear old stock.
“This stability has lasted for over eight months now, which is well beyond the usual three-to-four-month business cycle. Typically, when you travel, it takes about a month; shipping your goods takes another month; and clearing can take up to a month as well—so, in all, a three-to-four-month cycle,” he said.
He warned that keeping old or near-expiry stock at inflated prices could push traders out of business.
“We believe that if you are still holding old stock, while new stock has already entered the market, you risk losing out. If you don’t position yourself as a businessperson and continue holding onto old prices, you could run out of business because competitors with new products will reduce their prices,” he cautioned.
On May 14, 2025, GUTA and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) jointly announced a 60-day window for businesses to adjust prices in line with the cedi’s appreciation. The announcement followed a high-level meeting with the Minister for Trade and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, after public pressure mounted for market prices to reflect the stronger currency.
The cedi currently trades at about GH₵10.40 to the dollar. While many goods remain unchanged in price, GUTA and AGI explained that older stock, purchased at higher exchange rates, has delayed adjustments.
GUTA President Joseph Obeng has since urged the government to maintain the currency’s stability, assuring that traders will adjust prices as new stock arrives.
The Ghana cedi has seen a remarkable appreciation against major trading currencies worldwide over the past six months.
During the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review yesterday, July 24, the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, revealed that the cedi has recorded a remarkable turnaround in the first six months of 2025, appreciating by 42.6% against the US dollar.
Dr Forson described the cedi’s performance as “impressive” and the first of its kind in the history of Ghana’s economy. The cedi, which was initially always experiencing depreciation, is currently showing resilience against the dollar. He noted that the cedi, which was previously trading at about GH¢17.0 to the US dollar, had strengthened to GH¢10.4 as of July 23.
“Mr. Speaker, the cedi’s performance in the first half of this year has been impressive! The Ghana cedi experienced significant appreciation against all major trading currencies in the first six months of 2025. I am happy to inform the House that our precious cedi, which once upon a time was trading at about GH¢17.0 to the US dollar, was trading at about GH¢10.4 as of yesterday, 23rd July, 2025,” he revealed.
In high spirits, the minister adopted the catchphrase from Ghanaian highlife musician King Paluta’s energetic party anthem “For the Popping (Apicki),” released on December 27, 2024, and said, “This level of appreciation of the Ghana cedi has never happened in the history of our nation. Ghanafo, cedi no apicki! Apicki apicki apicki!”
He continued that the strength of the cedi has not appreciated against just the US dollar but against the British pound as well. The cedi also gained 30.3% against the British pound and 25.6% against the euro during the same period. This marks a sharp contrast to the same period in 2024, when the cedi depreciated by 18.6% against the dollar, 17.9% against the pound, and 16.0% against the euro.
“Similarly, the cedi, which was once trading at GH¢21.0 to the Great British Pound, was trading at about GH¢14.1 as of yesterday, 23rd July, 2025. Mr. Speaker, as of end-June 2025, the cedi appreciated by 42.6% against the US dollar, 30.3% against the British pound, and 25.6% against the euro,” he added.
With these gains over the past few months, Dr Cassiel stated that all the losses in the previous years had been reversed. “Mr. Speaker, I repeat, so far, we have almost reversed all the cedi depreciation in 2022, 2023, and 2024,” he mentioned.
The cedi’s appreciation, the minister continued, can be attributed to the government’s strategic economic policies and programmes, including strong fiscal consolidation, tight monetary policy, improved external sector balances, renewed investor confidence, positive market sentiments, recent credit rating upgrades, and the successful completion of the IMF programme’s fourth review.
He said, “Mr. Speaker, these gains are largely due to strong fiscal consolidation, tight monetary policy, improved external sector balances, renewed investor confidence, positive market sentiments, credit rating upgrades, and successfully securing staff-level agreement and subsequent Board approval on the 4th Review of the IMF programme.”
The current status of the cedi is proof of a growing economy whose foundations are being stabilized. “The cedi’s rebound signals that Ghana’s economic foundations are once again beginning to firm up.”
To maintain the cedi’s appreciation, Dr Ato Forson recommended, “Sustaining this stability will require continued fiscal discipline, supportive monetary policy, strong liquidity sterilisation, robust reserve accumulation supported by activities of the GoldBod and the credible implementation of structural reforms.”
In a related development, Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama also highlighted the cedi’s appreciation during the Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting held on Tuesday, 15th July, at the Labadi Beach Hotel under the theme “Sustaining Forex Gains: Business and Economic Impact.”
Delivering his keynote address, the Governor stated, “the Ghanaian Cedi has appreciated by over 42% year-to-date as of June 2025, reversing nearly all the losses incurred in 2022 and 2023,” stressing that the rising cedi must go beyond numbers and lead to real change.
The Governor further noted that Ghana’s gross international reserves now stand at US$11.1 billion, representing 4.8 months of import cover, up from US$8.98 billion at the end of 2024. He added that the country recorded a trade surplus of US$4.14 billion in the first four months of 2025, driven by export growth of over 60%, mainly from gold, cocoa, and oil.
According to him, the current account surplus also saw significant improvement, reaching US$2.12 billion in Q1 2025, compared to just US$66 million during the same period in 2024. Dr. Asiama noted that remittance inflows remain resilient, and Ghana’s IMF-supported programme has successfully passed all reviews. These achievements, he said, have contributed to a sovereign credit rating upgrade by S&P Global Ratings from Selective Default to CCC+.
He emphasised that these outcomes “represent more than just statistical improvement. They are a restoration of macroeconomic credibility, the kind that markets, investors, and citizens respond to with confidence.” Following the cedi appreciation, Fitch Ratings officially upgraded Ghana’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) from ‘Restricted Default’ to ‘B-’ with a Stable Outlook on Monday, June 16, 2025.
Fitch credited the upgrade to the country’s successful restructuring of $13.1 billion in Eurobond debt, steady fiscal consolidation, and the country’s improving macroeconomic outlook. The agency also highlighted falling inflation, a strengthening cedi, and a rebound in investor confidence as key indicators of Ghana’s economic turnaround.
The Fitch report also forecasts real GDP growth of 4% in 2025, supported by a recovery in agriculture, expansion in industry, and strong performance in the services sector. Ghana’s economic reform efforts have received a major boost with Fitch’s rating—an assertion confirmed by President John Dramani Mahama and Finance Minister Dr Casiel Ato Forson.
Leading telecommunications giant MTN has extended its single-team sponsorship to a comprehensive national football partnership.
This comes after the telco giant signed a two-year $2 million partnership with the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Quite different from the former $2 million partnership signed three years ago ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, ago, which covered just the senior men’s football team, the Black Stars.
The new deal signed on Thursday, August 14, at MTN Ghana’s Head Office in Accra includes the Black Queens, the Black Satellites (U20), and the Black Starlets (U17), in addition to the Black Stars, making the South African company GFA’s headline sponsor of four male and female national teams.
The partnership takes effect from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2027. Speaking in reaction to the extended sponsorship deal, GFA President Kurt Okraku mentioned that MTN has relieved the Association of one major challenge, i.e in terms of finances, by their new expanded deal.
“The biggest challenge of the full association has been solved by MTN. Most often, I don’t really tell my story, but you need to occupy this seat for two days or one day to fully understand the problems that we go through in bringing talents like the Starlets up to become the John Paintsils and the Fatau Daudas. It’s not easy,” he stated.
You need to occupy this seat for one or two days to really understand the problems that we go through – GFA President Kurt Okraku.#JoySportspic.twitter.com/uqb7QM9j3q
The GFA boss also mentioned that the recent sponsorship will go a long way to motivate players to give their best in competitions.
Okraku remarked, “It’s not easy. This investment by MTN would ensure that these young boys, Black Queens, and Satellites would have the best of preparations that would put them in the competitive mood for the big championships. It will put our players on the right continent and on the right stage to compete with the best.”
CEO of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, shared his outfit believe in Ghanaian football talents citing the sport tendency of unittying and telling the culture of a country to the rest of the world.
🇬🇭 MTN Ghana announces sponsorship for four of Ghana’s national teams, including Black Stars and Black Queens, for the next two years #JoySportspic.twitter.com/Uba766ur2Y
Mr Blewett highlighted that, “At MTN, we believe in Ghana, in the talent of the youth, in the unmatched power of sports to connect people, and in football’s unique ability to tell a nation’s story to the world.”
“This sponsorship deepens the bond between the people of Ghana, the GFA, the ministry, and the entire sports fraternity. It’s about national pride, youth empowerment, gender inclusion, and building a sustainable future for football in our country.”
He also shared his excitement about the milestone of moving from sponsoring just the senior national team to including about three others.
“What excites us the most is that this partnership is broader and more inclusive than anything we’ve done before. By embracing all national teams—male and female, junior and senior—we affirm that every Ghanaian player deserves the opportunity to shine”.
Due to football’s tendency to connect a nation, MTN stated that they are “…proud to be part of the journey to take our teams to greater heights.”
MTN Ghana has been a longstanding supporter of Ghanaian football, playing a pivotal role in both domestic and national team development. Since the 2010–11 season, MTN has served as the headline sponsor of the MTN FA Cup, helping to revive and sustain one of the country’s most historic football competitions.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Monday August 4, officially released the fixtures for the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season.
This allows fans and teams to know what to expect in the upcoming season.
The season is set to kick off on the weekend of September 12, 2025, and will conclude on the weekend of May 23–24, 2026.
Under a 34-matchday timetable, the 18 teams in the league will each play every other team twice, once at home and once away, to ensure fairness and balance.
Defending champions Gold Stars FC will start the season with a title defence fixture against Bechem United at the Duns Park in Bibiani, setting the tone for what promises to be another thrilling season of top-flight football in Ghana.
Asante Kotoko will clash with Berekum Chelsea in their opening encounter, while Hearts of Oak will start the campaign with a home clash against newly promoted Hohoe United.
Match Day 1 also features intriguing away assignments for former champions: Medeama SC visit Young Apostles, while FC Samartex make a trip to face Vision FC.
Premier League returnees Swedru All Blacks FC and Eleven Wonders FC begin their campaigns on the road, visiting Nations FC and Basake Holy Stars, respectively. Heart of Lions, last season’s runners-up, will host Dreams FC in their first fixture, while Karela United entertain Aduana FC.
The first leg of the iconic clash between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko SC is scheduled for Match Day 5 at the Accra Sports Stadium, with the reverse fixture set for Match Day 22 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
On Match Day 9, Nations FC will play against Asante Kotoko at home and visit the Porcupine Warriors’ home for a return leg in Kumasi for Match Day 26 in the Ashanti Derby.
Hohoe United will host Kpando Heart of Lions on Match Day 17, before making the trip to Kpando for the reverse fixture on the final day of the Premier League, Match Day 34, marking the return of the Volta derby after several years.
A string of Brong Ahafo regional battles is set to heat up the calendar.
Young Apostles will face Bechem United on Match Day 5, Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 7, and Aduana FC on Match Day 16. Return fixtures are set for Match Days 22, 24, and 33, respectively. Aduana FC are also scheduled for a match against Bechem United on Match Day 9 and Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 11.
Bechem United is scheduled to lock horns with Eleven Wonders on Match Day 14 and Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 17. Eleven Wonders will travel to Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 16 for a clash at the Golden City Park.
Medeama SC will host FC Samartex on Match Day 6, with the reverse fixture scheduled for Match Day 23. On Match Day 15, Medeama will welcome Basake Holy Stars, before travelling for the return leg on Match Day 32. Meanwhile, FC Samartex will face Basake Holy Stars away on Match Day 14, with the return leg of the Western Derby set for Match Day 31.
The 2025/26 Premier League season is set to begin on September 12, 2025 and end on the weekend of May 23/24, 2026.
The eight-month schedule is in alignment with the 23rd FIFA World Cup 2026, slated for June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The FIFA World Cup will start about seventeen days after the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season ends.
This helps ensure that all elite domestic competitions end before the beginning of the global showpiece.
With the 31st Ordinary Session of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Congress, scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the Ghanaman Centre of Excellence in Prampram, the Football Association has confirmed that the Premier League will start as planned and finish in May 2026, following FIFA’s official calendar.
Matches will mostly be played on weekends, while midweek games will be used to make up for any matches that were postponed—just like in the 2024/25 season.
Hon. Mohammed-Muniru Limuna was a distinguished Ghanaian public servant, statesman, and administrator whose life was characterised by duty, humility, philanthropy, and an unwavering dedication to the worship of Allah, national service, and human development.
Born on the 8th August 1967 in Wa, in the Upper East Region of Ghana, to Alhaji Langa Limuna and Hajia Hawa Soale, he was the second of six children. His life journey exemplified perseverance, leadership, and excellence in public administration, political governance, and community service.
From a modest beginning at United Primary School in Tamale (1972–1977), he pursued his education with relentless commitment. He obtained his Junior Secondary School Certificate from Vitting Experimental Junior Secondary School (1977–1980), followed by GCE Ordinary Level certification at Damongo Secondary School (1980–1984).
He continued to Tamale Secondary School (1986–1988) for his GCE Advanced Level before enrolling at the University of Ghana, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities (1990–1993).
Driven by a passion for public service and good governance, he further acquired a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in April 2005. His pursuit of higher learning took him abroad, where he earned an MSc in Health Policy, Planning, and Financing from the University of London’s London School of Economics (2006–2007) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Policy, Planning, and Financing from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2007–2008).
With over 28 years of cumulative public service experience—13 of which were at the highest levels of administration and leadership—Hon. Limuna played vital roles in transforming public institutions and promoting inclusive development.
As Minister for Food and Agriculture (January 2016 – January 2017), he led strategic reforms to boost food security and agricultural modernization and laid the foundations for the current Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) in partnership with the Bank of Ghana. He also spearheaded conceptualization of the Farm Service Centers concept to provide mechanization, credit, extension services, and market access to farmers. While this could not be accomplished before the erstwhile NDC government lost power in 2016, it found its way into the NDC’s manifestos, subsequently becoming a pivotal policy in the current Presidency of President Mahama for the transformation of the Agricultural sector.
Between 1995 and 1996, he served as the Organising Secretary of the National Service Personnel Association, demonstrating early leadership and commitment to the development of young professionals. He later became the Campaign Coordinator for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2016 elections in the Northern Region, and has since served as a member of the Council of Elders of the NDC party in the Savannah Region.
His earlier tenure as Northern Regional Minister (2014–2016) and Upper East Regional Minister (2013–2014) was equally transformative. As Chairman of the respective Regional Security Councils, he led peace-building initiatives that resolved longstanding ethnic and chieftaincy conflicts in areas such as Nankpanduri, Bawku, and the Builsa traditional area. His leadership culminated in the historic 2014 Damba Festival between the Andani and Abudu royal gates in Yendi, marking a significant step in the Dagbon peace process.
He also supervised the construction of six traditional Homes as part of that roadmap to peace and tackled social issues such as cybercrime in the region.
As Minister of State in Charge of Scholarships and Human Resource Development (2013–2014), Hon. Limuna spearheaded reforms in scholarship administration and was instrumental in the development of Ghana’s national human resource policy. His contributions extended to the health sector, where he served in multiple roles, including as Administrator and Health Policy Adviser to the Minister of Health, Project Coordinator for the Health Insurance Project at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and NHIS Focal Officer at the Ministry of Health’s Policy Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Directorate.
Notably, he played a lead role in the nationwide computerization of the NHIS and the establishment of District Mutual Health Insurance Schemes (DMHIS), which enhanced health coverage and efficiency across the country. His earlier administrative roles included serving as Assistant Director of Administration at both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Works and Housing. In these capacities, he helped manage resources, prepared strategic plans and budgets, and liaised with the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders on contract and project execution.
Hon. Limuna’s expertise extended beyond national borders. He represented Ghana at numerous international conferences and high-level policy forums, including the Pre-UN General Assembly Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance in London (2016), the China-Africa Local Government Cooperation Forum in Beijing (2015), and engagements organised by the World Bank, Harvard School of Public Health, UNIDO, and GIMPA. He also attended several professional development programs, including courses in project planning, public procurement, consultancy services, governance, and health financing.
A devout Muslim, Hon. Alhaji Limuna sponsored and facilitated the construction of dozens of mosques across the country and sponsored hundreds of Muslims to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage. He was also a committed philanthropist. Through the Tamawuta Foundation—which he established—he sponsored the education of many individuals at various levels, paid medical bills for the sick, provided potable water to underserved communities, and organized health screenings and treatments for countless people.
In the final chapter of his distinguished career, he assumed the position of Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator only a few weeks prior to his passing and was committed to diligently and faithfully executing his duties. Tragically, his dedicated service was cut short by his untimely passing on 6th August 2025.
He is fondly remembered as principled yet light-hearted, respected for his time consciousness, solution-oriented nature, and proactiveness in addressing the challenges facing the youth. He was instrumental in facilitating scholarships for higher education for many and mentored countless young people, particularly from the Northern part of Ghana.
In his youthful years, he was a skilful and energetic dancer, earning the nickname “Kisco Darling.” He led and won many dancing competitions in Tamale and Damongo, forming some of his most enduring friendships during that vibrant period of his life.
A man of remarkable intellect, integrity, and empathy, Hon. Limuna was widely respected for his ability to blend policy knowledge with pragmatic leadership. His approach to governance was anchored in inclusiveness, conflict resolution, and sustainable development. He was not only a technocrat and public manager but also a statesman who prioritized the well-being of the most vulnerable, especially in rural communities.
Outside of his public roles, he was married to Hajia Zahara Ligbi. He was a devoted husband and a loving father to four children. Those who knew him personally speak of his humility, kindness, and deep sense of responsibility.
In Hon. Mohammed-Muniru Limuna, Ghana found a servant leader—one who served with vision, led with wisdom, and governed with heart. His legacy remains one of peace, reform, and transformation. His contributions will continue to inspire generations of public servants and leaders. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Samuel Kwaku Adu Aboagye – Deputy Director-General of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
It is often said that the hour of death cannot be foretold. Though we acknowledge this truth, we tend to believe that such a moment lies far ahead in time. Never did we imagine that today, we would be gathered here to remember and mourn our brother Hon. Samuel Aboagye, whose body we cannot identify.
Adu Kwaku, as the family calls him, was born on December 23, 1990, in Damongo, in the Savannah Region of Ghana.
His parents are the late Mr. Jeremiah Kwabena Aboagye and Madam Ama Ajubi. The father was an Agric Extension officer at Damongo and later became a businessman upon his retirement and came home to Adansi-Patakoro.
The late father was the chief of Patakoro in the early ’80s. He was the last child of his parents (Kakyere).
Early life
Hon. Samuel Aboagye started his primary school at the Damongo Cambridge Educational Complex. He joined his parents to return to Obuasi since his father had retired and was getting older.
He continued his education at Bekwai, Victory International Complex, and wrote his BECE at St. Philip Catholic Int. School at Tutuka-Obuasi in 2006.
He was enrolled at St. Margaret Senior High from 2007 to 2010 for his secondary education.
He had his first degree from Accra Business School and proceeded to do his master’s programme in business administration between the years of 2020 and 2024.
Christian life
Adu was a Christian and a member of the Church of Pentecost. He was baptised in water at Damongo in the year 2005. He prides himself as a member of the Church of Pentecost because the whole family attends the Church of Pentecost, of which his elder brother is a pastor.
His love for God and things in the church was admirable.
He was someone who did not hide his Christian faith and was always ready to contribute his quota to the growth and development of his church.
Professional life
Hon. Samuel Aboagye was a promising young man full of business ideas. With the help of his family, he made his first business trip to Germany in 2013 and later to the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA).
During this period, he also served as a FIFA-licensed agent, engaging in international sports management and building valuable global networks.
He returned to Ghana in 2017 to serve his country and his hometown, Adansi, until the Black Wednesday of this tragic incident, which claimed his life. He was married to Abigail Salami and had two children, all girls.
Political life
Hon. Samuel Aboagye was the parliamentary candidate for the NDC, Obuasi East Constituency, in the 2020 elections.
He was again the parliamentary candidate in the 2024 elections, which he won, but administrative errors on the side of the electoral commission wrongfully announced the win to his opponent, for which the case is pending in the law court.
The President, John Dramani Mahama, then appointed him as the Deputy Director General of NADMO. It was in this capacity, serving his people and his country, that he got involved in this tragic helicopter crash.
Transition to glory
On the morning of Wednesday, 6th August 2025, news broke out in social media about a helicopter crash; little did we know that our brother was part of the people who were on the plane.
The news sends shockwaves through the family and friends; even now, it remains difficult to accept that our son, brother, and friend is no more with us.
The family investment in our brother has gone to waste. Why so soon, Sammy? We take comfort in the Lord that death is not the end; it is but a brief rest for those who walk with the Lord. Indeed, his passing is a profound loss to the family, the church, and the community.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” 2 Timothy 4:7
Early Life and Christian Foundation
Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah was born on December 26, 1975, at Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital to the late Mr. Edward Kwame Omane and Madam Leticia Asante (Sister Abena), who hailed from Koforidua Effiduase and Kwahu Obomeng, respectively.
He was baptised at St. George’s Catholic Church in Koforidua and raised in a devout Catholic home in discipline, humility, godliness, and a profound commitment to service. These enduring values shaped his life.
From a young age, he was an active member of his faith community. He spent much of his childhood immersed in life at the parish. He served as an altar boy and was a dedicated member — and later President — of the Knights of St. John Cadet Corps in the Koforidua Chapter.
Additionally, he was involved with the Boy Scouts, reflecting his early passion for spirituality, service and leadership.
Education
Dr. Omane Boamah attended Koforidua Experimental Basic School and later studied at Pope John Senior High School and Junior Seminary from 1989 to 1996. He served as Secretary of the School Representative Council (SRC) during the 1995/96 academic year. In this role, he was involved in changes to the fee payment structure and efforts to improve student living conditions.
While in school, he excelled in Biology. After his A-Levels, he did National Service teaching Biology at Benkum Senior High School before continuing to higher education.
Dr. Omane Boamah earned his medical degree from the University of Ghana in March 2006. During this period, he pursued an additional clinical elective at the Washington University School of Medicine.
He later completed a Master’s in Health Policy, Planning, and Financing at the London School of Economics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2018.
Throughout his university journey, he was a steadfast advocate for student rights and quality education. He served as the President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS). He was elected in 2002. In this role, he was instrumental in holding the government accountable; notably, urging compliance with the provisions of the GETFund Act and ensuring adequate funding for education in Ghana to the benefit of students.
During this time, he also published his first book, GETFUND: A NUGS President’s Account.
He was also the Coordinating Secretary of the Federation of Ghana Medical Students Association (FGMSA).
Significantly, Dr. Omane Boamah, as a medical student, volunteered in emergency medical rescue operations following the tragic May 9, 2001 Accra disaster. His volunteer spirit also led him to support the Expanded Programme on Immunisation in the Asuogyaman District in 2004, underscoring his deep commitment to the well-being of people.
Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah married his beautiful, intelligent, hardworking and virtuous sweetheart, Rita Adubea Offei, on 2nd September 2006. Dr. Omane Boamah chose Rita’s birthday as their wedding day to honour his adorable wife, as he remarked during his memorable wedding reception.
Mrs. Rita Omane Boamah is a Chartered Accountant and Development Finance Professional. The two were inseparable and most compatible. He was an exceptionally loving, committed and caring husband.
The admirable couple cherished Christian family values and raised their children in the Lord. God blessed Kofi and Rita with three children: Akua, Ama and Yaw.
Upon completion of his medical training in March 2006, Dr. Omane Boamah embarked on a promising medical career. He served with distinction at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Bob Freeman Clinic, and the 37 Military Hospital from 2006 to 2008.
Early in his medical practice, his natural leadership qualities were further highlighted when he was elected President of the Junior Doctors’ Association in 2006 — a continuation of the commitment to serve and lead.
When he began his postgraduate studies in Medical Physiology, Dr. Omane Boamah heeded to a higher calling to public service when he was appointed Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology in 2009 to serve the nation.
His medical training was also helpful when, as Minister responsible for Communications and Information, he played a pivotal role in Ghana’s preparation and response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, demonstrating his dedication to safeguarding public health in times of crisis.
He returned to medical practice at Afrah International Hospital in 2017, continuing to bring healing and hope to his patients. Throughout his career as a medical practitioner, he showed compassion, dedication to save lives, and support for vulnerable people in diverse ways, with many attesting to the lives he touched and the help he rendered.
Political Career and Public Service
Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah was nurtured for leadership first as a student leader when he was elected NUGS President, then as Spokesperson for Junior Doctors, and subsequently through activism as a leading member of the Committee for Joint Action (CJA) and member of the Free Tsatsu Movement.
Deputy Minister Roles (2009–2013):
President John Evans Atta-Mills, of blessed memory, appointed Dr. Omane Boamah to serve as Deputy Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology from 2009 to 2012.
He was efficient, dynamic, and quickly made a mark.
He worked with his Minister to roll out the then flagship Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship Scheme (MASTESS), which benefited some 41,000 students. They also implemented the Free Laptops Initiative for Students and Teachers.
Dr. Omane Boamah led investigations into environmental contamination incidents — he was chairman of the Investigative Committee on the Spillage of Sodium Cyanide in a water body in Kenyase, Ghana, by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited in 2010.
Then in 2011, he was again tasked to chair the Investigative Committee on the Spillage of Low Toxicity Oil Based Mud (LTOBM) by KOSMOS Energy in the Jubilee Offshore Field, West Cape Three Points in Ghana. Additionally, he spearheaded a national tree-planting campaign against deforestation.
He subsequently served as Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports (2012–2013), coordinating Ghana’s participation in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Minister of Communications & Presidential Spokesperson (2013–2017): Appointed by President John Mahama in February 2013, Dr. Omane Boamah led the Ministry of Communications, launching pivotal initiatives such as Ghana’s 4G LTE rollout (GOTA) for the security services, the formation of the National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT GH), and a Child Online Protection Framework.
As Communications Minister, he assisted President Mahama to construct Ghana’s first National Data Centre. He is credited for the Eastern Corridor Fibre Optic Backbone Infrastructure, and he supervised Ghana’s rapid nationwide mobile penetration.
From 2014 to 2017, he also served as Presidential Spokesperson after President Mahama merged the Communications and Information Ministries.
International Footprints
Dr. Omane Boamah served as Vice Chairman of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD) from 2009 to 2011.
He led the Government of Ghana’s delegation to the negotiations at the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Cancun, Mexico, in 2010.
As Communications Minister, he dutifully represented Ghana at Cybersecurity Conferences and Meetings in Asia, South America, and Europe between 2013 and 2016.
Dr. Omane Boamah was a member of Ghana’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly Meetings in New York, U.S.A., in 2015 and 2016.
His contributions at the Conference on the Swine Flu Global Pandemic, Washington DC, U.S.A., in August 2009, were most impressive.
Other Positions Held Dr. Omane Boamah served as Policy Advisor and Political Strategist to President John Dramani Mahama from 2017 to 2024, when the NDC was in opposition.
From 2013 to 2017, he chaired the Governing Board of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC).
He was a Board Member of the Ghana AIDS Commission from 2014 to January 2017.
NDC Director of Elections and IT Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah was the first person to hold the combined position of Director of Elections and IT in 2024.
He excelled at it, introducing a raft of reforms including a novel examination requirement for NDC Polling Agents, putting together a Manual on Elections, and establishing a robust electoral collation system.
His initiatives and remarkable leadership ensured that the NDC went into the 2024 elections fully prepared for victory.
Minister of Defence (2025) In January 2025, President Mahama nominated Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah as Minister for Defence. He received unanimous approval and confirmation by Parliament.
In office, he prioritized military welfare; revealed GH¢3.79 billion in hidden defence debts; advocated for regional fairness in military recruitment; launched recruitment plans for 12,000 new troops; and secured a €50 million EU-financed security support package.
As Defence Minister, he waged a credible, uncompromising, and decisive campaign against galamsey, ensuring that military deployments achieved their objectives. A considerable number of forests were liberated from the galamsey scourge.
As Minister of Defence, he was a distinguished member of the National Security Council chaired by President John Mahama and the Ghana Armed Forces Council chaired by Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
He was the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).
He was also a member of the Ministerial Advisory Board of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Publications Dr. Omane Boamah is the author of “GETFund: A NUGS President’s Account” — a book focused on advocacy in funding education in Ghana (2004).
He also authored the yet-to-be-published “Professor John Evans Atta Mills — A Peaceful Man in An African Democracy” — currently under review for posthumous publication.
He led the publication of “Accounting to the People, Changing Lives Transforming Ghana” — a book focused on the achievements of the Mahama-led Government of Ghana from 2013 to 2015.
He was co-editor of a W.H.O. Ghana-sponsored students’ newsletter focused on preventive health — “The Outreach”.
Tragic End and Legacy On 6th August 2025, Dr. Omane Boamah died in a devastating Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter crash near Adansi Akrofuom, en route to Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining and responsible community mining event.
His tragic passing, along with seven other patriots — his colleague Cabinet Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed; Dr. Samuel Sarpong; Samuel Aboagye; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu; and Sgt. Ernest Addo Mensah — plunged the nation into utter shock, unbearable grief and profound mourning.
His golden legacy will live on. We are in tears, broken and shattered, but we can take solace in the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17:
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
Rest in the bosom of the Lord, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah.
Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed (December 14, 1974 – August 6, 2025) was a prominent Ghanaian politician and public servant known for his competence and dedication.
He served as the Member of Parliament for the Tamale Central Constituency and held various ministerial positions.
Education: He began his education at St. Peter’s Primary School (Kulikuli School) in Tamale and continued at Ghana Senior High (GHANASCO). He was a trained teacher with a Teacher’s Certificate A from Tamale College of Education (TACE).
His academic achievements also included a Master’s degree in Development Planning from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, a Master’s in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Ghana, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Ghana.
Political and Professional Career:
Early Career: He served as the General Secretary of the All-African Students Union (AASU) in 1999, focusing on educational reforms and youth engagement.
In 2009, he was appointed Deputy National Coordinator of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP).
Member of Parliament: He was first elected as MP for the Nanton Constituency in 2012, serving in the sixth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana. After a loss in 2016, he successfully contested and won the seat for the Tamale Central Constituency in 2020.
Ministerial Roles: Under the John Mahama government, he was appointed Deputy Minister for Information and Media Relations (2013-2017) and subsequently Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry. In February 2025, he became the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Key Achievements in Tamale Central: During his time as MP for Tamale Central, Hon. Dr. Murtala Muhammed was credited with numerous projects, including:
Education: Renovating schools, providing free classes and supplies for students, establishing a tertiary education support fund, and introducing a mobile library.
Healthcare: Awarding scholarships for medical students, providing medical equipment, and constructing three health facilities.
Infrastructure: Developing inner-city roads in areas like Changli and Gumbihini, and drilling 80 mechanized boreholes.
Community Development: Securing hundreds of jobs for constituents, providing financial support for women entrepreneurs, and facilitating the construction of an artificial turf field.
SAMUEL SARPONG, VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC).
Job 14:1-2 – “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down; he fleeth also as a shadow and continueth not.”
Dr. Samuel Sarpong, affectionately known as Sammy Tugar and Castro, was born on 7th November 1957 at Adadientem to Mr. Kwabena Mensah Sarpong (of blessed memory) and Mrs. Agnes Boakye Sarpong.
From humble beginnings, he rose to become a distinguished public servant, politician, and community leader whose life was marked by service, courage, and resilience.
His early education took him through Adadientem, Besease R/C, Sefwi Wiawso, and finally Esease Middle School, where he completed his basic schooling.
He proceeded to Osei Tutu Secondary School, then to Wesley College, where he trained as a teacher.
He was a cross-country runner and a high jumper. Upon completion, he taught at Juaben Secondary School from 1981 to 1982 as a physical education (P.E.) and Asante Twi teacher.
Dr. Sarpong’s leadership qualities quickly became evident, earning him the role of PDC Coordinator for the Ejisu/Juaben District. He coordinated the Programme of Action to Mitigate the Social Costs of Adjustment (PAMSCAD).
His pursuit of higher learning and specialized knowledge led him abroad—first to Cuba, where he studied criminology, and later to Bulgaria for further studies.
His professional career was diverse and impactful. He served with the Special Branch (now BNI), the Ashanti Regional Investigation Committee (ASHRIC), which later became the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), and subsequently the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
He also served as Acting Director of SFO for the Northern Sector, covering the Ashanti, Bono Ahafo, Northern, Upper East, and Upper West regions.
In politics, Dr. Sarpong held numerous leadership roles, including Mayor of Kumasi (2009), Ashanti Regional Minister (2013), Central Regional Minister, and Parliamentary Candidate for Nyiaeso (NDC) in 2016.
He also served as Director of the State Housing Corporation. In addition, he later obtained an Executive Master’s Degree from GIMPA.
He is the Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). His commitment to party development was evident in his instrumental role in building the NDC Party Office at Nyiaeso.
He treated people equally, irrespective of their colour, creed, or political affiliation. He was a founding member of the NDC.
A respected traditional leader, Dr. Sarpong, was enstooled as Nkosohene of Cape Coast. He was married to Mrs. Hannah Sarpong, and together they were blessed with five children; four boys and one girl.
On that fateful day, Dr. Sarpong’s life of service and dedication was cut short when he became one of the eight gallant individuals who perished in a tragic helicopter crash crash at Sikaman-Brofoyedu in the Ashanti Region.
Dr. Samuel Sarpong’s legacy is one of selfless leadership. unwavering patriotism, and a deep love for family, community, and country.
His contributions will continue to inspire generations to come. Damirifa Due! Due ne Amanehunu!
It was a heart-wrenching scene, a trembling voice, as mourners watched and listened to the heartbroken children of the late Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, one of the victims of the Adansi helicopter crash that occurred on August 6, pour out their grief in a moving tribute.
During a vigil held in honour of the late Minister last night at the Christ the King Parish in Accra on Thursday, August 14, they expressed their shock and pain over the unexpected passing of their father.
“Daddy, why did you leave us so soon? Never in a million years would we have imagined this,” they said, their voices trembling. “Who will we call in the middle of the night when we have questions? Who will have the answers? You are irreplaceable, Edwardo,” the words came out in a shaky voice.
For his presence and availability, the children eulogised him for his compassion and guidance.
“Your love was steady, your love was gentle, and it was the warmth that filled our home,” they recalled.
Even during official travels, they said, he never failed to call daily, never missed important family milestones, and constantly encouraged them to “dream big but stay grounded.” To him, success was never about personal glory but about the lives touched. “You showed us that compassion is strength, truth is a duty, and service to others is the greatest legacy one can leave,” they shared.
Dr Omane Boamah was among eight people who lost their lives in the August 6 military helicopter crash. The eight were on a national assignment when they met their untimely death. Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; and Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force. Muniru Mohammed, acting Deputy National Security Coordinator.
Currently, the funeral service is underway at the Black Star Square.
In a detailed breakdown of how the service would go, the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations provided an outline of how the state ceremony would be carried out. The service, categorised into three folds, will be conducted by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
“We would have the three burial services, during which period some tributes would be read, and we would have Qu’ran recitations during that period. And the second part would be the main funeral and burial service. The pre-burial will start at 7:30am and will continue to 9:00am.”
“We expect the Vice President to arrive at the funeral grounds at 8:50am in the morning, and that will be followed by the President at 9:00am, when the state service will begin. The service is programmed to last for approximately three hours, during which period we would take the biographies of the departed eight colleagues, parents, and siblings. After the biography we will take tributes from the widows and then also tributes from the children,” he added.
Tributes will also be read by senior government officials during the pre-burial period before 9:00am. Following the service, the remains of the other six victims will be taken to the military cemetery for interment at Tse Addo.
“And there as well, the GAF together with the churches of the six departed comrades, will take charge of the burial ceremony at the military cemetery,” he explained. Mr Dogbey also revealed that arrangements have been made to provide buses to convey the families that would be heading to the military cemetery.
“The idea is to reduce the traffic en route to the cemetery and also manage the traffic at the cemetery. And so buses will be provided to the six families, and a few others who would be able to join will join,” he explained.
The government anticipates a large gathering for Friday’s state funeral. As such, Mr Dobge has entreated all who will make their way to the Black Star Square to behave in a manner that enhances decorum. He revealed measures that are being put in place by the government to ensure an incident-free and lawful state event.
“Because of the rather large number of people that will be expected tomorrow, a number of measures have been taken to ensure that we have a very solemn ceremony. So for the media that is here, you would have seen the ongoing set up. We are trying our best to provide as many chairs as we can to accommodate the thousands of people that we expect to join the various families and the government officials here for the service.”
“We are going to label the various canopies appropriately to accommodate those who will be coming. We entreat the public who would want to join us for the service to arrive early and collaborate with the protocol and security officials on ground to assist them to sit. We do not expect people to be crisscrossing the inner perimeter before and during the service. The inner perimeter is going to be locked out to mourners and the mourners are expected to remain under the canopies for the service. When you come in later today or early tomorrow morning, you would notice the labelling that will be on the various canopies indicating where people are supposed to sit.”
He further confirmed that “there will be a heavy security deployment, obviously not because the president and the vice president are here but also for the safety of all mourners that are going to be here.” Mr Dogbey has urged all and sundry to collaborate with the security detail posted to ensure a successful ceremony.
“If you are driving in, you will be required to alight at a specific point and walk into the mourning zone and your vehicle can be parked at a designated car park. If you are driving yourself, then you would have to go and park and come and walk into the service area.”
To the media, the Deputy Chief of Staff encouraged reporters to remain within the designated space provided as only photographers and videographers will be allowed to access the inner perimeter to take coverage.
“With relation to the media, I believe that a statement was issued earlier by the minister of state for government communication on arrangements that have been made for this service. And media houses and journalists were required to apply for accreditation.
“Media houses and journalists that applied and have been accordingly accredited are the only ones that will be allowed in the inner perimeter, which is designated as the special media zone for the service. And that accreditation is only for camera holders, video camera holders, and photographers; they are the only ones going to be allowed in the inner perimeter. Reporters and others are not going to be in the perimeter.”
Thousands of Ghanaians from near and far, as well as international diplomats, are expected to converge at the Black Stars Square to bid farewell to the gallant heroes who made a significant contribution to the development of the country.
Final funeral rites for six out of the eight victims of the Adansi helicopter crash are slated for today, August 15. The rites are to be held for the fallen heroes who died aboard a military helicopter carrying them to Obuasi for an anti-galamsey event on Wednesday, August 6.
The eight were on a national assignment when they met their untimely death. The deceased are Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; and Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.
Among the eight victims, two Muslims — Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator in charge of Human Security, Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed — were laid to rest earlier, on Sunday, August 10, where Janazah prayers were also held at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra before they were buried at the Military Cemetery in Tse Addo.
Currently, the funeral service is underway at the Black Star Square.
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has announced a ‘name and shame’ approach to promote responsible borrowing among wilful loan defaulters in a new directive. The financial institution announced this in a formal directive issued to all regulated financial institutions on August 14.
In the new directive, the Bank of Ghana instructed all regulated financial institutions to publish the names of individuals who deliberately refuse to repay loans (wilful loan defaulters), despite having the means, twice a year in national newspapers and on their websites.
“All banks and other regulated lenders will be required to publish the names of such defaulters twice a year, on June 30 and December 31, in at least two national newspapers and on their official websites, using a format provided by the BoG.”
These measures form part of BoG’s latest regulatory actions to curb rising non-performing loans (NPLs) and reduce risks to the profitability, liquidity, and solvency of the banking sector. The central bank has already notified all regulated financial institutions of the directives and published explanatory notes for the public.
Also, not only will the names of the defaulters be published, but they will also be barred from getting any loans from any accredited financial institution for up to about half a decade.
“People in Ghana who deliberately refuse to repay loans… could soon be banned from borrowing from any licensed bank or financial institution for up to five years.” Borrowers who default on more than two occasions will face a five-year credit ban.
“Borrowers listed as wilful defaulters on two or more occasions within ten years will face a mandatory five-year ban, or longer if the calculated prohibition period exceeds that duration,” it added. The restrictions also target directors of companies found to have engaged in fund diversion, misrepresentation, falsified accounts, or fraudulent transactions.
“Directors of companies that are wilful defaulters, where RFIs have identified siphoning/diversion of funds, misrepresentation, falsification of accounts, and fraudulent transactions with the directors’ consent or connivance, shall also be deemed wilful defaulters and prohibited from accessing credit for the same period as the defaulting company,” it said.
Who is a wilful defaulter
According to the Bank of Ghana, “A wilful defaulter is defined as a borrower who deliberately breaks loan agreements… or obtains it through fake documents or false collateral.”
According to the new directive, the BoG outlined the conditions under which an action will be classified as wilful default. BoG explained that a wilful default would be deemed to have occurred if any of the following events were noted:
i. The borrower has defaulted on their repayment obligations to the RFI even when they have the capacity to honour the said obligation;
ii. The borrower has defaulted on their repayment obligations to the RFI and has siphoned or diverted the funds for other purposes;
iii. The borrower has defaulted on their repayment obligations to the RFI and has provided falsified or misrepresented collateral or any other documentation in support of the loan application, thereby securing the facility through fraudulent means;
iv. The borrower has defaulted on their repayment obligations to two (2) or more RFIs concurrently. However, the borrower may be exempted as a wilful defaulter if evidence is provided to the RFI that their inability to meet repayment obligations is due to loss of employment, force majeure, or disability;
v. The borrower has defaulted on their repayment obligations and has relocated without the RFI’s knowledge of the new address; or
vi. The borrower has defaulted on their repayment obligations to the RFI and has, without the RFI’s knowledge or consent, disposed of or removed the movable or immovable assets pledged as security for the facility.
Guarantors of wilful defaulters are also mentioned as facing the same penalties as the principal borrower. “In the case where a guarantor of a wilful defaulter refuses to comply with the demand by an RFI for payment, despite having sufficient means to make payment, then such guarantor would also be treated as a wilful defaulter and prohibited from accessing credit for the same period as the defaulting company.”
In cases where a wilful defaulter intends to gain access to credit, it is expected that the borrower will pay off all debt and meet the criteria of the organisation’s obligations.
“A wilful defaulter may regain access to credit upon fully repaying all written-off loans and fees, and if the lender is satisfied with the borrower’s ability and willingness to meet future repayment obligations,” it noted.
The BoG is also enforcing stricter prudential limits, requiring banks and other financial institutions to keep their NPL ratio at or below 10% by the end of 2026. Microfinance institutions must maintain their existing limit of 5% From January 1, 2027, institutions exceeding these limits will be barred from paying dividends, issuing bonuses, or expanding their loan portfolios.
Also, BoG has directed that if a bank or financial institution (RFI) has more than 7% of its loans classified as non-performing loans (NPLs), it must send a monthly report on those bad loans to the Bank of Ghana (BoG), using a prescribed format. In their yearly (annual) report, these RFIs must also include a breakdown of NPL amounts by sector, according to BoG’s required categories.
Firstly, they must include “details of all loans they have written off, both for the current year and the total amount over time; any rules in this notice that they have broken or failed to follow; details of bad loans owed by related parties (including the borrowers’ names, amounts still owed, and how those loans are classified); details of loans from wilful defaulters (people who can pay but refuse to) and non-wilful defaulters (people who cannot pay due to genuine reasons) that have been written off, plus how much money has been recovered from them, using the format in Appendix II (3),” it added.
Final funeral rites for six out of the eight victims of the Adansi helicopter crash are slated for today, August 15. The rites are to be held for the fallen heroes who died on board a military helicopter carrying them to Obuasi for an anti-galamsey event on Wednesday, August 6.
President John Dramani Mahama made this known when he addressed the nation on Thursday night, August 7, a day after the tragic incident. The eight were on a national assignment when they met their untimely death. The deceased are Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; and Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.
Among the eight victims, two Muslims — Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator in charge of Human Security, Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed — were laid to rest earlier, on Sunday, August 10, where Janazah prayers were also held at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra before they were buried at the Military Cemetery in Tse Addo.
At a press conference on Thursday, August 14, the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations provided an outline of how tomorrow’s state ceremony will be carried out. The service categorized into three folds will be conducted by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
“We would have the three burial services, during which period some tributes would be read, and we would have Qu’ran recitations during that period. And the second part would be the main funeral and burial service. The pre-burial will start at 7:30am and will continue to 9:00am.”
“We expect the Vice President to arrive at the funeral grounds at 8:50am in the morning, and that will be followed by the President at 9:00am, when the state service will begin. The service is programmed to last for approximately three hours, during which period we would take the biographies of the departed eight colleagues, parents, and siblings. After the biography we will take tributes from the widows and then also tributes from the children,” he added.
Tributes will also be read by senior government officials during the pre-burial period before 9:00am. Following the service, the remains of the other six victims will be taken to the military cemetery for interment at Tse Addo.
“And there as well, the GAF together with the churches of the six departed comrades, will take charge of the burial ceremony at the military cemetery,” he explained. Mr Dogbey also revealed that arrangements have been made to provide buses to convey the families that would be heading to the military cemetery.
“The idea is to reduce the traffic en route to the cemetery and also manage the traffic at the cemetery. And so buses will be provided to the six families, and a few others who would be able to join will join,” he explained.
The government anticipates a large gathering for Friday’s state funeral. As such, Mr Dobge has entreated all who will make their way to the Black Star Square to behave in a manner that enhances decorum. He revealed measures that are being put in place by the government to ensure an incident-free and lawful state event.
“Because of the rather large number of people that will be expected tomorrow, a number of measures have been taken to ensure that we have a very solemn ceremony. So for the media that is here, you would have seen the ongoing set up. We are trying our best to provide as many chairs as we can to accommodate the thousands of people that we expect to join the various families and the government officials here for the service.”
“We are going to label the various canopies appropriately to accommodate those who will be coming. We entreat the public who would want to join us for the service to arrive early and collaborate with the protocol and security officials on ground to assist them to sit. We do not expect people to be crisscrossing the inner perimeter before and during the service. The inner perimeter is going to be locked out to mourners and the mourners are expected to remain under the canopies for the service. When you come in later today or early tomorrow morning, you would notice the labelling that will be on the various canopies indicating where people are supposed to sit.”
He further confirmed that “there will be a heavy security deployment, obviously not because the president and the vice president are here but also for the safety of all mourners that are going to be here.” Mr Dogbey has urged all and sundry to collaborate with the security detail posted to ensure a successful ceremony.
“If you are driving in, you will be required to alight at a specific point and walk into the mourning zone and your vehicle can be parked at a designated car park. If you are driving yourself, then you would have to go and park and come and walk into the service area.”
To the media, the Deputy Chief of Staff encouraged reporters to remain within the designated space provided as only photographers and videographers will be allowed to access the inner perimeter to take coverage.
“With relation to the media, I believe that a statement was issued earlier by the minister of state for government communication on arrangements that have been made for this service. And media houses and journalists were required to apply for accreditation.
“Media houses and journalists that applied and have been accordingly accredited are the only ones that will be allowed in the inner perimeter, which is designated as the special media zone for the service. And that accreditation is only for camera holders, video camera holders, and photographers; they are the only ones going to be allowed in the inner perimeter. Reporters and others are not going to be in the perimeter.”
Thousands of Ghanaians from near and far, as well as international diplomats, are expected to converge at the Black Stars Square to bid farewell to the gallant heroes who made a significant contribution to the development of the country.
The growing trend of prophecies and predictions of imminent danger for high-profile government officials, celebrities, and even the president has drawn several concerns from individuals, including the Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson.
Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, speaking during a media engagement at Turkson Memorial Institute in the Central Region, on Wednesday, August, explained that prophecies are God’s way of communicating his thoughts to man, and cited that these prophecies are given so the recipients can intercede, particularly when the content of the prophecy is life-threatening or disastrous.
“For me, prophecies, as a communication of divine knowledge to humans, first and foremost make you privy to God’s thought. And the first consequence of that should be to speak with God Himself—especially if the content of the prophecy is about disaster, evil, or something troubling,” he stated.
While referring to the story of Abraham and his response to a prophecy of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible, he admonished religious leaders to intercede first before announcing the prophecy to a second party,
“When God revealed to Abraham His intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham pleaded for mercy. In the same way, if God entrusts you with such knowledge, you must pray first and seek His intervention.”…please do that first, even before seeking to communicate it to anybody,” he added.
Cardinal Turkson further went on to question the criteria by which individuals are deemed credible prophets, noting the need for a more rigorous and reflective approach.
“Who is credible? How do we determine that? What is the criteria for a credible prophet?” he asked. “It leaves a lot of questions that need to be answered.”
The Cardinal’s comments come on the back of the presidency’s calls for submission of prophecies by religious leaders, particularly when it concerns high-ranking government officials or threatens the country’s peace and safety.
On July 10, the Office of the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations called on church leaders and heads of religious groups to inform its office about any prophecy or spiritual message about important national issues, particularly ones that tend to affect top political leaders, the government, national security, or public peace.
In a statement dated and shared on August 10, the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, under the leadership of Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, noted that such prophecies should not just be revealed publicly, adding that they must be formally submitted to the office for review and further resolution.
According to the office, the move is in line with the “spirit of responsibility, discernment, and stewardship over the nation’s destiny.”
“…we kindly encourage you to inform all prophets, men, and women of God under your oversight that any prophecy or spiritual insight of a national nature, especially those with implications for high-profile political leaders, governance, national security, or public stability, should be formally relayed to the Office of the Presidential Envoy for urgent review and appropriate escalation,” parts of the statement read.
The statement further noted that the need to share such prophecies and visions has become necessary following the fatal helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight persons, including two government officials and six others.
The deceased are Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; and Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.
Following their deaths, several videos of pastors and prophets predicting an imminent aviation disaster surfaced, with some even mentioning the names of the deceased as victims at the time.
At least six prophets in Ghana and beyond had issued similar warnings, with some urging urgent national prayers to avert the tragedy. On July 13, 2025, Prophet Nigel Gaisie of Prophetic Hill Chapel declared, “I am seeing a domestic aircraft. It is small. I see it crash. Ghana must pray… I see the President in dark clothes.”
On July 29, independent prophet Samuel Henry (Roja) warned, “This is a conditional prophecy… there is going to be a plane crash… from Accra to Kumasi,” stressing that postponing flights and prayer could prevent it.
On August 3, Prophet Eric Boahen (Uche) of Reign House Chapel, recalling a 31st Night vision, said, “I saw a military aircraft… I saw fire… I saw sorrow… This is not a dream—it is a warning.”
It’sMonths earlier, on April 11, Prophet Fire Ogya (Jedidia Henry Kore) told a soldier to “refuse the flight… It’s a matter of life and death.” This advice reportedly saved the soldier’s life.
On July 19, Prophet Nana Kwame of Trinity Naioth Chapel International said, “I saw a helicopter fall… I saw Ghana mourning… This is a national warning.” A day after the tragedy, on August 6, Nigerian preacher Prophet Abel Tamunominabo Boma posted a video claiming to have foreseen “the Ghana flag on a casket… a nation weeping.”
After these videos emerged, there have been mixed reactions from Ghanaians. While some have called on authorities to take such warnings seriously, regarding these prophets who announce such prophecies and visions, and act appropriately, others have also slammed the spiritual leaders as opportunists capitalising on a national tragedy.
In 2021, the Ghana Police Service under the leadership of Dr George Akuffo Dampare took on faith-based organizations that inundated the public with predictions of imminent deaths and calamity that were supposed to be visited on individuals and pointed to the law that prohibited the public communication of such doom, for which offenders risked arrests and prosecution.
In the following year, the Ghana Police Service launched the “Prophecy Communication Compliance Day,” instituted on 27th December every year, “to remind all of us to practice our faith within the confines of the law to ensure a safe, secure environment, free of anxiety generated from predictions of impending harm, danger, or death.”
The directive by Dr George Akuffo Dampare did not sit well with some leaders of faith-based organisations. In January 2023, the then-IGP, Dr. Dampare, reiterated his firm stance against doom prophecy when the Ministry of the Interior made an appearance at the hearing of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament.
“Hon Chair, this is a very difficult question for me, but as a Christian and somebody who also believes in prophecies… and as a son of God, God will always have engagement with you and tell you things to happen in the future if only you are ready to listen.”
“But all the issues that we have been putting across as an institution are to prove to everybody that we are not against prophecies. We are talking about the communication of such prophecies that will end up creating fear and panic in our society, which is unwarranted,” Dr Dampare said.
He registered his displeasure over the manner in which such prophecies were made and clarified that he was not against prophecies.
“When God speaks to you, carry the message in a manner that will not affect the sanity of the country. Hon. Chair, it’s a simple matter… and truly a very simple matter. Hon. Chair, before I became IGP, nobody prophesied about me; now that I’m IGP, everybody is prophesying about me, and I have no problem with it because I am a public figure. But why should it be such that if God has revealed something to you about me, and you want to share it with me, you have to make it showmanship and tell the whole world about it.”
“If you receive a prophetic message that I’m about to die, which, of course, I’m not afraid of because death is inevitable…because if you don’t want to die, then you should not allow yourself to be born. Once I’ve been born, I’ll die one day. So, for death, the only thing I can do is to probably become a friend with it so that it can treat me with leniency,” he further remarked.
Yesterday, Wednesday, August 13, the Archbishop of Kumasi, Most Rev. Gabriel Justice Anokye, led a delegation to the Manhyia Palace to pray for the Asantehene and to express their condolences to the King, after the demise of the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
They also visited the late Ohemaa’s court to formally convey their sympathies to the family and offer prayers as well.
Profile of Asantehemaa Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III
Asantehemaa was named Nana Ama Konadu at birth and is also known by all as Nana Panin or Naa Panin. She later became Nana Konadu Yiadom III, after her enstoolment as the 14th Asantehemaa on February 6, 2016.
She was enskinned as queenmother following the death of her mother, Nana Konadu Yiadom III. She died on November 15, 2016, at the age of 109, after reigning for 39 years as Asantehemaa.
She was born in 1927 at Benyaade Shrine at Merdan, a small town located at Kwadaso, Kumasi, in the days of the restoration of the Asante Confederacy.
She was born to Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, Asantehemaa, who reigned from 1977 to 2016. Her father was known as Opanin Kofi Fofie, known popularly as Koofie or Keewuo, a carpenter by profession from Besease near Atimatim in Kumasi.
At a very tender age, just when she was a little over a year old and being breastfed, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, Asantehemaa, was separated from her biological mother and given to her aunt (mother’s sister), Nana Afia Konadu, at Ashanti New Town (Ash-Town), a suburb of Kumasi.
Nanahemaa never had any formal education, but she underwent a rigorous and quality informal education, learning a lot of things that were not taught in the classroom.
She was initiated and underwent puberty rites together with her niece, Nana Abena Ansa, in their early teens. She married Opanin Kwame Boateng, a blacksmith by profession from Aduman in Kumasi.
She was religious, kindhearted, calm, fair and firm, hardworking, very humble, unassuming, and accommodating. In the mid-1990s, Kwaku Firi Bosomfo, the priest of Kwaku Firi, prophesied through Baffour Akoto, a Senior Linguist of Asantehene, that Nanahemaa would be Queen of Asante someday, and surely, it came to pass.
Nanahemaa achieved a lot and has been recognised as such. Through her constant generosity in doing God’s work, the Saviour Church named a school after her, Nana Konadu Saviour School.
She exhibited a high level of equity, justice, and fairness, and all cases brought before her have been settled amicably to the satisfaction of both parties involved.
In celebrating her 5th Anniversary as Asantehemaa, she made a huge donation to the mothers at the Mother-Baby Unit (MBU), Pediatric Emergency Care Unit (PICU) and Pediatric Emergency Unit (PEU) and paid for all the medical bills and expenses for new mothers at the Mother-Baby Unit (MBU) at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Manhyia Government District Hospital.
Nanahemaa started a vigorous campaign and instituted an annual event to encourage mothers to breastfeed their young ones. The main reason she made a generous donation to the Mother-Baby Unit at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Manhyia Government District Hospital.
About the Asantehemaa’s one-week observance
The Manhyia Palace on August 12 announced a ban on all funerals across the Ashanti Kingdom on August 21 to allow the Royal Family to duly observe the Asantehemaa’s one-week observance.
In a statement shared by the kingdom’s Chief Justice, on behalf of the king and overlord of the kingdom, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the general public was informed to desist from holding any funeral on the scheduled date earmarked for the Asantehemaa Nana Ama Konadu’s funeral.
“Manhyia Palace announces for the information of the general public that there will be a ban on all funerals across Asanteman on Thursday, August 21, 2025, to allow Asantehene and Asanteman to observe the One Week Celebration of Asantehemaa”, parts of the statement directed.
The “One Week Celebration” will be observed on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Bogyawe, Manhyia Palace, from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m.
His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on Monday, August 11, officially informed the Asanteman Council of the demise of Nana Konadu Yiadom III, Asantehemaa, who passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the age of 98 years.
Paramount, divisional, and sub-chiefs from across the Ashanti Kingdom assembled at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi for the meeting, which was earlier announced in a statement on August 7.
After eight years of dedicated service to the Ashanti Kingdom, mourners from across Ghana and beyond are expected to gather to pay their last respects to the Asante monarch.
According to Palace officials, Nana Konadu Yiadom III’s one-week observation will follow traditional Asante customs, with chiefs, queen mothers, and government officials. Meanwhile, members of the public are expected to attend in mourning attire.
Since the Ohemaa’s demise, several condolence messages have been shared by individuals both abroad and locally. Included among them is the Alan Kyeremanten-led Movement for Change.
The Movement for Change expressed its condolences to the Royal Family and Asanteman for their loss.
In a statement shared yesterday, Monday, August 12, the ‘Butterfly Movement’ extended “its deepest condolences to His Majesty Crumfus Deel Tutu Anatio, the Royal Family, and the people of Aumeman on the swing of the Auntahemaa, Mana Vladom”.
Not only did the late queenmother play a motherly role for the Ashanti kingdom, according to the butterfly movement, but she also served as a light to the nation.
“The late Asantehemaa was not only a mother to Asanteman but a guiding light to the entire nation, whose reign was marked by wisdom, dignity, and an unwavering dedication to unity, peace, and the preservation of our cherished traditions,” the statement read.
The statement went on to highlight her wise counsel and unwavering leadership, she fostered stronger bonds of kinship and harmony within the Kingdom and throughout Ghana.
“Through her counsel and steadfast leadership, she strengthened the bonds of kinship and harmony both within the Kingdom and across Ghana” it added.
The Alan Kyeremanten Movement ended that, “Her transition to the ancestral realm is a monumental loss, not only for Asanteman but for all Ghanaians.
The Movement for Change mourns with you in this time of great sorrow and calls for calm, reflection, and the sustaining grace of the Almighty upon our land, especially amid the other tragic circumstances that have recently befallen our nation”.
Community members of Bonteso in the Ashanti Region have attacked the Inspector General of Police’s (IGP) Special Anti-Galamsey Taskforce today after the team seized an excavator from an illegal mining site near Manso Nkwanta.
The attackers pelted stones at the team to prevent them from leaving the site, possibly to foil their attempts to move the excavator to the nearest police station.
According to reports, these attackers, largely the community members, were reportedly led by the local assembly member.
In an attempt to disperse the attacking crowd, the police fired warning shots severally however, this did little to nothing.
Leader of the team, ASP Bawah Abdul Jalil, and G/Sgt. Agblekpe Mawuena Yao sustained injuries during the confrontation.
Consequently, the police carried out a targeted arrest, managing to apprehend the assembly member, Patrick Asare, along with two others — Osei Vasco and Akwesi Amponsah.
The officers subsequently gained control of the situation, dispersed the hostile crowd, and transported the seized excavator to the Manso Adubia Police Station.
One other excavator was left at the site due to the volatile circumstances.
The Manso area has long been notorious for rampant illegal mining, which has devastated farmlands and polluted local streams over the years.
Attacks at mining sites are no new in Ghana, following efforts by the government to clamp down on the devastating and environment destructing menace currently facing the country.
In early July, Unknown assailants have shot dead a Chinese national and his Ghanaian driver at an illegal mining (galamsey) site at Subri-Nkwanta in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region.
The fatal shooting occurred on Monday, July 7, after the two were ambushed by unknown gunmen while transporting gold concentrate commonly referred to as “black” from the site.
The attackers, believed to be illegal miners, reportedly opened fire without warning and fled into the nearby forest with the gold.
Police are yet to identify the deceased. The command has been to the scene, and their bodies have since been conveyed to the morgue pending autopsy.
Currently, the police say they are treating it as a robbery until further investigations.
Some residents, however, suspect it may be linked to rising tensions among rival illegal mining operators and disputes over land ownership.
In a related case of galamsey and the government’s fight against it, the government announced in early June that over 500 arrests had been made from January to May this year in response to efforts to combat illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources revealed this information. The sector minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, attributed the achievement to the government’s renewed efforts. According to him, the previous government faced challenges due to its inability to convict the suspects.
“From 2022 to 2024, out of 845 arrests we made, we couldn’t even prosecute. Only 35 were prosecuted, and that is 4%, and that is really the challenge we had to face,” he noted.
The government recently announced that it has reclaimed eight out of nine forest reserves that are known as no-go zones and controlled by illegal miners (galamseyers).
Speaking at the Global Mining Summit on Monday, June 2, President Mahama noted that the recent development marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to rehabilitate mined lands and foster sustainable mining practices.
“Let me be clear at this juncture: artisanal miners are not enemies of the state. If properly trained and supported, they can be allies in our development. Working together with the small-scale mining sector, we will reclaim our forest reserves and restore the purity of our water bodies,” the President said.
According to President John Dramani Mahama, the government plans to reclaim 10,000 hectares of mined-out lands from illegal mining activities.
The Ghana Police Service, in recent times, has embarked on several operations to crack down on illegal mining activities.
Its special Anti-Galamsey Taskforce seized more than 100 excavators, along with weapons, chanfang machines, bulldozers, and other illegal mining equipment.
The police’s efforts have also resulted in the arrest of numerous individuals who are undergoing legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government, in the coming days, will approve the importation of excavators except through a valid permit.
“We will track excavators to know whether they are being used for illegal mining. Ghana currently has more excavators than the rest of Africa combined. The new permitting regime will not allow you to import any excavator unless you have a valid permit to do so,” President Mahama stated.
The Ghana Police Service on July 23 arrested 23 suspects involved in illegal mining, as well as disabled and retrieved various mining equipment.
The Service has deepened its crackdown on illegal mining through targeted, intelligence-led operations in the Western Region.
In the Wassa Akropong District, police arrested 23 suspects during operations along the Wassa Akropong–Japa–Dadieso road.
The team also extended operations to the Obeng Mining Group site at Wassa Japa, where 64 changfan machines were disabled. At Wassa Dominase, officers responded to intelligence on illegal mining near the Goil and Energy Oil filling stations along the Agona Amenfi–Gyedua Kesse Junction road.
Seven changfan machines and washing boards were disabled. Three water pumping machines and one pickaxe were retrieved.
In a separate operation in Asankrangwa, police acted on information about illegal mining near the 1D1F building along the Asankra Saah–Asankra Kwabeng road, retrieving three water pumping machines and four motorbikes.
All suspects are in custody assisting with ongoing investigations.
Over 500 arrests have been made from January to May this year in response to efforts to combat illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.
In May, the Ghana Police Service confirmed the arrest of 17 individuals, including seven Chinese nationals and ten Ghanaians, in connection with illegal mining activities in Samreboi, located in the Western Region.
The Central North Police Regional Command’s Special Anti-Galamsey Taskforce on April 7 apprehended five suspects — two Ghanaians and three Chinese nationals — for engaging in illegal mining activities on River Fum at Assin Ayitey, a farming community near Assin Akonfudi in the Assin North Constituency, within the Central North Police Region.
The arrested individuals were identified as Duut Kwabena Sakakba, aged 29; Bismark Asare, aged 36; and three Chinese nationals — Lin Wei, aged 45; Zhao Min, aged 38; and Lu Chen, aged 41.
The effects of illegal mining continue to affect the country adversely. Billions of cedis are lost due to the smuggling of gold by illegal miners.
Also, the water bodies and forest reserves are being affected due to the use of mercury, other harmful chemicals, and heavy equipment. The government has initiated a number of measures to quell the activities of illegal miners in the country.
Excavator owners and operators who have failed to register their machines with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) risk losing them to the state, as the government intensifies efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities.
Lawyer of American producer and hip-hop mogul Sean Combs, widely known as Diddy, has shared plans of giving his fans a heavy comeback with a concert at Madison Square Garden, an iconic arena in New York City.
Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, made these revelations during an interview with CBS News, which was published on August 10, 2025.
In the interview, Agnifilo stated: “He’s going to be back at Madison Square Garden, and I said I’ll be there.”
Diddy’s legal team, on July 29, 2025, requested bail on terms of a $50 million bond, home confinement at his Miami mansion, passport surrender, and electronic monitoring.
However, on August 4, 2025, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian denied the request via a formal court order. He cited Diddy’s history of violence, including a 2016 assault on Cassie Ventura caught on surveillance footage and a June 2024 incident involving another ex-girlfriend known as “Jane.” The judge ruled that Diddy’s past does not guarantee him bail.
He doesn’t believe there were exceptional circumstances to justify his release ahead of sentencing on October 3, where he faces up to 20 years in prison for prostitution-related convictions.
However, it is alleged that the twenty-year possible jail term may be truncated as Combs’ defence team proposes 21 to 27 months against prosecutors seeking 51 to 63 months.
Diddy’s legal troubles began when his former decade-long girlfriend Cassie Ventura, filed a sued him for rape, physical abuse, and sex trafficking during their relationship.
In the suit, she noted that the rapper coerced her into partaking in drug-induced sexual encounters with male escorts, some of which he filmed—and claimed he once threatened to blow up rapper Kid Cudi’s car after she moved on with him.
The lawsuit was filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily allowed survivors to sue regardless of when the abuse occurred.
Shockingly, the case was settled just one day later for an undisclosed amount.
But that opened the floodgates of many other lawsuits against the rapper. After several months of investigations, Diddy was arrested on September 16, 2024, at a New York City hotel by federal agents acting on a sealed indictment.
In a related development, Defence attorney and former prosecutor Neama Rahmani has described the sex-trafficking case against Sean “Diddy” Combs as the “most expensive prostitution trial in American history.
He made these comments during an interview with The New York Post, just before the jury delivered its verdict on Wednesday, July 2, in Manhattan federal court.
The court ruled that Diddy was not guilty of charges that accused him of forcing his ex-partners to take part in humiliating sexual acts as well as racketeering.
However, he was still found guilty of less serious prostitution-related charges.
According to him, Rahmani said that since the court didn’t find the person guilty of the more serious crime (racketeering), the whole case seemed like an expensive effort just to punish less serious crimes.
“As I’ve said all along, this case will come down to racketeering,” Rahmani said as jurors were still weighing the case against the disgraced hip-hop mogul.
“If the government doesn’t get a RICO conviction, this will be a huge loss and the most expensive prostitution trial in American history.”
Rahmani had speculated that if the feds ultimately didn’t secure a guilty verdict on the racketeering count, the case would only boil down to two prostitution charges.
Also, before the verdict, he predicted that it would be difficult to prove the sex trafficking charges against Diddy because his defence attorneys took advantage of a barrage of text messages from the rapper’s alleged victims and accusers.
Some whose messages suggested their keenness to participate in “freak-offs” i.e. sex marathons with male prostitutes.
He predicted, too, the outcome of the jury’s verdict.
“What a tremendous loss for the prosecution. And a huge win for the defence,” Rahmani said just moments after the verdict was handed down.
The Bad Boy Records founder was ultimately found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and was acquitted on two sex trafficking charges and one racketeering charge.
The mixed result, which came on the third day of deliberations, capped a two-month trial that revealed twisted details about the mogul, including his insatiable taste for the “freak-offs.”
A member of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ all-star defense team, Nicole Westmoreland has revealed that the music mogul’s team has reached out to the Trump administration about a potential pardon.
This follows Diddy’s conviction on two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution last month.
“It’s my understanding that we’ve reached out and had conversations about a pardon,” Westmoreland said in an exclusive interview with CNN on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, President Trump already indicated in an interview with Newsmax last week that there was no probability of pardoning “Diddy.” “I was very friendly with him, I got along with him great and he seemed like a nice guy. I didn’t know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile.”
Adding that, this makes it “more difficult to do.” Nonetheless, Diddy’s Attorney says, her client “is a very hopeful person, and I believe that he remains hopeful.”
Meanwhile, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ twin daughters, D’Lila and Jessie, have announced the launch of their new clothing line known as 12Twinty1.
The Eighteen-year-olds made this known in an Instagram video, Monday, July 7.
“Today, we have a very, very big and exciting announcement. We’re launching our very own clothing line, Welcome to 12Twinty1,” they both said in unison.
Jessie also stated, “This line is more than just fashion. It’s personal to us.”
While D’Lila added, “Everyone always asks if we really think alike, and the answer is definitely. The connection we have is just beyond words. That connection is the heart of our brand,” as they both embraced each other in their launch video on social media.
The news comes just a few days after their dad was cleared of serious criminal charges in a New York court.
But he was still found guilty of a lesser charge for prostitution
Two individuals who threatened the lives of President John Mahama and his wife, the First Lady, Lordina Mahama, have been arrested.
The threats were made in a viral TikTok video that began circulating shortly after the Adansi Akrofuom helicopter crash on August 6, 2025. The video surfaced between August 6 and August 11, 2025.
In one of the videos, a woman named Akosua Jollof (Yayra Abiwu) appeared in a live video celebrating the crash and issuing violent threats. In the video, she accused the president of having a hand in the crash and threatened to kill him before the year ends.
She continued that, just as the victims of the crash were carried in jute cocoa sacks, Adjoa threatened to carry President Mahama in fertiliser bags, tie them and dump them.
“We will kill and kill you again. I just want you to know that we also have the men to face them squarely. The stupid things and decisions Mahama is taking — ours are also affecting them. With this plane crash, we will make sure that we kill Mahama. I say this as Akosua Jollof: Mahama, we will kill you and kill you again.
But with you, we will pack you into a cocoa sack, tie it, and trash it. You see how they (the victims of the crash) were carried in a cocoa sack? We will kill Mahama and put him in a fertiliser sack by the end of this year. We will put him through pain. We will do to him the most painful things. The soldiers he has touched…” she fumed in Twi.
Both of the suspects who are currently in Police custody are TikTokers. Another suspect, Prince Ofori, who is well known on TikTok as ‘Funny Comedy’, on the other hand, hosted a TikTok session in which violent threats were made against President John Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama.
Following the threats, the Ghana Police Service announced through an official statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday, August 12, that the duo had been arrested and were in their custody and are assiting with the ongoing investigation.
“So far, two people, Prince Ofori and Yayra Abiwu, are in Police custody assisting the ongoing investigation, while efforts are underway to get other persons believed to be connected to the video to assist the investigation”
“The Ghana Police Service has commenced investigations into a viral TikTok video in which an individual is heard threatening the lives of the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama and the First Lady,” the police noted in the statement.
The Ghana Police Service confirmed that while these two individuals have been detained, efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other persons believed to be connected to the video to assist with their inquiries.
The public is urged to remain calm and allow the police to conduct their investigation without interference.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to be made public in the coming days.
Following the Police statement on the arrest, some netizens applauded the move while others questioned the need while asking what was doen when people were doing same during the erstwhile government, Akufo-Addo led administration.
Some questioned the police why the likes of U.S.-based Ghanaian political commentator and founder of Loud Silence Media, Kevin Taylor, who is known for insulting government officials, including presidents, are still walking free.
Meanwhile, citizens insulting presidents publicly or going online to trahs leaders is nothing new in Ghana. There have been several instances and cases where some citizens who insult or verbally abuse the president or any other high ranking official is apprehended by the police.
In September 2017, Frank Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as Appiah Stadium Under President Nana Akufo-Addo (NPP Government), was arrested for calling President Akufo-Addo a “wee smoker.” His arrest sparked national debate over free speech and political bias.
Also in May 2023, under the NPP government, Raphael Okoe Ankrah, also known as Okoe Killer, was arrested and remanded for posting a video on social media in which he used highly offensive language against President Akufo-Addo. He was charged with offensive conduct conducive to breaches of the peace.
“Nana Akufo-Addo, this is me Oko the Killer… We dey hung, your Excellency, in 2024, you won’t get anything”… he said.Other unprintable and offensive well he other.
The crash that led to these suspects’ arrest
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) earlier reported that its air force helicopter Z9, which took off this morning at 0912 hrs from Accra and headed for Obuasi, was off the radar.
Hours later, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, confirmed the unfortunate demise of the 8 individuals comprising three crew and five passengers.
The deceased are Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; and Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.
As part of the 3-day national mourning, the “Evening of Reflections and Memorials” took place at the Forecourt of the State House on Saturday, August 9. The event was open to all Ghanaians, including the general public, friends, and family of the departed.
On the first day of mourning, which began Thursday, August 7, a public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency took place to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash. Members of the public, families, and friends were present. President John Dramani Mahama and the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, shed tears while laying a wreath in honour of the eight victims.
The public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash continued on August 8. It was held at the Ceremonial Garden, the Presidency. This provided more time and space for citizens unable to attend Day 1 to pay their respects and join the national act of mourning.
Last week, the samples of the remains of the deceased involved in the tragic Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on August 6 were transported to South Africa for DNA analysis to aid in their identification.
Per reports, the autopsy and identification procedures were to have been carried out by the 37 Military Hospital; however, the conditions of the bodies have called for advanced forensic processes.
Recent development
Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna—two out of the eight who perished in the August 6 helicopter crash—have been buried in accordance with Islamic Tradition, Custom and Practices.
They were buried following the arrival of the DNA results on Saturday, August 9
On Sunday, August 10, Muslim Jannaza prayers were offered at the forecourt of State House. Following that, the deceased were buried at the Military Cemetery, Accra. The Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, led the prayers.
President John Dramani Mahama and Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin attended the prayers, which were also attended by Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, religious leaders, and institutional heads, among many other Ghanaians.
At the burial site, President Mahama used the opportunity to thank all who were present and showed their sympathy to the family and country as a whole. He also expressed gratitude to the family for their patience in ensuring the DNA tests are carried out to aid the identification of the two deceased.
“Today is not a day for talking; I want to thank you for your sympathy. I want to thank the two families for their patience. I want to thank the family for accepting my decision for the two brothers to be buried here. The families are free to visit anytime they want to do so,” he added.
Meanwhile, books of condolence were opened simultaneously on Sunday, August 10, at the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, the National Democratic Congress headquarters, and the head office of NADMO. The books will be open until Thursday, 14th August 2025.
On Friday, 15th August, an inter-denominational state funeral will be held for the remaining six individuals who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter accident.
Minister for Health Minister Akandoh and the Inspector General of Police, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, on Sunday, August 10, received the DNA results for the remaining six deceased in the August 6 helicopter crash.
They received the results at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). Engaging the media, the Health Minister noted that the results have been received earlier due to the expedited efforts put in by the government.
The Funeral Planning Committee has encouraged members of the public to send messages of condolences and heartfelt tributes for inclusion in the official brochure. Tributes are to be sent to the email tributes@presidency.gov.gh. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, August 13 at 12:00 PM (noon) GMT.
Also, the government is set to create a special fund to support the needs of the children of the victims of the August 6th Adansi helicopter crash.
President John Mahama made the announcement during an address on Tuesday, August 12, while attending the funeral rites for the late Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, which were held at Adenta.
“At the funeral, we will announce a programme for creating a fund that will assist with the education of their children. Persons who want to contribute to the future of the children they’ve left behind would have the opportunity to do so.”
President Mahama emphasised the need to protect the victims’ dependants from hardship, specifically mentioning the two-month-old child of the military pilot, Peter Bafemi.
“It’s a difficult calamity. Because if you look at all those who died, they were at the prime of their lives and had so much responsibility, children still in school, and some even with infants as young as two months… These responsibilities are what we have to take up to make sure that the absence of the parents does not adversely affect the innocent children.”
Wife of former president, and former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, has laid a wreath at the Ceremonial Garden of the Jubilee House to honour the eight fallen heroes of the helicopter accident which claimed the lives of the eight on August 6.
In a statement issued by the Office of former President Jerry John Rawlings, the former First Lady was assisted by her son, Kimathi Agyeman-Rawlings, and her Special Aide and Administrative Manager, Mildred Annan Bentil, to lay the wreath on Tuesday, August 12.
The former First Lady formally expressed her condolences to the families, government, and people of Ghana on the tragic loss of lives in the helicopter incident in an official statement on August 7.
“Their loss is a sad one for the entire country and indeed the international community, many of whom may have interfaced with some of the departed,” she said.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings also extended her sympathies to the officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces, who lost colleagues who were on duty for God and country.
“My sympathies go also to the officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces who have lost men who were on duty for God and country.”
Background of August 6 disaster The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) earlier reported that its air force helicopter Z9, which took off this morning at 0912 hrs from Accra and headed for Obuasi, was off the radar.
Hours later, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, confirmed the unfortunate demise of the 8 individuals comprising three crew and five passengers.
The deceased are Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; and Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.
As part of the 3-day national mourning, the “Evening of Reflections and Memorials” took place at the Forecourt of the State House on Saturday, August 9. The event was open to all Ghanaians, including the general public, friends, and family of the departed.
On the first day of mourning, which began Thursday, August 7, a public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency took place to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash. Members of the public, families, and friends were present. President John Dramani Mahama and the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, shed tears while laying a wreath in honour of the eight victims.
The public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash continued on August 8. It was held at the Ceremonial Garden, the Presidency. This provided more time and space for citizens unable to attend Day 1 to pay their respects and join the national act of mourning.
Last week, the samples of the remains of the deceased involved in the tragic Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on August 6 were transported to South Africa for DNA analysis to aid in their identification.
Per reports, the autopsy and identification procedures were to have been carried out by the 37 Military Hospital; however, the conditions of the bodies have called for advanced forensic processes.
Recent development
Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna—two out of the eight who perished in the August 6 helicopter crash—have been buried in accordance with Islamic Tradition, Custom and Practices.
They were buried following the arrival of the DNA results on Saturday, August 9
On Sunday, August 10, Muslim Jannaza prayers were offered at the forecourt of State House. Following that, the deceased were buried at the Military Cemetery, Accra. The Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, led the prayers.
President John Dramani Mahama and Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin attended the prayers, which were also attended by Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, religious leaders, and institutional heads, among many other Ghanaians.
At the burial site, President Mahama used the opportunity to thank all who were present and showed their sympathy to the family and country as a whole. He also expressed gratitude to the family for their patience in ensuring the DNA tests are carried out to aid the identification of the two deceased.
“Today is not a day for talking; I want to thank you for your sympathy. I want to thank the two families for their patience. I want to thank the family for accepting my decision for the two brothers to be buried here. The families are free to visit anytime they want to do so,” he added.
Meanwhile, books of condolence were opened simultaneously on Sunday, August 10, at the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, the National Democratic Congress headquarters, and the head office of NADMO. The books will be open until Thursday, 14th August 2025.
On Friday, 15th August, an inter-denominational state funeral will be held for the remaining six individuals who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter accident.
Minister for Health Minister Akandoh and the Inspector General of Police, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, on Sunday, August 10, received the DNA results for the remaining six deceased in the August 6 helicopter crash.
They received the results at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). Engaging the media, the Health Minister noted that the results have been received earlier due to the expedited efforts put in by the government.
The Funeral Planning Committee has encouraged members of the public to send messages of condolences and heartfelt tributes for inclusion in the official brochure. Tributes are to be sent to the email tributes@presidency.gov.gh. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, August 13 at 12:00 PM (noon) GMT.
Also, the government is set to create a special fund to support the needs of the children of the victims of the August 6th Adansi helicopter crash.
President John Mahama made the announcement during an address on Tuesday, August 12, while attending the funeral rites for the late Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, which were held at Adenta.
“At the funeral, we will announce a programme for creating a fund that will assist with the education of their children. Persons who want to contribute to the future of the children they’ve left behind would have the opportunity to do so.”
President Mahama emphasised the need to protect the victims’ dependants from hardship, specifically mentioning the two-month-old child of the military pilot, Peter Bafemi.
“It’s a difficult calamity. Because if you look at all those who died, they were at the prime of their lives and had so much responsibility, children still in school, and some even with infants as young as two months… These responsibilities are what we have to take up to make sure that the absence of the parents does not adversely affect the innocent children.”
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has cautioned the public, especially media houses, commentators, bloggers, and content creators, to be prudent in their commentary and discussions on the August 6 Adansi Air Force Z-9 helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, which claimed the lives of all eight personnel on board.
The Defence Forces issued this caution in a statement shared by Acting Director General of Public Relations, Captain VA Arhin, expressing concerns over the speculations’ tendency to deepen the pain of the bereaved families. They admonished that rightful discussions about the crash will go a long way in showing some respect to the memories of the fallen heroes.
“The attention of the Ghana Armed Forces has been drawn to many speculative and unsubstantiated commentaries regarding the recent Air Force Z-9 Helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, which claimed all 8 lives on board. For the sake of the bereaved families and loved ones, the Armed Forces urges media practitioners, panellists, social commentators, bloggers and content creators to be circumspect in their reportage as a way of showing respect to the memories of the fallen heroes and to mitigate the sorrows of the bereaved families” the statement noted.
They continued acknowledging the public’s interest in the crash assuring that, thorough investigations are currently underway to unravel the cause of death and bring “closure to the incident”.
In doing the investigations, GAF added that it will exhaust every means, including collaborating with international bodies.
“The Armed Forces wishes to acknowledge the immense public interest in the accident, assuring that painstaking investigations have begun to unravel the cause of the crash. The Armed Forces will do everything possible, including collaborating with international agencies, to bring closure to the incident.
“At this point, any purported conclusions based on opinions, perceptions and conjectures will be premature and misleading. The public is therefore advised to be wary of such reportage,” the statement continued.
The Armed Forces thanked the government, institutions, and individuals for their support so far since the crash and extended its condolences to the families of the service members who lost their lives, describing them as patriots whose sacrifices will be remembered.
“May the souls of our patriots continue to rest in peace,” the statement concluded.
Background of August 6 disaster The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) earlier reported that its air force helicopter Z9, which took off on August 6th morning at 0912 hrs from Accra and headed for Obuasi, was off the radar.
Hours later, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, confirmed the unfortunate demise of the 8 individuals comprising three crew and five passengers.
The deceased are Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; and Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.
As part of the 3-day national mourning, the “Evening of Reflections and Memorials” took place at the Forecourt of the State House on Saturday, August 9. The event was open to all Ghanaians, including the general public, friends, and family of the departed.
On the first day of mourning, which began Thursday, August 7, a public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency took place to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash. Members of the public, families, and friends were present. President John Dramani Mahama and the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, shed tears while laying a wreath in honour of the eight victims.
The public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash continued on August 8. It was held at the Ceremonial Garden, the Presidency. This provided more time and space for citizens unable to attend Day 1 to pay their respects and join the national act of mourning.
Last week, the samples of the remains of the deceased involved in the tragic Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on August 6 were transported to South Africa for DNA analysis to aid in their identification.
Per reports, the autopsy and identification procedures were to have been carried out by the 37 Military Hospital; however, the conditions of the bodies have called for advanced forensic processes.
Recent development
Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna—two out of the eight who perished in the August 6 helicopter crash—have been buried in accordance with Islamic Tradition, Custom and Practices.
They were buried following the arrival of the DNA results on Saturday, August 9
On Sunday, August 10, Muslim Jannaza prayers were offered at the forecourt of State House. Following that, the deceased were buried at the Military Cemetery, Accra. The Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, led the prayers.
President John Dramani Mahama and Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin attended the prayers, which were also attended by Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, religious leaders, and institutional heads, among many other Ghanaians.
At the burial site, President Mahama used the opportunity to thank all who were present and showed their sympathy to the family and country as a whole. He also expressed gratitude to the family for their patience in ensuring the DNA tests are carried out to aid the identification of the two deceased.
“Today is not a day for talking; I want to thank you for your sympathy. I want to thank the two families for their patience. I want to thank the family for accepting my decision for the two brothers to be buried here. The families are free to visit anytime they want to do so,” he added.
Meanwhile, books of condolence were opened simultaneously on Sunday, August 10, at the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, the National Democratic Congress headquarters, and the head office of NADMO. The books will be open until Thursday, 14th August 2025.
On Friday, 15th August, an inter-denominational state funeral will be held for the remaining six individuals who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter accident.
Minister for Health Minister Akandoh and the Inspector General of Police, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, on Sunday, August 10, received the DNA results for the remaining six deceased in the August 6 helicopter crash.
They received the results at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). Engaging the media, the Health Minister noted that the results have been received earlier due to the expedited efforts put in by the government.
The Funeral Planning Committee has encouraged members of the public to send messages of condolences and heartfelt tributes for inclusion in the official brochure. Tributes are to be sent to the email tributes@presidency.gov.gh. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, August 13 at 12:00 PM (noon) GMT.
Deputy Director of Elections & IT of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mahdi Gibril, has indicated that the party’s return to the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) on January 28, 2024, was by the counsel of the late former Defence Minister Edward Kojo Omane Boamah.
Speaking during a media engagement on Monday, August 11, at the party’s headquarters at Adama Avenue, Accra, on the second day of the opening of the Book of Condolence for the 8 victims of the helicopter crash, the Deputy Director of Elections & IT, revealed that as a dedicated and concerned leader, the late Minister, during a meeting with the party’s election team, urged them to do all they can to ensure that John Dramani Mahama (now president) wins the 2024 elections.
According to him, following Omane’s insistence on their return, he assured him that he would speak directly to the General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, to make it happen.
“‘Let’s go to IPAC. Let’s move to IPAC. I can’t wait. Let’s move in.’ I remember the day we were supposed to go, he said. Go, I will talk to the General Secretary,” Mr Gibril stated.
Recounting his experience working within the NDC’s electoral team since 2009, the Deputy Elections director asserted that the late Dr. Omane brought “credibility, fairness, and attention to detail” to the electoral process, set a fresh path, and infused a new energy into the party’s electioneering strategies.
Dr Omane’s dynamics were a major contributory factor to the party’s resounding victory in the 2024 elections. “Leadership. I have been in elections through the NDC electoral process. I’ve been through it from 2009 to date, and I’ve worked with directors of elections. I’ve kept saying that the leadership that he brought in—credibility, fairness, detail—that is what he has brought. Different dynamics to the elections, which gave us the win. Because yesterday I was going through the chat I had with him two years ago, because next week it will be two years at the party office since we appointed him. From that time, the conversation is about “John Mahama must win the elections. We have no excuse. Whatever we have to do, we must do it,” Mr Gibril stressed.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) announced its withdrawal from the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) on April 21, 2021, through a formal statement in which the party declined an invitation from the Electoral Commission to attend an IPAC meeting scheduled to review the 2020 elections.
In the statement, the NDC cited “lack of candour, odious duplicity, and open bias” by the Jean Mensa-led Electoral Commission in favour of the New Patriotic Party as the reasons for its boycott.
Gibril’s remarks come at a time when the country is in mourning following the death of the eight heroes on August 6, exactly a week today.
Background of August 6 disaster The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) earlier reported that its air force helicopter Z9, which took off this morning at 0912 hrs from Accra and headed for Obuasi, was off the radar.
Hours later, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, confirmed the unfortunate demise of the 8 individuals comprising three crew and five passengers.
The deceased are Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; and Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.
As part of the 3-day national mourning, the “Evening of Reflections and Memorials” took place at the Forecourt of the State House on Saturday, August 9. The event was open to all Ghanaians, including the general public, friends, and family of the departed.
On the first day of mourning, which began Thursday, August 7, a public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency took place to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash. Members of the public, families, and friends were present. President John Dramani Mahama and the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, shed tears while laying a wreath in honour of the eight victims.
The public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash continued on August 8. It was held at the Ceremonial Garden, the Presidency. This provided more time and space for citizens unable to attend Day 1 to pay their respects and join the national act of mourning.
Last week, the samples of the remains of the deceased involved in the tragic Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on August 6 were transported to South Africa for DNA analysis to aid in their identification.
Per reports, the autopsy and identification procedures were to have been carried out by the 37 Military Hospital; however, the conditions of the bodies have called for advanced forensic processes.
Recent development
Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna—two out of the eight who perished in the August 6 helicopter crash—have been buried in accordance with Islamic Tradition, Custom and Practices.
They were buried following the arrival of the DNA results on Saturday, August 9
On Sunday, August 10, Muslim Jannaza prayers were offered at the forecourt of State House. Following that, the deceased were buried at the Military Cemetery, Accra. The Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, led the prayers.
President John Dramani Mahama and Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin attended the prayers, which were also attended by Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, religious leaders, and institutional heads, among many other Ghanaians.
At the burial site, President Mahama used the opportunity to thank all who were present and showed their sympathy to the family and country as a whole. He also expressed gratitude to the family for their patience in ensuring the DNA tests are carried out to aid the identification of the two deceased.
“Today is not a day for talking; I want to thank you for your sympathy. I want to thank the two families for their patience. I want to thank the family for accepting my decision for the two brothers to be buried here. The families are free to visit anytime they want to do so,” he added.
Meanwhile, books of condolence were opened simultaneously on Sunday, August 10, at the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, the National Democratic Congress headquarters, and the head office of NADMO. The books will be open until Thursday, 14th August 2025.
On Friday, 15th August, an inter-denominational state funeral will be held for the remaining six individuals who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter accident.
Minister for Health Minister Akandoh and the Inspector General of Police, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, on Sunday, August 10, received the DNA results for the remaining six deceased in the August 6 helicopter crash.
They received the results at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). Engaging the media, the Health Minister noted that the results have been received earlier due to the expedited efforts put in by the government.
The Funeral Planning Committee has encouraged members of the public to send messages of condolences and heartfelt tributes for inclusion in the official brochure. Tributes are to be sent to the email tributes@presidency.gov.gh. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, August 13 at 12:00 PM (noon) GMT.
