TIG Post

Author: Amanda Cartey

  • National Service Postings Update in circulation fake – NSA

    National Service Postings Update in circulation fake – NSA

    The National Service Authority (NSA) has described a “National Students Service Postings Update” circulating on social media as fake.

    According to a statement shared by the Authority, the “publication, which bears the NSA logo and purports to announce the release of the “second batch of National Students Service postings on Wednesday, November 5, 2025,” is false and did not originate from the Authority.”

    It therefore urges the general public, especially prospective National Service personnel and tertiary institutions, to disregard the contents of the fake notice and treat it with the contempt it deserves.

    “All official announcements and updates from the National Service Authority are only published through our verified communication channels, including our official website: www.gnsa.gov.gh, our social media handles, and official press releases and public statements

    The Authority remains committed to transparent and timely communication and will continue to keep all stakeholders duly informed through our official platforms.

    National Service Authority (NSA) gave a 30-day ultimatum to tertiary institutions who were yet to renew their licenses.

    The Authority, in a press release dated Tuesday, June 17, cautioned that unaccredited tertiary institutions that miss the deadline to regularize their status would negatively impact their students’ chances of participating in the 2025/26 national service.

    According to the Authority, it received 135,990 submissions for this year from 122 tertiary institutions; however, 3,597 submissions are pending verification of accreditation.

    “This figure is part of a total of 135,990 final-year Ghanaian students submitted by 122 tertiary institutions across the country.

    “However, 3,597 of these submissions, representing graduates from 22 institutions, have not been processed, as those institutions are currently not accredited and remain unknown to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC),” it added.

    “NSA also urges institutions with expired accreditation to engage with GTEC and regularized their status within the next 30 days,” it added.

    In June this year, The National Service Authority (NSA) released PIN codes for 132,393 prospective national service personnel ahead of the 2025/2026 service year.

    This information was made known in a press release issued by the Authority on Tuesday, June 17.

    The NSA indicated that this year’s intake dropped by an average of 26% compared to the past three years, with a 36% decline in 2022/2023.

    The Authority also revealed that it received 135,990 submissions for this year from 122 tertiary institutions. It noted that 3,597 submissions are pending verification of accreditation.

    “This figure is part of a total of 135,990 final-year Ghanaian students submitted by 122 tertiary institutions across the country.

    “However, 3,597 of these submissions, representing graduates from 22 institutions, have not been processed, as those institutions are currently not accredited and remain unknown to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC),” it added.

    Tertiary institutions have been granted a 30-day window to address their accreditation irregularities with GTEC.

    Meanwhile, 908 PIN codes for private applicants are currently awaiting final verification from the related institutions to be released.

    PIN Code Activation and Registration

    Prospective service personnel are required to activate their PIN codes by paying a fee of GHS 40 at any ADB Bank Ltd branch. Alternatively, payments can be made via MTN Mobile Money at a fee of GHS 41.

    To begin the registration process, applicants should visit the NSA portal at https://smarthub.nss.gov.gh

    and follow the instructions to retrieve their PIN codes and complete the required steps.

    New Enrolment Features for Enhanced IntegrityTo strengthen the transparency and security of the registration process, the NSA has introduced several improvements to its online enrolment platform:

    Facial Biometric Verification: All prospective service personnel must completefacial verification against their Ghana Card data held with National IdentificationAuthority (NIA) prior to accessing the registration form.

    Verified Address Input: Applicants must provide a valid Ghana Post GPSaddress, which will be used for distance mapping and regional posting decisions,to guide proximity to the workplace.

    Accuracy of this information is essential for effective placement. Detailed guidance is available at https://smarthub.nss.gov.gh/faq/registration-guide,and registrants may also contact support@nss.gov.gh for additional assistance or chatto us live on the portal.

    Earlier this, the National Service Authority (NSA) deployed the first batch of trained teachers for the 2025/2026 national service year.

    A total of 13,700 graduates from accredited teacher training colleges began their service in various educational institutions across the country.

    In an announcement, the NSA directed all assigned personnel to verify their placements and complete necessary documentation.

    “All deployed Service Personnel MUST log onto the Authority’s website at www.nsw.gov.gh to check their placements and print their appointment letters for endorsement from their designated User Agencies,” the statement read.

    The newly deployed teachers were expected to begin service on April 2, 2025, while the regional validation process took place from March 26 to April 11, 2025, at all NSA regional centers nationwide.

    Reaffirming the mandatory nature of national service, the Authority cited the governing law: “Per the National Service Authority (Act 1119) 2024, every Ghanaian citizen who has attained the age of eighteen (18) years or more and has completed an Accredited Tertiary Institution is MANDATED to undertake national service to the State.”

  • People who keep their relationship private have something to hide – Waje

    People who keep their relationship private have something to hide – Waje

    Nigerian singer and songwriter Waje hs asserted that people who like to keep a relationship private always have something they are hiding.

    Waje’s comment follows her own dating experience with a man who appeared mature and charming but later showed signs of manipulation and emotional distance.

    During a conversation on The Honest Bunch Podcast monitored by MyNewsGh, Waje recounted a day her ex-partner refused to pick up her calls on her birthday and when they finally spoke, his justification shocked her.

    “He told me he was praying about us,” she said with a sigh. “Then later, he said he didn’t appreciate the fact that I spoke to my friend about our relationship. He claimed he’s the kind of person who likes to keep his relationships private.”

    Waje said this behavior was more than just privacy, it was isolation.

    “I think when people do that, they isolate you from your friends because they don’t want you to find out the truth about what they’re hiding,” she added. “Everything he told me about himself was a lie.”

    The “I Wish” hitmaker noted that the relationship eventually ended “a natural death,” admitting that distance, secrecy, and manipulation eroded the bond.

    Nigerian Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage opened up about her past relationship with a fellow celebrity who cheated on her and treated her with disdain.

    According to Tiwa Savage who spilled the beans on Joe Budden’s podcast Show,  she was also discouraged from making the relationship public because her ex boyfriend claimed it was necessary to avoid suspicion of their romantic affair. 

    “It’s disrespectful. I’m a public figure, and he is as well. He did this thing where he is like. I don’t want us to go public; I don’t want people to know. So, when we go out, I might be talking to other people, but I’m just doing it, so people don’t suspect, “she shared.

    Revealing more details about the bizarre experience, Tiwa stated that his ex, whose name she did not disclose on the show, cheated on her with other women, and she was made to be calm and quiet about it.

    “We might be in the same event and he would be with other people, talking and touching people, and he looks over at me and is like… ‘I’m just doing it so…I couldn’t say anything. And it was happening right in front of me,” she said.

    The Nigerian Afrobeats queen shared her expectations regarding the caliber of man she is looking forward to settling down with.

    According to her, the man expecting ther to accept his proposal should not be accompanied by the baby mama drama.

    “I am still looking for someone’s son and I’d prefer someone that has a private plane and doesn’t have baby mama dramas,” she confidently said in a video sighted by The Independent Ghana on X.

    Weeks ago, she opened up about her challenges before rising to fame in the music industry.

    Speaking on a recent episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, Tiwa revealed that her sense of fashion received massive criticism, preventing her from performing at shows.

    “I was really hurt. I would go to shows and wait backstage, and they wouldn’t call me because maybe the governor’s wife had said I couldn’t come up. Or they’d say.

    “Make sure you don’t wear any of those skimpy dresses.’ I’m not making this up.”My fashion sense attracted criticism. Then, I ran back to L.A.,” Tiwa said.

    The backlash, she said, forced her to relocate to United States of America, Los Angeles.

    According to her, it took the intervention of her longtime manager, Bizzle, to get her back to Nigeria.

    Despite her return, Tiwa said she faced rejection from all the top record labels back then.

    “I’ve told the story where I went to all the labels and they all said no—Storm Records, Mo’Hits, Banky W’s EME, everyone,” she noted.

    Tiwa added that Bizzle motivated, encouraged, or supported her at a crucial time.

    “I remember Bizzle called me and told me that ladies were loving me, so I came back to Nigeria,” she stated.

    Initially drawn to acting as her first love, Tiwa disclosed that it was a man in the music industry who caught her attention and influenced her career choice.

    She shared that her crush’s close association with musicians led her to abandon acting and pursue a career in music instead.

    “I’ve always wanted to do acting. Acting was one of my first loves before music. I got into music because I had a crush on a guy, and he was always around musicians, so I said, ‘yeah, forget acting and just go into music,’” Tiwa revealed.

    Last year, she revealed a surprising view on relationships, saying cheating wouldn’t end things for her.

    During an appearance on the Receipts Podcast on Spotify, the “African Bad Gyal” shared that every partner she has been with has cheated on her.

    Despite this, Tiwa said she has forgiven them all and moved past the pain they caused.

    “I’ve been cheated on before. I found out and forgave every time. Every man I’ve ever been with has cheated, and I’ve never left them because of it. I’ve left for other reasons, but not because they cheated. Cheating is not my hill,” Tiwa revealed.

    The singer also argued that cheating has long been part of societal dynamics, stating, “I know you say it’s bad that we’ve gotten to a point where cheating isn’t a deal-breaker. But I feel like we’ve always been here—even back in the day, even going back to the Bible and history.”

    Tiwa Savage explained that while she can overlook cheating, she won’t accept dishonesty, disrespect, abuse, or theft in a relationship.

    She also spoke about her personal experiences, admitting she has never had an orgasm and hasn’t tried using sex toys, even though she’s open to exploring new things.

    Her candid comments have sparked conversations online, with some applauding her honesty and others debating her views on love and loyalty.

     She also shared a playful story of how she tried to make advances at American actor and activist Kendrick Sampson from of ‘Insecure’ fame.

    During a candid interview on ‘The Receipts Podcast,’ the ‘All Over’ hitzmaker talked about trying to spark a romantic connection with actor Kendrick Sampson during the filming of her Forgiveness music video.

    Initially unaware of his fame from Insecure, Tiwa became intrigued by Sampson’s charm and good looks. She admitted to making some subtle advances, though they were unsuccessful in forming a romantic bond.

    “When he came on set, my makeup and hair stylist was like, ‘That’s the guy from Insecure,’ and I was like, ‘Okay?’ And he was just lovely. Like, really, really sweet,” Tiwa recounted.

    After watching Insecure following the video shoot, Tiwa found herself even more intrigued and decided to reach out to Kendrick while she was still in Los Angeles.

    Despite her subtle efforts to express interest, Tiwa humorously admitted that her attempts didn’t land.

    “I tried to paint and throw signs—but nothing. A little bit of me died,” she joked. “I want to unfollow him [laughs]. I’m angry [laughs].”

    Tiwa concluded by praising Kendrick as “lovely” and “so cute,” despite her playful frustration over the unreciprocated signals.

  • ‘I may become a lawyer soon, don’t be surprised’ – Guru tells fans

    ‘I may become a lawyer soon, don’t be surprised’ – Guru tells fans

    Ghanaian rapper and entrepreneur Maradona Yaboah Adjei, popularly known as Guru NKZ, has told Ghanaians that he is quietly preparing for a new chapter in his life.

    Speaking in an interview on Okay FM on November 3, 2025, Guru indicated, “My dream is about to change, but I want to really be sure of it before I can publicly discuss it..

    Thus, “Don’t be surprised when you hear I’m addressed as an esquire in the near future. I’m on that path, but I’m still thinking and planning, so for now, I don’t want to reveal much,” he added.

    Last month, Radio and Television broadcaster Serwaa Amihere was called to the BAR on October 10, 2025.

    Sharing a glimpse of her journey on social media, the now barrister indicated that she deliberately kept the news away from the public over the past 5 years.

    “Making this known in a post shared via social media, she said “40 subjects. 40 exams. Over 2,500 lecture-hours. More than 8,000 hours of private studies and group discussions. A thousand plus judicial decisions. Several volumes of textbooks and monographs.”

    “Dozens of enactments, and many more dozens of pens, pencils, markers, highlighters, and sticky notes. Sleepy days and sleepless nights. This is the aspect of my life which I’ve carefully kept away from the public in the last 5 years. Thanks to God, my beloved family and you, wonderful individuals, who supported me through it all. To a new chapter,” Serwaa wrote in a post.

    The Ghana School of Law admitted 824 lawyers-in-waiting to the Bar today, October 10, 2025.

    The ceremony signifies the end of years of perseverance, commitment, and determination by the prospective lawyers.

    Announcing the call to the Bar, the Ghana School of Law stated, “A new generation of lawyers is ready to serve with integrity and excellence.”

    In 2023, Kennedy Osei, son of Dr Osei Kwame Despite, was also called to the bar.

    He joins the tall list of graduates called to the bar, clad the black and white attire matching it with a peruke that brought a sense of formality and solemnity to their graduation ceremony, Friday, November 11, 2022.

    In a post he shared on his Instagram, he posed wearing his graduation gown while seated with one leg crossed on the other.

    His caption that accompanied the post read, “The Time Is Here: KENNEDY ASANTE OSEI ESQ. #GODFIRST. Thank you.”

    His post has attracted many social media users and some stars to congratulate the businessman on achieving a higher milestone.

    Reacting to his post, netizens shared many clapping emojis with others who expressed joy and shock after the post was shared barely one hour ago.

    So far, his post has amassed close to seven thousand likes with over a hundred comments.

    A social media reaction shared by Afia Schwarzenegger read, “Eishhhhhhh my learned colleague…[with five clapping emojis].”

    Clemento Suarez also added, “Congratulations my fellow atta papa” while Selassie Ibrahim kept it simple with a warm “Congratulations.”

    In the same year, the wife of actor turned politician John Dumelo, Gifty Mawunya Nkornu, was called to the bar.

    She was called to the bar on Friday, May 5, 2023.

    This was made public by her husband in Facebook post.

    A proud husband took to his social media handles to celebrate his wife for her achievement.

    John Dumelo shared a photo of his wife in her judicial gown and wig, plus another picture taken with their kids.

    “Congratulations my love for being called to the Ghana Bar today. You are now Mrs Gifty Mawunya Dumelo Esq. I have cases for you already lol. Love you,” he wrote.

    The couple got married in 2018 and share two children.

    The General Legal Council (GLC) reversed its decision to admit Ms. Elorm Ababio, who is widely recognized on social media as Ama Governor, to the bar.

    This change was communicated in a letter dated October 18, 2023, signed by Justice Cynthia Pamela Addo, the Secretary to the GLC.

    The GLC explained that although Ms. Ababio had submitted the appropriate application and was initially scheduled to be called to the bar on October 20, 2023, the council has now reconsidered its decision.

    According to the letter, upon receiving her application, Ms. Ababio had been informed that her conduct would be closely monitored by the Council, in adherence to the regulations governing the legal profession.

    “In line with the General Legal Council’s letter dated 13th March, 2023, Council was to observe and monitor your conduct during the time leading up to the submission of your application to be called to the bar” the GLC stated.

    The letter indicated that Ms Ababio couldn’t meet the criteria, hence her application to be called to the Ghanaian bar has been declined.

    “At the meeting of the General Legal Council held on Tuesday, 17th October, 2023, your application to be called to the bar was declined on account of elements noted in your public conduct prior to the application,” the Council explained.

    The General Legal Council (GLC) has allowed Ms. Elorm Ababio, popularly known as Ama Governor, to re-apply for admission to the bar any time after October 20, 2023.

    The GLC will continue to monitor Ms. Ababio’s conduct until it is satisfied that she meets the standards required for admission to the bar.

    Elorm Ama Ababio, also known as Ama Governor, is a Ghanaian YouTuber, social media influencer, and aspiring lawyer. In November 2022, a complaint was filed against her for behavior on social media that was deemed unsuitable for the legal profession. The complainant argued that Ama had been featured in viral videos that were not in line with the conduct expected of a prospective lawyer.

    As a result, she was denied admission to the bar, despite having completed her legal studies, passed her exams, and successfully completed her interview. Ama, along with the support of various Ghanaians on social media, engaged in legal battles and online petitions against the General Legal Council.

    In September, Ama publicly asserted that her sexual orientation should not be a barrier to her admission to the bar. She claimed victory in her legal battle against the Council and was set to be called to the bar in October 2023. However, with only a few days remaining before her enrollment ceremony, she has been informed that she must re-apply.

  • Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo criticises public disputes over Daddy Lumba’s funeral

    Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo criticises public disputes over Daddy Lumba’s funeral

    Entertainment pundit Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo has condemned public tussles surrounding the late Daddy Lumba and his family.

    His comment comes at a time when issues about the late musician’s funeral are currently before a court of competent jurisdiction.

    Speaking on United Showbiz, he stated that before the passing of Daddy Lumba, the public was not aware of certain things about his private life, but the public tussles from members of his family have, however, brought a lot of those things into the public eye.

    “I sympathise with the people behind the press releases. I am not in their shoes, so, I can’t really tell what’s going on with them. Both their mental faculties I can not predict,” he said.

    He also stated that “But the fact is the matter is in court, and the releases must be directed to the judge. So, why are you showing it to me? What will the general public use that information for? Because once the case is in court, if the evidence you have is relevant to the case in court, take it there.”

    He added that, inasmuch as people are going through stuff, if the paperwork is supposed to be for the judge, then it must be directed there.

    The late Daddy Lumba’s elder sister, Ernestina Fosu has declared that there will be no burial for Daddy Lumba until the actual cause of his death is known.

    After a court appearance, Ernestina told Adum TV that until the truth is known, no amount of court ruling or family decision would compel her to allow the funeral to proceed.

    “The funeral will not be held on December 6. We did not seek an injunction because we are mad. We still don’t know what killed my brother. We cannot allow people to rush with his funeral,” she said.

    However, she has expressed readiness to organize the funeral on the scheduled December 6 if she receives a clear explanation about what caused Daddy Lumba’s death before then.

    “There will be no problem if we find out about the cause of Daddy Lumba’s death before December 6. But if we don’t find out what killed my brother, I won’t allow my family to bury my brother, Charles,” she said.

    Ernestina Fosu has earlier indicated that she is not prepared to organize Daddy Lumba’s funeral on Dec 6.

    She made this known to the media in the aftermath of a court proceeding at the Kumasi High Court on October 28, 2025.

    “I am not ready for my brother’s funeral on December 6, 2025,” she stated firmly in a video shared on social media.

    Akosua Serwaa filed an injunction against the late musician’s funeral scheduled for December 6, demanding that she be recognized as the only surviving wife of the musician and not Odo Broni, who is currently claiming that title.

    While the court has yet to rule on the spousal status of Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni, the Kumasi High Court has dismissed an injunction application that sought to halt the burial and funeral of the late legend.

    The judgment allows the family to go ahead with burial plans as originally arranged.

    Madam Serwaa’s lawyer, William Kusi, insisted that his client was the musician’s only legally recognized wife and that her rights were being ignored in the funeral preparations. He supported his argument with a civil marriage certificate reportedly issued in Germany as evidence of their union.

    In July this year, a statement by the counsel for the Fosu family confirmed that the music veteran passed on July 26, after a short illness.

    He succumbed to the illness at the Bank Hospital in Accra, per reports.

    The statement read: “With profound sorrow and deep grief, the Fosu family announces the passing of Ghana’s beloved musical icon, Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, who passed away earlier today, Saturday, July 26, 2025, after a short illness.”

    “Daddy Lumba was more than a musician; he was a cultural icon whose music touched countless lives. His soulful voice provided the soundtrack to our love stories, and his poignant lyrics captured the poetry of our struggles, dreams, and resilience.”

    Daddy Lumba was renowned for his incredible talent as a singer, composer, songwriter, recording artist, and producer.

    With an illustrious career that has spanned over three decades, Daddy Lumba was widely regarded as the greatest and most influential musician in Ghanaian history.

    Many artists in Ghana, including Ofori Amponsah, Sarkodie, Kuami Eugene, Paa Solo of Sibo Brothers, Oheneba Kissi, KiDi, and others, consider him their major inspiration in the music industry.

    Daddy Lumba was born 60 years ago to Mr. Johnson Kwadwo Fosuh and Madam Comfort Gyamfi, also known as Ama Saah, in Nsuta, near Mampong in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Both of his parents were teachers, and he was the second of three siblings.

    His educational journey began in Nsuta Kyebi, and he completed junior high school at Suame Methodist, Kumasi in 1979. Subsequently, he attended Adu Gyamfi Senior High School in Jamasi, but later transferred to Juaben Senior High School, where he completed his secondary education in 1984.

    Daddy Lumba’s music career took off in the early 80s when he formed the Nkwanta Wesley Singers, gaining fame at the Anokye Krom Cultural Center.

    During his time at Juaben Senior High School, he led the school choir and composed the song “Lumba Lumba,” dedicated to the freedom fighters in South Africa. This song’s popularity earned him the nickname “Daddy Lumba”, which later became his stage name. He also formed the Lumba Brothers band during his school days, which included his girlfriend at the time, Theresa.

    After completing school, Daddy Lumba, with the help of his high school sweetheart Theresa Abebrese, traveled to Germany. There, he met Ernest Nana Acheampong, and they formed another Lumba Brothers group, recording their debut album, “Yee Ye Aka Akwantuom,” in 1986. Financial constraints delayed the album’s release until 1989, and eventually, the duo split.

    Daddy Lumba then launched his solo career and released his debut solo album, “Obi Ate Meso Buo,” in 1990. The album received immense popularity and critical acclaim, featuring classics like the title track and “Theresa,” dedicated to his ex-lover. He has since released 33 albums, including notable ones like “Sika Asem,” “Aben Wo Ha,” “Wo Ho Kyere,” “Awosoo,” “Give Peace A Chance,” and “Ahenfo Kyiniye.” His latest project, “Ofon Na Edi Asem Fo,” was released in December 2022, reuniting him with longtime collaborator Kweku Mensah.

    In addition to his own success, Daddy Lumba is renowned for nurturing the careers of budding artists who went on to become legends in their own right.

    Some of these artists include Felix Owusu, for whom he produced the debut album “Vida” in 1992, Afia Ampofowaa, Kwabena Sunkwa, Ofori Amponsah with the “Woho Kyere” album in 1999, Selina Orleans, Akua Serwaa Bonsu, Borax, Ateaa Tina, and many others.

    His contributions to Ghanaian music and the support he provides to upcoming talents have solidified his status as an iconic figure in the country’s music industry.

    With his passion, talent, and dedication to the craft, Daddy Lumba continues to be a role model for aspiring musicians, leaving an indelible mark on the rich musical landscape of Ghana.

  • People in my close circles don’t get free performance from me – Obaapa Christi

    People in my close circles don’t get free performance from me – Obaapa Christi

    Ghanaian Gospel musician Obaapa Christy has emphatically stated that she will not perform for anyone at any event for free.

    She strongly believes that, whether you are in her close circles or not, she deserves that you honour her craft if it serves you in any way.

    “I will actually stand and take my money before I leave. Even if I know the person, I will still take it. That’s because I’ve learnt my lessons on certain things. The most important thing is me delivering exactly what I’m expected to do,” she said.

    She stressed that people are quick to forget that performing comes with expenses she must cover personally.

    “That’s my job and that’s what God has blessed me with, so if I don’t charge, how then will I feed? When someone has a problem and they seek help from me, it’s the same money that I would use to assist the person,” she stated.

    The gospel musician also emphasized that she is one of the artists who are intentional about charging people who request her services.

    Thus she leaves no room for any amount of money that is below her worth.

    “I won’t be on TV and say I don’t charge; I do. When someone charges less for an event, it doesn’t mean I should also take less amount of money. There are levels to everything, and in this job we do, I’ve been able to build my brand so I’m different from others who charge less,” she shared.

    Sharing the same ideology, Gospel musician Empress Gifty Adorye confidently stressed that she will not accept an amount less than GHS50,000 to perform at any event.

    The Independent Ghana spotted her in a video where she was speaking to a congregation saying,

    “As I am standing here, the least I would charge your people is GH¢50,000, and I would take it. If you don’t pay me such an amount, I won’t perform. I am the one trending,” she said

    Empress Gifty is hopeful that she will soon win a Grammy and BET award.

    This comes after she emerged as Traditional Gospel Song of the Year at this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA’s) held on May 10 at the Grand Arena.

    She posted a video expressing gratitude to her fans as well as her ambitions to win the Grammy and BET awards.

    The musician also mentioned that she would appeal to the spirit of her late mother, Agaga, for protection in this regard.

    “I will visit Agaga and I will present the plaques to her so that she can also protect me from any evil plot against me. I won this award by merit. Very soon I will go to BET and Grammys,” she said.

    Meanwhile, the wife of Hopeson Adorye has hinted at the possibility of a joint album with award-winning musician Kuami Eugene.

    In an interview during the TGMA Nominees Jam in Takoradi, Empress Gifty shared that there could be more to come after their successful collaboration on the song “Watch Me.”

    The two artists, who bring unique styles to the table, previously worked together on the track, which has received positive feedback since its release in September 2024.

    The song was co-written and produced by Kuami Eugene and has showcased their strong musical connection.

    Empress Gifty mentioned that their partnership may extend beyond just this one song.

    She hinted at the possibility of more projects together, with a joint yet to drop.

    In 2024, Nigerian musician Iyanya made a surprising revelation about Davido and Chioma’s union, stating he was initially invited to perform at the bridal shower.

    Iyanya asserted he had no hesitation when contacted by Davido for the performance, saying he was more than willing to support his brother.

    However, Iyanya expressed surprise upon receiving a $100,000 payment from Davido, for which he was grateful.

    Multiple award-winning singer and songwriter, Kofi Kinaata known in private life as Martin King Arthur, also stated emphatically that entertainment is expensive.

    He said “We are here to perform but tell those who are outside the venue that entertainment is very expensive.

    “If you say you want to watch our shows then you have to bear in mind that it is expensive, I hope you understand,” he opined.

    This statement was made at the Taadi Invasion concert which was sponsored by Lawson Herbal over the weekend following a low turn out at the Sekondi Gyandu park.

    Talking to the few people that were gathered at the venue after he mounted the stage to perform, the ‘Have Mercy’ hitmaker said even if six people show up at a paid event he will still go ahead to perform.

    He continued “Even if those who have paid to be here are only six people in number we will still perform for them and party since we are here purposely for this.

    “Next time if you want to be excited and entertain yourself, then you have to get yourself some money because this is not a free show like my made in Taadi annual concert,” he added sighted by MyNewsGh.com’s Amansan Krakye.

  •  Apologize to Jadrolita or face the law – Jarvis’ Management to Peller over laundering claims

     Apologize to Jadrolita or face the law – Jarvis’ Management to Peller over laundering claims

    Money laundering claims made by content creator Peller, against fellow content creator Jarvis, have been welcomed with lawsuit threats by the latter’s management team.

    Peller, during a TikTok livestream, alleged that some creators are leveraging the App’s gifting system to launder money.

    Adding to the claim that he once thought Jarvis was wealthy until she allegedly disclosed the money laundering was the secret behind her earnings.

    In response, Jarvis’ management, Aiso Entertainment, released a statement dated November 2, 2025, debunking Peller’s allegations.

    “The management of Jadrolita, alongside Jadrolita herself, unequivocally and categorically refutes this egregious claim in its entirety. Jadrolita has never engaged in, nor been implicated in, any form of illicit financial conduct; her affairs have always been conducted with the highest standards of transparency and legality, subject to rigorous scrutiny and free from blemish,” part of the statement read.

    Traditional priestess turned evangelist, Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, is going to spend 15 years in prison for charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretence.

    The Circuit Court in Accra delivered its sentence after it confirmed that she is not pregnant.

    In 2022, she was accused of luring her victims through claims that she possessed spiritual powers to double their money.

    Initially admitting guilt to charges including fraudulent advertising and obtaining money under false pretenses, she spent two weeks in remand before being granted bail of GH₵150,000 with three sureties, one requiring justification.

    She tricked members of the Godsway International Heaven Church into handing over their cash during a night vigil service at her church in Weija, Accra.

    Meanwhile, Ghanaian gospel musician Gifty Oppong Adorye, known in showbiz as Empress Gifty, has dragged Evangelist Mama Pat, popularly known as Agradaa, to court for defaming her.

    In a video targeting Empress Gifty’s husband, Hopeson Adorye, Agradaa extended her attacks to the singer, accusing her of engaging in bestiality and unfaithful activities.

    According to Gifty, other bloggers have leveraged Agradaa’s statement to spread false narratives about her.

    This has affected the “Watch Me” singer and her family, as their children are being ridiculed by friends in school.

    In addition to the negative impact of Agradaa’s conduct, lawyers of Empress Gifty say her trip abroad slated for August has been jeopardized.

    The words used by Agradaa are interpreted to mean the following:

    a) The plaintiff is promiscuous and a prostitute.

    b) The plaintiff is a zoophile who flirts with dogs to earn her money to cater for her husband.

    c) The plaintiff is an adulterous or an unchaste wife who has extramarital affairs with other men, and most of her paramours are pastors.

    d) Pastors who invite the Plaintiff to their programs have sexual intercourse with her in their offices before the Plaintiff mounts the pulpit to sing.

    e) The plaintiff is an imbecile.

    Consequently, Empress Gifty claimed the sum of twenty million Ghana Cedis for damages for slander.

    She also sought a perpetual injunction to prevent the defendant, along with associates, agents, and anyone acting on her behalf, from making further publications of the same or similar defamatory statements.

    Dancehall musician Shatta Wale has firmly stated that his music is his only source of wealth and not fraud.

    His comment comes in response to a section of Ghanaians associating him with fraud following the arrest of one of his close associates known as Isaac Kofi Oduro Boateng, also known as Kofi Boat.

    “You people are watching my life, and anytime there is an issue in Ghana, you like to drag me into it.”

    “You guys are making a mistake with my name. I am a very clean boy. Just because your artiste, your industry favourite, cannot pull the kind of things I can pull, you assume I am into fraud. You are free to tell people I am into fraud.

    “One thing the white people coming here do is that they research. They are not stupid. They saw my Rolls-Royce and knew how I acquired the funds to purchase it. It’s music money. It’s not fraud; it’s hard work and dedication. So don’t make a mistake,” he said in a video spotted by The Independent Ghana on X.

    A secret FBI operation led to the arrest of Ghana’s nightlife mogul and alleged crypto kingpin, Nana Kojo Boateng, popularly known as Dada Joe Remix, with possible extradition to the United States of America (U.S.A).

    Sources say he was “scooped up Rambo-style,” over his alleged involvement in fraudulent financial activities.

    Even though people have known him as a big player in the oil and gas business, rumors have it that he might have been involved in shady activities behind the scenes.

    Panic has reportedly gripped Accra’s elite social circles since the news broke.

    Some prominent figures allegedly involved in cryptocurrency, forex trading, and high-end real estate have also allegedly gone into hiding.

    Dada Joe Remix could stand trial and face significant legal consequences if convicted.

    Official details regarding his arrest and the nature of the charges are yet to be released.

    It will be recalled that in 2022, the Nigerian social media influencer, Ramon Abbas, who called himself Ray Hushpuppi and flaunted a lavish lifestyle supported by laundering millions of dollars was sentenced in Los Angeles to more than 11 years in federal prison.

    Ramon Abbas, 40, was also ordered by a federal judge to pay $1.7m in restitution to two fraud victims, according to a statement from the United States Department of Justice.

    Abbas was “one of the most prolific money launderers in the world,” Don Alway, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles office, said in the statement.

    Prosecutors said Abbas and a Canadian man laundered money from various online crimes, including bank cyberheists and business email compromise, or BEC, a prolific crime in which crooks hack into email accounts, pretend to be someone they’re not, and fool victims into wiring money where it doesn’t belong.

    Abbas had more than two million Instagram followers before he was arrested in 2020 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

    His social media posts showed him living a life of luxury, complete with private jets, ultra-expensive cars, and high-end clothes and watches.

    “I hope someday I will be inspiring more young people to join me on this path,” read one Instagram post by Abbas, who pleaded guilty in April 2021 to one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering.

  • Opposition rejects President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s election win

    Opposition rejects President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s election win

    President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s landslide victory in Tanzania’s 2025 election victory interrupted by deadly protests has been rejected by the opposition party, Chadema.

    The opposition described the results as “completely fabricated”, with allegations that the process was not genuine.

    According to reports, the opposition was denied participation in the poll.

    Hassan won the country’s disputed election with more than 97 percent of the vote, according to official results announced in the early hours of Saturday Nov 1, 2025.

    After receiving her victory certificate on Saturday, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is 65, thanked the security forces for keeping order during the elections. She said the government strongly condemns the violence that took place, calling it “unpatriotic.”

    Earlier in the day, the head of the electoral commission, Jacobs Mwambegele, announced Samia as the winner of the presidential election.
    She received about 31.9 million votes, which is 97.66% of all votes cast. Voter turnout was high, with almost 87% of the country’s 37.6 million registered voters taking part.

    In Zanzibar, which has its own government and president, the ruling party’s candidate, Hussein Mwinyi, was also declared the winner, with nearly 80% of the vote.
    However, the opposition there said the election was full of cheating.

    Although there were no protests reported on Saturday morning, the situation was still tense in Dar es Salaam, where security officers set up roadblocks across the city.

    On Friday, protesters in Dar es Salaam and other areas took to the streets, tearing down posters of President Samia and attacking police and voting stations, even after the army warned people to stop.
    Many of the protesters are young people who say the election was not free and fair.

    They accuse the government of blocking the main opposition candidates, one of them is in jail, and the other was disqualified for technical reasons.

    A spokesperson from the opposition party Chadema said around 700 people had been killed during clashes with security forces. A diplomatic source told the BBC there was evidence that at least 500 people had died.
    But Tanzania’s foreign minister, Mahmoud Kombo Thabit, said the violence happened only in “a few isolated places” and that security forces acted quickly to control the situation.

    The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said he was “deeply concerned” about what is happening in Tanzania and called on all sides to stop the violence.
    The UK, Canada, and Norway also raised concerns, saying there were credible reports of many deaths and serious injuries caused by the security forces.

    Only two major opposition candidates were expected to challenge Samia — Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges, and Luhaga Mpina, who was removed from the race over legal issues.
    Sixteen smaller parties were allowed to run, but they are not known to have strong public support.

    Samia’s party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), and the party that came before it, have ruled Tanzania since independence and have never lost an election.

    Human rights groups had already warned of government crackdowns before the vote. Amnesty International said there had been kidnappings, torture, and killings of opposition members, but the government denied these claims and insisted the election would be free and fair.

    Samia became president in 2021 after the death of former President John Magufuli, making her the first woman to lead Tanzania.

    Cameroon’s top court has declared incumbent Paul Biya winner of the presidential election, securing him another term in office and extending his more than four-decade rule after winning with 53.66 percent of the vote.

    At 92, Biya remains the world’s oldest serving head of state. His closest contender, Issa Tchrioma Bakary, garnered 35.19 percent.

    The veteran leader, who first assumed power in 1982, brushed aside widespread calls to step down. 

    He made only one public appearance during the campaign period, assuring supporters that “the best is still to come.”

    If he completes the new seven-year mandate, Biya would have ruled Cameroon for half a century, reaching the age of nearly 100 by 2032.

    Despite repeated allegations of electoral irregularities and vote-rigging, the government and the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement have consistently denied any wrongdoing.

    Biya’s leadership has been marked by a mix of stability and controversy. 

    While some credit him for maintaining peace in parts of the country, others accuse his administration of clamping down on dissent and mismanaging the economy.

  • “God lifted me after receiving several rejections from industry players” – Yemi Alade

    “God lifted me after receiving several rejections from industry players” – Yemi Alade

    Award-winning artist Yemi Alade has recounted how she had to navigate several rejections, condescension from people, and endured fake love from those in her inner circle during the early days of her music career.

    According to her, in a chat with Chude Jideonwo, she performed over 300 free shows before her breakout single , “Johnny ,” which changed her life for the better.

    “I was rejected a lot. There were a lot of ‘no’s. I could feel people smiling in my face, but deep down, they couldn’t stand my existence. Not because I was superior, but because they thought I was inferior,” Yemi stated.

    Today, she calls herself “a product of grace.”

    Temi strongly attributes it to God lifting her from her small cubicle and taking her over the heads of many CEOs “and short callers in the industry.”

    Temi, with gratitude to God, said she has been touring the world for years because he has helped her break through as a singer.

    Entertainment pundit Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo has openly admitted to Afropop singer Wendy Shay that he is deeply impressed by her remarkable growth in the music industry, despite facing early criticism and a lack of appreciation.

    He explained that the negative perception many Ghanaians, including himself, had toward Wendy Shay in her early days was partly due to the nation still mourning the untimely death of the late Ebony Reigns.

    Arnold acknowledged, however, that Wendy Shay’s resilience and determination have paid off, making her one of the few artists who have successfully risen above public doubt to solidify their place in Ghana’s music scene.

    “I was the few people who did not like you when you were introduced on the Ghana Music Awards stage because of the love we had for Ebony. But then you won me over over the period. I remember when I told you about how impressed I am with your growth. Even the way you answered questions and how you have grown. I am super impressed. Because you’ve been very consistent. Since the time you were unveiled on that stage,” he said in a conversation on United Showbiz.

    Months ago, Ghanaian circular artiste, Wendy shared some of the challenges she encountered with family members due to trolls on social media.

    According to her, netizens chided her over their belief that she was doing all she could to imitate the late Ebony Reigns.

    During an appearance on Afrobeats Podcast with Adesope Shopsydoo, the ‘It’s Too Late‘ hitmaker revealed that her mother suggested she return to Germany.

    According to her, some family members were shy to associate with her.

    “At a point, my mum asked me to quit music and return to Germany because the trolling was overwhelming and it affected everyone in my family,” she said. “Some of my relatives were even kind of shy to associate with me at the time.”

    “Imagine they take your face, edit it to make you look like an old woman, and start mocking and laughing at you. They even said I wasn’t talented enough. It was crazy. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, but it built me,” Wendy added.

    Despite these challenges, Wendy Shay established herself as one of Ghana’s most recognized female artistes.

    Her first single titled “Uber Driver” shot her to the limelight, followed by other chart-topping hits such as “Heat”, “Stevie Wonder” featuring Shatta Wale, “Emergency” and “Survivor.”

    Wendy’s latest hit, “It’s Too Late,” has been enjoying massive attention across media platforms and is topping charts globally after a schoolgirl in Ashaiman, Tracy, went viral dancing to the song.

    The video quickly gained traction, with many praising her energy and talent. However, some critics questioned her choice of attire and expressions, calling them inappropriate for a child.

    Despite the mixed reactions, the music star was moved by Tracy’s enthusiasm and decided to take action.

    Wendy Shay, who had performed at Ridoana Comprehensive School during the All Ashaiman Schools Festival, returned to honor the young girl. In a touching video shared on her social media, Wendy spoke to the school’s students and staff, recounting the moment she first saw Tracy perform.

    “About a week ago, I came here to this school to perform, and during my performance, there was this talented, beautiful, shining star—Tracy—dancing and singing passionately to my song ‘Too Late.’ The video went viral and is still trending. So I came back today to say thank you and to reward my little star, my shining star, Tracy,” Wendy said, her words filled with pride.

    In a moment of true generosity, Wendy Shay announced a full educational scholarship for Tracy, covering her education from Class 5 all the way through to university.

    The award-winning artiste, who has bagged honours at both the 3Music Awards and the Ghana Music Awards, credits her resilience and the unwavering support from her fans for her continued success.

    She spoke out against the backlash surrounding a viral video of a teenage girl dancing at one of her recent performances.

    The video, which circulated widely on social media on April 3, 2025, captured the young girl dancing enthusiastically to Wendy Shay’s latest song, Too Late, which contains explicit lyrics.

    While the girl’s passion impressed some viewers, others expressed concern about the setting of the performance, criticizing Wendy for performing such a song in front of minors. The young girl also became a target of online trolls, with some social media users mocking her moves and labeling her dance as overly sensual.

    In reaction to the growing criticism, Wendy Shay took to social media to share her thoughts, highlighting how many were failing to recognize the girl’s potential and confidence. She wrote:

    Wendy went on to condemn the negativity flooding the comment sections and stressed the importance of nurturing young talent rather than discouraging it.

    She continued, “My performance over the weekend has put light on a little girl dancing passionately and happily in the crowd and it’s surprising how some people cannot easily identify a talented and confident child when they see one.

    “I see a lot of negative comments under the post, and it is heartbreaking because what I see is a beautiful, talented, and confident young girl who could become a professional dancer or a musician if she is carefully guided,” she said.

    She concluded her post by urging critics to adopt a more constructive mindset and stop tearing down young people expressing themselves creatively, “Let us advance our mindset and see positivity in things like this.

    Her response has sparked a wave of support from fans and social media users who agree that young talents should be encouraged rather than attacked.

  • GodBod’s website has no proof it is abiding by the law in it’s operations – Minority

    GodBod’s website has no proof it is abiding by the law in it’s operations – Minority

    The Minority in Parliament has accused the Ghana Gold Board (Goldbod) of failing to to meet basic legal obligations under Section 42 of its establishing Act in it operation.

    According to Chairman of Parliament’s Subsidiary Legislation Committee, Patrick Boamah, the GoldBod came into being in April, and “we are now at the end of October that is well over a quarter.”

    Thus, all legal document and guidelines that binds GoldBod operations must be reflected on their website.

    “What the law requires them to do hasn’t been complied with, and that is very dangerous. “This is happening at a time when the World Bank, the European Union and other international bodies are watching how Ghana is heading to in the fight against galamsey,” he told the media.

    Patrick Boamah has also raised concerns about the legitimacy of GoldBod’s operations.

    According to him, a letter from the Ministry of Finance confirmed that no allocations have been made to the Board.

    Yet, the Board has been seen “appointing brand ambassadors, delivering pickups to institutions and making public donations.”

    “Where is the Gold Board getting all that gold from? Is it from responsible mining? Is it from small-scale miners? Or is it from galamsey sites? The Ministry has not received, transferred, or made any allocation to the Gold Board. So now the question is, how is the GoldBod being funded? Is it from the Central Bank? Is the Bank of Ghana printing money to fund the GoldBod? Why must the Bank of Ghana be doing that?” he told the media.

    Mr Boamah is therefore, demanding immediate answers to ensure the state is not indirectly fuelling illegal mining.

    Meanwhile, a US$1 billion Memorandum of Understanding  (MoU) has been signed by Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and Goldstream Global DMCC for the purpose of developing more than 300 responsible mines across the country.

    The Memorandum of Understanding will be centered on working with concession owners to develop reserved mineral-rich zone, however, it  is expected to transform into a commercial agreement by November 2025

    CEO of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, stated that the initiative will promote sustainable mining and bolster Ghana’s gold output with the support of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and its relevant agencies.

    “Under this program, GoldBod will collaborate with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and its allied agencies, such as the Minerals Commission of Ghana, to develop mineralised areas. We will also partner with concession owners and local communities to maximise Ghana’s gold output through sustainable mining,” he said, while announcing the signing at the maiden Mining and Minerals Convention on September 8, 2025.

    Mr Sammy Gyamfi further introduced a Mining Support Program designed to generate employment for young people and enhance mining operations across the country.

    “This crucial Mining Support Program (MSP) will increase national gold output and create thousands of jobs within the mining ecosystem for our teeming unemployed youth. The Minerals Commission has released ten blocked-out mineralised areas to GoldBod for this program and has pledged to release more in the coming weeks,” he added.

    The Minerals Commission has so far allocated ten areas to GoldBod for the first phase of this project.

    In April this year, the Gold Board (GoldBod) successfully secured an agreement with nine large-scale mining companies to purchase 20 percent of their gold output locally, as part of a national effort to strengthen Ghana’s gold reserves and reduce foreign dependency.

    The strategic pact follows extensive negotiations between GoldBod officials and mining companies outside the scope of the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Program.

    The companies participating in this initiative include Golden Team Mining Company Limited, Akroma Gold Limited, Adamus Resources Limited, Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited, Goldstone Akrokeri Limited, Earl International Group (GH) Limited, Xtra Gold Mining Limited, Prestea Sankofa Gold Limited, and Gan He Mining Resource Development Limited.

    According to the agreement, each of the nine companies was required to deliver 20% of any gold they intend to export to GoldBod in the form of doré bars. These deliveries were said to be made at a designated collection point, Assay Laboratory at the Kotoka International Airport.

    Payments for the gold were made in Ghana cedis, calculated using the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) AM spot price with a 1% discount, and settled within two working days of delivery. The prevailing Daily Interbank FX (Weighted Median) Rate, as published by the Bank of Ghana, were be used as the standard exchange rate.

    Acting Chief Executive Officer of the GoldBod, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi Esq., expressed appreciation to the mining firms and the Ghana Chamber of Mines for their support and alignment with the government’s strategic objectives.

    He remarked, “This agreement is part of the GoldBod’s bid to boost gold and foreign reserve accumulation by the Bank of Ghana in line with the vision of the President.”

    Mr. Gyamfi further lauded the companies for their willingness to contribute to President John Dramani Mahama’s broader goal of ensuring the nation derives optimal value from its mineral wealth.

    To formalize this new framework, all parties involved were expected to sign the official agreement on May 15 as the program officially began on June 1.

    In a contrasting development, the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) implemented a significant regulatory change aimed at tightening control over the country’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) gold trade.

    Effective immediately, all current gold trading licenses issued by the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) or the Minister for Mines, with the exception of those held by large-scale mining companies, were considered invalid.

    This decision was supported by the Ghana Gold Board Act (Act 1140), which was approved by Parliament on March 29 and received the President’s assent on April 2.

    Under the new framework, GoldBod assumed exclusive authority as the official buyer, seller, assayer, and exporter of all gold produced by licensed Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) operators in Ghana.

    This measure is intended to combat illegal activities, improve trade efficiency, and ensure comprehensive government oversight of the ASM industry.

    “No individual or entity, other than the Ghana Gold Board, is authorized to export ASM gold from the country,” the statement clarified.

    To ensure a smooth transition, GoldBod announced a grace period for holders of existing licenses. 

    These entities continued their operations until April 30, 2025. However, starting May 1, 2025, engaging in gold transactions without a GoldBod-issued license was treated as a criminal offense.

    In a bid to enforce monetary control and encourage domestic transactions, the new directive required  all licensed local gold buyers to conduct business exclusively in Ghanaian cedis, with exchange rates sourced from the Bank of Ghana’s official website.

    In a significant shift, foreign nationals were required to exit the local ASM gold trading market by April 30, 2025. While foreign entities were permitted to still apply to GoldBod for the right to purchase gold, they were no longer allowed to operate independently within the ASM trade.

    “It is important to note that beginning May 1, 2025, purchasing or trading in gold within Ghana without a valid GoldBod license will constitute a punishable offense,” the statement emphasized.

    Starting April 22, 2025, Ghanaian citizens and wholly Ghanaian-owned companies wishing to enter the gold trade were permitted to apply for new licenses through the GoldBod Licensing and Regulations office in Accra or via their online portal.

    This overhaul of the regulatory framework was intended to increase transparency, eliminate illegal players, and enhance government revenue from Ghana’s booming ASM gold industry, which contributes over 30% to the nation’s total gold production.

  • “Where is the GoldBod getting all that gold from?” – Patrick Boamah quizzes

    “Where is the GoldBod getting all that gold from?” – Patrick Boamah quizzes

    Chairman of Parliament’s Subsidiary Legislation Committee, Patrick Boamah, has raised concerns about the legitimacy of GoldBod’s operations which began earlier this year.

    According to him,  a letter from the Ministry of Finance confirmed that no allocations have been made to the Board.

    Yet, the Board has been seen “appointing brand ambassadors, delivering pickups to institutions and making public donations.”

    “Where is the Gold Board getting all that gold from? Is it from responsible mining? Is it from small-scale miners? Or is it from galamsey sites? The Ministry has not received, transferred, or made any allocation to the Gold Board. So now the question is, how is the GoldBod being funded? Is it from the Central Bank? Is the Bank of Ghana printing money to fund the GoldBod? Why must the Bank of Ghana be doing that?” he told the media.

    Mr Boamah believes GoldBod may be failing to meet basic legal obligations under Section 42 of its establishing Act.

    “If you go to the Gold Board’s website right now, you will not find anything as required by the Act. The GoldBod came into being in April, and we are now at the end of October that is well over a quarter. All this information ought to be there,” the member of the Minority in parliament indicated.

    Mr Boamah is demanding immediate answers to ensure the state is not indirectly fuelling illegal mining.

    A US$1 billion Memorandum of Understanding  (MoU) has been signed by Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and Goldstream Global DMCC for the purpose of developing more than 300 responsible mines across the country.

    The Memorandum of Understanding will be centered on working with concession owners to develop reserved mineral-rich zone, however, it  is expected to transform into a commercial agreement by November 2025

    CEO of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, stated that the initiative will promote sustainable mining and bolster Ghana’s gold output with the support of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and its relevant agencies.

    “Under this program, GoldBod will collaborate with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and its allied agencies, such as the Minerals Commission of Ghana, to develop mineralised areas. We will also partner with concession owners and local communities to maximise Ghana’s gold output through sustainable mining,” he said, while announcing the signing at the maiden Mining and Minerals Convention on September 8, 2025.

    Mr Sammy Gyamfi further introduced a Mining Support Program designed to generate employment for young people and enhance mining operations across the country.

    “This crucial Mining Support Program (MSP) will increase national gold output and create thousands of jobs within the mining ecosystem for our teeming unemployed youth. The Minerals Commission has released ten blocked-out mineralised areas to GoldBod for this program and has pledged to release more in the coming weeks,” he added.

    The Minerals Commission has so far allocated ten areas to GoldBod for the first phase of this project.

    In April this year, the Gold Board (GoldBod) successfully secured an agreement with nine large-scale mining companies to purchase 20 percent of their gold output locally, as part of a national effort to strengthen Ghana’s gold reserves and reduce foreign dependency.

    The strategic pact follows extensive negotiations between GoldBod officials and mining companies outside the scope of the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Program.

    The companies participating in this initiative include Golden Team Mining Company Limited, Akroma Gold Limited, Adamus Resources Limited, Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited, Goldstone Akrokeri Limited, Earl International Group (GH) Limited, Xtra Gold Mining Limited, Prestea Sankofa Gold Limited, and Gan He Mining Resource Development Limited.

    According to the agreement, each of the nine companies was required to deliver 20% of any gold they intend to export to GoldBod in the form of doré bars. These deliveries were said to be made at a designated collection point, Assay Laboratory at the Kotoka International Airport.

    Payments for the gold were made in Ghana cedis, calculated using the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) AM spot price with a 1% discount, and settled within two working days of delivery. The prevailing Daily Interbank FX (Weighted Median) Rate, as published by the Bank of Ghana, were be used as the standard exchange rate.

    Acting Chief Executive Officer of the GoldBod, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi Esq., expressed appreciation to the mining firms and the Ghana Chamber of Mines for their support and alignment with the government’s strategic objectives.

    He remarked, “This agreement is part of the GoldBod’s bid to boost gold and foreign reserve accumulation by the Bank of Ghana in line with the vision of the President.”

    Mr. Gyamfi further lauded the companies for their willingness to contribute to President John Dramani Mahama’s broader goal of ensuring the nation derives optimal value from its mineral wealth.

    To formalize this new framework, all parties involved were expected to sign the official agreement on May 15 as the program officially began on June 1.

    In a contrasting development, the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) implemented a significant regulatory change aimed at tightening control over the country’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) gold trade.

    Effective immediately, all current gold trading licenses issued by the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) or the Minister for Mines, with the exception of those held by large-scale mining companies, were considered invalid.

    This decision was supported by the Ghana Gold Board Act (Act 1140), which was approved by Parliament on March 29 and received the President’s assent on April 2.

    Under the new framework, GoldBod assumed exclusive authority as the official buyer, seller, assayer, and exporter of all gold produced by licensed Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) operators in Ghana.

    This measure is intended to combat illegal activities, improve trade efficiency, and ensure comprehensive government oversight of the ASM industry.

    “No individual or entity, other than the Ghana Gold Board, is authorized to export ASM gold from the country,” the statement clarified.

    To ensure a smooth transition, GoldBod announced a grace period for holders of existing licenses. 

    These entities continued their operations until April 30, 2025. However, starting May 1, 2025, engaging in gold transactions without a GoldBod-issued license was treated as a criminal offense.

    In a bid to enforce monetary control and encourage domestic transactions, the new directive required  all licensed local gold buyers to conduct business exclusively in Ghanaian cedis, with exchange rates sourced from the Bank of Ghana’s official website.

    In a significant shift, foreign nationals were required to exit the local ASM gold trading market by April 30, 2025. While foreign entities were permitted to still apply to GoldBod for the right to purchase gold, they were no longer allowed to operate independently within the ASM trade.

    “It is important to note that beginning May 1, 2025, purchasing or trading in gold within Ghana without a valid GoldBod license will constitute a punishable offense,” the statement emphasized.

    Starting April 22, 2025, Ghanaian citizens and wholly Ghanaian-owned companies wishing to enter the gold trade were permitted to apply for new licenses through the GoldBod Licensing and Regulations office in Accra or via their online portal.

    This overhaul of the regulatory framework was intended to increase transparency, eliminate illegal players, and enhance government revenue from Ghana’s booming ASM gold industry, which contributes over 30% to the nation’s total gold production.

  • Finance Minister is paying contracts with “real money” not “audio cash” – Kwakye Ofosu

    Finance Minister is paying contracts with “real money” not “audio cash” – Kwakye Ofosu

    The allegations made against former Minister of Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, that payments made by the government to contractors under its major infrastructure drive, The Big Push project, are merely “audio money”.

    According to Minister for Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the finance minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, is adequately funding the project with “real money” to ensure that projects under the initiative are completed on schedule.

    “The suggestion that what the finance minister is releasing is ‘audio money’ is simply false. Dr Ato Forson is ensuring that actual funds reach contractors across the country. These are real disbursements for real work, not empty announcements as alleged by the former minister,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu said on Metro TV on Friday, October 31.

    He explained that The Big Push project is central to the government’s agenda to transform Ghana’s infrastructure landscape through timely financing and accountability.

    He noted that the Big Push project is a key component of the government’s vision to upgrade Ghana’s infrastructure through efficient funding and transparent management.

    Adding that the initiative is driving visible progress in the development of roads, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and digital systems.

    Kwakye Ofosu also called on the public to ignore politically motivated efforts aimed at undermining the government’s accomplishments.

    “This administration is focused on visible, measurable results. Every cedi released under The Big Push is backed by verifiable work on the ground. The facts speak for themselves — contractors are being paid, projects are moving, and communities are benefiting. The finance minister is releasing real money, not ‘audio money,” he emphasized.

    The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has projected a two-year timeline for the completion of all current and upcoming road projects under the government’s “Big Push” initiative.

    In an interview with the media on Friday, July 31, Mr Agbodza stated that when road projects were abandoned midway are over, as the government is committed to completing all ongoing and future works within the stipulated timeframe.

    According to him, all “Big Push” projects will begin by the end of the month August, excluding the Dambai Bridge, which will commnce once its structural has been finalized.

    “The average Ghanaian has come to accept something that is completely unacceptable, because they see road projects start around their backyard, and no one can tell them when it will be completed. We want to reset. ‘Reset’ means we need to change that narrative.

    “All the projects have been deliberately structured to span two years, 24 months, and we will not go beyond that,” he said. “Sometimes, a contractor is awarded 100 kilometers of road. People forget that constructing 100 kilometers is not a small undertaking. There may be people who are more interested in how much it costs — they focus on the money involved. So contractors take the job, and for seven or eight years, they do nothing. We want to avoid that,” he added.

    Parliament on July 30 unanimously endorsed the government’s proposal to divert all royalties that will be received from oil revenues and mineral royalties to support the implementation of the Big Push Programme.

    This comes after the government requested Parliament approve committing funds to assist in the construction of certain road projects. Mr Isaac Adongo, the Chairman of the Parliament’s Finance Committee, while presenting the report by the Budget and Finance joint committee to the plenary, said, “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),” Mr Adongo said.

    The initiative aimed at improving road infrastructure across the country is estimated at GHC13.8 billion, and it is expected to be completed by 2028 with support from the country’s own financial resources. According to the 2025 budget, GH¢5.75 billion is owed by the Road Fund, with an allocation of GH¢2.81 billion programmed 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. The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, on Wednesday, July 30, revealed that his ministry has undertaken studies and prepared comprehensive engineering interventions and cost estimates for road projects under the Big Push Programme.

    The Ministry of Finance has since issued commitment authorizations for some twenty-nine (29) road infrastructure projects under the Big Push Programme which include: Upgrading of Akosombo-Gyakiti-Kudikope Road, Road Dualization of Winneba-Mankessim Road, Rehabilitation of Mankessim-Ajumako-Breman Asikuma-Agona Swedru, Construction of nchi-Elubo Road, and Rehabilitation of Atimpoku-Asikuma Junction Road.

  • Finance Minister to terminate SML contract – Report

    Finance Minister to terminate SML contract – Report

    President John Dramani Mahama has reportedly instructed the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to terminate all existing contracts between the Government of Ghana and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).

    This comes after the outcome of investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) concluded that there was no valid reason for the government’s partnership with SML.

    According to a report by 3News, a letter from Dr. Callistus Mahama, Executive Secretary to the President, to the Minister of Finance, clearly stated;

    “Following the conclusion of the investigation conducted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) into the contracts awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), I have been directed by His Excellency, the President of the Republic, to request that you take immediate steps to terminate all existing SML-related contracts forthwith.”

    The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyepong, has concluded that there was “no genuine need” for the controversial revenue assurance contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML (Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited).

    In a highly detailed press briefing following a comprehensive investigation, the OSP mentioned critical findings that exposed systemic breaches of public financial regulations and a clear misuse of authority that caused the state to lose money.

    “There was no genuine need for contracting SML for the obligations it’s purported to perform,” the Special Prosecutor declared.

     Mr Agyebeng has solidified the case against the contentious Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) contract, alleging that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta approved payments without any technical or operational justification.

    According to the OSP, Ofori-Atta failed to intervene even though SML openly lacked the necessary capacity, expertise, and tools to execute its contract. Instead, he allegedly remained complicit, approving payments from the Consolidated Fund, the Petroleum Revenue Account, and the Tax Refund Account.

    The OSP’s investigation concluded, “Had he not been personally benefiting from the SML’s unlawfully procured contracts, the openly displayed by SML of a lack of capacity’s expertise and tools would have immediately triggered his intervention to halt payments to SML and demand accountability. Instead, he looked on conspiratorially in silence, while endorsing and approving payments to SML from the Consolidated Fund, Petroleum Revenue Account, and Tax Refund Account with no technical or operational basis,” the OSP said during a press conference on Thursday, October 30.

    The OSP’s findings expose SML’s clear inability to perform the revenue assurance services it was contracted for, which included key responsibilities such as transaction audits and external price verification.

    According to the investigation, the continuous “troubleshooting displayed during this period was born of the unlawful imposition of SML in the space and the still lingering reality of SML’s lack of capacity to carry out transaction audits and external price verification.”

    Even after 15 months of engagement, SML reportedly “had no system in place to receive CCVRs” (customs control and valuation records), the essential data needed to execute its tasks. Additionally, the existing data provider, West Blue, was under “no legal obligation to release the vital data” to SML.

    As a result, the assigned work remained uncompleted, yet the company “continued to be paid,” reinforcing the OSP’s conclusion that the situation led to a financial loss to the state.

    It is important to note that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been declared wanted by the OSP for causing financial loss to the state in several dealings, including the contractual arrangement between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority for the stated objective of enhancing revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and minerals and metals resource value chain.

    The activities of SML came to light years ago after Manasseh Azure Awuni raised contractual breaches in a deal involving the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).

    The original purpose of the GRA-SML contract was to boost revenue assurance in vital sectors of Ghana’s economy, including the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals value chain. The goal was to streamline revenue collection, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in these high-revenue sectors.

    Following concerns, an in-depth audit was carried out by international firm KPMG, commissioned by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The audit was launched to examine the contractual agreements between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML, with a particular focus on the procedures and approvals related to the contract.

    The KPMG audit uncovered significant procedural errors and regulatory violations in awarding the contract. Specifically, the GRA did not obtain the required approvals from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and failed to seek parliamentary oversight before finalising the agreement with SML.

    The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) entered into six service agreements with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) using the single-source procurement method without obtaining approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).

    The first agreement, covering Transaction Audit Services, was signed on June 1, 2018. This was followed by a Contract Extension on January 1, 2019. On April 1, 2019, the GRA entered into another agreement with SML for External Price Verification Services. Subsequently, on October 3, 2019, the two parties signed a Consolidation Services Agreement, which combined the Transaction Audit and External Verification Services.

    That same day, a separate agreement was also signed for the Measurement Audit of Downstream Petroleum Products. Later, on July 29, 2020, an Addendum to the Measurement Audit for Downstream Petroleum Products Agreement was executed.

    The audit report also revealed that SML owes the government over GHC31 million in taxes.

    During the period from September 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021, a bulk payment to SML covering invoices for eight months did not have VAT and WHT deductions, amounting to GHC13.38 million. This contradicts GRA’s standard practice of deducting such taxes for payments to SML between June 1, 2020, and August 31, 2023.

    Additionally, SML failed to fulfil its statutory obligations by neither filing returns nor remitting these taxes to the GRA. Pursuant to Section 71(1) of the RA Act, the accrued interest on the tax liability is estimated at GHC18.50 million owed by SML to the GRA as of January 31, 2024.

    Consequently, the total liability incurred by SML amounts to GHC31.88 million.

  • “I hit a fan so hard with my mic after he pressed my breast, he ended up in the hospital” – Sista Afia

    “I hit a fan so hard with my mic after he pressed my breast, he ended up in the hospital” – Sista Afia

    Ghanaian singer Sista Afia has revealed that one of the toughest moments she encountered in her music career was an incident where she threw her microphone at a fan while making her way to the stage.

    According to the “Weather” hitmaker, her action was triggered by the fan who touched a part of her body inappropriately.

    She said, the impact of her action was so intense that the fan ended up in the hospital.

    “I hate it when people like to touch me when I’m going on stage, especially the fans. It’s something I don’t like at all, it’s very uncomfortable for me. One time, somebody pressed me so hard, and I hit him with a mic. The person had to go to the hospital. Yes it was that serious. He pressed by front bits,” she told Andy Dosty on Hitz FM.

    In 2020 the highlife singer told Zionfelix in an interview about why she wanted to pummel former Black Avenue Muzik signee, Fred Rhymz.

    The duo squared it off after being invited to TV3 by TV host MzGee for an interview session bordering on the same theme when hell broke loose at the premises of the TV station.

    The two ladies got embroiled in a heated confrontation and looked set to exchange blows before they got separated by the security men.

    Sister Afia said Freda the physical confrontation started when Freda mentioned her name directly when their paths crossed and started aiming shots at her, reason why she retaliated.

    She revealed this while talking to Ghanaian blogger Zionfelix on the Uncut Show.

    She also promised to beat the hell out of the rapper wherever she meets her.

    Ghanaian singer Jackline Acheampong, known in showbiz as Gyakie, has recounted the challenges she faced while juggling academics and music during her time at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), revealing that her first stage performance left her in tears and regret.

    The “Forever” hitmaker, who pursued a degree in Business Administration, described her early days on stage as a nightmare. She recounted a particularly tough experience during Republic Hall’s SRC Week celebration, where a technical glitch made things worse.

    “I was very scared during my first stage performance. I remember during the Republic Hall SRC Week, I went to perform and during that, the speakers went off. I didn’t know what to do, and some of the fans were hooting at me, while others tried their best to keep the atmosphere active,” she said.

    According to her, the moment was so overwhelming that she broke down in tears backstage.“Nobody asked me to leave the stage. When I got backstage, I cried because I regretted going there,” she added.

    Beyond the stage, Gyakie opened up about the pressure she endured in class, especially from lecturers who often singled her out.

    “Sometimes, going to class becomes a bit uncomfortable because some lecturers know I am a singer, and they randomly ask me questions I am not ready to answer. Sometimes they throw questions at me that I don’t even know the answers to,” she shared.

    She also touched on how the university’s dress code for business students made her feel uneasy.“In terms of how I dress as a student, I sometimes became paranoid because I don’t feel comfortable in the prescribed dress given to the business student,” she explained.

    Adding to the pressure were unexpected photo requests from fellow students during times she wasn’t feeling her best.“There are times I go to lectures and people would request for pictures—times I don’t feel good about myself,” she said.

    Despite the tough beginnings, Gyakie has gone on to build a thriving music career, earning both local and international recognition.

    Stonebwoy pulled a gun on stage while receiving the Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year Award in 2019.

    The confusion started when Shatta Wale and his militants rushed onto the stage when Stonebwoy was about to receive his award. Afraid of what could happen, Stonebwoy quickly pulled out a gun.

    The show was temporarily put on hold amidst the pandemonium in the Dome and some of the patrons started leaving the auditorium when the chaos started.

    Contrary to what has long been speculated, that the on-stage Stonebwoy-Shatta Wale brawl was planned, the Afropop and Raggae-Dancehall singer revealed that the action was unintended.

    A section of the Ghanaian populace and music lovers believed that the rivalry between the two top Ghanaian artistes was just to sell their brands; and the clash at the 2019 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA19), is no exception.

    But speaking on United Showbiz, a popular weekend night entertainment show on UTV, Stonebwoy cleared the air that he had no such plans with Shatta Wale before their big night, as has been concluded by many.

    “People say my colleague and I had planned what happened that night but it’s not true, it wasn’t a planned thing. It shows you how serious the music industry is”, he told host, Nana Ama McBrown.

    Talking about the fight, the ‘Sobolo’ hitmaker stated he does not want to dwell on the awfulness of the night but rather the good thing it has brought between himself and Shatta Wale.

    “I’ve talked about this issue countless times on different platforms across the world but I don’t dwell on the negative side of it. The beautiful thing is that today we sleep peacefully, we wake and call each other on the phone and we are all focusing on our works now and moving forward”, he stated.

    Background

    Pandemonium broke out on the night of VGMA19 after Stonebwoy went to collect a prize.

    He had just been awarded Raggae-Dancehall Artiste of the Year when his musical rival, Shatta Wale, and his entourage mounted the stage.

    Video footage of the brawl appears to show Stonebwoy holding a gun.

    The action marred the event but after a short delay the VGMA19 in the capital, Accra, resumed.

    During the acceptance speech for an award, Stonebwoy apologized to Ghanaians, saying, “I only had to react out of instinct”.

  • Unrest grips Tanzania as post-election protests spread across the country

    Unrest grips Tanzania as post-election protests spread across the country

    Protests have erupted in several Tanzanian cities as opposition supporters denounce Wednesday’s presidential and parliamentary elections, alleging widespread fraud and manipulation.

    Demonstrators have taken to the streets in major urban centers, with some crossing into Kenyan territory where they blocked roads, lit bonfires, and tore down posters of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

    Kenyan police confirmed two deaths following violent clashes involving Tanzanian protesters and security forces at the border.

    The demonstrations were triggered by claims that the government had suppressed democracy by imprisoning the main opposition leader and disqualifying another candidate, moves critics say were aimed at ensuring President Samia’s re-election.

    Tensions deepened on Thursday after the electoral commission began releasing results showing Samia with nearly 95 percent of the votes in Mbea Province, with similar leads reported across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

    European Union lawmakers have described the vote as “a fraud that had been unfolding for months,” while observers reported multiple incidents of violence and intimidation on election day.

    In a statement, Tanzania’s military chief, Gen Jacob Mkunda, blamed “ill-intentioned individuals” for causing destruction during the polls. Gunfire was heard in Mwanza, while clashes were reported in Dodoma and Dar es Salaam, where roads were sealed off under tight security.

    Kenyan authorities have cautioned their citizens against joining protests near the Namanga border, where commercial activity has been paralyzed.

    Security forces in Tanzania fired tear gas to disperse protesters, leading to hours of confrontation. The U.S. Embassy reported that several key roads, including the one leading to Dar es Salaam’s international airport, remained closed on Thursday.

    An eyewitness in Mwanza told the BBC that hundreds of protesters poured into the city before security forces opened fire and launched tear gas, injuring several people.

    The government has instructed public servants to work from home until Friday as tensions mount nationwide.

    Amnesty International expressed concern over reports that a civilian and a police officer were killed in clashes, calling the situation “deeply troubling.”

    Authorities have imposed a nighttime curfew in Dar es Salaam, where hospitals, including Muhimbili, are reportedly receiving dozens of injured protesters.

    Internet access remains heavily restricted across the country, with Amnesty urging the government to restore connectivity to avoid escalating the crisis. Protesters have reportedly turned to a walkie-talkie app, Zello, to coordinate their actions.

    President Samia is widely expected to secure a second term as key opposition figures remain sidelined. Her ruling party, which has governed Tanzania since independence, is also projected to maintain its dominance.

    Opposition leader Tundu Lissu remains in custody on treason charges he denies, while ACT-Wazalendo candidate Luhaga Mpina was disqualified on technical grounds. Sixteen smaller parties with little public backing were cleared to participate in the vote.

    President Samia, who assumed office in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, initially earned praise for easing political restrictions but now faces accusations of suppressing dissent through arrests and abductions.

    Tanzania’s internet blackout entered its third day on Friday as reports of renewed protests surfaced and opposition groups in Zanzibar rejected the results of the recent elections.

    President Samia Suluhu Hassan, whose administration faces accusations of political repression, is alleged to have tightened her grip on power through a widely uncontested vote in which key opponents were either imprisoned or disqualified.

    Wednesday’s election sparked widespread chaos, with hundreds of protesters taking to the streets of Dar es Salaam and other major cities. Demonstrators tore down campaign posters, attacked polling stations, and clashed with police, prompting authorities to impose a curfew and shut down internet access nationwide.

    Foreign journalists were barred from covering the polls, and the ongoing communications blackout has made it difficult to verify reports from the ground.

    Residents in the towns of Sinza and the capital, Dodoma, told AFP that demonstrations continued late Thursday, with protesters burning tyres in defiance of security forces.

    Unconfirmed reports suggest several fatalities, but hospitals and clinics have declined to comment, citing fear of reprisals.

    Local media outlets have not been updated since Wednesday, and President Hassan has yet to address the escalating unrest.

    The only official comment so far came from Army Chief Gen. Jacob Mkunda, who described the protesters as “criminals” in a statement issued late Thursday.

    In Zanzibar, a popular tourist destination, President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s ruling party was declared winner of Thursday’s local elections, a result the opposition has fiercely rejected.

    The opposition party, ACT-Wazalendo, accused the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) of rigging the vote, claiming, “They have robbed the people of Zanzibar of their voice. The only solution to deliver justice is through a fresh election.”

    A senior ACT-Wazalendo official told AFP that ballot boxes were stuffed, voters were allowed to cast multiple ballots without identification, and party observers were expelled from counting centers.

    The CCM was expected to hold a press briefing later in the day to address the allegations.

    At an opposition meeting point in Zanzibar, frustration and fear were palpable. “There has never been a credible election since 1995,” said a 70-year-old man, referring to the country’s first multi-party poll. Others declined to share their names, expressing fear of reprisals. “We are afraid of speaking because they might come to our houses and pick us up,” one said.

    Analysts say President Hassan has faced internal opposition from sections of the military and allies of her late predecessor, John Magufuli, since assuming office in 2021. They believe she sought a decisive victory to consolidate her power.

    Ahead of the election, authorities banned the main opposition party, Chadema, and charged its leader with treason.

  • No burial for Daddy Lumba until we know the cause of death – Ernestina Fosu declares

    No burial for Daddy Lumba until we know the cause of death – Ernestina Fosu declares

    The late Daddy Lumba’s elder sister, Ernestina Fosu has declared that there will be no burial for Daddy Lumba until the actual cause of his death is known.

    After a court appearance, Ernestina told Adum TV that until the truth is known, no amount of court ruling or family decision would compel her to allow the funeral to proceed.

    “The funeral will not be held on December 6. We did not seek an injunction because we are mad. We still don’t know what killed my brother. We cannot allow people to rush with his funeral,” she said.

    However, she has expressed readiness to organize the funeral on the scheduled December 6 if she receives a clear explanation about what caused Daddy Lumba’s death before then.

    “There will be no problem if we find out about the cause of Daddy Lumba’s death before December 6. But if we don’t find out what killed my brother, I won’t allow my family to bury my brother, Charles,” she said.

    Ernestina Fosu has earlier indicated that she is not prepared to organize Daddy Lumba’s funeral on Dec 6.

    She made this known to the media in the aftermath of a court proceeding at the Kumasi High Court on October 28, 2025.

    “I am not ready for my brother’s funeral on December 6, 2025,” she stated firmly in a video shared on social media.

    Akosua Serwaa filed an injunction against the late musician’s funeral scheduled for December 6, demanding that she be recognized as the only surviving wife of the musician and not Odo Broni, who is currently claiming that title.

    While the court has yet to rule on the spousal status of Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni, the Kumasi High Court has dismissed an injunction application that sought to halt the burial and funeral of the late legend.

    The judgment allows the family to go ahead with burial plans as originally arranged.

    Madam Serwaa’s lawyer, William Kusi, insisted that his client was the musician’s only legally recognized wife and that her rights were being ignored in the funeral preparations. He supported his argument with a civil marriage certificate reportedly issued in Germany as evidence of their union.

    In July this year, a statement by the counsel for the Fosu family confirmed that the music veteran passed on July 26, after a short illness.

    He succumbed to the illness at the Bank Hospital in Accra, per reports.

    The statement read: “With profound sorrow and deep grief, the Fosu family announces the passing of Ghana’s beloved musical icon, Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, who passed away earlier today, Saturday, July 26, 2025, after a short illness.”

    “Daddy Lumba was more than a musician; he was a cultural icon whose music touched countless lives. His soulful voice provided the soundtrack to our love stories, and his poignant lyrics captured the poetry of our struggles, dreams, and resilience.”

    Daddy Lumba was renowned for his incredible talent as a singer, composer, songwriter, recording artist, and producer.

    With an illustrious career that has spanned over three decades, Daddy Lumba was widely regarded as the greatest and most influential musician in Ghanaian history.

    Many artists in Ghana, including Ofori Amponsah, Sarkodie, Kuami Eugene, Paa Solo of Sibo Brothers, Oheneba Kissi, KiDi, and others, consider him their major inspiration in the music industry.

    Daddy Lumba was born 60 years ago to Mr. Johnson Kwadwo Fosuh and Madam Comfort Gyamfi, also known as Ama Saah, in Nsuta, near Mampong in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Both of his parents were teachers, and he was the second of three siblings.

    His educational journey began in Nsuta Kyebi, and he completed junior high school at Suame Methodist, Kumasi in 1979. Subsequently, he attended Adu Gyamfi Senior High School in Jamasi, but later transferred to Juaben Senior High School, where he completed his secondary education in 1984.

    Daddy Lumba’s music career took off in the early 80s when he formed the Nkwanta Wesley Singers, gaining fame at the Anokye Krom Cultural Center.

    During his time at Juaben Senior High School, he led the school choir and composed the song “Lumba Lumba,” dedicated to the freedom fighters in South Africa. This song’s popularity earned him the nickname “Daddy Lumba”, which later became his stage name. He also formed the Lumba Brothers band during his school days, which included his girlfriend at the time, Theresa.

    After completing school, Daddy Lumba, with the help of his high school sweetheart Theresa Abebrese, traveled to Germany. There, he met Ernest Nana Acheampong, and they formed another Lumba Brothers group, recording their debut album, “Yee Ye Aka Akwantuom,” in 1986. Financial constraints delayed the album’s release until 1989, and eventually, the duo split.

    Daddy Lumba then launched his solo career and released his debut solo album, “Obi Ate Meso Buo,” in 1990. The album received immense popularity and critical acclaim, featuring classics like the title track and “Theresa,” dedicated to his ex-lover. He has since released 33 albums, including notable ones like “Sika Asem,” “Aben Wo Ha,” “Wo Ho Kyere,” “Awosoo,” “Give Peace A Chance,” and “Ahenfo Kyiniye.” His latest project, “Ofon Na Edi Asem Fo,” was released in December 2022, reuniting him with longtime collaborator Kweku Mensah.

    In addition to his own success, Daddy Lumba is renowned for nurturing the careers of budding artists who went on to become legends in their own right.

    Some of these artists include Felix Owusu, for whom he produced the debut album “Vida” in 1992, Afia Ampofowaa, Kwabena Sunkwa, Ofori Amponsah with the “Woho Kyere” album in 1999, Selina Orleans, Akua Serwaa Bonsu, Borax, Ateaa Tina, and many others.

    His contributions to Ghanaian music and the support he provides to upcoming talents have solidified his status as an iconic figure in the country’s music industry.

    With his passion, talent, and dedication to the craft, Daddy Lumba continues to be a role model for aspiring musicians, leaving an indelible mark on the rich musical landscape of Ghana.

  • Ken Ofori-Atta, 4 others to be charged by OSP in November over corruption-related offences

    Ken Ofori-Atta, 4 others to be charged by OSP in November over corruption-related offences

    Former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, and several other former government officials will be charged will charged by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in November.

    Addressing the press on Thursday, October 30, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng revealed that a detailed investigation has uncovered evidence of alleged corruption-related offences involving top officials formerly affiliated with the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).

    In the aftermath of a detailed investigation into alleged corruption and related offences the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) announces plans to charge former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, and several other former government officials by the end of November 2025.

    “The outcome of the investigation is that the OSP will charge the following persons with various corruption and corruption-related offences before the end of November 2025,” the OSP said.

    According to Mr Agyebeng, the OSP will charge Mr Ofori-Atta, along with Ernest Akore, former Chef de Cabinet to the former Minister of Finance, Emmanuel Kofi Nti, former Commissioner-General of the GRA, Rev Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, former Commissioner-General of the GRA, Isaac Crentsil, former Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA and General Manager for Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited as well as Kwadwo Damoah, former Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA and Member of Parliament for Jaman South.

    OSP has solidified its case against the contentious Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) contract, alleging that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta approved payments without any technical or operational justification.

    According to the OSP, Ofori-Atta failed to intervene even though SML openly lacked the necessary capacity, expertise, and tools to execute its contract.

    Instead, he allegedly remained complicit, approving payments from the Consolidated Fund, the Petroleum Revenue Account, and the Tax Refund Account.

    The  OSP’s investigation concluded, “Had he not been personally benefiting from the SML’s unlawfully procured contracts, the openly displayed by SML of a lack of capacity’s expertise and tools would have immediately triggered his intervention to halt payments to SML and demand accountability. Instead, he looked on conspiratorially in silence, while endorsing and approving payments to SML from the consolidated fund, petroleum revenue account, and Tax Refund account with no technical or operational basis.” OSP said during a press conference on Thursday, October 30.

    OSP’s findings exposes SML’s clear inability to perform the revenue assurance services it was contracted for, which included key responsibilities such as transaction audits and external price verification.

    According to the investigation, the continuous “troubleshooting displayed during this period was born of the unlawful imposition of SML in the space and the still lingering reality of SML’s lack of capacity to carry out transaction audits and external price verification.”

    Even after 15 months of engagement, SML reportedly “had no system in place to receive ccvrs” (customs control and valuation records), the essential data needed to execute its tasks.

    Additionally, the existing data provider, West Blue, was under “no legal obligation to release the vital data” to SML.

    As a result, the assigned work remained uncompleted, yet the company “continued to be paid,” reinforcing the OSP’s conclusion that the situation led to a financial loss to the state.

    It is important to note that the former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been declared wanted by the OSP for causing financial loss to the state in several dealings, which include the contractual arrangement between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority for the stated objective of the enhancement of revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and minerals and metals resource value chain.

    The activities of SML came to light years ago after Manasseh Azure Awuni raised contractual breaches in a deal involving Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).

    The original purpose of the GRA-SML contract was to boost revenue assurance in vital sectors of Ghana’s economy, including the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals value chain.

    The goal was to streamline revenue collection, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in these high-revenue sectors.

    Following concerns, an in-depth audit was carried out by international firm KPMG, commissioned by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    The audit was launched to examine the contractual agreements between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML, with a particular focus on the procedures and approvals related to the contract.

    The KPMG audit uncovered significant procedural errors and regulatory violations in awarding the contract. Specifically, the GRA did not obtain the required approvals from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and failed to seek parliamentary oversight before finalizing the agreement with SML

    The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) entered into six service agreements with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) using the single-source procurement method without obtaining approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).

    The first agreement, covering Transaction Audit Services, was signed on June 1, 2018. This was followed by a Contract Extension on January 1, 2019.

    On April 1, 2019, the GRA entered into another agreement with SML for External Price Verification Services. Subsequently, on October 3, 2019, the two parties signed a Consolidation Services Agreement, which combined the Transaction Audit and External Verification Services.

    That same day, a separate agreement was also signed for the Measurement Audit of Downstream Petroleum Products. Later, on July 29, 2020, an Addendum to the Measurement Audit for Downstream Petroleum Products Agreement was executed.

    The audit report also revealed that SML owes the government over GHC31 million in taxes.

    During the period from 1 September 2020 to 30 April 2021, a bulk payment to SML covering invoices for an 8-month period did not have VAT and WHT deductions, amounting to GHE13.38 million.

    This contradicts GRA’s standard practice of deducting such taxes for payments to SML between 1 June 2020 and 31 August 2023.

    Additionally, SML failed to fulfil its statutory obligations by neither filing returns nor remitting these taxes to GRA.

    Pursuant to Section 71(1) of the RA Act, the accrued interest on the tax liability is estimated at GHC18.50 million owed by SML to GRA as of 31 January 2024. Consequently, the total liability incurred by SML amounts to GHC31.88 million.

    In May 2024, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, noted that the then Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta had a role to play in the controversial deal.

    “The SML or SMEL deal is a clear example of what Justice Dotse described as a create, loot and share. One thing Ghanaians must bear in mind is that all of these happened with the tacit approval of the then Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.”

    “As usual, he is trying to run under the radar and people are failing to realise, the key cardinal role he played in this entire arrangement,” he stated while speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, May 25.

    In February this year, SML dragged Azure Awuni to court, claiming that Manasseh referred to its agreement with the government as “the biggest scam” and labeled the deal as “shady” while branding the entire situation “the SML scandal.”

    SML was seeking several remedies from the court, including: GHS1,000,000 in general damages for defamation, GHS20,000,000 in exemplary damages for what it describes as malicious reporting, a perpetual injunction to prevent Manasseh from making further defamatory claims about the company, public retraction and apology specifically for statements made in Chapter 28 of his book and any other reliefs the court deems appropriate.

  • There was “no genuine need” for the SML contract – OSP

    There was “no genuine need” for the SML contract – OSP

    The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyepong, has concluded that there was “no genuine need” for the controversial revenue assurance contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML (Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited).

    In a highly detailed press briefing following a comprehensive investigation, the OSP mentioned critical findings that exposed systemic breaches of public financial regulations and a clear misuse of authority that caused the state to lose money.

    “There was no genuine need for contracting SML for the obligations it’s purported to perform,” the Special Prosecutor declared.

     Mr Agyebeng has solidified the case against the contentious Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) contract, alleging that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta approved payments without any technical or operational justification.

    According to the OSP, Ofori-Atta failed to intervene even though SML openly lacked the necessary capacity, expertise, and tools to execute its contract. Instead, he allegedly remained complicit, approving payments from the Consolidated Fund, the Petroleum Revenue Account, and the Tax Refund Account.

    The OSP’s investigation concluded, “Had he not been personally benefiting from the SML’s unlawfully procured contracts, the openly displayed by SML of a lack of capacity’s expertise and tools would have immediately triggered his intervention to halt payments to SML and demand accountability. Instead, he looked on conspiratorially in silence, while endorsing and approving payments to SML from the Consolidated Fund, Petroleum Revenue Account, and Tax Refund Account with no technical or operational basis,” the OSP said during a press conference on Thursday, October 30.

    The OSP’s findings expose SML’s clear inability to perform the revenue assurance services it was contracted for, which included key responsibilities such as transaction audits and external price verification.

    According to the investigation, the continuous “troubleshooting displayed during this period was born of the unlawful imposition of SML in the space and the still lingering reality of SML’s lack of capacity to carry out transaction audits and external price verification.”

    Even after 15 months of engagement, SML reportedly “had no system in place to receive CCVRs” (customs control and valuation records), the essential data needed to execute its tasks. Additionally, the existing data provider, West Blue, was under “no legal obligation to release the vital data” to SML.

    As a result, the assigned work remained uncompleted, yet the company “continued to be paid,” reinforcing the OSP’s conclusion that the situation led to a financial loss to the state.

    It is important to note that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been declared wanted by the OSP for causing financial loss to the state in several dealings, including the contractual arrangement between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority for the stated objective of enhancing revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and minerals and metals resource value chain.

    The activities of SML came to light years ago after Manasseh Azure Awuni raised contractual breaches in a deal involving the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).

    The original purpose of the GRA-SML contract was to boost revenue assurance in vital sectors of Ghana’s economy, including the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals value chain. The goal was to streamline revenue collection, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in these high-revenue sectors.

    Following concerns, an in-depth audit was carried out by international firm KPMG, commissioned by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The audit was launched to examine the contractual agreements between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML, with a particular focus on the procedures and approvals related to the contract.

    The KPMG audit uncovered significant procedural errors and regulatory violations in awarding the contract. Specifically, the GRA did not obtain the required approvals from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and failed to seek parliamentary oversight before finalising the agreement with SML.

    The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) entered into six service agreements with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) using the single-source procurement method without obtaining approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).

    The first agreement, covering Transaction Audit Services, was signed on June 1, 2018. This was followed by a Contract Extension on January 1, 2019. On April 1, 2019, the GRA entered into another agreement with SML for External Price Verification Services. Subsequently, on October 3, 2019, the two parties signed a Consolidation Services Agreement, which combined the Transaction Audit and External Verification Services.

    That same day, a separate agreement was also signed for the Measurement Audit of Downstream Petroleum Products. Later, on July 29, 2020, an Addendum to the Measurement Audit for Downstream Petroleum Products Agreement was executed.

    The audit report also revealed that SML owes the government over GHC31 million in taxes.

    During the period from September 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021, a bulk payment to SML covering invoices for eight months did not have VAT and WHT deductions, amounting to GHC13.38 million. This contradicts GRA’s standard practice of deducting such taxes for payments to SML between June 1, 2020, and August 31, 2023.

    Additionally, SML failed to fulfil its statutory obligations by neither filing returns nor remitting these taxes to the GRA. Pursuant to Section 71(1) of the RA Act, the accrued interest on the tax liability is estimated at GHC18.50 million owed by SML to the GRA as of January 31, 2024. Consequently, the total liability incurred by SML amounts to GHC31.88 million.

  • Ofori-Atta approved payments to SML without technical basis – OSP

    Ofori-Atta approved payments to SML without technical basis – OSP

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has solidified its case against the contentious Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) contract, alleging that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta approved payments without any technical or operational justification.

    According to the OSP, Ofori-Atta failed to intervene even though SML openly lacked the necessary capacity, expertise, and tools to execute its contract.

    Instead, he allegedly remained complicit, approving payments from the Consolidated Fund, the Petroleum Revenue Account, and the Tax Refund Account.

    The  OSP’s investigation concluded, “Had he not been personally benefiting from the SML’s unlawfully procured contracts, the openly displayed by SML of a lack of capacity’s expertise and tools would have immediately triggered his intervention to halt payments to SML and demand accountability. Instead, he looked on conspiratorially in silence, while endorsing and approving payments to SML from the consolidated fund, petroleum revenue account, and Tax Refund account with no technical or operational basis.” OSP said during a press conference on Thursday, October 30.

    OSP’s findings exposes SML’s clear inability to perform the revenue assurance services it was contracted for, which included key responsibilities such as transaction audits and external price verification.

    According to the investigation, the continuous “troubleshooting displayed during this period was born of the unlawful imposition of SML in the space and the still lingering reality of SML’s lack of capacity to carry out transaction audits and external price verification.”

    Even after 15 months of engagement, SML reportedly “had no system in place to receive ccvrs” (customs control and valuation records), the essential data needed to execute its tasks.

    Additionally, the existing data provider, West Blue, was under “no legal obligation to release the vital data” to SML.

    As a result, the assigned work remained uncompleted, yet the company “continued to be paid,” reinforcing the OSP’s conclusion that the situation led to a financial loss to the state.

    It is important to note that the former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been declared wanted by the OSP for causing financial loss to the state in several dealings, which include the contractual arrangement between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority for the stated objective of the enhancement of revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and minerals and metals resource value chain.

    The activities of SML came to light years ago after Manasseh Azure Awuni raised contractual breaches in a deal involving Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).

    The original purpose of the GRA-SML contract was to boost revenue assurance in vital sectors of Ghana’s economy, including the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals value chain.

    The goal was to streamline revenue collection, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in these high-revenue sectors.

    Following concerns, an in-depth audit was carried out by international firm KPMG, commissioned by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    The audit was launched to examine the contractual agreements between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML, with a particular focus on the procedures and approvals related to the contract.

    The KPMG audit uncovered significant procedural errors and regulatory violations in awarding the contract. Specifically, the GRA did not obtain the required approvals from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and failed to seek parliamentary oversight before finalizing the agreement with SML

    The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) entered into six service agreements with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) using the single-source procurement method without obtaining approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).

    The first agreement, covering Transaction Audit Services, was signed on June 1, 2018. This was followed by a Contract Extension on January 1, 2019.

    On April 1, 2019, the GRA entered into another agreement with SML for External Price Verification Services. Subsequently, on October 3, 2019, the two parties signed a Consolidation Services Agreement, which combined the Transaction Audit and External Verification Services.

    That same day, a separate agreement was also signed for the Measurement Audit of Downstream Petroleum Products. Later, on July 29, 2020, an Addendum to the Measurement Audit for Downstream Petroleum Products Agreement was executed.

    The audit report also revealed that SML owes the government over GHC31 million in taxes.

    During the period from 1 September 2020 to 30 April 2021, a bulk payment to SML covering invoices for an 8-month period did not have VAT and WHT deductions, amounting to GHE13.38 million.

    This contradicts GRA’s standard practice of deducting such taxes for payments to SML between 1 June 2020 and 31 August 2023.

    Additionally, SML failed to fulfil its statutory obligations by neither filing returns nor remitting these taxes to GRA.

    Pursuant to Section 71(1) of the RA Act, the accrued interest on the tax liability is estimated at GHC18.50 million owed by SML to GRA as of 31 January 2024. Consequently, the total liability incurred by SML amounts to GHC31.88 million.

    In May 2024, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, noted that the then Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta had a role to play in the controversial deal.

    “The SML or SMEL deal is a clear example of what Justice Dotse described as a create, loot and share. One thing Ghanaians must bear in mind is that all of these happened with the tacit approval of the then Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.”

    “As usual, he is trying to run under the radar and people are failing to realise, the key cardinal role he played in this entire arrangement,” he stated while speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, May 25.

    In February this year, SML dragged Azure Awuni to court, claiming that Manasseh referred to its agreement with the government as “the biggest scam” and labeled the deal as “shady” while branding the entire situation “the SML scandal.”

    SML was seeking several remedies from the court, including: GHS1,000,000 in general damages for defamation, GHS20,000,000 in exemplary damages for what it describes as malicious reporting, a perpetual injunction to prevent Manasseh from making further defamatory claims about the company, public retraction and apology specifically for statements made in Chapter 28 of his book and any other reliefs the court deems appropriate.

  • Police interdict officers captured in video allegedly taking bribe

    Police interdict officers captured in video allegedly taking bribe

    The Bono Regional Police Command has interdicted some of its officers who were caught taking bribes in a viral video from motorists.

    In a statement shared by the Ghana Police Service and signed by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, the officers involved have been identified to assist with investigation.

    “The Bono Regional Police Command has initiated an investigation into a video circulating on social media that shows some police officers allegedly taking money from motorists. The officers involved have been identified and interdicted to allow for a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident,” the statement dated October 29 indicated.

    The Command has therefore assured the public of its commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability among its personnel.


    During the first quarter of the year, President John Dramani Mahama stressed the need for urgent reforms to eliminate corruption within the Ghana Police Service, emphasizing that transparency and accountability must be at the core of law enforcement.

    Speaking at the Jubilee House on Friday, March 14, during the swearing-in ceremony of Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mahama underscored how corruption erodes public trust and weakens the justice system.

    He highlighted that maintaining integrity within the police service is essential for enforcing the rule of law and safeguarding national security.

    “Mr IGP, your duty extends beyond maintaining law and order; it also involves eliminating corruption from the service,” he stated.

    He warned that corruption among law enforcement officers diminishes confidence in the police, making it difficult to uphold justice and combat crime effectively.

    To counter these challenges, Mahama called on IGP Yohuno to take decisive action against unethical conduct, including bribery and abuse of power, to restore credibility to the service.

    He insisted that corruption at all levels must be met with strict enforcement measures and accountability.

    “It is imperative that officers at all ranks are held to the highest ethical standards, and any form of malpractice, from bribery to abuse of power, must be swiftly and decisively addressed,” he asserted.

    Mahama expressed his belief that under Yohuno’s leadership, the police service would undergo much-needed reforms, ensuring that the institution regains the full confidence and respect of the Ghanaian public.

    In 2022, a survey conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service with other stakeholders in the fight against corruption ranked the Ghana Police Service as the most corrupt institution among 23 other institutions sampled.

    This was revealed in a research dubbed; corruption in Ghana, People’s Experiences and View.

    The aim of the survey was to unearth corrupt institutions and make available data that will guide the formulation of policies that will look at nipping corruption in the bud.

    The survey indicated that more than 17.4 million bribes were paid in 2021 with police officers topping the list of officials who take bribes at 53.2%.

    The Ghana Immigration Service Officers and GRA customs officers come next, at 37.4% and 33.6% respectively, while elected government representatives are at the bottom of the list at 2.9%.

    According to the survey, people with the highest level of (tertiary) education were 1.6 times more likely to have paid a bribe than people with no formal education.

    Also, ten out of the 16 administrative regions recorded a prevalence of bribery higher than the national average.

    There are, however, sizable variations across the 16 regions of the country.

    The prevalence of bribery in the Bono East, Savannah and Volta regions, for example, is substantially lower than the national rate, at 11.8, 14.5 and 19.1 per cent, respectively.

    Also in the Western North, Ahafo and North East regions, bribery is substantially higher, at 53.4, 47.0 and 41.9 per cent, respectively.

    Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Ghana Police Service have reaffirmed their commitment to working closely in the fight against corruption following a high-level engagement between their respective leaderships on Thursday, 8 May.

    Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, in what marked their first formal interaction since the IGP’s assumption of office.

    The visit aimed to strengthen ties and enhance coordinated law enforcement efforts between the two key state institutions.

    Article image 1

    During the meeting, Mr. Agyebeng emphasized the necessity of institutional synergy, stressing that while the OSP holds independent investigative and prosecutorial authority under Act 959, collaboration with the Police Service remains central to advancing its nationwide anti-corruption efforts. He highlighted the importance of tapping into the Police Service’s broad presence across the country to boost the reach and efficiency of the OSP’s mandate.

    Inspector-General Yohuno expressed full support for the renewed partnership, pledging the Police Service’s dedication to aiding the OSP in rooting out corruption. He acknowledged that addressing corruption effectively requires a unified and strategic approach among state agencies and called for continuous cooperation, especially in intelligence gathering and sharing.

    Senior Police officers who participated in the meeting commended the OSP for its persistent pursuit of accountability and transparency in public life. They reaffirmed their interest in promoting closer institutional collaboration to combat corruption and related offenses.

    The Special Prosecutor was joined by Mr. Emmanuel Basintale, Director of Investigations at the OSP. Receiving them were several top police officials, including COP Iddi Lansah Seidu, COP Ernest Owusu, COP Okyere Darko Asumadu, and DCOP Kofi Blagodzie.

    The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to intensify joint efforts aimed at fostering integrity and strengthening rule of law across Ghana.

  • My early years in London made me a sad African because Afrobeat was unpopular – Tiwa Savage

    My early years in London made me a sad African because Afrobeat was unpopular – Tiwa Savage

    Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage, has revealed that her early years in London made her a sad African because Afrobeat was unpopular.

    “I remember growing up in London and I was not happy being African. But now I’m so proud because of how big Afrobeats is growing,” she said.

    Her comments come amid claims from some industry figures, including Paul Okoye (Paulo) and DJ Big N, that Afrobeats is currently declining.

    Tiwa Savage currently disputes the claim due to her belief that, Afrobeats is now the fastest-growing in the world.

    According to her, the genre was developed with nothing, “no support, no infrastructure, no real belief even from our own people initially.”

     But it is now shaping global cultures and inspiring young Africans to embrace who they are.

    “There was a conversation at one point that Afrobeats was going to have its 15 minutes of fame and then fade away. But we are still here. We are not slowing down. We’re filling stadiums, and we have the biggest songs on the charts right now,” she stated.

    Tiwa Savage added that Afrobeats has become a force that cannot be silenced.

    “As much as they are trying to quiet us down, the music is not going anywhere. We are Africans and we are unstoppable,” she added.

    Meanwhile, Tiwa Savage has stated that she is not comfortable with being referred to as the “Queen of Afrobeats.”

    “Yeah, they call me the Queen of Afrobeats, but there are a lot of us that are Queens,” she said on GhanaWeb’s X Space on September 12, 2025.

    The award-winning artist believes that many other female artists deserve such a title.

    Meanwhile, renowned event MC and entertainment pundit, MC Portfolio, has shared his view on whether Stonebwoy deserves recognition as one who introduced the Afro-Dancehall genre or not.

    During a conversation on GhanaWeb Entertainment’s X Space on Friday, July 4, MC Portfolio emphasized that an individual cannot claim ownership of the English word “Afro‑Dancehall,” as a genre.

    He asserts that it demands a clear brand and an ambassador to carry it forward.

    “You cannot leave out Stonebwoy. He has been someone who is very vocal and intentional about drumming the genre. We are not being fair to Stonebwoy if we don’t give him his flowers,” he asserted.

    In an unrelated event, veteran dancehall musician Samini has warned netizens to resist attempts likely to spark a feud between him and Stonebwoy, another dancehall artiste.

    This comes after the “My Own” hitmaker was questioned on X about his contribution to championing the Afro-dancehall genre.

    The user with an account name Repost King noted, “Smh… assuming you right, how well did you champion this. What has been your effort in bringing to light Afro-dancehall. The fact that you advised him on fusing ayigbe to his songs doesn’t make you the originator. You are a legend undisputed but Afro-dancehall has always been 1Gad’s.”

    In response, Samini stated, “Put some respect on my name G. SMH I blame @stonebwoy. Tell me the difference. After that tell me who named it and who renamed it. Don’t make me and @stonebwoy fight ooo. He knows the truth I beg. DONT. Man start vex these foolish newbies. Massa talk to your fans oooo. Yooooo.”

    Stonebwoy takes pride in being the pioneer of the Afro-dancehall genre, which has provided a nurturing environment for numerous emerging artists.

    The award-winning singer, who has earned the title of one of the country’s greatest exports, is fulfilled to have witnessed the growth and widespread use of Afro-Dancehall tunes.

    “It is literally broken down as Afrobeat and dancehall. It is very simple in that context. I am only very confident enough to have coined this name more than a decade ago and I have been living up to it till today.

    “I believe that it is a very beautiful space to be in. It will interest you to know that there are tons of African youths who are into the Afro-dancehall style and paying a lot of respect to the name, Stonebwoy for being a fierce force and pushing this to the world,” the dancehall musician elaborated in an interview on +44 Podcast with Sideman & Zeze Millz in May 2023.

    Article image 1

    Stonebwoy paid tribute to the founding founders and big names who created the dancehall genre and saw it grow.

    Afro-Dancehall was birth when young Stonebwoy received a calling back in 2007. It took careful deliberation and hard work to come out with the perfect name that suits this kind of music which combines African sounds and dancehall.

    “My history with Afro-dancehall is that I should be, you know what they say that an idea is not in one man’s head…it will interest you to know that I have been pushing Afro-dancehall as a coin as a term from early when I started my career before I launched properly. It was the calling I had…I sat and wonder what I was going to call it and as far as 2007 and 2008, I have been about it,” he said.

    The hitmaker has been making waves following the release of his 17-track album titled ‘5th Dimension’ in April 2023.

    Stonebwoy was adjudged the Best Reggae/Dancehall Artiste at the 24th edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music (VGMA).

    Last year, he triumphed at the 2024 International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRWMA) by clinching the prestigious title of Best African Dancehall Entertainer.

    The event, held at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center in Fort Lauderdale on March 22nd, 2024, marked the 41st anniversary of the awards ceremony and highlighted exceptional talent while also promoting Health Awareness.

    Among the other notable winners were Nigerian star Wizkid, who secured the Best Afrobeat Entertainer award, and Burna Boy, who took home three awards for Best African Entertainer, Best Music Video, and Best Crossover Song with “Talibans II.”Additionally, Seun Paul was honored with the esteemed Emperor of Reggae & World Music category.

  • “We didn’t like you but your consistency is impressive” – Arnold tells Wendy Shay

    “We didn’t like you but your consistency is impressive” – Arnold tells Wendy Shay

    Entertainment pundit Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo has openly admitted to Afropop singer Wendy Shay that he is deeply impressed by her remarkable growth in the music industry, despite facing early criticism and a lack of appreciation.

    He explained that the negative perception many Ghanaians, including himself, had toward Wendy Shay in her early days was partly due to the nation still mourning the untimely death of the late Ebony Reigns.

    Arnold acknowledged, however, that Wendy Shay’s resilience and determination have paid off, making her one of the few artists who have successfully risen above public doubt to solidify their place in Ghana’s music scene.

    “I was the few people who did not like you when you were introduced on the Ghana Music Awards stage because of the love we had for Ebony. But then you won me over over the period. I remember when I told you about how impressed I am with your growth. Even the way you answered questions and how you have grown. I am super impressed. Because you’ve been very consistent. Since the time you were unveiled on that stage,” he said in a conversation on United Showbiz.

    Months ago, Wendy shared some of the challenges she encountered with family members due to trolls on social media.

    According to her, netizens chided her over their belief that she was doing all she could to imitate the late Ebony Reigns.

    During an appearance on Afrobeats Podcast with Adesope Shopsydoo, the ‘It’s Too Late‘ hitmaker revealed that her mother suggested she return to Germany.

    According to her, some family members were shy to associate with her.

    “At a point, my mum asked me to quit music and return to Germany because the trolling was overwhelming and it affected everyone in my family,” she said. “Some of my relatives were even kind of shy to associate with me at the time.”

    “Imagine they take your face, edit it to make you look like an old woman, and start mocking and laughing at you. They even said I wasn’t talented enough. It was crazy. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, but it built me,” Wendy added.

    Despite these challenges, Wendy Shay established herself as one of Ghana’s most recognized female artistes.

    Her first single titled “Uber Driver” shot her to the limelight, followed by other chart-topping hits such as “Heat”, “Stevie Wonder” featuring Shatta Wale, “Emergency” and “Survivor.”

    Wendy’s latest hit, “It’s Too Late,” has been enjoying massive attention across media platforms and is topping charts globally after a schoolgirl in Ashaiman, Tracy, went viral dancing to the song.

    The video quickly gained traction, with many praising her energy and talent. However, some critics questioned her choice of attire and expressions, calling them inappropriate for a child.

    Despite the mixed reactions, the music star was moved by Tracy’s enthusiasm and decided to take action.

    Wendy Shay, who had performed at Ridoana Comprehensive School during the All Ashaiman Schools Festival, returned to honor the young girl. In a touching video shared on her social media, Wendy spoke to the school’s students and staff, recounting the moment she first saw Tracy perform.

    “About a week ago, I came here to this school to perform, and during my performance, there was this talented, beautiful, shining star—Tracy—dancing and singing passionately to my song ‘Too Late.’ The video went viral and is still trending. So I came back today to say thank you and to reward my little star, my shining star, Tracy,” Wendy said, her words filled with pride.

    In a moment of true generosity, Wendy Shay announced a full educational scholarship for Tracy, covering her education from Class 5 all the way through to university.

    The award-winning artiste, who has bagged honours at both the 3Music Awards and the Ghana Music Awards, credits her resilience and the unwavering support from her fans for her continued success.

    She spoke out against the backlash surrounding a viral video of a teenage girl dancing at one of her recent performances.

    The video, which circulated widely on social media on April 3, 2025, captured the young girl dancing enthusiastically to Wendy Shay’s latest song, Too Late, which contains explicit lyrics.

    While the girl’s passion impressed some viewers, others expressed concern about the setting of the performance, criticizing Wendy for performing such a song in front of minors. The young girl also became a target of online trolls, with some social media users mocking her moves and labeling her dance as overly sensual.

    In reaction to the growing criticism, Wendy Shay took to social media to share her thoughts, highlighting how many were failing to recognize the girl’s potential and confidence. She wrote:

    Wendy went on to condemn the negativity flooding the comment sections and stressed the importance of nurturing young talent rather than discouraging it.

    She continued, “My performance over the weekend has put light on a little girl dancing passionately and happily in the crowd and it’s surprising how some people cannot easily identify a talented and confident child when they see one.

    “I see a lot of negative comments under the post, and it is heartbreaking because what I see is a beautiful, talented, and confident young girl who could become a professional dancer or a musician if she is carefully guided,” she said.

    She concluded her post by urging critics to adopt a more constructive mindset and stop tearing down young people expressing themselves creatively, “Let us advance our mindset and see positivity in things like this.

    Her response has sparked a wave of support from fans and social media users who agree that young talents should be encouraged rather than attacked.

  • Ghana cedi printed abroad due to lack of infrastructure – BoG

    Ghana cedi printed abroad due to lack of infrastructure – BoG

    Head of Currency at the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dominic Owusu has explained why the Ghana cedi is currently printed abroad and not in the country.

    According to him, the country lacks the infrastructure needed to print banknotes that matches up with international standards.

    In an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb Business during the launch of Cedi@60 celebration in Accra on October 28, 2025, Mr Owusu revealed that there are just a few companies in the whole wide world with technologies to print legal tenders.

    “Currency printing is not only Ghana who prints its currency outside. I think in the world, I can count not more than 20 printers, so it means that every country, some countries, print,” he said.

    The Head of Currency at BoG also disclosed that the government is working around the clock to engage international partners for the establishment of such equipment here in the country.

    “Even if you have a printing facility, you would still be importing all the raw materials. I can tell you for sure that Nigeria has a printing facility but they import a lot of their money. So, looking at where we are and the rate of technological advancement, you want to relax and then do very good contract obligations with the best printers in the world and print the best currency, which the Ghana cedi is also part of,” he stated.

    The Ghanaian cedi marked its 60th anniversary on Tuesday, October 28, symbolizing the nation’s economic independence. To commemorate the milestone, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) held an official launch at the Accra International Conference Center under the theme, “60 Years of the Cedi: A Symbol of Sovereignty, Stability, and Economic Resilience.”

    The celebration represented Ghana’s economic journey and resilience over the past six decades. Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang graced the occasion alongside other government officials.

    Since its introduction on July 19, 1965, the cedi has undergone several reforms and redesigns to reflect the nation’s evolving economic landscape.

    Speaking at the event, the BoG Governor, Johnson Pandit Asiama, noted that the celebration aims to rekindle public confidence in the national currency.

    Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana will begin selling portions of its gold reserves in exchange for foreign currency to banks and other market participants under its Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

    According to the BoG, only approved banks will be permitted to participate in the auctions, which are scheduled to take place every week. Speaking at a meeting with heads of commercial banks in Accra, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama, said the exercise will be fair and transparent to ensure equal access for all market participants.

    “Beginning October 2025, the Bank of Ghana will commence foreign exchange (FX) intermediation under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, with plans to sell up to US$1.15 billion for the month. These sales will be conducted on a spot basis through twice-weekly, price-competitive auctions open to all licensed banks,” he said.

    The Ghana cedi’s strong performance was a central theme highlighted by President John Mahama in an interaction with potential investors in Singapore and Japan, barely a week ago. President Mahama emphasised the robust performance of the local currency to underscore Ghana’s macroeconomic stability and attractiveness as a destination for foreign capital.

    However, the cedi’s brief gains have proven short-lived, after its rapid depreciation made it the worst-performing currency in a latest report by a global financial news outlet, Bloomberg. According to Bloomberg’s recent report released on Thursday, September 4, the Ghana cedi is the worst-performing currency among all trading currencies, attributing the depreciation to a surge in demand for dollars by companies paying for imports. “A surge in demand for dollars by companies paying for imports has ended the Ghana cedi’s recent strong performance,” Bloomberg said.

    Bloomberg explained that the new development is attributed to the“strong gold prices”, while emphasizing that Ghana’s cedi has seen more than a ten percent (10%) depreciation in the current quarter. This, Bloomberg noted has erased the fifty percent gain against the dollar in April and June, Bloomberg detailed. According to the Bloomberg the cedi traded 0.1 per cent weaker at GH¢11.9507 per dollar at 1:50 a.m. Despite the losses, it has gained 23 per cent so far this year.

    “Now, the currency, which had ranked first globally on the back of strong gold prices, has weakened by 13 per cent in the current quarter. Bloomberg data showed this was the steepest fall worldwide, erasing part of the 50 per cent gain recorded between April and June”, the report said.

    But Bloomberg has indicated that “Despite the losses, it has gained 23 per cent so far this year based on market data. Reacting to Bloomberg’s report, the Bank of Ghana (BoG), noted “The cedi should be stable within a reasonable range,” the central bank said in an emailed response. Our role is to ensure fluctuations remain orderly, that they reflect fundamentals, and that they do not undermine confidence in the broader economy”.

    Bloomberg in April this year, ranked the cedi as the best-performing currency with a sixteen per cent (16%) gain against the dollar. What made the cedi earn the tag as the worst-performing currency is as a result of it seeing the steepest decline on the global level. The cedi’s appreciation in the last eight months helped ease inflationary pressures, pushing consumer inflation down to 21.2 per cent, the lowest in eight months at the time.

    Ghana’s import-dependent economy brings in a wide range of goods, from food to machinery, with demand typically rising toward the end of the year as businesses prepare for the Christmas season. The higher demand for dollars has piled pressure on the cedi, while the Bank of Ghana’s (BoG) limited supply of foreign exchange has added to the strain.

    Head of Market-Risk Management at UMB Bank, Mr Hamza Adam, said banks that submitted dollar requests on behalf of clients to the Bank of Ghana last week received only half of what they asked for.

    “This week the central bank is trying to meet all demand,” he said by phone from Accra on September 3, 2025.

    Before Bloomberg reported on the cedi, BoG addressed the concerns of Ghanaians concerning the fast depreciation of the cedi, calling for calm. Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr. Johnson Asiama, during an interview with Joy Business, which was aired on Wednesday, August 27, mentioned that the current depreciation of the cedi was temporary, assuring a comeback soon.

    “The Bank of Ghana operates a managed floating system in terms of framework; therefore, these blips will happen. But the assurance is that this is a short-term issue, and the challenges are being addressed,” he assured.

  • Fabrication, importation, use of Changfan machines without permit prohibited – EPA

    Fabrication, importation, use of Changfan machines without permit prohibited – EPA

    The fabrication, importation, sale, and use of ‘Changfan’ machines in Ghana, has been ban with immediate effect the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

    The move is a response to severe environmental destruction caused by the usage of the machines for illegal mining activities.

    According to a statement issued by the authority on October 29, 2025, the EPA addressed users of the machine without necessary authorization.

    “The fabrication, importation, and use of Changfan machines without EPA permit are prohibited. Any workshops or shops found producing or selling these machines will be shut down, and all existing equipment will be seized and dismantled,” the EPA stated.

    It warned all those engaged in illegal mining activities, otherwise known as galamsey, to desist from the practice.

    “The Authority also issues a final warning to individuals, groups, and companies engaged in mining within water bodies to stop such illegal activities immediately as these actions are serious violations of national environmental and mining regulations,” it noted.

    The EPA stated that it would carry out enforcement operations in collaboration with security agencies to ensure full compliance through monitoring, seizure, and prosecution where necessary.

    Read the full statement below:

    Ghana’s annual food import bill which amounts to $3.5 billion could rise further if the government fails to act against illegal mining.

    This is as a result of a new study by Pure Earth and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposing the extensive contamination of mercury, arsenic, lead and other heavy metals across artisanal and small-scale gold mining areas. 

    Thus, the Executive Director of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, Bismark Nortey, warned that the cost for food import may exacerbate if farmlands and water resources are not protected.

    “I urge all ministries and government agencies responsible to use this report as a benchmark to protect our farmers. If the situation continues and farmers are forced to abandon production, the impact on our nation will be catastrophic. The current amount we spend on food imports, which we have already complained about, could escalate even more if nothing is done, especially as Ghanaian consumers become increasingly cautious about the safety of locally produced food,” he told Citi Business News.

    The year-long study titled, Mercury and Other Heavy Metals Impact Assessment, conducted from August 2024 to September 2025 by Pure Earth in collaboration with the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), examined soil, water, air, fish, and food crops in six regions: Ashanti, Eastern, Central, Western, Western North, and Savannah.

    Earlier this year, when Ghana’s annual food import stood at about $2 billion, the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) called on the government to make strategic investments in the agricultural sector to reduce the country’s growing dependence on import.

    The association insisted that Ghana has the capacity to produce a significant portion of its imported food items locally if the right policies and support systems are put in place.

    Acting Executive Director of PFAG, Bismark Nortey, emphasized the need for urgent policy interventions to boost productivity and lower the cost of food production.

    Speaking to Citi Business News, he noted that the high cost of agricultural inputs and services were major contributors to food price inflation in the country.

    “Currently, one of the major causes of high cost of food is the fact that we are spending so much on production. We are spending so much on cost of input and agricultural services. These are because these things are so high. If the government can find a mechanism to either subsidize or reduce the prices of these inputs, then we can produce at low cost and that will translate into high productivity,” he said.

    Mr Nortey further highlighted the pressing need for improved access to mechanized farming to replace the outdated reliance on manual labor.

    “If you go to a lot of farming districts, they have no access to mechanization, so we are still using the hoe and cutlass which is not helping,” he stated.

    He stressed that with targeted investments in smallholder farming, infrastructure, and all-year-round agricultural production, Ghana could significantly cut down on its food imports and strengthen its food security.

    “If we are able to invest in agriculture, we are able to invest in smallholder farming and infrastructure, I am sure the kind of monies that we spend on importing the food we have the capacity to produce…we are one step away from reducing our dependence on that food import,” he added.

    The PFAG believed that prioritizing agriculture through policy reforms and financial support would not only ease Ghana’s reliance on imported food but also create jobs, enhance food security, and strengthen the local economy.

    In 2024, the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) issued a grave warning about a potential generational food and nutrition crisis if immediate action was not taken against illegal mining.

    The Association called on the government to impose a ban on these activities to safeguard the environment, protect farmers’ livelihoods, and ensure food security.

    In a statement released on Tuesday, September 10, PFAG highlighted the severe impacts of illegal mining on Ghana’s agriculture. Over 1.2 million hectares of farmland has been lost to these activities, while vital water bodies and irrigation facilities have been polluted, complicating efforts to maintain sustainable agricultural production.

    The Association noted that the cocoa sector and food crop production have been particularly hard hit, with farmers struggling to access clean water and fertile soil. PFAG warned that if these issues are not addressed, they could lead to a catastrophic generational food crisis.

    “Failure to act now will have devastating consequences for future generations,” PFAG stressed, adding that they support an immediate ban on illegal mining. They also encouraged farmers to back efforts to end these harmful practices.

    Major rivers, including the Bonsa and Pra, have suffered severe pollution from toxic chemicals used in mining operations. Additionally, forest reserves such as Tano Nimiri have been irreversibly damaged. Health unions, concerned about the widespread environmental degradation, have echoed the call for a ban as a critical measure to prevent further harm.

    Under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), the Inspections and Compliance Division of the Minerals Commission is responsible for conducting mine inspections and ensuring adherence to mining laws. The Act also mandates that licensed miners operate within legal parameters.

    However, PFAG pointed out that regulatory institutions have struggled to enforce these laws effectively, with some mining companies continuing operations in violation of regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tasked with integrating environmental policy and planning to ensure long-term maintenance of environmental quality, but its efforts have not been sufficient to curb illegal mining.

    In a related event, some unions, led by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and supported by groups like the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) and the Health Services Workers Union of Ghana (TUC), are calling for a ban on small-scale mining, citing serious environmental and public health concerns tied to illegal mining.

  • “I depend on my church for food and clothing” – Agbeko

    “I depend on my church for food and clothing” – Agbeko

    Ghanaian rapper Agbeko has revealed that years of drug addiction have taken a toll on his health and memory, worsening his struggles while living on the streets.

    In an interview with Hitz FM’s Andy Dosty, monitored by The Independent Ghana, he confessed that he currently depends on the generosity of strangers and members of his church, Holy Hill Chapel, who support him with meals and clothing.

    “The clothes I’m wearing were given to me by my church,” he noted.

    Agbeko also shared that he occasionally finds it difficult to identify familiar faces from his past.

    “I realized I have an issue of memory loss,” he said. “I start to forget people I know really well. It’s serious, and I feel like I need medical attention.”

    He noted that the situation often leads to confusion, as some people think he is deliberately avoiding them when he genuinely cannot recall who they are.

    “They think I’m showing off, but they don’t know what I’m going through,” he said.

    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 mother of musician holds his former managers responsible for his current struggles, accusing them of prioritizing profits over his well-being.

    She claims that those who handled his career turned a blind eye to the harmful effects of drug use, focusing only on the money they could make from his performances.“His managers are the reason why he turned out the way he did. They did not care about his health and sanity but rather about their money. They were making money off him while he came home with nothing. According to her, because they were not family, they had no real concern for his welfare. Once they had exhausted him, they abandoned him, leaving his family to pick up the pieces.

    Radio personality Hammer Nti has refuted allegations that he failed to look out for Okomfo Kwadee’s well-being, maintaining that the musician was improving under his care until his family stepped in.

    He pointed out that photos available online serve as proof that Kwadee was in a much better state while staying with him.

    Clarifying his position, Hammer Nti stressed that he was never Kwadee’s manager but rather a devoted friend who took it upon himself to support his recovery.

    However, he expressed disappointment that his efforts have not been acknowledged by Kwadee’s mother.“You can attest to the fact that when I was taking care of Kwadee he looked good. Check from photos online and you’ll know that he was better under my care than he currently is. I am officially not Kwadee’s manager but I decided to take care of him because I love him. I’ve been with him since 2019 because he a brother and a friend I love so much,” he said in an interview with UTV.

    Meanwhile, Okomfo Kwadee’s mother has held his former managers responsible for his current struggles, accusing them of prioritizing profits over his well-being.

    She claims that those who handled his career turned a blind eye to the harmful effects of drug use, focusing only on the money they could make from his performances.

  • Expect to marry “Odowgu” if you are a well-established lady – Uzor Arukwe

    Expect to marry “Odowgu” if you are a well-established lady – Uzor Arukwe

    Popular Nollywood actor, Uzor Arukwe, has encouraged young ladies to work on becoming more valuable while expecting to marry wealthy man.

    This was his response to social media users who were hailing for his exceptional role as “Odowgu” played in a Nigerian movie titled “Love In Every Word.”

    On his X handle, he wrote, “While we are basking in our delulu, it’s important to remember that Odogwu saw Chioma as a valuable woman before throwing his full weight to support her. He didn’t even need to ask what she brings to the table because it was clear she’s an industrious woman.”

    “So as a woman, build value for yourself first, and your Odogwu will locate you to become your helpmate that makes everything easier to handle.”

    Ghanaian actress, Christiana Awuni has advised women in the country who plan to settle down in marriage to do so with wealthy men.

    In an interview with Kofi Adomah, the popular actress firmly stated that women must never harbour the intention of getting married to a man who is poor under any circumstance.

    Christiana Awuni explained that most men who are primarily poor shockingly get a weird taste for some particular women once they begin to make money.

    What this means is that, if you are a woman who decides to stick with a poor man with the hope that you guys are building a life together, he might ditch you when he begins to get money.

    Christiana Awuni defined a rich man as one who has a nice place to stay and can at least provide the basic needs of a lady.

    Actress Salma Mumin has denied allegations that her lavish lifestyle is funded by illicit relationships wealthy men.

    According to her, she owns businesses that funds her lifestyle.

    Adding that, she recieves favors from wealthy men with no strings attached.

    “Yes am stating for a fact that my food business, my clothing business, they funded my lifestyle. And its not just that, I am a very beautiful woman. I’m lucky in my encounters with affluent men. I don’t even attract men who are not wealthy,” Salma indicated.

    In a surprising development, Folorunsho Alakija, Nigeria‘s wealthiest woman, is reportedly facing a marital crisis after over three decades of marriage to her husband, Modupe Alakija.

    The couple, long prominent in Nigerian society, has chosen to separate.

    According to The Will newspaper, the former socialite, now a gospel minister, has officially split from her spouse. Sources close to the situation suggest that frequent disagreements led to their decision to live apart.

    Modupe Alakija, once a regular presence at their upscale residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, is now said to spend nights elsewhere.

    The strain in their relationship has prompted Folorunsho Alakija to seek complete privacy, while her husband seeks alternative housing in Ikoyi.

    The specific reasons for their marital discord remain undisclosed, but some speculate that their status in Nigerian society may have influenced their united front until now.

    Folorunsho Alakija, the founder of FAMFA Oil Limited, has not only made a name for herself as a successful businesswoman but also as a philanthropist and minister. This recent upheaval coincides with rumors about her health, particularly regarding her vision.

    As the nation observes, the end of their 30-year marriage marks a significant chapter in the lives of these influential individuals. We extend our wishes for strength and healing during this difficult period.

    A Twitter user, @budgetOdogwu, recently shared the account of a Nigerian man, known as “Egbon,” who ended his marriage due to financial tensions after his wife refused to work following his success.According to @budgetOdogwu, the Nigerian man, referred to as “Egbon,” initially married his wife while he was working at First Bank.While his wife continued her nursing studies in Port Harcourt, the man was solely responsible for providing the family’s finances at the time.

    However, tensions arose when the man secured a job at Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

    The wife decided to quit her job. Surprised by his wife’s decision to quit her job, he chose to overlook the issue and proceeded to establish a business for her in OkporoDespite his efforts to establish a business for her in Okporo, financial strains persisted, leading to secret wealth accumulation and, eventually, a divorce filing in 2018.

  • Joe mettle is now a mogul , he needs to be studied – Perez Musik

    Joe mettle is now a mogul , he needs to be studied – Perez Musik

    Ghanaian gospel musician Frank Tagoe, known professionally as Perez Musik, has showered praises on fellow artiste Joe Mettle, describing him as a “mugul” whose wisdom and achievements in the music industry are worth studying.

    Perez reflected on Joe Mettle’s remarkable growth and his newly launched multi-purpose studio, emphasizing that his journey truly merits admiration and acknowledgment

    “I knew Joe Mettle when the studio was at Dansoman. The wisdom it takes to achieve what he has achieved and do what he has done is something else. I think he needs to be studied,” Perez Musik told Kwame Dadzie and Doreen Avio on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz on October 27, 2025.

    He is certain that Joe Mettle has advanced beyond the status of an artiste but a mogul in the Industry.

    “Joe Mettle is just not an artist; he has gone beyond being an artist. He is a mogul in the industry now,” Perez stated.

    Perez Musik further noted that Joe Mettle has strengthened both his craft and character through discipline and focus, serving as an inspiration to people within and outside the gospel music scene.

    “He has cemented his artistry, his personality, and his craft beyond doubt. He’s shown what discipline and focus can achieve. I’m greatly encouraged by it,” he added.

    Perez Musik is known for songs such as Blema Tesaa, Hewale Lala, Big God, Glorified, and Kaafo.

    He has currently released a new song titled ‘We Hail You’.

    Renowned gospel musician Joe Mettle has set a record as the first Ghanaian gospel artist to build and launch a full-scale, multi-storey creative facility.

    The studio, Reverb Studios, situated in Sowutuom, Accra, is a modern multimedia and production centre which was launched on Saturday, October 4.

    Reverb Studios, with a motto “Experience Beyond Production,” according to Joe Mettle, was built to suit international standards in terms of client comfort, acoustic engineering and soundproofing, accessibility and booking systems and multi-functional spaces.

    The main studio has the capacity to hold about 150 to 200 people, a good space to allow live music shows, talk shows, and audience recordings.

    Reverb Studios also has three professional audio recording rooms, a video post-production studio for both live and recorded editing.

    Joe Mettle, during a speech at the launch, explained that every part of Reverb Studios was carefully designed to make clients comfortable and inspired.

    It presents guests with beautifully furnished guest rooms, modern restrooms, fully equipped kitchens on each floor (three floors) with contracted chefs to provide meals for clients and guests and it’s accessible to everyone.

    However, to ensure the sustainability of the facility, he added that there will be rules and guidelines for how the space will be put to use.

    The studio’s motto is “Experience Beyond Production.”This means Reverb Studios aims to give clients more than just technical services, it wants to provide a complete creative experience that inspires and supports artists, brands, and event organisers in Ghana and beyond.

    The launch was nothing short of a star-studded event, bringing together numerous creatives from the music, media and movie industry.Some of the well-known people present included Kuami Eugene, Akesse Brempong, Adjetey Anang, Nii Okai, Cwesi Oteng, Roselyn Felli, Arnold Asamoah Baidoo, and Kwesi Ernest.

    On a separate occasion, Perez stated that in a world where everyone wants to access to your life through attacks and criticisms, staying mysterious can be the greatest shield.

    The musician believes that he cannot control how people come at him, but he can control how much of himself he reveals.

    “Attacks are normal. The attacks are many, some of them are physical, some of them are spiritual. Some people would slander you…When you are a mystery to people, they always try to figure out a way to get to you. So, sometimes it’s best to remain the mystery that they know you for because when you talk too much or you show too much you give them a lot to be able to get to you.”

    “Spiritually I would not say they attacked me, but those things happen. But I don’t focus on such things. He who lives in me is greater than he who lives in this world,” Perez Musik stated.

    Perez Musik got married to his wife, Abigail, on November 23, 2024, after overcoming a challenging breakup with his former spouse, Doreen.

    Taking to Instagram, Perez expressed his gratitude to God and shared his excitement about starting this new chapter of his life.

    “Blessed be the Lord who reigns forevermore! #restored,” he wrote.

    Ghanaian-UK-based preacher and gospel musician Sonnie Badu shared how disappointed his colleague, Perez Musik, felt when fellow gospel artists failed to attend his wedding.

    Speaking in an interview on Okay FM on November 26, 2024, Sonnie Badu revealed that the only gospel artist present, apart from himself, was Siisi Beidu.

    The turnout was so poor that Perez Musik was both surprised and delighted to see Sonnie Badu. He even offered him a seat right next to him in appreciation of his presence.

    “I value relationships, and I cherish humanity. When Perez invited me to his wedding, I told him I would come, but he thought I was joking. It was my first time going to Krokobite, and the road was quite challenging, but I made the effort because I wanted to show love.”

    He continued, “When I arrived, the only gospel artiste there was Siisi Beidu. I was glad I came, but Perez was heartbroken. It would have been really sad if I hadn’t shown up. He was so overwhelmed that he asked me to sit beside him, but I felt shy.”

  • “I am not prepared to bury my brother on Dec 6” – Daddy Lumba’s sister

    “I am not prepared to bury my brother on Dec 6” – Daddy Lumba’s sister

    Ernestina Fosu, the elder sister of the late Highlife legend Daddy Lumba, has indicated that she is not prepared to organize Daddy Lumba’s funeral on Dec 6.

    She made this known to the media in the aftermath of a court proceeding at the Kumasi High Court on October 28, 2025.

    “I am not ready for my brother’s funeral on December 6, 2025,” she stated firmly in a video shared on social media.

    Akosua Serwaa filed an injunction against the late musician’s funeral scheduled for December 6, demanding that she be recognized as the only surviving wife of the musician and not Odo Broni, who is currently claiming that title.

    While the court has yet to rule on the spousal status of Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni, the Kumasi High Court has dismissed an injunction application that sought to halt the burial and funeral of the late legend.

    The judgment allows the family to go ahead with burial plans as originally arranged.

    Madam Serwaa’s lawyer, William Kusi, insisted that his client was the musician’s only legally recognized wife and that her rights were being ignored in the funeral preparations. He supported his argument with a civil marriage certificate reportedly issued in Germany as evidence of their union.

    In July this year, a statement by the counsel for the Fosu family confirmed that the music veteran passed on July 26, after a short illness.

    He succumbed to the illness at the Bank Hospital in Accra, per reports.

    The statement read: “With profound sorrow and deep grief, the Fosu family announces the passing of Ghana’s beloved musical icon, Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, who passed away earlier today, Saturday, July 26, 2025, after a short illness.”

    “Daddy Lumba was more than a musician; he was a cultural icon whose music touched countless lives. His soulful voice provided the soundtrack to our love stories, and his poignant lyrics captured the poetry of our struggles, dreams, and resilience.”

    Daddy Lumba was renowned for his incredible talent as a singer, composer, songwriter, recording artist, and producer.

    With an illustrious career that has spanned over three decades, Daddy Lumba was widely regarded as the greatest and most influential musician in Ghanaian history.

    Many artists in Ghana, including Ofori Amponsah, Sarkodie, Kuami Eugene, Paa Solo of Sibo Brothers, Oheneba Kissi, KiDi, and others, consider him their major inspiration in the music industry.

    Daddy Lumba was born 60 years ago to Mr. Johnson Kwadwo Fosuh and Madam Comfort Gyamfi, also known as Ama Saah, in Nsuta, near Mampong in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Both of his parents were teachers, and he was the second of three siblings.

    His educational journey began in Nsuta Kyebi, and he completed junior high school at Suame Methodist, Kumasi in 1979. Subsequently, he attended Adu Gyamfi Senior High School in Jamasi, but later transferred to Juaben Senior High School, where he completed his secondary education in 1984.

    Daddy Lumba’s music career took off in the early 80s when he formed the Nkwanta Wesley Singers, gaining fame at the Anokye Krom Cultural Center.

    During his time at Juaben Senior High School, he led the school choir and composed the song “Lumba Lumba,” dedicated to the freedom fighters in South Africa. This song’s popularity earned him the nickname “Daddy Lumba”, which later became his stage name. He also formed the Lumba Brothers band during his school days, which included his girlfriend at the time, Theresa.

    After completing school, Daddy Lumba, with the help of his high school sweetheart Theresa Abebrese, traveled to Germany. There, he met Ernest Nana Acheampong, and they formed another Lumba Brothers group, recording their debut album, “Yee Ye Aka Akwantuom,” in 1986. Financial constraints delayed the album’s release until 1989, and eventually, the duo split.

    Daddy Lumba then launched his solo career and released his debut solo album, “Obi Ate Meso Buo,” in 1990. The album received immense popularity and critical acclaim, featuring classics like the title track and “Theresa,” dedicated to his ex-lover. He has since released 33 albums, including notable ones like “Sika Asem,” “Aben Wo Ha,” “Wo Ho Kyere,” “Awosoo,” “Give Peace A Chance,” and “Ahenfo Kyiniye.” His latest project, “Ofon Na Edi Asem Fo,” was released in December 2022, reuniting him with longtime collaborator Kweku Mensah.

    In addition to his own success, Daddy Lumba is renowned for nurturing the careers of budding artists who went on to become legends in their own right.

    Some of these artists include Felix Owusu, for whom he produced the debut album “Vida” in 1992, Afia Ampofowaa, Kwabena Sunkwa, Ofori Amponsah with the “Woho Kyere” album in 1999, Selina Orleans, Akua Serwaa Bonsu, Borax, Ateaa Tina, and many others.

    His contributions to Ghanaian music and the support he provides to upcoming talents have solidified his status as an iconic figure in the country’s music industry.

    With his passion, talent, and dedication to the craft, Daddy Lumba continues to be a role model for aspiring musicians, leaving an indelible mark on the rich musical landscape of Ghana.

  • Nana Konadu once pushed me aside when I wanted to take a photo with JJ Rawlings – Mzbel

    Nana Konadu once pushed me aside when I wanted to take a photo with JJ Rawlings – Mzbel

    Veteran Ghanaian singer, Mzbel has shered what she describes as the most embarassing moment of his life with involved the late Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawalings.

     In an interview with media personality Emmanuel Agyemang, the singer narrated that she was invited to join several others to celebrate the late JJ Rawling’s birdthay when he was still alive.

    Mzbel said that was the moment she had the shock of her life.

    “She did something that really pained me. I don’t know what I did, but during the 2016 election campaign, I was reckless. I didn’t know anything about politics, so I was talking anyhow, and I think she didn’t like it. She was annoyed with me.”

    “It was JJ Rawlings’ birthday and we were all invited. I was excited when I saw JJ Rawlings and decided to hug and take pictures with him. When I got there, Nana Konadu pushed me aside. This was at the National Theatre. That was the biggest embarrassment of my life,” Mzbel recalled.

    Ghana is currently mourning the death of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings.

    This information was made public by the Presidency in a press statement today, Thursday, October 23. She passed away at the age of 76.

    The cause of her death is yet to be made known. However, reports suggest that she died at the Ridge Hospital in Accra in the early hours of Thursday. Meanwhile, the Rawlings family and government representatives have yet to issue an official statement regarding her passing at the time of this report.

    Born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast to the late J.O.T. Agyeman and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings served as the First Lady of Ghana from June 4, 1979, to September 24, 1979, during the presidency of Jerry John Rawlings.

    She held the same position again from December 31, 1981, to January 7, 2001. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design at the University of Science and Technology (now KNUST), after specialising in Textiles. She furthered her education at the London College of Arts, where she obtained a Diploma in Interior Design.

    Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings did not stop there; she went on to pursue a Diploma in Advanced Personnel Management from Ghana’s Management Development and Productivity Institute in 1979. At GIMPA, she received a Certificate in Development. She later attended Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, USA, where she pursued a Senior Fellow Diploma in Policy Studies.

    Prior to her involvement in politics and social activism, she worked with the Ghana Tourist Board, the Union Trading Company (UTC) in Accra, and several other organizations.

    As a formidable advocate for women’s rights and social justice, she founded the 31st December Women’s Movement in 1982. The influential non-governmental movement aimed at promoting women’s education, economic empowerment, and legal reforms. Through Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings’ efforts, the Intestate Succession Law (PNDCL 111) was enacted to protect the inheritance rights of widows and children.

    In Ghanaian politics, she is recognized as the founder of the National Democratic Party (NDP), through which she ran for president in 2016. She was succeeded by Mohammed Frimpong, who led the party after she stepped down in 2024.

    She parted ways with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2012, following her defeat to the late President John Atta Mills in the party’s 2011 flagbearer race. She was elected as the NDC’s First Vice Chairperson in 2009.

    In 2018, she launched her book titled It Takes a Woman, which captures her journey in politics and advocacy. Scores of Ghanaians have poured in with their tributes following her passing.

    Recently, she was seen at the Forecourt of the Jubilee House to honour the eight public servants who passed away following the helicopter crash that occurred on August 6 at Adansi in the Ashanti Region. She was also spotted during the Dote Yie funeral rites for the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.

    Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings got married to the late Jerry John Rawlings in 1977 after they both met at Achimota School. The couple had four children — three daughters and one son.

    Their children include Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, a medical doctor and Member of Parliament for the Klottey Korle Constituency; Kimathi Rawlings; Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings; and Amina Rawlings. Unfortunately, Jerry John Rawlings passed away in November 2020 at the age of 73. He was confirmed dead after a short illness at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

    Mrs. Nana Konadu Rawlings’ death comes at a time when the country is still recovering from the loss of eight victims in the tragic military helicopter crash. The deceased included Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator in charge of Human Security, Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed; Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Samuel Sarpong; and Deputy Director-General of NADMO, Samuel Aboagye.

    Others included Squadron Leader Peter Analaa of the Ghana Air Force, Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force, and Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.

    Meanwhile, investigations into the Z-9 helicopter crash have officially begun following the establishment of an investigative board, as announced by the Ministry of Defence.

    The board is chaired by the National Security Coordinator, with members drawn from the Ghana Air Force and the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

    President John Mahama earlier disclosed that the flight data and cockpit voice recorders of the Z-9 Air Force helicopter had been retrieved. He made this announcement during his national address on Thursday, August 7, a day after the incident.

    In the United States, the authority responsible for investigating aircraft accidents is the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The NTSB is an independent federal agency mandated by Congress to investigate every civil aviation accident in the U.S. as well as significant incidents in other modes of transportation, including railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space.

    Since its establishment in 1967, the NTSB has investigated more than 153,000 aviation accidents and thousands of surface transportation events. Its mission is to determine probable causes, examine safety issues, and develop recommendations to prevent similar accidents in the future.

    To date, the Board has issued more than 15,500 safety recommendations to over 2,470 recipients, with an implementation rate of 82 percent for the more than 12,700 recommendations that have been closed.

    In Ghana, the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB) is responsible for investigating plane crashes. On July 6, 2020, former President Nana Akufo-Addo granted executive approval for the laying before Parliament of the Aircraft Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau Bill, 2020.

    The bill sought to establish an autonomous Bureau to conduct investigations into aircraft accidents and incidents in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

  • Court decision to arrest Chairman Wontumi reversed

    Court decision to arrest Chairman Wontumi reversed

    The High Court in Accra has reversed it decision to arrest  Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, who is facing trial by the state for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities(galamsey).

    According to his lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, their absence was due to misinformation regarding the time trials were expected to start as  they thought the case was going to start at 10:00 am, but it started at 9:00 am.

    A report by TV3 also said, the judge indicated that even though the time for Tuesday’s trial was not advertised, he expected Wontumi and his lawyer to be in court at 9:00 am, because that is the time the court sitting starts.

    To this end, the decision to arrest Chairman Wontumi was reversed on the basis that, he and his lawyer were inadequately informed on when they were expected to show up.

    Chairman Wontumi, who is the owner of Akonta Mining Company Limited in the Western Region, is standing trial for allegedly aiding individuals to conduct unlicensed mining operations at the Samreboi concession.

    He is on bail of GHC15 million with three sureties granted by the High Court in Accra. During his first court appearance, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay directed that two out of the three guarantors must justify their bail with ownership of land or property within the court’s jurisdiction.

    Prosecutors have accused Chairman Wontumi, who doubles as the owner of Akonta Mining, and his co-director, Kwame Antwi, of illegally authorizing mining operations without the necessary licenses. The case relates to activities that took place in 2024. Meanwhile, Wontumi has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Deputy Attorney-General, Dr. Srem-Sai, has asked the court to impose stringent bail conditions to prevent him from fleeing.

    “Gold mining is a capital-intensive business, and by their own admission, the accused is a man of substance. It is common knowledge that persons of substance are often greater flight risks,” Dr. Srem-Sai argued.

    On Monday, October 6, Chairman Wontumi appeared at the CID with his lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, following an order from the Attorney-General (A-G), Dr. Dominic Ayine. On Friday, October 3, Dr. Ayine had threatened to arrest him if he failed to surrender to the CID.

    According to the Attorney-General, little progress had been made in investigating the allegations, as key documents were withheld by some officials of the previous administration.

    In April, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, revoked Akonta Mining’s license for illegally mining within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western North Region.

    The Minister noted that the company had extended its illegal activities to both the Aboi and Tano Nimiri Forest Reserves, despite possessing a valid license to operate outside forest reserves.

    In response, the company refuted the claims, stating in a press release: “We are not responsible for the activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. That responsibility lies solely with the Forestry Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.”

    The company added that the accusations were “a deliberate attempt by the Minister to tarnish the reputation of the company. The decision by the Minister to publicly accuse us and call for the revocation of our license without any investigation or hearing is not just unfair, it is a clear breach of natural justice and a politically motivated act.”

    Chairman Wontumi’s expected reappearance comes amid mounting pressure on the Mahama-led administration to end illegal mining activities in the country. The menace continues to threaten Ghana’s water bodies, food crops, forest reserves, and energy infrastructure.

    In a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Friday, October 3, President John Dramani Mahama noted that he can only declare a state of emergency over the issue when his government’s advisors approve it.

    According to him, the advisors believe the country can overcome galamsey by adopting best practices in small-scale mining, including technologies that help neutralize or remove harmful chemicals from water bodies.

    President Mahama added that the country could eradicate the long-term problem if it deployed more troops and invested more resources in the fight. “While we are fighting the menace, I am also saying we should uptake technology in order to protect the environment. So yes, let’s fight illegal mining, but at the same time, let’s bring the new technology that will help us protect our environment.

    “Now with the elephant in the room, state of emergency, yes, I have the power to do it, but the president acts on the advice of the National Security Council. As of now, this moment, the National Security Council believes that we can win the fight against galamsey. Declaring a state of emergency… I want to assure you that the day they advise me otherwise, that boss, now we need a state of emergency, I won’t hesitate,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy has issued a stern warning about the potential future repercussions of galamsey if the country fails to find a lasting solution. During a visit to the Anwomaso Thermal Power Station in Kumasi on Wednesday, October 1, Deputy Ranking Member Collins Adomako-Mensah revealed how Ghana’s power installations are being tampered with by illegal miners.

    According to him, electricity generation authorities—including the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), the Bui Power Authority (BPA), WAPCO Gas Pipeline, and the Volta River Authority—risk shutting down due to attacks on their infrastructure.

    “When we were engaging the other participants, two things came up—one has to do with galamsey, and it is having a heavy, heavy toll on the energy sector, not just about water. GRIDCo complained about galamsey.

    “Their pylons, people are digging where they have a lot of their pylons. Yesterday we were at Bui, and the Bui water situation is deteriorating because of the galamsey situation surrounding their water bodies,” he said.

    In September, GRIDCo expressed grave concern over the encroachment on its transmission tower sites by galamsey operators, who are digging dangerously close to the foundations.

    Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Engineering and Operations, Frank Otchere, stated that maintenance teams now face attacks when attempting to access certain areas.

    “Unfortunately, there are some areas that even when our maintenance teams go there, they get shot at. And some of them have had to run away,” he disclosed, adding that the situation has made it impossible for GRIDCo to operate in certain locations without security support.

    He added that galamseyers are weakening the towers, which are carefully engineered to withstand immense weight and pressure, and appealed for urgent assistance from national security agencies to protect transmission corridors and avert potential collapses.

    “This engagement aims to provide a platform for frank and constructive dialogue between the Government and civil society on the menace of illegal mining, with a view to harnessing collective expertise, perspectives, and solutions to address this national challenge,” the letter stated.

    Ongoing research by a forensic histopathologist and former Head of Pathology at KNUST and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Prof. Dr. Paul Poku Sampene Ossei, has revealed alarming trends in rising cases of spontaneous abortions among pregnant women in Ghana.

    Approximately 500 cases have been recorded, linked to severe contamination of placentas and the presence of heavy metals such as lead and mercury, resulting from galamsey activities. A spontaneous abortion is the unintentional expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus before it is viable.

    Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, September 27, Prof. Sampene warned that galamsey is poisoning unborn babies and endangering mothers. “I have about 500 cases where women go to the hospital and abort their babies because of the concentration of these heavy metals in their placenta,” he disclosed.

    According to him, his research involved over 4,000 placentas examined from different regions across Ghana. The results showed dangerous levels of heavy metal contamination on both the maternal and fetal sides. “The placentas are all contaminated, polluted with heavy metals,” he said.

    The dangers extend beyond pregnancy losses. Another effect of galamsey is the excessive use of alum to address the increasing turbidity of water. Ghana Water Company Limited, the nation’s largest water supplier, has resorted to using higher concentrations of alum. Prof. Sampene cautioned that high levels of aluminium hydroxide pose serious health risks.

    “One of the consequences of excessive alum use is kidney disease, which is already on the rise. Of course, people are talking about turbidity, and then the Water Company is saying that they are using more alum.

    “Alum is aluminium hydroxide. When taken at higher concentrations over a long period, it can cause kidney problems, irritate the respiratory tract, and lead to neurological defects. All these things have been proven, and we have to be very careful about them now. This goes apart from the effects we are seeing around,” he explained.

    Among recent measures to protect water bodies from illegal miners is the deployment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).

    The Secretariat includes the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), the Narcotics Control Commission, and the National Security Secretariat.

    Addressing the security forces, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, directed the team to ruthlessly counter galamsey operators as they are enemies of the state.

    “Any recalcitrant entering into these zones is not merely a trespasser. They are an enemy of the state. You are to be firm. You are to be resolute. You are to be ruthless. And please, take it from me, you will take no obstructionist instruction from any big man. Remember, the biggest man in Ghana is the President of the Republic, and he’s the one who has sent you,” Mr. Kofi-Buah charged.

  • Speaker orders reintroduction of Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

    Speaker orders reintroduction of Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

    Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has directed that the contentious Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill be presented afresh in the current Parliament, noting that it lapsed with the dissolution of the 8th Parliament.

    His ruling brings clarity after days of disagreement among lawmakers, as the Majority Leader maintained that the bill had already been passed and required no reintroduction.

    Bagbin, however, insisted that any unfinished matters from the previous Parliament automatically ended with its dissolution.

    “The eighth Parliament is history. So are all the businesses that were pending in the eighth Parliament. They all ended with the eighth Parliament and so we have a new Parliament — the ninth Parliament — and therefore what was pending there came to an end and has to be reintroduced,” he said.

    The Speaker explained that the bill was sent to former President Nana Akufo-Addo, who chose not to sign it. But, he added, the presidency did not send the bill back to Parliament with an explanation for the refusal, as required by the Constitution.

    “They wrote to tell us that they would not assent to it. The only constitutional error they committed was that they didn’t give us reasons why they would not assent to it, and they did not transmit the bill back to us. They imprisoned it there,” he explained.

    He noted that the 9th Parliament has now reclaimed the bill, which was first introduced by some MPs with support from traditional, religious, and civil society leaders.

    “As you would recall, that’s a private member’s bill, and so members of this House took it up. It went through the whole process as detailed in our Standing Orders. But as it went through the process, the new government indicated that they wanted to take it as a public bill.

    “I personally disagreed and made it known to His Excellency the President that this was an initiative of our people — the traditional leaders, the religious leaders, civil society leaders and so we would process it as a private member’s bill.”

    The Speaker indicated that before the bill can be laid before the House again, he must perform the procedural duties required by the Standing Orders of Parliament.

    “Our rules have given what the speaker is expected to do, which I will do before it can be laid in the House.”

    Days ago, a group of MPs from both the NDC and NPP brought back the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, officially called the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025.

    The bill was presented to the House for its first reading on Tuesday, October 21, marking Parliament’s return from recess.

    Among the MPs sponsoring the bill are John Ntim Fordjour (Assin South), Samuel Nartey George (Ningo-Prampram), Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzra (Ho West), Helen Adjoa Ntoso (Krachi West), Nurideen Muhammed Mummuni (Nalerigu/Gambaga), Vincent Ekow Assafuah (Old Tafo), Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana (Gushegu), Rita Naa Odoley Sowah (Dadekotopon), Dr. Tiah Abdul Kabiru Mahama (Walewale), and Anthony Mmieh (Odotobri).

    The proposed law aims to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities and restrict their promotion and advocacy across the country.

    Parliament initially approved the bill on February 28, 2024, with backing from both sides of the House.

    However, it did not become law, as former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo declined to give his assent.

    Following the dissolution of the 8th Parliament ahead of the 2024 general election—which brought President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC back to power—the bill automatically expired.

    President Mahama has since expressed his support for the overall intent of the legislation but suggested that it should be introduced as a government-sponsored bill rather than one initiated by individual MPs.

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South, Rev. Ntim Fordjour, has indicated that Parliament could take less than three months to give a final verdict on the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill (anti-LBGTQ+).

    He explained that the current bill before Parliament will not go through extensive consultations and debates, as those processes have already been completed. According to him, the upcoming discussions will resume from where the previous deliberations ended. He made this known while speaking to the media on Wednesday, October 22.

    “Within 3 months to 6 months, we should be able to pass this bill. We’ve had bills more complex than this, which even came under a certificate of urgency. So, I don’t see why this should go beyond three months,” Rev. Fordjour said.

    The bill was presented to then President Nana Akufo-Addo, who was expected to sign it into law or refuse to assent to it within seven days.

    Initially tabled in 2021, the bill stalled following legal challenges at the Supreme Court questioning its constitutionality. Despite the pending case, the sponsors say reintroducing the motion ensures the process remains active.

    Meanwhile, the United States Department spokesperson Matthew Miller indicated last year that the US government will restrict foreign aid to Ghana if the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, also known as the anti-LGBT Bill, is signed into law.

    Engaging the press, Mr Miller said, “If this bill becomes law, it will only have a chilling effect on investment. For instance, in Ghana, you’ve seen that same chilling effect bear fruit in Uganda, which passed a very similar law in the past. I can say that should the bill pass, it would potentially have ramifications for US assistance in the country.”

    He noted that both governments have had intensive conversations on the matter, which were done behind closed doors.

    The US provided over $211 million in assistance to Ghana in fiscal year 2022, supporting various sectors including agriculture, malaria prevention, and AIDS combat efforts.

    The United States has expressed deep concern over the passage of the stringent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Ghana, stating that it threatens constitutional freedoms.

  • GAF warns public to stay away from Bundase area ahead of live firing exercise

    GAF warns public to stay away from Bundase area ahead of live firing exercise

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has informed the general public, particularly residents of Dawhenya and its environs, that it will conduct a Land Combat Fire Power Demonstration Exercise at the Bundase Training Camp on Friday, 31 October 2025.

    According to a statement shared by GAF on their Facebook page, the exercise aims at testing the operational readiness of the Armed Forces in defending the country against external aggression.

    Adding that, “the exercise will involve the use of live ammunition, explosives, and heavy military equipment accompanied by loud sounds and visible flashes.”

    As a result, the public has been advised to stay away from the training area and its surroundings during the said period.

    The GAF further urged residents not to be alarmed by the sounds of gunfire and explosions which may be heard within the general area.

    “Ghana Armed Forces assures the general public that all necessary safety measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of both residents and participants throughout the exercise. The Armed Forces counts on the cooperation of the general public during this exercise,” GAF assured.

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has also drawn attention to the commencement of its 2025 recruitment exercise.

    A statement from the Department of Public Relations of the GAF urged the general public to check the detailed requirements for the exercise in the October 1, 2025 editions of the Ghanaian Times and the Daily Graphic newspapers.

    According to the notice, information on the recruitment can be found on pages 15, 16, and 17 of the Ghanaian Times and pages 34, 35, and 36 of the Daily Graphic.

    The GAF further provided official contact lines; 0544338030 and 0240827344 for inquiries and directed interested applicants to visit its verified social media pages for more information.

    It also outlined a new development in which the recruitment exercise would be conducted in all sixteen (16) regions nationwide, marking a significant change in the security force’s recruitment process,.

    The aim is to move away from the traditional method that was largely centralised in a few selected centres such as Accra, Tamale, and Kumasi. The new approach, GAF explained, is to ensure equal opportunity for applicants across the country, particularly those in remote or underserved areas who previously had to travel long distances and incur high costs.

    “The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to inform the public that the 2025 Enlistment/Recruitment Exercise into the Ghana Armed Forces will commence in the coming days at all the regional capitals of the 16 Regions of the country. This approach offers equal opportunity for all potential applicants in the entire country,” parts of the statement read.

    GAF also warned the public to disregard recruitment advertisements circulating on social media, stressing that no member of the force would issue such notices or ads.

    “The general public is kindly informed that any purported recruitment links on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp or any other social media platforms inviting people for protocol recruitment are a scam and should be ignored. Additionally, no such enlistment/recruitment invitation will emanate from any member of the Ghana Armed Forces or its High Command and should be ignored as well,” it added. “The Ghana Armed Forces counts on the cooperation of the general public in this endeavour.”

    The strong warning comes against the backdrop of fraudulent recruitment schemes that have increased in recent years, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. These scams often promise “protocol recruitment,” suggesting backdoor access in exchange for payment.

    Scammers typically impersonate senior officers, circulate fake enlistment links, and demand fees in return for guaranteed placement.

    Over the years, some scammers have demanded protocol fees ranging from GH¢2,000 to GH¢10,000, depending on the promises made and the desperation of applicants. Victims often paid multiple instalments, believing they were securing officer roles or fast-tracked enlistment. Payments were usually made in cash or through mobile money without receipts, making prosecution difficult. GAF has repeatedly stressed that recruitment is free and that any demand for payment is illegal.

    Meanwhile, on Thursday, September 18, a group of delayed recruits picketed near Jubilee House, demanding clarity on their enlistment status. They claimed to have passed medicals and interviews in 2023–2024 but had not yet been called for training.

    The protest highlighted frustrations over poor communication, with some recruits waiting for more than a year. Barely a week after their demonstration, the Defence Ministry announced a major enlistment exercise that is expected to address their concerns.

    In a Facebook post on September 29, Deputy Defence Minister Brogya Genfi revealed that the government is set to recruit about twelve thousand (12,000) personnel to strengthen the country’s defence. He further disclosed that the cost of recruitment forms has been slashed by 40 percent to ensure wider access and fairness.

    “The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is undergoing a massive expansion beginning this week. Over the next 3 years, GAF will recruit 12,000 personnel to reinforce our national defence capabilities. In line with H.E. the President and Commander-in-Chief John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to affordability, accessibility and fairness, the cost of the recruitment forms has been reduced by over 40% compared to the last recruitment,” the Minister said.

    He stressed that the recruitment process remains free of charge and cautioned against fraud.

    “Let this be clear: Recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces is NOT for sale, and will NEVER be for sale under our #EagleEyes watch. Any individual or syndicate involved in fraudulent recruitment schemes will be dealt with without mercy. Take Note that no recruitment will take place on social media. The process will be transparent and professional,” he emphasised.

    The Minister also cautioned prospective applicants to be ready for the demands of military life.

    “All qualified applicants must be medically fit and be prepared to abandon all hope of normal life! We are building a force that reflects the strength, discipline, and unity of Ghana,” he concluded.

  • Cedi strengthens by 37%, BoG pledges to sustain performance

    Cedi strengthens by 37%, BoG pledges to sustain performance

    Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama, has reiterated the central bank’s dedication to pursuing sound monetary policies aimed at maintaining exchange rate stability and building on recent economic gains.

    His assurance follows the continued strong performance of the Ghana cedi, which has appreciated by 37 percent against the US dollar as of October 17, 2025, driven by improved market confidence and strict monetary controls.

    Speaking at the launch of the Cedi@60 celebrations in Accra, Dr. Asiama stated;

    “The Cedi has appreciated by 37 percent as at October 17 and according to the World Bank it is the world’s best currency in Sub-Saharan Africa. This gain is not by accident. They are the result of hard and sometimes unpopular policies. Fiscal consolidation by government, tight monetary policy stance by the Bank of Ghana and renewed confidence in the investor community and the public. As we celebrate 60 years of the Cedi, as your central bank our mandate remains unchanged.”

    Already, the World Bank has ranked the cedi as the best-performing currency in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the impact of sustained fiscal discipline and foreign exchange reforms.

    The Bank of Ghana however, remains focused on sustaining confidence in the local currency and strengthening the foundation for long-term economic stability.

    On the other hand, Ghana’s total foreign exchange interventions since the height of its economic crisis in 2022 have exceeded $7.4 billion, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) data analysed by JoyNews Research.

    The data reveal that the Bank of Ghana (BoG) injected about $1.9 billion into the forex market in 2022, the year of the crisis. Interventions fell to $1.1 billion in 2023 but surged again to $3 billion in 2024.

    In just the first quarter of 2025, the Central Bank added another $1.4 billion, signalling continued efforts to stabilise the local currency.

    Earlier this month, the BoG announced plans to inject $1.15 billion through its Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP). The move, aimed at easing pressure on the cedi, will bring this year’s total forex support to over $2 billion. The Bank said the funds would be disbursed through twice-weekly, price-competitive spot auctions accessible to all licensed banks.

    Following the announcement, the cedi appreciated by 2.5%, reflecting renewed investor confidence in the Central Bank’s strategy. Analysts expect the local currency to maintain its strength against the US dollar through the final quarter of 2025, as offshore FX inflows and a liquid interbank market offset high dollar demand from the energy, services, and manufacturing sectors.

    Dollar interventions have surged sharply in the past two fiscal years, accounting for more than 60% of total injections over the last four years. These interventions have supported one of the strongest performances of the Ghana cedi in recent memory.

    According to the World Bank’s 2025 Africa Pulse Report, the cedi was the best-performing African currency against the US dollar during the first eight months of 2025, appreciating by more than 20% year-to-date.

    This strong showing is attributed to the BoG’s aggressive forex interventions, coupled with rising export earnings from gold and cocoa and steady remittance inflows.

    JoyNews Research data indicate that with the latest round of support, total interventions since 2022 could reach about $8.6 billion. The BoG attributes this year’s efforts to robust inflows from gold and cocoa exports and sustained remittance receipts.

    Gold has remained a critical lifeline for Ghana’s external sector, with prices hitting an all-time high of $4,000 per ounce this week. This surge has strengthened the Central Bank’s ability to generate foreign exchange without heavily depleting its reserves.

    Ghana is expected to retain its position as Africa’s top gold exporter, with projected export revenues surpassing $15 billion by the end of 2025, representing about 65% of total export inflows.

    This windfall has provided the BoG with the “forex muscle” needed to sustain interventions while keeping a strong reserve position. The IMF’s latest Staff-Level Approval report confirms that “in collaboration with the Fund, the BoG has developed a structured foreign exchange operations framework to intermediate FX flows and smooth excessive market volatility, while accumulating international reserves.”

    Ghana’s international reserves have now exceeded $10.7 billion, providing roughly 4.5 months of import cover. The IMF further noted that “international reserves accumulation continues to exceed the ECF-supported program targets, while the cedi appreciated markedly in the first half of the year.”

    Historical data show that most of the Central Bank’s forex interventions typically occur in the latter part of the year. In 2024, for example, about 67% of the $3 billion injected was recorded in the final four months, coinciding with the election period.

    While these consistent interventions have stabilised the cedi in the short term, they raise concerns about long-term sustainability. Analysts caution that Ghana’s reliance on gold-backed interventions exposes the economy to fluctuations in global commodity prices, underscoring the need for a more diversified foreign exchange framework.

    As it stands now, the Bank of Ghana’s decisive moves have given the cedi rare strength, but maintaining that momentum will depend on how effectively the country channels its export windfall, particularly from gold into lasting economic stability.

  • Parliament to probe ‘poor works’ on ongoing $80m Dansoman Sea Defence project

    Parliament to probe ‘poor works’ on ongoing $80m Dansoman Sea Defence project

    Members of Parliament’s Works and Housing committee have expressed dissatisfaction with the progress and quality of work on the $80m Dansoman Sea Defence project.

    According to the committee, the extent of work done does not match the huge cost of the project awarde to the contructors.

    During their visit to the area, the Committee Chair Vincent Oppong Asamoah,  indicated that they were joined by experts who helped to identify loopholes in the Dansoman sea defence project after surveying that of Blekusu sea defence

    Thus, Parliament will launch a formal investigation into the project’s contractual details, the technical capabilities of the company and implementation standards to ensure accountability and value for money.

    “Generally, the impression is that members were not very satisfied with the extent of work that has been done, looking at the cost of the project. Technically, there are a whole lot of issues that members are calling for a probe into.”

    “You know we just left Blekusu a couple of weeks ago. And if you look at Blekusu, the cost and the number of kilometres of sore land they were supposed to protect, Blekusu is supposed to protect eight kilometres, this one is five kilometres. Even though they were talking about additional revetment, Blekusu also has revetment. So, the cost is an issue, and even how procurement and other technical issues were handled are all issues that members are calling for a probe into. So that is what we are preparing, and very soon, you will hear from the committee that we are not very much satisfied,” Honourable Isaac Adongo explained.

    He further revealed that he is particularly concerned about the fact that, although he commended the contractor for being a local firm, the project is worth nearly 80 million dollars and happens to be their first major assignment, which he described as worrying.

    In the month of July this year, President John Dramani Mahama visited Agavedzi on July 19 for a groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project.

    The project, a significant initiative that will protect lives and livelihoods in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region, was met with palpable joy and deep gratitude from the chiefs and people of the Some and Aflao Traditional Areas, who gathered to witness the realisation of a long-awaited development.

    The ceremony saw an emotional outpouring of appreciation, as community members sang praises and danced, celebrating the President’s commitment to addressing their decades-long struggle against severe tidal erosion.

    Upon completion in four years, the project, which will protect an 8-kilometre stretch of coastline, is set to bring immense relief to the communities of Blekusu, Agavedzi, Salakope, Amutsinu, and Adina.

    Messrs Amandi Holding Limited is the contractor and will deliver 37 groins, extensive dune restoration, reinforced embankments, and other critical shoreline defence structures.

    President Mahama stated that the project is a comprehensive one that will extend beyond mere coastal protection.

    “Aside from the coastal protection works, government has incorporated vital development projects to enhance the lives of the people in the affected area,” he noted.

    These integrated initiatives include a modern fish market, cold storage and processing facilities for fisherfolk, dedicated spaces for fish drying and smoking, a car park, and a lorry station. Additionally, public sanitation facilities and a comprehensive waste collection system will be provided.

    “The sea has taken a lot from this community. It has taken land, it has taken livelihoods, and it has taken our peace of mind. But today, I stand here to say no more will the sea consume our land”, the President said.

    “We are here to reclaim what has been lost, to rebuild stronger, to offer our children a future where they are not forced to flee their homes because of rising tidal waves.”

    President Mahama added that the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project and other ongoing infrastructure developments reflect his government’s strong dedication to building a better Ghana.

    “This is not merely symbolic,” he asserted, “but a clear demonstration of what responsive leadership can do when it listens, when it cares, and when it acts.”

    Phase I of the project, covering 4.3 kilometres of coastal defence works, commenced in 2015 under the Presidency of Mahama to mitigate the serious threat of tidal erosion in Ketu South.

    While that phase offered significant relief, the President lamented, “Unfortunately, for nearly a decade after this, the second phase of the project stalled. Despite repeated appeals by residents, Members of Parliament, traditional authorities, and civil society, the project did not commence.”

    The President specifically referenced the devastating tidal waves that pounded the communities in 2017 and again in 2021, recalling the harrowing images.

    I can still picture the videos and photos showing the aftermath of these tidal waves,” he said, highlighting “the pain, the anxiety, the fear that was etched on the faces of our fellow citizens.”

    He reaffirmed the pledge he made earlier this year during his visit to the Volta Region, promising swift action.

    “And today, I am proud to say that this commitment is being fulfilled. Your cries have not been in vain. Your voices will no longer be ignored. Today is your day – a day of renewal and a day of reassurance.”

    President Mahama also announced progress on the West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Programme, designed to enhance coastal resilience across the sub-region.

    Currently awaiting approval, the WACA project is envisioned to extend coastal protection from where the Blekusu project ends, all the way to Aflao, securing Ghana’s vital 550-kilometre coastline, which supports countless livelihoods through fishing, trade, and tourism.

  • Akosua Serwaa’s marriage to Daddy Lumba still valid – German Embassy confirms

    Akosua Serwaa’s marriage to Daddy Lumba still valid – German Embassy confirms

    The German Embassy has confirmed that the marriage between late Daddy Lumba and Akosua Serwaa is still valid under German law.

    According to a statement shared by the Embassy dated October 27, their marriage was celebrated on December 23, 2004, in Bornheim, Germany, in the presence of the couple and is registered in the marriage registry office under number E 142/2004.

    Thus, “as far as the Embassy is aware of, the marriage has not been dissolved by divorce but ended with the decease of the husband on 26.07.2025.”

    Additionally, the family of the late highlife musician Charles Kwadwo Fosuh, popularly called Daddy Lumba, has also declared Akosua Serwaa as Daddy Lumba’s only legal wife.

    This was made known in a statement released by the family on October 26, 2025 after Odo Broni failed to provide evidence of her marriage to the late Daddy Lumba.

    “In the absence of any legal proof of marriage, the only recognized and lawful widow remains Mrs. Akosua Serwah Fosuh, who was married to the deceased under the Marriage Ordinance and is recognized under both Ghanaian and German law,” the letter indicated.

    Adding that, “under German Civil Law, since no divorce decree was finalized before Mr. Fosuh’s death, the marriage remained legally valid, thereby confirming Mrs. Fosuh’s legal status and spousal rights in both Germany and Ghana,”

    It stated that no divorce decree was finalized prior to the musician’s passing, which means the marriage “remained legally valid,” thereby granting her authority over the burial and the estate.

    They further cautioned that “any attempt by other individuals or family members to claim authority over the body or conduct funeral rites without the widow’s consent constitutes a violation of Ghanaian law (Cap 127) and internationally recognized spousal rights under German law.”

    The family urged respect from the public and the media, emphasizing that the matter of legal widowhood is “clear, consistent, and self-explanatory.”

    Reports that the late Daddy Lumba’s two partners, Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni will be permitted to perform widowhood rites have been debunked by the Fosu family.

    According to the family, Odo Broni has yet to provide any evidence to justify performing widowhood rites.

    “Neither Ms Ofori Atta’s lawyer nor Abusuapainii Kofi Owusu could present any evidence or marriage certificate to substantiate her claim,” a statement by the family indicated.

    This comes after representatives of Ms Priscilla Ofori Atta, were asked to present evidence in a family meeting held on October 24 and chaired by Nana Osei Kwame Kyeretwie,

    The family maintains that widowhood rites cannot be performed by someone who has “no valid marriage recognized by law.”

    They further declared: “We are not going to change the law just for Ms Priscilla Ofori Atta. Neither Ghana nor Germany will bend their legal standards to favor an individual without lawful standing.”

    Daddy Lumba’s final funeral rite has been slated for Saturday, December 6, 2025.

    The event will be held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, as thousands of mourners, including family, friends, industry colleagues, and fans from across the country and beyond, are expected in attendance.

    In July this year, a statement by the counsel for the Fosu family confirmed that the music veteran passed on July 26, after a short illness.

    He succumbed to the illness at the Bank Hospital in Accra, per reports.

    The statement reads: “With profound sorrow and deep grief, the Fosu family announces the passing of Ghana’s beloved musical icon, Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, who passed away earlier today, Saturday, July 26, 2025, after a short illness.”

    “Daddy Lumba was more than a musician; he was a cultural icon whose music touched countless lives. His soulful voice provided the soundtrack to our love stories, and his poignant lyrics captured the poetry of our struggles, dreams, and resilience.”

    The bereaved family has respectfully requested privacy as they navigate this profound grief. Details of funeral arrangements will be shared in the coming days.

    Daddy Lumba was renowned for his incredible talent as a singer, composer, songwriter, recording artist, and producer.

    With an illustrious career that has spanned over three decades, Daddy Lumba was widely regarded as the greatest and most influential musician in Ghanaian history.

    Many artists in Ghana, including Ofori Amponsah, Sarkodie, Kuami Eugene, Paa Solo of Sibo Brothers, Oheneba Kissi, KiDi, and others, consider him their major inspiration in the music industry.

    Daddy Lumba was born 60 years ago to Mr. Johnson Kwadwo Fosuh and Madam Comfort Gyamfi, also known as Ama Saah, in Nsuta, near Mampong in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Both of his parents were teachers, and he was the second of three siblings.

    His educational journey began in Nsuta Kyebi, and he completed junior high school at Suame Methodist, Kumasi in 1979. Subsequently, he attended Adu Gyamfi Senior High School in Jamasi, but later transferred to Juaben Senior High School, where he completed his secondary education in 1984.

    Daddy Lumba’s music career took off in the early 80s when he formed the Nkwanta Wesley Singers, gaining fame at the Anokye Krom Cultural Center.

    During his time at Juaben Senior High School, he led the school choir and composed the song “Lumba Lumba,” dedicated to the freedom fighters in South Africa. This song’s popularity earned him the nickname “Daddy Lumba”, which later became his stage name. He also formed the Lumba Brothers band during his school days, which included his girlfriend at the time, Theresa.

    After completing school, Daddy Lumba, with the help of his high school sweetheart Theresa Abebrese, traveled to Germany. There, he met Ernest Nana Acheampong, and they formed another Lumba Brothers group, recording their debut album, “Yee Ye Aka Akwantuom,” in 1986. Financial constraints delayed the album’s release until 1989, and eventually, the duo split.

    Daddy Lumba then launched his solo career and released his debut solo album, “Obi Ate Meso Buo,” in 1990. The album received immense popularity and critical acclaim, featuring classics like the title track and “Theresa,” dedicated to his ex-lover. He has since released 33 albums, including notable ones like “Sika Asem,” “Aben Wo Ha,” “Wo Ho Kyere,” “Awosoo,” “Give Peace A Chance,” and “Ahenfo Kyiniye.” His latest project, “Ofon Na Edi Asem Fo,” was released in December 2022, reuniting him with longtime collaborator Kweku Mensah.

    In addition to his own success, Daddy Lumba is renowned for nurturing the careers of budding artists who went on to become legends in their own right.

    Some of these artists include Felix Owusu, for whom he produced the debut album “Vida” in 1992, Afia Ampofowaa, Kwabena Sunkwa, Ofori Amponsah with the “Woho Kyere” album in 1999, Selina Orleans, Akua Serwaa Bonsu, Borax, Ateaa Tina, and many others.

    His contributions to Ghanaian music and the support he provides to upcoming talents have solidified his status as an iconic figure in the country’s music industry.

    With his passion, talent, and dedication to the craft, Daddy Lumba continues to be a role model for aspiring musicians, leaving an indelible mark on the rich musical landscape of Ghana.

  • “You don’t tell me it depends on the law” – PAC Chair confronts DVLA CEO over number plate privacy

    “You don’t tell me it depends on the law” – PAC Chair confronts DVLA CEO over number plate privacy

    A tense moment erupted during the Public Accounts Committee sitting when Chairperson Abena Osei Asare sharply confronted the Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, over privacy concerns tied to the authority’s proposed digital number plate system.

    The exchange followed the DVLA boss’s explanation that the new plates would contain Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips to boost security and make it difficult for outsiders to tamper with or duplicate.

    Mrs. Osei Asare, however, raised concerns about whether the new plates would display vehicle owners’ surnames, warning that such information could expose personal data.

    In response, Mr. Kotey said the DVLA would comply with Ghana’s Data Protection Law, noting that the system would only digitalize existing information without changing its basic format.

    When pressed for a clear answer on whether names would appear, he replied, “It depends on what the law says; we’ll go by it.”

    That response immediately drew a sharp reaction from the PAC Chair, who retorted, “You don’t tell me it depends on what the law says. You are doing it, so you should be able to tell us what the law says. I’m asking a specific question, is it going to have the user’s surname on the number plate?”

    Mr. Kotey later clarified that names do not appear on standard number plates, explaining that only personalized plates bear such identifiers.

    The Chair, however, maintained that the Committee’s inquiries were in the public interest and aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the rollout of the new digital number plate system.

    About PAC

    The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Ghana was established under Article 103 of the 1992 Constitution and formally constituted as part of Parliament’s Standing Committees. It has existed since the First Parliament of the Fourth Republic, which began in January 1993.

    Its mandate is to review reports presented by the Auditor-General on public accounts of Ghana, to

    summons ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to explain financial infractions and irregularities, and sometimes suggests sanctions, recoveries, and referrals for prosecution.

    However, since its establishment, PAC has reportedly had no documented record of ensuring the prosecution and, in other cases, the imprisonment of culprits, though its recommendations can trigger EOCO investigations or Attorney-General action.

    Over the years, the Committee has engaged several public institutions and heads of these institutions over reported financial irregularities in their respective businesses, but little to no show of penalties have been documented, particularly to serve as a deterrent to others. It will be recalled that in 2017, PAC recommended prosecution of officials at the National Sports Authority for misappropriating funds, but no confirmed convictions followed.

    Also, in a separate incident, the committee in 2021 traced non-existent staff under GETFund and MASLOC, but again, no jail terms have been recorded so far.

    In 2023, PAC recovered GH₵12.9 million, but this was through repayments, not criminal penalties.

    Meanwhile, more than GH¢12.9 billion in misappropriated public funds has been retrieved following a collaboration between the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Auditor-General’s (A-G) Department.

    Addressing the media on Wednesday, October 1, Chairperson of PAC, Abena Osei-Asare, attributed the groundbreaking development to the collective efforts between the Auditor-General’s Department.

    “One thing I am clear about is that what we are doing is yielding positive results. We have a report we will look at. Per the work of the Public Accounts Committee, and with the support of the Auditor-General, we have been able to retrieve GH¢12.9 billion. There is a whole report on that which we will be sharing with the public at the right time,” she said.

    According to her, the Committee will make the report’s details public at the appropriate time. The Committee is scheduled to resume its sittings on Monday, October 27. Various ministries, departments, and agencies to address infractions highlighted in the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report have been interrogated by PAC in recent weeks.

    Recently, the Director of Administration at Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), Dr Emmanuel Sena Kwasi Donkor, appeared before the Public Accounts Committee after the A-G’s report suggested that the hospital paid salaries amounting to GHS 1,449,000 to a deceased staff member for a period of 26 months.

    Dr Emmanuel Sena Kwasi Donkor affirmed the report, adding that the hospital has so far recovered GHS303,558.68 of the total amount. He explained that the banks previously handling the transactions had, through a letter, indicated that they had ceased processing them.

    “We were able to recover some amounts. Before we got here, we had received letters from some banks stating that they had stopped transferring the funds to the government chest,” Dr Donkor told the Committee.

    He further urged Parliament to intervene and help the hospital recover the remaining funds. “Maybe at the end of this session, we will make a prayer to this House for the House to make an order directing those banks to transfer,” he said.

    Dr Donkor revealed that his outfit has submitted the names of the individuals implicated in the act to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO)for recovery. “EOCO has written back requesting the files of the people involved, and we have submitted them,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Ranking Member Samuel Atta-Mills has raised serious concerns regarding the issue. “Habib Napare – date of separation was 2022. This guy had died. Didn’t you go to the funeral? And you validated this dead person for 26 months? And now you are coming to tell Parliament to do what?” Atta-Mills asked sharply,” he added. In the meantime, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has released a fifty-page report covering investigations and prosecutions carried out between January 1 and July 31 this year.

  • IMANI’s Selorm Branttie faults Cybersecurity Amendment Bill as vague and oppressive

    IMANI’s Selorm Branttie faults Cybersecurity Amendment Bill as vague and oppressive

    Vice President for Innovation and Technology at IMANI Africa, Selorm Branttie, has criticised the 2025 Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill, describing it as ambiguous and potentially oppressive.

    In an interview with Joy FM, he observed that several sections of the draft law are vaguely written and overly broad, making it challenging to separate minor online infractions from serious cyber offences.

    Mr. Branttie warned that such lack of clarity could lead to misinterpretation and abuse, allowing ordinary digital activities to be unfairly criminalised.

    “A lot of the lettering for the Cybersecurity Bill, for example, is ambiguous in terms of the kinds of offenses that are being discussed and the ramifications for you being seen as contravening some of these offences makes them draconian, makes it unsuitable for the current day and age and society that we have” he said on

    “You are looking at things that could either be minor or major, and bottling it up into just one category and then criminalising all of it.”

    Mr. Branttie noted that several Ghanaians maintain additional social media profiles or alternative online identities for valid purposes such as protecting their privacy or adhering to workplace policies.

    He explained that, as the bill currently stands, such practices could easily be misconstrued as dishonest or unlawful.

    According to him, the absence of precise definitions and a clear categorisation of offences could give authorities undue power, potentially paving the way for the harassment of individuals, journalists, or political critics under the pretext of enforcing cybersecurity measures.

    “It’s a dangerous to have laws like this, or some of the stipulations in laws like this dictating the what should be the government’s response or the security aparatus’ response to some of these things that happen digitally because in the wrong hands, this could be used to abuse the personal rights of many indivuduals and could be used to target people percieved as political opponents or people perceived as not liked by anybody who is in authority,” he explained.

    Mr. Branttie called on Parliament to carefully revise the language of the bill before its approval to ensure it maintains a fair balance between strengthening national cybersecurity and upholding citizens’ online rights.

    He recommended that legislators work closely with technical professionals, civil society groups, and private sector stakeholders to refine the scope of offences, classify their severity, and establish transparent oversight systems.

    IMANI Africa, a policy think tank recognised for its advocacy in governance and technology, has long championed openness and fairness in the formulation of Ghana’s digital regulations.

    The 2025 Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill aims to update the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) by addressing new digital threats, reinforcing the country’s online security systems, and expanding enforcement authority for state institutions.

    Nonetheless, sections of the public and digital rights organisations caution that certain provisions, if not properly clarified, could threaten privacy, restrict free speech, and compromise data protection.

    The draft legislation is presently under review by Parliament’s Communications Committee, with stakeholder engagements expected to continue in the coming weeks.

    Ghana has witnessed a sharp rise in financial damage caused by online sextortion and blackmail, with losses hitting GH¢499,044 within the first four months of 2025.As per data by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) this is nearly five times the GH¢103,663 recorded over the same period in 2024, pointing to an alarming trend in digital exploitation.

    In its recent advisory, the Authority revealed a slight uptick in the number of reported incidents from January to April 2025, surpassing the 155 cases logged during the comparable period last year.

    These schemes are typically launched through fake social media profiles—often using attractive images to entice users into romantic exchanges.

    Once trust is established, victims are coerced into sharing intimate visuals, which are then weaponized to extort money.

    Perpetrators usually demand mobile money payments under threat of publishing the explicit material. But paying doesn’t always end the torment—victims often face continued harassment even after fulfilling ransom demands.

    To cover their tracks, scammers frequently move chats to encrypted apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal, making detection more difficult.

    The CSA has advised the public to exercise caution by avoiding interactions with unknown digital identities, refraining from sharing any explicit content online, and reporting any suspicious encounters through its round-the-clock support services.

    Since the start of January 2023, victims targeted by online impersonation have incurred substantial losses amounting to GH¢49.5 million, as reported by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA).

    Online impersonation, also known as identity theft, involves malicious actors adopting the persona of notable figures such as politicians, businesspeople, government officials, diplomats, or reputable brands. This is done either for financial gain or to subject victims to harassment, intimidation, or threats.

    The CSA recently issued an official public warning, revealing that between January and July of 2023, they received a total of 58 reports regarding online impersonation cases. These incidents have resulted in victims collectively losing an alarming sum of GH¢49.5 million.

    This development follows a joint operation carried out by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Bank of Ghana (BoG), and the Cyber Security Authority (CSA). This operation involved raids on illicit lending applications at three separate locations in Accra, which led to the arrest of 422 suspects. The task force’s investigations encompassed 270 cases involving cyberbullying, fraud, extortion, and the misuse of customer data.

    These investigations unveiled 150 unlicensed digital loan application platforms. The operators of these platforms were found to be engaged in disconcerting practices, including issuing death threats and unauthorized sharing of private messages, images, and videos. These actions were made possible by exploiting permissions unwittingly granted by unsuspecting victims on their digital platforms.

    Modus operandi

    As detailed in the alert, impostors employ deceptive strategies by fabricating false profiles or accounts that mimic legitimate individuals or well-known brands. They use coercive techniques to push their unsuspecting victims, including associates and business partners, into making impulsive decisions without thorough consideration.

    Online impersonation can manifest in various forms, such as job and recruitment scams. In these scenarios, scammers pretend to be government agencies or reputable employers, offering attractive job opportunities that demand victims to part with money or reveal personal information.

    Another common scheme is advance fee fraud, where scammers pose as wealthy businesspeople, representatives of respected companies, government entities, or distant relatives. They convince victims to make upfront payments for goods, services, or financial gains that ultimately never materialize.

    Furthermore, the investment scam involves impostors presenting themselves as investment service providers, financial advisors, or fund managers. They make alluring pledges of substantial profits with minimal risk, which ultimately serve as tactics to defraud victims.

    Lastly, contract scams involve scammers impersonating entities responsible for awarding contracts, often masquerading as representatives of government agencies. They dangle the promise of non-existent contracts, demanding fees in exchange for these fictitious opportunities.

    Recommendations

    Consequently, the CSA strongly advises the general public to exercise caution when it comes to unsolicited communications, particularly those originating from unknown sources or individuals.

    “Be suspicious of any promise of jobs, protocol advantage for recruitment slots, financial gains, gifts or lucrative opportunities. Genuine government officials would not contact anyone via social media to offer them a job or contract,” it said in the alert.

    The public is strongly encouraged to exercise careful consideration and carry out thorough investigations to confirm the authenticity of both individuals and organizations before participating in any financial dealings.

    Furthermore, individuals are advised to promptly report any suspicions regarding impersonators or scammers to the appropriate law enforcement authorities within the country. Alternatively, they can report such incidents to the Cyber Security Authority’s (CSA) 24-hour cybersecurity incident-reporting contact points. These avenues can be used to report cybercrimes, as well as to seek guidance and support for online activities.

  • Seek approval from cabinet before announcing major policies publicly – Ministers warned

    Seek approval from cabinet before announcing major policies publicly – Ministers warned

    All Ministers of State have been warned by government against announcing major policy initiatives or programmes publicly without approval by the Cabinet.

    This comes as a reaction to an observation made by the government where some ministers announce initiatives “purportedly on behalf of the government” without seeking the cabinet’s consent.

    In a circular dated October 27, which was signed by the Secretary to the Cabinet, Prof Kwaku Danso-Boafo indicated that such actions violate constitutional protocols and breach the principle of collective government responsibility, which requires that all major policy decisions reflect consensus at the Cabinet level.

    “Cabinet wishes to remind all Ministers that, in accordance with established governance protocols and the collective responsibility principle enshrined in the Constitution, no public policy, programme, or major initiative shall be considered a policy of government unless it has been duly submitted to, deliberated upon, and approved by Cabinet,” the circular stated.

    Ministers were further instructed to channel all proposed policies, programmes, and legislative initiatives to the Cabinet Secretariat through the Chief Directors of their respective Ministries.

    The Cbinet explained that this process will ensure that all government decisions are adequately vetted, aligned with national priorities, and formally placed on the Cabinet agenda before public communication.

    Full statement below:

    ADHERENCE TO CABINET PROCEDURES IN THE
    FORMULATION AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF PUBLIC POLICIES

    The attention of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary has been drawn to the growing practice where some Ministers of State have publicly announced, or caused to be announced, major policy initiatives and programmes purportedly on behalf of the Government without prior discussion, review, or approval by Cabinet.

    1. Cabinet wishes to remind all Ministers that, in accordance with established governance protocols and the collective responsibility principle enshrined in the Constitution, no public policy, programme, or major initiative shall be considered a policy of Government unless it has been duly submitted to, deliberated upon, and approved by Cabinet.
    2. For the avoidance of doubt, Ministers are respectfully requested to ensure that all proposed policies, programmes, or legislative initiatives intended for public announcement or implementation are first submitted to the Cabinet Secretariat, through the Chief Director of their respective Ministries, for inclusion on the Cabinet agenda and subsequent consideration by Cabinet.
    3. This directive is intended to safeguard policy coherence, uphold collective Cabinet responsibility, and ensure that all Government communications and actions reflect the unified and approved position of the Administration.
    4. Ministers are therefore advised to refrain from announcing or implementing any policy that has not received Cabinet approval. Any such public statement or initiative undertaken outside this process shall not be deemed to represent official Government policy.
    5. Please be guided accordingly.

    On February 7, President John Dramani Mahama officially sworn in a total of 42 ministers, marking a significant milestone exactly one month after his own inauguration.

    The swift approval process for his appointees, he noted, is unprecedented and reflects a commitment to promptly assembling a functional government.

    In the swearing in ceremony, the latest batch of ministers approved by Parliament—some by consensus and others by majority vote—took the oath of allegiance. The 17 newly sworn-in ministers, forming the fourth group of appointees, were urged by the President to approach their duties with humility and dedication.

    President John Dramani Mahama has currently issued a stern reminder to his ministerial appointees that results, not mere attendance, will determine their success in office.

    During the opening of a four-day Executive Leadership Programme on April 24, 2025, he emphasized that the positions they hold are grounded in public trust and the urgent demand for meaningful transformation.

    Addressing the gathering, Mahama highlighted the importance of action over symbolism.

    He made it clear that Ghanaians are not interested in officials who simply fill positions but want leaders who can bring real change.

    “You were not appointed to occupy space. You were appointed to solve problems,” he said. “The Ghanaian people expect us to deliver. And we must – not with excuses, but with results.”

    The leadership retreat, held in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was described by the President as a critical moment to reset how governance is approached. He said it was not a traditional orientation, but rather an opportunity to build a new way of thinking and working. He urged his ministers to let go of outdated leadership models and commit to serving with renewed purpose. “The business-as-usual approach will not work. Indeed, it is dead and we must bury it once and for all,” Mahama stated.

    He also appealed to the conscience of his appointees, pointing to the growing restlessness among the youth and frustration among farmers, workers, and entrepreneurs who are eager for better opportunities and improved livelihoods. These groups, he noted, are demanding leadership that listens and delivers.

    Mahama didn’t shy away from issuing a warning. He made it clear that accountability would be central to his administration. Any minister who fails to meet expectations, he said, will be removed. “Please remember, when any of us fall short, I will not hesitate to act,” he concluded.

    The programme brings together government officials, private sector players, and development partners to foster a unified approach to effective and responsible leadership under Mahama’s renewed administration.

  • I pity men with one wife – Ned Nwoko

    I pity men with one wife – Ned Nwoko

    Nigerian billionaire and politician, Prince Ned Nwoko has said he pities men who have only one wife, emphasizing his belief that polygamy helps reduce infidelity and offers stability in marriages.

    His comment came as a responds to the question, “You’ve done many impossible things. How do you manage 4 wives? Because it is incredibly difficult to be with a partner, not to talk of 4.”

    “The example I gave is just imagine telling you to stand on one leg, you know how difficult it is. But to stand on two, three, or four is more balanced. I feel sorry for those who only have one wife because it is difficult to stand on one leg,” he said during an interview on Sunday Politics with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels TV.

    Celebrated Nigerian music executive Don Jazzy made a bold statement that he is incapable of staying faithful to one woman in a relationship.

    The Mavin Records boss explained that he is not emotionally oriented to live the rest of his life with just one woman.

    “I don’t believe I am strong enough to be with one person. I think people will run away from me being truthful. I will not be dating you and tell you you are the only person,” Don Jazzy confessed.

    He has lauded men who have mastered the act of controlling their urge against having mutiple engagement with other women at the same period of time.

    “Some people have this thing when they are dating a person, the thing that makes them get attracted to others gets turned off. I hail you people. But me, you are a beautiful lady, it doesn’t stop me from admiring madam that is over there…”Don Jazzy expressed.

    Legendary Nigerian singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face or 2Baba, also had to apologize to his fans, wife, friends, and family over a comment he made supporting the act of infidelity by men in relationships.

    2Face opened up in an interview on Mzansi podcast with media personality Nedu, stating that, “…Man is not built to sexually be with one woman. Your heart, love, respect can be given to one woman but sexually it is impossible for a man.”

    “A man can love a woman completely but when it comes to that sexual satisfaction, can’t be with only one woman. It’s the biology of a man,” he added.

    His remarks generated a myriad of criticism from gender rights advocates and public figures who described 2Face’s statement as misogynistic, inconsiderate, and reckless.

    This led the musician to social media to render an apology through a video he shared on his Instagram page.

    “I said what I said because I wanted people to get my understanding. However, there’s no excuse for those comments. I take full responsibility for my words, and I am sorry for disappointing the millions of people who look up to me,” he stated.

    2Face admitted that his remarks were made carelessly, and he is ready to bear the consequences of his actions.

    Reggae and Dancehall artiste, Lawrence Senyo Adiase, popularly known as DSL, has stated that he would not advise his future son to commit to just one woman due to the heartbreaks and emotional struggles that often come with relationships.

    According to the Mentor X winner, he has witnessed the devastating effects of love on people, including mental breakdowns and, in extreme cases, loss of life. Based on these experiences, he believes it is unrealistic to expect men to stay with only one woman.

    “If I have a son, based on what I’ve seen and experienced in relationships—the heartbreaks, the mental breakdowns, even cases where people have lost their lives over love—I will never tell him, ‘Kwame, Kwesi, Kofi, one woman is enough for you.’ No, one woman is not enough for him,” he said on a podcast hosted by Zeinat Issahak.

    DSL explained that people who dedicate themselves entirely to one partner often end up emotionally broken.

    “When you put your whole heart and mind into one person, they don’t always value it. You can sacrifice everything for them, thinking you are building something meaningful, only to be left heartbroken in the end,” he added.

    He, however, clarified that his position was not an endorsement of promiscuity but a call for emotional caution in relationships.

    “I am not saying people should just go around sleeping with multiple partners. That’s not my point. But based on what I’ve seen and experienced, I wouldn’t advise anyone to invest everything into just one relationship. It’s dangerous emotionally,” he explained.

    His comments have sparked mixed reactions, with some supporting his view while others argue that true love requires trust and commitment.

  • Family finally declares Akosua Serwaa as Daddy Lumba’s only legal wife

    Family finally declares Akosua Serwaa as Daddy Lumba’s only legal wife

    The family of the late highlife musician Charles Kwadwo Fosuh, popularly called Daddy Lumba, has finally declared Akosua Serwaa as Daddy Lumba’s only legal wife.

    This was made known in a statement released by the family on October 26, 2025 after Odo Broni failed to provide evidence of her marriage to the late Daddy Lumba.

    “In the absence of any legal proof of marriage, the only recognized and lawful widow remains Mrs. Akosua Serwah Fosuh, who was married to the deceased under the Marriage Ordinance and is recognized under both Ghanaian and German law,” the letter indicated.

    Adding that, “under German Civil Law, since no divorce decree was finalized before Mr. Fosuh’s death, the marriage remained legally valid, thereby confirming Mrs. Fosuh’s legal status and spousal rights in both Germany and Ghana,”

    It stated that no divorce decree was finalized prior to the musician’s passing, which means the marriage “remained legally valid,” thereby granting her authority over the burial and the estate.

    They further cautioned that “any attempt by other individuals or family members to claim authority over the body or conduct funeral rites without the widow’s consent constitutes a violation of Ghanaian law (Cap 127) and internationally recognized spousal rights under German law.”

    The family urged respect from the public and the media, emphasizing that the matter of legal widowhood is “clear, consistent, and self-explanatory.”

    Daddy Lumba’s final funeral rite has been slated for Saturday, December 6, 2025.

    The event will be held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, as thousands of mourners, including family, friends, industry colleagues, and fans from across the country and beyond, are expected in attendance.

    In July this year, a statement by the counsel for the Fosu family confirmed that the music veteran passed on July 26, after a short illness.

    He succumbed to the illness at the Bank Hospital in Accra, per reports.

    The statement reads: “With profound sorrow and deep grief, the Fosu family announces the passing of Ghana’s beloved musical icon, Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, who passed away earlier today, Saturday, July 26, 2025, after a short illness.”

    “Daddy Lumba was more than a musician; he was a cultural icon whose music touched countless lives. His soulful voice provided the soundtrack to our love stories, and his poignant lyrics captured the poetry of our struggles, dreams, and resilience.”

    The bereaved family has respectfully requested privacy as they navigate this profound grief. Details of funeral arrangements will be shared in the coming days.

    Daddy Lumba was renowned for his incredible talent as a singer, composer, songwriter, recording artist, and producer.

    With an illustrious career that has spanned over three decades, Daddy Lumba was widely regarded as the greatest and most influential musician in Ghanaian history.

    Many artists in Ghana, including Ofori Amponsah, Sarkodie, Kuami Eugene, Paa Solo of Sibo Brothers, Oheneba Kissi, KiDi, and others, consider him their major inspiration in the music industry.

    Daddy Lumba was born 60 years ago to Mr. Johnson Kwadwo Fosuh and Madam Comfort Gyamfi, also known as Ama Saah, in Nsuta, near Mampong in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Both of his parents were teachers, and he was the second of three siblings.

    His educational journey began in Nsuta Kyebi, and he completed junior high school at Suame Methodist, Kumasi in 1979. Subsequently, he attended Adu Gyamfi Senior High School in Jamasi, but later transferred to Juaben Senior High School, where he completed his secondary education in 1984.

    Daddy Lumba’s music career took off in the early 80s when he formed the Nkwanta Wesley Singers, gaining fame at the Anokye Krom Cultural Center.

    During his time at Juaben Senior High School, he led the school choir and composed the song “Lumba Lumba,” dedicated to the freedom fighters in South Africa. This song’s popularity earned him the nickname “Daddy Lumba”, which later became his stage name. He also formed the Lumba Brothers band during his school days, which included his girlfriend at the time, Theresa.

    After completing school, Daddy Lumba, with the help of his high school sweetheart Theresa Abebrese, traveled to Germany. There, he met Ernest Nana Acheampong, and they formed another Lumba Brothers group, recording their debut album, “Yee Ye Aka Akwantuom,” in 1986. Financial constraints delayed the album’s release until 1989, and eventually, the duo split.

    Daddy Lumba then launched his solo career and released his debut solo album, “Obi Ate Meso Buo,” in 1990. The album received immense popularity and critical acclaim, featuring classics like the title track and “Theresa,” dedicated to his ex-lover. He has since released 33 albums, including notable ones like “Sika Asem,” “Aben Wo Ha,” “Wo Ho Kyere,” “Awosoo,” “Give Peace A Chance,” and “Ahenfo Kyiniye.” His latest project, “Ofon Na Edi Asem Fo,” was released in December 2022, reuniting him with longtime collaborator Kweku Mensah.

    In addition to his own success, Daddy Lumba is renowned for nurturing the careers of budding artists who went on to become legends in their own right.

    Some of these artists include Felix Owusu, for whom he produced the debut album “Vida” in 1992, Afia Ampofowaa, Kwabena Sunkwa, Ofori Amponsah with the “Woho Kyere” album in 1999, Selina Orleans, Akua Serwaa Bonsu, Borax, Ateaa Tina, and many others.

    His contributions to Ghanaian music and the support he provides to upcoming talents have solidified his status as an iconic figure in the country’s music industry.

    With his passion, talent, and dedication to the craft, Daddy Lumba continues to be a role model for aspiring musicians, leaving an indelible mark on the rich musical landscape of Ghana.

  • Odo Broni is unable to provide evidence to justify performing widowhood rites – Family

    Odo Broni is unable to provide evidence to justify performing widowhood rites – Family

    Reports that the late Daddy Lumba’s two partners, Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni will be permitted to perform widowhood rites have been debunked by the Fosu family.

    According to the family, Odo Broni has yet to provide any evidence to justify performing widowhood rites.

    “Neither Ms Ofori Atta’s lawyer nor Abusuapainii Kofi Owusu could present any evidence or marriage certificate to substantiate her claim,” a statement by the family indicated.

    This comes after representatives of Ms Priscilla Ofori Atta, were asked to present evidence in a family meeting held on October 24 and chaired by Nana Osei Kwame Kyeretwie,

    The family maintains that widowhood rites cannot be performed by someone who has “no valid marriage recognized by law.”

    They further declared: “We are not going to change the law just for Ms Priscilla Ofori Atta. Neither Ghana nor Germany will bend their legal standards to favor an individual without lawful standing.”

    Akosua Serwaa’s lawyer, William Kusi, has questioned the legitimacy of Odo Broni’s position as “a wife” to the late Daddy Lumba.

    He is asking whether someone labelled a “slay queen” could rightfully perform widowhood rites.

    This comes shortly after court proceedings, amidst the legal dispute over Daddy Lumba’s widowhood rights.

    “We arrived at court and we got the information that Odo Broni’s lawyers had filed a case challenging Akosua Serwaa’s capacity to bring such a suit. But we are too experienced for such. I even wanted to plead with the court to fine them 50,000, so that they do not delay, but the court told us to wait.” he spoke after the first court hearing on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

    Mr Kusi further revealed that the defence (Odo Broni)’s team has filed a motion contesting Akosua Serwaa’s capacity to go ahead with the suit.

    “I ask, can a slay queen be a widow? I’m asking the Akans, can a slay queen perform widowhood rites? So slayqueens and people who snatch other women’s husbands have no business with widowhood rites.”

    Lawyer Kusi stated that his client, who was represented by Daddy Lumba’s sister, is currently at peace and even has majority support on social media.

    “Akosuah Serwaa is at peace; she has no problem with anybody. If you even check social media, the people sympathising with Akosua Serwaa are a lot. Anyone who is not a slay queen supports her,” he stated.

    He rounded off his remarks by chastising social media commentators, stating, “The people coming on social media to talk plenty about the case are busybodies; nobody sent them.”

    The case arises from a legal effort to delay Daddy Lumba’s funeral until the court determines issues surrounding spousal recognition and the rightful person to perform the widowhood rites.

    Court has however adjourned Akosua Serwaa’s injunction application on Daddy Lumba’s funeral to October 28.

    Meanwhile, Evangelist Diana Asamoah has blamed the late Daddy Lumba for Akosua Serwaa’s struggle with family members in her bid to be recognized as his lawfully wedded wife and the only one deserving of performing widowhood rite.

    During a panel discussion on  UTV’s United Showbiz on October 18, 2025, Diana Asamoah asserted that Akosua Serwaa could have been saved from the current rigmarole if Daddy Lumba had made his supposed side chick, Odo Broni’s position clear to her.

    “Everything that’s happening is Lumba’s fault. From what I understand, the things he might have told Odo Broni made her believe he was no longer with Akosua Serwaa,” she said.

    In the aftermath of Daddy Lumba’s death months ago, his two wives have been locked in a dispute over who should be acknowledged as his lawfully wedded wife.

    It started with a court action filed by Akosua Serwaa Fosuh, seeking recognition as the musician’s only surviving spouse.

    According to a statement dated October 1, 2025, from Baba Jamal & Associates, legal representatives of the Fosuh Royal Family of Parkoso and Nsuta, the family rejected Serwaa Fosuh’s claims and maintained that she “has no right to determine how the Fosu Royal family buries their dead.”

    The letter, signed by Fati Ali-Yallah, Esq., stated that by Akan customary tradition, Serwaa Fosuh had already dissolved her marriage to the late musician when she presented traditional drinks to the family years ago, an act the family said signified her intent to end the union, which was acknowledged by Daddy Lumba at the time.

    “By the traditions of the Akans generally and the Fosu Royal family in particular, the presentation of drinks by a wife to the husband’s family, when accepted, effectively dissolves the marriage between the two,” the letter read.

    The family claimed that about 15 years ago, Serwaa Fosuh declined to return to Ghana with her husband for medical care and eventually abandoned him when he fell ill.

    They further stated that in 2018, she wrote to inform him of her plans to file for divorce, but Daddy Lumba paid no attention to it, saying he had already moved on with his life.

    However, since Akosua Serwaa’s recent lawsuit, the Fosu family has appeared once before the High Court in Kumasi on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

    The suit, filed on October 3, 2025, names Kofi Owusu Fosu, the head of Daddy Lumba’s external family, and Priscilla Ofori Atta, also known as ‘Odo Broni’, as defendants.

    In her lawsuit, Akosua Serwaa Fosu is asking the court to officially recognize her as the late musician’s only surviving lawful wife and the sole individual with the right to perform the widowhood rites at his funeral.

    Highlife musician Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, his final funeral rite has been slated for Saturday, December 6, 2025.

    The event will be held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, as thousands of mourners, including family, friends, industry colleagues, and fans from across the country and beyond, are expected in attendance.

    In July this year, a statement by the counsel for the Fosu family confirmed that the music veteran passed on July 26, after a short illness.

    He succumbed to the illness at the Bank Hospital in Accra, per reports.

    The statement reads: “With profound sorrow and deep grief, the Fosu family announces the passing of Ghana’s beloved musical icon, Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, who passed away earlier today, Saturday, July 26, 2025, after a short illness.”

    “Daddy Lumba was more than a musician; he was a cultural icon whose music touched countless lives. His soulful voice provided the soundtrack to our love stories, and his poignant lyrics captured the poetry of our struggles, dreams, and resilience.”

    The bereaved family has respectfully requested privacy as they navigate this profound grief. Details of funeral arrangements will be shared in the coming days.

  • Use of mother tongue now compulsory in basic schools

    Use of mother tongue now compulsory in basic schools

    Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has instructed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to fully implement the use of mother tongue as a medium of communication in Ghanaian schools.

    The Minister mentioned that the directive constitutes efforts to reform the education sector, while championing the use of local languages in teaching and learning.

    Speaking at the launch of the Free Tertiary Education Programme for Persons Living with Disabilities, Mr. Iddrisu stressed that the directive will enhance comprehension and learning outcomes in basic schools.

    “I am directing the DG of the GES and the GES that from today, teacher use of mother tongue instruction is now compulsory in all Ghanaian schools. The GES is to ensure strict enforcement of this…This is part of President Mahama’s reset agenda,” the Minister firmly stated.

    In 2023, Ghanaian historian, Nana Osei-Bonsu Sarfo-Kantanka called on managers of educational institutions across the country to desist from punishing students who speak local languages while in school.

    He said they should be encouraged to speak the local languages to better understand the culture and heritage of the country.

    The historian attributed his point to the fact that some foreign countries prioritise their local languages, thereby requiring that a person upon arrival in the country speak and understand the language.

    Speaking to KMJ on Prime Morning, he said, “If you go to school, it is written ‘Speak English.’ If you spoke the local dialect, you would be spanked. All these things must be removed.”

    “If you go to India, you have to learn Hindi to be able to study at the university. Why can’t we learn from them?” He quizzed.

    Despite the fact that English is an international language that cannot be abolished, Nana Osei-Bonsu opined that it could be blended with the local languages so as to activate the country’s heritage.

    He also believes that the Ghanaian languages are likely to fade out as generations pass, if parents do not insist on speaking the local dialects with their children.

    Nana Osei-Bonsu encouraged people to make efforts and speak their local languages at all levels to maintain the cultural heritage of the country and its relevance.

    “Even if just twenty people are speaking the language, it should be encouraged at all levels. If we’re able to do that, gradually ours will take over the so-called international language.” In our houses, parents should be serious and speak our local languages with their children,” he entreated.

    The country celebrates Ghana throughout the month of March every year to commemorate her Independence. The historian thinks that people’s enthusiasm for the celebration is depleting as the years evolve.

    He believes people’s interest is dwindling because most designers in recent times are adding foreign products to their designs.

    The historian also indicated that opinion leaders can be blamed for the low interest of the people as they have failed to insist on the involvement of local languages in the school curricula.

    As to whether the late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah would have maintained the country’s heritage if he were alive, Nana Osei-Bonsu said, “Who knows that he would have kept doing what he was doing because politicians are dictated to.”

    However, Ghanaians are encouraged to project the culture globally by wearing locally made designs, eating Ghanaian food, and speaking the local languages among others, throughout the month of March.

    Earlier this year, Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya North, Frank Yeboah, urged Ghanaians to protect and preserve their indigenous languages.

    According to him, the country’s indigenous languages play a crucial role in national identity and cultural heritage.

    He made this statement on during the commemoration of the International Day of Mother Language in February.

    Addressing Parliament, he urged all citizens to recognise the value of their native tongues and take proactive steps to safeguard them.

    Mr Yeboah highlighted the importance of community-driven efforts in language preservation, stressing that initiatives such as storytelling, oral history documentation, and intergenerational language transmission programmes must be actively promoted.

    He encouraged schools, traditional authorities, and cultural institutions to collaborate in ensuring that local languages remain relevant in contemporary Ghanaian society.

    “Mr Speaker, we cannot afford to lose our indigenous languages, for in them lies the heart and soul of our identity as Ghanaians,” he stated.

    “Let us act now to protect and promote them, ensuring that future generations inherit not just the words, but the history, values, and wisdom they carry.”

    He further called on policymakers to incorporate indigenous language education into the national curriculum and promote its usage in public and private sectors.

    The MP also emphasised the need for media platforms to dedicate more airtime to local languages, ensuring that they remain widely spoken and appreciated.

    He concluded by urging all Ghanaians to take pride in their linguistic heritage, noting that preserving mother languages is not merely about communication but about protecting a rich legacy of knowledge and identity.

  • Ghana records 39% drop in total credit to GHS8.6bn in August 2025

    Ghana records 39% drop in total credit to GHS8.6bn in August 2025

    Ghana has recorded a 39% decline in total credit flows, falling to GHS8.6 billion in August 2025 from GHS14.2 billion in the same month last year.

    The drop, highlighted in the Bank of Ghana’s September 2025 Monetary Policy Report, was mainly attributed to reduced lending to the public sector and a slowdown in private sector credit as banks redirected their portfolios toward government and Bank of Ghana securities.

    Private sector credit flows stood at GHS10.7 billion in August 2025, down from GHS14.3 billion a year earlier. Despite the decline, the private sector remained the dominant recipient of credit, accounting for 95.5% of total outstanding loans compared to 92.7% in August 2024.

    Credit distribution was concentrated in the services sector, which absorbed 68.2% of total loans, followed by commerce and finance with 23.8% and manufacturing with 23.0%.

    Outstanding private sector credit increased to GHS91.0 billion at the end of August 2025, up from GHS80.3 billion a year earlier. In real terms, private sector credit grew by 1.7%, reversing the 1.1% contraction recorded over the same period in 2024.

    According to the central bank, the growth in real private sector credit was slightly above the long-term trend, with the deviation from trend widening marginally in August 2025.

    On the contrary, Ghana’s year-on-year Producer Price Inflation (PPI) for all goods and services saw a slight increase in September, marking a 0.2 percentage point rise from the 3.0% recorded in August 2025, the Ghana Statistical Service has reported.

    The Statistics Authority said the September PPI stood at 3.2%. Despite the slight increase, it marks a sharp decline of 27.3 percentage points compared to September 2024, when producer inflation was significantly higher.

    On a month-on-month basis, producer prices rose by 0.9% between August and September 2025, meaning that, on average, producers received 0.9% more for their goods and services than they did the previous month.

    The Mining and Quarrying sector, which forms the largest part of the index with 43.7%, saw a modest uptick in its inflation rate from 4.9% in August to 5.0% in September.

    Similarly, Manufacturing, which accounts for 35% of the PPI weights, recorded a modest increase from 1.6% to 1.7% over the same period, marking a 6.25% rise.

    However, Transport and Storage prices continued to decline, with inflation in the sector dropping by 8.2% in September compared to a fall of 8.0% in August 2025.

    The GSS urged businesses to cut waste, improve efficiency, and reinvest savings in technology and skills development to stay competitive amid fluctuating prices. It further encouraged firms to transform inflationary pressures into productivity gains.

    The agency also advised the government to prioritise tax reliefs, address energy and transport bottlenecks, and strengthen local supply chains to make production cheaper and more efficient.

    For households, the GSS recommended smart spending habits, urging consumers to compare prices, buy wisely, and support businesses that pass on cost savings.

    “Spend with intention to stretch income and reward fair pricing,” the Service advised.

    Meanwhile, Ghana’s Producer Price Inflation (PPI) for June 2025 saw a sharp decline of 5.9%, marking the lowest level since November 2023, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

    Presenting the data in a press briefing held on Wednesday, July 16, in Accra, Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu indicated that for June alone, there was a deflation of 1.4%, meaning that, on average, producers earned less money for their products than they did in May.

    This comes after a drop of 4.2 percentage points, given the 10.1% rate recorded in May, indicating a significant decrease of 19.7 percentage points compared to June 2024, when it stood at 25.6%. This marked the fifth consecutive month that the PPI had gone down.

    “Ghana Producer Price inflation fell sharply to 5.9% in June 2025, down from 10.1% in May, a 42 percentage point dip in just a month, marking the fifth straight month of decline and the lowest rate since November 2023,” he announced.

    Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu attributed the decline to the mining and manufacturing sectors, along with the transport and hospitality sectors.

    The mining and quarrying sector, Ghana’s largest contributor to the PPI with a 43.7% weight, saw inflation fall from 13.7% in May to 6.5% in June. Manufacturing, which contributes about 35% of the PPI basket, dipped from 9.8% to 7.6%.

    Meanwhile, inflation for September 2025 dropped to 9.4% from 11.5% in August this year, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

    This marks the ninth consecutive month of decline since October 2021. The GSS attributed the latest development to the slowdown in food price increases. As of June, the country recorded a 13.7% rate, a 4.7 percentage point decline from the 18.4% rate reported in May.

    Food inflation fell by 6.5 percentage points to 16.3%, down from 22.8% in May, whereas non-food inflation dropped by 3 percentage points to 11.4%.

    The Upper West Region recorded the highest regional inflation of 32.3%, largely due to food inflation and utilities. The Bono Region recorded the lowest at 8.4%.

    On a regional level, the Upper West Region once again recorded the highest inflation at 24.8%, though this was down from 32.3% in June. This figure is more than twice the national average of 12.1%. In contrast, the Central Region posted the lowest rate at 7.7%.

    Before the release of the GSS’s recent data, an economic research firm, IC Research, projected that Ghana’s inflation rate would experience a significant decline, dropping to 16% by the end of June. According to IC Research, the projected improvement is partly driven by the appreciation of the local currency and a reduction in fuel prices, both of which are easing inflationary pressures.

    “The June 2025 CPI data window recorded a 29.5% month-on-month and 35.3% year-on-year appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi against the US dollar. This exerted downward pressure on prices of imported items, with notable declines in petroleum prices and transport fares. The announced 15.0% reduction in commercial transport fares will continue to restrain transport inflation with downside spillovers for other items.

    “Additionally, we estimate that the lower transport cost likely eased the month-on-month pressure observed for vegetables and tubers last month, potentially sustaining food disinflation in June 2025. Consequently, we forecast a 240 basis point decline in the June 2025 annual inflation to 16.0%, with the month-on-month rate at 0.8%,” IC Research added.

    Ghana ended the year 2024 with 23.8% inflation. In January 2025, inflation slightly declined to 23.5%, and since then, it has continued to ease. In February, inflation declined to 23.1%; it saw another decrease in March to 22.4%, and declined again in April to 21.2%.

    Due to the consistent decline in the inflation rate and recorded progress with other macroeconomic variables, the Bank of Ghana’s (BoG) Monetary Policy Committee has reduced the monetary policy rate from 28% to 25%.

    Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama, noted that the deceleration was underpinned by the tight monetary policy stance, fiscal consolidation, easing food supply constraints, as well as the strong recovery of the cedi.

    The Bank of Ghana has projected that headline inflation will fall within its medium-term target of 8 ± 2% by the end of 2025.

    The Central Bank attributed this expected decline to tighter monetary policy, the strengthening of the cedi, and continued fiscal consolidation efforts.

    It added that supply-side pressures have eased, resulting in lower food and overall inflation, with risks now tilted to the downside.

    Nonetheless, the Bank warned that some upward risks persist, including supply chain disruptions, global trade tensions, a 2.5% increase in utility tariffs, and a new 1.0% energy levy on ex-pump prices, which could push inflation up.

  • President Mahama secures $200m grant from China to establish Catholic Science and Technology University in Damongo

    President Mahama secures $200m grant from China to establish Catholic Science and Technology University in Damongo

    Ghana has secured an additional 200 million yuan ($30 million) grant from China to establish a new Catholic Science and Technology University in Damongo, in the Savannah Region.

    This was announced by President John Dramani Mahama during a courtesy call by Most Reverend Philip Naameh, Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale, at the Presidency in Accra.

    “This new university will produce the scientists and innovators needed for the 21st century,” President Mahama said. “We are bringing tertiary education to the doorstep of every Ghanaian youth.”

    He noted that the initiative aligns with his government’s broader goal of improving access to tertiary education by setting up universities or satellite campuses across all six newly created regions. He further emphasized that Ghana’s development relies on giving every citizen the opportunity to reach their full potential, no matter their situation.

    “This initiative envisions a Ghana where a visually impaired student becomes a software engineer, where a young woman in a wheelchair earns her law degree and defends the voiceless, and where a child with hearing impairment grows up to lead this nation,” he said.

    He declared the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities Initiative officially launched, describing it as a milestone in Ghana’s ongoing journey toward equality and social justice.

    “Let this prove that Ghana chooses justice over indifference, inclusion over exclusion,” he said. “With faith in our collective future, I hereby declare the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities Initiative officially launched.”

    Concluding his address, the President called for unity and shared purpose in building an inclusive society that values the potential of every citizen.

    “May this programme light the path for generations to come and remind us that every Ghanaian — regardless of ability — deserves the chance to dream and to rise as far as they can.”

    Earlier this month, the Government secured a ¥ 3 billion (Japanese Yen) grant agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the improvement of the Inner Ring Road in Kumasi.

    This was announced by the Minister of Finance Cassiel Ato Forson on his X page last week after he signed the agreement on behalf of the government.

    According to him, the Inner Ring Road is a critical artery, linking the N6 and N8 within Kumasi and forming part of the Takoradi/Tema Ports–Ouagadougou Corridor.

    However, the rapid growth in traffic has turned sections of this road into bottlenecks, with congestion, delays, and safety risks for road users.

    Thus, the signed agreement will significantly boost efficiency and mobility within the Kumasi metropolis.

    “I had the privilege of signing a ¥ 3 billion (Japanese Yen) grant agreement with JICA for the improvement of the Inner Ring Road in Kumasi. This project directly tackles those challenges. It will widen 3.2 km of road between Santasi and Ahodwo Roundabouts, upgrade intersections with modern traffic signals, improve pedestrian facilities and drainage systems, and enhance connectivity between Santasi Roundabout and the N8.”

    He further noted that the transformation “will be remarkable as travel speeds will more than triple, journey times will be cut drastically, and both passenger and freight movement will become far more efficient.”

    The Finance Minister expressed his profound appreciation to JICA for their generous support and continued partnership with Ghana.

    He describes the move as one that is only part of his government’s wider agenda for Kumasi(Ashanti), including ongoing and upcoming works such as the Suame Interchange and Local Roads, the Sunyani Road (Phase 2), the Konongo Bypass, and the forthcoming 45km Kumasi Outer Rin.

    Meanwhile, the Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has projected a two-year timeline for the completion of all current and upcoming road projects under the government’s “Big Push” initiative.

    President John Dramani Mahama’s Big Push Programme is a $10 billion infrastructure investment initiative aimed at accelerating Ghana’s development by completing abandoned projects and initiating new ones across all 16 regions

    In an interview with the media on Friday, July 31, Mr Agbodza stated that the day when road projects were abandoned midway are over, as the government is committed to completing all ongoing and future works within the stipulated time frame.

    According to him, all “Big Push” projects began at the end of the month August, excluding the Dambai Bridge, which will commence once its structure has been finalized.

    “The average Ghanaian has come to accept something that is completely unacceptable, because they see road projects start around their backyard, and no one can tell them when it will be completed. We want to reset. ‘Reset’ means we need to change that narrative.”

    “All the projects have been deliberately structured to span two years, 24 months, and we will not go beyond that,” he said. “Sometimes, a contractor is awarded 100 kilometers of road. People forget that constructing 100 kilometers is not a small undertaking. There may be people who are more interested in how much it costs — they focus on the money involved. So contractors take the job, and for seven or eight years, they do nothing. We want to avoid that,” he added.

    Furtherance of the measures set in place to tackle the project, Parliament on July 30 unanimously endorsed the government’s proposal to divert all royalties that will be received from oil revenues and mineral royalties to support the implementation of the Big Push Programme.

    This came after the government requested Parliament approve committing funds to assist in the construction of certain road projects. Mr Isaac Adongo, the Chairman of the Parliament’s Finance Committee, while presenting the report by the Budget and Finance joint committee to the plenary, said, “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 recommended 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),” Mr Adongo said.

    The initiative aimed at improving road infrastructure across the country was estimated at GHC 13.8 billion, and it is expected to be completed by 2028 with support from the country’s own financial resources. According to the 2025 budget, GH¢5.75 billion is owed by the Road Fund, with an allocation of GH¢2.81 billion programmed 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. The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, on Wednesday, July 30, revealed that his ministry has undertaken studies and prepared comprehensive engineering interventions and cost estimates for road projects under the Big Push Programme.

    The Ministry of Finance has since issued commitment authorizations for some twenty-nine (29) road infrastructure projects under the Big Push Programme which include: Upgrading of Akosombo-Gyakiti-Kudikope Road, Road Dualization of Winneba-Mankessim Road, Rehabilitation of Mankessim-Ajumako-Breman Asikuma-Agona Swedru, Construction of nchi-Elubo Road, and Rehabilitation of Atimpoku-Asikuma Junction Road.

    The government has also selected a number of abandoned road projects, for which no dedicated funding was allocated by the previous administration. They include rehabilitation and upgrading of Kasoa-Winneba Road, construction of Suame Interchange and Local Roads, reconstruction of Navrongo-Chuchuliga-Sandema Road, and upgrading of Tumu-Chuchuliga-Navrongo, including construction of a 36m span reinforced concrete bridge over the Kanyibie River and a 24m span reinforced concrete bridge over the Bechelihu river.

    The government promised to settle GHC4 billion out of the large debt owed to road contractors by the end of July,  Currently, the government owes road contractors GHC21 billion, according to the Roads Minister. President John Mahama emphasized his government’s commitment to infrastructure development under his administration’s 24-hour economy agenda. On his part, prioritising road construction and the swift resumption of stalled road projects holds the key to promoting economic growth and productivity by ensuring adequate 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 largely welcomed the president’s announcement, but they have called for transparency. They have called on the government to publish clear timelines and payment schedules to ensure that contractors can 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 to clear 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.

    He emphasized the importance of prioritizing road maintenance, a sector that has suffered due to poor upkeep. “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.

    Mr Suhuyini noted that, in addition to paying off some existing road maintenance debts, the government is looking at 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,” he added.

  • “I want to go back to school and leave the street behind” – Showboy

    “I want to go back to school and leave the street behind” – Showboy

    Musician and entertainer Showboy has revealed plans to go back to school after compromising his dream of becoming a lawyer to street life.

    “I want to go back to school. Let me try and see if I can go back to GIMPA,” he stated on 3Music TV monitored by MyNewsGh.

    According to him, he made seven ones in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and enrolled at Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School.

    He travelled to further his education at Montgomery College in the United States having in mind he dreams of becoming a lawyer.

    Unfortunately, in the United States, while earning income from multiple jobs, negative influences pushed him into criminal activities, ultimately leading to a prison sentence that ended his academic progression.

    Nonetheless, he is determined to correct his course.

    Showboy says he has tasked his management to retrieve his index number from Presec as part of his intent to further his education.

    Meanwhile, Gospel musician Reverend Christiana Twene, popularly known as Obaapa Christi, has clearly stated that she will not further her education due to mockery.

    The “Meti Ase” hit singer did not specify the level she would start from, but she feels she is too old to enroll in a school and take on the identity of a student again.

    Speaking to Andy Dosty on Hitz FM, the woman of God indicated that, “I am not shy to go back to school. But I am quite old and I will be made a mockery of, even though I will also make a mockery of them. However, I am trying to learn as much as I can.”

    Despite her reluctance, she is ready to employ other options to equip herself with any knowledge she lacks.

    “I am not going to enroll in school and officially become a student. But I can hire someone to teach me privately,” she said.

    Though she may struggle to sing an English song, Obaapa Christi sees nothing strange about it because she believes it’s the same way a white person struggles to sing a Twi song.

    The gospel musician said she strives to give her all in worship, as her struggle with fluent English cannot be a hindrance to her ministry progress.

    Obaapa Christi disclosed in an interview last year that she deliberately chose not to take her Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results after completing the exam.

    The artist explained that she had a feeling that she wouldn’t pass all the subjects and, as a result, opted not to return to the school to retrieve her results.

    Speaking with Roselyn Felli on Joy Prime’s Prime Morning, Obaapa Christy shared insights into her educational background, revealing her unconventional decision regarding the BECE results.

    “I reached JHS, but it’s not that I stopped; I wrote BECE, but I didn’t go for the results,” she said.

    “Did you pass”? Roselyn asked.

    “I didn’t even go for it to see whether I passed or not because I foresaw that I wouldn’t pass,” the singer replied.

    The “Hyebre Sesafo” and “W’asue Me,” hitmaker opened up about growing up underprivileged.

    She told Andy Dosty on Hitz FM, July 31, that she was not raised by parents who were well-to-do, as she had to sell ice water on the streets to survive.

    “I’m a poor man’s child. I’m a shoemaker’s daughter and I used to be a hawker. My mother used to sell thrift clothes, I move from one village to another to sell them. I even sold ice water and ice-kenkey.”

    “When I close from school, I used to peddle oranges’ and I’ve sold a lot of things. We used to live in a single room” she said.

    She added, “My parents gave birth to nine children, and I was the second born. I’ve really suffered but I’m not a lazy woman. I worked so hard to get to where I am today.”

    Gospel artist Celestine Donkor recently opened up about her upbringing during the ‘Grass to Grace’ edition of Just Being Us.

    She recounted the challenges of growing up in a compound house alongside 11 neighbors, where her parents raised a total of 15 children in a single hall and chamber.

    In a heartfelt tribute to her mother, Celestine shared how her mom worked tirelessly to provide for the family, ensuring that all her children were well-fed despite their limited resources.

    She fondly recalled a particular pot that her mother used for cooking, which her siblings affectionately dubbed the “miracle pot.”

    “It was not easy for parents like mine to take care of 15 siblings. I remember how we all had to eat from one pot. There is a particular pot my mom cooked in. At a point, we all agreed it was a miracle pot because when she had 7 kids, the pot was full and enough for everyone. We were 15, and the same pot was full and was enough for everyone, so we called it a miracle pot.”

    Celestine also discussed the financial struggles her family faced, noting that her mother engaged in various forms of petty trading to support them.

    “My mom did everything to make sure we were fed, like selling everything. I do not know what my mom hasn’t sold in this life.”

    Reflecting on her childhood memories, she described the experience of sleeping on a couch in their cramped living situation.

    “I grew up in a compound house. It was like 12 different families in one compound at Flat Top, Abeka. I remember very well, it was a chamber and hall, so I grew up sleeping on a couch. I thought the couch was actually the bed. It was strange for me, later in life, to have my own bed.”

    The gospel musician also recounted her upbringing in a crowded compound house where she lived alongside 11 neighbors while her parents raised a total of 15 children.

    Reflecting on the challenges of her childhood, she praised her mother for her unwavering dedication to ensuring that her family was well-fed despite their difficult circumstances.

    She recalled how her siblings and she were amazed at how one particular pot seemed to have miraculous qualities.

    “It was not easy for parents like mine to take care of 15 siblings. I remember how we all had to eat from one pot. There is a particular pot my mom cooked in. At a point, we all agreed it was a miracle pot because when she had 7 kids, the pot was full and enough for everyone. We were 15, and the same pot was full and was enough for everyone, so we called it a miracle pot.” she shared.

    Celestine also highlighted the financial struggles her family faced, which compelled her mother to take on various small trading ventures to support the household.

    “My mom did everything to make sure we were fed, like selling everything. I do not know what my mom hasn’t sold in this life.”

    Nostalgically, she recalled the crowded living conditions in their home, where sleeping arrangements were quite limited.

    “I grew up in a compound house. It was like 12 different families in one compound at Flat Top, Abeka. I remember very well, it was a chamber and hall, so I grew up sleeping on a couch. I thought the couch was the bed. It was strange for me, later in life, to have my own bed.”

    Renowned musician King Paluta shared insights into his upbringing during an interview on The Delay Show aired on March 23, 2024.

    He was raised by his mother for the nineteen years (19) in the absence of his father.

    He humorously likened his family dynamics to biblical figures, jestingly referring to himself as ‘Jesus.’

    Drawing parallels, he highlighted his mother’s name, Mary, and his father’s name, Joseph, alongside his birth out of wedlock.

    “I didn’t see my father often,” he said. “I think I was raised by a single mother. Before I was born, my parents weren’t married. When I came into the world, my dad was away. He was in Ghana, but we had no idea of his whereabouts.”

    The musician recalled his first encounter with his father when he visited their home, revealing that he was approximately nineteen years old at the time.

    “It wasn’t until I was 19 or 20 years old that I met him,” said King Paluta. “He came to my mother, and she discussed marriage with him. My father was the only man my mother had.”

    He recounted that throughout this period, his mother consciously chose not to pursue relationships with other men. However, he remained uncertain about her specific reasons, speculating that “her interest in men dwindled after the separation, leading her to prioritize her children.”

    King Paluta shared that his father passed away in 2022, but before his death, there had been a reconciliation between his parents.

    Reflecting on his musical journey, King Paluta disclosed that he penned his debut song in 2004, demonstrating his dedication to music by investing his school fees in studio sessions.

    Today, he has emerged as a respected musician, with his tracks amassing significant views. His notable works include ‘Aha Akye,’ featuring Samini, ‘Sika Aba Fie,’ ‘YaHitte,’ and ‘Aseda.’

  • EPA launches initiative to reclaim and restore degraded mining lands

    EPA launches initiative to reclaim and restore degraded mining lands

    The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has launched a major national initiative to reclaim and restore lands destroyed by illegal mining, as part of efforts to protect Ghana’s environment and rebuild affected communities.

    The initiative, known as the EcoReclaim Project, aims to restore soil fertility, revive biodiversity, and promote sustainable livelihoods in areas severely degraded by mining and other unsustainable human activities.

    During a community engagement after inspecting some reclaimed sites, Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, said the reclaimed lands would host special plant species to help restore ecosystems and rebuild livelihoods destroyed by illegal mining.

    “The reclamation project we are launching today is a step towards healing the land, restoring livelihoods, and rebuilding hope. The theme is to reclaim, restore, and rebuild. It is a national initiative that focuses on reclaiming degraded lands and rehabilitating ecosystems destroyed by mining and other human activities through the Eco Reclaim Project,” she stated.

    According to her, the degraded sites will be surveyed, mapped, and restored through activities such as replenishing the topsoil and stabilising slopes. She added that indigenous tree species capable of extracting heavy metals from the soil would be planted to revive soil health.

    The project forms part of the government’s flagship Reclaim, Restore, Rebuild programme and will begin with a 2,000-hectare pilot phase at Gyaman Nkwanta in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region.

    It is being implemented by the Lodgist Group Limited and supervised by the EPA.

    Chief Executive Officer of Lodgist Group Limited, Daniel Doe Tamakloe, outlined best land management practices to ensure the project’s success and called on communities to guard reclaimed lands against re-encroachment.

    “As part of our operational framework, Lodgist Group Limited is adopting best land management practices to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the reclaimed sites. This includes the use of hydro-remediation and biowood species to naturally restore soil nutrients and stabilise ecosystems, integrated land use planning to ensure reclaimed lands are developed for productive agricultural and community purposes, and continuous soil monitoring and mapping using technology to track environmental recovery. We are also promoting a community-based maintenance system that empowers local residents as custodians of the restored lands. However, for these efforts to yield lasting results, we must all work together to protect the reclaimed sites from any form of encroachment,” he explained.

    Traditional leaders have welcomed the initiative and pledged their full support to protect the restored lands and rebuild livelihoods through the project.

    Currently, reclamation work is ongoing at Jaman Nkwanta in the Amansia Central District of the Ashanti Region. The EPA says the exercise will cover about 2,000 hectares of degraded land in the district. According to the CEO of the EPA, trees will be planted, and farming activities will be reintroduced to sustain the environment and local livelihoods.

    Reporting from Jaman Nkwanta in the Amansia Central District of the Ashanti Region, my name is Carlos Kaloney.

    Discussions regarding the government’s response to the rise in illegal mining, commonly referred to as ‘galamsey’, have increased significantly due to the severe environmental damage it is causing in the country, particularly the pollution of our water bodies.

    Recent researches report that 60% of Ghana’s major rivers have been destroyed by galamsey, with heavy presence of metals which have found their way into our food chain, claiming lives and causing deformities, particularly among babies.

    As part of measures to deal with this deadly destruction, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a modern science-backed technological solution to reverse the devastation caused by illegal mining (galamsey).

    With what they describe as the ‘nano technology, ‘ the EPA is confident that the dechemicalization solution, featuring a copper-based ‘nano liquid,’ has been laboratory-tested and proven effective in purifying heavily contaminated rivers.

    Speaking on The Probe on Joy News on Sunday, October 5, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Executive Director of the EPA, dismissed public despondency, insisting that the crisis is solvable through advanced science, provided the government secures the immediate funding for a large-scale demonstration, which will cost over 200,000 dollars for the piloting phase.

    According to her, “I want to tell my fellow Ghanaians that there is still hope, because we are in a technology age. To do pilots to show to Ghanaians and even the president that this is doable. We need 200,000 USD; if I get it today, we will do the pilot for every Ghanaian to see that with the flowing river, this particular technology can be used.” Prof. Klutse declared, shifting the focus from failed military operations to chemical innovation.

    Prof. Klutse revealed that the EPA has identified and tested at least two viable technologies, including one that has been successfully deployed in other international contexts, specifically citing success in Greece.

    She also admitted that these technologies she is advocating for to strip pollutants from our rivers are something she has witnessed for herself, their efficacy and effectiveness in restoring Ghana’s rivers. According to her, nanotechnology is just one among the many technological tests they are exploring to heal Ghana’s galamsey-polluted water bodies.

    “Yes, there’s a nano liquid that is copper-based that can be used. That’s just one. We have tried this, which has been tested in Greece. I have seen for myself. We have done the test in the lab for the EPA and advised the government on this; we have tested it, and it works, and it’s doable,” the University of Ghana Professor said.

    She said that even though the new technology has worked well in tests, Ghana will only use it after checking whether it is worth the money, i.e., to check whether it will work efficiently, not just something cheap.

    “We are looking at all of the options, and we will have to decide on the one that is more affordable, not just cheap affordable, because it’s effective and also cost-effective.”

  • Police arrests 49-year-old fisherman for defiling 13-year-old girl at Apam

    Police arrests 49-year-old fisherman for defiling 13-year-old girl at Apam

    The Central Regional Police Command has arrested a forty-nine-year old fisherman for defiling a 13-year-old girl in Apam, the Central Region.

    His arrest followed a video that went viral on social media capturing the man engaged in the unscrupulous act.

    A statement shared by the police stated that, “On October 17, 2025, about 1300 hours, the Apam District Police Command received information that on October 16, 2025, a 49-year-old fisherman by the name Samuel Armah, a.k.a Kofi Nyan, had defiled a 13-year-old girl at Mumford, a suburb of Apam. That the suspect lured the survivor into a ghetto at Mumford and defiled her.Police on receipt of information proceeded to the area, and with the assistance of Mumford, task force arrested the suspect.”

    The survivor has since been hospitalised at St. Luke Catholic Hospital for examination and treatment.

    The statement further explained that after the matter was reported, the case docket was forwarded to the Central Regional office of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) for further investigation. 

    Upon interrogation at the Unit, the suspect admitted to committing the offence. He was then taken into custody by the police to assist with ongoing investigations. 

    The statement added that the accused person will be formally charged and brought before the court for prosecution on 23 October 2025.

    The command has assured the general public that justice will be served in the matter. It has also appealed to residents of Mumford and its surrounding communities to support efforts to arrest the four accomplices identified as Agoogo, Edina, Kwesi Abbam, and Agya Ankoto, who are currently on the run.

    The command has urged anyone with credible information about the whereabouts of these suspects to contact them on 18555 or 0299205854, or to report to the nearest police station.

    In 2022, the Central Regional Police Command recorded more than 200 defilement cases within 18 months.

    Of the total number, about 147 males were arrested with some absconding and are being pursued to face the law.

    A police source told the Ghana News Agency that about 101 cases had been taken to court, and 25 suspects had been charged and convicted.

    It blamed the disparities in reporting, arresting, and prosecution of cases on the lack of incriminating evidence, cooperation from victims and families, and legal complexities.

    The source condemned the act and attributed the rise in defilement cases to poverty and lack of parental guidance and protection of children, which pushed the victims into the hands of pedophiles.

    The source encouraged parents to strictly monitor their children in their usage of  mobile phones, including the sites they visited and their relationships.

    Some children get paedophiles online asking them to snap half or full naked pictures of themselves and innocently, some of the children fall prey to such antics.

    Parents must, however, devise stringent measures to protect children from smartphones, social media, and paedophiles as the police continued to put in all efforts to ensure that criminal activities were reduced across the region, the source said.

    A report by the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit said a lot of cases on sexual-based violence were reported to the Unit, but only about five percent was convicted.

    That was because some families later received compensations from the perpetrators and decided to settle the matter at home without considering the physical and psychological effects on the victims.

    The practice had derailed the fortunes of many girls in terms of reproductive health and socio-economic well-being, the source said.

    Earlier this year, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP), through its Domestic Violence Secretariat, convened a stakeholders’ meeting to assess existing laws and introduce new strategies aimed at strengthening protections for survivors of domestic violence.

    The event, which took place on February 26, 2025, brought together legal experts, social workers, civil society groups, development partners, and other key stakeholders to examine the effectiveness of current domestic violence legislation.

    Speaking at the meeting, Gender Minister Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey highlighted the different forms of domestic violence, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse.

    She pointed out that while these issues were once regarded as private matters, legal advancements have encouraged public discussions and established structured intervention measures.

    The Minister pointed out the necessity of incorporating modern technology, including AI and digital tools, into strategies aimed at tackling domestic violence.

    At the meeting, legal expert Sheila Minkah-Premo provided an in-depth breakdown of domestic violence legislation, covering Act 732, the Legislative Instrument (L.I.), and the National Plan of Action. She examined the legal structure, detailing its provisions and how they impact survivors and service providers.

    Conversations also focused on improving assistance systems for those affected.

    As part of this initiative, the Ministry introduced an upgraded Boame SGBV Mobile Application, designed to offer quick support and essential resources to victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

    The event reaffirmed the Ministry’s resolve to enhance legal protections and improve the support framework for survivors.

    “The advocacy from you as stakeholders cannot be overemphasized, and the Ministry is grateful for your input,” the Minister stated.

  • Ban ‘stay of proceedings’ in corruption-related cases to prevent trial delays – Domelevo to govt

    Ban ‘stay of proceedings’ in corruption-related cases to prevent trial delays – Domelevo to govt

    Former Auditor-General and a member of the ORAL preparatory team, Daniel Yao Domelevo has advocating for a legal reform that bans stay of proceedings in corruption-related cases.

    According to him, stay of proceedings delays corruption trials which merits criminals and their lawyers which also results in nolle prosequi when there is a change in government. 

    Speaking in an interview on TV3’s The Key Point, Saturday, October 25, 2025. Mr Domelevo indicated that Ghana will not be the first because the Nigerian Supreme Court has blocked stay of proceedings in corruption prosecutions under Section 306 of its Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Section 40 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act. 

    “Put a time limit on trials. If you go to Nigeria, they have made good progress. The Supreme Court in Nigeria based on Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and then Section 40 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act has prevented Stay of Proceedings in criminal cases so we should apply that. “If not to all criminal cases in Ghana at least to corruption-related cases.” 

    Domelevo stands by the narrative that once Ghana adopt a similar rule, the accused would not have the option to stay proceedings for years once a corruption trial begins.

    “Once we start trying you on corruption, you can’t go to a high court and come back and tell us stay proceedings, let me finish my appeal before you continue so that we can bring finality and a law must guide us. Until we do that, the prayer of criminals and their lawyers is delayed, because a change of government could lead to a nolle prosequi and the case dies” he added.

    He is therefore urging Parliament to amend the Internal Audit Agency Act so that internal auditors are not controlled by the very people they are auditing.

    He further mentioned that auditors currently operate under principal spending officers who can easily influence their work through transfers, promotion threats, or even dismissal. 

    He noted that protecting auditors from such pressures would enable them to detect theft early and prevent future losses rather than only pursuing past ones.

    Amid the advocacy, Chief Executive Officer of the defunct Menzgold Ghana Limited, Nana Appiah Mensah, indicated plans to escalate his legal battle to the Supreme Court months ago, after the Court of Appeal dismissed his application for a stay of proceedings.

    Nana Appiah Mensah, who is popularly known as NAM1, suffered another legal setback on Monday, 19 May 2025, when a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal unanimously rejected his request to suspend proceedings in the ongoing criminal trial at the Financial Division of the High Court in Accra.

    “It is not over yet. There is also the Supreme Court,” NAM1 told reporters after the ruling, adding that he would consult his lawyers before deciding on the next steps.

    The embattled Chief Executive Officer and his two companies, Brew Marketing Consult and Menzgold Ghana Limited, are currently facing trial on 39 charges. These charges include selling gold without a licence, operating a deposit-taking business without approval, inducement to invest, defrauding by false pretence, fraudulent breach of trust, and money laundering.

    The charges are in connection with an alleged misappropriation of over GH¢340 million belonging to thousands of customers.

    In July 2024, the High Court directed NAM1 to open his defence after dismissing his submission of no case to answer. His legal team subsequently filed an appeal to challenge that decision and applied for a stay of proceedings, first at the High Court and later at the Court of Appeal, but both requests were denied.

    The Court of Appeal panel, which was presided over by Justice Gbiel Suurbaareh and included Justices Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe and Christopher Archer, ruled that NAM1 had failed to show any exceptional circumstances that would warrant the grant of a stay.

    Following this decision, the case at the Financial Court is expected to continue on 28 May 2025.

    In the same vein, an Accra High Court dismissed an application filed by lawyers for the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Mr Kwabena Adu-Boahene, for stay of proceedings pending an appeal.

    The application concerned an earlier ruling by the Court’s refusal to grant the defence access to additional documents they indicated were material and exculpatory evidence to help them with their case.

    The accused, his wife, and two others have been charged with 11 offences, including stealing, laundering GH¢49.1 million in state funds, willfully causing financial loss to the state, conspiracy, collaboration to commit crime, and abuse of public office. They have all pleaded not guilty.

    Mr Samuel Atta-Akyea, Counsel for the accused persons, argued that without those documents, their clients could not get a fair trial and therefore asked the court to stay the ongoing criminal proceedings pending the appeal.

    Dr Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney-General, opposed the stay.

    The State argued that the defence had not established exceptional circumstances for stay of proceedings to be granted.

    Dr Srem-Sai said the requested materials were either irrelevant or not held by the prosecution, points that underpinned the earlier refusal to order further disclosure.

  • “Is Agradaa not a child of God?” – Nigel Gaisie on willingness to help Agradaa if permitted

    Founder and Leader of Prophetic Hill Chapel, Prophet Nigel Gaisie, has stated that he is willing to embrace any opportunity to lobby for a reduction in Agradaa’s fifteen-year prison sentence.

    During an interview on Aluta FM, he explained that his visit to the prisons was part of his usual routine and not specifiaclly to see Agradaa.

    Nonetheless, he considers Agradaa a child of God and will do anything he can to help her if he finds the opportunity.

    “Is Agradaa not a child of God? Someone’s enemy is not mine. They should leave me. Agradaa is a minister of God. Yes, I went to visit Agradaa, and I would go there again to visit her, for that matter if I get the chance. Agradaa is not my enemy. If I get the opportunity, I will do it. You know why I will do it? Because she is a fellow human being, and I will do it for any other person, granted I have the opportunity,” he said.

    @longjondeblogger

    Granted i wanted Agraadaa to be release what is wrong with that, Agradaa is not my enemy even though she has attacked me befoere and i have visited Agradaa in jail and i will go again- Prophet Nigel Gaisel reveals he has so much love he can’t hate Agraada

    ♬ original sound – Long Jon Deblogger

    Traditional priestess turned evangelist, Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, is going to spend 15 years in prison for charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretence.

    The Circuit Court in Accra delivered its sentence after it confirmed that she is not pregnant.

    In 2022, she was accused of luring her victims through claims that she possessed spiritual powers to double their money.

    Initially admitting guilt to charges including fraudulent advertising and obtaining money under false pretenses, she spent two weeks in remand before being granted bail of GH₵150,000 with three sureties, one requiring justification.

    She tricked members of the Godsway International Heaven Church into handing over their cash during a night vigil service at her church in Weija, Accra.

    Meanwhile, Ghanaian gospel musician Gifty Oppong Adorye, known in showbiz as Empress Gifty, has dragged Evangelist Mama Pat, popularly known as Agradaa, to court for defaming her.

    In a video targeting Empress Gifty’s husband, Hopeson Adorye, Agradaa extended her attacks to the singer, accusing her of engaging in bestiality and unfaithful activities.

    According to Gifty, other bloggers have leveraged Agradaa’s statement to spread false narratives about her.

    This has affected the “Watch Me” singer and her family, as their children are being ridiculed by friends in school.

    In addition to the negative impact of Agradaa’s conduct, lawyers of Empress Gifty say her trip abroad slated for August has been jeopardized.

    The words used by Agradaa are interpreted to mean the following:

    a) The plaintiff is promiscuous and a prostitute.

    b) The plaintiff is a zoophile who flirts with dogs to earn her money to cater for her husband.

    c) The plaintiff is an adulterous or an unchaste wife who has extramarital affairs with other men, and most of her paramours are pastors.

    d) Pastors who invite the Plaintiff to their programs have sexual intercourse with her in their offices before the Plaintiff mounts the pulpit to sing.

    e) The plaintiff is an imbecile.

    Consequently, Empress Gifty is claiming the sum of twenty million Ghana Cedis for damages for slander.

    She is also seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent the defendant, along with associates, agents, and anyone acting on her behalf, from making further publications of the same or similar defamatory statements.

    In response to this, her husband, Angel Asiamah, who also doubles as a fellow pastor of the church, has revealed that, the church would continue “as he remains a pastor and Rev. Mama Pat also remains a pastor as well, the work of God would still go on”.

    He said that the verdict is “no new news because many whpo worked for God, many who have taken leadership positions at a point in history suffered imprisonment”.

    He continued by drawing comparisons with biblical characters such as Paul and Silas who were imprisoned for doing the work of God and were imprisoned.

    He said “it’s normal,considering how things work in the spiritual realm. However quite disturbing as it ought to be in the physical realm.

    He claims that “God has ways of honouring his servants hence this might only be the beginning of something good” he said.

    Asiamah has pleaded with Ghanaians to forgive his wife, who is currently serving a 15-year jail term.

    While addressing the church on Sunday, July 13, 2025, Angel Asiamah knelt before the congregation in a heartfelt plea, declaring, 

    “I plead with you all, God has forgiven her of all sins. Please forgive her, too. I have knelt here before God. I believe wherever she is, the Spirit of God has spoken with her. I plead with all she has offended to forgive her, we appeal to John Dramani Mahama, the First Lady, and the Vice President to forgive her,” he said.

    Last month, he visited his wife confidently said she was doing perfectly well.

    “I went to see my wife, Mrs Asiamah. This week I went to her and she gave me a bible quote. Based on our chat and how she looked, things are going very well. Do you understand? When I say things are going well, I know what I am saying.”

    He added, “When something is yours, it looks more beautiful to you than everyone else. So as Agradaa is my wife, if I say she’s doing well and living well, then that’s exactly how she is.” he told members of the Heaven Way Champions International Ministry on September 28, 2025.

  • Jamaican singer, Barbee allegedly sexually assaulted and robbed at ShattaFest

    Jamaican singer, Barbee allegedly sexually assaulted and robbed at ShattaFest

    Fast-rising US-based Nigerian-Jamaican singer, Barbee, has alleged that she was sexually assaulted and robbed at the 2025 ShattaFest held at the Black Star Square, Accra on October 18.

    The reggae-pop singer, who is currently in Ghana to promote her new music project, broke down in tears on her TikTok page while she shared the news.

    “Recently, I attended Shatta Wale’s Birthday Bash with two of my neighbours. It was supposed to be a joyful night celebrating music, unity, and community. Instead, I was attacked, robbed, and left feeling completely unprotected and violated,” she said.

    Barbee mentioned she and her neighbours requested to be aided to the to the VIP section.

    To their utter dismay, they led by the security personnel through a densely packed crowd instead.

    “People were trying to grab her hair off, touching my boobs, touching my booty, my private area, in a nutshell I was being molested. I have never been so humiliated in my life. My passport was stolen, Greg lost $800, and our phones were taken. I was left with a swollen, bruised face,” she narrated.

    @barbeesworld

    went to celebrate Shatta Wale’s birthday and was sexually assaulted, robbed, and beaten. Speaking up for the women who can’t. We must do better. 💔

    ♬ original sound – Barbee

    Dancehall musician Shatta Wale’s manager, Sammy Flex disclosed that the musician’s birthday concert dubbed ShattaFest expected to see only 100,000 fans in attendance, but they were blown away with an incredible 300,000 fans showing up.

    According to him, the entire event was planned in just thirteen days, but the massive turnout proved to the team that God truly used Shatta to bless the whole nation.

    “We didn’t anticipate the huge numbers at all. They filled the entire square, the stands and even spilled into the streets. The drone shots captured people stretching from the stadium area all the way to Osu and Tema Station. The whole place was packed.”

    Sammy mentioned that the fire service was invited to step in and sprinkle water on the crowd, as there was intense unbearable heat.

    “When the heat got intense, I asked the Fire Service to step in to sprinkle water on the fans. We had ambulances and five other emergency cars on standby to handle any emergencies,” he added.

    ShattaFest was a star-studded event with Sarkodie, Samini, Wendy Shay, Medikal, Kelvynboy, Amerado, DarkoVibes, Tinny, JZyNo, Kwame Yogot, and DopeNation, among several others were on the lineup.

    The concert wrapped up around 7:05 a.m. on October 19, 2025.

    It received applause from public figures and gospel artists such as Gospel singer Sonnie Badu, who publicly commended Shatta Wale over the success of the concert. 

    Tens of thousands of fans filled the Independence Square on October 18, 2025, for Shatta Wale’s birthday concert themed, “ShattaFest 2025 x Shattabration: The King Calls.”

    Sonnie Badu took to social media to lauds Shatta Wale regarding the massive crowd he pulled for the event. 

    “It’s never happened in the history of Ghana, not even on the day of our independence with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. This is huge. @shattawalenima needs to be studied. We all go throw money for ground, feed the streets and they got your back. Paaa paaa paaa! I think Ghana is evolving and soon we will take the centre stage again,” he wrote on Instagram on October 20, 2025.

    According to reports, the event was planned to commence at 4pm, however fans began arriving hours earlier, with the entire venue and surrounding streets packed by sunset.

    Shatta Wale’s concert follows another massive one organized earlier by Sarkodie in September.

    Sarkodie thrilled fans with a unique, exciting entry at his just-ended Rapperholic concert in Kumasi over the weekend.

    Despite the delays in the commencement time of the concert, his legendary entrance to the stage melted any possible disappointment or anger.

    It began with a poetic prelude where the poet praised Sarkodie as one whose glory cannot be boxed or hidden, a reference to his kingship, his heritage as the son of the Ashanti Kingdom, highlighting his well-known title “Landlord”, positioning not just a rapper, but a voice of heritage.

    The speaker invoked the spirit of Kumasi and the Ashanti Kingdom, framing Sarkodie’s homecoming as a symbolic return to the source of his strength. One of the lines of the poet was her praise for Sarkodie as one who “ does not just rhyme, but remembers. He does not just perform, he preserves,” she delivered her rich culture and praise-loaded poem for Sarkodie, with the Ashanti Flag projected on the huge LED screens behind her.

    As the poem ended, Sarkodie’s nickname “Obidi” blazed across the stage in flaming letters, followed by a glowing crown that hovered above, symbolising his reign in Ghanaian rap.

    Following the grand display before the ‘landlord’s’ appearance on stage, it began to rain; however, the downpour didn’t dampen the fans’ energy, and they stayed put until Sarkodie appeared.

    He finally showed, opening the stage with his “Original” song in which he addresses critics, cementing his reputation as a pioneer and not a product of hype. His journey through the rap journey with a line in the song which says, “I didn’t come to fit in, I came to stand out.”

    He was surprised on stage by dancehall artist Shatta Wale, whose appearance was welcomed with loud and explosive cheers by fans. The duo performed their decade-old song “Megye Wo Girl”.

    Sarkodie playfully shoved Shatta Wale as he joined him on stage, and their chemistry was electrifying, making it a highlight of the night.

    The concert was held on Saturday, 27, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. When the stadium was announced as the venue to host the concert, concerns were raised by football enthusiasts and stakeholders about the authority approving the concert to be held at the stadium when Ghana is preparing for an international match. Ghana has a mixed history when it comes to the quality of our pitches, with rare cases of consistent maintenance often from hosting football, concerts, and rallies. Lack of pitch covers, among others.

    The Baba Yara pitch is undergoing renovations to meet CAF and FIFA standards, including turf upgrades and drainage improvements.

    Hence, to address these concerns, the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, clarified that while his outfit has given the rapper the green light to host the concert at the stadium, he has been banned from extending his activities to the pitch itself.

    Acknowledging the poor state of pitches in the Ghana government’s efforts to renovate and add to the number of stadiums nationwide, he explained that, “Sarkodie is prohibited from using the pitch to host the Rapperholic event. The pitch is important to us, and there is no way the event will be hosted on the pitch,” he said during an appearance on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

    He continued that, while Sarkodie has explicitly been told to stay away from the pitch itself, he cautioned that sanctions would be applied if the arrangements were violated.

    “We are aware that there is an agreement in place stating that a penalty or fine will be incurred should that happen, but we are not interested in pursuing that. There are no pitch covers, so we have to put measures in place to ensure that the pitch is safe,” he noted.

    Sarkodie, responding to the NSA’s directive, took to his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to assure fans that, as he had been explicitly directed from the outset, he expressed his intention to host the concert at the stadium and would not break any rules.

    “The rules were set from day 1, and we are not ready to break it (sic),” he said.

    @barbeesworld

    went to celebrate Shatta Wale’s birthday and was sexually assaulted, robbed, and beaten. Speaking up for the women who can’t. We must do better. 💔

    ♬ original sound – Barbee
  • Late Castro’s mother is dead

    Late Castro’s mother is dead

    Mother of the late Ghanaian hiplife legend, Castro, has passed away.

    Lydia Naa Deide Tagoe’s death was announced by her son and brother to the late Castro, McBaby Nana Kwame Martin, in a post shared on Facebook

    “I am broken and short of words, but God knows best. I lost my best friend and my angel on earth this morning. Rest on, Mommy, forever in my heart… Wherever you are, may God keep you safe,” McBaby Nana Kwame Martin emotionally wrote on October 23, 2025, with an old picture of him and his mother.

    Meanwhile, the cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

    Renowned gospel musician Mama Esther, disclosed that her 109-year old mother, Deaconess Hannah Opoku, affectionately known as “Maame Hannah,” is dead.

    She shared the news on Facebook on September 15, 2025 expressing devastation over the tragic news.

    “It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of my beloved mother, Deaconess Hannah Opoku (Maame Hannah), at the remarkable age of 109.

    “She lived a full and blessed life, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, and strength. Kindly keep us in your prayers during this difficult time,” she wrote.

    Adding that, the family have asked the public to remember them in their prayers to be comforted in this trying time.

    Love ones, fans and well-wishers have since poured their love and support for the bereaved family.

    In 2023, John Dumelo  also lost his beloved mother, Mrs. Veronica Ama Ampoma Dumelo.

    In remembrance of her, a one-week observation was held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Adabaraka, Accra. The event was attended by a gathering of showbiz figures, friends, and family, including personalities such as Yvonne Nelson, Bola Ray, and Soraya Mensah.

    Madam Veronica, aged 71, passed away on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. The renowned Ghanaian actor took to social media to confirm the heartbreaking news of his mother’s passing, stating that she had left the world on August 15th.

    Retired from her role as a customs officer, John Dumelo’s mother’s cause of death remains undisclosed.

    Ghanaian gospel singer Empress Gifty shared the heartbreaking news of her mother’s passing last year. Her mother, Evangelist Agnes Aba Annan, affectionately known as ‘Agaga,’ passed away after a short illness.

    Empress Gifty announced her mother’s death on social media on Saturday, December 14, 2024, as messages of sympathy flooded in from family, friends, and fans.

    She mentioned that more details about her mother’s passing and funeral plans would be shared later.

    View this post on Instagram A post shared by Empress Gifty (@empress_gifty)

    ‘Agaga,’ a well-known actress, appeared in several TV commercials and was known for her lively personality.

    Despite her age, she remained outspoken and energetic, always supporting her daughter and defending her against online criticism.

    Empress Gifty and her mother often went live on social media, sharing fun moments and jokes with their followers. During these sessions, ‘Agaga’ also shared faith-based messages and advice for young people.

    Besides her close relationship with her daughter, ‘Agaga’ had a strong bond with her son-in-law, Mr. Hopeson Adorye.

    In 2024, Mzbel made public the loss of her mother, who passed away late on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

    The cause and details of her mother’s death have not been disclosed. Mzbel shared a photo of her late mother on Instagram with a heartfelt tribute, “Rest in power mummy.”

    This recent loss follows the death of Mzbel’s father, Albert Amoah, in January 2022. Fans and supporters have been sending their condolences and offering prayers for strength during this difficult time.

    In a recent interview with Fiifi Pratt on Kingdom FM, Mzbel opened up about her personal life, revealing that she has never been married and has no plans to marry. She explained, “Marriage is not something I’m interested in. Though I’ve been in several relationships, I’ve never tied the knot and don’t intend to.”

    Mzbel also shared that she has been given rings in past relationships, including one she currently wears. She clarified, “This ring was given to me by a partner after I had a child. It’s not a promise ring, but rather a symbol of our enduring relationship.”

    Actress Roselyn Ngissah received an outpouring of love and support from the entertainment community following the passing of her mother, Madam Elizabeth Ngissah, earlier this year.

    In a show of solidarity, key figures from the industry, including renowned filmmaker Peter Sedufia, Ghana’s Most Beautiful star Araba, and actress Jessica Williams, visited Roselyn to offer their condolences in person.

    Beyond the visits, many others have reached out with heartfelt messages, sharing words of comfort and strength to help her through this period of grief.

    The visit came just two days after the actress announced the passing of her mother, who succumbed to a brief illness.

    Madam Elizabeth Ngissah was a revered educator who dedicated over 40 years of her life to teaching.

    She touched the lives of countless students with her patience, kindness, and unmatched grace.

    Her passing has left a deep void not only in her family but also among the many lives she impacted throughout her decades-long career.

    Popular music duo Keche grappled with a profound loss as Eche Andrew, one-half of the renowned duo, mourned the passing of his beloved mother, Mrs. Gladys Cudjoe (Nee De-graft Asmah), who departed from this world at the age of 66.

    The devastating news was publicly disclosed by Keche Andrew himself through his social media platforms. In an emotionally charged post, he conveyed his deep anguish and disbelief over the sudden loss of his mother.

    Keche Andrew’s tribute read, “You Broke Our Heart Mum, Trust Me You Have Broken Our Heart ….. You Made Me An Orphan Mum, Why ????, Who Do I Share My Secrets With ??? I’m In Pains Mama Gladys …. I Miss You, I Really Love You.”

    In memory of Mrs. Gladys Cudjoe, the family announced a one-week anniversary gathering to commemorate her life. This memorial event took place today, April 9, at the family residence.

    The unfortunate news elicited an outpouring of sympathy and condolences from friends, followers, and fans of Keche Andrew. The music community and fans alike stood in solidarity with the grieving artist during the challenging time.

    Losing a parent is undeniably one of the most difficult experiences one can endure, and the Keche family’s unity and the support of their community undoubtedly played a crucial role in navigating the period of grief.

    As the family cames together to honor and remember Mrs. Gladys Cudjoe, it serves as a reminder of the importance of cherishing our loved ones and holding onto cherished memories.

    Thoughts and condolences went out to the Keche Andrew family as they navigate this heartbreaking loss.