Controversial Nigerian broadcaster and media personality, Daddy Freeze has opened up about the collapse of his first marriage.
According to him, he feared criticism from his church and notable figures in his life which made him maintain appearances rather than reveal the failing state of his marriage to the public.
In an interview with Chude Jideonwo on the “With Chude Show,” Daddy Freeze noted that he and his wife at the time weren’t even sleeping in the same room anymore, but they attended church services together.
“The day she packed her load, the first thing that came to my mind was, ‘Ah, my pastor is going to hear about this, ,” Freeze confessed.
At this point Daddy Freeze said he realized he was staying in the marriage because of the fear of being demoted from his position in church.
“I used to introduce my pastor in church. I used to go to MC church events. And I was afraid, can we manage this in such a way that nobody hears? Then I realised that I was the one putting myself in trouble,” he said.
According to him, by the time his wife finally left, their marriage had been dead for a while.
“This union was gone,” he admitted. “We were living in a Cool FM house.
In Ghana, Cynthia Appiah-Kubi of Mentor II fame, known in showbiz as Cee, opened up about her status as a divorcee after several years.
She emphasized that her decision was not influenced by instructions from God as some gospel musicians claim.
Cee said she left her marriage because she could not endure it anymore.
“I was married to a pastor, but I left because of certain issues and circumstances that I could not stand. He is aware of those issues. God did not tell me to leave my husband; I left because I could no longer take certain things,” she said.
The mentor star revealed that, she had always resisted proposals to marry a man of God.
Unfortunatley, she ended up with one and it did not last forever.
Meanwhile, Ghanaian playwright, author, and motivational speaker, Uncle Ebo Whyte, has advised bachelors and bachelorettes not to allow themselves to be forced into marriage to satisfy societal, family, or peer pressure, emphasizing that marriage is not a requirement in life.
“Marriage is not given to everybody. Not everybody needs to marry. Not everybody will marry. Marriage is not a magic wand. It may not deliver half of what you expect.
So if you do choose to marry, do so because you’ve found someone with whom you genuinely want to build a life, not because society says you must,” he noted.
Taking to his social media (Instagram) yesterday, the playwright in a video boldly challenged the longstanding norm, which asserts the need for everyone to marry, citing evolution and the growth surrounding the purpose of marriage.
“There was a time when everybody needed to marry. That time has changed. There was a time when there was a purpose of marriage. That time has changed. There was a time when we needed to marry. That time has changed. It’s not now,” he said.
He affirmed his stance, drawing biblical references to the teachings of Apostle Paul, which admonished that “He who marries does well. He who does not marry does even better.”
In Ghanaian society and beyond, procreation is often emphasised to ‘pressure’ people into marriage, but Uncle Ebo Whyte argues that population control, coupled with family planning, has shifted that cultural expectation.
“Because now we are saying there are too many people. Let’s control the population, citing his 42-year-old marriage as companionship as well. Then there’s the issue of companionship. I’ve been married for 42 years. Companionship,” he said.
He also warned against entirely romanticising marriage, saying that it’s a commitment that requires “hard work, patience, humility, and respect,” not just love.
Uncle Ebo reminded his audience that people can live happy lives without being married and that marital status does not define one’s values.
“You are complete with or without marriage. Some of the most fulfilled people I know never married, and that’s perfectly okay,” he said.
In contrast, Ghanaian actress Sandra Ababio candidly shared her concerns about settling down, revealing that although she desires to get married by December 2025, she still harbours fears towards the demands of marriage.
Speaking during an interview on ‘Ucook’ with gospel singer Empress Gifty on May 4, 2025, Sandra admitted that the idea of tying the knot feels overwhelming despite her openness to finding a life partner.
“I wish to marry in December but I haven’t found anyone yet. I’m a bit scared of marriage. The problems that come with it are too much—the instructions and responsibilities are overwhelming,” she said.
Sandra also disclosed that she is currently single, noting that she’s had her fair share of breakups and is still searching for the right man. “For now, I’m all alone, so if anyone wants to marry me, I’m available. I’ve broken up with the one I was with. I can date you today and break up with you the next day. I’m a bit difficult,” she added.
Contrary to public assumptions about her having a relationship abroad, the actress clarified that she has no romantic ties outside Ghana.
“I’m not married yet. If I were, I would have told you I was getting married. I don’t have any man in the U.S, I don’t want any trouble. I’m in Ghana, so I can’t have a man outside the country,” she stated.
While she embraces travel, Sandra emphasized that it’s purely for exposure and inspiration—not romance. “I travel a lot, but it’s just to explore and return with new ideas,” she explained.
Beyond her personal life, Sandra is making strides in business. She now owns and manages a real estate company, SA Properties, which focuses on helping foreigners navigate Ghana’s land and housing market.
“Many people get scammed trying to acquire land, but estate agencies like ours make it easier. We offer installment plans and once the house is ready, clients can come to Ghana to inspect their properties. It’s very simple and we’re legit,” she noted.
As Sandra looks forward to what the future holds—both in love and business—she remains hopeful, yet honest about the challenges of settling down.
Dancehall artiste Shatta Wall has announced plans to organize a concert dubbed Shattafest at Independence Square to mark his birthday this year.
According to a post shared on social media page, Shatta desires to involve his fans in celebrating his birth anniversary, slated for October 18.
“SHATTAFEST 2025 x SHATTABRATION — THE KING CALLS! “
“This year, it’s double the energy, double the celebration! “
“Join me, Shatta Wale, on 18th October at Independence Square for the ultimate SHATTAFEST — my birthday SHATTABRATION with the loyal fans who made it all possible! “
“Come dressed in white and let’s celebrate life, love, and the unstoppable Shatta Movement together.
From music to business, to every victory and challenge — thank you to all my fans for your endless support in every aspect of my life.
“Let’s make this one for the history books — FREE ENTRY,” the announcer on social media indicated.
IT’S HERE FOR YOU !! SHATTA MOVEMENT!!! -SHATTA FEST- 2025 🎉
THIS IS THE CELEBRATION OF THE KING AT THE INDEPENDENCE SQUARE!! 📍 ON 18TH OCTOBER, 2025! 📅
WE’RE ABOUT TO PARTY WITH THE AFRICAN DANCEHALL KING!! @shattawalegh 👑 🌎🇬🇭🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Shadrack Amonoo Crabe 👁🗨 (@ShadrackAmonooC) October 5, 2025
Talking about concerts this year, Sarkodie thrilled fans with a unique, exciting entry at his Rapperholic concert in Kumasi weeks ago.
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.
Then followed Sarkodie’s performance with legendary rapper Obrafour. The landlord had to pause the high-energy flow to introduce Obrafour, calling him “the reason I rap”. As a sign of respect, he knelt before Obrafour on stage, a deeply emotional moment that drew cheers and chants of “legend, legend!” from the crowd. They performed a remix of “Oye Ohene”.
Kweku Flick joined Sarkodie on stage while they performed their song “Yɛbɛyɛ Fine”, which translates to “We’ll be fine” in Twi. They both moved in sync with dancers dressed in streetwear fused with traditional prints.
The current Kumasi star, King Paluta, thrilled fans with their “Africa We Dey” song. Sarkodie opened with a verse on unity and struggle, then passed the mic to Paluta, who unleashed rapid-fire Twi bars.
Other artists that showed up at the concert were Medikal, who did a solo performance marked with a playful moment chasing Shatta Wale on stage.
Efya, Gyakie, Kofi Kinaata, Olive The Boy, Donzy, Oseikrom SikaniJay Bahd, Ypee, Beeztrap KOTM, Skyface SDW, Kwesi Amewuga, Lalid, Kofi Jamar, among other acts. Some fans were also invited on stage to freestyle live.
About Rapperholic 2025
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.
When did Rapperholic start
The Rapperholic Concert was founded in 2012 to showcase Sarkodie’s music, celebrate Ghanaian rap, and thrill fans with exciting performances from both local and foreign artists. The concert is usually headlined by Sarkodie, who mostly gives opportunities to emerging rappers to perform. Rapperholic is mostly nothing short of an actual display of fashion and culture, with fans dressing in streetwear, among others.
Sarkodie visits Otumfuor
Sarkodie visited Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at Manhyia Palace to formally seek royal blessing for the Rapperholic Kumasi Edition. During the meeting, Otumfuo warmly welcomed Sarkodie’s initiative and said:
“They don’t allow me to go out often, but this one, I would like to attend and watch the event myself.”Sarkordie was there with his team to officially inform the King about the upcoming concert and also seek his blessings and consent.
After advising the rapper and his team to stay humble, he said he’s happy to attend the event if invited.
The Asante Overlord’s comments show his regard for the rapper’s craft. Months ago, he also expressed his admiration for celebrated Ghanaian musician Kofi Kinaata. He was honoured by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his contribution to youth development through music.
Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy Combs” attorneys have announced that their client will appeal his federal conviction and over four-year prison sentence.
On Friday October 3, the 55-year old was slapped with a four year two months prison sentence including a fine of $500,000 after being found guilty of moving people from one state to another for sexual purposes.
“Both the guidelines calculation and the sentence took account of conduct for which Mr. Combs was acquitted by a jury. We contend this amounts to legal error,” the lawyer said.
The defence attorney Marc Agnifilo says plans are underway by the team to file the notice appeal within the next few days.
The music producer and rapper was convicted on prostitution-related charges involving his two ex-girlfriends.
Reports say, Diddy’s attorney requested a 14-month sentence, arguing that the life of their client transformed after serving 13 months in New York jail.
Nonetheless prosecutors wanted 11 years, citing his history on domestic violence.
Combs has specifically rendered apologies to Casandra Ventura, and “Jane”, his two ex-girlfiends who gave testimony using a fake name (testified under a pseudonym.)
“My actions were disgusting, shameful, and sick,” he said. “I got lost in excess, I got lost in my ego.”
He further apologized to his mother and children, “I’m so sorry. They deserved better,” he said, referring to his seven children, most of whom were in the courtroom.
Diddy also pleaded with the judge to give him another opportunity, promising not to risk losing time with family again.
“I ask your honour for mercy. I beg your honour for mercy,” Combs said.
“I don’t have nobody to blame but myself. I know that I’ve learned my lesson.”
In August, a member of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ all-star defense team, Nicole Westmoreland revealed that the music mogul’s team has reached out to the Trump administration about a potential pardon.
Meanwhile, President Trump already indicated in an interview with Newsmax last week that there was no probability of pardoning “Diddy.”
“I was very friendly with him, I got along with him great and he seemed like a nice guy. I didn’t know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile.”
Adding that, this makes it “more difficult to do.”
Nonetheless, Diddy’s Attorney says, their client “is a very hopeful person, and I believe that he remains hopeful.”
The verdict came on Tuesday, July 2, in New York after a high-profile trial that started in May.
The jury spent three days and over 13 hours discussing the case before agreeing on all five charges.
The jury found Combs not guilty of being part of a criminal group (racketeering) and not guilty of sex trafficking singer, Cassie Ventura.
However, he was found guilty of transporting Cassie and other women for ptrostitution.
He was also cleared of sex trafficking another woman referred to as “Jane,” but was found guilty of transporting her and others for prostitution.
The charges came from the testimonies of Cassie and Jane, both of whom had romantic relationships with Combs.
They spoke in Court about being taken to hotels where Combs allegedly arranged for other men to have sex with them while he watched, filmed or gave directions, calling these events “freak-offs” or “hotel nights.”
Before the verdict was announced, Combs was seen praying with his children and hugging his lawyers.
In the room where many were watching, emotions were high and people reacted audibly as each decision was read, even though the judge had asked for silence.
Combs has been in jail since his arrest in September 2024.
Although he was cleared of the most serious charges, his lawyers believe the guilty verdicts shouldn’t stop him from being granted bail.
Defence attorney and former prosecutor Neama Rahmani has described the sex-trafficking case against Sean “Diddy” Combs as the “most expensive prostitution trial in American history.
He made these comments during an interview with The New York Post, just before the jury delivered its verdict on Wednesday, July 2, in Manhattan federal court.
The court ruled that Diddy was not guilty of charges that accused him of forcing his ex-partners to take part in humiliating sexual acts as well as racketeering.
However, he was still found guilty of less serious prostitution-related charges.
According to him, Rahmani said that since the court didn’t find the person guilty of the more serious crime (racketeering), the whole case seemed like an expensive effort just to punish less serious crimes.
“As I’ve said all along, this case will come down to racketeering,” Rahmani said as jurors were still weighing the case against the disgraced hip-hop mogul.
“If the government doesn’t get a RICO conviction, this will be a huge loss and the most expensive prostitution trial in American history.”
Rahmani had speculated that if the feds ultimately didn’t secure a guilty verdict on the racketeering count, the case would only boil down to two prostitution charges.
Also, before the verdict, he predicted that it would be difficult to prove the sex trafficking charges against Diddy because his defence attorneys took advantage of a barrage of text messages from the rapper’s alleged victims and accusers.
Some whose messages suggested their keenness to participate in “freak-offs” i.e. sex marathons with male prostitutes.
He predicted, too, the outcome of the jury’s verdict.
“What a tremendous loss for the prosecution. And a huge win for the defence,” Rahmani said just moments after the verdict was handed down.
The Bad Boy Records founder was ultimately found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and was acquitted on two sex trafficking charges and one racketeering charge.
The mixed result, which came on the third day of deliberations, capped a two-month trial that revealed twisted details about the mogul, including his insatiable taste for the “freak-offs.”
The acquittals on the sex trafficking counts mean he will avoid a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence.
Combs now faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence on each of the two prostitution counts.
The judge will determine Combs’ sentence at a later date and will decide later Wednesday whether he can walk free until then.
The beginning of Diddy’s legal woes
Diddy’s legal troubles began when his former decade-long girlfriend Cassie Ventura, filed a sued him for rape, physical abuse, and sex trafficking during their relationship.
In the suit, she noted that the rapper coerced her into partaking in drug-induced sexual encounters with male escorts—some of which he filmed—and claimed he once threatened to blow up rapper Kid Cudi’s car after she moved on with him.
The lawsuit was filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily allowed survivors to sue regardless of when the abuse occurred.
Shockingly, the case was settled just one day later for an undisclosed amount.
But that opened the floodgates of many other lawsuits against the rapper. After several months of investigations, Diddy was arrested on September 16, 2024, at a New York City hotel by federal agents acting on a sealed indictment.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, risks arrest if he fails to report to the authorities in Accra on today, October 6, 2025.
This was announced by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine.
Chairman Wontumi faces prosecution over his alleged involvement in illegal mining activities linked to Akonta Mining, a company he owned.
According to the Attorney General, his office has completed processes to formally charge Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining, and five others following investigations that revealed encroachment on forest reserves without the necessary permits.
Addressing civil society organisations at a meeting convened by President John Dramani Mahama at the Flagstaff House in Accra on Friday, October 3, 2025, Dr. Ayine disclosed that the case had been delayed because crucial dockets were concealed under the previous administration.
“I am happy to announce that in 2022, the police conducted a very diligent investigation in terms of Akonta Mining, but the dockets were hidden until we came to power.
It was when I came in and began the investigation with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission, we were finding it difficult to get information on the case.
It was then that the police themselves owned up and presented that docket to my office two months ago,” he revealed.
Dr. Ayine explained that while Chairman Wontumi’s lawyers requested a Tuesday appearance, he had directed that the accused appear on Monday instead.
“As we speak, the charges against Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining and five others have been signed.
Currently, we are waiting for his rights to be read to him, and he has the right to remain silent before he is brought from Kumasi.
“His lawyers asked that he be brought on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, but I insisted that he be here on Monday, October 6, 2025.
If he does not come on Monday, I am going to order his arrest so that he is brought to Accra and then we can start the prosecution,” Dr. Ayine stated.
On April 21, 2025, the John Mahama-led government revoked Akonta Mining’s license after revelations by Lands Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, that the company, though licensed to operate off-reserve, had been engaged in galamsey operations within the Aboi and Tano Nimiri Forest Reserves in the Western North Region.
Officials of the Economic and Organised Crime Office on May 27 arrested the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s Ashanti Regional Chairman on , Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, after he appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service at 3pm.
He was apprehended after leaving the CID headquarters in Accra.
Presently, supporters of the opposition party have massed up at the EOCO office, demanding the release of Wontumi.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman voluntarily made an appearance at the CID headquarters on 26th May alongside his legal team, including former Attorney General Godfred Dame, after an invitation from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
He was cautioned on the following allegations: undertaking mining operations without a license, entering a forest reserve without authorisation and pollution of water bodies.
However, according to sources, Chairman Wontumi denied these claims during his interrogation, presenting documents to authenticate his claims.
He insists he was not involved in any illegal mining activities or operating in any forest reserve.
Following the interrogations, the CID granted him bail with two sureties, though the exact amount has not yet been disclosed.
This followed a failed attempt by a joint team of national security operatives and police officers to arrest him at his residence on May 23.
After the failed search attempt, Mr Boasiako expressed his displeasure over a search that was orchestrated by national security operatives at his residence.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako better known as Chairman Wontumi has arrived at the CID headquarters, following an invitation by the police.
The search comes after Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Buah, ordered the immediate revocation of Akonta Mining’s licenses, citing allegations of illegal mining and other violations.
During the press briefing, he accused the company of being involved in galamsey operations and breaching mining regulations.
Buah also claimed that Akonta Mining was illegally selling mining concessions within the Aboi Forest to unauthorized miners, charging up to GH₵300,000 per concession, with some payments reportedly made in gold royalties.
Akonta Mining Company Limited, owned by Chairman Wontumi, has taken legal action against the Minerals Commission and the Minister of Lands, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, claiming GH₵20 million in damages.
The company alleges that during a press conference on April 22, Minister Buah made defamatory remarks, accusing Akonta Mining of illegal mining activities within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
The company has strongly denied these accusations, asserting that its mining leases, which were granted in 2021, cover areas outside of the protected reserve.
The lawsuit, filed at the Accra High Court on April 24, 2025, argues that the minister’s statements were false and damaging to its reputation.
The government’s decision to repeal the LI 2462, which allows mining in forest reserves, has been downplayed by private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu.
According to him, the move will not introduce anything new in the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
“This repeal is not as if it’s going to bring anything new. Even before this, the president had announced on more than three occasions that there would be no more mining in forest reserves. That, for me, is the big-ticket item. That is what stops the bleeding,” he said on TV3’s KeyPoints on October 4 in response to the government’s engagement with civil society organizations (CSOs) on the matter.
Mr Kpebu mentioned that many of the commitments highlighted by President John Mahama were already in motion before the recent meeting.
He said the President’s consistent assurance to end mining in forest reserves signals a major policy change within the country’s mining industry.
He described the move as “huge,” especially given past instances where mining licenses were freely issued in restricted areas.
“From the very beginning, there were nine forest reserves invaded by illegal miners. Now, we have security forces stationed there permanently. For me, this is commendable, and it shows government is responding to citizen advocacy,” he noted.
He explained that maintaining a permanent police presence in the forest offers more effective and lasting solution than deploying the military.
Referring to Ghana’s Constitution, he emphasized that the 5responsibility for maintaining internal law and order lies with the police, not the army.
Although several activists have welcomed the repeal of the law, Kpebu maintained that it should be viewed as “icing on the cake” rather than the main core solution to the problem.
“The repeal is not the beginning of action. It’s not a magic wand. What matters more is enforcement of existing laws and sustained monitoring. As we speak, government has already reclaimed two more forest reserves, bringing the total number secured to 11. That’s progress,” he said.
He added that instead of completely abolishing existing laws, efforts should focus on refining them to enhance regulation and close existing gaps.
Kpebu also rejected ongoing demands for a state of emergency, insisting that the government already possesses the necessary legal instruments to take action.
“Some people speak as if until we declare a state of emergency, nothing can be done. But as we’ve seen, without such a declaration, police and security officials are already stationed in the forests, and illegal mining has been pushed back. The laws we have are enough to act decisively,” he said.
To drive home his argument, Kpebu drew an analogy from a well-known incident during university days, where a rule banning nighttime visitors sparked protests. However, once officials clarified that daytime visits were still permitted, the agitation quickly subsided.
“It’s the same here—we don’t need a state of emergency before we take action. The laws already empower us,” he explained.
Despite acknowledging progress, Kpebu emphasized the need for ongoing citizen vigilance and periodic engagement with the presidency to sustain pressure and ensure accountability.
“Maybe in the next three months, CSOs should meet the president again. That way, he will be compelled to seek updates and refine strategies. Vigilance, vigilance, vigilance, that’s what will keep this fight alive,” he concluded.
The Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Murtala Mohammed, has confirmed that steps are in progress to nullify Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves.
This revocation, pledged by President John Mahama, is expected to be completed within the stipulated 120-day period.
In an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Monday, March 17, Dr. Mohammed revealed that consultations with parliamentary leadership and relevant stakeholders have already been conducted.
He emphasized that these discussions have laid the foundation for the repeal process, which is anticipated to be concluded soon.
“We have actually started the process. I engaged the Ranking Member on Subsidiary Legislation, Hon Patrick Boamah, and other leadership members. We have agreed to lay it very soon. One thing I can assure the public is that we will meet the 120-day promise made by the President,” Dr. Mohammed stated.
He noted that, in light of the ongoing budget negotiations, the choice was made to bypass the pre-laying process to accelerate the amendment.
“Hopefully, we will have it laid tomorrow (Tuesday) or by Wednesday at the latest,” he added.
In response to whether the government should declare a state of emergency over the devastating effects of illegal mining on water bodies, Dr. Mohammed stated that the decision rests with security agencies.
However, he reaffirmed the government’s dedication to combating environmental degradation.
“I am not in a position to determine whether the security situation warrants a state of emergency—that decision lies with the leadership of the security agencies. However, if they deem it necessary, why not? What I can say is that this is a fight we will not relent on. We will not spare anyone, whether directly or indirectly involved in the destruction of our water bodies, habitats, and environment,” he declared.
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman has revealed that the government will soon engage five thousand (5,000) graduates in agriculture and veterinary science to support farmers nationwide.
The initiative is aimed at closing the gap between research findings and practical application in the agricultural sector.
She made this known at the 2025 Asogli Yam Festival held in the Volta Region on October 4, 2025.
The annual festival, also called Asogli Te Za, began on July 14 and concluded on October 5, under the theme “Together in Honesty and Purpose, We Build a Just, Peaceful and Prosperous Nation.”
The celebration highlighted the importance of Unity, transparency and national growth.
It featured lively cultural performances, drumming and traditional dances.
It sought to foster peace and togetherness, preserve cultural values, and boost tourism and local business growth in the Volta Region.
It brought Asogli people together to honour the yam harvest and highlight their enduring culture.
A colourful durbar took place on October 4, to climax the entire festival.
“Indeed, the Volta Region is showing her potential to be our agricultural backbone under the Feed Ghana Programme. With an irrigation system that is underutilized and ready to be rehabilitated, the region is ideally placed to scale up crop production, especially rice and yam”.
The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli state, Togbe afede XIV urged leaders including chiefs and politicians to show commitment to the development of the country. He says corruption is a bane of the country’s underdevelopment and wants people to embrace honesty for a United Ghana.
Meanwhile, in July this year, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, Her Excellency Imane Ouaadil, on July 28, handed over two thousand (2,000) tons of fertilizer, equivalent to 40,000 bags of fertilizer, to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the fertilizer was donated to the West African country by the Kingdom of Morocco during the official visit of Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa to Morocco last month as part of the two countries’ commitment to sustainable agriculture to enhance food security.
Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Setor Dumelo, received the donated fertilizers on behalf of the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku. He expressed gratitude to the Morrocan government for the donation. He assured that farmers will receive the fertilizers to aid crop production.
“Yesterday, 40,000 bags of fertilizer was donated to Ghana by the Kingdom of Morocco through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On behalf of my boss Hon Eric Opoku, I want to say a big thank you to Hon Ablakwa and Her Excellency Ouaadil for this kind gesture. We at the Ministry of Agriculture will ensure the fertilizers get straight to the deserving farmers as soon as possible,” he wrote in a post on the X platform on July 29.
Stakeholders in the agricultural sector have bemoaned the absence of a single chemical fertiliser plant in the country. The Institute for Fiscal Studies noted that the absence of such a plant is having an adverse impact on crop production and the contribution of the agricultural sector to the country’s economy i.e. the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP declined from 26.9% in 2010 to 22.7% in 2023.
In March this year, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Dr. Said Boakye said, “We need to establish several fertiliser manufacturing plants to ensure that adequate and affordable fertiliser is available to farmers, which will help boost agricultural productivity.”
“The sad reality is that Ghana lacks a single chemical fertiliser plant. In our rice studies, we have been comparing with Vietnam, where they have more than 7,000 plants. Vietnam’s success in achieving high agricultural productivity is largely due to fertilisers being readily available to farmers at no cost, along with incentivized prices,” he added.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies has entreated the government to allocate significant funding to establish a fertiliser manufacturing plant.
Ghana’s engagement with Morocco
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who also doubles as the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, was in the Kingdom of Morocco from 5th to 6th June for a visit aimed at strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Ghana and Morocco and identifying new opportunities for economic cooperation and strategic partnerships.
During the visit, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Ghana and Morocco signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on political consultations during the Ministerial Session with Moroccan Minister H.E. Mr. Nasser Bourita, which is expected to facilitate regular diplomatic dialogue and promote mutual understanding on regional and international issues.
Another outcome of the visit was the commitment to the signing of a bilateral visa waiver agreement for holders of ordinary passports to facilitate trade and tourism and deepen people-to-people engagements between both countries. Pending the finalisation of the agreement, the immediate implementation of an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in favour of Ghanaian travellers to Morocco was announced.
The Ghanaian minister also paid courtesy calls on the Minister for Industry and Trade, H.E. Mr. Ryad Mezzour; Minister for Transport and Logistics, H.E. Mr. Abdessamad Kayouh; Director-General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation, Amb. Mohamed Methqal; as well as the Vice-President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Entreprises (CGEM), Mr. Mehdi Tazi.
The discussions with the Moroccan Government officials focused on enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as maritime and air transport, trade and investment, and human resource development, among others. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to promoting stronger institutional collaboration and private sector engagement.
Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa also had fruitful discussions with the Ghanaian community in Morocco and briefed them about developments back home.
Following the minister’s meeting, the Foreign Affairs Ministry announced Ghanaian citizens who wish to visit Morocco will not need traditional visas to do so.
He revealed that a streamlined online travel authorisation has replaced the previous application process for Ghanaian citizens.
According to him, the latest move will grant the application within 24 hours without the need to visit the Moroccan embassy.
“With immediate effect, Ghanaians will no longer require traditional visas to travel to Morocco. An online authorization which will be granted within 24-hours without embassy appointments is all that’s needed,” he wrote.
The visa waiver to Morocco is expected to increase tourism, improve trade, and strengthen the relationship between Morocco and Ghana.
“With existing direct flights which would be increased following this new agreement, we expect this bilateral visa waiver policy to greatly facilitate trade, tourism and deepen people to people engagements between both countries,” he added.
The Moroccan government is also investing in the education of Ghanaians. In March this year, the government of Morocco announced an increase in scholarships for Ghanaian students, raising the number from 90 to 180 starting this year.
This development follows high-level discussions between Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the Moroccan Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Imane Ouaadil.
During their engagement, Ambassador Ouaadil reassured that Ghanaians and other Africans residing in Morocco remain safe, dispelling social media claims that 700 Africans were being massacred.
She clarified that the circulated footage was from a border incident on June 24, 2022, which resulted in the deaths of 23 individuals. The incident was investigated by Moroccan and Spanish authorities, with no Ghanaian casualties recorded.
Beyond education, Morocco and Ghana have agreed to establish a visa waiver for all categories of travelers between the two nations. The agreement is expected to be presented to both parliaments for ratification soon.
“We have both additionally pledged to deepen collaboration in Agribusiness, Tourism, and Security,” Ablakwa stated.
Government has 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.
The Western Railway Corridor in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, specifically the Bonsawere railway line, has been ravaged by illegal mining activities, also known as galamsey.
According to a video shared on X, parts of the rail line have collapsed, with deep pits created by illegal mining spreading dangerously close to the remaining sleepers.
Its tracks now lie rusted and covered by layers of sand and gravel left behind after years of illegal mining.
The once-vibrant Bonsawere railway line, a symbol of progress under the colonial-era transport network, now stands in ruins.
The abandoned Western Railway Corridor has left the Bonsawere stretch in Tarkwa-Nsuaem at the mercy of illegal miners. With over a year of no manganese haulage from Nsuta to Takoradi, galamsey operators have devastated the railway line in search of gold.
In a bid to crack down on illegal miners, Government has announced that 600 suspects are currently standing trial for their alleged involvement in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, his department is currently managing court cases from 65 different files, several of which include more than one accused person.
While addressing a high-level stakeholder forum on illegal mining in Accra on Friday, October 3, Dr. Ayine disclosed;
“Currently, we have initiated prosecutions in 65 dockets, and there is a difference. When we say 65 dockets, it is not 65 individual persons who are being prosecuted,” Dr. Ayine clarified, highlighting the scale and complexity of the cases before the courts.
The Attorney General further revealed that some files cover over 10 accused persons.
Adding that one notable case in the Western North Region involves the prosecution of 28 suspects under a single charge sheet.
“By my calculation, the 65 dockets contain about 600 illegal miners that are being prosecuted,” he stated.
Meawhile President Mahama has responded to calls, urging him to declare a state of emergency over the grave damages illegal mining has brounght to the nation’s water bodies.
The President noted that he can only declare a state of emergency when his government’s advisors give him the approval.
During a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)on Friday, October 3, President Mahama said he cannot act ahead of his advisors, as that would go against established governance procedures.
President Mahama pledged to honor scores of Ghanaians’ calls by declaring a state of emergency when his advisors give him the nod to do so.
According to him, government 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.
“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 the 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, and as at 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 added.
President Mahama believes that the country can eradicate the long-term canker if it deploys more troops as well as invests more resources in the fight. He concluded that the battle seems to be a long one, but his administration is committed to fighting it.
“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 the 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 Authority, and as at now, this moment, the National Security Authority 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 added.
Individuals present at the meeting include government officials and civil society leaders. The engagement comes at a time when there is mounting pressure on the Mahama-led administration to declare a state of emergency regarding the issue, due to its adverse effects on the environment.
The menace continues to threaten not only Ghana’s waterbodies, food crops and forest reserves but also the country’s energy infrastructure.
Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy has given a stern warning about the potential future repercussions of galamsey if the country fails to find a lasting solution to the menace.
During a visit to the Anwomaso Thermal Power Station in Kumasi on Wednesday October 1, Deputy Ranking Member, Collins Adomako-Mensah, starling revelation about how Ghana’s power installations are being tempered with by illegal miners.
According to him, the country’s 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 over 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 added, “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.”
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, made this known at GRIDCo headquarters in Tema on Thursday, September 25.
Mr. Otchere stated that maintenance teams now face attacks when they attempt 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 the galamseyers are weakening the towers, which are carefully engineered to withstand immense weight and pressure. He appealed for urgent assistance from national security agencies to protect transmission corridors and avert the potential collapse of towers.
“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 the rising cases of spontaneous abortions among pregnant women in Ghana.
Approximately five hundred cases of spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) have been recorded in research that links these cases 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 the lives of 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 foetal sides. “The placentas are all contaminated, polluted with heavy metals,” he said.
The dangers of these metals 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.
According to him, one of the consequences of excessive alum use is kidney disease, which is already on the rise. He warned that if left unchecked, “Ghana will be in big trouble.”
“Of course, people are talking about turbidity, and then the Water Company is saying that they are using more alum. Alum is aluminium hydroxide, that is the full name, aluminium hydroxide, and this aluminium hydroxide, when taken for a long period, in fact at higher concentration, has a lot of what you call health effects. One of them is kidney problems.
“When you use alum, that’s aluminium hydroxide, which is used to purify the water, especially when they are using that concentration, which I believe is so high, it’s going to cause kidney problems, it’s going to irritate the respiratory tract, and it’s going to cause what we call neurological defects.
“All these things have been proven, have been studied and proven to be important, and we have to be very careful about them now. This goes apart from the effects that we are seeing around,” he explained.
Among the recent measures taken 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 Amarh Kofi-Buah, directed the team to ruthlessly counter the activities of galamsey operators as they are the 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.
The Ghana Police Service has urged the public to ignore circulating media reports alleging that the intercepted Kia truck containing 36 sacks of substances suspected to be Indian hemp on the Sekesua road in the Eastern Region had turned into sawdust.
Describing such claims as “false,” the police say the intercepted vehicle and the suspected narcotics have been secured at the Eastern Regional Command.
According to a police statement, the incident occurred on September 30, 2025, when officers from the Eastern Regional Police Headquarters in Koforidua stopped the truck, registered ER-760-23, which was transporting goods concealed under a layer of sawdust.
The vehicle and its contents were moved to the Sekesua Police Station; however, the driver and his mate managed to escape custody, abandoning the truck.
Nonetheless, efforts are underway, according to the police, to track down and apprehend the two suspects who fled, while the Police Professional Standards Bureau begins an internal investigation into the handling of the case.
The Police Administration reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the case is thoroughly investigated and the law applied.
Last month, 1,195 boxes of Tramadol Hydrochloride 120mg, locally known as ‘Red’ were confiscated, with six individuals arrested, following a joint operation by the Ghana Police Service and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC).
The seizure took place at Gbintri, near Nalerigu in the North East Region on Thursday, September 18.
This information was contained in a statement signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Robert Anabiik Anmain of the Public Affairs Unit and issued by the North East Regional Police Command on September 21.
The trucks with registration numbers GR 1712-16 and AW 4417-14 were loaded with Tramadol en route to Gbintri from Sankase in the Republic of Togo. The suspects, have been identified as Alhassan Braimah, Yakubu Muntaka, Abdulai Shakur, Mumuni Iddrisu, Mumuni Yakubu, and Moses Ayorik.
“The North East Regional Police Command in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) in Nalerigu, has intercepted 1,195 boxes of Tramadol Hydrochloride 120mg, popularly known as “Red,” a restricted drug concealed in a truck and arrested six suspects at Gbintri near Nalerigu in the North East Region.
“A search of the trucks uncovered the 1,195 boxes of Tramadol Hydrochloride 120mg, popularly known as “Red,” concealed among other goods in the truck with registration number GR 1712-16. The exhibits have since been secured for evidential purposes.During interrogation, the suspects admitted that the consignment was destined for Moses Ayorik at Gbintri for onward delivery to another individual at Gushegu,” part of the statement read.
According to the statement, the apprehended individuals were locked up in custody to assist investigations. In addition, efforts are still underway to trace and arrest other individuals connected to the case.
Also, officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at the Transit Terminal on Thursday, June 19, intercepted a shipment disguised as general merchandise and headed for Niger.
The officials uncovered 100 cartons of Tramadol (50 of 250mg, 50 of 120mg), also known on the streets as “red.”
The operation, led by CRO William Kpodo and the monitoring team, has now been escalated to the Tema Collection’s investigation unit in collaboration with Narcotics Board, Port Security and JPCU.
In March, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division intercepted contraband goods at Tema Port.
Boxes containing opioids were confiscated before noon today. There were 26 cartons of Rahol Tapentadol 250 mg, 160 cartons of Tafradol Tapentadol 120 mg, 40 cartons of Timaking Tapentadol 120 mg, 4 cartons of Timaking Tapentadol 250 mg, 190 cartons of Diazole Loperamide 2 mg, and 320 cartons of Chlorpheniramine Maleate.
The drugs were worth approximately GH₵20 million. The shipment was en route to Niger, its final destination.
Engaging the media, Health Minister Mintah Akandoh condemned the use of land borders to smuggle drugs and announced that the impounded consignment would remain in the safe custody of the Authority.
“There are only two designated areas for the import and export of medication—Tema Port and Kotoka International Airport. Drugs are not imported through our land borders,” he said.
He called on stakeholders and security agencies to confiscate any drugs brought in through the land borders.
The Health Minister indicated that authorities would swiftly seek a court order for the proper disposal of the consignment. Following the court order, the consignment were disposed of.
Ghana is witnessing a surge in drug consumption and addiction among young people.
As such, the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, led by George Opare Addo, has introduced an initiative to address the rising issue of substance abuse among young people through a campaign called “Ghana against Drugs (GAD) – Red Means Stop,” which aims to combat the problem effectively.
In a recent interview, Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, revealed that a survey conducted on tertiary students discovered that about 28 out of every 100 university or college students abuse codeine and cough syrup.
On Thursday, August 28, he indicated that 12 in every 100 tertiary students are involved in cocaine abuse. The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment further reported that 11% of the participants admitted to overusing heroin.
“Codeine and cough syrups stand at 28%. And then you will be amazed to know that 12% of our university and tertiary students are abusing cocaine and 11% heroin,” he added.
According to him, more than half of the respondents have admitted to consuming marijuana-infused products. In July, Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, declared Opioid abuse a national emergency.
During the induction of a new cohort of pharmacists who join the Pharmacy Council of Ghana, the inductees were charged to aid the government’s efforts in combating the opioid crisis, particularly the misuse of tramadol.
Hon. Akandoh reminded the new pharmacists of their motto, “Amicus Humanis Generis” Friends of the Human Race, urging them to uphold it with compassion, ethics, and excellence.
The ceremony, held under the theme “The Future is Now: Young Pharmacists at the Forefront of Preventing Opioid Misuse in Ghana”, highlighted both the promise and responsibility that lie ahead for the nation’s newest healthcare professionals.
Hon. Akandoh described the event as a “special day” marking the beginning of a crucial professional journey. “You have reached this milestone through dedication, hard work, and perseverance,” he said.The Minister emphasised the critical and evolving role of pharmacists in Ghana’s healthcare landscape, describing them as “frontline healthcare providers, educators, patient advocates, and guardians of public health.”
He noted that pharmacists’ work has a direct impact on health outcomes and the well-being of the public. The Minister highlighted how pharmacists are central to the government’s broader health agenda, including the MahamaCares and Free Primary Health Care initiatives.
These programs, he said, rely on pharmacists to deliver accessible, quality healthcare and manage chronic diseases at the community level.
The Ministry of Health has extended its heartfelt congratulations to all newly inducted pharmacists and commends the Pharmacy Council for its unwavering commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery.
In April, the Ministry of Health destroyed a significant consignment of illicit opioid-containing drugs that had entered Ghana under questionable circumstances.
The consignment, which consisted of 128 boxes of Tafrodol, 92 boxes of Timaking Tapertado, and 10 boxes of Rahol Tapentadol, totaling 230 boxes, posed serious risks to public health, particularly due to the potential for widespread misuse and addiction among the youth.
The destruction of the drugs took place at Vigour-DW Enterprise, a waste management company based in Ashaiman, and was supervised by key regulatory and legal authorities.The operation was carried out in strict compliance with a court order. In a rare and highly symbolic gesture, the Ministry chose to publicly incinerate the drugs, sending a strong message to those involved in the illegal drug trade.
Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, emphasized that this action was only the beginning in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.
“We will not stop here. After the safe disposal of this consignment, we will further investigate the clearing agent and the importer, and hand them over to the Attorney General for prosecution,” he stated firmly.
A BBC Africa Eye investigation uncovered that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, based in Mumbai, has been producing unlicensed, highly addictive opioids that are illegally exported to West Africa.
These drugs, packaged to resemble legitimate medications, contain a dangerous combination of tapentadol, a powerful opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant banned in Europe due to its addictive properties.
This combination, which is not licensed for medical use anywhere in the world, can cause severe side effects, including respiratory distress, seizures, and fatal overdoses. Despite these risks, the drugs have gained popularity as cheap, readily available street substances in Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has condemned the illegal importation of dangerous opioids and called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
The Society has urged multiple agencies—including the FDA, the Pharmacy Council, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, the Narcotics Control Authority, and the National Intelligence Bureau—to probe the issue and hold those responsible accountable.
“If any local pharmaceutical company is found to have breached regulatory protocols, appropriate sanctions should be enforced to maintain the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain in Ghana,” PSGH stated in a press release issued on February 24.
Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has revoked the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification of Aveo Pharmaceuticals, an Indian pharmaceutical company, after investigations linked it to the illegal distribution of opioid-based medications in West Africa.
As part of the crackdown, the FDA has also directed Samos Pharma, a Ghana-based importer, to terminate all business relations with Aveo Pharmaceuticals and Westfin International. Additionally, the registration of six products from Masters Pharmaceutical Limited, which intended to use Aveo as a contract manufacturer, has been suspended.
My govt is piloting solutions to treat galamsey-polluted water bodies – President Mahama
By Amanda Cartey
President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that scientific tests are being carried out on new chemicals that could help restore polluted water bodies and rivers due to illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey activities.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholder engagement on Galamsey in Accra on Friday October 3, with members of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), President Mahama said, “there are new chemicals that have come that allow you to treat water and take out the toxins and the heavy metals. One of them is called dowtin. The people came, and we sent them there. They took samples, for testing. We are waiting for them to bring the results back.”
He has asked Ghanaians to exercise patience regarding the longstanding battle against illegal mining (galamsey) activities. During a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), President Mahama said declaring a state of emergency will not end the menace.
According to him, government 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. Additionally, the President pledged to honor scores of Ghanaians’ calls by declaring a state of emergency when his advisors give him the nod to do so.
President Mahama believes that the country can eradicate the long-term canker if it deploys more troops as well as invests more resources in the fight. He concluded that the battle seems to be a long one, but his administration is committed to fighting it.
“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 the 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 Authority, and as at now, this moment, the National Security Authority 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 added.
Individuals present at the meeting included government officials and civil society leaders. The engagement came at a time when there has been mounting pressure on the Mahama-led administration to declare a state of emergency regarding the issue, due to its adverse effects on the environment.
The menace continues to threaten not only Ghana’s waterbodies, food crops and forest reserves but also the country’s energy infrastructure.
Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy has given a stern warning about the potential future repercussions of galamsey if the country fails to find a lasting solution to the menace.
During a visit to the Anwomaso Thermal Power Station in Kumasi on Wednesday October 1, Deputy Ranking Member, Collins Adomako-Mensah, starling revelation about how Ghana’s power installations are being tempered with by illegal miners.
According to him, the country’s 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 over 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 added, “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.”
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, made this known at GRIDCo headquarters in Tema on Thursday, September 25.
Mr. Otchere stated that maintenance teams now face attacks when they attempt 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 the galamseyers are weakening the towers, which are carefully engineered to withstand immense weight and pressure. He appealed for urgent assistance from national security agencies to protect transmission corridors and avert the potential collapse of towers.
“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 the rising cases of spontaneous abortions among pregnant women in Ghana.
Approximately five hundred cases of spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) have been recorded in research that links these cases 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 the lives of 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 foetal sides. “The placentas are all contaminated, polluted with heavy metals,” he said.
The dangers of these metals 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.
According to him, one of the consequences of excessive alum use is kidney disease, which is already on the rise. He warned that if left unchecked, “Ghana will be in big trouble.”
“Of course, people are talking about turbidity, and then the Water Company is saying that they are using more alum. Alum is aluminium hydroxide, that is the full name, aluminium hydroxide, and this aluminium hydroxide, when taken for a long period, in fact at higher concentration, has a lot of what you call health effects. One of them is kidney problems.
“When you use alum, that’s aluminium hydroxide, which is used to purify the water, especially when they are using that concentration, which I believe is so high, it’s going to cause kidney problems, it’s going to irritate the respiratory tract, and it’s going to cause what we call neurological defects.
“All these things have been proven, have been studied and proven to be important, and we have to be very careful about them now. This goes apart from the effects that we are seeing around,” he explained.
Among the recent measures taken 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 Amarh Kofi-Buah, directed the team to ruthlessly counter the activities of galamsey operators as they are the 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.
President John Dramani Mahama has intensely dismissed claims that he is benefiting from illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
His comment comes to rebuild public trust and counter political narratives that accuse the ruling administration of serving as a cover-up for illegal mining kingpins.
During a critical stakeholder engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the Jubilee House in Accra yesterday, October 3, the President sought to calm public doubts and reassure civil groups of his full dedication to tackling the issue, even as calls grew for him to declare a state of emergency.
“We will continue to fight. I believe we will win the fight against galamsey. We have nothing to hide; I don’t gain anything from galamsey. I’m not personally involved in galamsey. I have no interest in galamsey continuing,” the President stated emphatically.
Meanwhile, the Government has announced that 600 suspects are currently standing trial for their alleged involvement in illegal mining mining popularly known as galamsey.
According to the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, his department is currently managing court cases from 65 different files, several of which include more than one accused person.
While addressing a high-level stakeholder forum on illegal mining in Accra on Friday, October 3, Dr. Ayine disclosed;
“Currently, we have initiated prosecutions in 65 dockets, and there is a difference. When we say 65 dockets, it is not 65 individual persons who are being prosecuted,” Dr. Ayine clarified, highlighting the scale and complexity of the cases before the courts.
The Attorney General further revealed that some files cover over 10 accused persons.
Adding that one notable case in the Western North Region involves the prosecution of 28 suspects under a single charge sheet.
“By my calculation, the 65 dockets contain about 600 illegal miners that are being prosecuted,” he stated.
Meawhile President Mahama has responded to calls, urging him to declare a state of emergency over the grave damages illegal mining has brounght to the nation’s water bodies.
The President noted that he can only declare a state of emergency when his government’s advisors give him the approval.
During a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)on Friday, October 3, President Mahama said he cannot act ahead of his advisors, as that would go against established governance procedures.
President Mahama pledged to honor scores of Ghanaians’ calls by declaring a state of emergency when his advisors give him the nod to do so.
According to him, government 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.
“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 the 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, and as at 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 added.
President Mahama believes that the country can eradicate the long-term canker if it deploys more troops as well as invests more resources in the fight. He concluded that the battle seems to be a long one, but his administration is committed to fighting it.
“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 the 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 Authority, and as at now, this moment, the National Security Authority 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 added.
Individuals present at the meeting include government officials and civil society leaders. The engagement comes at a time when there is mounting pressure on the Mahama-led administration to declare a state of emergency regarding the issue, due to its adverse effects on the environment.
The menace continues to threaten not only Ghana’s waterbodies, food crops and forest reserves but also the country’s energy infrastructure.
Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy has given a stern warning about the potential future repercussions of galamsey if the country fails to find a lasting solution to the menace.
During a visit to the Anwomaso Thermal Power Station in Kumasi on Wednesday October 1, Deputy Ranking Member, Collins Adomako-Mensah, starling revelation about how Ghana’s power installations are being tempered with by illegal miners.
According to him, the country’s 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 over 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 added, “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.”
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, made this known at GRIDCo headquarters in Tema on Thursday, September 25.
Mr. Otchere stated that maintenance teams now face attacks when they attempt 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 the galamseyers are weakening the towers, which are carefully engineered to withstand immense weight and pressure. He appealed for urgent assistance from national security agencies to protect transmission corridors and avert the potential collapse of towers.
“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 the rising cases of spontaneous abortions among pregnant women in Ghana.
Approximately five hundred cases of spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) have been recorded in research that links these cases 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 the lives of 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 foetal sides. “The placentas are all contaminated, polluted with heavy metals,” he said.
The dangers of these metals 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.
According to him, one of the consequences of excessive alum use is kidney disease, which is already on the rise. He warned that if left unchecked, “Ghana will be in big trouble.”
“Of course, people are talking about turbidity, and then the Water Company is saying that they are using more alum. Alum is aluminium hydroxide, that is the full name, aluminium hydroxide, and this aluminium hydroxide, when taken for a long period, in fact at higher concentration, has a lot of what you call health effects. One of them is kidney problems.
“When you use alum, that’s aluminium hydroxide, which is used to purify the water, especially when they are using that concentration, which I believe is so high, it’s going to cause kidney problems, it’s going to irritate the respiratory tract, and it’s going to cause what we call neurological defects.
“All these things have been proven, have been studied and proven to be important, and we have to be very careful about them now. This goes apart from the effects that we are seeing around,” he explained.
Among the recent measures taken 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 Amarh Kofi-Buah, directed the team to ruthlessly counter the activities of galamsey operators as they are the 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.
Government has announced that 600 suspects are currently standing trial for their alleged involvement in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, his department is currently managing court cases from 65 different files, several of which include more than one accused person.
While addressing a high-level stakeholder forum on illegal mining in Accra on Friday, October 3, Dr. Ayine disclosed;
“Currently, we have initiated prosecutions in 65 dockets, and there is a difference. When we say 65 dockets, it is not 65 individual persons who are being prosecuted,” Dr. Ayine clarified, highlighting the scale and complexity of the cases before the courts.
The Attorney General further revealed that some files cover over 10 accused persons.
Adding that one notable case in the Western North Region involves the prosecution of 28 suspects under a single charge sheet.
“By my calculation, the 65 dockets contain about 600 illegal miners that are being prosecuted,” he stated.
Meawhile President Mahama has responded to calls, urging him to declare a state of emergency over the grave damages illegal mining has brounght to the nation’s water bodies.
The President noted that he can only declare a state of emergency when his government’s advisors give him the approval.
During a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)on Friday, October 3, President Mahama said he cannot act ahead of his advisors, as that would go against established governance procedures.
President Mahama pledged to honor scores of Ghanaians’ calls by declaring a state of emergency when his advisors give him the nod to do so.
According to him, government 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.
“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 the 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, and as at 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 added.
President Mahama believes that the country can eradicate the long-term canker if it deploys more troops as well as invests more resources in the fight. He concluded that the battle seems to be a long one, but his administration is committed to fighting it.
“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 the 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 Authority, and as at now, this moment, the National Security Authority 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 added.
Individuals present at the meeting include government officials and civil society leaders. The engagement comes at a time when there is mounting pressure on the Mahama-led administration to declare a state of emergency regarding the issue, due to its adverse effects on the environment.
The menace continues to threaten not only Ghana’s waterbodies, food crops and forest reserves but also the country’s energy infrastructure.
Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy has given a stern warning about the potential future repercussions of galamsey if the country fails to find a lasting solution to the menace.
During a visit to the Anwomaso Thermal Power Station in Kumasi on Wednesday October 1, Deputy Ranking Member, Collins Adomako-Mensah, starling revelation about how Ghana’s power installations are being tempered with by illegal miners.
According to him, the country’s 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 over 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 added, “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.”
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, made this known at GRIDCo headquarters in Tema on Thursday, September 25.
Mr. Otchere stated that maintenance teams now face attacks when they attempt 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 the galamseyers are weakening the towers, which are carefully engineered to withstand immense weight and pressure. He appealed for urgent assistance from national security agencies to protect transmission corridors and avert the potential collapse of towers.
“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 the rising cases of spontaneous abortions among pregnant women in Ghana.
Approximately five hundred cases of spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) have been recorded in research that links these cases 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 the lives of 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 foetal sides. “The placentas are all contaminated, polluted with heavy metals,” he said.
The dangers of these metals 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.
According to him, one of the consequences of excessive alum use is kidney disease, which is already on the rise. He warned that if left unchecked, “Ghana will be in big trouble.”
“Of course, people are talking about turbidity, and then the Water Company is saying that they are using more alum. Alum is aluminium hydroxide, that is the full name, aluminium hydroxide, and this aluminium hydroxide, when taken for a long period, in fact at higher concentration, has a lot of what you call health effects. One of them is kidney problems.
“When you use alum, that’s aluminium hydroxide, which is used to purify the water, especially when they are using that concentration, which I believe is so high, it’s going to cause kidney problems, it’s going to irritate the respiratory tract, and it’s going to cause what we call neurological defects.
“All these things have been proven, have been studied and proven to be important, and we have to be very careful about them now. This goes apart from the effects that we are seeing around,” he explained.
Among the recent measures taken 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 Amarh Kofi-Buah, directed the team to ruthlessly counter the activities of galamsey operators as they are the 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.
Commanding Officer in charge of Ghana’s National Anti-illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Colonel Dominic Buah, has signaled an imminent and aggressive crackdown on illegal miners in the country.
According to him, they are the most wanted offenders in the country, thus, his outfit would support the exposure of individuals destroying the country’s water bodies.
“I would like to send this warning to illegal miners. Their assignees and financiers. That they are the first or prime enemies of the state, and they will be dealt with as such.
“There will be no room for them to escape or to hide. NAIMOS will smoke them out very soon. There’s no resting place for them,” he said at a stakeholder engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the Jubilee House on Friday, October 3, 2025,
Leader of NAIMOS, Commander Colonel Dominic Buah, has issued a strong warning to illegal miners, whom he referred to as the state's primary enemies, urging them to stop their activities.
He emphasized that there will be no place for them to operate, as NAIMOS will hunt them… pic.twitter.com/S35yzBPJOQ
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that scientific tests are being carried out on new chemicals that could help restore polluted waterbodies and rivers due to illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholder engagement on Galamsey in Accra on Friday October 3, with members of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), President Mahama said, “there are new chemicals that have come that allow you to treat water and take out the toxins and the heavy metals. One of them is called dowtine. The people came, and we sent them there. They took samples, tested. We are waiting for them to bring the results back.”
He has asked Ghanaians to exercise patience regarding the longstanding battle against illegal mining (galamsey) activities. During a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), President Mahama said declaring a state of emergency will not end the menace.
According to him, government 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. Additionally, the President pledged to honor scores of Ghanaians’ calls by declaring a state of emergency when his advisors give him the nod to do so.
President Mahama believes that the country can eradicate the long-term canker if it deploys more troops as well as invests more resources in the fight. He concluded that the battle seems to be a long one, but his administration is committed to fighting it.
“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 the 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 Authority, and as at now, this moment, the National Security Authority 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 added.
Individuals present at the meeting include government officials and civil society leaders. The engagement comes at a time when there is mounting pressure on the Mahama-led administration to declare a state of emergency regarding the issue, due to its adverse effects on the environment.
The menace continues to threaten not only Ghana’s waterbodies, food crops and forest reserves but also the country’s energy infrastructure.
Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy has given a stern warning about the potential future repercussions of galamsey if the country fails to find a lasting solution to the menace.
During a visit to the Anwomaso Thermal Power Station in Kumasi on Wednesday October 1, Deputy Ranking Member, Collins Adomako-Mensah, starling revelation about how Ghana’s power installations are being tempered with by illegal miners.
According to him, the country’s 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 over 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 added, “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.”
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, made this known at GRIDCo headquarters in Tema on Thursday, September 25.
Mr. Otchere stated that maintenance teams now face attacks when they attempt 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 the galamseyers are weakening the towers, which are carefully engineered to withstand immense weight and pressure. He appealed for urgent assistance from national security agencies to protect transmission corridors and avert the potential collapse of towers.
“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 the rising cases of spontaneous abortions among pregnant women in Ghana.
Approximately five hundred cases of spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) have been recorded in research that links these cases 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 the lives of 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 foetal sides. “The placentas are all contaminated, polluted with heavy metals,” he said.
The dangers of these metals 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.
According to him, one of the consequences of excessive alum use is kidney disease, which is already on the rise. He warned that if left unchecked, “Ghana will be in big trouble.”
“Of course, people are talking about turbidity, and then the Water Company is saying that they are using more alum. Alum is aluminium hydroxide, that is the full name, aluminium hydroxide, and this aluminium hydroxide, when taken for a long period, in fact at higher concentration, has a lot of what you call health effects. One of them is kidney problems.
“When you use alum, that’s aluminium hydroxide, which is used to purify the water, especially when they are using that concentration, which I believe is so high, it’s going to cause kidney problems, it’s going to irritate the respiratory tract, and it’s going to cause what we call neurological defects.
“All these things have been proven, have been studied and proven to be important, and we have to be very careful about them now. This goes apart from the effects that we are seeing around,” he explained.
Among the recent measures taken 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 Amarh Kofi-Buah, directed the team to ruthlessly counter the activities of galamsey operators as they are the 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.
Music producer and rapper, Sean “Diddy” Combs, has been sentence to a little over 4years in prison.
He was convicted on prostitution-related charges involving his two ex-girlfriends.
Reports say, Diddy’s attorney requested a 14-month sentence, arguing that the life their client transformed after serving 13 months in New York jail.
Nonetheless prosecutors wanted 11 years, citing his history on domestic violence.
Combs has specifically rendered apologies to Casandra Ventura, and “Jane”, his two ex-girlfiends who gave testimony using a fake name (testified under a pseudonym.)
“My actions were disgusting, shameful, and sick,” he said. “I got lost in excess, I got lost in my ego.”
He further apologized to his mother and children, “I’m so sorry. They deserved better,” he said, referring to his seven children, most of whom were in the courtroom.
Diddy also pleaded with the judge to give him another opportunity, promising not to risk losing time with family again.
“I ask your honour for mercy. I beg your honour for mercy,” Combs said.
“I don’t have nobody to blame but myself. I know that I’ve learned my lesson.”
In August, a member of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ all-star defense team, Nicole Westmoreland revealed that the music mogul’s team has reached out to the Trump administration about a potential pardon.
Meanwhile, President Trump already indicated in an interview with Newsmax last week that there was no probability of pardoning “Diddy.”
“I was very friendly with him, I got along with him great and he seemed like a nice guy. I didn’t know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile.”
Adding that, this makes it “more difficult to do.”
Nonetheless, Diddy’s Attorney says, their client “is a very hopeful person, and I believe that he remains hopeful.”
The verdict came on Tuesday, July 2, in New York after a high-profile trial that started in May.
The jury spent three days and over 13 hours discussing the case before agreeing on all five charges.
The jury found Combs not guilty of being part of a criminal group (racketeering) and not guilty of sex trafficking singer, Cassie Ventura.
However, he was found guilty of transporting Cassie and other women for ptrostitution.
He was also cleared of sex trafficking another woman referred to as “Jane,” but was found guilty of transporting her and others for prostitution.
The charges came from the testimonies of Cassie and Jane, both of whom had romantic relationships with Combs.
They spoke in Court about being taken to hotels where Combs allegedly arranged for other men to have sex with them while he watched, filmed or gave directions, calling these events “freak-offs” or “hotel nights.”
Before the verdict was announced, Combs was seen praying with his children and hugging his lawyers.
In the room where many were watching, emotions were high and people reacted audibly as each decision was read, even though the judge had asked for silence.
Combs has been in jail since his arrest in September 2024.
Although he was cleared of the most serious charges, his lawyers believe the guilty verdicts shouldn’t stop him from being granted bail.
Defence attorney and former prosecutor Neama Rahmani has described the sex-trafficking case against Sean “Diddy” Combs as the “most expensive prostitution trial in American history.
He made these comments during an interview with The New York Post, just before the jury delivered its verdict on Wednesday, July 2, in Manhattan federal court.
The court ruled that Diddy was not guilty of charges that accused him of forcing his ex-partners to take part in humiliating sexual acts as well as racketeering.
However, he was still found guilty of less serious prostitution-related charges.
According to him, Rahmani said that since the court didn’t find the person guilty of the more serious crime (racketeering), the whole case seemed like an expensive effort just to punish less serious crimes.
“As I’ve said all along, this case will come down to racketeering,” Rahmani said as jurors were still weighing the case against the disgraced hip-hop mogul.
“If the government doesn’t get a RICO conviction, this will be a huge loss and the most expensive prostitution trial in American history.”
Rahmani had speculated that if the feds ultimately didn’t secure a guilty verdict on the racketeering count, the case would only boil down to two prostitution charges.
Also, before the verdict, he predicted that it would be difficult to prove the sex trafficking charges against Diddy because his defence attorneys took advantage of a barrage of text messages from the rapper’s alleged victims and accusers.
Some whose messages suggested their keenness to participate in “freak-offs” i.e. sex marathons with male prostitutes.
He predicted, too, the outcome of the jury’s verdict.
“What a tremendous loss for the prosecution. And a huge win for the defence,” Rahmani said just moments after the verdict was handed down.
The Bad Boy Records founder was ultimately found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and was acquitted on two sex trafficking charges and one racketeering charge.
The mixed result, which came on the third day of deliberations, capped a two-month trial that revealed twisted details about the mogul, including his insatiable taste for the “freak-offs.”
The acquittals on the sex trafficking counts mean he will avoid a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence.
Combs now faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence on each of the two prostitution counts.
The judge will determine Combs’ sentence at a later date and will decide later Wednesday whether he can walk free until then.
The beginning of Diddy’s legal woes
Diddy’s legal troubles began when his former decade-long girlfriend Cassie Ventura, filed a sued him for rape, physical abuse, and sex trafficking during their relationship.
In the suit, she noted that the rapper coerced her into partaking in drug-induced sexual encounters with male escorts—some of which he filmed—and claimed he once threatened to blow up rapper Kid Cudi’s car after she moved on with him.
The lawsuit was filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily allowed survivors to sue regardless of when the abuse occurred.
Shockingly, the case was settled just one day later for an undisclosed amount.
But that opened the floodgates of many other lawsuits against the rapper. After several months of investigations, Diddy was arrested on September 16, 2024, at a New York City hotel by federal agents acting on a sealed indictment.
President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr Frank Serebour, has disclosed that approximately 800 doctors are jobless because they are waiting to be posted to various institutions to commence work.
Dr Frank Serebour, told Channel One TV in an interview sighted by GhanaWeb on Friday, October 3, 2025, that failure to resolve the situation could compel these yet to be posted doctors to seek opportunities abroad.
“We still have about 800 doctors who are also at home who need to be posted, because if we don’t post them, this is the avenue we create, and then people begin to look for other areas to go.
“If we are not careful before we want to employ them, we won’t find them. So, I think it’s also a call for these doctors to be posted,” he said.
The GMA president appealed to the government to process the salaries of newly posted doctors promptly, emphasizing that further delays could worsen their discontent.
“Once you finish school and you start work, everybody knows that you are supposed to be on salary. So, I believe we will be able to resolve this matter amicably without the nuances of the strike action kicking off,” he added.
Meanwhile, a nationwide withdrawal of services by the Junior Doctors’ Association of Ghana (JDA-GH) was declared on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, over unpaid salaries and stalled postings.
A statement signed by its President, Dr. Louisa Afia Nkrumah, and General Secretary, Dr. Rhoda Wun-nam Amadu, disclosed that on Friday, October 10, emergency services will be withdrawn until further notice. It noted that all patients who are currently in the hospital will continue to receive treatment until they are discharged.
Explaining further, the statement said over 200 junior doctors have been left unpaid for 10 to 14 months. The statement added that some medical officers have been suspended without explanation, although they were previously on the government payroll.
“Despite goodwill shown towards the government, no solutions have been offered. The continued exploitation of junior doctors will no longer be tolerated,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives staged a protest on Thursday, October 2, to register similar sentiments. Over 7,000 nurses and midwives who gathered at the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health lamented over working without salaries for nine to ten months.
Convenor of the coalition, Stephen Kwadwo Takyiah, described the situation as unfair and unsustainable. Adding, “We are not comfortable hitting the streets, but it has become necessary. We are citizens, trained as professional nurses and midwives from nursing training colleges and universities.
“We graduated in 2020, completed our rotations, and waited at home for three years. In July 2024, the Ministry of Health announced it had secured financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance for our employment.
“The portals were opened, we registered, and by October 2024, we received postings and reported to work in December. Out of the 15,000 announced, about 13,000 took up postings.
“But in April 2025, only some of our colleagues started receiving salaries. As we speak, just over 6,500 have been paid, while nearly 7,000 of us have worked for close to 10 months without pay”.
In response, the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, urged the group to exercise patience, as the government has taken steps to address their displeasure.
Addressing the aggrieved group on Thursday, October 2, the Minister disclosed that the government will include funds to settle their unpaid salaries in next year’s budget.
On June 2 members of The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) withdrew from their posts over delays in their 2024 Collective Agreement. In response, the National Labour Commission (NLC) filed an ex parte application on Thursday, June 5.
A 10-day injunction was placed on the nationwide strike after the Industrial and Labour Division of the High Court in Accra described the protest as illegal.
The GRNMA disclosed that it had yet to formally receive a court order restraining its ongoing strike. Public Relations Officer of the GRNMA, Joseph Krampah, insisted that the group was proceeding with the strike until an official injunction notice was served.
Health Minister Mintah Akandoh, on the matter, revealed that the government was unable to meet the conditions of service for the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), currently on strike, this year.
Engaging the press, the sector minister announced that the conditions of service being requested to be implemented were not captured in the 2025 budget statement; hence, it will “completely throw the economy off gear if implemented in the manner it currently exists.”
“We are mindful of the serious economic consequences of unbudgeted expenditure and want to avoid the economic slippages that have led to the hardship in the recent past,” the Health Minister revealed.
The Minority in Parliament entreated the government to put in the necessary measures to ensure the strike action was called off.Dr Afriyie Ayew told the government to work towards providing the conditions of service worked on by the previous government.
“It is our belief that governance is a continuous process regardless of which party is in government public servants are paid, collective bargaining rights which are agreed on remain their rights regardless of which government takes over after elections.”The nationwide strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) took a heavy toll on the delivery of healthcare services, with many lives being lost due to patients being stranded.
The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG) bemoaned the evident rise in mortality cases amid the ongoing strike by nurses and midwives in the country.
General Secretary of MOWAG, Richard Kofi Jordan, noted that the death rate has increased by approximately 100% to 150% due to nurses not being at post.
“Looking at the [number] of deaths compared to the past and now, the death toll has increased significantly, and it is not surprising because of the impact of the nurse’s absence. On average, where we are to record about 10 a day, we are recording about 20 to 25. This tells you that the absence of our nurses is becoming so severe,” he said.Making reference to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, he mentioned that “we know the average in Korle Bu, you can have about 50 this time. It has risen above that. Other facilities (like) KATH and all that, we are hearing it.”According to him, the nurses who are no longer at their posts were mitigating the daily death rate across medical facilities in Accra.Referring
Former President Nana Akufo-Addo has considered Ghana’s debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework as “one of the darkest and most painful episodes” of his time as President.
He made these remarks at the AU-EU High-Level Seminar in Brussels on Thursday, October 2, 2025, ahead of the of the AU-EU Summit.
The former President conceded that although the initiative offered a short-term economic relief, it came with harsh human and social consequences.
“I witnessed the suffocating grip of debt on our economy and on our citizens. This deeply troubled me and still does,” he told African and European leaders.
In 2023, Ghana turned the Common Framework, restructuring $13 billion in Eurobonds and obtaining commitments that delivered $10.5 billion in debt service relief up to 2026.
The move lowered the debt-to-GDP ratio from the mid-80s to 70.5 per cent, reviving investor confidence and supporting the IMF programme.
However, the former President observed that these gains masked severe human cost, as the slow and sequential process bred uncertainty, eroded public trust, and left citizens with painful scars.
“The most painful part was the impact on ordinary people. Pensioners, young people, and small investors saw their lives and livelihoods shattered,” he said.
Africa’s $1 trillion debt burden reflects a global financial system “not built to free us, but to bind us.”
The former President also noted that over 30 African countries are channeling more funds into interest payments than into healthcare.
“Every dollar diverted to creditors is a dollar taken from a hospital, from a child’s vaccination, from a community’s future. This is not economics, it is inequity.”
Akufo-Addo reiterated his demand for bold reforms, calling for debt service suspension, thorough restructuring and concessional financing.
“Debt relief for Africa is not an act of generosity. It is an act of justice,” he declared.
He also proposed linking debt cancellation to climate resilience through a “Debt Relief for Green Investment and Resilience” framework.
He reminded leaders that even though Africa produces less than 4% of global emissions, its exposure to climate shocks leaves it facing damages worth trillions.
“To our European partners, I say this: hear the voice of your neighbouring continent. Stand with the AU and South Africa’s G20 Presidency to advance ambitious reform of the Common Framework,” he pleaded.
While noting Africa’s responsibility to build institutions, diversify its economies, and take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Akufo-Addo cautioned that without global reforms, even the most bold local efforts will be eroded by “predatory lending and punitive trade terms.”
“The sacrifices we make today, the compromises, the collaborations we engage in today can only inure to the benefit of our world. When Africa rises free from the weight of debt, the whole world rises with it,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the government of Ghana has brought to an end the series of engagements with China geared towards enhancing the debt restructuring efforts.
Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who described the meetings as helpful and a big step forward in solving the country’s debt problems, revealed this information in a post on social media on Tuesday, July 1.
According to him, these talks are part of the government’s efforts to fix the economy, reduce the country’s debt burden, and ensure that the lives of ordinary Ghanaians are protected.
Dr. Forson added that the progress made in China puts Ghana in a stronger position to complete this difficult process and build a more stable and inclusive economy.
In April this year, the sector minister announced Ghana’s preparedness to conclude bilateral agreements for the restructuring of its $5.1 billion official bilateral debt by June, a goal that Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson had described as “ambitious.”
This followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) on January 28.
This information is outlined in the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, which highlights Ghana’s fiscal strategies, including debt restructuring efforts aimed at stabilizing the economy.
Highlighting the importance of this process, the Finance Minister stated, “We look forward to the support of this august House in achieving this objective within the established timeframe.”
The agreement formalizes the key terms of the restructuring, which were outlined in an Agreement in Principle (AIP) reached on January 12, 2024. It includes an extension of debt service repayments and provides approximately $2.8 billion in debt relief. Additionally, the MoU establishes a cut-off date of December 31, 2022, and imposes limits on disbursements during Ghana’s IMF-supported program from 2023 to 2026.
The signing of the MoU paves the way for negotiations with individual OCC member countries. As part of the process, Ghana has commenced data reconciliation and validation exercises with several creditors in preparation for the bilateral agreements.
In addition to official bilateral debt restructuring, the government is engaging commercial creditors, including Chinese commercial lenders, plurilateral institutions, and private banks, to restructure approximately $2.7 billion in commercial debt. Discussions on draft Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) are already underway, with a financial proposal for restructuring expected to be presented soon.
Furthermore, Ghana’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), launched in December 2022, has significantly influenced the domestic debt market. The government has relied on short-term securities to finance the budget, raising GH¢45.4 billion in net proceeds from treasury bill issuances.
The government remains committed to honoring its debt obligations, having successfully paid GH¢19.0 billion in DDEP bond coupons in 2024 and an additional GH¢9.5 billion in February 2025. The Finance Ministry believes these efforts, coupled with effective engagement with market participants, will enhance transparency, restore investor confidence, and stabilize the financial market.
The 2025 Budget Statement also notes an improvement in investor sentiment, reflected in declining interest rates on treasury bills. By the end of December 2024, the 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day treasury bill rates stood at 28.04%, 28.68%, and 30.07%, respectively—lower than the corresponding rates in 2023.
The government has also updated its 2024 Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) to align with the revised medium-term fiscal framework and the third IMF Review macro-framework. The DSA assessed Ghana’s public debt distress by evaluating macro-fiscal developments and agreements reached with the OCC and Eurobond holders. It examined Ghana’s solvency and liquidity status, considering current and future debt service obligations and their impact on the country’s debt dynamics in the medium- to long-term.
According to the analysis, Ghana’s external and public debt risk rating remains at ‘high risk’ of debt distress. The Present Value (PV) of the total debt-to-GDP ratio and the external debt service-to-revenue ratio are still above DSA thresholds in the near term but are projected to return to sustainable levels by 2028.
Beyond bilateral debt, Ghana is actively engaging commercial creditors, including Chinese commercial lenders, plurilateral institutions, and private banks, to restructure approximately $2.7 billion in commercial debt. Discussions on draft Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) are underway, with a financial proposal for restructuring expected to be presented soon.
Additionally, the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), launched in December 2022, continues to impact Ghana’s debt landscape. In 2024, the government honored DDEP bond coupon payments totaling GH¢19.0 billion, including GH¢12.1 billion in cash payments and GH¢6.9 billion in payment-in-kind (PIK) payments. In February 2025, the fourth coupon payment of GH¢9.5 billion (including GH¢3.5 billion in PIK payments) was successfully honored. To finance the budget, the government issued short-term securities, raising GH¢45.4 billion in net proceeds from treasury bill issuances.
Ghana’s domestic debt market has shown signs of improvement, with a gradual decline in interest rates due to improved investor confidence. By the end of December 2024, the 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day treasury bill rates stood at 28.04%, 28.68%, and 30.07%, respectively—lower than the corresponding rates in 2023, which were 29.36%, 31.95%, and 32.49%.
The government remains committed to ensuring effective communication with market participants, increasing transparency, and restoring investor confidence, which will be crucial in sustaining economic stability.
President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that scientific tests are being carried out on new chemicals that could help restore polluted waterbodies and rivers due to illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholder engagement on Galamsey in Accra on Friday October 3, with members of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), President Mahama said, “there are new chemicals that have come that allow you to treat water and take out the toxins and the heavy metals. One of them is called dowtine. The people came, and we sent them there. They took samples, tested. We are waiting for them to bring the results back.”
He has asked Ghanaians to exercise patience regarding the longstanding battle against illegal mining (galamsey) activities. During a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), President Mahama said declaring a state of emergency will not end the menace.
According to him, government 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. Additionally, the President pledged to honor scores of Ghanaians’ calls by declaring a state of emergency when his advisors give him the nod to do so.
President Mahama believes that the country can eradicate the long-term canker if it deploys more troops as well as invests more resources in the fight. He concluded that the battle seems to be a long one, but his administration is committed to fighting it.
“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 the 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 Authority, and as at now, this moment, the National Security Authority 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 added.
Individuals present at the meeting include government officials and civil society leaders. The engagement comes at a time when there is mounting pressure on the Mahama-led administration to declare a state of emergency regarding the issue, due to its adverse effects on the environment.
The menace continues to threaten not only Ghana’s waterbodies, food crops and forest reserves but also the country’s energy infrastructure.
Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy has given a stern warning about the potential future repercussions of galamsey if the country fails to find a lasting solution to the menace.
During a visit to the Anwomaso Thermal Power Station in Kumasi on Wednesday October 1, Deputy Ranking Member, Collins Adomako-Mensah, starling revelation about how Ghana’s power installations are being tempered with by illegal miners.
According to him, the country’s 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 over 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 added, “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.”
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, made this known at GRIDCo headquarters in Tema on Thursday, September 25.
Mr. Otchere stated that maintenance teams now face attacks when they attempt 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 the galamseyers are weakening the towers, which are carefully engineered to withstand immense weight and pressure. He appealed for urgent assistance from national security agencies to protect transmission corridors and avert the potential collapse of towers.
“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 the rising cases of spontaneous abortions among pregnant women in Ghana.
Approximately five hundred cases of spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) have been recorded in research that links these cases 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 the lives of 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 foetal sides. “The placentas are all contaminated, polluted with heavy metals,” he said.
The dangers of these metals 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.
According to him, one of the consequences of excessive alum use is kidney disease, which is already on the rise. He warned that if left unchecked, “Ghana will be in big trouble.”
“Of course, people are talking about turbidity, and then the Water Company is saying that they are using more alum. Alum is aluminium hydroxide, that is the full name, aluminium hydroxide, and this aluminium hydroxide, when taken for a long period, in fact at higher concentration, has a lot of what you call health effects. One of them is kidney problems.
“When you use alum, that’s aluminium hydroxide, which is used to purify the water, especially when they are using that concentration, which I believe is so high, it’s going to cause kidney problems, it’s going to irritate the respiratory tract, and it’s going to cause what we call neurological defects.
“All these things have been proven, have been studied and proven to be important, and we have to be very careful about them now. This goes apart from the effects that we are seeing around,” he explained.
Among the recent measures taken 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 Amarh Kofi-Buah, directed the team to ruthlessly counter the activities of galamsey operators as they are the 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.
Celebrated Ghanaian filmmaker, Leila Djansi, has shared an unpleasant experience she had with people who did not initially recognize her.
According to her, in 2012, she chose to keep her appearance simple while attending the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), which was opened by her film.
Leila said she wore no makeup and adorned herself in comfortable clothes, with looks just like “an ordinary girl passing by.”
“At the hotel sign in table the staff were laughing and chatting. I greeted. No one looked at me. I stepped back and waited until they were done. Ten minutes later one of them finally looked up. ‘Ehe, what?’” she recalled.
It wasn’t until she gave her name that the staff realized who she was. “She leapt up. ‘Our guest of honor. Madam.’ I just shook my head. She tried to be nice the rest of the festival but that door was already closed.”
Meanwhile, the renowned filmmaker sparked a debate among industry players, questioning whether they will continue making excuses for the state of Ghana’s film industry or take action to improve it.
“Good and bad can coexist in anything. But at what point do we stop excusing the bad and start fixing it?” she asked in a Facebook post, calling for a shift from complacency to progress.
Djansi criticized the industry’s reluctance to embrace constructive criticism, urging filmmakers to compare their work with productions from other African countries such as Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, and South Africa.
“Take two of your most recent critically acclaimed films from the previous three years and compare them to two from Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, and South Africa. Look at them side by side and ask yourself if we are actually gaining any momentum,” she challenged.
She lamented that since Azali’s Oscar submission in 2018, Ghana’s subsequent entries have not been up to standard.
“In 2018, we got Azali for the Oscars, and since then, every single submission has been a joke. A literal joke. Some of the films would convince you to burn your Ghana card,” she stated.
Djansi stressed that the problem is not a lack of talent but an unwillingness to elevate the industry through hard work and innovation.
Sharing a personal experience, she recalled how a Creative Artists Agency (CAA) agent once critiqued her storytelling approach. Instead of dismissing the feedback, she took it as an opportunity to grow.
“What he actually said to me was, ‘Go take risks with your storytelling.’ I grew up,” she revealed.
She urged filmmakers to stop dismissing criticism as hate or jealousy and instead use it as a tool for improvement.
“Stop enduring mediocrity, please. Instead of these knee-jerk reactions, instead of acting like people just want to hate, forget the who and the how and actually listen. Sit with the criticism. Use it to rise,” Djansi advised.
With her bold remarks, Djansi hopes to ignite a mindset shift in the Ghanaian film industry, pushing creatives to move beyond excuses and take the necessary steps to compete on the global stage.
Responding to a different matter last year, Leila Djansi passionately called for Chef Smith’s cancellation following his admission of fabricating a Guinness World Record. Taking to Facebook, Djansi expressed dismay at the public’s forgiving response to Chef Smith’s apology, arguing that it undermines accountability.
Describing him as a ‘psychopath’, Djansi criticized the way Chef Smith’s actions have diminished the achievements of genuine record holders. She voiced her frustration with social media’s leniency towards him and urged for stronger consequences, likening the situation to biblical principles where mere apologies should not absolve someone from facing repercussions.
Djansi emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for deceitful behavior to maintain integrity and prevent future incidents.“I am appalled at how the majority of folks on Ghana social media are comforting and pampering this Chef Smith guy because he apologized! What’s wrong with y’all? Worried about your own skeletons, huh? This is why there’s zero accountability. Cancel this man… How do you fake a Guinness World Record? Trivializing the likes of Wally Funk, Zion Clark, Malala Yousafzai.
“He is a psychopath. How do you make a fool of an entire nation? And I am hearing he is also some sort of sexual deviant. No surprises there. He apologized, so what?
“Someone tarnishes your entire image and gets away with it because they apologized. What on earth! David sinned, confessed, and apologized, yet the child DIED. God took the child,” Leila Dzansi stated
Actress and daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola, Temi Otedola, who is now Temi Ajibade, has indicated that being the daughter of a wealthy man does not automatically hand her an advantage in life.
Temi’s father made his first fortune in commodities before selling his shares in Forte Oil to invest in the energy business.
Despite the wealth her father, Femi Otedola, has amassed Temi has revealed in an interview with the BBC that life is not necessarily a bed of roses for her.
“I would highly disagree with that. And I don’t think it’s fair for people to hear that because it kind of… it makes you actually ungrateful for your privilege and the opportunities you’ve been given. Maybe the caveat I would add is that, you know, you could give somebody a leg up in life and it’s what they do with it,” she said in a candid interview with BBC.
According to Temi, her father encouraged her and her sisters to chart their own paths rather than simply emulate him.
“It ends up being a blessing because he encouraged us to forge our own paths. He was not that father who was like, ‘Okay, this is the family business you’re going to take after me.’ He actually allowed us to come out of his shadow in many different ways, which is fantastic,” she said.
Nonetheless, his father’s resilience and determination have been a great inspiration in navigating her endeavours.
“The thing that inspires me most about my father, and he touched on heavily in the book, is that even when you feel like you’re at the end or you’ve fallen so low that you don’t think you can get back up… he’s very honest about when he was at the lowest of his life and how he thought there was actually no way out at that time.
“But it is his resilience. It’s that faith that if you pick yourself back up and you kind of recentre yourself on your dreams, there’s always a way back,” she shared.
Temi Otedola walked down the aisle in Iceland to say “I do” to singer and music executive, Mr Eazi, on August 8, 2025 in a simple but classy wedding ceremony.
In a conversation with BBC News Pidgin, Temi shared with joy that she has numerous reasons to have said Ido Mr Eazi.
“Too many…as she burst into laughter. First and foremost he is my best friend, that’s my person, And i think when you meet your persn you know, I cant imaging spending the rest of my life with anybody else. Heisthe person I am excited and can’t wait to spend everyday with and build our lives together and work through our ups and downs together, celeberate togtherband solve problems tiogwether. He is simply my person so we are just excited for what is to come,” the billionaire’s daughter shared.
She commented on the upcoming release of her father’s book, stating that the time has come for the world to glean from his father’s business experiences.
In an interview with the BBC, Temi said, “My dad has a wealth of wisdom and I’ve been very fortunate as his daughter that I’ve been able to, gleam and learn all of this information growing up with him,” she said
“But I believe he thought it was time that the public learn and understand his journey as an entrepreneur and as a businessman.”
Actress and fashion entrepreneur Temi Otedola has shared reason behind her decision to keep details of her life away from the public.
She and Mr Eazi maintained a low profile throughout their courtship, engagement, and marriage, only to surprise the public with the news of their union solemnization.
Temi shared in an interview with the BBC that, it’s not necessarily about privacy. “I think it’s more about owning your own narrative.”
According to her, there is power in living a quiet life as it gives one the power to control narratives.
“And there’s something about, you know, moving in silence that allows you to, to have certain control over things. It allows you to, yeah, to build the narrative you want,” Temi stated.
For her, it’s empowering to choose when and how to share personal details of life.
“And also you’re able to share when you feel you’re ready to share, when you want to share and share it in the way you want to share it.”
“So I think all of those things are kind of why I’ve always been someone to, to share, whether it’s a work project or personal news, I share it in my own time,” Temi Otedola shared..
Nigerian singer Oluwatosin Ajibade, popularly known as Mr Eazi, officially tied the knot with actress and daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola Temi Otedola, in a private and intimate ceremony in Iceland after their near decade relationship.
News of their marriage ceremony emerged after Nigerian comedian Broda Shaggi shared clips on his Instagram Story which captured the musician having a good time with Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, in Iceland.
The wedding was held at the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavík, with just a few friends and family in attendance.
Adorned with flowers and closed to the public, the venue reflected the couple’s enduring wish to keep their love story — and the details surrounding it — away from the public eye
The second daughter of the Nigerian millionaire was wore a sleek white satin gown with a square neckline, delicate straps, and a modest train. She paired it with minimal jewelry, just diamond studs and a simple bracelet with a soft and natural makeup, and her hair styled in a low, elegant chignon.
Her partner, Mr Eazi also rocked a crisp white shirt paired with a classic black tuxedo jacket and matching trousers. His look was clean, tailored, and understated, with no flashy accessories.
Mr Eazi first publicly confirmed his relationship with Temi Otedola in a 2017 Channel 4 News interview titled “Stories of My Life on African Instrumentals”.
In that conversation, he spoke about his music journey and casually acknowledged his relationship with Temi.
This was after rumours had began about their relationship following their chemistry in public and frequent appearances together.
Temi later confirmed the relationship herself, through her lifestyle blog and social media posts. Their bond became more visible when she featured Mr Eazi in her YouTube series.
Subsequently, Temi confirmed that they met at a DJ Cuppy event, which she had hosted for her sister.
It got official when the duo announced their engagement in April 2022, when the actress posted a 38-second video of the proposal on Instagram.
Social media buzzed after . Also in attendance were Temi’s sister, DJ and music producer Florence Otedola—popularly known as DJ Cuppy, their mother, Nana Otedola and Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote.
Following the emergence of their wedding photos and videos, the couple have received congratulatory messages from fans and celebrities across Africa, celebrating not only the love story between two stars but also the blending of music, film, and high-profile business worlds.
Profile of Temi
Temiloluwa Elizabeth Otedola was born on March 20, 1996, into one of Nigeria’s most prominent families. She is the youngest daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola and his wife Nana Otedola. Her siblings include Tolani, a singer; DJ Cuppy, a DJ and music producer; and Fewa, her younger brother.
Temi spent much of her childhood in London, where she attended boarding school in Kent and later studied Art History at University College London.
In 2014, she launched her fashion and lifestyle blog JTO Fashion, which documents her travels, style, and beauty inspirations. The blog quickly gained popularity and helped establish her as a fashion influencer.
Temi made her acting debut in 2020 in the Nollywood film Citation, directed by Kunle Afolayan. She played the lead role of Moremi Oluwa, a university student navigating a sexual harassment case. Her performance earned her the Best Actress award at the Ghana Movie Awards in 2021.
She later starred in The Man for the Job (2022) and is set to appear in Ms. Kanyin (2025), a supernatural thriller. Despite not attending formal acting school, Temi has been praised for her natural talent and screen presence.
Temi is also a podcaster, co-hosting How Far with her now-husband Mr Eazi, a Nigerian singer and entrepreneur.
In 2024, she became the first Nigerian Digital Brand Ambassador for L’Oréal Paris.
She currently lives between Lagos and London, balancing her work in fashion, film, and media.
Profile of Mr Eazi
Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, professionally known as Mr Eazi, was born on July 19, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He grew up in Lagos in an entrepreneurial household—his father is a pilot and aviation consultant, and his mother ran a small business. From a young age, Mr Eazi was surrounded by music, often listening to records his father played during family breakfasts.
At age 16, he moved to Ghana to study Mechanical Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). While at university, he founded Swagger Entertainment, a party and promotion company, and began dabbling in music. His first notable appearance was on the track My Life, which became popular on campus.
In 2013, he released his debut mixtape About to Blow, followed by Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra to Lagos in 2017, which featured hits like Skin Tight and Leg Over. Mr Eazi pioneered a genre he calls Banku Music, a fusion of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions, which helped him stand out in the Afrobeats scene.
Beyond music, Mr Eazi is a savvy entrepreneur. He launched emPawa Africa, a talent incubator that has supported rising African artists like Joeboy. He’s also ventured into tech, e-commerce, and even gold mining. In 2022, he graduated from Harvard University, further cementing his reputation as a multifaceted creative and businessman.
Mr Eazi is signed to Mad Decent and Universal Music Group, and his music has earned him awards including the Next Rated award at The Headies and recognition at the WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards.
Reports coming in has it that Nollywood actor Duro Micheal is dead.
The news was shared in a social media post by Nigerian film producer Stanley Ontop.
The deceased is said to have been bedridden for a period of time before his demise.
Details of the exact cause of his death are not yet known; however, his colleagues have confirmed that he had struggled with his health in recent months.
“Nollywood actor Duro Michael has kicked the bucket. He died a few days ago after battling a terminal illness. May his soul rest in peace,” Stanley Ontop, in his tribute, stated.
Months ago, renowned Nollywood actor and distinguished academic, Dr. Columbus Irosanga, sadly passed away.
Actress Hilda Dokubo announced the news on her Instagram account on Thursday.
In her heartfelt message, she wrote, “There can’t be a shortage of Angels in heaven that the few here are called home like this na! This one is heavy on Uniport, Rivers State, Nollywood.”
She continued, “Our uncle Coli @colu_mbusirisoanga has gone to be with the Lord. Ikoli eh dein na mu.”
Originating from Okrika in Rivers State, Dr. Irosanga became a household name for his compelling performances as chief priests in Nollywood films.
He is especially remembered for his unforgettable portrayal of “Igbudu” in the 2001 hit film, Isakaba.
His extraordinary acting skills garnered him numerous prestigious awards, such as Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Best Actor in a Drama at the City People Entertainment Awards, Most Promising Actor in Nigeria at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), and Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Best of Nollywood Awards.
Beyond his film career, Dr. Irosanga was a respected senior lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, where he played a pivotal role in mentoring many budding actors.
He is survived by his spouse and children, though the circumstances surrounding his death remain undisclosed. His passing represents a profound loss to both the academic and entertainment sectors in Nigeria.
In 2024, veteran Nollywood actor Emmanuel France passed away at the age of 80, leaving a void in the entertainment world.
The circumstances surrounding his death were not disclosed at the time.
The sad news was confirmed by filmmaker Femi Ogedengbe, who honored France’s memory in a heartfelt social media tribute.
Ogedengbe reflected on the joy of collaborating with him on various projects, including a notable trip to Tanzania in 2006.
Together, they worked on several films, such as Cross My Sin, She is My Sister, and The Director.
Born in Ghana, France was widely admired for his gentlemanly nature, humility, and respect for others.
His infectious warmth and vibrant personality endeared him to both colleagues and fans alike, making him a cherished figure in Nollywood.
One of his lifelong aspirations was to produce the film Ghana Must Go, a project that remained close to his heart but sadly never materialized.
Throughout his prolific career in Nollywood, France’s wit, charisma, and immense talent made him a beloved actor.
His passing represents a great loss to the Nigerian film industry, and he will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough to know and work with him.
France leaves behind a lasting legacy of elegance, professionalism, and invaluable contributions to African cinema.
Right around the same year, the legendary Joe Zulu Adigwe, a titan of the Nigerian film industry, reportedly bid adieu to this mortal coil, leaving behind a legacy that’ll be remembered as long as there are screens to watch movies on.
The exact cause of his departure from this world remained a mystery, with his family keeping tight-lipped on the matter. But one thing’s for sure: his absence has left a Zulu-shaped hole in the hearts of fans and fellow actors alike.
From the silver screen to the small screen, Zulu Adigwe made his mark with his unforgettable performances in countless Nollywood flicks. Whether he was making us laugh, cry, or sit on the edge of our seats, he knew how to command attention and steal the show.
But it’s not just his acting chops that’ll be sorely missed; it’s the warmth, the charisma, and the sheer presence he brought to every role. The outpouring of love and tributes flooding in from fans and colleagues is a testament to the impact he had on so many lives.
As we bid farewell to this Nollywood icon, we can’t help but reflect on the other stars who’ve left us too soon. Since the dawn of 2024, the stage lights have dimmed for several other beloved actors, each leaving behind a trail of memories and a profound sense of loss.
So, let’s take a moment to remember those who’ve taken their final bow, leaving us with nothing but their cinematic legacies to cherish. The list includes the venerable Olofa Ina [Deji Aderemi], the radiant Ethel Ekpe, the vibrant Sisi Quadri, and the ever-comical Mr. Ibu, and most recently, the strong and fierce Junior Pope. Their names may have left the credits, but they’ll forever remain etched in the annals of Nollywood history.
Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Dormaa Traditional Area has taken the Oath of office as a Justice of the Court of Appeal.
President John Dramani Mahama, on Thursday, October 2, swore in twenty-one (21) High Court Judges as Justices of the Court of Appeal. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Jubilee House in Accra.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Mahama charged them to be transparent in the execution of their duties despite negative perceptions about the judiciary.
“What we must guard against is cynicism, the corrosive belief that the courts no longer serve the people but only the powerful in society. In recent times, our courts have not escaped criticisms. Citizens have openly and sometimes harshly questioned judicial decisions.
“But I want to say clearly criticism of judgments is not the end of hope; it is the evidence of hope. It shows that Ghanaians still believe in the courts, that justice still matters, and that verdicts have meaning in their lives,” he added.
The appointees include Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, Mr Justice Senyo Amedahe, a Koforidua High Court Judge, Justice Justin Dorgu, Justice George Boadi, Justice Ayitey Armah-Tetteh, Justice Olivia Boeng Owusu, Justice Douglas Seidu, Justice Ali Baba Bature, Justice Mariama Samo, Justice Abena Adzin Doku, Justice Mary Maame Akua Yanzu, and Justice Jennifer Anne Myers Ahmed.
The rest are Justice John Bosco Nabarese, Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah, Justice Richmond Osei Hwere, Justice Apangano Achibonga, Justice Charity Akosua Asem, Justice Enyonam Adinyira, Justice Shiela Minta, Justice Bridget Kafui Antonio, and Justice Franklina Gesila Adanu.
In September, President John Dramani Mahama announced the removal of the Chief Justice from office on Monday, September 1, after receiving recommendations from the committee probing petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
Having violated Article 146 (9), as mentioned in the Committee’s report and recommendations, President Mahama dismissed Madam Torkornoo not only from her position as Chief Justice but also as a Supreme Court Judge.
In a statement dated September 1, the Presidency justified the dismissal of Gertrude Torkornoo as being in accordance with Article 146 (9) of the 1992 Constitution.
“NOW THEREFORE, KNOW YE ALL MEN that I, JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA, President of the Republic of Ghana, in pursuance of the said Article 146(9), do hereby REMOVE the said Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, from the office of Chief Justice and Justice of the Supreme Court, with effect from the date hereof,” parts of the statement noted.
According to Article 146 (9), “A Justice of a Superior Court or a Chairman of a Regional Tribunal shall not be removed from office except for stated misbehaviour or incompetence or on grounds of inability to perform the functions of his office arising from infirmity of body or mind.”
In the case of Madam Torkornoo, the committee found her guilty of stated misbehaviour, including unlawful expenditure of public funds, abuse of discretionary power, and interference in judicial appointments. These findings were tied not just to her role as Chief Justice, but also to her conduct as a Justice of the Supreme Court. Therefore, the committee recommended her complete removal from both roles, and President Mahama was constitutionally obligated to act on that recommendation.
Outlining the charges of unlawful expenditure of public funds, the Committee’s report suggested that, “In the opinion of the committee, the travel expenses which the Chief Justice heaped on the Judicial Service when she travelled on holidays in September 2023, first to Tanzania with her husband and second, to the United States of America with her daughter, together with the payment of per diem to the spouse and daughter of the Chief Justice, constituted unlawful expenditure of public funds.”
“Those acts… constitute avoidable and reckless dissipation of public funds and, in the view of the committee, to have been occasioned by the overall head of the Judiciary and the Judicial Service, whose duty is to guard public resources allocated by the Government, is caught within the spectrum of stated misbehaviour.”
According to the Committee, she also abused her powers as Chief Justice in the transfer of one Mr. Baiden, adding, “The committee also stated without fear or favour that the Chief Justice unjustifiably breached the provisions in Article 295 (a) and (b) of the Constitution, 1992, in the way and manner that she transferred Mr. Baiden. It said her conduct amounted to misbehaviour.”
On interference in judicial appointments, the Committee highlighted the Chief Justice’s deliberate actions of bypassing the designated system of selecting Supreme Court Judges. Hence, the Committee labelled her conduct as unacceptable and counted it as misconduct.
“Justice Torkornoo… cannot lay claim to ignorance of the nomination process and procedure, notwithstanding the fact that the process and procedure are not spelt out in the Constitution but case law.”
“Therefore, to seek, wittingly, to outwit this known process and procedure for appointing Supreme Court Justices amounts to misbehaviour in the eyes of the Committee and the Committee finds it as such,” excerpts of the report read.
The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, also included Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu, former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Professor James Sefah Dzisah of the University of Ghana.
In July, an application for review regarding an ‘abuse of court processes’ by the embattled Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, was dismissed by the Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court.
The court, presided over by Justice Amoako on Thursday, July 31, ruled that several claims, such as the illegal composition of the committee and wrongful conduct of adversarial proceedings, were already before the Supreme Court.
Justice Amoako argued that relitigating these issues would result in duplication of litigation and abuse of court processes. As such, the claims were dismissed. The judge also dismissed reliefs such as an order of certiorari to quash the committee’s proceedings and nullify its sittings on the basis that the Chief Justice did not receive a fair hearing, citing jurisdictional grounds.
The judicial review application filed on June 9 this year sought nine reliefs, including a series of declarations that the Article 146 committee set up to probe her removal from office had acted unlawfully. She wanted the court to prevent the committee from proceeding with its work without providing her with authenticated copies of the petitions seeking her removal and the subsequent responses.
The Chief Justice argued that the President’s prima facie determination contained no reasons or justification and was devoid of the judicial or quasi-judicial reasoning expected under the Constitution.
As the proceedings of the Article 146 committee are to be held in-camera in accordance with Article 146(8) of the Constitution, the court noted that it could not inquire into matters raised by the suspended Chief Justice.
In response, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo proceeded to the ECOWAS Community Court in Abuja, Nigeria, seeking compensation worth $10 million over her suspension from office by President Mahama.
This forms part of the 10 reliefs being requested. The Chief Justice’s recent suit follows several unsuccessful cases at the Supreme Court this year after her suspension.
The suspended Chief Justice also wants the court to ensure she continues to enjoy the paraphernalia and entitlements of her office as Chief Justice of Ghana pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The measures requested are: “That the Republic of Ghana suspend the disciplinary removal from office as Chief Justice process against the Applicant, pending the hearing and determination of the complaint on the merits.
“That Ghana refrains from taking any other measures that may harm the rights claimed by the Applicant and/or aggravate or extend the dispute submitted to the Court, or compromise the implementation of any decision that the Court may render.
“Given the urgency of the situation, the Applicant respectfully requests the Court to hold a hearing on this request as soon as possible, and that the President of the Court ask Ghana to act in order to allow any order that the Court may issue on the Request for Assignment of Precautionary Measures to have its appropriate effect.”
The other reliefs are as follows: “A declaration that the panel instituted by the Respondent (Ghana) to investigate and determine the allegations of misconduct against the Applicant was not constituted to guarantee its independence and impartiality and as such has violated the Applicant’s human right to fair hearing guaranteed by Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“A declaration that the purported suspension of the Applicant as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana by the President of the Respondent State on 22 April 2025 constitutes a violation of her human right to fair, equitable and satisfactory conditions guaranteed by Article 15 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“A declaration that the purported suspension of the Applicant as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana by the President of the Respondent State on 22 April 2025 has exposed her to public ridicule and odium locally and internationally and the said act constitutes a violation of her human right to dignity guaranteed by Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“A declaration that by subjecting the Applicant to an illegal and unfair investigation and trial since April 2025, the Respondent has inflicted injuries on her professional standing and image, thereby exposing her and her family to immeasurable public ridicule.
“An order to the Respondent Republic to act immediately to prescribe the rule of procedure to govern the investigation of allegations of misconduct against the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana in conformity with the right to fair hearing guaranteed by the Constitution of Ghana and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“An order directing the Respondent to immediately lift the suspension and restore the Applicant to full office until the conclusion of fair constitutional proceedings.
“An order restraining the Respondent from continuing with the purported inquiry for the removal of the Applicant as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana in its current form, until it conforms to fair hearing guarantees.
“An award of USD 10 million as compensation for moral and reputational damages suffered by the Applicant as a result of her illegal suspension and unfair investigation, and lastly, any other relief(s) as the Honourable Court deems just.”
On Thursday, August 14, the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association called for the immediate reinstatement of Ghana’s Chief Justice by President John Dramani Mahama and the Executive arm of government.
“Immediately and without delay, reinstate the Chief Justice of Ghana to her Office, consistent with both the hitherto strong attachment to the rule of law demonstrated by Ghana and also the constitutional duties incumbent upon it.
“And afford the Chief Justice due and fair process in the investigation and determination of the disciplinary matters brought against her, including but not limited to full and transparent access to that process by her legal representatives,” the group demanded in a joint statement issued on August 14.
Additionally, the group asked the government for a proper and impartial investigation of the disciplinary charges against her, with her lawyers given full and transparent access to the proceedings.
Both groups further demanded the establishment of transparent procedural rules to guide the disciplinary process, including a definite timeframe within which the investigative committee must conclude its work and communicate its decision.
The Ghana Education Service has suspended Mr Mfon Richard Tibetor, a teacher at Okadjakrom Senior High School in the Oti Region, following misconduct involving a female student.
In a press release dated Ghana Education Service indictaed itt was awared of a troubling video circulating on social media that allegedly implicated the teacher
The Service condemned the act, describing it as “unacceptable, unethical, and a clear violation of the professional code of conduct for teachers.”
According to the statement, Mr Tibetor has been barred from accessing the school compound while innvestigations continue.
The Ghana Education Service reassured parents, guardians and the public that student welfare and protection remain its highest priorioty, emphasizing that any staff member guilty of misconduct that undermines dignity and saftety “will face the full rigours of the law in accordance with the GES Code of Conduct.”
The release further noted that the Ghana Education Service is dedicated to upholding discipline, professionalism and the safeguarding of children across all school nationwide.
Meanwhile, on Monday, September 30, the Ghana Education Service (GES) announced the removal of the Assistant Headmaster (Academic) of KNUST Senior High School, Mr. Charles Akwasi Aidoo, from office over alleged misconduct.
He was seen in a viral video with a female student in a compromised position. In response, management of GES released a statement declaring their stance on the matter.
“Management views this matter with utmost seriousness. In line with our commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the teaching profession and ensuring the safety and welfare of students under our care, Mr. Aidoo has already been removed from office, and prohibited from going to the school while thorough investigations are being carried out,” the statement read.
Speaking to the media, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, indicated that her ministry is working to ensure Mr. Charles Akwasi Aidoo is arrested in the coming days.
“The recent one is the report of the female student at KNUST with the assistant headmaster. Even though GES through the school dismissed him, we are collaborating with the police to effect the arrest of the perpetrator,” she added.
The GES assured the general public, stakeholders, parents, and students that due process will be followed, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with the Code of Conduct of the Ghana Education Service.
The case involving the dismissed Assistant Headmaster and the female student comes at a time when many senior high school graduates, especially females, have declared their intention to live a promiscuous lifestyle after school.
Several viral videos that have surfaced also show some female Senior High School graduates announcing their intentions to date married men. Reacting to these videos, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) cautioned SHS graduates against posting indecent and irresponsible content on social media, warning that such actions could damage their future prospects.
In a statement issued in Accra on Thursday, September 25, the agency noted, “Irresponsible content can severely damage one’s academic, career, and professional prospects.”
Additionally, the Authority warned that such actions could pave the way for cyberbullying, harassment, grooming, and other forms of digital exploitation. “As Ghana continues to progress in its digital transformation, the CSA emphasises the importance of promoting positive digital citizenship among the youth.”
On the other hand, the Ministry for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations has announced a decline in financial losses from cybercrime this year, despite rising online threats.
Speaking at the launch of the 2025 edition of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) on Wednesday at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Auditorium, the sector Minister, Samuel Nartey George, disclosed that from January to June 2025, the country recorded GHS 14.9 million in cybercrime-related losses, compared to GHS 23.3 million in the previous year.
According to the Minister, online scams, fraud, blackmail, and unauthorized access account for the majority of cybercrime-related financial losses in Ghana.
The Ministry of Education has announced plans to implement a subject-Specific Artificial Intelligence App in Senior High Schools to enhance the delivery of the new Senior High Schools curriculum, without compromising the ethical and cultural values of Ghana.
According to a statement shared on the Facebook page of the Ghana Education Service, the design of Apps, which aim to support over 68,000 teachers in delivering the new curriculum to over 1.4 million learners, was co-created by the Ghana Education Service (GES), the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), the National Teaching Council (NTC), the National School Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) and the Centre for National Distance Learning and Open Schooling (CENDLOS) and Playlab Al with support from Transforming Teaching, Education & Learning (T-TEL) and Mastercard Foundation.
“Built on Ghana’s own curriculum materials, including teacher manuals, learner resources, and frameworks for national values, gender equality and social inclusion, the Subject-Specific-Apps are designed to help teachers plan lessons and develop assessments more efficiently while ensuring alignment with national standards,” a part of the statement indicated.
It further stated that the Subject-Specific Apps are being introduced through the weekly Professional Learning Community (PLC) sessions organized by GES in all 712 SHS.
Adding that, these sessions provide a platform for teachers to collaborate, test the tools, and provide feedback ensuring that Al supports teachers and does not replace their expertise.
The Ministry has therefore outlined a four-phase testing process to ensure the Subject-Specific Apps are effective and appropriate. This includes a Technical Accuracy Review to verify curriculum alignment, an Educational Quality Review to assess pedagogical soundness, a User Experience Review to pilot functionality in schools and a Regional Testing to evaluate readiness for nationwide implementation.
In 2023, the Ghana Education Service, under the leadership of former Minister of Education Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, launched a digital platform known as the Learning Passport as part of efforts to integrate technology into the country’s education system.
The initiative was designed for pupils from Basic 1 to 3 to enhance learning both in and outside the classroom. Through the Learning Passport, children could access their syllabus online with support from their teachers, while parents were given tools to monitor their progress step by step.
At the launch, some students demonstrated how the platform worked. Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kofi Sarpong Adu-Manu, described it as Ghana’s first digital initiative tailored to the needs of pupils at the basic level.
“You believe that in our homes, the 2 and 3-year-olds are chasing after phones because their cartoons are resting on our digital infrastructure. So they are already having a feeling for digital technologies. So we can take them out. We want to introduce them, and get them to play with it and then they grow up with it,” he said.
He emphasized that children were already exposed to digital devices at home, and the Learning Passport provided a structured way to channel this interest into meaningful learning.
The audience was guided through the sign-up process on the website, Ghana.learningpassport.org, which required basic parental information to ensure the platform was used safely under adult supervision. Parents could also track their children’s academic performance through the system’s analytics.
The official launch featured a symbolic moment where a pupil from Haatso Presby Basic School, Tracy, joined the minister to unveil the program.
Sharing her excitement about the initiative, she said, , “I am very happy to be here today for launching of the learning passport. Learning passport has really helped me and i recommend it to you.”.
Dr. Adutwum echoed her words, describing it as a great opportunity provided through collaboration with UNICEF.
“What better way to launch this program with recommendation from a student, the end user. Today I am excited to join Tracy in launching the Learning passport. Consider it duely launched by Tracy and the Minister for Education,” the former minister said.
The Learning Passport was developed by UNICEF and rolled out in Ghana through a partnership between the Ministry of Education and the Centre for National Distance Learning and Open Schooling (CENDLOS). The platform evolved from the President’s Special Initiative on Distance Learning (PSI-DL), established in 2002 to merge ICT with education.
At the time, Dr. Adutwum urged headteachers to embrace technology to strengthen teaching and improve cognitive skills, with the broader goal of producing a generation of critical thinkers capable of applying knowledge beyond memorization.
The Bono East Regional Police Command has arrested a man for operating an unlicensed clinic in his residence at Yeji Zongo in the Bono East Region
According to a release shared on the facebook page of the Ghana Police Service and signed by ASP Appiah Danquah, the suspect, identified as Hanson Osei, was arrested on 28th September 2025 after Police, acting on intelligence, proceeded to his residence where he had converted a chamber-and-hall room into a clinic.
The Police revealed that, during interrogation, “the suspect admitted that he had been operating the clinic for the past eleven (11) years without authorization from any recognized medical school or licensing authority”
Adding that, a search of the premises uncovered several used clinical items, including needles, malaria injection bottles, infusion rubber sachets, and other medical materials.
The Police therefore put Mr Hanson Osei before the Tuobodom District Court on 30th September, 2025.
He has since been remanded to reappear on 6th October, 2025.
Earlier in September, a man posing as a medical doctor at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) was reported to the police after arousing suspicions among hospital personnel.
The middle-aged individual, known as Williams Cyril Kohen, underwent questioning by hospital staff during their regular rounds, leading to the verification of their concerns.
Following this development, the suspect was handed over to the hospital’s police post, which subsequently transferred the case to the Central Police Command for further investigation.
The hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Kwame Frimpong, conveyed that the institution had implemented security measures aimed at preventing such occurrences in the future.
“At KATH, it is very difficult for people to come and claim that they are doctors and start working there because that is not how the thing works. We have a team-based system where all the team members are known and also remember that it is a training institution so most of the time the people who join us are our former students and so it is a very close-knit community and the team members are known to each other. So you cannot just be part of the team out of the blue. And because patients are allocated to teams you cannot go to any patient when you are not part of the team.”
“Again, we have this electronic medical records system where every member of the medical staff has a password specific to them, and you have to use this system to attend to patients, to review the cases, and to give prescriptions for medicine to be dispensed. Once you don’t have the password because you are not a staff or member of the medical teams you cannot even attend to the patient,” he stated.
In 2019, the Medical and Dental Council arrested a suspected quack Doctor at Anyinam in the Eastern Region.
The suspect, Kankam Nkrumah, was caught red-handed at the consulting room of Yesukrom Medical Center Practicing Medicine without a license.
Information gathered by Starr News indicated that, the Investigative Unit of the Medical and Dental Council, led by the Administrative Manager, Bright Atsu Fuglo and Desmond Asamoah, on January 21, 2019, stormed the community to undertake its routine headcount of licensed practitioners, medical Doctors, Physician Assistants, and certified registered Anaesthetists at Anyinam.
Nonetheless, during the exercise, they noticed the suspect Nkrumah Kankam sitting in the consulting room, allegedly practicing medicine without a license.
He was questioned and subsequently arrested and handed over to the Anyinam Police.
The Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, DSP Ebenezer Tetteh, confirmed the arrest to Starr News when contacted. He said the Police retrieved 15 patient folders and one stethoscope as exhibits while investigations continued.
Also, in 2023, six people in the Kumasi metropolis were arrested for dealing in fake herbal products.
Their arrest was carried out as a result of a collaboration between the Ashanti Regional Office of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), in collaboration with the Police.
The swoop, which targeted dealers in unregistered herbal products, formed part of routine market surveillance conducted by the Authority to clamp down on perpetrators.
The culprits, who had been granted bail pending further investigations, include two community information centre operators and four herbal product dealers.
Mr. John Laryea Odai-Tettey, the Regional Head of FDA, speaking to the media after the exercise, said the Public Health Act, 2012 mandated the FDA to ensure food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemical substances, blood, blood products, and tobacco were wholesome for public consumption.
He said the Authority had the responsibility to ensure the safety and quality and standards of such products as prescribed by the Act.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that products under our regulation and being sold for public consumption and use are registered, and that is why we embark on market surveillance to check the safety of the products,” he noted.
He said beyond the registration of the regulated products, his outfit had the duty to keep an eye on the market to fish out persons producing sub-standard versions of registered products.
“Unfortunately, a lot of people do not go to accredited health facilities to seek healthcare, but rather patronise some of these products without verifying their safety,” he pointed out.
Mr Odai-Tettey said the activities of the perpetrators were inimical to public safety and called on the public to support the FDA to flush out such miscreants for the good of the general population.
He said doors of the FDA were opened to manufacturers of herbal and other regulated products to submit their products for scrutiny to ensure they were safe for public consumption.
He said failure by manufacturers to submit their products for verification amounted to the violation of the Act and cautioned that the FDA would go after such recalcitrant manufacturers in the interest of public health.
He advised the public to patronise products from registered and recognised dealers such as pharmacies and licensed over-the-counter chemical sellers for their own safety.
Wholesalers and retailers of herbal products must also ensure they purchase from licensed manufacturers in order not to be victims of the operations of the FDA, he stated.
Actress and daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola, Temi Otedola, has revealed that she got married to singer and music executive, Mr Eazi because he is her favourite person.
She walked down the aisle in Iceland to say “I do” to the singer on August 8, 2025 in a simple but classy wedding ceremony.
In a conversation with BBC News Pidgin, Temi shared with joy that she has numerous reasons to have said “I do” to Mr Eazi.
“Too many…as she burst into laughter. First and foremost he is my best friend, that’s my person, And i think when you meet your persn you know, I cant imaging spending the rest of my life with anybody else. Heisthe person I am excited and can’t wait to spend everyday with and build our lives together and work through our ups and downs together, celeberate togtherband solve problems tiogwether. He is simply my person so we are just excited for what is to come,” the billionaire’s daughter shared.
Meanwhile, Temi Otedola, who is now Temi Ajibade, has commented on the upcoming release of her father’s book stating that the time has come for the world to glean from his father’s business experiences.
In an interview with the BBC, Temi said, “My dad has a wealth of wisdom and I’ve been very fortunate as his daughter that I’ve been able to, gleam and learn all of this information growing up with him,” she said
“But I believe he thought it was time that the public learn and understand his journey as an entrepreneur and as a businessman.”
Actress and fashion entrepreneur Temi Otedola has shared reason behind her decision to keep details of her life away from the public.
She and Mr Eazi maintained a low profile throughout their courtship, engagement, and marriage, only to surprise the public with the news of their union solemnization.
Temi shared in an interview with the BBC that, it’s not necessarily about privacy. “I think it’s more about owning your own narrative.”
According to her, there is power in living a quiet life as it gives one the power to control narratives.
“And there’s something about, you know, moving in silence that allows you to, to have certain control over things. It allows you to, yeah, to build the narrative you want,” Temi stated.
For her, it’s empowering to choose when and how to share personal details of life.
“And also you’re able to share when you feel you’re ready to share, when you want to share and share it in the way you want to share it.”
“So I think all of those things are kind of why I’ve always been someone to, to share, whether it’s a work project or personal news, I share it in my own time,” Temi Otedola shared..
Nigerian singer Oluwatosin Ajibade, popularly known as Mr Eazi, officially tied the knot with actress and daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola Temi Otedola, in a private and intimate ceremony in Iceland after their near decade relationship.
News of their marriage ceremony emerged after Nigerian comedian Broda Shaggi shared clips on his Instagram Story which captured the musician having a good time with Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, in Iceland.
The wedding was held at the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavík, with just a few friends and family in attendance.
Adorned with flowers and closed to the public, the venue reflected the couple’s enduring wish to keep their love story — and the details surrounding it — away from the public eye
The second daughte of the Nigerian millionaire was wore a sleek white satin gown with a square neckline, delicate straps, and a modest train. She paired it with minimal jewelry, just diamond studs and a simple bracelet with a soft and natural makeup, and her hair styled in a low, elegant chignon.
Her partner, Mr Eazi also rocked a crisp white shirt paired with a classic black tuxedo jacket and matching trousers. His look was clean, tailored, and understated, with no flashy accessories.
Mr Eazi first publicly confirmed his relationship with Temi Otedola in a 2017 Channel 4 News interview titled “Stories of My Life on African Instrumentals”.
In that conversation, he spoke about his music journey and casually acknowledged his relationship with Temi.
This was after rumours had began about their relationship following their chemistry in public and frequent appearances together.
Temi later confirmed the relationship herself, through her lifestyle blog and social media posts. Their bond became more visible when she featured Mr Eazi in her YouTube series.
Subsequently, Temi confirmed that they met at a DJ Cuppy event, which she had hosted for her sister.
It got official when the duo announced their engagement in April 2022, when the actress posted a 38-second video of the proposal on Instagram.
Social media buzzed after . Also in attendance were Temi’s sister, DJ and music producer Florence Otedola—popularly known as DJ Cuppy, their mother, Nana Otedola and Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote.
Following the emergence of their wedding photos and videos, the couple have received congratulatory messages from fans and celebrities across Africa, celebrating not only the love story between two stars but also the blending of music, film, and high-profile business worlds.
Profile of Temi
Temiloluwa Elizabeth Otedola was born on March 20, 1996, into one of Nigeria’s most prominent families. She is the youngest daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola and his wife Nana Otedola. Her siblings include Tolani, a singer; DJ Cuppy, a DJ and music producer; and Fewa, her younger brother.
Temi spent much of her childhood in London, where she attended boarding school in Kent and later studied Art History at University College London.
In 2014, she launched her fashion and lifestyle blog JTO Fashion, which documents her travels, style, and beauty inspirations. The blog quickly gained popularity and helped establish her as a fashion influencer.
Temi made her acting debut in 2020 in the Nollywood film Citation, directed by Kunle Afolayan. She played the lead role of Moremi Oluwa, a university student navigating a sexual harassment case. Her performance earned her the Best Actress award at the Ghana Movie Awards in 2021.
She later starred in The Man for the Job (2022) and is set to appear in Ms. Kanyin (2025), a supernatural thriller. Despite not attending formal acting school, Temi has been praised for her natural talent and screen presence.
Temi is also a podcaster, co-hosting How Far with her now-husband Mr Eazi, a Nigerian singer and entrepreneur.
In 2024, she became the first Nigerian Digital Brand Ambassador for L’Oréal Paris.
She currently lives between Lagos and London, balancing her work in fashion, film, and media.
Profile of Mr Eazi
Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, professionally known as Mr Eazi, was born on July 19, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He grew up in Lagos in an entrepreneurial household—his father is a pilot and aviation consultant, and his mother ran a small business. From a young age, Mr Eazi was surrounded by music, often listening to records his father played during family breakfasts.
At age 16, he moved to Ghana to study Mechanical Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). While at university, he founded Swagger Entertainment, a party and promotion company, and began dabbling in music. His first notable appearance was on the track My Life, which became popular on campus.
In 2013, he released his debut mixtape About to Blow, followed by Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra to Lagos in 2017, which featured hits like Skin Tight and Leg Over. Mr Eazi pioneered a genre he calls Banku Music, a fusion of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions, which helped him stand out in the Afrobeats scene.
Beyond music, Mr Eazi is a savvy entrepreneur. He launched emPawa Africa, a talent incubator that has supported rising African artists like Joeboy. He’s also ventured into tech, e-commerce, and even gold mining. In 2022, he graduated from Harvard University, further cementing his reputation as a multifaceted creative and businessman.
Mr Eazi is signed to Mad Decent and Universal Music Group, and his music has earned him awards including the Next Rated award at The Headies and recognition at the WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards.
Actress and daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola, Temi Otedola, has revealed why she accepted to marry singer and music executive, Mr Eazi.
She walked down the aisle in Iceland to say “I do” to singer and music executive, Mr Eazi, on August 8, 2025 in a simple but classy wedding ceremony.
In a conversation with BBC News Pidgin, Temi shared with joy that she has numerous reasons to have said Ido Mr Eazi.
“Too many…as she burst into laughter. First and foremost he is my best friend, that’s my person, And i think when you meet your persn you know, I cant imaging spending the rest of my life with anybody else. Heisthe person I am excited and can’t wait to spend everyday with and build our lives together and work through our ups and downs together, celeberate togtherband solve problems tiogwether. He is simply my person so we are just excited for what is to come,” the billionaire’s daughter shared.
Meanwhile, Temi Otedola, who is now Temi Ajibade, has commented on the upcoming release of her father’s book stating that the time has come for the world to glean from his father’s business experiences.
In an interview with the BBC, Temi said, “My dad has a wealth of wisdom and I’ve been very fortunate as his daughter that I’ve been able to, gleam and learn all of this information growing up with him,” she said
“But I believe he thought it was time that the public learn and understand his journey as an entrepreneur and as a businessman.”
Actress and fashion entrepreneur Temi Otedola has shared reason behind her decision to keep details of her life away from the public.
She and Mr Eazi maintained a low profile throughout their courtship, engagement, and marriage, only to surprise the public with the news of their union solemnization.
Temi shared in an interview with the BBC that, it’s not necessarily about privacy. “I think it’s more about owning your own narrative.”
According to her, there is power in living a quiet life as it gives one the power to control narratives.
“And there’s something about, you know, moving in silence that allows you to, to have certain control over things. It allows you to, yeah, to build the narrative you want,” Temi stated.
For her, it’s empowering to choose when and how to share personal details of life.
“And also you’re able to share when you feel you’re ready to share, when you want to share and share it in the way you want to share it.”
“So I think all of those things are kind of why I’ve always been someone to, to share, whether it’s a work project or personal news, I share it in my own time,” Temi Otedola shared..
Nigerian singer Oluwatosin Ajibade, popularly known as Mr Eazi, officially tied the knot with actress and daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola Temi Otedola, in a private and intimate ceremony in Iceland after their near decade relationship.
News of their marriage ceremony emerged after Nigerian comedian Broda Shaggi shared clips on his Instagram Story which captured the musician having a good time with Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, in Iceland.
The wedding was held at the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavík, with just a few friends and family in attendance.
Adorned with flowers and closed to the public, the venue reflected the couple’s enduring wish to keep their love story — and the details surrounding it — away from the public eye
The second daughte of the Nigerian millionaire was wore a sleek white satin gown with a square neckline, delicate straps, and a modest train. She paired it with minimal jewelry, just diamond studs and a simple bracelet with a soft and natural makeup, and her hair styled in a low, elegant chignon.
Her partner, Mr Eazi also rocked a crisp white shirt paired with a classic black tuxedo jacket and matching trousers. His look was clean, tailored, and understated, with no flashy accessories.
Mr Eazi first publicly confirmed his relationship with Temi Otedola in a 2017 Channel 4 News interview titled “Stories of My Life on African Instrumentals”.
In that conversation, he spoke about his music journey and casually acknowledged his relationship with Temi.
This was after rumours had began about their relationship following their chemistry in public and frequent appearances together.
Temi later confirmed the relationship herself, through her lifestyle blog and social media posts. Their bond became more visible when she featured Mr Eazi in her YouTube series.
Subsequently, Temi confirmed that they met at a DJ Cuppy event, which she had hosted for her sister.
It got official when the duo announced their engagement in April 2022, when the actress posted a 38-second video of the proposal on Instagram.
Social media buzzed after . Also in attendance were Temi’s sister, DJ and music producer Florence Otedola—popularly known as DJ Cuppy, their mother, Nana Otedola and Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote.
Following the emergence of their wedding photos and videos, the couple have received congratulatory messages from fans and celebrities across Africa, celebrating not only the love story between two stars but also the blending of music, film, and high-profile business worlds.
Profile of Temi
Temiloluwa Elizabeth Otedola was born on March 20, 1996, into one of Nigeria’s most prominent families. She is the youngest daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola and his wife Nana Otedola. Her siblings include Tolani, a singer; DJ Cuppy, a DJ and music producer; and Fewa, her younger brother.
Temi spent much of her childhood in London, where she attended boarding school in Kent and later studied Art History at University College London.
In 2014, she launched her fashion and lifestyle blog JTO Fashion, which documents her travels, style, and beauty inspirations. The blog quickly gained popularity and helped establish her as a fashion influencer.
Temi made her acting debut in 2020 in the Nollywood film Citation, directed by Kunle Afolayan. She played the lead role of Moremi Oluwa, a university student navigating a sexual harassment case. Her performance earned her the Best Actress award at the Ghana Movie Awards in 2021.
She later starred in The Man for the Job (2022) and is set to appear in Ms. Kanyin (2025), a supernatural thriller. Despite not attending formal acting school, Temi has been praised for her natural talent and screen presence.
Temi is also a podcaster, co-hosting How Far with her now-husband Mr Eazi, a Nigerian singer and entrepreneur.
In 2024, she became the first Nigerian Digital Brand Ambassador for L’Oréal Paris.
She currently lives between Lagos and London, balancing her work in fashion, film, and media.
Profile of Mr Eazi
Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, professionally known as Mr Eazi, was born on July 19, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He grew up in Lagos in an entrepreneurial household—his father is a pilot and aviation consultant, and his mother ran a small business. From a young age, Mr Eazi was surrounded by music, often listening to records his father played during family breakfasts.
At age 16, he moved to Ghana to study Mechanical Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). While at university, he founded Swagger Entertainment, a party and promotion company, and began dabbling in music. His first notable appearance was on the track My Life, which became popular on campus.
In 2013, he released his debut mixtape About to Blow, followed by Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra to Lagos in 2017, which featured hits like Skin Tight and Leg Over. Mr Eazi pioneered a genre he calls Banku Music, a fusion of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions, which helped him stand out in the Afrobeats scene.
Beyond music, Mr Eazi is a savvy entrepreneur. He launched emPawa Africa, a talent incubator that has supported rising African artists like Joeboy. He’s also ventured into tech, e-commerce, and even gold mining. In 2022, he graduated from Harvard University, further cementing his reputation as a multifaceted creative and businessman.
Mr Eazi is signed to Mad Decent and Universal Music Group, and his music has earned him awards including the Next Rated award at The Headies and recognition at the WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards.
Ghanaian Singer, Dennis Nana Dwamena, popularly known as KiDi has revealed that the feedback he gets from people about his love life says that he is naturally not a romantic person.
According to the “Gyal Dem Sugar” singer in an interview on Hitz FM, he commits to having dialogues and effectively communication when the need be, however he does not do too much to come accross as a romantic individual.
“I am not romantic in real life. I don’t think I am. I don’t think that if you’re describing me, you put me as romantic. Like I am loving. I have love in my heart, but I am not that kind of guy who will come and stand by your window and be singing to you in the rain,” he said.
Responding to the question of “what do the ladies say about you regarding romantic or loving?”
KiDi stated that, “I’m emotionally mature in a way, like communication, like we can talk, can dialogue if there’s a problem, we can advise each other.
“I give really good advice, especially in a loving way, and a way to do it for it to touch the heart, for people to hear you without it becoming like conflict,” he added.
Ghanaian singer KiDi has revealed his current relationship status and intentions regarding marriage.
During an appearance on Joy Prime Time, he noted that he not in a committed relationship currently.
However, in due time, he will get married to his yet-to-be-found love of his life.
“KiDi is getting married, but we don’t know if it’s soon. It’s something I want one day, but I don’t know if I’m ready for it yet,” he shared candidly.
Responding to the question on how he handles advances from ladies in hisn music career.
The ‘Touch it” hitmaker said, “There’s no rule book on how to deal with these things; just grace and making sure that you’re disciplined,” he said.
He has also made it clear that a woman’s sexual history plays a significant role in whether or not he would consider her for marriage.
Speaking on the Rants, Bants and Confessions podcast, the “Likor” hitmaker stated that while he has no problem with a woman’s body count in a casual relationship, he thinks differently when it comes to a lifelong commitment.
“If we’re just having a good time, having fun, I don’t care. But if you’re someone I’m going to call mine, it matters,” he said.
KiDi explained that when he envisions a future with someone, her past matters to him—not just physically, but emotionally. He believes that multiple intimate connections could leave behind emotional baggage that might affect a committed relationship.
“I don’t want to walk into a space and see all the guys eyeing each other. I don’t want a woman who has given her body and soul to too many people, because when I meet you, I feel like I’m meeting a very degraded version of yourself,” he added.
His comments have stirred mixed reactions online, with some agreeing with his perspective while others find it controversial.
Months ago, the award-winning artiste,came to terms with the narrative that life cannot be lived to meet the expections of every single human being.
He says he has learnt to detach himself from negativities online and the opinions of people as he advances in life.
Speaking on the“Talk No Dey Cook Rice podcast, the Afropop sensation acknowledged the emotional toll that coem with fame and social mediaa, but noted that he has learned to stay focused and unbothered by unecessary pressure.
“Once I began to understand that I’ll never please everybody, life became easier,” KiDi told host Derick Elorm Ashilevi.
“Even if I give someone 1 million, they’ll ask why it wasn’t 1 million, they’ll ask why it wasn’t 2 million. Some people are just unhappy, they hate themselves and project that onto others,” the musician stated.
The “Lomo Lomo” hitmaker, who recently bagged the Best Collaboration of the Year at the 26th Telecel Ghana Music (TGMA) for his song with Black Sherif, emphsized that many online critics are simply projecting their frustrations through the their trolls.
“There are people out there who will come onto social media and say something to you; it’s not personal… They woke up this morning, they’ve not eaten. You’ve come to put there that ‘hey stream my music’. He’ll come and say Look at this Kwasia, why will I stream your music’. It’s not personal. He’s angry inside about something that’s happening in his personal life. He’s just projecting it onto me.
“It’s not personal,” he added. “They’re angry about their own lives and take it out on you.”
KiDi recently shared that he has decided to stop wearing skinny trousers due to the unwanted attention his private area received
The Ghanaian singer explained that people frequently fixated on his lower body when he wore tight pants, even highlighting it in social media comments.
In a Pure FM interview, KiDi revealed, “People always paid attention to my loads anytime I wear skinny trousers. The attention is always down there. They will draw that place out and talk about it the whole time. That’s why I stopped wearing skinny trousers and now opt for the baggy type,” he disclosed.
He also mentioned that loose-fitting pants offer the added benefit of better airflow and comfort.
Despite the attention, KiDi expressed confidence in his body, stating, “I wear loose trousers now because it doesn’t highlight my goods anymore. It also enables fresh air to blow me down there.
“I like my body type and wouldn’t want to be anything else.”
His well-endowed physique has often drawn notice at events, particularly on red carpets, further contributing to his decision to favor more relaxed clothing.
Ghanaians traveling to the United States (U.S) have been advised by President John Dramani Mahama not to exceed the visa duration.
He warned that such practices undermine opportunities for others, and could reverse diplomatic gains with the United States.
While addressing newly commissioned Ambassadors and High Commissioners at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, October 1, the President clarified that the U.S. decision to lift visa restrictions on Ghana was the outcome of high-level negotiations that hinged on assurances to tackle the problem of visa overstays.
“Many of you are aware that Ghana became the only country subject to U.S. visa restrictions to secure a complete reversal from the Trump administration.”
“One of the key points in our negotiation with the U.S. authorities was our agreement to address the issue of overstayers who travel on student visas and others who travel as part of official government delegations,” President Mahama said.
The President reiterated that overstaying affects not just individuals but the wider Ghanaian traveling community.
“Those of you applying for visas, please, when you go, come back, because you affect everybody else,” he urged.
Last month, visa restrictions imposed on Ghanaian nationals by the United States (U.S.) were officially lifted by the U.S. government. This information was contained in a post on the U.S. Embassy in Ghana’s official X (formerly Twitter) page on Saturday, September 27.
Prior to this announcement, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, had written on the X platform that “I am really pleased that months of high-level diplomatic negotiations has led to a successful outcome. I am really pleased that months of high-level diplomatic negotiations has led to a successful outcome”.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, B1/B2 visas, which cover business and tourism travel, are now valid for up to five years with multiple entries, while F1 student visas are valid for up to four years with multiple entries. For F1 student visas, the Consular stated that the maximum validity has changed from a single entry with three months expiration to four years with multiple entries.
“The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce that the maximum validity periods for all categories of nonimmigrant visas for Ghanaians have been restored to their previous lengths. The maximum validity allowed for the B1/B2 visitor visa is again five years, multiple entry. The maximum validity for the F1 student visa is again four years, multiple entry,” it indicated on X.
It will be recalled that the US imposed visa restrictions on Ghana and other countries in July this year. The affected countries were slapped with a maximum three-month single-entry visa and other limitations. In the specific case of Ghana, the Trump Administration said they were reacting to many years of visa overstays, mainly by students.
In July, the U.S. Department of State—Bureau of Consular Affairs limited the number of entries and duration given under non-immigrant visa classifications.
Ghanaian visa applicants, including those applying for B-class visas covering business and tourism travel, will be issued single-entry visas valid for just three months. It emphasized that they can no longer access the 5-year visa and multiple-entry.
The guidelines were published under the U.S. Visa, which revealed that Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country for Ghana also affect student visa applicants.
It noted that the F-1 visa holders, who are typically enrolled in full-time academic programmes in the U.S., will now be issued visas that allow for only one entry and expire after three months.
Additionally, diplomats and government officials will, however, continue to receive multiple-entry visas with validity ranging from 24 to 60 months.
The K1 visa, issued to the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a US citizen intending to marry within 90 days of arrival in the United States, and the K2 visa, provided to the unmarried dependent child (under 21 years old) of a K1 visa holder, are single-entry visas that will be valid for 6 months.
The K3 visa, for the foreign-citizen spouse of a US citizen, and the K4 visa, for their unmarried dependent child (under 21 years old), are multiple-entry visas that will be valid for 24 months.
All other visa applicants, including those applying for B-class visas, which cover business and tourism travel, will now be issued single-entry visas valid for just three months.
In reaction to the US’ new policy that affects Ghana and Nigeria, the Vice President of IMANI-Africa, Bright Simons, quizzed whether or not Ghana and Nigeria can retaliate.
“Given the scale and scope of the restrictions this time around now, citizen interest is likely to be much higher putting pressure on the government to openly discuss the measures it intends to take in response,” he noted while revealing how diplomatic channels resolved similar actions by the US in the past.
He called on the government to provide statistics on whether or not US citizens coming to Ghana do not get long-term, multiple-entry visas as often as Ghanaian citizens visiting the US do.
“Thus, they are trying to frame the issue as one of “reciprocity”. Something that, per policy, they ought to review regularly. Our governments should publish stats on this. Is it true or not?”
“The visa regimes of some other places Ghanaians like to visit, like Europe, China, and the Middle-East, are not any more liberal. Getting long-term, multiple-entry visas for these places has been quite hard. It may be hard to justify retaliation against the US when visa rules for other places seem just as tight or even tighter. Except, of course, that there is no rule that says that retaliation must be symmetrical,” he added.
The development comes at a time when U.S. President Donald J. Trump has imposed a fifteen percent (15%) ad valorem tariff on Ghana’s exports.
This means that Ghanaian goods shipped to the U.S. will be charged a 15% tax based on their price. Thus, a product at $100, would be $115 as a result of the $15 tariff. The U.S. government explains that the new development forms part of the efforts to protect its economy, as the country buys more goods from other countries than it sells to them.
According to the Executive Order, “These modifications shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m.” The policy is expected to reflect on Ghanaian goods entering the U.S. in the coming days, which will affect many countries, including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Mozambique, Mauritius, Malawi, Lesotho, and Madagascar.
Also, countries such as South Africa and Libya face a 30 percent tariff, while Tunisia will face a 25 percent steeper duty. Meanwhile, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) and Ghana’s Trade Ministry are yet to react to the new tariff. The new tariff adjustment comes at a time when the Ghanaian government is implementing tax reforms to ensure the elimination of successive charges of taxation that increase the cost of goods and services.
Although the measure is premised on the principle of reciprocity, President Trump insisted in the executive order that the United States had been unfairly disadvantaged by trade barriers erected by other countries. This policy affects numerous Ghanaian exports, notably those under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which previously allowed duty-free access to the U.S. market.
Ghanaian officials have criticized the move, arguing that the U.S. cannot claim the tariffs are to protect domestic industries. Ghana is not facing the issue in isolation; as such, the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are coordinating a collective response.
Some African nations, such as Lesotho, could face import duties of up to 50 percent. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which was passed by the U.S. Congress in 2000 to provide duty-free access for African exports to the U.S. market, remains in effect but faces new scrutiny in light of the latest U.S. trade policy shift.
In 2022, two-way trade between AGOA members and the US exceeded $46 billion, with $13.5 billion more in imports than exports. That year, AGOA recipients exported $30 billion worth of goods to the US, of which $10.2 billion were sold under the duty-free AGOA preference.
However, with AGOA’s framework set to expire in September, there are growing concerns that the Trump administration’s stance may hinder any renewal. The U.S. government in May announced a new 10% tariff on exports, but the then U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, insisted that the new global tariff adjustments could benefit Ghana, unlike other countries.
In an interview with Citi News on Monday, May 26, she explained that the 10% tariff on exports to the U.S. is in favor of Ghana, as the nation’s key exports, oil and gas, are not affected, as it is imposed on rival countries.
“There were 10% applied globally, which the new US administration has taken, that may in the short term [be] to Ghana’s advantage, vis-à-vis its competitors. Oil and gas, which is being [a] major exporter to the US, is not subject to the tariff. If Ghana faces a 10% tariff, Bangladesh and Vietnam face 47% and 63%,” she said.
According to her, Ghana is currently in a better position in the U.S. market as compared to 60 countries that are facing a much higher rate of the 10% imposed tax. “There were 60 countries where tariffs were much higher than 10%, which may be an advantage for Ghana in the near term. I hope that Ghana will be the one making that point to the American legislature when it expires at the end of September [2025],” she added.
Virginia Palmer therefore urged the country’s leadership to seize the advantage to persuade the U.S. government to renew a trade benefit before its expiry in September this year. She emphasized that Ghana remains a valued partner. Trade analysts, on the other hand, suggest the U.S. is unintentionally nudging African countries toward deeper engagement with China.
In July, The U.S. Department of State—Bureau of Consular Affairs limited the number of entries and duration given under non-immigrant visa classifications.
Ghanaian visa applicants, including those applying for B-class visas—covering business and tourism travel—will be issued single-entry visas valid for just three months. They can no longer access the 5-year visa and multiple-entry. The updated guidelines, published under the U.S. Visa, reveal that Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country for Ghana also affect student visa applicants.
F-1 visa holders, who are typically enrolled in full-time academic programmes in the U.S., will now be issued visas that allow for only one entry and expire after three months. Diplomats and government officials will, however, continue to receive multiple-entry visas with validity ranging from 24 to 60 months.
The K1 visa, issued to the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a US citizen intending to marry within 90 days of arrival in the United States, and the K2 visa, provided to the unmarried dependent child (under 21 years old) of a K1 visa holder, are single-entry visas that will be valid for 6 months.
The K3 visa, for the foreign-citizen spouse of a US citizen, and the K4 visa, for their unmarried dependent child (under 21 years old), are multiple-entry visas that will be valid for 24 months. All other visa applicants, including those applying for B-class visas, which cover business and tourism travel, will now be issued single-entry visas valid for just three months.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has debunked reports that it is responsible for the United States government’s revision of the reciprocity schedule for a considerable number of African countries, including Ghana.
The ministry noted that, consistent with bilateral arrangements, US passport holders are entitled to a maximum visa validity of five years, and in most instances, five-year multiple-entry visas are issued upon request. “Some applicants, however, apply for single-entry visas owing largely to limited validity of their passports,” a statement released by the Ministry read.
Besides the maximum five-year multiple visas, Ghana also issues multiple-entry 6-month, one-year, two-year, three-year, and four-year visas based on various considerations. From January 2025 to date, 40,648 visas have been issued by Ghana’s missions in Washington, D.C., and New York. Out of this, 28,626 are multiple-entry visas to Ghana.
The statement further indicated that “The official statistics clearly demonstrate that, contrary to false narratives, Ghana has issued, on average, an impressive 70.42% of multiple long-term visas to US passport holders, consistent with our bilateral arrangements.”
Management of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has announced that Ghanaian seafarers are losing their jobs due to new Seafarer Identity Documentation and visa restrictions.
According to the Authority, Ghanaian seafarers are in high demand worldwide, but recent restrictions, including U.S. visa policies and Brazil’s insistence on updated identification, have cut short some contracts and discouraged recruitment.
At a brief ceremony held to host the Deputy Minister for Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, during her official tour, the Director General of the Authority, Naval Capt. Kamal-Deen Ali (Retired) underscored the harsh impact of the restriction while lauding the government for resolving the U.S. Visa issue.
“When the US Visa restriction was introduced, most of our seafarers were now losing their jobs. Either their contracts were being terminated or their ability to renew was becoming a challenge. You must have a Visa for major countries when you are being employed as a seafarer and US is one of the major countries. In the case of crew ships as many as over 50% of crew ships will definitely dock in the United States several times in a year so when you are a seafarer on board then you must have a visa.”
“The maritime sector is international. Luckily for us in Ghana our seafarers are counted as one of the best in the world. We rank in the first five.” Capt. Rtd Kamal Deen noted.
Since Brazil is one of the countries with a high docking record of shipping lines, Capt. Rtd Kamal Deen is hopeful that a resolution will soon be reached regarding the Brazil situation.
“For the Brazil situation it has to do with a special card that comes with a chip. It is part of global requirement but we are yet to migrate unto that system as a country. So, we’d appreciate a waiver which will allow other identification documents while the country works to migrate to that platform.”
Monitoring and coordinating inland and offshore maritime activities has become increasingly costly, given the extensive oversight responsibilities of the Authority as mandated by the Ghana Maritime Authority Act, 2002.
The Authority has therefore called on the government for support to ensure effective maritime control and regulation.
“In the long term, we believe that we’d need government support especially in the area of clearing tree stumps in our in-land waters, which often causes accidents and the mapping of inland water areas.”
Meanwhile, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, Deputy Minister for Transport, has pledged her full support to the Authority and commitment to continuous engagement.
The visit by Deputy Minister forms part of efforts to familiarize herself with agencies under her ministry.
Some of the core duties of the Ghana Maritime Authority include Maritime Safety & Security, Seafarer regulation and certification to ensure compliance with global standards marine pollution control, just to list a few.
The Authority said it will continue to enhance collaboration with other maritime bodies such as the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Ghana Shippers Authority, the Ghana Navy, Volta River Authority and others to improve Ghana’s maritime industry.
It will be recalled that the US imposed visa restrictions on Ghana and other countries in July this year. The affected countries were slapped with a maximum three-month single-entry visa and other limitations. In the specific case of Ghana, the Trump Administration said they were reacting to many years of visa overstays, mainly by students.
In July, the U.S. Department of State—Bureau of Consular Affairs limited the number of entries and duration given under non-immigrant visa classifications.
Ghanaian visa applicants, including those applying for B-class visas covering business and tourism travel, will be issued single-entry visas valid for just three months. It emphasized that they can no longer access the 5-year visa and multiple-entry.
The guidelines were published under the U.S. Visa, which revealed that Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country for Ghana also affect student visa applicants.
It noted that the F-1 visa holders, who are typically enrolled in full-time academic programmes in the U.S., will now be issued visas that allow for only one entry and expire after three months.
Additionally, diplomats and government officials will, however, continue to receive multiple-entry visas with validity ranging from 24 to 60 months.
The K1 visa, issued to the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a US citizen intending to marry within 90 days of arrival in the United States, and the K2 visa, provided to the unmarried dependent child (under 21 years old) of a K1 visa holder, are single-entry visas that will be valid for 6 months.
The K3 visa, for the foreign-citizen spouse of a US citizen, and the K4 visa, for their unmarried dependent child (under 21 years old), are multiple-entry visas that will be valid for 24 months.
All other visa applicants, including those applying for B-class visas, which cover business and tourism travel, will now be issued single-entry visas valid for just three months.
In reaction to the US’ new policy that affects Ghana and Nigeria, the Vice President of IMANI-Africa, Bright Simons, quizzed whether or not Ghana and Nigeria can retaliate.
“Given the scale and scope of the restrictions this time around now, citizen interest is likely to be much higher putting pressure on the government to openly discuss the measures it intends to take in response,” he noted while revealing how diplomatic channels resolved similar actions by the US in the past.
He called on the government to provide statistics on whether or not US citizens coming to Ghana do not get long-term, multiple-entry visas as often as Ghanaian citizens visiting the US do.
“Thus, they are trying to frame the issue as one of “reciprocity”. Something that, per policy, they ought to review regularly. Our governments should publish stats on this. Is it true or not?”
“The visa regimes of some other places Ghanaians like to visit, like Europe, China, and the Middle-East, are not any more liberal. Getting long-term, multiple-entry visas for these places has been quite hard. It may be hard to justify retaliation against the US when visa rules for other places seem just as tight or even tighter. Except, of course, that there is no rule that says that retaliation must be symmetrical,” he added.
The development comes at a time when U.S. President Donald J. Trump has imposed a fifteen percent (15%) ad valorem tariff on Ghana’s exports.
This means that Ghanaian goods shipped to the U.S. will be charged a 15% tax based on their price. Thus, a product at $100, would be $115 as a result of the $15 tariff. The U.S. government explains that the new development forms part of the efforts to protect its economy, as the country buys more goods from other countries than it sells to them.
According to the Executive Order, “These modifications shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m.” The policy is expected to reflect on Ghanaian goods entering the U.S. in the coming days, which will affect many countries, including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Mozambique, Mauritius, Malawi, Lesotho, and Madagascar.
Also, countries such as South Africa and Libya face a 30 percent tariff, while Tunisia will face a 25 percent steeper duty. Meanwhile, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) and Ghana’s Trade Ministry are yet to react to the new tariff. The new tariff adjustment comes at a time when the Ghanaian government is implementing tax reforms to ensure the elimination of successive charges of taxation that increase the cost of goods and services.
Although the measure is premised on the principle of reciprocity, President Trump insisted in the executive order that the United States had been unfairly disadvantaged by trade barriers erected by other countries. This policy affects numerous Ghanaian exports, notably those under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which previously allowed duty-free access to the U.S. market.
Ghanaian officials have criticized the move, arguing that the U.S. cannot claim the tariffs are to protect domestic industries. Ghana is not facing the issue in isolation; as such, the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are coordinating a collective response.
Some African nations, such as Lesotho, could face import duties of up to 50 percent. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which was passed by the U.S. Congress in 2000 to provide duty-free access for African exports to the U.S. market, remains in effect but faces new scrutiny in light of the latest U.S. trade policy shift.
In 2022, two-way trade between AGOA members and the US exceeded $46 billion, with $13.5 billion more in imports than exports. That year, AGOA recipients exported $30 billion worth of goods to the US, of which $10.2 billion were sold under the duty-free AGOA preference.
However, with AGOA’s framework set to expire in September, there are growing concerns that the Trump administration’s stance may hinder any renewal. The U.S. government in May announced a new 10% tariff on exports, but the then U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, insisted that the new global tariff adjustments could benefit Ghana, unlike other countries.
In an interview with Citi News on Monday, May 26, she explained that the 10% tariff on exports to the U.S. is in favor of Ghana, as the nation’s key exports, oil and gas, are not affected, as it is imposed on rival countries.
“There were 10% applied globally, which the new US administration has taken, that may in the short term [be] to Ghana’s advantage, vis-à-vis its competitors. Oil and gas, which is being [a] major exporter to the US, is not subject to the tariff. If Ghana faces a 10% tariff, Bangladesh and Vietnam face 47% and 63%,” she said.
According to her, Ghana is currently in a better position in the U.S. market as compared to 60 countries that are facing a much higher rate of the 10% imposed tax. “There were 60 countries where tariffs were much higher than 10%, which may be an advantage for Ghana in the near term. I hope that Ghana will be the one making that point to the American legislature when it expires at the end of September [2025],” she added.
Virginia Palmer therefore urged the country’s leadership to seize the advantage to persuade the U.S. government to renew a trade benefit before its expiry in September this year. She emphasized that Ghana remains a valued partner. Trade analysts, on the other hand, suggest the U.S. is unintentionally nudging African countries toward deeper engagement with China.
In July, The U.S. Department of State—Bureau of Consular Affairs limited the number of entries and duration given under non-immigrant visa classifications.
Ghanaian visa applicants, including those applying for B-class visas—covering business and tourism travel—will be issued single-entry visas valid for just three months. They can no longer access the 5-year visa and multiple-entry. The updated guidelines, published under the U.S. Visa, reveal that Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country for Ghana also affect student visa applicants.
F-1 visa holders, who are typically enrolled in full-time academic programmes in the U.S., will now be issued visas that allow for only one entry and expire after three months. Diplomats and government officials will, however, continue to receive multiple-entry visas with validity ranging from 24 to 60 months.
The K1 visa, issued to the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a US citizen intending to marry within 90 days of arrival in the United States, and the K2 visa, provided to the unmarried dependent child (under 21 years old) of a K1 visa holder, are single-entry visas that will be valid for 6 months.
The K3 visa, for the foreign-citizen spouse of a US citizen, and the K4 visa, for their unmarried dependent child (under 21 years old), are multiple-entry visas that will be valid for 24 months. All other visa applicants, including those applying for B-class visas, which cover business and tourism travel, will now be issued single-entry visas valid for just three months.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has debunked reports that it is responsible for the United States government’s revision of the reciprocity schedule for a considerable number of African countries, including Ghana.
The ministry noted that, consistent with bilateral arrangements, US passport holders are entitled to a maximum visa validity of five years, and in most instances, five-year multiple-entry visas are issued upon request. “Some applicants, however, apply for single-entry visas owing largely to limited validity of their passports,” a statement released by the Ministry read.
Besides the maximum five-year multiple visas, Ghana also issues multiple-entry 6-month, one-year, two-year, three-year, and four-year visas based on various considerations. From January 2025 to date, 40,648 visas have been issued by Ghana’s missions in Washington, D.C., and New York. Out of this, 28,626 are multiple-entry visas to Ghana.
The statement further indicated that “The official statistics clearly demonstrate that, contrary to false narratives, Ghana has issued, on average, an impressive 70.42% of multiple long-term visas to US passport holders, consistent with our bilateral arrangements.”
Actress and daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola, Temi Otedola, who is now Temi Ajibade, has stated that the time has come for the world to glean from his father’s business experiences through the release of his new book.
In an interview with the BBC, Temi said, “My dad has a wealth of wisdom and I’ve been very fortunate as his daughter that I’ve been able to, gleam and learn all of this information growing up with him,” she said
“But I believe he thought it was time that the public learn and understand his journey as an entrepreneur and as a businessman.”
Actress and fashion entrepreneur Temi Otedola has shared reason behind her decision to keep details of her life away from the public.
She and Mr Eazi maintained a low profile throughout their courtship, engagement, and marriage, only to surprise the public with the news of their union solemnization.
Temi shared in an interview with the BBC that, it’s not necessarily about privacy. “I think it’s more about owning your own narrative.”
According to her, there is power in living a quiet life as it gives one the power to control narratives.
“And there’s something about, you know, moving in silence that allows you to, to have certain control over things. It allows you to, yeah, to build the narrative you want,” Temi stated.
For her, it’s empowering to choose when and how to share personal details of life.
“And also you’re able to share when you feel you’re ready to share, when you want to share and share it in the way you want to share it.”
“So I think all of those things are kind of why I’ve always been someone to, to share, whether it’s a work project or personal news, I share it in my own time,” Temi Otedola shared..
Nigerian singer Oluwatosin Ajibade, popularly known as Mr Eazi, officially tied the knot with actress and daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola Temi Otedola, in a private and intimate ceremony in Iceland after their near decade relationship.
News of their marriage ceremony emerged after Nigerian comedian Broda Shaggi shared clips on his Instagram Story which captured the musician having a good time with Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, in Iceland.
The wedding was held at the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavík, with just a few friends and family in attendance.
Adorned with flowers and closed to the public, the venue reflected the couple’s enduring wish to keep their love story — and the details surrounding it — away from the public eye
The second daughte of the Nigerian millionaire was wore a sleek white satin gown with a square neckline, delicate straps, and a modest train. She paired it with minimal jewelry, just diamond studs and a simple bracelet with a soft and natural makeup, and her hair styled in a low, elegant chignon.
Her partner, Mr Eazi also rocked a crisp white shirt paired with a classic black tuxedo jacket and matching trousers. His look was clean, tailored, and understated, with no flashy accessories.
Mr Eazi first publicly confirmed his relationship with Temi Otedola in a 2017 Channel 4 News interview titled “Stories of My Life on African Instrumentals”.
In that conversation, he spoke about his music journey and casually acknowledged his relationship with Temi.
This was after rumours had began about their relationship following their chemistry in public and frequent appearances together.
Temi later confirmed the relationship herself, through her lifestyle blog and social media posts. Their bond became more visible when she featured Mr Eazi in her YouTube series.
Subsequently, Temi confirmed that they met at a DJ Cuppy event, which she had hosted for her sister.
It got official when the duo announced their engagement in April 2022, when the actress posted a 38-second video of the proposal on Instagram.
Social media buzzed after . Also in attendance were Temi’s sister, DJ and music producer Florence Otedola—popularly known as DJ Cuppy, their mother, Nana Otedola and Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote.
Following the emergence of their wedding photos and videos, the couple have received congratulatory messages from fans and celebrities across Africa, celebrating not only the love story between two stars but also the blending of music, film, and high-profile business worlds.
Profile of Temi
Temiloluwa Elizabeth Otedola was born on March 20, 1996, into one of Nigeria’s most prominent families. She is the youngest daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola and his wife Nana Otedola. Her siblings include Tolani, a singer; DJ Cuppy, a DJ and music producer; and Fewa, her younger brother.
Temi spent much of her childhood in London, where she attended boarding school in Kent and later studied Art History at University College London.
In 2014, she launched her fashion and lifestyle blog JTO Fashion, which documents her travels, style, and beauty inspirations. The blog quickly gained popularity and helped establish her as a fashion influencer.
Temi made her acting debut in 2020 in the Nollywood film Citation, directed by Kunle Afolayan. She played the lead role of Moremi Oluwa, a university student navigating a sexual harassment case. Her performance earned her the Best Actress award at the Ghana Movie Awards in 2021.
She later starred in The Man for the Job (2022) and is set to appear in Ms. Kanyin (2025), a supernatural thriller. Despite not attending formal acting school, Temi has been praised for her natural talent and screen presence.
Temi is also a podcaster, co-hosting How Far with her now-husband Mr Eazi, a Nigerian singer and entrepreneur.
In 2024, she became the first Nigerian Digital Brand Ambassador for L’Oréal Paris.
She currently lives between Lagos and London, balancing her work in fashion, film, and media.
Profile of Mr Eazi
Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, professionally known as Mr Eazi, was born on July 19, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He grew up in Lagos in an entrepreneurial household—his father is a pilot and aviation consultant, and his mother ran a small business. From a young age, Mr Eazi was surrounded by music, often listening to records his father played during family breakfasts.
At age 16, he moved to Ghana to study Mechanical Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). While at university, he founded Swagger Entertainment, a party and promotion company, and began dabbling in music. His first notable appearance was on the track My Life, which became popular on campus.
In 2013, he released his debut mixtape About to Blow, followed by Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra to Lagos in 2017, which featured hits like Skin Tight and Leg Over. Mr Eazi pioneered a genre he calls Banku Music, a fusion of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions, which helped him stand out in the Afrobeats scene.
Beyond music, Mr Eazi is a savvy entrepreneur. He launched emPawa Africa, a talent incubator that has supported rising African artists like Joeboy. He’s also ventured into tech, e-commerce, and even gold mining. In 2022, he graduated from Harvard University, further cementing his reputation as a multifaceted creative and businessman.
Mr Eazi is signed to Mad Decent and Universal Music Group, and his music has earned him awards including the Next Rated award at The Headies and recognition at the WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards.
Actress and fashion entrepreneur Temi Otedola has shared reason behind her decision to keep details of her life away from the public.
She and Mr Eazi maintained a low profile throughout their courtship, engagement, and marriage, only to surprise the public with the news of their union solemnization.
Temi shared in an interview with the BBC that, it’s not necessarily about privacy. “I think it’s more about owning your own narrative.”
According to her, there is power in living a quiet life as it gives one the power to control narratives.
“And there’s something about, you know, moving in silence that allows you to, to have certain control over things. It allows you to, yeah, to build the narrative you want,” Temi stated.
For her, it’s empowering to choose when and how to share personal details of life.
“And also you’re able to share when you feel you’re ready to share, when you want to share and share it in the way you want to share it.”
“So I think all of those things are kind of why I’ve always been someone to, to share, whether it’s a work project or personal news, I share it in my own time,” Temi Otedola shared..
Nigerian singer Oluwatosin Ajibade, popularly known as Mr Eazi, officially tied the knot with actress and daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola Temi Otedola, in a private and intimate ceremony in Iceland after their near decade relationship.
News of their marriage ceremony emerged after Nigerian comedian Broda Shaggi shared clips on his Instagram Story which captured the musician having a good time with Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, in Iceland.
The wedding was held at the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavík, with just a few friends and family in attendance.
Adorned with flowers and closed to the public, the venue reflected the couple’s enduring wish to keep their love story — and the details surrounding it — away from the public eye
The second daughte of the Nigerian millionaire was wore a sleek white satin gown with a square neckline, delicate straps, and a modest train. She paired it with minimal jewelry, just diamond studs and a simple bracelet with a soft and natural makeup, and her hair styled in a low, elegant chignon.
Her partner, Mr Eazi also rocked a crisp white shirt paired with a classic black tuxedo jacket and matching trousers. His look was clean, tailored, and understated, with no flashy accessories.
Mr Eazi first publicly confirmed his relationship with Temi Otedola in a 2017 Channel 4 News interview titled “Stories of My Life on African Instrumentals”.
In that conversation, he spoke about his music journey and casually acknowledged his relationship with Temi.
This was after rumours had began about their relationship following their chemistry in public and frequent appearances together.
Temi later confirmed the relationship herself, through her lifestyle blog and social media posts. Their bond became more visible when she featured Mr Eazi in her YouTube series.
Subsequently, Temi confirmed that they met at a DJ Cuppy event, which she had hosted for her sister.
It got official when the duo announced their engagement in April 2022, when the actress posted a 38-second video of the proposal on Instagram.
Social media buzzed after . Also in attendance were Temi’s sister, DJ and music producer Florence Otedola—popularly known as DJ Cuppy, their mother, Nana Otedola and Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote.
Following the emergence of their wedding photos and videos, the couple have received congratulatory messages from fans and celebrities across Africa, celebrating not only the love story between two stars but also the blending of music, film, and high-profile business worlds.
Profile of Temi
Temiloluwa Elizabeth Otedola was born on March 20, 1996, into one of Nigeria’s most prominent families. She is the youngest daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola and his wife Nana Otedola. Her siblings include Tolani, a singer; DJ Cuppy, a DJ and music producer; and Fewa, her younger brother.
Temi spent much of her childhood in London, where she attended boarding school in Kent and later studied Art History at University College London.
In 2014, she launched her fashion and lifestyle blog JTO Fashion, which documents her travels, style, and beauty inspirations. The blog quickly gained popularity and helped establish her as a fashion influencer.
Temi made her acting debut in 2020 in the Nollywood film Citation, directed by Kunle Afolayan. She played the lead role of Moremi Oluwa, a university student navigating a sexual harassment case. Her performance earned her the Best Actress award at the Ghana Movie Awards in 2021.
She later starred in The Man for the Job (2022) and is set to appear in Ms. Kanyin (2025), a supernatural thriller. Despite not attending formal acting school, Temi has been praised for her natural talent and screen presence.
Temi is also a podcaster, co-hosting How Far with her now-husband Mr Eazi, a Nigerian singer and entrepreneur.
In 2024, she became the first Nigerian Digital Brand Ambassador for L’Oréal Paris.
She currently lives between Lagos and London, balancing her work in fashion, film, and media.
Profile of Mr Eazi
Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, professionally known as Mr Eazi, was born on July 19, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He grew up in Lagos in an entrepreneurial household—his father is a pilot and aviation consultant, and his mother ran a small business. From a young age, Mr Eazi was surrounded by music, often listening to records his father played during family breakfasts.
At age 16, he moved to Ghana to study Mechanical Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). While at university, he founded Swagger Entertainment, a party and promotion company, and began dabbling in music. His first notable appearance was on the track My Life, which became popular on campus.
In 2013, he released his debut mixtape About to Blow, followed by Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra to Lagos in 2017, which featured hits like Skin Tight and Leg Over. Mr Eazi pioneered a genre he calls Banku Music, a fusion of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions, which helped him stand out in the Afrobeats scene.
Beyond music, Mr Eazi is a savvy entrepreneur. He launched emPawa Africa, a talent incubator that has supported rising African artists like Joeboy. He’s also ventured into tech, e-commerce, and even gold mining. In 2022, he graduated from Harvard University, further cementing his reputation as a multifaceted creative and businessman.
Mr Eazi is signed to Mad Decent and Universal Music Group, and his music has earned him awards including the Next Rated award at The Headies and recognition at the WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards.
Ghanaian Rapper Obrafour has lauded Sarkodie for his respectful conduct towards his seniors in the music industry.
“It is unmatched, I’ve not seen some before. I am not saying this to praise him, but I love him for his work rate. However, I don’t know if it is like that till date. When I met him, he used to record a song a day and that is why he has a massive catalogue.”
“He is very respectful, and that is a trait I am yet to see in other colleagues of his,” he told Code Micky.
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.
Then followed Sarkodie’s performance with legendary rapper Obrafour. The landlord had to pause the high-energy flow to introduce Obrafour, calling him “the reason I rap”. As a sign of respect, he knelt before Obrafour on stage, a deeply emotional moment that drew cheers and chants of “legend, legend!” from the crowd. They performed a remix of “Oye Ohene”.
Kweku Flick joined Sarkodie on stage while they performed their song “Yɛbɛyɛ Fine”, which translates to “We’ll be fine” in Twi. They both moved in sync with dancers dressed in streetwear fused with traditional prints.
The current Kumasi star, King Paluta, thrilled fans with their “Africa We Dey” song. Sarkodie opened with a verse on unity and struggle, then passed the mic to Paluta, who unleashed rapid-fire Twi bars.
Other artists that showed up at the concert were Medikal, who did a solo performance marked with a playful moment chasing Shatta Wale on stage.
Efya, Gyakie, Kofi Kinaata, Olive The Boy, Donzy, Oseikrom SikaniJay Bahd, Ypee, Beeztrap KOTM, Skyface SDW, Kwesi Amewuga, Lalid, Kofi Jamar, among other acts. Some fans were also invited on stage to freestyle live.
About Rapperholic 2025
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.
When did Rapperholic start
The Rapperholic Concert was founded in 2012 to showcase Sarkodie’s music, celebrate Ghanaian rap, and thrill fans with exciting performances from both local and foreign artists. The concert is usually headlined by Sarkodie, who mostly gives opportunities to emerging rappers to perform. Rapperholic is mostly nothing short of an actual display of fashion and culture, with fans dressing in streetwear, among others.
Sarkodie visits Otumfuor
Sarkodie visited Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at Manhyia Palace to formally seek royal blessing for the Rapperholic Kumasi Edition. During the meeting, Otumfuo warmly welcomed Sarkodie’s initiative and said:
“They don’t allow me to go out often, but this one, I would like to attend and watch the event myself.”
Sarkordie was there with his team to officially inform the King about the upcoming concert and also seek his blessings and consent.
Ghanaian singer KiDi has revealed his current relationship status and intentions regarding marriage.
During an appearance on Joy Prime Time, he noted that he not in a committed relationship currently.
However, in due time, he will get married to his yet-to-be-found love of his life.
“KiDi is getting married, but we don’t know if it’s soon. It’s something I want one day, but I don’t know if I’m ready for it yet,” he shared candidly.
Responding to the question on how he handles advances from ladies in hisn music career.
The ‘Touch it” hitmaker said, “There’s no rule book on how to deal with these things; just grace and making sure that you’re disciplined,” he said.
He has also made it clear that a woman’s sexual history plays a significant role in whether or not he would consider her for marriage.
Speaking on the Rants, Bants and Confessions podcast, the “Likor” hitmaker stated that while he has no problem with a woman’s body count in a casual relationship, he thinks differently when it comes to a lifelong commitment.
“If we’re just having a good time, having fun, I don’t care. But if you’re someone I’m going to call mine, it matters,” he said.
KiDi explained that when he envisions a future with someone, her past matters to him—not just physically, but emotionally. He believes that multiple intimate connections could leave behind emotional baggage that might affect a committed relationship.
“I don’t want to walk into a space and see all the guys eyeing each other. I don’t want a woman who has given her body and soul to too many people, because when I meet you, I feel like I’m meeting a very degraded version of yourself,” he added.
His comments have stirred mixed reactions online, with some agreeing with his perspective while others find it controversial.
Months ago, the award-winning artiste,came to terms with the narrative that life cannot be lived to meet the expections of every single human being.
He says he has learnt to detach himself from negativities online and the opinions of people as he advances in life.
Speaking on the“Talk No Dey Cook Rice podcast, the Afropop sensation acknowledged the emotional toll that coem with fame and social mediaa, but noted that he has learned to stay focused and unbothered by unecessary pressure.
“Once I began to understand that I’ll never please everybody, life became easier,” KiDi told host Derick Elorm Ashilevi.
“Even if I give someone 1 million, they’ll ask why it wasn’t 1 million, they’ll ask why it wasn’t 2 million. Some people are just unhappy, they hate themselves and project that onto others,” the musician stated.
The “Lomo Lomo” hitmaker, who recently bagged the Best Collaboration of the Year at the 26th Telecel Ghana Music (TGMA) for his song with Black Sherif, emphsized that many online critics are simply projecting their frustrations through the their trolls.
“There are people out there who will come onto social media and say something to you; it’s not personal… They woke up this morning, they’ve not eaten. You’ve come to put there that ‘hey stream my music’. He’ll come and say Look at this Kwasia, why will I stream your music’. It’s not personal. He’s angry inside about something that’s happening in his personal life. He’s just projecting it onto me.
“It’s not personal,” he added. “They’re angry about their own lives and take it out on you.”
KiDi recently shared that he has decided to stop wearing skinny trousers due to the unwanted attention his private area received
The Ghanaian singer explained that people frequently fixated on his lower body when he wore tight pants, even highlighting it in social media comments.
In a Pure FM interview, KiDi revealed, “People always paid attention to my loads anytime I wear skinny trousers. The attention is always down there. They will draw that place out and talk about it the whole time. That’s why I stopped wearing skinny trousers and now opt for the baggy type,” he disclosed.
He also mentioned that loose-fitting pants offer the added benefit of better airflow and comfort.
Despite the attention, KiDi expressed confidence in his body, stating, “I wear loose trousers now because it doesn’t highlight my goods anymore. It also enables fresh air to blow me down there.
“I like my body type and wouldn’t want to be anything else.”
His well-endowed physique has often drawn notice at events, particularly on red carpets, further contributing to his decision to favor more relaxed clothing.
Hours after the announcement that Ghanaians will now enjoy between 33% and 50% more value on the DStv packages, Minister for Communications Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, took to social media to express gratitude to Ghanaians and MultiChoice Africa.
“Thanks for your patience, Ghana. Thanks for your cooperation, @DStv_Ghana and @DStv. We have all won, together. For God and Country.”
The standoff between MultiChoice Africa and the Ministry of Communications has ended following the groundbreaking development.
Addressing the media on Monday, September 29, the sector Minister disclosed that MultiChoice Africa declared its intention to introduce the “unprecedented increased value offer” for Ghanaian consumers.
According to him, Ghanaians will now enjoy between 33% and 50% more value on the DStv packages they purchase. Thus, DStv is giving subscribers more channels and benefits without them paying extra.
“MultiChoice Africa has committed to an unprecedented increase in value offered only in Ghana, which will result in Ghanaian DStv subscribers getting more services for less. “Depending on the DStv package or bouquet you use, subscribers will get between 33% to 50% more value,” the Minister stated.
Customers on the Paddy bouquet will be upgraded to Access, those already on the Access package will enjoy the Family package, and those on the Family package will be upgraded to Compact. Compact subscribers will be promoted to Compact Plus, and those on Compact Plus will enjoy the Premium bouquet package.
He announced after receiving a report from the committee tasked with reviewing subscription packages with MultiChoice.
The committee included representatives from the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, the National Communications Authority, MultiChoice Ghana, and MultiChoice Africa, which was chaired by the Communications Minister himself.
The prolonged back-and-forth between the two parties revolves around Sam George’s calls for a reduction in DStv subscription packages for Ghanaian customers. Sam George had earlier instructed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to suspend the broadcast of DStv should Multichoice fail to reduce prices of its packages.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Friday, September 5, Sam George noted that the government has established a joint committee with MultiChoice Ghana to reach a final agreement on how its prices will be adjusted to ensure Ghanaian customers pay less.
“We have taken an immediate step to put together a committee comprising representatives from the ministry, the regulator, NCA, Multichoice Ghana, and Multichoice Africa. I will personally chair the committee. Let us be clear, they have finally accepted that there will be a reduction, and they want us to discuss the level of reduction. I believe that as a minister, we do not need 30 days,” he said.
On Wednesday, September 24, the National Communications Authority (NCA) announced a 7-day extension window for the stakeholder committee set up to review DSTV’s pricing model in Ghana to present their report by September 29. The committee is expected to present its report on Monday, September 29, 2025.
Originally scheduled to present its final report by September 22, the committee requested an extension, which was granted by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George.
In a statement released by the NCA, it announced that “Whilst the Committee has made significant progress, it has requested an extension of one week to complete its work, which extension has been granted by the Honourable Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations.
Consequently, the outcome of the Committee’s work is expected to be presented by 29th September, 2025”.
It continued that “the Stakeholder committee established to evaluate DStv pricing in Ghana commenced work on 8th September 2025, to address the following: a. Achieve a shared understanding of DStv pricing for Ghana and structured, mutually acceptable and commercially viable measures to address the Minister’s concerns around the pricing of the DStv service.
Establish an acceptable roadmap to curb cross-border piracy of DStv decoders/service from Nigeria to Ghana”. On September 7, the NCA announced that it will have a meeting with MultiChoice Ghana (the company that runs DStv) over the satellite television provider’s pricing model in Ghana on Monday, September 8.
The governing body of the electronic communications and broadcasting sectors in Ghana announced this in an official statement dated September 7 and titled “Update on DSTV Pricing in Ghana”.
It revealed that MultiChoice has responded to its mandate to suspend its operations in Ghana and has expressed its readiness to review its pricing and collaborate with the Committee set by Sam Nartey George.
“The National Communications Authority (NCA) has received from Multichoice Ghana its response to the notice of intention to suspend their authorisation and request for their pricing model…The first meeting of the Stakeholder Committee shall be held on Monday, 8th September 2025. The Authority shall provide further updates on this matter in due course,” NCA revealed in the statement.
The paid-TV company denied some claims made by the Communications Minister about its readiness to cut prices for Ghanaian consumers.
In a responsive statement titled “MultiChoice sets the record straight on DStv pricing” and shared on Friday, September 5, MultiChoice announced its readiness to cooperate with the Working Committee established by the Communications Ministry to find a solution to the discussion concerning the reduction of DSTV fees for the Ghanaian populace.
However, it objected to claims by the Minister that their outfit is ready for a price reduction. “We have noted the statement made by the Minister for Communications Technology and Innovation, Hon. Samuel Nartey George. We continue to engage with the Minister in a bid to find an amicable solution that is beneficial for all parties involved, but does not jeopardise the viability of the DStv service.
“We will fully participate in the established Working Committee. However, we wish to clarify that MultiChoice Group has not agreed to a price reduction”, the statement explained. The said Committee, according to Sam George, will be chaired by him to ensure transparency and fairness. Consequently, NCA engaged MultiChoice on the statement for clarity.
“…While the Authority reviews their submission, there have been further engagements with Multichoice Ghana regarding its public statement dated 5th September 2025”, the statement continued adding that following the engagements,
“…the following clarifications have been obtained: 1. Multichoice Ghana agrees with the directive from the Honourable Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations for the establishment of a Stakeholder Committee to evaluate DSTV pricing in Ghana, and that they intend to fully participate in this work. 2. The outcome of the Stakeholder Committee would be determined at the end of its work. 3. MultiChoice has confirmed that it will respect due process and the laws of Ghana and its people”.
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Sam George highlighted his commitment to protecting the interests of Ghanaians without compromise. He affirmed that he would not allow any form of disrespect to consumers from any company.
“If MultiChoice has objected to price cuts as they earlier agreed to, then the proposed shutdown of their services in Ghana would hold as earlier communicated”.
“Let me be clear, I have no intention to continue tolerating the disrespect to Ghanaians by DStv. If MultiChoice is not interested, as they claim in their last statement, in discussing a reduction in prices as they had indicated to me, we would proceed to effect the shutdown tomorrow as indicated.
He reiterated that “DStv indicated their willingness to engage the Ministry on its concerns on pricing and prayed us to stay our enforcement action. If they have changed their position, then we simply would enforce the regulatory action”.
The Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament stressed that Ghana is ready to partner with international firms, but only in full respect of the country’s laws and consumer protection.
“No company is above the law. When MultiChoice is ready to discuss a price reduction, they can come to the negotiation table. Until then, there is nothing for us to meet over. The NCA Ghana would carry out enforcement. Ghana is open for businesses that respect our laws and institutions,” he stressed.
The statement follows Communications Minister Sam George’s claims in an earlier press briefing held yesterday, Friday, September 5, that the satellite television provider has agreed to a price reduction.During the briefing, he also revealed that, following their agreement to reduce prices, they have asked for thirty days to conclude discussions and arrive at a final decision.
But Sam George outrightly declared that the 30-day window is too much, hence they have just fourteen days to reach a decision. With the 14-day window, MultiChoice has until September 21 to arrive at a solution.
“Let us be clear they have finally accepted that there will be a reduction, and they want us to discuss the level of reduction. I believe that as a minister, we do not need 30 days. 14 days is enough for us to reach this decision, inclusive of weekends,” the Minister said.Engaging the public on Friday, September 5, as part of the Government Accountability Series, the minister noted that he received a 9-page document from Multichoice on July 21 over its inability to reduce its subscription fees.
Earlier, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, announced that should Multichoice fail to reduce the prices of its subscription services, the DStv broadcast license will be suspended nationwide, effective August 7, 2025.
Engaging the public yesterday as part of the Government Accountability Series, the minister noted that he received a 9-page document from Multichoice on July 21 over its inability to reduce its subscription fees.
The company cited depreciation of the cedi in past years, despite the recent cedi appreciation, as the reason for its inability to reduce prices. Sam George noted that it is unacceptable for Nigerians to be paying less for the same packages offered to Ghanaians at higher costs when the naira has depreciated at an accelerating rate against the cedi.
As such, he has directed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to suspend the broadcast of DStv should Multichoice fail to reduce prices of its packages.
“Their reasons included that the cedi had depreciated in the preceding eight years by 240%, and they claimed that my request for a reduction based on the appreciation of the cedi was unfounded because, in their words, the appreciation of the Ghana cedi over the last 6 months has been a fluke which could not be sustainable.
“As Minister, my fidelity is to the Ghanaian people. I have to act in the interest of the Ghanaian people, and I believe the Ghanaian people have been fleeced and exploited for too long. I wrote back to the NCA on Monday and directed the NCA in that letter to suspend the broadcasting license of DStv effective 7th of August 2025, if they fail to effect a reduction in their bundle prices.
“I can’t as a minister serving the Ghanaian people, continue to watch what can be best described as plain stealing happening to the Ghanaian people. In my letter to them, I gave them scenarios from seven markets that DSTV is operating in. The same content in the premium bouquet that is offered to Ghanaians for the $83 equivalent is offered to Nigerians for the $29 equivalent.
“How can anyone explain this price disparity to me? Enough of the mistreatment of the Ghanaian consumer. In Nigeria, in the same timeframe, they say the Ghanaian cedi has depreciated by 240%, and the Nigerian naira has depreciated by 409%. If Nigerians are paying the equivalent of $29, DSTV must charge the same here in Ghana,” he said.
Thanks for your patience, Ghana. Thanks for your cooperation, @DStv_Ghana and @DStv.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced the removal of the Assistant Headmaster (Academic) of KNUST Senior High School Mr. Charles Akwasi Aidoo from office over an alleged misconduct.
He was spotted in a viral video with a female student in a compromised position.
In response, management of GES released a statement declaring their stance on the matter.
“Management views this matter with utmost seriousness. In line with our commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the teaching profession and ensuring the safety and welfare of students under our care, Mr. Aidoo has already been removed from office, and prohibited from going to the school while thorough investigations are being carried out.,” the statement read.
The GES assured the general public, stakeholders, parents, and students that due process will be followed, and the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with the code of conduct of the Ghana Education Service.
Months ago, the Ghana Education Service (GES) directed school authorities to ensure that practical fees for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE ) received from students are refunded effective Monday, July 28.
A press statement dated, Monday, July 28, indicated that teachers and school heads who fail to adhere to the directive shall face severe sanctions.
“The Government of Ghana has released full funding to cover the costs of the 2025 WASSCE practical examinations, including required materials and resources.
Management policies with concern that some Heads have engaged in the collection of monies from Candidates/Parents/Guardians for these same practicals. The Heads involved are therefore directed to; refund any monies collected from students in respect of WASSCE practicals,” parts of the statement read.
It instructed that school authorities ensure that the refund process is properly documented and official receipts are issued to acknowledge repayment.
GES added that regional Directors should be notified once the monies are refunded, emphazing, “Compliance with this directive will reduce the financial burden on students and parents and ensure that no learner is excluded from participation over lack of money”.
“Failure to comply will be considered a serious breach of official instructions and may attract administrative sanctions. Regional Directors are by this letter requested to share this information with all Heads of schools through their respective Municipal/Metro/District Directors of Education,” it stated.
On Saturday, July 27, the Ghana Education Service announced the release of funds to cater for the 2025 WASSCE practical examinations for all Senior High Schools (SHSs) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs) across the country.
An amount of GH¢15,849,920 has been released, according to reports. In its statement issued and signed by the Head of Public Relations, Daniel Fenyi, the funds are expected to provide all necessary materials and supplies for their practical exams.
“ The Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) announces that funds have been released to all Senior High Schools (SHS) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTS) across the country to cover the fees for the 2025 WASSCE practicals.
“This payment ensures that all practical examinations scheduled for the 2025 WASSCE are fully supported, including the provision of the required materials and other essential resources,” the Service noted.
Additionally, the Service explained that the move is intended to shield guardians as well as parents from extra cost and also create a conducive environment in ensuring that students excel in the upcoming exams.
“With the release of the funds, GES seeks to facilitate a smooth and well-cordinated examination process that enables students to focus on their academic work, while relieving parents and guardians of any such financial burden,” it stated.
The GES cautioned school authorities against diverting the funds from its intended purpose, warning that any misappropriation will attract strict sanctions in accordance with existing financial regulations and disciplinary procedures.
“Regional, district and school authorities are, therefore, strongly urged to ensure the due application of the funds for their intended purpose to guarantee efficiency and accountability. Management will continue to monitor the utilisation processes to ensure compliance and to maintain high standards in the administration of the examination.
“The Ghana Education Service appreciates the cooperation of all stakeholders in advancing quality education and remains dedicated to creating an enabling environment for the success of all students,” part of the release read.
The 2025 WASSCE is scheduled to take place from August 4 to September 19.
Meanwhile, a leading public policy and consumer advocacy think tank, CUTS International, Accra, has opposed the system where Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and WASSCE candidates pay to access their results.
Per a statement released in Accra on Monday, July 7, the West Africa Regional Director of CUTS, Mr. Appiah Kusi Adomako, described the practice as unfair and costly.
He has therefore called on the Education Ministry to shoulder the cost of providing candidates with access to their results.
“In many parts of the world, exam bodies do not charge students to access their results. In our local universities, student can access their results free of charge, as is the case in every jurisdiction. This is a basic right that should not come at a cost to students or their families,” Mr. Adomako said.
Initially, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) printed and distributed physical results slips to schools; however, it adapted to the digital platform to make the process seamless.
Candidates now pay between GHS 15 and GHS 25 to view their results.But according to the West Africa Regional Director of CUTS, the Ministry must learn from other African countries that do not charge for results.
“Going digital was supposed to make things easier and more affordable. But instead, candidates are now forced to pay out of pocket for a service that should be free. In countries like South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya, and Zambia, students access their results online without paying any fee. Why should Ghana be different?.
“WAEC is not the only body that runs examinations. Students who sit for ACCA, SAT, TOEFL, GRE, IELTS, and even our own national service postings access their results or placements online for free. The same should apply here,” Mr. Adomako stressed.
Mr. Appiah Kusi Adomako also criticised the requirement for students to pay to access their Senior High School placement results through the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), describing it as an added financial burden.According to him, “Accessing exam results or computerised placement into SHS should not be a luxury or a source of revenue. It should be a basic service as it pertains in other jurisdictions.
While the GES continues its efforts to alleviate financial pressures on students and parents nationwide, other challenges, particularly in conflict-prone areas, pose serious threats to access to education and student safety.Currently, Nkwanta and its surrounding towns are experiencing a protracted conflict involving the Akyode, Adele, and Chala communities.
The conflict has escalated in recent years, resulting in the loss of lives and the destruction of property. A curfew was placed on the area by the government.The violent incidents that were recorded on June 26 and 27 affected three students.
Two female students of Nkwanta Senior High School (SHS) were recently hit by gunshots while en route to school.A male student was also killed by a stray bullet while seated in his classroom during mock examinations.SHS schools in Nkwanta South have been shut down until further notice.
In response, the police service has captured some eight individuals for their roles in recent clashes in Nkwanta that have taken the lives of students.Currently, there is a total ban on all persons in the Nkwanta Township and its environs in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region from carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons.Any person found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted.
The government continues to urge chiefs, opinion leaders, youth, and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them and to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace in the area.But the GES has insisted that final-year Senior High School (SHS) students in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region will participate in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) despite chaos in the area.Speaking to the media on Monday, June 30, the Head of Public Relations at GES, Daniel Fenyi, indicated that the Service is in discussions with stakeholders to ensure candidates are not affected regardless of the risk.
“Three Senior High Schools (SHS) will be writing the WASSCE, but definitely, if the conflict persists, that means they wouldn’t be able to write in Nkwanta township. So meetings are ongoing, and we hope to finalize our discussions as soon as possible to come out with the modalities on when, how, and where our children can write the WASSCE.”
According to him, one of the measures is to ensure students write the exams in the safest environment possible.”But the assurance they can get from us is that they won’t miss the WASSCE. We are putting in place every measure to ensure they write the WASSCE with their colleagues.”
“The assurance they can get from us as the Ghana Education Service is that they won’t miss the WASSCE. We are putting in place every measure to ensure that they write the WASSCE with their colleagues all across the country, and we are making sure that the conflict goes beyond them so they can’t be punished for what they didn’t cause. So I can assure them that they will not miss this examination,” he said.
Prophet Nicholas Osei, popularly known as Kumchacha, has passionately questioned the authority of persons who habitually condemn brother Sammy’s conduct.
“Those of you condemning Sammy, it is just balderdash… But why condemn and judge someone as if he or she has committed a grave offence?” he argued.
“There are many people who are doing worse in their homes. But they will condemn him as if he were rejected by God. It is not your position to judge someone. Otherwise, you are a wicked person yourself.”
“Those people judging him and condemning him, maybe what they do in private is worse… nobody is perfect. The only one who can judge is God,” he said.
Broda Sammy recently came under fire for bringing a “heavily endowed” woman on stage and performing secular songs at Daddy Lumba’s one-week funeral observance.
However, addressing the backlash directly, Prophet Kumchacha questioned the moral authority of individuals passing judgement on Broda Sammy, implying that many of the critics are not in a position to condemn him.
Earlier this year, Kumchacha and Nana Romeo engaged in a heated argument on live tv during a discussion that nearly escalated into a physical confrontation.
Tensions flared when Nana Romeo dismissed Prophet Kumchacha’s claim of being the first to learn about Kofi Adomah’s eye injury.
The disagreement intensified as Nana Romeo criticized Kumchacha for disrespecting Vim Lady, who had publicly disclosed details of Kofi’s plight.
Kumchacha, in turn, defended his stance, accusing Nana Romeo of hypocrisy. He alleged that Nana Romeo had previously called for Captain Smart’s arrest following comments linked to violence in Obuasi, where protests over mining operations resulted in several deaths.
“You are a hypocrite. When Captain Smart urged the youth of Obuasi to attack the mining company, you were one of the first to demand his arrest,” Kumchacha said.
The fiery exchange took another turn when Kumchacha cited other incidents, accusing Nana Romeo of speaking on issues without adequate information.
“When Bishop Salifu’s issue came up, you said I didn’t know anything about it, yet I spoke as if I were the spokesperson. But when Akua Donkor passed away, you acted like the family asked you to represent them,” Kumchacha added.
Nana Romeo, however, stood firm, advising Kumchacha to refrain from presenting himself as a journalist and commenting on every issue. “I am beginning to lose respect for you because you don’t respect yourself,” he retorted.
The confrontation reached its peak when Kumchacha stood up, grabbed Nana Romeo by the shirt, and issued a warning.
“Your career will end. If you play with me, I will beat you if you dare me. When there’s an issue, you speak with authority, yet you don’t have the facts,” Kumchacha threatened.
The exchange has since sparked widespread reactions, with viewers expressing mixed opinions about the incident.
In a separate event, Kumchacha addressed Oboy Siki’s assertion that all those who accompanied Afia Pokua to apologize at Manhyia are not wise.
Kumchacha, along with several staff members from Onua TV, visited Manhyia to express their regrets over Afia Pokua’s remarks concerning Otumfuo, but their apology was rejected by the elders.
Oboy Siki remarked that everyone who accompanied Afia Pokua to seek forgiveness from the elders for her critical comments about Otumfuo was lacking in wisdom.
But in an interview, Prophet Kumchacha lashed out at Oboy Siki, referencing their long-standing rivalry and his determination to put the actor in his place.
“If Oboy Siki were my father, I’d rather take medication and die. This is the same Oboy Siki who wakes up each day sporting a different hair color. His stomach resembles a toilet overflowing with animals, and he looks as crooked as a bent truck for carrying timber, like a crooked car carrying sand,” Kumchacha angrily expressed.
Speaking on a different matter last year, Kumchacha stirred debate by endorsing polygamy.
He argued that having multiple wives is not a sin and that there is no explicit biblical prohibition against it.
According to Prophet Kumchacha, the only New Testament advice regarding marriage comes from Paul, who recommended monogamy but did not mandate it.
On September 14, 2024, during the United Showbiz program on UTV, Prophet Kumchacha asserted that having multiple wives could potentially contribute to a longer life by alleviating some of the challenges associated with a single partner.
“Marriage involves many issues, so I always encourage men to marry multiple women if they want to live long. At least two or three women. If God blesses me to be wealthy like Kwame Despite or Ofori Sarpong, I will do so. I am a prophet, but I challenge any pastor to quote a single verse from Genesis to Revelation that says marrying multiple women will send you to hell. It is not in the Bible.”
“In 1 Timothy, Paul was advising about marriage, but I can choose to accept it or not. The same Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:34 and onwards that women should not be allowed to preach in church, but today, that is not the practice in most churches,” he stated.
He emphasized that no scripture explicitly condemns polygamy, challenging other pastors to provide a verse that asserts marrying multiple women is a sin.
He also cited that interpretations of Biblical teachings, such as those in 1 Corinthians 14:34, vary among churches today.
Despite his views, many religious leaders disagree, arguing that his stance contradicts traditional Biblical teachings.
Last year, she was under detention amidst investigations into the sale of unapproved medical products by the FDA.
The development followed allegations of her involvement in running a fraudulent company.
The controversy escalated after her ex-husband, Medikal, disclosed that he funded Fella’s cosmetic surgeries in Nigeria and Turkey.
These surgeries were then used to promote slimming tea and waist training products, creating a misleading impression about their effectiveness.
In response, a wave of public outrage led to calls for a boycott of Fella’s products, with many questioning if the FDA had indeed authorized their sale.
As the situation unfolded, reports suggested that Fella’s detention was related to the ongoing FDA probe.
Additionally, several other products allegedly seized during the investigation
She took to Instagram to silence her critics by showcasing the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) certification for her flat tummy product, ‘Simply Snatched St Tea’.
Amidst the turmoil stemming from her ex-husband Medikal’s alarming revelations about their marital issues, numerous details about Fella’s personal life and business ventures have come to light. Medikal accused Fella of undergoing surgery to achieve a flat tummy, allegedly to promote her slim tea product.
In response to Medikal’s claims, many Ghanaians mocked Fella on social media, questioning the authenticity of her brand and business. The controversy also raised concerns about the credibility of the FDA’s involvement in this matter.
Some netizens went as far as to label the slim tea business as fake, tarnishing Fella Makafui’s brand.
However, Fella has set the record straight by presenting the FDA certification for her product, effectively silencing her detractors.
AMG Showboy criticized Medikal for publicly disclosing details about Fella Makafui’s cosmetic surgeries, which ultimately damaged her business of selling and endorsing slimming and buttock enlargement products.
The former U.S. ex-convict deemed Medikal’s actions against his ex-wife and the mother of his child as immature.
Medikal made several shocking revelations about his ex-partner during his numerous tirades against her.
He claimed to have spent significant amounts of money on Fella’s cosmetic surgeries, revealing that while she promoted slimming and body enhancement products, she was actually undergoing surgery to achieve similar results.
His revelations led to backlash and Fella’s arrest by the FDA for selling unauthorized products.
Showboy criticized Medikal’s actions, stating that he made a serious mistake.
Watch the video below for more details.
On the other hand, Fella Makafui declared a significant transformation in her life, stating that she is no longer the person she once was.
In a candid social media post, the actress reflected on her personal growth, revealing that her mindset and priorities have shifted. She emphasized that she no longer entertains drama, gossip, or friendships that do not add value to her life.
“My energy has been different. I’m not the same person I used to be, and I don’t want to be the same person I used to be. My tolerance level is LOW. So I don’t want to be around anyone I can’t learn from or grow with,” she wrote.
Fella explained that she has entered a phase of intentional self-improvement, focusing on healing and success while actively distancing herself from negativity. According to her, she is manifesting a peaceful life and is determined to protect her space.
“I just want to enjoy my peace, my space, and literally block out all the bs. I’ve been manifesting, finding comfort in my elevation, and I love it here,” she added.
Her declaration signals a turning point in her journey, one where she is making deliberate choices about the people and energy she allows into her life. She noted that she is cutting ties with individuals who do not align with her new outlook, reinforcing her commitment to growth and fulfillment.
Fella Makafui’s message suggested a strong resolve to evolve, shedding old patterns and embracing a version of herself that prioritizes peace, progress, and purpose.
Across the globe, the biggest names in music; Beyoncé, Burna Boy, Ed Sheeran, and others, have transitioned from indoor arenas to massive stadiums.
The reason is simple: their fan bases are massive, and stadiums provide the space to accommodate 60,000 or more fans at once, something most auditoriums can’t offer.
In cities like London, Madrid, or New York, stadium concerts are routine. These venues are purpose-built or upgraded to handle both football matches and large-scale concerts without major disruptions.
Five ‘crazy’ moments from Sarkodie’s Rapperholic 2025 in Kumasi
The Ghanaian reality
In Ghana, the story is very different. Hosting non-sporting events at national stadiums comes with strict regulations that can limit attendance and the overall quality of production.
While it’s true that these stadiums were initially built for football, the global trend is clear: modern stadiums are now multipurpose.
From Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to Wembley and the Santiago Bernabéu, international venues are increasingly designed or retrofitted to accommodate both sports and entertainment. These upgrades generate millions in additional revenue by opening doors to concerts, festivals, and even corporate events.
The dilemma of protecting the pitch
In Ghana, the National Sports Authority (NSA) has remained cautious, concerned about damage to the pitch during concerts.
The backlash after Stonebwoy’s BHIM Concert in December 2023 remains fresh.
The event, held at a fully packed Accra Sports Stadium, was a landmark in Stonebwoy’s career. Yet, it left the pitch badly damaged, with significant portions of the grass destroyed.
The sporting community expressed outrage, questioning whether short-term entertainment revenue was worth the long-term cost to football infrastructure.
Rapperholic 2025: Massive crowds defy heavy rains for Kumasi’s biggest night in music
Sarkodie’s Baba Yara setback
Fast forward to September 27, 2025, when Sarkodie staged his Rapperholic concert at Kumasi’s Baba Yara Sports Stadium, the concert featured Shatta Wale, Medikal, Efya, Kofi Kinaata, the Asaaka Boys, Lasmid, and more.
However, just days before the event, on September 24, NSA boss Yaw Ampofo Ankrah announced on social media that Sarkodie would be restricted from using the pitch.
The statement sparked confusion, with many fans assuming the event had been canceled. In reality, Sarkodie was granted access to only a quarter of the stadium, with the condition that nothing touches the grass.
Despite heavy rain and logistical hurdles, the turnout was remarkable. Still, industry observers argue that if Sarkodie had been granted full use of the stadium, the event might have gone down as the biggest paid concert in Ghana’s history.
How the world does it
So, how do stadiums in other countries host major events without damaging their pitches?
The answer lies in innovation.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, for example, features a retractable pitch, the first of its kind in the UK. The natural grass used for Premier League matches can be rolled back to reveal an artificial surface underneath, ideal for concerts and non-sporting events.
While that level of infrastructure may be out of reach for Ghana in the short term, more practical solutions exist.
Most international stadiums use pitch covering systems—temporary protective panels placed over the grass. These allow stages to be mounted and fans to stand on the pitch without harming the turf. It’s standard practice elsewhere but still missing in Ghana.
Why has Ghana delayed?
The pressing question remains: Why hasn’t Ghana adopted such systems?
A pitch cover is not a luxury, it’s a basic tool for balancing the needs of sports and entertainment.
With local football attendance in decline, stadium concerts offer a crucial revenue stream. Moreover, big-name artistes have the potential to draw international fans.
Imagine the buzz if Vybz Kartel, who has already expressed interest in performing in Ghana, headlined a packed show at the Accra Sports Stadium under the right conditions.
A ray of hope
There is some good news. On September 25, 2025, it was reported that the NSA had received two pitch cover panel samples for testing at the Accra Sports Stadium.
A technical team has been assigned to evaluate and approve one for purchase. If successful, this could mark a major turning point for live entertainment in Ghana.
Soon, local artistes may no longer have to choose between staging world-class concerts and preserving football pitches. The two can, and should, coexist.
Source: GhanaWeb
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
Angel Asiamah, husband of the embattled preacher, Nana Agadaa, has shared an update of his wife’s state in prison.
Nana Agradaa is spending 15 years in prison which commenced in July for charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretence.
According Angel Asiamah, he visited his wife over the week and he can confidently say she is 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.
Agradaa was officially transferred to the Nsawam Female Prison on Saturday, 5 July, just two days after she was sentenced by Judge Evelyn E. Asamoah at the Accra Circuit Court ‘10’ on Thursday, 3 July 2025.
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.
However, in a statement made after the verdict, Pastor Asiamah claimed that the sentencing was rooted in complaints from church members following an all-night service held three years ago.
According to him, the allegations of fraud stemmed from the offertory collected during that service.
Nana Agradaa’s legal team has already described her sentence as “excessive,” noting that the amount in question was only GH¢540.
They have vowed to file an appeal on Monday, claiming the punishment is more about who Agradaa is than what she is alleged to have done.
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, 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.
Meanwhile, Angel Asiamah, husband of the embattled founder of Heaven Way Christian International Ministry, Patricia Asiedua 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.
President John Dramani Mahama has encouraged the United Nations to begin a “serious recalibration” to revamp its systems and set a worldwide reset plan that aligns with today’s realities.
While addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, September 25, President Mahama, the UN must also restructure to meet the demands of the 21st century, just as Ghana has done through its reset initiatives.
“Our Constitution limits leaders to two four-year terms. In January, I was sworn in for a second term, which is non-consecutive with the first. Faced with rising inflation, a huge debt burden, and low morale amongst our citizens, my new administration embarked on an ambitious programme of comprehensive transformation. We refer to this process of recalibration as our reset agenda,” he said.
He drew attention to Ghana’s progress on the economic fronts, highlighting a sharp decline in inflation, a stronger cedi recognized globally by Bloomberg, improved creditworthiness, and a rebound in public confidence.
“Madam President, I believe that, in honour of this milestone celebration, the United Nations should also embark on a process of serious recalibration and establish its own reset agenda,” he declared.
The Presidency officially announced President John Dramani Mahama’s departure for the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York through a statement issued by the Presidential Spokesman and Minister in charge of Government Communications, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, on Saturday, September 21.
The statement announced that the President lead a high-level delegation and was scheduled to deliver his address to the Assembly on Thursday, September 25. During his speech, he called for reforms to the UN Security Council and global financial architecture, emphasising the need to embrace gender equality to achieve global development.
Find his full speech below:
Madam President,Mr Secretary-General, Excellencies,Ladies and Gentlemen:
At this 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, I would like to speak about Africa’s role in the future of the organisation. However, it is impossible to do that without first considering the collective role that Africa played in its founding, which was small and relatively insignificant.
Of the 51 Member States involved in the founding of the United Nations in 1945, only four were African: Egypt, Ethiopia, Liberia, and South Africa.
It is important to point out that the United Nations came into being in the aftermath of World War 2 because of the inability of its precursor, the League of Nations, to avert a large-scale global conflict, which had been its guiding purpose when it was founded in 1920 on the heels of World War 1.
Out of the 42 founding member states of the League of Nations, only three were African: Liberia, the Union of South Africa, and Ethiopia. Egypt joined later in 1937. Africa’s overall participation in the organisation’s founding was minimal and relatively unimportant.
That’s because, before all the other talks and meetings, representatives from a group of 14 nations gathered in Berlin for a series of discussions that began in 1884, which led to the partition and formal colonisation of the continent—also called the Scramble for Africa.
It has famously been written that “past is prologue.” Well, in the past, the majority of the 54 nations that now comprise Africa were never offered a seat at the table where plans for a new World Order were being drawn.
But, Madam President,
As fate would have it, the tables have turned, and Africa’s role in the authorship of whatever is yet to come for this world will be huge, and it will be consequential.
According to this organisation’s own projections, by the year 2050, more than 25% of the world’s population is expected to come from the African continent. Additionally, by 2050, one- third of all young people, aged 15 to 24, will be residing on the African continent.
So, you see, the future is African.
Allow me to say this once again, a little louder for the people in the back. The future is African!
Already today, Africa is a catalyst for human potential and development, as well as for economic reform and ecological stability. Africa is a catalyst for systemic change. If this reality—which is fact-based and straightforward—seems provocative or unsettling, perhaps it’s because you’re viewing it through the lens of centuries of racism, colonialism, imperialism, and the resulting implicit bias.
Maybe you’re unaware of the resilience of African nations or their remarkable ability to make a strong comeback, just when you think it’s safe to discount them.
That’s what is happening right now in Ghana. Our Constitution limits leaders to two four-year terms. In January, I was sworn in for a second term, which, I should add, is non-consecutive with the first. Our currency, the Ghana cedi, was rapidly depreciating.
Faced with rising inflation, a huge debt burden, and low morale amongst our citizens, my new administration quickly embarked on an ambitious programme of comprehensive transformation designed to restructure Ghana’s economic foundation and enhance our competitive standing globally. We refer to this process of recalibration as our reset agenda.
In just eight months, we have achieved a significant reduction in inflation, from 23.8% in December 2024 to 11.5% in August 2025, restoring price stability for our citizens. Additionally, the Ghana cedi has appreciated considerably against other currencies, with Bloomberg reporting it as the best-performing currency in the world at one point.
Our improved sovereign credit rating reflects increasing investor confidence. Our 24-Hour Economy Initiative promises to transform our economy. There is a renewed willingness among the people to trust that their elected officials have Ghana’s interests at heart and that we are progressing together.
Madam President,
I believe that, in honour of this milestone celebration, the United Nations should also embark on a process of serious recalibration and establish its own reset agenda. Since the organisation’s founding, the number of UN Member Nations has nearly quadrupled. And, quite frankly, it is not the same world that it was back then.
I mentioned earlier that I began my second non-consecutive term as president this past January. My first term ended in January 2017. In that span of time, the world had changed with such ferocity, my first days in office felt as though I’d just awakened from a Rip Van Winkle-style slumber. That was after only eight years; imagine, then, what it would be like after eighty years.
In 1945, the sun had not yet set on the largest empire in history; the most common mode of international travel was by sea; the personal computer had not been invented, let alone made portable; and television, a new convenience, was still in its infancy, albeit in black and white.
Relations between the US and the Soviet Union were turning frosty, with Winston Churchill declaring that “an iron curtain has descended across the Continent.”
Eighty years on, in today’s world, 100,000 commercial flights take off and land every day; libraries have been digitised so that volumes of literature can exist on a device small enough to fit inside your pocket. This is a world of cryptocurrency, Artificial Intelligence, social media, the Internet, and its dark, hidden dungeon —the dark web—all of which carry a potential threat to global peace and security.
Climate change is real, and we are fighting a losing battle against the loss of the Maldives and other island nations to the rising sea level, Timbuktu to desertification, and the Amazon Rainforest to global warming and deforestation.
Madam President,
The UN founding charter is outdated when it comes to representation. The most powerful post- World War 2 nations are still being rewarded with an almost totalitarian guardianship over the rest of the world. And yet, the first sentence in Chapter 2, Article 1 of the UN charter declares that “The Organisation is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its members.”
If this were truly the case, a continent as large as Africa with its numerous UN Member states would have at least one permanent seat on the Security Council. Furthermore, veto power should not be restricted to five nations, nor should it be absolute.
There must be a mechanism for the General Assembly to challenge a veto. No single nation should be able to exercise an absolute veto to serve its own interests in a conflict.
In 1995, during the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, Nelson Mandela stood in this very spot. He said, “The United Nations has to reassess its role, redefine its profile, and reshape its structures. It should truly reflect the diversity of our universe and ensure equity among the nations in the exercise of power within the system of international relations. In general, and the Security Council in particular.”
Thirty years later, we African leaders are still making the same request: for a permanent seat on the Security Council, with the power of veto. So, today, Madam President, I stand here in this exact spot, asking: if not now, then when?
We demand not only a reform of the Security Council, but also a reset of the global financial architecture, which is currently rigged against Africa. Africa must have a greater say in the world’s multilateral financial institutions.
While I am making requests, I would like to call for the removal of the blockade on Cuba. As Dr Kwame Nkrumah, our nation’s founder, famously said, “We seek to be friends of all and enemies to none.” The Cuban people shed their blood on African soil in the fight against apartheid. Indeed, Cuba has been, and continues to be, a faithful friend to Africa.
You see, the very fact that I can stand here and ask these things, and the fact that all nations can ostensibly gather here to address critical global issues, air grievances, and express concerns—that is what makes the survival of this organisation so important.
In every old city or village, you will find a town square, a courtyard, or a plaza that once served as a gathering place for the citizens and their leaders. Meetings and celebrations were held there, as were trials and elections. They were spaces that brought people together and held them as a community. Sadly, time and technology have eroded those spaces.
Madam President,
In many ways, the United Nations is the proverbial town square of our modern global village. And it has never been more critical for us to protect this one space that brings and holds the world’s nations together as a community.
The Internet, social media platforms, and Artificial Intelligence offer us the illusion of connectivity, when in fact they reinforce isolation by using algorithms that ensure we do not receive new ideas and perspectives, but rather more of the same. We are served alternative facts and manipulated images, making it easier to disseminate disinformation and sow seeds of division.
These are dangerous times. Our world is currently experiencing a rise in nationalism and economic instability. There is a general breakdown of multilateralism; various acts of aggression have been committed against the sovereignty of others, and nations are attempting to circumvent the very safeguards put in place to prevent large-scale global conflict.
These conditions are all too similar to the ones that led to the League of Nations’ failure in fulfilling its mandate. The denial of visas to President Abbas and the Palestinian delegation sets a bad precedent and should be deeply worrying to all member nations.
Ghana recognised the state of Palestine in 1988 and supported a two-state solution to the conflict.
Contrary to the claims of some, a two-state solution would not be a reward for Hamas but, rather, a reprieve for the hundreds of thousands of innocent people who have been facing collective punishment and forced starvation for no reason other than the fact that they are Palestinian.
For nearly two years, and for the fear of reprisal, we here in this General Assembly have been playing hide-and-seek with language to find the right words to help us avoid or excuse what we all know is taking place there.
But here’s the thing, it doesn’t matter what you call it: if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, well then… It must be a duck. The crimes in Gaza must stop.
Madam President,
I want to draw particular attention to the conflict in Sudan, which this body has described as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Twelve million people have had to flee their homes.
When we speak of migration, we refer to the 12 million new refugees, whom we, as a global community, should be willing to assist in much the same way that many member nations readily assisted new refugees from Ukraine.
Let’s dispense with euphemisms and dog-whistles and speak frankly. It’s not a mystery that when leaders of Western nations complain of their migration problems, they are often referring to immigrants from the Global South.
Many of those migrants are climate refugees. Interestingly, the Global North emits 75% more greenhouse gases than the Global South. However, the effects of climate change are more severe in the Global South because we lack the resources to address them effectively.
So, when the desert encroaches and our villages and towns become unlivable, we are forced to flee.
Warsan Shire, a Somali-British poet born in Kenya to Somalian refugee parents, was London’s first Youth Poet Laureate. She writes in her poem titled “Home”.
You have to understand that no one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land No one burns their palms
under trains beneath carriages
No one spends days and nights in the stomach of a truck feeding on newspaper unless the miles travelled mean something more than a journey.
Madam President,
We cannot normalise cruelty. We cannot normalise hatred.
We cannot normalise xenophobia and racism.
If we are going to tell a story, let’s not tell it slant. Let’s tell all the truth.
When we speak of migrants, we speak of Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, a judge on the US District Court for the Central District of California. She is the first Black female judge on any of California’s four federal district courts. She was born in America to immigrant parents from Ghana.
We speak of Peter Bossman, a medical doctor born in Ghana who moved to the town of Piran in Slovenia in the 1980s. He later became the first Black mayor of Piran, the first Black mayor in Slovenia, and in the whole of Eastern Europe.
We speak of T-Michael, the iconic Ghanaian-Norwegian artist and designer, and the late Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, who was born in Ghana but spent his adulthood in various places in America and Europe.
These are people who have brought great distinction to the countries that they call home. Just as the migrants and the children of migrants before them did. These are not invaders or criminals.
Madam President,
The slave trade must be recognised as the greatest crime against humanity. As African Champion on reparations, Ghana intends to introduce a motion in this August body to that effect.
More than twelve and a half million Africans were forcibly taken against their will and transported to create wealth for the powerful Western nations.
We must demand reparations for the enslavement of our people and the colonisation of our land that resulted in the theft of natural resources, as well as the looting of artefacts and other items of cultural heritage that have yet to be returned in total. We recognise the value of our land and the value of our lives.
As did our coloniser, as well as the governments that happily paid reparations to former slave owners as compensation for the loss of their “property”—that “property” for which compensation was paid referred to enslaved people who had been freed.
Madam President,
An increasingly insecure world is witnessing upward spending on defence budgets of bilateral partners and steep cuts in Official Development Assistance. Since July 2024, there has been a 40% drop in humanitarian aid to Africa.
In this era of global uncertainty, Africa must exercise sovereignty over its natural resources to raise the necessary funds to ensure the well-being of its citizens.
The days of parceling out vast concession areas to foreign interests for exploitation must come to an end. We will continue to welcome foreign investment, but we must negotiate better for a bigger share of the natural resources that belong to us.
We are tired of the continued image of poverty-stricken, disease-ridden rural communities, living at the periphery of huge foreign-controlled natural resource concession areas. We are tired of having people extract the most they can from us and, in return, offer us the very least by way of respect, consideration, and dignity.
We are tired of not being represented in ways that reveal the richness and complexity of our history or acknowledge all that we have overcome to arrive here, in this liminal space of untold possibilities.
Allow me to echo the Indian-American writer, Arundhati Roy, who wrote: “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”
I want to add that for the sake of Africa, and quite selfishly, for the sake of my 18-year-old daughter, I hope this new world that is arriving is a place of safety and equality for women and girls. To succeed, we must empower everyone, including women and girls, to reach their full potential.
In closing, Madam President,
I would like to congratulate you on your election to preside over this historic 80th General Assembly, and on being the fifth woman to hold this distinction.
I would also like to congratulate Her Excellency Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on being the first woman Vice President of Ghana. Now every Ghanaian girl knows the heights to which she can ascend.
Words matter, but issues of representation matter even more, which is why Ghana looks forward to the appointment of a woman as Secretary General of this organisation in the future.
Net-zero energy transition by 2070 will require an investment of more than $500 billion. To raise the needed funds, the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition says it will introduce tax incentives for renewable energy projects and streamline regulations to attract private sector investment.
Speaking at the West Africa Green Economy Roundtable 2025, the acting chief director of the ministry, Solomon Ajetti, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing resilient measures to drive the transition agenda.
“If you look at Ghana’s green transition, the cost to get to net zero as per the document is over 500 billion US dollars. It is not going to come from the government alone, and therefore it’s going to be private-sector-led. That is why there has to be collaboration between the public and private sectors. That collaboration is always needed,” he explained.
Chairman of the Prison Service Council, Apostle Alexander Nanakum Labi, highlighted the importance of faith-based organizations, including the church, in promoting advocacy for the energy transition and supporting the fight against illegal mining.
“The church has a lot to do. We have to really engage, work very hard, and speak to the conscience of the people, especially those who come to church and those who go to the mosque. We consider about 98%. So if we all believe in the God who created the universe, we can’t sit alone and see the environment destroyed each generation. The church has a major role to play,” he emphasized.
Director of Pent Media Center, Pastor Dr. Phelix Deakluche, also stressed the need for strong multi-stakeholder collaboration to design practical solutions towards building a green economy.
“As a Pent Media Center, it’s imperative that we organize what we call the West African Green Economy Roundtable discussion so that we can bring together academia, captains of industry, the clergy, and other stakeholders and environmental advocates to sit at the same table and decide how best this issue of green economy will become a reality,” he stated.
Meanwhile in February this year, the Energy and Green Transition Minister, John Abdulai Jinapor, held a crucial meeting with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and other key stakeholders to strategize on ensuring a stable and reliable electricity supply.
This came on the back of threats against power suppliers and ballooning debts that continue to plague the sector.
Discussions held at the Ministry of Energy on Monday, February 24, focused on identifying long-term solutions to Ghana’s power sector challenges. Representatives from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), and other power-generating entities participated in the engagement, to assess the sector’s pressing issues.
Key concerns raised included fuel supply limitations, financial constraints affecting power producers, and the need for improved infrastructure maintenance. Participants also explored measures to enhance efficiency and prevent extended power disruptions.
Minister Jinapor reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with industry players to stabilize electricity supply, emphasizing that collective action is crucial for strengthening power generation and distribution across the country.
“Ensuring a stable and reliable power supply remains a priority, and we will continue to engage all relevant stakeholders to address the challenges affecting the sector,” he stated.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to implement immediate measures to mitigate power disruptions while working on long-term reforms.
The minister assured the public that regular updates would be provided as efforts to resolve the power supply challenges progress.
Moreover Ghana’s energy sector is burdened with significant debt, which has escalated to over $3 billion as of January 2025. This debt includes financial obligations to Independent Power Producers (IPPs), which stood at $1.2 billion as of October 2024.
The country has been experiencing frequent power outages and load shedding, commonly referred to as “dumsor.” This has been a major issue, affecting both residential and industrial sectors.
Ghana’s electricity is generated from a mix of hydro, thermal, and renewable energy sources. However, the country has lost 10% of its total electricity generation capacity. The current peak demand has surged to 3,618 MW, significantly exceeding the available capacity of 3,251 MW.
The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has 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, made this known at GRIDCo headquarters in Tema on Thursday, September 25
Mr Otchere stated that maintenance teams now face attacks when they attempt to access some 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 adds that the galamseyers are weakening the towers, which are carefully engineered to withstand immense weight and pressure.
He appealed for urgent assistance from national security agencies to protect transmission corridors and avert the potential collapse of towers.
Meanwhile, The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and MP for Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has announced the government’s new strategy as part of efforts to eradicate illegal mining, also known as galamsey, in the country.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, September 16, Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the government will, in the coming days, the government will deploy soldiers to permanently guard 44 galamsey hotspots, including waterbodies.
“All the 44 areas that are threatened by galamsey, there is going to be a permanent military presence,” he added.
The government’s recent move is a response to mounting calls for the declaration of a state of emergency on galamsey.
Meanwhile, the FixTheCountry movement will embark on vigil and march sessions on Sunday, September 21, and Monday, September 22, respectively, at Revolution Square in Accra, in response to illegal mining activities, locally known as galamsey, in the country.
This information was disclosed by the group’s convenor, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, September 15.“On Sunday 21st September, we will have a vigil at the Revolution Square, and on Monday 22nd (a holiday), there will be a march, calling attention to the urgency of our environmental crisis,” he wrote.
In his post he stressed that the solution to end the menace requires collective efforts, hence, he called on all and sundry to participate in the upcoming protest.
“The responsibility to protect and preserve the environment is by divine assignment, ours as a people,” he wrote, adding that the issue transcends electoral politics.Our responsibility to end galamsey does not end at elections. Nor does it begin after our party loses one. This is bigger than petty politics,” he emphasised.
Illegal mining activities continue to retrogress the country’s development, as they lead to the loss of lives, destruction of properties and the environment, and water bodies, among others.For years, the country’s efforts to nip the canker in the bud have not yielded the needed results.
Among measures taken to protect water bodies from illegal miners is the deployment of river guards. The river guards are selected from communities most affected by illegal mining, ensuring they have a deep understanding of the local landscape and challenges.
Govt’s efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities
The government has rolled out an official order requiring all machinery used in mining operations to be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) by 1st August.
A statement issued by the Ministry of the Interior on Tuesday, July 15, states that the state will go ahead to confiscate unregistered mining equipment after the deadline.
“The Government, as part of efforts to reform the mining sector in the country, requires that all machinery used in mining activities must be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) by 1st August 2025. Equipment that remains unregistered after this deadline will be confiscated by the State,” the Ministry stated on its website.
Mr Mubarak has empowered the Ghana Police Service and DVLA to begin strict enforcement of the new rule from August 2. “The Ghana Police Service and DVLA have been directed to enforce this directive from 2nd August 2025 onward rigorously. The general public, especially those who use mining machinery, is advised to take note and comply with the directive,” he wrote.
The Ministry reiterates its resolve to maintain national peace through effective internal security and law enforcement.
Meanwhile, a similar directive came in months ago, where excavator owners and operators were asked to register their machines with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) within two weeks or risk losing them to the state, as the government intensifies efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey, issued the directive in Accra, warning that effective June 1, any excavator not registered with the DVLA will be confiscated.
Speaking at a press briefing, Mr. Kotey announced that the Ghana Police Service and the DVLA’s operational team commenced a nationwide enforcement after the deadline, arresting and impounding excavators being used at mining sites or for commercial purposes without proper documentation.
“This exercise will help identify every excavator that enters the country and trace how it is being used. The goal is to ensure we can monitor and hold people accountable,” Mr. Kotey said.
The directive fell in line with Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683), which mandates the registration of all motor vehicles and trailers, including farm and heavy-duty equipment.
Despite the law, the DVLA found many unregistered excavators operating in mining areas, some of which have been used in illegal activities.
Mr. Kotey emphasized that the DVLA, with its 34 offices nationwide, could register all excavators and farm machinery within two weeks and was ready to strictly enforce the directive.
“Excavators in the hands of illegal miners have worsened the destruction of our environment. This is why we must act,” Mr Kotey said.
To further control the situation, the DVLA, in collaboration with key agencies like the Minerals Commission, National Security, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), commenced tagging all newly imported excavators.
In addition to tagging new imports, the Minerals Commission was tasked with leading a team to tag all excavators already in the country. Legal small-scale mining sites have also been geo-fenced, with their site coordinates integrated into the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking software for better oversight.
The move is part of the government’s broader efforts to combat illegal mining. Three months ago, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah announced the rollout of a system to monitor excavator imports and usage, involving port tagging and digital tracking in partnership with several state agencies.
According to the sector minister. The third most valuable item imported into this country is excavators, and it is worth GHC6.2 billion.
Crack down on illegal mining activities
In April, a total of 47 individuals were arrested for engaging in illegal mining activities along the Tano River and within the Aboi, Subri, and Nimiri forests in the Western Region. This followed a special four-day intelligence-led operation that commenced on April 17, within the Samreboi enclave.
According to the Ghana Police Service, the suspects include 39 Ghanaians and 8 Chinese nationals. The Police indicated that a significant amount of equipment and materials believed to have been used for the mining operations were retrieved.
These include seventeen excavators, one bulldozer, four motorbikes, two Toyota Hilux vehicles, one Rav4 vehicle, four pump-action guns, one single-barreled gun, fifty-four live BB cartridges, and eight pumping machines.
Prosecution began for the arrested suspects. On Tuesday, 41 of them were arraigned, with 29 remanded into Police custody to reappear before the court on April 30, 2025. Twelve others were also remanded to return to court on May 2, 2025.
The remaining seven were put before the court on April 23, 2025.Two coordinated operations conducted on Friday, June 20, at Nikanika and Adeade in the Central Region led to the arrest of 3 suspects and the seizure of several pieces of mining equipment.
The operations were executed by the Ghana Police Service through its Special Anti-Galamsey Task Force. The task force proceeded to a mining site at Nikanika. Although no operators were found at the scene, the team retrieved a single-barrel shotgun loaded with a cartridge and three water-pumping machines.
The task force extended its operation to Adeade, where three suspects—Prosper Quansah, Chrispin Nartey, and Owusu Gambra—were arrested with an excavator on a lowbed trailer.
One SANY excavator, four unregistered Haojin motorbikes, and one lowbed vehicle with registration number GN 2136-24 were seized from the scene. All exhibits were secured in police custody.
Some 12 accused persons standing trial for engaging in illegal mining activities at Tumetu near Princess Town in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region have been remanded into prison custody. While 10 of the accused persons were arrested at a palm plantation, two were arrested at the Elluabo Chavene Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL) plantation.
This was due to a coordinated police intelligence-led operation within the Ahanta West Municipality. The accused persons are Lord Yankey, Caleb Adu Kwaw, Stephen Agyei, Ebenezer Barnes, Mathew Somagevi, Paa Grant, Bashiru Kaviru, Joseph Borney, Aminu Issah, Kofi Sogah, Albert Normah, and Robert Mensah.
Four water pumping machines, one tricycle with registration number M-20-WR 1045, and two motorbikes were retrieved from the sites, according to the police.
All twelve accused persons admitted to the offence during police interrogations. They were subsequently put before the Takoradi Harbour Area Circuit Court ‘A’, and were remanded into prison custody at Sekondi and reappeared before the court on Tuesday, July 8.
Also, fifteen individuals are in police custody for engaging in illegal mining activities at Manso Adubia. They were arrested following a special intelligence-led operation at Watreso and Preacher Krom.
The suspects include Tahiru Ibrahim (24), Shaibu Idrissu, (23), Boateng Emmanuel (27), Jamon Kwaku Samuel (21), Yaro Patrick (29), Kofi Boakye (21), Gubong Mathew (45), Fatawu Zackari Seidu (26), and Abdul Malik Seidu (22).
The others are Dauda Tahiru (23), Sampson Grace (21), Boolangkpuo Freda (24), Arima Hagar (26), Kwarteng Vasco (30), and Kwame Adutwum (24).
Two excavator control boards, two automatic pump-action guns, two Musler 12 firearms, 59 BB cartridges, three AA cartridges, one water pumping machine, two power generators, one vulcanizing machine, and one Apsonic motorbike were seized from the site.
Grammy-winning rapper Cardi-B has revealed that the process to divorce her estranged husband, Offset has stalled because of his demands from her, such as money and properties.
During a livestream on X spaces on Monday, the 32-year-old confidently stated that she will not succumb to those demands.
“The only reason why I’m still married is because somebody wants me to pay for their taxes,” the Grammy-winning rapper stated without mentioning Offset’s name. “Y’all wanna know the tea? The only way I can get out of my marriage is if I pay for somebody else’s taxes, even though I pay for my own, and give them one of my properties. I’mma fight for that. This is no love shit. I’m not gonna stop living my life,” Cardi B stated.
It is alleged that Cardi B spilled the tea over backlash from netizens because she has already moved on with another man, Stefon Diggs and is expecting a baby with him.
In 2023, Cardi B responded to public accusations of adultery made by her husband, Offset. The situation garnered attention as both parties navigate the challenges within their relationship.
Offset stated in an Instagram post uploaded on his official Instagram account that his wife slept with a man behind his back.
“My wife fcked a nigga on me gang yall nigga know how I come,” Offset said.
Cardi B fashioned a song out of her answer on Twitter, implying that her husband was accusing her of the same thing he does.
The couple’s relationship has been rocky in the past, with multiple public breakups and reconciliations.
Cardi B had stated that if she ever divorced her spouse, she would write hit songs about the event. She further stated that if they divorced, she would marry another wealthy man.
Cardi B went on to advise her fans not to lend their ears to Offset’s words. She emphasized that he was attempting to shift blame onto her for actions he knew he was guilty of. Urging her followers not to pay attention to Offset’s words, she dismissed him as a mere “country man.”
She asserted her identity as Cardi B and reminded everyone that she was not just anybody.
Cardi B confidently stated that if she were involved with anyone intimately, she would make it known, highlighting her refusal to engage in clandestine amorous affairs.
In her words:
“You can’t accuse me of the things you know you are guilty of and I see that it’s easy for you to blame everything on me.
“Don’t pay attention to that country man you all.
“Come on now, I’m Cardi B and I think motherfuckers forget I’m Cardi B. If I was giving out my body to anybody, it would be out. I’m not just anybody.”
Netizens have reacted to the incident, with many expressing sympathy for Cardi B and condemning her husband’s actions.
Others said Offset can’t handle everything he throws at her and that he should be more understanding of his wife’s career.
authentik_fitwears said: “She said she’s gon upgrade dude.”
callmedamy said: “Let the divorce begins.”
captain__linda said: “Did I hear her say upgrade.”
ndukauba_anthonia commented: “So he can’t work it out with her? Seek counselling, maybe he’s gained extra weight or maybe doesn’t know better ways of satisfying her…”
king_mayorblack reacted: “Man had a taste of his medicine.”
iam_veekee_ reacted: “Most Nigerian men deserves a character like cardi B.”
evelyn_ xX said: “Pray for your wife. Be a good husband.”
worha sonia said: “The day offset married Cardi B he married both gold and thorn, he should pick which one he wants to live with.”
In 2023, Cardi B announced she had broken up with her spouse, rapper Offset.
She revealed in an Instagram Live that she had been dropping hints that she and her partner are no longer together on social media.
“I’ve been single for a minute now, but I have been afraid to like… not afraid, I just don’t know how to tell the world. But I feel like today has been a sign,” she said. “The last time I got on Live, I kind of wanted to tell you guys. But I didn’t know how to tell you, so I changed my mind. But it has been like this for a minute now. I just took it as a sign.”
The “sign” she was referring to was some online messiness in which Offset’s name was part of an allegation of infidelity that he has denied on social media.
“I don’t think it’s true, I don’t care to find out,” Cardi B said of the chatter.
It seems like she would prefer to concentrate on the future.
“I want to start 2024, like, fresh, open,” she said during the IG Live. “I don’t know. I’m curious for a new life, for a new beginning. And yeah, I’m excited.”
In October 2017, the pair publicly announced their engagement when he proposed to her onstage. Subsequently, it was disclosed that they had privately tied the knot in his hometown of Atlanta in September of the same year.
Together, they share a daughter named Kulture, aged 5, and a son named Wave, aged 2.
Cardi B. and Offset have experienced multiple separations in the past, notably in 2018 when he made a grand gesture by crashing her performance at the Rolling Loud Festival in Los Angeles to plead for her reconciliation.
The couple’s first child, RZA Athelston Mayers, was born on May 13, 2022.
During her performance at the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime in Phoenix, Rihanna pulled down the zipper of her jacket to show off her expanding baby bump, announcing to the world that she is expecting a second child.
Ahead of the baby’s coming, the celebrity couple A$AP Rocky and Rihanna made headlines when they confirmed they were expecting their third child during the 2025 Met Gala in New York.
The iconic singer and beauty mogul, 37, revealed her baby bump while posing for cameras on the red carpet, elegantly dressed and glowing with joy.
Holding her growing belly with pride, Rihanna closed out the arrivals at fashion’s biggest night, making a grand entrance that sparked excitement among fans and media alike.
Her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, confirmed the news while walking the red carpet. He graciously thanked reporters who congratulated them and hinted at the reveal by saying, “It is time to just show the people what we were cooking up.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he added. “I’m glad everybody’s happy for us because we’re definitely happy.”
The couple, who already share two sons, are known for turning high-profile appearances into moments of personal celebration. Rihanna previously debuted her first pregnancy in a Harlem photoshoot in 2022 and surprised the world with news of her second during her Super Bowl halftime show performance in 2023.
This year’s Met Gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” marked a significant occasion in the fashion calendar, with A$AP Rocky serving as one of the co-chairs. The event celebrated Black menswear and style innovation, and the couple’s appearance added a personal, heartfelt highlight to the night.
Rihanna’s third pregnancy reveal continues her trend of blending iconic fashion moments with major life announcements—solidifying her reputation for rewriting the rules on celebrity culture and maternity style.
In April last year, Nigerian comedian and skit maker Sabinus became a father, announcing the arrival of his newborn baby during an Instagram live session on Thursday, April 4.
Sabinus, who was then on a tour in the UK for shows and other engagements, shared the joyful news of his wife Ciana’s delivery.The couple welcomed their first child, although Sabinus didn’t disclose the baby’s gender during the announcement.
The comedian was visibly elated as he cradled his newborn, marking a significant milestone in his personal life.Sabinus and Ciana had tied the knot in a private ceremony early in 2023, with the comedian previously crediting his wife for inspiring his career growth.
In past interactions with fans, Sabinus revealed that Ciana played a pivotal role in his professional journey, encouraging him to relocate from Port Harcourt to Lagos to pursue his dreams in stand-up comedy.
Nigerian actor Emeka Ike and his family rejoiced as they welcomed a new member into their fold.
On Thursday, March 21, 2024, the actor shared the delightful news of the birth of his baby girl, whom he named Chidera Comfort Thando Ike.This timely occasion coincides with the veteran actor’s birthday, making it a double blessing for the Ike family.
Emeka Ike honoured his late mother by giving his daughter the name Chidera Comfort Thando Ike. His late mother, Comfort Okwuchi Ike, passed away in November 2023 at the age of 90.
In a heartfelt message, Emeka expressed his gratitude to God for filling the void left by his mother’s passing with the arrival of his newborn daughter.
The actor also extended his thanks to his wife for her strength and perseverance during the birthing process, acknowledging the profound experience and joy of welcoming their child into the world. Emeka Ike shared his joy on social media, posting pictures and videos of the memorable moments with his family and their precious new addition.
Emeka Ike’s message on social media read, “ITS A DOUBLE BLESSING FOR ONE LOSS…Happy BIRTHDAY to me and WELCOME to baby, Chidera COMFORT Thando Ike. The good LORD has filled the huge vacuum that Mama COMFORT Okwuchi Ike left behind, with another COMFORT Chidera T Ike. My family and I are COMFORTED and can’t ask for any better, this solemn time. Thank you to my beautiful wife for taking the pains, of this wonderful gift.”
In Ghana, Ghanaian actress and socialite Rosemond Brown, widely known as Akuapem Poloo, joyfully announced the birth of her second child in March this year.
Taking to Instagram on March 17, 2025, the actress shared stunning images of her baby bump, clad in an elegant all-white outfit, to mark the special occasion. She accompanied the post with a heartfelt message, expressing her deep gratitude to God.
“In His own time, He makes everything beautiful. God, I’m grateful,” she wrote.
One of the touching images featured her first child, proudly holding a placard that read, “Promoted to Big Brother,” capturing the excitement of the growing family.
The news sparked an outpouring of congratulatory messages from fans and celebrities across Ghana and Nigeria, celebrating this new chapter in Akuapem Poloo’s life.
The New Patriotic Party has formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, over what it describes as state-sponsored harassment of political opponents and the return of the culture of silence.
According to a statement shared by the leadership of the party on September 23, the NPP said the petition was meant to draw attention to the increasing spate of state-sponsored harassment of political opponents, particularly members of the party, culminating in the gradual return of the dreaded culture of silence.
Below are the concerns raised in the petition by the NPP:
“Since the assumption of office of the John Mahama administration on January 7, 2025, the nation’s traditional and social media space has been replete with stories of politically motivated harassments and intimidation of members of the opposition as well as the suppressing of dissenting voices in the country including journalists and social media activists who are critical of the government.”
“Regrettably, these acts of intimidation and harassment are being carried out by the police and other security agencies who are working under the instruction of the NDC government. In other words, the John Mahama administration has become extremely intolerant of dissent and is bent on using state institutions including the Judiciary, National Security, EOCO, NIB, and the police to clamp down on all critical voices in the country. Ghana is witnessing a gradual return of the dreaded culture of silence and the era of criminal libel despite the repeal of the criminal libel law, which signaled the nation’s bold declaration in decriminalizing speech.”
“This development is not only disturbing but also represents a monumental betrayal of the very democratic principles upon which Ghana was founded. State institutions are being weaponized not in the fight against galamsey or to fight the growing insecurity situation in parts of the country such as Bawku, Gbeniyiri, Nkwanta, etc. Rather, these institutions of State are being used to settle personal scores, intimidate and harass political opponents and clamp down on free speech.”
“Today, the police and national security operatives are more interested in arresting and persecuting social media activists such as “Facebookers” and “Tiktokers” for allegedly insulting public officials and making or posting disparaging remarks about government officials than fighting insecurity in the country. Even in the so-called application of the law, the police are being selective, arresting only perceived members of the NPP whilst pretending not to see nor hear members of the NDC who engage in similar or worse conduct.”
“We make mention of the unlawful arrest and detention of an NPP social media activist by name, Daniel Adomako alias “Sir-Obama Pokuase” whom the police, in a statement, claimed, was to assist them investigate a matter following a post he made on his Facebook page. How do you arrest and detain somebody you claim is assisting you in an investigation? We have also witnessed the arrest of veteran journalist Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, alongside Agyenkwaa Nana Kofi Asare (Journalist, Wontumi TV), Gordon Asare Bediako ((Journalist, Wontumi TV), Alfred Ababio (Adenta Kumi), Mohammed Amadou Zakou and several pro-opposition TikTokers, including FanteComedy, Yayra Adiw (North Tongu NPP Women Organizer), Priscilla Duah Birago, and Charity Dede Tetteh (who were arrested at Nhyiaso, Kumasi and were transferred to Accra and detained for 96 hours before being arraigned before court), among others.”
“The most striking example is the recent Rambo-style arrest and detention of the Bono Regional Chairman of the NPP, Kwame Baffoe ‘Abronye’ by the police for allegedly insulting and making false claims against the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohunu. Meanwhile, the law is that, if any Ghanaian, including the IGP feels defamed or falsely accused, his remedy in law is by way of civil suit such as defamation and not criminal prosecution. An IGP should not be abusing his office to settle personal scores with the very people he is supposed to protect.”
“Criminalization of speech has no place in a democracy, and certainly not when this country went through the painstaking process of repealing the criminal and seditious libel law in 2001. We cannot take one step forward and two steps backwards.”
“Beyond the increasing criminalization of speech and clamping down on dissent, we are witnessing series of state-sponsored thuggery in the forms of midnight or dawn-raids of the residences of some of the immediate past government officials including the former governor of the Bank of Ghana and former Finance Minister by supposed operatives of National Security and the National Investigative Bureau(BNI) some of whom engage in theft when they embark on these raids at the homes of the former government officials.”
“Even more concerning is the consistent flouting by the Security Agencies of the Constitution of Ghana particularly Article 14 on the grant of bail to persons arrested or detained. The Constitution requires that such persons be brought before court within 48 hours or be released either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions as may be necessary to ensure they appear at a later date for trial. Thus, an accused person who is not tried within reasonable time is entitled to bail irrespective of the nature of the offense.”
“But today, NPP members who are arrested are being detained for over 48 hours in flagrant disregard of their human rights. When the lawyers for these accused persons request for bail from the security agencies, they are slapped with onerous bail conditions that are virtually impracticable to meet, effectively denying them bail as in the case of our Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Womtumi), and former Buffer Stock CEO, Mr. Abdul-Wahab Hanan Aludiba and his wife who were slapped with GH¢ 50 million and GH¢ 80 million bail conditions respectively. Similar treatment has been meted out to others beyond the NPP, including Mr. Percival Kofi Akpaloo, leader of the Liberal Party of Ghana, and Mr. Charles Nii Armah (Shatta Wale), both of whom were subjected to bail conditions of GH¢10 million.”
“Furthermore, it is imperative to highlight the cases involving Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta and Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid at the Office of the Special Prosecutor, which depict a classic example of political persecution. In addition, this same OSP also arrested ace journalist, Mr. Paul Adom-Otchere under very bizarre circumstances. These instances collectively underscore the abuse of power and the weaponization of state agencies to intimidate and harass political opponents.”
“Meanwhile, the law in Ghana per Section 96 of the Criminal and Other Offenses Procedure Act, (Act 30) and the Supreme Court decision in Okoe v The Republic; Martin Kpebu v AG (No.2); as well as the Frank Benneh case, is that bail should not be withheld merely as a punishment and that bail conditions must not be unreasonable or onerous so as to amount to constructive refusal to grant it. This is anchored on the constitutional principle enshrined in Article 19(2)(c) that a person accused of committing an offense shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, under this John Mahama administration, such persons are rather presumed guilty until they prove their innocence. We say this playout during the arrest of Chairman Wontumi, Adu Boahen, Abdul Wahab Hannan and many others who are perceived to be members of the NPP.”
“The Judiciary which is supposed to be the last vanguard of rule of law has also, sadly, been captured by the Executive particularly after the unlawful removal of the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Araba Torkonoo. Judges fear to dispense justice according to the law because they fear that they may also suffer the same fate as Justice Torkonoo. Judges are now telling us that we are all not equal before the law and are quoting dictators like Idi Amin of Uganda to justify the unlawful detention of citizens in a democracy. How pathetic!”
“There is a Ghana for NDC members and there is another Ghana for members of the opposition. In the NDC Ghana, when the police effect arrests, nobody gets to see the suspects being arrested; the suspects are not handcuffed; the suspects are not remanded; the suspects are granted bail by the police within 24 hours. But, in the NPP Ghana, persons accused of committing even misdemeanor offenses, are arrested in Rambo-style, bundled up into police vehicles like notorious international terrorists. They are presumed guilty until they prove their innocence. When they appeal for bail, they are slapped with unreasonable bail conditions in order to keep them in detention even before they are tried.”
“It would be recalled that we formally petitioned the Ghana police through the IGP on 3rd September with a complaint of criminal conduct by National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Awudu Sofo Azorka alias Chairman Azorka and the NDC’s Constituency Communications Officer for Abuakwa North, Abdul Wahab Amadu, against officers of the NPP including Members of Parliament during the Akwatia by-election held on Tuesday, 2nd September, 2025. They physically assaulted the NPP 3rd National Vice Chairman and threatened the lives of the Minority Leader, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin; the Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Frank Annoh Dompreh and the NPP National Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye. Till date, the police are yet to take any decisive action on our petition despite the incontrovertible evidence we submitted to them.”
OUR DEMANDS: 1) President Mahama and the NDC government should put an immediate stop to the ongoing political harassment and persecution of our members.
2) There should be an immediate stop on the continuous criminalization of speech,attacks on press freedom and the suppressing of dissenting voices in the country.
The intimidation and victimization of journalists and social media activists such as ‘facebookers’ and ‘tiktoker’ who are critical of the government must end now.
3) The police should act on our petition and provide an update on the so-called arrest of Chairman Azorka including details of his charges, bail conditions, and the date of court hearings.
4) We demand that the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies immediately put an end to the Rambo styled midnight arrests of opposition members.
5) We call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the NDC Constituency Communications Officer for Abuakwa North, Abdul Wahab Amadu, for threatening the lives of our leaders.
6) We demand immediate cessation of the continuous weaponization of state institutions against perceived political opponents of the government
7) We call on the judiciary to rise to the occasion as the true vanguard of the rule of law. The fundamental law of Ghana provides that all citizens are equal before the law and must be treated fairly. The equality before the law principle applies in full force whether you are an IGP or an Abronye and we expect our judges to be bold and stand up against Executive interference in dispensing justice.
8) We call on all peace-loving Ghanaians and defenders of democracy, particularly CSOs, the media, as well as traditional and religious leaders, to join us in fighting this growing state-sponsored tyranny and political persecution happening in the country.
The NPP concluded by indicating that they remain resolute in their commitment to uphold the rule of law, protect the constitutional and human rights of citizens, and restore public trust in our democratic institutions.
Data from the Upper East Regional Health Directorate suggest that mental health conditions account for over 2,000 outpatient visits annually.
Over 2,000 mental health cases, 27 suicide deaths recorded between 2023, 2025 in Upper East Region
The most worrying situation according to the directorates is suicide deaths, where in 2023, 7 deaths were recorded, 13 in 2024 and 7 in the first quarter of 2025 and attempted suicide from 2023 to 2025 were 269 cases.
The District Health Management Information System (DHIMS), in the Upper East Region also recorded 210 depression cases in 2023, 137 in 2024 and 108 cases in the first quarter of 2025.
Between 2023 and the first quarter of 2025, a total of 509 cases of mental disorders due to alcohol use, 557 cases of psychoactive substance use disorders, and 270 cases of bipolar disorders were recorded. In the region.
The Upper East Region continues to grapple with major gaps in mental health service delivery, largely due to the absence of a state-owned psychiatric facility and the limited number of trained professionals, most of whom are concentrated in district hospitals. These challenges mean many mental health cases either go untreated or are poorly managed, while stigma and cultural misconceptions still portray mental illness as curses.
To help address the situation, Public Health at Your Doorstep (Healing Wheels), an initiative founded by public health nurse and Mandela Washington Fellow, Gifty Atampugbire, is training nurses across the region in basic mental health care. The project, supported by the United States Government, is aimed at equipping frontline health workers with the skills to provide quality mental health services in the absence of state-owned facilities.
So far, training sessions have been rolled out in several districts with growing participation from health professionals. The number of trainees has increased from 50 to 250, a development Mrs. Atampugbire attributes to the strong support of the U.S. government and the commitment of local stakeholders.
“In all five northern regions, we do not have a single state-owned psychiatric hospital. Yet, the first point of contact for most patients is usually a nurse or a midwife, who often lack the basic skills to handle mental health cases,” she explained in an interview with 3News.
“While we wait for such a facility, why not build the capacity of nurses? I submitted a proposal, and the U.S. government funded it, providing consultants to help train on a critical aspect of mental health – mental health first aid.”
According to her, the training empowers nurses to recognize early warning signs of mental health or substance-use challenges, engage patients in relevant conversations, offer immediate support, and provide referrals to specialists when necessary.
Despite the progress, Mrs. Atampugbire expressed frustration over the difficulties of mobilizing resources for mental health interventions. “We can no longer look away. Rising cases of alcohol and substance abuse are destroying our young people and weakening our national workforce. This is why I brought the training to the people of the Upper East Region, where there is no state-level facility. We thank the U.S. Department of State and our partners for the support, but I call on government and regional leaders to invest in mental health because it is a neglected yet pressing public health issue,” she urged.
Her call is timely, as the Ghana Mental Health Authority recently reported a 40 percent increase in suicide deaths nationwide in 2024, with 475 attempts recorded in the first half of 2025 alone.
Felicia Mason-Edwards, Director of Mental Health Peer Support at Texas Health and Human Services, who traveled to Ghana to support the training, described the initiative as “an investment in dignity and the right to accessible mental health care.”
She stressed that equipping every health worker, from CHPS compounds to regional hospitals, ensures individuals in crisis find safe, nonjudgmental support at their first point of contact.
The program has also changed the perspectives of local health workers. Atanga Henrietta, a senior nursing officer at Talensi District, admitted that before the training, many health staff and families were hesitant to interact with mentally ill persons, often resorting to chaining or isolating them.
“This program has opened my eyes to better ways of engaging and supporting them. I now understand the right approach is to get closer and provide care, not push them away,” she reflected.
Currently, nurses and other frontline workers in nine districts and municipalities are benefitting from the training, which aims to bridge the treatment gap, reduce stigma, and strengthen mental health support systems in the Upper East Region.
Petitions against Deputy Director of Communications Ernest Owusu Bempah have been referred to the New Patriotic Party’s National Council for consideration.
This was announced in a statement released by on Tuesday September 24 after the party said it received several petitions from members demanding his removal from office over a conduct of “grave concern”
“The Party reaffirms its unwavering commitment to upholding discipline, safeguarding its values, and ensuring that all matters are handled with fairness and transparency” the statement signed by the general secretary Justin Kodua indicated.
On the issue of removal petitions, the former Chief Justice Getrude Torkornoo has faced a similar challenge.
The Chief Justice was earlier suspended by President Mahama on Tuesday, April 22, after a prima facie case was established, following separate petitions calling for her removal.
A series of petitions filed against Chief Justice Torkornoo, beginning with one from a group known as Shining Stars of Ghana.
The group alleged she violated Article 144 of the Constitution by personally recommending judges for promotion to the Supreme Court, and further claims she ruled on a case involving the Speaker of Parliament without granting him a hearing, despite his refusal to respond to the suit.
A series of petitions filed against Chief Justice Torkornoo, beginning with one from a group known as Shining Stars of Ghana. The group alleges she violated Article 144 of the Constitution by personally recommending judges for promotion to the Supreme Court, and further claims she ruled on a case involving the Speaker of Parliament without granting him a hearing, despite his refusal to respond to the suit.
The group alleges she violated Article 144 of the Constitution by personally recommending judges for promotion to the Supreme Court, and further claims she ruled on a case involving the Speaker of Parliament without granting him a hearing, despite his refusal to respond to the suit.
Another petition from a police officer who is also a lawyer accuses the Chief Justice of manipulating evidence and abusing her authority, following an incident during a Supreme Court session where he was reportedly reprimanded, arrested, and detained.
However, court records suggest the lawyer’s conduct during proceedings prompted a unanimous caution from the bench, not just the Chief Justice.
A third petition, submitted by a private individual, lists 21 alleged misconducts and four claims of incompetence. Among the accusations is the misuse of public funds—specifically, that she spent over GH¢261,000 and $30,000 on a family trip abroad in 2023 and misused an additional GH¢75,580 and $14,000 during another foreign assignment without proper accountability.
Subsequent reports indicate two more petitions have been added to the list, intensifying pressure on the judiciary.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, in her written response to President Mahama, strongly denied allegations of misconduct and abuse of office brought against her by a senior police officer, describing them as baseless and lacking grounds for her removal from office.
In July, an application for review regarding an ‘abuse of court processes’ by the embattled Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, was dismissed by the Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court.
The court presided over by Justice Amoako on Thursday, July 31, revealed that several claims, such as illegal composition of the committee and wrongful conduct of adversarial proceedings, were already before the Supreme Court.
Justice Amoako argued that relitigating these issues would result in duplication of litigation and abuse of court processes. As such, such claims were dismissed.
The judge also dismissed reliefs such as an order of certiorari to quash the committee’s proceedings and nullify its sittings on the basis that the Chief Justice did not receive a fair hearing, on jurisdictional grounds.
The judicial review application filed on June 9 this year sought nine reliefs, which included a series of declarations that the Article 146 committee set up to probe her removal from office had acted unlawfully.
She wanted the court to prevent the committee from proceeding with its work without providing her with authenticated copies of the petitions seeking her removal and the subsequent responses.
The Chief Justice notes that the president’s purported prima facie determination contained no reasons or justification and was entirely devoid of the elements of judicial or quasi-judicial reasoning expected under the Constitution.
As the proceedings of the Article 146 committee are to be held in-camera in accordance with Article 146(8) of the Constitution, the court noted that it could not inquire into matters raised by the suspended Chief Justice.
In response, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo proceeded to the ECOWAS Community Court in Abuja, Nigeria, seeking compensation worth $10 million over her suspension from office by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama.
This forms part of 10 reliefs being requested. The Chief Justice’s recent suit follows several unsuccessful cases at the Supreme Court this year after her suspension.
The suspended Chief Justice wants the court to ensure she continues to enjoy the paraphernalia and entitlements of her office as the Chief Justice of Ghana pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The measures are;“That the Republic of Ghana suspend the disciplinary/ removal from office as Chief Justice process against the Applicant, pending the hearing and determination of the complaint on the merits.”
“That Ghana refrains from taking any other measures that may harm the rights claimed by the Applicant and /or aggravate or extend the dispute submitted to the Court, or compromise the implementation of any decision that the Court may render.”
“Given the urgency of the situation, the Applicant respectfully requests the Court to hold a hearing on this request as soon as possible, and that the President of the Court ask Ghana to act in order to allow any order that the Court may issue on the Request for Assignment of Precautionary Measures to have its appropriate effect.”
The other reliefs are as follows;
“A declaration that the panel instituted by the Respondent (Ghana) to investigate and determine the allegations of misconduct against the Applicant was not constituted to guarantee its independence and impartiality and as such has violated the Applicant’s human right to fair hearing guaranteed by Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”
“A declaration that the purported suspension of the Applicant as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana by the President of the Respondent State on 22 April 2025, constitutes a violation of her human right to fair equitable and satisfactory conditions guaranteed by Article 15 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”
“A declaration that the purported suspension of the Applicant as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana by the President of the Respondent State on 22 April 2025 has exposed her to public ridicule and odium locally and internationally and the said act constitutes a violation of her human right to dignity guaranteed by Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”
“A declaration that by subjecting the Applicant to an illegal and unfair investigation and trial since April 2025, the Respondent has inflicted injuries on her professional standing and image, thereby ‘exposing her and her family to immeasurable public ridicule.”
“An order to the Respondent Republic to act immediately to prescribe the rule of procedure to govern the investigation of allegations of misconduct against the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana in conformity with the right to fair hearing guaranteed by the Constitution of Ghana and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”
“An order directing the Respondent to immediately lift the suspension and restore the Applicant to full office until the conclusion of fair constitutional proceedings.”
“An order restraining the Respondent from continuing with the purported inquiry for the removal of the Applicant as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana in its current form, until it conforms to fair hearing guarantees.”
“An award of USD 10 million as compensation for moral and reputational damages suffered by the Applicant as a result of her illegal suspension and unfair investigation, and lastly, “Any other relief(s) as the Honourable Court deems just.”
The suspended Chief Justice wants the court to ensure she continues to enjoy the paraphernalia and entitlements of her office as the Chief Justice of Ghana pending the hearing and determination of the case. The applicant has also requested the ECOWAS Court to assign four precautionary measures to the country.Meanwhile, the government’s spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has refuted claims made by Justice Torkornoo, noting that the Chief Justice’s suspension aligns with the constitution.
On Thursday, August 14, the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association called for the immediate reinstatement of Ghana’s Chief Justice by President John Dramani Mahama and the Executive arm of government.
“Immediately and without delay, reinstate the Chief Justice of Ghana to her Office. consistent with both the hitherto strong attachment to the rule of law demonstrated by Ghana and also, the constitutional duties incumbent upon them.
“And afford the Chief justice due and fair process in the investigation and determination of the disciplinary matters brought against her, including but not limited to full and transparent access to that process by her legal representatives,” the group demanded in a joint statement issued on August 14.
Additionally, the group asked the government for a proper and impartial investigation of the disciplinary charges against her, with her lawyers given full and transparent access to the proceedings.
Also both groups demanded the establishment of transparent procedural rules to guide the disciplinary process, including a definite timeframe within which the investigative committee must conclude its work and communicate its decision.
However, Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine has emphasised that his outfit can only intervene after the committee concludes its work and submits a report to President John Dramani Mahama.“The suspension will, therefore, remain in effect until the inquiry committee completes its work and submits its report, to which His Excellency, the President will adhere,” he said.
Rapper Sarkodie has revealed that he could not afford a thing when he went shopping with Memphis and Dembélé.
Ousmane Dembélé is a 2025 Ballon d’Or winner while Memphis Depay is a Dutch-Ghanaian star.
In an interview on Lawson TV, the rapper explained that during one of their meetups in New York, Depay showed up with PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé and the three of them decided to go shopping
“Memphis is a very close friend of mine; he’s like a brother. We actually have a song together that hasn’t been released yet. During our meetup, he was accompanied by Dembélé. We went shopping together in New York.”
“I realized how much the two football stars were spending, which made me decide not to pick up anything in the store. With people like them, it’s best to have a conversation and leave the place quickly,” Sarkodie said.
Kumawood Actor,Yaw Adu, popularly known as Sumsum Ahuofe leveled some damning accusations at multiple award-winning Rapper, Sarkodie of being stingy and arrogant.
Sumsum made these allegations in an interview with Kofi Adoma on Kofi TV.
According to the comic Actor,he had an unpleasant encounter with Sarkodie when he tried exchanging pleasantries with the latter but he was reluctant to talk to him or even shake his outstretched hand.
He disclosed that, Dancehall Artistes,Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale are more easy-going.
Responding to this, Sarkodie insisted that his reluctance to give money isn’t out of selfishness.
Speaking on the +444 Podcast, which aired on X on February 26, 2025, Sarkodie revealed that some relatives and acquaintances take offense when he declines their financial requests, even if he believes they are unwarranted.
He clarified that his decision to offer financial assistance is based on necessity rather than obligation, emphasizing that he only provides support when he deems it genuinely justified.
“I’ll see what I can do” – Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie jokingly on how he tells people no, when they ask him for money.He however cleared it up that he’s straight with his no, to an extent where some people are offended by it. pic.twitter.com/pBirHzxoCW— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) February 26, 2025
I always say, ‘I will see what I can do’ when people ask me for money. I am very straightforward about that. My family keeps telling me that my ‘no’ is so firm that they feel offended. You can ask me for a thousand dollars, and I would say no, but you can ask for fifteen, and I will send it. It depends on what you say and what you need the money for. If I can’t help, of course, I will tell you I can’t do it, he added.
Sarkodie also shared how he lost a friendship due to his refusal to offer financial help.
“If someone is mad at you because of that, it means they were not meant to be in your life. There was an incident way back when I had no money. I was just starting my career, and after earning a little, I spent my last money on myself.
I had nothing left, but I knew I could go to the bank later. Then, a guy walked in and asked for money because he wanted to travel. I told him I didn’t have any, but he refused to believe me. Since then, we have not been on talking terms”, he recounted.
Nigerian comedian Sabinus has sparked a dynamic debate with his recent video, where he delves into the unexpected virtues of adopting a stingy approach to life.
In a departure from conventional narratives, Sabinus shares how saying ‘no’ to the demands of others has remarkably improved his overall well-being.
According to him, embracing this mindset has not only left him feeling fresher but also contributed to a healthier lifestyle.
This unconventional perspective on personal finance and self-care challenges the common notion that generosity is always a virtue.
Sabinus suggests that setting boundaries on one’s generosity can be a form of self-preservation, fostering a healthier and more balanced life.
While his message has sparked diverse reactions, with some critics expressing concern about discouraging potential support for others, Sabinus stands by his belief that prioritizing personal boundaries can lead to overall well-being.
Taking a humorous turn, Sabinus revisited incidents from 2022, addressing rumors about the value of his house, estimated at 100 million Naira.
He playfully debunked those rumors, highlighting the economic situation and emphasizing his modest lifestyle.
Additionally, he reflected on an incident where he replaced his Benz with a new white Mercedes Benz GLE after an accident.
This experience prompts him to advocate for insurance, using his platform to stress the importance of safeguarding one’s properties.
Nigerian Superstar Davido has officially secured a place in the Recording Academy as a Grammy voting member.
He joins the team responsible for vetting entries, nominating and ultimately selecting Grammy winners.
Davido’s induction was announced in a video shared on Instagram by The Academy on Tuesday
The Academy, which organizes the prestigious Grammy Awards will hold its 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, Pastor Nana Yaw Boakye of Royalhouse Chapel International, popularly known as MOGmusic, a Ghanaian gospel musician, also achieved a significant milestone by becoming a member of the Recording Academy in 2023.
MOGmusic’s admission into the Recording Academy makes him the first Ghanaian gospel artist from Ghana to receive this honor. His application was approved by the Grammy Board, granting him membership into the esteemed organization.
Upon receiving the news, MOGmusic expressed his elation, describing it as a dream come true.
This is the pinnacle every musician wishes to get to,” he said. “I am glad to be putting Ghana on the map once again.”
He further noted that his admission into the academy is motivation for him to do more as a gospel musician.
MOGmusic has taken his music career to new heights with the release of his latest album, ‘Koinonia Phase II.’
This follows the success of his previous album, ‘Koinonia Phase I,’ which garnered international acclaim with hit songs like “Grace,” “Mala,” “Your Presence,” “Almighty God,” “Choral Praise,” “Glory to the Lamb,” and “There’s Power.”
The highly anticipated new album features eight tracks and includes collaborations with esteemed gospel musicians such as Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Pastor Kojo Frimpong, Ps Shadrack Mensah Kwesi, Joey Saff, and Kobby Salm.
The songs on the album include “Nyankopong,” “Glorious,” “Holy Chant,” “We Cry Yahweh” featuring Pastor Kojo Frimpong, “Be Lifted Medley” featuring Donnie McClurkin, “Covenant Keeper,” “Yesu” featuring Joey Saff and Kobby Salm, and “African Praise” featuring Ps Shadrack Mensah Kwesi.
MOGmusic, a two-time winner of the VGMA Male Vocal Performance category, has gained global recognition for his soul-stirring music.
His notable tracks, including the award-winning “Be Lifted,” “Elohim,” and “Living God,” have solidified his position as a prominent figure in the gospel music industry.
Highly acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, Kwame Yeboah, has recently become a member of the Recording Academy of the Grammy Awards, further solidifying his international recognition.
This news follows closely after gospel musician MOGMusic also shared his invitation to join the Academy.
Previous Ghanaian musicians who have been members of the Recording Academy include Rocky Dawuni, Stonebwoy, and Wiyaala.
“I am honoured to be a Member of this years @recordingacademy.
I’ll be joining an amazing team of professional Musicians, Artists and Creators to serve and to celebrate music in all its creative form.
Thank you for your support and looking forward to contributing with this new opportunity,” Kwame wrote on his Facebook page.
Kwame Yeboah, a talented musician hailing from Ghana, is renowned for his skills as a guitarist, keyboardist, producer, and recording engineer.
As the leader of the Ohia Beyeya Band, he has collaborated with acclaimed artistes like Stevie Wonder, Shaggy, and Ms Dynamite.
In Ghana, he has also collaborated with notable names such as Kojo Antwi, Becca, and Osibisa. Kwame Yeboah’s impressive portfolio speaks to his versatility and the caliber of his musical prowess.
On a different matter regarding the Grammy Awards, Ghanaian musician Kofi Kinaata has addressed his stance on the pursuit of GRAMMY awards, emphasizing the importance of hard work and dedication over mere ambition.
In an interview with Nana Romeo on Accra FM on May 16, 2024, Kinaata explained why he doesn’t often talk about winning GRAMMYs, unlike many of his peers.
“It’s not like I don’t want GRAMMYs. It’s not won by words; it’s rather won by your works. We all play shows abroad… It’s a process. There’s more work to be done at home before we aim for such an award,” he said.
Kinaata’s comments highlight his belief in tangible accomplishments and consistent effort as the true path to achieving such recognition.
He urged the music community to continue working hard, stating, “A lot of musicians are playing shows; let’s keep working. Those who are ripe for GRAMMYs, we will support them, those who are not there yet, we shall get there.”
The GRAMMY Awards, presented by the Recording Academy since 1959, are one of the most prestigious accolades in the music industry, recognizing artistic and technical excellence across various genres and categories.
Winners are selected by voting members of the Recording Academy, comprising musicians, producers, and other industry professionals.
Popular Social media influencer, Ama Burland, has revealed that her fake nude leaks almost sent her to the grave.
According to her, she could not bear the notion that the incident made her a huge disappointment to her mother.
In addition to this, Ama Burland told “Headless Youtuber” in an interview that she was unprepared for public scrutiny.
“I wanted to take my life that day when it was trending. I felt like I had disappointed her. Like, why does this have to happen to me? I didn’t want to face my mother. She had brought me to school, and this is what I had brought home,” she shared.
Last year, Henry Fitz, a former lover of media personality, Serwaa Amihere, together with two others, have been dragged to court by The Republic over the non-consensual sharing of an intimate image.
In a writ sighted by The Independent Ghana, Henry Fitz’s actions and those of Edem Saviour Ketti and Candylove Kwakyewaa Ababio are contrary to Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (ACT29) and Section 67(1) (2) of Cybersecurity Act 2020 Act 1038.
Last week, a video of Serwaa Amihere and Henry Fitz lying in bed and kissing emerged online. Many X users criticised Serwaa Amihere and later, Henry Fitz denied leaking the video as alleged by some media houses.
Henry, officially known as Henry Amponsah, noted that some unscrupulous individuals who are out to get Serwaa might have leaked the video after she misplaced her phone.
But court documents reveal that the three individuals did demand an amount of GH¢20,000.00 to be sent within a minute, or else Serwaa’s nude videos would be posted.
On the 3rd of December 2023, Serwaa Amihere’s makeup artist, Colleen Nyin Affel-Som called to inform her that someone had texted her demanding an amount of GHC5,000.00 with the pretext that he had her nude pictures.
The said amount should be sent to the MTN mobile money account number →0558247205, which bears the name Edem Saviour Ketti.
Serwaa is said to have sent the money, yet still, the group went ahead and posted nude pictures of the media personality on social media handles.
On the 3rd of April 2024, the complainant filed a complaint with the police, and upon surveillance mounted, Edem was arrested at his hideout at Dzorwulu.
During investigations, he admitted to having used his Ghana Card to register the said MTN mobile money account number 0558247205, and gave same to Candylove which she subsequently gave same number to Henry and since he has been using the said number till date.
Efforts are underway to apprehend Henry to face the law.
In 2024, a video made rounds on social media platform X, indicating that a Ghanaian who arrived in the UK had been arrested by security authorities who accused him of engaging in sexual activities with a minor.
He allegedly sex-chatted and sent his nudes to a 14-year-old girl.
In a video shared by X user, @eddie_wrt, the suspect could be heard saying “we have just been talking about friendship.”
He clarified that he does not sleep with his friends and does not ask for sexual favours.
But a female investigator who interrogated him accused him of being a liar.
The Ghanaian then replied, “I am really sorry.”
Also, businessman Henry Fitz posted damaging content on his social media accounts following a court summons from the state over his alleged involvement in the non-consensual sharing of an intimate image involving his former lover, Serwaa Amihere.
In one of his posts on Snapchat, Fitz claimed that Nana Aba Anamoah, a friend of Serwaa Amihere, sent a nude video to a friend of his, Stone, to get money to pay her rent.
According to Henry, this video was sent a lustrum ago and got possession of the video because Stone sent it to him.
Reiterating his innocence after being accused of leaking the romantic video involving Serwaa, he noted that if he was behind such an act, he would also leak the said video of Nana Aba.
He also alleged that Nana Aba tried to set him up with Sandra Ankobea, another individual, just to get him to buy her a fridge, betraying Serwaa in the process.
“You Nana Aba, I heard you the who doesn’t want to accept the fact that a video of your goddaughter has leaked. Where was your loyalty when you tried to linked me up with the closest pal of you and Serwah (Sandra Ankobea).
“Even she asked me not to come and confess to you at the point of orgasm, I didn’t even hv my first orgasm with u after that, yet, I came to prove to you my loyalty. U Nana Aba, even when u sent a video of you licking ur books to….I still got it.
“I’ll take it from the top. Nana Aba, I have all chats of you and I from almost 5 years ago, posting chats with your number to confirm it’s actually you is not offences. I am not leaking any videos as well
“But I’m willing to prove you are not the best of friend to Serwaa and your hunger for money is worse than that of a blackmailer,” portions of the posts read.
Henry, together with two others, have been dragged to court by the Republic over the non-consensual sharing of an intimate image.
In a writ sighted by The Independent Ghana, Henry Fitz’s actions and those of Edem Saviour Ketti and Candylove Kwakyewaa Ababio are contrary to Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (ACT29) and Section 67(1) (2) of Cybersecurity Act 2020 Act 1038.
Last week, a video of Serwaa Amihere and Henry Fitz lying in bed and kissing emerged online. Many X users criticised Serwaa Amihere and later, Henry Fitz denied leaking the video as alleged by some media houses.
Brief facts of the current case in court.
The complainant in this case, Serwaa Amihere, is a media personality residing at Tse Addo, Accra. Al Edem Saviour Ketti is a filmmaker residing at Adjiringanor, Accra.
A2 Candylove Kwakyewaa Ababio is a trader residing Achimota Kingsby Accra. A3 Henry Amponsah @ Henry Fitz now at large.
On the 3rd of December 2023, the complainant’s makeup artist, Colleen Nyin Affel-Som called to inform her that someone had texted her demanding an amount of GHC5,000.00 with the pretext that he had the complainant’s nude pictures.
The said amount should be sent to the MTN mobile money account number →0558247205, which bears the name Edem Saviour Ketti.
On the 2nd of April 2024, another MTN number, 0555252660, called and demanded an amount of GH¢20,000.00 to be sent within a minute, or else he would post the nude videos of the complainant, and he succeeded in taking the ransom still went ahead and posted the nude pictures of the complainant on social media handles.
On the 3rd of April 2024, the complainant filed a complaint with the police, and upon surveillance mounted, Al was arrested at his hideout at Dzorwulu.
During investigations, he admitted to having used his Ghana Card to register the said MTN mobile money account number 0558247205, and gave the same to A2 which she subsequently gave the same number to A3 and since he has been using the said number till date.
Efforts are underway to apprehend A3 to face the law.
Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, has told parents that the government cannot guarantee their children’s placement in preferred senior high schools without competitive grades.
In an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, September 23, Mr. Asare explained that the country has more than enough space to absorb the 590,000 candidates who sat for this year’s BECE. However, one major challenge with the placement system is the perception that parents and students have an absolute right to choose schools. In reality, such rights are relative within a merit-based system.
He added that gaining admission into competitive institutions like Labone SHS requires strong grades, particularly for sought-after courses such as science. His comment comes against the backdrop of growing frustration among parents over the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) placement exercise.
“So parents should understand that it is not possible for any government to serve them with the choice of their school for their wards. The only way we can ensure equitable access to second-cycle schools is to ensure that all schools, regardless of their categories, are patronised by parents.”
“So, your chance of going there is not a matter of choosing but also making a competitive grade with respect to the course you are choosing, whether you want to be a day student or not. These two things determine the extent of competition,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Education Minister, Dr. Clement Apaak, has emphasized that multiple factors influence how students are assigned to specific Senior High Schools (SHSs).
According to an official statement signed and issued by the Deputy Minister on Saturday, August 30, the Ministry noted that the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), which designates SHS graduates to various schools, considers the aggregate and raw scores of students, the availability of vacancies in schools, and the popularity of specific programmes.
The statement further clarified that the Ministry does not demand or accept rewards from parents or guardians to guarantee students’ placement in schools of their choice, contrary to speculation.
“The Ministry confirms that this information is not only false but also maliciously misleading. The placement is based on a combination of factors, including aggregate and raw scores, availability of vacancies in the various schools and programmes of study. Limited vacancies and high competition can affect placement. The Ministry unequivocally states that no form of payment or inducement is required or solicited from parents, guardians, or their representatives for the purpose of securing placement.
“All interactions with the Ministry and Ghana Education Service (GES) officials are expected to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and transparency. The public is advised to be cautious and report any cases of extortion or bribery attempts related to student placements. Stakeholders are encouraged to report miscreants to the nearest police station,” parts of the statement read.
The Ministry’s clarification was a rebuttal to claims that the placement system depends solely on a rigid score system to place students in Senior High Schools. The Ministry has described such claims as misleading and inaccurate.
According to information released by the Ghana Education Service (GES), the 2025/2026 academic year officially commences on September 17.
After placement, students are expected to report to their schools and begin classes between October 18 and October 20, 2025.
SHS 3 students will reopen on October 11, 2025, and remain in school until February 27, 2026, covering 18 weeks. They will return on March 13, 2026, for a 14-week session ending June 21, 2026, ahead of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), scheduled for April 20 to June 20, 2026.
SHS 1 and 2 students will start their first session on October 18, 2025, and break on February 27, 2026, after 17 weeks. They will resume on May 4, 2026, for a 16-week session ending August 21, 2026, marking the close of the academic year.
The Transitional Calendar refers to a temporary academic schedule designed to bridge the gap between the old double-track system and the new single-track system. Under this calendar, first-year students will also report on October 18, 2025, and stay until January 30, 2026, before proceeding on a short break.
Their second term will then begin on March 16 and run until June 12, 2026, with additional breaks, including four weeks of off-site learning to help manage overcrowding in school facilities.
Second-year students in transitional schools will reopen on January 5, 2026, and vacate on May 18, 2026, with five weeks of online learning. They will then resume later in September for the final stretch of the academic year.
Final-year students in transitional schools will begin on October 27, 2025, for a 14-week session before the Christmas break, resuming in February for an 18-week preparation period before sitting for the WASSCE.
GES also highlighted some significant breaks in the new timetable. The Christmas break will begin on December 20, 2025, and end on January 4, 2026. Vacation for SHS 3 students is slated for February 27 to March 1, 2026, while SHS 1 and 2 students will break from August 21 to August 23, 2026.
GES has also proposed September 11, 2026, as the start date for the 2026/2027 academic year.
In an unrelated development, sixty (60) private schools have been included under the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. Junior High School (JHS) graduates will be admitted into these private schools, which fall under Category E in the school selection process.
These schools will be accepting applications starting from the 2025/2026 academic year. The new development aligns with the government’s efforts to ease congestion in public SHSs and promote quality education across the country.
In a press release issued on Sunday, July 20, by the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) and signed by its National Executive Director, Oberto Nana Kwasi Gyetuah, the council described the initiative as a historic and progressive move.
“This progressive move marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s educational transformation journey. It underscores the Government’s commitment to inclusive, collaborative education delivery and reaffirms the important role of private schools in advancing national development goals,” part of the release read.
The council further called on other private schools yet to be listed to remain patient, prepared, and compliant with regulatory standards.
In May, Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Clement Apaak announced that the inclusion forms part of a broader plan to scale up capacity and gradually end the double-track system.
“As part of our campaign promise, we have been working diligently to bring on board private senior high schools in the delivery of the Free SHS programme. Meetings have been held, engagements have been done, and we are very certain that with the diligence we expect from our side…” he noted.
The double-track system was introduced in 2018 by the erstwhile government to accommodate the surge in student enrollment due to the Free SHS policy, addressing overcrowding in public schools.
Under this system, students were divided into two groups: Green Track and Gold Track, attending school in shifts, with one track in session while the other was on break.
The anticipated extension of the Free SHS policy, according to the Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, is a fulfillment of the government’s manifesto promise. He added that it is a step to ensure eligible students gain admission without delays.
“We believe strongly that in fulfilling this manifesto campaign promise, this is going to serve as an artery in helping us bring an end to the double-track system,” the deputy minister said.
According to him, the Education Ministry has received encouraging feedback from private schools, many of which have expressed readiness to meet the standards and requirements of the Free SHS framework. “…and the eagerness of the private schools to participate, the private schools will deliver in their participation,” he assured.
He added that this collaboration would not only help expand capacity but also ensure a more equitable distribution of educational opportunities across the country.
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