Reports by the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, have it that over 13 countries have signaled official intent to employ Ghanaian healthcare workers.
Mr Mintah Akandoh says the government is developing a policy framework to moderate the increasing international demand while safeguarding the country’s health sector.
During the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House on Friday, July 18, Mr Akandoh labeled the move as a “managed migration opportunity” and stressed that Ghana’s approach will ensure that any overseas recruitment directly benefits both the national health system and the professionals involved.
“We are formulating policies to ensure these benefits are fairly distributed to both our health system and our professionals,” the minister said.
The sector minister mentioned that while there is increased demand for Ghanaian health workers abroad, the government is at the same time prioritizing skills enhancement and well-being locally.
He highlighted a number of domestic measures aimed at empowering Ghana’s health workforce, which involve paying off salary arrears for 321 pharmacist house officers who completed training in 2024, as well as focusing on the recruitment of 1,621 qualified pharmacists currently awaiting permanent employment.
“This is just one example of our broader commitment to clearing the backlog across all health worker cadres,” he said.
“We want every qualified professional to have the chance to serve and strengthen Ghana’s health system.”
In line with broader reforms, the minister disclosed that the government has finalized conditions of service agreements with health unions and is updating training curricula to reflect the country’s health needs.
He added that specialist nursing courses are being scaled up, while general nursing schools are being transformed into centers for specialised instruction.
“These steps are crucial to ensuring a motivated and skilled workforce capable of meeting the changing health needs of our population,” Mr Akandoh added.
The Minister of State in charge of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has announced that misappropriation of funds linked to the controversial National Cathedral project has yielded a sum of $97 million.
This reflects costs fully incurred thus far, despite the project stalling at the foundation level.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu stated at a media briefing in Accra on Friday, July 18, that the amount reflects an unpaid balance of $39 million that was previously unknown.
He added that additional costs were accumulating daily, even though construction activities had long ceased.
“National Cathedral Project amounts to $ 58 million so far, and there is an additional outstanding $ 39 million payment due the contractor. This will bring the total cost incurred for the hole at the site of the project to $97 million,” he disclosed.
The National Cathedral was proposed under the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to be a monumental Christian worship centre in Ghana.
But the project progressed at a snail’s pace, spiralling costs and the use of public funds in a secular state.
According to reports, a total amount of $58 million was spent on the project deemed to be Ghana’s most expensive bit.
Over a year ago, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, raised concerns with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), alleging irregularities in the project’s construction and the operations of the National Cathedral Secretariat.
After investigating the case for several months, the Commission recommended that the Office of the Auditor-General intervene and conduct a forensic audit to ascertain whether funds allocated for the project were used for their intended purposes.
The Commission highlighted that GHS225.9 million in “seed money” had been spent on activities including site preparation, contractor mobilization, and consultancy services as of May 31, 2022.
CHRAJ’s detailed report recommended the potential prosecution of the board of trustees overseeing the National Cathedral project, citing their role in awarding the contract to Ribade Company Limited.
The report highlighted multiple violations of procurement regulations and warned that the failure of those involved to address the issues could tarnish Ghana’s reputation both locally and internationally.
The government in April this year dissolved the National Cathedral Secretariat after noting that it would no longer provide funding for the abandoned project.
Winneba Divisional Police Command has arrested six suspects for their alleged involvement in a recruitment scam.
The fake recruitment scheme targetted dozens of job seekers in Effutu, Central Region.
A report by adomonline.com on July 18, 2025, has it that the suspects disguised as representatives of an ‘independent distributor of Neo Life Company Limited,’ and tricked victims with false job offers while collecting money from them under pretenses.
Confirming the arrest, Divisional Crime Officer, ASP George Quainoo, revealed that 54 victims, 15 Nigerians and 39 Ghanaians were rescued during the operation by the police.
“These suspects were seen moving across the Winneba township distributing recruitment cards and advertising jobs that did not exist. Their main targets were unemployed youth,” ASP Quainoo explained.
Probing efforts have identified a Nigerian national, Oladokun Kehinde, as the mastermind behind the fraudulent operation.
Authorities found that he lacked a valid work permit and is currently in custody, aiding police with investigations.
The police service has therefore warned the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious recruitment schemes to aid efforts in cracking down on rising employment-related fraud.
Ghanaian-American singer, Moliy Ama Montgomery, has chided netizens for habitually body-shaming her
In a post shared on July 18, she sarcastically quizzed such netizens if they had been able to pay their utility.
“Hope all of you spending your day talking about my body again got rent and due bills ready. We’re in the middle of the month, just a reminder, much love.”
She has expressed her contentment with remaining independent of any record label.
Moliy cited record labels’ restraints on her creativity, issues of trust, as well as hearsay about artists and the challenges that come with being signed to a label.
Her remarks were in response to a feature of discussion about her career as an independent artiste since her debut in 2020.
For the sake of creative freedom Moliy says she doesn’t want to be a part of any record label.
“Yeah. I’ve always been kind of hesitant to be a label artist because I’ve just heard so many stories.I don’t just wanna be a name on a list. Music is very personal to me.
“So, I think if I did get locked in with a label, I hope it’s something that could be a real, long-lasting, organic relationship.
“The most freeing part is just getting to do what I want creatively without someone telling me what to do. I don’t like being told what to do,” she shared during an interview on July 7 with Revolt TV.
She said, “I always feel like the people I work with, I want to trust them. I want it to feel organic”.
Though she has seen significant success with her songs hitting millions on boards in the UK and other streaming platforms, her independent journey hasn’t been without challenges.
She struggled with getting her music distributed effectively without the backing of a record label; she had to navigate distribution hurdles on her own.
“I realized at some point, I was actively seeking [distribution]. I hadn’t released music for a whole year in 2024, and me and my manager were trying to get a [distribution deal] so I could put out music.
The conversations were sounding positive, but nothing was actually happening. I remember thinking, I still wanna move. I don’t wanna be stagnant,’” she said.
It was at this point that she realised that “also, if you’re not pushing yourself, if you’re not putting your foot on the gas, no one is gonna do it for you. That’s what I love the most”
Meanwhile, her journey as an independent artiste has proven quite successful with the awards she’s won and success of her releases over the years.
In June 2022, she was named Spotify EQUAL Africa Ambassador. She also featured on MTV Base, 3Music TV, and Revolt TV and was later nominated for Ghana Music Awards and honored as BET Amplified Artist of the Month.
Ghanaian dancehall musician Shatta Wale has launched a scathing attack on media personality Nana Romeo over questions he asked in an interview with musician Tinny.
Nana Romeo asked Tinny if he ever advises Shatta Wale to refrain from attacking people on social media.
While Tinny answered by saying, he even encourages him to go all and attack his attackers, Shatta Wale has warned Nana Romeo against conversations about him on his platform.
“Don’t think of your monthly pay and talk like that toilet station you are sitting in , I am mad ,I wake up and just start dissing ppl Abi … …Foolish man with foolish questions just for trends ..if I start with you , you won’t last on that cheap radio station chair like chamber pot nu … Foolish Romeo with no Juliet aboaba !!” Shatta Wale angrily reacted in a post on X.
Meanwhile, Tinny, who is a Ghanaian highlife musician, has expressed his support for Shatta Wale’s decision to attack netizens who attack him.
According to Tinny, Shatta Wale is an embodiment of serenity, but that will not be a reason for him to entertain unwarranted attacks on social media.
In an interview with Nana Romeo on Okay FM shared on social media on July 18, 2025, Tiny said,
“I tell him to go all out. He should attack anyone who attacks him. Also, he should be at peace with anyone who is equally at peace with him.
“This isn’t about the Ga tribe because that is how everyone should live. He shouldn’t tolerate any form of nonsense, and that is the best way.”
Also, Ghanaian artiste Wendy Shay shared some challenges she faced due to social media trolls.
According to her, netizens chided her over their belief that she was doing all she could with her music career to imitate the late Ebony Reigns.
Thus, some family members were shy to associate with her.
“At a point, my mum asked me to quit music and return to Germany because the trolling was overwhelming and it affected everyone in my family,” she said. “Some of my relatives were even kind of shy to associate with me at the time.”
“Imagine they take your face, edit it to make you look like an old woman, and start mocking and laughing at you. They even said I wasn’t talented enough. It was crazy. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, but it built me,” Wendy shared.
Read the post below:
Don’t think of your monthly pay and talk like that toilet station you are sitting in , I am mad ,I wake up and just start dissing ppl Abi … …Foolish man with foolish questions just for trends ..if I start with you ,you won’t last on that cheap radio station chair like chamber… https://t.co/CU2YkQXhSe
Music producer, sound engineer David Kojo Kyei, popularly known as Kaywa, has opened up for the first time about the end of his working relationship with singer Lasmid, who rose to fame after winning the MTN Hitmaker competition
Speaking on Hitz 109.9 FM Afternoon Ride with Andy Dosty, Kaywa revealed that he signed Lasmid to a one-year contract right after the competition.
He recalled that the budding artiste initially showed great enthusiasm and dedictaion to his music journey.
“We did one year when he won MTN Hitmaker. MTN gave him to me. We did one year contract, and after the contract we had finished and he was always in the studio when his time had expired. He was consistently there. I took care of him, fed him. And he said I should put him back on the label,” Kaywa explained.
Kaywa said he had plans to reinvest in Lasmid and had already recorded six songs with him in anticipation of a possible comeback to the label.
However, he noted that some artists on the Highly Spiritual label were uneasy about Lasmid’s return, with the fear that resources would not be enough to support everyone.
In a seperate event, Ghanaian singer and songwriter Kuami Eugene has revealed that he has parted ways with Lynx Entertainment record label.
According to him, his exit came long before the release of his hit song ‘Monica.’
He made this known to Doreen Avio of Joy FM during an interview.
“I wasn’t the first person to put it out there that I left Lynx. Richie did that actually, so after he announced that I’ve left Lynx Entertainment on his account, I had a lot of calls, but people didn’t know from ‘Monica’ time, we were in talks for exits a long time ago.”
“When I had Monica playing, I was partially out of Lynx a long time, but I just didn’t want to come put it out there, and when I had Belinda, I was not even at Lynx at all.”
He also revealed his decision to cut off his signature Afro hair to mark a fresh start in his music career following his exit from Lynx Entertainment.
“I woke up one morning, and it had been a long time since I got signed to Lynx. I’ve been changing hairstyles from one hairstyle to another hairstyle, but I’ve not had a down cut for a very long time, for about six years. I’ll twist it, then I will do this, and I will unbraid it, leaving the afro. I changed it just to show a new look and the fact that it’s a new beginning for me from Lynx. It’s a transition from the Lynx boy to your family, sweet boy Kwami Eugene,” he said.
The singer has further acknowledged public reactions to his exit from Lynx, citing A Plus and MC Portfolio, who have publicly praised his talent and potential.
“A lot of people are happy. I remember A Plus said something that with Kwame’s talent, if he gets the chance to be on his own with the proper management, he’ll become a very big person one day,” he said.
Gospel music promoter, Nii Noi, has called out authorities for failing to clamp down on music piracy, describing their efforts as ineffective.
According to him, the lack of enforcement has left artists and managers powerless in the fight against illegal music distribution. He believes it’s time to explore alternative solutions.
“So, if we have gone beyond the process of stating that they can’t be arrested, then let’s legalise them. If it’s done that way, the people who have been legalised would help apprehend the illegal ones when they come. They will report the illegal ones. If we can’t arrest them, let’s bring them together and have a conversation. For instance, they could pay Gh¢10 or G¢5 per pendrive,” Nii Noi stated.
He bemoaned the failure of authorities to take decisive action against individuals engaged in music piracy, calling their efforts “toothless.”
“Authorities that are supposed to be arresting people for piracy have become toothless because as an artiste manager or an artiste, I can’t go on my own and arrest them. We have a collective society, and we have a union that must lead some of these charges. In Nigeria, because they realised that it is difficult to do so, they have brought these piracy people together and they have legalised it.
Media personality MC Yaa Yeboah has stated that the lack of collaborative efforts between the National Film Authority (NFA) and the copyright office has become a contributing factor to piracy in the country.
“To date, the NFA has not held any meetings with the copyright office regarding piracy,” she stated on UTV’s United Showbiz.
The NFA had earlier warned in a letter that any TV station caught airing pirated movies would have its license revoked. But according to MC Yaa Yeboah, the NFA does not even have the power to revoke licenses.
“The NFA recently issued a letter to television stations warning them that if they air movies without proper authorization, their licenses will be revoked. However, upon researching this matter, I discovered that the NFA is not even the institution responsible for revoking licenses,” she said.
But MC Yeboah criticizes the authorities for handling the movie piracy challenge with caution letters, describing it as a method that is no longer effective.
Mc Yeboah asserts that releasing a press statement against piracy offenders does not amount to punitive action that can deter culprits.
“Producers invest millions of cedis in making their movies, only for others to take these movies, air them on their platforms without permission, and profit from them. Meanwhile, the institutions responsible for addressing piracy just issue letters, to avoid appearing inactive,” she said.
Ghanaian Highlife musician, Tinny, has expressed his support for Shatta Wale’s decision to attack netizens who attack him.
According to Tinny, Shatta Wale is an embodiment of serenity, but that will not be a reason for him to entertain unwarranted attacks on social media.
In an interview with Nana Romeo on Okay FM shared on social media on July 18, 2025, Tiny said,
“I tell him to go all out. He should attack anyone who attacks him. Also, he should be at peace with anyone who is equally at peace with him.
“This isn’t about the Ga tribe because that is how everyone should live. He shouldn’t tolerate any form of nonsense, and that is the best way.”
Ghanaian media personality MzGee has also described individuals who hide behind ghost accounts to troll people on social media as those who lack the courage to be bold.
Her comments come on the back of an attack on social media after she shared a video of herself in a joyous mood.
On her Gee O’clock show, the broadcaster questioned the courage of trolls who lack the guts to confront people with their real identities.
“If you want to do drama, let’s do drama face-to-face. Don’t hide. If you’re going to be disrespectful, be bold enough to come with your real name and picture.”
“If you’re bold enough to go and insult people, come with your real face. Let’s see who we’re dealing with,” she stated. “Why do you go and create ghost accounts to talk trash? Me—who am I in the scheme of affairs—that you’d create a whole ghost account just to come and insult me?” the broadcaster shared.
Also, Ghanaian artiste Wendy Shay shared some challenges she faced due to social media trolls.
According to her, netizens chided her over their belief that she was doing all she could with her music career to imitate the late Ebony Reigns.
Thus, some family members were shy to associate with her.
“At a point, my mum asked me to quit music and return to Germany because the trolling was overwhelming and it affected everyone in my family,” she said. “Some of my relatives were even kind of shy to associate with me at the time.”
“Imagine they take your face, edit it to make you look like an old woman, and start mocking and laughing at you. They even said I wasn’t talented enough. It was crazy. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, but it built me,” Wendy shared.
Circular Musician Emmanuel Kwamina Amonoo, popularly known as Quamina MP has suggested that Ghanaian artistes are capable of supporting Ananzo Official with more than the $5,000 cash gift he publicly received from Davido.
Davido made headlines after gifting Ghanaian fan, Ananzo Official an anount of $5,000 for promoting his song “With You,” featuring Omah Lay.
In response to this, several Ghanaians have described Ghanaian artists as stingy because Ananzo Official has not publicly announced receiving gifts from them, despite promoting their songs just like he did for Davido.
But Quamina MP holds a different view. He believes some Ghanaian artists can support Ananzo Official with an even higher amount, but it will not be disclosed to the public.
“Davido giving Ananzo Official $5,000 doesn’t mean Ghanaian artistes are stingy, as some people might want to make it look like. Maybe a Ghanaian musician can give him more than that amount but will never make it public.”
“You never know how other Ghanaian artistes are supporting him behind the scenes with numerous gifts for promoting our music. Unless we make it public before you know, but I will never say that no Ghanaian musician has given him anything, or we are stingy as people claim,” he stated in an interview with Amansan Krakye monitored by MyNewsGh.com.
Quamina added that he is certain Ananzo is receiving support from Ghanaian artistes but has failed to make it public.
“I know that definitely Ananzo Official is definitely being given something small, though it is not something that is in the public domain,” he said.
One other celebrity who commented on Davido’s gesture is Ghanaian singer Efya, who admitted she’s never given a fan such an amount of money.
She explained that, not because she wouldn’t want to, but because there is a financial gap between Ghanaian and Nigerian musicians.
“I’ve helped fans by paying their fees and buying them things, but no, I’ve never given out $5,000 to a fan,” Efya said during an interview with Nana Romeo on Accra FM.
While emphasizing that many Ghanaian artistes do offer help to fans, Efya explained that they often prefer to do so privately — and that, unlike their Nigerian counterparts, they don’t always have the means for such large giveaways.
“Most Ghanaian artistes do give their fans money, but they just don’t like to bring it to the public attention. We don’t have enough money like the Nigerians to be able to engage in such giveaways,” she stated. “Even though we rock shoulders with the Nigerians, I don’t think financially it is the same, I don’t mind admitting that.”
Efya also pointed out that Nigerian artistes tend to earn more due to the scale of the shows they perform at globally, which puts them in a better position financially.
“We don’t get paid the same way they get paid because they are playing bigger shows,” she noted.
She urged for greater support within Ghana’s music industry to help local talents access bigger platforms and better financial returns.
“Which is why we need to support each other more so that we can get on bigger platforms to be able to be collecting enough money so we can be dashing our fans 5000,” she added.
President John Mahama has initiated plans to boost the Northeast Region through the establishment of a public university, major road projects, improved health facilities, and agricultural investments to bolster economic growth and tackle youth unemployment.
“I’m pleased to reaffirm that my government is actively working on the modalities for the establishment of a public university in the Northeast Region of our country,” he said at the Jubilee House on Thursday, July 17, during a visit by a high-powered delegation from the Nayiri, Overlord of Mamprugu.
According to President Mahama, the initiative was part of efforts to ensure equal access to higher education.
“This is part of our broader effort to ensure equitable access to tertiary education for all our people in all parts of the country and so that nobody will be left out,” he added.
He emphasized road infrastructure is crucial in unlocking the region’s economic potential.
“We recognise that development cannot be complete without reliable infrastructure, and that is why we are prioritising the completion of major roads critical to connectivity and economic activity within the Northeast Region,” he said.
Nalerigu–Gambaga–Walewale road, the Ulugu–Pusiga road, the Nasia–Tanga road, the Nalerigu–Bunkpurugu–Nakpanduri road, the Nalerigu–Bintiri road, the Tamale–Zebilla–Walewale road, and the Nanduri–Kolumbugu road were key road projects named in his plan.
President Mahama has also promised to complete the long-awaited Northeast Region’s Micho Bridge to enhance access to remote areas.
Also addressing the needs of the people in terms of water, President Mahama said, “We are providing small-town water systems to Nalerigu, Gambaga and Walewale to tackle the persistent water challenges.”
Additionally, he confirmed plans to construct new district hospitals and CHPS compounds in Jagaba, Mpulugu, Yunyo, and Chereponi.
“As also contained in our manifesto, we shall build a modern Regional Hospital in the Northeast Region. This will spare our people the trouble of having to travel all the way to Tamale to get specialised treatment,” he said.
The President has announced that each of the six new regions, including the Northeast, will receive a modern sports stadium to promote youth development through sports.
Turning to agriculture, President Mahama said the Yagaba–Fumbisi area would be developed into Ghana’s rice production hub. “A modern rice mill is to be built at Dzadema to buy and process all the rice that is produced. The rice will be bought by the National Buffer Stock Company and supplied to our schools and hospitals, and so the farmers will have a ready market for their rice,” he explained.
For the President, no task is more urgent than creating hope and opportunities for “our young people. We are acutely aware of the unemployment crisis, particularly among the youth in the Northeast Region,” he said.
With the National Apprenticeship Programme and the Adwumawura initiative, President Mahama assured the Nayiri and his delegation that the government is “eager to partner closely with your palace and traditional councils to ensure that these programmes are tailored to local realities and benefits.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced that Serbia is set to issue 100,000 work permits to Ghanaians this year to boost economic ties.
Speaking to reporters in Accra following the signing of a deal with Serbia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Marko Đurić, Mr. Ablakwa explained that the plan targets Serbia’s demographic challenges and Ghana’s growing youth population.
“Ghana is ready to take full advantage of Serbia’s plan to issue 100,000 work permits this year,” he stated, adding that discussions are ongoing to finalize a labour mobility agreement between the two nations.
In addition to job creation, Ghana and Serbia are looking into collaborations in areas such as trade, agriculture, AI, sports, scholarships and defence.
According to Mr Ablakwa, the development is a source of tremendous pride to see “our relations blossom since Ghana and Serbia established formal diplomatic ties in 1959.”
He added that President Nkrumah and President Tito were the architects of the strong bilateral relations, as they both pioneered the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961.
The Accra International Conference Centre, which was built by Serbian engineers in preparation for the 10th Ministerial Conference of the NAM in 1991, is a significant symbol of Ghana’s collaboration with Serbia.
He said discussions have reaffirmed the belief in the UN Charter, “our faith in international public law, our commitment to global peace as leading UN peacekeeping troop contributing nations and our resolve to seek friendship with all nations.”
Presently, the government is working on signing a labour mobility agreement with the German government to allow thousands of youth to be employed abroad under a special bilateral agreement. Ghana seeks to join other countries, including Kenya, that have such deals with Germany.
In a statement on Facebook, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa in May noted that the agreement, which is currently under discussion, will guarantee “safe, rewarding and dignified employment.”
“We expect actual implementation soon,” Mr Ablakwa added while remarking on the government’s belief in meaningful and impactful diplomacy.
The Foreign Minister engaged German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Mr. Joachim Stamp, the Special Representative of the Federal Government for Migration Agreements, and top officials of the German Interior Ministry on the margins of the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial ongoing in Berlin.
In April, Minister for Employment and Labor Relations Dr. Rashid Pelpuo made mention of work ongoing between his outfit and the Foreign Ministry to craft a strategy to export skilled Ghanaian labour to countries requiring workers to curb the rising unemployment.
Fitch projects that the unemployment rate in Ghana in 2025 will remain at an average of 4.0% of the labour force.
Ghana’s confirmed monkeypox (Mpox) cases have risen to 197 following the detection of 11 new infections as of July 11.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS), while revealing this information, described the trend as a gradual yet manageable increase and called for sustained public vigilance.
The country has seen a slight uptick in infections. Health officials, however, maintain that the overall situation remains under control. No hospitalisations or deaths have occurred in this latest update.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, spreads primarily through close physical contact. Common symptoms include fever, tiredness, swollen lymph nodes, and a noticeable rash. Although many cases are mild, early medical care is crucial to avoid complications.
In light of the growing Mpox numbers, the GHS is boosting nationwide information campaigns to ensure citizens remain aware and careful.
Preventive actions such as avoiding direct contact with sick individuals, practicing proper hygiene, and promptly seeking care when symptoms show are being emphasized.
Officials stress the importance of swift case detection and notification, with field teams and community health workers diligently monitoring developments.
The public is being encouraged to stay watchful, adhere to health precautions, and contribute to collective efforts to stop the virus from spreading.
The government is engaging international organizations for assistance in procuring vaccines to be able to curb the surging number of cases being reported.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Ghana has provided laboratory PCR reagents to enhance the country’s diagnostic capacity.
The donation was officially handed over to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory.
Receiving the supplies on behalf of the GHS, Acting Deputy Director General Dr. Caroline Reindorf Amissah expressed gratitude for WHO’s ongoing logistical and technical support.
“We promise from our end to do our bit, collaborate, go out there, and look for the cases to make sure that this is really brought under control,” she stated.
WHO Country Representative Dr. Fiona Braka emphasized that the organization hopes the reagents will enable rapid diagnosis and prompt public health responses.
The supplies are capable of testing 3,400 suspected Mpox samples, and additional kits provided will allow clade determination for 625 confirmed positive cases.
The 2025 China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo and AI Diagnosis Deployment & Project Cooperation Summit, scheduled for August 20 to 22, will be hosted at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has revealed.
The high-profile event is being organised through a strategic partnership between the Ghana Health Service and the Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWA). It aims to deepen regional healthcare collaboration, promote technological innovation, and shape a more resilient health system across West Africa.
At the official launch, Acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, outlined the ambitious scope of the summit. He announced plans to establish AI treatment centers across Ghana, introduce AI-powered diagnostic tools in key healthcare facilities, and equip both public and private hospitals, labs, and diagnostic centres with advanced medical technologies.
The initiative will also see the development of a Cancer Treatment and Research Centre in Ghana and expand access to surgical equipment, pharmaceutical solutions, and medical training through public-private partnerships.
Professor Akoriyea extended an open invitation to hospital CEOs, medical directors, training institutions, traditional medicine experts, private practitioners, development partners, and investors to participate in the summit, explore new technologies, and connect with stakeholders transforming healthcare in the sub-region.
A key feature of the three-day summit will be an awards ceremony to honour excellence in healthcare. Categories include Ghana’s Top Ten Young Doctors, Young Nurses, Medical Experts, Nursing Experts, as well as the Top Ten Clinics, Hospitals, and Laboratories in Ghana, and Top Health Associations in West Africa.
The 2025 Expo is positioned to be a landmark event for healthcare development and innovation in the subregion. For several years, China has aided the development of Ghana’s health sector with technical and financial support.
In the month of June this year, China donated medical equipment, consumables, transducers, surgical instruments, pharmaceuticals, and other medical tools to the LEKMA Hospital to enhance healthcare services.
These items were meant to support the minimally invasive surgery project (laparoscopic surgeries) and the Beautiful World Charity project.
Minister of Health Kwambena Minta Akandor emphasised that the donation, which includes medical equipment, devices, and pharmaceuticals, would significantly boost healthcare delivery and further deepen the health cooperation between our nations.
He encouraged the leadership of the LEKMA Hospital to ensure that these equipment are effectively used, maintained diligently, and serves its intended purpose, providing better health outcomes for the people of Ghana under the capable direction of Dr. Akua Gyimah Asante.
Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Tong Defa, has stated that China has dispatched 14 batches of medical teams to Ghana since 2009, with over 100 dedicated professionals offering voluntary, essential healthcare services.
These teams have gone beyond clinical care, facilitating and exchanging knowledge and supporting the training of Ghanaian health professionals.
He emphasised that although the quantity of medical supplies may be limited, it will still significantly contribute to enhancing the diagnostic and treatment capabilities of hospitals in Ghana.
“This donation represents another tangible demonstration of support from the Chinese Government to both the Government of Ghana and the Ghanaian people,” he added.
Ghanaian actress and social media personality Rosemond Brown, popularly known as Akupem Poloo, has revealed that she bought a flat screen television for inmates before exiting Nsawam prison.
In April 2021, she served a prison sentence for sharing nude photos of herself and his son on social media.
According to her, she was kept in a cell furnished with student mattresses, similar to a boarding house setting.
She mentioned that while all cells had flat-screen televisions, the one in hers was not working as her release approached.
However, she took the initiative to replace it before leaving Nsawam Prison.
“Every cell had a flat-screen TV. When I was leaving, the one in my cell had broken, so I bought a replacement,” she noted.
Despite the infringement on their freedom to move about, people of different faith were permitted to worship God on sundays and other preferable days.
“Church service is held only on Sundays, but Muslim inmates can worship or pray freely. The space is quite large — I was even twerking there,” she added.
Sharing her prison experience with Andy Dosty on DayBreak Hitz on Hitz FM, the socialite revealed that she was kept in a cell which she compared to a boarding house, adding that daily routines continued as usual outside the cells with limited movement.
“We’re locked up by 5 pm every day, and we wake up early at 5 am to clean and tidy up our surroundings. Some inmates go out to work because we have farms, while others work inside. Since I was new, I wasn’t allowed outside, so I helped in the officers’ room and did weeding whenever necessary.
“After waking up, we brush our teeth and attend morning assembly, where we’re counted. It feels just like being in a boarding house,” She told Andy Dosty in a video sighted by The Independent Ghana on Instagram.
She further revealed that they took their bath in a large bathroom, and they slept on student beds.
According to Akuapem Poloo, the ladies’ block had 73 inmates, with 24 occupying each.
“Even when using the water closet, we clean it with Dettol. The women’s section is neat, unlike the men’s, which is very dirty,” Poloo stated.
Ghanaian music sensation Mohammed Ismail Sherif has achieved a major milestone by becoming the most exported Ghanaian artiste in the first half of 2025.
According to Spotify, 13 out of 15 songs on his second album “Iron Boy” were listed among the most exported Ghanaian tracks, occupying 15 of the top 19 positions on the platform’s Global Impact list.
The album made further waves by becoming the first Ghanaian project to remain in Apple Music’s US Top 50 for two consecutive weeks and debuting at number 7 on Spotify’s Global Album Debut chart.
Iron Boy has now surpassed 60 million streams on Spotify and climbed to number 10 on Billboard’s US World Albums chart.
Since the release of his debut album The Villain I Never Was in October 2022, Black Sherif has consistently ranked as the most-streamed Ghanaian artiste on Spotify.
The album itself achieved respectable success, debuting at #12 on Billboard’s World Albums and scoring a #1 hit in Nigeria with “Kwaku the Traveller”.
However, “Iron Boy” has far outpaced its predecessor in both streaming volume and global penetration, solidifying Black Sherif as one of the most formidable artistes in the country.
Black Sherif also revealed that his first recorded song was not welcomed by many while he was still finding his feet in the music industry.
He says that did not discourage him because he was rather inspired by the mere fact that he had become a musician, regardless.
During an interview with a US-based media platform, BET, the artist said, “In 2019, that was when I had my voice on a song for the first time, and I brought it to school. A lot of them didn’t like it, but I didn’t care because I finally had something to show someone that I’m a musician. I make music. It was just one song, and I was just so proud of that, and I couldn’t wait to get out of high school.”
Just as graffiti artists use walls to reflect social or personal realities, Black Sherif said music was his way of dealing with the challenges he faced in his daily life.
“I’m a big fan of graffiti artists and people who reflect whatever the condition or the atmosphere is. That’s what I wanted my music to be.”
Black Sherif has since risen to prominence with hits like “First Sermon” and “Kwaku the Traveller,” blending highlife, drill, and hip-hop to tell authentic stories of resilience and identity.
The 23-year-old is also a nominee for Best International Act at the 2025 BET Awards, competing against Tyla (South Africa), Rema (Nigeria), Any Gabrielly (Brazil), Ayra Starr (Nigeria), Basky (UK), Uncle Waffles (Swaziland), Ezra Collective (UK), Joé Dwèt Filé (France), MC, Luanna (Brazil), and SDM (France) in the category.
The superstar continued to affirm his place as one of Africa’s most compelling musical voices with a raw, soul-stirring performance of his track ‘ONE’ on the acclaimed COLORS platform.
Alongside confirmation of new London and Birmingham live dates, where he will headline London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on July 4th and 5th and perform at Birmingham’s O2 Institute on July 6th, the new performance is stripped back and emotionally charged.
Norwegian-Ghanaian musician Britz has listed Black Sherif and 5 other artists as some of the most popular Ghanaian artists currently making waves in Norway.
Speaking in an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Britz noted that Ghanaian music is gaining significant traction among Norwegian audiences, thanks in part to social media platforms like TikTok and increased access to African content.
“The music is becoming more popular now. I think with TikTok and the easier access people have to get insight into Africa, it’s now becoming more popular. People are now listening to the likes of King Promise, Black Sheriff, KiDi, Kojo Black, Sarkodie and, Stonebwoy,” he said.
Parliament of Ghana has so far this week passed two bills—the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2025 and the University for Development Studies Bill 2025—after taking them through a certificate of urgency.
These bills were approved by the House on July 19. Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Hon. Emelia Arthur was present in Parliament for the approval of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2025.
The sector minister revealed to the House that the bill has been revised to reflect Ghana’s commitment to the Blue Economy agenda by harnessing marine and aquatic resources sustainably to support economic growth, social inclusion, food security, and environmental protection.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs, Hon. Jasaw Seidu Godfred, while presenting the committee’s report, noted that the sustainable management, utilization, and exploitation of the fisheries and aquaculture resources require the existence of a robust legal framework that governs fishing activities, regulates resource extraction, and ensures compliance with international and national environmental standards.
He indicated that the fisheries and aquaculture sectors contribute significantly to national development in areas such as job and wealth creation, poverty reduction, gross domestic product contribution, and foreign exchange.
Minister of Education, Honourable Haruna Iddrisu, also appeared before Parliament for the approval of the University for Development Studies Bill 2025.
Explaining the purpose of the bill to the House, Honourable Haruna Iddrisu noted that the bill seeks to establish the University for Development Studies (UDS) through the re-enactment of P.N.D.C.L. 279.
This, he said, will help to restructure and empower the University for Development Studies to provide quality and higher education to meet the diverse and development needs of the country.
On his part, Chairman of the Education Select Committee of Parliament, Honorable Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, acknowledged the significant structural changes that have taken place since the establishment of the UDS over the past 32 years of its existence.
He highlighted the need to review P.N.D.C.L. 279 to bring the law into conformity with current policy and best practices adopted in public universities in Ghana to enhance the effectiveness of tertiary institutions in achieving their mandate.
The perception that inmates at Nsawam Prison are exposed to harsh conditions may not be entirely true, as Ghanaian actress and social media personality Rosemond Brown, popularly known as Akupem Poloo shares a contrasting narrative.
In April 2021, she served a prison sentence for sharing nude photos of herself and his son on social media.
Sharing her prison experience with Andy Dosty on DayBreak Hitz on Hitz FM, the socialite revealed that she was kept in a cell which she compared to a boarding house, adding that daily routines continued as usual outside the cells with limited movement.
“We’re locked up by 5 pm every day, and we wake up early at 5 am to clean and tidy up our surroundings. Some inmates go out to work because we have farms, while others work inside. Since I was new, I wasn’t allowed outside, so I helped in the officers’ room and did weeding whenever necessary.
“After waking up, we brush our teeth and attend morning assembly, where we’re counted. It feels just like being in a boarding house,” She told Andy Dosty in a video sighted by The Independent Ghana on Instagram.
She further revealed that they took their bath in a large bathroom, and they slept on student beds.
According to Akuapem Poloo, the ladies’ block had 73 inmates, with 24 occupying each.
“Even when using the water closet, we clean it with Dettol. The women’s section is neat, unlike the men’s, which is very dirty,” Poloo stated.
The socialite further disclosed that they were fed well with good food, even though they had it twice a day instead of 3.
“Breakfast is served in the morning — just koko, no tea. Lunch varies: we sometimes get yam with palava sauce or kenkey with a stew called “gas.” We’re not always fed three square meals; sometimes it’s just twice a day.”
Despite the infringement on their freedom to move about, people of different faith were permitted to worship God on sundays and other preferable days.
“Church service is held only on Sundays, but Muslim inmates can worship or pray freely. The space is quite large — I was even twerking there,” she added.
Residents of Kumasi have received President John Dramani Mahama’s word to complete Krofrom Market by the end of 2026.
The president’s assurance came during his “Thank You Tour” of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, while he he went on to inspect the project.
President Mahama stated, “The project has stalled since 2008. In our 2024 manifesto, under the Market Enhancement Program, we identified 18 markets across Ghana for rehabilitation. These include markets in Sunyani, Techiman, and Mankessim.”
“So, I have asked the Mayor to write to the Vice President and include Krofrom so that the project can be completed. All the traders currently selling along the pavements will be relocated to the market once the project is done. I believe that by the end of 2026, Krofrom Market will be completed.”
The Krofrom Market project was initiated by former President John Agyekum Kufour in 2007 with the expectation of completing it in six months.
Due to lack of funds, the market was abandoned in 2008, however, successsive governemt failed to attend to it commpletion.
Krofrom Market is designed to include over 500 stores and shelves to bolster business activities in the metropolis.
Outgone Kumasi Mayor, Samuel Pyne, has expressed regret for his administration the NPP’s inability to ensure the completion of the Krofrom Market in the Ashanti Region.
According to him, despite efforts of te assembly to complete the project, circumstances beyond their control made it impossible.
“All the effort was put into it, but unfortunately, I could not achieve that,” Mr Samuel Pyne told the media.
Meanehile, Kumasi City Market Traders Union (KCMTU) leadership, has partnered with the Ghana Police Service to safeguard markets in Kumasi against destructive fire outbreaks.
This initiative underscores the commitment of KCMTU to creating a secure and resilient trading environment for its members and other individuals who work in the markets, such as head porters (kayayei), among others.
Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi and former Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has proposed a private bill aimed at overhauling Ghana’s Financial Management Act.
The MP said too many Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are currently receiving funds for projects that are not in line with national priorities.
“A number of ministries, departments, and agencies are not going through the required process of NDPC certification. That is a loophole in the law that I seek to block with this amendment,” he said.
The proposed legislation by the former Minister on Tuesday aims to prevent government MDAs from accessing public funds if their policies and programs have not been certified by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).
It also seeks to bar the Minister for Finance from releasing funds to MDAs that have not submitted their development plans for NDPC approval.
The bill further proposes restrictions on using Internally Generated Funds (IGF) for initiatives not aligned with Ghana’s development priorities.
Additionally, it makes it a criminal offence for any official to authorize or support spending on programs without NDPC approval.
If the legislation is passed, it will also introduce three key clauses that are designed to tighten Ghana’s public spending architecture and align all government programs with the country’s official development framework.
“What I’m doing is blocking that hole,” Oppong Nkrumah explained. “If you don’t certify your plans and we still allow you to spend money building new headquarters or starting new projects, then you are on a frolic of your own. That must stop,” the MP stated.
He noted that the MDAs often argue the IGF is excluded from regulations because they consider it “their own money,” but stressed that such funds remain public resources.
“Before you collect that money, the Fees and Charges Act has to be passed. That makes it public money. Its use must be in consonance with the national development plan,” he said.
The bill further establishes an offence for anyone who approves or enables spending without prior NDPC approval, linking the violation to penalties outlined in Section 98 of the existing Public Financial Management Act.
Responding to the concerns that the measure could create excessive bureaucracy, Oppong Nkrumah justified the importance of enforcing robust procedures.
“Bureaucracy is important because it compels people to follow laid-down rules. It ensures that we’re all going in a direction that we’ve collectively agreed on,” he said.
He observed that monitoring and evaluation of development plans remain weak and are largely carried out on an adhoc basis.
He hinted at the possibility of introducing additional legislative reforms to amend the National Development Planning (System) Act, Act 480, to strengthen Ghana’s planning framework.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah also expressed confidence that the bill would gain bipartisan support, including backing from the government and the Majority side of Parliament.
“The matter of protecting the public purse is a matter of common interest. This government has made strong arguments about why it wants to do so, and I believe they should see this as something that complements their efforts,” he said.
However, the bill is scheduled to be formally presented to Parliament in the coming weeks.
A group of importers in the country are expressing frustration with banks over their refusal to make US dollars available for their business needs.
According to them, what the Bank of Ghana regularly announces as the interbank rate does not reflect the reality, leading to the refusal of banks to make dollars available for sale.
“On paper, the cedi is supposed to stabilise, which means we should be able to get dollars at the approved and lower rates from the bank, but that is not the case. We are not getting the dollars from the bank. It is very difficult,” they said in the statement.
The situation, they say, has compelled them to resort to the black market to bear with offers at exorbitant rates.
”As businessmen who import goods, our main trading currency is the US Dollar, which we buy from home for our external transactions. And the Cedi’s recent stability against the US Dollar came as good news to importers and traders, for obvious reasons. However, just as we began to revel in the stability, we are now confronted with another challenge of struggling to buy US Dollars from the banks,” the importers noted.
The group has raised questions about the credibility of the Bank of Ghana’s quoted exchange rate, following persistent challenges in accessing U.S dollars from commercial banks.
Despite BoG announcing 10.3 cedis to a dollar, banks are not making the currency available at that rate.
They question whetehr the bank has lost confidence in the central bank’s figures, citing a significant gap between official rates and those on the open markets.
The importors said they have decided to “express their concern through the media,” because they did not understand “why they are not getting dollars from the banks at approved rates when the government has been giving assurances.”
“If the Cedi has really stabilised as is being portrayed, then the Bank of Ghana should compel the banks to have confidence in its rate and sell dollars at the same rates to traders.The present situation where the BoG only announces the forex rates, without the banks selling dollars is deeply worrying.”
As of today, Bank of Ghana reports that the cedi is trading at a buying price of GH¢10.39 and a selling price of GH¢10.40 to the dollar as of July 16, 2025.
While the British pound is being bought at GH¢13.92 and sold at GH¢13.93 while the euro is trading at a buying price of GH¢12.07 and a selling price of GH¢12.08.
Former Awutu Senya East MP, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has explained why she used pepper spray on a group of unidentified attackers during the Ablekuma re-run election.
According to her, she resorted to the use of the spray as a defence against a knife attack by the group.
“They were too many. I couldn’t handle them, so I decided to defend myself. I had pepper spray and used it because the guy was holding a knife. It was only self-defence,” she explained in an interview Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show.
She expresses frustration and concern, saying she feels unfairly treated by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) despite advocating for peace consistently.
“I have become a threat to the NDC, and I don’t even know why. I have always preached peace. Even when my son was shot, I did nothing because I wanted peace. But it seems they want to exchange my life for power,” she lamented.
Hawa Koomson was assaulted by a group of men at the Ablekuma North rerun election.
In a video gone viral, a man lunged at Hawa Koomson, pushing her to the ground. Another person was seen kicking her.
The Police officers present intervened and prevented further attack against Hawa Koomson.
Also, there was chaos at the Odorkor Methodist polling station in the Ablekuma North constituency.
Some individuals engaged in a fisticuff with the police personnel. Also, a JoyNews journalist was slapped by an unknown individual.
Voting has been suspended at Odorkor Methodist 1 Polling Station due to the chaos.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has interdicted one of its officers who was caught on camera slapping a journalist with GH One Television, Banahene Agyekum, during the rerun election at Ablekuma North.
In line with internal disciplinary procedures, he has been referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for investigation.
The officer concerned has been withdrawn from the ongoing election duty at Ablekuma North.
The Police have assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted into the matter and further updates will be communicated.
It is unknown what exactly transpired between the reporter and a group of police officers that led to him being slapped.
The Police officer’s action has been condemned by all, including the mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, who witnessed the unfortunate incident.
Engaging the media after the assault, Banahene Agyekum expressed distress and pain.
“Yes, (I won’t be able to continue work today) because my right eye is shaking and I don’t know what happened to my forehead. I have to go for a medical checkup,” he stated.
The lingering effect of past gunshot incidents has led Nollywood actress, Angela Okorie, to a sobering realization that good health is far more valuable than many realize.
Angela Okorie reported an assassination attempt made on his life in 2019. As a result 10 bullets were removed from her “head,” while an additional two were also taken out from near her eyes.
According to her, more fragments have been coming out little by little over the years, but not all of them have been removed.
Taking to Instagram, Madam Okorie revealed that “Last two weeks have been so hectic, lovers. It’s been one hospital or the other running some series of tests on my head and body. Haven’t been feeling too well so my doctor advised I should be placed on bed rest.”
“Seriously, good health is underestimated. I went for my checkups; it was found that there are still fragments of bullet pellets on my head.As years go by, more still comes out. But at the end, it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy,” she wrote.
Last month, Ghanaian gospel musician Efe Grace also expressed gratitude to God for saving her from a deadly accident, which reminded her to appreciate the gift of life.
She shared a video on her social media page showing the damaged state of her vehicle after the accident.
She asserts that the accident could have ended her life but for the mercy of God, she is still alive.
She wrote on Instagram, “I’m just here to say thank you, Jesus! Didn’t even know why this song kept coming to me, and just within 14 hours after ministration, this happens!!
“Today, l’m reminded that life is truly a gift and I just want to take a moment to publicly thank God.”
“I survived what could’ve been a fatal accident, and I know it was only by the mercy and grace of God.”
“What the enemy meant for evil, God turned into a testimony. I’m still here, not by luck, but by divine protection. Thank You, Lord, for sparing my life. I will never stop giving You the Glory.”
Gospel singer Perez Music has stated that in a world where everyone wants to access to your life through attacks and criticisms, staying mysterious can be the greatest shield.
The musician believes that he cannot control how people come at him, but he can control how much of himself he reveals.
“Attacks are normal. The attacks are many, some of them are physical, some of them are spiritual. Some people would slander you…When you are a mystery to people, they always try to figure out a way to get to you. So, sometimes it’s best to remain the mystery that they know you for because when you talk too much or you show too much you give them a lot to be able to get to you.”
“Spiritually I would not say they attacked me, but those things happen. But I don’t focus on such things. He who lives in me is greater than he who lives in this world,” Perez Musik stated.
Perez Musik got married to his wife, Abigail, on November 23, 2024, after overcoming a challenging breakup with his former spouse, Doreen.
Taking to Instagram, Perez expressed his gratitude to God and shared his excitement about starting this new chapter of his life.
“Blessed be the Lord who reigns forevermore! #restored,” he wrote.
Ghanaian-UK-based preacher and gospel musician Sonnie Badu shared how disappointed his colleague, Perez Musik, felt when fellow gospel artists failed to attend his wedding.
Speaking in an interview on Okay FM on November 26, 2024, Sonnie Badu revealed that the only gospel artist present, apart from himself, was Siisi Beidu.
The turnout was so poor that Perez Musik was both surprised and delighted to see Sonnie Badu. He even offered him a seat right next to him in appreciation of his presence.
“I value relationships, and I cherish humanity. When Perez invited me to his wedding, I told him I would come, but he thought I was joking. It was my first time going to Krokobite, and the road was quite challenging, but I made the effort because I wanted to show love.”
He continued, “When I arrived, the only gospel artiste there was Siisi Beidu. I was glad I came, but Perez was heartbroken. It would have been really sad if I hadn’t shown up. He was so overwhelmed that he asked me to sit beside him, but I felt shy.”
Media personality Miriam Mensah, popularly known as Mimi Kay, has opened up about her life as a mother during her days as a teenager.
According to her, she lost her father, and that left her yearning for comfort to fill the emptiness it caused.
The search for comfort eventually led her to become pregnant.
“I met this boy, and what happened, happened. I got pregnant. I wrote my BECE with a child,” she recounted.
Not only did the void culminated in her pregnancy, Mimi said, she was also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which manifested in self-harming behaviors.
“I would lock myself up. I would self-harm. I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder,” she explained.
Mimi, however, noted that she did not hold back on faith and therapy in her healing process.
“You never truly heal from trauma, but if you have God, it makes the journey better and easier. I had to undergo therapy multiple times,” she said.
Ghanaian actress Kisa Gbleke has also shared her challenging experience of becoming pregnant at the age of 17.
Speaking during an interview on Accra FM, as shared by ZionFelix on November 22, 2024, Kisa revealed that the father of her unborn child tragically drowned in a river, leaving her devastated.
She recounted that, following advice from her family, the overwhelming grief and frustration drove her to contemplate suicide after learning of the young man’s passing.
“I won’t say I came from a very poor background, but I got pregnant at age 17. I was willing to have the baby. Also, when I was a kid, I looked mature, and the funny thing was, I didn’t even know my age. I grew up in a home where my mom didn’t go to school, so all those documents were kept in a place where if you didn’t ask, you wouldn’t see them. So when the guy died, I wanted to kill myself.
“But at the end of the day, if he were alive, I would have been in the village right now, maybe as a woman with three kids. Like my friends who are currently in the village. So everything that happens in life happens for a reason,” she said.
Singer and songwriter, Akwaboah, has lamented on the attention given to spreading hate and negativity on social media than celebrating people’s achievements.
What troubles him the most, he said, this behaviour often comes from friends and close associates.
“Jealousy on social media, the envy on social media is so real. I mean your friends will scroll past your progress but let anybody insult you, they would screenshot it and send it to you. When you are doing something good, they would never mention it to you. The envy is so real. Protect your peace and move on,” Akwaboah stated.
The songwriter recounted an occasion where he observed hesitation from the gospel fraternity to share a song simply because he was featured.
“Three days ago, I recalled that I did a song with TY Crew; I wrote it, but they featured me. When the song was released, the gospel fraternity didn’t want to play it just because I was part of it,” he said.
He has therefore encouraged people to protect their mental health and resist the urge to be affected by the cold behaviour of some social media users.
Meanwhile, Akawboah has now decided to sing every song he writes due to past experiences with ingrates.
During an interview on 3 Music TV, the musician revealed that, “I was writing songs for people and not getting recognition. One time, a lady won an award with a song I wrote and went on stage thanking everyone, except me. That was a turning point,” he revealed.
The conversation on 3 Music TV progressed into a discussion about Akwaboah’s decision to feature celebrated actress Nadia Buari in his latest album.
Akwaboah revealed that it all began through her connection with Nadia’s sister, Samira, who also has a passion for music.
“I know Nadia’s sister, Samira. We’ve been talking because she also sings. One day she asked us to do a song, and I was like, sure, that’s fine. She spoke to Nadia first before giving me her number,” he added.
On Sunday 29th June, he released a brand new single titled Smile Again.
The song featured celebrated Ghanaian actress Nadia Buari, who played a leading role.
It also marked the first-ever full-on-screen appearance of the actress in a music video.
Her emotionally charged performance brought a new depth to the song’s powerful message of hope, healing, and rediscovered joy.
Also in the month of May, Akwaboah released a special new album titled Live and Personal.
The nine-track live album was a tribute to his musical roots, honoring the legacy of three generations of the Akwaboah family.
Live and Personal was more than just music. It was a personal journey that blends the sounds of his grandfather, Master Bob Akwaboah, and his father, the legendary Kwadwo Akwaboah, with Akwaboah’s songs.
One standout track was the timeless Awerekyekyere, originally by his father.
The album celebrates love, family, and tradition, all through the classic sounds of Highlife music.
Gospel musician Empress Gifty Adorye has confidently stressed that she will not accept an amount less than GHS50,000 to perform at any event.
The Independent Ghana spotted her in a video where she was speaking to a congregation saying,
“As I am standing here, the least I would charge your people is GH¢50,000, and I would take it. If you don’t pay me such an amount, I won’t perform. I am the one trending,” she said
Empress Gifty is hopeful that she will soon win a Grammy and BET award.
This comes after she emerged as Traditional Gospel Song of the Year at this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA’s) held on May 10 at the Grand Arena.
She posted a video expressing gratitude to her fans as well as her ambitions to win the Grammy and BET awards.
The musician also mentioned that she would appeal to the spirit of her late mother, Agaga, for protection in this regard.
“I will visit Agaga and I will present the plaques to her so that she can also protect me from any evil plot against me. I won this award by merit. Very soon I will go to BET and Grammys,” she said.
Meanwhile, the wife of Hopeson Adorye has hinted at the possibility of a joint album with award-winning musician Kuami Eugene.
In an interview during the TGMA Nominees Jam in Takoradi, Empress Gifty shared that there could be more to come after their successful collaboration on the song “Watch Me.”
The two artists, who bring unique styles to the table, previously worked together on the track, which has received positive feedback since its release in September 2024.
The song was co-written and produced by Kuami Eugene and has showcased their strong musical connection.
Empress Gifty mentioned that their partnership may extend beyond just this one song.
She hinted at the possibility of more projects together, with a joint album potentially dropping in October 2025.
“This year, by October, my album will be out. It’s a project between me and Kuami Eugene. This would be my first project with him. He called me and said he has something for us to work on,” she added.
Gold prices set by the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod)have sparked outrage among small-scale miners, who say the rates are “woefully inadequate” and are pushing their businesses to the brink.
The miners warn that the low prices offered by the new board are making operations unsustainable and threaten to drive many out of business.
Highlighting the immediate economic impact on thousands of miners and their dependents, Mr Asiedu told Adom TV that, “the rates offered by GoldBod are extremely low, causing businesses to take a nosedive.”
According to the miners, the initiated price subverts the objectives of the state-led gold purchasing scheme.
A member of the Small-Scale Miners Association, Christopher Asiedu, voiced the industry’s growing frustration, lamenting that the current prices are causing widespread financial distress among their members.
He noted that before the establishment of GoldBod, the prevailing market price for 10 grams of gold hovered between GHS12,000 and GHS13,000.
Unfortunately, the intervention of GoldBod has reduced to a mere GHS8,200 for the same quantity.
Mr Asiedu is therefore urging the government to increase the gold prices to at least GHS11,000 per 10 grams.
He indicated that this will allow miners “make enough profits to sustain operations.”
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), established on April 2, 2025, represents a significant milestone in Ghana’s precious minerals management.
As the sole authority with exclusive rights to buy, sell, weigh, grade, assay, value, and export gold and other precious minerals in Ghana, GoldBod functions under the oversight and supervision of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Ghana.
This institution has been carefully designed to revolutionize the country’s gold trading sector, combat smuggling, promote value addition, and maximize returns on Ghana’s natural resources.
The Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court has directed suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo to formally deliver her affidavit opposing the Attorney General’s motion seeking to dismiss her case, along with evidence of service.
Justice Kwame Amoako, who presided over the case, issued the directive after the court noted that the records did not contain any evidence showing that the affidavit challenging the AG’s request had been served.
“There is no proof of service of the (suspended Chief Justice’s) affidavit in opposition to the Respondents/Applicants’ motion for an order to strike out filed on July 11, 2025. Let the said affidavit in opposition be served and service thereof duly proved,” the Court said.
Suspended Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has initiated a judicial review process, claiming her suspension constitutes a violation of her human rights.
A five-member panel has since been constituted under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution to investigate three separate petitions filed against her.
In response to her legal challenge, the Attorney General filed a motion on July 1, requesting that the case be dismissed, citing the fact that a similar matter is already before the Supreme Court.
During proceedings on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, State Attorney Reginald Nii Odoi informed the court that both the Attorney General and his deputy were unavailable due to official duties outside the country. He therefore asked the court for a postponement.
“I have the express instructions of the Honourable Attorney General to seek an adjournment of this matter to next week. The reason is that the honorable AG and his deputy who are personally in charge of this matter are out of the jurisdiction dealing with an equally important matter on behalf of the state. I have informed counsel on the other side of this development and he is not opposed. We have conferred and subject to the diary of this court, proposed that the matter be adjourned to Wednesday, July 23, 2025,” he said
Responding to this, Counsel for the suspended Chief Justice, Kwabena Adu Kusi, indicated he had no objection to the request but called for a swift hearing considering the interest of the public
“As my friend has said, he just informed me at the Bar that the honorable AG is unable to attend the Court. We just are left with no option than to agree to the suggestion for adjournment.”
“By the nature of the proceedings and the public interest in attending to it, we require some speed. We are normally before the first respondents on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and that leaves us with Wednesday and Friday.”
“We are happy if your Lordship could accommodate us on Wednesday July 23 to enable us resolve this matter expeditiously (quickly),” Counsel prayed.
Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has issued a firm directive to conclude all pending processes related to the Teacher Licensure Examinations by August 30, 2025.
Speaking at the swearing-in of the new board of the National Teaching Council, the Minister said it’s time to gradually halt the teacher licensing exams, which many have complained about, as part of bigger changes to how teachers are assessed and qualified.
“There is still the vexed matter of teacher licensure exams. The last of it must be concluded not later than August 30,” he stated.
This action aligns with a promise made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the presidential election campaign in 2024.
The directive includes a final resit window for candidates who previously failed, after which the licensure exam regime will be officially scrapped.
“If there is a last opportunity for those who sat and could not make it, that process should not travel beyond 30th August,” Honourable Idrisu added.
The Ministry is working with the NTC registrar to set a firm date for this final round.
This move aligns with the government’s plan to replace standardized testing with a new framework that prioritizes academic training and practical fieldwork over written exams.
The Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE) was officially introduced in September 2018 by the National Teaching Council (NTC).
The NTC is mandated by the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023) to conduct these exams as part of its licensing process
But the outcomes of the 2023 Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE) revealed that a significant portion of candidates did not meet the required standards for licensure.
According to statistics released by the National Teaching Council (NTC), 47.4% of the candidates, totaling 9,556 teachers, failed the examination.
Out of the 20,181 candidates who participated, only 52.6% successfully met the licensure standards. The detailed breakdown of the results indicates that 10,625 teachers passed the exam. On the other hand, 892 candidates, constituting 4.4%, did not pass in any of the subjects.
Further analysis of the results shows that 2,641 candidates (13.1%) passed in only one subject, while 6,023 candidates (29.8%) achieved success in two subjects.
“The National Teaching Council (NTC) is set to release the results of the 2023 Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE) 2&3 on Thursday, December 21, 2023.
“Number of candidates: 20181, total pass: 10625 (52.6%), total fail: 9556 (47.4%), pass none: 892 (4.4%), Pass 1: 2641(13.1), Pass 2: 6023 (29.8%).”
As a result Deputy Education Minister, Dr Clement Abas Apaak expressed his support for the President Mahama’s decision to review the nationwide teacher licensure examination.
But the former Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. John Ntim Fordjour, was among those who strongly opposed former President John Mahama’s plan, describing him as a major threat to Ghana’s progress for making such a proposal.
In response, Dr. Clement Apaak dismissed Fordjour’s comments, arguing that he and the former NPP government either fail to grasp the public’s concerns or are disconnected from reality.
According to the Member of Parliament for Builsa South, various stakeholders in Ghana’s education sector are in favor of discontinuing the teacher licensure examination.
Despite resistance from the government at the time, Dr. Apaak believed that the promises made by Mr Mahama were sensible, justified, and would be implemented.
“JM is not opposed to examining teachers as a basis of certifying them as professionals. However, like teacher trainees and stakeholders in teacher training, JM is opposed to the current arrangement towards certification. His reasonable alternative is to make the examination towards professional certification a final-year compulsory course to be written alongside other final-year courses.”
“In JM’s variant, when a teacher trainee passes all final year courses, including the course tailored to certify a trainee as a professional teacher, the trainee is given a licence. If the trainee passes all courses but fails the certification course, he/she doesn’t get a licence and would have to re-register the course and write it in his/her college as is the case with final year compulsory courses,” he added.
The Cedi has made a strong comeback, gaining more than 42% against the US dollar as of June 2025. This sharp rise signals a major turnaround for the economy after almost two years of steady decline.
Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr. Johnson Asiama, highlighted this during the Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting held on Tuesday, 15th July, at the Labadi Beach Hotel under the theme: “Sustaining Forex Gains: Business and Economic Impact.”
Delivering his keynote address, the Governor stated, “the Ghanaian Cedi has appreciated by over 42% year-to-date as of June 2025, reversing nearly all the losses incurred in 2022 and 2023,” stressing that the rising cedi must go beyond numbers and lead to real change.
The Governor further noted that Ghana’s gross international reserves now stand at US$11.1 billion, representing 4.8 months of import cover up from US$8.98 billion at the end of 2024.
He added that the country recorded a trade surplus of US$4.14 billion in the first four months of 2025, driven by export growth of over 60%, mainly from gold, cocoa, and oil.
According to him, the current account surplus also saw significant improvement, reaching US$2.12 billion in Q1 2025, compared to just US$66 million during the same period in 2024.
Dr. Asiama noted that remittance inflows remain resilient, and Ghana’s IMF-supported programme has successfully passed all reviews. These achievements, he said, have contributed to a sovereign credit rating upgrade by S&P Global Ratings from Selective Default to CCC+.
He emphasized that these outcomes “represent more than just statistical improvement. They are a restoration of macroeconomic credibility, the kind that markets, investors, and citizens respond to with confidence.”
The Governor credited the cedi’s appreciation to deliberate and disciplined economic policies crafted in lockstep between the central bank and the Ministry of Finance.
“At the Bank of Ghana, we maintained a firm disinflation stance—raising and holding the monetary policy rate at 28%, conducting active Open Market Operations (OMO) to absorb excess liquidity, and enforcing discipline in the foreign exchange market through structured FX auctions and forward guidance,” Mr Asiamah expressed.
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 equipments after the deadline.
“The Government, as part of efforts to reform the mining sector in the country, 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, are 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 two 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 to lead a team that would 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 broader government 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.
However joint Military-Forestry Commission task force that conducted targeted operations in high-risk districts across the Ashanti, Western, and Western North Regions led to the seizure of 100 excavators, three bulldozers, and four vehicles.
Cynthia Appiah-Kubi of Mentor II fame, known in showbiz as Cee, has opened up about her status as a divorcee after several years.
She has 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.
Musician Emmanuel Kwamina Amonoo, popularly known as Quamina MP has revealed that men who speak the Fante dialect do not struggle to win the heart of ladies.
“It’s true that speaking the Fante language makes a lot of girls admire you and probably fall in love with you.” he said.
Adding that “when the ladies hear you speak Fante, it sounds nice to them, and they want to even follow you home. Most ladies want to date a guy who will make them laugh or smile, and we, the Fante guys, are known for that,” he revealed in an interview on Property FM.
The Mankessim-born singer further explained that Fante-speaking men are naturally funny, and ladies are easily drawn to them as they get to laugh and smile all the time being in their company.
Meanwhile, Veteran actor and comedian Akrobeto has advised women struggling to find love on his TV segment titled Real News.
He urged women not to succumb to societal pressures or fears of aging by desperately seeking a partner.
Akrobeto emphasized that desperation often leads to accepting irresponsible partners, advising women to avoid setting overly high standards that could deter potentially suitable matches.
Drawing from personal experience, he recounted being rejected in his youth for lacking financial qualifications, highlighting the importance of personal growth and self-improvement.
Akrobeto encouraged women to focus on developing themselves, suggesting that a well-rounded life and self-assurance are attractive qualities that naturally draw others towards them.
“I can tell you on authority that no responsible man will come your way. Because when things get worse, he will tell you to your face it. And that he didn’t like you, but you forced a marriage on him. So my desperate sister, calm down. There are many young ladies between the ages of 25-30 who are rejecting men because they are looking for certain specifications to accept their proposal. And then they get desperate when they are ageing,” he said.
Akrobeto further recounted his experience with a lady who rejected his proposal because he was bankrupt.
“This lady told me that if I don’t have a bank account and savings, how was I going to take care of her after marriage. Today, I have plenty of savings. But that is not to say that you need to accept the proposal of just any man who comes your way. Not all, you need to be careful with your selection so as not to end up with any irresponsible man. However, you don’t need to raise the bar very high to send many men away,” he said.
Playwright and entertainment industry personality, George Quaye, has lauded actor and theatre director, Andrew Tandoh Adote, for what he describes as his exceptional acting talent.
During a time of engagement on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz with Kwame Dadzie, the Team Lead at ImageBureau said, Andrews’ dedication and craft deserve nothing less than a grand style recognition.
“He is beyond a national asset and needs to be really celebrated in a grand style. I have worked with several talents but I can confidently tell you that working with Andrew gives you a beautiful night’s sleep because you know he will take it seriously, you know he will push hard, you know he will deliver,” George Quaye said.
Andrew Tandoh Adote has made a name for himself in Ghana’s theatre industry, especially through his performances with Roverman productions, headed by Uncle Ebo Whyte.
His versatility on stage over the years has earned him lead roles in popular stage plays such as Women on Fire, Forbidden, and The Comeback.
He has contributed to both mainstream and alternative storytelling by appearing in films and on television through Ghana’s creative arts space.
Andrew Tandoh is widely known for his amazing work as a voice-over artist.
George Quaye, is advocating for his recognition because he has worked closely with Andrew on several productions.
Mr Quaye highlighted his work ethic, professionalism and ability to embody roles with authenticity as key reasons he believes the actor deserves national and international recognition.
Former Chairman of the Classification Committee of the National Film Authority (NFA) Socrate Safo, also touted Andrew recently as one of the best actors in the world.
He is loved by many for his unmatched acting prowess – interpreting various roles to perfection.
He has also shed light on why theatre in Ghana struggles with low patronage, attributing it to a historical perception of theatre as a free commodity.
Speaking on Hitz FM, Quaye highlighted that many Ghanaians have grown accustomed to consuming theatre without paying, a mindset rooted in the past when theatre productions were often offered at no cost.
Quaye emphasised the need to elevate this mindset, urging stakeholders to collaborate rather than compete.“I’ve been asked many times why I share many people’s plays even when I’m running my plays. Why? Because we cannot compete. We need to collaborate.
“We cannot compete because we haven’t gotten to where the musicians have gotten to. Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy can compete. Sarkodie and Samini can compete. King Promise and KiDi, Kuami Eugene, they can all compete. They can because, globally, they have gotten recognition,” he said.He drew parallels with the music industry’s global recognition, pointing out that while musicians like Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy can command high ticket prices, theatre productions struggle to achieve the same level of patronage.
To foster growth, Quaye advocated for a collective effort to change people’s perceptions about theatre’s value, stressing that it’s an art form deserving of financial support and recognition.
Ghanaian filmmaker Socrato Sarfo has expressed a willingness to support creatives in leadership positions despite his affiliation with the New Patriotic Party.
“I am happy for the creatives in the NDC. Let’s support them. I support them. I called Rex Omar and asked why he didn’t invite me to the launch of the Blackstar Experience. Because I want to help in any way, with ideas,” he said in an interview with arts and culture journalist Kwame Dadzie on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z.
Mr Safo disclosed that he has already gone ahead to engage the Executive Director of the National Film Authority, Kafui Danku, to assure her of his readiness to offer any support.
Responding to the question of whether he intends to join the NDC, Mr Safo confidently declared, “I am NPP.”
Socrato Sarfo is a former Chairman of the Classification Committee of the National Film Authority (NFA).
He applauded Kafui Danku-Pitcher when she was made the new Executive Secretary of the Authority.
He also lauded her for sustaining the classification of films, a task he described as essential to preserving industry standards.
Speaking in an interview with Doreen Avio on Daybreak Hitz, Safo highlighted the efforts of his team during his time in office.
“We classified over 300 movies and took deliberate steps to educate filmmakers on the importance of classification,” he stated.
He further expressed confidence in Danku-Pitcher’s leadership, noting her commitment to the same cause. “I am proud of the new Executive Secretary, Kafui Danku-Pitcher, for continuing this important mandate. It is crucial for ensuring quality content in the industry.”
His comments came shortly after the NFA, under Danku-Pitcher’s administration, issued a press release reminding industry players of the legal requirement under the Development and Classification of Film Act, 2016 (Act 935).
“A person shall not exhibit or cause to be exhibited a film unless the film has been passed and classified by the NFA,” the statement emphasized.
The Authority clarified that this directive applies to all forms of audio-visual content, including “feature films, short films, trailers, TV series, documentaries, advertisements, music videos,” whether shown in cinemas, on television, streaming platforms, or public spaces.
Additionally, the NFA announced that beginning May 1, 2025, only producers, distributors, or exhibitors with valid licences issued by the NFA will be permitted to submit content for classification.
The Film Classification Committee, formed under Act 935, is responsible for previewing and classifying all content meant for public exhibition in Ghana.
Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Mustapha Gbande, has lashed out against critics within the New Patriotic Party, urging them to confront him directly rather than hiding behind unfounded allegations.
Mr Gbande was on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show to debunk claims by the Minority Caucus in Parliament, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, that he and NDC Deputy National Communications Officer Malik Basintale incited chaos during the July 11 polls at Ablekuma.
He said, “I am not a coward. Even if my name appears on their list, I am not afraid of anyone in the NPP. If you want to come after me, do so directly. But don’t accuse me of something I haven’t done.”
The NDC Deputy General Secretary further chided the NPP for the hasty release of a statement that was not backed by fact.
“Administratively, you don’t rush to release statements without proper information. I showed the Minority Leader evidence that he was misled, but he still insisted on his claims,” Gbande stated.
He has also addressed a move by the NPP, circulating posters of NDC members with inscriptions reading “wanted, alive or dead.”
He warned the minority that they would be held responsible if anything happens to the boys whose posters are in circulation.
“If anything happens to any of our boys, we will hold the NPP responsible. Their party headquarters is not a police station,” he warned.
The Electoral Commission (EC) held an election in 19 polling stations of the Ablekuma North to provide its constituents with a representative after the 2024 parliamentary elections.
However, voting in two polling stations, the Odorkor Methodist 1 polling station and St. Peters polling station in the constituency, was suspended and later continued following chaos.
At the Odorkor Methodist 1 polling station in the Ablekuma North constituency, some individuals engaged in a fisticuff with the police personnel. Also, a JoyNews journalist was slapped by an unknown individual.
Former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and Member of Parliament for Ewutu Senya East Constituency, Hawa Koomson, was also assaulted by a group of men during the election.
In a video gone viral, a man lunged at Hawa Koomson, pushing her to the ground. Another person was seen kicking her.
The Police officers present intervened and prevented further attack against Hawa Koomson.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has interdicted one of its officers who was caught on camera slapping a journalist with GH One Television, Banahene Agyekum, during the rerun election at Ablekuma North.
In line with internal disciplinary procedures, he has been referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for investigation.
The officer concerned has been withdrawn from the ongoing election duty at Ablekuma North.
The Police have assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted into the matter and further updates will be communicated.
It is unknown what exactly transpired between the reporter and a group of police officers that led to him being slapped.
The Police officer’s action has been condemned by all, including the mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, who witnessed the unfortunate incident.
Engaging the media after the assault, Banahene Agyekum expressed distress and pain.
“Yes, (I won’t be able to continue work today) because my right eye is shaking and I don’t know what happened to my forehead. I have to go for a medical checkup,” he stated.
The Electoral Commission (EC) is holding an election in 19 polling stations of the Ablekuma North to provide its constituents a representative after the 2024 parliamentary elections.
After the 2024 polls, Ablekuma North remained the only constituency in Ghana without a sitting MP, due to unresolved disagreements over the outcome of the parliamentary vote.
On December 10, 2024, three days after the national polls, the EC declared Ewurabena Aubynn of the NDC the winner of the Ablekuma North parliamentary seat, defeating the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh.
However, the EC later revoked the announcement, revealing that results from 62 of the 281 polling stations had not been included in the initial collation.
Efforts to restart the collation in January 2025 were disrupted by multiple challenges.
These included interruptions due to the submission of unverified pink sheets and a violent intrusion at the collation centre that heightened security concerns.
The Electoral Commission (EC), after extensive deliberations, in July noted that it will hold the rerun election because the 19 scanned polling station results used for the collation, though approved by agents of both political parties, were not verified by the presiding officers responsible for those polling stations.
The EC arrived at this decision after it met with the representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday, July 1.
Ahead of today’s election, the EC called on the Ghana Police Service to provide the needed security to ensure a safe environment for the conduct of the election.
The ban on social gatherings due to the resurgence of COVID-19 at the University of Ghana (UG), Legon has has ooficially been lifed.
This was announced in a letter issued by the Office of Student Affairs and signed in consultation with the University Health Services and University Management on Monday, July 14.
Students were made aware that the ban has been lifted with immediate effect.
“The restriction on social gatherings on the University of Ghana campus due to the resurgence of COVID-19 has been lifted with immediate effect,” the statement read.
The directive permits student bodies and campus-based organizations to resume their activities.
Groups such as the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG), Students’ Representative Council (SRC), Junior Common Rooms (JCRs), religious groups, as well as departmental and school associations, were specifically mentioned to comfortably go ahead with their weekly celebrations as well as other events.
“GRASAG, SRC, JCR, religious groups, departmental and school associations are now permitted to organise their week celebrations,” the notice stated.
Meanwhile, authorities have emphasized that students and event organisers are expected to comply with COVID-19 safety measures to prevent any new wave of infections.
“Note that all COVID-19 protocols should be adhered to. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated,” the statement added.
Read the letter below:
In a recent report last month, the UG said it had taken drastic measures to quell the spread of COVID-19 cases that had resurged within its vicinity.
As such, all student bodies, including the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG), Students’ Representative Council (SRC), Junior Common Rooms (JCRs), and departmental and school associations, were directed to halt all week celebrations.
In a statement dated June 23, the Health Services Directorate of UG confirmed a few suspected COVID-19 cases in the immediate vicinity.
In light of this, the Health Services Directorate reactivated its COVID-19 Response Protocols, including screening and triage measures at health facilities.
Subsequently, all staff, students, and visitors were strongly advised to remain vigilant and strictly adhere to recommended preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection and community spread.
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), is calling for swift and decisive measures following serious security breaches that marred the Ablekuma North parliamentary election rerun held on Friday, July 11, 2025.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 14, and signed by the coordinator of its secretariat, Joseph Oti Frimpong, CODEO condemned teh vilence, intimidation and infiltewration of unauthorized individuals into polling centres.
It described the situation as a threat to electoral integrity and national security.
CODEO has therefore urged President John Dramani Mahama and the leadership of the Ghana Police Service to launch an investigation into the conduct of police officers stationed at the gate during the attacks.
“CODEO calls on President John Mahama and the Police Council under Article 202 (2) of the Constitution, to exercise its powers of Control and Direction of the Inspector General of Police to institute an inquiry into the recent actions of police officers in the handling of police duties involving political actors. This must be done urgently to ensure clear remedial actions are taken ahead of the bye-election in Akwatia,” the statement read.
The Electoral Commission (EC) held an election in 19 polling stations of the Ablekuma North to provide its constituents with a representative after the 2024 parliamentary elections.
However, voting in two polling stations, the Odorkor Methodist 1 polling station and St. Peters polling station in the constituency, was suspended and later continued following chaos.
At the Odorkor Methodist 1 polling station in the Ablekuma North constituency, some individuals engaged in a fisticuff with the police personnel. Also, a JoyNews journalist was slapped by an unknown individual.
Former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and Member of Parliament for Ewutu Senya East Constituency, Hawa Koomson, was also assaulted by a group of men during the election.
In a video gone viral, a man lunged at Hawa Koomson, pushing her to the ground. Another person was seen kicking her.
The Police officers present intervened and prevented further attack against Hawa Koomson.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has interdicted one of its officers who was caught on camera slapping a journalist with GH One Television, Banahene Agyekum, during the rerun election at Ablekuma North.
In line with internal disciplinary procedures, he has been referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for investigation.
The officer concerned has been withdrawn from the ongoing election duty at Ablekuma North.
The Police have assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted into the matter and further updates will be communicated.
It is unknown what exactly transpired between the reporter and a group of police officers that led to him being slapped.
The Police officer’s action has been condemned by all, including the mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, who witnessed the unfortunate incident.
Engaging the media after the assault, Banahene Agyekum expressed distress and pain.
“Yes, (I won’t be able to continue work today) because my right eye is shaking and I don’t know what happened to my forehead. I have to go for a medical checkup,” he stated.
The Electoral Commission (EC) is holding an election in 19 polling stations of the Ablekuma North to provide its constituents a representative after the 2024 parliamentary elections.
After the 2024 polls, Ablekuma North remained the only constituency in Ghana without a sitting MP, due to unresolved disagreements over the outcome of the parliamentary vote.
On December 10, 2024, three days after the national polls, the EC declared Ewurabena Aubynn of the NDC the winner of the Ablekuma North parliamentary seat, defeating the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh.
However, the EC later revoked the announcement, revealing that results from 62 of the 281 polling stations had not been included in the initial collation.
Efforts to restart the collation in January 2025 were disrupted by multiple challenges.
These included interruptions due to the submission of unverified pink sheets and a violent intrusion at the collation centre that heightened security concerns.
The Electoral Commission (EC), after extensive deliberations, in July noted that it will hold the rerun election because the 19 scanned polling station results used for the collation, though approved by agents of both political parties, were not verified by the presiding officers responsible for those polling stations.
The EC arrived at this decision after it met with the representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday, July 1.
Ahead of today’s election, the EC called on the Ghana Police Service to provide the needed security to ensure a safe environment for the conduct of the election.
All Ghanaian students, especially those in senior high schools, have been charged with the responsibility of exposing students who they find possessing weapons in schools.
During the launch of the “Sav Schools Outreach Programme” at O’Reilly Senior High School in Accra, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Dr Munawaru Issahaque, said this will foster learning environments devoid of violence among students.
“You are the voices that can shift attitudes, challenge the status quo, and inspire action. When you advocate for safer schools, you are sending a powerful message that every life matters, that violence has no place in our future,” he said.
The initiative is led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ghana in partnership with the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCSALW).
The UNDP Ghana’s Head of Inclusive Growth and Accountable Governance, Dr Edward Ampratwum, proposed a collaborative effort involving various sectors of society to tackle violence.
He stressed the need for rapid reforms in firearm legislation and greater backing for the Commission’s work.
Months ago, a 16-year-old form two student of Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School (OKESS) was arrested by the Tafo Pankrono Divisional Police Command for illegally possessing a locally manufactured firearm.
The police arrested the suspect following a routine dormitory search by school authorities on Wednesday, May 14.
According to the accused, the weapon belonged to his stepfather, Mr. Daniel Owusu Baafi, who has been apprehended.
This was disclosed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police Godwin Ahianyo, Head of Public Affairs for the Ashanti Regional Police Command, on Sunday, May 18.
Following their arrest, both individuals were granted bail and are to report to the police on Monday, May 19, as investigations continue.The illegal possession of guns has become a common trend in Ghana.
Experts have called for stricter punishments for culprits.
Speaking to The Independent Ghana, the Deputy Director of Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PPME) at the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA), Gyebi Asante, highlighted the urgent need to review existing laws governing firearms possession to better align with current security challenges.
“We are advocating for the law to be reviewed to suit the current situation and also be able to align with our current dispensation. It is something we have taken steps to do,” he said.
Ghanaian entertainment pundit, Nana Romeo, has asserted that the independence of the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over the years has been marred by politics.
Due to this assertion, Nana Romeo believes that IGP’s do not execute their roles as they should over fear of being sacked.
Joining a discussion on United Showbiz on July 13, 2025, the media personality said,
“I would suggest that the position of the IGP should not be a political appointment. If a government appoints an IGP, he is limited in taking actions in fear of being sacked by the sitting government.”
Nana Romeo’s concerns come in reaction to the election violence that ensued at the just-ended Ablekuma North election rerun on July 11, 2025.
The process was marred by escalated tensions with reports of voter intimidation, violent clashes, and arrests involving individuals wearing unapproved uniforms.
Nineteen polling stations of the Ablekuma North were involved to provide its constituents with a representative after the 2024 parliamentary elections.
At the Odorkor Methodist 1 polling station in the Ablekuma North constituency, some individuals engaged in a fisticuff with the police personnel.
Also, a JoyNews journalist was slapped by an unknown individual.
Former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and Member of Parliament for Ewutu Senya East Constituency, Hawa Koomson, was also assaulted by a group of men during the election.
In a video gone viral, a man lunged at Hawa Koomson, pushing her to the ground. Another person was seen kicking her.
The Police officers present intervened and prevented further attack against Hawa Koomson.
Consequently, the Ghana Police Service interdicted one of its officers who was caught on camera slapping a journalist with GH One Television, Banahene Agyekum, during the rerun election at Ablekuma North.
Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Muntaka, has vowed to go after individuals who contributed to chaos during the Parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency.
According to him, justice will be served regardless of the perpetrators’ political affiliation.
He pledged while addressing the media on Monday, July 14, as part of the ‘Government Accountability Series’ programme.
“I can assure you that not my party, not any group, will we sit and allow to see the resurgence of vigilantism. I have spoken to the IGP firmly about the happenings in the Ablekuma North. Videos have been forwarded to him, and we have instructed him to act swiftly to bring the perpetrators to book.
“We’re not going to condone any actions by individuals within or outside our party going around to do the untoward. I can assure the public that we will ensure that under the leadership of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, no such group will be allowed to form,” he assured.
Celebrated Europe-based Ghanaian actress, model, author, and philanthropist, Dayan Kodua, was moved to tears at the Kotoka International Airport upon her return to Ghana after thirty-four years living in Germany.
She was overcome by her emotions when her foot stepped in Ghana for the first time after several decades.
Speaking to journalists at the airport on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Madam Dayan Kodua said,
“I left Ghana when I was just ten years old,” she told journalists at the airport as she wiped tears off her face. Coming back to Ghana is like being more grounded in my roots.”
She received a warm and emotional welcome at Kotoka International Airport in Accra on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
Kodua, made history in 2001 as the first Black woman to win the Miss Schleswig-Holstein beauty pageant in Germany.
Though she has spent many years living in Germany, Dyan Kodua continues to hold her Ghanaian her Ghanaian roots close to her heart.
She takes pride in her Ashanti background and is fluent in multiple languages, including twi, german, English and French.
In Europe, she has built a reputation as more than just a performer.
She is recognized for using her platform to amplify diverse voices and cultural naratives.
After earning an economics degree from Kiel University of Apllied Sciences, she went on to study acting at respected institutions in Berlin and Los Angeles.
His screen work spans popular American and German productions, including roles in Boston Legal, Passions, Crank, and various local TV shows.
Running to Ghana holds deep meaning for Deyan as it symbolizes a profound reconnection and reaffirmation of the values she has spent her life promoting identity, empowerment, and cultural pride.
LIVE | German-based Ghanaian actress and trailblazer Dayan Kodua (@dayankodua_official), the first Black woman to be crowned Miss Schleswig-Holstein, has arrived in Ghana for the first time in 34 years.
Media Personality and entertainment pundit, DJ Slim has said that musician King Paluta’s fame might be getting into his head.
His assertion follows an incident involving King Paluta at an All-White Party in London, where he halted his performance to hurl insults at a fan.
This has attracted a myriad of criticisms targeted at King Pauta’s conduct.
During GhanaWeb’s X Space on July 11, 2025, centred on discussing the topic, “Managing Emotions on Stage and Audience’s Role in Triggering Artistes,” DJ Slim assessed that King Paluta’s conduct is simply an indication that he is overwhelmed by fame.
“I have dealt with artists from the group up, and some of these things are as a result of fame. People experience fame for the first time and cannot handle it… We can only pray for him,” DJ Slim indicated.
He adds that King Paluta has disrespected all his godfathers, people who could have called him to order and guided him to uphold behaviour that protects his brand.
As a result, King Paluta allegedly now finds himself without the mentorship that could safeguard and build his public image.
Meanwhile, Entertainment Pundit, MC Yaa Yeboah, has advised King Paluta to develop a more visible, relatable or charismatic identity outside of his music.
While she acknowledged his hard work and rise in the industry, MC Yeboah is further asking the musician to cultivate a stronger public persona his fans can relate with apart from his music.
“If you take away King Paluta’s music, he lacks personality. There is nothing to like about him. You have built from underground to where you find yourself. What you have to do is to build a personality so that when the music is not there, people can love you for your personality,” she said.
Meanwhile, MC Yaa Yeboah has motivated numerous young women by sharing her journey to building a strong personal brand.
The vocal social media commentator recounted how her primary school teachers said she was too unattractive to become a journalist or television presenter.
MC Yaa Yeboah emphasized that through hard work and dedication, she has become one of Ghana’s most talented personalities.
During an interview with Okyeame Quophi, she confidently asserted that no one could claim to have slept with her in exchange for a position or promotion in the entertainment industry.
She also condemned socialite Efia Odo for positioning herself as the epitome of beauty.
Yaa Yeboah stated that Efia Odo’s remark calling musician Sista Afia ugly in their recent social media clash was disrespectful, as Efia Odo does not represent the ultimate standard of beauty.
“Some of the comments go as far as being very disrespectful. As I said earlier, Efia Odo may think she is beautiful, but she is not the standard of beauty. In your mind, you could think that you are beautiful and believe that will grant you the right to call someone you believe is not right ugly, but that is not right…”
“What I am saying is that Efia Odo is not the standard of beauty. We don’t say ladies who look at Efia Odo are the only beautiful ladies because no matter how beautiful she thinks she is, there is someone out there who doesn’t see her as beautiful. So all that bullying of calling someone ugly and all should cease because you are not the standard of beauty at all,” she stated during a discussion on the Satu
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.
Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, aka Agradaa (aka Evangelist Mama Pat), who used to be a fetish priestess,have been slapped with a 15-years jail sentence linked to her defrauding of church members.
Following her sentence, many wondered whether her church would still run or be shutdown after it’s leaders jail sentence.
In response to this, her husband who also doubles as a fellow pastor of the church, has revealed that, the church would continue “as he remains a pastor and Rev. Mama Pat also remains a pastor as well, the work of God would still go on”.
He said that the verdict is “no new news because many whpo worked for God, many who have taken leadership positions at a point in history suffered imprisonment”.
He continued by drawing comparisons with biblical characters such as Paul and Silas who were imprisoned for doing the work of God and were imprisoned.
He said “it’s normal,considering how things work in the spiritual realm. However quite disturbing as it ought to be in the physical realm.
He claims that “God has ways of honouring his servants hence this might only be the beginning of something good” he said.
Meanwhile, 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.
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.
Watch the video below:
The husband of Nana Agradaa, along with members of the Heaven Way Church, went on their knees to seek forgiveness on her behalf.
They pleaded with President John Mahama, the First Lady, clergy, media personnel, and all those she may have wronged to forgive her. pic.twitter.com/Wyg6U1JQeO
Record producer and songwriter Benny Blanco has revealed that he occasionally forgets the songs he has made due to the number of tracks he has churned out over the past sixteen years.
According to him, Shazam (an app that can identify songs from ambient audio) has become one way he recognizes the songs he has produced.
But before that, he barely remembers every song he has produced.
“Sometimes I am in a restaurant and I’m like, ‘Oh, my god, this song’s so good.” And I Shazam it, and then it’s my own song,” he said in a recent appearance on Jake Shane’s Therapuss podcast.
He explained that he has been doing music for the past 16 years, hence the tendency to forget some of what he has produced.
“I’m old and I can’t remember anything,” the 37-year-old said. “I’ve done, like hundreds of songs that have come out.”
Benny Blanco defended himself in the shocked face of the podcast host, Jake Shane, by asking him if he remembers every word he has mentioned in his podcast since it commenced.
“Let’s say you’re on your 16th season of your podcast and someone’s like, ‘Did you interview Chelsea Handler?’ And you’re like, ‘I think so?’” Blanco said.
Benny Blanco is a hit-making record producer and the uber producer who has worked with everyone from Britney Spears to his fiancée, Selena Gomez.
He has played a behind-the-scenes role in shaping modern pop music.
He has worked with music legends and global stars such as Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and The Weeknd.
Songs like “Love Yourself,” “Diamonds,” “Teenage Dream,” and “Eastside” are just a few examples of his signature touch.
His ability to blend catchy melodies with emotional depth has made him a go-to collaborator for artists seeking both commercial and critical success.
Entertainment entrepreneur, Nana Yaw Wiredu aka Nana Yaw 18, has shared his pain over the decline of highlife presence in Ghana’s music scene.
According to him, the industry’s failure to acknowledge the pioneers of the music genre has contributed greatly to the situation.
“We killed our own genre because some people felt Reggie Rockstone didn’t deserve to own hiplife, or Zapp Mallet didn’t have a stake in it. That mindset hurt us,” he said on Channel One TV’s The Chat programme on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
He noted that ancient genres like heavy metal, funk, and electronic music have maintained relevance up to the Grammy level due to sustained support.
Unfortunately, Ghana failed in this area, which has led to the reason highlife is currently losing relevance.
“When you go to the Grammys, you’ll see categories like heavy metal, funk, and electronic music, and you’ll wonder if people still even do those genres. But they’re there because they’ve been sustained. That’s what Ghana failed to do with hiplife,” he said.
Ghana’s vibrant music scene has been blessed with the rise of various genres that have shaped the cultural and social landscape of the nation.
One of the most influential of these is “Hiplife,” a fusion of highlife, hip-hop, and African rhythms.
While Reggie Rockstone is celebrated as the founder of Hiplife, the contributions of Ghanaian producer Zapp Mallet have been unjustly overlooked, even though he played a crucial role in crafting the sound that defined this genre.
Meanwhile, the President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bessa Simons, has announced plans to organize seminars aimed at reviving the fading identity of highlife music in Ghana.
Speaking on Atinka TV’s Entertainment Lounge, hosted by Odefour DiAsa Paapa, Simons expressed concern over the genre’s gradual decline, noting that while highlife remains widely recognized, it is losing its stronghold as Ghana’s signature music style.
“It is worrying,” he stated.
As part of efforts to preserve and promote highlife, MUSIGA is set to roll out a series of educational seminars to highlight the genre’s unique characteristics.
“We will start organizing seminars about highlife. We are also working on a documentary with Prof. John Collins for our Golden Jubilee to showcase how highlife has evolved over the years and the key elements that make it distinct,” Simons revealed.
He stressed that highlife is deeply rooted in Ghanaian culture and remains an integral part of daily life.
“Highlife music is played and consumed in every Ghanaian home. It is unique, and once you start singing on a highlife beat, everyone—whether Black or white—can relate to it,” he emphasized.
Simons further highlighted the genre’s rich instrumentation, pointing out its incorporation of various guitar styles such as Amponsah, Odo Nsor, and Dagomba rhythms.
“These elements are what make highlife special. That is why the seminar is very important—not just for Ghanaians but for anyone who wants to learn. Even in London, I saw white musicians traveling to Côte d’Ivoire to learn highlife guitar, and when they returned, they were playing highlife perfectly,” he noted.
Despite concerns over highlife’s diminishing prominence, Simons remains optimistic about its future. He acknowledged the contributions of renowned Ghanaian guitarists such as Odekro Kyekyeku and Aka Blay but stressed the need to train younger musicians to uphold the genre’s legacy.
“Fortunately, we have great guitarists like Odekro, Kyekyeku, and Aka Blay, who are holding the fort. But we need to start building the next generation so that Ghana can officially claim highlife as our musical hallmark,” he urged.
The Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly (AWMA) has issued a two-month ultimatum to property owners within the municipality to regularise their building permits.
All property owners are advised to visit the Physical Planning Department of the Assembly with all relevant documentation to commence the regularisation process without delay.
This directive stems from several buildings sighted in the area without proper approval, per a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Assembly, Jacob Shamatey.
The Assembly notes that at the end of the two months, it will undertake stringent measures, including the issuance of stop-work orders, demolition of unauthorised structures, and legal prosecution of offenders by the law.
“Property owners are strongly encouraged to use this grace period to engage with the Assembly and regularise their permits to avoid enforcement actions,” the statement read.
The Assembly has commenced an extensive inventory of unpermitted developments in areas such as Shiashie, Airport Residential Area, Roman Ridge, Dzorwulu, East Legon, West Legon and other parts of the municipality to ensure full compliance with planning and building regulations.
The Assembly’s exercise is intended to promote orderly development, protect public safety, and enhance the attractiveness of the municipality as a preferred destination for residents and investors.
In recent times, several reports of building collapse in the Central Region have raised concerns over the integrity of buildings put up by property owners. Last month, about four deaths were reported in Cape Coast. A biennium ago, the country recorded several injuries and deaths due to the collapse of building strucutres.
In 2023, the Engineering Council of Ghana expressed grave concern over the surge in collapsed buildings in the country, which has resulted in the loss of lives and properties.
To address this trend, the council decided to set up an emergency team to thoroughly investigate the incidents that have taken place so far.
The Registrar of the Council, Mr Wise Ametefe, announced the establishment of the team and stated that it will also offer technical support to Assemblies in enforcing building regulations and directly respond to such disasters.
Mr Ametefe, while speaking to the media, attributed the blame to the respective Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) for not being up to task with respect to the approval of permits for new buildings.
The Engineering Council regulates the practice of engineering and provides for regulated matters to secure the highest professional standards in the practice of engineering.
It is the role of the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure that permit applications for new buildings in their area of jurisdiction are thoroughly scrutinised in compliance with the Ghana Accessibility Standards.
In 2016, the government launched the Ghana Standards on Accessibility Design Document in Accra, which provides specifications on how buildings, roads, and recreational centres should be designed to make them accessible to all, especially persons with disabilities. Sections of the Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), specifically in Article 6 (Access to public places), require owners or occupiers of a public place to provide appropriate facilities that make the place accessible to and available for use by persons with disabilities.
The Act further stipulates that a person who provides service to the public shall put in place the necessary facilities that make the service available and accessible to a person with a disability.
These sections of the Disability Act have since been incorporated into the Ministry of Works and Housing’s Building Regulations (L.I 2465), which, among other things, require professionals in the built industry to have inclusiveness in all housing designs to adequately address the needs of the disabled and the aged.
Preliminary results from the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun have begun to emerge.
It is setting the stage for a potentially tense conclusion to the closely monitored contest.
Although the Electoral Commission aimed to engage over 6,000 eligible voters to finalize the constituency’s much-delayed electoral process, the exercise was marred by incidents of violence at some polling centres.
Polls have officially closed in Ablekuma North Constituency’s parliamentary rerun across 19 polling stations today.
Six thousand eligible voters were targeted by the Electoral Commission to carry out the constituency’s repeatedly postponed election.
However, the day was marred by violent scenes at some centres.
The voting process started peacefully at 7:00 a.m. in most locations, but chaos ensued at the Methodist Church polling station in Odorkor, Accra.
A group of men attacked voters and party officials, involving former MP Hawa Koomso,n which led to a brief pause in the voting process but was later resumed.
Some individuals engaged in a fisticuff with the police personnel. Also, a JoyNews journalist was slapped by an unknown individual.
After the 2024 polls, Ablekuma North remained the only constituency in Ghana without a sitting MP, due to unresolved disagreements over the outcome of the parliamentary vote.
On December 10, 2024, three days after the national polls, the EC declared Ewurabena Aubynn of the NDC the winner of the Ablekuma North parliamentary seat, defeating the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh.
However, the EC later revoked the announcement, revealing that results from 62 of the 281 polling stations had not been included in the initial collation.
Efforts to restart the collation in January 2025 were disrupted by multiple challenges.
These included interruptions due to the submission of unverified pink sheets and a violent intrusion at the collation centre that heightened security concerns.
The Electoral Commission (EC), after extensive deliberations, in July noted that it will hold the rerun election because the 19 scanned polling station results used for the collation, though approved by agents of both political parties, were not verified by the presiding officers responsible for those polling stations.
The EC arrived at this decision after it met with the representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday, July 1.
Ahead of today’s election, the EC called on the Ghana Police Service to provide the needed security to ensure a safe environment for the conduct of the election.
Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) in Charge of Corporate Services, Dr Bossman Asare, has affirmed that the Ghana Police Service and the National Election Security Taskforce have pledged to ensure security before, during, and after the upcoming Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun.
Meanwhile, several individuals posing as security personnel dressed in brown uniforms near the Awoshie DVLA polling station in the Ablekuma North Constituency have been arrested by the police.
According to reports, their apprehension stems from their failure to provide proper identification.
The victims are in Odorkor Police Station for further investigation.
For years, security agencies have cautioned members of the general public against wearing their uniforms without their authorisation.
Despite the continuous education and warnings issued to the general public to desist from these practices, the trend rather appears to be on the increase.
These unauthorised acts are in contravention of the National Liberation Council Decree (NLCD) 177 of 1967, which is still in force.
Despite the tension, most centres saw orderly voting under tight security. The rerun follows a legal tussle over incomplete collation in the December 2024 polls.
JOYNEWS has discovered the face of the thug who assaulted one of their journalist when violence erupted at the Ablekuma North constituency parliamentary rerun on Friday 11 July 2025.
The young man who had part of his face covered with a cloth mask walked straight to Sally Martey as she passed near the St.Peter’s Society Methodist Church polling station.
The reporter was on her usual assignment, reporting on the rerun when the assault occurred.
The thug came up behind Sally and suddenly attacked her with a slap and pushed her hard for no clear reason.
A shaken Sally recounted after the incident, “I did nothing. He just came at me and attacked me.”
The entire chaotic incident has been widely condemned by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) including other media advocacy groups.
It has also raised concerns among media watchdogs and election observers, who say attacks on journalists are becoming an alarming trend in Ghana’s democracy.
JOYNEWS condemns attack on its journalist
“JOYNEWS strongly condemns the assault of one of our journalists by an unknown thug during the Ablekuma North constituency rerun. The journalist, who was on the ground to carry out her legitimate duties as a member of the press, was attacked without provocation while covering the electoral process.”
“This attack is an affront not just to JOYNEWS, but to press freedom and democracy in Ghana. No journalist should be intimidated, harassed, or assaulted for doing their job, especially during such a critical civic exercise as an election.”
“We call on the Ghana Police Service to swiftly investigate this incident and bring the perpetrator to justice. We also urge the Electoral Commission and all political stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of media professionals at all polling centres.”
“JOYNEWS remains committed to upholding the public’s right to timely, accurate, and impartial information. We will not be deterred by acts of intimidation.”
The administrator of the Minerals Development Commission, Dr Hanna Louisa Bissiw, has reacted to the assault on former Awutu Senya East Member of Parliament, Mavis Hawa Koomson, earlier today at Ablekuma North Constituency.
According to Madam Bissiw, she has been a victim of a similar assault engineered by the former Awutu Senya East MP.
Hence, she cannot pretend to sympathize with her now, as she [Hawa Koomson] is having a taste of her own medicine.
“I’m a victim of Hawa Koomson. Ask her if I deserved the man she brought to attack me. Ask her about the people they shot and killed at Kasoa, and the organiser who died. Go and ask her about the guns she used. Did the people she attacked deserve it?” Madam Bissiw quizzed.
Adding that, “I condemn the violence, but please don’t ask me to feel sorry for her, because I’d be lying before you and before God. I don’t feel sorry one bit. She deserves it,” she fumed.
Hawa Koomson was assaulted by a group of men at the Ablekuma North rerun election.
In a video gone viral, a man lunged at Hawa Koomson, pushing her to the ground. Another person was seen kicking her.
The Police officers present intervened and prevented further attack against Hawa Koomson.
Also, there was chaos at the Odorkor Methodist polling station in the Ablekuma North constituency.
Some individuals engaged in a fisticuff with the police personnel. Also, a JoyNews journalist was slapped by an unknown individual.
Voting has been suspended at Odorkor Methodist 1 Polling Station due to the chaos.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has interdicted one of its officers who was caught on camera slapping a journalist with GH One Television, Banahene Agyekum, during the rerun election at Ablekuma North.
In line with internal disciplinary procedures, he has been referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for investigation.
The officer concerned has been withdrawn from the ongoing election duty at Ablekuma North.
The Police have assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted into the matter and further updates will be communicated.
It is unknown what exactly transpired between the reporter and a group of police officers that led to him being slapped.
The Police officer’s action has been condemned by all, including the mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, who witnessed the unfortunate incident.
Engaging the media after the assault, Banahene Agyekum expressed distress and pain.
“Yes, (I won’t be able to continue work today) because my right eye is shaking and I don’t know what happened to my forehead. I have to go for a medical checkup,” he stated.
