The deceased covered with a cloth

A tragic industrial accident at a company yard in Ejisu has claimed the life of a man identified only as “Alligator,” who was assisting in the loading of a bulldozer onto a low-bed trailer.

According to eyewitnesses, the unfortunate incident occurred when the trailer, on which the deceased was standing to help guide the loading process, reportedly suffered brake failure. In the chaos that followed, he lost his balance, fell, and was fatally crushed beneath the heavy machinery.

“He was just trying to help, as he always does,” said a visibly shaken colleague. “We were all having a good day until this happened.”

Personnel from the Ejisu District Police Command responded swiftly to the scene and transported the body to the Ejisu Government Hospital morgue.

Authorities have since launched a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident and whether safety protocols were adequately followed.

The incident has left co-workers and members of the local community in deep shock, reigniting concerns about workplace safety, particularly regarding the condition and maintenance of heavy-duty equipment.

By David Afum, Ejisu

Ghana has formally reopened negotiations with PayPal to restore full services in the country, while simultaneously finalizing a partnership with TikTok to empower local content creators.

Communications Minister Sam Nartey George confirmed both developments during the August 1 Government Accountability Series, framing them as critical steps to bolster Ghana’s digital ecosystem.

PayPal delivered a compliance roadmap in June 2025 outlining technical, regulatory, and financial benchmarks for reinstatement.

George emphasized collaboration with the Bank of Ghana to ensure PayPal’s adherence to local regulations, noting restored access would “eliminate long-standing barriers” for freelancers, SMEs, and creatives in global trade.

Concurrently, TikTok talks advanced following a June 26 meeting with its West Africa team. The Minister stressed three priorities: enforcing age restrictions, ensuring fair compensation for Ghanaian creators, and establishing localized content moderation aligned with national values.

“Decisions about content must reflect our context,” he stated, urging TikTok to deploy an in-country governance team.

These initiatives complement Ghana’s domestic digital upskilling drive, where 859 citizens (52% female) recently completed the pilot phase of the “1 Million Coders Programme.”

The initiative attracted 90,000 applications within four hours of launch, with plans to train 50,000 more by year-end.

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has ordered the immediate closure of the Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine and Technology.

The university has also been directed to provide evidence of all its academic claims by August 8, 2025.

This directive follows the arrest of Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, the institution’s founder, along with its registrar and director. The arrests were made on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, during a joint operation between GTEC and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.

According to GTEC, the university college has been operating without accreditation and offering an unapproved Bachelor of Technology (BTech) programme in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine with various specialisations, in violation of Ghana’s tertiary education regulations.

In an interview with Citi News on Friday, August 1, GTEC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Jerry Sarfo, stated that the institution must halt all activities, including student admissions and advertising both online and on billboards, until proper accreditation is secured.

“We have asked the institution to shut down and provide evidence of compliance by the 8th of August. They are to cease operations and not admit any new students until accreditation is sorted.

“Should they wish to continue operating, they must initiate their accreditation process immediately. We have also asked them to pull down all adverts,” he stated.

Additionally, GTEC has instructed Raphael Nyarkotey Obu to stop using the honorary title “Professor” and issue a public disclaimer, as there is no evidence supporting the legitimacy of the title.

“We have informed Mr. Nyarkotey to desist from using the title ‘Professor,’ as there is no evidence he earned it. He is also to issue a public disclaimer to that effect,” Sarfo added.

The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) Composite Index rose marginally to 6,994.45 points on August 1, 2025, gaining 2.16 points (0.03%) from the previous session.

The financial stocks index also edged up by 1.09 points to 3,428.15. Trading activity remained subdued with 960,231 shares valued at GH¢21.97 million changing hands—a significant drop from Thursday’s GH¢207.7 million turnover.

MTN Ghana (MTNGH) dominated trading, accounting for 50% of the day’s total value at GH¢1.71 million. Other active equities included Societe Generale Ghana (SOGEGH) with GH¢566,308 and TotalEnergies Ghana (TOTAL) at GH¢245,765.

Most stocks closed flat, though Fan Milk (FML) and GOIL (GOIL) saw slight gains of GH¢0.08 and GH¢0.02, respectively. NewGold ETF (GLD) dipped 1.4% despite leading volume with 53,317 units traded.

Market capitalization stood at GH¢146.13 billion. MTN Ghana retained its position as the highest-valued listed company at GH¢47 billion, followed by Tullow Oil (TLW) at GH¢17.4 billion and AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) at GH¢18.6 billion.

Corporate performance metrics revealed challenges for several firms, including Aluworks (ALW), Cocoa Processing Co. (CPC), and Samba Foods (SAMBA), all reporting negative earnings per share.

Alban Bagbin is the Speaker of Parliament

Parliament has approved a one-year non-renewable mining lease for Abosso Goldfields at Damang in the Western Region.

The new lease, which follows the expiration of the original agreement on April 18, 2025, has now been extended to April 2026, following stakeholder consultations.

Under the terms of this agreement, no further extensions, transfers, mortgages, or related transactions will be permitted beyond the new expiration date.

It would be recalled that the government had initially planned to assume control of operations after the original lease expired, having previously announced its decision not to renew Gold Fields’ Damang mining lease.

However, after broader consultations, government agreed to extend the arrangement by one additional year under strict non-renewable conditions.

In 2011, Gold Fields acquired IAMGold’s remaining interest in the Damang Mine, bringing its ownership stake to 90 percent. The Government of Ghana holds the remaining 10 percent.

According to Gold Fields’ 2024 Annual Report, no mineral reserves were declared at Damang, indicating the absence of defined gold deposits available for mining.

Actual mining activities at Damang reportedly ceased in 2023, as the company shifted focus to processing existing stockpiles.

The report revealed that mining activities at Damang had ceased following the depletion of the Huni pits.

Meanwhile, the company intended to continue processing stockpiles until the end of 2025.

SA/MA

How Virtual Reality is enhancing business and customer experience

Ashesi University’s Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC) celebrated a significant milestone this week with the graduation of 25 businesses from Cohort 10 and the welcoming of 20 new enterprises into Cohort 11.

This dual ceremony at GCIC’s Airport West facility showcased the remarkable impact of the Global Affairs Canada SURGE initiative, which has been empowering Ghanaian climate entrepreneurs since 2021.

The graduating cohort achieved gender parity with 13 female-led and 12 male-led businesses – a notable achievement given that only 2% of global venture capital typically reaches women founders.

Since its inception in 2017, GCIC ‘s 363 supported businesses have made substantial environmental and economic impacts, collectively mitigating 3.1 million metric tons of carbon emissions, creating over 32,000 jobs, receiving $4,200,000 in grants and raising $42.6 million in additional capital.

The newly inducted Cohort 11 businesses will also benefit from GCIC’s comprehensive SURGE program running through April 2026, with each enterprise receiving support valued at $48,000 including CAD $15,000 grants, a High-Value Mini MBA, and expert portfolio management.

Naa Akwetey, Chief Operations Officer of Ashesi University, emphasized the program’s significance, stating, “The innovations we celebrate today reflect Africa’s capacity to solve its own challenges through entrepreneurship. From Tetteh Glassblowing Enterprise’s waste transformation to Royal Baobab Farms’ solar-powered agriculture, our graduates prove that sustainability and profitability go hand-in-hand.” The ceremony honored tradition through symbolic plant exchanges between outgoing and incoming cohorts, embodying the transfer of climate leadership.

The event featured insights from alumni, including Shaq Express founder Anthony Owusu-Ansah, who shared valuable lessons on post-incubation growth. GCIC leadership, including the Entrepreneurship Director.

As Cohort 10 joins GCIC’s 190+ strong alumni network and Cohort 11 begins its journey, the ceremony underscored GCIC’s role as West Africa’s premier climate innovation hub. “This is not an ending, but a foundation for continued leadership,” Naa Akwetey noted, highlighting how GCIC bridges academic excellence with practical solutions for Africa’s sustainable development.

The full list of businesses is as follows:

Johnson Donkor Doku, Southern Ridge Ltd

Peggy Hassan, Snailry Ghana

Boahemaa Ntim, Nutrihealth Food and Beverage

Moses Panni, Ecodrop Recycling Ltd

Rogatta Antwi – Baadu, Hat Agritec

Kwabena Adu Asare Akwaboah, Rockolive Ltd

Cynthia Kampoe, Cynthbeht Ltd

Yakubu Elijah, Ekduo Ltd

Richmond Turkson, Mow Farms

Christopher Ben Korquaye Collison, Koladra Gh Ltd

Latiff Omar, Lartisco Enterprise

Mercedes Agyemang Enterprise, Every Mama’s Dream

Monica Senanu, Chocoluv

Rodney So Noi Nortey, DSP Sanitation Solutions

Abi Nana Yaa Twum – Ampofo, Oyster Agribusiness Ltd

Christine Antwi – Frimpong, Zuriel Carbon Products Ltd

Frank Kofi Gyabeng, Fruity Star Ghana

Safoa Lydia, Safosco Ventures

Sarpei Kwadey, Bankyekrom Ltd

Michelle William–Addo, Maugreen Crop Livestock Farms

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Kissi Agyebeng is the Special Prosecutor

The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has responded to criticisms directed at his office following the detention of the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, Paul Adom-Otchere.

Despite being granted bail by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and instructed to provide two landed properties of a specific value registered in his name, Adom-Otchere is reported to have failed to meet the conditions, informing the OSP that he does not own any landed property in Ghana.

This has drawn widespread criticism against the OSP, with some suggesting that the bail conditions are being used as a form of punishment.

However, reacting to the claims on Friday, August 1, 2025, at his office complex, Agyebeng justified the bail conditions, stating that they are intended to prevent the suspect from fleeing, as any attempt to do so would empower the state to confiscate the pledged property.

“When you come to the OSP as a suspect and you say you do not have any landed property, you can’t bail yourself. You don’t have any landed property and we won’t put the value on it. Bring what you have and it is also to encourage you not to run because if you run away, that property will be confiscated by the state.

“So, it is to encourage you to show up. If you do not do that and you say you don’t have anything, you have placed yourself on the state. Anything the state finds standing in your name will be confiscated,” he clarified.

Agyebeng further dismissed claims that his office is using bail conditions as a ploy to punish individuals.

He clarified that the OSP does not oppose bail.

“Indeed, when we charge people and go to court, we don’t oppose bail. Special Prosecutor, have we ever opposed bail? Last week Wednesday, I did an arraignment in the respect of the NPA matter. When it got to bail, I just got up and told the ladyship that we are not opposed to bail, so we are leaving it in the charge,” he indicated.

“We don’t oppose bail. We do not use bail to punish individuals in this office. What we do is just to secure by law, your attendance in respect of the investigations and if we are minded to take you to court (sic) then we have the requisite evidence,” he added.

Providing further details about the office’s procedures when an individual is summoned for investigation, Agyebeng explained that once the person honours the directive and appears, they are required to post bail.

He added that the summons explicitly advises the individual to come with legal representation, noting that lawyers, through their legal expertise, are well aware of these procedures.

“This is to the general public, when you are directed to come here as a suspect, mind you, you have to post bail and that is why in the communication directing you, we tell you that you may come along with counsel of your choice. Immediately you go for a counsel of your choice, the person by his or her training as a counsel knows that if you are being directed to show up as a suspect, you will be required to post bail,” he said.

MAG/VPO

Meanwhile, watch as Prophet Worlasi shares bombshell prophesies on Bawumia and NPP on The Lowdown:

play videoSamuel Nartey George is the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation

Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has said telecom companies in Ghana could face heavy fines if they fail to improve network quality by the end of the third quarter of 2025.

Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on August 1, 2025, the Minister said the government is aware of ongoing complaints about poor network service and has given Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) until the end of Q3 to address the issue using the additional spectrum they have been allocated.

“We’re giving them this period to make the necessary improvements. After that, starting in the fourth quarter, we will begin strict checks on their service quality,” he stated.

He warned that if the telcos fail to meet the required standards, the Ministry will instruct the National Communications Authority (NCA) to impose heavy fines.

“We will not hesitate to take action against any company that does not meet its service obligations,” he added.

The move is part of the government’s broader strategy to ensure better and more reliable network services for Ghanaians.

DR/MA

Ghana forward Joseph Paintsil has been voted the Man of the Match in the game between Los Angeles Galaxy and Club Tijuana in the 2025 Leagues Cup opener.

The Black Stars winger, who missed an early penalty, scored a brace and delivered an assist as the MLS champions defeated the Mexican side on Thursday evening.

His performance on the night earned him the accolade for the Player of the Match, receiving the most votes from fans.

Joseph Paintsil didn’t let an early missed penalty get in the way! 😎⚽⚽ He came away with a brace and an assist to become MOTM pres. by GEICO 🔥 #LeaguesCup2025 pic.twitter.com/RGJyX0Uftm

— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 1, 2025

“It’s a great feeling. Missing a penalty is something that can affect a player but I’m really strong in situation like that. The most important thing is the victory. I thank God for the win and the two goals as well,” said Painstil after the game.

Meanwhile, in a thrilling encounter at the Dignity Health Park, LA Galaxy broke the deadlock after just 17 minutes into the match through Matheus Nascimento but Gilberto Mora immediately leveled the score in the 21st-minute mark for Tijuana.

Gabriel Pec found the back of the net to restore the lead for the host as they went to the break with the advantage.

However, the visitors staged a swift comeback to level the score through Gilberto Mora in the 59th-minute, his second of the match.

Paintsil then led the demolition exercise for LA Galaxy in the second half of the match. He scored to restore the lead for his side in the 65th-minute before Marcos Reus added the fourth goal from his assist.

In stoppage time, the former KRC Genk star found the back of the net again to seal victory for LA Galaxy. The pacey winger denied himself a hat-trick after missing a penalty kick in the match.

Samuel Nartey George is the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation

The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has revealed that the government has cancelled payments previously made to certain companies that had no formal contracts for work on the ghana.gov platform.

Addressing Ghanaians during the Government Accountability Series on Friday, August 1, 2025, the minister stated that substantial monthly payments were illegally made to these companies under the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

Sam George added that the current government has since cancelled the payments and has not paid any amount for the platform since assuming office.

“The ghana.gov platform has run under the previous administration of President Akufo-Addo without a contract. Tens of millions of Ghana cedis were paid every month to companies without a contract.

“We have put an end and a stop to it. Since President Mahama came into office, not a pesewa has been paid on that because we cannot keep paying for a project that has no contract,” he said.

Additionally, the minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, stated that as part of the government’s resetting agenda, it has taken further measures beyond the cancellation, announcing that a newly redesigned project has been developed.

According to him, the new project will feature distinctive elements such as full integration with the Ghana Card and is expected to be rolled out in the fourth quarter of 2025.

“The ministry has redesigned the project. We are going to launch it in Q4 of this year, working closely with the Ministry of Finance. We are currently at the Public Procurement Authority seeking clearance to proceed with a public tender to ensure that the best value for money is achieved for the Ghanaian people,” he announced.

“The redesigned site will feature faster access, full Ghana card integration, an intuitive streamlined interface tailored for both individuals and businesses, and will harmonize all of government’s payment gateways and platforms into one portal,” he added.

GHANA.GOV is a digital service and revenue collection platform created to provide a single point of access to Government of Ghana services across the public sector.

Prior to its redesign, the platform offered the following services:

1. Processing of all payments and transfers (both electronic and cash) against predefined service flows of each MDA and MMDA.

2. Manage post-payment workflow, customer notification, feedback and service ratings. Thereby, enabling the Government of Ghana fulfil its goal of creating a cash-lite economy.

MAG/VPO

Meanwhile, watch as Prophet Worlasi shares bombshell prophesies on Bawumia and NPP on The Lowdown:

The Government of Ghana has donated 40 metric tons of locally produced cocoa products to the people of Palestine, in a show of solidarity amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

President John Dramani Mahama, who announced the gesture, said the donation underscores Ghana’s commitment to shared humanity and its longstanding partnership with the Palestinian people.

“The images and stories emerging from Gaza, particularly the suffering of innocent civilians, are heartbreaking. In this regard, the government of Ghana is pleased to extend a humanitarian donation of about 40 metric tons of Premier Ghana-made chocolate and cocoa-based products under the distinguished Golden Tree brand to the people of the state of Palestine,” he stated.

The President described the cocoa products as a symbol of Ghana’s rich natural resources and a source of essential nutrition, particularly for malnourished mothers and children affected by the crisis.

President Mahama also reiterated Ghana’s support for a two-state solution, calling on all parties involved in the conflict to embrace dialogue and pursue peace.

Receiving the donation, Palestinian Ambassador Abdalfatah Al-Sattari expressed deep appreciation for the gesture, noting the emotional and symbolic impact it would have on the people of Gaza.

“If this chocolate arrives in Gaza—and it will arrive—and our people only see the chocolate, you cannot imagine how happy they will be, and you can’t imagine how much more than happy they will be when they eat,” he said.

The Ambassador spoke of the severe hardship Palestinians have endured, especially over the past two years, due to the blockade of aid and the intensifying conflict with Israel.

“I know my people in Gaza and the West Bank, and I know the suffering and pain they are going through for a long time,” he added.

He also acknowledged other nations that have supported Gaza, including Egypt and France, for their advocacy of a two-state solution as the path to ending the conflict.

The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of humanitarian organisations.

President Mahama concluded with a message of solidarity:
“To our brothers and sisters in Palestine, know that you do not walk alone. Ghana stands with you. May peace prevail.”

play videoUser behaviour the real cause of rapid data consumption

With the rise of technology, many smartphone users now browse the internet to access news, entertainment, or stay connected with friends and family.

Today, social media has also become a space where people meet new friends and build professional and personal networks.

However, a growing number of users have complained that their mobile data depletes too quickly, even though telecom providers recently reduced the cost of data bundles.

Addressing these concerns, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, clarified that there has been no tampering with data pricing by telecommunication companies.

According to him, investigations into customer complaints revealed that most concerns were based on perception rather than technical evidence.

He emphasised that user behavior, such as app usage, video streaming, and background activity, is often the real cause of rapid data consumption.

Sam George stressed that any telecom company found to be altering pricing outside the National Communications Authority’s (NCA) approved rates would face swift sanctions.

“Let me be clear: my fidelity, and that of the Ministry and the government of President Mohammed, is to the Ghanaian people. Our interest lies in protecting their best interest. However, these are technical matters that must be addressed with facts, not feelings,” he said.

He added, “I’ve seen numerous complaints on social media, so I have established a specialised task force within the NCA and across all mobile network operators to tackle them. I want to put on record that every complaint referred to the team has been thoroughly investigated, and all were linked to user behavior, not price tampering.”

“This morning, I received a report on one complaint. The NCA attempted to contact the individual for 48 hours with no response, so I had to retweet him on X. Eventually, we discovered he had handed his device to someone else, who streamed videos extensively. That’s what drained the data he expected to retain, and we have the evidence,” the Minister said.

Sam George further assured the public that his ministry remains committed to transparency and will continue to monitor telecom operations closely.

On July 1, 2025, MTN, Telecel, and government-owned AT significantly reduced data costs by increasing the volume of data offered under existing bundles.

For example, Telecel’s GH¢400 bundle, which previously offered 195GB, now provides 236GB. AT’s GH¢400 bundle gives 250GB, while MTN’s GH¢399 package now offers 214GB.

SA/MA