C Burn’s ambitions shine brighter with Aidoo Intelligence 2.0 album
C Burn offers a highly energetic experience for his debut album, capturing his distinct Cape Coast and T’adi melodies in a vibe-y formula that excels.
From the confidence of its lead single, ‘Consummate’, to its powerful opener, ‘Seaman Anthem,’ and tender closer, ‘Medofopa,’ “Aidoo Intelligence 2.0” thrives on variety, expanding the smaller scope of the EP that inspired it with 18 tracks.
There’s no doubt this first chapter builds on familiar ground.
C Burn’s street-smart lyrics, compelling stories, and versatility last year’s EP, “Aidoo Intelligence,” remain intact, but there’s a new ring to the music.
Listeners will sense more passion from the artist through his meticulously crafted lyrics and the effervescent vibe each track oozes.
Whether he explores serious topics like survival and ambition or lighter ones like mindless fun and love, every message stays grounded.
That said, the variety packed in C Burn’s debut album is undeniable.
Tracks like ‘La La La’ and ‘Paradise’ will charm lovebirds with their dreamy escapism, while ‘Ghana Baby,’ ‘Ahhh,’ and ‘Dat Tin’ will captivate with the irresistible flair of Afrobeat bangers.
All five blend poetic lyrics, infectious hooks, and an unending energy that inspires continuous movement.
If those don’t suit your taste, the soulful ‘Adwoa’ and ‘Good Love’ offer a different flavour that’s highly sensual. Even better, the album’s production is more diverse, enforcing a “no skips, just vibes” approach.
‘Suffer,’ ‘Feel Am,’ and ‘Helper’ (featuring Vuga) stand out as focal points on “Aidoo Intelligence 2.0,” each with its unique feel, but overall complementary.
The emotionally charged ‘Suffer,’ for instance, portrays C Burn at his most vulnerable, while ‘Feel Am’ uplifts with its sunny production.
On the other hand, ‘Helper’–the album’s penultimate track–is a motivational anthem that bridges the two with grace.
Then there’s Kriminal (featuring Zie), a hardcore buzzing with intense energy and dizzying rhymes! It blurs the lines between rebel and hero, painting a dark, unfiltered portrait of street life–every hustler’s arena.
Despite the wide range of themes, the album remains cohesive; C Burn’s delivery never feels monotonous or overwhelming for a project of this scale.
Nothing is shabby. Rather, each approach from the artist feels refreshing and entertaining.
Beyond its focus tracks, there’s still plenty to love! The camaraderie nestled in ‘Man Dema’ (featuring Rison), or the simmering tension between morality and the pursuit of wealth in ‘Sika’, still hit hard. And how could we forget the elegance of ‘Senior Man’ or the cultural nostalgia packed in ‘La Agbo!’ We can go on and on, but you get the picture.
In the end, C Burn manages to level up his well-received EP from last year.
“Aidoo Intelligence 2.0” sees him double down on his ambition, creating a bold, infectious project worthy of attention.
Whether you’re discovering the artist for the first time or have been following his evolution over the years, there’s no doubt his first opus will stick with you for ages.
A heated exchange erupted on Good Morning Ghana on Metro TV when Beatrice Annan, a presidential staffer clashed with Akosua Manu, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 Parliamentary Candidate for Adentan, on Monday, July 14, 2025.
The two engaged in a verbal confrontation that quickly turned personal, veering off political issues into direct accusations and biting remarks.
Things escalated when Akosua Manu rejected suggestions that she was trying to emulate her political opponent, stating: “I’m actually not obsessed with you. Never! This is the narcissism and pettiness I talk about.”
Beatrice Annan shot back: “I am everything you pray for and more.”
In response, Akosua Manu continued; “This is the narcissism and the pettiness that I talk about — that she assumes I want to be like her. Indeed, with her collar looking like a crow. But I don’t want to get into pettiness this morning. I do not, in any stretch, want to be like you, and to me, that was an insult.”
She also criticised Annan for trivialising serious issues, particularly regarding violence against women in politics.
“You come and sit here to trivialise an issue and put blame on a middle-aged woman who was just defending herself,” she said.
Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah
The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting a national biogas initiative aimed at equipping Senior High Schools with biodigesters and clean energy technology to reduce dependence on traditional fuels for cooking.
The pledge was made by the Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, during a courtesy visit by the management of DAS Biogas, a renewable energy company that specialises in converting organic waste into clean energy.
Gyan-Mensah emphasised the importance of prioritising the renewable energy sub-sector to attract private sector investment, noting that such carbon-focused development initiatives align with the government’s broader green transition agenda.
He assured the delegation that their request to scale up the clean cooking intervention to cover 200 Senior High Schools nationwide would be reviewed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI).
The project, which aims to replace wood and charcoal with environmentally friendly biodigester cookstoves, has already been successfully piloted at Accra Girls’ Senior High School and the Police Training Academy, demonstrating its potential for broader national impact.
Ing. Seth Mahu, Director of Renewable and Green Transition at the Ministry, explained that while MESTI serves as the focal agency for carbon initiatives, the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition must provide technical endorsement for biogas-related projects.
“Because this intervention involves clean energy solutions, our Ministry’s support is necessary,” he stated.
Otema Yirenkyi, who led the DAS Biogas delegation, noted that the project is ready for expansion and only requires a letter of no objection from the Ministry to unlock carbon financing from international partners.
“We’ve signed a framework agreement. What remains is the Ministry’s no objection letter so we can proceed with the carbon project developers,” she said.
The proposed technology poses no financial burden on the government and is expected to receive swift approval, given Ghana’s established experience in biogas solutions.
Ministry officials estimate that the endorsement process could be completed within one month.
The initiative is expected to not only cut emissions and protect the environment but also improve health outcomes and reduce fuel costs for schools across the country.
Mr Richard Kwame Asante (seated middle), Board Chairman, Mrs Justina Nelson (seated 3rd from right), and other board members on the front row in a picture with MIIF management and other stakeholders
Business Desk Report
Business News
The Board Chairman of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Richard Kwame Asante, has reaffirmed the board’s commitment to ensure that the Fund operates strictly within its mandate as established by the governing Act.
This would help position the Fund as a catalyst for national development and positive change.
Speaking at the second MIIF Board/Management Retreat held in Accra he assured management and staff of the Board’s readiness to provide essential resources, counselling, and guidance to enable seamless discharge of duties.
Objective
The three-day retreat was designed to deepen the board’s understanding of the Fund’s operations through comprehensive departmental presentations and stakeholder insights, and reinforce the collaborative relationship between the board and Management.
It featured presentations from some key stakeholders of the Fund who provided valuable insights into their relationships with MIIF, including: State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA), Public Procurement Authority (PPA), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Deloitte.
Financial excellence
Mr Asante commended management for their commitment to professionalism and strict financial adherence.
“Our financial performance for the first half of 2025 has been encouraging, and we will ensure that we maintain this momentum in our quest to ensure that the good people of Ghana benefit significantly from their mineral resources,” he stated referencing the Fund’s first-half 2025 financial performance as presented by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Fund, Justina Nelson, in her presentation on the ‘MIIF journey so far’.
He emphasized that prudence across all operational fronts would be a cornerstone of the Board’s approach, adding that “we will be guided by the lessons of the past to chart a more positive path in accordance with the Fund’s mandate.”
Mr Asante further commended the management team for the progress achieved to date, pledging continued support toward achieving the Fund’s mission, and for the organisation of the retreat.
Mrs Nelson expressed appreciation to the board for their demonstrated commitment and pledge to help chart a positive path for the Fund to achieve its mandate.
She emphasized that management and staff stood ready to work closely with the board to make a great impact.
Ghana’s gold and minerals sector is set for a major spotlight as Meetings. Co, in partnership with key industry stakeholders, announces the Mining & Minerals Convention 2025, scheduled from August 26-27, 2025, at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra.
Held under the theme “Shaping the Future of Ghana’s Gold Industry,”‘ the Convention will convene government leaders, regulators, miners, refiners, investors, sustainability partners, innovators, and responsible mining, and global competitiveness,policy experts to explore strategies that position Ghana’s gold industry for long-term growth.
The two-day convention will feature presidential and ministerial keynote addresses, industry thought leadership, technical paper presentations, policy dialogues, fireside chats, exhibitions, and high-level networking sessions.
Convention delegates can anticipate a dynamic and insightful experience, marked by thought leadership from leading policymakers and regulators, in-depth discussions on key topics such as sustainability, ESG, digital gold, and responsible sourcing, as well as valuable opportunities to forge public-private partnerships and investment deals.
Moreover, the event will offer practical action points aimed at unlocking greater economic value for Ghana.
The 2025 edition will be supported by a strong coalition of strategic partners, including the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission, GoldBod, the Minerals Income and Investment Fund (MIIF), and the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI).
Too busy for the buzz? Your weekly entertainment round-up has you covered
Life moves quickly , and in Ghana’s entertainment world, it’s even faster. That’s why Your Weekly Pulse is here to catch you up on the hottest moments, scandals, and stories that set timelines ablaze. From viral music drama to courtroom chaos, here are the top five headlines you may have missed this week.
1. Agradaa’s legal woes deepen with fresh court summons
READ MORE:7 reasons people still love Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traoré even though he’s a military leader
Just days into serving a 15-year jail sentence, Nana Agradaa’s legal troubles are far from over. A new court summons has been issued after a video allegedly showing her insulting pastors resurfaced online. The controversial footage, which the court deems potentially offensive, could result in further charges. Read full story
READ MORE: 10 university course combinations that’ll make you a hot cake on Ghana’s job market
2. Agradaa’s brother reportedly locks out her husband
Agradaa’s brother allegedly locked out her husband, Angel Asiamah, from her private property. This dramatic family feud surfaced shortly after Asiamah announced a new church schedule in her absence. The standoff has sparked a heated debate about loyalty, inheritance, and power within the embattled televangelist’s inner circle. Read full story
READ MORE: Agradaa’s brother allegedly locks out Angel Asiamah from her property
3. DJ Azonto demands $100M from Medikal over ‘Alla’ phrase
READ MORE: 10 reasons Ghana and Nigeria are the real twins of West Africa ; you can’t separate them
DJ Azonto isn’t playing. He’s demanding a jaw-dropping $100 million, along with luxury items like diamond chains and Rolls Royce cars, from rapper Medikal for allegedly using the phrase “Alla” in his new track Shoulder without permission. Medikal, however, has dismissed the claim with the viral retort, “Killa Ntua!” Read full story
4. Prisons PRO shuts down rumours about Agradaa’s disappearance
READ MORE: Stonebwoy is the real originator of Afro-Dancehall – Former manager joins debate
After wild rumours on social media suggested Agradaa had vanished from Nsawam Prison, the Ghana Prisons Service has spoken. PRO Adamu Latif confirmed that the televangelist is indeed in custody and receiving the standard treatment afforded to all inmates. No disappearance, no special treatment, just hard time. Read full story
@adom_tv Agradaa is currently in prison; disregard viral video spreading false speculations – Adamu Latif, PRO (Ghana Prison Service) #Asemyidika ♬ original sound – AdomTV
READ MORE: Prisons PRO reacts to rumours that Agradaa has disappeared from Nsawam prison
5. Former manager says Stonebwoy originated afro-dancehall
The debate over who truly invented Afro-Dancehall is heating up again, but Stonebwoy’s former manager Karl Kporgla Gidiglo is making it clear: “Let’s set the record straight. Stonebwoy coined it.” He praised the musician for blending African rhythms with Dancehall during a time when the sound wasn’t widely accepted. Read full story
READ MORE: ‘Be strong, Noko love’ – Angel Asiamah sends message to his jailed wife, Agradaa
Whether it’s family drama, copyright lawsuits, or genre origin wars, Ghana’s entertainment scene continues to serve drama and surprise in equal measure. Stay tuned, next week could be even wilder.
Dr Violet Makuku is a Zimbabwean Quality Assurance Specialist and Consultant
Zimbabwean Quality Assurance Specialist and Consultant, Dr Violet Makuku has praised Ghanaians for their warmth and acceptance of foreigners.
Speaking on TV3’s Today’s Woman on July 13, 2025, she described Ghanaians as being helpful and warm.
Dr Makuku, who has been a strong advocate of the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in all aspects of disciplines, stated that she doesn’t miss Zimbabwe after 10 years in Ghana.
“As a diplomat and academic who has travelled over 21 countries in the world, I describe a country by how I feel while I’m residing there and I can say for a fact that Ghanaians are helpful and generally warm,” she said.
On another score, she encouraged women to be more assertive and confident in their areas of work.
She lamented the low representation of women in corporate settings and urged a deliberate inclusion of women in all fields via education and activism.
VPO/EB
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
Under the bright lights and the self-inflicted weight of expectation at the Berkane Stadium on a demanding Monday night in Group C of the TotalEnergies WAFCON 2024, Ghanaian midfielder Chantelle Louise Boye-Hlorkah stood tallest as the Woman of the Match in a must-win tie against Tanzania.
The 29-year-old midfielder maintained composure from start to finish, showed leadership and great decision making as Ghana showed character to defeat Tanzania 4-1 and book their well-deserved position in the quarterfinals of the continental competition.
Boye-Hlorkah Magic
Vocal via word of mouth on the field of play but more importantly Boye-Hlorkah lets her actions with and without the ball speak for her. Ball control, game reading and timely interceptions describe her approach to the beautiful game.
Against Tanzania, she owned the midfield. She frustrated Diana Msewa who is the heart and soul of the Twiga Stars midfield and was Woman of the Match in their 1-1 draw with the reigning champions South Africa.
It was not just the numbers on the stat sheet for Boye-Hlorkah. It was the timely tackles, positive energy and overall experience that were crucial for Ghana. She made routine look elegant with the manner in which she transformed text book training ground moves into easy-to-execute runs during the game.
“Today, I was in a comfortable role. I like the wing but I like being involved more in my natural position. I am glad to have played a little bit everywhere. A more familiar role for myself. I am so happy. The award could have been given it to any of my teammates. I want to thank the coach for playing me in this position, my teammates and the staff for the support,” she said with an ear-to-ear smile after the game.
She dictated play, hi-fived or tapped her teammates on the back for encouragement and generally gave the traveling Ghanaian fans in the stands something to cheer about. The many Berkane citizens too joined in whenever she had the ball on her feet.
Beginning of a new era
In 13 editions, this is the seventh time that the Black Queens have progressed to the knockout stages at the WAFCON and have now made it four out of four against East African opposition.
“I am just proud, so proud of the girls. I try and lead. I am very vocal on the pitch. I try and push the team as much as I can. The girls picked me up too. I told them that we are not going to win this game without playing as a team. I am so proud of Ghana, of the fans. I am so proud to be Ghanaian,” Boye-Hlorkah said passionately after the game yet to catch her breathe.
“Wow. Wow. Wow,” the Anfield-born midfielder who was given more freedom in her midfield role on Monday said with absolute admiration of her teammates in what she said was a memorable day for this team that was on the edge of losing everything had they not emerged victorious.
Just four players in the current squad had ever played at the WAFCON. The new generation includes Boye-Hlorkah who is featuring at her first WAFCON. “Growing up through the England system meant that I was eligible to play for my country of birth but I always knew that I wanted to play for Ghana. I am just so grateful to be here playing for Ghana.”
Quarterfinals here they come
With this result, Ghana have now recorded nine wins, a draw and a loss in their final group stages fixtures at the WAFCON. Princella Abudea opened the scoring in the 12th minute before Alice Kusi scored her second goal of this edition to make it 2-1. Evelyn Badu came off the bench to make it 3-1 before Boye-Hlorkah sealed the comfortable victory to make it Ghana’s first time to score four goals at the WAFCON since the 1998 edition.
Despite the goal and impact of the eventual result, Boye-Hlorkah admitted that, “I always want to achive the most. The final result. The end goal is to win it all. The result means everything. I said that we would score more than one or more goals. We got the performance. I am more proud of the performance than the result.”
“We were not playing to their game. When we are actually playing football, combine with each other. When we got it down, we were able to play. The result is amazing, the performance even better. The girls put in a great shift.”
The Ghanaian contingent in the stands watched the entire game on their feet, encouraging the players on the field, waving the nation’s flag at every opportunity and could be seen in the end just visibly relived that they made it to the knockout stages for the first time since 2016 when the Black Queens finished in third place.
Monday’s win marked the first victory for Ghana after taking the lead in two games at the current finals. Ghana will take on Algeria in the last eight on July 19 at the Berkane Stadium.
Cocoa cultivation in Ghana, then known as the Gold Coast, began in 1879 with the
arrival of Tetteh Quarshie, a Ghanaian blacksmith who brought cocoa pods from
Fernando Po (now Bioko in Equatorial Guinea) and planted the seeds at Akwapim
Mampong in the Eastern Region. The cocoa sector, while significant, has not historically
generated $100 Billion in revenue annually for Ghana. Goldstar Air will help reset the
cocoa sector into a 24-hour value chain to tap into the world manufacturing income
stream of $16.182 Trillion and achieve the over $100 Billion per annum, the airline has
targeted for the sector.
Private international airline Goldstar Air, Ghanaian and United States registered company with an issued Air Carrier Licence (ACL/N-SCH No. 0239) from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to operate passenger and cargo flights across West Africa and intercontinental routes, is committed to add value to help reset Ghana’s major cash crop, cocoa, to make a significant impact on the country’s economy through the airline’s Project $1 Trillion Foreign Reserves Initiative that will improve the livelihood of the farmer.
The airline will proudly support Ghana’s cocoa farmers by providing simple equipment to process cocoa beans into powder, boosting local processing, adding value to their produce and increasing their earnings. This initiative will boost cocoa powder production for the airline’s signature Golden Tree Chocolate Bar, which will be offered to every passenger on board, along with a complimentary cup of hot chocolate, enhancing the in-flight experience and transition Ghana from a raw material exporter to a producer of a value-added goods that will command higher prices internationally.
Goldstar Air has sought for international intervention to look into the issuance of the airline’s wide-body aircraft Safety Certificate (AOC) and waiting for the outcome, as the process is above halfway and it has been over eight years that the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority is not ready to get a qualified third-party to complete the remaining phases of the certification process. The completion of the certificate will enable the change of the wide-body aircraft nationality, allowing it to be registered under the Ghana Registry (State of Registry).
The airline is the economic tool to reset Ghana’s economy by spearheading a shift from import dependence to 24-hour export-led industrialization. Therefore, there is no need to delay the issuance of the airline’s Safety Certificate to start the 24-hour economy and create over two million direct and indirect job opportunities for Ghanaians. The Ghanaian youth cannot wait any longer in the ghettos, they need their well-paying jobs.
Ghanaian cocoa farmers have long been the backbone of the country’s economy, contributing significantly to global chocolate production and sustaining livelihoods across rural communities. However, despite their crucial role, many cocoa farmers face numerous challenges, including low incomes, climate change impacts, pests and diseases, land tenure issues. inadequate transportation infrastructure and limited access to international markets. Goldstar Air emerges, as a transformative force to help improve livelihood of the Ghanaian cocoa farmer.
Ghana’s inability to produce billionaires, despite being a leading exporter of gold and cocoa for over 100 years of exporting these products. It is therefore unfortunate that this level of resource export has not translated into widespread wealth creation. To address this, Ghana must move towards value addition in cocoa processing to tap into global manufacturing income streams, valued at $16.182 Trillion. Targeting just 1.8571 percent of this amount would be sufficient to significantly improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers. With this initiative, Ghana can create homegrown billionaires who can reinvest in the local economy, creating a positive ripple effect and generating employment opportunities for the youth.
Goldstar Air, the wings of Ghana and belly of America is dedicated to supporting and revitalizing the cocoa industry by positioning Golden Tree Chocolates as a recognizable brand identity. Hot chocolate drinks and one compulsory chocolate bar as dessert and souvenir will be served on board all flights. This inflight policy underscores the airline’s commitment, leveraging its aviation expertise to create a more efficient supply chain, transition from a raw material export model to one focused on value addition and enhance the overall well-being of cocoa farmers.
The official export of cocoa from Ghana began in 1893, with just two bags exported. Ghana once produced nearly half of the world’s cocoa output. Between 1910 and 1980, the country was the world’s largest exporter of cocoa. This position was later ceded due to bushfires, illegal mining, and the smuggling of cocoa beans to neighboring countries. Nevertheless, Ghana’s cocoa remains among the highest quality globally, and the nation continues to earn hundreds of millions of dollars annually from cocoa exports.
Cocoa farming is deeply rooted in Ghana’s culture and history, with generations of families dedicating their lives to the industry. However, the lack of modernization and technological advancement has made it difficult for farmers to compete on a global scale. Studies suggest that Ghana’s cocoa farmers are not fully utilizing technological innovations in their production, and their increased output is unsustainable. Goldstar Air aims to support a shift from the export of raw cocoa beans by introducing digital innovations that will revolutionize the cocoa supply chain.
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) must now establish cocoa processing factories in every cocoa-producing region. This will enable the country to add value to raw beans and access the lucrative global manufacturing market. Various machines are used in cocoa processing, including roasting machines, peeling and grinding machines, hydraulic presses, and powder-making machines. Cocoa beans are first roasted to develop flavor. The outer shell is then removed using peeling and grinding machines and convert the beans into a paste. Hydraulic presses extract cocoa butter, leaving behind a press cake, which is further ground to produce cocoa powder.
Cocoa processing also yields several valuable byproducts, including cocoa pod husks, cocoa pulp, and cocoa bean shells. These byproducts can be repurposed for various uses such as animal feed, organic fertilizer, and sources of bioactive compounds. Specifically, cocoa pod husks can be processed into potash, compost, and animal feed, cocoa pulp can be transformed into soft drinks, wine, or vinegar; and cocoa bean shells, though often discarded, contain nutrients and bioactive elements suitable for multiple applications.
Goldstar Air’s innovative in-flight brand policy, featuring Golden Tree Chocolate drink and bar, is a game-changer for Ghana’s cocoa sector. By partnering with local cocoa farmers by providing simple equipment to process cocoa beans into powder, to add value to their produce, the airline will help shift the industry from raw bean exports to finished products, ultimately increasing farmers’ profits and boosting the local economy. This initiative will empower Ghanaian cocoa farmers to contributes towards the country’s 24- hour economy
Goldstar Air’s 24/7 service support for local cocoa processing will positively impact the national economy. By reducing the export of raw cocoa beans and encouraging value-added production, this initiative presents a win-win scenario for all stakeholders, including farmers, processors, exporters, and the nation as a whole.
During an interview with a television station in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Randy Abbey, noted that Ghana is likely to miss its cocoa production target for the 2024/2025 crop season. According to him, the target for the season was 610,000 tonnes, but COCOBOD has currently raised only 590,000 tonnes, and he is unsure whether that figure will change before the end of the season.
Dr. Abbey emphasized that not much is expected to change, considering the limited time left in the crop season. He stated, “We could produce about 600,000 metric tonnes at most, looking at the fact that we are now doing the light crop season, and we do not see things turning around that much.” He also added that his administration is working to save COCOBOD from the GHS 33 billion debt he inherited. “We are hoping that within four years, the books will be looking good, in terms of returning COCOBOD to some good profits,” he said.
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has announced that the producer price of cocoa will remain unchanged for the 2025/2026 season, despite regional price adjustments and ongoing market volatility. In a letter dated April 8, 2025, addressed to the Licensed Cocoa Buyers’ Association of Ghana (LICOBAG), COCOBOD explained that the decision was based on a comprehensive evaluation of the operational and financial outlook for the cocoa industry.
Goldstar Air will introduce an integrated platform to support Ghanaian exporters of agricultural products who are registered with COCOBOD and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA). Through this initiative, the airline will offer free advertising space to participating companies in in-flight magazines, on its digital platforms, and on screens during takeoff and landing. The airline also aims to partner with local processing companies to ensure that a significant portion of Ghana’s cocoa beans are processed locally into cocoa powder for both export and local consumption.
According to the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldstar Air, Eric Bannerman, the global demand for high-quality chocolate continues to rise, presenting an opportunity for Ghanaian cocoa farmers to expand their market reach. The airline’s strategic partnerships with international chocolate manufacturers, retailers, and investors will open new doors for Ghanaian cocoa in lucrative markets. By positioning Ghana as a leader in premium cocoa production, the airline seeks to enhance the country’s economic stability and global influence. These partnerships will also create new business opportunities for local entrepreneurs, from cocoa-based product manufacturing to artisanal chocolate production.
The saying “Cocoa is Ghana; Ghana is Cocoa” portrays the important role cocoa plays in the economy of Ghana, one of the largest cocoa-producing countries, supplying around 20% of the world’s cocoa. Cocoa is vital to the national economy, accounting for 15% of GDP and employing approximately 800,000 farm families across six of Ghana’s sixteen regions.
The person directly responsible for the introduction of cocoa to Ghana was Tetteh Quarshie, born in 1842 to a farmer from Teshie named Mlekubo and mother was known as Ashong-Fio from Labadi, both hailing from the Ga-Dangme ethnic group. He was an agriculturalist in the British Colony of the Gold Coast, which today constitutes modern Ghana. The Gold Coast became Ghana in 1957. Tetteh Quarshie traveled to the island of Fernando Po (now Bioko in Equatorial Guinea) in 1870 and returned in 1876 with cocoa seeds to introduce the crop to Ghana. He died on Christmas Day in 1892.
The Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm, also known as the Ecomuseum of Cocoa, is the founding cocoa farm in Ghana. It is located in Akuapim-Mampong, about 58 km from Accra. Tetteh Quarshie established the farm in 1879 using seeds brought back from Bioko, Equatorial Guinea. Three trees planted by Quarshie still remain at the farm. The farm, currently about one acre in size, is managed by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana.
The global chocolate industry is worth over $150 Billion and is expected to exceed $180 Billion by 2026. However, the two leading West African producers of cocoa, Ghana and Ivory Coast receive less than $6 Billion of this value. Therefore, Goldstar Air aims to foster collaboration with cocoa industry experts to enhance chocolate manufacturing processes and increase production for export.
Goldstar Air’s strategic initiative to serve Ghana’s finest Golden Tree chocolate on board its flights will automatically elevate the product’s value and drive high demand in duty-free shops worldwide. This will enable the product to tap deeper into the $150+ Billion global chocolate market and align with the airline’s Project $1 Trillion Foreign Reserves initiative.
The airline’s commitment to support Ghana’s cocoa industry aligns with its 24-hour service Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) to help the cocoa farmers and expects the farmer to be on the farm 24/7 to produce more beans and tap more into the One hundred and fifty billion dollars ($150B) global chocolate income. Value addition and industrialization are key to Ghana’s development; therefore, the country’s export sector is being urged by the airline to devote all their efforts to adding value to their products and services to optimize gains in revenue generation. Cocoa futures traded in New York broke record after record yearly.
The Goldstar Air inflight policy of one cup of hot chocolate drink per passenger on board will let them Indulge in the rich taste of Golden Tree AllTime Chocolate drink, served exclusively on Goldstar Air flights. Not only does it delight your senses, but it also introduces you to the numerous health benefits of cocoa, from antioxidants to mood boosters, making your journey a treat for body and soul. This will also stimulate a 24- hour production of the product creating Jobs for the youth in Ghana.
The country gains low returns, when Ghana export raw cocoa beans, but when added value to the product, the gains are higher than when you export the raw beans. This initiative by adding value to the products will significantly bring more foreign exchange to Ghana.
Creating a thriving agricultural sector across the country will bring more crops for transportation by air and create jobs for Goldstar Air cargo department and it is part of the airline’s over two million direct and indirect job opportunities for Ghanaians.
According to the United Nations, the global agriculture sector contributes over $3.5 Trillion annually, accounting for 4% of the world’s GDP and 27% of total global employment.
The airline will enhance the value of the crop which Ghana has a competitive advantage enhancing sustainability in the industry and overcoming critical challenges to ensure the prosperity of cocoa farmers and the longevity of Ghana’s cocoa sector.
The airline will enhance cargo movement across the continent under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative. The continent possesses the resources to make significant economic strides, and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area aims to eliminate trade barriers, representing a significant opportunity for Africa to assert itself on the global economic stage. Each year, more than 52 billion tons of cargo are shipped by air, creating a constant demand for industry jobs.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced its financial outlook for the global airline industry in 2025, indicating a slight strengthening of profitability despite ongoing cost and supply chain challenges. Total industry revenues are projected to reach $1.007 Trillion, an increase of 4.4% from 2024 and this will mark the first time that industry revenues surpass the $1 Trillion threshold. Expenses are expected to grow by 4.0% to $940 Billion. Passenger numbers are expected to reach 5.2 billion in 2025, representing a 6.7% increase compared to 2024 and the first time that global passenger numbers exceed five billion. Cargo volumes are forecast to reach 72.5 million tonnes, a 5.8% increase from 2024.
Mr. Bannerman emphasized that education is fundamental to the long-term success of Ghana’s cocoa industry. Goldstar Air will implement educational programs focused on agricultural entrepreneurship, encouraging young people to view cocoa farming as a viable and profitable career path. By inspiring the next generation to adopt innovation and technology in agriculture, the airline aims to ensure that Ghana’s cocoa sector remains competitive. These educational initiatives will also stress the importance of sustainability, ethical trade, and climate resilience.
Cocoa smuggling has significantly reduced the volume of cocoa that the Ghanaian government can sell to foreign buyers, thereby limiting the amount of foreign currency it receives. Cocoa exports have traditionally provided a consistent and reliable flow of foreign currency to Ghana’s national reserves. COCOBOD estimated that Ghana lost 200,000 and 150,000 metric tonnes of cocoa to smuggling in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Cocoa smuggling was a contributing factor to the cocoa crisis of 2024.
According to the Ghana Forestry Commission, a government agency, nearly 80% of Ghana’s forest resources were lost to illegal logging operations between 1990 and 2016. While this loss cannot be entirely attributed to cocoa production, the sector remains a leading cause of deforestation in Ghana. Global Forest Watch (GFW), using advanced remote sensing and satellite data, reported a 60% increase in primary rainforest loss in Ghana from 2017 to 2018, the highest rate globally during that period. Neighboring Côte d’Ivoire recorded a 28% increase, the second highest. Together, these two countries produce nearly two-thirds of the world’s cocoa, and much of the forest loss is due to cocoa farming, both legal and illegal.
Destroying cocoa farms to make way for mining or logging must not be permitted, as cocoa plays a vital role in Ghana’s economic development. As one of the backbones of the economy, the destruction of this sector could lead to broader economic instability.
The washing and discharge of waste into rivers by illegal miners is also degrading river channels. If this environmental degradation continues over the next ten to twenty years, Ghana’s forests could turn into deserts, and access to clean water may become a critical challenge. The country may even be forced to import water.
The Cocoa and Forests Initiative is a landmark agreement between the governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana and more than thirty-seven major cocoa and chocolate companies. Its purpose is to end deforestation and replenish the trees and forests that have been destroyed as a result of the cocoa production in the area. Between 1988 and 2007, more than 2.3 million hectares of rainforest were cleared in Ivory Coast and Ghana for cocoa farms. The initiative, announced at the UN Climate Change Conference in November 2017, commits stakeholders to no further conversion of natural forests to land for cocoa production in West Africa.
The resurgence of illegal mining has had devastating effects on cocoa production. Communities such as Dinkyiea in the Adansi North District, which were once cocoa production hubs, have lost arable land to illegal mining activities. The cocoa sector has lost an estimated 190,000 acres of farmland to galamsey operations. These losses have occurred either through land encroachment or because farmers, driven by poverty or lack of support, have leased their lands to illegal miners. Beyond the loss of land, galamsey has also polluted water bodies, limiting access to clean water essential for farming.
Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) must shift its financing strategy by moving away from its long-standing reliance on external syndicated loans. For more than three decades, COCOBOD has depended on annual syndicated loans from international banks. This replaced domestic borrowing through Cocoa Bills, which had become costly. A shift to self-financing, initially through local sources and later through profits would eliminate interest and associated costs, potentially saving Ghana around $150 Million every year.
Goldstar Air will showcase Golden Tree Chocolate Bar and AllTime Powdered Chocolate Drink as screen savers on their flights, promoting Ghana’s premium cocoa products to a global audience. This innovative marketing strategy aims to boost the country’s cocoa sector, generating a colossal 24/7 income stream and helping to settle legacy debts, ultimately benefiting Ghana’s 24-hour economy and the cocoa farmers
This new strategy would allow COCOBOD to finance cocoa purchases locally and increase the speed at which cocoa receipts are remitted into the country. This could help stabilize the Ghanaian cedi. With international borrowing rates rising above 8% in recent years, transitioning to local financing is both timely and strategic.
COCOBOD’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Randy Abbey, has warned about the potential collapse of Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), especially the indigenous ones. The absence of a syndicated loan for the 2025/2026 season has resulted in no seed fund being allocated to the LBCs, which is crucial for purchasing cocoa beans from farmers. Dr. Abbey stressed that this situation is causing significant distress for local operators, who are unable to function effectively without this initial capital.
Goldstar Air is not just a means of transportation but a powerful economic tool for Ghana, that will support the development of a systematic approach within the cocoa industry and enhance value chain development by addressing the root causes of market underperformance. Through a collaborative approach in providing integrated solutions to the sector’s challenges, the airline aims to increase the industry’s contribution to socio-economic development. This strategy holds the key to boosting profitability and productivity while ensuring long-term sustainability by enabling the sector to withstand disruptions, backed by a reliable and efficient transportation solution for processed cocoa products.
The expansion of regional operations will make Ho, the capital of the Volta Region, a 24-hour industrial zone and a key economic driver for tourism and agribusiness in the region. Additionally, Hajj and charter flights to and from Saudi Arabia will further boost agricultural business opportunities in the Volta Region.
Wa, the capital of the Upper West Region, will benefit from charter flights that will help existing businesses expand and attract new enterprises to the area. The Agrarian City will also experience direct Hajj flights to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Tamale, the capital of the Northern Region, will serve as a key hub for the airline’s maintenance base, global cargo hub, specialized catering services, and aviation training school. Plans are underway to launch international flights to and from the Sahel region, along with Hajj flights to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, will initially enjoy international flights to destinations such as Rome, Madrid, Hamburg, London, Düsseldorf, Milan, as well as Hajj flights to and from Saudi Arabia.
Ghana’s capital city, the Greater Accra Region flights shall include destinations such as Washington, Dubai, Lagos, Toronto, Monrovia, Conakry, Abidjan, Guangzhou, Dakar, Banjul, Rhode Island, London, and Freetown. Additional pending destinations include Miami (Florida), Atlanta (Georgia), Chicago (Illinois), Glasgow (Scotland), Houston (Texas), and many more.
Security Analyst Professor Kwesi Aning has downplayed fears that the upcoming by-election in Akwatia will become a flashpoint for political violence, following the recent chaos during the Ablekuma North rerun.
According to Prof. Aning, any political actors seeking revenge or retaliation are unlikely to act so soon after the incident, arguing that such a move would be “strategically wrong.”
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Monday, July 14, in the aftermath of the Ablekuma North violence, he urged stakeholders to adopt a broader and long-term approach to election security, warning that future acts of violence may be deliberately timed for moments when public and institutional vigilance has diminished.
“I think Akwatia is too early for any reprisals. I think it will be strategically wrong for those who seek to avenge or respond to choose the first opportunity,” Prof. Aning said. “If I have lost the last battle, of course, my opponent will think that the next opportunity is when I might want to strike—and that is bad tactical thinking.”
While calling for adequate security presence at the Akwatia polls, Prof. Aning cautioned against overly concentrating resources in a single area. Instead, he warned that politically motivated groups could bide their time and strike when national attention shifts.
“They will bide their time. They will wait for an opportunity where these acts of violence have been forgotten, there will be less security people around, and then they will strike,” he noted.
He further stressed the need for security agencies to remain vigilant beyond the Akwatia by-election and ensure continuous presence in high-risk areas, with the capacity to preempt and deter potential outbreaks of violence.
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Ablekuma North rerun violence unfortunate but unsurprising – Prof Aning
Clemence Gyato (L) among other residents during the operation
The government of Ghana has given a 21-day ultimatum to individuals occupying state lands belonging to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development at Osu in the Greater Accra Region to vacate the premises.
According to Clemence Gyato, a government-appointed consultant tasked with reclaiming encroached state lands, the area was originally allocated to drivers of the two ministries as residential quarters.
However, after the drivers vacated, the land was taken over by unauthorized occupants.
On Monday, July 14, 2025, Gyato, accompanied by a team of security officials, stormed the premises to distribute the official notices to residents.
“This is government property, and it was never meant for private occupation. We are giving 21 days for everyone to leave peacefully before further action is taken,” Gyato stated while serving the eviction notices.
Clemence Gyato officials emphasised that the land will be reclaimed after the ultimatum expires.
Some residents admitted to living there illegally but appealed to the government for an extension of the deadline.
“We know we are not supposed to be here, but 21 days is too short. We need more time to find a place to move to,” one resident pleaded.
AM/KA
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Jerry Ahmed interacting his constituents durring a tour of road projects in the constituency
The Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has reiterated his dedication to grassroots development through a hands-on inspection of ongoing inner-road construction projects across the constituency.
The tour, which drew participation from local leaders, youth groups, and traders, formed part of the MP’s broader oversight mission to ensure that critical infrastructure projects are executed to standard and completed on schedule.
His presence on-site underscored more than just political interest—it was a deliberate effort to engage with contractors, solicit community feedback, and hold project implementers accountable.
Shaib visited key communities, including Tetegu, Mallam, and SCC, where residents have long endured deteriorating roads plagued by potholes, poor drainage, and uneven surfaces.
The sight of heavy construction equipment sparked cautious optimism among locals, who have waited years for meaningful improvements.
In his interactions with residents and contractors, the MP stressed that the roadworks were not political gimmicks but a concrete response to persistent calls for better infrastructure.
He emphasised the far-reaching benefits of quality roads—improved vehicular movement, better access to schools, healthcare, markets, and enhanced emergency response.
Shaib issued a stern warning to contractors, urging them to adhere to quality specifications and timelines strictly.
He made it clear that substandard work would not be tolerated under his leadership.
Many residents commended the MP for his visibility and practical approach, describing his inspection as a refreshing example of “leadership by presence.”
Nonetheless, some community members raised concerns over past road projects that were either delayed or abruptly halted due to funding constraints or lapses in coordination between municipal and central government agencies.
In response, the MP assured constituents of continuous follow-up with the Ministry of Roads and Highways to prevent similar setbacks.
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has alleged that some equipment designated for the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP) is being diverted for illegal mining operations, with little to no intervention from the Mahama administration to stop the practice.
He warned that the ongoing environmental degradation caused by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, poses a serious threat to Ghana’s economy by undermining the government’s own efforts to promote agricultural development as a key driver of growth.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, July 14, during a debate on the state of the economy, Afenyo-Markin urged the government to take swift and decisive action to curb illegal mining and safeguard the country’s natural resources.
“Mr. Speaker, if we do not deal with this galamsey issue, money is getting into the hands of people, and they are destroying the environment. In the long run, it is this same economy that will be affected,” he said.
“How do you sustain your economy when some environmental factors are affecting the very economy, and it is hand-to-mouth? Today, the DRIP machines that are supposed to be for our roads, some people are using them for galamsey, and there is no authority to even reprimand them. There is impunity,” he added.
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Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has expressed confidence that his party will emerge victorious in the upcoming Akwatia by-election.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s show, Gbande said the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has lost the trust of Ghanaians due to a lack of development in the constituency and growing national disillusionment.
“We will win the Akwatia by-election. There is no development there. The Peace Council should intervene ahead of the elections to avoid any form of violence,” he stated.
He also urged the Electoral Commission to conduct a transparent and non-partisan recruitment process to help restore public confidence in its operations.
The by-election was triggered by the death of the sitting MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi, creating a vacancy in the Akwatia constituency.
The Electoral Commission is yet to announce a date for the polls.
The University of Ghana has reported 141 active COVID-19 cases amid a localized outbreak, prompting heightened health protocols across its campuses.
Ghana Health Service (GHS) Director of Public Health Dr. Franklyn Asiedu Bekoe confirmed all cases are mild but urged sustained vigilance, declaring the virus “endemic” in Ghana.
According to Dr. Asiedu Bekoe, the surge requires containment through early symptom reporting and adherence to preventive measures. “COVID has come to stay; we must learn to live with it,” he stated during a media briefing, noting he personally maintains handwashing and masking protocols. The university’s Health Services Directorate reactivated COVID-19 response systems on June 23, implementing facility screenings and renewed masking mandates in enclosed spaces.
University authorities have issued specific advisories: mandatory face masks in crowded areas, frequent hand sanitization, physical distancing, and avoiding non-essential gatherings. Staff and students experiencing flu-like symptoms must isolate and seek immediate medical care. The outbreak remains concentrated within the university community, contrasting with sporadic cases elsewhere in Ghana.
Health officials emphasize this resurgence underscores the need for sustained public health measures under President Mahama’s administration, even as Ghana transitions to long-term endemic management.
Ghana’s Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has published findings showing strong public preference for stable electricity even at increased prices.
According to its June 2025 survey of 3,759 residents across all 16 regions, 61.88% favor reliable supply with higher tariffs over cheaper but unstable alternatives. Only 3.06% preferred frequent outages for lower costs.
The study, conducted from May to June 2025, revealed significant demographic divides. Urban residents (73.1% of high-spending households) and business owners prioritized reliability for productivity and appliance safety.
Conversely, rural communities, students, and low-income groups earning under GHS 300 monthly (56.05% of respondents) emphasized affordability, with 49.1% citing economic hardship as their primary concern. Gender differences emerged, with 64.2% of men favoring stability versus 57.5% of women.
Prepaid meters dominate at 68%, reflecting pay-as-you-go preferences. Qualitative feedback highlighted systemic frustrations: 29.4% demanded tariff reductions, while 20.4% criticized poor outage communication from providers like the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Policy Recommendations
PURC urged infrastructure upgrades to enhance urban grid reliability and solar solutions for rural areas. It advocated tiered pricing for low-income households and improved provider transparency.
“Regional strategies must address local socioeconomics urban stability needs differ from rural affordability pressures,” the report noted, rejecting one-size-fits-all approaches.
The findings align with President Mahama’s energy accessibility goals under the NDC administration, spotlighting electricity’s role in economic resilience as Ghana prepares for 2028 elections.
A video of Belinda Sarkodie, the Ghanaian student who was shot and killed in Canada, has resurfaced on social media, making many emotional.
The video, shared on Twitter by EDHUB, shows Sarkodie happily singing Obaapa Christy’s song The Glory (Eye Onoa). She smiled brightly as she praised God for His grace and mercy.
Her joy and energy in the video showed how full of life she was.
The clip has left many social media users heartbroken, as they mourn the painful loss of a young life.
Watch the Video below:
A
The University of Ghana has lifted the restriction on social gatherings on its campus following a significant decline in reported COVID-19 cases.
In a statement issued by the Office of Student Affairs on Monday, July 14, the University announced that the ban, which was imposed on Thursday, June 26, has been officially lifted with immediate effect.
According to the statement, the decision was taken in consultation with the University Health Services and the University Management.
“The Office of Student Affairs, in consultation with the University Health Services and University Management, wishes to inform the entire university community that 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 initial restriction was part of a set of emergency measures introduced after a reported resurgence of COVID-19 infections on campus. It affected events and activities organised by student groups, departments, halls, and religious associations.
With the ban now lifted, student bodies including the SRC, GRASAG, JCRs, religious groups, and departmental or school associations have been granted permission to resume their activities and weekly celebrations.
However, the statement emphasised the need for continued adherence to health protocols. “Note that all COVID-19 protocols should be adhered to. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated,” the university stated.
The General Manager of EIB Network, Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong, has been honoured as the Most Outstanding Female in Media at the 11th Feminine Ghana Achievement Awards held last weekend in Accra.
Organised by the Business Executive Media Group, the award celebrates her exceptional leadership, impact, and dedication to excellence in the media industry, which spans over 26 years.
The awards scheme recognizes women who have contributed significantly to their fields of endeavour.
Receiving the recognition, Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong urged young Professionals to put God first in all they do and secondly to develop themselves and hone their crafts to excellent levels.
Sharing what the award meant to her, she said, she dedicates the award to all the businesses and media platforms that have contributed to her journey.
As a gender advocate and Founder/ President of Women in Sustainability Africa, she urged all women and “he for she” champions to stand together and lift women up in all endeavors.
“We give God the glory for this. We must seek the kingdom of God first, very important that our spirit and our life is well aligned to God’s purpose before we leave this earth,” she said.
She noted that “many times in the corporate circles and with all the busy stuff happening around us we forget where we came from and where we will go beyond this life.”
She expressed appreciation to the organisers for the recognition and pledged to continuously impact any space she finds herself in.
Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong, an accomplished media practitioner who celebrates 26 years’ experience in media this year, is the General Manager of EIB Network, an Entrepreneur, an International Trade & Business Consultant, a philanthropist and also an ordained Pastor of Eternal Life Church Global.
Nana is also the Founder/President/ Convener of Women in Sustainability Africa (WiSA).
WiSA is defined by collaboration. It is a coordinating Pan-African Organisation that works with other CSOs, corporate institutions, local and International Development Organisations to bring all women and women groups together (especially those at the grassroots level) to foster the achievement of the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) across Africa.
WiSA stands for the development of new perspectives and catalytic ideas towards accelerating growth for the achievement of the SDGs including gender inequality, launching a campaign to intentionally include men in the empowerment of women and harnessing the role of women as source of labour.
Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Ahmed Ibrahim (R)
The Government of Ghana has commenced the payment of monthly consolidated allowances to Assembly Members across the country, fulfilling a key promise under its Resetting Ghana Agenda, which aims to strengthen local governance and decentralisation.
At a press briefing held in Accra on July 14, 2025, the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, announced that a total of GH₵23.6 million has been disbursed to Assembly Members as payment for the months of April and May 2025.
Each of the country’s 9,085 Assembly Members has received GH₵1,300.00 per month, reflecting efforts to enhance their capacity to monitor government projects and improve service delivery within their electoral areas.
The payment follows a request made by the Ministry to the Ministry of Finance on June 12, 2025, to release the full GH₵100 million allocated for Assembly Members’ allowances in the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy (Pg. 73, Section 395).
In response, the Ministry of Finance released GH₵25 million on June 18, 2025, representing the first tranche of the funds.
According to the Minister, this move aligns with the broader vision of reversing the trend of recentralisation, which had undermined the performance of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
He explained that it is part of the government’s effort to ensure that 80% of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) is transferred directly to the MMDAs — a policy originally championed by President John Dramani Mahama.
“This initiative is a clear demonstration of our commitment to resourcing local authorities. We promised, and we have delivered,” the Minister stated.
The government has reiterated its pledge to continue transferring resources and logistics to the MMDAs to support effective service delivery, accountability, and citizen engagement at the local level.
AM/KA
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) and the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) have condemned the violent scenes that marred the parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency, describing them as a dangerous recurrence of impunity threatening Ghana’s democracy.
In a press release dated July 14, 2024, the two civil society groups expressed alarm over disturbing reports and video footage showing attacks on journalists, voters, and a former Member of Parliament during the exercise held in 19 polling stations.
“These incidents reflect a dangerous pattern of electoral violence and impunity that continues to threaten the integrity of Ghana’s democratic process,” the statement said. “Elections must be peaceful expressions of the people’s will, not battlegrounds for political intimidation and fear.”
IDEG and CFI recalled similar instances of election-related violence in recent years, citing the 2019 Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election and violent incidents in Tolon and Ahafo Ano South West during the 2020 and 2024 general elections.
The groups argue that failure to hold perpetrators accountable has emboldened political actors and encouraged a culture of reprisal.
Calling for urgent action, the organisations urged the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the latest attacks. “These actions will deter the behaviour and the culture of impunity surrounding elections,” the statement emphasised.
With the Akwatia by-election on the horizon, IDEG and CFI called on the National Elections Security Task Force to adopt a more proactive and preventive strategy to avoid a repeat of the Ablekuma North chaos.
They also appealed to civil society to engage the major political parties in breaking what they described as a “vicious cycle of electoral violence.”
In conclusion, the statement called for broader constitutional and institutional reforms to restore public trust in Ghana’s electoral system and law enforcement bodies. IDEG and CFI reiterated their commitment to building a peaceful, inclusive, and accountable democratic culture.
The statement was signed by Dr. Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, Chairperson of the Civic Forum Initiative, and Mr. Kwesi Jonah, Head of Advocacy and Institutional Relations at IDEG.
Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of orchestrating voter intimidation during the recently held Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun by replacing state security with party loyalists.
Ahiagbah alleged that the NDC deliberately sidelined official security agencies and instead deployed its own operatives to take control of the electoral environment.
The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of deliberately sidelining state security forces during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun and replacing them with party-aligned thugs to intimidate voters.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Channel One Newsroom on Monday, July 14, Ahiagbah claimed that the government deliberately manipulated the security arrangement around the rerun to instill fear and discourage NPP supporters from turning out to vote.
According to him, the violence recorded during the rerun was not accidental but part of a calculated effort to suppress voter turnout among opposition supporters.
“They know they lost, but somehow they wanted to win, so the only way they can win it is to have this rerun under a certain appearance of security which was not there,” Ahiagbah said. “They allowed their boys to provide security for the election in a way that was intimidating and ensured that nobody felt safe to go and vote except their people. Why haven’t they arrested anybody?” he questioned.
He further criticised the government for failing to uphold its responsibility to ensure a safe and fair electoral environment.
“The state was supposed to provide security, but they failed. Rather, they had the state security demobilised and they mobilised their security,” he added.
Ahiagbah’s comments come amid growing concerns about political violence and security failures during the rerun, which was conducted to resolve an electoral dispute stemming from the December 2024 general elections.
Ablekuma North: Akua Afriyie apologises to NPP for defying party boycott
The Executive Council has approved a new League Regulations for the Ghana Premier League, the Division One League and the Malta Guiness Women’s Premier League.
The updated Premier League Regulations will come into effect for the 2025/26 season, bringing more clarity to key rules.
The approval of the regulations follows a review of the previous rules, aimed at improving the game, standardizing practices, promoting fair competition, and ensuring strict compliance.
The regulations cover key areas such as match rules, league structure, competition organization, player eligibility, disciplinary procedures and takes due cognisance of the new GFA Registered Academies Licensing Regulations 2025.
Similar regulations have been approved for the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League and the Division One League.
These regulations aim to ensure fairness, consistency, competitive balance, and clarity, while promoting player and team promotion and accountability.
The Ghana Football Association in the coming days will hold a meeting with the 18 Ghana Premier League clubs to discuss the promotion and all related matters to the league.
Similar meetings will be held with the 48 Division One League clubs and another with the 20 Women’s Premier League clubs.
The 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season is scheduled to kick off on the weekend of September 12 to15, 2025.
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has issued a strong caution to the public against the rejection of coins as legal tender, warning that such behaviour could undermine the country’s price stability efforts.
The Central Bank has observed that some individuals continue to refuse coins—particularly the 10 and 20 pesewa denominations—when given as change.
The BoG emphasised that all banknotes and coins issued by the institution are legal tender and must be accepted in all transactions without exception.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a workshop organised by the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) on currency management and forecasting, on Monday, July 14, the Head of Currency Management at the BoG, Dominic Owusu, urged the public to refrain from rejecting any form of Ghanaian currency.
Head of Currency Management at BoG, Dominic Owusu
“We will continue to emphasise to Ghanaians that there is no justification for rejecting any currency that has been legally issued. I want to encourage everyone to accept all denominations—one pesewa, five pesewas, ten pesewas, twenty pesewas, fifty pesewas, one cedi, two cedis, and even the two Ghana cedi coin—as all are legal tender,” He said.
Owusu highlighted the crucial role coins play in maintaining price stability, noting that in their absence, vendors may round up prices, leading to inflationary pressure.
He also pointed out that coins have a longer circulation life, which helps the country save on currency printing costs.
“Please accept the coins. No one should reject any coin legally issued by the Central Bank,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, Dr. Christian Ahortor, Director of Research and Macroeconomic Management at WAIFEM, revealed that the five-day workshop will cover key topics such as the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in fraud detection, trends in digital currencies, and the application of big data in currency management.
Dr. Christian Ahortor, Director of Research
Akufo-Addo mourns Buhari, hails legacy of patriotism and regional cooperation
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More than 500 individuals have been dismissed from Ghana’s security services following a nationwide audit that uncovered serious breaches in recruitment protocols before and after the December 2024 general election.
The announcement was made by Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak on Monday, July 14, 2025, during the inaugural Government Accountability Series in Accra.
The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Setor Dumelo, has inaugurated the newly constituted Board of the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA), urging members to implement transformative policies that will position Ghana as a global leader in tree crop production and processing.
Speaking on behalf of the sector minister, Eric Opoku, at a ceremony in Accra, Mr Dumelo underlined the role of tree crops in Ghana’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA).
He called on the Board to expand tree crop cultivation in a climate-smart and environmentally sustainable manner, and to improve farmers’ access to quality planting materials and extension services.
He also encouraged the Board to support research and development to boost yields and promote value addition.
The deputy minister urged the Board to streamline registration, traceability, and quality control systems across the sector and to pursue strong public-private partnerships.
This, he noted, would drive investment and open up new markets.
Mr Dumelo reiterated President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to the AETA and expressed confidence in the Board’s ability to build a competitive and inclusive tree crop sub-sector.
The Chairman of the Board, Professor William Oduro, expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to lead the TCDA into a new era of growth, effective regulation, and support for smallholder farmers.
He said the Authority’s vision was to promote economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and inclusive growth through sustainable tree crop production.
Under institutional strengthening, he said the TCDA would rapidly implement regulatory frameworks, accredit nurseries and processing facilities, and invest in capacity building, including training in photogenetics and climate adaptation.
In the area of research and innovation, the Board would partner with universities, research institutions and the private sector to disseminate high-yielding, disease-resistant planting materials and promote climate-smart agronomic practices.
He said value chain integration efforts would focus on the establishment of rural processing hubs to reduce post-harvest losses and add value to raw materials.
The Board also plans to develop market information systems to support price discovery and enhance market access.
Prof Oduro gave assurance of the Board’s commitment to good governance.
He said the TCDA would uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability and ethical conduct by publishing annual reports, engaging stakeholders regularly, and ensuring public funds were used judiciously and to maximum benefit.
The 33-member Board include: Mr Paul Siameh (MoFA), Mr Simpson Ahi (MoTAI), Mr Thomas Ampem (MoF) Dr Andrews Osei Okrah (CEO-TCDA), Dr Allen Kwesi Asante-Yeboah (Producer-Coconut), Mr. Sadat Kishiwale (Processor-Coconut), Dr. Samuel Hodor Mensah (Trader-Coconut), and Mr. Vitus Pumwan Layen (Exporter-Coconut).
Others are: Mr. Sie Kwabena Simon (Large Scale Producer- Cashew), Mr. Abdulai Abdul-Mumin (Small Scale Producer- Cashew), Mr. Raphael Yussif Amankwa (Exporter/Trader Cashew), Mr Charles Kwame Kumah (Processor-Cashew), Ms. Sutha Anita (Pickers/Collector-Shea) and Hajia Rabiatu Abubakari Gurunpaga (Artisanal Women Processors-Shea).
Alhaji Imoro Issifu (Traders/Exporter-Shea), Mr. Santanu Kumar Bhuyan (Industrial Processors-Shea), Mr. Shetty Gangadhar (Exporter/Trader-Shea) and Mr. Daniel Kojo Nyame (Large Processor-Oil Palm) are also members.
The rest are: Ms. Cecilia Annan (Small Holder Processor-Palm Oil), Mr. Godfred Obeng Amoakoh (Small Holder Farmer -Oil Palm), Mr. Paul Lawrence Appiah (Small-Scale Processor-Rubber), Mr. Perry Acheampong (Large-Scale Processor-Rubber), Mr. Frederick Agyapong Koranteng (Small Holder Farmer-Rubber), Mr. Kweku Kum (Large Scale Producer-Rubber), Mr. James Boateng ((Large Scale Producer-Mango) and Mr. Ishmael Kwao Boafo (Main Trader/Exporter), Dr Evelyn Maureen Acquaye (Main Large-Scale Processor, Mango) and Kwaku Yeboah Asuamah (Small-Scale Producer – Mango).
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.
The Executive Council has approved a new League Regulations for the Ghana Premier League, the Division One League and the Malta Guiness Women’s Premier League.
The updated Premier League Regulations will come into effect for the 2025/26 season, bringing more clarity to key rules.
The approval of the regulations follows a review of the previous rules, aimed at improving the game, standardizing practices, promoting fair competition, and ensuring strict compliance.
The regulations cover key areas such as match rules, league structure, competition organization, player eligibility, disciplinary procedures and takes due cognisance of the new GFA Registered Academies Licensing Regulations 2025.
Similar regulations have been approved for the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League and the Division One League.
These regulations aim to ensure fairness, consistency, competitive balance, and clarity, while promoting player and team promotion and accountability.
The Ghana Football Association in the coming days will hold a meeting with the 18 Ghana Premier League clubs to discuss the promotion and all related matters to the league.
Similar meetings will be held with the 48 Division One League clubs and another with the 20 Women’s Premier League clubs.
The 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season is scheduled to kick off on the weekend of September 12 to15, 2025.
Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars, have held firm at 76th position in the latest FIFA World Rankings released on Thursday, July 10.
The team, which had moved up one spot in the previous rankings, saw no change in position following their participation in the 2025 Unity Cup in London.
Ghana endured a 2-0 semifinal loss to archrivals Nigeria but recovered to claim third place with a 3-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago.
Despite the mixed outcomes, Ghana also retained their continental standing, ranking 14th among African nations.
Head coach Otto Addo is expected to use the recent tournament as a springboard for improvement ahead of the team’s upcoming international fixtures later this year.
The Black Queens of Ghana stormed into the quarterfinals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a stunning 4–1 win over Tanzania in their final Group C game on Monday night.
It was a must-win affair for both sides, but Ghana rose to the occasion with a clinical second-half performance that silenced the Twiga Stars and reignited their title hopes.
Pressure from the start
From kickoff, Ghana looked intent on seizing control. Coach Lars Björkegren’s decision to start striker Pricilla Adubea; replacing the suspended Doris Boaduwaa paid off early.
In the 11th minute, Adubea pressured Tanzania’s goalkeeper after a poor back pass, forcing the ball into the net for Ghana’s opener.
Priscilla Adubea with Chantel Boye-Hlorkah. Photo Courtesy: Popony_J X
Despite the strong start, the Black Queens failed to capitalize on several first-half chances. That wastefulness would prove costly as Tanzania grew into the game and punished Ghana’s defensive lapse in the 40th minute.
Stumai Athuman found space from a tight angle to score the equalizer, swinging the momentum in Tanzania’s favor.
The tide turned in the 58th minute when Princess Marfo was brought down in the Tanzania box. Alice Kusi stepped up and calmly converted the penalty to restore Ghana’s lead.
Stumai Athuman , Photo Courtesy: Wasafifm X
Tanzania responded with urgency, pushing for an equalizer. But Ghana’s backline held firm, and substitutes Stella Nyamekye and Evelyn Badu came on to take control of the game in midfield.
Their impact was instant.
In the 85th minute, Nyamekye won a free kick at the edge of the box and floated a perfect delivery into the area. Badu met it with a sharp turn and finish to make it 3–1.
In the 89th minute, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah capped off a flowing counterattack, picking her spot and firing past the goalkeeper to seal the win. Her tireless performance earned her the Player of the Match award.
Chantel Louise Boye -Hlorkah . Photo Courtesy: Owuraku Ampofo X
South Africa thrashed Mali 4–0 in the group’s other game, meaning Ghana leapfrogged both teams to finish second in the group with four points. The Banyana Banyana topped the group with seven.
With the result, Ghana books a place in the quarterfinals; showing resilience, squad depth, and attacking flair when it mattered most.
— Ghana Women National Teams 🇬🇭 (@GhanaWNT) July 14, 2025
The Black Queens now shift their focus to the knockout stage, where a new challenge awaits. But with their confidence restored and key players stepping up, Ghana will believe they have what it takes to go even further.
LIONEL MESSI continues to rewrite Major League Soccer (MLS) history after netting twice in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over Nashville on Saturday, extending his league record for scoring multiple goals in five consecutive matches.
The 38-year-old Argentine opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a low free-kick that pierced through the Nashville wall in Fort Lauderdale. Despite Hany Mukhtar equalising for the visitors early in the second half, Messi struck again in the 62nd minute—this time capitalising on a poor pass from Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis to secure the match-winner.
Messi’s brace draws him level with Nashville’s Sam Surridge atop the MLS scoring chart, both sitting on 16 goals in 16 matches.
His current scoring streak began in May with back-to-back doubles against Montreal and Columbus, paused briefly for the Club World Cup—where he managed just one goal in four games as Inter Miami exited at the last-16 stage—and resumed with further two-goal hauls against Montreal, New England Revolution, and now Nashville.
The victory keeps Inter Miami in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, now just five points behind leaders Philadelphia with three games in hand, positioning them as serious contenders for the top spot.
The Black Queens of Ghana produced a commanding second-half performance to claim a 4–1 victory over Tanzania, sealing their place in the knockout stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Cup of Nations Morocco 2024 on Monday evening.
Ghana struck first through Princella Adubea in the 12th minute, finishing from the centre of the box to give her side a deserved early lead.
Tanzania responded well, and just before halftime, Stumai Athumani drew them level, capitalizing on a headed assist from Enekia Lunyamila to make it 1–1 heading into the break.
Ghana came out firing in the second half and regained control through a 63rd-minute penalty calmly converted by Alice Kusi after Princess Marfo was brought down in the area.
The momentum remained firmly with the Black Queens, who extended their lead in the 87th minute when Evelyn Badu tapped in from close range following a set-piece.
Just minutes later, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah put the result beyond doubt, finishing a swift counter-attack with precision to make it 4–1 in stoppage time.
Ghana’s resillience ultimately proved too much for the Tanzanians, who fought valiantly but were overrun in the latter stages of the match.
With this result, the Black Queens of Ghana powered into the knockout stages, showcasing their strength and intent to go deep in the tournament.
Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe is suing the club for alleged negligent medical advice.
The 27-year-old, who joined Burnley earlier this month, filed a legal claim with the High Court against United last week.
It relates to a period from July 2022 involving an unknown injury and is considered a high-value claim which is understood to be more than £1m.
Tuanzebe was out for 195 days in his final season at the club before he was loaned to Stoke in January 2023, where he made just five appearances.
He joined the club when he was eight, making his debut in 2017, and played 37 times for them before leaving in the summer of 2023, joining Ipswich as a free agent that September.
The right-back captained United at every level and his final appearance for the club was in the 2021 Europa League final loss to Villarreal where he scored in the shootout as they lost 11-10 on penalties.
The former England Under-21 international, who now represents DR Congo, also had three spells on loan at Aston Villa while he also spent time at Napoli in 2022.
Tuanzebe’s lawyers, Simons Muirhead Burton, and United both declined to comment when approached by BBC Sport.
PM/AME
You can also watch some Ghanaians’ reactions to Thomas Partey’s rape charge
The Office of former President Akufo-Addo has denied media reports alleging his involvement in efforts to alter the New Patriotic Party’s plans for its upcoming National Delegates Conference.
In an official statement released today, the office described as “completely false” claims published by Otecfinghana and Ghanaweb that the former President sought to overturn party decisions regarding early primaries or postpone the July 19 conference.
The statement clarified that former President Akufo-Addo, who has been outside Ghana for some time, has not submitted any petition or made requests to the party regarding these matters. The office emphasized that he holds no such intentions to interfere with the party’s processes.
“Clearly, those behind these publications have an agenda of their own, which has nothing to do with improving the fortunes of the New Patriotic Party (NPP),” the statement read.
The brief but strongly-worded denial concluded with the office’s official signature, maintaining the former President’s position of non-interference in the party’s upcoming conference.
The NPP’s National Delegates Conference remains scheduled for July 19 as planned, with no indication from party officials that the alleged interference claims have affected preparations.
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.
Contractors responsible for delivering substandard work in the Assin North District of the Central Region may soon face legal action, according to the District Chief Executive (DCE), Sylvester Amakye-Nyarko.
He says the move is intended to serve as a deterrent to others and to ensure value for money in all public infrastructure projects.
Speaking exclusively to Citi News on July 14, Amakye-Nyarko addressed growing concerns over stalled and poorly executed school infrastructure in the district. He emphasised the importance of accountability and strict adherence to standards in project delivery.
At Oboba Kokrowa, a three-unit classroom block still under construction is reportedly collapsing due to weak structural columns and a lack of proper reinforcement. According to the DCE, the contractor received full payment under the previous administration but failed to meet the project deadline or deliver the expected quality.
Similarly, in Aniakragya, a contractor awarded a contract to construct a six-unit classroom block abandoned the project after demolishing the existing school building. The school is now operating from the community’s social centre—an arrangement that Amakye-Nyarko says is gravely affecting academic activities.
He said the assembly is considering legal options to compel the defaulting contractors to either complete the work or face sanctions.
“Anytime the community has a social event, it means there is no school. In cases where a funeral of a Saturday worshiper is being held, the school closes on Thursday and Friday, and this is affecting academic activities,” said the DCE.
Though he opted not to mention the names of the contractors, the DCE told Citi News that, “I have written to the two contractors- the one working on the Oboba building as well as the one in charge of Aniakragya- to invite them for discussions. We’ll try again for a few more times, and if they fail to honour our invitation, we will first terminate their contracts and then take legal action against them.”
“We want to ensure that there’s value for money. You can’t receive payment and decide not to execute the contract. It’s something we won’t tolerate,” he added.
Meanwhile, the District Chief Executive (DCE) has described the lack of adequate and befitting educational infrastructure as a challenge beyond the assembly’s capacity, and is therefore appealing to the central government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for support.
“This is a new district with so many challenges beyond our capacity. We are therefore appealing to the central government and NGOs, including you- Citi FM- to come to our aid,” the DCE said.
Ablekuma North chaos a wake-up call for Akwatia by-election – Muntaka
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Babysitter accused of beating young boys with belt charged with assault
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A babysitter arrested for allegedly abusing three young boys in her care was arraigned in June.
La’Keysha Jackson, 24, is charged with four counts of assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
A family attorney says the city-funded babysitter was caught on camera repeatedly abusing three boys left in her care in early May.
The Bronx district attorney issued an arrest warrant for Jackson following the release of the video. Investigators say the video shows Jackson using a belt to beat three children under her care — ages 2, 4, and 6.
A notice of claim filed by the family alleges Jackson struck the children 58 times. The family also claims Jackson slammed one child into a bed and struck another with a hanger.
Attorneys also allege a clown mask was found in a closet that was used to terrorize the kids.
The parents chose not to speak out after the arrest on Wednesday, but their attorney issued a statement:
“Our clients can rest easier now knowing that Ms. Jackson is no longer on the street. We thank the NYPD for helping this family heal and for ensuring there will be accountability for Ms. Jackson’s actions.”
The family’s attorney said Jackson was contracted by ACS through a company called Selfhelp.
Selfhelp says Jackson has been terminated and that it is fully cooperating with investigations conducted by ACS and the NYPD.
ACS says it is taking “these despicable actions very seriously” and that it has “commenced a review of the contracted provider’s procedures.”
Jackson’s bail was set at $75,000 and she is due back in court on August 12th.
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Ablekuma North Constituency, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, has rendered an unqualified apology to the party’s National Council for defying its directive to boycott the recent parliamentary rerun in 19 polling stations.
Speaking after a National Council meeting on Monday, July 14, to discuss preparations for the party’s upcoming annual delegates conference, Akua Afriyie acknowledged her error and affirmed her continued loyalty to the party.
“All boils down to an apology, because that is my party and I will keep being NPP. We all make mistakes. If the party says you shouldn’t run, whatever it is, the matter has been resolved, an apology given, and we move on,” she stated.
Her apology follows her decision to participate in the parliamentary rerun on Friday, July 11, 2025, despite an official party directive to withdraw. The NPP had rejected the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to organise the rerun, arguing that their candidate had already won the December 2024 parliamentary election.
At a press briefing held on Tuesday, July 8, NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong accused the EC of disregarding the will of the people by calling for a rerun.
He insisted that the party’s candidate, Akua Afriyie, rightfully won the initial contest and that all results had been validated by polling agents and EC officials.
The Electoral Commission, however, justified the rerun on the grounds of irregularities in the collation process, particularly the absence of validation signatures from some Presiding Officers on the scanned pink sheets from the affected polling stations.
Despite the NPP’s boycott directive, Akua Afriyie went ahead to contest, only to lose narrowly to the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) Ewurabena Aubynn, who polled 34,090 votes against Afriyie’s 33,881 votes, securing a historic win for the NDC in the constituency.
Popular Nigerian TikTok couple, Peace Pever, also known as Purple Speedy, and Chinye Elijah, popularly known as Crispdal, were involved in a ghastly car accident.
Naija News reports that the accident happened while the content creators were returning from the Trendupp Awards, where Crispdal was honoured with the “Force of TikTok” award.
Hundreds of youth, including party sympathisers and executives from both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), took to the streets of Akwatia in the Denkyembour District for a float and candlelight procession in honour of the late Member of Parliament for the area, Ernest Yaw Kumi.
Clad in black and holding candles, the crowd—comprising both the young and old—gathered at St. Rose’s Junction on Monday, July 14, and proceeded to the party’s constituency office amidst solemn singing.
Many participants were visibly emotional, shedding tears as they recounted personal memories and encounters with the late MP, who was widely respected across political lines.
“We have lost a great personality,” one of the supporters said.
Another also indicated, “His passing is a very sad one.”
“Kumi was friendly to all; he will be greatly remembered,” One of the supporters remarked.
The Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi, representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP), passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Akwatia: A Constituency Mired in Controversy
Located in the Eastern Region, Akwatia constituency became a flashpoint in 2024 with Mr. Kumi’s victory marred by allegations of vote buying, irregularities, and legal disputes.
Following the announcement of results, the NDC challenged Kumi’s election in court. The Koforidua High Court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe, subsequently issued an interim injunction preventing Kumi from holding himself out as MP and participating in parliamentary activities.
However, the case escalated after Kumi allegedly defied the injunction, leading to contempt of court charges and the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest.
Supreme Court Overturns Contempt Ruling In a major legal victory, the Supreme Court on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, quashed the contempt conviction and barred Justice Amedahe from proceeding with any sentencing.
The decision followed a judicial review application filed by Kumi in February 2025, led by his lawyer, Gary Nimako-Marfo, who also serves as the NPP’s Director of Legal Affairs. The legal team argued that the High Court had no jurisdiction to hear the election petition since the Electoral Commission (EC) had not yet published a gazette notification of the parliamentary results—an essential procedural requirement to invoke the High Court’s jurisdiction in election disputes.
Speaking to the media following the Supreme Court ruling, NPP communicator Kwame Owiredu stated:
“As we speak now, Hon. Ernest Kumi remains the elected and valid MP for Akwatia. Hon. Ernest Yaw Kumi is as free as a bird. He’s a free man, and he will continue his good works as an MP for the good people of Akwatia.”
Background: Kumi’s Legal Challenge Mr. Kumi’s legal challenge included both certiorari and prohibition applications, seeking to overturn the High Court’s ruling and prevent any further action by Justice Amedahe.
The legal team presented three central arguments:
Jurisdictional Error
“The learned High Court Judge committed a jurisdictional error of law apparent on the face of the record when he assumed jurisdiction in a parliamentary election petition at the Akwatia constituency at a time when the Electoral Commission had not published the gazette notification of the results to which the election relates.”
Breach of Natural Justice
“The learned High Court Judge breached the rules of natural justice when he proceeded to hear and determine the contempt application despite the pendency of the applicant’s motion to set aside the said contempt application for want of jurisdiction.”
Judicial Bias
“The learned High Court Judge was biased and highly prejudiced against the applicant when he, among others, refused to grant counsel for the applicant audience on the basis that counsel had not filed ‘Appearance’ in the contempt application.”
Reliefs Sought by Kumi Mr. Kumi’s legal team requested the following reliefs from the Supreme Court: A declaration that the December 31, 2024, petition filed in the absence of a gazette notification was incompetent and legally void.
A declaration that the contempt proceedings and the February 19, 2025, ruling were of no effect.
An order of certiorari quashing:
The contempt ruling;
The bench warrant;
The interim injunction dated January 2, 2025;
And all other orders made under the disputed election petition.
An order of prohibition against Justice Amedahe, preventing him from sentencing Mr. Kumi.
The Supreme Court granted the application, effectively clearing Ernest Kumi of all legal encumbrances related to the case and affirming his legitimacy as MP—just weeks before news of his unexpected passing.
Ablekuma North: Akua Afriyie apologises to NPP for defying party boycott
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The University of Ghana has removed the ban on social meetings after COVID-19 cases on campus significantly decreased.
The University declared in a statement issued by the Office of Student Affairs on Monday, July 14, that the prohibition, which had been in place since Thursday, June 26, had been formally rescinded with immediate effect.
According to the statement the decision was made after consulting with the university’s management and health services.
“The Office of Student Affairs, in consultation with the University Health Services and University Management, wishes to inform the entire university community that 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 said.
The first restriction was one of several emergency measures put in place following a reported increase in COVID-19 infections on campus. It had an impact on events and activities planned by departments, halls, student organizations, and religious associations.
Now that the prohibition has been lifted, student organizations such as the SRC, GRASAG, JCRs, religious organizations, and departmental or school associations are allowed to resume their weekly celebrations and activities.
But the statement emphasized the necessity of continuing to follow health precautions.
KA
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The new GACL Board is chaired by James Agalga, MP for Builsa North
The newly inaugurated Board of Directors of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has been officially introduced to staff at a brief ceremony held at the Kotoka International Airport on Monday July 14, 2025.
The Board had earlier engaged with Heads of Department and Union Executives in an interactive session.
The Managing Director of GACL, Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, in her welcome remarks extended her appreciation to the Board.
She highlighted some of the company’s recent achievements, including the ongoing repurposing of Terminal 2 for dual use, international and domestic operations and the much-needed resurfacing of the 30-year-old runway.
“These accomplishments are the result of collective effort, dedication, and cohesion among management and staff. I am confident that with continued collaboration, we can further advance the vision of His Excellency the President for Ghana’s aviation sector,” she said.
Yvonne Opare also reaffirmed her commitment to working closely with the Board, emphasising the importance of unity and shared responsibility in driving the company’s strategic goals.
The Board Chairman, James Agalga, who is also the Member of Parliament for Builsa North constituency, expressed his gratitude to management and staff for the warm reception.
“We are here to work with you. The Board is fully committed to collaborating with management to realise the President’s vision of making Ghana the aviation hub of the West African sub-region,” he noted.
He lauded the GACL team for their resilience and hard work, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly disrupted global air travel.
“Your dedication during and after the pandemic has been commendable. It is this kind of commitment that has helped GACL achieve profitability again,” he noted.
James Agalga further called for a unified front in delivering on the company’s mandate.
“Let us move forward with a strong sense of purpose and mutual cooperation,” he urged.
The newly inaugurated GACL Board includes:
Hon. Attah Issah – MP, Sagnarigu Constituency
Hon. William Ntebe Ayo – MP, Tatale-Sanguli Constituency
• Mark William Attipoe – Representative, Ministry of Transport
• Kwabena Amponsah Dapaah – Fellow, Ghana Institution of Surveyors
Mohammed Kudus is now part of the Tottenham Hotspur team
Mohammed Kudus has etched his name into Ghanaian football history, becoming the nation’s most expensive player ever with a sensational £55 million (approximately €63 million) transfer to Tottenham Hotspur.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder’s move from West Ham United shatters the previous record set by Thomas Partey, who joined Arsenal for £45 million (approximately €50 million) in 2020.
Kudus, known for his dazzling dribbles, versatility, and clinical finishing, has been a standout performer in the Premier League since arriving at West Ham from Ajax in 2023.
His explosive performances, including 18 goals and 13 assists in 48 appearances last season, caught the eye of Tottenham’s recruitment team, who moved swiftly to secure his signature in a deal finalised this week.
The transfer marks a significant milestone for Ghanaian football, underscoring the growing global influence of the Black Stars’ talent pool.
Kudus, a product of the Right to Dream Academy, expressed his pride in representing his nation on such a stage.
“This is a dream come true, not just for me but for every young boy in Ghana who dares to dream big
“I’m here to work hard and make my country proud,” he remarked.
ALL/MA
You can also watch some Ghanaians’ reactions to Thomas Partey’s rape charge
Relationship counselor, Counselor Lutterdt has insisted that Ghanaian musician, Wendy Shay has enhanced her body.
Speaking in a recent interview, Counselor Lutterodt asked Wendy Shay to stop being stubborn and admit that she has enhanced her body.
According to Counselor Lutterodt, when Wendy Shay was coming up, Bullet, her manager used to bring her to the studio and begged them to help promote her.
Majority and Minority MPs have clashed in Parliament over Ghana’s recent economic gains, as inflation declines and the cedi strengthens against major foreign currencies.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) maintained that the current economic gains are the result of strategic decisions and policies implemented under the leadership of President John Mahama.
African hair braiding is more than just a hairstyle—it’s a cultural tradition, a form of artistic expression, and a practical method for maintaining healthy natural hair. For children, these braided styles offer the perfect balance between creativity and function, helping to protect delicate strands while allowing them to showcase their personalities. As hairstylist and cultural advocate Nana Ama once said, “Braiding our children’s hair isn’t just about beauty—it’s a loving ritual that connects them to their roots and strengthens their self-image.”
Here’s a closer look at some popular African hair braiding styles that are perfect for kids, combining ease of maintenance with a stylish flair.
1. Box Braids
Box braids are a classic and beloved choice for kids. The hair is divided into small square-shaped sections and braided down from the scalp. This protective style minimizes breakage and promotes healthy growth, especially for children with thick or long hair. Box braids can be customized in length and thickness, and accessories like beads, cuffs, or colorful bands add a playful twist that kids love. They can also be styled into buns, ponytails, or left flowing freely.
2. Cornrows
Cornrows are one of the most practical and versatile braid styles. These tight, scalp-hugging braids can be arranged in simple straight lines or more intricate patterns like zig-zags or swirls. Ideal for active children, cornrows keep hair tidy and manageable with little need for daily upkeep. Plus, they can last for several weeks with proper care. Add a touch of fun with vibrant beads or thread for a look that’s both eye-catching and cultural.
3. Feed-In Braids
Feed-in braids offer a sleek look while minimizing tension on the scalp—a perfect combination for growing hair. This technique involves adding synthetic hair gradually as the braid is formed, creating a more natural transition and reducing bulk at the hairline. Kids can wear feed-in braids in simple back styles or more detailed patterns that show off the braider’s creativity. The style is protective, durable, and gives children the confidence of a grown-up hairstyle with kid-friendly flair.
4. Two-Strand Twists
Gentle and stylish, two-strand twists are perfect for younger kids or those with shorter hair. This style involves dividing the hair into sections and twisting two strands around each other. Twists are soft on the scalp, easy to install, and can be styled in various ways, from updos to twist-outs. They are also an excellent low-maintenance option, especially when paired with colorful elastics or small clips for added charm.
5. Ghana Weaving (Herringbone Braids)
For parents looking for something a bit more intricate, Ghana weaving—or herringbone braids—provides a unique, eye-catching style. This braid technique creates thick, raised braids that lie flat against the scalp in creative, flowing patterns. Though it requires a bit more time and skill to complete, the result is a bold and elegant hairstyle that turns heads while providing full protection for the hair underneath.
More Than Just a Style
These hairstyles do more than make kids look adorable—they promote healthy hair practices and instill pride in African heritage. Protective styles like braids help retain moisture, reduce breakage, and support natural hair growth. More importantly, they provide a meaningful way for children to embrace their identity and culture from a young age.
GHANA IS poised to make another strong showing on the international stage as four swimmers gear up to represent the nation at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, scheduled from July 27 to August 3.
Led by Ghana Swimming Association President Delphina Quaye and General Secretary Muniru Kassim, the national team will depart Accra on July 23 for the prestigious global competition.
Team captain Abeiku Jackson headlines the squad and will compete in the 50m and 100m butterfly events, as well as the 4x100m mixed freestyle and mixed medley relays. Jackson, who made history as Ghana’s first swimming medalist at the African Games, continues to be a key figure in the nation’s aquatic ambitions.
He is joined by rising star Harry Stacey, who impressed at the 2024 Olympic Games and secured a podium finish at the 2024 Africa Aquatics Championships in Angola. Stacey will swim the 50m and 100m freestyle and feature in both team relays.
Also representing Ghana is Joselle Mensah, a promising young talent with experience at the 2023 African Games and the 2024 Olympics. With multiple medals from the CANA Zone II Championships under her belt, she will contest the freestyle sprints and participate in the relay events.
Rounding out the team is seasoned swimmer Nubia Adjei, who once held the national record in the 100m backstroke. She will take part in the 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, and both mixed relay events.
With a blend of experience and youthful talent, the Ghanaian contingent is aiming to make a meaningful impact at this year’s championships and further elevate the country’s profile in international swimming.
Abanga Yakubu Alhassan, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has issued a strong rebuttal to allegations linking him to an illicit, parallel anti-galamsey taskforce purportedly operating in mining communities across the country.
The claims, made by the self-styled Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana (CSSMAG), have been categorically dismissed as baseless, malicious, and entirely without merit.
With unwavering clarity, Hon. Abanga stated, “Let me place it on record, without ambiguity: I have absolutely no hand in, and I know nothing about these allegations. I challenge anyone who claims otherwise to be bold and point to me directly. If I have ever extorted money from any miner or seized any equipment, let them mention my name publicly.”
His firm stance underscored a broader concern regarding attempts to associate his name with unlawful activities, prompting him to question the underlying motives behind such spurious accusations.
“This is not just about politics—it is about protecting reputations built over years of service and sacrifice. I will not sit back and allow anyone to jeopardize my name with falsehoods,” Hon. Abanga declared, emphasizing his commitment to preserving both the integrity of his office and his personal reputation.
As a licensed small-scale miner, Hon. Abanga reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for lawful, responsible, and transparent mining practices that contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economic development.
He further clarified that neither he nor Hon. Joseph Yamin has ever authorized any group to conduct enforcement operations in any mining community. Any individual or group claiming such authority, he stressed, is engaging in impersonation and must be investigated and brought to justice.
In exposing factual inconsistencies within CSSMAG’s statement, Mr Abanga highlighted that the Mobile Money number 0244254231, purportedly linked to an individual named Andrew Abban, is in fact registered to Roland Agudogo.
He cited this as evidence of deliberate impersonation and deceit, designed to mislead the public and defame innocent persons.
“Their intent is to tarnish my hard-earned reputation, and we condemn it outright,” he asserted.
In conclusion, Mr. Abanga reiterated the NDC’s central mission under its Resetting Agenda, reaffirming the party’s focus on restoring national hope, creating sustainable employment for the youth, and ensuring that Ghana becomes a conducive environment for all its citizens.
“These fake, sponsored articles and propaganda should be disregarded by the good people of Ghana,” he concluded, assuring the public that no amount of disinformation will deter the party’s vision for a better and more accountable governance structure.
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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.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has officially sanctioned the 2025 Gbese Mantse Homowo Peace Charity Cup match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kpando Heart of Lions.
Scheduled for Sunday, August 17, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium, the high-profile ceremonial clash forms part of this year’s Homowo celebrations.
In a statement, the GFA expressed confidence in both Premier League clubs to comply fully with all applicable regulations to ensure a smooth, secure, and successful event. The association also called on all stakeholders to take due note of the approval and adhere to the established guidelines.
The match is expected to draw a large crowd and serve as a symbol of unity, reinforcing the role of football in fostering peace and social cohesion in the country.
Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Samuel Awuku, has criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC), saying the party lacks the moral authority to compare the recent violent incident at Ablekuma North to past events at Ayawaso West Wuogon and Techiman South.
His comments follow remarks by some NDC members who likened the assault on Minister Hawa Koomson to the violence experienced by their own members in previous elections.
Azumah Resources has firmly disassociated itself from recent public comments made by policy analyst Bright Simons, clarifying that he does not speak for the company in any way.
In a statement issued by its Board of Directors on Sunday, July 13, 2025, the mining company moved to clear up what it called growing media speculation about its legal and commercial dispute with local firm Engineers & Planners (E&P).
Azumah stressed that while Mr. Simons has every right to share his personal opinions, he does not represent the company’s shareholders or directors and has no mandate to comment on its behalf.
“Mr. Bright Simons does not represent, act on behalf of, or speak for the Shareholders or Directors of Azumah Resources Ghana in any capacity.
“His public commentary constitutes his personal opinion and should not be construed, implied, or interpreted as reflective of the official position, intentions, or legal standing of Azumah Resources or its Shareholders,” the statement read.
The company also addressed reports involving the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), stating that although representatives of Azumah and E&P visited the bank in Lomé last year, any mention of EBID’s involvement beyond preliminary talks is “unwarranted and inaccurate.”
Azumah however says it remains in confidential negotiations with E&P aimed at finding a fair and legal resolution to their dispute, and called on media outlets and commentators to avoid speculation that could undermine the talks.
Read the full statement below:
FKA/MA
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Here’s a closer look at some popular African hair braiding styles that are perfect for kids, combining ease of maintenance with a stylish flair.
