By Philip Tengzu, GNA  

Wa, (UW/R), Dec. 28, GNA – The Blissful Sight for Kids (BS4Ks) project, a children-centred eye screening initiative, has ended the year 2025 with a free eye screening exercise for residents of Tumu in the Sissala East Municipality. 

A total of 360 people, most of them children, were screened during the exercise, out of which 39 were found to have normal eyesight, while 301 presented various pathological conditions and were provided with medication. 

Additionally, 16 people were diagnosed with refractive errors and given eyeglasses, while four others were found to have cataracts and glaucoma. 

The BS4Ks project is an initiative of Bliss Eye Care, a private eye clinic in Wa, in partnership with Ghana Vision, a Swiss-based charity organisation, and is aimed at eradicating childhood blindness through free eye screening and early intervention. 

Since its inception about a decade ago, the project has reached thousands of children in the Upper West Region and beyond, helping to address eye conditions that could hinder children’s access to quality education. 

Some parents whose wards benefited from the screening exercise in Tumu at the weekend expressed gratitude to the benefactors, as access to specialised eye care services, particularly in rural communities, remained a major challenge. 

Madam Niamatu Nuhu, whose daughter was screened and provided with eyeglasses, expressed joy and appreciation, and said the intervention would significantly improve her child’s vision and academic performance. 

“It was her teacher who drew my attention to her eye problem. I also monitored her and realised that if she wanted to read from a book, she had to bring it closer to her eyes. 

I took her to the hospital here in Tumu, but I was told they did not have the machines to detect the child’s problem,” she explained.  

Madam Nuhu, however, said she was informed that a team of eye specialists would be coming to Tumu to conduct free eye screening, which she took advantage of. 

Dr Zakarea Al-Hassan Balure, the Manager of Bliss Eye Care, expressed concern that some parents did not take the eye health of their children seriously and sometimes relegated it to the background even when children complained of eye problems. 

“Children are always pushed to the background, and even when they complain of eye conditions, they are not taken seriously because people feel that eye diseases are more common among adults than children. 

We think that once we address these conditions early, it gives the child a brighter future because he or she can learn better, see better in class, and comprehend what is happening around them”, he observed. 

Dr Balure, an optometrist, encouraged parents and guardians to prioritise their children’s eye health, stressing that the eyes were irreplaceable and if damaged could negatively affect a child’s holistic development. 

GNA 

Edited by Caesar Abagali /Kenneth Odeng Adade 

The Tema Oil Refinery Limited (TOR) has announced the resumption of crude oil refining operations.

This follows several years of inactivity, marking a historic milestone in the revitalisation of Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector. 

A statement issued by management stated that this achievement followed the successful completion of major Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) works on the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), executed within three months from August 01, 2025, to October 30, 2025.

It added that the maintenance works were undertaken in strict compliance with international engineering, safety, and operational standards. 

According to management, following the completion of the TAM, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) conducted 

comprehensive regulatory inspections and confirmed TOR’s full compliance with all mandatory safety and operational requirements.

“Consequently, the NPA granted clearance for the resumption of refining activities.”

It noted that with the required regulatory clearance, refining operations began on Friday, December 19, 2025, with 

all the line of petroleum products going to storage for the first time in several years. 

“As part of a phased transition toward full operational capacity, and in advance of the refinery’s official 

recommissioning, TOR will continue operating over the coming months to stabilise systems, optimise 

performance, and ensure sustained operational reliability.”

Management further stated that TOR has completed the installation of a new furnace, F-61, which would soon be commissioned and integrated into the CDU. 

This critical upgrade, it added, would enable the refinery to restore its original nameplate capacity of 45,000 barrels per stream day (bpsd), up from the current operating level of 28,000 bpsd, with a clear strategic pathway to expand the capacity to 60,000 bpsd in the medium term, following the installation of a new air cooler. 

It stated that the government of Ghana would formally commission and tie in the F-61 furnace at a later date to be communicated to stakeholders.

Management expressed its deepest appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for his continued support, vision, leadership, and steadfast dedication and commitment to the restoration of TOR as a critical pillar of Ghana’s energy infrastructure. 

“The refinery also extends profound appreciation to the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Dr John Abdulai Jinapor (MP), whose dedication, technical oversight, and policy leadership have been instrumental in restoring TOR to operational life.”

TOR further commended its Board of Directors, management, and entire workforce for their enthusiasm, resilience, professionalism, and unwavering sense of purpose throughout this revival journey. 

“The staff of TOR remain committed to sustaining the refinery’s renewed operational momentum and achieving excellence across all aspects of refinery performance.”

Source: GNA

A taskforce operation led by the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, targeting commercial drivers who charge unapproved fares, has resulted in the arrest of six drivers in the Central Business District of Accra.

The enforcement exercise began around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday December 27, and covered major routes from the COCOBOD section of Kwame Nkrumah Avenue to the Farisco traffic light, areas that experience high passenger traffic during peak hours. Commuters heading to destinations including Kaneshie, Awoshie, Kasoa, and Lapaz were directly affected.

During the operation, the Mayor and his team stopped trotros and other commercial vehicles to verify fares charged against approved rates, cross-checking with passengers onboard. While many drivers adhered to the approved fares, six were found overcharging and were subsequently arrested.

The Mayor later cautioned and pardoned the drivers, explaining that the exercise was the first day of the enforcement operation and intended to serve as a firm warning.

“Sustained enforcement is necessary to ensure fairness in public transport pricing and deter drivers who exploit high demand to overcharge passengers,” he said.

In a gesture aimed at easing commuter burden, Mayor Allotey paid full lorry fares for all passengers on a bus headed to Lapaz, reinforcing the Assembly’s message that passengers should not pay beyond approved rates.

The Mayor confirmed that enforcement would continue across the metropolis, with strict monitoring and penalties for defaulters.

He also cautioned both drivers and traders against practices that undermine public order, assuring that the Assembly would maintain a visible presence along key corridors to protect road users and maintain discipline.

Sammy Gyamfi is the CEO of Goldbod

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has reiterated the institution’s unwavering commitment to combating illegal mining and ensuring sustainable practices in Ghana’s gold sector.

Speaking on TV3’s Key Points program, Gyamfi emphasised that environmental protection is central to GoldBod’s mandate, and the agency is taking concrete steps to enforce it.

“When we took over, there was no real fight against illegal mining. We did not maintain the status quo, highlighting the proactive measures already implemented,” he said.

He noted that Legislative Instruments 23 and 24, which previously permitted certain mining activities in protected areas, have been revoked.

“Mining is no longer permissible in forest reserves, and NAIMOS is actively cracking down on illegal miners everywhere. You have seen the videos,” he added.

Goldbod to fully take over gold trading and reserves in 2026

Gyamfi stressed that GoldBod has institutionalized environmental protection by making it illegal to purchase gold sourced from unauthorized mining activities.

He explained that under Section 59 of the GoldBod Act, any purchase of gold from illegal mining operations constitutes an offense.

The CEO also addressed criticisms about the pace of implementing traceability measures.

While Ghana has a long history of gold procurement dating back to colonial times, he believes the introduction of a national traceability program is a landmark initiative.

“We have given timelines for the traceability program to be fully operational. Every gram of gold bought by the state will be traceable to its mine of origin, and it must come from a sustainable mine,” he explained.

He noted the challenges posed by decades of unregulated gold trading and smuggling, which have historically undermined both the environment and the national economy.

“Our approach balances economic benefits with environmental responsibility, ensuring that Ghana’s gold sector contributes to development without compromising our natural heritage.”

SP/EB

All you need to know about Ghana’s new vehicle number plates |BizTech:

The Greater Accra Regional Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with an alleged arson incident at Oyarifa Anointed Down in the Greater Accra Region.

In a press statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, on December 27, the Police confirmed the arrest of a Canadian national, Jennifer Mae Tomlinson, and her Ghanaian boyfriend, Mohammed Issah, following investigations into the incident.

Confirming the arrests, the Police said, “The Greater Accra Regional Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with a case of causing unlawful damage at Oyarifa Anointed Down in the Greater Accra Region.”

The statement explained that preliminary investigations point to a deliberate act by the suspects, who were tenants occupying the apartment at the time of the incident.

“Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects, who were tenants occupying the apartment, deliberately set the property ablaze on December 23, completely destroying it without any apparent provocation,” the statement added.

The Police also provided further details on how the suspects were apprehended. “Suspect Mohammed Issah was arrested by the Ayimensah Abokobi Police on the same day the incident occurred, while suspect Jennifer Mae Tomlinson went into hiding and was later arrested from her hideout on December 25,” it stated.

The Command said both suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue.

“Both suspects are currently in police custody assisting investigations, and they will be put before the court to face charges in accordance with the law,” the statement concluded.

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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.

Paul van Zuydam is South Africa’s newest billionaire

Paul van Zuydam has become South Africa’s newest dollar billionaire, joining the ranks of the country’s wealthiest individuals tracked by Forbes.

According to Forbes’ real-time estimates in December 2025, van Zuydam’s net worth stands at $1.7 billion (about R28.4 billion), ranking him as the world’s 2,186th richest person.

His addition lifts South Africa’s total number of billionaires on the global list to eight, alongside prominent names such as Johann Rupert and Nicky Oppenheimer.

At 87, Van Zuydam is the owner and chairman of French cookware maker Le Creuset, a company he acquired in the late 1980s when it was struggling financially.

He transformed the brand into a global household name, best known for its hand-finished cast-iron cookware and stringent quality standards at its foundry in Fresnoy-le-Grand, northern France.

Under his leadership, Le Creuset concentrated production in France, invested heavily in automation, and broadened its product range.

Manufacturing capacity was doubled, output rose to more than 20,000 pieces a day, and the company expanded aggressively into the United States and Asia.

The business also diversified into ceramics and other cookware categories while keeping its signature cast-iron manufacturing rooted in France. Since 2001, Le Creuset has grown without taking on external debt.

Today, the company generates more than $850 million (around R14 billion) in annual revenue, cementing van Zuydam’s place among Africa’s dollar billionaires.

All you need to know about Ghana’s new vehicle number plates |BizTech:

play videoHundreds of underprivileged were provided meals during the Feeding with Dignity initiative

Donsey Kitchen and Grills, in collaboration with the Firm Health Foundation and GhanaWeb, on December 26, 2025, launched its annual Feeding with Dignity initiative in Accra, Ghana.

The project aimed to provide nutritious meals to 3,000 underprivileged individuals living on the streets of Accra.

Speaking at the event, the MD of Donsey Kitchen and Grills, Joseph Sena Donnie explained the inspiration behind the Feeding with Dignity initiative.

Chinese community in Ghana, UNESCO donate over GH¢300,000 to Motherly Love Orphanage

“It all started with my birthday. I decided not to be doing party again, but rather party with the kids at the orphanage,” Donnie noted.

Joseph continued that, “last year I decided to give the street because I realised there’s a lot of hunger on the street, so that was when we did 1,500. This year, I decided to champion in more and I spoke to Firm Health and GhanaWeb and they loved it. So here we are today.”

Dr. Sylvester Akpah of Firm Health Foundation, a partner of the Feeding with Dignity initiative, highlighted the nutritional standards put in place and explained why they chose to partner with Donsey Kitchen and Grills.

“As a foundation, which is health bias, we also believe in some social interventions. And the typical social intervention is this. When Donsey Kitchen and Grills approached us with this project, we thought that it actually falls in line with our core values, and we gave it some deep thought and we decided to partner with them,” he said.

He concluded by saying, “Cooking for a large number of people, there’s a need that you need to ensure, that there are no spread of any diseases as we have it. So in terms of the environment in which the meals were prepared, we needed to make sure that those environments are clean. Even those who were preparing the meals, we needed to ensure that they follow every critical standards to ensure that the meals that we serve are meals that are nutritious and very wholesome.”

The Feeding with Dignity initiative concluded with 3,000 underprivileged individuals living on the streets being served with nutritious meals.

ALL/EB

Moises Caicedo and his Blues team-mates are determined to bounce straight back from our loss to Aston Villa, to finish 2025 on a high in front of the Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge.

The midfielder was part of the side which lined up against Aston Villa in our penultimate Premier League fixture of the year at the Bridge yesterday.

The Blues put in an impressive performance for an hour to dominate a visiting side which had recorded 10 consecutive victories across all competitions, taking the lead through Joao Pedro’s first-half goal from a Reece James corner.

However, we were unable to convert that into points, as Villa fought back and found the net twice in 20 minutes to leave Chelsea to reflect on a frustrating afternoon and disappointing 2-1 defeat.

‘It’s painful because we were controlling the game,’ admitted Caicedo. ‘The first half was so good and we started the second half well and could have won, even after the first goal they scored.

‘For sure we were frustrated because we were doing a great job, but when you do not concentrate for the whole game in the Premier League it’s going to happen.’

Caicedo and his fellow Blues won’t have to wait long for their chance to bounce back, though. We end the calendar year with another home game at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, when we host Bournemouth on Tuesday evening.

It is an opportunity the Ecuadorian is determined to take advantage of, by showing the team has learned from this tough result.

‘We need to keep learning from this because we were there, up, but in the Premier League you need to be consistent to stay up,’ he said.

‘So we need to keep learning. This is not just a loss, it’s a chance to learn, and for sure we’re going to come back even stronger.

‘It’s important for us, for the fans, to end the year in a good way. So we’re just going to learn from this and focus on the next game because we want to give everything.’

Caicedo and Chelsea will be hoping to put that lesson into practice on the pitch and make it a happy new year for the Blues when Bournemouth come to west London on Tuesday 30 December, with kick-off at the Bridge at 7.30pm.

Featured

Jemima Okang Addae

Dec – 28 – 2025 , 11:47

2 minutes read

Borle Music is a rising name in the Afro-Swing scene

“Die With You” by Borle Music is a smooth Afro-Swing love song that mixes deep emotions with a calm and steady rhythm.

The song talks about unbreakable love and shares a message of devotion and loyalty.

It shows two people who choose to stand together through all of life’s moments.

With soulful melodies and warm Afro rhythms, the song creates a peaceful and romantic feeling.

Borle Music is a rising name in the Afro-Swing scene, steadily gaining attention for music that blends heartfelt emotion with smooth, rhythmic African influences.

Known for creating calm yet meaningful soundscapes, Borle Music focuses on love, commitment, and emotional connection, themes that resonate strongly with listeners who value depth and sincerity in music

“Die With You” is more than just music.

It is a promise of love, trust, and togetherness.

Borle Music delivers a song that reminds listeners of the beauty of true commitment.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawase and Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has undertaken an inspection tour of ongoing inner road projects in the Asawase Constituency.

He was accompanied by the Asokore-Mampong Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Ben Abdullah Alhassan, as they visited construction sites in the Sepe and Buoban enclaves, as well as parts of Asokore-Mampong.

The tour was aimed at obtaining first-hand information on the progress of work being carried out by contractors.

Alhaji Muntaka reiterated the government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure in the constituency, stressing that enhancing the living standards of the people through strategic investments in critical sectors, particularly roads, remains a top priority of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.

He urged residents to maintain confidence in the government and assured them of his continued efforts to lobby for additional projects and initiatives to improve their quality of life.

For his part, the MCE pledged that the Assembly would ensure value for money by demanding high-quality work from contractors.

Mr Alhassan also commended the President for allocating a fair share of development projects to the Asawase Municipality, noting that the initiatives would transform the area and boost the local economy upon completion.

The Director of Communications, Research and Strategy at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Sammy Darko, has highlighted how the institution’s preventive mandate has saved Ghana millions of cedis by stopping potentially harmful deals and exposing corruption risks before they materialised.

According to Mr Darko, one of the most notable interventions was the OSP’s role in raising red flags over the Agyapa Royalties transaction.

He said the OSP’s early assessment identified serious corruption risks in the deal, leading to its suspension and ultimately protecting the state from long-term financial losses.

“Those concerns stopped a bad deal that could have cost the country far more in the long run. That money stayed with Ghana, not private interests,” he stated.

Mr Darko also pointed to the planned sale of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) as another example of the OSP’s preventive impact.

He explained that the Office flagged corruption risks in a proposed partnership arrangement, which subsequently did not go through.

“Without that intervention, a key state asset would likely have been lost,” he noted, stressing that prevention remains cheaper and more effective than prosecution after the fact.

Additionally, Mr Darko said the OSP has helped plug financial leakages by uncovering ghost names on public payrolls, even under systems that included Ghana Card verification.

He explained that these were individuals who were being paid despite not existing or no longer being in active service.

“Removing them stopped steady leaks of public funds,” he said, adding that such actions underscore the importance of the OSP’s preventive powers in safeguarding public resources.

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.

Chelsea suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday, as they dropped down to fifth in the Premier League table.

Similar to the previous game at St. James’ Park, it was a game of two halves, but this time, Chelsea were on the losing end.

It looked very promising for the hosts in the first half at Stamford Bridge. They took the lead in the 37th minute from Reece James’ corner kick.

It was Chelsea’s 11th set-piece goal of the season, the joint second-highest in the league.

Chelsea created a lot of chances in the first period, and they paid the price for failing to capitalise on them.

Unai Emery’s triple substitutions just before the hour mark proved effective, especially the introduction of striker Ollie Watkins.

It took the England international just a couple of minutes to level the score from close range after receiving a beautiful vertical pass from Morgan Rogers.

After limiting the visitors to zero shot attempts, Chelsea struggled to contain the inspired Villa side in the second half.

In the 84th minute, Villa paid Chelsea back with their own corner-kick goal, and it was Watkins again who delivered the blow.

Chelsea made a late push in the game, but did not manage to register any shots on target in the second half.

The defeat means third-placed Villa have widened the gap to Chelsea, who dropped down to fifth, to 10 points.

Depending on the result between Sunderland and Leeds United on Sunday, Chelsea could be sixth when they host Bournemouth for another Premier League bout on Tuesday.

Here are the Chelsea player ratings, according to SofaScore:

Starting XI

Robert Sanchez: 7.6

Reece James: 8.2

Trevoh Chalobah: 6.3

Benoit Badiashile: 6.4

Marc Cucurella: 6.9

Moises Caicedo: 7.1

Enzo Fernandez: 7.4

Pedro Neto: 6.5

Cole Palmer: 6.7

Alejandro Garnacho: 6.9

Joao Pedro: 7.4

Substitutes

Malo Gusto: 6.7

Jamie Gittens: 6.8

Liam Delap: 6.4

Estevao: 6.4

Ghanaian authorities have detained 141 individuals, largely believed to be Nigerian nationals, in a coordinated operation targeting organised cybercrime networks operating in the country.

The arrests, made on December 27, focused on suburbs of Accra, including Tabora and Lashibi, following intelligence-led investigations, which was led by the Cyber Security Authority in partnership with the Ghana Police Service, National Security and the Ghana Immigration Service.

Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, confirmed that 100 suspects were detained in Tabora and 41 in Lashibi. He explained that intelligence-led surveillance had identified the two areas as hubs for cybercrime activity.

“The raids were based on intelligence operations that pointed to organised networks operating from these communities,” he said.

Investigators revealed that a Ghanaian landlord was among those taken into custody for allegedly accommodating around 100 of the suspects in Tabora. Authorities believe that the landlord’s property served as a base for operations involving mobile money fraud, business email compromise and other online scams. Security officials seized 38 laptops and approximately 150 mobile phones during the raids, which are now undergoing forensic analysis.

Preliminary findings suggest that the suspects were part of coordinated groups using residential properties to conceal their activities. Officials said the discovery highlights how cybercrime networks exploit local housing arrangements to evade detection.

“We are not only dealing with individuals but with systems that enable them,” a senior security source noted, adding that investigations will extend to landlords and property managers suspected of knowingly facilitating such activities.
The Cyber Security Authority emphasised that prosecutions will follow once forensic examinations are complete.
“All suspects found culpable will be prosecuted in line with Ghanaian law,” the agency stated.

The Member of Parliament for Ketu North in the Volta Region, Hon. Eric Edem Agbana, has reaffirmed his dedication to youth development and the promotion of talents in music and entertainment. He urged stakeholders within and beyond the constituency to support creative initiatives that can elevate both Ketu North and the Volta Region.

Speaking at the third edition of the Edem Agbana Carnival in Afife, the MP addressed thousands of patrons who gathered at the Afife School Park to celebrate culture and heritage through music and dance. The Carnival, first held in Dzodze in 2023 and later in Penyi in 2024, has grown into a major regional festival showcasing musicians, DJs, dancers, artisans, and entertainers.

This year’s event featured forty performers, lively street parades, food, and a festive atmosphere that united families and young people. The show began Friday evening and ran until early Saturday morning, with performances from Edem, Keeny Ice, Jah Phinga, Agbeshie, Chief One, Kpese Boii, Morgan Nero, and JJ Gonami.

The Carnival drew thousands from across the constituency, including youth impressed by the leadership of their first-term MP. Executives of the National Democratic Congress were also present, alongside more than twenty bloggers covering the event.

Hon. Agbana used the occasion to honour Producer Elorm Binni and Artiste Jonathan Nii Laryea (Jonila) for inspiring younger talents in the entertainment industry. He praised the chiefs and people of Ketu North for their support and thanked the youth of Afife for ensuring the success of the festival.

He pledged that the Carnival will remain an annual fixture, promising to continue addressing youth concerns and supporting their aspirations. The MP also presented a plaque to Musician Edem for his contribution to the arts, while the youth of Afife honoured him with a citation for his role in advancing development in the constituency.

Cocoa farmers in Mfantseman, located in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality of the Central Region, are facing severe challenges as illegal mining activities have destroyed access routes to their farms, leaving large quantities of cocoa uncollected and stranded.

The destruction caused by unregulated mining operations has made it nearly impossible for farmers to reach their farms or transport harvested produce, resulting in significant financial losses.

Farmers say deep trenches and open pits dug by illegal miners have rendered farm roads unsafe and unusable for over a year.

In the past, cocoa was transported manually with the help of labourers, but many young people have since abandoned farming for galamsey.

Tricycles later became the preferred means of transporting produce, but those too can no longer access the farms due to the extensive damage to the road network.

Beyond the loss of income, farmers say their personal safety is now at serious risk. Accessing farms on foot requires navigating narrow paths surrounded by uncovered pits, raising fears of fatal accidents.

Local authorities report that between January and August this year, at least 27 people died after falling into abandoned galamsey pits in the municipality, heightening anxiety among residents.

The affected farmers are questioning the absence of a major security operation in Mfantseman, despite similar crackdowns on illegal mining in other areas.

They are appealing for immediate government action to halt galamsey activities and safeguard cocoa farms. Residents have also raised health concerns, alleging that some abandoned pits are being used as refuse dumps and places of convenience, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Upper Denkyira West District continues to battle similar challenges, with health authorities warning that illegal mining has destroyed vast farmlands and polluted water bodies across the Denkyira enclave.

The Paramount Chief of Denkyira, Odeefour Boampensem IV, has called on the government to intensify efforts to stop illegal mining and restore degraded lands.

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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.

play videoRafik Mahama made the donation on behalf of Ibrahim Mahama

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Engineers and Planners and Dzata Cement, Ibrahim Mahama, has extended support to persons with disabilities through a donation to the Disabled Christian Fellowship International and the Accra Rehabilitation Centre.

The donation, made on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, through Engineers and Planners Corporate Limited, formed part of the company’s humanitarian efforts to support vulnerable groups during the festive season.

Items presented included 100 bags of rice, 20 cartons of corned beef, 20 cartons of mackerel, and 20 cartons of cooking oil.

Receiving the items on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Executive Director of the Disabled Christian Fellowship International and immediate past President of the Amputee Football Federation of Africa (AFFA), Francis Adjetey Sowah, expressed deep appreciation to the company and its CEO.

Ibrahim Mahama pays last respect to late Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings

He described Mahama’s gesture as timely and impactful, particularly during a season associated with sharing and togetherness.

According to Sowah, many persons with disabilities struggle to access basic food items, especially during festive celebrations. He noted that the donation would bring relief and a sense of inclusion to beneficiaries who are often overlooked.

He praised Mahama for remembering the disability community at a time of joy, describing the act as worthy of emulation.

He further said the support had renewed hope among members of the fellowship, adding that the gesture would remain memorable to them.

“This recognition gives us strength, dignity, and a sense of belonging,” he indicated.

The items were presented on behalf of Ibrahim Mahama by his Special Aide, Rafiq Mahama, who reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting persons with disabilities.

He revealed that Engineers and Planners Corporate Limited is considering future initiatives focused on capacity building and innovative programmes for the disability community.

Officials present at the event included the Centre Manager of the Accra Rehabilitation Centre, Seth Dzidzornu, members of the centre’s management team, representatives of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled, including Elvis Alipui and James Borteye, as well as other members of the disability fraternity.

Heaven has played for England at various age groups.

He suffered an ankle injury playing for the Under-20s against Switzerland in October, was replaced at half-time and was not selected for November’s match against Japan.

Heaven made two substitute appearances for United in the Premier League this season before starting against West Ham on 4 December in the centre of a three-man defence.

He was booked after eight minutes and taken off at half-time, but has started all four matches since and improved significantly in each.

He was excellent in the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa on 21 December and was man of the match in the 1-0 victory over Newcastle on Friday, when United kept only their second clean sheet of the season.

Manager Ruben Amorim said: “I am really pleased with Ayden. You can feel that he is improving every game.

“He is young, but you can feel that he has a good game, slows the thinking and improves during the game.

“He trained really well and, if he continues to play like that, it is going to be really hard to take his place.”

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) will stop engaging in the small scale gold trading business from January 1, 2026, marking a significant shift in the country’s gold sector operations.

Governor Dr Johnson Asiama submitted a proposal to the BoG board in November 2025 to exit the Artisanal Small Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) gold trading segment under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP), and the proposal received approval. The central bank will continue its broader DGPP operations while fully transferring the small scale segment to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).

Sources say the move will allow the Bank of Ghana to focus on other segments of the DGPP as well as its core mandate of inflation targeting and price stability. Officials emphasized the decision arose from strategic restructuring rather than external criticism.

The Finance Minister, Dr Ato Forson, advanced approximately 4.4 billion cedis to GoldBod in the 2025 Budget, a move expected to enable GoldBod to completely assume operations while the central bank no longer incurs related costs starting next year. In 2026, GoldBod will control the entire gold supply chain and sell the gold proceeds in US dollars to the Bank of Ghana in exchange for cedis for subsequent gold purchases.

The transition comes amid debate over financial performance of the gold programme. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its fifth staff review report, noted that losses from artisanal and small scale gold transactions under the Gold for Reserves programme reached $214 million within the first nine months of 2025.

However, a senior official at the bank described the IMF’s opinion as not accurate, noting that the figures are not audited and involve dynamic gold and foreign exchange markets. The Bank of Ghana has described the exposure loss linked to its relationship with GoldBod as premature, arguing that it has not published its financials and any loss or gain cannot be solely attributed to GoldBod exposure but rather to market conditions.

GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi stated the board has made no losses and recorded profits in 2025, with unaudited financial statements showing an expected income surplus of not less than 600 million cedis. He explained that GoldBod’s role in 2025 was limited to buying gold locally, testing its quality, and exporting it for the Bank of Ghana, while the sale and trading of the gold remained the central bank’s sole responsibility.

The Ghana Gold Board was established under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), which was assented to on April 2, 2025. The legislation granted GoldBod exclusive authority to buy, sell, weigh, grade, assay, value, and export gold and other precious minerals from artisanal and small scale operations. The Act replaced the Precious Minerals Marketing Company and introduced a robust licensing regime prioritizing Ghanaian companies and citizens while barring foreign nationals from local gold trading.

Financial sector stakeholders are monitoring the transition closely as Ghana restructures its gold value chain while aligning central bank priorities with broader economic objectives.

Despite growing discussion about a weakening dollar and shifting global power dynamics, the United States continues to attract substantial foreign investment from wealthy individuals and institutions in developing countries and emerging economies.

Market data from the United States Department of Treasury shows that after a brief selloff in April 2025 during the so called Liberation Day tariff announcement, foreign investors quickly returned to American assets. Treasury International Capital data reveals foreign residents increased their holdings of long term US securities with net purchases of $192.3 billion in June 2025 and $78.8 billion in July 2025.

Liberation Day on April 2, 2025, marked President Donald Trump’s announcement of sweeping tariffs that were more severe than investors expected, triggering immediate market turbulence. The S&P 500 dropped more than 12 percent in the week following the announcement, while US Treasury bonds and the dollar tumbled simultaneously, an unusual dislocation that temporarily shook confidence in America’s safe haven status.

However, the panic proved short lived. Data from Ned Davis Research shows foreign investors allocated more than 30 percent of their US financial assets to equities from the start of 2025 through June, near record highs and well above the long term average of about 19 percent. This suggests global capital continues viewing US markets as the preferred destination despite tariff uncertainty.

Several factors explain the sustained appeal of American investments for wealthy individuals from emerging and developing economies. First, a depreciating dollar actually works in favor of foreign investors. When the dollar weakens, investors from Africa, Asia or Latin America can buy more US assets with their local currencies. American stocks, bonds and companies become relatively cheaper in foreign currency terms.

The weaker dollar also boosts the US economy by making American exports more competitive globally, supporting growth and corporate profits. This feeds back into stronger investment returns for shareholders. The pattern mirrors dynamics seen in the early 2000s when dollar weakness coincided with strong gains for international investors in US markets.

Two main motivations drive foreign money into the United States, according to market observers. The first is growth. Investors want exposure to America’s technology and artificial intelligence boom. Companies like Nvidia have delivered exceptional returns to early investors, and the AI investment wave continues to attract global capital seeking participation in transformative technologies.

The second motivation is yield. Even with global uncertainty, US financial markets continue to offer higher and more reliable returns than many other regions. For investors seeking both income and safety, that combination remains compelling. The S&P 500 returned more than 18 percent in 2025 through December 11 and set a record high that day, marking the third consecutive year of strong returns.

While the April tariff announcement initially sparked concerns about potential recession and spiking inflation, the US economy has proven resilient. For companies in the S&P 500, analysts expect earnings per share to rise 14.5 percent in 2026, according to FactSet, representing an acceleration from the 12.1 percent growth estimated for 2025.

Interestingly, Trump administration policies intended to put America First have yielded unexpected returns in developing economies. Emerging market government bonds gained 15 percent through September 30, while equities rose more than 25 percent over the same period, based on benchmark indices from JPMorgan and MSCI. This diversification drive accelerated with the Liberation Day tariff announcements as investors sought to spread risk beyond American assets.

Nevertheless, foreign investors have maintained substantial exposure to US equities throughout this turbulence. Rather than abandoning American markets, international capital appears to be balancing portfolios, maintaining strong US positions while also increasing emerging market allocations.

Gold has emerged as an alternative beneficiary of uncertainty. Gold prices added 7.7 percent since April 2 and gained 28 percent for 2025 overall through mid year, according to Bloomberg data. Unlike fixed income instruments, gold offers no yield but is viewed by some as a relatively attractive safe haven asset amid concerns that tariffs could support inflation while Treasury supply increases to fund budget deficits.

The dollar itself has stabilized after its sharp spring decline. While remaining weaker than at the start of the year, the greenback’s stability has reduced one of the biggest tailwinds for international equities, since currency gains accounted for much of their early 2025 rally.

International equity markets also performed strongly in 2025. Korea’s KOSPI enjoyed its biggest gain in more than two decades, driven by technology companies including Samsung and SK Hynix surging amid artificial intelligence investment. Japan’s Nikkei 225 posted double digit gains for a third straight year. European markets rallied, with Germany’s DAX boosted by government plans to increase infrastructure and defense spending.

Despite this international outperformance, global capital continues viewing the US as offering the deepest, most liquid and most trusted markets in the world. The resilience of foreign inflows into American assets, even during periods of policy uncertainty and tariff turbulence, underscores the durability of the dollar’s role in the global financial system.

Market analysts caution that trade policy developments continue to evolve, and financial outlooks must incorporate numerous factors beyond tariffs, including fiscal and monetary policy trends, technological innovation, asset valuations and investor positioning. The Supreme Court is currently weighing the legality of Trump’s tariff authority, adding another layer of uncertainty.

For wealthy individuals in emerging economies seeking to preserve and grow capital, the evidence suggests that despite short term volatility and shifting global dynamics, American financial markets retain fundamental advantages that continue attracting substantial international investment flows.

A 26-year-old man, Fuseini Ibrahim, has been arrested in Tamale for allegedly kidnapping a young woman, Haruna Adamu, who was reportedly held captive for four days.

The incident occurred at Dalogu Yili, a suburb of Tamale, and was reported to the police at about 9:00 a.m. on December 26.

Police reports indicate that the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Team, led by Chief Inspector Abdullai Tahiru, swiftly responded to the report and rescued the victim without incident.

The suspect was arrested and handed over to the Regional Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for further investigations, while the victim was safely reunited with her parents.

In a related development, two suspected drug peddlers were arrested in separate operations in Tamale as part of a festive season crime crackdown.

The suspects, identified as Ziyad Inusah and Majid Fuseini, were arrested by the IGP Special Operations Team during routine Christmas patrols.

The team, comprising 105 personnel deployed in 10 vehicles, targeted crime-prone areas within the Tamale Metropolis and seized quantities of opioids from one of the suspects.

The Ghana Police Service said the operations underscore its commitment to protecting lives and property, as well as intensifying efforts to curb drug peddling and other criminal activities during the festive season.