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former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid
The lawyer for former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has described as false the claims made by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) that assets of his client valued at GH¢100 million have been frozen.
A statement issued by his lawyer, Hanifa Yahaya of Hay & Partners at Law, noted that their client owns no such assets and warned that attempts to mislead the public undermine the rule of law and the integrity of judicial processes.
This was in response to claims made by the OSP that it had seized assets worth more than GH¢100 million and US$100,000 as part of its investigation. According to the OSP, there was documentary, banking, and transactional evidence linking the accused to the alleged offences.
However, the statement from Dr Abdul-Hamid’s lawyer denied the claims, insisting that he remains innocent of all allegations leveled against him.
Hanifa Yahaya emphasized that Dr Abdul-Hamid remains innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of jurisdiction.
He stressed that no assets or businesses belonging to Dr Abdul-Hamid have been identified, traced, or confiscated by the OSP.
“The OSP’s claims are false, misleading, and inconsistent with its own court filings,” the statement read.
“Our client has cooperated fully with the OSP, appearing whenever required and respecting all court proceedings. It is deeply regrettable that the OSP has chosen public theatrics over prosecutorial diligence.”
File photo of FDA building
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has issued a recall of Choice Irish Cream Flavoured Drink after laboratory tests found that the product had been adulterated with a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
In a statement released on November 5, 2025, it explained that the drink, manufactured by 1 Africa Industries Limited, was registered as a food product and therefore, should not contain any drug substances.
“The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) wishes to inform the public that laboratory analysis conducted on Choice Irish Cream Flavoured Drink, manufactured by 1 Africa Industries Limited, has revealed that the product has been adulterated with Sildenafil Citrate, a Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, which is an undeclared drug substance.
“Sildenafil Citrate is a prescription only medicine known for treating erectile dysfunction (ED) in men, as well as pulmonary arterial hypertension”, it noted.
‘Dadesen’ pots linked to cancer, kidney diseases – FDA
The FDA further stated that consumption of Sildenafil without medical supervision poses severe health and safety risks.
“The presence of Sildenafil in a food product poses serious health and safety risks, particularly because it is undeclared and can dangerously interact with medications like nitroglycerin, causing a sudden drop in blood pressure that may result in heart attack or stroke”, it said.
The FDA said it is collaborating with 1 Africa Industries Limited to recall the product from the market.
FDA urges vigilance, warns of arrests for unsafe food sales
“Meanwhile, the FDA is working with 1 Africa Industries Limited to recall the products from the market for safe disposal, while appropriate regulatory actions are being initiated as such adulteration of food products constitutes an offence and in violation of Section 100 (4) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851)”, it noted.
The FDA urged consumers, retailers and distributors to comply with the recall directive.
“To this end, the Authority further advise consumers, retailers, distributors and the general public to comply with this directive and report persons offering Choice Irish Cream Flavoured Drink for sale to the nearest FDA Offices to ensure that the product is removed from trade.”
Red the full statement below:
#FDAGhana2025 #FDAProductRecall #FDACommunications pic.twitter.com/yuLwSoOazz
— FDAGhana (@fdaghana) November 5, 2025
JKB/AM
Meanwhile, watch below a video of the disturbing current state of Nana Konadu’s Makola Clinic, which has been left to rot:
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has cautioned its officers deployed in the Bawku enclave to take extra precautions and prioritise their personal safety following recent attacks on security personnel in the area.
The Bawku area has, in recent times, witnessed sporadic violence and attacks on security personnel, raising concerns about the safety of officers assigned to the conflict-prone zone.
Deputy Comptroller General of Immigration, Lord Ofori Afrifa, on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, said the volatile security situation in Bawku continues to expose officers to serious risks as they carry out their duties along the country’s borders.
Speaking during a meeting with security personnel in the enclave after a deadly attack on Immigration officers in Tempane, Mr. Ofori Afrifa emphasised the need for heightened vigilance and self-protection among personnel.
“As we have been talking to them, we have been warning them as well to take security seriously, especially around our borders. We should be aware of the operational areas we find ourselves, the risks and the dangers that we face in discharging the duties of our work,” he said.
He added that the Service is working closely with other security agencies to enhance coordination and ensure the safety of officers stationed in high-risk areas.
Sophia Akuffo: 1992 Constitution has served Ghana well but needs review
The Minority in Parliament has revealed that at least 17 people lost their lives between January and July 2025 as a result of illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey.
The caucus blamed the tragic incidents on weak law enforcement and what it described as a lack of political will by the government to tackle the menace, which continues to claim lives and destroy the environment.
Delivering a statement on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Akwasi Konadu, called for urgent and decisive measures to curb the growing threat of illegal mining and its associated human and environmental toll.
“From January to July 2025, Ghana recorded at least 17 deaths linked directly to galamsey activities. These are not mere statistics; these are Ghanaian lives — breadwinners, mothers, sons, and daughters lost to the reckless pursuit of unregulated mineral wealth,” Mr. Konadu said.
He lamented that despite numerous warnings, the government had failed to implement effective interventions to prevent such tragedies.
“Mr. Speaker, how many lives must be lost before an urgent, decisive action is taken? The prevalence of death and environmental collapse is a direct consequence of ineffective law enforcement, the lack of political will, and, in some instances, the complicity of some state actors and traditional authorities,” he added.
The Minority urged the government to intensify enforcement efforts, prosecute offenders, and demonstrate genuine commitment to ending the destructive practice that continues to threaten communities, water bodies, and livelihoods across the country.
Galamsey: Suspend all mining to save environment – Sophia Akuffo
The German government on Wednesday signed off on a slew of measures aimed at reducing bureaucracy.
The German Cabinet approved eight different proposals submitted by different ministries, according to the Ministry for Digitalization and State Modernization, which was specifically created by the new government earlier this year to tackle the massive amount of red tape that experts are saying is stifling businesses.
Berlin hopes that the measures will help to save at least €100 million ($114.8 million) in costs.
They include a simplification of the business code, the abolition of reporting requirements for a number of sectors, and the digitization of property purchase agreements.
Ministers also agreed to some 50 key points for further legislative proposals set to be implemented in the coming months, according to the ministry.
Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger described the plans as surpassing anything that Germany has “seen in many years”.
The conservative-led government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which took office in May, has vowed to cut red-tape related costs for industry by 25%, or some €16 billion, as it seeks to revive the struggling economy that has failed to see growth for two consecutive years.
Source: dpa
The Africa Education Trust Fund (AETF) has called on the management of the University of Ghana (UG) to intensify efforts toward integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, particularly within the Department of Computer Science.
According to the Fund, the university’s limited engagement with AI development reflects a disconnect between its values and its standing as one of Ghana’s leading higher education institutions, especially in an era of rapid technological advancement.
Speaking at the Africa Education Trust Fund Artificial Intelligence (AETF.AI) 2025 Conference, Chairman of the Fund, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, expressed concern over what he described as the university’s “low level of engagement” with AI initiatives. He also announced plans to lead an inquiry into the situation.
“This is a great institution with great leaders, but sometimes they can be misguided because of decision-making. We are trying to help the university make better use of its AI potential in the Department of Computer Science.
“Right now, there is complete disarray, and collaboration is not going well in that department. I am going to ask for an investigation into it. We cannot allow our premier university to be badly aligned,” he said.
Dr. Spio-Garbrah also emphasised the importance of the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies, warning that their misuse could have damaging consequences.
“AI represents a peaceful utilisation of energy, data, the internet, and telecommunications. At the same time, it is also a potentially negative force if mishandled or abused. It is the abuse that I am warning young people about,” he cautioned.
Focus on charging Ofori-Atta, not criticising – Frank Davies to OSP
Former Power Minister, Dr. Kwabena Donkor, has expressed regret over what he describes as Ghana’s missed opportunity to transform the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) through the Power Distribution Services (PDS) concession agreement.
According to him, even though the PDS concession agreement with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) was “criminal from the outset, it would have been an opportunity to turn the state power distributor around, especially in the area of revenue collection.
His comments follow the dismissal of all claims brought against ECG by PDS at a London-based arbitration tribunal. The tribunal threw out PDS’s case after years of legal proceedings, ruling in favour of ECG and the Government of Ghana.
While welcoming the outcome of the judgement, Dr. Donkor said: “I wasn’t surprised PDS lost, because the way it went about things was criminal from the beginning. The way the concession was handed over to PDS was contrary to the structured process.
“Even what was needed to have been made before taking over was not made. ECG’s own cash was used to make some payments.”
However, he lamented that beyond the legal victory, Ghana had lost a crucial opportunity to modernise and strengthen ECG through an effective and transparent private sector partnership.
“The painful thing to me is that Ghana lost a huge opportunity to turn around ECG. Therefore, this is a good example of how not to strike a deal, especially one that is meant to bring technical and performance improvements into a state utility,” he added.
PDS loses $390m claim as London tribunal rules in ECG’s favour
Nigerian musician Potable says if US soldiers invades Nigerian they won’t go back the same
Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has weighed in on the threats of invasion of Nigeria if the killing of Christians in the country continues, made by the United States President Donald Trump.
Speaking during a TikTok live session with a Nigerian-born US soldier, the Zazuu Zeh crooner issued a daring response.
He told the soldier that any American troops who attempt to invade Nigeria would not make it back home alive.
“If US soldiers invade Nigeria, they won’t go back home. You see all those Boko Haram people you’re hearing about? They are people’s fathers, brothers, and husbands. Most of them joined because of hunger,” he said.
Portable also claimed that the terrorist groups operating in Nigeria have powerful backers among the elites, both within and outside the country.
“Those people you call terrorists have sponsors. The rich ones are behind them. Some are even in government. That’s why the fight no dey end,” he added.
Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Lydia Yaako Donkor
The Executive Director of Peace Watch Ghana, Madam Nyonkopa Daniels, has strongly advocated for the appointment of the current Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, as the next Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Madam Daniels argued that COP Donkor has distinguished herself and demonstrated beyond doubt that she is an efficient, competent, dedicated, and professional officer.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Madam Daniels stated that if President John Dramani Mahama intends to appoint a new IGP after the official retirement of the current one, Christian Tetteh Yohonu, without a contract extension, the most qualified candidate should be COP Lydia Yaako Donkor.
She initially appealed to the President to consider granting a one-year contract extension to the incumbent IGP.
Madam Daniels acknowledged the recent notice from the Presidency, signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, which indicated that there would be no contract extensions for any appointee.
The Peace Watch Ghana Executive Director commended COP Lydia Yaako Donkor for her outstanding leadership as CID boss, citing remarkable achievements under her tenure. She noted that, with support from the IGP, COP Donkor has overseen the arrest of several criminals, including those convicted of intentional crimes, and the successful rescue of kidnapped persons.
Madam Daniels also expressed concern over the recent “IGP Must Go” campaign being pushed by some individuals, emphasizing that the decision regarding the IGP’s tenure lies solely with the President.
“There are instances where some officers have had their contracts extended after retirement. We’ve seen it happen in the past. The current IGP is solid and competent—he delivered results as a regional commander in Accra and in other departments before his current role. But when your time is up, it’s the President who decides who takes over. I’m only appealing that he be given a one-year extension. If the President says there will be no extensions, I cannot oppose it—but it’s just an appeal,” she said.
Reiterating her conviction, Madam Daniels stated: “After he serves his full term, I will recommend COP Lydia Yaako Donkor as the next IGP. I will vouch for her and lead Ghanaian women to advocate for her appointment. President Mahama has already shown his belief in women by appointing Ghana’s first female Vice Presidential candidate, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.”
She further noted that Ghana already has female heads of the Fire and Prison Services, adding that it is time for a woman to head the Police Service.
“The only person qualified and competent to take over from Christian Tetteh Yohonu is COP Lydia Yaako Donkor,” she declared.
Madam Daniels concluded by telling host Kwabena Agyapong that, in the past, a female IGP appointment was nearly achieved but was “swerved,” stressing that such an occurrence should not be repeated this time.
Some buses of the Metro Mass Transit Limited
The Deputy Managing Director of the Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL), Haroun Apaw Wiredu, has asserted that the state-owned transport company has achieved significant revenue gains in recent months under the current administration, even as he lamented a historically low operational fleet.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Apaw Wiredu detailed the company’s financial turnaround, attributing it to new operational measures, including automation and e-ticketing.
From August to early November 2025, Apaw Wiredu disclosed that MMTL achieved over GH¢29.3 million in consecutive monthly revenues, reporting GH¢15.2 million from August to September and approximately GH¢14.1 million from October 1 to November 1.
He stated, “It has been back-to-back. That is why President John Dramani Mahama has seen the remarkable achievements and planned to add more fleets to our buses… These measures have given us the highest revenue in the history of the company.”
However, the Deputy Managing Director also highlighted the critical depletion of the MMTL’s assets, claiming that previous administrations sold a total of 713 buses as scrap.
“In 2017, the previous government sold 400 buses as scraps, and in March 2024, they sold 313 buses as scraps. So, our fleet level had gone down all time low in the history of the company.”
Apaw Wiredu revealed the stark reality of the company’s current operations, noting that MMTL is currently only operating 85 routes with just 115 operational buses nationwide. This is a considerable shortfall, as the company is expected to serve 385 routes, leaving over 300 routes unattended.
His comments were made in response to a major announcement by the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, regarding the government’s plan to revitalise the public transport sector.
Minister Nikpe announced in Parliament on Thursday, October 30, 2025, that the government plans to acquire 500 new buses to boost MMTL’s operations, a move he said is part of a broader effort to modernise the nation’s transport system.
Apaw Wiredu confirmed the acquisition, stating that the first batch of 150 buses is expected to arrive early next year.
He further clarified the long-term vision, indicating that while the government aims to purchase over 1,000 buses for the company, “the commencement authorization for the first 500 has been approved.”
To ensure the new fleet remains sustainable, the Deputy Managing Director explained that MMTL will establish dedicated vehicle maintenance and traffic management departments to keep buses operational and accessible around the clock.
Additionally, he announced that plans are well advanced for the establishment of an ultramodern terminal in Tamale, which will include amenities such as a restaurant, supermarket, clinic, parking bay, and a rest area. This model terminal, he stated, is intended to be replicated in other operational areas of the Metro Mass Transit.
Messi is a player of Inter Miami
Major League Soccer (MLS) has officially announced its 2025 Best XI and unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi has earned a spot among the league’s elite forwards.
The Best XI recognizes the top performers at each position throughout the MLS Regular Season, as voted by media members, players and club technical staff.
Messi, now 38 years old, continued to dominate in his second season with Inter Miami CF, leading the league with 29 goals and 19 assists, cementing his status as one of MLS’s most impactful players.
His combination of scoring and playmaking prowess was instrumental in Inter Miami’s successes this season.
The Inter Miami superstar is also expected to win the Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award for 2025, following his 2024 MVP honor.
If he claims the award again, Messi will become the first player in MLS history to win back-to-back MVPs, a testament to his continued brilliance and influence in the league.
FLASHBACK: When Rihanna declared her love and support for Kevin-Prince Boateng
Messi joins fellow 2025 Best XI forwards Denis Bouanga (LAFC) and Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), rounding out a forward line that exemplifies finishing, creativity and consistency.
The full 2025 MLS Best XI:
Goalkeeper: Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United FC)
Defenders: Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC), Jakob Glesnes (Philadelphia Union), Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union)
Midfielders: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC)
Forwards: Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF)
FKA/AM
Meanwhile, watch the latest edition of Sports Check with Godwin Sackey in the post below
People protest in the streets of Arusha, Tanzania during its election
Tanzania’s main opposition party on Wednesday accused police of disposing of the bodies of hundreds of demonstrators killed in a crackdown following a disputed election that incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan won by a landslide.
Protests broke out in the East African nation during and after the vote last Wednesday as demonstrators voiced outrage over the exclusion of Hassan’s main rivals.
Authorities imposed a curfew and an internet blackout while security forces clashed with protesters.
The opposition Chadema party was barred from running in last week’s parliamentary and presidential elections. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, has been detained on charges of treason after Hassan’s government accused him of planning to disrupt the October 29 election.
On Wednesday, Chadema told CNN it had documented 2,000 deaths and accused police of disposing of hundreds of unknown bodies at an undisclosed location.
“As days keep going, we’re establishing and finding out that more people have died in different regions,” Chadema’s director of communications, Brenda Rupia, told CNN.
So far, “we have 2,000 (dead) people documented,” including more than 100 from Chadema, she said.
CNN has not been able to verify the death toll, and a government spokesperson did not respond when asked about the response to the protests. The government previously dismissed the opposition toll as “hugely exaggerated.” But the African Union and the foreign ministries of Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom have expressed concern about reports of high numbers of fatalities.
Hassan, the country’s first female president, was sworn in on Monday for a second term after an election in which she ran virtually unopposed, and which regional observers said “fell short” of democratic requirements.
In her inauguration speech, she acknowledged people had died during the protests, but did not provide a death toll.
“Most bodies are still at the hospitals (and) the police are stopping people from taking dead bodies away,” said Rupia, adding, “the police have thrown away over 400 bodies. We don’t even know where they’ve taken them.”
A spokesperson for the Tanzania Police Force did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.
This week, the police barred people from sharing photos and videos “that cause panic” after images and footage of dead bodies began circulating on social media while internet connectivity was being restored.
Mr. Kakra Essamuah, Chair of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) Governing Board, has called for national ownership of Ghana’s HIV response as global funding priorities threaten its sustainability.
He said the future of HIV programming depended on the country’s ability to mobilise domestic resources, strengthen partnerships, and sustain political, financial, and social commitment to ending AIDS.
Speaking at the launch of the 2025 World AIDS Day in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Essamuah urged private sector involvement, noting that HIV affects workforce productivity and economic growth.
“The private sector must rise to the challenge by investing in workplace HIV programmes, supporting awareness and testing campaigns,” he said.
Dr Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, Acting Director-General of the GAC, said Ghana must respond to global economic pressures and address persistent barriers in HIV prevention, especially considering declining donor support.
He appealed to Ghanaians to contribute to the National HIV and AIDS Fund via the short code *9898#, stating, “Ghana must mobilise, innovate and lead the HIV response.”
Dr Akanbong condemned stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV.
“HIV is a health condition that is manageable, and people living with HIV have the right to dignity, respect and full participation in society,” he said.
Dr Akanbong described this year’s global theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” as reflective of Ghana’s current challenges.
“Across the globe, and here in Ghana, our HIV response has encountered significant disruptions: funding constraints, shifting global priorities, competing health emergencies and evolving social dynamics,” he added.
Dr Akanbong said the Commission would work with stakeholders to protect and accelerate gains made in HIV prevention.
World AIDS Day is marked annually to renew national commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
This year’s celebration will promote remote voluntary testing, linkage to care, treatment, and retention, in line with the UN 95-95-95 targets.
The event would also serve as a platform to advocate for increased domestic financing through the National HIV and AIDS Fund.
The GAC seeks to intensify community-level education on prevention, treatment, and stigma reduction throughout November.
Dr Akanbong said media outreach and condom distribution activities would be undertaken nationwide, and called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to support local efforts.
He announced that the celebration would be climaxed on Monday, 1st December 2025, with a national address by President John Dramani Mahama on Ghana’s HIV response.
Source: GNA
Michelle Obama opened up about the close relationship she shares with her daughters, Malia and Sasha, and revealed that she wanted to prepare them for life without her. The 61-year-old spoke to People about how her bond with her late mother, Marian Robinson, influenced her connection with the girls, especially since the matriarch was always trying to prepare the former First Lady for her death. She shared that Marian had begun to prepare Michelle and her brother, Craig Robinson, for her inevitable passing from as early as their childhood.
“What she was doing was letting us know that she loved us, but that we could live life with and without her, and I understand that now as a parent,” she explained. “I want my daughters to know, ‘I love you, you love me, but you don’t need me. You know everything you need to know to be successful.'”
She added that in Marian’s final months of life, she leaned over to her daughter during a day spent together and told her, “Wow, that was quick”, referring to how swiftly her life flew by. “That’s all she said, but what I got from that was even in her practical-minded way, that you’re never ready. And I don’t think that she was done living. It just comes, and then life is over,” Michelle said.
“I was like, ‘Let me hear that. Let me understand that, that even with a wonderful life, I want to be present.'” Marian sadly passed away in May 2024, aged 86. The Obamas shared an emotional statement following her death, praising her for helping them raise Malia and Sasha while they lived in the White House.
Learn more about Michelle’s bond with her daughters below…
“As a grandmother, at every stage of their lives, from infancy through adulthood, she stood secondary watch over her grandchildren’s growth and development, inspiring them, listening to them, telling them she was proud of them, making them feel loved, like they were remarkable in every way,” their statement read.
“In our sadness, we are lifted up by the extraordinary gift of her life. And we will spend the rest of ours trying to live up to her example.” Now that Michelle and her husband, Barack Obama, are empty nesters, with the girls living together in Los Angeles, the mother of two shared that they are ready to focus on themselves, rather than solely on parenting.
“I think that feeling of 60 is about trying to be present in the feeling. Trying to be present in this moment in my life so that this last chapter is exactly the way I want it to be,” she explained. “There’s how you look, but it’s how you feel…I realized how much breath-holding and decision-making I was doing to ensure my girls would turn out whole.”
Michelle added that this was “the first time in my life where every single decision I make is mine”. The author shared that she wants to be “mindful” of how she spends her time, as she has “30 good summers” left, “if I’m lucky”.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said on Tuesday that he spoke with Mali’s foreign minister, Abdoulaye Diop, to discuss shared security interests in the region.
In a post on X, Landau also said that the United States “commends the armed forces of Mali in their fight against Islamic extremist militants (JNIM).”
In early September, al Qaeda-linked militant group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) announced a blockade on fuel imports to the landlocked West African country. The group has since attacked convoys of fuel tankers attempting to enter the country or reach the capital, Bamako.
Last week, the U.S. State Department ordered non-emergency employees and their family members to leave Mali due to safety risks, as the government there comes under increasing pressure from JNIM.
The insurgents’ two-month-old fuel blockade has all but paralysed Mali’s capital, turning the screws on the military government and raising concern that the jihadists may try to eventually impose their rule on the West African country.
Security analysts say JNIM, which has been operating for months within 50 km (30 miles) of Bamako, currently has neither the intention nor the military capability to seize the city of 4 million people, which it briefly attacked last year.
Though remote for now, the possibility of a JNIM takeover of the capital would be alarming for many Malians. Outside of Bamako, JNIM has announced travel restrictions and issued a decree that all women must wear the hijab on public transport.
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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.
Nollywood actress Angela Okorie (L) has expressed her support for Regina Daniels despite pass feud
Nollywood actress Angela Okorie has joined the list of celebrities in the entertainment industry who have thrown their weight behind her colleague Regina Daniels amid the tension in her marriage to Senator Ned Nwoko.
Like Mercy Johnson, who spoke up for Regina, Angela ignored her past differences with the mother of two and drummed up support for her.
Reacting to a post about Regina’s marriage on Nollywood producer Stanley Ontop’s Instagram page, Angela sent a message to her colleague, writing: “Chaii Justice for my baby Gina, we love you regardless.”
Recall that in June 2020, Angela and Regina were caught up in a heated exchange over Mercy Johnson.
The exchange escalated when Angela accused Regina of marrying for wealth.
“You married a man who is supposed to be your great-grandfather,” while also stating, “It is the only reason Daniel feels she can disrespect her.” Regina also fired back as the drama went on for days on social media. Angela later tendered an apology to Ned Nwoko and Mercy Johnson,” she said.
The unexpected support from Angela has drawn comments, with many social media users applauding the actress.
File photo of a galamsey site
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has condemned what it describes as a “shocking and unacceptable” attack on officials of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), allegedly involving the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo.
In a statement issued on November 4, 2025, UTAG said the incident, which reportedly resulted in the unlawful release of suspects arrested for illegal mining, was a direct affront to Ghana’s rule of law and an attack on national efforts to combat galamsey.
“This incident, which reportedly led to the unlawful release of persons arrested for illegal mining, represents not only an affront to the rule of law but also a direct assault on Ghana’s collective struggle against the destructive galamsey menace.
“It is deeply troubling that such an act could emanate from a duty-bearer entrusted with upholding the law and advancing the national interest,” the statement read.
The association expressed concern that such acts of interference and impunity from political leaders continue to undermine the fight against illegal mining, which has caused “irreversible damage” to the country’s water bodies, farmlands and public health.
UTAG further called for an independent investigation into the attack and urged Parliament and political parties to denounce actions that embolden environmental lawlessness.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to mobilising over 7,000 lecturers and researchers in support of sustainable environmental management.
“The fight against illegal mining is not a partisan contest but a moral and generational duty. UTAG stands firm in its conviction that the survival of our rivers, forests, and communities is inseparable from the survival of the Ghanaian nation itself.
“We call on all leaders—political, traditional, and institutional—to rise above partisan interests and act decisively in defence of the environment, justice, and national dignity,” the statement concluded.
See the statement below:
ID/AM
Watch the promo to GhanaWeb’s latest documentary, which uncovers the evolution of ‘kayamata,’ an exploitative practice fueled by love charms and manipulation, titled, “The Dark Side of Kayamata,’ below:
Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu
The Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, has rejected GH¢12.1 billion out of approximately GH¢90 billion in government payables as of December 31, 2024.
According to the Auditor-General’s interim audit report, published on both the Ministry of Finance and Ghana Audit Service websites, more than 41 percent of the rejected claims originated from the energy sector, an area that continues to draw scrutiny over contract management and legacy debts.
The rejected payables comprise claims, commitments and Bank Transfer Advices (BTAs) for projects and services executed by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across the country.
The Finance Ministry has explained that the significant build-up of payables in 2024 contributed to a large primary deficit, far exceeding the modest surplus originally programmed for the fiscal year.
To curb arrears, strengthen fiscal discipline, and reinforce public financial management (PFM) controls, the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, commissioned an extensive audit of all outstanding government payables and commitments.
The Ministry engaged the Auditor-General, alongside two independent audit firms, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Ernst & Young (EY) for an intensive eight-week review aimed at validating the authenticity of the claims.
Dr Ato Forson noted that “the objective is to verify the legitimacy and accuracy of these claims”. He emphasized that “the findings will guide corrective actions to resolve irregularities and improve accountability going forward”.
Preliminary findings from the audit indicate that an additional GHS 77.8 billion in claims and commitments require further justification and documentation before being cleared for payment.
The Auditor-General’s report noted that engagements were held with MDAs, contractors, and suppliers to verify the legitimacy of each claim.
Affected entities have now been granted the opportunity to contest or justify their rejected claims by submitting the necessary supporting documentation through their respective MDAs to the Ghana Audit Service.
The verification and validation window remains open until November 7, 2025. After that date, any arrears or commitments that remain unverified or unjustified will be permanently expunged from the government’s official arrears and commitments register.
The development underscores the government’s commitment to restoring fiscal credibility, enhancing transparency, and sanitizing public expenditure as Ghana consolidates its macroeconomic recovery efforts.
Kim Lars Björkegren is Black Queens head coach
Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren says he is relishing a tough test facing European champions England in an international friendly.
Ghana is set to take on the Lionesses on December 2, 2025, at St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.
The game will mark the first-ever meeting between Ghana and England at the senior women’s international level.
Speaking to Joy Sports, Björkegren says the clash will provide a valuable test for his side as they prepare for next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
“It’s a big game, of course. I think the game is more important in the global world because [England] is the most difficult team to play in the world,” the Swedish trainer said.
“They are probably in the top four in the world together with Spain, France, and the USA right now.
“England is one of the best for sure, and they’re a team that just keeps improving, so it will be a difficult game for us. The fact that they want to play against us is the most important thing.
“We’re talking about a team that can potentially win the World Cup in Brazil. They’re not just going there to participate; they’re going there to win it, and they want to play against us as part of their preparations.”
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party is far from over, as the faction loyal to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, insisted that the party’s national convention, slated for Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, between November 15 and 16, will not hold.
Despite the party’s Board of Trustees earlier on Wednesday urging the National Working Committee to go ahead with the convention, the group led by the factional Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, said the event would not hold.
The national secretariat of the party remained sealed as the two factions resorted to the use of other facilities to run their respective groups.
Earlier on Wednesday, the BoT of the PDP, aware of the status of the secretariat, met at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja.
It was an event attended by the National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum, alongside the BoT chairman, Adolphus Wabara, ex-Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi, and other party chieftains.
Similarly, Abdulrahman and his group met at the Wuye private office of embattled party secretary Samuel Anyanwu to brief the media about their activities since his emergence earlier in the week.
Abdulrahman said his group had gotten the Certified True Copy of Justice James Omotosho’s ruling, which last week put the convention on hold.
He said, “The national leadership of the PDP, under my humble self, in collaboration with our National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, hereby formally informs the Nigerian public that we have received the Certified True Copy of the recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered by Honourable Justice Omotosho in Suit No.FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025.
“We are pleased to confirm that our esteemed National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, has provided a thorough legal opinion on the implications of the judgment.
“In strict adherence to due process and our commitment to fairness, we have filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal to seek further judicial clarification and interpretation in the overall interest of our party, our members, and Nigerian democracy.
“Consequently, having filed an appeal and in line with our responsibility to uphold the rule of law in the PDP, we hereby suspend and cancel the proposed Ibadan national convention pending the decision of the Court of Appeal. Any continuation with the proposed convention at this time would amount to a violation of the rule of law and shall not be condoned.”
He noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission, a party to the suit, “is fully aware of the judgment of the Federal High Court.”
“We have deemed it necessary and responsible to formally communicate our position to the commission. Accordingly, we have notified INEC to suspend the national convention in strict compliance with the directive contained in the judgment,” he added.
He further argued that the ex parte order granted by Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court cannot override the earlier ruling of Justice Omotosho.
“We are also aware of an ex parte order recently issued by a High Court in Oyo State. While we await the Certified True Copy of the said order, we reiterate that an ex parte order cannot override a subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court.
“We shall continue to act only in accordance with valid judicial authority and the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As a responsible, law-abiding, and democratic institution, the PDP remains unwavering in its commitment to the rule of law, constitutional governance, and internal party democracy.
“Our actions will continue to be guided by legal advice, by respect for our members, and by our duty to protect the integrity of our party,” he added.
He assured Nigerians of the oneness of the PDP as one indivisible family despite its current travails.
‘Convention must hold’
However, the Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party said it was focused on mobilising party members ahead of its national convention in Ibadan and will not be distracted by “charlatans and political comedians.”
The Oyo PDP is loyal to the state governor, Seyi Makinde, who fell apart with Wike following the lingering crisis in the party.
Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Micheal Ogunsina, speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday, dismissed those he described as suspended party members masquerading as an alternative faction.
Ogunsina said the PDP remained united under the leadership of Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.
He said, “We must stop listening to charlatans and political comedians. PDP is one, and the National Chairman is Umar Damagum. We should not give life to suspended national working committee members. Their words hold no water, and they are wasting their time.”
He said the NWC, BoT, and other organs of the party were working towards the success of the convention in Ibadan next week.
“It is also critical to note that there is no division within our rank,” he added. “The NWC, BOT, and all other organs of the party are working very hard to ensure that the national convention holds.”
He expressed confidence that INEC would comply with Monday’s Oyo High Court order by Justice Akintola that the PDP and Damagum should proceed with the Ibadan convention.
He also admonished all aggrieved members of the party to be “humble with their excesses.”
“Those who are aggrieved in the party must understand that if the party leadership under Damagum and Wabara will be magnanimous in handling their misdemeanours, they must be humble with their excesses,” he stressed.
PDP secretariat sealed
Meanwhile, Anyanwu has given reasons why the gate to the national secretariat of the party remained locked.
On Monday, Abdulrahman, accompanied by Anyanwu and a team of policemen, took over the Wadata Plaza, where Abdulrahman attributed his emergence to the workings of God and promised to reposition the party.
The secretariat has remained sealed since Monday, with Anyanwu insisting it’s a move to protect workers in Wadata Plaza.
“When I arrived at the office to do my normal job (Monday), I was almost attacked by hoodlums.
“Under the directives and instructions of Umar Damagu, the former PDP chairman, I heard them clearly asking the boys to attack. If not for the intervention of the police, most of the staff (members) would have been murdered,” Anyanwu said.
“And for that reason, as the custodian of the office, as the secretary, I asked everybody to stay away. Let us find a lasting solution to make the place safer for our people to do their jobs.”
Like Abdulrahman, Anyanwu said the Ibadan convention would not hold.
He stated, “The judgment of the Federal High Court supersedes the ex parte order by the Oyo court.
“Both the Federal High Court in Abuja and the State High Court in Oyo are equal. But as a matter of fact, the Federal High Court in Abuja has more powers.
“The State High Court order is just an ex parte order, which lasts only seven days. Before that ex parte order, the party had already filed an appeal at an Appeal court. When a new motion is filed in a new court, that means everything will stay pending the outcome of the appeal. So, we shall wait for the appeal.”
Anyanwu further described the BoT meeting, which was held at the Bauchi State Governor’s lodge earlier on Wednesday, as a one-sided affair.
“It was a meeting of friends and associates compared to a Board of Trustees meeting,” he stressed.
On the deployment of police personnel to Wadata on Monday, Anyanwu said he petitioned the police after getting wind of plans to attack him and his associates.
“You recall what happened on November 1 (Abdulrahman’s takeover of the party’s secretariat) because of what happened on October 31 when the former chairman, Umar Damagu, took some members of the NWC to the Legacy House to pronounce the suspension of the National Secretary, the National Legal Adviser, the National Organising Secretary, and the Deputy National Legal Advisor.
“They did not come to Wadata to do that, because we had the information that they intended to attack the secretariat. On November 1, I wrote a letter to the Inspector General of Police and the Director of DSS, informing them of the information we got, that they wanted to attack the PDP. Based on that, they deployed security personnel,” he said.
Photo of the Damongo Prison Camp
President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled comprehensive prison reforms, including plans to complete the long-abandoned 800-inmate capacity remand prison at Nsawam, as part of a broader overhaul of Ghana’s correctional system.
He made the announcement during the commissioning of the Damongo Prison Camp on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
Prison inmates trained to become economically viable after release
“We are implementing far-reaching reforms, which include expanding the use of alternative sentencing for minor and non-violent offenses, reviewing bail conditions to avoid undue hardship especially for the poor, introducing a parole system to reward good behavior and accelerate reintegration” he noted.
The president further highlighted efforts to develop modern correctional centers for men, women, and juveniles and also to improve the condition of service for prison offenders.
“Completing the 800-inmate capacity remand prison, which has been left abandoned, developing modern correctional centers for men, women, and juveniles. (0:52) We are enhancing the conditions of service for our prison officers, modernizing prison infrastructure, and expanding rehabilitation programs connected to sustainable livelihood and employment after release”, President Mahama added.
Kumawu MP urges Parliament to act on crisis in Ghana’s prisons
The reforms mark a significant shift in Ghana’s criminal justice system, aiming to humanize detention, reduce overcrowding, and better prepare inmates for reintegration into society.
JKB/AM
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President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the Federal Republic of Germany on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
The historic visit, the first of its kind, was to strengthen the relationship between Germany and the Asanteman.
The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, was said to have centred on fruitful discussions on investment opportunities aimed at furthering the development of Asanteman and creating employment opportunities for the youth.
The exchange of ideas and plans for collaboration highlights the strong diplomatic ties between Germany and Ghana, paving the way for mutual growth and prosperity for the people in the two countries.
As a token of goodwill and respect, the German President presented the Asantehene with a Golf bag, symbolising their shared interests and camaraderie.
In return, Otumfuo Osei Tutu graciously gifted President Steinmeier a beautifully carved stool adorned with the Asanteman emblem, a symbol of unity and friendship between them.
The exchange of gifts not only underscored the diplomatic relations between Germany, Ghana and Asanteman in particular, but also served as a tangible representation of the bond formed during this memorable visit.
Such gestures of goodwill and mutual appreciation strengthen international partnerships and foster a sense of unity among nations.
The visit of the German President to the Manhyia Palace will be remembered as a significant moment in the history of diplomatic relations between the Manhyia Palace and the German government, setting the stage for future collaborations and shared achievements in the years to come.
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.
Police sources said the suspect later turned up at the Ehi Police Station armed with a cutlass
A man, identified as Kofi Agbavitor, was placed in police custody after he allegedly stabbed and killed 32-year-old Julius Sablah, popularly known as D-Black, at Ehi-Zongo on Monday night.
The incident, which reportedly occurred at about 20:30 hours, saw the suspect allegedly using a jackknife to stab the victim in the neck, leaving him in a pool of blood.
When the Police arrived at the scene, they found the deceased lying motionless with a deep wound on the left side of his neck.
The body was examined and later conveyed to the St. Anthony Hospital morgue in Dzodze for preservation and autopsy.
Police sources said the suspect later turned up at the Ehi Police Station armed with a cutlass, claiming he was seeking refuge from a mob, and he was arrested and placed in custody to assist investigations.
However, tensions escalated when irate youth stormed the police station, demanding the suspect’s release, but upon the refusal by the police, the mob resorted to violence, pelting stones at the building and damaging its roof.
The District Commander, Chief Superintendent William Gyamfi, and the District Crime Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Emmanuel Habada, swiftly mobilised a patrol team to restore order.
However, upon their arrival, attempts to calm the crowd had failed, and the youth had intensified their aggression, injuring Inspector Augustine Tawiah and G/Constable Foster Adu with stones.
Both officers were later rushed to the Sab-Dave Hospital in Dzodze for treatment.
Amid the unrest, a stray bullet allegedly strucked an unidentified woman, but efforts by police to assist her were obstructed by the mob and the group also blocked the Ehi–Penyi main road to prevent further police reinforcements.
The situation deteriorated further when the mob set the Ehi Police Station ablaze using petrol, forcing officers and the suspect to flee for their lives.
Reinforcements from the Divisional Command arrived, but persistent attacks forced a tactical retreat, leaving the police facility consumed by the fire.
Police confirm that the suspect, Kofi Agbavitor, was currently receiving medical care under guard at the St. Anthony Hospital at Dzodze, as investigations continued into both the alleged murder and the subsequent violent disturbances.
Meanwhile, in a press release signed by Rev Martin Amenaki, the Municipal Chief Executive and Chairman of the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), expressed deep regret at the tragic events and strongly condemned the acts of violence and destruction that unfolded.
He stressed that mob justice was unlawful and undermined the rule of law that the nation strived to uphold.
Rev Amenaki said MUSEC, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies, had instituted swift measures to restore calm and safeguard residents.
He appealed to Traditional Authorities, Opinion Leaders and the youth of Ehi and its surrounding communities to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as investigations continued.
Rev Amenaki assured the public that the Ketu North Municipal Assembly remained committed to maintaining peace, protecting lives and property, and ensuring justice for all.
Blue Gold Limited, a next-generation gold development and technology company, has announced an additional $65 million in committed funding to finance the restart of the Bogoso-Prestea gold mine in Ghana, bringing the total amount of secured capital to $140 million.
The new funding, sourced from an institutional investor, is structured as a secured loan dedicated exclusively to reviving the 5.1 million-ounce Bogoso-Prestea operation.
According to the company, the funds are currently being held in escrow, pending the resolution of an ongoing lease dispute with the Government of Ghana.
In a statement, Andrew Cavaghan, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Gold Limited, expressed confidence in the company’s financial readiness and long-term commitment to the mine’s revival.
“This funding, along with the amount already committed, clearly demonstrates our capacity to invest in and restart the mine to bring it back into full production,” Cavaghan said.
He added that the previous Ghanaian administration, in September 2024, took actions that prevented Blue Gold from investing the secured funds by terminating the Bogoso and Prestea mining lease. The company has since disputed the legality of the termination, and the matter is currently the subject of international arbitration.
“We are confident of reaching a resolution to this dispute, including a settlement, to ensure that this important mine is brought back into production as quickly as possible,” Cavaghan noted.
The Bogoso-Prestea operation forms a central part of Blue Gold’s strategy to tokenize gold production, a move aimed at creating what the company describes as the world’s first global, gold-backed digital currency.
This initiative is being advanced through Blue Gold’s newly launched Digital Division.
Listed on NASDAQ (Ticker: BGL), Blue Gold Limited focuses on acquiring and developing high-potential gold mining assets in strategic global jurisdictions.
The company aims to unlock value through a combination of disciplined resource management and innovative monetization models, including asset-backed digital instruments.
Blue Gold emphasizes its commitment to sustainable development, operational transparency, and the use of modern financial technologies to redefine how gold is produced, accessed, and owned in the 21st century.
Blue Gold Limited is a next-generation gold development company dedicated to responsible mining and innovation in financial technology. Its mission is to merge traditional gold development with cutting-edge digital solutions, offering new pathways for investors and stakeholders in the gold economy.
This article contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These statements are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that could affect Blue Gold Limited’s performance include economic and political conditions, regulatory changes, and fluctuations in gold demand.
Further information is available in the company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Form 20-F filed on July 1, 2025.
CAF has began its License C coaching course
The seventh batch of the CAF License C Coaching Course has officially commenced at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
The opening phase of the programme, Module I, will run until November 13, 2025, after which participants will undertake a mandatory one-month internship with a club of their choice. They will then return to Prampram for Module II, the final ten-day session of the certification process.
The course is being facilitated by a distinguished team of CAF and GFA coaching instructors, led by GFA Technical Director Prof. Joseph Kwame Mintah, alongside Dr. Prosper Nartey Ogum (Head of Coaching Education) and seasoned trainers Emmanuel Kwesi Mensah, Charles Anokye Frimpong, and Abukari Damba.
The CAF License C programme is designed to equip coaches, particularly those working within grassroots football, with the essential tactical, technical, and educational skills needed to develop players effectively.
Participants will engage in a balanced mix of theoretical sessions and practical field exercises, focusing on modern coaching methodologies, player development pathways, and match analysis techniques.
This initiative forms part of the Football Association’s broader strategy to raise coaching standards nationwide, expand the pool of qualified technical personnel, and reinforce its long-term vision of fixing the fundamentals of Ghana football.
The recent visit of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ghana, including his courtesy call on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, reflects the multidimensional character of contemporary diplomacy.
This event highlights the intersection of bilateral relations, economic diplomacy, and cultural diplomacy in advancing mutual interests and fostering understanding between Germany and Ghana.
This essay examines the relevance of these diplomatic dimensions, emphasizing their role in promoting sustainable partnerships and reinforcing cultural and economic collaboration between the two nations.
Bilateral Relations Between Germany and Ghana
Germany and Ghana share a longstanding and dynamic bilateral relationship rooted in mutual respect, cooperation, and shared democratic values.
Historically, the connection between both nations extends back to pre-independence periods, with relations evolving significantly after Ghana attained independence in 1957.
Over the decades, the partnership has expanded to encompass political dialogue, trade, security cooperation, and development assistance.
Politically, Germany recognizes Ghana as a key partner in West Africa—particularly for its political stability, adherence to democratic governance, and regional peacebuilding efforts.
Through institutions such as the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the KfW Development Bank, Germany has supported Ghana in sectors including governance, education, renewable energy and infrastructure development.
These initiatives reinforce the strategic importance of Ghana as a regional hub for Germany’s engagement in Africa.
Consequently, the German President’s visit reaffirms both countries’ commitment to deepening cooperation and strengthening their shared democratic and developmental objectives.
Economic Diplomacy as a Pillar of Engagement
Economic diplomacy remains central to Germany’s foreign policy approach toward Ghana.
The visit by the German President signifies a mutual desire to enhance trade and investment relations within frameworks such as the G20 Compact with Africa (CwA), which promotes private investment and economic reform in partner African countries.
Germany is one of Ghana’s leading European trading partners, and bilateral trade continues to expand, particularly in areas such as manufacturing, renewable energy, digital technology, and industrialization.
Through initiatives like the Ghanaian-German Centre for Jobs, Migration, and Reintegration, Germany has demonstrated a commitment to supporting job creation, entrepreneurship, and skills development in Ghana.
This aligns with Ghana’s own economic agenda to promote industrialization and reduce youth unemployment.
Additionally, Germany’s expertise in renewable energy and digital innovation complements Ghana’s developmental goals in energy transition and green economy advancement.
The President’s visit, therefore, underscores the strategic role of economic diplomacy in facilitating sustainable development and shared economic prosperity between the two nations.
Cultural Diplomacy and the Courtesy Call on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
Cultural diplomacy plays an equally vital role in international relations by fostering mutual understanding, respect, and reconciliation between nations.
The German President’s courtesy call on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, symbolizes deep recognition of Ghana’s cultural heritage and the enduring influence of traditional authority in the nation’s governance structure.
The Asantehene, as custodian of one of Africa’s most historic kingdoms, embodies Ghana’s identity, unity, and continuity.
This engagement serves as an acknowledgment of the importance of traditional diplomacy within contemporary international relations.
By paying homage to the Asantehene, Germany demonstrates respect for Ghana’s indigenous institutions, signaling that diplomacy extends beyond state-to-state interaction to include cultural and traditional actors.
Moreover, cultural diplomacy between Ghana and Germany has gained prominence in recent years through collaborative efforts in repatriating cultural artifacts taken during the colonial era.
The courtesy call thus symbolizes an ongoing process of cultural restitution, reconciliation, and mutual respect between the two nations.
Furthermore, cultural diplomacy extends to educational exchanges, academic partnerships, and people-to-people initiatives that promote intercultural dialogue.
German institutions such as the Goethe-Institute play an instrumental role in promoting linguistic and cultural exchange in Ghana, further strengthening interpersonal connections that underpin formal diplomatic relations.
Symbolic and Diplomatic Significance of the Courtesy Call
The courtesy call on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II carries profound symbolic and diplomatic implications.
It reflects Germany’s acknowledgment of the dual governance structure in Ghana, where traditional authorities coexist with formal political institutions.
Such engagement fosters inclusivity in diplomacy and reinforces the role of subnational diplomacy, where traditional leaders contribute to peacebuilding, social cohesion, and cultural preservation.
Additionally, the visit enhances soft power relations, projecting Germany not only as an economic partner but also as a nation committed to mutual understanding and historical justice.
By engaging with traditional leadership, the German President underscores the evolving nature of diplomacy in the 21st century—where culture, identity, and community values are integral components of foreign policy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the German President’s visit to Ghana, complemented by the courtesy call on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, embodies the essence of modern diplomacy—integrating bilateral, economic, and cultural dimensions.
The visit reinforces Germany and Ghana’s shared commitment to democratic governance, sustainable development, and cultural understanding.
Through economic diplomacy, both nations seek to strengthen trade, investment, and innovation; through cultural diplomacy, they foster reconciliation, heritage preservation, and people-to-people connections.
Ultimately, this engagement exemplifies how diplomacy today transcends political agreements to embrace economic cooperation and cultural respect, laying a foundation for enduring and mutually beneficial relations between Germany and Ghana.
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Lilian Afreh-Sika Boateng, Certified Economic Diplomat
For years, there have been questions about Tim Burton’s Batman movie universe. While 1989’s Batman and 1992’s Batman Returns are very clearly connected, it’s the movies came after Burton’s time behind the camera that have been up for debate. On paper, Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever and Batman & Robin are a part of the greater whole, the third and fourth installments of that particular franchise. However, with the sharp tonal differences between Burton’s films and Schumacher’s, fans have long wondered if they were actually in different universes and now a new sequel — in book form — appears to definitively answer the question.
Published last month, Batman: Revolution is the follow-up to 2024’s Batman: Resurrection, and both novels are set in the same universe as Burton’s Batman movies, functioning as a continuation of Batman ’89’s continuity. The newly published Batman: Revolution picks up its story following the defeat of Karlo Babić and Dr. Hugo Strange and sees Gotham City dealing with new chaos as Norman Pinkus goes up against Batman in a game of wits, with all of Gotham’s future on the line. The book sees the full introduction of a new Riddler, but in doing so makes it clear that they are not the same as the version from Batman Forever — suggesting that Schumacher’s movies aren’t connected to Burton’s at all.
On the surface, the idea that The Riddler would appear in a sequel novel for Batman doesn’t necessarily invalidate Batman Forever’s Riddler, but it all comes down to details – the biggest one being timing. Batman: Resurrection and Batman: Revolution are both set between Batman and Batman Returns. That makes the emergence of The Riddler earlier than what we saw in Batman Forever. There’s also a change in origin and profession that clearly separates Burton’s movies and Schumacher’s.
In Batman Forever, Edward Nygma starts as an eccentric but egotistical researcher at Wayne Enterprises, who presents an invention that can send television signals directly to the brain to Bruce Wayne. When Bruce rejects the idea over concerns it could be used for mind control, Nygma loses it, killing his supervisor, quitting his job, and starting to plan revenge on Bruce. He also starts sending him riddles. He eventually fully embraces being Riddler and teams up with Two-Face.
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However, Batman: Revolution’s Riddler is very different. Introduced in Batman: Resurrection, Norman Pinkus is a Gotham Globe employee who also investigates vigilantes. Seeing himself as a rival to Batman, he goes out of his way to get his attention using riddles. In Batman: Revolution, he uses the pen name Edward Nygma for his work in the Globe’s puzzle section. With Nygma being a reporter and unconnected to Wayne Enterprises, this take on the Riddler is clearly not the same. While one could argue that Batman Forever’s Riddler is somehow connected to Pinkus, Schumacher’s film makes no mention of there ever being a previous version of the Riddler and presents the villain as emerging for the first time in that film.
The question of whether Batman: Revolution is canon is something of a tricky one. Following Batman Returns, Burton had plans for a third film. However, Batman Returns was a box office disappointment compared to Batman and was widely considered too dark for a young audience (McDonald’s even cancelled their Happy Meal tie-in over how dark Batman Returns was). This prompted Warner Bros. to part ways with Burton, leading to Schumacher coming on for the third film.
Because Burton never got to make a third movie, and did not get to explore any of the ideas he may have had for the universe he kicked off, his Batman never got to face the Riddler as he envisioned the character. These books, then, are allowing for the idea to be explored and Burton’s continuity to be continued in a new way. In that sense, yes, this Riddler and Batman: Revolution’s story are canon, but it also doesn’t change the fact that Schumacher’s films are officially part of the same film series. It just gives fans who prefer Burton’s continuity an opportunity to take what resonates and leave what doesn’t — and in doing so, fundamentally changes that world for them, after all these years.
Batman: Revolution is on sale now.
Do you think Batman: Revolution removes Schumacher’s Batman films from the movie universe that started with 1989’s Batman? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
Irene Naa Torshie Addo addressing the gathering
Former Member of Parliament for Tema West and founder of the Reneaddo Foundation, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, has renewed calls for a more disability-inclusive Ghana, urging greater national collaboration to promote access, empowerment and dignity for persons with disabilities.
The call was made at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Day of Help initiative, organized by the Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry (CEM) in partnership with the Reneaddo Foundation.
The event, held at Essikado (Wise) Park in Sekondi-Takoradi, brought together government officials, traditional leaders, faith communities, disability organizations, and corporate partners to mark a decade of support for persons with disabilities.
In her address, Naa Torshie commended CEM’s founder, Rev Dr Steve Mensah, for his vision and consistency in promoting disability inclusion through the Day of Help programme.
She noted that the initiative had provided practical assistance, skills development, and advocacy for thousands of Ghanaians with disabilities over the past ten years.
Reflecting on her own public service journey, Naa Torshie said her work—from Parliament to her leadership at the Reneaddo Foundation—has been guided by a commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable groups.
She announced plans by the Foundation to establish a vocational and training institute at the CEM Ability Village, intended to provide employable skills and entrepreneurial support to persons with disabilities.
She also acknowledged efforts by successive governments to improve access and inclusion, citing policy interventions such as the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities introduced under President John Dramani Mahama, describing it as a “progressive and equitable step toward social justice.”
Other speakers at the event underscored the need for stronger partnerships between faith-based organizations, government institutions and the private sector to create sustainable opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Rev Dr Steve Mensah reaffirmed CEM’s commitment to long-term empowerment, saying, “The Ability Village is not a place of refuge; it is a place of renewal. Our goal is to create an environment where ability, not limitation, defines the future.”
The event concluded with a renewed pledge by both the CEM and the Reneaddo Foundation to continue advancing inclusion and empowerment for all, emphasizing that building a disability-friendly Ghana requires shared responsibility and sustained action.
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Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr Eric Kwabena Nyamekye
Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr Eric Kwabena Nyamekye, has reaffirmed the church’s commitment to raising faithful disciples of Christ who will positively impact society with righteousness and integrity.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Damongo Camp Prison, Apostle Nyamekye said the construction of such facilities formed part of the church’s broader mission to transform society through faith and service.
“Your Excellency, the construction of these facilities, including the one we are commissioning this afternoon, is regarded by the church as a kingdom project designed not only to save souls but also to foster the transformation of society,” he stated.
He explained that the church saw individuals who engaged in criminal behaviour and were subsequently imprisoned not as outcasts, but as people in need of redemption and guidance.
“Those often labelled as sinners by society are, in fact, individuals we seek to pursue with love and the message of hope,” he said.
Apostle Nyamekye further disclosed that preliminary discussions had been held between Pentecost University and the Ghana Prisons Service to introduce certificate and diploma programmes tailored to the professional development needs of prison officers, inmates, and ex-offenders.
He said the academic initiatives would be complemented by moral and civic education as well as entrepreneurship training, aimed at preparing beneficiaries for meaningful reintegration into society.
“These efforts are intended to foster the moral and civic reformation of inmates and ex-convicts while equipping them with employable skills,” Apostle Nyamekye added.
He reiterated that the church’s ultimate goal was to combine spiritual renewal with practical empowerment, ensuring that individuals who had erred were given genuine opportunities to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to national development.
Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has addressed the Africa Growth and Opportunity: Research in Action (AGORA) 2025 Conference in Palermo, Italy, urging symmetry in trade between Africa and the rest of the world.
The AGORA 2025 Conference brought together policymakers, the private sector and think tanks from Africa and Europe to tackle the continent’s most urgent priorities: job creation and growth.
Co-hosted by the World Bank Group Institute for Economic Development with the Bank of Italy, Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, and African partners, AGORA is an instrument for turning evidence into action, shaping policies, and building partnerships that deliver results.
“Ghana’s journey mirrors Africa’s larger story. Across our continent, we see economies striving to diversify, integrate, and innovate,” Vice President Prof Opoku-Agyemang said.
“From Lagos to Kigali, from Nairobi to Accra, Africa’s greatest export is no longer raw material — it is resilience. We do not seek sympathy; we seek symmetry — in trade, in technology, and in trust.”
She said partnerships must now evolve from the rhetoric of assistance to the reality of shared prosperity.
She noted that Africa and Europe must build together as equals: investing in innovation, transferring technology, and creating what would serve both continents.
Vice President Prof Opoku-Agyemang said the Mattei Plan of Italy and the AGORA framework of the World Bank offered one such space: to translate vision into ventures, and dialogue into delivery.
“Ghana stands ready, not merely as a beneficiary, but as a partner, to co-create a future in which jobs are abundant, inclusive, and decent,” she stated.
“Development is not an event; it is a relay — and the baton is employment,” adding that each generation must pass it on firmly to the next, so that no hand is left empty.
The Vice President said the lessons of economic history showed that crises, when met with resolve and innovation, can forge institutions.
Citing that the stock market collapse of 1907 gave the United States its Federal Reserve, the Great Depression gave rise to the New Deal, to social security, and to public investment.
She said Ghana’s own journey had similarly constructed initiatives that serve their social and economic foundation — whether the Ghana Education Trust Fund, the National Health Insurance Scheme, free maternal care, or the LEAP programme
“They remind us that difficulties, when harnessed with vision, can become a source of renewal.”
She said the Government’s 24-Hour Economy was a promise, adding that progress must never sleep, because opportunity must reach every community.
“To investors and partners here today and elsewhere, I say: come to Ghana, not only to do business, but to build the future with us. Together, we can fill many of the remaining gaps,” Prof Opoku-Agyemang said.
“Invest where productivity meets possibility. Stand with a nation where the energy of youth, the leadership of women, and the vision of Government move together, like the hands of a clock—never pausing, always advancing. Let us turn work into progress, and progress into hope.”
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A former MP, Dr Freda Prempeh, is seeking the intervention of the First Lady, Lordina Mahama, for the swift arrest and subsequent prosecution of a man, 47, for allegedly defiling two siblings at Bawku in the Upper East Region.
Identified as Sulley Fongo, the suspect, reportedly defiled the two sisters, aged five and seven years, a situation which had reportedly traumatised the victims and their families.
The incident has since received huge public outcry and condemnation, as the family sought justice for the victims.
Describing it as pathetic, Dr Prempeh, in an interview at Duayaw-Nkwanta in the Ahafo Region, said: “I was dumbfounded when I heard the reported incident.”
Dr Prempeh, a former minister of State and the founder of the Ultimate Women Foundation, a women and girls-centred Non-Governmental Organisation, said: “As a mother, the first lady must ensure that the suspect is punished, and the victims and their families get justice.”
The former legislator explained that her foundation protected the rights, dignity and as well as enhanced the empowerment of vulnerable women and girls to realise their worth, to be able to contribute meaningfully to society.
She expressed worry that: “It is so pathetic, and now security agencies seem to be doing nothing about it. So, I want to appeal to Lordina herself to seek justice for the innocent victims.”
Dr Prempeh also called for the intervention of women coalitions, NGOs, child rights groups and activities, the Department of Social Welfare and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Gender Ministry to follow up on the incident for the prosecution of the suspect.
She regretted that incidents of defilement and girls’ rights abuses remained the worst forms of human rights violations inimical to the growth and development of girls and called on the government to rise and help bring the situation under control.
Dr Prempeh argued that the nation could not afford to sit down for people to leverage on the Bawku chieftaincy impasse and abuse the rights and dignity of innocent girls and children and go scot-free.
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The Bono Regional Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old mechanic in connection with the gruesome murder of two timber guards of the ADRAS Timber Limited at the Mpamso Forest, near Nsuhia in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the region.
A statement issued and signed by Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, the Public Relations Officer of the Bono Regional Police Administration said suspect Bashiru Kinda was arrested following police intelligence.
The police retrieved an Automatic Bruni model 96 9mm K pistol loaded with three rounds of 7.65mm ammunition, four mobile phones, machetes, talismans, and other amulets in the suspect’s room, saying the police were working to arrest his suspected accomplices.
The statement added that the suspect would soon be prosecuted, explaining that on October 26, 2025, the deceased were on duty at the forest when a group of suspected chainsaw operators attacked and murdered them.
It said the bodies of the late Sani Aliyu, 34, and Ibrahim Musa, 35, were found with multiple gunshot wounds.
The assailants also burnt a Toyota Pickup with Registration number GT 3079-17.
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Science fiction has always been the perfect genre to question the world we live in. Stories of distant planets, futuristic technology, and time travel have proven to be the perfect mirror of human fears and ambitions. Not only does the genre explore possible futures, but it also reflects on the present, and that is what makes it so impactful.
Ghana’s journey toward digital transformation has made cybersecurity both a national priority and a civic necessity. As public institutions, banks, and private operators increasingly depend on digital infrastructure, the need to protect networks from cyber threats has never been more urgent. Yet the proposed Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, currently before Parliament, has triggered legitimate unease within Ghana’s policy and legal community.
The Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation (ILAPI) has issued a detailed submission that welcomes the Bill’s intentions but raises serious constitutional and governance concerns. The Institute’s analysis is not an indictment of regulation but a reminder that good cybersecurity policy must always coexist with civil liberties, fiscal prudence, and rule-of-law safeguards.
At the heart of ILAPI’s concern is a structural question: should a regulatory authority that was created to coordinate, advise, and build resilience now assume the powers of the police, prosecutor, and judge? The proposed amendments, if passed without reform, could re-engineer the Cyber Security Authority into an entity with powers far beyond its original mandate. The Institute warns that this would not only distort the purpose of Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038), but could also weaken the very legitimacy on which cybersecurity enforcement depends.
1. Blurring the Line Between Regulation and Law Enforcement
The first and most far-reaching issue arises from the Bill’s proposed Sections 59A and 59B, which empower the Cyber Security Authority to conduct criminal investigations, prosecute cybercrimes, and recover assets. On its face, this seems efficient—a single body both detects and punishes offences. But ILAPI argues that such concentration of power breaches a constitutional firewall that has long safeguarded Ghana’s justice system. Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution vests the exclusive right to prosecute criminal offences in the Attorney-General, who acts as the guardian of legality in all prosecutions. Any institution exercising prosecutorial powers must do so under a written delegation from the Attorney-General.
The Bill, as drafted, bypasses this requirement entirely. It allows the Authority to prosecute cyber offences and to institute civil asset recovery actions on its own initiative. This dual role risks undermining the neutrality of enforcement by turning a technical regulator into a coercive law-enforcement agency. The Authority’s fundamental identity—as a civilian, coordinating, and capacity-building institution—would be replaced with a security-style apparatus operating outside established oversight channels. ILAPI contends that this shift would not only violate the Constitution but could chill private-sector cooperation, deter innovation, and invite political manipulation under the guise of cybersecurity enforcement.
To preserve balance, ILAPI recommends explicit statutory language requiring all prosecutions to proceed only under written fiat from the Attorney-General, supported by Memoranda of Understanding with the Police and the Economic and Organised Crime Office. Such coordination would preserve professional boundaries, ensure evidentiary integrity, and protect the Authority from accusations of overreach. Ghana’s cybersecurity framework, in ILAPI’s view, must remain civilian in character, technical in function, and constitutional in execution.
2. The Dangers of Warrantless Power and the Erosion of Due Process
ILAPI’s second and perhaps most powerful intervention targets Section 59J, which authorises inspectors from the Authority to enter and audit premises with only seven days’ written notice—no warrant required. The clause excludes domestic premises, which is commendable, but its reach remains alarmingly wide. Under this draft, any organisation operating a computer system or infrastructure deemed critical could be subject to unannounced inspection, document seizure, or data review by the Authority’s officers.
Such warrantless entry, ILAPI warns, is constitutionally indefensible. Article 18(2) of Ghana’s Constitution guarantees the right to privacy of home, property, and correspondence, allowing interference only when necessary for public safety or national security under due legal authority. Routine inspections without judicial authorisation cannot be justified as “necessary” within the meaning of the Constitution. They expose private companies, banks, and even state agencies to arbitrary intrusion, disrupt business continuity, and risk compromising sensitive or privileged data.
In response, ILAPI has drafted an alternative version of Section 59J that should serve as a model for the legislative drafters. In the Institute’s proposal, judicial warrants become the default requirement, with warrantless entry allowed only in narrowly defined life-or-safety emergencies. The redrafted section defines “reasonable belief” with precision, requiring specific and articulable facts rather than vague suspicion. It also mandates written reports to be filed with both the Authority and the courts within forty-eight hours of any emergency entry, ensuring accountability through judicial review.
Perhaps most importantly, ILAPI introduces a “corrective-action plan” mechanism that transforms the inspection process from one of punishment to one of compliance support. After each inspection, the Authority must issue written findings and allow the inspected entity to contest conclusions or propose remedial steps within thirty days. This approach mirrors best practices in administrative law and international cybersecurity regulation—from the United Kingdom’s Network and Information Systems Regulations to Singapore’s Cybersecurity Act—and reaffirms that regulation must first guide before it punishes.
By advocating for procedural safeguards, ILAPI is not weakening enforcement; it is fortifying its legitimacy. In a constitutional democracy, enforcement is only as strong as the fairness with which it is exercised. Warrantless powers, undefined discretion, and absent reporting obligations are not hallmarks of strength; they are symptoms of administrative fragility. Ghana can build cybersecurity resilience without building a surveillance state.
3. Oversight, Fiscal Accountability, and the Spirit of Democratic Regulation
Beyond prosecutorial and inspection powers, ILAPI’s submission draws attention to the creeping fiscal and institutional autonomy embedded in several amendments. The proposed reforms to the Cybersecurity Fund, accreditation powers, and certification of emerging technologies risk turning the Authority into a self-financing super-regulator without clear parliamentary control. Under the current draft, revenue streams include administrative penalties, service fees, and a share of fines—mechanisms that directly conflict with the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921). Allowing a regulator to retain a portion of fines it imposes creates a perverse incentive structure, where enforcement becomes a source of revenue rather than a tool of compliance.
ILAPI insists that all funds collected under the Act should be paid into the Consolidated Fund, audited by the Auditor-General, and re-appropriated through Parliament. This not only preserves fiscal discipline but also aligns with Article 173 of the Constitution, which centralises public revenue. The Institute also warns against the creeping securitisation of the Authority’s personnel and benefits, proposed under Section 20A, which seeks to align staff conditions with those of intelligence and security services. Such a move, it argues, blurs the Authority’s civilian identity and could lead to opaque financial management outside the reach of conventional public-sector accountability systems.
The submission further critiques the Authority’s growing mandate over the certification of innovative technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and blockchain. While the intention to ensure secure technology deployment is commendable, ILAPI argues that this field already falls within the mandates of the Ghana Standards Authority, the National Communications Authority, and the Bank of Ghana. Duplicating these roles creates regulatory congestion and increases compliance costs for innovators and small businesses. The Institute therefore calls for Regulatory Impact Assessments before introducing any new licensing or certification regime, ensuring that rules are proportionate, evidence-based, and economically justified.
Underlying all these fiscal and institutional concerns is a deeper constitutional principle: the rule of law demands bounded power, transparent finance, and public oversight. When regulators operate without checks, they risk losing public confidence. ILAPI’s call for redress is therefore not adversarial but restorative—it seeks to align cybersecurity governance with the constitutional fabric of Ghana’s democracy.
Conclusion: Security with Liberty, Power with Accountability
The cybersecurity conversation in Ghana must not be reduced to a choice between safety and freedom. True security lies in upholding the rule of law even in the face of digital threats. ILAPI’s intervention in the Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, captures this delicate equilibrium. The Institute recognises that cybersecurity is a public good, but it insists that it must be pursued through lawful means that respect privacy, procedural fairness, and fiscal transparency.
The proposed amendments, if passed without modification, could unintentionally weaken the constitutional foundations of Ghana’s digital governance. By empowering a regulatory body with prosecutorial and inspection powers that bypass judicial oversight, the Bill risks turning cybersecurity enforcement into a domain of unchecked authority. ILAPI’s alternative vision—rooted in judicial warrants, Attorney-General supervision, and fiscal accountability—offers a blueprint for reform that both strengthens national resilience and protects civil liberty.
As Parliament considers the Bill, policymakers must remember that the digital future of Ghana will not be secured by force of power but by fidelity to principle. Every statute that touches the digital domain should reflect the same constitutional care that underpins the physical one. The Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation’s recommendations remind the nation that even in cyberspace, law remains the strongest firewall.
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The writer, Peter Bismark Kwofie, is the Executive Director of the Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation.
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Collier Jennings is an entertainment journalist with a substantial amount of experience under his belt. Collier, or “CJ” to his friends and family, is a dedicated fan of genre films – particularly science fiction, fantasy and comic book adaptations, not to mention all forms of animation animation.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused President John Mahama’s administration of weaponising state institutions to persecute political opponents, warning that Ghana faces a return to authoritarian governance.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong alleged that party members have been subjected to unlawful detention, unreasonable bail conditions, and denial of fair judicial treatment. He claimed state security agencies continue to violate the Constitution, particularly Article 14 on bail rights for arrested persons.
“Under this John Mahama administration, such persons are rather presumed guilty until they prove their innocence,” Kodua stated, describing what the party views as a systematic erosion of democratic safeguards.
The NPP cited recent arrests as evidence of targeted persecution. Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, has been arrested multiple times in 2025 over allegations including illegal mining operations and money laundering. He faces 13 charges across two cases, including facilitating unlicensed mining and entering forest reserves without authorization. After his initial arrest in May, he was granted bail with two sureties. He was rearrested in October and granted bail totaling 25 million cedis across both cases, with stringent conditions including surrender of his passport and monthly reporting requirements.
Kwabena Adu Boahen, former Director General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), was arrested in March 2025 at Kotoka International Airport upon arrival from London. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) detained him over allegations of embezzlement, money laundering, and misappropriating approximately 49 million cedis from state funds. Attorney General Dominic Ayine publicly warned financial institutions against facilitating any movement of Adu Boahen’s assets. The former NSB chief was rearrested in May on additional charges related to alleged fraudulent schemes involving payments from Ghana Water Company Limited.
Osei Assibey Antwi, former Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), was picked up by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in March 2025. He now faces 14 criminal counts including causing financial loss exceeding 600 million cedis, stealing, and money laundering. Prosecutors allege he authorized payments to more than 60,000 non-existent national service personnel between August 2021 and February 2025. In October, the Attorney General announced a forensic audit revealed the total scandal had grown from 548 million cedis to 2.2 billion cedis. Assibey Antwi was granted bail of 800 million cedis with six sureties but remained in custody as of early November, unable to meet the conditions.
Kodua also criticized what he termed judicial complicity, referencing the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkonoo. President Mahama removed Justice Torkonoo from office on 1 September 2025 following a constitutional inquiry that found grounds of stated misbehavior. The committee established under Article 146 investigated a petition by Daniel Ofori and recommended her removal based on findings that she authorized unlawful expenditures, including covering travel expenses and per diems for her spouse and daughter through the judicial service. Justice Torkonoo was suspended in April 2025 pending the investigation.
“Judges now fear to dispense justice according to the law because they worry they may suffer the same fate as Justice Torkonoo,” Kodua alleged, claiming the removal has compromised judicial independence.
The NPP further accused Attorney General Dominic Ayine of abuse of prosecutorial discretion, claiming he entered nolle prosequi in multiple corruption cases involving National Democratic Congress (NDC) allies. Ayine has indeed discontinued several high-profile prosecutions initiated by the previous administration. In July 2025, he entered nolle prosequi in the case against former Finance Minister Kwabena Duffuor and seven others accused in the collapse of uniBank, after negotiations resulted in agreement to recover 60 percent of alleged losses. The Attorney General also discontinued prosecutions in the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project case and the SSNIT Operational Business Suites project case, among others. Johnson Asiamah, former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana who faced charges related to the banking sector collapse, had his case withdrawn in January 2025, enabling his subsequent appointment as Bank of Ghana Governor.
“Never in the history of this country have we seen such blatant abuse of prosecutorial discretion,” Kodua stated. Legal experts and opposition figures have criticized the Attorney General’s approach, with some arguing it prioritizes financial recovery over criminal accountability and may normalize corruption.
The NPP described the situation as a dangerous erosion of democratic gains, pointing to alleged harassment of journalists and social media users critical of government. “We are witnessing a gradual return of the culture of silence and the era of criminal libel despite its repeal,” the party statement read.
Kodua reaffirmed the NPP’s commitment to defending the rule of law, stating the party would not back down in confronting what it characterizes as growing authoritarianism.
The accusations come amid broader political tensions, with the NPP also criticizing the administration’s handling of illegal mining, known locally as galamsey. At the same press conference, Kodua claimed some NDC Members of Parliament and party officials are involved in illegal mining operations, hampering enforcement efforts.
The government has not issued an official response to the NPP’s allegations regarding weaponization of state institutions. The Attorney General’s office has previously defended its decisions to enter nolle prosequi as pragmatic steps to recover public funds where protracted legal proceedings showed no immediate prospect of resolution.
Edward Akuoko, former manager of Akonta Mining Company Limited, has publicly defended his decision to become a state witness in the ongoing illegal mining case against his former employer and Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Akuoko confirmed he accepted the offer from prosecutors to testify against Wontumi out of personal interest. Speaking on Accra-based OKAY FM on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, he stated he willingly took the deal after weighing the advantages and disadvantages.
Akuoko emphasized that prosecutors did not force him into the agreement, saying he applied to accept it himself. He dismissed suggestions that the Attorney General pressured him into cooperating with the state.
The former mining executive explained that none of the party’s senior leaders reached out to check on his wellbeing after his arrest alongside Wontumi. He noted that solidarity messages appeared directed exclusively toward Wontumi, with none extended to him.
Akuoko painted a stark picture of his situation compared to his former boss. He stated that people do not know him, so he must protect himself, while Wontumi could receive a presidential pardon if the NPP returns to power, leaving Akuoko potentially forgotten. He added that when he and Wontumi were handcuffed together at court, big party leaders never reached out to him or inquired about his situation.
The mining manager claimed that expert advisers warned him about potential imprisonment and recommended becoming a prosecution witness to avoid jail time. He also revealed that senior NPP members he consulted advised him to become a prosecution witness given the circumstances.
Despite his cooperation with prosecutors, Akuoko insisted he would not lie against Wontumi but would speak truthfully about the entire case.
The Office of the Attorney General withdrew all charges against Akuoko under Section 59 of the Criminal and Other Offences Procedure Act, 1960. A notice filed at the Accra High Court on Monday, November 3, 2025, signed by Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem Sai, confirmed his discharge from all criminal charges.
Akuoko admitted that Akonta Mining failed to complete necessary documentation for operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. He stated this revelation would form part of his testimony as a prosecution witness, noting that Chairman Wontumi publicly acknowledged this during the trial.
Akuoko had been standing trial alongside Akonta Mining Limited, Chairman Wontumi, Operations Manager Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, and co-director Kwame Antwi, with the latter two remaining at large. The accused faced multiple charges including undertaking mining operations without a licence, felling trees in a forest reserve without authorization, and erecting structures in a forest reserve without approval.
Investigations began after petitions alleged Akonta Mining conducted illegal operations within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve without required permits. Although the company reportedly secured leases in Samreboi and Abekoase in July 2022, its application to mine within the forest reserve was rejected in August 2022.
Despite the rejection, the company allegedly deployed excavators into the protected area and began full-scale operations. Officials later discovered unauthorized structures, including checkpoints and makeshift accommodation for miners. The state alleges activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve destroyed approximately 13 hectares of land, including the bed and banks of the Tano River, causing severe environmental pollution.
The charge sheet referenced an incident on August 17, 2022, when a joint team from the Forestry Commission, Samartex Timber and Plywood Company, and journalists was allegedly confronted by an armed group led by Akuoko and Bempah.
Chairman Wontumi, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges in both cases, remains on bail of GHS 15 million with three sureties for the Samreboi case and GHS 10 million with two sureties for the Tano Nimiri Forest case.
The first case, involving allegations that Wontumi permitted mining activities on his concession at Samreboi without required ministerial approval, was adjourned to November 12, 2025. The second case, stemming from accusations of extensive mining operations within the protected Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, has been postponed to December 4, 2025, because the presiding judge is currently on leave.
Unilever Ghana PLC has announced a significant transition in its Board of Directors, with the exit of four long-serving members and the appointment of six new directors, including a new Board Chairman.
According to the company, Mr Edward Effah, Board Chairman and Non-Executive Director, exited the Board effective October 31, 2025.
Other outgoing members include Dr Mrs Edith Dankwa, Non-Executive Director and Chairperson of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, and Mr Philip Sowah, Non-Executive Director responsible for relations with minority shareholders, both of whom exited effective September 30, 2025, and Mrs Angela Peasah, Non-Executive Director and Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee, who is due to exit effective January 31, 2026.
Unilever Ghana PLC, in a statement, expressed deep appreciation to the departing Board members for their nine years of service and their significant contributions to the growth and governance of the company.
New Board Appointments
The company also announced the appointment of six new non-executive directors, effective between October 1, 2025, and February 1, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen governance and leadership.
Charles Boakye Nimako takes over as Board Chairman, effective November 1, 2025, succeeding Mr Effah. Mr Nimako is a seasoned global business executive with over 30 years of experience across blue-chip organisations. He currently serves as Director of Africa Initiatives for Safe Water Network, a U.S.-based NGO focused on market-driven water solutions. His previous roles include CEO of PepsiCo franchise holders in Ghana, management consultant at McKinsey & Company, and various audit positions in the U.S. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of CPAs.
Angela Kyeremanten-Jimoh takes over as Chairperson of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, effective October 1, 2025, replacing Dr Dankwa. Ms Kyeremanten-Jimoh is a renowned African business leader and digital transformation expert, currently serving as CEO of BrainWave AfricaTech. She was IBM’s first female and African regional head for North, East, and West Africa and also served as country general manager for IBM Ghana, where she tripled revenue. A Harvard alumna, her career spans roles at UBS, ABN AMRO, GT Bank, and Microsoft. She has been recognised by Forbes Africa and describes herself as a mother of two, a golfer, and a Formula 1 enthusiast.
Setutsi Goka Ivowi has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director, effective October 1, 2025. She is a strategic advisor and former CEO of the Ghana Commodity Exchange, which she led to profitability. She was the first female and Ghanaian business executive officer at Nestlé Central & West Africa, overseeing operations in 22 countries. Mrs Ivowi, also known as Tucci, is the convener of the AfCFTA Association of Commodities Exchanges and founder of Forty Lives, a mental health advocacy group. She is a Chartered Marketer and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM UK).
Peterson Ekow Afedzie, former Managing Director of the Ghana Stock Exchange, has also been appointed as a Non-Executive Director, effective October 1, 2025. With over 32 years of experience, he led major initiatives, including trading automation, the establishment of the Ghana Fixed Income Market (GFIM), the Ghana Alternative Market (GAX), and the equities depository. He holds a master’s degree in business administration and economic policy management and is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana.
Djabanor Narh joins the Board as a Non-Executive Director, effective October 1, 2025. He is a senior management consultant with over 30 years of experience in enterprise-wide transformation across public and private sectors. Educated at Brunel University, he specialises in strategic insights, digital transformation, and ethical governance. His international experience positions him as a key contributor to Unilever’s strategic growth agenda.
Gillian Sandra Slater is set to succeed Mrs Peasah as Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee, effective February 1, 2026. She is a finance professional with over 30 years of international experience across Europe, the USA, and Africa. Ms Slater has held senior finance roles in the telecoms, hospitality, logistics, and oil and gas sectors with companies such as Marriott International, Vodafone Ghana, UT Bank, and Tullow Oil. Her achievements include leading a $1 billion hotel acquisition and transforming finance operations at Tullow Ghana.
Unilever Ghana PLC expressed optimism that the new board members will continue to drive the company’s growth agenda, innovation, and strong corporate governance culture. The company reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high ethical standards, promoting diversity, and ensuring sustainable performance through strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement.
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The rains no longer come as they used to. The land — once green and full of life — is turning brown. And the shea trees, the pride and lifeline of northern Ghana’s women, now stand lifeless.
For generations, these trees fed families, paid school fees, and kept young girls in their communities. But today, they tell a story of loss, migration, and survival.
In the busy streets and markets of Kumasi, hundreds of women weave through cars and traders, balancing heavy loads on their heads. Among them is Maryam Hadi, once a shea nut collector from the north.
“Sincerely, when I started picking shea nuts, it was profitable, because I could get like GH₵1000 or GH₵500 a month. But now it’s no longer there. I was using it for a business, but the business collapsed, so I had to come here as kayayoo.”
Maryam is now one of thousands of women working as “Kayayei” — female head porters who carry goods for customers in Ghana’s southern cities.
“It was beneficial back home than what I’m doing here now,” she added quietly.
The work is exhausting and pays very little. Many of the women live in overcrowded slums, face harassment, and struggle to afford food. Yet, they stay — because back home, the land no longer sustains them.
A 2022 study found that 61% of adolescent girls in northern Ghana migrate south. Of 168 girls surveyed, some were as young as nine years old. Nearly 40% were between 17 and 19. Most never return to school, trapped in a cycle of poverty and exploitation.
The science behind the loss
Experts say the dying shea trees are a symptom of a deeper crisis. Head of the Forest and Climate Change Division at the CSIR–Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Dr. Reginald Tang Guuroh, says the trees are struggling to survive under changing weather patterns.
“Increased temperature and reduced rainfall, which is drought, are definitely going to have a stress on the plants, and that affects various physiological properties of the tree, in terms of its growth, in terms of its fruiting patterns.”
He explained that extreme heat and frequent wildfires make it even harder for the trees to recover.
“These lead to increased buildup of dried biomass, and when you have that, you end up having more risk of wildfires. The fires affect the trees and bring an added layer of stress for growth and productivity.”
Dr. Guuroh warned that if Ghana fails to protect the shea trees, the economic and social consequences could worsen.
“If we do not pay attention and improve on the shea value chain, we can expect more serious economic challenges — and that could lead to more migration than we are currently seeing.”
“We Came Here Because There Was No Food”
Another migrant from Karaga, Maryam Issaku, left her husband and children behind in search of survival.
“You can carry a load that may be too heavy, leading to neck and body pains. However, sometimes you may be fortunate and have a normal weight load,” she said.
Sulemana Maryam, from Galyei, echoes her pain. “If the shea nuts were there, we wouldn’t have come here and be suffering like this. It’s difficult here, but shea nuts are profitable. However, they’re no longer available like they used to be.”
Three Maryams. Three different towns. One shared fate — of family separation, endless toil, and fading dreams.
“We Want Our Dignity Back”
A Kayayei leader, Shamsiya Issah, says her only wish is for the trees — and her community — to live again.
“If God is the number one king, and I pray he accepts our prayers, so that the North will be productive as it used to be… so that we won’t have to come to this unhygienic place and be suffering and our dignity will be restored.”
Abdul Rauf Umar, who has lived in Kumasi since 1999, has watched this crisis unfold for decades.
“Some of the young girls carry loads too heavy for their bodies, and even when they return, the money is not enough to buy food. Some get robbed or cheated. We often have to give them some money to buy food. We plead with the authorities to find a solution so these children will stop coming here for Kayayei.”
The shea tree is often called “women’s gold.” Its nuts are used to produce shea butter, a key ingredient in cooking oil, soap, skin creams, and even international brands of chocolate and cosmetics.
In Ghana, the shea industry supports nearly one million rural women, most of them small-scale nut collectors and processors. Across West Africa, more than 16 million women rely on shea for income and survival.
Losing these trees would mean losing one of the most important female-driven economies in the region.
The shea tree grows wild across Ghana’s northern savannah, covering over 77,000 square kilometres — yet it now faces an uncertain future.
A glimmer of hope in the North
In Tamale, a small group is working to restore hope. The Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA-G) is helping women learn new skills and find alternative livelihoods.
Executive Director of SWIDA-G, Hajia Alima Sagito, says the problem has reached alarming levels.
“We have been in communities where you can hardly count 10–15 young girls — they’re gone. People were relying on shea nuts for their income, but they are not available now. Among the push factors is lack of economic opportunities for women.”
She says shea is like cocoa for the women of the north and losing it means losing over a million livelihoods.
“If we lose it, we lose a million livelihoods.”
Can policy save the shea tree?
Executive Director of Dream Village, Clement Matorwmasen, believes the solution lies in better policies and stronger enforcement.
“What needs to be done specifically will be policy changes. Some of these policies already exist, but enforcing them is the problem. Can we go back to the drawing board and work with local communities?”
Ghana’s National Climate Change Policy recognizes migration as a major human security risk. The government has pledged to build resilient communities through reforestation, green jobs, and education for girls.
But for women like the three Maryams, these promises feel distant.
“Protection of the shea trees, we need to look at it holistically… we need awareness creation,” Dr. Guuroh said. “It might interest us to know that the Shea trees are classified as part of endangered species.”
The United Nations warns that by 2050, climate change could displace over 200 million people worldwide. Women and girls will be hardest hit, as their livelihoods often depend directly on the land.
The shea tree may no longer provide as it once did — but the women of northern Ghana, like their trees, remain rooted in resilience.
“I’m in pain that I’m a woman,” Shamsiya said softly. “We are risking our lives here. It is nothing; it is because the shea trees are longer fruiting in the North… So we pray that it will be available so that we gain back our pride and dignity.”
From Kumasi to the parched fields of the north, the story of Ghana’s climate migration is a call for action, justice, and hope.
This is a JoyNews-CDKN-University of Ghana C3SS project with funding from CLARE R4I Opportunities Fund.
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In a rousing speech that resonated with the hopes and aspirations of Ghanaians, Hon. Ken Ohene Agyapong, aspiring flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has unveiled a bold plan to transform Ghana into a food basket for Africa. Speaking at Adidome, the District Capital of the Central Tongu District, Agyapong declared, “We’re going to produce what we eat, process what we produce, and export what we process.”
Agyapong, a seasoned businessman and politician, lamented the irony of Ghana’s economic woes despite its rich natural resources. “If I tell you we are rich, believe me. If you feel you are poor, you are not poor. We are poor because of bad leadership.” He emphasized that Ghana’s potential for economic prosperity lies in its ability to harness its resources and add value to its raw materials.
A Vision for a Prosperous Ghana
The NPP aspirant’s plan focuses on utilizing the Accra Plains, the Volta Region, and the 5 Northern regions to feed the entire African continent. “I’m going to use the 5 northern regions, the Accra Plains, and the Volta Region to feed the entire Africa,” he declared. This ambitious initiative aims to capitalize on Ghana’s fertile lands, vast resources, and strategic location to produce, process, and export food products.
Agyapong highlighted the potential of Ghana’s agricultural sector, citing the example of coconut and pineapple juice being exported from Holland despite Ghana’s abundance of coconuts. “We are not poor; we are rich in resources,” he emphasized. “We need leaders who can unlock our potential and create opportunities for our people.”
Addressing Post-Harvest Losses
The NPP aspirant also bemoaned the staggering post-harvest losses in Ghana’s agricultural sector, revealing that $380 million worth of yams get spoilt annually. This, he attributed to poor leadership and lack of value addition. “Politicians must show you what they can do for you,” he stressed, urging Ghanaians to demand more from their leaders.
Agyapong’s message resonated with the audience, who cheered and chanted his name. His vision for a prosperous Ghana, where citizens enjoy economic empowerment and abundant food, is a clarion call to action for the nation. As Ghana looks to the future, one thing is clear: Hon. Ken Ohene Agyapong is a leader who dares to dream big and has a plan to make those dreams a reality.
The Volta Advantage
The Volta Region, with its fertile lands and abundant resources, is poised to play a critical role in Agyapong’s vision for Ghana. The region’s potential for agricultural production, agro-processing, and export is vast, and Agyapong’s plan aims to unlock this potential. As the NPP aspirant said, “We’re going to produce what we eat, process what we produce, and export what we process.” The Volta Region, and indeed Ghana, will never be the same again.
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This is a Nigerian Nollywood Movie.
In this movie, She was abandoned in the village by the very man who promised not to break her heart after she got pregnant. Years have passed, she has a son, and now that same man is with her own sister.
Ezedeen Alhassan, the scorer of the historic goal which clinched UDS and Africa a first FISU University World Cup triumph, has opened up on his ambitions of representing Ghana at the biggest stage.
The University for Development Studies star is hoping to build on the success of the University Games by making a name for himself in the Ghana Premier League.
Alhassan signed a first professional contract in January after excelling at the FASU championship in Nigeria, where he ended the competition as top scorer. His outstanding achievement saw Tamale-based Karela United hand him a deal to kick start his career in Ghana’s top division.
“Playing for my university team helped raise my profile, and I’m grateful for the opportunity Karela United have given me,” he told FISU. “I have found professional football to be incredible. The level of competition is high, and I am learning a lot from my teammates and opponents. Karela United has a great team dynamic, and I am enjoying the challenge of helping the team succeed.”
Although, Alhassan is yet to hit the mark in the league, the 21-year-old is looking forward to playing for Ghana at the World Cup.
“Seeing the impact that sports can have on people’s lives, inspiring young kids, and making my country proud drives me to work harder and achieve my goals,” he said. “Representing Ghana on the biggest stage in university football is a dream come true, but playing in the FIFA World Cup in future would be an incredible honour.”
Entertainment Week Ghana (EWG) will make its inaugural appearance December 21 through 27, 2025, positioning the nation as a central hub for Africa’s creative and cultural economy. The weeklong celebration brings together industry leaders, investors, creators, and entrepreneurs in what organizers describe as an extraordinary convergence of innovation and capital.
The Entertainment Week Ghana Summit takes center stage December 24 at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC). This premier thought leadership gathering will unite policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts to explore Africa’s creative transformation through financing, intellectual property protection, media technology, and cultural policy frameworks.
A major highlight includes The Deal Room, a live investment marketplace where innovative individuals and startups will pitch creative ventures directly to investors, venture capitalists, and accelerators. The platform aims to unlock access to capital, partnerships, and mentorship for the next generation of African creative enterprises.
The Novas Awards will be introduced during the summit to celebrate creative excellence, with organizers planning full rollout at next year’s edition. The awards recognize outstanding achievement across multiple creative disciplines while spotlighting emerging talent reshaping Africa’s entertainment landscape.
The Entertainment Week Ghana Film Festival operates in partnership with Akuna Pod, the global media and entertainment firm founded by British actor Idris Elba, alongside production company Bravado. The festival will spotlight groundbreaking African and diaspora storytelling through curated screenings, premieres, and discussions celebrating the continent’s cinematic innovation.
Elba, whose parents hail from Ghana and Sierra Leone, announced plans in March 2025 to build a film studio on 22 acres beside Osu Castle in Accra. The facility will provide training and opportunities for Ghanaian creatives while serving as a major hub for African cinema, part of his broader vision to establish film studios across the continent.
Airwaves, a vibrant music festival powered by Lynx Entertainment, will showcase Africa’s hottest performers, disc jockeys, and producers on Accra’s iconic beach. The event captures the spirit of Ghana’s festive season, delivering an electrifying experience during the capital’s celebrated Detty December period.
Mununkum, a photo and art exhibition hosted at Osu Castle, kicks off the week by exploring Africa’s evolving identity through visual storytelling. The exhibition highlights works of leading photographers and artists redefining creativity and consciousness across the continent, offering visitors an immersive experience in contemporary African visual arts.
Fashion takes a sustainable turn with Atale, a forward thinking runway show championing eco conscious design and circular creativity. The showcase features leading African brands including Christie Brown, Chocolate Clothing, and Free The Youth, each redefining contemporary African style with purpose and innovation.
Throughout the week, Accra will buzz with energy as side events and nightlife experiences complement main programming. Partnerships with Akwaaba UK and Mr Eazi’s Detty Rave merge culture, music, and celebration, giving both locals and visitors the full spectrum of Ghana’s Detty December festivities.
Entertainment Week Ghana 2025 enjoys endorsement and support from the Black Star Experience, Diaspora Affairs Office of the President of Ghana, National Film Authority (NFA), and Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Development. Major sponsor Konica Minolta joins strategic partners Akuna Pod, Ashesi University, Bravado, and Lynx Entertainment.
The initiative was conceived by BlacVolta Multimedia, Q Bespoke Africa, and Party Xtra, with Creative Architect Kwamina Quansah explaining the event targets innovative investment in Ghana’s entertainment sector. He emphasized at a May 2025 brunch that the initiative aims to attract the investor community to support creatives contributing to Ghana’s economic growth and development.
Africa’s creative economy is valued in billions while the global cultural economy surpasses 2.25 trillion dollars, creating urgent need for investment in scalable creative infrastructure and platforms. Ghana’s dynamic ecosystem provides ideal foundation for this transformative movement seeking to redefine Africa’s position in the global creative landscape.
A United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report shows Africa’s film and audiovisual industry could create 20 million jobs and add 20 billion dollars to the continent’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030. Though Africa comprises 18 percent of the world’s population, it accounts for only one percent of the global creative economy, representing massive untapped potential.
Entertainment Week Ghana 2025 invites sponsors, speakers, exhibitors, investors, partners, and volunteers to join this landmark maiden edition. The event offers opportunities to connect, invest, showcase, or collaborate as Africa’s creative future takes definitive shape in Accra this December.
President John Dramani Mahama revealed plans Wednesday for Ghana Prisons Service to become a major economic contributor through continuous industrial operations and large scale agricultural production. The announcement came during commissioning ceremonies for the Damongo Prison Camp, a facility constructed through partnership with the Church of Pentecost.
Prison industries will operate continuously, manufacturing school uniforms, furniture, and agro processed goods for government procurement and commercial sale. The President emphasized this dual purpose approach generates revenue while equipping inmates with employable skills for life after release.
The government will supply fertiliser, mechanised equipment, tractors, and agricultural implements to boost productivity across prison farms over the next three years. Large scale farming operations will include poultry and vegetable production, making facilities increasingly self sustaining financially.
Mahama explained that continuous manufacturing operations align with the administration’s 24 hour economy policy, positioning correctional facilities as productive contributors to national development. The initiative aims to reduce dependency on government subsidies while creating meaningful work opportunities that prepare inmates for employment.
The President announced a significant increase in daily feeding allowances for inmates, raising the allocation from 1.80 cedis to 5.00 cedis. He characterized the adjustment as a matter of justice and human dignity rather than charity, acknowledging previous allocations proved woefully inadequate.
Prison camps will receive tractors and implements to activate agricultural operations, transforming facilities into productive enterprises. The Service will engage in manufacturing, tailoring, carpentry, and agro processing activities that serve both institutional needs and open market demand.
Mahama stressed these economic ventures extend beyond financial considerations, serving as rehabilitation tools that give inmates practical training and purpose during incarceration. Skills acquired through prison work programs provide formerly incarcerated individuals with competitive advantages when seeking employment upon release.
The reforms include expanded use of alternative sentencing for minor offences, revised bail conditions reducing financial hardship for poor defendants, and introduction of parole systems rewarding positive behaviour. These measures work in concert with economic programs to modernize Ghana’s entire approach to corrections.
The President pledged completion of the 800 inmate remand prison at Nsawam, alongside development of modern correctional centers for different demographic groups. Enhanced conditions of service for prison officers accompany infrastructure improvements and expanded rehabilitation programming.
Mahama called the comprehensive reforms part of broader strategy to transform prisons from purely punitive institutions into centers preparing individuals for productive citizenship. The economic focus creates sustainable funding models while addressing the fundamental purpose of corrections: successful reintegration into society.
The Church of Pentecost has completed three prison facilities at Ejura, Nsawam, and Damongo, with another under construction at Obuasi. This partnership demonstrates how religious organizations can contribute meaningfully to national security infrastructure and social rehabilitation efforts.
The Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET) is urging the government to operationalize the National HIV and AIDS Fund (NHAF), warning that the fight against HIV and AIDS may be severely hindered without dedicated domestic resources to support critical interventions.
In a statement ahead of the 2026 budget presentation scheduled for November 13, 2025, GHANET President Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin emphasized that allocating funds to the dormant NHAF has become urgent as donor support declines and new HIV infections continue to rise. The Fund was established under the Ghana AIDS Commission Act (Act 938) in October 2016 during the previous Mahama administration but has remained inactive for the past nine years.
“At the moment Global Fund is the biggest donor for HIV and AIDS interventions in the country. Quite impressively, the Global Fund has, since 2002, invested about 1.5 billion United States (US) dollars in the fight against HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Ghana. However, it is concerning to note that Global Fund is currently making transitional arrangements that may see its support to Ghana dwindle or cease altogether,” Mr. Ortsin stated.
Ghana recorded approximately 35,000 new HIV infections from January to September 2024, nearly double the 17,774 cases reported in 2023. The alarming increase prompted renewed calls from stakeholders for stronger government commitment to combating the epidemic through sustainable domestic financing mechanisms.
According to data from the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), as of December 2023, approximately 151,000 persons living with HIV (PLHIV) were receiving treatment. This represents less than half of the estimated 334,000 people living with HIV in the country, highlighting significant gaps in diagnosis and treatment access.
Mr. Ortsin noted that Ghana’s national HIV prevalence has dropped to 1.4 percent from 1.7 percent five years ago. However, he cautioned against celebrating this decline, explaining that it largely reflects high mortality rates rather than successful interventions due to resource constraints.
“You would realize that our prevalence over the past five years has been dropping, from 1.7, and now we are at 1.4, but nobody is celebrating Ghana’s success in the drop. Why? It’s because the drop is not because of any special interventions we’re putting in place, but because people are dying. So the drop we are seeing is basically as a result of the high deaths we are recording because of the unavailability of resources to fight the disease,” Mr. Ortsin explained.
The absence of the Fund has significantly affected HIV awareness campaigns, resulting in a new generation of young Ghanaians with little knowledge of the disease. This knowledge gap contributes to risky behaviors that fuel new infections, according to GHANET.
Dr. Kyeremeh Attuahene, Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, has expressed concern that the country may not meet the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 95-95-95 target by 2025. The target aims for 95 percent of people living with HIV to be diagnosed, 95 percent of those diagnosed to receive antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95 percent of those on ART to achieve viral suppression (VLS).
Currently, 65 percent of people living with HIV in Ghana are aware of their status, 69 percent of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 89 percent have achieved viral suppression. These figures fall significantly short of the UNAIDS targets.
“We are lagging behind because we don’t have the resources to enable every Ghanaian who needs treatment, every Ghanaian who needs testing to be able to get them,” Dr. Attuahene said during World AIDS Day commemorations in November 2024.
GHANET has also called for increased local production of ART medications and HIV-related commodities such as condoms, lubricants, and test kits to reduce reliance on donor support. The organization noted that Ghana has had capacity for manufacturing antiretrovirals (ARVs) since 2005 but has not fully leveraged this capability.
“Fortunately for Ghana, there is already existing capacity for local production of ARTs since 2005. GHANET believes that the country must leverage this capacity to meet its needs for ARVs,” the statement stressed. The organization suggested that local production could also create export opportunities to serve neighboring West African countries with high PLHIV populations.
The call for operationalizing the NHAF comes amid concerns about potential disruptions to HIV services following the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) 90-day funding freeze announced earlier in 2025. President John Dramani Mahama has repeatedly assured stakeholders that his government would address the funding shortfall.
In response to President Mahama’s 2025 State of the Nation Address, GHANET welcomed his commitment to filling the gap left by the USAID freeze, describing it as “reassuring and therapeutic” for persons living with HIV. However, the organization emphasized that short-term measures must be complemented by sustainable domestic financing through the NHAF.
A major concern raised by GHANET is the potential shortage of life-saving ARV medications if the government takes full responsibility for procurement without adequate planning. “This fear is heightened by recent happenings where even donated ARVs were nonchalantly abandoned at the ports for several months,” the statement said.
The organization believes that reviving the NHAF will help complement international funding, such as support from the Global Fund, and ensure continuous access to ARVs and other essential HIV services regardless of fluctuations in external support.
GHANET has appealed to the Ministers for Finance and Health to ensure that President Mahama’s commitment to addressing the HIV funding gap is reflected in concrete budget allocations. The organization also urged the government to fulfill the Abuja Declaration’s requirement for African nations to allocate at least 15 percent of their national budgets to health.
The theme for the 2025 World AIDS Day commemoration, “overcoming disruption, transforming AIDS response,” reflects current challenges where limited funding and resources threaten efforts to eliminate AIDS by 2030. Stakeholders emphasize that without sustained investment, Ghana risks reversing gains made in the fight against HIV and AIDS over the past two decades.
Beyond immediate funding concerns, GHANET has called for new interventions and strategies to control rising HIV infections. The recent introduction of HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) kits has been embraced by the Ghanaian public, with demand soaring, demonstrating appetite for innovative approaches to diagnosis and prevention.
GHANET, established in 1996, serves as a key stakeholder in Ghana’s national HIV and AIDS response, coordinating civil society organizations working on HIV prevention, treatment, and advocacy across the country.
Recent figures indicate that Ghana’s current inflation rate stands at 8% compared to 9.4% in September.
This figure is also a far cry from the same period last year, when Ghana was in the midst of one of its worst economic crises in history.
The country’s inflation figure for October 2024 was 22.1% a four-month high at the time, as opposed to the current figure, which represents a four-year low.
Ghana’s October 2025 inflation was disclosed by Government Statistician Alhassan Iddrisu during a virtual briefing on Wednesday.
Ghana, the world’s second-largest producer of cocoa and Africa’s top exporter of bullion, benefited from high cocoa and gold prices, which have caused the cedi to rise versus the dollar by about 35% this year and helped reduce inflation, as seen on Bloomberg.
Johnson Asiama, the country’s central bank governor, revealed last week that inflation will probably end the year at less than 9.4%.
Following a record 350 basis-point cut to 21.5% in September, the dip provides more support for a policy rate reduction later in the month.
The current inflation drop is the 9th decline in a row, highlighting the country’s economic recovery under its new administration led by President John Mahama.
Since assuming office, President John Mahama’s administration has emphasized fiscal discipline, currency stability, and export growth as critical components of its economic plan.
Efforts to improve budgetary discipline, along with favorable external conditions, have allowed the economy to reset after years of instability.
For context, inflation declined to 18.4% in May from 21.2% in April, then to 13.7% in June, owing mostly to a jump in gold prices, which increased the country’s foreign exchange profits and helped stabilize the cedi.
A report in September showed that Ghana’s GDP expanded by 6.3% year on year in the second quarter of 2025, up from a revised 5.7% in the same period the previous year, according to data released by the Ghana Statistical Service.
The services sector, which grew by 9.9% during the quarter compared to just 2% growth the year before, was the main driver of the rebound.
Growth in agriculture and other service sectors drove a 7.8% increase in Ghana’s GDP, excluding oil. The resilience of agriculture provided a crucial cushion as oil production declined.
As Ghana’s economy recovers from its worst economic crisis in decades, these data represent a turning point.
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Veteran Nigerian entertainer, Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, better known as Charly Boy, has reacted to the ongoing marriage crisis between Senator Ned Nwoko and his wife, Regina Daniels.
In a video shared on his verified X page, Charly Boy told the couple to keep their problems private, saying nobody really cares about their drama.
He blamed Ned Nwoko for the issue, saying that as the older one, he should know how to handle his young wife and keep peace in his home. Charly Boy also joked that Ned wanted to act like “King Solomon” by marrying many women, forgetting that even one wife can be a handful.
Speaking about his own experience, Charly Boy revealed that he has been married to one woman for 45 years, yet it’s still not easy.
Click here to watch the video.
Below is a screenshot of his post.
PHOTOS/NEWS SOURCE: CHARLY BOY VERIFIED X HANDLE
