Musician King Promise is the Artiste of the Year Award at the 26th edition of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA).

The Paris hitmaker won the award at the exciting event held at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre on May 10, 2025.

He beat competition from Stonebwoy, Joe Mettle, Black Sheriff, King Paluta, Team Eternity and Kwaku Smoke.

Other winners on the night were Ayisi, Empress Gifty, Stonebwoy, Kofi Kinaata, Esther Godwyll, Kweku Smoke, KiDi, Team Eternity Ghana and Tulenkey.

In his acceptance speech, King Promise thanked his fans, team and family.

“I want to say thank you to one man who trained my life. KillBeatz is a legacy in live entertainment,” he said.

“Thank you to my amazing team, and my brothers who stay with me every time to make sure I’m good.”

He continued, “A big thank you to the best fans in the world. If any young person is watching me right now who has a dream, use me as an example of resilience.”

King Promise encouraged up-and-coming artists to persevere through setbacks.

“My first year when I broke out on the scene, I had seven nominations and left with zero,” he said. “While some people laughed, I just worked harder because I believe in God’s timing. Today, I’m the chosen one.”

The awards show brought together the crème de la crème of Ghanaian music, fashion and entertainment. Glittering lights, elaborate stage designs and electric performances created an unforgettable atmosphere as fans roared in support of their favorite stars.

Throughout the evening, King Promise’s name buzzed among the crowd and across social media. His standout achievements over the past year — from chart-topping hits like “Terminator II” to sold-out international tours — laid the groundwork for this career-defining win.

Moments before the final announcement, tension filled the hall as cameras panned across the nominees, visibly bracing for the result. When King Promise’s name echoed through the auditorium, an eruption of cheers confirmed it was a crowd-pleasing outcome.

Gospel singer Yaw Sarpong was honoured with Lifetime Achievement award for his contribution to the gospel music industry. In all 32 awards were presented. 

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By Iddi Yire  

Accra, May 11, GNA – On this year’s International Mother’s Day, First Lady Lordina Mahama has congratulated mothers and women across the country. 

The First Lady in a statement made available to the Ghana News Agency acknowledged the sacrifices of mothers and women for their respective families. 

“My dear mothers and remarkable women of Ghana, on this beautiful occasion of Mother’s Day, my heart is filled with profound gratitude and admiration for each of you,” Mrs Mahama said. 

“Today is an opportunity to pause and honour the incredible strength, unwavering love, and countless sacrifices that mothers make daily.  

“We are the pillars of our homes and the heartbeat of our nation. Mothers nurture the future.” 

She said their nurturing hands, wise counsel, and unconditional assistance foster strong families and communities, laying the groundwork for a compassionate society. 

“My dear mothers, I know your daily efforts and challenges as you strive to build better lives for yourselves and your families.” 

The First Lady said the well-being of their homes and children was intrinsically linked to the progress and stability of the nation. 

She noted that her deepest conviction, a belief shared wholeheartedly by hee husband, President John Dramani Mahama, was that creating an environment where every Ghanaian family can prosper is paramount.  

Mrs Mahama said her husband remains steadfast in his commitment to resetting our economy to achieve robust and inclusive growth, creating more job opportunities for the nation’s youth and all citizens.  

She said the President was also dedicated to positioning Ghana as a preferred destination for local and international investment and business, ultimately aimed at improving the living conditions for all Ghanaians and ensuring a brighter future for our children.  

She reiterated that her commitment to supporting women and vulnerable groups in Ghana remains as strong as ever.  

The First Lady said through the work of the Lordina Foundation, they would continue their efforts to empower women through skills training and economic support, advocate for their rights, and provide essential assistance to those who need it most, including children and persons living with HIV/AIDS.  

She said a critical area of their focus was healthcare, particularly for mothers and children.  

She said they were dedicated to improving healthcare facilities across the country, specifically by providing modern, fully equipped maternity and children’s wards in hospitals.  

Mrs Mahama said ensuring that mothers receive the best possible care during pregnancy and childbirth and that their children had access to quality health services was a cause very close to her heart, and that she would continue to champion it.  

“Today, as we celebrate mothers, know that your sacrifices, strength, and love are seen, valued, and deeply appreciated by your families, communities, and nation,” Mrs Mahama said. 

“May God bless you abundantly for all that you do. May your day be filled with joy, peace, and the profound love you so richly deserve.  

“Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mothers and women of Ghana.” 

GNA  

KOA 

The Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Dr Emmanuel O. Akwetey, says President John Mahama’s enforcement of asset declaration rules marks a real shift in Ghana’s approach to public accountability after decades of inaction.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsfile programme on Saturday, May 10, 2025, Dr Akwetey described the President’s use of moral pressure, backed by salary sanctions and threats of dismissal, as a practical way to address long-standing non-compliance among public officials.

“For 32 years in the Fourth Republic, we’ve heard about asset declaration, but nothing happened,” Dr Akwetey said. “What President Mahama has done, which needs to be recognised, is that the era of impunity is over. You have to declare, and there’s a timeline. He set the example, it was the first time we saw a president signing and publicly submitting his forms.”

Although the Constitution allows a six-month window for asset declaration after assuming office, President Mahama introduced a March 31 deadline for all appointees. Dr Akwetey said the move has created a shift in behaviour among officials, even if it has sparked debate about whether the President is going beyond the letter of the law.

“Even if people haven’t breached the six-month legal window, they are now facing real consequences like loss of salary and the threat of dismissal. This is new,” he observed.

Dr Akwetey recalled that under past administrations, including that of former President John Kufuor, attempts to enforce asset declaration laws were hindered by social and cultural concerns. Some public officials feared that openly declaring their assets would make them vulnerable to demands or threats from extended family members.

“They were afraid that, in an extended family system where nephews, nieces and others are involved in inheritance, declaring assets could put their lives at risk. That was the fear at the time,” he noted.

He said that while some critics believe the President may be acting outside the law, the real issue is whether this approach will lead to a lasting culture of accountability.

“Moral persuasion is important, but it turns out it’s not enough. The next stage is to see how many comply by the deadline and what sanctions follow. Could this become the culture we haven’t had in 32 years? That’s the real test,” he said.

Dr Akwetey described the President’s method as firm but practical, given the complications that would arise from dismissing a large number of appointees at once.

“If you sacked all of them, half of them, it would take time to bring in new ministers. You’d have to go through vetting processes again. I think the way he’s started is subtle and gaining results,” he said.

Ghana’s men’s 4x100m relay team will have a final opportunity to qualify for the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships as they return to the track on Day 2 of the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou.

On the opening day of the competition, the Ghanaian quartet of Barnabas Aggerh, Sean Safo-Antwi, Joseph Paul Amoah, and Ibrahim Fuseini posted a season best time of 38.49 seconds. However, their third-place finish behind Great Britain & Northern Ireland and Poland was not enough to secure one of the two automatic qualification spots from their heat.

As qualification now hinges on time rankings across heats, Ghana must produce a faster performance in their second race, where they face a strong field including France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Korea, and Chinese Taipei in Heat 1.

The race starts at 12:32 Ghana Time.

France and the Netherlands pose significant competition, having both registered national records under 38 seconds—37.79 and 37.91 seconds, respectively. Switzerland and Korea have seasonal bests closely aligned with Ghana’s, while Chinese Taipei trails slightly behind.

Ghana’s national record of 38.07 seconds remains within reach, and improving upon their Day 1 performance could place them among the top teams qualifying by time.

Elsewhere in the competition, other qualification hopefuls include Jamaica, Brazil, Australia, China, and Belgium, all of whom are scheduled to compete in other heats. Notably, Jamaica and Brazil bring world-class pedigree, with national records of 36.84 and 37.72 seconds, respectively.

With only a limited number of remaining slots available for Tokyo, Ghana’s performance on Day 2 will be critical in determining whether they will be part of the 4x100m relay line-up at the World Championships later this year.

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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.

Teenagers with excess belly fat could face problems with learning, memory and emotion control, a study suggests.

Key brain areas were found to be larger in youngsters carrying excess weight around the abdomen.

Researchers said the findings are “particularly alarming” given the importance of adolescence when it comes to brain development.

They suggest that tackling obesity among children will not only improve physical health, but could also improve brain health.

For the study, which is being presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, data from 3,320 children taking part in an ongoing US study on how childhood experiences impact brain development and health were analysed.

The average age of the group was nine, with youngsters recruited from cities across 17 US states and followed for four years, from 2016 to 2018 and from 2020 to 2022.

The children were categorised on obesity status, with more than a third (34.6%) classed as having abdominal obesity, which was determined by measuring waist circumference.

 
MRI scans revealed several regions of the brain had more volume in youngsters carrying excess belly fat compared to those without.

The biggest changes were in the hippocampus, which plays a crucial role in memory formation, and the amygdala, the brain’s emotional centre that is particularly involved in processing fear and anxiety.

The hippocampus was found to be around 6.6% larger, while the amygdala was about 4.3% bigger.

Dr Augusto Cesar F De Moraes, of UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin, said: “Our findings suggest that obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, can impair teenagers’ learning, memory and control of emotions.

“I worry about how these changes, which are occurring at the age of 13 or 14, might affect them later in life.

“This is particularly alarming, given that the teenage years are such an important time for brain development.

“There’s even a chance they could be at a higher risk of things like memory problems or dementia as they get older.

“That’s why we believe supporting healthier habits early on is so important, not just for physical health, but for brain health too.

“Treating and preventing adolescent obesity won’t only improve health – it may improve brain health, too.”

The study also found children from more deprived areas had reduced development in a number of areas in the brain, including the hippocampus and amygdala, as well as the putamen, the brain structure involved in learning and motor control.

Dr De Moraes added: “This difference was even more pronounced among adolescents with persistent abdominal obesity.

“It highlights the urgent need to address both social inequality and health risks to support not only physical wellbeing but also healthy brain development in youth.”

By Joyce Danso

Accra, May 11, GNA – The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has donated GHC5,000, assorted food items, and toiletries to the Osu Children’s Home in Accra as part of activities marking this year’s Mother’s Day celebrations. 

The donation, spearheaded by the GBA Women’s Forum, was jointly presented by Mrs Shiela Minkah-Premo, President of the Forum, and Mrs Afua Ghartey, President of the Association. 

Mrs Ghartey noted that the gesture was part of the Association’s commitment to giving back to society, especially on a day as significant as Mother’s Day. 

“Mother’s Day is a special day for the Bar, and we celebrate it nationwide. All the regional Bar associations are undertaking similar donations to institutions across the country,” she said. 

 “It is important that as lawyers, we go beyond the courtrooms to engage with and support the vulnerable in our communities.” 

She emphasised the importance of inspiring the children, stating that: “Some of these children may one day become lawyers. We are here to bless them with what we have and celebrate the day with them.” 

Mrs Ghartey said the Association had been donating to institutions over the past four years and urged other institutions, particularly churches, to emulate the GBA’s initiative.“We have more than enough in our homes. Let us share with those who don’t have, so they too can progress in life,” she said. 

“Our churches should also come on board, so that these children will one day testify that someone’s visit inspired them to become who they are.” 

Madam Priscilla Asare, a Social Worker at the Home, received the items on behalf of the Manager and expressed gratitude to the GBA for the continued support. 

She noted that Mother’s Day was special to the children, as they were being nurtured and groomed by dedicated caregivers at the facility. 

The Osu Children’s Home is a government-run residential facility that caters for the welfare of orphaned and vulnerable children. 

GNA 

ABD 

Alhassan Suhuyini, Member of Parliament for Tamale North

The Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, has urged embattled Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo to consider resigning from her position, even if she is ultimately exonerated from ongoing processes aimed at her removal from office.

Speaking on Pan African TV on May 10, 2025, regarding the controversies surrounding the Chief Justice’s removal proceedings, the legislator asserted that her perceived biases towards the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have been exposed.

“Even after this process, if the CJ is exonerated, my advice to her is that she should resign,” Suhuyini stated.

“The conduct and the words of the NPP have compromised her. Her partisan integrity has completely been compromised because of the way the NPP have behaved in this matter,” he said.

The MP further contended that the NPP’s alleged politicisation of the issue, coupled with the Chief Justice’s apparent lack of discomfort with it, has led to a perception of bias among the public.

“They have been playing politics with it, and she seems not to be uncomfortable with that. So, it gives every average fair-minded Ghanaian that impression that she is one of them,” Suhuyini argued.

“While there is nothing wrong with being with the NPP, it also means that her bias has become quite apparent,” he added.

VPO

First Lady Lordina Dramani Mahama, has extended warm wishes and deep appreciation to Ghanaian mothers and women in a heartfelt message to mark this year’s Mother’s Day celebration.

In a statement, Mrs. Mahama praised the unwavering love, strength, and sacrifices of mothers across the country, describing them as “the pillars of our homes and the heartbeat of our nation.”

She spoke of the critical role mothers play in nurturing families, shaping communities, and laying the foundation for a compassionate society.

“Mothers nurture the future,” she said. “Our nurturing hands, wise counsel, and unconditional assistance foster strong families and communities.”

Recognising the challenges many mothers face daily, Mrs. Mahama expressed solidarity with women striving to build better lives for their families, and stressed the strong link between the well-being of homes and the broader progress and stability of the nation.

She also reiterated what she says is the shared vision she holds with her husband, President John Dramani Mahama, to create a Ghana where every family can thrive.

“He is also dedicated to positioning Ghana as a preferred destination for local and international investment and business, ultimately aimed at improving the living conditions for all Ghanaians and ensuring a brighter future for our children.”

Mrs. Mahama reaffirmed her commitment to empowering women and vulnerable groups through the Lordina Foundation, which she said continues to support skills training, advocate for women’s rights, and provide critical assistance to children and persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Healthcare, especially maternal and child health, remains a top priority for the First Lady, who emphasised ongoing efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure, with a focus on providing fully equipped maternity and children’s wards in hospitals nationwide.

“Ensuring that mothers receive the best possible care during pregnancy and childbirth, and that our children have access to quality health services, is a cause very close to my heart,” she said.

As Ghana joins the world to honour mothers, Mrs. Mahama said the sacrifices, strength, and love of mothers are seen, valued, and deeply appreciated by families, communities, and nation.

She wished all Ghanaian mothers a joyful and peaceful celebration.

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Professor Ransford Gyampo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), has called on the leadership of the Ghana Police Service to continue the implementation of the 2024 directive against harassment of drivers on the transit corridor.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) in 2024 issued directives to the Ghana Police Service to cease harassing transit drivers, particularly those transporting goods between Tema and other major cities, to stop unprofessional conduct, extortion, and other malpractices that had been reported along transit corridors.

Professor Gyampo, in a speech read on his behalf by Prince Henry Ankrah, the deputy CEO in charge of operations, during a workshop for transit truck drivers, commended the police for the directive.

He said the directive significantly reduced the police harassment of transit truck drivers and delays along the country’s transit corridor.

“The Authority hopes that the directive will continue to be enforced to positively impact the haulage of transit,” he said.

He added that in line with the implementation of its memoranda of understanding with the three Sahelian landlocked countries, the GSA has since 2018 undertaken quarterly fact-finding missions along the major transit corridors in the country.

These exercises, he said, had unearthed serious infractions of Ghana’s Road Traffic Regulations, harassment of truck drivers, malpractices at Axle Load Stations, extortion, and deplorable road conditions, among others.

He said the findings of such trips were shared with relevant agencies to address the challenges identified and revealed that the outcome of the latest fact-finding trip undertaken in March 2025 on the Tema Hamile corridor recorded the 67 police stops made up of 46 permanent barriers and 21 temporary barriers.

He added that seven customs checkpoints between Nsutem and Hamile were recorded, while eight Immigration checkpoints, and six Axle Load stations were seen.

According to him, the authority had collaborated with the police administration to conduct sensitisation seminars for police officers along the corridors, adding that the seminars had contributed to improving the interface between police personnel and haulage truck drivers along the corridor.

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The Passport Head Office at Ridge in Accra has been temporarily shut down following a reported attack by a group of aggrieved Zongo youth demanding the immediate release of their passports ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage.

The incident occurred on the night of Friday, May 9, when a group of young men reportedly stormed the premises, insisting their passports be issued without delay.

According to sources, the situation quickly escalated as attempts by officials to explain the ongoing processing procedures failed to calm the crowd.

“No explanation to the angry mob was satisfactory to them,” a source said.

As tensions heightened, the Director of Passports and a foreign consultant—brought in to expedite passport processing for Hajj pilgrims were forced to flee for their safety.

This development follows a recent initiative launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to introduce a 24-hour passport service, aimed at reducing processing time to 15 days and clearing existing backlogs.

The initiative also included a shift system, allowing staff to work around the clock, along with a new courier delivery option to enhance service efficiency.

However, at 1:54 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, operations at the Ridge office appeared to be at a standstill.

Only one plainclothes security officer was stationed at the gate, while two foreign nationals were seen exiting the building.

Sources say security on the night of the incident was inadequate, with just two police officers on duty, who were reportedly overwhelmed by the crowd.

“They were overwhelmed by the numbers. There were over 20 well-built men who came on motorbikes,” a witness revealed.

It remains unclear when passport services at the Ridge Head Office will resume, as an official police complaint had not been filed at the time of reporting.

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Ghana U20 forward Jerry Afriyie has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the national team as he prepares to fly back to Cairo on Sunday to rejoin the Black Satellites ahead of their crucial Africa U20 Cup of Nations quarter-final showdown against host nation Egypt.

Just 24 hours earlier, the in-form striker delivered a match-saving performance for his club CD Lugo in Spain’s Primera Federación, scoring a dramatic late equalizer and providing an assist in a 2-2 draw against Gimnàstic.

GHANAsoccernet.com can confirm that Afriyie will depart Spain on Sunday to link up with his Ghanaian teammates as they prepare for Monday’s all-important clash — a match that will determine whether Ghana can book a spot at the FIFA U20 World Cup for the first time in over a decade.

Afriyie had previously left Ghana’s camp following a mutual agreement between CD Lugo and the Ghana Football Association, allowing him to support his club during a difficult run in the Spanish lower division. His return proved pivotal as Lugo climbed to 15th on the league table with Saturday’s result.

The 18-year-old has become a vital asset for both club and country, earning praise for his consistency and impact. He was instrumental in Ghana’s progression to the knockout stages of the tournament, providing the decisive assist in the win over reigning champions Senegal.

Afriyie missed Ghana’s group stage finale against the Central African Republic due to his club commitment, but his imminent return is seen as a major boost for Desmond Offei’s side as they aim to return to the global stage.

Ghana face Egypt on Monday in a high-stakes quarter-final encounter, with World Cup qualification hanging in the balance — and Afriyie’s presence could prove decisive once again.

The first eight teams to have qualified for the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 in five of the events being contested at the World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25 have been confirmed following the opening day of competition.

A total of 14 teams in each of the women’s and men’s 4x100m and 4x400m plus the mixed 4x400m in Guangzhou this weekend (10-11 May) automatically qualify for places at the World Championships in Tokyo in September.

In the men’s 4x100m and men’s 4x400m, the top two teams in each of the four heats per event secured spots for their respective World Relays finals on Sunday, while also booking their tickets for Tokyo. In the women’s 4x100m, women’s 4x400m and mixed 4x400m, the first two teams in each of the three heats plus the two teams with the next fastest times all qualified.

Three federations – Great Britain & Northern Ireland, South Africa and USA – each qualified four teams for Tokyo.

The session started with the heats of the mixed 4x100m, making its global debut in Guangzhou, and was followed by the first World Championships qualifiers in the mixed 4x400m. USA lived up to their status as the favourites, winning their heat by more than a second to secure their place in Tokyo.

USA also led the first round in the women’s 4x400m, while South Africa topped the list in the men’s 4x400m. Spain surprised in the women’s 4x100m, running a national record, while South Africa and Japan ran the same world-leading time to win their men’s 4x100m heats.

In the finals on Sunday, teams will compete for prize money and preferential World Championships lane seeding positions. All other teams will race in the additional round to attempt to qualify for Tokyo.

Following the qualification of 14 teams per event in Guangzhou, the remaining two places for Tokyo in each will be awarded based on top lists during the qualification period (25 February 2024 to 24 August 2025).

Teams qualified for Tokyo and competing in the finals on Sunday

Women’s 4x100m
Belgium, Canada, Germany, Great Britain & NI, Jamaica, Netherlands, Spain, United States

Men’s 4x100m
Canada, Italy, Germany, Great Britain & NI, Japan, Poland, South Africa, United States

Women’s 4x400m
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, South Africa, Spain, United States

Men’s 4x400m
Belgium, Botswana, China, France, Great Britain & NI, Kenya, Portugal, South Africa

Mixed 4x400m
Australia, Belgium, Great Britain & NI, Ireland, Kenya, Poland, South Africa, United States

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