KENYA – Residents of Nyamira County were shocked on Monday morning after a 22-year-old Moi University student was found dead in a local lodging.
The third-year student had reportedly travelled from Eldoret to visit her boyfriend in Nyamira town over the weekend.
According to police, the boyfriend, who is from Kisii County, had booked a room for the two at a nearby guesthouse.
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo Markin, has criticized the government for launching major flagship programmes without first presenting the necessary documents to Parliament for scrutiny and oversight.
Speaking at the Leaders’ Press Briefing in Parliament today, Mr. Afenyo Markin expressed disappointment that although President John Dramani Mahama has publicly launched several key initiatives, Parliament remains in the dark about their operational details.
A joint security taskforce led by the Amansie West District Security Council in the Ashanti region has apprehended 21 Burkinabes involved in illegal mining within the area.
The suspects, aged between 17 and 38, were arrested at Esaase Bontefufuo in the Amansie West district on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
Speaking to Citi News, the District Chief Executive for Amansie West, Prince Morris Manu said the suspects have been handed over to Ghana Immigration Service and the police for further investigations.
The DCE vowed to crack down illegal miners in the area stressing that, the destruction caused by illegal miners should not continue.
Nigerian singer, Michael Olayinka, popularly known as Ruger, has expressed concern over the safety of Nigerians amid the escalating insecurity in the country.
Naija News reports that the ‘Asiwaju’ crooner, in a post via 𝕏, lamented that kidnapping has become a full-time business in some parts of the country.
The Attorney-General’s Department is set to charge the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company Limited (NAFCO), Hanan Abdul-Wahab, and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, with stealing, conspiracy to steal, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit, obtaining public property by false statements, and money laundering. The charges are expected to be filed on Friday, October 24, 2025.
The move follows months of detailed investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), which uncovered a large-scale financial fraud operation allegedly orchestrated by Mr Abdul-Wahab and his associates during his tenure between 2017 and 2024.
Codenamed “The Rumble in the Jungle,” the Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, October 22 stated, that the EOCO investigation revealed that more than GH¢78 million was unlawfully transferred from Buffer Stock’s accounts, into private and company accounts linked to Mr Abdul-Wahab, his wife, and senior staff of the company.
According to EOCO, while only GH¢27 million out of the total payments made to Sawtina Enterprise were supported by records of genuine food supplies, over GH¢50 million had no evidence of goods or services delivered. The funds, which were meant to pay suppliers under the government’s School Feeding Programme, were instead diverted through seven companies believed to have been used as vehicles for money laundering.
These entities include Alqarni Enterprise, Aludiba Enterprise, Energy Partners Ltd, Fa-Hausa Ventures, Fa-Hausa Company Ltd, Aludiba Foundation, and Sawtina Enterprise. EOCO stated that the couple used the proceeds of these illicit transactions to acquire an extensive portfolio of high-value real estate and luxury assets across the country.
Investigators also found that Mr Abdul-Wahab and his wife became some of the largest private depositors at Republic Bank during the period of the alleged offences. Several accomplices, including senior company officials, have been implicated in the ongoing investigation.
Five-bedroom house
Purchased from Chain Homes Limited between February 2019 and December 2020.
Cost: $1,625,000.
GHS 5,758,165 (equivalent to $230,841) paid directly from company accounts; the remainder paid in cash.
Three-bedroom house at Cantonments, Accra
Bought in July 2020 from Golden Coast Developer Ltd for $600,000.
Acquired through Fa-Hausa Ventures and Fa-Hausa Company Limited.
Registered in the name of the wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni.
Plots at Finali’s Airport Development Site
Acquired between October 2019 and February 2021 for $750,000 (cash payments).
Registered in the name of Faiza Seidu Wuni.
Construction contract signed in July 2021 with Mendanha and Sousa Construction Ltd for $691,650.
Architectural designs prepared by Ansara Architecture Pty Ltd (South Africa).
Current estimated value: $2.5 million.
0.32-acre government land
Purchased through Anthony Duke Essien, a known government land sales agent.
Initially acquired from the Ministry of Lands and the Lands Commission for GHS 307,200, then sold to Hanan Abdul-Wahab for GHS 2,567,000.
Proceeds traced to criminal funds from Buffer Stock through Sawtina Enterprise and Alqarni Enterprise.
Lease later changed to the wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni.
Four units of four-bedroom apartments developed on the land (property yet to be valued).
Seventeen-bedroom boutique hotel at Gumani, Tamale
Operated through Fa-Hausa Company Limited.
Franchise signed with Villa Monticello for $250,000 to conceal ownership.
Four-bedroom bungalow at Dzorwulu, Accra
Three-storey commercial building (Chicken Republic)
Five-bedroom mansion
Three-bedroom house
One-storey building
0.27-acre plot of land
0.29-acre plot of land
Fixed Deposit Account:
Belonging to Hanan Abdul-Wahab, containing GHS 10,000,000 with Republic Bank, Labone Branch, Accra.
Vehicles:
Several seized.
Luxury Handbags:
Over 61 confiscated.
Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has said that great nations are built through ideas from visionary leaders, not by how wealthy individuals are.
Dr Bawumia, who is on a nationwide tour to campaign ahead of the NPP’s presidential primaries, said one of the major issues confronting the youth is unemployment, and emphasised that only great ideas from leaders can create sustainable jobs.
“Ideas build nations, and ideas create jobs,” Dr Bawumia said in Dormaa on Wednesday, as he dismissed claims by some fellow aspirants that their personal wealth could create jobs.
To support his point that innovative ideas create sustainable employment, Dr Bawumia cited several policy initiatives he championed as Vice President — notably the mobile money interoperability system, which he said has generated thousands of long-term jobs.
“Ghana is the fastest-growing mobile money market in Africa. Before mobile money interoperability, there were only about 8 million mobile money subscribers in Ghana. Today, there are roughly 24 million subscribers, which has significantly boosted the mobile money industry and created many jobs,” Dr Bawumia said.
“Through just one of my ideas — mobile money interoperability — over 900,000 mobile money vendors have been registered, creating tens of thousands of sustainable jobs for the youth of our country.”
Indeed, according to the Bank of Ghana’s July 2025 Summary of Economic and Financial Data, the number of registered mobile money agents rose significantly to 923,000 in June 2025, with about 423,000 of them classified as active agents.
Before the introduction of mobile money interoperability, Ghana had only about 107,415 registered agents, as transactions could not be made across mobile networks or between mobile money platforms and bank accounts.
However, the rollout of interoperability — which enabled seamless transactions across all mobile networks and bank accounts — greatly expanded the industry, with agents now operating nationwide.
Emphasising these results as evidence that ideas, not personal wealth, create jobs, Dr Bawumia urged NPP delegates to support his bid, highlighting how his innovative record as Vice President had already transformed the economy and generated employment.
“Just one idea I proposed has created tens of thousands of jobs. This shows that building a nation and creating jobs is not about how much money you have in your pocket — it’s about your ideas. I have demonstrated through my service as Vice President that I have the ideas needed to transform this country if given the chance to serve as President.”
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.
Black Queens players during Monday’s session
THE BLACK Queens held their first training session in Ismailia, Egypt, on Monday evening as they stepped up preparations for their crucial 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against the Pharaohs of Egypt.
Eighteen players took part in the session, which was led by Head Coach Kim Lars Björkegren and his technical team.
The drills focused on light recovery routines, ball control, and tactical work designed to help the players adapt to the weather and pitch conditions in Ismailia.
Coach Björkegren expressed satisfaction with the players’ commitment and energy levels, describing their focus as “excellent” as the team fine-tunes its strategy for the upcoming encounter.
The remaining squad members are expected to arrive in camp to complete the team’s roster before the final training session ahead of the match on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Ismailia–Suez Canal Stadium.
BY Wletsu Ransford
Featured
Beatrice Laryea
1 minute read
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has released 25,000 bags of fertiliser for immediate distribution to all the 413 schools registered and participating in the Feed Ghana Programme.
This intervention is part of the Ministry’s effort to support the ongoing Minor Season crop production and ensure sustained agricultural productivity across the country.
The fertiliser support is to enhance crop yields and strengthen the contribution of school farms, particularly those operated by primary, junior and senior high schools, to national food and nutrition security.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku has directed the Feed Ghana Programme Coordinator in charge of Institutional Farming to ensure the immediate distribution of the fertiliser to all beneficiary schools.
A statement dated Tuesday [Oct 21] issued by MoFA said the Ministry was committed to providing the necessary agricultural inputs and technical assistance under the Feed Ghana Programme, which forms a key pillar of the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA).
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Popular Ghanaian dancer and choreographer Dominic Afful, popularly known as Allo Kofi, has reportedly passed away at a young age.
The young member of the famous Kumasi-based dance group, Allo Dancers, is reported to have died from an illness, according to his sister, singer Ama Sheezlyn, who announced the unfortunate news on TikTok on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
The actual date of Allo Kofi’s sudden demise is still unknown. The dancer’s elder sister mourned the demise of her young brother with an emotional message, which evoked sadness among the late dancer’s fans on social media.
In numerous videos, she poured out her heart and shared how the news had emotionally impacted her family, especially their mother, who was finding it difficult to deal with the death of her son.
The video announcing Allo Kofi’s sudden demise is below:
The videos of Allo Kofi’s sister mourning his demise are below:
Allo Kofi was a young dancer affiliated with the Allo dancers. He was also associated with Allo Maadjoa and Danny Gfc (formerly known as Allo Danny).
The group gained popularity among Ghanaians on social media with their entertaining dance videos after they burst onto the scene in the early 2020s.
Allo Kofi was also a former contestant of the Kumasi-based outdoor dance reality show, Kumasi Kiddie Dance. He also appeared on Trinity TV’s EBA Kids Star Talent show.
Allo Kofi’s sudden demise comes after Ghanaian folk music legend Prof Atamina passed away.
The circumstances surrounding the veteran musician’s demise are unknown, but the news emerged on social media on Monday, October 20, 2025.
According to some reports, the Upper East Region-based singer, who gained popularity in Ghana and on the international scene with the likes of King Ayisoba and Atongo Zimba, succumbed to an illness he had been battling for some time.
The news of Prof Atamina’s unfortunate demise has sent fans, who were avid listeners of his Frafra songs, into a state of mourning.
Before his demise, he was reportedly residing in Bongo in the Upper East Region, where he was based with his musical band.
The TikTok video announcing the demise of Prof Atamina is below:
Ghanaian TikToker and soldier, Francis Ahiable, also known as Mando, passed away. TikTok personality Asabea Goddina announced the tragic passing of the young soldier.
She stated that she spoke with him on October 19, only to be informed that he had passed away on October 20.
Friends and Ghana Armed Forces colleagues of Ahiable confirmed his death and mourned him in several social media posts.
The TikTok video mourning Francis Ahiable’s demise is below:
YEN.com.gh has gathered some comments from social media users below:
FleerakC commented:
“I watched this guy at Kiddie dance. He was a really good dancer herrhhhh😢.”
Reggie Reign backup said:
“Oh oh oh, Dominic, why so soon😭😭😭?”
TopSports wrote:
“The way I was obsessed with his dance moves back in the days no ong. All the moves lived rent-free in my head, but I can’t feel anything. RIP Allo Kofi😪.”
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that TikTok content creator Seguwah Official died in the hospital after being admitted for medical treatment.
The news of the famous social media personality’s demise was announced by some netizens during a TikTok live session.
Many Ghanaians took to social media to mourn Seguwah Official’s death and pay tribute.
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Prominent Ghanaian politician and businessman Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has courted attention after a video of his residence in his hometown surfaced on social media.
For decades, the NPP flagbearer hopeful has maintained his spot as one of the wealthiest individuals in Ghana, having established multiple companies, including radio stations, which have yielded significant returns for him and his family.
Aside from his businesses, the former Member of Parliament for the Assin North constituency also owns numerous houses and cars in various communities across the country.
On Monday, October 21, 2025, NPP activist and TikTok personality Kofi Awortwi, popularly known as Alexander Channel, visited Kennedy Agyapong’s house in his hometown, Assin Dompim, in the Assin North District of the Central Region.
In a video, he took a tour of the former MP’s house and showed off the multiple palace-like buildings in the compound.
Inside the house, there was a water fountain and many trees and flowers planted to beautify the compound and provide proper ventilation for its inhabitants.
Kennedy Agyapong’s residence also had a summer hut for the residents and visitors.
The video of Kennedy Agyapong’s residence at his hometown, Assin Dompin, is below:
Footage of Kennedy Agyapong’s house in his hometown comes after he encountered the tallest man in Ghana, Sulemana Abdul Samed, popularly known as Awauche, while on the campaign trail.
In a video, the NPP flagbearer hopeful showed his humble side when he shook hands with the man and was seen engaging in a conversation with him, after which he quickly took a seat.
Later, Sulemana had a request and went to Kennedy Agyapong once more to say something, to which the presidential aspirant nodded in agreement.
The video of Kennedy Agyapong interacting with Ghana’s tallest man, Sulemana Abdul Samed, during his campaign event is below:
Maame Gold unveiled her newly constructed five-bedroom mansion in Accra a few weeks after she bid farewell to her late father, Nana Adusei Sarkodie I, who was the Buruku Ahodwo Hene and former MP for the Atwima Nwabiagya constituency.
ZionFelix visited the businesswoman at her new home to give Ghanaians an exclusive sneak peek into the property.
The tour of Maame Gold’s new residence drew criticism from many Ghanaians who were unimpressed with the socialite’s public display of wealth.
Dr Kwaku Frimpong’s Mercedes-Benz SLS triggered many reactions from many Ghanaians on social media.
The Government of Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to scaling up infrastructure development through its flagship Big Push initiative, with a projected GH¢13.9 billion earmarked for public sector infrastructure projects in 2025.
This amount is expected to more than double in 2026, reflecting an aggressive push toward modernising critical sectors of the economy.
The announcement was made by Deputy Finance Minister, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, during the launch of the Ghana Infrastructure Plan (GIP) — a long-term national framework aimed at driving economic transformation through strategic infrastructure investments. The plan targets key sectors such as energy, transport, housing, finance, and commercial infrastructure.
“Infrastructure financing is a foremost priority of President Mahama’s government,” the Deputy Minister stated. “We are therefore focused on fostering a balanced mix of financing from both public and private sources.”
He explained that the GH¢13.9 billion allocation forms part of a broader $10 billion medium-term programme, with funds sourced from reallocated petroleum revenues and mineral royalties.
The government is also enhancing the capacity of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) to help bridge financing gaps, leverage equity, and attract funding from development finance institutions and private investors.
“This is assigned a normal CAPEX allocation to NGOs and there is every indication that we are under directives to ensure that we more than double the allocation for the Big Push in 2026,” Nyarko added.
Given the country’s ongoing fiscal constraints, the government is placing renewed emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPPs) to ensure infrastructure projects are viable and sustainable. To this end, the Ministry of Finance plans to roll out a reformed PPP framework that enhances bankability, transparency, and long-term fiscal sustainability.
“Private sector participation will certainly reposition us to address the significant but hidden or unplanned costs of operating and maintaining infrastructure in the post-construction phase,” Nyarko said.
Read also…
Buffer Stock scandal: Allegations by AG are false and damaging – Former CEO
Paddy Adenuga, son of billionaire businessman, Dr. Mike Adenuga, is engaged.
The 41-year-old entrepreneur announced his engagement with a photo shared on Instagram on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
The image shows the couple’s hands placed together on his knee, a diamond engagement ring flashing on his fiancé’s finger.
“My faith in God never waivered.. and in return He blessed me with YOU. My forever love,” he captioned the post.
The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has stated that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the Anti-LGBTQ Bill, has already been passed by Parliament and therefore does not need to be reintroduced.
He explained during a press briefing today that Parliament had completed its work on the bill, and the only step left is for the President to give his assent.
Ghanaian international Inaki Williams was forced off after just 38 minutes in Athletic Club’s 3-1 Champions League win over Qarabag FK at San Mames Stadium, raising fresh injury concerns for the forward.
Williams had recently returned from a layoff that saw him miss the October international break, including Ghana’s World Cup qualifiers against the Central African Republic and Comoros, where the Black Stars secured their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 31-year-old’s early exit came as Athletic struggled to contain Qarabag, who took the lead inside the opening minute following a defensive miscommunication. Despite this setback, Athletic dominated the first half, with Gorka Guruzeta equalising before the interval.
Williams’ departure forced Ernesto Valverde to adjust his attack, relying on substitutes Nico Williams and Robert Navarro, the latter of whom curled a stunning strike into the top corner in the second half. Guruzeta then completed the scoring with a brilliant volley from outside the box.
While Athletic celebrated their first points of the 2025/26 Champions League season, the focus will now be on Williams’ fitness ahead of the winter period, as Ghana’s star forward looks to regain full match rhythm for club and country.
Alexander Afenyo-Markin is the Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu
Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has accused the government of breaching parliamentary protocol by failing to submit critical documents on its flagship initiatives for legislative scrutiny and approval.
Addressing a press conference ahead of the third meeting of Parliament on October 22, 2025, Afenyo-Markin said several major government programmes including the 24-hour economy initiative and the Feed Ghana programme have yet to undergo any form of parliamentary oversight despite being scheduled for implementation.
“The 24-hour economy programme, the 1 million codes programme, the agro agri-food economic transformation programme, the programme to export labour as announced by the President, and the national apprenticeship programme, just to mention a few, have not seen parliamentary scrutiny,” he stated.
FLASHBACK: 24-hour economy will reduce youth unemployment – Mahama
The Minority Leader emphasised that the executive is constitutionally required to present such programme documents to Parliament before execution, since they depend on funds approved by the legislature.
He warned that the continued disregard for this process undermines transparency and accountability.
“We cannot say that there is oversight when the basic programme documents are not laid before Parliament. It is therefore imperative that the government shows commitment and avails these documents to Parliament for proper oversight to commence,” he stressed.
Afenyo-Markin also cited the April 2025 Feed Ghana initiative, which was expected to modernise agriculture and create jobs, and the September 2025 Big Push infrastructure plan a $10 billion project aimed at improving national connectivity as examples of unfulfilled promises. Despite their fanfare, he said, none of these initiatives has been accompanied by official documentation for parliamentary review.
He further criticised the government’s handling of the 24-hour economy initiative, saying expectations raised in the President’s State of the Nation Address were not reflected in the 2025 budget.
‘We are fully aligned with 24-Hour Economy policy’ – GIHOC Distilleries
“The finance minister, in presenting the 2025 budget, said nothing about the 24-hour economic programme. the Minority will continue to demand accountability and transparency from the executive,” he stressed.
MRA/VPO
US Embassy official allegedly pickpocketed at ShattaFest
By Yussif Ibrahim
Kumasi, Oct. 22, GNA – The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has issued a directive for the removal of all temporary structures, signages, and trading activities along the stretch from Santasi Roundabout to Ahodwo Roundabout.
The directive seeks to pave the way for the construction of a dual carriage road on that stretch linking the Asokwa Interchange.
In a public announcement issued by the Assembly and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the Assembly said all temporary structures, including wooden and metallic kiosks or shops situated around the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, must be removed within 21 days from the date of the announcement.
Similarly, all signages and billboards mounted along the Santasi–Ahodwo road corridor are to be taken down by November 30, 2025.
The KMA also reminded artisans, mechanics, squatters, taxi drivers, and other traders operating around the Santasi Roundabout Taxi Station towards the TUC area to vacate the location by October 30, 2025, in compliance with an earlier evacuation notice issued on September 24, 2025.
According to the Assembly, the directive formed part of preparatory measures for the commencement of the Government of Ghana’s dual carriage road project being undertaken in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
“The Assembly wishes to remind the public that these directives have become necessary following the Government of Ghana’s partnership with JICA for the construction of a dual carriage from Santasi Roundabout to Ahodwo Roundabout linking the Asokwa Interchange,” the statement emphasised.
The KMA appealed to all affected individuals and businesses to fully cooperate with the directives to ensure the smooth execution of the project, which is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and enhance urban mobility within the Kumasi metropolis.
It assured the public of continued engagement and support to minimise any inconvenience that may arise during the project implementation.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Linda Asante Agyei
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman for Dormaa West, Kwame Owusu, has expressed strong confidence that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is destined for victory in the next general elections, citing his calm disposition and unifying leadership style as clear signs of his readiness to lead.
Speaking during Dr. Bawumia’s visit to the Dormaa West constituency as part of his Bono Region tour, Mr. Owusu said the former Vice President’s approach to politics has restored hope and renewed energy within the party.
“If we are to be truthful, before Dr. Bawumia was elected as flagbearer ahead of the 2024 polls, the party was in disarray. I believe we would not have secured more than 20 percent of the votes had the elections been held at that time,” he said.
He commended Dr. Bawumia for his hard work and resilience, saying that despite limited time for campaigning, the NPP made significant progress under his leadership.
“Dr. Bawumia worked hard and helped the party make significant progress in the elections despite the limited time for campaigning,” Mr. Owusu noted.
He also lauded the party’s leadership for organising an early congress, which he believes will give Dr. Bawumia enough time to prepare for the next polls.
“We also want to thank the party’s leadership for organizing an early congress. This will give him enough time to prepare and campaign effectively,” he said.
According to him, Dr. Bawumia’s temperament and maturity in handling criticism demonstrate his commitment to unity and the greater good of the party.
“Everything indicates that Dr. Bawumia is poised to win. This is evident in his conduct throughout the campaign; he does not respond to insults because he understands the greater responsibility of uniting everyone after the elections,” Mr. Owusu added.
Dr. Bawumia’s tour of the Bono Region today will include stops in Dormaa Central and East Constituencies.
Read also
Ghanaians vote for vision, not wealth – Bawumia
Accra, Oct. 22, MAP/GNA-The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Paraguay, Raúl Luís Latorre has reaffirmed his country’s “firm” and “constant” support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Southern Provinces.
He praised the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative as a “just” and “credible” solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.
In a statement to the press following his meeting with the Speaker of Morocco’s House of Councillors, Mohamed Ould Errachid, on the sidelines of the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Paraguayan MP stressed that Paraguay considered the Sahara to be an integral part of Morocco, affirming that his country’s position on this issue is “clear and unequivocal.”
“We discussed the deep friendship that unites Paraguay and the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as our country’s firm stance in support of Morocco’s territorial integrity,” said Latorre, who was accompanied by a high-level parliamentary delegation during the meeting.
On this occasion, the Speaker of the Paraguayan Parliament presented Ould Errachid with a copy of the resolution unanimously adopted by the Paraguayan Chamber of Deputies, recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara and supporting the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative as the basis for resolving the dispute.
For his part, Ould Errachid commended Paraguay’s “clear, courageous, and consistent” position regarding the Moroccan Sahara, recalling the key milestones of this support, including the official withdrawal of recognition of the so-called “sadr” in January 2014, the strong endorsement of the Autonomy Initiative, and the recent announcement of the upcoming opening of a Paraguayan consulate in Morocco’s Southern Provinces.
Ould Errachid also highlighted the important role of the Paraguayan Parliament, which has adopted several resolutions in this regard, most recently in November 2024, emphasizing that the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative is serious, credible, and represents the only realistic solution to the artificial conflict over the Moroccan Sahara.
The meeting also resulted in an agreement to organize reciprocal parliamentary visits between the two legislative institutions to strengthen South-South cooperation, particularly within the framework of MERCOSUR (whose vice-president attended the talks) and the Morocco-Latin America Economic Forum.
The meeting was also attended by members of the Bureau of the House of Councillors: MiloudMasside (UMT), Mohammed Salem Benmassoud (UGTM), Mustapha Moucharik (RNI), and Abderrahman Oiffa (PAM), along with Secretary-General El Assad Zerouali, the Speaker’s Chief of Staff Mansour Lambarki, and the Director of External Relations and Communication Saad Ghazi.
GNA
Christian Akorlie
Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, has expressed significant worry over what he views as a drop in public trust in the Mahama administration, noting the government’s inability to deliver on major commitments and deteriorating economic conditions.
Speaking at a Leaders’ Media Briefing in Parliament on Wednesday, October 22, Mr. Afenyo-Markin indicated that recent survey data from Global InfoAnalytics revealed a significant reduction in popular trust in the country’s direction and government performance between July and September 2025.
By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, Oct 22, GNA- Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has sounded the alarm on the limited capacity of the current parliamentary chamber.
He warned that the structure’s integrity may be compromised if the number of Members of Parliament (MPs) keep increasing.
With the swearing-in of two new National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs, Mr Bernard Bediako Baidoo for Akwatia and Professor Alidu Seidu for Tamale Central, the House now has a full complement of 276 MPs.
“We are happy now to have the full complement of the House. We now have 276 MPs… Anytime the number increases, we have to create space for the member. So please, before this number increases, you must, as a country, as a Republic, start looking for a proper place,” Mr Bagbin urged.
“If not, the integrity of this structure is being undermined—a word to the wise is enough,” he cautioned.
The current parliamentary chamber has undergone recent renovations, including a €2.26 million project to upgrade the facility.
However, Mr Bagbin emphasized that those renovations may not be sufficient to accommodate the growing number of legislators.
The development comes as Parliament prepares to tackle key issues, including the presentation of the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.
The current political party representation of the House stands at Majority Caucus: 185 seats (with support from four independent MPs), while the Minority Caucus boasts 87 seats.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has clarified that the inclusion of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, also known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, on Tuesday’s order paper was an administrative mistake.
Speaking at the parliamentary leadership conference on Wednesday, October 22, Mr. Ayariga explained that the bill was advertised in error and had to be withdrawn from Wednesday’s agenda.
“On October 21, we observed that some bills were advertised, including the Property Rights of Spouses Bill and Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, at the conclave. We drew the attention of the Hon. Speaker to these two bills. The clerk was there, and he told me he thought the bills had gone through the process. The speaker said he didn’t recall approving these two bills to be advertised.
“We thought that the bills had already been passed and had been sent to the Presidency for assent, and we didn’t see the need to reconsider a bill that had already been passed. The speaker told the clerk to reconsider his action. I believe it is in that spirit that today [October 22], the table office didn’t advertise that bill.”
The bill, which seeks to criminalise same-sex relationships, LGBTQ+ advocacy, transgender healthcare, and support for LGBTQ+ groups, was reintroduced in 2025 after the previous version lapsed following the dissolution of Parliament in early 2024. That earlier version, though passed by the House, did not receive presidential assent.
In response, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin expressed concern that the Majority caucus appeared to be retreating from supporting the bill.
He noted that the Minority remains committed to seeing the legislation passed and would not yield to any delays or procedural setbacks.
The current version of the bill has already gone through its first reading, with its sponsors expressing optimism that it will be passed and signed into law during the ongoing legislative session.
…..
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Nollywood actress, Jinad Habibat has revealed why her colleague, Lateef Adedimeji, blocked her on social media for over four years.
The actress disclosed this in a video shared via her Instagram account.
Why Lateef Adedimeji Blocked Jinad Habibat
According to Habibat Jinad, Lateef Adedimeji blocked her on WhatsApp and Instagram after she reached out to him about featuring in one of her movie projects.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has emphasized that true political leadership is defined by vision and transformative ideas, not personal riches.
Speaking to party delegates in the Dormaa West constituency on Wednesday, October 22, as part of his campaign tour of the Bono Region, the former Vice President stated that Ghanaians choose leaders based on their ability to drive development and improve lives, not on how wealthy they are.
Dr. Bawumia, one of five aspirants vying to lead the NPP into the 2028 presidential election, stressed that the strength of a candidate’s ideas, rather than their material possessions, should determine their suitability for leadership.
“Ghanaians do not vote based on personal wealth but on the ideas a candidate offers. No one uses their own money to develop a country. You cannot ask people to look at your properties and vote for you,” he said.
“What truly matters are the ideas you present to the electorate, ideas that can transform lives and drive national development. It is not about money; it is about vision and ideas, and that is what I bring,” he added.
Dr. Bawumia urged delegates to elect a leader with clear, practical, and transformative solutions to move Ghana forward, rather than one who relies on wealth as a campaign message.
The Ministry of Health has signed a two-year Performance Contract Agreement with Ghana’s six teaching hospitals and the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), Legon.
The agreement outlines the responsibilities and expectations of the Ministry and its affiliated agencies, aiming to enhance accountability and align institutional efforts with the Ministry’s broader vision for the health sector.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, said the contract is designed to ensure that health policies translate into tangible results and that resources are efficiently utilised.
“The performance management system we are launching is not simply another bureaucratic instrument. It is a strategic reform designed to align the ministry’s vision with specific mandates of our agencies, ensuring that every institution pulls in the same direction and delivers measurable results for our purpose.
“At its heart, performance management is about discipline, focus and delivery. It assures us that the policies we make are translated into real results, that resources are not merely disbursed but effectively utilised, and that leadership at every level is exercised with integrity, foresight and accountability. This framework is not only about tracking performance; it is about building confidence,” he said.
The Health Minister disclosed that the agreement mandates each agency head to develop and implement a personal leadership development plan to strengthen overall institutional performance.
He explained that agency heads who achieve more than 95 per cent of their agreed deliverables will be recognised as outstanding performers, while those who score below 65 per cent will be subject to remedial measures in accordance with sector regulations.
“The performance agreements we are signing today have been carefully designed to reflect both national priorities and institutional realities.
“Each agreement comprises two key components: Schedule 1, which contains deliverables prescribed by the ministry aligned with our national health goals; and Schedule 2, which captures the agency’s own priorities shaped by its mandate and operational context. Together, these schedules ensure both coherence and flexibility — a system that holds us accountable while giving each agency room to innovate and lead.
“In addition, every agency head will implement a personal capacity development plan because leadership growth is central to institutional performance. When our leaders grow, our institutions thrive, and our performance system becomes credible and fair — fair in rewarding excellence and addressing underperformance. Agency heads who meet or exceed 95% of their agreed deliverables will be recognised as outstanding performers,” he added.
Members of Parliament resume sitting today, Wednesday, October 22, 2025, for the continuation of the Third Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament.
On Tuesday October 21, 2025, a heated exchange erupted between Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin over the growing galamsey menace, setting the stage for what promises to be a charged parliamentary session.
Watch the livestream below:
Stuart McLaren
FIFA TALENT Coach Stuart McLaren has praised the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for introducing the Elite Youth Regional Championship, describing it as a crucial initiative for the development of women’s football in Ghana.
McLaren commended the high level of talent and enthusiasm displayed throughout the competition, noting that the tournament provides an ideal platform for identifying and nurturing young female footballers.
“I’m hugely impressed. The talent on show has been absolutely fantastic,” he said. “Equally important is seeing so many young girls playing with smiles on their faces, showing real competitive spirit, and supporting their teammates. The celebrations from all the teams showed just how much the girls enjoyed the experience.”
The FIFA Talent Coach emphasised the importance of such initiatives in discovering and developing players across all positions.
“I’ve seen very competent goalkeepers, composed defenders, intelligent midfielders, and creative forwards with good finishing,” McLaren noted. “There is strength in every area of the pitch, but we must keep striving to improve in all aspects.”
He also highlighted the value of passion, character, and teamwork in young players, stressing that these traits are as vital as technical ability.
“When identifying talent, we look for players with energy, passion, and resilience — those who can respond to challenges and support their teammates,” he explained.
McLaren urged stakeholders to continue providing opportunities for young girls to play and compete in top-level environments.
“We must keep creating platforms like this, where the best face the best. It challenges and improves the players,” he said. “The future of Ghana women’s football is incredibly bright, and everyone involved has a responsibility to nurture it.”
The Elite Youth Regional Championships, launched by the GFA last year, aim to scout and develop young female talents to strengthen the national teams and ensure a sustainable pipeline of skilled players for the future.
BY Wletsu Ransford
A migrant has returned to the UK on a small boat after being removed to France under the “one in, one out” scheme less than a month ago, BBC News understands.
The Guardian newspaper reported that the man claimed to have been been a victim of modern slavery at the hands of smuggling gangs in France.
The Home Office declined to directly confirm the report but said a migrant had been detained and their removal was being sought as soon as possible.
Forty two people who arrived in the UK illegally have been removed so far under the scheme in which the UK agrees to take in asylum seekers who have a case for protection.
The BBC understands the man is an Iranian national, and was initially detained on 6 August and was removed on 19 September, becoming the third person to be sent to France under the scheme. He returned four days ago on 18 October.
The male migrant – who the Guardian has not named – told the newspaper he returned to the UK because he feared for his life in France.
Speaking about his alleged treatments at the hands of smugglers, he said: “They took me like a worthless object, forced me to work, abused me, and threatened me with a gun and told me I would be killed if I made the slightest protest.”
Asked about the report, a Home Office spokesperson said: “We will not accept any abuse of our borders, and we will do everything in our power to remove those without the legal right to be here.
“Individuals who are returned under the pilot and subsequently attempt to re-enter the UK illegally will removed.”
Maddie Harris, director of Humans for Rights Network, told BBC News her organisation has been in direct contact with the Iranian man.
She said: “From very on early [after his removal] he was experiencing acute fear… as a result of the experience he had at the hands of the smugglers.
“While in France he experienced horrendous treatment at the hands of the people who are organising journeys to the UK.”
She said the man returned because he felt he “was not receiving protection in France and feared those individuals may continue with that horrendous treatment”.
She also said her organisation had seen cases of others returned under the scheme who have had “compelling” evidence of mistreatment, and who were not able to receive “adequate legal advice” during the “rushed” removal process.
Asked about the “one in, one out” scheme on Wednesday, a Downing Street spokesperson said: “We’ve been clear about the arrangement with France, that this is the beginning of a landmark scheme which is not in itself a silver bullet”.
The scheme, which was announced in July, is intended to deter people from crossing the Channel and encourage migrants to make asylum claims on the continent. Twenty three people have returned to France.
Under the treaty, France agreed to take back migrants who had travelled to the UK by small boat and had their asylum claim rejected.
For each person returned to France, the UK has agreed to accept someone with a case for protection as a refugee who has not attempted to cross the Channel.
On Sunday, the Home Office said 16 people had been removed to France on a single flight, the largest group removal under the scheme yet.
The Iranian man’s return to the UK came as small boat arrivals on Wednesday meant that the number of attempts to cross the Channel this year have now exceeded the 36,816 recorded in 2024.
An official figure won’t be confirmed until Thursday.
The record number of arrivals for a single year was 45,755 in 2022, and this year’s rate is closely tracking that.
Home Office figures show that there were no crossings on six out of the last seven days but that 369 made the journey on 18 October.
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.
President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his determination to tackle the stark geographic imbalance in Ghana’s development.
Speaking at the launch of the Ghana Infrastructure Plan (GIP) on Wednesday, October 22, under the auspices of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), the President outlined plans to offer targeted incentives to foreign investors who establish businesses in the northern regions. The move, he explained, is aimed at stimulating economic growth and narrowing the development gap between the North and the South.
The President noted that while Accra remains the most urbanised region, northern areas continue to trail in development, a situation that has contributed to growing migration to the capital.
“We must stop that geographical imbalance because every child finishing senior high school in the North, after a certain point in time, has no economic opportunity, no employment opportunities, and everybody is headed towards Accra. And that’s what he said. It just shows graphically what the imbalance is: every industry is in Accra, and all foreign direct investment is coming into Accra. Incentives that have been given to rebalance development have not been very effective. And we must find a way of making them more effective.
“And that’s where we are suggesting an Agro-Industrial Park in the Northern part of the country, where we redirect some of the foreign investors who want to invest and give them the necessary incentives, instead of settling in Accra, to move up to the North to create jobs so that the young people can have opportunities there and not drift down to the South,” he said.
Malia and Sasha Obama were the perfect wedding guests. The daughters of Barack and Michelle Obama attended Stella del Carmen Banderas’ wedding in Valladolid, Spain, as told exclusively in our sister publication HOLA!. Stella, 29, is the daughter of actors Melanie Griffith, 68, and Antonio Banderas, 65. The entrepreneur married Alex Gruszynski, 28, an American entrepreneur and the bride’s childhood friend. While neither Malia, 27, or Sasha, 24, shared photos from the big day, the sisters celebrated their friend among an exciting guest list.
Both of the Obama sisters live in Los Angeles where their tight knit group of friends in the arts and culture industries includes Stella. The exclusive wedding was held at the majestic Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine, a 12th-century monastery turned luxury hotel and winery in the small town of Sardón del Duero, Valladolid. Guests were not allowed to use their phones during the event and even staff were required to sign confidentiality agreements to keep the wedding festivities private.
About the big day, Stella’s proud dad, Antonio, told HOLA!: “My greatest wish, and her mother’s as well, is for this day to be perfect, making sure every detail is ready so our guests can fully enjoy such a special day.” And the day was special indeed. Joining Malia and Sasha at the wedding was Trudie Styler, wife of musician Sting, and Dakota Johnson, Stella’s half-sister.
Stella’s wedding was a moment for her family and friends to come together and celebrate these bonds. Antonio shared a video with clips of him and his daughter over the years to his 4.1 million Instagram followers, writing: “The wedding of my daughter Stella has turned into a heartfelt family reunion, emotional, joyful, and full of laughter. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.”
While Malia and Sasha watched their friend get married, they themselves are very private with their love lives. Malia previously dated Rory Farquharson, and was seen with Dawit Eklund, rapper Aminé, and photographer Achilleas Ambatzidis. Meanwhile, Sasha was romantically linked to director Clifton Powell Jr. in the past. Their mom Michelle previously revealed in interviews that her daughters “have boyfriends and real lives.”
In August 2024, Stella announced that she was engaged to Alex, the CEO and co-founder of the tech company Nova. She shared the news, along with a series of photos of her ring and of them as a couple over the years, to her 237k Instagram followers. Stella even posted photos of them as preschoolers at the Wagon Wheel School in Malibu! She captioned the post: “I get to hang out with my favorite person on earth forever!!!!!!!!”
While Stella’s parents Melanie and Antonio split up nearly a decade ago, they remain close and committed co-parents to their daughter. They frequently show their love and support for each other on social media, which often extends to Dakota as well. Stella and her mom are super close – Melanie even has a tattoo of her daughter’s name.
During a joint conversation with Vogue, the lifestyle entrepreneur explained her bond with her mom: “She’s taught me the importance of creating a safe space for myself in order to find balance and feel grounded. I think it’s through this authenticity that it becomes easier for creativity to be experienced.”
Abdul-Wahab Hanan Aludiba, a former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company, has refuted claims levelled against him by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine.
Dr Dominic Ayine has revealed that the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company, Abdul-Wahab Hannan, laundered and transferred over GHS40million.
Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to avoid repeating past mistakes that cost the nation top talents such as Danny Welbeck and Gerald Asamoah.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Vanderpuye criticised the growing resistance toward inviting dual nationals who did not feature in Ghana’s World Cup qualifiers, arguing that such attitudes weaken the Black Stars.
He cited the examples of Welbeck and Asamoah as evidence of Ghana’s poor handling of dual-eligible players in the past.
“We are making a mistake,” he said. “We had the same opportunity when we had Gerald Asamoah, and he went and played for Germany. We had the same opportunity with Daniel Welbeck⦠England fielded him against us and we lost him.”
Asamoah said in an interview that his decision to represent Germany followed what he described as a âshockingly negative’ reception during a Ghana camp, where he was not fielded in a friendly â an incident the player viewed as disrespectful.
Vanderpuye further argued that Chelsea’s Joshua Kofi Acheampong represents another major opportunity Ghana cannot afford to waste.
“Today, there is this boy playing for Chelsea, [Josh] Acheampong. To me, he is better than all our defenders. Bring him, he is a Ghanaian,” he added.
He urged the GFA to be proactive and inclusive in its approach to dual nationals, saying Ghana’s future success depends on embracing every player willing to represent the country.
As part of efforts to drive financial inclusion and promote a safer digital economy, MobileMoney LTD (MML), a subsidiary of MTN Ghana, has engaged the media, reaffirming its commitment to digital adoption, fraud prevention, and partnerships across the financial sector.
The Media Roundtable forms part of MML’s broader stakeholder engagement strategy aimed at fostering openness, strengthening trust, and deepening collaboration with the media.
It provided an opportunity to share insights into MobileMoney Limited’s strategic direction, industry trends, security measures, and its role in driving financial inclusion and innovation in Ghana, while also serving as a platform to promote greater collaboration within the fintech ecosystem.
Mr. Shaibu Haruna, Chief Executive Officer of MobileMoney LTD, speaking at the engagement, emphasized the importance of fostering stronger partnerships with the media to promote understanding of the evolving digital financial ecosystem.
He noted that MobileMoney LTD plays a vital role within Ghana’s financial landscape and contributes significantly to economic inclusion and digital transformation.
“For me, it’s a good opportunity for us to dialogue with you and share our perspective of the business that we run,” he said, adding that the session offers insights into how the company operates and its role within Ghana’s economy and financial landscape.
“We also want to articulate our mission and commitment to Ghana and by extension, Africa as we continue to advance financial inclusion,” he stated. “In a number of global financial inclusion indices, Ghana has made remarkable progress, even surpassing Kenya in some areas.” According to him, the forum was meant to strengthen collaboration and transparency.
“This meeting marks the beginning of a partnership that we want to form with the media on how we deal with the issues that confront our industry,” he added. “The media has a significant role to play in the evolution of the financial technology industry, helping us navigate some of the complexities around the sector.”
Mr. Haruna emphasized that the fintech space is fast-growing and dynamic, hence the need for open dialogue and collaboration with journalists.
“As leaders in the market, we also want to partner with you to ensure that we proceed on this journey together,” he said.
He also delivered a detailed presentation outlining MobileMoney LTD’s operational framework, its contribution to Ghana’s economy, and key initiatives aimed at enhancing customer experience and digital security. The presentation also showcased the company’s mission, growth strategy, and future plans for expanding its footprint across the continent.
Protecting Customers and Building Trust
Mr. Godwin Tamakloe, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer of MobileMoney LTD, also addressed the session, providing insights into the company’s robust security framework and ongoing efforts to combat mobile fraud.
He explained that financial crimes are a challenge across the global financial industry and come in different forms including cyber fraud, process vulnerabilities, and behavioural risks.
“We look at what we call the fraud triangle, which highlights vulnerabilities in financial services. These could arise from technology breaches, internal process lapses, or customer behavior,” he said.
Mr. Tamakloe revealed that MobileMoney LTD continues to invest heavily in securing its platforms, which handle over GH¢18 billion worth of electronic transactions daily.
“If anyone were to hack into our system and take away funds, it could destabilize parts of the financial sector,” he explained. “That’s why we’re constantly upgrading our systems and channels to safeguard customers’ funds and data.”
He discussed the company’s transition from USSD to app-based services, emphasizing the need for customer education to reduce vulnerabilities.
“Many people have smartphones but mainly use them for calls or WhatsApp. They’re not familiar with how apps function, which fraudsters exploit. That’s why we invest millions of cedis annually in public education to make customers our first line of defense.”
On new security measures, Mr. Tamakloe highlighted initiatives such as device binding, biometric authentication, and secondary OTP verification to provide additional layers of protection.
He also disclosed ongoing collaborations with law enforcement agencies, including the Ghana Police Service’s Cyber Crime Unit and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), to investigate and prosecute fraud-related offenses.
“As we speak, there have been several arrests and ongoing investigations. We’re committed to working with the authorities to ensure perpetrators face justice,” he said. He emphasized that fighting fraud requires collective action across the industry.
“Fraud affects everyone the banks, telcos, and customers. That’s why we’re now working more collaboratively, not in silos, to strengthen the entire financial ecosystem,” he noted.
Collaboration for Growth
Sylvia Otuo-Acheampong, Chief Products and Services Officer at MobileMoney LTD, elaborated on the company’s collaborative approach to business within the digital ecosystem.
She explained that MobileMoney LTD’s success lies in leveraging partnerships that maximize efficiency and value creation.
“I would simply say we are collaborating to compete,” she said. “When you have common interests and serve the same customer, it’s not always about direct competition. We look for common ground where we each bring our strengths to benefit the customer.” She added that banks and fintech companies increasingly collaborate to create shared solutions.
“Each organization has unique strengths. We can’t all make the same investments for the same customer. So, we work together the banks provide services, and we provide the network. We co-create and share the product,” she explained.
Mrs. Otuo-Acheampong stressed that such partnerships help reduce costs, promote innovation, and deliver improved services to customers.
“There may be areas that look competitive on the surface, but they are actually built on collaboration. Competition brings out the best in us and collaboration ensures we reach more people faster,” she concluded.
Engaging the Media and the Public
Adwoa Wiafe, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, expressed appreciation to the media fraternity and underscored the significance of MobileMoney LTD’s independent operations.
She explained that while the media is familiar with MTN Ghana’s stakeholder engagements, this session was designed to spotlight MobileMoney LTD (MML) as a distinct entity driving Ghana’s mobile financial services.
“For a long time, the media has engaged MTN, but this is a new phase,” she said. “Many people didn’t know that the mobile money business is run by a separate entity MML. It’s important that we create awareness about how this business operates.”
Mrs. Wiafe noted that MobileMoney LTD plays a critical role in addressing the majority of public concerns related to digital finance, hence the need for direct engagement.
“About 75% of the issues that arise during our community and media engagements relate to MoMo. That’s why it’s essential that you hear directly from MML,” she said.
She affirmed that going forward, MobileMoney LTD will continue to engage the media regularly to share updates, address challenges, and communicate progress.
“This session marks the beginning of more direct engagements with MML. You will hear from them more often not only about challenges but also the solutions being implemented,” she added.
Mrs. Wiafe expressed appreciation to the media for their participation and reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to supporting MobileMoney LTD in its mission to promote financial inclusion, transparency, and responsible digital innovation.
Strengthening Industry Partnerships
The Media Roundtable formed part of MobileMoney LTD’s broader stakeholder engagement strategy aimed at promoting openness, strengthening trust, and building stronger ties with the media.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with journalists to enhance public understanding of digital finance, improve information accuracy, and support Ghana’s journey toward a fully cashless economy.
The awards will honour individuals, brands, and institutions shaping Ghana’s future
Ghana’s biggest online news portal, GhanaWeb, is officially launching its widely anticipated annual awards scheme, the GhanaWeb Excellence Awards, today, Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
The awards will honour individuals, brands, and institutions shaping Ghana’s future through their efforts in innovation, leadership, creativity, and impact.
Join the team at GhanaWeb as we announce the juicy details, including how to nominate, categories, official date, and the honourees at the 2025 GhanaWeb Excellence Awards.
Watch the livestream of the launch below:
Spot gold hit as low as $4,090.97 per ounce
Gold prices fell by the most in over a decade on Tuesday, October 21, 20225, as investors booked profits.
This follow weeks of steady gains marking the biggest single-day sell-off in over a decade.
Spot gold hit as low as $4,090.97 per ounce, a near $300 fall from the all-time high of $4,380.89 set just a day ago.
US gold futures saw a 5.4% decline in New York, trading at around $4,100 per ounce.
Silver and platinum prices also followed the trend, sliding 6.7% and 7.2% respectively, the gold rate today stood at $4,052.29 per ounce.
Gold price hits new record high of $4,225
Gold investors may have to stay patient given how high the metal has flown without taking much of a breather.
Despite Tuesday’s sharp decline, gold remains one of the best-performing commodities of 2025, rising by two-quarters year to date.
SP/SA
Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:
The missionary was seized three unidentified men as he headed to the airport on Tuesday night
An American missionary was kidnapped in Niger’s capital Niamey, three security sources said on Wednesday.
The missionary, who is a pilot for the evangelical missionary agency Serving in Mission, was seized by three unidentified men as he headed to the airport Tuesday night in Niger’s Plateau neighbourhood, a diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters.
The kidnappers then headed toward the western Tillaberi region of Niger where Islamist militants linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda are active, the diplomat added.
Two other sources for the abduction had no details.
The U.S. State Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Kidnappings appear to have intensified this year in areas of West Africa where militants operate, with an Austrian woman abducted in January and a Swiss citizen in April, both in Niger.
In addition, five Indian citizens working for a company providing services to Niger’s Kandadji dam project were kidnapped during an attack by armed men in April that also killed a dozen soldiers.
2025 Ghana’s most beautiful winner, Isabella Etornam Gagblezu, has reacted to rumours on social media suggesting that she is married.
Etornam, who represented the Volta Region, won the crown at the grand finale of the (GMB 2025) held Saturday, October 19, 2025. She came ahead of Upper East’s Asakia, the Ashanti Region’s Sika, Bono East’s Nana, and Greater Accra’s Adjorkor, who finished second, third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.
As the 2025 GMB winner, Entornam took home an impressive prize package including a cash prize of GH₵20,000, a brand new car, a one-year fabric supply from GTP, and souvenirs from all the sponsors of this year’s edition.
Watch the video of Etornam’s car below:
Ahead of the final at the National Theatre in Accra, Etornam denied rumours that she was married.
The rumours were started after a video of her dressed like a bride resurfaced online. In the video originally shared on TikTok by Etornam in August 2022, the Mafi Dove native wore a white ‘wedding’ gown and held a bouquet.
Looking excited, Etornam danced to Nigerian singer Kizz Daniel’s song, Odo (Cough), which was playing in the background.
The video triggered questions from some of her admirers about whether she had tied the knot. Reacting to the questions hours before she was crowned as the 2025 GMB queen, she indicated that she was not married. She used the opportunity to encourage her supporters to vote for her.
“I have been seeing a lot of comments and questions on this video, if this is a real wedding, please I’m not married o, it’s not a real wedding🤗 but all roads are leading to the venue this evening, I can’t wait to see you all there🤗,” she said.
Watch the video below:
See Etornam’s crowning moment below:
The video and Etornam’s disclaimer were unable to convince some people about her marital status. Many asked for clarification. Below are some of the comments.
PRINCESSES said:
“Please, are you really married?”
hailsthefashionicon said:
“Oh my queen was waiting for you oo.”
@Mayish_David said:
“Ah, is she married?”
Meanwhile, it has emerged that the 2025 Ghana’s Most Beautiful winner participated in another TV3 reality show, Date Rush, in 2022.
Etornam, known as Isabella on the show, did not find a partner. However, she gained attention for her bold outfit choices and dance moves.
During one of the episodes, she shared that she left her partner, Emmanuel, for Nicky, explaining that the former was immature and his demeanour was a red flag for her.
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Afrobeats singer Wendy Shay had delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 GMB final.
However, her performance was nearly overshadowed by a mishap that caused her to fall on her knees on stage.
A video of the unfortunate has emerged online, sparking varying opinions from social media users.
The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU)-Ghana says Prudential Bank Ghana Limited has suspended its earlier decision to grant selective salary increases to about 55 employees following a sit-down protest at the bank’s head office.
The protest, which drew participation from staff from several branches, was triggered by what workers described as unfair treatment and discrimination in the implementation of salary adjustments.
After several hours of a closed-door meeting with management, the General Secretary of the ICU, Morgan Ayawine, announced that the bank had agreed to halt the exercise while further discussions continue on broader salary concerns.
“Management has graciously agreed to suspend the process,” Ayawine told the aggrieved workers after the meeting. “Although some 55 staff have already received the increases, we’ve proposed solutions to address that. Our demand is that the bank take steps to reverse the discriminatory pay adjustments.”
He questioned the rationale behind the selective pay policy, adding, “It is not good to discriminate among ourselves. What do you even mean by critical staff?”
Mr. Ayawine emphasised that while the selective increment has been halted, the union will push for the full implementation of the 15 percent general salary increase that was agreed upon with management at the beginning of 2025.
“The 15 percent is a bigger issue,” he stressed. “We must establish a well-structured standing negotiation committee with management to address all outstanding matters.”
The ICU says it remains committed to ensuring fairness, transparency, and industrial harmony within the banking sector.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has said there is no need for Parliament to reconsider the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021.
According to him, the anti-gay bill had been passed by Parliament already, awaiting a presidential assent.
“So that is where it should be taken up, and I do not see why anybody should bring us a bill that we have passed already,” he said.
Speaker unaware
Speaking leaders’ media briefing, Mr Ayariga said MPs must rather take the steps to push for the bill to be given presidential assent.
He told the House when he asked the Speaker why a bill passed by the House was contained in the Order Paper, Mr Bagbin expressed surprised himself finding it on the Order Paper.
Parliament has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021.
The bill will impose three years’ minimum jail term and five years’ maximum incarceration on those who engage in and promote homosexual activities in the country.
If assented to by the President, the bill, which enjoyed overwhelming support of members of the House, will criminalise and prohibit pro-gay advocacy, as well as those who fund the activities of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual, among other such people.
Who brought the bill?
The MP for Bawku said he saw the bill advertised on the Order Paper and enquired who had brought it back to the House.
He said the sponsors of the bill had not been able to convince him that there was the need to relay a bill that the House had passed already.
“So in all sincerity, and I would like to be very, very frank and open,” he said.
Following the Speaker surprise to have find the bill once re-advertised in the Order Paper, the Speaker invited the Clerk-to-Parliament in his presence.
“He asked the Clerk how did this bill find its way advertised on the Order Paper because he too did not know how it got on the Order Paper.
Saying that he would like to be transparent, Mr Ayariga expressed the wish that the Clerk was available to testify his invitation by the Speaker.
Property Right of Spouses Bill
Questioning the rationale behind the decision of the bill sponsors to invite the House to reconsider it again, the Leader of Government Business recalled that he and the Speaker agreed that bill that should attract the House’s attention was a private member’s bill, Property Right of Spouses Bill, sponsored by the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei.
“So yesterday, Speaker and I agreed that as for that one, we can work on it because it is new.
“Even though we know government also has plans introduce the same bill, the government has not brought theirs first and a private member has brought hers first and so we will consider that one,” he said.
Pass the bill
But reacting to the Majority Leader’s position, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin recalled the entrenched position the Majority Caucus took when the bill was introduced in the House.
He said the Majority, then the Minority, were clear in their ambush in pushing the House to pass the bill.
“Now, the chickens have come home to roost and they have come home. Only yesterday when we were raising this issue, Mr Speaker, you were saying that the bill must pass.
“Now you are in government and in the hot seat and when the IMF, the World Bank, the Inter-Parliamentary Union are threatening, you are now running away saying procedure,” he said.
Saying that there was nothing administratively in error about the bill, Mr Afenyo-Markin said “You forced LGBT on the throat of the Akufo-Addo government but today you do not want LGBT”.
Accusing the NDC of using the LGBTQ+ bill as a propaganda tool to win election, he said the current government was running away when the international community was “warning you and you want to run away”.
“I was there and I pleaded with you to manage the situation but you force this bill on us,” he said.
Spain won the last Women’s World Cup
Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica have joined forces with the United States in a joint bid to host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup — a move that would make the tournament the first-ever to be staged across four countries.
The expanded 48-team competition would mark a new era for women’s football, with the North American and Caribbean nations pledging to deliver the “biggest and most impactful Women’s World Cup in history.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed in April that the United States had submitted the sole bid to host the 2031 edition, with “potentially some other Concacaf members” expected to join — a scenario now officially realized.
US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone said the joint bid represents a historic opportunity to elevate the women’s game globally. “Together, we have an extraordinary opportunity to host the biggest and most impactful Women’s World Cup in history, one that will inspire a new generation of fans and help grow the women’s game across our entire region and around the world,” she said.
“We’re excited to drive lasting progress for women’s soccer by creating a legacy that reaches far beyond 2031 and sets a new global standard for the sport.”
Concacaf president and FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani also threw his full support behind the collaboration, describing it as a reflection of the confederation’s unity and commitment to women’s football.
“Concacaf fully supports this four-nation bid, which embodies our One Concacaf philosophy,” he stated. “Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2031 will build on the momentum we’ve created, inspiring future generations of players and fans across North America, Central America and the Caribbean.”
The joint bid follows the successful co-hosting model of the 2026 Men’s World Cup by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA has already confirmed that Brazil will host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, while the United Kingdom is currently the sole “valid” bidder for the 2035 edition. The hosts for both the 2031 and 2035 tournaments are expected to be officially announced at next April’s FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada.
Nigerian social commentator Dr. Ezike has taken a swipe at controversial activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) following his recent fallout with his Chinese friend/associate, China Ross.
The drama began after VDM, known for his outspoken criticism of celebrities and influencers, publicly warned Nigerians against doing business with China Ross, hinting at a breach of trust between them.
By: Savannah Pokuaah Duah
In a dramatic and emotional turn of events, the Chief of Kade in the Eastern Region, Osabarima Agyare Tenadu II, known in private life as William Kwame Apaw, has announced his abdication from the stool after 21 years of leadership.
The announcement, made just moments before he formally handed over his written statement, threw the palace grounds into emotional turmoil.
The Member of Parliament for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of attempting to frustrate the reintroduction of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ Bill.
Speaking to the media in Parliament, Ntim Fordjour, who is one of the proponents of the bill, expressed disappointment in what he described as the NDC’s attempt to “run away” from the legislation.
He said it was surprising to hear the Majority Leader claim that the Speaker of Parliament was unaware of the bill’s current status.
“We’re disappointed in the NDC for attempting to run away from the Bill. It’s surprising to hear the Majority Leader claim the Speaker is unaware of it. that simply cannot be true,” he said.
The Assin South MP explained that the bill had gone through all the necessary parliamentary processes before the recent confusion.
He said the Speaker of Parliament had approved the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2025 after it was reviewed by the Legislative Drafting Department and the Attorney General’s office.
The bill, he noted, was also referred to the Committee on Private Members’ Bills, chaired by the First Deputy Speaker, who made recommendations that were accepted by the Speaker.
Ntim Fordjour added that Parliament had submitted the bill for gazetting before going on recess.
He said it was duly advertised on Monday, October 21, 2025, for its first reading and referral to the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee.
However, he alleged that members of the NDC had secretly removed the bill from Parliament’s order paper despite its proper advertisement.
According to him, the removal suggested a deliberate attempt by the government to avoid passing the bill, which he said reflected the views of the overwhelming majority of Ghanaians.
He cited an Afrobarometer survey indicating that 93 percent of Ghanaians considered LGBTQ-related practices contrary to Ghanaian culture and values.
He called on Parliament to restore the bill to the order paper and ensure its immediate passage.
“We will not allow the NDC government to run away from the bill. It’s a bill that is important to all Ghanaians. We are demanding that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill be passed now,” he stated.
Ntim Fordjour maintained that all due procedures had been followed and insisted that both the Speaker, the Clerk, and the First Deputy Speaker were aware of every step taken.
He urged Parliament to act swiftly to reintroduce the bill and uphold what he described as Ghana’s traditional and moral values.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Members of Parliament resume sitting today, Wednesday, October 22, 2025, for the continuation of the Third Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament.
On Tuesday October 21, 2025, a heated exchange erupted between Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin over the growing galamsey menace, setting the stage for what promises to be a charged parliamentary session.
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As women water vegetables and uproot weeds in a rural corner of north-eastern Nigeria, men in uniform stand guard nearby holding huge rifles.
They are Agro Rangers – a special security unit set up by the government to defend farmers from militants from jihadist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap), who can strike farms in Borno state at any time.
“There is fear – we fear for our souls,” Aisha Isa, 50, tells the BBC as she tends to her crops.
Because it is no longer safe for her family to live in the home they fled 11 years ago, she and many others like her are bussed into Dalwa village from a pick-up point in the state capital, Maiduguri, early in the morning. It is less than an hour’s drive away.
She now lives in temporary housing, and growing beans and maize remains the only way for her to feed her family, she says.
“We will take the risk and come even if the rangers are not coming.”
Here, the military has marked out a stretch of land, surrounded by clearly defined trenches, where people can plant their crops. If they venture beyond that border, the threat of Boko Haram looms large.
“We have been hearing people are being kidnapped,” says 42-year-old Mustapha Musa. “Some are killed. That is why I’m scared and don’t want to come without security protection.”
The father of 10 says he left his village, Konduga, 13 years ago and will not resettle there until the government brings about lasting security.
In the 15 years since the Islamist insurgency began in north-eastern Nigeria, thousands of people have died and millions have been forced from their homes.
The number of people killed in targeted attacks on farmers this year has more than doubled since 2024, according to research by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (Acled) monitoring group.
Yet the governor of Borno State is speeding up the reintegration of displaced people from camps back onto the land – as part of his stabilisation agenda, and to counter disruptions in food production.
Almost four million people face food insecurity across conflict zones in Nigeria’s north-east, the UN warns. But some aid agencies say move to relocate farmers to boost agriculture has moved too fast.
International Crisis Group, a non-profit organisation focused on resolving deadly conflict, says the policy is putting internally displaced people in danger -highlighting that militant groups extort farmers in areas that it controls to raise funds for its violent extremism.
Kidnapped along with nine other farmers and still terrified long after the ordeal, Abba Mustapha Muhammed has seen first-hand what happens when victims do not pay up.
“There was one that got killed because he couldn’t pay the ransom. His family could not meet the time given,” says Mr Muhammed. “He was killed and thrown away. They asked the family to come and take the dead body.”
Being held captive in dense forest for three days was “unbearable”, he says. “The small meals they prepared often left us feeling hungry and gave us diarrhoea. There was no clean drinking water.”
The father-of-three tells the BBC he is too afraid to return to subsistence farming because “the insurgents are still lurking. Just yesterday, they abducted over 10 people”.
Despite stories like these, Mohammed Hassan Agalama, the commander who leads the Agro Rangers scheme in Borno, insists that the guards deter militants from staging violent assaults.
“We have not encountered more terrorists coming to attack the farmers because they know that we are fully on ground at the time of farming season,” says Cdt Agalama, who operates under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
James Bulus, a spokesperson for the NSCDC, argues that the government is making gains in its fight against the insurgents, telling the BBC: “The harvest alone is there to tell you that normalcy has returned, and farmers are doing their normal businesses in the farm.”
However, he admits that resources are inadequate.
Agro Rangers is a small-scale project and not a long-term solution for widespread regional insecurity.
“We cannot be everywhere. We are not spirits. Can 600 armed Agro Rangers cover the whole of farms in Maiduguri? No.”
For this reason, Nigeria’s federal government says it plans to expand the Agro Rangers scheme.
Acled’s senior Africa analyst Ladd Serwat says this year has seen a surge in the number of reported civilian fatalities due to targeted attacks on farmers by armed groups.
Furthermore, during the first half of 2025 reported killings by Boko Haram and Iswap reached their highest level in five years.
Over in Maiduguri’s city centre, a group of farmers gather in the home of Adam Goni, the chair of the Borno branch of the National Association of Sorghum Producers, Processors and Marketers.
The men sit on rugs beneath the wide boughs of a tree, while two women sit on mats in the shade of a nearby veranda, as goats and chickens roam the compound.
The entire group has had their lives irrevocably changed by violence.
Among them is Baba Modu, whose 30-year-old nephew was gunned down on his farm by Boko Haram.
“It pains me so much,” he says. “They killed humans like an ant, without remorse. The killings we’ve experienced have been devastating, but this year is the worst. When I go out to farm, there’s a constant threat of being killed. I don’t have peace of mind even at home – I often sleep with my eyes open, feeling like we might be attacked.”
Modu sinks into his chair at times, pausing in deep contemplation. He says the constant insecurity weighs heavily on him and the community.
“Even if you are starving and food is scarce, you can’t go to the farm. When we try, they chase us away or even kill us. At first, they would demand a ransom when they abducted someone, but now they collect the money and still kill the person they have kidnapped.”
Many farmers, like Modu, say the militants can outnumber and overpower the Nigerian army when they attack.
“Sometimes even the security operatives run away when they see the insurgents,” he adds.
On one side of the compound, Goni tends to a potato patch.
He tells the BBC that he has 10 hectares (24 acres) of land ready to be harvested 8km (5 miles) away, but he is terrified to gather his crops.
The owner of the neighbouring farm was killed on his land only weeks ago.
“There’s no safety. We are just taking risks to go there, because when you go to farm these Boko Haram people are there,” he says. “If you are not lucky, they will kill you.”
Mr Goni believes the military could do more to end the conflict.
“We are very angry. We are unhappy with what is happening. If the government is serious, within a month, Boko Haram will end in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, the NSCDC’s Mr Bulus says the military is addressing the wider conflict.
“Peace is gradual. You cannot do it in one day. It has to undergo so many processes.”
But the process has taken too long for these farmers. More than 15 years on, insecurity continues to plague every aspect of people’s lives.
The BBC asked the Nigerian military about the farming community’s claims that it has not done enough to protect them, but it has not yet responded.
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Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Abdul-Wahab Hanan Aludiba, has finally spoken out on the corruption allegations made against him, describing them as false and misleading.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Aludiba strongly denied claims that he stole money or acquired unexplained wealth during his time as CEO. He said the allegations, which were mentioned by Ghana’s Attorney General during a recent press briefing, are completely untrue.
“I wish to state clearly that these claims are false and do not reflect the truth. I have no involvement in the issues being referred to,” Aludiba wrote. He added that he has instructed his lawyers to take the necessary legal steps to protect his reputation and ensure justice is served.
The former CEO also said he looks forward to clearing his name in court, insisting that he has always lived by honesty, transparency, and integrity throughout his public service career.
Aludiba’s response comes after months of investigation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), which arrested him and his wife in June 2025. The couple was accused of owning several luxury houses and cars believed to be linked to corruption.
They were granted bail in July after meeting tough conditions set at GH¢60 million. Some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have since described the bail as harsh, saying it unfairly affects the couple’s family.
So far, EOCO and the Attorney General’s office have not responded to Aludiba’s recent statement. The case remains active and is expected to go before court soon, as many Ghanaians continue to follow the story closely.
Pressure group OccupyGhana has criticised the government’s latest move to convene a high-level meeting on enforcing findings from the Auditor-General’s reports, describing it as another “talk shop” that risks focusing on publicity rather than results.
The group was reacting to an October 20, 2025, press release from the Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, announcing a meeting between President John Dramani Mahama, acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine, and Auditor-General Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu to discuss measures for strengthening the enforcement of audit findings and the creation of special courts to handle related offences.
While welcoming efforts aimed at improving public accountability, OccupyGhana cautioned that Ghana does not need more meetings or committees, but decisive enforcement of existing laws.
“We welcome any sincere step that might strengthen accountability in public finance. However, this latest meeting risks becoming yet another high-level talk shop: long on publicity and short on results,” the group stated.
“What is needed is simple: ENFORCE THE LAW.”
Supreme Court ruling already clear
OccupyGhana recalled that the Supreme Court’s 2017 decision in OccupyGhana v. Attorney-General affirmed that the Auditor-General has a mandatory constitutional duty to disallow unlawful expenditures and surcharge those responsible, while the Attorney-General must ensure enforcement.
The group noted that this ruling remains binding, adding that Ghana had already seen positive results when it was properly implemented.
“Under then Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo, Ghana finally saw these provisions implemented for the first time since the Constitution came into effect,” it said.
“Between June 2017 and November 2018, the Auditor-General issued 112 surcharge certificates and recovered GHS67.3 million for the state.”
According to the group, this progress has since stalled.
“The current Auditor-General has refused to perform the same constitutional duties. No known disallowances or surcharges have been made, and no funds have been recovered,” the statement added.
‘A familiar pattern of inaction’
OccupyGhana accused successive governments of resorting to meetings and directives that achieve little.
“In October 2022, the President, after one such meeting, directed the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) and the Attorney-General to investigate infractions cited in the Auditor-General’s reports and to report back within four weeks. That directive achieved nothing, because the law already required those actions. There was no need for another presidential instruction, only enforcement,” the group said.
It further dismissed the idea of designating new “special courts,” saying such courts had already been established years ago under the former Chief Justice but with no visible results.
“Without enforcement, this new initiative will be yet another expensive charade,” the group warned.
‘The time for talk is long past’
OccupyGhana called for the immediate resumption of disallowance and surcharge actions by the Auditor-General and for the Attorney-General to ensure prosecution and enforcement in line with the Supreme Court’s directive.
“The law does not need to be strengthened; it simply needs to be obeyed,” the group said.
“Ghanaians are tired of photo opportunities dressed up as reform. The time for talk is long past. Ghana deserves institutions that act, not officials who only announce intentions.”
Renowned Business mogul Sir Sam Jonah and academic scholar Professor Pikay Richardson are set to officially launch their new book titled “Mastering Leadership: Principles, Practice and Lessons” on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
According to the authors, the book explores key leadership principles and practical lessons drawn from decades of professional experience, offering readers valuable insights into effective leadership across sectors.
The launch which will take place at the Accra Marriott Hotel, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm will feature a leadership dialogue session, networking opportunities, and a celebration of excellence in leadership practice. The session will also provide a platform for thought-provoking discussions on leadership challenges and opportunities within Ghana and across Africa.
Billed as an evening of “leadership dialogue, networking, and celebration,” the launch will bring together policymakers, business executives, scholars, and leadership enthusiasts to engage with the authors’ deep insights on effective leadership in a rapidly changing world.
The book, Mastering Leadership: Principles, Practice and Lessons, distills decades of experience from both authors, Sir Sam Jonah, renowned business executive and former CEO of Ashanti Goldfields, and Professor Pikay Richardson, an internationally acclaimed academic and leadership strategist.
About Sir Samuel Esson Jonah
Sir Sam Jonah is one of Africa’s most accomplished business leaders and a globally respected voice on corporate governance and leadership.
He served as Chief Executive Officer of Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited, transforming it from a single-mine operation into a multinational mining giant listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Currently the Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital, a private investment firm based in Johannesburg, Sir Jonah has played advisory roles in several international organisations and sits on numerous boards across sectors.
He is a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE), awarded for his exceptional contribution to business and industry. His leadership journey embodies excellence, integrity, and vision, qualities that have made him a mentor to many across the continent.
About Professor Pikay Richardson
Professor Pikay Richardson is a Ghanaian-born academic and management consultant with decades of teaching and research experience in leadership, strategy, and organisational development.
He served as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester Business School (UK), where he guided countless executives and students on the principles of effective leadership and decision-making.
Prof. Richardson has also consulted for various international organisations, providing advisory support on public policy, corporate transformation, and education.
A thought leader passionate about developing Africa’s next generation of ethical leaders, he continues to advocate for leadership rooted in service, responsibility, and continuous learning.
Attendance is strictly by invitation, with interested participants asked to RSVP to Shirley Klah via +233 24 475 7873.
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Michael Kwadwo Peprah is the President of the National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association
The National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Ghana (NCSSMAG), with support from the national Anti-Galamsey Taskforce, have destroyed over one hundred (100) “Chanfang” machines used for illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey activities on various river bodies within one week.
The exercise was carried out along the River Bankra, which connects to the Offin River, spanning parts of the Ahafo Ano South West, Ahafo North, and Atwima Mponua Districts.
Their action forms part of the Association’s firm commitment to support the Government of Ghana’s ongoing fight against illegal mining, especially activities that destroy river bodies and threaten our water resources and environment.
Interacting with the media in Kumasi, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, President of NCSSMAG, reiterated the Association’s commitment to promote responsible and sustainable small-scale mining practices across the country.
Galamsey-Menace-Chairman-Nkansah-Newlove-14229″>Ban Surface Mining to End Galamsey Menace – Chairman Nkansah Newlove
He stressed that the operation was also aimed at self-regulation — ensuring that members of the Association adhere strictly to environmental and mining laws while protecting the reputation of the legitimate small-scale mining sector.
“We, the legitimate small-scale miners, are deeply concerned about the negative image being created by the activities of illegal miners who continue to destroy our rivers and lands. Their actions are undermining our credibility and the collective efforts of responsible miners who are contributing to national development,” he said.
The National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association reiterates its readiness to continue working closely with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission, and security agencies to ensure the success of the national campaign against galamsey.
SP/SA
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