Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director, Kwabena Adu Boahene, has justified his decision to walk out of the High Court in Accra on Thursday, October 23, after the trial judge, Justice Eugene Nyadu Nyantei, refused to grant an adjournment.
Speaking to journalists after the dramatic courtroom exit, Mr. Atta Akyea said his legal team had filed an application at the Supreme Court seeking to prohibit Justice Nyantei from continuing with the trial on grounds of alleged bias.
He argued that it was only proper for the High Court to suspend proceedings until the apex court ruled on the matter.
“I had filed for a prohibition of motion in the Supreme Court, saying that we’re not comfortable that this judge would give us justice. I brought it to the attention of the judge. I also raised an issue that we should adjourn the case and abide by the outcome of the application of the Supreme Court. The judge said he won’t grant us the adjournment and that he will continue the case,” he stated.
The former Works and Housing Minister questioned what he described as the judge’s “unnecessary haste” in proceeding with the case despite a pending motion at the Supreme Court.
“Ask why the judge is in an ambulance mood to continue the case and cannot wait for the Supreme Court for one week,” he said.
Earlier in court, the prosecution, led by Principal State Attorney Esi Dentaa Yankah, had opposed the request for an adjournment, arguing there was no legal justification to halt the proceedings.
Despite the defence team’s exit, Justice Nyantei directed that the case proceed, with the second prosecution witness taking the stand.
The legal standoff now awaits the Supreme Court’s determination on the prohibition motion filed by Mr. Atta Akyea and his team.
Kwabena Adu Boahene, his wife Angela Adjei Boateng, and two others are facing multiple charges, including stealing, money laundering involving an alleged GH¢49.1 million, willfully causing financial loss to the state, and abuse of public office.
The third accused person, Mildred Donkor, has since turned into a prosecution witness after the Attorney-General withdrew charges against her.
Adu Boahene trial: Defence lawyers walk out after judge refuses adjournment
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Wayoe Ghanamannti, Former running mate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) in the 2024
Former running mate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) in the 2024 presidential elections and private legal practitioner, Wayoe Ghanamannti, has dismissed claims linking the CPP to his petition seeking the removal of President John Dramani Mahama from office.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Thursday, October 23, Ghanamannti clarified that the petition he submitted to Parliament was made in his personal capacity as a citizen, not as a representative of the CPP.
“Nowhere in this notice to the Speaker of Parliament of our Republic, invoking a constitutional article process, have I said I’m doing that on behalf of the CPP,” he said. “So, I don’t see the correlation with any disclaimer.”
His comments follow a statement issued by the CPP on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, and signed by its Chairperson and Leader, Comrade Wing Commander Patrick Nelson Sogbodjor.
The party, in the release, stated that its Central Committee — the highest administrative organ — had not sanctioned any such petition and urged the public to disregard any attempt to associate the CPP with it.
Ghanamannti, however, maintained that his petition was grounded in his constitutional obligation as a citizen. “I did that clearly under Article 41,” he explained.
“The title is Duties of a Citizen… it is my duty as a citizen to uphold the Constitution. And if I think there’s any executive infraction, judicial infraction, legislative infraction… I’m just being a good citizen.”
He further disclosed that the CPP leadership had spoken to him before issuing the disclaimer.
According to Ghanamannti, the petition was officially submitted to the Speaker of Parliament on October 6, 2025, and duly received by the office.
Former Public Relations Manager of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Razak Kojo Opoku
Former Public Relations Manager of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Razak Kojo Opoku, has clarified that recent letters exchanged between the NLA and KGL Technology Limited (KGL) were part of normal administrative procedures, not evidence of any improper dealings.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Opoku explained that the NLA had formally requested sales and revenue data for the year 2025 from KGL.
In response, KGL indicated that it would submit fully audited data once the verification process was complete.
He dismissed reports by The Fourth Estate and journalist Sulemana Briamah suggesting that a “deal” existed between the two institutions or that sensitive information had been leaked.
“When did the exchange of letters between two companies on an agreed schedule become a crime?” Opoku queried.
According to him, the NLA’s letter—dated October 7, 2025, and officially received by KGL on October 13, 2025—requested records covering the period January 1 to September 30, 2025.
KGL subsequently sought an extension to October 31, 2025, to “accurately collate, verify, and present the information requested,” noting that the exercise was necessary to ensure “integrity, accuracy, and completeness of the data.”
Opoku stressed that KGL has never refused to provide data to either the NLA or the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and described media claims that “KGL pushes back” as misleading.
He accused The Fourth Estate and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) of conducting what he called a “fishing expedition,” without adequate understanding of the legal and operational frameworks governing Ghana’s lottery industry under the National Lottery Act 722 (2006).
Opoku further questioned why KGL’s data sharing with the NLA was being portrayed as controversial when the GRA already has access to similar data for tax compliance purposes.
He characterised the existing oversight systems as “super transparent” and urged the public to focus on ensuring value for money and accountability, rather than what he termed “jandam journalism” targeting indigenous businesses.
He concluded by calling for the disclosure of revenue received by the NLA from KGL and other operators between January 1 and September 30, 2025, to promote transparency and informed public debate.
Danish Superliga outfit FC Nordsjaelland have announced that promising Ghanaian midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi has signed a contract extension that keeps him at the club until the summer of 2030.
The 19-year-old, who has been one of the club’s brightest young talents, has already made 29 league appearances since breaking into the first team and has established himself as a key figure in the side.
Yirenkyi’s impressive consistency and maturity have also earned him six international caps for Ghana.
Confirming the extension, Nordsjaelland’s football director Alexander Riget praised Yirenkyi’s development and professionalism, noting that his work ethic and mentality have been instrumental in his rapid progress.
“Through a fantastic mentality and hard work every single day, Caleb has undergone excellent development over the past year and established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Super League. Therefore, we have chosen to honor him with a new contract,” Riget said.
Although the new agreement extends his stay by just six additional months – from 2029 to 2030 – it reflects the club’s long-term commitment to nurturing his growth and ensuring stability in their midfield.
Yirenkyi has featured 12 times in the current Superliga season, continuing to impress with his energy, vision, and composure.
His extension further strengthens the strong bond between Nordsjaelland and Ghanaian football, with the club renowned for developing top Ghanaian talents through its Right to Dream Academy partnership.
Residents, exhibitors, and partners are brimming with anticipation as the Northern Business Fair 2025 prepares to open in Tamale this weekend.
All roads will lead to the Tamale Sports Stadium, where the city is set to host one of Ghana’s most anticipated trade and innovation events from Saturday, October 25 to Sunday, October 26, 2025. The fair is expected to transform Tamale into a vibrant hub of commerce, creativity, and opportunity.
From handwoven smocks and traditional crafts to modern packaging technologies and agro-processing innovations, the fair promises to celebrate Northern enterprise in a dynamic blend of culture and innovation.
Exhibitors from across the Northern Region say they are eager to take advantage of the Channel One TV and Citi FM platform to showcase their products to a wider national audience.
Lydia Konlan, CEO of Rising SheFarms, said her company plans to use the fair to expand its mushroom business beyond the local market.
“The expectation is for us to leverage this platform to reach more consumers — people who didn’t know about mushrooms should be able to find us here. This can also translate into more sales,” she said.
Another exhibitor, Dr. Daniel Gyamfi, Executive Director of Savanna Opticals and Eyewear, shared similar enthusiasm.
“I expect people to come and find what they’ve been looking for all these years without realizing it was right here in Tamale,” he said. “Personally, I expect that as I onboard the Channel One flight, it will take me higher than I’ve ever been.”
The Regional Manager of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Bukari Mohammed, described the event as a “rare opportunity” for local businesses to gain exposure and expand their markets.
“This is a very rare opportunity, so when something like this comes, you have to make good use of it. For individual entrepreneurs, marketing and accessing new markets can be very expensive,” he noted.
He explained that GEA’s partnership with Channel One TV and Citi FM aligns with the agency’s mission to empower entrepreneurs and strengthen the SME ecosystem across Northern Ghana.
“Channel One TV is one of the most widely viewed platforms in the country, known for organising successful trade fairs and business-focused events. They also run several programs that support entrepreneurs to thrive,” he added.
The Northern Business Fair 2025 is expected to draw Thousands of participants and visitors from across Ghana, underscoring the Northern Region’s growing contribution to national economic transformation.
Organised by Channel One TV and Citi FM, the two-day fair will showcase Made-in-Ghana excellence—bringing together small and medium enterprises, startups, research institutions, and indigenous brands from the Savannah, Northern, North East, Upper East, and Upper West Regions.
The Northern Business Fair 2025 is powered by Channel One TV and Citi FM.
And proudly sponsored by Ecobank, Syde Hassle, the Ghana Enterprises Agency, and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority. And supported by Kacstone Records
The Parliament of Ghana has expressed deep sorrow following the death of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, describing her passing as a great loss to the nation.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 23, and signed by the Director of Media Relations, David Sebastian Damoah, the House conveyed its condolences to the family of the late former First Lady and to all Ghanaians.
According to the statement, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, together with the leadership and members of the House, noted with profound sadness the news of her sudden demise.
“Parliament extends its deepest condolences to the immediate family and the general citizenry. Her life of service and dedication to our nation will remain a guiding light for generations to come,” the statement said.
It further highlighted Mrs. Agyeman-Rawlings’ contributions to national development, particularly her advocacy for women and children, promotion of girl-child education, and efforts in health and community development.
“She was passionate in her support of women and children, especially girl education. She also made immense contributions in health and community development, and championed the rights and welfare of the vulnerable. Her warmth and commitment to national service will be remembered with profound respect and gratitude,” the statement added.
As a mark of respect and in recognition of her legacy, Parliament abruptly adjourned its sitting on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The House said the decision reflected its collective mourning and appreciation of her service, courage, and leadership.
The event brought together industry stakeholders, traditional authorities, government officials
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has underscored the vital role of guest satisfaction and positive experiences in promoting Ghana’s hospitality industry, stressing that “word of mouth goes further than the adverts we place in the media.”
She made the remark while addressing the 50th Anniversary Symposium of the Ghana Hotels Association (GHA), held at the Ridge Royal Hotel in Cape Coast, under the theme “50 Years of Advocacy, Perseverance, and Impacting Ghana’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry.”
Gomashie commended the Association for its enduring contribution to Ghana’s tourism growth, describing its 50-year journey as a testament to vision, resilience, partnership, and values.
She praised the GHA for serving as a crucial bridge between government, regulators, and operators, helping to shape policies, improve service standards, and sustain the hospitality sector through various economic and global challenges.
According to her, the hospitality industry remains the backbone of Ghana’s tourism ecosystem, providing not just accommodation but meaningful experiences that form the first and last impressions of visitors. She reaffirmed government’s commitment to partnering with the private sector to build a resilient and competitive tourism and hospitality industry.
The minister outlined several initiatives being implemented by her Ministry, including:
A review of the National Tourism Policy;
Expanded hospitality training and certification programmes;
Investment incentive reviews through the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC); and
Infrastructure improvement projects across key tourism destinations.
She also encouraged hoteliers to embrace innovation, sustainability and digital transformation, emphasizing the importance of eco-friendly practices, renewable energy adoption and inclusive growth that empowers women, youth, and local communities.
Commendation and Call for Collaboration
Gomashie praised the founding members and past executives of the Association for their foresight and dedication, while commending the current leadership, led by Dr. Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr, for keeping the GHA vibrant and relevant.
She called for stronger collaboration between the Ministry and the Association to advance Ghana’s Black Star Experience initiative, aimed at positioning Ghana as a beacon of African hospitality.
In his remarks, the President of the Ghana Hotels Association, Dr. Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr, appealed to the Minister to support the establishment of a dedicated tourism and hospitality training school capable of training sector workers annually.
He also advocated for the compulsory membership of all hotels in the Association, transparency in the management of the Ghana Tourism Fund, and regular public-private sector dialogues to address industry concerns.
The Anniversary Committee Chairperson, Juliette Taylor, highlighted the Association’s journey of perseverance and commitment to corporate social responsibility.
She noted that the celebration was marked by a series of activities, including a media launch, health walk, and donation to the Tema General Hospital.
Representing the Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Nana Obiri Eduama encouraged hoteliers to seek professional guidance and invest in continuous staff training to enhance service quality and boost the industry’s overall fortunes.
The event brought together industry stakeholders, traditional authorities, government officials and hospitality practitioners to celebrate five decades of advocacy, growth, and excellence in Ghana’s tourism and hospitality sector.
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to judicial independence and the rule of law, urging newly appointed High Court judges to serve with integrity, fairness, and humility.
Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony at the Jubilee House, President Mahama said the occasion represented more than an administrative exercise — it was a reaffirmation of Ghana’s enduring faith in justice as the foundation of democracy.
“Justice is the firmest pillar of our democracy. Ghana shall always be governed by law, and never by the whims of capricious power,” he said.
The president commended the judiciary for its continued progress in promoting gender balance, noting that women had made remarkable strides on the bench.
“When it comes to affirmative action and gender, you’re doing far better than the executive,” he remarked, calling on the executive arm of government to emulate the judiciary’s example.
President Mahama described the High Court as “the people’s court,” stressing its vital role in ensuring justice remained accessible and responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens.
“It is here that a market woman defends her land, a young entrepreneur seeks justice in a contract dispute, and a journalist defends the freedom to speak truth to power,” he said.
He underscored the importance of integrity within the judiciary, describing it as the true source of legitimacy in public service.
“The law confers authority, but only integrity confers legitimacy. When a judge’s decisions are fair, confidence reigns in the Republic,” President Mahama noted.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has paid glowing tribute to the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, describing her as an epitome of strength and the enduring resilience of Ghanaian women.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 23, 2025, and signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the NPP expressed deep sorrow over her passing, which it said marked the loss of a national figure who dedicated her life to women’s empowerment and social transformation.
“The late Mrs. Agyeman-Rawlings, Founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement and Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady, was an epitome of the strength and resilience of Ghanaian women, particularly in political leadership and socio-economic empowerment,” the statement said.
The party highlighted her role in advancing gender equality and improving the welfare of women and children. It noted that her tireless advocacy contributed significantly to landmark policies such as the Intestate Succession Law (PNDCL 111), which guarantees inheritance rights for women and children, and to the inclusion of gender equality provisions in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
Describing her as “a true woman who was resolute in the fight for women’s emancipation,” the NPP said her legacy would continue to inspire generations of Ghanaians.
The statement added that Ghana had lost “a mother and a political colossus,” whose courage, determination, and leadership left a lasting impact on national life.
“The NPP extends its heartfelt condolences to her immediate family and commiserates with the rest of the nation for the painful loss of this illustrious citizen,” the party said.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, wife of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, was celebrated for her pioneering efforts in promoting women’s rights and championing social change across Ghana.
Spio-Garbrah: ‘Nana Konadu’s greatness was never fully appreciated’
US President Donald Trump has said he is immediately ending all trade negotiations with Canada.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that the country had run an advert featuring former US President Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about tariffs.
“Based on their egregious behaviour, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED,” Trump wrote late on Thursday.
The US president has imposed a 35% levy on Canadian imports, although he has allowed exemptions for goods that fall under the USMCA – a free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada that Trump negotiated during his first term.
Trump said the video, sponsored by the Ontario government, was designed to “interfere with” the US Supreme Court, referring to an upcoming decision in November on whether Washington’s sweeping global tariffs are legal.
The court’s decision represents the biggest test of Trump’s presidential authority and signature economic policy, potentially forcing the US to refund billions collected in tariffs.
In the minute-long advert published last week, Reagan’s voice is heard narrating over images that include the New York Stock Exchange and cranes adorned with both US and Canadian flags.
The video excerpts a 1987 national radio address by Reagan that focused on foreign trade.
“When someone says ‘let’s impose tariffs on foreign imports’, it looks like they’re doing the patriotic thing by protecting American products and jobs. And sometimes, for a short while it works, but only for a short time,” Reagan says.
“But over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American, worker and consumer.
“High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars… Markets shrink and collapse, businesses and industries shut down and millions of people lose their jobs,” Reagan adds.
In a post on X, the Ronald Reagan Foundation said that the Ontario government had used “selective audio and video” of the former US president’s remarks on tariffs.
“The Government of Ontario did not seek nor receive permission to use and edit the remarks,” the statement added.
The foundation said the advert “misrepresents” the former president’s address, without specifying why.
It said the foundation is “reviewing its legal options”.
Doug Ford, Ontario’s premier, has been a vocal critic of Trump’s economic policies
In the post accompanying the video advert, Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote that “we’ll never stop making the case against American tariffs on Canada.”
Ford, who leads Canada’s most populous province and its largest economy, has been a vocal critic of the US tariffs.
Ontario has been among the Canadian provinces hardest hit by the US tariffs, particularly in the car and steel industries.
Ford hit back at Trump’s earlier tariff threat against Canada by saying he was willing to cut off power supply to the US.
He had also described Washington’s trade policies against Canada as having pulled a knife and “yanked it into us”, and called on US lawmakers to put pressure on Trump.
Mark Carney and Doug Ford have not yet commented on Trump’s announcement.
The advert was run as part of a campaign worth $75m Canadian dollars (£40m; $54m) on mainstream TV channels in the US.
Trump has also imposed sector-specific levies on Canadian goods, including 50% on metals and 25% on automobiles.
The White House’s global tariffs – particularly on steel, aluminium and cars – have hit Canada hard, forcing job losses and putting pressure on businesses.
China’s embassy in Washington also used a similar Reagan clip in a post on X to cast doubt on Trump’s global tariffs earlier this year.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has applauded the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for making peacebuilding a central focus of his illustrious reign.
“His peace initiative is well documented, and as a Commonwealth, we associate with the initiative,” she stated.
Botchwey made the remarks when the Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin was presented to her at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London on Thursday, October 23, 2025. She commended the Asantehene for his outstanding contributions to peace and development in Asanteman and Ghana at large.
In her address, the Secretary-General emphasised that all 56 member states of the Commonwealth are guided by its charter, which promotes democracy, good governance, human rights, and the rule of law.
“Otumfuo is on the right path, and we wholeheartedly associate ourselves with what he is doing. We gratefully accept this gift of the gold coin,” she added.
A delegation led by Alex Dadey, Executive Chairman of KGL Group, presented the commemorative gold coin to the Secretary-General.
Other members of the delegation included Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori-Atta, Executive Chairman of E ON 3 Group, Kwami Sefa Kayi, broadcast journalist and media consultant to E ON 3 Group; and Daniel Weitmann, Founder of Golden Suisse.
Presenting the coin, Dadey said, “We have come here on behalf of Otumfuo to present one of the commemorative gold coins to you and also to invite you to next year’s peace concert event.”
The 24-karat gold coin symbolises peace and honours Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his enduring efforts toward peace and development in Ghana.
The project is envisioned as a lifelong initiative that celebrates the legacy of the 16th Asantehene while projecting Ghana’s rich cultural heritage to the world.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General also accepted an invitation to serve as a special guest at the upcoming ‘World-Meets-in-Ghana’ Peace Concert, scheduled to take place in Kumasi next year as part of celebrations marking the Asantehene’s 27th coronation anniversary.
The two-day global event will bring together world leaders, Ghanaians, the African diaspora and members of the international community to celebrate Otumfuo’s role as a Pillar of Peace. Attendees will also have the opportunity to own a piece of the Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin, gold bar or gold medal.
On December 29, 2019, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was honoured with the prestigious title “Pillar of Peace” at the inaugural African Premier Leadership Awards in Kumasi.
The recognition was in acknowledgment of his pivotal role in resolving the decades-long Dagbon chieftaincy conflict.
The Asantehene led the Committee of Eminent Chiefs in mediating the dispute for over 17 years, holding more than 1,000 sittings at the Manhyia Palace, which ultimately resulted in the enskinment of Ya-Na Abukari II.
Beyond Dagbon, His Majesty has resolved hundreds of chieftaincy disputes within his kingdom, promoting peace and stability. He has also played a key role in mediating political conflicts, including election disputes and transitions of power.
Notably, ahead of the 2012 general elections, the Asantehene convened all presidential candidates in Kumasi to sign a peace accord known as the Kumasi Declaration. In 2016, when political tensions rose, he again facilitated quiet diplomacy that ensured a peaceful transition of government.
In recognition of these remarkable contributions, the Bank of Ghana authorised E ON 3 Group, a business and investment company, to mint the 24-karat commemorative gold coin in his honour.
The coin was officially launched on December 12, 2021, in Kumasi.
Notable Recipients of the Gold Coin
Special presentations of the Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin have been made to distinguished individuals and institutions whose values align with the Asantehene’s dedication to peace and leadership.
These include:
John Dramani Mahama, former President of Ghana
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former President of Ghana
John Agyekum Kufuor, former President of Ghana
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former Vice President of Ghana
Justice Anin Yeboah, former Chief Justice of Ghana
Dr Ernest Addison, former Governor, Bank of Ghana
Sir Sam Jonah, Executive Chairman, Jonah Capital
The City of Memphis, USA, represented by Charles Ewing, Chairman of the Memphis in May Festival, and James L. Holt, President & CEO of the festival
Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku
Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has made it clear that only players with genuine passion and commitment to Ghana will earn a place in the Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The GFA boss addressed ongoing discussions about potential call-ups for foreign-born players such as Eddie Nketiah, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Francis Amuzu, stressing that Ghana’s qualification for the World Cup should not suddenly attract players who previously showed little interest.
Speaking in an interview with 3Sports, Okraku stated firmly: “I don’t want mercenaries coming to Ghana. I don’t want players jumping on board just because we’ve qualified for the Mundial. I want players who love Ghana, who play from the heart, with passion, and are proud to represent the nation in every competition.”
He emphasised that wearing the national colours is a privilege that comes with responsibility, insisting that players who once rejected invitations or showed a lack of respect for the country will not be reconsidered.
The Member of Parliament for Guan, Fred Agbenyo, has called for a befitting state burial for the late former First Lady of Ghana, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
Madam Konadu, the wife of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, passed away on Thursday at the Ridge Hospital in Accra at the age of 76.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings served as Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady, holding the position across both the military and civilian administrations led by her husband.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, some Members of Parliament paid tribute to her memory.
“She has played her role; she has contributed, she has served this country very well. I believe that she deserves a state burial. I believe that we need to give her a befitting burial that she rightly deserves.
“She has played her role and posterity will remember her kindly,” the Member of Parliament for Guan said.
Fomena MP Andrew Asiamah Amoako, who doubles as the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, also stated, “I think we can only wish her soul God’s presence and God’s peaceful place so that the soul can rest. And we wish the family strength to stand this tragic situation, I mean, nobody expected it.”
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The visit by John Jinapor forms part of his working and familiarisation tour of agencies
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Operations and Technical at the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation, Onasis Rosely Kobby, has praised the transformative impact of the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, in the energy sector, particularly in the power industry.
He noted that when the minister took office, the sector faced major challenges, with unreliable power supply affecting homes and industries.
In his brief closing remarks during the minister’s visit to the PHDC on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Kobby highlighted that since assuming office, Hon. John Jinapor has effectively tackled these issues, ensuring that power outages, locally referred to as ‘dumsor,’ have been significantly reduced.
“Your ratings are truly impressive, and people are highly satisfied with your work. Some even joke that you’ve become ‘boring’ because they no longer experience dumsor. You have done remarkably well, and we are grateful,” he told the minister.
Onasis Kobby also assured the minister of significant progress in the development of the Petroleum Hub project by the time of his next visit.
While expressing gratitude to John Jinapor for the visit, Kobby promised that the staff and management of the corporation would continue to work diligently to attract investors to the hub, which is projected to create 780,000 jobs upon completion.
“We were honoured to have you here. We promise that by your next visit to Jomoro, significant progress will have been made on the site. We won’t let you down,” he said.
The visit by John Jinapor forms part of his working and familiarisation tour of agencies under his ministry.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant Dr Bryan Acheampong has forcefully refuted claims that fertilisers were distributed to parliamentary candidates for political gain ahead of the 2024 general elections.
According to him, such accusations are “propaganda” and an attempt to misinform the public.
In an official statement from his presidential campaign office, the former Minister of Food and Agriculture clarified that all relief inputs for farmers were managed exclusively through the official structures of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), with no involvement of partisan channels.
The statement detailed that the distribution was part of a national relief programme under the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) 2.0 initiative, launched in response to a severe drought in 2023.
“During his ongoing regional campaign tour, Dr Acheampong categorically refuted claims that fertilisers were distributed to NPP parliamentary candidates for political gain.
“He clarified that all relief inputs were managed exclusively through the official structures of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), with no involvement of partisan channels. That is how the governance system works.
“In 2023, Ghana faced one of its most severe droughts in recent history,” Dr Acheampong stated. “Upon assuming office as minister, we launched a national relief programme under PFJ 2.0 to support affected farmers. This was not a campaign tool but was a data-driven intervention designed to protect livelihoods and stabilise food production,” the statement quoted him.
Official document contradicts Bryan Acheampong’s claim on fertiliser distribution to NPP officials
The campaign office revealed that the programme delivered over 2.1 million bags of fertiliser, along with maize seeds and logistical support, to verified farmers across more than 225 districts.
Addressing the timing of some deliveries, which coincided with the election period, the statement attributed this to routine procurement delays, insisting the objective was solely drought mitigation.
“While the programme commenced months prior, some deliveries coincided with the election period due to procurement delays, a routine occurrence in government operations. Dr Acheampong emphasised that the timing was incidental, not strategic.
“The objective was drought mitigation. Inputs were to be delivered until the very last day of the Administration,” he said,” the statement continued.
The statement also highlighted the introduction of a zero-interest input credit system under PFJ 2.0, which it said replaced a flawed subsidy model and has already benefited over 200,000 farmers.
Eric Twum, a spokesperson for the campaign, concluded, “Bryan Acheampong built systems, not patronage. He leads with documentation, not speculation. That’s why the propaganda fails.”
The Communications Directorate reaffirmed that Dr Acheampong’s leadership remains anchored in unity, discipline, and transparency as the NPP flagbearer race continues.
Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, former Speaker of parliament
Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, former Speaker of parliament, has said that Ghana must end its reliance on royalties as the primary benefit from its natural resources.
Speaking at a high-level seminar organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), he called for an overhaul of resource governance, advocating a shift to an ownership-based model.
The seminar, held on the theme “The Dilemma of the 17th IMF Programme and Our Natural Resources – A Pathway to National Development,” featured speakers from academia, the clergy, and the natural resources governance sector.
Prof Oquaye criticised the current royalty-based system in the mining sector, describing Ghana’s ownership status as “shameful.”
He noted the historical reduction of government shareholding in major mining ventures, stating that the country holds virtually no equity interest in key multinational companies.
Prof Oquaye described the royalty system- a percentage fee on gross production- as a colonial relic that treats Ghana as a subject rather than a partner.
“Royalties is like diplomacy. It doesn’t show respect as the co-owner or a serious partner in the venture at all,” he said, noting that the system allowed foreign entities to operate with a sense of ownership while offering the state minimal returns.
Prof Oquaye proposed the adoption of Service Contracts and Profit-Return Agreements, under which the state or a state-owned company retained full ownership of the resource and contracts specific services such as exploration and production.
He said this model, successfully used by countries like Norway in the oil sector, ensured that the nation retained most of the financial benefits.
Prof Oquaye further called for the urgent establishment of a Ghana Minerals Corporation to operationalise the ownership-based approach.
Ghana’s resource extraction sectors have operated under a royalty system, where the state receives a percentage of gross production from foreign multinational companies that undertake mining or drilling activities.
Ghanaian gospel musician Nhyira Betty has opened up about one of the most painful experiences of her life, the ordeal she faced at her former church after deciding to marry.
In an exclusive interview with award-winning blogger Zionfelix on The Uncut Show, the singer recounted how the Christ Apostolic Church branch at Accra New Town frustrated her marriage plans to the point that she was forced to relocate her wedding to Kumasi with her husband.
According to Nhyira Betty, everything began when she officially announced her intention to marry.
Rather than receiving support and encouragement from the church she had served faithfully for years, she was met with opposition, unnecessary restrictions and disapproval from its leadership.
The talented gospel artiste, who rose to prominence in 2012 after releasing her debut album in 2007, described the experience as heartbreaking and deeply disappointing, especially coming from people she once considered her spiritual mentors.
Despite the ordeal, Nhyira Betty revealed that she later returned to the church out of humility and respect to express her gratitude. However, what followed left her completely devastated.
She recounted that upon her return, church leaders made her and her husband stand before the entire congregation — not to celebrate them, but to publicly embarrass and disgrace them.
Following that humiliating incident, the gospel singer decided to relocate permanently to Kumasi, where she currently lives with her family and continues to pursue her gospel music ministry.
Former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu-Boahene
Drama unfolded in the High Court in Accra on Thursday afternoon October 23, 2025, when lawyers for the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, led by Samuel Atta Akyea, staged a walked out during Court proceedings.
This was after the court, presided over by Justice John Eugen Nyante Nyadu, had declined their request to adjourn proceedings to abide by a motion filed at the Supreme Court on October 22 to prohibit the trial judge on grounds of alleged bias.
Moments after the court had held that the proceedings of the day would proceed with the 2nd prosecution witness mounting the witness box, Samuel Atta Akyea sought leave to leave.
The court did not grant his request to leave and insisted that proceedings continue with the witness testifying.
The defense lawyers said they had other engagements and left the courtroom while the 2nd witness proceeded to sit in the witness box.
“Let the records reflect that counsel for the accused/applicants have abandoned the proceedings of the High Court consequent to the ruling of this court,” the judge stated.
Samuel Atta Akyea, lead Counsel for the Accused persons had told the court that “Yesterday, (Wednesday, October 22), we filed a process at the Supreme Court by way of an application for prohibition (of the judge).”
In the circumstances, he prayed for the proceedings on Thursday, October 23, to be adjourned to abide by the outcome of the Supreme Court case.
State prosecutors led by Esi Dentaa Yankah, a Principal State Attorney, kicked against the prayer and said the mere filing of that application did not automatically warrant an adjournment.
Copious arguments were made forth and back by all parties, with each buttressing their position with authorities.
Ruling on the application, the court said: “On the application for adjournment of proceedings consequent to the pendency of an application for a motion prohibiting me from further hearing the case, counsel for the accused persons has drawn my attention to the Supreme Court decision …. wherein the Supreme Court, in trying to establish bias of the judge in the issue of that case, among other cases, stated that the said application for oral application for an adjournment to abide by the outcome of the motion for prohibition.
“I have also chanced upon a similar decision by the Supreme Court titled the Republic vs. Fast Track High Court, Accra; Ex parte Garri Daniel, reported in 2003/4 SCGLR… where the same Supreme Court has categorically stated that the pendency of an application for prohibition against the trial court does not automatically operate to stay proceedings in the court whose proceedings are being challenged.
“Considering the fact that this earlier decision of the Supreme Court was not distinguished in the Exportec Kennedy Agyapong case, there appear to be two conflicting Supreme Court decisions on what the position is when a motion for prohibition is filed or brought against the trial court.
“Counsel for the applicants/accused persons prayed for an adjournment and not a stay of proceedings. The bit of stay of proceedings was introduced by the decision in the Kennedy Agyepong case to buttress his submission.
“It is to be noted that adjournments, by a plethora of authorities, are at the sole discretion of the trial court. In the instant case, no miscarriage of justice would be occasioned to the accused persons/applicants if proceedings continue today (Thursday) for the reason that, first, no finding has yet been made by the Supreme Court on the pending motion.
“Secondly, should the applicants be successful with their pending application and the Supreme Court makes an observation of any impropriety on the part of this court, consequential orders will accordingly be made by the Supreme Court to correct all wrongs, and no miscarriage of justice would be occasioned.
“Accordingly, the oral application for an adjournment is hereby refused, and I order the witness to mount the witness box for continuation,” the Court ruled.
The case consequently has been adjourned to October 30, 2025 for continuation.
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, describing her as a remarkable woman whose impact on women’s empowerment and national development will endure for generations.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 23, 2025, the former President said he and his wife, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, were “deeply saddened by the news of the untimely passing of the wife of the late first President of the 4th Republic, His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings, the longest-serving First Lady in our history and the Founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement.”
He described Mrs. Rawlings as a “role model for women in Ghana and across Africa,” noting that her gender advocacy and empowerment initiatives have left a lasting mark on the nation.
“Her commitment to the growth of the women’s movement in Ghana and Africa can never be forgotten. She was a warm and affectionate woman, with a good sense of humour and was excellent company,” he said.
The former President extended condolences to the children and family of the late former First Lady, offering prayers for strength during their time of grief.
“Rebecca, my children and I extend our deepest condolences to her children and family on this sad occasion. May her soul rest peacefully in the bosom of the Almighty, until the Last Day of the Resurrection, when we shall meet again,” Akufo-Addo said.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement and wife of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, was known for her pioneering advocacy for women’s rights, education, and social welfare across Ghana and Africa.
Black Stars defender Jerome Opoku says he is determined to earn a place in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be staged in North America.
The Istanbul Basaksehir centre-back played five matches during Ghana’s qualification campaign and believes featuring at the World Cup would mark the pinnacle of his career.
“Hopefully, once that team selection’s there, my name will be on it,” Opoku told RG. “But for now, I don’t want to get too excited. I just want to stay locked in, stay part of the squad, and keep helping Ghana and developing myself in the friendlies leading up to that tournament.”
The 27-year-old has become an important figure in Otto Addo’s setup, admired for his composure, awareness, and strength in defence.
He also scored his first international goal against Uganda earlier this year and was ever-present during the qualifiers.
“The World Cup is the biggest tournament in the world that you can be a part of,” he added. “This team is coming together really well, and once we fully adapt to the coach’s ideas, I believe we have the quality to make history. If I’m there, which I pray I will be, the sky’s the limit.”
Ghana, who secured qualification with a 1-0 win over Comoros earlier this month, will be making their fifth World Cup appearance when the tournament kicks off in June 2026.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has issued a strong message to players regarding commitment to the national team, insisting that only those who show genuine passion and respect for Ghana will be called up for national duty.
Okraku’s remarks is in regard to discussions about the inclusion of players born abroad for the World Cup.
In an exclusive interview with 3Sports, Mr. Okraku emphasized that representing Ghana is a privilege that must be earned through dedication and loyalty to the national cause.
“Players who have not shown enough commitment to the Ghanaian flag will not be part of us,” he stated firmly.
“There must be a good reason why a player is included in the travelling party. I want players who display high levels of dedication, passion, and respect for Ghana.”
He further noted that the technical team and the GFA would prioritize attitude and discipline over reputation or popularity, stressing that professionalism and national pride are non-negotiable qualities for anyone wearing the Black Stars jersey.
“As a leader, I don’t really care what anybody says. At the end of the day, the responsibility lies with me, and I am accountable for Ghana,” he added.
The GFA President also sent a clear message to players who have previously turned down call-ups to the national team.
“If we have approached you before and you turned us down, if you’ve shown a lack of respect or declined to play for Ghana in the past, count yourself out. It’s not going to happen,” he warned.
The GFA President reiterated his vision of building a disciplined, unified, and passionate Black Stars team capable of restoring pride and achieving success on the international stage.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has officially opened a Passport Application Centre (PAC) in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to decentralise passport services and make them more accessible to citizens across Ghana.
The new facility is expected to significantly reduce the need for residents of the Upper East Region and surrounding areas to travel long distances to Tamale or Kumasi to acquire or renew their passports.
According to the Ministry, the establishment of the Bolgatanga centre underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing public service delivery and promoting regional equity in access to essential documentation.
The Ministry encouraged citizens to use the online passport application system for faster processing and to take advantage of the new facility for all passport-related services.
President Kurt Okraku, the Executive Council, and all staff of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) will hold a special two-day interfaith thanksgiving service to express appreciation for the Black Stars’ qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Thanksgiving event will bring together football stakeholders, religious leaders and fans to thank God for Ghana’s successful qualification, the country’s fifth World Cup appearance and second consecutive participation after the 2022 edition in Qatar.
The first service will take place on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the Imam Malik Hamburg Mosque in Maamobi, Accra, starting at 2:00 p.m., where Muslim members of the football fraternity will gather for prayers and thanksgiving.
A second service will follow on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the Christ the King Anglican Church in Sakumono, beginning at 3:00 p.m., offering Christian members the opportunity to also express their gratitude.
Participants are encouraged to attend both services in white attire, symbolising unity, purity, and gratitude, as the football community celebrates this important milestone.
The GFA President, Executive Council members, staff, and other football stakeholders are expected to attend both services as part of efforts to promote togetherness and give thanks for another proud chapter in Ghana’s football history.
Big Paradise (L) and Ghanaian social media influencer Adjoa Tee (R)
Ghanaian social media influencer and entrepreneur Adjoa Tee has made a heartfelt revelation about her relationship with fellow influencer Big Paradise.
Speaking during a recent X Space hosted by popular online personality Kalyjay, Adjoa Tee opened up with rare honesty about how much she still misses Paradise and wishes they could rekindle their past romance.
According to her, she has reached a stage in life where she feels there is no need to hide her true emotions or pretend to be unbothered by their breakup.
“I’m not shy to say it. I’ve been calling Paradise several times because I really want us back together,” Adjoa confessed during the live discussion.
She further disclosed that despite her repeated efforts, Paradise has remained firm in his decision not to return to the relationship.
Adjoa Tee added that her attempts to win him back have gone beyond personal calls and messages. She even involved her mother and a few close friends, asking them to reach out to Paradise on her behalf, hoping he might reconsider.
However, all her efforts have proven futile, as Paradise reportedly insists that he is done with that phase of his life and wishes to move on.
Radio and media personality Afia Pokua, popularly known as Vim Lady
Radio and media personality Afia Pokua, popularly known as Vim Lady, has expressed outrage following allegations that former Deputy National Service Scheme (NSS) Director, Gifty Oware Mensah, orchestrated a fraudulent scheme within the institution.
In a submission on Okay FM in a video sighted by GhanaWeb on October 23, 2025, Vim Lady noted the appalling nature of the alleged misconduct, especially given that many Ghanaian graduates under the scheme struggle to receive their monthly allowances.
She recalled parts of the Attorney General’s report, which accused Oware Mensah of using her spouse’s Ghana Card to set up shell companies that allegedly siphoned funds meant for national service personnel.
“What even gives you away is the fact that your husband is testifying against you. That shows you are a malicious person. You took your husband’s Ghana card to open a company. You had opened all these companies to siphon money meant for national service personnel,” she said
The outspoken journalist also pointed out the exploitation of struggling youth, noting that some service personnel are forced to share rooms or rely on friends for accommodation due to delayed payments.
“These personnel were working every day, suffering, and they couldn’t get paid on time. Some had to perch with their friends in hostels cause they couldn’t afford rent.
“How much were they earning that you had to take that meagre amount and still add ghost names on top? We were seeing 100-year-old and 3-year-old people on the list. Why?” she questioned.
Vim Lady further suggested that Oware Mensah’s alleged attempt to buy a football team was part of a grand strategy to gain legitimacy and avoid scrutiny.
She quipped that the bizarre case is worthy of a “Netflix documentary” given its scale and audacity.
“Your brain has to be studied… after this case, we need a Netflix documentary on this,” she noted.
Gifty Oware-Mensah and her husband, lawyer Peter Mensah, are at the centre of Ghana’s largest recent public sector scandal involving ghost names, fraudulent contracts, and money laundering.
Prosecutors allege that between 2022 and 2024, Oware-Mensah used her private company, Blocks of Life Consult (BLC), to insert nearly 10,000 fake names into the NSA payroll system and obtained bank loans worth over GH₵31.5 million from the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) using the fake personnel’s allowances as collateral.
Her husband’s Ghana Card details were allegedly used without his knowledge to register some of the companies involved; he has since become a cooperating witness for the state.
The former NSA deputy faces five charges, including stealing, abuse of office, willfully causing financial loss, and money laundering, totalling GH₵38 million, while Peter Mensah faces potential aiding and fraud charges but may be treated as a state witness.
The Accra High Court granted Gifty a GH₵10 million bail with travel restrictions.
The case has triggered national outrage, especially after revelations that ghost names included fictitious service personnel.
ID/AM
Scenes from Accra Ridge Hospital after news of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’ death
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed his sorrow over the passing of Ghana’s former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of thirty-seven (37) newly appointed High Court Judges at the Jubilee House on October 23, 2025, the President observed a moment of silence in honour of the late First Lady.
He then offered prayers for her soul, asking that she rest peacefully in the bosom of the Almighty.
“This afternoon, I received a delegation of the children of our late mother, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, to inform me about her untimely and unfortunate passing. I will ask that we rise and observe a moment’s silence in her memory…may the Almighty God grant her peaceful rest in His bosom,” he said.
The Former First Lady of Ghana, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, passed away on October 23, 2025, at the age of 76, at the Ridge Hospital in Accra.
Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is dead
According to reports, Agyeman-Rawlings had been unwell for some time and was under close medical supervision prior to her passing.
She was the wife of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings and played a prominent role in Ghanaian politics and social advocacy.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was widely recognised for her leadership in championing women’s rights and empowering communities across the country.
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Scenes from Accra Ridge Hospital after news of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’ death
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President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to judicial independence and the rule of law, urging newly appointed High Court judges to serve with integrity, fairness, and humility.
Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony at the Jubilee House, President Mahama said the occasion represented more than an administrative exercise — it was a reaffirmation of Ghana’s enduring faith in justice as the foundation of democracy.
“Justice is the firmest pillar of our democracy. Ghana shall always be governed by law, and never by the whims of capricious power,” he said.
The president commended the judiciary for its continued progress in promoting gender balance, noting that women had made remarkable strides on the bench.
“When it comes to affirmative action and gender, you’re doing far better than the executive,” he remarked, calling on the executive arm of government to emulate the judiciary’s example.
President Mahama described the High Court as “the people’s court,” stressing its vital role in ensuring justice remained accessible and responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens.
“It is here that a market woman defends her land, a young entrepreneur seeks justice in a contract dispute, and a journalist defends the freedom to speak truth to power,” he said.
He underscored the importance of integrity within the judiciary, describing it as the true source of legitimacy in public service.
“The law confers authority, but only integrity confers legitimacy. When a judge’s decisions are fair, confidence reigns in the Republic,” President Mahama noted.
Ghana awoke Thursday morning to a silence too heavy for words. A silence that rolls through corridors of power and down the narrow alleys of our markets. The kind of silence that falls only when giants rest. Today, Ghana mourns one of her brightest daughters — Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings — a woman who did not merely live in history, but who rewrote it with courage, conviction, and care.
The Girl Who Refused to Sit Quietly
She was born in Cape Coast — a girl of grace and grit — when the world still whispered to women, “Stay in your lane.” But Nana Konadu never learned how to whisper. She spoke with purpose long before the world was ready to listen.
From her royal Asante lineage, she inherited poise; from her education, she drew confidence; from her faith in womanhood, she drew her mission.
She saw her mother’s hands and the hands of countless Ghanaian women — hands that cooked, toiled, and prayed — and decided those hands deserved to shape the future, not just sweep its floors.
Becoming Nana — The First Lady Who Refused to Be a Shadow
When fate placed her beside a man called Jerry John Rawlings, destiny placed her before a nation. Yet she refused to stand behind power; she stood beside it, and often ahead of it. Where others saw a ceremonial role, she saw a battlefield. She founded the 31st December Women’s Movement, not as an NGO, but as a revolution in kente cloth.
She marched into villages, listened to women whose voices had never echoed beyond the market square, and built an army of transformation — not with guns, but with conviction. Through her work, over 800 preschools were built, countless women trained, and families transformed. To the woman who had nothing but a dream, Nana Konadu said, “Come, let’s make it real.” To the girl who thought leadership was for men, she said, “Leadership has no gender.” She taught Ghanaian women to stand tall, even when the world asked them to kneel.
The Emancipator in Ankara
She did not seek fame; she sought fairness. She believed empowerment was not a word to recite at conferences — it was water to be fetched for thirsty lives. You could find her in palaces and in palm-thatched huts, speaking the same language of dignity. To the mother selling oranges by the roadside, to the young girl with chalk on her fingers, to the widow holding her last coin — she was Mama Konadu.
She gave them not charity, but wings. Her laughter filled the air at women’s rallies. Her words, sharp and fearless, made ministers shuffle in their seats. And when she spoke, she didn’t ask for applause — she demanded action.
The Politician Who Dared the Patriarchy
Then came the moment when she did the unthinkable — she reached for the highest seat in the land. A woman, daring to contest for President in Ghana. They laughed. They doubted. They whispered. But she stood. She spoke. She smiled. Because she wasn’t running for herself — she was running for every girl told, “Politics is not for you.” She carried the weight of centuries on her shoulders and still stood unbowed.
History will record her not by the votes she received, but by the courage she gave to millions who saw their reflection in her.
She shattered ceilings and left cracks through which today’s daughters now see the sky.
The Legacy That Refuses to Die
Long after her laughter faded from the microphone, her vision continued to walk among us — in classrooms filled with young girls, in women’s cooperatives, in every corner of Ghana where confidence was once a stranger. She didn’t leave behind wealth or monuments; she left behind women who could now dream.
Her own daughter, Zanetor, stands today as one of those dreams — a living testimony that her mother’s fire still burns. Nana Konadu did not leave footprints in the sand; she carved her name into the soil of Ghana — permanent, profound, proud.
The Farewell — When the Eagle Finally Rests
Now the eagle has folded her wings. The drumbeats have quieted. The matriarch has joined the ancestors — not as a whisper, but as thunder wrapped in grace. We mourn, yes — but we also rise in gratitude.
For she showed us that womanhood is not weakness; it is wisdom, will, and the wild strength to rebuild a nation brick by brick. She was bold enough to challenge, wise enough to guide, and strong enough to forgive.
So today, as Ghana lowers her flag, let her daughters lift their heads. Let every woman in cloth and crown, in heels and head-tie, say, “I am because she was.”
Rest well, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings. You gave your country more than your name — you gave it your nerve. You gave Ghana’s daughters permission to dream in daylight. And though your body sleeps, your spirit marches on — in every woman who dares to rise.
Rest in Power, Queen Mother of Courage. Rest in Glory, Daughter of Ghana. Rest in the Warmth of the Ancestors.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Former Ghanaian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Victor Emmanuel Smith
Former Ghanaian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Victor Emmanuel Smith, has paid a heartfelt tribute to Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, describing the late former First Lady as “a bold, visionary, and courageous leader” whose influence shaped Ghana’s political and democratic journey.
In a statement issued on Thursday from Iowa, USA, Mr. Smith said he received the news of Agyeman-Rawlings’ passing with “deep sadness and a profound sense of personal loss.”
He recalled that she played a pivotal role in introducing him to active politics in the early 1990s and offering him an opportunity to serve the nation upon his return from the United Kingdom in 1994.
“I remain eternally grateful for the belief she had in my potential and for the pivotal role she played in shaping my political life,” he stated.
Reflecting on their long association, Mr. Smith acknowledged that, like many meaningful relationships, theirs had its challenges over time, but he chose to focus on her positive impact — on him personally, on the women she inspired, and on Ghana’s democratic development.
He expressed regret that time did not allow for a full reconciliation between them, noting, “I was hopeful that time would afford us the chance to fully reconnect.
Sadly, that opportunity will no longer come in the way I had imagined.”
To the children of the late former First Lady Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina, and Kimathi — Mr. Smith extended his “heartfelt condolences, love, and solidarity,” recalling their shared bond as a close-knit family during earlier years.
Smith concluded by describing Agyeman-Rawlings as a “champion of women’s empowerment and a key actor in shaping Ghana’s political history,” whose legacy would continue to inspire generations.
The silence in Accra is profound. The passing of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is more than a news headline; it marks the closure of an extraordinary, often tempestuous, chapter in Ghana’s political soul.
The former First Lady, a towering figure often called the Iron Lady, died at 76 on October 23, 2025, leaving a palpable void felt not just in the capital but across the rural villages she touched. Her life was an uncompromising, decades-long crusade for the dignity of the Ghanaian woman.
Her death, coming nearly five years after that of her late husband, Jerry John Rawlings, feels like the final turn of a key in the nation’s post-independence narrative. Ghana weeps for a true pioneer.
The State Acknowledgement: Tributes for a Force of Nature
As news of her passing at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital spread, the national reaction was an immediate and deep-seated acknowledgment of a life lived without compromise.
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo released a statement conveying deep sympathies, describing her as “a woman of great conviction and passion for the empowerment of the Ghanaian woman.” He also ordered all national flags to fly at half-mast for seven days in her honour — an unprecedented tribute for a former First Lady.
Politicians, regardless of party lines, now confront the legacy of a woman who was impossible to ignore. A former political rival remarked, “You didn’t have to agree with Konadu, but you had to respect her fire. She redefined the power of a First Lady.”
Ordinary Ghanaians — market women, farmers, and rural teachers — feel the loss most keenly. They saw themselves in the tenacity of the woman who, even after leaving the presidential residence, continued to run.
Her daughter, Princess Amina Rawlings, once read a tribute to her father that captured this bond, noting how her mother “had to learn to understand how to be streetwise, move along with the flow… but it still did not sit well with me.” This tension defined her life: a well-bred woman who chose the dirt roads of revolution.
She served two distinct terms as First Lady — a brief one in 1979 and a longer, consequential tenure from 1981 to 2001 — during which she fundamentally redefined the role from that of a social hostess to a powerful, policy-influencing political actor.
Tribute from the Political Frontier: NPP’s ‘Disbelief’ Unifies National Sorrow
The depth of national mourning was further crystallised by the immediate, heartfelt reaction from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). Speaking on a national platform, the NPP’s Deputy General Secretary, Haruna Mohammed, expressed the party’s “deep shock” and “disbelief,” stating, “We in the NPP are in a state of disbelief… Nothing showed that she was unwell or that she was going to leave us so soon.”
This candid reaction, beyond the requisite state condolences, underscored her unifying influence. It confirmed that her stature as “a towering national figure who contributed immensely to Ghana’s democratic and social development” transcended the fierce political rivalries that defined her later years.
The statement concluded: “But who are we to question the will of God? God has decided to call her back, and we, as humans, can only accept His will.”
Mahama Leads National Moment of Silence and State Notification
In a separate but equally significant act of state protocol later that day, President John Dramani Mahama led a solemn moment of silence at the Jubilee House immediately prior to the swearing-in ceremony of 37 newly appointed High Court judges.
This spontaneous halt to official proceedings underscored the depth of national mourning. The President confirmed that the state had been formally notified of her death, and in his address to the gathering of judicial and political officials, he requested a collective mark of honour for the woman who became Ghana’s first female presidential candidate in 2016.
The poignant moment of national tribute closed with the President’s words: “…as we rise and pay a moment of silence to her memory, may the Almighty God grant her peaceful rest in His bosom. Thank you. Amen.”
This final mark of respect from the Head of State ensures that Nana Konadu’s passing is acknowledged across the political spectrum as a national loss.
A Legacy Etched in Grassroots Power and Global Law
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was no ceremonial figurehead. Her authority was authentic, drawn directly from the soil and the sweat of Ghana’s women. She did not just advocate — she mobilised.
Her masterpiece was the 31st December Women’s Movement (31st DWM), founded in 1982. It was a powerful, grassroots machine built on the revolutionary belief that women held the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Speaking on her core mission, she declared: “My desire is to see the emancipation of women at every level of development to enable them to contribute to and benefit from the socio-economic and political progress of the country.”
The movement’s achievements were concrete, not cosmetic. It is estimated to have mobilised over two million women. The establishment of more than 870 pre-schools across the country was a strategic intervention, freeing rural mothers to engage in economic activities.
Furthermore, the 31st DWM was a key implementer of national development policy — notably through partnerships with the Non-Formal Education Division to deliver literacy programmes — firmly embedding her organisation within the state’s apparatus for change.
Her impact was felt most dramatically in the law. She was instrumental in the enactment of the Intestate Succession Law (PNDCL 111) of 1985, a pivotal reform that secured the inheritance rights of widows and children.
Crucially, in 1991, through the tireless efforts of Nana Konadu and the DWM, Ghana became the first nation globally to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Legislative Crusades Against Oppression and Political Influence
Beyond property rights, Nana Konadu’s advocacy was instrumental in pushing for legislation to curb abusive cultural practices. Her lobbying in the late 1990s contributed to the passage of laws that criminalised harmful socio-cultural practices such as Trokosi (ritual servitude/slavery) and female genital mutilation (FGM).
These victories were critical in her quest to dismantle the structures of institutionalised gender oppression. “Before December 31, 1981, they had no power of influence in law or politics,” she once stated, highlighting the monumental shift from traditional barriers to legal protection.
Her humanity drove her legal activism — the protection of a grieving mother’s home and a child’s future.
Her political influence was also a stabilising, though sometimes volatile, force within the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) regime and the subsequent transition to the Fourth Republic in 1992, making her an undeniable figure in Ghana’s return to multi-party democracy.
The Intransigence of ‘Femocracy’ and the Obaadenden Trope
After her record-setting two-decade tenure as First Lady, her fire did not dim — it merely changed direction. She remained an unyielding force, her political style even earning the analytical term “femocracy”.
This label captured the critique that she appropriated the language of women’s empowerment to advance political interests, often fuelled by controversies surrounding the 31st DWM’s commercial wing, Caridem, which acquired several divested state-owned enterprises.
However, scholars now argue this analysis is insufficient, overlooking the patriarchal structures that constrained her political power.
In local parlance, she was sometimes described by the trope of the Obaadenden — the “hard” or “difficult woman” — a label reserved for women who defy social expectations of deference. Such labels represented a form of gendered criticism, often used by political opponents and sections of the media to delegitimise her authority simply because it did not conform to the traditional, subservient image of a leader’s wife.
Her ultimate act of political self-definition was heartbreakingly personal: challenging the very party her husband co-founded, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in 2011.
This schism — and her subsequent founding of the National Democratic Party (NDP) — was a bold statement of political independence. Her legacy was cemented when she became the first woman in Ghana’s history to appear on a presidential ballot in 2016. That candidacy shattered a political glass ceiling, proving a woman’s place in Ghanaian politics was not merely beside a man, but in the arena, alone if necessary.
An Intimate Goodbye
The recent glimpses of her public life now feel like tender final farewells. Her attendance at the funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, where she joined the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, offered a final image of the private matriarch — graceful, composed, and resolute.
Now she is gone. The student from Achimota, the Art and Textiles enthusiast, the uncompromising advocate for change. Her death marks the ultimate closure of the powerful Rawlings political era.
She did not just change laws — she changed lives. Her legacy is one of grit, conviction, and an unyielding belief in the political and economic potential of the Ghanaian woman.
Her passing is a profound loss for Ghana, for Africa, and for women everywhere who will forever draw strength from her courage.
She was, in the truest sense, a pioneer who carved her own path. Ghana remembers its mother of empowerment.
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Changpeng Zhao, founder of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance, has been pardoned by US President Donald Trump.
Zhao, also known as “CZ”, was sentenced to four months in prison in April 2024 after pleading guilty to violating US money laundering laws.
Binance also pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay $4.3bn (£3.4bn) after a US investigation found it helped users bypass sanctions.
The pardon reignited debate over the White House embrace of cryptocurrency as the Trump family’s own investments in the industry have deepened.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called Zhao’s prosecution under the Biden administration part of a “war on cryptocurrency”, pushing back on critics who said the pardon appeared motivated by Trump’s personal financial interests.
“This was an overly prosecuted case by the Biden administration,” she said, adding that the case had been “thoroughly reviewed”. “So the president wants to correct this overreach of the Biden administration’s misjustice and he exercised his constitutional authority to do so.”
Binance had spent nearly a year pursuing a pardon for its former boss, who completed his four-month prison sentence in September 2024, the WSJ reported on Thursday.
Its campaign came as Trump, who released his own coin shortly ahead of his inauguration in January, promised to take a friendlier approach to the industry than his predecessor.
Since then, he has loosened regulations, sought to establish a national cryptocurrency reserve and pushed to make it easier for Americans to use retirement savings to invest in digital assets.
Zhao, who stepped down as Binance chief executive in 2023, wrote on social media on Thursday that he was “deeply grateful for today’s pardon and to President Trump for upholding America’s commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice”.
The pardon lifts restrictions that had stopped Zhao from running financial ventures, but it’s not yet clear whether it changes his standing with US regulators or his ability to lead Binance directly.
In a statement Binance called the decision “incredible news”.
The exchange, which is registered in the Cayman Islands, remains the world’s most popular platform for buying and selling cryptocurrencies and other digital assets.
It did not respond to further questions about the conflict of interest claims.
Before the pardon, Zhao’s companies had partnered with firms linked to Donald Trump on new digital-currency projects including Dominari Holdings, where his sons sit on the board of advisers and which is based in Trump Tower.
The Wall Street Journal also previously reported representatives of the Trump family – which has its own crypto firm World Liberty Financial – had recently held talks with Binance.
The Trump administration previously halted a fraud case against crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun, after his investments in the Trump family’s crypto firm, World Liberty Financial.
He has also pardoned founders of the crypto exchange BitMex, who also faced charges related to money laundering, and Ross Ulbricht, founder of the Silk Road, the dark web marketplace known as a place for drug trade.
Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale wrote on social media that he loved Trump but the president had been “terribly advised” on pardons.
“It makes it look like massive fraud is happening around him in this area,” he said.
Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, blasted the decision in a statement as a “kind of corruption”.
Asked about the decision to pardon Zhao on Thursday, Trump appeared not to not know who he was.
“Are you talking about the crypto person?” he asked, later saying he had granted the pardon at the “request of a lot of good people”.
When US officials announced the Binance guilty plea in 2023, they said Binance and Zhao were responsible for “wilful violations” of US laws, which had threatened the financial system and national security.
“Binance turned a blind eye to its legal obligations in the pursuit of profit,” said then-Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
“Its wilful failures allowed money to flow to terrorists, cybercriminals, and child abusers through its platform.”
Zhao stepped down as Binance chief executive as part of the resolution of the case, writing at the time that resigning was “the right thing to do”.
“I made mistakes, and I must take responsibility,” he said.
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Air pollution was responsible for 7.9 million deaths in 2023, roughly one in every eight deaths worldwide, according to the latest State of Global Air Report 2025.
The report, produced by the Health Effects Institute in partnership with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and the NCD Alliance, ranks air pollution as the second leading risk factor for early death globally, surpassed only by high blood pressure.
That figure, from the State of Global Air Report 2025, represents only a slight drop from the 8.1 million deaths recorded in 2021, underlining the slow pace of progress in tackling what experts describe as a “silent global epidemic.”
Across the world, 36% of people are breathing air dirtier than the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) least stringent air quality target of 35 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³).
And for nearly 2.6 billion people, the problem begins at home — from cooking with charcoal, wood, or other solid fuels that fill kitchens with toxic smoke.
The health toll is staggering: 95% of pollution-related deaths in adults over 60 are linked to non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, chronic lung conditions, dementia, and diabetes.
The report notes that air pollution now contributes to one in every two COPD deaths, one in four heart disease deaths, and over one in four dementia deaths globally.
Inequality in the Air
While pollution is a global threat, its burden is deeply unequal. Nearly 90% of all deaths from air pollution occur in low- and middle-income countries, where rapid urbanisation, reliance on biomass fuels, and limited regulation worsen air quality.
In 2023 alone, India and China each recorded more than two million air pollution-related deaths, while Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nigeria each saw over 200,000.
Countries such as Indonesia, Myanmar, and Egypt also crossed the 100,000-death mark, highlighting how Asia and Africa remain the epicentres of the crisis.
Ghana’s Struggle with Dirty Air
Ghana’s data tells a troubling story. The report estimates more than 32,000 deaths in 2023 were linked to air pollution, with more than 5,900 of them children and young people under 20.
About 15% of Ghanaians live in areas exceeding the WHO’s interim PM2.5 target, and the country’s air pollution death rate (177 per 100,000) is ten times higher than that of high-income countries.
Even more striking, one in every three heart disease deaths in Ghana is attributable to air pollution. Experts warn that this combination of environmental and public health challenges could erode years of progress made in tackling noncommunicable diseases.
A Changing Climate, a Shrinking Window
Scientists say pollution and climate change are now twin crises feeding each other. Hotter temperatures intensify smog formation, while the burning of fossil fuels continues to drive both warming and ill health.
The report also notes a growing link between air pollution and dementia, which caused 626,000 deaths globally in 2023 and robbed people of 11.6 million healthy years of life.
Despite the grim numbers, the report points to signs of progress — particularly in China and South Asia, where cleaner energy transitions have helped cut household air pollution deaths by over 36% since 2000.
Yet, 11% of the world’s population still lives in countries with no national air quality standards.
2024 State of Global Air Report
For context, the 2024 State of Global Air Report found that air pollution remained the second leading risk factor for premature death worldwide, responsible for 8.1 million deaths that year.
Of these, 58% were linked to ambient PM2.5 exposure, 38% to household air pollution, and 6% to ozone pollution.
Children under five suffered particularly high mortality, with 709,000 deaths attributed to polluted air — the majority occurring in Asia and Africa.
The report highlighted significant regional inequalities, noting that people in low- and middle-income countries were exposed to 1.3 to 4 times higher levels of PM2.5 than those in wealthier nations.
While South Asia and Africa carried the heaviest burden of disease, countries such as China and India showed improvements due to declining household air pollution levels.
Since 2000, deaths from household air pollution have dropped by 36%, largely due to cleaner cooking technologies and fuels.
Despite these gains, global PM2.5 exposure in 2021 still averaged 31.3 µg/m³, far exceeding the WHO guideline of 10 µg/m³.
The report urged governments to tighten national air quality standards and accelerate clean energy transitions, warning that without stronger action, air pollution would continue to fuel noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, COPD, and stroke, especially in developing regions.
Urgency and Action
Experts behind the report stress that air pollution is both preventable and solvable. Expanding access to clean energy, enforcing emission limits, investing in public transport, and developing early warning systems could save millions of lives.
But for countries like Ghana — where industrial emissions, traffic fumes, and open burning remain unchecked — the challenge is as much about financing adaptation as it is about political will.
Without urgent intervention, the next generation may inherit not just a warming planet, but one where every breath carries a risk.
This story was a collaboration with New Narratives. Funding was provided by the Clean Air Fund, which had no say in the story’s content.
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Cambodia has declared its support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan and reaffirmed its recognition of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The position was announced in a Joint Communiqué following a videoconference between Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn.
Cambodia commended the progress made under the leadership King Mohammed VI and reaffirmed its backing for Morocco’s efforts to reach a political solution to the Sahara issue.
“While praising Morocco’s efforts to reach a negotiated political solution to this regional dispute through the Moroccan Autonomy Plan submitted in 2007, Mr Prak Sokhonn reiterated Cambodia’s full support for the Kingdom of Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement said.
Cambodia also applauded Morocco’s “serious, realistic, and credible” approach to ending the regional dispute and expressed support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Special Envoy, in line with Security Council resolutions.
Both ministers reiterated their countries’ commitment to peace, security, and stability while rejecting separatist movements that threaten the sovereignty of UN member states.
They stressed that separatist groups pose threats comparable to those of terrorist and extremist organisations, citing proven links between the two in various regions.
This latest endorsement from Cambodia adds to the growing number of countries supporting Morocco’s Autonomy Plan and its legitimate position on the Sahara issue.
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Robert Kuzoe, UDS representatives and some dignitaries at the site for groundbreaking
The MTN Ghana Foundation, in partnership with the University for Development Studies (UDS), has officially broken ground for the construction of a modern Student Resource Centre on the Tamale campus.
The initiative marks a major step forward in advancing digital learning, STEM education and artificial intelligence training for students in the Northern Region.
The UDS Student Resource Centre is expected to help bridge the digital gap by equipping students with the technical skills and practical training needed for today’s digital economy, while fostering collaborations between academia and the wider community.
Robert Kuzoe, Senior Manager, MTN Ghana Foundation
The GH¢9.7 million facility, scheduled for completion in eight months, will provide UDS students and visiting learners from other institutions with state-of-the-art digital infrastructure, including:
A fully equipped computer lab with 70 laptops, robotics tools and video conferencing facilities linked to UDS Nyankpala Campus.
Access to courses through the MTN Skills Academy platform.
Modern digital learning spaces are designed to foster innovation and collaboration.
Provide opportunities for non-UDS students in the region to register and benefit from digital skills training.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, Robert Kuzoe, Senior Manager of MTN Ghana Foundation, emphasised the significance of the initiative in addressing Ghana’s youth unemployment challenge while harnessing the potential of its youthful population.
He said, “With 57% of Ghana’s population under the age of 25, this project directly responds to the urgent need for skills development to prepare young people for opportunities in the digital world.
Although Ghana’s internet penetration rate currently stands at 69.8%, and government initiatives such as the “One Million Coders” program (moc.gov.gh) are underway, youth unemployment remains a challenge.
“We are not just laying the foundation for a building; we are laying the foundation for a future where Ghana’s youth are equipped with the skills and opportunities to lead in the digital age.
“By providing access to modern digital tools and training, we are empowering our youth to become creators, innovators, and leaders in the digital economy”, he added.
Professor Muniru Alhassan, Dean at the UDS Nyankpala Campus, expressed his gratitude to MTN Ghana Foundation for coming to the aid of the University with the construction of the facility.
He went on to describe the centre as a one-stop hub for nurturing both technical and social intelligence.
“The world of work is changing rapidly, and this facility provides our students with the competitive edge needed to blend theory with practice and meet job market demands”, he said.
This project falls under the Education focus area of the MTN Ghana Foundation.
The Foundation remains committed to investing in interventions that enhance capacity building and improve learning efficiencies for both teachers and students.
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The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay, Raúl Luís Latorre, has reaffirmed his country’s support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Southern Provinces.
He described the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative as a just and credible solution to the Sahara issue.
Speaking to the press after meeting with the Speaker of Morocco’s House of Councillors, Mohamed Ould Errachid, on the sidelines of the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, Latorre said Paraguay’s position on the Moroccan Sahara remains clear and unwavering.
“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,” he stated.
Latorre presented Ould Errachid with a copy of a resolution unanimously adopted by the Paraguayan Chamber of Deputies, which recognises Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara and supports the Autonomy Initiative as the basis for resolving the dispute.
For his part, Ould Errachid praised Paraguay’s “clear, courageous, and consistent” position, recalling milestones in the relationship, including Paraguay’s withdrawal of recognition of the so-called “sadr” in 2014, its continued endorsement of the Autonomy Initiative, and the forthcoming opening of a Paraguayan consulate in Morocco’s Southern Provinces.
He also commended the Paraguayan Parliament for its repeated expressions of support, most recently in November 2024, affirming that Morocco’s Autonomy Plan remains the only serious, credible, and realistic framework for ending the regional dispute.
Both sides agreed to organise reciprocal parliamentary visits to deepen South–South cooperation, especially within the frameworks of MERCOSUR and the Morocco–Latin America Economic Forum.
The meeting was attended by members of the Bureau of the House of Councillors, Miloud Masside (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 Director of External Relations and Communication Saad Ghazi.
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MTN Ghana has once again been named the Overall Marketing-Oriented Telecommunications Company of the Year and inducted into the CIMG Telecommunications Hall of Fame for the sixth time at the 2024 Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) Awards.
The honour reinforces MTN Ghana’s reputation as a brand that delivers impactful marketing initiatives and customer-driven strategies that continue to shape Ghana’s telecommunications industry.
Leslie Ayeh, Manager, Brands & Advertising, receiving the Overall Marketing-Oriented Telecommunications Award on behalf of MTN Ghana
The 2024 CIMG Awards, held under the theme “Repositioning Brand Ghana: Marketing for Economic Growth and Transformation,” recognised organisations and individuals who have shown creativity, strategic leadership, and a commitment to delivering value to their stakeholders.
This latest recognition adds to MTN Ghana’s long list of achievements at the CIMG Awards. Over the years, the company has been recognised for excellence in digital transformation, brand innovation, customer experience, and corporate social investment, affirming its leadership as a trusted and forward-looking brand.
Commenting on the awards, Stephen Blewett, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, expressed appreciation to customers, partners, and employees for their continued loyalty and support.
“We dedicate this recognition to our customers and partners whose confidence in us keeps us striving for excellence. Our customers remain at the heart of everything we do, and this award is as much theirs as it is ours,” he said.
Noel Kojo Ganson, Chief Consumer Officer of MTN Ghana, said, “This recognition from CIMG is a testament to the passion and dedication of our teams and partners who continue to deliver on our promise of creating shared value. At MTN, marketing goes beyond advertising – it’s about innovation that improves lives, connections that empower people, and actions that build a sustainable future for all.”
He added that MTN’s consistent recognition reflects the company’s focus on digital leadership, customer needs, and sustainability, anchored on its Ambition 2025 strategy.
“Our performance is driven by a clear purpose – to make our customers’ lives a whole lot brighter through relevant, insight-led solutions,” he said.
MTN’s approach to marketing and business growth is guided by its belief that a connected life must also be a sustainable one. The company continues to invest in clean energy solutions, digital and financial inclusion initiatives, and community empowerment programmes that contribute to national development.
MTN Ghana remains committed to leading in digital innovation and sustainable growth, while supporting Ghana’s digital transformation agenda and promoting best practices in marketing across the industry.
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The family of the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, has appealed for privacy as they mourn her passing on Thursday, October 23.
Speaking at a brief press conference at her Ridge residence in Accra, the family head, Oheneba Lovelace Prempeh, said details regarding the burial of Ghana’s first female presidential candidate will be communicated by the President in due course.
Photo: GBC
He noted that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has also been duly informed of the passing of the wife of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Oheneba Lovelace Prempeh, son of the late Otumfour Sir Agyemang Prempeh, who is also Otumfour Akomfrehene. Photo: GBC
“The family has informed His Excellency the President, who, in turn, caused a statement to be issued confirming Nana Konadu’s death.
Kimathi Rawlings, son of former president Jerry John Rawlings. Photo: GBC
“At this stage, we are in deep mourning and respectfully ask for privacy. All further announcements will be made by the government,” the family head stated.
Mrs Rawlings, 76, passed away on Thursday morning after a short illness.
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The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has revoked 278 small-scale mining licenses across the country over regulatory breaches and the expiration of operating permits.
This was disclosed by Paa Kwesi Schandorf, the Spokesperson and Media Relations Officer at the Lands Ministry, in a Facebook post on Thursday, October 23.
According to Mr Schandorf, the decision forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to sanitise Ghana’s small-scale mining sector and ensure strict adherence to the country’s mining regulations.
The revoked licenses reportedly include those belonging to operators who failed to comply with key environmental and safety standards or who continued operations after their permits had expired.
The move underscores Minister Armah-Kofi Buah’s renewed commitment to enforcing discipline and accountability in the small-scale mining industry, which has been plagued by illegal operations and environmental degradation in recent years.
The Ministry is expected to provide further details on the affected concessions and outline the next steps to support responsible small-scale mining operations that meet the regulatory threshold.
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The 2025 camp has recorded an impressive 717 participants, drawn from all 16 regions of Ghana
Over 700 student cadets from all 16 regions of Ghana have converged at Sogakope Senior High School for this year’s National Cadet Leadership and Training Camp, aimed at instilling discipline, patriotism and leadership skills among the youth.
The week-long camp, which runs from October 18 to 26, 2025, brings together school cadet corps from across the country for intensive training in leadership, basic military drills, fire safety and community service.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the National Cadet Coordinator General, Nicholas Nii Tettey-Amarteifio, underscored the vital role of discipline in nation-building, emphasising that cadet training remains one of the most effective tools for shaping the character of young people in schools.
“You and I know that indiscipline in our schools is quite challenging,” he said.
“One key body that can help bring down the level of indiscipline is the cadet corps. Throughout this one week, the aim is to mold and shape these students, helping them to become more patriotic, more loyal and more disciplined to maintain law and order within their schools and educational institutions.”
He further explained that the leadership camp focuses on practical life skills including basic policing, firefighting, and disaster prevention, to help students understand safety protocols and responsible conduct both in and outside school.
“We want them to know that fighting and chaos do not solve problems. The fact that one belongs to School A and another to School B does not mean they should fight. We are all students serving one nation,” he noted.
Tettey-Amarteifio also called for greater government support to sustain and expand the training programme, while commending the participants and organizers for their commitment.
“Government alone cannot do it all. That’s why participants have contributed financially to be part of this camp.
“However, we appeal for more support so that in future, the training can be made virtually free to allow students from remote areas to also benefit,” he appealed.
The 2025 camp has recorded an impressive 717 participants, drawn from all 16 regions of Ghana the highest turnout so far in recent years.
The opening ceremony saw the presence of several dignitaries including:
Victoria Dzeko, Chief Executive, South Tongu District
Haruna Issaka, Acting District Coordinating Director
Commander Dennis Agyei, Commanding Officer, Supply Application School, Nute
Major Daniel Edjekumhene, Training Officer, Artillery Training School
Lieutenant (GN) Hegah Darkwah, Training Officer, Supply Application School
It is with profound reverence and intellectual admiration that I compose this tribute to the life and enduring legacy of Nana Agyemang Konadu Rawlings, a distinguished stateswoman whose extraordinary contributions to the socio-political development of Ghana and the global community have left an indelible mark on collective consciousness. Affectionately esteemed by many as “Mommy,” her character embodied unwavering integrity, visionary leadership, and a steadfast dedication to societal transformation.
Nana Konadu Rawlings’ accomplishments are multifaceted and emblematic of her commitment to national and gender equity. As a fervent advocate for women’s empowerment and a proactive supporter of developmental initiatives, she pioneered numerous programs aimed at elevating socio-economic opportunities for women and promoting youth participation in national discourse. Her active engagement in these domains underscores a profound understanding of the transformative potential inherent in gender parity, education, and sustainable development—manifesting through influential policy advocacy and grassroots mobilization.
Her distinguished career was marked by pioneering efforts to enhance women’s participation in political and public spheres at a time when such engagement was often marginalized or actively suppressed. She founded various advocacy platforms to address gender disparities, thereby shaping policies that continue to safeguard the rights and well-being of women and youth. Her leadership was predicated on the principles of integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to societal progress—principles that continue to inspire subsequent generations.
My recent visit to her residence in May 2025 reaffirmed her enduring kindness and graciousness. Her warmth, humility, and gentle demeanor exemplified her character—an embodiment of humility, compassion, and respect for others. Interacting with Nana Konadu Rawlings reaffirmed her embodiment of wisdom, discipline, and authenticity—she engaged with honesty and refrained from resorting to slander or malicious speech. Her enduring influence remains a testament to her mentorship and moral authority.
For those yet to encounter this extraordinary woman firsthand, it is more appropriate to recognize her significance not through superficial judgments but through the profound impact of her life’s work. Her unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and societal well-being has substantially contributed to shaping the social fabric of our nation, inspiring countless individuals to pursue paths aligned with national and international development.
The recollection of our final conversation—her maternal reassurance, “Serwaah, please don’t worry… See you when you come to the motherland… No sweat… good morning”—is tinged with regret for not having heeded her counsel sooner. Her words, imbued with maternal care, would have offered solace during moments of uncertainty.
In memorializing Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings—her steadfast service, advocacy for women and youth, resilience, and moral integrity—we acknowledge her as a beacon of leadership and compassion. Her legacy endures as an exemplar of visionary governance, moral rectitude, and boundless empathy. To honor her enduring influence, the name “Serwaah” or “Abenaa,” which I was affectionately known by, shall henceforth be replaced by my given name, “Rose,” signifying her lasting goodwill.
Although I regret not having known her during my formative years, I derive solace from my faith in Christ, which sustains my hope and gratitude.
Mother, your memory remains eternally etched in my heart.
An NBA player and coach are among dozens of people arrested as part of a sweeping FBI investigation into illegal sports betting and rigged, mafia-linked poker games.
Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were named by federal prosecutors in two separate indictments on Thursday.
Rozier, 31, is among six people arrested over alleged betting irregularities, including other NBA players who may have faked injuries to influence gambling markets.
Billups, a Hall of Fame player who has coached the Portland Trail Blazers since 2021, is one of 31 people charged in a separate illegal poker game case involving retired players and the mafia.
In that case, which prosecutors said involved four of the five major crime families in New York, an alleged scheme to lure victims into playing rigged poker games alongside high-profile sports stars was uncovered before stealing millions of dollars.
They did so using technology, including special contact lenses and glasses that could read pre-marked cards and an X-ray table, according to authorities.
In a statement, the NBA said that Rozier and Billups were being placed on immediate leave as it reviews the federal indictments.
“We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the statement read.
Rozier’s lawyer denied the allegations to CBS News, the BBC’s US news partner, saying: “Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning this fight.”
Rozier is due to appear in federal court in Orlando later on Thursday, while Billups was arrested in Portland and will appear in court there.
Terry Rozier – better known to some fans as ‘Scary Terry’ – is a current NBA player for Miami
FBI Director Kash Patel held a news conference with other prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York, on Thursday, where he announced the two indictments. He called the arrests “extraordinary” and said there was a “coordinated takedown across 11 states”.
“We’re talking about tens of millions of dollars in fraud and theft and robbery across a multi-year investigation,” he said.
US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Joseph Nocella Jr, said all defendants are innocent until proven guilty, but warned, “Your winning streak has ended. Your luck has run out.”
NBA games under scrutiny
Prosecutors said the first case involved players and associates who allegedly used information not available to the public to manipulate bets on major gambling platforms.
Nocella called it “one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes since online sports betting became widely legalised”.
Seven NBA games between February 2023 and March 2024 have been identified as part of the case. Rozier is said to have been involved in one between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans when he was playing for the Hornets.
Rozier is alleged to have told a friend that he would leave the game early due to injury. The friend and his associates then placed bets, or directed others to bet, “more than $200,000” that Rozier would underperform expectations in the game, prosecutors said.
He left the game after nine minutes, they said, which resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in betting profits for those involved.
During the game, Rozier played roughly nine minutes and scored just five points because of a sore right foot, according to the official NBA match report.
Before that game, he averaged 35 minutes of playing time and about 21 points per game.
“As the NBA season tips off, his career is already benched, not for injury but for integrity,” New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups is accused of involvement in rigged poker games
Rozier’s lawyer, James Trusty, said in a statement that prosecutors “appear to be taking the word of spectacularly incredible sources rather than relying on actual evidence of wrongdoing. Terry was cleared by the NBA, and these prosecutors revived that non-case.”
Trusty said he had been representing Rozier for more than a year and said prosecutors characterised Rozier as a subject, not a target, until they informed him that FBI agents were arresting the player at a hotel on Thursday morning.
Former NBA player Damon Jones was also arrested as part of the investigation.
Jones is said to have been involved in two of the identified games – when the Los Angeles Lakers met the Milwaukee Bucks in February 2023, and a January 2024 game between the Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sports betting was outlawed in most of the US from 1992 until 2018, when the Supreme Court turned regulation of the practice over to the states.
Since the federal ban was struck down, sports betting has exploded with major sports leagues and media companies making deals with gambling firms to get in on the billion-dollar industry.
Rigged poker games and the mafia
The second indictment announced on Thursday involves 31 defendants alleged to have participated in a scheme to rig illegal poker games and steal millions of dollars.
The case involved 13 members and associates of the Bonanno, Genovese and Gambino crime families in New York.
Nocella said the targeted victims were lured to play games with former professional athletes, including Billups and Jones, in Las Vegas, Miami, Manhattan and the Hamptons.
Victims were “fleeced” out of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars per game, he said.
He said defendants used “very sophisticated technology” like altered off-the-shelf shuffling machines that could read the cards. Some of the defendants used special contact lenses and glasses to read pre-marked cards, and an X-ray table that could read cards when they were face-down.
“What [the victims] didn’t know is that everybody else at the poker game – from the dealer to the players were in on the scam,” Nocella said.
Tisch said that when people refused to pay, the organised crime families used threats and intimidation to get people to hand over the money.
The charges include robbery, extortion, wire fraud, bank fraud and illegal gambling.
The conspiracy cheated victims out of $7m (£5.2m), with one losing $1.8 million, officials said.
“This is only the tip of the iceberg,” Christopher Raia, the FBI assistant director of the New York field office, said, adding the FBI is working day and night to ensure members of mafia families “cannot continue to wreak havoc in our communities”.
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Former Food and Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong has dismissed allegations that fertilizer distribution under the Planting for Food and Jobs 2.0 programme was used for political advantage ahead of the 2024 elections, describing it as a data-driven drought relief intervention.
In a statement issued by his campaign communications directorate, Acheampong, who is seeking the New Patriotic Party presidential nomination, stressed that all activities were managed through official Ministry of Food and Agriculture structures with no involvement of partisan channels.
Acheampong explained that Ghana faced one of its most severe droughts in 2023, prompting a national relief programme under PFJ 2.0 to support affected farmers. “This was not a campaign tool but a data-driven intervention designed to protect livelihoods and stabilize food production,” he stated in the statement. The relief programme reached over 225 districts, distributing more than 2.1 million bags of fertilizer along with maize seeds and logistical support to verified beneficiaries.
Addressing reports of letters dated November 27, 2024 that suggested possible political distribution, Acheampong said the correspondence was operational in nature and intended to address logistical bottlenecks raised by local authorities. He noted that some deliveries coincided with the election period due to procurement delays, describing the timing as incidental rather than strategic.
The Ministry acted following consultations with the World Bank and approved suppliers, initiating deliveries in October to ensure timely support before the planting season, according to the statement. Acheampong’s team highlighted the introduction of a zero-interest input credit system under PFJ 2.0, replacing the previous subsidy model criticized for leakages and smuggling. The new system ensures full traceability and accountability, with over 200,000 farmers already benefiting.
Campaign spokesperson Eric Twum said Acheampong built systems based on documentation rather than speculation, positioning him as a candidate focused on governance integrity rather than political expediency.
The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has launched an enforcement campaign against unlicensed Portland cement importation, warning that offenders face seizure of goods, heavy fines, and prosecution under Ghana’s trade laws.
Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance on violations of the Export and Import (Restrictions on Importation of Portland Cement) Regulations, 2016 (L.I. 2240). “No import licences for Portland cement have been issued since my assumption of office,” she stated, emphasizing that any ongoing importation without valid licensing is illegal and subject to punitive action.
The Ministry described illegal cement importation and smuggling as serious threats to public safety and fair industry competition. To strengthen enforcement, officials are collaborating with the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Ghana Standards Authority to track and intercept unlicensed shipments.
The coordinated strategy includes enhanced border surveillance, market inspections, and compliance monitoring across the cement value chain. The initiative aims to protect local manufacturers from unfair competition while upholding quality and safety standards in Ghana’s construction sector.
The Ministry emphasized that only certified and licensed importers and manufacturers should operate within the market to maintain the integrity of construction materials and protect consumers from substandard products. Officials appealed to the public, particularly those in construction and manufacturing industries, to support enforcement by reporting suspicious import activities and avoiding purchases from unverified sources.
Mrs Ofosu-Adjare underscored that effective regulation of the cement market is essential for sustaining Ghana’s industrial growth and public safety. She warned that illegal trade undermines economic stability and risks compromising infrastructure project quality nationwide. The Ministry assured legitimate importers and manufacturers of continued support while maintaining commitment to transparent trade governance and market discipline.
Novihoho Afaglo, businessman and a staunch member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on President John Mahama to extend the mandate of the Office of the Receiver of Assets and Liabilities Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) to expose more corrupt deals perpetrated by officials of past administrations.
According to Afaglo, the combined team of ORAL and the Attorney General’s Department is doing an important job by revealing the corrupt actions of the previous government officials, demonstrating how taxpayers’ money meant for national development was misappropriated by these individuals.
He noted that, thanks to ORAL’s diligence, several appointees of former President Nana Akufo-Addo who could have allegedly stolen millions from the state have now been exposed and are facing the consequences of their actions.
Speaking in a recent interview about the recent revelations of financial misconduct by the Akufo-Addo government, Afaglo praised President Mahama for empowering ORAL to uncover these corrupt activities.
LIVESTREAMED: Attorney General provides new updates on ORAL cases
He stressed that the significant corruption being exposed should serve as a warning to current government officials, reminding them that their roles are meant to improve the lives of citizens and not to deny them their economic rights.
Afaglo urged President Mahama to extend ORAL’s operations to dig deeper into other possible corrupt deals by former officials and ensure that justice is served.
He also appealed to Ghanaians to support the President, the ORAL team, and the Attorney General’s Department in holding all perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
“President Mahama will not act as a clearing agent like Nana Akufo-Addo, who cleared his appointees whenever they were accused of corruption,” he declared.
Scenes from Accra Ridge Hospital after news of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’ death
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Director General of the Ghana Education Service, Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, has stated that Ghana’s learning crisis requires locally rooted solutions rather than externally driven approaches that ignore local contexts and teacher expertise.
Professor Davis made the remarks during a panel discussion at the launch of Professor Kwame Akyeampong’s book, co-authored with Dr. Sean Higgins, titled “Reconceptualizing the Learning Crisis in Africa: Multi-dimensional Pedagogies of Accelerated Learning Programs” at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
The GES chief acknowledged the severity of Ghana’s educational challenges, noting that significant numbers of students cannot read and write at appropriate levels. However, he criticized the tendency to import pre-packaged educational solutions without adequate adaptation to local realities.
Professor Davis specifically challenged the fidelity model of curriculum implementation, which requires strict adherence to prescribed materials. “We do not apply the enactment model, a model that gives teachers agency, respects their professional knowledge, and positions them as individuals who can provide meaningful feedback,” he explained. He argued that this approach unfairly blames teachers when outcomes fall short of expectations.
Language emerged as a central concern in the discussion. The GES Director General emphasized that education begins, progresses, and succeeds or fails through language. He questioned whether students truly have access to the curriculum when language barriers exist, despite high enrollment levels.
Addressing stakeholder involvement, Professor Davis emphasized inclusivity in defining quality education. He noted that learners, parents, communities, teachers, policymakers, and the global community should all contribute to shaping educational standards. Quality education must equip students with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values needed to improve their lives and contribute to society, according to Professor Davis.
Ghana’s National Tripartite Committee has set the 2025 National Daily Minimum Wage at GH₵19.97 per day, a 10 percent increase over 2024, drawing mixed reactions from business and labour groups since taking effect on March 1.
The NTC, which brings together representatives from government, employers and organized labour, cited multiple factors in approving the adjustment including cost of living pressures, business sustainability needs, and the goal of increasing employment. Under Section 113(1)(a) of the Labour Act, 2003, the NTC reviews the minimum wage annually.
The adjusted wage will increase the payroll baseline for many businesses, particularly in labour intensive sectors such as retail, hospitality, services and light manufacturing. A cost analyst at an Accra based business advisory firm noted that a 10 percent rise in the minimum wage is manageable for well capitalized firms, but for small and micro enterprises already operating on tight margins the impact will be more acute.
From the labour side, the increase is welcomed but seen as only a partial response to rising living costs. At a June 2025 roundtable event, the Ghana Trades Union Congress argued that the minimum wage remains inadequate for family support and called for a move to a living wage model.
Deputy Secretary General Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo stated that minimum wage currently focuses on the worker and not on his or her dependents. Labour’s call includes a demand for a new formula that links minimum wage increases to inflation, productivity and cost of living metrics rather than a fixed percentage each year.
The timing of the wage adjustment coincides with Ghana’s broader macro economic recovery efforts. With inflation showing signs of moderating, the 2025 budget incorporated proposals to adjust the personal income tax free threshold in line with the wage rise. However, higher wage floors also raise questions about fiscal sustainability, especially where public sector salaries and welfare obligations rise.
Enforcement remains key to the policy’s success. A 2017 paper by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung noted that large swathes of workers in Ghana received wages below the official minimum and that enforcement institutions lacked capacity. For a worker earning the new minimum wage of GH₵19.97 per day, assuming a 27 day month, that equates to roughly GH₵539.19 monthly before allowances, overtime or bonuses.
The Director General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, has urged Ghana to sign the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement, arguing it could help shift Africa’s export structure away from raw commodities into higher value manufacturing and services.
She told Ghana’s Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare, in a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of UNCTAD XVI in Geneva that Africa’s export profile, where over 60 percent of exports remain primary commodities, can be transformed through stronger investment facilitation and value chain integration.
Dr. Okonjo Iweala said joining the IFD would position Ghana to attract sustainable investment, support micro, small and medium enterprises, and drive structural transformation under the African Continental Free Trade Area and WTO frameworks.
Both sides reviewed ongoing WTO reform efforts ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference, noting that negotiations are now centered on subsidies, protectionism and development mandates. The WTO chief encouraged Ghana to continue playing an active role in shaping outcomes that serve the interests of developing countries.
On bilateral trade with the United States, Ofosu Adjare briefed the WTO head on Ghana’s concerns around African Growth and Opportunity Act linked tariffs. She recalled that Ghana had initially hoped for tariff relief but was later faced with a 15 percent tariff rate, up from an initial 10 percent.
Dr. Okonjo Iweala said her recent engagements with US officials have focused on encouraging greater US investment in Africa and fairer trade practices rather than punitive measures. The Minister told the WTO chief that Ghana is initiating consultations with African Trade Ministers to harmonize border procedures and remove implementation bottlenecks under the AfCFTA.
Dr. Okonjo Iweala lauded Ghana’s standing within the WTO system, stating that Ghana is too precious to the WTO to owe. She praised the country for submitting high quality candidates for WTO capacity building and training programmes, noting that Ghanaian participants have demonstrated excellence and professionalism in every cohort.
She said she would use her office to support Ghana’s accession to the C4 Plus Cotton Club to advance its textiles and garments agenda, while urging improvements in notifications and transparency submissions with Secretariat support.
OmniBSIC Bank Ghana Ltd has introduced Braille Assisted Banking Services, allowing visually impaired customers to manage their finances independently and securely for the first time in Ghana’s banking sector.
Launched under the bank’s Limitless Banking strategy, the new service provides key banking documents in Braille, giving customers control over their own financial decisions. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, about four percent of the population, more than 1.2 million people, live with visual impairment.
Daniel Asiedu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of OmniBSIC Bank, said the initiative goes beyond technology and is about empowerment. He stated that at OmniBSIC, they believe banking should be for everyone, everywhere, and their Braille Assisted Services are about restoring dignity and independence.
Mr Asiedu added that OmniBSIC plans to expand similar accessibility initiatives to reach all persons with disabilities across its network. The bank has already begun rolling out Braille Assisted Services across its 40 branch network, alongside staff training on visual impairment awareness and disability inclusive service delivery.
As part of the 2025 Global Customer Service Week themed “Mission: Possible,” OmniBSIC deepened its inclusion agenda through an engagement with students of the University of Ghana’s Assistive Technology Lab, under the Institutional Advancement Directorate, Information Technology Directorate, and the Centre for Disability Studies and Advocacy.
Mrs Chidinma Braye Yankee, Group Head of Corporate and Support Services, said true inclusion begins with empathy and collaboration, adding they do not presume to know what customers with disabilities need but listen, learn, and co-create solutions.
Engineer Francis Kwabena Boakye, Chief Information Technology Officer of the University of Ghana, lauded the visit as the first of its kind by a financial institution. Mr Alexander Bankole Williams, Head of the Assistive ICT Lab, praised the initiative as a milestone for Ghana’s financial inclusion drive, referencing the Persons with Disability Act, 2006.
Professor Joana Salifu Yendork, Director of CEDSA, urged other customer facing institutions to adopt a total inclusivity approach. The initiative aligns with the Bank of Ghana’s Financial Inclusion for Persons with Disability Directive and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant Dr Bryan Acheampong has forcefully refuted claims that fertilisers were distributed to parliamentary candidates for political gain ahead of the 2024 general elections.
According to him, such accusations are “propaganda” and an attempt to misinform the public.
In an official statement from his presidential campaign office, the former Minister of Food and Agriculture clarified that all relief inputs for farmers were managed exclusively through the official structures of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), with no involvement of partisan channels.
The statement detailed that the distribution was part of a national relief programme under the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) 2.0 initiative, launched in response to a severe drought in 2023.
“During his ongoing regional campaign tour, Dr Acheampong categorically refuted claims that fertilisers were distributed to NPP parliamentary candidates for political gain.
“He clarified that all relief inputs were managed exclusively through the official structures of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), with no involvement of partisan channels. That is how the governance system works.
“In 2023, Ghana faced one of its most severe droughts in recent history,” Dr Acheampong stated. “Upon assuming office as minister, we launched a national relief programme under PFJ 2.0 to support affected farmers. This was not a campaign tool but was a data-driven intervention designed to protect livelihoods and stabilise food production,” the statement quoted him.
Official document contradicts Bryan Acheampong’s claim on fertiliser distribution to NPP officials
The campaign office revealed that the programme delivered over 2.1 million bags of fertiliser, along with maize seeds and logistical support, to verified farmers across more than 225 districts.
Addressing the timing of some deliveries, which coincided with the election period, the statement attributed this to routine procurement delays, insisting the objective was solely drought mitigation.
“While the programme commenced months prior, some deliveries coincided with the election period due to procurement delays, a routine occurrence in government operations. Dr Acheampong emphasised that the timing was incidental, not strategic.
“The objective was drought mitigation. Inputs were to be delivered until the very last day of the Administration,” he said,” the statement continued.
The statement also highlighted the introduction of a zero-interest input credit system under PFJ 2.0, which it said replaced a flawed subsidy model and has already benefited over 200,000 farmers.
Eric Twum, a spokesperson for the campaign, concluded, “Bryan Acheampong built systems, not patronage. He leads with documentation, not speculation. That’s why the propaganda fails.”
The Communications Directorate reaffirmed that Dr Acheampong’s leadership remains anchored in unity, discipline, and transparency as the NPP flagbearer race continues.
Innovation for Empowerment and Development (IFED Global) in partnership with the National Youth Authority and the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), will host 2,000 young Africans including students, entrepreneurs and young professionals for a five-day festival.
The festival is scheduled from November 5th to 9th, 2025, with the main events taking place at the University of Ghana, Legon.
The Opening Ceremony will be held at The AVI Event Centre in Accra, Ghana.
The theme for this year’s festival is “Reflect, Review & Reset: Igniting the Future of Africa’s Youth,” creating a platform for dialogue, skill development, and cultural exchange.
A central component of the festival is intensive skill development across ten career fields.
Innovation for Empowerment and Development (IFED Global) is marking its 10th anniversary by gathering young people from across the African continent for the transformative Africa Youth Festival.
This milestone celebration follows a decade of impactful youth-centered activities, including the International Youth Diplomacy and Global Junior Model United Nations Conference.
To ensure the training is market-relevant, IFED Global has partnered with institutions to create a cutting-edge curriculum.
Participants have been strategically selected to meet the following career quota.
1. Vocational and Technical Skills enhancement programme – 10%
2.Creative Arts Talents Enhancement Programme – 10%
3.Youth in Agribusiness Programme – 10%
4.Women’s Wealth-Building Training Programme – 5%
5.Healthcare Innovation and Skill Enhancement- 10%
6.Social, Developmental and Climate Action Skills Enhancement – 10%
7.Information, Communication & Technology Skills Enhancement– 10%
8.Entrepreneurship Training Programme – 15%
9.Governance and Leadership Training Programme – 10%
10.Model United Nations (MUN) and Diplomacy Training – 10%
IFED Global expresses gratitude for the curriculum and training support from partners including ALX, HO2WO, A&P Intern Connect and the UGBS Entrepreneurship Hub.
The festival has secured a major endorsement from the Office of the President.
President John Dramani Mahama has delegated the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment to represent him at the opening ceremony on November 5, 2025 and has pledged the government’s support.
This marks the first major governmental endorsement for this pan-African youth initiative.
The festival will feature a powerful line-up of leaders from business, politics, and banking, including:
●George Opare Addo (Minister of Youth Development and Empowermentl)
●Farihan Alhassan, MD of Ghana Commercial Bank
●Julius Neequaye, CEO of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)
●Kofi Amoa-Abban, CEO of Rigworld Group
●Afetsi Awoonor, CEO-BOST
●Baroness (Mrs.) Mavis Leonards, MD- Global Sky Ltd.
●John Affaidzi Appiah, President-African Chamber for Youth Development
Beyond the intensive training, the festival features vibrant social and networking activities:
●Global Village & Musical Concert: An unforgettable celebration with electrifying performances by delegates and top African artistes.
●Advocacy: The platform will lead campaigns against drug abuse and the negative influences of social media.
●The African Market: Vibrant exhibitions showcasing youth innovation in tech, fashion, and crafts from various countries, fostering cross-cultural exchange.
●Africa Youth Games: Uniting youth through sports competitions like football, athletics, and basketball.
●Afro Jollof Battle: A lively culinary contest highlighting regional cuisine.
The festival will conclude on November 8th and 9th. Delegates will first immerse themselves in Ghana’s rich heritage with a tour exploring coastal forts, traditional villages and Accra city landmarks (like Black Star Square and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum).
The festival will then conclude with a Grand Celebration to honour outstanding participants and celebrate collective achievements in a dinner and awards.
Scenes from Accra Ridge Hospital after news of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’ death
