FIFA president Gianni Infantino says the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off on Saturday, June 14, 2025, marks a historic “new era” for the game, comparing it to the first World Cup held in 1930.
In an interview with AFP, Infantino also responded to critics of FIFA’s ticketing policy, saying that skeptics who had questioned the need for the tournament would quickly change their minds.
The 32-team competition, featuring clubs from all continents, gets underway with Inter Miami facing Egyptian club Al-Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium.
“It starts a new era of football, a new era of club football. A little bit like when, in 1930, the first World Cup started. Everyone today speaks about the very first World Cup. That’s why this World Cup here is historic,” Infantino told AFP.
The first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930, and Infantino noted that only European and South American teams took part. He added that the Club World Cup would give a chance to clubs from outside football’s traditional heartlands to play on the global stage.
“We want to be inclusive. We want to give opportunities to clubs from all over the world,” he said. “It’s really to globalise football, to make it truly global. Because when you scratch the surface, we say it’s the number one sport in the world, and it is, but then the elite is very concentrated in very few clubs, in very few countries,” added.
The Swiss official, who was general secretary of European body UEFA before taking the helm at FIFA in 2016, said that the club tournament also offered chances to players from over 80 countries.
“Countries that would never have a chance to play in a World Cup are suddenly part of a World Cup, and they feel part of it – the fans of these players and of these clubs.
“A very good friend of mine is George Weah… a former legend, great player, Ballon d’Or winner, the only African player to have ever won the Ballon d’Or. He never played in a World Cup. He would have been playing in a Club World Cup and made not only his club but also his country proud,” added Infantino, noting several great players of the past who never played in a World Cup.
‘Something special’
Infantino dismissed concerns that the tournament added to fixture congestion but acknowledged that some fans were yet to be sure of the tournament’s value, saying that would quickly change.
“I believe, I’m convinced that as soon as the ball starts rolling, the whole world will realize what’s happening here. It’s something special,” he said.
Reports of low ticket uptake for some games have led to criticism of FIFA’s ticketing policy, with ‘dynamic pricing’, increasingly common in the United States, allowing prices to rise and fall according to demand.
But Infantino defended the approach and the decision to offer heavy discounts to students in Miami.
“I’m a positive person generally, but they criticise FIFA if the prices are too high, then they criticise FIFA if the prices are too low. Then they criticise FIFA if we make ticketing promotions with students. Students! I mean, when I was a student and didn’t have money, I would have loved FIFA to come to me and say, ‘You want to come and watch a World Cup match?’
“We don’t want to see empty stadiums. I believe the stadiums will be pretty full,” he said.
The FIFA president said that the tournament, which secured a global broadcasting deal with DAZN reportedly worth $1 billion, was already an economic success and stressed that all the money generated from commercial deals would be reinvested in the game.
Asked how he would judge whether the tournament had been a success, Infantino said he would feel it in his ‘heart’ but was confident.
“In terms of inclusivity, in terms of economy, in terms of fan interest, take all these criteria, we’ll speak again at the end of the Club World Cup. But already now, I feel positive when I look at the number of tickets sold and the TV rights. Tell me one top competition today where you can watch football for free?” he said, noting that the games were available on DAZN’s streams for free.
The Club World Cup has also been caught up in the US’s fierce debates over immigration control, with games being held near Los Angeles, a scene of violent clashes between protesters and immigration officers.
“Security for me and for us is a top priority, always. So when something is happening, like in Los Angeles, we are obviously monitoring the situation, we are in constant contact with the authorities, and we want fans to go to games in a safe environment,” Infantino said.
Meanwhile, watch the latest edition of Sports Check with former Hearts of Oak midfielder Frederick Ansah Botchway
In a world where fashion constantly evolves, finding the right inspiration to shape your personal style can be both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you’re a fashion-forward trendsetter or someone who simply wants to feel confident and comfortable in their clothes, style inspiration is a powerful tool that can transform how you express yourself through fashion. This article is here to guide you through a curated selection of stylish outfit ideas that cater to all tastes, moods, and occasions.
From classic corporate wear for the modern working woman, to vibrant Ankara prints that celebrate African heritage, and chic casual fits for your weekend hangouts — there’s something here for everyone. Style inspiration isn’t about copying someone else’s wardrobe; it’s about discovering new ways to wear what you love, embracing color palettes that speak to your energy, and choosing pieces that enhance your natural beauty and personality.
As we spotlight some of the most stunning looks from influencers, celebrities, and everyday stylish ladies, you’ll see how simple accessories, a bold lipstick, or even a carefully chosen pair of shoes can elevate an outfit from ordinary to outstanding. These looks are not only fashionable but also practical, ensuring that comfort and confidence go hand-in-hand.
Whether you’re preparing for a big event, planning a date night outfit, or just refreshing your closet, let this be your go-to style board. Get ready to slay effortlessly, feel beautiful in your own skin, and make every outfit you wear a statement.
Style is more than what you wear it’s how you carry yourself, how you mix creativity with confidence, and how you tell your story without saying a word. So go ahead, draw inspiration, experiment with looks, and find the style that’s uniquely you.
Parliament’s Appointments Committee is set to begin vetting President John Dramani Mahama’s nominees for the Supreme Court from Monday June 16 to Wednesday June 18, 2025.
The President nominated seven Justices of the Court of Appeal for elevation to the nation’s highest court, in line with Article 144 (2) of the 1992 Constitution.
The nominees include Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, Justice Gbiel Simon Suurbaareh, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, Justice Philip Bright Mensah, Justice Janapare Bartels-Kodwo, and Justice Hafisata Amaleboba.
Their appointments, once approved by Parliament, will strengthen the judiciary.
The vetting process will assess the nominees’ qualifications, experience, and judicial philosophy to determine their suitability for the role. The proceedings are expected to generate public interest as Parliament reviews the nominees’ credentials before final approval.
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NSA Scandal: Mustapha Ussif, Gifty Oware-Mensah, 10 others to be prosecuted – AG
Former Presidential Candidate, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha Visits Actor Adam Zango After Car Accident
News Hub Creator18min
Former Nigerian presidential candidate and retired military officer, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has paid a visit to popular Kannywood actor, Adam Zango, following the actor’s recent involvement in a car accident.
According to reports, Adam Zango was involved in a car crash while traveling along the Kaduna to Kano expressway. Though the incident caused concern among fans and colleagues, the actor is said to be in stable condition and recovering well.
Major Al-Mustapha, known for his time as Chief Security Officer under the late General Sani Abacha, was seen visiting the actor to offer support and words of encouragement during his recovery. Photos from the visit surfaced online, drawing reactions from both political observers and entertainment enthusiasts, many of whom praised the gesture as a sign of unity and compassion across fields.
Zango, a major figure in the Hausa film industry, appreciated the visit, describing it as uplifting. The actor thanked Al-Mustapha and his fans for their prayers and continued support.
The visit underscores growing solidarity between political figures and cultural icons in Northern Nigeria, as leaders and celebrities come together in moments of crisis.
Tension has flared in Samereboi as a group of angry youth blocked roads leading to the Sarmatex Timber Company, protesting the arrest of illegal miners operating in a nearby forest reserve.
According to JoyNews’ Erastus Asare Donkor, the demonstrators, allegedly working for a local chief, obstructed traffic and assaulted some company personnel while demanding the release of the arrested miners.
The Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response Team had apprehended the miners earlier for engaging in illegal mining (galamsey) in a protected reserve.
This incident comes just days after the Inspector General of Police’s (IGP) special anti-galamsey task force temporarily withdrew from the area following a series of raids on illegal mining camps.
Despite the crackdown, the defiant miners reportedly returned to the forest, leading to their arrest.
Police in the area have called for reinforcements to restore order, as the blockade continues to disrupt movement in the community. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on whether the detained miners will be prosecuted.
Local leaders are being urged to intervene to prevent further escalation, as illegal mining remains a persistent challenge in Ghana’s forest reserves.
The Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has called for unity within the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), urging members to set aside differences and focus on rebuilding and repositioning the party ahead of the next general elections.
In a statement released to party members, Dr. Acheampong acknowledged growing tensions and heated exchanges—particularly on social media—but warned that disunity and internal hostility would only weaken the NPP at a time when it needs strength and clarity of purpose.
“As we prepare to reposition our Party, we must stay focused on efforts to rebuild and rebrand. While passionate political discourse is natural, division and hostility only serve to weaken us,” the statement read.
Dr. Bryan Acheampong emphasized that party leadership must take the lead in restoring hope by promoting unity, discipline, and maturity. He called on all members—from grassroots activists to top executives—to recommit to the values that define the NPP.
“I urge all party members to remember what binds us: our shared values, our love for country, and our belief in a thriving Mother Ghana. Now is the time to rise above factions and forge a new path built on collaboration, courage and credibility,” he added.
The Abetifi MP stressed that it was not enough to simply move past disagreements. Rather, he urged members to embrace constructive dialogue and collective action in order to present a unified front to the Ghanaian public.
“This is about working together, disciplined and united, to build a stronger future for our Party,” Dr. Acheampong concluded.
His intervention comes at a critical moment as the NPP navigates internal challenges following its transition into opposition, with calls growing for reform, healing, and a clear roadmap toward regaining public trust.
As the construction industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, Ghana is taking decisive steps to promote sustainable building practices.
The sector, responsible for roughly 40% of global carbon emissions plays a critical role in the global effort to combat climate change particularly in rapidly urbanizing countries like Ghana.
To address this challenge, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in partnership with the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) and supported by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), spearheaded a capacity-building initiative aimed at embedding sustainability into Ghana’s construction landscape.
Central to the initiative is the IFC’s EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) Green Building Certification Programme, which trains built environment professionals in cost-effective methods to reduce energy use, water consumption, and carbon emissions in construction.
By equipping architects, surveyors, and educators with data-driven tools and sustainability principles, the programme is creating a new generation of climate-conscious professionals.
Speaking at the event, the IFC Senior Country Manager Kyle Kelhofer noted the programme’s expanding reach.
He stated that over 200 students in Ghana have now completed the course and that more than 30 lecturers from five universities have been trained to incorporate EDGE principles into their teaching.
“Over 200 students in Ghana have now completed the course, and more than 30 lecturers from five universities have been trained to integrate EDGE into their teaching,” he said.
This two-pronged approach—targeting both industry professionals and academic institutions—is seen as essential to sustaining long-term change in the sector.
Local advocates of the initiative also their voiced support to the course.
The President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, Kofi Obeng-Ayirebi, emphasized the importance of widespread public engagement with green building principles.
He urged that sustainability not be confined to large-scale developments or experts alone, but extended to residential homes, commercial spaces, and small offices alike.
For her part, the Deputy Head of Cooperation at SECO, Magdalena Wuest highlighted the critical role of education in the sustainability movement.
She emphasised that by integrating sustainability concepts into academic curricula, educational institutions can empower students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to drive systemic transformation within the construction industry and beyond.
Looking ahead, GhIS leaders are advocating for the programme to expand further—specifically into Carbon Valuation training, which would equip professionals to quantify and manage the environmental impacts of construction projects.
Amerado said he’s unbothered by any effects of his constant toffee-chewing
Ghanaian rapper Amerado has declared that he won’t give up his love for toffees, regardless of any effects excessive sugar may have on his bedroom performance.
The Kwaku Ananse hitmaker is frequently seen with a toffee in his mouth, during interviews, performances, or casual outings, prompting fans and media to jokingly question whether his sweet tooth affects his “manhood.”
The topic came up during his recent appearance on Okay FM’s Ekwanso Dwoodwoo, where host Nana Romeo humorously asked if the constant toffee-chewing was impacting his sexual performance.
In response, Amerado brushed off the concern with a laugh saying, “I don’t use it for anything o… it’s just there like that. If it wants to die, let it die.”
When asked if he’d consider quitting his sugary habit, the rapper firmly replied, “As for the toffee, I won’t stop anytime soon.”
Amerado also shared his thoughts on modern relationships, joking that some women make too many demands.
“These days, the way women dey demand too much just because of what God gave them down there… I just dey mind my business,” he said.
Since the interview, fans have flooded social media with memes and jokes, with many playfully declaring toffees as Amerado’s “official brand.”
ID/MA
Ever heard of Nkofie, the legendary Kwahu cave believed to grant wishes? Join GhanaWeb’s People & Places as we take you on an exclusive tour of this mystical site:
Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine says A Plus (R) is still being investigated
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has suggested that the Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng (A Plus), faces the possibility of being prosecuted for his alleged role in the National Service Scheme (NSS) ‘ghost names’ scandal.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, on Friday, June 13, 2025, Dr Ayine disclosed that A Plus, who allegedly was paid to ‘kill’ the NSS scandal from being broadcast by the media, is still being questioned by investigators.
He added that the fate of the Gomoa Central legislator will be determined by how he cooperates with the investigation.
“In the case of the famous A Plus, the investigation is still ongoing, and there are talks with him with respect to the role that he will play, either in respect of providing evidence against those who tried to do what is alleged to have been done, or if at the end of the day, no agreement is reached, then maybe he will have to stand trial,” he said.
He added, “So the investigations are ongoing. We haven’t concluded with him yet. The investigators were supposed to go to Parliament and do the interrogation in Parliament, and at the last time that they made a request, they could not do the interrogation.”
The Attorney General also indicated that the second legislator implicated in the scandal, Mustafa Yussif, the Member of Parliament for Yagaba-Kubori and former Minister of Sports, will be prosecuted for his role in the scandal.
“There are two Members of Parliament who were investigated in this scandal. One was a former Chief Executive Officer, that is the Honourable Mustafa Yussif. And so in his case, we basically had the evidence relating to actions that he had taken as the executive officer, and then we interrogated him,” he said.
BAI/MA
Watch as ongoing GRNMA strike disrupts healthcare, leaves patients stranded
Meanwhile, BECE 2025 kicks off across Ghana as over 600,000 candidates sit exams
THE GHANA Football Association (GFA) has launched the next phase of its free Licence D Coaching Course in the Upper East Region, with Bolgatanga hosting the programme from June 9 to 16, 2025.
The initiative follows a successful rollout in Sunyani and forms part of the GFA’s commitment to grassroots football development nationwide.
Organised by the GFA’s School of Coaching, the course is designed to equip aspiring coaches with the essential skills to train and manage players at the Colts level. It also aims to raise the overall standard of youth football across Ghana.
The eight-day course includes a blend of theory and practical sessions, concluding with assessments that will qualify participants for the GFA’s Licence D certification — a key stepping stone for coaching careers in the country.
The programme is being supervised by Prof. Joseph Kwame Mintah, GFA Technical Director, and delivered by seasoned instructors. Administrative support is being led by Andrews Kwesi Eshun, GFA Administrative Manager.
This initiative, driven by the GFA President and Executive Council, is part of a broader national effort to build capacity at the grassroots level and ensure that young Ghanaian footballers receive quality coaching from the outset.
The Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Na Abukari Mahama II, on Friday, June 13, paid a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House.
Below are some photos from his visit:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has noted that an amount of GH¢8,256,000.00 was deposited into an E-zwich account registered in the name of the former Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Osei-Assibey Antwi, during the 2022/2023 service year.
According to him, investigations have shown that the former boss of the authority received the funds.
He made the revelation when he addressed the press on June 13, 2025, as part of the investigations into the National Service Authority’s ghost names scandal.
This is part of the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL)’s mandate.
The AG, however, noted that the E-zwich card in question was discovered during a search by the task force.
“In the 2022/2023 service year, a total of eight million, two hundred and fifty-six thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢8,256,000.00) was deposited into EZWICH account number 1177042059, which is registered in the name of suspect Osei Assibey. Investigations showed that he personally received these funds. During a search at his residence, the aforementioned Ezwich card was found,” he revealed.
Dr Ayine also provided details of monies “stolen” from 2018 to 2024 regarding the National Service Authority’s ‘ghost names’ scandal.
According to him, from the 2018/2019 service year to the 2023/2024 service year, a total of GH¢548,333,482.65 was lost to the scandal.
Anthony Joshua is in Ghana to support the ‘Battle of the Beasts’ boxing event
British heavyweight boxing star, Anthony Joshua, has been spotted in Ghana ahead of Sharaf Mahama’s Legacy Rise Sports ‘Battle of the Beasts’ event scheduled to take place on June 13, 2025.
The boxer was riding a bike with one other person and was beaming with smiles as fans cheered him on.
The former world champion was clad in a white shirt and smiled at the elated Ghanaian fans, who were waving the Ghana flag at him to showcase their pride.
Joshua will join legendary boxer, Amir Khan, as one of the international stars to grace the occasion.
About the event
The boxing event, dubbed ‘Battle of the Beasts,’ will see boxers battling for glory in various divisions.
The headline clash will feature Ghana’s Jacob “The Beast” Dickson facing off against America’s Andrew Tabiti for the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa Bridgerweight title.
The African Bantamweight bout will feature WBO Africa Bantamweight champion, Daniel Selassie Gorsh, who will go toe-to-toe with veteran contender, Thei Allotey, well known as “Lopez”.
Haruna Mohammed will defend his national Cruiserweight title against Abdulai Ahmed.
In the rising knockout artist division, Abubakar Kamoko, popularly known as Ambitious Tilapia, the son of Bukom Banku, will lock horns with Stephen Ackon in what is expected to be a fierce fight.
During the press conference ahead of the bouts, Sharaf Mahama noted that his ambition is to give local boxers the opportunity to showcase their prowess at the international level.
“We are determined to give our local boxers the global exposure they deserve,” he said, as reported by gbcghanaonline.com.
SB/VPO
Watch Anthony Joshua in the video below:
Anthony Joshua arrives, hops on a bike, mingling with fans ahead of tonight’s big boxing bout at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
British professional boxer Anthony Joshua has touched down in Ghana ahead of the highly anticipated Battle of the Beasts event, scheduled for today at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.
The event is being spearheaded by Legacy RISE Sports and personally led by Sharaf Mahama.
South African hip-hop veteran K.O joins Nandi Madida via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about his latest single, “Supernova.” He also discusses his new album, ‘Phara City,’ the legacy of Teargas on the new generation of artists, and featuring collaborations on the album.
This Week’s Hottest New Tracks
Nandi Madida shares the hottest new African tracks of the moment. This week’s selection includes new tracks from Sam Deep, Stixx & Nvcho feat. Babalwa M, Mayorkun feat. Davido, CKay, Olamide, Seyi Vibez, Asake & Young Jonn feat. Daecolm, and MaWhoo, GL_Ceejay & Thukhutela feat. Jazzworx.
Tune in and listen to the full episode this Friday, June 13th at 9a Lagos/London / 10a Johannesburg/Paris / 1a LA / 4a NYC on Apple Music 1 at apple.co/_AfricaNow and YFM Accra every Sunday at 2pm, YFM Kumasi on Saturdays at 3pm and YFM Takoradi on Saturdays at 6pm
K.O tells Apple Music why now was the right time to release Phara City
I think the age where I’m at right now, I don’t only just want to be remembered as a dope rapper, and yes, I’ve dabbled in social commentary, but I now want to be even more intentional, especially in the climate that we subjected to as a country right now. I don’t want to shy away from the fact that there are socioeconomic issues that we are growing up under and whether we want to mask them and hide those things from the rest of the world or not, they are a reality.
K.O tells Apple Music the meaning of the word ‘Phara’.
‘Phara’ is basically a thug, I’m going to use the word loosely, why??, because Tupac came and he owned this thing called ‘Thug Life.’ That entire mentality he talked about is not only just the unflattering things, it describes a background that is both positive and negative. ‘Pharas’ are largely outcasts within society, people that are actually ostracised. But if you think about it, a Phara is not only that person in today’s South Africa. When you get to a (traffic) roadblock sometimes by way of survival, if you are under the influence or maybe you have outstanding tickets, sometimes you get to tap into the ‘Phara’ side in you and negotiate your way out so you can still get home without having to spend a night in a jail cell. Similarly, If I need to get my kid into Harvard, and I have a certain influence and power and there’s a way for me to twist someone’s arm in a positive way for my kid to get in and get the education that I feel he deserves, that’s me tapping into the ‘Phara’ side of me.
K.O tells Apple Music about the ambition of the album ‘Phara City’.
We are in a state where our country has almost kind of become dominated by a ‘Phara’ mentality, a dark mentality. I’m just throwing it out there in a very lighthearted manner where I’m taking that overly negative stench on the word itself because I feel by way of my own lifestyle and the country that I am an inhabit of, I feel for me to survive and be able to progress, I’ve had to become a Phara in some way. It’s me putting the mirror to the ordinary South African to say, “you know what? This is your world. Do you agree”? Let’s have a conversation. And these are conversations and topics that I am presenting to us (and myself) through music.
K.O tells Apple Music about his song ‘Supanova’ featuring Casper Nyovest
This song features a sample which is part of the Holy grail of South African musical legacy – Lebo Mathosa’s ‘I love Music’. Just the idea of sampling a song like that is near blasphemous, but we actually went out of our way to mirror the quality of the original. We had to present this to Lebo Mathosa’s estate and try and find all those composers and all the contributors who were part of the original, just to clear the sample. It was a needle in a haystack type of mission, but we eventually got it over the line! If you do touch something like this, you have to give it more than justice.
K.O tells Apple Music about featuring collaborations on the album
It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t a walk in a park – and it takes patience as well. When you know what you want and the people that compliment the vision, the best way that you feel, you’ll pursue as much as you possibly can and then see it through. People don’t know some of these things that are happening behind the scenes to get the music that they actually end up hearing! These things are in the making or in the works for months, but I think what I always try to do is to give the product a fighting chance. And I think by the collaborations that I go for, I always want to put the song first. I could easily do everything on the record, make the beat and do the verse myself, everything – But what if there’s a certain emotion that someone else could bring to the table to take this thing way beyond where my natural potential was going to take it? So that’s why you’re seeing that lineup of all those individuals that are on there.
K.O tells Apple Music about the legacy of Teargas on the new generation of artists
One of the things that I’ve always heard from, whether it’s Big Zulu or Black Diamond, and all of these guys, is they speak so highly of Teargas. When I go and listen to their music, I’m like, “Oh damn, actually I can hear it” – but they’re doing it in their own way – and to be on songs with them is also an honour to me. They don’t need me, but hey man, by way of them paying homage and also me saying, “big up, I see you. Let’s make some magic together”, It also feels like a full circle moment.
The ongoing chieftaincy dispute between Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Domaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II continues to draw attention across Ghana, especially with the latest contention over the Nkronzaman land. This disagreement is rooted in historical tensions that have shaped traditional leadership structures in the country. While some view it as a mere territorial matter, others see it as part of a larger struggle over authority and historical legacy.
In Ghana, chieftaincy is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of society, influencing governance, community development, and even political affiliations. The Asante Kingdom, with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II as its ruler, is historically one of the most powerful traditional entities in the country. Dormaa, on the other hand, has carved out its own identity, with Domaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II asserting Dormaa’s autonomy. The repeated disagreements between the two figures illustrate an ongoing debate about traditional hierarchy and its role in contemporary society.
The Nkronzaman land dispute emerged after Domaahene convened a meeting and declared his intention to reclaim the land. This statement was met with strong opposition from Otumfuo, who reaffirmed his authority over Dormaa and stressed the importance of respecting the traditional structure that places Dormaa under Asante rule. These comments have reignited discussions about land ownership, traditional allegiance, and the autonomy of chiefs in Ghana.
Land ownership has long been a sensitive issue among traditional authorities. In some cases, disputes over land have escalated into legal battles or even conflicts that extend beyond verbal exchanges. In this instance, the Nkronzaman issue is not just about territory—it is tied to historical claims, political power, and the recognition of authority. Some argue that traditional rulers must adapt their governance to modern realities, while others believe that respecting historical leadership structures maintains stability and order.
Beyond the immediate disagreement, this situation highlights a broader challenge facing Ghanaian chieftaincy: how to balance historical authority with contemporary governance. Traditional rulers wield significant influence, yet they operate within a system that must also consider legal frameworks and national governance structures. This debate is not unique to Dormaa and Asante—it is reflective of a larger conversation about the future of chieftaincy in Ghana and how it should evolve.
For now, the focus remains on what actions Domaahene will take next. Will he proceed with his claim over Nkronzaman, despite Otumfuo’s opposition? Or will he reconsider his stance in light of traditional hierarchy? Regardless of the outcome, this dispute serves as another reminder of the complexities surrounding chieftaincy and the enduring influence of traditional leaders in shaping Ghana’s socio-political landscape.
The adage “You are what you eat” resonates deeply, especially when we consider its implications for our skin. Your diet significantly influences not just your waistline and overall health but also the appearance and ageing process of your skin. As the body’s largest organ, skin serves as a reflective surface, showcasing the health of your internal organs.
Poor dietary choices can lead to various skin issues, including inflammation, dullness, breakouts, and even premature ageing. Understanding the factors contributing to skin deterioration empowers you to make informed choices that can help you maintain your skin’s natural radiance.
Let’s delve into some of the most detrimental foods that might be affecting your skin and discuss how reducing or eliminating them can help restore your youthful glow.
Fried Foods: A Recipe for Breakouts
Fried foods might be tempting with their golden, crispy exterior, but they can wreak havoc on your skin. Beyond the well-documented risks associated with their high fat content and impact on heart health, fried foods can also exacerbate skin problems. The consumption of these foods often leads to an accumulation of excess oil in the body, which translates to skin that reflects this underlying imbalance.
Research indicates that the cooking process used for fried foods creates advanced glycation end products (AGEs), substances that contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation—two conditions that can hasten the breakdown of collagen and elastin. These proteins are essential for maintaining your skin’s firmness and youthfulness.
Fortunately, you can still enjoy similar flavours without the associated damage by opting for baked, air-fried, or steamed versions of your favourite dishes. Making these substitutions can significantly reduce the potential for breakouts and skin irritation while still satisfying your cravings.
High-Glycemic Carbohydrates: The Acne Catalyst
High-glycaemic foods—such as white bread, pasta, and sugary desserts—can have a detrimental effect on your skin, primarily due to their rapid conversion into sugar in your bloodstream. This swift transformation not only impacts your energy levels but also affects skin health.
When you consume high-glycaemic foods, your body’s insulin and glucose levels spike. This hormonal surge triggers an inflammatory response, stimulating the production of sebum, the oily substance that can clog pores and create an ideal environment for acne-causing bacteria to thrive.
Switching to low-glycaemic alternatives has shown remarkable results for skin health. Studies indicate that individuals who regularly consume low-glycaemic foods experience about 50% fewer acne occurrences compared to those who indulge in high-glycaemic options. Small changes can yield significant benefits—choose brown rice instead of white, snack on sweet potatoes rather than regular potatoes, and select whole-grain bread over its refined counterpart. These alternatives provide sustained energy without the sharp spikes in blood sugar that can lead to skin issues.
Sugar: Saboteur of Skin Health
While sugar may tantalise your taste buds, its long-term effects on your skin can be quite damaging. A high sugar intake is one of the leading dietary factors contributing to accelerated skin ageing. This is primarily due to glycation, a process where sugar binds to proteins in the bloodstream and forms harmful AGEs. The formation of these products compromises collagen and elastin, vital proteins that keep your skin plump and elastic. As these proteins break down, fine lines deepen, wrinkles appear, and skin loses its youthful firmness.
In addition to hastening visible signs of ageing, excessive sugar consumption can weaken your immune system, making it more challenging for your body to fend off harmful microorganisms. The resulting toxin accumulation can lead to irritation, acne, and a lacklustre complexion.
It’s crucial to clarify that you don’t need to eliminate sweetness from your life completely. Instead, consider opting for naturally sweet foods like fresh fruits, which offer antioxidants that support skin health and fibres that slow sugar absorption. For those with a sweet tooth, dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (70% or more) can satisfy cravings while providing skin-loving antioxidants.
Alcohol: The Skin’s Dehydrator
Though not a food, alcohol deserves special attention due to its significant impact on skin health. The effects of alcohol are both immediate and cumulative, and frequent consumption can have a lasting impact on your complexion.
As a potent diuretic, alcohol leads to dehydration throughout the body. When your body is dehydrated, it prioritises the hydration of vital organs—this means your skin may be left lacking the moisture it needs to maintain its vitality. The result is often dry, lifeless skin that becomes increasingly susceptible to wrinkles and fine lines.
Additionally, alcohol causes vasodilation, the expansion of blood vessels, which can exacerbate conditions such as rosacea. This chronic skin disorder manifests as redness, swelling, and acne-like bumps. Even moderate consumption can trigger flare-ups for individuals with sensitive skin or pre-existing rosacea.
Conclusion
To protect your skin, consider moderating alcohol intake and complementing your hydration with water-rich foods and beverages. By making conscious dietary choices, you can support the health of your skin from the inside out and preserve its youthful glow for years to come.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has disclosed that Gifty Oware-Mensah, former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), masterminded a fraudulent scheme that led to the misappropriation of over GH¢30 million in public funds.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Friday, June 13, Dr. Ayine said the findings are part of ongoing investigations by the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) taskforce into financial malfeasance at the NSA.
According to the Attorney General, Gifty Oware-Mensah exploited the National Service Personnel (NSP) allowance system by using it as security to secure a GH¢30,698,218.69 million loan from the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) at a 23% interest rate.
“Some directors, such as Gifty Oware-Mensah, created and executed a meticulously detailed plan, using NSP allowances as security to obtain a loan of thirty million six hundred and ninety-eight thousand, two hundred and eighteen cedis, sixty-nine pesewas (GH¢30,698,218.69) from the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) at an interest rate of twenty-three percent (23%).”
She allegedly registered a company, “Blocks of Life Consult,” using the identities of individuals without their knowledge, and presented it to ADB through a middleman, Maxwell Akwesi Ofori-Mintah.
“Her husband, Peter Mensah, a lawyer, acted as one of the company’s representatives. She told ADB the company specialised in supplying home appliances to National Service personnel on a hire-purchase basis, to be repaid via deductions managed by the NSA,” Dr. Ayine said, noting that Oware-Mensah was acting director of the NSA at the time, but the company was not a recognised vendor with the Authority.
Dr. Ayine added that over the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 service years, Oware-Mensah used 9,934 ghost names to divert funds.
After ADB disbursed the loan, the funds were allegedly transferred to four company accounts: AMAECOM, Scafold, OTCHEY, and Aristo Logistics and Trading.
She transferred:
GH¢22,925,518.69 to AMAECOM (a company she is a director of),
GH¢1,000,000.00 to Scafold (linked to Abraham Gaisie),
GH¢1,572,700.00 to OTCHEY, and
GH¢5,200,000.00 to Aristo Logistics and Trading.
The Attorney General stated that further legal action would follow as investigations continue into what he described as a “deliberate and sophisticated attempt to loot state resources.”
Nurses and Midwives suspend nationwide strike
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“I introduced her to beer and she introduced me to Bvlgari” – Richard Burton, on how Elizabeth Taylor brought him to a new world of glamour.
Bvlgari – pronounced as Bulgari, and sometimes spelt as such – was founded in Rome in 1884 by Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari, or, as his Greek name dictated, Sotirois Voulgaris.
An emblem of Italian luxury and opulence for decades, Bvlgari is known as a pioneer in using coloured gemstones and establishing an early connection to the world of glamorous movie stars.
Elizabeth Taylor was such a fan, it’s said she visited the boutique every day while filming Cleopatra in Rome, and the boutique even named a room after her, the Salottino Taylor.
Ready to dive in for la dolce vita and a history of Bvlgari on the screen and on the red carpet?
The best Bvlgari jewels on the red carpet and on screen
Jennifer Lopez
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Jennifer Lopez’s glittering appearance at the 2023 Grammys – alongside now ex-husband Ben Affleck – proved two things: diamonds, not men, really are forever, and there are few people who can rock such expensive rocks quite like JLo.
For the appearance at the music awards show, Jennifer lit up the already star-studded room in a set of Bvlgari jewels.
Jennifer opted for the Italian jewellers’ Serpenti High Jewellery collection, including two interlapping necklaces which boasted over 150 carats of white diamonds.
She topped off the set with blue sapphire earrings totalling 43 carats. Per reports, the collective worth of the Bvlgari set was £1.5M.
Anne Hathaway (2023)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Oscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway has become a red carpet stalwart over the years, and her longtime collaboration with Bvlgari – the Devil Wears Prada star has served as a global ambassador for years – makes her appearances extra luxe.
For the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards, Anne showcased some of the brand’s finest high jewellery, including a necklace with one cushion sapphire and over 112 carats of diamonds set in platinum, as well as high jewellery earrings in white gold with two cushion sapphires and buff top emeralds.
If that wasn’t enough sparkle, Anne also wore a ring with over 25 carats of sapphires and pavé-set diamonds and a high jewellery Serpenti diamond bracelet.
Elizabeth Taylor’s diamond and emerald necklace
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Elizabeth Taylor was almost as famous for her unrivalled jewellery collection as she was for her film career and tumultuous private life.
Being such a jewellery aficionado, Elizabeth was one of the first major movie stars associated with the house of Bvlgari outside of native Italian stars like Sophia Loren.
Indeed, legend has it, when filming Cleopatra in Rome, Elizabeth would go to Bvlgari’s Via Condotti boutique every day.
From the start of their affair up until their engagement and marriage, Richard Burton collected and presented Elizabeth with a diamond and emerald suite, including a brooch, earrings and necklace.
The Bvlgari suite sold for $23M during the iconic 2011 auction of Elizabeth’s jewels, with the brand buying back several of their pieces and later putting them on display.
Jessica Chastain (2023)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
For the 2023 Venice Film Festival, Jessica Chastain certainly leaned in to la dolce vita – not only was the striking Oscar winner wearing a rose gold gown from Gucci, she added extra glamour with a selection of Bvlgari jewels.
The Molly’s Game star included a diamond cocktail ring and cascading chandelier earrings.
Catherine Zeta-Jones
(Image credit: Getty Images)
In 1999, Donatella Versace and De Beers hosted a Diamonds Are Forever fashion show, which practically demanded the brightest stars of the day bring their A game.
And that’s exactly what Catherine Zeta-Jones did, turning up wearing archival Bvlgari, including a prominent choker-style necklace and diamond earrings.
Nicole Kidman
(Image credit: Getty Images)
At the 2002 Academy Awards, Nicole Kidman paired a Chanel couture dress with a unique Bvlgari wraparound necklace that she actually helped design.
Working with the Oscar winner, Bvlgari designed its first ever major rough diamond piece, composed of 241 carats of rough stones. The fabulous necklace, valued at around $4M, was a collaborative effort between Bvlgari and De Beers, which provided the most extraordinary selection of rare rough diamonds from Botswana, South Africa and Namibia.
Per Natural Diamonds, at the time, Nicola Bulgari confirmed Nicole’s involvement in the design, saying, “She sketched a wraparound necklace with a tail down the back. We wanted it to look as if it wrapped the neck casually, but the diamonds had to be separated to keep them from scratching one another.”
Elizabeth Taylor in The VIPs
Being Elizabeth Taylor, when it came to movie jewellery, she didn’t need to loan out spectacular pieces as she already owned them.
For 1963’s The VIPs, in which she starred once again with her Cleopatra co-star and two-time husband Richard Burton, Elizabeth famously wore some of her own pieces, including a Bvlgari platinum, emerald and diamond Tremblant brooch worn as a hairpiece.
Charlize Theron
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron looked every inch the movie star at the 91st Academy Awards, thanks in part to her suite of high jewellery Bvlgari pieces.
The Bombshell star wore a white gold double wrap high jewellery necklace with a matching bracelet, along with another diamond necklace and earrings with sapphires from the house’s iconic Serpenti collection.
Keira Knightley
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Showcasing the brand’s penchant for coloured stones and lavish designs, Keira Knightley wore vintage Bvlgari to the 2006 Academy Awards.
The Pride and Prejudice star’s sapphire, emerald, ruby and diamond Bvlgari collier necklace was said to have come from the 1950s, and once belonged to the Princess Soraya of Iran.
Elizabeth Taylor in Boom!
One of Elizabeth Taylor’s oddest films, Boom! was considered a massive flop. The bizarre film – which takes place on a remote island, with Richard Burton co-starring as a man who visits Elizabeth and is heralded as a warning of Death itself – might not win any awards for filmmaking, but Elizabeth’s costumes and jewellery were never better.
Among the many standout pieces, Elizabeth wore her emerald and diamond spray Bvlgari brooch prominently.
Jennifer Aniston
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Jennifer Aniston’s best looks over the years have often cast her as something of the girl next door, known for relaxed looks and not too much fuss. But at the 2006 Oscars, the Friends icon wore one of her most lavish pieces of jewellery to date – a 137-carat Art Deco diamond necklace from the Bvlgari archives.
Zendaya
(Image credit: Getty Images)
At the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, Zendaya proved her place as one of the new Hollywood superstars, shimmering in a Bvlgari High Jewellery necklace featuring a 31-carat Paraíba tourmaline, along with matching earrings and a ring.
As well as the Paraíba tourmaline, a rare blueish-green gemstone, the necklace included 48 carats of diamonds.
Lady Gaga
(Image credit: Getty Images)
To complete her transformation from pop star to bona fide movie royalty, Lady Gaga turned to Bvlgari – the jeweller to the movie stars – when she premiered her Oscar-nominated turn in A Star is Born.
Gaga wore heritage pieces from the brand, including high jewellery 20-carat earrings and a stunning 100-carat diamond necklace.
Anne Hathaway (2025)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
She’s known for starring in The Princess Diaries, but Anne Hathaway looked like real royalty when she opened the Bvlgari Serpenti Infinito exhibition in Shanghai in 2025.
Anne wore a striking gold Oscar de la Renta gown, and she paired the structural piece with some of the finest Bvlgari gems.
Anne wore a pair of luxe earrings and a one-of-a-kind Serpenti necklace, made of pure gold and featuring pink and blue gemstones.
Sophia Loren in Pret a Porter
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Of course, Sophia Loren would have to appear on this list. One of the most iconic and celebrated Italian movie stars of all time, Sophia exudes elegance and brought a taste of Roman glamour to Hollywood.
While she has worn the brand throughout her illustrious career, she notably wore a set for the 1994 film, Pret-a-Porter. Sophia’s jewels included a necklace and earrings in gold, rubies and diamonds.
Lupita Nyong’o
(Image credit: Getty Images)
For the 2019 Golden Globes, Lupita Nyong’o looked utterly radiant in a custom Calvin Klein dress, accessorised with beautiful Bvlgari pieces, including cascading diamond earrings and a statement ring.
Priyanka Chopra-Jonas
(Image credit: Getty Images)
At the 2025 Met Gala, actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas brought the glamour in a gown by Olivier Rousteing at Balmain, accessorised with Bvlgari’s Magnus Emerald necklace.
The statement piece comes in platinum with a 242.04-carat octagonal emerald, carre diamonds, buff-top emeralds, round diamonds and pavé set diamonds.
Alicia Keys
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Alicia Keys took on hosting duties at the 61st Grammy Awards in 2019, and the superstar singer made sure she made a statement with her high jewellery Bvlgari pieces.
The No One singer Award wore a Serpenti necklace, set with mother of pearl, coral and diamonds, paired with the brand’s Divas’ Dream Diamond Pave studs.
Madonna
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Back in 2012, Madonna helped reinvigorate the Super Bowl Halftime show, bringing back big names and big productions.
As the Queen of Pop, Madge had to bring her full majestic force for the big night of sports, and she did so by pairing her Philip Treacy headpiece with a pair of high jewellery Bvlgari diamond earrings, made with almost 20 carats of diamonds.
Sport has never been so glamorous.
Gina Lollobrigida
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Fellini. Sophia Loren. Bvlgari. And Gina Lollobrigida. There are certain names that are just synonymous with Italian cool and glamour.
So when the international model and sex symbol of the 50s and 60s was snapped enjoying a gelato wearing a suite of emeralds from Bvlgari, nothing has ever felt more full of la dolce vita.
Ingrid Bergman for The Visit
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Hollywood’s loss was European cinema’s gain when Casablanca legend Ingrid Bergman was effectively shut out of American cinema following the scandal of her affair with director Roberto Rossellini.
Swapping America for European cinema, Ingrid Bergman embraced the new wave of French and Italian cinema, and it gave us one of her most glamorous turns in 1964’s The Visit, where she played a multi-millionaire who returns to her small town with vengeance in mind.
As part of her opulent attire, she famously wore a suite of gold and diamond Bvlgari heritage pieces.
Jessica Chastain (2013)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
At the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, they screened a restored version of the classic, Cleopatra. For the occasion, screen siren Jessica Chastain paid homage to the film’s star, Elizabeth Taylor, wearing archival Bvlgari pieces from Elizabeth herself.
Jessica wore the spectacular octagonal sapphire sautoir necklace given to Elizabeth by Richard Burton in 1972 and the famous Trombino ring.
The ring got its name from its shape, similar to a small trumpet. Bulgari made this platinum ring in 1971 and set it with a sugar-loaf cabochon sapphire of more than 25 carats.
Sharon Stone in Casino
Martin Scorsese’s 1995 film, Casino, is all about excess. So it’s no surprise that the Italian-American director turned to Bvlgari to highlight just how much wealth his characters were dealing with.
Sharon Stone’s femme fatale, Ginger, is gifted an entire box of Bvlgari pieces in one memorable scene.
The movie doesn’t give everyone a happy ending, but those Bvlgari jewels definitely leave a glittering legacy.
Anita Ekberg
As the star of Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, Anita Ekberg is synonymous with Italian glamour, so it’s no surprise she had a long and luxurious connection to Bvlgari.
From wearing pieces throughout her personal life and in her movies, Anita is widely reported as once saying, “La Dolce Vita is Roma and Roma means Bvlgari.”
Selena Gomez
(Image credit: Getty Images)
At the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, Selena Gomez brought old-world glamour as she debuted her film, Emilia Perez.
Pairing an Yves Saint Laurent column gown with a chunky, diamond Bvlgari necklace, Selena looked every inch the Hollywood superstar.
Saoirse Ronan
(Image credit: Getty Images)
When you have Bvlgari jewels, you don’t need much else. Or that’s certainly what Saoirse Ronan proved at the 2024 Emmy awards.
Wearing a strapless gown which left her shoulders and clavicle exposed, all eyes were on Saoirse’s Bvlgari diamond-encrusted Serpenti choker.
Naomi Campbell
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The supermodel of supermodels, Naomi Campbell brought high fashion and high jewellery opulence to the 2018 Academy Awards.
Naomi wore a statement emerald cabochon necklace, reported to be from the house’s archives, dating back to 1970.
Cara Delevingne
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Model and actress Cara Delevingne turned up the glamour for the 2023 Academy Awards, pairing a statement red gown with a set of Bvlgari pieces, including a white gold necklace with emeralds and pavé-set diamonds.
Julianne Moore
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Julianne Moore brought the sort of high drama expected from an Oscar-winning Hollywood icon as she attended the 2023 BAFTAs.
Julianne paired a timeless black Saint Laurent dress with a tiered diamond and emerald Serpenti necklace in white gold, as well as a set of gleaming diamond stud earrings and a platinum ring framed with emeralds.
Geri Horner (nee Halliwell)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
From spicing up our lives to sparkling them up, Geri Halliwell attended the 2023 BAFTA awards appropriately kitted out in Bvlgari gems.
Geri wore a white gold high jewellery necklace set with sapphires in an assortment of cuts. She completed the look with a Serpenti ring, set with onyx, pavé-set diamonds and a jaw-dropping 14-carat oval cabochon tanzanite.
The awards were hosted by Bvlgari, as a nod to their continuing collaboration with the movies.
Jessica Alba
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Bringing a blast of blue to the red carpet, Jessica Alba’s Bvlgari jewels stunned at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
The Fantastic Four actress wore an intricate Sapphire Lace necklace and matching sapphire earrings, perfectly complementing her deep blue gown and dark locks.
Carey Mulligan
(Image credit: Getty Images)
British actress Carey Mulligan let her Bvlgari jewels be the standout feature of her 2023 BAFTAs ensemble, pairing an understated black dress with a gorgeous set of high jewellery pieces.
Carey opted for a platinum Bvlgari necklace with an octagonal emerald, 12 round emeralds, and diamonds, along with a matching ring and diamond earring.
Ben Nsiah is the Executive Director of the Centre for Environment and Sustainable Energy
The Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE), Ben Nsiah, has criticised international financial institutions, particularly the International Monetary Fund (IMF), for contributing to inefficiencies in Ghana’s public sector.
His comments follow the IMF’s endorsement of Ghana’s Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy, which the Fund described as a strategic measure aligned with the country’s fiscal goals under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program.
In an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb Business on Friday, June 13, 2025, Nsiah argued that many levies imposed on citizens are not aimed at improving service delivery but rather at masking long-standing inefficiencies.
“I believe international bodies, including the IMF, are partly responsible for the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of our public sector. These levies are often introduced to cover inefficiencies rather than fix them. Instead of helping address the root causes, these institutions continue to support the imposition of levies, which only transfer the burden onto end users,” he said.
Nsiah noted that this trend has persisted since 2015, with little to no improvement in public sector performance.
“The outcomes remain unchanged. Efficiency hasn’t improved despite these measures,” he stressed.
He insisted that the solution lies in reforming the public sector itself, adding that CEMSE rejects the notion that new levies can resolve the power sector’s debt crisis.
“The IMF should refocus its support toward public sector reforms that drive efficiency. A more effective public sector would reduce the debt burden and ensure more sustainable service delivery, especially in the energy sector,” he stated.
“We do not agree with the argument that a new civil levy will solve the power sector’s debt crisis. If anything, it will worsen the situation by promoting further inefficiency,” Nsiah concluded.
SP/MA
#TrendingGH: Drivers react to government’s new GH¢1 energy levy on petroleum products
Sam George is the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation
The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, has confirmed that the government is actively engaging PayPal to whitelist Ghana and restore full access to its services.
Speaking during a live X Space discussion hosted by social media influencer KalyJay on Thursday, June 12, 2025, the Minister revealed that official conversations have begun with PayPal’s Africa team.
“Just last week, my policy advisor at the ministry met with a senior official in charge of government operations for Africa from PayPal. We’ve started a conversation. They’ve given us a checklist, and we’re going to work with the Bank of Ghana to ensure we’re able to complete it,” he said.
The Minister acknowledged that previous efforts to fully onboard PayPal into Ghana’s financial ecosystem had stalled due to the country’s inability to meet certain technical and regulatory benchmarks.
However, he assured the public that this time, the Ministry is committed to completing all necessary steps to make PayPal operational in Ghana again.
The return of PayPal is expected to significantly ease online transactions for freelancers, small businesses, and digital entrepreneurs across the country, who currently face limitations in accessing the platform.
AS/MA
Watch as ongoing GRNMA strike disrupts healthcare, leaves patients stranded
Meanwhile, BECE 2025 kicks off across Ghana as over 600,000 candidates sit exams
Singer Eazzy (pictured) sparks social media reactions with her new ring
Ghanaian singer Eazzy has caused a stir on social media after she shared a video of herself and rapper, Medikal.
In a romantic video shared on TikTok on June 12, 2025, Eazzy and Medikal were seen jamming to the rapper’s new single titled “Shoulder”.
In the video, Medikal was seen flaunting a bundle of GH¢5 notes while singing the lyrics of his song which features Beeztrap KOTM and Shatta Wale into Eazzy’s ears.
What has set social media ablaze is the “ring” that the “Wengeze” hitmaker exhibited in the viral video.
While some have raised speculations about her and Medikal potentially tying the knot after months of being in a romantic relationship, some have backlashed Eazzy claiming she is the reason Medikal and Fella Makafui’s marriage hit the rock.
Watch the video below:
@medikalmdk #Shoulder ♬ Shoulder – MEDIKAL X SHATTA WALE X BEEZTRAP KOTM
JHM/AME
Ever heard of Nkofie, the legendary Kwahu cave believed to grant wishes? Join GhanaWeb’s People & Places as we take you on an exclusive tour of this mystical site:
Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine is the Attorney General
The former Koforidua Municipal Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Stephen Kwabena Gyamfi, has been re-arrested by security operatives at the behest of Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, in the ongoing NSA ghost names investigation.
At a press briefing on June 13, 2025, Dr Ayine provided details on the arrest as part of the update on Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL).
He stated that the suspect was arrested in the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025.
According to him, the suspect needed to be interrogated following the discovery of new accounts in his name, containing deposits believed to be proceeds from money siphoned from the NSS payroll.
“I’ve asked that he should be re-arrested because we have discovered some new accounts containing some deposits. He was picked up this morning and is currently undergoing further interrogations,” he said.
Kwabena Gyamfi is part of a network of top former officials within the National Service Authority (NSA) accused of causing the state to lose over GH¢548 million by adding ghost names to the National Service Scheme payroll.
Dr Ayine explained that an investigation by his office had uncovered how the individuals in positions of authority during the previous administration orchestrated what he described as a “criminal enterprise” involving directors, staff, and service providers.
“In the 2022/2023 service year, 350,926,977.12 was lost to the state for the 2023/2024 service year, 32,881,157.07 was lost to the republic. In total, as stated, we lost about 548,333,542.65 to the criminal enterprise perpetrated by these executives, directors, and staff, as well as 5the service providers in the market.
“The criminal enterprise that resulted in the loss of this colossal loss of sum of money involved the creation of ghost names in the NSA payroll system by some directors and staff, which was subsequently exploited to misappropriate state funds for their gain,” he stated.
MAG/VPO
Ever heard of Nkofie, the legendary Kwahu cave believed to grant wishes? Join GhanaWeb’s People & Places as we take you on an exclusive tour of this mystical site:
Accra, June 13, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama is slated to take his nationwide “Thank You Tour” to the North East and Savannah Regions, on Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14, respectively.
The Presidency said during the tour, the President would address durbars of the chiefs and people of the North East and Savannah Regions in their capital towns of Nalerigu and Damongo respectively.
The “Thank You Tour” is to enable the President to express gratitude to the Chiefs and People of the two Regions for their massive support for him and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 general election.
The President will use the durbars to announce priority development projects intended to create opportunities for the people.
The nationwide “Thank You Tour”, which has already taken President Mahama to 10 out of Ghana’s 16 regions, namely the Volta, Western, Central, Upper East, Northern, Upper West, Greater Accra, Bono East, Bono and Ahafo Regions, also affords him the opportunity to interact with Ghanaians, reinforce his commitment to addressing their concerns, and promote national development.
Renowned constitutional law expert, Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh, has waded into the ongoing debate over presidential term limits in Ghana, dismissing any attempt to reinterpret Article 66(1) of the 1992 Constitution as “illegitimate and bogus.”
In a strongly-worded statement on Facebook, the Executive Director of Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) argued that the Constitution is unambiguous on the issue and does not require judicial interpretation to clarify.
According to him, “there is nothing to interpret about the presidential term limit provision in the 1992 Constitution. None whatsoever,” he stated.
Prof. Kwasi Prempeh criticised what he described as a “Ghana-style modern purposive interpretation” that, in his view, gives judges excessive leeway to alter clear constitutional language.
“Any interpretation of Article 66(1) to the effect that a President who has been elected to a second term can stand election again (i.e., a third time) is illegitimate and bogus. Judges do not have authority to rewrite or amend a provision of the Constitution whose text and purpose admit of only one meaning. Two terms means two terms,” he stressed.
He noted that the framers of the Constitution were precise in their drafting, pointing to Article 246(2), which explicitly restricts District Chief Executives to “two consecutive terms”—a wording that was deliberately not used in Article 66(1).
Prof. Prempeh’s remarks come amid growing public concern over suggestions that the Supreme Court could be petitioned to interpret presidential term limits in a way that might allow a third term under certain conditions.
“This matter must be laid to rest. The Supreme Court is not omnipotent,” he stressed.
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine has disclosed that the country has lost Over GH₵548 million to a criminal enterprise through ghost names perpetrated by some top executives, directors and staff at the National Service Authority (NSA) and some market place vendors.
Speaking at a press conference this morning, he described what appeared to be a deliberate criminal scheme to syphon money from the state.
He said this was discovered during a head count ordered by the Minister for Finance prior to the payment of outstanding national service allowances to personnel.
“Our investigations have revealed a sprawling criminal enterprise whose network covers the entire country. This criminal enterprise was run by top-level executives of the NSA and their accomplices in the private sector known as vendors or service providers,” Dr. Ayine said.
He continued that, “This criminal enterprise resulted in the siphoning of huge sums of public funds into private pockets. In total, we can confirm that a whopping GH₵548,333,542.65 has been lost to the state through this criminal enterprise.”
He said investigations so far points to 12 individuals, including former Executive Director, deputies and other staff of the NSA who played various roles in the alleged criminal scheme, adding that his office would be filing charges against them in due time.
The list includes Mustafa Yussif, a former Executive Director, Osei Assibey Antwi, former Director General, Gifty Oware-Mensah former Deputy Executive Director, Kweku Ohene Gyan, former Deputy Executive Director for operations, Abraham Bismark Gaisie, Head Of Deployment, Eric Nyarko, former Head Of Accounts, and Albert Oteng Owusu, former Internal Auditor.
The rest are Kweku Dekyi Agyei, an accounts officer, Iddrisu Ibn Abu-Bakr, former Head Of Accounts, Stephen Kwabena Gyamfi, Koforidua Municipal Director, Prince Agbofa Awuku, a District Director and Jacob Yawson, Management Information Systems Administrator in the Northern Regional Office.
The Attorney General said charges will also be leveled against some other persons who are vendors on the marketplace on the Central Management System of the NSA in the Eastern, Greater Accra and Ashanti regions.
They include Isaac Osae Asamani, Charles Ohemeng, Philomina Arthur, Rose Hamilton, Kwaku Opare Agbofa, and Solomon Dwamena.
The rest are Haruna Mawulaya, Sylvia Ntriwa Opare and Peter Mensah, a legal practitioner and the husband of Gifty Oware-Mensah.
The suspects would be charged with the offences of conspiracy to steal, stealing, willfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit, obtaining public property by false statements, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ayine has revealed that his office has made the decision to enter into Non-Prosecution Agreements (NPAs) with certain vendors who have agreed to provide compelling testimonies as witnesses for the prosecution.
He added that investigations are ongoing to recover the assets acquired with these stolen monies.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is the Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has responded to criticism from the Minority in Parliament regarding his recent absence from the House to address scheduled parliamentary questions.
In an official response on June 12, 2025, and signed by Chief Director Ambassador Ramses J Cleland, the ministry explained that the invitation from Parliament was received late on June 9, 2025, a day before the minister was expected to appear before the House.
The statement, which was shared on Ablakwa’s social media, indicated that the minister was unable to honour the invitation because he was on an official duty in Changsha, China, attending the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) alongside members of Parliament’s Select Committee on Foreign Affairs.
“Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes to Parliament on this week’s controversy about my unavailability to respond to Parliamentary questions. For the record, I had no knowledge of the parliamentary invitation. I will always avail myself for parliamentary questions as I have done diligently and consistently. My high regard and utmost respect for Parliament and the Speaker cannot be questioned, and I am ready to respond to the questions on issues when Parliament’s notice is brought to my attention. For God and country,” the statement read.
The ministry further clarified that Ablakwa’s absence was not deliberate as he was on official duty at the time the invitation was sent, hence resulting in his absence from Parliament.
“The minister had no knowledge of this invitation when the matter came up on the floor of Parliament,” the statement said.
The ministry has since requested that a new date be scheduled for the Minister to appear before Parliament and respond to all outstanding questions.
AS/VPO
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play videoThe AG is set to file charges against Mustapha Ussif, Gifty Oware-Mensah and Osei Assibey Antwi
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has provided details of monies “stolen” every year regarding the National Service Authority’s ghost names scandal.
According to him, from the 2018/2019 service year to the 2023/2024 service year, a total of GH¢548,333,482.65 was lost to the scandal.
Addressing the media on June 13, 2025, the AG said the “criminal scheme” was orchestrated by the directors and staff of the National Service Authority.
He noted that they were responsible for adding the names of people who were not NSS personnel to receive allowances on their behalf.
“Once deployed, the directors would then request that both ghost names and genuine names be transmitted by the Head of Accounts to the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS) for payment,” he said.
According to him, a total of five hundred and eighty-seven thousand, five hundred and forty-three (587,543) personnel were to be submitted to GHIPSS for payment of allowances.
“Meanwhile, data from GHIPSS showed that a total of six hundred and fifty thousand, one hundred and sixty-five (650,165) personnel were paid, indicating that sixty-three thousand, six hundred and seventy-two (63,672) constituted ghost names.
“Our investigations compared monthly data of verified national service personnel generated from the central management system and submitted to the NSA accounts office and the data of NSA personnel who were actually paid through the GHIPSS system for a period of six years (2018-2024),” he noted.
The AG however noted that his outfit will ensure that persons involved in the scandal are prosecuted and the funds recovered.
This is the breakdown of the monies stolen each year
The Attorney-General has named Mustapha Yussif, a former Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA) and the MP for Yagaba Kubori, as a key figure in the massive Gh₵548 million fraud scandal, citing his alleged oversight of systemic payroll manipulation during his tenure from 2017 to 2021.
At a press briefing today in Accra, the A-G Dominic Ayine said investigators found that under Yussif’s leadership, the NSA’s payroll system was allegedly compromised, allowing ghost names to be added and paid through the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS).
The AG’s stated that Yussif, as the then-head of the NSA, authorised the transmission of falsified payroll data, enabling the payment of allowances to non-existent personnel.
“Without their explicit authority, nothing was possible,” the A-G emphasised, noting that Yussif’s approval was critical in the fraudulent transactions.
The scheme reportedly escalated after Yussif’s departure, with losses peaking at Gh₵350 million in 2022/2023.
However, investigators traced the origins of the fraud to his tenure, where initial gaps in oversight allowed later directors to expand the scam.
According to the A-G, Yussif is one of 12 suspects who worked as directors and staff of the NSA who will face charges, including;
– Stealing, contrary to section 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, (Act 29)
– Conspiracy to steal contrary to sections 23(1) and 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, (Act 29)
– Willfully Causing Financial Loss to the State, contrary to section 179A(3)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, (Act 29)
– Using Public Office for Profit contrary to section 179C(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, (Act 29)
– Obtaining public property by false statements, contrary to Section 5 of the Public Property Protection Act, 1977 (SMCD 140).
– Money laundering contrary to Section 1(2) (c) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044).
– Conspiracy to commit money laundering contrary to Section 3 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044).
Yussif later served as the Minister of Youth and Sports from 2021 to 2024.
Julian Opuni, MD, Fidelity Bank, speaking at the Horticulture Expo
Fidelity Bank Ghana has once again positioned itself at the forefront of Ghana’s export-led growth agenda, with a strong call for cutting-edge sustainable solutions to unlock the full potential of the horticultural sector.
Speaking at the Ghana Horticultural Expo 2025, under the theme “Innovation, Sustainability, and Digital Transformation for a Competitive Horticultural Sector”, Julian Opuni, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Ghana, delivered a message that underscores the critical role of the sector in driving inclusive growth, foreign exchange generation, and national development.
“It’s not just about what we extract from the ground, but what we grow, process, and export to the world,” Mr. Opuni remarked as he addressed a distinguished gathering of policymakers, development partners, agribusiness leaders, exporters, and government agencies. He reflected on the bank’s growing involvement in the sector, highlighting Fidelity Bank’s strategic partnership with the Federation of Associations of Ghana Exporters (FAGE), which has already yielded tangible results.
“Since the launch of our Export Club partnership with FAGE two years ago, we have disbursed over GH¢45 million through our ‘BRIDGE-in Agriculture’ programme with Mastercard and an additional GH¢100 million through various credit facilities. This financial injection has directly strengthened foreign exchange inflows and contributed to Ghana’s broader economic stability,” he emphasised.
The Fidelity Bank MD described the 2025 Expo theme as “absolutely necessary” given today’s evolving global market dynamics, where traceability, compliance, climate change, and consumer transparency are no longer optional but essential for competitiveness. “These might seem like challenges, but they’re also tremendous opportunities for Ghana to truly redefine our place in global value chains,” he said.
Beyond its financing role, Mr. Opuni reaffirmed Fidelity Bank’s commitment to serve as a true partner to the horticultural sector. “We want to be more than just a financier; we want to be an enabler — actively partnering with agribusinesses, exporters, and institutions to unlock the immense potential of horticulture.” He stressed that horticulture remains one of Ghana’s strongest levers for inclusive growth, job creation for youth and women, food security, and sustainable foreign exchange generation.
Recognising that access to finance remains a key barrier for many players in the horticultural sector, Fidelity Bank is taking deliberate steps to close that gap. “That’s precisely why we’re hosting targeted sessions throughout this expo to demystify our export finance offerings,” Mr. Opuni announced. “Next month, in collaboration with FAGE, we will host a practical masterclass for exporters to walk them through our products, explain the requirements, and help businesses become truly investment-ready.”
These initiatives reflect Fidelity Bank’s broader strategy of building capacity across the export ecosystem, extending beyond conventional financing to include trade guarantees, risk-sharing schemes, and innovative digital platforms that simplify and accelerate access to capital.
However, the Fidelity Bank MD was quick to emphasise that finance alone is not enough. “We must build strong ecosystems. This means supporting policies that make cross-border trade more predictable, investing in cold chain infrastructure and logistics, and embracing sustainability as a real competitive advantage, not just a slogan.” He urged all stakeholders to adopt a long-term, collaborative approach that places innovation, sustainability, and digitalization at the center of Ghana’s horticultural development agenda.
As the Expo progresses, Fidelity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to Ghana’s export sector, positioning itself as a forward-looking financial institution that goes beyond transactional banking to support national priorities and economic transformation. “We are proud to stand with you, not just as a bank, but as a partner for progress. Together, we can grow something truly bigger: a vibrant, export-led economy that delivers real value for farmers, businesses, communities, and the nation as a whole,” Mr. Opuni concluded.
Few comic book characters have received the reboot treatment more than Batman. Despite the ups and downs over the years, the Caped Crusader remains one of the most bankable comic book characters to adapt, in large part due to the rich source material that still finds ways to evolve.
Ghana’s Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Srem-Sai, has stated that former Ghanaian Minister of Railways Development, Hon. Joe Ghartey, is not involved in the payment of the $2 million in the Accra Sky Train matter.
According Dr. Srem-Sai, Hon. Ghartey is not on the charge sheet of the Sky Train matter even though he was invited for questioning during the initial stages of the investigation.
Dr. Srem-Sai made the revelation while speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express about ongoing prosecutions some ex-officials of the erstwhile President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government.
He disclosed that the public spotlight on a few high-profile criminal investigations has created a misleading impression of selective justice, even as many former government officials quietly face legal scrutiny without fanfare.
He noted that the silence of many arrested or bailed individuals is contributing to the public’s skewed perception.
“I appreciate the demeanour of a lot of the government appointees,” he said.
“Once in a while, you hear that someone has been picked up, or someone has been invited in the media, and then there’s a whole lot of noise.
“But I can tell you, a large number of the persons who have been arrested, now on bail, who are under investigation, are quiet.
They will not make any noise about it.”
According to him, several former ministers and officeholders are cooperating with law enforcement discreetly and respectfully. “Some of them believe that the process must be followed,” he said.
“It’s only a few who, once in a while, come in the media, and then people are massing up to go to EOCO. But there are a lot of them who go quietly, do what they are asked to do and leave without any noise at all.” Dr. Srem Sai’s comments came in response to concerns that prosecutions have been selective or politically motivated.
He stressed that not every investigation leads to prosecution, and not every minister presiding over a controversial ministry bears criminal responsibility.
“If you take the Sky Train, for instance,” he said, “former AG and later Railway Minister Joe Ghartey at a point was invited, but he explained his side of the story. When you look at the charge sheet for Sky Train, he’s not on it.”
It will be recalled that Joe Ghartey has always insisted that the Ministry of Railways Development did not pay any money for the Sky Train.
The Deputy Attorney General maintained that mere association with a project under investigation is not enough to make someone criminally liable.
“The fact that you’re a minister at the time doesn’t mean that you will be criminally liable for anything,” he said.
ALX Ghana has convened a powerful alliance of ecosystem players in a resounding show of support for the government’s flagship One Million Coders Initiative, an ambitious programme launched by President John Dramani Mahama to equip one million young Ghanaians with digital skills for the future.
Held on June 10, 2025, at ALX’s Tech Hub at 1 Airport Square, the event—under the theme “Driving Ghana’s Next Generation of Digital Talent”—brought together a cross-section of government officials, corporate leaders, international diplomats, and leading youth development organisations, all aligned in their commitment to a digitally empowered Ghana.
“We are here to represent a movement. A collective of organisations working to ensure Ghana’s youth are ready, not just for jobs, but for impact,” said Nana Darko Asiedu, Country Manager of ALX Ghana.
Among the featured ecosystem partners were Generation Ghana, JA Africa, Coral Reef Innovation Hub, and Implementers Ghana, who shared their ongoing efforts in digital skills training, entrepreneurship, employment access, and innovation support.
Coral Reef Innovation Hub showcased its community-driven innovation labs, while JA Africa highlighted its entrepreneurship programmes for junior high school students. Generation Ghana presented its immersive employment initiatives, and Implementers Ghana discussed its focus on developing local digital talent.
Across all presentations, one message stood out: “collaboration is the new currency of transformation.”
Ministerial endorsement and vision
Delivering the keynote address, Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, underscored the urgency of digital literacy in national development.
“Digital technology has become the most democratic tool of empowerment,” he stated. “Our duty as a government is to provide an enabling environment, but we cannot do it alone. We need partners like ALX and every player here today to push forward our One Million Coders agenda.”
He further stressed that Ghana’s future lies in talent, not just traditional exports: “The Ghanaian youth must be our greatest export — digital, skilled, and globally competitive.”
Private sector and diplomatic support
The event also attracted leading voices from the private sector and diplomatic community. Notable among them were Prince Kofi Amoabeng, Founder of UT Holdings; Adwoa Wiafe, Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer at MTN; and George Ofosu Boateng, Head of Digital Channels at Ecobank. Each expressed their institutions’ dedication to digital inclusion, innovation, and youth empowerment.
His Excellency Roey Gilad, Ambassador of Israel to Ghana, described the One Million Coders initiative as “a healthy experiment,” adding, “There is a lot to learn from Ghana,” and expressed optimism that the country could become “a hub for high-tech on the continent.”
Dialogue and reflections
A high-impact panel moderated by Esinam Adorkor of the Mastercard Foundation examined how collaboration across government, business, and global partners could accelerate digital transformation. This was followed by a reflective fireside chat moderated by Nana Adjoa Adobea of Afrimire Advisors.
Board Chair of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, Prof. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, called for value-based digital development: “As we advance technologically, our values must anchor us.”
Prince Kofi Amoabeng added, “We are here to make the world better,” warning that a digital revolution without ethics is bound to collapse. He called for mentorship and innovation guided by purpose, equity, and shared humanity.
Closing the event, Nana Darko Asiedu reaffirmed the shared vision. “No single organisation can achieve this alone. But together, we are unstoppable,” he said.
TikToker GH Kobby (L) allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend (R)
The father of popular Ghanaian TikToker Hayford Boateng, widely known as GH Kobby, has made a bold and emotional statement following reports that his son allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend.
As earlier reported by GhanaWeb, the incident resulted in the tragic death of Philipa Frimpong, popularly known as Yaa Baby, in Yeji.
The fatal shooting allegedly occurred shortly after GH Kobby, Yaa Baby, and two others, Kwadwo Emmanuel and Michael Kabutey, were seen sharing a meal.
In a recent development, a video of GH Kobby’s father has gone viral on social media.
In it, he firmly stated that his son should be held accountable for his actions.
The grieving father visited the family home of Yaa Baby to offer his condolences and plead for patience as the community comes to terms with the tragedy.
“We should give thanks to God because He knows what He is doing. Based on what has happened, I plead with all of you to calm down so we can peacefully bury [Yaa Baby]. As for my son, wherever he is right now, it’s good,” he said.
“Yaa Baby didn’t deserve to die, so wherever my son is, he should also stay there. I hope the family will give us the opportunity to be involved in the burial ceremony,” he added.
He further disclosed that efforts to move Yaa Baby’s body from Yeji to Kumasi have been unsuccessful.
“I received a call from Yeji, and I wanted the child’s body to be transferred to Kumasi, but the police investigator says they can’t travel from Kumasi for investigations,” he explained.
Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing, with growing calls for a thorough probe into the events leading up to Yaa Baby’s tragic death.
Watch the video below:
JHM/MA
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(L-R) Gifty Oware-Mensah, Osei Assibey Antwi and Mustafa Yussif
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has named 22 persons the state will be prosecuting for their involvement in the National Service Scheme (NSS) ‘ghost names’ scandal.
According to Dr Ayine, the accused persons include 12 staff and former staff of the National Service Secretariat, as well as 10 vendors of the secretariat, who through a corrupt scheme, allegedly stole over GH¢548 million from the state.
The accused persons, who he described as a cabal, schemed to put ‘ghost names’ on the NSS payroll, which is approved by Parliament.
He said that after payments are released, the amounts allocated to the ‘ghost names’ are “deposited into ADB Bank accounts and diverted into private pockets.”
He went on to list the 12 suspects as follows:
Staff and former staff of the NSS:
Mustafa Yussif, a former executive director
Osei Assibey Antwi, former Director-General
Gifty Oware-Mensah, former deputy executive director
Kweku Ohene Gyan, former deputy executive director for operations
Abraham Bismark Gaisie, head of deployment
Eric Nyarko, former head of accounts
Albert Oteng Owusu, former internal auditor
Kweku Dekyi Agyei, an accounts officer
Iddrisu Ibn Abu-Bakr, former head of accounts
Stephen Kwabena Gyamfi, Koforidua Municipal Director
Prince Agbofa Awuku, a district director
Jacob Yawson, Management Information Systems Administrator in the Northern Regional Office
Vendors:
Isaac Osae Asamani, the owner of Stalwart/Option Buy Ventures
Charles Ohemeng, the owner of CH OHEC Ventures
Philomina Arthur, the owner of Brainwave Ventures
Rose Hamilton, the owner of Marine Ventures
Kwaku Opare Agbofa, the owner of Franlisa Ventures
Solomon Dwamena, the owner of Alfarita Ventures
Haruna Mawulaya, the owner of Alfayda Enterprise
Sylvia Ntriwa Opare, the owner of Sylsona Ventures
Peter Mensah, a legal practitioner and the husband of Gifty Oware-Mensah
The Attorney General went on to list the charges against the accused persons as follows:
Stealing, contrary to section 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)
Conspiracy to steal, contrary to sections 23(1) and 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)
Wilfully causing financial loss to the state, contrary to section 179A(3)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)
Using public office for profit, contrary to section 179C(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)
Obtaining public property by false statements, contrary to section 5 of the Public Property Protection Act, 1977 (SMCD 140)
Money laundering, contrary to section 1(2)(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044)
Conspiracy to commit money laundering, contrary to section 3 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044)
BAI/MA
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Charles Asuako Owiredu, New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Abirem
The Minority in Parliament has slammed the decision to shut down a number of radio stations across the country, describing it as arbitrary and politically motivated.
Charles Asuako Owiredu, New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Abirem, argued that the move threatens media freedom and undermines the constitutional right to free speech.
Commenting on the issue after a statement delivered by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technology, Sam Nartey George, he questioned the consistency and fairness of the process, suggesting that the closures targeted stations affiliated with opposition voices.
“The media is the fourth estate of the realm, and it plays a critical role in entrenching democracy,” Mr. Owiredu said.
“It appears we are about to monetise free speech in Ghana. Many of these stations, especially community radio stations, serve as the only means of communication in our constituencies. Banning them would cut off essential channels of information,” he added.
The NPP MP criticised the Communications Minister for an abrupt policy shift, pointing out that the Minister initially announced the closures but later softened his stance, offering a grace period for affected stations to regularise their licenses.
“We believe this decision is arbitrary. The initial directive could have been avoided with proper engagement with the radio stations involved. Now, suddenly, clemency is being granted. What has changed?” he asked.
Mr. Owiredu further alleged that the decision was politically driven, claiming that stations owned by political opponents were deliberately targeted.
However, not all MPs agreed with his position.
Philip Fiifi Buckman, NDC MP for Kwesimintsim, defended the closures, praising the Minister and the President for enforcing the law and sanitising the media space.
He stressed the importance of adhering to regulations to maintain order and prevent anarchy.
“We cannot allow impudence. We cannot allow people to do whatever they like in the name of media freedom. Leadership must show tenacity and ensure that our airwaves are properly regulated,” Mr. Buckman said, adding his full support for the Minister’s actions.
Other MPs, including Matthew Nyindam of Kpandai, called for a more balanced approach. Mr. Nyindam acknowledged the need for regulation but questioned the timeline given to radio stations to regularize their operations.
“Thirty days is not enough for some of these community stations to renew their licenses. We must reconsider how the laws are applied, especially since these are not profit-making commercial stations,” he noted.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, also weighed in, cautioning the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Communications Ministry to act within the confines of the Constitution.
“Democracy must be guided for its own good. Regulatory authorities must exercise their powers within the limits of the law. The sudden U-turn by the Presidency, offering clemency, suggests that the initial move may have been ill-considered and possibly unconstitutional,” he argued.
He emphasized that past abuses should not be repeated, urging the government to avoid the appearance of political witch-hunting and instead foster dialogue with affected media houses.
“You cannot break it and pretend to be fixing it. We must protect press freedom, not impede it. The NCA and the Ministry must deepen engagement and avoid harsh punitive actions that could damage our democracy,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin said.
The debate came after the Minister, Sam George, announced the NCA’s closure of over 60 radio stations, citing license infractions.
Following public backlash, the Presidency later intervened, offering a grace period for affected stations to comply with regulatory requirements, the Minority asserted, insisting that the closures remain unjustified.
In an address to Parliament, the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, emphasized the growing concern over the re-emergence of monkeypox in the country.
He recalled that Ghana recorded its first cases during the 2022 global outbreak, confirming 128 cases and four deaths between 2022 and 2023.
An additional five cases were reported in 2024. Zunotic diseases such as Monkeypox, he noted, remain a significant global public health concern.
The current outbreak began on May 13, 2025, with two confirmed cases identified in the Accra Metropolitan Assembly.
As of June 9, a total of 85 cases have been recorded across 10 regions and 30 districts, greater Accra, Western, and Western North regions are most affected.
According to the Minister, the government responded promptly with a structured, multiple approach at all levels.
This approach includes improved coordination, enhanced surveillance, strengthened laboratory services, effective case management, risk communication, and the activation of public health emergency teams.
“These teams are fully operational, ensuring the availability of essential logistics such as personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect frontline health workers “he stated.
The Minister attributed the rise in monkey pox case detection to better surveillance systems, expanded testing capacity, and rigorous contact tracing.
However, he warned that to sustain this progress, it is vital to replenish essential laboratory supplies.
To further control the spread of the disease, the Ghana Health Service, in collaboration with key stakeholders, has intensified public education efforts.
Through partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the media, preventive messages are being amplified nationwide.
“Mr. Speaker,” the Minister stated, “while we address the current outbreak, we are also laying the groundwork for long-term preparedness.”
These long-term measures include building capacity, pre-positioning logistics, sustaining integrated surveillance, exploring innovative financing mechanisms, and considering targeted vaccination for high-risk groups.
The Health Minister respectively urged the Members of Parliament to support ongoing efforts by promoting key preventive messages and supporting health directorates within their constituencies.
He concluded that “I wish to assure this honorable house and the people of Ghana that the health sector remains fully committed to containing this outbreak.”
Dr Dominic Ayine, Attorney General and Minister of Justice
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has defended his decision to conduct press briefings on Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), an exercise rooted in investigations into the activities of former government appointees, insisting that it forms part of his duty to ensure public accountability.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Accra on June 13, 2025, Dr Ayine said he is committed to keeping Ghanaians informed about the work his office is undertaking, particularly with regard to high-profile investigations.
He rejected claims that his public disclosures are politically motivated or aimed at tarnishing the image of former government officials.
“There is nothing absolutely wrong with the briefings. We have a duty to account to the people of this country. It is not in order to make any political party look bad. What we are doing is simply to account to the people,”he stated.
Dr Ayine cited practices in other democracies, such as the United States, where attorneys routinely brief the media on the outcomes of significant investigations.
“Even the AG of the US, brief the press when they conclude their investigations,” he noted.
The Attorney General came under criticism following his public remarks on ongoing investigations involving former officials, including former Director of the Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu Boahene.
However, responding to questions about the National Service Secretariat scandal, Dr Ayine confirmed that a full docket has been prepared and submitted to his office.
Investigations are currently ongoing, and the Attorney General’s office is also reviewing the evidence for possible prosecution.
He reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability, pledging to continue the briefings to the public on key developments through the media.
MRA/VPO
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IMF Director of Communications, Julie Kozack, made the comments during a press briefing in Washington, D.C., highlighting that future reviews of Ghana’s economic programme will take into account current financial and macroeconomic developments.
“As we look at the programme, we look at all of these developments, including, of course, developments in the exchange rate,” she noted.
She further explained that exchange rate fluctuations would be evaluated during subsequent reviews to ensure that the programme’s goals remain “appropriate and achievable.”
Programme goals: stability, sustainability and growth
Ghana’s IMF-supported economic reform, backed by the Extended Credit Facility, revolves around three primary objectives: restoring macroeconomic stability, ensuring long-term debt sustainability, and laying the foundation for robust and inclusive growth.
One of the key benchmarks is to reduce Ghana’s debt-to-GDP ratio to 55% by the end of 2028.
Recent data from the Bank of Ghana indicates that as of April 2025, this target has already been met — significantly ahead of schedule — with the debt-to-GDP ratio now standing at 55%. This achievement is largely attributed to the cedi’s steep appreciation against the dollar in 2025, which has positively impacted the country’s debt profile.
Cedi strengthens by over 40% in 2025
Commercial bank data reveals that the Ghanaian cedi has appreciated by more than 40% against the US dollar since the beginning of the year. As of the end of April 2025, the cedi was trading at GH¢10.26 to the dollar, according to Bank of Ghana figures.
President John Mahama, speaking at a recent African Development Bank event in Côte d’Ivoire, disclosed that the currency’s appreciation has helped reduce Ghana’s debt stock by approximately GH¢150 billion.
He further noted in another engagement that the real exchange rate range of the cedi lies between GH¢10 and GH¢12 to the dollar.
IMF targets for international reserves also surpassed
Ghana has also exceeded the international reserves target set under the IMF programme. By the end of April 2025, the country’s reserves stood at GH¢10.6 billion — the equivalent of 4.7 months of import cover. This is significantly above the threshold established in the IMF agreement ahead of its scheduled completion.
Next IMF board review set for July 2025
Julie Kozack confirmed that the IMF Executive Board is expected to convene in the first week of July 2025 to assess Ghana’s progress under the ongoing programme.
“Upon approval by the Executive Board, Ghana would be scheduled to receive about US$370 million, bringing total support under the External Credit Facility to US$2.4 billion since May 2023,” she stated.
Ghana to exit IMF programme in 2026
President John Mahama has also announced that Ghana has no plans to extend the IMF programme beyond its official end date in May 2026, signalling confidence in the country’s current economic trajectory.
play videoGifty Oware-Mensah is a former Deputy Executive Director of the NSS
A former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS) Gifty Oware-Mensah, has been named in a damning report by the Attorney General for her alleged role in a widespread payroll fraud scandal involving nearly 10,000 ghost names.
According to the Attorney General, who addressed the press on Friday, June 13, 2025, Oware-Mensah used her position at the NSS to siphon millions of cedis in public funds by manipulating payroll records.
The AG revealed that she deliberately inflated the NSS payroll by adding non-existent names over a two-year period.
“Within two service years, Gifty Oware-Mensah used a total of 9,934 ghost names to misappropriate public funds,” he stated.
This revelation adds to an ongoing probe into massive financial irregularities at the NSS during her tenure.
Earlier audits had uncovered a staggering discrepancy between the actual number of active service personnel and the figures submitted for payment.
In 2024, while only 98,145 personnel were confirmed to be in active service, the NSS payroll listed 180,030 names, an inflation of 81,885 ghost names.
This bloated payroll is estimated to have cost the state approximately GH¢50 million every month.
Oware-Mensah’s alleged role in the scandal extends beyond payroll padding. Separate investigations have also linked her to a fraudulent GH¢30 million loan secured through a fake company using stolen identities.
Gifty Oware-Mensah, an Executive Council member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), has been accused by the Attorney General of masterminding a GH¢30 million loan fraud using falsified identities and a bogus company.
The Attorney General, Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, while addressing the press on Friday, June 13, 2025, revealed that Oware-Mensah orchestrated a complex financial scheme targeting the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).
“Gifty Oware-Mensah created and executed a meticulously detailed plan using National Service allowances as security to obtain a loan of GH¢30,698,218 from the ADB,” he revealed.
The Attorney General further revealed that the former NSS official used the personal information of unsuspecting individuals to fabricate a fake business entity.
“She achieved this by using other people’s information to register a company called Blocks of Life Consult without their knowledge,” the AG explained.
In order to present the company as legitimate, Oware-Mensah deployed intermediaries and even involved her spouse in the deception.
“She presented Blocks of Life Consult through a middleman and used her husband to act as one of the representatives of the said company,” he further explained.
He further added that the bogus company was then introduced to the bank as a service provider for National Service personnel.
“She told ADB that the company specialises in supplying home appliances to NSS personnel and proposed that ADB finance the company to enable it to supply these items on a higher purchase basis to the service personnel,” he said.
These revelations come on the heels of an ongoing investigation into massive payroll fraud at the National Service Scheme during Oware-Mensah’s tenure.
Earlier this year, she was detained and interrogated by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) for several hours before being granted bail.
The scandal centres on an alarming payroll discrepancy uncovered by the government. In 2024, the NSS reported 180,030 names for allowance payments, but a headcount revealed only 98,145 active service personnel.
This discrepancy of 81,885 ghost names is believed to have cost the state over GH¢50 million monthly in fraudulent payments.
FKA/MA
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In a world where loyalty is often weighed against wealth, the words of a presidential bodyguard in Burkina Faso have stunned both supporters and skeptics alike. Tasked with protecting President Ibrahim Traoré, the bodyguard recently revealed that he was offered $5 million—along with foreign citizenship—for assassinating the young leader while he prayed. But instead of yielding to temptation, he chose dignity over dollars, integrity over infamy.
“They presented me $5 million to shoot Ibrahim Traoré in the back while he bent to pray to Allah,” he said in a statement that has since gone viral. “They even promised citizenship for my entire family. They called it ‘an offer I could not refuse.’”
The offer—shrouded in cold, transactional language—was not just an attempt at political sabotage. It was a test of faith, both personal and national. And it was resolutely rejected.
A Betrayal Scripted in Greed
Traoré, Burkina Faso’s interim president and a former army captain, rose to power in 2022 through a coup that promised to restore dignity and sovereignty to a nation wracked by terror and foreign interference. Since assuming office, he has positioned himself as a fierce critic of Western neocolonialism, challenging the influence of France and asserting a pan-African vision grounded in self-reliance and anti-imperialism.
This agenda, while earning him admiration across Africa and beyond, has also made him a target.
According to the bodyguard, the bribe was extended by unknown actors “from a foreign country” whose identity he declined to reveal. What was clear, however, was their intent: to exploit a sacred moment of vulnerability, when Traoré would be kneeling in prayer—facing Mecca, eyes closed, heart exposed.
The Ambassador, his wife and their guests after the engagement
The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia, Roey Gilad, has expressed the disappointment over Ghana’s vote abstinence in Vienna yesterday over whether or not Iran was complying with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards.
Speaking to selected editors during a breakfast engagement, he said even though Israel respects the sovereignty of Ghana and her non-aligned status, he nonetheless called for a rethink about this policy.
The two countries have a long-standing relationship spanning the time of independence to date, but Ghana in spite of lobbying Israel to vote in her favour decided to abstain.
Ghana’s position on the subject, according to him, is influenced by the African Union (AU), the Union itself shaped by the Arab League.
It would be better to be balanced in such international issues, he said, adding that Ghana should adopt a foreign policy that would be independent of the AU and the Non-Aligned Movement since the world is changing.
The foregone notwithstanding, the envoy said this is a sovereign decision.
Ghana, he went on, is the friendliest in Africa to Israel, pointing out that the issue of non-compliance with the International Atomic Energy Agency standard for Iran is of serious concern to Israel.
Continuing, he said that Iran poses an existential threat to Israel, and so this is not an issue the country should abstain from voting.
Explaining, he said it is not compulsory for a chair to abstain from voting as Ghana did in Vienna, Austria recently. “I don’t know whether this serves the best interest for Ghana,” he said.
Ghana over the years has benefited from Israel in the field of agriculture, he said.
Israel, according to his observation, has enjoyed a lot of admiration among Ghanaians as evidenced at Makola.
At the Accra Beach, he said, fishermen have the Israeli flag on their canoes, but this does not reflect on the international scene.
On Gaza, he pointed at a growing resentment of the Palestinians against Hamas, who they believe is the cause of their predicament.
Palestinians, he added, want Hamas to leave Gaza and go wherever they want.
The IAEA declared on Thursday that Iran was not complying with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations, the first time the United Nations (UN) watchdog has passed a resolution against the country in 20 years.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry and National Atomic Energy Agency issued a joint statement condemning the vote, calling it political and saying the resolution had “completely called into question the credibility and prestige” of the nuclear watchdog.
What began as weekend entertainment has become a full-blown cultural force. Nigerian reality TV shows like Big Brother Naija, Project Fame West Africa, and Gulder Ultimate Search have evolved into career-launching platforms, social trendsetters, and powerful economic engines. These shows have transformed everyday people into celebrities, fueled entire industries, and reshaped the dreams of young Nigerians.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has revealed that GH¢8,256,000.00 was deposited into an Ezwich account registered in the name of the former Director General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Osei-Assibey Antwi, during the 2022/2023 service year.
This revelation comes as part of an ongoing investigation into financial malfeasance at the NSA by the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) taskforce.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Friday, June 13, Dr. Ayine confirmed that the funds were personally received by Mr. Osei-Assibey Antwi.
He added that an Ezwich card linked to the account was retrieved from the suspect’s residence during a search operation.
“In the 2022/2023 service year, a total of eight million, two hundred and fifty-six thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢8,256,000.00) was deposited into EZWICH account number 1177042059, which is registered in the name of suspect Osei Assibey. Investigations showed that he personally received these funds. During a search at his residence, the aforementioned Ezwich card was found,” he revealed.
Accra, June 13, GNA- The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) commended President John Dramani Mahama for halting the revocation of frequency authorisation for 64 radio stations.
The association noted that the President had directed the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation to liaise with the National Communications Authority (NCA) to stop the process.
A statement, signed by General Secretary Kofi Yeboah, praised the President’s intervention, stating that shutting down the stations, despite their infractions, could severely impact the electronic media industry, leading to job losses and depriving the public of critical services.
The GJA agreed with the President that such actions could undermine media freedom and freedom of expression.
The association acknowledged the importance of regulatory compliance but urged affected stations to use the granted moratorium to rectify their status.
It added that regulatory enforcement should balance compliance with the need to uphold and enhance media freedom.
The statement recommended extensive dialogue between regulators and stakeholders to prevent media restrictions while ensuring operational integrity.
The association also called on the NCA to publish the regulatory status of all radio and television stations, including compliance history and ownership details, to ensure transparency in enforcement.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has defended the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, emphasising that the ongoing investigations against officials in the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led government are not politically driven but focused on recovering stolen state funds.
Addressing a press briefing on Friday, June 13, 2025, Dr Ayine rejected claims that the initiative is a partisan witch-hunt.
According to him, the investigations are rooted in constitutional duty, not political allegiance.
“What we are doing is simply to account to the people of Ghana. I will continue to account to the good people of Ghana through press briefing,” he declared.
He further stated that none of the individuals arrested or investigated under ORAL has been linked to any political party in his public statements.
Instead, he insisted that the actions are based purely on evidence of wrongdoing.
“In my press briefings, I have not connected any political party to the people that I arrest and investigate, so the idea of going [after anyone] is not to make any political party look bad or any faction in the Ghanaian politics look bad, we have a duty to account to the people of this country,” he added.
JKB/VPO
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Seth Terkper is the Economic Advisor to the President
Economic Advisor to President John Dramani Mahama, Seth Terkper has stated that it is impossible to sustain Ghana’s economy for four years without encountering crisis.
“You cannot manage an economy continuously for four years without one crisis,” he stated.
Speaking on JoyNews on June 12, 2025, as monitored by GhanaWeb Business, Terkper pointed out that good economic management lies not in avoiding shocks but being prepared for them.
According to Terkper, building buffers and reserves is crucial for managing economic downturns, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of an unforeseen crisis that required swift action.
“Let’s make sure that, you know, we have reserves…reserve which is a sacrifice. To set reserves, as in households, as in businesses, is a sacrifice” he said.
Terkper explained the importance of sustaining economic reforms and preparing for the downside.
He said Ghana’s economic difficulties stem from poor management including the depletion of strategic funds meant for debt repayment.
DR/AME
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Ghanaian gospel artiste Rose Adjei has weighed in on growing concerns about division and discord within Ghana’s gospel music industry.
In an interview with Onua FM on Thursday, June 12, 2025, Adjei stated that conflicts among gospel musicians stem from their individual personalities and personal differences.
“The gospel industry is made up of people from diverse backgrounds. Just because someone sings gospel music doesn’t mean they automatically have good character,” she noted.
Adjei revealed that tensions exist among some artistes, with a few harboring dislike for their colleagues or engaging in unprofessional conduct, including verbal attacks.
“There are gospel musicians who don’t get along with others, and some who speak carelessly. That’s their personality, it has nothing to do with the songs they sing,” she explained.
Despite these challenges, Adjei urged her fellow musicians to uphold higher standards of conduct, stating that their actions should reflect the messages they preach through their music.
“If you find yourself in this profession, you must discipline yourself. Your behavior should reflect the gospel you preach,” she advised.
Her comments come amid ongoing discussions about unity in the gospel music scene, following similar concerns raised by other artistes such as Broda Sammy, Mavis Asante, Esther Smith, and many others.
Watch the video below:
ID/MA
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Chaos at the ceremony to lift the ban on drumming and noise-making in Pokuase in Accra
The ceremony to lift the ban on drumming and noise-making on Thursday, June 12, 2025, descended into chaos in several locations across the Greater Accra Region.
A video shared by EDHUB on X, dated June 13, 2025, on Friday, depicted chaotic scenes from what should have been a joyous event, initially scheduled to take place at the Gbese Mantse’s Palace in Accra.
According to the video, the chaos began when an allegedly uninvited chief confronted the Gbese Mantse during the ban-lifting ceremony.
In a separate incident in Pokuase to lift the ban on noise-making, confusion erupted during the ritual as two feuding factions of the Otublohum stool clashed, causing the situation to spiral out of control.
This ban, which started on May 12, 2025, is an important Ga tradition for prayers, spiritual cleansing, and appeasing the gods. It’s lifting signifies the beginning of the Homowo festival season.
The event started with Pokuase Mantse, Nii Oto Kwame IV, and his entourage, including the Krontihene of Pokuase, Nii Dodoo Akoto Oyeadieye I, and traditional priest, Nuumo Gbelenfo, taking their places.
However, disruptions occurred when Nii Offei Nkwanta Bisah, Djaasetse of Pokuase, arrived with prominent elders and the Asafo group, deliberately sitting in front of Nii Oto Kwame’s delegation.
This action provoked a strong reaction from his followers.
Despite the uproar, the Djaasetse and his elders, accompanied by members of the National Security and police operatives, refused to move.
This led to significant commotion, with supporters from both sides engaging in physical altercations as police attempted to restore calm.
The Djaasetse’s followers claimed that Nii Oto Kwame IV had been dethroned, arguing that he lacked the legitimacy to act as Mantse of Pokuase or to perform the ritual to lift the ban.
In response, Nii Oto Kwame IV vehemently denied this, stating that no traditional ritual had been conducted for his removal.
“They are claiming that they have destooled me, but no traditional ritual has been performed to that effect. If you want to remove a gazetted chief, there are laid down procedures to follow. This is not dictated by individual whims or the pursuit of personal gratification,” he told reporters.
The disturbances prolonged the event for over three hours, characterised by accusations, counter-accusations, and sporadic gunshots from the Asafo group.
With a strong security presence, the Djaasetse was eventually allowed to lead the ceremony and perform the final ritual to lift the ban, much to the delight of his supporters and the anger of the opposing faction.
Watch the video below
Chaos erupted after an allegedly uninvited chief clashed with the Gbese Mantse during the lifting of the ban on noise-making earlier today. pic.twitter.com/4KltLmtHXF
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GNFS, GES, and Ulster University officials in a group photograph
THE GHANA National Fire Service (GNFS), in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ulster University in the United Kingdom, has commenced preparations for a two-week intensive workshop aimed at developing a comprehensive fire safety education curriculum for basic schools across the country.
The workshop, which started on Wednesday, June 11 and ends on June 20, 2025, seeks to bring together key stakeholders from education, emergency services, academia, and international partners under a unified mission: to inculcate the values of fire safety and emergency preparedness in Ghana’s youngest citizens through a structured and impactful school curriculum.
Addressing participants at the opening ceremony, Acting Chief Fire Officer (AG CFO) Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong emphasised the significance of early fire safety awareness in shaping a fire-conscious generation. “This initiative is a bold and timely response to the growing need for early fire safety awareness. By introducing structured fire education into our schools, we are empowering the next generation to protect themselves, their families, and their communities,” she noted.
AG CFO Ntow Sarpong acknowledged the presence of key partners from Ulster University, Dr. Nigel McConnell and Mr. Yahaya Abdulai, and lauded the collaborative effort that birthed the Co-Production Working Group, the body responsible for fine-tuning the curriculum for implementation nationwide.
She added that the initiative reflects the broader vision of the government’s demonstration of its commitment to empowering the Ghana National Fire Service to play a leading role in equipping the citizens, especially young children, with contemporary knowledge in fire safety.
“Their drive for a safer Ghana continues to inspire initiatives like this,” AG CFO Sarpong stated and added, “As they work tirelessly to ensure fire safety becomes a shared responsibility embraced by all citizens.”
Dr. Nigel McConnell of Ulster University commended Ghana for taking such a forward-thinking approach, noting that fire safety education at the basic level is essential in developing responsible and safety-conscious communities.
The Co-Production Working Group, made up of experts from the GNFS, GES, and Ulster University, will continue engaging relevant stakeholders during the workshop to ensure the curriculum aligns with local realities while meeting international best practices.
The workshop is expected to culminate in a finalised curriculum that will be adopted into the GES syllabi, marking a major milestone in Ghana’s fire safety and educational reform agenda.
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