Ghana’s women’s national table tennis team, the Black Loopers, have made history by qualifying for the 2026 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships in London, marking a major comeback to the prestigious global stage after several years of absence.

The milestone was achieved after a thrilling 3–2 victory over Angola at the ongoing ITTF-Africa Championships in Tunis, Tunisia, which also served as the continental qualifier for London 2026.

Despite an earlier loss to African powerhouse Egypt, the Ghanaian ladies showed remarkable resilience and fighting spirit to bounce back and secure a spot among the elite teams heading to the centennial edition of the World Championships.

In their decisive encounter against Angola, Ghana fought from two matches down to complete an incredible comeback. Cynthia Kwabi opened the tie but narrowly lost 2–3 to Ruth Tavares, before Eva Adom-Amankwah also fell 1–3 to Albino Isabel, leaving Ghana under early pressure.

The momentum shifted when Joanita Borteye produced a commanding 3–0 victory over Sousa Kailane to restore hope.

Cynthia Kwabi then returned stronger, sweeping Albino Isabel 3–0 to level the overall score at 2–2. In the decisive final match, Eva Adom-Amankwaa held her nerve to edge past Ruth Tavares 3–2, sealing a dramatic triumph for Ghana and confirming their historic qualification.

With this victory, Ghana clinched second place in their group, securing a continental qualification ticket to London.

GTTA President Mawuko Afadzinu, who is in Tunis for the ITTF-Africa Annual General Meeting, commended the team’s remarkable performance and described the qualification as a proud moment for Ghana table tennis.

The Black Loopers’ qualification coincides with the 100th anniversary of the ITTF World Championships, making Ghana’s return to the world stage even more symbolic and memorable.

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.

Kojo Bonsu, Ghana Ambassador to China, with President John Dramani Mahama

As Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu is committed to leveraging China’s expertise and experience to drive growth and development in Ghana.

With over 65 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Ambassador Bonsu believes it’s time to shift gears and focus on mutually beneficial collaborations in key areas such as business, education, agriculture, and technology.

Ambassador Bonsu’s appointment comes at a critical time when Ghana is seeking to deepen trade, investment, and development cooperation with China.

With China’s experience in rapid economic growth and poverty reduction, Ghana can learn valuable lessons from its Asian partner by fostering robust diplomatic and cultural ties.

Ambassador Bonsu aims to create opportunities for Ghanaian businesses to tap into China’s vast market ².

To achieve his vision, Ambassador Bonsu has outlined several key areas of focus, including,

– Facilitating Foreign Direct Investment: Attracting Chinese investments into Ghana’s economy to boost growth and development.

– Deepening Economic and Trade Cooperation: Strengthening trade ties between Ghana and China to increase bilateral trade volumes.

– Fostering Diplomatic and Cultural Ties: Promoting cultural exchange and understanding between the two nations.

Ambassador Bonsu’s approach represents a paradigm shift in Ghana-China relations.

By focusing on business, education, agriculture, and technology, he aims to create a more balanced and mutually beneficial partnership. This shift is expected to unlock new opportunities for Ghana’s economic growth and development.

As Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu is well-positioned to drive growth and development in Ghana by leveraging China’s experience and expertise.

With a clear vision and strategy, Ambassador Bonsu is committed to building a stronger, more prosperous Ghana through enhanced cooperation with China.

A delegation led by IET-GH President, Henry Kwadwo Boateng, paid a working visit to the refinery

The Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana (IET-GH), has commended the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) for its ongoing rehabilitation works being executed predominantly by Ghanaian engineers and technologists.

A delegation led by IET-GH President, Engr Henry Kwadwo Boateng, paid a working visit to the refinery to observe progress on the facility’s restoration and to express the Institution’s support for the project.

Receiving the delegation, TOR Managing Director, Lawyer Edmond Kombat, described the visit as timely, acknowledging that many IET-GH members were playing key roles in the refinery’s revival.

He reaffirmed TOR’s readiness to collaborate with the Institution to provide professional development and certification opportunities for its staff, in line with the government’s Reset Agenda, which focuses on rebuilding the economy and expanding local employment.

Engr Boateng commended the refinery’s leadership for the bold decision to rely on homegrown expertise, describing it as “a demonstration of confidence in the capacity of Ghanaian engineers to deliver complex technical solutions.”

He encouraged engineers and staff to remain disciplined and united behind the management team.

He further urged them to consider themselves essential partners in the Reset Agenda and to avoid any form of agitation that could impede the refinery’s recovery efforts.

Engr Wonder Davor, IET-GH President-Elect, lauded TOR’s management for its vision and urged sustained collaboration with local professionals to build a refinery that meets modern international standards.

Engr Dr Miriam Eduful, a strong advocate for women in engineering, reminded staff of the importance of adhering to strict safety practices and consistently using protective gear.

Engineer a Ghana that protects, not destroys – IET-GH President charges UMaT students

As part of the engagement, Lawyer Kombat disclosed plans to launch a structured TOR Training Programme to provide practical learning opportunities for students from KNUST, UENR, UMaT and other technical universities.

He also revealed an upcoming partnership with Middle Eastern refineries to train about 5,000 Ghanaian engineers across various disciplines starting next year.

During a tour of the facility led by Ing Abraham Quayson, the IET-GH delegation visited key sections of the refinery, including the distillation, reforming and power generation units.

TOR’s engineers were credited for successfully completing complex maintenance works previously handled by foreign experts, thereby saving the refinery significant amounts in foreign exchange.

Engr Boateng concluded the visit by commending TOR’s commitment to environmental protection and expressing optimism that the refinery’s restart will mark a major milestone for Ghanaian engineering excellence and national self-reliance.

AM

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Faisal Halim is a player of Malaysia who has survived an acid attack

Faisal Halim’s hands tremble slightly as he recalls the day his life changed.

It was a routine afternoon at a shopping mall in Kota Damansara, a place filled with laughter, chatter, and the smell of food courts.

But in a single, horrifying instant, a stranger’s attack with acid left him scarred physically and shaken emotionally.

The burns were severe, lacing his face, neck, and shoulders. Simple movements became excruciating.

Even speaking was a challenge. For a man whose life had revolved around football, it felt like his world had stopped.

Yet, before the tragedy, Faisal had been flying high. At 26, he was Malaysia’s brightest footballing star, dazzling fans with his pace, skill, and creativity.

His defining goal against South Korea in the 2024 Asian Cup was still fresh in memory, a moment of genius that left defenders and goalkeepers flailing.

But after the attack, the ball was a stranger; for weeks, he could not even think about training.

Hospital walls became his world, and every day was a battle with pain, frustration, and the haunting images of the attack.

“Every moment, I would get flashbacks. It was very difficult, and I was mentally down; my morale was very low. Many things have changed. I cannot smile properly now. There were times when I considered not playing football anymore out of fear. But I received a lot of calls and messages every day,” he told the BBC in June 2025.

Recovery was grueling. Physical therapy tested his body; personal training tested his patience.

Four Black Queens stars earn nominations for 2025 CAF Awards

Every movement was a reminder of what he had lost. But step by step, Faisal reclaimed his strength.

Three months later, he was back on the bench for Selangor in a semi-final, a moment he describes as “quietly victorious.”

The real triumph came months later. Faisal’s first goal post-recovery was electric: a hat-trick in a resounding win, with every strike a statement that he was not defeated.

The celebration, arms outstretched, voice lifted in triumph, felt like reclaiming more than just a game. It was reclaiming life itself.

Faisal’s return to the national team, his fearless runs down the wing, and his relentless drive on the ball have inspired not only fans but a nation that watched him endure and overcome.

Coaches speak of his “unbreakable spirit” and “ability to move people beyond the game.”

Now, Faisal’s focus is simple: family, football, and living each day with courage.

The malls can wait.

The crowds can wait. What matters is the pitch, the place where he proves, again and again, that he is more than a survivor; he is a fighter.

“I am not scared, but I just don’t want something like that to happen again. So, I don’t go out anymore. Once training is done, I go home to spend time with my son, my wife, and my family.”

FKA/AE

Counsel to former President Nana Akufo-Addo, Kow Essuman, has criticised the Attorney General’s handling of the ongoing legal dispute involving Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, describing the process as “extremely unfair and unconstitutional.”

Speaking on Prime Insight on Saturday, October 18, Mr. Essuman disclosed that the Attorney General’s Department has not yet filed its statement of case in the matter before the Supreme Court, despite being the defendant.

According to him, Justice Torkonoo took her case to the Supreme Court when the issue first arose, seeking to challenge what she perceived as a violation of her constitutional rights.

“The Constitution of our country says that if you have been deprived of your rights, if your rights have been curtailed in any way, shape or form, the appropriate forum is the courts, and that is what the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo, has been engaged in.

“She sought an injunction, but the Supreme Court ruled that it would not grant the injunction and would instead determine the substantive matter before any consequential actions could be taken,” he explained.

However, he noted “to date, none of those matters in the Supreme Court have been determined, adding that the Attorney General’s failure to file a statement of case has effectively delayed proceedings.

“In fact, I know for a fact — and anyone can apply to the registry of the Supreme Court to confirm this — that the Attorney General, who is a defendant in all these Supreme Court matters, hasn’t filed a statement of case. They haven’t responded,” he stated.

Mr. Essuman described the development as deeply concerning, arguing that it undermines the fairness and constitutional integrity of the judicial process. “It is extremely unfair, extremely unconstitutional, the manner in which the entire process has been conducted,” he stressed.

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.

Queen Elizabeth when she met this Ghanaian boy dressed in kente

Until now, the kente cloth, which is a unique fabric of the Ashanti people, has remained a regular outfit for traditional rulers in Ghana. Lately, the creative blend of fashion and technology has made the cloth an even more symbolic Ghanaian thing.

And a resurfaced 1989 video of the late Queen Elizabeth seamlessly pinpointing it and linking it to Ghana has warmed many hearts.

The video – a lineup of children from across the world waiting to greet the queen outside Buckingham Palace, while dressed in identifiable outfits peculiar to their countries, particularly warms the hearts of Ghanaians at the point when she greets a boy in the kente colours.

With every step she makes towards a child, she would acknowledge them and greet them as courteously as always.

This she did a few times with the children before this young Ghanaian boy had his turn with the late Queen of England.

Queen Elizabeth II in Ghana: How a royal visit changed the country in 1961

Without hesitation on reaching where he stood, Queen Elizabeth II exclaimed, “And you must come from Ghana. Yes, I recognised this; kente cloth. Very smart.”

At this point, with the queen beaming with a wide smile and what some may call an easy feeling of pride, even the rest of the other children could not help but wear proud smiles too.

But it gets better; the look on the face of this young Ghanaian boy read some sternness, or what some may simply term seriousness from the chap.

Watch the video below:

AE

Updated October 18, 2025- The Royal Ghana Gold Refinery, a joint venture between the Bank of Ghana and Rosy Royal Minerals of India, was officially inaugurated in August 2024 with the aim of revolutionizing the nation’s gold mining industry by adding local value to its resources. The facility is located in Accra and has a daily capacity to process about 400 kilograms of gold dore which is primarily sourced from artisanal and small-scale miners. The government views the refinery as a significant step toward retaining the economic value of its gold within the country, creating jobs, reducing gold smuggling, and strengthening the local currency by boosting foreign exchange reserves.

A key near-term goal is for the refinery to achieve certification from the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), which is crucial for international recognition and market access. However, the project’s launch has been met with controversy, including public skepticism from some policy think tanks regarding its branding as Ghana’s “first” commercial refinery, its actual cost, and concerns about the financial stability and expertise of its majority-stake private partner.

In another project that seeks to bring significant contribution to Ghana’s economy, the country will launch the Gomoa Central Special Economic Zone (GCSEZ). This special economic zone will contribute to the economy by creation of jobs and fees from leases by the government in the area.

Reported on August 16, 2024

Ghana on Thursday opened a brand new gold refinery, The Royal Ghana Gold Refinery, the first of its kind in West Africa, to add more value from the natural resource and also generate revenue that was constructed at a cost of $100 million.

The Royal Ghana Gold Refinery is set to become only the second in Africa to achieve the prestigious London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Good Delivery Bar Certification.

This state-of-the-art refinery, is located in Accra, was commissioned on Thursday by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who hailed it as a “historic achievement towards economic transformation and industrialisation of Ghana.”

Capacity of the Royal Ghana Gold Refinery

The gold refinery, which was established by a partnership of the Bank of Ghana and Rosy Royal Minerals Limited, has the capacity to refine up to 400 kilogrammes of gold per day.

This amounts to a yearly capacity of 120 tons, sufficient to process all of Ghana’s gold production, which averages around four million ounces per year.

As for now, Ghana’s gold is exported while in its unprocessed form, meaning the country misses out on significant revenue that could be retained through local refining.

Significance of the Project to the Economy of Ghana

“Having the ability to refine our own gold, we will be able to sell it at the appropriate price, enabling us to retain its economic value within our borders while creating numerous jobs for the youth in Ghana,” Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia said at the refinery’s launch, marking “a new era” poised to contain gold smuggling activities that are usually conducted and enhance Ghana’s gold revenues.

Additionally, Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adam said while gold accounts for approximately 96 per cent of Ghana’s minerals exports, the raw state of the commodity i.e. gold limits the revenue potential of Ghana.

“The new refinery opens many doors for economic transformation by creating jobs for the citizens that will have a multiplying effect on the local economy,” he mentioned.

Ghana the Leading Producer of Gold in Africa

Ghana stands as Africa’s leading gold producer, with the precious metal accounting for over half of the country’s total exports. Gold is the most commercially exploited mineral in Ghana, accounting for about 95% of the country’s mineral revenue. Other commercially exploited minerals in Ghana are manganese, bauxite, and diamonds. The country is also endowed with deposits of iron ore, limestone, columbite-tantalite, feldspar, quartz, and salt, and there are also minor deposits of ilmenite, magnetite, and rutile. In 2018, Ghana discovered commercial quantities of lithium and is working with international partners to mine and develop lithium mining and processing.

Ghanaian mining production traditionally was state owned, but starting in the 1980s, Ghana moved toward privatization and state divestiture, including by attracting foreign investment. Some of the major mining companies in Ghana are Newmont Goldcorp (American), Gold Fields, AngloGold Ashanti, among others.

In the first half of the year 2024, gold exports soared, driven by a surge in global gold prices and increased production.

The spike in prices, which saw gold reach a record $2,338 an ounce in the second quarter, contributed to gold exports totalling $5bn, or 54 per cent of the country’s total exports.

Lastly, Illegal mining activities has been a major problem in the West African country as it tries to address environmental degradation and pollution of water bodies by these activities.

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Ghana Prepares to Break Ground on its First Multi-Billion Nuclear Power Plant as Five Companies Compete to be its Preferred Architect

play videoSome people believe family of Lumba may be flouting his final wishes to them

The late Ghanaian Highlife legend, Charles Kwadwo Fosuh, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, has been in the news for the past few days after his family announced his final burial rites.

Among the controversies surrounding the late Daddy Lumba’s death and burial ceremony is a legal tussle between the musician’s partners: Akosua Serwaa Fosuh (first wife), Priscilla Ofori, well known as Odo Broni, and the family.

Also, Akosua Serwaa, who identifies as the only surviving spouse of the late musician, is seeking that the court grant her wishes as the only spouse to perform the widowhood rites, transparency in the funeral arrangement, and also for a probe into the demise of her late husband.

In all these, music lovers have raised numerous questions concerning the ongoing disputes surrounding the musician’s death.

Akosua Serwaa’s Injunction: Why the court adjourned the case

However, one question that has remained on the lips of many Ghanaian, especially music lovers, is whether the family of the late Daddy Lumb disregarded his wishes before he passed on.

What is Lumba’s dying wish?

The late Highlife legend, in his “Makra Mo” song, spoke to his family, where he pleaded that they should not weep when he is no more, but rather take care of his children.

The late musician also pleaded with the family not to engage in any sort of disputes when he is no longer alive, else his soul would be saddened.

Lumba’s ‘baby mamas’ are asking why Akosua Serwaa is being treated unfairly – Papa Shee

He also added that his family should not forsake his first wife, Akosua Serwaa Fosuh, due to how she has suffered, adding that if they disregard his wish, his soul would not have peace.

The question remains: have these wishes of Lumba been disregarded in his death?

Listen to the full song below:

JHM/AE

Meanwhile, watch as some Ghanaians demand quick prosecutions in ORAL cases

Former Attorney General, Nii Ayikoi Otoo

A former Attorney General, Nii Ayikoi Otoo, has called on the Executive and Legislature to respect the authority of the Judiciary and allow due process to take its course in the fresh legal action filed by former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM on Friday, October 17, 2025, he emphasised that in a country governed by the rule of law, the three arms of government must respect one another’s constitutional boundaries and avoid interferences in matters pending before the courts.

“In terms of respecting the separation of powers and not to interfere with the pendency of a matter which is before the court, both the Executive and the Legislature must stay their hands while the case is pending.

“… after all, it is a judicial review application and when the statement of case is filed, the parties can rely on the sequence of it and the judges can then rule without necessarily taking evidence, which will take a very long time,” myjoyonline.com quoted him to have said.

He continued to say that, “So, if they want to respect the boundaries of authority, I don’t think anything would prevent them from doing that.

“In a country of rule of law, the three arms of government are equal and the one who respect the boundaries of authority exercise rights. And, therefore, one would have thought that when a matter is pending, both the president and the Legislature would want to constrain themselves and hold on and allow the courts to determine the matter.”

His comments follow a fresh application filed by former Chief Justice Torkonoo at the High Court, seeking to halt the vetting and appointment of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as Ghana’s next Chief Justice.

Justice Gertrude Torkonoo’s legal action seeks to stop Parliament’s Appointments Committee from vetting Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who currently serves as Acting Chief Justice.

‘The Chief Justice seat is not a traditional stool to claim’ – Kwaku Ansa-Asare jabs Torkornoo

Her application also challenges the legitimacy of the Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang Committee, which recommended her removal under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.

In her suit, the former Chief Justice is asking the court to quash all proceedings of the Pwamang Committee, set aside its findings and recommendations and declare the Presidential Warrant that removed her from office as unlawful, null and void.

Justice Gertrude Torkonoo was removed from office on September 1, 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama, following findings of misconduct and stated misbehaviour made by the Pwamang Committee after consultations with the Council of State.

The committee established that she had breached constitutional provisions, including alleged misuse of public funds.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who has been Acting Chief Justice since April 22, 2025, was nominated by the president in September to assume the substantive role.

AM/AE

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