Police in Madagascar have fired tear gas as hundreds of young protesters returned to the streets of the capital, despite the president agreeing to dissolve his government.

The so-called Gen-Z protests have seen thousands demonstrate in cities across Madagascar since Thursday, demanding an end to repeated water and power cuts.

President Andry Rajoelina sacked his government on Monday, but protesters responded to calls on social media for a fresh rally on Tuesday.

A message on the protest movement’s Facebook page expressed disappointment with the president’s speech, calling for him to apologise and take responsibility after protesters were killed by the security forces.

The UN’s human rights chief previously said security forces had used “unnecessary force” to quell the unrest, adding that at least 22 people were killed and 100 others injured.

Madagascar’s foreign ministry has rejected the UN’s figures, alleging the data is “based on rumours or misinformation”.

Police were deployed in and around Antananarivo on Tuesday. At one roadblock, they fired teargas to scatter a small crowd that had begun to gather, the AFP news agency reported.

Protests first started in Antananarivo, but have since spread to eight cities across the country.

A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed in Antananarivo after reports of violence and looting, with police firing rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds.

UNCHR head Volker Türk said he was “shocked” by the security forces’ violent crackdown that he said also saw arrests, beatings and live bullets used against demonstrators.

“I urge the security forces to desist from the use of unnecessary and disproportionate force and to immediately release all arbitrarily detained protesters,” Türk said in a statement on Monday.

According to the UN, the dead “include protesters and bystanders killed by members of the security forces, but also others killed in subsequent widespread violence and looting by individuals and gangs not associated with the protesters”.

Last week, Madagascar’s president announced that he had sacked the energy minister for failing to do his job properly, but protesters demanded that the president and the rest of his government step down too.

Thousands took to the streets once again on Monday.

“I understand the anger, the sadness, and the difficulties caused by power cuts and water supply problems,” Rajoelina said during his address on state broadcaster Televiziona Malagasy.

He said he had “terminated the functions of the prime minister and the government” and applications for a new premier would be received over the next three days before a new government is formed.

However, those currently in office would act as interim ministers pending the formation of a new government, he noted.

Rajoelina added that he wanted to hold talks with young people.

A banner at one of last week’s demonstrations in Antananarivo read: “We don’t want trouble, we just want our rights”.

But some reports last week suggested protesters had damaged – possibly by setting fire to – the homes of at least two legislators. The “Gen Z” movement alleges, however, that paid goons had looted various buildings in order to undermine their cause.

Madagascar has been rocked by multiple uprisings since it gained independence in 1960, including mass protests in 2009 that forced former president Marc Ravalomanana to step down and saw Rajoelina come to power.

The protests mark the most significant challenge the president has faced since his third re-election in 2023.

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.

Kweku Zurek

Business News

Sep – 30 – 2025 , 14:57

US President, Donald Trump

The Trump administration is set to implement a new wave of tariffs targeting five key foreign imports, effective October 1, 2025.

President Donald Trump, upon assuming office in January 2025, had already imposed initial tariffs on select imports.

These new levies are part of his continued “America First” policy, aimed at reshoring manufacturing and protecting U.S. industries.

While most of the targeted goods are not directly exported by Ghana, the ripple effects could impact Ghanaian exporters, investors, and trade policy more significantly than expected.

Here’s a breakdown of five major tariffed items and what they could mean for Ghana:

1. Branded Pharmaceuticals – 100% tariff

All non-US-produced branded medicines will now face a 100% import tax. Ghana imports many essential medicines from US and global pharmaceutical suppliers. Rising US drug prices may affect global pricing and supply chains, including regional re-exports.

This directive could limit Ghana’s access to affordable US-produced generics and increase reliance on European and Asian suppliers.

2. Heavy-Duty Trucks – 25% tariff

Foreign-made heavy trucks will now be subject to a 25% tariff. This could raise domestic truck prices in the US and affect the resale market, including second-hand vehicle exports to Africa. Ghana’s construction and logistics sectors, which often depend on imported US trucks, may face higher costs in the medium term.

Donald Trump places 25% tariff on furniture and cabinets

3. Kitchen Cabinets & Bathroom Vanities – up to 50% tariff

Imported wooden cabinetry and vanities will face tariffs of up to 50%. Ghana’s wood furniture and cabinetry export sector, particularly small-scale manufacturers targeting the US market, may struggle to compete or gain entry. This could erode any future cost advantage for Ghanaian furniture exports if tariffs are extended to African suppliers.

4. Upholstered Furniture – 25% to 50% tariffs

High tariffs will be imposed on sofas, chairs, and other upholstered items starting October 1, 2025. Ghana’s emerging home décor and handicraft industry may suffer if future expansions into US markets are met with similar duties. These measures could also disrupt raw material flows, such as foam, textiles, and leather, which are commonly sourced globally for upholstery.

5. Lumber & Wood Products – 10% tariff

A new 10% tariff on lumber imports will affect wood and wood-based items. Ghana’s timber exports to the U.S. could face competitive disadvantages.

Although Ghana is not directly targeted by these tariffs, the broader impact is likely to be felt. Ghanaian exporters may bear the brunt, especially amid ongoing uncertainties surrounding the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

SP/MA

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U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Rolf Olson addressing participants at the 2025 EDUSA College Fair

The U.S. Embassy in Ghana’s EducationUSA network connected nearly 4,000 Ghanaian students to U.S. higher education institutions at the annual College Fair held on September 27, 2025, in Accra.

The fair, held at the Labadi Beach Hotel, featured over 30 universities and colleges from across the United States who provided Ghanaian students, parents, and educators with insights into undergraduate and graduate degree programs, scholarship opportunities, and the application process

Speaking at the event, Rolf Olson, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, emphasised the importance of educational ties between the United States and Ghana: “I am deeply proud of this connection and look forward to seeing these numbers grow, further strengthening the bonds between Ghana and the United States.”

In addition to connecting students with U.S. institutions, the EducationUSA College Fair provided a platform for U.S. higher education institution representatives to explore potential academic partnerships with Ghanaian institutions. These collaborations aim to strengthen educational ties, foster innovation, and create new opportunities for both countries.

In his remarks, the Deputy Director in charge of Tertiary Education at Ghana’s Ministry of Education, Fred Asa Kisiedu, underscored the value of the EducationUSA College Fair, urging students to “return with skills and knowledge that will contribute to the development of Ghana and Africa as a whole.”

EducationUSA provides free guidance to individuals applying to U.S. colleges and universities and is the only U.S. government source of information on Study in the United States.

The U.S. Embassy currently has two EducationUSA Advising Centres in Ghana, located in Accra-Osu and at ACE Consult in Asokwa-Kumasi. EducationUSA Advisors work with students individually and in groups, in-person and virtually, to enhance their understanding of the college or university application process to be successful applicants.

See the list of universities and colleges that participated in the 2025 College Fair here:

2025 EducationUSA College Fair connects thousands of Ghanaians to U.S. higher education opportunities

New releases often dominate gaming headlines. Budgets soar, graphics improve, and marketing campaigns run worldwide. Yet players still buy games from 20 or even 30 years ago. Sales are strong enough to make retro gaming one of the most profitable corners of the entertainment business. The question is simple: why do these old titles continue to sell? The answer is not one reason but many, from technology to psychology.

Nostalgia that turns into business

Memories drive spending. For people who grew up in the 80s, 90s, or early 2000s, old titles feel like a return home. Booting up a game once played after school creates an instant connection. Publishers see the value in this and bring classics back through compilations, digital stores, or mini-consoles.

Mobile access plays its role as well. Platforms like 1xBet highlight how convenience encourages users to stay engaged. The same principle applies to retro titles: easy access equals steady demand.

Digital stores and subscriptions

Owning bulky consoles or rare cartridges is no longer necessary. With modern stores, one click is enough. Subscription services add another layer, bundling hundreds of old games in a single monthly fee.

Handheld devices expand the reach further. A player can enjoy a platformer from the 90s while traveling to work. Accessibility has transformed retro gaming from a collector’s hobby into a mainstream form of entertainment.

Modernized remakes with familiar roots

Remakes and remasters are not side projects anymore. They are centerpieces in publisher strategies. A single remake of a horror classic in 2023 sold over 5 million copies within six months. That is more than most new titles manage.

Influence of streaming and social platforms

Old titles get fresh life on Twitch and YouTube. A streamer playing a 90s action game can attract thousands of viewers, many of whom never tried the original. Curiosity drives sales.

Retro clips often spread across TikTok or Instagram. Nostalgic sounds and pixel graphics pull attention, proving that retro is not only about playing but also about watching.

Mobile expansion

Smartphones bring classic titles to millions of hands. Emulators, ports, and licensed re-releases make the process seamless. Players can relive favorites without additional devices.

The same logic applies to quick-entry platforms. Services like 1xbet show how mobile-first access ensures continuous engagement. Retro titles use identical strategies, blending old charm with modern convenience.

Why players stick to old titles

There are clear reasons why players choose retro over modern games:

1. Simpler mechanics make gameplay straightforward.
2. Focus is on fun, not overwhelming storylines.
3. Pixel art and early 3D still hold a unique charm.
4. Emotional connection builds loyalty across decades.

This mix makes retro more than nostalgia. It provides features often missing in new releases.

Regional preferences

Preferences differ. Some regions love role-playing classics, others prefer arcade shooters or sports simulations. Subscription services adapt to these differences, tailoring game libraries for maximum appeal. This localization keeps the market flexible and profitable worldwide.

Psychologists often highlight how humans return to what feels familiar. Games from youth provide stability, especially during uncertain times. Playing something known reduces stress. That sense of safety adds to the willingness to spend.

Lower costs, higher returns

Making a new blockbuster can cost hundreds of millions. Re-releasing a retro game often costs a fraction of that. For investors, the balance of low risk and high return is too attractive to ignore. This financial reality ensures publishers will continue funding retro projects.

Collectors and limited editions

Collectors also fuel demand. Limited-edition cartridges, discs, and boxed sets sell quickly. Many double in price within months, creating a mix of entertainment and investment. Collectors treat retro gaming not only as play but also as a way to own a piece of history.

Structured view of growth

Year	Revenue (USD billions)	Growth
2021	0.9	12%
2022	1.2	15%
2023	1.4	18%
2024	1.6	14%

The pattern shows stable growth across four years, building confidence among investors and publishers.

Cultural visibility

The connection between culture and commerce ensures retro gaming stays relevant. Retro gaming in 2025 is a business built on memory, convenience, and smart economics. From digital stores to remakes, from mobile platforms to collector’s editions, old titles remain profitable. The combination of nostalgia and practicality keeps demand alive.

Old games are not fading into history. They are thriving products with secure positions in the global gaming market.

President of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), Mr Charles Adu-Gyamfi, has called for a bold and united commitment to transform Ghana’s tourism sector sustainably, stressing that the industry must deliver not just beauty and leisure, but jobs, inclusivity, resilience, and preservation of heritage.

He delivered the solidarity message during the 2025 World Tourism Day celebration, which coincided with the vibrant Somètutuza Festival at Agbozume in the Ketu South Municipality. The global day was marked under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.”

Tourism as a Force for Good

Mr Adu-Gyamfi emphasised that tourism is far more than “the movement of people or images of beautiful places.” When managed responsibly, he said, it becomes a powerful driver of social good—transforming communities, strengthening economies, conserving the environment, and promoting cross-cultural understanding.

“Tourism preserves our heritage, boosts local livelihoods, strengthens national identity, and fosters international understanding. But transformation is not automatic—it requires intentional action, wise governance, community participation, and sustainable practices,” he stressed.

Ghana’s Strengths and Challenges

He highlighted Ghana’s many tourism assets, including its UNESCO World Heritage forts and castles, traditional festivals, beaches, forests, wildlife parks, and creative industries. Landmark initiatives such as the Black Star Experience, Beyond the Return, and regional tourism promotions, he said, have already opened new opportunities for local communities.

However, he acknowledged persistent challenges, including environmental degradation, climate change, poor infrastructure, limited air connectivity, skills shortages, particularly among youth, and the difficulty of ensuring that tourism benefits reach rural communities as much as major urban centres.

Six Pillars of Sustainable Transformation

Mr Adu-Gyamfi outlined six core areas that must anchor Ghana’s tourism transformation:

1. Environmental Stewardship – Safeguarding forests, coasts, wetlands, and heritage sites through strict conservation laws, renewable resource use, waste management, and eco-friendly transport.
2. Inclusive Economic Opportunities – Expanding decent jobs and entrepreneurship, especially for women, youth, rural communities, artisans, SMEs, and tour guides.
3. Preserving Culture and Identity – Ensuring Ghana’s diverse cultures, arts, and traditions are protected from over-commercialisation and respected in their authenticity.
4. Infrastructure and Connectivity – Investing in roads, energy, clean accommodations, digital access, and strong air links to unlock lesser-known tourism regions.
5. Responsible Investment and Partnerships – Attracting domestic and foreign investment that respects communities and ecosystems, while fostering public-private and traditional authority partnerships.
6. Resilience and Climate Action – Building risk management plans, disaster preparedness, eco-friendly designs, and climate adaptation into tourism development.

A Call to Action

The GHATOF President urged all stakeholders—government agencies, private sector players, traditional leaders, local communities, civil society, and international partners—to join hands in reshaping Ghana’s tourism story.

“Let us strengthen policies that promote sustainability. Let us invest in training and skills, especially for youth and community-based tourism enterprises. Let us ensure that every tourism project considers environmental impact, cultural sensitivity, and equitable benefits,” he said.

He further called for innovation and digital technology to improve visitor experiences and operational efficiency, while positioning Ghana as a model of sustainable tourism in Africa.

Vision for the Future

Mr Adu-Gyamfi expressed confidence that Ghana can emerge as a global example of how tourism can be both profitable and responsible.

“I believe Ghana can become a model of sustainable tourism in Africa: where visitors come not only for what we have but leave with respect for what we stand for; where our natural and cultural resources are safeguarded; and where all citizens, even in remote villages, feel the benefits of tourism,” he declared.

The solidarity message drew applause from participants at the Somètutuza Festival, who hailed the President’s vision of a tourism industry that is inclusive, environmentally responsible, and resilient against future shocks.

As Ghana joined the world in marking World Tourism Day, his words reinforced the urgency of transforming tourism, not only sustainably, but justly and inclusively, so that present and future generations can share in its promise.

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.

play videoDr Sledge (L) in 2019 purchased Shatta Wale (R) first album copy for GH¢150,000

Ghanaian business mogul and music investor Nana Yaw Duodu, popularly known as Dr Sledge, has become the focus of social media discussions following reports of his arrest by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OPS) in connection with ongoing corruption-related investigations.

Following his alleged arrest, a video of the music investor, who also serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Goldridge Refinery Limited, has resurfaced online.

The clip is from Shatta Wale’s “Reign” album concert.

It may be recalled that in 2019, Shatta Wale held one of his highly anticipated concerts in Ghana, where he officially launched the “Reign” album.

In a video captured by GhanaWeb during the event, Dr Sledge, who was present, purchased the first copy of Shatta Wale’s album for GH¢150,000.

During his performance, Shatta Wale announced that he wanted a fan to buy the first copy of the album for GH¢100,000.

“Have you seen these CDs I am holding? How do I make Ghanaians aware that the reason why Shatta Wale can buy houses and cars in Ghana… If you people love me, I want someone to buy one of these CDs for GH¢100,000. I am waiting for the people,” Shatta Wale said.

Minutes after the announcement, Dr Sledge and his wife, Amadia, pledged to purchase the first CD for GH¢150,000 instead of the initial GH¢100,000.

“Yes, I am buying the first CD. I know the CD is going for GH¢100,000, but Shatta Wale deserves more than GH¢100,000, so my wife and I want to give him GH¢150,000,” Dr Sledge stated.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Dr Sledge was arrested over suspected corruption and related offences linked to the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), particularly in the management of its gold trade program.

OSP arrests prominent businessman Dr Sledge

According to the reports, the state lost over US$94 million due to Goldridge’s failure to honour its obligations in trade transactions under the Gold-for-Forex and Gold-for-Oil initiatives.

Dr Sledge was reportedly detained after failing to meet bail conditions.

Watch the video below:

JHM/MA

Watch as Lekzy Decomic shares how he was assaulted because of his jokes

Sam George is the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations

The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has disclosed that approximately one million decoders have been deactivated by DStv as part of ongoing efforts to combat cross-border piracy between Ghana and Nigeria.

Since 2017, MultiChoice has been raising alarms about decoder smuggling, which has persisted for nearly a decade, denying the government tax revenues and leaving customers without proper service support.

This issue has, for some time now, led to a series of engagements between the governments and MultiChoice.

Speaking on The Point of View on Channel One TV, Sam George emphasised the need for the government to address the persistent challenge of unauthorised decoders flooding the Ghanaian market.

“So far, DStv has deactivated close to a million ghost boxes over a period of time,” he said.

Sam George goes after ‘unpatriotic’ Ghanaians using Nigeria DStv decoders

He further revealed that this activity has deprived the state of tax revenue and denied unsuspecting customers access to quality customer service, which is gradually impacting Ghana’s local content creation space.

George also commended DStv’s decision to offer Ghana 33% and 50% more value on its packages, firmly dismissing suggestions that the company had introduced similar incentives in the past.

“I have heard people say that DStv has done this before; that is not correct. That is why in the press release I issued, I stated that this is unprecedented in DStv’s own marketing modules,” he added.

SP/AE

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