Ghanaian actress Christiana Awuni has demanded a public apology from counsellor Charlotte Oduro following revelations about her failed marriage.
Christiana Awuni, in a recent interview on Max TV, February 11, 2025, criticized Charlotte Oduro for her past statements on marriage and relationships.
“She needs to apologize and admit she was wrong about marriage.
News Hub Creator12min
President John Dramani Mahama has directed Inspector General of Police (IGP) George Akuffo Dampare to investigate the deaths that occurred during Ghana’s 2020 and 2024 general elections.
In a formal letter to the IGP, Mahama described these incidents as a “lasting scar on our democratic process” and underscored the need for accountability to preserve the integrity of the electoral system.
Reports indicate that at least eight people lost their lives in the 2020 elections, while six more were killed in 2024. Mahama stressed the importance of a thorough investigation to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
Speaking at the National Muslim Prayer and Thanksgiving event in Accra on January 10, he warned that failure to address electoral violence could foster a culture of impunity, posing a threat to Ghana’s democracy.
As part of his call to action, Mahama has urged the formation of a dedicated task force within the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to lead a comprehensive probe into the incidents.
The CID will conduct interviews with victims’ families, gather eyewitness testimonies, and perform forensic examinations of physical evidence, such as weapons and shell casings. The team will also review security measures at the affected polling stations.
Reaffirming his commitment to justice, Mahama called for transparency and thoroughness in the investigation, with the Office of the President pledging to provide regular updates to the public. The ultimate goal is to determine the causes of the violence and ensure future elections are free, fair, and secure.
Source: Ghanaweb
The Moroccan kaftan dress is a stunning representation of the country’s rich cultural heritage and long-standing fashion traditions. Known for its intricate designs, luxurious fabrics, and timeless appeal, the kaftan has become a symbol of Moroccan elegance and sophistication. It is not only a beautiful garment but also an important part of Moroccan history, often worn during special occasions such as weddings, religious celebrations, and royal events.
A traditional Moroccan kaftan is typically a long, flowing robe that reaches the ankles, designed to be loose and comfortable while providing an elegant silhouette. The dress is often made from high-quality fabrics like silk, velvet, or satin, and features ornate embroidery, beadwork, or delicate embellishments along the sleeves, neckline, and hemline. The vibrant colors and intricate patterns used in the kaftan reflect the diverse cultural influences that have shaped Moroccan fashion over centuries, including Berber, Arab, and Andalusian influences.
The Moroccan kaftan dress is not only prized for its beauty but also for its versatility. While it is traditionally worn for formal occasions, modern variations of the kaftan are available for more casual wear, offering a stylish option for everyday elegance. The kaftan can be paired with accessories like statement jewelry, belts, and elegant shoes to complete the look, adding a personal touch to the outfit.
One of the standout features of the Moroccan kaftan is its craftsmanship. Each kaftan is often hand-sewn by skilled artisans, who use techniques passed down through generations to create stunning pieces of wearable art. The attention to detail, from the choice of fabric to the stitching of the embroidery, makes each kaftan a unique masterpiece that reflects the skill and creativity of the maker.
Over the years, the Moroccan kaftan has gained popularity beyond the borders of Morocco, making its way into the global fashion scene. Celebrities and fashion enthusiasts worldwide have embraced the kaftan for its beauty and versatility, often wearing it to red carpet events or fashion shows.
In conclusion, the Moroccan kaftan dress is more than just a garment; it is a piece of cultural heritage, a work of art, and a symbol of elegance and refinement. Whether worn for a wedding, a special celebration, or a casual gathering, the kaftan continues to captivate with its timeless beauty and rich cultural significance.
President John Dramani Mahama has relieved Dr. Alexander Adusei of his duties as Director of the Keta Port – a project that has stalled since its announcement.
Dr. Adusei, appointed in 2019 under former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration, was tasked with overseeing the development of the port in the Volta Region.
Though the reasons for his dismissal have not been officially disclosed, it is believed that the failure to deliver on the long-awaited project played a significant role in the decision.
In 2018, the Akufo-Addo government designated Keta as the official site for the port under an Executive Instrument, with plans for the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to oversee its development.
Despite the announcement, the project has yet to take shape, fueling frustration among residents and stakeholders in the Volta Region.
During the 2024 election campaign, Mahama criticised the previous administration for what he described as a wasted opportunity, arguing that after eight years, not even a single structure had been constructed for the port.
In August 2024, six private investors expressed interest in partnering with the government to develop the facility, but no firm agreements have been reached.
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Lawyer Evans Amankwa has come out in strong support of former President John Dramani Mahama, highlighting the leader’s unwavering commitment to prosecuting wrongdoing within his own administration.
Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana, Amankwa contrasted Mahama’s proactive approach with what he described as the moral shortcomings of the opposition New Patriotic Party. According to Amankwa, Mahama’s record shows that no official—regardless of their closeness to power—was immune from scrutiny and prosecution.
Amankwa pointed to the high-profile case of Abuga Pele, the former National Coordinator of the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency, who was sentenced to prison for inflicting financial losses on the state. “Mahama did not turn a blind eye to corruption within his ranks,” Amankwa asserted, a stance that he believes has set a benchmark for political accountability. In his view, the NPP’s reluctance to hold its own appointees to the same standard diminishes its credibility in the fight against corruption.
This commentary comes at a time when Ghanaian politics is deeply engaged in debates over transparency and accountability. Critics argue that prosecuting officials for their misdeeds, even when they are part of the ruling team, is a crucial step towards restoring public trust in government. Amankwa’s remarks suggest that Mahama’s legacy, in terms of fighting corruption, could serve as a valuable lesson for current and future administrations.
By not shielding any member of his government from the law, Mahama is seen by some as having demonstrated real leadership—a quality that, according to Amankwa, remains sorely lacking in the current political landscape. As the conversation around governance and ethical leadership intensifies, this perspective invites a broader reflection on how best to foster a culture of accountability in public office.
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo said he is grateful for the interest from other clubs but wants to stay with the LaLiga side for many years to come.
Rodrygo has scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in 31 games for Real across all competitions this season and the 24-year-old Brazilian was reportedly the recipient of lucrative mid-season offers from clubs in the Saudi Arabian league.
“The terms of the offers from Saudi, that’s more of my father’s job, who is my agent, and the club. I do not know much about the details. I am very grateful that there is interest from other clubs,” Rodrygo told reporters on Monday.
“I am really happy here. I have been here for a long time. I always say, playing with this shirt in the Champions League is most special.”
Rodrygo’s current deal with Real runs until 2028. Germany ($295.7 million), Italy ($223.8 million), France ($209.7 million) and Saudi Arabia ($202.1 million) completed the list of the top five countries for their clubs’ January spending.
Brazil’s Neymar parted ways with Al-Hilal to join Santos and Colombian forward Jhon Duran, who moved from Aston Villa to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr for around 77 million euros ($79.97 million) was the most expensive player signed in the mid-season window.
Rodrygo featured for Real Madrid against Manchester City away yesterday in the first leg of their knockout playoff after both clubs failed to qualify automatically for the last 16 under the Champions League’s new format. -Reuters
Awal Mohammed, a member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) communication team, has questioned President John Dramani Mahama’s achievements in his first month in office.
According to Awal, since President Mahama assumed office, there has been no proper implementation of policies or interventions to alleviate the hardships faced by Ghanaians.
He described the President’s one-month documentary as a “celebration of mediocrity.”
Speaking on a panel discussion on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo on February 11, 2025, Awal stated, “When you get to Anyinamu, the entire township is full of potholes. In Osino, illegal mining (galamsey) has taken over the entire town. If someone is celebrating one month in office while these issues persist, then I think he is a failure. Fuel prices have been increased three times within this period.”
He further criticized the documentary, arguing that its focus on nominating ministers and setting up committees does not directly benefit ordinary Ghanaians.
“In Mahama’s documentary, he talks about nominating ministers, setting up committees, and other processes. But what tangible benefits have Ghanaians gained from this? None.
“The economic situation is worsening. Very soon, drivers will increase public transport fares again. Within one month, fuel prices have gone up three times. President Mahama shouldn’t celebrate mediocrity. What significant impact has any Ghanaian felt since he became President?”
AM/KA
The death of beloved Ghanaian comedian C Confion has left a profound void in the entertainment industry and in the lives of those who knew and loved him. Amid the outpouring of tributes, a woman identifying herself as Confion’s girlfriend has shared a heartfelt account of his final days.
Speaking anonymously, she revealed that she served as his primary caregiver throughout his illness, taking on a role even more prominent than his parents. “Because of the bond we shared, Confion wouldn’t allow anyone else—not even his mom or dad—to care for him except me,” she said.
She recounted how his illness began with a seemingly minor cough that rapidly worsened, eventually requiring hospitalization. Through it all, she stayed by his side, rarely leaving him alone.
In his final moments, Confion expressed his gratitude for her unwavering support and love, making a promise that was never fulfilled. “He told me how thankful he was for my care and said he would marry me when he recovered,” she tearfully recalled. “But that day never came. He left me heartbroken.”
The girlfriend also shared a poignant memory of his last words. Confion, who had struggled with sleeplessness during his illness, finally found peace on the day of his passing. “He told me, ‘Now I can sleep,’ and he repeated it several times,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion. “It felt as if he knew his time had come and was ready to rest.”
As the entertainment community continues to mourn C Confion, his girlfriend’s touching tribute sheds light on the love and care he received in his final days. While his passing leaves an immense sense of loss, his legacy lives on in the memories of those who loved him and the joy he brought to his fans.
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Energy strategist, Dr. Yusif Sulemana has been appointed as the new Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).
Citi Business News sources close to TOR confirm that Dr. Sulemana officially took on his new role on Monday, February 10, 2025, following a warm welcome by the refinery’s management.
Dr. Sulemana is an accomplished Energy Management Strategist with over 20 years of experience across the Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream sectors of the energy industry.
His expertise spans petroleum, power, and alternative energy, with a focus on oil and gas production, refinery process optimisation, and systematic troubleshooting.
Before his current role as the Managing Director of TOR, Dr. Sulemana served as a Senior Oil & Gas Production Operations Specialist at Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) in the Sultanate of Oman.
His prior roles also include Project Manager (Gasification) at Genser Energy and Chemical/Process Engineer at Tema Oil Refinery.
Dr. Sulemana holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (Energy Management) from the USA, an MSc in International Oil & Gas Management from the UK, and a BSc in Chemical Engineering from KNUST, Ghana.
In addition to his technical expertise, Dr. Sulemana is a passionate STEM advocate and mentor dedicated to fostering the next generation of energy professionals.
His leadership and influence in the energy sector have earned him widespread recognition, culminating in the Energy Advocate of the Year award at the Ghana Energy Awards.
Ivy Heward-Mills and Nana Obiri Boahene
A private legal practitioner, Nana Obiri Boahen, has said that the wife of the late former Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, JB Danquah, lacks the moral right to complain about the slow pace of investigation and prosecution by the state in her late husband’s case.
Ivy Heward-Mills, the wife of the late legislator, recently expressed concern over how long the case has dragged on.
She stated that it has been nine years since the tragic and untimely death of her husband, yet law enforcement authorities have not provided justice in the matter.
In a tribute to her late husband, while reflecting on his memory, Heward-Mills shared that the current developments in his case are deeply troubling to both her and the family.
She further questioned whether the family would ever receive justice and if the culprit would ever be held accountable, expressing concerns about their wavering faith in the country’s justice system.
“That indelible smile… Nine years have gone by … Will there ever be justice? It is not well. It is not well at all,” she posted on her Facebook page on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
However, Nana Obiri Boahen, who is also a former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and has keenly followed the case in court, criticized Heward-Mills for not attending court sittings.
“JB Danquah’s wife wasn’t even present in court, so she doesn’t have the right to complain on social media,” he stated in an interview with Kasapa FM.
Nana Obiri Boahen further explained that he stopped following the case in court due to a lack of support.
“I stopped following JB Danquah’s case because, at one point, I seemed to be the only one who cared,” he added.
JB Danquah was murdered in cold blood during the early hours of February 9, 2016, after being attacked by unidentified assailants at his residence in Shiashie, near the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange in Accra.
The MP was believed to have been stabbed multiple times during the attack at around 1:45 a.m. on that fateful Tuesday, leading to his death.
The prime suspect in the case, Daniel Asiedu, was found not guilty by a seven-member jury in December 2024 on charges of robbery and murder.
However, an Accra High Court has ordered a retrial of the accused, ruling that under Section 285 of Act 30, the jury’s verdict was not legally acceptable. As a result, the jury was discharged, and Asiedu has since been remanded into lawful custody.
JB Danquah’s wife doesn’t have the moral right to complain… – Nana Obiri Boahen Esq. (Deputy Secretary, NPP).#KasapaFM @kasapafm#GHOneNews #EIBNetwork #GHOneTV #NewsAlert pic.twitter.com/Sx4cxbmknC
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) February 11, 2025
I stopped following JB Danquah’s case due to lack of support. – Nana Obiri Boahen Esq. (Deputy Secretary, NPP).#KasapaFM #EIBNetwork#NewsAlert pic.twitter.com/nRwRGFfFEI
— Kasapa 102.5 FM (@kasapafm) February 11, 2025
KA
You can also watch as John Boadu reveals how NPP blocked Afenyo-Markin from contesting Effutu seat
Patrick Agyemang is a forward for USA
US-born Ghanaian forward Patrick Agyemang has revealed why he chose to represent the United States instead of Ghana.
Agyemang made his debut for the United States Men’s National Team, (USMNT) in Janauary 2025, scoring in a 3-1 friendly win against Venezuela.
Despite being eligible to play for Ghana through his parents, Agyemang stated that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) never reached out to him or his representatives, allowing the United States to secure his commitment.
A key player for Major League Soccer’s Charlotte FC, Agyemang explained in an interview with Flashscore that the USMNT’s proactive approach played a crucial role in his decision.
“I grew up in a Ghanaian household and watched Black Stars games all the time. I tried not to think about it too much, but when the USMNT call came, my family was overjoyed,” he said.
“My family encouraged me to play where I felt most comfortable, and since I was born and raised in the USA, it felt natural. I was never involved with the Ghana national team or in contact with them,” he added.
The 24-year-old forward has enjoyed a strong start to his international career. Following an impressive MLS season with Charlotte FC, where he scored 10 goals in 34 appearances.
Agyemang earned his first USMNT call-up in January 2025 under former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino. He marked his debut with a goal against Venezuela and found the net again in his second match against Costa Rica.
Watch the latest edition of Sports Debate below:
FKA/EK
Ankara fabric has long been celebrated for its vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and strong cultural ties to Africa. Over the years, Ankara has evolved from being a traditional fabric to a global fashion staple, featured on runways, red carpets, and in everyday street style. If you’re looking to refresh your wardrobe with the latest Ankara styles, you’re in for a treat! The versatility and creativity surrounding this fabric continue to grow, offering a wide range of exciting styles that cater to different tastes and occasions.
Bold Prints and Statement Pieces
The latest Ankara styles are all about making a statement with bold, eye-catching prints. Whether it’s large geometric patterns, floral motifs, or traditional African symbols, Ankara fabric’s prints are designed to capture attention. Designers are experimenting with oversized prints, asymmetrical cuts, and unique draping techniques to give the fabric a modern, high-fashion appeal. Oversized Ankara jackets, kimonos, and maxi dresses are on trend, offering both comfort and style while showcasing the rich texture of the fabric.
Ankara Jumpsuits and Rompers
One of the hottest trends in recent years is the Ankara jumpsuit. This one-piece wonder combines ease and elegance, making it perfect for both casual and semi-formal occasions. The fitted bodice, wide legs, or tailored jumpsuit styles are both flattering and fashionable. Ankara rompers, on the other hand, are a great option for a more playful and youthful look, offering a fun, breezy style perfect for warm weather.
Ankara Peplum Tops and Skirts
Peplum styles have made a strong comeback in the latest Ankara collections. Peplum tops paired with pencil skirts or wide-legged trousers create a flattering silhouette for every body type. The flair at the waist adds structure, while the Ankara fabric brings boldness and vibrancy. Pairing a peplum top with a high-waisted skirt or pants creates a chic and contemporary look perfect for both work and leisure.
Ankara Maxi Dresses and Gowns
For formal events or elegant gatherings, Ankara maxi dresses and gowns remain a classic choice. Designers are blending modern cuts with traditional Ankara fabric to create stunning pieces that are both timeless and trendy. Whether it’s a strapless design, off-the-shoulder neckline, or a high-low hem, Ankara gowns come in various styles that make a perfect statement at weddings, galas, or evening events.
Layering with Ankara Accessories
Accessories are another way to elevate your Ankara style. The latest trends show that it’s not just about clothing but also how you incorporate Ankara into your accessories. Ankara scarves, headbands, and bags are all the rage, allowing you to add a touch of the fabric to everyday outfits. Bold Ankara earrings and shoes are also a great way to inject color and culture into your look without going overboard.
Final Thoughts
The latest Ankara styles showcase an exciting blend of traditional and contemporary fashion, offering something for everyone. Whether you’re dressing up for a special event or adding a pop of color to your everyday look, Ankara fabric provides endless possibilities for creativity and expression. Embrace the vibrant prints, modern cuts, and innovative designs of today’s Ankara fashion and step out with confidence in these bold, stylish pieces!
On the campus of KNUST, where history and culture are deeply rooted, the Big Six Monument at the Independence Hall stands as a powerful symbol, both in its stature and its meaning.
However, many people may not know that the person behind this iconic structure is a man whose journey from Odumase Krobo in the Eastern Region of Ghana to the world of academics is as unique and detailed as the artwork he creates.
Jesse James Azzu, a sculptor, carved his name into the university’s history, leaving behind a legacy not only of stone and concrete but of resilience, passion, and cultural pride.
Azzu’s path to becoming a sculptor was anything but conventional. Growing up in a family where law and architecture were the preferred career choices, his love for drawing didn’t quite fit the mold. His mother envisioned him as a lawyer, while his father dreamed of him becoming an architect. But Azzu felt a different calling: sculpture.
Choosing to follow his passion was a bold decision, driven by his belief that true fulfillment lay in expressing his creativity through this art form, even if it meant defying his parents’ wishes.
Azzu’s journey was further shaped by a profound family legacy. He hails from a lineage deeply intertwined with Ghana’s artistic history, as he is related to the late Vincent Akwete Kofi, the renowned artist and former head of the Art Department at KNUST, whose works once appeared on the old Ghanaian currency.
This connection to a celebrated artist added another layer of inspiration and purpose to Azzu’s pursuit of sculpture.
Reflecting on his body of work, Azzu humbly stated, “In fact, I will say I’m proud of all my works. The wonderful thing is that I don’t know how I sometimes arrive at the finished product. I have so many works that I can’t even count. It is not about having too many photographs to my credit or my name, but the love I have for work. It’s more of a gift than a study.”
The Big Six
The creation of the Big Six Monument was born out of a spontaneous idea. Although Azzu was a resident of Queen’s Hall, he often visited Independence Hall and wanted to create something that would reflect the country’s independence. “I wanted to create something that relates to the independence of the country,” he recalls.
It was during this time that he had the chance to meet Prof. Kwasi Obiri-Danso, the Hall Master at the time. “He gave me the opportunity to come up with ideas. We initially agreed on the pictorial monument of the ‘Eve of Independence.’ We also considered the ‘Point of No Return’ and eventually settled on depicting the six of them together in concrete terms.”
“This is the first of its kind in the country,” Azzu notes. “Where the six are depicted together in concrete; otherwise, you would find them separately placed elsewhere.”
The Big Six has since become a symbol of Independence Hall, a tribute that resonates deeply with the university community.
On every 6th of March, the university gathers to lay wreaths in honour of the hall, the university, and the nation of Ghana.
Azzu’s commitment to leaving a legacy didn’t end there. “I wanted to leave a legacy at my hall,” he shares. “I approached my then Hall Master at Queen’s, Dr. Owusu-Daaku, and asked if I could create something for the hall. He gave me permission to do that.”
Drawing inspiration from themes of royalty, Azzu’s work included traditional elements alongside portrayals of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. The design also featured the theme of Achievement, symbolizing its successful alumni, including chemists, teachers, lawyers, sculptors, businessmen, and doctors. Another theme honoured the Development of the hall and the university in a building form, emphasizing the integrative growth of both institutions,” Azzu explains.
Promoting The African Narrative
Azzu’s focus on promoting the African narrative through his art is evident in his approach to sculpture. “I concentrate more on inscriptions,” he explains. “The first time I ventured into traditional sculpture was during my time in school, about three months before completing my studies. I approached the hall with the intention to create something for it, and I was given a theme. While this is realism, I wouldn’t necessarily classify it as purely cultural.”
He goes on to discuss the rapid evolution of African art on the global stage. “African art is growing very fast, and every day we see new changes,” Azzu notes. “The abstract side of it is expanding, with new ideas emerging at a very fast rate.”
Other Notable Works
Azzu’s artistic contributions extend far beyond KNUST. Azzu has been involved in the raising the dome house for the Gyamadudu Museum in the Ashanti Region, from foundation to completion and supervising various aspects of the sculpting process, among other roles. He is the creative force behind the 60-foot diameter ECG main logo cast in Kumasi, a project that showcases his mastery of casting techniques rather than direct modeling, which he describes as distinct from his usual style.
His works also grace other institutions, including St. Hubert Seminary and KNUST Senior High School, where his sculptures continue to inspire and educate.
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Oheneba Asiedu, an aide to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi has called on certain party members to break their silence following the party’s defeat in the 2024 elections.
According to him, the NPP must begin rebuilding immediately rather than waiting until the next election cycle.
Oheneba who doubles as the host of Wontumi Morning Show specifically urged former CEOs, ministers, and party leaders to step forward and contribute to the party’s recovery.
Calling out Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the communications director of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team, Asiedu criticized his absence from public discourse after the party’s loss.
He argued that Aboagye, who actively benefited from the campaign, should not remain silent in its aftermath.
“We went into the election together and lost together. We are all experiencing the same pain; no one is suffering more than another. We must start working now,” Asiedu stated.
“From today, I expect to hear from Dennis Miracles Aboagye. His silence has been too long. If he is not ill, he cannot remain silent, claiming to be in shock over the defeat.
“You cannot stay at home relaxing, only to resurface when an election is a year away and pretend to be working. We all enjoyed the benefits together, so we must share the pain of defeat together,” he said on Wontumi TV’s morning show on February 11, 2024, as quoted by wontumionline.com.
He expressed optimism about the party’s future, stating, “The NPP can win the next five elections, but some individuals are struggling to overcome the shock of the 2024 election defeat. We must all work together, speak out for the party, and ensure its resurgence.”
AM/KA
The Clement Kubindiwo Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS) in Navrongo, Upper East Region, has received professional accreditation to run a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree programme in midwifery.
Professor Albert Luguterah, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university, disclosed this at the fifth matriculation ceremony for freshmen and women for the 2024/2025 academic year.
“I am happy to say that this year, we have also received professional accreditation to run BSc Midwifery programme, which we will be admitting students into, very soon,” the VC said.
He added that in the 2023/2024 academic year, the university received accreditation to run BSc General Nursing, Pediatrics Nursing, and Medical Laboratory Science programmes for which students, who were enrolled, joined in this year’s matriculation.
Guided by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), the VC said the university ensured all its programmes were accredited and indicated that programmes due for reaccreditation were undergoing the necessary processes.
He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to follow due process, saying “We reaffirm our commitment to following accreditation processes before advertising any programmes.”
Touching on the 2024/2025 admission process, Professor Luguterah said the university received a total of 2,758 applications for both postgraduate and undergraduate programmes for the academic year.
He stated that 1,891 candidates out of the number were admitted, and while 1,389 candidates accepted the offers, 1,081 out of the number were undergraduate and 308 postgraduate students duly registered for their respective programmes.
The VC told the students that the mandate of CKT-UTAS was to provide higher education, undertake research, and disseminate knowledge related to development through the integration of Technology and Applied Sciences.
“Guided by this mandate, our vision is to transform this university into a world-class institution where excellence and good work ethics are paramount.
“We assure you of a holistic education where student interest is prioritized, critical thinking and innovation are our hallmarks, and you are equipped to make a positive impact in society after your studies,” he said.
He reminded the fresh students that their primary aim in the university was academic pursuit, and added that “Challenges will arise, and I urge you to seek advice and solutions from appropriate authorities to navigate them, be resilient and perseverant until you achieve your academic goal.”
Professor Luguterah said the university was a secular community, which management valued students’ social life on campus, and admonished them to engage in authorized student clubs, associations, and extracurricular activities, including religious organizations which contribute positively to their holistic training.
“Familiarize yourself with the university’s rules and regulations to avoid any breaches. The student support system here is vibrant. Contact the Office of Dean of Student Affairs for social issues and your departments for academic clarifications,” he told the students.
Source: GNA
Acting Chief Executive Officer of NYA, Osman Ayariga
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Ayariga, has stated that in addressing the needs of Ghanaian youth, his first preference will be given to the youth of his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking on GH One TV, as monitored by GhanaWeb, Osman Ayariga, who also serves as the incumbent Deputy National Youth Organizer of the NDC, explained that if two youth, one from the NDC and the other from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), with the same qualifications are seeking a job, he would not choose an NPP supporter over an NDC supporter.
“My first preference is the NDC youth; that, I am not going to lie about,” he stated.
When asked whether this stance was appropriate, he responded, “Yes, it is a good posturing. NDC youth are also Ghanaians, aren’t they? I am saying that my preference is to prioritize NDC youth before considering other political parties. If an NPP youth and an NDC youth come to me with the same qualifications, of course, I will choose the Ghanaian who is NDC. Given the same qualifications, and I am the CEO, that is my bias.”
He, however, clarified that he is open to working with youth from both the NDC and the opposition NPP.
“Don’t get it wrong, whether NDC or NPP, they are Ghanaian youth first. That is why I said that irrespective of your political affiliation, if you bring a proposal for me to implement, I will make sure I implement it. But if you ask me whether I have the discretion to choose between an NDC and an NPP youth, both equally qualified, then it is within my discretion to decide whom to give the opportunity to.”
In terms of catering to the needs of the youth, my first preference is the NDC youth… – Osman Ayariga (Ag. CEO, National Youth Authority) #GHOneNews #EIBNetwork #GHOneTV #NewsAlert #StateOfAffairs @Lanttam pic.twitter.com/BF7St02i6y
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) February 11, 2025
KA
You can also watch as John Boadu reveals how NPP blocked Afenyo-Markin from contesting Effutu seat
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim
A Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, has slammed some New Patriotic Party (NPP) faithful who have taken to the various media platforms to chastise President John Mahama for discontinuing some high-profile cases initiated by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo-led administration.
The Deputy Presidential Spokesperson argued that the Nana Akufo Addo-led NPP administration had a full eight years in power to secure convictions but failed because it couldn’t find a single shred of evidence to nail any past National Democratic Congress (NDC) appointee.
Reacting to some criticisms coming from known NPP persons over the current administration’s decision to discontinue some high-profile cases, which began way back in 2017, on Accra-based Joy News’ current affairs programme dubbed “PM Express” on Monday, February 10, 2025, Shamima Muslim questioned why the NPP folks have shifted the blame to Mahama’s administration when the NPP had all the time and legal backing to pursue these cases.
“Eight good years the New Patriotic Party had to prosecute some of these cases. Eight good years that they had a very favourable representation in our courts.
Excuse me to say, but we all know the perceptions around the packing of the court by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, and sometimes some of what people describe as procured outcomes from our courts,” she stressed.
The Deputy Presidential Spokesperson explained that if the NPP truly had strong cases against political opponents they accused of corruption, they would have secured convictions long ago.
“If they had any case at all against these political opponents that were facing persecution through the instrument of our law courts, they would have secured prosecutions and judgments, just as they did in previous tenures, and jailed those individuals,” she reiterated.
Shamima Muslim reaffirmed that President Mahama is not interested in covering up wrongdoing within his administration but in ensuring justice is pursued fairly and efficiently.
“We should have confidence that he is not going to cover up any member of his administration. He has announced that even as we are going to start operationalising ORAL findings under the legal mandate of Ghana’s Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, we will also bring on stream Operation Prevent All Loots (OPAL),” she added.
Shamima Muslim further underscored President Mahama’s firm stance against corruption, pointing out that he is the only president in recent history to openly declare in his manifesto that no government official will be allowed to engage in state capture or illegal acquisition of state assets.
“He has put it in black and white. He is committed to doing it because there’s got to be an end to lamentations.
“We cannot continue to lament over the things that are eroding our democratic gains and show no commitment in terms of leadership,” she stated.
Asantehene Otumfo Osei Tutu
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, has adopted the children of the late Kumasi Asante Kotoko fan, Francis Frimpong, popularly known as Nana Pooley.
According to a post by GHOne TV on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, the King has secured the children’s education through his educational fund.
Further details of the sponsorship package were not provided.
Nana Pooley was tragically stabbed to death during violent clashes after Asante Kotoko’s Ghana Premier League Match Day 19 fixture against Nsoatreman FC at the Nana Koramansah Park, which ended in a 1-0 defeat for Kotoko.
The game saw heightened tensions both on and off the pitch, with four red cards issued to players from both teams.
However, tempers flared even further after the final whistle, resulting in violent altercations among rival supporters that ultimately led to Frimpong’s untimely death.
Meanwhile, the police have arrested four additional suspects in connection with the murder, bringing the total number of suspects detained to seven.
The newly arrested individuals include a male and two females: Isaac Ofosu, Augustine Yeboah, Elizabeth Ntiriwaa (also known as “Akosua Black Chinese”), and Yaa Asantewaa.
Among those already in custody are Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, the owner of Nsoatreman FC and former Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Joseph Kyeremeh, and Agyemang Duah Owusu. These individuals have been formally charged by the Sunyani District Court ‘B.’
During their initial court appearance, presided over by Judge Eric Daning, Baffour-Awuah and Kyeremeh were granted bail of GHC 500,000 each with three sureties. They face charges of abetment to commit a crime, specifically murder, under Sections 20(1) and 46 of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29).
However, Owusu, a police inspector, has been charged with murder and remains in police custody.
Murdered Kotoko fan’s kids adopted by Otumfoɔ…#GHOneNews #EIBNetwork #GHOneTV #NewsAlert#EIBSports pic.twitter.com/uSVSrD9Xpu
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) February 11, 2025
You can also watch as John Boadu reveals how NPP blocked Afenyo-Markin from contesting Effutu seat
Ghana international, Andre Ayew
Ghana international, Andre Ayew has admonished players not to pay attention to online abuse.
Although the veteran forward holds the view that criticism is important, he believes that abuse must not be entertained.
Speaking to BBC Sport Africa, Andre Ayew stressed the need for footballers to stay strong amid criticism when things are not going well.
“It’s all about you, focusing on your job and what you have to do. Everything has a good and bad side so, sometimes, try to understand where the criticism comes from – it can help you. We play football for the people, especially in our country and continent where we love the game so much. But, today, if somebody is frustrated, they can just write anything (online). That’s where we need to be strong and not pay attention to that sort of thing,” Andre Ayew said.
The Ghana captain continued, “You want to make the people happy, (but) when it’s just nonsense talk, push it away. With my experience, I just feel that you need to stay focused, listen to what the coaches and the analysts and the staff have to tell you. That’s where the real information comes from.”
Andre Ayew has had an illustrious career spanning close to two decades. He is currently actively playing for Le Havre in the French Ligue 1 where he has indicated that he is not ready to stop now.
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Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State for Government Communication, has accused the previous Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration of bypassing due process in making last-minute public service appointments.
According to him, a thorough review of the appointment process revealed multiple irregularities, with many of those appointed in the final days of the administration failing to submit formal application letters to the institutions where they were employed.
He further alleged that some individuals were recruited without undergoing interviews to assess their suitability, while others did not complete the required medical examinations.
These findings, he said, raise serious concerns about the legality of the appointments and their financial burden on the current government.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on February 11, Kwakye Ofosu recalled that he had, on December 17, warned on behalf of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) transition team that such appointments would be revoked once the new government assumed office.
He reiterated that the government cannot allow individuals to be recruited into the public and civil service without following due process.
His comments come in response to questions about why Chief of Staff Julius Debrah revoked all public service appointments and recruitments made after December 7, 2024. A confidential letter, seen by Citi News, has been circulated to all heads of government institutions, instructing them to comply with the directive.
“Some government agencies, ministries, and institutions were feverishly employing people in the dying embers of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government. We expressed concern about this because we knew it was going to have an impact on our fiscal position, especially at a time when the country was struggling.
“We have looked into the matter and found that due process was bypassed in the appointments that were made. Some didn’t put in any application at all, others didn’t go through interviews, and some who should have gone through medical examinations didn’t go through.
“In some cases, the appointment letters were backdated, except that when you look into the payroll, you will not find that they have received any payment at all since they were employed. To that extent, we deem them unlawful and illegal. And as a government, we cannot afford a situation where people are illegally recruited into the public and civil service without due process,” he stated.
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Veteran Nigerian musician, Innocent Idibia popularly known as 2Baba has opened up on his relationship with the deputy majority leader of Edo state house of assembly, Natasha Osawaru.
Naija News reports that on Monday, 2baba had made had made an appearance during a plenary session, thereby sparking commotion at the house.
Early last year, we launched our brand promise: “Your Story Matters,” a commitment to putting our clients and stakeholders at the centre of every decision, innovation, and partnership.
In Absa, this promise guided us as we partnered with businesses to grow, empowered young people to realise their potential, and invested in solutions that create lasting value for communities.
As we reflect on the past year, we take immense pride in the milestones we achieved together. Through strategic partnerships, tailored solutions, and community investments, we have supported growth where it matters most. As we look to 2025, our focus remains on delivering shared value and enabling growth for all our stakeholders.
Unlocking Opportunities for Growth Through Partnerships
We are deeply committed to collaborations, and these have consistently delivered impactful results. For example, our partnership with the Mastercard Foundation has been instrumental in driving meaningful change in our lending to SMEs. Through this partnership, we provided loans at an interest rate of 10% per annum to over 7,000 small businesses. These loans enabled SMEs to expand their operations significantly, resulting in the creation of nearly 50,000 jobs.
Through our Ahomka Loan initiative, in partnership with MTN, we have offered more than GHS 7 billion in microloans through MTN digital wallets since the partnership began five years ago. Additionally, our partnership with CAMFED has focused on empowering 100 women through vocational training, equipping them with the skills needed to build livelihoods.
Supporting SMEs: Driving Economic Growth
Small and medium-sized enterprises remain a key focus for us. This year, SMEs will continue to access collateral-free financing at an interest rate of 10% per annum to support their business growth. Our monthly SME Clinics have always provided practical guidance on navigating business challenges and identifying growth opportunities.
This year, we have upgraded the sessions with a fresh lineup of knowledgeable and experienced resource persons who will provide attendees with key skills for business success. We have also set up a new SME Lounge facility at our Adum branch, a dedicated space for SME clients, offering tailored financial services, free meeting rooms, and internet access.
Innovating Personal and Corporate Banking
Our clients are at the centre of our banking innovations. This year, we will be developing new products that make banking even more convenient and seamless, no matter where or how you bank. We are enhancing our mobile app with new features to make banking faster and more convenient and expanding our Agency Banking footprint to bring banking services closer to customers who may not currently have the same level of banking access as others.
For clients seeking premium services, our Infinite and Signature Credit Cards continue to offer exclusive benefits such as an insurance cover of $2.5 million, up to 40 per cent discount for shopping in any Absa Bank partner institution across the world, access to airport lounges, travel insurance, and exclusive concierge services.
Our Corporate and Investment Banking provides businesses a global reach with local expertise. It covers Relationship Management at local and international levels. We are invested in our clients’ stories, and we meet their evolving needs through our customisable digital capabilities, Trade Finance, Investment Banking and more. with services anchored in trusted partnerships.
Remaining a Force for Good in our Communities
Beyond banking, we are committed to creating opportunities that empower communities. Last year, over 100,000 students benefited from financial literacy training, exposing them to money management skills through our Absa Money Matters programme. This year, we plan to expand its reach even further.
Our ReadytoWork programme, a proprietary e-learning platform, has already equipped hundreds of young people with the skills and confidence needed to excel in the world of work.
In 2025, we plan to reach even more young people and provide the tools they need to succeed in their careers. We are scaling up our vocational training efforts, having equipped 100 young women with essential skills and aiming to empower another 100 in 2025. In addition, we are constructing boreholes to provide access to clean water in communities facing water scarcity. Eleven boreholes have been completed so far and were commissioned in January 2025.
Our purpose for 2025 remains clear: Empowering Africa’s Tomorrow, Together… One Story at a Time. We deeply appreciate the trust of our clients, and the collaboration of our partners, and encourage those yet to join the Absa Bank family to make us part of their journey this year. At Absa Bank Ghana, Your Story Matters, and we are committed to supporting you in shaping your next chapter.
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The author, Edward Nartey Botchway, is the Managing Director of Absa Bank Ghana 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.
Professor Patrick Asuming, an economist and lecturer at the University of Ghana, has emphasised the need for Ghana to rethink its dependence on foreign aid following the recent cuts by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programme.
This follows President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to take urgent steps to address the funding gap created by the suspension of the USAID programme.
A February 11 statement from the Presidency highlighted Mahama’s deep concern over the estimated $156 million deficit, warning of its potential impact on critical health and social intervention programmes. Of particular urgency is a $78.2 million shortfall, which threatens essential services such as malaria prevention, maternal and child healthcare, family planning, reproductive health, and nutrition.
The funding gap also jeopardises Ghana’s fight against HIV/AIDS by restricting access to antiretroviral drugs, testing, and preventive measures.
Speaking on the matter in an interview on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, February 11, Prof Asuming highlighted the broader implications of such actions and called for a long-term strategic approach to reduce the country’s reliance on external assistance.
“I think the bigger conversation or the bigger picture is how we should interpret actions like this in the longer term because when people are giving us aid, yes we are receiving, but aid always is strategic. It is in the strategic interest of the receiver. That is why they give the aid. So if you build a country where you are extremely dependent on aid, we should know that, like has happened, somebody can suddenly wake up one day and say the aid is not coming. Exactly what has happened,” Prof. Asuming stated.
He expressed concern over the immediate impact of the funding cuts, particularly in areas where USAID is responsible for providing essential commodities and medications.
“I am sure the impact is already being felt, especially in the places where USAID is responsible for providing specific commodities and medications and other things,” he noted.
Prof Asuming pointed to the missed opportunity during the COVID-19 pandemic to learn this lesson.
“You recall that during the COVID, at the time that the vaccines started flowing, the countries that had the vaccines decided to halt them and decided that until they are done satisfying themselves, they are not going to release the vaccines even including some developing countries. That should have told us that there are some things that we cannot depend on others to finance,” he explained.
He stressed the importance of identifying critical commodities funded by donors and developing strategies to reduce dependence on foreign aid.
“There are critical commodities that are funded by donors, and I think that going forward, we need to begin to think about what we have to do and what we have to depend on foreign aid for,” he added.
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Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State responsible for Government Communications
The National Executives and the membership of the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) have extended congratulations to Felix Kwakye Ofosu on his appointment as the Minister of State responsible for Government Communications.
In a press statement on February 11, 2025, PRINPAG also congratulated Shamima Muslim on her appointment as the Deputy Government Spokesperson.
According to PRINPAG, the records of Felix Kwakye Ofosu and Shamima Muslim in dealing with journalists are well known and PRINPAG is confident that their vast experience will be addressing the myriads of challenges confronting the media landscape in the country.
“Their leadership in the government’s communication machinery will be critical in fostering transparency, accountability, and effective engagement with journalists.
“As an Association representing the interests of newspapers and online news publishers across the country, PRINPAG is ready to work closely with the Government Communications team to enhance the welfare and safety of journalists.
“We urge Hon. Kwakye Ofosu and Madam Shamima to champion media-friendly policies that will create an environment where journalists feel safe and empowered to carry out their work without fear or intimidation. We further encourage them to welcome constructive criticisms and uphold the principles of press freedom, which are crucial in strengthening our democracy,” part of the press statement said.
AM/KA
Ben Lord Ababio, self-acclaimed traditional ruler
An Accra High Court on Tuesday declined bail to Ben Lord Ababio, the self-acclaimed traditional ruler who allegedly gunned down a soldier over a disputed piece of land at Kasoa.
The Court presided over by Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie after listening to submissions of both defence and state arguments, declined bail based on her discretion.
Ben Lord Ababio aka Nana Barima and one Nana Kofi Amo Gyekye aka Nana Fiifi, are standing trial for their involvement in the land dispute that allegedly led to the death of one Lance Corporal Michael Danso of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Accomplices of the accused, one Oteng and Salisu, are said to be at large.
On January 23, the High Court fixed Tuesday to hear the bail application put in by the lawyer for Ben Lord.
Counsel for Ababio who moved for bail, pending trial argued that the grant or refusal of bail was grounded heavily on a number of human rights, including the right to personal liberty, the right to fair and adequate defence and right to procure witnesses.
Defence acknowledged that bail was at the discretion of the court, submitting that in exercising the discretion, the Court must consider the fundamental human rights of the accused.
“It is our case that despite the perceived gravity of the nature of the offence, presumption of innocence still operates in his (the accused) favour and the grant of bail is an appropriate means of respecting and upholding that right.”
Defence counsel stressed the need for the court to grant the accused bail to enable him to prepare adequately for his defence.
According to counsel, the accused was not a flight risk, adding that they were ready for the imposition of any condition that the Court deemed necessary to secure his attendance to court.
He said if his client were admitted to bail, he would always avail himself for trial.
The State represented by Frederick Adu-Gyamfi, opposed the grant of bail to Ben Lord, saying their position was firmly grounded in Section 96 of Act 30.
Adu-Gyamfi contended that the accused would not appear to stand trial when granted bail.
The State Attorney held that looking at “the violent nature” of the accused when he was granted bail, he was likely to commit further offences.
“Accused person is a very notorious land guard in Kasoa and its environs. He is known as a very aggressive individual. Humbly, we believe that per his nature when given the least opportunity, he would commit further offences.
“The accused committed this offence while on bail in another matter. The accused committed the offence of murder in no other place than a police station.
Based on this, we have no reason to believe that evidence before the Court was overwhelming and when granted bail accused will not appear to stand trial,” the State Attorney submitted.
The High Court has ordered the accused to remain in prison custody for two weeks.
Ababio and Gyekye have been charged with conspiracy while Ababio is facing an additional charge of murder.
Gyekye is on a GHC 1,000,000 bail with two sureties to be justified.
On April 30, 2024, at around 1600 hours Lance Corporal Miachael Danso and two other colleagues – Lance Corporal Abdul Omar Rahman and Ametus Mattew, drove to the Millenium City Police Station in a Toyota RAV 4 vehicle to report a trespass.
This was after they were informed that some encroachers were developing a parcel of land belonging to Lance Corporal Abdul Omar Rahman.
Ababio appeared at the Police station and opened fire on Lance Corporal Danso who was driving the vehicle, killing instantly.
Ababio was disarmed by the Police and arrested for further investigations.
Investigations led to the arrest of Gyekye.
American forward Emmanuel Sabbi
The Sporting Director of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Axel Schuster has indicated that the club is excited with the signing of American forward Emmanuel Sabbi.
According to him, the club is confident that the experienced attacker will strengthen the squad of the team with his quality.
“Emmanuel is an experienced attacking player who has played in one of the best leagues in the world. He’ll add another dimension to our attack, and he is capable of playing on either wing or up top. We’re excited to welcome Emmanuel to our club,” Axel Schuster said as quoted on the website of Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Emmanuel Sabbi, an Italian-born attacker of Ghanaian descent sealed his move to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
The winger joined Vancouver Whitecaps from French Ligue 1 side Le Havre AC.
In the official statement from the MLS club on Tuesday, it stated that the forward agreed to a contract through 2027, with a club option for 2028.
The newly elected Northern Regional representative on the Council of State, Alhaji Muhammed Mumuni, has advocated for an expanded role for the Council, emphasizing its potential to contribute more meaningfully to national governance beyond its current advisory mandate to the President.
The Council of State, established under Articles 89 to 92 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, serves as an advisory body to the President on matters of national importance. As outlined in the Constitution, “There shall be a Council of State to counsel the President in the performance of his functions.”
While the Council plays a crucial role in shaping national policy, Mumuni believes its full potential remains underutilized.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, he stressed the need for the Council to engage more actively with other governmental bodies, particularly Parliament.
“After 30 years of governance, we have seen what it can do. But we have also seen that it has not been allowed to operate in the full sense.
“When you give advice, it can either be taken or rejected. So, to be fair to the President, advice must necessarily be in-camera, which is okay. But we believe that the Council of State should engage more with other bodies like Parliament. For instance, with the challenge we had with the hung Parliament, we helped a lot.
“We saw the Council of State make a brief appearance when they went to meet the Speaker to try to cool tempers and bring about the necessary peace. We believe that the Council of State can do more,”* he added.
Following his election victory, Mumuni expressed his commitment to representing the Northern Region effectively, leveraging his extensive experience in governance.
“I have performed in many aspects of government—right from Assemblymember to being a presiding member. I have served in two cabinets, in the Rawlings and Mills administrations, and I have been a running mate. I believe the Northern Region could not make a mistake with the person they are sending.
“I have no doubt that I will contribute my quota, experience, and the knowledge I have gathered along the way to enhance the work of the Council of State in helping the President administer this country. The reset agenda is truly on,”* he affirmed.
Northern Region: Alhaji Mumuni wins Council of State seat with 26 votes
We conducted the study in five of the 26 districts of the Eastern Region of Ghana covering a population of about 3 million people. At the time of this study, Eastern Region was the 6th largest region in Ghana with a mixture of both urban and rural dwellers. A household in the region consisted of between 4 and 8 people and 54.4% of households had only one sleeping room, making spread of TB probable [25]. Eastern Region was chosen for this study because it has been one of the regions where implementation of electronic data capturing tools such as the District Health Information Management System 1 & 2 (DHIMS1& 2) softwares which are currently in use for TB data capture have been piloted. The use of these softwares is expected to improve data quality and improve TB detection; hence evaluating the completeness of the surveillance system of this region is a good proxy representation of the country situation.
Health care services in Ghana are provided by public providers in regional, teaching, military and prison hospitals as well as polyclinics and district hospitals and private providers such as the private hospitals, mission hospitals and private clinics. There are also public and private laboratories with public laboratories being located mainly in the regional and district capitals. TB diagnostic services are mainly provided by the public health laboratories. At the time of this study, TB diagnostic capacity and clinical and radiological services are available in each region while bacteriological culture services are available only at major central points in about four regions; the Eastern Region being one of them. Ghana uses central laboratories (mostly one laboratory in a district) for TB diagnosis; sputum samples and results are transferred between primary health care (PHC) facilities and the central laboratories. Thus, the PHC facilities either refer a presumed TB case to the laboratory or collect the sputum samples depending on proximity and send to the laboratory for diagnosis after which the laboratories give feedback of the results to the requesting facility.
The National TB Control Program is the central unit at the national level followed by the regional and district levels. TB data in Ghana is captured both electronically and paper-based. The electronic data contains mostly monthly aggregated data at all levels with age, sex and type of TB as variables, while the paper-based data captures details of individuals and was therefore used in our study. There are three TB registers used for paper-based TB data capture in Ghana. These include the treatment registers used by all primary health care facilities administering TB treatment to patients, the laboratory registers which records results and personal information of diagnosed cases and finally the district TB registers which brings together data of all TB treatment registers. At the district level, in addition to receiving quarterly TB reports, it also keeps a district TB register where every TB case registered at all the treatment centres in the primary health care facilities including the hospitals are entered by the District TB coordinators. The district TB coordinator regularly makes visits to the treatment centres to update the district TB register. All three TB registers mentioned contain personal identifiers of the patients justifying the feasibility of use of record linkage and capture-recapture methods. The national and regional levels do not keep TB registers and hence the reason for choosing to use the district level data as the main case-based national TB surveillance data with personal identifiers.
A retrospective cross-sectional analysis design was employed as in inventory studies to match records of TB cases across three different registries using unique patient identifiers to estimate the level of under-reporting in TB case notification. We used record linkage and capture-recapture method to audit a retrospective data of TB cases diagnosed between 2016 and 2017 from three registries, namely, the laboratory, district, and the treatment centre registers to evaluate the completeness of reporting of cases in the district TB registry. The primary outcome of interest was completeness of reporting in the district TB register which is the main source of TB case notification to the national surveillance system.
Record linkage and capture-recapture analysis techniques are commonly used in epidemiological research to assess the accuracy and completeness of surveillance data [5]. Record linkage matches records of individual TB cases across multiple data sources to identify duplicate entries and unique cases. In this study, we linked TB cases across three TB registries using unique patient identifiers such as names, age and sex.
The study population comprised bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases reported between January 2016 and December 2017 in five districts within the Eastern Region of Ghana. Confirmed PTB patients who met the inclusion criteria were patients with at least one of two sputum smear tests positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, or culture-confirmed cases, or those diagnosed as TB-positive by the GeneXpert® MTB/RIF assay.
All bacteriologically confirmed TB patients registered within 2016 and 2017 in five selected districts were included in the study. First, we examined the last eight years TB notification data across all districts in the Eastern Region to understand the case load of each district and to determine the number of districts and years to select to give an adequate sample size (Fig. 1). A requirement for an ideal record linkage and capture-recapture studies is to ensure that there is adequate data in all stratum, that is the overlap between the data sources. We deduced that the investigation of two years of recording in three TB registries should suffice and hence the selection of the time frame 2016 and 2017 as most recent years fully recorded. We then use the case load of each district to guide in the selection of five districts.
Of the five districts selected, one has a referral hospital which receives patients from all the 26 districts in the region and hence was purposively selected as it had the highest case load; two rural and two urban districts all of which had their own TB diagnostic facilities were randomly selected. Districts without laboratory facilities and those with shared laboratory capacities were excluded from the study. The districts selected had one laboratory each for TB diagnosis with the exception of the district with the referral hospital (New Jauben), which had three laboratories for TB diagnosis. In all the selected districts, records in all health facilities with TB treatment registers as well as TB diagnostic records in the district laboratories and district level TB registers were included for review.
TB notification data 2010–2017 Eastern Region, Ghana (Eastern Regional TB Coordinator, personal communication, February 22, 2018)
We generated a structured data extraction template in excel to capture individual patients’ records from the registers. All TB records in the three data sources (registers) within the years 2016 and 2017 were manually entered into the data extraction template. Two researchers were involved in entering the data into the template as part of data auditing procedures. A document camera (a device without internet) was used to take pictures of the records in the registers to serve as source of reference to check for potential errors.
A data management plan was developed to standardize data handling procedures and document all data management activities, ensuring accuracy and consistency in record linkage and completeness assessment [26]. Our study employed deterministic record linkage to identify duplicates across three TB registers: the district TB registry, laboratory registers, and treatment centre registers. Deterministic linkage was appropriate as each register contained key personal identifiers—name, age, and sex—allowing exact matches between records [27].
The record linkage process followed a four-step procedure including pre-processing, selection of matching variables, indexing, and manual review. First, data in each of the three registers were pre-processed to ensure consistency across datasets. This included standardizing data types and formats and variable names, removing extraneous spaces, and correcting spelling variations for string variables like names. In the second step, we selected name, age, and sex as primary matching variables, chosen due to their reliability and discriminative power across records [28]. Address information served as a supplementary variable during manual verification of uncertain linkages. During the indexing stage, records were grouped by sex and age to limit comparisons to within these groups, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of the matching process since these fields had minimal misclassification or missing data; The final step involved manual review. We sorted and examined uncertain linkages in the grey zone and classified them as either matches or non-matches based on detailed scrutiny. All records that were able to link in the three registers were tagged as matched records while those that matched only in two registers were tagged non-matched records as were those that were detectable in just one register.
Within each register, cases were defined as duplicates if they were identical in terms of name, age, and sex. If the difference between the date of registration of a duplicate case was ≥ 10 months, it was considered a false duplicate and, hence, counted twice. We retained such cases in the data linkage as this could be cases that had a failed treatment and returned at a later date for retreatment.
To assess completeness, we calculated both crude and estimated completeness. Crude completeness was estimated as the proportion of PTB cases documented in the district TB registry relative to the total cases found across any of the registers. For estimated completeness, a capture-recapture log-linear model provided an estimated denominator of total PTB cases by modeling interactions among the three data sources, selecting the model with the lowest Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) for best fit [16].
Additionally, crude, i.e., including only one independent variable at a time, logistics regression models were used to investigate the association between characteristics of cases and completeness status, defined as being recorded in all three registries versus cases missing in one or two of the three registries with odds ratios generated for each characteristic. A significance level of 0.05 was applied for all analyses. Data analysis was performed using Stata/IC v14.2 (Stata, College Station, TX, USA).
“They have 183 plus four independent members making 187 and yet they have difficulty in raising 91 members to form a quorum so what is happening?
“They themselves are not promoting and helping government business, but we want to be constructive. We want to make sure that we hold government only accountable and that is the mandate we have a minority,” he stated.
Ken Ofori-Atta’s home raided by individuals in military uniform
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The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been told to stop minting one-cent coins, or pennies as they are widely called, by US President Donald Trump in an announcement on his Truth Social media account.
“Let’s rip the waste out of our great nations budget, even if it’s a penny at a time,” Trump’s post said, describing the move as a cost-cutting measure.
It comes after Elon Musk’s unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) drew attention to the cost of minting pennies in a post on X last month.
The debate over the cost and usefulness of pennies has been a long-running one in the US.
“This is so wasteful,” Trump’s Truth Social post said.
“I have instructed my Secretary of the US Treasury to stop producing new pennies.”
According the US Mint’s 2024 annual report, making and distributing a one cent coin costs 3.69 cents.
US government officials and members of Congress have in the past proposed discontinuing the penny without success.
While its detractors have argued that the zinc and copper coin is a waste of money and resources, those who support it say that the coin keeps prices lower and boosts fund-raising for charities.
Other countries have discontinued similar coins. Canada ditched its one-cent coin in 2012 citing the cost of minting it and its falling purchasing power due to higher prices.
The declining use of cash meant the UK did not mint any new coins in 2024, after officials decided there were already enough coins in circulation.
The UK Treasury has said that 1p or 2p coins are not being scrapped, but with more people living cashless lives, there have been several years when no 2p coins were produced. 20p coins have also seen various periods without new minting.
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The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has announced that Okada riders will soon be licensed to operate as commercial transport providers.
According to him, this initiative is part of the government’s commitment to regularizing the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes.
Speaking during a working tour of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) office in Accra on his first day in office on February 10, 2025, Joseph Nikpe emphasised the need for improved regulation and certification of all road users.
“On my first day in office, with so many agencies under my ministry, it is essential that I visit their offices and understand their operations.
“The DVLA is one of the key institutions we intend to work with to ensure that every individual behind the wheel is properly certified to use the road. We want safety on our roads and for people to travel in comfort. It is also crucial that all vehicles are properly registered,” he stated.
Highlighting the government’s promise to regulate the Okada industry, the transport minister revealed that the process is commencing immediately.
“You may recall that we made a campaign promise to regularize the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes. That process starts today. We are now examining the necessary regulations and legal frameworks to allow them to operate commercially,” he explained.
The minister further stated that the initiative aims to provide Okada riders with proper training and licensing to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users.
“Our brothers in the Okada business will now have their own licenses, be certified, and be well-trained to transport passengers safely. This will also help reduce congestion on our roads,” he added.
Licensing of commercial motorcycle operators to take off soon – Transport Minister#UTVNews pic.twitter.com/O1Z285qhGe
— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) February 10, 2025
AM/MA
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Ghana great, Andre Ayew has urged young African footballers to never give up on their dreams.
Ayew, 35, achieved success at a very young age when he helped the Ghana U20 national team win the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2009.
He went on to play for the Black Stars where he made a name for himself as a key player for years.
Having played for several clubs in Europe, Andre Ayew knows the ins and outs of the journey to becoming a top professional.
Speaking to BBC Sport Africa, the forward urged young African players to continue working hard, adding that it takes discipline to succeed.
“It’s never too early, and it’s never too late. Just keep going, and you can always be successful,” Andre Ayew advised.
During the interview, Andre Ayew expressed his deep passion for the game and made it clear that he has no intention of slowing down.
“I love what I’m doing, and I’m not ready to stop,” he said.
Although it’s not cut in stone, Andre Ayew could return to the Black Stars next month for Ghana’s games against Chad and Madagascar in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the General Overseer of Action Faith Chapel International
Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the General Overseer of Action Faith Chapel International, has called for a national vision as a development blueprint to avoid groping in darkness in its development aspirations.
“Until Ghana has a national vision where all political parties will bring together their manifestos for Parliament to shape and align with our national vision for 25 years or more, we will continue to walk in darkness,” he added.
He underscored the need for members of Parliament (MPs) to put aside their political differences, politicisation and forgive each other to make headways toward sustainable national development.
Archbishop Duncan-Williams gave the advice when he delivered a word of exhortation during the Speaker of Parliament’s First Breakfast Prayer Meeting of the Ninth Parliament of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship (PCF) in Accra, on Tuesday.
Also, the Father of the Charismatic Christian Movement in Ghana, he cited countries like Rwanda, China, India, and Singapore that had between 50- and 100-year national visions that drove the development agenda of their respective governments and urged Ghana not to miss the opportunity to develop a national vision, which was all-encompassing and holistic in character.
The Man of God said a national vision would aid the nation to halt the vicious cycle of waste of the national resources and ensure continuation of development trajectory of the nation, no matter the political party in office at any given time.
“I hope this Parliament will not miss the opportunity to have a national vision. We owe it to ourselves and the generations yet unborn,” he stated.
Archbishop Williams urged the government to create a conducive environment for the youth to avoid their daily visits to various embassies for visas to travel outside for greener pastures.
To promote a conducive atmosphere, he underscored the need for unity of purpose in pursuing a common goal.
Referencing the unrest in some countries worldwide and his personal travel experiences over the years, Archbishop Duncan Williams remarked: “The fact of the matter is that I have never felt peace and at home like I do when I arrived at the Kotoka International Airport. It does not matter the privileges that are given to me and honours bestowed upon me”.
He asked Ghanaians not to take the peace in the country for granted and work assiduously to preserve it.
Speaker Alban S. K. Bagbin, charged parliamentarians to eschew personal egoism, indiscipline, and superiority complex and exhibit exemplary leadership to promote unity, healthier and stronger Parliamentary work for sustainable national development.
The meeting was under the auspices of the Speaker, Alban S. K Bagbin, which was held on the theme, “A Better and a Stronger Parliament” anchored on Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the Nation Whose God is the Lord, The People Whom He was Chosen to be His Heritage”.
Parliament, he said, was the bedrock of democracy and not an avenue for politicking or religious fanaticism, and tasked parliamentarians to be guided by national interest.
The Speaker charged them to be remembered for righting the wrongs in society and not promoters of brute and indecency.
“Your legacy must inspire greatness, set an example for the youth and be a catalyst for change,” he asked the Parliamentarians.
The prayer meeting brought together Members of Parliament (MPs), the Clerkship, the Clergy and Staff of the Parliament Service.
The congregants prayed for President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman, Speaker of Parliament Alban S. K. Bagbin, and the entire nation.
In attendance were MPs, ministers of State, and the Clergy including Archbishop Nicolas Duncan Williams, General Overseer of Action Faith Chapel International, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, President of Parliamentary Christian Fellowship, Kwaku Asante-Boateng, Vice President of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship, Ebenezer Djietrior, the Clerk to Parliament, and Voices of Democracy.
The Speaker’s Prayer meeting is organised by the PCF at the beginning of each meeting of Parliament, to commit the House to the hands of God and seek divine guidance.
The Sunyani District Court ‘B’ has granted GH¢300,000 bail with two sureties each, one to be justified to the two female suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Francis Frimpong, the supporter of the Kumasi Asante Kotoko FC.
When they appeared before the court on Monday, Eric Daning, the presiding judge directed suspects Elizabeth Akosua Ntiriwaa, also known as “Akosua Black Chinese” and Yaa Asantewaa to report to the police twice every week.
According to their bail condition, the suspects cannot travel outside the Sunyani Municipality without judicial approval in the first 14 days.
They were charged with “abetment to commit a crime, to wit murder” under Sections 20(1) and 46 of the Criminal Offenses Act 1960 (Act 29) and will re-appear till Monday, February 17, 2025.
The court, however, ordered the police to keep in custody two other suspects, Isaac Fosu, and Augustine Yeboah for further investigations.
The deceased, popularly known as “Pooley” was stabbed to death on Sunday February 2, 2025, when the Nsoatreman FC hosted the Kumasi Asante Kotoko FC at the match 19 of the Ghana Premier League at their home grounds at the Nsoatre Professor Amoah Koromansah II stadium.
So far, the police have arrested seven suspects in connection with the crime and they include suspects Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, the owner of the Nsoatreman FC, Joseph Kyeremeh, popularly known as ‘Santos’ and Agyemang Duah Owusu, a police inspector.
The ICC Ghana Secretary General, Emmanuel Doni-Kwame, has said Ghana is missing out on important trade benefits, because it has not signed the Istanbul Convention which grants access to ATA Carnet – a passport for goods that allows temporary imports without paying duties or taxes.
Speaking on Eye on Port powered by the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA), Doni-Kwame stressed the country’s need to join the convention and enhance its trade competitiveness.
He explained that ATA Carnet is an international Customs document that allows businesses to temporarily bring goods into a country for up to a year without paying import charges. He added that it makes trade easier by allowing goods to move across multiple countries under one document.
He pointed out that Côte d’Ivoire already uses the passport – making it easier for businesses there to bring in equipment and other products for short-term use. In contrast, he said, Ghanaian companies must go through Customs procedures which may require them to pay duties on temporarily imported goods.
Furthermore, he said the country’s Customs laws allow goods to be brought in temporarily; but since Customs officials decide on a case-by-case basis, businesses are unsure of what to expect.
“International best practice encourages countries to sign the Istanbul Convention so businesses can operate with confidence,” he added.
He moreover said that ICC Ghana is pushing for the country to join the 78 countries which already use ATA Carnet, further suggesting that the State Insurance Company (SIC), which issues the ECOWAS Brown Card, could help in implementing the system.
Doni-Kwame believes adopting ATA Carnet will help the nation become more competitive in global trade.
“For Ghana to compete, it must embrace new solutions like digital trade agreements and facilitation tools. ATA Carnet is one of them,” he elaborated.
He also lauded progress in digital trade, especially at the ports where e-invoicing and e-payments are improving efficiency – but stressed that without agreements like the Istanbul Convention, the country could be left behind in global trade.
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Transport minister, Joseph Buakari Nikpe
Transport minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe has outlined plans to improve the transport sector, promising to decongest roads.
He noted, during his first day in office, this could be achieved by improving alternative transport options like railway, flight, and port services thereby reducing dependence on road transport.
“There is a correlation between good working conditions and service delivery, and that will be my focus,” he said at a durbar.
He, therefore, assured transport workers their welfare was a chief priority and their outstanding salary arrears would be resolved.
Speaking to the media after a closed-door meeting with officials of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Nikpe revealed he had directed the DVLA to begin the process to legalise motorbike (okada) passenger services.
He said the move was in fulfilment of the government’s campaign promise, which could be traced back to 2020.
The minister also encouraged DVLA to adopt digital solutions to streamline services and end the operation of middlemen (goro boys) in a process which should be transparent and reliable.
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US President Donald Trump has halted the enforcement of an anti-corruption law that allows the prosecution of Americans accused of bribing foreign officials.
The law has been in place for around 50 years and prohibits US firms from trying to retain or win new business with other countries by bribing government figures.
“It’s going to mean a lot more business for America,” Trump said when signing the executive order on Monday.
A White House statement said “over-expansive” and “unpredictable” enforcement of the law risked the “economic advancement of the US”.
Trump has previously spoken of striking down the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), having called it a “horrible law” and said “the world is laughing at us” for enforcing it.
He has also directed US justice authorities to review current and past actions related to the law and to find new guidelines for the FCPA’s enforcement.
The anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International said Trump’s order “diminishes – and could pave the way for completely eliminating – the crown jewel in the US’s fight against global corruption”.
But the president said in a statement that enforcing the law would only bar “routine business practices in other nations” and that enforcement action takes resources away from “preserving American freedoms”.
The White House said: “US companies are harmed by FCPA over-enforcement because they are prohibited from engaging in practices common among international competitors, creating an uneven playing field.”
It said Trump wanted to eliminate “excessive barriers to American commerce abroad”.
Previous cases in which the law has been invoked have involved Goldman Sachs and mining giant Glencore.
In 2020, Goldman Sachs agreed to pay nearly $3bn (£2.3bn) to end a probe of its role in the 1MDB corruption scandal.
The bank’s Malaysian subsidiary admitted in a US court that it had paid more than $1bn in bribes to win work raising money for the Malaysian state-owned wealth fund.
In 2022, the Swiss-based mining company Glencore said it would pay $180m to the Democratic Republic of Congo to settle corruption claims. It came after a series of corruption cases led by countries including the US.
In 2024, the US’s justice department and the financial watchdog the Securities Exchange Commission filed 26 enforcement actions under the anti-corruption law, with at least 31 companies under investigation by the end of year.
On the same day Trump signed the order, the justice department told federal prosecutors to drop their corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has pleaded not guilty of accepting illegal campaign funds and gifts in exchange for his influence as mayor. The White House said the indictment had “restricted” the mayor’s ability to address “illegal immigration and violent crime”.
Trump also pardoned former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat who served eight years in prison over corruption charges before his term was cut short by Trump during his first term.
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Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has announced plans to hold the next annual prayer meeting in the chamber of parliament house in order to rid the MPs of any spirit of disorder.
He thinks that something about the chamber is affecting how MPs behave, especially in light of the recent pandemonium at the Appointments Committee meeting.
Speaking during a breakfast prayer meeting at Parliament House, the speaker of parliament expressed concerns over the discrepancy between the behavior of Members of Parliament in the house and their private lives.
In private meetings, he noted, MPs conduct themselves with dignity, yet in Parliament, they frequently behave in an unruly manner.
“I thank the organisers and I grant them the permission that the next prayer meeting should be held on the floor of parliament. There may be something in there that must be exorcised, we will not take it for granted. We will get inside there and get it out.
“Where I sit great these great men and women come to me in private, The way they present themselves is different from what they do inside. So, I keep on thinking, what is inside there? The great men and women of the gospel will testify, when they are with you in your church, then you see in them in parliament and they are different. What is inside there? If that is the culture of politics then we really need God to descend and once again salvage us.”
The next prayer meeting must be held on the floor of Parliament, there may be something within these walls that needs to be exorcised… – Speaker Bagbin#GHOneNews #EIBNetwork #GHOneTV #NewsAlert pic.twitter.com/J0glv2Nfqf
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) February 11, 2025
KA
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Dr. Yussif Sulemana appointed as Ag. MD of TOR
Dr. Yusif Sulemana has been handed over the reins of the Tema Oil Refinery as he assumed office on February 10, 2025.
A formal handover was done by the outgoing Managing Director, Kofi Tagoe Mocumbi to officially welcome Dr. Sulemana as the Acting Managing Director of the refinery.
In a statement published on TOR’s website, Dr. Sulemana admonished the staff while noting that, “People should come first, at the center of everything we do are our stakeholders, including our cherished staff, business associates, clients, and the communities we serve.”
It is a critical time for the refinery as production has not been effective in the last few years due to various constraints.
TOR has also struggled to maintain full operational capacity amid increasing competition from private refineries.
There have been conversations surrounding the privatisation of the refinery, all of which have been shelved due to disagreements among policy analysts and experts.
Dr. Sulemana brings over 20 years of global experience in the upstream, midstream, and downstream energy sectors, with expertise spanning oil and gas production, refinery process optimization, and alternative energy.
He currently serves as a Senior Oil & Gas Production Operations Specialist at Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and has previously worked with Genser Energy (Gasification Project Manager) and TOR (Chemical/Process Engineer).
He has a doctorate in Business Administration (Energy Management) – USA, MSc in International Oil & Gas Management – UK, BSc in Chemical Engineering – KNUST, Ghana.
Dr. Sulemana was recently awarded Energy Advocate of the Year at the Ghana Energy Awards.
SSD/KA
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Investigative journalist and acting Deputy Executive Director of EOCO, Raymond Archer
Investigative journalist and acting Deputy Executive Director of EOCO, Raymond Archer, has dismissed claims that the recent public-driven investigation by Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) committee into looted funds is a political witch-hunt.
Speaking to GHOne in an interview monitored by MyNewsGh, Archer expressed gratitude for the public’s enthusiasm and participation.
“The public was very excited to contribute. The more information we received, the more we worked. We are very happy and thank everyone for their participation,” he said.
Addressing criticisms that some members of the investigative committee were using the process to settle personal scores, Archer dismissed the claims as political rhetoric. “This has nothing to do with settling scores.
The focus of this exercise is to interface with the public and gather information that may lead to the recovery of looted funds or assets. It was purely driven by public interest, not a personal agenda,” he explained.
He further emphasized that the initiative was in line with the President’s vision and that he had no personal conflicts with anyone.
“I have no enemies. If someone has an issue with me, I am willing to recuse myself. This is a national exercise, not a political one,” he stressed.
Archer also revealed that the process had now moved to the next phase under the Attorney General’s review.
“The Attorney General is now reviewing the cases to determine the next steps. If we successfully retrieve the full value of the petitions, it could lead to significant recoveries,” he stated.
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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke after a 3-2 win over Manchester City in the Champions League to play down expectations, explaining that, “the result is a trap result. You’ve won, it can make you lower your arms, because you don’t have to come back, but you have to prepare well, as we did today, with the same quality and sacrifice. Just like tonight”.
Later in the press conference, Managing Madrid’s Kiyan Sobhani asked Ancelotit about Eduardo Camavinga’s performance, and his development as a ‘6’.
“It was his first game back today, I think he was very good,” Ancelotti said. “Where he must improve.. he has to have better position on the pitch when we have the ball, to choose the right situation to pass the ball. But tonight he was outstanding. Him and Ceballos both.”
“I don’t think so, I don’t think we could have won the tie here. We have to play another game, we have taken a small advantage, it was a very good game. We have to be happy. We had a lot of chances. City played well in attack, they created problems for us. We must prepare well for the return leg, bearing in mind that a match like this strengthens you for what’s to come.”
“I don’t think so, it was a good match, I expected it. It was a complete game from the team, offensively, we had doubts about whether we could have balance and we have seen that we can, if there is a good dose of sacrifice. Today everyone made sacrifices and the quality is unquestionable.”
“Yes, it is the way, not only because of this match. For a long time. The season is really starting, and despite the difficulty, we got a very good result. We have to highlight a little bit of everything. The back four had never played together before. And what’s more, they had never trained together. They played an exceptional game. Valverde, the central defenders, Mendy, Asencio continues to surprise… In the emergency we got something good out of it.”
“I don’t know if you’ve seen it. Watching his game, it has been a motivation for him. He has always been very dangerous. The top four all were.”
“Defensively, it’s a stadium where you have to work well, otherwise they score a lot of goals. It was a different game. We saw a different game than last year, with more control.”
“We fixed two things, we didn’t press well a few times. In one of those we scored a goal. In the rest of the things, with the ball we didn’t change anything. Vini and Rodrygo were on the outside and created a lot of danger. And I told them to calm down, it’s the first part of the tie, we didn’t have to go crazy.”
“The defence is not an individual problem, it’s a group problem. We had to be a team, be together, the team worked especially well defensively.”
“The plan was to press up front only at the start, when Ederson came on the ball, and then to be in a compact midfield block, without going crazy, with the forwards tight inside, so that the midfielders stayed further back. And with the ball, width and not getting frustrated with long passes.”
“Clearly, for the second leg we need Rüdiger and Alaba, I think they will be back for the second leg. But the more of an emergency we face, the more sacrifice the players make. It happened last year and it happened this year. It was a bit surprising, I didn’t think that at this moment the team could have such a sacrifice.”
Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah
The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has criticised the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) committee, describing it as a disorganized entity without any constitutional mandate to investigate corruption cases or recover state assets.
Speaking in an interview on UTV on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, he questioned the legal basis on which the committee is operating.
“I had the opportunity to read about ORAL, and I think it has been a confused committee since day one. They don’t have any constitutional basis whatsoever to deal with corruption cases. On what basis are they recovering state assets?”, he remarked.
On Monday, February 10, 2025, ORAL submitted its report to President John Dramani Mahama containing 2,417 complaints of suspected corruption cases.
The committee was established on December 18, 2024, as part of the government’s efforts to recover looted state assets and promote transparency in governance.
JKB/KA
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February 14 has been named National Chocolate Day
Nana Agyemang Ansong, the Sales and Marketing Manager for the Cocoa Processing Company of Ghana, producers of the Golden Tree brand, has urged Ghanaians, especially the youth, to make Ghana’s National Chocolate Day celebration viral.
Nana Ansong said just like most Ghanaian youths used their social media statuses to promote hashtags and happenings around the world, they should consider promoting Ghana’s Chocolate Day initiative, which was aimed at promoting the consumption of chocolate and other cocoa products.
He said promoting and lifting the status of the celebration on social media would help people all over the world to hear about it and plan towards joining Ghana annually to celebrate, making it possible for the country to become the “Chocolate Hub of Africa” to boost the country’s economy.
Nana Ansong said achieving this aim would help create more jobs for the youth, as cocoa had the potential of employing more than half of Ghanaians in its value chain.
“Cocoa can employ more than half of Ghanaians along its value chain, from farming, harvesting, fermentation, warehousing, shipment, sales, and producing cocoa-based products among others,” he said.
He eulogised Tetteh Quarshie for bringing cocoa to Ghana, noting that his singular act had changed the whole fortune of the country, stating that even though Ghana was now the number two cocoa-producing country in the world, the country had the potential to recapture the first position.
Nana Ansong further said that over the years the contribution of scientists and farmers had greatly impacted the cocoa industry, putting Ghana on the global market, and said the late Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, who initiated the National Chocolate Day in 2005 when he was the Minister of Tourism, also deserved to be celebrated for his contribution.
The initiative brought Ghana another enterprise, as many people developed the habit of consuming cocoa products and chocolates through the National Chocolate Day celebration over the past two decades.
The National Chocolate Day is celebrated in Ghana on February 14 annually to coincide with the Valentine’s Day celebration, to increase the local consumption of cocoa products, especially chocolates, while shifting the focus of the youth from immoral activities on the day to celebrating Ghana’s cocoa.
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Kenyan troops are part of the regional forces deployed to DR Congo to fight the M23 rebels
The Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have attacked Congolese government forces in the South Kivu province, breaking a two-day lull in fighting.
Heavy shelling began on Tuesday morning, three days after a summit of East and Southern African leaders called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
The rebels have seized vast swathes of land in the eastern DR Congo, including the major city of Goma.
They are now pushing towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu – another key city in the region.
Around 2,900 people have been killed since early January as a result of the hostilities, the latest UN figures suggest.
Approximately 700,000 others are estimated to have been forced from their homes and thousands more injured.
Tuesday’s fighting erupted near Ihusi, a locality around 70km (43 miles) from Bukavu and 40km from South Kivu’s airport, security sources told news agency AFP.
A spokesperson for the Congo River Alliance (known by its French acronym AFC), an alliance of rebel groups including the M23, suggested its fighters could take their battle to Bukavu.
Lawrence Kanyuka responded to the arrests by the Congolese authorities of 84 army personnel for crimes such as killing civilians near Bukavu, saying: “If these crimes persist, we will take full responsibility to eradicate the threat at its source and protect our people”.
Meanwhile, reports say that hundreds and thousands of refugees, who have fled the ongoing fighting, were being forced to return home by the M23.
The M23 has denied this allegation, but French broadcaster RFI reported that several large camps for displaced people have been dismantled and their inhabitants made to trek back to their villages in conflict zones.
Ocha, the UN’s humanitarian agency, said the M23 had given displaced people in Goma 72 hours to return home.
Mr Kanyuka said such reports were “propaganda” and that displaced people were returning voluntarily. The M23 “does not compel anyone to return without firm security guarantees”, he said.
The M23, which is made up of ethnic Tutsis, say they are fighting for minority rights, while DR Congo’s government says the rebels are seeking control of the eastern region’s vast mineral wealth.
DR Congo and the UN accused Rwanda’s Tutsi-dominated government of backing the M23 – an allegation that Kigali has persistently denied.
But recently, the official response has shifted, with government spokespeople stating that fighting near its border is a security threat.
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President John Dramani Mahama has instructed the Minister of Finance Ato Forson to take steps to bridge the funding gap arising upon the suspension of USAID.
A press release signed by the President’s spokesperson, Felix Kwaye Ofosu, stated that the President expressed concern over the funding gap, which is estimated to be $156 million.
A $72.8 million shortfall which will affect critical interventions such as malaria prevention, maternal and child health, family planning, reproductive health, nutrition, and the fight against HIV/AIDS, under which the availability of Antiretroviral drugs, testing, and prevention programmes are of particular concern to President Mahama.
According to the release, the directive highlights the urgent need for financial measures to address the funding gap and prevent these critical health initiatives from being affected.
By Vera Owusu Sarpong
Businessman Alhaji Seidu Agongo has maintained that he should not have been held accountable by the state for his procurement of fertilizers for the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
Speaking on Face to Face on Channel One TV with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Seidu Agongo defended his actions, stating that he had met all legal requirements in the procurement process.
He also welcomed the Attorney-General’s decision to withdraw the case, describing it as the right course of action.
“The feeling is good and I have always known that it would be good. I was happy but I was waiting for that day. I knew very well that whatever I did under the law was right. A product that they requested, which I supplied, which has been used, I don’t see why I should be held accountable for something that has been used already.”
Alhaji Agongo asserted that the thought of serving a jail term never crossed his mind.
“Personally, I’m somebody with very good intuition, instincts and everything, and I have never thought of it. I sometimes tell myself that if I go to jail, it means that something greater will come my way.
“It has never occurred to me that one day I will go to jail, no. I’m a businessman, I go to COCOBOD, and they awarded me a contract, which I supplied. I didn’t just take the money and not supply, I supplied.”
On January 28, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, formally withdrew all charges against Dr. Stephen Opuni, former CEO of COCOBOD, and Seidu Agongo.
State Attorney Enam Loh Mensah informed the court that the Attorney-General had instructed the withdrawal of all charges, leading to the filing of a formal notice.
Dr. Opuni and Seidu Agongo had faced 27 charges, including defrauding by false pretenses, willfully causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, and corruption by a public officer.
The trial, which began in 2018, centered on allegations of procuring substandard fertilizers for COCOBOD, allegedly resulting in financial losses to the state.
Health Minister summoned to Parliament over Cholera, CSM outbreak
…..
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Businessman Alhaji Seidu Agongo has opened up about the hardships he faced during President Akufo-Addo’s eight-year administration, particularly the financial difficulties that arose after the government froze his bank accounts.
“You wake up one day and they write to all the banks to close your accounts. The letter is there. Because I was being investigated. They had to put a lien on my account. The last time I even called them, Ecobank was last week to find out what happened to [my money]. I tried to find ways and means out.
“I had to find a way of getting similar accounts to the bankers so that money could be dropping. And I was still selling these very little things [fertilizers] they said it’s not good. The same farmers buy it a lot. It’s still in the market.
“Majority of my witnesses were farmers. They were even ready, willing to come and testify. I was still running my other businesses.”
Agongo recalled how the investigation led to a significant loss of business partnerships.
“I had other partners in China and other things, but they all stopped doing business with me. Everybody almost thought I had become a political risk business person. Politically exposed in the country. Because they were scared.”
He lamented the role of former Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Ernest Addison in the collapse of his business.
“Especially when this Dr Ernest Addison man [former Bank of Ghana Governor] came and said it was not fit and proper, it worsened my situation and collapsed my business.”
On January 28, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, formally withdrew all charges against Dr. Stephen Opuni, former CEO of COCOBOD, and Seidu Agongo.
State Attorney Enam Loh Mensah informed the court that the Attorney-General had instructed the withdrawal of all charges, leading to the filing of a formal notice.
Dr. Opuni and Seidu Agongo had faced 27 charges, including defrauding by false pretenses, willfully causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, and corruption by a public officer.
The trial, which began in 2018, focused on allegations of procuring substandard fertilizers for COCOBOD, purportedly causing financial losses to the state.
SSNIT shake-up: Osafo-Maafo’s son, three deputies sacked
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Citi News has gathered from reliable sources that Ing. Julius Kpekpena barring any last-minute changes will be appointed as the acting Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Ing. Kpekpena served as the Director of Engineering at ECG before transitioning to the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA).
If confirmed, he faces the significant challenge of revitalizing the company, which is grappling with operational difficulties and struggling to maintain a stable power supply amid ongoing privatization discussions.
Since September 26, 2024, David Asamoah has been serving as ECG’s Acting Managing Director following the resignation of Samuel Dubik Mahama.
Before assuming this role, Mr. Asamoah was the Deputy Managing Director in charge of Commercial Services at ECG.
COCOBOD fertilizer sale: I spent two nights in EOCO cells – Seidu Agongo
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Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the global availability of the new Galaxy S25 series. Together with One UI 7, Gemini is officially available at launch in 46 languages, making it easier than ever to perform seamless interactions across Samsung and Google apps.
“The Galaxy S25 series is a fundamental shift in how we interact with our phones,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are thrilled to see how our users will enjoy this true AI companion that offers seamless and intuitive solutions in their daily lives.”
On the Galaxy S25 series, AI agents with multimodal capabilities are integrated within the One UI 7 platform to perform complex tasks seamlessly across apps and enable natural user interactions through speech, text, videos, and images.
Now Brief provides tailored suggestions to guide through the day and Now Bar offers a new hub for ongoing activities. From enhanced productivity with Writing Assist to limitless creativity unleashed by Drawing Assist, the expanded capabilities of Galaxy AI continue to empower users in every aspect of their daily lives.
Interactions with the Galaxy S25 series are also more intuitive. With just a single command, Gemini can effortlessly find a user’s favourite sports team’s schedule and add it to Samsung Calendar. Additionally, Google’s enhanced Circle to Search now gives users more helpful information with AI Overviews and one-tap actions.
The Galaxy S25 series further refines and enhances the core capabilities that define the Galaxy experience. Powering the Galaxy S25 series globally, the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy fuels on-device processing for more responsive AI experiences.
With unique customisations for Galaxy, including ProScaler and Samsung’s mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe), the Galaxy S25 series boasts enhanced AI image processing and display power efficiency. The newly introduced 50MP ultrawide camera sensor for the Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers epic shots from every range in exceptional clarity, while professional grade controls like Virtual Aperture and Samsung Log turn any photo or video into the ultimate visual experience.
The Galaxy S25 series is the industry’s first smartphone lineup to support Content Credentials, based on the open technical standard from the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA). Samsung has also joined the C2PA as a member, alongside industry leaders including Adobe, Microsoft, OpenAI, Google, Publicis Groupe, and more, all collaborating to establish Content Credentials as the universal standard for digital content provenance. In line with its commitment to responsible mobile AI innovation, Samsung adopted this standard to enhance transparency for content created and edited with generative AI.
Starting February 10, the Galaxy S25 series will be available in Ghana in all authorised stores nationwide. Galaxy S25 Ultra is available in Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Black, Titanium Whitesilver and Titanium Gray. Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ come in Navy, Silver Shadow, Icyblue and Mint.
All Galaxy S25 devices will come with six months of Gemini Advanced and 2TB of cloud storage at no extra cost. Gemini Advanced comes with Samsung’s most capable AI models and priority access to the newest features like Gems, custom AI experts for any topic, and Deep Research, which acts as a personal AI research assistant.
