Ankara style is a powerful and colorful fashion phenomenon rooted in African culture, celebrated globally for its bold patterns, vibrant colors, and versatile designs. Originating from West Africa, Ankara fabric—also known as African wax print—has become a symbol of identity, pride, and creativity for many Africans and those inspired by African aesthetics worldwide.
The fabric itself is distinctive, made from 100% cotton with wax-resist dyeing techniques that produce bright, intricate patterns. Its designs often feature motifs inspired by nature, folklore, and traditional symbols, each telling a unique story or representing specific cultural values. What started as imported Indonesian batik prints, adapted by Dutch manufacturers and embraced by West Africans, has evolved into a distinctly African fabric, deeply embedded in contemporary fashion and culture.
Ankara style transcends simple clothing; it embodies a lifestyle and a cultural expression. Designers use Ankara fabric to create everything from casual wear to haute couture, including dresses, skirts, blazers, head wraps, and accessories. Its versatility means it can be styled for various occasions—whether formal events, weddings, or everyday wear—offering endless creativity to those who wear it.
In recent years, Ankara fashion has gained international recognition, appearing on runways from Lagos to Paris and New York. African designers are innovating by combining traditional Ankara prints with modern cuts and tailoring techniques, appealing to both local and global markets. This fusion honors cultural heritage while pushing fashion boundaries.
Ankara style also fosters a sense of community and connection. Wearing Ankara can be a celebration of African roots, a nod to one’s heritage, or an expression of solidarity and pride. It encourages people to embrace their cultural stories and share them with the world.
In conclusion, Ankara style is more than just fabric; it is a vibrant cultural statement that champions African artistry, history, and modern creativity. Its bold patterns and rich colors continue to inspire designers and fashion lovers worldwide, making Ankara a timeless and dynamic symbol of African identity.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr. Ken Ashigbey, is calling on the Attorney General to revisit the case involving the assault of Citi FM journalist Akwasi Agyei Annim by illegal miners at a galamsey site in the Wassa Amenfi West District of the Western Region.
Dr. Ashigbey wants the docket recalled for further investigation, particularly into the nature of the charges brought against the accused.
Speaking on the sidelines of a seminar on mining laws and mine security—organised by the Chamber of Mines for judges and police investigators—Dr. Ashigbey questioned why the accused persons were charged only with assault, rather than under the more stringent provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, Act 703, and its amendment, Act 995.
“My mind goes back to the issues of the attack on the Citi FM journalist in this particular region and the way that case was handled. How is it that you get a journalist who is assaulted in covering an illegal mining activity and then all you just get is that the accused person who fortunately is arrested is only charged with assault and then you have a paltry fine that is given to this person and this person walks away when we have the issues of the person sinning against the Minerals and Minning Act and the penalties are very clear,” he stated.
Dr. Ashigbey called on both the Attorney General and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to intervene and ensure that the case is reopened.
“It is important that in this particular case, the Attorney General goes and looks into this case again and sees what charges were brought against this particular person,” he added.
Blue Water Guards destroy 8 Changfan, confiscate pumps near Ankobra River
Ghana international Mohammed Kudus has completed his big-money move to English Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur.
The forward joins from West Ham United in a deal worth £55 million spread over three years.
Tottenham Hotspur announced the signing of the highly-rated attacker on Thursday evening after Kudus passed a mandatory medical examination conducted earlier in the day.
“We are delighted to announce the signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United, subject to work permit,” an official club statement from Tottenham said.
The club continued, “The Ghana international has agreed a long-term contract and will wear the number 20 shirt.”
Mohammed Kudus, 24, was born in Nima in Accra, Ghana, where he spent his early years locally with Strong Tower FC before joining the Right to Dream Academy in 2012.
From the renowned academy, Kudus moved to Danish club FC Nordsjælland, where he made a name for himself before switching to Dutch giants Ajax.
He signed for West Ham United in 2023 and starred with electrifying performances in his debut season.
He has now signed for Tottenham Hotspur with a lot of expectations and will hope to take his game to the next level at the new club.
Accra, July 10, GNA – Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to cultural preservation during the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee currently underway in Paris.
The ten-day meeting, which began on 7 July and ends on 17 July 2025, highlights Ghana’s growing leadership in heritage protection and cultural policymaking across Africa and internationally.
In her address, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, outlined Ghana’s collaboration with global heritage bodies and emphasised efforts to safeguard national heritage assets.
She commended UNESCO and its partner agencies for their continued support in protecting Ghana’s World Heritage Sites, notably the historic forts and castles.
The Minister acknowledged a recent monitoring mission to those sites and pledged the government’s commitment to implementing previous recommendations.
“We are committed to ensuring that the forts and castles and world heritage properties are properly conserved and protected,” she said.
She reiterated Ghana’s support for integrating tangible and intangible heritage and welcomed alignment with international frameworks.
“We are currently implementing the 2030 indicators for culture as part of our national development framework,” she added.
Madam Gomashie also highlighted the Black Star Experience; a cultural initiative aimed at positioning Ghana as a leader in Africa’s creative industries.
She praised developments under the Strategy for World Heritage in Africa, particularly efforts to promote a holistic conservation approach through Output 4 of the capacity-building programme.
The Minister referenced Ghana’s participation in the Second Naples Conference on Cultural Heritage, positioning it as a key precursor to MONDIACULT 2025.
“We are especially looking forward to MONDIACULT 2025, which we believe will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the global cultural agenda,” she said.
The Minister later endorsed Kenya’s amendment to the ongoing draft decision, affirming the Africa Group’s united stance on heritage policy.
The sod cutting ceremony being performed for the start of the project
A 2.1 kilometer deplorable road at New Atuabo in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region is currently being constructed.
The road project starts from Budo City junction at New Atuabo to Bogoso junction.
The project is being constructed by Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, and it is expected to be completed within two years.
At a brief sod cutting ceremony for the commencement of the project, Executive Secretary of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, Abdel Razak Yakubu, said the project will cost GH¢11.6 million.
He said one of the pillars of Gold Fields Ghana Foundation is infrastructure development.
He explained that New Atuabo is a resettled community.
“The community leaders approached the Foundation to put in some money to be able to construct the road that links their community to Bogoso Junction,” he added.
He said because Gold Fields is committed to improving infrastructure in its operational areas, the company agreed to construct the road.
“After completion, the new the road will ease congestion on the main Tarkwa to Bogoso Junction road,” he disclosed.
He assured the people that funds have been secured for the project, and the contractor has been fully resourced to complete the road within two years.
He, however, called on the local contractor for the project, Woodbine Construction, to employ some of the youth in the community with the requisite skills for the project.
The Member of Parliament for Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Issah Salifu Taylor, described the project as long awaited one which will ensure economic development in the area.
He pledged to also work with stakeholders to tackle other poor roads across the municipality.
He mentioned some of the deplorable roads as the Animen’s Gas road, Benso, Cyanide and Esuoso roads.
He commended Gold Fields for supporting the government’s infrastructure efforts.
General Manager of Woodbine Construction, William Amponsah, urged the residents to cooperate with the construction workers to ensure smooth execution of the project.
He assured the residents of timely completion of the road project.
The Greater Accra Regional Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joshua Alabi, has assured the public that there will be no intimidation or interference during the parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North Constituency.
His comments come in response to allegations that the Electoral Commission (EC) is acting in favour of the NDC in the rerun, scheduled for Friday, July 11, across 19 polling stations.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described the EC’s decision as “unjust” and officially announced its withdrawal from the election.
Despite the party’s boycott, the NPP’s parliamentary candidate, Nana Akua Afriyie, has confirmed her participation, going against the party’s directive. The NPP’s attempts to stop the election through legal and administrative means have so far been unsuccessful.
Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Thursday, July 10, Joshua Alabi dismissed suggestions that the state would use its power to intimidate opponents or influence the outcome of the election.
“In the past, where state institutions were corrupt to do what they were not supposed to do, their powers were taken away from them. Those things are things of the past.”
He further stated that the NDC would not adopt the tactics they believe led to the NPP’s current troubles.
“It’s part of the reasons the NPP finds themselves where they are. We will not repeat their mistakes. We met with the National Security task force today [July 10], and they gave us firm assurance that everything will run smoothly. We as a party are not doing any underhanded dealings to create problems for anybody.”
The parliamentary rerun was triggered by disputes over results in selected polling stations during the December 2024 general election. The EC decided to conduct fresh voting in the affected areas to uphold the integrity of the process.
The workplace of today looks nothing like it did five years ago. Agile work models are no longer a buzzword; they are a necessity, especially in a fast-evolving economy like Ghana’s. As remote work, flexible schedules, and tech-enabled collaboration become the norm, the question is no longer if businesses should adapt, but how quickly they can.
To deliver on the promise of agility, Ghanaian businesses must go beyond policy. They need to embrace the right technologies that power collaboration, automation, and innovation. Here are five key technology trends reshaping the agile work landscape in Ghana and how local businesses can take full advantage.
Collaboration technology – Driving connection across regions
Collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Slack have become the digital meeting rooms of today. With Ghana’s increasing remote and hybrid work culture, these tools are more vital than ever.
Microsoft Teams, for example, is continuously upgrading its features. In 2025, new updates include real-time captioning, multi-language support, and AI-driven noise suppression – all designed to make virtual meetings feel just as natural as face-to-face ones. Whether your team is spread across Accra, Tamale, or even working from home in Cape Coast, these tools allow seamless interaction, document sharing, and productivity tracking. For Ghanaian firms with regional staff or diaspora consultants, it’s a game changer.
Workflow automation – Streamlining efficiency for growth
Agile working is about speed and precision. Workflow automation allows businesses to preempt delays, reduce human error, and optimise time.
Picture this: customer service queries are automatically triaged and routed to the right agent; invoices are processed without human intervention; reminders are scheduled and sent without anyone lifting a finger. This is already happening in Ghana’s banking, telecom, and e-commerce sectors. Although the initial investment in automation may seem steep, it saves money long-term by reducing the need for extra staff and enabling your team to focus on strategic work that adds real value. More Ghanaian SMEs are exploring automation tools to handle inventory, CRM, payroll, and logistics.
AI isn’t about robots taking over. In the Ghanaian workplace, it’s more about making employees more effective and freeing them from repetitive tasks.
Take Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVAs), which can handle basic enquiries such as “What are your working hours?” or “How can I reset my password?” These bots never get tired, never forget a script, and offer round-the-clock support. That frees up your human staff to focus on complex customer interactions or business growth initiatives. From fintech to online learning platforms in Ghana, AI is helping create more responsive, scalable customer service experiences.
Ghanaian professionals, especially younger talent, are demanding flexibility. Agile work is about trusting your team to deliver results, not clock hours. Workforce optimisation tools help managers measure productivity, allocate resources efficiently, and spot performance gaps – all without micromanaging. With real-time dashboards, timesheet automation, and performance tracking, these platforms are helping businesses operate smarter. More importantly, they help reduce burnout, boost employee engagement, and improve retention – critical in Ghana’s competitive labour market.
Ditching legacy tech – It’s time to let go
Holding on to outdated systems is one of the biggest roadblocks to agility. Yet, many organisations in Ghana still rely on legacy tech – whether it’s paper records, old software, or obsolete hardware.
The cost? Increased security risks, reduced speed, and an inability to integrate with modern platforms. In fact, clinging to legacy tech makes it harder to attract younger employees, who expect digital-first environments. Now is the time to upgrade your infrastructure, migrate to cloud services, and equip your team with tools that support modern workflows. The global phase-out of legacy systems is accelerating, and Ghanaian businesses must not be left behind.
Conclusion – The future of work is agile – and powered by tech
For Ghanaian businesses, agility is not just about flexibility – it’s about resilience, responsiveness, and relevance. Whether you’re a startup in Osu or a mid-sized company in Kumasi, adopting the right technologies ensures you stay competitive in a digital-first economy. By investing in collaboration tools, embracing automation and AI, optimising workflows, and letting go of legacy systems, businesses in Ghana can create environments where talent thrives and customers stay loyal.
Work smart. Work agile. Work with the future in mind.
the writer is a seasoned cloud architect and systems administrator with expertise in leading technical teams to create innovative platforms.
The deceased immigration officer, Steffen King Amoah
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested one suspect in connection with the gruesome murder of Steffen King Amoah, an immigration officer who was reported missing earlier this month and later found dead under tragic circumstances.
According to a statement released by the Regional Public Affairs Unit of the Ghana Police Service on July 10, 2025, the charred remains of Amoah were discovered on July 9, 2025.
“The Accra Regional Police Command is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Stephen King Amoah, an Immigration Officer who was reported missing on 4th July 2025, and whose burnt body was discovered yesterday, July 9, 2025, in a gutter near GBC Satellite, opposite Comet Estate, Accra”, it noted.
According to the police, investigations indicated that the deceased left his residence at Ashongman Estate after receiving WhatsApp images of cash bundles from a person named Bright Aweh who had allegedly requested a meeting to settle an outstanding debt at a designated location within the same estate, however Amoah reportedly never returned home, and his phone was switched off thereafter.
“Subsequent Police operations led to the arrest of suspect Bright Aweh, who admitted during interrogation to having given the deceased GH¢500,000.00 in cash. He claimed to have directed the deceased to use part of the money to pay off some debts and hold the remaining amount for later collection. However, the suspect could not clearly explain the source of the funds and gave conflicting statements”, it added.
The Ghana Police Service strongly condemned the act, describing it as both violent and criminal, and reaffirmed its commitment to bringing all responsible individuals to justice.
Read the full statement below:
JKB/MA
Cheque Fraud EXPOSED: How it works and how to stay safe
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
The Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) has posted its most impressive financial performance since its establishment, recording a historic profit of GH¢1.9 billion for the year ended 31 December 2024 and free cash in excess of GH¢5.6 billion.
This milestone has more than doubled the Fund’s equity base and underscored its growing role as a strategic anchor in Ghana’s minerals sector.
According to the Fund’s Statement of Changes in Equity, MIIF began 2024 with an opening balance of GH¢1,492,661,300.82. After realizing GH¢1,904,690,231.92 in net profit, the Fund closed the year with a total equity of GH¢3,397,351,532.74 — representing a 128% increase in equity within just one fiscal year.
This strong performance builds significantly on the previous year, when MIIF reported a profit of GH¢408,796,219.16 and closed 2023 with total equity of GH¢1,492,661,300.82.
The 2024 profit alone exceeds the combined profits of all preceding years since MIIF was operationalized, marking a turning point in the Fund’s evolution from a nascent sovereign wealth entity to a mature, results-oriented investment institution.
The performance is attributed to a combination of enhanced portfolio diversification, increased returns from strategic investments in gold royalties, equity interests in mining companies, and improved fund management practices. It also reflects MIIF’s deliberate efforts to deepen value retention from Ghana’s mineral resources.
The GH¢1.9 billion profit should boost investor and stakeholder confidence but also provide the Fund with greater financial headroom to pursue larger stakes in strategic minerals like graphite, lithium, bauxite, industrial salt, and industrial metals — all critical to Ghana’s industrialisation and energy transition.
Analysts say the GH¢3.39 billion equity position gives MIIF a stronger platform to scale up its presence across upstream, midstream, and downstream segments of the minerals value chain.
It also places the Fund in a better position to support indigenous Ghanaian businesses seeking equity partnerships or capital for mining and value-addition ventures.
This financial momentum comes at a time when Ghana is actively working to increase local participation in the mining sector, reduce capital flight, and align mineral resource development with national development goals.
As MIIF’s equity base expands, there is growing expectation that the Fund will channel more capital into critical projects such as lithium processing plants, refinery infrastructure, mineral-based industrial zones, and equity support for state-backed mining vehicles.
In its strategic outlook, MIIF has signaled its intention to become a global reference point for sovereign mineral wealth management, while continuing to deliver long-term value for the people of Ghana.
The Fund’s 2024 financial performance reaffirms its relevance in Ghana’s economic transformation agenda and its ability to act as a fiscal buffer, capital mobilizer, and partner for inclusive growth.
With its capital base now exceeding GH¢3.39 billion, MIIF is well-positioned to shape the future of Ghana’s mineral economy — not just as a fund manager, but as a nation-building institution.
Kudus has signed for Tottenham Hot spur and will wear the No. 20 shirt
Tottenham Hotspur have signed Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United, their fifth acquisition of the summer transfer window.
The 24-year-old Ghana international will wear the No 20 shirt with Spurs as he becomes the first player to join the club from West Ham since Scott Parker in 2011.
The talented footballer contributed 22 goal involvements (13 goals, nine assists) in 65 Premier League appearances for the Hammers after joining from Ajax in August 2023.
Born in Nima, Ghana, Kudus played for the Right to Dream Academy before signing for Danish club Nordsjaelland in January 2018.
He made his debut three days after his 18th birthday. Kudus went on to make 51 senior appearances, scoring 14 goals for Nordsjaelland, before signing a five-year contract with Eredivisie side Ajax in July 2020.
Kudus continued his progress under the guidance of Erik ten Hag, winning the KNVB Cup in 2020/21, the first trophy of his career.
His exciting displays as an attacking midfielder and right-winger drew the attention of West Ham, and after 65 appearances in which he netted 17 times, he signed for the Hammers in August 2023.
A video of music star Davido tactfully avoiding an overly flirty female fan is currently making the rounds online.
In the now-viral clip, Davido can be seen stepping out of a venue surrounded by security and crew when a woman — clearly excited to see him — kept trying to get physical. She repeatedly reached out to touch him, placing her hands around him multiple times in a playful but pushy manner.
Davido repeatedly avoided contact with displeasure clearly written all over his face
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Blue Army have stormed Ablekuma North with a large parade of motorbikes as part of the party’s campaign efforts ahead of the rerun of parliamentary elections in 19 polling stations tomorrow.
Despite the party’s initial decision not to contest, its parliamentary aspirant, Nana Akua Afriyie, confirmed this morning that she will be contesting in tomorrow’s election.
Tottenham have completed the signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for £55m, subject to work permit.
The Ghana midfielder, who had an £85m release clause, has joined Spurs on a six-year contract until 2031.
West Ham rejected an initial £50m from Tottenham last week.
Kudus, 24, made 65 Premier League appearances for the Hammers, scoring 13 goals and providing nine assists.
He could be joined by Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, who is set to have a medical at Spurs on Friday before completing a £60m move.
Kudus has been a key member of West Ham’s squad since he signed for the club in a £38m deal from Ajax in 2023.
Sources told BBC Sport that Kudus had prioritised a move to north London despite at least six top clubs enquiring about him.
…..
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spam, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital
Accra, July 10, GNA – The Electoral Commission (EC) Thursday said it is ready to conduct a rerun of the Ablekuma North Parliamentary election in 19 polling stations on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Polls will open at 0700 hours and close at 1700 hours, with a total of 6,839 voters expected to cast their ballot.
The results from the 19 polling stations will complete the 281 polling station results required to determine the winner of the Ablekuma North parliamentary election initially held on December 7, 2024.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Thursday, Dr Bossman Asare, Deputy EC Chair in Charge of Corporate Services, said the Commission was interested in bringing finality to the Ablekuma North impasse, hence the rerun.
While rejecting allegations that the Commission was influenced by external forces to conduct the rerun, he assured that the elections would be transparent, free and fair.
“We state categorically that Ghana’s electoral management body is an independent body and will not be dictated to by any person or institution,” Dr Asare said.
The EC expressed concern over the fear created in its staff in the aftermath of the Ablekuma North elections and appealed to the Election Security Taskforce to provide adequate security to guarantee their safety.
“We trust that the police and the National Election Security Task Force will provide a detailed security before, during and after the process so we can vote and work in peace,” Dr Asare added.
Following a meeting with the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress on Tuesday, July 1, the EC announced that it had taken a decision to rerun the elections in 19 polling stations to resolve the impasse in the Ablekuma North Constituency.
The Commission explained that the selection of the 19 polling stations was because the scanned results used for the collation were not verified by the Presiding Officers responsible for those Polling Stations.
The EC had initially collated the results for all but three of the polling stations.
However, the process was flagged by the NDC, who took issue with the Commission’s decision to use scanned results sheets provided by the NPP following the destruction of the EC’s results sheets on the day of collation.
The NDC had called for a rerun of the election in 37 polling stations whereas the NPP maintained that the results from three outstanding polling stations should be collated to declare the winner.
An application filed by the NPP, seeking to temporarily prevent the EC from re-running the elections at 19 out of 281 polling stations was dismissed by the High Court in Accra on July 9, 2025.
Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, the NPP parliamentary candidate for the Ablekuma North Constituency, who filed the application, has confirmed that she would participate in the elections in spite of her party initially announcing a boycott.
The 19 outstanding polling stations for the rerun are God First International School (Darkuman 1); Pentecost Church Mount Zion Assembly (Kwashieman); DVLA Office- Awoshie Adamami 2, and Living Spring Day Nursery, Kwashie Bu 1.
The others are: The Lord’s Pentecostal Church Kwashie Bu; Presby Church Odorkor 4; Church of Pentecost North Odorkor 4, Methodist Church Odorkor 1, St. John Baptist Church Odorkor 1; Radiantway Preparatory School, and Ateco School Complex, Odorkor.
The rest are: South Odorkor 4 and 5 School, Odorkor 3; Pentecost Church, Tweneboa 2; Light of Gospel Miracle Chapel, Tweneboa 2; MTTD Odorkor Divisional Station, Odorkor 1; Roman Catholic Church, Busia Junction, Odorkor 1, and Bethel Baptist Church Sakaman 1.
Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu has highlighted the significant strides and successes of Ghana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) transformation at the 2025 TVET Pitso forum in Gabrone, Botswana.
The event, co-hosted by Botswana’s Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) at Ba Isago University, was officially opened by the President of the Republic of Botswana, Duma Gideon Boko.
The minister addressed the forum on Thursday, July 10, on the critical role of human capital development in meeting the evolving demands of the modern world of work.
He acknowledged the shared historical challenges many African nations face in TVET, including public perception, limited investment, and difficulties aligning training with industry needs.
“TVET is no longer a path reserved for the less academically inclined or a punishment for non-conformist youth. Today, TVET is the backbone of national development. It is our government’s top priority for industrialisation and job creation.”
The Minister detailed Ghana’s robust investment and strategic initiatives aimed at combating youth unemployment and underemployment. Key reforms include the establishment of three new Technical Universities specialising in Digital Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, and Applied Healthcare Sciences, offering diverse programs from short courses to Bachelor of Technology degrees. Ghana has also undertaken significant reforms to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and combat negative stereotypes associated with TVET.
These efforts led to the enactment of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020, establishing the Commission for TVET (CTVET) to regulate, promote, and formulate national policies for skills development. Additionally, Sector Skills Bodies (SSBs) were created to ensure industry-led curriculum development, directly addressing labor market demands.
Further strengthening the sector, the Pre-Tertiary Education Act 2020 established the Ghana TVET Service, overseeing public pre-tertiary TVET institutions with a focus on industry-led, demand-driven, competency-based training. As a direct result of these deliberate policies, Ghana has seen a remarkable increase in TVET enrolment, from approximately 42,000 students in 2018 to over 235,000 in the 2024 academic year.
Haruna Iddrisu urged all stakeholders to support Botswana’s HRDC initiative through funding, technical support, and collaborations, emphasising the importance of promoting gender inclusivity in TVET career choices.
Nigerian singer, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has explained the motive for his rebranding in the build up to the release of his sophomore album, ‘HEIS,’ last year.
The singer rebranded by ditching his signature mask, Teddy bear, and embracing tattoos, smoking, and darker colours.
The leader and founder of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has quizzed the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, why he is spreading lies against him.
Duncan-Williams emphasised that Abronye dared to lie and say that he gathered 25 bishops, gave them $10,000 each to pray for President Mahama to go for another term.
The Berekum Market erupted into joy as Lot Donkor, a steel bender from Sunyani, stepped forward with his parents to receive the first GH₵20,000 cash prize in Telecel Ghana’s 2Moorch Money Promo.
Surrounded by excited traders and teary-eyed onlookers, Lot received the giant cheque and Telecel Cash notification of the GH₵20,000 prize deposit in his wallet, amid disbelief and joy.
“Telecel has changed my life with this money. I have been loyal to the network since the days of OneTouch till now. Even when I returned from Libya after several years, I reconnected to the service. I believe this is a reward for my loyalty and I will advise everyone to join the promo as they could win too,” said the 42-year-old father of four.
Lot’s win in Berekum marked the beginning of the rewards streak for weekly winners in the nationwide campaign designed to reward loyal Telecel users with GH₵100 daily, GH₵20,000 weekly, and the grand prize of GH₵1.2 million.
From the coasts of Takoradi to the streets of Ashaiman, the 2Moorch Money daily and weekly winners have emerged from every corner of the country over the last two weeks, including Koforidua, Yendi, Bolgatanga, Kumasi, Cape Coast and Ho, showing a remarkable spread and inclusivity in regional representation.
As of Sunday, 6th July, about 3,260 daily winners have already walked away with GH₵100 each, while 23 lucky weekly winners have each received GH₵20,000, delivered straight into their Telecel Cash wallets. Over 10,000 Telecel customers are set to receive the daily and weekly cash rewards before the grand prize announcement in September.
At the Ashaiman Market, jubilant traders paused business as Eugenia Punamane, a young Food Science and Technology student at Ho Technical University and resident of Burma Camp received her GH₵ 20,000 cash prize. Eugenia, who arrived with her sister to confirm the authenticity of the win, said she is still in shock over the cash reward and plans to invest it in her education and financial future.
“Last year, I won the GH₵100 daily cash prize in the More Money promo so when I received the SMS about this year’s promo, I quickly opted-in but didn’t believe I could win the 20K. I would ask everyone to join because it is real and free. Just opt in and buy data as you could be the next winner,” Eugenia added.
About 200 kilometres away at the Takoradi Market Circle, Maureen Bus-Moses, a national service person at Cocoa Marketing Company in the western port city, was beaming with smiles after receiving her GH₵ 20,000 cash prize.
“I followed my gut feeling and joined the promo after seeing the message and here I am after a week with GH₵ 20,000 in my wallet. I couldn’t believe it when I received the call but now, I can confirm that this promo is real, and I’m proof,” Maureen said after receiving the alert with an excited mother and elder sister at the presentation durbar.
The 2Moorch Money Promo is Telecel Ghana’s boldest customer reward initiative yet. Open to all active Telecel users including enterprise customers, they can opt in by simply dialing *500#, sending ‘WIN’ to 500 or activating it via the Telecel Play app. Subscribers can then increase their winning chances by purchasing airtime, bundles, or making transactions with their Telecel Cash accounts.
“We wanted to do more than say thank you to our loyal customers and to give back to them in a way that they can feel and benefit immediately. Everyone has a chance to win in the 2Moorch Money promo,” said Aneth Muga, Director of Consumer Business at Telecel Ghana.
With this emotional and widespread wave of winning across Ghana, the excitement is in the air as more Telecel customers opt into the 2Moorch promo to win GH₵100 daily, GH₵20,000 weekly, and the grand prize of GH₵1.2 million in September.
Maureen Bus-Moses (middle), a 2Moorch Money promo weekly prize winner, receives the cheque of GH₵20,000 with her mother and sister at the Takoradi Market Circle.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has intervened in the ongoing dispute between Engineers & Planners (E&P) and Azumah Resources Ghana Limited, issuing a one-week ultimatum for the parties to resolve their differences or face a state-imposed decision in the national interest.
This directive comes in the wake of a $100 million Acquisition Facility Agreement signed on July 7 between the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) and E&P.
The deal was hailed as a major milestone in establishing Ghana’s first large-scale, wholly indigenous gold mining operation through the acquisition of the Black Volta Gold Project.
However, the agreement came under scrutiny after Azumah Resources, the company associated with the Black Volta Mine, publicly denied any formal relationship with E&P. In a statement dated July 8, Azumah asserted that E&P “does not own any shares in Azumah” and “has not made any formal offer to invest in or fund” the company.
The company reaffirmed its full control over the project, stating that development would proceed in accordance with Ghanaian law.
In a letter dated Thursday, July 10, addressed to both parties, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Kofi-Amarh Buah said, “I refer to your earlier correspondence in respect of the above subject matter, as well as the various press releases and public statements that have since been issued concerning the dispute.
“In light of the circumstances, I have decided to grant the parties a final period of seven (7) days within which to resolve the matter amicably. Should this period elapse without a mutually agreed resolution, a decision shall be taken in the best interest of the country.”
The Minister has also directed the Minerals Commission to facilitate and support the resolution process to ensure the timely commencement of the Black Volta Gold Project.
He further urged both parties to refrain from addressing the issue through the media and instead focus on constructive dialogue and responsible engagement.
Foreign Affairs Ministry lied about UN LGBTQI vote – Minority
…..
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spam, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital
According to an official notice released by the OSP, Mensah, aged 42, is being sought for prosecution for his alleged involvement in aiding and abetting the improper use of public office for personal gain
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has declared Raphael Mensah, also known as Odoi, a wanted person in connection with an ongoing corruption-related investigation.
Accra, July 10, GNA – The Government has hinted of plans to ensure import duty exemptions for individuals and entities that import electric vehicles (E-Vs) into the country, as part of the roadmap towards the roll-out of the National Electronic Vehicle Policy framework.
Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, the Minister of Transport, announced this on the floor of Parliament in Accra on Wednesday when responding to urgent question posed by Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ofoase Ayirebi, about the roadmap towards the full implementation of the E-Vs policy in Ghana.
Mr Nikpe, also the MP for Saboba, stated that his Ministry would work collaboratively with the Ministry of Finance to undertake the necessary amendments to the Valued Added Tax (VAT) Act and other relevant legislations to ensure tax waivers on E-Vs importation.
The implementation of the policy would be done in phases, the Minister stated, noting that the first phase, beginning from 2024 to 2026 involves the rolling out of solar systems in public buildings and charging points for electronic vehicles.
The Minister observed that the use of E-Vs in Ghana would enhance her contribution towards global climate resilience and promote environmental sustainability.
Therefore, the Ministry had already begun a nationwide sensitisation and awareness creation to promote E-Vs utilisation.
Mr Nikpe said, so far, the Ministry had held sensitisation events in educational institutions across 13 regions and hoped to complete the sensitization campaign in the remaining three regions by the middle of 2026.
Richard Ahiagbah is the Director of Communications for the NPP
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has confirmed its participation in the parliamentary election rerun across 19 polling stations in the Ablekuma North constituency.
This announcement follows an earlier declaration by the party rejecting the Electoral Commission’s decision and stating that it would not take part in the rerun because the records of the election show that their candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, won.
In an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb on Thursday, July 10, 2025, the NPP’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, stated that Nana Akua Afriyie is actively canvassing for votes in the Ablekuma North constituency ahead of the parliamentary rerun scheduled for Friday, July 11, 2025.
“Yes, that’s the case that as we speak, the candidate is canvassing for votes,” he told GhanaWeb.
According to him, the party had initially taken a stance to boycott the election, however, he stressed the momentum of the campaign has compelled them to reconsider their earlier decision.
He equally expressed optimism and confidence in his party’s chances to emerge victorious at the close of polls.
“Where we are now as democrats, I believe initially the issuance of the boycotts had come from our general secretary but where we are now as political party, I think that the campaign has actually taken us in its stead and we are going along and campaigning,” he said.
He added, “I believe that all things being equal, the New Patriotic Party can win these 19 polling stations. But even if we don’t win it, at the end of the day, when the numbers are counted and we don’t win it, the record will reflect that the New Patriotic Party won that election and what would happen tomorrow is a deliberate ploy by the National Democratic Congress to subvert the will of the people.
“Any victory that will result for the National Democratic Congress from yet, tomorrow’s rerun, would mean that the NDC had manipulated the process just so that it would take the seat that had been duly won by the NPP and that’s where we are. I believe that the good forces of nature would abide with us and will ensure our victory tomorrow.”
MAG/MA
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
How social engineering hacks your mind and your bank account
The 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has supported the Ablekuma North parliamentary candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, with GH₵410,000 to cushion her in the rerun in 19 polling stations on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Nana Akua, despite the decision of the NPP to boycott the rerun, has decided to participate in the election to defend her victory.
Sources within the former Vice President’s office have confirmed that Dr. Bawumia deems it a responsibility to support the party’s activities in every form, including the current elections in Ablekuma North.
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has issued a directive mandating all Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) operating within the country to register with the central bank by August 15, 2025.
The move is part of efforts to bolster financial stability and develop a comprehensive regulatory framework for the growing digital asset ecosystem.
The mandatory registration applies to both local and foreign VASPs offering services to Ghanaian residents, whether through a physical presence or digital platforms.
In a statement issued on July 10, the Central Bank noted that affected services include virtual asset exchanges, digital wallets, custody and settlement services, and the issuance or sale of crypto assets such as stablecoins and initial coin offerings (ICOs).
“This exercise is aimed at ensuring that the forthcoming legal and regulatory frameworks for VASPs are informed by market developments and aligned with international best practices,” the central bank said.
The BoG clarified that registration does not amount to a licence to operate or imply legal recognition or approval. However, failure to comply may result in sanctions or disqualification from future licensing opportunities.
The central bank’s move comes amid increasing global efforts to bring virtual asset activities under regulatory oversight, particularly to prevent financial crimes, protect consumers, and ensure the integrity of financial markets.
Ghana, like many emerging economies, is experiencing rapid growth in digital financial services, including crypto-related activities. However, the absence of clear regulatory guidelines has left a vacuum that the BoG now aims to fill.
VASPs and other stakeholders in the digital finance space are encouraged to take immediate steps to comply. Technical assistance is available through the email address: [email protected].
Also, the registration process can be completed online via a dedicated portal at https://forms.office.com/r/XqthpEkhkQ.
This development is seen as a precursor to broader reforms in Ghana’s digital finance sector as the central bank seeks to strike a balance between innovation and regulation.
Singer, Michael Olayinka, popularly known as Ruger, has claimed that he was blacklisted by both fans and music industry practitioners after he left his former record label, Jonzing World, in a controversial manner.
He explained that some fans cancelled him and some of his colleagues distanced themselves from him during the period.
19 polling stations in Ablekuma North will tomorrow, July 11, 2025, go to the polls to elect a Member of Parliament.
The election is between Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie of the New Patriotic Party and Ewurabena Aubynn of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The constituency has not had a representative in Parliament after the December 7 election due to the failure of the Electoral Commission to collate the votes and declare a winner.
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Sam Nartey George, has expressed his disapproval of Ghana’s recent decision to abstain from a United Nations Human Rights Council vote on violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Ghana’s abstention from the vote on the renewal of the mandate for the Independent Expert on violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity has sparked criticism from the Minority in Parliament, who argue that the government’s action misrepresents the country’s cultural and moral values on the international stage.
Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs later clarified that the resolution was not about endorsing LGBTQ+ rights but focused on protecting individuals from violence and discrimination, concerns remain.
Reacting to the matter in a Facebook post on July 10, 2025, Sam George—an outspoken advocate for the passage of Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill—reaffirmed his unwavering stance on the issue.
“My position on the matter of LGBTQ+ remains steadfast. I have read the full statement Ghana made on the floor in relation to our position on draft resolution L.24. I align fully with the letter and spirit of the text,” he stated.
He, however, questioned the decision to abstain from the final vote, calling it inconsistent with Ghana’s publicly declared stance.
“I cannot, however, in good conscience, understand the decision to abstain in the subsequent vote. That vote is in conflict with Ghana’s espoused position and my conscience. We MUST at all times make our position clear and unambiguous,” the Ningo-Prampram MP wrote.
Sam George also revealed that the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, which Parliament passed last year but was not assented to by then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has been resubmitted.
“Like I indicated earlier, together with my Colleagues in Parliament, we have resubmitted the same Bill that was passed last year by Parliament, which Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo refused to sign. I urge Parliament to expedite the approval process so we can present the Bill to President John Dramani Mahama.”
He concluded by stressing the importance of upholding Ghanaian values.
“The innocence of Ghanaian children and the sanctity of our values cannot be traded for any considerations. Let truth and our conscience, and principles be our guiding light,” he added.
Ghana didn’t vote on LGBTQI rights — Foreign Affairs Ministry clarifies
Appiah-Kubi (second from right) in a group picture with some opinion leaders and cocoa farmers in his district during the tour
COCOA FARMERS in the Bosome Freho in the Ashanti Region have been sternly cautioned against the sale of government farm inputs, given to them freely to support their farming activities and boost their yield.
Sounding the strong warning, the District Chief Executive (DCE) in the area, Mr. Appiah-Kubi, stated emphatically that farm inputs that are freely supplied to farmers are meant to help improve cocoa production.
In this regard, he cautioned that any farmer in the Bosome Freho District, who would be found for illegally diverting the farm inputs for other purposes to financially enrich themselves would be severely dealt with by the law.
“I will call for the immediate arrest of anyone who sells farm inputs provided freely by the government to cocoa farmers in this district”, the Bosome Freho DCE fumed, and urged the beneficiary farmers to live upright lifestyles.
In compliance with Section 40 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), Mr. Appiah-Kubi was speaking when he toured some farming communities in the Bosome Freho District where he interacted freely with cocoa farmers.
The communities that the DCE, who is widely seen as a development-oriented leader by his people visited, included Besease, Sumdadieso, Freboye, and Anyaso.
Continuing, the DCE assured the cocoa farmers that, “I want to ensure free and fair distribution of farm inputs to farmers in my area”, stressing that the government is determined to improve cocoa production in the country.
The government, according to him, would soon provide resources to help boost agribusiness and improve farmer livelihoods, creating one-stop hubs for farmers to access essential services and support.
Mr. Appiah-Kubi also emphasized the government’s commitment to community development and inclusive governance to alleviate poverty in local communities, urging the people to actively support the activities of the assembly.
Dr. Bossman Asare, the Electoral Commission’s Deputy Chair in charge of Corporate Services, has strongly defended the Commission’s neutrality, following intense criticism surrounding the decision to rerun parliamentary elections in 19 polling stations within the Ablekuma North Constituency.
“We state categorically that Ghana’s electoral management body is an independent body and will not be dictated to by any institution or any person.
President John Mahama unveiled what he calls the Operation-Recover-All-Loot (ORAL), a bold and ambitious anti-corruption campaign aimed at retrieving billions of dollars lost to graft and financial recklessness under the outgoing administration.
At the heart of this initiative is a promise to “make corruption costly” by prosecuting offenders, banning political appointees from acquiring state assets, and recovering looted wealth for national development.
This comes on the back of Ghana’s deteriorating corruption outlook. From a peak Corruption Perception Index (CPI) score of 48 in 2014, the nation’s score dropped to 40 during the Akufo-Addo era. The 2023 Auditor-General’s report further reveals GH₵8.8 billion in financial irregularities, a chunk of which is recoverable. But the rot is deeper and more expensive than numbers suggest.
The ORAL document outlines a shocking US$18.4 billion in estimated financial scandals, including:
US$25 billion spent on a banking sector clean-up,
US$108 million ambulance scandal,
US$130 million from overpriced COVID testing contracts,
US$48 million in unauthorized African Games expenses,
US$11.9 million for a non-existent Pwalugu Dam,
And US$2.8 million blown on undelivered Sputnik V vaccines.
Other eye-watering revelations include the cathedral salary scandal, luxury private jet usage costing up to GHS 4 million per trip, and over US$3 billion tied to the SML scandal. In nearly all cases, there was no value for money, no transparency, and zero consequences, until now, or so ORAL promises. Yet, the success of ORAL hinges on transparency, independence, and accountability. As such, Ghanaians are asking critical questions:
Where is the recovery account?
After six (6) months in administration, how much has been recovered so far?
Where is the list of recovered funds and assets?
Who is being prosecuted, and how many cases are in court?
Will the ORAL team publish regular public reports?
Is there a dedicated Recovery Fund with bank traceability?
Mahama’s credibility will be judged not by intentions, but by results and recovery. For many, ORAL must not become just another slogan weaponized for political revenge. It must deliver justice, visibly, verifiably, and impartially.
If Ghana is to restore integrity in governance, the ORAL mission must not whisper; it must roar.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Ghanaian singer and hypeman, DJ Azonto(L) and rapper, Medikal (R)
Ghanaian rapper, Medikal, has responded to singer and hypeman, DJ Azonto for threatening legal action against him over a supposed copyright infringement.
On July 9, 2025, DJ Azonto took a swipe at Medikal for not seeking authorisation to use his popular “Alla” term in his new single titled “Shoulder.”
DJ Azonto in a statement demanded that Medikal compensate him with $100M, some diamond chains, and other items if he wants the case to be solved amicably.
“DJ Azonto is demanding $100 million cash, a fully activated Diplomatic Passport for his mother, 10 Diamond Chains, three brand new Rolls Royce (for his daughters), 90% ownership stake on Shaxi, a beach house in Miami, and a public apology.” the statement reads.
Responding to DJ Azonto’s demands, Medikal took to his X handle on July 10, 2025, to use the popular social media term “Killa Ntua!.”
According to the rapper, he won’t pay a dime to the “Fa No Fom” hitmaker.
play videoDr Bossman Asare is Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission
The Electoral Commission (EC) has given the assurance that the rerun of the parliamentary election in 19 polling stations in the Ablekuma North Constituency on Friday, July 11, will be conducted in a fair, transparent, and credible manner.
Addressing the press ahead of the polls on Thursday, July 10, 2025, Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Bossman Asare, said preparations were complete.
He reaffirmed the EC’s commitment to ensuring the process reflects the true will of the constituents.
“On our part as the electoral management body, we are desirous of bringing the election in the Ablekuma North constituency to a conclusion and to ensure that the constituents have a representative in Parliament.
“We assure the public and the political parties that, as always, we will live by our motto and ensure that the rerun is fair, transparent and credible”, he stated.
Dr Asare further dismissed claims of political interference in its decision to rerun the parliamentary election.
“We state categorically that Ghana’s electoral management body is an independent body and will not be influenced by any institution or any person. Our track record speaks for itself,” he added.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 Parliamentary Candidate for Ablekuma North, Nana Akua Afriyie, has confirmed her decision to contest the rerun.
Her confirmation comes despite an earlier stance by the party not to participate in the rerun, which was ordered by the EC following disputes over the authenticity of results from 19 polling stations during the December 7, 2024, general election.
Watch the video below:
JKB/MA
Cheque Fraud EXPOSED: How it works and how to stay safe
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
Simon Madjie is the CEO, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC)
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Simon Madjie, has stated that the Centre is actively working to identify investment potentials across all 261 districts in the country.
According to him, this initiative aims to promote targeted investments and highlight regional-level opportunities for Ghanaians.
Speaking at the launch of the GIPC’s Investment Opportunities Mapping Project (IOMP) on July 10, 2025, Madjie emphasised that many viable investment opportunities across Ghana remain untapped due to a lack of visibility.
“The Investment Opportunity Mapping Project at GIPC is an undertaking to ensure that we collect and showcase all the investment opportunities across the country’s 261 districts. We will also begin a series of activities to promote the regions and the districts,” he said.
Launched under the theme “Unlocking Regional Investment Potential in Ghana for Economic Growth and Prosperity,” the IOMP is designed to align closely with Ghana’s national development priorities and attract investments that drive job creation, industrialisation, and infrastructure development.
According to Madjie, the initiative also supports the Ghana Diplomatic Investment Drive (GDID) by equipping Ghana’s foreign missions and ambassadors with clearly identified, well-packaged investment opportunities from across the country.
“It will help us generate opportunities that can be shared with our missions through the GDID, making them available to all our ambassadors around the world. This work is part of building a proper national investment framework that showcases Ghana’s full investment potential and attracts people from across the globe to engage with us and our businesses,” he explained.
Madjie further noted that there are numerous opportunities in the regions that have yet to be properly identified and promoted, and he expressed optimism that once these are brought to light, regional economies will attract more investment.
He also announced that GIPC will develop a mobile application that will serve as a central platform listing all investment opportunities in Ghana and making them easily accessible to both local and international investors.
“The overall objective is to have a single, centralised source where anyone interested in investing in Ghana can access reliable, up-to-date information. Every developed country has a go-to platform for such opportunities, and Ghana must have one too. There are priority sectors, but there are also opportunities in districts that often go unnoticed unless we go out, gather the data, and market them effectively,” he said.
“We want Ghana’s investment strategy to be data-driven, informed, and accessible,” he concluded.
SSD/MA
Cheque Fraud EXPOSED: How it works and how to stay safe
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
Head coach of the Brazilian national team, Carlo Ancelotti, has been sentenced to one year of imprisonment for tax fraud by a Spanish court.
The Madrid court imposed a one-year jail term and a €386,000 ($375,000) fine on Ancelotti for failing to pay taxes on his image rights revenue during his time as Real Madrid manager in 2014, the court said in a statement.
Prior to the ruling, prosecutors had sought a four-year and nine-month prison sentence along with a €3.2 million fine, but this was not granted by the court.
Spanish media reports suggest that the former Los Blancos coach could receive a suspended sentence, as Spanish law often allows non-violent offenders with no prior convictions to avoid serving jail time for sentences under two years.
Ancelotti now joins a list of football personalities who have been charged with tax fraud, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Costa, Xabi Alonso, and others.
Following the announcement of the verdict on July 9, 2025, Ancelotti has yet to respond publicly, as he is currently preparing the Selecao for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His former club, Real Madrid, have also not commented on the issue, despite the fact that the coach was under investigation while leading the team.
SB/MA
Meanwhile, watch as historian Annam details how Swedru All Blacks started as a military club
Dennis Miracles Aboagye, a former presidential staffer in the Akufo-Addo government, has commented on the recent modifications to U.S. visa regulations for Ghanaian applicants and accused Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry of inciting the reaction with its own activities.
Mr. Aboagye denied claims in a social media statement that the U.S. government’s decision to restrict the majority of Ghanaian visa applicants to three-month single-entry visas is related to student overstays.
‘Ladies, this may come as a surprise. The ageing process does not start at 50 – it starts at 20 or 21, when the first fine lines appear under our eyes.’
Those harsh words were coming from our lecturer on the beauty course I’d just joined, a stone’s throw from London’s Bond Street.
The year was 1983, I was 21 myself and the message couldn’t have been clearer: it was all downhill for me from now on. I’d soon look like an old lady. Much worse, the lecturer added: ‘And there’s nothing we can do about it.’
Of course, back then, as Madonna shimmied her way through Holiday on Top Of The Pops and the Trimphone in the hallway was the nearest we got to social media, we knew no better. Our mums might have doused themselves in Nivea at night, or splashed out on Oil of Olay, as it then was, but that was about it.
More than 40 years later and the beauty industry is unrecognisable – literally. The faces we once expected to have at the age of 50 or 60 have been replaced with the strange smoothness of Botoxed skin, filler-injected lips and tightly sculpted jawlines. Just look at Madonna.
Forget the doom-laden ladies of Bond Street – today, beauty is a multibillion-pound industry run by doctors, celebrities and venture capitalists. Aesthetic tweakments such as Botox and fillers were worth around £3.2billion to the UK economy alone last year and the sector is still growing fast.
The British Beauty Council’s Value of Beauty 2025 report recently revealed the industry was growing four times faster than the wider economy, taking its overall value to £30.4billion and, for the first time, Brits are spending more on beauty than going to the gym, football and amusement parks trips combined. And yet, the more I see of it, the more I wonder where it’s leading – and where the dignity of ageing has gone.
For a start, it’s expensive to maintain, and means women are paying a hefty penalty for just, well, getting older. A smooth forehead can cost upwards of £135, lasting about four months before a top up is needed. Frown lines and crow’s feet are the same, each, while a ‘lip flip’ – where Botox turns the top lip upwards – starts at around £100 and has to be done at least twice a year.
Ulla Kloster’s simple hack means she is still mistaken for 40 at the age of 62
Is it any wonder injectors are on constant look-out for ‘new’ lines to plump on our face, hands, knees, cleavage and bottom?
New flaws must be constantly ‘discovered’ and new ‘fixes’ offered. Some years ago I recall a friend of mine, over lunch, pointing at her perfect chin and saying: ‘Look, my surgeon says there’s a tiny bump here. He said he could file a bit off the bone to get a symmetric jawline.’
And then there are the botched treatments which render women droopy, one-sided or weirdly ‘surprised’ or frozen – or even worse.
I fear for future generations of women and the pressure on them to have a line-free face, let alone what effect all this might have on the NHS.
The UK aesthetic tweakments industry is considered a Wild West even though Botox is a prescription drug that should only be administered after a face-to-face consultation with a healthcare professional. But too many people either ignore or are unaware of the few rules currently in place, warns Sally Taber, a former nurse and a trustee of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners, which is a self-regulating body for the non-surgical cosmetic industry. ‘Some people inject each other in their homes or in garden sheds. They get Botox from places such as Korea, which is completely irresponsible.’
What has happened to the concept of ageing gracefully? Where, really, is the dignity in looking 16 when you’re 69, like US reality TV personality Kris Jenner, mother of Kim Kardashian?
In my view, it is the tragi-comedy of our age: young women, some already paying back student loans or struggling to get on the housing ladder, now being seduced or bullied out of their spare cash for a smoother forehead.
Indeed, looking back at that Mayfair beauty college, I hanker for those simpler times.
Ladies – as my lecturer always called us – here’s the thing: beauty does not have to be so complex and there are easier ways to look fresher.
I’m 62 and yet many people kindly give me the benefit of the doubt when I say I’m not far off 50. What do I do? Ironically, I follow one game-changing little tip that came from that lecturer in the early 1980s, whose voice I can hear even now. ‘Even if we cleanse our face every night, we speed up the ageing process because tap water dries the skin,’ she said, ‘unless we use spring water, which is softer.’
How right she was. In my opinion, calcium in tap water has a drying effect on the fine skin on our face. The water from our taps may also contain chlorine and magnesium, which can strip away natural oils and lead to dryness. And, in fact, this can hinder the skin’s ability to keep in moisture and speed up the signs of ageing.
You only have to look inside your kettle, covered in limescale, to understand how potent the minerals in tap water are. Poorly maintained pipes and storage also mean we don’t know what else might be lurking in the water coming out of our taps.
That goes for filtered water, too – we can’t always be sure how often a filter is changed or how effective it is, although the dry and tight feeling it leaves the skin is a clue that something is not right. People with sensitive skin are particularly vulnerable to inflammatory diseases such as eczema or blocked pores that tap water can cause.
For more than 40 years, bottled water has been the most important beauty product I use (one such as Volvic or Evian, bought for about 72p from the supermarket). I see little point in slapping expensive designer moisturisers on skin that’s been bathed in calcium and chlorine as any benefits are undermined from the start.
I’ve steered clear of Botox, fillers and any other tweakment on my face and had perhaps two facials in the last 20 or 30 years.
Here’s what I do:
l Cleanse my face (using Pond’s cold cream make-up remover);
l Wipe off the cleanser with dry cotton wool pads;
l Remove the remaining cleanser and hydrate with a cotton wool pad soaked in Volvic;
l Moisturise using – yes! – Oil of Olay (also for 40 years);
l Finally, tap gently under my eyes with a finger dipped in Vaseline to seal the area.
This routine is not a quick fix, but it’s painless and cheap. And I always do it at the end of the day, no matter how tired I feel.
My only concession to modern beauty treatments is Chanel’s Hydra Beauty Micro Serum (£84 for 30ml, but a little goes a long way, applied before the Olay). And, as an occasional treat, Creme de la Mer’s moisturiser. And that’s it.
I grew up in Denmark and the Nordic culture certainly gives a healthy ‘less-is-more’ outlook on life. That mantra holds true for Scandi fashion, interiors and even the famed ‘hygge’ concept which prioritises the simple things we all know really matter in life.
Now I’ve turned my easy lessons into a mini-blog called thescandilook.com. It’s about being cool rather than cute and making the best of what we have rather than altering it.
Yes, I have lines on my forehead and in my teens I obsessed over my bumpy nose, but there it is. Those are really first-world problems, so when people take me
for a 40 or a 50-year-old I’m delighted and certainly do not correct them.
I never did work as a beauty therapist. I took the course because, back then, I was interested in make-up and looking great at parties, but I had other career hopes which included working at the Daily Mail.
I don’t regret dropping out of the beauty business, despite the extraordinary fortunes some practitioners now make out of tweakments – but I do regret worrying about ageing in my early 20s. What a waste of time and precious youth!
The real lesson surely is not to worry. Fewer lines that way.
The Minority in Parliament has expressed grave concern over what it describes as a disturbing deviation from Ghana’s traditionally disciplined and principled diplomatic posture under the current administration.
Speaking at a press briefing in Parliament yesterday, Deputy Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, accused the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, of undermining the nation’s longstanding diplomatic credibility through a series of missteps and poor decisions.
Flanked by fellow Minority MPs, Mr. Ayeh stressed that diplomacy in Ghana had historically transcended partisan politics, serving instead as a national trust built on consistency and institutional competence.
“Since independence, Ghana has earned global respect by speaking with a steady and principled voice abroad. Today, that reputation is in jeopardy,” he said.
According to the Minority, the Minister has mismanaged the chip-embedded passport programme, which they described as a legacy project from the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, fully funded and launched in December 2024.
Mr. Ayeh alleged that the Minister’s decision to stage a “costly and redundant relaunch” in April this year, at a cost of $1.2 million, did not improve service delivery.
He said, instead, it resulted in a massive backlog, with over 32,000 applications unprocessed and 68% of applicants waiting beyond the promised 15-day express service.
He cited official documents, including Contract CEP 2111 and the Passport Office’s June 20 report, noting that the situation has caused significant distress.
“Videos of stranded applicants, including mothers missing scholarship deadlines, have gone viral, with one video reaching over 1.4 million views,” he lamented.
Another major issue raised was the abrupt closure of Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, D.C. on May 26, following an internal directive to investigate a staff-related fraud allegation.
The decision, Mr. Ayeh said, led to the cancellation of 437 scheduled appointments and left dozens stranded, including a woman who missed her grandmother’s funeral due to an unreturned passport.
“Within three days, Ghana lost over $38,200 in expedited fees, and at least 112 travellers missed their flights,” he added.
The Minority also questioned the Minister’s handling of Ghana’s position on the Western Sahara dispute. They criticised what they described as contradictory diplomatic overtures, from endorsing Morocco’s autonomy initiative in a June 5 communique in Rabat to reaffirming support for the Sahara Republic shortly after. The Algerian and Moroccan diplomatic missions in Accra both issued formal responses, illustrating the confusion Ghana’s policy has caused.
“This is not foreign policy. It is confusing. The same NDC that criticised the previous government’s position now embraces it without explanation, raising doubts about strategic judgment and consultation,” Mr. Ayeh stated.
Additionally, the Minority faulted the Foreign Ministry’s delayed response to political unrest in neighbouring Togo, where protests between June 8 and 20 were met with live ammunition and mass arrests.
The Minority asserted that despite reports from Amnesty International and the presence of an estimated 5,000 Ghanaians in Togo, no travel advisory or emergency hotline was issued.
“In 2017, we responded within 14 days to similar events. This time, the Ministry merely claimed it was ‘monitoring’ the situation,” Ayeh said.
The Minority demanded a full public audit of the passport programme, covering costs, supplier contracts, and backlog statistics, within 14 days; a consular report explaining the legal basis and authorisation for the embassy closure in Washington and plans for compensating affected Ghanaians; a detailed policy paper outlining Ghana’s current stance on the Western Sahara, with references to diplomatic briefings and cabinet decisions; and a framework for emergency response in volatile neighbouring countries, including travel advisories, evacuation protocols, and hotlines, starting with Togo.
Parliament, the Minority added, will request the Minister’s urgent appearance before the House to address these concerns.
“Diplomacy is not about headlines or emotional impulse. It demands consistency, consultation, and accountability. We call on all journalists, civil society, and patriotic Ghanaians to demand transparency and protect Ghana’s hard-earned international reputation,” he concluded.
Thankgod, the former manager of Chinwo and head of Eezee Global Concepts Limited, is being prosecuted alongside his company before the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a three-count charge against Ezekiel Onyedikachuwu Thankgod, popularly known as Eezee Global, over the alleged theft of $443,371 belonging to gospel artistes Mercy Chinwo and Judith Kanayo (Judikay).
On April 29, 2025, a letter signed by the Executive Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, and addressed to the acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, indicated that seven Justices of the Court of Appeal had been nominated for consideration for appointment to the Supreme Court bench.
The Justices are Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, Gbiel Simon Suurbaareh, Senyo Dzamefe, Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, Philip Bright Mensah, Janpere Bartels-Kodwo and Hafisata Ameleboba. The seven were nominated by President Mahama in accordance with Article 144(2) of the 1992 Constitution.
After a rigorous vetting by Parliament, the Justices were approved last week. The approval of the seven, who currently serve on the Court of Appeal bench, came after the House had adopted the report of the 11-member Appointments Committee on the nominees.
During the vetting, one person who addressed widespread public perception that Ghana’s family law disproportionately favours women in divorce settlements was Justice Hafisata Amaleboba. She firmly refuted such claims, emphasising that the law treats both men and women equally.
“The law is not gender-based, even if it may appear that way in some cases and distribution of property in marriage is guided by equity, not whether one is male or female,” she noted. Referencing Article 22 of the 1992 Constitution, Justice Amaleboba explained that property acquired during a marriage was to be shared equitably, without regard to the sex of the spouses. According to her, the focus is on fairness and contribution, not identity.
Who is Justice Hafisata Amaleboba? Her Ladyship, Justice Amaleboba, was born on June 7, 1973, in Accra. She is a native of Wa in the Upper West Region and was among the 15 Justices appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2022 by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Before her elevation to the Court of Appeal, she had served as a High Court judge since August 2014. She has been a Superior Court Judge for the past 11 years. Justice Amaleboba was called to the Ghana Bar in October 1998 and is currently 26 years at the Bar. She joined the Bench with a little over 15 years of experience from private legal practice. Before joining the Bench, she was the Managing Partner of the erstwhile law firm, Amal Law Consult, a firm she co-founded in the year 2008, with its offices in Accra.
Her specialisation at Amal Law Consult was in various aspects of Commercial litigation, consultancy and negotiations for a wide range of local and international clients. Before she co–founded Amal Law Consult, she had, during different periods from 1998, practiced law as an associate of the law firms Justking and Associates and Peasah–Boadu and Company, both in Accra.
According to her, “in these firms, I gained vast legal knowledge and experience in land law, commercial law, investment law and many other areas of law. Since joining the Judicial Service of Ghana in 2014, as a High Court Judge, I have been a Judge in Courts in the General Jurisdiction, Land Division and in the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Division (now the Family Court).”
“While in these stated Courts, I have been assigned additional responsibility for hearing Probate cases and Judicial Review Applications. I was also issued a Warrant to sit on a treason case, with two other Judges. Presently, in the Court of Appeal, where I sit as a member of a panel of three, I determine cases of varied subject matter. As an Appeal Court Judge, I have sat in Courts of Appeal in Kumasi, Accra and Koforidua. I am presently a member of the Koforidua panel. However, I am occasionally empanelled to sit in Accra,” she stated.
In the Judicial Service, she had also performed other duties and functions assigned to her.
“I am presently the Judicial Service’s Representative/nominee to the Legal Service Board (Attorney–General’s Department). Between November 2020 to June 2023, I was a Judge attached to the Complaints Unit of the Judicial Service. I have also chaired several disciplinary and Administrative Committees.”
Education Justice Amaleboba started her education at the Jack and Jill International School at Roman Ridge in Accra. After a brief period here, she moved to Kotoka Primary School at Burma Camp in Accra, where she wrote the Common Entrance Examinations.
After passing the Common Entrance Examinations, she proceeded to St Rose’s Secondary School, Akwatia in the Eastern Region, where she wrote the Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations. She was then admitted to the University of Ghana, Legon, where she studied Law, graduating in 1996, with a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) (Second Class Upper Division).
“I proceeded to the Ghana School of Law for my Professional Law Course, which I passed, and was called to the Ghana Bar in 1998. I am presently studying for a Master’s of Law Degree in Data Protection and Intellectual Property Law.”
She is married with three children and is a Christian. She is also a member of the Christian Professional Fellowship (CPF), where she sometimes mounts the pulpit to preach the word of God. [email protected]
Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Opoku Ansah, has boldly declared his readiness to face sanctions from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for supporting Nana Akua Afriyie’s candidacy in the upcoming Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun scheduled for Friday, July 11.
This comes in the wake of internal tensions within the NPP, as Akua Afriyie has confirmed her decision to contest, contrary to the party’s national directive.
In an exclusive interview on Channel One TV’s Citiuation Room on Thursday, July 10, the Mpraeso legislator revealed he is actively campaigning in the constituency for Akua Afriyie.
He acknowledged that his actions, along with those of others supporting her, go against the national leadership’s position, but insisted they are prepared to face the consequences.
“Akua Afriyie will win tomorrow, and when she wins, we should all be sanctioned. We are ready for it. If you think that the people of Ablekuma should not have proper representation, we believe in the NPP that our candidate is better than that of the NDC,” he said.
He further emphasised that Ablekuma North is a traditional NPP stronghold and questioned why the party would abandon a candidate it knows can win.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr. Stephen Amoah, has also been spotted campaigning for Akua Afriyie, deepening speculation of growing resistance within the party’s rank-and-file ahead of the controversial rerun.
Ablekuma North rerun: Akua Afriyie confirms participation despite party boycott
Bryan Acheampong, a New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, has donated GHs200,000 to Akua Afriyie, $6,500 to coordinators and polling station chairpersons in Ablekuma North to support the rerun.
The Member of Parliament for Abetifi and former Minister for Food and Agriculture’s donation comes amid the NPP’s public declaration that they have boycotted the Ablekuma North rerun.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds vast potential to accelerate Ghana’s progress on the Human Development Index (HDI) by improving access, service delivery and innovation, according to the 2024/2025 Human Development Report (HDR) released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The report, titled “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI”, outlines how AI can help Ghana improve across the three core dimensions of human development: health, education and standard of living.
In healthcare, the report notes that AI could revolutionise service delivery through predictive analytics, remote diagnostics and virtual consultations, enabling earlier disease detection and more efficient treatment, particularly in underserved areas. In education, AI-enabled platforms can help personalise learning, alleviate teacher shortages, and offer adaptive tools that cater to students’ varying needs.
When it comes to employment and income, AI could open up new job opportunities in digital services, boost productivity in agriculture and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and make public services more responsive.
The report also examines key development indicators for Ghana, including life expectancy at birth, maternal mortality, gross national income, labour force participation among adults aged 15 and over, and female representation in Parliament.
It concludes that while Ghana has laid a strong foundation for inclusive and sustainable growth, it must address critical capability gaps—particularly in gender equity, disability inclusion and transitions from education to employment—if it is to unlock its full development potential in a rapidly changing global environment.
The Human Development Report goes beyond traditional economic analysis to measure progress in terms of health, education and living standards. For Ghana, the report serves as a vital reference point for policymakers, civil society, development partners and citizens by highlighting disparities and guiding decisions on equitable investment and human capital development.
The 2024/2025 report was launched in Accra on Wednesday, July 9, at an event that sought to localise its global findings and foster national dialogue. The gathering brought together stakeholders including policymakers, academics, development partners and civil society groups. It featured a presentation of the global report followed by a panel discussion under the theme “Choices and Possibilities in Ghana’s Digital Future.”
Among those in attendance were UNDP Ghana Resident Representative Niloy Banerjee, Deputy Resident Representative Shaima Hussein, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission Dr Nii Moi Thompson, and UNDP Governance and Inclusive Growth Specialist Dr Edward Ampratwum.
Panel discussants included Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast Dr Stephen Moore, Chief Statistician at the Ghana Statistical Service Jacqueline Dede Anum, NDPC Commissioner and economist Professor William Baah-Boateng, and Country Manager of Farmerline, Worlali Senyo. The session was moderated by Seth Akumani, Digital Portfolio Lead at UNDP Ghana.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Banerjee called for increased investment in AI research to unlock its full benefits for Ghana’s economy and society. He said the 2024/2025 theme was especially timely as it addressed both the opportunities and the risks that come with the rise of artificial intelligence.
“This year, the theme is particularly about the opportunities that AI brings, but also what we need to safeguard against; what we need to be vigilant about in the use of AI,” he said. He noted that while AI can support progress in agriculture through better planning and market access, it also carries the risk of becoming a tool for further exclusion.
He emphasised that access to AI must not be restricted to the elite or those with higher education. “What we have to worry about is that AI doesn’t become yet another elite tool—something only people with university degrees or digital access can use—while the rest fall further behind. It shouldn’t create a new kind of inequality on top of the ones we already face,” he warned.
Mr Banerjee stressed that AI must be guided by human needs and priorities. “It’s about whether AI will help us progress in human development, or whether we’ll allow AI to run our lives. There’s immense potential. As the panel highlighted, AI can help farmers predict rainfall and plan planting schedules. But we must be careful not to allow it to deepen existing divides.”
He identified four key stakeholders in ensuring inclusive AI adoption in Ghana: government, which must develop policies and enforce data protection; universities, which should educate future generations on digital skills; line ministries, which must extend AI’s benefits to local communities; and the private sector, which must ensure that the economic benefits of AI are shared equitably.
“The private sector must look at how AI can be used not only to grow their business but also to make that growth inclusive. It’s not just about benefits for those who speak English or went to elite schools—it’s about everyone along the value chain,” he said.
Why Human Development Report for Ghana
The Human Development Report provides a comprehensive account of human progress beyond economic growth. It employs critical dimensions including health (longevity), education, and standard of living (PPP).
For Ghana, this report offers Ghanaian policy makers, development partners, CSOs and the citizens a scorecard of Ghana’s progress in inclusive development.
It also serves as a benchmark for assessing equity, social investment impact, and even human capital development because it highlights where disparities exist. The HDI is essential for shaping targeted policies that leave no one behind.
Ghanaian singer and songwriter Akwaboah has stated that he discovered his talent for songwriting during a time when he was broke and looking for ways to make money.
In an interview on MX24 TV, the Ensesa hitmaker shared that he once tried to sell one of his songs to Becca’s then-manager, Kiki Banson, just to earn some quick cash.
“I didn’t even know that I could write songs until I was broke, so I actually wanted to sell one of my songs. So, I spoke to Kiki, who was Becca’s manager at the time. Kiki was like, ‘Do you know the song you have written?’ And I said, ‘I have done my song and just want to sell it.’ Kiki said he was not buying the song, he told me he needs to promote me and promote the song so that people would know that you know how to write songs and then they can come and that would be another way of making money,” Akwaboah recalled.
According to him, though Kiki Banson refused to buy the song, he saw the potential in his writing and decided to help promote the song and him as a songwriter instead.
Akwaboah noted that Kiki gave him some money for his upkeep and arranged for the song to be produced by Kwame Yeboah, Becca performed the song, and it went on to become a hit.
The singer and songwriter revealed that the song he wrote was Daa Ke Da, which was performed by Becca and earned an award, before he became known as a recording artiste himself.
“We went to the studio, Kwame Yeboah produced the song, Becca sang, it became a hit and then anywhere Becca goes she started talking about it from interview to interview. That’s where the industry started seeing Akwaboah behind the scenes but by then I didn’t even have a song out. So, I actually won an award with having a song out,” he said.
He also expressed concern about how songwriters in Ghana are often not given the recognition they deserve. According to him, many artistes take credit for songs without acknowledging the people who wrote them.
“I went for an interview and they asked why I had stopped writing for people; I’ve not stopped writing but now it feels like even if you do it, there’s no credit. They would mention a name, they would go for the award, they would say I thank God, I thank my team and then that’s it, they don’t give credit to the songwriter,” he added.
“I realized I could write music when I became broke.” – @AkwaboahMusic
Kojo Peprah is the Chairman of the Small-Scale Miners Association
Chairman of the Small-Scale Miners Association, Kojo Peprah, has been arrested by the Special Anti-Galamsey Taskforce of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for attempting to interfere in an operation targeting illegal mining activities in the Desiri Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.
According to a report by myjoyonline.com, the incident occurred when he confronted the taskforce while it was executing an arrest of illegal miners operating in the forest reserve.
Peprah reportedly questioned the officers about their mission in the area, prompting his subsequent arrest.
Upon his arrest, Kojo Peprah is said to have claimed that he had received reports that the taskforce had invaded his mining site located within the forest reserve.
However, the police have clarified that small-scale mining licenses do not authorise mining activities within forest reserves.
Kojo Peprah has since been handed over to the Nkawie Police to assist with ongoing investigations.
Cheque Fraud EXPOSED: How it works and how to stay safe
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah is the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has stepped in to mediate the dispute between Azumah Resources Ghana Limited and Engineers & Planners Limited, giving both parties a final seven-day window to amicably resolve their ongoing disagreement over the Black Volta Gold Project.
In a letter dated July 10, 2025, and signed by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Ministry acknowledged the tensions between the two companies, which have recently played out in the media through press releases and public statements.
The Minister emphasised the urgency of resolving the matter, warning that failure to do so within the stipulated time frame would compel the Ministry to act in the national interest.
“I have decided to grant the parties a final period of seven (7) days within which to resolve the matter amicably. Should this period elapse without a mutually agreed resolution, a decision shall be taken in the best interest of the country,” the letter stated.
The Ministry also cautioned both companies against using the media to escalate the situation, urging them to prioritise dialogue and professionalism.
“I strongly urge all parties to refrain from addressing this matter through the media and instead focus on constructive dialogue and responsible engagement,” the Minister added.
To ensure progress, the Minerals Commission has been instructed to support and facilitate discussions between the two parties.
The Ministry’s intervention follows rising tensions over the status of a US$100 million acquisition agreement, signed in October 2023, with both sides trading accusations and contradicting claims about the implementation of the deal.
Read the full statement below:
Cheque Fraud EXPOSED: How it works and how to stay safe
Aweh in a cap with Stephen in blue, watching a Kotoko game together with a lady in the stands
An old video showing the late Ghana Immigration Officer, Stephen King Amoah, and his friend Bright Aweh, who allegedly orchestrated his death, watching an Asante Kotoko match has surfaced online, adding a sombre layer to the tragedy surrounding his death.
The footage, which has gone viral on social media, captures Stephen and Bright, who were known to be close friends and ardent Kotoko supporters, deeply engrossed in the game at the stadium.
In the video, the two appear disappointed as Kotoko trail by three goals to nil, with Stephen, dressed in a blue shirt and army green shorts, regretting attending the match.
The pair is seen seated with a woman carrying a baby and another friend, highlighting their close bond before events took a tragic turn.
Stephen Amoah was reported missing on July 4, 2025, after leaving his Ashongman Estate residence to meet Bright over an alleged GH¢200,000 debt.
His charred body was discovered five days later in a gutter near GBC Satellite, Accra.
Aweh has since been arrested as the prime suspect and is under investigation by the Accra Regional Police Command, which has pledged to unravel the full circumstances behind the gruesome murder.
The haunting video has sparked fresh outrage online, with many citizens blaming Bright for allegedly luring Stephen to his death despite their apparent friendship.
The police have urged the public to provide any information that could help bring all those involved to justice.
Watch the video below:
FKA/MA
Watch as Ghanaians speak out on Thomas Partey’s rape charge, suggest fresh start in Saudi Arabia
US President Donald Trump has praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai for speaking “good English” and asked him where he went to school.
What Trump might have missed is that Liberia shares a unique and long-standing connection with the US.
English is the country’s official language and many Liberians speak with an American accent because of those historical ties to the US.
It may have been this accent that Trump picked up on.
Here are five things to know about the West African country:
1: Founded by freed slaves
Liberia was founded by freed African-American slaves in 1822 before declaring independence in 1847.
Thousands of black Americans and liberated Africans – rescued from transatlantic slave ships – settled in Liberia during the colonial era.
Former US President Abraham Lincoln officially declared Liberia’s independence in 1862 but the country retained a lot of US heritage and it remained in the American “sphere of influence” during the colonial period.
Due to this integration, Liberian culture, landmarks and institutions have a strong African-American influence.
Ten of Liberia’s 26 presidents were born in the US.
The descendants of these freed slaves, known as Americo-Liberians, dominated the country for more than 100 years.
This was resented by some indigenous Liberians and the last president from that community, William Tolbert, was overthrown and killed in a coup in 1980.
They account for about a quarter of the population, according to the Britannica website, which says more than two dozen languages are spoken in the country.
President Boakai is from the Kissi ethnic group and so would have spoken that as his mother tongue, before learning English at school.
2: The capital is named after a former US president
Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, was named in honour of America’s fifth President, James Monroe, who was a strong supporter of the American Colonization Society (ACS).
The ACS was the organisation responsible for resettling freed African-Americans in West Africa – which eventually led to the founding of Liberia.
Not surprisingly the early architecture of the city was largely influenced by American-style buildings.
Many streets in Monrovia are named after colonial American figures, reflecting the city’s founding and historical ties to the US.
The city’s main hospital is called the John F Kennedy Medical Center (JFKMC), named after the former US president.
3: Nearly identical flags
The flag of Liberia closely resembles the American flag. It features 11 alternating red and white stripes and a blue square with a single white star.
The white star symbolises Liberia as the first independent republic in Africa.
The US flag, in comparison, has 13 stripes representing the original 13 colonies and 50 stars, one for each state.
The Liberian flag was designed by seven black women – all born in America.
4: Ex-president’s son plays for US football team
Timothy Weah, the son of Liberia’s former President George Weah, is an American professional soccer player who plays for Italian football club Juventus as well as the US national team.
The 25-year-old forward was born in the US but began his professional career with Paris St-Germain in France, where he won the Ligue 1 title before moving on loan to the Scottish team, Celtic.
His father, George, is a Liberian football legend who won the Ballon d’Or in 1995 while playing for Juventus’s Italian rivals AC Milan. He is the only African winner of this award – and went on to be elected president in 2018.
5: Former president won the Nobel Peace Prize
Liberia produced Africa’s first elected female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
She was elected in 2005, two years after the nation’s bloody civil war ended, and served as president until 2018.
Johnson Sirleaf has a strong American background as she studied at Madison Business College and later went to Harvard University where she graduated as an economist.
She has received worldwide recognition and accolades for maintaining peace during her administration.
Her story is pitted with remarkable feats of defiance and courage.
In 2011, along with Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karmān, she won the Nobel Prize for Peace for her efforts to further women’s rights.
In 2016, Forbes listed her among the most powerful women in the world.
What do Liberians make of Trump’s comments?
Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti denied it was an awkward moment, saying there was a “lack of understanding” around the world about the languages people speak in Africa, which she described as a “multi-lingual continent”.
“Liberia happens to have the American-English intonation and I believe President Trump heard something familiar in the way President Boakai spoke, which is different from the way others speak on the continent,” she told the BBC’s Newsday programme.
“We were not offended at all,” she said, adding that away from the TV cameras, there was a discussion of the two countries’ shared history.
But there was a mixed reaction among other Liberians.
Accountant Joseph Manley, 40, told the BBC that Trump should have been properly briefed before meeting Liberia’s leader.
“Liberia has always been an English-speaking country. Our president represents a country with a rich educational tradition.”
For human resources professional Henrietta Peter-Mogballah, the US president’s surprise at Boakai’s eloquence reflects a broader problem about global ignorance with regard to African nations and its peoples.
“From travel experiences and observations, most citizens of other nations outside Africa do not know a lot about African countries,” she said. “The few that know a little, their minds are clouded by narratives of war, poverty, and lack of education.”
However, lawyer and politician Kanio Gbala agreed with the foreign minister that there no insult was meant.
“I believe President Trump’s remark was a genuine compliment on President Boakai’s command of English,” he told the BBC. “There is no evidence of sarcasm. Reading it as disrespectful may reflect political agendas.”
Liberia shares a long-standing historical connection with the US and several American presidents, including George W Bush, have visited the country
There is a striking resemblance between the flags of the two countries
Timothy Weah, seen here shaking hands with President Donald Trump last month, plays for Juventus in Italy
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf served as the 24th president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018
Henrietta Peter-Mogballah says many people are ignorant about African nations and its peoples
Dr Kofi Appiah Koranteng, Deputy Registrar at KNUST, has pointed fingers at former Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, for playing a role in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the 2024 general elections, according to a report by Ghana Web.
Speaking during an interview on Neat FM, Dr Koranteng cited Agyapong’s controversial behaviour and public utterances as factors that harmed party unity and public perception.
He argued that the outspoken politician’s actions, especially during the campaign period, sowed internal divisions and weakened the NPP’s cohesion ahead of the polls.
According to him, Agyapong’s mixed messages and public contradictions alienated supporters and undermined trust within the party.
Dr Koranteng also highlighted the loss of Agyapong’s parliamentary seat to the opposition, describing it as unprecedented for a high-ranking party figure.
“Every serious leader exiting Parliament ensures their party retains the seat,” he said, stating that the defeat in Assin Central reflected deeper issues linked to Agyapong’s influence.
He added that despite Agyapong’s repeated claims of supporting the party financially and securing contracts, his conflicting statements only deepened confusion among the grassroots.
Dr Koranteng stated that these contradictions were detrimental, particularly in regions like the Central Region, where the NPP suffered significant losses.
However, Dr Koranteng urged the public to scrutinise Agyapong’s role critically, arguing that his conduct did not only affect electoral results but also damaged the party’s image.
He concluded that for the NPP to recover, it must address the internal issues that led to its fall and rebuild credibility among its base.
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma North, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, has confirmed her decision to contest in the upcoming parliamentary rerun scheduled for Friday, July 11, 2025.
Her confirmation comes despite an earlier stance by the NPP not to participate in the rerun, which was ordered by the Electoral Commission (EC) following disputes over the authenticity of results from 19 polling stations during the December 7, 2024, general election.
Speaking to journalists at her office in Odorkor, Accra, on Thursday, July 10, Akua Afriyie expressed confidence ahead of the polls and reaffirmed her commitment to securing victory.
“I am contesting. We are fully prepared. We are going for this contest tomorrow. First, I want to thank the Almighty God for protecting us throughout these seven months. We went for elections on December 7, and I won that election,” she stated.
Owusu Afriyie’s application to stop the rerun was dismissed on Wednesday, July 9, by Justice Ali Baba Abature, who described the motion as “unmeritorious.” The court ruled that halting the exercise would hinder the EC’s constitutional duty and deny constituents their right to representation in Parliament.
Although the party had initially insisted that the EC’s decision contradicted a binding High Court ruling from January 4, 2025, which ordered the collation and declaration of results from 62 outstanding polling stations, Akua Afriyie appears to have broken ranks with the party’s official position.
The NPP’s legal team had further argued that only three polling stations were uncollated as of January 27, based on public updates from the Electoral Commission.
Meanwhile, the EC has maintained its decision to conduct the rerun in the 19 affected polling stations within the constituency.
