President John Mahama has launched a national fund to secure the education, healthcare, and welfare of eight children orphaned by the August 6 helicopter crash in Adansi Akrufuom.
The initiative begins with a GH₵500,000 contribution from Stanbic Bank, bolstered by government seed funding.
“The Fund for the children of the victims of August 6 will cover education from primary through university or technical training, healthcare including insurance, specialised care, and essential living expenses,” President Mahama announced. He stressed the fund ensures the children “will not be alone,” with a formal framework to be finalized within 30 days.
The victims—including two cabinet ministers and a deputy national security coordinator—were traveling to launch an anti-illegal mining program in Obuasi when their helicopter crashed. All eight perished, leaving families abruptly without providers.
Public and private donations will sustain the fund long-term. It explicitly covers schooling, shelter, clothing, and critical welfare needs, aiming to replace uncertainty with stability. “This is our pledge to protect their futures,” the President stated, framing the effort as a national responsibility.
The move follows widespread mourning after the crash, which claimed officials dedicated to reforming Ghana’s mining sector. It signals a tangible commitment to honoring their legacy through sustained support for those they left behind.
Ghana’s financial sector witnessed unprecedented digital transaction growth last year, with internet banking values more than doubling as consumers and businesses embraced online platforms.
According to the Bank of Ghana’s 2024 Financial Stability Review, internet-based payments skyrocketed by 114.9% to GH¢212.44 billion, up sharply from GH¢98.87 billion in 2023.
Cheque values also climbed significantly despite fading volume, rising nearly 31% to GH¢384.96 billion even as transaction numbers dipped slightly under the Cheque Codeline Clearing system. This paradox hints at larger average transaction sizes as digital alternatives gain traction.
The central bank credits this boom to a decade of payment system evolution, fueled by explosive mobile money adoption, supportive regulations, and rising smartphone access. Ghana Interbank Settlement System (GIS) figures reflect this shift—total values leapt 78.12% to GH¢6.13 trillion despite a 6% drop in volume.
Real-time payments shone brightest. The Instant Pay (GIP) service handled 161.16 million transactions worth GH¢355.07 billion, dwarfing 2023’s GH¢120.10 billion. You can now send money between accounts in seconds, a convenience driving this surge.
“These trends confirm a structural move toward faster, efficient digital channels,” the report stated, noting dwindling reliance on traditional methods. With fintech innovation accelerating and financial inclusion widening, Ghana’s cashless transformation shows no signs of slowing.
Some residents of Manso Bonteso clashed with anti-galamsey taskforce
Five persons are feared dead after clash between residents of Manso Bonteso and the Inspector General of Police (IGP’s) special anti-galamsey taskforce at Bonteso in Ashanti region
This happened after the taskforce seized an excavator parked in the community.
Reports say the assailants, reportedly led by the local Assembly Member, pelted the team with stones in an attempt to prevent them from leaving the area.
The crowd, made up largely of community members, confronted the officers despite warning shots being fired to disperse them.
Five were among those who sustained gun shots injury. They are currently on admission at various hospitals around the area, including Nkawie Government Hospital.
Reports from the community indicated that the Leader of the team, ASP Bawah Abdul Jalil, and G/Sgt. Agblekpe Mawuena Yao sustained injuries during the confrontation.
The taskforce, however, managed to arrest the Assembly Member, Patrick Asare, along with two others, Osei Vasco and Akwesi Amponsah.
After a series of warning shots and targeted arrests, the officers regained control of the situation, dispersed the hostile crowd, and transported the seized excavator to the Manso Adubia Police Station.
One other excavator was left at the site due to the volatile circumstances.
Speaking on Ghanakoma morning show on Akoma 87.9FM in Kumasi with Sir John on August 14, some angry residents believed that, one of the excavators is being targeted unfairly, as it was parked at home.
They claimed that the security officers’ actions were unlawful since the said excavator was not found at any mining site.
They expressed concerns about recent activities security agencies against Small-Scale Miners in the area.
Attacking individuals at their homes could undermine Government efforts to combat illegal mining.
Some youth in the community appealed to the government to consider the plight of the youth and put in place proper measures to provide job opportunities in the mining sector.
The Amansie West District Chief Executive, Manu Prince Maurice, confirmed the arrest of the three persons including the Assemblyman and also those in hospital.
He also admitted that one of the excavators was parked in a house and there was no need for the security or taskforce to confront them.
He called for calm following the clash between residents and the taskforce.
He confirmed the situation had been brought under control, assuring the public that the District Security Council will continue to maintain peace.
He reiterated his commitment to working with local authorities to address the incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“I want to use your platform to appeal to the youth to abide by the rules and laws of the land,” he indicated. -3news
Kudus receives his legacy number at Tottenham Hotspur
Ghana ace Mohammed Kudus has been given his Legacy Number at Tottenham Hotspur after making his first competitive appearance for the club.
The 25-year-old made his official debut in the UEFA Super Cup against European champions Paris Saint Germain on Wednesday night in Italy.
Kudus became the 896th player to make a competitive appearance for the North London outfit, producing an incredible display despite Spurs’ last-minute collapse.
The former Ajax star lasted 79 minutes before he was replaced by Mathys Tel as Spurs threw away a two-goal lead in the final five minutes to force the match to penalties.
Tel and Micky van de Ven, who scored the opener for Spurs, missed from the spot as the French giants won their sixth trophy of the year.
Meanwhile, Kudus picked some positives from the game and he is already looking forward to his Premier League debut for Spurs against Burnley on the opening weekend of the 2025/26 campaign.
“It is disappointing to lose the game in the end. This is a big lesson to stay focus for the whole 90 minutes but I am really proud of the team for their work ethic, their energy because I think we had them for most part of the game, just the last part we need to keep full concentration. We take this as a lesson. We have a game at the weekend and we have full focus on that,” he said after the game.
Kudus joined Tottenham in the summer transfer window for a fee of £55.
Ghana is calling on foreign diplomats to help tackle stark regional investment imbalances across the country. Simon Madjie, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), made the direct appeal during a high-level meeting with the diplomatic corps in Accra.
Madjie highlighted a critical challenge: roughly 80% of investments currently flow only into the Greater Accra Region. This leaves vast potential untapped in other areas, he stressed. The push is central to the GIPC’s flagship Investment Opportunity Mapping Project (IOMP), designed to unlock economic possibilities in all 261 districts nationwide.
Developed alongside key ministries and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, the IOMP will pinpoint viable opportunities in agribusiness, manufacturing, and infrastructure outside the capital. “This isn’t just about attracting money,” Madjie told diplomats. “It’s about creating jobs fairly, building resilience, and ensuring growth reaches everyone. We need your networks and expertise to spotlight these district-level chances globally.”
GIPC Deputy CEO Abdul Razak Baba urged diplomats to become “vocal ambassadors” for Ghana’s diverse prospects. He pointed to major upcoming events, like the 2026 Ghana International Investment Summit, as prime platforms to link international investors with regional projects. Supporting this drive, the GIPC is also fast-tracking reforms to its governing Act to strengthen investor protections and streamline business processes.
Lovi Mehiawo, GIPC Deputy Director of Research, explained the IOMP will strategically prioritise key sectors across all 16 regions. By deliberately spreading investment focus, the Centre aims to boost exports, shrink regional inequalities, and foster truly inclusive economic growth. The GIPC is now actively seeking partners to refine investment profiles and co-host targeted engagements.
Veteran journalists from Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria issued a united call for transformative environmental reporting at the Second Biennial Media Forum on Natural Resources, Environment, Climate Change and Science (BiM-NECS 2) in Kumasi.
The gathering stressed that surface-level coverage fails communities grappling with ecological crises.
Rosalia Omungo, CEO of Kenya’s Editors Guild, set the tone virtually: “Center real people in every story—show their struggles, what’s at stake, and who must act.” She urged journalists to “follow the money” behind environmental conflicts and translate complex data into relatable terms. From Nigeria, Environews Nigeria’s Michael Simire condemned episodic reporting tied to disasters: “Specialize beyond floods and World Environment Day. Build expertise through training.”
Ghana’s Kofi Adu Domfeh of JoyNews pushed for localizing global climate talks: “Track Ghana’s climate pledges. Many citizens don’t know our 2030 targets are at risk without local funding.” He challenged reporters to connect UN discussions to coastal erosion in Ketu or drought in Bolgatanga—and reminded colleagues that individual actions like tree planting matter.
The forum confronted harsh realities: Naana Nkansah Agyekum (ex-Metro TV) advised pairing data with human voices to resist intimidation. “Community-powered stories on sustainability struggles win global recognition,” she noted. Kingsley Hope, Ghanaian Times regional manager, condemned “extractive storytelling” ignoring local perspectives. “Restoring ecosystems isn’t abstract—it’s survival,” he insisted, demanding tighter journalist-scientist collaboration.
When politics overshadowed environmental coverage, journalists proposed solutions. “If political news dominates, expose the politics within climate stories,” one argued. “Climate issues are development issues.” Others called for dedicated NECS desks and niche specializations like “resource politics” to build authority.
The forum closed with a stark consensus: impactful NECS reporting requires sustained investigations, data literacy, and centering ordinary people’s resilience. As Domfeh put it: “The story that changes lives shows how a farmer adapts to erratic rains—not just the rainfall charts.”
Organized by MPEC, ASCIR, and The Steminist Foundation, the forum included Ghana’s EPA, Forestry Commission, and academia.
play videoThe late Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah was a victim of the August 6 helicopter crash
Mercy Amoah, the wife of Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, who was one of the 8 victims who died in the August 6, 2025, fatal helicopter crash, has expressed confidence in the salvation of her late husband.
In her tribute to her husband at the interfaith and interdenominational state burial held for the victims on Friday, August 15, 2025, Mercy spoke confidently of her husband’s faith as a Christian.
“Your love for God was unmatched, and I affectionately called you ‘My Apostle’. Mantse, it’s been days, and you have not called at 5 am for us to pray. Ah death, shame on you! You have not won; Christ has, because Ernest died knowing Him as his Lord and Savior,” she stated.
The widow spoke fondly of her late husband, emphasising the depth of their shared love while noting her difficulty in coming to terms with the death of the late Sergeant.
Sad Goodbye, Promise of Return Never Kept: Wife of Squadron Leader Anala pays emotional tribute
“To my biggest cheerleader, the kindest of hearts, my big brother, and my Mantse, putting words together for your tribute is the hardest task I have ever been given. My heart aches beyond words thinking of not seeing your beautiful ‘receptionist smile’ as you called it or hearing you call me ‘Manye’ a hundred times in a day.
“You gave me the experience of being deeply understood, genuinely supported, and utterly loved. You often said, ‘Manye, I will give us a life that many people will wish to be in your shoes,’ but now, these shoes you’ve put on me, no one wishes to wear. Should I say you lied? No, because I know if you had control over life, you would choose to live a thousand years to make me happy,” she stated.
On August 6, 2025, a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 military helicopter crashed into a forested mountainside in the Adansi Akrofuom District, Ashanti Region, killing all eight people on board. The helicopter was en route from Kotoka International Airport in Accra to Obuasi for an event focused on combating illegal mining.
The deceased include Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence; Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr Samuel Sarpong, 1st Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; and three crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
‘You always asked me, what will you do when I’m not around’ – Omane Boamah’s widow recounts
The Muslims among the victims: Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed and Alhaji Muniru were buried earlier on August 10 in line with Islamic practice, while the remaining victims will be buried after the state funeral at the Military Cemetery, Tse Addo.
Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
An “Alaska 2025” sign and red carpet are ready on the base tarmac for the leaders’ arrival.
As the United States await his arrival for the high-stakes meeting, President Donald Trump is preparing to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin on US soil, with an elaborate setup at Alaska’s Elmendorf Air Base, which includes a red carpet, multiple fighter jets, and bold signage proclaiming “ALASKA 2025.”
The Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association have expressed “serious concern” over the continued suspension of Ghana’s Chief Justice (CJ) Gertrude Torkornoo, and are calling for her immediate reinstatement.
In a joint statement issued Thursday, August 14, the two bodies said the April 22, 2025, suspension, which Justice Torkornoo is challenging at the ECOWAS Court after earlier domestic legal actions, raises significant questions about judicial independence and constitutional safeguards.
They argued that any executive action perceived as undermining the judiciary is “a matter of serious concern.”
They pointed to the Commonwealth Charter and the Latimer House Principles, which require fairness, due process, and an impartial tribunal in any disciplinary proceedings against a judge.
The statement criticised several aspects of the process so far, including allowing petitioners to present witnesses instead of personally answering questions, denying the Chief Justice’s lawyer due respect at committee hearings, and delays in concluding the proceedings.
The groups described the suspension as a “prima facie” breach of the Executive’s constitutional duties, citing Article 146 of the Constitution, which only permits removal or suspension of a Superior Court judge for “stated misbehaviour or incompetence” or inability to perform duties due to infirmity.
They have urged President John Mahama’s government to reinstate Justice Torkornoo without delay, ensure her legal team has full and transparent access to the process, and publish clear procedural rules with timelines for concluding the inquiry.
“The hour to uphold the rule of law and the constitutional duties incumbent upon Ghana is now,” the statement stressed.
The Bar Council represents about 17,000 barristers in England and Wales, while the Commonwealth Lawyers Association works to promote and protect the rule of law across Commonwealth countries.
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.
Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations at the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Professor Michael Ayamga-Adongo, has cautioned against relying solely on a state of emergency to combat illegal mining, warning that such a move could be counterproductive.
His comments follow mounting calls from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and sections of the public for tougher action against the menace, in the wake of the August 6 helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including the Minister for Environment, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. The victims were en route to Obuasi for the launch of the government’s Cooperative Mining Initiative, aimed at tackling illegal mining.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Friday, August 15, Prof. Ayamga-Adongo acknowledged the urgency but cautioned against measures that could lead to unintended consequences.
He called for a comprehensive strategy that addresses both the environmental damage and the economic drivers of galamsey, including creating alternative livelihoods for those dependent on the activity.
Prof. Ayamga-Adongo stressed that while enforcement is important, lasting progress will require removing the incentives that push people into illegal mining.
“The solution to fighting galamsey is not stopping mining. Some tend to confuse legal extractive mining with illegal mining. Yes, people have been calling for a state of emergency, but don’t forget that a state of emergency, too, could work the other way round and lead to more abuses and more destruction.
It is not the solution to the problem. The solution to the problem is approaching the problem holistically. That is looking at illegal mining or galamsey both as an economic and environmental problem. It has to do with our ability to provide jobs, retool young people who have spent most of their lives involved in galamsey and do not have skills that will help them to diversify into other sectors of the economy.
It has to do with funding initiatives that will help people start up businesses. That is one way to water down the appetite,” he stated.
Bolgatanga Technical Institute shut down over violent student unrest
The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations has begun imposing a statutory fine of GHC 10,000 per day on MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DSTV, for failing to provide crucial pricing data requested under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA).
Minister Samuel Nartey George said the penalty took effect on Friday, August 15, 2025, after the company failed to meet a final submission deadline.
Rice growers in Ghana’s Upper East Region are learning to boost yields and incomes while fighting climate change, thanks to a new training initiative.
The Irrigation Company of Upper Regions (ICOUR), backed by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), taught farmers at the Tono Irrigation Scheme how to use water more efficiently—a method that slashes methane emissions and unlocks carbon credit payments.
The technique, called Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), relies on simple perforated pipes (piezometers) placed in fields to measure water levels. By applying only what the rice needs, farmers cut greenhouse gases and save resources. “You benefit twice: higher yields plus carbon cash,” said ICOUR Managing Director Dominic Anarigide.
For villages like Korania, this means tangible rewards. Data from the pipes goes to UNDP, which verifies emission cuts for saleable carbon credits. It’s part of a Swedish-funded effort to scale climate-smart farming across Ghana.
ICOUR plans to expand the project to Vea and other areas. But will adoption spread fast enough? Anarigide believes so: “Fighting climate change pays. We’re showing farmers how.”
Nii Kwartei Titus Glover is a former Greater Accra Regional Minister
Former Greater Accra Regional Minister, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, broke down in tears at the state funeral for the eight compatriots who died in the fatal helicopter crash at Sikaman in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
In a viral video, Titus Glover is seen in a very pensive mood, overcome by emotions, as he took off his spectacles and broke down in tears.
Six (6) of the military helicopter crash victims have been laid to rest in a solemn burial ceremony at the Military Cemetery at Tse Addo, on Friday, August 15, 2025.
They include political and government officials; Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Samuel Aboagye, Dr Samuel Sarpong, as well as crew members; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The ceremony followed an interdenominational funeral service held at Black Star Square, that was characterised by emotional tributes by the families of the deceased.
Highlights of President’s Mahama address at state funeral for victims of helicopter crash
President John Dramani Mahama, his Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the bereaved families, the Ghana Armed Forces, government officials, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and other dignitaries laid wreaths in memory of the deceased at the Military Cemetery.
The burial was marked by full military honours, including performances by the Ghana Armed Forces bands.
‘You always asked me, what will you do when I’m not around’ – Omane Boamah’s widow recounts
Two of the victims: Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, were buried on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
The deceased died in a fatal military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, while on their way to Obuasi for a national assignment.
Watch the video of Titus Glover weeping below:
Former Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Titus Glover, broke down in tears at the state funeral for the eight gallant men who died in the helicopter crash. pic.twitter.com/Qjy7O1WwOl
Police disperse violent youths who blocked sections of roads Buwenge Town on August 15, 2025
Gunfire and tear gas engulfed Buwenge Town in Buwenge Town Council, Jinja District, after security forces shot dead a suspect accused of orchestrating violence during Thursday’s NRM LC3 flag bearer elections.
The suspect, identified only as Tibenkana, was killed on Friday morning while attempting to escape from custody at Buwenge Police Station.
According to multiple sources, the deceased was a leader of the “E-galiri” group—a network of youths allegedly hired to assault and intimidate supporters of a candidate opposing his client.
Jinja Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Mr Samuel Kawuta, confirmed the incident, saying the suspect allegedly led a group of violent youths armed with machetes and sticks embedded with nails. The group reportedly targeted supporters of the incumbent Buwenge Town Council LC3 chairperson, Mr Hassan Kinusa, who was declared winner after contesting against Mr Isamail Ozanya.
“The deceased met his death this morning when he was taken out of the police cells to clean the compound. He attempted to escape, and despite warning shots to stop him, he kept running until he was eventually shot in the chest,” Mr Kawuta said.
Following the shooting, supporters of Mr Ozanya stormed the police station, grabbed the body, and marched with it through the streets of Buwenge towards Mr Kinusa’s home. They pelted police with stones and blocked roads in protest.
Police called for backup, and UPDF soldiers were deployed to disperse the rioters.
Although the elections were marred by violence, Mr Kinusa was declared the winner.
Kagoma County Member of Parliament, Mr Alex Kintu Brandon, condemned the police for shooting the suspect, calling the act “unprofessional” and demanding the arrest of the officer involved.
“The officer behind this shooting must appear before the Police Professional Standards Unit. Before using a firearm, he should have acted more professionally,” Mr Kintu said, adding that he is in touch with police authorities to ensure the officer is apprehended.
A Member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Team and Kennedy Agyapong’s campaign team, Philip Gyimah, has refuted claims that the majority of youth organizers in NPP support Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, insisting instead that most of them are behind Kennedy Agyapong.
Speaking on Happy 98.9 FM’s Epa Hoa Daben show with Bismark Brown (BB), Mr. Gyimah who also serves as a youth organizer in the Greater Accra Region, revealed that 18 youth organizers, 15 deputies, and several coordinators in the region have already declared their support for the former Assin Central MP.
President John Dramani has announced the setting up of a support fund to cater for the children of the eight Ghanaians who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter crash at Adansi Akrufuom in the Ashanti Region.
The fund is expected to cater for their education and welfare as part of the nation’s efforts to ensure they are properly catered for.
Speaking during a burial service for the eight victims at the Black Stars Square, the President said the fund will cater for the children’s education from primary school to tertiary level or technical training.
He said it will also cover health care, including medical insurance and specialised care where required and welfare support; clothing, shelter and essential living expenses.
President Mahama disclosed that Stanbic Bank has opened an account with an initial contribution of GH₵500,000, and indicated that government will make an immediate seed contribution to the fund.
He further disclosed that government will operationalise and publish detailed framework of the Children’s support fund within the next 30 days.
“My office will ensure that the Children’s support fund is sustained for the long term with annual public reporting on how it has been used,” the President further stated.
President Mahama also indicated that government will create channels for contributions from citizens, corporate organisations, professional associations and international partners.
“Let us also leave our eight comrades today with the promise that their children will not be alone and that they’ve got us and we will always be there to share, we’ll proudly walk with them into their future,” President Mahama added.
Eight Ghanaians; Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah lost their lives on August 6, 2025, while on their way to Obuasi where the Ministers and others were scheduled to launch an anti-illegal mining (Galamsey) initiative.
Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna were laid to rest on August 11, 2025, after Islamic burial rites were performed for them at the House.
Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor paid a visit to Manhyia Palace to express his condolences to the Asantehene after Asantehemaa’s passing
In a video, the former Defence Minister shared a heartfelt moment with the grieving Otumfuo Osei Tutu II inside the palace
Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor’s rare public appearance triggered mixed reactions from many Ghanaians on social media
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Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, the brother of former president John Agyekum Kufuor, visited Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor visits Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace to offer condolences after the Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III’s demise. Photo source: @thepalaceview, Modern Ghana Source: TikTok
The former Minister of Defence made his official visit to extend his condolences to the Asantehene and his family following the passing of the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
Other prominent personalities, including other traditional leaders in the Ashanti Kingdom, businessman Dr Kwaku Oteng, veteran broadcaster Kwame Adinkra, and Movement for Change leader Alan Kyeremanten, also visited the Manhyia Palace to commiserate with the grieving Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Addo-Kufuor interacts with Otumfuo at Manhyia Palace
In a video seen by YEN.com.gh, Kwame Addo-Kufuor, who is old and struggles to walk like his brother John Agyekum Kufuor, needed the assistance of two individuals as he went to offer his condolences to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his subjects, who had gathered indoors to welcome the guests.
The Asantehene beamed with a smile as he interacted with the Chancellor of Kumasi Technical University, whom he acknowledged as his uncle due to their family ties.
Kwame Addo-Kufuor also offered his condolences to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s subjects who were seated around him. He and the Asantehene shared a short, friendly conversation before the former departed with the aides helping him return to his seat.
His appearance at the Manhyia Palace marked a rare public sighting for the former politician, who has remained out of the public spotlight for many years.
The video of Addo-Kufuor visiting Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace is below:
Who is Addo-Kufuor?
Aside from being the younger brother of former president John Agyekum Kufuor, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor is well known for being a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and his job as a physician.
The 85-year-old University of Cambridge alumni served as the Member of Parliament for the Manhyia constituency from 2001 to 2007.
Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor gets installed as the Chancellor of Kumasi Technical University. Photo source: Dr Mahamudu Bawumia Source: Facebook
During his brother’s time as the president of Ghana, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor also served as the Minister of Defence and later the Minister of Interior following Malik Alhassan Yakubu’s resignation in 2002.
He was later appointed as the board chairman for the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) during the former president Nana Akufo-Addo’s first term in office.
Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor served in the role until 2021, when he was replaced by Elizabeth Ohene. In September 2022, he was installed as the first-ever Chancellor of the Kumasi Technical University.
Asantehemaa’s passing and aftermath
On Monday, August 11, 2025, the Oyoko Family confirmed that the Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III, who was the second most powerful royal in the Ashanti Kingdom, had died at the age of 98.
She had been appointed to the position of Asantehemaa on February 6, 2017, taking over from her mother, the late Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II announced the Asantehemaa’s passing during an emergency Asanteman Traditional Council meeting at the Manhyia Palace.
The Manhyia Palace subsequently announced a ban on all funerals across Asanteman on Thursday, August 21, 2025, to help the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Asanteman to observe the one-week celebration of the late Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III.
Addo-Kufuor’s public appearance stirs reactions
Dr Addo-Kufuor’s appearance at the Manhyia Palace triggered many reactions from Ghanaians on social media. YEN.com.gh has gathered some comments below:
estheroppong333 commented:
“Oh! Our elders, may the Lord give you strength.”
KwadwoSpeaks said:
“Eii, I thought Mugabe was the one greeting Otumfuo o. Eeiii Awurade. 😂😂”
Apexman1986 wrote:
“Wow, is that our former Defence Minister?”
Otumfuo receives prayers after Asantehemaa’s demise
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Otumfuo received prayers from the Archbishop of Kumasi during his visit to the Manhyia Palace.
The Asantehene bowed before Most Reverend Gabriel Justice Anokye, who prayed for him and sympathised with him over his loss.
The Kumasi Archbishop also commiserated with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s grieving family members at the palace.
Final-year fashion students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi have unveiled a collection of designs at the 2025 Graduate Exhibition and Fashion Show, held under the theme Meta-Oria, meaning “beyond bounds.”
The event, organised by the Department of Industrial Art, featured a runway presentation and sales exhibition, showcasing work that blended artistic innovation with market-ready design. Styles ranged from contemporary streetwear to formal office attire.
Dr. Ebenezer Howard, Head of the Department, said the university is driving innovation in design education. “KNUST is at the forefront of innovation,” he told attendees. “Our strength lies in translating theory into practice. We research to create and that’s what makes us different.”
He added that the department is aligning its curriculum with industry needs to contribute meaningfully to national development. “Industry needs us, and we’re here to make the change,” he said.
The exhibition attracted dozens of parents and guardians, many expressing pride in the creative growth of their wards over the four-year programme. “Seeing my ward design these clothes makes me very proud,” said Lydia, a parent.
Citations were presented to individuals who contributed to the event’s success. Judge Dr. Kwabena Asubonteng praised the students’ work.
“Every year I see progress. The designers have demonstrated originality, creativity, styling, faith and superb presentation. You wouldn’t even imagine the students’ work we’re showcasing this evening. That shows the future is brighter. You’ve all done amazingly well,” he said.
Constance Dontwi was named second runner-up, Evita Gado Wintima took first runner-up, and Eyram Rosemond Narteh won overall best designer. The best exhibitor award went to Mary Borteley Kwao.
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.
Ghana must channel its structural reforms toward private sector growth and youth job creation, warns a new World Bank report.
The ninth Ghana Economic Update stresses that with the working-age population set to surge, failure to generate productive employment risks squandering a major economic opportunity.
“Unemployment and underemployment represent a potential powder keg,” said Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem, endorsing the findings. He called job creation “mission critical” for all stakeholders. The report highlights stalled progress in energy and cocoa sectors as fiscal vulnerabilities, urging accelerated business climate reforms, digital expansion, and infrastructure fixes to unlock private investment.
World Bank Ghana Director Robert Taliercio emphasized urgency: “Sustaining reforms is non-negotiable for stabilizing Ghana’s economy and enabling transformation.” The report projects that absorbing the growing labor force could significantly boost GDP if matched with skills development and entrepreneurship support.
In response, Ampem announced 564.4 million cedis ($52.8 million) for three youth skills programs in 2025, plus 410 million cedis for a national entrepreneurship drive. “We’re targeting the creative potential of our youth,” he stated, framing the spending as essential to defuse the jobs “powder keg.”
The blueprint aligns with Ghana’s need to leverage its cocoa, gold, and oil exports while diversifying its economic foundations. As Taliercio noted: “Growth without jobs is growth that fails your people.”
Veteran journalist and Managing Editor of The Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has urged the government to intensify efforts to end illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, in honour of the late Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah.
Dr. Omane Boamah was among eight people who died in the August 6 helicopter crash.
Speaking onEyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Friday, August 15, Mr. Pratt described the late minister as a student activist, political leader, and medical doctor who dedicated his life to serving the nation.
“He died in the line of duty, no doubt. But I think that those of us who want to honour his memory should carry on the fight that took his life. That is the fight against galamsey. Galamsey has had a devastating effect on the nation.
He added, “If we truly respect Omane Boamah, if we truly believe he was worth the honour that all of us have showered on him. We should renew our commitment to fighting against galamsey. If we fail to fight against galamsey, it will be a huge dishonour in the memory of Omane Boamah and all those who died in the helicopter crash.”
He warned of the devastating impact of illegal mining on the country, citing a 60% drop in cocoa production, severe environmental destruction, and rising health complications, including birth deformities and water contamination.
“Cocoa production has gone down by 60% and we know that galamsey is responsible for the reduction in our figures. Medical experts are reporting that many children are being born deformed, some born without eyes, arms. Water bodies destroyed, food poisoning,” he cited.
Mr. Pratt also fondly recalled health tips Dr. Omane Boamah had shared with him, which helped him avoid frequent malaria attacks.
On Friday, August 15, the nation bid farewell to Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and five others who perished in the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash.
The solemn burial at the Military Cemetery in Tse Addo, Greater Accra Region, drew top government officials, the military high command, grieving families, and mourners from across Ghana.
Earlier, Black Star Square hosted an emotional interfaith funeral service, where tributes flowed alongside tears for the fallen.
The farewell was conducted in full military honours, with performances by the Ghana Air Force and Ghana Armed Forces bands.
This was the second burial for victims of the tragedy. On August 10, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, were laid to rest.
Those interred on August 15 included Dr. Omane Boamah, Samuel Aboagye, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
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President John Dramani Mahama’s children attended the funeral service for the eight victims of the helicopter crash on August 15, 2025
In a video, Farida Mahama had an awkward encounter with Appiah Stadium after the funeral service at the Black Star Square
Footage of the pair’s interaction at the funeral grounds triggered mixed reactions from Ghanaians on social media
It was an awkward moment as Farida, the daughter of President John Dramani Mahama, encountered political commentator Appiah Stadium at the state funeral service for the eight people killed in the tragic helicopter crash on Friday, August 15, 2025.
Farida Mahama struggles to recognise Appiah Stadium during an encounter at the helicopter crash victims’ funeral. Photo source: @alexcharmingdotcomm, @faribxby Source: Instagram
The young lady joined her two brothers, Shafik and Sharaf, her parents, and many individuals who converged at the Black Stars Square to bid farewell to the victims of the recent unfortunate incident.
Former presidents Nana Akufo-Addo and John Agyekum Kufuor were among the many top dignitaries who were present at the funeral service.
Farida struggles to recognise Appiah Stadium
Following the end of the funeral service at the Black Stars Square, Appiah Stadium approached President John Dramani Mahama’s daughter, Farida Mahama, as she and her brothers, Shafik and Sharaf Mahama, made their way out of the venue.
In a video seen by YEN.com.gh, the president’s daughter struggled to recognise and recall the name of the Kumasi-based social commentator, who is a staunch supporter of her father, as they shook hands and conversed among a large crowd.
Appiah Stadium later called on Farida Mahama’s brother, Sharaf Mahama, who finally unveiled the staunch NDC supporter’s identity to his sister.
The pair later shared an embrace before the president’s daughter joined her brothers to depart the Black Stars Square.
Farida Mahama and Appiah Stadium’s awkward interaction came as a surprise to many, considering the latter’s close relationship to President John Dramani Mahama and the First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama.
In past interviews, the staunch NDC supporter has spoken about his various visits to the president’s home and how he had been considered as one of his children.
The video of Farida Mahama struggling to recognise Appiah Stadium during their encounter is below:
The video of Farida Mahama arriving at the funeral service with her brothers is below:
Peter’s wife shares final conversation with husband
At the funeral service for the eight helicopter crash victims, Peter Anala’s wife, Ursula Anala, shared the final conversation she had with her husband before his tragic passing.
Squadron Leader Peter Anala’s widow recounts her husband’s last words to her before his demise at his funeral. Photo source: Ghana Armed Forces Source: Facebook
She also shared fond memories from her marriage with the late Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, including their moments together in the delivery room when they were about to welcome their baby in the UK, two months before his tragic demise.
Ursula Anala spoke about her husband’s commitment to his role in the Ghana Armed Forces and service to the nation throughout his illustrious career as a military pilot.
Farida and Sharaf attend Alhaji Muniru’s funeral
In another story reported by YEN.com.gh, Farida and Sharaf attended Alhaji Muniru Limuna’s final funeral rites on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
In a video, the siblings joined their father, President John Dramani Mahama, to commiserate with the family and friends of the late Acting Deputy National Security coordinator.
Many Ghanaians thronged social media to applaud Farida and Sharaf Mahama for being supportive children for the president.
play videoLieutenant General William Agyapong is the Chief of Defence Staff
The Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS) Lieutenant General William Agyapong, has said that the victims of the helicopter crash will be remembered for their dedication, professionalism and service to the nation.
In a tribute at the state funeral for the victims on Friday, August 15, 2025, he stated that the late Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah’s short tenure at the Ministry was impactful.
“Dr Omane Boamah’s short tenure as Minister of Defence was marked by transformative leadership, innovation and unwavering commitment to excellence. As part of a broader agenda of ‘“Resetting Ghana,’ he advocated and implemented policies that sought to raise the standards of the Ghana Armed Forces,” he said.
It will never make sense – President Mahama mourns victims of helicopter crash
The CDS also lauded Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah for their diligence.
“As the bugle sounds and the night holds its silence, we salute them; Dr Omane Boamah, Squadron Leader Anala, Flying Officer Ampadu, and Sergeant Mensah; brave men who served with pride and fell with honour.
The moment Titus Glover broke down in tears at the state funeral for helicopter crash victims
“Their skills and dedication will continue to influence our training, maintenance, and operational doctrines for years to come. They will be sorely missed but fondly remembered,” he added.
Six (6) of the military helicopter crash victims were laid to rest in a solemn burial ceremony at the Military Cemetery at Tse Addo, on Friday, August 15, 2025.
They include political and government officials; Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Samuel Aboagye, Dr Samuel Sarpong, as well as crew members; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Two of the victims: Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed were buried on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
The 8 lost their lives in a fatal military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Watch the video below:
JKB/AE
Ghana Mourns: Caskets of fallen heroes carried with honour to the Black Star Square
Priscilla Boateng with Dr Bawumial (L) had a commanding victory over Kennedy’s Sandra Boateng
The just-ended TESCON Women Commissioner election at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) has led to renewed conversations regarding who, between Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Kennedy Agyapong, truly has the heart of the New Patriotic Party.
This is ahead of the January 2026 NPP flagbearer election that is already gaining a lot of traction across the country, even before the actual contest begins.
In the AAMUSTED TESCON Wocom election, two of the leading candidates became the centre of discussions after each of them was linked with either of the two leading NPP candidates, with the results of their election on Thursday, August 14, 2025, becoming a major national political conversation.
According to reports that have emerged after the campus election, the winner, Priscilla Boateng, had been captured in a photo with the former NPP Flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; while her contender, Sandra Boateng, had also been captured on video being recently endorsed by the former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong.
NPP Primaries: Party youth organisers state 4 reasons why Bawumia is the best to lead
In a caption shared on Facebook by a page, NPP Beyond The Eight, it put the matter in perspective, stating;
“Some people have been pushing the narrative that the grassroots hate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and prefer Hon Ken instead. But the recent election at AAMSUTED (Kumasi campus) tells a different story. Two candidates contested, one was publicly endorsed by Hon. Ken in front of students (the grassroots), and the other openly visited Dr Bawumia at his residence.
“When the votes were counted, it was the candidate associated with Dr Bawumia who won. This is a clear and practical example that the grassroots are not universally against DMB. In fact, it clearly shows that when given a fair choice, many at the grassroots are willing to back those aligned with Bawumia and Bawumia’s candidature as well.”
The page further stated that results from the TESCON election at AAMUSTED reflect the bigger national conversation on who, between Dr Bawumia and Kennedy Agyapong, is likely to sweep the votes of the delegates of the New Patriotic Party at the January 2026 election.
Over 400 NPP youth organisers pick nomination forms for Bawumia
“This result should make us question the accuracy of the grassroots hate Bawumia claim. The truth is, the grassroots support those who have rich ideas, believe in those who can deliver, and they are more diverse in their preferences than some would like to admit.
“The AAMSUTED election is living proof that Bawumia still commands significant grassroots appeal,” it added.
According to details from social media, Priscilla won with 262 votes, while her contender, Sandra, garnered 130 votes.
Meanwhile, watch the trailer for GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
The conference brought together editors from various African parliaments and legislative assemblies
The Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association – Africa Region (CHEA-AR) has urged African parliaments, legislatures, and assemblies to invest in technological infrastructure and capacity building to enhance Hansard reporting, following its 11th Biennial Conference held in Accra, Ghana, from August 11 to 15, 2025.
In a communique issued on August 15, 2025, the association outlined eight resolutions aimed at improving parliamentary reporting across Africa.
The communique called for increased investment in technological systems, software, and tools to advance Hansard production.
It also emphasised the need for continuous training of Hansard officers in modern technologies to boost efficiency.
The association advocated for standardised production and training processes for Hansard officers across African parliaments, as well as improved collaboration to ensure consistency.
It further urged parliaments to support hosting and participation in future CHEA-AR conferences and to adopt appropriate technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance Hansard production.
Additionally, the communique stressed the importance of reducing turnaround times for the preparation, production, and publication of Hansards and making them readily accessible to the public.
Parliament announces new entry protocols for visitors
Established to foster collaboration and professional development, the Biennial Conference of the Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association – Africa Region has been held every two years since its inception and serves as a platform for sharing best practices, enhancing skills, and addressing challenges in parliamentary reporting, particularly the production of Hansard.
GA
Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
Residents and passersby look on at the rented house where three siblings died in a fire
According to Mr Herbert Mubiru, one of the first responders, the blaze, suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, broke out around midnight
Residents of Mpala Cell in Katabi Town Council, Wakiso District, were left in shock on Friday after three siblings died in a house fire that gutted their rented apartment in the early hours of the morning.
According to Mr Herbert Mubiru, one of the first responders, the blaze, suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, broke out around midnight, killing 12-year-old Ellah Namiiro, 5-year-old Amani Namulema, and 3-year-old Namujju Tamale. The children had reportedly been locked inside the house by their mother.
“We later learned that the parents were not at home at the time of the fire,” Mr Mubiru said.
Neighbours told this publication that the children’s mother, Ms Julie Nalubwama, had locked them inside before going out for the night. She allegedly returned to find the house ablaze, as residents struggled to put out the flames. The children’s father, Mr Lenon Kavuma, was said to be away on a business trip at the time.
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police PRO, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, confirmed that investigations have commenced into the tragic incident.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the mother of the victims, Nalubwama Julie, had left them unattended, while the father, Kavuma Lenon, was away in Jinja for work,” he said.
Mr Owoyesigyire explained that the fire broke out at about 1 am and was reported to the police by the local LC1 chairperson. “The Fire and Rescue Services responded promptly and extinguished the blaze. Two bodies were recovered outside the burnt house, while the third was found inside, burnt beyond recognition,” he said.
The scene was documented, witness statements recorded, and the bodies conveyed to the City Mortuary for a postmortem examination. Investigations into the exact cause of the fire are ongoing.
It began on a medical school bus — and grew into a marriage filled with laughter, late-night walks, and shared plates of kenkey and fish.
This is how Mrs. Rita Omane Boamah remembers her husband, Ghana’s late Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, who died in a Ghana Airforce helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6.
In a tribute at a state funeral in Accra on August 15, she said in the beginning their nightly walks for kenkey and fish became “the hallmark” of their love story. “KB, as I affectionately called you, we were destined to be together,” she recalled.
She painted a portrait of a devoted family man who, despite the pressures of public office and a demanding medical career, bathed or dressed their children every morning, oversaw their studies, and still found time for play. “You were the definition of a genuine person with a pure heart of gold,” she said.
Dr Omane Boamah was one of eight people killed when a Ghana Airforce Z-9 helicopter crashed at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region. The delegation was travelling to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Community and Cooperative Mining Programme.
The other victims included Environment Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
In closing her tribute, Mrs Omane Boamah addressed her late husband directly: “Kofi B, thank you for loving me. Thank you for loving the children. With God’s help, I will take care of mummy and the three kids, knowing you will be watching over us from heaven.
Read full tribute below:
When peace like a river attended my way, when sorrow like sea billows roll, whatever my Lord, thou has taught me to say, it is well with my soul.
KB, as I affectionately called you, we were destined to be together. Though I was not a medical student, fate brought us together on that fateful day when I boarded the Medical School bus.
Our friendship started and was nothing short of love and adventure. Our night walk from my home to buy Kenkey and fish and vice versa. I always looked forward to visiting you in school so we could embark on our love walk to buy kenkey and fish. Thus, our walk to buy kenkey and fish became our hallmark.
In fact, I saw a father in you because you were the exact replica of my dad. You also confirmed to me, when you first met my dad, that you knew you had found in me a partner for life.
I had no doubt you will be a loving and perfect father to our children. You were truly God-sent. Your commitment and love was such that you proposed we got married on my birthday. And we have always had a double celebration on my birthday, which I was looking forward to this year also.
When we started having kids, you were a wonderful father. You were a great source of hope to me and the children. Despite your busy schedule as a medical doctor and later in your political roles, you either bathed the children every morning or dressed them up while I bathed them.
You were their favourite teacher because you knew their syllabus back to back. You always had a strict timetable for their private studies yet you made room for their play and adventure. You were truly a family man- the definition of a genuine person with a pure heart of gold.
In our years of marriage, you always asked, Abena Rita, what will you do when I am not around? I never answered and till today I don’t have an answer. I will, with the help of God, take care of mummy and the three kids. Knowing who you are, I believe you will be looking down on us to guide us through the heavens.
Late NDC politician Samuel Aboagye’s daughters mourned him during the state funeral held for the eight fallen heroes on Friday, August 15
Aboagye’s eldest daughter broke down in tears as she shared an emotional tribute remembering their fondest times together
Samuel Aboagye was one of eight individuals killed when a Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crashed near Obuasi on August 6
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The eldest daughter of the late NDC politician Samuel Aboagye broke down in tears as she paid tribute to him at his funeral.
Samuel Aboagye’s daughter inconsolable as they share an emotional tribute to him during his funeral. Source: Instagram
A state funeral was held for the eight victims of the Obuasi helicopter crash at the Black Star Square in Accra on Friday, August 15.
Prominent Ghanaians from all sectors and industries were invited to appear in honour of the fallen heroes, who died in a tragic helicopter crash near Obuasi on August 6.
The eight were travelling to the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), an initiative in the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
They died when the helicopter crashed into the Sikaman Forest in the Adansi Afuokrom District of the Ashanti Region.
Samuel Aboagye’s daughter weeps during tribute
The former National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Obuasi East, Samuel Aboagye, who died in the crash, was survived by a wife and two daughters.
Samuel Aboagye’s daughters presented an emotional tribute to him at the funeral and were left in tears over the loss of their father.
The tribute, which was written by his elder daughter and read on their behalf, shared fond memories of their father.
Aboagye’s daughter noted that he always fulfilled their wishes and was a loving father.
She painfully recalled that his death occurred just a day after her birthday on August 5, and that he would not miss her little sister’s upcoming birthday in September.
The emotional tribute left both Aboagye’s wife and daughter in tears, while the youngest daughter looked sad.
The Instagram video of Samuel Aboagye’s daughter’s tribute is below.
The Bolgatanga Technical Institute (BOTECH) has been closed indefinitely after a violent student riot left parts of the school in flames.
The disturbances began late on Thursday, August 14, and continued into the early hours of Friday, August 15, resulting in the destruction of the school’s library and the senior housemaster’s office.
The cause of the unrest remains unknown, as both the police and school authorities have yet to issue an official statement.
Education officials ordered the closure to safeguard students, staff, and school property while investigations are carried out.
The full extent of the damage to the affected buildings has not yet been determined, but no injuries were reported.
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The tragic helicopter crash on Wednesday, 6th August 2025, that took the lives of eight individuals, including two cabinet ministers, has left Ghana in mourning and raised significant concerns about aviation safety.
In the wake of this heart-wrenching event, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Foreign Minister and the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, said the government has announced plans to enlist experts from the United States to investigate the accident.
This Saturday on Newsfile, host Samson Lardy Anyenini and his panel will confront three of the week’s most charged national issues: how the August 6 Ghana Air Force helicopter crash could reshape the fight against illegal mining, the government’s review of prophecies by the Presidential Envoy, and the arrests of citizens over online speech.
The crash, which claimed eight lives, including two ministers of state and six others, has sparked fresh calls for a “ruthless” war on galamsey.
Government officials, Civil Society Organisations, and individuals have called for uncompromising national action against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The show will also probe a controversial August 10 directive requiring religious leaders to submit spiritual messages related to governance, security, or stability to the Office of the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations.
The Presidential Envoy has indicated that over 200 submissions have been received, but only 2–5% merit further review. Critics have argued that the policy risks infringing on religious freedom and could blur the line between stewardship and censorship.
The panel will also discuss this week’s arrests of TikTok comedians Fante Comedy and Akosua Jollof, as well as activist Daniel Adomako (Sir-Obama Pokuase), over commentary in a viral video.
The New Patriotic Party National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha, has condemned the arrests as “shamelessly biased” and “partisan.” The detentions also echo concerns raised in the 2024 U.S. State Department Human Rights Report on Ghana, which flagged arbitrary arrests and restrictions on media freedom.
From loss and reform to the boundaries of dissent, this Saturday on Newsfile will unpack what these developments mean for law enforcement, environmental protection, religious expression, and democratic space.
Newsfile airs live on the JoyNews channel on digital satellite channels 421 on DSTV and 144 on GoTV, and streams on JoyNews’ Facebook or YouTube channels on Saturdays from 9 am to noon.
Viewers can also follow the discussion by tuning in to Joy 99.7 FM or Luv 99.5 FM on the radio or stream the discussion live on either Google or Apple Podcasts.
Newsfile is your most authoritative news analysis programme.
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.
PRESIDENT JOHN Mahama, in honour of the three Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) crew members who lost their lives in the helicopter crash incident, has promoted them to various ranks.
Speaking at the burial service for the other six victims in Accra, President John Mahama mentioned that following consultation with the government leadership, they are honouring the three officers for their sacrifices made to the nation.
Squadron Leader, Peter Baafemi Anala, promoted to the rank of Wing Commander, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu Manaen, promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah to Flight Sergeant.
‘These are not just symbolic gestures. They represent the rightful place these officers have gained in our Republic’s role of honor, and the benefits due to their families will be reflected in these new ranks,’ he said.”
President John Mahama added that the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General William Agyapong, will oversee the ceremonial presentation of the posthumous promotion to their families.
He further added that the other victims who are civilians will be equally honoured in the next national mourners’ ceremony.
Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Senior Presidential Aide and Advisor to former President John Mahama, has paid an emotional tribute to the late Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, who died in the August 6 helicopter crash.
In a eulogy titled “An Ode to My Brother, Confidante and Manager Extraordinaire”, she described him as faithful, loyal, humble, vibrant, and bold, saying his death has left an irreplaceable void.
Telecommunications giant MTN Ghana has reinforced its commitment to Ghana football with a $2 million sponsorship package covering all four national teams — the Black Stars, Black Queens, Black Satellites, and Black Starlets — for the next two years.
The landmark agreement, announced on Thursday at a colourful ceremony at MTN House in Accra, extends MTN’s existing partnership with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Black Stars, and will run from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2027.
The event drew prominent figures including GFA President Kurt Simeon-Okraku, members of the Executive Council, Chief Director at the Ministry of Youth and Sports Wilhemina Asamoah (representing the Minister), Black Stars legends, and football enthusiasts.
MTN CEO Stephen Blewett, recalling his personal connection to Ghanaian football dating back to the Black Stars’ 2010 FIFA World Cup quarter-final run in South Africa, praised the passion and unity the sport inspires in Ghana.
“FOOTBALL HERE IS NOT JUST A SPORT — IT IS PART OF THE NATIONAL HEARTBEAT,” Mr. Blewett said. “THE PRIDE, PASSION, AND UNITY IT CREATES IS A TESTAMENT TO ITS UNMATCHED POWER TO CONNECT AND INSPIRE PEOPLE.”
He described MTN as “THE BIGGEST CORPORATE SUPPORTER OF GHANAIAN FOOTBALL,” highlighting the brand’s ongoing sponsorship of the MTN FA Cup since 2011 and plans for a national MTN Elite U-19 side to scout future stars for the U-20 team.
Mr. Blewett also threw down a bold challenge to the Black Stars:
“GHANA HAS NEVER LIFTED THE WORLD CUP TROPHY, BUT THAT SHOULD BE THE SPARK, NOT THE SCAR. AT MTN, WE WANT TO SEE GHANA WIN THE WORLD CUP — THAT’S OUR DREAM, MISSION, AND COMMITMENT.”
GFA President Kurt Simeon-Okraku lauded MTN’s investment, calling it a lifeline for the sport.
“MTN GHANA BELIEVES IN OUR PRESENT AND OUR COLLECTIVE FUTURE. WITH THIS DEAL, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FACING GHANA FOOTBALL HAS BEEN SOLVED,” he said, promising to ensure the resources are used effectively to achieve results.
He noted that the MTN FA Cup’s reach — encompassing second and third-tier clubs nationwide — has provided a vital platform for young, lesser-known players to compete against top-level talent and showcase their skills.
Chief Director Wilhemina Asamoah commended MTN’s wider contributions to national development, urging other corporate bodies to emulate their commitment.
“SPORTS HAS THE POWER TO IMPACT LIVES, BOOST ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND STRENGTHEN CULTURAL AND SOCIAL COHESION,” she said.
The new sponsorship underscores MTN’s longstanding partnership with Ghana football and its ambition to see the nation rise to the very top of the global game.
Ghanaian actor/filmmaker, Kwadwo Nkansah, aka LilWin, has opened up about the emotional toll the recent accusations surrounding his latest movie ‘Ibrahim Traore’ had on him.
According to him, the late Highlife legend, Daddy Lumba’s music was his source of strength during the challenging period.
The Kumawood star found himself at the center of controversies following a public feud with gospel musician, Diana Asamoah, during which she and other online trolls made shocking allegations of him being involved in “ritual sacrifices” so as to ensure the movie’s success.
‘I was just hurt because I couldn’t be at the vigil’ – LilWin clarifies ‘sabotage’ comment
But in an interview with Graphic Showbiz, LilWin said that the accusations were deeply painful.
“The lies hurt me very much. But they ultimately made me stronger. Whenever I felt overwhelmed, I would play Daddy Lumba’s classic hit ‘Yentie Obiaa’ (Don’t Mind Them) and it would renew my focus,” he said.
The actor-producer credited the inspirational track by Lumba with helping him push through the negativity to achieve a successful premiere for ‘Ibrahim Traore.’
“I was motivated to remain focused. I went on with the premiere and it was successful,” he shared.
The controversy began when Lil Win’s movie premiere coincided with a candlelight vigil for Daddy Lumba, leading to a public misunderstanding about his intentions.
ID/AE
Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
Priscilla Boateng with Dr Bawumial (L) had a commanding victory over Kennedy’s Sandra Boateng
The just-ended TESCON Women Commissioner election at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) has led to renewed conversations regarding who, between Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Kennedy Agyapong, truly has the heart of the New Patriotic Party.
This is ahead of the January 2026 NPP flagbearer election that is already gaining a lot of traction across the country, even before the actual contest begins.
In the AAMUSTED TESCON Wocom election, two of the leading candidates became the centre of discussions after each of them was linked with either of the two leading NPP candidates, with the results of their election on Thursday, August 14, 2025, becoming a major national political conversation.
According to reports that have emerged after the campus election, the winner, Priscilla Boateng, had been captured in a photo with the former NPP Flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; while her contender, Sandra Boateng, had also been captured on video being recently endorsed by the former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong.
NPP Primaries: Party youth organisers state 4 reasons why Bawumia is the best to lead
In a caption shared on Facebook by a page, NPP Beyond The Eight, it put the matter in perspective, stating;
“Some people have been pushing the narrative that the grassroots hate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and prefer Hon Ken instead. But the recent election at AAMSUTED (Kumasi campus) tells a different story. Two candidates contested, one was publicly endorsed by Hon. Ken in front of students (the grassroots), and the other openly visited Dr Bawumia at his residence.
“When the votes were counted, it was the candidate associated with Dr Bawumia who won. This is a clear and practical example that the grassroots are not universally against DMB. In fact, it clearly shows that when given a fair choice, many at the grassroots are willing to back those aligned with Bawumia and Bawumia’s candidature as well.”
The page further stated that results from the TESCON election at AAMUSTED reflect the bigger national conversation on who, between Dr Bawumia and Kennedy Agyapong, is likely to sweep the votes of the delegates of the New Patriotic Party at the January 2026 election.
Over 400 NPP youth organisers pick nomination forms for Bawumia
“This result should make us question the accuracy of the grassroots hate Bawumia claim. The truth is, the grassroots support those who have rich ideas, believe in those who can deliver, and they are more diverse in their preferences than some would like to admit.
“The AAMSUTED election is living proof that Bawumia still commands significant grassroots appeal,” it added.
According to details from social media, Priscilla won with 262 votes, while her contender, Sandra, garnered 130 votes.
Meanwhile, watch the trailer for GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa is spearheading this
South Africa is embarking on a nationwide conversation aimed at confronting its most urgent challenges, as President Cyril Ramaphosa launches a “national dialogue” in Pretoria. The two-day opening convention, starting today, August 15, 2025, marks the start of what is billed as a people-driven process that will bring together political parties, civic organizations, religious leaders, cultural figures, and ordinary citizens.
The initiative comes after growing calls from civil society for a forum where South Africans can reflect on the country’s trajectory and craft a shared vision for its future. Ramaphosa, announcing the plan in June, declared, “The national dialogue must be a place where everyone has a voice. The dialogue will be a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of our country in order for us to reimagine our future.”
More than three decades after the end of apartheid, South Africa still grapples with severe inequality, high crime rates, widespread corruption, and an unemployment rate topping 30%, one of the highest in the world. While the country made significant strides after its first democratic election in 1994, critics say progress has stalled over the past decade. Momentum for a national reckoning intensified after the African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 elections, leading to a coalition government.
The dialogue will roll out in phases, with public discussions planned in all nine provinces, both in person and online. An Eminent Persons Group, featuring figures such as rugby captain Siya Kolisi, veteran actor John Kani, and former Constitutional Court judge Edwin Cameron, will guide the process.
Yet the effort has met skepticism. The Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party in the governing coalition, has pulled out following a dispute over the dismissal of one of its deputy ministers, calling the talks a misuse of public funds. The MK Party, now the official opposition, has also refused to participate. Several major foundations have skipped the opening event, citing rushed preparation, though they say they may join later stages.
The estimated $40 million cost has been a flashpoint. Ramaphosa’s office disputes the figure but argues that a genuine nationwide consultation inevitably comes with a hefty price tag. Political analyst Dirk Kotze of the University of Pretoria agrees, noting in an AP report, “If you want to have a real nationwide process, then it is going to cost a lot of money. It’s not something that can be avoided.”
Some opponents suspect the ANC may use the dialogue to steer public opinion ahead of next year’s local elections, a charge analysts warn could undermine its credibility. As Kotze put it, “I think the message that comes through specifically for the ANC is that they should stand a little bit back and not try to control the process.”
Ghanaian artiste, Fameye, is stepping into a fresh artistic era with the unveiling of a new alter ego he calls Antonio.
He shared the news in an interview with TV3, hinting that Antonio will headline his upcoming wave of music releases. Drawing inspiration from his father’s career in law enforcement, Fameye says the character reflects a police officer’s son, right down to his new look.
Former Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of harbouring what he calls a dangerous “standing declaration” that puts their members at risk as per reports from MyNewsGH.
Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo morning show, Duncan claimed that remarks made by NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, in 2022 have effectively rendered “every NDC member a potential human sacrifice.”
Duncan cited biblical scripture from Proverbs 18:21 to emphasise his concerns, arguing that words carry lasting consequences.
He alleged that Nketiah, during the NDC’s 10th National Delegates Congress, declared the party’s willingness to “sacrifice everything, including our lives” to achieve their political goals.
According to Duncan, such a statement, unless publicly retracted, remains active and dangerous.
“At the time he made that statement, he had the potential to carry it out,” Duncan stressed, adding that its continued existence poses a symbolic threat to members of the party.
The former minister’s comments came amid national mourning following a military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
The accident claimed the lives of several high-profile figures, including Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and other senior officials, as well as three Ghana Armed Forces crew members.
Linking the tragedy to his broader concerns, Duncan suggested that political rhetoric must be carefully weighed to avoid unintended implications.
Dr Noel Nutsugah, a lecturer and Head of the Department of Public Relations under the Faculty of Business and Strategic Communication (FoBSC) at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), has been elected President of the UniMAC chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).
In elections held on Thursday, August 14, 2025, Dr Nutsugah secured a decisive victory with 74 votes out of 79 valid ballots cast.
Other elected executives include Dr Isaac Osei as Vice President, Dr Mary Ayim-Segbefia as Secretary, Dr Stephen Tindi as Treasurer, Dr Beatrice Agyemang as Women’s Executive Officer, and Dr Joshua Doe as Institute Representative for UniMAC-IJ.
Commenting on his overwhelming endorsement, Dr Nutsugah said: “This is not a task I take lightly. I’m grateful to the union members for the confidence reposed in me, and I pledge my commitment to serving diligently in this role to safeguard and enhance the welfare of the University Teacher.” UTAG exists to promote the welfare of university teachers by improving working conditions and facilities, fostering collaboration among members, strengthening communication channels within and outside the university community, and advancing teaching, research, and community service. The association operates a national secretariat with executive leadership, alongside branches in all public universities, including UniMAC.
About Dr Noel Nutsugah Dr Nutsugah is a results-driven communication practitioner and academic with over nine years of teaching experience in public relations and journalism at UniMAC, as well as adjunct lecturing at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
He currently serves as Head of the Department for Public Relations at FoBSC and formerly held the role of Faculty Programmes Coordinator for the erstwhile Faculty of Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing (FOPAM).
An accredited member of IPR-Ghana, IAMCR, and CEAG, and a former member of IABC, Dr Nutsugah’s research focuses on brand communities, digital communication, and organisational reputation management. His work has been published in respected journals, including Public Relations Review, Online Information Review, Annals of the International Communication Association, and the Journal of Public Relations Research.
He is passionate about bridging academia and industry to nurture the next generation of communication professionals in Africa.
Fresh FM’s Ibadan station is currently ablaze, triggering alarm across the city.
A media personality in Ibadan, Arugbobois, sounded the alert on social media, urging the public to spread word and call in the fire service for immediate action.
Oyo State’s fire services have confirmed their presence at the scene, with General Manager Rev.
Samuel Kwaku Adu Aboagye – Deputy Director-General of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
It is often said that the hour of death cannot be foretold. Though we acknowledge this truth, we tend to believe that such a moment lies far ahead in time. Never did we imagine that today, we would be gathered here to remember and mourn our brother Hon. Samuel Aboagye, whose body we cannot identify.
Adu Kwaku, as the family calls him, was born on December 23, 1990, in Damongo, in the Savannah Region of Ghana.
His parents are the late Mr. Jeremiah Kwabena Aboagye and Madam Ama Ajubi. The father was an Agric Extension officer at Damongo and later became a businessman upon his retirement and came home to Adansi-Patakoro.
The late father was the chief of Patakoro in the early ’80s. He was the last child of his parents (Kakyere).
Early life
Hon. Samuel Aboagye started his primary school at the Damongo Cambridge Educational Complex. He joined his parents to return to Obuasi since his father had retired and was getting older.
He continued his education at Bekwai, Victory International Complex, and wrote his BECE at St. Philip Catholic Int. School at Tutuka-Obuasi in 2006.
He was enrolled at St. Margaret Senior High from 2007 to 2010 for his secondary education.
He had his first degree from Accra Business School and proceeded to do his master’s programme in business administration between the years of 2020 and 2024.
Christian life
Adu was a Christian and member of the Church of Pentecost. He was baptized in water at Damongo in the year 2005. He prides himself as a member of the Church of Pentecost because the whole family attends the Church of Pentecost, of which his elder brother is a pastor.
His love for God and things in the church was admirable.
He was someone who did not hide his Christian faith and was always ready to contribute his quota to the growth and development of his church.
Professional life
Hon. Samuel Aboagye was a promising young man full of business ideas. With the help of his family, he made his first business trip to Germany in 2013 and later to the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA).
During this period, he also served as a FIFA-licensed agent, engaging in international sports management and building valuable global networks.
He returned to Ghana in 2017 to serve his country and his hometown, Adansi, until the Black Wednesday of this tragic incident, which claimed his life. He was married to Abigail Salami and had two children, all girls.
Political life
Hon. Samuel Aboagye was the parliamentary candidate for the NDC, Obuasi East Constituency, in the 2020 elections.
He was again the parliamentary candidate in the 2024 elections, which he won, but administrative errors on the side of the electoral commission wrongfully announced the win to his opponent, for which the case is pending in the law court.
The President, John Dramani Mahama, then appointed him as the Deputy Director General of NADMO. It was in this capacity, serving his people and his country, that he got involved in this tragic helicopter crash.
Transition to glory
On the morning of Wednesday, 6th August 2025, news broke out in the social media about a helicopter crash; little did we know that our brother was part of the people who were on the plane.
The news sends shockwaves through the family and friends; even now, it remains difficult to accept that our son, brother, and friend is no more with us.
The family investment in our brother has gone to waste. Why so soon, Sammy?We take comfort in the Lord that death is not the end; it is but a brief rest for those who walk with the Lord. Indeed, his passing is a profound loss to the family, the church, and the community.
It has been confirmed that four females, including a seven-year-old girl died instantly when a Star Oil fuel tanker drove over them at Asukawkaw in the Krachi-East Municipality in the Oti Region on Thursday [August 14, 2025].
Graphic Online’s Emmanuel Modey reports that the fuel tanker, with registration number GN 1531-23 that was heading towards Dambai to discharge fuel.
It reportedly had a brake failure after descending the Asukawkaw mountain, and therefore could not turn on a sharp curve towards the Kpando-Worawora-Dambai highway.
It run into eight people, all market women who were waiting to board vehicles to to travel back home after the day’s activities.
In the process, the tanker also run into a stationary truck belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana ( ECG) vehicle with registration number GT 627-21, mangling it beyond repairs and injuring the driver who was in the vehicle waiting for colleagues who had gone into town on their work rounds.
The tanker also destroyed a mosque and managed to come to a halt after hitting the Evangelical Presbyterian Church building in the area.
The drivers of the tanker and the ECG truck and the eight other injured women were taken to the hospital for treatment.
The bodies of the four deceased yet to be identified have been deposited at the Worawora hospital morgue.
According to the Oti Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service ( GNFS) Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Prince Billy Anaglate they received a distress call about the accident at 12:30 pm.
He said the security personnel had to be on standby throughout the night to prevent the incensed youth who were on rampage from completely destroying the fuel tanker.
Mr Billy Anaglate the Krachi-East Municipal Chief Executive, Sarfo Nketia and the chief of Asukwakwa, Nana Odam Gyamfy III intervened to calm the youth.
The Chief Executive Officer of Midas Touch Entertainment, Kwabena Opoku Oppong, has donated essential food items and cash to the Kumasi Children’s Home.
The gesture is aimed at helping ease the daily challenges faced by the more than 100 children under the care of the facility.
The Kumasi Children’s Home, established in 1996, is home to more than 100 underprivileged children and orphans, providing diverse care and support.
The government-run residential facility provides vulnerable children with essentials like food, healthcare, shelter, education, and emotional support, but largely run on the benevolence of the public.
The CEO of Midas Touch Entertainment donated the essential items to the home in memory of his deceased mother, Georgina Opoku.
He says the gesture reflects the deeds of his late mother.
“My late mother was a woman of kindness, and in her memory, we have come to support the Kumasi children’s home, something she would have done herself. She believed every child deserves love and care.
“This is just the beginning, and I invite individuals and organisations to give these children the care and hope they deserve. They are our future leaders, and together we can make their future bright,” he said.
The Kumasi Children’s Home was presented with items such as rice, cooking oil, toiletries, bottled water, stationery, beverages and cash.
The Home Manageress of the Kumasi Children’s Home, Mabel Pinamang Boamah, said the intervention was timely.
“On behalf of the kids and management, we say a big thank you to the Opoku Family. These items are essential, and they have come at the right time. We hope that God replenish your pocket,” she said.
Apart from the donation, Mr. Opoku Oppong, in the company of family and friends, fraternised with the underprivileged children, leaving them with smiles.
Friends and loved ones, including musician Gyakie and Rufftown management, assisted in a pep talk with the children.
“Our mother was a staunch Christian and giver. We want to continue her legacy. She has love for kids and the needy, and advises us to give,” Sandra Opoku, daughter of the late Georgina Opoku, said.
The intervention planned and executed by GS Concierge Limited was lauded as outstanding and heartwarming.
Mahama honours fallen Air Force Officers with Posthumous promotions
The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations has issued a stern ultimatum to MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DStv, warning that all transmissions could be taken off-air by September 6, 2025, if the company fails to comply with a key regulatory order.
The directive marks an escalation in the ongoing standoff between the government and the pay-TV provider over access to critical pricing information.
The Ministry says it requires the data — including a detailed breakdown of bouquet prices, applicable taxes, and comparisons with at least six other African countries — to engage meaningfully on reducing subscription fees for Ghanaian consumers.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Friday, August 15, Sector Minister Samuel Nartey George said MultiChoice had failed to meet the Ministry’s initial request, even after being granted an extension until Monday, August 11, 2025.
“They said they wanted to provide a consolidated response, and I asked what that meant. They explained that they wanted to submit the information alongside a response to the 30-day suspension notice. The two are not connected in any way.
The suspension notice is saying that they failed to apply to the first request of the Ministry, and per the terms of their licence, we have the power to suspend your licence in the interest of the public or on national security grounds. So, we invoked that clause and suspended it.
While they seek to consolidate us, I will enforce the laws of the land. We have fined them GHC10,000. If on the 6th of September there is no resolution, we will stop any transmission of DStv in the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry has already begun applying a statutory fine of GHC10,000 per day on MultiChoice, effective Friday, August 15.
Gov’t fines DStv GHC10,000 daily for withholding pricing data
With a heart crushed beneath the weight of grief, I stand before a world that commiserates in sadness, a nation that is grief-stricken and the family of Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah that can only be utterly shaken to the core, to pay this untimely tribute in my capacity as a colleague Cabinet Minister to the Minister for Defence of the Republic of Ghana until that tragic event of Wednesday, 6th August, 2025. On that fateful day, since dubbed Ghana’s Black Wednesday, Dr Omane Boamah, onboard a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 helicopter together with seven others, namely: Hon. Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed – MP for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Alhaji Limuna Muniru – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Dr Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman of our National Democratic Congress, Samuel Aboagye – former parliamentary candidate, and the flight crew of Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, were en route to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region for the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) when their aircraft came down near Sikaman in the Adansi Akrofuom District in unconfirmed circumstances. All eight gallant Ghanaians perished in what Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Julius Debrah, described as a national tragedy. As a nation, we are grief-stricken and mourn as we do because never in the history of Ghana has such a fate befallen us, for high-ranking state officials of that stature to be lost as they were on that dark day. We grieve but submit to the ways of the all-knowing Allah. Because as we faithfully hold, it is Allah’s will that what happened happened and happened as it did, gruesome and devastating as it is. It is particularly so for Dr Omane Boamah for whom this eulogy goes because we know he was earlier not scheduled to be on that ill-fated flight. What a tragic loss! He was simply formidable, thoughtful and strategic in all he did, a political thinker whose singular preoccupation was Mahama’s success driven by his love for mother Ghana. You were a Founding Member of the Committee for Joint Action (CJA) with Kwesi Pratt, Bernard Mornah and Kwesi Adu among others. From the night John Mahama conceded to the outcome of the 2016 elections to your untimely and tragic death in a helicopter crash, you served with unalloyed loyalty, dedication and unwavering commitment. Ghana has lost an exemplary Public Servant and son. You told me and Rita that you were not interested and not likely to accept an appointment into His Excellency John Dramani Mahama’s “Second Coming.” You told me there were only two threats (to be shared in future or a later date) and God that could stand in the way of now President Mahama’s return; and you worked with your Small Team to make it happen. It is an irony of fate that the Minister of Defence was bereft of the defence he deserved when it mattered most, and the medical doctor was left with option for emergency care. Sad and, as it were, unacceptable as it is, who are we, mere mortals, to question the script of the All-Powerful yet Ever Merciful God. Even as we’ve been to the family house to commiserate with the inconsolable Rita and the rest of the family, my heartfelt condolences go to them and the children again. Edward, your death is a terrible blow and very hard to bear, as you died in such a tragic way in the line of duty. May your blood so painfully shed be the caustic cleaning agent that purifies our water bodies from the pollution of heavy metals and restore our degraded forests from the evil of illegal small scale mining, otherwise known as “galamsey”. Omane Boamah and I, besides being trusted and able lieutenants as Cabinet Ministers of His Excellency the President, John Dramani Mahama, share in common a number of notable roles since our respective student days. In that sense and in reality, he was a younger brother to me, and a dear one at that. I am in great pain. As I was from 1996 to 1997 in a memorable and epoch-making tenure, Edward was also President of the National Union of Ghana Students during his student days at the University of Ghana Medical School. His efficiency and political acumen were honed from those times as he combined the demands of medical education with student politics, also serving as the Coordinating Secretary of the Federation of Ghana Medical Students Association. Again, Omane received my handing over notes in 2013 as he succeeded me as Minister of Communications during President Mahama’s first presidency. At a time when that portfolio was combined with that of Information, he concurrently and ably served as the Spokesman for His Excellency the President. Previously, he had served in Deputy Ministerial capacities for Environment, Science and Technology and also for Youth and Sports during the tenure of our late and beloved President John Evans Atta Mills. At a time when youth were not being credited with much experience and capacity, Omane Boamah was part of the corpus of we young and vibrant political activists whom President Mills purposefully sought to challenge with ministerial portfolios. And by the grace of God and by virtue of our preparation and the support of Ghanaians high and low, we delivered and lived up to the high expectation of us. Indeed, I was particularly tasked by the Venerable Ato Awhoi to recruit some of such student activists from NUGS to be appointed Ministers and Omane Boamah turned out to be one such vibrant and promising young politician. Indeed, Omane Boamah has been described as the midwife who helped deliver NDC’s resounding 2024 electoral victory in his capacity as the Party’s untiring Director of Elections and IT. His brilliance and ability to quickly find solutions to problems and as a strategist inspired President John Mahama to entrust him with the high office of Defence Minister. It is regrettable that you have been so cruelly snatched away from us just seven months into the victory you worked so hard to achieve, and while our arduous duty to reset Ghana has just begun. Like a gallant warrior, you went on an important mission to help save our nation from the canker of “galamsey”. As Defence Minister, you led the charge in a military helicopter to help battle Ghana’s current existential threat of illegal small scale mining. You showed leadership. But alas, and heart-wrenchingly so, it was a mission of no return. But as the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church – as your beloved Pope John’s Senior High School and Minor Seminary would have taught you – your work and the ultimate price you paid will never be forgotten. I have lost a brother and a friend. Only you could calm me because you understood my irrepressive and optimistic temperament. You would tell them, “Leave Haruna to me.” As we commit the mortal remains of my Friend, Brother and Colleague into the bosom of Mother Earth, I hark to the words of the immortal lines the Armed Forces call forth to bid farewell to their fallen heroes – the Binyon Verses: Omane, “[You] shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary [you], nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember [you]. Rest in perfect peace, Dr Omane Boamah. The memory of you was to work for Mahama to succeed. Yes, indeed, and you began to succeed in that resolve with our electoral victory. Fare thee well My Brother and Friend, Dr Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence of the Republic of Ghana: January 20, 2025 to August 6, 2025.
Accra, Aug. 14, GNA– The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has supported plans to expand domestic gold refining and value addition.
This formed part of a strategy to strengthen the country’s position in the global bullion trade and capture a greater share of export revenues.
Dr. Zakari Mumuni, the First Deputy Governor of the Bank, said this at theGhana International Bank (GHIB), CONVERGE Conference in London on the theme “Rethinking Commodity Finance for Growth.”
The CONVERGE Conference, convened by GHIB, brought together leaders from banking, trade finance, commodity trading, and policymaking to explore ways Africa can move beyond raw commodity exports.
Sessions at this year’s event examined opportunities to leverage technology, unlock innovative financing models, and build a more integrated and competitive trade ecosystem.
He said interest from international and domestic investors in establishing gold refineries in Ghana presented a “very good prospect” for deepening the commodity value chain, creating jobs, and improving the country’s trade balance.
Dr. Mumuni noted that Ghana had historically exported most of its mined gold in raw form, despite being Africa’s leading producer and one of the top 10 globally.
He said in 2019, gold accounted for nearly 56 percent of total export earnings, yet the country added nothing to its official gold reserves that year.
“This is another avenue where financing, given the place of Ghana in the mine of gold, can support the establishment of refineries and other value chain infrastructure,” he said.
“Such investments would enable the country to retain more value from its natural resources rather than exporting it almost entirely unprocessed,” he added.
He also pointed to opportunities in gold identification, storage, and trade facilitation, stressing that a coordinated effort between the public and private sectors could unlock significant economic benefits.
Dr. Mumuni’s remarks followed the central bank’s recent initiatives in gold-backed policy instruments, including the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP) and the Gold-for-Oil (G4O) scheme.
Since launching the DGPP in June 2021, BoG has increased its bullion holdings from 8.7 tonnes to 33 tonnes, exceeding its original five-year reserve-doubling target well ahead of schedule.
Officials argue that refining capacity within Ghana would not only increase export value but also support the bank’s reserve accumulation strategy, facilitate collateralised financing, and improve the integrity of the gold supply chain through local verification and certification.
The proposed expansion of refining capacity aligns with a wider policy objective of moving Ghana up the value chain in commodities, a goal often discussed in relation to cocoa but increasingly relevant to gold, which remains the country’s most significant export.
Analysts said the move could help Ghana capture additional margins from processing, reduce logistical costs associated with exporting raw gold, and position the country as a refining hub for the West African subregion.
However, they caution that building a competitive refining industry will require not only capital investment but also consistent regulatory standards and environmental safeguards.
With global demand for traceable, responsibly sourced gold on the rise, expanding domestic refining could also enhance Ghana’s reputation as a compliant and credible source of bullion, a factor that could attract more foreign investment into both mining and downstream processing.
Nicki Minaj has joined a list of celebrities such as Stonebwoy, Adekunle Gold and host of others congratulating Nigerian musician Davido and his wife, Chioma Adeleke, on their white wedding in Miami.
The American rapper left a short message under one of Davido’s posts on X, writing, “Congratulations to you both.”
Some interesting moments from Davido and Chioma’s white wedding in Miami
Recently, Davido took to social media on August 14, 2025, to share how happy he was about the ceremony.
He referred to the wedding as a “fairytale” and said it was one of the best moments of his life.
The singer also addressed critics who had mocked him for hosting a lavish event and for the controversies that followed.
He insisted that no amount of negativity could change the joy he and his wife felt.
‘There is nothing you can do, we had a fairytale wedding’ – Davido jabs critics
“We had an amazing wedding, perfect in fact! Me and my wife body still dey sweet us like this. Nothing una git do, say, or make up will ever change the fact that we had a fairytale wedding! And one of the best days of not the best day of our lives! The whole world celebrated us!” he wrote.
Davido and Chioma’s white wedding took place on August 10, 2025, in Miami, United States.
The couple, prior to this, got engaged in a traditional ceremony in March 2023.
They welcomed twins in the United States in October 2023, and later tied the knot in a grand traditional wedding in Lagos, in 2024.
play videoLieutenant General William Agyapong is the Chief of Defence Staff
The Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS) Lieutenant General William Agyapong, has said that the victims of the helicopter crash will be remembered for their dedication, professionalism and service to the nation.
In a tribute at the state funeral for the victims on Friday, August 15, 2025, he stated that the late Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah’s short tenure at the Ministry was impactful.
“Dr Omane Boamah’s short tenure as Minister of Defence was marked by transformative leadership, innovation and unwavering commitment to excellence. As part of a broader agenda of ‘“Resetting Ghana,’ he advocated and implemented policies that sought to raise the standards of the Ghana Armed Forces,” he said.
It will never make sense – President Mahama mourns victims of helicopter crash
The CDS also lauded Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah for their diligence.
“As the bugle sounds and the night holds its silence, we salute them; Dr Omane Boamah, Squadron Leader Anala, Flying Officer Ampadu, and Sergeant Mensah; brave men who served with pride and fell with honour.
The moment Titus Glover broke down in tears at the state funeral for helicopter crash victims
“Their skills and dedication will continue to influence our training, maintenance, and operational doctrines for years to come. They will be sorely missed but fondly remembered,” he added.
Six (6) of the military helicopter crash victims were laid to rest in a solemn burial ceremony at the Military Cemetery at Tse Addo, on Friday, August 15, 2025.
They include political and government officials; Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Samuel Aboagye, Dr Samuel Sarpong, as well as crew members; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Two of the victims: Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed were buried on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
The 8 lost their lives in a fatal military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Watch the video below:
JKB/AE
Ghana Mourns: Caskets of fallen heroes carried with honour to the Black Star Square
Kurt paid his last respect to the victims during their state funeral in Accra
Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku, on Friday, August 15, 2025, led a high-powered delegation from the country’s football governing body to pay their final respects to the victims of the August 6, 2025, military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region.
The solemn ceremony, held at the Black Star Square in Accra, brought together government officials, political leaders, and prominent sports figures to honour the memories of the eight lives lost.
The victims were Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Mr Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Bafimi Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo.
In photos shared by the GFA, President Kurt Okraku was seen alongside Senior Communications Manager, Patrick Akoto.
Helicopter Crash: Sammy Kuffour and other sports personalities who paid their last respects
Also present was GFA General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo, whose attendance underscored the association’s united front in paying tribute to the departed.
The delegation’s presence reflected football’s deep connection to national life, as the sport’s leaders stood shoulder to shoulder with the wider Ghanaian community in mourning the tragedy.
The crash has left a significant void in Ghana’s political and security landscape, and Friday’s funeral served as a befitting farewell for the victims.
FKA/AE
Watch the key highlights from the 2025 GFA Ordinary Congress
David Mantiziba was named Young African CEO of the Year 2025
Young Zimbabwean entrepreneur, David Mantiziba, has been named Young African CEO of the Year 2025 at the Fourth Edition of the Africa CEO Summit in Nigeria, organised by the Pan African Youth Leadership Foundation.
The summit brought together business leaders, policymakers, and delegates from across Africa, including Namibia, The Gambia, Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania, to forge partnerships aimed at accelerating the continent’s economic development.
Mantiziba, 27, shared his journey of founding Wildfin Microfinance at age 22, becoming the youngest CEO of a microfinance institution in Zimbabwe.
“I started a microbank at the age of 22…and today, we have branches across Zimbabwe and Zambia, with a vision to expand to all 16 SADC countries,” he said.
Wildfin was the first in Zimbabwe to offer digital borrowing, attracting over a million users. Mantiziba also operates the Eazi Apps UK franchise in Zimbabwe and South Africa and is involved in real estate. In July, he received the 100 Leading Investors in Africa Award in South Africa.
Addressing the summit, Mantiziba urged the removal of mental barriers and the promotion of intra-African trade.
“We make up 25% of the world’s physical mass and population, control 45% of critical minerals, and hold 60% of the world’s arable land, yet contribute only 2% of global GDP,” he noted.
“Africa has the potential to contribute at least 25% of the world’s GDP within the next 100 years.”
He also called on young Africans to embrace knowledge and collaboration.
“Events like this are not just about3 securing funding but about gaining wisdom, knowledge, and inspiration… We must leverage this collective intelligence to build a prosperous Africa,” he said.
