The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Akwatia by-election, Solomon Asumadu, has responded to critics questioning his educational qualifications, affirming that he is both educated and competent to serve as Member of Parliament.
In an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Asumadu emphasised that education should not be used as a tool for discrimination or ridicule.
“I am glad this question about my education has come up. Sometimes, if you don’t know someone, you may treat them with disdain. I earned my first degree in Human Resource Management from All Nations University, Koforidua, in 2008. After completing my national service at the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), I ventured into business,” he explained.
He dismissed claims that his opponents or other professionals hold an advantage over him.
“Just because someone is a lawyer doesn’t mean they are more educated or speak better English. Education starts long before your first degree. English was a key part of my academic journey, so I am confident in my abilities,” he stressed.
Mr. Asumadu described himself as “educated and learned,” confident in his capacity to represent the people of Akwatia effectively in Parliament.
The Akwatia by-election, set for September 2, 2025, follows the untimely death of sitting MP Ernest Yaw Kumi on July 7, 2025, after a short illness, creating a vacancy in the constituency and setting the stage for a closely contested race between Mr. Asumadu and the NDC’s Bernard Bediako Baidoo.
SUPPORTERS OF the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on social media, particularly TikTok, have descended on Mugabe Maase, a journalist affiliated with the National Democratic Congress (NDC), for calling on the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Sam Nartey George, to shut down social media.
His call was a result of the recent backlash on TikTok and Facebook by some NPP youth calling out the government to release their members who were arrested for exercising their rights on social media.
In a viral video sighted by BEATWAVES on TikTok, the broadcaster was heard using unprintable words on members of the NPP for calling out the government, saying, “Village NPP members on social media, particularly TikTok and Facebook lamenting unnecessarily. Sam George, we need to stop them.”
Following his statement, supporters of the party called him out for his lack of understanding of Ghana’s freedom of speech.
The video, posted by Morda, has generated over 3156 likes and 370 messages, calling out Mugabe Maase to retract his statement against party supporters.
Morda stated that they will call out the NDC government whenever they feel like it, as they did during the Nana Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration.
Some of the comments under the post read, “Diosityman, I don’t know why I love Morda. Morda is doing the Lord’s work. Before the 2016 election, this Mugabe guy sat on Montie FM and insulted everyone in the NPP. Morda keeps burning. I love you and I will continue to love you for the good work you have been doing.”
Gabby1 stated, “You are part of those who insulted the NPP during their time, now you will get the same till 2028. Next time, NDC will do ‘decent dressing’ in Ghana.”
Meanwhile, Spokesperson to the Bawumia Campaign Team, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, in an earlier interview, called on supporters on social media to desist from parading ‘uncouth’ insults on government officials and wishing them dead, saying, “It is not Ghanaian to wish some officials of the NDC death because they did the same to us during our tenure.”
Stanbic Bank Ghana has donated GH¢500,000 to the newly established Children Support Fund, set up to provide financial assistance to the children of the victims who died in the recent helicopter crash near Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region.
The announcement was made by President John Dramani Mahama during the State Funeral on August 15, 2025, held in honour of the eight gallant men who lost their lives in the line of service to the nation.
In a statement signed by the bank’s Chief Executive, Kwamina Asomaning, the bank expressed condolences to the bereaved families, especially children who have lost their parents.
“In the wake of the heartbreaking helicopter crash that claimed the lives of dedicated servicemen, our hearts go out to the families left behind, especially the children who now face life without their parents,” Mr. Asomaning said.
The Chief Executive added that the contribution was not only intended to offer financial relief but also to send a message of solidarity.
“We hope this contribution will serve not only as financial support, but as a message of hope, that these children are not alone, and that Ghana stands with them,” he said.
Stanbic Bank also commended the President for initiating the Fund and pledged continued collaboration to ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive.
On August 6, 2025, Ghana was thrown into a state of national mourning when a military helicopter carrying top government officials and crew members went off radar en route to Obuasi and tragically crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom district of the Ashanti Region, claiming eight lives.
Anloga (V/R), Aug. 18, GNA – A total of 1,284 candidates are sitting for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in the Anloga District of the Volta Region.
The candidates were drawn from three Senior High Schools in the district.
Anlo Secondary School (ANSECO) presented the highest number of candidates with 660, made up of 298 males and 362 females. Zion College (ZICO), Anloga, followed with 589 candidates, while Volta Senior High School (VOLTASCO), Agbledomi, registered 35 candidates, consisting of 11 males and 24 females.
Mr. Godknows Agbakpe, the District Examination Officer, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that adequate preparations had been made for a smooth and credible examination. He assured parents and guardians that strict supervision and security measures were in place to curb malpractices by both candidates and invigilators.
Some candidates from ANSECO and ZICO expressed confidence in their readiness. “We have learnt what we are supposed to learn and believe we shall come out with flying colours,” one student remarked.
Nationwide, a total of 461,640 final-year Senior High School students are participating in the 2025 WASSCE. The figure comprises 207,381 males and 254,259 females across all regions of the country.
The examination is expected to end on September 24, 2025.
TELEVISION PERSONALITY, Giovani Caleb, has commended the organisers of the state funeral for the helicopter victims, held last Friday at Black Star Square in Accra.
The renowned personality took to his Facebook page to commend officials of the presidency for their diligence and attention to detail, making the event one of the best and well-coordinated events ever held in the country.
He wrote, “Strong production and precise execution. I appreciate the camera brains behind the State funeral as Ghana mourns. # RIP to the departed souls.”
The state funeral has received many favourable reviews from attendees, including families of the victims.
This great production follows an earlier directive by Deputy Chief of Staff Stan Dogbe, admonishing members of the media and all accredited personnel to uphold decorum and refrain from disruptive behaviour, particularly the chasing of mourners.
Addressing the media on preparations and guidelines ahead of the event, Mr. Dogbe appealed for restraint from media practitioners, particularly those who will be granted access to the inner perimeter.
His warning was clear: “Do not disrupt proceedings by chasing mourners with phones and monopods. We expect that we will all comport ourselves, we will respect the guidelines.”
The government has announced that it would soon commence the third phase of the Appiatse reconstruction project.
This follows the accumulation of about GH¢112 million in the Appiatse Support Fund.
According to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, government intends to use about GH¢52 million out of the accumulated amount for the Phase Three project.
The minister made this known when he visited Appiatse in the Western Region to access the Phase One and Two reconstruction projects.
“We identified some structural defects with the Phase One project. But now we are shifting our attention to the Phase Three.
“However, we will explore ways to address the defects with the Phase One project,” he stressed.
He mentioned that government would prioritise some concerns raised, including the need for recreational and health centres, as well as supporting those who lost their livelihoods in the incident with some economic activities.
He assured that government is committed to completing the Phase Three project and providing care for those who got injured during the incident.
The minister said his outfit would collaborate with other stakeholders to utilise the funds to complete outstanding works, adding that 60 million cedis has already been spent on Phases One and Two.
Meanwhile, some of the residents have lamented that there is no proper drainage system, and that when it rains, water seeps into the walls, causing damage.
Secretary to the Phase Three beneficiaries, Joseph Abu, has therefore called for an improved design and execution of the Phase Three project. He appealed to the reconstruction committee to involve them in the project.
“Considering the challenges faced by those living in the completed projects, we believe the new buildings should be an improvement over the initial ones.
“We thank the people of Ghana and kindly appeal for continuous support for the victims,” he noted.
It would be recalled that on January 20, 2022, a large blast occurred at Appiatse, a community near Bogoso in the Western Region, which destroyed the whole area.
The then New Patriotic Party (NPP) government launched the endowment fund to help in rebuilding the community, as well as the rehabilitation of persons affected by the explosion.
The Director of Legal Affairs for the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to resolve its internal issues to become a formidable opposition to the government.
He indicates that the NPP’s current top-bottom approach to electing leadership for the party could lead to its collapse, which would not augur well for Ghana’s democracy.
GHANA’S U-20 women’s national team, the Black Princesses, have named a 30-player squad as preparations intensify for their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Tunisia in September.
The team will open camp on Monday, August 18, 2025, at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram. The training camp is designed to assess the players’ skills, strengthen team cohesion, and sharpen tactics ahead of the crucial tie.
The squad features a blend of home-based talents and foreign-based players, with notable inclusions such as Stanford University defender Alexandra Emefa Tay and Scrosoppi FC forward Sania Sereboe. Both players are expected to bring international experience and versatility to the side.
Among the home-based stars called up are Ampem Darkoa Ladies’ prolific forward Mary Amponsah, Hasaacas Ladies defender Rubby Osei, and Tamale Super Ladies goalkeeper Asana Osman.
The camping period will allow head coach Yusif Basigi and his technical team to evaluate individual performances, build team chemistry, and finalise strategies for the qualifier.
Goalkeepers:
Grace Andon (Soccer Intellectuals), Asana Osman (Northern Ladies FC), Najat Salam (Tamale Super Ladies), Aishetu Awinimi Fatao (Ampem Darkoa Ladies)
Andrew Appiah Danquah is a private legal expert and spokesperson for the Movement for Change
Private legal expert and spokesperson for the Movement for Change, Andrew Appiah Danquah, has made it clear that he would not return to the New Patriotic Party, (NPP) because the party has lost its morale and political credibility.
Speaking on TV3 NewDay and monitored by GhanaWeb on Monday, August 18, 2025, he dismissed suggestions of his possible return to the party, stressing that the party has lost touch with its core values.
NPP grants amnesty to all suspended members
According to him, many Ghanaians who once identified with the party have become disillusioned.
“People aggregate around a party when they find some values they resonate with. When Nana Addo managed to alter the DNA, he changed the soul of the NPP. How can I go to a party that has become reprobate? How can I enter a house that is filled with familiar spirits? sic…
“My worst enemy would not advise me to enter a house that’s full of familiar spirits. The NPP is a party full of familiar spirits. Listen, to the millions of Ghanaians who have been displaced, who cannot stay in the house because of the familiar spirits there. I have good news for you, there is a new party for you,” he stated.
The NPP has granted a general amnesty to all members of the party who have been suspended or are facing disciplinary proceedings, as part of efforts to foster unity and reconciliation within the party.
You can’t contest any internal party election – NPP warns pardoned members
In an August 16, 2025, statement signed by the acting National Chairman, Danquah Smith Buttey, it said the decision was taken at an Emergency National Council meeting held on Friday, July 25, 2025.
JKB/VPO
Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
Ghana International Bank (GHIB) has entered into a strategic collaboration with Vista Bank Group to improve access to global trade finance and correspondent banking services for clients across West Africa.
The agreement was announced at the CNVERGE ’25 conference in London on August 11, and formalised through a signing ceremony positioning GHIB as the primary correspondent banking partner for Vista Bank’s operations in Gambia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Guinea.
Under the partnership, GHIB will leverage its long-standing international banking relationships to provide Vista Bank’s clients—particularly small and medium enterprises—with access to trade finance, cross-border payments and international credit lines.
“This partnership represents a tangible expression of our commitment to be Africa’s bridge to international finance and correspondent banking,” GHIB Chief Executive Officer, Dean Adansi, said at the event. “We provide African Banking Groups like Vista the critical access for funding, international trade finance and global payments that allows for expansion and growth. We have kept faith in providing this access to Africa since 1959, and are honoured to now deliver the same to the Vista Group.”
Vista Bank Group operates as a pan-African financial services organisation, with a focus on SME banking, trade finance, leasing services and bancassurance. Its Managing Director in France, Serge Raymond, described the partnership as transformative.
“Ghana International Bank has become our gateway to the global financial system. Where other international banks have been unable to provide the access we need, GHIB has demonstrated genuine commitment to African development through practical banking solutions,” he said. “This partnership enables us to serve the backbone of African economies—the SMEs in Banjul, Dakar, Freetown, Ouagadougou, and Conakry—with world-class trade finance capabilities.”
The initiative is designed to close critical gaps in African trade finance, where regional banks have often struggled to secure international correspondent services. Through GHIB’s “TradeBridge” framework, Vista Bank’s clients will gain access to letters of credit, trade guarantees, foreign exchange services and international payment processing.
Mr Adansi stressed that the collaboration symbolises the bank’s pan-African vision. “At GHIB, we recognise no artificial divisions within Africa. This partnership with Vista Bank Group demonstrates that African financial institutions can collaborate effectively across linguistic and cultural boundaries to create sophisticated banking solutions that serve our continent’s development priorities.”
The agreement also aligns with GHIB’s broader continental strategy to promote financial integration across Africa, building on its existing presence in Ghana, Gambia and Guinea.
Both institutions expect the partnership to significantly strengthen trade finance across the region, boost intra-African trade and support the objectives of financial inclusion and economic integration.
The announcement was made during CNVERGE ’25, GHIB’s flagship thought-leadership conference, which this year focused on “Rethinking Commodity Finance for Growth.”
Ghana FA Cup winners, Asante Kotoko has scheduled two friendly fixtures today, Monday 18th August 2025 at Cape Coast stadium.
The Porcupine Warriors will battle with Venomous Vipers FC in a club friendly this afternoon at 15:00GMT and later face Ebusua Dwarfs at 16:00GMT at Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
The Reds on Saturday played against Neat Soccer Academy and Black Emancipation winning 2-0 and 2-1 respectively in a similar friendly game in Cape Coast.
Karim Zito has paraded strong XI against Venomous Vipers, Mohammed Camara will occupy the goal posts this afternoon. Henry Ansu, Captain Samba O’niel, Shayibu Abubakar, Patrick Asiedu will take in charge of the defence.
Seth Kwadwo, Hilary Adabo, Emmanuel Antwi will control the midfield for the porcupines whilst Kwame Opoku, Saaka Dauda and Albert Amoah will lead the front line this afternoon.
He enlists producer Kantiqle to channel his pain into power through lyrical depth
After several months away from the spotlight, Maxzy reemerges with a pensive new single titled ‘Angels in the Sky.’
This powerful release is a testament to resilience and the silent struggles of those who have walked through fire–an anthem for anyone who has overcome adversity.
Raw, poetic, and uplifting–three words that best describe Maxzy’s latest release. He enlists producer Kantiqle to channel his pain into power through lyrical depth.
Together, they create a sonic soundscape that mirrors the crooner’s rugged journey to success, confidently guiding listeners through the dark alleys of hardship before plunging into the furnace of his inner battles.
Inspired by his upbringing in the slums, ‘Angels in the Sky’ is an ode to Maxzy’s unshakable spirit. But more so, it is a nod to the unseen forces that carry us through– whether divine, ancestral, or rooted in the unshakable belief that we are meant for more.
Each verse radiates resolve, gently revealing a soul refined by purpose. It’s a vivid reflection of the pain we all carry from a chaotic past.
According to the star, ‘Angels in the Sky’ captures his growth over the years. “If you’ve ever had to fight twice as hard for the life you have, this song is for you. It’s for anyone who wakes up to adversity but still dares to dream. Every challenge I faced, every loss I suffered, and every door that closed on me sparked a flame within. This is your timely reminder that your struggles can shape you into something greater. Don’t stop pushing!”
To Maxzy, ‘Angels in the Sky’ is more than a song–it’s the testimony of a child who refused to be defined by the circumstances of the ghetto. It is a release from the soul–a soul that walked through the fire and came out gleaming with endless potential.
Angels in the Sky’ is available on all digital streaming platforms globally
The conference was launched in 2023 by the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP)
Africa’s leading platform for youth and women in climate leadership, the Africa Women and Children Conference (AFRIWOCC), will return for its second edition on October 6–7, 2025, at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, spotlighting youth-led climate action, women’s leadership, and inclusive policy development across Africa.
Held under the theme “Young Voices, Innovative Ideas, Greater Impact for Africa,” the 2025 conference seeks to build on the resounding success of its inaugural edition in 2023 and is expected to convene over 500 delegates from government institutions, civil society, climate organisations, academic institutions, development partners, and grassroots movements from across the African continent and the diaspora.
Launched in 2023 by the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP), AFRIWOCC has swiftly evolved from a high-level policy forum into a year-round action platform, recognised for its people-centred, Africa-first approach to climate leadership.
The maiden edition, themed “Amplifying the Voices of Women and Children in Climate Action” brought together influential figures including: Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Former President of Ghana; Samira Bawumia, former Second Lady of Ghana; Monica Geingos, First Lady of Namibia.
Others include Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank; Representatives from UN Women, UNECA, the African Union Commission, ECOWAS, and major philanthropic and private sector players.
The event concluded with the adoption of a six-point communique that set the tone for gender-responsive and youth-inclusive climate policy, adaptation financing, and community resilience strategies.
Since then, AFRIWOCC has gained widespread continental recognition as a convening force for mobilising equitable climate solutions that work for women, children, and vulnerable communities.
AFRIWOCC 2025:
While Africa contributes just under 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains the most vulnerable continent to the impacts of climate change. Floods, desertification, rising sea levels, and prolonged droughts continue to threaten food systems, economic security, and community cohesion, particularly affecting women and children.
In Ghana, flash floods and coastal erosion have displaced thousands in parts of the Volta, Northern, and Western regions, while erratic rainfall patterns are compromising agricultural livelihoods.
AFRIWOCC 2025 is therefore, expected to serve as both a policy platform and an incubator for ideas that translate into action, particularly with the focus on youth leadership.
“Africa’s young population is both the most affected by climate change and the most capable of addressing it through innovation, political courage, and community-led models”, they assert.
Key features of AFRIWOCC 2025 will include:
1. panels on climate financing, African COP strategies, and intergenerational policy development
2. Climate impact showcases featuring innovations from youth and women across the continent
3. Thematic workshops on early childhood vulnerability, adolescent health and climate risk, green jobs, and gender-smart infrastructure
4. A high-level AFRIWOCC Pledge Board, inviting commitments to inclusive climate action
5. a concert
A Call to Action
AFRIWOCC 2025 is open to the following categories of people:
1. African youth climate leaders, entrepreneurs and academics
2. Policy and government officials at all levels
3. Environmental organisations, CSOs, and grassroots leaders
4. Private sector actors, foundations, and investors
5. Development partners and international climate advocates
Interested participants can register at www.afriwocc.org. The AFRIWOCC Secretariat is also accepting proposals for partnership exhibitions, research papers, and sponsorships.
About AFRIWOCC
The Africa Women and Children Conference (AFRIWOCC) is a pan-African platform focused on elevating women and children as central actors in climate policy, sustainable development, and systems transformation.
Initiated in 2023, AFRIWOCC convenes biennial conferences, regional programmes, and collaborative interventions across Africa to build inclusive, resilient climate ecosystems.
Acting CEO of GNPC, Kwame Amoah & CEO of Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle signed the deal
The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and the Petroleum Commission (PC) have signed a Promotion, Marketing and Revenue-Sharing Agreement covering all data acquired under GNPC’s Reconnaissance License on the Voltaian Basin Project.
The agreement, formalised at a brief ceremony at GNPC’s Training Centre on Mankata Avenue, Accra, provides a framework for the joint promotion and marketing of 2D seismic and geochemical data collected by GNPC. It also outlines modalities for revenue sharing from future data licensing activities.
The signing of this agreement underscores the commitment of GNPC and PC to accelerating upstream investment in Ghana’s onshore sedimentary basin, while ensuring value creation and fair benefit-sharing from national data resources.
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of GNPC, Kwame Ntow Amoah, who signed on behalf of GNPC, said the agreement marks “a significant step forward in maximizing the value of Ghana’s data assets while ensuring transparency and collaboration between the National Oil Company and the Regulator.”
He called on all stakeholders to stay the course, reset where necessary, and unlock the full potential of the Voltaian Basin Project for the benefit of the country.
“This project is a lifeline. With the right investment and commitment, we can replicate the success of Ghana’s offshore sector right here onshore and lead this development on our own terms,” he added.
On her part, Emeafa Hardcastle, CEO of the Petroleum Commission, welcomed the agreement as both timely and forward-looking, describing the partnership as “a demonstration of both institutions’ commitment to advancing Ghana’s upstream agenda.”
“This agreement couldn’t have come at a better time. We will continue to collaborate and strategise to ensure smooth, seamless progress for our industry,” she said.
She also expressed appreciation to GNPC for its sustained collaboration and assured the Corporation of the Commission’s full support in marketing Ghana’s resources to deliver maximum shared benefits for all.
The Voltaian Basin Project is GNPC’s flagship onshore initiative, aimed at unlocking Ghana’s untapped hydrocarbon potential in the country’s inland sedimentary basin.
Players and technical team of All Nice Football Club
All Nice Football Club won silver after placing second in the 4th edition of the Greater Accra Regional Football Association (GARFA) KGL U17 Championship held at the Teshie McDan Sports Complex on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
The Ashaiman-based team suffered a 3-0 defeat to Amasaman’s Siano SC in the final with all goals scored in the second half.
Prior to their participation, All Nice were crowned Ashaiman District Champions, having won 9 out of 13 matches with a defeat and 3 stalemates, before seeing off Revelations FC in a 5-4 win via penalties after a pulsating 2-2 in the playoffs.
In their quest to battle for supremacy, the event brought together winners from various districts within the Greater Accra Region with Barca Kids representing Accra West, Siano SC from Ga West, Munnik FC from Ga East and All Nice representing Ashaiman all advancing to the semis.
We need three or four boxing arenas in Ghana – Bukom Banku appeals to government
In the first semi-final clash, All Nice secured a spot in the last two after beating Munnik FC 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw, while Siano SC booked their place in the final with a resounding 2-0 victory over Barca Kids.
It was an end to end action in the first 45 minutes, but Siano SC showed more resilience and registered three unanswered goals in the second period to emerge Champions.
Speaking after the game, Head Coach, Philip Baffoe applauded his players for their performance and promised to come back stronger in the next edition.
‘I have 13 children, please support me’ – Bukom Banku begs President Mahama
Siano SC received a trophy, with a set of jersey and a cash prize of GH¢10,000 cedis from the Greater Accra Football Association, while All Nice were presented with silver medals.
SB/MA
Meanwhile, watch videos from the 31st Ordinary Congress of the GFA
Nigeria says it will impose a tax charge of 20 percent on foreigners earning above ₦ 800,000 ($521)
In an increasingly complex political landscape, Sudan has become a stage for intersecting international and domestic statements that reflect the deep division over the direction of the war and the future of power.
While the UN Security Council pushes for a ceasefire and create a political environment leading to an elected civilian government, the Sudanese military government responds by endorsing these calls while rejecting any unilateral steps by its rivals Rapid Support Forces (RSF)who have created a parallel ‘peace government’.
Meanwhile, the Sudan Foundation Alliance (Tasis), the movement led by RSF, presents an alternative vision, considering the so-called Peace Government a guarantor of the country’s unity, not a threat to it.
These divergent positions reveal that the crisis is no longer merely an armed conflict, but a battle over the legitimacy of governance and the very definition of ‘Sudan’s unity’.
In its statement, the UN Security Council stressed that the priority in Sudan is to resume talks between the parties to reach a permanent ceasefire and to create the conditions for a comprehensive political solution leading to a democratically elected national government following a civilian-led transitional period.
It emphasised that any unilateral steps—such as the declaration of a parallel authority in areas controlled by the RSF—pose a direct threat to Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity, and risk fuelling the conflict and worsening an already dire humanitarian situation.
The Council called on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, abide by international humanitarian law, and honour their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration. It also stressed the need to hold those responsible for grave violations to account.
Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the UN Security Council’s statement, describing its rejection of the Al-Daglo militias’ declaration of a parallel government as confirmation of the international community’s commitment to Sudan’s sovereignty and unity
. It noted that the Council recalled its previous resolution demanding that the militia lift its siege on El Fasher, cease hostilities, and allow unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
The ministry also praised the Council’s clear condemnation of what it described as the ‘terrorist militia’ and its political alliance, noting that the UN position aligns with previous statements from regional and international organisations and friendly international partners.
For its part, the Sudan Foundation Alliance (TASIS) responded to the UN Security Council’s statement by affirming that Sudan’s unity and the interests of its people are non-negotiable principles.
It asserted that declaring the ‘Peace Government’ represents a guarantee of the country’s stability and unity in the face of what it described as the ‘racist regime in Port Sudan’ that ignited the war and thwarted previous peace initiatives.
The alliance stated that its goal is to end the war and build a secular democratic state founded on freedom, justice, and equal citizenship.
It stressed its commitment to achieving comprehensive peace that addresses the root causes of conflict, with the participation of all parts of the population in shaping the country’s future.
It affirmed that negotiation is the path to ending the war, but not in the same way as past rounds, which it said were ‘sabotaged by the Muslim Brotherhood and the dissolved National Congress Party’.
Regarding the city of El Fasher, the Alliance noted that it had opened humanitarian corridors and evacuated more than 800,000 civilians to safe areas, despite what it described as attempts by the Port Sudan regime and its allies to obstruct these efforts and use civilians as ‘human shields’.
It also stressed that the legitimacy of the ‘Peace Government’ derives from popular will and the support of large sectors of Sudanese people who have been deprived of their constitutional rights by the Port Sudan authority.
Elon Musk has fallen behind Wallace & Gromit in this generation’s space race (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
How do you follow up capturing the hearts of the nation with a new Wallace & Gromit film?
For Ben Whitehead, who took over the role of Wallace from late legend Peter Sallis, he’s gone in an entirely different direction – playing Elon Musk on stage.
The actor can currently be seen in David Morley’s Elon Musk: Lost In Space, which runs until Saturday during the Edinburgh Fringe at the Grand Theatre at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall.
Speaking exclusively to Metro, Ben pointed out while there are some similarities between Wallace and Elon, the beloved inventor has the upper hand.
‘He’s got much more experience of going to space than Elon Musk, he made it to another planet,’ he quipped. ‘Come on! He’s doing much better.’
As well as flying to the Moon in A Grand Day Out, Wallace and Gromit also landed on Mars in 2023 VR game The Grand Getaway – so how can Elon catch up?
‘[Elon] has a dog, but I think he needs a Gromit,’ he pondered. ‘There’s only one, and Wallace isn’t gonna let it go!’
The similarities largely end at space travel ambitions (Wallace was more focused on literal cheese than money), and Ben admitted he had some reservations about playing the billionaire.
‘Musk wasn’t even on my radar until about a year ago when he started interfering in European politics,’ he pointed out. ‘I [didn’t] know if I can do it. And I think when you when you sort of say that to yourself, you’ve got to find out!’
The 70-minute show – which also stars Sarah Lawrie as Elon’s spaceship AI, M-UTHA – is described as a ‘darkly comic sci-fi satire’ as the richest man in the world hops aboard one of his own ships.
Wallace went to the moon in 1989’s A Grand Day Out (Picture: Aardman Animations)
Ben Whitehead and Sarah Lawrie both star in Elon Musk Lost In Space (Picture: Lewis Marchant)
He gets a call from President Donald Trump (also voiced by Ben) which ‘sends his mission, as well as his mind, spiralling off-course’.
The Wallace & Gromit star admitted he had to create an alternate version of the characters in the show rather than just doing a spot-on impression.
‘You can’t do that for an hour on stage. The audience will be asleep,’ he explained. ‘It’s a playful version of Elon Musk, who’s imagining himself as Captain Kirk, Buzz Lightyear, out in space.’
He also had to find the right way to tackle such a divisive and controversial figure.
The Edinburgh show is running for a few more days (Picture: Elon Musk: Lost In Space)
The play explores a fictionalised version of Elon Musk lost in one of his own spaceships (Picture: AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
”There’s never been anyone like him, as far as billionaires are concerned, so much in the public eye. But he also does things that, you know, you think, well, that’s quite that’s altruistic,’ he argued.
‘You really wanted to build a car that doesn’t run on fossil fuels, because we’re gonna have to have vehicles that can’t run petrol? There’s something commendable about that.’
When it comes to the controversy around the SpaceX founder – environmentalist groups have been putting stickers on the show’s posters at the Fringe – the actor doesn’t dwell on it.
It’s a world away from Ben’s work as Wallace (Picture: Lewis Marchant)
The show has been described as a ‘darkly comic sci-fi satire’ (Picture: Lewis Marchant)
‘It’s a comedy. How are we going to make this funny? That’s the priority,’ he explained.
‘[But] there’s definitely controversy with a character like this, who courts it so much and makes these bizarre statements and claims, and is unbelievably wealthy. Do we need billionaires in the world? There’s a lot of questions to be answered, at least to us.’
Ben’s thrived in a role allowing him to ‘chew the scenery’ and deliver an ‘over the top’, physical performance, having spent a lot of time on his own in a recording booth for 2024’s Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.
There was also scope for improv in rehearsals for the play, although he was ‘positively encouraged’ to ad lib during Wallace & Gromit recordings.
Fans want more Wallace and Gromit after Vengeance Most Fowl (Picture: Netflix/AP)
Ben has loved his work with Aardman (Picture: BBC/Aardman Animations/Richard Davies/Stuart Collis)
‘I’m fairly sure none of the ad lib, improvised stuff actually ended up in the film, which is just testament to the great script,’ he admitted. ‘I’m careful what I say in the booth as well. I’ll just always go off on one and see where it heads. But we don’t make that public!’
There’s an elephant in the room, after the huge success of Vengeance Most Fowl and an enduring appetite for all things Wallace and Gromit.
‘Have you heard anything? No one’s told me anything,’ Ben joked about the future of the franchise, while suggesting there’s nothing on the immediate horizon.
‘It would be fantastic to work on another Wallace and Gromit,’ he said. ‘The film was so good, so it would be brilliant, but you can’t rush these guys to make a film. We’ll see what happens.’
In the meantime, he’s enjoying his work as a ‘jobbing actor’ (Picture: Lewis Marchant)
As the dust settles, Ben has continued to work in theatre and while he’s no stranger at the Fringe, Lost In Space marks his first official job at the festival.
‘[After Vengeance Most Fowl], I suppose you think, “Well, maybe someone else will give me a job now doing something. This is my first job at the Edinburgh Fringe. So it has happened,’ he chucked.
However, he argued that any level of success doesn’t guarantee regular work, especially in the arts – and Ben’s open to whatever opportunities come his way.
‘I don’t just expect to get work. Doesn’t matter who you are, you know, what you’ve done, you’ve still got to keep plugging away,’ he said. ‘I’d love to maybe come back [to the Fringe] next year, with, with my own show, and see how that goes down.’
Deputy National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Kamal-Deen Abdulai, has called on the government to urgently resolve the compensation issues delaying the rehabilitation of the Pokuase–Nsawam road by paying contractors to return to the site.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Monday, August 18, Alhaji Kamal-Deen stressed that the matter requires urgent attention and should not be reduced to partisan debate.
“If the compensation is the issue, Ato Forson, you are listening. You have given GH¢4 billion to the Road Ministry; instruct them out of the money to pay the contractors GH¢300 million and let them go back to the site. This is a straightforward matter. Let us tackle it head-on and once and for all. Let us, with all respect, take politics out of it and look at technical issues,” he said.
His remarks follow a strike threat from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) over the poor state of the Pokuase–Nsawam stretch. The union says the road has become a death trap, causing delays and accidents, and is demanding urgent repairs.
On Saturday, August 16, the union’s National Deputy Public Relations Officer, Samuel Amoah, told Channel One Newsroom that the strike would only be called off if contractors resume work on the road.
Mr. Amoah explained that the union had given the government a one-week ultimatum, which expires on Wednesday, August 20.
Meanwhile, Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has disclosed that the government owes road contractors an estimated GH₵21 billion in arrears. However, the current administration is set to settle GH₵4 billion of the GH₵21 billion to enable contractors to return to the site and resume work.
The city of British Accra, known as Jamestown, came alive as thousands trooped in to observe this year’s MTN MoMo Festival, which took place at Bukom Square last Saturday.
The festival, which was organised to commemorate the Homowo festival, had an array of music icons gracing the stage and treating patrons to jaw-dropping performances.
According to MTN, this event was organised to show their gratitude and support to the Ga people for trusting their network over the years, thereby reaffirming unwavering commitment to their development and well-being.
King Jerry, also known as Wulomo, treated patrons to some of his popular songs, including ‘Sankofa’, ‘Obaa Gbo Shi’, and ‘Shirka Tsofani’, among others.
Some artistes who were billed on the night include Mr. Drew, OlivetheBoy, and Fameye, while DJ Lord OTB and DJ Juicy were the official DJs for the night.
Attendees who spoke to BEATWAVES expressed their gratitude to the telecommunications network for their thoughtful support in making this year’s celebration memorable.
From January 2027, banks and regulated financial institutions with non-performing loan (NPL) ratios above 10% will be barred from paying dividends to shareholders and bonuses to staff.
This is under a new directive from the Bank of Ghana.
The central bank said lenders with NPLs between 10% and 15% will be given a two-year window to clean up their loan books before sanctions take effect.
Institutions with NPLs at 15% or higher, however, will face immediate restrictions covering dividend payments, staff incentives and expansion of loan portfolios.
For microfinance institutions, a stricter threshold of 5% has been set.
The measure is to enforce stronger credit risk management, protect depositors and improve asset quality in the financial sector.
The new rules mean shareholders of weaker banks should not expect dividend distributions, while staff bonuses will be curtailed if bad loans remain elevated.
Customers may also face tighter credit access as lenders act to avoid breaching the threshold.
With 16 months to comply, banks and other financial institutions have a limited window to restructure bad assets or risk losing the ability to reward investors and employees.
According to a report by Nigerian Tribune On Monday, August 18, 2025, Popular Nigerian streamer, Habeeb “Peller” Hazmat, has revealed how his partner, Amadou Elizabeth Aminata, widely known as Jarvis, played a pivotal role in his rise to fame by supporting him financially during his early struggles.
Peller made this revelation during a recent livestream session with Nigerian socialite and music promoter, Cubana Chief Priest, where he detailed the extent of Jarvis’s support before his career breakthrough.
According to him, while he was still earning modestly from his TikTok activities, Jarvis was already making millions and chose to share a substantial part of her income with him.
“Jarvis first made me blow. She showed me love. At that time, on TikTok, she was always earning a lot of money. While I might have seen like N100K, Jarvis was seeing like N5M. From that N5M, she would send me about N2.5M to help me grow,” Peller disclosed.
He emphasized that her generosity and belief in his potential provided the foundation that allowed him to grow his craft and eventually attain recognition in the streaming space.
The streamer credited her sacrifices as a major factor in his success story, noting that she was consistent in her support even when his own income was insignificant compared to hers.
The revelation has since sparked widespread debate among fans and social media users.
While many praised Jarvis for standing by Peller during his early struggles and investing in his growth, others expressed skepticism over the accuracy of his claims, questioning whether such consistent financial support could have been sustainable.
The Executive Secretary of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), Beauty Emefa Nartey, has urged journalists to take keen interest in thoroughly following up on the Auditor-General’s Reports to promote accountability, transparency, and the protection of public resources.
She noted that the Auditor-General’s Reports provide a rich source of evidence on how public funds are managed, yet they often receive limited follow-up by the media after their release.
Mrs Nartey warned that without consistent media scrutiny, many infractions highlighted in the reports risk being ignored, allowing perpetrators of financial malfeasance to go unpunished.
Training
She made these remarks at the opening of a two-day training workshop on the 2024 Auditor-General’s Reports for selected journalists from across Northern Ghana on Monday.
Organised by the GACC in collaboration with the Ghana Audit Service, the workshop sought to strengthen journalists’ understanding of the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report and equip them with practical skills for investigative follow-ups on the findings and recommendations.
The training formed part of the “Building Evidence for Increased Accountability in Ghana through a Multistakeholder Accountability Initiative” project, funded by the Hewlett Foundation.
Less attention
In her address, Mrs Nartey observed that very little of the content of Auditor-General’s Reports was covered in the media, despite the critical role the reports played in exposing corruption and irregularities in the use of public funds.
She said journalists needed to break down the complex reports into simplified information that the public could easily understand.
According to her, doing so would not only raise awareness but also put pressure on duty bearers to implement corrective measures.
“The Auditor-General’s Reports are not just documents to be shelved. They are accountability tools. Journalists must see themselves as the bridge between the technical content and the ordinary citizen, and use their platforms to expose corruption and demand accountability,” she stressed.
She further urged the media to move beyond event reporting to investigative journalism that follows through on the recommendations of the Auditor-General to determine whether responsible agencies take action.
Collaboration
For his part, an Assistant Director of Audit at the Ghana Audit Service, Fredrick Lokko, explained that the Service plays a constitutional role in ensuring financial discipline across public institutions.
He added that the Service’s mandate includes not only auditing government accounts but also recommending corrective actions. However, he emphasised that effective collaboration with the media was necessary to ensure that audit findings reach the public domain and translate into real accountability.
Dancehall musician, Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, has once again expressed dissatisfaction with the current political system in Ghana.
In a post on X on August 17, 2025, Shatta Wale noted that it is time for the youth in the country to form their own political party.
He explained that the current political parties in Ghana are dominated by an older generation, adding that they have failed to understand the plight of the younger generation and the advice they offer.
Shatta Wale never starts attacks, he only reacts – Sammy Flex
“I think we need to form our own political party because these oldies are not ready to listen to us in this new world we living in,” he said.
Shatta Wale added that technology is currently taking over the world; therefore, a crop of new leaders dominated by youths will improve the Ghanaian economy.
God willing, I will receive my Lamborghini; I have documents to prove it’s mine’ – Shatta Wale
“Technology is at its peak, and we still living in the past world with the mindsets we had. Until we stand up as youths with a leader, there is no way our economy will improve,” he added.
Read the post below:
I think we need to form our own political party because this oldies are not ready to listen to us in this new world we living in ..Technology is at its peak and we still living in the past world with the mindsets we did have ..Until we stand up as youths with a leader ,there is… https://t.co/Rj6XIpdefh
Accra, Aug. 18, GNA – Twenty Ghanaian agribusinesses have received US$10,000 each from the Tullow AgriVentures Programme to scale their operations and create employment opportunities within the agriculture value chain.
The successful businesses won the 2025 Growth Stage Pitch competition organised as part of the second edition of the Tullow AgriVentures Programme (TAP).
The TAP, an initiative by Tullow Ghana, in partnership with Innohub Foundation, seeks to empower agribusinesses, create sustainable jobs, and drive economic growth in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
The winners, drawn from across Ghana, impressed a panel of industry leaders and investors with innovative solutions spanning sustainable farming, agro-processing, climate-smart practices, and value chain optimization.
Beyond funding, these agribusinesses would benefit from tailored business development support, market linkages, and technical guidance under the TAP, implemented by Innohub Foundation.
Speaking at the pitch event, Mr. Edmund Fiifi Enchill, Social Performance Manager at Tullow, said, through business training, access to funding, and technical assistance, TAP had strengthened the capacity of young entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers. These are being done in a bid to make a meaningful contribution to Ghana’s agribusiness value chain.
The first edition of the TAP supported more than 400 new agribusinesses and disbursed more than $600,000 to support small businesses across the country.
Mr Nelson Amo, Executive Director of Innohub, expressed delight about the competitiveness of the pitch and applauded the participating companies for the innovative ideas and the desire to transform Ghana’s agribusiness landscape.
While congratulating the winners for the breakthrough, he said the stringent monitoring and reporting systems had been put in place to ensure that the grants awarded were solely used for the intended purpose.
“You have to tell us what you are going to do to grow the business and the money would be dispersed towards that. Once you get selected, we visit your business four times in a year to assess the progress and ensure that the project goals are delivered,” Mr Amo said.
The twenty successful businesses are: JGrand Commodities, AgroEmpire, AFB Golden, Conquest Investment, Cornfields Green Ghana Limited, SAYeTECH, Pascoe Fields, Fruity Star, Smithfield Agribusiness, and From a Mother’s Kitchen.
The rest are: Mr. Kitchen, Ab OVO, Grow it Green, Mic-D Ventures, Fortune Coffee, Yava Farms and Agricultural Consultancy, Sava Shea, Peanut Concept, Farm 360, and Naya Success.
In an interview, Dr Fortune Agbele, CEO, Fortune Coffee, said the support she had received would empower her business to procure commercial coffee roaster to boost production and employ more people.
Tullow Ghana, operator of the Jubilee and Tweneboa, Enyenra, Ntomme (TEN) oilfields, and Innohub, the pioneering Enterprise Support Organization, also pledged their commitment to strengthening Ghana’s agribusiness landscape through ongoing engagement, training, and funding support.
Ghana’s film industry was once a strong force in West Africa, with its movies even outselling Nigerian productions in some markets. According to veteran filmmaker Socrate Safo, the golden years of Ghanaian cinema saw huge sales, especially in the 2000s, when films could sell thousands of copies at Opera Square and other outlets. At the time, local actors and producers were household names, and Ghanaian films travelled across the region with great success.
However, Safo believes several challenges have since weakened the industry and made entertainment returns highly uncertain. One of the biggest problems, he explains, was the decision to sell films cheaply to television stations. Once movies became widely available on free-to-air TV, audiences lost interest in buying original copies. This practice, combined with piracy, caused a major collapse in revenue.
Another issue is the lack of a proper distribution system. Unlike other industries with strong supply chains, Ghanaian filmmakers often relied on informal shopkeepers, which limited how far their work could reach. The decline of cinemas and interruptions caused by frequent power cuts also reduced opportunities for film lovers to watch new releases in a proper setting.
Safo further points out that weak structures in the industry have contributed to the decline. Many roles overlap, with producers, actors, and directors often doubling as marketers without any clear system of accountability. This, he says, has affected both quality and professionalism.
He also criticises the lack of training and orientation for many who entered the sector, noting that poor business knowledge has scared off potential investors. In his view, unnecessary criticism and distractions have also made it harder for filmmakers to stay focused on audience needs.
Despite these difficulties, Safo insists the industry is not dead. He believes Ghanaian films can rise again if stakeholders work together, address piracy, invest in proper distribution, and put quality storytelling at the centre. His reflections are a reminder that while Ghana once competed strongly with Nollywood, the future of its cinema depends on rebuilding structures that guarantee both creativity and returns.
What do you think about Socrate Safo’s views? Share your thoughts and follow for more updates.
Gospel musician, Selina Boateng, has confirmed that her six-year marriage to Isaac Berchie is over.
Speaking on Okay FM with Nana Romeo, the award-winning singer responded “yes” when asked if she had divorced her husband.
Selina said she feels no shame about her status and has not faced stigma since the split.
While refusing to reveal the cause of the divorce, she urged young people to study their partners well before marriage and not allow external influences to dictate their choice.
Selina and Isaac married on December 7, 2019, in Kumasi, in a ceremony attended by family, friends, and fellow gospel musicians.
The standoff between government and MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DSTV, has deepened following the imposition of a statutory fine of GH¢10,000 per day on the pay-TV provider.
The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations imposed a daily fine on MultiChoice Ghana for allegedly failing to submit pricing data requested under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA).
The penalty, which took effect on Friday, August 15, 2025, was announced by the sector minister, Samuel Nartey George, during a meeting with the DSTV management team at the ministry in Accra.
According to the minister, the information requested included a detailed breakdown of bouquet prices, tax components, and comparative subscription rates in at least six other African countries.
He explained that the data was essential to ongoing discussions aimed at securing lower subscription fees for Ghanaian consumers.
Mr. George disclosed that DSTV had been granted an extension until Monday, August 11, 2025, to submit the information but failed to meet the deadline.
“The regulator informed me that you requested an extension until Monday. Under the Electronic Communications Act, every day that an operator fails to provide requested information attracts a GH¢10,000 penalty. I agreed to wait until Monday rather than start charges immediately, but that goodwill has not been honoured,” he stated.
The ministry had earlier warned that DSTV’s operating licence could be suspended if the company failed to achieve a reduction in subscription prices by September 6, 2025. This follows the broadcaster’s refusal to commit to the ministry’s proposals for lowering charges despite growing public concern over affordability.
“As of today’s meeting, the regulator has confirmed that the requested information has still not been provided. This makes it impossible to engage meaningfully, since the data we require to justify or challenge your pricing is absent. From today, therefore, the ministry will begin applying the statutory fine of GH¢10,000 per day until the full information is received,” the minister emphasised.
A new framework to boost Africa’s ability to finance and manage its own health systems has been launched at the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit in Accra.
The framework, called the SUSTAIN Initiative, was introduced on August 5, 2025, under the patronage of President John Dramani Mahama.
The summit brought together former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim of Mauritius, and the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus.
According to the summit communiqué, the SUSTAIN Initiative is designed to reduce Africa’s reliance on external aid by mobilizing domestic resources and encouraging private sector participation.
Leaders said it would provide long-term funding for health while linking health sovereignty to wider areas such as trade, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and digital infrastructure.
The initiative will also work through existing African Union platforms, including the PROPER supply chain traceability system, the PanaBIOS digital certification platform, and the AfCFTA Hub, to integrate African businesses into global trade networks.
Participants at the summit stressed that health must be treated as a driver of productivity and economic transformation, not only as a social service. They called for equity, transparency, and inclusive participation in decision-making to ensure all countries, especially low- and middle-income ones, benefit from the new system.
The leaders further agreed to establish a Presidential High-Level Panel to guide the rollout of the new framework and coordinate with development partners.
“The SUSTAIN Initiative is a turning point in Africa’s journey towards self-reliant and resilient health systems,” the communiqué stated.
Dancehall musician, Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, has once again expressed dissatisfaction with the current political system in Ghana.
In a post on X on August 17, 2025, Shatta Wale noted that it is time for the youth in the country to form their own political party.
He explained that the current political parties in Ghana are dominated by an older generation, adding that they have failed to understand the plight of the younger generation and the advice they offer.
Shatta Wale never starts attacks, he only reacts – Sammy Flex
“I think we need to form our own political party because these oldies are not ready to listen to us in this new world we living in,” he said.
Shatta Wale added that technology is currently taking over the world; therefore, a crop of new leaders dominated by youths will improve the Ghanaian economy.
God willing, I will receive my Lamborghini; I have documents to prove it’s mine’ – Shatta Wale
“Technology is at its peak, and we still living in the past world with the mindsets we had. Until we stand up as youths with a leader, there is no way our economy will improve,” he added.
Read the post below:
I think we need to form our own political party because this oldies are not ready to listen to us in this new world we living in ..Technology is at its peak and we still living in the past world with the mindsets we did have ..Until we stand up as youths with a leader ,there is… https://t.co/Rj6XIpdefh
Accra, Aug. 18, GNA – Twenty Ghanaian agribusinesses have received US$10,000 each from the Tullow AgriVentures Programme to scale their operations and create employment opportunities within the agriculture value chain.
The successful businesses won the 2025 Growth Stage Pitch competition organised as part of the second edition of the Tullow AgriVentures Programme (TAP).
The TAP, an initiative by Tullow Ghana, in partnership with Innohub Foundation, seeks to empower agribusinesses, create sustainable jobs, and drive economic growth in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
The winners, drawn from across Ghana, impressed a panel of industry leaders and investors with innovative solutions spanning sustainable farming, agro-processing, climate-smart practices, and value chain optimization.
Beyond funding, these agribusinesses would benefit from tailored business development support, market linkages, and technical guidance under the TAP, implemented by Innohub Foundation.
Speaking at the pitch event, Mr. Edmund Fiifi Enchill, Social Performance Manager at Tullow, said, through business training, access to funding, and technical assistance, TAP had strengthened the capacity of young entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers. These are being done in a bid to make a meaningful contribution to Ghana’s agribusiness value chain.
The first edition of the TAP supported more than 400 new agribusinesses and disbursed more than $600,000 to support small businesses across the country.
Mr Nelson Amo, Executive Director of Innohub, expressed delight about the competitiveness of the pitch and applauded the participating companies for the innovative ideas and the desire to transform Ghana’s agribusiness landscape.
While congratulating the winners for the breakthrough, he said the stringent monitoring and reporting systems had been put in place to ensure that the grants awarded were solely used for the intended purpose.
“You have to tell us what you are going to do to grow the business and the money would be dispersed towards that. Once you get selected, we visit your business four times in a year to assess the progress and ensure that the project goals are delivered,” Mr Amo said.
The twenty successful businesses are: JGrand Commodities, AgroEmpire, AFB Golden, Conquest Investment, Cornfields Green Ghana Limited, SAYeTECH, Pascoe Fields, Fruity Star, Smithfield Agribusiness, and From a Mother’s Kitchen.
The rest are: Mr. Kitchen, Ab OVO, Grow it Green, Mic-D Ventures, Fortune Coffee, Yava Farms and Agricultural Consultancy, Sava Shea, Peanut Concept, Farm 360, and Naya Success.
In an interview, Dr Fortune Agbele, CEO, Fortune Coffee, said the support she had received would empower her business to procure commercial coffee roaster to boost production and employ more people.
Tullow Ghana, operator of the Jubilee and Tweneboa, Enyenra, Ntomme (TEN) oilfields, and Innohub, the pioneering Enterprise Support Organization, also pledged their commitment to strengthening Ghana’s agribusiness landscape through ongoing engagement, training, and funding support.
One instrument commonly used in Afrobeats production that seems to be getting on the nerves of Ghanaian audio engineer Kofi Boachie-Ansah, known in the entertainment world as Beatmenace, is the solo saxophone.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z, Beatmenace broke down the science behind sound and explained why he believes the saxophone has been overused in modern Afrobeats production.
The sound quality of King Paluta’s ‘Aseda’ is poor – Beatmenace
According to him, many Afrobeats songs rely on saxophone solos that don’t add much to the music.
“If I hear that thing, I’ll slash my wrist. I think it’s just abused right now in Afrobeats. We dey over do am too much and you can tell that for a lot of the songs you can tell that they were not intentional about what they wanted to play. They just went with the flow and just jammed over…it cheapens, you know that I can’t if I hear a saxophone solo again something…” he said in pidgin mixed with English.
Interestingly, Beatmenace’s frustration with the saxophone surfaced while analysing Black Sherif’s ‘Sacrifice’ off the ‘Iron Boy’ album.
Only money launderers keep investing in an unstructured music industry – Sound Engineer
The sound engineer praised the production on the track, especially because producers Joker Nharnah and Samsney took a different approach than usual.
Beatmenace explained that what makes ‘Sacrifice’ stand out is not just Black Sherif’s delivery, but the meticulous sound design.
According to him, Joker intentionally layered instruments, using a violin to add depth to the record instead of relying on the overused saxophone.
“It’s a brilliant production by the way. I think the producers did really phenomenal because when you played the instrumental track…I think Joker Nharnah and Samsney make an amazing pairing…Because you hear a synth pad. I loved the violin and I’m happy they did not put a solo saxophone,” he stated.
Meanwhile, watch the trailer for GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
Staff at the Janga Senior High Technical School has raised an alarm over the school’s bad state
A concerned staff member of Janga Senior High Technical School (SHS), the main second cycle institution serving the West Mamprusi District, has issued a call for help regarding the school’s deplorable state.
The staff member highlighted serious issues, including crumbling infrastructure, inadequate resources, and a lack of essential facilities.
Classrooms are overcrowded, and some portions of the building are on the verge of collapse.
In a video shared by SikaOfficial’s X account on August 18, the staff member pleaded with the government for immediate intervention.
“Dear Government of Ghana, Dear Ministry of Education, dear stakeholders and policymakers, why establish schools in rural communities knowing very well that you won’t provide the necessary facilities for comfort? This is why teachers are reluctant to accept postings to rural areas. Just look at the situation and see where the students are sleeping. It’s the rainy season, and the roofs are leaking,” the post stated.
“This afternoon, I stepped out to take videos to show you the current state of the school in hopes of soliciting support to complete our sick bay project. When I approached the boys’ dormitory, I was informed that the place is leaking, but I had not personally seen the situation until today, and it breaks my heart,” he added.
He also cited the lack of proper sanitation facilities and insufficient learning materials as another significant concern.
“Rural communities deserve better. Why put them through this? Are we truly ready to bridge the educational gap? How can we expect these students to catch up with those in larger schools? My plea is simple: when you establish schools in rural communities, please provide all the necessary facilities,” he emphasised.
“We need teachers’ bungalows, a proper sick bay, decent dormitories, and access to portable water. I know we are trying as a country, but we can do better for rural communities,” he concluded.
Watch the video below
Concerned staff stationed at the Janga Senior High Technical School raises alarm over the deplorable state of the school, which serves as the primary second cycle educational institution for a considerable number of students in the West Mamprusi District of the North East Region. pic.twitter.com/nczcKvmjou
Fuel prices at some major fuel pumps have remained unchanged despite the projected increases for the second pricing window of August 2025.
The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) had earlier projected that fuel prices would increase during the second pricing window of August 2025.
Fuel prices to rise slightly in second pricing window of August – COMAC
In a statement sighted by GhanaWeb Business, COMAC estimated that petrol prices at the pumps would rise between 0.39% and 2.71%, while LPG was projected to increase by 0.15% to 2.34%.
In contrast, diesel prices were expected to decline by 0.21% to 0.72% starting August 16.
See the current prices at the pumps as of August 18, 2025:
StarOil: Petrol – GH¢11.97, Diesel – GH¢13.97
GOIL: Petrol – GH¢12.88, Diesel – GH¢14.38
Zen: Petrol – GH¢11.99, Diesel – GH¢13.99
TotalEnergies: Petrol – GH¢12.89, Diesel – GH¢14.33
Shell: Petrol – GH¢14.33
The changes are attributed to fluctuations in global petroleum prices, a slight depreciation of the cedi against the US dollar, and varying supply and demand levels for each product.
COMAC explained that global diesel prices fell sharply by 5.22%, following a modest drop in crude oil prices. Meanwhile, petrol and LPG recorded increases of 1.89% and 2.87%, respectively.
For the first pricing window in August, based on average exchange rates from July 27 to August 12, the cedi weakened from GH¢10.68 to GH¢10.77 per dollar, representing a 0.87% depreciation.
Football is often called the beautiful game, but for many Ghanaian players who carried their nation’s pride onto the biggest stages, it has also revealed its ugliest face.
They dazzled with their skill, lifted clubs and countries with unforgettable goals, yet were reduced to targets of hate because of the colour of their skin.
The journey of these men is not just about football, but about dignity, defiance, and the unshakable will to keep playing in the face of cruelty.
Their stories, from Germany to Italy, from Anfield to Asia, capture a painful truth: racism has haunted the careers of Ghana’s brightest stars. But in every instance, these players refused to be silent victims.
Liverpool fan who racially abused Semenyo banned from all UK stadiums
Antoine Semenyo – Answering hate with goals
At Anfield on August 15, 2025, Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo lived through a night that should have been remembered only for football.
Instead, in the first half against Liverpool, he heard racist abuse from the stands.
The referee stopped play as security ejected the perpetrator, later arrested under hate crime laws.
Semenyo, visibly shaken, might have shrunk under the weight of the moment.
Instead, he delivered his most memorable performance, scoring twice to briefly drag his side level in a hostile stadium.
Christopher Antwi-Adjei – Booed for his skin
Just days later, on August 17, 2025, Schalke’s Christopher Antwi-Adjei walked into a German Cup tie against Lokomotive Leipzig expecting ninety minutes of football.
Instead, he was met with jeers and racial abuse from sections of the home crowd.
The referee halted the game, stadium announcements were made, yet the chorus of boos continued every time the winger touched the ball.
Antwi-Adjei finished the match with dignity, but the scars were left behind for both player and sport.
Sulley Muntari – Walking off in protest
Long before Semenyo and Antwi-Adjei, another Ghanaian made headlines for refusing to suffer in silence.
In April 2017, Pescara midfielder Sulley Muntari was showered with monkey chants from Cagliari supporters.
He turned to the referee for protection, only to be booked. Muntari’s response was bold, he walked off the pitch, alone but unbowed.
The image of him leaving the field symbolised years of ignored abuse in Italian football.
Days later, his yellow card was rescinded, a quiet acknowledgement that he had been right all along.
Kevin-Prince Boateng – A walk-off that shook the world
Kevin-Prince Boateng’s stand came in 2013, when AC Milan played a friendly against lower-tier Pro Patria.
After enduring vile chants, he stopped the game himself, booting the ball into the stands, tearing off his shirt, and leading his teammates off. The match never resumed.
That act of defiance reverberated worldwide. For once, racism had not been tolerated as background noise; it had stopped football in its tracks.
Asamoah Gyan
Ghana’s all-time top scorer, Asamoah Gyan, had carved out a respected career in Asia.
Yet in 2014, during an AFC Champions League semi-final against Al-Hilal, he accused Romanian midfielder Mihai Pintilii of hurling a racist insult at him after being sent off.
Gyan, visibly angered, vowed to lodge a complaint.
Though less publicised than European scandals, the case forced Asian football to confront issues many preferred to ignore, proving racism is not confined to one continent.
John Mensah – Broken by abuse in France
Known as the “Rock of Gibraltar” for his commanding presence at the back, John Mensah endured his own torment in Ligue 1.
While playing for Lyon against Le Havre in 2009, racist abuse rained down on him from the terraces.
Police eventually arrested a young offender, but Mensah later admitted the pain gnawed at him so deeply he longed to go back home to Ghana.
Tony Yeboah – A trailblazer in Germany
In the early 1990s, Tony Yeboah became one of the Bundesliga’s most lethal strikers and the first Black captain of Eintracht Frankfurt.
Yet his rise came amid monkey chants, slurs, and banners from extremist fans who resented a Black man leading their club.
FKA/EB
Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
Trump greet Volodymyr Zelensky for di White House for Feb. bifor dia infamous row for di Oval Office
US President Donald Trump say Volodymyr Zelensky fit end di war between Russia and Ukraine “if im want to” but im give some conditions.
Di conditions na say Ukraine no go join Nato as part of a peace deal and Ukraine no go fit collect Crimea peninsula back from Russia.
Russia bin cut Crimea wey originally be Ukraine land, collect am by force for 2014.
Dis dey come as Ukraine president, Zelensky land for US sake of tok-tok wey dey happun for di White House.
Di tok-tok wey dey happun between di two presidents and oda ogbonge leaders for di European Union [EU] na about di future of Ukraine.
Trump special envoy say Vladimir Putin don agreed to “robust” security guarantees for Ukraine.
Di guarantees include a potential Nato-style defence arrangement. Zelensky don describe di US security guarantee offer as “historic”
E dey possible say di meeting for di White House fit dey even more important to di future of Ukraine dan last Friday US-Russia summit for Alaska.
But for now Russian forces dey kontinu to move slowly forward for eastern Ukraine, while air strikes kill at least five pipo overnight.
Wetin dey cause dis kasala since
Di war between Russia and Ukraine don last for ova three years now. Di kwesion now be say wetin be Nato and Crimea wey be di main issues for dis peace deal.
Nato na military alliance of 32 kontris for Europe, North America and western Asia. Dem bin create am as a bulwark and to protect demsefs against di Soviet Union.
Di military alliance don expand for decades since dem found am for 1949. At di heart of di military alliance na Article 5, and part of di Nato treaty wey tok say an attack on one of dia members na an attack on all.
E mean say if pesin or any kontri attack one Nato member kontri, all dia members must come to dia defence.
Ukraine no be member, of dis alliance but di kontri don express desire to join – wey Russia no want at all.
Crimea na Ukrainian peninsula for di Black Sea for di south of di kontri. For more dan ten years now, e dey under Russian occupation afta Moscow forces illegally cut am for 2014.
Di koko be say, di position of Crimea dey veri important and strategic to Russia becos e dey for Ukraine coastline.
Donbas
Di Donbas na anoda strategic important area wey dey rich in minerals and industry for di far east of Ukraine.
E get provinces like Luhansk and Donetsk. For much of di war, Russian and Ukrainian forces bin dey locked in a grinding battle for control of di region.
Russian forces dey control all of Luhansk and approximately 70% of Donetsk. Between dem, more dan three million Ukrainians dey live dia under Russia according to estimate.
Tins fit don change since di early weeks of President Donald Trump second term, wen im bin call Volodymyr Zelensky “dictator” and pesin wey dey risk “World War Three”.
But im latest remark don puts evritin for di Ukrainian leader hand to to end di war.
Im no put similar spotlight on Russian President Vladimir Putin – wey dey responsible for di repeated aggressions against Ukraine – ahead of dia recent Alaska summit.
Dis tone go concern Ukraine European allies, even if dem fit no challenge am directly.
Key European leaders go dey for Washington to support Zelensky today, as dem go hold dia own meeting wit di US president later.
Dem go want to avoid repeat of di spiky encounter between Trump and Zelensky for di Oval Office for February – wey many bin see as hatchet job for di Ukrainian leader.
Two people have lost their lives while 13 others sustained serious injuries in a head-on collision on the Kwanfifi-Betinko highway in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region.
The tragic incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 15, when a sprinter bus with registration number AS-630-20 collided with a timber truck that had no number plate.
Eyewitnesses say the impact of the crash was so loud it drew residents of Kwanfifi to the scene. “We heard a heavy crash and rushed to the spot. Both vehicles were severely damaged in the middle of the road. It is possible one of the drivers might have dozed off while driving,” said Isaac Kyei Manu, a resident who witnessed the accident.
Residents helped rescue the victims, many of whom were trapped in the mangled bus.
The critically injured were transferred to the Frimpong Boateng Medical Centre, while the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the facility’s morgue.
Police in the Atwima Mponua District have commenced investigations into the cause of the accident.
Residents are meanwhile calling for enhanced road safety measures on the Kwanfifi-Betinko stretch, which they describe as dangerous due to poor lighting and sharp curves.
Prominent lawyer and social crusader Oliver Barker-Vormawor has launched a searing critique of Ghana’s governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing the party of betraying its leftist foundations.
In a sweeping social media post, the activist argued the NDC has become “a pale shadow of its ideological rhetoric” despite holding power under President John Mahama.
Barker-Vormawor traced his own alignment with Ghana’s socialist traditions, recalling his early support for the Convention People’s Party (CPP) as the sole movement with “proven leftist statecraft.” While acknowledging Jerry Rawlings’ early revolutionary aspirations, he dismissed the later PNDC era as “ideologically confused” for embracing “neo-liberal priorities of foreign capital.”
What would genuine leftist governance require today? The activist offered a blunt prescription: dismantle corrupt elite networks, halt destructive illegal mining (galamsey), and nationalize mineral wealth for citizens.
“A true left will end galamsey. But also secure the mines for the people, not foreign capitalists,” he declared. Barker-Vormawor demanded radical action even suggesting death penalties for grand corruption to prove the NDC’s socialist credentials.
“Left politics means the NDC must be prepared to impose the death penalty on those who rob the people dry,” he asserted. “My job is to push the NDC till it shows signs of its ideology.” He issued an ultimatum: should the party fail to demonstrate “Catholic fervour” toward working-class struggles, he’d work to replace it with a truly socialist alternative.
The broadside lands as the NDC governs with an eye toward 2028, when President Mahama constitutionally barred from reelection must pass the torch. Barker-Vormawor’s challenge cuts to the core of the party’s identity: can it reconcile its populist roots with the realities of power? “Only the left can secure society for the many and not the few!” he concluded.
Accra, Aug. 18, GNA – Accra will host a three-day international public relations conference and the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Golden World Awards Gala from October 1 to 3, 2025.
The event, organised by the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana, in collaboration with the African Public Relations Association (APRA) and IPRA, will be held at the Accra International Conference Centre.
A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said the conference would examine the evolving role of strategic communication in response to global shifts, with sessions focusing on communicating artificial intelligence (AI) for Africa’s development and addressing illegal mining (galamsey) through effective communication.
It said participants will benefit from expert discussions, sector-specific case studies, and interactive exhibitions. Optional guided heritage tours will also be organised to blend professional engagement with cultural experiences.
The statement said, President John Dramani Mahama, a Fellow of both IPR Ghana and APRA, will serve as Special Guest of Honour and deliver the keynote address.
Other national leaders expected to speak include the Minister for Communications, Digital Technologies and Innovation, Mr. Sam Nartey George, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of Government Communications and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
The statement said, international speakers would include Mr. Jan Eissfeldt, Director and Global Head of Trust and Safety at the Wikimedia Foundation, and Mr. Emmanuel Lubanzadio, Africa Lead at OpenAI, alongside other high-profile experts from the communications, technology, and policy sectors.
Ms. Esther A. N. Cobbah, President of IPR Ghana and CEO of Stratcomm Africa, Mr. Arik Karani, President of APRA and Ms. Nataša Pavlović Bujas, President of IPRA, will also deliver remarks.
The conference will climax with the IPRA Golden World Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra on October 3.
“This will be the first time Ghana hosts the prestigious awards, which celebrate outstanding public relations campaigns globally and mark the 70th anniversary of IPRA”, the statement added.
The event is open to communication professionals, AI experts, policymakers, academics, development actors, media practitioners, and students interested in exploring the intersection of communication, technology, and innovation.
Some of the members who are set for a possible comeback
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Saturday August 16, 2025, announced that it has granted amnesty to members who were previously sanctioned by the party.
The decision, announced through a press release, is aimed at fostering unity ahead of the party’s internal and national elections.
Below are some of the notable members who could benefit from the move:
1. Paul Afoko
Afoko won the NPP chairmanship contest on 12 April 2014 at a party congress held in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital.
However, he was suspended the following year after some members petitioned the party’s Disciplinary Committee. His possible reinstatement under the amnesty would be highly significant, given his former role as National Chairman.
2. Sarah Adwoa Safo
The Dome-Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo, was sanctioned after she went “berserk” on multiple media platforms to criticise the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for supposed injustices against her and her family despite being instrumental in grassroot mobilisation for the party.
She was sanctioned after acting in defiance to party directive to stop going on media platforms to air her grievances to the public without exhausting internal party structures. Meanwhile, Adwoa Safo, in an interview with the media, indicated that she has not been notified of any suspension in writing. Amnesty could ease her return to the party after the recent statement.
3. Hopeson Adorye
A leading member of Alan Kyerematen’s campaign, Hopeson Adorye, was sanctioned for anti-party comments and actions seen as divisive. The amnesty offers him the chance to reconcile with the party.
‘How can I enter a house with familiar spirits’ – Appiah Danquah reacts to NPP’s amnesty for members
4. Yaw Buaben Asamoa
Yaw Buaben Asamoa, the former NPP Communications Director and another ally of Alan Kyerematen, also was caught in the grips of party rules after openly campaigning for Alan Kyerematen who broke away from the NPP. He stands to benefit from the general pardon.
5. Philip Longdon
Once a leading member of the NPP, Philip Longdon was critical of the party when the NPP suspended former National Chairman Paul Afoko and former General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong. He later defected to join the Movement for Change led by Alan Kyerematen, leading to his suspension. The new directive by the party, however, has opened the doors to suspended members, which could pave the way for Longdon to rejoin the NPP if he so wishes.
The amnesty decision is seen as part of the NPP’s strategy to consolidate its base and project unity ahead of the 2028 elections.
MRA/VPO
Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
Actress and TV presenter Nana Ama McBrown, in a video, was seen addressing a newlywed couple
The renowned Ghanaian celebrity is believed to be related to the newly minted groom
She cracked jokes at the function, filling everyone with laughter while preparing them for their new life together
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Ghanaian actress and TV host Nana Ama McBrown, on August 15, 2025, the same day she turned 48, joined a young couple during their traditional marriage ceremony.
Nana Ama McBrown Blesses The Union of Her ‘Son’, Shares Deep Marital Advice Source: Facebook
In a video sighted by YEN.com.gh, the host of Onua Showtime was captured advising the new couple.
She strongly admonished them to be wary of the many things that could creep into their union and cause them to grow apart
In addressing the new couple, Nana Ama McBrown described the groom as her son and shared deep advice on how not to be tired of each other.
After, she blessed their union and told them of her expectation in the next 50 years when she is 98 years old.
Before attending the wedding, Nana Ama McBrown had posted beautiful photos of herself marking her 48th birthday.
Nana Ama McBrown’s advice stirs reactions
YEN.com.gh gathered a few comments from netizens in reaction to Nana Ama McBrown’s advice.
Jennifer Fosuaa
Eii kwame of yesterday is getting married wow
Awurama Papabi
Eeeeiiiiisssshhhhh Kwame ne Ama hmmm one of them should be ready to bow o
Queen Richla Osei Wireko
KWAME NE AMA PERFECT BUT ONE HAVE TO BE READY TO BOW COS BOTH ARE LEADERS AND HAVE AUTHORITATIVE SPIRIT SO HELP THEM GOD. BEAUTIFUL COUPLE
Bridgette Adaeze Adzah
Happy Birthday, Empress. It’s like they intentionally chose that cloth. “Aniwa” its so nice
User
I love this woman may God bless her son new home 🙏
Adiza Abubakar Ayobi
I will gladly take a marriage advice from you,your Excellency ❤️❤️❤️
Tracey Boakye surprises her husband
In a related story, YEN.com.gh reported on Tracey Boakye’s surprise party in celebration of her husband’s birthday.
The lucky man, Frank Ntiamoah Badu, with whom Tracey Boakye has three kids, turned a year older on June 6, 2025.
Frank Badu Ntiamoah, who appeared to have no clue of what his wife had planned, opened a fully-decorated room to find the likes of Kumawood star Dr Likee ready to share in his special moment.
On social media, Tracey Boakye posted her husband’s birthday moments with a heartfelt message.
Bishop Akolgo and Rosemond Ebi-Adwo Aryeetey (2nd & 3rd R) with participants
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has organised a sensitisation workshop in Kumasi to equip editors and senior journalists with skills to report effectively on Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs), progressive taxation, and domestic revenue mobilisation.
The training, held on Friday, August 15, 2025, forms part of the “Tax for Development: Strengthening Civil Society and Media for Fiscal Justice” project, funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) through Oxfam in Ghana.
Senior Manager at MFWA, Rosemond Ebi-Adwo Aryeetey, said IFFs undermine Ghana’s ability to fund infrastructure and development projects, urging the media to use the new Media Guide on IFFs launched earlier this month in Accra.
Consultant, Bishop Akolgo, explained that IFFs occur through trade mispricing, money laundering, and other illegal practices, costing Ghana billions of cedis annually. He encouraged journalists to apply the guide and hold institutions accountable.
Representing the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), Isaac Amoah, described the guide as a timely tool for exposing financial crimes, while Isaac Frimpong of GIBA stressed the responsibility of broadcasters to connect fiscal issues to the daily realities of citizens.
The Kumasi workshop is one of a series of regional engagements aimed at promoting fiscal justice and strengthening media reporting on economic governance.
As the circumstances surrounding the death of late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, continue to stir investigations, his close friend and colleague, Bella Shmurda, has spoken out for the first time in a long while.
In a livestream with TikToker Joblaq, Bella opened up on how the tragic death of Mohbad changed everything about him.
A 20-year-old boy identified as Yaw has allegedly stabbed his 17-year-old brother, Paa Kwesi, to death at Mampong, a community near Kansaworado within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of the Western Region.
According to reports, the tragic incident occurred after a misunderstanding over a broken padlock.
The suspect, after committing the act, fled the scene and has since not been found.
The 1569 Mercator map did not merely misrepresent Africa’s size—it mutilated its dignity and incapacitated its destiny. From the moment Gerardus Mercator shrank Africa on paper, the continent was deliberately diminished in the eyes of the world.
And, 300 years later, at the Berlin Conference of 1884, the very powers who first made Africa look small went further: they divided it into small, weak states under their control, designed to feed their industrialization drive in Europe.
Now, more than 500 years later, the African Union has begun reclaiming truth by endorsing the Equal Earth projection, a map that finally restores Africa’s true scale. This is not just about cartographic accuracy—it is an act of liberation. It is about tearing down the lies that shrank us on paper, then broke us apart in practice.
Cartographic Colonialism
The Mercator projection was never neutral. It was designed for conquest. It bloated Europe by over 300% while crushing Africa into irrelevance. “It might seem to be just a map, but in reality, it is not,” AU Deputy Chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi warned, noting how its distortion made 55 African nations look marginal.
The deception went beyond ink. The rulers and compasses of 1884 carved kingdoms, trade routes, and ecosystems into fragments. Today, 60% of Africa’s borders are still straight lines—scars of Berlin’s arrogance—scars that have spawned wars from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa.
Reclaiming Scale, Restoring Dignity
The Equal Earth projection is more than geography—it is justice. It restores Africa as the giant it truly is: vast, rich, and unshrinkable. But a map correction alone will not free us. True liberation demands tearing down the colonial borders that still restrict our opportunities and choke our prosperity.
Think of the absurdity: in 2025, trucks still queue for 72 hours at artificial checkpoints while Africans are still denied entry to African countries, where Europeans visiting do not require entry visas. How can the African Continental Free Trade Area thrive on such fractured foundations?
A New Cartography, A New Urgency
The AU’s endorsement of Equal Earth echoes the heartbeat of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want—borderless, whole, and strong. But maps alone will not save us. Words alone will not unite us. Action must. Urgency must. Will must. We can and we must!
The borders drawn in 1884 were not drawn for Africans; they were drawn against us. If the Mercator map falls, so too must Berlin’s borders.
At the Africa Prosperity Network, we are committed to mobilizing Africa’s private sector—the entrepreneurs, the builders, the wealth creators—to own and drive this historic task. Governments may sign protocols, but only Africa’s people (over 1.5 billion of us in Africa and across the globe), powered by business, can finally dismantle these invisible chains and make Africa truly borderless.
The Call
For over 60 years, our leaders have spoken of African unity. Nkrumah called for it. Nyerere warned of the cost of delay. Generations have dreamed it.
The time has come for Africa to reclaim its actual size—on the map and in the world—and to erase the borders that constrain us from becoming the economic power we should be.
The Mercator map shrank Africa. The Berlin Conference divided Africa. The Equal Earth projection restores Africa. But only Africans can liberate Africa.
Let us not correct the map only. Let us correct history. Let us make Africa borderless—now.
—-
The author is the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network, organisers of the annual Africa Prosperity Dialogues in Accra and the Global Africa Forum in New York. He is also the Senior Partner of Africa Legal Associates (ALPi Ghana), a Pan-African corporate law firm with offices in 9 African countries.
In Ghana, the entertainment industry moves at breakneck speed, with headlines emerging and evolving in the blink of an eye. Your Weekly Pulse is here to keep you informed on the most talked-about stories, heartfelt moments, and behind-the-scenes developments.
This week has been marked by high-profile legal troubles, reignited rivalries, and moments of shared grief.
1.Kofi Boat faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty
Ghanaian businessman and entertainer Isaac Oduro Boateng, popularly known as Kofi Boat, has been extradited to the United States over allegations of involvement in a staggering $100 million romance scam.
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Kofi Boat is facing five charges ,including wire fraud and money laundering , and could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if found guilty. The FBI, which has been investigating his activities since June 2025, alleges that he defrauded victims across the United States between 2016 and May 2023 through elaborate deception schemes.
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Read details here: Kofi Boat faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty
2.Shatta Wale says lamborghini seizure cost him $2 million deal
Dancehall icon Shatta Wale has claimed that the recent seizure of his Lamborghini by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) cost him a lucrative $2 million distribution deal for his Voice of the Crown EP.
The luxury vehicle was confiscated at the request of the FBI and the US Department of Justice, who allege it was purchased using proceeds from fraudulent activities by convicted felon Richard Amuah. The car is now set to be transferred to US authorities.
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According to Shatta Wale,
This seizure ruined a major opportunity. I had a $2 million deal on the table ,and it’s gone because of this
Read details here:Shatta Wale says he lost a $2 million deal after FBI-backed Lamborghini seizure
Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority (NFA), Kafui Danku, has questioned the sincerity of certain Nigerian filmmakers who have accused Ghanaian institutions of enabling piracy.
Speaking on Hitz FM, Danku referred to a specific case involving Nigerian actress Bimbo Ademoye, who claimed that her films were being pirated in Ghana but allegedly failed to provide evidence. Danku stressed that while piracy remains a legitimate concern, “some of these public attacks appear to be more about chasing clout than addressing the real issue.”
Read details here: Kafui Danku says Nigerian actors could be using piracy claims to chase clout
Kafui Danku
4.Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale’s feud flares up again
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The long-standing rivalry between Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale returned to the spotlight this week after Shatta Wale urged his fans to dig into Stonebwoy’s alleged misconduct.
Stonebwoy fired back with a scathing Snapchat post, sharing a screenshot of Shatta Wale’s remarks and writing: “What a nincompoop. Azui… you be your own biggest enemy.”
The online exchange has since ignited heated debates between the fan bases of both artistes, rekindling one of Ghana’s most notorious entertainment rivalries.
Read details here: ‘What a nincompoop’ – Stonebwoy slams Shatta Wale on social media amid renewed clash
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5.Celebrities pay tribute to fallen helicopter crash victims
The Ghanaian entertainment community came together to honour the eight patriots who tragically lost their lives in the August 6 military helicopter crash.
The state funeral, held at Independence Square, drew notable figures including MP Abla Dzifa Gomashie, political activist Kwame A Plus, and gospel musicians Cecilia Marfo, Nacee, and Diana Asamoah. The gathering served as both a tribute to the fallen heroes and a moment of national solidarity.
Read details here: Helicopter Crash: Celebrities spotted at the final funeral rites of the fallen heroes
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This week has once again shown the unpredictable nature of Ghana’s entertainment landscape ,a mix of legal drama, public feuds, and moments that unite the nation. From artistes battling allegations to the shared sorrow of a national tragedy, the industry has delivered stories that are as intense as they are unforgettable.
Stay connected with Pulse.com.gh for breaking stories as they unfold ,and remember to catch Your Weekly Pulse every Friday.
Electrochem Ghana Announces Temporary Workforce Reset To Enhance Efficiency
Electrochem Ghana Ltd, operators of the Ada Songor Salt Concession, has announced a temporary workforce adjustment as part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
The directive, effective immediately, applies to selected departments and operational sites across the company. Contrary to speculation of a mass layoff, management has clarified that this is a temporary reset, not a permanent termination of employment.
Founder and Executive Chairman of the McDan Group, Dr Daniel McKorley, explained:“Yes. But not all of them. We are resetting for efficiency. After that, they will all come back.”
Electrochem Ghana emphasized that the move is designed to realign operations, boost productivity, and ensure long-term sustainability in Ghana’s salt industry.
As part of the McDan Group, Electrochem Ghana has been at the forefront of reviving and modernizing salt production at Ada Songor — the largest salt concession in West Africa. The company reassured stakeholders that the temporary workforce reset will not derail its core mission of making Ghana a leading player in the global salt market.
Electrochem remains committed to its employees, the Ada community, and Ghana at large, and will continue to provide updates as the efficiency reset progresses.
Electrochem Ghana Ltd Electrochem Ghana Ltd is a subsidiary of the McDan Group, operating the Ada Songor Salt Concession. With a vision to position Ghana as a major global supplier of industrial salt, Electrochem is committed to sustainable operations, community development, and creating long-term economic value for the country.
From L to R: Singer Mzbel, Minalyn, and alleged scammer, Janice Inez Mensah
Hiplife singer Belinda Ekua Amoah, popularly known as Mzbel, has taken to social media to recount how a UK-based Ghanaian woman, Janice Inez Mensah, scammed her and several others out of a total of GH¢1.4 million.
In a post shared on Mzbel’s Instagram, with further details provided by ZionFelix, who is the partner of one of the victims, Minalyn, it was revealed that the incident occurred five years ago.
ZionFelix explained how the situation unfolded, that is, Janice Inez Mensah, who claims to be a wedding and event organiser, contacted Minalyn Touch in 2020 under the pretence of assisting Ghanaians with acquiring UK visas.
God willing, I will receive my Lamborghini; I have documents to prove it’s mine’ – Shatta Wale
According to ZionFelix, Janice promised to help about 11 people, including Minalyn, secure a COS visa for the UK, which costs around £30,500.
In a separate post on Instagram, Mzbel elaborated on how she became involved with the alleged scammer.
She revealed that she grew close to Janice in 2020 when the latter promised to help her secure visas for her fans.
“If you are interested in working in the UK as a caregiver, talk to me directly on this number… I have 13 slots. If it is not genuine, I won’t put my reputation on the line,” Mzbel, who was smitten by the ‘scammer’s promises was captured stating online in 2020.
Shatta Wale reportedly loses $2M EP deal amid fallout from negative publicity
Speaking on this ordeal in a recent development, Mzbel and Minalyn have shared videos and pictures of Janice Mensah on Instagram, revealing the amount of money she allegedly took from them.
“She’s a scammer on the run in the UK, her name is Janice Mensah, a strong Jehovah’s Witness, an event and wedding planner for inezimpressions. Help us find her for a handsome reward,” Mzbel’s recent post read.
The singer also added in a series of posts on the same social media platform, including the amount of money taken from her and other victims, in addition to the phone numbers of the alleged scammer.
“Scam victims; Mzbel – 40k pounds, Minalyn 28k pounds, Richard – 10k pounds, Laura – 14k pounds, Tracy – 4K pounds, Mommy – 2.5k pounds, Charlotte – 1k pounds, Ama – 1k pounds, and 29 others.
“Janice Inez Mensah and her husband are people who commit Visa/Job recruitment fraud and participate in all kinds of dishonest schemes. Janice Inez Mensah, u will definitely be arrested and deported to Ghana to face the law just as your siblings, who are your accomplices, are facing the law.”
Mzbel also added that she will not handle the alleged scammer spiritually, stating that she will go to great lengths to ensure Janice Mensah faces legal action for her crime.
“No need to deal with u spiritually, cos it will be just too simple… I want to see u pay for your crime physically, just like everyone you’ve scammed wishes. IF ONLY THEY KNOW WHAT’S COMING,” she added.
Also, according to reports, Janice scammed 23 individuals, including Mzbel, out of a total of £840,000, and 11 people, including Minalyn, out of £30,500.
In total, Janice is said to have defrauded Mzbel and others of £870,500 as of 2020.
Watch the posts below:
JHM/EB
Meanwhile, watch the tense standoff in Bonteso as anti-galamsey unit seizes excavators, arrests four:
Andrew Appiah Danquah is a private legal expert and spokesperson for the Movement for Change
Private legal expert and spokesperson for the Movement for Change, Andrew Appiah Danquah, has made it clear that he would not return to the New Patriotic Party, (NPP) because the party has lost its morale and political credibility.
Speaking on TV3 NewDay and monitored by GhanaWeb on Monday, August 18, 2025, he dismissed suggestions of his possible return to the party, stressing that the party has lost touch with its core values.
NPP grants amnesty to all suspended members
According to him, many Ghanaians who once identified with the party have become disillusioned.
“People aggregate around a party when they find some values they resonate with. When Nana Addo managed to alter the DNA, he changed the soul of the NPP. How can I go to a party that has become reprobate? How can I enter a house that is filled with familiar spirits? sic…
“My worst enemy would not advise me to enter a house that’s full of familiar spirits. The NPP is a party full of familiar spirits. Listen, to the millions of Ghanaians who have been displaced, who cannot stay in the house because of the familiar spirits there. I have good news for you, there is a new party for you,” he stated.
The NPP has granted a general amnesty to all members of the party who have been suspended or are facing disciplinary proceedings, as part of efforts to foster unity and reconciliation within the party.
You can’t contest any internal party election – NPP warns pardoned members
In an August 16, 2025, statement signed by the acting National Chairman, Danquah Smith Buttey, it said the decision was taken at an Emergency National Council meeting held on Friday, July 25, 2025.
JKB/VPO
Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
The investment price of the Bank of Ghana’s (BoG) gold coins continues to decline, a development attributed to the appreciation of the Ghana cedi against the US dollar.
The Central Bank introduced the gold coins as a strategic measure to discourage the hoarding of US dollars and absorb excess liquidity in the market, ultimately aiming to strengthen the cedi against major foreign currencies.
As of Monday, August 18, 2025, the BoG reported the following updated prices for its gold coins:
T-bills undersubscribed for second week as interest rates fall to 10.13%
• 0.25 oz coin – GH¢9,988.15
• 0.50 oz coin – GH¢19,244.13
• 1.00 oz coin – GH¢37,800.44
The Ghana gold coin is available in three denominations; one-ounce, half-ounce, and quarter-ounce, and can be purchased through commercial banks.
![NPP PC sets records straight on education background [Listen]](https://www.ghanamma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/a86a22e94aca64b120f497669a90976c.jpeg "NPP PC sets records straight on education background [Listen]")
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)
)
)
)
)
)
