Dr Samuel Amo Tobbin laying a wreath at Jubilee House
The Group Chairman of Tobinco, Dr Samuel Amo Tobbin, on Thursday, August 14, 2025, together with the company’s Board, paid respects to the victims of the August 6 military helicopter crash at the Ceremonial Garden of the Jubilee House.
The tragic incident claimed eight lives, including Ghana’s Defence Minister, Environment Minister, and other senior government officials who were on an official mission in the Ashanti Region.
According to officials, the helicopter went down while transporting the delegation to inspect illegal mining sites.
Dr Tobbin and his team laid wreaths in honour of the deceased.
The August 6, 2025 crash has been described as one of the worst air tragedies in Ghana’s recent history.
The government declared three days of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast across the country.
The victims, remembered for their service to the nation, were accorded full state honours in a ceremony attended by political leaders, the security services, and members of the public.
Tobinco Group’s tribute adds to the growing list of institutions and individuals who have joined in mourning the loss, underscoring the sense of national unity and solidarity in the wake of the disaster.
Two of the victims, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and former Agriculture Minister and Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammad Muniru Limuna, have already been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
The remaining six will be given a state funeral on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square.
The Japan National Stadium is not new, its towering frame, all warm timber lines and steel grace, have already seen the world gather once before.
But in 2021, when the Tokyo Olympics took place a year late, the stands were ghosted by an invisible enemy because of the restrictions of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The tracks still thundered, but the roars came from TV screens, not the grandstands.
Four years later, the ghosts are gone. From 13 to 21 September 2025, Tokyo’s air will be alive again, the same city that bowed politely to the world in silence will now sing.
Over 2,000 athletes from about 200 countries will step into the heat haze of late summer, chasing 147 medals across 49 events. The difference this time? You’ll hear every heartbeat.
What to Expect: A symphony in nine days
Nine days of competition is not just a schedule, it’s a story in chapters. The sprints, where victories are decided in blinks; the marathons, where every kilometre is a test of spirit; the field events, where stillness and explosion live seconds apart.
This is the 20th edition of the World Athletics Championships, the global summit where records fall, careers ignite, and legends sometimes end in heartbreak.
It is track and field’s ultimate meeting place, where the stars you know share a start line with names you’ll never forget after Tokyo.
Underdogs who might steal the light
Ghana’s Saminu and Azamati
From Ghana’s quiet northern village to the world’s fastest lane, Abdul-Rasheed Saminu has become a sprint sensation.
From Ashaiman Market to Breaking Records: The resilient rise of Abdul Rasheed Saminu
In May 2025, he shattered his own national 100m record with a blazing 9.86s, only to demolish that again in July with 9.84s, now the third-fastest time in the world this year, second-fastest ever in NCAA history, and Ghana’s new sprint benchmark.
Watch how Rasheed Saminu finished second to Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson in 100m showdown
He already proved his mettle: semi-finalist in Paris 2024, and key part of Ghana’s gold-winning 4×100m relay at the 2024 African Championships.
A linguistic polyglot from Nanumba, Ghana, Saminu is no mere national hero; he’s a global standout.
Beside him, Benjamin Azamati remains a formidable presence. The first Ghanaian to run 100m in sub-10 s at the Tokyo Olympics (9.97 s), he remains part of Ghana’s sprint vanguard.
‘Records are meant to be broken’ – Azamati reacts as Saminu smashes his 100m record
Sorato Shimizu
The locals will already know the name Sorato Shimizu, 16 years old, and already the fastest U-18 sprinter in history with a 10.00s 100m.
In the Tokyo night, with the home crowd chanting in waves, that 10.00 might not be enough to medal, but it might be enough to make a career.
From Australia comes Gout Gout, 17, a boy with a name you don’t forget and a stride you can’t unsee. His junior records make him dangerous.
The question is whether he can keep his nerve when the lanes beside him are filled with Olympic champions.
And there’s Ethan Strand of the US, the 1500m upstart with a 3:30s personal best, and Madison Wiltrout, making her global debut in the javelin.
They aren’t favourites, but Tokyo has always loved a surprise, from the streets of Shinjuku to the roar of the stadium.
Stars who want their shine back
Every championship has its redemption arcs. Zharnel Hughes, Britain’s sprinter with bronze in Budapest 2023, comes to Tokyo heavier with experience and sharper from recent wins.
Tobi Amusan, Nigeria’s sprint-hurdle queen, exploded onto the world stage with a world record in Eugene, only to be sidelined by a careless doping whereabouts failure.
Cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, she now arrives in Tokyo with redemption on her mind and the hurdles world title in her sights.
One of the most stunning upsets in Paris 2024 came from Jamaica, once a sprinting royalty. No Jamaican woman medaled in the 100m or 200m at Paris, the first time since 1988, and even the relay teams failed to perform.
It was a historic decline for a nation synonymous with sprinting excellence. Jamaica’s rebuilding starts now, with old guards like Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shericka Jackson recovering, new stars emerging, and Tokyo 2025 offering a stage to reclaim sprinting pride.
Giants waiting to continue their dominance
The World Championships are never short of towering names, athletes whose mere presence sends ripples through the stadium before the starting gun, the throw, or the jump.
In Tokyo, several such giants are primed to either extend their dominance or defend their thrones from hungry challengers.
Akani Simbine – Africa’s fastest man, still chasing that elusive global gold, and Tokyo might just be the stage where his experience tips the scales.
Ferdinand Omanyala – Africa’s sprint sensation and Commonwealth champion, bringing raw power and fearless starts that can upset the pecking order.
Femke Bol – The reigning queen of the 400m hurdles, blending elegance with raw power. After skipping parts of the 2025 indoor season to focus on recovery and relays, she returns to Tokyo sharper and hungrier than ever.
Sydney McLaughlin – Olympic and world record-holder in the 400m hurdles, known for precision and relentless drive. In Tokyo, she’s ready to test herself against Bol in a clash of titans.
Sha’Carri Richardson – Defending 100m world champion, fast and fiery. A recent airport incident stirred headlines, but she arrives with a semifinal bye and a mission to let her sprinting do the talking.
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Julien Alfred – The reigning Olympic 100m queen from Saint Lucia, brings Caribbean pride and blistering pace to Tokyo.
Fresh off her historic Paris gold, and for a nation still celebrating its first Olympic medal, Alfred’s quest for more glory makes her one of the brightest stars waiting to shine.
Mutaz Essa Barshim (Qatar – High Jump): Olympic co-gold medalist whose graceful, almost effortless leaps keep him in the conversation for every major title.
Ryan Crouser (USA – Shot Put): The big man with the big throws, world record holder and double Olympic champion.
Neeraj Chopra (India – Javelin): The reigning Olympic and World champion, carrying the hopes of a billion people with a golden arm.
Then there are the titans: Noah Lyles, Faith Kipyegon, Mondo Duplantis, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Yulimar Rojas.
They’ve known the view from the top, but in Tokyo, even kings and queens can be dethroned. In an arena this intense, glory has no guarantee.
Giants who could struggle
A championship in Tokyo is no easy feat. The humidity is a slow burn. The travel, the time zones, the sensory overload of a city that never stops moving, it all gnaws at the legs.
Some stars arrive tired, carrying seasons heavy with Diamond League battles.
Others face rising challengers who aren’t afraid of names, records, or reputations.
Even for the best, Tokyo might prove too much.
The story of these Championships might be as much about who falls as who flies.
Tokyo’s Pulse: Culture meets competition
Outside the Japan National Stadium, the streets will hum with the smell of grilled yakitori, the chatter of fans draped in flags, and the rhythmic clapping unique to Japanese sporting crowds.
The race walks will wind past the Meiji Shrine Outer Garden, a place where cedar-scented air meets the tick-tick-tick of racing feet.
This is the first major athletics event in Japan since the pandemic years, a chance for the nation to welcome the world without barriers.
For locals, it’s redemption. For visitors, it’s immersion: neon Shibuya crossings, calm temple gardens, and the hypnotic efficiency of the Shinkansen.
When it ends
When the final baton is passed, when the last javelin lands, the stories will scatter, to Accra, to Addis Ababa, to Kingston, to Brisbane, to small towns where the underdogs will return heroes.
The champions will wear their gold lightly or heavily, depending on how hard it was to win.
And Tokyo? Tokyo would have done what it could not in 2021: show the world, in person, that it is a city built to host the biggest stage in sport.
The stadium will sleep again, but the echo of nine days will last much longer.
FKA/EB
You can also watch the key highlights from the 2025 GFA Ordinary Congress
Former National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, says the August 6 helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight public servants remains one of the most painful tragedies in Ghana’s history but insists that as humans, “we cannot question God.”
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme, Dr. Ofosu Ampofo admitted that it is hard to come to terms with the incident.
“One question that God has not given us an answer to till now is why—why them? Why did this happen? Why should they go through such an unfortunate incident? That’s the only answer God has not given us,” he said.
“Even the Bible says in Romans that you cannot search for God’s knowledge. Who are we, as mortal beings, to question Him and ask how it happened?” he quizzed.
He stressed that the deceased were in the care of some of the best-trained pilots in the Ghana Armed Forces, making the tragedy even more shocking.
“I believe these pilots were among the best. The Minister of Defence is in charge of the army, air force, and navy, so will opt for the best of the best. Ministers and other dignitaries will not just fly with any pilot. It cannot be that inexperienced pilots were used, but God knows best, and we cannot question Him,” he stated.
Dr. Ofosu Ampofo, who is also the Board Chairman of COCOBOD and a Policy Advisor at the Office of the President, described the tragedy as “like a film”—something too surreal to believe.
“It is very difficult for us to swallow. I still don’t believe this is what has happened. It’s like a film show. You can’t fathom it,” he said.
He called on the Ghana Armed Forces to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash and prevent such incidents in the future.
From an Islamic perspective, he acknowledged that death comes when it is destined but expressed that the victims “did not deserve this painful death.”
“The Muslims believe that if it’s your time, whatever God has planned will happen. But I believe these people did not deserve this death. It is painful,” he lamented.
He also saluted the “gallant fallen men” for their ultimate sacrifice in service to Ghana.
“What is left is for us, as a nation, to come together to fight the illegal mining they fought against—to make their souls happy at least,” he urged.
A state burial for the victims is scheduled for Friday, with final preparations already underway.
President John Dramani Mahama has committed to a “ruthless and relentless campaign” to end illegal mining, known as ‘galamsey’, to end the menace that has resulted in significant losses.
The pledge follows the tragic military helicopter crash on August 6 that killed eight people, including two cabinet ministers who were at the forefront of the anti-galamsey fight.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed the President’s new resolve to JoyNews journalist Blessed Sogah today (August 14), after signing a book of condolences for the victims.
The minister’s remarks signal a major shift in the government’s approach, which many view as a decisive response to a crisis that has spiralled into a national tragedy.
“I can confirm to you that you are going to see a fight that has never been witnessed in this country,” Ablakwa stated. “President Mahama is going to lead a very ruthless and relentless campaign against Galamsey. He has not minced words at all.”
Mr Ablakwa’s comments shed light on an urgent mini-cabinet meeting held earlier in the day, where the President reportedly made his intentions clear.
“We had a brief cabinet meeting earlier today, and the president was very clear. There was no ambiguity that he would be leading a war that we have never seen to deal with this existential threat once and for all,” the minister added.
The late Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, along with six other public servants, died while on a mission to launch a community mining scheme, a key initiative to bring some illegal miners into a regulated framework.
Their deaths have galvanised the government to take a more aggressive stance.
The new campaign comes amid alarming data on the severe environmental and economic toll of illegal mining.
According to recent reports, over 19,000 hectares of cocoa farmland, a pillar of Ghana’s economy, have been destroyed by galamsey.
The use of toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide has polluted more than 60% of Ghana’s major water bodies, including the Pra and Ankobra rivers, raising fears that the nation may have to import water by 2030.
Past efforts by successive governments, including Operation Vanguard and Operation Halt, have often been met with limited success.
This new “ruthless” approach is expected to be a more comprehensive and sustained effort, targeting not just the miners but the powerful sponsors behind them.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
President John Mahama’s government has banned foreign currency in all state contracts, enforcing a long-dormant 2006 law to stabilize the embattled cedi.
The directive, effective immediately, requires even externally funded projects to use Ghana’s local currency a move experts call overdue but fraught with enforcement challenges.
Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson detailed the policy in the mid-year budget review, targeting what economist Professor Godfred Bokpin labels “fiscally suicidal” dollarization. Between 2020 and 2024, the cedi plunged 135% against the dollar, while foreign reserves shrunk by 40%. “Pricing contracts in dollars created artificial demand that bled our economy,” argued former central bank researcher Dr. Nii Kwaku Sowa.
The shift aims to curb inflation, boost local contractors, and restore monetary control. Bank of Ghana could now maneuver interest rates more effectively without state-induced forex pressure. Veteran economist Kwame Pianim welcomed the symbolism: “If government doesn’t believe in the cedi, who should?”
Nigeria’s 2021 similar ban temporarily stabilized the naira and saved $2 billion in outflows. Yet IMANI Africa analyst Dr. Esi Yankah warns: “This can’t be another paper tiger. Enforcement must bite.” Past laxity rendered the 2006 Foreign Exchange Act irrelevant.
For Ghana’s businesses, stability could lower borrowing costs and spur investment. But success hinges on rigid compliance across ministries and opposition backing for what President Mahama frames as economic sovereignty’s frontline.
A Ghanaian woman based in Germany, Patricia Amankwah, has reportedly died, days after collapsing during a vigil in Hamburg
The mother of four attended the candlelight vigil held in honour of the late highlife legend, Daddy Lumba on Sunday, August 10
She allegedly got into a heated confrontation with her partner, which ended with her collapsing and being rushed to the hospital
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A Ghanaian woman in Germany, identified as Patricia Amankwah, has reportedly died after collapsing during a candelight vigil for Daddy Lumba in Hamburg.
A Ghanaian woman in Germany, identified as Patricia Amankwah, reportedly dies after collapsing during Daddy Lumba’s candlelight vigil. Image credit: @asantemampongreport Source: Youtube
Highlife legend Daddy Lumba’s death on July 26, 2025, stirred nationwide mourning.
Members of the Ghanaian diaspora also gathered to remember the late singer, holding candlelight vigils in countries such as Australia, Germany, and the UK.
On Sunday, August 10, Ghanaians in Hamburg held a candlelight vigil for the Aben Wo Ha hit-maker that drew in hundreds of attendees.
Below is a TikTok video from Daddy Lumba’s vigil in the German city.
Daddy Lumba fan dies at Hamburg vigil
During the candlelight vigil for Daddy Lumba held in Hamburg, a woman identified as Patricia Amankwah reportedly collapsed.
She was transported to the hospital for medical treatment.
Ghanaians in Hamburg hold a candlelight vigil for late highlife legend Daddy Lumba on August 10, 2025. Image credit: @shadouttvnews, @realdaddylumba Source: TikTok
In a video seen by YEN.com.gh on TikTok, Ghanaian vlogger Asante Mampong Report announced that Amankwah had passed away.
He said the Asante Mampong native died in the hospital after all attempts to save her life proved futile, leaving behind four children.
Asante Mampong Report also alleged that Amankwah’s collapse occurred while she was engaged in a confrontation with another person, believed to be the dad of one of her children.
The TikTok video announcing Patricia Amankwah’s death is below.
Reactions to Patricia Amankwaah’s death at vigil
YEN.com.gh compiled some comments from Ghanaians in reaction to Patricia Amankwaah’s reported death.
ernestagrt said:
“Every relationship can break at any time, so when it breaks, don’t take it to heart; just take care of your children. Don’t stress at all; it’s not worth it.”
ƆDƆ ƐFƐ wrote:
“Don’t let anyone stress you, ooo hmmm. Free your mind and be yourself 🙏🙏”
NanaBena commented:
“I know her very well. I know her mother; we go to the same church, she was my junior at St Monica’s Secondary school. Awwww Patricia Amankwaa, may your soul rest well 😭.”
Seth said:
“We Ghanaians and our relationship in Germany 🇩🇪. Only God can intervene 🤔.”
vavicky wrote:
“I can’t control my 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭. Oh Akumaaa, you promised to attend my party oooo.”
Jiovanni Alexander III commented:
“I personally knew Pat from Mampong and St Monica’s high school. So sad. May her soul rest in eternal peace.”
Afia 16 said:
“It happens to a lot of ladies that results in stroke or death; it’s called pure broken heart. She was totally disappointed by the Ex. So, so sad. May her soul rest peacefully with the Lord🙏🏼💔🥀🕊️❤️”
Ghanaian woman dies in Canada
Previously, YEN.com.gh reported that a Ghanaian woman living in Canada died after refusing to eat or take medicine due to her religious beliefs.
Cecilia Louis, aka Aunty Ceci, reportedly refused medical help and relied on her faith in Prophet Adom Kyei Duah of Philadelphia Church to heal her.
News of her death sparked heated discussions online, with many blaming extreme religious practices and calling for the preacher to caution his followers.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Ghanaian politician and member of the ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, representing the Bosomtwe Constituency in the Ashanti Region on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Yaw Adutwum has expressed optimism in becoming the NPP flagbearer in the next general election.
Following his successful receipt of the nomination form on August 14, 2025, the former minister of education stated that “We are on track, and by the grace of God, my party, I believe, will vote for me and make me the flagbearer of the NPP.”
This year’s International Youth Day has been celebrated in Accra with Executive Director of the Springboard Road Show Foundation, Comfort Ocran, reminding young people that the day is more than a date on the calendar, but a call to action.
Comfort Ocran reflected on the 2025 UN theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”, noting that it is a powerful reminder that young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow but the changemakers of today.
“The future is here, and the future starts now,” she declared, urging participants to take the global goals and make them real within their own communities.
The celebration, held at the Osu Ebenezer Presbyterian Church on August 12, also marked the launch of the Teenpreneurship Bootcamp under the bold theme “Next Is Now.”
Organised at no cost to its 300 participants, the program is designed to equip teenagers with the skills, mindset, and confidence to act immediately.
By embracing entrepreneurship, innovation, and practical problem-solving today, these young people are not only investing in their own futures but also contributing directly to sustainable development and community transformation.
Another highlight of the day was the unveiling of the second edition of Impact Stories under the Ghana Grows Program, aptly dubbed “Rays of Hope”.
These stories celebrate the resilience and achievements of young women and men transforming agriculture, breaking barriers, and creating local solutions with national and global relevance.
Through the Ghana Grows Program, over 448,000 young people have been impacted. Notably, 76% of participants are young women, and 1.91% are persons with disabilities. 20,000 young people have secured jobs and sustainable livelihoods, while more than 2,400 Youth Ambassadors have been trained to champion agriculture and entrepreneurship nationwide.
In addition, the extended Empower 360 component of Ghana Grows has equipped over 1,116 young women with practical skills and provided 156 young participants with startup kits to launch their own businesses.
The Ghana Grows Program is being implemented by the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with a consortium led by the Springboard Road Show Foundation. It aims at highlighting the opportunities available in the extended value chain for agriculture, agribusiness, and ATVET.
Speaking at the program, Mr. Joseph Boateng, Lead, Market to Impact at the Mastercard Foundation, stated: “The SDGs are not distant targets set in boardrooms. They are lived realities in our villages, towns, and cities. As we mark International Youth Day, let us commit to moving from voice to impact, turning ideas into enterprises, passion into policy, and energy into enduring change.”
Technical Director of the Springboard Road Show Foundation, Rev. Albert Ocran, also spoke to the “Next Is Now” theme, encouraging participants to take deliberate action.
“Inspiration without execution is only a dream. What you do today, the projects you start, the risks you take, the ideas you pursue, will define the world you live in tomorrow,” he said.
The event closed with renewed energy, as young people committed to living out the charge of the Executive Director, to turn skills into solutions, relationships into collaborations, and opportunities into lasting change. With passion, purpose, and persistence, they left the celebration ready to ensure that their next step would not just be inspired, but action-driven.
Three people have died in a road accident involving an O.A. Transport minibus at Kyiraburoso, near Adansi Asokwa, on the Bekwai–New Edubiase stretch of the Ashanti Region.
The vehicle, with registration number AS 8914-22, was reportedly travelling from Accra to Obuasi when the incident occurred on Wednesday night.
Fomena District Police Commander, DSP Samson Wunyi Mumuni, confirmed the incident to Adom News.
DSP Mumuni said that the minibus, which was carrying 14 passengers, crashed into a faulty Kia truck parked in its lane.
The truck, he explained, had been hooked up to a tanker heading towards Assin Fosu.
According to DSP Mumuni, the collision resulted in multiple injuries and the loss of three lives at the scene.
Emergency services later transported the injured to nearby medical facilities.
President John Dramani Mahama has requested American experts to help study and analyse the black box retrieved from the military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives last week, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has said.
The Minister confirmed that the government had formally written to the Americans to come and assist with the investigation as independent officers, to avoid any suspicion.
According to the Minister, the American experts would soon arrive in the country, having already received the government’s letter and responded.
“I can confirm to you that, on the instruction of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, we have formally requested the Americans to come in and assist.
“We all know that they have considerable expertise when it comes to these matters. So, the indication we have received from the Americans is that they are very much willing to assist. The Americans have responded, and we are expecting the arrival of American experts soon to help us with the investigations,” he said.
He emphasised that the government believed bringing in independent experts would ensure the outcome of the investigations was acceptable to all and inspire confidence in the process.
Mr Ablakwa added that nobody had anything to hide, stressing that it was important the process was carried out thoroughly and met international gold standards and best practice.
Contact with Chinese manufacturers
The Minister said the government had also made contact with the Chinese manufacturers, who are on standby to assist with the investigation.
“I can confirm to you that the Chinese have already been contacted and the manufacturers are standing by. Indeed, the briefing we have received from the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is that there is a standing protocol where the black box must be, as it were, made available to the manufacturer — in this case, the manufacturers of the Z9 helicopter.
“So, they are standing by. But, in the President’s wisdom, he does not want anything to proceed without independent experts. I think that it is quite fair so that we will just avoid all doubts, so that people will not raise issues of probably conflict of interest — maybe people with some kind of special interest trying to cover up and all of that,” he stated.
The Minister said the President’s decision was commendable, as the Americans were far removed from the process and could provide the independent expertise required.
He also expressed gratitude to American partners for agreeing to assist the government.
Transparency
The Minister said the President wanted utmost transparency and assured that Ghanaians would be kept informed at every stage of the investigation.
“At all steps of the way — when these experts arrive, when the investigations commence, when the investigations progress, when the investigations conclude — every stage of the way the Ghanaian people should know about what is happening,” he said.
He assured the public that the government would not conceal any development related to the investigation.
“I have had some civil society organisations and some other analysts raise concern about, if you like, lack of information about the investigative processes. It is just because it hasn’t commenced.
“We are waiting for the experts before these investigations are done. That is why you probably have not been getting regular updates on the investigation — of course, taking into account national security considerations,” he said.
He emphasised that most of the heroes who died represented good governance, which required transparency, accountability, and a strong commitment to truth.
Mr Ablakwa said it was in the country’s interest to honour the crash victims “by making sure that even as they are no longer with us, these ideals which they have always represented, which they stand for, must continue to be espoused and actually advanced in a very concrete manner”.
Ara-B has announced that he is no longer part of the Shata Movement and is currently not signed to any other record label.
In a statement on Facebook on August 13, 2025, he said the split was mutual and without conflict.
Ara B stated that all previous contracts had either been completed or legally ended.
I regret leaving Shatta Wale – Ara B
“This is to formally announce that the artiste RASHAD SFARIJLANI known professionally as ARA-B is no longer affiliated with SHATTA MOVEMENT (SM), signed to or represented by any other record label as of today 13th August, 2025. This disassociation has been made in good faith. All prior contractual obligations have been fulfilled or legally terminated,” the statement read.
He said he will now work as an independent artiste, handling his own creative direction, branding, performances, and business decisions.
Shatta-EOCO Saga: I talked about his ‘settings’ lifestyle before things unfolded – Stonebwoy
The artiste further mentioned that he is open to new opportunities, including collaborations, performances, brand endorsements, media interviews, event bookings, and other creative projects.
The statement added, “As such, ARA-B is now available for new opportunities, including but not limited to:
* Music collaborations and features
* Live performances and tours
* Brand partnerships and endorsements
* Media appearances and interviews
Event bookings and creative projects
We appreciate the contributions and support from all individuals and entities involved in the artiste’s journey so far and now look ahead to a bold new phase of artistic and professional growth.”
Meanwhile, watch the trailer for GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
play videoPhoto collage of the eight victims who died in the helicopter crash on August 6, 2025
Preparations are currently underway at the Black Star Square, with green carpets laid, catafalques set up, canopies erected, a dais built, and other key arrangements in place for the state funeral tomorrow August 15, 2025, of the eight persons who tragically passed away in the GAF Z-9 helicopter crash in Adansi in the Ashanti Region.
The crash claimed the lives of eight people, including defence minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, former parliamentary candidate, Samuel Aboagye, and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman, Samuel Sarpong, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and MP for Tamale Central, and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator.
The crew members who perished were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The government declared a three-day national mourning period, which included a flower-laying ceremony on August 7 and a memorial service on August 9.
The military aircraft, Z-9 helicopter departed Accra at 09:12 local time (GMT) and was headed for Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining event.
All donations received for state funeral to be shared among victims’ families – Chief of Staff
The Ghana Armed Forces reported that the Z-9 helicopter, carrying three crew members and five passengers, had gone “off the radar.”
Its disappearance triggered an immediate search-and-rescue operation, which later confirmed that all eight people aboard had died.
Full details on final funeral for victims of August 6 helicopter crash
Watch video below
Watch preparations in full swing for state funeral of helicopter crash victims
MRA/VPO
‘Last Wave’: Defence Press Corps captures Dr Omane Boamah’s final assignment
Members of the Volta Regional National Sports Authority
The Volta Regional Office of the National Sports Authority (NSA) has held a collaborative meeting with the Volta Regional Football Association (RFA) to foster a sustained partnership aimed at advancing sports development in the region.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, brought together the Regional Director of Sports, Madam Philipina Frimpong, the RFA Chairman, Daniel Agbogah to discuss how the two bodies could work together effectively to promote sports generally, with a particular focus on the NSA’s relations with the football governing body in the region.
Agbogah expressed his delight at the opportunity to collaborate with the NSA, emphasising the need to nurture other sports alongside football in the Volta Region.
He pledged the RFA’s readiness to support the NSA in any way possible, particularly in the maintenance and management of the regional sports stadium.
Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe vows to fight GFA’s term limit extension until he dies
In response, Madam Frimpong thanked the RFA Chairman and his team for their commitment and expressed optimism about the potential benefits of the partnership.
Also present at the meeting were newly appointed Planning & Evaluation Officer, Dzidodo Ruben Adjahoe, Sports Development Officer, David Sakyi, Administrator of the Regional NSA, Mrs. Jennifer Kokumah and the RFA Secretary Promise Michael Ahiagba.
Meanwhile, watch videos from the 31st Ordinary Congress of the GFA
Accra, Aug. 14, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama will spearhead what government describes as a “relentless and ruthless campaign” to end illegal mining, or galamsey, once and for all, Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced.
He said: “There was no ambiguity in Cabinet today. The President will lead a war against galamsey the likes of which we have never seen before. It will be ruthless, relentless, and aimed at eradicating this canker permanently.”
The Minister emphasized, “I can confirm to you that you are going to see a fight that has never been witnessed in this country.”
Mr. Ablakwa, speaking at the signing of the book of condolence for the victims of the recent helicopter crash at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, said the tragedy had deepened government’s resolve to confront the menace, which he described as a grave and existential threat to Ghana’s future.
He said the President’s stance was not simply about enforcing environmental regulations but about protecting lives, safeguarding national security, and honouring the memory of the fallen officers who had been committed to the nation’s progress.
“Illegal mining continues to destroy our water bodies, degrade our environment, and endanger communities,” he stated.
The Minister said the sacrifice of the ministers and service men must inspire a decisive national effort to end the illegal mining scourge.
He said government would employ every available legal, operational, and diplomatic tool to dismantle the networks that sustain illegal mining.
Mr. Ablakwa called for national unity in the fight, stressing that the success of the campaign would require cooperation from traditional leaders, local authorities, civil society, and citizens in affected communities.
He said the fight was not for government alone and that it was one for the country’s sustainability.
The Foreign Minister warned that the scale of the problem meant the measures ahead would be tough and potentially disruptive to those benefiting from illegal mining but insisted that the long-term benefits far outweighed the short-term discomfort.
The Minister stressed that the campaign was also about honouring the memory of the fallen officers, saying: “I believe that as a nation we should all commit that this ultimate sacrifice shall not be in vain, that we shall honour their memory by ensuring that this galamsey menace…we will deal with…once and for all.”
He explained that protecting the environment and preserving water bodies for future generations would be one of the most fitting tributes to their service.
He noted that the recent tragedy had united Ghanaians in grief and reminded the nation of the urgent need to protect its natural resources.
“It is also important to immortalize their memory by ensuring that we protect our environment, we protect our water bodies and we keep this country safe for the generations coming after us,” he said, adding that the fight against illegal mining was a fight for the country’s long-term survival.
Commercial transport operators are demanding urgent repairs to the Pokuase–Nsawam road, describing the current state as deplorable and dangerous for motorists, commuters, and residents along the stretch.
In a statement issued on August 14, the operators said the poor condition of the road has made it nearly impassable, increasing operational costs due to frequent vehicle maintenance, spare parts replacement, and reduced vehicle lifespans.
They noted that the situation affects not only commercial drivers but all motorists traveling to destinations in the Eastern, Ashanti, and other northern regions, disrupting daily life and economic activity.
According to the operators, a recent engagement with the Minister for Roads and Highways yielded an assurance that the road would be put in satisfactory condition within six weeks. However, they said the deadline had passed without any improvement.
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC, the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC), and other transport groups have given government a one-week ultimatum to take “meaningful action” or face a protest that will involve parking their vehicles indefinitely.
They are also calling on motorists, commuters, and residents affected by the road’s condition to join the protest as part of a civic duty to compel authorities to act.
Click here to read the statement by GPRTU
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Four people have been killed, with 14 others injured, after a fuel tanker ran into a crowd at a market in Asukawkaw in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region.
The unfortunate incident occurred on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
The Assembly Member for the Asukawkaw Electoral Area, Mark Oduro, confirmed the incident in an interview with Adom News.
Mr. Oduro disclosed that the victims include three women and a one-year-old girl.
The victims were conducting their business when the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into them.
“It is a very sad day for our community. The victims were market women going about their normal activities when the tanker hit them. We have lost three women and a girl believed to be about one year old. Fourteen others have sustained various injuries,” Mr. Oduro said.
Police in the Katanga District have arrested the driver to assist with investigations.
The bodies of the deceased have been conveyed to the Worawora Government Hospital morgue, while the injured are receiving treatment at nearby health facilities.
A member of the communications team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Beatrice Annan, has reiterated Government’s commitment to the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
In an interview at TV3, she said the government had reclaimed about eight out of nine forest reserves which were previously out of bounds to anti-galamsey campaigners.
She asserted that no government official was involved in illegal mining activities.
According to her, even when the names of some NDC national executives were mentioned in connection with galamsey, the government immediately called for investigations, showing its determination to tackle the menace.
Ms. Annan explained that a new policy was being developed to work with communities to reclaim degraded lands and promote responsible mining practices.
She agreed with calls to end galamsey but noted that some miners had valid licenses, while others operated illegally or exceeded their license limits.
She said the government’s approach to the issue was multifaceted.
Ms. Annan added that galamsey was one of the major challenges facing the country.
She assured Ghanaians that President Mahama was determined to end the practice, even if it meant holding members of his own party accountable.
She referenced a recent video post by journalist Erastus Asare-Donkor showing community action against illegal mining, saying such efforts underscored the urgency of the fight.
A Ghanaian TikToker known as Cutie Juliet alleges veteran actress Portia Asare Boateng systematically bullied her out of Kumawood’s film industry.
In a viral video, she recounted joining the Actors Guild in the early 2000s after high school, introduced by veteran Gloria Agyeman.
“Everyone welcomed me warmly—Nana Ama McBrown, Mr. Afrane—except Portia,” she claimed. “Anytime she saw me, she’d intimidate me. I was the youngest, yet she bullied me like a senior targeting a Form One student.”
The treatment, she says, forced her to abandon acting. Years later, she faced Asare again while starting a radio newscasting job. “On my first day, I saw her there. Remembering her past behavior, I quit immediately.” Juliet added she was too young then to grasp industry competition dynamics.
Her story has ignited discussions about power imbalances in Ghana’s entertainment scene.
Ghana’s state-owned enterprises risk derailing national finances, the World Bank warns.
Without urgent reform, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) will face a $2.2 billion funding gap by late 2025. This shortfall could spiral to $9 billion by 2026.
Robert Taliercio, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, sounded the alarm at the Ghana Economic Update launch. ECG struggles with tariffs failing to cover costs, distribution losses, and mounting forex pressures. Despite the government’s Energy Sector Recovery Program, ECG added new debts to power producers in 2024.
“Every year, the government must provide significant financial support,” Taliercio noted. The crisis extends beyond energy. Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) faces instability despite high global cocoa prices. Weak production, supplier debts, and costly non-core activities deepen fiscal risks.
Taliercio urged stronger oversight to prevent these SOEs from crowding out critical infrastructure and social spending. Without action, he warned, Ghana’s economic stability hangs in the balance.
A Ghanaian woman has opened up about her failed attempt to venture into acting in the Kumawood industry
The woman blamed renowned Kumawood star Portia Asare, whose character caused her to give up her filmmaking dreams
Her story got some netizens to revisit conversations about Portia Asare being rude to her colleagues
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A woman has recounted her past moments with Ghanaian actress Portia Asare Boateng, which made her give up on her filmmaking dreams.
Woman sheds light on why she gave up on her filmmaking dream because of Portia Asare. Photo source: PortiaAsareBoateng, CutieJuliet Source: Facebook
In a TikTok video making rounds online, the woman identified on TikTok as CutieJulie claimed that her short-lived acting journey began in the early 2000s when she met Kumawood veteran Gloria Agyeman, who introduced her to acting.
According to her, she had a knack for storywriting and upon her first interaction with the seasoned Kumawood director, Samuel Nyamekye of Miracle Films, her career was about to take off.
“At the time, Kumawood was called Actors Guild. When I joined, I was very young. I had just completed high school… Gloria Agyeman took me to one of their meetings where Nana Ama McBrown, Mr Afrane, among others, instantly fell in love with her and welcomed her,” Cutie Juliert said.
While she got admiration from the top stars on set, it wasn’t long until she encountered Portia Asare, after which her interest in the industry waned, influencing her decision to quit.
“It’s because of Portia Asare that I didn’t continue following the moviemaking dream. Anytime she saw me, she wanted to intimidate me. I was the youngest then, but Portia wouldn’t go easy on me. Whenever she saw me, she would bully me like the way a senior would bully a Form One student.”
Cutie Julie in the video recounted several instances in which Portia Asare picked on her.
“Even after I stopped following the movies, I tried getting into radio…Years later, I got a job as a newscaster at a radio station. On my first day, I realised she was a staff member at the media house. Reflecting on how she treated me before I decided to quit. At the time, I was naive and didn’t understand competition,” she added.
The Ghanaian woman shared her encounter in reference to Lil Win’s recent rants, shedding light on the hypocrisy and hostility he faced when he tried to introduce Sandra Ababio into the Kumawood industry.
Netizens speak about Portia Asare
YEN.com.gh gathered a few comments from Ghanaians in reaction to Portia Asare’s legacy in Kumawood.
yaa said:
“Asem oooo Portia de33 the way a lot of people are complaining about her de33 im surprise she now does YouTube skits hmmm.”
StaceyDashGh wrote:
“I believe you sis I saw her early 2000’s @ a Fufu joint @ Asafo- Kumasi. The way she looked at me and my friends that day , like she knew us or something. Hmmm. She comes off very Rude pa.”
Cory walker 🔫 reamrked:
So now can we take Christiana awuni seriously?
“Sandra Ababio acknowledges Lil Win in her success story.”
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that actress Sandira Ababio had admitted in an interview that Lil Win introduced her to a lot of twins.
Apart from acting, Sandra also acknowledged Lil Win inspired her to get into real estate at a time she didn’t have the money to even buy a house.
Akyenkwaa Nana Kofi Asare, a political show host at Wontumi Radio in Kumasi, has been remanded in police custody for one week after
He was arrested for claiming that President John Mahama was responsible for the tragic helicopter crash that killed eight Ghanaians on August 6, 2025
He made his first appearance in court on Thursday, August 14, 2025, where the court denied him bail
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Akyenkwaa Nana Kofi Asare, a political show host at Wontumi Radio in Kumasi, has been remanded in police custody for one week.
This was after he appeared in court on Thursday, August 14, 2025, following his arrest a few days ago.
High Court remands Wontumi Radio’s Akyenkwaa Nana Kofi Asare in police custody after claiming President Mahama was responsible for the helicopter crash. Photo credit: @ghana.eye/TikTok. Source: TikTok
Following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight Ghanaians on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Akyenkwaa Nana alleged on live radio that President John Mahama was responsible for the accident.
He subsequently urged the families of the eight deceased Ghanaians to hold the President solely accountable for the loss of their loved ones.
These claims by the Wontumi Radio presenter sparked public outrage, with critics describing them as reckless and insensitive to grieving families.
Consequently, the national security stormed his residence at Ejisu a few days ago to arrest him for investigations into his allegations.
Ankara kaftans beautifully merge cultural richness with modern comfort, making them an ideal wardrobe choice for mature women who value both ease and elegance. These effortlessly flowing outfits provide freedom of movement, gracefully conceal body flaws, and offer endless opportunities for personalized styling. When designed thoughtfully, an Ankara kaftan becomes more than just a casual garment—it becomes a bold expression of grace and refined fashion sense.
Creating a stylish Ankara kaftan begins with selecting a fabric that speaks to both personality and poise. Ankara materials are available in an array of vibrant designs, but for a more polished and age-appropriate look, opt for sophisticated hues like emerald green, royal blue, mustard yellow, or deep burgundy. It’s best to steer clear of overly flashy or cartoon-like prints. Instead, lean towards classic motifs such as cultural symbols, subtle florals, or clean geometric patterns that reflect understated confidence.
Although kaftans are known for their relaxed fit, incorporating subtle tailoring elements can enhance their appeal. Features like gentle pleats, strategically placed side panels, or a neatly defined empire waist can add structure while maintaining comfort. A center-front pleat or underbust seam can introduce flow and shape to the overall look. Sleeve design also plays a major role in elevating the outfit—whether it’s traditional wide sleeves, elegant bell sleeves, or dramatic cape sleeves, the right style adds a modern, sophisticated edge. For added flair, consider cuffs or tiered ruffles that bring a graceful motion to every gesture.
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Four people, including three women and a one-year-old girl, lost their lives on Thursday afternoon when a fuel tanker ploughed into traders and shoppers at the Asukawkaw market in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region.
According to eyewitness accounts, the tragedy occurred after the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, ramming into the busy market and causing chaos. Fourteen others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Assembly Member for the Asukawkaw Electoral Area, Mark Oduro, described the incident as a “dark day” for the community, adding that the victims were engaged in their regular market activities when disaster struck.
“The injured have been rushed to nearby health facilities for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Worawora Government Hospital morgue,” Mr. Oduro told Citi News. He appealed for the installation of speed ramps on the road to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Police in the Katanga District have arrested the driver to assist with investigations into the cause of the crash.
Ghana’s fixed income market saw concentrated activity in state-backed corporate paper on Wednesday, with a single Ghana Cocoa Board bond drawing 77.7 million cedis in trades.
The 2028-maturity debt instrument overshadowed sovereign trading as investors navigated fiscal headwinds flagged hours earlier by the World Bank.
You’d find the Cocoa Board’s 13% note maturing August 2028 accounting for nearly half of all corporate bond volumes, settling at 76.92 cedis on the dollar. The trade came alongside smaller movements in Bayport Savings and Letshego Ghana securities. Sovereign activity centered on short-dated paper, including 200,662 cedis of an 18.3% government bond due March 2026 and 15,000 cedis in 182-day treasury bills.
The liquidity surge arrives as Ghana balances World Bank praise for 5.3% first-quarter growth against warnings of slowing momentum. Robert Taliercio’s morning call for “non-negotiable fiscal discipline” appeared to resonate in pricing—three actively traded government bonds saw yields between 15.52% and 16.74%, reflecting persistent inflation concerns.
Market watchers note the Cocoa Board’s prominence underscores investor focus on export-reliant issuers amid volatile commodity prices. With treasury bill volumes exceeding 54 million cedis across 91-day to 364-day tenors, the appetite for shorter-term government debt remains robust despite fiscal uncertainties.
The deceased include three women and a one-year-old child
Four persons have died after a fuel tanker rammed into traders and shoppers at the Asukawkaw Market in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
According to a report by Citinewsroom.com, the incident resulted from the driver of the tanker losing control of the vehicle and running into the busy market, creating a chaotic scene.
The deceased victims include three women and a one-year-old girl, while some 14 others are reported to have sustained various degrees of injuries.
The Assembly Member of Asukawkaw, speaking on the accident, disclosed that the injured have been rushed to a hospital, while the deceased have also been sent to the morgue.
Man commits suicide by jumping from Achimota overhead bridge
The Assembly Member, who described the incident as a ‘dark day’ for the people of Asukawkaw, appealed for the construction of speed ramps on the road to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Meanwhile, the police in the Katanga District have since arrested the driver of the tanker to assist in the investigation.
GA
Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
Fixing cross-border research and innovation collaborations can unlock enormous opportunities
Chief Executive Officer of the research and innovation firm Heritors Labs, Derrydean Dadzie, has urged African governments to empower state research and innovation promotion institutions to develop intellectual properties that can be transferred to businesses with the requisite entrepreneurial expertise and financial capacity to commercialise.
He added that this should not restrict access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
He stated that this approach could address the apparent stagnation of viable and scalable innovations and research solutions confined to laboratories, entrench cross-border trade, and broadly strengthen the continent’s contribution to the global innovation ecosystem.
“Fixing cross-border research and innovation collaborations can unlock enormous opportunities for intra-Africa trade, make discussions around innovation commercialisation more fluid, and ultimately impact the socio-economic development of the continent and its people,” he emphasised.
Opening an ARICS Cross Border Webinar Series on the theme “Moving Innovation Beyond Islands: Building Cross-Border Markets that Integrate Africa’s Research and Industrial Ecosystems”, he lamented the widespread disconnect between research hubs, investors and the business community across Africa.
“We’re more powerful if we’re able to collaborate and jointly co-create and solve our problems, including harmonising funds, expertise and resources in a more targeted approach towards the upscaling of African innovations and research outcomes,” he added.
It is estimated that around 90 percent of Africa’s small and medium-sized businesses are disconnected from the research and innovation ecosystem. This means industries with the capacity to commercialise researched solutions into tangible products are not directly linked to such inventions.
Chief Executive Officer of South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Dr Thulani Dlamini, supporting the argument, stated that linking innovation hubs to industry would enable viable businesses, particularly SMEs, to tap into the support and infrastructure of research institutions to improve their access to markets.
However, he noted that the lag in the commercialisation of innovation across borders goes beyond securing intellectual property rights for businesses.
He cited the absorptive capacity of SMEs, the nature of the technology being transferred and the mechanisms through which such transfers could occur as other limiting factors.
“Access to capital remains the major challenge. With the necessary funding, small and medium-sized enterprises can acquire intellectual properties or innovations from research institutions and commercialise them. That is how we can realise economic dividends such as job creation and increased commercialisation of innovation and research outcomes,” he said.
The post-ARICS webinar signalled the need for building systems and innovation policies that facilitate cross-border trade, in line with recommendations from the second edition of the Africa Research and Innovation Commercialisation Summit, held earlier this year in Accra.
Other speakers, including Ian Korongo, who leads Innovation and Commercialisation at the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), and Dr George Acheampong, Coordinator for the Innovation and Incubation Hub at the University of Ghana Business School, unanimously called for broader high-level engagements to deepen the cross-border transfer of commercially feasible innovations.
“Policy frameworks exist in almost every country, but implementation has been lagging. This requires sustained collaboration at national and political levels,” Korongo noted.
Another concern, according to Dr Acheampong, relates to the distribution of intellectual property rights in most IP mutual recognition agreements. He highlighted the need for innovation co-creation.
“A laboratory that facilitates co-sharing could significantly advance the commercialisation of research and innovation outcomes across borders,” he added.
Ghana Football Association Executive Council member Frederick Acheampong has pushed back against calls for fellow ExCo member Gifty Oware-Mensah to be suspended following her naming as a key suspect in the GH¢548 million National Service Scheme (NSS) fraud scandal.
Speaking after the 31st GFA Congress in Prampram during an interview with Sporty FM on August 13, 2025, Acheampong stressed that due process must prevail.
“The laws are very clear: a person is innocent until proven guilty. You saw Gifty Oware-Mensah at Congress, and she hasn’t been found guilty of anything,” Acheampong said.
Oware-Mensah, a former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority, in June 2025, was named by Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine as one of the central figures in a scheme involving ghost names, inflated budgets, and misappropriated funds.
According to the AG, she allegedly used 9,934 fictitious service personnel to divert millions into private accounts, including Gh₵22.9 million to a company she directs.
The revelations, part of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) investigation, have sparked public outrage.
Yet, at Congress, Oware-Mensah maintained her place and is now in line to become the GFA’s second vice president following a rule change to comply with CAF and FIFA’s requirement for female representation in the association’s top leadership.
FKA/MA
Watch the key highlights from the 2025 GFA Ordinary Congress
Nyambura (L) and Cheptoo (R) told undercover investigators how they exposed children to prostitution
The BBC has defended its investigation into child sexual exploitation in Kenya, after the government described it as a “hoax”.
Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Interior Minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, described the documentary as “fake because the people who were interviewed were not underage”.
Mr Murkomen added that the victims interviewed by BBC Africa Eye were “posing as children”.
The BBC says the documentary was clear that those interviewed were adults recounting “experiences of abuse that occurred when they were underage”.
The broadcaster added that the Africa Eye investigation was “an important piece of public interest journalism”.
Mr Murkomen also alleged that the BBC had promised “financial reward” to contributors.
The statement from the broadcaster stressed that the victims were offered no financial incentive to share their story.
“For clarity, none of the contributors featured in this film were paid, offered payment or ‘coached’ in any way.”
The statement added that the BBC had handed over evidence from the investigation to Kenyan police in March this year.
The BBC followed up on numerous occasions to ensure children at risk would be protected. Footage of two women exposed was shown to authorities in April.
BBC were told by the police that action would be taken, particularly to rescue children.
In Mr Murkomen’s speech in parliament, he defended the Kenyan government’s record on protecting children, saying it took cases of trafficking of minors “seriously”.
There was also criticism from the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula, who said the aim of the documentary was to “besmirch” Kenya.
The BBC investigation, which was published on 4 August and has so far received more than one million views on YouTube, details cases of underage girls as young as 13 who were being trafficked for sex in the transit town of Maai Mahiu in Kenya’s Rift Valley.
Two different women were shown admitting to knowingly and illegally trafficking underage girls for sex.
The BBC’s footage caught a woman, who calls herself Nyambura, laughing as she says: “They’re still children, so it’s easy to manipulate them by just handing them sweets.
“Prostitution is a cash crop in Maai Mahiu; the truckers basically fuel it. And that’s how we benefit. It’s been normalised in Maai Mahiu,” the woman explained, adding that she had one girl as young as 13, who had already been “working” for six months.
The film identified the perpetrators of the crimes against children as well as victims who were in need of urgent assistance.
Following the documentary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions told the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to investigate the matter.
The BBC noted with concern that the survivors of the abuse who contributed to the film were interviewed at length by investigators from the Kenya Directorate of Criminal Investigations without legal representation.
The BBC confirmed that none of the survivors interviewed were involved in the undercover investigation itself.
The two women exposed have not been apprehended. Mr Murkomen said they had not been found.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Simon Madjie, has urged diplomatic missions and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to actively promote Ghana’s investment prospects across global markets, investors, and networks.
Simon Madjie believes their commitment to championing government initiatives within their respective countries will significantly deepen cross-border collaborations.
He made the appeal during an engagement with the diplomatic community on the centre’s flagship Investment Opportunity Mapping Project (IOMP), which aims to identify and promote viable investments across the country.
Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), the project seeks to address the uneven distribution of investments in Ghana, with 80 percent currently concentrated in the Greater Accra Region.
According to the GIPC boss, the IOMP will highlight untapped opportunities in all 261 districts, attracting investments to previously neglected areas with strong potential. He stressed that the collective advocacy of diplomatic missions, DFIs, and international cooperation agencies could boost targeted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and promote bilateral economic cooperation.
“The IOMP is not simply about attracting more investments; it is about balancing growth, reducing regional disparities, creating jobs, expanding exports, and building a diversified, resilient economy,” Madjie said.
He also revealed that the Centre is working around the clock to reform the GIPC Act to enhance investor protection and improve the ease of doing business in Ghana.
Deputy CEO of the GIPC, Abdul Razak Baba, also joined the call, imploring diplomatic missions to become ‘vocal ambassadors’ for Ghana’s district-level investment potential, share information extensively, and connect investors to key platforms such as the Ghana International Investment Summit (GIIS) slated for 2026.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Ghana is poised to become a major gold refining hub in West Africa, thanks to the Bank of Ghana’s (BoG) plans to expand domestic gold refining and value addition. According to Dr. Zakari Mumuni, First Deputy Governor of the BoG, refining gold locally would not only enhance export earnings but also support reserve accumulation and improve supply chain transparency.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Simon Madjie, has called on diplomatic missions and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to actively promote Ghana’s investment opportunities across global markets, investors, and networks.
According to him, their commitment to championing government initiatives within their respective countries will significantly deepen cross-border collaborations.
Absa Bank beats 22 others with lowest lending rates for small businesses in Ghana
Madjie made the appeal during an engagement with the diplomatic community on the Centre’s flagship Investment Opportunity Mapping Project (IOMP), aimed at identifying and promoting viable investments across the country.
The project, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness, and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), seeks to address the challenge of unequal distribution of investment across Ghana, with 80% currently concentrated in the Greater Accra Region.
At the event, Madjie stressed that the initiative will spotlight untapped opportunities in all 261 districts, thereby attracting much-needed investments to previously overlooked areas with significant potential.
Register your trademark or risk losing your brand – Attorney warns businesses
He noted that the collective participation and advocacy of diplomatic missions, DFIs, and international cooperation agencies would strengthen efforts to attract targeted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and promote bilateral economic cooperation.
“The IOMP is not simply about attracting more investments; it is about balancing growth, reducing regional disparities, creating jobs, expanding exports, and building a diversified, resilient economy,” he said.
Madjie also revealed that the Centre is working around the clock to reform the GIPC Act to enhance investor protection and improve the ease of doing business in Ghana.
Joining the discussions, Abdul Razak Baba, Deputy CEO of the GIPC, encouraged diplomatic missions to become “vocal ambassadors” for Ghana’s district-level investment potential, share the information widely, and connect investors to upcoming platforms such as the Ghana International Investment Summit (GIIS) scheduled for 2026.
“Your technical expertise, resources, and innovative financing solutions will be vital in identifying and transforming district-level opportunities into bankable, high-impact investments,” Razak Baba stated.
He reassured participants that the Centre is committed to working with partners at all stages, from refining investment profiles to co-hosting targeted investor engagements.
Lovi Mehiawo, Deputy Director of Research at the GIPC, took participants through the scope, methodology, and expected outcomes of the IOMP, highlighting strategic sectors and the 16 regions identified for priority investment.
Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, professionally known as “Burna Boy”, has announced the celebration of the fifth anniversary of his Grammy-winning album, “Twice As Tall”, a project widely regarded as a milestone in African music.
Released on August 14, 2020, “Twice As Tall” propelled Burna Boy to new international heights, earning him the Grammy Award for Best Global Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.
Some students who are beneficiaries of New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum’s foundation have picked up nomination forms for him as a show of support and endorsement.
Joined by other NPP supporters, the group collected the forms at the party headquarters on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Prosper Opoku told Adom News’ Kodwo Mensah Aboroampa that their support was motivated by the Bosomtwe MP’s track record at the Ministry of Education.
They expressed confidence that Dr. Adutwum is the transformative leader Ghana needs to drive development across all sectors of the economy.
The NPP has scheduled its presidential election for January 31, 2025.
Running on a campaign of transformational leadership and educational reform, Dr. Adutwum has positioned himself as a unifier determined to bring all factions of the party together.
He joins other aspirants, including former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, and former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyapong, who have all expressed interest and picked forms to contest the election.
Wearing white remains one of the most graceful and impactful ways to stand out at any event. Whether you’re attending a formal seminar, a spiritual gathering, or a festive celebration, white attire exudes purity, elegance, and confidence. The beauty of white lies in its versatility—it works across various fabrics such as Ankara, chiffon, brocade, lace, Adire, and Senegalese materials, allowing you to tailor your outfit to the occasion and your personal taste.
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Electoral Commission Chairperson Jean Mensa and her deputies, Dr. Bossman Asare and Fred Tetteh, have signed a book of condolence at the Ministry of Defence.
The tribute honours the late Defence Minister and Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and seven other victims of a tragic helicopter crash on August 6.
The crash, which occurred in a forested area of Sikaman in the Adansi Akrofrom District, claimed the lives of eight people who were on their way to Obuasi for the launch of the government’s Cooperative Mining Initiative.
The deceased include: Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong and Deputy NADMO Director-General and former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye.
The Ghana Air Force crew who also perished in the crash were: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
In an earlier statement, the Electoral Commission expressed its condolences, remembering Dr. Omane Boamah as a strong contributor to IPAC meetings and noting that his absence will be deeply felt.
Commercial drivers to protest over deplorable Pokuase–Nsawam road
Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, known as Kwaku Azar, has criticized the arrest of New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist Daniel Adomako, popularly known as Sir Obama Pokuase, by Ghana’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno as per reports from Ghana Web.
In a series of Facebook posts on August 13, 2025, Azar raised concerns over the manner of the arrest, questioning the inconsistency of the police’s actions.
“From dawn raid to ‘helping with investigation’ to arraignment — Mr. IGP, the math isn’t mathing,” Azar wrote, implying that the police’s approach was confusing and contradictory.
He further questioned why such an early-morning arrest was necessary if Adomako was only assisting with an ongoing investigation.
The Ghana Police Service had issued a statement confirming the arrest of Adomako in connection with the circulation of videos and images showing individuals openly displaying illegal weapons.
The arrest is part of a larger intelligence-led operation targeting illegal arms networks.
Azar, however, argued that the arrest was disproportionate, asserting that “arrest is not the reflexive answer to unpopular speech.”
He emphasized that constitutional rights, including the presumption of innocence, require that law enforcement act with caution and precision, particularly in matters of speech that do not pose an immediate threat to safety or national security.
He also stated that “disrespectful, distasteful, or crude remarks” should be addressed through social disapproval, rebuttal, or education, not through the forceful action of arrest.
Despite this, the police maintained that their operation had been ongoing for weeks and had already led to the seizure of a significant amount of illegal arms.
President John Dramani Mahama will lead a ruthless campaign against illegal mining like never before, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has said.
The Minister disclosed that the President, together with Cabinet Ministers at a cabinet meeting held today (Thursday, August 14, 2025), made an unequivocal call for a tough and uncompromising campaign against the menace.
“I can confirm to you that you are going to see a fight that has never been witnessed in this country. President Mahama is going to lead a very ruthless and relentless campaign against galamsey. He has not minced words at all.
“We had a brief cabinet meeting earlier today, and the President was very clear. There was no ambiguity that he will be leading a war that we have never seen, to deal with this canker, this existential threat once and for all,” Mr Ablakwa said.
Mr Ablakwa spoke to the media after signing a book of condolence at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Accra to conclude the three-day opening of the book in honour of the eight victims of last week’s military helicopter crash.
Immortalising memories
The Minister said there was a need for the government and Ghanaians to commit to completing the mission the victims were pursuing.
“It is now up to us to finish the mission they were pursuing, a cause that all of us must be committed to; a cause that all of us must be committed to, to help transform and reset this nation.”
He argued that, as a nation, there must be utmost commitment so that the ultimate sacrifice of the victims would not be in vain. He stressed that honouring their memories should mean ensuring the galamsey menace, which has persisted for years, is dealt with once and for all.
Mr Ablakwa also emphasised the importance of immortalising the memories of the departed heroes by safeguarding the environment.
“We must protect our water bodies and keep this country safe for the generations coming after us,” he stated.
Appreciation
The Minister expressed gratitude to world leaders and international partners for standing in solidarity with the government, families, and people of Ghana in mourning their heroes.
“During this memorial, the national mourning, and the opening of this book of condolence, there is hardly any embassy or any international partner accredited to Ghana whose head of mission or representative has not been here.
“All of them have been united with us, grieving and mourning. I want to, on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, extend our profound gratitude. World leaders have called directly, they have sent messages of condolence, they have extended their commiserations through diverse ways,” he said.
He also thanked staff of the MFA, including the Chief Director, Directors, and particularly the Protocol Department, “who have been working around the clock to ensure a smooth process for dignitaries received in the course of this tragic loss.”
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed President John Dramani Mahama’s resolve to go all out in rooting out illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, August 14, 2025, the minister said the president made his intent clear during a cabinet meeting.
“I can confirm to you that you are going to see a fight that has never been witnessed in this country. President Mahama is going to lead a very ruthless and relentless campaign against galamsey. He has not minced words at all; we had a brief cabinet meeting earlier today, and the president was very clear. There was no ambiguity that he will lead a war that we have never seen to deal with this canker, this existential threat, once and for all,” he told the press.
Public figures who have called for an end to galamsey following horrific helicopter crash
The revelation by the Minister for Foreign Affairs comes on the back of heightened public calls on the government to step up its fight against illegal mining following the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight individuals, including two cabinet ministers.
On August 6, 2025, a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 military helicopter crashed into a forested mountainside in the Adansi Akrofuom District, Ashanti Region, killing all eight people on board. The helicopter was en route from Kotoka International Airport in Accra to Obuasi for an event focused on combating illegal mining.
Helicopter crash should spur renewed fight against galamsey – Prof Agyeman-Duah
The deceased include Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence; Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr Samuel Sarpong, 1st Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; and three crew members, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
GA
Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
GIHOC CEO Johnes Borteye Applerh lays flowers in honour of the eight victims of the helicopter crash
GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited has expressed its sympathy to the government and people of Ghana over the tragic loss of the eight distinguished citizens who died in the helicopter crash of August 6, 2025.
In a statement issued on August 13, 2025, the management of the company described the eight victims as persons who were not only leaders in their respective fields but also dedicated servants of the Republic.
It indicated their demise is a great loss to their families, colleagues, and the nation at large.
“The board, management, and the entire Staff of GIHOC extend their deepest condolences to the bereaved families, friends, the Government of Ghana, and all citizens affected by this tragedy. We recognise the invaluable contributions these men made to national development and public service, and we honour their commitment, courage, and sacrifice.
“In this difficult time, we stand in solidarity with the nation as we reflect on their legacy and the values they upheld. May their souls rest in perfect peace,” parts of the statement read.
The management and staff of GIHOC, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Johnes Borteye Applerh, on August 13 laid flowers at the Ceremonial Garden in front of the Presidency, the Jubilee House in honour of the deceased.
Borteye Applerh, in a brief remark, offered words of encouragement to President John Dramani Mahama, the immediate family of the eight victims, and Ghanaians in general.
On August 6, 2025, a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 military helicopter crashed into a forested mountainside in the Adansi Akrofuom District, Ashanti Region, killing all eight people on board. The helicopter was en route from Kotoka International Airport in Accra to Obuasi for an event focused on combating illegal mining.
The deceased include Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence; Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr Samuel Sarpong, 1st Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
BAI/GA
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Accra, Aug. 14, GNA – Government has formally requested technical assistance from the United States to support a transparent and credible investigation into the recent helicopter crash that claimed the lives of senior public officers, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, has confirmed.
The Minister, speaking after signing the book of condolence in Accra on Thursday, said President John Dramani Mahama had instructed that independent experts be engaged to ensure that the probe met the highest international standards and left no room for doubt.
“The Americans have considerable expertise in these matters, and the indication we have received is that they are very much willing to assist,” Mr. Ablakwa stated.
He said, “We think it is important to bring in independent experts so that the outcome of the investigations will be acceptable to all and there will be confidence in the process. Nobody has anything to hide.”
Mr Ablakwa said the decision was part of the President’s insistence that the process should be thorough and conducted in a manner consistent with global best practice.
According to the Minister, a formal note had already been issued to the United States government, and a response confirming their readiness to help had been received.
The arrival of the U.S. technical team is expected soon, he confirmed.
The crash, which involved a Chinese-made Z-9 helicopter, has sparked public interest and questions about the cause of the incident.
Mr. Ablakwa, who is also a member of the Armed Forces Council and the National Security Council, disclosed that the Chinese manufacturers had been contacted in line with existing protocols that require a helicopter’s black box to be made available to its manufacturer for analysis.
“Indeed, the briefing we have received from the Chief of Defence Staff is that there is a standing protocol in such matters, and the manufacturers are standing by,” he said.
The Minister further stated, “However, in the President’s wisdom, nothing should proceed without independent experts being involved. This way, we can avoid any suspicions of conflict of interest or perceptions of a cover-up.”
He said the President’s approach was aimed at ensuring full public confidence in the investigation and reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to transparency.
The Minister added that the investigative process would be open to public updates at every stage once it commenced, subject to national security considerations.
“I can give the fullest assurance that there will be no attempt to conceal anything,” he said, and that, “The Ghanaian people will be kept in the loop from the time the experts arrive to the conclusion of the investigations. It is important that the ideals of our fallen heroes, who always stood for good governance and accountability, are upheld even in their absence.”
Mr. Ablakwa noted that civil society organisations and analysts who had expressed concern over the lack of updates should understand that the investigative process had not yet begun because the arrival of the U.S. experts was pending.
He said that once the team was on the ground, the process would move forward without delay.
The Minister described the helicopter crash as an unprecedented tragedy in Ghana’s history, stressing the importance of conducting an investigation whose credibility could withstand both domestic and international scrutiny.
He underscored that this was not merely an exercise in finding technical faults, but also about preserving public trust in state institutions and honouring the memory of those who died in the line of duty.
“These were not just colleagues; they were the finest public servants, professionals with deep patriotism and dedication,” he said.
Mr Ablakwa added, “The least we can do is ensure their sacrifice is not in vain by finding the truth and learning the lessons that will prevent such tragedies in the future.”
He reiterated that President Mahama had made it clear to Cabinet earlier in the day that there would be “utmost transparency” in the handling of the matter.
He said the President was personally invested in ensuring the probe’s independence and credibility, noting that this stance had already been acknowledged and welcomed by Ghana’s international partners.
In addition to the investigative measures, the Minister said the tragedy had strengthened the government’s resolve to tackle illegal mining, which he identified as a broader existential threat to the nation.
He said the President intended to launch a “relentless and ruthless campaign” against the menace, which continues to endanger lives, damage the environment, and pollute water bodies.
Mr. Ablakwa expressed gratitude to the United States for agreeing to support Ghana at what he called “a very tragic and devastating period,” adding that the assistance demonstrated the depth of the longstanding partnership between the two countries.
“This is a difficult moment for our nation, but it is also a moment that has revealed the friends who stand with us,” he said, and that, “We are grateful for the readiness of the U.S. to deploy their expertise to help us seek closure and ensure justice for the fallen.”
Deputy Chief of Staff, Stanislav Xoese Dogbe, has urged journalists and other accredited attendees to conduct themselves with dignity during the state funeral for the eight victims of the August 6 helicopter crash.
Addressing the press on Thursday, August 14, Mr. Dogbe outlined preparations and guidelines for the solemn ceremony, stressing the need for a respectful atmosphere on Friday, August 15.
He particularly appealed to media practitioners — especially those granted access to the inner perimeter — to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could disrupt the proceedings.
Mr. Dogbe cautioned against the practice of pursuing mourners with phones, monopods, or other recording devices, noting that such behaviour would be inappropriate for the occasion.
“Reporters and others are not going to be at the inner parameters except photographers and video camera operators. We expect that we will all comport ourselves, and we will respect the guidelines.
“We do not want to see tomorrow [Friday] anybody holding a phone or a monopod and struggling to chase people, chase mourners as they are coming in sit down. We expect a very high level of decorum and solemnity,” Mr. Dogbe warned.
Mr. Dogbe stressed that the solemn nature of the event required the highest standards of respect and conduct.
Two of the victims- Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, were buried on August 10.
The other six left to be buried on August 15 include: Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah; former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
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Security expert and consultant Richard Kumodor has revealed that investigations into the helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, which claimed the lives of eight security personnel, are at an advanced stage, with about 70% of the report expected to be ready by tomorrow.
He disclosed this during an interview on ABC in the Morning, adding that the anticipated progress coincides with the scheduled burial and funeral activities for the fallen officers.
The Presbyterian Church of Ghana has appointed former Kotoko Express Editor, Jerome Otchere, as its new Public Relations Officer (PRO).
He replaces the outgoing Rev. Ebenezer Ahenkan Owusu, who is being sent on mission abroad.
The Clerk of the General Assembly of the PCG, Rev. Dr. Godwin Nii Noi Odonkor, announced this in his report at the Church’s 25th General Assembly at Kwahu-Nkwatia in the Eastern Region.
Mr. Otchere takes up the role with more than 20 years of experience in journalism, public relations, media, and communications practice.
He is a ministerial trainee at the seminary of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana’s Ramseyer Training Centre, Abetifi, and also a PhD Media and Communications student at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) in Accra.
He holds a master’s degree in Organisational Leadership and Governance from the University of Ghana Business School, Legon, Accra, and another master’s degree in Journalism from UniMAC, formerly known as the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
He earned his first degree in Journalism from Jayee University College, Accra (affiliated with the University of Education, Winneba). He is also a member of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana.
Besides being a credible sports pundit on major radio and television networks in and outside Ghana, Mr. Otchere worked for the official mouthpiece of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club, the Kotoko Express, for 15 years.
He was also a member of Dreams FC’s communications team and served briefly as the Chief Executive Officer of Kenpong Football Academy.
Mr. Otchere has played, and continues to play, active media, communications, and public relations roles at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Covenant Congregation, Dzorwulu, where he worships.
He also serves on subcommittees of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana Cancer Centre and the Kutunse Projects. In addition, he is the sports news anchor on PCGTV.
He is married to a pharmacist, Dr. Josephine Prah Otchere, and they have four children.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
A North West widow is on trial alongside three co-accused for allegedly orchestrating the murder of her husband, with court testimony revealing she sought to have him killed months before the attack.
The Pretoria High Court in South Africa on Wednesday, August 13, heard a confession from accused Bafana Matotsoe, who claimed that in June 2022, Rebecca Mfolo, widow of the late Aubrey Mfolo, approached him to find a witchdoctor to kill her husband, citing marital problems. Matotsoe, a former taxi driver for the family, said that by September 2022, Mfolo called again, this time asking him to help arrange a hit.
According to the testimony, Matotsoe introduced her to co-accused Lucky Kudumane, who allegedly agreed to carry out the killing for payment. Kudumane then brought in others, including Sifiso Manana and a man named Lucas, who remains at large.
Matotsoe recounted that on January 10, 2023, Kudumane told him they were ready to act, with the deceased’s daughter allegedly agreeing to leave the gate and house unlocked. That night, Matotsoe said he dropped Kudumane, Sifiso, and Lucas at the victim’s Letlhabile home. The group allegedly tied up Aubrey Mfolo with masking tape, transported him to Letlhabile cemetery, and Lucas fatally shot him three times.
Rebecca Mfolo, in her own confession, said she hired the killers because her husband was abusive, possessive, and unfaithful, claiming he had impregnated another woman. She alleged years of physical and emotional abuse, including threats to set her alight, and said she had been forced to sleep separately with her children for safety.
Kudumane’s statement alleged that a woman named Dineo and Matotsoe approached him with the murder plot, stating Mfolo had previously sought hitmen but failed to agree on payment. On the night of the killing, the group reportedly gained entry to the house with the help of Mfolo’s 17-year-old granddaughter, who led them to the bedroom where the victim was sleeping.
The four accused face charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, while police continue to search for Lucas, who is still on the run.
Political analyst and senior lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Dr Jonathan Asante Otchere, has cast doubt on the sincerity of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision not to contest the upcoming Tamale Central by-election.
The NPP announced it would not field a candidate in the election, which was triggered by the tragic death of the incumbent MP, Hon.
The Minister responsible for Public Sector Reform, Hon. Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba has paid a working visit to the National Identification Authority (NIA) to explore areas of collaboration aimed at improving service delivery, transparency, and accountability in the public sector.
Speaking during the visit, the Minister said the engagement was to gain first-hand knowledge of the NIA’s operations and identify reforms that could be aligned with the government’s public sector strategy. She disclosed plans to finalise a draft framework for a “one-stop shop” service delivery system that would streamline access to public services without taking away the mandates of existing institutions. Similar models, she noted, are already operational in Uganda and Kenya.
She emphasised the importance of robust public relations to inform Ghanaians about NIA’s work and expressed keen interest in expanding student registrations, particularly for children from birth. “If we register people at birth, we can track them until retirement, clean up the system, and create space for the youth to access jobs,” she noted, urging more district offices, staff reorientation, and secure data-sharing with other agencies.
The acting CEO of the National Identification Authority (NIA) is Wisdom Yayra Koku Deku, outlined the Authority’s achievements, including the registration of over 18 million people, the operation of 15 premium centres, and the recent launch of an online registration service. However, he admitted technical challenges had delayed the service’s expansion to other regions, a situation expected to be addressed within two months.
He also raised critical operational concerns, citing underfunding, a $3.4 million monthly debt to private sector partners, and an annual budget of GH₵7.9 million, of which only GH₵1.9 million has been released. He appealed for legislative and policy support, including amendments to LI 211 to allow biometric verification for identity checks, the placement of NIA under the Interior Ministry, and measures to stop staff from joining unions.
The CEO stressed the need for government agencies to fully comply with the mandate requiring the Ghana Card for public services, saying it would help curb payroll fraud, impersonation in social intervention programmes, and the persistence of “ghost names.” He also revealed plans to resume registration for children aged 0–5 and to launch an e-wallet next year to facilitate government payments.
The Minister assured the NIA of her office’s readiness to work closely with them to ensure reforms translate into efficient, secure, and citizen-focused service delivery.
A Ghanaian preacher has gone viral on social media after displaying a popular traditional dance during his late mother’s burial.
In a viral video spotted on August 13, 2025, the preacher, believed to be a priest from the Catholic Church, was seen enthusiastically and rhythmically dancing to the rhythm of a traditional talking drum.
Shatta Wale-EOCO Saga: ‘NDC used and dumped him’ – Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah claims
In the video, the priest, clad in an all-black robe with a black belt tied around his waist, was captured grooving to the Kete, a popular Akan dance, in public.
The development, which many have described as rare, has sparked mixed reactions from netizens on social media, with many praising his powerful dance steps and open-mindedness, despite him being a Catholic leader.
An account on X noted, “One thing I like about the Catholic Church is they don’t joke with culture.”
Five shots Stonebwoy threw at Shatta Wale during his recent interview
Another netizen with the user name @allowGodwill noted, “Such a graceful dance. An elegant dance that communicates as well, but others will just shake their bumbum as cultural dance, then envy us.”
Watch the video below:
Catholic Reverend Father takes the stage to perform the beautiful traditional Ashanti Kete dance at his late mother’s funeral. pic.twitter.com/sr27OV30nV
Kwame Pianim (L) says Alexander Afenyo-Markin (R) is ‘sitting near the heat’
Economist and statesman Kwame Pianim has given his assessment of Minority Leader Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin’s leadership of the caucus.
Speaking in a video clip from a TV3 interview shared on Facebook on Thursday, August 14, 2025, Kwame Pianim expressed his dissatisfaction with the conduct of Afenyo-Markin.
Minority stages walkout ahead of 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review presentation
Asked if the Minority Leader was doing well in his role, Pianim responded, “No.”
He asserted that the Minority Caucus was not performing its oversight role of the government properly.
“He is sitting near the heat; he decides. Politics is not easy. Afenyo-Markin and his group in parliament are facing the heat. They are responding to some of the governance errors of the government to protect your human rights, to protect my human rights — that is what their job is supposed to be,” he said.
Pianim, a leading member of the NPP, indicated that one of the reasons the Minority Caucus is not performing well is that it lacks proper leadership from the party, which should be working closely with its leadership in the House.
Parliament-1988363″>Watch as Afenyo-Markin and Bernard Ahiafor clash again in Parliament
“What has been lacking in the NPP is the centre that is not holding. If they have a good leader, in terms of a national chairman, who is advising, he will be telling them, let us do this, let us focus on this.
“So, when you are there and you don’t have those connections, that network, your messaging may go a little wrong,” he said.
He clarified that he does not mean the current chairman of the party is not a good leader, saying, “No, he is sick. He is not well. So, the 1st Deputy (Chairman) is now in the seat.”
BAI/GA
Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
Dr Samuel Amo Tobbin laying a wreath at Jubilee House
![Helicopter crash difficult to accept, but who are we to question God – Ofosu Ampofo [Video]](https://www.ghanamma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/a0e6db05f5594d0fb961c8d73d81172a.jpeg "Helicopter crash difficult to accept, but who are we to question God – Ofosu Ampofo [Video]")
“Inspiration without execution is only a dream. What you do today, the projects you start, the risks you take, the ideas you pursue, will define the world you live in tomorrow,” he said.
![Student group picks nomination forms for Adutwum [Video]](https://www.ghanamma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/aca4ea66384972f2f484ecec16c8420b.jpeg "Student group picks nomination forms for Adutwum [Video]")
Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, known as Kwaku Azar, has criticized the arrest of New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist Daniel Adomako, popularly known as Sir Obama Pokuase, by Ghana’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno as per reports from Ghana Web.
