The Chief Executive Officer of RLEQ Group and founder of the RLEQ Foundation, Richard Nii Armah Quaye, has donated GH₵500,000 to the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment to support the fight against opioid abuse among Ghanaian youth.

Speaking at the ministry during the presentation, Mr. Quaye commended the ministry for its efforts in improving the lives of young people under the current minister’s leadership.

He noted that a few weeks ago, the minister had called on him to support efforts to combat rape and opioid abuse.

Mr. Quaye stated that as a young entrepreneur employing over 4,000 Ghanaian youth, with an average age of 26 years, he had a vested interest in youth development.

He said his experiences across Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone, had shown how opioid abuse could impair young people both mentally and physically, making them unfit for productive work.

He warned that Ghana risked taking the same path if the issue was not addressed urgently, describing the situation as a national threat.

He stressed that the country’s economic fortunes depended on its youth and called for significant attention to be given to the problem.

Explaining the role of his foundation, Mr. Quaye said the RLEQ Foundation was established to provide social justice to deprived, forgotten, and marginalised communities.

He added that apart from creating jobs, the foundation had set up food banks in the Greater Accra Region, with plans to expand to all regions.

According to him, the initiative aimed to support people who were unemployed and could not afford basic necessities, thereby reducing the likelihood of them turning to drugs for comfort.

Mr. Quaye indicated that the foundation was committed to working closely with the ministry to address opioid abuse among those already affected.

He said the GH₵500,000 donation demonstrated the foundation’s commitment and unwavering support in the fight against opioid abuse and rape.

By: Jacob Aggrey

In a landmark shift, Ghana’s Local Government Ministry will formalize a partnership with top research bodies to embed evidence directly into policymaking.

The move follows Minister Ahmed Ibrahim’s revelation at the Evidence to Action 2025 conference that he was “amazed” by unused data held by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) and the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED).

“He took specific evidence, left an advisor, and initiated an MoU,” announced ISSER Director Prof. Peter Quartey in Accra. The collaboration aims to end the disconnect between academia and government, ensuring public funds are tracked against clear outcomes. “Who monitors money sent to assemblies? We’ll set baselines for accountability,” Quartey stressed, noting ministries rarely leverage local research.

The pact responds to urgent calls for participatory governance. ICED CEO Dr. David Ameyaw emphasized engaging marginalized groups—60-70% of Africa’s population: “Their views must shape policies.”

Yet Quartey warned research must shed academic formats: “No lengthy textbooks. Evidence must be digestible for officials and communities.”

Crucially, policymakers will now be engaged at research inception. “This ensures studies address real needs,” Quartey explained. The July conference united 400 delegates from 29 African nations, with ICED Board Chair Dr. Namanga Ngongi urging institutionalized evidence translation.

Will this model spread beyond local government? Quartey bets yes: “We set the pace; others will follow.” For Ghana, tired of research gathering dust, the proof will be in policy.

Theme: “Advancing Participatory Governance for Sustainable Development in Africa”

By Francis Ntow

Accra, Aug. 12, GNA – The Melcom Group of Companies, a leading retail company in Ghana, Tuesday donated medical refrigerators worth US$125,000 to 25 health facilities in the country to augment the storage of medicines, vaccines and blood to improve healthcare delivery.

The donation brings to a total of 70 medical refrigerators provided by the company to various health facilities in Ghana as part of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, which started in 2013.

The recipients included the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ga East Municipal Hospital, 37 Military Hospital, Tema General Hospital, and Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly (LEKMA) Hospital.

The Ho Teaching Hospital, Manhyia District Hospital in the Ashanti Region, the Holy Family Hospital, Bono Region, Bebiani Government Hospital and Sefwi Wiaso Municipal Hospital, both in the Western North region, also recieved the refrigerators.

Mr Ramesh Sadhwani, Managing Director, Melcom Group, said the gesture demonstrated the company’s continued pledge to supporting quality healthcare delivery in Ghana, expressing confidence that the refrigerators would augment blood preservation at the right temperatures.

“A healthy population is an important pilar for a viable business and this underscores Melcom’s drive in embarking on and supporting various health initiatives to ensure the country’s sustenance,” he said.

“We’re proud to see that over the last 10 years, our foundation has driven initiatives that have led to approximately 12,000 pints of blood being donated. We will continue to work closely with stakeholders to raise awareness and support for healthcare services.”

Mr Francis Sam, the General Manager, Melcom Group of Companies, highlighted the company’s focus on health and education through its CSR activities.

“Our donation of medical equipment started in 2013 through our endowment fund. We believe that access to quality healthcare is essential, and we’re committed to supporting initiatives that make a difference in people’s lives,” he stated.

Madam Gloria Bentum, Public Relations Officer, Ga East Municipal Hospital, on behalf of the recipients of the medical refrigerators, expressed gratitude to the company, noting its impact on quality healthcare.

“This gesture is an investment in quality healthcare, which will go a long way in saving lives. We appreciate Melcom Group’s commitment to supporting our hospital and enhancing our ability to provide essential services,” she said.

GNA

Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe

The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) is launching a nationwide drive to transform business compliance culture, warning that ignoring legal obligations could cut off critical services like banking.

Deputy Registrar Benjamin Zigorsh-Nyakpenu declared the week-long campaign targets entrepreneurs, NGOs, and churches, stressing: “We don’t want companies to die—seek help before it’s too late.”

Partnering with industry groups and financial institutions, the ORC aims to educate Ghana’s informal sector, where compliance is often neglected. “The law isn’t just paperwork,” Zigorsh-Nyakpenu emphasized.

“It’s the bedrock of business survival.” The initiative underscores the agency’s expanded mandate since its 2023 inception overseeing registrations, mergers, and liquidations while enforcing standards.

But how many know the ORC’s full role? Beyond issuing certificates, it now actively fights business failures through compliance support. Can this shift from punitive enforcement to partnership save struggling enterprises? For now, the message is clear: adapt or risk collapse.

The move follows the expiration of the 30-day grace period

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has suspended the operations of nine (9) radio stations in Ghana for various infractions.

This follows the expiration of the 30-day grace period granted by the President to the defaulting stations to rectify violations of the laws and regulations governing FM radio broadcasting in Ghana.

In a press statement on August 12, 2025, the NCA said, “Six (6) stations failed, refused, and neglected to comply with the regulatory amnesty by taking no action. Consequently, the operations of the following stations have been suspended.”

The Authority had earlier ordered the shutdown of 62 radio stations for failing to comply with broadcasting regulations. Shortly after, President John Dramani Mahama granted a 30-day grace period to the affected stations to comply.

However, the NCA said Donplus Multimedia Limited (105.9 FM) in Ho, Dreams Ghana Media Limited (104.9 FM) in New Abirem, Jam Multimedia Limited (101.3 FM) in Kintampo, Jewel Group Limited (102.7 FM) in Duayaw Nkwanta, Kpandai Star Community Radio (107.3 FM) in Kpandai, and Unique Gateway Communication Limited (105.7 FM) in Nkawkaw failed to comply.

15 new broadcasting laws in the works to guide Ghana’s media – Sam George

It further noted that while many of the violating stations took steps to address breaches during the amnesty period, three (3) stations failed to resolve certain violations, including the unauthorised use of Studio-to-Transmitter Link (STL) frequencies and unapproved transmitter locations.

Consequently, the operations of the following stations have been suspended for operating without a Certificate of Compliance, in violation of Regulation 54 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991):

1. Wontumi Multimedia Company Limited 95.9 Accra

2. Wontumi Multimedia Company Limited 101.3 Kumasi

3. Wontumi Multimedia Company Limited 101.3 Takoradi

“The NCA will continue to monitor the broadcasting space to ensure compliance with the relevant authorisation conditions and the laws and regulations governing the operation of broadcasting services in Ghana,” the statement said.

SSD/MA

The Director of Legal Education and head of the Ghana School of Law, Justice Nana Barima Yaw Kodie Oppong, has announced that Sunday, August 31, 2025, will be his last day in office.

In a notice to students on Tuesday, August 12, Justice Oppong expressed gratitude to God “for His love, guidance, and protection over the past three years,” noting that while he had hoped to complete his full term or at least see through the current academic year and the forthcoming Call to the Bar ceremony, “sadly that was not to be.”

He extended his best wishes to Part II students, expressing his “earnest prayer” that all would be called to the Bar in October, and encouraged Part I students to persevere and progress to the next stage of their studies.

Justice Oppong also urged students to extend “even greater respect, cooperation, and support” to his successor, as well as to the management and staff of the institution.

“May God richly bless you all and grant us success in every endeavour. Thank you,” he concluded.

Justice Yaw Oppong, who is also the Manwerehene of Akyem Abuakwa, was inducted as the Director of Legal Education and also the Director of the Ghana School of Law (GSL) in December 2022.

By Francis Ntow

Accra, Aug. 12, GNA – The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Business School has won the seventh edition of the Tertiary Business Sense Challenge (TBSC) with 77.17 points.

KNUST triumphed over the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), which scored 54 points, and the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), which placed third with 51.83 points, in the final held at Zenith University College in Accra.

Organised by Graphic Business, the six-round contest featured presentations, business case analysis, and riddles. KNUST received a golden trophy, medals, laptops, books from the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG), and a cash prize.

Mr Franklin Sowa, Director of Marketing and Sales at Graphic Communications Group Limited, said the competition aimed to enhance financial literacy and practical business knowledge among tertiary students.

“The TBSC has come to stay,” he stated, encouraging all tertiary institutions to participate and urging students to build networks for future business partnerships.

Madam Paula Adum-Yeboah of PwC Ghana said the competition aligned with PwC’s strategy to empower future leaders with the skills and mindset to build a resilient workforce.

Madam Elizabeth Frempong of CompuGhana said, “Creativity and innovation can change the world. We are excited to see the impact of this challenge, working towards shaping Ghana’s technology for the future.”

This year’s TBSC featured over 26 participating institutions and included business case presentations judged by panels, computer literacy training, and mentorship sessions with industry professionals.

GNA

Edited by Kenneth Sackey

President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Professor William Coffie as the Acting Managing Director of the Cocoa Processing Company Limited (CPC), according to a statement sighted by GhanaWeb Business.

This follows the President’s earlier appointment of Wisdom Kofi Dogbey as Acting Managing Director of the Cocoa Marketing Company, although reasons for the latest change have not been disclosed.

Professor Coffie, a distinguished financial economist, chartered accountant, and chartered marketer, brings over two decades of expertise in accounting, finance, investment, and economics to the role.

His appointment is expected to inject new momentum into efforts to modernise CPC’s operations, expand its market reach, and restore its profitability.

He currently serves as a Professor of Accounting and Finance and Head of the Department of Accounting at the University of Ghana Business School.

He has also held academic positions at the University of Wolverhampton and Birmingham City University in the UK, as well as a visiting professorship at Hong Kong City University.

His academic credentials include a PhD in Financial Economics from Birmingham City University, along with advanced degrees in finance, accountancy, and marketing earned in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Professor Coffie has deep-rooted ties to Ghana’s cocoa industry. His grandfather was among the founding staff of the Ghana Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB), now the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), in 1948, and his father later served as a Depot Manager in Sefwi Awaso from 1967.

His appointment comes at a time when CPC, responsible for transforming cocoa beans into semi-finished and finished products, is grappling with years of reported losses and infrastructural limitations.

Over the years, Professor Coffie has successfully secured grants, led transformative projects at the University of Ghana, and consulted for prestigious bodies, including the African Development Bank and Ghana’s Ministry of Finance.