An Accra Circuit Court has granted bail to NPP activists Fante Comedy (GH¢100k) and Sir Obama Pokuase (GH¢50k) over separate criminal charges, though both remain in police custody.
An Accra Circuit Court has approved bail applications for two New Patriotic Party (NPP)-affiliated social media figures, but both will remain in custody until formalities are completed.
Some dignitaries at the conference
The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana International Bank (GHIB), Dean Adansi, has outlined a bold financing strategy aimed at transforming Africa’s commodity trade from raw exports to value-added products, warning that the current model is costing the continent billions in lost revenue.
Speaking to the BBC on the sidelines of the GHIB Converge 2025 conference in London, Mr. Adansi said Africa’s share of global trade remains below three per cent, partly due to a persistent trade finance gap that prevents exporters from investing in local processing.
“Interest rates are significantly higher in many African countries than in the West, making it difficult for smaller firms with short track records to access the funding they need to export or industrialise locally,” he said.
He noted that for every US$1 of trade, there is a US$1.70 impact on GDP, meaning that closing the US$80 billion trade finance gap in sub-Saharan Africa could add around US$133 billion to annual GDP.
According to him, GHIB, which has operated from London for 65 years, is working with local financial institutions in West Africa to strengthen their capacity and attract larger international lenders.
This, Mr Adansi said, will enable local banks to better support small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) and exporters.
He indicated that the bank had facilitated more than US$14 billion in trade flows over the past five years, including US$10.6 billion in documentary trade collections and US$2.7 billion in primary trade finance transactions.
In 2024 alone, he said downstream payments to West Africa exceeded US$8.5 billion.
Mr. Adansi stressed that processing plants require significant upfront investment, longer repayment periods, and tailored financing products, needs often unmet by traditional banking.
He stated that GHIB’s proposals include specialised commodity finance tools such as pre-export financing tied to off-take agreements, inventory financing, and equipment leasing.
Research presented at the conference indicated that increasing Africa’s share of value-added exports from 14 to 25 per cent could generate more than US$50 billion in extra annual revenue and millions of jobs.
Ghana’s growth in cocoa processing and gold refining was cited as proof of what targeted finance can achieve.
He also called for improvements in electricity supply, transport networks, skilled labour, and policy reforms to favour processed exports.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), he argued, offers an opportunity to create regional processing hubs, while digital platforms and blockchain can secure premium prices for certified goods.
Mr. Adansi added that environmental finance could further boost the shift, with sustainably processed commodities earning higher market value.
“The metrics of success go beyond profit,” he said.
“Employment creation, industrial capacity, and technology transfer are the real measures. If we can keep more processing on African soil, the benefits will be felt not just in GDP, but in livelihoods,” he noted.
A Daily Guide Report
By Kamal Ahmed
Somanya(E/R), Aug 14, GNA – The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) has launched its 5th Anniversary celebrations with a renewed commitment to champion environmental protection, sustainability, and innovation.
The event, held at the university’s campus in Somanya, brought together government officials, academics, policymakers, and development partners to reflect on the journey of UESD and chart its future.
Held on the theme: “Sustainable Steps Towards Securing Our Environment: Five Years of Achievements, Challenges, and Progress,” the launch underscored the role of UESD’s a key driver of Ghana’s green transition.
In his keynote address, Vice-Chancellor Professor Eric Nyarko-Sampson described the anniversary as “a testament to a vision rooted in sustainability, guided by innovation, and committed to building a resilient and environmentally conscious Ghana.” Quoting sustainability advocate Paul Polman, he added: “Sustainability is no longer about doing what is good for the environment; it is about doing what is necessary for survival.”
Established on August 5, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, UESD has rapidly positioned itself as a thought leader in environmental research, education, and advocacy.
Among its notable achievements includes introduction of specialised academic programmes in climate change, energy economics, and water resources; recognition as 2022/2023 Public University of the Year by the National Union of Ghana Students; ranked 20th in Ghana under the Impact Category of the 2023 Webometrics Rankings
Despite these strides, Prof. Nyarko-Sampson expressed concern over stalled infrastructure projects under Phase Two of the university’s development.
He cited the demobilisation of contractor Messrs Contracta Construzioni Italia SRL due to funding delays, which has left key facilities, lecture halls, laboratories, sports complexes, and roads, incomplete.
“The incomplete facilities are affecting student intake and limiting campus expansion,” he stated, while appealing to government for urgent funding and protection of university lands from encroachment.
Delivering remarks on behalf of University Council Chairman Mr. Seth Terkper, Professor Dela Ahiatrogah, commended the pioneering efforts of the university’s first Council and reaffirmed its dedication to advancing UESD’s mission.
“Our mission remains clear: to consolidate our gains and accelerate our impact as a catalyst for green innovation and a hub for sustainability leadership in Ghana and across Africa,” he said. He also announced the completion of UESD’s maiden strategic plan and the upcoming launch of a revised version, in line with directives from the Minister for Education, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu.
Eastern Regional Minister Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, who served as Guest of Honour, hailed UESD as a “bold national initiative” aligned with regional development priorities and global sustainability targets.
“UESD is not only driving academic excellence but also generating economic opportunities for Somanya and its environs,” she noted.
Representing the CEO of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Ms. Patience Lartey stated the critical role of academia in Ghana’s energy transition.
“Securing the environment is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. UESD must be a co-creator of solutions, not just an academic observer,” she said.
She reaffirmed GNPC’s commitment to deepening collaboration with UESD in afforestation, biodiversity protection, and research.
The highlight of the launch was the unveiling of the 5th Anniversary logo, jointly performed by the Vice-President’s representative Dr. Emmanuel Newman, the Regional Minister Mrs. Awatey, and the Minister for Public Sector Reforms Madam Lydia Akanvoriba.
A series of activities have been scheduled throughout the year, including a float, public lectures, the university’s second congregation ceremony, and a durbar in December to climax the celebrations.
UESD was inaugurated in 2020 as Ghana’s first public university dedicated to environmental and sustainable development studies.
The university’s mandate includes training experts in environmental science, sustainable agriculture, and climate policy.
Like many public institutions, UESD faces infrastructure challenges. Delays in funding and contractor demobilisation have stalled critical projects, affecting academic delivery and student welfare.
As UESD marks five years of existence, it stands at a pivotal moment, poised to deepen its impact on Ghana’s sustainable development agenda through research, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
GNA
Edited by D.I. Laary/Christian Akorlie
News Hub Creator28min
Touching videos and photos capturing the special bond between the late Michael Kwesi Ofori and his wife have emerged online, offering a bittersweet glimpse into their love story following his sudden demise. Shared by @thegeneral_worldwide on Instagram, the clips show the couple’s joyful moments together – from tender embraces to shared laughter – now serving as poignant memories for grieving family and friends. The footage has sparked an outpouring of sympathy, with many remarking how the tragedy highlights life’s fragility.
Friends of the couple reveal that Ofori, whose cause of death remains undisclosed, had been a devoted husband who cherished every moment with his wife. “He adored her beyond measure,” one close associate shared, noting that their relationship was built on mutual respect and unwavering support. The viral videos, showing the couple dancing at celebrations and enjoying quiet moments together, have become a testament to the love they shared.
The phrase “He left her way early” – circulating alongside the posts – underscores the profound grief surrounding Ofori’s untimely departure. Well-wishers have flooded social media with messages of comfort for his widow, urging her to find strength in their beautiful memories. Many have noted how the couple’s evident happiness makes the loss even more heartbreaking for those who knew them.
As tributes continue to pour in, these intimate glimpses into Ofori’s personal life have become a touching memorial. While nothing can fill the void left by his passing, the shared moments now immortalized online offer both a celebration of his life and a sobering reminder to cherish loved ones. His legacy, as seen through these captured memories, will live on as an inspiration of love cut short but deeply lived.
Source
Some of the students addressing the gathering
Forty-seven medical students have eulogised the late Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology, who also served as the Tamale Central Member of Parliament, (MP) Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, for sponsoring their tertiary education.
During the final funeral rites for the late MP, the students in a tribute read by Qawiyu Iddrisu, described him as more than just a benefactor but a father figure to them.
“He was our mentor, our encourager, and an unwavering pillar of support. Through his kindness and sacrifice, he made it possible for my colleagues and me to pursue our dreams of becoming medical professionals, training in various institutions across the country. He believed in us when we had little more than a vision for our future, and without fanfare, he assisted us with the payment of our tuition, lifting a burden we would have had to carry alone,” he said.
He expressed concern about the future of their education following the passing of the late Tamale Central MP.
“We grieve not only for a benefactor but for a man whose wisdom, generosity, and humanity left a profound mark on our lives. As we navigate the pain of this loss, we are also confronted with the reality that our medical education, which he supported, now hangs in the balance. Without his help, we face the risk of our dreams being cut short,” he noted.
The medical students appealed to the government, philanthropists, and charitable organizations for assistance to continue their education.
“With all humility, we appeal to the government, kind-hearted philanthropists, and charitable organisations to please help us continue our education so that we can realize our full potential and serve humanity in the future,” he read.
Meanwhile, the Tamale South Member of Parliament and Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has assured the 47 medical students that he will take over the payment of their tuition.
The late Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed was one of the victims of the tragic Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash that occurred in a forest near Adansi Brofoyedu in the Ashanti region.
FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale
Knight disclosed that Tupac’s friends rolled his cremated ashes with marijuana and smoked it
Legendary West Coast rapper Tupac may have tragically died 29 years ago, but his legacy continues to live on through his music and impact in hip-hop culture.
The California Love rapper, born Tupac Amaru Shakur, was unarguably one of the most popular hip-hop artistes at the time of his killing, so his demise sent shockwaves through the rap industry.
On the night of the fatal incident, Tupac was hanging out with Suge Knight, the co-founder and former CEO of the Death Row record label, to which the deceased rapper was signed.
The pair were also close associates, and Knight, 60, was also a victim in the shooting.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Knight, who is currently locked up after he received a 28-year-prison sentence for a fatal 2015 hit-and-run incident, touched on the night of shooting and also disclosed that Tupac’s friends rolled the deceased rapper’s cremated ashes with marijuana and smoked it.
“I was so happy to say I was on probation — I couldn’t smoke,” Knight claimed. “I told his mother, ‘Moms, I’d love to, but if I hit that, I’ll get in trouble, ” he added. “I was probably the only one who didn’t hit him.”
As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, Tupac was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting on September 7, 1996, following a Mike Tyson boxing match in Las Vegas. Knight was riding with Tupac in a BMW when the car was rained with bullets. Knight, who suffered a graze to the head, managed to drive away.
“I got out and tried to tell the officers what happened while I was bleeding everywhere,” he recalled. “I then was getting Tupac out the car, even when the door was open. I had to go over there bleeding everywhere, take the seat belt off him.”
Tupac, who was 25 at the time, unfortunately succumbed to his injuries at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada on September 13, 1996. Knight told PEOPLE that on the night of his death, Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, asked for her son to be quickly cremated, adding that he made a $1 million cash payment to make it happen.
Following his cremation, Afeni, together with Knight and Tupac’s other close associates, met at nightfall to pay homage to the deceased rapper, per Knight.
“A bag with his ashes was passed around,” Knight claimed. “His homies rolled him up. They smoked him,” he continued. “You gotta understand, that’s what made sense. It was symbolic. It’s like… you keep part of him.”
Tupac’s murder remains under investigation.
President Mahama stepping out of the presidential jet after an official trip
A government spokesperson Kwaku Owusu Banahene has alleged that the previous administration of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) set multiple traps for President John Dramani Mahama in a bid to harm him.
According to him, some NPP members poured acid on parts of the presidential jet to corrode vital components as part of their plot against the President.
Without providing evidence, he added that after setting such traps, the NPP later insisted that President Mahama use the same jet for his official trips.
Speaking in an interview on Angel TV on August 13, 2025, Banahene said, “Some of the issues have to do with the presidential jet we are now discussing.
Retired Col. Festus Aboagye sets the record straight on alleged explosion of helicopter that killed eight
“The NPP poured acid on all the pipes, and they are corroding. They set multiple traps for President Mahama on the presidential jet and then forced him to use it. That is why they opposed him using his brother’s jet.”
His comment follows the crash of the Z9 helicopter, which belonged to the Ghana Armed Forces, that claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Environment, Science and Technology Minister Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and six others.
The other six are: Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna; former Central Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong; and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate.
Members of the helicopter’s crew are Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu and Sgt. Ernest Addo Mensah.
What Defence Ministers have said about the presidential jet:
The late Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, in May 2025 accused the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government of running down the presidential jet and leaving it in a deplorable state.
“Among other issues, its fuel tank is even corroded,” the minister disclosed, adding that the jet has been effectively grounded and is receiving a complete maintenance, repair, and overhaul regimen.
Dr Omane Boamah noted that the jet may only return to a “fairly usable state” after three months of what he described as “therapy.”
Former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul, while in office in 2021, characterised the presidential jet as unfit for purpose and insufficiently safe for then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s travel in June 2021.
He defended the former president’s use of private jets by highlighting the non-airworthiness of the presidential jet, in response to a question raised in Parliament by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
“This aircraft will carry a load of 11 persons minus the crew. When this aircraft is travelling to the eastern part of the USA or Asia, it will not load a crew of more than eight plus the luggage. So it depends on where it is going.
“Secondly, I have also said the aircraft has to do refuelling stops, and also in this COVID-19 period, when you are travelling to multiple destinations like the president’s recent travel, the Falcon couldn’t have been taken because he would have had to do technical stops, which are not desirable, and when he is travelling with more than 20 people, like he has been doing for business trips that brought huge sums of money for this country, he will need more than just a Falcon; otherwise, the others would have to go a day ahead before the president to prepare themselves.
“In fact, the president would also have to go a day ahead because no president can shower in this aircraft. He cannot move from this aircraft straight into a meeting,” he was quoted as saying by citinewsroom.com.
Listen to this nonsense 😠 pic.twitter.com/yJh88dNs7v
— Harrydarling💖 (@AcheampongHarry) August 13, 2025
AM/SEA
Meanwhile, watch below the trailer for GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures:
MoMo-related transactions will be affected from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m on Sunday
Telecommunications giant, MTN Ghana, has announced a temporary suspension of its Mobile Money (MoMo) services in the early hours of Sunday, August 17, 2025.
The six-hour downtime, scheduled from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., will affect all MoMo-related transactions.
During this period, customers will be unable to send or receive money, make deposits or withdrawals, transfer funds, or pay bills.
Charles Asamoah Assah, Chief Technology and Service Delivery Officer at Mobile Money Limited, explained that the planned system upgrade is aimed at improving the quality and reliability of MoMo services.
“Please be informed of a planned system upgrade on 17th August 2025, from 12 midnight to 6 a.m. During this period, all Mobile Money services will be unavailable. This upgrade is to improve our services to you,” he stated.
He added that the temporary suspension is necessary to allow technicians to complete the upgrade smoothly and ensure more efficient service delivery going forward.
Cedi slips to GH¢10.75 against the dollar on interbank market
Assah apologized for any inconvenience the downtime may cause and expressed appreciation for customers’ patience and understanding.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding,” he said.
MTN Ghana is encouraging users to plan ahead and complete any urgent MoMo transactions before the maintenance period begins.
How Virtual Reality is enhancing business and customer experience
Lewandowski wearing number 9, scored Bayern’s sixth on the night
August 14, 2020. Lisbon. An empty Estádio da Luz, echoing with every pass and shout, became the stage for one of the most brutal nights in European football history.
The world was still adjusting to football without fans due to COVID-19, but Bayern Munich made sure nobody forgot this quarter-final in a hurry.
Within the first seven minutes, Thomas Muller had already scored and Barcelona had conceded an own goal through David Alaba.
Though David Alaba’s mishap briefly brought the score level, Bayern’s relentless press and lightning attacks tore the Spanish giants apart.
By halftime, it was already 4–1, Muller grabbing another, with Ivan Perišić and Serge Gnabry also on the scoresheet.
Marcus Rashford opens up on why Manchester United has been struggling for years
Barcelona, with Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Gerard Piqué still in the ranks, looked stunned. When Suárez pulled one back to make it 4–2, hope flickered, but it didn’t last.
Alphonso Davies’ sensational solo run set up Joshua Kimmich for the fifth, Robert Lewandowski nodded in the sixth, and then Philippe Coutinho, on loan from Barca, twisted the knife with two late goals against his parent club.
The final whistle confirmed an 8–2 demolition, the heaviest defeat in Barcelona’s Champions League history. For Bayern, it was a ruthless statement en route to lifting the trophy.
For Barca, it triggered a period of soul-searching, departures, and a painful rebuild.
Watch highlights of the game below:
FKA/JE
Watch the key highlights from the 2025 GFA Ordinary Congress
First Lady Melania Trump don threaten to sue Hunter Biden
First Lady Melania Trump don threaten to sue Hunter Biden for more dan $1bn afta e claim say na sex offender Jeffrey Epstein introduce am to her husband.
Lawyers acting on behalf of di first lady, wey marry US President Donald Trump for 2005, describe di claim as “false, disparaging, defamatory and inflammatory”.
Biden, son of former US President Joe Biden, make dis comments during one interview earlier dis month, wia e strongly criticised di president former ties to Epstein.
Donald Trump na friend of Epstein, but e tok say dia friendship end in di early 2000s becos di financier wan snatch employees wey dey work at di spa in Trump Florida golf club.
One letter from di first lady lawyers and address to one attorney for Hunter Biden demand make im take back di claim and apologise, or face legal action for “ova $1bn in damages”.
E tok say di first lady don suffer “overwhelming financial and reputational harm” becos e repeat di claim.
E also accuse di youngest Biden son of “vast history of trading on di names of others”, and repeating di claim “to draw attention to yourself”.
During one wide-ranging interview wit filmmaker Andrew Callaghan publish earlier dis month, Hunter Biden claim unrelease documents relating to Epstein go “implicate” President Trump.
E tok say: “Epstein introduce Melania to Trump – di connection dey so wide and deep.” Di first lady legal letter note claim, e dey partially attributed to Michael Wolff, one journalist wey write critical biography of di president.
For one recent interview wit US outlet di Daily Beast, Wolff reportedly claim say di first lady sabi Epstein, wey be associate of Trump wen she meet her now-husband.
Di outlet later take back di story afta receiving one letter from di first lady attorney wey challenge di contents and framing of di story.
No evidence say na Epstein introduce dem to each other. Epstein take im own life for prison while awaiting trial in 2019.
Inside di first lady legal letter, e accuse Hunter Biden of relying one article as di basis of im claims, wia dem describe as “false and defamatory”.
One message on di archived version of di Daily Beast online story read: “Afta we publish dia story, di Beast receive one letter from First Lady Melania Trump attorney challenging di headline and framing of di article.
“Afta reviewing di matter, di Beast don take down di article and apologize for any confusion or misunderstanding.”
Di first lady lawyer, Alejandro Brito, ask BBC News make dem look at one statement wey di her aide, Nick Clemens issue.
E read: “First Lady Melania Trump attorneys dey actively ensure immediate retractions and apologies by pipo wey dey spread malicious, defamatory falsehoods.”
One January 2016 profile by Harper Bazaar report say di first lady meet her husband for November 1998, for one party wey di founder of one modelling agency host.
Melania Trump, 55, tell di publication she refuse to give am her phone number becos e dey “wit one date”.
Di profile tok say Trump don recently separate from im second wife, Marla Maples, e divorce in 1999. E bin marry Ivana Trump between 1977 and 1990.
Di BBC don contact Hunter Biden attorney.
Di legal letter dey come afta weeks of pressure on di White House to release di so-called Epstein file, previously undisclose documents relating to di criminal investigation against di convicted paedophile.
Before dem re-elect Trump, e tok say e go release di record if e return to office, but di FBI and justice department in July tok say no “incriminating” client list of Epstein associates exist.
Nigerian influencer Idowu Adeyemi popularly known as Yhemo Lee has criticised the Ibom Air hostess involved in the viral incident with passenger Comfort Emmanson.
Sharing his thoughts on Instagram, Yhemo Lee said he had encountered the same hostess on two occasions and found her to be constantly frowning, with a stern facial expression that made passengers uncomfortable.
Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been announced as Under Armour’s new global ambassador and director of performance.
Arteta’s partnership with Under Armour is designed to help the American sportswear company push further into football.
Arteta will share insights with Under Armour in areas such as product development, talent identification and leadership.
A key focus of his new role as Under Armour’s director of performance will be on developing the next generation of athletes through a leading role in Under Armour’s ‘Next’ programme.
Under Armour launched the Next programme in 2023, which was created to inspire, support and celebrate the next generation of athletes trying to break through.
The programme gives athletes aged 16 to 20 the chance to sign up and test themselves, with the reward being a spot on the Under Armour Next roster.
Those selected to be an Under Armour Next athlete gain access to pro-level support, experts, facilities and experiences designed to take their game to the next level.
So far, over 10,000 athletes have been tested and 18 contracts handed out, with Arteta brought in to play a leading role in the programme’s development.
Under Armour believe Arteta is an ideal fit for the role given his track record of providing young players with a platform to flourish while in charge of Arsenal.
“The collaboration with Under Armour is the perfect opportunity for me to work with a partner committed to making young athletes better,” said Arteta.
“I’m passionate about providing a platform for the next generation of players coming through in football and the top level of talent already signed with the brand show that they are too,” he added.
The announcement of Arteta’s new role comes ahead of Under Armour launching a new football campaign, ‘Be The Problem,’ on Friday.
Amaarae
Spotify has named Ghanaian trailblazer Amaarae as the EQUAL Africa artiste for August, spotlighting her as one of the continent’s artistes who continues to push creative and cultural boundaries with every beat, lyric, and look.
Amaarae, born Ama Serwah Genfi, raised between Ghana and the USA, often pulls her musical inspiration from the cultures and genres she grew up with. She has consistently pushed the boundaries of sound and identity, with her unique fusion of alternative, pop, R&B, and Afrobeats cementing her place as a singular voice in modern music.
Her musical journey took a turn in a computer lab in Ghana in 2009, where she taught herself to make beats on a cracked version of FL Studio. That moment sparked the fire for a career that would go on to produce game-changing projects like “The Angel You Don’t Know” and global hits such as “Sad Girlz Luv Money”.
Amaarae’s inclusion on Spotify’s Global Impact List for the first half of the year, highlighting the most-exported Ghanaian songs, was no surprise. She has become a symbol of how African music is travelling further, faster, and louder than ever before.
With her latest album “Black Star,” she returns to her Ghanaian roots with bold energy, crafting what she calls a “rallying cry for youth culture around the world. This album is bringing the alternative community to the forefront, and being fearless about that.”
“I navigate the music world with balance, willpower, and strength. The challenges are real, don’t get me wrong, but I put my blinders on, lock into tunnel vision, and get to work. And when I come across another woman on the journey, especially a Black woman, I do my best to share knowledge, create opportunities, and lighten the load where I can,” says Amaarae.
As part of Spotify’s EQUAL programme, which amplifies women’s voices worldwide, Amaarae joins a growing list of African women shaping the future through sound and self-expression.
“Amaarae embodies the spirit of boundary-pushing creativity that EQUAL stands for,” says Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of for Sub-Saharan Africa. “Her artistry is bold, distinct, and unapologetically authentic – qualities that continue to inspire a new generation of artistes across the continent and beyond.”
NPP youth organisers from nearly 276 constituencies across the country have unanimously endorsed former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the best candidate to lead the NPP.
The constituency youth organisers and their deputies, numbering about 490, today (Thursday, August 14) gathered at the NPP headquarters in Accra to pick the party’s nomination forms for the flagbearer on behalf of Dr. Bawumia, whom they declared their unwavering support for.
“We are here today to pick the form for our incoming president Dr. Alhaji Mahamhudu Bawumia. We believe this is a gift to him. The only one we see as a unifier in the party,” the youth organisers told the media.
So far, a number of individuals have picked up nomination forms to contest the party’s presidential primaries, scheduled for January 31, 2026.
However, the youth organisers said Dr. Bawumia is the only one who meets the aspirations of the youth of the party because of his experience, incorruptibility and unifying posture.
“The only leader we believe is credible and has no iota of corruption associated with him is Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,” they said.
“The only person that has gathered the experience over the years, from 2008 until now, as a former Vice presidential candidate and later becoming the former vice president of Ghana is Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia,” they added.
The constituency youth organisers, who have direct links with the youth of the party at all levels, said the party’s youth is poised to rally behind Dr. Bawumia and elect him as the party’s 2028 Flagbearer.
“We believe strongly that the youth, from our party faithful; from polling stations, from electoral areas, from constituencies and to national; and the person every Ghanaian is waiting for to be elected by the new patriotic party is Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia.”
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.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, has proposed the introduction of a night curfew for persons under 18 years as part of sweeping measures to combat rising drug abuse in the region.
The Minister made the proposal during a meeting with the Member of Parliament for Wa West, the District Chief Executive, and other stakeholders from the Wa West District.
The Upper West Regional Minister and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa West, Peter Lanchene Toobu, have jointly called for decisive measures to tackle drug abuse among the youth while addressing critical development needs in Wa West District.
The Regional Minister likened the threat of drug abuse to that of illegal mining (“galamsey”) and described it as a crisis that demands urgent intervention. He revealed that a task force, inaugurated on May 28, 2025, has been working on a roadmap to rehabilitate drug users and cut off supply lines in the region.
Among the measures under consideration is a night curfew for minors under 18, during which police would detain those found outside between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. until their parents or guardians arrive.
The Minister acknowledged that the policy could draw criticism from human rights advocates but insisted it was necessary to uproot the problem.
“We cannot allow a 12-year-old girl to be involved in prostitution or have children roaming the streets at night because of drug abuse,” he stressed
The Minister also noted that authorities are tracking individuals involved in the wholesale and retail of illicit substances and working to stop their transportation into the region.
On his part, MP Peter Lanchene Toobu appealed for the completion of an abandoned dormitory block at Dorimon to expand access to secondary education, the creation of a new second-cycle institution in the district’s eastern corridor, and government adoption of a community-built Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institute.
He also urged the government to prioritise critical roads, including the Wa–Dorimon–Wechiau–Ga road, and to address the district’s electricity coverage, which he lamented remains below 40% compared to the national average of 90%.
Hon Peter Lanchene Toobu urged that coordinated action, government commitment, and community involvement are essential to reversing the district’s challenges and ensuring a safer, more prosperous future for its youth.
Govt outlines arrangements for State funeral of helicopter crash victims
A wave of sorrow has hit the Konongo Low Cost SSNIT community following the tragic killing of a young man identified only as Awal, popularly known as Awazy.
Reports indicate that the incident occurred inside his residence, where unidentified assailants shot him before fleeing the scene.
As revealed by an eyewitness, the assailants closely monitored Awal on his way back home from the workplace.
Featured
GraphicOnline
2 minutes read
The Special Anti-Galamsey Task Force has arrested the Assemblyman for Bonteso in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region, along with three others, for allegedly inciting a violent confrontation with officers during an operation against illegal mining.
The suspects have been named as Patrick Asare, the Assemblyman for the area, Akwesi Amponsah, Osei Vasco, and Owusu Alexander.
Police say the arrests took place on Wednesday, August 13, after the task force intercepted an excavator actively engaged in illegal mining during a routine patrol. While arrangements were being made to transport the machine, the assemblyman allegedly led a group of miners to confront the team.
According to the police, the crowd pelted the officers with stones and other objects, threatened bloodshed, and attempted to prevent the removal of the excavator. “They openly dared the police not to move the excavator,” an officer said.
Despite the provocation, the task force maintained what Police described as “professional” conduct and succeeded in arresting four individuals, including the assemblyman. Two officers: Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Bawah Abdul Jalil and G/Sgt. Agblekpe Mawuena Yao, sustained injuries during the confrontation.
The police reported that the miners blocked all exit routes to trap the team in the area. When the task force attempted to clear the blockade, the officers came under live fire. Two individuals were seen firing pump action guns, which also threatened the safety of the men.
The team responded with what authorities called “appropriate force” to neutralise the threat, disperse the hostile crowd, and secure the excavator, which was later taken to the Manso Adubia Police Station for safe custody and further action.
All four suspects are expected to be transferred to Accra for prosecution.
Ghana faces a critical jobs deficit despite solid economic growth, according to the World Bank’s Ninth Ghana Economic Update launched today in Accra.
The report, presented at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, highlights a troubling disconnect: while GDP expanded by 5.7% in 2024 and maintained 5.3% growth early this year, job creation lags far behind population growth.
Between 2012 and 2023, the working-age population surged by 2.7 million people, yet net employment rose by just 250,000 positions.
Robert Taliercio, World Bank Division Director for Ghana, opened the event with condolences for officials lost in a recent helicopter tragedy before addressing the labor emergency.
“Despite macroeconomic improvements including reduced inflation and successful debt restructuring, Ghana isn’t generating enough quality jobs,” he stated.
The report identifies five core challenges: weak labor demand in productive sectors like manufacturing, mismatched skills and opportunities, limited upward mobility for workers, and persistent barriers for women and youth.
Fiscal pressures complicate the picture. Though debt-to-GDP improved to 70.5%, the 2024 deficit hit 7.7% amid revenue shortfalls and arrears accumulation.
State-owned enterprises pose particular risks, with the Electricity Company of Ghana facing a potential $2.2 billion funding gap this year. COCOBOD’s financial instability persists despite high global cocoa prices. Taliercio urged balancing fiscal discipline with strategic IDA-funded investments in safety nets, irrigation, and cocoa farm rehabilitation.
The solution, the Bank argues, requires integrated reforms: boosting human capital through nutrition and education, enabling private sector growth, and mobilizing capital for high-potential industries.
With youth unemployment looming as a social time bomb, the report positions job creation as central to Ghana’s economic transformation.
As one attendee muttered during the Q&A: “Growth means little if it doesn’t put food on tables.”
Media personality Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah has shared his thoughts on EOCO’s seizure of a Lamborghini at Shatta Wale’s residence and its related developments.
In a video shared on X on August 14, 2025, Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, while speaking on his program, claimed that Shatta allowed himself to be used by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for political power.
“They have used Shatta Wale and dumped him. Before we voted in the 2024 election, he was campaigning for John Mahama and the NDC, and they used his following to come into power,” he said in the Twi dialect.
The media personality further alleged that the government is using the EOCO to tame the “On God” singer from making utterances that might affect the ruling government.
“After they came into power, they have been using the EOCO to shut him up so he won’t be able to criticise the government,” he added.
The Shatta Wale and EOCO saga began in June 2025, when Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) seized a 2019 Lamborghini Urus from the musician’s residence in Trassaco Valley, Accra.
According to a report by the EOCO and FBI, the vehicle was linked to Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian American serving an 86 month prison sentence in the U.S. for a $4.7 million fraud scheme.
EOCO said its actions were based on a request from the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice, as the car was allegedly purchased with proceeds from Amuah’s crimes and needed for victim restitution.
Shatta denied any involvement with Amuah, claiming he bought the car for $150,000 from Kwabena Adu Boahene, a former National Signals Bureau (NSB) officer, and was unaware of its criminal ties.
The dancehall musician also accused EOCO of an “armed raid” in his residence with 13 officers, which EOCO denied, stating the seizure was peaceful and Shatta voluntarily surrendered the car to protect his brand.
Watch video below;
Source: ghanaweb
Solomon Owusu, a leading figure in the Movement for Change, has criticized the previous administration led by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the alleged misallocation of national resources as reported by Ghana Web
Speaking during a panel discussion on TV3, Owusu slammed the government’s priorities, pointing out that over US$22 million was allocated to architect David Adjaye for the design of the National Cathedral, and an additional US$97 million was spent on excavation works.
However, Owusu highlighted the stark contrast with the failure to secure a single new military helicopter for the country.
“Buying a robust helicopter wouldn’t cost you more than US$15 million,” Owusu said.
“But we found US$22 million and gave it to David Adjaye to just design the National Cathedral. We found US$97 million just to go and dig a hole. That is the priority of the nation, and not the army.”
His comments came in the aftermath of a devastating military helicopter crash, which claimed the lives of eight prominent individuals,
Including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
The crash occurred while they were en route to Obuasi for a galamsey-related event.
Owusu condemned what he described as the prioritization of “frivolous” projects over vital national security needs.
He also drew comparisons with countries like the United States, where military investments are a top priority.
The outspoken figure urged security experts to take a firm stand against the alleged misallocation of resources, calling for accountability for those responsible.
Augustine Acquah
THE ORGANISERS of the 5th Floodlight Media Excellence Awards (FMEA25), yesterday, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, released the nominees for this year’s event which include a total of 63 categories at the Kessben TV Plus show.
A total of 450 nominees were selected for the 63 categories after the nomination was opened on June 11, 2025.
The likes of Nana Asante Krobea Messi (Kumasi FM), Olando (Sompa FM), Oheneba Michael Nyame (Kessben FM), Emmanuel Mawukodoe (Angel FM, Kumasi), Uthman Mohammed Klinikal (Mabesh FM), Isaac Kwesi Sarfo (Salt FM), Sokoban Fatilow (Nhyira FM), Sports Mayor (Divine FM), and Ansah Apagya (Onua FM) were nominated for Local Sports Presenter of the Year.
Foreign Sports Presenter of the Year nominees include Felix Boakye Agyemang (Angel FM), Capo De Supremo (Wontumi FM), Bright Awuah Brighto (Mabesh FM), Champion Foreigner (Daakye FM), Andy Kasilays (Pure FM), Abdel Razak Adams (Free FM), Lampard Osei Asibey (Jema FM), Prince Adjei (Akina Radio), William Tiero (Winners FM), The Sports Lawyer (Oyerepa FM), Little King (Ezra FM) and David Osei (Salt FM).
Radio Sports Host of the Year nominees include Don Summer (Angel FM, Kumasi), Fancy Demaria (Wontumi FM), Sometymer Otuo-Acheampong (Oyerepa FM/TV), Bright Kankam Boadu (Pure FM), Sadick Adams (Angel FM, Accra), Abubakar Mohammed (Divine FM), Abusuapanin Sammy Acheampong (Akoma FM), Nana Darkwa Gyasi (Max FM) and Richard Smith Donkor (Nhyira FM).
The Sports Commentator of the Year nominees are Solidino (Light FM), Sports IGP (Divine Radio), Frimpong Adu Caleb, Yaw Vinicious (Angel FM), Richardo Suarez (Akoma FM), Ansah Apagya (Onua FM), Tony Montaana (Kessben FM), Eugene Kwame Anane (Opemsuo FM), Michael Tuffour Ortega (Kasapa FM), Prince Adjei (Akina Radio), Sokoban Fatilow (Nhyira FM).
The CEO of Floodlight Media Excellence Awards, Augustine Acquah, said the nominees underwent an intensive review process, with each submission evaluated based on specific criteria to ensure the selection of deserving media personalities.
He disclosed that the winners of the Big 6 Awards which include Media Personality of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Walk of Fame, Media Spotlight in Humanitarian, Media CEO of the Year, and International Media Personality, will be announced on the awards day.
Abdul-Moomin Gbana
The General Secretary of the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union of the TUC, Abdul-Moomin Gbana, has revealed that as of the end of 2024, over 90% of the mining sector’s workforce is engaged in non-standard forms of employment, with standard or permanent employment accounting for only about 10%.
He attributed this development to ongoing transformational changes in the country’s mining labour market, which have triggered a marked shift from standard employment to non-standard arrangements, including temporary work, casualisation, and fixed-term contracts.
Speaking at the Union’s National Executive Council meeting at the Gold Fields Akoon Clubhouse in Tarkwa, Mr. Abdul-Moomin said the shift, driven by production fragmentation, outsourcing, and policy reforms, had led to reduced job protection, heightened uncertainty, and increased workplace risks for miners, a trend he described as “retrogressive.”
“There has been a surge in workers’ and trade union rights violations, shrinking collective bargaining coverage, job insecurity, threats to social protection, and fluctuations in income and pensions,” he lamented.
He criticised the growing trend of outsourcing key mining operations under cut-throat contract prices in the name of profit maximisation, warning that it undermines the decent work agenda and impoverishes union members.
“Astonishingly, this continues to happen at a time when the business environment is highly favourable, with gold prices hitting record highs. Such conditions should translate into improved well-being for workers, but this is not the case. While certain ancillary or non-core aspects of mining can be farmed out, the core business for which a company is licensed should never be outsourced,” he stressed.
Mr. Abdul-Moomin further cautioned that “under the guise of local content, these exploitative strategies continue to be pursued with impunity.”
He reiterated the union’s firm opposition to such practices, insisting that mining companies must take full responsibility for the core business of mining, including associated employee costs, as required by law.
He urged government and industry stakeholders to recognise the negative consequences of the trend, warning that it poses serious risks to the mining industry’s long-term stability.
The Secretary General of TUC-Ghana, Joshua Ansah, affirmed the TUC’s commitment to the welfare of miners, noting the importance of collective action in addressing their challenges.
“The TUC Ghana is committed to supporting the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union in its efforts to improve working conditions, promote occupational health and safety, and advocate for the rights of miners,” he said.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke
The information gathered suggests, the Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, Richard Jakpa, has blocked a Journalist from interviewing the acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea.
According to reports, two journalists from The Fourth Estate, on August 11, were blocked by Richard Jakpa after reaching the Ghana Health Service headquarters for a scheduled interview.
Approximately three million children of school going age suffer one form of learning disability or the other, the Technical Advisor to the Minister of Education, Professor George Oduro, has revealed.
Key among these learning disabilities, he emphasised, were the various forms of dyslexic learning difficulties which affected more than half of the estimated number.
“In Ghana, the Africa Dyslexia Organisation estimates that approximately 3 million Ghanaians live with various forms of dyslexia. A 2017 report of a study by Afeti and Nyarko published in the Annals of General Psychiatry, involving 400 primary school pupils in the Hoe Municipality of the Volta region, for example, revealed that 12.8 per cent of the respondents suffered from attention-deficit or hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),” he disclosed.
Professor Oduro revealed this when he represented the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, at the opening of the 2025 African Dyslexia Conference in Accra yesterday.
This year’s conference is on the theme: ‘Shifting Minds, Inspiring Action,’ and focused on transforming how dyslexia and related learning differences were understood and supported in Africa.
The two-day event, organised by the Africa Dyslexia Organisation (ADO), based in Gaborone, Botswana, would seek to unlock the full potential of people living with dyslexia and to promote inclusive education strategies in Ghana.
It brought together educators, policymakers, parents, and advocates across the world.
Prof. Oduro said it was unfortunate that despite evidence of research on the disability, little attention had been given to children who suffer from it in the classroom.
He explained that research had also shown that undiagnosed dyslexic learners often sat in silence with their potential unmasked by frustration and their self-esteem eroded by years of being misunderstood.
Prof. Oduro noted that the Ministry of Education was concerned about the development and would ensure that every child benefited from quality-indexed access and equitable education as mandated by the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG4).
“The Ministry is highly committed to creating enabling environment to initiatives, such as the Africa Dyslexia Organisation’s advocacy programme, which aims at promoting dyslexic children’s learning in schools,” he promised.
Moreover, he mentioned that the Ministry was looking forward to working more closely with ADO and its partners to address the challenges faced by learners with dyslexia and other learning differences.
“This collaboration will include co-creation of national awareness campaign against stigmatisation and misconceptions about dyslexia; co-designing specialised training programmes for teachers, head teachers, school improvement support officers and directors of education,” he indicated.
On her part, a Professor at the University of California, Dr Julie Washington, advocated for the development of language by children to be taken seriously at their formative stages.
In her welcome address, the Founder of ADO, Ms Rosalin Abigail Kyere Nartey said the conference was not just a gathering but a rallying cry to address the challenge of dyslexia.
“It is a declaration that every child, every learner, every human being with a learning difference matters. For me, this moment is deeply personal. I grew up in Suhum, Ghana, unable to read or write even my own name until the age of 17. I endured years of being called “lazy” and “slow,” of being punished for what I could not yet do. At 30 years old, I finally learned the truth — I am
Dyslexic,” she emphasised.
Ms Nartey noted that the diagnosis did not define her limits; rather it revealed her strengths and gave her the language for her struggle.
Ghana has crossed a significant threshold in its mining evolution. The nation’s pioneering iron ore exploration project has successfully concluded its drilling phase at the Gyamurume block in Asato, Oti Region.
This landmark effort, spearheaded by Africa Exploration and Minerals Group Ltd (AEMG) and fully funded by Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC, aims to unlock a domestic iron and steel industry, a potential game-changer for Ghana’s economy.
The drilling campaign, initiated earlier this year, marks Ghana’s first-ever Mineral Resource Estimation (MRE) specifically for iron ore. Over months of intensive work, technical teams extracted hundreds of drill core samples.
Their goal was clear: determine the size, quality, and commercial potential of the iron ore deposit lying beneath the Oti soil. Initial findings are encouraging, hinting not only at viable iron ore but also at other valuable minerals alongside the primary target.
“This venture is data-driven, yes, but its impact is truly future-shaping,” declared Dr. Benjamin Dzoboku, Managing Director of Republic Bank, at the project’s closing ceremony in Asato. “While others hesitated, Republic Bank stepped forward. We believe deeply in Ghana, in African enterprise, and in using strategic finance to drive transformative development.”
The event drew government officials, traditional leaders like Osaberima Osei Bonsu and Togbega Gabusu VII, and industry experts, including Kedjebi District Chief Executive Dr. Sam Suruj Issaka and GIISDEC Deputy CEO Hon. Philip Oppong Amponsah.
AEMG CEO Isaac Obeng Darko captured the historic weight of the moment. “This achievement transcends AEMG; it’s historic for Ghana,” he stated.
“Republic Bank’s bold support will be remembered as the crucial catalyst for this groundbreaking exploration.” With the final drill core samples now handed over to Intertek Minerals for meticulous analysis, the project shifts into a critical evaluation phase.
The implications for Ghana are vast. Should the deposit prove commercially viable, analysts foresee the birth of a domestic steel industry. This could drastically cut Ghana’s reliance on expensive imported steel, channel significant investment into the Oti Region, and create thousands of jobs – from mining and processing to logistics and support services.
Crucially, the entire drilling operation relied solely on Ghanaian expertise, showcasing impressive local technical capacity. Professor Frank Nyame, AEMG Project Consultant speaking for the Ghana Geological Survey Authority, urged local communities to prepare for emerging opportunities: “This proves Ghana has the skills. Now, youth must ready themselves for the jobs and training the next phase will bring.”
Local authorities pledged to ensure widespread community benefits. Dr. Sam Suruj Issaka, Kedjebi DCE, assured residents that infrastructure upgrades, employment, and social programs would accompany industrial growth.
For Asato Gyamurume and Ghana at large, this milestone represents tangible hope: hope for jobs, skills development, and economic transformation. The Oti Region, often sidelined in Ghana’s resource narrative, now stands poised to become an iron and steel hub. As the nation awaits Intertek’s final verdict, the dream of Ghana evolving from a steel importer to an industrial producer feels closer than ever.
Wode Maya (L) and Gisela (R) are Ghanaian YouTubers
Ghanaian YouTube icons, Wode Maya and Gisela Amponsah, are supporting Jimmy Donaldson, known globally as MrBeast and Mark Rober, to launch their third major environmental campaign, #TeamWater.
A global campaign with an ambitious goal to raise $40 million by August 31 to bring clean water to 2 million people worldwide.
Backed by a global coalition of over 3,000 global creators with a combined audience of over 2 billion, the campaign is partnering with WaterAid to fund sustainable clean water systems in some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable communities.
The campaign has since its launch at the beginning of August raised over $15million “We’ve seen the power of the internet when it rallies behind a cause, from planting millions of trees to removing millions of pounds of trash from the ocean,” said Donaldson and Rober in a joint statement.
“Now, we’re taking on clean water, because no one should have to live without it.” As part of the global launch, Ghanaian creators Wode Maya and Gisela Amponsah – with a combined following of almost 2million on YouTube – joined the campaign to spotlight the impact of unsafe water on communities in the Bongo District of the Upper East region.
During their trip, they visited maternal health facilities, women-led “Harvesther Gardens,” and surrounding communities where WaterAid interventions have provided access to clean water, as well as areas still struggling without it.
“I’ve travelled to many parts of Africa documenting development stories, but seeing the difference clean water makes with my own eyes hit differently,” said Wode Maya.
“When you see a healthcare facility that finally has running water or a child who no longer walks miles to fetch water, you realise our platforms can be used for real impact.”
For Gisela Amponsah, the campaign also resonates personally. “As a woman, I saw firsthand how the burden of collecting water falls on girls and mothers — at the expense of education and health,” she said. “It’s not just about water. It’s about dignity, about safety, about opportunity. That’s why I said yes to #TeamWater.”
WaterAid Ghana, which has been working for four decades to transform lives through water, sanitation, and hygiene, welcomed the creator-led movement as a breakthrough moment.
“We are honoured that WaterAid is global partner of #TeamWater, spotlighting the global water crisis and building momentum for change,” said Ewurabena Yanyi-Akofur, Country Director of WaterAid Ghana.
“In Ghana, millions still live without clean water, and the climate crisis is deepening the challenge. This campaign brings visibility, urgency, and hope. With clean water, children stay in school, hospitals function safely, and communities thrive.
“We’re grateful to Wode Maya and Gisela for bringing this story to the world.”
#TeamWater marks the third large-scale environmental campaign led by Donaldson and Rober, following the success of #TeamTrees and #TeamSeas, which together raised over $50 million to plant 20 million trees and remove 30 million pounds of trash from oceans, rivers, and beaches worldwide.
This new campaign harnesses the reach of creators across platforms to mobilise people to take collective action on one of the world’s most urgent challenges: clean water access.
From Colombia’s deserts to Bangladesh’s flood-prone deltas, #TeamWater will support clean water projects across the world.
The campaign will continue throughout August, led by call-to-action videos from creators across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, all rallying their audiences to donate and amplify the cause.
Elvis Afriyie Ankrah (L) and Kwesi Pratt disagree on govt’s decision to receive prophecies for revie
Veteran journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, clashed with the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, on live TV on August 13, 2025 over directive to the religious and clergy to submit prophecies about government officials to a designated office.
Kwesi Pratt Jnr, during a panel discussion on the Good Morning Ghana programme, criticised the government over a call for prophets to submit their prophecies, particularly those about government officials, for review, lambasting Afriyie Ankrah, whose office is the receiving agency.
What 3 pastors have said about directive to share national prophecies with presidential envoy
He questioned how Afriyie Ankrah and his outfit were going to review the prophecies submitted to them.
Afriyie Ankrah then called into the programme to defend the move by the government.
He explained that the move was not to give prophets who deliver prophecies on national security issues any undue restriction.
“We issued the statement, first of all, thanking the clergy and the faith community for their continual support and telling them that, of all the prophecies that they have, they can go ahead and deliver it. However, the tiny bit that has to do with the president, presidency, vice president, people in high political office that have a bearing on national security — with emphasis on bearing on national security — they should direct it to an email address and a WhatsApp, for it will be analysed. And then, if there is a need for any further action, it should be done. Simple. That is the whole matter,” he explained.
‘Give us car and fuel money first’ – Prophet Fire Oja replies government over prophecy scrutiny
He indicated that prophets are saying they give out their prophecies in public, which creates fear and panic, because they don’t have access to top government officials.
Quoting from scripture, the presidential envoy also pointed out that the Bible states that prophecies should be reviewed, and that there are credible men of God in the country who can help do this.
Regardless of his clarification, Kwesi Pratt insisted on the methodology they would use to analyse the prophecies.
“Elvis should show us how he’s going to review prophecy. What method is he going to use to review prophecy? How does Elvis believe that God will give somebody a prophecy about somebody and God will refuse to show the person how to get in touch with that person?” he argued.
“Elvis should understand that whatever job he’s doing, he’s not doing it on his own. He’s doing it on behalf of all of us,” he added.
Afriyie Ankrah was not happy about Kwesi Pratt’s interjection, accusing him (Pratt) of being unfair to him.
He asserted that Kwesi Pratt, who has stated he does not believe in God, should leave the 70% of Christians who believe in prophecies to practise their faith.
Pratt then said that his objection to the move by the government has nothing to do with him not believing in God, adding that the government is accountable to citizens, not only to people who believe in God.
Watch a video of the clash below:
Elvis Afriyie Ankrah in a heated clash with Kwesi Pratt over Gov’t Prophecy Review Directive#GoodMorningGhana #MetroTV pic.twitter.com/YdzRbklQbQ
— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) August 13, 2025
BAI/VPO
Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
The workshop forms part of efforts to boost collaboration between the Audit Service, civil society
The Assistant Director of Audit at the Ghana Audit Service, Frederick Loko, has called on journalists to strengthen their understanding of the Auditor-General’s mandate and reports to ensure accurate and impactful reporting.
He said this would help eliminate misleading headlines and enhance public comprehension of audit findings.
Speaking at a media training workshop on the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report, organised in collaboration with the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) on August 13, 2025 Loko, who also serves as the Service’s Information Officer under the Right to Information (RTI) Act emphasised that the engagement sought to bridge the gap between audit work and media coverage.
“Sometimes when you look at the headline and then you look at the body of the report, you see that there’s a disconnect, we want the general public to get the true meaning of what the Auditor-General’s report is conveying,” he said.
He explained that the Auditor-General’s mandate, as outlined in Article 187 of the Constitution and the Audit Service Act, is limited to reporting financial misstatements and making recommendations and not prosecuting offenders.
Prosecution, he said, is handled by agencies such as the Attorney-General’s Department and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO
GACC Executive Secretary, Beauty Emefa Nartey, said the training was designed to encourage journalists not only to report on the Auditor-General’s findings when the report is released but also to follow up with investigative work to uncover deeper issues.
She cited past examples where journalists’ independent investigations revealed connections and conflicts of interest not detailed in the report.
Targeted financing seen as key to Africa’s industrial growth – GHIB
“We realised that after the initial headlines, there’s less reporting on follow-ups or investigative pieces.
“When you do your own investigations, it helps advocacy efforts and strengthens accountability,” she said.
Assistant Auditor-General in charge of the Information Systems Audit Unit, Patrick Neequaye, also urged the media to regularly engage institutions cited in audit reports, question them on corrective actions and keep the public informed about progress.
“The public financial management landscape still needs improvement,” he stated. “We expect the media to continue following up with institutions named in the reports to track implementation of recommendations.”
Meanwhile, watch below the trailer for GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures:
Andrew Tandoh Adote
ACCRA IS buzzing with anticipation as one of Ghana’s most celebrated stage actors, Andrew Tandoh Adote, returns to the National Theatre in a role that promises to be his most challenging yet.
After a record-breaking 13-run triumph as the lead in “The Gods Are Not To Blame” between 2023 and 2024, Adote is stepping into the hallowed shoes of Elesin Oba, the tragic hero in Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka’s monumental play, “Death and the King’s Horseman.”
This is more than a play; it’s a cultural event. Adote, whose powerful performance in his last outing captivated audiences and critics alike, is set to deliver another masterclass in acting.
His return to the stage as Elesin Oba—a character burdened by tradition, honour, and a clash of cultures—is a homecoming for a true theatrical king. The role demands a profound blend of gravitas, charisma, and emotional depth.
“Death and the King’s Horseman,” a body of work described by many as the pinnacle of African literature, explores the harrowing conflict between colonial authority, the Yoruba tradition, and human desire.
As Elesin Oba, the King’s Horseman, Adote will navigate a fate tied to the death of his king, a ritual he must fulfil for the good of his people. The story is a breathtaking exploration of duty, sacrifice, and the enduring power of culture, and it promises to be a deeply moving and unforgettable experience for all who witness it.
Directed by George Quaye, “Death and the King’s Horseman” is collaboration between the National Theatre, Image Bureau, and April Communications, which promises a spectacle of exceptional acting, innovative set design, and a high-quality production.
Black Stars winger, Kudus Mohammed
Black Stars winger, Mohammed Kudus made his official debut for Tottenham Hotspurs in the UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint Germain on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
Tottenham Hotspurs, despite taking a 2-0 lead in the game at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy with barely 10 minutes to end the game, they conceded two late goals to take the game to penalties.
The English side lost 4-3 on penalties thus missing out on a good opportunity to start the 2025/2025 football season with a major silverware.
Despite Tottenham’s inability to win the game, Kudus Mohammed won the heart of many fans including Paris Saint Germain faithful’s because of his dominance over defender Nuno Mendes.
Kudus limited the attacking Prowers of the Portuguese defender who is best known for both his attacking and defending abilities because of his speed and dribbles.
The Ghanaian winger spent 79 minutes on the pitch before he was replaced in the game by French international Mathys Tel.
Mohammed Kudus misses out on winning UEFA Super Cup with Tottenham after team’s defeat to PSG
Watch highlights of Kudus Mohammed’s performance against PSG below:
Mohammed Kudus vs PSG 🔥 pic.twitter.com/5mARLihnd3
— OSIKANI tv on YouTube🥇⭕ (@OsikaniOfficial) August 13, 2025
Watch the key highlights from the 2025 GFA Ordinary Congress
These players are starting new Premier League journeys:Mohammed Kudus,Bryan Mbeumo,and Habib Diarra
The 2025-26 Premier League campaign kicks off on Friday, when Liverpool begin the defence of their title at home against Bournemouth.
Egypt star Mohamed Salah is the reigning player of the season and will be bidding to pick up his fifth golden boot as he forms a new-look front line for the Reds alongside big-money signings Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.
A number of fellow African stars have secured high-profile transfers of their own, while there are new arrivals from countries including DR Congo, Morocco, Mozambique and Senegal.
Meanwhile, 50 players from the continent could have their Premier League campaigns interrupted by the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which runs from 21 December to 18 January.
BBC Sport Africa casts an eye over some of the players settling in to new teams and looking to make an impression over the coming nine months.
Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo was the subject of the biggest deal involving an African player in the close season, joining Manchester United for an initial £65m ($87m).
The 25-year-old forward scored 20 league goals and registered seven assists for Brentford last season but now faces a step up at “the club of his dreams”.
United are in a rebuilding phase under boss Ruben Amorim after finishing 15th, their worst-ever performance in the Premier League era.
Mbeumo will face instant pressure to perform alongside fellow big-money arrivals Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko – with United having spent £200m ($271m) on the attacking trio – even if there is no European football for the Old Trafford outfit.
His off-field passion for playing the piano and chess are well known, and now United need Mbeumo to hit the right notes and execute his best strategies on the pitch.
Another big transfer saw Mohammed Kudus end his two-year stay with West Ham and join Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £55m ($74m).
The Ghana midfielder impressed in his first season in east London but his second campaign was underwhelming as he struggled to adapt to Graham Potter’s wing-back system.
Kudus’ glittering performances at Ajax had made him one of European football’s hottest properties and Spurs will be expecting the 24-year-old to rediscover that form.
Featuring in the Champions League again was one reason for his switch to north London, while the Black Stars man was also enticed by the opportunity to play for new Spurs coach Thomas Frank, who has made the switch from Brentford.
“From where [Frank] has come from, and seeing the amount of talent he has developed to become great players, it’s a big sign as to why I wanted to work under him,” said Kudus.
With Spurs legend Son Heung-Min departing and James Maddison set to miss most of the season through injury, Kudus could find himself in a pivotal role from the offset.
After slipping to third place – and ending 2024-25 without a major trophy – Manchester City are expected to mount a more sustained challenge for the title.
The Etihad outfit moved early in the window for left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, and the 24-year-old has already seen competitive action with City since his £31m ($41.5m) move from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Algeria international, who described his switch as “a dream come true”, started three games at the Fifa Club World Cup before Pep Guardiola’s men exited in the last 16.
Ait-Nouri provided a serious attacking threat from wing-back even as Wolves struggled last season, bagging four goals and seven assists, and was also occasionally used in a more advanced role.
After adapting to City’s possession-based style, Guardiola will no doubt be looking for his new man to improve on those attacking metrics.
Sunderland are back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017 and have been busy in the transfer market, making 11 signings.
And there has been a distinctly African feel to their recruitment, with six of those arrivals from across the continent.
The Black Cats shelled out a club-record £30m ($40m) on Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra as well as adding DR Congo pair Arthur Masuaku and Noah Sadiki, Mozambique defender Reinildo and Moroccan winger Chemsdine Talbi
Ivory Coast’s Afcon winner Simon Adingra has also been tempted from the south coast to the north east after only starting 12 league games for Brighton last season.
As one of the few players in the Sunderland squad with Premier League experience, the 23-year-old winger will need to translate his trickery into points if the Wearsiders are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
Kudus may have departed the London Stadium but West Ham will still have an African in their ranks after paying Slavia Prague £19m ($25.5m) for El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Irons boss Potter says the 20-year-old Senegal wing-back is “hungry and ambitious”.
“I think he will be a very positive addition to the group,” he added.
DR Congo centre-back Axel Tuanzebe, meanwhile, will be looking to avoid a second successive relegation, having swapped Ipswich Town for Burnley.
And can teenage left-back Adam Aznou force himself into the Everton side in the Toffees’ first season at their new stadium after the Moroccan joined from Bayern Munich?
With the transfer window open until Monday, 1 September, there is plenty of time for more deals involving Africans.
DR Congo star Yoane Wissa has been angling for a move away from Brentford, while Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson has been given the green light to leave Chelsea.
Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai
Telecel Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, has called on Human Resource (HR) leaders to prioritise wellness, resilience, and data as core drivers of long-term organisational success.
Speaking at the HR Connect Conference 2025, themed: “Empowering HR Excellence: Leveraging Data, Resilience and Wellness for a Thriving Workplace”, she challenged the traditional perception of HR as merely a support function.
“We spend more than 60,000 hours of our lives at work. If the workplace doesn’t nourish you, it will drain you,” she said.
She urged HR leaders to create cultures where people are seen, heard, and supported.
Ing. Obo-Nai underscored Telecel Ghana’s progressive wellness framework, which she said “goes beyond physical health” to include emotional and financial well-being.
According to her, among its standout initiatives is an equal four-month, fully paid parental leave for both men and women, an uncommon policy in corporate Ghana.
She noted that the company also offers mental health helplines, confidential peer support through trained Wellbeing Ambassadors, on-site aerobics, wellness months, health screenings, and quarterly social events ranging from karaoke to salsa nights.
“Remember, wellness is not a perk. It is a performance multiplier,” she stressed.
The HR Connect Conference 2025, held on 8th August, 2025 in Accra, brought together HR practitioners, thought leaders, and business executives from across the continent.
The event was organised by HR Network Africa and featured speeches, panel discussions, masterclasses, and artistic performances, which aimed at equipping organisations with tools to build thriving, future-ready workplaces.
On resilience, she reflected on the organisation’s smooth transition to Telecel Ghana, highlighting HR’s critical role in fostering trust, cultural stability, and adaptability during major organisational change.
“It was more than a rebrand. It was asking thousands of people to trust in a future they couldn’t yet see,” she said.
The key, she noted, lay in building trust and maintaining cultural stability.
“When culture leads, strategy follows, and resilience wins,” she intimated.
Turning to data-driven HR, Ing. Obo-Nai urged leaders to go beyond surveys and metrics to uncover the real stories behind employee sentiment.
“Data tells us where to act. Resilience gives us the strength to act. Wellness gives us the capacity to keep acting,” she concluded.
By Samuel Boadi
News Hub Creator2h
In a heated exchange on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana, Pratt emphasized the gravity of the threats and the need for the state to act firmly.
“I think they should make a serious example out of them. This is not a matter to be treated lightly; threatening people with death,” he said, expressing his dismay at the content of the video.
The video, which gained widespread attention online, featured an individual making disturbing threats against the Mahamas, including a call to harm them in violent and graphic ways.
Pratt described the actions in the video as “foolishness” and pointed at the importance of setting a clear precedent. “Who will tolerate this? In which country will this be tolerated?” he fumed.
The Ghana Police Service has confirmed the arrest of two individuals, Prince Ofori and Yayra Abiwu, in connection with the video.
A police statement disclosed that investigations are ongoing, and further arrests may follow. “We are making efforts to apprehend other individuals connected to the video,” the statement added.
The call for serious punishment shows the growing concern over the spread of violent threats on social media, especially against public figures.
By Albert Oppong-Ansah
Accra, Aug. 13, GNA – Stakeholders in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting will convene in Accra next month to advance sustainability integration across organisational operations.
The two-day maiden Africa Global ESG and Sustainability Reporting Summit, scheduled for September 1, 2025, at the Movenpick Hotel, will bring together African and global leaders, investors, regulators, and civil society to explore the role of ESG in unlocking financing for development projects.
Launching the summit, Dr Shelter Lotsu, Chairman of the Planning and Organising Committee, said the event would examine how Africa’s mineral wealth could drive inclusive development without environmental degradation.
“The summit is a call to action. A call for governments, companies, investors, journalists, and citizens to join forces to protect our environment, empower our people, and uphold governance systems worthy of the Africa we envision,” he stated.
Dr Lotsu described ESG as a practical accountability tool that compels companies, policymakers, and investors to measure the environmental and social impact of their operations.
He noted that illegal mining remained a major concern and that ESG frameworks could be applied to ensure standardised reporting and monitoring in the sector.
“Globally, ESG-driven economies show greater resilience to shocks, more sustainable infrastructure growth, and stronger social cohesion,” he added.
Mr Richard Ansong, Partner, Assurance at PwC Ghana, warned that organisations that failed to align with global ESG standards risked losing investor confidence, market competitiveness, and public trust.
“Unlike the past where companies attracted investors with only audited financial statements, investors now demand integrated disclosures such as carbon emissions, water usage, waste management, community engagement, governance structures, among others,” he said.
The summit will feature panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions aimed at strengthening ESG adoption across Africa’s public and private sectors
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
The year 2025 has been a spectacular one for celebrity nuptials, with two weddings dominating headlines: JP 2025 and David’s wedding. While both were undeniably grand affairs, they represented different styles of luxury and celebration.
The Power of the Guest List and Global Reach
Davido’s wedding to Chioma, affectionately dubbed “Chivido 2025,” was a global spectacle. As one of Africa’s biggest music stars, Davido’s wedding was a highly anticipated event, with fans and the media following every detail. The traditional wedding in Nigeria and a subsequent white wedding in Miami brought together a constellation of Nigerian and international celebrities, artists, politicians, and business moguls.
In contrast, the wedding of JP was a more private, yet equally opulent affair. While the guest list was not as publicly scrutinized as Davido’s, it was understood to be an exclusive gathering of the global elite. The event’s appeal was not in its widespread publicity but in its curated exclusivity, which made it the talk of those who appreciate a more “quiet luxury” approach to celebrations.
Fashion: The Unspoken Language of Opulence
Both couples made bold fashion statements, but in different ways. Davido and Chioma’s attire was a blend of traditional African regality and modern, high-fashion sensibilities. Their wedding outfits, crafted by renowned designers, were a testament to their status and cultural heritage.
JP 2025, on the other hand, was reportedly a showcase of understated elegance. While details remain scarce, reports and social media chatter suggest the fashion was less about public display and more about exceptional craftsmanship and high-end materials. The focus was on timeless design and a palette that exuded sophistication, appealing to a different aesthetic altogether.
Venue and Atmosphere
The choice of venue set a completely different tone for each wedding. “Chivido 2025” was a celebration of cultural pride and lavish hospitality, with the traditional wedding held in Lagos. The Miami white wedding brought an international flair, with pre-wedding parties and a star-studded reception.
JP 2025, with its reported location in an exotic, private setting, created an aura of mystery and serenity. The focus was less on a public party and more on an intimate, fairy-tale-like experience for the guests. The venue, with its breathtaking scenery and high-end amenities, was a backdrop for a more personal, exclusive celebration.
The Verdict
In the end, it’s impossible to declare a “winner” between the two weddings. Davido’s wedding was a masterclass in public celebration and cultural representation. It was a wedding for the people, a testament to the power of a celebrity’s love story to capture the hearts of millions. JP 2025, by contrast, was a quiet statement of immense wealth and personal style. It was a private dream brought to life, admired for its exclusivity and attention to detail.
Both events were a clear demonstration of how different people celebrate love and success in 2025. Whether you prefer the loud, joyful spectacle of a celebrity wedding or the discreet charm of a private, luxurious affair, one thing is certain: both JP and Davido gave us two of the most unforgettable weddings of the year.
Haruna Mohammed, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Deputy General Secretary, has refuted claims that the NPP’s withdrawal from the Tamale Central by-election was a political strategy aimed at getting the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to pull out of the Akwatia by-election.
The NPP man asserted that the NDC have already chosen their candidate for the Akwatia by-election, questioning the logic being made against the NPP for withdrawal from the Tamale Central by-election.
News Hub Creator2h
Brocade is a beautiful fabric known for its rich texture and detailed patterns. It often includes shiny threads like gold or silver, which give it a royal and elegant look. Brocade came from the Far East and is still popular today. Many women love brocade dresses because they combine tradition with modern fashion. These dresses are perfect for weddings, parties, and formal events.
1. A-Line Brocade Dress
This dress has a fitted top and a flared skirt. It suits most body types. The brocade fabric adds beauty and depth with its floral or geometric designs. It is great for weddings and evening parties.
2. Sheath Brocade Dress
This style is tight-fitting and shows off the body’s shape. It looks modern and classy. Brocade adds a rich look to this simple design. It is ideal for dinners and formal events.
3. Brocade Midi Dress
The midi dress ends below the knee or mid-calf. It is stylish and elegant. Brocade gives the dress structure and makes it stand out. You can wear it to weddings, parties, or date nights.
4. Brocade Maxi Dress
This long dress is perfect for big events. It can have a wide skirt or a mermaid shape. Brocade patterns make it look like art. Wear it to galas or fancy weddings.
5. Peplum Brocade Dress
This dress has a flare at the waist. It highlights the body’s shape and adds style. Brocade makes it look smart and fun. It is great for lunches or semi-formal events.
6. Brocade Ball Gown
This is the most dramatic style. It has a big skirt and rich patterns. It is perfect for pageants, grand weddings, or royal-themed parties.
Conclusion
Brocade dresses are beautiful and timeless. No matter the occasion, a brocade dress will make you look elegant and feel special.
Empress Gifty
Gospel musician Empress Gifty has made a startling revelation, claiming that a fellow gospel artist was responsible for her deportation during her first trip to the United Kingdom.
Speaking in a live TikTok session streamed on Tuesday, the “Watch Me” hitmaker recounted the humiliating ordeal, saying she had been invited to the UK by a colleague whose identity she declined to reveal.
According to Empress Gifty, the trouble began the moment she landed at a UK airport. Immigration officers asked her who she was visiting, and she confidently mentioned her host’s name. They then asked if she had spoken to the person before arriving. When she confirmed that she had, they instructed her to call the host.
“After calling her several times, the person refused to pick up my calls. The immigration officers also tried from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m., but my friend still did not answer,” Empress Gifty said.
She described being taken to a special holding room where “there were a lot of cameras” and strangers staring at her, as the hours dragged on. With no verification from her host, the immigration officers processed her deportation back to Ghana.
2019 P.V. Ansah Journalist of the Year at the 25th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, Samson Lardy Ayenini, has headlined the CoMSSAFest 2025.
The renowned Ghanaian legal practitioner and broadcast journalist will be addressing patrons of this year’s seminar under the theme: “The Role of Effective Communication in Deepening Our Democracy,” on August 14.
Other key speakers at the event include the Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Professor Stephen Jobson Mitchual; Dean of the School of Communication and Media Studies (SCMS), Prof. Albert Agbesi Wornyo; and the Patron of the Communication and Media Studies Students Association (CoMSSA), Professor Andy Ofori-Birikorang.
The event is being held at the School of Creative Arts (SCA) on the Central Campus of the UEW, with students from other faculties also in attendance.
According to the Planning Committee, led by the President of the Association, Stephen Zoure, this year’s event promises to be historic because of the variety of activities lined up compared to previous years.
“This festival is a tribute to your tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to shaping the future of communication in our society. It is because of your influence that we believe in the power of words to create change, foster understanding, and advance democratic principles.
As we participate in the events lined up over the next six days, let us recognise that we are part of something historic, something that will be remembered as a defining chapter in UEW’s history,” Zoure revealed in an interview.
Activities for this year’s festival include fun games, time with lecturers, and a dinner and awards night to recognise the contributions of members and alumni of the School of Communication and Media Studies (SCMS), which will mark its 20th anniversary in 2027.
A Justice of the Court of Appeal, who also served as Director of the Ghana School of Law, Justice Nana Barima Yaw Kodie Oppong, has been recalled to the judiciary to perform his duties as a judge fully.
Justice Oppong has therefore been directed by the Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, to hand over his position as Director of Legal Education to Professor Raymond Atuguba, a former Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law.
A letter dated August 8 this year, and signed by Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, indicated that Justice Oppong’s recall will take effect on September 1, with Prof Atuguba acting as Director of Legal Education until a substantive appointment is made.
“The Judiciary now requires your full services, so you are recalled from the position of Director of Legal Education with effect from 1st September 2025.
You are to hand over to Professor Raymond A. Atuguba, former Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law, who has been appointed Ag. Director of Legal Education of the General Legal Council while a search party is put in place for a permanent Director of Legal Education,” the letter from the Acting Chief Justice stated.
Meanwhile, Justice Oppong has expressed appreciation to students and staff of the Ghana School of Law for the cooperation he enjoyed during his three-year tenure as Director of the only institution that provides the professional law course in the country.
In a notice issued yesterday, Justice Oppong announced that his last working day as Director of Legal Education will be August 31, 2025.
“I had hoped to finish my full term or at least see through the current academic year and the forthcoming call to the bar ceremony for the final-year students. But sadly, that was not meant to be,” he stated.
The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union of the Trades Union Congress has urged local mining companies to place greater focus on workers’ welfare.
According to them, many local firms continue to lag behind foreign companies in critical areas such as employee care, which uplifts the country’s image in the international mining community.
Speaking at the union’s National Executive Council meeting on August 13, 2025, Deputy General Secretary of the union, Jerry Andy, warned that without urgent improvements, Ghana could face a crisis similar to the financial sector collapse, where weak governance led to the downfall of several institutions.
“The Union would therefore urge these local entities to be more attentive to workers’ wellbeing and welfare, and also institute high standards of accountability, comply with corporate governance rules and regulations, and respect international standards/best practices, to avert the unfortunate but avoidable situation we witnessed in the financial sector where some shareholders meddled in, and circumvented corporate governance rules that led to the collapse of many institutions denying innocent depositors their investments,” he said
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress, Joshua Ansah, has thrown his support behind the Union’s call, urging the government to expedite the review of the Labour Act to help address the ongoing disparities in the sector.
“The TUC Ghana is committed to supporting the Ghana Mines Workers Union in its efforts to improve working conditions, promote occupational health and safety, and advocate for the rights of miners. We will continue to work together to address the challenges facing the mining sector and to ensure that workers’ voices are heard.
“I therefore call on the President and the Minister responsible for Labour and Employment to facilitate and ensure that the review of the Labour Act is brought to a conclusion to give real meaning to labour relations matters in the country,” he said.
The union also took turns to commiserate with the government and the National Democratic Congress following the tragic military helicopter crash at Adansi Akrofuom that claimed eight lives, including five senior government officials.
The victims include, Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, former parliamentary candidate, Samuel Aboagye, and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman, Samuel Sarpong, 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.
Stonebwoy is a Ghanaian dancehall musician
Ghanaian dancehall musician, Stonebwoy, has got netizens talking following a comment he made about Shatta Wale and the recent controversies surrounding the seizure of his 2019 Lamborghini Urus by the EOCO.
In a video making waves on social media on August 14, 2025, Stonebwoy was seen in an interview with “The Fix”, noting that the seizure of Shatta Wale’s 2019 yellow Lamborghini Urus was no surprise to him.
The “Jejereje” singer explained that he had already hinted sometime ago in an interview that there is more to Shatta’s flashy lifestyle.
Shatta-EOCO Saga: Ranting on social media could make things worse – MC Portfolio
However, Stonebwoy’s utterances have since sparked mixed reactions on social media.
In a series of posts, some netizens criticised the BHIM Nation boss for making such statements on an international media platform.
According to a section of online users, his comments were totally unfounded and unnecessary.
A netizen noted, “We can have banter and disagreement at home, but to do that several times on international platforms? Wow! This is one thing I admire Shatta for.
Stonebwoy-1996120″>Shatta-EOCO Saga: I talked about his ‘settings’ lifestyle before things unfolded – Stonebwoy
“You’ll never hear him do that to his colleagues on international platforms, though he has issues and disagreements with them at home. Life goes on.”
Another stated, “I used to think he was real and pure, not, knowing his lyrics in his songs don’t correlate to his real moves in life, the hosts were even laughing and he couldn’t read their body languages and he kept on ranting and ranting I sense a bit of jealousy and envy bi towards Shatta.”
Read the reactions below:
I used to think he was real and pure not knowing his lyrics in his songs doesnt correlate to his real moves in life,the hosts were even laughing and he couldn’t read their body languages and he kept on ranting and ranting 😭🤦🏾♂️ i sense a bit of jealousy and envy bi towards Shatta
— 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (@Helimisss) August 13, 2025
We can have banter and disagreement at home but to do that several time on international platforms? Wow! This is one thing I admire Shatta for. You’ll never hear him do that to his colleagues on international platforms though he has issues and disagreements with them at home.…
— WKHKYD? (@profdublyn_zee) August 13, 2025
Check like the pple in the CS didn’t listen to the whole thing oo😂😂😂.
All Stonebwoy is trying to say is that there is so much he knows that if he brings it to the public, a lot of heads will spin. But looking at it, it’s not his place to say. That’s the response as he was…
— JodelHQ (@JodeIHQ) August 13, 2025
Eeiii Stonebwoy is really standing on business!
— Palago Mufasa (@Archipalago) August 13, 2025
JHM/EB
Watch as Ghana Armed Forces prepares to receive remains of 8 killed in helicopter crash:
All eight occupants were killed in the tragic crash
Samuel Sarpong Jnr, son of the late National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman, Dr Samuel Sarpong, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to take strong action against illegal mining popularly known as galamsey.
He made the appeal after laying flowers in honour of his late father and seven others who died in the Adansi helicopter crash at the Jubilee Gardens on Wednesday, August 14.
According to him, his father never supported galamsey and hence he hopes the President would work to eliminate the menace completely.
“Dr Samuel Sarpong never liked galamsey, so I hope President Mahama will work to eradicate it,” he said.
He reflected on his father’s legacy, describing him as a hero who dedicated his life to the nation.
Sarpong Jnr, who has been in the United States for the past five years, expressed sadness over the loss but expressed the hope that his father’s vision for Ghana would be realised.
AS/VPO
Meanwhile, watch below the trailer for GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures:
President Donald Trump’s administration wants to overhaul the nation’s visa programme for highly skilled foreign workers.
If the administration does what one official described, it would change H-1B visa rules to favour employers that pay higher wages. That could effectively transform the visa into what one expert called “a luxury work permit” and disadvantage early-career workers with smaller salaries, including teachers. It could also upend the current visa programme’s lottery system used to distribute visas to eligible foreign workers.
“This shift may prevent many employers, including small and midsize businesses, from hiring the talent they need in shortage occupations, ultimately reducing America’s global competitiveness,” said David Leopold, a former president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association whose practice includes representing employers in the H-1B process.
It’s hard to find US workers in certain types of specialty fields, including software engineers and developers and some STEM positions.
A White House office proposed the change on August 8, Bloomberg Law reported. Once the proposal appears in the Federal Register – the daily public report containing notices of proposed federal rule changes – the plan will become subject to a formal public comment period. It could be finalised within months, although it is likely to face legal challenges.
Joseph Edlow, the director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services, told The New York Times in July that H-1B visas should favour companies that plan to pay foreign workers higher wages. The proposal Bloomberg Law described was in line with that goal.
PolitiFact did not see a copy of the proposal, and the White House did not respond to our questions. But the Department of Homeland Security submitted the proposed rule to a Trump administration office in July, the Greenberg Traurig law firm wrote.
Trump sought to reform the H-1B program during his first term but made limited progress. In January 2021, near the end of Trump’s term, the Department of Homeland Security published a final rule similar to the current proposal, but the Biden administration did not implement it.
Work visas were not a central part of Trump’s 2024 immigration platform, but it was a point of debate in the weeks before he took office, with billionaire businessman Elon Musk – a megadonor to Trump who would briefly serve in his administration – speaking in favour of them.
The H-1B visa programme lets employers temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty fields, with about two-thirds working in computer-related jobs, according to the Congressional Research Service. Most H-1B visa holders come from India, followed by China.
Currently, prospective H-1B employers must attest that they will pay the H-1B worker actual wages paid to similar employees or the prevailing wages for that occupation – whichever would result in the highest pay.
To qualify for the non-immigrant visa, the employee must hold a specialised degree, license or training required by the occupation. The status is generally valid for up to three years and renewable for another three years, but it can be extended if the employer sponsors the worker for permanent residency, which includes permission to work and live in the US.
Leopold said that the proposed change goes beyond the law’s current wage mandate.
“This statutory mechanism is designed to prevent employers from paying H-1B workers less than their American counterparts, thereby protecting US workers from displacement,” Leopold said.
Congress caps new H-1B visas at 85,000 per fiscal year, including 20,000 for noncitizens who earned advanced degrees. The government approved 400,000 H-1B applications, including renewals, in 2024, according to the nonpartisan Pew Research Center.
Amazon has led the nation’s employers since 2020 in its number of H-1B workers, Pew found.
The New York metro area received more H-1B application approvals than any other metro area; College Station, Texas had the highest concentration of approvals.
Malcolm Goeschl, a San Francisco-based lawyer, said the rule will likely benefit tech companies, including many specialising in artificial intelligence. Such companies pay high salaries, including for entry-level positions. He said it will harm traditional tech companies’ programmes for new graduates.
“There will likely be plenty of lottery numbers available at the top of the prevailing wage scale, but very few or none at the bottom,” Goeschl said. “You may see young graduates shy away from the US labour market early on because of this. Or you could see companies just pay entry-level workers from other countries much higher salaries to get a chance in the lottery, leading to the perverse situation where the foreign workers are making a lot more money than similarly situated US workers.”
The prevailing wage requirements are designed to protect US jobs from being undercut by lower paid foreign workers.
David Bier, director of immigration studies at the libertarian Cato Institute, said the change would likely make it nearly impossible for recent immigrant college graduates, who tend to earn lower wages, to launch their careers in the United States on an H-1B visa.
“The short-term benefit would be the people who get selected are more productive, but the long-term cost might be to permanently redirect future skilled immigration to other countries,” Bier said. “It would also effectively prohibit the H-1B for many industries that rely on it. K-12 schools in rural areas seeking bilingual teachers, for instance, will have no chance under this system.”
Amid a nationwide teacher shortage, some school districts have hired H-1B visa holders, including smaller districts such as Jackson, Mississippi, and larger districts, including Dallas, Texas. Language immersion schools also often employ teachers from other countries using this visa programme.
The debate around H-1B visas does not neatly fall along partisan lines.
Proponents say the existing visa programme allows American employers to fill gaps, compete with other countries and recruit the “best minds”. Critics point to instances of fraud or abuse and say they favour policies that incentivise hiring Americans.
In December, high-profile Republicans debated the visa programme on social media.
MAGA influencer Laura Loomer denounced the programme and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon called it a “scam”. On the other side, billionaire Elon Musk, a former H-1B visa holder whose companies employ such visa holders, called for the programme’s reform but defended it as an important talent recruitment mechanism.
Trump sided with Musk.
“I have many H-1B visas on my properties,” Trump told the New York Post in late December. “I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great programme.”
Senator Bernie Sanders disputed Musk, saying corporations abuse the programme as a way to get richer and should recruit American workers first.
Such visa debates have continued.
When US Representative Greg Murphy, a urologist, argued on X August 8 that the visas “are critical for helping alleviate the severe physician shortage”, thousands replied. Christina Pushaw, a Republican who works for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, pushed back: “Why not figure out the causes of the domestic physician shortage and try to pass legislation to address those?”
Didi Dramani (middle) is optimistic about Hearts of Oak winning the 2025 Homowo Cup
Accra Hearts of Oak and Kpando Heart of Lions have promised fans excitement and entertainment ahead of the 2025 edition of the Gbese Mantse Homowo Charity Peace Cup on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Gbese Mantse Palace in Accra, coaches and captains of the competing clubs spoke about their readiness for the game on Sunday.
Hearts of Oak coach, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani said they will win the trophy to appease their supporters after losing the President’s Cup to rivals Asante Kotoko.
Hearts of Oak sue sports journalist and TV station for GH¢200,000 over defamation
“We are building a team with players who have a winning mentality. We are in and ready to challenge for every event,” he said.
Bashiru Hayford, coach of Heart of Lions also said they are coming for the ultimate on Sunday after losing the trophy last year.
“We are here again, and this time will be different because we started preparing a long time ago, and the boys want to win. It’s a very important match for us; we have other matches with Hearts, and we are glad to play with them.”
“We are here to grace the occasion and honor the Gbese Mantse to promote peace and unity. We are coming to make history. I have tasted this soup before, and I know how it feels. We are working underground, and we will shock Hearts of Oak; only two of our players have left,” Hayford indicated.
Watch how Kwasi Appiah’s Sudan thrashed Nigeria 4-0
According to Sammy Amin Addo, the chief organizer added that the match will be used to honor the eight deceased gallant heroes who crashed in a helicopter accident and the 16 children who died in a road accident.
Tinny, Jupiter, and Yaa Pono will entertain fans with their music before the game on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
Meanwhile, watch videos from the 31st Ordinary Congress of the GFA
The women at the community kitchen in the besieged Sudanese city of el-Fasher are sitting in huddles of desperation.
“Our children are dying before our eyes,” one of them tells the BBC.
“We don’t know what to do. They are innocent. They have nothing to do with the army or [its paramilitary rival] the Rapid Support Forces. Our suffering is worse than what you can imagine.”
Food is so scarce in el-Fasher that prices have soared to the point where money that used to cover a week’s worth of meals can now buy only one. International aid organisations have condemned the “calculated use of starvation as a weapon of war”.
The hunger crisis is compounded by a surge of cholera sweeping through the squalid camps of those displaced by the fighting.
The medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Thursday said Sudan is experiencing the worst cholera outbreak the country has seen in years, fuelled by the ongoing civil war. There have been nearly 100,000 cases and 2,470 deaths over the past year, it said, with the current epicentre near el-Fasher.
The BBC has obtained rare footage of people still trapped in the city, sent to us by a local activist and filmed by a freelance cameraman.
The Sudanese army has been battling the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for more than two years after their commanders jointly staged a coup, and then fell out.
El-Fasher, in the western Darfur region, is one of the most brutal frontlines in the conflict.
The paramilitaries tightened their 14-month blockade after losing control of the capital Khartoum earlier this year, and stepped up their battle for el-Fasher, the last foothold of the armed forces in Darfur. The fighting escalated this week into one of the most intense RSF attacks on the city yet.
In the north and centre of the country where the army has wrestled back territory from the RSF, food and medical aid have begun to make a dent in civilian suffering.
But the situation is desperate in the conflict zones of western and southern Sudan.
At the Matbakh-al-Khair communal kitchen in el-Fasher late last month, volunteers turned ambaz into a porridge. This is the residue of peanuts after the oil has been extracted, normally fed to animals.
Sometimes it is possible to find sorghum or millet but on the day of filming, the kitchen manager says: “There is no flour or bread.”
“Now we’ve reached the point of eating ambaz. May God relieve us of this calamity, there’s nothing left in the market to buy,” he adds.
The UN has amplified its appeal for a humanitarian pause to allow food convoys into the city, with its Sudan envoy Sheldon Yett once more demanding this week that the warring sides observe their obligations under international law.
The army has given clearance for the trucks to proceed but the UN is still waiting for official word from the paramilitary group.
RSF advisers have said they believed the truce would be used to facilitate the delivery of food and ammunition to the army’s “besieged militias” inside el-Fasher.
They have also claimed the paramilitary group and its allies were setting up “safe routes” for civilians to leave the city.
The RSF have issued a statement denying widespread allegations that it was targeting civilians in el-Fasher, claiming that local armed groups in the city were using civilians as human shields.
For residents of the city, the battle is to remain alive during bombardments and scrounge what food they can.
Local responders can receive some emergency cash via a digital banking system, but it does not go very far.
“The prices in the markets have exploded,” says Mathilde Vu, advocacy manager for the Norwegian Refugee Council.
“Today, $5,000 [£3,680] covers one meal for 1,500 people in a single day. Three months ago, the same amount could feed them for an entire week.”
Doctors say people are dying of malnutrition. It is impossible to know how many – one report quoting a regional health official put the number at more than 60 last week.
Hospitals cannot cope. Few are still operating. They have been damaged by shelling and are short of medical supplies to help both the starving, and those injured in the continual bombardment.
“We have many malnourished children admitted in hospital but unfortunately there is no single sachet of [therapeutic food],” says Dr Ibrahim Abdullah Khater, a paediatrician at the Al Saudi Hospital, noting that the five severely malnourished children currently in the ward also have medical complications.
“They are just waiting for their death,” he says.
When hunger crises hit, those who usually die first are the most vulnerable, the least healthy or those suffering from pre-existing conditions.
“The situation, it is so miserable, it is so catastrophic,” the doctor tells us in a voice message.
“The children of el-Fasher are dying on a daily basis due to lack of food, lack of medicine. Unfortunately, the international community is just watching.”
International non-governmental organisations working in Sudan issued an urgent statement this week declaring that “sustained attacks, obstruction of aid and targeting of critical infrastructure demonstrate a deliberate strategy to break the civilian population through hunger, fear, and exhaustion”.
They said that “anecdotal reports of recent food hoarding for military use add to the suffering of civilians”.
“There is no safe passage out of the city, with roads blocked and those attempting to flee facing attacks, taxation at checkpoints, community-based discrimination and death,” the organisations said.
Hundreds of thousands of people did flee in recent months, many from the Zamzam displaced persons camp at the edge of el-Fasher, seized by the RSF in April.
They arrive in Tawila, a town 60km (37 miles) west of the city, weak and dehydrated, with accounts of violence and extortion along the road from RSF-allied groups.
Life is safer in the crowded camps, but they are stalked by disease – most deadly of all: cholera, caused by polluted water. The outbreak is triggered by the destruction of water infrastructure and lack of food and medical care, and made worse by flooding due to the rainy season.
It is caused by polluted water and has killed hundreds in Sudan, triggered by the destruction of water infrastructure and lack of food and medical care, and made worse by flooding due to the rainy season.
Unlike el-Fasher, in Tawila aid workers at least have access, but their supplies are limited, says John Joseph Ocheibi, the on-site project coordinator for a group called The Alliance for International Medical Action.
“We have shortages in terms of [washing facilities], in terms of medical supplies, to be able to deal with this situation,” he tells the BBC. “We are mobilizing resources to see how best we can be able to respond.”
MSF’s project coordinator Sylvain Penicaud estimates there are only three litres of water per person per day in the camps, which, he says, is “way below the basic need, and forces people to get water from contaminated sources”.
Zubaida Ismail Ishaq is lying in the tent clinic. She is seven months pregnant, gaunt and exhausted. Her story is a tale of trauma told by many.
She tells us she used to trade when she had a little money, before fleeing el-Fasher.
Her husband was captured by armed men on the road to Tawila. Her daughter has a head injury.
Zubaida and her mother came down with cholera shortly after arriving in the camp.
“We drink water without boiling it,” she says. “We have no-one to get us water. Since coming here, I have nothing left.”
Back in el-Fasher we hear appeals for help from the women clustered at the soup kitchen – any kind of help.
“We’re exhausted. We want this siege lifted,” says Faiza Abkar Mohammed. “Even if they airdrop food, airdrop anything – we’re completely exhausted.”
LilWin and Emelia Brobbey and
Popular Kumawood actor LilWin has launched a fiery attack on actress and talk show host, Emelia Brobbey, accusing her of disrespect, hypocrisy, and deliberately attempting to tarnish his name.
The drama unfolded after Emelia’s latest episode of Okukuseku, which featured actress Sandra Ababio. The interview — meant to explore Sandra’s career and her professional ties to LilWin — took an unexpected turn when Emelia posed what LilWin deemed “useless questions,” including one about whether Sandra regretted working with him.
In a no-holds-barred TikTok Live, an irate LilWin said:
“You are sitting there talking down on me, asking useless questions about us. Trying to spoil my name. You’re a pretender!”
The Kumawood star went further, digging up an incident from years past. According to him, during a film shoot when Sandra was still a newcomer, Emelia had ordered Sandra out of a changing room, sparking a heated exchange.
“Sandra insulted her, and I had to calm her down. I told her there are seniors in the industry, so she should be calm,” he recounted.
LilWin didn’t stop there. He reminded Emelia of what he described as her long-standing contempt for him.
“When I started acting, you mocked me. Now you’re talking about my business?” he charged.
Positioning himself as a tireless professional, LilWin highlighted his current efforts to promote his latest film.
“I am travelling across the country. I’ve been in Sunyani, paying for things, trying to push this movie. Yet, you people will not see that one,” he said.
Ironically, Sandra Ababio’s own comments in the interview were largely complimentary, crediting LilWin for guiding her in both acting and real estate, and affirming that she would “choose the same journey again” if given the chance.
But LilWin’s outburst has now overshadowed her praise, throwing the spotlight on a bitter rift between two of Kumawood’s biggest names.
Member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communication Team, Dr. Ezekiel Agyekum-Obeng, has defended the Ghana Armed Forces’ (GAF) decision to collaborate with international experts in investigating the August 6 helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including three service members.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Thursday, August 14, Dr. Agyekum-Obeng stressed that the investigation should not only focus on what happened on the day of the tragedy but also on identifying and addressing potential lapses to prevent future occurrences.
“Foreign expertise and whatever needs to be part of the investigation, we need them because it goes beyond finding out what transpired on the day. One of the key issues is to learn from the possible lapses that occasioned the whole tragedy so that we can be better prepared for tomorrow, putting in the best contingency measures to curtail any future mishaps,” he said.
The GAF has already confirmed that the helicopter’s black box has been retrieved and is awaiting examination by experts, including the manufacturers, as part of the ongoing investigation.
The military’s handling of the aftermath has, however, faced public criticism after videos surfaced showing the victims’ remains being transported in COCOBOD-branded cocoa sacks instead of body bags. Addressing these concerns, the GAF dismissed claims that body bags were not available, explaining that they were present but could not be used “due to the condition of the bodies and the circumstances at the time.”
According to the military, the recovery operation following the crash was the fastest in Ghana’s history of helicopter crash responses.
The August 6 disaster claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah; Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong; and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed. The crew members who perished were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Dr. Agyekum-Obeng emphasised that the inclusion of foreign expertise in the investigation will help Ghana adopt best practices and improve preparedness in dealing with similar crises in the future.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to launch an uncompromising campaign to end illegal mining in Ghana, warning that the recent deaths of eight officials in a military helicopter crash must not be in vain.
The victims, including senior government ministers and security officers, were travelling to an event linked to the fight against illegal mining – known locally as galamsey – when their aircraft went down in the Ashanti Region on 6 August.
Ghana Women’s Premier League champions, Police Ladies, have been handed a tricky draw for the 2025 WAFU B Women’s Champions League Qualifiers.
The draw, which was conducted on Thursday morning, saw Police Ladies put in Group B, which is made up of four teams.
The Ghanaian champions will come up against Nigerian league champions, Bayelsa Queens FC, as part of their group stage games.
The Ghanaian champions will also come up against Association Sportive de La Kozah from Togo and Benin’s Sam Nelly.
Police Ladies are making their first appearance in the regional tournament after winning the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League title for the first time last season.
The WAFU B Women’s Champions League Qualifiers is scheduled to get underway on August 23 in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire.
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.
