Officials in a pose with some participants

The Reverend Father Dogli Memorial Technical Institute from the Oti Region has emerged as the overall winner of the Southern Sector STEM Plastic Waste Competition for Catholic Senior High Schools in Ghana.

Held in Accra on August 5, 2025, the competition brought together brilliant young minds to pitch creative solutions to Ghana’s growing plastic waste crisis.

Also in contention were St. Catherine Catholic Girls Senior High School, St. Michael Senior High School, St. Margaret Mary Senior High Technical School, and St. Gregory Senior High School.

St. Gregory Senior High School claimed second place in the highly competitive event.

Madam Berthy Buah, Regional STEM Coordinator at the Ghana Education Service, said STEM education is designed to empower students to be problem-solvers and environmental stewards.

She expressed optimism that such initiatives would inspire a deeper sense of responsibility among the youth.

“I am really impressed with these innovative minds; you can see that a lot of thinking has gone into this,” she said.

Organized by the Catholic Education Unit in collaboration with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) and other partners, the event provided a platform for students to develop sustainable innovations using plastic waste.

Students showcased a range of impressive products, including plastic greenhouses, raincoats, bricks, flower vases, umbrellas, bags, baskets, and decorative items, all made from repurposed plastic.

Dr. Joseph Agyapong Darmoe, Programmes Director at KAS, lauded the creativity on display, describing the innovations as “surprising.”

He emphasized the urgency of the plastic waste problem, pointing out that Ghana generates an estimated 840,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste annually, exceeding the country’s cocoa output.

“The rate at which plastic waste is polluting our oceans is frightening. This contest is a strong step toward encouraging the youth to find real, sustainable solutions,” Dr. Darmoe said.

Francis Batadjan, General Manager of Catholic Schools in Ghana, said the contest served as more than a competition; it was a “wake-up call” to rethink waste management practices.

He urged students to continue developing ideas that would benefit their communities and the nation at large.

Flags are flying at half-mast across Ghana.

Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among the dead. They were flying from Accra to the southern town of Obuasi when the crash happened, the presidency said.

“The president and government extend our condolences and sympathies to the families of our comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country,” said President John Mahama’s chief of staff, Julius Debrah.

Mahama is said to be feeling “down emotionally”.

Messages of condolence have also come from the African Union and the West African bloc Ecowas.

The Ghanaian Armed Forces said an investigation is underway to find out what caused the crash.

Few details

Local television station Joy News showed mobile phone footage of burning wreckage in thick forest.

The military said earlier on Wednesday that an air force Z9 helicopter had gone missing from radar. It had taken off from Accra just after 9:00 am local time and was heading northwest to Obuasi.

Media reports said the flight was linked to an event on illegal gold mining, a major environmental problem in Ghana.

Muhammed, 50, was due to attend UN talks in Geneva this week on a global treaty to tackle plastic pollution.

He was serving as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.

Boamah had been appointed as Defence Minister in January, shortly after Mahama took office.

Sahel countries navigate uncertainty following split from Ecowas bloc

Environment challenges   

Muhammed had been leading efforts to fight illegal gold mining. The practice has destroyed farmland and polluted rivers, and is threatening cocoa crops.

The issue featured heavily in last year’s election, which brought Mahama to power.

This year, the new government created the Ghana Gold Board and banned foreigners from the local gold trade. Both moves were seen as key parts of its crackdown.

The head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Inger Andersen, said Muhammed was a “committed environmentalist” and “deeply respected” across Africa and beyond.

She said he had recently been elected to the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Nairobi.

Ghana’s illegal mining crisis: environmental destruction, clashes, and calls for action

Regional tensions 

The crash is a blow for Ghana’s security at a time of rising tension near its northern border.

Also among the dead were Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Ghana’s deputy national security coordinator and former agriculture minister, and Samuel Sarpong, a senior figure in Mahama’s National Democratic Congress party.

Boamah had been leading Ghana’s defence efforts at a time of growing violence in Burkina Faso.

Ghana has so far avoided jihadist attacks, unlike neighbours Togo and Benin. But some experts have warned of weapons smuggling and fighters crossing the border from Burkina Faso.

In May, Boamah travelled to Ouagadougou to boost ties with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger – three military-led countries that recently quit Ecowas.

President Mahama has cancelled all official events for the rest of the week. The mourning period began on Thursday.

(with newswires)

“It’s a dream come true. LA – what a city,” said Son on Wednesday.

“If I’m honest, it was not my first choice. But the first call I had with [LAFC co-president] John [Thorrington] after my season finished, he changed my mind, changed my heart, my brain.

“He showed me the destination where I should be. Now I’m here, I’m more than happy, I’m so excited.”

In a club press release published earlier, Son was quoted as saying: “Los Angeles has such a rich history of champions, and I am here to help write the next chapter. I’m excited for this new challenge in MLS. I have come to LA to lift trophies and give everything for this club, this city, and its fans.”

Son joins an LAFC side currently sixth in the Western Conference and reunites with former Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris.

The Ghana Prisons Service has launched a forward-looking initiative that seeks to change the narrative of the country’s prisons from a place for punishment to a space of hope, healing, productivity and national relevance.

Dubbed “Think Prisons 360 Degrees” the initiative is aimed at being a guiding compass for the noble service in the coming years, seeks to make the Ghana Prisons Service a household name because the mission is not just about keeping people in safe custody, but also about bringing out the best out of them and in so doing, bringing out the best in prison officers.

The Director-General of Prisons, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, launched the programme at the Kumasi Central Prison during her three-day working visit to the Ashanti Region. 

Working visit

The launch took place after a Health Walk through the principal streets of Kumasi organised by the Prisons Service.

It attracted several dignitaries, including the Ashanti Regional minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, the Director of Prisons in charge of Agric, DOP Ali Kwaku Ababio, the Greater Accra Regional Commander, DDP Edward Fiifi Acquah, as well as the Ashanti Regional Commander, DDP James B. Mwinyele.

Also present were other high-ranking security personnel and officers in charge and officers drawn from the seven prison establishments in the Ashanti Region, namely the Kumasi Central and Kumasi Female Prisons, Manhyia Local Prison, Obuasi Local Prison, Ahinsan Camp Prison, Amanfrom and Ejura Camp Prisons.

Rationale, pillars

Explaining the rationale behind the initiative, the director-general of Ghana Prisons,  stated: “Think Prisons 360 degrees” initiative is a paradigm shift; it is one that envisions the prisons not only as a place of incarceration but also a space of hope, healing, productivity and national relevance.

“It is a comprehensive transformation anchored on 12 strategic points,” she emphasised.

Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie(ESQ) stated that the core pillars of the Think Prisons 360 Degrees would include rebranding, wealth creation, advocacy, welfare, agricultural mechanisation, modernisation and Industrialisation.

She said that while it will have the broader anchors, it would also be designed to suit the specific needs of the regions.

Working tour

As part of her working tour, Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie visited the Obuasi Local Prison, Ahinsan Settlement Camp Prison and the Amanfrom Camp Prison.

The visit to the prison facilities gave her a firsthand knowledge about activities, including security, agriculture, ongoing projects, conditions of service of officers and the welfare of inmates.

She also visited the Ejura Settlement Camp Prison, the Manhyia Local Prison, the Kumasi Female Prison, and the Kumasi Central Prison.

At all the facilities she and her entourage toured, Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie, the first female to rise through the ranks of the Prisons Service to assume the highest office of the service,  was welcomed with standard para-military quarter guards made up of both female and male contingents.

From his bold entrance into the music scene with ‘Meant to Be’ to his soulful follow-up from a month ago, ‘Midea (Mine),’ the rising Afropop star effortlessly gave fans their first taste of his stagecraft at last weekend’s diasporic event, Ghana Fest-NY 2025.

They say first impressions are everything–and on August 2, 2025, Tdooooo made his debut performance count. The Virginia-based star owned the stage, joining the likes of KiDi, Skrewfaze, and Fancy Gadam to celebrate Ghana’s rich culture through his breakout singles, ‘Meant to Be’ and ‘Midea (Mine),’ at Bronx’s Crotona Park.

Fueled by a roaring crowd that sang along, the event was the perfect launchpad for the new kid on the block to leave another mark. Speaking to the media, Tdooooo shared: “The feeling was exceptional! I’m thankful to God for being here. Big thanks to my family, my manager, team, organizers for the opportunity, and the amazing Africans in New York.”

He added, “Meeting some of the motherland’s influential personalities was refreshing. I had valuable conversations with Obaa Cee and Skrewfaze that were nothing but wholesome and respectful. I learned a lot and felt the love. I was told I knocked it out of the park with my performance. I believe this is the industry for me. You know the hype is real when the crowd wishes you had performed longer, and I am ready to show the world who Tdooooo is.”

As Tdooooo continues to establish a lasting presence in the industry while amassing a loyal fan base, the future looks brighter than ever. His debut performance at Ghana Fest-NY 2025 was more than a first impression—it was a vivid display of ambition, firmly positioning him in conversations around Afropop’s next wave of hitmakers. Are you ready for his next release? Stream his latest, ‘Midea (Mine)’ here: https://ditto.fm/midea-mine

Ghana Fest-NY 2025 is the 16th annual public installation and celebration of Ghanaian heritage for both visitors and inhabitants of New York City. It is a family-friendly event that showcases the best of Ghanaian and African culture, including music, dance, art, food, and beautiful regalia.

Small and Medium En­terprises (SMEs) have been encouraged to adopt robust and consistent record-keeping practices as a cornerstone for business sustainability, financial credibility and access to funding.

Speaking during the 6th edi­tion of the Access Bank–Deloitte SME Business Interaction Series, held here on Tuesday, Gilbert Yirenkyi Addo, Associate Direc­tor at Deloitte Ghana, described poor record-keeping as a major barrier hindering the financial development of many SMEs.

According to him, most businesses were unable to present credible financial statements and documents that were crucial not only for sound business deci­sion-making but also for demon­strating financial credibility to lenders and investors.

The event was attended by key stakeholders in the SME ecosystem to discuss practical solutions for improving business resilience and growth.

“Maintaining accurate records forms the foundation for reliable financial documentation,” Mr Addo emphasised.

He said “Many SMEs fail to meet the basic requirements for accessing loans, often due to poor financial documentation, and this forces them to rely on high-cost credits that ultimately impede their growth and expan­sion.”

He further explained that proper records were essential in determining actual income and expenses, which were key in cal­culating a business’s tax liability.

“Without records, you may understate income, which can lead to penalties, or overstate income and pay more tax than necessary,” he added, stressing the importance of transparent bookkeeping.

Speaking to The Ghana­ian Times at the event, Pascal Akanlu, Zonal Head for Business Banking at Access Bank Ghana, reiterated the bank’s unwavering commitment to supporting SMEs with a combination of capaci­ty-building, financial education and flexible financing solutions.

“Access Bank continues to empower SMEs through a robust series of training initiatives, digi­tal literacy programs, and tailored financial support, positioning them as key drivers of economic growth and resilience,” Mr Akan­lu stated.

He noted that the bank’s SME strategy extended beyond financial access and included advisory services and capacity building designed to strengthen the competitiveness and long-term sustainability of businesses across various sectors.

The event which gathered about 300 participants, formed part of the broader SME Busi­ness Interaction Series, jointly organized by Access Bank Ghana and Deloitte Ghana, aimed at equipping small businesses with the skills, knowledge and resourc­es needed to thrive in today’s challenging economic environ­ment.

Previous editions of the series in Tamale, Koforidua, Ho and Kumasi have covered themes such as risk management, busi­ness planning, tax compliance, and sustainability.

FROM KEN AFEDZI, TEMA