The future will not wait – Julius Debrah to Ghana Civil Service
Apostle Prof Opoku Onyinah slams ‘100% lies’ about National Cathedral project
Apostle Prof Opoku Onyinah, a former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost
Apostle Prof Opoku Onyinah, a former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost and Chairman of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, has expressed concern over what he describes as “absolute lies” being spread about the National Cathedral project.
In an interactive session with some church leaders, Apostle Onyinah recounted his ministry experiences and the challenges he faced in initiating major church projects, noting that criticism and opposition are not new in the work of God.
He revealed that, just as he faced opposition when establishing the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) during his tenure as a leader of the Church of Pentecost, similar and even worse falsehoods are now being circulated about the National Cathedral.
“Some of them were very, very disturbing. I mean, especially those that are absolute lies. Some people try to tell complete lies, as they are talking about the Cathedral, and some comments are 100% lies about these things,” he lamented.
Apostle Onyinah stressed that his focus remains on fulfilling what he believes to be God’s will, regardless of opposition or misinformation.
“I said, No, I need to pursue what God wants us to do. So, I look forward to the Lord who has told me and who wants to do something, and I believe that at least the will of God will be done,” he added.
The former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost shared these sentiments while narrating how the idea of PIWC was born out of the need to accommodate young people returning from tertiary institutions who felt disconnected from traditional church services.
According to him, despite early criticism, the PIWC has grown into a significant arm of the church, showing that challenges are a natural part of executing divine assignments.
Meanwhile, following a scathing audit report, President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the dissolution of the National Cathedral Secretariat and initiated legal processes to disband its Board of Trustees.
The directives were announced by Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who stated that the Secretariat was dissolved as of May 1, 2025.
The action follows a Deloitte and Touche audit of the National Cathedral Secretariat’s operations from 2021 to 2023, which uncovered a litany of financial irregularities, procurement breaches, and a “general lack of due process.”
The minister said the findings “rock the very foundation of the project and the work of the Secretariat and raise serious questions about the use of public funds.”
Beyond the immediate dissolutions, the government is taking further steps to address the pervasive issues. The full Deloitte and Touche audit report will be published to ensure transparency, the minister stated.
The Auditor-General has been requested to commission a comprehensive forensic audit into the operations.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice is tasked with taking legal steps to lawfully terminate the contract for the National Cathedral project, a measure aimed at “preventing further costs and losses to the state.”
The minister affirmed that “decisive action will be taken regarding any impropriety determined and the future of the project itself” once the forensic audit is complete.
AM/SEA
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
Your Thorne Is Made of Cardboard – Agya Koo Tells Lilwin For Claiming He Is King of Ghana Movies
In a surprising twist in the world of Ghanaian cinema, according to a report by Ghbase News, veteran actor Agya Koo has taken aim at fellow actor Lilwin following the latter’s bold proclamation of himself as the “King of Ghana Movies” and the “President of African Movies.”
This declaration, made on social media, has sparked a lively debate among fans and industry insiders alike, but Agya Koo’s response has stolen the spotlight, hinting at a brewing rivalry that could reshape the landscape of Ghanaian film.
Agya Koo, a prominent figure in the industry known for his impactful performances and contributions over the years, did not hold back in his critique. With a cryptic yet pointed post, he remarked, “Wow, the king of the movie industry paa? Must be a throne made of cardboard.
True greatness is shown through deeds, not just claims. Indeed, empty vessels make the most noise.” His words, dripping with sarcasm, resonate with many who believe that accolades should be earned through tangible accomplishments rather than self-appointed titles.
The exchange has ignited a firestorm of reactions across social media platforms, with fans passionately weighing in on the ongoing debate. Some supporters of Agya Koo argue that his extensive body of work and dedication to the craft make him a more legitimate contender for the title of king.
On the other hand, Lilwin has cultivated a significant following, particularly among younger audiences, and his claim has garnered attention, perhaps reflecting a generational shift in the industry.
Adding fuel to the fire, Agya Koo teased his audience with a hint of a comeback, stating, “I haven’t started anything yet oo… I need to come back like I never left.
I was just warming up.” This cryptic message has left fans buzzing with anticipation. Could Agya Koo be planning to return to the screen in a big way, reigniting his career and possibly challenging Lilwin’s newfound status?
As the tension builds, the question arises: what does it mean to be the “king” in the Ghanaian film industry? Is it about box office success, critical acclaim, or the ability to connect with audiences?
The ongoing rivalry between Agya Koo and Lilwin may reflect deeper questions about legacy, influence, and the future of Ghanaian cinema.
Industry insiders are watching closely as this drama unfolds. With both actors having considerable fan bases, their rivalry could potentially lead to a significant shift in viewer preferences and industry dynamics.
Collaborations or confrontations could emerge, each actor vying to prove their dominance in a field that has seen its share of ups and downs.
As the movie kingship battle heats up, fans can only speculate what lies ahead. Will Agya Koo make a triumphant return to the screen, or will Lilwin solidify his claim to the throne through new projects and performances?
One thing is certain: the Ghanaian film industry is in for an exciting chapter, and audiences are eager to see how this rivalry will unfold. The stage is set; let the games begin!
Daddy Lumba Serenades Seniors at Jubilee House
Mahama’s Emotional Final Republic Day: Daddy Lumba Serenades Seniors at Jubilee House
News Hub Creator9h
In a heartfelt tribute to Ghana’s senior citizens, former President John Dramani Mahama marked his final Republic Day in office with an emotional celebration at the Jubilee House on July 1st. The occasion, steeped in national pride and reflective grace, brought together some of Ghana’s most revered elders, cultural icons, and former statesmen — all in honor of the generations who laid the foundation of the nation’s republic.
The evening was made even more memorable by a moving performance from highlife legend Daddy Lumba, whose music stirred nostalgia and joy among the audience. His presence added a deeply personal and cultural layer to the event, underlining the connection between music, memory, and national identity.
President Mahama, delivering a short but poignant address, paid tribute to the role of senior citizens in Ghana’s development. “We owe much of our national identity and stability to the wisdom and resilience of our senior citizens,” he said, receiving warm applause. He emphasized the responsibility of the current generation to preserve Ghana’s legacy and ensure that future generations understand and honor the sacrifices made by those who came before.
The highlight of the night came when Daddy Lumba stepped onto the stage, delivering renditions of classics like Theresa and Aben Wo Ha. As he sang, many in the crowd were visibly moved — some smiling through tears, others clapping and singing along, lost in memories.
“It wasn’t just a performance,” one guest commented. “It was a tribute to a whole generation — and a fitting farewell to a president who has always valued tradition and culture.
Source
Moment stage collapsed while Ola or Lagos was giving his speech in Abia
A viral video shows the shocking moment a stage collapses while popular car promoter, Ola of Lagos was giving his speech at an event in Abia state.
The notable car influencer had recently attended a function in the Eastern region during which he addressed the masses who gathered before him.
Hypocrites; Stop Pretending That You Love Daddy Lumba
Hypocrites; Stop Pretending That You Love Daddy Lumba – Ajagurajah Speaks Again
News Hub Creator19min
Prophet Asiamah who is famously known as Ajagurajah has reacted to the demise of the popular Ghanaian Musician known as Daddy Lumba. Speaking on social media on Sunday, 27th July, 2025, Prophets Ajagurajah revealed that Ghanaians are hypocrites.
According to Prophet Ajagurajah, some Ghanaians are now showing love to Daddy Lumba because he is now dead. However, when Daddy Lumba was alive, several people do not like him. Prophet Ajagurajah warned Ghanaians to stop shedding crocodile tears over Daddy Lumba’s death.
” Stop the hypocrisy immediately. Ghanaians don’t love Daddy Lumba but they are pretending that they loved him”. – Prophets Ajagurajah stated on his official Facebook page share across the internet.
Daddy Lumba is a Ghanaian music legend, considered the greatest Ghanaian musician of all time. His full name is Charles Kwadwo Fosuh, he’s known for his highlife music and impressive discography of over 34 albums. Charles Kwadwo Fosuh has won several awards in Ghana as a result of his good works in the music industry.
Charles Kwadwo Fosuh (Daddy Lumba) released his first album titled”Obi Ate Meso Buo” in 1990, and was honored with numerous awards, including three Ghana Music Awards titles in 1999. Enduring impact on Ghanaian music, inspiring artists like Ofori Amponsah and Sarkodie.
He is married married to Akosua. Daddy Lumba’s net worth is estimated to be $12 million. He has been featured by most musicians in Ghana to be in their songs. He is a legend.
Use the link to watch the video provided below.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1936QmZG92/
IGP visits Asawase after killings – Orders thorough search of vehicles
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has ordered security personnel deployed to various checkpoints within Asawase to thoroughly search vehicles including tricycles to foil any intended attacks in the area.
With the Regional Security Council’s (REGSEC’s) ban on motorbikes after 7 p.m. following the killing of two people on separate occasions last week, he said violent elements might resort to the use of tricycles and other vehicles to carry out their criminal activities.
“If they realise that one strategy is not working, especially after the ban on the use of motorbikes, they will resort to tricycles and other vehicles to outsmart security personnel to undertake their nefarious acts,” he said.
Fact-finding visit
Mr Yohuno made the remarks when he led some members of the Police Management Board (POMAG) on a fact-finding visit to Asawase in the Ashanti Region last Saturday, following the recent killings.
The team visited the two scenes where the people were killed and the various checkpoints set up within the area after the killings to engage with officers and community members.
The visit was also to assure the people of their continuous safety despite the killing incidents.
Naa Abdul-Malik Azenbe, the Kusasi Chief in the Ashanti Region, was shot dead at the Kumasi suburb by unknown assailants who reportedly attacked him on the night of Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Until his death, the chief also served as the Kaadi Divisional Area Chief in the Binduri District of the Upper East Region.
According to some eyewitnesses, the unidentified gunmen, each on a motorbike, approached the chief and shot him at close range before fleeing the scene.
Last Friday, another man was shot dead in broad daylight at Sabon Zongo, also in Asawase, marking the second fatal shooting in the area within a week by unknown assailants riding motorbikes.
The assailants shot the yet-to-be-identified man just as he was about to enter his vehicle, near OTEC FM in Sabon Zongo, close to the Manhyia roundabout.
No arrests have been made so far.
No stone unturned
The IGP urged the officers to leave no stone unturned, and instructed them to thoroughly search motorbikes to prevent the transfer of weapons within the area.
“You can realise that one of the killings occurred during the night after 8 p.m., and the other in broad daylight. This shows you that anything can happen at any time, and, therefore, you must be vigilant at all times,” Mr Yohuno told the officers.
He urged the personnel to maintain a high level of agility at all times to prevent any attack on unsuspecting members of the public, emphasising that there must be zero tolerance for the use of weapons against the personnel.
While commending the officers on the grounds for their efforts, Mr Yohuno assured the residents that the police administration was committed to ensuring that Asawase and Kumasi remained safe so that people could go about their activities without fear.
“We will not allow criminal elements to destabilise the peace in the region as such a situation tends to scare people away, especially investors, from coming into the region to do business,” he said.
REGSEC’s ban
The Ashanti REGSEC banned motorbikes after 7:00 p.m. and suspended an inter-tribal football competition following the incidents.
At its emergency meeting held on Wednesday, July 24, 2025, the REGSEC banned the riding of unlicensed motorbikes or those without functioning lights.
Additionally, REGSEC has deployed joint police and military patrols to hotspots to ensure peace and safeguard lives and property.
“The REGSEC assures the general public of the government’s unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order and fostering a peaceful society.
All necessary measures are being implemented to bring the perpetrators of this heinous acts to justice,” the statements signed by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, said.
Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh.
LynneX Ventures, Jamaican reggae artiste turns music into mission with global child advocacy push
LynneX Ventures (LXV), a dynamic force in global arts, culture, entertainment, wellness, and community development, is making significant strides in promoting sustainable initiatives across continents.
Under the visionary leadership of its Founder and CEO, Miss Cynthia Raymond, the organization has combined entertainment and advocacy to effect real change—particularly for children in underserved communities.
In a remarkable fusion of music and mission, LXV has partnered with celebrated Jamaican reggae artiste Hezron Clarke also known by his African name as Kwame Bonsu, embarking on a series of impactful projects and international tours aimed at cultural exchange, unity, and humanitarian support.
A Reggae Journey to Africa.
In 2023, LynneX Ventures proudly facilitated Hezron Clarke’s inaugural visit to Africa, specifically Ghana, marking a poignant return to his ancestral roots. The fully financed tour by Cynthia Raymond was not just a musical milestone, it was a powerful reconnection to heritage.
During the tour, Hezron met with some of the most respected and revered figures in Ghana, including His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the King of the Ashanti Kingdom, and Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, Ghana’s National Chief Imam. These historic encounters symbolized the bridging of cultures and the shared values of peace, unity, and heritage.
West Africa Tour: “Man on a Mission”
In 2024, LXV expanded its vision, sponsoring Hezron Clarke’s largest African music tour yet, dubbed the “Man on a Mission West African Tour.” The journey took the reggae icon through Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire, drawing diverse audiences and promoting African unity through music.
But the tour was more than a concert series it was a platform for outreach. Cynthia Raymond and Hezron visited an orphanage in Cape Coast, in Ghana’s Central Region, where they donated essential food items, beverages, and funds to support the children. This heartfelt act marked the genesis of Cynthia Raymond’s passion project: The “Save the Children” Campaign.
Award recognition: Presidential Lifetime Achievement awards.
Miss Cynthia Raymond was awarded the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award by the White House, recognizing her exceptional commitment and over 500 hours of impactful volunteer service.
Presented under the auspices of AmeriCorps and the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, the award honors individuals whose dedication to community service fosters both national and international goodwill.
In October 2024, during the 3G Media Awards Night in Bronx, New York, by certifying agency Mac/Ban Arts. Miss Raymond received a signed formal congratulatory letter and an honorary pin from President Joseph R. Biden, symbolizing her outstanding contributions.
Miss Raymond was recognized for her unwavering self-dedication, tireless work ethic, and deep compassion for children. Her service has touched countless lives and continues to inspire meaningful change in communities both locally and globally.
The Birth of a Global Campaign: “Save the Children”
Inspired by Hezron’s deeply moving song “Save the Children,” the campaign seeks to secure a brighter future for vulnerable children worldwide. The song’s message resonated so profoundly with Cynthia that she adopted its title and spirit to lead her global philanthropic drive.
“The aim is to give every child regardless of circumstance a chance at life, joy, and opportunity,” said Cynthia. “We’re using music not just to entertain but to educate and uplift.”
Canada Tour: Music Meets Mission.
In 2025, LXV continued its unwavering support, backing Hezron’s ongoing journey—this time to North America for the “Man on a Mission Canada Tour.” The highlight came during the Vancouver Reggae Soundsplash, where Cynthia Raymond personally attended.
At the event, Hezron’s emotional performance of “Save the Children” brought tears to many including Cynthia, when he was joined on stage by children, including a young girl with a disability. The powerful moment, captured in the smiles of the children and the love shared by the audience, became a defining image of the campaign.
A Call to Action: Join the Mission.
Motivated by the joy on the little girl’s face, Cynthia made a heartfelt vow:
“I’m going to make sure every child is as happy as this little girl,” she whispered to herself through tears.
Today, LynneX Ventures is calling on individuals, institutions, corporate bodies, nonprofits, and philanthropists across the world to join the “Save the Children” campaign.
The initiative aims to reach more children with food, education, health care, and emotional support—empowering them with the hope and happiness they deserve.
“Our mission is to elevate individuals and communities to achieve their full potential, ensuring each voice is heard and talents recognized on a global stage. Through LXV, we commit to bridging gaps, nurturing environments, promoting a healthier and a more inclusive world.”
Bank of Ghana’s MPC begins review of economy today to guide policy direction
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Ghana begins its 125th regular meeting today, Monday, July 28, to review recent macroeconomic developments and assess the country’s economic outlook.
The three-day meeting will focus on evaluating key economic indicators such as inflation trends, exchange rate movements, and the overall stability of the financial sector.
At its previous meeting, the Bank maintained the policy rate at 28%, a decision Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama described as a cautious stance in light of lingering inflationary pressures despite notable improvements in currency stability and broader macroeconomic performance.
Market analysts and financial observers are closely watching this week’s meeting, especially after the MPC held an emergency session on Thursday, July 17.
Following that meeting, the Committee stated that confidence in Ghana’s economy is returning, with inflation expectations broadly anchored and external buffers significantly strengthened.
The MPC’s deliberations will culminate in a press conference scheduled for Wednesday, July 30, where the Committee is expected to announce its policy rate decision and provide insights into the Bank’s outlook on macroeconomic conditions.
The Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), which serves as the benchmark interest rate for commercial banks, is a critical tool used by the Bank to steer inflation and support economic stability.
Any decision to adjust the rate could have implications for borrowing costs, investment decisions, and consumer prices.
“To Avoid Embarrassment, I’m Out” – Patrick Boamah Explains Exit from Observer Role
In a memo dated July 23, 2025, and addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, Boamah explained that his withdrawal followed consultations with the Pan-African Parliament Secretariat.
According to him, his findings revealed that observers are not allowed to actively participate in plenary sessions or committee meetings unless specifically invited.
This, he stated, restricts his ability to make meaningful contributions.
“Observers are not permitted to participate in plenary sitting or committee meeting. Observers are only permitted to attend upon meeting,” he wrote.
Boamah emphasized that his inclusion in the delegation was justified under the existing formula that allocates representation between the Majority and Minority in Parliament.
He argued that the same 68:32 ratio used in forming the ECOWAS Parliament delegation was applied in this instance, granting the Minority Caucus two slots.
Despite this entitlement, he maintained that his decision was necessary to uphold the dignity of Ghana’s Parliament.
He said he chose to withdraw “to avoid any potential embarrassment to the Parliament of Ghana and Ghanaians as a whole.”
Parliament had recently reconstituted Ghana’s delegation to the Pan-African Parliament, naming First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor as head.
Other members include Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Collins Dauda, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, and Frank Annoh-Dompreh. Boamah had been assigned the role of observer, which he has now declined.
Political agendas prolonging Bawku unrest – Antwi-Danso claims
Renowned expert in security and international relations, Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, has identified political interference as a significant factor perpetuating the protracted conflict in Bawku, warning that military deployments alone will not yield lasting peace unless these underlying political dynamics are addressed.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on Sunday, July 27, Dr Antwi-Danso argued that the government’s current strategy of deploying security personnel to the area constitutes a temporary fix, rather than a sustainable solution to the crisis.
According to him, there are multiple layers sustaining the conflict, which must be carefully dismantled.
“Military presence, police presence in their numbers will not solve the problem,” he asserted.
“There are several pillars propping up the conflict. It could be history that has not been properly related and we’re adding on and twisting history. It may be the media—the way we handle it. It may be the people themselves or intra-community miscommunication. It could be politics.”
Dr Antwi-Danso was particularly unequivocal in pointing to politics as a major contributor: “In the Bawku case, politics is one of the greatest beams supporting the conflict,” he said.
He cautioned that until these ‘beams’ are removed, security interventions would amount to no more than temporary reprieve.
“So until you remove these props one by one for the conflict triangle to fall, you have done nothing. So using the military often is only a stopgap,” he emphasised.
His remarks come amid renewed violence in Bawku, which has prompted the imposition of curfews by government authorities and the evacuation of students from volatile areas.
The latest unrest is widely believed to stem from the region’s enduring chieftaincy dispute.
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.
Bawku SHS shut down after the fatal shooting of a final-year student
Bawku Municipal Director of Education has ordered the temporary closure of the school
The Bawku Senior High School has been temporarily closed by the Municipal Education Directorate following a deadly shooting incident involving a final-year student, Hakim Kundima, on the school’s premises, according to a citinewsroom.com report.
The incident happened on the evening of Saturday, July 26, 2025, at approximately 8:30 P.M.
Unknown gunmen are said to have scaled the school’s perimeter wall, invaded the dormitory, and forcefully removed the student before shooting him outside in what appears to be a deliberate and targeted attack.
The assailants escaped immediately after the shooting. No arrests have been made as of the latest updates.
Tahiru Kundima, the victim’s elder brother, confirmed the death to the media and revealed that the Bawku Divisional Police Commander personally transported Hakim’s body to the family.
He further suggested that the incident may be linked to the protracted conflict in the Bawku area, known for recurring episodes of violence.
In response to the incident, the Bawku Municipal Director of Education, Isaac Agbeko Azasoo, ordered the temporary closure of the school on Sunday, July 27, citing concerns over the safety and security of students and staff.
This tragic event coincided with another violent episode at Nalerigu Senior High School, where two students were also shot dead by unknown attackers on the same night.
These incidents have raised widespread alarm over student safety in the region’s secondary schools.
AM/SEA
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
Kenpong Football Academy grabs Sudan’s U-23 coach
Coach, Aleksandar Jović.
To bolster the technical expertise of the Kenpong Football Academy and strengthen its already formidable technical team, the academy’s owner, Kennedy Agyapong (Kenpong), has recruited the highly skilled Serbian coach, Aleksandar Jović.
Jović, currently the head coach of the Sudanese Under-23 team, has joined Kenpong Football Academy on a two-year contract, bringing his extensive experience to the team.
The 25-year-old’s comprehensive resume includes serving as the technical director of SRF Academy, coordinator of international development for Clube Operário Desportivo, head coach of Eleven Stars Sports, and head coach of Tunaruz Sports, among other roles.
Sources indicate that Jović will serve as a part-time member of the technical staff while retaining his role with the Sudanese Football Association.
Jović’s appointment comes on the back of a meeting with Kenpong during one his trips to Europe where the Jović wowed him with his tactical acumen and exceptional ability to identify and nurture talent.
In a phone interview, Jovic said he was thrilled to be joining Kenpong Football Academy, explaining that the decision to come on board was an easy one as he shares in the vision and mission of Kenpong Football Academy.
On expectations, Jovic said that he has come to promote discipline , professionalism and incredible work ethic among the players. He stated that his main job would be getting the players to be ready for the European market.
He stated that his special journey in the world football as one of the youngest professional coaches every if not the youngest has exposed him to so many novel experiences and ideas which he intends to bring to Kenpong Football Academy
He was particularly impressed with the infrastructure projects at the academy, touting is world class and one befitting of major European football academies.
In addition to his role at Kenpong, Jović serves as a coach at the SRF Academy (Serbian Real Football Academy) in Portugal. He is expected to leverage his extensive international network to create opportunities for Kenpong Football Academy players in countries such as Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Mozambique, and Brazil.
His arrival underscores Kenpong’s commitment to ensuring that academy players receive guidance from top-tier technical experts, fostering their holistic development both as athletes and individuals.
In recent years, Kenpong’s substantial investment in the academy has begun to yield significant results, with players securing lucrative contracts with clubs in Norway, France, Spain, and other countries.
Kenpong’s instrumentality, hard work and investment has been very critical in the advancement of the academy which is fast becoming the most prestigious football academy in Ghana.
Andy Dosty Clears the Air”
Glory Be to God—Daddy Lumba Is Alive, Fit, and Strong: Andy Dosty Clears the Air”
News Hub Creator9h
Ghanaian highlife icon Daddy Lumba is alive and well, despite false reports of his death that circulated widely on social media on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The unfounded rumor, which lacked any credible source, quickly sparked panic and sorrow among fans, musicians, and cultural figures both in Ghana and abroad. As tributes and nostalgic posts flooded online platforms, many were emotionally affected by what they believed to be the loss of a national treasure.
The misinformation was promptly addressed by veteran broadcaster Andy Dosty, who reassured the public during his morning show on Hitz FM. With confidence rooted in his close relationship with Daddy Lumba, Dosty stated emphatically that the musician is alive and urged listeners to disregard the false news. His timely intervention played a key role in calming public anxiety and refocusing attention on the importance of verifying information before sharing it.
This isn’t the first time Daddy Lumba has been targeted by death hoaxes, often surfacing during periods of low public activity. Despite these occasional rumors, his influence on Ghanaian music remains unmatched. With classic hits like Aben Wo Ha and Yentie Obiaa, Daddy Lumba’s legacy continues to shape the country’s highlife genre. Though he now leads a quieter life away from the spotlight, his presence is still deeply felt across generations of music lovers.
Source: Yen
https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/andy-dosty-trashes-daddy-lumbas-death-rumours-shares-health-update/ar-AA1JkXrs
NPP reinstates all suspended members
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced the immediate reinstatement of all members who were previously suspended, with the exception of individuals whose memberships have been forfeited in accordance with the party’s constitution.
The decision forms part of a wider reconciliation and reorganisation drive aimed at strengthening party unity ahead of the upcoming Akwatia by-election scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
Stunning and Elegant Lace Outfit Styles Every Woman Should Try
Lace outfits have long been a symbol of elegance, femininity, and sophistication. Whether used in full or as a beautiful accent, lace adds a soft, romantic touch to any outfit. From weddings and formal gatherings to church services and casual outings, lace styles are versatile and timeless, making them a must-have in every woman’s wardrobe.
One of the most popular lace outfit choices is the lace gown. These can be floor-length and dramatic for weddings or evening events, or designed as midi or knee-length dresses for semi-formal occasions. Off-shoulder lace gowns, high-neck styles, and corset-bodied gowns are especially trendy, offering both class and modern appeal.
Lace tops paired with skirts or trousers also make a great style statement. A sheer lace blouse over a camisole, combined with a pencil skirt or wide-leg pants, creates a look that’s perfect for church, office, or formal dinners. Layered lace designs or those with peplum cuts enhance curves and add flair.
Ankara and lace combinations are another trend to love. Many modern African styles now mix vibrant Ankara prints with soft lace sleeves, bodices, or trims creating a rich cultural and fashionable blend perfect for traditional occasions.
When it comes to colors, soft tones like white, cream, blush pink, navy blue, and burgundy bring out the delicate beauty of lace. However, bold black lace outfits are timeless and striking, ideal for evening events and parties.
Lace never goes out of style. With the right design and accessories, lace outfits can make you feel graceful, confident, and effortlessly chic.
T-Bill auction oversubscribed by 96% as yields decline across all tenors
Government recorded another strong performance in its latest T-bill auction, with investor demand surging by 96 percent above target.
This was amid declining yields on short-term government securities.
According to data from the Bank of Ghana, government sought to raise GHS 7.70 billion but accepted GHS 15.16 billion in bids marking the second consecutive oversubscription in recent weeks.
Breakdown of the results showed that out of GHS 13.43 billion tendered for the 91-day bill, GHS 5.07 billion was accepted.
For the 182-day bill, GHS 5.72 billion was taken from GHS 8.71 billion in bids, while the 364-day bill recorded GHS 4.35 billion in accepted bids from a total of GHS 5.94 billion.
Yields across all three instruments declined.
The 91-day yield dropped by 289 basis points to 10.83 percent.
The 182-day fell to 13.22 percent from 14.61 percent, while the 364-day also edged down to 14.30 percent.
Government is targeting to raise GHS 3.86 billion in the next auction.
Duncan-Williams Shócks Ghanaians As He Goes After Popular NPP Member, Sues Him For Defamation
Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams has filed a defamation lawsuit against Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, over inflammatory statements made during a live broadcast on Ohia TV on June 28. The legal action, led by the Archbishop’s lawyers, demands GH¢10 million in damages, claiming the remarks were defamatory and without merit.
The suit centers on Abronye’s description of the Archbishop as an “armed robber” during the broadcast. According to Dr. Ernest Danquah, the Archbishop’s legal counsel, the accusation is “malicious and baseless,” and the legal action aims to both protect Duncan-Williams’ reputation and hold Abronye accountable.
This is not the first time Abronye has faced legal trouble for his public remarks. He is already involved in a GH¢20 million defamation case brought against him by journalist Samson Lardy Anyenini in May.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP), where Abronye serves as Bono Regional Chairman, has publicly disassociated itself from his comments. General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong issued a statement on June 30, calling the remarks “unfortunate” and confirming they reflect Abronye’s personal views, not the party’s position.
Public reaction has been polarized, with some accusing Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of silently endorsing such verbal attacks on public figures like Duncan-Williams and Kennedy Agyapong. Civil society leaders, including Nyonkopa Daniels of Peace Watch Ghana, have urged the NPP to apologize and take disciplinary steps against Abronye.
Despite backlash, Abronye has not backed down. He remains involved in a separate legal matter at the Supreme Court involving bail terms in a case connected to EOCO and the NIB. Reports suggest he is considering leaving the NPP, possibly to intensify his rivalry with Kennedy Agyapong.
The Accra High Court will begin preliminary hearings on July 15, 2025. Duncan-Williams’ legal team insists the lawsuit is meant to protect the Archbishop’s name from what they describe as a calculated effort to tarnish his legacy.
Source
GRA boss tours Coca-Cola Ghana to deepen tax compliance, industry collaboration
Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, has led a high-level delegation to the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana in Tema on Friday, July 25.
This is part of a renewed drive to strengthen tax compliance and foster strategic partnerships with the private sector.
The visit formed part of the GRA’s stakeholder engagement strategy to deepen mutual understanding with key industry players and promote a collaborative approach to tax administration.
The Commissioner-General and his team were taken on a detailed tour of the facility to gain firsthand insight into the company’s production processes and operational dynamics.
In discussions with Coca-Cola’s management, Mr. Sarpong emphasised the importance of strategic cooperation in addressing national challenges such as smuggling, counterfeiting, and revenue leakages. He stated:
“We are in a war against smuggling, a threat that undermines national development. The private sector cannot be left to fight this battle alone.
“At GRA, we are deploying a combination of intelligence gathering, satellite surveillance, and robust human resource strategies to curb these illegal activities. This collaborative effort is essential to safeguarding the integrity of our economy.”
The Commissioner-General also announced the upcoming launch of “Sustained Tax Education,” a national initiative aimed at promoting voluntary tax compliance through public education and awareness campaigns.
The initiative will focus on deepening citizens’ understanding of tax policies, obligations, and the benefits of compliance.
The Managing Director of the West Africa Business Unit of the Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company, bottlers of Coca-Cola beverages in North and West Africa, Felix Gomis, welcomed the GRA’s visit and reiterated the company’s commitment to full compliance with Ghana’s tax laws.
“We appreciate this engagement with the GRA and value the opportunity to strengthen our partnership. Responsible corporate citizenship and support for national development remain central to our operations,” Mr Gomis said.
The visit highlighted the GRA’s commitment to proactive stakeholder engagement, in line with President John Mahama’s “Reset Agenda,” which prioritises business survival, job creation, revenue mobilisation, and sustainable development.
Mr. Sarpong was accompanied by senior officials of the Authority, including Brigadier General Glover Anang, Commissioner of Customs; Mrs. Elsie Appau-Klu, Technical Advisor to the Commissioner-General; and Mr. Eric Bonney, Assistant Commissioner, Preventive Customs Division.
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.
Date for Kotoko NCC election announced
The long-awaited National Circles Council (NCC) Chairmanship election of Asante Kotoko has been officially scheduled for Tuesday, August 20, 2025.
In an announcement by the NCC Electoral Committee, only members who have registered and possess valid Fabu Census numbers for the past three months will be eligible to vote in the upcoming elections.
This is part of a broader initiative to ensure that only active and verified supporters participate in choosing the next national supporters’ leader.
The voting platform for the exercise will be revealed in the coming days, along with detailed procedures on how members can cast their votes.
The club has assured supporters of a transparent and fair election process.
Several high-profile personalities, including Chairman Solomon Ofosu-Ware, popularly known as Chairman Solo, have declared their intention to contest for the top NCC position.
Prophet D Y Donkoh apologises following arrest over Shatta Wale death prophecy
Prophet and counselor D Y Donkoh
Prophet and counselor D Y Donkoh, who was arrested on Friday night, July 25, 2025, following a controversial prophecy about the death of Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale, has issued a public apology for the distress caused.
The arrest, which took place at the prophet’s residence, followed public outrage after a video of the prophecy went viral.
In the video, Prophet Donkoh claimed he had received two divine revelations involving Shatta Wale.
The first vision suggested the musician survived an attack and praised God online, while the second depicted Shatta Wale being gunned down by three armed men.
The alarming nature of the prophecy triggered a strong reaction from Shatta Wale, who took to social media platform X to condemn it.
He criticised such pronouncements as dangerous and demanded swift action from the Ghana Police Service.
He issued a one-week ultimatum, warning that if authorities failed to act, he would take matters into his own hands and stressed that his response would not involve violence but would deliver a stern lesson to the nation.
Following the backlash and his subsequent arrest, Prophet Donkoh released a press statement today, July 27, 2025, and acknowledged the widespread concern caused by the prophecy and apologised.
A portion of the statement read: “I Prophet D Y Donkoh Apologises following arrest over Shatta Wale death prophecy,”
He also emphasised that while the revelation was spiritually inspired, he had no intention to cause fear, panic, or emotional trauma.
“Find it right to address the recent prophecy I shared concerning Ghanaian music icon, Shatta Wale… I find it necessary to offer an apology,” he stated.
High lending rate a concern as importers and exporters push for immediate reduction
Importers and exporters are urging Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to take decisive steps to help reduce the high lending rates by commercial banks.
With inflation falling to 13.7 percent by end-June 2025, the importers and exporters say the prevailing interest rate environment is no longer aligned with current macroeconomic conditions and is hampering business growth.
They argue that, the current average lending rate of 27 percent is excessively high and should be revised to reflect the downward trend in inflation.
Commenting on the recently presented mid-year budget, the Executive Secretary of the Association, Samson Asaki Awingobit, said that lowering lending rates would offer much-needed relief for businesses.
“If inflation has dropped, and the fiscal policies are yielding results, then the reduction in inflation from 23.8 percent to 13.7 percent is a positive development. However, we are still facing challenges with high lending rates,” he said.
“We are not reluctant to acknowledge the government’s efforts. But if inflation has declined to 13.7 percent, why are we still burdened with bank interest rates at 27 percent? Previously, when inflation was at 40 percent, lending rates were around 30 percent. Now that inflation has fallen significantly, the lending rates should also come down.”
He added, “I strongly believe the Bank of Ghana must take steps to ensure commercial banks adjust their interest rates in line with the current inflation rate.”
Mahama to roll out Comprehensive Oil Palm Policy to transform Ghana’s economy – TCDA CEO
President John Dramani Mahama is set to introduce a comprehensive national policy on oil palm to drive economic transformation and position Ghana’s crude palm oil as globally competitive, the Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), Dr Andy Okra, has disclosed.
Dr Okra made the announcement at the third Annual General Meeting of the Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG) held under the theme: “The Oil Palm Value Chain at the Crossroads: The Role of Policy Alignment and Regulatory Enforcement for Productivity, Competitiveness, Inclusive Growth and Development.”
According to him, President Mahama has identified oil palm, one of six strategic crops under the remit of the TCDA, as the game-changer in reviving Ghana’s agro-industrial sector.
He added that a technical committee had already been constituted, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, to design the national oil palm policy framework.
“The oil palm sector in Ghana stands at a critical juncture. We must decisively transition from fragmented efforts to a coordinated, policy-driven and regulated ecosystem that delivers value to every actor along the chain, from smallholder farmers to large-scale processors, and from rural communities to the national economy,” Dr Okra said.
He emphasised that the TCDA was strategically positioned to lead this transformation through regulatory enforcement, policy alignment, and inclusive growth interventions.
Dr Okra underscored the need to harmonise disjointed national policies in agriculture, trade, environment, and land use that have long hampered the sector’s development.
He explained that the proposed oil palm policy aligned with Mahama’s Feed Ghana initiative, which targets 50,000 hectares of oil palm cultivation over the next four years.
He also mentioned that the policy would also complement the government’s 24-hour economy vision by supporting export-oriented processing that enhances foreign exchange earnings.
“We are working closely with the Ministries of Food and Agriculture, Industry, Finance, and Local Government, as well as partners such as OPDAG, Solidaridad, and the Ghana Private Sector Competitiveness Program II (GPSCP II) to synchronise interventions and reduce duplication,” he added.
He further revealed that a policy dialogue later this year would bring together relevant institutions to ensure coherence in programmes and regulatory frameworks for the sector.
Dr Okra highlighted enforcement as key to achieving global competitiveness, citing challenges such as the illicit importation of vegetable oil, lack of quality assurance, land governance issues, and environmental concerns.
To address these, he said, the TCDA had strengthened its legal framework under Act 10/10 and L.I. 2471 and started registering and licensing all actors within the oil palm value chain, including through an online platform.
He revealed that over 2 million seedlings had been distributed freely to farmers, with more support through the out-grower models and financial access schemes.
“With the support of Solidaridad and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, we are launching a Seed and Seedling Production Policy to provide certified, high-quality planting materials to farmers,” he noted.
He again indicated that the authority was also working with processors to improve standards in traceability, processing quality, and pricing fairness.
Noting that smallholder farmers contribute over 80% of Ghana’s oil palm production, Dr Okra stressed the importance of inclusivity in the sector’s growth.
“Women and youth, who play vital roles in harvesting, processing, and marketing, will also receive focused support,” he added.
He reaffirmed TCDA’s partnership with OPDAG and other stakeholders to build a globally competitive and inclusive oil palm industry that delivers jobs, export earnings, and rural prosperity.
“The road ahead requires strong leadership, collaboration, and commitment. The oil palm value chain is no longer business as usual. It is time for smart policies, firm regulation, and inclusive innovation,” Dr Okra said.
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.
‘I won’t leave social media today or tomorrow’
Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has responded to critics who have questioned his continued presence on social media platforms.
According to him, he has no intention of leaving the online space, despite widespread calls for him to do so.
He argued that social media played a significant role during his campaign and, for that reason, sees no justification for stepping away and allowing others to dominate the space for political gains.
Dr Amoakohene further stated that he will need social media for future political activities, particularly the 2028 general elections, and therefore has no plans to abandon it.
The minister has come under heavy criticism, particularly for his activities on TikTok, with some detractors labelling him the “TikTok Minister.”
Addressing the concerns in a video shared on his official X page, he said, “What I will say is that if this platform was useful during the campaign, then it is important in my administration. If I used the same platform for campaigning, why should I abandon it now?”
He continued, “So, I am going nowhere. I will remain on social media to work because I will definitely need it again. Should I leave so that others can come and spread lies? No way. Social media users, wake up, it is because of you that Ghanaians are doing this to me.”
Social media foɔe monsore 👏🏼✅ pic.twitter.com/OvZqqiZldy
— Dr Frank Amoakohene (@DrAmoakohene) July 27, 2025
AM/SEA
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
DHF Capital Partners with Tauro Markets to Expand Middle East Investment Services
Luxembourg-based DHF Capital S.A. has formed a strategic alliance with multi-asset platform Tauro Markets to enhance investment solutions targeting Middle Eastern clients.
Announced July 28, 2025, the collaboration integrates DHF’s diversified portfolio offerings with Tauro’s trading technology and market analysis tools.
Tauro Markets, recently awarded “Most Trusted Multi-Asset Trading Broker UAE 2024” by International Business Magazine, holds regulatory authorization in Kuwait, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, and Mauritius. DHF Capital CEO Bas Kooijman stated the partnership will “explore new frontiers for investors,” citing Tauro’s advanced research capabilities and “Excellent” Trustpilot rating as key assets.
Alexander Wilhelm Oelfke, CEO of Tauro Markets, emphasized shared goals of “performance and transparency,” noting the alliance aims to reshape global investment accessibility. The partnership aligns with DHF Capital’s expansion strategy across key international markets, particularly in the Middle East.
No financial terms or timeline for integrated service launches were disclosed. DHF Capital specializes in Forex, equities, and precious metals for professional investors, while Tauro Markets offers retail and institutional access to digital assets, commodities, and CFDs.
‘Lilwin never fed me’ – Zack claps back
Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lilwin
Ghanaian actor, musician, and video editor Zack GH has finally responded to long-standing claims made by his former artiste and close friend Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lilwin, suggesting that he used to feed him during their time together.
Zack GH, who once served as Lilwin’s manager and was considered a key figure behind the scenes of his rise to fame, didn’t hold back as he laughed off the assertions made by the CEO of Wezzy Empire.
“Ask Lilwin how much he used to pay me,” Zack retorted when he was addressing these claim in an interview with Ruthy on SeanCity TV.
Zack added that during his time as a video editor in Kumawood, he was earning far more than what Lilwin was offering him as payment and emphasised that he was already a well-established professional in the industry and had no financial need for handouts.
Zack also claimed that it was actually he who brought in several endorsement deals for Lilwin at the height of his popularity.
Tebboune’s visit to Italy ends in diplomatic disappointment over Moroccan Sahara
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune wrapped up a two-day official visit to Italy on Thursday, July 24, aimed primarily at finalising major energy contracts and, crucially, at persuading Rome to support Algiers’ position on the Western Sahara.
But the trip ended without any shift in Italy’s longstanding stance, which remains aligned with growing international support for Morocco’s autonomy plan.
Tebboune’s attempt to frame Italy as an ally in the separatist cause quickly unravelled during a press briefing at Palazzo Chigi.
When the Algerian leader claimed that Rome and Algiers shared “similar positions” on Western Sahara, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visibly startled expression, followed by a tight-lipped smile, spoke volumes. Her non-verbal reaction was a subtle but unmistakable rebuttal.
Italy has consistently supported the UN-led process and views Morocco’s autonomy initiative as a credible and realistic solution—far from the “self-determination” rhetoric of the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria.
This diplomatic faux pas echoed a similar episode from June 3, when Tebboune claimed Rwanda shared Algeria’s position on the Sahara after meeting with President Paul Kagame.
The Rwandan presidency swiftly released Kagame’s full speech, which made no such assertion, effectively debunking Tebboune’s claim and highlighting the widening cracks in Algeria’s diplomatic strategy.
Undeterred, Tebboune repeated familiar talking points, asserting that both Italy and Algeria supported “the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to achieve a just political solution… allowing the Sahrawi people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination.”
His remarks, however, appeared to further strain the atmosphere. At that point, Meloni’s disapproving glare reportedly turned icy, signalling clear discomfort with what many saw as a deliberate misrepresentation.
If the goal was to extract an explicit pro-Polisario stance from Italy, Tebboune’s efforts fell flat. In her own remarks, Meloni steered clear of the Western Sahara entirely, focusing instead on shared concerns over Libya, Syria, Gaza, the Sahel, and the war in Ukraine. Notably, she avoided echoing any of Tebboune’s Sahara-related rhetoric.
The final communiqué from the 5th Italy-Algeria Intergovernmental Summit reflected this divergence. While Algeria managed to include a general reference to Western Sahara, Italy ensured it was framed strictly within UN parameters. The agreed language reads:
“Regarding Western Sahara, the two parties reiterated their support for the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, to relaunch direct negotiations and achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and the relevant Security Council Resolutions.”
Absent were any mentions of the “Sahrawi people” or the supposed “inalienable right to self-determination”—terms routinely pushed by Algiers but rejected by most major capitals.
The disconnect raises deeper questions about the coherence of Algeria’s diplomatic playbook. As Morocco’s autonomy plan gains more international traction, Algiers finds itself increasingly isolated. The strategy of spinning phantom alliances and reframing ambiguous diplomatic language appears to be backfiring.
Rather than doubling down on narrative distortions, Algeria might be better served by acknowledging its role as a stakeholder in the conflict and engaging constructively with the UN process. The autonomy proposal—based on realism and compromise—remains the only path widely recognised by the global community as a viable solution.
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.
Economist Warns Feed Ghana and Grow24 Risk Policy Duplication
Development Economist Nicholas Issaka Gbana has cautioned that parallel agricultural programs the Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s Feed Ghana and the government’s Grow24 initiative threaten to undermine Ghana’s farming transformation through duplicated efforts and poor coordination.
Speaking at the Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana’s (OPDAG) annual meeting, Gbana highlighted overlapping objectives in tree crop development, irrigation expansion, and climate resilience.
“Both programmes mirror each other in goals and implementation,” Gbana stated, noting Feed Ghana prioritizes food security and import reduction while Grow24 focuses on agribusiness scaling and technology adoption. He warned fragmented resource allocation could waste funding and erode stakeholder goodwill without urgent harmonization.
Gbana urged the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) to consolidate the initiatives into a single strategy, aligning with the Ministry of Trade’s upcoming Agribusiness Policy. He criticized Ghana’s tendency to abandon frameworks like TCDA’s Five-Year Strategy (2022–2027), advocating continuity for projects such as the $100 million World Bank-funded Tree Crop Diversification Project.
Proposing solutions, Gbana endorsed scaling successful agroforestry models from Central and Ahafo Regions that integrate oil palm with timber and livestock. He recommended a TCDA-COCOBOD technical committee to advance climate-resilient mixed cropping. “We must shift from rhetoric to coordinated action,” he emphasized, stressing unified advocacy for long-term industry sustainability.
Gbese Mantse Homowo Peace Charity Cup fever hits Volta Region as chiefs, regional minister pledge support
The Gbese Mantse Homowo Peace Charity Cup match is scheduled on August 17, 2025
The Accra Sports Stadium is anticipated to be filled to capacity on August 17, 2025, when Accra Hearts of Oak face Kpando Hearts of Lions in the 2025 Gbese Mantse Homowo Peace Charity Cup.
High expectations for a massive turnout stem from an extensive and strategic awareness campaign led by esteemed sports administrator Sammy Anim Addo.
Since the campaign’s launch several weeks ago, Sammy Anim Addo and his team have undertaken a robust initiative to generate excitement for the match, including visits to key officials and targeted groups.
The team traveled to the Volta Region, engaging with prominent figures and institutions, including Volta Regional Minister James Gunu.
He praised Sammy Anim Addo and the delegation for organizing the event, which he believes significantly promotes peace and development.
Gunu pledged his full support and committed to assisting with the promotion and organization of the match.
The delegation also met with the Volta Regional Director of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), who offered the GBC’s regional platforms to enhance publicity and promotion for the game.
Killian Donkor, the Municipal Chief Executive of Kpando and an ardent sports enthusiast, urged Kpando Hearts of Lions to defeat Hearts of Oak and claim the trophy.
He vowed to mobilize supporters from the Volta Region to fill the Accra Sports Stadium and rally behind the Lions for victory.
Anim Addo and his delegation also sought the blessings and support of traditional rulers in Kpando for the match scheduled for August 17, 2025.
Prior to the Volta Region visit, the organizers met with Osman Ayariga, CEO of the National Youth Authority, who promised to “paint the stadium green” with supporters from the National Democratic Congress’s Green Army.
Additionally, they presented the prestigious trophy to the management of both competing teams and other institutions.
GA
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
Alleged cause of death of Daddy Lumba revealed by Prophet Ajagurajah
Spiritual leader and head of the Ajagurajah Movement, Prophet Ajagurajah
The Ghanaian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the passing of legendary highlife musician Daddy Lumba, born Charles Kwadwo Fosuh.
The 60-year-old music icon reportedly died in the early hours of Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Bank Hospital in Cantonments, Accra.
While an official cause of death is yet to be communicated by his family or management, spiritual leader and head of the Ajagurajah Movement, Prophet Ajagurajah, has come forward with a shocking claim about what allegedly led to the singer’s untimely demise.
In a live video shared on social media, Prophet Ajagurajah alleged that Daddy Lumba’s death was caused by human error.
According to him, this information was made available to him by the wife of highlife legend.
“What killed Daddy Lumba was not caused by any spirit. It was human error,” Ajagurajah stated in the video.
His claims have stirred up conversations online, with many Ghanaians reacting to the video with mixed emotions.
Lilwin stole ‘Tia Tia Break’ song from me – Former manager Zack
Former manager of Kumawood actor Kwadwo Nkansah Lilwin, Zack GH
Former manager of Kumawood actor Kwadwo Nkansah Lilwin, Zack GH, has come out to make some startling revelations about the origin of the hit song “Tia Tia Break.”
According to Zack, the song was originally his, and not Lilwin’s as popularly believed.
In an interview with media personality Ruthy on SeanCity TV, Zack stated that he was the brain behind the track, both in terms of songwriting and concept.
He explained that the song was recorded back in 2013 at Cash Two and Ray Studio, with popular rapper Guru also featuring on it.
Zack recounted how they travelled together to Tamale shortly after recording the track, where they performed the song live on stage during a show.
He claimed that at the time, everything seemed fine, and he had no reason to suspect any foul play.
However, according to him, the shock came when they returned to Accra.
Zack said he was blindsided when he discovered that his rap verse had been completely removed from the final version of the song, without any notice or explanation by Lilwin.
Asanko Gold rejects intimidation claims by locals
Mining company, Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd., has denied claims made by some residents of Tontokrom alleging that the company deployed military personnel to harass and intimidate locals.
The company, in a press release on Sunday, July 27, clarified the presence of military forces in the area, stating it was part of a state-sanctioned security intervention to address illegal mining activities.
The clarification follows a press conference held by community members on Saturday, July 26, during which accusations were levelled against the company for allegedly involving the military in ways that negatively impacted the local population.
“We emphasise that there is absolutely no intention to intimidate, harass, or interfere with the peaceful lives of community members,” the company stated.
According to Asanko Gold, the deployment of military personnel was authorised by the Ghana Armed Forces, coordinated with support from the Ghana Chamber of Mines, and sanctioned by the Ministry of Defence. The company maintains that the intervention is part of a broader national effort to protect legally licensed mining operations from the increasing threats posed by illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey.”
Asanko revealed that the Tontokrom concession, acquired from AngloGold Ashanti, had progressed into key phases of development, with an investment of over $16 million into exploration, community development, and relocation planning. However, the project was halted after illegal miners forcibly occupied the concession, causing delays and significant environmental damage.
In response, Asanko Gold, through the Ghana Chamber of Mines, raised its concerns with the government, prompting the deployment of security personnel to protect the site and ensure legal compliance.
Asanko stressed that the military intervention was not unique to their company but part of a standardized national security programme targeting illegal mining hotspots across the country. The company also highlighted that extensive stakeholder engagement had preceded the deployment.
“Comprehensive stakeholder engagement sessions chaired by the District Security Councils (DISEC) of both the Amansie West and Amansie South Districts were held,” the release noted.
“Stakeholders, including community leaders, were encouraged to support the process and promote peaceful self-evacuation from unauthorised mining sites.”
The company reported that in other areas, many illegal miners had voluntarily withdrawn following similar interventions, and expressed hope that Tontokrom would follow suit.
Asanko Gold reaffirmed its commitment to community partnership, responsible mining, and open dialogue, urging the public to disregard what it described as “inaccurate claims” made at the press conference.
“These assertions misrepresent the reality on the ground and risk undermining the collaborative efforts and goodwill built over time between Asanko Gold and its host communities,” the statement read.
The company pledged to continue working with traditional leaders, youth groups, and civil society to support development and peaceful coexistence in the area.
Ministry of Tourism inaugurates Advisory Board
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has officially inaugurated its Ministerial Advisory Board, reaffirming its commitment to stakeholder engagement and strategic policy direction across the sector.
Speaking at the ceremony in Accra, the Minister emphasised the importance of the board as a vital statutory requirement under the Civil Service Act, 1993 (Act 327). She cited Sections 39 and 40 of the Act, which mandate all ministries to constitute such boards to ensure regular consultation and expert input into decision-making.
“The board is expected to promote constant interaction between the ministry and users of its services, and advise the sector minister on policy direction, planning, objectives, and operational strategies,” she said.
Highlighting the responsibilities that come with the appointment, the Minister underscored the need for experience, expertise, and commitment from board members to support the Ministry in fulfilling its mandate.
“It therefore means that anyone nominated to serve on the board should not only be knowledgeable, but also skilful and clothed with the requisite experience to assist the Minister deliver on the mandate of the Ministry and, by extension, its agencies,” she said.
She also assured the board of her openness to collaboration, stating:
“We do not take stakeholder contributions for granted. I am ready and prepared to always rely on your good counsel.”
The newly inaugurated board is expected to serve as a critical link between the Ministry and the public, shaping strategic initiatives in the tourism, culture, and creative arts sectors.
The board members include:
- Madam Dzifa Gomashie
- Mr Yussif Jajah
- Mr Joseph Kwesi Amoah (Chief Director, MoTCCA)
- Madam Comfort Aki Dede Ashiagbor (Ministry of Education)
- Mr Noah Tumfo (Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry)
- Mr Richard Gyasi (Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs)
- Mr Kwasi Adu (Ministry of Finance)
- Mr Ahuma Bosco Ocansey (Ghana Culture Forum)
- Dr Kwesi Eyison (Ghana Tourism Federation)
- Naa Juyoo Oshedu Woblor Tsofayelor (Culture Advocate)
Concluding her remarks, the Minister officially declared the board duly inaugurated, expressing optimism that their collective efforts will lead to significant progress in Ghana’s tourism and creative economy.
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.
Make tax easier to calculate to boost compliance – Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo urges VAT reform
A private legal practitioner and member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, has called on the government to restructure Ghana’s Value Added Tax (VAT) system to make it easier to calculate and more attractive for citizens and businesses to comply with.
Speaking on ‘Current Agenda’, a programme hosted by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) on Friday, July 25, 2025, Samoa Addo said the current VAT structure discourages tax compliance due to its complexity and contributes to corruption in the public sector.
He commended finance minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson for his consistency on the issue, stating that “the good thing about this particular finance minister is that you can track his record when he was then NDC’s spokesperson on finance.”
He recalled that Dr Forson was “very critical about the structure of the VAT” while in opposition, and that his parliamentary speeches reflected his concerns about how difficult the VAT system made compliance.
“I was very happy when he got the opportunity to now come into government and give us what he was saying and stating on the floor of parliament,” Samoa Addo said.
He noted that one of Dr Forson’s biggest criticisms had been that the VAT structure was too complicated, especially in a country where many citizens are naturally averse to tax payments.
According to him, the complexity of VAT calculation worsens non-compliance.
“You make it worse when its calculation is complicated. It even puts away the incentive to want to comply,” he said.
He added that feedback from traders and business owners consistently points to the need for a tax system that is simple and predictable.
“Everybody keeps pushing the idea that we need to be able to calculate our taxes in a way that makes it easy for somebody to just walk up and go and pay,” he explained.
He argued that the current VAT structure lacks transparency, making it difficult for consumers to anticipate their tax obligations.
He cited, for instance, the experience of dining at a restaurant, where one should typically have an idea of both the cost of the food and the taxes before the bill arrives.
Instead, he observed, the final amount often ends up being nearly as high as the cost of the meal itself, something he said makes little sense and discourages compliance.
He further argued that a flat rate system would improve compliance and make everybody feel more comfortable.
He posed a rhetorical question: “What would be more appreciated by a finance minister? Making the tax easy to calculate in order to attract more people to pay, or keeping it as it is and having more people outside the tax net?”
He asserted that most people would prefer to make it easier so more people would be encouraged to pay.
The private legal practitioner also linked the complexity of the tax system to corruption in the public sector.
“One of the things that face our public sector is corruption. When you make the thing difficult to calculate, when you make it difficult to comply with, you attract corruption,” he said.
He explained that in such a system, people often look for ways to appear compliant while actually evading tax, which undermines the system’s integrity.
He expressed support for ongoing reforms, noting that if the finance minister is able to simplify tax calculations and make payments easier and more attractive, more citizens will pay voluntarily.
“Because why would I not want to see development in my country? Ghanaians are very patriotic.”
Ghanaian midfielder Salifu Mudasiru joins Algerian giants ES Setif
Ghanaian midfielder Salifu Mudasiru
Ghanaian midfielder Salifu Mudasiru has completed a high-profile switch to Algerian top-flight side Entente Sportive de Setif, marking a new chapter in his career across multiple continents.
The 28-year-old joins the Black Eagles from Uzbek club FC Mash’al Mubarek, continuing his journey through the global football map.
Mudasiru is best known in Ghana for his influential spell at Asante Kotoko, where he helped the Porcupine Warriors clinch the Ghana Premier League title in the 2021-22 season.
His standout performances earned him a loan move to FC Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova, where he lifted the 2022-23 Moldovan Liga title.
Mudasiru’s latest move to ES Setif – one of Algeria’s most decorated clubs – reflects both his ambition and adaptability.
With an impressive resume that includes stints in Saudi Arabia (Al-Batin and Al-Bukiryah) and trophies across Ghana and Eastern Europe, he brings a wealth of experience and midfield grit to his new team.
ES Setif, eager to restore their dominance in the Algerian Ligue 1 Professionnelle, will hope Mudasiru’s arrival provides added stability and leadership in the centre of the park as they chase domestic and continental success.
This move also adds to the growing number of Ghanaian footballers making their mark in North African football, a testament to the rising profile of Ghanaian talent across the African continent and beyond.
Daddy Lumba: The voice that echoed through Ghana’s historic 2008 elections
Ghana, and indeed the world, is mourning the loss of a musical titan. Charles Kwadwo Fosu, known to generations as Daddy Lumba, passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The tributes have been endless, fitting for a man whose music echoed through markets, homes, car stereos, and state events alike.
A man whose songs transcended class, age, politics, and even borders, finding a fan in none other than King Charles III of England.
Much has been said of his unmatched artistry, the passion he poured into love ballads, gospel tracks, and philosophical musings on life and death. However, in this tribute, we examine another aspect of the legendary DL, the political entertainer, whose soundtracks provided rhythm to some of Ghana’s most dramatic political moments.
The 2008 Election: Meets Politics
The 2008 general election was one of the most intense in Ghana’s Fourth Republic. It was a time of high political tension, fierce campaigning, and, surprisingly, great music—thanks in large part to Daddy Lumba. After Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was elected as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer to contest against the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, the NPP turned to DL to energize their base.
What came next was nothing short of historic. Lumba composed what is arguably the most iconic campaign song in Ghana’s political history: “Nana Ye Winner.” The song was infectious. It blasted through every corner of the country, from rallies to chop bars, taxis to radio stations.
Even some opponents of the NPP couldn’t help but tap their feet or sing along. The track didn’t just support a candidate, it captured the mood of an election season and became a national earworm.
From Confidence to Caution
As the first round of the elections ended without a decisive winner, political tensions escalated. Ghana braced for a runoff. During this uncertain time, Lumba was back in the studio, doing what he did best translating complex national emotions into music. The result was another classic: “Aye Huuhu” loosely meaning “Things Are Shaky.”
Unlike the upbeat “Nana Ye Winner,” this song had a more reflective, humorous undertone. It posed a timely question: “Who will cry in the end?” A sobering reflection amid a chaotic political moment. The song brought levity, even laughter, into a space heavy with anxiety. It became the soundtrack for a country on edge.
The Final Twist: “Nana Awu”
Eventually, the Tain constituency a place few had heard of until then became the unlikely kingmaker. With Nana Addo trailing narrowly, the final vote in Tain was necessary to determine the winner. The nation held its breath. When the dust settled, it was John Atta Mills who emerged victorious.
And just like that, Daddy Lumba gave us one more tune to capture the mood “Nana Awu” (“Nana is dead” or “Nana has lost”). Only Lumba could release such a politically loaded track and still get people dancing across party lines.
The song became part of the national healing process, helping Ghanaians laugh and breathe again after weeks of high stakes and tension.
From “Nana Ye Winner” to “Aye Huuhu” to “Nana Awu,” Daddy Lumba infused the 2008 election season with a kind of joy and satire that politics alone could never provide. He wasn’t a mere campaign jingle composer, he was a cultural force who brought colour, rhythm, and sometimes comic relief to Ghana’s democratic journey.
Even though the songs didn’t secure an electoral win for the NPP, they won the hearts of Ghanaians from all walks of life. To this day, “Nana Ye Winner” is played at events across the country not as a partisan anthem, but as a nostalgic hit that gets everyone dancing.
Charles Kwadwo Fosu was many things: a lover, a philosopher, a provocateur, a comforter, and in many ways, a chronicler of Ghana’s social and political story through melody. His gift was not just his voice or lyrical dexterity, it was his uncanny ability to capture the soul of the nation at any given time.
In life, he entertained, comforted, and challenged us. In death, he leaves behind a soundtrack of generations. Daddy Lumba’s influence on Ghana’s musical and political culture is eternal.
Rest well, DL. You gave us more than music you gave us moments we’ll never forget.
Book of Condolence for Daddy Lumba opens today in Accra
A book of condolence in memory of the late highlife legend, Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, will officially be opened today, Monday, July 28, at his residence and radio station in Accra.
This was confirmed by his manager, Philip Appiah-Kubi, known in showbiz circles as Roman Fada, in an interview with Citi News on Sunday, July 28, 2025.
The iconic musician passed away at age 60 on Saturday, July 26, while receiving treatment at the Bank Hospital in Accra.
According to his manager, the book of condolence will be open to the general public.
“The book of condolence will be opened Monday at his radio station, DL 106.9 FM, and at his residence here in Accra. We are inviting the public to come. We all love our Daddy Lumba, and we are deeply hurt, but God knows best,” he said.
In a related development, the Creative Arts Agency (CAA) has announced a national candlelight vigil in honour of the late music icon. The vigil is scheduled for Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Independence Square in Accra, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The event will be part of a global tribute to Daddy Lumba, with simultaneous ceremonies expected to be held in Ghana, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Netherlands.
“On behalf of the Creative Arts Agency, we warmly invite you to attend a National Candlelight Vigil in memory of the late Daddy Lumba, Ghana’s Highlife music legend,” the statement read.
The Agency noted that the vigil will not only honour Daddy Lumba’s enduring legacy but also serve as a moment of national reflection—celebrating the unifying power of music, culture, and community.
Participants are encouraged to RSVP by July 31, 2025, to confirm attendance.
Daddy Lumba, whose music defined the Highlife genre and inspired generations, died on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Bank Hospital in Accra.
Presidency assures befitting burial for late highlife legend Daddy Lumba
Ghana Maritime Authority Condemns Unsafe Boating on Lake Volta
The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has denounced recent viral footage depicting passengers on Lake Volta traveling without life jackets aboard an overloaded vessel.
According to official statements released on July 24, such actions threaten to reverse safety progress achieved through national investments and regulatory measures. The incident has intensified public debate over enforcement gaps within Ghana’s inland water transport sector.
Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, Director-General of the GMA, labeled the violation a “sobering reminder” of risks linked to ignoring safety protocols. He referenced the Dikpe boat tragedy in the Upper West Region where seven schoolchildren drowned earlier this year. Despite ongoing public education campaigns emphasizing mandatory life-jacket use and load limits, non-compliance persists across communities.
Authorities confirmed intensified safety outreach in Lawra, Buipe, Kwamikrom, Mepe, and Battor since the Dikpe incident, including life-jacket distributions and nationwide technical inspections. Loadline markings to prevent overloading have also been installed. Official guidelines stress that operators must enforce capacity rules while passengers should demand safety equipment.
The GMA acknowledged inconsistent public adherence to regulations despite these interventions. Observers note that cultural attitudes, economic pressures, and logistical challenges in remote areas contribute to resistance against safety practices. Successfully eliminating preventable accidents, officials stated, requires shared responsibility between regulators, operators, and passengers.
Concurrently, the Authority highlighted infrastructure upgrades including the clearance of 20,000 submerged tree stumps from key Lake Volta routes. The deployment of the MV Nene Azumah Matey Korley vessel aims to bolster search and rescue capabilities. Analysts emphasize that sustainable safety improvements depend equally on grassroots behavioral change alongside policy and infrastructure investments.
Minority demands urgent briefing on rising insecurity
The Minority caucus in Parliament has called for an urgent appearance by the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, before the House to explain what security measures are being implemented in response to the growing wave of suspected ritual killings and violent crimes across the country.
The Minority described the situation as “alarming,” warning that the safety and security of ordinary Ghanaians are now at serious risk.
Raising the issue on the floor of Parliament on Saturday, July 26, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh stressed the need for an immediate and closed-door engagement with the minister, invoking Order 60 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.
“We cannot let this matter die naturally. We must find a way to get the Interior Minister, who doubles as the National Security Minister, to be here. Maybe we should, under Order 60, meet him at a close sitting. This is because it is a sensitive national security matter. Then we can engage him and get some updates,” Annoh-Dompreh said.
He insisted that the government must act swiftly and decisively to address the disturbing trend and restore public confidence in the country’s security apparatus.
Beyond the rise in ritual killings, the country has witnessed a troubling spike in other violent crimes and killings in recent days.
On the night of Saturday, July 26, a deadly shooting on the Nalerigu Senior High School campus resulted in the deaths of two students. The attack, carried out by unknown assailants, has left the Nalerigu community in shock and fear.
Although local sources suspect the incident may be linked to the long-running Bawku tribal conflict, security agencies have not confirmed any direct connection. A similar incident also took place on the Bawku SHS campus where a student was shot dead in a targeted attack.
In response to the attack and growing insecurity in the area, the government has reviewed the curfew in Bawku, restricting movement from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm daily.
Meanwhile, another fatal shooting was reported on July 25, in Asawase in the Ashanti Region when an unidentified man was gunned down by two men on a motorbike.
The assailants reportedly opened fire before fleeing the scene. This incident occurred less than a week after the Kusasi Chief of the Ashanti Region was also killed under similar circumstances.
The escalating violence has heightened public anxiety, with many citizens calling for more robust action from the government and security forces to protect lives and restore order.
A/R: Another man shot dead in Asawase days after killing of Kusasi Chief
Powering Ghana’s cocoa sector: How Husk Technologies is empowering farmers to work smarter
Cocoa is the lifeblood of the Ghanaian economy, and a source of pride for a nation whose rich, fertile soils have nourished generations of farmers. With an estimated annual worth of $2 billion, cocoa stands as Ghana’s economic mainstay, feeding families and funding government expenditure.
Yet, behind this powerful industry lies a less talked-about truth: cocoa farming is physically gruelling, especially during post-harvest. Farmers, armed with machetes and bare hands, face long hours of repetitive labour as they crack open thousands of cocoa pods manually.
This is an exhausting and hazardous task that leaves many with injuries, fatigue, and limited yield. According to some researchers, about 75% of cocoa farmers suffer various hazards during post-harvest activities. This is the problem Husk Technologies, a Ghanaian agritech company, has set out to solve.
Founded by Nii Arday Ardayfio, Husk Technologies has developed a lithium-powered, automatic mobile cocoa pod-breaking machine that breaks the pods and separates the beans from the husk and placenta. This delivers precision, speed, and safety that traditional methods simply cannot match.
“We are able to increase (farmers’) productivity by over 700%, reduce reliance on labour by over 85%, and totally eliminate any forms of hazards,” he explained.
“Because our machines are mobile and they can get on the farm, we also plant economic trees on the farms for the farmers so they can make additional income,” he added.
The machine, which can break up to 7,200 cocoa pods per hour, is mobile, lightweight, eco-friendly, efficient, and easy to transport and operate. “The Husk Gen 3 model has a wider feeding unit and so you can pour more pods into the machine at a time. It also has a faster and safer crushing mechanism. Because it is lightweight, it can be transported on a tricycle,” he explained. “By powering our machine with lithium batteries, we are introducing the next generation of eco-friendly farm machinery, making us the pace setters in the industry,” Mr. Ardayfio added.
Scaling an innovation
Their impact has already been recognised nationally. Husk Technologies was crowned winner of the maiden National Innovation Challenge, organised by the National Entrepreneurship Innovation Programme (NEIP) in partnership with the Ministry of Finance. Now, the company is looking to scale.
Mr. Ardayfio told the AGRA Ghana Deal Room pitching session in Accra that the company has a target to reach over 100,000 farmers and create 1,000 new jobs for rural women and youth. Husk Technologies is currently seeking $250,000 in grants and equity funding to expand operations, deepen research, and increase market awareness.
AGRA Ghana, under the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) program, organised the high-impact Deal Room event in partnership with the Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC). This Deal Room serves as a platform for promising agribusinesses led by youth and women agripreneurs to connect with investors, buyers, and ecosystem enablers, thereby catalysing their growth and sustainability.
Participants pitched for opportunities to represent Ghana at the continental AGRA Deal Room sessions during the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Dakar, Senegal, between August 31 and September 4, 2025, where they could have access to more funding opportunities.
The Husks Technologies CEO is one of 15 agripreneurs who pitched at the AGRA Ghana Deal Room event. AGRA is an Africa-led organisation transforming agri-food systems on the continent by empowering smallholder farmers.
Call to action
As Ghana continues to lead the global cocoa industry, innovations like Husk Technologies’ automated pod-breaker show that the country’s greatest strength lies not only in its natural resources but also in its homegrown solutions. With the right support, Husk Technologies may just be the spark that reshapes the future of cocoa in Ghana, one pod at a time.
Government should prioritise the mechanisation of post-harvest activities by integrating innovations like Husk Technologies’ cocoa pod-breaking machine into national agricultural modernisation programs and subsidy schemes.
The company and similar organisations deserve tax breaks, import duty waivers on components, and startup grants to scale up. COCOBOD could partner directly with Husk Technologies to further pilot the equipment across cocoa-growing regions and integrate it into extension and input distribution systems.
There is a need for the creation of an enabling policy framework for agro-mechanisation by recognising such mobile farm technologies as public goods that should reach all cocoa-growing communities across the country.
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.
Western North Regional Minister pledges support for Police Command
Officers of the Ghana Police Service
Wilbert Petty Brentum, the Western North Regional Minister, has pledged to support the Regional Police Command with the necessary logistics to maintain peace and security in the region.
He said this when he visited the regional police command during their West Africa Securities Association celebration.
The minister, in his address, commended the security agencies for their swift efforts in maintaining peace and order in the region.
Brentum stated that peace was essential for development and called on the people to cherish the unity among themselves and work collectively to maintain stability both in the region and the nation at large.
He pledged the Regional Coordinating Council’s commitment to supporting the security agencies to enable them to execute their duties effectively to bring socio-economic development to the region.
Dr Francis Tsidi, the Regional Police Commander, for his part, assured the Minister and the people that the security situation was calm and under control, and that they should have utmost confidence in the command
“All security contingencies would be maximised with personnel being positioned at vantage security checkpoints across the region, so we will go all out to provide optimum security in the region,” he added
The Commander, on behalf of the command and other security agencies, expressed gratitude to the Minister for his visit and reaffirmed their dedication to ensuring peace in the region.
Mahama to roll out Comprehensive Oil Palm Policy to transform Ghana’s Economy – TCDA CEO
Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), Dr Andy Okrah
President John Dramani Mahama is set to introduce a comprehensive national policy on oil palm to drive economic transformation and position Ghana’s crude palm oil as globally competitive, the Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), Dr Andy Okrah, has disclosed.
Dr Okrah made the announcement at the third Annual General Meeting of the Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG) held under the theme: “The Oil Palm Value Chain at the Crossroads: The Role of Policy Alignment and Regulatory Enforcement for Productivity, Competitiveness, Inclusive Growth and Development.”
According to him, President Mahama has identified oil palm, one of six strategic crops under the remit of the TCDA, as the game-changer in reviving Ghana’s agro-industrial sector.
He added that a technical committee had already been constituted, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, to design the national oil palm policy framework.
“The oil palm sector in Ghana stands at a critical juncture. We must decisively transition from fragmented efforts to a coordinated, policy-driven and regulated ecosystem that delivers value to every actor along the chain, from smallholder farmers to large-scale processors, and from rural communities to the national economy,” Dr Okrah said.
He emphasised that the TCDA was strategically positioned to lead this transformation through regulatory enforcement, policy alignment, and inclusive growth interventions.
Dr Okrah underscored the need to harmonise disjointed national policies in agriculture, trade, environment, and land use that have long hampered the sector’s development.
He explained that the proposed oil palm policy aligned with Mahama’s Feed Ghana initiative, which targets 50,000 hectares of oil palm cultivation over the next four years.
He also mentioned that the policy would also complement the government’s 24-hour economy vision by supporting export-oriented processing that enhances foreign exchange earnings.
“We are working closely with the Ministries of Food and Agriculture, Industry, Finance, and Local Government, as well as partners such as OPDAG, Solidaridad, and the Ghana Private Sector Competitiveness Program II (GPSCP II) to synchronise interventions and reduce duplication,” he added.
He further revealed that a policy dialogue later this year would bring together relevant institutions to ensure coherence in programmes and regulatory frameworks for the sector.
Dr Okrah highlighted enforcement as key to achieving global competitiveness, citing challenges such as the illicit importation of vegetable oil, lack of quality assurance, land governance issues, and environmental concerns.
To address these, he said, the TCDA had strengthened its legal framework under Act 10/10 and L.I. 2471 and started registering and licensing all actors within the oil palm value chain, including through an online platform.
He revealed that over 2 million seedlings had been distributed freely to farmers, with more support through the out-grower models and financial access schemes.
“With the support of Solidaridad and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, we are launching a Seed and Seedling Production Policy to provide certified, high-quality planting materials to farmers,” he noted.
He again indicated that the authority was also working with processors to improve standards in traceability, processing quality, and pricing fairness.
Noting that smallholder farmers contribute over 80% of Ghana’s oil palm production, Dr Okrah stressed the importance of inclusivity in the sector’s growth.
“Women and youth, who play vital roles in harvesting, processing, and marketing, will also receive focused support,” he added.
He reaffirmed TCDA’s partnership with OPDAG and other stakeholders to build a globally competitive and inclusive oil palm industry that delivers jobs, export earnings, and rural prosperity.
“The road ahead requires strong leadership, collaboration, and commitment. The oil palm value chain is no longer business as usual. It is time for smart policies, firm regulation, and inclusive innovation,” Dr Okrah said.
Kenyan giants Gor Mahia line up CK AKonnor as next coach
Ex-Ghana coach CK Akonnor
Ex-Ghana coach CK Akonnor is expected in Nairobi this week to finalize his move to Kenyan giants Gor Mahia, GHANAsoccernet understands.
The record FKF Premier League champions believe Akonnor’s wealth of experience and international exposure could help propel the club.
His rich club CV includes managing Ghana Premier League giants Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak and AshantiGold.
Akonnor is excited about the prospect of managing his first club abroad.
After successful playing careers with Bundesliga sides Fortuna Köln and Wolfsburg, the 52-year-old honed his coaching career at the Right to Dream Academy before leaving to then Ghana Premier League side Eleven Wise.
He also had a coaching stint with Dreams FC.
Gor Mahia are rebuilding after a turbulent season and are desirous to make a huge impact in CAF inter-club competitions.
Ato Forson uncovers 14,000 ghost names on gov’t payroll
Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has disclosed the discovery of fourteen thousand ghost names on the government payroll, raising fresh concerns about irregularities in public sector recruitment and wage administration.
Speaking in an interview on Accra-based Citi FM on Friday, July 25, 2025, Dr Forson revealed that the ghost workers were primarily found in the security, education, and health sectors.
This, he said, runs into several millions of Ghana cedis annually.
He indicated that these were recruitments made in the last quarter of 2024, but the individuals in question could not be validated.
The finance minister said his ministry, in collaboration with the Auditor-General, has commenced a comprehensive audit of the public payroll to sanitize the system.
He added that the ongoing audit, which is 90 percent complete, has also uncovered about 53,000 “separated staff” — individuals who have retired but are still receiving salaries.
“These are people who are no longer in active service and should not be on the payroll. Yet, they continue to draw salaries,” Dr Forson noted.
He noted that the Auditor-General is happy, and he is now working.
Despite the irregularities, the Minister stated that newly hired individuals who were engaged improperly will not be dismissed.
“Sacking them is not an option we are pursuing,” he said.
“They are Ghanaians,” he added in a measured tone, suggesting a humane approach to resolving the issue.
Dr Forson assured the public that the Ministry is committed to ensuring a clean and credible payroll system.
“I’ll work to justify the confidence reposed in me,” – DCE assures
Mr. Ibrahim Issahak, the newly confirmed District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atwima Mponua, has pledged to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in him by President John Mahama and the Assembly Members.
He said through the wise counsel and advice from the traditional authorities, clergy, elders, opinion leaders and the entire people, he would work to promote development to improve the living conditions of the people in the area.
Addressing members of the district after he was confirmed, Mr. Issahak thanked members of the Assembly for endorsing him in a peaceful exercise.
He secured 39 out of the 54 votes cast by the Assembly Members to consolidate his position as District Chief Executive.
He was applauded by supporters, relatives, well-wishers and loved ones amidst the sprinkling of powder on his body after the Electoral Commission declared the results of his confirmation.
Mr. Issahak called for unity, cooperation and support from the members, technocrats, traditional, religious, as well as opinion leaders to enable him render a successful administration and service to them.
Mr. Baah Acheamfour, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC, who represented the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, commended the Assembly Members for confirming the DCE in a first-round voting.
He said it would help the work of an expeditious rural development vision of the President and smoothen the governance system in the area.
Mr. Justice Nkrumah, Presiding Member (PM) and Assemblyman for Bayerebon Number Three Electoral Area, commended the President, the members, traditional leaders and party executives for the nomination, support and confirmation of the long awaited DCE for the area.
How BBC reported the death of Daddy Lumba
Daddy Lumba passed away on the morning of June 26, 2025
Ghana was left mourning after news broke that Charles Kwadwo Fosu, widely known as Daddy Lumba, died in the early hours of Saturday, July 26, 2025, after a brief illness, aged 60.
His passing was met with shock and mourning from Ghanaians, as they took to social media to share anecdotes about the artiste.
Here is how the BBC reported the death of Daddy Lumba:
‘Greatest in 100 years’: Ghana mourns music legend Daddy Lumba
Ghanaians are mourning one of the country’s best known singers, Charles Kojo Fosu, known as Daddy Lumba, who has died aged 60.
A statement from the family of the legendary highlife artist said he died in hospital on Saturday after a short illness.
Daddy Lumba, whose musical career spanned almost four decades, “was a cultural icon and his music touched countless lives”, the statement said.
Kofi Okyere-Darko, director of diaspora affairs at the office of the president, described Daddy Lumba as “the greatest from Ghana in the last 100 years”.
Daddy Lumba inspired many young Ghanaian musicians to pursue highlife music – a genre synonymous with the country.
He is credited with 33 albums and more than 200 songs over his long career, touching on themes such as love, forgiveness, beauty, money, death and other social themes.
President John Mahama paid tribute to him on Sunday with a post on Facebook.
“Lumba’s unmatched musical genius provided the soundtrack to our lives, carrying us through various phases of life,” he wrote. “The beats to his memorable songs may have died down, but his enduring legacy will echo through the ages.”
Meanwhile, former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said “his passing is indeed a huge blow not only to the music fraternity but the entire country”.
Fellow artistes such as Sarkodie, Guru, Sista Afia, M.anifest were among the first to send condolences to the bereaved family, eulogising the “incredible talent he shared with the world”.
Lumba last held a public concert to mark Valentine’s Day on 15 February 2025 to celebrate love, sharing the stage with some of Ghana’s brightest musicians, with many of the country’s politicians and influential people in attendance.
Earlier this month, he met President Mahama at an event organised for senior citizens at the seat of government as part of celebrations to mark the Republic Day holiday.
He had been due to go on tour to the US and Canada later this year.
His most celebrated albums include Sika Sem, Aben Wo Ha, Wo Ho Kyere, Awosoo, Give Peace A Chance and Ahenfue Kyinkye.
His most recent song, Ofon Na Edi Asem Fo, was released in December 2022.
Who was Daddy Lumba?
Lumba, born on 29 September 1964 in the town of Nsuta in Ghana’s Ashanti region, began his music journey in the early 1980s.
He got his stage name Lumba when he composed the song Lumba Lumba, which he dedicated to the freedom fighters of South Africa, according to his official website.
Daddy Lumba travelled to Germany and teamed up with fellow highlife musician Nana Acheampong and the duo became known as the Lumba Brothers.
They released their first official album, Yee Ye Aka Akwantuom, in 1986 – the song of the same name captures the struggles of Ghanaian immigrants in Europe searching for a better life.
After the pair fell out and split, Daddy Lumba launched a solo career and released his first album Obi Ate Meso Bio in 1990 and never looked back.
His family has requested privacy “as they navigate this profound grief”.
Details of funeral arrangements will be made public in the coming days.
ID/AE
Watch as A Plus and Serwaa Amihere visit Daddy’s Lumba’s residence after his passing:
See the mood at Daddy Lumba’s residence after news of his shocking demise:
Ghana Education Service releases funds to facilitate WASSCE practicals
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced the disbursement of funds to all Senior High Schools (SHSs) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs) nationwide, aimed at covering practical examination expenses for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
A statement issued by the GES stated that the funds will be used to provide essential materials and resources required for the smooth conduct of the practical sessions, which form a critical component of the final examination.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced the disbursement of funds to all Senior High Schools (SHSs) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs) nationwide, aimed at covering practical examination expenses for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
A statement issued by the GES stated that the funds will be used to provide essential materials and resources required for the smooth conduct of the practical sessions, which form a critical component of the final examination.
“This payment ensures that all practical examinations scheduled for the 2025 WASSCE are fully supported,” said Daniel Fenyi, Head of Public Relations at GES.
“It includes the provision of required materials and other essential resources necessary for successful implementation.”
It added that the release of the funds is to help ease the financial burden on parents and guardians while allowing students to focus entirely on their academic preparation.
“With this intervention, GES hopes to facilitate a smooth and well-coordinated examination process.”
“Our goal is to enable students to concentrate on their studies without being distracted by financial concerns related to practical exams.”
GES instructed regional, district, and school authorities to ensure that the funds are used appropriately and strictly for their intended purpose.
“We strongly urge all stakeholders involved to ensure the judicious use of these funds,” Fenyi said. “Management will continue to monitor the utilisation process closely to ensure transparency, accountability, and adherence to high standards in the examination’s administration.”
“The Ghana Education Service values the cooperation of all partners in our collective effort to deliver quality education. We remain committed to creating an enabling environment that supports the success of every student in the country,” he added.
Goldstar Air Role In Promoting Agribusiness In Ghana
News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://www.newsghana.com.gh/goldstar-air-role-in-promoting-agribusiness-in-ghana/
Reputable international airline Goldstar Air, Ghanaian and United States registered company with an issued Air Carrier Licence (ACL/N-SCH No. 0239) from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to operate passenger and cargo flights across West Africa and intercontinental routes, is well-positioned to promote agribusiness in Ghana through strategic flight paths, inflight meals, cargo logistics, cold chain development, entrepreneurial integration, human capital growth, marketing and targeted partnerships. These roles makes the airline a giant stakeholder of Agribusiness and a key part of Goldstar Air’s Project $1 Trillion Foreign Reserves Initiative, in alignment with projections that place Africa as the 8th largest global economy with an estimated GDP of $16.3 Trillion by the year 2050.
The airline’s emergence into Ghana’s aviation landscape signifies more than the introduction of new flight routes or airport operations, it signals a foundational shift in the nation’s agribusiness trajectory. By linking remote farming regions to domestic and international markets, the airline catalyzes a chain reaction of opportunity, infrastructure, investment, and transformation. With each landing, each shipment, and each business connection, Goldstar Air brings Ghana’s agribusiness potential into focus as a thriving engine of growth, resilience, and global engagement.
Goldstar Air has sought for international intervention to look into the issuance of the airline’s wide-body aircraft Safety Certificate (AOC) and waiting for the outcome, as the process is above halfway and it has been over eight years that the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority is not ready to get a qualified third-party to complete the remaining phases of the certification process. The completion of the certificate will enable the change of the wide-body aircraft nationality, allowing it to be registered under the Ghana Registry (State of Registry).
The airline is the economic tool to reset Ghana’s economy by spearheading a shift from import dependence to 24-hour export-led industrialization. Therefore, there is no need to delay the issuance of the airline’s Safety Certificate to start the 24-hour economy and create over two million direct and indirect job opportunities for Ghanaians. The Ghanaian youth cannot wait any longer in the ghettos, they need their well-paying jobs.
Goldstar Air, the wings of Ghana and belly of America is not merely an aviation player, it is an agribusiness enabler and economic accelerator. The airline’s holistic influence will unfold through enabling agricultural supply chains, empowering farmers to produce export-ready goods, building technical capacity, and redefining the economic geography of Ghana. Goldstar Air’s 24-hour operations will breathe vitality into farm livelihoods, rural economies, and national supply networks by boosting profitability, sustainability, and resilience.
The airline’s role in promoting agribusiness in Ghana will illustrate how aviation can serve as a force multiplier, a system builder weaving together transport, agriculture, technology, commerce, and community into a cohesive engine of growth. Goldstar Air’s vision challenges Ghanaian farmers to elevate agriculture from subsistence to sustained competitiveness and position the country not as a peripheral participant but as a production pioneer. As the airline starts to uplift agribusiness through its logistical, developmental, and infrastructural reach, Goldstar Air will take a decisive step towards a future where farms and flights together propel national development.
Goldstar Air’s deployment of 24-hour cargo services optimizes the flow of perishable and non-perishable agricultural goods from remote regions into markets that would otherwise remain unreachable. By providing reliable and timely access to domestic cities and international destinations, Goldstar Air will address the logistical bottlenecks that have long hindered the productivity, revenues, and market reach of Ghanaian farmers. Transportation costs associated with long-haul trucking over deteriorated road networks, delays that diminish product quality, and limited access to export markets have historically suppressed incentives for farmers to scale operations.
The airline’s cargo flights will effectively eliminate market barriers, enabling both smallholder farmers and agribusiness enterprises to airlift produce such as fresh fruits, vegetables, shea products, spices, grains, and livestock directly to regional trade hubs or international markets in Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, and West Africa, to tap into the global Agriculture income stream of $4.59 Trillion.
Goldstar Air, the wings of Ghana and the belly of America, operational model will offer packaging aggregation services that centralize the collection from individual farmers, enabling economies of scale in shipment size. By coordinating pre-cooling, sorting, and hygienic packing before flights, small-scale farmers will benefit from these efficiencies, and perishables will travel under optimal conditions. Moreover, the airline will explore mobile cold storage units in farming catchment zones, encouraging farmer cooperatives to adhere to quality standards and logistics protocols. Cold chain infrastructure will break the cycle of seasonal gluts and threshing losses, thereby increasing the viability and profitability of Ghana’s horticultural and agro-processing sectors.
The airline’s commitment to investing in cold chain infrastructure at its regional facilities will represent a paradigm shift in post-harvest loss reduction and product value retention. Cold storage on-site, refrigerated handling, and fast aircraft turnover will ensure that perishable items, such as tomatoes, mangoes, pineapples, onions, and herbs, maintain freshness, nutritional value, and shelf life. The presence of dedicated cold rooms will also allow for buffer storage in case of weather delays, while integrated temperature monitoring will build trust with long-haul buyers. Cold chain services will enable farmers to align production timing with market demand and secure better pricing windows.
Ghana must shift towards value addition to tap into global market revenues such as Manufacturing ($16.182 Trillion), Agriculture ($4.59 Trillion), Cargo ($2.2 Trillion), and Food Services ($2.52 Trillion). Targeting just 1.8571 percent of these sectors would be enough to produce billionaires in Ghana, who in turn could reinvest in the local economy to create more employment opportunities for the youth.
According to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldstar Air, Eric Bannerman, the airline’s strategic integration with agribusiness clusters in Ghana will advance production systems and cooperative organization. Goldstar Air will partner with local farming cooperatives to design logistics corridors that will serve groups of farmers producing common crops. These partnerships will include training on post-harvest handling, quality specifications, packaging, and traceability measures demanded by export buyers. Farmers will gain access to ballistic sorting lines at aggregation centers, controlled-atmosphere storage, and real-time flight scheduling information.
This tight linkage will create accountability chains: each batch of produce will be tracked from field to flight, transforming farming into a high-tech profession that appeals to young people. Coordinating harvest windows with flight schedules will ensure supply consistency and reduce wastage. For growers of shea, groundnuts, moringa, or spices, this approach will transform unstructured collection points into value-added supply streams. Over time, farmers will learn to better manage planting calendars, varietal selection, and agronomic practices to meet airline logistics requirements. The airline will thus become a partner in agribusiness development, rather than merely a transporter, reinforcing the capacity of Ghanaian farmers.
Goldstar Air will introduce a 24-hour integrated platform that offers leverage to exporters of Ghanaian goods registered with the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA). The airline will provide these companies with free advertising space on its in-flight magazine, integrated digital platforms, and aircraft screens during takeoff and landing. This initiative aims to promote and publicize their merchandise, allowing made-in-Ghana products to be sold duty-free onboard. Exporters will be required to sign an agreement with the airline to serve as their sole transporter.
The airline’s cargo and logistics operations will be complemented by the creation of agripreneur incubation and training hubs around farming regions. Training programs in logistics management, agribusiness marketing, value addition, and export processing will be offered in collaboration with technical institutions, NGOs, and development agencies. Youth and women from farming communities will be recruited into tailored cohorts to acquire skills in cold chain operations, packaging, agritech, and quality assurance, forming part of the airline’s over two million direct and indirect job creation initiative.
Goldstar Air will empower graduates to run value-added enterprises such as shea butter refiners, dried fruit packagers, or spice processors, and even manage collection logistics for flights. The airline will sponsor short courses in areas such as commodity export compliance, digital marketing, phytosanitary certification, and contract negotiation. Start-ups incubated through these initiatives will receive preferential cargo rates or priority shipping slots, accelerating their growth. Training alumni will return to their communities as local agribusiness ambassadors, raising standards across supply chains. The airline’s investment in human capital will build a pipeline of competent actors, farmers, processors, logistics managers, who can sustain and expand agribusiness development.
The airline’s marketing and sales functions will underpin demand-led cargo activity. Through its cargo department, Goldstar Air will maintain a network of agents, freight forwarders, and buyers in key global markets, including Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East, who will solicit Ghanaian agriculture products in season. When direct shipment windows open during harvest peaks, the airline will host market-linked airlifts: mango consignments in summer, shea in the dry season, cashews when fresh. Goldstar Air’s brand will become synonymous with reliability and quality in Ghanaian produce, raising the country’s international reputation abroad.
Goldstar Air will support certification drives such as Fairtrade, Organic, and Rainforest Alliance for farmers, collaborating with standard bodies and laboratory facilities to prepare products for global buyers. Cargo manifests and certifications will travel alongside goods, simplifying customs processing overseas. The airline’s ability to deliver high-quality agricultural commodities with traceability in under 48 hours will reinforce buyer trust, secure repeat contracts, and enable higher margins. Goldstar Air will evolve into a brand extension of Ghana’s agrarian identity, with its influence visible in foreign supermarkets, specialty retailers, and global commodity markets.
Part of Goldstar Air’s agribusiness promotion agenda will be to foster new frontiers of value-added production near airport zones. In partnership with agribusiness investors and processors, the airline will support the establishment of small-scale packing plants, juice processors, shea refineries, and spice dryer units adjacent to airport premises or industrial zones. These facilities will receive raw produce directly, process it sufficiently for immediate shipment, and load finished products onto flights. This integration will significantly reduce the cost per unit of airfreight, stabilize demand for farmers, and create both skilled and unskilled jobs locally.
Goldstar Air, the wings of Ghana and the belly of America, will also extend its role into digital agriculture and agritech innovation. The airline will invest in the deployment of farm-to-flight digital platforms, which aggregate farmer data, production forecasts, and flight cargo space. Farmers will receive SMS or app-based messages about packing specifications, flight schedules, and logistics statuses. For larger agribusiness partners, real-time dashboards will track cargo movement, quality reports, and price trends. The airline will collaborate with satellite imagery providers and weather services to integrate climate information: advising farmers on optimal harvest dates ahead of flights and forecasting disruptions. Drone spraying cooperatives partnering with farmers will use flight schedules to coordinate spraying operations and deliver samples to aggregation hubs. The airline will serve as a field lab for agritech trials, enabling improved quality control, traceability, and efficiency across farming landscapes.
The airline’s aviation inclusion strategy will have economic multiplier effects on livelihoods, incomes, and regional value chains. Goldstar Air’s operations from Ghana will enable farmers to receive reliable airlifts for their produce. As a result, farmers can plan crop rotations, invest in improved seeds and fertilizer inputs, and diversify into higher-value crops. They can also enter contract farming arrangements, assured of delivery channels and post-harvest risk mitigation. Women-led producer groups, such as shea oil processors, dried fruit cooperatives, and moringa cultivators, will gain access to direct markets, earn foreign currency, and scale operations. Youth will find opportunities in agritech, logistics, packing, and export management, helping to reverse rural-urban migration. Communities will benefit from local job creation, revenue from airport activities, branding opportunities for local produce, and cross-sectoral growth in hospitality, transportation, and services. As Goldstar Air’s flights increase, local multiplier effects will deepen, creating roles for hotel staff, customs agents, quality inspectors, and documentation managers.
Goldstar Air will introduce Ghanaian cuisine and traditional drinks on board all flights as part of the airline’s role in promoting Agribusiness 30,000 feet above sea level. The in-flight menu will feature authentic indigenous African traditional drinks, including Chapman, Asaana, Sobolo, Pito, Burkina, Lamugin, Palm wine (a sweet alcoholic drink fermented from palm tree sap, traditionally served in a local calabash). Additionally, passengers will enjoy Ghana’s signature Golden Tree chocolate drinks and bars, the airline’s brand identity.
The menu will also feature a variety of popular Ghanaian delicacies, including Plantain chips, Koose, Roasted plantain, Tapioca, Ekuegbemi, Tiger nut pudding, Oblayoo, Massa, Kuli-kuli, Akpiti, Adonlee, Kelewele, Acheke, Waakye, Fufu, Kenkey, Banku, Red red, Abolo, Yakayaka, Aboboi, and Tatale. This initiative will provide significant opportunities for Ghanaian food and beverage companies, as Goldstar Air showcases local delicacies to a global audience.
Goldstar Air’s holistic engagement with Ghanaian agribusiness will redefine development pathways. Flights will not just serve as vectors of mobility, they will become growth threads weaving together farmers, processors, agencies, investors, and consumers. Through intentional supply chain integration, infrastructure investment, human capital development, marketing connectivity, agritech enablement, public-private coordination, and adaptive strategy, the airline will amplify the scale and competitiveness of Ghana’s agricultural economy. Emerging from Ghana’s farmlands, these corridors will connect to global supermarket shelves. As cargo empowers farmers, incomes will rise, exports will diversify, youth will engage locally, gender equity will improve, and national agriculture will transform from subsistence farming to globally networked commerce. Each Goldstar Air takeoff will be a step toward Ghana’s agrarian resurgence and a continent-wide model of aviation-linked agricultural prosperity.
The airline will also invest in corporate social responsibility within farming communities. Goldstar Air will run scholarship programs for agriculture students, fund demonstration plots showcasing best practices, and support community-led youth agribusiness training initiatives. The airline will sponsor food festivals to boost demand for local crops and highlight their cultural heritage. Goldstar Air’s brand will become synonymous with agrarian pride and commercial opportunity. Through storytelling campaigns featuring farmer success stories, agritech entrepreneurs, and trade enablement, the airline will build a narrative linking aviation to rural upliftment and national prosperity.
Goldstar Air’s approach to cargo services will be underscored by its use of digital technologies and sustainable practices. The airline is incorporating Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, blockchain-based cargo documentation, AI-driven demand forecasting, and machine learning algorithms for route planning. These innovations will minimize fuel consumption, prevent cargo losses, and ensure real-time visibility of shipments. Goldstar Air is also committed to reducing its environmental footprint by investing in fuel-efficient aircraft, carbon offset programs, and green cargo terminals. The airline’s 24-hour cargo services will not only focus on volume but also on accountability, reliability, and sustainability.
Mr. Bannerman emphasized that the airline will convene summits involving development banks, regional development funds, and agribusiness funds from Africa and abroad. Through these dialogues, grant and investment deals will be secured for cold chain expansion, farmer organization, and export certification, as the airline’s visibility will help attract funding. As a result, Goldstar Air will become an anchor institution, acting as a magnet for public and private agribusiness investments into underserved regions, to make a significant impact on the country’s economy, improve the livelihoods of farmers, and also achieve the airline’s Project $1 Trillion Foreign Reserves Initiative.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Airlines for America, Inc. (A4A), and the Boeing Company (Boeing) in July 2010, signed a resolution formalizing their commitment to work together on the FARM to FLY initiative. The FARM to FLY program aims to accelerate the availability of a commercially viable and sustainable aviation biofuel industry in the United States, increase domestic energy security, establish regional supply chains, and support rural development. To advance the initiative, each organization designated personnel to serve on the FARM to FLY Working Team to explore actions that promote the commercial-scale production of sustainable feedstocks and the development of aviation biofuel production and distribution facilities. The Team’s discussions focused on existing statutory authority and areas that might require additional rulemaking, statutory, or funding changes.
Agricultural aviation began in the 1920s and remains vital to high yield farming today. At the industry’s start, aerial application was commonly referred to as “crop dusting,” because insecticides and other products were delivered as dry chemicals. Today, aerial applicators use products in liquid, granular, or seed products to control pests, provide nutrients, and even plant fields. Currently, aerial application accounts for up to one-fourth of all crop protection product applications in the United States.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) recently reported that the agribusiness sector accounts for at least 17% of sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP and more than 50% of its employment. Despite this, Africa still possesses 65% of the world’s unused arable land. To unlock this, every available tool will be needed to cash in on this vast potential, and just like business jets are tools for corporations seeking to enhance productivity, general aviation can be utilized for that purpose, particularly in areas with large-scale farming operations across Africa.
Goldstar Air will promote the use of Air Tractor aircraft, that has been proven to be the most cost-effective and reliable method to add chemicals to crops to increase yields for industrial farming. For agricultural spraying, the AT-502XP is currently the best option. For firefighting operations, the AT-802 is a specialized model. These Air Tractors can be used for applying fertilizers to tea crops, locust control, and aerial firefighting. The two leaders in agricultural aircraft are the Air Tractor and Thrush Aircraft, both being produced in the United States.
Depending on the task, a specific aircraft is used to execute the operation. In crop protection and nutrition, mostly single-engine piston and turbine aircraft are used, including the full range of Air Tractor aircraft like the AT-402, AT-502, AT-602, and AT-802, as well as various Thrush Aircraft models like the 510, and piston aircraft such as the Piper Pawnee. Various helicopter types are also used, including the Robinson R22/44, Bell JetRangers, and the Airbus AS350 series. Aerial applications using unmanned platforms (drones) are also becoming increasingly popular now.
Goldstar Air will also promote the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, which are rapidly transforming agricultural practices worldwide. Their versatility and efficiency enable farmers to optimize resource usage, enhance crop monitoring and management, and improve overall productivity and sustainability. The primary users include large-scale commercial farms, aggregated smallholder farmers, agricultural research institutions, and government agencies.
Unmanned Aerial Systems help assess damage caused by droughts or floods, guide relief efforts, and enable prompt replanting or rehabilitation of agricultural land. Key applications include crop health monitoring, precision mapping, livestock monitoring and counting, and disaster mitigation.
Furthermore, apart from the cost efficiency and ease of deployment, accessibility is potentially the main trait when compared to aircraft like the Air Tractor. UAS can operate in areas where larger aircraft cannot, such as small or fragmented farms, steep terrains, or regions lacking proper airstrips. Goldstar Air envisions a rapidly expanding drone industry as technological acceptance, policy advancement, and regulation, as well as value appreciation of drone technology in agriculture.
Though technology is still in its early adoption stages globally and especially in Africa, exponential growth is expected once several factors are addressed, and full adoption is achieved, including farmer awareness and education, government support, and private sector investment.
The African continent is projected to feed itself and the world’s 9 billion people by 2050. It is no surprise that agriculture is among the African Development Bank’s top priorities. However, greater investment and cross-industry collaboration will be essential in achieving this ambitious goal. According to the United Nations, the global agriculture sector contributes 4% to the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and accounts for 27% of total global employment.
Goldstar Air’s influence on agribusiness extends into regional government planning and investment flows. By signaling that agripreneurial opportunities exist in Ghana, the airline’s agriculture-centric flights will support the farmers broader ambitions of transforming agriculture from subsistence to commercial scale. Goldstar Air will function as a connective tissue linking border farming zones to global markets. Whether flying cashews to India, spices to Europe by midday, or shea butter to North America the next day, the airline catalyzes the viability of emerging value chains that once seemed distant. Goldstar Air embrace of intra-African routes will also support ECOWAS agricultural trade, particularly with secondary neighboring markets. Ghana’s reputation as a leading agro-exporter will thus be elevated.
The airline will work with producers to implement environmental management protocols, minimizing post-harvest waste, reducing plastic usage in packaging, optimizing weight and volume for carbon efficiency, and supporting regenerative agriculture through certification incentives. Goldstar Air will partner with carbon offset programs linked to tree planting in farming zones and integrate digital carbon calculators into freight manifests, allowing growers to track their environmental contributions. In a global market increasingly focused on sustainability, Ghanaian agriproducts transported by Goldstar Air will earn valuable environmental credentials.
Goldstar Air’s long-term cargo vision includes establishing logistics academies and training centers in Ghana to build a pipeline of skilled professionals. These institutions will offer certification programs in aviation logistics, cargo handling, supply chain management, and freight forwarding. This will not only improve youth employability but also raise competency standards across the industry. Partnerships with international institutions will ensure Ghanaian logistics professionals remain competitive globally.
Economic developers view aviation as crucial for countries and critical drivers of income generation and growth. The viability of Wa and Ho Airports will be strengthened by Goldstar Air’s 24-hour economic activity and charter flights, making them major economic drivers for the Upper West and Volta Regions of Ghana. Additionally, the introduction of Hajj flights to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will create new economic opportunities for these regional capitals, further connecting rural communities to global commerce, supporting local businesses, and attracting new investments to these areas.
Tamale will serve as a pivotal hub for Goldstar Air’s maintenance base, training school, catering services, and cargo village. Plans are also underway to operate international passenger flights between Tamale and key destinations in the Sahel region, as well as Hajj flights to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Goldstar Air will initially operate flights from Kumasi to destinations such as Rome, Madrid, Hamburg, London, Düsseldorf, Milan, and also offer Hajj flights to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Flights from Accra will include destinations such as Washington, Dubai, Lagos, Toronto, Monrovia, Conakry, Abidjan, Guangzhou, Dakar, Banjul, Rhode Island, London, and Freetown. Future plans include adding cities such as Miami (Florida), Atlanta (Georgia), Chicago (Illinois), Glasgow (Scotland), Houston (Texas), and many others.
#Flygoldstar
#WingsOfGhana
#BellyOfAmerica
#OverTwoMillionJobOpportunities
News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://www.newsghana.com.gh/goldstar-air-role-in-promoting-agribusiness-in-ghana/Read More
NAIMOS task force continues crackdown on illegal mining in Bole-Bamboi
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operation Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force has continued its operations in the Bole-Bamboi area of the Savannah Region, targeting illegal mining sites and companies involved in galamsey activities.
On July 25, 2025, the task force visited a company where 11 Chinese nationals were arrested the previous day and seized various equipment and items.
Seized Equipment and Items
The task force took control of the following equipment and items:
Vehicles:
4 Shacman tipper trucks (GT 7048-25, GT 7035-25, GT 7265-25, GT 7243-25)
1 bulldozer (GT 5321-25)
1 low bed (GT 1128-21)
1 Forland small truck
Other Items:
10 drums of engine oil
28 assorted Richlion tires
Motorbikes
The seized equipment and items have been conveyed to NAIMOS headquarters in Accra through hired drivers, where they will be held for further direction and action.
The NAIMOS Task Force continues to conduct swoops at galamsey sites in the area, demonstrating its commitment to addressing the environmental and social impacts of illegal mining.
The operations aim to protect the country’s natural resources and ensure that those involved in galamsey activities are held accountable.
The NAIMOS Task Force’s operations in Bole/Bamboi are a significant step towards addressing the issue of illegal mining in Ghana.
The seizure of equipment and items will likely disrupt the operations of galamsey operators in the area, and the task force’s continued efforts will be crucial in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable mining practices.
NAIMOS task force continues crackdown on illegal mining in Bole-Bamboi
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operation Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force has continued its operations in the Bole-Bamboi area of the Savannah Region, targeting illegal mining sites and companies involved in galamsey activities.
On July 25, 2025, the task force visited a company where 11 Chinese nationals were arrested the previous day and seized various equipment and items.
Seized Equipment and Items
The task force took control of the following equipment and items:
Vehicles:
4 Shacman tipper trucks (GT 7048-25, GT 7035-25, GT 7265-25, GT 7243-25)
1 bulldozer (GT 5321-25)
1 low bed (GT 1128-21)
1 Forland small truck
Other Items:
10 drums of engine oil
28 assorted Richlion tires
Motorbikes
The seized equipment and items have been conveyed to NAIMOS headquarters in Accra through hired drivers, where they will be held for further direction and action.
The NAIMOS Task Force continues to conduct swoops at galamsey sites in the area, demonstrating its commitment to addressing the environmental and social impacts of illegal mining.
The operations aim to protect the country’s natural resources and ensure that those involved in galamsey activities are held accountable.
The NAIMOS Task Force’s operations in Bole/Bamboi are a significant step towards addressing the issue of illegal mining in Ghana.
The seizure of equipment and items will likely disrupt the operations of galamsey operators in the area, and the task force’s continued efforts will be crucial in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable mining practices.