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“Stop the calculated psychological blackmail directed at Dr Bawumia” – Rev Owusu Bempah warned

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 A group calling itself Action Movement for Bawumia has issued a stern warning to the leader of Glorious Word Power Ministries International, Rev Owusu Bempah.

The Pro-Bawumia group accused Rev Owusu Bempah of engaging in “pulpit blackmail and extortion” to solicit favours from the NPP and its flagbearer.

According to the pro-Bawumia group, Rev Owusu Bempah must stop his attacks on New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, or he will face their response.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the group stated, “REVEREND OWUSU BEMPAH ENGAGES IN CALCULATED PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PULPIT BLACKMAIL AGAINST DR MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA AND THE NPP

Reverend Owusu Bempah has of late developed a despicable habit of using his pulpit almost every Sunday in his church to attack Dr Bawumia for no tangible reason. We, the admirers of Dr Bawumia, advise you to be very careful with your callous attacks on the person of Dr Bawumia.

We, the admirers of Dr Bawumia, consider the attacks by Reverend Owusu Bempah on the person of Dr Bawumia as psychological and pulpit blackmail intended to solicit unknown favours from the NPP and its Flagbearer. Reverend Owusu Bempah is trying very hard to force religious discussions into Dr Bawumia’s presidential bid for the 2028 elections.

We advise Rev. Owusu Bempah not to start a problem he cannot handle when it finally gets out of hand. We know you have problems with the former IGP Dampare, who had you arrested and arraigned before court when you had issues with Agrada. Do not extend your personal problems with IGP Dampare to the innocent Dr Bawumia.

If you want to be respected as a pastor, you must bear in mind that Dr Bawumia has admirers and supporters across the country and beyond. We consider your constant attacks on Dr Bawumia a despicable attitude unbecoming of a man of God.

Please, Rev. Owusu Bempah, do not start what you cannot handle. You must re-examine your recent despicable attitude regarding how you unfairly attack Dr Bawumia in your church almost every Sunday. You are using the holy pulpit to blackmail an innocent man who has done you no wrong.

Please, Rev. Owusu Bempah, desist from the unwarranted, consistent bigotry and psychological blackmail directed at Dr Bawumia, in the interest of the peace and religious cohesion Ghana currently enjoys. It appears you are seriously prejudiced and obsessed with your attacks on Dr Bawumia.

A word to the wise should be enough. You must yield to good counsel.

Issued by the Action Movement for Bawumia”

Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Youth Wing has dragged the founder and leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministry, Rev Isaac Owusu-Bempah, to the National Security, Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and Inspector-General of Police.

The NPP Youth Wing petitioned the three agencies to investigate Rev Isaac Owusu-Bempah over allegations he made against some leading figures of the party, particularly Dr Nana Ayew Afriye.

In the petition, the NPP Youth Wing indicated, “Prophet Owusu-Bempah has publicly alleged that Dr Nana Ayew Afriye planned to mobilise the NPP Nasara Wing to attack him and his church, on account of prophecies he has made concerning the NPP’s flagbearer, Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia.

These are grave allegations that, in effect, accuse our Patron of orchestrating or conspiring to commit acts of violence and criminality”.

“We are appalled by these allegations, which we consider wicked, false and entirely without foundation. Dr Ayew Afriye is known to us, and to the general public, as an affable, disciplined and peace-loving leader who has, on numerous occasions, exercised restraint even in the face of considerable provocation.

At no time has he issued any instruction, directive or encouragement to this Youth Wing, or to any other person or group, to attack Prophet Owusu Bempah, his church, or any of its members,” part of the petition reads.

The NPP youth also accused Rev Owusu-Bempah of using his pulpit as a political tool to attack the flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

The NPP youth wing is demanding: “Investigate the allegations made by Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah and establish whether there is any factual basis for his claims;

Invite Prophet Owusu Bempah to substantiate, with evidence, his claim that Dr Ayew Afriye planned or mobilised any group to attack him or his church;

Take appropriate action, in accordance with the law, should the allegations be found to be false and made with the intent to incite public disaffection, cause fear and panic, or injure the reputation of our Patron; and

Ensure the personal safety of Dr Ayew Afriye, who may be exposed to public hostility or reprisal as a result of these unsubstantiated claims”.

@ghnow_ “Sarkodie came to my house to apologise over a TGMA incident, and even cooked jollof for him.” — STONEBWOY on TikTok LIVE! #GHnow #FYP ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “Those Who Build on Waterways Are Killers and Evil People” — Sam George #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

“What is the use of Wontumi being jailed for 20 years?” – Prophet Kofi Oduro quizzes

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Prophet Kofi Oduro, the Founder and Leader of Alabaster International Ministries, has quizzed the sense behind the 20-year prison sentence handed to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) former Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The man of God expressed disappointment over the imprisonment of Wontumi, arguing that the 20-year prison sentence was not in the best interest of the country.

He noted that the government will now have to spend taxpayers’ money on his feeding and welfare while he serves his sentence.

According to Prophet Kofi Oduro, Wontumi should have been given an option: 20 years or 10 billion dollars payback to reclaim the lands he helped destroy with his galamsey activities.

Speaking in a sermon shared on social media with his congregation, Prophet Kofi Oduro stated, “What is the use of Wontumi being in prison for 20 years? We should have given that guy options: 20 years or 10 billion dollars payback. He will definitely choose the latter. What is the sense of Wontumi being in Nsawam Prison? It’s true he has committed a crime, but give him an option, give him an option to pay back.

“Now that he is in Nsawam for 20 years, what is the sense of it? He has offended the law, yes, but he should be given an option to pay back. The Nation needs that money back to go and reclaim that land.

 The judiciary should give the guy an option. 20 years or pay back; nobody will take 20 years. Let him sell everything he has made to pay back, but for him to sit there while we waste money on him is nonsense,” he said.

In related news,  Chairman Wontumi’s bail application pending his appeal has been adjourned to October 15, 2026.

Reports suggest the adjournment followed the failure of Chairman Wontumi and his lawyers who failed to appear before the court for the hearing.

However, the Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem-Sai, was present in court for the proceedings.

He disclosed to the media that the court is expected to consider the bail application when the case resumes on October 15.

It will be recalled that Chairman Wontumi has filed an application at the High Court seeking to be released on bail pending the determination of his appeal against his conviction and prison sentence.

Wontumi’s legal team is asking the court to grant his release while the appeal challenging the judgment is heard.

The court is scheduled to hear the application on August 19, 2026. Wontumi is currently being held at Nsawam Medium Security Prison serving a 20-year jail term.

Lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, indicated that the application is in accordance with Section 96(1) of Act 30 and Section 33(1) of Act 459.

“Take Notice that this Honourable Court will be moved by Counsel for and on behalf of the 1st Appellant/Applicant (“Applicant”) herein praying the Court for an order that the Applicant, who is currently incarcerated at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons, be admitted to bail pending appeal upon the grounds stated in the accompanying affidavit and for any further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem meet,” parts of the application read.

“Court to be moved on Wednesday, 19TH day of August 2026 at 9 o’clock in the forenoon or so soon thereafter as Counsel for the 1st and 3rd Appellants may be heard.”

Also, Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has mocked the former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, following his  20-year sentencing.

According to Asiedu Nketia, Chairman Wontumi had been suffering considerably from his frequent movements around galamsey sites.

He stressed that they have now found a place for Wontumi to rest and “cool off” after years of what he described as suffering.

The NDC chairman mocked Chairman Wontumi, telling him to thank his God as he has been taken to the Nsawam Prison to cool off.

He further added that Wontumi will come back strong and fresh after cooling off at the Nsawam Prison.

Speaking during a radio interview, Asiedu Nketia stated, “ Wontumi was suffering too much, walking at galamsey sites, so we have gotten a place for him to go and cool off a little. He should thank God and rest.

When he comes back from there, he will become strong and fresh. He should go and cool off at Nsawam”.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George has commissioned a newly constructed 3-unit classroom block at Afienya, providing improved learning facilities for pupils and supporting a better educational environment in the community. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – zakboy NDC
@ghnow_ “Those Who Build on Waterways Are Killers and Evil People” — Sam George #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

“The so-called grass is greener somewhere is an illusion” – Former diplomat warns Ghanaian youths

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A member of the NPP Vetting Committee and former diplomat, Professor Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah, has advised Ghanaian youths against assuming that life abroad certainly offers better opportunities.

According to the Professor, while some Ghanaians succeed after migrating, many others struggle with challenges that are rarely visible in the images of prosperity they share with those back home.

He highlighted that young people often see the apparent success of migrants without knowing the difficulties and sacrifices behind them.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, September 8, Professor Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah stated, “The so-called ‘grass is greener somewhere. It’s an illusion”.

“You hear about them; they are showing prosperity and whatnot. The basis of the prosperity, they don’t tell you,” he said.

He further noted that some migrants also struggle to find jobs in their areas of expertise and are forced to take up work unrelated to their qualifications.

“And then also, a lot of them actually never make it,” he said.

According to the professor, his experience abroad strengthened his conviction that migration should not automatically be viewed as the surest path to a better future.

He further revealed that after completing his studies in the United States, he rejected several job offers because he had already decided to return to Ghana.

“When I was leaving home, I knew that the Ghana I was leaving was going to be better than the States. And therefore, I want to be there when that happens,” he said.

Kwame Pianim, a Renowned economist, has urged young Ghanaian women and men to remain in the country and contribute to its economic development.

According to Kwame Pianim, Ghana should create jobs and invest in productive sectors to prevent the growing youth population from becoming a burden on the economy.

The Renowned economist urged Ghanaian youths to stay and build Ghana instead of running to other countries.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the Fidelity Bank Debt Capital Markets Conference 2026, Kwame Pianim stated, “Now that the weather is changing in Europe, they will give us free visas to go there while they come and stay here. So you and I, let’s do the right thing and be strong, and I think we will maintain this macroeconomic stability and move it forward. Otherwise, in 10 years’ time, I am gone. You and your children are here.

Make sure that this place we have called Ghana is made safe and productive for us. Our young women and men, stay here to work instead of running away, walking to other countries to add value to our raw materials in countries where nobody wants them,” he said.

Kwame Pianim also stressed the need to create jobs for the young people entering the labour market.

“You either create jobs for them so they become forces for development, or you leave them and they become destroyers,” Kwame Pianim said.

“They will be bandits, they will be armed robbers. They will not be contributing to growth,” he added.

He further issued a warning about illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, saying, “If the galamsey continues, there is nothing you do, you won’t have water. You are not rich enough to import avian water to drink, and the genetic make-up of our women is being destroyed. So let’s focus on that. Clean it up. The next war will be fought over water, where the water is and when the West moves in, they will push us to the arid areas,” he emphasised.

However, Ghanaian media personality Nana Aba Anamoah has sparked a debate on social media, calling on her followers, countrymen and women to seize any opportunity to relocate abroad legally for work.

According to Nana Aba Anamoah, should a Ghanaian get the opportunity to leave this country legally and work legally, they should take it without looking back.

In a post on X, Nana Aba Anamoah on July 30, 3036 wrote, “If you get the chance to leave this country legally and work legally, take it.  Don’t look back”.

@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George takes a moment to teach pupils at the Prampram Cluster of Schools how to safely ride and enjoy the newly commissioned seesaw. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George has commissioned a newly constructed 3-unit classroom block at Afienya, providing improved learning facilities for pupils and supporting a better educational environment in the community. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – zakboy NDC

Akufo-Addo nearly pushed Ghana back to military rule – Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe

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Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe, a Statesman and founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration nearly pushed Ghana back to military rule.

According to  Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe, Ghana under the Akufo-Addo administration was dangling and on the brink of falling back into military rule.

Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe recounted that two senior military officers, the late General Ashley-Larsen and General Nunu Mensah, engaged then-President Akufo-Addo to offer their advice in the interest of the country’s security.

He disclosed that the two generals believed the general situation in the country required their intervention because Ghana was “walking into the hands of the military.”

Speaking in an interview on Onua TV on September 8, 2026, Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe stated, “When Akufo-Addo became president of this country, and this nation was walking into the hands of the military, two generals decided to have a chat with Akufo-Addo and advise because of the safety of this country.

“Late General Ashley Larson was, I think, the oldest general left at that time and General Nunu Mensah. They got in touch through the presidents, you know, as usual when certain things you have to pass it through somebody to get it. He was informed”.

You know the response that came from my good friend Nana Akufo-Addo”.

He further added, “General Nunu Mensah said he was driving somewhere around Cantonment when he had the call, so he parked the car and on the other side of the phone was one of the ministers. I think it was then the National Security Minister. The person was rather telling him that the President would like them to talk to the security services. Can you believe that? Two generals”.

He added, “So, what happened? There are no kids. Even in age, they are far, far older than us. So, they decided just to leave it, and we were dangling like this, dangling,” he said.

“The whole nation was dangling, and we should thank God that we are still a nation,” he stated.

In related news, in 2025, President John Mahama told the National Peace Council at the Jubilee House that Ghana is not immune to a coup d’état.

According to John Mahama, Ghana is not immune to coup d’état, which is why his government is doing their best to make sure that they regain the trust of the people.

He stressed that democratic governance must let citizens have faith that it can deliver development.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the National Peace Council at the Jubilee House on December 10, President John Mahama stated, “For those of us who practice democratic governance, we must let our people have faith that democratic governance can deliver the kinds of opportunity and development that they are looking for”.

“You see a certain cynicism where young people said, even this voting is useless. I go and vote every four years, and I don’t see what difference it makes in our lives,” he said.

He cautioned, “One of my major campaign messages was that we have a last opportunity to keep the faith and trust of our people in the political elites. Otherwise, Ghana is not immune to coup d’états”.

President Mahama added, “I don’t enjoy prosecuting people, but the people of Ghana will not forgive us if people develop impunity in terms of abusing the trust that people have put in them”.

“That is why we are resourcing the Economic and Organised Crime Office and the other anti-corruption institutions, including the Office of the Special Prosecutor,” he added.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George has warned against building on waterways, saying any structure engineers determine must be demolished will come down, regardless of who built it. #GHnow #FYP ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George has commissioned a newly constructed playground at Ahwiam Community School, providing pupils with a safe and conducive space for recreation, play and physical development. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – STONEBWOY

“National Cathedral was not built because we Christians are not serious” – Duncan-Williams

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Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the Presiding Archbishop and General Overseer of Action Chapel International, has said Ghana’s National Cathedral was not built because Christians are not serious.

According to Duncan-Williams, the failure of the Akufo-Addo government to complete the National Cathedral project was because Christians failed to demonstrate the commitment required to see it through and not because of corruption.

He argued that the stalled project was left uncompleted because of corruption but largely because Christians were not serious.

Speaking in a sermon to his congregation in a video shared on social media, Duncan-Williams stated, “The National Cathedral was not built, not because of corruption. I was right there. It was because we Christians are not serious”.

“We are a bunch of selfish, greedy people. It’s all about us. We don’t think about the kingdom,” he stated.

Archbishop Duncan Williams in the video questioned the level of commitment among Christians towards supporting projects that he said would benefit the church and future generations.

The man of God stressed that Christians must be more concerned about posterity and the advancement of the kingdom rather than focusing solely on their personal interests urged Christians to reflect on their contributions to the church before criticising others.

Duncan Williams, during his sermon, also criticised what he described as the unwillingness of some Christians to support people in need, mainly single mothers, widows and families struggling to pay school fees and rent.

In related news, Kwaku Sintim-Misa, popularly known as KSM, a Ghanaian satirist and talk show host, has said the National Cathedral project is the most significant policy blunder since Ghana’s independence.

According to KSM, why is Ghana considering returning to the infamous, notorious cathedral? arguing that the cathedral is one of the most senseless ideas that Ghanaians have had.

Kwaku Sintim-Misa stated, “But that statement, dear Honourable Ayariga, that was the dumbest thing to have come out of the mouth of somebody who is coming up as a new minister to take charge”.

“You’re going to go back to this infamous, notorious cathedral. This cathedral, which is one of the most senseless ideas that we Ghanaians have said, we’re going to pawn money, what, $19 million, whatever, into building a cathedral.

“A cathedral which, in our intelligence, decided that we’ll import a stone from Israel… And this, for some people, it is one of the most intelligent decisions ever made. For me, it is one of the dumbest, most painful [decisions],” he said.

KSM highlighted that while a government can make a national policy commitment, the National Cathedral originated from a personal pledge made by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, adding that such a pledge should not have resulted in government resources being used to finance the project.

KSM added, “And then your administration comes to power, and so he had to use the money from the government to build a cathedral. It is wrong. We all know how useless it is. National Cathedral, it is the most significant policy blunder since Ghana’s independence, in my view.

“When you look at our needs versus our demands, there is a poor country. You have to build schools, and you have to build a hospital,” he noted.

The Satirist and talk show host also questioned the role of the Christian Council of Ghana in discussions about reviving the project.

He argued that the Christian community should be more concerned about whether the project and the manner in which it was pursued reflect Christian values.

“If the Christian Council will not be happy with the fact that the cathedral has been shoved to the will of affections, then overview the Christian Council, then I tell you that you Christians, you don’t know the teachings of Christ.

“You don’t know the teachings of Christ. Because if you know and understand the teachings of your Christ that you worship or the God that you worship, this is all unnecessary to the highest point,” he stated.

KSM further argued that a project intended to be a house for God should be pursued with integrity and transparency.

“You know, so to build a house for God, you would think that it has been approached with such a degree of righteousness,” he said.

“So be very correct because we are building a house for God. We better stay in the right lane and do something for God. No! On the contrary, there’s so much looting and so much shady,” he added.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George has warned against building on waterways, saying any structure engineers determine must be demolished will come down, regardless of who built it. #GHnow #FYP ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George helped students climb onto the newly commissioned seesaw at the Prampram Cluster of Schools, ensuring the pupils could safely enjoy the new recreational facility. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Penis enlargement procedures come with serious health risks – Korle-Bu Surgeon advise men

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Professor Mathew Yamoah Kyei, a urologist, neurologist and surgeon at both The Trust Hospital and the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, has strongly advised men against undergoing penis enlargement procedures.

According to the Korle-Bu surgeon, penis enlargement procedures come with serious health risks.

Professor Kyei further debunked claims that the size of a man’s penis matters, adding that any size is capable of satisfying a woman.

He noted that complaints regarding penis size stem mostly from mindset rather than physical insufficiency.

Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Professor Kyei stated, “Penis sizes can be affected by medical conditions or infections; however, for the majority of men who complain about having a small penis, it is simply a mindset issue. We can use surgery to increase the size, but that comes with serious complications.

“In recent times, we have a newer approach using injections, but this also carries risks. It is important to know that these injections last for only six months to a maximum of one and a half years, after which you must return for another treatment.

“If the procedure is not performed correctly, it can cause severe problems for the individual by blocking the veins that return blood to the heart, leading to collapse and, in severe cases, death.”

His comment follows, Igho Ubiribo, a 43-year-old Nigerian-British businessman and social media influencer, who died after undergoing a penis enlargement procedure in Thailand.

Reports suggest Ubiribo, also known as “Tiny”, “Denisi” and “Ego”, was on a luxury holiday in Bangkok with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he decided to undergo the procedure.

According to the Daily Mail, 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine were injected into Ubiribo’s penis at an unnamed clinic in Thailand in March.

After the procedure, Ubiribo and his wife reportedly went for a massage at their Marriott hotel, where he complained of chest pain and subsequently passed out twice.

He was taken by ambulance to Sukhumvit Hospital, where he was initially able to respond to questions.

The Punch Nigeria shared more details in a news article, stating, “According to evidence presented at an inquest at the Inner West London Coroners’ Court, Allen informed doctors that her husband had recently undergone penis filler injections.

Doctors suspected that Ubiribo had suffered a pulmonary embolism and recommended a CT scan.

However, he reportedly lost consciousness before the scan could be carried out.

He was subsequently transferred to an intensive care unit, where medical staff performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation for more than 100 minutes in an attempt to revive him.

Ubiribo died in the early hours of March 6.

Postmortem findings

A postmortem examination conducted in the UK later found cellular material in Ubiribo’s lungs that was consistent with the hyaluronic acid used in the penis filler.

Pathologist John du Parcq told the inquest that the material found in Ubiribo’s lungs matched the substance used during the cosmetic procedure.

He said the finding was consistent with a pulmonary embolism and also matched the findings of a Thai autopsy.

The coroner, Jean Harkin, subsequently ruled that Ubiribo died from a pulmonary embolism caused by the cosmetic procedure.

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood vessel supplying the lungs becomes blocked. The condition can be life-threatening because it can suddenly restrict blood flow to the lungs and place severe strain on the heart”.

@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George takes a moment to teach pupils at the Prampram Cluster of Schools how to safely ride and enjoy the newly commissioned seesaw. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George has warned against building on waterways, saying any structure engineers determine must be demolished will come down, regardless of who built it. #GHnow #FYP ♬ original sound – GHnow

“National Cathedral was not built, not because of corruption” – Duncan-Williams

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Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the Presiding Archbishop and General Overseer of Action Chapel International, has said Ghana’s National Cathedral was not built, not because of corruption.

According to Duncan-Williams, the failure of the Akufo-Addo government to complete the National Cathedral project was because Christians failed to demonstrate the commitment required to see it through.

He argued that the stalled project was left uncompleted because of corruption but largely because Christians were not serious.

Speaking in a sermon to his congregation in a video shared on social media, Duncan-Williams stated, “The National Cathedral was not built, not because of corruption. I was right there. It was because we Christians are not serious”.

“We are a bunch of selfish, greedy people. It’s all about us. We don’t think about the kingdom,” he stated.

Archbishop Duncan Williams in the video questioned the level of commitment among Christians towards supporting projects that he said would benefit the church and future generations.

The man of God stressed that Christians must be more concerned about posterity and the advancement of the kingdom rather than focusing solely on their personal interests urged Christians to reflect on their contributions to the church before criticising others.

Duncan Williams, during his sermon, also criticised what he described as the unwillingness of some Christians to support people in need, mainly single mothers, widows and families struggling to pay school fees and rent.

In related news, Reverend Professor Paul Frimpong-Manso, a Ghanaian theologian and former General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, has recounted the criticisms directed at him and other clergy over the National Cathedral project.

According to Rev Frimpong-Manso, the criticisms directed at the clergy over the National Cathedral project were deeply unfair and truly painful.

He highlighted that his commitment has always been to the nation rather than to partisan politics.

Rev Frimpong-Manso further rejected allegations of financial misconduct, adding that opposition to the Cathedral should not translate into personal attacks on individuals.

Speaking in an interview with Accra-based Neat FM, Rev Prof Frimpong-Manso stated, “The reason I was deeply fed up is that when you are tagged as a sympathiser of a political party, it is truly painful, especially when you know you are only serving the country”. 

“Some of us have really been through it. I love this country, and I have worked under various presidents, including the late Prof Mills”.

“I was out of the country when I received a call from former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo about the National Cathedral, but look at the insults I received from Ghanaians. Do you think that myself, Opoku Nyina, Palmer Buckle, Frimpong-MansoI and Prof. Martey, after all our hard work, it is the National Cathedral that will feed us?” he asked.

He added, “You can say you don’t like the idea of the Cathedral; a lot of people did not understand the vision, because of politics, but that does not give you the warrant to accuse me of spending money related to its construction”.

“This is so painful, and I leave all those who accused me to God. God will forgive them. That is all I will say, because if I do not pray for forgiveness for them, they will pay dearly with their lives”.

“What is a Cathedral? Do you know the works I have done? God should forgive them,” he reiterated.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George has commissioned a newly constructed playground at the Tsopoli Cluster of Schools, providing pupils with a safe space for recreation, play and physical development. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George takes a moment to teach pupils at the Prampram Cluster of Schools how to safely ride and enjoy the newly commissioned seesaw. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

“Mahama wants to ruin Haruna Iddrisu’s political career” – Former MP alleges

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The former Manhyia North Member of Parliament, Collins Owusu Amankwah, has alleged that President John Dramani Mahama wants to ruin the political career of Haruna Iddrisu.

According to Collins Owusu Amankwah, President Mahama deliberately appointed Haruna Iddrisu as Education Minister to damage his political future.

He argued that the challenges affecting Ghana’s education sector, particularly the 2026 Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), have raised concerns about support being given to the education minister.

Collins Owusu Amankwah criticised the handling of the 2026 school placement exercise.

He argued that the situation appears to have defeated the purpose for which the CSSPS was introduced.

Speaking on Asempa FM on September 8, 2026, Collins Owusu Amankwah stated, “What is happening in the education system, I don’t want to believe that Mahama deliberately put Haruna Iddrisu in that ministry to disgrace him. Mahama wants to ruin Haruna’s political career. It is intentional, and that is why he placed him at the Education Ministry”.

“The CSSPS was carefully thought through to help avoid such placement issues. What is happening? We are back to square one,” he stated.

“Parents are now going to placement centres for their wards to be placed in schools. Now they say they want to do self-placement. Then what is the essence of the CSSPS?” he asked.

The former MP further called for a merit-based placement system and also drew attention to the psychological trauma that the children are going through now.

He added, “We need to build on the merit-based placement system. At least it can bring some form of fairness and transparency”.

“The psychological trauma that the children are going through now could have been avoided,” he stated.

“Education is key to development, so we should make sure the children’s future wellbeing is our priority,” he said.

His comment follows the backlash from the 2026 CSSPS exercise, with some parents whose children are yet to secure placement into Senior High Schools (SHSs) having stormed the GNAT Hall in Accra, breaking a glass door over the placement brouhaha.

 According to reports, the frustrated parents who besieged the GNAT Hall to address concerns from parents and candidates facing difficulties with the placement process led to a glass door at the entrance of the facility breaking.

The heavy crowd at the GNAT Hall underscores the level of frustration and desperation among some parents who have been struggling to secure placements for their wards.

Some affected parents have expressed dissatisfaction with the placement process, appealing to the authorities to take immediate steps to resolve the outstanding placement challenges.

The parents are appealing to the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ministry of Education and President John Dramani Mahama to urgently intervene in the ongoing placement challenges.

Also, a parent has cried out, questioning why his child was placed at the Mampong School for the Deaf in the Eastern Region despite being able to hear and speak.

Speaking in an interview with TV3 on September 8, 2026, the parent at the GNAT hall expressed his frustrations over the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

 He stated, “He can hear, he can speak. How do you go and place him at Akropong School for the Deaf? That’s what I don’t understand. Why?”

He further alleged that when he sought clarification from officials, he was told that securing a Category B or STEM school for his child would require protocol.

He added, “And I asked them, they said if my child wants Category B or STEM school, only protocol”.

“They asked me whether I wanted a Category C school, because I don’t have any option. I said then, they should give him a Category C school,” he said.

Watch the video below:

@asempa_fm

CSSPS Challenges: President Mahama deliberately sent Haruna Iddrisu to the Education Ministry to set him up for failure. The issues at the ministry clearly show that all is not well, and the government is not bailing him out — Collins Owusu Amankwah. #Ekosiisen

♬ original sound – ASEMPA FM
@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George has commissioned a newly constructed playground at the Tsopoli Cluster of Schools, providing pupils with a safe space for recreation, play and physical development. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

‘He snubbed doctor’s advice’ – Bangkok Clinic break silence on influencer who died after penis enlargement procedure

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A Bangkok Clinic has told Investigations that Nigerian influencer Igho Ubiribo snubbed doctor’s advice to split the penis enlargement procedure and opted for a single session.

According to official statements received by Thailand’s Department of Health Service Support and the FDA, the doctor who conducted the procedure had also advised him to split the procedure into two sessions, but he requested that the entire amount of the penile filler be injected in a single session.

It will be recalled that news broke of the death of Igho Ubiribo, a 43-year-old Nigerian-British businessman and social media influencer, who died after undergoing a penis enlargement procedure in Thailand.

Reports suggest Ubiribo, also known as “Tiny”, “Denisi” and “Ego”, was on a luxury holiday in Bangkok with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he decided to undergo the procedure.

According to the Daily Mail, 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine were injected into Ubiribo’s penis at an unnamed clinic in Thailand in March.

After the procedure, Ubiribo and his wife reportedly went for a massage at their Marriott hotel, where he complained of chest pain and subsequently passed out twice.

He was taken by ambulance to Sukhumvit Hospital, where he was initially able to respond to questions.

A news article by Vanguard News provided fresh updates which read, “A cosmetic clinic in Bangkok, Thailand, has told investigators that Nigerian content creator Igho “Tiny” Ubiribo requested to undergo a penis enlargement procedure in a single session despite a doctor’s advice that it be split into two sessions, per report by The People.

Ubiribo, a Nigerian influencer living in London, died on March 6, less than a day after receiving hyaluronic acid penis filler injections at the clinic, according to Westminster Coroner’s Court inquest records previously obtained by PEOPLE.

An inquest hearing on August 21 heard that a post-mortem examination and toxicology investigation found that Ubiribo’s cause of death was linked to the hyaluronic acid injection and a pulmonary embolism, the records said.

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health announced on September 7 that an investigation had been launched into the clinic where Ubiribo received the injections.

The ministry said Minister Pattana Phromphat had directed the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case.

According to the ministry, Phromphat told local media that initial investigations showed an emergency medical centre had been contacted by a private hospital in Bangkok to dispatch an ambulance for an unconscious patient.

Inquest records said Ubiribo began experiencing chest pains and collapsed on March 5, several hours after undergoing the cosmetic procedure.

He was taken to a local hospital for a CT scan but lost consciousness before the examination could be carried out. He reportedly received CPR for 101 minutes before he was pronounced dead at 1:05 a.m. on March 6.

Following the incident, authorities inspected the clinic on September 7 to gather information about its compliance with medical standards, according to the Ministry of Public Health.

DHSS Director-General Phuwadet Surakot said the clinic was not named publicly.

However, clinic management reportedly told investigators that Ubiribo had been a patient there since 2024 and had undergone five penile enlargement injections.

The clinic claimed that before the March 5 procedure, a doctor advised Ubiribo to have the treatment divided into two sessions.

According to Surakot, however, Ubiribo requested that the injection be carried out in a single session.

The clinic also claimed that Ubiribo signed a treatment consent form before each visit and was given aftercare instructions following the procedures.

It further claimed that he had never reported any problems associated with his previous treatments.

The investigation is expected to determine whether the clinic complied with medical and professional standards in providing the procedure.

The Ministry of Public Health said authorities would gather evidence before referring the case to the Medical Council for consideration.

“We will gather all facts and evidence to proceed according to our authority and submit the case to the Medical Council for a ruling on professional practice standards, in order to ensure fairness to all parties,” the Ministry of Public Health statement concluded.

@ghnow_ Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George has warned against building on waterways, saying any structure engineers determine must be demolished will come down, regardless of who built it. #GHnow #FYP ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George has commissioned a newly constructed playground at Ahwiam Community School, providing pupils with a safe and conducive space for recreation, play and physical development. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – STONEBWOY

“They will vote for even a dog” – Former NDC MP “insults” Karaga constituents

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Alhassan Sualihu Dandaawa, a former Member of Parliament for the Karaga Constituency and current Deputy Administrator of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), has come under scrutiny over remarks that appear to degrade the constituents he once served.

The former NDC MP reportedly suggested that, based on the work President John Dramani Mahama has done, the NDC could win the Karaga seat in 2028 even if it presented a dog as its parliamentary candidate.

His comments have sparked criticism, with opponents arguing that the statement amounts to a disparaging portrayal of Karaga constituents by suggesting they would vote for virtually anyone, even a dog, simply because of the works Mahama has done.

The former MP was speaking after donating a Toyota Voxy to the NDC constituency chairman for Karaga, in acknowledgement of his dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to the party’s growth made this known.

Alhassan Sualihu Dandaawa stated, “With the kind of work President John Mahama has done in Karaga, even if we present a dog as our candidate, it will win the 2028 general election”.

“John Mahama has empowered us in various sectors, and we are ready to take back the seat from the NPP”.

“We will let [Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam] know that the Karaga seat belongs to the NDC and not the NPP,” he said.

“Expect more projects from the NDC for the development of Karaga, and before the end of John Mahama’s tenure, Karaga will be developed massively,” he stated.

In other news, Amin Adam has criticised the Mahama government for abandoning the Agenda 111 hospital project in the Karaga constituency in favour of a 24-hour market.

According to Amin Adam, the 24-Hour Market is not needed in the Karaga constituency, as traders can easily sit in front of their houses and sell. 

Amin Adam questioned why the Mahama government would prioritise a market over a hospital that would save lives.

The former Finance Minister is quoted as saying, “Traders can sit in front of their houses and sell easily, but building a hospital with equipment and doctors to save lives is not easy”.

According to Dr Amin Adam, he lobbied strongly for Karaga to benefit from the Agenda 111 project, but the government chose to abandon it.

“When the government distributed the Agenda 111 hospital projects, Karaga wasn’t included, but I lobbied for Karaga to benefit from the project. Look at it now, it’s halted,” he noted.

He further lamented that about half of the road projects in the constituency have stalled due to non-payment of contractors.

@ghnow_ “Sarkodie came to my house to apologise over a TGMA incident, and even cooked jollof for him.” — STONEBWOY on TikTok LIVE! #GHnow #FYP ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George has warned against building on waterways, saying any structure engineers determine must be demolished will come down, regardless of who built it. #GHnow #FYP ♬ original sound – GHnow

Ghana pays $3.5m to University of Memphis to settle major part of US$4m debt

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The Ghana Scholarships Secretariat has paid about US$3.5 million to the University of Memphis in the United States to settle a major portion of outstanding tuition fees estimated at more than US$4 million.

 According to reports, the payment was confirmed in an email sent to affected students on Tuesday, September 8.

The email further assured affected students of progress in resolving the financial dispute.

Ghana’s US$3.5 million is expected to significantly reduce the arrears and ease concerns among the affected students over their continued enrolment and academic progress.

The payment also provides some relief to the students, who were looking forward to receiving clarity on the future of the scholarship arrangement between the Ghanaian government and the University of Memphis.

Earlier, the Acting Executive Director of the Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA), Alex Kwaku Asafo-Agyei, said the University of Memphis has not ended the scholarship agreement with Ghana.

According to the GSA, the University of Memphis has not formally notified it of any decision to terminate the scholarship agreement between the two institutions.

He further argued that the scholarship agreement, signed in April 2023, remains in force until 2028 unless either party formally activates the termination clause.

He disclosed that under the terms of the agreement, either party seeking to end the partnership is required to provide the other with 90 days’ prior written notice.

The development follows reports that the University of Memphis in the United States has ended its scholarship partnership with Ghana over outstanding tuition payments approaching $4 million.

According to reports, the University of Memphis’ move now puts nearly  100 Ghanaian students at the University facing uncertainty over their education.

Reports suggest affected students, who benefited from the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat programme, have been barred from enrolling for the new academic term.

The students will now have to secure alternative funding to settle their tuition obligations.

The development comes as the University of Memphis prepares to begin its fall semester. 

According to the university, Ghana still owes nearly $4 million in tuition fees under the scholarship arrangement, revealing that the debt had previously stood at $3.6 million in July 2025, with Ghana making two $1 million payments in August that year before the outstanding balance later increased again.

Bill Hardgrave, the University of Memphis president, had previously linked the payment difficulties to Ghana’s change in government and the resulting impact on the country’s budget.

However, despite expectations that the situation would be resolved, the outstanding obligations have remained unsettled.

The Ghanaians student at the University could also face immigration complications if they are unable to maintain the full-time enrolment required under their international student status.

In the meantime, the scholarship arrangement was established in 2023 following an initiative involving the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who advocated for opportunities for Ghanaian students after he visited the Memphis in May International Festival.

@ghnow_ “Sarkodie came to my house to apologise over a TGMA incident, and even cooked jollof for him.” — STONEBWOY on TikTok LIVE! #GHnow #FYP ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George has warned against building on waterways, saying any structure engineers determine must be demolished will come down, regardless of who built it. #GHnow #FYP ♬ original sound – GHnow

6,300 GES staff recruited without clearance fully paid – Finance Ministry

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The Finance Ministry has announced that all 6,300 Ghana Education Service (GES) staff recruited in 2024 without financial clearance have been paid.

The Finance Ministry dismissed concerns over outstanding salary arrears.

According to the Ministry, affected workers were inherited by the government in 2025, and measures were subsequently taken to resolve their salary payment concerns.

The Ministry further clarified that it had no pending requests for financial clearance from the GES.

The Ministry said in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 read, “In 2025, the Government inherited 6,300 GES staff who had been recruited in 2024 without financial clearance”.

“The Ministry of Finance can confirm that all 6,300 staff covered by this arrangement have been paid,” it said.

“The Ministry further clarifies that there are no outstanding requests for financial clearance from the GES awaiting action by the Ministry of Finance,” the statement said.

The Finance Ministry further urged staff who continue to experience salary or arrears-related difficulties to contact the GES for help.

“Any staff member with an unresolved salary or arrears issue is advised to contact the Ghana Education Service for assistance with the relevant payroll or administrative matter,” it said.

In other news, Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, has said the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) are working in collaboration to improve the welfare, motivation and retention of teachers.

According to Haruna Iddrisu, the new measures are particularly for those in rural and deprived communities, adding that Teacher welfare is a national priority.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on July 2, 2026, Haruna Iddrisu said, “The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service, is implementing a number of targeted strategies to improve the welfare, motivation and retention of teachers across the country, particularly those posted to rural and underserved areas.”

“Teacher welfare is positioned as a national priority to strengthen their motivation, dignity and retention, and for long-term education outcome gains. As part of government efforts to attract, motivate and retain teachers in deprived and underserved communities, special incentives have been put in place for teachers who are self-posting to such areas,” he stated.

The Education Minister added, “I am happy to note that one of these incentives is a reduction in the number of years required to qualify for study leave. Originally, it was three years if you were in a deprived area. We have reduced it now to two years. So any person who is self-posting to a rural deprived area after two years of service can apply for study leave with pay”.

“We are also engaged in continuous education and capacity building of teachers across the country. In addition, the government is committed to rolling out a 20 per cent salary-related rural posting allowance for teachers serving in rural and deprived areas. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education are working on implementing that. A significant thing that affects the welfare of teachers is their shelter housing.”

Haruna Iddrisu added, “A significant thing that affects the welfare of teachers is their shelter housing. We are currently engaging in some discussion to deploy the Teacher Dabre Initiative of President Mahama, which was in the NDC manifesto, which will provide accommodation for teachers in rural areas to address the housing challenges that affect teacher deployment and retention in those areas”.

“Under this initiative, deliberate measures are being taken to ensure that the construction of new school facilities is accompanied by teacher accommodation. So this time we have directed that if contracts are awarded for school blocks, they must naturally include accommodation facilities for teachers,” he added.

See the statement below:

@ghnow_ Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, has inspected ongoing road projects across the constituency as part of efforts to ensure quality and timely completion of critical road infrastructure. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “Sarkodie came to my house to apologise over a TGMA incident, and even cooked jollof for him.” — STONEBWOY on TikTok LIVE! #GHnow #FYP ♬ original sound – GHnow

GBA have no right to demand constitutional changes – Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe

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Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and veteran statesman, has questioned the legitimacy of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to call for changes to the 1992 Constitution.

According to Nyaho-Tamakloe, the GBA has no right to demand constitutional changes.

Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe further recounted the GBA association’s refusal to participate in the drafting of the 1992 Constitution more than three decades ago.

Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe explained that the Ghana Bar Association wasn’t part of the creation of the 1992 Constitution, revealing that they never attended any meeting they were called upon to attend.

He argued that since the Association declined to serve on the Board, it has no genuine basis to demand changes to the Constitution.

Speaking in an interview on Onua TV’s Maakye programme on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, “Most of you don’t know, but you will be surprised that the Ghana Bar Association wasn’t part of the Constitution (Constitutional Board). They refused to be part, and so if today we have problems there, they have no right to comment on it”.

He further revealed that ideas of ordinary workers, like tailors, hairdressers and carpenters, were incorporated in the drafting of the 1992 Constitution.

He emphasised that the GBA cannot ask that the Constitution be changed when they refused to participate in its drafting more than three decades ago.

“The constitution you have there even has the ideas of hairdressers and carpenters. So you can’t all of a sudden say that you want the constitution changed. Because one of the clauses they are asking to be changed cannot be changed easily,” he emphasised.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to hold a national referendum on proposed constitutional amendments.

According to President Mahama, the planned national referendum on proposed constitutional amendments will be held alongside the 2027 District Assembly Elections.

Speaking on his Resetting Ghana Tour Citizens’ Engagement in Bolgatanga as part of his two-day tour of the Upper East Region, Mahama stated, “We therefore want to add the referendum to the District Assembly elections next year. Next year, apart from voting for your Assembly Members, you will also be required to vote on the constitutional amendments”.

“If the referendum is successful, we will implement the amendments to the entrenched clauses. That is what we are doing with regard to governance.”

He further revealed that he will soon inaugurate the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee to take the Government’s position paper and the Constitutional Review Commission’s reports and synthesise the two.

“For non-entrenched clauses, we only need Parliamentary approval. We will put them before Parliament, and Members will vote and pass them,” he said.

“Entrenched clauses require that we conduct a referendum. At least 40 percent of registered voters must vote, and 75 per cent of those who vote must say yes.”

It will be recalled that President John Dramani Mahama labelled the proposal by the Constitution Review Committee as revolutionary and radical.

According to President Mahama, some of the recommendations are revolutionary and radical, but in the interest of Ghana’s democracy.

President Mahama stressed that the recommendations are necessary to strengthen governance and restore public confidence in democratic institutions, noting that several countries in the subregion are experiencing coups.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George arrives at the Lakpleku-Djinahor Community School to commission the newly constructed 3-unit classroom block, marking another step toward improving educational infrastructure in the community. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – NDCMUSICHQ
@ghnow_ Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, has inspected ongoing road projects across the constituency as part of efforts to ensure quality and timely completion of critical road infrastructure. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Social media influencer dies after complications from penis enlargement procedure

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Igho Ubiribo, a 43-year-old Nigerian-British businessman and social media influencer, has died after undergoing a penis enlargement procedure in Thailand.

Reports suggest Ubiribo, also known as “Tiny”, “Denisi” and “Ego”, was on a luxury holiday in Bangkok with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he decided to undergo the procedure.

According to the Daily Mail, 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine were injected into Ubiribo’s penis at an unnamed clinic in Thailand in March.

After the procedure, Ubiribo and his wife reportedly went for a massage at their Marriott hotel, where he complained of chest pain and subsequently passed out twice.

He was taken by ambulance to Sukhumvit Hospital, where he was initially able to respond to questions.

The Punch Nigeria shared more details in a news article, stating, “According to evidence presented at an inquest at the Inner West London Coroners’ Court, Allen informed doctors that her husband had recently undergone penis filler injections.

Doctors suspected that Ubiribo had suffered a pulmonary embolism and recommended a CT scan.

However, he reportedly lost consciousness before the scan could be carried out.

He was subsequently transferred to an intensive care unit, where medical staff performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation for more than 100 minutes in an attempt to revive him.

Ubiribo died in the early hours of March 6.

Postmortem findings

A postmortem examination conducted in the UK later found cellular material in Ubiribo’s lungs that was consistent with the hyaluronic acid used in the penis filler.

Pathologist John du Parcq told the inquest that the material found in Ubiribo’s lungs matched the substance used during the cosmetic procedure.

He said the finding was consistent with a pulmonary embolism and also matched the findings of a Thai autopsy.

The coroner, Jean Harkin, subsequently ruled that Ubiribo died from a pulmonary embolism caused by the cosmetic procedure.

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood vessel supplying the lungs becomes blocked. The condition can be life-threatening because it can suddenly restrict blood flow to the lungs and place severe strain on the heart.

The Daily Mail reported that Ubiribo’s primary care doctor in London provided information about his medical history during the inquest.

He had previously undergone surgery on his joints and was described as pre-diabetic and suffering from gout.

However, the doctor reportedly indicated that he had no other significant medical conditions.

Penis fillers containing hyaluronic acid are used as a non-surgical method of increasing penis girth.

However, medical professionals have warned of potentially serious complications associated with injectable fillers.

The Daily Mail reported that such procedures can cost thousands of dollars and that the effects of hyaluronic acid fillers generally last several months before the material is gradually absorbed by the body”.

According to the information gathered, the businessman reportedly owned a home in Los Angeles valued at about $1.1m and an apartment in London worth about $600,000 and was was married to Allen, a fashion designer and socialite, in a lavish ceremony in Zimbabwe in 2022.

Reports suggest that following his death, Ubiribo was buried in London in a gold coffin, with reports putting its cost at more than $600,000.

Igho Ubiribo’s case has drawn renewed attention to the potential risks associated with cosmetic penis enlargement procedures involving injectable fillers.

@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George has called for the demolition of a building being constructed on a waterway, citing concerns over the obstruction of the natural watercourse and the potential risk to residents. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George arrives at the Lakpleku-Djinahor Community School to commission the newly constructed 3-unit classroom block, marking another step toward improving educational infrastructure in the community. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – NDCMUSICHQ

‘I have struggled in life; there have been moments I slept without food’ – Dr Amin Adam opens up

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Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, the former Finance Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Karaga Constituency, has opened up about the struggles and hardships he faced while growing up.

The former finance minister, in sharing his story, urged Ghanaian youths to never give up on their dreams.

He disclosed that growing up, he experienced severe hardship, including nights without food and mornings without even GHS 1 for breakfast.

Dr Amin Adam further encouraged young people not to let failure derail them, while remembering how he himself failed to gain admission to secondary school through the standard academic route.

Speaking at a public event, Amin Adam stated, “You will fall many times along the journey, but each time you fall, rise up immediately and move ahead”.

“I have struggled in life, and there have been moments I slept without food; there have been days I woke up without even GHS 1 to eat breakfast. But struggles should strengthen you, not break you,” he noted.

“I have failed exams many times. I went to school as a sports boy because I couldn’t pass the exams to gain admission to secondary school, and that didn’t deter or break me. It only helped me identify myself, and today, it’s a different story,” he stressed.

He further revealed that his father had originally wanted him to become an imam and refused to enrol him in formal school.

Amin Adam added, “My father wanted me to be an imam, so he said he wouldn’t send me to school, and that I should stay home and study the Quran. When he passed away, my mother decided to enrol me in school.

I was told I was too old for classes one to three, so I started primary school in class four, because I had spent my time studying the Quran at home”.

He further credited his mother for changing the course of his life, saying, “My mother made the difference. When she took me to school, I discovered myself. I didn’t give up; I defined my purpose, and today I have earned a PhD”.

In other news, Amin Adam has criticised the Mahama government for abandoning the Agenda 111 hospital project in the Karaga constituency in favour of a 24-hour market.

According to Amin Adam, the 24-Hour Market is not needed in the Karaga constituency, as traders can easily sit in front of their houses and sell. 

Amin Adam questioned why the Mahama government would prioritise a market over a hospital that would save lives.

The former Finance Minister is quoted as saying, “Traders can sit in front of their houses and sell easily, but building a hospital with equipment and doctors to save lives is not easy”.

According to Dr Amin Adam, he lobbied strongly for Karaga to benefit from the Agenda 111 project, but the government chose to abandon it.

“When the government distributed the Agenda 111 hospital projects, Karaga wasn’t included, but I lobbied for Karaga to benefit from the project. Look at it now, it’s halted,” he noted.

He further lamented that about half of the road projects in the constituency have stalled due to non-payment of contractors.

“They have refused to pay the contractor working on the Karaga roads, and because of that the project has halted. It was my wish that by this time Karaga roads would be completed,” he said.

@ghnow_ Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, has inspected ongoing road projects across the constituency as part of efforts to ensure quality and timely completion of critical road infrastructure. #GHnow #FYP ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George has called for the demolition of a building being constructed on a waterway, citing concerns over the obstruction of the natural watercourse and the potential risk to residents. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

“With the work Mahama has done, even a dog would win Karaga seat for NDC” – Former MP claims

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Alhassan Sualihu Dandaawa, a former Karaga Member of Parliament (MP) for Karaga Constituency and current Deputy Administrator of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), has said the ruling NDC will reclaim the Karaga seat from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2028.

According to the former NDC MP, with the works President John Dramani Mahama has done, even if a dog is presented as the NDC’s candidate in Karaga, the dog will still emerged victories.

The former MP was speaking after donating a Toyota Voxy to the NDC constituency chairman for Karaga, in acknowledgement of his dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to the party’s growth made this known.

Alhassan Sualihu Dandaawa stated, “With the kind of work President John Mahama has done in Karaga, even if we present a dog as our candidate, it will win the 2028 general election”.

“John Mahama has empowered us in various sectors, and we are ready to take back the seat from the NPP”.

“We will let [Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam] know that the Karaga seat belongs to the NDC and not the NPP,” he said.

“Expect more projects from the NDC for the development of Karaga, and before the end of John Mahama’s tenure, Karaga will be developed massively,” he stated.

In other news, Amin Adam has criticised the Mahama government for abandoning the Agenda 111 hospital project in the Karaga constituency in favour of a 24-hour market.

According to Amin Adam, the 24-Hour Market is not needed in the Karaga constituency, as traders can easily sit in front of their houses and sell. 

Amin Adam questioned why the Mahama government would prioritise a market over a hospital that would save lives.

The former Finance Minister is quoted as saying, “Traders can sit in front of their houses and sell easily, but building a hospital with equipment and doctors to save lives is not easy”.

According to Dr Amin Adam, he lobbied strongly for Karaga to benefit from the Agenda 111 project, but the government chose to abandon it.

“When the government distributed the Agenda 111 hospital projects, Karaga wasn’t included, but I lobbied for Karaga to benefit from the project. Look at it now, it’s halted,” he noted.

He further lamented that about half of the road projects in the constituency have stalled due to non-payment of contractors.

“They have refused to pay the contractor working on the Karaga roads, and because of that the project has halted. It was my wish that by this time Karaga roads would be completed,” he said.

@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George has called for the demolition of a building being constructed on a waterway, citing concerns over the obstruction of the natural watercourse and the potential risk to residents. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, has inspected ongoing road projects across the constituency as part of efforts to ensure quality and timely completion of critical road infrastructure. #GHnow #FYP ♬ original sound – GHnow

Wontumi throws support behind John Boadu in NPP national chairmanship race

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The campaign team of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, has thrown its support behind John Boadu in the party’s National Chairmanship race.

Wontumi’s campaign team on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, during a press conference, the  Administrator of the Wontumi Campaign Team, Denise Okyere Danso, made this known.

According to the Administrator of the Wontumi Campaign Team, they have ended their independent bid and would now deploy their machinery to support Mr Boadu’s candidature.

He disclosed that the decision followed consultations with grassroots members, party elders and other stakeholders.

He further disclosed that the endorsement was also informed by a visit to Chairman Wontumi at Nsawam on September 4, 2026.

“The Wontumi Campaign has taken the decision to close ranks and throw its full weight, organisational capacity and grassroots machinery behind Mr John Boadu for the position of National Chairman,” he said.

“This is bigger than two campaigns. It is about putting the party above individual interests and ensuring that the NPP emerges stronger, more united and better organised,” she stated.

Earlier, Chairman Wontumi withdrew from the party’s national chairmanship race.

According to Chairman Wontumi, his decision was due to his current circumstances and a desire not to become a burden to the party.

Wontumi disclosed that his decision comes from  “many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations” with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters.

In a statement dated Monday, August 24, Chairman Wontumi stated, “There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice. Moments when one must quietly set aside personal ambition, not because the dream has died, but because the family he loves must not be made to carry his burden,” he said. “Today, I find myself at such a painful moment.”

“After many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with my family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters, I have come to the difficult conclusion that my present circumstances must not become an additional burden on the New Patriotic Party,” he said.

“This is not the decision my heart desired, but sometimes, true love requires us to release what we deeply want in order to protect what we love even more,” he said.

“For many years, I have served the NPP with everything within me. I have walked through the heat and the rain, travelled to the remotest communities and stood with our grassroots in both victory and defeat,” he said. “The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life.”

“That is why I cannot allow my present situation or personal ambition to distract the party from the difficult work of rebuilding. I cannot ask the party to carry my weight when it is already carrying the pain of defeat and the enormous responsibility of preparing for the battle ahead,” he said. “I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me.”

“To my teeming supporters across all sixteen regions, I know this message will hurt. I know many of you will read it with tears in your eyes because I understand the sacrifices you have made for this journey,” he said.

@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George has commissioned a newly constructed 3-unit classroom block at Lakpleku-Djinahor Community School, providing improved learning facilities for pupils and teachers in the community. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Hon. Sam George has called for the demolition of a building being constructed on a waterway, citing concerns over the obstruction of the natural watercourse and the potential risk to residents. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

“My son can speak and hear, yet he was placed at Mampong School for the deaf” – Parent laments

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A parent has cried out, questioning why his child was placed at the Mampong School for the deaf in the Eastern Region despite being able to hear and speak.

Speaking in an interview with TV3 on September 8, 2026, the parent at the GNAT hall expressed his frustrations over the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

 He stated, “He can hear, he can speak. How do you go and place him at Akropong School for the Deaf? That’s what I don’t understand. Why?”

He further alleged that when he sought clarification from officials, he was told that securing a Category B or STEM school for his child would require protocol.

He added, “And I asked them, they said if my child wants Category B or STEM school, only protocol”.

“They asked me whether I wanted a Category C school, because I don’t have any option. I said then, they should give him a Category C school,” he said.

Also, some parents whose children are yet to secure placement into Senior High Schools (SHSs) have stormed the GNAT Hall in Accra, breaking a glass door over the placement brouhaha.

 According to reports, the frustrated parents who besieged the GNAT Hall to address concerns from parents and candidates facing difficulties with the placement process led to a glass door at the entrance of the facility breaking.

The heavy crowd at the GNAT Hall underscores the level of frustration and desperation among some parents who have been struggling to secure placements for their wards.

Some affected parents have expressed dissatisfaction with the placement process, appealing to the authorities to take immediate steps to resolve the outstanding placement challenges.

The parents are appealing to the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ministry of Education and President John Dramani Mahama to urgently intervene in the ongoing placement challenges.

Also, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the former Minister of Education, has weighed in on the Senior High Schools (SHSs) brouhaha.

According to Adutwum, Ghana need to expand and upgrade Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country to address the growing pressure on placement in Category A schools.

He highlighted that there is a need to look beyond the immediate placement exercise and address the underlying problem of limited access to highly sought-after Category A schools.

The former education minister highlighted that upgrading existing schools and giving them the necessary resources will help spread demand and reduce the intense competition for places in Category A schools.

Speaking on Adom FM, Dr Adutwum stated, “Everyone wants the child to go to a first-class school, so when we were in government we built more schools and resourced them and also affiliated a headmaster with a Category A school”.

“So, like what we did at Abomosu SHS, we replicate PRESEC at Abomosu, so it was one of the best STEM schools in Ghana,” he said.

“There should be a formal arrangement for deliberate presentation of over four days; nobody asked me about the STEM schools. There should be an intentional transition arrangement,” he said.

He further noted that schools currently do not provide enough opportunities for students who struggle in particular subjects to receive interventions or retake courses.

Adutwum added, “We don’t give children any intervention to resit courses in school during the school term”.

“So, if they fail Mathematics, it is not new; that was why we wanted to introduce transcripts alongside the WASSCE results,” he said.

“Other countries have deliberate policies; in Ghana we politicise even education,” he said.

Watch the video below:      

@ghnow_ Ghana Police retrieve weapons and fake number plates from 32 robbery suspects #GHNow #fyp ♬ Otan by Sarkodie – ︎ ︎ ︎
@ghnow_ The arrival of Hon. Sam George at the Girls in ICT launch #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – afrobase_tv

“Everyone wants the child to go to a first-class school” – Dr Adutwum speaks on how to tackle SHS placement crisis

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Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the former Minister of Education, has weighed in on the Senior High Schools (SHSs) placement brouhaha.

According to Adutwum, Ghana need to expand and upgrade Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country to address the growing pressure on placement in Category A schools.

He highlighted that there is a need to look beyond the immediate placement exercise and address the underlying problem of limited access to highly sought-after Category A schools.

The former education minister highlighted that upgrading existing schools and giving them the necessary resources will help spread demand and reduce the intense competition for places in Category A schools.

Speaking on Adom FM, Dr Adutwum stated, “Everyone wants the child to go to a first-class school, so when we were in government we built more schools and resourced them and also affiliated a headmaster with a Category A school”.

“So, like what we did at Abomosu SHS, we replicate PRESEC at Abomosu, so it was one of the best STEM schools in Ghana,” he said.

“There should be a formal arrangement for deliberate presentation of over four days; nobody asked me about the STEM schools. There should be an intentional transition arrangement,” he said.

He further noted that schools currently do not provide enough opportunities for students who struggle in particular subjects to receive interventions or retake courses.

Adutwum added, “We don’t give children any intervention to resit courses in school during the school term”.

“So, if they fail Mathematics, it is not new, that was why we wanted to introduce transcripts alongside the WASSCE results,” he said.

“Other countries have deliberate policies; in Ghana we politicise even education,” he said.

Meanwhile, Some parents whose children are yet to secure placement into Senior High Schools (SHSs) have stormed the GNAT Hall in Accra, breaking a glass door over the placement brouhaha.

 According to reports, the frustrated parents who besieged the GNAT Hall to address concerns from parents and candidates facing difficulties with the placement process led to a glass door at the entrance of the facility breaking.

The heavy crowd at the GNAT Hall underscores the level of frustration and desperation among some parents who have been struggling to secure placements for their wards.

Some affected parents have expressed dissatisfaction with the placement process, appealing to the authorities to take immediate steps to resolve the outstanding placement challenges.

The parents are appealing to the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ministry of Education and President John Dramani Mahama to urgently intervene in the ongoing placement challenges.

Meanwhile, the Conference of Heads (Proprietors) of Private Second-Cycle Schools (CHOPSS) has published the list of private SHSs in good standing as 54,985 BECE candidates miss placement.

CHOPSS list covers schools operating across 14 regions of Ghana, including Ahafo, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Oti, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western and Western North.

According to CHOPSS, the publication is to make member schools more available to the public, particularly families preparing to make decisions about senior high school education.

@ghnow_ Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, has inspected ongoing road projects across the constituency as part of efforts to ensure quality and timely completion of critical road infrastructure. #GHnow #FYP ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Ghana Police retrieve weapons and fake number plates from 32 robbery suspects #GHNow #fyp ♬ Otan by Sarkodie – ︎ ︎ ︎

Irate parents storm GNAT Hall, breaking glass door over SHS placement brouhaha

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Some parents whose children are yet to secure placement into Senior High Schools (SHSs) have stormed the GNAT Hall in Accra, breaking a glass door over the placement brouhaha.

 According to reports, the frustrated parents who besieged the GNAT Hall to address concerns from parents and candidates facing difficulties with the placement process led to a glass door at the entrance of the facility breaking.

The heavy crowd at the GNAT Hall underscores the level of frustration and desperation among some parents who have been struggling to secure placements for their wards.

Some affected parents have expressed dissatisfaction with the placement process, appealing to the authorities to take immediate steps to resolve the outstanding placement challenges.

The parents are appealing to the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ministry of Education and President John Dramani Mahama to urgently intervene in the ongoing placement challenges.

Meanwhile, the Conference of Heads (Proprietors) of Private Second-Cycle Schools (CHOPSS) has published the list of private SHSs in good standing as 54,985 BECE candidates miss placement.

CHOPSS list covers schools operating across 14 regions of Ghana, including Ahafo, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Oti, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western and Western North.

According to CHOPSS, the publication is to make member schools more available to the public, particularly families preparing to make decisions about senior high school education.

Also, CHOPSS, in a statement issued on September 3, noted that it has taken notice of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System, indicating that 54,985 candidates did not qualify for placement into Senior High Schools.

CHOPSS stated, “Private Second-Cycle Schools across the country are ready and willing to absorb these students and provide them with quality second-cycle education and the opportunity to pursue their academic aspirations.”

CHOPSS  schools list offers a broad range of programmes, giving students options beyond the traditional General Arts and General Science courses.

The list further detailed that some schools also offer specialised technical and applied courses. These include Electrical Engineering, Automobile Engineering, Building Construction Technology and Electronics.

Also, some institutions have expanded their programmes to include areas such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Computer Science, Information Technology, Biomedical Science, Languages and Global Studies.

The list comes on the heels of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) Secretariat Coordinator, Sherif Sulemana, disclosing that 55,000 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE)candidates fail to meet requirements for placement.

@ghnow_ Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, has inspected ongoing road projects across the constituency as part of efforts to ensure quality and timely completion of critical road infrastructure. #GHnow #FYP ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ The IGP has issued a strong warning to criminals, saying the police will pursue them wherever they run or hide. #GHnow #fyp ♬ Breaking News – Breaking News

BECE candidates who fail Maths or English should repeat JHS – GES spokesperson

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Daniel Fenyi, the Public Relations Officer for Ghana Education Service (GES), has said BECE candidates who fail Mathematics or English Language or both must remain at the Junior High School (JHS).

According to the GES spokesperson, students who fail to qualify for Senior High School placement should remain at the basic level to receive the necessary support to retake the examination the following year.

He argued that students who do not meet the required standard should be allowed to improve their performance rather than being pushed to the next level.

The GES PRO stressed that progressing students to Senior High School despite failing to attain the expected basic literacy and numeracy skills will leave them struggling academically.

Daniel Fenyi explained that, just as a student who repeats class five remains in that class to strengthen their understanding, students who obtain grade 9 should similarly be given time to improve their basic literacy and numeracy skills.

Speaking to Isaac Addae on Morning Starr on Starr FM, the GES Public Relations Officer, Daniel Fenyi, stated, “Students who fail to meet the required standard should be allowed to continue schooling at the basic level rather than progress to the next stage without the necessary foundational skills”.

“The message is that you repeat the class, you repeat the JHS. You will learn, we will strategise, we will advise you, and then we take the exams next year,” he said.

“If we push you to senior high school, you are simply going to struggle a lot at senior high school, he said.

Meanwhile, the development follows, the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) Secretariat Coordinator, Sherif Sulemana, has disclosed that 55,000 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE)candidates fail to meet requirements for placement.

He detailed that out of the nearly 620,000 who sat for the BECE exams, about 565,000 candidates have qualified for placement into Senior High Schools.

He explained that candidates who fail in either English or Mathematics are disqualified, even if they perform well in other subjects.

Speaking on JoyFM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, September 3, Mr Sherif stated, “Based on our analysis, we have about 565,000 qualified for placement this year”.

“Those people have not failed in either English or Mathematics. So, you are disqualified from placement if you have failed in either English or Mathematics,” Mr Sherif explained.

He disclosed that the examination results also revealed varying levels of performance among candidates.

“You find out somebody got one, somebody got ten over 100, somebody got, say, twelve, twenty over 100, and that qualifies as a failure,” he said.

Mr Sherif further disclosed that approximately 55,000 candidates did not meet the requirements for placement.

When asked about the number of candidates who did not qualify for placement, he stated, “There are about 55,000”.

“If you look at the data for the performance of the candidates, we only had about 17 per cent of the candidates getting aggregates from 6 to 18,” he said.

“We only had about 252,000, or about 35 per cent of the candidates, getting from aggregate 6 to 24,” he added.

@ghnow_ Ghana Police retrieve weapons and fake number plates from 32 robbery suspects #GHNow #fyp ♬ Otan by Sarkodie – ︎ ︎ ︎
@ghnow_ The Kasoa–Winneba Road is taking shape as construction progresses, with work still ongoing on some sections of the highway. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – NDCMUSICHQ

NPP drags Rev Owusu-Bempah before National Security, Police, BNI

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Youth Wing has dragged the founder and leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministry, Rev Isaac Owusu-Bempah, to the National Security, Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and Inspector-General of Police.

The NPP Youth Wing petitioned the three agencies to investigate Rev Isaac Owusu-Bempah over allegations he made against some leading figures of the party, particularly Dr Nana Ayew Afriye.

In the petition, the NPP Youth Wing indicated, “Prophet Owusu-Bempah has publicly alleged that Dr Nana Ayew Afriye planned to mobilise the NPP Nasara Wing to attack him and his church, on account of prophecies he has made concerning the NPP’s flagbearer, Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia.

These are grave allegations that, in effect, accuse our Patron of orchestrating or conspiring to commit acts of violence and criminality”.

“We are appalled by these allegations, which we consider wicked, false and entirely without foundation. Dr Ayew Afriye is known to us, and to the general public, as an affable, disciplined and peace-loving leader who has, on numerous occasions, exercised restraint even in the face of considerable provocation.

At no time has he issued any instruction, directive or encouragement to this Youth Wing, or to any other person or group, to attack Prophet Owusu Bempah, his church, or any of its members,” part of the petition reads.

The NPP youth also accused Rev Owusu-Bempah of using his pulpit as a political tool to attack the flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

The NPP youth wing is demanding: “Investigate the allegations made by Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah and establish whether there is any factual basis for his claims;

Invite Prophet Owusu Bempah to substantiate, with evidence, his claim that Dr Ayew Afriye planned or mobilised any group to attack him or his church;

Take appropriate action, in accordance with the law, should the allegations be found to be false and made with the intent to incite public disaffection, cause fear and panic, or injure the reputation of our Patron; and

Ensure the personal safety of Dr Ayew Afriye, who may be exposed to public hostility or reprisal as a result of these unsubstantiated claims”.

Earlier, the Nasara Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region had issued an ultimatum to Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah demanding a retraction and apology.

In a statement signed by Ashanti Regional Nasara Coordinator Razak Abubakar, they condemned recent comments by Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah, describing them as false, divisive and inflammatory.

According to the Nasara Wing of the NPP, allegations that some of its members were planning to attack the prophet’s church are “deeply distasteful” and a slur on its peace‑loving membership across the country.

The Nasara Wing highlighted that its group mobilises support among settler and migrant communities, indicating that its mission is rooted in unity and diversity, not tribal or religious bias.

They further accused Rev Owusu Bempah of attempting to sow division along religious and tribal lines.

Parts of the Nasara Wing statement read, “As a wing of the NPP established to mobilise support for settler and migrant communities across the country, we find this allegation not only false but deeply distasteful. It is appalling that such a statement should come from a man who parades himself as a Man of God, yet appears determined to sow division and hatred rather than peace and understanding”.

The Wing also issued an ultimatum to Prophet Owusu Bempah to retract the allegation and apologise.

They warned that failure to do so would compel the wing to explore legitimate options to protect its image and integrity.

“We hereby give Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah an ultimatum to retract this false allegation and render an unqualified apology to the Nasara Wing and the NPP within a reasonable time. Failure to do so will compel us to explore all legitimate options available to us to protect the image and integrity of this wing and its leadership”.

“…We also wish to place on record that the Nasara wing is not a Muslim wing as being portrayed but rather a group meant for all settler communities which may include Christians and other religious groups,” the statement added.

It further called on the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Catholic Bishops Conference, and other ecumenical bodies, saying, “The pulpit must not be turned into a platform for tribal and religious bigotry, and we trust that the church, as an institution, will not be silent in the face of this,” the statement added.

@ghnow_ The IGP has issued a strong warning to criminals, saying the police will pursue them wherever they run or hide. #GHnow #fyp ♬ Breaking News – Breaking News
@ghnow_ Weapons and fake number plates seized from 32 suspected armed robbers #GHNow #fyp ♬ Ghana Anthem (God Bless Our Homeland Ghana) – National Anthems Orchestra

GH¢38m travel expenses, GH¢10m support – Breakdown of gov’t GH¢49.72m spent on evacuated Ghanaians from SA

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Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Foreign Affairs Minister, has announced a detailed breakdown of the cost involved in the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks.

Ablakwa disclosed that the total cost of the evacuation exercise amounted to GHS 49,721,786.00, covering chartered flights, ground transportation, feeding, accommodation, medical care, and reintegration support.

The Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that GH¢38.84 million was spent on chartered flights, tickets, ground transportation, feeding, hotel accommodation in South Africa, as well as medical and hospitalisation requirements.

He added that another GH¢10.8 million was allocated as reintegration and transportation allowances for the returning nationals.

Ablakwa disclosed that each of the 1,964 evacuees received GH¢5,000 as a reintegration grant and GH¢500 for transportation, bringing the total support per person to GH¢5,500.

Also, GH¢84,274 was spent to repatriate the remains of two Ghanaians who lost their lives during the crisis.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed that the total amount has been fully settled, with no outstanding liabilities arising from the evacuation, adding that out of the GH¢49.72 million spent, the government financed GH¢33.72 million, while Ibrahim Mahama contributed GH¢16 million towards the exercise.

See the breakdown of the funds used for the evacuation exercise below:

1. GH¢38.84 million was spent on chartered flights, tickets, ground transportation, feeding, accommodation and medical care.

2. GH¢10.80 million was spent on reintegration and transportation allowances for evacuees.

3. GH¢84,274 was spent on the repatriation of two mortal remains.

4. The total cost of the evacuation exercise was GH¢49.72 million.

In related news, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced that the government of Ghana has turned down MTN Ghana’s GH¢20 million offer to support Ghanaians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, funds have already been secured for their evacuation and reintegration.

The Ministry disclosed that the Government of Ghana had earlier been directly conveyed to the Board Chair and CEO of MTN when they called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) on August 14, 2026.

In a press statement issued on August, 26, 2026 read, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has become aware of media reports suggesting that MTN Ghana is preparing to donate GHS20million for Ghanaian victims of the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The media publications seem to attribute the announcement of this intended GHS20million donation to an interview granted by the highly regarded MTN Board Chairman, Dr Ishmael Yamson.

The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer; however, we respectfully decline.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms that the Mahama Administration has made adequate provision for ongoing evacuations and reintegration of Ghanaians and is therefore unable to accept this offer.

This position of the Government of Ghana had earlier been directly conveyed to the Board Chair and CEO of MTN when they called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) on August 14, 2026”.

See the post below:

@ghnow_ Weapons and fake number plates seized from 32 suspected armed robbers #GHNow #fyp ♬ Ghana Anthem (God Bless Our Homeland Ghana) – National Anthems Orchestra
@ghnow_ The IGP has issued a strong warning to criminals, saying the police will pursue them wherever they run or hide. #GHnow #fyp ♬ Breaking News – Breaking News

President Mahama hit with another lawsuit

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Samuel Bryan Buabeng, a Ghanaian citizen, has filed a writ suing President John Mahama at the Supreme Court over his failure to appoint a former Chief Justice to replace retired Justice Sophia Akuffo, who resigned from her role as a member of the Council of State.

According to reports, the writ, filed on September 7, 2026, invokes the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

The writ argued that the continued vacancy raises questions about the constitutional composition of the Council of State.

He is asking the Supreme Court to declare that Mahama’s failure to appoint a former Chief Justice to fill the vacancy is a violation of the 1992 Constitution.

The plaintiff is relying on Articles 89(1) and 89(2)(a)(i) of the Constitution seeking a declaration that “upon a true and proper interpretation of Articles 89(1) and (2)(a)(i) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, the President of the Republic of Ghana acted and continues to act unconstitutionally by refusal or failure to appoint a former Chief Justice to replace Chief Justice (Retired) Sophia Akuffo who resigned as a member of the Council of State in September 2025.”

Buabeng, through his lawyer Jonathan Asare, is also asking the Supreme Court to direct the President to begin the process of filling the vacancy to consult Parliament within 14 days and appoint a former Chief Justice to the Council of State within 48 hours after the consultation.

It will be recalled that former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo resigned from her role as a member of Ghana’s Council of State.

According to reports, Sophia Akuffo stopped attending Council meetings following the decision relating to the removal process involving former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

Reports suggest she later submitted her resignation towards the end of 2025.

Also, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, has announced that President John Mahama has accepted Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo’s resignation from the Council of State.

According to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Sophia Akuffo has officially ceased to be a member of the Council of State.

Addressing journalists on Monday, June 15, Felix Kwakye Ofosu confirmed that the resignation process had been concluded and that steps were underway to appoint a replacement.

He revealed that Sophia Akuffo did not provide reasons for her decision to resign.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, addressing the media, stated, “I can confirm that indeed, Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo has resigned from her position as a member of the Council of State. She submitted a letter in September 2025 to the President indicating her desire to resign. She did not disclose the reason for wanting to resign”.

“When the President received the letter, he was required then to indicate his acceptance of her resignation. But at the behest of the Council of State, he had to hold on because they said they wanted to engage Justice Sophia Akuffo to see if there was some grievance that she had that was informing the resignation and whether or not there was a way that it could be addressed,” he explained.

“But they went back and said that they had engaged and, as far as they were concerned, the resignation could be accepted. So, the President has formally accepted her resignation, and she is no longer a member of the Council of State,” he added.

He further disclosed, “The law is clear on what processes to undertake to replace her, and that is going on as we speak. So, in due course, a replacement will be announced for Justice Sophia Akuffo,” he said.

@ghnow_ Ghana Police retrieve weapons and fake number plates from 32 robbery suspects #GHNow #fyp ♬ Otan by Sarkodie – ︎ ︎ ︎
@ghnow_ Weapons and fake number plates seized from 32 suspected armed robbers #GHNow #fyp ♬ Ghana Anthem (God Bless Our Homeland Ghana) – National Anthems Orchestra

‘Go and cool off at Nsawam’ – Asiedu Nketia mocks Wontumi

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Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has mocked the former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, following his  20-year sentencing.

According to Asiedu Nketia, Chairman Wontumi had been suffering considerably from his frequent movements around galamsey sites.

He stressed that they have now found a place for Wontumi to rest and “cool off” after years of what he described as suffering.

The NDC chairman mocked Chairman Wontumi, telling him to thank his God as he has been taken to the Nsawam Prison to cool off.

He further added that Wontumi will come back strong and fresh after cooling off at the Nsawam Prison.

Speaking during a radio interview, Asiedu Nketia stated, “ Wontumi was suffering too much, walking at galamsey sites, so we have gotten a place for him to go and cool off a little. He should thank God and rest.

When he comes back from there, he will become strong and fresh. He should go and cool off at Nsawam”.

In related news,  Chairman Wontumi’s bail application pending his appeal has been adjourned to October 15, 2026.

Reports suggest the adjournment followed the failure of Chairman Wontumi and his lawyers who failed to appear before the court for the hearing.

However, the Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem-Sai, was present in court for the proceedings.

He disclosed to the media that the court is expected to consider the bail application when the case resumes on October 15.

It will be recalled that Chairman Wontumi has filed an application at the High Court seeking to be released on bail pending the determination of his appeal against his conviction and prison sentence.

Wontumi’s legal team is asking the court to grant his release while the appeal challenging the judgment is heard.

The court is scheduled to hear the application on August 19, 2026. Wontumi is currently being held at Nsawam Medium Security Prison serving a 20-year jail term.

Lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, indicated that the application is in accordance with Section 96(1) of Act 30 and Section 33(1) of Act 459.

“Take Notice that this Honourable Court will be moved by Counsel for and on behalf of the 1st Appellant/Applicant (“Applicant”) herein praying the Court for an order that the Applicant, who is currently incarcerated at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons, be admitted to bail pending appeal upon the grounds stated in the accompanying affidavit and for any further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem meet,” parts of the application read.

“Court to be moved on Wednesday, 19TH day of August 2026 at 9 o’clock in the forenoon or so soon thereafter as Counsel for the 1st and 3rd Appellants may be heard.”

Meanwhile, Samuel Atta Akyea has disclosed that his client is doing very fine and is in high spirits.

According to Lawyer Atta Akyea, his client has filed an appeal against his 20-year prison sentence, adding that the legal team will also file an application for bail pending the determination of the appeal.

Speaking to the media at the premises of the High Court on July 31, 2026, Atta Akyea stated, “He is very fine and in high spirits. He is also excited that we have lodged an appeal, and we will pursue it”.

“We will bring an application for bail pending appeal, so these are all the options we have, and we will exercise them properly,” he added.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Weapons and fake number plates seized from 32 suspected armed robbers #GHNow #fyp ♬ Ghana Anthem (God Bless Our Homeland Ghana) – National Anthems Orchestra
@ghnow_ Ghana Police retrieve weapons and fake number plates from 32 robbery suspects #GHNow #fyp ♬ Otan by Sarkodie – ︎ ︎ ︎

‘To all criminals, no matter where you hide, we will come for you’ – IGP

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The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Yohunu, has issued a stern warning once again to criminals in Ghana.

The IGP issued a stern warning to criminals who may attempt to evade arrest.

IGP stressed that the Police will pursue criminals regardless of where they seek refuge.

“Let me once again make it clear to all criminals out there that the Ghana Police Service under my leadership will sustain this and no matter where you run, no matter where you hide, we will come for you”, he stated.

He made this known following the Ghana Police Service dismantling several robbery syndicates operating across four regions of the country, with several suspects arrested.

The Police disclosed that the syndicates were uncovered in the Greater Accra, Western, Savannah and Northern Regions as part of intensified efforts by the Police to clamp down on violent crime.

IGP Yohuno reiterated that the ongoing operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements and making communities safer will be sustained.

 He further encouraged police officers involved in the operations to continue carrying out their duties with dedication and professionalism.

In other news, the IGP has promoted Inspector Hance Atubra of the Tarkwa Divisional Police Headquarters to the rank of Chief Inspector.

The IGP promoted the officer in recognition of his bravery during a fire outbreak at Aboso in the Western Region.

His promotion follows Inspector Atubra’s intervention during the fire, which broke out at the Aboso Main Lorry Station on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

The fire engulfed a number of shops at the station, putting people within the affected area at risk; however, Inspector Atubra, who was reportedly the first police officer to arrive at the scene, immediately moved to assist people trapped in the area.

Inspector Atubra’s actions attracted commendation from people who witnessed the incident and subsequently led to a recommendation for his promotion.

In a statement issued by the Police on Facebook read, “IGP PROMOTES POLICE OFFICER FOR SAVING LIVES DURING ABOSO FIRE OUTBREAK.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has promoted Inspector Hance Atubra of the Tarkwa Divisional Headquarters to the rank of Chief Inspector for his role in saving lives during a fire outbreak at Aboso in the Western Region.

The fire outbreak occurred on 26th August 2026, when some shops at the Aboso Main Lorry Station were engulfed in flames, resulting in damage to properties.

Inspector Atubra, who was the first Police officer to arrive at the scene, immediately took action to assist people trapped in the affected area and helped to evacuate the victims to safety.

His actions were highly commended by people who witnessed the incident, leading to a recommendation for his promotion in recognition of his courage, quick response and efforts to save life and property.

The promotion underscores the Police Administration’s commitment to recognising and rewarding officers who demonstrate exceptional courage, dedication and commitment to duty”.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ The IGP has issued a strong warning to criminals, saying the police will pursue them wherever they run or hide. #GHnow #fyp ♬ Breaking News – Breaking News
@ghnow_ Weapons and fake number plates seized from 32 suspected armed robbers #GHNow #fyp ♬ Ghana Anthem (God Bless Our Homeland Ghana) – National Anthems Orchestra

‘‘A serious country would not make Baffoe-Bonnie Chief Justice’ – Adomako Baafi

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Yaw Adomako Baafi, a former Director of Communication of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said no serious country in the world would have appointed Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice.

According to Yaw Adomako Baafi, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, during his vetting, admitted that he sentenced notorious armed robber Ataa Ayi to 70 years in prison because he feared for his safety and that of his family.

He argued that Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s decision to impose a lengthy prison sentence on Ataa Ayi out of fear made him unfit to lead Ghana’s judiciary.

Speaking in an interview on UTV’s Adekye Nsroma, Yaw Adomako Baafi argued, “First thing that tarnishes his image was his admission that he sentenced Ataa Ayi for more years due to fear for his life. If there is any serious country in this world, we wouldn’t have such a Chief Justice to lead the judiciary”.

He further questioned the circumstances surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, saying the development raises several questions.

It will be recalled that Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who was then the Chief Justice nominee, revealed his reasoning behind sentencing notorious armed robber Atta Ayi to 70 years in prison.

According to Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the lengthy sentence for Atta Ayi was to protect his family.

He explained that if he had given Ataa Ayi 30 years, when he came back, his family would be the first the notorious armed robber would have attacked.

Speaking during his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, November 10, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie explained, “I gave him 70 years. And what I told myself was that if Atta Ayi was given 30 years and he comes back, my family would be the first he would attack. By the time he comes back after 70 years, I will be dead and gone,” he said.

Meanwhile, Atta Ayi was labelled as Ghana’s most notorious at the time, with a bounty placed on him.

He masterminded numerous armed robberies, stealing money, cars, jewellery, and other valuables and also shot victims.

The Police, led by  ACP Kofi Boakye, managed to arrest some members of his gang after fierce gun battles that left others dead.

Atta Ayi was later convicted on multiple counts and jailed in 2005.

According to reports, Atta Ayi has now been described as a changed man.

He has since been pleading with the government to grant him a pardon.

In related news, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has said calls by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to resign over his comments are disproportionate. 

The Catholic Bishops highlighted that the Chief Justice’s comments during the engagements raised concerns about his neutrality and the political independence of the Judiciary, but calls for his resignation were disproportionate.

According to the Catholic Bishops, the available evidence does not establish that the Chief Justice is partisan or that the Judiciary has been compromised.

The Catholic Bishops also noted that the Chief Justice was entitled to visit public institutions, assess their performance and acknowledge improvements without such actions being considered improper.

They, however, argued that the Chief Justice’s reference to the “past eight years” could easily be interpreted within Ghana’s political context as a comparison between the current administration and its predecessor, adding that the comment could create an impression of political endorsement and undermine public confidence in the neutrality of the Judiciary.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ The IGP has issued a strong warning to criminals, saying the police will pursue them wherever they run or hide. #GHnow #fyp ♬ Breaking News – Breaking News
@ghnow_ Ghana Police retrieve weapons and fake number plates from 32 robbery suspects #GHNow #fyp ♬ Otan by Sarkodie – ︎ ︎ ︎

‘Retract and apologise’ – NPP Nasara Wing chases Rev Owusu Bempah

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The Nasara Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region has issued an ultimatum to Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah demanding a retraction and apology.

In a statement signed by Ashanti Regional Nasara Coordinator Razak Abubakar, they condemned recent comments by Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah, describing them as false, divisive and inflammatory.

According to the Nasara Wing of the NPP, allegations that some of its members were planning to attack the prophet’s church are “deeply distasteful” and a slur on its peace‑loving membership across the country.

The Nasara Wing highlighted that its group mobilises support among settler and migrant communities, indicating that its mission is rooted in unity and diversity, not tribal or religious bias.

They further accused Rev Owusu Bempah of attempting to sow division along religious and tribal lines.

Parts of the Nasara Wing statement read, “As a wing of the NPP established to mobilise support for settler and migrant communities across the country, we find this allegation not only false but deeply distasteful. It is appalling that such a statement should come from a man who parades himself as a Man of God, yet appears determined to sow division and hatred rather than peace and understanding”.

The Wing also issued an ultimatum to Prophet Owusu Bempah to retract the allegation and apologise.

They warned that failure to do so would compel the wing to explore legitimate options to protect its image and integrity.

“We hereby give Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah an ultimatum to retract this false allegation and render an unqualified apology to the Nasara Wing and the NPP within a reasonable time. Failure to do so will compel us to explore all legitimate options available to us to protect the image and integrity of this wing and its leadership”.

“…We also wish to place on record that the Nasara wing is not a Muslim wing as being portrayed but rather a group meant for all settler communities which may include Christians and other religious groups,” the statement added.

It further called on the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Catholic Bishops Conference, and other ecumenical bodies, saying, “The pulpit must not be turned into a platform for tribal and religious bigotry, and we trust that the church, as an institution, will not be silent in the face of this,” the statement added.

In other news. Rev Isaac Owusu-Bempah, in a video, has recounted how his troubles began with the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Rev Owusu Bempah disclosed that his troubles began from an old video prophecy before President Akufo-Addo was elected.

According to Rev Owusu Bempah, he was once called to the Jubilee House by the then Chief of Staff, Frema Opare, about an old video in which he made some prophetic proclamation.

Rev Owusu Bempah later revealed that Chief of Staff Frema Opare ordered him to tell a lie by granting an interview telling Ghanaians his old prophecy had been cancelled by God and that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia would be the next president of Ghana.

The man of God added that while he was about to grant the interview, God once again instructed him not to say anything and be quiet.

Rev Owusu Bempah stated, “The Chief of Staff told me that if I was leaving the Jubilee House, she would like to see me before I leave. Right there, Prophet Kusi Boateng confirmed the video was old, and the Chief of Staff told me the day after tomorrow I should grant interviews and I should prophecy that the old prophecy God has cancelled it and it will not work and God is bringing Dr Bawumia as the President and leader of Ghana”.

“So I walked out. When I got home, I had prepared to grant interviews for me to say what the woman wanted me to say because she told me a foot does not fall far away from a tree and he supports Dr Bawumia so I must also support him.

But God spoke to me and said Do not say anything; be quiet so I did not say anything. That was when my troubles started”, he added.

@ghnow_ Ghana Police retrieve weapons and fake number plates from 32 robbery suspects #GHNow #fyp ♬ Otan by Sarkodie – ︎ ︎ ︎
@ghnow_ Weapons and fake number plates seized from 32 suspected armed robbers #GHNow #fyp ♬ Ghana Anthem (God Bless Our Homeland Ghana) – National Anthems Orchestra

SIM registration to begin before end of 2026 – Sam George

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Sam George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, has disclosed that the planned SIM registration will begin before the end of 2026.

According to Sam George, Parliament has passed the Legislative Instrument (LI) on SIM registration, paving the way for the implementation of the next phase of the process.

He disclosed that the government is set to introduce biometric verification as part of Ghana’s SIM registration process before the end of 2026.

Sam George highlighted that the biometric verification system is expected to strengthen subscriber identification and improve the integrity of SIM registration data.

He argued that the development forms part of government efforts to strengthen Ghana’s digital identity and telecommunications systems.

The Communication Minister further disclosed that government would ensure that the regulatory framework keeps pace with developments in the digital space.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House in Accra on Monday, September 7, 2026, Sam George stated, “The work is far from finished, and I will not pretend otherwise. But the direction is unmistakable, the results are measurable, and the resolve of this Ministry is unshaken”.

Earlier, Sam George disclosed that the planned SIM registration will be rolled out in the third quarter of 2026.

Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, Sam George revealed the exercise will be rolled out between July, August, and September in 2026.

The Communication Minister also urged Ghanaians to fully participate in the upcoming SIM card re-registration exercise.

Sam George, during the interview, stated, “It’s advisable for everybody to ensure that when we roll out the registration process, you take part in it. Bearing in mind that you took part in a system that traumatised people—people queued for days—but now you have a system that will allow you to do this in the comfort of your home. The process will be mandatory for the use of telecom services in the country”.

“I’m confident that in the third quarter of this year, anytime between July, August, and September, we will definitely be in a good position to roll out,” he said.

Sam George further announced that the planned SIM registration exercise will come at no cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer.

According to Sam George, the SIM registration exercise will not impose any financial burden on taxpayers.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, March 24, Sam George stated, “Part of the reason the Public Procurement Authority invited me to appear with my ministry is that we have written to the PPA and stated that this will be at no cost to the government.

“The commitment authorisation we received from the Finance Ministry for both the CERR and the SIM registration platform was to the effect that it will be at no cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer. When it is not borne by the taxpayer, you need to justify how it will be done,” he said.

“Engagement. We have engaged with the telecom companies and explained to them why they need to bear the cost,” he added.

Sam George further disclosed that the process would be competitive and not sole-sourced.

“We’re not sole-sourcing,” he added.

@ghnow_ The Kasoa–Winneba Road is taking shape as construction progresses, with work still ongoing on some sections of the highway. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – NDCMUSICHQ
@ghnow_ Ghana Police retrieve weapons and fake number plates from 32 robbery suspects #GHNow #fyp ♬ Otan by Sarkodie – ︎ ︎ ︎

6,936 Ghanaians in distress repatriated since 2025 – Ablakwa

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Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Foreign Affairs Minister, has revealed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has facilitated the repatriation and evacuation of 6,936 Ghanaians in distress since 2025.

The Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that the government, with its international partners, initially repatriated 4,972 distressed Ghanaians from several countries, including Libya, Cambodia and Kuwait.

Mr Ablakwa added that the figure rose to 6,936 when the recent evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa was added.

He further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare and dignity of Ghanaian citizens, regardless of where they live.

In a Facebook post, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa wrote, “At my media briefing yesterday, I also disclosed that working with our partners since 2025 to date, we have repatriated 4,972 Ghanaians in distress from multiple countries including Libya, Cambodia and Kuwait.

If you add the recent evacuations from South Africa of 1,964 Ghanaians, we have cumulatively brought back home 6,936 of our compatriots.

We shall always rise to the challenge and protect the dignity and welfare of Ghanaians everywhere in the world.

A Ghanaian under threat amounts to all of us under threat.

For God and Country”.

Meanwhile, some Ghanaians who are still stranded in South Africa have appealed to the government to extend its voluntary evacuation exercise.

According to the stranded Ghanaians, they are desperate to return home after losing their jobs, businesses and accommodation amid xenophobic attacks.

Margaret Amenuvegbe, one of the stranded Ghanaians, disclosed that she and others had registered for evacuation but did not attend the later screening over concerns about the conditions awaiting evacuees.

She alleged that reports that some Ghanaians who arrived at evacuation centres were struggling to find accommodation discouraged them from proceeding with the process.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Monday, September 7, 2026, she stated, “We came after the screening. We were supposed to register to come home. We did the registration, but we didn’t come for the screening,” she said.

“We heard that the place was so crowded, and then there was nowhere to sleep,” she said.

“We wanted to come. We were ready to come because they even chased us from where we were working and then where we were sleeping,” she said.

“When you apply for any paper, they don’t issue it,” she said. “Even if you show it to them, they say, yes, we can see you have a paper, but it doesn’t allow you to work.”

“It’s like everything is just- we are desperate,” she said.

Amenuvegbe said she and others are currently staying at a church as they wait for assistance to return to Ghana.

“We are sleeping on the floor,” she said. “Even now the things are getting cooler presently because the weather has changed.”

She further appealed to the government, saying, “We are on our knees. We are begging. We don’t want anything. The only thing we have to say is that we are on our knees. We are begging.”

“Even if they say this night we are ready to go,” she said. “This night, this week, we are ready to go.”

See the post below:

@ghnow_ The Kasoa–Winneba Road is taking shape as construction progresses, with work still ongoing on some sections of the highway. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – NDCMUSICHQ
@ghnow_ The IGP has issued a strong warning to criminals, saying the police will pursue them wherever they run or hide. #GHnow #fyp ♬ Breaking News – Breaking News

What items did GETFund sell to declare profit? – Former NPP MP chases SIGA for answers

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Alexander Abban, the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP, has questioned State Interests and Governance Authority’s (SIGA) over the reported profit-making position of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).

The former MP argued that GETFund was established to channel education-related taxes and levies into improving the country’s education system, not to operate as a profit-making company.

He argued that claims that GETFund had made profits raised questions about how the institution was measuring its performance.

Speaking on The Forum on Asaase Radio, Alexander Abban stated, “One of the institutions is GETFund. Was GETFund established to make profits?” Abban asked.

“So, if a company like that come to say they have made profits, it means they were jokers. Because GETFund, you are there to receive our taxes and levies that are brought to you, to use and improve our educational system.”

“Because I was a student leader when we pressed for GETFund to be established,” he said.

“And so if you are to receive such monies and you come and declare profit, then what items did you sell to come and declare profit? They are jokers, and they must be sacked. They should give us a break.”

“The mere fact that your books show a positive cash position does not necessarily mean that you’ve acted to your optimum,” he said.

He further called for SIGA to help insulate state-owned enterprises from political manipulation by ensuring that appointments are based on professional competence.

“Unless, of course, with the coming in of SIGA we are going to insulate it from political manipulations in such a way that we would be able to look for men and women who have the competences in their various fields that would be required by the various companies,” he said.

His comment comes on the back of the  State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) announcing that Ghana’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) recorded a consolidated net profit after tax of GH¢19.80 billion in the 2025 financial year.

According to SIGA, the GH¢19.80 billion profit ends the four consecutive years of net losses.

SIGA disclosed that the turnaround represents a significant improvement from the GH¢2.25 billion net loss posted in 2024, as total SOE revenue increased by 28.12 per cent from GH¢137.64 billion to GH¢176.43 billion.

SIGA, in a release on Sunday, August 30, 2026, made these figures known, which marks the tenth edition of Ghana’s flagship assessment of specified entities and the fifth published by SIGA.

However, policy analysts note that SOEs’ headline profits rely heavily on accounting and macroeconomic factors like FX revaluations rather than core operations.

Meanwhile, Manasseh Azure Awuni, an Investigative journalist, has called out the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) after they announced that Ghana’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) recorded a consolidated net profit after tax of GH¢19.80 billion in the 2025 financial year.

He questioned the credibility of SIGA’s 2025 State Ownership Report, calling some SOE “by force” profits illogical and urging clarification on suspicious details.

According to Manasseh Azure, SIGA must come clear with more details about the “by force”.

In a post on X, Manasseh Azure stated, “SIGA, please, come clear. Details of some of the SOEs’ ‘by force’ profit don’t make sense”.

@ghnow_ Ghana Police retrieve weapons and fake number plates from 32 robbery suspects #GHNow #fyp ♬ Otan by Sarkodie – ︎ ︎ ︎
@ghnow_ The arrival of Hon. Sam George at the Girls in ICT launch #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – afrobase_tv

“We are on our knees” – Stranded Ghanaians in South Africa beg govt to extend evacuation exercise

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Some Ghanaians who are still stranded in South Africa have appealed to the government to extend its voluntary evacuation exercise.

According to the stranded Ghanaians, they are desperate to return home after losing their jobs, businesses and accommodation amid xenophobic attacks.

Margaret Amenuvegbe, one of the stranded Ghanaians, disclosed that she and others had registered for evacuation but did not attend the later screening over concerns about the conditions awaiting evacuees.

She alleged that reports that some Ghanaians who arrived at evacuation centres were struggling to find accommodation discouraged them from proceeding with the process.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Monday, September 7, 2026, she stated, “We came after the screening. We were supposed to register to come home. We did the registration, but we didn’t come for the screening,” she said.

“We heard that the place was so crowded, and then there was nowhere to sleep,” she said.

“We wanted to come. We were ready to come because they even chased us from where we were working and then where we were sleeping,” she said.

“When you apply for any paper, they don’t issue it,” she said. “Even if you show it to them, they say, yes, we can see you have a paper, but it doesn’t allow you to work.”

“It’s like everything is just- we are desperate,” she said.

Amenuvegbe said she and others are currently staying at a church as they wait for assistance to return to Ghana.

“We are sleeping on the floor,” she said. “Even now the things are getting cooler presently because the weather has changed.”

She further appealed to the government, saying, “We are on our knees. We are begging. We don’t want anything. The only thing we have to say is that we are on our knees. We are begging.”

“Even if they say this night we are ready to go,” she said. “This night, this week, we are ready to go.”

Their appeal follows the government’s, which ended the evacuation exercise following the arrival of the final batch of 41 Ghanaians in Ghana on September 4, bringing the total number of returnees to 1,964.

Meanwhile, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Foreign Affairs Minister, has announced a detailed breakdown of the cost involved in the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks.

Ablakwa disclosed that the total cost of the evacuation exercise amounted to GHS 49,721,786.00, covering chartered flights, ground transportation, feeding, accommodation, medical care, and reintegration support.

The Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that GH¢38.84 million was spent on chartered flights, tickets, ground transportation, feeding, hotel accommodation in South Africa, as well as medical and hospitalisation requirements.

He added that another GH¢10.8 million was allocated as reintegration and transportation allowances for the returning nationals.

Ablakwa disclosed that each of the 1,964 evacuees received GH¢5,000 as a reintegration grant and GH¢500 for transportation, bringing the total support per person to GH¢5,500.

Also, GH¢84,274 was spent to repatriate the remains of two Ghanaians who lost their lives during the crisis.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed that the total amount has been fully settled, with no outstanding liabilities arising from the evacuation, adding that out of the GH¢49.72 million spent, the government financed GH¢33.72 million, while Ibrahim Mahama contributed GH¢16 million towards the exercise.

@ghnow_ Weapons and fake number plates seized from 32 suspected armed robbers #GHNow #fyp ♬ Ghana Anthem (God Bless Our Homeland Ghana) – National Anthems Orchestra
@ghnow_ Ghana Police retrieve weapons and fake number plates from 32 robbery suspects #GHNow #fyp ♬ Otan by Sarkodie – ︎ ︎ ︎

Clear exam malpractice cases before releasing results – Eduwatch tells WAEC

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Kofi Asare, the Executive Director of the African Education Watch (Eduwatch), has told the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to complete investigations into suspected examination malpractice before releasing examination results.

According to Eduwatch Executive Director, releasing results while some candidates remain under investigation creates difficulties for students seeking admission to tertiary institutions.

He argued that some candidates are forced to wait for the outcome of investigations, sometimes until tertiary admission processes have been completed.

Kofi Asare stressed that WAEC must conclude all investigations before releasing examination results, so that candidates will know from the outset whether their results have been cancelled or cleared.

Eduwatch Executive Director stated, “We at a point suggested to the government that why won’t we finish all investigations before we release the results so that from day one, everybody knows whether they had their results cancelled or their results were intact. Instead of holding some of them to ransom and then they wait, by the time the results are released, tertiary admissions are over”.

His comments follow the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) announcement that the entire results of 861 WASSCE candidates were cancelled after they were found in possession of mobile phones during the 2026 examinations.

According to WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, WAEC’s regulations prohibit candidates from possessing mobile phones in examination halls, whether the devices are used or not.

“The rule is that once you have a mobile phone, your results are cancelled,” Mr Kapi said.

“It is possible that the candidates devise a means of concealing these from the invigilators who are searching, or that the search is not thorough,” he stated.

“But the point is that we still find a lot of candidates who go into the examination hall with mobile phones.”

Also, he further disclosed that some 270 candidates have also been withheld pending investigations into various suspected examination offences.

Mr Kapi added that WAEC also cancelled the subject results of 7,434 candidates for taking unauthorised materials into examination halls.

He further urged affected candidates whose results have been withheld or cancelled to visit WAEC’s examination irregularities portal to determine why their results had been cancelled or withheld.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the provisional results of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates.

In the 2026 exams, a total of 512,862 candidates from 1,022 schools entered the examination, comprising 225,270 males and 287,592 females.

The results release saw Social Studies recorded the strongest performance among the four core subjects, with 78.04 per cent of candidates obtaining grades between A1 and C6.

Mathematics (Core) also recorded a significant recovery after a sharp decline in 2025.

The proportion of candidates obtaining A1-C6 in Mathematics increased from 48.73 per cent in 2025 to 60.75 per cent in 2026.

Also, Integrated Science performance improved, rising from 57.74 per cent in 2025 to 62.08 per cent in 2026.

However, English Language records declined, with the proportion of candidates obtaining A1-C6 in English Language falling from 69.00 per cent in 2025 to 62.40 per cent in 2026.

WAEC disclosed that its four-year performance data showed that English Language was the only one of the four core subjects to record a progressive decline during the period.

@ghnow_ The Kasoa–Winneba Road is taking shape as construction progresses, with work still ongoing on some sections of the highway. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – NDCMUSICHQ
@ghnow_ Weapons and fake number plates seized from 32 suspected armed robbers #GHNow #fyp ♬ Ghana Anthem (God Bless Our Homeland Ghana) – National Anthems Orchestra

Accra-Kumasi Expressway a generational intervention – Roads Minister

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Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Roads and Highways Minister, has said the Accra–Kumasi Expressway will be one of President John Dramani Mahama’s major legacy projects.

The Roads Minister described the project as a generational intervention that is intended to deliver infrastructure with a lasting impact on future generations.

Speaking to Citi News, Governs Kwame Agbodza stated, “Accra-Kumasi Expressway is our generational intervention. We are going to be 70 years. The President’s vision is that we should do something so that the generations ahead of us will say that when we were also here, we did something remarkable.

“Dr Nkrumah and others did other things: they did the Tema Motorway, they did the port, and other things. We also must do something to hold our place in history on behalf of our people,” he said.

The Roads Minister’s comments follow the completion of clearing works along the entire road corridor by engineers of the Ghana Armed Forces, paving the way for the next phase of the project.

In related news, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Finance Minister, has revealed that the full funding required for the construction of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway will be secured by the end of this year.

According to Ato Forson, the funding required for the construction of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway will be secured without borrowing from other entities.

In a post on his X page on Friday, September 4, 2026, Ato Forson disclosed that the funding arrangement could mark the first time Ghana has fully secured financing for an infrastructure project of this scale before construction begins.

The finance minister wrote, “Hearty congratulations to our indefatigable army on a stellar job.

By the end of this year, the full funding for the transformational Accra-Kumasi Expressway will be ready.

This could be the first time funds for a project of this scale have been fully secured before construction begins.

For the avoidance of doubt, not a single pesewa will be borrowed for this project!”.

It will be recalled that during the 2025 budget presentation, Ato Forson disclosed that the Accra-Kumasi Expressway is the flagship of President Mohammed’s Big Push infrastructure program.

According to the Finance Minister, the project will include eight interchanges, three major bridges, round-the-clock service areas, and automated tolls, aiming to boost connectivity between Accra and Kumasi.

He disclosed that it will be “Ghana’s first fully modern six-lane bi-directional Class A expressway, a highway worthy of a nation on the rise. Stretching 198.7 kilometres, this expressway will become the central spine of Ghana’s economy, linking our capital city, Accra and Kumasi, the heartbeat of the Ashanti Region and also cutting through the Greater Accra and Eastern Regions, creating a powerful southern-northern economic corridor that connects people, markets, and opportunities. To achieve this, the expressway follows a brand new alignment.”

@ghnow_ “If You Were Serious About Travelling, You’d Have a Passport” — Nana Agradaa #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ The Kasoa–Winneba Road is taking shape as construction progresses, with work still ongoing on some sections of the highway. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – NDCMUSICHQ

GH¢49.7m spent on 1,964 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa – Ablakwa

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Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Foreign Affairs Minister, has announced a detailed breakdown of the cost involved in the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks.

Ablakwa disclosed that the total cost of the evacuation exercise amounted to GHS 49,721,786.00, covering chartered flights, ground transportation, feeding, accommodation, medical care, and reintegration support.

The Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that GH¢38.84 million was spent on chartered flights, tickets, ground transportation, feeding, hotel accommodation in South Africa, as well as medical and hospitalisation requirements.

He added that another GH¢10.8 million was allocated as reintegration and transportation allowances for the returning nationals.

Ablakwa disclosed that each of the 1,964 evacuees received GH¢5,000 as a reintegration grant and GH¢500 for transportation, bringing the total support per person to GH¢5,500.

Also, GH¢84,274 was spent to repatriate the remains of two Ghanaians who lost their lives during the crisis.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed that the total amount has been fully settled, with no outstanding liabilities arising from the evacuation, adding that out of the GH¢49.72 million spent, the government financed GH¢33.72 million, while Ibrahim Mahama contributed GH¢16 million towards the exercise.

In related news, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced that the government of Ghana has turned down MTN Ghana’s GH¢20 million offer to support Ghanaians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, funds have already been secured for their evacuation and reintegration.

The Ministry disclosed that the Government of Ghana had earlier been directly conveyed to the Board Chair and CEO of MTN when they called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) on August 14, 2026.

In a press statement issued on August, 26, 2026 read, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has become aware of media reports suggesting that MTN Ghana is preparing to donate GHS20million for Ghanaian victims of the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The media publications seem to attribute the announcement of this intended GHS20million donation to an interview granted by the highly regarded MTN Board Chairman, Dr Ishmael Yamson.

The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer; however, we respectfully decline,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms that the Mahama Administration has made adequate provision for ongoing evacuations and reintegration of Ghanaians and is therefore unable to accept this offer.

This position of the Government of Ghana had earlier been directly conveyed to the Board Chair and CEO of MTN when they called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) on August 14, 2026.

@ghnow_ Free primary healthcare does not mean free universal healthcare #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “If You Were Serious About Travelling, You’d Have a Passport” — Nana Agradaa #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Galamsey, Big Push major cause of poor network in Ghana

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Ghana’s persistent poor network connectivity has been linked to more than just technical challenges, with illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, and the John Mahama government’s Big Push infrastructure projects emerging as major factors affecting the stability of telecommunications services.

According to the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam Nartey George, the government’s Big Push programme has been responsible for nearly half of all fibre cuts recorded in Ghana.

He highlighted that the frequent damage to fibre networks was disrupting telecommunications services and imposing significant repair costs on operators.

Sam George argued that those resources could otherwise be channelled into expanding network coverage.

The Communication Minister explained that road construction accounted for about 49% of all fibre cuts, making it the single biggest source of damage to telecommunications infrastructure in the country.

He stated, “That’s money that without the fibre cut we could have used to build new sites… The biggest source of fibre cuts is from the Big Push project because the Ministry of Roads is carrying out an aggressive project to construct roads across the country”.

Also, Sam George disclosed that galamsey are responsible for about 25 per cent of all fibre cuts recorded across Ghana.

He disclosed that activities of illegal miners have emerged as a significant threat to the country’s telecommunications infrastructure which are disrupting fibre networks.

Sam George disclosed that galamsey operators often damage underground fibre infrastructure in the course of their mining activities without reporting the incidents to telecommunications companies.

He stated, “25 per cent of fibre cuts are a result of galamsey. The telecom industry is one of the worst hit by the activities of galamsey operators. They [galamsey operators] just go in and make cuts. Road contractors will often report fibre cuts, but galamsey operators won’t report it, and that is a real challenge to the sector.”

The disruption of fibre-optic infrastructure by mining activities and major construction works has reportedly left network operators grappling with frequent fibre cuts, resulting in service interruptions and poor connectivity in affected areas.

As Ghana pushes ahead with infrastructure development while battling the environmental and economic impact of galamsey, the damage to critical telecommunications infrastructure is adding another dimension to the country’s connectivity challenges.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has claimed that the country has “turned the corner” in tackling the menace.

According to the Lands Minister, the Ankobra River has been cleared of thousands of Changfan machines and illegal mining (galamsey) operators following a year of sustained patrols.

Speaking on Thursday, September 3, 2026, after joining NAIMOS and Navy Special Forces on a 16-kilometre patrol of the Ankobra River from Dominase to Gwira Banso in the Western Region, the Lands Minister claimed that the government’s fight against galamsey is clearly yielding results.

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, during the tour, stated, “I have been informed that we are close to 3000 machines that have been cleared not only on the Ankobra, Birim and other rivers. Over 237 arrests, with 144 of them being foreign nationals.

This clearly shows that we are turning the corner; we are using more intelligent lead operations. We are being intentional about these operations, and the results are showing. We have shifted from the periodic raids and moved into permanent deployment, which is showing these results”.

He further added, “If you have followed this difficult work in the last close to 2 years, you will not be sitting on any TV in Accra talking that we are not making progress with the fight against illegal mining.

You have to come to the Ankobra and look at what the Ankobra looked like last year, and today it is clear.  We have not gotten to the point where we want to see the river blue, but we have made great progress changfans machines and the thugs”.

@ghnow_ Free primary healthcare does not mean free universal healthcare #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “If You Were Serious About Travelling, You’d Have a Passport” — Nana Agradaa #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

“Open your eyes and ears and see what’s happening” – Obiri Boahen tells Mahama

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Nana Obiri Boahen, the former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), urged President John Dramani Mahama to open his eyes and ears about happenings within his administration.

According to Obiri Boahen, several things within the Mahama administration are going wrong, warning that the development could negatively affect Mahama’s legacy if he fails to tackle them.

Nana Obiri Boahen asked President Mahama to take a cue from the late President Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s tenure and be guided by the lessons of history.

He recounted that despite the late Nkrumah’s significant contributions to Ghana, he was subjected to mockery following his overthrow.

He urged President Mahama to be extra careful in managing his administration.

Speaking in an interview on a YouTube channel, Nana Obiri Boahen stated, “So Mahama should be careful. Mahama is my elder brother, and he should be guided by the lessons of history.

A lot of things happening in your government are not coming from you, but they are happening. Open your eyes and ears and see what’s happening. Be extra careful because there has been a time in this country when people insulted Kwame Nkrumah”.

“Kwame Nkrumah did all he could do for the country, and when he was overthrown on 24 February 1966, the money that was printed with his picture was used as a song to insult him. I am a historian, and I am talking about this. To the extent that after the fall of Kwame Nkrumah, all his books were burnt. So Mahama should be very careful and extra careful.

“So, he should be extra careful. He shouldn’t listen only to those close to him because those people are only interested in what they will eat. He should try and listen outside. But if Prof. Mills were to be in government, a lot of the things happening wouldn’t happen today,” he added.

In related news, Omanhene Kwabena Asante, a Renowned broadcast journalist, has told President John Dramani Mahama that a lot of corrupt acts are happening under his government.

According to Omanhene Kwabena Asante, the Mahama-led government could face serious consequences if it fails to address alleged acts of corruption within the administration.

Omanhene argued that claims by members of the NDC that the Mahama administration has not been hit by major scandals do not reflect the realities on the ground.

Speaking on Asempa FM on August 19, 2026, Omanhene Kwabena Asante stated, “When I hear the NDC readily and quickly saying that there are no major scandals, a lot of things are happening. President Mahama will be amazed by the corruptible acts in this administration”.

He argued that the Mahama government’s anti-corruption credentials had already been weakened by decisions taken by the Attorney-General to discontinue some criminal cases associated with members of the NDC initiated under the previous administration.

“The NDC’s fight against corruption was weakened when the Attorney-General filed nolle prosequi in some cases being investigated by the previous administration. That has weakened their base, and this same government that has discontinued cases is now prosecuting cases of political opponents in court on almost the same issues,” he noted.

“They will be judged accordingly. They should look beyond the physical stewardship; there is a spiritual stewardship. There is a day coming when you will answer for all your deeds,” he said.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Free primary healthcare does not mean free universal healthcare #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “If You Were Serious About Travelling, You’d Have a Passport” — Nana Agradaa #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Prices of tomatoes to see a sharp decline in the coming weeks – John Dumelo

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The deputy Agriculture Minister, John Dumelo, has announced that in the coming weeks Ghanaians will see a drop in tomato prices.

According to John Dumelo, the development follows Ghanaian farmers who have started harvesting their tomatoes.

He further detailed that the Agric Minister is also actively preparing for large-scale dry season tomato farming from December to June next year.

The Deputy Agric Minister disclosed that the government has provided solar-powered boreholes as well as irrigation inputs to farmers to actively pursue dry season tomato farming.

In a post on X, John Dumelo stated, “The prices of tomatoes should see a sharp decline these coming weeks as Ghanaian farmers have started harvesting. We are also actively preparing for large-scale dry season tomato farming from December to June next year.

The lands have been cleared mostly in the Northern part of Ghana, and nursing and transplanting will start from October.  We have provided solar-powered boreholes as well as irrigation inputs to farmers to actively pursue dry season tomato farming to augment the shortfalls next year”.

In related news, the Agric Minister, Eric Opoku, appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Assurances, promised Ghanaians that the country will experience a tomato glut in 3–4 months.

According to Eric Opoku, to prevent post-harvest losses, the government is putting in place an off-take system to guarantee a market for farmers, while engaging tomato processors to purchase the expected surplus.

He further disclosed that the government is also investing in solar-powered boreholes to support year-round irrigation, enabling farmers to increase production beyond the traditional growing season.

Eric Opoku stated, “We have put in place a lot of measures and within the next three to four months, the results will be there for everyone to see. This is another big assurance.

We are anticipating a glut of tomatoes in the coming months and are thinking about how we can get processors to off-take from our farmers. We are doing a lot of solar-powered boreholes across the country”.

The Agric Minister expressed confidence that the measures will strengthen domestic tomato production, improve market opportunities for farmers and gradually reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported tomatoes while supporting the country’s broader food security agenda.

Meanwhile, consumers are facing the opposite reality, with the price of tomatoes reportedly rising by as much as 158%. This is according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) August 2026 data.

According to the Ghana Statistical Service, during August 2026, Fresh tomato prices surged by 158.3% year-on-year, making the commodity the biggest price mover recorded.

Government Statistician, Dr Alhassan Iddrisu, presenting the August Consumer Price Index, said the significant increase in fresh tomato prices highlights the varying price experiences of consumers across different commodities.

“Fresh Tomatoes more than doubled in price (+158.3%) while Lime fell 33.7%: the overall Y-on-Y inflation of 5.0% hides very different experiences at the market”, he noted.

The GSS data show that fresh tomatoes recorded the highest year-on-year price increase among the commodities tracked in August.

See the post below:

@ghnow_ “If You Were Serious About Travelling, You’d Have a Passport” — Nana Agradaa #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Free primary healthcare does not mean free universal healthcare #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Ghana gears up for large-scale dry-season Tomato farming – John Dumelo

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John Dumelo, Deputy Agriculture Minister, has announced that Ghana is gearing up for large-scale dry-season Tomato farming.

According to John Dumelo, the Agric Minister is also actively preparing for large-scale dry-season tomato farming from December to June next year.

He disclosed that large-scale dry-season tomato farming will take place from December to June next year.

The Deputy Agric Minister disclosed that the government has provided solar-powered boreholes as well as irrigation inputs to farmers to actively pursue dry season tomato farming.

In a post on X, John Dumelo stated, “The prices of tomatoes should see a sharp decline these coming weeks as Ghanaian farmers have started harvesting. We are also actively preparing for large-scale dry season tomato farming from December to June next year.

The lands have been cleared mostly in the Northern part of Ghana, and nursing and transplanting will start from October.  We have provided solar-powered boreholes as well as irrigation inputs to farmers to actively pursue dry season tomato farming to augment the shortfalls next year”.

In related news, the Agric Minister, Eric Opoku, appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Assurances, promised Ghanaians that the country will experience a tomato glut in 3–4 months.

According to Eric Opoku, to prevent post-harvest losses, the government is putting in place an off-take system to guarantee a market for farmers, while engaging tomato processors to purchase the expected surplus.

He further disclosed that the government is also investing in solar-powered boreholes to support year-round irrigation, enabling farmers to increase production beyond the traditional growing season.

Eric Opoku stated, “We have put in place a lot of measures and within the next three to four months, the results will be there for everyone to see. This is another big assurance.

We are anticipating a glut of tomatoes in the coming months and are thinking about how we can get processors to off-take from our farmers. We are doing a lot of solar-powered boreholes across the country”.

The Agric Minister expressed confidence that the measures will strengthen domestic tomato production, improve market opportunities for farmers and gradually reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported tomatoes while supporting the country’s broader food security agenda.

Meanwhile, consumers are facing the opposite reality, with the price of tomatoes reportedly rising by as much as 158%. This is according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) August 2026 data.

According to the Ghana Statistical Service, during August 2026, Fresh tomato prices surged by 158.3% year-on-year, making the commodity the biggest price mover recorded.

Government Statistician, Dr Alhassan Iddrisu, presenting the August Consumer Price Index, said the significant increase in fresh tomato prices highlights the varying price experiences of consumers across different commodities.

“Fresh Tomatoes more than doubled in price (+158.3%) while Lime fell 33.7%: the overall Y-on-Y inflation of 5.0% hides very different experiences at the market”, he noted.

The GSS data show that fresh tomatoes recorded the highest year-on-year price increase among the commodities tracked in August.

See the post below:

@ghnow_ Free primary healthcare dis not mean free universal healthcare #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Free primary healthcare dis not mean free universal healthcare #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

TV stations on DTT platform to pay US$7,000 per month from January 2027 – Sam George

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Sam George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, has announced that all TV stations on Ghana’s National Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform will pay a US$7,000 monthly tariff effective January 2027.

According to Sam George, the new charge forms part of a sustainable cost-sharing framework developed following a comprehensive review of the national DTT platform.

The Communication Minister disclosed that a committee established after the review recommended a graduated tariff support mechanism to complement the existing subsidised national tariff.

He highlighted that the proposal is aimed at creating a more sustainable financing model for the DTT platform while maintaining support for television stations during the transition.

Speaking at the Accountability Series on Monday, September 7, Sam George stated, “I set up a committee, and that committee has recommended a sustainable cost-sharing framework and a graduated tariff support mechanism to complement the subsidised national tariff, which will see all TV stations on our DTT platform pay US$7,000 per month during the initial implementation years in a graduated manner”.

In other issues, Sam George,  has announced that MTN Ghana will invest over  $1.1 billion in network expansion and 5G rollout.

According to Sam George, the over 1.1 billion will be used to expand and improve the telecommunications network, including the rollout of 5G services across the country.

The Communications Minister disclosed that the investment forms part of efforts to address persistent network challenges and improve connectivity.

Sam George highlighted that the scale of the investment demonstrates a significant commitment by MTN Ghana to strengthening its network infrastructure.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, September 7, Sam George stated, “MTN Ghana has committed more than $1.1 billion over the next three years, including roughly $380 million this year to expand coverage, deploy new sites and support 5G rollout”.

“We have 800 new cell sites in total, the highest annual build the company has undertaken in a decade, particularly at the rural and peri-urban communities where network challenges have been most pronounced”.

“I personally worked with Members of Parliament to mark the specific locations most affected in their constituencies, the first time such an exercise has been done at this scale, and 180 of those sites are already active and carrying traffic today.”

Also, Sam Nartey George has said the government’s Big Push programme has been responsible for nearly half of all fibre cuts recorded in Ghana.

He highlighted that the frequent damage to fibre networks was disrupting telecommunications services and imposing significant repair costs on operators.

Sam George argued that those resources could otherwise be channelled into expanding network coverage.

The Communication Minister explained that road construction accounted for about 49% of all fibre cuts, making it the single biggest source of damage to telecommunications infrastructure in the country.

He stated, “That’s money that without the fibre cut we could have used to build new sites… The biggest source of fibre cuts is from the Big Push project because the Ministry of Roads is carrying out an aggressive project to construct roads across the country”.

“25 per cent of fibre cuts are a result of galamsey. The telecom industry is one of the worst hit by the activities of galamsey operators. They [galamsey operators] just go in and make cuts. Road contractors will often report fibre cuts but galamsey operators won’t report it, and that is a real challenge to the sector.”

@ghnow_ Free primary healthcare does not mean free universal healthcare #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Free primary healthcare dis not mean free universal healthcare #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Ghana’s MPs earning nearly 5 times what National income predicts – Policy Analysts

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Data Scientist and Policy Analyst Alfred Appiah has raised concerns over Ghana’s parliamentary salaries, arguing that Members of Parliament are significantly overpaid relative to the country’s national income.

According to Alfred Appiah, using the reported salary of 60,000 cedis per month, an MP’s annual salary is equivalent to more than 20 years of the average national income per person.

Alfred Appiah, in his post, compared legislators’ base salaries versus per capita across countries, highlighting that Ghana is paying MPs 4.8 times the level predicted by national income trends, with data sourced from PoliticalSalaries.com, the World Bank, and others via Claude.

In his post, he wrote, “Talking about MPs’ salaries, the evidence suggests that Ghana significantly overpays its MPs relative to national income.

If we take the reported salary of 60,000 cedis per month, an MP’s annual salary is equivalent to more than 20 years of the average national income per person.

If MPs’ salaries were broadly aligned with national income, Ghanaian MPs would be expected to earn about $14,000 per year. The currently reported figure puts their annual salary at over $65,000, nearly five times what national income would suggest.

Note: Data for the different countries was gathered using Claude”.

In related news, Bright Simons, the Vice President of IMANI Africa, has explained why the United Kingdom MP’s $11,000 salary is the same as a Ghanaian MP’s $5300 salary.

In a social media post, Bright Simons compared the salary of a UK MP and a Ghanaian MP via purchasing power parity to UK MPs’ higher nominal pay, adjusting for Ghana’s lower costs in Accra versus London.

His post further contrasts the pay gap between Ghanaian nurses who earn about 8% of an MP’s salary versus 40% for equivalent UK NHS nurses, highlighting a 12.5x socioeconomic distance imposed by public pay policy.

Bright Simons further noted that Gen Z commentators are challenging the justification for such disparities more forcefully than prior generations.

In a post on X, Bright Simons wrote, “*Policy Bites from the News Reel*

Analyst Caleb Ziblim at Ghanaian media giant Multimedia says Ghanaian Members of Parliament (MPs) have been given a 100% pay hike.

Their base salary has thus jumped from GHS 30,000 to GHS 60,000.

When millennial Shatta Wale heard that Ghanaian MPs earn $2650 (GHS 30,000) a month. He expressed total shock.

First, he says it is ridiculously small. Second, he doesn’t think that if that were true, MPs would be able to afford the cars and houses he sees them in.

Shatta clearly wouldn’t see anything wrong about MPs earning $5300 a month. It might make their cars and houses less incongruous.

In fact, some millennials point to MPs of the United Kingdom earning $11,000 base pay a month.

Gen Zee commentators (analyst Caleb Ziblim’s kind and kin) are like: “wait a frigging minute!” Look, we have Internet, okay?

First, there is something called Purchasing Power Parity. A dollar in the UK buys less than it does in Ghana and a bit more in the US, home of the dollar.

So, the $11k the UK MP earns is actually like $12,240. And the $5300 the Ghanaian MP earns feels more like $12,220. Almost equal!

Then there is the cost of living. UK MPs must work in London and keep a flat there. Ghanaian MPs work in Accra. Accra rent (crazy as it is) is still ~60% lower than in Greater London.

So, what’s with the pre-internet arithmetic, Gen Zees dare Millennials.

Well, for us policy analysts, the real issue is how to set the socioeconomic distance between politicians and the average citizen by fiat of public pay policy.

The average band 5 NHS nurse (entry-level degree nurse) with 4 years’ experience hits ~$4400 a month. That is 40% of the salary of a UK MP.

A GHS nurse of equivalent standing (using Single Spine 18L rank in 2024 with ~19% cumulative adjustment since then) earns about $425 a month, base. That is 8% of the Ghanaian MP’s base.

A whopping 12.5x socioeconomic distance imposed by public pay policy. Even at the old pay scale, it would still be more than 600% higher than a degree nurse.

Methinks this time, Gen Zees are sounding more serious than Millennials.

Howzat?”

See the post below:

@ghnow_ Minister of Health, Hon. Mintah Akando has announced the recruitment into the health service of voluntary health workers #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Free primary healthcare does not mean free universal healthcare #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

MTN Ghana to invest over $1bn in network expansion, 5G rollout – Sam George

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Sam George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, has announced that MTN Ghana will invest over  $1.1 billion in network expansion and 5G rollout.

According to Sam George, the over 1.1 billion will be used to expand and improve the telecommunications network, including the rollout of 5G services across the country.

The Communications Minister disclosed that the investment forms part of efforts to address persistent network challenges and improve connectivity.

Sam George highlighted that the scale of the investment demonstrates a significant commitment by MTN Ghana to strengthening its network infrastructure.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, September 7, Sam George stated, “MTN Ghana has committed more than $1.1 billion over the next three years, including roughly $380 million this year to expand coverage, deploy new sites and support 5G rollout”.

“We have 800 new cell sites in total, the highest annual build the company has undertaken in a decade, particularly at the rural and peri-urban communities where network challenges have been most pronounced”.

“I personally worked with Members of Parliament to mark the specific locations most affected in their constituencies, the first time such an exercise has been done at this scale, and 180 of those sites are already active and carrying traffic today.”

Also, Sam Nartey George has said the government’s Big Push programme has been responsible for nearly half of all fibre cuts recorded in Ghana.

He highlighted that the frequent damage to fibre networks was disrupting telecommunications services and imposing significant repair costs on operators.

Sam George argued that those resources could otherwise be channelled into expanding network coverage.

The Communication Minister explained that road construction accounted for about 49% of all fibre cuts, making it the single biggest source of damage to telecommunications infrastructure in the country.

He stated, “That’s money that without the fibre cut we could have used to build new sites… The biggest source of fibre cuts is from the Big Push project because the Ministry of Roads is carrying out an aggressive project to construct roads across the country”.

“25 per cent of fibre cuts are a result of galamsey. The telecom industry is one of the worst hit by the activities of galamsey operators. They [galamsey operators] just go in and make cuts. Road contractors will often report fibre cuts but galamsey operators won’t report it, and that is a real challenge to the sector.”

Meanwhile, in 2025, Stephen Blewett, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, has revealed that only a million devices can use 5G in Ghana.

According to the MTN CEO, there is a long way ahead for Ghana to fully realise the transformative impact of the 5G network.

With Ghana’s projected population of over 34 million and a mobile penetration rate exceeding 120%, only one million 5G-ready devices represent a tiny fraction of the potential user base.

He also alluded to the regulatory and licensing steps required for commercial rollout.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Personality Profile, Stephen Blewett stated, “I think we’ve got a long way to go in 5G. I think it’s unfortunate that it’s taken a while for us to get there”.

“It’s important to understand that in terms of the number of devices, there are only a million devices that can use 5G as we currently sit.”

The MTN Ghana CEO added, “5G as a technology is important for the expansion of our economy, but it doesn’t mean 5G shouldn’t come.”

@ghnow_ Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced the full rollout of Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare programme in 135 districts, effective today, September 7, 2026. The initiative aims to remove financial barriers to basic healthcare and strengthen preventive and early-detection services. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Minister of Health, Hon. Mintah Akando has announced the recruitment into the health service of voluntary health workers #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

4,574 health facilities across the country providing Free Primary Health Care – Health Minister

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Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Health Minister, has announced that 4,574 health facilities across the country are presently providing services under the Free Primary Health Care programme.

The Health Minister disclosed that the facilities form part of the first phase of the programme, which is being implemented in 135 of Ghana’s 216 districts in all 16 regions.

The Health Minister detailed that 4,574 facilities participating in the programme include 3,781 CHPS compounds, 746 health centres and 48 polyclinics, alongside other participating facilities.

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh highlighted that the government has prioritised deprived districts to ensure communities with the greatest healthcare needs benefit first.

He revealed that the program has commenced in the Upper West, Upper East, Oti and Western North regions, adding that the ultimate goal is to ensure that every part of the country has access to free primary healthcare by the end of 2027.

“We have 135 districts out of the 216, and they are all in the 16 regions. So in every region, we have selected the deprived district to be part of the first phase,” he said.

“We’re not leaving anybody behind”.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government has given the Health Ministry clearance to recruit 16,000 nurses.

According to John Mahama, the 16,000 nurses will be recruited in two batches as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved communities.

Mahama disclosed that a first batch of 8,000 nurses will be recruited soon, followed by another 8,000.

Speaking at the launch of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme at the Ho Municipal Hospital on Thursday, July 16, President Mahama stated, “We are therefore providing clearance for the recruitment of 16,000 nurses in two batches. The first batch will be 8,000 nurses, followed by another 8,000, so that young people completing their training will not have to wait for long periods before being posted,” he said.

“However, the condition is that many of those being recruited will be sent to underserved areas where healthcare needs are greatest,” he added.

Mahama also urged nurses and other health professionals to emulate the commitment of Florence Nightingale by serving wherever they are needed.

He further assured health workers that his government is committed to improving their conditions of service as the economy recovers.

“I have assured the Minister that as the economy continues to improve, we will continue to work towards improving your conditions of service so that you are encouraged and motivated to continue the important work you do,” he said.

@ghnow_ Minister of Health, Hon. Mintah Akando has announced the recruitment into the health service of voluntary health workers #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced the full rollout of Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare programme in 135 districts, effective today, September 7, 2026. The initiative aims to remove financial barriers to basic healthcare and strengthen preventive and early-detection services. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

What is Ato Forson hiding? Finance Minister under fire for ‘refusing’ RTI request

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The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has been accused of snubbing an RTI request on budget allocations and disbursements for the Ministry of Finance.

The Finance Ministry has come under scrutiny for its refusal to disclose details of its budgetary allocations and disbursements.

According to The Fourth Estate, it requested information on the Finance Ministry budget allocations and disbursements in April 2026 as part of efforts to examine how public funds are allocated and released to state institutions.

However, the Ministry reportedly failed to provide the requested information.

They further disclosed that an internal appeal to Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson seeking a review of the decision also yielded no change, raising fresh questions about transparency and accountability in the management of public finances.

The Fourth Estate in a post on X wrote, “The Finance Ministry oversees fund disbursement to all government institutions, but when The Fourth Estate requested information on its budgetary allocations and disbursements in April 2026, it chose not to respond. An internal appeal was sent to the minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, but it changed nothing.”

In related news, the John Dramani Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has been exposed for preaching transparency while failing to practise it.

The Mahama government, despite portraying itself as an administration committed to openness and accountability, more than 21 government institutions under the Mahama administration allegedly failed to provide information requested by journalists from The Fourth Estate.

According to The Fourth Estate, between January 2025 and July 2026, the institutions failed to respond to, or release requested information on 24 separate occasions through Right to Information (RTI) requests, raising questions about the government’s commitment to transparency.

The NDC opposition also promised to ensure access to information, which was anchored in the NDC’s resetting agenda manifesto promising to fully implement and operationalise the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).

Parts of a new article published by The Fourth Estate detailed, “In June 2025, The Fourth Estate requested information from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs on the full list of dumpsites Zoomlion Ltd. was said to have excavated through a multi-million-cedi contract with the government. The ministry failed to respond despite an internal appeal to the then minister, Ahmed Ibrahim.

In the same month, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources failed to release information on the list of companies President Akufo-Addo had granted permits under the LI2462 to mine in forest reserves that had been designated as globally significant biodiversity areas.

In September 2025, the National Communications Authority (NCA) refused to release information on how much KGL Technologies had received through its USSD platform for the 5/90 online lottery. The information was necessary for The Fourth Estate’s investigations into the terrible NLA-KGL deal, but the NCA did not budge.

In March 2026, the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) promised that it would make available copies of the government’s flagship Big Push project in two weeks. But after five months, the GHA appears to have reneged on its promise. The Fourth Estate, through the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), has submitted a petition to the RTI Commission for a review.

The GHA, in May 2026, again failed to release information on abandoned prefabricated bridges Ghana procured through a 43 million-pound loan, despite an internal appeal to the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mallam Issah Ishak.

The Finance Ministry oversees fund disbursement to all government institutions, but when The Fourth Estate requested information on its budgetary allocations and disbursements in April 2026, it chose not to respond. An internal appeal has been sent to the minister, Cassiel Ato Forson. Still, the Ministry has failed to provide the information.

The Finance Ministry has also decided to close the door on information on the details of the work of the technical committee established by President Mahama to investigate the NLA-KGL contract. In May 2026, an application requesting a copy of the full report of the committee was sent to the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. The Attorney-General’s office said the MFWA should check with the Office of the President. The Office of the President, in turn, said the MFWA should contact the Finance Ministry for it. But the Finance Ministry has gone quiet, despite a follow-up appeal to the Minister.

The Attorney-General’s office has also refused to disclose information on how much the state has recovered from the Republic vs. Kwabena Duffour and 7 others case. An appeal has been sent to Attorney-General Dr Dominic Ayine, but that has changed nothing”.

See the post below:

@ghnow_ “We are taking healthcare to the doorstep of the ordinary Ghanaian.” — Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Minister of Health, Hon. Mintah Akando has announced the recruitment into the health service of voluntary health workers #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

“I leave them to God” – Rev Prof Frimpong-Manso recalls attacks on clergy over National Cathedral

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Reverend Professor Paul Frimpong-Manso, a Ghanaian theologian and former General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, has recounted the criticisms directed at him and other clergy over the National Cathedral project.

According to Rev Frimpong-Manso, the criticisms directed at the clergy over the National Cathedral project were deeply unfair and truly painful.

He highlighted that his commitment has always been to the nation rather than to partisan politics.

Rev Frimpong-Manso further rejected allegations of financial misconduct, adding that opposition to the Cathedral should not translate into personal attacks on individuals.

Speaking in an interview with Accra-based Neat FM, Rev Prof Frimpong-Manso stated, “The reason I was deeply fed up is that when you are tagged as a sympathiser of a political party, it is truly painful, especially when you know you are only serving the country”.  

“Some of us have really been through it. I love this country, and I have worked under various presidents, including the late Prof Mills”.

“I was out of the country when I received a call from former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo about the National Cathedral, but look at the insults I received from Ghanaians. Do you think that myself, Opoku Nyina, Palmer Buckle, Frimpong-MansoI and Prof. Martey, after all our hard work, it is the National Cathedral that will feed us?” he asked.

He added, “You can say you don’t like the idea of the Cathedral; a lot of people did not understand the vision, because of politics, but that does not give you the warrant to accuse me of spending money related to its construction”.

“This is so painful, and I leave all those who accused me to God. God will forgive them. That is all I will say, because if I do not pray for forgiveness for them, they will pay dearly with their lives”.

“What is a Cathedral? Do you know the works I have done? God should forgive them,” he reiterated.

Meanwhile, Kwaku Sintim-Misa, popularly known as KSM, a Ghanaian satirist and talk show host, has said the National Cathedral project is the most significant policy blunder since Ghana’s independence.

According to KSM, why is Ghana considering returning to the infamous, notorious cathedral? arguing that the cathedral is one of the most senseless ideas that Ghanaians have had.

Kwaku Sintim-Misa stated, “But that statement, dear Honourable Ayariga, that was the dumbest thing to have come out of the mouth of somebody who is coming up as a new minister to take charge”.

“You’re going to go back to this infamous, notorious cathedral. This cathedral, which is one of the most senseless ideas that we Ghanaians have said, we’re going to pawn money, what, $19 million, whatever, into building a cathedral.

“A cathedral which, in our intelligence, decided that we’ll import a stone from Israel… And this, for some people, it is one of the most intelligent decisions ever made. For me, it is one of the dumbest, most painful [decisions],” he said.

KSM highlighted that while a government can make a national policy commitment, the National Cathedral originated from a personal pledge made by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, adding that such a pledge should not have resulted in government resources being used to finance the project.

KSM added, “And then your administration comes to power, and so he had to use the money from the government to build a cathedral. It is wrong. We all know how useless it is. National Cathedral, it is the most significant policy blunder since Ghana’s independence, in my view.

“When you look at our needs versus our demands, there is a poor country. You have to build schools, and you have to build a hospital,” he noted.

The Satirist and talk show host also questioned the role of the Christian Council of Ghana in discussions about reviving the project.

He argued that the Christian community should be more concerned about whether the project and the manner in which it was pursued reflect Christian values.

“If the Christian Council will not be happy with the fact that the cathedral has been shoved to the will of affections, then overview the Christian Council, then I tell you that you Christians, you don’t know the teachings of Christ.

“You don’t know the teachings of Christ. Because if you know and understand the teachings of your Christ that you worship or the God that you worship, this is all unnecessary to the highest point,” he stated.

KSM further argued that a project intended to be a house for God should be pursued with integrity and transparency.

“You know, so to build a house for God, you would think that it has been approached with such a degree of righteousness,” he said.

“So be very correct because we are building a house for God. We better stay in the right lane and do something for God. No! On the contrary, there’s so much looting and so much shady,” he added.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ “We are taking healthcare to the doorstep of the ordinary Ghanaian.” — Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “We are taking healthcare to the doorstep of the ordinary Ghanaian.” — Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Blow-by-blow account of how station master plotted to murder ‘boss’ over GH¢91,000 debt

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A station master at the Ashaley Botwe Lorry Station have been detained over an alleged plot to murder a woman over a GH¢91,810 debt.

The suspects, 44-year-old Abubakari Ateni, the current station master, and 45-year-old Eric Tetteh, a former station master, are accused of planning her murder after she demanded repayment of what she was owed.

Police reveal that Abubakari, who also served as the woman’s errand driver, was allegedly advised by Eric to eliminate her to avoid further embarrassment.

The suspects reportedly tried to strangle her themselves, but when that didn’t go as planned, they hired someone else to carry out the killing.

However, they later discovered that the person they contacted was actually an informant working with the Madina Divisional Police.

According to reports, Madina Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Dr Aba Afari the alleged plot followed a misunderstanding between the woman and Abubakari over a GH₵91,810 debt.

The police disclosed that the suspects allegedly paid GH₵2,000 upfront to the person they believed was a hired killer, with an additional GH₵3,000 promised after the murder was carried out.

The plot was for the hired assailant to shoot the woman while Abubakari was driving her home and then stage the incident as a robbery.

However, the plan took an unexpected turn when the supposed hitman turned out to be a community volunteer who works with the Madina Police in the fight against crime.

The community volunteer subsequently informed the police about the alleged murder plot and arranged for the arrest of the suspects.

Chief Superintendent Dr Aba Afari revealed that the suspects were arrested on Thursday, September 2, while they were preparing to execute the plan.

Dr Aba Afari further assured residents of Madina of the Police Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, commending the officers involved in the investigation for uncovering and foiling the alleged murder plot.

Meanwhile, the two suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.

In other news, General Lance Corporal Nicholas Ohene Ampong Kissi, a Police Officer with the Ghana Police Service, has made a wild allegation against his fellow officers.

The Police Officer alleged that station Officers at Mataheko and Odorkor police barracks are allegedly selling ammunition to armed robbers to kill fellow officers and attack civilians.

According to him, some hardened criminals have allegedly taken over the Mataheko and Odorkor police barracks, raising alarm over the alleged criminal activities in the areas.

In a video shared on Crime Check TV, the Police Officer stated, “At Mataheko Police Barracks and Odorkor Police Barracks, the current station officer is selling ammunition to armed robbers to go and kill their own police officers and attack civilians.

At Odorkor Police Barracks, hardened criminals have taken over the place and two of them came and assaulted me. One slapped me twice.

“I had intelligence that they were operating around the area and as a result, I was attacked. So, if the IGP gets this video, investigate this matter,” he said.

General Lance Corporal Nicholas Ohene Ampong Kissi was later seen at a police hospital, where he displayed a medical report bearing the police logo to authenticate his claim of having been assaulted.

Meanwhile, reports suggest the Police Officer has since called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the allegations and take the necessary action.

See the post below:

@ghnow_ Minister of Health, Hon. Mintah Akando has announced the recruitment into the health service of voluntary health workers #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “We are taking healthcare to the doorstep of the ordinary Ghanaian.” — Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

List of private SHSs in good standing as 54,985 BECE candidates miss placement

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The Conference of Heads (Proprietors) of Private Second-Cycle Schools (CHOPSS) has published the list of private SHSs in good standing as 54,985 BECE candidates miss placement.

CHOPSS list covers schools operating across 14 regions of Ghana, including Ahafo, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Oti, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western and Western North.

According to CHOPSS, the publication is to make member schools more available to the public, particularly families preparing to make decisions about senior high school education.

Also, CHOPSS, in a statement issued on September 3, noted that it has taken notice of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System, indicating that 54,985 candidates did not qualify for placement into Senior High Schools.

CHOPSS stated, “Private Second-Cycle Schools across the country are ready and willing to absorb these students and provide them with quality second-cycle education and the opportunity to pursue their academic aspirations.”

CHOPSS  schools list offers a broad range of programmes, giving students options beyond the traditional General Arts and General Science courses.

The list further detailed that some schools also offer specialised technical and applied courses. These include Electrical Engineering, Automobile Engineering, Building Construction Technology and Electronics.

Also, some institutions have expanded their programmes to include areas such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Computer Science, Information Technology, Biomedical Science, Languages and Global Studies.

The list comes on the heels of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) Secretariat Coordinator, Sherif Sulemana, disclosing that 55,000 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE)candidates fail to meet requirements for placement.

He detailed that out of the nearly 620,000 who sat for the BECE exams, about 565,000 candidates have qualified for placement into Senior High Schools.

He explained that candidates who fail in either English or Mathematics are disqualified, even if they perform well in other subjects.

Speaking on JoyFM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, September 3, Mr Sherif stated, “Based on our analysis, we have about 565,000 qualified for placement this year”.

“Those people have not failed in either English or Mathematics. So, you are disqualified from placement if you have failed in either English or Mathematics,” Mr Sherif explained.

He disclosed that the examination results also revealed varying levels of performance among candidates.

“You find out somebody got one, somebody got ten over 100, somebody got, say, twelve, twenty over 100, and that qualifies as a failure,” he said.

Mr Sherif further disclosed that approximately 55,000 candidates did not meet the requirements for placement.

When asked about the number of candidates who did not qualify for placement, he stated, “There are about 55,000”.

“If you look at the data for the performance of the candidates, we only had about 17 per cent of the candidates getting aggregates from 6 to 18,” he said.

“We only had about 252,000, or about 35 per cent of the candidates, getting from aggregate 6 to 24,” he added.

See the list below:

@ghnow_ “We are taking healthcare to the doorstep of the ordinary Ghanaian.” — Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced the full rollout of Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare programme in 135 districts, effective today, September 7, 2026. The initiative aims to remove financial barriers to basic healthcare and strengthen preventive and early-detection services. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Weak grammar, poor reading, spelling behind 2026 WASSCE English results decline – WAEC

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The Head of Public Affairs at West African Examinations Council (WAEC), John Kapi, has said the decline in candidates’ performance in English Language in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) was due to persistent weaknesses in grammar and poor reading habits.

According to John Kapi, the Chief Examiner’s report identified poor control of grammar, weak expression, concord errors and spelling mistakes among the major challenges of the decline in the pass rate in English Language fell from 69% in 2025 to 62.40% in 2026.

Speaking on the Joy FM Super Morning Show on Monday, September, John Kapi stated, “When you look at the Chief Examiner’s report, it talks about the candidates’ poor control of grammar. They also have an issue with expression. The concord is always a problem, and their spelling- simple spelling errors occur in a lot of their writing,” he added.

“I think then also the texts that they are supposed to read and analyse, most of them do not have a grasp of the texts and so they are unable to do a proper analysis of the text that they are supposed to have read,” he said.

“There’s also this lack of reading culture. See, reading is one of the major areas where you can pick up language, whether you like it or not,” Mr Kapi said.

He added, “We build our vocabulary, we build our sentence structure, we’re able to even gather a lot more information, knowledge that we add to whatever we know”.

When asked if Social media and Pidgin influence, John Kapi revealed that WAEC had not conducted a study to establish such a link.

“I don’t have evidence to support that,” he said.

The Head of Public Affairs at WAEC Ghana, however, disclosed that examiners observed forms of informal language associated with social media appearing in candidates’ scripts.

He stated, “What I’m saying is that these things that we find in the social media space also find their way into the candidates’ writings”.

“Generally, English Language has been a problem over the years, and one of the things that we’ve had a problem with is the use of Pidgin,” he said.

“One thing about language is the use of it. The more you use it, the more proficient you become in it,” he added.

Meanwhile, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the provisional results of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates.

In the 2026 exams, a total of 512,862 candidates from 1,022 schools entered the examination, comprising 225,270 males and 287,592 females.

The results release saw Social Studies recorded the strongest performance among the four core subjects, with 78.04 per cent of candidates obtaining grades between A1 and C6.

Mathematics (Core) also recorded a significant recovery after a sharp decline in 2025.

The proportion of candidates obtaining A1-C6 in Mathematics increased from 48.73 per cent in 2025 to 60.75 per cent in 2026.

Also, Integrated Science performance improved, rising from 57.74 per cent in 2025 to 62.08 per cent in 2026.

However, English Language records declined, with the proportion of candidates obtaining A1-C6 in English Language falling from 69.00 per cent in 2025 to 62.40 per cent in 2026.

WAEC disclosed that its four-year performance data showed that English Language was the only one of the four core subjects to record a progressive decline during the period.

@ghnow_ “We are taking healthcare to the doorstep of the ordinary Ghanaian.” — Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced the full rollout of Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare programme in 135 districts, effective today, September 7, 2026. The initiative aims to remove financial barriers to basic healthcare and strengthen preventive and early-detection services. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

WAEC cancels 861 WASSCE candidates’ entire results, 270 withheld  

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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that the entire results of 861 WASSCE candidates were cancelled after they were found in possession of mobile phones during the 2026 examinations.

According to WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, WAEC’s regulations prohibit candidates from possessing mobile phones in examination halls, whether the devices are used or not.

“The rule is that once you have a mobile phone, your results are cancelled,” Mr Kapi said.

“It is possible that the candidates devise a means of concealing these from the invigilators who are searching, or that the search is not thorough,” he stated.

“But the point is that we still find a lot of candidates who go into the examination hall with mobile phones.”

Also, he further disclosed that some 270 candidates have also been withheld pending investigations into various suspected examination offences.

Mr Kapi added that WAEC also cancelled the subject results of 7,434 candidates for taking unauthorised materials into examination halls.

He further urged affected candidates whose results have been withheld or cancelled to visit WAEC’s examination irregularities portal to determine why their results had been cancelled or withheld.

Meanwhile, John Kapi, has said the decline in candidates’ performance in English Language in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) was due to persistent weaknesses in grammar and poor reading habits.

According to John Kapi, the Chief Examiner’s report identified poor control of grammar, weak expression, concord errors and spelling mistakes among the major challenges of the decline in the pass rate in English Language fell from 69% in 2025 to 62.40% in 2026.

Speaking on the Joy FM Super Morning Show on Monday, September, John Kapi stated, “When you look at the Chief Examiner’s report, it talks about the candidates’ poor control of grammar. They also have an issue with expression. The concord is always a problem, and their spelling- simple spelling errors occur in a lot of their writing,” he added.

“I think then also the texts that they are supposed to read and analyse, most of them do not have a grasp of the texts and so they are unable to do a proper analysis of the text that they are supposed to have read,” he said.

“There’s also this lack of reading culture. See, reading is one of the major areas where you can pick up language, whether you like it or not,” Mr Kapi said.

He added, “We build our vocabulary, we build our sentence structure, we’re able to even gather a lot more information, knowledge that we add to whatever we know”.

When asked if Social media and Pidgin influence, John Kapi revealed that WAEC had not conducted a study to establish such a link.

“I don’t have evidence to support that,” he said.

The Head of Public Affairs at WAEC Ghana, however, disclosed that examiners observed forms of informal language associated with social media appearing in candidates’ scripts.

He stated, “What I’m saying is that these things that we find in the social media space also find their way into the candidates’ writings”.

“Generally, English Language has been a problem over the years, and one of the things that we’ve had a problem with is the use of Pidgin,” he said.

“One thing about language is the use of it. The more you use it, the more proficient you become in it,” he added.

Meanwhile, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the provisional results of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates.

In the 2026 exams, a total of 512,862 candidates from 1,022 schools entered the examination, comprising 225,270 males and 287,592 females.

The results release saw Social Studies recorded the strongest performance among the four core subjects, with 78.04 per cent of candidates obtaining grades between A1 and C6.

Mathematics (Core) also recorded a significant recovery after a sharp decline in 2025.

The proportion of candidates obtaining A1-C6 in Mathematics increased from 48.73 per cent in 2025 to 60.75 per cent in 2026.

Also, Integrated Science performance improved, rising from 57.74 per cent in 2025 to 62.08 per cent in 2026.

However, English Language records declined, with the proportion of candidates obtaining A1-C6 in English Language falling from 69.00 per cent in 2025 to 62.40 per cent in 2026.

WAEC disclosed that its four-year performance data showed that English Language was the only one of the four core subjects to record a progressive decline during the period.

@ghnow_ Minister of Health, Hon. Mintah Akando has announced the recruitment into the health service of voluntary health workers #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “We are taking healthcare to the doorstep of the ordinary Ghanaian.” — Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Akufo-Addo can contest again if Presidential term limits are removed – Asiedu Nketiah warns  

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Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has warned that the removal of the Presidential term limits could see a return of former president Akufo-Addo.

The NDC Chairman further cautioned against framing the ongoing debate about the presidential term limits around President John Dramani Mahama.

He argued that while President Mahama is being applauded by some Ghanaians and party supporters for his performance, the implications of altering the term limits must be considered.

Speaking in a video shared on TikTok on September 6, 2026, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah stated, “If we are happy with Mahama and we are pushing him to contest again. If Mahama contests and he doesn’t win, and a bad candidate wins, that person has also been given a license to contest for unlimited terms.

If we are looking at President Mahama to amend the constitution if we take out the term limit, Akufo-Addo can also contest again. Or they have thought about that. Anyone can contest if the presidential term limit is removed”.

“I am drawing the nation’s attention to the fact that in the ongoing debate, we must not focus it on President Mahama. We must discuss whether the term limit helps Ghana’s democratic stability or not”.  

He further noted, “In Africa, most of the countries without term limits, the sitting presidents always win the election”.

Meanwhile, Article 66(2) of the 1992 Constitution currently provides that a person shall not be elected to hold the office of President of Ghana for more than two terms.

In related news, Ken Kuranchie, a Private legal practitioner who is at the Supreme Court seeking an interpretation of Ghana’s presidential term limit, has said they are not seeking a third term for President John Mahama.

According to Ken Kuranchie, the case is about seeking clarity on the interpretation of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and the issue of consecutive presidential terms.

He argued that a person elected as President can serve two terms, and that eligibility should be considered afresh should that person leave office after serving only one term.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Ken Kuranchie stated, “We are in the Supreme Court asking for what we believe is one of the most important political issues in our democracy.

“Whether the presidency is consecutive or not, if it is consecutive, then what it says clearly is that the person related to the office of president shall serve two terms, or shall serve for two terms”.

“The 1992 Constitution is a document that is too generous. It is a big document, and it is to be read as a whole,” he said.

“That is why we are not depending on, unlike the other petitioner, we are not depending on Article 662 alone. We have worked in other provisions of the other articles and parts of the 1982 Constitution, like Article 264, 26462, and all that.

“If you read the Constitution as a whole, then you may come to a certain conclusion.”

He further argued, “I’ve heard arguments about a third term. We are not seeking a third term for President Mahama. That is not about what we are doing”.

“What we are doing is that we are saying that the presidency is consecutive. If you recall, around 2023, I took a similar route to the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, that matter is still hanging in the Supreme Court. It has not been resolved,” he said.

According to Ken Kuranchie, the issue before the Supreme Court is whether the eligibility of a person who leaves office after one term is reset.

He added, “That’s saying that once he’s elected out of office, if he serves only one term, then the eligibility criteria is reset. So the person elected shall serve not more than two terms. Quite explicit”.

“I was asked this question, and I don’t have a problem. You see, it’s not about a third term. It’s about whether he is eligible to stand for another term,” he said.

“That may be the effect, but that is not what we are seeking. In fact, if you read my writ, it doesn’t mention Mr Mahama.

“We are saying that if you read the entire 1992 Constitution, bring in the relevant process, and then the opportunity lies there that he can serve consecutively.”

Watch the video below:

@whatzonlinetv Removing Presidential Term Limits Could Bring Nana Akufo-Addo Back to Contest – Asiedu Nketia #AsieduNketia #NanaAddo #GhanaPolitics #ghanaConstitution #TermLimits #NDC #NPP #TrendingNews #GhanaPolitics #ndc #npp #Mahama #NDC #nppghana #ghananewstv #TrendingGH #nanaaddo #akufoaddo ♬ original sound – WhatzOnline TV
@ghnow_ Hon Ewurabena Aubynn donates chicks to Ablekuma North Poulty Farmers #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – NDCMUSICHQ
@ghnow_ Hon. Ewurabena Aubynn is empowering constituents of Ablekuma North through poultry farming by distributing birds and supporting sustainable livelihood opportunities. 🐔🇬🇭 #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow