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A POLICEMAN, in charge of a motorbike, has sustained injuries after a borehole drilling truck knocked him down. The truck driver sped off to escape arrest.

The victim, identified as G/L/Cpl Yaw Akowuah Boateng, of Asokwa DCID, is said to be responding to treatment at the Hart Adventist Hospital, Ahinsan, in the Greater Kumasi.

A police document disclosed that the accident happened at the Zen Filling Station-Ahinsan area on October 14, 2025 when the victim was riding his motorcycle to work.

‘On 14/10/2025, about 0830 hrs, G/L/Cpl Yaw Akowuah Boateng, of Asokwa DCID, was riding Hyundai motorbike number GD-2398-21, from Ahinsan to work at Asokwa.

‘At a section of the road in front of Zen Filling Station-Ahinsan, he was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver in charge of a borehole drilling truck.

‘The victim sustained injuries and was rushed to Hart Adventist Hospital, Ahinsan, and he was admitted. He was visited, and he is responding to treatment,’ the police said.

The report further said the police had already visited the accident scene and taken vital information, adding, ‘The accident motorbike has been impounded for examination and testing.’

According to the police, they are doing everything legally possible to locate the hideout of the hit-and-run driver so they can apprehend him to assist in investigations.

The recent directive by the Ministry of Education that Ghanaian languages should be used as the medium of instruction in all basic schools (KG-JHS) is neither theoretically grounded nor empirically justified.

This position is supported by both historical and research-based evidence.

Ghana’s language-in-education policy has evolved through several phases. The 1951 Accelerated Development Plan established the mother tongue as the medium of instruction for the first three years of schooling, followed by English thereafter.

This principle was reaffirmed in the 1961 Education Act and the 1974 Dzobo reforms, which emphasised that children learn best through a language they understand. The 2002 English-only policy disrupted this progression and proved counterproductive, as comprehension and early literacy declined sharply.

The 2007 Education Reform Committee, chaired by Professor Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, corrected this by introducing the 70 to 30 bilingual model. This model prescribed seventy percent Ghanaian language and thirty percent English from Kindergarten to Primary Three, with English becoming the principal medium from Primary Four.

This design is not sacrosanct because of who proposed it, but because it is theoretically coherent and empirically validated for two reasons.

First, it provides a gradual and structured transition that allows learners to develop literacy and conceptual understanding through the language they know best while building competence in English, the language of higher education and global participation.

Second, Ghanaian languages have not yet developed the terminological precision required for certain technical and abstract academic concepts such as ‘exponent,’ ‘denominator,’ or ‘photosynthesis,’ which makes full mother-tongue instruction beyond the early grades pedagogically impractical.

Primary Four therefore serves as the pedagogical bridge through which learners shift from mother-tongue-based comprehension to English-medium learning without linguistic disorientation.

The theoretical foundations of this bilingual model are robust. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory (1978) views language as the primary tool of cognitive mediation, while Cummins’ interdependence hypothesis (1979) demonstrates that proficiency in the first language supports academic competence in the second.

Constructivist theory (Piaget, 1954) emphasises that learners build new knowledge upon existing linguistic and cultural foundations, and Bernstein’s code theory (1971) highlights how home language use in school bridges sociolinguistic inequality. Collectively, these perspectives affirm the cognitive and social rationale for bilingual instruction in early education.

Empirical evidence from Ghana and other countries reinforces this theoretical base. Studies by Owu-Ewie (2006) and recent evaluations such as the USAID Early Grade Reading Programme (2014-2019) and the National Literacy Acceleration Programme (2009-2014) confirm that bilingual classrooms produce stronger literacy and comprehension outcomes.

Pupils who begin learning in their mother tongue while being gradually introduced to English perform better in literacy and numeracy than those taught solely in English.

International research from Kenya (Piper et al., 2018), Ethiopia (Heugh, 2011), and Gambia (Trudell, 2025) provides similar evidence that children who receive early education in their first language transition more successfully into English-medium learning in later years.

The Ministry’s new directive to extend mother-tongue instruction throughout the entire basic education cycle, including Junior High School, contradicts these theoretical and empirical foundations.

Such a shift would create a serious discontinuity at the Senior High School level, where English remains the sole medium of instruction, resulting in what researchers describe as linguistic shock, a cognitive and emotional disruption that hinders learning and confidence. It would also demand extensive retraining of teachers and redevelopment of instructional materials, for which Ghana’s education system is presently unprepared.

If the Ministry insists on such a shift, it must issue a formal policy document that clearly outlines the underlying rationale, research base, and implementation roadmap. Evidence-informed policymaking requires coherence between theory, data, and institutional capacity.

The current bilingual framework, with Kindergarten to Primary Three as the mother-tongue-dominant phase and Primary Four as the transition bridge, remains the most theoretically defensible, empirically validated, and contextually sustainable model for Ghana’s multilingual education system.

MTN Ghana is making several efforts to help deal with digital fraud and other cybercrimes.

The telecommunication company has therefore stepped up its cybersecurity awareness efforts by training its staff nationwide.

The aim is to help strengthen workers’ ability to combat digital fraud as part of activities marking Cybersecurity Awareness month.

The training was on the theme, ‘Be Cyber Smart, Be Cyber Safe”.

It sought to equip the MTN employees with the knowledge and tools needed to protect themselves, customers, and the company’s digital infrastructure from rising online threats.

Speaking at the Takoradi session, Regional Senior Manager for MTN Ghana’s South-West Business District, Prince Owusu-Nyarko, urged the participants to remain vigilant and mindful of their online behavior.

He emphasised that some actions, though seemingly harmless, could have negative implications for the company.

‘This sensitisation is crucial because it helps staff avoid becoming victims of online fraud’.

‘Security starts with us and to protect our customers, we must first empower ourselves,’ he indicated.

Mr. Owusu-Nyarko further encouraged employees to adhere strictly to MTN’s cybersecurity policies to ensure safe digital practices and safeguard both corporate and personal data.

Acting Technical Manager for the Western Region, Maxwell Acquah, also described cybersecurity as a shared responsibility, adding ‘As digital activity grows, so does the risk of cybercrime’.

‘Cybersecurity is not an individual problem-it requires a collective effort. That is why MTN continues to build awareness among its staff,’ he stated.

He advised participants to be wary of downloading free applications from untrusted sources.

Some participants expressed satisfaction with the training, saying it had opened their eyes to online safety measures and the importance of being cautious about the information they share on the internet.

About 50 global leaders have attended Cabinet and Executive Committee meetings of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship (WAGF) in New York.

The meetings, which took place at the Assemblies of God Promise Church in New York, were chaired by Rev. Dominic Yeo, Global Chairman of WAGF, who also serves as the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Singapore. He was assisted by Rev. Doug Clay, Vice Chairman and General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in the US, and Rev. Juan Carlos Escobar, General Secretary and General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Spain.

At the core of the meetings were strategies to complete the Great Commission task by 2033. This task, christened MM33, involves planting one million churches throughout the world.

The global leaders also discussed preparations for the World Congress of Assemblies of God, which will take place in Accra from October 12 to 14, 2026. The Congress will be the first to be held in Africa.

The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, Rev. Stephen Wengam, presented a report on preparations for the World Congress. Rev. Wengam, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Africa Assemblies of God Alliance, assured Cabinet that the Assemblies of God, Ghana, is preparing fervently to host the World Congress.

He touted Ghana as ‘a peaceful, hospitable, and stable country with many beautiful tourist sites’. These and others can be patronised by the 5,000 delegates who are expected to attend the Congress from all over the world.

Rev. Wengam announced that the Government of Ghana is partnering with the Assemblies of God, Ghana to ‘host a world-class event.’

The Chairman of the World Missions Commission, USA, Rev. John Easter, announced that the global membership of Assemblies of God has increased to 89.9 million, with over 450,000 local assemblies. This makes the Assemblies of God the largest Protestant church in the world.

Nevertheless, he challenged the global body to focus on many unreached nations and people in all parts of the world.

During deliberations, WAGF resolved to increase the number of foreign missionaries to five thousand.

On church health issues, it was agreed that these would be prioritised as the church increases numerically.

As part of the event, prayer was offered for global peace.

Former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bolgatanga, Rex Asanga, has strongly refuted claims made by Maxwell Aburiya, the Upper East Regional Campaign Coordinator for Dr. Bryan Acheampong, that he had knowledge of fertiliser being smuggled from Sumbrungu to Kandiga ahead of the 2024 elections.

In a statement issued last Friday, Mr. Asanga described the allegations as ‘deliberate misinformation’ and a distortion of facts intended to lend credibility to the recent comments by Dr. Acheampong that some former Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) hoarded and attempted to smuggle fertilisers meant for farmers affected by the 2024 dry spell.

Mr. Aburiya had alleged during a press conference that some individuals intercepted a motor king carrying fertiliser from Sumbrungu to Kandiga and that Mr. Asanga was informed of the incident, implying it was part of the fertiliser diversion scandal. But the former Bolgatanga MCE insists that the incident had nothing to do with the Dry Spell Relief Project fertilisers, clarifying that it involved a small number of bags under the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme, which had already been distributed months before the dry spell intervention began.

‘Let me make it very clear that Maxwell is either deliberately trying to mislead the public or is refusing to understand so simple a matter,’ Mr. Asanga stated.

According to him, while attending a workshop in Koforidua, he received a call at night informing him that some individuals were transporting fertiliser from Bolgatanga to Kandiga. He instructed that the fertiliser be impounded and returned to the warehouse in Bolgatanga, and immediately contacted the Municipal Director of Agriculture, Madam Lantana, to follow up on the matter.

Mr. Asanga explained that only nine bags of fertiliser were involved, and the individuals transporting them were genuine farmers from Kandiga who had registered under the PFJ programme within the Bolgatanga Municipality because their farms fell within the district’s boundaries.

‘The farmers who were intercepted were not smugglers. They had legitimately registered with one of our extension officers, who happens to be from Kandiga and only sought to help his relatives access fertiliser for their farms,’ he pointed out.

He added that the Department of Agriculture investigated the issue, and disciplinary action was subsequently taken against the extension officer involved for procedural breaches, even though the fertiliser itself was not illegally obtained.

Mr. Asanga further stressed that the fertiliser in question was distributed in June and July 2024, months before the Dry Spell Relief consignment that became the subject of controversy. He emphasised that Mr. Aburiya’s attempt to link the incident to the later distribution ‘is not only inaccurate but mischievous.’

‘So the fertiliser was not being smuggled as claimed by Mr. Aburiya, and was not part of the Dry Spell consignment but part of the PFJ programme which came earlier. The Municipal Director of Agriculture can confirm this story,’ Mr. Asanga said.

The former MCE’s response follows a heated exchange between the Bryan Acheampong Campaign Team and a group of former MMDCEs in the Upper East Region over allegations that some district officials hoarded fertilisers meant for farmers hit by drought in 2024.

Mr. Asanga concluded by urging the public to disregard what he described as ‘false narratives,’ and called on political actors to focus on truth and accountability rather than propaganda and blame games.

Executive Chairman of KGL Group, Alex Apau Dadey, has been honoured with the prestigious Forbes Best of Africa Corporate Leadership and Innovation Award at a Leadership and Philanthropy Forum held at the House of Lords in London.

The award was formally presented by President of Custom Solutions Media for Forbes Media, Mark A. Furlong, who commended Mr. Dadey’s exceptional achievements in steering KGL Group to remarkable technological heights.

Presenting the honour, Mr. Furlong stated, ‘On behalf of the Forbes Best of Africa Award Committee, it is my honour to present to you the Forbes Best of Africa Corporate Leadership and Innovation Award.’

The official citation praised Mr. Dadey’s transformative leadership, stating, ‘As Executive Chairman of KGL Group, you have successfully led the company’s expansion into digital solutions, fintech, and technology-driven platforms that have revolutionised Ghana’s lottery and gaming industry while fostering financial inclusion. Under your stewardship, KGL Group has risen to become a leading African corporate brand, exemplifying innovation, social impact, and sustainable business practices.’

Receiving the award alongside his wife and children, Mr. Dadey expressed heartfelt appreciation. ‘I am truly humbled by this recognition. My sincere gratitude goes to the Forbes team for this honour, and to the extraordinary team at KGL Group, including our Board, Management, and Staff, whose dedication has made this possible. I want to encourage all Africans in the diaspora to return home and contribute their knowledge to building the continent. After living in London for over 20 years, I made the decision to return to Ghana to serve and create impact, 10 years on, I am proud to have built one of Ghana’s most successful technology-driven businesses, and I am honoured that Forbes recognises this journey.’

The Forbes Best of Africa Awards celebrate visionary business leaders who are building globally competitive enterprises while making significant contributions to Africa’s economic and social development.

Apart from leading KGL Group to become the leading corporate brand in Africa, Mr. Alex Dadey has also achieved significantly in the areas of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Social Investment (CSI) projects in Ghana.

They include sponsoring the Ghana Black Stars to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, construction of multimillion-dollar ultra-modern Mental Health Facility in the Ashanti Region in partnership with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, free supply of incubators to various hospitals in Ghana, GHS3 million annually to support Stabilisation Fund of NLA, GHS2 million annually to support NLA Good Causes Foundation, scholarships to several orphans and destitute children, as well as sponsorship packages for various charity organisations across Ghana and Africa.

Also, he said steps are being taken by KGL Group to partner the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (also known as Mahama Cares), a landmark initiative of President John Mahama aimed at providing financial assistance to individuals living with chronic diseases across Ghana.

Indeed, Mr. Alex Dadey deserves to be celebrated as a Statesman and successful entrepreneur who uphold service to God, country, and humanity, and Forbes Media is proud to be associated with the brand of KGL Group and Mr. Alex Apau Dadey, Mr. Furlong stated.

The Governing Board of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has been petitioned to provide information on the academic credentials and professorial appointment of the Commission’s Director-General, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai.

The petition was submitted by one Mr. Kwame Simpe Ofori.

Mr. Ofori’s petition, dated October 24, 2025, was submitted under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).

According to the petitioner, the request was ‘in the public interest.’

He emphasised that it was also based on the need for transparency, accountability, and integrity within Ghana’s tertiary education sector.

‘Since research productivity remains a fundamental requirement for the award of professorial status, clarification on this matter will reinforce confidence in the processes governing academic promotions and appointments within Ghana’s tertiary-education landscape,’ a portion of the letter reads.

In the letter copied to the Minister for Education, the Chairman of the Public Services Commission, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Mr. Ofori urged GTEC to respond within the statutory timeframe prescribed under the Right to Information Act.

In response to the petition, the Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, in a letter signed by GTEC’s Acting Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Jerry Sarfo, affirmed the credibility of his academic and professional qualifications.

According to Mr. Sarfo, Prof. Abdulai obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with First Class Honours in Philosophy and Religions from the University of Ghana (1998-2001). He proceeded to the United States, where he earned a Master of Arts in International Affairs from Ohio University (2003-2005) and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from West Virginia University (2005-2009).

He later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) (2016-2017).

The letter further noted that Prof. Abdulai was a Lecturer at UEW from 2010 to 2014, Senior Lecturer from 2014 to 2017, and Associate Professor from 2017 to the present. He also served as Deputy Director-General of GTEC (2020-2023), Acting Director-General (2023-2024), and Director-General since 2024.

The Korle Lagoon, nestled at the southern edge of Accra, is one of the city’s most defining natural landmarks.

Fed by the Odaw River, which snakes through the heart of the capital, the lagoon empties gently into the Gulf of Guinea, forming a natural connection between Accra’s inland ecosystem and the Atlantic Ocean.

Once a thriving water body teeming with aquatic life and serving as a buffer against floods, the Korle Lagoon was both a source of life and a scenic jewel that framed the city’s coastline.

Over the years, however, urbanisation and waste mismanagement have turned this once-beautiful lagoon into one of the most polluted water bodies in West Africa. The rapid growth of Accra, coupled with poor drainage systems, indiscriminate dumping of solid waste, and encroachment along its banks, has choked the lagoon’s natural flow.

This encroachment and mismanagement are most acutely felt along its main feeder, the Odaw River. The banks of the Odaw have become a zone of intense, informal human activity that directly contributes to the lagoon’s degradation.

Stretches of the river are lined with slum dwellings, where a lack of basic sanitation facilities leads to the widespread practice of open defecation, introducing harmful pathogens directly into the watercourse. Nearby, informal vehicle repair shops and vulcanising operations often discharge used engine oil, grease, and other chemical pollutants into the river. The practice of cattle rearing along the banks adds organic waste and further contributes to the pollution load.

Most visibly, the riverbank has become an unofficial dumping ground, where everything from household refuse to industrial waste is discarded directly into the water or piled along the edges, only to be washed into the main channel during rains.

Furthermore, landfilling and construction on the river’s floodplains not only narrow the river’s channel-increasing flood risk-but also destabilise the banks, causing erosion and siltation.

These activities collectively transform the Odaw River into a conduit of pollution, delivering a constant stream of contaminants, nutrients, and solid waste that silts up and poisons the Korle Lagoon. What could have been a shimmering mirror reflecting the city’s skyline has instead become a symbol of neglect – a reminder of how human activity can degrade nature’s gifts when stewardship is lacking.

Yet, the environmental importance of the Korle Lagoon remains undeniable. It serves as a critical catchment basin that helps control flooding in Accra, especially during heavy rains.

The lagoon also plays a vital ecological role, acting as a habitat for birds and marine organisms and as a natural filter for the city’s stormwater before it reaches the sea. Reviving it, therefore, is not just an environmental necessity but a civic and economic opportunity.

Around the world, cities have transformed their water bodies into icons of beauty and sustainability. In Singapore, the once heavily polluted Singapore River was cleaned and revitalised into a vibrant waterfront precinct that now anchors tourism and nightlife.

Cape Town’s VandA Waterfront, built around its restored harbour basin, is today one of Africa’s most visited destinations. Even Lagos, with its Lagoon and Eko Atlantic development, is showing what visionary urban planning can achieve when water and the city coexist harmoniously.

Accra can follow suit. The Korle Lagoon’s revival could become the centrepiece of an urban regeneration project that fuses environmental restoration, public recreation, and eco-tourism. Imagine landscaped walkways, bicycle paths, floating gardens, and art installations along its banks. Picture a lagoon clean enough to host canoeing festivals, bird-watching tours, and weekend family picnics – all powered by local businesses and community participation. Such an initiative would not only restore the lagoon’s ecological balance but also stimulate green jobs, boost tourism, and redefine Accra’s aesthetic identity.

To achieve this vision, a multi-stakeholder approach is essential. City authorities, environmental agencies, private investors, and community leaders must collaborate to enforce waste regulations, invest in proper drainage systems, and promote public education on sustainable waste disposal. Schools, media houses, and civic organisations can also help by championing awareness campaigns that rekindle public affection for the lagoon.

The Korle Lagoon can once again be a symbol of pride, not pollution. It can tell a new story – one of redemption, resilience, and responsible city living. Restoring it is not just about cleaning a body of water; it’s about reclaiming the soul of Accra.

If we choose to see the Korle Lagoon not as a lost cause, but as a living opportunity, then Accra can stand among the world’s great coastal cities – proud, clean, and beautiful by nature.

Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on Saturday joined hundreds of mourners at Senase near Berekum in the Bono Region to commiserate with the family of Yaw Obeng Manu, Editor of the Ghanaian Publisher, during the burial of his late father, Mr. James Yaw Manu.

He was accompanied by prominent members of the NPP, including the former Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu; former Managing Director of the State Transport Company (STC), Nana Akomea; and former Sunyani East Member of Parliament, Ameyaw Kyeremeh.

Other regional and constituency executives of the party were also in attendance.

Dr. Bawumia, who was in the region as part of his campaign activities for the NPP presidential primary, took time off his schedule to attend the solemn ceremony held at the St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Senase.

The burial service was marked by emotional tributes and solemn reflections on the life of the late Yaw Manu, who passed on at the age of 85 after a short illness.

Mr. Manu, a retired army officer, was remembered as a disciplined, principled, and devoted family man who served his country with dedication.

He is survived by his wife and seven children, including Mr. Yaw Obeng Manu.

Dr. Bawumia extended his condolences to the bereaved family, describing the late Mr. Manu as a patriot who instilled values of service and integrity in his children.

The ceremony brought together relatives, friends, community leaders, and well-wishers who paid their last respects before the final interment of the late Mr. Manu.

This is to the woman who stood tall when others bowed.

The one who fought through storms and silence to defend the girl child and everything she held close to her heart. She gave up the comfort of her design studio and stepped into the rough world of politics, not for fame or power, but because she carried a burning dream to help shape the Ghana she longed to see.

Nana Konadu, a woman of steel, courage, and unmatched grace. A figure so full of fire that she could light hope in the hearts of women who had forgotten they could shine.

The 31st December Women’s Movement was not just another organisation; it was a revolution of hearts, a gathering of like-minded women determined to rewrite Ghana’s story.

The girl child was her sacred mission- empowerment, her battle cry. She fought tirelessly to see women stand tall. She did not stop there. She made history as the first woman ever to contest for the presidency of Ghana in 2016, after forming her own political party, the National Democratic Party (NDP).

What courage that took! She walked where no woman had walked before, so others like me could follow freely.

And oh, what a mother she was; fierce yet tender. I still remember her words: Whether I am a First Lady or an ordinary citizen, I will defend my children any day when I know they are right. But if they do wrong, I will deal with them. That was Nana Konadu, strong, honest, and deeply protective. A mother in the truest African sense of the word.

She was always elegant and radiant with her colourful fabrics and her famous ‘gele’ that crowned her like a queen. She walked into every space with grace, turning heads not just with beauty, but also with her presence and purpose.

Her bond with her husband was something rare, the kind that made people wonder how she would live without him after his demise in 2020. Yet, she carried on with quiet strength and dignity.

I remember her not just from afar. I was once a pupil at the 31st December Daycare in Takoradi.

A small girl with big dreams, finding my feet in a place she built for us. I remember seeing her for the first time on the day I graduated from kindergarten. That moment stayed with me – the image of a woman who looked like everything I wanted to be.

She was not the kind of woman who let tradition hold her back. She believed women could cook, care, lead, and conquer all at once. She taught us that being a woman was never a limitation.

Today, I celebrate her! For her resilience, her boldness and unshakable faith. For showing us that no dream is too far or big when the girl child decides to rise.

Though the year 2025 has tested our hearts, taking from us great sons and daughters of Ghana, we still smile through the tears, grateful that God blessed us with a woman whose life became a lesson, whose example silences every excuse to remain behind borders and boundaries.

For walking so we could run, I say ‘thank you, Nana’. Rest well, Mama. You worked hard. You gave your all, and the girl child of Ghana is proud to call you her own.