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Queiroz Adds Nine Players To Black Stars Squad

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has added nine players to his squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, as well as the international friendly against Morocco.

The additions follow medical uncertainties surrounding some players initially called up for the international assignments.

The new additions include defenders Jonas Adjetey of VfL Wolfsburg, Alidu Seidu of OGC Nice, Ebenezer Annan of Rapid Bucharest and Rockson Yeboah of Osasuna.

Midfielder Rahim Ibrahim of Slovan Bratislava has also been added, alongside forwards Brandon Thomas-Asante of Coventry City, Mohammed Fuseini of Derby County, Benjamin Tetteh of Kalba and Felix Afena-Gyan of Igdir FK.

The Black Stars opened camp in Accra on Monday, September 21, 2026, to begin preparations for the three upcoming matches.

The team will continue training on Tuesday as Queiroz steps up preparations for the qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia and the friendly against Morocco.

South Africa inflation rebounds to 4.4% after first decline in five months

South Africa’s annual inflation rate rose to 4.4 percent in August from 4.3 percent in July, reversing its first decline in five months, although the increase was smaller than economists had expected.

Data from Statistics South Africa showed on Wednesday that headline inflation came in below the 4.5 percent forecast. On a monthly basis, consumer prices were unchanged in August after rising 0.2 percent in July.

Transport remained the biggest source of upward pressure, with prices rising 8.8 percent year on year in August, only slightly slower than the 8.9 percent increase recorded in July. Petrol prices fell 2 percent between July and August, while diesel prices increased 3.1 percent.

Food inflation also picked up, rising to 1.1 percent from 0.9 percent in July. The increase marked the first acceleration in food price inflation in nine months.

The rise in headline inflation was partly offset by a moderation in underlying price pressures. Core inflation, which excludes food, non alcoholic beverages, fuel and energy, eased to 4.1 percent in August from 4.2 percent in July, when it reached a two year high.

The core reading was also slightly below the 4.2 percent economists had expected.

Housing and utilities remain the largest component of South Africa’s consumer price index, accounting for about 23 percent of the basket, followed by food and non alcoholic beverages at 19 percent and transport at 15 percent.

The August figures come as the South African Reserve Bank weighs its next interest rate decision, with inflation remaining above the central bank’s 3% target.

The modest increase in headline inflation, combined with the easing in core inflation, gives a mixed picture of price pressures as policymakers assess whether higher energy and transport costs could keep inflation elevated.

For households, transport and food prices remain key areas to watch, given their importance in consumer spending and the latest increase in both categories.

Beyond crisis: Sectoral paths to durable growth

The Sri Lankan economy has faced a series of external and internal shocks in recent years that weakened its long-term growth outlook. Despite defying post-crisis growth trajectories, fresh uncertainties from oil price shocks and climate-related risks suggest that the policy context to accelerate growth will be even more challenging.

In this context, select policy recommendations to strengthen Sri Lanka’s economic foundations toward higher, durable growth are set out in this article. It draws on recent research by the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), some of which is detailed in its forthcoming annual flagship report Sri Lanka: State of the Economy 2026.

Rebuilding economic foundations amid shocks

Strengthening Sri Lanka’s international trade competitiveness is crucial to boost exports and achieve its 7% medium-term growth goal. IPS research shows that nearly 95% of the export growth since 2008 has come from selling more of existing products, and of nearly a thousand new products introduced over that period, only 43 proved competitive.

Exports need to be diversified, but competition remains stiff across all key export markets. Non-reciprocal preferential arrangements such as GSP+ which Sri Lanka relies on are vulnerable to withdrawal because of income status or compliance issues. However, competitors producing the same export basket, such as India and Indonesia, have reciprocal trade deals with the EU and the UK, key export destinations for Sri Lanka.

Losing these preferences and non-reciprocal preferential access could reduce the competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s exports in the EU and UK. Given the uncertain US trade policy landscape, Sri Lanka has strong motivation to pursue trade agreements with the US if they secure favourable tariffs and fixed tariff rates.

To lay the groundwork for reciprocal trade deals, domestic trade policy reforms, including tariff reforms, must come first. For example, the effective VAT rate on imports exceeds the 18% statutory rate because para-tariffs increase the tariff base. The priority is to simplify the tariff structure, eliminate para-tariffs, and simplify the tariff base to eliminate cascading tariff effects. The resulting revenue loss needs to be incorporated into budget estimates.

Source: IPS research

Fiscal support to establish a trade adjustment assistance package is also recommended. Tariff reforms create adjustment costs. For example, the Export-Import CESS phase-out plans to remove CESS on products which have direct import-competing industries in the domestic market.

Exposing these sectors, which are dominated by micro, small, and medium firms, to import competition will generate job and income losses. A trade adjustment assistance package should be rolled out to soften the economic blow.

Fiscal strategy must protect macroeconomic stability while addressing high public debt, limited fiscal space and weak investment in productivity-enhancing sectors. Government revenue increased from 8.2% of GDP in 2022 to 16.6% in 2025, but the tax system remains consumption-tax dominant, with a direct-to-indirect tax ratio of 40:60. Public investment fell from 5% to 3% of GDP during fiscal adjustment, while debt sustainability remains a key vulnerability.

Further tax rate increases are not recommended, but tax cuts are premature because of challenges such as uneven compliance, informality, and exemptions. After the current IMF program ends in 2027, revenue strategies should prioritise increasing the share of direct taxes over indirect taxes by broadening the tax base, reducing exemptions, improving compliance among the self-employed and high-income earners, and digitalising tax administration.

Wealth taxation helps promote social welfare by ensuring those with greater ability to pay contribute more fairly. Expenditure rationalisation should focus on building technical skills across the project cycle-appraisal, readiness, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

Public procurement policies should favour transparency and competence over established networks. A comprehensive approach reduces debt risks, enhances fiscal sustainability, and promotes sustainable, inclusive growth.

Access to high-quality higher education that provides relevant skills aligned with labour market needs can support sustainable growth

Developing human resources for productivity gains

Access to high-quality higher education that provides relevant skills aligned with labour market needs can support sustainable growth. In the context of climate change and globalisation, countries depend heavily on advanced human capital to stay competitive and strengthen systemic resilience.

Skilled workers, including managers, professionals, and technical staff, are vital for fostering growth by boosting productivity and reducing economic disruptions from natural disasters. In 2023, IPS estimates based on the Labour Force Survey 2024 indicate that Sri Lanka has a larger share of knowledge workers than its regional peers. However, only 34.1% have the tertiary qualifications needed to drive innovation and improve efficiency. Although tertiary student numbers are rising, growth lags regional peers and is not aligned with labour market needs.

Public funding for higher education should prioritise identifying skills gaps and allocating resources to sectors with skills shortages. Main areas of focus include supporting short-cycle tertiary programs for technical workers and STEM education. Investments are crucial to improving quality in these sectors and supporting students financially, allowing more people to access higher education in these areas. Additionally, incentives should be implemented to encourage skilled workers to stay in the country.

A stronger shock-responsive social protection system is needed to deal with multiple overlapping shocks, especially those driven by climate change. While the current system includes various programs and has recently attempted to enhance effectiveness and coordination, there are gaps in policy design and implementation.

Recent IPS studies note gaps in reaching impoverished households exposed to high climate risks. For instance, among the poorest fifth of households, Aswesuma coverage is actually lower for the most shock-exposed (55%) than the least (63%). As natural disasters like Cyclone Ditwah become more frequent and intense, and as climate risks associated with El Niño increase, incorporating climate-risk data into social protection policies is urgent.

Budgetary support should focus on investing in shock-responsive social protection, including strengthening the existing Integrated Welfare Management System (IWMS) and developing a comprehensive, dynamic social registry by integrating programs outside the system. The registry must link with disaster risk management and climate data to identify at-risk households and enable timely responses. Policies should also establish pre-arranged financing linked to shock triggers and expansion protocols for swift benefit delivery during shocks.

The scale of labour informality needs to be addressed for better social protection and labour productivity. Around 66.5% of total employment is informal as of 2024 with informal wage employment highly concentrated in small-scale enterprises. Around 60% of informal wage employees work in establishments with fewer than 5 regular employees, where regulatory oversight, administrative capacity, and compliance with labour laws and social security obligations remain weak.

Source: Calculations based on LFS 2024 microdata

Reducing formalisation costs and increasing penalties for non-compliance, especially for micro and small enterprises, can cut informal work and boost social protection. Improving access to credit offers financial incentives for formal employment, encouraging workers to register with authorities for better protection and coverage. Ease of administrative and fiscal burdens through simplified taxes, digital registration, and fair contribution rules for small firms with limited capacity, will further reduce informal labour.

The silver economy demographic shift must be leveraged to keep older Sri Lankans economically active for longer, sustaining labour supply and consumption and reducing fiscal dependency. With a rapid rate of population ageing – with those aged 60 and above set to nearly double from 12.4% in 2012 to 23.1% by 2042 – Sri Lanka’s demographic shift impacts its health, economy, and social fabric.

With only two dedicated geriatric care units nationwide, the health system is not yet built for this scale of change. The current focus on acute care and lack of integrated chronic and geriatric management must change. Otherwise, there will be more hospitalisations, higher out-of-pocket costs, and lower productivity among older adults.

Targeted funding should expand primary healthcare, focusing on chronic disease management, geriatrics, and rehabilitation. This includes training health workers, formalising referrals, and community-based care.

Making care affordable and accessible for seniors is crucial, supported by digital health platforms, literacy programs, and subsidies for medicines and diagnostics. This approach enhances access, continuity, and financial protection, boosting older adults’ economic participation and reducing health-related poverty.

Fiscal strategy must protect macroeconomic stability while addressing high public debt, limited fiscal space and weak investment in productivity-enhancing sectors

Reducing regional disparities and broadening development gains

Accelerating agro-processing and value-chain development is critical to tackle climate resilience and improve small farmers’ incomes.

Sri Lanka’s agricultural total factor productivity has grown just 0.3% a year over the past decade, against 1.6% across South Asia. Limited land, declining productivity, rising input costs, labour shortages, post-harvest losses, climate uncertainties such as El Niño affecting yields, and infrastructure issues such as poor storage, weak market coordination, and limited access to higher-value markets are persistent challenges.

Note: TFP measures agricultural output per unit of combined inputs: land, labour, capital

Source: USDA-ERS

Enhancing post-harvest management and agro-processing boosts climate resilience and profits. A program to cut losses and modernise the value chain is a priority. Supportive fiscal measures include those that promote technology, organise producers, and strengthen certification, traceability, and marketing. These may be addressed through grants, loans, guarantees, and tax incentives for investments in packing, grading, storage, refrigeration, ripening, processing, and certification facilities.

Public investments channelled towards shared resources for farmer organisations and cooperatives to consolidate produce, achieve group certification, and strengthen bargaining power will be useful. Additionally, specific actions to facilitate connections between Sri Lanka Good Agricultural Practices (SL-GAP) certified producers or groups and processors, supermarkets, exporters, and institutional buyers, will ensure that certification leads to market access. These links would directly connect certification to market opportunities and higher profits for farmers.

Regional infrastructure improvements beyond the Western Province are essential to close market-access gaps and improve efficiency. The Western Province alone generates 42% of Sri Lanka’s GDP, but the dynamics of such agglomeration may also be highly underestimated. Officially, barely a fifth is deemed ‘urban’ in the province, but IPS re-estimates from the 2024 census using population density and infrastructure access, place the true figure at nearly 61%.

The absence of strong secondary cities and industrial clusters outside the province reduces the potential gains from this agglomeration, thereby weakening incentives for firms to locate elsewhere or decentralise operations.

Fiscal incentives can promote decentralised corporate operations by offering tax rebates, lower property taxes, and land access in secondary cities like Kalutara and Gampaha, leveraging the connectivity of Southern and Colombo-Katunayake Expressways. The Hambantota seaport and airport, along with Koggala and Mirijjawela Export Processing Zones, can help develop the Southern Province through geography-based tax concessions.

Immediate measures, such as pricing vehicle entry into Colombo city will support regional agglomeration while tackling the acute problem of city congestion. Adopting a low-cost, technology-anchored free-flow method, similar to the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) currently used in commercial parking facilities for vehicles entering the city, is one such means.

Installing high-mounted overhead ANPR gantries at key arterial entry points can operationalise congestion pricing without disrupting traffic speed. Fee collection can use a system like E-Tags electronic toll collection on expressways, integrated with digital payment gateways like GovPay and LankaQR for dynamic, time-of-day variable pricing.

The renewable energy transition is vital to drive competitiveness, external shock resilience, and green growth. Sri Lanka’s transition to renewable energy (RE) has advanced from a mere aspiration to tangible progress. Yet, the evidence suggests the transition is advancing faster on the generation side than the system built to absorb it. Transmission capacity, market design, financing channels, and digital infrastructure have not kept pace with capacity additions, and this gap is what will determine the pace of the transition through 2030.

Capital spending on transmission must be ring-fenced by legally, operationally, and financially separating the electricity grid (the transmission network) from the rest of the energy sector or by the broader Government budget as a protected public investment within the medium-term budget framework.

Funding should shift from general budget support to dedicated multilateral facilities, reinforced by sovereign guarantees for eligible borrowing. To safeguard public funds, this must be paired with a clear tariff pass-through mechanism that effectively limits open-ended Treasury exposure.

To build market trust, domestic Budget funding should be earmarked for market-design technical assistance, signalling strong policy ownership rather than relying on external donors. Transparency too should be strengthened by publishing a firm implementation timeline in the Budget statement and fully disclosing long-term fiscal commitments from Power Purchase Agreements, capacity arrangements, and ancillary services.

Free uniforms spark enrolment surge at Lira school, but desks run short

Hundreds of children across Itek Sub-county in Lira District are flocking to Olilo Primary School following a donation of free school uniforms by the area Member of Parliament, Mr Sam Engola.

Mr Engola – who represents Erute South and serves as Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees – made an impromptu visit to the government-aided school last Friday evening to hand over 456 uniforms, one for each pupil enrolled at the time. The donation was funded out of his personal pocket after school administrators informed him that many parents could not afford uniforms alongside other hidden education costs.

Mr Moses Ekwar, the head teacher, said enrolment began rising as news of the gesture spread across the sub-county. By Monday, September 21, the school had gained at least 144 additional pupils, pushing its total population past 600.

“We initially had 456 pupils, but today we have more than 600 learners, and children are coming from all walks of life,” Mr Ekwar said in a telephone interview. “Children are mainly attracted to school by the free uniforms. Before the donation, most of our pupils did not have uniforms because their parents could hardly afford them.”

A standard uniform with a school badge costs approximately Shs10,000 in the region. Mr Ekwar noted that parents with multiple children often struggle to purchase uniforms for all of them at once, buying them piecemeal when funds allow.

The initial batch of 456 uniforms went only to pupils who were enrolled prior to the handover. While new arrivals have yet to receive theirs, the administration has taken their measurements and plans to appeal to the minister for additional support.

Strained Infrastructure

The sudden surge in learners has put a strain on existing facilities. Olilo Primary School has 200 desks, meaning each desk now accommodates at least six pupils.

Mr Ekwar said the administration would request the sub-county leadership to supply more desks if numbers continue to grow. “We cannot allow our pupils to sit on the floor,” he noted.

With 14 teachers currently on staff, the head teacher maintained that the teacher-to-pupil ratio remains manageable at roughly 1:55. However, he highlighted textbooks and the lack of a midday meal program as the institution’s most pressing deficits.

Olilo is a fully coded government school that receives Universal Primary Education (UPE) capitation grants of Shs20,000 per child annually. The grant covers basic scholastic materials, administration, co-curricular activities, and contingency costs, but does not extend to major infrastructure repairs.

Alongside the uniforms, Mr Engola financed the Shs54.8 million renovation of the school’s most dilapidated classroom block, delivering on a pledge he made during a thanksgiving service at the school on July 18. His political assistant, Mr Walter Ongenyo, confirmed that similar rehabilitation works are currently underway at Gomi, Opem, and Abutoadi primary schools.

On Monday, Mr Engola also distributed five exercise books, a pen, and a pencil to every learner at the school.

Local leaders, including the School Management Committee Chairperson, Mr Lawrence Awany, and the Curate of Tetyang Parish, Rev Deacon Isaac Ogwal, praised the minister for fulfilling his pledges. Meanwhile, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Chairperson, Mr Dick Okello, said the association plans to convene an Annual General Meeting in December to discuss parent contributions toward learning materials.

Speaking on behalf of the learners, head girl Beatrice Adongo and head boy Job Yafesi Ongom expressed gratitude for the support, but called for further interventions, including a clean water source, improved sanitation facilities, and sanitary pads for older girls. In response, Mr Engola said he would engage the Office of the Prime Minister to address the infrastructure and sanitation needs.

Early Campaigning?

The minister’s donations have sparked debate among local political stakeholders, with critics questioning whether the gestures constitute early campaigning ahead of the next election cycle.

Mr Engola dismissed the claims, stating that his philanthropic work predated his tenure as an MP.

“It’s not premature politics because the pupils we’re targeting are non-voters,” Mr Engola said. “Secondly, we are trying to respond to the issues of early dropouts due to lack of scholastic materials and uniforms.”

However, some community members and political rivals argue that the approach lacks long-term sustainability.

Mr Sam Odongo, a parent, argued that an MP’s primary role should focus on broader community development: “He should lobby for projects that can improve the livelihood of the community so that they are able to educate their own children.”

Former parliamentary aspirant Mr Peter Ogwang, who was defeated by Mr Engola in the January 2026 polls, also criticized the initiative.

“What Engola is doing is not sustainable,” Mr Ogwang told this publication by phone on Tuesday. “Instead of wasting his time and the time of those poor children, he should empower the parents and the community economically so that they will be able to buy school requirements and pay fees for their children. What if tomorrow those school uniforms he has bought get torn up? Will he buy new ones?”

Efforts to reach the area Inspector of Schools, Mr Patrick Olwit, were unsuccessful, as his known telephone contacts went unanswered by press time.

Catholic Bishops Demand Crackdown On Drug Trafficking

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has called for an urgent and coordinated national crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, warning that the growing narcotics menace poses a serious threat to Ghana’s security, institutions, families and the future of the youth.

A statement signed by the President of Ghana Catholic Bishop’s Conference and Bishop of Sunyani, Most. Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, said the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French customs authorities at Dunkirk on September 10, 2026, with an estimated street value of pound 225 million, was ‘deeply disturbing.’ The cocaine was reportedly concealed in a container of plastic waste that had arrived from Ghana, with part of the consignment allegedly destined for Antwerp, Belgium.

The Bishops noted that four Ghanaians-Desmond Koranteng Curiel, alias ‘Paul Kweku Yeboah’ or ‘Biggs’; Musah Attah, alias ‘Kromo’; Kweku Otchere; and Jessica Hartog-had been arraigned before the High Court in Accra and remanded over alleged conspiracy to export narcotic drugs without a licence and exportation of narcotic drugs. They stressed that the accused persons remained presumed innocent until proven guilty, and urged investigations to establish how the alleged consignment passed through legitimate commercial channels.

The Conference said the Dunkirk seizure formed part of a wider pattern of drug trafficking incidents linked to Ghana, citing several major interceptions recorded since March 2025. It also referenced concerns raised in a September 18, 2026 parliamentary memorandum, including cocaine seizures at Pedu Junction, on the Takoradi-Cape Coast highway and at Tema Port, as well as alleged narcotics concealed in other consignments. According to the Bishops, the parliamentary petitioners estimate that high-profile seizures linked to Ghana over the past two years exceed $1 billion in value.

The Bishops further expressed concern over the involvement of public officials in alleged narcotics-related activities, citing the reported arrest of nine public officers in March 2026 over a large consignment of undeclared tramadol at Tema Port. They called for investigations to go beyond couriers and identify the financiers, principal traffickers and networks behind the trade, stressing that anyone who abused public trust to facilitate the movement of illicit drugs must be held accountable.

The Conference appealed to the government to strengthen collaboration among the Police Service, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Customs, port authorities, the judiciary and other relevant institutions to combat the menace. It called for improved scanning and surveillance systems at Ghana’s ports, airports and borders, stronger cooperation with INTERPOL and Europol, and investigations that ‘follow the money’ to uncover the financial networks sustaining narcotics trafficking.

The Bishops also backed Parliament’s oversight role, urging relevant ministers and state agencies to account for the adequacy of drug detection, surveillance and clearance procedures at the country’s ports and airports. They called for such proceedings to be conducted without partisan point-scoring, but with the seriousness, transparency and cooperation required to address what they described as a matter of national concern.

Beyond enforcement, the GCBC called for greater investment in drug-prevention education, rehabilitation and treatment, particularly for young people. It urged Catholic parishes, schools, youth organisations, priests, catechists and lay leaders to intensify awareness and pastoral support, while appealing to parents and guardians to maintain close relationships with their children and provide moral and emotional guidance.

The Bishop of Sunyani, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, further said the drug menace was ultimately a moral and social crisis that required collective action.

The Conference urged Ghanaians to protect the dignity and future of the youth, calling for a response that was firm and lawful while also being preventive, rehabilitative and rooted in human dignity.

Kaduna: Uba Sani’s Vision For Education-Deputy Gov

Governor Uba Sani aims to expand access to quality education, reposition education and equip young people with the knowledge, skills and character to build productive and fulfilling lives.

The Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe who made this known at a Community Engagement organized by the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority on Tuesday, noted that education is a shared responsibility.

”Education is not the responsibility of government alone. It is a shared responsibility involving government, teachers, school managers, parents, learners, communities and all stakeholders.

”Education does not begin and end at the school gate. Education begins in the home. It is strengthened in the classroom. It is reinforced by the community. And it is ultimately protected by the society we build around our children.

”This is the very essence of this gathering. Bringing those who matter, together, to help shape the tomorrow of our dreams for our children,” Dr Balarabe pointed out.

The Deputy Governor further said that the Governor Uba Sani administration’s reforms in the education sector are ”changing the experience of a child in a classroom.”

According to her, Kaduna State Government is ”strengthening quality assurance across all 23 Local Government Areas, to ensure that schools in remote communities get the same attention to standards as those in the State capital.”

”That is why we are providing Education Quality Assurance Officers motorcycles and other operational support to enable them to reach more schools, identify problems earlier and support school managers to improve,” she added.

According to her, the introduction of hybrid CBT for the Junior Secondary Certificate Examination, QR-coded certificates and stronger examination monitoring are part of Kaduna’s determination to protect the integrity of our education system.

”From 2023 to date, Senator Uba Sani’s administration has supported more than 800,000 students in the Junior Secondary School and Senior Secondary School examinations as a demonstration of our commitment to invest in the education of Kaduna children,” she added.

In his welcome address, the Director General of Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, Prof Abubakar Usman Zaria, disclosed that the present administration has overhauled the concept of quality assurance.

”We have been transforming quality assurance-from fault-finding to value creation; from paper to data; and from inspection to continuous improvement,” he added.

According to the Director General, the Authority is moving school monitoring from paper-based reporting to digital, real-time evidence through EduMonitor App.

”We have developed standardized and/or automated more than 20 quality assurance tools, covering examination clearance and candidate affiliation, school categorization, proposed school site assessment, book assessment, private-school licensing, annual quality assurance reporting and examination-material tracking through a carefully designed waybill system,” he added.

Prof Zaria said that Kaduna State’s BECE certificates, Certificates of Consent and annual private-school operating licences now carry QR codes, strengthening verification and protection against fraud and forgery.

” We have also introduced an Annual Quality Assurance Report as part of private-school licence renewal-because quality should not be demonstrated only when a school wants a licence; it must be sustained every year,” he added.

The DG however argued that in spite of digital reporting, officers still have to reach the schools, adding that ”that is why 50 motorcycles have been provided to our field officers across the 23 Local Government Areas.

He said that monthly operational and monitoring allowances are being provided, alongside robust support that expands reach, including hard-to-reach communities.

CICC extends Reddit’s deadline to set up PH presence

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) on Wednesday allowed online platform Reddit to establish a presence in the country beyond the initial 24-hour deadline in a bid to strengthen cooperation.

The move follows the CICC’s earlier directive to Reddit and Discord to set up offices in the country as part of its efforts to strengthen cooperation amid concerns about rising school violence linked to online groomers.

The extension of the initial 24-hour deadline was made after Reddit responded and coordinated with the agency on Wednesday, CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Renato ‘Aboy’ Paraiso said.

‘We decided to grant them an extension since they responded within the 24 hours and we want to give them the opportunity to work with us because what we want is accountability and a clear mechanism for government to coordinate with the platforms,’ he said in a statement.

The agency said officials from Reddit and the CICC held an online meeting earlier to discuss online safety measures for teenagers on Reddit.

Among the matters discussed was the establishment of ‘green lanes,’ or direct channels with Philippine authorities to report, take down and investigate flagged suspicious activities or harmful content online.

These may include ‘online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), child abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM), scams, misinformation, harmful content and materials associated with Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE).’

The agency, moreover, said Reddit expressed its commitment to establishing a local office, as well as creating a team that would coordinate with the CICC.

The timeline and details for the proposed office were not disclosed by the online platform.

Meanwhile, Discord also responded through a letter, expressing its willingness to work directly with the CICC to discuss initiatives that will protect minors from online exploitation, grooming and exposure to violent content.

Discord also provided details of its existing measures and a newly released ‘Global Teen Experience’ that includes age-appropriate and verification features.

‘Discord also offered to brief the CICC on its Family Center tools and its Kodex system, which allows law enforcement agencies to submit lawful takedown and data requests and receive fast-tracked responses,’ the agency said.

The CICC said it has not granted Discord the same extension amid pending discussions with the online platform.

It said they are yet to table ‘concrete commitments,’ particularly on the suspected groups linked with the Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE), allegedly involved in the recent school shooting incidents in the country.

‘This is particularly important as Philippine authorities continue to examine Discord over the presence of extremist communities on the platform, including groups associated with Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE) that have been linked to the radicalization and recruitment of minors involved in the recent school shooting incidents in the country,’ the CICC said in its clarificatory statement.

Tinubu’s third UNGA absence deepens controversy over US legal history

President Bola Tinubu’s decision to extend his working vacation in Europe by a few days, while Vice-President Kashim Shettima represents Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, has intensified debate over the President’s repeated absence from the annual gathering.

The Presidency announced on Monday that Tinubu, who departed Nigeria on August 30 for a working vacation in London before moving to Paris, would return to Nigeria at the weekend. Shettima, who left Abuja on September 20, is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA and will deliver the country’s national statement.

The development means Tinubu will not personally attend the 81st UNGA, making this his third consecutive absence from the high-level gathering after Shettima represented him in 2024 and 2025.

Is Tinubu afraid that he could become the next Nicolás Maduro? – Atiku

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has demanded an explanation for Tinubu’s repeated absence, arguing that three consecutive years can no longer be treated as a routine delegation arrangement.

Atiku, in a statement on Sunday, said the UNGA provides presidents with a unique opportunity to defend their countries’ interests, negotiate partnerships, court investors and engage directly with other world leaders.

‘A seat was reportedly secured for Bola near United States President Donald Trump at the world’s most important annual diplomatic gathering. Yet, for the third consecutive year, Tinubu refused to occupy it,’ Atiku said.

He questioned whether Tinubu’s history with US authorities had become a burden on Nigeria’s foreign relations and asked: ‘Is Tinubu afraid that he could become the next Nicolás Maduro?’

Maduro, former Venezuelan president, was abducted from his country by the US military early January over narcotics allegations.

Atiku’s comments have effectively linked the president’s repeated absence to the unresolved political controversy surrounding a 1993 US civil asset-forfeiture case involving funds held in an account in Tinubu’s name.

US court records show that the United States filed a civil forfeiture action in 1993 over funds in accounts associated with Tinubu and others. A settlement resulted in $460,000 being forfeited to the US government. The case was a civil forfeiture proceeding rather than a criminal prosecution, and Tinubu was not convicted of a drug offence in the case, the presidency has maintained.

The matter has nevertheless resurfaced in the political contest ahead of the 2027 election.

A Washington lobbying firm working for Atiku has submitted historical US Department of Justice records relating to the case to members of the Trump administration and Congress, seeking to put the issue back into the US political conversation.

The Presidency has described the renewed attention to the case and suggestions that it influenced Tinubu’s UNGA decision as irresponsible and baseless. It has maintained that the decades-old matter carries no criminal weight.

A diplomatic opportunity lost?

For Nigeria, the controversy goes beyond the President’s personal attendance.

UNGA is one of the few occasions when virtually all world leaders converge in one city, creating opportunities for bilateral meetings, investment discussions, security diplomacy and negotiations with international institutions.

Nigeria is currently seeking greater international cooperation against terrorism, more foreign investment and stronger support for its economic reforms.

It is also attempting to manage its relationship with Washington after a period of heightened tension over religious violence and terrorism.

The two countries have deepened security cooperation, including intelligence sharing and collaboration against terrorist groups in Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.

Tinubu’s administration has also invested heavily in shaping Nigeria’s image in Washington. The Federal Government reportedly engaged DCI Group for $9 million annually to communicate Nigeria’s position on religious freedom and counterterrorism to US policymakers.

The administration’s diplomatic outreach has included First Lady Remi Tinubu’s appearance at the US National Prayer Breakfast earlier this year, where Trump publicly recognised her. Trump has also subsequently praised Tinubu’s leadership in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

Against this backdrop, critics argue that Tinubu’s personal presence at UNGA would have offered an important platform to reinforce those diplomatic gains.

But supporters of the President have dismissed the criticism.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State governor, speaking from New York, said there was ‘nothing to worry about’ because Nigeria would be adequately represented.

Tony Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holdings, also offered a different perspective, arguing that leaders have to prioritise where their presence is most valuable. He noted that leaders could reasonably choose to devote time to domestic problems such as poverty and infrastructure deficits rather than attend every international gathering.

Jimoh Ibrahim, Nigeria’s permanent representative to the UN, similarly said Nigeria would be adequately represented, noting that many countries were represented by vice-presidents or foreign ministers.

Tinubu working remotely – Presidency

The Presidency has also stressed that Tinubu has remained engaged with affairs at home despite being abroad.

According to the State House, he ordered an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna and continued directing government business. The President also held meetings in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré during the vacation.

Still, the timing of the extended vacation has added another layer to the debate.

With his return now scheduled for the weekend, Tinubu will remain abroad while the UNGA high-level session takes place in New York.

For his supporters, the arrangement demonstrates that the constitutional structure works: the President can delegate and the Vice-President can represent Nigeria.

For his critics, the third consecutive absence is becoming a pattern that deserves explanation, particularly as Nigeria seeks to project confidence and influence internationally.

The competing interpretations leave Nigeria with a broader diplomatic question: whether presidential presence at UNGA is primarily symbolic or an important instrument of foreign policy.

For now, Shettima has the task of carrying Nigeria’s message to the world. Tinubu, meanwhile, will return to a country already deep in the political preparations for 2027, with the controversy over his repeated absence from one of the world’s most consequential diplomatic gatherings likely to follow him home.

OmniBSIC Bank Relocates Dome Branch

OmniBSIC Bank has relocated its Dome branch to a larger and more modern facility as part of efforts to strengthen its presence in the Dome enclave and provide customers with an improved banking experience.

The new facility was officially dedicated by Theodore Takyi, Branch Manager of OmniBSIC Bank’s Airport Branch, during a ceremony attended by bank executives, staff, customers and community leaders, including Evelyn Abena Sebie, Queenmother of Dome Market.

‘As we dedicate this branch to the glory of God, we also challenge the team to make it a branch that stands out within the OmniBSIC network,’ Mr Takyi said.

He expressed hope that the Dome branch would grow into a ‘star branch’ within the OmniBSIC network.

Dome Branch Manager, Emmanuel Ashley said, ‘Anytime a Bank puts up a new facility like this, it is to reflect our commitment to improving service delivery and enhancing customer experience in the community we serve.

He added, ‘It is not a new branch. We are just moving to a new building, the same brand, the same commitment to putting our customers first and always making sure that we grow their business and put a smile on their faces.’

Hannah Esi Dadzie, Accra North Zonal Manager of OmniBSIC Bank, said the relocation forms part of a broader strategy to grow the bank’s presence in the Dome enclave and capture opportunities across surrounding communities.

‘As the bank was growing, we needed a befitting edifice for the location. Beyond that, we realised that Dome had so many opportunities and we were unable to achieve that spread from our previous location,’ she said.

The ceremony also highlighted the branch’s longstanding relationship with the Dome community.

The Queenmother of Dome Market, Evelyn Abena Sebie, said her family had maintained a relationship with OmniBSIC for nearly two decades, recalling that her late father banked with the institution for about 17 years.

‘They handled me nicely and they were also kind to us,’ she said, describing the bank’s service as good.

She said the new facility would benefit the wider Dome market and surrounding community.

The relocated Dome branch is now fully operational, providing customers with expanded space and an enhanced banking environment as OmniBSIC Bank continues to deepen its presence in communities across Ghana.

RCEP members renew WTO reform push

REGIONAL Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) members renewed their commitment to reform the World Trade Organization (WTO) and uphold a rules-based multilateral trading system as repeated trade disruptions test the global and regional framework for commerce and investment.

The commitment was made at the fifth Rcep Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, where trade ministers from the 15 participating economies also reaffirmed their pledge to avoid measures inconsistent with Rcep obligations.

In a joint media statement, the ministers said they remain committed to an open, free and fair multilateral trading system ‘with the World Trade Organization [WTO] at its core,’ including efforts to remove unnecessary trade barriers and improve investment facilitation.

New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade committee member Shane Reti said repeated trading disruptions over the past year have tested the resilience of the global and regional rules-based trading system.

‘As the world’s largest FTA [Free Trade Agreement] bringing together the economies in our region, Rcep is well positioned to unite us, and in doing so, can strengthen regional economic integration and support our collective resilience,’ Reti said during the ministerial meeting.

For her part, Indonesia Vice Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri said trade among Rcep economies reached around $5.6 trillion in 2024, while the bloc collectively accounted for about 30 percent of global gross domestic product.

The meeting comes as members prepare for the first general review of the Rcep agreement in 2027, with initial work on the review already under way.

The ministers tasked the Rcep Joint committee with preparing a joint scoping paper that will identify the possible areas and elements of the upgrade.

The review could include provisions covering modern and emerging issues, with the aim of keeping the agreement relevant to changes in the global economy.

The ministers are also expected to endorse the scoping paper and formally launch the Rcep upgrade at next year’s ministerial meeting.

Further, they approved the creation of an ad hoc Accession Working Group to advance the accession process for Bangladesh, Chile, Hong Kong, China, and Sri Lanka. They also noted Uruguay’s expression of interest in joining the agreement last February.

The agreement remains open to new members, subject to its accession rules.

The 15 Rcep economies are the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) members plus Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. The agreement covers roughly 30 percent of global gross domestic product and is the world’s largest free trade agreement by participating economies.