Category: Daily Guide Network

Artisanal and small-scale miners have emerged as the backbone of the nation’s gold aggregation programme, supplying about 99.5 percent of all gold purchased by the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) since its establishment, Deputy Finance Minister, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has disclosed.

Answering questions in Parliament yesterday, Mr. Ampem said GoldBod purchased a total of 135.843 metric tonnes of gold between January 2025 and May 2026, with 135.221 metric tonnes originating from the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.

According to him, the figures underscore the dominant role played by small-scale miners in supporting the government’s efforts to mobilise foreign exchange, strengthen reserves and curb gold smuggling.

The Deputy Minister described GoldBod as a strategic pillar of the country’s macroeconomic recovery programme, saying it was established to formalise the gold trade, improve transparency and ensure that the country captures greater value from its mineral resources.

‘The Ghana Gold Board is a strategic arm of our nation’s macroeconomic recovery, anchored on foreign exchange mobilisation and anti-smuggling architecture,’ he told the House.

He indicated that the enactment of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), was aimed at bringing gold trading activities into the formal economy and addressing long-standing challenges associated with smuggling and fragmented trading channels.

Mr. Ampem cited reports indicating that the nation lost an estimated US$11.4 billion through gold smuggling between 2019 and 2023, stressing that GoldBod was helping to reverse the trend.

To support its operations, he said GoldBod has established a nationwide network of licensed buyers who purchase gold from licensed miners for onward sale to the Board.

As of May 31, 2026, a total of 1,184 buyers had been licensed under the GoldBod regime, comprising two aggregators, 67 self-financing aggregators, 736 Tier Two buyers and 379 Tier One buyers.

The Deputy Minister noted that all licensed buyers are required to purchase gold exclusively from licensed miners, a measure designed to enhance traceability and accountability within the gold supply chain.

He further revealed that GoldBod purchased, aggregated and exported 104 metric tonnes of ASM gold in 2025 alone, generating more than US$10 billion in revenue for the country.

According to him, the performance of the Board contributed significantly to the appreciation of the cedi by about 41 percent in 2025 and helped increase the nation’s gross international reserves from approximately US$8.98 billion in December 2024 to US$13.8 billion by the end of 2025.

Mr. Ampem said GoldBod spent about US$16.1 billion on gold purchases between January 2025 and May 2026, with US$9.8 billion of that amount expended during the 2025 calendar year.

He said the government’s broader objective was to move the nation away from a system in which gold wealth was underpriced, dispersed and vulnerable to smuggling.

‘Through GoldBod, we have a regime where gold is transparently aggregated, assayed, refined, exported and turned into foreign exchange and reserves for the Republic with visible and tangible benefits for the entire country,’ he stated.

The Deputy Minister also disclosed that GoldBod has strengthened collaboration with the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to improve regulatory compliance and support efforts to combat illegal mining.

He stressed that GoldBod’s mandate extends beyond gold purchasing, describing the institution as a vehicle for enhancing Ghana’s economic sovereignty through the strategic management of the country’s gold resources.

‘GoldBod is not just about buying gold. It is about capturing Ghana’s gold for Ghana’s balance sheet, Ghana’s reserves and Ghana’s economic sovereignty,’ he said.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Simon Madjie, has called on Canadian investors to take advantage of investment opportunities in Ghana’s cocoa processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and other sectors as part of efforts to deepen economic ties between the two countries.

Mr. Madjie made the call at the Invest Ghana Business Forum and Exhibition in Toronto, Canada, where Ghanaian officials engaged Canadian businesses on investment opportunities across key sectors of the economy.

He said Ghana’s abundant natural resources, youthful population and strategic access to West African markets make the country an attractive destination for investors seeking to expand their operations on the continent.

According to the GIPC boss, Ghana is prioritising value addition across key sectors to drive industrial growth and attract foreign direct investment.

He added that Ghana and Canada continue to enjoy strong trade relations, with Canadian investment already present in sectors including services, manufacturing, agriculture, construction and tourism.

The event, organised by the GIPC, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, the Ghana Free Zones Authority and the Ghana Export-Import Bank, with support from the Ghana High Commission in Canada and the High Commission of Canada to Ghana, seeks, among other objectives, to deepen business-to-business engagement and strengthen partnerships between Ghanaian and Canadian investors.

‘It forms part of Ghana’s broader investment promotion drive as the country participates in ongoing engagements around the 2026 FIFA World Cup,’ the CEO noted.

Black Maidens are gearing up for the final round on the road to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup as the team face Senegal in a highly anticipated qualifier on Friday, July 3, 2026.

The game will take place at the Diamniadio-Abdoulaye Wade Annex Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00pm.

The Black Maidens head into the encounter determined to make a strong statement and edge closer to securing a place in the World Cup.

The game is scheduled to take place on July 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM at the Diamniadio-Abdoulaye Wade Annex Stadium.

The Black Maidens will be eager to seal an away victory and take a significant step toward earning a place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Argentina star, Lionel Messi, has broken Miroslav Klose’s all-time scoring record at a World Cup after his two goals against Austria.

The forward – competing at his record-equalling sixth World Cup – had matched the 16-goal record set by the Germany international with his hat-trick in the opening game against Algeria.

He then followed this up with two goals against Austria – breaking the record and taking him two clear at the top of the standings.

Messi’s first goal was a wonderful left-footed finish to put his team ahead in Arlington in the 39th minute.

His second goal came in second-half injury time when Argentina caught Austria on the counter, with the 38-year-old sending through Julian Alvarez, who saw his shot blocked, before Messi put the rebound in.

Messi, the Argentine captain, to five goals in the 2026 World Cup.

There were great celebrations at full-time, but the Inter Miami’s forward had a terrible start to the game, missing a penalty inside 10 minutes, skewing his attempt wide of the right-hand post. He then missed a few other chances before finally finding the net.

Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, have secured their place in the round of 32 with victory over Austria, with Messi having at least one more guaranteed game to extend his lead. They face Jordan next on Sunday June 28 in the final Group J game.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced an increase in electricity tariffs by 3.49% and a marginal upward adjustment in water tariffs by 0.85%, effective July 1, 2026.

In a statement signed and issued yesterday by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Shafic Suleman, the PURC said the adjustments were carried out in line with its mandate to review tariffs on a quarterly basis to reflect developments within the period under review.

The statement explained that the quarterly reviews track and incorporate movements in key operational factors such as the exchange rate between the Ghana cedi (GHS) and the United States dollar ($), the domestic inflation rate, the electricity generation mix, and the cost of fuel, mainly natural gas, used to power thermal plants.

These factors, it noted, are beyond the control of the Utility Service Providers (USPs) but are critical to the delivery of utility services.

The Commission said its analysis considered the Ghana cedi-US dollar exchange rate and applied a weighted average exchange rate of GHS11.2228 to US$1.00 for the third quarter of 2026.

‘In view of the overall impact of the hydro-thermal generation mix, Ghana cedi-US dollar exchange rate, inflation rate, and natural gas price, the Commission has taken the decision to adjust electricity tariffs by 3.49% across board for the third quarter of 2026. Water tariffs have been adjusted marginally upwards by 0.85% for the third quarter of 2026,’ it stated.

According to the Commission, the projected exchange rate is based on the three-month actual inter-bank average Ghana cedi-US dollar selling exchange rate for the period April 1, 2026, to June 19, 2026, which indicates a 0.2% depreciation of the Ghana cedi from the second-quarter rate of GHS11.1931 to US$1.00.

On inflation, the Commission said it applied a three-month average inflation rate of 3.43% for the period April 1, 2026, to June 19, 2026, for the third quarter of 2026, representing a downward adjustment of 17.14% from the previous quarter’s rate of 4.17%.

‘On the price of natural gas, the Commission applied a Weighted Average Cost of Gas (WACOG) of US$7.9708/MMBtu, indicating a downward adjustment of 1.58% from the previous quarter’s rate of US$8.0988/MMBtu,’ the statement said.

It further noted that the projected hydro-thermal generation mix for the quarter under review remained unchanged, with 20.9% from hydro generation and 79.1% from thermal generation, the same proportions applied in the second quarter.

The Commission assured the public that it would continue to monitor the operations of regulated service providers and hold them accountable to regulatory standards and benchmarks to ensure value for money and improved quality of service delivery.

Residents of Abuakwa DKC in the Atwima Nwabiagya South District of the Ashanti Region woke up to a shocking scene on Monday after the body of an unidentified man was found on the bank of a river following heavy rainfall the previous night.

The deceased, believed to be about 40 years old, was discovered by residents in the early hours of Monday, sparking fear and concern within the community.

Speaking to DAILY GUIDE, the Assembly Member for the area, Evans, said the man was found lying face down in the river, dressed in a shirt and jean shorts, making it difficult for residents to identify him.

According to him, no one in the community has been able to identify the deceased, leading to the suspicion that he may have been swept downstream by floodwaters during Sunday’s heavy rains.

‘The deceased is unknown in this community, and we believe he might have been carried downstream by the strong currents after the heavy rainfall,’ Mr. Evans stated.

He urged residents and commuters to exercise caution during the rainy season, particularly when crossing rivers and other flood-prone areas, to avoid tragic incidents.

Meanwhile, the Abuakwa Police have retrieved the body and commenced investigations. The police are appealing to members of the public to assist in identifying the deceased and locating his relatives.

Chief Human Resources Officer of MTN Ghana, Esi Mmirba Wilson, has called on organisations to transform their workforce models to keep pace with artificial intelligence (AI), digital innovation, and changing employee expectations.

Speaking at the 2026 Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management Conference (CIHRM) in Accra, she said businesses can no longer rely on traditional structures and must embrace continuous learning, skills development, and agility to remain competitive.

Addressing the session ‘HR Transformation in the AI Era: Technology, Future Skills, and the New Employee Value Proposition,’ Ms. Wilson stated: ‘The question is no longer whether AI will transform work. It already has. The real question is whether our people, organisations and HR systems are ready to lead that transformation.’

Citing the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report, she noted that 22% of jobs will be disrupted by 2030 and nearly 40% of current skills will become obsolete or require updating.

She said MTN Ghana’s nearly 30-year success has been driven by employees who consistently embrace change and build new capabilities.

She, therefore, encouraged organisations to invest heavily in reskilling and upskilling programmes, workforce capability assessments, and learning platforms that enable employees to remain relevant in a changing economy.

Ms. Wilson also highlighted changing employee expectations, noting that workers increasingly seek purpose-driven careers, professional growth opportunities, flexibility, inclusion, and workplaces that support their overall well-being. She said organisations that fail to respond to these expectations risk losing talent in a highly competitive labour market.

The CIHRM 2026 Conference brought together HR practitioners, business leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of work and human capital development in Ghana.

Ghanaian star, Moliymusic, has officially unleashed her highly anticipated single ‘Jetski (FRIKI)’, featuring Dominican hitmaker Yailin La Más Viral and Ghana’s dancehall queen Theodora Bossy.

The track, now available on all streaming platforms, blends Moliymusic’s signature Afrobeat energy with Yailin’s bold Latin flair and Theodora’s fierce dancehall swagger. ‘Jetski (FRIKI)’ is built for clubs, TikTok trends, and summer playlists – fast tempo, flirty lyrics, and a hook that sticks from first listen.

With Yailin La Más Viral riding a global wave and Theodora Bossy cementing her spot as Ghana’s breakout female voice, the collaboration positions Moliymusic for international crossover appeal.

‘Jetski (FRIKI)’ is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, Audiomack, YouTube Music, and all other platforms.

FASHION ICON, Nana Akua Addo, has clarified she is not in competition with anyone in the industry, amidst the recent feud concerning actress Yvonne Nelson’s glamorous appearance at the Ghana Movie Awards.

Speaking on a podcast show, ‘Sincerely Accra’, Nana Akua indicated that her intention to show up and own the space on the red carpet is not about competition but a reflection of her personality. ‘I don’t want my colleagues to see me on the red carpet and feel like it is always a competition. It’s about us; together we are going to tell a beautiful story. Together we are going to make the industry bigger,’ she said.

Addressing her iconic looks at the Ghana Movie Awards, Nana Akua stated that, ‘I had two weeks to prepare for the awards because Fred had reached out to me to make an appearance, so had to reach out to Abass to plan something. And yea that was it.’

Nana Akua Addo brought two looks to the 2026 Ghana Movie Awards – a strapless forest green corseted gown with a hand-painted tie-dye effect by Mohammed Abbas Ossu, and a structured hot pink and red power suit with a sculptural fascinator by Mimi Yina of Medlin Boss.

Some executive members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Awutu Senya East Constituency have called on the First Lady, Lordina Mahama and the party’s national leadership to immediately suspend the constituency chairman, Stephen Ofosu Agyare, over comments he allegedly made about a sexual relationship with the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor.

The women described the chairman’s alleged remarks as inappropriate for someone occupying the highest office at the constituency level, publicly discussing an alleged intimate relationship with an MP.

In a video that has since gone viral, a woman purported to be a branch officer in the constituency was seen calling on the First Lady to take action on the issue immediately.

The woman, who questioned the chairman’s conduct, regardless of whether the allegations are true or not, noted that the matter has gained attention on social media which, in her view, was bad.

‘This issue is all over social media. Even if it is true, should an adult like him be doing this to a woman? We take care of the home, we are the pillar of society. By doing this to a woman, you have brought the reputation of all women into disrepute,’ she added.

A report circulating on social media indicates that an NDC Executive in the constituency, who has been identified as the MP’s spokesperson, claimed in a recent interview on radio that his boss and the constituency chairman are not on good terms over a failed marriage proposal.

He said the MP, who agreed to marry the chairman as a second wife, later declined after helping her to become the parliamentary candidate for the NDC in 2020.

‘One of the main things that has brought about this division is that the constituency chairman wanted to marry Honorable Naa Koryoo in addition to his wife, then the woman said no, then he said it is the reason why I helped you to become MP, If you knew you wouldn’t marry me, why would you accept my help then.

‘But she told him that ‘you also did not say anything to me. I thought you were just helping me to campaign,” the spokesperson disclosed.

Another executive, who appeared to be on the side of the chairman, also alleged that the MP gave a World Cup ticket slot which was meant for the chairman, Stephen Ofosu Agyare, to her husband.

Meanwhile, efforts by DAILY GUIDE to reach the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East for comments on the issue has not succeeded, as her cell line has been off as of the time of filing this report.

It would be recalled that prior to the 2024 general election, Functional Executive Committee (FEC) and Assin Central executives withdrew Nurein Shaibu Migyimah from his position as the party’s Assin Central parliamentary candidate (PC) due to allegations of immoral acts and accusation of impregnating the wife of the party’s Assin Central General Secretary as well as anti-party activities.

Migyimah was suspended after investigations and deliberations by the NDC’s Central Regional Functional Executive Committee in response to the complaints filed against him.