Category: Daily Guide Network

It says critical inputs such as leather sheets, soles, rubber and adhesives attract cumulative port duties of up to 36.1 per cent, resulting in high production costs for local manufacturers.

The GLFMA argues that the situation has created what it describes as an ‘inverted tariff structure,’ where imported raw materials face high duties while foreign finished footwear may enter the Ghanaian market at lower effective tariff rates or through misclassification.

In a memorandum submitted to the Clerk to Parliament on August 28, 2026, the group urged the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism to urgently consider the matter.

The memorandum, titled ‘Urgent Policy Intervention: Customs Duty Relief under Chapter 98 for Raw Material Inputs in the Local Leather and Footwear Manufacturing Sector,’ contains baseline data, economic impact projections and proposed policy interventions.

The GLFMA, which represents more than 12,000 registered artisans operating across over 3,300 manufacturing workshops, said the tariff situation was threatening the competitiveness and sustainability of the local industry.

According to GLFMA, the high cost of raw materials is affecting manufacturers’ ability to compete with imported footwear and could have implications for local jobs, investment and foreign exchange.

It, therefore, wants Parliament to introduce measures that would reduce the cost of production and strengthen the capacity of local manufacturers.

GLFMA President, Gilbert Akwasi Ntim, said the executive leadership was prepared to appear before the Select Committee to make an oral presentation and respond to technical questions concerning the proposed policy intervention.

Mr. Ntim appealed to the Clerk to Parliament to facilitate the prompt consideration of the document, stressing the need for urgent action to address the challenges confronting the local leather and footwear industry.

FROM David Afum, Kumasi

Rising genre-bending artiste, Sena Awudi, has reached an inspiring new milestone, winning Emerging Act of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards USA. The honour celebrates Sena’s remarkable growth, fearless creativity, and commitment to building a musical world that brings together sound, culture, storytelling, and striking visual expression.

For Awudi, the award represents more than recognition-it is a powerful reminder that every dream begins with the courage to be seen and heard. It honours the long hours, difficult moments, creative risks, and unwavering belief that have shaped her journey.

The achievement arrives as Sena prepares to release her upcoming single, ‘Rewind.’ Following Out of the Blue, the new song introduces the next era of AWUDI and signals an exciting step forward in her artistic journey.

Rooted in pop and R and B while drawing inspiration from Afrobeats and cultures around the world, Sena refuses to be confined by genre. She allows each song to become whatever it needs to be to tell its story honestly.

Beyond her own success, Sena hopes to use her music to connect people across cultures and make it a safe space where listeners can find comfort, confidence, freedom, and a sense of belonging.

Winning Emerging Act of the Year is not simply the celebration of how far she has come.

Industry watchers say it is the beginning of everything still ahead, a defining moment for an artiste determined to tell meaningful stories, inspire others, and leave her mark on the global music landscape.

The fellowship is being established with ELAF Industrial Automation Limited as its founding technical partner, combining technical training and practical industry exposure with personal, professional and leadership development.

Speaking at the launch, Executive Director of Skills for Progress Africa, Kwame Nyatuame, said the initiative is designed to bridge the persistent gap between technical education and industry readiness.

He said SFPA was founded on the premise that technical education must translate into workplace competence and opportunity.

‘Education without experience is incomplete, and talent without opportunity is a tragedy,’ Mr. Nyatuame said.

He explained that SFPA will identify promising technical talent, develop them to high industry standards, expose them to experienced professionals and connect them to companies and networks that can shape their careers.

According to him, the inaugural cohort is the first step towards a larger ambition of growing from 10 to 10,000 fellows, creating a scalable talent pipeline rather than a one-off training programme.

He called on industry, educational institutions and development partners to support the expansion.

Managing Director of ELAF Industrial Automation Limited, Solomon Bekoe, said the need for such a bridge is underscored by rising TVET enrolment alongside persistent challenges in transitioning from training to employment.

He noted that enrolment in pre-tertiary TVET programmes in Ghana increased by almost 130 percent over seven years, while youth unemployment among people aged 15-24 in Greater Accra reached 49.3 percent in the third quarter of 2025.’We don’t have an unemployment problem. We have a connection problem,’ Mr. Bekoe said, describing the disconnect between education and competence, competence and industry, and industry productivity and youth opportunity.

He argued that employability and productivity are two sides of the same challenge. As founding technical partner, ELAF will provide structured technical training combining digital learning, AI-supported simulation and hands-on practical experience through the Festo LX platform.

Mr. Bekoe challenged companies hosting Fellows to make workplace attachments genuinely experiential by assigning real problems rather than limiting participants to observation.

Managing Director of Niche Cocoa, Lloyd Ashley, speaking from an industry perspective, focused on engineering culture, resilience and productivity. He said engineering culture is reflected in everyday behaviour, whether people report problems, ask questions, share knowledge and support younger professionals.

He described resilience as the ability to absorb pressure, adapt and keep moving forward, a quality important for both individuals and organisations.

On productivity, Mr. Ashley urged Fellows to focus on working smarter by simplifying processes, reducing downtime and using data and automation.

‘I encourage you to build on the foundations established by those before you but you must also strive to improve upon them,’ he said.

The launch also featured a panel discussion examining what African industry needs from technical talent, bringing together perspectives from manufacturing, TVET policy and international labour organisations.

Panelists examined the mismatch between demand for work-ready graduates and current curricula, and the uneven availability of industry partners outside major urban centres.

For the inaugural Fellows, the programme offers a bridge between classroom knowledge and industry realities, providing practical skills, mentorship and exposure to industry-standard tools.

As they progress, the Fellows will undergo structured training through ELAF and SFPA’s leadership development programme.

Organisers say the first cohort will be used to test, measure and refine the model to guide expansion to 100 Fellows and ultimately 1,000 and beyond.

The objective, according to SFPA, is to build a deeper pool of technically capable Africans ready to solve problems, improve productivity and contribute to the continent’s industrial development.

The Head Pastor of the Kumawu-Bodomase Branch of the Church of Divine Love, Rev. James Adade, has urged the youth to reposition their lives by carefully choosing their relationships and associations to enable them fulfil their God-given destinies.

He made the call when he preached at the climax of the week-long Fire Youth Fellowship (FYF) Week 2026 organised by Fire Trinity Ministry International (FTMI) at Aburaso in the Ashanti Region.

Speaking on the topic ‘Repositioning,’ with Proverbs 13:20 as the main scripture, Rev. Adade stressed the need for the youth to reassess their relationships, mindset and walk with God.

He also referenced Luke 2:45-48 and Deuteronomy 28, urging the youth to be intentional about the people they allowed into their lives.

According to him, relationships could either contribute to a person’s success or become a stumbling block to the fulfilment of his or her destiny.

‘Some friends can give you pleasure now but no future,’ he cautioned, urging the youth to surround themselves with people who were genuinely interested in their destiny fulfilment.

He said, ‘Your relations determine where you will get to,’ stressing that people with destinies to fulfil must be decisive about their associations.

Rev. Adade encouraged the youth to develop a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, describing Him as the best friend anyone could have.

He explained that a person’s destiny was not determined solely by who gave birth to them, their family background or where they were born.

‘Life is not about who gave birth to you but who you associate with. Life is not dependent on where you were born but your association,’ he stated.

He further called on parents to build strong relationships with their children and provide them with the necessary guidance to make responsible decisions.

Rev. Adade also cautioned the youth against judging people solely by their outward appearance, stressing that appearances could be deceptive.

He noted that the way a person dressed could influence how society addressed them, and urged the youth to conduct themselves in a manner that reflected their values and aspirations.

The preacher also stressed the importance of respecting time, warning that anyone who failed to manage time properly would struggle to achieve meaningful success in life.

He said diligence and hard work were essential to achieving success, adding that family wealth did not determine an individual’s destiny.

According to him, a person could rise from a poor family to achieve great things, while someone from a wealthy background could also fail if they lacked the right principles and discipline.

He therefore urged the youth to reposition themselves through a strong relationship with the Holy Spirit, parents and positive friends, as well as diligence and hard work.

FYF President’s Charge

The President of the Fire Youth Fellowship (FYF), Godfred Osei-Yeboah, popularly known as Dr GOY, also called on members of the fellowship and the entire church to put into practice the knowledge and spiritual impartation they received during the celebration.

He beseeched members not only to hold on to the in-depth knowledge gained throughout the week but also to walk in the impartation and demonstrate the lessons learnt in their daily lives.

On behalf of the entire FYF, Dr GOY expressed gratitude to God for the success of the celebration and the impact made through this year’s theme, ‘Repositioning – Mindset, Holiness and Walk With God.’

He thanked the General Overseer and his wife, Apostle Dr. and Rev. George Amoako Alhassan, for their leadership and support, as well as Rev. James Adade, the invited guest speaker, for sharing his knowledge and inspiring the youth.

The FYF Week 2026, which was held under the theme ‘Repositioning – Holiness, Mindset, Walk With God,’ featured a number of activities including fasting, an open forum, games, general cleaning and a cinema night.

The Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Ahmed Ibrahim, has inspected preparations for the temporary closure of the Pamprom Junction to First Light section of the Dr. Busia Highway ahead of major drainage improvement works beginning Monday, September 7, 2026.

The inspection was to ensure that traffic management and operational measures are in place before the closure, which will allow for construction of critical drainage infrastructure under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project.

During the tour, the Minister visited Pamprom Junction and other sections of the project corridor to assess the contractor’s readiness for implementation of the Traffic Management Plan (TMP).

Minimise Traffic Disruptions

Addressing the contractor and officials on site, Mr. Ibrahim directed that effective traffic management measures be put in place to ensure smooth flow and minimise disruptions to motorists, residents and businesses.

‘The safety and convenience of the motoring public must remain a top priority throughout this exercise. We expect the contractor to put in place a robust Traffic Management Plan that will keep traffic moving while these critical drainage works are carried out,’ he stated.

He emphasised the need for clearly marked diversion routes, adequate directional signage, proper barricading, and deployment of traffic personnel at critical intersections.

The Minister also instructed the contractor to intensify public sensitisation on the TMP to ensure residents and commuters are adequately informed about the closure, diversion routes and traffic arrangements.

‘No one should wake up on Monday and be surprised by the road closure. We must intensify public education through television, radio, online platforms and community engagement so that every commuter knows the alternative routes and can plan their journey in advance,’ he said.

He noted that sustained public education is essential to reducing confusion, easing congestion and ensuring compliance with approved diversions.

Mr. Ibrahim further urged the contractor to adhere strictly to the project timeline to minimise inconvenience.

The first phase of the works is expected to be completed by end of November 2026, with the remaining section scheduled for October 2027.

He directed the Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to clear all on-According to the Minister, removing obstructions from diversion corridors will improve traffic flow and enable alternative routes to accommodate increased vehicular movement.

The drainage improvement works form part of government’s broader flood mitigation interventions under GARID, which seeks to improve stormwater drainage and enhance flood resilience within the Odaw Basin in the Greater Accra Region.

The Ministry has assured the public it is working closely with the Ghana Police Service, the Department of Urban Roads, the Ghana Highway Authority and the affected assMotorists have been advised to follow approved diversion routes, obey traffic signs and directions from officers, and plan their journeys ahead of the closure.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, to resign from office and formally join the National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing him of engaging in partisan political commentary. According to the NPP, the Chief Justice has descended from the ‘sacred heights of the Bench into the trenches of partisan politics’ following comments in a video circulating publicly in which he allegedly compared the performance of the current NDC government and its appointees favourably to that of the previous NPP administration.

The party, in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said such commentary was inappropriate for the head of the nation’s Judiciary and raised questions about his neutrality.

‘This is not the language of a Chief Justice. It is the language of a party propagandist,’ the NPP said, arguing that if the Chief Justice wished to engage in political commentary, ‘he should resign forthwith and formally take up membership of the NDC.’

The party further accused Justice Baffoe-Bonnie of compromising the independence of the Judiciary through his closeness to political appointees of the Mahama administration.

It cited the Chief Justice’s attendance at functions involving government appointees, as well as his reported declaration that everything must be done to ensure the success of the President’s agenda.

The NPP questioned the implications of such a declaration for the independence of the Judiciary, particularly in cases involving persons associated with the opposition party.

‘A Chief Justice swears a single oath, and it is to the Constitution: to no President, no party and no agenda,’ the statement said.

The party also linked its concerns to the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), arguing that persons associated with the NPP were being arraigned before courts presided over by a Chief Justice who had allegedly pledged his support for the President’s agenda.

The NPP further alleged that the Judiciary was operating at ‘too speeds,’ citing what it described as the ‘extraordinary alacrity’ with which vacation warrants had been issued in cases involving NPP members.

It specifically referred to the incarceration of the former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as evidence of what it considers to be the selective application of justice.

The party alleged that the Chief Justice’s conduct and pronouncements had created the perception that the Judiciary was coordinating with the Presidency.

It accused him of having ‘willed and surrendered the Judiciary to the President and his agenda men,’ describing such a Judiciary as ‘a third chamber of Jubilee House.’

Beyond the political allegations, the NPP criticised the Chief Justice over the state of infrastructure and working conditions within the Judiciary.

It said that several courts and offices were in disrepair, registries were overwhelmed and staff were working under conditions that affected justice delivery.

The party said the Chief Justice had failed to sufficiently address those challenges, accusing him instead of focusing on engagements with government agencies.

‘The leaking roofs are in your courts, not in the ministries,’ the NPP stated. The party said the Chief Justice had failed to sufficiently address those challenges, accusing him instead of focusing on engagements with government agencies.

‘The leaking roofs are in your courts, not in the ministries,’ the NPP stated.

he Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed that Carlos Queiroz will continue as head coach of the Black Stars after reaching an agreement with the Portuguese tactician on a new deal The announcement brings an end to the uncertainty surrounding Queiroz’s future after his initial four-month contract expired following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 73-year-old was appointed in April after Otto Addo was dismissed following a disappointing run of results.

He was handed the responsibility of guiding Ghana at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Under Queiroz, the Black Stars progressed from the group stage, marking Ghana’s first appearance in the knockout rounds of the World Cup since 2010.

Ghana began the tournament with a 1-0 win over Panama before playing out a goalless draw with England.

Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their final group game, the result was enough to secure qualification to the knockout stage.

Their campaign eventually ended with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32.

There had been reports of delays in negotiations over contractual issues, but the GFA confirmed that an agreement had finally been reached following discussions involving the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

In a statement, the GFA said it had ‘reached an agreement with Carlos Queiroz for his appointment as Head Coach of the Black Stars for the next phase of the team’s programme.’

The association explained that Queiroz’s previous mandate ended after the World Cup, with his new assignment set to begin during the next international window.

The GFA also highlighted Queiroz’s international experience, technical expertise and familiarity with the Black Stars as key factors behind the decision to retain him.

Queiroz’s immediate priority will be Ghana’s qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Black Stars will open their qualifying campaign away against Côte d’Ivoire on September 24 at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké before returning home to face The Gambia three days later at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ghana will be determined to secure a place at the 2027 AFCON after missing out on qualification for the previous edition in Morocco.

The Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG) has announced the introduction of a temporary GHS12.00 per bag clinker demurrage surcharge, citing severe congestion at the Tema Port and rising operational costs. According to COCMAG, the surcharge consists of GHS 10.00 before tax and GHS2.00 in applicable taxes and levies.

COCMAG, following an emergency meeting, revealed that vessel waiting times at the Tema Port have surged dramatically from an average of seven days in January to between 30 and over 40 days in August 2026.

This sharp increase has led to estimated industry-wide demurrage costs of between US$45 million and US$50 million within the first eight months of the year.

Individual vessels are reportedly incurring demurrage charges ranging from US$800,000 to as high as US$1 million.

The Chamber emphasized that the newly introduced surcharge should not be misconstrued as a general increase in cement prices. Rather, it is a temporary intervention aimed at offsetting extraordinary costs resulting directly from port congestion and extended vessel waiting periods.

COCMAG leadership, led by Chairman Frederic Albrecht and Chief Executive Officer Bishop Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, has raised concerns over the broader implications of the situation.

They warned that continued congestion threatens the stability of clinker supply, noting that shipment cycles could extend to nearly three months if the situation persists.

In response, the Chamber is actively engaging the government and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to implement urgent corrective measures.

These include reducing vessel waiting times, improving berth capacity, and restoring access to Berths 10 and 11 for clinker vessels.

COCMAG has indicated that the surcharge is strictly temporary and will remain in effect until December 31, 2026.

A formal review is scheduled for January 2027, with the Chamber committing to monitor the situation on a monthly basis and adjust or remove the surcharge once port congestion normalizes.

The post has since sparked massive reactions from fans and industry players, with many urging the singer not to bow to pressure. Davido, real name David Adedeji Adeleke, remains one of the biggest pillars of the Nigerian and African music industry with over 15 years at the top.

The 32-year-old burst onto the music scene in 2011 with his breakthrough hit ‘Dami Duro’ and has since released five hit albums – ‘Omo Baba Olowo’ (2012), ‘A Good Time’ (2019), ‘A Better Time’ (2020), ‘Timeless’ (2023) and ‘5ive’ (2025).

His 2017 hits ‘If’ and ‘Fall’ were global game-changers, with ‘Fall’ becoming the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history and the first Nigerian music video to surpass 100 million views on YouTube.

It also made him the first African artiste to earn Gold certification in the US and Canada. Davido has won a BET Award for Best International Act Africa, 2 MTV Africa Music Awards, a MOBO Award, and was the first African to perform live at the MOBO Awards.

In January 2019, he became the youngest African to sell out the 20,000-capacity O2 Arena in London. In 2023, his album ‘Timeless’ broke streaming records on Spotify, Boomplay and Audiomack, earned a Silver certification in the UK, and secured three Grammy nominations.

His fifth album ‘5ive’ has already produced three No.1 singles in Nigeria, making him the first artiste to earn a No.1 single in Nigeria for six consecutive years (2020-2025). He is a recipient of Nigeria’s national honour – Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) – for his contribution to culture, was listed on Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 and TIME100 Next, and was recently inducted into the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame Class of 2026 in Atlanta for his role in taking Afrobeats global.

Musician, Mzbel, has advised colleague Barosky not to return to Ghana, saying he could face greater financial difficulties if he comes home without a job or family supportSpeaking on UTV’s United Showbiz on September 2, 2026, Mzbel said she was unhappy with how Barosky’s situation became public.

‘I’m not happy with the way this came out. Someone should have spoken to someone who can communicate with us to help him, but the way it was all over, that’s not nice,’ she said.

Mzbel said returning to Ghana without a source of income could leave Barosky struggling.

‘What is he coming to do in Ghana? Unless he has a family or he’s looking at a job that he’s coming to do, if not, he would be super homeless when he comes to Ghana,’ she stated.

She instead urged Ghanaian authorities abroad to help the musician find work.

‘Barosky shouldn’t come to Ghana. They should get him a job abroad so that it can sustain him for now,’ she said.

Mzbel also used the situation to advise musicians to plan financially while they are still active.

‘Fame cannot guarantee you financial security, so we have to do something in addition to the music,’ she said.

She urged artistes to invest their earnings to avoid financial difficulties later in life.

‘No matter how much money you make and no matter how far you go, if you don’t invest well, by the time you grow old, your life would be miserable,’ she cautioned.

Mzbel added that musicians who move abroad without finding something sustainable should consider returning home.

‘If you don’t have anything solid to do abroad, just go and come back,’ she advised.