Category: Daily Guide Network

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has expanded its ‘Worst of the Worst’ criminal aliens’ database, adding 12 more Ghanaians and bringing the total number of Ghanaian nationals on the list to 44.

With 44 nationals now listed, Ghana has the third-highest representation among West African countries on the database, which now contains 427 individuals from the sub-region.

Nigeria tops the list with 134 nationals, followed by Liberia with 111 and Ghana with 44.

The remaining breakdown is as follows: Cape Verde, 26; Senegal, 22; Côte d’Ivoire, 15; The Gambia, 15; Mauritania, 12; Burkina Faso, 10; Niger, 10; Sierra Leone, nine; Togo, seven; Guinea, six; Mali, five; Guinea-Bissau, one; and Benin, one.

The database is a public transparency initiative maintained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It identifies foreign nationals living in the United States who have serious criminal records and are subject to immigration enforcement, including possible deportation.

DHS uses the description ‘worst of the worst’ for individuals included in the database, which focuses on non-citizens convicted of offences and facing immigration enforcement proceedings.

The offences recorded vary widely and include fraud, identity theft, money laundering, robbery, drug-related offences, sexual crimes and immigration violations.

Among the newly added Ghanaian nationals is Success Bounte, who was arrested in Newark, New Jersey. His profile links him to allegations of identity theft, robbery, burglary and credit card fraud, and notes an alleged association with the West Side Rolling 60s gang.

Also listed is Charles Amofa, arrested in Hagerstown, Maryland, in connection with kidnapping charges, while Kofi Osei, arrested in Hopewell, Virginia, is facing allegations including wire fraud, false statement fraud and money laundering.

Others include Daniel Jackson-Caternor, arrested in Baltimore, Maryland, over drug-related offences; George Hayford, arrested in Orlando, Florida, in connection with fraud allegations; Eric Amoah, arrested in Dumfries, Virginia, over alleged immigration document fraud and money laundering; and Gifty Kusi, arrested in Westerville, Ohio, over fraud-related charges.

ICE Enforcement

The expansion comes as the United States continues to intensify immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump.

DHS figures indicate that ICE arrested 478 Ghanaian nationals in 2025. By October 2025, about 2,470 Ghanaians were reportedly being held in US detention centres awaiting deportation, among the highest numbers recorded for Ghana.

Data further shows that 312 Ghanaians were deported to Accra between January and August 2025, representing a 17 percent increase over the corresponding period in 2024.

The rise in arrests and deportations has been linked to tougher enforcement policies, including the Global Enforcement Initiative introduced in April 2025 and a February 2025 executive order that prioritised the removal of people with criminal convictions or those deemed to pose national security risks.

The Women of Faith Fellowship of Rhema Redemption Faith Chapel has marked five years of service, empowerment and spiritual transformation with a special celebration themed around faith, deliverance and Christian womanhood.

The fellowship which brings together women from diverse backgrounds, was established to create a platform where women could support one another, deepen their knowledge of the word of God and serve their communities.

Founder of the group, Prophetess Esther Gasu, in an interview to mark the 5th anniversary of the fellowship said the group was founded on the biblical principle of women caring for and supporting one another.

‘In every church, women need to put themselves together and know the word of God and have care for one another. As the Bible has said, we should be one another’s keeper,’ she said.

According to her, the fellowship has made a significant impact on the church and surrounding communities over the past five years through charitable activities, donations and empowerment initiatives.

‘We have done presentation to orphanages, we have reached other women, and we have done donations to our fellow women whom we think are less privileged than us,’ she said.

Prophetess Gasu added that the fellowship had also organised empowerment training for women in the church and supported individuals in their various workplaces and communities.

She described this year’s celebration as particularly significant because it marks the fifth anniversary of the fellowship and its annual programme.

‘This year is a special one because it is five years and we thank God for five good years of great deliverance. Deliverance from a lot of things, both physical and spiritual,’ she said.

The anniversary programme also introduced ‘Stitches,’ a Christian fashion show designed to complement the spiritual focus of the celebration.

She said the fashion component was also intended to encourage Christian women to pay attention to their appearance while maintaining their faith and values.

‘Our outward look must speak of Christ, must look elegant because our God believes in adornment. So, we add this programme to the side of ‘Woman, Thou Art Loosed.’ That after you are loosed, you should look elegant, you should look good,’ Prophetess Gasu added.

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has rejected a proposal to extend the country’s presidential and parliamentary term from four to five years, arguing that the existing four-year mandate is adequate for elected governments to implement their programmes.

Former Chief Justice and Fellow of IEA, Justice Sophia Akuffo, made the position known in a presentation on the IEA’s views on key constitutional review proposals from the H. Kwesi Prempeh Constitution Review Committee and recommendations by the government.

She said extending the tenure of elected officials should only be considered based on ‘much more cogent and compelling evidence’ that the current arrangement was insufficient.

‘Four years is sufficient for an elected government to implement its programme, and extending the tenure of elected officials should not be undertaken without much more cogent and compelling evidence that the existing four-year mandate is inadequate,’ she stated.

The IEA said any constitutional review process should be guided by a clear national vision and supported by institutional structures capable of promoting accountable, effective and democratic governance.

Removal of Judges

Touching on the removal of justices of the Superior Courts, the IEA supported the need for clearer procedures but argued that the current constitutional provisions, particularly those relating to the removal of the Chief Justice, were inadequate and could lead to political interference.

The Prempeh Committee proposed a more structured process for handling petitions, including preliminary determination of a prima facie case, suspension procedures, tribunals and timelines.

While the government agreed that greater clarity and efficiency were needed, it preferred addressing the matter through subsidiary legislation or procedural rules within the existing constitutional framework.

The IEA, however, called for a constitutional amendment to Article 146 to provide detailed procedures for the removal of Superior Court justices.

It said the process should draw lessons from international best practices, citing Kenya’s constitutional framework, where an independent Judicial Service Commission oversees the removal of judges and provides a detailed process for such action.

The Institute also recommended the introduction of intermediate disciplinary measures for judicial misconduct that may not necessarily require removal from office.

Supreme Court Composition

On the composition of the Supreme Court, the IEA supported the idea of placing a constitutional limit on the number of justices but questioned the proposed cap of 19 supported by the government.

It recommended a maximum of 15 justices, although it said any limit must be considered alongside the Court’s workload and jurisdiction.

The IEA said the size of the Court should be considered together with the volume and nature of cases it is constitutionally required to determine.

It added that a smaller number of Supreme Court justices would be reasonable if some appeals were allowed to end at the Court of Appeal, leaving the apex court to focus on constitutional matters and cases of exceptional legal importance.

MMDCEs Election

Although the IEA supported the election of all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), it rejected the government’s proposal for candidates to be selected from five persons nominated by the President and shortlisted by a vetting committee.

The Prempeh Committee recommended a phased approach linked to the financial and administrative capacity of districts.

‘The IEA supports the election of all MMDCEs but rejects presidential nomination of candidates. In the view of the IEA, all qualified citizens should be free to contest MMDCE elections in a non-partisan process.

‘Local-level democracy will be strengthened when citizens, rather than the President, determine who may stand for election to lead in the district,’ the Institute added.

Separation of Powers

The Institute also backed the recommendation to prevent Members of Parliament (MPs) from simultaneously serving as Ministers, Deputy Ministers or Regional Ministers.

It said separating executive and legislative roles would strengthen Parliament’s independence and oversight responsibilities.

While the government preferred addressing constitutional reforms to prevent Ministers, Deputy Ministers and MPs from serving on boards of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), the IEA also supported constitutional reforms to prevent such dual roles.

The Institute maintained that constitutional protection was necessary to ensure that the governance of State-Owned Enterprises was based on competence, professionalism, independence and accountability rather than political affiliation.

‘The IEA’s call is for a principled, comprehensive and nationally owned constitutional reform process with the objective of creating a constitutional architecture that limits excessive executive power, strengthens Parliament and the Judiciary, deepens local-level democracy, professionalises public institutions through transparent merit-based processes, promotes continuity in national development planning and strengthens mechanisms for accountability,’ it added.

Former Ghanaian boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as Ayitey Powers, has been released after the Dansoman Circuit Court discontinued the case against him over an alleged death threat directed at National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah.

Ayitey Powers appeared before the court on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, after spending a week in custody in connection with the case.

He was arrested by the Accra Regional Police Command on Monday, August 24, following the circulation of a social media video in which he was alleged to have threatened the life of Ampofo Ankrah.

His arrest came after the Ghana Boxing Interim Management Committee (GBIMC) called for his arrest and prosecution over the alleged remarks.

However, the court has now discontinued the case, resulting in Ayitey Powers’ release.

The development brings an end to the current legal proceedings stemming from the video, which generated significant controversy within Ghana’s boxing community.

Ayitey Powers is a former professional boxer who represented Ghana during his career and remains a well-known figure in the country’s boxing fraternity.

President John Dramani Mahama has dissolved the boards of nine state institutions with immediate effect, in the latest move by the government to reorganise the leadership of key public entities.

The affected institutions are Prestea Sankofa Gold Limited, Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO), Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited (CBG), Ghana Post Company Limited, Road Maintenance Trust Fund, TDC Ghana Limited, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and the National Sports Authority.

The dissolution was announced by the Presidency yesterday in a statement signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister of Government Communications.

The statement directed the relevant sector ministers to take all necessary steps, in accordance with the applicable laws and governing instruments, to give effect to the dissolution of the boards.

It said the affected boards would be reconstituted in due course to pave the way for the appointment of new members to oversee the operations of the respective institutions.

The move affects institutions operating across key sectors of the economy, including petroleum, banking, mining, infrastructure, transport-related services, housing and sports.

Among the most prominent entities affected is the GNPC, Ghana’s national oil company, which plays a central role in the country’s upstream petroleum industry and the management of the state’s interests in petroleum resources.

BOST, another major petroleum-sector institution, is responsible for the strategic storage and transportation of petroleum products, while VALCO is a major player in the country’s aluminium industry.

The Presidency did not give specific reasons for the dissolution of the individual boards or indicate when the new boards would be appointed.

On a warm Tuesday morning along the roadside in East Legon, a young vendor gently sprays a fine mist of water over rows of tiny green shoots. To a passerby rushing through Accra traffic, it looks like a modest display of potted plants. To those who understand the shift happening across Ghana today, those small seedling trays represent an accessible, high yield business hiding in plain sight.

As the 14th Ghana Garden and Flower Show approaches under the theme Green Means Business, Beauty and More, one reality is coming into focus. You do not need vast acres of land in the Eastern Region or millions of cedis in seed capital to step into Ghana’s booming green economy. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple tray, rich soil, and a handful of viable seeds.

From Veranda Hobby to Billion-Dollar Market

For generations, gardening in Ghanaian homes was seen as a passive hobby, something Aunty did to beautify the veranda with crotons and bougainvillea. Today, that narrative has shifted completely into a major commercial trajectory. Market forecasts estimate Ghana’s fruits and vegetables sector will reach 6.01 billion dollars in 2026, driven by an expanding urban population and a rapidly growing middle class that increasingly demands fresh, locally sourced produce.

The rising cost of everyday staples like pepper, tomatoes, garden eggs, and kontomire has encouraged middle class households to cultivate small backyard gardens or container plots. Most people do not want to start from seed. They want resilient, ready to plant seedlings that save time and reduce crop failure.

Green Curb Appeal and Ghana’s Real Estate Boom

At the same time, real estate developers, and private homeowners are investing heavily in green curb appeal. Data from the International Finance Corporation highlights this shift, projecting that green buildings and eco conscious developments will account for over 20 percent of total building floor space in Accra. With residential structures in Ghana expanding from 3.39 million in 2010 to nearly 6 million today, the demand for ornamental plants, hedging, and landscape seedlings has grown exponentially alongside the concrete structures.

The Ultimate Equalizer: Low Capital, High Efficiency

What makes seedling production the ultimate equalizer in Ghana’s business landscape is its remarkable accessibility. For a university graduate looking for a sustainable enterprise, an artisan with an unused strip of land behind a shop, or a mother seeking flexible income from home, starting a seedling nursery requires minimal upfront investment.

Unlike traditional farming which demands vast acreage and long waiting periods, seedling production thrives on space efficiency and rapid turnaround. A tiny compound corner can comfortably house hundreds of seedling bags. Vegetable seedlings like chili pepper, cabbage, and sweet pepper are ready for market in three to four weeks. The economic multiplication is compelling. A single packet of high-grade hybrid seeds converts into hundreds of healthy young plants, each selling for several times the original cost once rooted in polybags.

Business, Beauty, Community Impact and more…

This is where the core of the theme, Green Means Business, Beauty and More, comes alive. A nursery full of vibrant seedlings is not just a commercial enterprise; it elevates neighborhood aesthetics, cools the immediate environment, and restores natural beauty to concrete landscapes. When a Ghanaian buys a healthy seedling, they are acquiring both the beauty of a greener living space and the direct business potential of a future harvest.

Ghana’s emerging green economy is no longer reserved for large scale agricultural corporations or wealthy exporters. It begins right in our local communities, inside humble black polybags filled with rich soil, nurturing both individual livelihoods and national beauty.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has praised Ghana’s ongoing efforts to develop football at various levels following a meeting with Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku in Zrich.

The meeting, held at the Home of FIFA on Tuesday, focused on football development and opportunities for stronger collaboration between FIFA and the GFA.

Infantino, in a post on his official Instagram account, described the discussions as ‘football development talks’ and highlighted Ghana’s efforts to strengthen the foundations of the game, particularly through grassroots and infrastructure development.

The FIFA President pointed to Ghana’s recent qualification for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which begins this Saturday, as well as the country’s qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup next month, as signs of the progress being made.

‘President Okraku and his team understand the importance of grassroots and infrastructure development, and their work has helped Ghana take positive strides,’ Infantino said.

He also thanked the GFA for its continued commitment to football development, emphasising the sport’s ability to provide hope and opportunities for young people pursuing their dreams.

The meeting further highlights the growing relationship between FIFA and the GFA as Ghana continues to pursue initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, strengthening grassroots football and creating greater opportunities for young players across the country.

Cabinet has approved government’s implementation of the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategic Framework for 2026 to 2030.

Speaking as the chair of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation to assess progress on the new framework cabinet meeting, the Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, mentioned that the framework must translate into improved public services and development that addresses the needs of communities.

She said, ‘The approval of the Framework is an important step. What matters now is its implementation. Decentralisation should bring governance and public services closer to the people and make development more responsive to the needs of communities across Ghana.’

She added that effective decentralisation would require stronger coordination among various sectors which includes education, health, sanitation, infrastructure, finance and local government, in order to successfully achieve the objectives of the framework.

The Vice President also highlighted the need for citizen engagement, accountability and adequate resources to make the reforms effective, assuring that the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee would continue to work to ensure decentralisation delivers on its purpose.

‘The Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee exists precisely because successful decentralisation requires dialogue, coordination and collective action across Government,’ she added.

Inflation rate has risen to 5.0%, reversing the decline recorded in July and raising fresh concerns about persistent price pressures in the domestic economy.

The year-on-year inflation rate increased by 0.4 percentage points, from 4.6% in July to 5.0% in August 2026, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, said the August figure, however, remains significantly lower than the 11.5% recorded in August 2025, representing a 6.5 percentage-point decline over the 12-month period.

According to him, the latest increase was driven largely by non-food items, which recorded inflation of 6.8%, up from 6.1% in July.

Food inflation, in contrast, eased marginally from 3.1% to 3.0%, the GSS report indicated.

The GSS said non-food items accounted for 70.9% of total inflation, compared with 29.1% for food, which highlights a shift in the sources of price pressures facing consumers.

Services

Services emerged as a major source of inflationary pressure, with prices rising by 8.6%, compared with 3.8% for goods.

The GSS described services as the ‘last hurdle’ to further disinflation, pointing to persistent pressures in areas including transport, housing, education, restaurants and insurance.

Housing, water and energy recorded inflation of 11.6% and contributed the largest share of overall inflation at 29.4%.

Transport inflation also increased marginally from 7.5% in July to 7.6% in August, while education services eased slightly from 9.4% to 9.3%.

Domestic pressures

The GSS said the latest figures suggest that inflation is being driven predominantly by domestic rather than imported pressures.

Locally produced goods and services recorded inflation of 6.1%, compared with 2.2% for imported items.

According to the GSS, locally produced items accounted for 86.2% of total inflation, making domestic costs such as transport, energy and wages critical to the country’s inflation outlook.

Imported inflation, meanwhile, remained relatively low at 2.2%, which the GSS linked to exchange-rate stability helping to keep imported goods affordable.

Regional disparity

The national inflation rate also masks significant differences across the regions.

The Central Region recorded the highest inflation rate of 11.1%, rising sharply from 7.5% in July, and Ashanti Region followed with 8.7%, while North East recorded 8.5%.

Greater Accra’s inflation rate stood at 5.0%.

At the opposite end, Bono East recorded deflation of 3.3%, meaning prices in the region were lower than a year earlier.

The wide disparity means households are experiencing markedly different cost-of-living pressures depending on where they live.

Tomato prices

Individual commodities also recorded sharp price movements, despite the relatively moderate headline food inflation.

Fresh tomato prices surged by 158.3% year-on-year, while ginger prices increased by 128.3%. Shrimps rose by 67.1%, mangoes by 57.7%, fresh coconut by 38.0% and charcoal by 35.6%.

On the other hand, some commodities became significantly cheaper, with lime prices falling by 33.7% and maize by 31.3%.

Prices fall in August

Interestingly, the rise in annual inflation did not mean that prices increased during August itself.

The GSS reported negative month-on-month inflation of 1.0%, indicating that the cost of the CPI basket fell by 1% between July and August.

Food prices also fell by 2.5% over the same period, according to GSS

The development highlights the difference between annual inflation, which compares prices with the same period a year earlier, and month-on-month inflation, which captures changes between consecutive months.

BoG target

Despite the August increase, the 5.0% inflation rate remains below the lower bound of the Bank of Ghana’s 8% ±2 percentage-point medium-term target band.

The GSS said the decline in inflation over the past year creates room to support economic growth, although the elevated services inflation requires careful monitoring.

Overall, inflation has fallen by more than half over the past year, from 11.5% in August 2025 to 5.0% in August 2026.

The CPI index stood at 268.5 in August 2026, compared with 255.7 a year earlier.

Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Prof. Eliasu Mumuni, has called for improved welfare for media professionals so they can effectively hold public officials to account.

Prof. Mumuni warned that reporters who struggle to meet basic needs may be less able to challenge powerful individuals and institutions independently.

He urged media owners to raise salaries, fulfil statutory obligations such as Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions, and avoid exploiting staff.

He encouraged media houses to diversify revenue streams and implement internal reforms to improve financial sustainability and employee welfare.

According to him, better working conditions will enable journalists to perform their watchdog role more effectively and hold duty bearers accountable.

Recognising the critical role of the media in promoting transparency and accountability, Center for Democratic Development, Ghana (CDD-Ghana) organised a media workshop to provide journalists with an overview of the current state of political parties and campaign financing in Ghana, including key challenges and gaps in the existing legal and regulatory framework.

The workshop will also introduce participants to the government’s position on the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) recommendations on political parties financing and the Draft Model Political Finance Law.

CDD-Ghana noted that resistance to state financing of political parties stems partly from limited public understanding of the concept and its potential benefits.

Frederick Adu-Gyamfi, CDD-Ghana’s Director of Programmes and Operations, said that the large sums spent by parties during elections fuel public concerns about public funding.

Adu-Gyamfi argued that if properly explained, more Ghanaians might appreciate the role public financing could play.

He suggested that appropriately regulated public funding could help address parties’ financial challenges as well as strengthen Ghana’s democratic system.