Category: Daily Guide Network

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, says the relegation of African culture to mere entertainment is a grave mistake that undermines development, governance and the future of society.

Speaking on the theme ‘Governance, Culture and Diaspora,’ the 16th occupant of the Golden Stool told faculty and students at the Howard University that culture is far more than ceremonial display.

‘This brings me to culture. Culture is frequently treated as entertainment: appearing at festivals, tourism events, diplomatic ceremonies, and national celebrations, while being too often absent from serious conversations about development, governance, and the future of society. This is a mistake,’ the Asantehene stated.

According to him, culture is not merely about dance, clothing, food and ceremony, though those are important. ‘Culture includes language, morality, historical memory, family organisation, spirituality, political philosophy, customary law, artistic expression, methods of conflict resolution, environmental understanding, and ideas about what constitutes a good human life,’ he explained.

He noted that culture defines the identity of a group of people and provides the intellectual and moral vocabulary through which they understand life’s key moments – birth and death, childhood and adulthood, marriage and family, authority and responsibility, suffering and hope.

‘A society that loses confidence in its culture eventually loses confidence in itself,’ Otumfuo warned.

He stressed, however, that cultural preservation does not mean freezing society in the past. ‘Culture is not a dead object to be placed behind glass; it is a living heritage that must be understood, practiced, questioned, renewed, and transmitted. Modernity must not be confused with imitation,’ he said.

On the diaspora, Otumfuo said the relationship must be built on mutual respect and strategic cooperation. ‘The relationship between Africa and its diaspora must therefore be built on mutual respect, shared history, and practical cooperation. It must not be reduced to nostalgia or romanticism, but developed as a strategic partnership for intellectual, economic, cultural, and social renewal,’ he stated.

Tracing the history of forced migration through the transatlantic slave trade, he said its consequences remain visible in inequality and cultural displacement, but stressed that the diaspora story is also one of resilience.

‘The history of the African diaspora cannot be written only as a story of victimisation, because it is also a story of survival, intellectual courage, scientific innovation, and cultural creativity,’ Otumfuo said.

‘Those who crossed the Atlantic under conditions of extreme violence carried more than their bodies: they carried memory, spirituality, rhythm… and an unyielding desire for freedom.’

He added that Africa needs the skills, capital and global reach of its diaspora, while the diaspora benefits from a deep reconnection to its historical roots and spiritual home.

Veteran Ghanaian gospel musician Bernice Offei, 63, has been reported missing after she was last seen on September 1 around Nyaho-Tamakloe Street, Agbogba in Accra.

Her family says they have not heard from her since and are appealing to the public for assistance.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact 024 878 1971 / 024 755 3431 or report to the nearest police station.

Bernice Offei, born in Accra on February 25, 1969, is one of Ghana’s most celebrated gospel musicians, popularly known for timeless hits like ‘Hold On’ and ‘Life Is So Short.’

Her music career began in 1979 and she released her debut album ‘We Are Victors’ in 1991, followed by her breakthrough album ‘Hold On’ the same year. She has six albums to her credit, including ‘Me Kosu’ (2003), ‘Grateful’ (2004) and ‘Life’ (2007).

Her 2007 album ‘Life’ won her Best Female Vocal Performance and Songwriter of the Year at the 2009 Ghana Music Awards.

She is married to Prof. Samuel Kwame Offei, a former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, and is a mother of two

The media has been urged to uphold information integrity through responsible reporting, to help prevent misinformation which has the tendency to deepen social divisions as well as create conditions that threaten security and stability of the country.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, made the call when she represented the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, at a capacity-building workshop on responsible security reporting organised by the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) in Accra.

She warned that failure to maintain information integrity could amplify existing challenges in society and expose the country to security threats experienced in some parts of the Sahel region.

‘When we fail on information integrity, we amplify our internal fault lines, Northerners versus Southerners, Christians versus Muslims, electoral commission versus political parties. And then we invite the Sahel home,’ she stated.

Ms. Muslim noted that a pattern had emerged in countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, where information manipulation was used to weaken public trust in institutions.

‘In the Sahel, the playbook is clear. First, flag social media with government footholds. Then discredit traditional media as elite and disconnect them from reality. Then present the uniform as the saviour. When we rise above our narrow interests, journalism and politics defend democracy and protect the public good,’ she stated.

Ms. Muslim said Ghana’s security environment required stronger collaboration between the media and state institutions, particularly as the country operated in a region facing terrorism threats, internal tensions and an information war that moved faster than conventional conflicts.

The Deputy Government Spokesperson said the relationship between the media and politics had historically contributed to the protection of democracy, citing the role of journalists in advocating for constitutional rule, the passage of the Right to Information Act, and exposing corruption through investigative journalism.

She, however, expressed concern about challenges confronting the print media, including technological disruption, declining advertising revenue and a credibility crisis caused by the spread of unverified information.

She observed that while print media circulation had declined significantly over the years, its role as a credible source of records, context and historical documentation remained critical.

‘Radio is fast. Television is dramatic. Online is viral. Print is record. Print is what resides in courts, in handouts and in history books. If print loses relevance, we lose our national memory,’ she said.

She, therefore, stressed that accurate reporting was particularly important during security crises, as careless headlines and unverified claims could damage public confidence and fuel tensions.

Ms. Muslim also urged authorities to also improve communication by providing timely and accurate information to prevent speculation, as accurate official information, if delayed, will rightly fill the vacuum, adding that where operational details cannot immediately be disclosed, authorities should explain those limitations honestly and provide verified updates as circumstances permit.

The workshop, held under the theme ‘Media as a Strategic Partner in Preventive and Early Warning in Ghana,’ brought together stakeholders including the National Security Coordinator, COP Abdul-Osman Razak, and the Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority, Divine Selase Agbeti.

Samuel Atta Akyea, lead Counsel for former Director-General of National Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu Boahene and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, is expected to conclude his cross-examination of the prosecution’s last witness in a trial where they are accused of stealing and causing financial loss of GHS49.1 million to the state.

The lawyer’s extensive cross-examination of the witness, Frank Cromwell Marshall, the lead investigator, has exposed gaps in the prosecution’s allegations of the disputed GHS49.1 million loss.

One of the major issues under contention is the Attorney General’s description of National Security Coordinator’s bank account at Fidelity Bank as ‘State BNC’ while describing the BNC Communications Bureau Limited account at UMB Bank as ‘Private BNC’ belonging to Mr. Adu-Boahene and his wife.

Mr. Atta Akyea has been able to get the prosecution’s last witness, Frank Cromwell Marshall to admit that Mr. Adu-Boahene did not have sole control of the account from which the GHS49.1 million originated, and that about GHS9.5 million was paid directly to ISC Holdings, the Israeli company contracted to supply the cyber security system to Ghana.

The investigator has also confirmed that the Fidelity Bank account had three signatories: the late Joshua Kyeremeh, then National Security Coordinator; Seth Danso, Head of Finance at the Office of the National Security Coordinator; and Kwabena Adu Boahene, then Director-General of National Signals Bureau.

A fundamental revelation from the extensive cross-examinations is the admission that there is no government agency known as ‘State BNC,’ as what is being referred to as ‘State BNC’ was actually a special operations account established and operated by the National Security Coordinator at Fidelity Bank.

The witness also confirmed that two signatures were required for withdrawals from the said account, which means Mr. Adu-Boahene alone could not access, withdraw or transfer funds from the account without another signatory approving the transaction.

Another significant revelation made by the investigator is that the three cheques totalling GHS49.1 million were signed by Joshua Kyeremeh and co-signed by Mr Adu Boahene.

Another major issue at stake is the prosecution’s narrative that the GHS49.1 million was obtained under the guise of procuring a cyber-defence system and subsequently misappropriated.

However, the defence maintains that the funds were connected to National Security operations and that the evidence does not establish that the entire GHS49.1 million was exclusively earmarked for the cyber-defence procurement.

National Security Account

Mr. Atta Akyea, during his further cross-examination of the witness, pointed out to him that the bank statement of the National Security Coordinator’s account at Fidelity Bank contains deposits made by Mr. Adu-Boahene and various national security operatives, including certain names that he mentioned to the witness.

‘There are a lot transactions on the account by some of the names mentioned,’ the witness answered.

Mr. Atta Akyea then asked the witness if it was his case that these funds from Mr. Adu-Boahene’s personal account and cash deposits by some of the names mentioned became funds of the republic by their sheer payment into the Coordinator’s account. The witness said he does not know about that.

‘Did you enquire into why monies from A1’s (Adu-Boahene’s) account and other individuals were paid to the Coordinator’s account?’ the lawyer asked.

‘No,’ the witness answered, while adding that in respect of the April 2020 transfer of GHS7.2 million from Adu-Boahene’s account, Fidelity Bank said after funds had been moved from the Director’s account to BNC Communications account, they approached the Director of BNC to mitigate their losses for which reason Adu-Boahene transferred GHS7.2 million ‘of the stolen funds into the account.’

‘From your own thinking, you are saying that A1 returned GHS7.2 million of the alleged stolen funds to its owner,’ the lawyer further asked.

‘Yes, my Lord,’ the witness answered.

‘I put it to you that careful study of the bank statements of the Coordinator’s account – NSC would have shown you that the named individuals made deposits totalling GHS19,919,736 into the Coordinator’s account – NSC at the Fidelity Bank between August 2017 and February 2025,’ Mr. Atta Akyea further asked.

The story about Salamatu Haruna, a University of Development Studies (UDS), Tamale diploma holder who was in Accra working as a head porter (kayayo) went viral on social media and attracted the attention of the Vice Chancellor of the institution.

Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu sent for her through a search. She has been found and that has ushered her into a promising future. With the intervention of Prof. Sanatu Mustapha Alidu, Salamatu has secured admission to continue her studies at UDS, with her first-year tuition and accommodation supported. She has also been provided with a decent part-time work opportunity while awaiting the reopening of the university.

The Vice Chancellor has further assured her of support through the No-Fees-Stress policy and Students Financial Aid Scheme when the university reopens.

Salamatu’s promising future should inspire others to put out their story so they too can attract the life-changing attention they deserve; no longer exposed to the dangers of street life in Accra and sleeping on the doorsteps of shops.

Roland Europe Group (REG), the European headquarters of the global Roland Corporation, has appointed Ghanaian business executive and award-winning musician Opoku Sanaa as Head of Sales, Middle East and Africa, effective September 2026.

The appointment was shared by Sanaa in a LinkedIn post marking the beginning of his new chapter with the company, where he wrote simply, ‘I’m finally home.’

In his new role, Sanaa will lead Roland’s commercial strategy and sales operations across the Middle East and Africa, working closely with distributors, retail partners, educational institutions, houses of worship and key industry stakeholders to strengthen the company’s market presence and accelerate sustainable growth across the region.

Sanaa brings nearly two decades of international experience spanning sales leadership, business development, strategic planning, business intelligence and market expansion across Africa and the Middle East.

Before joining Roland Europe Group, he held senior commercial and leadership roles with globally recognised organisations including Yamaha Corporation, Isuzu Motors and Daimler Truck, where he led regional growth initiatives, pricing strategy, market development and commercial performance across multiple international markets. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Leicester, UK, and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Ghana.

His appointment to Roland Europe Group represents the convergence of two lifelong passions – business leadership and music – as he takes on responsibility for one of the company’s fastest-growing international regions.

President John Dramani Mahama has dissolved the Boards of nine state institutions with immediate effect.

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, Tema Development Corporation (TDC) Ghana Limited, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and the National Sports Authority (NSA).

The dissolution was announced in a statement issued by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.

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

It added that the affected Boards will be reconstituted in due course.

Say Cheers, one of Ghana’s leading premium wine and spirits brands, is marking 25 years of operations, celebrating a legacy built on taste, trust and quality.

Established in 2001, the company set out with a clear strategic vision to elevate the wine and spirits experience in Ghana through expert selection, quality and consistency.

What began as a personal conviction of its Founder and CEO, Nana Adwoa Konadu Karikari, has evolved into a solid brand that has redefined industry standards and positioned Say Cheers as a trusted authority in premium beverages over the past two decades.

According to Mrs. Karikari, the business was inspired by the centrality of celebrations to the Ghanaian ethos and the conviction that premium beverages could build community, deepen experiences and provide sustainable income.

‘At the time, a golden opportunity presented itself. Appreciation for premium wines and spirits was gaining momentum. What I saw was a large gap in the market. Wines were being sold, but the market lacked businesses dedicated to delivering a premium wine experience. I believed customers deserved more than a transaction, they deserved an experience,’ she said.

‘Looking back, I realise that Say Cheers wasn’t born because I just wanted to sell wine, I desired to build something with purpose: a premium experience with wines and spirits,’ she added.

At the core of its value, the company says it does not only offer quality drinks, but ensures that every lifestyle experience moves clients towards a higher level of luxury while creating lasting memories.

Over the years, Say Cheers has grown in scale and depth, shaped by long-standing relationships with carefully selected vineyards and distilleries across Europe, Australia and South Africa, and guided by respect for craftsmanship. Its service is anchored on a team with expertise in sommelier art, with understanding of people, their tastes and moments.

The company says it champions subtle excellence and prioritises consistency and trust over mere scale, noting that intention rather than scale defines its essence.

‘Every experience, every bottle, every drop is a testament to our commitment to excellence,’ management stated.

As it marks 25 years, Say Cheers says it is looking to the future with a focus on timeless experiences and continued leadership in Ghana’s premium beverage market.

Dominic Duodu, former husband of media personality, Tima Kumkum, has spoken about finding peace after reports of their marriage falling apart.

In a cryptic Facebook post, Dominic suggested that he has chosen to withdraw from the distractions surrounding his personal life and reconnect with nature.

‘Silence isn’t empty, it’s full of answers. I stepped away from all the noise and peace looked like this today, lost in the green, found in myself. Sometimes nature is the only therapy you need,’ he wrote.

His message comes not long after Tima Kumkum publicly confirmed that their marriage has ended and that their divorce case is currently before the court.

Tima disclosed that she and Dominic had been living separately since April 1, 2025, describing herself as ‘partially single’ while the legal process continues.

According to the media personality, she decided to speak publicly about the separation because their wedding had been widely publicised, with many Ghanaians witnessing the ceremony in July 2023.

She explained that she therefore felt it was only appropriate to also inform the public that the marriage had come to an end.

Dominic Duodu’s latest post, however, does not directly address the divorce or the circumstances surrounding the breakdown of the marriage. Instead, his words focus on silence, nature and personal reflection. But some followers think it was an indirect post about their marriage.

The Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has suggested that the Electoral Commission (EC) should be allocated funds from the national budget to supervise and support internal party elections, to reduce the financial burden on political parties and parliamentary aspirants.

Speaking in an interview on Onua TV Maakye show, he argued that state funding for party primaries would help reduce the high cost associated with internal elections and minimise the influence of money in politics, particularly among individuals seeking to contest parliamentary seats, as well as individuals contesting for party offices.

He said, ‘Doing away with the delegates system is a good thing, but if we want to fight corruption as a country, then in the next budget that will be read, the Electoral Commission should factor internal party elections into their budget and present to the state to fund internal party elections of political parties.’

According to him, state support for party primaries would ensure that the cost of participation is reduced for candidates and individuals who express interest in contesting political positions, adding that political parties had over the years engaged the Electoral Commission on the need for their internal electoral processes to conform to democratic principles as enshrined in their respective party constitutions.

‘A lot of us have had discussions with the Electoral Commission in the past that all the internal party activities should conform to democratic principles as expressed in the constitution of the party. It is because of this that during party elections, the Electoral Commission has to supervise the party’s internal elections,’ he stated.

Mr. Asiedu Nketia described Ghana’s arrangement, where the Electoral Commission supervises internal party elections, as a good democratic practice that is not common in many West African countries, noting that countries such as Nigeria do not allow their electoral management bodies to supervise internal party elections because of differing views on the role of state institutions in party affairs.

‘This is a very democratic process which many West African countries do not agree to such arrangements. This does not happen in countries such as Nigeria, where citizens, I am told at one of my lectures there, that they do not believe internal party elections should be supervised by the Electoral Commission of the country,’ he disclosed.

‘Why should the party continuously provide money to the Electoral Commission to perform their constitutional role? We expect the state to provide a budget for the Electoral Commission to supervise internal party elections of political parties,’ he added.

The NDC Chairman questioned why political parties should continue to provide funds for the Electoral Commission to perform what he described as its constitutional responsibility of ensuring credible electoral processes in the country, given how the increasing cost of organising internal elections had become a challenge for political parties, which largely depend on membership dues and filing fees as their main sources of income.

‘It has increased the amount spent in contesting for any position one wants to contest. Research has even shown that the amount one has to spend in an attempt to go to Parliament, from primaries to the general elections, when compared with what one will gain for all the four years in Parliament, it means the cost is more than the gains,’ the NDC Chairman added.