Category: Daily Guide Network

President John Dramani Mahama returned to after state visits to the UK and Belarus, where he secured deals in farm equipment and economic partnerships.

As he addressed reporters at the Accra International Airport, a South African Airways plane drowned his voice out, prompting his light-hearted remark: ‘That’s an occupational hazard at the airport.’ Incidentally, it was South African Airways.’

The moment drew laughs from the crowd, including Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and highlighted his quick wit amid online praise from Ghanaians.

The excerpts of the video shared on social media has caused banter between a South African and Ghanaian user on X who are going at each other.

Majid Carlos, ‘I swear to say Mr. President wanted to throw some bomb but he kept his cool and rested his case.’

South African X User, Vimbai Mutinhiri-Ekpenyong wrote, ‘This Ghana vs South Africa beef is quite a Cold War-like diplomatic masterclass.’

Accais_ wrote, ‘The irony lol, you don’t have airways but you’re laughing at someone’s own ei.’

life of a hustle wrote, ‘After watching this video, I don’t think South African businesses will have their way on his watch again.’

UFC president Dana White has denied claims that middleweight champion Sean Strickland has been barred from attending Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House.

The historic event is scheduled to take place on the South Lawn of the White House and forms part of celebrations marking 250 years of American independence. The date also coincides with the 80th birthday of Donald Trump.

Last week, Strickland alleged that the UFC had prohibited him from attending because of controversial remarks he had made regarding Trump, Israel and the Epstein Files.

However, speaking on Tuesday, White firmly rejected those suggestions, insisting the fighter had not been singled out.

‘Of course Sean Strickland isn’t banned,’ White said, before jokingly adding: ‘Sean Strickland is banned from humanity. We don’t want him near any human beings anywhere.’

White explained that attendance at the event would be limited due to the venue’s restricted capacity, with only 4,300 tickets available.

The comments appear to put an end to speculation surrounding Strickland’s status for the landmark event, which is expected to attract significant attention as the UFC stages one of the most unique cards in its history at the White House.

The Minister of Communications, Digitalisation and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has disclosed that mobile network operators will construct 1,150 new telecommunications sites this year as part of efforts to improve service quality and address persistent network challenges across the country.

Answering questions on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, the Minister said the initiative forms part of government measures to tackle poor network performance and expand telecommunications infrastructure nationwide.

According to him, MTN has been directed to construct 800 new sites in 2026, while Telecel will build an additional 350 sites. He expressed optimism that the expansion programme would significantly improve the quality of service experienced by subscribers.

‘By the end of the year, we will have 1,150 new sites, which should improve the quality of service,’ Mr. George told Parliament.

To support this objective, he noted that additional spectrum has been made available to mobile network operators through the National Communications Authority (NCA) to increase network capacity.

He added that quality-of-service obligations imposed on telecom operators have been revised, while a stricter monitoring and enforcement regime has been introduced to ensure compliance.

Mr. George also revealed that the NCA has sought the support of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to facilitate the release of land through Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) for the construction of telecommunications towers.

Addressing the frequent destruction of fibre-optic cables, the Minister announced that proposed amendments to the NCA Act will introduce punitive measures against individuals and entities responsible for damaging telecom infrastructure.

The Minister also attributed current network challenges partly to years of underinvestment in telecommunications infrastructure.

‘We are fixing a decay of 10 years. It will take some time, but we are hopeful that it will be fixed,’ he said.

Advans Ghana Savings and Loans Limited posted a net profit of GHS66.9 million for 2025, up 256% from GHS18.7 million in 2024.

The results position Advans Ghana among the industry’s top performers, driven by solid governance, disciplined execution, and rising client confidence.

Over the year, the institution disbursed more than GHS900 million in new loans to support businesses nationwide. Key metrics showed strong momentum: the gross loan portfolio grew from GHS390 million to GHS580 million, while client deposits rose 56% to GHS430 million, signaling deeper trust and a stronger savings culture.

The active client base reached 149,000, cementing Advans Ghana’s role as a leading MSME financier.

Managing Director, Guillaume Valence, highlighted the human impact behind the figures saying, ‘Behind these results are real stories: clients who trust us to grow their businesses and committed teams who deliver every day. Purpose, vision, and disciplined execution are what drive our growth.’

Women remain central to Advans Ghana’s strategy. Female clients increased to 86,000. Through the AdvansHER programme, loans to women grew 52% and average loan size rose 17%, reflecting improved access and expansion of women-led businesses.

The institution also trained over 30,000 women farmers and channeled GHS10.2 million into rice and shea value chains.

Digital transformation accelerated, with digital transactions up 48%. Growth was fueled by USSD services and the MyAdvans GH app, expanding access for clients beyond traditional banking infrastructure.

Advans Ghana also strengthened responsible banking credentials. It earned Silver Level Client Protection Certification from MFR for transparent lending and achieved ISO 27001 certification for information security, reinforcing data protection and operational integrity.

For 2026, Advans Ghana’s ‘Raising the Standard’ roadmap will scale operations, deepen client focus, invest in staff, and boost efficiency to consolidate gains and lift sector benchmarks.

Former Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, joined the country’s leading influencers Ama Burland, Scanty, and actor Kyekyeku at the University of Ghana Pent Hall GenZ Talk Show.

Upon her arrival on campus, Samira Bawumia received a euphoric welcome from students spearheaded by the ‘jama’ supporters group, setting the tone for an insightful conversation.

In her conversation with the students, Samira Bawumia called on them to channel their youthful exuberance into forging better paths to achieve their goals.

‘Your setback shouldn’t define you. Whatever goes wrong in your life shouldn’t define you. It doesn’t make you who you are. Who you are is who you want to be. So every step comes with its challenges, but being focused is important. Knowing what your goal is, is important,’ she said.

Samira Bawumia admonish the student on the need to associate with impactful people, saying, ‘having the right people around you is important. Seeking the right counsel is important. So, as I say, focus, focus, focus. And whatever you’re going through right now, know that it’s just a process. It’s molding you, it’s making you better.’

She further called on them to embrace challenges that may confront them in their line of attaining their goal, ‘You have to go through some fire, and you have to go through challenges before you come out of the other end successful. So don’t worry about what goes wrong. As long as you have your goal, as long as you know what you want to do, you can always come back from your setbacks and do even better than before.’

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced plans to review the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) timetable in order to create longer intervals between papers, to reduce the pressure on candidates.

Speaking at the Aburi Girls’ Senior High School yesterday, he acknowledged concerns about the current examination structure running from Monday to Friday, stating that it puts unnecessary stress on students.

‘I understand that our schedule of the exams for BECE was just Monday to Friday, and that put many of you under some stress,’ he said.

Mr. Iddrisu explained that under the proposed review, BECE will begin on Wednesday and end the following Wednesday, to give candidates additional time to prepare between papers, which will include a weekend break within the examination period.

‘The government is reviewing the BECE exams calendar. So now the BECE will begin on a Wednesday and end the following Wednesday, so that adequate time is given to our learners to prepare for BECE across the country,’ he stressed.

He emphasised that the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) will oversee the implementation of the revised timetable once it is finalised.

The Minority in Parliament has cautioned the government against allowing current tensions involving Ghanaian nationals in South Africa to undermine the long-standing diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.

The warning was issued by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah, who called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to appear before Parliament to provide a comprehensive briefing on recent developments in South Africa, including the evacuation of hundreds of Ghanaians from the country.

According to Mr. Boamah, reports indicate that about 700 Ghanaians have been evacuated from South Africa following the ‘unfortunate situation,’ while more than 1,500 nationals are believed to have registered for evacuation.

He noted that an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 Ghanaians live and work in South Africa, making it imperative for Parliament and the public to be fully informed about the circumstances surrounding the exercise.

‘It is very important that the Foreign Minister appears before the House so that we can interrogate matters dispassionately. We do not want propaganda, misrepresentation or any form of unconventional diplomatic means to be adopted in handling this matter,’ he said.

Mr. Boamah stressed that Ghana and South Africa have enjoyed strong bilateral relations over the years, underpinned by significant South African investments in Ghana’s economy.

He cited major companies such as MTN, Stanbic Bank and Gold Fields, among others, as examples of businesses that have contributed substantially to employment creation and government revenue.

He warned that any deterioration in relations could have broader implications beyond diplomacy, affecting businesses, livelihoods and the welfare of ordinary citizens in both countries.

‘We don’t want this situation to derail our relationship with South Africa,’ he stated and added, ‘Parliament must be apprised of the issues so that we can assist in addressing any concerns through the appropriate diplomatic channels.’

The MP expressed concern over apparent differences in public statements issued by Ghanaian and South African authorities regarding the matter.

He noted that comments made by South Africa’s Foreign Minister appeared to contradict positions publicly communicated by Ghana’s Foreign Minister, suggesting that unresolved issues remained between the two governments.

Mr. Boamah also questioned what would happen to the remaining Ghanaians who had registered for evacuation but were yet to be brought home, as well as those who had not registered at all.

He pointed out that many Ghanaians occupy important positions in South Africa, including in municipalities, financial institutions, the defence sector and other professional fields.

He argued that issues relating to migration, immigration or xenophobia should be handled through diplomatic engagement rather than public exchanges that could strain relations between the two nations.

The Minority MP further urged the leadership of Parliament and the Speaker to facilitate the appearance of the Foreign Minister before the House, noting that more than a month had passed without an official briefing.

He called for deeper engagement between President John Dramani Mahama and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as between the foreign ministers of both countries, to resolve any outstanding concerns.

According to Mr. Boamah, previous disputes involving Ghanaian nationals in South Africa had been resolved through diplomacy without the need for evacuation exercises.

The current situation, he said, should similarly be addressed through established diplomatic channels to protect both Ghanaian citizens and the enduring relationship between the two countries.

Details have emerged about an appeal filed by former Chief Executive Officer of Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Christine Tamakloe-Attionu, challenging her conviction and 10-year jail term imposed by a High Court for causing financial loss and stealing from the state.

Court documents sighted by DAILY GUIDE indicate that her conviction and sentence for offences including conspiracy to steal, stealing, causing financial loss to the state, improper payment of public funds, money laundering, among others is ‘unreasonable and cannot be supported having regard to the evidence on record.’

The appeal, filed by her lawyers, also argues that the High Court erred in convicting Ms. Tamakloe-Attionu on the charges levelled against her.

Arrival In Wheelchair

Tamakloe-Attionu reportedly arrived in Ghana on June 9, 2026 from the United States following her extradition to serve her 10-year jail term.

Reports suggest that she arrived at the Accra International Airport in a wheelchair and appeared ‘visibly ill with swollen limbs after being extradited from the United States of America, where she had been receiving medical treatment.’

She had been in the United States since 2021 after failing to return to Ghana to face trial, after she was granted permission by the court to travel for medical checkup.

She was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in absentia for bloating contracts and spending part of relief funds meant for victims of the Kantamanto fire outbreak.

Tamakloe-Attionu was also jailed for pocketing an amount of GHS500,000 invested by MASLOC at Obaatanpa Microfinance Company Limited which was returned to MASLOC because of the high interest demanded, but the money never reflected in the accounts of the Centre.

She was also fined a total of GHS78,000 for the offences and, in default, she will serve another six years in jail.

An interdicted Operations Manager of MASLOC, Daniel Axim, was also sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for the same offence, for his role in the looting of state funds.

US Arrest

Tamakloe-Attionu was arrested and detained by US Marshals on January 6, 2026, and was being held at the Nevada Southern Detention Center pending legal proceedings to have her extradited to Ghana.

In April this year, a United States Magistrate judge, Daniel J. Albregts of the District of Nevada, ordered the extradition of Tamakloe-Attionu to Ghana to serve her 10-year jail term after finding that the information presented to it by the Ghana government and its US counterpart ‘is competent evidence to establish probable cause that Attionu committed the crimes with which she is charged and has been convicted.’

Appeal

But her lawyers have filed an appeal seeking to acquit her of the charges and set aside the conviction and the jail term, arguing that the High Court presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe erred when it found her guilty of the offences she was charged with.

Her lawyers argue that there was no need for her to open her defence since the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against her.

The appeal also argues that the charge sheet which initiated the criminal proceedings against Tamakloe-Attionu, resulting in her conviction is ‘incurably defective and therefore cannot form the basis’ for her conviction.

It is the view of her lawyers that the impugned counts of charges do not have detailed particulars informing her of the nature of the offences she was charged with.

‘For instance, the prosecution alleges that the Appellant dishonestly appropriated monies but fails to provide details in the particulars of what acts or omissions constitute dishonest appropriation.’

The appeal also contends that no sufficient evidence was led by the prosecution beyond reasonable doubt to prove that Tamakloe-Attionu dishonestly appropriated GHS500,000 belonging to MASLOC.

‘In the circumstances, we urge your Lordships to acquit and discharge the Appellant of the offence of stealing GHS500,000,’ portion of the appeal noted.

The appeal concluded that given the arguments canvassed, a proper case has been made to demonstrate that the conviction and the sentence of Tamakloe-Attionu by the High Court is unreasonable and cannot be supported, having regard to the evidence on record.

‘Accordingly, we pray that the conviction and sentence of the Appellant is set aside and the Appellant acquitted and discharged in respect of all the charges she has been convicted of,’ it added.

Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has restored production activities at the Barekese Water Treatment Plant following the completion of urgent repair works on a damaged transmission pipeline.

The repairs, which had disrupted water supply to parts of the Kumasi Metropolis and adjoining communities, were successfully completed at about 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2026-well ahead of the initial schedule.

According to GWL, production at the plant has since resumed, with water gradually flowing back into the distribution system to affected areas.

The company attributed the swift completion of the works to the commitment and professionalism of its technical and operational staff, who worked round the clock to fix the fault.

Management expressed gratitude to customers and stakeholders for their patience and cooperation during the period of disruption.

GWL assured residents of continued efforts to provide safe, reliable and sustainable water supply across the Ashanti Region, adding that proactive maintenance measures will be strengthened to avoid future interruptions.

United States women’s national team manager Emma Hayes described her side’s fiery friendly against Brazil as ‘an experience I will never forget’ after a dramatic encounter in Fortaleza ended with eight red cards being issued to players and staff.

The USA secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a strike from Sophia Wilson that took a deflection off Brazilian defender Isabela Chagas.

Tensions escalated late in the match as Brazil head coach Arthur Elias and three members of his backroom staff were dismissed by referee Paola Cebollada Lopez.

The situation worsened in stoppage time when Brazilian forward Bia Zaneratto received a second yellow card for pushing Emily Sonnett, while teammate Tarciane was sent off for elbowing Wilson.

After the final whistle, further confrontations saw Kerolin and Ludmila both shown red cards as tempers boiled over. Riot police entered the pitch to protect match officials and restore order.

More than 55,000 spectators attended the match at Arena Castelão, one of the venues set to host matches during next year’s Women’s World Cup.

Hayes acknowledged the challenging atmosphere but praised her team’s resilience. The former Chelsea manager noted that international tournaments require high standards of conduct and expressed excitement about potentially returning to Brazil for the World Cup, highlighting her respect for the host nation despite the chaotic scenes.