Category: Daily Guide Network

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) will honour veteran journalist and former Ghana Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Gina Blay, alongside several distinguished media practitioners and public figures for their contributions to press freedom and media development in the country.

The recognition forms part of activities marking this year’s World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) celebrations in Accra.

Ambassador Blay is among recipients of the Association’s Dedication and Valour Award, which celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to journalism and the advancement of media freedom in the country.

Other awardees in the category include veteran journalist and former Editor of The Catholic Standard, Sir Benedict Batabe Assorow; renowned sports journalist and broadcaster, Kwabena Yeboah; former Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Limited and Acting Chief of Staff at the Manhyia Palace, Kofi Badu; media practitioner and academic, Dr. Gamel Nasser Adam; and renowned linguist and media contributor, Prof. Kofi Agyekum.

The GJA will also honour distinguished Ghanaian diplomat and media advocate, Ambassador Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Haruna Atta; lawyer, journalist and host of Newsfile, Samson Lardy Anyenini; and former Supreme Court jurist, the late Justice Kwame Afreh, for their outstanding contributions to press freedom.

In recognition of their roles in media development, governance and capacity building, Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Prof. Amin Alhassan; governance expert and former Board Chairman of Graphic Communications Group Limited, Prof. Omane Antwi; and former Minister of Information, Kofi Totobi Quakyi, will also be honoured.

The Association will further recognise leading media executives, including Group Chief Executive Officer of Media General, Beatrice Agyeman; Chief Operating Officer of Multimedia Group, Ken Ansah; and Managing Director of Despite Media Group, Fada Dickson Narh, for their leadership and contributions to the growth of Ghana’s media industry.

Several institutions, namely Graphic Communications Group Limited, The Catholic Standard, the Bank of Ghana, the Ghana News Agency and Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra, will receive recognition for their support for journalism, media growth and national development.

The Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, Hseyin Gngör, will receive a Special Recognition Award for strengthening relations between the media fraternity and the GJA through his support and partnership.

The GJA has called on media practitioners, development partners, stakeholders and the public to join in celebrating the award recipients, whose contributions have helped advance press freedom, media excellence and democratic governance in the country.

The 12th edition of the Ishmael Yamson and Associates Business Roundtable (BRT 2026) ended on a high note with the launch of the Ishmael Yamson Foundation, a new initiative aimed at developing the next generation of African leaders and equipping young people with the skills needed to drive the continent’s future growth.

The launch, which took place in Accra, was one of the key highlights of the annual gathering, which brought together more than 400 participants, including government officials, business executives, development partners, academics, innovators and civil society representatives.

Held under the theme, ‘Unlocking the Next Quarter Century: Harnessing Africa’s Digital Infrastructure, Trade and Integration, Energy and Industry, Governance, and Societal Development for Global Relevance,’ the event focused on strategies for positioning Africa as a competitive player in the global economy.

Speaking at the opening session, the Chief Executive Officer of Ishmael Yamson and Associates, Ishmael Yamson Jnr, said the Foundation would serve as a platform for leadership development, strategic training and youth empowerment across the continent.

According to him, the initiative is intended to prepare young Africans to lead in critical sectors such as agritech, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, governance and cross-border commerce.

‘The Foundation is our dedicated vehicle for generational strategy and execution. Through structured incubation and rigorous strategic training, it will equip the brilliant young minds who will scale our agritech solutions, write our sovereign AI algorithms and govern our cross-border institutions,’ he stated.

As part of its first intervention, the Foundation sponsored 100 young delegates to participate in BRT 2026, which provided them with direct exposure to business leaders, policymakers and development experts.

Mr. Yamson stressed the need for greater private-sector investment in talent development, noting that Africa’s rapidly growing youth population presents both an opportunity and a challenge.

He urged African-owned businesses to invest more resources in developing the skills and leadership capacity required to drive the continent’s long-term transformation.

The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, praised Ishmael Yamson and Associates for sustaining the Business Roundtable over the past 12 years and creating a platform for policy and business dialogue.

He said Africa was at a critical moment in its development journey and must seize emerging opportunities in digital transformation, industrialisation and regional integration.

Dr. Forson emphasised the importance of expanding digital infrastructure, strengthening energy security, promoting trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area and investing in human capital development.

The launch of the Ishmael Yamson Foundation, participants noted, represents a significant step towards building a new generation of African leaders capable of driving innovation, strengthening institutions and ensuring the continent’s long-term competitiveness in an increasingly complex global economy.

Rapper, Kwaw Kese, has said that demolishing houses will not solve Accra’s recurring flooding problem.

In a post on X, the musician argued that the city’s flooding challenges are mainly due to poor drainage systems rather than the presence of buildings in certain areas.

According to Kwaw Kese, Accra is surrounded by mountains and bordered by the sea, making it natural for rainwater from higher grounds to flow towards the ocean.

‘Accra is surrounded by mountains and faced by the sea. When it rains, the water from the mountains has to flow to the sea but due to no better drainage systems the water can’t flow into the sea. So what happens? FLOOD,’ he wrote.

The rapper called on authorities to focus on constructing efficient drainage systems, dredging gutters and waterways, and connecting them properly to the sea to allow the free flow of water.

‘Breaking people’s houses and homes won’t solve anything. Consider building drainage systems, dredging our gutters and waterways and connecting it to the sea,’ he stated.

Kwaw Kese also warned that unless long-term solutions are implemented, Accra will continue to experience devastating floods every year.

‘Next year by this time we will be seeing the same videos circulating and hearing the same cries and innocent people’s homes will go down and we would be facing the same problems,’ he added.

A 27-year-old man, whose identity has not yet been established, has died after being apprehended by residents of Mpasatia in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region over allegations of stealing an ‘aboboyaa’ (motorised tricycle).

The incident reportedly occurred around 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, when members of the community arrested the suspect in connection with the alleged theft.

Sources indicated that the suspect died shortly after his arrest under circumstances that remain unclear.

The matter has since been reported to the police, who have commenced investigations into both the alleged theft and the circumstances leading to the death of the suspect.

Police have not yet released the identity of the deceased, pending the identification of the body and notification of his family.

When DAILY GUIDE visited the scene, police officers were present and preparing to convey the body, which had been covered with leaves, to the morgue for preservation and further identification.

Meanwhile, residents have been urged to remain calm and cooperate with investigators as police work to establish the facts surrounding the incident.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has paid glowing tribute to Malta Guinness following the conclusion of the beverage company’s four-year tenure as headline sponsor of the Ghana Women’s Premier League.

GFA General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo, described the partnership as a major catalyst in the growth and development of women’s football in the country, highlighting the company’s significant contributions both on and off the pitch.

According to Addo, Malta Guinness played a crucial role in raising the profile of the league through financial investment, enhanced branding, increased visibility and promotional initiatives that helped strengthen the women’s game.

‘On behalf of the Association, the Women’s Premier League clubs and all stakeholders, I wish to sincerely thank Malta Guinness for their tremendous support and partnership over the past four years,’ he said.

The GFA noted that the sponsorship period coincided with remarkable progress for the league, including improved competitiveness, greater public interest and increased recognition for players and clubs both locally and internationally.

As the sponsorship officially comes to an end this June, the Association described it as the close of an important chapter in the evolution of the Women’s Premier League.

However, Addo revealed that discussions between the two parties have been positive, with both the GFA and Malta Guinness expressing interest in maintaining a relationship in Ghana football in some capacity moving forward.

The Association also disclosed that plans are underway to unveil a new and enhanced sponsorship package for the Women’s Premier League ahead of the 2026/27 season, as efforts continue to build on the gains made during the Malta Guinness era.

Miss Galaxy Ghana, a premier environmental and sanitation beauty pageant that empowers young women to become ambassadors for a cleaner, greener country, has opened applications for its 2026 edition.

Themed, ‘Rep Your Constituency, Drive Sustainability,’ the registration runs from now until early June 2026, with application forms available via https://forms.gle/8LtaNCY3rXJBx1wV9.

According to the organisers, the pageant is the start of a transformative journey where beauty meets advocacy – empowering young women to lead environmental renewal across Ghana.

The pageant allows delegates to represent their constituency on the national stage; champion environmental advocacy through impactful projects; gain leadership training and mentorship; showcase their beauty and talent while driving sustainability, as well as network with sponsors and media for national visibility to unlock exclusive prize packages – crowns, cash rewards, ambassadorial roles, media features, and international travel opportunities.

The organisers say the event will give selected delegates the chance to shine as National Youth Green Ambassadors and inspire transformation across Ghana.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup countdown in full swing, Ghanaian media personality and founder of BILLISDIFFERENT, Willard Bill, is heading to the United States as part of TRiBE Culture Fest’s fan activation campaign.

The initiative is designed to celebrate and amplify Ghanaian and broader diaspora culture throughout the tournament. TRiBE Culture Fest will roll out fan experiences, watch parties, cultural showcases, and community events across host cities in the US and Canada.

Known for chronicling Ghana’s entertainment, lifestyle, sports and culture scenes, Willard Bill will be on the ground capturing the vibe of Black Stars supporters on football’s biggest stage.

Expect exclusive content, fan interviews, behind-the-scenes access, and cultural storytelling as BILLISDIFFERENT brings the World Cup atmosphere to audiences at home and abroad.

TRiBE Culture Fest says the activations aim to unite Ghanaians and the wider African diaspora through football, music, food and culture, creating moments that go beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch.

With millions of fans expected to converge on North America for the 2026 tournament, the collaboration positions Ghana’s vibrant culture and passionate fanbase for a global spotlight.

As the road to 2026 continues, Willard Bill and BILLISDIFFERENT are set to document every chant, goal, and cultural moment that makes the World Cup truly global.

Four candidates of Kumasi Academy (KUMACA) writing this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) have been arrested for allegedly threatening to burn down the school over what they described as unfair treatment by management.

The students, who are among about 60 candidates placed under a special ‘quarantine’ arrangement during the examination period, were picked up by the Asokore Police Command after reportedly making threats to torch the school after completing their examinations.

The quarantine system, introduced by school authorities, requires certain candidates to write their examinations in separate classrooms from their colleagues.

According to school authorities, the affected students were isolated due to repeated acts of indiscipline, including absenteeism, refusal to participate in internal examinations and alleged intimidation of academically serious students.

The arrangement has, however, sparked concerns among some parents who claim their children are being subjected to undue psychological pressure during the examination period.

During a visit to the examination centre by officials of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and school authorities, the affected candidates were observed writing their Social Studies paper in separate classrooms under the supervision of invigilators.

Defending the decision, the Municipal Director of Education for Asokore Mampong, Samson Anawine Atogembero, stated that the affected students had consistently violated school regulations throughout the academic year.

He explained that the quarantine arrangement was a normal administrative measure intended to maintain discipline and protect the integrity of the examination process.

According to him, the students are not being mistreated but are merely writing their papers in separate classrooms where they continue to enjoy the same examination conditions as their colleagues.

Mr. Atogembero noted that allowing the students to sit among candidates who had been regular and disciplined throughout the academic year could create opportunities for disruption and examination malpractice.

‘They are our students and we cannot discriminate against them. However, we have a responsibility to protect other candidates and ensure the smooth conduct of the examinations,’ he stressed.

He dismissed allegations that the affected students had been denied academic support and supervision while preparing for the examinations.

The Municipal Director further clarified that the quarantine arrangement is temporary and forms part of efforts to strengthen discipline among students.

Meanwhile, following their arrest, the four students and their parents were made to sign bonds of good behaviour and have subsequently been released to continue writing their examinations.

Mr. Atogembero warned candidates against engaging in acts of vandalism or destruction after examinations, stressing that anyone found culpable would be made to face the full rigours of the law.

ýGIZ Ghana has launched a new project dubbed ‘InnoWaste: Empowering Youths through Innovative Plastic Waste Management Solutions’ to improve the livelihoods of actors within the plastic waste management ecosystem, with a strong focus on empowering women and youth across the waste value chain.

ýFunded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and jointly funded through the develoPPP programme, the project aims to accelerate Ghana’s transition towards a circular economy while addressing the country’s rapidly growing plastic waste crisis.

ýCluster Coordinator, Network for Inclusive Economic Development (NIED) GIZ, Mr. Willhelm Hugo, highlighted that InnoWaste is structured to deliver a ‘triple win’ for Ghanaian communities through ‘Environmental Win’; by reducing urban plastic pollution, promoting robust recycling systems, and advancing the national circular economy; ‘Economic Win’; by unlocking local business opportunities, strengthening supply chains, and generating decent green jobs; and ‘Social Win’; by improving community livelihoods, fostering inclusive resilience, and prioritising the empowerment of local youth and women.

ýTechnical Advisor, develoPPP Ghana, Donald Manlenze Eshun, explained that InnoWaste Project launched by GIZ, partnering with Zoomlion and Blue Skies, aims to transform Ghana’s circular economy by September 2028. Focusing heavily on empowering women and youth, the initiative targets creating 6,000 jobs, boosting incomes for 365 waste actors, and improving conditions for over 3,600 workers.

ýThe project, he said, will expand recycling plant production by 50% while cutting operational costs. Key strategies include deploying a waste-tracking mobile app, launching ‘reverse vending machines,’ distributing tricycles and protective gear, and registering 60,000 people for health insurance. Educational campaigns and school programmes will also drive community-wide behaviour change.

ýThe Chief Director, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Ms. Suweibatu Adam Esq, in her speech, stressed that the theme ‘From Waste to Wealth: Driving a Circular Future’, focuses on sustainable improvement of livelihoods within Ghana’s plastic waste management ecosystem, with emphasis on empowering women and youth.

ýAccording to her, Ghana generates approximately 1 million metric tons of plastic waste every year, a figure growing at an estimated 5.4% annually. Yet, only 9.5% of that plastic is currently collected for recycling, and the rest ends up in drains, rivers, oceans, and communities.

ýShe emphasised that research estimates Ghana could generate more than GHS88 million annually simply by recycling its plastic waste.

ýThe Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, disclosed that the project aligns strongly with both the priorities of her ministry and the commitments Ghana has made to the international community on circular economy and climate action.

ýAccording to her, a just transition to a circular economy must be developed by directly targeting plastic waste management and anchoring this work within the local governance system of the district assemblies. ýý

ýThe Environmental Sanitation Policy, the National Plastic Waste Management Policy, and the regulatory frameworks of the Environmental Protection Agency, she said, have come together to create a favourable governance architecture within which projects like InnoWaste can operate.

ý’We have strengthened the framework for public-private partnership in waste infrastructure, creating the condition for private capital to enter sectors and interventions that government alone cannot fully finance,’ she added.

ý’Also, we are actively engaging with carbon finance initiatives, including Article 6 mechanisms under the Paris Agreement, and we have made significant progress in unlocking climate finance through waste recovery interventions. I’m reliably informed that the Government of Ghana will soon authorise the transfer of carbon credits from four integrated recycling and compost plants to the Swiss government under the Internationally Transferrable Mitigation Outcomes Framework,’ she reiterated.

ýShe pointed out that, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs stands ready to support the full realisation of the goals of InnoWaste Project and will work with GIZ, Zoomlion, and Blue Skies to connect the project with local assemblies to ensure its success is felt across all districts.

ýFor his part, the Head of Foundation, Brands Communications and Public Affairs, Blue Skies Products, Mr. Alistair Djimatey, stated that the launch of the Innowaste Project marks the beginning of a shared commitment towards building a cleaner community, creating opportunities for young people, and protecting the environment for future generations.

ý’Through this project, we are empowering young people, young entrepreneurs as agents of change by collecting plastics from our local communities and environment and transforming them into value,’ he added.

The June 3, 2015 killer and property-destroying floods which visited Accra were commemorated two days ago.

It was a commemoration bereft of an elaborate and coordinated programme of reflection under the auspices of government but rather occasional and isolated references in media conversations.

The thoughts on June 3, 2015 as afore-referenced were occasioned by the near repeat of the disaster as recorded on the night of June 3, 2026, a date associated with fire and water, so eerie and true.

It went down in post-independence history as the worst force majeure having claimed 150 lives and pushing many to the precipice.

The heated discussions which followed the tragedy of eleven years ago presupposed an unimpeded action by government to address the perennial flooding of Accra. It was all hot air it turned out, nothing happened. Eleven years have elapsed since that date and another June 3 has dawned on us, and there is tragedy albeit not on the scale of the June 3, 2015 incident but enough to push us to seek answers to questions about sincerity of governments in tackling the immediate infrastructural concerns of the nation.

We saw earlier attempts at addressing the perennial floods, the most audacious being the Greater Accra Urban Resilience and Integrated Development Project (GARID), a World Bank funded project to address challenges such as stemming the perennial flooding of Accra.

With more rains forecast, the worst in the past thirty years according to the Meteorological Services Authority, the days ahead could be ominous.

We are simply not prepared and have all along played lip-service to a perennial weather challenge in a global era of climate change.

And it came to pass that last year, in March, as the main raining season beckoned, the President set up a seven-member anti-flood taskforce to tackle the annual Accra headache.

He settled on his Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations at the Presidency, Stanislav Xoese Dogbe as Chairman of the body. The high-profile committee made up of Mr. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing; Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs; Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Abdul Osman Razak, National Security Coordinator; Mr. Teddy Addi, Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO); and Madam Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, Legal Counsel to the President and Secretary to the taskforce, presented a promising picture for the victims of the annual rituals of flooding in the nation’s capital.

No sooner had the committee been empaneled than the membership, courtesy of the Chopper Squadron of the Ghana Air Force, took to the air on a so-called recce patrol of Accra.

The exercise smacked seriousness on the part of government to deal with the annual floods head-on.

With the involvement of the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Army on standby to render the covering support, there was no doubt that something seismic was going to happen. Ghanaians can give their verdict as to whether the committee has lived up to expectation or not considering the consistency of the deluges and more to come.

They went to sleep soon after touchdown at the Air Force base, leaving Accra to continue the annual rituals of floods followed by the President’s unproductive blame-game.