Category: Daily Guide Network

Heath Goldfields Limited has unveiled a $20 million five-year community development programme aimed at transforming education, healthcare, infrastructure and economic opportunities in communities within its operational area in the Western Region.

The initiative, launched in Prestea last Thursday under the theme, ‘A New Era of Growth, Opportunity and Hope: Our Commitment to Community Development,’ is expected to benefit residents of the Bogoso-Prestea mining enclave through a series of flagship projects and social interventions.

Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director of Heath Goldfields, Patrick Appiah Mensah, said the programme reflects the company’s commitment to ensuring that the benefits of mining are translated into tangible improvements in the lives of host communities.

He said key projects earmarked under the five-year plan include the construction of a Nursing Training College in Prestea to expand healthcare education and create opportunities for young people seeking careers in the health sector.

According to him, the company will also establish a Technical and Vocational Training Centre at Beppoh to equip the youth with employable skills and promote entrepreneurship.

Other major projects include the construction of a modern Community Centre in Bogoso, a new clinic and Junior High School at Dumasi, a school block at Brakwaline and a Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound at Kumsono.

Mr. Appiah Mensah said the company was also partnering the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) to establish a campus in Prestea, while plans are underway to provide a JHS block and CHPS compound for Kwame Niapa, potable water and a CHPS compound for Akokobediabrow, and improve the road network at Mbease Nsuta.

He stressed that the true value of mining should not be measured solely by the volume of gold produced but by the positive impact on communities.

‘The true value of mining is reflected in the jobs created, businesses empowered, families supported and lives transformed,’ he stated.

The Managing Director called on the government to provide greater support for indigenous mining companies, arguing that local firms require the same level of backing often extended to foreign mining entities if they are to contribute meaningfully to national development.

He further advocated the visible reinvestment of a significant portion of mining royalties and taxes into mining communities, noting that many of the agitations recorded in such areas stem from perceptions of underdevelopment despite decades of resource extraction.

‘If we do not address this challenge intentionally, it risks evolving beyond a social concern into a national security issue,’ he cautioned.

Mr. Appiah Mensah also appealed to chiefs, youth and residents to protect mining assets and support the operations of the company, stressing that the success of the mine was directly linked to the success of the development programme.

Reflecting on the company’s journey, he noted that Heath Goldfields inherited a collapsed operation when it took over the Bogoso-Prestea Mine, but said significant progress had been made through the collective efforts of workers, traditional leaders, government and management.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, described the initiative as a demonstration of what can be achieved when mining companies embrace their responsibilities to host communities.

The Founder of Heath Goldfields Limited, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, said the programme was intended to change the development narrative of Prestea, lamenting that despite more than a century of mining activity, the town had little to show in terms of infrastructure and economic progress.

‘It has been over 120 years since mining started in Prestea, yet the roads are bad and the youth are suffering. Who does business for over 124 years and shows no prosperity?’ he asked.

Minerals Commission

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Emmanuel Anyimah, commended Heath Goldfields for revitalising the Bogoso-Prestea Mine and restoring confidence in Ghanaian participation in the mining industry.

‘The initiative by Heath Goldfields is a commendable demonstration of corporate responsibility and partnership with the people whose lands and resources support mining operations,’ he said.

Prestea Chief

The Chief of Prestea Himan, Nana Nteboa Prah, described the initiative by Heath Goldfields as a positive step towards improving development in mining host communities.

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has expressed concern over the growing rejection of pesewa coins in commercial transactions, warning that the practice is contributing to ‘silent devaluation’ of the cedi and worsening inflationary pressures in the country.

In a press statement issued by its Finance Desk and signed by the Acting National First Vice Chairperson for Finance, Joyce Larbie, the party said the refusal by traders, trotro drivers and sections of the public to accept 5 pesewas, 10 pesewas and 20 pesewas coins was undermining confidence in the national currency.

According to the CPP, what many consider a minor market practice is in reality ‘a direct attack on the integrity of the cedi and a hidden driver of inflation that hurts the poorest Ghanaians most.’

The party argued that the rejection of small denominations forces prices upward through arbitrary rounding of prices and transport fares.

It cited examples where sachet water prices moved from 20 pesewas to 50 pesewas and are now edging toward 70 pesewas, while transport fares fixed at GHS4.25 are often charged at GHS4.50 because drivers refuse to return 20 pesewas change.

‘This is not driven by production or fuel costs, but by a market that no longer accepts the coins designed for fair pricing. The result is cost-push inflation created by our own hands,’ the statement said.

The CPP further contended that the practice was weakening the effectiveness of the Bank of Ghana’s (BoG’s) monetary policy measures aimed at stabilising inflation and supporting the cedi.

The party referenced the BoG’s May 2026 Monetary Policy Committee decision to maintain the policy rate at 14 percent and introduce a uniform 20 percent cash reserve ratio effective June 4, 2026.

According to the statement, those measures depend on the proper circulation of all currency denominations.

‘When traders and drivers reject pesewas, they shrink the effective money supply at the retail level and create inflation the MPC did not target. Monetary policy cannot transmit properly if the smallest units of our currency are abandoned,’ it stressed.

The CPP warned that treating the pesewa as worthless sends dangerous signals about the credibility of the cedi itself.

‘A currency is only as credible as its smallest unit. When the pesewa is treated as worthless, it signals instability in the cedi itself,’ the party stated.

It added that the trend weakens public confidence in the local currency, encourages rapid price adjustments in foreign exchange terms and deepens the cycle of depreciation and inflation.

The party also noted that low-income households bear the greatest burden from the rejection of pesewa coins because they rely heavily on public transport and small-unit purchases.

‘The inability to use 5p, 10p and 20p coins means they pay more for the same quantity of goods and the same journey. This is an invisible tax on the vulnerable,’ the statement added.

The CPP consequently called on the Bank of Ghana not to discontinue the printing and circulation of pesewa coins, insisting that the solution lies in enforcing their use rather than abandoning them.

It urged the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General’s Department to reaffirm the legal tender status of all cedi and pesewa notes and coins under the Bank of Ghana Act and apply sanctions where necessary against those who systematically reject them.

The party also appealed to market associations, traders and transport unions, particularly the GPRTU, to direct members to accept all denominations and provide exact change to customers and commuters.

In addition, the CPP encouraged members of the public to insist on receiving change in all denominations and to report persistent rejection of coins to the Bank of Ghana’s consumer hotline.

‘Ghana cannot fight inflation while we discard the foundation of our currency. A nation that ignores its pesewas will soon find it cannot defend its cedis,’ the statement concluded.

Access Bank (Ghana) Plc, in partnership with Deloitte Ghana, has successfully hosted a Women Business Workshop designed to equip female entrepreneurs with practical financial knowledge and strategic insights needed to scale their businesses sustainably.

The workshop brought together a diverse group of women business owners who are clients of the bank, providing a dynamic platform for expert-led learning, peer exchange, and frank discussions on the challenges of growing a business in today’s competitive environment.

Bimpe Gisanrin, Head of Women Banking for Access Bank African Subsidiaries, used the occasion to reaffirm the bank’s commitment to supporting women-led enterprises beyond conventional banking products.

‘We recognise that women entrepreneurs are a powerful force in driving economic growth. However, access to capital alone is not enough. They need the right financial knowledge, structures, and confidence to make informed decisions that will move their businesses forward,’ she said.

Ms. Gisanrin noted that while financing remains a critical enabler, many women entrepreneurs are held back not by a lack of ambition but by gaps in financial literacy and strategic direction.

She explained that the workshop was conceived to bridge that gap by delivering actionable insights on financial planning, business structuring, and long-term growth strategies.

‘Our focus is to ensure that the women we support are not only able to start businesses but are positioned to scale and sustain them over time,’ she added.

She further described the initiative as a reflection of Access Bank’s deliberate, capacity-focused approach to women’s banking.

‘We are deliberate about creating platforms like this where women can engage experts, ask questions, and leave with actionable knowledge. It is about building capacity and strengthening resilience,’ she stated.

Facilitators from Deloitte led in-depth sessions on financial management, risk assessment, and strategic planning, equipping participants with frameworks to position their businesses for expansion and attract investment with greater confidence.

The workshop also provided an opportunity for participants to share their real-world experiences and business challenges, which fostered a spirit of collective problem-solving and peer accountability.

The initiative forms part of Access Bank’s broader long-term strategy to champion women’s entrepreneurship and accelerate the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises across the country.

Musician, Stonebwoy, has claimed that two unnamed individuals are pretending to be friends for their own benefit.

In a post on X in the early hours of May 30, 2026, the ‘Jejereje’ hitmaker said the pair had been ‘faking to each other’ based on interests and timing, describing their relationship as a ‘convenient friendship.’

‘These two guys have been faking to each other based on interests and timing. Convenient friendship. Even the devil hates that,’ he wrote.

Stonebwoy did not mention any names in the post. However, his comments have attracted attention among showbiz observers, with some speculating that the message may be directed at fellow musicians Shatta Wale and Sarkodie.

The post comes at a time when Shatta Wale and Sarkodie have been seen together in the United Kingdom. The two artists reportedly performed at Kweku Smoke’s concert in Brixton on May 29, 2026.

Despite the speculation, Stonebwoy has not provided any further details or confirmed who the message was about.

Barcelona have reached an agreement worth more than £69 million with Newcastle United for the transfer of England international Anthony Gordon.

The deal, valued at over pound 80 million, comes after positive negotiations between the two clubs, with Barcelona eventually meeting Newcastle’s valuation for the highly-rated forward.

Gordon is now expected to complete the final formalities of the transfer before joining up with the England squad for their training camp in the United States ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

German giants Bayern Munich were also interested in signing the 25-year-old and held formal discussions with Newcastle. However, a gap in valuation prevented an agreement, allowing Barcelona to secure the deal.

Newcastle had maintained throughout the negotiations that any sale would happen strictly on their terms, with chief executive David Hopkinson previously stressing the club’s strong position regarding player departures.

The Magpies were able to command a significant fee for Gordon, whose current contract runs until 2030. The transfer is expected to provide Newcastle with financial flexibility as they look to rebuild following a disappointing 12th-place finish in the Premier League last season.

Part of the transfer fee will also benefit Everton, who inserted a 15 percent sell-on clause when Gordon left the Merseyside club for Newcastle in a deal worth up to £45 million in 2023.

Gordon had increasingly been viewed as the most likely of Newcastle’s key players to leave this summer and was notably left on the bench for the club’s final four matches of the campaign.

Supporters acknowledged the winger during Newcastle’s final-day defeat at Fulham, chanting his name in what has now proven to be his farewell appearance for the club.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has entered into a new partnership agreement with global automobile brand JAC Motors in a move aimed at strengthening football development through strategic corporate support.

The partnership was officially unveiled on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the GFA headquarters in Accra. Under the agreement, JAC Motors, together with its authorised Ghanaian distributor, Tryton Motors Ltd, will support the Black Stars, the Ghana Premier League, and the Women’s Premier League.

The collaboration is expected to provide logistical assistance, brand support, and performance-based incentives designed to promote excellence and further develop football across the country.

Speaking at the launch, GFA Vice-President Mark Addo described the partnership as another major step in the Football Association’s efforts to attract strong corporate backing for the game.

He noted that the agreement reflects the growing confidence businesses continue to place in Ghana football and reaffirmed the GFA’s commitment to securing meaningful partnerships that support the sport at all levels.

As part of the sponsorship package, JAC Motors will reward outstanding performers during the 2026/27 season with luxury vehicles. Models including the JAC JS2, JAC JS4, and JAC JS6 will be presented to winners across various football categories.

The champions of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League and Women’s Premier League will each receive a brand-new vehicle. Awards will also go to the Best Players and Coaches of the Season in both competitions.

Chief Executive Officer of Tryton Motors Ltd, Jihad Hijazi, said the partnership aims to inspire national pride, improve the visibility of Ghana football, and strengthen ties between sports and business.

The Dean of the School of Information and Communication Studies at the University of Ghana, Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo, has called on African communicators to reclaim the continent’s narrative by telling more balanced and nuanced stories that reflect Africa’s complexity, resilience and humanity.

Speaking at the communicating Africa summit organised by Africans Communicating Africa in Accra, Prof. Gadzekpo stated that the image of Africa has been tainted by the western media in order to justify the plunder of the continent’s resources.

‘Western media have manufactured and disseminated the predominant image of Africans as savages in order to justify the exploitation of the continent and the plunder of its resources,’ she said.

She again said the negative portrayals of Africa in global media have imposed both psychological and economic costs on the continent over the years.

According to her, persistent reporting on violence, coups, corruption, poverty and instability has created a damaging perception of Africa as a ‘high-risk investment destination.’

‘I recently read a report suggesting that Africa pays as much as $4.2 billion each year in avoidable interest payments simply because of how it’s perceived in global media,’ she stated.

Prof. Gadzekpo stressed that while African media must continue to report on governance failures and societal challenges, journalists should approach storytelling with ‘nuance and context.’

‘As communicators, we bear an obligation to increase stories that labour our challenges and hold power to account, but we must tell our stories with nuance. The operative word is nuance and context,’ she noted.

Referencing Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and her famous TED Talk, ‘The Danger of a Single Story’, Prof. Gadzekpo warned against reducing Africa to one dominant narrative.

‘Single stories flatten complexity, erase difference and tend to reinforce existing power imbalances,’ she said, adding that the goal should not be to ‘pepper over Africa’s faults’ but to ‘multiply stories’ from different perspectives.

Prof. Gadzekpo also highlighted the growing opportunities presented by digital media and artificial intelligence in reshaping Africa’s global image.

‘A photojournalist in Accra can reach a global audience before a foreign correspondent has filed their first paragraph,’ she said.

She explained that artificial intelligence tools could help African journalists with translation, fact-checking, investigative reporting and multimedia production, particularly in under-resourced newsrooms.

However, she cautioned against relying blindly on AI systems trained predominantly on Western data and called for African participation in the development and governance of AI systems, including contributions to training data and algorithmic accountability.

‘If we use these tools uncritically, we risk reproducing the very stereotypes we are trying to dismantle. We need to be in the room where these technologies are being shaped and not merely among the populations that are shaped by these technologies,’ she added.

Prof. Gadzekpo urged communicators across the continent to use digital platforms, documentaries, podcasts, social media and AI tools to tell stories that reflect ‘the full weight’ of Africa’s diversity and humanity.

‘Africa will no longer be merely described. Africa will speak, must speak,’ she concluded.

The Executive Director of Salt and Light Ministries, Rev. Joyce Aryee, also encouraged communicators to continue building an inclusive continental community of communicators who are capable of reshaping how Africa is perceived globally.

Ghanaian and other African nationals living in the Kingdom of Cambodia have been ordered to leave the country by the end of May 31, 2026.

The directive was given through the General Department of Immigration which cited the expiration of a visa waiver on May 31, 2026.

The notice issued by the Director General of the General Department of Immigration, Lt. Gen. Som Sopheak, and approved by the Secretary of State Ministry of Interior, Gen. Sar Sokha, demanded that all African nations including citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda among others are expected to leave Cambodia on or before May 31, 2026.

‘All foreign nationals whose fines have been cleared must leave Cambodia on or before 31st May 2026,’ it stated.

It further stated that any national who enters, remains or is found in Cambodia from June 1, 2026 will be arrested and shall face a jail term of two years as well as pay a penalty of $8,000 before being allowed to leave Cambodia.

It further stated that the Cambodia police will start arresting any foreigner at any hideout in Cambodia from June 1, 2026 for overstay and will be handed over to the immigration authorities for legal action.

‘All concerned are hereby informed to strictly comply with this notice. The Royal Government of Cambodia will not tolerate any violation of our immigration laws,’ it added.

This development comes amid heightened tensions in South Africa over xenophobic attacks on Ghanaians and other African nationals forcing the government to evacuate about 300 people.

The first batch of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa arrived safely in Accra on Wednesday May 27. They were welcomed back by a government delegation while arrangements are being made to provide returnees with temporary support, counseling and reintegration assistance.

More Ghanaians are expected to return in the subsequent days.

A Ghanaian pilgrim, Alhaji Sulemana Iddrisu, aged 60 has passed on in Saudi Arabia where he was part of this year’s pilgrims performing the annual Hajj ritual.

The deceased died last Tuesday on Mount Arafat while performing one of the important components of the Hajj rituals on the mountain.

The death was announced by the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana in a statement which added that the deceased has since been buried in conformity with Islamic traditions after his family was duly notified.

When a pilgrim dies in Arafat, they are considered by Islamic tradition to have completed one of the most spiritually blessed rites of Hajj.

Under Saudi regulations, their body is respectfully prepared, buried in the Holy Land, and the death is officially documented.

Dying in a state of Ihram or the spiritually pure state before commencing the rituals of the Hajj on the Day of Arafat is considered a deeply honorable event in Islam.

According to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), a pilgrim who dies during the pilgrimage will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment still in Ihram. While in this state pilgrims regardless of their societal stature must wear simple white clothing.

Singer, Sista Afia, has expressed disappointment after her hit song ‘Asuoden’ failed to receive a nomination at the 2026 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA).

Speaking in an interview on Angel FM, the singer said she felt there was sabotage against her after the song, which featured Kuami Eugene, was ignored despite becoming very popular across the country.

‘Asuoden really hurts me till now. That was when I realised there was sabotage going on with me,’ she said.

According to Sista Afia, the song became a nationwide hit shortly after its release and was played everywhere within two weeks.

‘In less than two weeks after I released it, the song was everywhere, but when the nominations came out, Asuoden wasn’t in,’ she added.

The singer explained that she submitted her songs in about eight categories, including Best Vocal Performance, but none received nominations.

Sista Afia said the situation made her wonder whether there was something else expected of her beyond making good music and properly submitting her work.

‘I’m not the type of person to kiss ass. I do my work how I’m supposed to, so if that’s what it takes, I’m sorry because I don’t kiss ass,’ she stated.