Category: Daily Guide Network

A High Court in Accra yesterday dismissed an application by lawyers for former Director-General of National Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, asking it to strike out portions of the Attorney General’s response to a submission of no case to answer.

The lawyers had urged the court to strike out the portions of the submissions complained about for allegedly being ‘falsified records’ which were not part of the record of proceedings, evidence led and exhibits before the court.

The court, presided over by Justice Francis Achibonga, said if counsel makes representations or even misrepresentations of the evidence in his or her written address, same is of no moment in the court deciding the suit one way or the other, as the court would have to rely solely on the evidence adduced before it and exhibit admitted during the trial.

Trial

The couple and Advantage Solutions Limited, are facing a total of 11 counts of conspiracy to commit crime, stealing, using public office for profit, money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.

They have all denied any wrongdoing in the ongoing trial, which has attracted both national and international attention.

The prosecution closed its case on September 9 after calling four witnesses and the court gave both the defence and prosecution counsel to file a submission of no case to answer and a response to same, which have since been filed.

Non-existent Record

However, Samuel Atta-Akyea, counsel for the couple, filed an application asking the court to strike out portions of the Attorney General’s response to the submission for importing non-existent materials not borne out by the record of proceedings.

‘He has made attributions to witnesses regarding matters they never said anything about. And there is also the statement of the content of an exhibit which is not permitted by the rules of court, the rules of evidence and even the ethics of the legal profession,’ he argued yesterday.

He contended that the risk and danger of not bringing these matters before the court is that they could deceive the court in its judgment and ‘we might suffer miscarriage of justice.’

‘It is your bounden duty to ensure the sanctity of the records of proceeding. Your records must be sacrosanct even as you deny lawyers any attempt to import their material into the records under the guise of written submissions,’ Mr. Atta-Akyea added.

Opposition

The application was opposed by Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, who argued that the application did not invoke any known jurisdiction of the court, pointing out that a court has no jurisdiction to expunge an argument made by counsel in a written submission.

‘What the court has the power to do is to evaluate the argument as against the record before the court and make a decision as to whether to decide the case for or against the submission. Where the court has jurisdiction to strike out or expunge, the law expressly provides,’ he argued.

He further suggested that the motion was ‘carefully designed to delay the trial’ and prayed the court to treat it ‘as what exactly it is.’

Dr. Srem-Sai further argued that the motion was actually prejudicial to the court’s power to determine the submission of no case because it is assuming that the judge has no capacity to decide the merits of this case based on the merits.

‘The truth of the matter is that the application is alien to any criminal procedure and practice and must be dismissed accordingly as it is another way of procuring the court to decide the submission of no case even before a decision is made thereof,’ the Deputy Attorney General added.

Ruling

Justice Achibonga, in his ruling, held the view that it is not the duty of the court to inquire whether or not the written submission filed by counsel is a true reflection of the evidence led or that counsel relied on non-existent evidence and to strike out same.

He said it is rather the duty of counsel on the other side to draw the attention of the court to such and for the court, whether its attention has been drawn or not to rely solely on the evidence properly led at the trial, thereby constituting the record and exhibits properly admitted in order to arrive at a fair and just conclusion as to the matters in question.

‘I am therefore unable to go into the merits of the application. For the above reasons, the application is dismissed,’ he held.

Young single adults of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered in Accra for a special screening of the fourth episode of Dedicate, a six-part global video series exploring faith in Jesus Christ.

The screening was held at the Christiansborg Stake Center at the Accra Ghana Temple in North Ridge, drawing hundreds of attendees.

Dedicate follows seven young adults from Brazil, France, Ghana, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines and the United States as they explore the renovated Salt Lake Temple in Utah and reflect on the role of faith in their lives.

Ghana is represented by Favour Onyinyechukwu Okeke from the Greater Accra Region.

Ms. Okeke, who volunteered to share her personal story after prospective participants were invited, said representing Africa was a privilege.

‘It’s honestly a great privilege. It’s an honour, and I feel very humble to represent Africa in this series, because my life is showing what the life of an average young single adult in this area is all about,’ she said.

She described the production as emotional and faith-strengthening. ‘I learnt so much, and throughout the journey it’s added to my testimony,’ she said.

The fourth episode takes viewers inside the Salt Lake Temple during its extensive renovation, where between 700 and 800 workers are on site daily. With the help of YouTuber Zack Nelson and his wife Cambry, the participants examine models of the temple on an earthquake simulator to understand why the 19th-Century structure required reinforcement.

The episode draws parallels between structural resilience and Christian faith, with base isolators representing Jesus Christ as a source of stability and cables symbolising daily prayer, scripture study and temple worship.

The participants also meet senior Church leaders, including Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

‘In our lives, we have our own earthquakes and points where we shake and we might have cracks. But if we want to strengthen that foundation, Christ can help us,’ Ms. Okeke said. ‘We are never too far from the reach of God.’

For audience members, the collective viewing offered a different experience. Nana Yaa Agyeiwaa, a Church member in Accra, said she had previously followed the series on YouTube while driving to work.

‘Having to sit with my friends and watch it, it just felt different, because I was able to see the reactions from other people. It made it better,’ she said.

About two million young people in Ghana are neither employed nor in education or training, which raises concerns about youth unemployment and the country’s ability to harness its growing youthful population for economic development, according to Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

The Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, who disclosed this at the launch of the Ghana in Numbers 2025 publication in Accra yesterday, said about 12 million Ghanaians were aged between 15 and 35, but the country continued to face significant challenges in providing adequate employment and educational opportunities for its young population.

He noted that almost one in three jobseekers aged between 15 and 24 could not find work, while more than six in 10 young people who were neither working nor in education or training were women.

The figures, he said, highlighted the urgency of addressing the barriers preventing young people from accessing employment, education and skills development opportunities.

Dr. Iddrisu warned that the nation’s ability to benefit from its youthful population would depend largely on decisions taken in the coming years to improve education, develop relevant skills and expand employment opportunities.

‘Ghana’s youth window is open, but it is closing. Our choices on schooling, skills, jobs in the next 10 years will decide whether it becomes a dividend or a burden,’ the Government Statistician said.

According to him, informal employment remains widespread despite a significant expansion in the number of businesses operating in the country.

The GSS’s first Integrated Business Establishment Survey (IBES-1) recorded 2.64 million business establishments in 2024, nearly three times the number recorded in 2014.

However, the number of people working in those establishments only doubled over the same period, suggesting that the expansion of businesses had not translated into employment growth at the same pace.

Dr. Iddrisu said about 92 percent of businesses in the country operated informally, while more than seven in 10 jobs remained in the informal sector.

He noted that only 7.7 percent of business establishments were classified as formal, with nine in 10 businesses falling within the micro-enterprise category.

The GSS pointed out that although the country’s unemployment rate declined from 14.6 percent in 2023 to 12.8 percent in 2025, the figures on youth unemployment and exclusion from education and training point to persistent challenges in ensuring that economic activity translates into broader employment opportunities.

The Government Statistician stressed the need to support small businesses to expand and formalise, a development that could strengthen their capacity to create jobs and provide more sustainable livelihoods.

Beyond employment, the ‘Ghana in Numbers 2025’ publication highlighted mixed trends in household welfare.

Inflation declined from 54.1 percent in December 2022 to 5.4 percent in December 2025, but food insecurity increased from 37.7 percent in 2024 to 39.8 percent in 2025, affecting an estimated 13 million people.

‘The progress is real. But it is not shared evenly,’ Dr. Iddrisu said.

He continued that the publication, together with its accompanying online portal, provides national and district-level statistics intended to support evidence-based policymaking, investment and development planning.

Dr. Iddrisu urged policymakers, businesses and investors to use the data to guide their decisions, emphasising that the ultimate objective of producing statistics was to generate practical results.

‘For us, producing statistics is no longer the finish line. For us, use is the finish line or, if you want, impact is the finish line,’ he said.

The Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) has held an induction and oath-swearing ceremony for 15,000 graduates at the University for Development Studies (UDS) Dungu campus in the Northern Region.

The ceremony, held under the theme ‘Setting the Standard: Regulating Service, Safety and Excellence across Universal Health Coverage,’ brought together graduates from 12 allied health professions who are preparing to begin their internships.

The Registrar of the AHPC, Prof. Shirazu Issahaku, cautioned the inductees that they were not yet licensed professionals and should not present themselves as such.

‘I want to be clear about what this induction means. You are transitioning from studentship to internship. You are not yet licensed professionals,’ he stated.

He said universal health coverage requires people to be able to access the care they need and to receive care that is safe, competent and worthy of their trust.

‘The Allied Health Professions Council has the duty to protect that trust,’ he noted.

Prof. Issahaku said the Council had focused on inspections across the country this year to ensure compliance.

‘Inspections help us assess whether requirements are being met, identify gaps and insist on the improvements needed to protect the public,’ he added.

He assured the inductees that the Council would continue to set and enforce standards, and urged institutions to provide the conditions necessary for effective learning.

‘As interns, you must bring humility, diligence and integrity to every assignment. That shared commitment is how service becomes a consistent expectation across healthcare,’ he said.

The guest speaker, Dr. Abu Abudu Rahamani, urged the inductees to set high standards and serve as ambassadors for their professions.

‘Go out there and set the standards-and set them high. Set them with courage, kindness and competence,’ he stated.

The Minister of Health’s representative, Dr. Ignatius Awinibuno, Director of Allied Health at the Ministry of Health, urged the inductees to uphold their integrity and become trusted leaders in their work.

‘Maintain uncompromising professional integrity, uphold truth and accuracy in your documentation, follow clinical protocols, report errors transparently and never falsify your data,’ he said.

Dr. Awinibuno commended the AHPC and assured the Council of the Ministry’s commitment to working with it.

‘The Ministry of Health recognises the contributions of the Allied Health Professions Council and remains committed to working with the Council to strengthen regulation, professional development, quality assurance and health service delivery,’ he stressed.

Public sector workers on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) will receive a 9% increase in total remuneration from January 1, 2027, under a new two-year agreement between the government and Organised Labour.

A statement issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) said the agreement was negotiated at the Public Services Joint Standing Negotiating Committee (PSJSNC).

The government was represented by the FWSC and the Ministry of Finance, while Organised Labour was represented by workers’ unions and institutions within Ghana’s public service.

The agreement establishes a remuneration framework covering January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2028, to provide predictability and stability during the transition from the FWSC to the Independent Public Emoluments Commission (IPEC).

Under the agreement, total remuneration will increase by 9% in 2027, comprising an 8-percentage-point increase in base pay across the board and a one-percentage-point increase in allowances under Conditions of Service.

For 2028, base pay will increase by 10% across the board, effective January 1, 2028. The adjustment will be calculated using the applicable base pay as of December 31, 2027.

The statement said the PSJSNC would reconvene to review the 2028 base pay if year-on-year inflation for December 2027 exceeded 16%, representing twice the 8% midpoint of the government’s inflation projection.

According to the Commission, the parties will use the transitional period to review allowances to address existing distortions. The government will also consult Organised Labour quarterly on reforms, while the FWSC will retain its lawful functions until any transfer to IPEC takes legal effect.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the government by the Chief Executive Officer of the FWSC, Dr. George Smith-Graham, and on behalf of Organised Labour by the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Bro. Joshua Ansah.

The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and the General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Thomas T. Musah, witnessed the signing.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Forson commended Organised Labour and the government’s negotiating team for their cooperation, understanding and commitment to the national interest.

He described the agreement as a historic milestone in the country’s public service remuneration negotiations.

‘For the first time, Government and Organised Labour have reached a two-year pay agreement. The agreement is more than salaries. It is about protecting workers’ incomes, giving families greater certainty, and helping Government plan and manage public spending responsibly,’ he said.

‘The government has demonstrated that fair pay for workers and responsible management of public finances can go hand in hand,’ he added.

Dr. Smith-Graham said the negotiations were significant because they came at a critical period in the country’s public sector compensation reform agenda, particularly as the FWSC prepared to transition to the IPEC.

The statement explained that the decision to pursue a two-year salary agreement reflected a shared commitment to industrial harmony, predictable public expenditure, income security for workers and stability during the institutional transition.

Dr. Smith-Graham also praised the government and Organised Labour for demonstrating maturity, mutual respect and a willingness to compromise, as well as recognising the need to balance improvements in workers’ welfare with economic realities and fiscal sustainability.

The statement said the Commission’s objective of ensuring equal pay for work of equal value, fair rewards for productivity and a public sector compensation system that promotes equity, efficiency and national development remained unchanged as it transitioned towards becoming an independent commission.

For his part, Mr. Ansah said the 2027 base pay adjustment was above the prevailing inflation rate of 5.3%, but acknowledged that the agreement might not meet every expectation.

He said the agreement nevertheless represented progress in efforts to protect workers’ purchasing power, although the increase did not fully reflect the difficulties workers faced in meeting their daily needs.

Gold Fields Ghana Limited has invested $4.26 billion in local procurement, including $2.59 billion spent with businesses in its host communities over the past five years.

According to the gold mining company, the $4.26 billion forms about 93 per cent of its procurement spending.

Gold Fields has also engaged and supported nearly 100 suppliers within its host communities to ensure that the economic value generated by the company’s operations is retained locally.

This came to light at the official opening of the 3rd Gold Fields Ghana Suppliers Conference held in Tarkwa in the Western Region.

The two-day conference brought together over 300 local and international suppliers. The participants discussed among others new opportunities and how to promote sustainable economic development beyond the mining sector.

The conference was held under the theme: ‘Partnership for Enduring Value: Building a Resilient Supply Chain Beyond Mining.’

Mining Manager of Gold Fields, Kwame Appau, disclosed that from January to June this year, the company’s in-country procurement reached GHS4.7 billion, with GHS4.2 billion directed specifically towards 124 host community suppliers.

Mr. Appau was speaking on behalf of Elliot Twum, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Gold Fields Ghana Limited.

He said, ‘Our impact goes beyond just procurement figures. So far this year, we have directed over GHS53 million towards socio-economic development through the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation.’

He revealed that the investment went into the construction of an alternative road from New Atuabo to Bogoso Junction Highway, which will be handed over next month.

‘This multi-million cedi project was carried out by Woodbine Limited, a local contractor from the New Atuabo community.

‘We are here today because we recognise that the true measure of partnership is sustainable value.

‘By strengthening the relationships we share, we are creating enduring value beyond mining,’ he pointed out.

The Supply Chain Manager of Gold Fields, Joshua Donkor, noted that the company wants to support local suppliers.

‘We are proud that a partner like Zen Petroleum, a wholly Ghanaian-owned company, is now listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange,’ he stated.

Deputy CEO of Minerals Commission in charge of Support Services, Emmanuel Kwamena Anyimah, revealed that there is a bill before Parliament that will give local content real weight.

‘It will establish District Mining Committees as the first point of licensing and create a medium-scale category for Ghanaian entrepreneurs,’ he added.

We join many Ghanaians in wondering what the Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng could be doing in his office now as corruption and sleaze drown government.

It does not appear that he is too busy as not to see, hear or read about the many stories of alleged corruption levelled against government appointees.

With a series of sizzling, as it were, cases of alleged corruption reported against government appointees, we expect that the Special Prosecutor would have lapped on these occurrences to make his office relevant. Many have juxtaposed his fat budget, recurrent, against the output of the office and concluded that it is a waste. The time for him to prove the relevance of the Office is sure now.

The World Cup visa scandal and then the Ablakwa evacuation debacle would have been wonderful opportunities to engage the media, his stock-in-trade, to make his office important and to erase the notion that he is choosing and picking which cases to make noise about. His preference is those involving non-government actors – New Patriotic Party (NPP) most preferred.

In previous times, he would have hosted press conferences to prompt media trial of the aforementioned cases. What has watered the excitement with which he responded to political cases, especially as they related to non-National Democratic Congress (NDC) actors?

Accusations have been levelled against him for, as his accusers put it, choosing and picking which cases to host press conferences on.

When the then President Akufo-Addo conceptualised the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and proceeded to let it be, he expected that the war against corruption and other sleazy cases would have been dealt a crushing blow by it.

This we have not seen under the present leadership, the Office failing to live up to expectation.

One day a government would prompt a discourse over whether or not the OSP should continue to live or be shut down, because it is all but a drain on the public kitty.

Is it that we are in a hurry? Perhaps Kissi is in the process of preparing the charge sheets against the Sports Minister and the ORAL-bruised Foreign Affairs Minister?

So much time has elapsed since the graft cases became public knowledge, and we are good to draw to conclude that he is on a self-induced slumber.

If the foregone is the case and we do not have any doubt that it is, the future existence of the OSP should be a matter of public discourse. Diverting the OSP budget to making things good for teachers would not be a bad idea.

The President, it would be recalled, expressed confidence in the OSP when in the face of public outcry about its relevance reposed trust in it. The role of Kissi Agyebeng in clearing him of wrongdoing in the matter of the Intermediaries and Government Officials in the airbus saga come to mind.

Politics and governance under a reset system have a special flavour.

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has assured the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) of Parliament’s readiness to partner the Association in drafting a Private Member’s Bill aimed at improving the working conditions of journalists.

Mr. Bagbin gave the assurance at Parliament House when the National Executive of the GJA paid a courtesy call on him to formally invite him as Special Guest of Honour to the 30th GJA Media Awards scheduled for November 7, 2026.

The Speaker acknowledged the critical role of the media in sustaining Ghana’s democracy and development, noting that Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, effectively utilised the media during the struggle for independence.

He underscored the immense influence of the media in governance and society, stressing that it must play a critical role in sustaining democratic tenets, adding that power is a ‘monster’ that must be properly managed to serve the interests of the people.

He commended journalists for their sacrifices, often working under difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions to keep citizens informed.

‘The media remains a key pillar of democracy. Journalists risk their lives in pursuit of truth and must continue to educate Ghanaians on national issues,’ he said.

Mr. Bagbin stressed that journalism was indispensable to society, with the power to shape public opinion and influence the fortunes of political leaders.

‘Without journalism, society cannot survive. The media can make or unmake politicians, and that is why the profession must always be guided by responsibility, ethics and national interest,’ he stated.

Touching on democratic governance, the Speaker disclosed that Parliament is establishing democracy clubs in schools across the country to deepen young people’s understanding of democratic principles and civic responsibility.

He called on journalists and media institutions to work towards improving Ghana’s ranking on the World Press Freedom Index, urging the country to strive to move from its current position among Africa’s leading nations to the top spot on the continent.

GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, commended Mr. Bagbin for his consistent advocacy for improved economic conditions for journalists and media practitioners.

He disclosed that the Speaker would be among a select group of distinguished statesmen to be honoured at the 30th GJA Media Awards in recognition of his contributions to democratic governance and media freedom.

As part of the engagement, Mr. Bagbin presented 30 copies of Parliament’s Code of Conduct and Ethics for Members of Parliament to the GJA to support the media in promoting accountability among legislators.

He also donated copies of a book authored by veteran journalist Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo to the Association.

The 30th GJA Media Awards will be held on the theme: ‘Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age.’

Musician King Promise says his friendship with Nigerian musician and entrepreneur Mr Eazi, which began around 2012, goes beyond music and collaborations.

Speaking to Lexis Bill, the Terminator hitmaker recalled meeting Mr Eazi while he was still in school and the Nigerian was working on his mixtape ‘About to Blow’.

‘For us, it’s always been more of a friendship even than music,’ he said, noting that although they rarely collaborated in their early years, their eventual songs made an impact.

King Promise said he values genuine relationships that are not driven by professional gain, citing his longstanding friendships with R2Bees and rapper Sarkodie.

‘I try to keep genuine friendships where it’s not because you need me and I need you,’ he said.

He credited Mr Eazi with influencing his outlook on life and business, describing him as honest, direct and decisive.

King Promise also said watching Mr Eazi’s rise in music inspired him while he was still establishing his own career.

‘I was still coming when he was already flying. And that alone was a lot for me, like my guy is smashing it,’ he recalled.

Their conversations, he added, extend to business and investments, including stocks. He noted that Mr Eazi’s entrepreneurial journey began with artiste promotion and bookings before he ventured into music and established his record label.

‘It was business that even got him into music,’ King Promise said, describing his friend as a ‘forward thinker’.

He said their more than decade-long friendship continues to be shaped by mutual respect, shared experiences and interests beyond the recording studio.

A NUMBER of journalists in Bono and Bono East regions have been trained on issues affecting reproductive health rights of girls in the various communities.

Organised by Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the engagement was part of activities to promote healthy reproductive health among Ghanaian women and girls.

The journalists were taken through statistics that showed worrying trend of increasing teenage pregnancy among female junior high school (JHS) and senior high school (SHS) students. They discussed sexual-based violence against women and girls as well as effects of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV and AIDS.

Isaac Nyampong, Programme Manager of ARHR, said non-access to vital information for adolescent girls compel them to take decisions that negatively affect their stay in school.

He, therefore, called on media practitioners to discuss health reproductive issues on their programmes as well as educate women and girls on their basic rights regarding family planning services, risky behaviours such as unprotected sex and others.

He further entreated media practitioners to encourage parents to discuss age-specific sex education with their children, to avoid adolescent pregnancy and STDs.

Mr. Nyampong pointed out that lack of information put adolescent girls at risk as well as damage their future. Using statistics to buttress his point, he said data from Education Management Information System from 2021 to 2022 showed 909 primary girls became pregnant, while 5,119 JHS girls were also pregnant, with 2,512 SHS girls pregnant during 2021.

8,540 girls also dropped out of school because of unwanted pregnancies. Again, in 2022, 1,753 pregnancies were recorded at the primary schools, 4,259 at the JHS, and 464 at the SHS, bringing to a total of 6,476 girls who through no fault of theirs or out of ignorance dropped out from school.

On his part, Benjamin Oppong -Twumasi, Programme Manager- Policy and Budget Advocacy, ARHR, explained that the training aims to use the media to highlight the issues militating against women and girls in the country.

According to him, failing to plan families, child marriage, teenage pregnancy, violence against women and other social vices work against development.

The media practitioners, at the end of the training, appreciated the efforts and promised to put into practice what they were taught.