Category: Daily Guide Network

Media personality, Serwaa Amihere, has drawn criticism from showbiz personalities Efia Odo, Mzbel and Afia Schwarzenegger after she advised young women against buying counterfeit designer bags.

Serwaa, a lawyer and broadcaster, sparked debate after a video of her advising women to avoid fake designer items if they could not afford the originals circulated on social media.

Efia Odo was among the first to react, questioning why anyone should be concerned about another person’s decision to buy a fake designer bag.

In a video shared on X, she argued that people should not be judged by their clothing and accessories, particularly when it comes to employment.

‘I think what our sister wanted to say was, ‘Cut your coat according to your size.’ But if my size is to have a fake Birkin, what is her problem? And why should you not hire someone because they are wearing a fake Birkin?’ she asked.

She maintained that a person’s qualifications, rather than their appearance or possessions, should determine their suitability for a job.

Efia Odo also questioned the affordability of designer products for young people, arguing that many jobs in Accra did not pay enough to support such lifestyles.

Musician, Mzbel, also weighed in on the debate, insisting people should not be judged by what they wear or carry.

She noted that imitation products were common, extending beyond bags to wigs, nails, eyelashes and cosmetic enhancements.

‘Fake is fake; it doesn’t matter how expensive it is. If it is fake, it is fake. Fake BBL, nails, wigs, bags, and even buttocks. Opinions shouldn’t be formed about you based on the kind of bag you are holding,’ she said.

Afia Schwarzenegger, meanwhile, challenged Serwaa Amihere over the remarks, sharing an alleged conversation from 2021 in which the broadcaster was reportedly discussing the purchase of imitation jewellery.

She argued that Serwaa should be mindful of her comments, particularly given that not everyone could afford original designer products.

‘The statement you made was so uncalled for. The copper chains are someone’s business, and it’s not everyone who can afford the original chain,’ Afia Schwarzenegger said.

She further urged the broadcaster to be more measured in her public commentary, given her professional background as a lawyer.

The reactions have fuelled an online debate about the use of counterfeit designer products, financial status and the tendency to judge people by their appearance.

The Anwelle Foundation has been launched in Jarapa in the Upper West Region to promote sustainable community development and to expand opportunities for underserved populations across Ghana and beyond.

The launch ceremony brought together traditional leaders, government officials, academics, diplomats, development practitioners, community leaders, and other stakeholders committed to improving lives and strengthening communities.

At the event, Founder and CEO, Frank Anwelle, shared how access to support and opportunity at a critical stage transformed his future. This experience inspired his commitment to ensuring that others, especially young people and vulnerable communities, are not denied opportunities because of circumstances beyond their control.

‘Many talented individuals are unable to reach their full potential simply because they lack access to information, resources, or support systems. The Anwelle Foundation seeks to bridge that gap and create pathways for people to thrive,’ he noted.

Mr. Anwelle indicated that the foundation is dedicated to improving lives through interventions across education, youth empowerment, vocational skills training, healthcare, access to clean water, and sustainable livelihoods.

He indicated that although the Anwelle Foundation formally launched in September 2026, it has already undertaken several impactful initiatives in communities.

They included educational support for students, assistance for victims of the Jirapa Senior High School dormitory fire, sewing machines for vocational trainees, support for healthcare facilities, and projects to improve access to clean, safe drinking water.

Mr. Anwelle added that these initiatives demonstrate the foundation’s commitment to addressing immediate needs while creating opportunities for long-term development, saying, ‘By investing in education, skills development, healthcare, and essential services, the foundation aims to empower individuals and strengthen communities.’

The Paramount Chief of the Jirapa Traditional Area, Naa Di-Naa Donlabong III, urged Jirapa citizens, both locally and in the diaspora, to contribute actively to community development. He emphasised the need to leverage local knowledge, expertise, and resources to address pressing social challenges.

The Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, urged sustained focus on sustainable development, particularly youth empowerment and agriculture. He emphasised the need to equip young people with the tools and opportunities to build productive, dignified livelihoods.

Mr. Daniel N. Kolubah, Liberia’s Presidential Envoy for Trade, Investments and Special Duties, emphasised the importance of connecting people with opportunities, networks and resources to unlock their potential and drive socio-economic progress.

The speakers collectively affirmed that sustainable development requires collaboration, innovation, accountability, and a commitment to ensuring that opportunities reach those who need them most.

AFROBEAT SINGER, MOLIY, has made history as the first Ghanaian artiste to win at the Caribbean Music Awards, claiming Dancehall Song of the Year at the 2026 edition for her global smash ‘Shake It to the Max (FLY)’ featuring Shenseea, Skillibeng and Silent Addy.

The original ‘Shake It to the Max (FLY)’ dropped in December 2024, blew up on TikTok, and hit No.1 on UK Afrobeats chart and No.13 on UK Singles. The February 2025 remix with Shenseea and Skillibeng crossed 1 billion streams globally, making her the first non-Caribbean artiste to reach that feat.

The remix topped the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart for 22 consecutive weeks and was crowned the 2025 Year-End No.1 on that chart. It debuted at No.91 on Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at No.44, also hitting No.1 on US Rhythmic, and No.6 on Billboard Global 200.

MOLIY first gained international attention on Amaarae’s ‘Sad Girlz Luv Money (Remix)’ featuring Kali Uchis in 2021, which debuted at No.80 on Billboard Hot 100 and No.29 in the UK. In June 2025, she surpassed 20 million monthly listeners on Spotify, becoming the first Ghanaian artiste to do so.

She became the first Ghanaian musician to perform at the BET Awards in 2025, graced the cover of Billboard Africa, won World Artiste of the Year at iHeartRadio Music Awards, and earned nominations for Best Afrobeats and Song of Summer at the 2025 MTV VMAs. The hit earned Gold certification in the US after selling 500,000 units. With this Caribbean Music Award win, MOLIY cements her position as Ghana’s leading global crossover star, bridging Afropop and Dancehall.

The President of the Chamber of Digital Assets and Blockchain Innovations (CDABI), Ghana Chapter, Dr. Caleb Kwaku Afaglo, has launched two books on digital asset regulation to guide policy decisions and industry growth in Ghana and West Africa.

The books were soft-launched in Accra on Thursday, October 22, 2026, on the opening day of MOBEX Africa 2026.

They are titled ‘Global Digital Asset Regulation Read from Accra: A Reference Report for Ghana and West Africa’ and ‘Rules for a New Money: Building Digital Asset Regulation from Accra.’

The main launch is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the Africa Stablecoin Summit in Cape Town, South Africa.

The reference report, published by CDABI in partnership with Vessel and Light Publishing, is the first volume in a new CDABI reference series.

The 176-page report examines digital asset regulatory frameworks across Europe, China and Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, South Africa, East Africa, West Africa and the Gulf.

It compares regulatory approaches to retail access, transaction monitoring, tax reporting, banking participation and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

It also presents 13 policy findings and outlines six decisions Ghana could consider without introducing new legislation.

The report draws on 313 sources and reflects legal and market developments as of September 30, 2026.

Dr. Afaglo said Ghana enacted its virtual asset law, Act 1154, in December 2025, with the Bank of Ghana Virtual Assets Department (VAD) supervising the sector.

He noted that decisions on digital asset regulation would determine whether Ghana becomes an active participant in emerging payment systems or remains an endpoint.

According to him, the report provides regulators, banks and industry players with a common evidence base for considering policy options.

The second book, ‘Rules for a New Money’, authored by Dr. Afaglo and published by Vessel and Light Publishing, documents how Ghana’s virtual asset regulatory framework evolved.

It examines policy trade-offs, engagements between regulators and industry players, and outstanding decisions regarding regulation of the sector.

Dr. Afaglo said the book captures the reasoning behind Ghana’s regulatory choices, which may not be explained in the final regulations.

He said Cape Town was chosen for the main launch because South Africa has developed a regulatory framework for crypto assets that other African jurisdictions frequently study.

Print copies of the reference report are available through CDABI, while ‘Rules for a New Money’ is available through Vessel and Light Publishing. Paperback and Kindle editions of both books are expected on Amazon after the Cape Town launch.

The Birkin should never be the goal. Being a good human being and living and leaving behind a life of impact should be the goal.

We need to have an honest conversation about what we are teaching young women in the name of empowerment.

When we stand on women empowerment stages and make luxury bags, lifestyle, and having more than other women sound like the ultimate prize, what are we really teaching?

We are telling a 19-year-old girl in a deprived community that her worth is measured by what she can display, not what she can build. We are telling young women that empowerment is about being envied, not about being of service.

And that is dangerous!

Because the Birkin is not empowerment. A Birkin is a bag. A beautiful bag, yes. A great investment, even, but still, a bag.

One thing I want every young woman to know is this: be proud of what you earned legitimately. Be proud of the small shop you built with your own hands, the promotion you got because you worked late, the degree you earned because you studied.

There is dignity in legitimate work. There is pride that no designer label can give you when you know you did not have to cut corners, throw away your morals, or trade your dignity to get ahead.

As women, the world already tries to make success harder for us. Don’t make it harder for yourself by believing that you must compromise who you are to have what you want. Success that costs you your self-respect is too expensive.

Real empowerment does not end with you owning more expensive things. Real empowerment is when what you have owned equips you to open doors for others who will never be able to afford a Birkin.

Let me be clear: There is nothing wrong with wanting beautiful things. Wanting to look good, to enjoy the fruits of your hard work – that is human. But when we make luxury the definition of success for women, we lose something.

We lose the understanding that impact is the real luxury. Integrity is the real luxury. The ability to sleep well knowing you did not have to sell your soul to get there, and knowing your life made someone else’s journey a little less hard – that is the real luxury.

What kind of women are we raising?

Women who compete over who has the most expensive bag, or women who collaborate to make sure more girls can go to school, get a job, start a business, live with dignity?

Women who think empowerment is about being the only one in the room with that bag, or women who are committed to making sure there are more rooms where all of us can sit?

We need to reset the narrative.

We have young women watching us. They are listening to every speech, every panel, every podcast. If all they hear is that success is about acquisition, we are failing them.

If all we celebrate is consumption, who will celebrate contribution?

You can have the Birkin if you want it, and if you can afford it. But let it be an accessory to a life well-lived, not the purpose of your life.

Let your goal be to be a good human being first. To be kind when no one is watching. To be honest when lying would be easier. To build something that will outlive your Instagram page.

Because at the end of your life, no one will remember what bag you carried.

They will remember whose life you carried, and whether you kept your dignity while carrying your own.

Ghanaian socialite twins, Jamal Abubakari, also known as ‘Arrangement’ and Kamal Abubakari, aka ‘Lancaster’, have pleaded guilty to fraud charges relating to romance scam which deprived multiple Americans, Germans and Austrians of about $9 million.

The two, together with an American woman, pleaded guilty to charges of being part of an international criminal network that devised romance fraud schemes to obtain money from victims who were mostly older Americans.

The three face up to 20 years in prison when their sentence is handed down by a federal district court judge on February 9 and 10, 2027.

Information released by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) said victims in northern Ohio resided in Edgarton in Williams County while other victims resided in 24 other states and in Germany and Austria.

‘All three defendants recently pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. Jamal Abubakari, aka Jamal Abubakar, aka Arrangement, 22, and Kamal Abubakari, aka Kamal Abubakar, aka Lancaster, 22, pleaded guilty on October 13. Co-conspirator Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, aka Amanda Joy Glum, aka Amanda Joy Kessei Bierman, 53, of Kula, Hawaii, pleaded guilty on October 20, 2026,’ the information stated.

Seizure

A High Court in Accra on September 24, granted the Attorney General’s request to search, seize and preserve the properties of Jamal Abubakari and Kamal Abubakari, over their alleged involvement in a romance scam.

The Office of the Attorney General had filed an application before the court seeking an order to seize and preserve the properties acquired by the accused persons through the alleged ill-gotten money as they face trial in the United States.

The application was filed pursuant to the Mutual Legal Assistance Act, 2010 (Act 807) which enables Ghana to provide for the implementation of agreements or other arrangements for mutual legal assistance in respect of criminal matters and to provide for related matters.

The three were indicted in May this year for allegedly being a part of a criminal network that devised romance fraud schemes to obtain money from victims by mostly targeting the elderly in the United States.

Allegations

US court documents indicate that from about July 2024 to April 2026, the defendants targeted older Americans on dating websites and social media platforms to engage in romance fraud schemes.

The three conspired with others to use fake personas to establish close, personal relationships with the victims which were often romantic in nature.

‘After being misled by false stories, the victims sent money via wire transfer to financial accounts controlled by conspiracy members. Portions of the funds were further provided to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere. Collectively, the victims lost more than $9 million,’ the courrt documents further noted.

As part of the plea, the Abubakaris and Opoku-Boachie agreed to forfeit jewelry which investigators seized at the time of their arrests, including luxury timepieces, as well as high-end watches, rings, chains, medallions, and earrings.

The DOJ added that the investigation and prosecution are in response to the Elder Justice Initiative Program originating from the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017 (EAPPA). The mission of the EAPPA and Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department of Justice’s enforcement efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect, financial fraud, and scams that target the nation’s elderly population.

The Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Accra West Region, has paid a visit to some of its top-performing customers in recognition of their prompt and consistent payment for water supplied, as part of activities marking Customer Service Month.

The GWL team from the Accra West Region first visited the GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited in Accra and KANE-EM Industries Limited, where the company’s management interacted with management and some staff, and presented them with bottled water produced by GWL and souvenirs in appreciation of their continued partnership.

At GIHOC Distilleries, the Regional Chief Manager of GWL’s Accra West Region, Francis Lamptey, said the visit was intended to acknowledge the critical role customers played in sustaining the operations of the water company.

He explained that regular payments by customers provided the company with the financial resources needed to meet its operational obligations, including paying staff salaries, purchasing chemicals, paying electricity bills and undertaking maintenance and repairs.

Mr. Lamptey noted that without adequate cash flow, the company would struggle to sustain its operations and provide reliable services to its customers, adding that GIHOC Distilleries was among the customers whose consistent payments had helped the company meet its financial commitments and maintain its operations.

He added that the recognition formed part of the company’s efforts to appreciate customers whose continued support contributed to its survival and operational efficiency.

The Managing Director of GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited, Mr. Jones Borteye Applerh, thanked GWL, especially staff from the Accra West Region, for the visit and the gesture, stressing that water remained an essential component of the company’s production.

He said the recognition underscored the mutual dependence between the two state-owned enterprises, noting that GIHOC relied on a consistent water supply to sustain production, while GWL depended on timely payments from customers to finance its operations.

At KANE-EM Industries Limited, the Regional Chief Manager of GWL’s Accra West Region commended the company for its prompt and consistent payments for water supplied over the years.

The Chief Finance Officer of KANE-EM Industries Limited, Sanjiv Sah, also expressed appreciation to GWL Accra West Region team for its continued supply of water, which he said enabled the company to maintain its production without difficulties.

The team from the GWL Accra West Region included the Regional Public Relations Manager, Harriet Boadiwaa; Regional Distribution Manager, Kingsley Dzebu; and Regional Human Resource Manager, Madam Doris Ankrah.

The rest are Madam Irene Tagoe; and Materials Manager, Mr. Justice Aidoo, alongside representatives from the Low-Income Support Department, Health and Safety Unit and the Kaneshie District Team.

Regional Public Relations Manager, Harriet Boadiwaa, said the customer appreciation visits which will continue during the week formed part of activities organised by the Accra West Region to mark Customer Service Month.

The Region began the celebration by sending bulk short message service (SMS) messages to domestic and commercial customers, as well as staff to recognise their contributions to the company’s operations.

The messages acknowledged customers for their continued engagement, timely payments and feedback, including fault reports that helped the Region identify service challenges and improve its operation.

The celebration also featured a staff durbar, which provided an opportunity for employees to interact with regional management, receive recognition for their efforts, and discuss the importance of teamwork in achieving operational targets.

Airbus and ALT Academy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore cooperation in aircraft maintenance training.

The agreement was signed at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Expo 2026 in the City of Tshwane, South Africa, on September 16, 2026. The MoU establishes a framework to strengthen technical training capacity and support the development of essential aviation maintenance skills across the African continent.

The collaboration focuses on identifying mutually agreed training initiatives and learning solutions to bridge the gap between academic training and industry requirements.

By aligning maintenance knowledge with current industry standards, both organisations aim to ensure that aviation professionals are equipped with the skills needed to support increasingly advanced aircraft operations.

‘This partnership underscores our long-term commitment to supporting the growth of Africa’s aviation ecosystem. By combining our industry-leading learning solutions with ALT Academy’s dedication to practical education, we are proud to support the development of a robust pipeline of highly skilled professionals ready to meet the evolving demands of modern aviation,’ said Nam-Binh Hoang, Airbus Country Representative in South Africa.

‘Modern aircraft demand a level of technical training that is difficult to build in isolation. This partnership is an important step in our commitment to building practical, high-quality maintenance training capacity in South Africa, and it gives us the opportunity to explore how current manufacturer knowledge and learning solutions can be made more accessible to learners and to industry, while holding a firm line on safety, quality and regulatory requirements, for the benefit of operators across the continent,’ said Ryan van Wijk, CEO of ALT Academy.

The agreement sets the framework for future cooperation, with a focus on exploring opportunities to jointly develop training programmes.

The scope and delivery of the programmes will be developed jointly, with further details on course content, accreditation and enrolment to be announced as plans progress and necessary approvals are secured.

The Gender Minister has reportedly undertaken a belated visit to the Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).

It is an eye-serving visit which would neither mitigate the pain of the abused girls of the school nor assure us that a future recurrence would be impossible.

Her intervention should have come in the form of a statement condemning the alleged abusive conduct and ensuring that the responsive law enforcement action is effected as soon as the matter cropped up. She cannot feign ignorance of the anomaly.

Her non-action at a time this was needed is understandable regardless of the damage this has caused. She could not have taken such an action against her party colleague. And that is what takes a large chunk away from her dignity as a minister charged with the responsibility of ensuring among other terms, that our girls are safe from irresponsible male predators.

Visiting the school at a time when there are subtle efforts at spoiling evidence required to proceed with the case will yield nothing. While some teachers who know so much have coiled into their shells as it were, some colleagues having been transferred and others penciled for punitive actions over their roles in supporting the abused girls.

We have noticed the PR-intended front page stories about the unproductive visit and promises.

The female students of the school need sincere assurances of support. The minister should have responded to the suspect’s irritating claim that one of the girls is a ‘born one’. It is such an irresponsible remark, coming as it were from an embattled headmaster. It is as though a ‘born one’ can be preyed upon without her consent.

Let us allow the Obuasi Senior High Technical School incidents and others before it to push us to provide proper safety for our female students, not only in senior high schools but at the tertiary level.

We have often ignored what female students in tertiary institutions also go through at the hands of Casanova lecturers.

We have not made the necessary noise that can ensure the safety of students at the hands of their teachers and lecturers. When culprits are even given top government positions, wrong and dangerous optics that there is nothing unusual about this predatory conduct are emitted accordingly. That is not the kind of society we want to build in this country.

Let us not be surprised when delay is deliberately used to kill the Obuasi sex saga.

Enough has been said and written about the Obuasi issue, but it does not look like those whose lethargy when the subject landed on their desks in the form of petitions led to where we are today would be considered for sanctions.

The two scapegoats are not enough. Are others such as the regional minister and others too big to step aside as the so-called investigations go on?

The Education Minister has directed the Ghana Education Service to ban the engagement of students for domestic chores in teachers’ residences. We recommended this earlier in a commentary.

It is not enough to issue a directive whose compliance cannot be vouched for.

There should be a means of monitoring compliance so that those who flout the directives are sanctioned.

The National Commission on Culture’s (NCC) unveiling of ‘Black Star Christmas’ has triggered a wave of backlash online, with many Ghanaians questioning its branding, relevance and fit for ‘Detty December’.

The NCC announced the event as a free two-day family celebration slated for December 23 and 24, 2026, at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra.

According to organisers, it will feature a kids’ zone with traditional games like tug-of-war and ampe, plus pavilions from all 16 regions showcasing food, crafts, music and performances described as ‘Christmas the Ghanaian way.’

Days after the launch, the Commission has released a statement indicating that the event will not replace ‘Detty December’, emphasising that ‘Black Star Christmas’ is a deliberate platform to project Ghana’s culture and heritage during the festive season.

‘Detty December was not created in an office. It was created by the Ghanaian people – by our event organisers and the Creative Arts Industry, our DJs, event promoters, our diaspora family who return home every December, and by the collective creative spirit of Ghana.

‘It is authentic, it is powerful, and it is ours. This is the first time the Commission is intentionally creating a cultural Christmas Festival specifically for families and children,’ the statement read.

The Commission further indicated that the ‘Black Star Christmas’ aims to provide an official cultural event that gives a unique Ghanaian touch to the Christmas celebration.