Category: Daily Guide Network

We have reached where we are today because of the heroic efforts by cherishers of democracy, some of whom did so by shedding their blood.

At the time the culture of silence permeated all facets of the Ghanaian society, it took such heroes of democracy to stand up to be counted as those who wanted a non-dictatorial political ambience for the country.

When eventually the seismic change we yearned for came, replacing the culture of silence, the wind of democracy blew without inhibition.

Nobody thought the milestone would not remain a permanent feature of our political life. Time has proven that with persons spotting questionable integrity taking over the mantle of leadership, things would change.

Elections, it is said, have consequences -positive or negative. Today, a reversal of that critical feature of democracy, free speech, has never been so threatened as in recent times. And to think this followed the outcome of an election proves the saying that, indeed, there are consequences to how we choose our leaders.

Those who have cause to express themselves regarding governance must be wary of being arrested and jailed because the times have changed.

So many people have been arrested roughly and some denied access to lawyers simply because their expressions were unpalatable to the government.

All of a sudden the clock of democratic progress has been set back. Many have even lost count of the number of persons arrested so far through the irresponsible use of the powers of the state.

Of course this is not right and doubtlessly a threat to free speech. Ghanaians would not have voted for the NDC and President John Mahama if they had understood the implication of the latter’s reset agenda.

As we compose this commentary, another person has been picked up. The whereabouts of Richard Nana Basoah of Ahwenepa FM are unknown, part of the ongoing spate of arrests.

The Government Spokesperson, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has served notice that anybody who threatens the President would be arrested. It is a crime to threaten anybody irrespective of the status of such persons in society. Those who breach the law by threatening others must be taken through due process, not picked up by hooded security officers and hidden in unknown locations. Assaulting women suspected to have offended the President and even deceiving them to plead guilty when they know not the implication therein is not the law.

Today, one of the two dominant political parties in the country is demonstrating against selective justice and, of course, the threat to free speech.

The threat to free speech and selective justice are rife today. Paradoxically, President Mahama in his open letter to President Akufo-Addo in 2022 expressed disgust at the antiquated practice of arresting persons because of their unpleasing expressions.

In any case, the number of persons arrested over free speech within the less than two years of the John Mahama administration has surpassed the number recorded in the eight years of the Akufo-Addo presidency.

That the President has told Ghanaians that those who express hate speech would be traced and arrested through their IP addresses is enough to tell all that free speech is under threat.

Reports circulating on various media platforms reveal that the government has increased the entry fee from GHS1 to GHS10 for people who pray in the Achimota Forest.

The new fee, which took effect on August 1, 2026, pegged GHS10 for adults while kids over three years are to pay GHS5 for use of the forest reserve located in the Greater Accra Region.

As of now, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission have not announced any fee or levy for religious activities in the forest.

People who visit the Achimota Forest for daily prayers have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the sharp increase in the entry fee.

Speaking to Nana Kwasi Ampofo of Oman FM, the Public Relations Officer of the Achimota Pastors Association, Prophet Samuel Asare, said the association has petitioned Parliament and the Forestry Commission over the increment and is awaiting a response after Parliament resumes from recess.

Prophet Asare lamented the lack of basic facilities at the prayer grounds, including traffic lights to prevent accidents, washrooms, and shelters, forcing worshippers to pray at the mercy of the weather.

He added that, aside from the daily GHS1 entry fee, worshippers also pay a monthly permit fee of GHS20. He further alleged that the association was informed on Wednesday that worshippers who declined to pay the new GHS10 fee could continue paying GHS1 without being issued tickets.

However, he said the association could not accept such an arrangement, insisting that worshippers should be issued tickets after paying to access the prayer grounds. ‘Stealing and prayer do not mix because dishonesty breaks trust with God and others. True prayer requires a clean heart, therefore they cannot compromise.’

He further disclosed that the Forestry Commission also rents chairs to worshippers at GHS2 per chair in addition to the daily entry fee. Prophet Asare said the prayer grounds attract no fewer than 2,000 worshippers every day.

He appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene by reviewing the charges, stressing that worshippers are not refusing to pay but believe the tenfold increase is excessive. He also expressed concern that children between the ages of 3 and 18 who accompany their parents to pray are now required to pay GHS5 before being allowed entry.

He noted that the Forestry Commission has designated about 120 prayer porches within the forest for religious activities, and argued that maintaining the previous GHS1 charge would have encouraged patronage instead of driving people away.

Over the years, one issue drawing public attention is the use of sections of the forest for religious activities, including prayer camps, overnight vigils, and large gatherings. Conservationists argue that protected forest reserves should not be used for activities that may damage fragile ecosystems. They cite littering, vegetation clearing, open fires, human waste, and noise pollution as consequences of such gatherings.

While government is yet to issue official statement, the focus, according to the Lands Ministry, remains on restoring protection and preventing encroachment and misuse of the reserve.

The Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) has projected that its monthly production will reach 700,000 tonnes this month.

According to the company, the major operational milestone is being driven by declining rainfall and the progressive commissioning of new heavy equipment.

‘This marks a significant step forward in the company’s journey towards its annual production target of eight million tonnes,’ it said.

As Ghana’s sole manganese miner and exporter, GMC operates the Nsuta open-pit mine in the Western Region, where seasonal rains typically affect haulage and processing throughput.

Historical data show that shipments between May and July experienced a temporary slowdown due to wet-season disruptions.

However, with the onset of August, rainfall has declined significantly, leading to improved pit conditions.

A statement issued by the company said that, with a century-long mining heritage, GMC remains focused on maintaining its position at the lower end of the cost curve through operational innovation.

The statement added that, beyond serving as a critical supplier of iron ore feedstock to the global steel industry, the company’s high-grade carbonate manganese ore is increasingly being recognised as a strategic resource for the new-energy battery supply chain.

‘With higher output, GMC aims to secure a stable supply to international markets while supporting the Government of Ghana’s value-addition strategy, including the planned manganese refining plant, which is expected to generate greater local economic benefits,’ it said.

The company said it expects that, with August production approaching 700,000 tonnes, its overall operational performance in the second half of the year will improve significantly.

‘The company will continue to monitor weather conditions and leverage its newly deployed high-efficiency fleet to ensure its full-year production target is achieved,’ the statement said.

The Judicial Service of Ghana has received a five-page petition from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as part of the ongoing #DemocracyUnderAttack protest.

Judicial Secretary, Musah Ahmed, received the petition on behalf of the Service and assured that it would be forwarded to the leadership.

‘On behalf of the Judiciary and the Judicial Service, I wish to acknowledge receipt of your petition from the New Patriotic Party for the attention and consideration of the judges. I assure you that I will deliver it. When there is a need for us to respond to you, we shall do so.

And thank you for your peaceful demonstration – not being violent, not being abusive. Your political statements, I leave that for you and the politicians. We, the court, are independent, and we assure you we will continue to be independent for the survival of our country. Thank you so much for coming. I wish you the best of luck in this demonstration. I am hoping that it will remain peaceful,’ he said.

Before handing over the petition, NPP General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Koduah, popularly known as JFK, alleged that the Chief Justice under President Mahama is practicing selective justice.

‘Whereby members of the New Patriotic Party are being arrested, detained, and arraigned before the court. Understand that when members of our party are arrested, their bail conditions are set higher,’ he said.

‘We believe that democracy is supposed to be supreme. We believe that democracy should ensure that when someone finds himself on the wrong side of the law, they should face it, irrespective of the political party a person belongs to.

Members of the NPP are being persecuted. Meanwhile, people within the NDC who have committed crimes and the court has found them guilty are being set free. This is not the kind of Ghana we all want to see,’ he added.

Mr. Koduah expressed hope that the document would not be thrown away.

‘We hope the Judicial Council will take their time, go through the issues that we have raised, for the sake of our country, for the sake of our democracy, and advise the government. That is the duty of the arm of government,’ he said.

The Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Abdulai Zakaria, is battling for his life at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) after he was allegedly beaten by angry students over claims that he secretly buried the body of a newborn baby on the school’s campus.

The violent attack, which has thrown the school into turmoil and prompted a major police operation, also resulted in the arrest of six students, while authorities are considering the indefinite closure of the school to restore calm.

Mr. Zakaria, who reportedly sustained severe head and body injuries, is receiving treatment at the Emergency Unit of KATH after being referred from a health facility in Obuasi.

The incident is said to have unfolded in the early hours of Monday when some students allegedly spotted the headmaster carrying an object wrapped in a white cloth towards a refuse dump near one of the school’s dormitories.

According to accounts gathered by investigators, the students later searched the area and claimed to have uncovered what they believed to be the body of a newborn baby buried in a shallow grave.

The discovery quickly spread across the campus, fuelling outrage among the students.

When the headmaster, accompanied by some teachers, later visited the scene following the reports, a group of agitated students allegedly descended on him, subjecting him to a severe beating before police and other security personnel intervened and rescued him.

Authorities have not confirmed the students’ claims, and investigators are yet to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged discovery. Police have urged the public to refrain from speculation while investigations continue.

The Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Faustilove Appiah Kannin, confirmed the incident and said the headmaster was initially admitted to the AngloGold Ashanti Hospital in Obuasi before being transferred to KATH.

She said the severity of his injuries necessitated the referral, adding that security had since been reinforced on the school’s campus to prevent further violence.

According to the MCE, boarding students have been directed to remain in their dormitories, while day students have been asked to stay away from the school until further notice.

She disclosed that the Municipal Directorate of Education, the Municipal Assembly and other stakeholders would meet to determine the next course of action, including the possible temporary closure of the school.

Meanwhile, police have arrested six students in connection with the alleged assault on the headmaster.

The suspects are assisting with investigations, while police officers have been deployed to the campus to maintain law and order.

Reports indicate that the violence extended beyond the assault, with some students allegedly vandalising three staff bungalows, vehicles and other property during the disturbances.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to investigate the violent disturbance at the school.

The Ministry described the attack on Headmaster Abdulai Zakaria as ‘reprehensible and criminal’, insisting that acts of violence have no place in Ghana’s educational institutions.

In a statement signed by the Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apak, the Ministry said the incident must be thoroughly investigated and addressed in accordance with existing education sector regulations.

‘The Ministry considers this act of violence and lawlessness as reprehensible and criminal. Such conduct has no place within Ghana’s educational institutions and will not be tolerated under any circumstances,’ the statement said.

SEVEN POLICEMEN have reportedly sustained injuries after a service vehicle they were travelling on unfortunately got involved in an accident.

According to Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) report, the bus the policemen were travelling on suddenly veered from the road and fell into a ditch on the shoulder of the road.

The near-dangerous accident, which occurred at Akrofoase Mampong in the Ashanti Region last Sunday, attracted scores of curious people to the crash scene.

Some Good Samaritans reportedly rushed the injured policemen to a nearby medical facility, where they were treated by medical personnel on duty.

According to the GNFS Public Relations Unit, another road accident happened at Senfi near the Police Barrier, where a Kia Rhino truck and a Howo petrol tanker collided.

The GNFS disclosed that the Senfi accident resulted in body injuries to two people, who were conveyed to the hospital for treatment.

Confirming the two separate crashes on Facebook, the GNFS PR Unit wrote: ‘In separate incidents, firefighters responded to road crashes at Akrofoase Mampong and Senfi near the Police Barrier.

‘A Ghana Police Service bus skidded into a ditch, leaving seven police officers injured, while a collision involving a Kia Rhino truck and a Howo petrol tanker injured two people.

‘In both cases, the injured were taken to hospital for treatment, while the causes of the accidents remain under investigation,’ noting that there were no deaths in the two crashes.

Meanwhile, the GNFS also said firefighters worked hard to contain a hydrogen peroxide leakage from a cargo truck after the chemical reacted and produced heavy smoke at Konongo.

‘The crew cooled the container and diluted the leaked substance, preventing the situation from escalating. No casualties were recorded, although part of the chemical cargo was damaged,’ the GNFS said.

The Ghana National Association of the Deaf, in partnership with the Organisations of Persons with Disabilities in Ghana and with support from UNDP and the Global Disability Fund, has held a two-day capacity building training for women and girls with disabilities on advocacy and leadership in Tamale.

The programme focused on leadership, governance, data-driven advocacy, and knowledge of rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Ghana’s Persons with Disabilities Act, Act 715. The goal is to equip women and girls with disabilities to influence policy, engage decision-makers, and take up leadership roles.

Ghana ratified the UNCRPD in 2008 and passed Act 715 the same year. Article 6(1) of the Convention specifically recognises that women and girls with disabilities face multiple forms of discrimination and calls on states to ensure their full and equal enjoyment of all human rights.

Addressing participants, Executive Secretary of the Ghana National Association of the Deaf, Juventus Duorinaah, Esq., said women with disabilities continue to face exclusion. ‘Women with disabilities are less likely to take up leadership positions, and more likely to face discrimination and limited participation in governance and decision-making,’ he said.

He added that within OPDs, deaf women, blind women, women with albinism, women with mental health conditions and women with cerebral palsy face even greater barriers due to limited access to information, low awareness of their rights, and weak participation in organisational governance.

‘Beyond social and institutional barriers, we recognise a capacity gap. Limited capacity prevents them from participating effectively in decision-making and advocating for their rights,’ Mr. Duorinaah stated. He explained that the training was held solely for women and girls to create a safe space where they can learn at their own pace and contribute freely, given the intersection of disability, gender and cultural factors.

He urged participants to build networks and use the knowledge gained to advocate for their rights and the rights of others.

Speaking on behalf of UNDP, Paul Akuamoah Boateng commended GNAD and partners for advancing disability inclusion. ‘Inclusive development is not just policy. It is about ensuring every individual, regardless of disability, has equal opportunities to participate and thrive,’ he said.

He noted that women and girls with disabilities still face stigma, limited access to education, jobs, justice and leadership, especially in underserved regions. He said UNDP’s focus is to move beyond awareness to practical skills that drive change, and stressed that Ghana cannot achieve the SDGs without women and girls with disabilities as leaders and partners.

Participant representative, Madam Adam Ayishetu of GAPA, thanked the organisers.

‘We did not know we had the right to request documents from MMDAs. Now we know the laws and how to use them to demand accessibility and accountability,’ she said.

Ghanaian digital content creator, storyteller and entrepreneur Zuu, real name Zulfiquer Gbedemah, has raised concerns over what he describes as a gradual erosion of Ghanaian culture, urging the youth to hold on to the things that make the country unique.

In a video that has sparked conversation online, Zuu said Ghana is losing parts of its language, fashion, and music to foreign influence, particularly through social media and globalisation.

‘It feels like we are losing our Ghanaianness. I know that’s not a word, but try and understand what I’m saying. It feels like we are losing parts of our culture, parts of our language, parts of our fashion. So many things have changed, and I guess it’s because of social media, because of globalisation.’

The content creator said he has nothing against Nigeria and South Africa, but noted that their cultural exports are becoming dominant in Ghana.

Zuu also lamented the decline of distinctly Ghanaian sounds and styles.

‘With music, music is another issue. We used to have things that were so Ghanaian, like Azonto. Highlife has been watered down. There’s so many things that don’t feel Ghanaian anymore, and I think it’s sad,’ he stressed.

On fashion, he said global trends are overtaking local identity, but expressed hope that Ghanaian food culture will remain strong.

‘The food, Ghanaians don’t play with food, so I feel like that food thing is still gonna be Ghanaian for a while,’ he added.

Zuu expressed particular worry about the younger generation’s inability to speak local Ghanaian languages, including himself, saying, ‘A lot of us in the younger generation cannot speak. Myself included, are not fluent in any local Ghanaian languages. I think it’s very sad. I think it’s something that we need to really pay attention to and work on, or else we’re really going to lose ourselves.’

He concluded with a call to action: ‘Let’s save ourselves. Let’s save our culture. Let’s save Ghana. Otherwise we’re going to be washed away. It will just be some regular people in the world that nobody really pays attention to.’

POPULAR KUMASI-based broadcaster with New Mercury FM, Dominic Owusu, affectionately known as Koola City, has ascended the traditional stool as Chief of Anuwoho (Apatrapa-Pokukrom), in the Kwadaso Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

The respected radio personality was officially enstooled after successfully undergoing the required traditional rites and customary processes. He was installed under the stool name Nana Kwarfo III as the Otumfuo Bosomprakumahene and subsequently swore the oath of allegiance to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, pledging his loyalty to the Golden Stool and the customs of the Asante Kingdom.

The colourful ceremony attracted traditional authorities, family members, friends, media practitioners, opinion leaders and hundreds of residents, who gathered to witness the event.

The event was characterised by rich displays of Ashanti culture, with traditional drumming, dancing and the performance of customary rites symbolising his elevation to the stool. The occasion also reaffirmed the important role of traditional leadership in promoting peace, unity and community development.

As Otumfuo Bosomprakumahene, Nana Kwarfo III is expected to work closely with the traditional council to advance development, strengthen unity and maintain peace in Anuwoho (Apatrapa-Pokukrom) and its surrounding communities. He will also champion the preservation of the customs, values and cultural heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom while serving as a bridge between the traditional authorities and the people.

Koola City has earned widespread recognition as one of Kumasi’s respected radio personalities through his outspoken and community-focused style of broadcasting. His programmes on New Mercury FM have consistently promoted public education, social development and discussions on issues affecting ordinary citizens.

Addressing the gathering after his installation, Nana Kwarfo III expressed heartfelt appreciation to the traditional authorities and the people for the confidence reposed in him. He pledged to lead with humility, integrity and dedication.

He assured the people that his reign would prioritise peace, youth empowerment, education and community development while preserving the rich cultural heritage of the area.

He further appealed to residents, especially the youth, and all stakeholders to rally behind the traditional leadership to accelerate the socio-economic development of the community.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has criticized the government over what he described as the neglect of victims of the June 29 floods, during the ongoing #DemocracyUnderAttack demonstration.

Addressing journalists, he said nothing had been said about the hundreds who lost lives and property in the floods because they were not public officials.

‘Many people lost their lives when we had the flood situation. The following year, the government was holding a Thanksgiving service. As we speak, no government official has even visited those who lost their loved ones.

We have not seen the government declare a state of mourning for the people who lost their property and the hundreds who lost their lives. Nothing has been said about them because they are not public officials,’ he stated. The Minority Leader also explained why the NPP embarked on the ‘Democracy Under Attack’demonstration. He cited concerns over what he described as selective justice, alleged inaction on corruption claims, and the need for state institutions to uphold accountability and the rule of law.