Category: Daily Guide Network

The two-day nationwide clean-up exercise commenced in the Volta Region with a massive turnout as residents, public institutions, security agencies, and government departments joined efforts to restore environmental sanitation following recent flooding in parts of the country.

The exercise, which began around 5:00 a.m. on Friday, saw participants clean choked gutters, desilt drains, clear refuse dumps, and remove plastic waste from public spaces across various communities in the region.

Speaking to the media, the Ho Municipal Environmental Health Officer, Mr. Rogar Adjei, described the turnout as highly encouraging and commended institutions and residents for responding positively to the initiative.

According to him, the exercise demonstrates a collective commitment to keeping the environment clean and preventing future flood disasters. He, however, cautioned that existing sanitation laws would be enforced against individuals and institutions that fail to participate or engage in practices that undermine environmental cleanliness.

Some participants who spoke to the media lauded President John Dramani Mahama for initiating the nationwide clean-up campaign, describing it as timely and necessary in the aftermath of recent floods that affected several parts of the country.

One participant noted that the exercise had exposed the extent to which gutters had become clogged with sand, plastics, and other waste materials, which contribute significantly to flooding.

‘Post-flooding, this exercise will help us clear our gutters and remove rubbish that could block drains and cause further flooding. It is a very good initiative, and we are pleased to be part of it,’ the participant said.

He, however, stressed that the clean-up exercise should not be a one-off activity but should be sustained and organised more regularly.

He further urged residents to stop indiscriminately disposing of plastic waste and refuse into drains and along roadsides, noting that such practices eventually result in blocked waterways and flooding.

‘We all witnessed the tragic flooding in Accra. To prevent similar occurrences, we must properly dispose of our waste, recycle where possible, and keep our environment clean at all times rather than waiting for disasters to occur before taking action,’ he added.

Others called for increased public education and stronger collaboration among government institutions, communities, and sanitation agencies to promote environmental responsibility.

They emphasised that beyond cleaning exercises, there is a need for continuous sensitisation on the health implications of indiscriminate waste disposal and the importance of protecting waterways.

The participants appealed to all residents of the Volta Region to adopt proper sanitation practices to ensure cleaner and healthier communities.

Aspiring New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman, Paul Awentami Afoko, has called on disgruntled party members to ‘come back home,’ warning that division and exclusion are undermining the NPP’s chances of recapturing power.

Addressing party faithful on Sunday, the former National Chairman said the NPP must close old wounds and return to its founding values of respect, discipline, tolerance, service and loyalty.

‘We cannot win when old wounds remain open. We cannot win when loyal members feel excluded, humiliated, ignored, or pushed aside. We cannot win when our internal competition becomes internal destruction,’ Mr. Afoko stated.

He said his bid is not to lead one faction against another, but to serve as a reconciler across generations, regions and tendencies within the party.

‘I am coming to help reconcile the party. I am coming to build bridges across generations, across regions, across tendencies, across camps, and amongst all genuine party people who believe in our tradition,’ he said.

‘People sacrificed for the party and endured detention, exile and even death for the cause of democracy and prosperity in Ghana,’ he added.

Reconnect With Grassroots

Mr. Afoko urged the NPP to reconnect with its base through detailed constituency and polling station work, honest assessment of 2024 losses, and wide consultations to repair relationships.

‘We must listen to communities. We must repair relationships. We must rebuild trust with professional groups, traders, farmers, students, youth groups, women’s groups, faith communities, traditional authorities, civil society, and the business community,’ he said.

He pointed out that the party must once again be associated with prosperity, business confidence, rapid development, social mobility and opportunity.

Call For Civil Competition

On internal contests, Mr. Afoko called for civil discourse and unity, invoking the Busia-Danquah-Dombo tradition.

‘To those who disagree with me, I say let us disagree as members of one family. Let us compete without destroying one another. Let us remember that after internal elections, we must still stand under one flag,’ he said.

He added that the principle of protecting dissent within the party must be upheld.

The aspiring chairman said the next election will not be won by entitlement, but by humility, hard work, credible ideas and disciplined organisation.

‘Ghana needs a strong, responsible opposition ready to return to government to improve lives, not for power’s sake alone,’ he stated.

Mr. Afoko concluded by urging members to refocus on unity and collective purpose as the NPP prepares for future national contests.

The shift in Ghana from the traditional extended family system toward a more nuclear family structure has intensified challenges associated with elderly care by weakening intergenerational household support. Economic pressures and urban migration have further contributed to the decline of the extended family system, which previously served as a primary source of care for older persons.

Consequently, many elderly individuals are increasingly left alone during the day, even when they reside within family households. Ghana continues to rely largely on fragmented policy measures and family-based care arrangements. In contrast, several countries have moved toward more structured, state-supported elderly care systems.

In the United Kingdom, elderly persons are referred by general practitioners to community-based centres where they engage in structured activities such as exercise classes, art therapy, gardening, music sessions, and peer interaction groups. The UK model known as ‘social prescribing’ places strong emphasis on mental health and loneliness prevention.

In Japan, elderly persons regularly attend local community centres where they participate in physical exercise, cultural activities, games, and social interaction. These centres are often supported by municipal governments and integrated with the national health insurance system. Medical personnel routinely monitor elderly participants, ensuring early detection of health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and mobility challenges.

South Africa provides community-based care systems combined with social protection grants. Elderly persons receive monthly financial support from the state. In addition, many communities operate day-care centres and home-based care services supported by NGOs and local municipalities.

South Africa’s approach is significant because it combines income security with community care, ensuring that older persons are not only financially supported but also socially engaged.

For Ghana, these lessons are particularly relevant. They provide valuable insights that can guide the country in forging ahead with deliberate, well-planned interventions to address the challenges and opportunities associated with its aging population.

By drawing on proven experiences from other jurisdictions and adapting them to Ghana’s unique realities, aging can be approached not as a looming crisis but as an opportunity to build a society where older persons can live with dignity, purpose, and care.

Conclusion

Old age is not a destination reserved for a few unfortunate people. It is the road upon which every living person is travelling. The elderly you see today were once the vibrant youth who sacrificed sleepless nights, postponed their dreams, and endured countless hardships so that we could stand tall today. To abandon them in their twilight years is to forget the very roots that nourished us.

A society that does not value its older people denies its roots and endangers its future. Let us strive to enhance their capacity to support themselves for as long as possible and, when they cannot do so anymore, to care for them. -Nelson Mandela

The love, patience, and care we extend to them today are seeds we sow for the future. Let’s care for the elderly with love and compassion, for age is a journey we all hope to undertake. Caring for the aged is not an act of charity; it is an act of love, gratitude, and a solemn reminder that every life deserves to age with dignity, peace, and warmth. If aging is a blessing, then dignity in old age must become a right, not a privilege reserved for the fortunate few.

Recommendation

Protecting the dignity of older persons in Ghana requires more than sympathy and occasional acts of charity. It requires deliberate legal reforms, institutional support, and a revival of the culture of care and respect that once characterised Ghanaian society. Growing old should not become a sentence to loneliness, neglect, or indignity. The following measures are therefore recommended.

Ghana can establish Community Active Ageing Centres in every district to support the well-being, dignity, and social inclusion of older persons. These centres should be deliberately designed as safe, accessible, and friendly spaces where elderly persons can regularly gather, interact, and participate in structured activities with their peers.

Instead of aging in isolation at home, older persons would have the opportunity to engage in social interactions, fellowships, light physical exercises, cultural activities, storytelling, games, and other recreational programmes that promote mental stimulation and emotional well-being. Regular interaction with peers can significantly improve mental health outcomes and restore a sense of belonging and purpose.

Growing old brings unique health challenges. Such centres would also serve as platforms for emotional support and psychological care. Importantly, each centre should be staffed with trained medical personnel and social care workers, including nurses, counsellors, and community health officers.

These professionals would provide routine health monitoring such as blood pressure checks, basic medical screening, medication reminders, and referral services where necessary. This ensures that health challenges are identified early before they become severe or life-threatening.

A key feature of this model is that it should be affordable and sustainable, with older persons contributing a small subsidised fee where possible, while government and district assemblies provide the main financial and infrastructural support. The objective is not to commercialise aging but to ensure dignity through shared responsibility and sustainability.

Alternatively, it is recommended that, in the event of limited central government capacity to fully fund and implement the programme, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) should take proactive steps to sensitise their communities on the importance of the initiative and introduce appropriate local levies to support the implementation of this critical and beneficial project. Financial and material support for the project may be obtained through sponsorship from corporate organisations, religious bodies, and private organisations.

Many elderly persons suffer emotional, physical, and financial abuse at the hands of relatives and caregivers. Others lose their properties because they are weak or unable to defend themselves. Parliament should enact an Older Persons Act to provide clear rights and obligations relating to healthcare, social security, housing, long-term care, protection from abuse, and access to justice.

Such legislation should criminalise elder abuse and neglect and establish mechanisms for reporting and responding to cases involving vulnerable elderly persons. Public awareness campaigns should educate families and communities about the rights of older persons and the consequences of abuse and neglect.

Government and private health institutions should develop home-based care services in which trained personnel periodically visit older persons living alone or experiencing mobility challenges. An elderly person who falls in his or her home should not have to wait for hours before receiving assistance.

In addition, a dedicated transport service could be introduced to provide daily transportation for older persons with mobility difficulties to and from the proposed community centres at a modest fee. Such a system would enable them to participate in social, recreational, and wellness activities with their peers while reducing social isolation and loneliness. Together, these interventions would promote active aging, enhance the quality of life of older persons, and ensure that they remain connected to their communities.

Faith-based communities should ensure that those who spent decades serving God are not forgotten when age weakens their bodies. Some congregations have already taken commendable steps by organising exercise sessions and providing free medical screenings for older persons, including checks for blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and body mass index (BMI).

Such initiatives should be encouraged and expanded to promote healthy and dignified aging. Employers should organise programmes that prepare workers for life after retirement, emphasising financial planning and savings, social engagement, health management, and the importance of maintaining meaningful relationships.

Government alone cannot replace the family. Children must remember that the parents who now walk slowly once carried them in their arms. The hands that tremble today once fed them. The eyes that struggle to see today once stayed awake throughout the night whenever they were sick.

Visiting parents should not be reserved for funerals. A simple phone call, a short visit, a conversation, or spending time together may mean more to an elderly parent than expensive gifts. Many older persons do not complain because they need money. They complain because they miss companionship. Retirement should not become a transition from usefulness to loneliness.

INTERNET SENSATION, Efya Odo, has criticised the government over Ghana’s waste management system, following the just-ended two-day nationwide sanitation exercise.

The social media personality said despite the nationwide clean-up exercise, many communities still have heaps of refuse left along roadsides. She blamed the situation on what she described as the country’s poor waste management system.

Reacting to a Joy News post on X which showed a video of a heap of refuse under the caption, ‘National Clean-up Day 2: Heaps of refuse remain at Tema Lorry Station,’ Efya Odo responded to the post saying, ‘Lmao exactly! No proper waste management. I guess they expect the citizens to also take the trash to the dumping grounds.’

Her comments have since sparked reactions online, with many followers sharing their frustrations and calling on government to put proper systems in place.

X user Dennison wrote: ‘What a joke this country has become… This country owes every Ghanaian healthy water, waste management, electricity, retirement system, better city plan, a functional transportation. I hate that our leaders are putting it all on the citizens to handle.’

Another user, I am Akafaevag, questioned where the waste collected during the exercise would end up: ‘But the inevitable question remains; ‘Where will all the waste and rubbish cleaned by the patriotic citizens who I am proud to be part of, END UP?’ Back at holding points or edge of gutters? Which all ends up back in floods and gutters. Or; Recycled in 100% totality? By WHO?’

Governorkid also weighed in, suggesting a structured collection system: ‘That is where the problem is, assuming every week there’s a rubbish truck that comes for the rubbish at a fee, it will help a lot.’

The two-day national sanitation exercise was aimed at ridding major cities and towns of filth and improving public health. However, concerns about waste disposal and sustainability of such exercises continue to dominate public conversation online.

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is set to begin a massive GHS190 million redevelopment of Burma Camp, aimed at replacing aging barracks with modern, multi-level family housing and multi-purpose office complexes.

The project is expected to be completed within nine months. The initiative covers three key projects: the El-Wak Redevelopment Project, the Post Office Redevelopment Project, and the Burma Camp Redevelopment Project. Together, they are designed to address the military’s housing deficit and significantly improve living conditions for personnel.

Currently, the El-Wak site has 18 blocks of accommodation housing 180 families. The buildings, constructed as far back as Kwame Nkrumah’s era, are now in a dilapidated state. Under the new plan, two types of accommodation will be introduced: Two-Bedroom Half-Compound Units: each unit has two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, sanitary facilities, and an entrance foyer. One block will contain eight (8) apartments; One-Bedroom Studio Apartments: each studio has a single room with a kitchenette, living area, and washroom. One block will contain 32 apartments. At completion, the project will deliver 192 housing units, replacing the existing 180. The contractor is Belamos Construction Company Limited.

The Post Office Redevelopment Project will be executed by HMS Construction Limited. It involves a two-storey multi-purpose facility located opposite Ecobank at Burma Camp. Ground Floor: will house two banks, each with its own banking hall, customer service area, vaults, bank manager’s office, and other ancillary facilities.

The first floor will accommodate relocated post office staff. It will also include a forex bureau, travel and tour facilities, and office space for rent. Officials say the new building will replace the current outdated structure and improve the outlook around the Command Gate area.

The Burma Camp site currently has 18 blocks housing 36 families. The redevelopment will introduce: Deluxe Studio Apartments – with a living area, bedroom, kitchen, storeroom, and sanitary area. Two-Bedroom, Three-Storey Accommodation – each unit with two bedrooms, living room, kitchen, sanitary areas, and entrance foyer.

One block will house 12 apartments. When completed, the project will provide 248 family units, replacing the existing 36.

This represents a 600% increase in housing capacity. Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony last Thursday, Deputy Minister of Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, described the programme as a major investment in the welfare of military personnel. ‘Soldiers who dedicate their lives to protecting the country deserve decent accommodation,’ he said. He added that the redevelopment of Burma Camp and other barracks would preserve an important part of the country’s military history while modernising facilities to meet present and future operational needs.

THE CHIEF Executive Officer of the National Ambulance Service (NAS), Dr. George Kojo Owusu, has called on motorists, especially public transport drivers, to make way for ambulance vehicles to ensure timely response to emergencies.

Speaking at the 2025 Annual and 2026 Mid-Year Review Meeting of the National Ambulance Service, Dr. Owusu said navigating through traffic in congested cities like Kumasi and Accra remains a major challenge for emergency teams.

‘For many years, ambulances were largely perceived as vehicles for transporting patients from one location to another. Today, however, emergency medical care has evolved significantly,’ he said. ‘Even when our lights are on with sirens blaring, it is still very difficult for drivers to give way. But any time you hear the sound of an ambulance siren and see the flashing lights, please request right of way. That patient could be your father, your mother, or your relative. It may be you tomorrow,’ Dr. Owusu stressed.

The NAS CEO disclosed that demand for ambulance services has witnessed a 4.6% growth, putting more pressure on the Service to improve response time. ‘This means we have to be up to the task. People are now aware that they need ambulances, so we must ensure more of our fleet is available, our staffs are up to date with their medical skills, and we improve on response time,’ he stated.

He added that President John Mahama has directed that ‘no person in Ghana will die because an ambulance failed to come,’ and the Service is working to meet that directive.

Dr. Owusu also announced a new initiative by the Ministry of Health, to roll out a National Integrated Bed Management System. The system will provide real-time visibility of available beds at receiving and referring facilities, allowing ambulance crews to know where to send patients before they set off.

‘This will prevent what we call ‘no bed’ situations. Before we even leave, we will know precisely where we are going. I believe when we roll this out, our system will be second to South Africa in Africa. It is a very good initiative that we must all support,’ he said.

Dr. Owusu said the National Ambulance Service is leading a transformation in emergency care in Ghana. ‘Our vision rests on three critical pillars: strengthening prehospital emergency care, stabilisation, and timely patient transfer. We remain committed to investing in continuous professional training, equipping our ambulances with modern life-saving equipment, strengthening dispatch and referral systems, and working closely with hospitals and partners to ensure every Ghanaian receives quality emergency care regardless of location,’ he added.

He urged the public to treat ambulances as priority vehicles on the road, noting that seconds saved can mean the difference between life and death.

Leader of Universal Spiritual Outreach, Bishop Kwabena Asiamah, popularly known as ‘Ajagurajah’, says he will no longer publicly mention celebrities’ names if he receives spiritual revelations about them.

Speaking in an interview with Nana Romeo on Okay FM, Ajagurajah explained that his decision follows the backlash he faced after sharing what he described as a revelation about Ghanaian rapper Criss Waddle.

According to him, the criticism and ridicule he received after making the comments left him deeply hurt.

‘If I receive another revelation about a public figure, I won’t mention the person’s name publicly again,’ he said.

Ajagurajah described speaking about Criss Waddle as one of the biggest regrets of his life, saying he believed the revelation was genuine but did not expect the public reaction.

The comments relate to a public exchange between the two in June 2026 after Ajagurajah claimed he had foreseen danger approaching the musician and called on him to seek spiritual intervention.

Northern-based, multiple award winning artiste Sherif Abdul Majeed, known by his stage name Maccasio, has suspended all promotional activities for his upcoming Maccasio x Mr. P Concert 2026 until further notice to mourn the death of the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Naa Abukari II.

Ya-Naa Abukari II is reported to have died in South Africa, where he had travelled for medical treatment after a short illness.

Kuga Naa Adam Abdulai II, head of the Dagbon kingmakers, announced the overlord’s death amid traditional drumming at Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, Northern Region.

In a statement signed by the Organizing Committee, the team said: ‘The Organizing Committee of the Maccasio x Mr. P Concert 2026 wishes to inform the general public, our cherished fans, partners, sponsors, media, and all stakeholders that all promotional activities for the upcoming concert have been suspended till further notice. We join the entire nation, the Royal Family, Chiefs, Elders, and people of Dagbon in mourning this great loss,’ he said

Maccasio described the late Ya Naa as a father, a unifying leader, and a custodian of the rich heritage of Dagbon.

‘His legacy will remain forever in our hearts. Out of respect for His Majesty, his family, and the Dagbon Kingdom during this period of grief, we believe it is only fitting to put all promotional activities on hold.’ he noted

Sherif Abdul Majeed is billed to host Peter Obumneme Okoye, also known as Mr P of P-Square fame,on Saturday July 18,2026 at the Aliu Sports Stadium for the concert dubbed ‘Maccasio x Mr. P Concert 2026’.

The Organizing Committee of the Maccasio x Mr. P Concert 2026, has indicated that they will raise funds during the concert to support the Gbewaa palace project established by the late Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Naa Abukari II.

Tanzanian music star Diamond Platnumz and his wife, Zuchu, have announced that they are separating.

Zuchu disclosed the development in a post shared on her Instagram Stories on Sunday, revealing that the couple are currently going through a divorce.

‘My husband and I are now separated and going through a divorce. I announce this with a heavy heart. After six years of being together, I’ve finally decided to choose myself,’ she wrote.

Although she did not reveal the reason for the split, Zuchu said they had made efforts to save the marriage, adding, ‘We tried, but Allah has His own plans.’ She also said she now wants to focus on her health and music career.

The couple, who had been together for several years, officially got married in June 2025.

Following the announcement, Diamond Platnumz’s former partner, Zari Hasan, reportedly reacted by praising Zuchu for her strength during the relationship.

Fraud cases reported by banks in the country decreased by 34 percent in 2025 to 472, down from 716 recorded in 2024, despite a sharp rise in fraud cases across the financial sector.

The report, published by the Financial Stability Department of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) on Banks, Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDIs) and Payment Service Providers (PSPs) for 2025, stated that total reported fraud cases across banks, SDIs and PSPs increased from 16,733 in 2024 to 24,778 in 2025.

‘There were 472 fraud cases reported in 2025, compared to the 716 fraud cases reported in 2024. This represents a 34% decrease,’ the report stated.

The report, however, attributed the overall increase in fraud cases in the entire financial sector almost mainly to developments in the Payment Service Providers (PSP) sector, although the total value at risk rose only marginally from GHS99 million to GHS101 million.

It noted that, over the four-year period from 2022 to 2025, fraud cases increased steadily from 15,164 to 24,778, while the total value at risk rose from GHS82 million to GHS101 million.

The report pointed out that, during the same period, banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDIs) recorded notable reductions in both the number of fraud incidents and overall exposure, whereas PSPs experienced a 98 percent increase in fraud cases and a 42 percent rise in the value at risk.

According to the report, fraud activity has progressively shifted towards the PSP sector as a result of the rapid growth in digital financial transactions and relatively lower levels of digital literacy among users, despite the sector’s significant contribution to financial inclusion.

‘ATM/POS fraud recorded a value at risk of GHS2.43 million in 2025. This represents a 41% decline from the GHS4.14 million value recorded in 2024. Burglary completed the top five fraud categories, recording a value at risk of GHS1.74 million. Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDIs) reported 182 fraud cases in 2025, compared with 344 cases in 2024, indicating a decrease of 47%,’ the report.

‘Cash suppression accounted for the highest value at risk in 2025, totalling GHS40.7 million, representing an 18-fold increase compared with the GHS2.3 million recorded in 2024. The significant jump in the value at risk for this fraud category was driven by an outlier case involving GHS36 million,’ parts of the report stated.

The central bank said e-money fraud recorded a value at risk of GHS4.6 million in 2025, representing a 32 per cent increase from GHS3.5 million in 2024. Fraudulent withdrawals also rose significantly, with the value at risk increasing by 118 per cent from GHS1.82 million to GHS3.97 million.

In the Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDIs) sector, reported fraud cases declined by 47 per cent to 182 in 2025, compared with 344 cases in 2024. Cash suppression, credit fraud, forgery and manipulation of documents were identified as the most prevalent fraud types.

Speaking at a media sensitisation programme on the report, the Director of the Financial Stability Department at the BoG, Dr. Kwasi Osei Yeboah, urged the media to continue supporting public education on fraud issues, describing the annual publication as an important tool for informing Ghanaians and strengthening public confidence in the financial system.

He said the report was intended not only to highlight fraud risks but also to educate the public on the need to protect themselves and their finances, adding that an informed public was less likely to fall victim to fraud and more likely to use financial services safely.

Dr. Yeboah said the Bank of Ghana was encouraged by the financial industry’s growing response to fraud risks, with institutions strengthening internal controls, investing in fraud prevention systems and improving monitoring mechanisms.

He further noted that newly introduced financial products often present risks because customers require time to understand how to use them securely. This, he said, could make users more vulnerable to fraud, especially during periods of economic hardship.