Category: Daily Guide Network

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.

Midwifery Officer at the Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge), Mrs. Racheal Regina Hesse, has called on corporate bodies to prioritise breast cancer advocacy at the Nsawam Female Prison, where many inmates suffer without help.

Speaking at the 3rd edition of the MiKAFUI Pink Conference (MiPiCON) 2026, held under the theme, ‘Closing the Care Gap: Actionable Advocacy’ at the Nsawam Female Prison, Mrs. Hesse said advocacy should not exempt female inmates.

‘I engaged the inmates on how to examine their breast a week after their menses. You position that part of the arm at your back to a bit elevate the breast. You can do that in the standing position or when you are lying down, and then palpate the breast in a circular motion towards the armpit or axillary region because that is where the breast extends to,’ she noted.

Mrs. Hesse said the inmates were actively involved, standing on their feet to practice how to examine the breast, with many asking questions.

‘One of them was confused about excess flesh seen at the armpit, of which I explained that we vary in our genetic makeup and some may have excess skin or fat. If you pick up any lump or abnormality, report it,’ she said.

She listed warning signs to watch out for, including inverted nipples, one breast becoming proportionally bigger than the other, and patches around the breast.

‘If you see one, don’t wait to see the other. You need to connect to your guard or instructor. They will take you to the nearest hospital for examination to rule out whether it is cancer or not,’ she advised.

The session also featured a breast cancer survivor who shared her experience after going through radiation, chemotherapy and surgery, which Mrs. Hesse said made the inmates appreciate the reality of the disease.

She stressed that although October is set aside to create breast cancer awareness, education and screening must continue daily, adding that breast cancer does not discriminate based on breast size.

The 2026 edition of Rapperholic x MoMoFest has been described as historic and bigger than just a concert.

The mega-scale musical collaboration took place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, merging two massive Ghanaian entertainment powerhouses: MTN Mobile Money’s tech-entertainment platform, MoMoFest, and Sarkodie’s flagship annual rap concert, Rapperholic.

Moving away from its traditional December slot in Accra, Sarkodie brought the 2026 edition to the Ashanti Region for a massive homecoming experience that successfully combined music, culture and digital finance.

In a post on X, Sarkodie said Rapperholic is bigger than a concert as it stimulates economic activity across Kumasi, Accra and the wider Ghanaian economy.

‘Rapperholic is bigger than a concert. It stimulates economic activity across Kumasi, Accra and the wider Ghanaian economy through tourism, hospitality, transportation, food, fashion, media, advertising, employment and the creative supply chain,’ he wrote.

He noted that the economic value of the concert extends far beyond ticket sales to include visitor spending, revenue for local businesses, temporary jobs created, suppliers paid, and future tourism and commercial opportunities.

He further expressed gratitude to government and the private sector, saying the opportunity is to build an ecosystem where Ghanaian entertainment generates measurable economic value, supports businesses, creates jobs and attracts visitors.

‘And now, to the reason why I still keep going… MY SARKNATION!!! I don’t even have the words for you guys! What have I done to deserve the amount of work you put in to make this show happen? I honestly don’t have the words to express how I feel. Even before I intensified my PR efforts, you guys were already on the ground and online, promoting the hell out of this event! You proved that this event is just as much yours as it is mine, and that means everything to me. My love to each and every one of you. A BIG THANK YOU!

‘To all the content creators and public figures who used their clout to promote #RapperholicKumasi26, I see you all! Big shouts to each and every one of you. I appreciate the love and support!’ he added.

A new exhibition by Ghanaian artist Ezra Appiah will invite audiences to revisit the memories and stories held in family photographs, as Ghanaian photographer and environmental activist Reginald Boateng joins the 2026 Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador Award winners.

Titled Family Album: A New and a Reborn Version, the exhibition will run from 7 to 27 November 2026 at The Mix Design Hub in Accra. Appiah, a 2024 Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador Award winner, is presenting his first solo exhibition with Absa L’Atelier Art in Ghana following a two-month residency at the Kromdraai Creativity and Impact Hub in South Africa.

In the exhibition, Appiah draws on childhood memories and archival family photographs to examine how people remember and make sense of family life. Through montage, he brings past and present together, looking beyond the moments traditionally preserved in family albums to consider the relationships and experiences that often remain unseen. The work asks audiences to reflect on how photographs preserve memories while also shaping the stories families tell about themselves.

‘I saw a reflection of self, a reliving of personal experiences that I then translated to thoughts and showed through visuals. So I hope everyone sees what I see and that this work inspires them to do the same,’ says Appiah.

Born in Sekondi-Takoradi and based in Kumasi, Appiah completed a Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) in Painting at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2022. He is a member of the blaxTARLINES collective and has exhibited in Ghana and internationally.

The exhibition also comes as Ghana celebrates Reginald Boateng’s selection as a 2026 Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador Award winner. Boateng was one of three recipients announced at the Absa L’Atelier Art and Lifestyle Fair at Waterfall City Park in South Africa on 10 October.

A photographer and environmental activist, Boateng draws inspiration from Ghanaian kente colours and coastal life. His work Our Water Turns Red, displayed at this year’s Fair, uses red water to draw attention to the environmental damage caused by illegal gold mining in Ghana.

Boateng’s award includes four months of mentorship with a leading visual arts practitioner, an international residency with the other two 2026 Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassadors, masterclasses and a laptop. He will also have the opportunity to stage a solo exhibition in 2028, with Absa contributing $6,000 towards materials.

Dr Paul Bayliss, Absa’s Senior Art and Museum Curator, said the exhibition demonstrates how sustained support can help artists develop their work and connect with audiences.

‘Supporting an artist means creating opportunities for them to develop their work and share it with audiences. Ezra’s exhibition in Ghana shows what that support can make possible, from his residency to presenting a new body of work in his home country,’ says Dr Bayliss. ‘As we celebrate 40 years of Absa L’Atelier Art, it is particularly rewarding to see Ezra reach this moment while welcoming Reginald Boateng as a 2026 Ambassador Award winner. Their distinct perspectives demonstrate the strength of Ghanaian artistic talent and why we continue to invest in opportunities for emerging African artists. Their stories deserve to be seen and heard.’

Established in 1986 through a partnership between Absa and the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), Absa L’Atelier Art is the longest-running pan-African art competition and marks its 40th anniversary in 2026. The platform supports emerging artists’ professional development and helps them reach new audiences.

Ambassador Award winners receive mentorship, intensive masterclasses led by international experts and a two-month international residency. They may also stage a solo exhibition within two years of winning, with up to $6,000 towards exhibition materials and the majority of artwork sales proceeds going to the artist.

As part of the programme in Accra, Absa L’Atelier will host an artists’ masterclass on 5 November at the Absa Ghana Regional Office, followed by an art buyers’ masterclass on 7 November at The Mix Design Hub. The sessions are intended to help emerging artists develop their careers and give collectors a better understanding of the art market.

The National Film Authority (NFA) has come under fire after using an AI-generated video for its Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, with critics accusing the state body of sidelining Ghana’s creative workforce.

The promotional video, released on October 27, features voiceovers from actors including Kafui Danku, Adjetey Anang, Fella Makafui and Gloria Safo, while all the visuals were created using artificial intelligence.

The decision has sparked criticism across the film industry, with many questioning why an institution established to promote local filmmaking opted for AI instead of employing Ghanaian filmmakers, actors and production crews.

‘Why use an AI video when you have thousands of creatives out here?’ one social media user wrote.

Some defended the Authority, suggesting budget constraints may have influenced the decision.

However, critics pointed to the Film Development Fund, which has a GHS20 million seed allocation to support Ghana’s film industry, as well as the NFA’s operational budget.

The controversy has intensified calls for the Authority to prioritise local creative talent, particularly at a time when many industry professionals are demanding greater investment in Ghana’s film sector.

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.

The Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Chapter of the New Patriotic Party (NPP-USA) officially inaugurated its new slate of executives in a ceremony held on October 25, 2026 in Dallas, reaffirming the chapter’s commitment to mobilising support for working hard towards making Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia the next President of Ghana and strengthening the party’s diaspora presence.

The swearing-in marks a renewed chapter for the organisation, which has historically served as a key mobilisation hub for the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition in North Texas. The newly inducted officers were administered the oath of office by Dr. Stella Green, an elder of the NPP DFW Chapter. She charged the new executives to uphold the values of the party and serve the Ghanaian community with integrity.

In his acceptance remarks, the elected Chapter Chairman, Mr. Kliphord Darkwah, expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in the executive body. He outlined a forward-looking agenda focused on membership expansion, enhanced community engagement, and robust support for the party’s national agenda ahead of the 2028 electoral cycle.

‘Our mandate is clear: to work together to ensure that Dr. Bawumia and the NPP win the 2028 polls in Ghana, to build a cohesive and active base here in Dallas-Fort Worth that not only champions the ideals of the NPP but also serves as a bridge between our members and the homeland,’ Mr. Darkwah stated and added, ‘We are committed to transparency, inclusivity, and hard work as we galvanise our community.’

The event was attended by distinguished guests, members of the NPP-DFW Chapter and some members of the Ghanaian community in DFW. The ceremony concluded with a call for unity and collective action among all members to ensure the chapter remains a formidable force within the party’s North American structure.

About NPP Dallas Chapter

The NPP Dallas Chapter is the local wing of the New Patriotic Party in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area of the United States of America.

NPP D/FW Chapter is dedicated to promoting the party’s philosophy of property-owning democracy and supporting the socio-economic advancement of Ghana. The chapter serves as a community hub for Ghanaians in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, facilitating civic engagement and cultural connection.

Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has successfully completed its Quarter Four Health Engagement and Access Link (HEAL) programme.

The programme provided critical medical screening and NHIS registration to 735 community members across its catchment areas.

It was organised in partnership with the Rotary Club of Tarkwa, Unilever Ghana, and Diagnostic Centre Limited (DCL).

The event which was under the theme, ‘Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters’ took place at the Richard Graeme School in Samahu and the Abekoase M/A School Park.

Executive Secretary of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, Abdel-Razak Yakubu, stated that the programme was strategically timed to align with Breast Cancer Awareness month.

He said about 185 women underwent specialised breast cancer screening and the medical teams identified and successfully referred 21 suspected cases for advanced assessment and clinical management.

‘This programme gave community members a vital opportunity to improve their understanding of breast cancer, undergo professional testing, and truly appreciate how early detection saves lives,’ Mr. Yakubu noted.

He indicated that beyond breast cancer screening, the HEAL programme delivered a robust free diagnostic and preventative medical services.

The comprehensive healthcare included X-ray and ultrasound services, Eye, Dental, and Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) examinations and Spirometry (lung function) testing.

The rest included blood sugar testing, blood pressure screening, and Body Mass Index (BMI) assessments, General medical consultations, health assessments, and clinical counselling.

There was also National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration and renewals.

Lead Specialist for Health Services at Gold Fields Ghana, Dr. Magdalene Bakari, emphasised that regular preventative care is the strongest weapon against severe disease.

‘Increasing awareness around the prevention and early detection of illnesses-especially breast cancer-remains a top priority,’ Dr. Bakari noted.

She urged community members to make regular medical check-ups a habit and to seek professional medical advice immediately if they notice any unusual changes in their bodies.

OmniBSIC Bank Ghana Limited has been honoured with the African Banking Excellence Award for Growth, Innovation and Customer Value at the 12th International Forum on African-Caribbean Leadership (IFAL 2026) held in New York on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

The award recognises financial institutions across Africa that have demonstrated outstanding performance in driving growth, advancing innovation and delivering value to customers.

OmniBSIC’s recognition reflects its sustained transformation and growing position in Ghana’s financial sector, supported by investment in technology, customer experience and strategic partnerships.

The bank’s growth has been reflected in its recent financial performance. In 2025, OmniBSIC more than doubled its total assets to GHS21.58 billion, while customer deposits reached GHS16.56 billion. Profit before tax rose by 104 percent to GHS641 million.

Speaking on the recognition, Managing Director of OmniBSIC Bank, Daniel Asiedu, said the award affirms the bank’s ambition and its Ghanaian roots.

‘Receiving this award on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly is deeply meaningful to us. This is not merely a recognition of what we have achieved; it is a mandate for where we are going,’ he said.

The award comes as the bank continues to implement its OmniBSIC 5.0 strategic initiative, which places technology-driven innovation, personalised service and proactive customer partnerships at the centre of its growth agenda.

The bank has expanded its reach across individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises, corporates and institutions, while strengthening its digital banking capabilities.

MD Honoured With Stonecrest Citizenship

In a related development, Mr. Asiedu was conferred with Honorary Citizenship of the City of Stonecrest, Georgia, on the sidelines of IFAL 2026.

The honour recognises his leadership and contribution to banking and economic development, as well as his commitment to advancing economic connections between Ghana, Africa and the global diaspora.

Incorporated in 2016, Stonecrest is a municipality in DeKalb County, Georgia, with a focus on economic empowerment, inclusive development and international collaboration.

‘I am deeply humbled by this honour from the City of Stonecrest. To be recognised by a city with such a purposeful and proud identity is an extraordinary privilege. It deepens my personal commitment to working across borders to advance economic development,’ he said.

‘This recognition belongs to every customer who trusts us and every staff member who makes it happen. OmniBSIC Bank is not just another bank, and moments like this remind us exactly why,’ he added.

TWO SUSPECTED gold ore robbers have been convicted and sentenced to prison for 20 years each by the Bekwai Circuit Court in the Ashanti Region.

The convicts include Justice Kakpo Mingle aka ‘Nii’, a photographer, 31; and Justice Mensah nicknamed ‘Gaza’, a vulcaniser, who is 29 years old.

Nii, Gaza and one Festus Mensah, aka ‘Gucci’, who is currently at large, reportedly robbed two people of their gold ore and bolted. They were later nabbed and arraigned.

The Presiding Judge, H/H Mr. Isaac Appiatu, found the accused person’s guilty on two counts of conspiracy to robbery and robbery, a police statement disclosed.

‘On the count of conspiracy, namely robbery, the accused persons were each sentenced 20 years. On the count of robbery, the accused persons were each sentenced 20 years.

‘The sentences are to run concurrently in hard labour. Convicts are now serving their sentences at Kumasi Central Prison,’ part of the police statement sighted by the DAILY GUIDE, indicated.

The report further stated that the prosecutor told the court that the convicts were in possession of weapons, and they snatched quantities of gold from their two victims.

‘On 22nd day of May 2026 at about 8:00 a.m. at Denkyie near Adansi Asokwa, accused persons wielding shocker black gun and bayonet used the said offensive weapons to overpower the complainants, George Osei Tutu and one Amoah in their pickup vehicle and robbed them of their Gold Ore valued GHS165,000 and bolted,’ the report disclosed.

According to the police, the victims reported the case to the police, leading to the arrest, prosecution and incarceration of the suspects.