Category: Daily Guide Network

The National President of the Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives Ghana (UPNMG), Maxwell Oduro Yeboah, has urged the government and health sector employers to honour agreements reached with nurses and midwives, warning that repeated delays in implementation are fuelling the migration of skilled health professionals from the country.

He said improved conditions of service and healthy employer-employee relations are essential to retaining healthcare workers and improving quality healthcare delivery.

Speaking at the Volta Regional Nurses and Midwives Conference held at Femie Chances Hotel in Ho, Mr. Oduro Yeboah stressed that trust between employers and healthcare workers is built on the faithful implementation of negotiated agreements. The conference was held on the theme, ‘Forging a Healthy Employer-Employee Relationship for Optimum Productivity and Job Satisfaction – A Shared Responsibility.’

He commended nurses and midwives in the Volta Region for their dedication despite persistent staffing shortages and logistical challenges, noting that the region’s gains in maternal healthcare, postnatal services and emergency care were largely the result of their commitment. ‘If you want the hen to continue laying eggs, you must feed the hen,’ he remarked, urging employers to adequately motivate healthcare professionals.

The UPNMG President expressed concern over the increasing exodus of nurses and midwives to foreign countries, attributing the trend to poor remuneration, unfavourable working conditions and inadequate recognition. He noted that many healthcare professionals leave not because they lack patriotism, but because they seek environments where they are fairly rewarded, respected and professionally fulfilled.

Mr. Oduro Yeboah also reminded nurses and midwives that industrial harmony requires commitment from both employers and employees. He urged members of the profession to uphold ethics, discipline, accountability and compassion, stressing that excellence in service remains their strongest tool in advocating for better conditions. He further disclosed that the union continues to support members through its welfare fund, which provides millions of cedis in loans while investing in initiatives to improve members’ welfare.

Representing the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, Mr. Yanick Noah Agboado called on nurses and midwives to recommit themselves to compassionate, patient-centred and professional healthcare delivery. While acknowledging the dedication of the majority of health workers, he expressed concern over reported cases of poor attitudes, delayed emergency response and medical negligence, which he said continue to attract public criticism of the profession.

He called on nurses and midwives to restore public confidence by ensuring that compassion, empathy and professionalism remain central to patient care.

The Volta Regional Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Faustine Asante, representing the Volta Regional Director of Health Services, commended nurses and midwives for their commitment during the recent industrial action and floods that affected parts of the region. She said management would continue to advocate improved staffing, better working conditions and adequate logistics while expecting healthcare workers to maintain professionalism and teamwork.

Madam Asante disclosed that the Volta Region currently has a nursing and midwifery workforce of 5,604, comprising 1,868 registered nurses, 1,112 registered midwives, 1,655 enrolled nurses and 969 community health nurses. She, however, noted that the region has only 35 specialist nurses, excluding those at the Ho Teaching Hospital, and no specialist midwife, although some midwives are currently undergoing specialist training.

She also urged all licensed nurses and midwives to renew their practising licences and complete their Continuous Professional Development (CPD) requirements to uphold professional standards.

President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for the construction of a state-of-the-art 24-Hour Economy Market at Juapong in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region, describing the project as a transformative initiative that will boost agricultural trade, reduce post-harvest losses and stimulate economic growth across the Volta Region.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony on Thursday, the President said the market forms part of the government’s flagship programme to construct modern 24-hour economy model markets in all 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country.

According to the President, the project is designed to provide farmers, traders and other economic actors with the infrastructure needed to support production, trade and enterprise while strengthening local value chains and creating sustainable employment opportunities.

President Mahama stated that the modern market would significantly reduce post-harvest losses by providing adequate storage and trading facilities, enabling farmers to secure better returns on their produce. He added that traders would also operate in a cleaner, safer and more efficient environment.

He noted that the project would have a multiplier effect on the local economy, benefiting transport operators, artisans, food processors and other service providers through increased commercial activity.

‘The market will strengthen linkages across the local economy, ensuring that more value is created and retained within the community,’ the President stated.

He disclosed that all 18 districts in the Volta Region would benefit from the government’s 24-Hour Economy Market initiative, with the Juapong project marking the beginning of the regional rollout.

President Mahama said the network of modern markets would connect producers directly to consumers, promote regional trade, strengthen agricultural value chains and reinforce the Volta Region’s position as a major hub for agriculture, commerce and industrial development under the government’s 24-hour economy agenda.

He further announced that although North Tongu is not a Metropolitan Assembly, Juapong has been selected to receive a Category Four market, the highest category under the programme, which is typically reserved for Metropolitan Assemblies because of their population size and commercial activities.

Providing details of the project, the President said the market would feature 100 lockable stores, 150 market sheds and stalls, 10 warehouses, a police post, a fire station, a clinic, a pharmacy, a daycare centre, modern washrooms and shower facilities, a Women’s Development Bank branch, a butcher’s shop and a cold storage facility.

He indicated that the warehouses would allow traders to safely store unsold goods overnight, thereby reducing losses, while the cold store would preserve meat and other perishable products.

The President added that the police post and fire station would ensure round-the-clock security and emergency response, while the clinic and pharmacy would provide immediate healthcare services to traders and patrons.

He also noted that the inclusion of a daycare centre would enable women and other traders with young children to conduct business with peace of mind, knowing their children would be cared for within the market.

President Mahama reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the 24-Hour Economy initiative, stressing that investments in modern market infrastructure would drive inclusive economic growth, create jobs and improve livelihoods in communities across the country.

The Minority Caucus in Parliament on Wednesday staged a walkout in protest against what it described as the First Deputy Speaker’s persistent use of the Standing Orders to stifle parliamentary oversight and frustrate opposition MPs from scrutinising the government.

The protest followed a ruling by the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, who disallowed a supplementary question from the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, during Question Time on the government’s planned fresh biometric SIM registration exercise.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin had sought clarification from the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, on the cost of the nationwide exercise to taxpayers after the Minister indicated that subscribers would not bear any cost.

However, the First Deputy Speaker ruled that the supplementary question did not flow from the original question on the Order Paper and therefore could not be entertained under the rules of the House.

The ruling sparked an exchange between the Minority Leader and the Chair, after which Minority MPs walked out of the Chamber in protest.

Minority’s Protest

Addressing journalists after the walkout, the Minority Leader accused the First Deputy Speaker of repeatedly using parliamentary rules to intimidate opposition MPs and undermine Parliament’s oversight responsibility.

‘We have observed the First Deputy Speaker has a way of using the rules to stampede parliamentary oversight,’ Mr. Afenyo-Markin said.

According to the Minority Leader, backbench MPs have increasingly found it difficult to ask questions because the presiding officer routinely relies on procedural rules to prevent them from making contributions.

‘The rules are not meant to be used to intimidate, frustrate and bring Parliament to a standstill,’ Mr. Afenyo-Markin stated.

The Minority maintained that the question on the cost of the fresh SIM registration exercise was a legitimate matter of public interest, particularly because the government had justified the new exercise on grounds that some SIM cards had previously been registered using false, stolen or unverifiable identities.

They argued that although the Minister had assured Parliament the exercise would be free for subscribers, Ghanaians deserved to know how much the exercise would cost the state and the procurement arrangements that would govern its implementation.

According to the caucus, the previous nationwide SIM registration exercise involved significant public expenditure, making it reasonable for Parliament to seek accountability over the financing of the new exercise.

The Minority further contended that the supplementary question was admissible under the Standing Orders because it sought clarification on an answer already provided by the Minister.

They cited Standing Order 89(1), arguing that it permits Members to ask supplementary questions arising from a Minister’s response.

The caucus also claimed that even members on the Majority side disagreed with the ruling, alleging that the Majority Leader appreciated that the question should have been allowed.

Despite their protest, the Minority said the walkout was limited to expressing their displeasure over the Deputy Speaker’s conduct and stressed that they would return to the Chamber to continue participating in parliamentary business.

Minister explains new SIM registration

Earlier, responding to the substantive question, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, explained that the government had decided to undertake a fresh biometric SIM registration exercise, officially called the Electronic Communications Numbering Resource Registration Exercise, to strengthen the integrity and security of the country’s telecommunications system.

According to the Minister, although the previous registration exercise sought to link SIM cards to verified identities using biometric validation against the National Identification Authority (NIA) database, the biometric information collected was not properly verified against the database.

This, the Minister said, enabled some individuals to register SIM cards using false, stolen or unverifiable identities, thereby undermining the integrity of the National SIM Register.

He maintained that the fresh registration exercise was intended to address those weaknesses and assured Parliament that subscribers would not be charged for the exercise.

The Ashanti Regional Office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) resolved 982 out of 1,208 complaints lodged against the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Ghana Water Limited (GWL) during the first six months of 2026, achieving an 81.29 percent resolution rate.

The Commission disclosed this in its Mid-Year 2026 Regional Performance Report, which highlighted significant gains in consumer protection, utility service delivery and public education across the Ashanti Region.

According to the report, ECG accounted for 1,116 complaints, representing 92.38 percent of the total complaints received, while GWL recorded 92 complaints, representing 7.61 percent.

The report indicated that the Commission successfully resolved 918 ECG-related complaints and 64 GWL-related complaints during the period under review.

As part of its interventions, PURC secured GHS108,969.40 in billing and payment adjustments in favour of consumers after investigations into complaints against the utility providers.

The Commission also recovered GHS55,664.74 from defaulting consumers on behalf of the utility companies.

The report further revealed that PURC facilitated the replacement of critical utility infrastructure to improve service delivery across the region.

These included the replacement of eight damaged electricity poles at a cost of GHS33,424, benefiting about 824 consumers, while three faulty electricity meters were replaced and 13 delayed electricity service connections were completed at a combined cost of GHS20,184, serving 144 consumers.

Additionally, four 200kVA transformers were replaced at a cost of GHS480,000, restoring reliable electricity supply to about 3,400 consumers.

In the water sector, the Commission facilitated the repair of 19 burst water pipes at an estimated cost of GHS22,800, restoring water supply to approximately 2,014 consumers.

Overall, the interventions involved an estimated investment of GHS556,408, directly benefiting 6,382 consumers across the Ashanti Region.

Beyond complaint resolution, the Commission intensified its consumer education and stakeholder engagement programmes through a number of outreach initiatives.

Under the ‘Tell PURC’ campaign, officials visited households in Dunkwa Ayanfuri, Asafo, Bantama, Manso Atwedie, Jacobu, Akrokerri and Adobewura to educate consumers on their rights and responsibilities while gathering first-hand information on challenges with utility service delivery.

The Commission also engaged traditional authorities and residents of Bodwesango through its ‘PURC @ the Palace’ initiative, where participants were educated on the Commission’s mandate, complaint handling procedures, meter acquisition processes, consumer rights and responsibilities, as well as electricity and water conservation.

Similarly, the ‘PURC @ the Bus Terminal’ initiative took the Commission to the Asante Mampong and Nsuta bus terminals, where passengers, transport operators and drivers were sensitised on consumer rights, the obligations of utility providers and the channels available for lodging complaints.

Under its ‘PURC Market Connect’ programme, the Commission also engaged traders at the Nyinahin and Asuofia markets, educating them on utility regulations, responsible consumption and the importance of honouring their utility payment obligations.

The report noted that these initiatives have significantly strengthened consumer awareness, improved access to the Commission’s services and enhanced confidence in the complaint resolution process, while promoting accountability among utility service providers in the region.

Asante Kotoko are set to appoint experienced South African coach, Eric Tinkler, as the club’s new head coach, bringing an end to their search for a permanent manager.

The Porcupine Warriors have been without a substantive head coach since the departure of Karim Zito, with interim coaches Prince Yaw Owusu and later Hamza Obeng overseeing the team.

The club recently appointed Dutchman, Stanley Menzo, as Director of Football, tasked with overseeing the technical direction, and the search for a new head coach has been a key priority.

Tinkler brings a wealth of experience to the role, having managed several clubs in the South African Premier Soccer League. He has previously been in charge of Orlando Pirates, Cape Town City, SuperSport United, Chippa United, and Maritzburg United. Most recently, he led Sekhukhune United.

The 55-year-old former Bafana Bafana midfielder, who earned 45 caps for South Africa, has won three trophies during his coaching career: the League Cup with Cape Town City FC (2016), the Nedbank Cup with Orlando Pirates (2013/2014), and the South Africa 8 Cup with SuperSport United FC (2017/2018).

Tinkler’s appointment is expected to bring stability and experience to Kotoko as they prepare for the 2026/27 season.

Two months after a midnight inferno destroyed the Sunyani Circuit Court and District Magistrate Court ‘B’, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is yet to disclose the cause of the blaze.

On Sunday, April 26, 2026, at around 1:00 a.m., a devastating fire swept through the court complex. The blaze destroyed vital documents, files, computers, registers, judges’ chambers, the cashier’s office, courtrooms, and the bailiff’s section. Eyewitnesses say it took GNFS personnel eight hours to bring the fire under control, a delay they blame on water shortages.

Litigants whose cases were pending were left in tears as courtrooms were reduced to ashes and debris. Since then, judicial activity has stalled.

Court staffs now operate from a cramped General Office at the High Court, described as ‘temporary and too small.’ Two rooms at the Sunyani Municipal Social Welfare Department have been allocated, but no sittings have resumed.

Despite the scale of the destruction, GNFS has not released any findings on what caused the fire.

The current Bono Regional Commander, ACFO II Robert Attah Kumi, told this paper he had just resumed office and had ‘no knowledge of the incident.’ When asked about handover notes, he said he was yet to review them. His predecessor, ACFO I Cecil Addo, who spoke to journalists at the scene, has since been transferred.

Citing GNFS policy, ACFO II Kumi said only the national headquarters is mandated to speak on fire investigations. ‘Investigations take time… we must finish, send the report to headquarters, then we will know the cause,’ he stated. Attempts to reach DO II Desmond Ackah, Head of Public Relations at GNFS, have not yielded a response.

A source within the Fire Service told this paper that ‘criminality is involved, hence the delay in releasing the report.’

The Police are also silent. The Bono Regional Police Commander was unavailable, with officials citing travel and meetings. However, a police source said investigations had been completed and pointed to arson.

According to the source, investigators found evidence of combustible materials, including an empty petrol container and a matchbox, at the scene. The Police are, however, waiting for GNFS to take the lead in publishing the report, since it falls under their remit.

The Bono Regional Administrative Officer of the Judiciary has also been unreachable after a reported transfer to the Northern Region. At the Commercial High Court, Court Service Officer Jamima Yeboah Amankwa said nothing further had been communicated since April 26. She added that any enquiries must be backed by a letter and directed to Accra.

Until GNFS speaks, the cause of the fire that crippled justice delivery in Bono and Ahafo remains a mystery – and the silence is costing public trust.

Sources indicates that after the Parliamentary Select Committee on Judiciary visited the scene and there is not even a provisional report provided by the fire service.

A High Court in Accra has struck out a motion filed by the Attorney General (AG) to revoke the leave granted former Chief Executive Officer of National Food Buffer Stock Company Limited (NAFCO), Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, to travel to the United Kingdom.

This was after the court held that the order granting the accused permission to travel to London for medical reason had lapsed on July 12, 2026, hence there was no subsisting order to be revoked.

Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai had moved the application, relying on the motion paper and affidavit in support and was about to argue out his points when the trial judge, Justice Francis Achibonga, drew his attention to the timelines provided by the order.

‘There is no order for me to revoke. That order was specific and clearly stated that the accused was to return by 12th (July 2026). Having elapsed, I don’t thinking there is any pending order. Maybe at the time you filed the process, yes. But as at now there is no pending order. Given that the order itself was self regulating in terms of its validity,’ Justice Achibonga said.

‘I will only revoke an order which is existing and deemed as void,’ the judge added.

Dr. Srem-Sai, therefore, withdrew the motion ‘considering that the order in respect of which the motion was filed has lapsed as at July 12, 2026.’

Former Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, who is counsel for Mr. Aludiba, in response, said clearly, the application itself was initiated to truncate the order of the court to ensure that the accused was unable to act in accordance with the orders of the court.

He pointed out that it was clear the court could not have granted the application given the fact that the timelines provided by the court had already elapsed.

He added that the state is still in possession of some monies confiscated from Mr. Aludiba as well as his phones and the passport which the court had ordered him to deposit with the registry on or before July 14.

Justice Achibonga subsequently struck out the application as withdrawn.

Rearrest

Mr. Aludiba is standing trial with his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, for allegedly stealing and causing financial loss to the state totalling GHS62.6 million.

He was arrested at the airport in the late hours of July 4 when he attempted to travel to the United Kingdom for a medical reason.

Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, in a Facebook post, confirmed the arrest and claimed Mr. Aludiba, who was granted permission by the trial court to travel, attempted ‘to use false means to empty his frozen bank account with Republic Bank on Thursday which occasioned tonight’s arrest.’

His legal team lead by Godfred Yeboah Dame, sharply denied the allegation and threatened to initiate contempt of court proceeding against the AG and the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI) Director for thwarting the orders of the court which permitted him to travel to London for medical reasons.

The lawyers subsequently filed an application for Habeas Corpus asking the court to compel the Attorney General, BNI and Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to produce his body following his Rambo-style arrest at the Accra International Airport.

The Attorney General later filed an application asking the court, presided over by Justice Francis Achibonga, to reverse the permission granted to Mr. Aludiba.

How much money can a pothole take from you?

For many motorists, the answer is painfully familiar: a burst tyre, a bent rim, damaged shock absorbers, twisted ball joints, worn-out suspension components, misaligned steering, cracked windscreens and expensive repair bills.

Sometimes, it is far worse – a life cut short or a family left to mourn because a driver swerved to avoid a crater on the road or lost control after hitting one at high speed.

Across Ghana, potholes have become more than an inconvenience. They have evolved into silent killers and an enormous economic burden on both individuals and the nation.

Every day, thousands of commuters and commercial drivers navigate roads that have deteriorated into obstacle courses, risking lives and property simply to reach their destinations.

Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than on sections of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, Ghana’s busiest and most economically significant road corridor. Stretching from the nation’s capital to the Ashanti Region, the highway serves as the backbone of commerce, connecting ports, industries, markets and communities. Yet, several sections have become riddled with potholes, deep gullies and uneven surfaces that pose serious danger to motorists.

A journey that should be smooth and predictable has become a frustrating exercise in dodging craters. Drivers weave from lane to lane in search of safer patches of asphalt, often creating dangerous situations for oncoming traffic. At night, when visibility is poor, the risks multiply.

For commercial drivers, every pothole translates into additional operating costs. Tyres wear out prematurely. Wheel alignments become frequent necessities. Suspension systems fail earlier than expected. Fuel consumption increases because drivers must constantly brake and accelerate around damaged sections. These costs are eventually passed on to passengers and consumers through higher transport fares and increased prices of goods.

Private vehicle owners are no better off. A single encounter with a deep pothole can destroy a tyre worth thousands of cedis or damage a vehicle’s suspension system, requiring repairs that many households can scarcely afford. For low-income families already struggling with the rising cost of living, such unexpected expenses can upset carefully planned budgets.

But the true cost of neglected roads cannot be measured only in cedis.

Lives are being lost.

Road crashes associated with poor road conditions continue to claim innocent victims. While speeding, reckless driving and human error remain major causes of accidents, deteriorating road surfaces significantly increase the likelihood of crashes. Drivers attempting to avoid potholes may collide with other vehicles, pedestrians or roadside objects. Motorcyclists and cyclists are especially vulnerable, as even a relatively small pothole can throw them off balance with fatal consequences.

Those who survive often suffer life-changing injuries that require prolonged medical treatment, rehabilitation and financial support. Families bear emotional trauma while the nation shoulders additional healthcare costs and loses productive citizens.

The economic implications extend far beyond vehicle repairs and hospital bills.

Hours of productivity are lost daily as motorists slow down to navigate damaged roads or become stranded after mechanical breakdowns. Goods arrive late at markets. Businesses miss deadlines. Emergency services face delays. Employees spend additional hours in traffic instead of at work. These cumulative losses reduce national productivity and undermine economic growth.

For a country seeking to position itself as a regional hub for trade and investment, deteriorating road infrastructure sends the wrong signal. Efficient transportation is essential for attracting investment, supporting manufacturing and facilitating agricultural trade. Poor roads increase the cost of doing business and reduce Ghana’s competitiveness.

One of the most troubling aspects of the situation is the apparent lack of urgency.

Many of these potholes did not appear overnight. They often begin as small cracks that could have been repaired quickly and inexpensively. Left unattended, however, rainwater seeps beneath the pavement, weakening the road structure until entire sections collapse into dangerous craters. What could have been resolved through routine maintenance eventually requires costly reconstruction.

Preventive maintenance remains one of the most cost-effective approaches to preserving road infrastructure. Unfortunately, maintenance frequently receives less attention than new road construction, even though protecting existing investments is just as important as creating new ones.

Motorists continue to ask the same question: Who is responsible?

Whether it is the Ghana Highway Authority, the Department of Urban Roads, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies or road contractors, the public expects timely intervention before roads deteriorate beyond acceptable standards. Delays in repairs expose road users to unnecessary danger and increase the eventual cost of rehabilitation.

Citizens also have a role to play by reporting dangerous road conditions, exercising patience while repairs are undertaken and observing speed limits. However, responsibility ultimately rests with institutions entrusted with maintaining the nation’s road network.

The Accra-Kumasi Highway deserves immediate attention. As one of Ghana’s busiest transport corridors, its condition should reflect its strategic importance. Temporary patching of isolated potholes may provide short-term relief, but comprehensive rehabilitation of severely affected sections is urgently required.

Every day that these potholes remain unattended, motorists continue to pay the price – not only with damaged vehicles but also with lost income, wasted time, physical injuries and, in some tragic cases, their lives.

The question therefore remains: How much money can a pothole take from you?

The more important question is this: How many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken?

Ghana cannot afford to allow its roads to become monuments to neglect. Safe roads are not a luxury; they are a necessity for national development, economic progress and the protection of human life. Every pothole repaired is more than a maintenance exercise; it is an investment in safety, productivity and the future of the country.

Former Supreme Court Judge, Justice William Atuguba, has accused the country’s lawmakers of prioritising partisan interests over the national good and reducing parliamentary debates to a contest for political supremacy.

Speaking at the 20th Memorial Lecture in honour of the late Justice Daniel Francis Annan at Parliament House, yesterday, Justice Atuguba said the country’s democratic institutions had drifted away from their founding principles, with political actors increasingly focused on winning and retaining power rather than advancing the welfare of Ghanaians.

‘I don’t see that it is a struggle over the national interest. It is a struggle for party supremacy, supremacy of the leadership of the party and the resultant benefits from it. That’s what I see,’ the retired jurist said.

He described the country’s political environment as a perpetual ‘tug of war’ between the two major political parties, arguing that the overriding objective of the opposition was often to remove the governing party from office rather than work together in the national interest.

‘When the NDC comes to power, the sole objective of the other party is to pull them down and come back to power and share the goodies of office. That is the trend,’ he stated.

Justice Atuguba said the increasing monetisation of politics had worsened the situation, with public office now being viewed as an investment to be recouped.

‘Politics is like a business now. It’s like somebody buying a timber concession. He has paid for it, so he thinks he must exploit it to the maximum,’ he said, describing the practice as ‘despicable.’

The former Supreme Court judge lamented that many elected officials also become detached from the people who voted them into office.

‘As soon as the results come, their calls will not be picked by ministers or MPs. What kind of life is this?’ he asked.

Justice Atuguba urged political leaders to return to the values of integrity, accountability and public service, saying Ghana’s democracy could only flourish if leaders placed the national interest above party considerations.

He questioned whether the sacrifices made by parents to educate future leaders were meant to produce public officials who exploited the system for personal gain.

‘Is that why our parents sacrificed to send us to school? To come back and defraud them and play tricks?’ he asked.

Despite his criticism of the political landscape, Justice Atuguba said there were still politicians whose conduct demonstrated that principled leadership remained possible.

He singled out the Klottey Korle MP, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, as an example of a public servant whose commitment to integrity and service should inspire others.

‘She is a woman of principle, education and integrity. That is the kind of politician people should aspire to be,’ he said.

Justice Atuguba also questioned the continuous expansion of Parliament, arguing that increasing the number of constituencies imposed additional costs on the state without corresponding benefits for citizens.

He endorsed the recommendation of the Constitutional Review Committee to maintain the current number of parliamentary seats rather than create more constituencies.

The retired judge called for a renewal of the nation’s democratic values, urging politicians to embrace principle over partisanship and place the interests of the nation above the pursuit of political power.

Veteran filmmaker, Socrate Safo, has argued that persistent negative publicity surrounding local films played a major role in weakening confidence in the country’s movie industry.

Speaking on Okay FM on Wednesday, the filmmaker said the media once played a significant role in helping the local film sector thrive through promotions and advertising, but that relationship later changed.

According to him, the film industry previously created business opportunities for media organisations, with filmmakers investing heavily in promotional campaigns and advertisements.

‘There was a time the film industry helped the media make so much money in terms of adverts and promotions. I remember the number of friends in the media whom I was personally sorting out for writing promotional content and ad libs,’ he said.

Socrate Safo noted that the situation changed when some media personalities began criticising Ghanaian movies on air rather than encouraging audiences to watch them.

‘It was all good until the same media started running the films down by talking bad against the movies they were supposed to be promoting. They were saying things like, ‘It’s not nice, and it’s boring,’ pushing away potential viewers and investors,’ he stated.

The filmmaker recalled confronting a television presenter in Accra after hearing plans to compare Ghanaian films with Nigerian productions during a programme, explaining that he believed such comparisons were harmful to the local industry.

‘I had to go to them after the show to tell them that what they were doing was not good. They were damaging the industry,’ he recalled.

Socrate Safo maintained that the continued negative perception surrounding Ghanaian movies contributed to the industry’s decline, adding that both filmmakers and media practitioners have suffered from the reduced commercial activity.

‘If they were actually promoting the movies, they would have gotten more money, and it circulates. That is how industries grow,’ he added.