Category: Daily Guide Network

Team Ghana wrapped up the just-ended African Senior Athletics Championships with a total of five medals after six days of intense competition at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra.

The 24th edition of the continental event attracted athletes from 40 countries, all battling for honours and new records. Although Ghana failed to secure a gold medal on home soil, the hosts still produced impressive performances to finish with one silver and four bronze medals.

Esther Obenewaa delivered Ghana’s best result of the championship by winning silver in the women’s high jump event, emerging as the country’s only finalist to finish in second place.

In the women’s 400m final, Florence Agyemang powered her way to a bronze medal after clocking an impressive 51.87 seconds to finish third.

National 800m record holder Alex Amankwah also earned a place on the podium, taking bronze in the men’s 800m final with a time of 1:46.18.

Ghana’s relay teams added to the medal haul with strong performances in the 4x100m events. The women’s relay team produced a spirited display to secure bronze in the final event of the championship.

The men’s 4x100m team, who entered the competition as defending champions, also settled for bronze after finishing behind Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria at the packed University of Ghana Stadium.

Rapper, Medikal, has shared his excitement over Black Sherif winning the Artiste of the Year award at the 2026 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA).

Speaking on the award Medikal described Black Sherif’s victory as well-deserved.

According to him, Black Sherif’s music tells real-life stories of struggle, hard work, and survival that many young people can relate to.

‘If you listen to Blacko’s songs from day one, the content is about struggling and trying to make it, coming from the street. So he’s a street boy, blessed by God,’ Medikal said.

The rapper added that he felt proud and genuinely happy watching his colleague receive the top award on the night.

‘So Blacko winning Artiste of the Year is equally deserving as me picking the plaque. The joy I would have felt if I had won was the same joy I felt when Blacko won Artist of the Year,’ he stated.

‘I’m happy for him. Clapping my hands and nodding for him, I was happy for my brother,’ he added.

Black Sherif won the 2026 TGMA Artiste of the Year award on Saturday, May 9, marking his second victory in the prestigious category. He beat competition from top artistes including Wendy Shay, Sarkodie, Stonebwoy and Diana Hamilton.

Since his win, Black Sherif has continued to receive praise from fans and fellow musicians across the country.

MTN GHANA has committed to a $1.1 billion investment plan over the next three years to drive 5G rollout, network expansion, and fintech growth as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations.

Speaking at the launch of the anniversary which brought together industry partners and stakeholders, MTN Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Stephen Blewett, said approximately $380 million of that investment would be deployed in 2026 alone, including the construction of around 800 new network sites to improve coverage and service quality nationwide.

Mr. Blewett said the anniversary celebrations themed, ’30 Years of Progress, Powered by You’ is the company’s renewed commitment to the country’s digital transformation agenda and a message of gratitude to customers and stakeholders.

The six-month long celebration will offer recognition rewards, including three Toyota Land Cruisers Prado Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), lifestyle experiences, data freebies, smart gadgets, movie premieres and consumer prizes under what it calls MTN rewards, enabling customers to win exciting benefits through participation from June to December.

Looking back at the last 30 years, Mr. Blewett described the telecom’s journey as a constant evolution alongside the country’s digital revolution—shifting from simple voice services to data and mobile money.

He noted that over the past three decades, MTN Ghana has helped redefine communication and commerce in the country, moving society from an era of physical visits and delayed communication to one powered by mobile technology and digital connectivity.

Moving forward, Mr. Blewett believes 5G and AI will completely change how people access digital services. ‘It’s not just about 4G or 5G…, but about what they actually empower businesses and individuals to do,’ he said.

Mr. Blewett added that mobile money is shifting from simple transactions into a full suite of financial services—such as micro-loans, savings, and insurance—transforming MTN into a hub for financial empowerment. He also highlighted the company’s push for a sustainable future, driven by investments in solar energy and green infrastructure.

‘Today, millions of Ghanaians rely on mobile money every day. It supports households, businesses, agents and entire value chains. It is deeply woven into the fabric of Ghana’s economy and daily life,’ he stated.

Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, lauded the telecom giant for driving the nation’s digital evolution.

According to him, MTN’s investments in network expansion, fibre deployment and digital financial services had significantly transformed how Ghanaians communicate, conduct business and access services.

The Minister commended MTN Ghana for driving the economy through job creation, revenue generation, and a robust network of local vendors and innovators.

While celebrating these successes, he urged continued public-private partnerships to tackle industry challenges like cybersecurity, digital skills, infrastructure protection, and affordable internet access.

‘Government will continue to work with the broader industry to unlock these opportunities in ways that are inclusive, secure and sustainable,’ he assured.

Something curious is happening in Ghana’s marketplaces, salons, and small shops. The ‘Cash Only’ sign is creeping back into view, without much fanfare. A few years ago, every serious business wanted a Mobile Money number posted on the wall, and customers were proud to pay by tapping their phones. Today, the mood has shifted, and many business owners are quietly opting for the familiar weight of cedis over the convenience of digital payments. The question worth asking is why.

The Fee Problem That Never Went Away

Digital payments in Ghana carry costs that businesses can no longer absorb in silence. Every transaction trims a slice from already thin margins, and for traders who sell low-value items in high volumes, those slices add up to real money lost at the end of each month. The E-Levy may have softened in public memory, but the broader culture of charging customers and merchants for moving their own funds remains firmly in place. Cash, by comparison, asks for nothing once it lands in the till.

Network Failures and Broken Trust

Ghanaian business owners have grown tired of hearing ‘network is down.’ A failed transaction on a busy afternoon can stall a queue, frustrate loyal customers, and leave the trader unsure whether the money is coming or gone. When a payment hangs in limbo for hours or even days, the business bears the stress while the telco offers little more than a reference number. Cash removes that uncertainty entirely, since once it is in your hand, no system can swallow it.

The Rise of Payment Scams

Fraud has grown smarter and bolder across Ghana’s digital payment ecosystem. Fake payment alerts, doctored screenshots, and reversed transactions have caught many traders off guard, especially those who do not have time to verify every notification. A small business owner who loses a single big sale to a scam can spend weeks recovering, and word travels fast in trader circles. Once trust breaks, cash becomes the safer language to speak.

Record-Keeping and Tax Pressure

Digital payments leave footprints, and many small businesses in Ghana have realized that those footprints can be followed. As tax authorities sharpen their tools and demand clearer records of revenue, some traders have grown wary of leaving a complete digital trail of every cedi earned. Cash offers a kind of breathing room that fits the informal rhythm of how many businesses still operate. Whether one agrees with this reasoning or not, it is a real driver of the shift.

Customers Are Also Choosing Cash

Businesses are not making this choice alone, as customers are quietly leading the way, too. Many Ghanaians have started carrying cash again because they feel more in control of their spending when they can see and feel it leave their hands. Budgeting on Mobile Money can blur the line between needs and wants, and a growing number of shoppers want that line back. When customers reach for cash, businesses naturally follow.

Conclusion

The return to cash in Ghana is not a rejection of digital finance, but a clear message that the system still has work to do. Fees feel heavy, networks feel unreliable, fraud feels too close, and trust feels too thin. Until those problems are addressed with the seriousness they deserve, the quiet hum of cash changing hands will continue to grow louder across the country. Ghana wanted a cashless future, yet the future seems to have its own opinion.

New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman hopeful, Paul Awentami Afoko, has donated 400 bags of cement and GHS30,000 to support the construction of an ultramodern NPP Northern Regional office.

The multipurpose facility is intended to strengthen party structures and improve operations across the Northern Region.

Dr. Akisibadek Alekz Afoko presented the donation in Tamale on behalf of Mr. Afoko.

He urged NPP supporters in the region to stay united and back Mr. Afoko’s bid for the national chairmanship, saying his leadership will help the party reclaim power from the NDC in 2028.

Mr. Afoko, who served as NPP National Chairman from 2014 to 2015, is promoting a ‘3R’ agenda—Reunite, Rebuild, Recapture—as his blueprint for bringing the party back into government.

The Northern Regional NPP 2nd Vice Chairman, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Sualihu Mahama, who received the donation on behalf of the Regional Chairman, Mohammed Adam Baantima Samba, thanked Mr. Afoko for the timely support.

He said the contribution will help ensure the successful completion of the party office and urged Mr. Afoko to continue supporting the party’s efforts to regain power in 2028.

The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested Abdulia Abdul Wadud in connection with the circulation of intimate images and a video of a woman in Tamale, Northern Region.

He is accused of circulating images and a video showing the woman naked in a vehicle.

After the material was shared online, the victim was reportedly traumatised and received support from neighbours and well wishers.

Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Alhassan Luckman Niendow, who confirmed the arrest to DAILY GUIDE, said the suspect had visited the police station on invitation in relation to a different case.

An informant, however, recognised him and alerted police, leading to his arrest.

Chief Inspector Niendow said the suspect will be charged with sharing non consensual intimate images, adding that the suspect’s accomplice, identified as Kamil, is currently on the run, and appealed to the public to provide reliable information to help apprehend him.

Northern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Wisdom Lavoe, said the police have engaged relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Social Welfare, to ensure the victim receives support and protection.

Tamale based lawyer, Sylvester Isang, has offered to represent the victim pro bono and said he will pursue all legal avenues to ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.

Musician, Wiyaala, has been crowned Fugu Queen and Tourism Ambassador for Ghana at a ceremony held in Funsi, the capital of Wa East.

The event brought together government officials, traditional leaders, and residents to celebrate the artist’s contribution to promoting Ghanaian culture.

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, praised Wiyaala for using music, fashion, and performance to promote Ghanaian traditions across the world.

She said Wiyaala had proudly worn Fugu for many years and had remained committed to supporting young people, women, and local communities.

The minister also encouraged Ghanaians to support made-in-Ghana products, especially local textiles like Fugu, to help create jobs and grow the economy.

Speaking after receiving the honour, Wiyaala thanked the minister and the people of Wa East for the recognition.

‘I have accepted this honour and I will not disappoint you. I will make the town proud,’ she said.

Wa East District Chief Executive, Adamu Shayibu, described the district as rich in culture and talent and called for more opportunities for young people in the area.

The ceremony ended with cultural performances and celebrations, marking a new role for Wiyaala as a cultural ambassador for Ghana.

Social media is buzzing following Dancehall Artiste Shatta Wale’s victory at the just ended 43rd International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), winning the Best African Dancehall Entertainer award and also securing the Concert of the Year for ‘ShattaFest’.

Shatta Wale secured three major nominations and successfully won two prestigious awards at the ceremony held in Florida, USA, missing out on the Best Music Video (for ‘Street Crown’).

For the Best African Entertainer, Shatta Wale beats the likes of Cindy Sanyu (Uganda), Redsan (Kenya), Sosey Boy (Congo-Brazzaville), Timaya (Nigeria) and Winky D (Zimbabwe).

And for the Best Concert of the Year, Shatta Wale’s ‘ShattaFest’ beats; Best of the Best – Miami, Intimate Jamaica Concert – Jamaica, Zimfest – UK and Beyond Kontrol – Ghana.

A statement issued by his management on May 18, 2026, read, ‘The management of Shatta Wale proudly confirms that the African Dancehall King emerged as a double award winner at the 43rd International Reggae and World Music Awards held over the weekend in Florida, USA.’

Management also expressed appreciation to the organisers of the awards scheme ‘for the recognition and continuous support for African music on the global stage.’

The statement further thanked fans worldwide, especially members of the Shatta Movement fraternity, for their ‘unwavering support, votes, and dedication throughout the years.’

According to management, the latest achievement reinforces Shatta Wale’s position as ‘one of Africa’s leading musical exports and a major force in global dancehall culture.’

Hasaacas Ladies were crowned champions of the 2025/26 Women’s FA Cup after defeating Army Ladies 5-3 on penalties in a dramatic final.

The fiercely contested encounter ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, forcing the match into a tense penalty shootout where the Takoradi-based side held their nerve to secure the trophy.

Hasaacas Ladies entered the final determined to finish the season strongly following their defeat to Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the Women’s Premier League final a month earlier. Army Ladies were equally eager to end their campaign with silverware after missing out on a place in the league final.

Both sides created promising chances in an entertaining first half, but neither could find the breakthrough before the interval.

The deadlock was finally broken late in the second half when substitute Linda Epo gave Hasaacas the lead in the 87th minute, sparking celebrations among their supporters. However, Army Ladies responded almost immediately as Esther Asamoah Yiadom struck two minutes later to restore parity with her seventh goal of the tournament.

With the scores level at the end of regulation time, the final proceeded to extra time, but neither side managed to find the winning goal.

In the penalty shootout, Hasaacas Ladies converted all five of their spot kicks, while Army Ladies scored three and missed one, handing Hasaacas a memorable victory.

The triumph marks Hasaacas Ladies’ second Women’s FA Cup title, having previously lifted the trophy during the historic 2020/21 campaign. Head coach, Raymond Fenny, also etched his name into the history books by becoming the first coach to win the competition twice.

The sanctity of the judiciary is being compromised by assortment of acts of omissions and commissions, a worrying situation which should not be overlooked.

Indeed, when the journey to remove the former Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo as part of a judicial reset package began, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) had cause to comment against the project, as did many in Ghana save those who saw no evil in the political manoeuvre.

The concerns raised by the group and others were ignored, and the infraction was effectively put on the dark chapters of the constraints of the separation of powers with the intention of achieving a goal which is anything but in the interest of good governance when the lady was forced out.

President John Mahama did not conceal his intention to change the state of the judiciary even when he was opposition leader.

His ‘unanimous Supreme Court’ allusion sought not only to subject this arm of government to public opprobrium but to prepare the stage for a vindictive agenda dubbed ‘resetting’, which has already claimed its first casualty – the image of the judiciary.

The Machiavellian ploy successfully swept away the former Chief Justice in a manner which can only be rivalled by the Sir Arku Korsah ouster in 1963.

Those who crossed the dots and ‘ts’ painted unambiguously a worrying picture of a tendentious reversal of a digitised supported system to reduce the human interface in the assignment of cases.

Cynics called the directive to have the Acting Chief Justice direct which cases go to which judges a reset order fraught with many obstacles to the rule of law.

Our judiciary has been turned through the deliberate and sustained efforts of politicians at the helm into an arm of government in an unholy alliance with the executive, as observed by the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

This critical arm of government is effectively in the vitriolic mint of social media, unfortunately and effectively drawing comments not inuring to its image and which should be reserved to politicians already in the gutters of local abrasive politics.

The worrying trend taking place at a time when government’s tolerance for criticism is an all-time low and free speech criminalised has seen the number of persons being hauled before judges for such ‘infractions’ rising.

Some of the comments of the Minority Leader when he addressed a press conference last week on the subject, indicted the judge who ordered the remand of the Bono Regional Chairman of the NPP over verbal infractions. This is not good for the image of the judiciary and call for reflection and redress.

We particularly find the portion which touches on the reason behind the remand request by the prosecution rather interesting and disturbing. According to the Minority Leader, remanding the regional chairman because he could repeat the offence for which he was hauled before the judge as being basis for the remand order according to the court, he said, is tantamount to ‘the judiciary serving silence and not justice’. This we find worrying in a country where this proclivity should not have a place. A subtle gagging process as it were is the impression of the interpretation of the order by the Minority Leader.

Unfortunately, the Minority Leader, a learned gentleman of the legal fraternity, has questioned the basis for the action of the bench in this regard and unequivocally so.

The stage for such muddying of the judiciary was set by President John Mahama when he labeled the Supreme Court ‘Unanimous SC’. How else could he describe his mistrust of this arm of government and his readiness to reset it to conform to his whims? Now that he is President, are the infractions as noticed by the Minority Leader the outcome of the executive’s intervention to, as it were, reset the judiciary to fit the reset project?

When tomorrow comes and another reset agenda is undertaken to reverse the aberrations of today, the sanctity of the judiciary would have suffered another nose-bruising development.