Category: Daily Guide Network

The nation has secured new export agreements to supply semi-finished cocoa products to buyers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, which marks significant step towards expanding value addition and reducing Ghana’s reliance on raw cocoa bean exports.

The agreements, signed on July 7, 2026, by the Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC), a subsidiary of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), cover the supply of cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, cocoa cake and cocoa powder.

According to the CMC, the off-take agreements are expected to diversify Ghana’s export markets, strengthen its position in the global cocoa value chain and create new opportunities for locally processed cocoa products.

The company said the deals were concluded following trade engagements led by its Managing Director, Dr. Wisdom Dogbey, although it did not disclose the financial value of the agreements or the volumes of products to be supplied.

According to the company, the agreements are expected to deepen Ghana’s presence in the Gulf market while advancing the government’s target of processing at least 50 percent of the country’s cocoa locally before export.

The latest development comes at a time when the country’s cocoa industry is facing mounting challenges despite its strategic importance to the national economy.

Together with Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana accounts for about half of global cocoa production, yet the sector continues to contend with volatile international prices, declining demand from chocolate manufacturers, crop diseases, ageing plantations, illegal mining activities and delayed payments to farmers.

Nevertheless, cocoa remains one of the nation’s leading foreign exchange earners. Cocoa paste was the country’s largest single export product in 2025, generating US$789.3 million, while the cocoa sector contributes about 15 percent of Ghana’s total export earnings.

For the UAE, the partnership supports Dubai’s ambition to move beyond its traditional role as a commodity trading centre into cocoa processing, storage, financing and distribution.

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has recently established a Cacao Centre as part of efforts to position the emirate as a global hub for cocoa trading and processing, capitalising on rising global demand for higher-value cocoa and chocolate products.

Industry projections indicate that the global cocoa market will grow from an estimated US$16.6 billion in 2025 to US$26.2 billion by 2035.

The premium chocolate market is also expected to expand from US$31.9 billion in 2024 to US$40.6 billion by 2030, driven by increasing consumer demand for single-origin, artisanal and health-conscious chocolate products.

Although the UAE remains a relatively small participant in the global cocoa trade, its market has grown steadily in recent years.

Reports show that in 2023 the country imported US$17.3 million worth of raw cocoa beans and US$65.3 million worth of finished chocolate and cocoa products, while exporting US$16.4 million worth of raw cocoa beans.

The new agreements will strengthen Dubai’s access to high-quality West African cocoa while providing Ghana with a growing market for semi-finished cocoa products.

Contestants of the Miss Ghana 2026 pageant, led by the Chairperson of the Miss Ghana Foundation, Inna Patty, Esq., on Saturday joined the National Clean-Up Exercise following President John Mahama’s directive to restore cleanliness across the country.

Working alongside the Bus Stop Boys and staff of BOST Energies, the contestants and the Miss Ghana Foundation team cleaned gutters, streets and public spaces in East Legon, Bawaleshi and Shiashi, contributing to ongoing efforts to improve sanitation and promote civic responsibility in Accra.

The exercise forms part of the Miss Ghana Foundation’s Beauty with a Purpose initiative, which encourages contestants to become ambassadors for social impact through community service, volunteerism and sustainable development.

Beyond the crown, the Miss Ghana platform seeks to nurture young women who lead by example, inspire positive change and actively contribute to national development. The Foundation believes that true beauty is reflected not only in appearance but also in compassion, service and a commitment to improving society.

Speaking after the exercise Inna Patty, Esq., described the initiative as an important reminder that nation-building begins with everyday acts of service.

‘It was hard work, incredibly rewarding and a powerful reminder that building the Ghana we all desire begins with each one of us. Clean communities are healthier, safer and more attractive for investment and tourism. We commend His Excellency the President for championing this national initiative and applaud the remarkable work of the Bus Stop Boys and BOST Energies for leading by example.

‘At the Miss Ghana Foundation, we believe leadership is demonstrated through service. Our contestants are not just preparing for a crown; they are preparing to become responsible citizens and change-makers who inspire others to give back to their communities. We encourage every Ghanaian to make cleanliness a daily habit, not just a monthly exercise,’ she said.

The clean-up exercise brought together volunteers from various organisations, all united by a shared commitment to environmental sustainability and community development. The collaboration also highlighted the importance of partnerships between the public, private and civil society sectors in building a cleaner and healthier Ghana.

The 69th edition of Miss Ghana is being held under the theme, ‘Empowering Women, Enduring Legacy.’ The pageant continues to redefine beauty by placing equal emphasis on leadership, education, entrepreneurship, advocacy and social responsibility.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has dismissed head coach, Pape Thiaw, and his entire technical staff following the country’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The sweeping decision comes after the Lions of Teranga’s disappointing Round of 32 elimination, bringing Thiaw’s tenure to an end after less than two years in charge of the West African giants.

Senegal entered the tournament as one of Africa’s strongest contenders and progressed from the group stage with high expectations.

However, their campaign ended in dramatic fashion after they squandered a two-goal advantage to lose 3-2 after extra time to Belgium in the knockout stage.

The defeat sparked widespread criticism from supporters and football analysts, with many questioning the team’s tactical approach, substitutions and inability to protect their lead.

In the days that followed, pressure mounted on the federation to make significant changes to the national team’s technical setup.

The FSF has now acted by parting ways with Thiaw and every member of his backroom staff as it begins plans for a new era ahead of the next international calendar.

Thiaw replaced Aliou Cissa as Senegal coach in 2024 and was entrusted with continuing the country’s rise as one of Africa’s football powerhouses.

During his time in charge, he guided Senegal to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and oversaw the team’s campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite those achievements, the federation believes a change in leadership is necessary as Senegal targets success in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the next FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Attention will now turn to the appointment of a new head coach capable of restoring confidence within the squad and leading the Lions of Teranga back to competing for major international honours.

The Senegalese Football Federation is expected to announce plans for a replacement in the coming weeks as preparations begin for the team’s next competitive assignments.

Actress and socialite, Moesha Boduong, has made a rare public appearance as she continues to recover from an alleged stroke.

Photos shared by Nigerian media personality Dele Momodu showed Moesha visiting him at his home in Accra.

Sharing the photos, he wrote: ‘I’m extremely happy to welcome one of Ghana’s most popular personalities, Moesha Boduong, at my Accra home… Grateful to God Almighty for restoring her strength steadily.’

Moesha reportedly suffered a stroke in 2024 and has since stayed away from the public eye while receiving treatment.

Dele Momodu urged the public not to judge people during difficult moments and encouraged Ghanaians to continue to pray and show love to Moesha as she works towards a full recovery.

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has reportedly picked up New Patriotic Party (NPP) communicator, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, shortly after he arrived at the Accra International Airport, sparking allegations of political persecution from party supporters.

The reported arrest came just hours after Mr. Aboagye announced his intention to contest the NPP’s National Communications Director position, a development that has generated widespread reactions on social media.

As of yesterday evening, EOCO had not issued an official statement on the reasons for his arrest.

The development has triggered sharp criticism from some NPP supporters, who contend that the timing of the arrest raises questions about its motive.

Political commentator and NPP supporter, P.K. Sarpong, in a Facebook post, described the incident as ‘highly suspicious’, arguing that the arrest appeared to coincide with Mr. Aboagye’s declaration to contest the party position.

‘Arresting Dennis Miracles Aboagye immediately upon his arrival at the Accra International Airport, just hours after he declared his candidacy for the NPP’s National Communications Director position, is highly suspicious,’ he wrote.

He further alleged that the action was intended to silence one of the party’s most prominent communicators and called for Mr. Aboagye’s immediate release.

Another commentary circulated by Whispers Media Network also described the reported arrest as an attempt to intimidate an opposition figure, claiming it reflected political intolerance and an effort to suppress dissenting voices.

The publication argued that Mr. Aboagye had established himself as one of the NPP’s most outspoken communicators and suggested that his growing political influence had unsettled the government.

Several NPP supporters also took to social media, demanding his release under the hashtag ‘Free Dennis Miracles Aboagye Now.’

Mr. Aboagye, a spokesperson for the Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia presidential campaign and former head of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee (IMCC) on Decentralisation, recently announced his intention to contest the NPP’s National Communications Director position ahead of the party’s national delegates’ conference.

The reported arrest comes at a time of heightened political activity within the opposition NPP as it prepares to elect new national executives.

By press time, neither EOCO nor the Ghana Police Service had publicly disclosed any charges against Mr. Aboagye or confirmed the circumstances leading to his reported arrest. Likewise, the NPP had not issued an official statement on the matter.

Ghana head coach, Carlos Queiroz, has denied widespread reports of his unexpected resignation, clarifying that a recent emotional social media post was strictly an expression of deep appreciation to Ghana.

The veteran Portuguese manager broke his silence during a direct, unexpected conversation with an inquisitive football fan from the United States, explicitly stating, ‘I’ve not resigned. I was just sending my message of gratitude. I’m still the coach of the Black Stars, and I haven’t resigned!’

The global confusion erupted immediately after Queiroz published a heartfelt message on his official Instagram account following Ghana’s painful 1-0 round-of-32 elimination against Colombia at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In the online post, the 73-year-old tactician thanked the passionate Ghanaian public, his dedicated playing body, and the football administration for their unwavering support during their brief global campaign.

Multiple prominent sports media houses interpreted this reflective online acknowledgment as a formal, immediate farewell speech.

However, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United manager firmly debunked this false narrative to the supporter, reinforcing that no official exit communication has been dispatched to the country’s national football governing body.

Queiroz remains bound by his active four-month short-term contract signed back in April to cover the entire duration of the tournament cycle until its official technical review process concludes completely this month.

Ghanaian actress and outspoken commentator, Lydia Forson, has condemned the Cape Coast Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), George Justice Arthur, over a sanitation exercise that saw sick people being asked to leave a pharmacy.

Taking to X, many described the incident as an example of ‘gross ignorance and foolishness,’ accusing officials of prioritising optics over public welfare.

‘The Cape Coast MCE displayed gross ignorance and foolishness. Kicking sick people out of a pharmacy for sanitation day is reckless. If dust doesn’t harm them, denying medication will,’ Volta/Oti Youth blog wrote.

The actress expressed outrage at the timing of the exercise, pointing out the danger of interrupting access to healthcare.

‘I’m so pissed off at how some people have acted during this exercise. This is a PHARMACY! Imagine denying someone medication that may be critical?’ she posted.

Lydia Forson also criticised what she called the growing trend of officials staging public exercises for social media validation rather than impact.

‘I’m also irritated at the need to carry cameras everywhere to prove you’re doing your job,’ she added.

Her comments have since sparked debate online, with many Ghanaians agreeing that public sanitation campaigns should not come at the expense of essential services like pharmacies and hospitals.

The Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly is yet to respond to the criticism.

Once upon a time in the Republic of Uncommon Sense, the government gave some citizens chickens and asked them to create wealth.

The idea was simple enough. Rear the birds, sell some, keep some, multiply the flock and gradually build a small poultry business. In the language of policy experts, this was called economic empowerment. In the language of some beneficiaries, however, it appears to have been called Sunday lunch.

The Minister for Food and Agriculture has expressed concern that some beneficiaries of the Nkoko Nkitinkiti initiative have begun slaughtering and eating the birds distributed to them for rearing. According to him, some even sent videos of themselves enjoying the birds.

This is a remarkable development.

It is one thing to eat government investment. It is another thing to send documentary evidence to the Minister, perhaps with the confidence of a beneficiary submitting a progress report.

One can imagine the Minister sitting quietly in his office when his phone vibrates.

‘Honourable, good afternoon. The programme is doing very well. Please see attached.’

He opens the video and sees steam rising from a bowl. Somewhere near the banku lies a chicken thigh. A voice in the background says, ‘God bless the government.’

In one short video, the entire agricultural value chain has been completed.

The government supplied the bird. The beneficiary supplied the pepper. The kitchen supplied the final processing. Somewhere in between, national development was served with soup.

To be fair, the programme itself was not designed as a feeding exercise. The birds were meant to become productive assets. Beneficiaries were expected to rear them, sell them and reinvest the proceeds. The government saw capital wearing feathers. Some citizens apparently saw protein walking around the compound.

This is where the Republic becomes complicated.

Years ago, a man gave his unemployed nephew a goat and advised him to rear it carefully. When the goat produced offspring, the nephew was to sell one, keep one and use the money to begin a small business.

Three Sundays later, the uncle visited.

There was no goat.

There was, however, a suspicious aroma coming from the kitchen.

When questioned, the nephew explained that the goat had indeed contributed to his development because, after eating it, he finally had enough strength to think seriously about his future.

This may sound foolish, but it contains a difficult truth. A productive asset given to a household under immediate pressure can easily become immediate relief. Development experts may call it capital. Hunger may call it supper.

That does not excuse beneficiaries who knowingly misuse public support. A chicken given for business is not free meat. It is public money wearing feathers. Those who receive such support have a responsibility to use it for its intended purpose.

But government must also ask some uncomfortable questions.

Were the right beneficiaries selected? Did they genuinely want to rear poultry, or were some names placed on a list because every constituency needed to produce beneficiaries? Did they receive enough training? Did they have proper coops? Was feed support adequate? Did extension officers monitor them after the launch ceremony? What happened when birds fell sick or began dying?

In Ghana, many public programmes enjoy two very different lives.

There is the life they live at the launch ceremony, where everything is healthy, smiling and wearing branded T-shirts. Then there is the life they begin after the dignitaries leave, the cameras disappear and the beneficiaries are left alone with the practical problems.

We are very good at distribution.

We distribute seedlings, laptops, fertiliser, outboard motors and chicks. Then monitoring develops malaria and disappears from work.

Months later, Parliament asks for results, and officials begin searching for the same beneficiaries who waved enthusiastically during the launch.

The Nkoko Nkitinkiti story should therefore not be reduced to mockery alone. Yes, eating the birds is irresponsible. Yes, sending the Minister videos is an extraordinary form of self-reporting. But the matter also reveals the distance between policy intention and household reality.

A hungry family may struggle to treat a chicken as a long-term investment when there is no food in the house today. A poorly selected beneficiary may never have had any interest in poultry. A person without housing for the birds may gradually lose them to disease, theft or predators and decide that the cooking pot is more reliable than the business plan.

This is why distribution is not development.

Development requires selection, training, supervision, incentives, accountability and time. It requires government to remain present after the ribbon has been cut and the television crew has gone home.

The success of Nkoko Nkitinkiti should not be measured only by the number of birds distributed. It should be measured by how many survived, how many multiplied, how much income households earned and whether local poultry production actually increased.

Otherwise, one day, when officials are asked to account for the impact of the programme, the report may read:

Birds distributed: successful.

Beneficiaries reached: successful.

Poultry businesses created: under investigation.

Soup produced: outstanding.

The Republic must learn from this. Citizens must respect the purpose of public support, and government must design programmes around the realities of the people expected to benefit from them.

Because when policy meets hunger without proper supervision, the shortest distance between agricultural investment and national disappointment may simply be a pot of light soup.

Information gathered by DAILY GUIDE, indicates that the Overlord of Dagbon, Ndan Ya Naa, Abukari Mahama II, has died.

The late Overlord of Dagbon, is said to have died in South Africa where he traveled for medical treatment after a short illness.

Kuga Naa, Adam Abdulai II who is the Head of the Dagbon Kingmakers announced the overlord’s death amidst traditional drumming at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi in the Northern region.

Ndan Ya Naa, Abukari II,has since been buried in accordance with the customs and traditions of Dagbon.

However, Kampakuya Naa Yakubu has been installed as the Regent of the Dagbon Kingdom, serving as the traditional caretaker and overseeing the kingdom’s affairs on behalf of the Dagbon throne in accordance with Dagbon custom.

In 2019, Abukari Mahama was crowned the King of Dagbon in a coronation which attracted thousands of traditional and political personalities, as well as well-wishers in Ghana and abroad.

The coronation is the culmination of elaborate traditional arrangements which started with the presentation of cola by the Gushei Naa and Kug Naa in accordance with Dagbon tradition after the funeral rites for the late Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II, who died in 2002, were completed.

The late Ya Naa, Abukari Mahama II is the 42nd in the long history of Dagbon Kings.

Every day, millions of people around the world are forced to flee their homes because of war, persecution, political instability, violence, or gross violations of human rights. Others find themselves trapped in an equally devastating situation: they belong to no country at all. In an era of rising conflicts, climate related displacement, and humanitarian crises, understanding the concepts of human rights, refugee protection, statelessness, and asylum is no longer the preserve of lawyers and diplomats. It is a matter of global citizenship.

The United Nations (UN), established in 1945 after the devastation of the Second World War, placed human dignity at the heart of the international order. The UN Charter commits member states to promoting and protecting fundamental human rights without discrimination based on race, religion, nationality, language, or gender. This commitment later gave rise to landmark instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), which proclaims that every person is born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Yet, despite these legal commitments, millions continue to experience persecution that forces them to cross international borders in search of safety. Under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, a refugee is a person who has a well founded fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group, and who is unable or unwilling to return to their country. Refugee status is therefore not simply a label. It is a legal recognition that a person requires international protection because their own state cannot or will not protect them.

Equally misunderstood is the concept of asylum. Seeking asylum is a legal right recognized under international law. An asylum seeker is an individual who requests protection in another country but whose application has not yet been decided. Every refugee begins as an asylum seeker, but not every asylum seeker will ultimately be recognized as a refugee. This distinction is important because asylum systems must balance humanitarian obligations with fair and thorough assessments of individual claims.

Perhaps one of the least discussed humanitarian challenges is statelessness. A stateless person is someone who is not recognized as a national by any country under the operation of its laws. Without nationality, individuals often face significant barriers to education, healthcare, employment, property ownership, voting, and freedom of movement.

Statelessness can arise from discrimination, gaps in nationality laws, state succession, conflict, or the failure to register births. It is a condition that strips people of legal identity and often leaves them invisible within the international system.

These issues are not abstract legal theories; they are lived realities. From Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Myanmar, Syria, Ukraine, and beyond, millions have been displaced by conflict and persecution. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide has reached unprecedented levels, underscoring the urgent need for stronger international cooperation and durable solutions.

Africa, in particular, has demonstrated significant leadership through the 1969 Organization of African Unity (OAU) Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. Unlike the 1951 Refugee Convention, the OAU Convention expands the definition of a refugee to include people fleeing external aggression, occupation, foreign domination, or events seriously disturbing public order. This broader framework reflects the continent’s recognition that displacement is often driven by complex political and security realities.

A cornerstone of refugee protection is the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits states from returning individuals to territories where they face threats to their lives, freedom, or risk of torture and persecution. This principle is widely regarded as a norm of customary international law and represents one of humanity’s strongest legal safeguards against injustice.

The international community must also confront emerging challenges that existing legal frameworks were not originally designed to address. Climate change, environmental degradation, and prolonged humanitarian crises are forcing increasing numbers of people to move across borders, yet international law does not currently recognize climate refugees as a distinct legal category. This growing gap raises important questions about whether international protection mechanisms should evolve to address new forms of displacement.

Ultimately, the strength of any society is measured not only by the rights enjoyed by its citizens but also by the protection it extends to the most vulnerable. Human rights, refugee protection, asylum, and the prevention of statelessness are not merely legal obligations, they are reflections of our shared humanity. Governments must uphold their international commitments, while citizens should reject misinformation and approach these issues with empathy, informed debate, and respect for the rule of law.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the protection of human dignity cannot stop at national borders. It is a collective responsibility that defines the values of the international community and will continue to shape global peace, security, and justice for generations to come.