Category: Daily Guide Network

The sound of Highlife in several of its exciting strands will hit Barcelona, Spain, on August 2, 2026, at a concert to launch the ‘Highlife to the World (H2TW) – BlackStar Experience 2027’ global campaign.

Organised by the Ghana Embassy in Madrid, Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Showbiz Africa and the BlackStar Experience, the concert at Barcelona’s SeaSea Club starts at 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The launch event will be a prelude to the global rollout of H2TW-BlackStar Experience 2027, scheduled to begin in March 2027 across the world on the sidelines of Ghana’s 70th anniversary.

The campaign is dedicated to promoting and preserving Ghana’s United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)-inscribed Highlife music and dance for future generations. UNESCO in December 2025, officially added Highlife to the organisation’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Artistes scheduled to perform at the Barcelona concert include Bessa Simons, Stonebwoy, Amandzeba Nat Brew, Obrafour, Jupitar and more. DJs on rotation will feature Ghana’s best in Europe, including DJ Logs, DJ Demo, DJ Enoch, DJ King Solo and guest appearance by Spain-based Nigerian DJ Enny.

The event is organised in partnership with Benayacon Entertainment, National Folklore Board, Ghana Tourism Authority and Creative Arts Agency, with support from the Spanish Embassy in Ghana and UNESCO Office in Ghana.

The Ghana delegation to Barcelona to be hosted by Kalsoume Sinare Baffour, Ghana’s Ambassador to Spain, will include Bessa Simons (President, Musicians Union of Ghana), Madam Maame Efua Houadjeto (CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority), and Mr. Rex Omar (BlackStar Experience Coordinator).

Others are Gideon Aryeequaye (Executive Secretary of Creative Arts Agency), Verus Nartey (CEO, Showbiz Africa and Made in Ghana Consulting Ltd), and Eric Acquah (CEO of Benayacon Entertainment).

In an interview with DAILY GUIDE, the MUSIGA President emphasised that Highlife is Ghana’s gift to the rest of the world and, therefore, needs to be appropriately promoted.

The Ministry of Education has urged the Ghana Police Service to, as a matter of urgency, locate and arrest the interdicted Bole Senior High School (SHS) teacher, who remains at large weeks after a nationwide manhunt was announced.

According to the Education Ministry, it is deeply concerned that the suspect has yet to be arrested despite the seriousness of his misconduct and the public interest at stake.

‘We have taken note of reports suggesting that the fugitive teacher recently granted an interview in which he claimed his conduct was unintentional. Indeed, the emergence of a statement attributed to him, asking for a transfer to a village school, should be enough of a clue for the Police to track him down,’ the Education Ministry said.

The Ministry believes that with intensified efforts, including digital tracking and contacting the source, which reported his flimsy excuse, could prove useful in locating him.

‘We are determined to see the erring teacher arrested urgently because information available to us indicates that contrary to what he claimed in his recent interview, his unprofessional conduct was deliberate and intentional,’ the Education Ministry noted.

A statement signed by the Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, said they have seen other videos of the same teacher engaged in similar inappropriate behaviour with other girls they believe are also students, and based on what they know so far, they believe that the now disgraced and interdicted teacher used his privileged position as a teacher to exploit vulnerable female students.

‘The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu has accurately described the incident at Bole Senior High School as unacceptable, shameful, and inconsistent with the values and standards expected of members of the teaching profession,’ he stated.

He indicated that it will be a disappointment if the Ghana Police Service, in whom they have so much confidence, is unable to track the suspect down, knowing its impressive abilities and enviable record in grabbing perpetrators of crimes.

Dr. Apaak urged members of the public, who may have information about the whereabouts of the Bole SHS teacher, to contact the police or the Ministry of Education.

‘The Ministry further uses this opportunity to reiterate its grave concern over the increasing cases of indiscipline involving teachers, heads, and students across educational institutions in the country. These incidents undermine teaching and learning, weaken public confidence in schools, and threaten efforts to build safe and disciplined learning environments,’ he stressed.

The Deputy Minister for Education disclosed that the Minister for Education has empowered and directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to take firm and decisive action against all forms of misconduct in pre-tertiary institutions, stressing that acts which fall below acceptable standards of professional and student conduct will attract appropriate sanctions in accordance with existing laws and regulations.

‘The Ministry reiterates that discipline remains a cornerstone of quality education and that there must be clear consequences for actions that violate established rules and ethical standards,’ he added.

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.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has reaffirmed its commitment to developing women’s football by outlining its long-term vision during the FIFA Women’s Football Campaign held in Dabala.

The event brought together pupils, teachers and community members, providing an opportunity to educate participants on the campaign’s objectives while highlighting football’s role in empowering young girls through education, personal development and sporting opportunities.

Speaking at the programme, GFA Women’s Football Development Officer, Jennifer Amankwaa Sarpong, said the initiative forms a key part of the Association’s grassroots strategy aimed at increasing female participation in football across the country.

She explained that the campaign is designed to identify and nurture talented young girls, creating a clear pathway for them to progress from grassroots football to Ghana’s national women’s teams.

According to Jennifer, the initiative goes beyond introducing girls to football, focusing instead on creating opportunities, inspiring ambition and ensuring every talented player has the chance to reach her full potential regardless of her background.

She also urged parents, teachers and communities to support girls interested in football, stressing that their encouragement plays a crucial role in both their personal and sporting development.

Jennifer expressed the GFA’s appreciation to FIFA for its continued investment in women’s football, noting that the campaign is helping more girls discover the sport, develop valuable life skills and pursue their dreams.

The GFA also commended schools, teachers, local authorities and other stakeholders for their support in ensuring the successful organisation of the programme, describing their collaboration as vital to the continued growth of women’s football in the country.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has successfully concluded the six-day FIFA Member Association (MA) Elite Refereeing Course at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, Accra, reinforcing efforts to improve the standard of officiating in the country.

The programme, which ended on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, brought together 37 elite match officials, including referees and assistant referees, from across the country for intensive technical and physical training.

Organised by FIFA, the course focused on equipping officials with the skills required to meet the demands of modern football while aligning Ghana’s refereeing standards with international best practices.

Participants received training in key areas such as decision-making, match management, positioning, teamwork, communication and the application of the Laws of the Game. The programme also featured practical exercises, video analysis sessions, fitness assessments and discussions on current refereeing trends.

The course was facilitated by FIFA Technical Instructor, Essameldin Abdelfattah Hassan Abdelhamid, of Egypt and FIFA Fitness Instructor, Bento Tomas Navesse, of Mozambique. Both instructors praised the participants for their dedication, discipline and eagerness to learn throughout the programme.

The match officials, in turn, expressed gratitude to FIFA and the GFA for the opportunity, describing the training as an invaluable experience that has strengthened both their technical expertise and physical readiness for future assignments.

The successful completion of the course represents another significant milestone in the GFA’s long-term commitment to developing elite referees capable of officiating at the highest levels of African and international football under CAF and FIFA.

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.

The sound of Highlife in several of its exciting strands will hit Barcelona, Spain, on August 2, 2026, at a concert to launch the ‘Highlife to the World (H2TW) – BlackStar Experience 2027’ global campaign.

Organised by the Ghana Embassy in Madrid, Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Showbiz Africa and the BlackStar Experience, the concert at Barcelona’s SeaSea Club starts at 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The launch event will be a prelude to the global rollout of H2TW-BlackStar Experience 2027, scheduled to begin in March 2027 across the world on the sidelines of Ghana’s 70th anniversary.

The campaign is dedicated to promoting and preserving Ghana’s United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)-inscribed Highlife music and dance for future generations. UNESCO in December 2025, officially added Highlife to the organisation’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Artistes scheduled to perform at the Barcelona concert include Bessa Simons, Stonebwoy, Amandzeba Nat Brew, Obrafour, Jupitar and more. DJs on rotation will feature Ghana’s best in Europe, including DJ Logs, DJ Demo, DJ Enoch, DJ King Solo and guest appearance by Spain-based Nigerian DJ Enny.

The event is organised in partnership with Benayacon Entertainment, National Folklore Board, Ghana Tourism Authority and Creative Arts Agency, with support from the Spanish Embassy in Ghana and UNESCO Office in Ghana.

The Ghana delegation to Barcelona to be hosted by Kalsoume Sinare Baffour, Ghana’s Ambassador to Spain, will include Bessa Simons (President, Musicians Union of Ghana), Madam Maame Efua Houadjeto (CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority), and Mr. Rex Omar (BlackStar Experience Coordinator).

Others are Gideon Aryeequaye (Executive Secretary of Creative Arts Agency), Verus Nartey (CEO, Showbiz Africa and Made in Ghana Consulting Ltd), and Eric Acquah (CEO of Benayacon Entertainment).

In an interview with DAILY GUIDE, the MUSIGA President emphasised that Highlife is Ghana’s gift to the rest of the world and, therefore, needs to be appropriately promoted.

Unless there are compelling and convincing reasons behind the Majority in Parliament’s decision not to allow media coverage for the Bank of Ghana (BoG) Governor’s engagement with the Committee of the Whole on Wednesday, we smell a futile attempt at concealing poor performance and irregular management of the economy at the hands of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

But for the foregone, what a golden opportunity to present to the good people of Ghana a wonderful performance in black and white by the John Mahama-led government.

For a government which has thrived on propaganda since assuming power, every effort must be marshalled to deny the public information about the true picture of its performance vis-à-vis the economy.

The so-called stability of the cedi, which the government has trumpeted for long now, is a cosmetic reality occasioned by the excessive pumping of foreign currency to achieve details.

The lazy and costly approach to stabilising the national currency has consequences which previous governments saw wisdom and avoided.

The questions which the Minority in Parliament sought to pose and to seek answers from the man in charge of the national kitty remain valid. The people of Ghana want answers to the unanswered questions directly from the horse’s own mouth, not through a script.

There is good reason for this option and we support the Minority in applying one of the tools available to them under the circumstances – boycott of the proceedings. Of course sound bites are necessary in such matters. A leading NDC person has reportedly derided the Minority for seeking such bites for mischief. For us, such bites give credence to the reality in the face of excessive propaganda, euphemism for lies from government.

What are there to hide from the public if governance is up to scratch and above average?

The performance of government vis-à-vis management of the economy is critical and the citizens of this country must be truthfully apprised of the rating without propaganda or settings.

The media ban as achieved by the Majority in Parliament is a cover-up for sanction-able failings.

The Gold Purchasing Programme as originated by former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and its impact on the nation’s gold reserve, including the matters arising such as the oddity in selling a large part of and buying same again, are interesting issues the people of Ghana must know.

Need we not know who bought the gold and now reselling to the government? Government does not want us to know, and therein lies the crux of the matter.

The Majority might have used their numbers to deflect these questions through a media ban, not so however information seeping to the public domain.

Credit for the dividends from Gold Purchasing Programme belongs to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the originator, the useless denial of which reality is an obsession of the NDC unproductive venture.

Perfector of Sentiments Foundation (POS), a non-governmental organisation is calling for the urgent development and passage of the necessary legislative instrument to operationalise the recently passed Community Service Bill and ensure its effective implementation nationwide.

The Foundation which played a leading role in advancing the Community Service reform is also calling on the public to embrace the principles of restorative justice by supporting, rather than stigmatising, persons sentenced to community service.

‘Successful reintegration depends not only on sound legislation but also on communities willing to offer second chances, encourage accountability, and foster positive behavioural change,’ POS Foundation said in a statement signed by its founder and Executive Director, Jonathan Osei Owusu.

Parliament on July 8 passed the Community Service Bill, 2026, as an alternative to custodial sentencing for some specified criminal offences.

POS Foundation notes that the enactment of this Bill reflects Ghana’s continued commitment to building a more humane, effective, and restorative justice system, one that prioritises rehabilitation, promotes offender reintegration, and enhances public safety.

This alternative sentencing law, once implemented, will empower courts to exercise the discretion to impose a community service order as alternative to custodial sentence for eligible persons convicted of specified offences punishable by terms of imprisonment of less than three years.

This is expected to reduce prison overcrowding, promote the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, prevent low-risk offenders from becoming hardened criminals through unnecessary incarceration, reduce the financial burden of imprisonment on the State, and strengthen restorative justice by enabling offenders to make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Tracing back on the 20-year journey that led to the enactment, POS Foundation outlined the key role it played in advancing the Community Service reform agenda from concept to legislation.

‘The legislative journey of the Community Service Bill demonstrates commendable bipartisan commitment to criminal justice reform. While substantial preparatory work was undertaken under the previous administration, the current Government successfully secured Cabinet approval, laid the Bill before Parliament, and worked closely with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior throughout the legislative process, culminating in its successful passage,’ the statement said.

For many years, POS Foundation has remained at the forefront of efforts to improve Ghana’s criminal justice system through evidence-based advocacy and practical interventions.

Notably, the Foundation has facilitated the ‘Justice for All Programme’ which has contributed to significantly reducing the remand population from 33% in 2007 to currently 12.8% as per records from the Ghana Prisons Service.

The Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, Northern Region, has held the third day mourning and prayer (adua) for the late Overlord of Dagbon, Ndan Ya Naa Abukari II.

Thousands of mourners from across the country converged on the palace to pay their last respects.

An Islamic funeral rite was held at the palace, while traditional drumming and cultural dances were performed to showcase Dagbon’s heritage.

Traditional leaders, politicians, clergy, civil society representatives, university officials and delegations from various ethnic groups attended the ceremony.

Among those who paid their respects were National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia; Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John; Savannah Regional Minister, Salisu Be-Awuribe; Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu; NDC National Vice Chairman, Chief Sofo Azorka; Member of Parliament for Karaga, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam; former Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, and Northern Regional Chairman of the National Peace Council, Bishop Matthew Yitiereh, among others.

Many mourners described the late Ya Naa Abukari II as a father figure whose reign was marked by reconciliation, peace and the restoration of dignity to the Dagbon Kingdom after years of division.

Funeral rites for the late Ndan Ya Naa Abukari II are expected to continue in accordance with Dagbon customs and Islamic traditions as the kingdom mourns one of its most revered leaders.