Category: Daily Guide Network

PRESIDENT JOHN Dramani Mahama has commissioned the phase one of a 2,000-unit military barracks and 50 fleet of vehicles at the Ghana Armed Forces West African Soldiers Social Activities (WASSA) 2025.

The commissioned vehicles include pickup trucks, buses, and Land Cruisers, aimed at improving operational readiness of the Armed Forces, while the 2,000-unit barracks project is intended to significantly improve accommodation and living conditions for officers and personnel of the Force.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Friday, January 23, President Mahama reaffirmed government’s commitment to adequately resource the Armed Forces to enable them effectively carry out their mandate.

‘The commissioning of the fleet of pickup trucks, buses and Land Cruisers is to enhance mobility and operational efficiency of the Ghana Armed Forces. This is just the first phase of vehicles that the Armed Forces are to receive.

‘Plans are also well advanced to procure armoured personal carriers, strategic drones and advanced communication systems to establish Ghana’s first state-of-the art cyber and electronic warfare centre in the northern sector,’ he disclosed.

He added that the Ghana Armed Forces continue to play a vital role in international peacekeeping, indicating that even as global dynamics continue to evolve, the current financial and logistical challenges facing the United Nations have led to significant drawdown in peacekeeping operations worldwide.

President Mahama stated that the Ghana Armed Forces have played a pivotal role in supporting government’s decisive actions in areas such as the training and deployment of River Guards, the establishment of National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), and the creation of special courts to prosecute anti-illegal mining suspects.

‘These measures underscore our collective determination to protect the environment and ensure that Ghana’s natural resources serve both present and future generations,’ he said.

He announced salary increases effective March, plans for two new military units, and Ghana’s first cyber warfare centre at Tamale Air Force Base.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Major General William Agyapong, applauded the demonstrated commitment of government in retooling the Armed Forces to enhance operational effectiveness.

He mentioned that the Force is leveraging on its goodwill, expertise and strategic relations in embarking on productive projects such as poultry, crop farming as a means of supporting the service logistics challenges.

‘We have undertaken a barracks regeneration strategy that will see the modernisation of Burma Camp housing units to high rise buildings to save more than half of the existing land space in Burma Camp. This project will begin with a self-help fundraising event in April this year, to see to the construction of 200 housing units at Burma Camp,’ he mentioned.

Actress, Salma Mumin, has hit back at social media critics who have persistently mocked and criticised her body following claims that she underwent a body enhancement procedure.

In an Instagram post on Friday, she expressed frustration with what she described as relentless, harmful commentary about her appearance. She urged individuals who habitually attack her online to desist, stressing that their words carry serious consequences.

‘The constant commentary about my body has gone too far. Words are not harmless. Words have the power to affect a person mentally, emotionally, and psychologically in ways many people underestimate,’ she stated.

Salma Mumin emphasised that any decision to alter her body was entirely personal, adding that the harsh judgments and character attacks directed at her on social media were unjustified.

According to her, she does not seek public approval or validation, and she believes critics should allow her to live her life on her own terms.

‘I made a personal decision about my body. I changed how I looked because I wanted to, because I did not like how I looked before. I did it for me. Not for public approval. Not for opinions. Not to meet anyone’s preference,’ she explained.

She further added that opinions about whether her alleged BBL is noticeable or aligns with others’ preferences are irrelevant.

‘Whether my BBL is obvious or not, whether it fits what you would have chosen for yourself or not, it is what I wanted. And that should be enough,’ she said.

Tragedy has reportedly struck the family of the late highlife legend, Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba once again, as his nephew, Kofi, has died shockingly.

Online videos circulating on social media show Daddy Lumba’s younger sister, Faustina Fosu, in deep distress, crying as news emerged that she had lost one of her sons. The deceased, identified as Kofi, was her second child.

According to reports, Kofi passed away in Kumasi in the early hours of Saturday, January 24, 2026.

The cause of death remains unclear as of the time of filing this reporting.

The sad news was made public by content creator Kamal Mohammed, popularly known as Nation Blogger, who reportedly organised a fundraising campaign for Faustina Fosu. That initiative reportedly raised about GH?10,000 to support the family.

Kofi’s death marks yet another devastating blow to Faustina Fosu, coming barely six months after the death of her famous brother, Daddy Lumba, who passed away on July 26, 2025.

The legendary musician was laid to rest on December 13, 2025.

Many have described the latest loss as heartbreaking, reopening wounds that had barely begun to heal. Others have also started pointing fingers over what they believed caused his death.

Former Chief Executive Officer of National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has withdrawn an application challenging the propriety of the charges levelled against him by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in relation to the alleged extortion of monies from bulk oil distributors.

The accused had filed the motion last month seeking a premature end to his trial by targeting all the charges levelled against him in the ongoing trail before a High Court in Accra.

Dr. Abdul-Hamid and nine (9) others are before the court accused of extorting a total of GHS291.574 million and $332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil distributors.

The OSP has filed a bulky set of documents as part of documents it intends to rely on to prove the guilt of the accused, who have all denied the charges against them.

Joseph Dindiok Kpemka, counsel for Dr. Abdul-Hamid, told the court yesterday that the accused would like to exercise his right to withdraw the motion asking the court to strike out the charges against him ‘so as to enable the honourable court proceed with the substantive matter.’

The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, subsequently struck out the application as withdrawn.

Bail Variation

Meanwhile, the court has varied part of the bail conditions of the accused persons, ordering them to report to the lead investigator at the OSP instead of the Court Registrar.

This followed an application filed by the OSP, with Adelaide Kobiri telling the court, while she moved the motion that, it will enable the investigator track the accused persons at all material times during the case and ensure that they appear before the court to stand trial.

All the accused persons decided not to oppose the application despite their earlier resistance, with some even filing an affidavit in opposition which were all withdrawn yesterday.

The trial judge revised the bail condition and ordered the accused persons to report to the lead investigator on the first and third Tuesdays of the month until trial commences in the matter.

‘When trial commences, the accused shall report the first Tuesday of the month since they will also be coming to court for the hearing of this matter,’ Justice Kocuvie-Tay stated, while also ordering the investigator to file a return at the end of every month to the court.

The court further placed all the accused on a Stop List at all entry point of immigration.

The court has adjourned the case to February 2, 2026, for case management conference.

The OSP has charged Dr. Abdul-Hamid and seven individuals as well as three companies with 54 counts of charges including extortion by a public officer, conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering.

The individuals are Jacob Kwamina Amuah, Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) at NPA; Wendy Newman, a staff of NPA; Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, all Directors of Kel Logistics Limited; Bright Bediako-Mensah, a Director of Kel Logistics Limited and Kings Energy Limited as well as Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah, Director of Kings Energy Limited.

The three companies charged by the OSP are Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited and Kings Energy Limited, while a suspect identified as Osei Tutu Adjei, a Director of Kel Logistics Limited is currently at large.

The OSP says the charges stem from investigations initiated by it in late 2024 into alleged unlawful conduct involving the diversion of public funds and collusion with oil marketing and bulk distribution companies.

The summary of facts indicate that investigations by the OSP show that between 2022 and December 2024, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Jacob Kwamina Amuah and Wendy Newman under the colour of their office as officers of NPA, set up an extortionate scheme by which they unlawfully obtained GHS291,574,087.19 and $332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies, which they knew they were not lawfully authorised to obtain.

Black Queens head coach, Kim Lars Björkegren, has delivered his first assessment of Ghana’s group for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, admitting the challenge ahead while expressing strong belief in his team’s potential.

Speaking after the group stage draw, the Swedish tactician described Ghana’s group as a demanding one, stressing that no opponent should be underestimated.

‘It’s definitely going to be a tough group,’ Björkegren said, acknowledging the high level of competition Ghana will face in Morocco.

He singled out Cameroon as one of the teams that caught his attention, praising the quality and depth of their squad after recently watching them in action.

‘I watched Cameroon the other day and I was a bit surprised by how strong they are. It’s an amazing squad,’ he noted, underlining the threat posed by the Central Africans.

Björkegren also pointed to Mali as familiar adversaries, recalling their previous encounter at the Women’s World Cup and reiterating his respect for their abilities.

‘We played Mali at the last Women’s World Cup, so we know they are a very good team,’ he said.

The Black Queens coach further warned about the danger of debutants and less-fancied sides, noting that new teams often bring unpredictability to major tournaments.

With Ghana’s opponents now confirmed, Björkegren says attention has fully shifted to preparation, as the technical team begins detailed planning for the competition.

‘Now that we know the teams, we can start preparing properly and give ourselves the best possible chance to get a good result,’ he explained.

The ambition within camp is clear and bold. Björkegren revealed that Ghana’s primary objective is to reach the semi-finals, a milestone that would also secure qualification for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.

‘Our clear target is to make the top four and qualify for the World Cup. That is very important for us. If we achieve that, then we will push for the gold,’ he said.

Despite the high expectations, the coach insists the team will take a gradual, step-by-step approach, building on what he described as steady progress over recent months.

‘We’ve shown that we are moving in the right direction all the time. If we continue like that, we have the potential to go all the way,’ Björkegren added.

However, he ended with a note of realism, reminding that Ghana is not the only contenders for the title.

‘There are probably six, seven or eight teams that can win the tournament. We are not alone in this. We will do everything we can, and hopefully it will be enough,’ he concluded.

Ghana will head into WAFCON in Morocco aiming to re-establish themselves among Africa’s elite and mount a serious challenge for continental glory.

Ghanaian entrepreneur and founder of Terraform Development, Kwame Blay, has been featured in Forbes Africa’s spotlight on Ghana 2025 for redefining homecoming through real estate development.

The feature recognises Kwame Blay for championing revolutionary development by rewriting the narrative of homecoming and investment in Africa through Sanbra City-meaning ‘Return City’.

Sanbra City is not just a real estate project; it’s a cultural and economic statement, signaling a new era for diasporan engagement.

Launched in 2024 and unveiled at InvestFest, America’s premier Black entrepreneurship festival, Sanbra City captured attention with a powerful pitch: to build a sanctuary for returnees and offer a financial opportunity in a market often ignored by investors.

At its core, Sanbra City is about impact: addressing Ghana’s housing deficit while making property ownership accessible to diasporans. The flagship phase, The Cascades, includes 40 units: 2-bedroom apartments from $180,000, 4-bedroom townhouses at $275,000, and 5-bedroom villas at $450,000.

Demand has already surpassed expectations, with over 1,200 registrants vying for these homes.

Kwame Blay also doubles as CEO of Daily Guide Network, a subsidiary of Western Publications Limited, which publishes the Daily Guide newspaper. He has been instrumental in the growth of the media house, winning numerous awards, including the Most Promising CEO Award at the Ghana Business Awards.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a series of sanctions on Algerian players and the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) following disciplinary breaches during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Goalkeeper Luca Zidane has been handed a two-match suspension for unsporting behaviour, with the ban set to be served during the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

Defender Rafik Belghali has also been punished with a four-match suspension, although two of those matches have been suspended, meaning he will effectively miss two qualifiers unless further offences trigger the remaining ban.

In addition to the individual sanctions, CAF fined the FAF $5,000 after Algerian players picked up five yellow cards in a single match, an infringement of Article 130(a) of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

CAF further imposed a $25,000 fine on the federation for misconduct by players and officials after the final whistle, actions the governing body said undermined the integrity of the game under Articles 82 and 83 of the Code.

Supporter-related offences also attracted heavy penalties. The FAF was fined $5,000 each for the use of smoke bombs and for the throwing of objects, while a $10,000 fine was added for security breaches after supporters attempted to force their way through stadium barriers. An additional $50,000 fine was issued for offensive gestures by fans towards match officials, including the display of banknotes.

In response to the rulings, the Algerian FA confirmed it would immediately file an appeal in accordance with CAF regulations and vowed to closely follow the process, stressing its determination to defend the interests of Algerian football while fully respecting official procedures.

The sanctions highlight CAF’s firm stance on discipline and crowd control as it seeks to protect the integrity and image of African football.

The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has revealed that government has recovered GHS107 million in loan repayments, while some Ghana EXIM Bank loan disbursements have been referred to security agencies over concerns about how the funds were granted.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series, the Minister said the referrals form part of broader efforts to strengthen oversight, improve credit quality, and recover defaulted loans.

She disclosed that Ghana EXIM Bank disbursed a total of GHS304 million in 2025 under a stringent credit creation policy aimed at ensuring that loans support economic growth and are fully repaid.

‘In 2025, the Ghana EXIM Bank disbursed a total of GHS304 million in line with a stringent credit creation policy designed to strengthen credit quality,’ she said.

The Minister stressed that the funds are not meant for personal or partisan use.

‘This is not money for the boys or money for the girls,’ she emphasised.

She further noted that the Bank has intensified recovery efforts, retrieving GHS107 million from loans that had previously not been serviced.

‘They went to work on loan recoveries and received GHS107 million from facilities that had been disbursed but not repaid,’ she added.

Madam Ofosu-Adjare also revealed that certain loan disbursements remain unexplained, prompting their referral to security agencies for further investigation.

‘There are loans that we do not know how they were disbursed, and these have been referred to the appropriate quarters to be dealt with expeditiously,’ she said.

She outlined strict requirements applicants must meet, stressing that borrowers must demonstrate how the credit will benefit the economy and their capacity to repay.

‘You must satisfy the requirements. You must show that the credit you are taking will inure to the benefit of the economy, and you must demonstrate the ability to repay the loan, because this is not free money,’ she stated.

The Minister added that recovery efforts on legacy loans are ongoing, with legal action initiated in several cases, while others have been referred to relevant security agencies for further action.

Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Country Chair of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CEIC) Ghana, says he is confident former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, will return to Ghana, insisting that the embattled statesman wants to come home despite ongoing public speculation about his stay in the United States.

Speaking in an interview on GHOne TV with host Serwaa Amihere, Mr. Otchere-Darko, who is a cousin to the former Minister, dismissed suggestions that Mr. Ofori-Atta may be avoiding a return to Ghana, stating firmly, ‘I believe Ken will come to Ghana, and I know he wants to come to Ghana.’

His comments come amid widespread discussion following reports and circulating images linked to Mr. Ofori-Atta’s situation in the United States, including references to immigration detention.

The matter has also drawn public commentary after Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, indicated that concerns had been raised about Mr. Ofori-Atta’s return.

However, Mr. Otchere-Darko declined to engage in details of any conversations he may have had with either Mr. Ofori-Atta or the ambassador, repeatedly stressing his principle of not discussing private conversations in public.

‘I do not discuss private conversations publicly,’ he said, maintaining that stance despite persistent questioning from the host.

When asked about Mr. Ofori-Atta’s current condition, Mr. Otchere-Darko described him as mentally resilient and grounded in faith, expressing confidence in his ability to withstand pressure.

‘He’s a very strong man mentally, so I’m sure he’s doing well,’ he said, adding that although he had not spoken to Mr. Ofori-Atta since his reported detention, he believed he remained in good spirits.

‘He has strong faith, so I’m sure that will protect him,’ Gabby intimated.

Pressed on why Mr. Ofori-Atta had not returned earlier or opted to self-deport if he intended to come back to Ghana, Mr. Otchere-Darko questioned the premise of the concern.

‘Why would he not return to Ghana?’ he asked, reiterating his belief that the former minister’s return is only a matter of time.

Throughout the interview, Mr. Otchere-Darko avoided offering personal opinions on the broader assertions and political interpretations surrounding Mr. Ofori-Atta’s situation, choosing instead to focus narrowly on his confidence in his eventual return and well-being.

Dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale, has fired back at New Patriotic Party (NPP) communicator Awal Mohammed following comments describing some members of the Shatta Movement (SM) as ‘junkies.’

Awal Mohammed remarked during a television discussion on strict bail conditions, referencing Shatta Wale’s past arrest and the protests staged by his fans. The comment triggered backlash on social media, forcing the political communicator to issue an unqualified apology.

‘The term was unnecessary, and I’m truly sorry for any offence caused. I respect the passion of fans, and my choice of words was wrong,’ Awal Mohammed stated.

Shatta Wale, however, responded with a firm message, warning against what he called repeated attempts to undermine his brand and disrespect his supporters. He said the comment reflects a wider problem of selective criticism and coded insults directed at certain groups in society.

‘For years, I have been a voice for the youth. My impact goes beyond music to job creation, inspiration and representing Ghana globally. That deserves respect,’ he said.

The dancehall star stressed that the issue goes beyond entertainment, describing it as a matter of fairness and national maturity. He also reminded critics that the Shatta Movement is organised and conscious of its influence.

‘The people are not ignorant, and their patience is not unlimited. This is not a threat. It’s a reminder,’ Shatta Wale concluded.