Category: Daily Guide Network

Delegates are listening to all manner of rhetoric from the flagbearer aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

While some are well-mannered in their presentations, others are hawkish; their demeanour pointing at unnecessary brinkmanship that cannot be acceptable.

The stakes, it appears, have never been higher. In the run-up to the D-Day, desperation is setting in and, therefore, responsible for the charged ambience and unguarded rhetoric.

The motley of admonitions which were served to calm tempers have not altered the tempo.

A few days ago, one of the aspirants while talking via zoom to delegates made inappropriate remarks about a colleague contestant, the former Vice President of the Republic. It was so outlandish it trended on both social and traditional media.

According to Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the former Vice President did not speak the truth when he said the late Prof. Adu Boahen was not given a second chance because of ill-health. This, he said, does not make him fit to vie for the flagbearership.

The Chairman of the NPP in the Ashanti Region, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, yesterday clarified the matter when he said, ‘I said it. It was not the former Vice President’. Let us all process this outcome and make our individual judgment. Doesn’t the former Vice President deserve an apology from his opponent?

To describe a colleague contestant who held the position of Vice President as a liar should not attract plaudits. It does not speak well of a person making such a categorical remark, more so when both persons belong to the same political grouping.

As we pointed out sometime ago, an assortment of factors determine integrity.

Those who seek to lead must espouse the qualities of leadership among which attributes is avoiding harsh or intemperate language and indulging in the peddling of untruths, especially to malign others.

The temperature in the two dominant political parties reflect the quality of democracy being practiced in the country inter alia. It is for this reason that we demand decorum in the manner in which the contenders conduct themselves on the public space.

Unfortunately, such determinants are observed over time and not at the eleventh hour when delegates have already made up their minds.

The former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is one of the finest gentlemen on the political space in the country.

We condemn any attempt to smear his integrity with unfounded allegations in the name of seeking the nod of delegates ahead of an internal election. He does not deserve such descent into the gutter.

Addressing delegates about what we can offer them, the party and the country at large so they vote for us, is what contenders should concentrate on; personal vendetta as being witnessed does not speak well about the origins of such indecorous language.

Let us all contribute towards the building of a decent democracy pillared on truth, integrity and decorum.

The proclivity to use vitriolic against our opponents, especially when these are anchored on mendacity, does not advance the positive cause of democracy.

In a digitised ambience in which the internet is laden with stored remarks of politicians and others, measurement of the quality of characters through remarks is a mere walk in the park.

Those whose stewardship, when they held public office, witnessed the advancement of the country and whose vision led to where we are today are known by all. Posterity will judge all.

While we welcome the peace pact to be signed by the aspirants, we have little confidence that this would change anything. The leopard’s spots will remain its prominent feature come what may.

The Office of the Attorney General (AG) has once again failed to comply with the orders of a High Court to file disclosures and witness statements in the trial of former Executive Director of National Service Authority (NSA), Osei Assibey Antwi, who is accused of stealing and causing a financial loss of over GHS650 million to the state.

The court, presided over by Justice Kizita Naa Quarshie, had ordered the prosecution to file the documents in order for it to conduct a case management which will pave way for the commencement of the trial.

However, prosecutors told the court on Monday, January 19, that they were unable to comply with the orders of the court and subsequently pleaded with the court for an adjournment to enable them file the documents.

The court, therefore, adjourned the case to February 17, 2026, for continuation.

This was not the first time the court had to adjourned the case because the prosecution could not comply with the orders of the court in filing the disclosures and witness statements.

On December 2, 2025, the court had to adjourn the trial to January 19, 2026, for case management, as the prosecution could not meet the deadline set by the court for them to file disclosures and witness statements, and serve same on the defence.

‘.Due to a few drawbacks regarding our witnesses, we were unable to meet the said deadline. We, therefore, humbly pray for an adjournment to enable us comply with the court’s orders,’ Dufie Prempeh, a Principal State Attorney, told the court on that day.

‘We were hoping that as at today we would have received the documents, but we have not. In the circumstances, we do not have any choice,’ Paa Kwesi Kuboadzi, a member of the defence team responded.

Mr. Osei Assibey has been charged with a total of 14 counts of stealing, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering.

He is accused of causing financial loss of GHS8,256,000 to the state by authorising transfers from the NSA’s Control Account to e-zwich card number 1177042059, which is registered in his name.

He is again accused of laundering the GHS8,256,000 by diverting it into his e-zwich account knowing the money formed part of unlawful activity.

The former Mayor of Kumasi is also facing charges of causing financial loss of GHS55 million belonging to the NSA by authorising the withdrawal of the said amount from Project Account number 1018631542212 for the Kumawu Farm Project ‘without expending it on the project.’

Last month, a High Court in Accra reduced Mr. Assibey’s his previous bail from GHS623 million to GHS120 million.

The court, presided over by Justice Kizita Naa Quarshie, also reduced the number of sureties from six to two, who must be justified with landed property worth GHS80 million.

The reduction followed a second application for variation filed by lawyers for the accused, arguing that the initial bail sum was excessive and practically impossible for the sureties to meet.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi, has claimed that he is the source of a remark which Kennedy Ohene Agyapong attributed to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and launched an unprovoked attack on him.

The former Assin North Constituency Member of Parliament (MP), Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, via zoom during a virtual engagement with delegates in the Upper East Region accused the former Vice President of not speaking the truth when he claimed that the late Prof. Adu Boahen was not given a second chance after failing to win the first presidential election in which he was the flagbearer of the NPP. ‘I have never seen a liar like the former Vice President,’ Mr. Agyapong said.

‘Someone who wants to be president should get their facts right,’ he charged.

Reacting later, the Ashanti Regional Chairman said it was he who said so, and not the former Vice President as Kennedy Ohene Agyapong claimed.

He added that Mr. Agyapong should apologise to the former Vice President for the blunder.

It would be recalled that during an engagement with delegates, Chairman Wontumi, who wanted to make a case for presenting Dr. Bawumia again, recalled that the late Prof. Albert Adu Boahen was the only candidate who did not get a second chance because of ill-health.

Rather than getting his facts right and attack the real source of the disclosure, Kennedy Agyapong launched blistering attack on Dr. Bawumia.

Unsurprisingly, social media was abuzz with scathing remarks for the unprovoked attack on the former Vice President.

A 16-year-old Junior High School (JHS) student has allegedly been stabbed to death by a 15-year-old colleague in a fight over a ‘boyfriend’.

The unfortunate incident happened in the Akontombra District of the Western North region last Monday.

The suspect, Francisca Hayford, a JHS 2 student of Nkwadum D/A Junior High School (JHS) is currently in the grips of the police assisting with investigation.

She allegedly killed her colleague, Akua Kumah, who attended the same school and in JHS 3, with a knife.

According to reports the teenagers were allegedly fighting over a boy and in the process Francisca purportedly stabbed Akua in the breast with a knife.

Akua was rushed to the Sefwi Nsawora Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Her lifeless body had since been deposited at the Sefwi Wiawso Government Hospital morgue.

The Assembly member for Nkwadum Electoral Area, Isaac Etsie, told journalists that a misunderstanding ensued between the two students while returning from school on Monday, leading to the death of one.

‘I was informed on Monday evening that two students were having a fight, and during the fisticuffs, the 15-year-old JHS 2 stabbed the 16-year-old JHS 3 student in the breast,’ he said.

A physician assistant at the Sefwi Nsawora Health Centre, Charles Kwabena Amoako confirmed that, ‘The victim was brought in dead’.

He added that Akua Kumah was stabbed in the chest, causing her to bleed to death.

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama to immediately remove Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, accusing him of reckless diplomacy that has plunged the country into an international crisis with severe economic consequences.

Addressing a press conference in Parliament yesterday, the Minority’s Foreign Affairs Committee, through the MP for Bosome-Freho and Deputy Ranking Member, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, said Ghana’s inclusion on a United States list of 75 countries facing an indefinite pause in immigrant visa processing was a direct result of what it described as the Minister’s ‘immature, confrontational and diplomatically illiterate conduct.’

The Minority noted that on January 13, 2026, the US Department of State announced the visa pause, a decision which it said would have devastating implications for thousands of Ghanaian families and professionals seeking lawful permanent residence in the United States.

According to the Minority, the development undermines family reunification efforts and disrupts the plans of skilled workers who had complied fully with US immigration requirements.

Beyond the social impact, the Minority warned of grave economic consequences. It said Ghana receives between $3.7 billion and $6.6 billion annually in diaspora remittances, with the United States accounting for the largest share, estimated at between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion each year.

The caucus argued that freezing immigrant visa processing threatens this vital economic lifeline, warning that today’s visa restrictions could translate into tomorrow’s decline in remittances, worsening the hardship of families and communities across the country.

The Minority laid the blame squarely at the feet of Mr. Ablakwa, accusing him of choosing ‘megaphone diplomacy’ over quiet, professional engagement.

It cited what it called a pattern of public confrontation with key partners, including the United States and Israel, rather than the use of established diplomatic channels to resolve technical issues around migration, deportations and consular cooperation.

As evidence, the caucus pointed to the December 2025 incident involving the deportation of Ghanaians from Israel, after which the Foreign Minister ordered the immediate deportation of Israeli nationals from Accra and publicly announced a policy of reciprocal deportations.

The Minority described this as ‘petulant showmanship’ that violated basic diplomatic norms and portrayed Ghana as unpredictable and untrustworthy.

It further accused the Minister of failing to anticipate the policy direction of the current US administration, despite previous instances where visa sanctions had been used against Ghana.

According to the Minority, a competent foreign minister should have engaged in early-warning analysis, scenario planning and quiet negotiations to prevent the country’s inclusion on the list.

The caucus also criticised what it called a failure to leverage Ghana’s strong relations with the European Union to lobby Washington, arguing that recent foreign policy posturing had alienated key allies and made coordinated support impossible.

In addition to calling for Mr. Ablakwa’s removal, the Minority demanded immediate public accountability from the Foreign Ministry, including full disclosure of communications with the United States over the past 18 months and a clear strategy for securing Ghana’s removal from the visa list.

It also called for the establishment of a high-level technical working group with US authorities, the withdrawal of the ‘tit-for-tat’ deportation policy with Israel, and the appointment of a special envoy to handle diaspora and migration affairs.

The Minority further urged President Mahama to recall Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, accusing him of neglecting urgent diplomatic engagement while engaging in partisan domestic controversies.

‘This is not a partisan matter; it is a matter of national survival,’ Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh said, insisting that Ghana’s international reputation, economic stability and the welfare of its citizens were at stake. ‘The Foreign Minister must go, and he must go now.’

DAASEBRE OSEI Bonsu III, has officially commenced his reign as Asante Mamponghene, after successfully swearing the oath of allegiance to his overlord, His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene.

The newly enstooled traditional leader has succeeded the deceased Asante Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, who after many years of successful reign, sadly visited his ancestors after succumbing to short illness in 2025.

Daasebre Osei Bonsu III, few weeks ago, swore the oath of office to the elders and people of Asante Mampong. Per the Asante customs and traditions, he had to swear the oath of allegiance to Otumfuo to legitimise his administration.

The new Asante Mamponghene is the occupant of the Silver Stool of the Asante Kingdom. He is therefore the second-in-command in the ancient kingdom, with Otumfuo, who is the occupant of the Golden Stool, being the supreme leader.

Sounding confident and very brave, Daasebre Osei Bonsu III, with his cloth reduced to the waist level as a sign of respect to Otumfuo, pledged his readiness and determination to continue the good works of his predecessors.

He also promised to always adhere to the wise counsel and directions of the Asantehene, adding that he will generally work for the effective and rapid transformation of Asante Mampong, the Asante Kingdom and Ghana in general.

Otumfuo, in his succinct advice to the new chief, recounted how respectful and hardworking the late Daasebre Osei Bonsu II was, admonishing the new Asante Mamponghene to also offer similar services to help develop Asanteman.

The swearing of oath ceremony, held at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Monday, was graced by Nana Agyakoma Difie, Asante Mampong Queenmother, traditional leaders, Asante Mampong natives and people from all walks of life.

Meanwhile, Daasebre Osei Bonsu III, who was looking cheerful, was carried shoulder high, amid drumming, dancing and wild jubilations in the Manhyia Palace after the swearing-in ceremony had been completed.

THE ORGANISERS of the Face of Ghana Youth Awards (FOGYA) have officially announced the 6th edition of the awards scheme, scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Nathan Anang Quao Auditorium, CLOGSAG Headquarters, Accra.

The Face of Ghana Youth Awards is an annual flagship event dedicated to recognising, celebrating, and honouring outstanding young Ghanaians who are making significant contributions to national development across various sectors, including leadership, entrepreneurship, arts, media, innovation, advocacy, and community service.

According to the founder, Destiny Riverson Bentil (Majesty), this year’s ceremony will be held in an elegant dinner-style format, promising an atmosphere of excellence, inspiration, and celebration. The red carpet experience will commence at 5:00 p.m., followed by the main awards ceremony at 6:00 p.m.

Entertainment for the night will be powered by DJ Xtra (Atinka FM) and DJ Glore PK (Top FM), ensuring a vibrant and memorable experience for guests and nominees alike.

Special guests to be honoured include Sista Afia, Okyeame Kwame, Jay Foley, DJ Mensah, and Agnes Opoku.

Tickets can be purchased online via www.glintafrica.com, or by contacting 024 775 7707 for reservations and inquiries.

FOGYA 2026 is organised by Glint Africa in collaboration with key partners and sponsors who continue to support youth empowerment and excellence in Ghana.

The organisers extend an invitation to corporate bodies, stakeholders, media partners, and the general public to join in celebrating the resilience, innovation, and impact of Ghana’s youth.

AFC Bournemouth have completed the signing of highly-rated Hungary midfielder Alex Toth from Ferencváros in a deal worth £10.4 million, as the Premier League club continues to strengthen its squad in the January transfer window.

The 20-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year contract with the Cherries, with the agreement also including up to £2.6 million in performance-related add-ons and a 10 per cent sell-on clause in favour of the Hungarian champions.

Toth attracted strong interest across Europe, with Benfica, Galatasaray and Lazio all understood to have monitored his situation closely before Bournemouth moved decisively to secure his signature.

Speaking after completing the move, the defensive midfielder expressed his delight at joining the south coast club.

‘When I knew AFC Bournemouth were first interested in me, I was excited and happy because this is a good club in the Premier League, the best league in the world and the strongest league,’ Toth said. ‘The whole club, the whole structure is great.’

Toth arrives in England with growing international experience, having already earned nine caps for Hungary. He has spent his entire club career in his home country, including a loan spell at Soroksár during the 2023-24 season.

He made his senior debut for Ferencváros in December 2024 and has since featured 52 times for the league champions, scoring four goals while also gaining valuable experience in European competitions.

Bournemouth’s head of football operations, Tiago Pinto, believes the young midfielder is well equipped to make the step up.

‘He has come from a club that is used to competing at the highest level in Hungary, while also featuring in Europe, so we’re excited about what he can bring to us in Bournemouth as he continues to develop further under the coaching of Andoni [Iraola],’ Pinto said.

Africa’s leading provider of secure national and digital identification solutions, Margins ID Group, has secured a contract to design, build, finance, co-operate and transfer a National ID System and an Integrated Digital ID System for the government of The Gambia.

The landmark agreement, signed on January 19, 2026, represents a defining milestone not only for the company, but for Ghana and the broader African technology ecosystem.

‘This achievement reflects a new chapter where African technology is designed, trusted and deployed across Africa,’ the Group said.

The tender process, which commenced on Monday July 22, 2024, attracted 11 international companies, reflecting strong global interest in the project. Following a comprehensive technical and financial evaluation, three firms were shortlisted, with Margins ID Group emerging as the successful bidder based on superior technical design, competitive advantage, and proven delivery capacity.

‘This contract is a defining moment for African digital identity innovation,’ said Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Margins ID Group, Moses Kwesi Baiden Jnr.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Baiden Jnr. described the agreement as a historic milestone and underscored the role of a national identification system as core national infrastructure that underpins governance and access to services.

‘This is a historic milestone,’ Mr. Baiden Jnr. said. ‘We are deeply grateful to the Government of The Gambia for the trust they have placed in us.’

Mr. Baiden Jnr. emphasised that the system being deployed in The Gambia represents an evolution informed by experience, not a replication.

‘What we are doing here in The Gambia is not a replication of any regional system,’ he said. ‘It incorporates evolved architecture and enhanced security controls. We have taken the lessons learned from Ghana and built an even stronger, more seamless national identification ecosystem for The Gambia.’

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior for the Gambia, Matar Ceesay, noted that the project had been under development for an extended period and had involved a whole-of-government approach.

‘This is something that has been in the works for a while,’ he said. ‘That is why government institutions across the board have been involved and have carried out their respective due diligence.’

He added that The Gambia is looking forward to a tailored solution.

Referencing Ghana’s experience, the Minister expressed confidence in the partnership.

‘The Ghana Card system is an example for Africa,’ he said. ‘Margins has done good work, and we are hopeful that this time, we have gotten it right.’

He emphasised the importance of capacity-building and commitment.

‘Knowledge transfer is very important to us,’ the Minister said. ‘The Government is fully invested in making this project successful.’

The implementation of the new identification system will modernise governance in The Gambia, enhance service delivery, and strengthen data protection and privacy for citizens. It will simplify access to healthcare, financial services, education, and digital public services, while establishing a robust foundation for e-government services, interoperability, and sustainable economic growth.

The project stands as a powerful example of Africa-to-Africa collaboration and aligns with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area, reinforcing regional integration and the ability of African enterprises to compete successfully on merit.

Italian fashion legend, Valentino Garavani, has died at the age of 93, his foundation announced on Monday.

In a statement, the Fondazione Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti said the designer passed away at his home in Rome, surrounded by loved ones. Lying in state will be held on January 21 and 22 at PM23 in Piazza Mignanelli, with his funeral scheduled for Friday, January 23, at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome.

Known simply as Valentino, the designer dressed generations of royalty, first ladies and Hollywood stars, including Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Julia Roberts and Queen Rania of Jordan. ‘I know what women want,’ he once said. ‘They want to be beautiful.’

Celebrated for his timeless elegance rather than edgy trends, Valentino enjoyed a career spanning nearly five decades, from the 1960s in Rome to his retirement in 2008. His refined designs made him a red-carpet favourite for global A-listers.

His gowns featured prominently at the Academy Awards, including Julia Roberts’ iconic black-and-white dress in 2001 and Cate Blanchett’s butter-yellow silk gown in 2004.