Ebo Noah Granted GHS100,000 Bail

The Adenta Circuit Court has granted GHS100,000 bail to self-styled prophet, Evans Eshun, popularly known as Ebo Noah, who is facing a charge of publishing false news with intent to cause fear and panic.

The court granted bail with two sureties, one of whom must be justified with landed property, allowing the controversial figure temporary freedom as his case continues.

At the previous sitting, the presiding judge ordered a psychiatric evaluation of the self-acclaimed prophet following his erratic public conduct and sensational claims that drew national attention.

Ebo Noah became a viral sensation after claiming he was building an ark to save humanity from an impending doomsday flood. This claim sparked widespread public anxiety and intense social media debate.

Prosecutors argue that his statements were deliberately made to mislead the public and create panic, while the defence maintains that the charges will be contested in court.

The case has been adjourned to March 18, 2026, as investigations continue, with the court expected to further assess Ebo Noah’s mental fitness to stand trial.

Yvonne Okoro Breaks Silence On Roger Quartey’s Alleged On-Set Humiliation

Award-winning actress and producer, Yvonne Okoro, has recounted what she described as a humiliating encounter with actor and producer, Roger Quartey, on the set of Agony of Christ.

Speaking on the latest episode of the SMARTER Leadership Podcast with Tucci, Yvonne Okoro recalled an incident during filming at Enyan Abaasa where she said her attempt to assert her professional rights was forcefully shut down.

According to her, Roger dismissed her as ‘not there yet’ and ‘not good enough’ to demand the same treatment as more established actresses. ‘If Nadia is exerting those rights, you can’t,’ she said she was told.

Yvonne Okoro revealed that the moment cut deeply, leaving her in tears and carrying the emotional weight for years.

She said the experience marked a turning point in her career, quietly fueling a personal vow to rise to a level where her presence could no longer be ignored. ‘That was when I said to myself that one day you will need me,’ she stated.

The revelation came during a broader conversation on purpose, resilience and staying grounded in an industry she described as both rewarding and unforgiving.

Yvonne Okoro reflected on the unspoken power dynamics behind the scenes and the hard lessons that shape longevity beyond raw talent.

Customs Warns Drug Traffickers After Takoradi Bust

The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has warned importers intending to ship illicit drugs and uncustomed goods through Ghana’s ports to desist, insisting that enforcement agencies are fully prepared to clamp down on such activities.

The Western and Central Customs Sector Commander, Assistant Commissioner Walter Blankson, who issued the warning in an interview with journalists, declared, ‘We are ready for them.’

Meanwhile, the Security Manager at the Takoradi Harbour, Naval Captain Michael Duvor, has attributed the recent interception of a large consignment of illicit drugs at the Port of Takoradi to stringent security measures at the facility.

He said the success was also due to the port’s firm commitment to detecting undeclared goods in order to protect state revenue.

It will be recalled that Customs officials at the Takoradi Port recently intercepted a large consignment of suspected illicit drugs concealed in two 40-foot containers.

The interception followed an intelligence-led operation at the Atlantic Terminal Services Limited (ATSL) terminal.

The containers were initially declared to contain ceiling fans. However, the suspicious arrangement of the cargo prompted officers to alert their superiors.

The containers were subsequently fully unstuffed for thorough inspection.

The inspection was conducted with the support of multiple state agencies, including the Narcotics Control Commission, National Security, the National Intelligence Bureau, the Food and Drugs Authority, and the cargo declarant, Maxwell Boateng.

During the operation, officials uncovered an estimated 25 million tablets of suspected illicit Tapentadol and Timaking drugs hidden among cartons of ceiling fans.

The inspection also revealed thousands of undeclared electrical appliances.

The seized tablets have since been secured, with samples taken by a Customs Chemist for laboratory analysis.

The remaining items have been transferred to the State Warehouse in Takoradi, where they will be held pending further investigations.

Shatta Wale Drops ‘Echoes Of The Ghetto’ EP

African Dancehall King, Shatta Wale, has gifted his dancehall fans another ‘dancehall’ Extended Play (EP); ‘Echoes Of The Ghetto’ EP, an enchanted ‘dancehall’ EP made up of six solid songs.

The songs include ‘Boss A Di Whole Place,’ ‘Rise Anyway’, ‘Born Fi Par’, ‘VIP Girl’, ‘Worldwide Whine’, and ‘Lonely Victory’. The project features pure dancehall music reflecting street life and triumph.

Following the release, the tracklist has received honest review by followers, with some jumping on trends with the tunes. Others have also expressed their review on social media, commending the Shatta Movement President for releasing the EP.

On X, Ayam Bornbless, reviewing the EP, expressed surprise at how some fans can sing the songs word for word, he wrote, ‘Sometimes I see people singing a song barely four hours after it drops on DSPs, and I start questioning myself-am I really a fan of SHATTA WALE? That level of dedication is insane. Chale Shatta Wale is big whatttt#EchoesOfTheGhettoEP #AfricanKingAlbum.’

Headless YouTuber also wrote, ‘Shatta Wale’s new EP, Echoes of the Ghetto . I Love It.’

Big Dreams wrote, ‘After listening to these tracks, afit tell you boldly say Shatta Wale has unlocked a sound that speaks the language of the streets and the world at once, and that’s exactly how you enter the global market we dey here (sic).’

Raducanu Earns First Win Of Season After Rain Delay

Emma Raducanu claimed her first victory of the season as she completed a straight-set win over Camila Osorio after their match at the Hobart International was suspended because of rain.

The British 23-year-old had won the first set but trailed the Colombian 4-2 in the second when play ended early on Tuesday.

However, she overturned that break deficit on her return on Wednesday and let out a roar of delight after securing a 6-3 7-6 (7-2) win.

Top seed Raducanu avoided having to play two matches on the same day after second-round opponent Magdalena Frech withdrew with injury.

Instead, the former US Open champion moves on to a quarter-final against Australian wildcard Taylah Preston on Thursday as she ramps up her Australian Open preparations.

‘Very, very difficult match. We played under all conditions and coming on and off a few times was really difficult,’ Raducanu said.

‘I don’t think I’ve slept over many matches in between so that was a new one for me.

‘I thought Camila played an incredible match. I’m just really pleased with how I came out today and turned it around.’

Victory over 82nd-ranked Osorio was world number 29 Raducanu’s first win since September after she ended her 2025 season early with injury.

Her off-season was also disrupted by what she described as ‘light bone bruising’ on her right foot.

This was Raducanu’s second match of the year after her loss to Maria Sakkari at the United Cup – a meeting which came just two weeks after she was able to return to hitting in practice.

But she demonstrated her resilience by overcoming difficult conditions and a 4-1 second-set deficit against Osorio to ensure a positive start in Hobart.

The Australian Open – the first Grand Slam of the year – begins in Melbourne on Sunday.

Economic Activity Expands By 3.8% In October 2025

The nation’s economic activity expanded by 3.8 percent in October 2025, according to the latest Monthly Indicator of Economic Growth (MIEG) released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

Presenting the provisional figures yesterday, Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, explained that the MIEG is a volume-based index designed to track changes in economic activity on a monthly basis, providing an early signal of how the economy is performing ahead of the release of quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures.

The MIEG index for October 2025 stood at 112.7, up from 108.6 recorded in October 2024, translating into a year-on-year growth rate of 3.8 percent. Month-on-month growth was not reported because the index is not seasonally adjusted.

A breakdown of the data shows that growth was driven largely by the services sector, which expanded by 5.5 percent over the period and emerged as the main contributor to overall economic performance. The sector accounted for 2.8 percentage points of the total 3.8 per cent growth recorded in October.

Industry also recorded positive growth, expanding by 3.0 percent and contributing 1.1 percentage points to overall economic activity. Agriculture posted a more modest growth of 0.9 percent, contributing 0.05 percentage points to the total expansion.

According to the Government Statistician, the growth in agriculture was largely driven by improved performance in fishing activities during the period under review.

In the industry sector, the expansion was attributed mainly to increased activity in the manufacturing sub-sector.

The services sector, which led overall growth, benefited primarily from strong performance in Information and Communication as well as Trade-related activities, reflecting sustained demand and improved activity levels in these areas of the economy.

Dr. Iddrisu noted that the MIEG covers all economic activities captured under the quarterly GDP framework, and added that it is compiled using monthly volume indicators and administrative records, which are deflated using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) to remove the effects of inflation.

He explained that the indicators used in the MIEG are, as much as possible, the same as those employed in compiling quarterly GDP figures.

This alignment, he said, ensures consistency between the two datasets and allows the MIEG to serve as a reliable early indicator of economic trends.

‘The MIEG allows users not only to see the overall direction of economic activity ahead of the quarterly GDP release, but also to understand how much each major sector contributes to total growth,’ Dr. Iddrisu said.

He cautioned, however, that the October 2025 MIEG figures are provisional and subject to revision as more comprehensive and updated data become available. The indicator is currently classified as an experimental statistic and remains open to revision for up to two years, in line with the revision policy applied to quarterly and annual national accounts.

Revisions, he explained, typically arise from the incorporation of additional data that were not available at the time of the initial release, as well as the reconciliation of monthly indicators with quarterly and annual national accounts, which are based on a broader data set.

Dr. Iddrisu also pointed out that the MIEG is currently a non-seasonally adjusted series, meaning only year-on-year changes are calculated.

As the time series expands to at least four years, the Ghana Statistical Service plans to introduce seasonally adjusted data to allow for month-on-month growth analysis, he added.

Commission Leads Gun Amnesty Walk To Curb Arms Proliferation

The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) has intensified its nationwide Gun Amnesty Campaign with a public awareness walk aimed at discouraging gun violence and encouraging the voluntary surrender of illicit firearms and ammunition.

The walk, which attracted security personnel, civil society groups, religious leaders and community members, saw participants marching through principal streets holding placards with strong messages such as ‘Say No to Gun Violence’ and ‘Our Children Deserve a Better Future, Not Gun Violence/Conflict.’

The campaign underscored the urgent need to rid communities of illegal weapons and foster a culture of peace and safety.

Participants, many clad in branded Gun Amnesty T-shirts, included officers from the security services, highlighting the collaborative approach between state institutions and the public in tackling the menace of small arms proliferation. The presence of uniformed personnel alongside civilians symbolised unity and shared responsibility in promoting national security.

The Executive Secretary of National Commission for Small Arms and Light Weapons, Dr. Adam Bonaa, emphasised that the Gun Amnesty Programme provides a safe and lawful opportunity for individuals in possession of illegal weapons to surrender them without fear of prosecution.

He said the uncontrolled circulation of small arms continues to fuel violent crime, chieftaincy disputes, armed robbery and other security challenges across the country.

Residents who witnessed the march expressed support for the initiative, describing it as timely and necessary in the face of rising concerns about community safety. Many called for sustained education and engagement at the grassroots level to complement enforcement measures.

The Gun Amnesty Campaign forms part of Ghana’s broader commitment to regional and international efforts to combat the illicit trade and misuse of small arms and light weapons.

The Commission has urged traditional authorities, youth groups, faith-based organisations and the media to continue supporting the initiative to ensure its success.

As the campaign continues across the country, NACSA remains hopeful that increased public participation will lead to safer communities and a more peaceful nation.

OmniBSIC Relocates Kejetia Branch To Modern Facility

OmniBSIC Bank has officially relocated its Kejetia Branch to a state-of-the-art facility within the Osons Chemist Building.

The strategic move is aimed at reinforcing the Bank’s brand promise, ‘Not Just Another Bank,’ by delivering exceptional financial services in the heart of Kumasi, the nation’s most vibrant commercial district.

The relocation is a direct response to the rapid economic evolution of the Kejetia area.

Home to the Kumasi Central Market, which is the largest single market in West Africa, Kejetia remains a critical engine of Ghana’s economy.

With more than 11,000 stalls and a daily influx of over 50,000 traders and shoppers, the district requires a financial partner capable of handling high-volume transactions while providing a spacious and secure environment for business owners.

The new branch at the Osons Chemist Building offers significantly expanded floor space, enhanced accessibility, and modern digital touchpoints designed to better serve the bustling market community.

Speaking at the opening of the relocated branch, the Divisional Head of Marketing at OmniBSIC Bank, Dr. Bernice Asamoah, said the new location represents a physical manifestation of the Bank’s dedication to excellence.

She noted that as OmniBSIC positions itself as the bank of choice, its physical infrastructure must reflect the quality of its financial solutions.

‘The relocation of our Kejetia Branch is more than a change of address; it is a tangible reflection of our commitment to excellence. As we advance towards becoming a Tier-One bank, our physical infrastructure must match the quality of the financial solutions we provide.

‘This new branch ensures that the vibrant Kejetia business community feels valued and supported, and experiences firsthand why we are truly Not Just Another Bank. Every interaction here is designed to reinforce that promise,’ she said.

Echoing these sentiments, the Zonal Manager for Ashanti Central, Samuel Duncan, highlighted the operational advantages of the new premises.

He described the Kejetia Market as the heartbeat of trade in the Ashanti Region and said the relocation eliminates the bottlenecks associated with the former location.

According to him, the more spacious and accessible environment better positions the Bank to deliver faster, more efficient services that modern traders demand, while strengthening OmniBSIC’s role as the preferred financial partner for SMEs and retail customers in Kumasi.

‘Kejetia is the pulse of commerce in Kumasi, and this new branch ensures we keep pace. With more space, improved accessibility, and faster service delivery, we are removing bottlenecks and empowering traders to focus on what they do best, growing their businesses.

‘OmniBSIC is here to make banking seamless, efficient, and truly supportive for the market community,’ he noted.

Tennis Amateur Stuns World’s Best To Win A$1m

Amateur player Jordan Smith would have been ‘happy winning just one point’ – but walked away with A$1m (£496,835) and bragging rights over world number two Jannik Sinner as he triumphed at the Australian Open’s Million Dollar One Point Slam.

The innovative format offered amateur players the opportunity to win the prize money by playing a sole point against some of the sport’s top talent and other famous faces.

Smith was the star of the show on Rod Laver Arena, also defeating women’s world number four Amanda Anisimova in front of almost 15,000 people.

Smith faced women’s world number 117 Joanna Garland in a fitting finale, after the Taiwanese 24-year-old stunned men’s world number three Alexander Zverev and former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios.

New South Wales state champion Smith was not the only amateur to seize his moment in the spotlight, with Queensland state champion Alec Reverente beating men’s world number seven Felix Auger-Aliassime.

As the two best performing amateurs, Smith and Reverente also went head-to-head to win a brand new car, with Reverente triumphing.

The tournament was played in good spirits – even a racquet smash by Kyrgios following his defeat was performed with humour – and generated genuine intrigue.

Many of the beaten players, including men’s number one Carlos Alcaraz, remained at Rod Laver Arena and gathered around televisions to watch the conclusion between the two unlikely finalists.

A Queen Mother’s Goof

No amount of money or resources will be too much for ensuring national cohesion, especially when motley of ethnic groupings make up a country.

Nigeria fought a costly civil war to keep the country intact, lessons from which experience should guide us in our utterances and inter-ethnic relationships.

Countries which have been unfortunate to be bedeviled with civil strife occasioned by ethnocentric underpinnings have long stories to tell about the security aftermaths of the anomaly.

A queen mother in the Assin South Constituency has gone gaga on the fast approaching New Patriotic Party (NPP) primary to elect a flagbearer, the bottom-line of which is that her people should vote for the candidature of a person who hails from their part of the country.

This certainly is not how to build a country. She deserves condemnation and not plaudits because Ghana has long past that notch of backwardness called tribalism.

Those who engage in such ethnocentric bigotry should be told in their faces that they do not belong here at all.

We recall the wonderful reception accorded the other candidates when they visited the northern parts of the country. Bryan Acheampong had a taste of northern hospitality when he was in Walewale and others, irrespective of the fact that he hails from the Eastern part of the country. We all saw the banner headlines which his visit to Mamprugu attracted; so positive and pointing to the oneness of Ghanaians.

We are all one people with a common national destiny, a fact which makes us spit at the backwardness of ethnocentric remarks such as the queen mother spewed.

The reward for receiving money and other goodies from a candidate should not threaten national security. If the queen mother was good enough, she should have rather expressed gratitude to the origin of the goodies and steered off the path of national destruction.

It has been a long time since the various ethnic groups in Ghana came together to constitute the Gold Coast and eventually Ghana. ‘I am a Ghanaian’ sounds better than ‘I am a Dagomba or Fanti’ we dare say.

Drivers’ mates graduate into drivers and therefore qualified to take over the steering wheels. It was disingenuous for the queen mother to, besides doing the unacceptable to openly support a candidate based on ethnocentric lines, claim that the driver’s mate should give way to a qualified person to drive.

She was quoted as saying, inter alia, that ‘Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia himself acknowledged he was only a mate (Vice President) and if his role is done, he should step aside for someone more competent to lead the country.’

That does not make sense at all if she cares to know. In any case, delegates are sensible enough to take decisions which serve best the interest of their political parties and the country as a whole.

It is heartbreaking when an internal election leads persons instrumental in the solidification of national cohesion to do otherwise.

We are disappointed in this woman and her ilk. Such persons should be called out for their unfitness to lead, their words disintegrating rather than unifying.