Category: Daily Guide Network

The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA), led by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Adam Bonaa, has paid a courtesy call on the Asogli Traditional Council as part of intensified sensitisation efforts on the ongoing nationwide Small Arms and Light Weapons Amnesty.

The visit, which formed part of NACSA’s Volta Regional engagement, brought together officials from the Ministry of the Interior, allied security agencies, and traditional authorities to deliberate on practical strategies to curb the proliferation of illicit weapons as well as strengthen peace and security in the region.

Dr. Bonaa expressed gratitude to the Asogli Traditional Council for warmly receiving the delegation and for their willingness to support the amnesty exercise. He said discussions around the need for a gun amnesty began shortly after his appointment, due to growing concerns over the increasing number of weapons in circulation across the country.

According to the Executive Secretary, the Volta Region occupies a strategic position in Ghana’s arms control discourse, noting that the area is known for its skilled firearms artisans and specialists. While such expertise is often perceived negatively, Dr. Bonaa said the Commission intends to engage it constructively by integrating lawful craftsmanship into regulated and approved frameworks.

He explained that the amnesty, which runs from December 1, 2025 to January 15, 2026, is designed to allow individuals in possession of illicit firearms to voluntarily surrender them or regularise their weapons without fear of arrest. However, he cautioned that after the deadline, anyone found with illegal firearms will face prosecution, with penalties ranging from 10 to 15 years imprisonment.

Dr. Bonaa said the urgency of NACSA’s engagement in the Volta Region was heightened by recent disturbances and sporadic shootings around the Central Mosque area, describing the incidents as regrettable and harmful to the region’s peaceful reputation. He stressed that the Commission’s approach is preventive rather than punitive, aimed at reducing avoidable arrests and easing pressure on correctional facilities, in line with government’s push for non-custodial sentencing.

Touching on cultural issues, the Executive Secretary disclosed that the amnesty also seeks to regularise traditional weapons kept in palaces. He noted that while firearms form part of some cultural practices, their unregulated possession could potentially escalate conflicts among traditional areas. He said the exercise would ensure that such weapons are properly documented and safely stored.

Dr. Bonaa appealed to traditional rulers to act as ambassadors of the Ghana Gun Amnesty, using their influence to encourage voluntary surrender and registration of weapons within their jurisdictions. He emphasised that Ghana’s peace and stability must be safeguarded to preserve the country’s positive image in the sub-region and globally, warning that insecurity could result in travel restrictions and loss of international confidence.

As part of activities in the Volta Region, Dr. Bonaa announced a series of engagements including a sensitisation forum for heads of security and public institutions, as well as a public awareness walk. Participants, he said, would wear Ghana Gun Amnesty T-shirts and carry placards urging citizens to ‘silence the guns while lifting Ghana up.’

Togbi Anikpi III of Ho Heve, speaking on behalf of the Asogli Traditional Council, commended NACSA for the initiative, acknowledging that many homes in the region and across the country possess arms and ammunition, some of which are unregistered or have expired licences. He described the amnesty as a crucial opportunity for firearm owners to regularise their weapons legally.

However, he expressed concern that public awareness of the amnesty has not been extensive enough, particularly as the deadline draws closer. He called for intensified publicity through information vans, the Information Services Department, and local FM stations to reach grassroots communities.

Togbi Anikpi III also raised concerns about the use of firearms during funerals, masquerade displays, and other cultural activities, noting that many people wrongly assume such practices are unrestricted. He urged the Commission to intensify education on the illegality of indiscriminate gun use, even during traditional events.

The traditional ruler further appealed to NACSA to consider extending the amnesty deadline beyond January 15 to allow more individuals, including some traditional leaders who own firearms, ample time to comply without undue pressure.

Government, through the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), earned over GHS300 million from KGL in 2025, underscoring the financial benefits of the licensing agreement for the state, Dr. Razak Kojo Opoku, former Head of Public Relations at the NLA, has stated.

According to him, despite a sustained negative campaign by the Fourth Estate and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), which urged the government to cancel the ‘terrible’ NLA-KGL contract, the Mahama administration chose to uphold the agreement.

In a statement issued yesterday, Dr. Kojo Opoku emphasised that the deal would continue indefinitely, with scheduled reviews and renegotiations designed to protect both the interests of the state and KGL.

‘The wisdom of Mahama’s government in safeguarding the NLA-KGL contract reflects a commitment to supporting private sector growth and indigenous entrepreneurship, as enshrined in Article 36 of the 1992 Constitution,’ Dr. Opoku said.

He explained that before media campaigns and petitions to the Office of the President, the current NLA Board had already requested the Attorney-General’s assessment and review of the licensing agreement.

‘Review and renegotiation are mandatory under the contract, which stipulates reviews every three years, with negotiations commencing six months into the following year. NLA and KGL have mutually agreed to advance this process to early 2026, ensuring ample time for review ahead of 2027,’ Dr. Opoku added.

The former NLA PRO also stressed that renegotiations are legal processes between the contracting parties, not matters for media debate.

KGL, he said, fully supports the review being undertaken by the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, which will help put to rest baseless criticisms of the NLA-KGL deal.

‘Credible companies like KGL have no reason to fear scrutiny. They focus on delivering value rather than engaging with negative media narratives,’ Dr. Opoku noted.

He further criticised MFWA for attempting to claim credit for the review process after its earlier campaign to terminate the contract failed.

KGL, according to Dr. Opoku, remains a solid global brand and will continue to provide significant value to the NLA and GRA.

‘Balanced accountability, grounded in facts, strengthens public confidence in institutions and promotes sustainable national development,’ he concluded.

The semi-final line-up for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 has been confirmed, with Africa’s traditional heavyweights left standing after a dramatic quarter-final weekend that delivered goals, tension and high drama.

Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco and Senegal sealed their places in the last four after the quarter-finals matches were concluded on Saturday night.

Hosts Morocco will play star-studded Nigeria while Senegal, who were first to advance to semi-finals, will face Egypt. Both matches will be played on Wednesday.

Seven-time champions Egypt claimed the final place in the last four after knocking out defending champions Côte d’Ivoire 3-2 in a thrilling encounter on Saturday night, ending the Elephants’ reign and setting up a mouthwatering semi-final against Senegal.

Earlier in the competition, Senegal had already booked their place with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Mali, Iliman Ndiaye’s first-half strike proving decisive in a tense West African derby.

The Teranga Lions showed their tournament maturity by controlling the contest and protecting their slender advantage to reach yet another AFCON semi-final.

Hosts Morocco also remain firmly on course for a first continental title in 50 years after a composed 2-0 victory over Cameroon in Rabat.

Goals from Brahim Diaz and Ismaël Saibari ensured the Atlas Lions continued their impressive home campaign, underlining both their attacking quality and defensive balance.

Completing the quartet are Nigeria, who dispatched Algeria 2-0 in Marrakech.

Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock after a tightly contested opening spell before Akor Adams sealed the win late on, confirming Nigeria’s return to the last four and setting up a blockbuster clash with the hosts.

The results underline the fine margins at this stage of the tournament, where pedigree and composure have made the difference.

A tragic road accident at Mankrong on the Accra-Kumasi Highway has claimed one life and left 37 others injured.

The incident occurred on Sunday, January 11, 2026, following a head-on collision between a 40-seater Zhong Tong bus with registration number AS 7022-21 and a Man Diesel truck with registration number GW 3969-U.

Confirming the incident, the Eastern Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), DO II Ignatius Kwamena Biadoo, told reporters that a rescue team responded swiftly after receiving a distress call.

According to him, the team was dispatched at 6:59 a.m. and arrived at the accident scene at 7:07 a.m.

‘They extricated the deceased, assisted the injured, and helped to restore traffic flow,’ he said.

The injured – made up of 21 males and 17 females – were rushed to the Suhum Government Hospital for medical treatment. The occupants of the truck, however, escaped unhurt.

Eyewitnesses alleged that the bus was speeding before crashing into the truck, resulting in extensive damage to the front section of the bus, while the truck sustained minor damage to its rear.

The GNFS team completed their rescue operation at 8:57 a.m. and returned to base at 9:52 a.m., once again demonstrating their commitment to prompt emergency response.

Hundreds of adolescents in the Upper East and Northern regions have been reached with essential Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services and educational programmes following the successful implementation of the Youth for Health (Y4H) project.

The three-year project, which begun in 2022 with funding from the European Union, has empowered these adolescents through creating safe spaces for learning, dialogue and informed choice.

A youth Champion under the Y4H project, and a representative of the Yarigabisi Community, Atanga Seraphina Ayinpoka, sharing her experience said the use of other learning activities helped to reach adolescent girls in her community who prior to that were reluctant.

She also highlighted the need to reach persons with disability with SRHR services, saying, ‘I don’t. because of the criticism or the isolation that was created . so even though we claim we are including them, we don’t see them around us when we call for young people.’ Ms. Ayinpoka further called for funding so the benefits of the project would be sustained.

‘I think NGOs should look at it and make sure they provide those equipment, those items, so that there wouldn’t be a situation where we would go to a clinic to seek for Reproductive Health Service, and they will be like the items are not there or the machinery to be used aren’t available,’ she said.

The project was implemented in Ghana by Marie Stopes International (MSI)-Ghana, Reproductive Choices and Youth Advocate Ghana, with support from Ghana Education Service, particularly the School Health Education Programme Unit and the Ghana Health Service.

Speaking at the project’s close-out meeting held in Accra, Programmes Manager, Abukari Abdul-Mumin (MSIG), said the target age bracket were people aged between 15 to 19 years in districts across the North.

‘We were in Nanumba North, Nanumba South, Nanton District, Saboba District, and Kpandai District. But if you go to the Upper West Region, we worked in the Bongo District, Binduri District, Builsa North District, and the Talensi District,’ he added.

Y4H Project Activities

Mr. Abdul-Mumin, giving an overview of the project activities, said 40 school health and wellness clubs were set-up and operationalised to provide knowledge and skills to young people to make informed decisions about their reproductive health and rights after school hours and on weekends.

‘We distributed autoclave machines, BP apparatus, examination couches, adult weighing scales, IUD plates, implant kits, and instrument drums both in the Northern Region and in the Upper East Region.

‘For comprehensive abortion care, we were able to contribute to the delivery of 2,353 services. For long-term reversible matters, we were able to contribute to the provision of 46,965 services. And then for short-term matters, we were able to contribute to a whopping 270,320 services. short-term methods contributed to 85% of the total services that we provided,’ he disclosed.

Y4H Project Impact

Touching on the impact of the project, Mr. Abdul-Mumin said 24,131 unintended and unplanned pregnancies were averted through the services the project provided, adding that about 30 maternal deaths were prevented.

‘Also, 8,381 unsafe abortions were averted and the project also contributed to a total of 155,810 couple-year protection (CYPs),’ he added. Mr. Abdul-Mumin highlighted that a total of GHS1,208,320 have been saved through the project; money that the government would have pumped into the health sector, but for the intervention of this project.

The Youth for Health (Y4H) project focused on reaching the poorest and most marginalised adolescent girls, including those living with disabilities, and in rural and hard-to-reach areas of Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Zambia.

By unlocking demand and access and contributing towards changes in favour of supportive policies and funding environments, Y4H will increase and sustain access to reproductive choices for girls and young women.

The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU), Ghana has called on the government to formulate practical and workable economic policies and interventions that promote business and industrial growth, in order to address the unemployment situation, which is assuming alarming proportions.

Unemployment in Ghana is a significant national concern, particularly among the youth, with recent data from late 2024 and 2025 showing an overall unemployment rate fluctuating between approximately 13.0% and 13.6% based on the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) surveys.

According to the ICU, a demonstration and application of sound socio-economic policies that will lead to an improved standard of living for the generality of Ghanaians will add to the positive atmosphere the government has created through its economic recovery efforts.

‘Of particular concern is the issue of private sector participation in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). As an essential public entity serving a wide spectrum of the Ghanaian populace, Government must exercise caution and avoid outright sale of ECG, while maintaining it as one of the nation’s most vital and indispensable assets, the ICU said in its New Year message signed by General Secretary ICU-Ghana,It called on its members and workers in general not to rest on their oars saying, ‘We are called upon to work diligently toward increased productivity at the enterprise level, which remains a prerequisite for economic growth and national development.

Now more than ever, there is an urgent need to consolidate strong work ethics to support rapid economic growth and national progress. Your active participation and contribution as workers are therefore imperative. You must shed all prejudices that hinder economic advancement and engage wholeheartedly in advancing the Government’s reset agenda.’

The ICU further urge employers to create employee-friendly working environments that promote industrial peace and harmony at the workplace, ensuring the sustainability and continuous growth of organisations for our mutual benefit.

‘On this note, I welcome Ghanaian Workers once again and urge everyone to come on board Ghana’s economic train for a safe, smooth, and successful journey throughout 2026,’ Mr. Ayawine said.

Aston Villa increased the pressure on under-fire Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank with a battling victory in their FA Cup third-round meeting.

The visitors established the platform for the success by taking a two-goal lead at half-time, with Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers on target.

Spurs, who lost Richarlison to a 31st-minute hamstring injury, improved vastly after the break and Wilson Odobert gave them hope when he pulled a goal back nine minutes after the restart.

But Villa held the hosts at bay to send the eight-time winners out, with ugly scenes at the final whistle as players from both sides clashed, Spurs players seemingly unhappy with Rogers’ celebrations in front of the elated visiting support.

Unai Emery’s men were dominant early on, Buendia taking advantage of good work by Donyell Malen to end a slick move with a powerful finish in the 22nd minute.

Rogers doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time, finding space and time in the area from Buendia’s clever flick to fire a low strike past Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Spurs fans reacted furiously at the half-time whistle, but were encouraged by the attacking intent shown by Frank’s side in the second period.

Odobert gave them a lifeline with a low drive beyond Marco Bizot for his second goal for the club.

Spurs piled on the pressure, but failed to test Bizot enough and Pedro Porro kicked off the line to deny Buendia at the other end.

As they celebrated a place in the fourth round, Spurs’ crisis deepened with just two wins in 13 games.

Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has issued a stern warning to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, and others, vowing to take legal action over allegations that she abuses hard drugs.

The actress made the declaration in a video posted on her Instagram page on Wednesday, where she addressed the controversy head-on while presenting laboratory test results from a hospital in California. According to the report, Regina tested negative for hard drugs, with the results only indicating the presence of ecstasy, popularly known as molly.

Visibly emotional, Regina said she was forced to speak out after realising the damaging impact of the allegations on her image and family.

‘I don’t believe that I will sit in front of this camera again trying to clear up an accusation that was sent to destroy me,’ she said, adding that the narrative was a deliberate attempt to ruin her brand.

The actress explained that taking the drug test was not merely to defend herself but to reassure her supporters and protect her children’s future.

‘When my children are old enough to understand, they will know that their mother was never a drug addict,’ she stated.

Regina strongly denied using hard drugs, describing the allegations as fabricated and malicious. She warned that those responsible would be held accountable.

‘I will sue. I will definitely sue at the appropriate time,’ she said, stressing that the accusations crossed a line.

The clarification comes nearly three months after Senator Ned Nwoko publicly accused her of drug use. Earlier, Regina had shared footage of herself at a California hospital undergoing the drug test, fueling public interest in the controversy.

The actress concluded by thanking her supporters and reaffirming her resolve to protect her name, reputation and family at all costs.

The 2025 West African Soldiers Social Activity (WASSA), Police edition, held at the Police Headquarters on Thursday, January 8, 2026, received a rousing reception from officers of the service and some invited guests.

The event, which marked the Police Service’s annual get-together, witnessed performances from the country’s leading music icons, spanning hiplife, gospel, and traditional music genres.

Opening the event was Kojo Antwi, also known as Mr. Music Man. The legendary Ghanaian musician, performed at the police celebration, bringing his unique blend of highlife, reggae, and Afro-pop to the event.

Kojo Antwi brought his energetic live performances, with his hits like ‘Tom and Jerry’ and other popular tracks. He performed to the amazement of President John Mahama and other government officials present.

Following his performance, gospel star Obaapa Christy mounted the stage, bringing her unique blend of gospel music to the event.

Known as the ‘Queen of Ghana Gospel Music,’ Obaapa Christy, who is credited with hits like ‘Me Te Ase’ and ‘Hyebre Sesafo’, received a standing ovation from the President and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), among other invited dignitaries.

Piesie Esther also lit up the stage at the event with her powerful vocals and energetic performance, with the crowd grooving to her popular hits like ‘Nyame Ye’, and ‘Mo’.

Other performances witnessed on the day include Akosua Agyapong, Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Tagoe Sisters, among others.

The celebration witnessed officers dancing and jamming to the tunes, making the event a top-notch celebration.

Flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong, has declared that his presidency will be singularly anchored on job creation, insisting that employment, not rhetoric, will define his leadership should he be given the mandate to govern Ghana.

Speaking during his campaign engagements with delegates in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency in the Greater Accra Region last Saturday, Mr. Agyapong said Ghana’s economic challenges, particularly youth unemployment, demand practical leadership rooted in enterprise and results.

‘My presidency will be about jobs. That is my priority,’ he told delegates, drawing applause from party faithful.

Mr. Agyapong stressed that his commitment to job creation is not theoretical, noting that long before seeking political office, he has consistently created employment opportunities for Ghanaians through his private business ventures.

‘Even in my private capacity, I have employed thousands of Ghanaians. I didn’t wait to become President before creating jobs,’ he said and added, ‘So if I am given the opportunity to lead this country, job creation will not be a promise – it will be a continuation of what I already do.’

He argued that Ghana needs a leader with proven business experience, someone who understands how jobs are created, sustained, and expanded, rather than one who relies solely on policy statements.

According to Mr. Agyapong, his vision for Ghana’s future centres on empowering local industries, supporting entrepreneurs, and creating an enabling environment where businesses can thrive and absorb the country’s growing labour force.

‘Ghanaians are hardworking. What they need is opportunity. Give me the power, and I will give you jobs,’ he added.

The presidential aspirant reiterated that his campaign will remain focused on economic empowerment, productivity, and employment, assuring delegates that his leadership philosophy is built on accountability and measurable outcomes.

Mr. Agyapong continues his campaign tour across constituencies as he seeks the mandate of party delegates ahead of the upcoming primaries.