Category: Daily Guide Network

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Gospel musician, Abena Ruthy, host of Sompa Delight, a dynamic socio-entertainment show that airs every weekday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., has become the newest on-air sensation in the capital.

Broadcasting live from Dome on Sompa FM 106.5, the programme has grown into a must-listen for a wide audience, including youth, professionals, families and industry players seeking both information and inspiration.

With a commanding yet relatable voice, Abena Ruthy brings a refreshing blend of intelligence, warmth and authenticity to radio. Her delivery seamlessly combines English and local languages, making her content accessible while maintaining a level of sophistication that appeals to elite listeners.

Beyond the studio, her influence extends deeply into Ghana’s music and creative industry. She serves as the 2nd Vice President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), where she contributes to policy direction, artist advocacy and the overall growth of the music ecosystem.

Her role places her at the forefront of conversations shaping the future of Ghanaian music. Additionally, she is the President of Women in Gospel, a leadership position through which she champions the visibility, unity and development of female gospel musicians.

Her work continues to open doors and create opportunities for women to thrive in a competitive industry. Colleagues describe her as focused, visionary and deeply passionate about impact. Listeners, on the other hand, connect with her authenticity and the emotional depth she brings to every broadcast.

In an era where radio is constantly evolving, Abena Ruthy has managed to remain not just relevant, but influential. Her ability to merge entertainment with purpose has positioned Sompa Delight as more than just a show – it is a daily experience that resonates with its audience.

As the voice behind one of Sompa FM’s flagship programmes, Abena Ruthy continues to prove that radio, when done with passion and purpose, can be a powerful tool for change.

Cultural Tribes Event LLC knew it had set off on the right path to showcase Ghana’s rich cultural offerings to the world and create meaningful international collaboration for trade, tourism and investment when it launched its Ghana Food and Arts Festival (GFAF) on March 27, 2026 at the GNAT Hall in Accra.

The thrilling launch event embraced traditional performances, known and trusted fine quality Ghanaian food experiences, variety of creative arts sessions and networking opportunities.

Cultural Tribes Event LLC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Derick Nii Adawu Abbey, described the programme as a wonderful moment that nourished minds as well as bodies.

The GFAF was thus galvanised to step on the international stage with an edition in Kortrijk, Belgium, from September 4 to 7, 2026. Another international foray is scheduled for Barcelona, Spain, from November 24 to 26, 2026.

‘Through our events, we are constantly marketing Ghana. That’s why we are trying hard to facilitate trade and investment by connecting Ghanaian businesses with international investors, entrepreneurs and viable economic institutions,’ says the GFAF CEO.

To him, there isn’t a more powerful human process that transforms ordinary things into special affairs than the judicious blend of artistic expression with well thought-out business plans.

‘So our editions abroad are structured as platforms for cultural celebration, international collaboration, and business engagement with the ultimate aim of promoting Ghana as a destination for culture, tourism and investment,’ Mr. Abbey added.

The GFAF CEO and his team have paid courtesy calls and been well-received at some diplomatic missions in the country and other relevant outfits as a way of fostering good working relations with them.

Places and personalities they have visited to introduce what they do so far include the United States Embassy, Spain Ambassador to Ghana, Switzerland Embassy, National Chief Imam, Osu Mantse, Greater Accra Regional Hausa Chief, Ghana Tourism Authority, Unique Insurance Limited and offices of the Black Star Experience and Diaspora Affairs, both at the Presidency.

The GFAF CEO indicated that a key aim of the festival is to build long-term relationships that deliver mutual benefits to Ghana and its international partners. That’s why there are plans to also hold editions in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, United States of America and Canada.

GFAF is keen on harnessing international opportunities for the country’s artists, chefs, performers, entrepreneurs and creative industry professionals. Their collective output have reasonable market value, and GFAF wants to inspire them to higher heights.

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) presents us with an apt case study about a money-making fund unable to meet its terms of reference and woefully so because of mismanagement occasioned by politicisation, self-interest and lost focus.

Elsewhere in the world, even in Asia, funds and pension entities of this status charged with managing the contributions of workers during active service constitute cash cows from which sensible and lucrative investments originate.

Such investments are informed by prudent study into their viability or otherwise by relevant consultants obsessed with leaving a legacy of making informed recommendations.

In our jurisdiction, the contrary holds and board appointments into SSNIT are done as gratifications from the President or his assigns to party financiers or loyalists. In the end, the investments undertaken by SSNIT hardly meet expectations.

The many ventures veered into by SSNIT such as estate development among others attest to the avoidable failures debited against the Trust; black holes about which public commentaries are rarely ignited.

Pension funds can only yield good returns when those at the helm of such ventures exude the technical wherewithal in running them.

The choice of persons with the germane investment wherewithal as board members of SSNIT with unalloyed commitment to turn things around bereft of greed and selfishness would have definitely yielded positive outcomes. We would have been composing a different commentary underpinned by plaudits and not queries.

The mode of choosing political office holders such as it is done for ministers and appointees can only yield the kind of negative outcomes we are confronted with when extended to the appointment of the headship of an entity such as SSNIT.

In some jurisdictions where things are done differently, such Funds rub shoulders with the Finance Ministry and the local apex banks in terms of financial control and muscle.

It is worrying that in spite of the sorry picture as presented, workers as represented by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have less say in the taking of major decisions that shape the direction of the management of the huge funds at the disposal of SSNIT. The representation of workers and the muscle of these are merely formalities. Their importance is so infinitesimal that they are hardly heard when decisions are being made.

Until the political hands which control the direction of SSNIT are withdrawn and the Fund allowed to operate from the standpoint of business, the negative picture as it exists will persist.

In some countries, going on pension is a moment of joy, the worker relishing the pleasure of going home to enjoy the respectable pensions originating from their contributions. Not so in Ghana where as a result of the poorly managed funds, going on pension spells grief for the pensioner.

For how long shall the stakeholders such as the Ghanaian workers continue to watch on as the cash cow wobbles in the realm of plenty, even as politicians make fortunes from their sweat?

Fire swept through a mattress factory at Sokoban-Ampayoo in the Ashanti Region on Saturday morning, destroying several mattresses and a significant portion of the facility.

The inferno triggered panic in the area, forcing residents to make frantic efforts to save vehicles parked at a commercial garage adjacent to the burning factory amid fears that the blaze could spread to nearby properties.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, with the circumstances surrounding the outbreak yet to be established.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the fire had consumed a large section of the factory before fire tenders from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) arrived at the scene to battle the raging flames.

Before the arrival of the firefighters, residents had reportedly made desperate attempts to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjoining properties.

The situation became particularly tense as residents rushed to move vehicles from the neighbouring commercial garage to safety.

The extent of the damage caused by the fire was yet to be determined at the time of filing this report.

There was also no immediate information on whether the incident had resulted in injuries or fatalities.

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has demanded that the government pays all outstanding promotion arrears owed to teachers by October 31, 2026, warning that failure to meet the deadline could trigger another nationwide strike.

Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, a member of Parliament’s Education Committee and MP for Offinso North, made the demand in a statement issued on behalf of the Minority following the suspension of the nationwide strike by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG).

The caucus said every promoted teacher must be placed on the appropriate salary grade, with arrears calculated from January 1, 2026, paid in full by the deadline.

It said teachers had returned to the classrooms on the strength of commitments made by the government and urged the authorities to honour them in full and on time.

The Minority warned that the unions had made it clear that the strike would resume if any of the agreed deadlines are missed.

Alexander Zverev is guaranteed to finish the 2026 season as world number one after Carlos Alcaraz’s surprise defeat in the Shanghai Masters.

German Zverev was on course to climb above current world number one Jannik Sinner, who has been ruled out for the rest of the year with a knee injury.

Alcaraz still had a mathematical chance of stopping Zverev until he was beaten 7-5 7-6 (7-4) by Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in the third round on Monday.

‘It’s been a fantastic season for me. Knowing that I will finish the year on top of the rankings is just a dream come true,’ said Zverev.

After losing three major finals, Zverev landed the first Grand Slam title of his career by winning the French Open in June, and followed that with victory at the US Open last month.

The 29-year-old has taken advantage of the injury problems suffered by Spaniard Alcaraz and Italian Sinner – the dominant pair on the ATP Tour in the previous two seasons – to become the world’s leading player.

Zverev cannot overtake Sinner until 2 November at the earliest.

He will become the first German man to end the year as number one, and the oldest player to achieve the feat for the first time.

After suffering a serious ankle injury in the 2022 French Open semi-finals which kept him out for seven months, Zverev regained his place in the upper echelons of the sport and been ranked inside the top four continuously since March 2024.

‘So much work and effort have been put into achieving this goal, especially after coming back from the ankle injury. I look forward to finishing the season in style,’ he added.

President John Mahama has sworn into office Dr. Joseph Kweku Asamoah, a former Director of Finance at the Electoral Commission (EC), and Emelia Afi Agbenyo, Deputy Director of Operations at the Ghana TVET Service, as Deputy Chairpersons of the EC.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Jubilee House yesterday, President Mahama urged the two Deputy Chairpersons of the EC not to be partial in the discharge of their duties to protect the integrity of the country’s electoral processes.

He called on the Commission to apply the same standards to all political parties, candidates and governments, adding that neither the President nor the ruling government should receive preferential treatment.

The President stated that public confidence in elections depended largely on the Commission’s integrity, competence and fairness and, therefore, advised the new Deputy Chairpersons to ensure that every eligible citizen participate in elections.

President Mahama also mentioned the need for sustained preparation for elections, including accurate record-keeping, well-trained electoral officials, reliable logistics and secure systems, stating that the use of technology should be supported by safeguards and clear public communication, while assuring the EC of government’s support to enable it carry out its mandate.

Dr. Asamoah

Dr. Joseph Kweku Asamoah, a law lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has more than 17 years of experience spanning public service, legal practice, academia and electoral governance.

He previously held several senior positions at the EC, including Director of Finance, Director of the Training Centre and Head of Audit. He also brings experience in the management of several major electoral exercises in Ghana.

Dr. Asamoah played an active role in the 2012 and 2016 general elections, 2010 and 2015 district-level elections, and the 2019 referendum on the creation of six new regions, as well as supervised electoral processes, strengthened financial control systems and developed training programmes for electoral officials.

Apart from his experience in electoral administration, Dr. Asamoah, who is a lawyer, chartered accountant and certified economist, also has expertise in finance, public policy and institutional management.

Dr. Asamoah is a member of the Ghana Bar Association, the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana, and the Institute of Certified Economists, and holds a PhD in Political Economy and Diplomacy, where his doctoral research examined electoral administration and conflict resolution in Africa through a comparative study of Ghana and Kenya.

He also holds a Master of Laws in Commercial and Corporate Law from the United Kingdom, a postgraduate diploma in International Business Law, a master’s degree in Accounting and Finance, a Bachelor of Laws and a first-class Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.

Dr. Asamoah also holds a postgraduate diploma in Business Administration from the Institute of Commercial Management in the United Kingdom, with research interests in legal issues, public finance, electoral governance and democracy in Africa.

Madam Agbenyo’s experience and background include public administration, institutional leadership and development cooperation, gender and disability inclusion, among others.

The two appointments come amid recent changes in the EC’s senior leadership, following the resignation of the Deputy Chairperson in charge of Corporate Affairs, Dr. Bossman Asare in July and the retirement of Deputy Chairperson for Operations, Samuel Tettey.

Dancehall artiste Shatta Wale has credited content creator Jackline Mensah for encouraging him to join TikTok Live, a move he says has earned him about $45,000 in virtual gifts from livestreams.

The musician made the revelation on rapper YPee’s podcast, The Real Ones, where he recounted his transition from Facebook Live to TikTok.

According to Shatta Wale, he was initially reluctant to join the platform because he considered it a space largely dominated by Generation Z users.

‘It used to be Facebook Live at first, until this lady named Jackline Mensah kept pressuring me to go on TikTok Live,’ he said.

‘I was sceptical. What am I doing with TikTok? I’m not a Gen Z,’ he added.

He said he eventually tried the platform and began receiving virtual gifts from viewers during his livestreams.

‘When I open my TikTok account, I have made about $45,000 on there, because I get a lot of gifts during my livestreams,’ he said.

Shatta Wale noted that social media had become an additional revenue stream for musicians, complementing earnings from live performances and music streaming.

He also urged aspiring musicians and creative entrepreneurs to remain consistent in promoting their work and engaging their audiences, stressing that regular promotion was key to building a successful career in the music industry.

PRESIDENT John Mahama has sympathised with the victims of the Kumasi Central Market fire outbreak, assuring them of government’s support to return to business.

The president gave the assurance through the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, who visited the market on Saturday.

The fire, reportedly, consumed about 15 lockable shops and the items that were being stored in them at the Aboabo Station section in the market at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026.

The exact cause of the blaze was not immediately known, but it is believed to have started in one of the shops when the market was empty and spread to other shops.

Personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), despite initially struggling to get access to the fire scene due to poor planning in the market, managed to douse the blaze.

The Local Government Minister, speaking during a visit to the market, said President Mahama was heartbroken about the devastating effects of the fire outbreak in the market.

He encouraged the traders to take heart in these difficult moments, noting that proper assessment would be done to ensure the victims received support.

Mahama Ayariga also advised the traders not to use gas cookers and other flammable materials in the market, to avert disaster.

The minister was accompanied by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi, and personnel of the GNFS.

Madam Abena Asuo, one of the fire victims, lamented that she had lost the source of her livelihood, appealing to government to support the victims to return to work.

According to her, reports she had received indicated that the firefighters did a yeoman’s job to stop the inferno from spreading further to cause more damage in the market.

Meanwhile, what triggered the fire was not readily known when the report was being filed. Personnel of the GNFS have started investigations to verify the cause of the inferno.