Category: Daily Guide Network

‘Resources are not; they become.’ This famous observation by economist, Erich W. Zimmermann, should challenge one of the most deeply rooted misconceptions in Ghana’s development thinking: the belief that our natural resource endowment is the foundation of our prosperity.

We have become so obsessed with what lies beneath our soil that we risk underestimating what lies within our people. We celebrate gold, bauxite, manganese and lithium, yet pay insufficient attention to the knowledge, skills, innovation and productive capabilities that transform nations into economic powerhouses.

Countries such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Luxembourg have demonstrated that abundant natural resource wealth is not a prerequisite for national prosperity.

Their experiences show what education, skills, innovation, technology and industrial development can achieve. We must stop conditioning Ghana’s youth to believe that our natural resources are the foundation of our wealth.

Our greatest resource must be our people and their ability to think, innovate, invent, manufacture and solve problems. Ghana should invest heavily in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education to equip young people with the capabilities to create technologies, develop products and build competitive industries.

Mineral deposits can be depleted or lose their market value, but human ingenuity can continually create new industries, products and sources of wealth. Ghana must invest in its people as seriously as it exploits its minerals.

History reinforces this thinking. Aluminium was once more expensive than gold until technological advances made it affordable. Natural ultramarine, once more expensive than gold by weight, lost much of its commercial importance when synthetic alternatives emerged. Natural alum, once vital to textile dyeing, was displaced by manufactured chemicals.

Flint lost its importance with the development of metalworking, while asbestos declined sharply after its deadly health effects became known. Even natural saltpetre and guano lost much of their strategic value as industrial alternatives emerged.

These resources once generated substantial wealth for the nations that controlled them. If materials once considered indispensable can lose their value, why should Ghana build its economic future around the assumption that our minerals will always command the same importance they do today?

Our gold, bauxite, manganese and lithium present opportunities, but opportunities are not guarantees of lasting prosperity. Technological breakthroughs, alternative materials, recycling and changing industrial needs can alter demand and prices.

Ghana must therefore move beyond the obsession with extracting and exporting natural resources. We must invest in education, technical skills, scientific research, technology, manufacturing and enterprise. Where economically viable, we should process our minerals locally and use the proceeds to develop industries that can survive beyond mineral booms.

The fundamental question is not how much wealth nature has deposited beneath our feet, but how much productive capacity we have developed above the ground.

Our future must be extracted from our people, not from the ground.

Human resources, when continuously developed, can renew and expand their value, while natural resources are finite and can be depleted. Human capabilities can also adapt to emerging global needs through education, innovation and skills development in ways that mineral deposits cannot.

Ghana therefore cannot continue to teach its young people, implicitly or explicitly, that our natural resource endowment is the principal answer to our economic challenges. Such a mindset risks producing a nation that is rich in minerals but poor in innovation, employment creation and industrial capability.

Natural resources provide potential; human knowledge, productivity and innovation turn that potential into lasting wealth.

Our national ambition must be to raise generations of highly skilled and innovative Ghanaians capable of creating products, developing technologies, building competitive businesses and exporting knowledge to the world.

The countries that will prosper tomorrow will not necessarily be those with the richest mineral deposits, but those with the most capable people and the strongest capacity to innovate. Ghana must prepare its youth to create wealth, not merely to inherit the hope that wealth lies beneath our soil.

My Question

The Akufo-Addo and Bawumia administration demonstrated this understanding through its education policies. Is the Mahama administration n investing enough in STEM education, and doing more, to equip our youth with the knowledge, skills and technological capabilities to create wealth beyond our natural resources?

Nigerian singer, Banky W, has announced that he is now an ordained pastor in the United States, two years after relocating there with his family.

The 45-year-old, born Olubankole Wellington, announced it on Instagram, saying he serves as Associate Pastor and Global Ambassador at Union Church. He also works as a teacher and leader at Union College.

Banky W said his journey into ministry gained momentum after his defeat in Nigeria’s 2023 parliamentary elections, which left him heartbroken and seeking God’s direction.

He contested the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party but lost to Labour Party candidate, Thaddeus Attah.

Reflecting on the experience, he said he had questioned whether to pursue politics, ministry, entertainment or business.

‘I’m still a filmmaker, musician, and entrepreneur. But somehow, by the grace of God, I’m also a Pastor and a Professor,’ he said.

He credited Union Church leaders, Stephen and Zai Chandler, for supporting his spiritual growth and described his first year in ministry as the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

Black Starlets midfielder David Kwarteng made history at the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship after scoring the tournament’s first goal in Ghana’s 1-0 victory over Togo on Saturday, October 10, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Kwarteng struck in the seventh minute of the Group A encounter at the August 4 Sports Stadium to give Ghana a winning start to their campaign.

The historic goal followed a set-piece routine initiated by Abdul Latif Wunzalgu. After the initial free-kick was blocked, captain Abdul Rafiu Issah attempted a follow-up before Kwarteng seized the opportunity to find the net.

His early strike proved decisive as the Black Starlets held on to secure all three points and record the first victory of this year’s tournament.

Ghana’s win also sent them to the top of Group A after hosts Burkina Faso and Benin played out a goalless draw in the other group fixture.

Kwarteng’s contribution gives Ghana a strong foundation as they pursue qualification for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations through the regional competition.

The Black Starlets will face Benin on Tuesday, October 13, in their second group match as they seek to maintain their winning momentum and strengthen their qualification hopes.

BY Wletsu Ransford

The Northern Regional Correspondent of the DAILY GUIDE, Eric Kombat, has won the Northern Region Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) 2025 Best Reporter for Disability award.

This is the second time the multiple award-wining journalist has won the disability reporter award in the Northern sector.

His story: ‘Silent Suffering: The Struggles of Persons with Disabilities in Conflict’ was adjudged the winner in the disability category.

The story brings an often overlooked dimension of conflict into public focus and combines depth, humanity and clear policy recommendations to highlight the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in conflict situations.

The 6th Northern Region GJA Awards was on the theme, ‘Empowering the next generation: The role of the media in digital skills, innovation and youth opportunities.’

The Northern Regional Chairman, GJA, Yakubu Abdul-Majeed, congratulated all award winners and urged them to continue to work hard to positively impact the world.

He noted that the regional executives of the GJA have vowed to work assiduously to empower and protect the media to carry out their duties without fear or favour.

‘We are therefore charging journalists in the region to, at all times, offer constructive criticism. Let us ask critical questions with the sole aim of ensuring judicious use of resources. We need to assist the citizenry to hold duty bearers more accountable and responsible,’ he said.

Mr. Abdul-Majeed encouraged journalists to highlight the challenges confronting communities and offer their platforms to the voiceless to air their concerns.

Abdul Wahab Yumzaa Yakubu of Zaa TV was adjudged as the Northern Region Journalist of the Year 2025.

Other winners are Shawana Yussif, Channel One TV, Best Gender Reporter; Nadra Mohammed, TV3, Best Road Safety Reporter; Abdul Wahab Yumzaa Yakubu, Zaa TV, Best Health Reporter; Christopher Amoako, TV3, Best Energy and Electricity Reporter; Abukari Alhassan Baba, Daily Graphic, Best Tourism Reporter; and Sulemana Alhassan Tarimbia, Best Agriculture Reporter.

The rest are Solomon Gumah, Ghana News Agency, Best Climate Change and Environment Reporter; Nadra Mohammed, TV3, Best Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Reporter; Ibrahim Tahid Puumaya, Channel One TV, Best Videographer; Nadra Mohammed, TV3, Best Female Journalist of the Year; and Mohammed Kamil Baba, Asaase Radio, Best Peace and Conflict Sensitive Reporter.

Ghana’s Black Sharks battled to a 3-3 draw against Nigeria in the first leg of their 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna on Saturday.

Nigeria’s Isa Hamza Manga was the standout performer for the hosts, scoring all three goals to complete a hat-trick in an entertaining encounter.

However, Ghana responded with an impressive attacking display, as Mawuli Sosu scored twice before Wise Nyamadi added the third to ensure the Black Sharks left Nigeria with a draw.

The result leaves the qualification tie finely balanced ahead of the return leg, scheduled for Sunday, October 18, in Keta, where Ghana will host their West African rivals.

With both sides level after the opening encounter, the Black Sharks will aim to capitalise on home advantage and secure qualification for the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.

Ghana will need a strong performance in the decisive fixture to overcome Nigeria and book their place at the continental tournament.

Maternal and Child Health Expert and CEO of MamaCare by Racheal, Mrs. Racheal Hesse Matey, has warned that unresolved conflicts among obstetric care providers are indirectly contributing to maternal and neonatal mortality.

Speaking at the Annual Health Conference on topics including Maternal and Neonatal Mortality, Health Law as a Core Element of Medical Negligence, and Professionalism and Ethics, she said internal disagreements and failure to adhere to agreed protocols among caregivers on duty often result in misdiagnosis, improper interventions, and poor coordination, with patients bearing the brunt.

She explained that when staff on the same shift are not on good terms, patient care suffers, stressing that interpersonal conflicts should be resolved as quickly as possible because they directly or indirectly affect the mother and the unborn child.

She, therefore, called on health facilities and training institutions to prioritise teamwork, communication and conflict resolution as part of efforts to reduce preventable maternal deaths.

Mrs. Hesse Matey underscored the need for midwives to continuously upgrade their knowledge and show greater commitment to patient care in order to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.

According to her, if a midwife’s knowledge is deficient compared to that of the patient, it poses a serious problem that could contribute to maternal deaths.

‘And if you don’t have the knowledge to care for your patients, then we are talking about maternal mortality. So it’s very important that midwives out there, when they are coming, it’s not just to pass your exams, but you are indeed coming to put to practice whatever knowledge you have acquired. And it doesn’t end after the training,’ she stressed.

Mrs. Hesse Matey further cautioned trainees against excessive use of mobile phones and social media while on duty, stressing that every moment spent with a patient counts.

‘Their time with their patients should be valued when they are on the ward, and not to spend so much time on their phones. When you are with your patients, with the mother and the baby, the less chance you are losing either of them,’ she stated.

She called on tutors, ward in-charges and supervisors to continue discouraging the use of phones for social media during working hours, and to emphasise patient-centred care from the classroom to the clinical setting.

Specialist Obstetrician Gynaecologist at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Elikem Oklu, disclosed that Ghana has the statistics, drugs, expertise and facilities to prevent maternal and neonatal deaths, yet women continue to die from preventable causes.

Speaking at the Annual Health Conference, he said the main challenge is the failure to translate knowledge into practice.

‘Why are women still dying in the midst of all this knowledge? It’s because for most of us, we do not make a connection between what we know and what we do,’ Dr. Oklu said.

He challenged nurses and midwives not to be the type who can write essays on postpartum haemorrhage but fail to save a woman in an emergency.

‘Time is of the essence. There have been cases where a woman is deteriorating and a nurse says ‘I’m opening the folder’ or ‘I’m charting vitals.’ There’s a thin line between life and death,’ he noted.

Dr. Oklu stressed that simple interventions save lives – accurate vital signs, recognising shock, and monitoring newborns for hypothermia.

He also emphasised attitude and institutional culture, saying empathy during emergencies can make a difference even when outcomes are poor.

He urged open communication on the wards, proper referrals, and commitment to duty.

‘A pregnant woman is not a sick person, so she should not die. If she dies, it must be looked into carefully,’ he said, adding that the first minute, first hour and first day are crucial to survival.

Lecturer at the University of Ghana School of Law, Ms. Rachel Haizel, stated that Ghana is not suing medical facilities and health professionals enough for medical negligence.

She said the low rate of litigation has emboldened poor professional conduct in some health facilities.

‘A lot of hospitals, a lot of medical facilities are being sued. We are not suing them enough. If you see the kind of treatment that some of these health practitioners give to their patients, it’s horrible,’ she said.

She cautioned health professionals that anyone who comes into contact with them as patients is owed a duty of care, which must be discharged with reasonable care and skill in line with expected standards.

Ms. Haizel urged practitioners to think about the foreseeable consequences of their actions, warning that negligence, such as failing to read prescriptions or administering the wrong medication leading to death, will attract legal action.

The Chief Health Educator and Principal of the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Sampa, Mr. Albert Opoku, has been honoured with the prestigious Africa Outstanding Leadership Award in Nursing and Midwifery Education and Healthcare Research for his contribution to healthcare education and professional leadership.

He received the distinguished award at the maiden edition of the Africa Leadership Summit and Awards, held from October 8 to 10, 2026, at the GTEC Auditorium, East Legon, Accra.

The award, presented by Global Skills Hub, United Kingdom, celebrates individuals whose leadership, professional excellence, integrity and commitment to societal development have made a positive impact on their communities and respective fields.

Mr. Opoku’s recognition places the spotlight on leadership in nursing and midwifery education, as well as the importance of healthcare research and professional development in strengthening the health sector.

The summit was held under the theme, ‘Building Influence through Personal Leadership,’ bringing together leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs and change-makers from across Africa and beyond to exchange ideas, build networks and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Participants also benefited from UK CPD-certified leadership training designed to strengthen their leadership capabilities and professional effectiveness.

The event provided a platform to celebrate outstanding leadership and encourage professionals to deepen their contributions to institutional growth, community development and national progress.

Ghanaian beauty entrepreneur and founder of The Prikels Hair Company, Priscilla Serwah Akoto, popularly known as Serwaa Prikels, has urged young women to prioritise financial independence and self-development over marriage.

The CEO of Prikels Hair Lounge and Spa and Prikels Training Academy in Accra made the call in a TikTok video which has since gone viral.

In the video, Serwaa Prikels advised ladies to chase financial stability before chasing marriage, clarifying that her message was not to encourage money consciousness but self-building.

‘Ladies, chase money before you chase marriage, and before you think I’m telling you to become money hungry, hear me out. I mean, build yourself first. In your 20s, don’t make finding a man your biggest achievement,’ she stated.

According to her, young women should focus on learning how to make and manage money, building their careers and businesses, as well as investing in themselves.

‘Learn how to make money. Learn how to manage money. Build your career. Build your business. Invest in yourself. Train the life that you actually love. Because love is beautiful, but love without options can make you tolerate things you shouldn’t,’ she pointed out.

The entrepreneur further stressed that financial independence gives women options and the power to walk away from abusive and unhealthy relationships.

‘And I’m not just talking about a little disagreement. If you’re being abused, disrespected, controlled, or made to feel like you have nowhere to go, you deserve to know that you have the plans. Your safety should never depend on whether you have enough money to walk away,’ she added.

‘But when you have your own money, your own life, your own purpose, it gives you something incredibly powerful. Options. You’re not choosing a man because you need him to save you. You’re choosing him because you genuinely want him.’

Serwaa Prikels also encouraged women to build themselves so that marriage becomes an addition to their lives and not a trap.

‘Honestly, I wish more ladies understood this earlier. Build yourself, ladies, because marriage should add to your life and not become the reason you’re afraid to leave one that is hurting you,’ she stated.

Nigerian singer, Banky W, has announced that he is now an ordained pastor in the United States, two years after relocating there with his family.

The 45-year-old, born Olubankole Wellington, announced it on Instagram, saying he serves as Associate Pastor and Global Ambassador at Union Church. He also works as a teacher and leader at Union College.

Banky W said his journey into ministry gained momentum after his defeat in Nigeria’s 2023 parliamentary elections, which left him heartbroken and seeking God’s direction.

He contested the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party but lost to Labour Party candidate, Thaddeus Attah.

Reflecting on the experience, he said he had questioned whether to pursue politics, ministry, entertainment or business.

‘I’m still a filmmaker, musician, and entrepreneur. But somehow, by the grace of God, I’m also a Pastor and a Professor,’ he said.

He credited Union Church leaders, Stephen and Zai Chandler, for supporting his spiritual growth and described his first year in ministry as the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

Ghanaian disc jockey, DJ Sonatty, real name Peprah Daniel, has made a major breakthrough in the DJ industry after surpassing one million followers on TikTok.

The feat marks another major milestone in the career of one of the country’s rising DJ talents.

The achievement further underlines Sonatty’s growing influence in Ghana’s entertainment space, particularly among a new generation of music lovers who consume and discover content through social media.

His rise has also been marked by a series of significant moments at the Ghana DJ Awards, the country’s biggest DJ stage.

In 2024, Sonatty performed at the Ghana DJ Awards alongside Team AVO, led by acclaimed DJ Shiwaawa, putting him on one of the biggest stages dedicated to celebrating Ghana’s DJ culture.

That same year proved to be a defining period in his career. Sonatty went on to win Discovery of the Year and Best DJ – Central Region at the Ghana DJ Awards.

He followed those achievements in 2025 by winning Mixtape of the Year, taking his Ghana DJ Awards tally to three major honours.

His latest achievement on TikTok adds a significant digital dimension to that growing profile.

Surpassing one million followers places Sonatty among Ghanaian DJs who have successfully turned social media into an extension of their craft, using digital platforms to connect with audiences beyond clubs, radio and live events.

For a new generation of DJs, platforms such as TikTok have become powerful tools for showcasing personality, music selection, creativity and performance while building direct relationships with audiences.

Sonatty’s journey reflects that evolution.

From performing at the Ghana DJ Awards with Team AVO in 2024, to being recognised as Discovery of the Year and Best DJ – Central Region, and subsequently winning Mixtape of the Year in 2025, his career has continued to gather momentum.

The one-million-follower milestone now provides another measure of that growth.

As Ghana’s DJ culture continues to expand and DJs increasingly become content creators and digital personalities, Sonatty’s rise demonstrates how recognition on the industry’s biggest stage can develop into a wider audience online.

With three Ghana DJ Awards to his name and a TikTok community of more than one million followers, DJ Sonatty is building a career that extends well beyond the decks; and his digital journey appears to be just getting started.