Category: Daily Guide Network

Every 2026 World Cup game will pause for three-minute ‘hydration breaks’ in each half, FIFA has announced.

The new measure has been introduced to ‘prioritise player welfare,’ amid expectations of high temperatures at next summer’s expanded tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will see every game – regardless of weather conditions – paused at the 22-minute mark, effectively turning the match into a four-quarter affair.

The decision was made after consultation with coaches and broadcasters.

FIFA say it is ‘a streamlined and simplified version of the breaks used at some previous tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.’ At last summer’s Club World Cup, water breaks were used, but only in games in extreme heat.

Some games at that tournament topped 100 degrees fahrenheit (38 degrees celsius).

‘I don’t think I have ever played in such heat,’ Benfica forward Andreas Schjelderup said after playing against Bayern Munich. ‘I don’t think it’s healthy, to be honest, but I managed to get through it.’

Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández added later in the tournament: ‘The other day I got a bit dizzy during a play. I had to lie down on the ground because I was really dizzy.

‘Playing in this temperature is very dangerous, it’s very dangerous.’

The full schedule for the World Cup was confirmed on Saturday.

The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Fredrick Faidoo, has emphasised that agriculture remains a vital pillar of livelihood particularly for residents in rural and peri-urban communities in the metropolis.

He said, ‘From Adiembra to BU, from Eshiem to Whindo, from Kojokrom to Kansaworado, from Essikado to New Takoradi and Sekondi, agriculture remains the mainstay of the people’.

He acknowledged the efforts of farmers in feeding the growing population, industries and contributing towards the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

The Sekondi-Takoradi Mayor was speaking at this year’s Metropolitan Farmer’s Day celebration which was held at Essikado themed, ‘Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future’.

A 57-year-old farmer from Kansaworondo in the Essikado-Ketan Constituency, Eric Amoasi, was adjudged the Metropolitan best farmer. He took home a tricycle, and other farming implement as his prize.

Jonathan Aidoo, took the best farmer within the disability category, Madam Esi Dagomba was the best fish processor and Ahmed Yussif was adjudged the best for youth in agriculture.

Best inshore fisher went to Isaac Eshun with John Bosomtwe taking the best Canoe fisherman while Amos Ackon took the best in aquaculture.

Institutional Awards went to GNAT, Ntarmakrom JHS, and Saint James Anglican Basic in Akromakrom.

Mr. Faidoo noted that the theme aligns strongly with the government’s renewed effort to modernise agriculture through technology, value addition, commercial scale production, and the buildup of strong agricultural cooperatives.

‘It reminds us that the future of the country rests on the collective commitment to food security, sustainable agriculture, and the empowerment of those who produce the food every day,’ he added.

He said fishers, processors, crop farmers, coconut farmers, vegetable growers, backyard gardeners, and poultry farmers continue to demonstrate that agriculture was not merely an occupation but a sacred responsibility.

He disclosed that 50 groups, comprising 657 individuals and eight institutions, had already been registered onto the government’s Feed Ghana Programme portal and awaiting inputs to commence full scale production.

Mr. Faidoo said the government’s renewed emphasis on poultry production was taking shape with about 1,000 individuals already registered under the initiative.

Metropolitan Best farmer Mr. Amoasi called for financial assistance to encourage more youth to venture into agriculture.

The Manhyia Palace has not halted plans for the late Highlife legend Daddy Lumba’s final funeral rites scheduled for December 13, 2025, says Kofi Owusu, family head of the late musician.

In a video shared on Instagram, Abusuapanyin Kofi Owusu explained that he, together with some members of the late musician’s immediate family, visited the Manhyia Palace on December 8, 2025, to formally inform the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, of the chosen funeral date.

Although they were unable to meet the Asantehene in person, Mr. Owusu said the chiefs present granted him approval to proceed with preparations for the ceremony.

‘We purposely went to invite Otumfuo to the burial, but he couldn’t come down. However, the elders and chiefs told me to go ahead and organise the funeral,’ he said.

His comments come amid counterclaims circulating on social media suggesting that the Asantehene had not approved the funeral date and that the Asantehene has scheduled another meeting for Thursday, December 11, to address the matter.

In a rebuttal, however, Abusuapanyin Kofi Owusu dismissed the allegations, urging the public to ignore them.

‘I have heard people spreading some rumours, but I want all of you to debunk those claims because they are only throwing dust into your eyes. Whatever I say is final, so the burial is on December 13, 2025. I am the one the chiefs have given the mandate to organise the funeral,’ he stated.

Global Health Care (GHC) in collaboration with Pan-African Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (PASCaTS), and West African College of Surgeons has launched the 2026 Pan-African Cardiothoracic Surgery Summit in Accra, Ghana.

The event which will be held in February 2026 will create the platform for experts, decision makers and other stakeholders deliberate on enhancing cardiovascular diseases awareness.

Chief Executive Officer of Global Heart Forum and President of Global Heart Care, Professor Charles Yankah, speaking at the event which also doubled as the briefing for Ambassadors and High Commissioners of nations revealed that about 1.3 million children worldwide are born with congenital heart disease with about 48% dying at infancy.

He said Africa has about 75,000 children born with congenital heart disease emphasising the urgent need for health care providers to develop systems to help solve the issue.

He noted that Africa has to develop and implement its own projects underscoring that this can be achieved through collaboration and partnership.

Prof. Yankah further noted the importance of education and empowerment of young people through knowledge sharing.

‘I am particularly involved in getting my knowledge into their hands so that it can guide them to develop their own science,’ he said adding that specialists in this sector are few.

Provost of the College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Professor Alfred Edwin Yawson, explained that the Pan-African Cardiothoracic Surgery Summit will foster discussion towards improving cardiovascular treatment for children who are born with the disease.

He added that cardiovascular disease forms part of non-communicable diseases which are the major causes of death among Ghanaians.

‘The cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, heart-related conditions, the cancers, sickle cell disease, these are called non-communicable diseases and they take a huge toll on the population,’ he said.

Scottish football is mourning the passing of John ‘Dixie’ Deans, the legendary Celtic and Motherwell striker, who has died aged 79.

Deans, capped twice for Scotland, built a reputation as one of the most prolific goalscorers of his era. Beginning his career with Neilston Juniors, he earned the nickname ‘Dixie’ after the famed Everton striker Dixie Dean, famously netting 60 goals in a single season.

He joined Motherwell in 1965, where his clinical finishing made him a fan favourite. Deans scored 89 goals in 198 appearances for the Steelmen and helped the club secure the Second Division title in the 1968-69 season.

Although he developed a reputation for fiery discipline at Fir Park, it did little to deter Celtic manager Jock Stein, who signed him in 1971 following the club’s shock League Cup final defeat to Partick Thistle.

At Celtic, Deans transformed his discipline while maintaining his lethal touch in front of goal. Forming a formidable partnership with a young Kenny Dalglish, he helped the club secure six major honours and enjoyed numerous standout moments.

He scored hat-tricks in both the 1972 Scottish Cup final and the 1974 League Cup final, each time against Hibernian. Yet he is also remembered for the heartbreak of missing a decisive penalty in Celtic’s shootout defeat to Inter Milan in the 1972 European Cup semi-final.

By the time he left Celtic for Luton Town in 1976, Deans had cemented his place among the club’s greats with 124 goals in 184 appearances. He later played for Adelaide United, Carlisle United and Partick Thistle, before hanging up his boots in 1980.

Motherwell paid tribute in a statement, saying: ‘Deans will be remembered fondly for his exquisite goalscoring form at Fir Park. He passes away aged 79, and our thoughts are with his family and friends during this incredibly sad time. Rest in peace, Dixie.’

Paranoia is a condition which makes a person feel not liked by others. In extreme cases, the victim thinks he is a target of assassination by those who detest him or her.

It is time to examine whether or not our own Special Prosecutor (SP) is a victim of paranoia. His tenure appears to have been dogged with alarms from his end about being targeted by unidentified persons.

We recall the narrative from broadcast journalist Gordon Asare-Bediako when he said he heard from a conversation about Kissi Agyebeng eyeing a private jet because of an attempt to eliminate him. The jet would facilitate the performance of his assignments and protect him from ground attacks. The broadcast journalist was only discussing what he said he heard from a source. He was arrested by the SP and a hefty bail condition slapped on him.

Conversations also centered earlier on a request by the SP for armoured vehicles because of the high security risk surrounding his anti-corruption assignments, delivery of which vehicles are said to have been made.

We are unable to determine the procurement procedures underpinning the acquisition of the said vehicles and their specifications.

The foregone are intended to suggest a seeming paranoia haunting the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) since Kissi Agyebeng took over the throttles at the state anti-corruption entity.

The SP’s Director of Strategy, Research and Communication, Samuel Appiah Darko’s claim that his boss was the target of two assassination attempts and that he was once handcuffed by 17 police personnel shocked the nation.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the claims were not reported to any of the security agencies although they happened last year. It beats imagination how so many personnel would descend upon one man who cannot pass for a hefty person and as though he resisted arrest.

Our SP needs support and we are glad that the Interior Minister is ready to offer one through the probe he has ordered. Given the fact that all Ghanaians should live bereft of apprehension of being targeted for assassination, we ask that the investigation into the claim be undertaken under a certificate of urgency and the reports thereof laid bare for all Ghanaians to behold.

The SP also claimed that he was unable to arrest the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta because he was apprehensive of the reaction of the then President Akufo-Addo.

Being the Special Prosecutor and with adequate evidence of corruption or other criminal engagements, not executing what was required of him under the circumstances constituted incompetence.

The OSP has attracted too much bad press and would need an overhaul so it can perform creditably. Many have called for the scrapping of the office and its personnel distributed among existing relevant state agencies such as the Legal Aid Commission, and Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). We do not have any objection to such suggestions.

For now, we await the outcome of the investigation anxiously.

The Upper West Regional Football Association (RFA), led by Chairman Alhaji Sadugu Yahaya and the Regional Women’s Representative, has paid a courtesy call on the Upper West Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to discuss the rollout of the Football for Girls grassroots initiative in the region.

The meeting took place on Monday, December 8, 2025, with Jennifer Amankwaa Sarpong, the GFA Women’s Football Development Manager, joining the delegation.

In his remarks, Alhaji Sadugu Yahaya formally introduced the GFA team and outlined the purpose of the engagement – to present the Football for Girls programme, an initiative designed for girls aged 6 to 12.

He noted that the project aims to encourage early participation in football while nurturing young female talents across the region.

Speaking at the meeting, Jennifer Amankwaa Sarpong emphasised that the initiative is a key part of the vision of GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku and the Executive Council to promote the long-term growth of women’s football nationwide.

She added that a clear developmental pathway has already been created to support girls’ football from the grassroots to higher levels.

She highlighted that Football for Girls is a joint effort between the GFA and the Ghana Education Service, targeting primary schools as a foundation for developing passion, skills and confidence among young girls.

The programme aims to increase female participation in football, drive empowerment, and promote awareness through education and inclusive sports activities.

The courtesy call marks a significant step toward expanding grassroots opportunities for girls in the Upper West Region, as both institutions work together to strengthen pathways for young female footballers.

New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful and former Assin Central Member of Parliament, Ken Ohene Agyapong, has reiterated his commitment to tackling unemployment as a top priority should he be given the mandate to lead the party, and eventually the nation.

Speaking during a campaign tour of the Central Region, the maverick politician made a bold promise to delegates, assuring them that empowering him would translate into real opportunities for the youth.

Addressing enthusiastic party supporters and delegates, Mr. Agyapong declared: ‘Give me power and I will give you jobs.’

He stressed that the country’s biggest challenge is unemployment, especially among the youth, and insisted that his experience as a job creator in the private sector places him ahead of other contenders.

According to him, political leadership should not be about delivering flowery speeches but demonstrating the capacity to transform lives through practical economic solutions. He noted that over the years, he has personally established businesses that employ thousands of Ghanaians, and he intends to replicate this effort on a national scale.

Mr. Agyapong also highlighted the need for visionary leadership that prioritises industrialisation, entrepreneurship, and skills development.

He told delegates that with strategic investments in agriculture, manufacturing, and technology, the country could drastically reduce its unemployment rate.

The delegates, many of whom expressed admiration for his frankness and track record, listened attentively as he outlined his vision. He encouraged them to choose a leader with proven capacity to generate wealth rather than one who makes promises without evidence of delivery.

Mr. Agyapong’s message in the Central Region forms part of his ongoing campaign to win the confidence of party delegates ahead of the upcoming primaries. His promise to create jobs continues to resonate strongly, particularly in communities where unemployment remains a major concern.

As the campaign intensifies, all eyes are on how his message will influence delegate decisions and shape the broader political conversation on economic empowerment.

The Minority in Parliament has rejected the latest upward adjustment in electricity tariffs, describing the cumulative hikes as ‘malicious, unjust, and destructive’ to struggling households and businesses.

Addressing journalists in Parliament yesterday, the Ranking Member on the Energy Committee and Member of Parliament (MP) for Asene-Manso-Akroso, George Kwame Aboagye, who was flanked by his colleagues, accused the government of worsening the economic hardships facing Ghanaians through what they called reckless and insensitive tariff policies.

According to the caucus, electricity tariffs have surged by 28.14% within a short period, despite what they described as persistent inefficiencies and losses within the power sector.

The Minority said it was unacceptable for government to impose higher costs on consumers when technical and commercial losses remain at 32%, a situation they said drains the sector of between US$80 million and US$90 million based on current energy pricing.

With the country’s normal demand averaging 3,500MW and peak demand recently reaching 4,080MW, the MPs argued that the scale of losses, which is equivalent to between 1,120MW and 1,305MW, reflects a severe managerial failure that government has refused to confront.

‘Why does the government ignore this reality and instead impose measures that further impoverish Ghanaians?’ the Ranking Member asked.

‘Instead of fixing the system, the government has chosen the lazy path of shifting its failures onto already suffering consumers,’ he asserted.

The Minority warned that the new tariff adjustments would erode the modest 9% wage increase approved for workers for 2026, rendering households more vulnerable at a time when inflation, rising food prices and business contractions already burden the population.

They further outlined a series of consequences that, in their view, would follow if government failed to withdraw the tariff hikes.

These include deepening utility poverty, the collapse of small and medium-sized enterprises, rising unemployment as industries scale down, declining productivity, and a general intensification of economic hardship for workers and families.

‘These tariff hikes are not reforms; they are punishment. They are not solutions; they are symptoms of failed leadership and poor policy choices,’ the caucus stressed.

The Minority insisted that the government must immediately halt and reverse the increases, arguing that real reforms must focus on reducing losses, improving revenue collection, and strengthening management practices within the energy sector.

They pledged to use every legitimate parliamentary tool to demand fairness, transparency and accountability in how the nation’s utilities are run.

‘Our position remains firm and non-negotiable. Ghanaians deserve relief, not repeated shocks. They deserve leadership, not exploitation. And we will continue to hold this government accountable and defend the rights of the people,’ the Ranking Member declared.

TUC Demands Immediate Suspension

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has also demanded an immediate suspension of the tariff increases, citing serious breaches in the consultative process with the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

At a briefing following a leadership meeting yesterday, the union expressed outrage at the decision to raise electricity tariffs by 9.8% and water tariffs by 15.9%, insisting that the process leading to the announcement was neither transparent nor conclusive.

According to the TUC, discussions held with the PURC during the major tariff review, beginning with a meeting at the Alisa Hotel, had not reached any agreement when the Commission unexpectedly announced the new tariffs on December 2, 2025.

The announcement, they said, came despite the PURC’s earlier message scheduling further engagement with labour on December 8, 2025.

‘We find this unacceptable. In the spirit of fairness and mutual respect for our social partnership, we demand that government suspends the announced tariff increases,’ the TUC Secretary-General, Joshua Ansah, stated.

The union insisted that the PURC ought to return to the negotiation table to complete the consultative process before any tariff changes take effect.

The leadership warned that the latest adjustments threaten to erode the 9% wage increment secured for workers in 2026 unless the government shows willingness to review and top up the wage adjustment.

The TUC Secretary-General also questioned the timing of the tariff implementation, which is expected to begin on January 1, 2026, ahead of the payment of the new wage adjustment at the end of January.

‘This obviously borders on insensitivity. Why rush to impose a tariff increase when workers have not yet received the corresponding wage adjustment?’ the union quizzed.

The union assured workers that it would resist any tariff increases that undermine the negotiated wage gains. Mr. Ansah reaffirmed the union’s commitment to protecting workers’ incomes and pushing for a fair, well-grounded tariff determination process.

Fast-rising entertainment pundit, Nana Kojo Mula, has disagreed with Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD), following his statement against the Detty December brand.

In an interview with journalists, KOD stated that he does not fully embrace the concept, saying, ‘Personally, I am not a great fan of Detty December. It’s one of the reasons we are having events like the Diaspora Summit under the auspices of the President between December 19 and 20.’

He added that many visitors from the diaspora do not travel to Ghana solely for entertainment.

‘Many people from the diaspora are coming to Ghana. They are not all coming to have fun. Some people are here for business opportunities as well, so we want to go beyond the Detty December. Great opportunities to network and bring money home,’ he said.

Kojo Mula has called out KOD, saying the Detty December brand cannot be reduced to just parties, as it has seen its impact on tourism, businesses, and even individuals over the years.

‘We cannot diminish anything Detty December has done for just parties. We have seen what it has done for tourism. We’ve seen its impact on tourism, businesses, and even individuals.

‘Some of us are beneficiaries of Detty December and what it has brought. As an individual, I respect his decision to say I’m not a fan of it. But in his capacity as Director of Diaspora Affairs, I don’t think it’s the right thing to say at this particular time,’ he added.