Category: Daily Guide Network

The Upper West Regional Police Command has arrested nine (9) persons in connection with the alleged attack of some police personnel in Saawie, in the Jirapa Municipality of the Upper West Region.

According to police report, on Friday, a mob numbering about thirty (30) attacked officers who were conducting enquiries at Saawie near Jirapa, dispossessed them of four (4) service weapons and caused injuries to the officers.

The Upper West Regional Police Commander, DCOP/Mr. Francis Yiribaare, immediately led a reinforcement team to the community and successfully rescued and evacuated the injured officers for medical attention. The team successfully retrieved all weapons, and efforts are ongoing to retrieve two magazines.

However, two of the officers who sustained varying degrees of injuries were treated and discharged, while one officer with a fractured arm has been referred to the Wa Regional Hospital for further medical attention.

Meanwhile, DCOP Yiribaare, has strongly condemned the attack on the police personnel and assured the public that decisive measures are being taken to ensure the safety of their officers and law-abiding residents.

The Upper West Regional Police Commander has urged residents of Saawie and neighbouring communities to cooperate with investigators and provide any information that may assist in the arrest of remaining suspects as well as recovery of outstanding items.

Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas’ 75th birthday was marked with a symposium on the security of the continent at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Accra, last Saturday.

An array of experts on security on the continent were selected from Nigeria and Ghana to address the theme ‘Inclusive Peace-building, Local Agency and Multilevel Governance: Strengthening Community Resilience and Regional Partnerships for Sustainable Peace in West Africa and the Sahel.’

With Prof. Kwesi Aning of the KAIPTC moderating, the programme was not boring.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, expressed concern about the spectre of instability sweeping across the West African sub-region, observing however that for now it is Senegal and Ghana which are showing traits of stability, pointing out that Nigeria was spared a coup recently. As for Guinea Bissau, he said it is a coup-prone country.

Togo, he noted, now has Eyadema II ruling the country, pointing out that Burkina Faso whose junta leader does not speak English has an AI-generated image of him speaking the language to the youth in the sub-region in an inciting fashion.

West Africa, he said, is suffering from a deteriorating quality leadership, explaining that the days of the Nkrumahs and Obasanjos are long gone.

The countries of the sub-region are spending less on social services as they do for others, adding that more has to be done about the economies of the countries in the sub-region to cement stability. He concluded that the challenge of restoring quality leadership in the sub-region is a challenge for all, and not Dr. Chambas.

Dr. Linda Darkwa of the University of Ghana, Legon, when she took her turn, said leaders who rig to win elections would not be qualified to be considered for mediatory roles as would those who abuse the human rights of citizens by jailing them.

She dazzled the audience with her knowledge about the security situation in the West African sub-region.

The Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, Dr. George Amoh, eulogised Dr. Chambas whose ability to transcend the religious and ethnic divide as he undertakes his roles in both Ghana and within the sub-region is commendable. ‘As a Muslim, he sends messages to Christians. He has exhibited a high level of tolerance in his work.’

The Chambas’ Module, as he described Dr. Chambas’ approach to his mediatory role, he said, is worthy of emulation. He recommended scholars to consider writing thesis on the Chambas’ Module.

Dr. Kwesi Aning suggested the institutionalising of a prize for students of the KAIPTC who would write about the Chambas’ Module in managing security challenges confronting the continent.

In his vote of thanks, Dr. Chambas took a swipe at the demeaning remarks made about Africans with little or no reaction to counter these. All we want in Africa, he said, is peace and to live in dignity.

Present during the programme were Council of State members Alhaji Mohammed Alhassan, Ms. Betty Mould-Iddrisu, chiefs and members of the Yoruba community among many others.

The programme was put together by friends of Dr. Chambas in Nigeria and was crowned with a dinner at the Alisa Hotel.

Dr. Chambas is currently the African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns. He was previously the UN Representative for West Africa between 2014 and 2021. Between 2002 and 2010, he was President of ECOWAS Commission.

The country’s business environment is stabilising, with lower inflation, a more stable currency, and declining interest rates, according to the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce’s (UKGCC) 2025 Business Environment and Competitiveness Survey (BECS) Report.

The survey, which gathered responses from 1,016 businesses across 22 industries, found that companies are seeing improvements in infrastructure, management skills, telecommunications, and political stability.

As a result, the proportion of firms perceiving Ghana’s business environment as trailing regional competitors dropped from 69% in 2024 to 58%.

However, respondents noted that growth remains constrained by high costs of land (57%), machinery (57%), and technology (56%), as well as expensive locally sourced raw materials. Small and medium-sized enterprises continue to face challenges in securing affordable financing.

On the governance front, respondents reported significant improvements in the regulatory environment, citing government reforms aimed at simplifying business registration and tax compliance, alongside progress in curbing corruption and bureaucratic delays.

The report identifies priority areas for action, including reducing production input costs, expanding access to affordable financing, and pursuing deeper regulatory and tax reforms. Businesses also emphasised the need for further digitalisation of public services and increased investment in technical and tertiary education.

‘The 2025 edition of the survey reflects the sentiments of businesses during a period of transition and recovery,’ said Anthony Pile, MBE, Chairman of the UKGCC’s Executive Council.

‘Ghana’s economy is showing signs of stability, but structural issues continue to hinder growth,’ he added.

Ghana is a nation of immense promise, yet we struggle with a persistent problem that quietly undermines our governance, public safety, and national discipline: we tolerate too many small wrongs. Littering, illegal parking, open defecation, minor bribery, noise pollution, misuse of state vehicles, unlicensed street vending, non-compliance with building regulations, and countless everyday infractions have become normalised.

Individually these behaviours may appear harmless. Collectively they erode our sense of order.

This is what the Broken Windows Theory explains so powerfully.

Understanding the Theory

The Broken Windows Theory, developed by James Wilson and George Kelling, argues that visible signs of disorder and unchecked minor violations create an environment where more serious crimes and dysfunction flourish. When a single broken window is left unrepaired, it signals that the community does not care and soon more windows are broken.

In governance terms, tolerating small breaches sends a message that the system is weak. It establishes a culture where bending rules becomes normal, and where impunity slowly expands from petty behaviour to institutional corruption and organised crime.

Ghana’s current social atmosphere reflects this escalation.

Every Ghanaian can list countless ‘small’ wrongs we see daily:

Motorbikes jumping red lights with no fear of sanction

Street trading blocking walkways and roads

Drivers creating unauthorised third lanes

Citizens throwing rubbish out of car windows

Residents building on watercourses because ‘everyone is doing it’

Petty bribery becoming the default for routine services

Noise pollution at dawn and dusk with no consequences

Illegal structures mushrooming overnight

People refusing to queue because enforcement is absent.

These are our ‘broken windows.’

They signal to society that following rules are optional.

The danger is simple: when a society normalises minor disorder, it unconsciously trains its population to disregard major rules.

That is how nations lose their moral fibre not through a single collapse, but through thousands of tolerated infractions.

Take Singapore, for instance, it did not become one of the safest, cleanest, most orderly countries in the world by accident. It was the result of uncompromising enforcement of minor offences, such as:

Littering

Jaywalking

Vandalism

Spitting in public

Unauthorised street hawking

Noise violations

Illegal building modifications

The state sent a clear message:

Small wrongs matter, because they create the conditions for bigger wrongs.

This strict enforcement produced three outcomes: A Culture of Discipline, Reduced Crime and Predictable Governance. Singapore proves that society rises to the standard it consistently enforces.

What Ghana Can Learn: Five Governing Principles

Based on the theory and global best practice, Ghana needs a new philosophy of governance one that treats small violations as threats to national order.

Enforce Minor Offences Consistently

Laws against littering, noise, unauthorised parking, petty bribery, and illegal vending must be enforced every day, everywhere.

Consistency builds credibility.

Strengthen Municipal Law Enforcement

Local government should be empowered with well-trained, well-supervised, corruption-resistant enforcement teams. Urban order cannot be maintained without capable frontline enforcement.

Public Officials Must Model Discipline

When state actors break small rules: sirens misused, queues jumped, vehicles driven on shoulders citizens lose all respect for the law.

Simplify Compliance

Provide clear signage, simplify licensing processes, create transparent fine systems, and digitise routine approvals. When rules are easy to follow, more people follow them.

Swift Sanctions, Not Endless Warnings

Warnings do not deter habitual offenders.

Sanctions which are fair, predictable, and immediate reset societal expectations.

What Ghana needs is not draconian policing, but predictable, everyday order. The Broken Windows Theory shows that big reforms often start with small, symbolic victories:

Clean streets

Organised walkways

Obedience to traffic lights

Disciplined queues

Respect for public spaces

Elimination of petty extortion

Removal of illegal structures

Timely compliance with local regulations

These ‘small wins’ recalibrate society’s expectations and restore civic responsibility. They communicate that Ghana is a serious country, a disciplined country, a country where rules matter.

Conclusion

Ghana’s governance challenges are not insurmountable. They stem from a mindset that treats small violations as harmless inconveniences. But nations fail and succeed on the strength of their everyday discipline.

If we consistently fix our broken windows, enforce our minor rules, and cultivate a culture of order, Ghana can achieve the kind of societal transformation that Singapore exemplifies.

The path to national excellence is not mysterious. It begins with the little things we choose to tolerate or refuse to tolerate today.

Lightwave eHealth Solutions (LHIMS) has accused the Ministry of Health (MoH) of engaging a competitor to evaluate the company’s work in public hospitals.

According to LHIMS, in 2024, after the Health Committee in Parliament with then Ranking Member and now Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, approved the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) budget for eHealth, a significant amount of GHS10.45 million was deducted from the budget for monitoring, without the vendor, Lightwave, being consulted.

LHIMS Project Manager, Eric Adjei, indicated that the sum was paid directly by the NHIA to (Company X), which has two subsidiaries.

‘To date, the monitoring report from 2024 has not been released, and despite official requests from Lightwave’s attorney under the RTI Act, it remains unobtainable. The public, along with Lightwave, deserves transparency regarding the allocation of taxpayers’ money,’ he said.

He further noted that Lightwave can confirm that in July 2025, the Health Minister engaged the same company to conduct an audit of Lightwave.

‘If the results were adverse in 2024, why did the then Minister not voice concerns at that time after spending such a significant amount of taxpayer money? Moreover, the public has a right to know whether (Company X) is certified for auditing purposes,’ Mr. Adjei said.

He claimed that the Health Minister has refused to provide Lightwave with a copy of the recent audit, despite multiple requests from Lightwave’s management and legal representatives.

The Ministry has accused Lightwave of failing to meet the terms of a $100 million contract to connect 950 health facilities nationwide through LHIMS.

Mr. Adjei said the issue was reiterated during the only meeting the Minister held with Lightwave in the MoH conference room, attended by the Minister’s personal attorney, the MoH’s attorney, MoH and Ghana Health Service personnel, and unexpectedly, two Directors from National Security.

The Project Manager stated, ‘As we speak, we have not shut down any of our systems. Some public health facilities are fully operational, utilising our platform.’

Lightwave has indicated that the Ministry has refused to engage with the company, despite its willingness to continue the project. The last meeting with the Ministry occurred in September of this year, and since then, Lightwave has yet to receive a meaningful response.

Lightwave’s attorney has requested arbitration in accordance with the contract terms for dispute resolution, and after nearly two weeks, the Ministry’s sole response was that they had forwarded the request to the Attorney General’s (AG) office, despite both the AG’s office and the Office of the President being copied on the original request and subsequent reminder.

President John Dramani Mahama and First Lady, Lordina Mahama, have sponsored free medical screening, treatment and medical supplies for retired pastors, spouses and widows of pastors of the Assemblies of God, Ghana.

In addition, Mrs. Mahama presented a Christmas hamper containing fabric, rice, oil, tin tomatoes, indomie and an undisclosed amount of cash gift to each person.

The fifth in the series of the quarterly programme took place at the premises of Ringway Gospel Centre of Assemblies of God in Accra where both President Mahama and the First Lady worship.

Present were the First Lady of Liberia, Mrs. Kartumu Boakai, the former First Lady of South Africa, Mrs. Tobeka Madiba-Zuma and Ghana’s Ambassador to Spain, Madam Kalsoume Sinare Baffoe.

Mrs. Mahama, Founder and President of Lordina Foundation, commended Mrs. Boakai and the other guests for their special show of solidarity with the retired pastors and widows in particular, and vulnerable people in general.

The General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana, Rev. Stephen Wengam, praised the first couple and Lordina Foundation for ‘this unequalled act of magnanimity.’

He noted that medical treatment for retirees is a huge financial burden.

‘This quarterly medical intervention and fulfillment of pledge by President Mahama and his wife is a huge relief to the beneficiaries and the church,’ Rev. Wengam added.

The Board Chairman of Lordina Foundation, Pastor Boateng Sarpong, reiterated the commitment of the Foundation to care for the vulnerable in society.

Celebrated gospel artiste, Empress Gifty, is set to receive a distinguished honour as the Western Gospel Awards marks its fifth anniversary with a grand black-tie ceremony in Takoradi.

Organised by Prolific GH, this year’s event will be held on December 20, 2025, at the Western Serene Atlantic Hotel under the theme ‘Celebrating Humanitarian Excellence.’

Empress Gifty, widely recognised as one of Ghana’s most influential gospel voices, has made remarkable contributions to the industry through her music, ministry, and media influence. With a career defined by excellence, innovation, and consistent impact, she has played a pivotal role in inspiring emerging talents and expanding the reach of Ghanaian gospel music both locally and internationally.

According to the awards board, the honour reflects her exceptional dedication to the growth of the gospel industry and her leadership as a role model for many aspiring artistes. Organisers note that celebrating her during the fifth anniversary is both meaningful and symbolic, acknowledging a milestone of progress for the awards scheme and the wider gospel community.

The upcoming ceremony promises an evening of elegance and worship, with a glamorous Blue Carpet reception beginning at 5 p.m. A large gathering of gospel musicians, industry stakeholders, and supporters are expected to grace the event.

Hosting duties will be handled by Adom TV’s Sister Sandy and Melody FM’s 2KD; two respected media personalities known for their dynamic presence and deep connection with audiences.

The organisers say honouring Empress Gifty at this significant juncture reflects the scheme’s ongoing commitment to spotlighting individuals who use their platforms to transform lives and advance the gospel mission.

The 2025 Western Gospel Awards is set to be a landmark night, celebrating excellence, humanitarian service, and the enduring power of gospel music.

Ghana’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Kojo Bonsu, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with China, following a meeting with the Director General of the International Cooperation Department of China’s Ministry of Public Security, Mr. Wang Yong, in Beijing.

During the meeting, Ambassador Kojo Bonsu conveyed the Ghanaian government’s appreciation for China’s enduring support towards Ghana’s socio-economic development and emphasized the country’s commitment to expanding collaboration in emerging areas of mutual interest.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in security and public safety, with discussions centered on enhancing institutional capacity-building, facilitating training and technical exchange programs, and promoting the exchange of best practices and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to address transnational crimes and emerging security threats.

Both sides also underscored the importance of continued dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect for sovereignty in advancing their collective interests, including peacekeeping, counterterrorism, and the protection of citizens.

The engagement has been hailed as a reaffirmation of the shared vision for a safer, more prosperous future, and a practical step towards enhancing Ghana-China cooperation in security and development.

Key Areas of Cooperation:

– Enhancing institutional capacity-building within Ghana’s security and law enforcement agencies

– Facilitating training and technical exchange programs in policing, cybersecurity, and crime prevention

– Promoting the exchange of best practices and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to address transnational crimes and emerging security threats

The meeting concluded with mutual expressions of goodwill and a shared determination to translate discussions into concrete programs and joint initiatives in the months ahead, further solidifying the Ghana-China partnership grounded in mutual respect, solidarity, and shared prosperity.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has called on African leaders to speed up efforts to strengthen and sustain their national HIV responses through renewed political commitment, domestic investments and international solidarity.

Speaking at a press conference during the 23rd edition of International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA), in Accra, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Angeli Achrekar, mentioned that about 40.8 million people are living with HIV globally and in need of treatment.

She disclosed that over 1.3 million new infections are still happening among young people and key populations on the continent, especially among adolescent girls and young women, noting that such marginalised populations must be reached to ensure that new infections are prevented.

‘We must reach those marginalised populations and make sure that we are preventing new infections from occurring,’ she said.

She added that despite the halting of funding, there is hope since the continent is increasing investment in HIV response.

‘We have seen countries stepping up to ensure that their people maintain essential life-saving services and ARVs during this disruption. We have seen communities continue to rise up and lead the way and not give up. And we have seen that strength here on the continent more than any other place,’ she said.

Ms. Achrekar stressed that Africa must come together to end AIDS, which is a public health threat, by 2030. ‘We must work collectively in solidarity to urgently move to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and sustain the gains beyond,’ she added.

Throughout history, railways have shaped the economic fortunes of nations. Where tracks were laid, industries thrived; where they weren’t, growth stalled. Today, Africa faces a similar situation, not with trains, but with talent. And Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) are the modern equivalent of that railway infrastructure, laying the foundation for inclusive progress.

Africa is undergoing changes of historic scale. Over 60% of its people are under 25, and by 2050, nearly 600 million will be of working age. This is more than a statistic; it’s a defining opportunity. If we equip young people with the right skills, we can unlock a future where industries flourish and nations move forward. Like railways once powered trade, TVET creates pathways to jobs, fuels innovation, and drives sustainable growth. It’s critical that we remain committed to building those tracks, because when technical talent thrives, so do economies.

Why growth hinges on technical talent

More than just an alternative to academic education, TVET is a driver of resilience and opportunity. That’s why countries like Togo are prioritising vocational education. Recently, the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development approved a pound 50 million line of credit to Planet One Education in Togo to strengthen this critical sector. Six modern vocational and technical training centres will be built, providing thousands of places for trainees and supporting the Togolese government’s development goals.

The relevance of TVET is underscored by the size of the informal sector, which employs over 85% of Africa’s workforce. For many, vocational training is the only accessible route to employment. Yet, much of it remains informal and unrecognised, leaving a gap between education and labour market demands. Despite rising school enrollment, too many young people remain unemployed or underemployed, as traditional curricula don’t match job market realities.

TVET bridges this gap. It equips learners with practical, in-demand skills across sectors like manufacturing, construction, ICT, and green industries. As Africa works to diversify its economies and reduce reliance on raw commodity exports, TVET becomes central to its growth strategy – linking education to employment and aspiration to achievement. Its adaptability to evolving industry needs ensures that graduates are prepared for the work environment both today and tomorrow.

Barriers to progress

Despite its potential, the sector faces persistent challenges. Chronic underfunding means many institutions still rely on outdated facilities. Access to modern equipment is limited, and resources for teacher training and curriculum reform are scarce.

There’s also a shortage of qualified instructors, particularly in fast-changing fields like ICT and STEM, further undermining the quality of training. Many educators lack exposure to current industry practices. And weak links between training providers and employers mean graduates often leave without the skills needed to succeed in the workplace.

Social perceptions add to the problem. TVET is often seen as a ‘last resort’, discouraging potential students. Moreover, limited private sector involvement in curriculum design, internships, and job placement continues to hinder the system’s responsiveness to market needs.

A shift is taking place

But signs of transformation are emerging. Ghana’s vocational education, for example, is shifting fast. Once held back by a preference for academic paths, the country faced high youth unemployment and a growing skills gap. In response, sweeping reforms have modernised TVET, expanding access nationwide and making digital skills central to training.

Public-private partnerships now shape curricula, with increased investment in facilities and teacher training to meet industry needs. Graduates are leaving with stronger technical skills, boosting employability and reshaping perceptions of vocational education. In fact, according to Planet One data, TVET enrolment in Ghana rose by 193% between 2020 and 2024.

Ghana’s transformation is inspiring other African nations to follow suit. Initiatives like those taking place in Togo signal a growing recognition that TVET is not a peripheral concern, but a cornerstone of national development.

Africa stands at a defining juncture. Its natural resources and youthful population offer a powerful platform for growth, but only if matched by the structures to harness them. TVET is that national structure, driving industrialisation, reducing unemployment, and unlocking Africa’s vast youth potential.

Ghana’s success shows what’s possible when governments, industry, and educators work together. As more countries follow suit, TVET must be seen not as a fallback, but as the foundational infrastructure of a resilient and inclusive Africa.

The future won’t wait – we must begin laying the tracks for progress today.