Category: Daily Guide Network

After a five-day search, the body of a seven-year-old boy, identified as Kwame, who went missing at Abrepo Bronikrom in the Ashanti Region, has been found at Akropong, several kilometres away from where he was last seen.

The tragic discovery last Monday stunned search teams, who said they had not anticipated the boy’s body would travel such a long distance.

Kwame went missing five days earlier while playing in the rain with two other children. According to eyewitnesses, one of the children’s slippers was washed away by floodwaters, and Kwame was swept into a gutter while attempting to retrieve it.

Wayomi, a member of the search team, expressed shock over the development. ‘They are really surprised because they didn’t know that the body will go that far,’ he told reporters.

The remains of the deceased have since been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for autopsy. The family and the search team are awaiting the release of the body for burial.

The incident has left the community in deep grief, though the recovery of the boy’s body brings some closure to his family and neighbours after days of uncertainty.

Dr. Edward Kofi Sutherland (MD, MPH, DrPH), a distinguished faculty member at Ensign Global University and Site Director for West Africa at the Center for Global Surgery, University of Utah, has been recognized among Ghana’s Top 10 Medical Experts at the prestigious China-West Africa Health Summit 2025, which was held from August 20th to 22nd, 2025, in Accra.

This honor celebrates Dr. Sutherland’s exceptional contributions to medical practice, research, and healthcare leadership, as well as his unwavering dedication to transforming healthcare outcomes in Ghana and across West Africa.

Leadership at the Oncology Forum

In addition to receiving this recognition, Dr. Sutherland chaired the Oncology Forum at the Summit, where he led compelling presentations and discussions on:

Integration of AI in oncology

Cancer prevention and early detection

Treatment accessibility across Ghana and West Africa

Health equity and strategic partnerships

The forum featured renowned guest speakers from leading institutions in Ghana and China, generating insights with the potential to influence cancer policy and clinical practice across Ghana and Africa.

‘Being recognized among Ghana’s Top 10 Medical Experts and chairing the Oncology Forum has been a profound honor. This milestone underscores not just my personal journey but also the collective commitment of my colleagues and partners dedicated to transforming healthcare outcomes in Ghana and West Africa. It also reflects the significant role of Ensign Global University and the Center for Global Surgery, University of Utah, in advancing medical education, public health, and strengthening healthcare systems in the region.’

Organized by the Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWA) in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Summit brought together hundreds of delegates from across Africa and Asia under the theme:

‘Advancing Cancer Care through Innovation, Knowledge Exchange, and Strategic Partnership.’

The prestigious Awards Ceremony also celebrated exceptional doctors, nurses, pharmacists, hospitals, health associations, and healthcare institutions demonstrating outstanding impact in advancing health systems across West Africa.

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas to safeguard the nation’s water bodies.

According to the group, galamsey may not be contagious as COVID-19 but its long-term effects on health, the environment, and livelihoods are equally destructive.

FIDA is the latest body to call on the President to declare a state of emergency on galamsey to avert the devasting effect of illegal mining in the country.

Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference as well as some civil society organisations (CSOs) have called on government to take decisive measures in the fight against illegal mining in recent months.

The President, during an encounter with the press on September 10, 2025, rebutted calls on him to declare a state of emergency, indicating that his government had not yet exhausted measures in tackling the menace.

Last week, he told CSOs that he will not hesitate to declare a state of emergency if the National Security Council advises him that the time had come to do so.

FIDA Ghana Disagrees

FIDA Ghana, in an open letter signed by its President, Gloria Ofori Boadu, added its voice to calls for the institution of state of emergency in mining areas to protect the environment and individuals, especially women, who it says bear the heaviest burden.

‘Women who fetch water for households, farm food crops, process and trade in food and fish, or work and sell along the agricultural and gold value chains are directly endangered by the toxic chemicals used in small-scale mining,’ the letter noted.

It said anecdotal evidence suggests similar adverse effect on fertility, women’s reproductive health and foetal and child cognitive development.

‘Mercury and cyanide contamination threaten not only our health but also the very food security of the nation. Needless to say, we are all at risk,’ it said.

FIDA Ghana is therefore, calling on President Mahama to uphold the constitutional and international right to water-recognised by the United Nations in 2010 and enshrined in Article 33(5) of the 1992 Constitution-by declaring a state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas to safeguard our water bodies.

It is also calling for the immediate repeal of L.I. 2462 to permanently prohibit mining activities in forest reserves.

Again, the group wants the Ministry of Health and its agencies to urgently provide clear, nationwide guidance on how citizens can protect themselves from exposure to heavy metals in food and water.

It further called on the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to take decisive action to identify, warn against, ban, recall, and destroy local produce as well as bottled and sachet water found to be contaminated with heavy metals.

Finally, FIDA Ghana urged the Ministry of Agriculture, through its extension officers to conduct a comprehensive mapping of farming areas across Ghana, highlighting regions with elevated levels of heavy metals.

‘This must include full disclosure of associated health risks and provide the public with reliable information on how to access safe food sources,’ it added.

The police has arrested eight (8) foreign nationals for engaging in illegal gold exploration and purchase in the Banda District of the Bono Region, an act which contravenes the new Gold Board Act, Act 1140 of 2025.

Police officers at the site of operation retrieved items, including a cash amount of GHS23,450, quantities of raw gold and gold dust, mercury, and a lighter used in gold processing as exhibits.

The suspects include Sayaba Ziba, Kienu Dobou, Osman Tunabu, Nana Alhassan, and Wadrago Abdulai.

The rest are Aliu Sali, Ibrahim Wulba, and Alhassan Imoro.

The suspects, made up of Nigerians, Ivorians, and Gambians, were arrested while actively engaged in illegal mining and gold trading operations in Wewe community, Banda District.

They are currently in police custody, assisting the regional police command with their investigations. The police said they were operating without a licence.

A press release signed by Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, the Ghana Police Service’s spokesperson for the region, indicated that the suspects were arrested on October 2, 2025, at Wewe following sustained intelligence and surveillance.

The statement said the items retrieved from the suspects would be forwarded for forensic examination as part of the investigation, after which they would be prepared for court after further investigation.

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), National Security and the police, in an earlier operation on May 14, apprehended several foreign nationals attempting to smuggle kilograms of gold out of the country.

Six suspects were apprehended in two separate operations. The first batch of three suspects were arrested in the Ashanti Region before the enforcement of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).

These individuals were arranged to be deported after their arrest occurred before the April 30 deadline for foreigners to exit Ghana’s local gold trade.

The second batch of three suspects were arrested in Anyinam after the new law took effect.

These individuals faced prosecution under the new law, which reserves local gold trading exclusively to the Gold Board. Authorities confiscated gold counting machines and cash (dollars) from them.

The Ghana Gold Board has issued a stern warning to individuals trading gold without a licence.

As of May 1, 2025, the board noted that it will be a punishable offence to purchase or deal in gold in Ghana without a valid licence from the Ghana Gold Board.

This move aims to curb illegal gold trading, smuggling, and price distortions in the gold market.

The management and staff of the Daily Guide Network on Saturday joined family, friends, and colleagues to commemorate the one-week observance of the late George Clifford Owusu, a long-serving entertainment journalist with the Daily Guide newspaper.

The solemn ceremony drew a large gathering of relatives, media practitioners, and figures from the Ghana’s creative industry who came together to celebrate the life and legacy of one of the nation’s most respected showbiz writers.

Staff of the Daily Guide Network, where Clifford worked for many years, turned out in full force to mourn their departed colleague, whose professionalism, warmth, and commitment to promoting Ghanaian entertainment left an enduring mark on the industry.

Among the many who attended were the Acting President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bessa Simons, who led a delegation from the union, as well as veteran musician Sly Collins, President of the Rastafarian Association of Africa Daddy Bosco Ahuma, and former MUSIGA President Bice Osei Kuffour, popularly known as Obour.

They joined other creative arts stakeholders in paying tribute to a journalist who, through his pen and passion, amplified the voices of Ghanaian musicians and helped shape the growth of the local entertainment scene.

Throughout his distinguished career, George Clifford Owusu established himself as a leading figure in entertainment journalism, admired for his factual reporting, insightful analyses, and unwavering dedication to truth and creativity.

His coverage of music, film, and cultural events consistently celebrated Ghana’s artistic talent, both emerging and established.

The one-week observance featured heartfelt tributes, prayers, and songs of reflection in honour of his life’s work and enduring influence on Ghanaian media and culture.

The final funeral rites for the late George Clifford Owusu will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Apenkwa Presbyterian Church in Tesano, Accra.

THE AFRICAN Union Youth Council (Club), Nigerian Chapter, has nominated event organiser and media personality, Regina Adu Safowah, for the distinguished position of African Youth Ambassador.

Known for her philanthropic work and youth advocacy role, Adu Safowah would be inducted as the Youth Ambassador during the youth diplomatic conference, which comes off on October 15, 2025, at the Army Resource Center, Asokoro, FCT-Abuja, Nigeria.

The event’s key highlights will include keynote speeches, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and a special ambassadorial award.

The African Union Youth Club (AUYC), Nigeria Chapter is the Nigerian branch of the African Union Youth Club initiative under the coordination of the African Union Southern Africa Regional Office (AU-SARO).

Guided by the African Union Youth, aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063, ‘The Africa We Want’, AUYC Nigeria seeks to galvanise Nigerian youths at home and in the diaspora toward becoming active drivers of Africa’s development agenda.

In the invitation letter, sighted by the paper, the event organisers registered their pleasure in hosting Adu Safowah for the forthcoming ceremony, saying, ‘We are also pleased to inform you of your nomination for the distinguished position of African Youth Ambassador.

‘Becoming an African Youth Ambassador is an opportunity for the ideals of the African Union Youth Council to play a pivotal role in shaping a better future for Africa as we gear towards the actualisation of the African Union Agenda 2063. The AUYC ambassador package has been carefully curated to equip you with the tools necessary for this important role.’

Adu Safowah, who was pleased with the invitation, shared it with Inspector General of Police, Mr.Christian Tetteh Yohuno at the National Police Headquarters.

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the Ho Municipal has rolled out a special registration and renewal exercise with the aim of signing up at least 10,000 members during this year’s Asogli Yam Festival (Te Za).

The initiative, according to the Scheme, forms part of efforts to bring health services closer to residents of Ho and its surrounding communities.

To achieve the target, registration centres have been mounted at strategic locations, including the forecourt of Togbe Afede XIV’s Palace, Royal Hospital Forecourt, Ahoe Community Centre, and the Ho Municipal NHIS Office. An additional centre has also been set up at the grand durbar grounds to cater for festival patrons.

The Ho Municipal NHIS Manager, Saviour Amakpa, stated that the outreach exercise is expected to not only boost membership but also give residents an opportunity to directly engage with the Scheme.

‘This is a chance for people to register, renew, and at the same time learn more about how the Scheme operates,’ he stated.

The NHIS Volta Regional Accountant and Liaison Officer to the Asogli State, Mr. Raymond Boamah, emphasised the strategic importance of the festival.

‘The Asogli Te Za is one of the most significant traditional festivals in the Ho Municipality, making it an ideal platform to engage a wide audience. Our main goal is to increase membership, bring services to the doorsteps of our people, listen to their concerns, and educate them on our policies and innovations,’ he disclosed.

Aside from registration and renewals, the NHIS team will also distribute membership handbooks to improve public awareness of the Scheme’s benefit packages and processes.

By the close of the Yam Festival, the Authority is confident of achieving its 10,000 target, reaffirming its mission to expand access to quality healthcare for all Ghanaians.

CONTROVERSIAL MEDIA personality, Sally Mann, has joined many Ghanaians in questioning Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on the criteria used in selecting the five personalities to be granted diplomatic passports as part of a move to strengthen the country’s cultural and people-to-people diplomacy.

Speaking on her show, Showtym on Adom TV, Sally Mann emphatically stated that the likes of Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, King Promise among other big names deserve the honour of being given diplomatic passports.

She said, aside from Wode Maya and Rocky Dawuni, the other three did not merit a diplomatic passport, questioning their level of influence in attracting diasporans to Ghana.

‘Aside from Wode Maya, Rocky Dawuni, no other person on it deserves a diplomatic passport. Because in Ghana, our biggest exports are music and football. There has not been any other person in this country who has marketed the country in those two sectors,’ she pointed out.

Sally Mann added that, ‘When you travel outside the country, the first name people mention is Asamoah Gyan, Stephen Appiah, and Michael Essien. If you want those who can attract the masses to Ghana based on the assignment given by government, who is Anita Erskine? She does not have enough popularity to bring any diaspora person here, and that’s in my opinion.’

‘Same as Lady Dentaa, yes Grammy’s, GUBA awards among others – but those projects she initiated are for her personal interest, just as the musicians and the footballers have been doing their personal projects,’ she added.

Sally Mann expressed disappointment in the government’s inability to honour the likes of Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, and King Promise, stressing, ‘If you look at Wode Maya, his impact is felt across the continent, so his diplomatic honours were expected. But to abandon the likes of Sarkodie, who has advocated for Ghana’s diplomatic passport for a long time, for you to choose Anita because she is a correspondent for MNET’s Studio 53, I think they did a disservice to us.’

Sally Mann further stated that the diplomatic passports issue was a family and friends affair, saying, ‘Honourable Okudzeto Ablakwa, it wasn’t carefully planned at all, this is a family and friends giving diplomatic passports to people. If it was properly planned, the two segments selling Ghana are music and football. Yes, they might deserve it, but they are C-listed people to consider.’

Sally Mann’s submission follows an earlier submission made by media personality Nana Aba Anamoah questioning the criteria used to select five Ghanaians for diplomatic passports.

She argued that the selection process seems elitist, favouring English-speaking personalities over those who promote local languages. She believes Nana Ama McBrown, a popular Ghanaian actress, deserves a spot on the list due to her significant influence in Ghanaian communities worldwide.

Dr. MATTHEW Opoku Prempeh’s extraordinary works in the smooth implementation of the famous Free Senior High School (SHS) policy in 2017, when he was the Minister of Education, has shot him to international fame.

Affectionately called ‘Napo’ in political circles, he is a proud recipient of the prestigious ‘Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program’s Medal of Achievement’ award, which was presented to him in the United States (US), few days ago.

He was recognised and duly awarded by Harvard University in 2020 for his key roles in the Free SHS implementation, but due to travelling restrictions at the time, which was occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, the award was presented to him virtually.

Napo, an alumnus of the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program, a non-prescriptive program designed to support appointed ministers serving their countries, was invited by Harvard University to share his experience.

The world acclaimed academic institution took advantage of Napo’s presence in the US and officially presented the prestigious award to him during a short and colourful programme, to the admiration of the ex-Education Minister.

‘This year, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, a distinguished alumnus of the Program (2017), and former Minister for Education in Ghana (2017-2021), returned to the Forum to share his experience as Minister with current participants.

‘As Minister for Education, he led reforms in secondary education, successfully fulfilling his mandate and leaving a legacy,’ a statement from the renowned academic institution stated.

‘Recognized for his achievements, Dr. Prempeh was awarded the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program’s Medal of Achievement in 2020. However, due to the pandemic, the award was presented virtually. This year, during the Forum, he finally received the honor in person,’ it added.

It further said ‘when appointed, Dr. Prempeh was tasked by his President to deliver Free Senior High School (Free SHS) in his country, a new policy program that would provide free education, paying for a total of 41 items, including tuition, meals, textbooks, and boarding for Ghanaian children qualified for secondary education.

‘Appointed in February 2017, he attended the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program in June of the same year. By September 2017, just seven months after his appointment, Dr. Prempeh launched Free SHS nationwide and, consequently, increased SHS attendance in Ghana.’

Napo Shares Free SHS Success Secret

Addressing his audience, Napo, who was beaming with smiles over the honour, said the training and education that he received from the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program helped him greatly to implement the Free SHS policy in 2017.

‘Harvard opened my eyes to delivery units, stakeholder mapping, and rapid implementation. It showed me how to track every detail, so nothing slipped through. That’s how we launched Free SHS in just seven months.

‘My participation in the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program gave me top-notch knowledge and skills in leadership, governance, and management.

‘I got the opportunity to hear and learn firsthand the success stories and the pitfalls to avoid from a wide range of current and former ministers from across the globe,’ he disclosed.

The programme, Napo said, ‘also provided a network and a pool of experts to contact in times of need. Overall, the programme gave me the needed confidence to execute my mandate as Minister of Education successfully.’

According to him, in the first year of Free SHS, ‘dropout rates in the South fell to match the North. Over 100,000 students each year, who would have been on the streets, were now in school.’

BIBIANI GOLDSTARS extended their impressive start to the Premier League season with a narrow 1-0 win over Swedru All Blacks at the Swedru Sports Stadium on Saturday.

A decisive strike from forward Michael Nkoah just two minutes into the second half proved enough to hand the defending champions all three points in a fiercely contested Matchday 4 fixture.

The newly promoted All Blacks made a strong start, inspired by their vocal home crowd, and dominated much of the opening half.

Despite creating several clear chances, they were left frustrated by poor finishing and the disciplined defending of GoldStars, led by the experienced Vincent Atingah.

After soaking up early pressure, GoldStars found their moment soon after the restart. Nkoah timed his run to perfection to meet a well-weighted through ball before calmly slotting past the onrushing goalkeeper to break the deadlock.

The hosts pressed relentlessly for an equaliser, with substitute Hakim Mohammed nearly rescuing a point in stoppage time when his thunderous strike crashed off the woodwork.

GoldStars themselves were denied a second goal earlier when Samuel Atta Kumi’s close-range effort also struck the post.