Category: Daily Guide Network

Mining magnate Angela List, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nguvu Mining, has been honoured with the 2025 Global Power Female Award, one of the world’s most prestigious recognitions for accomplished businesswomen.

The award was presented at a high-profile ceremony in New York, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Global Power Female Award celebrates women who have redefined leadership and created enduring social impact.

It is organised by the Global Power Forum (GPF), a collaboration between the Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD) and the African Leadership Organisation (ALO).

The event brought together Heads of State, First Ladies, global business leaders, and changemakers from Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the global diaspora.

Angela List made history as the first Ghanaian to receive the award, which organisers described as a tribute to her ‘journey, accomplishments, and bold leadership.’

She was also inducted into the Global Power Women Network (GPWN), an exclusive platform for influential women shaping business, policy, and development worldwide.

With over two decades in the mining industry, Ms. List has built an impressive career marked by resilience and vision.

Her company, Nguvu Mining, operates across Mali, Liberia, and Burkina Faso, and owns Adamus Resources Limited in Ghana and Northern Ashanti Mines, expected to begin production in early 2026.

Nguvu currently produces around 150,000 ounces of gold annually, with projections to reach 200,000 ounces once Northern Ashanti comes on stream.

Expressing gratitude, Angela commended her team’s dedication to safety, excellence, and community development.

‘Our commitment to shared prosperity in the communities we operate is what drives me,’ she said.

As gold prices soar, rising from $1,990 per ounce in 2023 to nearly $3,800 in 2025, Ms. List noted that Nguvu’s host communities will benefit directly.

‘Whenever gold prices rise, our contributions to community welfare automatically increase. We are changing the narrative in mining by making a profound difference in people’s lives,’ she affirmed.

She acknowledged the challenges women face in the male-dominated mining sector and urged more women to take leadership roles.

‘There can be no excuses. We must perform and pave the way for others. Soon, many more women will rise as mining professionals and executives,’ Angela said.

The 2025 Global Power Forum was headlined by leaders including former Tanzanian President Dr. Jakaya Kikwete and Bahamian Prime Minister, Philip Davis, underscoring its global significance.

President John Dramani Mahama says he will only declare a state of emergency based on advice from the National Security Council, as his administration intensifies efforts to combat illegal mining activities across the country.

Speaking during a dialogue with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and religious leaders at the Jubilee House last Friday, President Mahama stated that although the Constitution empowers him to declare a state of emergency, such a decision must be guided by expert security and policy assessments.

‘I have the power to do it, but the President acts not only on authority, but also on the advice of the National Security Council. As at now, the Council believes we can win the fight against galamsey without declaring a state of emergency. But the day they advise me otherwise – that we now need one – I will not hesitate to declare it,’ he explained.

The President’s comments come amid renewed calls from civil society, religious leaders, and environmental advocates for stronger government action to address the growing threat of illegal mining, which has devastated water bodies, destroyed farmlands, and endangered livelihoods in several mining communities.

Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, Most Rev. Anthony Narh Asare, urged the President to establish clear benchmarks that would trigger the declaration of a state of emergency if the crisis deepens.

‘Where we have gotten to now, we have to take a decisive decision on whether we are going to tolerate illegal mining activities or not,’ Bishop Asare said.

‘We urge Your Excellency to provide clear indicators that would justify a state of emergency, ensure visible prosecution of offenders, including those named in official reports, and consider establishing Fast-Track Courts to handle related cases,’ he added.

However, not all experts agree with the calls for a state of emergency. A security analyst, Colonel (Rtd.) Boakye, cautioned that such a measure might not be necessary at this stage, arguing that with enhanced enforcement and coordination among state agencies, the government can make significant progress without invoking emergency powers.

President Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to ending illegal mining and called for collective national effort in tackling the issue.

In a message shared later on his social media platforms, he urged citizens and stakeholders to remain vigilant and to hold his administration accountable.

‘In my meeting with Civil Society Organisations today, I reaffirmed my administration’s commitment to ending illegal mining. I made it clear that I am determined to win the fight, but I cannot do it alone. We need every Ghanaian – CSOs, activists, and traditional leaders – to join us in this battle,’ he said.

He added that the government’s ongoing deployment of security personnel and allocation of additional resources to affected areas would soon begin to yield results.

‘Our forefathers inherited a beautiful country blessed with lush forests and pristine rivers. We have a sacred duty to preserve this heritage for our children and grandchildren. We cannot, and will not, hand them poisoned water bodies and destroyed forests,’ he stated.

The Ghana Railway Company has been dealt a big blow as illegal miners have completely taken over one of its most profitable lines-the Takoradi-Nsuta Rail Line.

The company hauls large volumes of manganese from Nsuta to the Takoradi Port for export using the line.

The Takoradi-Nsuta line therefore, does not only sustain the company’s operations but also supports the Sekondi-Takoradi passenger train service.

However, years of neglect and poor maintenance of the line had led to frequent derailments, which has crippled the company’s ability to sustain its haulage operations.

Even attempts by the Ghana Manganese Company and other stakeholders to revive the line have not been successful.

DAILY GUIDE has gathered that currently, haulage has been grounded to a halt, leaving the company in financial distress.

The situation has worsened as illegal small-scale miners, also called galamseyers, have taken over sections of the Takoradi-Nsuta line.

Recent pictures and videos circulating on social media reveal young men mining directly beneath and around the tracks at Achem, between Bonsawire and Nsuta in the Western Region, destroying several metres of the line.

The illegal miners are seen seriously mining for gold behind the construction company working on the new standard gauge line.

The illegal miners appear unconcerned about the consequences of their actions on the line and the environment.

Some of the residents reported that the galamseyers’ activities are taking place close to the new standard gauge line, which is a multi-million-dollar project initiated by the previous government.

As part of the project, rail lines have already been laid up to Manso in the Essikado-Ketan area, with land formation completed up to Esuaso before Bonsawire.

The encroachment by the galamseyers therefore threatens to derail the investment before it even becomes operational.

The extent of the damage suggests the activity has been ongoing for a long time, raising questions about how such destruction could occur without it being detected.

The residents claim that the destruction of the Takoradi-Nsuta line is part of a long thread of devastation caused by galamsey in the area.

‘Water bodies have been polluted and now, rail lines belonging to Ghana Railway Company Limited, which is already begging for attention, are under siege,’ they lamented.

In an interview with DAILY GUIDE, an official from the Ghana Railway Company in the Western Region noted that the company is aware of the situation, adding, ‘But you know this is beyond us.’

He then appealed to the National Security to assist the company by patrolling the area to prevent the galamseyers from destroying the lines further.

The Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Farmers Association (COCOSHE) has commended the government for increasing the producer price of cocoa from GHS3,228.75 to GHS3,628.75 per 64kg bag for the 2025/2026 cocoa season.

In a statement signed by its National Chief Farmer, Alhaji Alhassan Bukari, the association described the GHS400 increment as a notable improvement that reflects the government’s responsiveness to the legitimate concerns of cocoa farmers across the country.

COCOSHE also lauded the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the government for maintaining key interventions aimed at making cocoa farming more profitable, sustainable, and attractive to younger generations.

‘We highlight, in particular, the introduction of free fertilizers (liquid and granular), the forthcoming Ghana Cocoa Traceability System, and the planned Tertiary Education Scholarship Scheme for the children of cocoa farmers for the 2026/2027 academic year,’ the statement said.

The association further urged the government and COCOBOD to ensure the timely distribution of subsidized inputs to all eligible farmers across the regions.

It also called for increased investment in extension services and community-level education on the new traceability system to ensure farmers fully understand and benefit from it.

According to COCOSHE, the additional price adjustment, combined with broader sector reforms, presents an opportunity to rebuild trust and strengthen cooperation between cocoa farmers, COCOBOD, and the government.

‘We therefore urge all cocoa farmers across Ghana to appreciate and cooperate with the government and stay the course toward a more equitable and sustainable cocoa future,’ the statement concluded.

Ghana midfielder Mohammed Kudus produced another standout performance for Tottenham Hotspur, scoring his first goal for the club in a 2-1 victory over Leeds United that ended the home side’s 23-game unbeaten league run at Elland Road.

Kudus was instrumental throughout the match, setting up the opener before sealing the win with a superb solo strike in the second half.

Mathys Tel gave Spurs the lead in the 23rd minute when his deflected effort found the net, but Noah Okafor equalised for Leeds shortly before halftime.

The decisive moment arrived in the 57th minute as Kudus weaved past Gabriel Gudmundsson on the right wing and fired a precise low shot into the bottom-right corner, leaving goalkeeper Karl Darlow with no chance.

The result lifts Tottenham to second place in the Premier League, just one point behind leaders Liverpool, while Leeds drop to 12th after suffering their third defeat of the season.

Since joining Spurs, Kudus made an immediate impact, registering one goal and four assists in seven league appearances.

Kudus now turns his attention to international duty, joining the Black Stars for Ghana’s final two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against the Central African Republic and Comoros during the upcoming international break.

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has announced that it has completed drafting the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill, which is currently progressing through the processes leading to consideration by Parliament.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the BoG said the draft had undergone extensive review by industry groups, relevant state institutions, and international development partners.

‘The Bank of Ghana wishes to update the public and industry stakeholders on progress towards establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for virtual asset activities in Ghana. Working in close collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), the Bank has completed the drafting of the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill,’ it stated.

As part of the preparatory process, the Bank said it conducted a mandatory registration exercise for all virtual asset service providers in July 2025.

The exercise, according to the central bank, provided updated baseline information on virtual asset activities in Ghana and offered valuable insights to guide the design of a regulatory framework that is both market-relevant and fit for purpose.

The BoG said it has adopted a structured roadmap to guide the phased implementation of the framework and the operationalisation of the forthcoming VASP Act.

It indicated that immediate priorities include continued consultations with the Executive arm of government, Parliament, and other stakeholders on the draft bill.

The Bank also disclosed plans to launch a dedicated online portal to serve as a central source of information and compliance support for VASPs, as well as to facilitate nationwide awareness and engagement activities with both industry players and the public.

The BoG assured that it is ‘committed to fostering a safe, transparent, and innovative virtual asset ecosystem that protects users, encourages responsible innovation, and safeguards the integrity of the financial system.’

FORMER NEW Patriotic Party (NPP) Constituency Chairman for Fomena in the Ashanti Region, Akwasi Nti, insists the party can easily recapture power in 2028.

According to him, those who believe the party would stay in opposition for a long time should have second look at their stance, as the NPP has what it takes to bounce back.

Mr. Nti stated that the NPP did a yeoman’s job in political office for eight years and, therefore, have numerous achievements to campaign on to win votes.

‘My good friend, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as Education Minister, worked to ensure the smooth implementation of the free Senior High School policy, which is a game changer.

‘That social intervention programme alone has impacted positively in the lives of thousands of Ghanaians and it can aid our dream of winning power in 2028,’ he said on Angel FM.

Akwasi Nti, however, sternly cautioned the NPP against politics of insults, insinuations and name-calling, which has characterised the party’s recent internal elections.

‘The politics of insults is not the style of the NPP, so it must stop now,’ he said, and added, ‘the present party leadership should be bold enough to crack the whip on undisciplined party members.’

According to him, if the NPP allow politics of insults and name-calling to persist in the party, it would create deep cracks which would deny them political victory in 2028.

Mr. Nti said as an opposition political party, the NPP should work assiduously to embrace peace and unity so that they could prepare adequately to win the next elections.

‘It’s only through total unity that we can realise our ambition of returning to political office. This therefore calls for total unity and oneness ahead of the next polls,’ he advised.

He also admonished the NPP members to refrain from fighting or insulting church leaders in the country, since such weird actions could negatively affect the party in 2028.

‘These men of God lead and control huge congregations, so if you fight them, bear in mind that you are indirectly fighting against their members too, who will vote against your party,’ he added.

The Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives hit the streets of Accra yesterday in protest of government’s failure to pay the salaries of nearly 7,000 health workers, who have not been paid for the last ten months, despite being at post.

The aggrieved health workers began the demonstration from the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park and marched through some major streets in Accra to drum home their demands.

They gathered at the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health, where they presented petitions to government officials, hoping to receive a favourable outcome in the coming days.

Some of the health workers carried placards with various inscriptions, including ‘We are Ghanaians! Why are you exploiting us’, ‘We survive on gari three times a day’, ‘Empty Promises, Empty Stomachs, MoF, MoH, Enough is Enough’, ‘We Can’t Survive on Promises’, among others.

Convenor of the group, Stephen Kwadwo Takyiah, who was visibly frustrated, described the government’s handling of the situation as unfair and unsustainable.

He said the group was not comfortable with staging a demonstration ‘but it has become necessary.’

‘We are citizens, trained as professional nurses and midwives from nursing training colleges and universities,’ he said.

Takyiah said the group is made up of those who graduated in 2020, completed their rotations, and waited at home for three years before being employed in 2024 after the Ministry of Health announced it had secured financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance to employ about 13,000 of them.

‘But in April 2025, only some of our colleagues started receiving salaries. As we speak, just over 6,500 have been paid, while nearly 7,000 of us have worked for close to 10 months without pay,’ he indicated.

He pointed out how the decision to withhold their salaries has had untold challenges on the members, urging government to act swiftly to intervene as a delay in the issue could affect healthcare delivery in the country.

‘One of my colleagues just underwent surgery, and we are still struggling to pay her hospital bills. Another is an asthmatic patient who spends about GHS300 every month on inhalers, buying them three times a month. Our people are suffering and some are dying, yet we have worked honestly,’ he said.

Takyiah cited the words of President John Dramani Mahama at the recent UN General Assembly in New York, USA, and painted a rather gloomy picture of government treating them like modern-day slaves.

‘The President said slave trade is the biggest crime against humanity. Today, I stand here to say this is modern-day slave trade. To deny citizens and health workers their salaries is the greatest crime any leader can commit. We are pleading with the government to act urgently-if not, we are dying, and our healthcare system is collapsing,’ he said.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Government of Benin, has launched the First Foods Africa Initiative, a continental effort aimed at tackling child food poverty and malnutrition through nutrition-sensitive food systems.

The programme was unveiled at a high-level event in Cotonou on Monday, September 29, with regional leaders, policymakers, and civil society groups in attendance.

Director of Health and Humanitarian Affairs at the AUC, Prof. Julio Rakotonirina, described the launch as a step towards eradicating child malnutrition and building resilient food systems across the continent.

‘Nutrition is a right for every child, regardless of their geographic or economic background. Investing in children’s first foods means investing in Africa’s greatest wealth – its people,’ he added.

Globally, one in four children under five (around 181 million) suffer from severe food poverty, according to UNICEF. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for nearly a third of these cases, with 57 million children affected. Many survive on just breastmilk and a starchy staple, diets that leave them dangerously short of essential nutrients.

Although Africa has made progress in reducing stunting rates from 41.5% in 2000 to 32.3% today, population growth has increased the total number of stunted children from 55 million to over 62 million. More than 11 million children across the continent also suffer from wasting, a condition linked to acute malnutrition.

UNICEF officials argue that traditional food security efforts often prioritise staple crops and yields while neglecting the specific nutritional needs of infants and young children.

The First Foods Africa strategy seeks to close that gap through three main pillars; by encouraging local production of safe, affordable, and nutrient-rich foods for children under five; strengthening policies that guarantee children’s access to those foods; and promoting healthy diets through social marketing, behaviour change programmes, and community engagement.

The initiative will roll out in 14 priority countries across West, Central, East, and Southern Africa. It will be supported by governments, African food companies, and international partners such as Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organisation (WHO), and the World Bank.

To finance the programme, UNICEF is setting up a Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) to channel investments, de-risk private sector involvement, and provide technical support.

Speaking at the launch, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Omar Abdi called the initiative ‘a transformative moment for Africa’s children.’

Benin’s Minister of State for Government Action Coordination, Abdoulaye Bio Tchane, reaffirmed his country’s support: ‘Benin reaffirms its commitment today to champion child nutrition. It is essential to building a resilient continent.’

Civil society and private sector representatives at the event also expressed strong backing for reshaping food systems to meet children’s needs.

If successful, First Foods Africa could significantly reduce malnutrition rates and ensure millions of African children gain access to healthier diets. UNICEF says the initiative is central to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the AU’s Agenda 2063.

By addressing the root causes of food poverty, UNICEF and its partners hope to secure a healthier, more prosperous future for Africa’s youngest citizens.

Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry will take on former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the co-main event of UFC Qatar on 22 November.

The 27-year-old Irishman is coming off a victory over Carlos Prates in April, having bounced back from his first UFC defeat at the hands of Shavkat Rakhmonov in December 2024.

Muhammad, meanwhile, lost his title to Jack Della Maddalena in May and will be looking to re-establish himself in the title picture with a win over Garry.

The outcome of the bout could set up a future meeting with the winner of Della Maddalena’s first title defence against Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 later in November. Makhachev, who recently vacated his lightweight belt to move up in weight, is eyeing a second championship run in a new division.

In the main event in Qatar, Armenia’s Arman Tsarukyan will square off against New Zealand’s Dan Hooker in a lightweight clash.

Tsarukyan makes his return after withdrawing from a scheduled title fight with Makhachev in January, while Hooker is set to compete for the first time since August 2024 following a long spell out with hand injuries.

The card also carries wider implications for the lightweight division, with Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett closing in on a potential title shot.

Pimblett, 30, is seen as one of the frontrunners alongside American Justin Gaethje to challenge newly crowned champion Ilia Topuria.

However, the UFC could also choose to pair Topuria with Max Holloway, who is coming off a statement win over Dustin Poirier in July.