Category: Daily Guide Network

Residents of Ho have strongly rejected proposed utility tariff hikes, voicing frustration over what they describe as persistent poor services from electricity and water providers.

This came to light during the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s (PURC) Public Hearing on the 2025-2030 Multi-Year Tariff Review, held at the GNAT Hall in Ho.

The hearing formed part of PURC’s nationwide engagements to gather public views before finalising new tariffs for electricity and water supply across the country.

At the session, citizens lamented that service providers such as the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Ghana Water Limited (GWL) have consistently failed to deliver reliable services, yet continue to push for steep tariff increments. Some participants complained that entire households and communities either do not receive regular water and electricity supply or suffer frequent power cuts and poor water flow.

‘It is unfair to burden consumers with higher tariffs when service delivery remains unreliable,’ Frank Lawoe, a fashion designer noted, reflecting the general sentiment of the gathering.

According to proposals presented at the forum, ECG is demanding a 225% increase, GWL is seeking a 280% adjustment, while the Volta River Authority (VRA) is pushing for a 59% increment. The announcements were met with visible disapproval from the public, who insisted that utility providers should first improve efficiency, ensure stable supply, and resolve longstanding customer concerns before requesting higher payments from already burdened consumers.

Chairperson of the PURC Stakeholder Committee, Nana Yaa Jantuah, clarified that the figures presented are only proposals and not yet approved tariffs. She explained that the Commission will consider technical factors such as crude oil prices, exchange rates, and inflation, alongside public feedback, before making a final decision.

She further assured that PURC will no longer approve tariffs without attaching strict Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), stressing that ECG and the Ghana Water Limited will be held accountable for service delivery.

A major issue raised during the Ho Public Hearing was the destruction of electricity poles by bushfires, which ECG says costs the company over GHS560,000 annually and disrupts power supply.

Madam Jantuah urged communities to stop bush burning practices, noting that the environmental and utility costs far outweigh any short-term economic benefits.

She added that PURC would intensify public education on energy conservation and environmental protection, while ensuring both utility providers and consumers who flout regulations face sanctions.

The hearings, which have already been held in Kumasi and Koforidua, will continue in other regions as part of efforts to strike a balance between economic realities, consumer protection, and the financial sustainability of utility providers.

The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has approved a budget of $1,120,000 to support the Black Stars in their final two matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Ghana will face the Central African Republic (CAR) and Comoros next month as they aim to secure a spot at the global showpiece.

The team opens against CAR on October 8 in Casablanca, Morocco, before returning home to host Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Addressing the press on Monday, September 29, Sports Ministry spokesperson Kofi Adams confirmed that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) submitted its budget on September 18, which was subsequently forwarded to the Office of the President for approval the next day.

‘The FA submitted a budget within an acceptable range, and the Ministry did not need to add any comments,’ Adams explained. ‘The two-match engagement carries a total estimated cost of $1.12 million-$733,000 for the away game in Casablanca and $387,000 for the home fixture in Accra.’

The approved funding is expected to cover all expenses for the qualifiers as the Black Stars bid to confirm their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Acting Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has urged judges in Ghana to approach cases involving illegal mining, known in local parlance as galamsey and drug trafficking with a sense of urgency, as a way of combating the growing menace.

According to him, the devastation caused to the environment and the nation are huge and the Judiciary must play its role in eradicating the canker.

‘As members of the Judiciary, we are not policy makers and we do not wield the enforcement powers of the executive. Yet our constitutional role is neither passive nor peripheral. We are the guardians of justice, custodians of the law, and interpreters of the nation’s conscience,’ Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said.

He was speaking at the 44th Annual Meeting of the Association of Magistrates and Judges Association of Ghana yesterday. It was under the theme ‘Leveraging Technology to Enhance Justice Delivery’.

The Acting Chief Justice indicated that the Judiciary’s responsibilities in confronting the challenges of illegal mining and drug trafficking include upholding the law, nothing that ‘we must ensure that prosecutions related to illegal mining and drug trafficking and abuse are handled with seriousness, impartiality, and urgency. And I mean urgency.’

He said where there is evidence, the law must be applied without fear or favour, emphasising that ‘no person, and I mean no person, regardless of their political affiliation or social status, should be immune from justice.’

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie also highlighted what he described as ‘a growing public perception’ that sentences for environmental crimes and drug offences are either too lenient or inconsistently applied.

‘We must work towards harmonising sentencing practices to ensure propriety, deterrence, and fairness. We must fiercely guard our independence from external pressures, be they political, commercial, or social,’ he added.

President of the AMJG, Justice Henry Anthony Kwofie, highlighted some of the challenges facing the Judiciary, particularly infrastructural facilities and welfare packages for judges and magistrates.

He pointed out that even when the Judiciary’s budgetary allocation has been approved and allocations made, getting it released then becomes the problem.

‘It suffices to say that facilities for the performance of functions of the Judiciary are released, given to us as if we don’t deserve it,’ he said.

He also stated that compensation packages for judges, including allowances, medical bills, and others are not paid on time, a situation which is affecting judges and magistrates who do not have any other source of income.

He called on the Ministry of Finance to at least expedite action on the financial packages for the Judiciary to address the challenges.

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, assured the gathering that he will to work ‘assiduously’ with his deputy to ensure that the challenges confronting the Judiciary are a thing of the past.

He urged judges and magistrates to bear the solemn duty of ensuring that technology supports rather than supplants judicial reasoning.

‘To this end, it is imperative to establish a clear regulatory framework to guide the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our courts, one that safeguards accuracy, integrity, and public trust in the administration of justice,’ he suggested.

A NUMBER of TikTokers have applauded members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament for their thorough investigation of some public servants in government agencies in recent times.

A video excerpt of the PAC sitting to scrutinise the audited accounts of some government institutions have sparked conversations on social media.

In its recent sitting, PAC raised serious concerns about financial irregularities at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), after the latest Auditor-General’s report revealed the payment of unearned salaries amounting to GHS1,449,000 to a deceased staff member for 26 months.

This made TikTok sensation, Prisy1, to question the nature of corruption embed in state institutions, hence commending PAC for their investigations into the audited accounts of government agencies and public servants.

‘Tamale Teaching Hospital what a shame, what a disgrace, 26 good months of paying a dead person, and there are newly posted teachers who for 13 good months are not been paid, I saw it on Twitter (X) that they are demonstrating to be paid for 13 good months.

‘Public Accounts Committee, I commend you for the good work. You have done so well, I’m urging the committee to take a second look at other institutions, because there are other places you are to also look at where corruption is ongoing. Scrutinise them and bring them to book,’ she stated.

Similarly, another TikToker, Quecy Official, commented on the directive by the PAC to recover over GHS17,000 in physically challenged allowance wrongly paid to an able-bodied teacher.

He said, ‘The Public Accounts Committee audit is a step in the right direction; you need to continue with it. If we are able to name and shame, Ghana will be a better place for us all. How can you wrongfully pay GHS17,000 to someone who is not disabled? So you can imagine how many people are receiving salaries who are not working.’

The year-on-year inflation for September 2025 has dropped significantly, falling from 11.5 percent in August to 9.4 percent.

According to the Ghana Statistical Service, the decline reflects a shift in price dynamics and signals that the country is firmly on the path to macroeconomic stability.

Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, explained that the downward trend shows that the pressures which had been driving inflation in recent months are easing.

Food inflation recorded a decline from 14.8 percent in August to 11.0 percent in September.

Non-food inflation also dropped slightly, from 8.7 percent in August to 8.2 percent in September.

Inflation for locally produced items fell from 12.2 percent in August to 10.1 percent in September, while imported items declined from 9.5 percent to 7.4 percent over the same period.

Regionally, the North East Region registered the highest inflation rate at 20.1 percent, more than double the national average, while the Bono East Region recorded the lowest rate at just 1.2 percent.

Fifteen (15) Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Eastern Region on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have strongly dismissed claims made by Dr. Bryan Acheampong suggesting that they privately apologised to him after endorsing former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the most capable candidate for the party’s flagbearership.

In a statement issued and signed by the MPs on Tuesday, September 30, they described the claims as false, divisive, and damaging to party unity.

‘There is absolutely no truth in Hon. Bryan Acheampong’s assertion that some of us privately called him after our press conference to downplay our declaration,’ the MPs said.

‘We challenge him, in the spirit of truth and accountability, to publicly name the MPs he alleges contacted him. Until he does so, his claim remains nothing but a fabrication intended to discredit our genuine and resolute support for Dr. Bawumia,’ the statement noted.

The MPs listed include Nana Ampaw Kwame Addo Frempong, Kingsley Agyemang, Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, Sammi Awuku, Ida Adjoa Asiedu, Kwame Appiah Kodua, Laurette Korkor Asante, and Duke Ofori-Atta.

The others are Alexander Agyare, Michael Okyere Baafi, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, and Charles Asuako Owiredu.

They accused Dr. Acheampong and his campaign team of deliberately spreading falsehoods to create disaffection within the constituencies.

According to them, threats had earlier been issued by his team that MPs who failed to support his candidature would face sabotage in their constituencies.

The statement further dismissed claims that campaign funds for the 2024 elections in the Eastern Region came from Dr. Acheampong’s personal resources.

The MPs explained that the funds were contributions from party financiers and businessmen supporting Dr. Bawumia’s campaign, which Dr. Acheampong only facilitated as Regional Campaign Coordinator.

‘This is a calculated attempt to sow division among the rank and file of the party. For the avoidance of doubt: campaign funds disbursed in the Eastern Region during the 2024 elections did not come from the personal resources of Hon. Bryan Acheampong,’ the statement added.

The MPs explained that the funds had specific instructions attached and were not intended for direct payments to polling station executives.

They noted that, in many cases, they had to supplement campaign expenses with their own resources due to discrepancies between what was promised and what was received.

‘It is therefore misleading and self-serving for Hon. Bryan Acheampong to now portray himself as the personal benefactor of the Eastern Region campaign effort,’ they stated, calling for transparency from the central campaign leadership on the actual disbursement.

The group reaffirmed their commitment to Dr. Bawumia’s candidacy and urged Dr. Acheampong to immediately retract what they described as ‘baseless and divisive’ allegations.

‘We, the undersigned Eastern Regional MPs, remain firm, united, and unwavering in our support for Dr. Bawumia,’ the statement concluded.

Singer Cassie Ventura says she fears for her life as her ex-boyfriend, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, awaits sentencing this week.

In a victim impact statement submitted to court, Cassie revealed she moved her family out of New York because she believes Combs could seek revenge if he is released.

‘I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution towards me and others who spoke up,’ she wrote.

Cassie, the government’s key witness, testified during the trial that the hip-hop mogul abused her throughout their 11-year relationship, forcing her into drug-fuelled sex parties. She described the experience as leaving her with ‘tremendous emotional pain.’

Combs was convicted in July on two counts of transporting for prostitution involving Cassie and another ex-girlfriend, though he was cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

Prosecutors are asking for an 11-year sentence, while Combs’ defence team is pushing for just 14 months, citing time already served and claiming he has changed.

Cassie, however, disputes that claim, insisting in her letter: ‘He has no interest in changing or becoming better. He will always be the same cruel, power-hungry, manipulative man that he is.’

The judge is expected to deliver the sentence later this week.

French tennis star Gaël Monfils has announced that he will retire at the end of the 2026 season, bringing an end to a 21-year professional career marked by flair, athleticism, and unforgettable entertainment on court.

The 39-year-old has won 13 ATP Tour titles, most recently making history as the oldest champion on tour when he lifted the Auckland Open trophy in January 2025 at 38 years and four months.

Currently ranked world number 53, Monfils has struggled with recurring injuries in recent years, including an ankle problem that forced him to withdraw from the Chengdu Open earlier this month.

Reflecting on his career, Monfils expressed gratitude for having competed in tennis’ most celebrated era.

‘Life is too short. Believe me when I say that I have no regrets,’ Monfils wrote on Instagram. ‘What I do have is the feeling that I have been lucky: insanely, stupidly lucky. I’ve had the chance to play during a golden age of tennis, alongside Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray. The opportunity to turn my passion into a profession is a privilege I have cherished during every match and moment.’

Monfils’ peak came in the mid-2010s, highlighted by reaching a career-high world ranking of No. 6 in 2016 after a run to the US Open semi-finals, where he fell to Novak Djokovic. He also reached the last four at Roland Garros in 2008, losing to Roger Federer.

Although he never captured a Grand Slam title, Monfils remained a crowd favourite for his acrobatics, charisma, and fearless shot-making. His career featured standout wins, including a shock victory over world number one Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 Cincinnati Open.

Monfils acknowledged the dominance of tennis’ rising generation, led by Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have won nine of the last 10 majors.

‘While I came close, I never did win a Grand Slam during my career. I won’t pretend that I expect to do so during the next year. But an exciting new generation is already here, and I hope they’ll enjoy their time on court as much as I have for the last two decades.’

The Frenchman’s retirement will mark the end of one of tennis’ most entertaining chapters, defined by his athletic brilliance and enduring connection with fans worldwide.

Two suspected military personnel who allegedly hatched a plan, together with some civilians to rob a mining company, have been arrested.

The alleged military men and two of the civilians were arrested by the Prestea Police, who are under the Western Central Police Command in the Western Region.

The suspects attempted to rob LongShine Mining Company Limited located at Obuohu, a suburb of Prestea in the region.

They were reported to have stormed the mining site on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at about 10:30pm, to allegedly carry out their nefarious activity.

They first subjected the security guards of the company to some beatings before asking the guards to lead them to the company’s gold room.

However, some of the security guards managed to call the police and informed them about the incident.

The police rushed to the scene and were able to arrest the suspects, including the two men in military uniform.

Information gathered indicated that the suspects were six, but two civilians managed to escape.

The remaining four were arrested and a rented brand new Toyota pickup with registration number GN6116-25, which the suspects used for their operation, was confiscated by the police.

Gideon Ofori, a Tailing Officer (T.O) at LongShine Mining, who confirmed the incident, said initially the suspects, including the men in military uniform, claimed they came from Accra.

He said some of the civilians who were wearing masks, also indicated that they were from the National Security.

According to him, after some of the suspects ordered the company’s security guards to lead them to the gold room, ‘We suspected the men were there for a different mission, and some of us managed to call the Prestea Police.’

Sources disclosed that the suspects were later transferred to the headquarters of the Western Central Police Command in Tarkwa for further investigations.

The Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has pledged that during his tenure as minister, he will ensure that the Institute of Public Relations (IPR) Bill is passed into law.

He made this assertion during the PR knowledge-sharing conference in Accra on October 1, 2025.

‘Under my leadership as minister, we will ensure that the IPR Bill is passed into law. I can confirm that substantial work has been done regarding the passage of the bill. It is currently with the Attorney General, who is studying it, and will, in due course, make appropriate recommendations for us to move the process forward,’ he said.

According to him, bringing together professionals from across the world is a reminder that effective communication is essential and should be rooted in the principles of truth, trust, and professionalism.

‘By bringing together professionals from across our continent and beyond, you remind us that communication has two bodies. And that the principles of true communications, has no borders, and that’s the principles of truth, trust, and professionalism are universal,’ he stated.

He added that despite the ever changing landscape of our current dispensation, where technology is rewriting the rules, geopolitical shifts are redefining alliances, and environmental and social challenges are demanding new approaches, the world’s reliance on communicators and public relations professionals to navigate uncertainty, build bridges, and drive positive change has remained the same.

‘We are living through an extraordinary period of change. Technology is writing the rules of engagement, geopolitical shifts are redefining alliances and priorities, and environmental and social challenges are demanding new approaches to problem-solving. In all of this, one thing remains constant. The world looks to communicators and public relations professionals to help navigate uncertainty, bridge gaps, and inspire collective action,’ he stressed.

The Director and Global Head of Trust and Safety for Wikimedia, Jan Eissfeldt, disclosed that, ‘In the current way we train artificial intelligence foundational models, right, stacked up, middle-aged white dudes, most of the context that’s relevant to Africa is mostly invisible because the data is not accessible on the internet to view.’

‘Communications professionals have a vital role in making African contacts and African problems in African solutions, most importantly, actually visible to the training of these foreign models,’ he added.