Category: Daily Guide Network

Medeama SC reclaimed the summit of the Ghana Premier League on Sunday, November 16, 2025, after grinding out a crucial 2-1 victory away to bottom-placed Eleven Wonders, capping off a matchday filled with tight contests, late twists and shifting fortunes across the table.

Former champions Medeama took the lead through Godknows Dzakpasu, but the hosts hit back when Daniel Lomotey – who had earlier missed a penalty – levelled the score.

With Wonders still searching for their first win of the season, Nana Kofi Babil delivered the decisive moment, calmly slotting home to restore Medeama’s lead and keep their title chase on course.

In Kpando, Heart of Lions continued their impressive resurgence, extending their unbeaten run to four games with a 2-0 win over Young Apostles. Michael Ephson struck first before an Issah Nyaabila own goal sealed the victory, lifting Lions into the league’s upper tier.

Bechem United also climbed upward, moving out of the relegation zone after a 2-0 win over FC Samartex powered by an Emmanuel Abban brace. At the Golden City Park, Berekum Chelsea edged Nations FC 2-1, with goals from Shaibu Fuseini and Marvin Owusu cancelling out Samuel Tetteh’s effort for the visitors.

Dreams FC maintained their flawless home record with a slender 1-0 victory over Hohoe United at the Tuba AstroTurf. Jonathan Nemorden provided the match’s only goal, reinforcing the Still Believe lads’ strong form on home soil.

Defending champions Bibiani GoldStars kept themselves in the title frame after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Karela United, secured by a composed strike from Burkinabe midfielder Razack Sanou.

But the day’s most dramatic scene unfolded at the AAK Sports Arena, where Basake Holy Stars staged a spirited comeback to secure a 2-2 draw with Vision FC.

After Prince Tweneboah put Holy Stars ahead, quick goals from Abdul Sumaila and Sherif Mohammed Iddrisu turned the game around for Vision.

With defeat looming, Bismark Tey produced a stunning 96th-minute equalizer to send the home fans into a frenzy.

At the Baba Yara Stadium, Asante Kotoko and Aduana FC cancelled each other out in a tense 1-1 draw.

Emmanuel Marfo gave Aduana an early advantage before Lord Amoah restored parity just before the break – a result that keeps both clubs in touch with the top but unable to surpass Medeama.

Matchday 10 ends with Medeama back on top, Heart of Lions surging, and Eleven Wonders rooted to the bottom, as the competition tightens at both ends of the table.

Captain Planet, a member of the now-defunct hiplife group, 4×4, has voiced strong concerns over what he describes as ‘indecent’ and ‘obscene’ outfits worn by some young women at this year’s Tidal Rave festival.

In a post shared on X shortly after the event, the musician expressed shock at the fashion choices he observed.

‘I just dey see some dressings from yesterday’s Tidal Rave. Chaley, some of these small small girls-I don’t know whether them be models or pornstars. What the hell is happening in Ghana?’ he wrote in pidgin.

Doubling down on his critique, he questioned whether such outfits would be acceptable under different circumstances, adding:

‘So you go allow your sister to dress like this outside? You’re comparing Ghana to America?’

His remarks have since sparked conversation online.

The High Commissions of the United Kingdom (UK), Australia and Canada in Ghana are embarking on a one-week public awareness campaign as they take steps to tackle increasing cases of visa fraud in the country.

The initiative forms part of a wider global effort led by UK Visas and Immigration, and supported by partner countries including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

The campaign, which coincides with International Fraud Awareness Week – November 16-22, 2025, seeks to educate the public on the dangers of visa scams, promote safe application practices, and encourage the use of official government channels.

As part of the campaign, the three nations are committed to protecting genuine applicants and ensuring that visa processes remain transparent, secure, and accessible to all Ghanaians.

In a statement, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr. Christian Rogg, revealed that in 2024 alone, 1,632 applicants from Ghana used fraudulent means when applying for UK visit visas.

‘While that represents only 4% of all Ghanaian applicants, it is still far too many people misled by agents into taking an action that resulted in a 10-year visa ban. Fraud is never worth the risk,’ he added.

Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Berenice Owen-Jones, on her part, said Australia is proud to stand with ‘our international partners to combat visa fraud.’

She said the campaign ‘sends a clear message – if you are applying for a visa, always use trusted, official sources and beware of anyone promising shortcuts or guaranteed results.’

On her part, Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Myriam Montrat, noted that Canada remains firmly committed to promoting safe, orderly and regular migration, indicating that ‘we are taking decisive steps to stop fraudulent practices that put applicants at risk.’

‘We are proud to collaborate on the ‘Fighting Visa Fraud Together’ campaign with Australia and the United Kingdom, reflecting our shared commitment to protect applicants, strengthen the integrity of our immigration systems, and ensure that people have access to accurate, reliable and trustworthy information,’ she added.

Throughout the campaign, the High Commissions will share educational content across social media platforms. The public is encouraged to follow the campaign using the hashtag #AUSCANUKGH.

President John Mahama yesterday swore in Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Ghana’s Chief Justice, becoming the 16th person to occupy the highest office in the Judiciary.

The swearing-in ceremony, which took place at the Presidency, followed Parliament’s approval last Thursday, November 13, 2025.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was nominated by the President on September 23, 2025, following the removal of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office as the Chief Justice on the recommendation of the Justice Gabriel Pwamang Committee that determined a petition against her.

His nomination, vetting and approval were not without controversy, with the Minority in Parliament walking out during the vetting and also voting against his approval.

He was eventually approved by 163 votes in his favour and 69 against, leading to his swearing-in yesterday.

President Mahama, in an address, reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding the independence of the Judiciary, noting it is a constitutional necessity.

‘The strength of our democracy depends on the delicate yet essential balance of powers among the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. Today as President, I pledge my unwavering commitment to the independence of the Judiciary,’ he said.

The President urged the new Chief Justice to ensure that justice delivery in the country is not tilted in favour of the rich, but rather must be applied equally to all, irrespective of wealth, creed or association.

‘I trust that under your stewardship, the Judiciary will [ensure] the protection of human rights and civil liberties and that the Judiciary will ensure that justice is not tilted in favour of the wealthy or powerful,’ the President said.

President Mahama also urged the Chief Justice to empower specialised courts and divisions to deal effectively with issues such as environmental protection, commercial disputes, corruption, land disputes and family welfare.

He further called on the Chief Justice to promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in the court systems, especially in dealing with community and family-related matters.

‘Justice must not be an abstract principle confined to law books. It must be seen, felt, and experienced in the daily life of our people,’ the President urged.

The President also urged the Chief Justice to strengthen the Judicial Training Institute to make it a centre of excellence for continuing legal education, to ensure that members of the Judiciary remain well-equipped to deliver justice efficiently and impartially.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, on his part, reiterated the need for the Judiciary to remain independent and free from political control.

‘Our Judiciary must be independent, impartial, and accessible. It must not serve the powerful or the connected at the expense of the weak and the vulnerable. It must resist any incursions on its freedoms but also embrace accountability, transparency, and continuous reform,’ he said.

He pledged to uphold the rule of law and respect the separation of powers as Ghana’s Chief Justice.

‘Mr. President, in accepting this office, I give my solemn word that I will uphold the rule of law. Respect the separation of powers and protect the Constitution. I will respect the independence of every judge and ensure that the Judiciary remains free from improper influence. I will also insist on accountability,’ he stated.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was born on December 26, 1956 and was called to the Bar in 1981. He worked as a Circuit Court judge in Kumasi and served as a High Court judge at Duayaw Nkwanta.

He was later appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2006 and subsequently appointed to the Supreme Court in June 2008 by former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

Prior to 1992, he worked as a Principal Inspector of Taxes, and Head of Legal Eastern and Volta Regions at the IRS.

He would serve as substantive Chief Justice for just a little over a year, as he would attain the mandatory retirement age of 70 on December 26, 2026.

Arsenal defender Gabriel has been ruled out of Brazil’s friendly against Tunisia in France after scans confirmed he suffered a thigh injury during the Seleção’s 3-1 win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The 27-year-old, who was substituted after picking up the knock, will remain in London for treatment and will not join his national teammates in Lille for Tuesday’s match.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed his disappointment after the game, saying: ‘We are really sorry for this, really disappointed. When a player has an injury, you hope they can recover well and soon.’

Gabriel has been instrumental in Arsenal’s impressive start to the Premier League season, anchoring a defence that has conceded just five goals in 11 matches as the Gunners sit at the top of the table.

His injury presents a major concern for Mikel Arteta ahead of a crucial run of fixtures. Arsenal face rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby on 23 November, before hosting Bayern Munich in a key Champions League clash the following Wednesday.

The President of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), Joseph Obeng, has kicked against the government’s new VAT restructuring, warning it will create severe distortions in the retail market.

Speaking on Asaase Radio, Mr. Obeng said the policy will undermine the very compliance it seeks to achieve, while dismissing suggestions that traders will automatically reduce prices because of the VAT rationalisation.

He warned that the new threshold and rate changes could trigger unfair competition and discourage compliance.

According to him, the shift from a 4% flat rate to the standard 20% VAT will significantly increase operating costs for many traders – especially since the government has raised the exemption threshold from GHS200,000 to GHS750,000 annual turnover.

‘What this means is that some traders in the same market space will not pay VAT at all, while others will be forced to charge 20%,’ he said. ‘Taxes should not be discriminatory. You cannot have people selling the same goods in the same vicinity, with some charging VAT and others completely exempt.’

He said that consumers, being rational, will naturally purchase from VAT-exempt traders, leaving VAT-registered sellers ‘victimised’ and unable to compete.

‘The consumer has discretion. If you go to a place where VAT isn’t charged, you’ll get cheaper prices. So those who must charge VAT will lose customers,’ he noted.

Mr. Obeng argued that the government should have been ‘bold enough’ to apply the modified tax system universally across the informal sector instead of creating a split market where some traders pay a 30% turnover tax at year-end while others face the full VAT regime.

He added that the new threshold also incentivises under-reporting.

‘A person selling GHS2,500 a day must pay VAT, but someone selling GHS2,200 is exempt. People will manipulate figures just to remain below the threshold. This will make compliance impossible,’ he said.

Touching on the government’s plans to fight under-invoicing through digitised customs systems and artificial intelligence (AI), the GUTA president insisted that without first reducing duty rates, digital enforcement will only lead to mass default and seizure of goods.

‘Why do people under-declare? Because duties are between 55% and 65% of invoice value. If you bring AI without reforming the system, people simply cannot pay,’ he warned.

Some armed men, reportedly dressed in police uniform, stormed the palace of the Paramount Chief of the Kwahu Traditional Council at Abene Palace in the early hours of Monday, November 17, 2025 and abducted the Kwahu Queen Mother, Nana Adwoa Gyamfua III.

Residents who spoke to the media reported having heard gunshots inside the palace before the alleged abduction of the Kwahuhemaa, who was at the palace at the time of the attack at about 4:30 a.m.

A report also indicates that the official Toyota Land Cruiser of the Kwahuhene, Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III was taken during the raid. Tracking information indicates that the vehicle is en route to Accra.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, in a statement, has pledged to sanction armed officers who abducted Nana Adwoa Gyamfua III, if investigation reveals that circumstances surrounding her arrest were wrongfully made.

According to the IGP, following the release of the Queen Mother of Kwahu, he has directed the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the operation.

‘The Kwahu Paramount Chief, Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III, confirmed that several individuals were arrested during the incident. Her absence was only noticed after those arrested had been removed, raising concerns of a possible abduction,’ portions of the statement read.

No Abduction

Meanwhile, the Kwahu Traditional Council has firmly dismissed reports alleging that the Paramount Queen Mother, Nana Adwoa Gyamfuah III, was abducted, describing the claims as ‘completely false.’

In a statement released yesterday, the Council said the rumour was baseless and stressed that the Queen Mother ‘had not been taken away by force.’

It explained that the misunderstanding began after police officers acted on a court order from the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs.

It also alleged in the statement that the interlocutory injunction, dated June 24, 2024, was granted in favour of Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II restraining Baffour Osei Akoto, as Kwahuhene along with the Queen Mother and others, from interfering with Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II’s role and presence at the Abene Palace.

It said the involvement of the Ghana Police Service was aimed solely at maintaining peace and preventing any possible confrontations, emphasising that the incident was not abduction but a lawful enforcement of the court’s directive.

The Council further noted that the Queen Mother does not reside at the Abene Palace, neither do any of the individuals who were allegedly arrested, adding that no abduction took place despite the widespread rumours.

‘The Queen Mother does not reside at the Abene Palace, or do any of the individuals who were arrested and contrary to circulating rumours, no abduction has taken place,’ the statement read.

The statement also alleged that the Queen Mother had been working with certain individuals in an attempt to forcibly seize control of the Abene Palace, and had issued threats intended to disrupt the duties of Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II.

Even before the El Wak recruitment stampede happened, a group of commentators had found in security matters a pastime to offer their opinions.

The media has tagged such persons ‘security experts’; their opinions often politicised and lacking any substance that stands them out as expert submissions.

They have often had field days because the real security experts, many retired persons, shy away from such media commentaries and the accompanying harangues.

Some of the so-called experts have been engaged by sulking retired security persons to run down the new crop of leaders at the helm of the military. They would have wanted to stay put in their appointments; not having their way, they have resorted to the pull-him-down syndrome.

Unfortunately, the world was not created this way. You play your part and depart when your time is up so others too will take over and contribute their quota to national development in varying forms.

In the wake of the recent unfortunate El Wak Sports Stadium stampede, we have observed how the so-called experts have been cruising with their opinions in manners which do not inure to national security.

We do not need to be experts to appreciate the national security implications of undermining the country’s Armed Forces as represented by the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS).

The General who heads the Services; Army, Air Force and Navy needs all the peace to protect the country’s territorial integrity, which he does by ensuring his Service Chiefs carry out their appropriate orders.

Some of these commentators working for former Generals have passed comments which are anything but in the interest of national security.

Those who have exited the military, of course being part of the national reserve, should steer away from fueling comments which can only compromise national security.

Various Directors manage routine processes such as the annual recruitment exercises using laid-down templates. Being human institutions and, therefore, prone to occasional hiccups, when these occur we should be measured in our utterances so these do not puncture national security.

While we sympathise with the families of the six young ladies who lost their lives in the stampede, we would be quick to demand of the Board of Inquiry to do a decent job of unearthing the root causes of the incident.

We wish to salute the CDS, Lt Gen William Agyapong, for his swift empaneling of a board to probe what happened; he needs the support of all Ghanaians at this time, not the proxy interference from retired persons who had the opportunity to alter what they did not find alright. Let them sharap!

We have taken note of the fresh measures announced for the resumption of the screening exercise in the Greater Accra Region.

We have also taken note of the efforts to make the exercise as transparent as possible. This way those who make it through the process will know they did so deservingly and those who do not would not harbour bad blood against the system.

Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, Mr. George Opare Addo, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthen support systems to help reduce youth unemployment as well as create sustainable opportunities for young people.

Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Aburi and Akuapem Adonten during the Odwira festival last Saturday on the theme ‘Our Culture, Our Environment, Our Future’, he said despite remarkable energy and talent exhibited by the youth, they are often overlooked.

That, he explained, has propelled government to introduce several interventions to create jobs for the youth in both formal and informal sectors.

He cited the ‘Adwumawura’ initiative introduced by the government as a key example of interventions that will provide thousands of young people with employment opportunities in construction, agriculture, sanitation, and community services among others.

According to him, the government is also expanding opportunities in agro-processing and value addition, to support communities such as Aburi to transition from primary production to processing, and packaging to export their products.

‘This approach is intended to create more jobs for young people, ensure food security, and transform farming into a profitable and dignified venture for both farmers and new entrants.

‘Together, these interventions represent a comprehensive and deliberate strategy by the government to address youth unemployment at its core. This strategy focuses on widening access to opportunities, modernising skills development, empowering entrepreneurs, and connecting young people to meaningful and productive work,’ he added.

The Chief of Aburi, who is also the Adontenhene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, Otoobour Djan Kwasi II, called on the government to support the redevelopment of the Aburi Botanical Gardens, which he said has been neglected despite years of appeal.

He indicated that the gardens, which once created employable skills for many residents, is now in a deplorable state and, therefore, requires urgent state intervention.

The chief also urged government to improve road infrastructure in Aburi by asphalting the deteriorated roads that connect several communities and link adjoining towns to Koforidua, while appealing to authorities to address some chieftaincy disputes in the Akuapem area rather than relying on security forces who are deployed only during festive periods.

He further advised the youth to refrain from social vices, particularly drug abuse and alcoholism, warning that traditional leadership in the area will intensify discipline and enforce punitive measures against such behaviour.

Municipal Chief Executive for the Akuapem South Municipality, Paul Osae Offei, for his part, appealed to chiefs and stakeholders to help address the numerous land litigation cases in the area.

He also expressed worry over the poor performance of recent Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates, and called for collective efforts involving chiefs, parents, and the Assembly to address the situation.

Member of Parliament (MP) for the Akuapem South Constituency, Lawrencia Adwoa Dziwornu, who urged the youth to take their education seriously in order to achieve their aspirations, further assured the youth in the area of her readiness to provide the needed support to the people of Akuapem South Constituency.

Present at the celebration, which also coincided with the 37th anniversary of the Chief of Aburi and the Adontenhene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, Otoobour Djan Kwasi II, include Minister of Agric, Eric Opoku; Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Gilbert Abeiku Santana; former MP for Akuapem South, O B Amoah and several other chiefs from the Eastern Region.

On November 13, the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, unveiled the 2026 budget before a boisterous Parliament, pledging tax reliefs for businesses, bold industrial policies, 800,000 jobs, and expanded social protection under a disciplined fiscal framework.

Though budgets are an annual ritual, this one feels like a bold blueprint for transformation, not just recovery. But will these ambitious plans move from paper to pavement?

For entrepreneurs like us, Ghana and the broader Africa’s Achilles heel has never been planning; it is always execution.

For decades, we’ve seen brilliant blueprints gather dust while citizens wait for promises to materialise. Throughout the country and continent, roads remain unpaved, factories idle, and social interventions stall, not because of lack of vision, but because of weak follow-through.

This is why Dr. Forson’s generally well-accepted budget must have different results.

More so, the 2026 Budget offers the government a rare chance to reset its economic narrative and it now behooves on every minister, agency head, and public servant to embrace the same urgency and discipline that Dr. Forson and President Mahama have demonstrated.

The positives

Having observed budgets over the years, I find this one to be unapologetically pro-business, pro-jobs, and pro-reform.

Tax reliefs: VAT slashed to 20%, thresholds raised to ease pressure on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) – the backbone of the economy, and the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy scrapped. These measures will inject liquidity into businesses and restore confidence in an economy battered by years of turbulence and sucked by taxes.

Industrial push: The Feed the Industry Programme will link agriculture to manufacturing, ensuring factories run at 70-80% capacity instead of the current 30-40%. Add to that the Oil Palm Development Policy and agro-processing plants for cashew, rice, poultry, and shea could lead to a true industrial renaissance.

Jobs, jobs, jobs: Over 800,000 jobs are targeted for 2026 through infrastructure projects, TVET expansion, and the 24-Hour Economy initiative. Given that many job creation initiatives have been bandied around in the past, it is comforting that allocations are clear, comprising GHS170 million for apprenticeships, GHS110 million for round-the-clock operations, and billions for roads, housing, and energy.

Social protection: Free SHS fully funded, NHIS uncapped, LEAP expanded, and school feeding scaled up. These are not token gestures but structural commitments to inclusion.

Fiscal discipline anchored in law: A primary surplus of 1.5% of GDP is now a statutory requirement. Debt-to-GDP is capped at 45% by 2034/35. Procurement reforms mandate electronic platforms for transparency.

Why Execution King

While these policies are bold, comprehensive and enduring, here’s the caution: plans don’t build roads, bulldozers do and policies don’t create jobs, projects do.

Ghana and Africa’s development graveyard is littered with brilliant strategies that died in the hands of bureaucracy. Ghana cannot afford to repeat that cycle.

The finance minister and President might have done their part by showing resolving and putting together concrete policies in a budget.

But the baton now passes to sector ministers, agency heads, and implementing officers. They must move from PowerPoint to pavement, from press conferences to performance and from plans to actions.

Execution demands three things:

Speed: Delays kill momentum. If procurement bottlenecks stall the Big Push Infrastructure Programme, job targets will evaporate.

Accountability: Every cedi must deliver value. The Compliance League Table introduced by the Finance Ministry is a good start but it must bite. The government should endeavour to rank institutions publicly, reward efficiency and sanction inertia.

Collaboration: Ministries cannot work in silos. Agriculture must talk to Trade. Energy must sync with Industry. Education must align with Labour. Transformation is a team sport, not an individual glory.

Why I Believe

Skeptics will ask: ‘What’s different this time?’ My answer is: ‘track record and tone.’

In less than one year, Mahama’s administration has achieved what many thought impossible: inflation down from 23.8% to 8%, the cedi appreciating by 34%, and public debt slashed from 68.9% to 45% of GDP.

These are real outcomes that affect how much revenue businesses can save and how much more clarity firms have when planning.

Dr. Forson has restored fiscal discipline without strangling growth, renegotiated independent power producers (IPPs) contracts to save US$250 million, and cut cocoa roads debt from GHS21 billion to GHS6 billion. This is evidence of a government that acts in the interest of the people and the public purse.

But leadership at the top is not enough, it is the relevant catalyst.

If ministers and agency heads don’t match this urgency, the reset will stall. Ghana’s future cannot hinge on two men, it must rest on an ecosystem of execution.

Way Forward

This presents the government with a bold: prove the public right.

They need to prove that Ghana can break the cycle of grand plans and poor delivery. They need to again prove that this budget will not be another glossy document filed away in archives.

Therefore, I humbly suggest that:

If you’re a minister, own your targets. Publish quarterly scorecards. Let citizens track progress in real time.

If you’re an agency head, cut the red tape. Move from process obsession to outcome obsession.

If you’re a procurement officer, remember this: every delay is a job denied, every inflated contract is a classroom unfunded and hundreds of mouths and lives deprived of their Bonafide service or good.

It must be stressed that the world is moving faster. Neighboring Côte d’Ivoire is scaling agro-processing. Rwanda is doubling down on digital and leadership. Nigeria is pushing energy reforms.

Ghana cannot afford to lag. It is evident that, the private sector is ready, investors are watching, and the diaspora is again hopeful.

But hope needs proof and that proof comes from execution.