Category: Daily Guide Network

ASANTE KOTOKO kept their flawless start to the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup alive with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nigeria’s Kwara United in Abeokuta on Sunday.

The Porcupine Warriors travelled with a narrow 4-3 advantage from the first leg in Accra and produced a disciplined performance to finish the tie on top.

After a tense first half with few clear chances, striker Hubert Gyau broke the deadlock, netting the decisive goal that sealed a 5-3 aggregate win for the Ghana Premier League side.

The victory books Kotoko a second-round showdown with Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club, setting up what promises to be one of the competition’s most exciting fixtures.

The clash will pit Karim Zito’s side against one of Africa’s most seasoned continental campaigners.

For head coach Zito, the result added to a remarkable personal record. The former Dreams FC manager is now unbeaten in eight away matches in the Confederation Cup, underlining both his tactical acumen and Kotoko’s growing resilience on the road.

THE ASSISTANT Headmaster of KNUST Senior High School (SHS) in Kumasi, Charles Akwasi Aidoo, has been sacked from office with immediate effect, following a viral video where he was surprisingly seen fondling the breast of a female student of the school on campus.

The Ghana Education Service (GES), in a statement, has expressed gross concern over the video, stating that the content in the video called for the removal of the assistant headmaster to pave way for thorough investigations to be carried out.

‘The attention of the Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) was drawn to a viral video circulating on social media allegedly involving Mr. Charles Akwasi Aidoo, the Assistant Headmaster (Academic) of the KNUST Senior High School, in a compromised position with a female student.

‘Management views this matter with utmost seriousness. In line with our commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the teaching profession and ensuring the safety and welfare of students under our care, Mr. Aidoo has already been removed from the office, and prohibited from going to school while thorough investigations are being carried out,’ the GES statement said.

Viral Video

In the viral video which lasted few seconds, the female student in question, who was dressed in her school uniform, was seen comfortably sitting on the lap of the assistant headmaster as they were caressing each other in a romantic manner.

Mr. Aidoo, whose face depicted a person who was in an enjoyable mood, was captured fondling the small breast of the student (name withheld for obvious reasons) in a place that looks like the assistant headmaster’s office.

Interestingly, the female student seemed to be enjoying how the assistant headmaster was fondling her breast. She even kissed the forehead of Mr. Aidoo, in a clear approval of how he had fondled her breast.

Information making the rounds indicated that the female student recorded the video on her mobile phone and it somehow leaked on social media, sparking public outrage and debate about the safety of students in schools.

GES Reaction

Meanwhile, the GES, in its statement, assured the public that they would not sweep the sensitive issue under the carpet, saying that they would thoroughly investigate the matter and apply the appropriate sanctions if it becomes necessary.

‘Management assures the general public, stakeholders, parents and students that due process will be followed, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with the code of conduct of the Ghana Education Service.

‘The GES remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and child protection in all our schools. We strongly condemn any acts that compromise the safety, dignity and wellbeing of students,’ the statement added.

PRESIDENT OF VICTORY Club Warriors, Kuuku Bartels, has been retained as Chairman of the U19 Boys Management Committee, a decision that underscores the Ghana Football Association’s commitment to continuity and experienced leadership in youth football.

Bartels is widely recognised for his proactive approach to football administration in Ghana. Over the years, he has played a key role in advancing youth development initiatives and creating pathways for promising young players across the country.

He will be deputised by Enoch Agyare Addo, Administrative Manager of Dreams FC, who has earned a strong reputation in Ghanaian football for his sharp managerial skills and unwavering dedication to nurturing young talent.

The committee also includes Kwadwo Ohene, Haruna Suale, and Zulyadaini Bawa. Suale, currently Team Manager of Steadfast FC, and Bawa, President of Techiman Liberty FC, bring extensive experience and expertise to the group, strengthening its capacity to deliver on its mandate.

The U19 Boys Management Committee is tasked with scouting, grooming, and managing emerging footballers while overseeing competitions and development programs at the U19 level.

Its work forms part of the GFA’s broader strategy to sustain Ghana’s reputation as a breeding ground for football excellence.

Across Africa, women-led businesses face well-documented barriers that hinder their growth and access to finance. Many women cannot use land, property, or significant assets as collateral because they do not own them. Instead, they often rely on informal financial services, such as savings groups. Distrust of banks, sometimes stemming from past experiences or limited financial literacy, further restricts access. Household responsibilities, including childcare and caring for dependents, mean many women have fewer resources to save or reinvest in their businesses.

Additionally, gender norms and restrictions on decision-making and mobility create further obstacles. In Northern and Western Africa, especially in Tunisia, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, Advans is exploring ways to bridge these gaps. By using tailored product design, forming partnerships with trusted local networks, and conducting rigorous testing, Advans is learning how to make financial services both accessible and user-friendly for women.

Entrepreneurs need financing to grow, and most of these businesses are viable but remain vulnerable without formal financial systems in place. The risks are even greater in agriculture, where climate shocks and market volatility disproportionately impact women. According to CGAP, women farmers have less access to finance, adaptation tools, and risk management resources than men.

In Tunisia, Advans Tunisie introduced El Beya, a loan designed specifically for women. Ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 TND (about pound 300-pound 3,000), the loans feature lower fees and more flexible collateral requirements. After two loan cycles, women can borrow larger amounts without providing collateral. A follow-up study in June 2025 showed that 82% of female clients increased their income, 39% spent more on education, and 13% created jobs.

In Ghana, the AdvansHer programme offers women entrepreneurs personalised coaching in social media promotion, practical bookkeeping, and business structuring. Over 100 women-led SMEs have participated since its launch, supported by the Development Bank of Ghana. The institution also launched a school-fee savings feature called EduSave specifically targeted at women.

Vicentia Ananepia, a fashion entrepreneur in Ghana, recalls the moment she nearly lost a shipment. In her early days, her husband helped her with the capital to start her business. But when serious obstacles arose, she had to find her own solution. ‘One day, my goods arrived from China, and I had no money to go and claim them,’ she explains in her testimonial. ‘So, I went through Advans. They lent me money to pay my bills, and I brought the goods to market.’ That shipment supported her business and helped it grow. Today, she owns three shops. ‘As a woman, I’m proud of myself because it’s not easy for a woman to work as a trader.’

Advans’ models are not driven by lending; they are enabling businesses, which include providing financing. Côte d’Ivoire serves as another example: Advans has developed savings and lending products for rural women through Village Savings And Loan Associations (VSLAs) and cooperatives, especially in cocoa-growing areas.

Beyond Côte d’Ivoire, the results across the Advans group are tangible: the network now serves over 240,000 women, including more than 26,000 female borrowers. Women account for 35% of all depositors across its network.

Kenya illustrates what inclusive finance can achieve at scale. By 2024, widespread mobile money adoption had narrowed the gender gap in financial access to just 1.6%, compared to persistent gaps of 12 percentage points in Sub-Saharan Africa and 15 in the Middle East and North Africa, according to the World Bank’s 2025 Global Findex.

The lesson is clear: inclusion isn’t about simplifying mainstream products but about rethinking design. Financial tools must reflect how women live, earn, and plan. A 2023 IMF gender note highlighted that when women access well-designed financial services, the benefits spread outward, supporting family welfare, boosting economic resilience, and building human capital.

At Advans, we observe this firsthand. Whether through El Beya in Tunisia, AdvansHer in Ghana, or VSLA-linked savings and lending in Côte d’Ivoire, women adopt services more quickly and report stronger outcomes when products are designed with their realities in mind. It’s not a matter of lowering barriers, but of tailoring solutions to women’s realities.