Category: Daily Guide Network

Dancehall act, Stonebwoy’s much talked about album titled, ‘Up and Runnin6’, has made massive achievement, surpassing 20 million streams on Audiomack music streaming app, according to Tune Stat.

Stonebwoy’s sixth studio album, ‘Up and Runnin6’, was released on October 24, 2024, marking his biggest leap yet.

The project blends his signature Afro-Caribbean vibe with Afrobeat, Amapiano, RandB and high-energy dancehall, showcasing 13 tracks that run just over 41 minutes.

The album has hit singles like ‘Jejereje’ (featuring Ginton), the buzz-track that dominated radio and streaming charts.

The album featured artistes such as Wyclef Jean, ODUMODUBLVCK, Duncan Mighty, Jahmiel, 10Tikk, Larruso, Spice, Amaria BB, Blvk H3ro, Kaylan Arnold, Chi Ching Ching, among others.

The album was mastered by production powerhouses such as Samsney, Bijan Amir, Jon P, Dave Nunes, Ginton, Shyne, Streetbeatz, Mix Master Garzy, Young Lee, and Nana Rouges contributed beats.

It will be recalled that during the launch party of the album, it attracted an array of A-list super stars such as Nadia Buari, Nana Ama McBrown, Kwaw Kese, D-Black, Bullgod, and more.

Thematically, the album dives into introspection, spirituality, romance, and empowerment-perfect for fans craving both depth and club-ready energy. Critics have praised its versatility and how Stonebwoy ‘flexes his Afro-Caribbean roots while pushing global boundaries’.

Ambitions for more quality in society spur holistic innovation – by definition, thinking and acting differently to improve life. We must open the windows of the static mimicry of past rituals we sometimes call culture and let in fresh air from science. Science is used here in its broadest and most expansive meaning. Organic cultures breathe; they adapt from learning acquired through lived experience.

Knowledge is the primary productive force, in any serious society. It must impact culture. Culture is behaviour at scale; it cannot be static. Culture is not just simplistically mimicking how our forebears lived, as acts of nostalgia. Culture must embrace new knowledge and adapt; it is not stuck in our genetics as a people. We must retain all beneficial aspects of the cultures of our ancestors – but that which we now have the tools to improve, we must.

The systematically rendered and distilled knowledge from our culture that enriches our study of herbal science, good nutrition, architecture, all the humanities, and our very essence as human societies must be studied and cherished. But we must jettison the unnecessary, if we are to grow.

My grandmother’s home in the village once had kerosene lanterns, out of need – not any fidelity to a particular culture. When electricity came her way, she embraced it and moved on. We are then not practicing African culture if we get stuck with lanterns and reject new knowledge today, simply because once upon a time our ancestors did not have electricity. Everyone else in the world hails from historical antecedents that once did not have electricity too. There is nothing exclusively African about underdevelopment, we must resist the urge to romanticise poverty by calling it indigenous culture.

Our culture can be improved, but we must decide what we want to improve. It is in this way that we have, as an example, embraced the use of mobile phones. We must make culture compatible with all that improves society, by our own definitions. And that is how quality is championed.

In 2025, I repeat my obsessive call to all chiefs in the country: there is no reason – for example – we must still have human borne palanquins. If you insist on being hoisted in the air for whatever reasons of your cosmology, it is unlikely that the gods will reject motorised improvements. Please do this (motorisation of palanquins), as part of the search for quality.

Let us not be under any illusions that championing a quality culture and the reforms required to sustain them in society will be easy. But, if we are permitted to ask, what is good in this world that comes easily? Ousmane Dembele, the charismatic and very deserved winner of football’s 2025 Ballon d’Or, is a source of inspiration in this regard when he says: ‘I’ve had difficult moments, but I never gave up. I kept working, kept believing and now I’m stronger. Every training session is a chance to improve to be sharper, to be stronger.’

The trial of former Chief Executive Officer of National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has been adjourned to December 9, 2025, following the re-assignment of the case to a different court, as a result of the amendment of the charges against the accused persons.

The ‘Criminal Court 3’ was expected to retake the pleas of the accused persons after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) had increased the charges from 29 to 54 charges of extortion and other offences.

But the case had to be adjourned because the docket had been transferred to ‘Criminal Court 4’ presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, which has adjourned the hearing to December 9, 2025.

Charges

The OSP has charged Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and nine (9) others with 54 criminal charges, accusing them of extorting a total of GHS291.574 million and $332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil distributors.

The individuals are Jacob Kwamina Amuah, Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) at NPA; Wendy Newman, a staff of NPA; Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, all Directors of Kel Logistics Limited; Bright Bediako-Mensah, Director of Kel Logistics Limited and Kings Energy Limited as well as Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah, Director of Kings Energy Limited.

The three companies are Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited and Kings Energy Limited.

Another suspect identified as Osei Tutu Adjei, a Director of Kel Logistics Limited, is currently at large.

Meanwhile, an application filed by Dr. Abdul-Hamid asking the court to release his passport to enable him travel to Canada for a programme could also not be heard due to the change in the court and the new date set by the court.

Brief Facts

The OSP says the charges stem from investigations initiated by it in late 2024 into alleged unlawful conduct involving the diversion of public funds and collusion with oil marketing and bulk distribution companies.

The summary of facts indicates that investigations by the OSP show that between 2022 and December 2024, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Jacob Kwamina Amuah and Wendy Newman under the colour of their office as officers of NPA, set up an extortionate scheme by which they unlawfully obtained GHS291,574,087.19 and $332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies, which they knew they were not lawfully authorised to obtain.

It says the scheme was contrived by Abdul-Hamid, who sold the idea of the alleged criminal adventure to Amuah, who also recruited Newman as the primary conduit for receiving the proceeds of the crime.

The fact claims a total of GHS24 million was handed directly by Amuah to Abdul-Hamid between January 2024 and December 2024 – ‘being proceeds of the criminal extortion scheme.’

The government has announced an overhaul of the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime aimed at simplifying the tax system, reducing the cost of doing business, and promoting fairness across the economy.

Presenting the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy in Parliament yesterday, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said the reforms mark a decisive step towards modernising the country’s VAT structure and making it fit for the economic transformation agenda of the nation.

Dr. Forson told Parliament that the new measures fulfil a promise made in the 2025 Budget and Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review to reform the VAT system by removing distortions, addressing cascading effects, strengthening compliance, and supporting business growth.

According to him, months of detailed analysis and consultations with stakeholders have led to the design of a modernised VAT system that will make taxation fairer, simpler, and more efficient.

Under the proposed reforms, government will abolish the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy, eliminate the decoupling of the GETFund and NHIL levies from the VAT tax base to make them eligible for input tax deductions, remove VAT on reconnaissance and prospecting of minerals, and reduce the effective VAT rate from 21.9 percent to 20 percent.

The VAT registration threshold will also be increased from GHS200,000 to GHS750,000 to ease the burden on small and micro enterprises, while the zero-rating on locally manufactured textiles will be extended to December 2028.

Dr. Forson said these measures will collectively return GHS5.7 billion to businesses and households in 2026, with the abolition of the COVID-19 levy alone putting GHS3.7 billion back into the pockets of individuals and firms. He added that allowing input tax deductions for the GETFund and NHIL levies would lower the cost of doing business by about five percent to make the country’s tax environment more competitive.

The minister explained that raising the VAT threshold was long overdue, as inflation had eroded the value of the previous limit set in 2015.

As a result, he said, many small and micro businesses that were previously exempt from VAT registration were compelled to register, increasing both their operational costs and the administrative burden on the Ghana Revenue Authority.

‘The increase will simplify VAT administration, make compliance easier, and free small enterprises from unnecessary paperwork,’ Dr. Forson noted.

On the mining sector, the minister said the removal of VAT on mineral exploration and reconnaissance would help revive investment and stimulate new greenfield projects.

‘For over two decades, VAT on exploration has discouraged investment. Abolishing it will restore investor confidence, promote responsible mining, and reduce the haphazard prospecting that destroys our forests and water bodies,’ he stated.

He further announced the extension of the VAT zero-rating on locally manufactured textiles to 2028 as part of the government’s commitment to supporting the domestic garment industry under the Ghana Textile and Garment Policy.

The policy, he said, will safeguard more than 2,000 direct jobs and stimulate industrial expansion by maintaining fiscal incentives for producers who have shown capacity to grow when supported.

In addition to the policy and legal reforms, Dr. Forson said the government is deploying electronic and digital solutions to improve VAT administration and compliance.

These include the introduction of digital systems to monitor and collect VAT on cross-border transactions conducted on online platforms owned by non-resident entities, the operationalisation of Fiscal Electronic Devices (FEDs) to track taxable transactions, and the launch of a VAT Reward Scheme to encourage consumers to request receipts for their purchases in exchange for participation in a reward promotion.

Dr. Forson emphasised that the new VAT framework is not merely about adjusting tax rates but about transforming the entire system to ensure equity, predictability, and transparency. He said the Ghana Revenue Authority will embark on a nationwide education and awareness campaign to ensure smooth implementation and understanding among taxpayers.

‘This is not just a tax reform. It is a step toward a more just, predictable, and business-friendly economy. It honours our pledge to lighten the load on honest taxpayers while building a stronger, fairer foundation for national development,’ he declared.

The Finance Minister said the reforms are expected to enhance confidence in the fiscal framework, improve efficiency in revenue mobilisation, and support the government’s broader goal of sustainable economic transformation in 2026 and beyond.

The Jehovah Jireh Assemblies of God Church at Adenta Lakeside came alive on Sunday when members celebrated their head pastor, Reverend Dr. Joyce Frimpong, during a colourful Pastors’ Appreciation Day ceremony.

The event, filled with songs of praise, testimonies, and heartfelt tributes, was organised by the congregation to honour the dynamic minister of God for her unwavering dedication, prayer, and leadership over the past 16 years.

Members described Reverend Dr. Joyce Frimpong as a ‘visionary and compassionate shepherd’ who brought the light of God into a community that once lacked strong spiritual direction. Through her evangelistic work, they said, hundreds of lives have been transformed, families restored, and souls won for Christ.

‘We acknowledge your prayers and support for us. You preach the Word to us and lead us in prayer, and this has changed our lives over the years,’ said Madam Gifty Korkor Agyeman during her presentation to the pastor.

Another member, Pastor Joseph Kombat, shared an emotional testimony of how the pastor’s mentorship transformed his life and ministry journey.

‘Since I joined this church, you have transformed my life from a member to a pastor. You encouraged me to attend Bible School, and by God’s grace, I am now a pastor myself,’ he said.

Deacon Frank Asiamah also recounted his own spiritual growth since joining the church, expressing deep gratitude to Reverend Frimpong for her constant prayers and guidance.

Delivering her sermon, Reverend Dr. Joyce Frimpong drew from Acts 9:36-43, which tells the story of Dorcas (Tabitha) – a woman known for her good works and compassion. She urged the congregation to remain steadfast in faith and service, emphasising that trusting in the Lord and supporting His work brings abundant blessings.

‘Dorcas was full of good works and charity. Even after her death, her acts of kindness spoke for her. Let us live lives that will testify of God’s grace and impact others,’ she said.

The Jehovah Jireh Assemblies of God Church has, under Reverend Dr. Frimpong’s leadership, become a beacon of hope at Adenta Lakeside – nurturing faith, promoting community service, and inspiring many to walk in the ways of the Lord.

Parliament has approved the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the new Chief Justice following a heated debate and a contested voting process in the House yesterday.

The approval came after a head count which saw 163 Members of Parliament voting in favour and 69 against, following a challenge by the Minority to the initial voice vote declared by the Speaker.

Deputy Whip of the Minority, Habib Iddrisu, subsequently demanded a division vote, but Speaker Alban Bagbin rejected the request, ruling that ‘a division has been unnecessarily claimed.’

Declaring the outcome, the Speaker stated, ‘This House has accordingly approved the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie in accordance with the Constitution.’

Minority

The debate preceding the vote reflected deep partisan divisions, with the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, expressing strong reservations over the process leading to the nomination.

He argued that the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo had been fraught with constitutional irregularities and unresolved legal challenges.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin said the Minority could not in good conscience endorse the new nominee when ‘critical questions about the constitutional validity and procedural regularity’ of Justice Torkornoo’s removal remained unanswered.

‘The Minority holds the view that there has been inconsistency in the approach to this matter. If care is not taken, this country may not attract the needed investment because of the uncertainty surrounding such constitutional processes,’ he cautioned.

He added that key reports relating to the removal of Justice Torkornoo, including the prima facie findings of the Council of State and the recommendations that informed the President’s decision, had not been made public, undermining transparency and accountability.

‘For purposes of democratic transparency, it would have been proper to publish the report. We are dealing with a matter involving another arm of government, the judiciary, and citizens deserve access to that information,’ he argued.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin further criticised the Attorney General’s handling of ongoing court cases concerning Justice Torkornoo’s removal, accusing him of acting in ‘bad faith’ by failing to file timely responses. He insisted that the Minority’s opposition was based on principle, not politics.

‘We maintain our position. We reject this nomination, and we will demand a secret ballot to register our dissent,’ he declared.

Majority

However, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, countered that Parliament had a constitutional duty to proceed with the approval, noting that ongoing court challenges would not nullify parliamentary processes.

Drawing parallels to past presidential election petitions, Mr. Ayariga said, ‘In 2012 and 2020, despite pending court cases, those declared winners by the Electoral Commission were sworn in. The courts later made their rulings, and the system respected them. The same principle applies here.’

He emphasised that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie had demonstrated humility and readiness to abide by any eventual court ruling in the matter of his predecessor.

‘The Chief Justice nominee has said he is ready to give way should the courts rule otherwise. That’s the essence of rule of law,’ Mr. Ayariga noted.

He also praised the nominee’s credentials, describing him as ’eminently qualified’ under Article 128(4) of the Constitution, with over 30 years of judicial experience and more than a decade on the Supreme Court.

Mr. Ayariga reminded the House that judicial appointments had historically transcended political divides.

‘Under President Atta Mills and President Mahama, both of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, appointed by a New Patriotic Party (NPP) president, served without conflict. That is how constitutional democracy works,’ he said.

Following the debate, the Speaker put the question, leading to the 163-69 outcome that confirmed Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the country’s 15th Chief Justice.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie succeeds Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, whose removal and ongoing legal challenge have generated intense national debate about judicial independence and constitutional procedure.

Renowned Dancehall singer, Samini, has called on fellow acts to redirect their investment in the purchase of luxury cars to buying of lands, to secure their future.

Speaking on Hitz FM on Tuesday, November 12, Samini revealed that one of the best financial decisions he made early in his career was investing in land when his income started growing.

Sharing his experience, Samini said that as a young artiste in his early twenties, he initially spent his earnings on flashy cars until an older mentor, whom he described as an ‘elder Rasta,’ cautioned him about the importance of long-term investments.

‘Anytime I went to see the old man, I was in a different car, and he told me, ‘My youth, you secure. Cars depreciate, but land appreciates,” Samini recounted.

‘You can buy a car today and in ten years it’s worth less, but buy land today and in ten years it could increase a hundredfold.’

He reiterated his advise to upcoming musicians to balance their desire for flashy lifestyles with smart financial planning. While acknowledging that appearance and image are part of an artiste’s brand, he stressed the need for moderation and foresight.

‘Some of the flashy things are good for your branding, but do them in moderation,’ he advised.

‘If you have extra money and don’t know what to do with it, buy land. You’d be surprised how much it appreciates over time,’ he stressed.

Samini added that unlike cars and other short-term assets, land ownership guarantees future stability and growth.

Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwesimintsim in the Western Region, Dr. Prince Hamid Armah, is poised to continue with his projects which were geared towards improving the standard of education in the area.

One of such educational infrastructure is an ultramodern kindergarten (KG) block with ancillary facilities for Adentem-Mpatado community in the constituency.

The facility was commissioned recently and it is currently in active use.

The former MP noted that the move was part of his commitment to improving educational infrastructure and learning outcomes in the Kwesimintsim constituency,

He noted that the twin community, Adientem-Mpatado, which had never benefited from a public basic school, now boasts of the ultramodern KG block.

He said the initiative will enable young learners in the area to access basic education within their own community.

He said he is also addressing the long-standing challenge of school children having to commute long distances to neighbouring communities like Assakae and Anaji to attend primary and junior high schools.

Dr. Armah, a former Executive Secretary of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) said he has initiated the construction of a 14-unit, one-storey primary and junior high school block.

He said the school block will be equipped with ancillary facilities including an ICT laboratory, library, staff rooms, and a 12-seater sanitary facility.

‘The progress of this critical project, after less than a year since commencement, has been remarkable,’ he said.

‘There are high assurances that it will be completed within schedule’, he added.

He indicated that the initiative affirms his steadfast commitment to improving lives and transforming educational narratives in the Kwesimintsim Constituency.

The Manso Nkwanta District Police Command in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region has arrested two individuals suspected to be linked to the death of 28-year-old Yaw Asamoah at Abrense, a farming community in the Atobiase Electoral Area.

The incident, which occurred during a funeral wake-keeping over the weekend, has plunged residents into grief and shock.

Information gathered indicate that the deceased was involved in a heated exchange with some commercial sex workers at a popular drinking spot known as K.K. Spot, after he realised that his GHS1,000 had gone missing.

Eyewitnesses said the argument turned violent after Asamoah accused one of the women of theft and demanded his money back. The confrontation drew a crowd, but the situation eventually calmed down. However, the young man went missing later that night.

Two days later, his body was found in an abandoned mining pit on the outskirts of the community.

The Assembly Member for the Atobiase Electoral Area, Samuel Yeboah, described the incident as deeply disturbing.

‘Yaw was a decent young man and did not deserve to die in such a manner. The community is in pain and we are calling on the police to ensure that those involved face the law,’ he said.

A brother of the deceased, speaking amid tears, also appealed for justice, saying the family was heartbroken and struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

Police sources confirmed that two suspects have been arrested and are assisting in investigations. Statements have been taken from eyewitnesses as part of efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding Asamoah’s death.

The Manso Nkwanta Police Command assured the public that a thorough probe is underway and that justice will not be compromised.

‘We are committed to finding the truth and ensuring that those responsible are dealt with according to the law,’ a police spokesperson stated.

Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been deposited at the morgue for preservation and autopsy as investigations continue.

The shocking development has reignited public concern over increasing insecurity and illegal activities in parts of the Amansie West District, with residents urging the police to intensify patrols and maintain a stronger presence in the area.

Asante Kotoko extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League following a hard-fought goalless draw against Vision FC in an outstanding fixture at the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex in Tema on Wednesday.

Fresh from their 1-0 triumph over rivals Hearts of Oak in the Super Clash, the Porcupine Warriors entered the midweek encounter aiming to build momentum. However, despite a spirited display, they were held by a resilient Vision FC side in an entertaining yet goalless affair.

Both teams created promising chances but failed to find the breakthrough. The draw means Kotoko maintain their steady rise in form, having now gone six matches unbeaten in the league.

The result lifts Asante Kotoko to 7th place on the table with 15 points, and they still have two outstanding fixtures to play, a home clash against Young Apostles on November 19, followed by a trip to face Basake Holy Stars on November 26.

Vision FC remain 10th with 12 points from nine matches, continuing their fine start to life in the top flight as they seek greater consistency in the coming weeks.