Category: Daily Guide Network

The Awoamefia of Anlo Dukor, Togbi Sri III, has renewed his call for strategic investment in education, agriculture, and environmental protection as key pillars of Anlo’s transformation, urging citizens to unite behind a common vision for progress.

Speaking at the Grand Durbar of the 2025 Hogbetsotsoza Festival held at Anloga, the Awoamefia emphasised the need to upgrade the Ohawu Agricultural College into a full-fledged University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, positioning it as a centre of excellence for innovation and research within the Volta agricultural corridor.

‘This initiative will anchor food security, youth employment, and research-led growth in our region,’ he pointed out.

He said the future of Anlo’s prosperity rests on education-driven development.

He urged Anlos both at home and abroad to rekindle the enduring spirit of kinship and shared destiny that has long defined their people, stressing that true pride should be measured in the transformation of lives and communities rather than in display alone.

‘Let our pride as Anlos be measured not only in dance and regalia but in lives changed, communities developed, and youth empowered,’ he added.

Togbi Sri III also called for the continuation of the Blekusu-Keta Sea Defence Project, warning that unchecked coastal erosion poses a serious threat to lives, property, and economic activities along the Volta coast.

Representing President John Dramani Mahama, the Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah, reaffirmed government’s commitment to the development of the Volta Region. He commended the Anlo people for preserving their authentic culture and outlined several ongoing and upcoming initiatives, including the Keta Port Project, rice and aquaculture development, and the establishment of the University of the Blue Economy.

Mr. Debrah assured that government remains committed to addressing key issues such as tidal wave resettlement, educational infrastructure, and fisheries development, while pledging enhanced support for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in the fisheries sector through the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA).

National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, urged traditional rulers to uphold peace and refrain from partisanship in chieftaincy matters.

‘Our resources should go into development, not into maintaining troops to fight in chieftaincy troubles,’ he cautioned, noting that politicisation undermines the sanctity of the chieftaincy institution.

Mr. Nketia lauded the Hogbetsotsoza as a festival of resilience and self-determination, calling on Ghanaians to draw inspiration from the Anlo people’s courage and unity.

The Akwamuhene, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, who was the Guest of Honour for the 2025 Hogbetsotsoza, commended the Anlo people for their resilience and rich cultural heritage, describing the Hogbetsotsoza as ‘a sacred remembrance of the wisdom and courage of ancestors who journeyed from oppression into freedom.’

‘As we celebrate your heritage, we celebrate the strength of our Ghanaian identity. Unity is strength, and our traditions are treasures to be guarded,’ he stated.

The 2025 Hogbetsotsoza Festival thus became not only a celebration of Anlo culture but also a clarion call for unity, innovation, and sustainable development across the Volta Region and beyond.

In the run-up to the last elections, social media was on overdrive with local politics – productive and otherwise.

While that was expected given the passion for politics in Ghana today, the level of vitriolic or hate speech accompanying it was not; the manner in which social media addicts and IT savvy youth used hate speech to run down targeted politicians was worrying.

The trend has grown over time, its victims cutting across the broad spectrum of society.

To think that many were doing so and still do on behalf of politicians on whose payroll they are, is mindboggling and shows the impetus driving the social ill.

So bad was the language used that for adults who see beyond today, there is the need to adopt a control mechanism to ensure sanity on the social media space.

It is unfortunate that the younger ones in senior high schools are picking up the bad habit, indulging in the negative side of social media use.

Nobody has been spared from the hate speeches of these young persons who hide in the comfort of their rooms to hurl accusations and outright insults against persons the ages of their fathers or grandfathers and grandmothers.

It was regrettable that at the time this went on, those benefitting from the trend kept mute, finding nothing untoward with it. That was not surprising because after all they paid the pipers as it were and, therefore, dictated the bad tunes.

There are moves to regulate the use of social media and, therefore, stem the tide of hate speeches as it prevails today.

This is a dicey issue which should be handled with care.

If the intention is to really instil sanity on social media, we and others would not have problems with the efforts to introduce regulation into social media use.

Truth be however told; the real motive behind the move is to shield those at the helm of government against what they did to their predecessors in the erroneous name of political campaigning.

This is the reason observers are expressing outrage at the regulations about to hit the legislative works.

With the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the throttles and recognising how they used social media to undertake propaganda against the New Patriotic Party (NPP), then in government, they intend to deny the opposition and others from subjecting them to what they benefitted from earlier.

The legislation as it stands, when allowed to pass, would stifle free speech, and for us an alternative means of dealing with the subject would be preferable so democracy does not suffer unduly.

Anything that has the tendency to thwart free speech and for that matter democracy should be resisted. The NDC in government seeking to first and foremost shield itself against hate speech would give interpretations to the regulations that would be favourable to their political cause.

A senior police officer nearly suffered a mob attack at Sefwi Dwinase in the Western North Region over the weekend.

The police officer, who was driving a private Benz, allegedly, knocked and killed a man believed to be in his 40s and a resident of Sefwi Aboduam near Sefwi Wiawso.

The unfortunate incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, November 1, 2025.

According to some residents, immediately after the accident, the police officer put the victim in the car and sent him to hospital.

However, some angry youth at Sefwi Dwinase who witnessed the incident chased the vehicle to the hospital, which was nearby, and used clubs and stones to smash the rear windscreen of the car.

An eyewitness narrated that at about 8:30am, the police officer was driving from the Bekwai-Ewiase stretch of the road and upon reaching a spot, knocked down the victim, who was walking along the road to his shop.

‘All of a sudden we heard a bang. When we went to the scene we saw the ash Benz car has knocked down a young man.

‘The police officer managed to take the victim inside his car and quickly rushed him to the hospital to save his life, but the victim was later pronounced dead,’ the eyewitness disclosed.

The eyewitness added, ‘The ash Benz car which knocked the young man, now deceased, has been damaged by irate youth of the area.’

The eyewitness alleged that the police officer was talking on his phone while driving when the accident occurred.

He said the youth were waiting for the police officer in front of the hospital to deal with him, since they could not fathom why a senior police officer could drive a car and at the same time speak on phone.

The youth chanted war songs, and for close to three hours, the senior police officer was kept inside the hospital.

He indicated that some police and military personnel later stormed the hospital premises to whisk the senior police officer away.

Even though the police have remained tight lipped on the issue, family members, assembly man and friends of the deceased have threatened to hit the street in massive demonstration against the police.

They have, therefore, called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Interior Minister to investigate the matter and let the law take its course.

Former Workers of Bogoso/Prestea Mine in the Western Region are up in arms against the current owner of the mine, Heath Goldfields Limited (HGL), over unpaid entitlements.

More than a year after Heath Goldfields took control of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine from Blue Gold Bogoso Prestea Limited, a successor to Future Global Resources (FGR), the takeover has degenerated into labour and investment disputes in the country’s mining history.

They said HGL was granted the mining lease on condition that it would clear all outstanding debts, stabilise operations, and revitalise the mine.

Speaking at a press conference in Prestea, one of the conveners, Gabriel Madobi Oklettey, said Heath Goldfields had disengaged employees under the guise of ‘operational restructuring’ and placed the mine under ‘care and maintenance,’ yet there had been no commitment to settle the affected workers’ dues.

‘Since assuming control of the mine during the last quarter of 2024, the company has repeatedly failed to honour basic commitments to workers,’ he said.

He noted that under Ghana’s Labour Act of 2003, Act 651, section 18, which speaks on ‘Remuneration on Termination of Employment,’ employees are entitled to full payment of all benefits upon termination.

‘Despite this clear legal mandate, Heath Goldfields has repeatedly defaulted on payments,’ he alleged.

They thus urged the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission, and all relevant authorities to compel the company to pay all outstanding entitlements, including provident fund arrears, severance, and bonuses.

They have also asked the government to institute a comprehensive financial and operational audit of Heath Goldfields to ascertain its true financial capacity and compliance with lease conditions to avert challenges faced by the previous owners.

Background

In October 2020, Future Global Resources (FGR) acquired the Bogoso/Prestea Mine from Golden Star Resources.

Unfortunately, persistent financial and operational failures led to several operational challenges.

Subsequently, on November 12, 2024, the then Minister for Lands and Natural Resources approved the reassignment of the lease to Heath Goldfields Limited, a purported ‘financially and technically capable’ operator.

Placards

The former workers, clad mostly in red attires, held placards some of which read: ‘Where is the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources?’; ‘We Say No To Exploitation’; ‘We Stand United for Fair Treatment’; ‘Restore Our Livelihood’ and ‘No Hope For Over 400 Workers’.

Addressing the press conference, one of the conveners, Kwame Kyei Addo, noted, ‘Contrary to expectations, Heath Goldfields has proved unwilling and unable to fulfil all financial obligations to workers.’

He also complained about unfair and discriminatory treatment of employees and selective payments made only to those aligned with certain union interests.

‘The former workers can no longer endure unfulfilled promises, shifting payment schedules, and deliberate inaction,’ he pointed out.

Ultimatum

He indicated that the former workers are giving Heath Goldfields 120 days’ ultimatum to fulfil their demands or else they will advise themselves accordingly.

‘We, the former workers of Bogoso-Prestea Mine are therefore calling on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission, and all relevant state institutions to act decisively and without delay,’ he stressed.

The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Shri Manish Gupta, has commended MTN Ghana for its support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), championing entrepreneurship and creating platforms that drive sustainable development.

Speaking at the MTN SMEGA Awards 2025, he said the MTN’s commitment is evident in its recognition of hardworking SMEs who, despite challenges, continue to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economy.

‘We celebrate the excellence, resilience, and indomitable spirit of Ghanaian enterprise. During my travels across the country, I have met hardworking men and women who, despite challenges, continue to build, create, and smile with optimism. They represent the true spirit of innovation and hope,’ he said.

He noted that India-Ghana trade currently stands at approximately US$3 billion, with plans to double it to US$6 billion within five years.

He added that Indian private investors have already injected US$2 billion into Ghana’s economy over the past two decades, with an additional US$1 billion committed through government credit and capacity-building programmes.

MTN Ghana’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Angela Mensah-Poku, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to empowering the country’s SMEs through technology and strategic partnerships.

She highlighted that SMEs remain the backbone of Ghana’s economy, employing thousands across the country, and emphasised the significant role of women in driving this growth.

‘We cannot speak about national development or job creation without SMEs. In fact, 44% of all SMEs are owned by women. To these women leading change, we salute your determination and strength,’ she stated.

She also outlined MTN’s initiatives aimed at supporting entrepreneurs, including MTN aYo Bima and MTN Agyapa, which offer affordable data bundles, microloans, health insurance, and business training.

‘Solutions like MoMo for Business are helping entrepreneurs formalise operations, manage payments, and access finance to grow sustainably,’ she added.

Head of SMEGA Ghana, Kwesi Ofori Jnr, applauded MTN Ghana, sponsors, and partners for their continuous support in promoting the SME sector since the awards’ inception in 2013.

‘Through this platform, many businesses have transformed and grown into regional and global brands. We are grateful to MTN Ghana and all partners for keeping the SME ecosystem alive and vibrant,’ he said.

At the close of the event, Yesli Ice, owned by Rita Aku-Shika Diabah, emerged as the Overall Best SME of the Year.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah, has questioned the financing of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), accusing the government of potentially bypassing parliamentary approval and raising fears of monetary financing by the Bank of Ghana (BoG).

Mr. Boamah, who has been probing the fiscal and governance architecture of GoldBod since September this year, revealed that the Ministry of Finance has formally confirmed that it has made no financial releases to the Board since its establishment under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).

Reading from a letter dated 29 October and signed by Chief Director Patrick Nomo, he stated, ‘the ministry has not made any financial releases as mandatory support to the Gold Board since its establishment. the information you requested does not exist within the records of the ministry.’

Addressing the media in Parliament last Friday, the MP said this disclosure raises critical questions about how GoldBod, which the 2025 Budget earmarked to receive a cedi equivalent of US$279 million as a revolving fund to purchase and export gold, has been financing its operations, including the procurement of gold, public events, and the donations of logistics such as pickup trucks.

‘So now the question is: How is the Gold Board being funded? Is it from the central bank? Is the Bank of Ghana printing money to fund the Gold Board? Why must the Bank of Ghana be doing that?’ he queried, calling on journalists and civil society to probe the issue.

The MP further accused GoldBod of breaching Section 42 of Act 1140, which mandates quarterly publication of its operations, revenue, expenditures, contracts, and gold sourcing traceability reports.

‘If you go to the GoldBod website right now, you will not find anything as contained in the Act,’ he said, warning that such opacity has grave implications at a time when global partners are scrutinising Ghana’s gold governance and anti-galamsey commitments.

Mr. Boamah also disclosed that GoldBod had issued licences to over 420 entities within months of its establishment, including 204 Tier-2 buyers and 21 self-financed aggregators, questioning the due-diligence process.

‘This leaves the door open for more questions,’ he stressed, noting that associated fees did not pass through Parliament under the Fees and Charges Act.

He hinted plans to file urgent parliamentary questions to compel the Finance Minister and the Bank of Ghana Governor to explain GoldBod’s funding structure, pricing practices, and risk exposure.

‘This is a wholly new entity. Transparency and accountability are mandatory. Parliament must know where the money is coming from,’ he insisted.

Days after the viral video of WO1 William Mensah’s physical assault on both a pharmacist and a customer, the Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi has cautioned military personnel to uphold their disciplinary values as any unlawful acts will not go unpunished.

Speaking at the 2025 Land Combat Power Demonstration (Land/Air/Space Cyber) at the Military Training Camp, Bundase, last Friday, the minister issued a candid caution, emphasising that every soldier and officer is expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct, respect the rule of law, and safeguard the rights of all citizens, whether on duty or off duty.

The minister stressed the importance of maintaining professionalism and integrity, highlighting that the Ghana Armed Forces’ reputation and effectiveness depend on the collective commitment of its personnel to these core values.

‘Any actions that bring the image of our revered Ghana Armed Forces into disrepute will be dealt with decisively in accordance with the regulations of Ghana Armed Forces and the laws of the Republic. Let us continue to serve with honour, integrity and unwavering commitment to duty,’ he said.

The land combat demonstration witnessed a rare display of firepower synchronised to demonstrate operational precision of the country’s military forces, bringing into display full spectrum of it defense capabilities; land, maritime and air in a synchronised show of readiness and professionalism.

Mr. Genfi expressed confidence in the exercise, saying, ‘the demonstration is not merely a display of firepower and maneuver, but represents a synergy of doctrine, leadership, technology and the scale of the combatants in a world where conflicts are increasingly complex, asymmetric and multi-dimensional, this exercise underscored the importance of readiness, adaptability and interoperability among our armed forces.’

The minister pledged President John Mahama’s support to retooling the Ghana Armed Forces with modernised military machinery and equipment.

‘This commitment shall take full effect next year with steady and sustained supplies in all subsequent years consistent with the President’s broader resetting Ghana agenda in pursuit of this vision,’ he disclosed.

‘Government has so far embarked on a comprehensive restructuring of the Ghana Armed Forces, focusing on the establishment of new units built from the scratch in order to augment the capabilities of the forces.

‘The retooling effort has already seen some acquisitions in terms of modern communication systems and other advanced technologies, consistent with our clear policy priority since the inception of this administration, improving the welfare of troops remains one of our foremost objectives,’ he added.

Nigerian musician, Yemi Alade, has revealed that she once struggled with a smoking addiction as a teenager but decided to quit after realising the habit was harmful to her health and career.

The ‘Johnny’ hitmaker made the revelation during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, where she reflected on her brief but intense experience with smoking while in university.

Yemi Alade explained that although she initially began smoking casually, it quickly developed into a dependency. ‘When I was in the university, I tried smoking. It did not work out. But before it did not work out, it worked out a bit too much,’ she admitted. ‘I started needing to smoke before I went to bed. I was getting addicted to that lifestyle.’

She disclosed that despite her growing dependence, she often hid the habit in public because she was ashamed of it. ‘In public, I would hide the cigarette,’ she said. ‘So, I was like, ‘What’s this life – the discomfort that I can’t go to bed without smoking, and then when I go out, I have to hide it?”

According to Yemi, this internal conflict led her to make a firm decision to stop. ‘As a teenager in the university trying to figure out life, I made certain decisions for myself – that if I have to hide to do something, then I will not do it. Because I like to be aware of my environment and my decisions,’ she said.

The award-winning singer added that smoking negatively affected her voice, further motivating her to quit.

The Department of Herbal Medicine under the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has honoured Mr. Ebenezer Agyemang, founder of HEPA Plus, for his outstanding support towards research and innovation in herbal medicine.

At a presentation ceremony held at the university, the department presented a special citation to Mr. Agyemang in recognition of his exceptional commitment to advancing herbal medicine research and entrepreneurship.

In response to the department’s call for support, Mr. Agyemang instituted the HEPA Plus Research Award, a pioneering initiative with an annual sponsorship package aimed at funding innovative undergraduate research projects that promote entrepreneurial thinking among final-year students.

Presenting the citation, the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof. Samuel Asare Nkansah, commended Mr. Agyemang for his visionary leadership and immense contribution to student development.

According to him, the HEPA Plus Research Award has already made a remarkable impact. The first beneficiary of the award, he revealed, went on to win the University Entrepreneurial Product Competition and later represented KNUST at an international competition in Thailand.

‘Mr. Agyemang’s philanthropic investment transcends monetary value. It ignites innovation, validates student creativity, and bridges academia with industry,’ Prof. Nkansah stated, expressing optimism that the partnership would continue to flourish in the coming years.

Mr. Agyemang, in his remarks, expressed gratitude to the department for the honour and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting research that enhances the relevance and global competitiveness of Ghana’s herbal medicine industry.

The event attracted faculty members, students, and invited guests, who commended the HEPA Plus founder for his generosity, innovation, and continuous dedication to promoting excellence in herbal medicine research.

Ebenage Herbal Production and Consult, under Mr. Agyemang’s leadership, is a leading Ghanaian herbal enterprise renowned for producing high-quality natural health products and providing expert consultancy in herbal medicine formulation, research, and development. The company has gained recognition for combining traditional herbal knowledge with modern scientific standards to promote safe, effective, and innovative herbal remedies both locally and internationally.

Other popular products developed by Ebenage include Pavi and Plasmox, which, together with HEPA Plus, have earned widespread acclaim for their quality and efficacy.

President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the immediate termination of all contracts with the Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) following the completion of an investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

The directive, communicated through a letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, and addressed to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, instructed that all existing agreements with SML be swiftly brought to an end.

According to the letter, the move forms part of the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency in the management of public resources.

It follows months of scrutiny over the SML contracts, which became the subject of a corruption and corruption-related offences probe by the OSP.

The Finance Minister has been tasked to ensure that the termination process is carried out in full compliance with existing financial and legal procedures.

The OSP recently concluded its investigation into the revenue assurance contracts between SML and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), which examined issues related to alleged procurement irregularities, contractual overreach, and value for money concerns.

According to findings shared by the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, at a presser in Accra on Thursday, October 30, the investigation revealed that there was no genuine need for engaging SML for the services it purported to perform.

The contracts, he said, were secured through ‘self-serving official patronage, sponsorship, and promotion based on false and unverified claims.’

SML Responds

Meanwhile, Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that its operations were lawful and transparent, while calling for evidence to guide the national conversation.

In a statement by the company’s Lead Counsel, SML said, ‘We will present all relevant documents before the appropriate authorities. We remain proud of the work done, the controls that governed it, and the measurable value created for Ghana.’

It said SML has efficiently performed on its Transaction Audit and External Price Verification, and the Downstream Petroleum Audit contracts under continuous GRA supervision.

‘All payments were tied to verified deliverables and measurable outputs. Oversight mechanisms included technical validation, data and report reconciliation, and documentary confirmation before any payment was made,’ it further noted.

SML maintained that it is a wholly Ghanaian-owned company with no political affiliations, and that its contracts with the GRA were structured under a ‘risk-and-reward’ framework to enhance national revenue mobilisation through measurable results.

It also questioned the basis of the purported GHS125 million ‘to be recovered’ by the state, as the evidence on record clearly indicates otherwise.

‘In fact, the state owes SML. Official statements on verified performance data and financial reconciliations are available directly from the GRA. SML’s revenue assurance audit systems were developed entirely at its own cost and risk, without any financial support from the state. To date, our systems remain the first-of-its-kind, fully integrated, multi-site digital audit and assurance system in the world,’ it said.

It mentioned that the integrated audit system in the downstream petroleum operational chain has generated approximately GHS20 billion in verified revenue for the state, as corroborated by the respective Bank of Ghana Petroleum Collection Holding Account.

‘The system has led to a 92 percent increase in taxable volumes, while SML’s Transaction Audit Service has further contributed to a 33 percent rise in import clearance revenue collection across the monitored sectors,’ it added.

SML reiterated its stand as a Ghanaian innovation story; a private enterprise that assumed operational risk under a performance-based framework and is compensated only after verified results.

The decision to terminate the SML contract follows the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) action in May 2024, when it complied with directives from former President Akufo-Addo to terminate the Transaction Audit and External Verification Service (AEVS) contract with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).

The GRA also suspended the Upstream Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Audit components of the agreement, pending a comprehensive review of the contract details.

Additionally, the Authority announced plans to amend the Measurement Audit for the Downstream Petroleum Products contract by converting it to a fixed-fee structure.

GRA further indicated that it would conduct a detailed review of other provisions of the contract, including service delivery expectations, termination clauses, and intellectual property rights.