Category: Daily Guide Network

The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns about the government’s launch of several major national programmes without submitting their official documents to Parliament for scrutiny, describing the situation as a clear breach of accountability and transparency standards.

According to the caucus, at least 11 flagship programmes have been publicly announced and allocated funding, yet none of them has been properly laid before Parliament for approval.

The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Economic Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said these initiatives include the One Million Coders Programme, 24-Hour Economy Initiative, Jobs Export Programme, Adwumawura Project, National Apprenticeship Programme, Tree for Life, Accra Reset Programme, One Child-One Tree, Ghana Infrastructure Plan, Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities, and the No Fee Stress Programme.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah explained that although these programmes have been featured prominently in government communications and on national platforms, they have not been accompanied by programme documents outlining their objectives, selection criteria, funding frameworks, or performance indicators.

‘These are initiatives that have been launched, and ministers have received hundreds of millions of Ghana cedis to execute them,’ the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP said.

‘But not one of them has had a programme document presented to Parliament. So how do we know the targets, the beneficiaries, or the performance benchmarks? Without these documents, Parliament cannot perform its oversight role effectively,’ he intimated.

He stressed that the lack of proper documentation and parliamentary approval makes it difficult for the legislature, the media, and civil society to track the real impact of government policies.

‘Even ordinary citizens have no way of knowing how to access these programmes or measure their progress,’ Mr. Nkrumah added.

The MP revealed that there are growing calls within Parliament for the executive to immediately submit all programme documents for review.

He also disclosed that ‘intelligence suggests the matter has already been discussed at Cabinet level, and the President has instructed ministers to bring the relevant documents to Parliament.’

He described this as a welcome but long-overdue step, emphasising that transparency should be institutionalised rather than left to executive discretion.

‘We don’t need to run away from accountability. If programme documents are properly laid before Parliament, oversight can begin, and we can all follow the results,’ he stated.

Drawing comparisons with past administrations, the MP recalled that when the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative was introduced under the previous government, Parliament debated the policy and insisted that every transaction under the programme be brought before the House for approval.

‘That is not to say that everything in the past was perfect,’ he admitted and pointed out, ‘but even if there were shortcomings then, it doesn’t mean we should continue bad practices. Governance should improve year by year.’

He also revealed that Parliament’s committees are preparing to hold public hearings on the Annual Progress Reports (APRs) of various ministries, departments, and agencies in the coming weeks.

‘The 2024 APRs are ready and ministers will soon be invited to explain what they achieved with the funds allocated to them,’ he said.

He noted that the absence of programme documents makes it impossible to establish baseline data for evaluating future performance.

‘When we eventually review progress, what will we compare it to?’ he asked and added, ‘We need those documents to know what the targets were in the first place.’

To prevent similar lapses in the future, the MP suggested that Parliament consider a new law compelling all governments to lay programme documents before the House once funding has been approved.

‘Today we rely on moral persuasion. But if a bill becomes necessary to make it mandatory, then it is something Parliament should consider seriously,’ he asserted.

He urged the government to demonstrate its commitment to good governance by ensuring that all national programmes, whether new or ongoing, are subjected to full parliamentary scrutiny, noting, ‘Transparency is not optional. It is the foundation of trust between the government and the people.’

The Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE), which has been following with keen interest the strategic decisions and performances of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), has denied that the assets have been sold for $22 million as being claimed.

According to the Civic Society Organisation (CSO), ‘TOR has been a symbol of unrealised potential – a national asset languishing under the weight of debt and political controversy. Recent headlines celebrating a purported $21 million in revenue from terminal operations are monumental and help redefine TOR’s role in Ghana’s economic future.’

This performance, CEMSE maintains, ‘firmly corrects the long-standing misconception that the sustainability or continuity of strategic government decisions constitutes poor corporate governance.’

‘The recent performance is a direct outcome of strategic initiatives set in motion by the previous board and sustained by the current board,’ it said.

These measures, CEMSE stated in a statement, ‘were designed to unlock value from the refinery’s underutilised assets during a period when its core refining operations were dormant. Such key initiatives include engaging with management of Ghana Petroleum Mooring System (GPMS) to restructure dividends on quarterly bases which engendered quarterly cash flows since TOR is a shareholder of GPMS.’

Furthermore, according to the CSO, ‘the board secured a crucial ‘take-or-pay’ agreement with the Sentuo Oil Refinery for the usage of TOR’s crude oil tanks, guaranteeing income regardless of fluctuating demand. The contract with Sentuo is estimated to yield about $2 million on monthly income.’

Additional revenue streams were activated through loading rack fees from third-party petroleum distributors and right-of-way fees for pipelines traversing TOR’s premises, the statement disclosed.

These moves, the statement noted, were part of a broader strategy to reposition TOR as a diversified petroleum logistics hub, a vision emphasised during the tenure of the former board.

By focusing on its vast storage and terminal infrastructure, the previous board created a financial buffer, CEMSE pointed out, adding that ‘the continuity in strategic direction by the current board and management has proven essential, demonstrating that even without active crude refining, TOR’s assets can generate substantial revenue to support its operational viability.’

The current board, the CSO admonished, ‘must take cue from the previous board in getting private companies to engage in tolling.

‘It is against this backdrop that the transaction with Netoil Energy Ltd must be understood by the current board as a lifeline, and not sale as being speculated in the media.’

A report on the global refining sector by McKinsey and Company highlights that ‘tolling arrangements can provide a stable, low-risk revenue base for refinery owners, insulating them from market volatility and allowing them to focus on operational excellence.’

The new board, CEMSE concluded, ‘must learn from the previous boards in getting partnership deals similar but improved deals like the Netoil and Tema Energy Limited that is found in strategic foresight that secured its revitalisation deal. The management of TOR must move beyond the era of political point-scoring and into a new age of pragmatic problem-solving. Like the previous boards, the solution to the company has never been about outright sales nor state sponsorship but a smart and, de-risked partnership that safeguards national interests while leveraging global expertise and for that matter must be emulated by the current board so as to monetise its existing assets without bearing the crushing financial burdens.’

A POLICEMAN, in charge of a motorbike, has sustained injuries after a borehole drilling truck knocked him down. The truck driver sped off to escape arrest.

The victim, identified as G/L/Cpl Yaw Akowuah Boateng, of Asokwa DCID, is said to be responding to treatment at the Hart Adventist Hospital, Ahinsan, in the Greater Kumasi.

A police document disclosed that the accident happened at the Zen Filling Station-Ahinsan area on October 14, 2025 when the victim was riding his motorcycle to work.

‘On 14/10/2025, about 0830 hrs, G/L/Cpl Yaw Akowuah Boateng, of Asokwa DCID, was riding Hyundai motorbike number GD-2398-21, from Ahinsan to work at Asokwa.

‘At a section of the road in front of Zen Filling Station-Ahinsan, he was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver in charge of a borehole drilling truck.

‘The victim sustained injuries and was rushed to Hart Adventist Hospital, Ahinsan, and he was admitted. He was visited, and he is responding to treatment,’ the police said.

The report further said the police had already visited the accident scene and taken vital information, adding, ‘The accident motorbike has been impounded for examination and testing.’

According to the police, they are doing everything legally possible to locate the hideout of the hit-and-run driver so they can apprehend him to assist in investigations.

The 2025 edition of the Ghana Beauty Awards (GBA) came off on Friday night at the Labadi Beach Hotel, celebrating excellence, innovation, and creativity within Ghana’s beauty and fashion industry.

The event, organised by Makeup Ghana and hosted by Roselyn Feli, featured captivating performances from Okyeame Kwame, Comedian Hogan, and other talented acts.

The ceremony attracted distinguished guests including Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Abena Gomashie; Director of Diasporan Affairs at the Presidency, Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD); Head of Creative Agency, Gideon Ayeequaye; and Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo who served as the Guest of Honour.

A historic highlight of the evening was the announcement of Saida Mumuni Montia of Image Bloom by Saida and Leonard Ahia of Datherapizt as Makeup Artists of the Year – marking the first tied win in the history of the awards.

Faruza Yakubu after receiving her award

According to CEO of Makeup Ghana and organiser of the ceremony, Rebecca Donkor, the judges found both artists equally outstanding. ‘They were both exceptionally good, and the panel agreed they each deserved the honour,’ she explained.

Other major winners included Mikesh Hair Products, which picked up the Indigenous Brand of the Year Award, and Faruza Yakubu of FYGLAM, who was named Best Bridal Makeup Artist of the Year. Sara Lawson earned the Content Creator of the Year Award, which comes with an exclusive trip to the 2026 Grammy Awards as part of her prize package. Tasheia Smith of Alux Klaws won Nail Technician of the Year, while The Reve Atelier was awarded Sustainable Fashion Brand of the Year.

Among the special honours, media personality Akumaa Mama Zimbi, Agnes De Graft Sampson of De Paragon Beauty Institute, and Dora H. Torwiseh of Nuts for Growth Limited received Honorary Awards, while veteran fashion designer Nora Bannerman, CEO of Sleek Garments Export Ltd, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Ghana Beauty Awards, powered by Labadi Beach Hotel, Feel Naturals, Marie Noelle Spa and Salon, Unique Floral, Windi Sun Energy, Agri-Impact, and Globe Away, continues to serve as the country’s premier platform for recognising the talent, institutions, and brands shaping the future of Ghana’s beauty industry.

The recent directive by the Ministry of Education that Ghanaian languages should be used as the medium of instruction in all basic schools (KG-JHS) is neither theoretically grounded nor empirically justified.

This position is supported by both historical and research-based evidence.

Ghana’s language-in-education policy has evolved through several phases. The 1951 Accelerated Development Plan established the mother tongue as the medium of instruction for the first three years of schooling, followed by English thereafter.

This principle was reaffirmed in the 1961 Education Act and the 1974 Dzobo reforms, which emphasised that children learn best through a language they understand. The 2002 English-only policy disrupted this progression and proved counterproductive, as comprehension and early literacy declined sharply.

The 2007 Education Reform Committee, chaired by Professor Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, corrected this by introducing the 70 to 30 bilingual model. This model prescribed seventy percent Ghanaian language and thirty percent English from Kindergarten to Primary Three, with English becoming the principal medium from Primary Four.

This design is not sacrosanct because of who proposed it, but because it is theoretically coherent and empirically validated for two reasons.

First, it provides a gradual and structured transition that allows learners to develop literacy and conceptual understanding through the language they know best while building competence in English, the language of higher education and global participation.

Second, Ghanaian languages have not yet developed the terminological precision required for certain technical and abstract academic concepts such as ‘exponent,’ ‘denominator,’ or ‘photosynthesis,’ which makes full mother-tongue instruction beyond the early grades pedagogically impractical.

Primary Four therefore serves as the pedagogical bridge through which learners shift from mother-tongue-based comprehension to English-medium learning without linguistic disorientation.

The theoretical foundations of this bilingual model are robust. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory (1978) views language as the primary tool of cognitive mediation, while Cummins’ interdependence hypothesis (1979) demonstrates that proficiency in the first language supports academic competence in the second.

Constructivist theory (Piaget, 1954) emphasises that learners build new knowledge upon existing linguistic and cultural foundations, and Bernstein’s code theory (1971) highlights how home language use in school bridges sociolinguistic inequality. Collectively, these perspectives affirm the cognitive and social rationale for bilingual instruction in early education.

Empirical evidence from Ghana and other countries reinforces this theoretical base. Studies by Owu-Ewie (2006) and recent evaluations such as the USAID Early Grade Reading Programme (2014-2019) and the National Literacy Acceleration Programme (2009-2014) confirm that bilingual classrooms produce stronger literacy and comprehension outcomes.

Pupils who begin learning in their mother tongue while being gradually introduced to English perform better in literacy and numeracy than those taught solely in English.

International research from Kenya (Piper et al., 2018), Ethiopia (Heugh, 2011), and Gambia (Trudell, 2025) provides similar evidence that children who receive early education in their first language transition more successfully into English-medium learning in later years.

The Ministry’s new directive to extend mother-tongue instruction throughout the entire basic education cycle, including Junior High School, contradicts these theoretical and empirical foundations.

Such a shift would create a serious discontinuity at the Senior High School level, where English remains the sole medium of instruction, resulting in what researchers describe as linguistic shock, a cognitive and emotional disruption that hinders learning and confidence. It would also demand extensive retraining of teachers and redevelopment of instructional materials, for which Ghana’s education system is presently unprepared.

If the Ministry insists on such a shift, it must issue a formal policy document that clearly outlines the underlying rationale, research base, and implementation roadmap. Evidence-informed policymaking requires coherence between theory, data, and institutional capacity.

The current bilingual framework, with Kindergarten to Primary Three as the mother-tongue-dominant phase and Primary Four as the transition bridge, remains the most theoretically defensible, empirically validated, and contextually sustainable model for Ghana’s multilingual education system.

A leading activist of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), P. K. Sarpong, has called on the Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Abigail Elorm Mensah, to publicly apologise to the Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, for allegedly misrepresenting facts about a loan purportedly owed to the state agency.

In an open letter titled ‘Dear Abigail Elorm Mensah!’, Mr. Sarpong accused the MASLOC CEO of misleading the public when she reportedly stated on Radio Gold that Mr. Afenyo-Markin personally owed MASLOC more than GHS500,000.

He said the statement was false and capable of damaging the reputation of the Minority Leader.

According to Mr. Sarpong, the alleged loan was not taken by Mr. Afenyo-Markin himself but by one of his constituents, identified as Mr. Kojo Halm.

He said that despite knowing the true borrower, the MASLOC CEO still went ahead to implicate the lawmaker in public commentary.

‘The Afenyo-Markin we know wouldn’t come for a MASLOC loan for himself. You knew from the onset he wasn’t the one who owed your outfit but you said that,’ Mr. Sarpong wrote, describing the CEO’s comments as reckless and unbecoming of a public servant.

He further revealed that after discussions between the MASLOC CEO and the Minority Leader, Mr. Afenyo-Markin decided to settle the loan on behalf of the actual debtor, Mr. Halm.

Mr. Sarpong noted that MASLOC has since issued a communiqué confirming receipt of the payment, thereby clearing the record.

In light of this development, the NPP activist insisted that Ms. Mensah must render what he described as an ‘unqualified and unconditional apology’ to Mr. Afenyo-Markin for the public embarrassment caused by her earlier claims.

‘You owe the Honourable Minority Leader an unqualified and unconditional apology for the misconceptions you created out there,’ the letter stated.

Mr. Sarpong urged Ms. Mensah to use the same platforms and intensity she employed to spread the alleged falsehood to retract and clarify her statements, stressing that public accountability also demands the correction of misinformation.

He said the NPP was closely watching how the MASLOC CEO would handle the matter, describing it as a test of integrity and leadership.

‘As the CEO of MASLOC, you should maintain higher levels of leadership, be honest and decorous. Truth must be your guiding principle,’ Mr. Sarpong admonished.

MTN Ghana is making several efforts to help deal with digital fraud and other cybercrimes.

The telecommunication company has therefore stepped up its cybersecurity awareness efforts by training its staff nationwide.

The aim is to help strengthen workers’ ability to combat digital fraud as part of activities marking Cybersecurity Awareness month.

The training was on the theme, ‘Be Cyber Smart, Be Cyber Safe”.

It sought to equip the MTN employees with the knowledge and tools needed to protect themselves, customers, and the company’s digital infrastructure from rising online threats.

Speaking at the Takoradi session, Regional Senior Manager for MTN Ghana’s South-West Business District, Prince Owusu-Nyarko, urged the participants to remain vigilant and mindful of their online behavior.

He emphasised that some actions, though seemingly harmless, could have negative implications for the company.

‘This sensitisation is crucial because it helps staff avoid becoming victims of online fraud’.

‘Security starts with us and to protect our customers, we must first empower ourselves,’ he indicated.

Mr. Owusu-Nyarko further encouraged employees to adhere strictly to MTN’s cybersecurity policies to ensure safe digital practices and safeguard both corporate and personal data.

Acting Technical Manager for the Western Region, Maxwell Acquah, also described cybersecurity as a shared responsibility, adding ‘As digital activity grows, so does the risk of cybercrime’.

‘Cybersecurity is not an individual problem-it requires a collective effort. That is why MTN continues to build awareness among its staff,’ he stated.

He advised participants to be wary of downloading free applications from untrusted sources.

Some participants expressed satisfaction with the training, saying it had opened their eyes to online safety measures and the importance of being cautious about the information they share on the internet.

About 50 global leaders have attended Cabinet and Executive Committee meetings of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship (WAGF) in New York.

The meetings, which took place at the Assemblies of God Promise Church in New York, were chaired by Rev. Dominic Yeo, Global Chairman of WAGF, who also serves as the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Singapore. He was assisted by Rev. Doug Clay, Vice Chairman and General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in the US, and Rev. Juan Carlos Escobar, General Secretary and General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Spain.

At the core of the meetings were strategies to complete the Great Commission task by 2033. This task, christened MM33, involves planting one million churches throughout the world.

The global leaders also discussed preparations for the World Congress of Assemblies of God, which will take place in Accra from October 12 to 14, 2026. The Congress will be the first to be held in Africa.

The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, Rev. Stephen Wengam, presented a report on preparations for the World Congress. Rev. Wengam, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Africa Assemblies of God Alliance, assured Cabinet that the Assemblies of God, Ghana, is preparing fervently to host the World Congress.

He touted Ghana as ‘a peaceful, hospitable, and stable country with many beautiful tourist sites’. These and others can be patronised by the 5,000 delegates who are expected to attend the Congress from all over the world.

Rev. Wengam announced that the Government of Ghana is partnering with the Assemblies of God, Ghana to ‘host a world-class event.’

The Chairman of the World Missions Commission, USA, Rev. John Easter, announced that the global membership of Assemblies of God has increased to 89.9 million, with over 450,000 local assemblies. This makes the Assemblies of God the largest Protestant church in the world.

Nevertheless, he challenged the global body to focus on many unreached nations and people in all parts of the world.

During deliberations, WAGF resolved to increase the number of foreign missionaries to five thousand.

On church health issues, it was agreed that these would be prioritised as the church increases numerically.

As part of the event, prayer was offered for global peace.

Ashanti Region produced a spirited second-half performance to rally from behind and secure a 3-1 victory over Volta Region in their opening Group B fixture at the ongoing MTN Elite U-19 Championship at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.

Volta Region started brightly and broke the deadlock in the 9th minute through captain Nathaniel Adanu, whose early strike gave his side the lead and set the tone for an exciting encounter.

After the break, Ashanti Region regrouped strongly and restored parity in the 47th minute. Their sustained pressure throughout the second half eventually paid off when Julios Owusu confidently converted a penalty in the 86th minute to put Ashanti ahead.

Substitute Sarfo King then sealed victory deep into stoppage time, finishing off a well-rehearsed training-ground move to complete a memorable comeback.

The win gives Ashanti Region the perfect start to their campaign and positions them as early contenders in what promises to be a fiercely competitive tournament.

In other Group B fixtures scheduled for later in the day, Northern Region were set to take on Western Region, while Greater Accra faced Upper East to wrap up Saturday’s matches at the Technical Centre.

The 11-day tournament, running from October 23 to November 2, 2025, features ten Regional Football Association (RFA) U-19 teams from across Ghana.

It serves as a vital platform for the nation’s most promising young talents to showcase their skills, gain experience, and attract the attention of national youth team selectors and professional scouts.

Proudly sponsored by MTN Ghana, the Elite U-19 Championship forms a key part of the GFA’s ‘Power to the Youth’ initiative – a development programme aimed at identifying, nurturing, and promoting young footballers.

Beyond competition, the tournament emphasises values such as discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, reflecting Ghana’s long-term vision of building a strong foundation for future football excellence.

Former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bolgatanga, Rex Asanga, has strongly refuted claims made by Maxwell Aburiya, the Upper East Regional Campaign Coordinator for Dr. Bryan Acheampong, that he had knowledge of fertiliser being smuggled from Sumbrungu to Kandiga ahead of the 2024 elections.

In a statement issued last Friday, Mr. Asanga described the allegations as ‘deliberate misinformation’ and a distortion of facts intended to lend credibility to the recent comments by Dr. Acheampong that some former Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) hoarded and attempted to smuggle fertilisers meant for farmers affected by the 2024 dry spell.

Mr. Aburiya had alleged during a press conference that some individuals intercepted a motor king carrying fertiliser from Sumbrungu to Kandiga and that Mr. Asanga was informed of the incident, implying it was part of the fertiliser diversion scandal. But the former Bolgatanga MCE insists that the incident had nothing to do with the Dry Spell Relief Project fertilisers, clarifying that it involved a small number of bags under the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme, which had already been distributed months before the dry spell intervention began.

‘Let me make it very clear that Maxwell is either deliberately trying to mislead the public or is refusing to understand so simple a matter,’ Mr. Asanga stated.

According to him, while attending a workshop in Koforidua, he received a call at night informing him that some individuals were transporting fertiliser from Bolgatanga to Kandiga. He instructed that the fertiliser be impounded and returned to the warehouse in Bolgatanga, and immediately contacted the Municipal Director of Agriculture, Madam Lantana, to follow up on the matter.

Mr. Asanga explained that only nine bags of fertiliser were involved, and the individuals transporting them were genuine farmers from Kandiga who had registered under the PFJ programme within the Bolgatanga Municipality because their farms fell within the district’s boundaries.

‘The farmers who were intercepted were not smugglers. They had legitimately registered with one of our extension officers, who happens to be from Kandiga and only sought to help his relatives access fertiliser for their farms,’ he pointed out.

He added that the Department of Agriculture investigated the issue, and disciplinary action was subsequently taken against the extension officer involved for procedural breaches, even though the fertiliser itself was not illegally obtained.

Mr. Asanga further stressed that the fertiliser in question was distributed in June and July 2024, months before the Dry Spell Relief consignment that became the subject of controversy. He emphasised that Mr. Aburiya’s attempt to link the incident to the later distribution ‘is not only inaccurate but mischievous.’

‘So the fertiliser was not being smuggled as claimed by Mr. Aburiya, and was not part of the Dry Spell consignment but part of the PFJ programme which came earlier. The Municipal Director of Agriculture can confirm this story,’ Mr. Asanga said.

The former MCE’s response follows a heated exchange between the Bryan Acheampong Campaign Team and a group of former MMDCEs in the Upper East Region over allegations that some district officials hoarded fertilisers meant for farmers hit by drought in 2024.

Mr. Asanga concluded by urging the public to disregard what he described as ‘false narratives,’ and called on political actors to focus on truth and accountability rather than propaganda and blame games.