Category: Daily Guide Network

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has congratulated the Black Stars, on their historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

In a warm message to the Ghana Football Association and the nation, Infantino commended the team’s determination, passion, and relentless commitment that secured their fifth appearance at football’s biggest global event.

‘Congratulations to the Black Stars on reaching the FIFA World Cup for the fifth time in history,’ Infantino said. ‘Your fans will bring colour, style, and passion to what promises to be the greatest FIFA World Cup ever in 2026. We look forward to seeing more global stars emerge from Ghana, just like those who thrilled the world in South Africa in 2010.’

Infantino’s message serves as a morale boost for the team, whose qualification reflects Ghana’s continued progress in football development and international competitiveness.

The final draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled for December 5, where Ghana will learn their group-stage opponents. With their trademark flair, skill, and passionate support, the Black Stars are expected to make a memorable impact at next year’s tournament.

Black Stars head coach, Otto Addo has expressed pride and gratitude after guiding Ghana to a historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking his second successful campaign as national team coach.

Speaking at the post-match press conference at the Accra Sports Stadium following Ghana’s 1-0 victory over Comoros, Addo described the achievement as a collective success built on unity, maturity, and hard work.

Addo praised his team’s performance, noting that while Comoros posed a strong challenge-especially on the counterattack-the Black Stars maintained control throughout.

‘We had a good game. They had an early chance but didn’t score, and from then we controlled the game with solid defending and a good midfield,’ he said.

Addo dedicated the achievement to the team and the nation.

‘For me, it’s a big achievement, but it’s not about me-it’s about us,’ he said. ‘It’s for every Ghanaian, for the players, for the team. Some of the players will experience the World Cup for the first time, and I’m very happy for them. This qualification belongs to everyone.’

Black Stars Thank Ghanaians

The Black Stars have extended a heartfelt message of gratitude to Ghanaians following their successful qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be staged in Mexico, Canada, and the United States of America.

In an emotional statement addressed to the nation, the players, technical team, and management of the Black Stars thanked Ghanaians for their unwavering support throughout the qualifiers.

‘To the people of Ghana, we would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering support throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers,’ the message read. ‘Your passion, energy, and encouragement have been instrumental in driving the Black Stars forward.’

The erstwhile Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, has told a High Court in Accra that he is having some disagreements with his lawyer which is being mediated.

The former Minister of Education appeared in court yesterday without his lawyer, Aaron Duke Sasu, and when queried, he told the court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay that ‘this morning he told me he won’t be present. The misunderstanding between me and my lawyer is being mediated and I hope we will be able to resolve it this week.’

Justice Kocuvie-Tay confirmed receiving a notice of withdrawal from the lawyer, and indicated that ‘he is a human being and he can change his mind,’ adding that ‘but there are so many lawyers who can represent you.’

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi is before the court together with former Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, Solomon Asamoah, for their alleged involvement in the dissipation of state funds in the non-existent $2 million Accra Skytrain project.

They have denied the charges against them and the court, previously presided over by Justice Comfort Tasiame admitted them to bail and as part of the conditions, ordered them to report to the case investigator.

The prosecution was expected to call its first of six witnesses yesterday, but the case had to be adjourned to October 20, 2025, due to an application for stay of proceedings filed by Solomon Asamoah which had not been served on the Office of the Attorney General.

The application is seeking the stay of proceedings pending the determination of an appeal challenging the decision of the court which dismissed an earlier application asking it to order the Attorney General to disclose some documents from the Fund.

He has asked the court to order the prosecution to disclose certain documents which he said were deliberately omitted during disclosure but are crucial to his preparation for defence.

Among the documents he was asking for are all board packs that were sent to members of the GIIF board from 2017 to 2021, along with both signed and unsigned minutes of the Board and Investment Committee meetings that took place during that period.

He was also seeking the complete attendance records for every GIIF Board and Investment Committee meeting within those years.

Again, Mr. Asamoah sought for all memoranda related to the Ai Skytrain project, as well as email correspondence between himself and several members of the board, among others.

But the court, in a ruling, held that the prosecution had indicated that the said documents are not in their possession and since there are other means counsel for Solomon Asamoah can use to procure the documents they are requesting for, the request would not be granted.

Trial

The brief facts indicate that the Accra Skytrain project was to be constructed on a Design, Build Finance, and Operate basis.

‘In the memorandum of understanding, GIIF was to be the anchor equity investor and local project development partner to the Africa Investor Holdings (Proprietary) Limited. It was further agreed in the memorandum of understanding that GIIF would conduct due diligence and develop a bankable feasibility study on the project,’ the facts added.

A shareholder agreement was subsequently signed on January 9, 2019 between GIIF and Africa Investor Holdings Limited where the later was to transfer 10% of its alleged 100% shares in a company styled as ‘Ai Skytrain Consortium Holdings,’ a limited liability company registered in Mauritius.

The facts added that neither of the accused persons have been able to account for the $2 million.

Century Aviation Limited, a wholly Ghanaian-owned aviation company, has achieved a new milestone in the nation’s transportation industry with the successful completion of a demonstration flight to Ho Airport.

The flight departed from Kotoka International Airport on September 25, 2025, at 14:40 GMT with 19 passengers aboard a Cessna SkyCourier aircraft.

The journey took approximately 30 minutes, with the aircraft returning to Accra at around 16:35.

The demonstration flight was a collaboration between Century Aviation and Africair, the authorised African representative of Textron Aviation, manufacturers of the SkyCourier.

The two companies have been working together over the past four years to develop a plan for introducing a reliable and efficient air taxi service in Ghana.

Century Aviation aims to operate scheduled passenger and cargo flights to underserved destinations while strengthening its existing charter services for multinational corporations, oil and gas companies, and mining firms.

Essie Anno Sackey, Managing Director of Century Aviation, lauded the safety, efficiency, versatility, and performance of the SkyCourier aircraft.

‘We are particularly impressed with two things. First, the ease with which you can reconfigure the internal space for passengers or cargo depending on the flight requirements.

‘Secondly, the SkyCourier’s ability to take off and land on various runway surfaces allows us to serve underserved destinations in Ghana and across West Africa, which is central to our expansion plans,’ she said.

The Cessna SkyCourier is a low-maintenance, twin-engine, high-wing turboprop aircraft capable of transporting up to 19 passengers with luggage. It is designed for passenger comfort, offering extra legroom, USB charging ports, and windows along every row.

The aircraft has a maximum cruise speed of 389 km/h, an operating altitude of 25,000 ft, and a maximum range of 1,704 km.

Additionally, the SkyCourier can be operated by a single pilot and has a cargo capacity of 6,000 pounds, making it suitable for both passenger and freight operations.

Established in April 2009, Century Aviation Ltd specialises in providing safe and efficient aviation services to high-demand sectors such as oil and gas, mining, and other critical industries.

The company holds both an Air Carrier License (ACL) and an Airline Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and is also registered with the Petroleum Commission.

The KGL Group of companies, Ghana’s leading wholly-owned indigenous conglomerate and proud headline sponsor of the Ghana Black Stars, has extended heartfelt congratulations to the senior national football team and its management and technical staff for their qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Executive Chairman of KGL Group, Alex Apau Dadey, commended the team for their unwavering determination, unity, and fighting spirit that ensured Ghana’s triumphant qualification on the global stage. He described the achievement as a reflection of Ghana’s enduring passion for football and national excellence.

‘We believe that sports is a transformative force – one that fosters discipline, resilience, unity, and national pride. The Black Stars have once again demonstrated these values through their outstanding performance. As a brand committed to national development, we at KGL Group are proud to stand with them and contribute to Ghana’s journey in global sports,’ said Mr. Dadey.

Mr. Dadey further extended special recognition to His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic, for his visionary leadership and continuous support for youth and sports development.

‘We are deeply inspired by President Mahama’s commitment to strengthening sports infrastructure and creating opportunities for young athletes. His focus on collaboration and investment in sports continues to motivate corporate institutions like KGL Group to play an active role in nurturing Ghana’s sporting potential,’ he added.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote sports, youth empowerment, and talent development across the country.

‘This is more than football – it’s a story of perseverance, teamwork, and the Ghanaian spirit. We encourage every citizen to rally behind the Black Stars as they prepare to make us proud on the world stage,’ Mr. Dadey concluded.

Boxer and media personality, Bukom Banku, has revealed that he lost his television job because he decided to bleach his skin – a practice he proudly calls his ‘talent.’

He made this disclosure during an interview with Empress Gifty on UTV, explaining that management at the station where he once worked took issue with his skin bleaching. However, Bukom Banku stopped short of naming the TV station involved.

‘I lost my TV job because I was bleaching. But bleaching is my talent. That’s my fashion, my style. I love it,’ he boldly stated.

In June 2020, Bukom Banku made headlines when he became the host of a new show titled Bukom Banku Live on GHOne TV. He had signed the deal a month earlier, in May 2020, celebrating the milestone with champagne alongside management of the station.

However, his time on air was short-lived, sparking speculation about why he suddenly disappeared from screens.

In a 2021 video, Bukom Banku clarified that he was not sacked, insisting that his contract with GHOne TV was simply not renewed after its four-month term expired in December 2020 following the elections.

‘I signed for four months, and when it ended, they didn’t renew it because the show had served its purpose,’ he said at the time, adding that the experience had been rewarding and unforgettable.

He also revealed that another channel, TV7, had approached him with a new offer shortly after his exit from GHOne.

Although it remains unclear which specific platform he was referring to in his recent interview, Bukom Banku’s comments suggest that his bleaching habit may have influenced decisions about his television career.

The principal members of the Agona royal family of Denkyira, Old Juabeng and New Juabeng in the Central Region have dragged Oscar Kesse aka Kwame Mensah to the Regional House of Chiefs over his nomination as the next person to occupy the vacant stool of the area.

According to the petition filed by Abusuapanyin Precious Kwame Mensah, Sampson Delali Mensah and Alice Afia Mensah, Oscar Kesse is not a member of the Agona royal family and is not by custom entitled to be nominated and enstooled as chief of Denkyira.

The petition also alleges that Oscar Kesse was nominated by the Queenmother of the area, Nana Ama Ayensua Sara III, in spite of the fact that he did not appear before a committee set up by her to vet prospective candidates who had presented their ‘Dwantoa’, ‘apologies’ to the Chief of Agona Port who chaired the committee.

It argues that principal kingmakers of the traditional area did not, and were not made to participate in the selection and election process of the purported nomination of Kwame Mensah.

The petition indicates that the paramount stool of Denkyira Traditional Area became vacant in 2015 when the occupant, Odeefuo Boa Amponsem III died.

It indicates that whenever the paramount stool of Denkyira becomes vacant, a candidate is selected and appointed as occupant of the paramount stool of Denkyira from the Agona royal family.

‘That it is only the Agona royal family from which a person or candidate who is a true royal of the Agona clan from proper lineage is nominated, selected, enstooled and installed as paramount chief of Denkyira Traditional Area,’ it added.

It avers that the present Queenmother of the area and Kwame Mensah, who are niece and nephew of the immediate past paramount chief of Denkyira, are not members of the Agona royal family of Denkyira.

It says the two are Fantis and they belong to the Asona family at Cape Coast or Asona clan at Cape Coast, which clan has the crow known in the local parlance as ‘Kwakwadabi’ as the clan’s symbol.

That notwithstanding, it alleges that the Queenmother, without going through the appropriate channels, hurriedly announced Kwame Mensah as the next occupant of the stool.

‘That the entire process of the purported nomination and confinement of 2nd respondent [Kwame Mensah] for enstoolment and installation as paramount chief of Denkyira Traditional Area is illegal, was done without due process and was not done in accordance with the custom, practice and tradition prevalent in the Denkyira Traditional Area relating to the enstoolment of a Denkyirahene,’ the petition avers.

The petitioners are therefore, seeking a declaration that Nana Ama Ayensua Sara III, not being a member of the Agona royal family, is not eligible to acquire the status of Queenmother of Denkyira Traditional Area and for that reason her status as Queenmother is null and void.

They also want a declaration that Kwame Mensah, who is not a member of the Agona royal family of Denkyira, is not eligible to be nominated, proclaimed, confined, enstooled and installed as occupant of the paramount stool of Denkyira Traditional Area or as Paramount Chief of Denkyira Traditional Area.

They further want an order restraining Nana Ama Ayensua Sara III from holding herself out as Paramount Queenmother of Denkyira Traditional Area and from in anyway dealing with properties belonging to the paramount stool of Denkyira Traditional Area.

Again, they want an order restraining respondents from taking any further step or performing any further rituals and customs relating to the purported confinement of Kwame Mensah.

They also want an order restraining respondents from enstooling and installing Kwame Mensah as Paramount Chief of Denkyira Traditional Area.

The Methodist Church Ghana has inducted nine new lay chairmen to serve in various dioceses of the church at the Mount Olivet Methodist Church in Dansoman, Accra.

The newly inducted lay chairmen include Sis. Dr. Monica Dede Tekyi-Ansah for Cape Coast, Sis. Henrietta Atta Angmor for Accra, Bro. Justice Amoh for Sekondi, and Bro. Seth Oduro Arthur for Winneba.

The rest are Bro. Samuel Kwesi Appah Peniel for Koforidua, Bro. Frank Inkum Eyiah for Akyem Oda, Bro. Rexford R. Amponsah of Tema, Bro. Evangelist Edward Nyarko Hanson of the Nkawkaw Diocese, and Bro. Castro Kwabena Owusu Manu for the Ho Diocese.

Speaking in an interview, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Prof. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, highlighting the church’s guiding principle of shared leadership between clergy and laity stressed that the Methodist Church operates on a biblical and theological foundation that encourages active participation from all members, regardless of their status.

According to him, the work of God must not be limited to any particular class of people, stressing that in the Methodist Church, the lay and clergy work together to achieve a common goal.

He indicated that while the position of lay chairman is not salaried or full-time, those selected bring valuable skills and experiences from diverse professional backgrounds, including law, education, construction, and finance.

The gifts, he explained, are expected to enhance the church’s mission and help strengthen the activities of the church and ministry.

Most Rev. Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu also stated that Christian leadership must be rooted in service and not an opportunity to be elevated above others that have to be served.

‘Leadership is not about status or privilege; it is about serving others. Jesus himself said he came not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. This mindset has led to a culture where leaders enjoy privileges while neglecting why they were placed in leadership roles,’ he pointed out.

He, however, cautioned pastors not to exploit members for personal gain, particularly offering politically motivated prophecies as well as preaching messages to obtain favour from politicians.

Nigerian music star, Tiwa Savage, has revealed why she fell out with fellow singer Seyi Shay, shedding light on their infamous salon clash years ago.

Speaking on the Off Air podcast released on October 11, 2025, the ‘Somebody’s Son’ hitmaker revealed that their fallout stemmed from a diss track and false accusations that she had tried to block opportunities for other female artists.

Tiwa dismissed the claims, insisting she has always been a strong advocate for women in the industry.

‘If you do something to me, I’ll let you know. I don’t have to do it online. I’m not going to pretend we’re cool in a salon when you’ve done a diss track,’ she said.

The singer expressed deep hurt over rumours that she had tried to ‘block the bag’ for Seyi Shay and Victoria Kimani, calling the allegations baseless.

‘That was painful. I didn’t know where it came from. If anyone says I blocked your bag, mention the person so I can address it. I would never do that; I’m so pro-women,’ Tiwa clarified.

To back up her claims, Tiwa shared that while she was pregnant with her son Jamil, she actually lost a major endorsement deal with Seyi Shay.

‘When I got pregnant, I was taken off the Pepsi Longer Throat campaign and Shay was booked instead. Go check – she was a brand ambassador, I wasn’t. I never tried to stop anyone’s bag. I wasn’t even mad; I just hit the gym and got my body back,’ she added.

The tension between the two stars first grabbed headlines in 2021 after a viral video showed Tiwa confronting Seyi Shay in a Lagos salon – a clash Tiwa seemed to be saying was sparked by Seyi’s verse in Kiss Daniel’s Fvck You Challenge in 2017, where she allegedly threw subtle jabs at Tiwa.

Fidelity Bank Ghana has identified the structural challenges facing the country’s energy sector as a critical national imperative that demands immediate, sustained reform and disciplined capital investment.

Speaking at the BandFT Thought Leadership Series Energy Roundtable, Atta Yeboah Gyan, Deputy Managing Director for Operations and Support Functions at Fidelity Bank, emphasised that fixing the energy sector is ‘not a matter of choice, but a necessity for Ghana’s destiny.’

The event, themed ‘Powering Ghana Forward: Strategising for a Self-Sustaining and Resilient Power Sector in 10 Years,’ provided a platform for Mr. Gyan to offer a candid assessment of a power sector currently weighed down by over US$3 billion in legacy debt and liquidity challenges.

‘If we are to be honest with ourselves, Ghana’s power sector stands today as both an emblem of progress and a mirror of strain,’ Mr. Gyan stated.

He attributed the strain to a vicious cycle of inefficiencies, including delayed tariff adjustments, non-payment by public entities, and a weakened cedi that inflates energy costs.

‘What Ghana’s power ecosystem needs today is not more temporary fixes, but sustainable financing structures underpinned by transparency, innovation, and collaboration,’ he asserted, noting that the financial sector’s involvement is as much about capital discipline and governance as it is about generation capacity.

Drawing from the Bank’s extensive experience in corporate and project finance, Mr. Gyan stated that the energy challenge is not solely about increasing capacity but also about ensuring fiscal responsibility and institutional transparency.

He referenced the role financial institutions such as Fidelity Bank have played through initiatives like the Energy Sector Levies Act (ESLA) bonds, which provided temporary relief to liquidity pressures.

However, he stressed the need for more sustainable financing models rooted in data-driven decision-making and accountability.

Mr. Gyan called for deeper collaboration between the financial sector, policymakers, and energy operators to deliver a power system that works for both consumers and investors.

He outlined several priority areas for action, from smart investments in renewable and hybrid systems to the digitisation of collections and the expansion of smart metering to plug revenue leakages.

‘Digitisation and data transparency must be prioritised to build trust across the value chain,’ he added.

‘Equally important is the establishment of clear, cost-reflective pricing frameworks that give investors and financiers the confidence to commit long-term capital,’ he intimated.

Reaffirming Fidelity Bank’s position as a leader in sustainable finance, Mr. Gyan announced that the Bank is aligning its financing framework to actively support the nation’s clean energy transition.

He noted that Fidelity has already introduced renewable asset financing products to empower individuals and businesses to adopt cleaner energy solutions.

The Bank is also exploring innovative tools such as green financing, blended capital, and ESG-linked instruments to scale up investment in renewable energy and strengthen local energy enterprises.

Mr. Gyan urged greater alignment among policy, finance, and purpose to transform Ghana’s energy sector into one defined by resilience, efficiency, and inclusivity.

‘The challenges before us are complex, but not insurmountable. At Fidelity Bank, we remain committed to walking this journey with Ghana, to power homes and industries, but more importantly, to power confidence, productivity, and growth. Together, we can build an energy sector that is not just functional, but future-ready,’ he said.