Category: Daily Guide Network

Highlife artiste, Kofi Kinaata, has revealed that his popularity in Kumasi has soared following an endorsement from the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

In an interview with NY DJ on BTM Afrika, the multiple award-winning musician said the Asantehene’s public recognition of his work has greatly boosted his career, resulting in increased streaming figures, social media engagement, and new corporate performance opportunities.

‘Kumasi is becoming a hotspot for me, especially since the endorsement came. The endorsement did a lot for me. It brought in some corporate shows, and my numbers also increased,’ Kinaata said.

The Asantehene, during a Ghana Bar Association event in September 2024, singled out Kinaata’s hit song ‘Susuka’, praising its message of appreciation, humility, and wisdom.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, highlighted the song as an example of the richness of Ghanaian music and urged citizens to uphold values of gratitude and contentment.

Since then, Kofi Kinaata’s influence in the Ashanti Region has grown significantly, with fans and industry players alike recognising the impact of the royal endorsement on his career trajectory.

IT HAS emerged that a 10-year-old miner miraculously survived the mining pit collapse incident which claimed seven lives at Kasotie-Kyekyewere electoral area in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region.

Identified only as Yaw by the police, the minor was said to be among the illegal miners who were buried under the sand for sometime before they were finally rescued and rushed to the hospital for treatment.

A Nyinahin District Police statement, which the DAILY GUIDE has sighted, disclosed that young Yaw and three other illegal miners, including a female miner, were rescued alive last Wednesday evening.

Four Survivors

‘Four victims, namely Yaw, aged about 10 years old, Afia Pokuah, aged about 50 years old, Oppong, aged 25 years old, and Festus Asare, aged about 27 years old, were rescued alive.

‘They were rushed to the Mpasaaso Clinic and that they have been detained for treatment,’ the police disclosed, and added that bodies of all seven people, who died under the debris, have been identified.

Names Of Seven Dead People

The police mentioned the dead people as Afia, aged about 25 years; Kwame Nkansah, aged about 43 years; Kofi George, aged about 30 years; and Anthony Acquah, aged about 28 years.

The rest were also identified by the Nyinahin District Police as ‘Otuo Serebuo, aged 20 years, Paul Frimpong, aged 28 years and Kwame Shadrack, aged 23 years’.

The police said the dead bodies have since been deposited at the Nyinahin Community Mortuary for preservation and autopsy, as investigations into how the mining pit collapsed is still underway.

Search For Bodies End

According to the police, the search for bodies in the deep mining pit has official been completed, indicating that all their checks pointed to the fact that all those who were trapped in the pit have been accounted for.

‘The pit was further excavated and thoroughly searched, but no evidence was found to warrant the continuation of the search for additional bodies. Consequently, the search has been declared closed,’ the police stated.

Many people out of ignorance of the lottery industry have stated that NLA should rather operate NLA 5/90 USSD and Web online lottery instead of Third Party Companies and Collaborators.

They argue that the NLA is also the only body mandated to operate lottery under Section 4 of the National Lotto Act, 2006(Act 722).

Respectfully, I would like to use this article to correct the misleading accounts, misinformation, disinformation, and misinterpretation of the Act 722 being championed by some media houses such us the Fourth Estate and Mr. Sulemana Briamah against the NLA-KGL license agreement because they think that NLA-KGL deal is not in the best interest of Ghana.

I will start by breaking down the practical implementation of Act 722 and the Lottery Regulations, 2008(L. I. 1948):

Powers of NLA under Act 722 and L. I. 1948

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) under National Lotto Act, 2006(Act 722) and Lottery Regulations, 2008(L. I. 1948) has six main powers. They include:

Operational Powers

Regulatory Powers

Supervisory Powers

Management Powers

Collaboration/Partnership/Joint Venture Powers

Powers of the Board of NLA

These aforementioned powers can be seen under:

Section 4(1) of Act 722 which states that, ‘A person other than the Authority shall not operate any form of lottery’.

Section 35(1) of Act 722 which states that, ‘The Authority shall regulate, supervise, and manage National Lotto and ensure the enforcement of the laws relating to National Lotto’.

Operational Powers of NLA under Act 722 and L. I. 1948

The operational powers of the National Lottery Authority(NLA) are captured under:

(a). Section 2(2) of Act 722 which states that, ‘the National Lottery Authority established under Part II(see Section 34 of Act 722) shall be the institution to conduct national lotto.

(b. Section 4(1) of Act 722 which states that, ‘A person other than the Authority shall not operate any form of lottery’.

To operate lottery in Ghana to the public is NOT the same as to sell lottery products to the public or to regulate and supervise lottery by NLA.

Section 2(2) and Section 4(1) of Act 722 are implemented by using:

(1) Section 3 of Act 722 (Time and place for conducting National Lotto).

(2) Section 23 of Act 722 (Draw of National Lotto).

(3) Section 24 of Act 722 (Supervision of draw).

(4) Regulation 1 of L.I. 1948 (Lottery Draw Committee).

(5) Regulation 21 of L. I. 1948 (Draw of national lottery).

(6) Regulation 22 of L. I. 1948 (Supervision by the Lottery Draw Committee).

Hence, the operational powers of the National Lottery Authority(NLA) under Act 722 and Lottery Regulations, 2008 (L. I. 1948) is strictly about the Conduct and Supervision of Lotto Draws, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the sale of lottery tickets or products.

I wish to state categorically that, the argument put forward by Sulemana Briamah and Fourth Estate using Section 4(1) of Act 722 (Prohibition of lottery) to draw a conclusion that NLA has the sole power to sell Lotto directly to the public using the USSD and Web online instead of KGL Technology Limited is absolutely FALSE and totally misleading to the Public.

To operate lotto under Act 722 and L. I. 1948 means ‘to conduct and supervise lotto draws’, and it is solely the responsibility of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) to conduct and supervise Lotto Draws in this country.

For the avoidance of any form of doubt, KGL Technology Limited has NOT breached the operational powers of NLA since the company has NEVER conducted or supervised its own Lotto Draws.

KGL Technology Limited ONLY uses the numbers drawn and supervised by the National Lottery Authority (NLA).

Regulatory Powers of NLA under Act 722 and L. I. 1948

The regulatory powers of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) involve:

Licensing of Lotto Marketing Companies and Collaborators.

Licensing of Private Lotto Operators using Veterans Administration Ghana (VAG), Act 844.

Ensuring Compliance and Enforcement of Act 722, L. I. 1948, and Section 22 of Act 844.

The regulatory powers of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) are implemented using:

Section 5 of Act 722 (Licensing of Lotto Marketing Companies).

Section 6 of Act 722 (Application for Lotto Marketing Companies).

Section 7 of Act 722 (Grant of license and license fee)

Section 8 of Act 722 (Requirements for Lotto Marketing Companies).

Section 9 of Act 722 (Duties of Lotto Marketing Companies.

Section 10 of Act 722 (Publication of Lotto Marketing License).

Section 11 of Act 722 (Suspension or revocation of license).

Section 12 of Act 722 (Renewal of license).

Section 13 of Act 722 (Non-transferability of license).

Section 14 of Act 722 (Offences in respect of a Lotto Marketing license).

Section 18 of Act 722 (Prohibition in relation to coupons).

Section 19 of Act 722 (Offences in relation to a coupon).

Section 20 of Act 722 (Participation in National lotto and purchase of coupons).

Section 27 of Act 722 (Offences in relation to National Lotto Draw).

Section 29 of Act 722 (Foreign lottery).

Section 30 of Act 722 (Repeated Offences).

Section 31 of Act 722 (Seizure and forfeiture of objects used for or relating to Offence).

Regulation 2 of L. I. 1948 (Licensing of Lotto Marketing Companies).

Regulation 3 of L. I. 1948 (Renewal of a license).

Regulation 5 of L. I. 1948 (Grounds for suspension or revocation of a license).

Regulation 12 of L. I. 1948 (Online lottery).

Regulation 17 of. L. I. 1948 (Offences relating to sale of coupons).

KGL Technology Limited was licensed to sell NLA 5/90 lottery products via USSD and Web online under the regulatory powers of the National Lottery Authority(NLA) especially based on: Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13 of Act 722, as well as Regulations 12 of L. I. 1948.

Therefore, any argument put forward by the Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah against the NLA-KGL license Agreement is completely BOGUS, and without any form of legal justification.

Supervisory Powers of NLA under Act 722 and L. I. 1948

The supervisory powers of the National Lottery Authority are implemented using:

Section 15 of Act 722 (Issue of Coupons).

Section 16 of Act 722 (Supply of coupons to Lotto Marketing Companies).

Section 17 of Act 722 (Validity of Coupons).

Section 21 of Act 722 (The duties of a participant in National lotto).

Section 22 of Act 722 (Acceptance of a stake).

Regulation 6 of L. I. 1948 (Prohibitions).

Regulation 7 of L. I. 1948 (Sale of lottery).

Regulation 10 of L. I. 1948 (Official closure of lottery game).

Regulation 18 of L. I. 1948 (Duties of staker).

Regulation 19 of L.I.1948 (Acceptance of stakes).

Regulation 20 of L. I. 1948 (Deposit of counterfoil books).

Regulation 26 of L. I. 1948 (Supply of identification numbers).

Regulation 27 of L. I. 1948 (Forfeiture of security).

Regulation 30 of L.I.1948 (Discontinuance of existing lottery and introduction of new lottery).

Regulation 31 of L.I.1948 (Suspension of lottery activity).

It is only the Board of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) that supervises the business activities of KGL Technology Limited, and appropriately reviews the existing agreements between the Authority and KGL Technology Limited.

Therefore, the allegations by Sulemana Briamah and Fourth Estate should be completely ignored.

Mr. Sulemana Briamah and the Fourth Estate have also FAILED to establish any form of corruption or suspected corruption regarding the NLA-KGL License Agreement.

Management Powers of NLA under Act 722 and L. I. 1948

According to Section 35(2) of the National Lotto Act, 2006(Act 722), ‘The Authority SHALL NOT RETAIL Lotto coupons to lotto stakers’.

Clearly, Section 35(2) of Act 722 completely defeats the arguments put forward by Sulemana Briamah and Fourth Estate regarding the NLA-KGL deal.

How would NLA manage the NLA 5/90 USSD and Web online lottery since Section 35(2) of Act 722 doesn’t give any power to NLA to retail lottery products to the staking public?

However, the management powers of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) are implemented using:

Section 25 of Act 722 (Winnings).

Section 26 of Act 722 (Prizes).

Section 28 of Act 722 (Commission).

Section 32 of Act 722 (Lotto Account).

Section 33 of Act 722 (Deficit in Lotto Account to be a charge on Consolidated Fund).

Regulation 4 of L. I. 1948 (Security deposit for license).

Regulation 8 of L. I. 1948 (Instant lottery and scratch lottery).

Regulation 9 of L. I. 1948 (Procedures for claim of instant prizes).

Regulation 11 of L. I. 1948 (Instant ticket validation requirements).

Regulation 32 of L. I. 1948 (Prize disbursement account).

Collaboration/Partnership/Joint Venture Powers of NLA under Act 722 and L. I. 1948

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) under:

Section 2(4) of Act 722 can operate any other game of chance or enter into collaboration, partnership or joint venture with any person, society, association, or corporate entity, to operate a game of chance in accordance with existing laws but losses from the game of chance, the collaboration, partnership or joint venture shall not be compensated for by the State or from the Lotto Account provided for under section 32.

Based on the provisions under Section 2(4), there is absolutely no basis for the brouhaha coming from Sulemana Briamah and Fourth Estate regarding the collaboration and partnership between NLA and KGL.

Also, if through this partnership, all the losses are on the head of KGL, why must we then create an impression that KGL benefits more than the State?

Regulation 12 of L. I. 1948 states that, ‘the Board may authorise the Director-General to select, operate, and contract for the operation of online lottery which shall be subject to some conditions as stated in the Lottery Regulations.

The NLA-KGL deal is strongly backed by Regulations 12, 13, and 14 of Lottery Regulations, 2008(L. I. 1948).

Based on the provisions captured under Regulations 12, 13 and 14 of L. I. 1948, the Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah have absolutely NO case against the NLA-KGL deal. This gives strong backing to the public perception that KGL was targeted by some faceless financiers of Sulemana Briamah and Fourth Estate.

Powers of the Board of NLA under Act 722 and L. I. 1948

The Board of National Lottery Authority (NLA) has been given the power to devise methods to help maximize the revenue generated by the Authority for the State(Section 37(d) of Act 722) in full alignment with Section 2(1) of Act 22 which states that, ‘National lotto shall be conducted for the purpose of raising revenue for the nation and for other purposes stated in this Act.’

The NLA-KGL deal is so far the best license agreement ever issued by the Board of the National Lottery Authority (NLA).

The record speaks for itself as compared to some licenses issued to other Lotto Marketing Companies, Private Lotto Operators, and Collaborators.

Absolutely, none of the license agreements issued by the National Lottery Authority (NLA) to private companies have been able to deliver massive financial resources to the NLA which is higher than what KGL has delivered to the NLA from 2019 up-to-date.

I would like to boldly state that, for the first time, Sulemana Briamah and the Fourth Estate have completely and totally gotten it WRONG with their investigation regarding NLA-KGL License Agreement.

The NLA-KGL deal is the best so far, and we all must encourage the partnership between these two entities with the patriotic aim of demanding more money for the State as the business of KGL Technology Limited keep expanding.

We should not tolerate or encourage unnecessary commentaries against the NLA-KGL license Agreement from Sulemana Briamah and Fourth Estate because it seems they are doing so out of ignorance or perhaps personal agenda borne out of bitterness, envy, and jealousy.

Wrong Interpretation of Section 2(3) of Act 722 by Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah

According to the Fourth Estate, money meant for the poor and mentally afflicted were given away to the rich, citing Section 2(3) of Act 722, which states that, ‘there shall be conducted as part of the operation of National Lotto, a lottery with the object of providing care and protection for the physically or mentally afflicted, needy, the aged, orphans and destitute children’.

Per Section 2(3) of Act 722, the NLA as part of its operation(not full operations) is supposed to introduce a lottery product with the specific objective of raising revenue to provide care and protection for the physically or mentally afflicted, the needy, the aged, orphans and destitute children. This does not mean that all revenues generated by NLA are meant for the physically or mentally afflicted, the needy, the aged, orphans and destitute children.

Since the enactment of Act 722, the NLA has NOT been able as part of its operations to conduct a lottery with the object of providing care and protection for the physically or mentally afflicted, the needy, the aged, orphans and destitute children as stated in Section 2(3) of Act 722.

The NLA 5/90 is NOT a lottery product conducted for the purposes of raising revenue to satisfy the provision of Section 2(3) of Act 722. If NLA want to satisfy the provisions of Section 2(3), the Authority has to conduct a new lottery with that specific objective but unfortunately the Authority has NOT been able to implement Section 2(3) of Act 722.

Therefore, it doesn’t make sense for Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah to LIE to the general public that NLA revenue is strictly for providing care and protection to the poor, physically or mentally afflicted, the needy, the aged, orphans and destitute children.

If Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah are honest and fair enough then they should do flyers to highlight ALL the beneficiaries of the NLA Good Causes Foundation and share such flyers with the Ghanaian people through their various social media platforms?

The decision of Sulemana Briamah and Fourth Estate to deliberately design flyers and write stories about selected few beneficiaries of NLA Good Causes Foundation, leaving out the rest of the beneficiaries’ amount to the highest level of unprofessionalism and unethical journalism.

It is very important to state that, revenues generated by NLA are meant for the Consolidated Fund as captured under Section 32(4) of Act 722, not strictly for the physically or mentally afflicted, the needy, the aged, orphans, and destitute children.

Also, National Lottery Authority (NLA) shall meet its operational and capital expenditure from the Lotto Fund as stated in Section 50 of Act 722.

Finally, the Facts and Data proves that, NLA has NEVER generated GHS 3 billion business in a single year in the absence of KGL License Agreement. It is therefore misleading to state that NLA has given away GHS 3 billion Business to KGL because KGL itself started operations from zero, it took huge investments, IT Infrastructure development, Systems Integration, and marketing to reach where they are now with absolutely ZERO investments and support from the National Lottery Authority (NLA).

The only thing NLA does for KGL is the issuance of License and conduct of Lotto Draws.

It is equally important for Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah to consider also, the 60-70% of the GHS 3 billion which goes into payment of winners of national lotto.

For instance, NLA used 8years from 2013-2020 to generate GHS 2, 766, 159, 507(GHS 2.7 billion) and out of this GHS 2.7 billion, the NLA used GHS 1, 378, 104, 374(GHS 1.3 billion) to pay Winners of National Lotto.

Also, out of that same GHS 2.7 billion, the NLA:

Transferred GHS 182, 009, 000(GHS 180 million) to the Consolidated Fund, an amount which is far less than what KGL has paid to NLA even within a 2-year period of 2024-2025.

used GHS 553, 014, 988(over GHS 500 million) to pay commission to Lotto Marketing Companies.

The Lotto Marketing Companies earned more money than the Consolidated Fund and the NLA itself based on the existing revenue sharing agreement between Lotto Marketing Companies and the National Lottery Authority (NLA).

used GHS 153, 302, 459(over GHS 150 million) to pay fees to the Technical Service Providers such as Lots Services Ghana Limited and Simnet Ghana Limited.

For the purpose of education, it is well noted that:

(a). Lots Services Ghana Limited has 15 years contract with NLA subject to renewal for another 15 years after expiration.

(b). Simnet Ghana Limited has 10 years contract with NLA subject to renewal for another 10 years after expiration.

(c). NLA has also signed 10-15years license agreement with some Private Lotto Operators in 2024.

used the rest of the revenue for payment of GPRS Fees to Telecos, Suppliers of Thermal Paper Rolls, and Administrative and General Expenses of the Authority.

Asking for value for money should not mean that we should become mischievous, and diabolical in our demands for public accountability.

Real Problems at the NLA

The real problems at NLA that Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah should take an interest in if they are indeed serving the interest of the public and not their personal agenda are as follows:

Illegal lottery operators and agents controlling about 80% of the lottery industry across the country who pays absolutely nothing to NLA and GRA.

Some of these illegal lottery operators have been in the industry for the past 30-40years without any records of payments to NLA and GRA.

Procurement contracts to some Technical Service Providers whereby they are freely enjoying 6% on every gross revenue generated by NLA via the Point of Sale Terminals.

Payment of 25% Commission to the Lotto Marketing Companies based on the gross revenue generated by NLA. This is very outrageous when compared to other countries operating lottery.

I am seriously surprised that, Sulemana Briamah and Fourth Estate are not interested in the aforementioned 3 real problems at the NLA but rather wasting their energy and time on KGL which is giving value to NLA and GRA concurrently.

Even if KGL cease running NLA 5/90 USSD and Web Online lottery right now, which section(s) of Act 722 and L. I. 1948 has stated that, NLA by itself can retail 5/90 lottery via USSD and Web online lottery? Absolutely none.

The NLA would still have to rely on another Lotto Marketing company to run the NLA 5/90 USSD and Web online lottery if KGL cease the running of the NLA 5/90 USSD and Web Online lottery.

So, where from this useless noise from Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah against NLA-KGL deal?

ýInfinity970, a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to improve the lives and wellbeing of communities through communication, education, interaction and advocacy, recently embarked on a public education campaign on air pollution in Greater Accra.

ýSupported by Breathe Cities, Infinity970 engaged some schools in the Ayawaso Central Municipality centering on the causes and effects of air pollution.

ýStudents from the municipality attended the session with their teachers, in addition to representatives from the assembly.

ýEmmanuel Lamptey, a director from Infinity970, briefed the learners about the campaign and the effects of air pollution as well as its impact on the environment and the health of people. It was a moment filled with education, interaction, and inspiration.

ýStudents were guided through an eye-opening discussion on ‘Air Pollution and its Sources,’ with communication materials (i.e. TV advert, Radio Jingle and Poster/Billboard) from the campaign reinforcing the message.

ýStudents were also given the opportunity to bring their perspective on air pollution, leading to the clarification of some misinformation.

ýMr. Lamptey explained the number of air pollution cases on a daily basis, adding that a report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) Report in 2022, revealed that 28,000 people died annually from air pollution.

ýHe continued that polluted air was bad for human health, economies and the planet, adding that it affected most localities even though the details and complexities differed from community to community. It ranged from dust, fumes from burning substances, and waste disposal among others.

ýIn Ghana, he said air pollution was the second biggest threat to health.

ýNana Amoako, Head of Research at Infinity970, after the event, mentioned that the session was just one of a number of interactive sessions planned for communities, schools and municipal assemblies.

ýHe then encouraged stakeholders to contribute their support for air pollution prevention.

ýObiri Yeboah Givens, Environmental Health Officer, who represented Musah Abdul Samad, Municipal Environmental Health Officer for Ayawaso Central, advised the students not to pollute the air and also to educate anyone whom they saw polluting the air.

ýAlso present at the programme were Bright Delali Asiklu, School Improvement Support Officer and Emmanuel Asante, the Municipality’s SHEP Coordinator. Together, they set the tone for what became a highly engaging programme.

POPULAR Ghanaian funeral mourner Maame Ode, known in real life as Mary Ode Bonsu, has stated that her buttocks is natural, reasons why she’s able to shake them off during occasions.

The Kumasi-based funeral mourner and traditional dancer, in an interview, stated that many people believes that she use hip pad to create a more defined and curvy silhouette for confidence-boosting, making her body appear more shapely and feminine.

‘I don’t use hip pad when dancing, that’s why my buttocks moves rhythmically to the tune of the song,’ she disclosed.

Known for her popular hit song ‘Apuutor’, Maame Ode gained prominence not only for her innuendo-inspired songs but for being a professional mourner, one paid to cry at funeral grounds.

Interestingly, Maame Ode charges clients based on the number of days her services are required, and she’s been in the business for over a decade. She’s also known for her resilience and faith, often ignoring critics and staying focused on her work.

Recently, Maame Ode was seen supporting her benefactor, Maame Serwaa, after a devastating fire destroyed several shops, including Maame Serwaa’s boutique, at the Adum PZ market in Kumasi. The fire resulted in significant losses, with Maame Serwaa’s boutique losing over GHS150,000 worth of goods.

VICE PRESIDENT of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mark Addo, and General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo joined counterparts from the West African Football Union Zone B (WAFU B) for a high-level meeting with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to assess progress and discuss strategies for advancing football in the sub-region.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 47th CAF General Assembly scheduled for today brought together top football administrators, including CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, 2nd CAF Vice President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, WAFU B President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, CAF General Secretary Véron Mosengo-Omba, and CAF Member Associations Director Sarah Makuna.

In his remarks, Dr. Motsepe praised WAFU B for its efforts in promoting football and reaffirmed CAF’s commitment to supporting the zone’s development.

He stressed the importance of collaboration and innovation to achieve sustainable progress at both national and regional levels.

Discussions centered on key development areas such as youth and school football, women’s football, refereeing and VAR training, coaching education, and infrastructure support. Member Associations provided updates on ongoing projects, challenges, and opportunities in their respective countries.

Representing Ghana, the GFA delegation highlighted priorities including AFCON qualification slots and formats for youth competitions, expanded women’s and youth football development programs, and improved coaching and refereeing training.

They also called for broader competition structures for both boys and girls at the grassroots and elite levels.

The meeting further explored issues of sponsorship, funding, and infrastructure, emphasizing the need for fair resource allocation and sustainable investment in football facilities across the region.

CAF reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with WAFU B and its Member Associations to implement practical solutions and accelerate football growth throughout West Africa.

Mining magnate Angela List, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nguvu Mining, has been honoured with the 2025 Global Power Female Award, one of the world’s most prestigious recognitions for accomplished businesswomen.

The award was presented at a high-profile ceremony in New York, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Global Power Female Award celebrates women who have redefined leadership and created enduring social impact.

It is organised by the Global Power Forum (GPF), a collaboration between the Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD) and the African Leadership Organisation (ALO).

The event brought together Heads of State, First Ladies, global business leaders, and changemakers from Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the global diaspora.

Angela List made history as the first Ghanaian to receive the award, which organisers described as a tribute to her ‘journey, accomplishments, and bold leadership.’

She was also inducted into the Global Power Women Network (GPWN), an exclusive platform for influential women shaping business, policy, and development worldwide.

With over two decades in the mining industry, Ms. List has built an impressive career marked by resilience and vision.

Her company, Nguvu Mining, operates across Mali, Liberia, and Burkina Faso, and owns Adamus Resources Limited in Ghana and Northern Ashanti Mines, expected to begin production in early 2026.

Nguvu currently produces around 150,000 ounces of gold annually, with projections to reach 200,000 ounces once Northern Ashanti comes on stream.

Expressing gratitude, Angela commended her team’s dedication to safety, excellence, and community development.

‘Our commitment to shared prosperity in the communities we operate is what drives me,’ she said.

As gold prices soar, rising from $1,990 per ounce in 2023 to nearly $3,800 in 2025, Ms. List noted that Nguvu’s host communities will benefit directly.

‘Whenever gold prices rise, our contributions to community welfare automatically increase. We are changing the narrative in mining by making a profound difference in people’s lives,’ she affirmed.

She acknowledged the challenges women face in the male-dominated mining sector and urged more women to take leadership roles.

‘There can be no excuses. We must perform and pave the way for others. Soon, many more women will rise as mining professionals and executives,’ Angela said.

The 2025 Global Power Forum was headlined by leaders including former Tanzanian President Dr. Jakaya Kikwete and Bahamian Prime Minister, Philip Davis, underscoring its global significance.

Award-winning singer, KiDi, famed for love anthems like Gyal Dem Sugar, has admitted that his real-life personality is far from the romantic image his music portrays.

Speaking in an interview on Hitz FM, the highlife and Afrobeats star revealed that while his songs brim with passion and romance, he himself does not fit that description.

‘I am not romantic in real life. I don’t think I am,’ he confessed. ‘I am loving, I have love in my heart, but I’m not that guy who will stand by your window and sing in the rain.’

Despite downplaying his romantic side, KiDi stressed that he is emotionally mature and thrives in meaningful communication.

‘I’m emotionally mature. we can talk, dialogue if there’s a problem, advise each other,’ he explained. ‘I give really good advice, especially in a loving way that touches the heart without it becoming conflict.’

KiDi’s revelation offers fans a peek into the man behind the music – passionate on stage, but grounded and practical in real life.

As a continuous support by the Foundation, it aims at nurturing young talents and promoting sportsmanship among the youth in Ghana. This significant initiative reflects the KGL Foundation’s commitment to empowering the next generation through sports, education, and community engagement.

Launched in 2021 and now in its fifth edition, the KGL U-17 inter-regional championship has firmly established itself as Ghana’s premier platform for identifying and nurturing emerging football talents.

The nine-day tournament showcased some of Ghana’s best young football talents, with the finale held on September 27, 2025 at the McDan Teshie Sports Complex, marking the culmination of an inspiring tournament, reinforcing the Foundation’s dedication to nurturing future sports stars.

Greater Accra’s prodigy Jeremiah Abalo emerged the Overall Best Player, and although the midfielder’s team missed out on the trophy, his exceptional performances throughout the championship was duly recognised, earning him the top award. Throughout the tournament, Jeremiah Abalo starred with his displays, exciting supporters with his skill and vision at both the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence and the McDan Teshie Sports Complex.

His outstanding performances inspired Greater Accra Region to a commendable fourth-place finish, as the side finished behind bronze medalists Central Region, dethroned champions Western Region, and the Ashanti Region team that eventually finished as champions.

The 2025 KGL U-17 Inter-Regional Championship came to an end last Saturday, with Ashanti Region crowned champions for the second time following a 2-1 victory over defending champions Western Region in a thrilling finale.

Among the individual award winners, Western Region’s Frank Abu claimed the Best Goalkeeper Award after a series of commanding displays that not only helped his team reach the final to secure the silver medal, but also caught the eye of many who followed the tournament.

Ashanti Region’s attackers Agyei Duah and Alidu Issah shared the Top Scorer honours, after each scored seven goals to lead their team to clinch the trophy. Their teammate, Kelvin Baffoe, was also named Most Promising Player, underlining Ashanti’s dominance in both team and individual awards.

The 2025 edition saw an expansion, featuring 12 teams that included all ten Regional Football Associations, along with the two GFA Elite Academies. This ensured a full nationwide representation and intense competition that provided a platform for top talents.

The tournament, which is backed by a five-year, $1 million partnership with the KGL Foundation, continues to serve as a cornerstone of the Ghana Football Association’s grassroots development strategy.

Highlighting his commitment to youth development, the CEO of the KGL Foundation, Elliot Dadey underscored the Foundation’s commitment to the U-17 football tournament. ‘At KGL Foundation, we are deeply committed to empowering our youth through sports. This tournament was not only about competition but also about fostering teamwork, discipline, and leadership among young athletes,’ Mr. Dadey reiterated.

The CEO of KGL Foundation, aptly puts it: ‘Our approach is simple, yet deeply intentional: we go into communities, we listen, we learn, and we co-create. We engage not as distant donors, but as equal partners-collaborating with those who live the realities we seek to improve. Together, we design solutions that are rooted in local context, cultural relevance, and shared ownership.’

The government has announced a 12 percent increase in the producer price of cocoa, raising the rate from GHS3,225 to GHS3,625 per 64-kilogram bag.

The adjustment, which takes effect today, October 3, 2025, also translates to GHS58,000 per tonne.

The new price represents a GHS400 increase per bag compared to the previous figure announced in August this year.

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who made the announcement at an emergency press briefing in Accra yesterday, said the review was necessary to improve the welfare of farmers and reflects adjustments in government’s revenue forecast.

‘This means that for every bag sold, the cocoa farmer will now earn an additional GHS400,’ Dr. Forson explained, adding, ‘Government remains committed to monitoring international market trends and taking timely decisions to safeguard the interest of farmers.’

He confirmed that all existing margins, fees, and rates for stakeholders, including COCOBOD, remain unchanged.

The Minister said COCOBOD will, however, continue interventions aimed at sustaining production and improving farmer livelihoods.

These include the free distribution of inputs such as liquid and granular fertilisers, insecticides, fungicides, spraying machines, and flower inducers.

The minister also reaffirmed COCOBOD’s pledge to roll out the Tertiary Education Scholarship Scheme for children of cocoa farmers in the 2026/27 academic year, part of efforts to extend the benefits of cocoa revenue to farm households.