Category: Daily Guide Network

ýDirector-General of National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, has stated that the decision to incorporate sanitation indicators into the performance assessment of metropolitan, municipal, and district chief executives, and also in the performance contracts of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), reflect an important recognition that sanitation outcomes are directly linked to leadership, accountability, and effective service delivery.

ýShe said this during the 5th Multi-Stakeholder Executive Breakfast Conversation 2026 on sanitation in the context of job creation, the economy and more.

ýThe event was themed: ‘Sanitation as a Key Performance Indicator for MMDCEs and the Role of Relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies – Prospects, Opportunities and Constraints.’

ýDr. Amoah, who chaired the event, emphasised that the event also signals a broader understanding that achieving national water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) objectives requires strong local ownership, coordinated action among relevant ministries, departments, and agencies, and measurable results that improve the well-being of citizens.

ýShe explained that, the district assembly’s Common Fund Utilisation Guidelines has redefined 20% of allocations for WASH, 10% for potable water, and 10% for environmental sanitation.

ý’This dedicated financing is designed to eradicate water poverty, expand safe drinking water access in rural and marginalised communities, and further accelerate progress towards open defecation, free environment, while closing persistent public health and waste management gaps,’ she explained.

ý’Looking ahead, the Ghana Infrastructure Plan 2018-2047 envisions transformative outcomes, 99% of households rely on pipe water as their primary source, non-revenue water reduced to 10%, and safe sanitation accessible to 95% of the population,’ she said.

ýAccording to her, attaining Ghana’s ambitious WASH targets requires that persistent challenges be tackled collectively in the short and beyond-the-long term.

ýThese challenges, according to Dr. Amoah, include; increasing rural-urban migration-trained infrastructure, open defecation, poor sanitation practices, weak enforcement of sanitation bylaws, climate-related flooding, limited behavioural change and capacity gaps at the local government level.

ýDr. Amoah proposed five foundational pillars to guide national strategy and deliberation, and these foundational pillars are; water and sanitation being treated not as a social expenditure but as a productive asset central to industrialisation, climate resilience, and food systems, as well as energy transitions. Also, shared resources must become shared opportunities, and compliance and accountability must be essential to ensure that investments translate into real improvements in service delivery and public health.

ýAgain, she further added that ‘innovative financing mechanisms, stronger private sector engagements, and sustained collaboration with civil society and development partners are needed to close gaps and sustain interventions as well as work to track progress rigorously, speak with one voice, and make evidence-based results the foundation of our collective strategy.’

ýHighlighting critical gaps, the National Director of World Vision Ghana, Dr. Tinah Mukunda, noted that the open defecation situation remains unchanged since 2015, even as other sub-Saharan African countries have achieved a 15% reduction. This stagnation, according to Dr. Mukunda, poses an unresolved crisis threatening public health and the socio-economic well-being of families.

ýTo drive progress, Dr. Mukunda commended President John Dramani Mahama and the government for implementing recommendations from previous summits. Specifically, environmental sanitation has been integrated into key performance indicators for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, supported by a dedicated 10% allocation from the District Assemblies Common Fund.

ýDeputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, stated that nearly 40% of households still lack access to household toilet facilities and significant numbers of citizens continue to practice open defecation. ý

ýShe highlighted that the decision by governments to make sanitation a key performance indicator for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives is indeed one of the clearest signals pointing to the fact that Ghana is determined to move sanitation from this periphery of governance to the very centre of local governments.

ý’The cleanliness, health, and environmental condition of the communities under its jurisdiction must equally matter. Sanitation is a governance issue, it is a public health issue, an economic issue,’ she said.

ýShe thus officially declared the event open and launched the Seventh School Sanitation Solutions Challenge, highlighting critical national data and pivotal local governance reforms.

ýMinister for Labour, Jobs, and Employment, Hassan Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, emphasised that sanitation is directly linked to labour and economic development.

ýHe mentioned that, the sanitation value chain presents significant opportunities for enterprise development and employment creation, particularly for youth and women in fields like waste collection, recycling, and resource recovery.

ýThe minister also stressed that promoting decent work, safe labour practices, and community co-investment to foster a sustainable and productive workforce is very essential.

HIS ROYAL Majesty, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has for the umpteenth time, strongly cautioned encroachers to stay away from lands of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Recounting history, he said KNUST lands were given by his predecessors for the purpose of academic institution, and it has remained so for many years, vowing to jealously protect lands that belong to KNUST as the Asante King.

Otumfuo, who is the Chancellor of KNUST, stated that he would never allow anyone, family or group to take lands that belong to the university, stating that such things could never happen with him as the occupant of the Golden Stool.

‘I’m stating once again that not a piece of this KNUST land will be given to anybody. I have strongly warned because the land belongs to the Golden Stool and the chiefs here are just caretakers. No Abusuapanin owns land here in the KNUST.

‘Let me state clearly here and again that no Abusuapanin can claim ownership of KNUST land. Any Abusuapanin or whoever goes to court to claim ownership of KNUST land is wasting his time and resources,’ Otumfuo pointed out.

He wondered why some legal practitioners, who are aware that lands in KNUST doesn’t belong to any family, still take money to defend people who try to illegally take KNUST lands, stressing that no KNUST land will be taken by anybody.

According to him, KNUST lands were demarcated about 75 years ago, therefore no amount of force or diabolical means could be used by anybody, group or family to take an inch of that land, especially with him as the KNUST Chancellor.

Speaking at the 75th anniversary launch of KNUST, Otumfuo also expressed gross concern over the rising cases of floods in the country, which poses threat to human lives and property, calling for an immediate solution.

According to him, the rise in flooding across the country, with its attendant problems for the citizenry, should be a wake-up call for authorities concerned to help find lasting solution to the menace.

Otumfuo was of the view that engineers, especially those trained by KNUST and other tertiary institutions in the country, should help provide antidotes to the floods.

‘Nowadays, there have been reported cases of floods everywhere, especially when we it rains, and we seemed to be overwhelmed by the floods. My engineers please help us find answers to the floods,’ the Asantehene remarked.

He disclosed that lack of proper waste management systems and public education on how to dump waste were contributory factors to the floods, reiterating his call for engineers in the country to bring their knowledge to bear.

‘Our engineers should be able to educate us about where to dump refuse to avert flooding problems, because you are trained on these issues,’ Otumfuo added.

The Sofoline Branch Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Albert Boamah, has expressed deep concern over what he describes as increasing disregard for approved transport fares by some commercial drivers, warning that the development is worsening conditions for passengers and undermining order in the transport sector.

According to him, the situation has been aggravated by the activities of unregulated trotro operators who do not belong to any recognised transport union but are allowed to load passengers along the roadside.

Speaking in an interview, Mr. Boamah noted that these drivers have taken advantage of the system to charge arbitrary fares, a practice he said is creating hardship for commuters and contributing to congestion at loading points.

‘The rate at which passengers are paying huge amounts is really alarming,’ he stated.

He explained that the absence of a single regulatory framework has made it difficult to monitor and control the activities of such operators, thereby encouraging indiscipline within the sector.

Mr. Boamah, therefore, called for all transport operators, including independent drivers and floating unions, to be brought under one umbrella-preferably the GPRTU-to ensure effective regulation and enforcement of approved fares.

He maintained that a unified system would help streamline operations and restore discipline in the transport business.

‘Other transport operator unions claim that because they are many, no one can check them. But the GPRTU is the main transport operator with the men and mandate to regulate,’ he stressed.

The union leader also raised concerns about the conduct of some officers of the Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD), alleging that despite their presence at loading points, some drivers still engage in short-distance loading and overcharging.

He suggested that in some instances, enforcement officers allegedly look on while the practice continues, claims he attributed to possible inducements from drivers.

Mr. Boamah further blamed some passengers for enabling the trend, saying their willingness to pay inflated fares and defend errant drivers was worsening the situation.

‘Sometimes passengers must also be blamed. If a commercial driver asks for a huge amount that is not the approved fare, and you try to defend the passenger, the same passenger will support the driver and turn against you,’ he lamented.

He called on the government, transport authorities, and other stakeholders to take urgent steps to enforce strict compliance and ensure that all operators are brought under a unified regulatory structure.

He added that such measures would help curb irregularities, enforce fare discipline, and restore sanity to the public transport system.

Morocco ?have set their sights on topping their group ahead of Brazil but are not too about the possible permutations that would follow for them in the first knockout round, coach Mohamed Ouahbi said ahead of their last group fixture against Haiti.

A win over already-eliminated Haiti on Wednesday would lift Morocco to seven points and give them a chance to finish ahead of Brazil in Group I, depending on the outcome of the clash between the five-time world champions and Scotland in Miami.

‘My ?preference is to beat Haiti and finish ahead of Brazil in the group,’ he told a press conference on Tuesday.

‘There is talk we might play next against the Netherlands, but it could also be Japan, or even then, France or Argentina, but it is not anything we are taking into consideration.’

Morocco’s qualification is not confirmed, but with four points is highly likely.

‘Probably, we are already qualified, but we still want to beat Haiti, and so we plan to field our best possible team in the game. We can use the same starting line-up, but there are still some things we are thinking about before deciding,’ the coach added.

Ouahbi warned ?that he expected a reaction from Haiti, who were the first side eliminated from the 48-team tournament after losing their opening two games to Scotland and Brazil.

Council of State member for the Western Region, Maxwell Boakye, has donated relief items to flood victims in Samreboi after devastating floods destroyed homes, disrupted businesses, and upended livelihoods.

The donation, delivered by a team on his behalf, included student mattresses, boxes of mackerel, cartons of cooking oil, Bel-Aqua Malt, boxes of Kivo Gari, packs of sachet water, bundles of mosquito nets, and bags of rice.

‘While no amount of support can replace lives lost or restore damaged property, I pray God’s comforting hand grants affected families renewed hope, strength, and resilience during this difficult period,’ Mr. Boakye said in a statement.

He acknowledged the efforts of the Regional Minister, Members of Parliament, Municipal Chief Executives, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Education Directorate, security agencies, and community volunteers for their service throughout the crisis.

Mr. Boakye described the donation as ‘a symbol of compassion, unity, and my unwavering commitment to helping the community rebuild and recover.’

He expressed sympathy to all affected families and assured residents they are not alone. He called recovery ‘a shared responsibility’ and urged government institutions, businesses, faith-based organisations, and individuals to support ongoing relief efforts.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Korle Klottey, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has urged young Africans to challenge narratives and take active roles in shaping Africa’s future through creativity, innovation and collective action.

Speaking at the 6th Africa Youth SDG Summit in Accra on June 23, 2026, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings cautioned against using general assumptions to define the aspirations and abilities of young people, stressing that individuals have unique talents and perspectives that must be recognised in policy formulation.

‘I have the honour of being a mother of three children, but for the fact that I gave birth to them myself, I would wonder where they each came from because each individual is so unique. It’s because each individual is so unique that you cannot use the blueprint for one person to determine what everyone else should look like, what everyone else should be like, and what everyone’s aspirations should be,’ she said.

Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings called for a shift in development approaches to ensure that young people are included as partners rather than merely beneficiaries.

‘We need to move to the point where we are looking at budget, we’re not just looking at the gender mainstream aspect, we should be looking at the youth aspect as we incorporate everything including climate change. We need to involve our young people at the very beginning of policy design,’ she stated.

She encouraged young people to use their creativity and energy to demand opportunities and contribute solutions to Africa’s challenges.

According to her, technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), also requires careful consideration to protect human rights and autonomy.

The MP further urged the youth to build unity around common goals, arguing that consistent messaging would strengthen their ability to influence change.

‘The youth must decide what things are most important to you, have those as the key points that you speak to in unison, even as you disagree on other issues,’ she added.

The Country Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. David Wilfred Ochan, also called for greater investment in Africa’s young population, describing them as key partners in achieving sustainable development.

Dr. Ochan said Africa’s youthful population presents a major opportunity if supported with quality education, relevant skills, healthcare, decent jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities.

‘Africa is the world’s youngest continent, with nearly 60 per cent of its population under the age of 25. This is not merely a demographic factor; it is one of Africa’s greatest opportunities,’ he said.

He noted that young Africans are already contributing to development through businesses, innovation, climate action and advocacy.

‘Young people are driving change. They are building businesses, developing innovative solutions, championing climate action and helping to shape societies across the continent,’ he stated.

Dr. Ochan added that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals would require stronger partnerships among governments, the private sector, civil society, academia and young people.

‘The African Youth SDG Summit recognises young people not merely as beneficiaries, but as creators in shaping Africa’s future,’ he said.

Fashion icon, Nana Akua Addo, has revealed that she had benefitted immensely for bearing the same surname with former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Speaking in an interview on Okay FM, Nana Akua Addo stated that many people associate her with the former statesman, a situation she refuses to disassociate from as it has given her certain benefits ordinarily she wouldn’t have gotten.

‘I’m not related to former President Akufo-Addo but the name and how people think I’m affiliated to him has brought some grace to me, and l’ve met some of his daughters and spiritually, I want to be part of his family,’ she said.

Nana Akua Addo is ‘that girl’ when it comes to fashion inspo – she’s basically a masterclass in ‘dress for the moment you want. From custom couture gowns to structured power pieces, Nana Akua never plays safe. She made red carpets her runway long before Ghanaian celebrity fashion went mainstream.

Ghana produced a disciplined and determined performance to earn a valuable 0-0 draw against England at Boston Stadium, strengthening the Black Stars’ hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stage.

Facing one of the tournament favourites, Ghana stood firm defensively and frustrated England throughout a tense Group L encounter. The Black Stars’ organisation and resilience limited the Three Lions to few clear-cut opportunities despite their dominance in possession.

Ghana also posed a threat on the counter-attack, creating anxious moments for England’s defence as the match unfolded. The Black Stars remained compact and composed, forcing their opponents into a largely disjointed display.

England’s best opportunities came in the second half when substitutes Bukayo Saka and Nico O’Reilly were introduced. Saka was denied by an excellent save from goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, while O’Reilly struck the crossbar. Marc Guehi also saw a header cleared off the line as Ghana continued to repel England’s attacks.

The Black Stars came close to claiming all three points late in the game when Prince Kwabena Adu appeared to be brought down inside the penalty area by Ezri Konsa. However, appeals for a penalty were waved away, leaving Ghana players and supporters frustrated.

Despite that disappointment, Ghana will take plenty of confidence from a result that leaves them firmly in contention for qualification. The draw also prevented England from securing an automatic place in the last 32.

With everything still to play for heading into the final group match, the Black Stars remain well positioned to fight for a place in the knockout rounds.

Renowned Ghanaian media personality, Nana Aba Anamoah, has made a bold, passionate display of national pride and unwavering optimism to boost the Black Stars team, stressing that the World Cup final is the aim.

The Ghana Black Stars achieved a highly celebrated 0-0 draw against tournament favourites England in their Group L clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Playing at Boston Stadium, the disciplined and resilient performance saw Ghana successfully defend against overwhelming English pressure to secure a valuable point.

Following Black Stars success, Nana Aba Anamoah went on X to shower praises on the national team, shouting to the world that the Black Stars of Ghana are poised to get to the final of the FIFA World Cup.

The post read, ‘No team can stop Ghana from getting to the final.’ The post has generated a lot of positive reactions from followers, with many wishing the national team well ahead of their game with Croatia this Saturday.

The monumental 0-0 draw between Ghana and England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L clash was an incredible result for the Black Stars. Ghanaians are celebrating the hard-fought point, solid defense, and the resilience it took to hold off one of the tournament’s favourites.

The result leaves both teams on 4 points as they head into the decisive final round of group-stage fixtures. Ghana still has work to do, and a win against Croatia is crucial to secure an automatic spot in the knockout round.

Nigerian music star, Burna Boy, has become the African artist with the most entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.

The Grammy Award-winning singer achieved the milestone following the success of Dai Dai, his collaboration with Colombian pop star Shakira. The song’s appearance on the chart increased Burna Boy’s total Billboard Hot 100 entries to nine.

The achievement moves him ahead of fellow Nigerian singer Tems, with whom he previously shared the record at eight entries.

The latest feat further cements Burna Boy’s status as one of Africa’s most successful international music stars. Over the years, he has expanded his global reach through hit collaborations, sold-out concerts, and award-winning projects that have helped promote African music worldwide.

While Burna Boy now holds the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 entries by an African artist, Tems remains the African artist with the most cumulative weeks on the chart, at 134.

She is followed by Wizkid with 75 weeks, Rema with 66 weeks, South African star Tyla with 57 weeks, and Burna Boy with 54 weeks.