Category: Daily Guide Network

COURT PROCEEDINGS in Kumasi have been brought to a standstill following the indefinite strike by the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), leaving scores of litigants stranded at various court premises.

The Kumasi High Court, Court of Appeal, Asokwa Circuit Court and Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Court were among the facilities closed yesterday, Monday, November 2, 2026, as judicial service workers stayed away from work to press home their demands.

A visit by DAILY GUIDE to the courts revealed locked gates adorned with red banners announcing the industrial action, preventing litigants, lawyers and other court users from accessing the facilities.

Several litigants who had travelled from different communities for scheduled hearings and judgments were left disappointed, with some expressing fears that a prolonged strike could worsen the plight of people seeking justice.

Some of the affected litigants appealed to the government to urgently address the concerns of the striking workers, particularly their conditions of service, to ensure the uninterrupted administration of justice.

‘If this strike continues for days, things will escalate in this country,’ some of the frustrated litigants warned.

One of the affected litigants, Joyce Konama, whose case was scheduled for judgment at the High Court yesterday, expressed disappointment after travelling a considerable distance only to find the court locked.

She said she was unaware of the industrial action and appealed to the government to expedite negotiations with JUSAG to restore normal court operations.

‘I didn’t know they were on strike today, and I am very worried after travelling all the way from my town to find the court closed. The government should fast-track negotiations on their conditions of service,’ she said.

Strike

JUSAG declared an indefinite nationwide strike effective November 2, 2026, following delays in the approval of its proposed salary adjustments and related conditions of service.

The association is demanding approval of the revised salaries and allowances recommended by the Judicial Council, as well as payment of outstanding arrears covering January to October 2026.

The association’s General Secretary, Abdulai Yakubu, announced the industrial action at a press conference on Friday, October 30, 2026, directing members across the country to withdraw their services until their demands are addressed.

The strike has consequently affected court sittings and administrative services, raising concerns among litigants whose cases are pending before various courts.

Meanwhile, the Judicial Service management has appealed to the striking workers to return to work while engagements with the relevant government authorities continue.

The industrial action is expected to remain in force until an amicable resolution is reached between the government and JUSAG.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Gerson Adolfo Mico Esono Angono of Equatorial Guinea as centre referee for the second leg of Ghana’s U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.

Esono Angono will be assisted by compatriots Juan Ngua Nguema Eleng and Jose Antonio Eko, while Gilson Da Costa Lima Pereira of Sao Tome and Principe completes the officiating team.

Ivan Gartor Brown of Liberia has been named match commissioner, and Badara Diatta of Senegal will serve as referee assessor.

The return leg will be played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 15:00 GMT

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has sworn into office the new Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana (CIB Ghana), with a call on its members to strengthen professional standards, ethical conduct and the banking sector’s resilience against emerging threats.

The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Education in Accra, saw members of the 2026 Governing Council take their oaths of office and secrecy in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana Act, 2019 (Act 991).

The Council is led by Dr. Ellen Ohene-Afoakwa as President and Chairperson, with Woelinam Dogbe as Vice President and Benjamin Amenumey as Immediate Past President. Robert Dzato serves as Chief Executive Officer.

Other members include Rosemond Amoo, Doris Yaa Aggrey Ahiati, Daniel Kweku Arhin, John Awuah, representing the Ghana Association of Banks; Elliot Adu Amoako, representing the Bank of Ghana; Kudjo Andy Ameckson of the Ministry of Finance; and Emmanuel Oteng of the Ministry of Education.

Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Education Minister urged the Council to promote professional excellence, enforce ethical standards and equip bankers to respond to changing industry demands.

He identified cybercrime, digital banking fraud and artificial intelligence as emerging threats requiring urgent attention.

‘We expect that you will respond to the new emerging challenge of artificial intelligence and how that can impact on fraud associated with banking in Ghana,’ he said.

The Minister also urged the Institute to pay attention to non-performing loans, regulatory compliance and corporate governance.

He stressed that ethical conduct was fundamental to the banking profession, urging practitioners to provide accurate information, avoid fraud, protect customer confidentiality and refrain from discriminatory practices.

Although he acknowledged improvements in the resilience of the banking sector, he said sustaining the gains would require stronger corporate governance.

Mr. Iddrisu also highlighted the contribution of community banks to financial inclusion and urged CIB Ghana to advise the Ministry on incorporating financial literacy into the national curriculum.

In her remarks, Dr. Ohene-Afoakwa said the new Council was committed to shaping the future of banking in Ghana amid rapid technological developments and emerging industry risks.

She identified professional standards, digital finance capabilities, good governance, ethical leadership and opportunities for young bankers as key priorities.

She said banking went beyond financial institutions and transactions to include supporting businesses, facilitating investment, creating opportunities and contributing to national economic development.

Dr. Ohene-Afoakwa said the Council would work towards building a profession that was future-ready, globally competitive and anchored in integrity, competence and public trust.

She identified cyber fraud and non-performing loans as major concerns, adding that the Institute had incorporated cybersecurity, virtual assets, data analytics and green finance into its curriculum.

The Chief Executive Officer of CIB Ghana, Robert Dzato, announced plans to make continuing professional development (CPD) mandatory for members.

He said chartered bankers would be required to earn a minimum number of professional development credit hours annually to maintain their membership status.

Mr. Dzato said the Institute was also strengthening leadership, soft and digital skills development, expanding digital learning and improving its faculty.

He added that efforts were underway to develop future banking professionals through university programmes in banking and ethics, as well as financial literacy initiatives in secondary schools.

The December rollout has officially begun as Polo Beach Club has hinted at a major comeback.

After months of speculation following its demolition, the luxury beachfront venue has confirmed it is returning with better vibes, bigger parties, and an upgraded location.

In a post on its official page, the club said: ‘You’ve been asking, we heard you, and we’re coming back just in time for Detty December! Better vibes, bigger parties, and an upgraded location. T + The December Rollout Begins Now!’

The announcement comes just weeks after the club’s demolition on October 2, 2026, during a security-led clearance operation at Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra. Personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces’ 48 Engineer Regiment and the Ghana Police Service removed structures along the La beachfront, citing encroachment and safety concerns raised by Labadi Beach Hotel and Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

Prior to the demolition, Spartan-Ives Limited, operators of Polo Beach Club, had filed a lawsuit on September 16, 2026, against Labadi Beach Hotel and National Security officials over ownership of the disputed land.

Despite the setback, anticipation has been building. The club had earlier posted an eight-second video of an excavator levelling a beachfront for construction with the caption: ‘The rumours are true. We are coming back soon. Stay tuned for what’s next at Polo Beach Club,’ a post that garnered over 133,000 views.

A Syrian national has been arrested at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, following his arrival from Accra, Ghana, with approximately 40 kilograms of suspected cocaine concealed in two pieces of luggage.

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), in a statement, confirmed the arrested which was effected on Saturday, October 31, 2026.

NACOC said the successful apprehension of the suspect resulted from a coordinated controlled delivery exercise, carried out through close operational cooperation between Ghanaian and Lebanese drug law enforcement authorities.

‘The joint operation aimed to identify and apprehend targets at both ends of the supply chain while gathering vital intelligence to dismantle the broader transnational criminal syndicate behind the shipment,’ the statement said.

It said the operation underscores Ghana and Lebanon’s collaborative commitment to disrupting international drug trafficking networks through cross-border intelligence-sharing.

The statement added that NACOC operations are ongoing to arrest the suspect’s accomplices in Ghana.

This is the fourth major arrest of persons suspected to be linked to drug trafficking syndicates, having arrived from Ghana to their various destinations.

The arrests have resulted in calls on government to take drastic measures to deal with the incidents, which have the potential to put passengers arriving from Ghana on the radar of other countries.

On September 20, 2026, a 52-year-old man was arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa on suspicion of drug trafficking after arriving from Accra.

The South African national, who had arrived from Ghana, was arrested by the country’s law enforcement agents in an intelligence-led operation that resulted in the retrieval of substances suspected to be cocaine, with a local street value of R2 million, an equivalent of GHS1,416,545.18.

In June this year, a British actress and an Australian couple were arrested and put before court for allegedly attempting to smuggle 320kg of methamphetamine into Australia from Ghana, with an estimated value of A$296 million ($208 million).

In July, French customs officers at the port of Dunkirk seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, valued at more than US$260 million, concealed in a container of plastic waste that had departed Ghana.

All these incidents put together paint a negative picture of the country’s border and customs, as many are beginning to draw a link to insider complicity.

Responding to the previous two major drug busts in France and Australia, President John Mahama gave an inter-agency task force two weeks to draw up measures to halt the trafficking of narcotic drugs through Ghana’s borders.

TWO PERSONS are battling for their lives at the Asafo Agyei Hospital after a speeding vehicle knocked them down at Sokoban in the Atwima Kwanwoma Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

The accident, which occurred last Saturday, involved a private vehicle with registration number GE 461-15, allegedly driven by a suspected drunk driver.

The driver, whose identity has been withheld, was arrested following the incident.

The Assembly Member for the Sokoban-Daban Electoral Area, Kwadwo Boateng, who reportedly led efforts to apprehend the driver, confirmed the accident and said the victims were knocked down while standing by the roadside.

He disclosed that the driver was suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol when the accident occurred.

Mr. Boateng expressed concern over what he described as the increasing spate of pedestrian knockdowns in the area, blaming the situation partly on the absence of speed ramps and roadside barricades.

According to him, his office, together with residents, had repeatedly petitioned the Department of Feeder Roads and the area’s Member of Parliament to facilitate the construction of speed ramps and barricades to check speeding and protect pedestrians.

However, he lamented that the appeals had not received the needed attention, despite several lives reportedly being lost through similar accidents.

‘Several people have died through similar pedestrian knockdowns in this area. We have cried to the authorities for speed ramps, but nobody listens to us until another life is lost,’ he lamented.

The Assembly Member consequently appealed to the relevant authorities to urgently intervene and provide the necessary road safety infrastructure to prevent further fatalities.

Meanwhile, the police have commenced investigations into the accident, while the two victims remain in critical condition at the hospital.

Ghanaian fashion influencer, Nana Akua Addo, captured the hearts of attendees at this year’s Lagos Fashion Week after an emotional debut runway appearance where she was seen in tears.

Nana Akua Addo was the star model for THE SEVON DEJANA BRAND in an all-white wedding gown, receiving applause from the audience as she closed the designer’s ‘Out of Body’ showcase at the Federal Palace Hotel tents.

The appearance marked her first major public outing since videos showing her with facial injuries circulated on social media.

In a post on social media, she wrote: ‘Last night, I walked into my moment and gave the runway a finale to remember. I closed the show in a wedding gown, just as I closed a chapter in my own story. Perhaps there is something beautiful about endings, new beginnings and the courage to embrace both. Closing @sevondejana at Lagos Fashion Week 2026 was more than a walk for me. That statement truly had to be made. Some chapters end, but the woman always remains the story.’

The tears on the runway have been linked by many fans to her current personal ordeal.

Weeks before the show, Nana Akua Addo announced her separation from her husband, Harold Norman, weeks after allegations of domestic violence involving the couple became public.

She made the announcement through an Instagram post accompanying the video of her Lagos Fashion Week appearance.

The separation announcement followed reports that the actress was allegedly assaulted and hospitalised. Nana Akua Addo later petitioned the Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID), alleging that her husband subjected her to physical, emotional and economic abuse.

For many who watched her close the show in a wedding gown, the tears were seen as more than emotion for fashion – but a symbol of closing a painful marital chapter and embracing a new beginning.

A GHS100,000 reward has been announced for anyone who provides credible information leading to the arrest of the principal suspect, Samuel Christopher Osei Anto, who is alleged to have shot and killed George Atuguba, and his niece, Irene Atuguba, in the head at their NTHC Estate residence in Sakumono on October 30, 2026.

Meanwhile, the police have arrested 47-year-old suspect Beatrice Mumuni, who is believed to have led the principal suspect to the residence of the victims before the murders.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident was triggered by a financial dispute.

According to police, the deceased, George Atuguba, had allegedly borrowed GHS500,000 from the suspect but failed to repay the amount.

On the morning of the incident, suspect Samuel Christopher Osei Anto reportedly went to the deceased’s residence with Beatrice Mumuni to demand repayment.

A misunderstanding allegedly ensued during the confrontation, during which the suspect shot and killed George Atuguba, and his niece, Irene Atuguba. The deceased persons were rushed to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead by a medical officer.

Police say efforts are underway to apprehend the main suspect, while the arrested accomplice is assisting with investigations. Meanwhile, Samuel Christopher Osei Anto has been declared wanted to assist investigations into the case.

A statement issued by the Accra Regional Police Command assured the public that every effort is being made to apprehend the suspect and bring him to justice.

The bodies of the deceased have since been deposited at the Police Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

Brother’s Account

The brother of the late Irene, Stephen Atubiga, has recounted in an emotional post how his sister and uncle were shot dead.

In a statement titled ‘The most difficult storm blew through the Atubiga family this morning,’ Mr. Atubiga said he received a call from the wife of the suspect, Samuel Anto, at about 8 a.m. while he was at the gym.

‘She asked, ‘Steve, where are you?’ I replied that I was at the gym working out. She said, ‘Please come here quickly, my husband has just shot our uncle George and your sister. Come now,” he recounted.

He said he was completely dazed and forgot to call his driver and escort, and after alerting the police, he ran out of the gym towards his sister’s house on foot.

‘On the way, I saw a taxi parked by the roadside. I jumped in and told him to drive quickly,’ he said.

Mr. Atubiga said upon arrival, the victims were rushed to Sakumono Community Hospital where doctors pronounced them dead, but he initially refused to accept the news.

‘I was in disagreement with the doctors who told me my sister and uncle were gone. The doctors showed me all the medical examinations to accept that they were gone, but I refused, especially touching my sister’s chest trying to feel for a pulse,’ he wrote.

‘Because I believe in modern medicine I have seen on TV, where people shot in the head still survive, but the doctors kept telling me the bullets in their heads killed them instantly.’

He said the police subsequently took possession of the bodies for further investigations.

‘Until I was asked to sign the documents for preservation in the mortuary. They called me in alone to look at them before they put them in. That was my breaking point. I accepted that my lovely sister and uncle are gone,’ he added.

Describing his sister as his closest confidante, Mr. Atubiga said she was the only person he could share his difficulties with 24/7 and always gave him a shoulder to cry on.

‘She was the only person I could share my difficulties with 24/7… She always had a meal in her fridge to feed me whenever I called,’ he stated.

He described his uncle George as a very quiet person who always had listening ears.

‘Today, as I sit now, as the only son of my mother in the Atubiga family, who can I run to during my predicaments? God, will I ever get a genuine replacement and helper now that she is gone? In all, I cannot question God. I can only say, it is well.’

Veteran Ghanaian actress, Grace Naa Kwarley Nortey, has been laid to rest following a funeral service attended by hundreds of mourners, including prominent figures from the entertainment industry and politics.

The ceremony took place at the forecourt of the State House in Accra on Saturday, October 31, with veteran actress Maame Dokono, Nana Ama McBrown, Lydia Forson, Kalsum Sinare and actor and politician, John Dumelo, among those who gathered to honour her memory.

Representatives of the Ghana Actors Guild, industry colleagues, family members, and fans also attended the service to celebrate the actress’s life, whose contributions to Ghanaian entertainment spanned several decades.

Her burial was held privately, with only close family members in attendance. In keeping with the family’s arrangements, there was no wake, while mourners wore white outfits as requested.

A thanksgiving service was held on Sunday, November 1, at 8am at St Barnabas Anglican Church in Osu.

Grace Nortey died on August 26, 2026, at the University of Ghana Medical Centre at the age of 89.

Born on February 1, 1937, she was widely regarded as one of the pioneering figures in Ghana’s acting industry.

Her career covered theatre, television, film and radio, earning her recognition through popular productions such as ‘Obra’, ‘Osofo Dadzie’, ‘Nana Akoto’, ‘Escape to Love’ and ‘Ties That Bind’.

She also featured in films including ‘Sinking Sands’, ‘Lost Hope’ and ‘Matters of the Heart’, and gained international exposure through her appearance in the 2015 Netflix film Beasts of No Nation.

Beyond acting, Grace Nortey hosted ‘Nyeawokoshie’, a radio programme for Ga women in the 1970s. Her contribution to the creative arts was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Black Star International Film Festival.

She is survived by five daughters, including actress Sheila Nortey. Her passing attracted tributes from several prominent personalities, including former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who described her as a trailblazer and cultural icon.

The Ghana Armed Forces have demonstrated its operational readiness to defend the country against external aggression at the 2026 Land Combat Fire Demonstration Exercise held at Bundase Training Camp in the Greater Accra Region.

The exercise formed part of the training programme for students of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), Senior Division Course 48.

The exercise was executed by the Fifth Infantry Battalion as the lead and host unit, supported by elements of the First and Second Infantry Battalions, 16th Artillery Brigade, 15th Armoured Brigade, 14th Engineer Brigade, 17th Army Signal Brigade and the Army Special Operations Brigade.

It aimed at testing the operational readiness, firepower, and battlefield coordination of the Ghana Armed Forces in responding to external threats.

On the weapons display, various small arms and light weapons including rifles, RPGs, LMG L4A4, Pistol M and P-9, CZ 999 Scorpion, and Taurus PT 92 AF were put into practical demonstration on their effective use against enemy forces. Artillery equipment was also displayed as part of the exercise.

Addressing the exercise, the Vice Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, Peter Toobu Lanchene, described the demonstration as an important exercise to showcase the military’s capabilities and preparedness.

He said the 2026 Land Power Combat demonstration is an important exercise to demonstrate military capabilities and preparedness, in order for the military to show that they are capable of performing their constitutional mandated duty of defending the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa West said ‘the sovereignty of this nation, the defence of this nation, is in the hands of the Ghana Armed Forces.’

‘If there is any threat anywhere around us, and you find a way to witness what has been demonstrated today, you better go back and tell your masters that Ghana is a no-go area. Our Ghana Armed Forces is prepared and they are capable to protect and defend this nation,’ he added.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Southern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces Joint Taskforce, Brigadier General Edward Awaribey, described the Land Combat Firepower Demonstration as one of the key operational training activities on the Ghana Armed Forces annual calendar.

He added that the exercise serves as a forum for cross-service learning, professional exchange and capability demonstration, essential for developing the next generation of operational commanders.

Brig. Gen. Awaribey outlined five objectives for this year’s exercise: to demonstrate the integration and employment of fire support assets by a battle group operating within a joint task force across deep, close and rear operations; to illustrate the Ghana Army’s concept of operations and its current capabilities within the land component of joint warfare.

Also, the exercise aims to expose students to the realities of the land battle space, its complexity, tempo and the interdependence of manoeuvre, fires and sustainment; to familiarise participants with major platforms, systems and weapons that constitute the Ghana Army’s combined arms capability; and to reinforce interoperability and mission command principles in a contested multi-domain environment.

The demonstration also integrates the Ghana Navy and Air Force, whose participation underscores the Armed Forces’ ability to synchronise efforts across land, sea and air to achieve unified mission objectives.

‘This demonstration is not merely a training routine. It is a testament to our combat readiness, interoperability, situational awareness and command and control,’ he said.