Category: Daily Guide Network

Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has condemned the demolition of the La Pleasure Beach, describing it as wanton and bizarre.

In a statement issued in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, 2026, Dr. Bawumia said La Pleasure Beach is socially, economically, culturally and internationally significant, having evolved into the most vibrant beach resort in the country.

He said the beach is a source of livelihood for thousands of people, especially the youth, and is extremely important to the nation and the people of La in particular, noting that it has been the hub of many international functions and shows.

‘During the NPP government’s tenure it was one of the key places which supported the successful Year of Return and related activities which put Ghana on the map,’ he said.

Dr. Bawumia said it was sad that the enclave has been demolished, adding that it was particularly painful and surprising that even movable assets which the owners could have removed easily were destroyed.

‘I am convinced that we must make La beach a major tourist and economic enclave and I pledge my commitment to the people of La especially the businesses at La beach to make that happen,’ he said.

He outlined a five-point plan to restore the beach economy if given the opportunity.

‘We will rebuild the beach economy and issue leases to each business. We will redesign the space to meet standards and assist the operators to run it,’ he said.

‘We will secure the space for Labadi Beach Hotel and others and allow them to coexist with smaller businesses who together create the beach ecosystem. We will engage the owners of LABOMA beach and resolve their issues and work with them to establish their business and make them compliant with law. We will also work on the lagoon and resolve issues related to flooding and the environment,’ he added.

Dr. Bawumia said he is committed to saving the thousands of jobs that the beach economy supports and to improve them.

The Minister for Defence, Dr. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has launched the 2026 Poppy Appeal with a call on Ghanaians to support the welfare of veterans.

Launching the appeal at the VAG Club House on Friday, October 2, 2026, Dr. Adjei said the Poppy Appeal should not be seen merely as fundraising but as a national expression of gratitude to men and women who served, sacrificed and suffered for Ghana.

‘The poppy is a simple flower, but it carries a powerful message. It represents remembrance, sacrifice, service and gratitude,’ he said.

He said the 2026 appeal is significant because the generation of pre-independence veterans is rapidly disappearing, with only a few remaining.

He described them as a living bridge between Ghana’s colonial military history, independence and the modern Ghana Armed Forces.

Dr. Adjei recalled the difficult conditions of Ghanaian soldiers in the Burma campaign during the Second World War and said the nation must ensure the remaining veterans live with dignity.

‘We cannot wait until the last pre-independence veteran is gone before we fully appreciate what their generation gave to us,’ he said.

He said funds from the appeal will support healthcare, medication, welfare and infrastructure through the Veterans Administration Ghana (VAG), and appealed to corporate Ghana, financial institutions, traditional leaders, MPs, MMDAs and individuals to contribute.

The Executive Director of VAG, Brig Gen Seidu Mumuni Adams (Rtd), appealed for support to establish district offices for veterans and their widows and widowers, noting that VAG currently operates in 10 regions with 72 districts but lacks adequate infrastructure.

Duraplast Limited is expected to resume full production today, following a fire that destroyed the company’s entire stock of products stored at its warehouse in the North Industrial Area at Avenor, Accra.

The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Thursday, October 1, 2026, affected the company’s warehouse and parts of neighbouring facilities.

Bismark Tsatsu, Systems Manager responsible for Health and the Environment at Duraplast, said the company was assessing the extent of the damage and preparing to restock its warehouse.

He said management was confident of returning to full operations early next week.

‘This morning we will continue with the assessment, and then we’ll look at where we’ll begin, you know, restocking our production. So, we plan to resume full operation by Monday, hopefully,’ he told Accra-based Starr FM.

Mr. Tsatsu said the fire was believed to have originated from the nearby Islam area, where a cooking gas explosion reportedly triggered the blaze.

‘This was caused by a fire that emanated from the Islam area where there are residences there. I don’t know the full details, but what I know is somebody was cooking, and then gas exploded, and then we have the story that we have,’ he said.

He said the company was yet to determine the full financial cost of the incident, although all products that were on the warehouse floor at the time of the fire were destroyed.

‘By estimation of damage, we can’t readily put a figure on the damage caused, but our entire stock of product on the floor at the time of the fire incident totally got damaged,’ he said.

Despite the extent of the damage to the warehouse, Mr. Tsatsu said the company was relieved that the fire was prevented from spreading to its main factory.

He said the main factory housed critical machinery and other equipment which could have significantly disrupted production if they had been affected by the fire.

Mr. Tsatsu credited the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and other state authorities with helping to contain the blaze and prevent further damage.

‘Thankfully, we were able to prevent the fire from spreading to our main factory where there were machinery and other equipment. Thankfully, we were able to save that with the help of the Ghana National Fire Service,’ he said.

He also commended other state authorities for providing security and maintaining law and order at the scene.

Meanwhile, the company’s other sites remain operational, allowing customers to continue accessing Duraplast products, including pipes and water tanks, through alternative outlets.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, was released from the custody of Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) after a High Court granted him a bail of GHS10 million, as he was arraigned for allegedly causing financial loss to the state.

Mr. Awuah had spent two nights in the custody of EOCO after he reported himself at the anti-graft agency which had secured a warrant to arrest him as well as search his premises and office.

The MP, who is also a private legal practitioner, is facing charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, dissipation of public funds and intentionally causing financial loss to the state.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges which relate to a GHS3.9 million loan facility SIC Life Savings and Loans granted to Equity Savings and Loans, which the lawyer was later contracted to retrieve as well as the accrued interest.

Condemnation

Mr. Awuah was detained by EOCO on October 1 when he reported to the agency accompanied by his lawyers and fellow MPs.

His detention drew wild condemnations and accusations of abuse of power against the leadership of EOCO as many suggested there was no need to keep him in custody since he reported himself.

Parliament, in a statement, condemned the continued detention of the legislator who had surrendered himself, calling for his immediate release.

The statement said the Speaker of Parliament ‘considers the circumstances surrounding the Member’s detention a matter of serious concern to Parliament, raising questions about the rights of the Member, the privileges and independence of Parliament, and the proper exercise of investigative powers.’

Parliament affirmed that MPs are not above the law but pointed out that where a member is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence, the law must take its course.

‘Members of Parliament do not act merely in their personal capacities. The law, therefore, recognises certain safeguards governing interactions between Members and other organs of State. These safeguards are intended not to shield Members from accountability, but to protect the independence of Parliament and the mandate of the people they represent,’ the statement said.

Bail Application

Samuel Atta Akyea, counsel for Mr. Awuah, in his application for bail prayed the court to grant the accused a self-recognisance bail, given the fact that he is a Member of Parliament and a lawyer.

He also assured the court that the accused is not a flight risk, pointing to the MP’s voluntary surrender to EOCO and his subsequent cooperation with the anti-graft agency.

Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, did not oppose the application for bail but urged the court to impose strict conditions that will compel the accused to make himself available to the court and investigators.

The court, after hearing arguments, granted Mr. Awuah a bail of GHS10 million with two sureties, all whom are his colleague MPs.

The court further ordered the MP to make himself available for investigations. He will reappear in court on November 26, 2026.

‘Above Board’

Speaking to the press after the proceedings, Mr. Awuah said he is above board and no dirt can stick on him.

‘I have, through it all, been in very good spirits and I’m extremely grateful to the people of Ghana who have seen through the propaganda of the NDC. The support they’ve given me is massive, and I will assure them that I am indeed above board. No dirt can stick on me,’ he said.

Under a reset agenda, untoward actions take place even when these are matters pendent in courts and awaiting adjudication.

The recent demolition exercise of the Polo Beach Club regardless of multiple lawsuits yet to be disposed of brings to the fore once more the rate at which impunity is being stretched under the President John Mahama’s administration.

Last week ended on a sore note when besides the illegal demolition of seven beach houses, Sappers from the 48 Engineer Regiment descended upon workers of the affected businesses, inflicting upon them assortment bruises. The nasty and crude assaults were reminiscent of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) days. No wonder people regard the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as an extension of the killer junta PNDC.

We have taken note of the interesting yet instructive damage control intervention of Stan Dogbe in the face of the unenviable public backlash.

Not even the finest PR consultants can save the face of President Mahama and his woeful performing government in the face of massive human rights abuses.

Stan must come again. The buck stops on the desk of the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, President John Mahama.

What a watery defence! The operation was a National Security mission under the aegis of the Labadi Beach Hotel. Sounds pedantic and unconvincing under the circumstances when the National Security Secretariat, operations et al, come under the Presidency.

This tendency for the President to flee responsibility for actions of the state as represented by the multitude of agencies under him is becoming notorious.

The President must learn to take responsibilities for untoward actions of the agencies he superintends as executive head of state.

The impression that the President is not served daily national security briefings by the relevant officers cannot be acceptable. Are we saddled with a national security lapse in which the President is denied the true picture of the nation on daily basis or even shorter frequencies as demanded by the constitution?

It would appear that is not the case and that the President is merely running away from the negative outcomes of actions undertaken in his name.

This special nonsense carried out by crestfallen Richard Jakpa, the Special Director for such missions, is worrying.

We and the rest of our compatriots would not take this crap from the Deputy Chief of Staff when he seeks to absolve the President from the nonsense, especially since Jakpa had served notice to do as he has finally done.

When the ownership of a hotel ostensibly directs the National Security Secretariat to destroy local businesses as witnessed last week, Ghanaians must question the integrity of governance at the hands of the President.

They are wailing who have lost their sources of livelihoods, including those who have invested millions of Ghana Cedis and dollars in a promising beachfront business. This coming at a time when the much publicised campaign season 24-Hour Economy job creation mantra has proven to be stillborn, tells us more about the incompetency of persons piloting the ship of state.

Stan Dogbe, we have been duly reminded about the incident when you seized a reporter’s gadget and destroyed it. The destructive traits runs through the DNA of the NDC as a political party, and it is regrettable.

Listening to Raymond Archer when he subtly warned members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) about what awaits them when the NDC comes to power in a pre-2024 presidential election interview makes it clear that the ruling party is on a vengeance mode.

More demolitions, more arrests are on the way. But is that what Ghanaians voted for?

Ghanaians did not vote for the destruction of their businesses for foreign takeovers.

The inability of the government to meet its development goals, not a single one has been achieved even as it continues on a vengeance spree, smacks of incompetence or executive recklessness. Tomorrow is pregnant.

The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has been asked to get his facts right about the benefits Ghanaian taxpayers receive from the lottery industry.

While reacting to a recent statement which sought to downplay the benefits accruing to taxpayers from the lottery business by the Finance Minister, Dr. Razak Opoku, a financial economist, lecturer and a former Head of Publications of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) stated that the facts on the grounds are in sharp contrast to the Finance Minister’s GHS10m claim which, according to him, is a case of misinformation being fed him.

KGL Pay GHS326m To GRA, NLA

He said Ghanaian taxpayers, through the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), received over GHS153 million from KGL on April 16, 2026, for the 2025 financial year alone.

Ghanaian taxpayers, through the NLA, he added, benefited from over GHS173 million from KGL.

‘As Finance Minister, he needs to be interested in understanding how the NLA received GHS173 million from KGL, while the Ministry of Finance received only GHS10 million in dividends from the NLA,’ Dr. Opoku reiterated.

For the records, according to him, ‘other 29 private lotto operators licensed by National Lottery Authority also paid GHS 44.9 million to the NLA in 2025.

‘I sincerely believe that these 29 licensed private lotto operators equally pay taxes to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA),’ he said.

Dr. Opoku said it is never true that this is the first time taxpayers are benefitting from lottery business since 2018.

The major problem of NLA, according to him, is wastage of financial resources. It does not make sense for NLA to use over 90% of its income on Good Causes Foundation and other CSR activities and pays only GHS10 million dividend to the Ministry of Finance.

Continuing, he stated that it is not necessarily about reviewing of agreements but it is about tackling wastage of financial resources at the NLA as a resetting government.

‘The more NLA receives, the more they use the money on needless internal operations and activities at the detriment of the taxpayers,’ he added.

Musician, Criss Waddle, has condemned the demolition of tourism business structures at La Pleasure Beach, questioning why the government did not explore negotiations with the affected businesses before resorting to demolition.

In a post on X on October 2, 2026, the musician argued that authorities could have reached an agreement with the businesses and used a percentage of their earnings to support measures aimed at tackling flooding in the area.

‘Exactly what I’m saying, why can’t we negotiate with the businesses that have already established there to pay a percentage of their income to the government so that it can be used to acquire equipment that helps during flooding,’ he asked.

Criss Waddle said the demolition would negatively affect businesses and the people whose livelihoods depend on them, stressing the need for authorities to provide a meaningful alternative.

‘The thing about demolition at beachfronts is you will have to replace it with something meaningful, nicer, and safer than what was demolished,’ he stated.

He further warned the government that if alternative businesses or employment opportunities are not created before the next election, the affected business owners and workers could respond at the polls.

‘That has to be done before ELECTIONS or the business owners and employees will use that as leverage to vote against you,’ he added.

The Ashanti Regional Secretariat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised concerns over the continued detention of the Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Lawyer Baffour Awuah, by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

The party described the detention as ‘needless’ and an affront to the rule of law.

In a strongly-worded statement issued on Friday, October 2, 2026, the Ashanti Regional NPP accused state investigative agencies of being used to harass opposition elements, and cautioned President John Dramani Mahama to be mindful of the actions of his appointees.

The statement, signed by the Regional Secretary, Dr Francis Adomako, said the party recognised EOCO’s mandate to investigate suspected economic and organised crimes, but insisted that such investigations must be conducted within constitutional limits and the principles of natural justice.

According to the NPP, Lawyer Baffour Awuah voluntarily presented himself after learning from the Deputy Attorney General that an arrest warrant had been issued against him.

It said it was therefore ‘deeply troubling’ that after voluntarily submitting himself to the authorities, he was allegedly subjected to treatment intended to humiliate him and demean the high office he holds.

‘While his legal team works tirelessly to satisfy the onerous bail conditions and secure his release today, we serve notice to President John Dramani Mahama that the path his appointees in state agencies are charting is dangerous for our democracy,’ the statement said.

The party further cautioned President Mahama against what it described as the use of state power to intimidate political opponents.

It said political power was transient and warned that such conduct could threaten national cohesion and establish a dangerous precedent.

The Ashanti Regional NPP consequently called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the clergy, the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and other stakeholders in Ghana’s democracy to take interest in the development and intervene before political tensions escalated.

The party also urged the stakeholders to call the President and his appointees to order, insisting that the rule of law must be respected regardless of political affiliation.

Ensign Global University (EGU) once again reaffirmed its commitment to training global public health leaders with the matriculation of its newest cohort into the Master of Public Health (MPH) programme. The ceremony marked the final matriculation ceremony of the year, as students were officially initiated into the university community.

As part of the formal proceedings, students took the matriculation oath, administered by EGU Registrar Mr. Patrick Kuma, affirming their commitment to the values and pillars of the university, including leadership, professionalism, and entrepreneurship.

In his keynote address, EGU President and Professor, Stephen Alder delivered a sincere and inspiring message to the students,reminding them that the journey ahead would be demanding, and challenging students to embrace that difficulty as a catalyst for becoming the best possible leaders in public health. These, he affirmed, are the qualities that every Ensonian should embody.

‘We have to do our job. We need to test you, to stretch you, and to challenge you. If you are not challenged by this (MPH experience), you are not going to be better when you’re done.So, it is hard-it is hard because we believe you are capable of taking on these challenges, and through them, you will grow,develop and become Ensonians.’ President Alder thereafter officially matriculated and admitted the students into the privileges and responsibilities of the Faculty of Community Health, marking the beginning of thestudents’ journey as future public health professionals.

As part of the ceremony, representatives of the matriculants, Ms. Lawrencia Amoah and Mr. Matthew Imbeah, delivered a speech to express their gratitude and commitment to the endeavorsahead through teamwork and collaboration.

‘No single one of us can see health problems wholly’. The laboratory scientist sees the result and not the household it came from. The safety officer sees the water source and not the woman who chose it because the safe one (water source) was forty minutes away. Everyone in this room is holding a piece of the picture, and we will spend the year putting the pieces together on the same table. That is what an MPH actually is.’

In a ceremonial and symbolic feature of the university’s matriculation ceremonies, students took to the signing of the matricula, adding their names to the official records of the university. The ceremony featured goodwill messages from faculty, E-GRASAG representatives and some invited guests, most notably attendees from Brigham Young University.

Speaking on behalf of Ensign Graduate Students Association (E-GRASAG), Ms. Rita Coffie warmly welcomed the newly matriculated students and extended the association’s full support as they embarked on their academic journey. Echoing the sentiments of the president, she acknowledged the challenges that lay ahead, while offering a reassuring word of encouragement, expressing her confidence in the students’ ability to rise to the occasion and successfully navigate the road ahead.

This new semester, marked by the matriculation ceremony, brings a new era of continued growth and an unwavering commitment by Ensign Global University to advancing public health education and training both in Ghana and across the world. In a significant step toward deepening the university’s ties with its host community, and by direct initiative of the President, the university has introduced scholarship opportunities for community members of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area. The university has additionally secured scholarship partnership agreements with key national health organizations and institutions as a strategic effort to propagate quality public health education and produce professionals capable of ushering Ghana into a new era of public health advocacy and practice.

It is into this exciting and transformative season of growth that the newest cohort of MPH students have been matriculated.

Parliament has questioned the continued detention of the Manhyia South MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), demanding a clear legal justification for keeping him in custody after he voluntarily reported to the agency.

Parliament said the decision to continue holding the MP, who had presented himself to EOCO following reports of a High Court arrest warrant, raised concerns about the necessity and proportionality of his detention.

In a statement issued by its Director of Media Relations, David Sebastian Damoah, Parliament said Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin considered the circumstances surrounding the detention a matter of serious concern, particularly regarding the MP’s constitutional rights and the independence of the legislature.

The statement acknowledged that the High Court had directed EOCO to enforce the warrant but said the Speaker had not seen the terms of the directive and would not purport to interpret it.

It stressed that although MPs were not above the law and must be held accountable where they were reasonably suspected of offences, safeguards existed to protect Parliament’s independence and the mandate of elected representatives.

Parliament argued that once the MP had voluntarily presented himself and, according to its understanding, cooperated with investigators, any decision to continue holding him must have a clear legal basis and demonstrate necessity.

‘Where the purpose of securing a person’s attendance has already been achieved through voluntary appearance, continued detention should not become routine or punitive,’ the statement said.

It added that if the warrant or court order required the MP to be brought before the High Court, every reasonable effort should have been made to ensure that happened at the earliest lawful opportunity.

Parliament further announced plans to examine the constitutional and statutory procedures governing the arrest, detention and prosecution of sitting MPs, with the possibility of proposing legislation to clarify the applicable safeguards.

It said previous incidents involving the arrest, detention and prosecution of sitting legislators since the Second Parliament of the Fourth Republic demonstrated the need for greater clarity in dealings between investigative authorities and Parliament.

The statement also called on state institutions to exercise their coercive powers with restraint, fairness and respect for constitutional rights.

Speaker Bagbin, it said, maintained that ‘a political opponent is not a political enemy,’ warning against defending questionable conduct simply because similar actions had occurred under a previous administration.

Parliament urged that the matter be handled in accordance with the Constitution, the law and applicable court orders, while ensuring that the MP’s rights and the effective functioning of the legislature were respected.