Category: Daily Guide Network

FIFA President Gianni Infantino will present the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington D.C. on December 5, football’s world governing body has announced.

The award aims to honour individuals who have made exceptional efforts to unite people and promote peace worldwide.

In a statement, Infantino said, ‘In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it’s fundamental to recognise those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace. Football stands for peace.’

FIFA described the honour – formally titled ‘FIFA Peace Prize: Football Unites the World’ – as a unique recognition for people who have taken ‘extraordinary actions for peace.’ However, the organisation has not disclosed who will decide the winner or how the selection process will work.

The announcement coincides with Infantino’s upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the America Business Forum in Miami, Florida, where both men are set to deliver speeches.

Infantino has recently positioned himself as a global advocate for peace, speaking emotionally about conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, and urging football figures to support peace initiatives.

It has emerged that illegal gold mining activities also called ‘galamsey’ at Cape-Three-Points, a coastal community in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region, have caused drastic decline in aquatic life along the coast.

Aside the illegal mining activities, there are many poaching incidents involving sea turtles, all of which are contributing to the decline of species along the coast.

This was revealed at the 4th Eco Awareness Festival organised by Ghana Instinct, a non-governmental organization (NGO) at Cape -Three-Points.

The festival was to create awareness on the need to protect one of West Africa’s last remaining coastal forests, safeguard endangered sea turtles, and create sustainable livelihoods for the local people who call the sea their home.

It brought together local residents and environmental experts as well as other visitors including foreign volunteers and school children who performed a drama on adverse effects of illegal mining.

There was also surfing competition and tours to various eco sites.

Ghana Wildlife Society representative, Solomon Kanyezu, said available data shows that many species have declined in number due to environmental challenges at Cape-Three-Points.

He noted that galamsey activities are damaging the virgin ecosystem, causing extensive environmental devastation including habitat destruction and water pollution.

Mr. Solomon Kenyezu noted that his organisation is aware of the massive illegal logging and other activities in the Cape-Three-Points forest reserves, which hinder species recovery and conservation efforts.

According to him, many species, such as sea turtles, and key terrestrial species like birds and monkeys, are declining.

He encouraged other stakeholders and institutions to build synergy to ensure effective protection of species within their lands.

‘The Wildlife Society is working with communities and the marine police to arrest poachers targeting sea turtles on the beaches’, he revealed.

The co-founder of Ghana Instinct, Akwesi Keith Amoako Agyeman McLaren, revealed that, the beach at Cape-Three-Points, is under threat by the activities of galamsey.

He added that the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force have been deployed to the forest in the community, and the MP for the area, Mavis Kuukua Bissue has pledged her support to help protect the area.

Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender, Achraf Hakimi, has been ruled out for several weeks with a severe left ankle sprain, a major setback for Morocco ahead of hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in December.

The 27-year-old suffered the injury during PSG’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday, leaving the pitch in tears after a challenge from Luis Díaz, who was later sent off following VAR review.

Hakimi, a key figure in Morocco’s 2022 World Cup semi-final run and their flawless 2026 qualifying campaign, was recently named in the Fifpro World XI and is among the finalists for the African Footballer of the Year award.

PSG coach Luis Enrique described the incident as ‘bad luck,’ while Bayern boss Vincent Kompany called it an ‘unfortunate moment’ and wished Hakimi a speedy recovery.

Industry experts are expressing shock over what appears to be an effort to sideline Lightwave E-Healthcare Solutions Limited, the wholly Ghanaian-owned technology company that designed and built the country’s national electronic medical records system, the Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS).

The company, which has spent nearly a decade building the digital backbone of Ghana’s healthcare delivery, has come under public scrutiny following statements by the Minister of Health suggesting that the system’s data is being ‘managed from India’ and that Lightwave had been ‘overpaid for incomplete work.’

But insiders familiar with the project say those claims are inaccurate and risk undermining one of Ghana’s few examples of homegrown technological achievement.

‘It’s baffling,’ said one ICT policy analyst who has followed the project since its inception.

‘Here is a Ghanaian company that built something world-class, employs over 150 Ghanaians, and has connected hundreds of hospitals across the country – and instead of celebrating it, we’re trying to discredit it.’

Lightwave E-Healthcare Solutions Limited was incorporated in 2015 with a vision to build an electronic health network powered entirely by local expertise.

In 2016, it launched a successful pilot in the Central Region under President John Dramani Mahama, which led to a nationwide rollout contract signed in 2019 under the current administration.

The US$100 million project aimed to digitise medical records in 950 health facilities. By the time the contract expired in December 2024, Lightwave had successfully deployed LHIMS in every teaching, regional, and district hospital – 253 major sites representing more than 70% of the project’s total value.

‘The idea that this system was built abroad is false,’ said a Lightwave official.

‘All patient data sits in the Ministry of Health’s data centre in Accra, and we built and maintain the software right here in Ghana.’

Lightwave attributes project delays to late payments, slow government approvals, and the COVID-19 pandemic, but insists that it met every milestone approved by the Ministry.

The company says it has not been paid for eight months of post-contract service in 2025, and is still owed US$25 million for additional integrations – linking LHIMS with the NHIA, banks, and the Births and Deaths Registry.

Despite this, the company continues to operate the system in over 200 hospitals, including Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Effia Nkwanta, and Eastern Regional Hospital.

Digital governance experts warn that sidelining Lightwave could discourage Ghanaian innovators.

‘If a company can invest years of its life building national infrastructure and still be treated like an outsider, what message does that send to the next generation of local tech entrepreneurs?’ one industry observer asked.

As the public debate continues, many in the technology and health sectors are urging the government to protect what they describe as a ‘national asset built by Ghanaians for Ghanaians.’

‘LHIMS is Ghana’s digital health success story,’ another expert added. ‘It would be tragic if politics or misinformation stripped ownership away from the people who created it.’

The National Sports Authority (NSA) has officially lifted the suspension on professional boxing in Ghana, effective Thursday, November 6, 2025.

The move follows the successful implementation of enhanced medical and safety protocols, as well as stronger governance systems, by the Ghana Boxing Interim Management Committee (IMC).

In a statement, the NSA commended the IMC, athletes, and industry stakeholders for their cooperation and patience during the sport’s normalisation period, noting that the reforms were essential to safeguarding Ghana’s proud boxing legacy.

Among the reforms introduced are new medical and safety manuals, the establishment of an interim medical commission, a centralised health database, and an approved insurance framework aimed at prioritising athlete welfare and strengthening institutional standards.

The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to working with all partners to build a safer, more professional, and sustainable boxing ecosystem, and encouraged both local and international promoters to stage bouts in Ghana under the new regulatory framework.

In a bold step to address menstrual health challenges and promote environmental sustainability, TexStyles Ghana Ltd (TSG), popularly known as GTP, has partnered with Landfills2Landmarks Foundation, Grace Presbyterian Church (Akropong District), and Amor Europe to launch the Pure Pad pilot project.

The Pure Pad pilot project introduces reusable sanitary pads, made from 100% cotton fabric sourced from TSG’s post production off cuts, to support girls in deprived communities.

This initiative aims at empowering young girls, tackling period poverty whiles reducing textile waste.

Through this pilot project 2,500 young girls in deprived communities will receive the reusable pads, 50 local micro-enterprises like church groups, women’s cooperatives and other community organisations will be trained to manufacture the pads; and 40 tonnes of textile off cuts will be diverted from landfills.

Representing TSG, Marketing Manager of the GTP, Reuben Sam, highlighted how the initiative aligns perfectly with the brand’s purpose.

‘Everything we do is driven by one goal: to give women the confidence to take life on. This initiative will help keep the girl child in school giving them the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skill to pursue their dreams. Providing the cotton fabrics for the production of this resuable sanitary pad is our way of offering freedom, dignity and confidence to all the beneficiaries.’

Veteran journalist, George Clifford Owusu, will be laid to rest on Saturday, November 8, 2025, following a burial service at the Forecourt of the Apenkwa Presbyterian Church in Accra.

George Clifford, aged 53, passed on in September 2025 after battling an undisclosed ailment.

A laying-in-state and pre-burial service will begin at 6:00 a.m., followed by the burial service at 9:00 a.m. After that he will be interred at the Achimota Cemetery.

A thanksgiving service will be held the following day, Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the Awakeners International Chapel, Ablekuma Pentecost Junction, starting at 9:00 a.m. Funeral rites will continue at Dome Pillar 2 after the service.

George Clifford Owusu was widely known for his dedication and contribution to the Ghanaian media industry, where he worked for over three decades. Until his passing, was the page editor of Beatwaves with Western Publications Limited, publishers of the Daily Guide Newspaper.

His death is regarded as a major loss to the Ghanaian media fraternity. Colleagues and associates have described him as a humble, hardworking, and principled professional whose work left a lasting impact on both the industry and the people he worked with.

George Clifford Owusu is survived by Mrs. Alberta Owusu (widow) and five children – Esther Afriyie Owusu, George Clifford Owusu Jr., William Nana Osei Owusu, Margaret Naa Owusu, and Betty Nana Yaa Yeboah Owusu.

He will be fondly remembered for his warmth and unwavering commitment to the ethics of journalism.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged the newly appointed Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Arthur Osei Akoto, to stand firm and resist any attempts by individuals who may use his name to influence police operations.

The Asantehene made the remarks when a delegation from the Ghana Police Service, led by the outgoing Regional Commander, COP Emmanuel Teye-Cudjoe, paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace on Thursday, November 5, 2025.

Otumfuo reportedly advised the new commander not to entertain any persons claiming to be emissaries from the Golden Stool, adding that any official communication from him would come through direct and verifiable channels. He emphasised the need for the new police leadership to maintain integrity, transparency, and firmness in enforcing law and order in the region.

The visit formed part of a formal introduction of DCOP Akoto, who takes over from COP Teye-Cudjoe following his reassignment to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) at the national headquarters in Accra, after his promotion to the rank of Commissioner of Police.

The Asantehene commended the outgoing commander for his dedicated service and welcomed the new Regional Commander with warmth and optimism, expressing satisfaction with the Ghana Police Service’s merit-based promotion and deployment processes.

Accompanying COP Teye-Cudjoe to the palace were Deputy Regional Commander CP/Mr. Francis Kouame Somian, Manhyia Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Frederick Hammond, and Ashanti Regional Police PRO DSP Godwin Ahianyo.

According to a new Ride-Hailing Safety Index Report by Bolt and Ipsos, 81% of Ghanaians view ride-hailing as a safer transport option compared to others, reflecting growing confidence in app-based mobility and its role in improving everyday safety and convenience across cities.

The report, based on surveys in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, and Takoradi, examines how safety perceptions shape transport choices, technology’s role in building trust, and ride-hailing’s impact on safer urban travel.

Results show that Ghanaians choose ride-hailing primarily for convenience (80%) and safety (45%), underscoring the growing role of app-based mobility in daily life. Nearly all respondents (92%) said they use ride-hailing when seeking safer or more reliable travel, particularly for late-night trips (70%), when walking feels unsafe (50%), or when they are tired or unwell (46%).

The survey also found that women make up 70% of ride-hailing users in Ghana, with the largest demographic between 25 and 34 years, highlighting how digital mobility supports safe, flexible, and independent travel for young urban commuters.

Safety-enhancing features such as real-time GPS tracking (61%), driver verification (57%), and trip sharing (55%) were identified as the most important tools for building passenger confidence.

In total, 94% of passengers agreed that these in-app safety features make them feel more secure when using ride-hailing services.

Importantly, 52% of respondents believe ride-hailing apps help reduce drunk driving by offering a safe and accessible alternative after social events, contributing positively to public safety outcomes.

‘This report gives us valuable insight into how Ghanaians experience and perceive safety when using ride-hailing,’ said Sandra Suzanne Buyole, Regional PR Manager, Ghana. ‘It reinforces that safety is not only a key reason people choose digital mobility, but also an area where continuous investment in technology, driver education, and collaboration with stakeholders can make a lasting difference.’

Adding to this, Ipsos Head of Strategy Africa, Witness Soyinka, said, ‘The findings show that Ghanaians increasingly associate ride-hailing with reliability, traceability, and accountability, qualities that are essential for building long-term trust in mobility services. Safety features that enhance visibility and control are the main drivers of passenger confidence, especially among women and younger users.’

Member of Parliament for Ketu South and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has strongly refuted allegations that she misappropriated a GHS90,000 support package from the National Lottery Authority (NLA).

Addressing journalists at the refurbished Anoenu Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound, Madam Gomashie clarified that the money was part of the NLA’s Corporate Social Responsibility Fund and was used exclusively to upgrade the facility.

‘That was exactly what I used the money for; not a dime was spent by me,’ Myjoyonline quoted her to have said. ‘It is ridiculous for anyone to suggest that I would take state money and spend it on myself,’ she added.

According to her, the funds were channelled into expanding the once one-room health post into a modern and fully functional centre equipped to meet the reproductive and general health needs of the community.

She detailed that the GHS90,000 investment went into constructing additional rooms, providing essential medical equipment, installing a water closet, and supplying sanitary pads to residents.

A borehole was also drilled to ensure a sustainable water supply for the clinic, following advice from the municipal assembly engineer.