Category: Daily Guide Network

Two-time Paralympic champion Stephen Bate brought the curtain down on his illustrious 12-year career in style, winning gold in the men’s tandem individual pursuit at the Para-cycling Track World Championships in Rio de Janeiro.

Bate, racing alongside pilot Christopher Latham, delivered a dominant performance to catch Italian pair Lorenzo Bernard and Paolo Toto, sealing the title in emphatic fashion.

The victory marked a fitting finale for Bate, who retires as a five-time world champion across road and track disciplines and a five-time Paralympic medalist.

The triumph carried extra emotional weight, coming nine years after Bate and then-pilot Adam Duggleby claimed double gold in Rio at the 2016 Paralympic Games, winning both the individual pursuit and road time trial events.

Returning to the same city with Latham-his partner in a silver-medal performance at his final Paralympics in Paris last summer-Bate closed his career where his greatest successes began.

It was another strong day for Great Britain’s para-cycling team, who collected three gold medals on Saturday.

Rising star Archie Atkinson, 21, reclaimed the men’s C4 10km scratch race title, while Elizabeth Jordan and pilot Dannielle Khan successfully defended their women’s B 1km time trial crown.

Elsewhere, Finlay Graham added to his medal haul with silver in the men’s C3 elimination race, his third medal in as many days, and Kadeena Cox earned silver in the women’s C4 sprint.

The latest results brought Great Britain’s overall medal tally at the championships to an impressive seven gold, five silver, and five bronze, underscoring the team’s continued dominance on the world stage.

Heath Gold Fields’ Prestea-Bogoso Mine has outlined a five-year Phase One strategy, under which the company plans to invest $205 million in underground mine redevelopment.

The company is also poised to establish a sulphide processing plant and targeting an annual production of 285,000 ounces of gold.

According to Heath Gold Fields, its immediate focus is on completing the dewatering of the underground mine by the first quarter of next year.

The process involves pumping out about 10 million litres of water daily, accumulated over years of neglect.

The Managing Director of Heath Gold Fields, Patrick Appiah-Mensah, who disclosed this, mentioned that so far, water levels have been reduced by 75 feet, with refurbishment works nearing completion.

He was speaking at an expanded Community -Mine Consultative Committee meeting and a guided tour of the mines facilities.

It was intended to update the leadership of Heath Gold Fields’ host communities on the progress of the company’s operations.

The programme was also attended by the leadership of various youth groups and religious leaders in Prestea and Bogoso.

Mr. Appiah-Mensah revealed that Heath Goldfields is 90 per cent Ghanaian-owned and 100 per cent Ghanaian-managed.

He said the company is fully committed to sustainable development, adding, ‘We are here to upgrade the mine and enrich lives through responsible mining.’

He noted, ‘Re-commissioning of the processing plant and commencement of open-pit operations are on course.’

‘By having Ghanaian ownership and Ghanaian management and leadership, we are giving practical meaning to President Mahama’s vision of deepening local content and local participation in the country’s mining sector,’ he added.

He appealed to the chiefs and people to partner with the company to raise awareness on the dangers of illegal mining.

He also called for their support to enforce concession boundaries to safeguard lives and assets.

Mr. Appiah-Mensah indicated that Heath Gold Fields would have made far greater progress in developing and upgrading the Bogoso-Prestea Mine if not for a number of court cases challenging the government’s decision to hand over the mine.

According to him, the company spent the first five months of the year battling legal challenges from Blue Gold FGR, which opposed the government’s decision to transfer the mine lease to Heath Gold Fields.

The Managing Director added that, so far, all the cases brought against Heath have been dismissed by the courts.

Meanwhile, the two Divisional Chiefs of Himan-Prestea and Bogoso have expressed their excitement about the rejuvenation of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine by Heath Gold Fields.

Both Nana Nteboah Prah IV, of Himan-Prestea and Nana Akwasi Sompre of Bogoso believe that the mine’s resurgence offers renewed hope of jobs, economic revival, and stability for the people of Prestea and beyond.

Police Ladies reaffirmed their status as a powerhouse in Ghanaian women’s football with a commanding 2-0 victory over Faith Ladies to win the 2025 Champion of Champions title at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence.

The contest which brought together Women’s Premier League champions Police Ladies and FA Cup holders Faith Ladies, lived up to its billing as a battle between the best.

Police Ladies dominated the early exchanges, creating several opportunities but were repeatedly denied by the sharp reflexes of Faith Ladies’ goalkeeper Annabel Bansah and her well-organised defence.

Their persistence finally paid off in the 33rd minute when defender Philicity Asuako rose above everyone to head home from a corner, breaking the deadlock and giving Police Ladies a well-earned lead.

Faith Ladies attempted to respond after the break, but Police Ladies maintained control of possession and tempo.

The decisive moment came in the 72nd minute, when Deborah Afriyie calmly slotted in the second goal to seal the victory.

Although Henrietta Kwayisibea Addo received a late caution, it did little to disrupt Police Ladies’ composure as they held firm to record a clean sheet and lift the prestigious trophy.

With the win, Police Ladies not only add another title to their growing collection but also send a strong message ahead of the new season-that they remain the team to beat in Ghana’s women’s football.

THREE PEOPLE are feared dead following a road crash at Nkwaakwaa, a farming community in Offinso North Municipality in the Ashanti Region.

According to eyewitnesses’ reports, several others also sustained life-threatening injuries in the crash involving Grandbird bus and a sprinter bus collided head-on in a dangerous fashion.

They disclosed to newsmen that the sprinter bus, with mourners, was driving from the Kumasi direction heading towards the Northern Region.

The Grandbird bus, the eyewitnesses narrated further, was also coming from the Northern Region direction until both vehicles reached the Nkwaakwaa town.

They alleged that at Nkwaakwaa, the driver of the sprinter bus somehow veered from his original lane to the opposite lane, where the Grandbird bus was also coming from around 6am.

According to the eyewitness, the driver of the sprinter bus realized his mistake so he attempted to veer from the wrong lane to his original lane, but it was too late.

The two vehicles, they said, crashed head-on in a dangerous manner, causing extensive damage to both cars in the process. The sprinter bus was said to have had the most damage.

They said three people lost their lives at the accident scene and several others, onboard both vehicles, also sustained injuries, and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

GHANA’S SENIOR women’s national team, the Black Queens, have earned multiple nominations for the upcoming CAF Awards 2025, underscoring their remarkable resurgence and consistent performances over the past year.

The team’s inspiring turnaround under head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has drawn continental attention, with both individual players and the team itself receiving recognition for their excellence on and off the pitch.

Coach Kim Lars Björkegren has been shortlisted for the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year award, following his tactical brilliance and strong leadership that guided the Black Queens to a bronze medal finish at the 2024 WAFCON.

Team captain Portia Boakye is in contention for the Women’s Player of the Year award. Her leadership, composure, and decisive performances have been pivotal to Ghana’s success and resurgence in African women’s football.

Rising star Stella Nyamekye has been nominated for CAF Young Player of the Year, reflecting her creativity, consistency, and maturity beyond her years. The young midfielder has quickly established herself as one of the most promising talents on the continent.

In the goalkeeping category, Cynthia Findiib Konlan, Ghana’s reliable number one, has been shortlisted for CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year. Her agility, confidence, and crucial saves have been key to the Queens’ defensive solidity.

Rounding off Ghana’s impressive showing, the Black Queens themselves have been nominated for CAF Women’s National Team of the Year, a recognition of their resurgence and growing influence in African football.

These multiple nominations highlight the team’s unity, discipline, and steady progress, as well as the Ghana Football Association’s commitment to women’s football development.

The Black Queens’ achievements serve as a testament to the nation’s renewed strength and ambition on the continental stage.

The Director of Education for the Ledzokuku Municipality, Mrs. Theresa Tetteh, has advised teachers to take a keen interest in their capacity building to enhance their work.

She explained that, now that Information Technology (IT) has taken centre stage in every facet of life, there is a need for all teachers to leverage IT and sharpen their skills in the use of IT as a pedagogical tool for the teaching of various subjects and not as a subject itself.

Mrs. Tetteh announced this at the closing session of a four-day capacity building on ICT integration training for more than 500 basic schoolteachers in the Ledzokuku Municipality in the Greater Accra Region.

The training, organised by the Keep the Premium Solutions (a National Teaching Council (NTC) accredited institution), which spanned between October 13 to 17, was divided into four cohorts.

Areas of Training

The participants were taken through basic and intermediate computer skills, introduction to key educational ICT tools, demonstration on lesson planning with ICT, digital record-keeping and communication tools, as well as the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to prepare lesson notes and assessments.

The Municipal Director reminded the teachers to ensure that they made good use of the knowledge acquired during the training toward the promotion of effective teaching and learning in their respective schools.

She pledged to continue providing the right training as well as the provision of the right resources to improve teaching and learning in their schools.

Sharpen Skills

Mr. Godsway Kumado, Head of Statistics and Planning at the Ledzokuku Education Directorate, on his part, urged the participants to take advantage of the availability of AI to promote their teaching and learning.

He asked teachers to disabuse their minds that AI was going to take over their work, adding that it was rather going to enhance and promote effective teaching and learning.

Mr. Kumado urged the teachers to continue acquiring other critical skills to help enhance their performance as professional teachers as well as contribute towards the development of education in the country.

Ghana’s eye care professionals have renewed calls for urgent reforms, stronger policy action, and improved funding to strengthen low vision rehabilitation and expand access to quality eye health services across the country.

Speaking at the 13th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Session of the Ghana Optometric Association (GOA), held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the key speakers – Dr. Carl Halladay Abraham, Dr. Shirazu Issahaku, and Prof. Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi – underscored the need for coordinated national efforts to address the growing burden of visual impairment and strengthen regulation, professional welfare, and innovation in the sector.

The event, themed ‘Low Vision Rehabilitation: Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges,’ brought together hundreds of optometrists, policymakers, regulators, academics, and health stakeholders from across the country and beyond. Ninety-four new members were also inducted into the Association.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Carl Halladay Abraham, a lecturer at the Department of Ophthalmic Science at the University of Cape Coast, called for stronger policy action, improved funding, and greater recognition for low vision care, describing it as ‘an act of justice, not charity.’

He noted that low vision rehabilitation – which enables people with partial sight to live independently – remains one of the most neglected areas of eye health despite its social and economic importance.

Dr. Abraham, who is also a low vision care and rehabilitation practitioner, warned that the cost of vision impairment extends beyond personal hardship to significant national economic losses. ‘When people lose their vision, we as a country lose money. Ghana loses about 350 million dollars annually due to loss in productivity and wages,’ he said.

He identified poor governance, inadequate data, lack of a national policy, and weak funding as major obstacles to effective low vision care.

Dr. Abraham called for statutory and sustainable funding for the Ghana Eye Care Secretariat, a national policy on low vision rehabilitation, and better recognition for practitioners. He also emphasised the need for disability-friendly infrastructure, urging, ‘There shouldn’t be a single infrastructure in this country built without considering persons with disabilities – not one.’

Sharing stories of patients whose lives were transformed through low vision aids, he said, ‘When we empower someone to read again, to navigate their community, or to return to work, we restore not only sight but personhood.’

AHPC Reaffirms Commitment to Optometric Development

In a fraternal message, the Registrar of the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC), Dr. Shirazu Issahaku, reaffirmed the Council’s strong partnership with the Ghana Optometric Association and announced several major reforms aimed at strengthening regulation, professional development, and digital transformation across the allied health sector.

He commended optometrists for their pivotal role in shaping the Council since its inception, describing the profession as a ‘critical pillar’ of Ghana’s healthcare system.

He disclosed that the Council had introduced computer-based licensure examinations, harmonised curricula across allied health training institutions, and established a Professional Standing Committee to strengthen regulation. He added that the budget for the Ghana College of Allied Health Professions had been incorporated into the Council’s 2026 budget to pave the way for its establishment.

According to him, the professional register and allied health training institutions are being audited to enhance credibility, while accreditation processes are under review. The Council has also introduced four compulsory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) modules, fully digitised its logbook and indexing systems, and restructured its operations to include three new technical directorates – Education and Examination; Regulation and Compliance; and Policy, Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation – to enhance efficiency and service delivery.

Dr. Issahaku further revealed that efforts were underway to complete the Legislative Instrument (LI) to operationalise Part I of Act 857 (2013) and to secure a permanent office complex for the Council.

Policy Reforms and Recruitment Drive

Outgoing GOA President, Prof. Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi, also urged urgent reforms in Ghana’s eye care sector to strengthen professional standards, enhance recruitment, and improve access to quality vision services nationwide.

Speaking at the same event, he appealed to the Allied Health Professions Council and the Ghana Health Service to step up recruitment of optometrists into the public health system and introduce incentive schemes to attract professionals to under-served areas.

‘Eye care is not just a profession; it is a calling, a responsibility, and a service to God and humanity,’ he declared.

Prof. Boadi-Kusi highlighted several achievements under his tenure since 2022, including the introduction of practical CPD programmes, the launch of the GOA Scientific Journal, groundwork for a College of Optometry, and the creation of the Refractive Error Awareness Week – described as a global first.

On member welfare, he said the Association had provided support in disciplinary and health matters, explored group insurance options, and assisted bereaved families. However, he expressed concern about delays in insurance claim payments by some private insurers, warning that over 120 optometric facilities are struggling with arrears.

He further commended the University of Cape Coast for elevating its Department of Optometry to a School of Optometry and Vision Science, introducing postgraduate programmes that attract students across Africa – a feat he described as ‘a testament to Ghana’s leadership in optometric education.’

As he handed over leadership, Prof. Boadi-Kusi urged members to remain united and committed to advancing the Association’s vision of accessible, high-quality eye care for all.

The event concluded with a collective call for greater collaboration among government, academia, regulators, and practitioners to elevate Ghana’s eye health system.

President John Dramani Mahama will on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, launch Africa’s largest Free Zones Industrial Park, the $1.5 billion Gomoa Central Special Economic Zone (GCSEZ), in the Central Region.

The project marks a major milestone in the country’s quest for large-scale industrialisation and regional trade integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Situated on a 21,000-acre site in the Gomoa Central District, the industrial park is expected to create over 60,000 jobs, attract billions of dollars in private investment, and transform the area into a hub for manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics, and export services.

Supported by the Ghana Free Zones Authority and the AfCFTA Secretariat, the initiative forms part of the government’s 24-Hour Economy Agenda, aimed at expanding productivity beyond the traditional working day.

Other dignitaries expected to attend the ceremony include Alban S.K. Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament; Goosie Tanoh, Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy; Dr. Sam Jonah, Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital; Krobo Edusei Jnr., Executive Chairman of Safebond Africa Investment Group; Kwame Asare Obeng, Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central; and Albert Dwumfour, President of the Ghana Journalists Association.

The Gomoa Industrial Park is designed to anchor Ghana’s transition from an import-dependent economy to a production- and export-oriented one.

By clustering industries and providing modern infrastructure, including roads, utilities, warehousing, and digital connectivity, the park aims to reduce operational costs and promote value addition across agriculture, manufacturing, and services.

At full operation, it is projected to generate billions in export earnings, support local suppliers, and drive inclusive growth across the Central Region and beyond.

The project also aligns with the AfCFTA framework, giving manufacturers access to a continental market of over 1.3 billion people.

Gomoa Central MP, Kwame Asare Obeng, described the project as transformative, saying, ‘This is a complete ecosystem where sustainability and profitability thrive together.’

He added that the zone’s renewable energy infrastructure would ensure ‘some of the lowest operational costs in the region,’ while its strategic location offers access to multiple ports and the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor.

Despite the optimism surrounding the initiative, analysts caution that its long-term success will depend on Ghana’s cost structure and business environment.

High interest rates, with manufacturers facing credit costs above 25 percent, coupled with rising utility tariffs and unstable energy supply, continue to pose challenges to industrial competitiveness.

Experts argue that unlocking Ghana’s full industrial potential will require reducing borrowing costs, stabilising utility prices, improving logistics efficiency, and streamlining taxes and regulatory processes to make the country more attractive to investors under the AfCFTA.

A pre-launch event at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra will give investors and stakeholders exclusive insights into the park’s infrastructure plans, investment opportunities, and long-term strategic vision.

The launch of the Gomoa Central Special Economic Zone represents more than an infrastructural milestone.

It is a bold step toward sustainable and inclusive industrialisation that could position Ghana as a manufacturing powerhouse in Africa.

In a remarkable display of diplomatic prowess, Ghana’s Ambassador to China, H.E. Kojo Bonsu, has put up an impressive organizational effort during President John Dramani Mahama’s state visit to China. Barely three weeks into his tenure, Ambassador Bonsu, along with his embassy team and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, led by Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, ensured the success of the high-profile visit.

The visit, which included a Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality, an official meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and the Ghana Investment Forum, was a testament to the strong bilateral relations between Ghana and China.

A Well-Coordinated Welcome

On Day 1, President Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama received a warm welcome in Beijing, where Ambassador Bonsu and Minister Ablakwa introduced the President to the embassy staff and Ghanaian students and businessmen in China.

*Successful Bilateral Engagements*

The following day, President Mahama attended the Global Leaders’ Summit and had productive business meetings with several Chinese investors, all well-arranged and coordinated by Ambassador Bonsu and his team.

Ghana Investment Forum

The Ghana Investment Forum, attended by President Mahama, Minister Ablakwa, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Trade Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Tong Defa, and other dignitaries, was a resounding success. The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Council, Simon Majie, delivered a powerful presentation on business opportunities in Ghana, highlighting various sectors of the economy and investment opportunities.

Key Takeaways

President Mahama assured investors of the government’s protection and commitment to creating a conducive business environment. Minister Ablakwa reiterated the President’s commitment to development and fixing Ghana’s economy. Ambassador Bonsu expressed his commitment to deepening Ghana-China relations, strengthening business, trade, and investments in key sectors.

Investor Outreach in Fujian Province

The final day of the visit saw President Mahama travel to Fujian Province, where he visited several industries in Fuzhou and met with potential investors interested in manufacturing industries in Ghana. This visit further underscored Ghana’s commitment to attracting foreign investment and promoting economic development.

*A New Era of Cooperation*

The successful visit has set the stage for enhanced cooperation between Ghana and China, with Ambassador Bonsu’s efforts earning praise from all quarters. As Ghana continues to attract investment and strengthen its economy, the role of its ambassador in China cannot be overstated.

*Quote*

‘I am fully committed to deepening the relationship between Ghana and China and strengthening business, trade, and investments, especially in health, education, renewable energy, transportation, and agriculture,’ Ambassador Kojo Bonsu said in his closing remarks.

This state visit marks a significant milestone in Ghana-China relations, and Ambassador Bonsu’s remarkable organizational skills have set a high standard for future diplomatic engagements between the two nations.

Former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has filed a suit challenging her removal on the recommendation of a five-member committee set up by the President to probe three petitions filed against her.

She is seeking among others, an order setting aside the findings of the committee chaired by Justice Gabriel Pwamang and its recommendations which led to her removal as Chief Justice.

She is also seeking an ‘order prohibiting the consideration and appointment of a new substantive Chief Justice of Ghana.’

Justice Torkornoo is again challenging the denial of her ‘salary, benefit, courtesies and other entitlements’ due to her before the Warrant of Removal signed by the President.

Removal

Justice Torkornoo was removed from office as Chief Justice and a Supreme Court judge on September 1, 2025, following the receipt of the report of a five-member committee that probed a petition filed against her.

She became the first ever Chief Justice to be removed from office following the recommendation of a committee probing allegations of misconduct and misbehaviour.

Prior to that, she was suspended on April 22, 2025, following the setting up of the committee to probe the three petitions calling for her removal.

The decision by President John Mahama to remove Justice Torkornoo as the head of the judiciary in line with Article 146(9) generated heated arguments from the moment the decision was announced by the Presidency.

What generated even more criticisms are the three main reasons why the Gabriel Pwamang Committee recommended that she should be removed from office.

Initial Suit

This is the second legal challenge Justice Torkornoo has mounted following her removal from office, a removal many have considered to be politically motivated.

The first one, which was filed last month, is seeking a judicial review and avers that the committee acted in excess of its mandate as it was set up to probe three petitions calling for her removal as Chief Justice and not a judge.

She argues that the Chief Justice is the administrative head of the Judiciary, a function not performed by other Justices of the Supreme Court, therefore, removal as a Chief Justice does not imply automatic removal as a Justice of the Superior Court, which includes the Supreme Court.

Latest Suit

In her latest suit filed by her lawyer, Kwabena Adu-Kusi, Justice Torkornoo argues that all of the alleged findings and grounds for recommendations of the committee set up by the President under Article 146 (6) and (7) of the 1992 Constitution ‘do not meet, even remotely, the standard of ‘stated misconduct, incompetence or infirmity on ground of inability to perform the functions of office’ imposed by Article 146 (1) of the 1992 Constitution as the only constitutional reasons that can lead to the removal of the Chief Justice or Justice of Superior Courts from office.’

She also argues that the findings and recommendations of the committee blatantly violate relevant provisions of the 1992 Constitution and are therefore unconstitutional and illegal.

She further argues that the committee recommending her removal for expenditure that has not been disallowed against her, nor she surcharged for it by the Auditor General is ‘false, misleading, irrational, unreasonable and illegal’ on account of purporting to find misconduct of the Chief Justice for expenditure.

It is her case that the ‘legitimate expenses’ on the Chief Justice’s vacation were administered and authorised by the Judicial Secretary, the Director of Finance, Director of Budget, and the Director of Audit of the Judicial Service who are the duly authorised officers that have administered the Travel Policy of the Judicial Service set by the Judicial Council for Chief Justices and Superior Court Justices since 2010.

Justice Torkornoo also argues that the second recommendation which borders on the transfer of judges is unfair, unreasonable, perverse and absurd as the Chief Justice as head of administration and supervision of the Judiciary is responsible for transferring all judges, including Superior Court Justices, and Judicial Officers of the Judicial Service.

On the third finding, Justice Torkornoo argues that the Chief Justice has a legitimate obligation to recommend Justices for national and international placements and appointments, hence, her recommendation of some judges for promotion to the Supreme Court cannot be a ground for her removal from office.

She is therefore, seeking an order quashing both the findings and recommendations of the committee as well as the Presidential Warrant dated September 1, 2025, which removed her from office as Chief Justice.