Category: Daily Guide Network

BROADCAST JOURNALIST and Lawyer, Serwaa Amihere, has dismissed rumours circulating on social media which suggests she won’t utilise her law degree after completing law school.

In a TikTok live video which has since gone viral, Serwaa Amihere was asked whether she will practice law after completing law school, and she stated, ‘I didn’t go through all of that five years to just sit at home, so yes, I’m going to practice.’

She further added that, ‘I officially started my pupilage on Monday, and you know lawyers are not supposed to advertise their craft. On that first day, I got introduced as well, it means God is doing something good for us.’

Serwaa Amihere was called to the Bar on October 10, 2025, marking a significant milestone in her career. She’s now a qualified lawyer, adding another feather to her cap.

Serwaa started her career as an Assistant Producer for State of Affairs at GHOne TV in 2014, and later became the main producer.

She gained popularity hosting the GH Today morning show and the Cheers sports and lifestyle show. Serwaa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Finance from Methodist University College (2013) and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), graduating with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in 2022.

She enrolled at the Ghana School of Law in 2023 and completed her studies, despite facing health challenges, and was among the 824 lawyers recently called to the Ghana Bar.

THE MUCH anticipated Odwira festival, which was scheduled to take place in Asanteman in October 2025, has been postponed indefinitely.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, announced the postponement of the historic festival, which was supposed to last for one-month, on Thursday afternoon.

Addressing the Asanteman Traditional Council at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Otumfuo explained that the sudden death of Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, is the main reason for the postponement of the Odwira festival.

Otumfuo stated that the Asante tradition, which dates back to centuries, strictly states that the revered Asantehemaa stool should be occupied before the Odwira festival could take place.

Speaking through a linguist, the Asantehene said the Odwira festival would be held at a later date after a new Asantehemaa had been enstooled and other key vacant Asante’s stools have been filled.

‘Because of Nana Asanthemaa’s sudden death and other pressing issues, the planned Odwira festival of Asanteman in 2025 has been postponed indefinitely.

‘Let me explain further, we have to find Asantehemaa’s successor, perform the rites of the late Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III, and perform other traditional rites first before we can celebrate the Odwira.

‘There should be a sitting Asantehemaa before we can mark Odwira, that’s what the tradition states. Also, other key vacant stools should be filled before the Odwira can be held’, he said.

According to Asante historians, the Odwira festival is one of the major festivals in Asanteman, which is rarely celebrated in the Asante kingdom, but it has not been held in Asanteman for some decades now.

Otumfuo decided to celebrate it to rekindle the spirits of the Asante kingdom but due to circumstances beyond his control, the festival has been postponed.

Former President Nana Akufo-Addo has expressed his deepest condolences to the people of Kenya, President William Samoei Ruto and the family of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, for his demise via a Facebook post.

He wrote, ‘I extend my deepest condolences to the people of the great sisterly nation of Kenya, President William Samoei Ruto, and to the family of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.’

He described the late Raila Amolo Odinga as a ‘great son of Africa’ and a personal longtime friend whose passing has sparked sorrow across the continent.

‘News of the passing of this great son of Africa, who, for a long time, was a very good friend of mine, has been received with widespread sadness,’ he added.

He recounted the late Kenyan Prime Minister’s attendance at his inauguration ceremony on January 7, 2017, as one of the distinguished dignitaries at the Independence Square in Accra.

The former president described his long-standing friendship and shared values with the late former Prime Minister, stressing on their vision for strengthening democracy and promoting human rights across Africa.

‘Aside the many encounters and thought-experiences upon which we held deep convictions, Prime Minister Odinga and I shared mutual values on strengthening democracy and advancing the human rights of Africa’s citizens,’ he said.

He further revealed Ghana’s unwavering support for Mr. Odinga’s 2024 bid for the position of African Union Commission Chairperson, a campaign that brought both the Kenyan President William Ruto and Mr. Odinga himself to Accra that year.

‘As a founding member of the African Union, I pledged Ghana’s support, without hesitation, when President Ruto visited Ghana to secure our backing for Prime Minister Odinga’s candidacy. Indeed, he visited me himself in November 2024 as part of his campaign,’ Akufo-Addo wrote.

He further stated that the late Prime Minister has remarkable footprints in Kenya’s stability, democracy and history, adding that those marks will be indelible.

‘His remarkable footprints on Kenya’s stability, democracy and history will remain indelible. He will be sorely missed,’ he stressed.

FORMER VICE President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has been hailed for contributing significantly to protect the peace in the country with his early concession of the 2024 national elections.

Yaw Adomako Baafi, a leading member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said Dr. Bawumia’s patriotic action is the reason the country’s peace and unity is still intact today.

He pointed out that tension in the country was rising to the roof level right after the 2024 general election, and Dr. Bawumia’s wise decision to concede defeat early, instantly diffused the tension.

Adomako Baafi has therefore rejected assertions by some detractors of Dr. Bawumia, who have labeled the NPP 2024 presidential candidate as a weak leader because of his early concession.

Contrary to the view of the Dr. Bawumia’s detractors, Adomako Baafi insisted that the ex-vice president is a bold and confident leader, who deserves to be president in 2028.

‘Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is bold and confident, that’s why he is usually calm,’ he said and added, ‘people who usually make noise are weak, but Dr. Bawumia is very calm and a bold person.’

Still showering tons of praises on Dr. Bawumia for his early concession of the 2024 polls, he stated that the patriotic act is among the numerous reasons Dr. Bawumia will be president in 2028.

‘Dr. Bawumia with his early concession has proven to the citizenry that he is not obsessed with political power. It also shows that he’s someone who has Ghana’s interest and peace at heart.

‘That single act by Dr. Bawumia, which certainly helped to protect the peace in the country, has won him numerous admirers, who would love to vote for him as their president in 2028,’ he stated.

According to Adomako Baafi, the other presidential hopefuls in the NPP are also good but Dr. Bawumia easily stands tall among them and would lead the party to victory in 2028.

‘The other NPP presidential aspirants are good, but Dr. Bawumia is the best amongst them. If we don’t honour Bawumia with our votes, posterity will not forgive us,’ he told the NPP delegates.

Adomako Baafi also stated emphatically that Dr. Bawumia was not the reason why the NPP failed to win the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections after ruling the country for eight years.

‘I totally disagree with anyone who will accuse Dr. Bawumia for being the cause of the NPP’s 2024 defeat. The NPP was naked in the area of security, and that was key reason for our defeat,’ he said.

Five persons have been dragged before a High Court in Accra for allegedly attempting to smuggle 100 kilograms of gold estimated at GHS100 million.

Abdul Razak Seidu, Bernard Nkrumah and Ibrahim Aremeyaw were initially hauled before the court last month, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them.

Abdul Karim and Sadique Abubakari, who were initially on the run, subsequently appeared before the court yesterday and also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Their lawyer, Paul Bariga, pleaded with the court to grant them bail, assuring it that the accused will make themselves available for the trial.

Together, they are facing a total of seven charges, including conspiracy to commit crime, attempt to smuggle gold, transportation of gold without authorisation, buying gold without licence issued by the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and failure to comply with GoldBod Tier 2 Licence.

The court, presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, has granted each of the accused persons a bail of GHS50 million with two sureties, one of whom must be justified.

They have been ordered to report to the police every other day until the conclusion of investigations.

One other suspect ? Muhammed Afsah Puthalan, an Indian national, is still on the run as the police mount a manhunt for his arrest.

The prosecution’s fact indicates that on August 26, 2025, the GoldBod Taskforce gathered intelligence that a syndicate was transporting gold from Tarkwa to Accra for onward smuggling out of Ghana.

Acting on the information, the Taskforce mounted surveillance on the Tarkwa-Accra route, which led to the interception of a Toyota Hiace commercial vehicle on August 27, 2025, at Winneba Junction.

Abdul Razak Seidu, who was on board the Toyota Hiace vehicle, was arrested and a backpack he was carrying contained three wrapped yellowish substances, which later was tested and confirmed at the GoldBod Assay Laboratory to be gold with a net weight of 8.2 kilograms, valued at approximately GHS10.2 million.

Investigation so far further disclosed that on several occasions, Seidu transported gold from Tarkwa to Accra under the instructions of Abdul Karim, who provided him with contacts via WhatsApp from Puthalan.

The brief fact indicated that Seidu, in his investigation cautioned statement dated on August 28, indicated that he received gold either directly from Bernard Nkrumah or from his driver, Joseph Acquah alias Kobi, for delivery in Accra.

It said Seidu further admitted that he was transporting the gold from Tarkwa to Accra for delivery to his cousin, Abdul Karim on the instructions of Puthalan.

‘He further indicated that he had made several similar trips in the last ten days preceding his arrest, and he was paid a fee of GHS500 for each trip,’ the facts noted.

The fact further indicated that Nkrumah, under interrogation, corroborated Seidu’s statements, that he supplied gold of varied quantities to Ramfoh Gold Limited, a company not holding any gold trading licence from the GoldBod, through Pathalan and Karim, using couriers like Seidu.

‘He further indicated that between July and August 2025, he purchased and supplied approximately 100 kilograms of gold valued at about GHS100 million to A1 (Ramfoh Ltd.) through A2 and A3 (Pathalan and Karim), using A4 (Seidu) and other couriers. He further confirmed receiving large sums of money, ranging from GHS10 million to GHS30 million on different occasions, through mobile money transfers from A1 and A2,’ the fact added.

Similarly, longtime environmental campaigner, lawyer Awula Serwah of the Eco-Conscious Citizens organisation, in a recent interview with 3News, drew attention to the alarming health and environmental consequences of galamsey, including rising kidney disease cases, premature deaths, birth deformities, and poisoned water bodies.

According to her, over 60 percent of Ghana’s water bodies have been contaminated by mining activities.

She cited figures from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, which has recorded a fourfold increase in kidney disease cases, as evidence that the crisis is spiraling.

With vivid imagery, she stated: ‘The house is burning, and we are waiting for it to be reduced to ashes before we act. Water is life.’ She summed it up thus: ‘We will not die if we don’t have gold, but we will die without water.’

For its part, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) last week issued a strong warning that Ghana could soon face a nationwide water shortage if the government fails to take decisive action to halt galamsey.

The union raised the alarm during a fact-finding mission to assess the state of water treatment plants in the Kwanyako, Brim, and Akyem areas of the Central and Eastern Regions.

Speaking to JoyNews, the TUC Secretary-General, Joshua Ansah, described the situation as ‘deeply troubling.’

He called on President John Mahama to declare a state of emergency to confront the illegal mining crisis head-on, warning that the TUC will be compelled to take ‘a drastic decision’ if the government fails to act.

‘Galamsey must stop, and it must stop now,’ Mr Ansah stressed.

It was gratifying to learn last month that ‘the Government has declared all water bodies and forest reserves as security zones in the latest measure to root out illegal mining in the country,’ as announced by Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.

It’s also encouraging that there is a ‘National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), a special-purpose unit established under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources ‘to coordinate, monitor, and lead intelligence-led field operations against illegal mining (galamsey) activities across Ghana.’

However, how effective can these measures be, against the recalcitrant galamsey operators, some of them, fellow Ghanaians assisting foreigners; and well-armed too, to resist any challenge to their illegal mining?

Should they be allowed to endanger all of Ghana? They demonstrate their infuriating audacity, pepper-in-wound defiance, in videos posted online, posing for the cameras with impunity.

There is an argument that unemployment is the reason for the rise in illegal mining, but since when has unemployment become an acceptable excuse for crime?

Remarkably, despite the long and growing list of organisations calling for a SoE, President Mahama has declared his reluctance to do that, it should be only as ‘a last resort’ – though his party, the National Democratic Congress while in opposition had been strongly championing the need for a SoE.

What I must have missed somehow is their explanation for the change of mind, the present-day opposition to declaring a State of Emergency.

Anyhow, to my mind, the fight has to be an all-out offensive, with chiefs, youth and communities too in the forefront, to complement other measures. For us in Ghana, the WFD theme must relate to ensuring potable water and safe foodstuffs, free from galamsey poisons, for our better future.

And, in my opinion, Ms Serwah’s compelling message is good enough to serve as a slogan for a national call to action: ‘We will not die if we don’t have gold, but we will die without water.’

The Appointments Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced the officiating team for the 2025 Women’s Champion of Champions match between Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League winners Police Ladies and Women’s FA Cup holders Faith Ladies.

The eagerly anticipated showdown is scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, where the two top women’s clubs will go head-to-head for the season’s curtain-raiser trophy.

Experienced referee Mercy Boakyewaa Gyan will take charge of the encounter, assisted by Portia Ofosu and Elizabeth Alela on the lines.

Julian Antieh has been appointed as the fourth official, while Emmanuella Aglago will serve as the match commissioner. Vicentia Kyeremaa will act as the venue media officer, and the GFA’s cameraman will provide live coverage of the event.

The Women’s Champion of Champions match traditionally signals the start of the new domestic women’s football season, pitting league champions against cup winners in a battle for early-season bragging rights.

Fans are expecting a thrilling contest as both Police Ladies and Faith Ladies aim to begin the 2025/26 campaign on a high note.

Telecommunications company, Telecel Ghana, has dismissed claims made by the Minority in Parliament over its involvement in the management of state-owned AT (formerly known AirtelTigo), describing them as ‘misleading and disingenuous.’

In a statement issued by its External Affairs Department, Telecel explained that that its current engagement with AT Ghana stems solely from a National Communications Authority (NCA) directive, not from any merger or takeover arrangement.

According to the company, the NCA instructed the migration of AT Ghana’s network traffic to Telecel’s platform after ATC Ghana shut down AT’s cell sites in August 2025 over unpaid debts.

‘Since September 1, 2025, Telecel Ghana has been providing national roaming services to AT as an interim measure. Without this intervention, AT customers would not have been able to use mobile voice and data services across the country,’ the statement explained further.

Telecel noted that it, like all stakeholders, awaits the outcome of ongoing government processes being handled by transaction advisor KPMG.

Strong Financial Performance

The company further rejected suggestions that it lacks the financial capacity to manage operations in Ghana, revealing that it remains profitable and has recorded ‘a year-to-date net profit of multiple hundreds of millions of Ghana cedis.’

It said it has injected over US$240 million into the business since acquiring Vodafone Ghana in 2023, far exceeding the US$10 million figure cited by critics.

The investments, Telecel said, have gone into clearing legacy debts, modernising infrastructure, and expanding digital services across the country.

‘Till date, none of the over 600 employees in the organisation have been made redundant as promised, and the company has been certified Top Employer year on year,’ it added.

Corporate social responsibility

Telecel also rejected claims that its recent community and health interventions were aimed at gaining political favour, calling such assertions ‘unfortunate and untrue.’

The company cited recent donations of advanced cervical cancer screening equipment to the Korle Bu and Tamale Teaching Hospitals, as well as the Sefwi Wiawso Government Hospital, as part of its long-term corporate social responsibility strategy.

These, it noted, were in line with commitments made during the launch of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund in May 2025.

Telecel also referenced its continued support for the One Million Coders Programme and the sponsorship of several traditional festivals across the country, including Kwahu, Osu, Ningo, Prampram, La, Cape Coast, and Gomoa Dawurampong, stressing that all sponsorship requests came directly from Traditional Councils, not from the Communications Minister.

‘It therefore beats one’s imagination that our support for this year’s Homowo Festival could be interpreted as an attempt to influence decisions concerning AT,’ the company said.

Transparency and governance

Telecel reaffirmed its status as a legal entity operating under the name Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited, with the Government of Ghana holding 30% shares on behalf of the public.

The company said it remains committed to transparency, ethical conduct, and constructive engagement with all stakeholders.

‘We operate with professionalism, transparency, and adherence to the law and are committed to preserving the interests of all stakeholders such as customers, partners, employees, and shareholders,’ the statement stated.

Telecel urged the public to disregard misinformation regarding its role in the ongoing AT matter, saying it remains focused on expanding digital access, improving network quality, and delivering innovative services to millions of Ghanaians.

THE LIFELESS body of a male adult has reportedly been found on the compound of the Kuntanase Roman Catholic Junior High School (JHS) in the Ashanti Region, sparking fears.

The body of the unknown man, who is believed to be around 35 years old, according to the police, was reportedly found in the afternoon of Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Francis Adu Amankwah, the Assemblyman of Kuntanase Electoral Area, was said to have officially lodged a complaint with the police after the dead body was found in the school.

According to the police, they proceeded to the scene and found the body of a man, who appeared to be mentally challenged, but there were no marks of violence on the body to suspect foul play.

‘On 9/10/25 about 1430 hours, Francis Adu Amankwah, the Assemblyman of Kuntanase Electoral Area, reported to Kuntanase Police that a dead body of a male adult, aged about 35 years, was lying at spot in the compound of Kuntanase Roman Catholic JHS.

‘Police and the complainant proceeded to the scene and saw the dead body. He appeared to be a mentally challenged person and not known in the community.

‘The scene was photographed by the case officer, after which he inspected the body. No external marks of violence were seen,’ a Kuntanase District Police report said, ruling out any suspicion of violence.

The body of the deceased, the police stated, has since been deposited at the Saint Michael Hospital mortuary, Pramso, awaiting identification and autopsy. Meanwhile, police investigation into the case is ongoing.

The Ashanti Regional Commander of Prisons, Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP) Ing. James B. Mwinyelle, who also doubles as the Officer in Charge of the Kumasi Central Prison, has described the increase in the daily feeding rate for inmates from GHS1.80 to GHS5.00 as ‘a wonderful development’ that will significantly enhance the welfare of prisoners across the country.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY GUIDE in Kumasi on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, DDP Mwinyelle said the long-awaited adjustment in the feeding rate was a major step towards improving conditions in Ghana’s prisons, where the previous rate had remained unchanged for many years.

‘The increase from GHS1.80 to GHS5.00 is a big jump, and it will go a long way to improve the quality of meals served. Feeding is one of the topmost welfare issues, and once that is taken care of, the health of the inmates will improve, and the pains of imprisonment will be lessened a bit,’ he noted.

He revealed that the Kumasi Central Prison, which currently houses over 1,600 inmates, has already begun revising its food menu to ensure that prisoners feel the full benefit of the increase.

‘It will not be business as usual. We are now preparing a new menu to include rice, beans, and groundnuts to meet nutritional and protein requirements. We even hope to serve eggs once a month or every other week,’ he disclosed.

To complement the improved diet, DDP Mwinyelle said the prison administration was expanding its vegetable garden at Bekwai Roundabout to reduce costs and supplement meals with fresh produce.

‘Our Director General, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, has directed that every prison establishment should have a garden, and here in Kumasi, we are already cultivating vegetables. We plan to expand so that a portion of the GHS5.00 will go into carbohydrates, while the vegetables will balance the nutrition,’ he explained.

He further expressed gratitude to the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, and the Director General of the Ghana Prisons Service for their instrumental roles in securing the increase.

‘The Interior Minister has shown great commitment from day one. He told us he would take us out of the ‘orphanage,’ and indeed, we are beginning to see that transformation,’ he said, and also commended the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene for his support.

DDP Mwinyelle cautioned that inadequate feeding often contributes to disturbances and health challenges within prisons, emphasising that the new rate would help maintain calm and improve overall welfare.

Think Prison 360 Initiative

Touching on the Think Prison 360 Initiative launched earlier this year by the Ghana Prisons Service, DDP Mwinyelle said the project aims to reshape public perception of prisons as reformation centres rather than dumping grounds.

‘The initiative is a reset agenda for the Ghana Prisons Service. It reminds society that the prison is not a place to dump people. When the state fails to invest in reforming inmates, everyone becomes unsafe,’ he remarked.

He appealed to relatives, philanthropists, and the general public to continue supporting the prison system through donations, partnerships, and advocacy to sustain reforms and improve inmate welfare.

‘The increase in feeding rate is a major step forward, and we are exceedingly grateful to the government. But as Oliver Twist, we will always ask for more-perhaps GHS10.00 next year,’ he concluded with optimism.