Category: Daily Guide Network

The Western Regional Office of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has been adjudged the Most Responsive Utility Service Provider at the 2026 Western Regional Media and Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Awards organised by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

The award, presented at a ceremony held in Takoradi recognised the ECG Western Region for its responsiveness to customer concerns and its commitment to maintaining an effective channel of communication with the public and the media.

Held under the theme ‘Reporting Progress, Investing in People,’ the maiden Western Regional Media and CSI Awards brought together journalists, media practitioners, corporate institutions, government representatives, traditional authorities and other stakeholders to celebrate excellence in journalism and recognise corporate contributions to regional development.

In its citation, the GJA commended ECG for its swift response to customer complaints, including localised power outages, prepaid meter installation and billing issues, as well as other service-related concerns.

Particular mention was made of the Western Regional office’s strong working relationship with the media, including the establishment of a WhatsApp platform involving senior ECG managers and journalists. The platform has provided an avenue for open and direct engagement, enabling journalists to report outages and other developments affecting the uninterrupted supply of electricity and obtain timely responses from the company.

The citation also singled out the ECG maintenance team at Sekondi for its commitment to restoring reliable power supply to communities.

In one notable instance, the team, with support from the regional maintenance team, reportedly spent more than 12 hours working in the rain to install 315kVA and 200kVA transformers at Shama after prolonged power outages had affected electricity supply to the Shama Municipal Assembly and the Municipal Hospital.

The recognition drew enthusiastic applause from guests at the ceremony, with several attendees offering personal accounts of ECG’s responsiveness.

One guest recounted how she reported a damaged electricity pole with wires hanging precariously around the Anaji SNNIT Flats area while on her way to work. ‘Before I could get to work, my daughter called me that some men from ECG were at the scene to fix it. By midday, the problem had been fixed. This is the kind of service we want and I think ECG is changing the face of customer service. So, for me, this award to them is in order,’ she said.

‘This award reflects not only the work of ECG’s management but also the efforts of field engineers, fault teams, maintenance crews and customer-facing staff whose work often takes place away from the public eye, sometimes under difficult conditions, to restore power and address customer concerns.’

*Benjamin Quarcoo recognised for transforming ECG’s public engagement*

The GJA also recognised a former Western Regional Public Relations Officer of ECG, Benjamin Quarcoo, for his contribution to strengthening the company’s public image and relationship with the media and communities. Mr. Quarcoo was honoured for ‘strengthening ECG’s image as a credible and trusted source of information, particularly in remote communities.’

His citation noted that although his tenure as Regional PRO was relatively short, his impact had been significant and continued to be felt. It credited him with helping the company navigate considerable reputational challenges while building a strong relationship with the media and adopting a strategic, community-centred approach to communication.

‘He was an invaluable friend of the media and adopted a strategic, community-centred approach that took ECG beyond conventional communication into meaningful engagement with customers and communities,’ the citation stated. It further acknowledged his support for community and social initiatives beyond ECG’s immediate corporate interests.

Quarcoo’s period as Regional PRO was marked by regular engagement with journalists on issues ranging from power outages and customer complaints to illegal connections, metering and public education. His role in providing timely information during service disruptions also made him a familiar source for the regional media. Public records show him regularly engaging the media on ECG operations and customer concerns, including the use of the ECG Power App, prepaid metering and efforts to address illegal meter activities.

The recognition of Quarcoo alongside the current ECG Western Regional office offered a notable acknowledgement of both institutional performance and the people who have helped shape the institution’s relationship with the public.

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has called for an urgent and coordinated national crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, warning that the growing narcotics menace poses a serious threat to Ghana’s security, institutions, families and the future of the youth.

A statement signed by the President of Ghana Catholic Bishop’s Conference and Bishop of Sunyani, Most. Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, said the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French customs authorities at Dunkirk on September 10, 2026, with an estimated street value of pound 225 million, was ‘deeply disturbing.’ The cocaine was reportedly concealed in a container of plastic waste that had arrived from Ghana, with part of the consignment allegedly destined for Antwerp, Belgium.

The Bishops noted that four Ghanaians-Desmond Koranteng Curiel, alias ‘Paul Kweku Yeboah’ or ‘Biggs’; Musah Attah, alias ‘Kromo’; Kweku Otchere; and Jessica Hartog-had been arraigned before the High Court in Accra and remanded over alleged conspiracy to export narcotic drugs without a licence and exportation of narcotic drugs. They stressed that the accused persons remained presumed innocent until proven guilty, and urged investigations to establish how the alleged consignment passed through legitimate commercial channels.

The Conference said the Dunkirk seizure formed part of a wider pattern of drug trafficking incidents linked to Ghana, citing several major interceptions recorded since March 2025. It also referenced concerns raised in a September 18, 2026 parliamentary memorandum, including cocaine seizures at Pedu Junction, on the Takoradi-Cape Coast highway and at Tema Port, as well as alleged narcotics concealed in other consignments. According to the Bishops, the parliamentary petitioners estimate that high-profile seizures linked to Ghana over the past two years exceed $1 billion in value.

The Bishops further expressed concern over the involvement of public officials in alleged narcotics-related activities, citing the reported arrest of nine public officers in March 2026 over a large consignment of undeclared tramadol at Tema Port. They called for investigations to go beyond couriers and identify the financiers, principal traffickers and networks behind the trade, stressing that anyone who abused public trust to facilitate the movement of illicit drugs must be held accountable.

The Conference appealed to the government to strengthen collaboration among the Police Service, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Customs, port authorities, the judiciary and other relevant institutions to combat the menace. It called for improved scanning and surveillance systems at Ghana’s ports, airports and borders, stronger cooperation with INTERPOL and Europol, and investigations that ‘follow the money’ to uncover the financial networks sustaining narcotics trafficking.

The Bishops also backed Parliament’s oversight role, urging relevant ministers and state agencies to account for the adequacy of drug detection, surveillance and clearance procedures at the country’s ports and airports. They called for such proceedings to be conducted without partisan point-scoring, but with the seriousness, transparency and cooperation required to address what they described as a matter of national concern.

Beyond enforcement, the GCBC called for greater investment in drug-prevention education, rehabilitation and treatment, particularly for young people. It urged Catholic parishes, schools, youth organisations, priests, catechists and lay leaders to intensify awareness and pastoral support, while appealing to parents and guardians to maintain close relationships with their children and provide moral and emotional guidance.

The Bishop of Sunyani, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, further said the drug menace was ultimately a moral and social crisis that required collective action.

The Conference urged Ghanaians to protect the dignity and future of the youth, calling for a response that was firm and lawful while also being preventive, rehabilitative and rooted in human dignity.

Kylian Mbappe has revealed how ‘close’ he came to joining Liverpool in 2016, saying he went against the advice of his mother who ‘fell in love’ with Anfield.

The France and Real Madrid striker said the Reds tried to sign him at 18, while he was playing for Monaco in Ligue 1.

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said the club laid on a private jet and food for Mbappe and his family in an attempt to sign him, before he eventually joined Paris St-Germain.

Speaking to the Athletic, Mbappe said his mum was a ‘big fan’ of Klopp and wanted her son to move to Merseyside.

‘I was close to [joining] Liverpool. The favourite destination for my mum was Liverpool. She wanted me to go there,’ he said.

‘I didn’t listen because I wanted to play in my city, Paris. I didn’t want to leave my country before I was someone.

‘But yes, my mum was always saying, ‘Liverpool – you’re going to be there, playing at Anfield, it’s going to be insane for you’.’

Mbappe, now 27, said his mother went out to Liverpool for the ‘first step’ of the negotiation.

‘She went to the city, the stadium, she met the people. She was like, ‘it’s a wonderful club, everybody’s so kind, it’s a family club, a big club’, said Mbappe.

‘She went to Anfield and fell in love with it. She watched a few games alone, to feel the atmosphere, because she wanted to imagine me in this stadium.’

Klopp, who spoke about the possible move on Magenta TV as a pundit at the 2026 World Cup, explained how a flight was taken from Blackpool to Nice in France, where ‘the entire Mbappe family boarded a private jet with five rooms or something’.

‘We really went all out. Then we flew around in a circle, talked with the family, ate good food,’ Klopp said.

He said they had not wanted to be seen having talks – but the meeting proved fruitless.

‘We flew in a circle. It was fantastic. And then he went to Paris,’ Klopp added.

‘It’s a funny story,’ said Mbappe.

‘But in the end, I took the decision to go to PSG because for me, born and raised in Paris, there was no better feeling than to show I could be a star in my hometown.’

Mbappe later joined PSG on loan, in a deal including an option for the move to become permanent for 180m euros (£165.7m). He went on to spend seven years in Paris, becoming the club’s record scorer before leaving for Real Madrid in 2024.

OmniBSIC Bank has relocated its Dome branch to a larger and more modern facility as part of efforts to strengthen its presence in the Dome enclave and provide customers with an improved banking experience.

The new facility was officially dedicated by Theodore Takyi, Branch Manager of OmniBSIC Bank’s Airport Branch, during a ceremony attended by bank executives, staff, customers and community leaders, including Evelyn Abena Sebie, Queenmother of Dome Market.

‘As we dedicate this branch to the glory of God, we also challenge the team to make it a branch that stands out within the OmniBSIC network,’ Mr Takyi said.

He expressed hope that the Dome branch would grow into a ‘star branch’ within the OmniBSIC network.

Dome Branch Manager, Emmanuel Ashley said, ‘Anytime a Bank puts up a new facility like this, it is to reflect our commitment to improving service delivery and enhancing customer experience in the community we serve.

He added, ‘It is not a new branch. We are just moving to a new building, the same brand, the same commitment to putting our customers first and always making sure that we grow their business and put a smile on their faces.’

Hannah Esi Dadzie, Accra North Zonal Manager of OmniBSIC Bank, said the relocation forms part of a broader strategy to grow the bank’s presence in the Dome enclave and capture opportunities across surrounding communities.

‘As the bank was growing, we needed a befitting edifice for the location. Beyond that, we realised that Dome had so many opportunities and we were unable to achieve that spread from our previous location,’ she said.

The ceremony also highlighted the branch’s longstanding relationship with the Dome community.

The Queenmother of Dome Market, Evelyn Abena Sebie, said her family had maintained a relationship with OmniBSIC for nearly two decades, recalling that her late father banked with the institution for about 17 years.

‘They handled me nicely and they were also kind to us,’ she said, describing the bank’s service as good.

She said the new facility would benefit the wider Dome market and surrounding community.

The relocated Dome branch is now fully operational, providing customers with expanded space and an enhanced banking environment as OmniBSIC Bank continues to deepen its presence in communities across Ghana.

There was drama at the premises of the Accra High Court today, when an officer of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) attempted to arrest the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour.

Mr. Baffour was at the court to represent his client, Salomey Awiti Batoh, a senior nurse implicated in the Ghana Jollof public incitement case.

In a video of the incident, the EOCO officer is seen standing in front of the driver’s door of the MP’s vehicle, asking him to follow her to the EOCO office.

The MP, who appeared enraged, questioned what showed she was an officer of EOCO and why they were looking for him.

He claimed his attempted arrest was linked to his representation of his client in the Ghana Jollof case.

He told the woman to move away from his car door, but she refused, leading him to push her.

One of the lawyers who was with Nana Agyei Baffour is heard saying EOCO should write to the Speaker of Parliament if they want to arrest the MP, as there is a procedure for that.

It is not clear why EOCO attempted to take the MP into custody, but he had earlier claimed that there is a cocaine manufacturing plant in Ghana.

Speaking in an interview on Citi FM on Tuesday, the NPP MP asserted that Ghana was not only a transit point for cocaine smuggling and that some level of manufacturing was ongoing in the country.

He stated that his party has intelligence that confirms the claim.

Betty Akamani, a 35-year-old woman, has been charged with the murder of her US-based Ghanaian husband, Dr. Kofi Akamani, a Southern Illinois University professor.

The mother of two was charged on Monday, September 21 with two counts of felony first-degree murder and one count of endangering the life or health of a child.

Betty Akamani is accused of shooting her husband, 48-year-old Dr. Kofi Akamani multiple times while he sat in his car in her driveway at her Murphysboro home.

He later died at a Carbondale hospital.

According to court records and the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office, the couple had been separated for two years, and were in the middle of a divorce.

In court on Monday, Betty Akamani was denied release. She will remain in the Jackson County Jail.

She is set to appear in court again on October 6 for a preliminary hearing.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), deputies were called to a reported shooting around 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 19.

The 48-year-old academic was found with gunshot wounds and was rushed to the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, where he was pronounced dead.

Police say investigations have commenced but are still in the early stages.

The Jackson County Ambulance Service, the Coroner’s Office, and the State’s Attorney’s Office are assisting with the probe.

The Sheriff’s Office added that no further details would be released for now as investigations continue.

Dr. Akamani began his tertiary education in Ghana at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Development Planning, specialising in Urban Planning.

He initially intended to pursue further studies in Urban Planning but was advised that the future of planning lay in sustainable development.

Jeff Harmon, chief communications and marketing officer at SIU, said, ‘It is with a heavy heart that we have learned of the tragic passing of one of our faculty members, Dr. Kofi Akamani. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and students during this difficult time.’

According to a Facebook post by the Southern Illinois University, a vigil is scheduled today at 6 p.m. at the Ag building front lawn. They say a memorial will follow at a later date.

Illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, has become one of the most serious environmental threats facing West Africa, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has warned.

According to him, the destructive practice, together with other forms of environmental degradation, is threatening livelihoods, economic security and the quality of life of people across the sub-region.

The Speaker made the observation in an address delivered on his behalf by the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrews Amoako Asiamah, at the joint opening ceremony of the ECOWAS Parliament’s seminar and the Second Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Accra yesterday.

The seminar is being held on the theme, ‘Climate Change, Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement and Growing Insecurity in the ECOWAS Region.’

Mr. Bagbin said galamsey was contributing to water contamination, deforestation, destruction of habitats, soil erosion and degradation, air pollution, biodiversity loss and health risks.

He said the environmental challenges were interconnected and therefore required an integrated response from countries in the region.

He noted that climate change was already disrupting weather patterns, intensifying floods and droughts and putting increasing pressure on natural resources, while deforestation, pollution and unsustainable exploitation were weakening the resilience of communities.

The Speaker said the consequences of environmental degradation went beyond damage to the environment, as they also affected economic security and the livelihoods of vulnerable populations.

He said the growing insecurity in the region showed that security could no longer be understood only in traditional terms but must also encompass human security, including the safety of people, their livelihoods, food systems and the environment.

According to him, climate change could intensify competition over scarce resources, while environmental degradation could drive migration and expose displaced populations to exploitation and trafficking.

He, therefore, called for greater investment in preventive capacity and resilience-building instead of waiting for environmental and security crises to occur before responding.

Mr. Bagbin urged parliamentarians across the ECOWAS region to support legislation on environmental governance, climate adaptation, disaster preparedness and natural-resource management.

He also called for stronger regional cooperation to address population displacement and protect displaced persons, refugees and host communities.

He stressed that no single ECOWAS member state could tackle the challenges alone because rivers and ecosystems crossed national boundaries, while environmental crimes operated across jurisdictions.

He called for adequate financing for sustainable development, climate adaptation, peace and security, urging the ECOWAS region to strengthen its own capacity to finance these priorities.

Mr. Bagbin said the transition towards a climate-resilient and sustainable West Africa could also create opportunities for economic growth and employment, particularly in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy and entrepreneurship.

He urged the region to demonstrate political will and solidarity in addressing environmental threats, stressing that the security and prosperity of one-member state were inseparable from those of the entire ECOWAS region.

President John Dramani Mahama has distanced himself from controversial US-based Ghanaian broadcaster, Kevin Taylor, saying he has never met or spoken with him.

According to President Mahama, Kevin Taylor was previously a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) but turned his criticism against the party after becoming disappointed with its leadership.

President Mahama was speaking at a breakfast meeting with the clergy on the theme, ‘Building the Ghana We Want Together.’

‘Kevin Taylor was a member of the NPP. He showed his NPP card on his programme but he has fallen out with the party because of disappointment,’ President Mahama said.

He explained that Kevin Taylor’s disenchantment with the NPP had led him to direct his criticisms at the party and some religious leaders.

‘That is why he has turned his fire on NPP and even added some pastors. For him, I don’t know him and I haven’t spoken to him before,’ the President stated.

President Mahama, however, said he was familiar with Kevin Taylor’s father, who is a chief at Asamankese, and recalled encountering him during one of his campaign tours in the area.

‘He has some people he respects. The other time when I was on a campaign tour at Asamankese, where his father [is] the chief. I know his father,’ he said.

The President indicated that he would rely on that relationship to address concerns surrounding Kevin Taylor’s insults against individuals.

‘I will leverage on that to deal with his issue (insults on people),’ he added.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Marketing and Special Duties) of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana, has eulogised the Asante Kingdom, describing it as one of the most revered in Africa.

Speaking as a guest judge for last Sunday’s Ghana’s Most Beautiful (GMB) episode, the renowned broadcaster and cultural advocate said the Asante Kingdom stands tall among Africa’s powerful kingdoms for its preservation of cultural heritage.

‘There is no traditional paramountcy that has preserved its heritage like Asanteman. When we say this, this is not tribal bigotry. It is a fact. You can go and check it on Google or anywhere,’ he said.

‘Ashanti Region and Asante Kingdom is known and listed among the 11 to 15 most powerful kingdoms in Africa. From the ancient military prowess of the Asante Kingdom to present-day rich culture and heritage, Asante is the citadel of culture, and its culture and tradition has been preserved.’

Abeiku Santana cited the Manhyia Palace Museum as evidence of the Kingdom’s unmatched historical preservation.

‘If you go to the Manhyia Museum, you see the effigies of the kings and queens, from the first occupant of the Golden Stool to the 16th occupant. There is no traditional paramountcy that has preserved its heritage from antecedent to date where you can go there and see that this is the first king, the second king, the third king. It is only the Asante Kingdom,’ he stressed.

He also highlighted the global influence and reach of Asante culture.

‘Asante has a lot, and I like the fact that you said we are the only region that has a flag. You have your flag, and the flag of Asante is like the flag of Jamaica. The Maroons in Jamaica all trace their roots to Asante. The Asante Kingdom is not regional. It transcends to Côte d’Ivoire, parts of Oti Region, Volta Region, Eastern Region – we have Asante Akyem and all that,’ he noted.

Nollywood actress, Bimbo Akintola, has explained how online attacks over political choices influenced her decision to publicly support Bola Ahmed Tinubu during Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.

Speaking in an interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, Akintola said she was frustrated by the hostility directed at people who expressed political views different from those of their critics.

She said the treatment of veteran actress Joke Silva, who had publicly supported Tinubu, particularly caught her attention.

According to Akintola, Silva was subjected to severe online criticism, including what she described as an ‘inhumane’ comment.

She said the incident prompted her to make her own public declaration of support for Tinubu, despite knowing that she could also face backlash.

‘I’m also supporting Tinubu, kill me, let me see if you can change my mind,’ she recalled saying in a video.

Akintola said her decision was also about defending the right of individuals to hold different political opinions without being harassed.

She criticised the practice of attacking people simply because they support a particular candidate, stressing that political disagreements should not lead to bullying.

‘We have our rights to differences of opinion. You don’t like this man, cool, you have the right not to like him. You prefer this person, good for you. But don’t bully others,’ she said.

Akintola maintained that although people may disagree over political choices, everyone should be allowed to make their own decision at the ballot box.