Category: Daily Guide Network

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, has launched a free driving school training programme for his constituents.

This was in fulfilment of a promise the MP made to the people in the run-up to the 2024 elections.

The initiative will give the youth and all interested persons free access to driving lessons, road safety education, and licences.

During a brief ceremony to launch the initiative, over 1,700 participants registered for the training.

The driving school will provide practical driving skills, road safety and driving etiquette to the applicants.

The MP stressed that the initiative was aimed at equipping beneficiaries with valuable driving skills and creating opportunities for a brighter future.

Meanwhile, the constituents have highly commended the MP for fulfilling his promise.

They were hopeful that the move will go a long way to help create jobs for the unemployed youth in Takoradi.

Highlife musician, Kwabena Kwabena, has called for greater scrutiny of sachet water sold on the market after raising concerns about a change in the appearance of some water stored in his home.

The musician shared a video showing two sachets of water from the same bag, noting a noticeable difference in their colour after they had been kept for several weeks.

Kwabena Kwabena explained that he had turned to sachet water for cooking because of concerns about the quality of tap water available to him.

However, the change he observed in the stored sachet water left him questioning its safety.

‘This is serious,’ he said as he displayed the sachets and questioned what could have caused the apparent discolouration.

The musician subsequently appealed to the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to look into the matter and ensure that sachet water producers meet required safety and quality standards.

He also expressed concern about the potential consequences for consumers if water that is contaminated or below the required standard is used for drinking or cooking.

The Damela Foundation, Great Excellence Movie Awards (GEMA) has officially unveiled nominees for the sixth edition of the prestigious awards, with this year’s nominations extending beyond Ghana to include creative talents from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.

The nominees were officially released on September 21, 2026, marking another important milestone in the growth of the awards scheme, which was established to recognise excellence, promote Africa’s creative industry and provide a platform for emerging and established talents to receive the recognition they deserve.

The sixth edition of the awards is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the CCB Auditorium, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi. The auditorium has a seating capacity of approximately 1,500 people.

This year’s edition is expected to bring together filmmakers, actors, actresses, producers, directors, industry professionals, business leaders, philanthropists, social impact personalities and other distinguished guests from Ghana and beyond.

From Ghana to Africa

Since its establishment, the Great Excellence Movie Awards has sought to create a platform where African creative talents can be recognised and celebrated for their hard work, creativity and contribution to the entertainment industry.

The inclusion of nominees from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa in the 2026 edition demonstrates the organisers’ growing ambition to take the awards beyond Ghana and create a truly continental platform.

The long-term vision of GEMA is to build one major African film and entertainment awards platform that brings Africans together, creating opportunities for collaboration, networking, recognition and cultural exchange.

The organisers believe that Africa has enormous creative potential and that its filmmakers, actors, producers and other creatives deserve platforms that can celebrate their achievements both locally and internationally.

The 2026 edition therefore represents another step towards creating an awards platform that recognises African excellence without being restricted by national boundaries.

Recognising emerging talents

A major objective of the Great Excellence Movie Awards is to ensure that recognition is not limited to already established personalities.

The awards also provide an opportunity for emerging and previously less-recognised creatives to gain visibility and have their work acknowledged.

Through the various categories, GEMA seeks to encourage young people who are investing their time, energy and creativity into the African film and entertainment industry.

The organisers believe that when hard work and creativity are recognised, it can inspire other young people to pursue their talents professionally and contribute to the growth of the creative economy.

Beyond movies: Celebrating humanitarian impact

While the Great Excellence Movie Awards was established with a strong focus on the film industry, the 2026 edition is expanding the meaning of excellence by introducing a stronger focus on humanitarian service and social impact.

The awards will recognise selected personalities whose work goes beyond their professions to make a positive difference in society.

Through its Special Guest and Great Impact Awards, GEMA will celebrate individuals who have contributed to communities through philanthropy, healthcare, education, business, leadership, youth empowerment, community development and humanitarian initiatives.

The organisers believe that people who dedicate their resources, influence and time to improving the lives of others deserve recognition.

The humanitarian component of the awards is therefore intended to shine a spotlight on individuals whose contributions may not always receive sufficient public recognition but whose work has a meaningful impact on society.

The initiative also seeks to encourage more successful individuals and organisations to embrace social responsibility and use their resources to support communities.

Entertainment for Social Change

The 2026 edition will also feature an Impact Week built around the theme ‘Entertainment for Social Change.’

The initiative reflects GEMA’s belief that entertainment can be used as a powerful tool to educate, inspire and address important social issues.

Among the activities planned for the Impact Week are a Keep Kumasi Clean Campaign, a football activity aimed at promoting awareness about drug abuse, and a Say No to Drugs Health Walk.

The activities are intended to bring together entertainers, young people, community members and other stakeholders to promote positive social messages.

For the organisers, the objective is to ensure that the awards do not end when the trophies are presented but that the platform also contributes to meaningful conversations and activities within society.

KNUST becomes the centre of the celebration

The 2026 awards ceremony will be held at the CCB Auditorium on the KNUST campus in Kumasi, providing a significant platform for the organisers to connect with students, young creatives and the wider Kumasi community.

The KNUST campus also presents an opportunity for participating brands and sponsors to connect with a youthful and diverse audience.

The organisers are expecting filmmakers, entertainers, business executives, philanthropists, social impact leaders, media personalities and other distinguished guests to attend the ceremony.

The event is expected to feature a red-carpet experience, awards presentations, entertainment and special recognitions.

Appreciation to sponsors and partners

The organisers of the Damela Foundation Great Excellence Movie Awards 2026 have expressed their appreciation to the Damela Foundation, sponsors, partners, nominees, media organisations, creatives and individuals who have supported the growth of the awards.

Their support, according to the organisers, has contributed to making it possible to expand the platform and reach more creatives across Africa.

The organisers are, however, appealing to more corporate organisations, brands, institutions and individuals to come on board as sponsors and partners for the 2026 edition.

They believe that corporate participation in the awards can provide companies with an opportunity to associate their brands with creativity, entertainment, youth development, humanitarian service and social impact.

Sponsors will also have opportunities to gain visibility before, during and after the event through various event platforms and promotional activities.

A call to corporate Ghana and African businesses

The organisers are calling on companies and institutions that believe in the potential of Africa’s creative industry to support the awards.

According to GEMA, investment in the creative industry goes beyond entertainment, as the sector provides employment, promotes culture, creates business opportunities and gives young people a platform to develop their talents.

The organisers therefore believe that stronger collaboration between the creative industry and the corporate sector can contribute to the development of a more sustainable African entertainment ecosystem.

Companies interested in becoming sponsors or partners of the 2026 awards are being encouraged to contact the organisers to explore available opportunities.

Building a lasting African platform

The vision of the Great Excellence Movie Awards goes beyond the 2026 ceremony.

The organisers aspire to build a major African awards platform that can bring together creatives and industry stakeholders from different African countries under one umbrella.

The journey began with a focus on Ghanaian film and entertainment, but the growing participation of talents from other African countries demonstrates the organisers’ intention to build a broader continental platform.

The ultimate goal is to create a celebration where Africans can come together to recognise their own talents, celebrate their achievements and promote the continent’s creative and cultural identity.

As the Damela Foundation Great Excellence Movie Awards 2026 prepares to take place on November 7 at the CCB Auditorium, KNUST, Kumasi, attention is now turning to the nominees, sponsors, partners and personalities who will make the sixth edition a celebration of African creativity, excellence and social impact.

The Damela Foundation Great Excellence Movie Awards 2026 – celebrating excellence, recognising impact and promoting the African film industry.

The ceo Benjamin manful calls for more sponsors and partners to help celebrate our film makers

The recent cocaine busts which originated from Ghana are unlike no other in recent times in terms of frequency and quantity.

Information reaching us and as corroborated by the Interior Minister is that the French are reluctant in divulging intelligence with their Ghanaian counterparts, mistrust being the reason.

Developments in recent times have informed the French position, which cannot be faulted.

The suspicion that the image of one of the suspects arrested in connection with the French bust resembles a presidential close security is rife. Indeed, a name has been mentioned on social media which is shared by one of the President’s men.

During the next court hearing, that suspect would be present and those who know him well will easily identify him or not as the case may be.

He is said to hail from Akwatia Line, a suburb of Kumasi, one of his aliases being Karyansu.

The Spokesperson for the President would do Ghanaians a great service if he issues a statement to clear the subject. Until he does so, the speculation is continuing in assortment of conversations in manners uncomplimentary of government.

Not even the MV Benjamin case is receiving the kind of public attention these ones are.

When security personnel are hooked to social media chasing those behind the insults which have become the order of local politics in the country today, the security of our ports cannot be guaranteed.

Be it as it may, we are enmeshed in cocaine politics. Those who suspect government complicity in the unfolding scandal or saga are relishing the unfolding developments.

Even as the opposition hits hard at government over the cocaine busts, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in their bid to return fire are failing, their defence too weak to stand the firepower of their political foes.

Of course it cannot make sense when they claim that it was because the number of agencies undertaking inspections was curtailed under the Akufo-Addo regime that gave rise to the busts outside Ghana today.

How did the drugs come into the country when relevant agencies are expected to perform their functions of stopping the entry of illicit substances into the country? Ghana does not produce cocaine because, after all, we do not grow poppies here as it is done in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Under Akufo-Addo, how many such busts originating from Ghana were made?

In a digitised age, high-tech scanners exist to ensure that illicit drugs do not pass through our ports. These gadgets are however operated by humans who must listen to orders from above.

There are a lot to learn about the new drug status of Ghana, and these are worrying.

When Rev. Ntim Fordjour raised the red flag about the strange landing at the Kotoka International Airport before the name change, he was harassed for seeing and talking.

Now here we are, too dirty to come out in the open as a country.

Even worrying is the possibility that there are stuck in the country larger quantities of the stuff locked up in stash houses awaiting the clearance of the coast before the next attempts. The local market will boom as some quantities could be offloaded for the consumption of the already hooked. This is pure premium quality, it would appear.

Ghana’s Black Maidens continued their impressive run at the WAFU Zone B Girls Cup with a commanding 4-0 victory over Togo in their third match of the tournament.

Ghana made a flying start, taking the lead after just three minutes through Gloria Ameaa.

The Maidens doubled their advantage six minutes later when Seidatu Wahab calmly converted a penalty to make it 2-0.

Ghana remained in control for the rest of the first half, with Togo struggling to create meaningful opportunities as the Maidens went into the break two goals ahead.

The dominance continued after the restart, with Ameaa coming close to adding a spectacular third in the 54th minute, only for her effort to narrowly miss the target.

Ghana eventually found their third in the 59th minute through Linda Owusu Ansah, who completed her brace 10 minutes later to seal a convincing 4-0 victory.

The result further strengthens the Black Maidens’ impressive campaign in the WAFU Zone B Girls Cup.

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.

Tino Livramento, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice have all pulled out of England’s squad for forthcoming Nations League matches.

Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Everton’s James Garner have been called into the squad by manager Thomas Tuchel and will join the squad on Tuesday.

Tuchel said on Friday that 26-year-old Gibbs-White, who has six international caps, was close to being included in the initial squad.

Palmer, 24, had been recalled by Tuchel after being controversially left out of England’s World Cup squad but has withdrawn with a minor injury.

Tuchel previously said Palmer had a ‘point to prove’ and needed ‘to step up’ to ‘keep his shirt and justify the nomination’.

The Three Lions face World Cup winners Spain at Wembley on Saturday, 26 September, then travel to the Czech Republic (29 September) and Croatia (3 October) before hosting the Czechs on 6 October in an extended international break.

Manchester United duo Rashford and Mainoo were assessed by their club after being taken off in the closing stages of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham.

Rice, who played the full game for Arsenal in their 3-0 defeat by Brighton, will also be unavailable to Tuchel, along with Livramento, who has been limited to three substitute appearances for Newcastle United this season.

The England medical department and all their counterparts at each of the clubs have agreed the five players can withdraw. No specific details have been released to the media on the nature of the injuries.

Palmer’s withdrawal comes after he played the full game for Chelsea in their 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Friday.

Gibbs-White made his most recent England appearance in a 3-0 friendly win against Wales in October 2025.

He has one goal and two assists from Forest’s five league games this season.

Like Gibbs-White, Garner – who made both his two senior England appearances in March – comes in after not being selected for the 2026 World Cup.

Rice played 69 games for Arsenal and England last season. But he did much of it carrying a hamstring injury which affected him at the World Cup. Despite this he has played in 549 minutes of the 630 possible for Arsenal this term.

Sudan’s war has become more than a contest for military control. For millions of Sudanese, it has evolved into a prolonged struggle for security, dignity, access to basic services and the possibility of returning to a normal life.

Against this backdrop, the government of Sudan is calling for renewed international attention to what it describes as the devastating consequences of the conflict and the activities of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which the government describes as a rebel militia.

According to the Sudanese government, the conflict, which began with the RSF rebellion in April 2023, has inflicted widespread harm on civilians and placed enormous pressure on the country’s institutions and essential infrastructure. The government says the consequences have extended across communities, affecting women, children, older persons and other vulnerable groups.

The government’s account alleges that civilians have been subjected to unlawful and extrajudicial killings, attacks on residential areas, sexual violence and forced displacement. It further alleges attacks on property and civilian facilities, alongside the looting and destruction of public and private infrastructure.

These allegations form the central part of Khartoum’s appeal for stronger international engagement. The government argues that the destruction of infrastructure and disruption of essential services have consequences that extend beyond the immediate battlefield, making the restoration of functioning state institutions and the return of displaced populations considerably more difficult.

At the heart of the government’s position is the argument that Sudan’s crisis should not be viewed solely through the prism of a military confrontation. It maintains that the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national institutions must remain central to any effort to resolve the conflict.

The government insists that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are the country’s legitimate national military institution and rejects what it regards as attempts to place the national army on the same footing as the RSF, which it identifies as a rebel militia.

It also objects to what it describes as external interference in Sudan’s affairs and calls for an end to military, financial and logistical support to the RSF. According to the government, cutting off sources of financing and arms supplies to the militia should form part of a broader international effort to bring the conflict to an end.

Yet, the government’s message is not presented solely as a call for pressure. It also presents itself as an appeal for a pathway towards peace.

Khartoum says it remains open to serious regional and international peace initiatives and is prepared to participate in an inclusive Sudanese political process, provided that Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and national institutions are respected. It says any sustainable settlement must create conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of internally displaced people and refugees.

That emphasis is significant in a country where displacement has become one of the defining consequences of the war.

For those forced from their homes, the meaning of the conflict is not confined to military positions on a map. It is measured in interrupted livelihoods, fractured communities, damaged homes, disrupted public services and an uncertain prospect of return.

The Sudanese government, therefore, wants the international response to encompass more than diplomacy. It is calling for stronger civilian protection, humanitarian access, support for voluntary return and reconstruction, while insisting that humanitarian action remain neutral.

The government further argues that accountability must accompany any peace process. It says those responsible for violations against civilians, as well as those who support them, should face justice under international law and international humanitarian law. It rejects what it describes as attempts to grant impunity or obscure the facts surrounding alleged violations.

There is, consequently, a broader question at the centre of Sudan’s appeal: how can a country rebuild when the institutions responsible for providing security and essential services have themselves been placed under extraordinary pressure by prolonged conflict?

The Government of Sudan says the answer must begin with the preservation of the country’s state institutions and sovereignty, an end to external support for armed groups, protection of civilians and a Sudanese-led political process.

Its appeal to the international community is ultimately framed around these principles: support Sudanese state institutions, strengthen civilian protection, facilitate humanitarian assistance, cut off what it describes as external sources of military support to the RSF, and help create the conditions for peace and reconstruction.

For Sudan, the stakes are, therefore, larger than who controls a particular city or territory.

They concern whether a country fractured by war can preserve its institutions, protect its people and eventually reconstruct the social and physical foundations of national life.

And as the war continues to exact its toll, Khartoum’s message to the international community is clear: Sudan wants the conflict, the suffering of its civilians and the forces sustaining the war to receive sustained international attention-and it wants peace to be pursued without compromising the country’s sovereignty, unity and national decision-making.

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ministry of Transport are set to resume talks today over the Union’s proposed 30% increase in transport fares.

The two were unable to come to a compromise following the Union’s decision to announce a potential 30% increment in transport fares in response to increasing fuel prices, taxes and other factors.

The last meeting between the Ministry and GPRTU ended in a stalemate, with further talks scheduled to be held today as the two seek an amicable solution to the issue.

Meanwhile, GPRTU has debunked claims that the proposed 30% increment in transport fares has been put on hold.

Speaking to Citi News, Deputy Public Relations Officer of GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, said no agreement has been reached with the government, while pointing out that a final decision will be taken after a scheduled meeting with the Ministry today, September 22.

‘There has never been any agreement with the government that we are suspending our proposed increment,’ he said.

He indicated that the Union’s last meeting with the sector Minister was on last Friday and that meeting ended inconclusively.

‘The last meeting we had with the minister was last Friday and that we were still negotiating the 30 percent increase but there wasn’t any conclusion so prior to that we were asked to postpone the meeting to Tuesday, September 22,’ Mr. Amoah said.

‘There has never been any agreement that says we are not going to increase fares,’ reiterated.

He further pointed out that members of GPRTU have been directed not to partake in the sit-down strike by the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA), which was scheduled for yesterday, over the costs of vehicle maintenance.

The GPRTU early this month announced a proposed 30% adjustment in transport fares.

According to the Union, the adjustment has become necessary to enable commercial transport operators to cope with escalating operating costs, including fuel, vehicle spare parts, lubricants and taxes.

Ghanaian-American singer, Moliy, has made history as the first Ghanaian artiste to win at the Caribbean Music Awards.

Moliy won Dancehall Song of the Year at the 2026 edition of the awards for her global hit ‘Shake It to the Max (Fly) Remix’ featuring Jamaican stars Shenseea and Skillibeng.

The win was celebrated by fans and industry peers, with rapper Sarkodie hailing her as ‘queen’ for the milestone achievement that marks a major moment for Ghanaian talent on the international stage.

Born Moliy Ama Montgomery on October 4, 2001 in Accra, Moliy grew up between Accra and Florida. She began her career in 2020 with her debut EP Wondergirl, which gained airplay across Nigeria, Kenya and The Gambia, before shooting to international prominence in 2021 on Amaarae’s viral hit ‘Sad Girlz Luv Money’ remix featuring Kali Uchis.

The track debuted at No. 80 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at No. 29 on the UK Singles Chart. Her biggest solo breakthrough came in 2024 with ‘Shake It to the Max (Fly)’ produced by Jamaican producer Silent Addy.

The song became a TikTok phenomenon, topping the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart. The 2025 remix with Shenseea and Skillibeng propelled her to new heights: surpassed 1 billion streams worldwide; spent 22 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs Chart, later extending to 27 weeks, and topped the year-end chart; entered the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 65; ranked in Spotify’s Top 5 Songs of the Summer and TikTok’s Top 10 Global Songs of Summer.

The success earned her several historic firsts: the first Ghanaian to perform at the BET Awards, first Ghanaian to exceed 20 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and recipient of the Billboard Africa Hit Maker Award, with MTV VMA nominations for Best Afrobeats and Song of the Summer.

Recently named in Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2026 and cover star for Billboard Africa, Moliy continues to prove that African music has no borders – with her Caribbean Music Awards win now adding another groundbreaking chapter to her story.