Category: Daily Guide Network

The Catholic Bishop of Ho and Chairman of the National Peace Council, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, has called on Ghanaians to embrace responsible environmental practices, warning that the increasing incidence of flooding and other climate-related disasters is largely the result of human neglect of the environment.

Addressing the launch of the Special Diocesan Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi in the Ho Diocese, Bishop Fianu said the devastating floods experienced in parts of the country, including Accra, should serve as a national wake-up call to protect the environment and promote sustainable living.

He noted that while climate change poses a global challenge, many of its devastating consequences are intensified by irresponsible human activities such as the indiscriminate destruction of forests, poor waste disposal, pollution, and the failure to safeguard natural ecosystems.

‘The floods in Accra and elsewhere are a warning to us to learn to listen to the voice of God, to respect the environment in which we live, and to live harmoniously with God’s creation,’ the Bishop stated.

According to him, humanity has both a moral and spiritual responsibility to care for the earth, stressing that environmental protection should not be viewed merely as a civic obligation but as an essential expression of Christian faith and stewardship.

He explained that God’s creation has been entrusted to humanity and must be preserved for the benefit of both present and future generations, adding that neglecting the environment ultimately threatens lives, livelihoods, and sustainable development.

Bishop Fianu urged individuals, families, schools, churches, businesses, and communities to adopt environmentally friendly lifestyles by protecting forests and water bodies, reducing pollution, managing waste responsibly, and supporting initiatives that promote environmental sustainability.

He observed that genuine care for creation reflects gratitude to God and demonstrates respect for the dignity of human life, since environmental degradation disproportionately affects the poor and vulnerable.

Drawing inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi, widely revered as the patron saint of ecology, Bishop Fianu encouraged Catholics and all people of goodwill to emulate the saint’s profound love for creation and commitment to living in harmony with nature.

He said the Jubilee Year offers an opportunity for deeper reflection on humanity’s relationship with the environment and a renewed commitment to safeguarding the earth through responsible action.

The Bishop further stressed that addressing the growing threat of climate change requires collective action involving government, religious institutions, civil society organisations, the private sector, and citizens working together to protect the nation’s natural resources.

Five Ghanaian small businesses have each received GHS30,000 after emerging winners in MTN Ghana’s SME Business Pitch Competition held to mark this year’s World Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Day in Accra.

The winners – Tahiru Field Recycling, Edible Treats, Dyluri Beauty, Manehlla Foods and Tropical Snacks – were selected from 10 finalists after beating hundreds of entries submitted from across the country.

In addition to the cash prize, each winning business will participate in MTN Ghana’s 13-week Mini MBA programme in partnership with NOVA Business School and gain access to digital business solutions and mentorship through the company’s SME Accelerate Programme.

The five other finalists, namely 10-10 Foodie, Awhenepa Cookery, House of Lush, Bubune Africa Limited and Lebenam Skin, received GHS2,000 each, along with MTN Business support tools, including Y’ello Biz Routers and MiFi devices.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Manager for SME Sales at MTN Ghana, Mohammed Abubakari Sidick, said the competition forms part of the company’s broader commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises with access to finance, digital technology and business development opportunities.

He noted that SMEs remain the backbone of the nation’s economy because they create employment, stimulate innovation and contribute significantly to economic growth.

According to him, the business pitch competition is one of the flagship initiatives under MTN’s year-round SME Accelerate Programme, which also provides entrepreneurs with access to Mobile Money financing and other business support services.

He disclosed that this year’s competition was the third edition organised by MTN Ghana, following similar events held during the MTN Women’s Summit in Accra and AshantiFest in Kumasi.

The overall winner, Tahiru Field Recycling, said the GHS30,000 prize would be used to purchase a vacuum pump and expand the supply of used engine oil for recycling.

Chief Executive Officer of the company, Tahiru Umar, said the business currently employs 30 people and plans to recruit two additional workers immediately and another six before the end of the year as production expands.

He appealed to both the public and private sectors to increase support for young entrepreneurs, saying greater investment in small businesses would help create more jobs and accelerate Ghana’s economic development.

The Black Queens will begin their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign under a revised fixture schedule following changes announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Kim Lars Björkegren’s side will open their Group C campaign against Cape Verde on Wednesday, July 29, at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, with kick-off set for 17:00 GMT.

Ghana will return to the same venue on Sunday, August 2, to face Cameroon in their second group match, also kicking off at 17:00 GMT.

The Black Queens will conclude their group stage campaign against Mali on Thursday, August 6, with the match scheduled for 20:00 GMT at the Moulay Rachid Stadium.

The revised fixtures follow CAF’s adjustments to the tournament programme, which also resulted in Ghana’s team base being relocated from Fez to Casablanca ahead of the competition.

The Black Queens will be aiming to make a strong impression in Morocco as they seek to advance from Group C, compete for the continental title, and strengthen their bid to secure qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

With all three group matches set to be played at the Moulay Rachid Stadium, Ghana will hope familiarity with the venue provides an advantage as they chase a place in the knockout stages of the tournament.

A suspected armed robber has been shot dead after a violent attack on a mobile money (MoMo) vendor at Lashibi in Accra.

The incident occurred on July 3, 2026, when two armed men on a motorbike allegedly trailed and attacked the vendor as he was driving home with GHS140,000 in cash.

According to a statement issued by the Accra Regional Police Command and signed by Head of Public Affairs, Chief Superintendent Juliana Obeng, the suspects opened fire on the victim’s vehicle, damaging the right rear tyre and front windscreen in an attempt to force him to stop.

The attackers subsequently succeeded in snatching the cash but were confronted moments later when the complainant reportedly returned fire.

‘After the suspects had snatched the complainant’s bag containing GHS140,000.00 and were attempting to escape on their motorbike, the complainant fired at them, and one of the suspects died at the scene,’ the police statement said.

The second suspect managed to escape on the motorbike, abandoning the stolen money, which was later recovered by police. The complainant, police confirmed, did not sustain any injuries.

A search conducted on the deceased suspect led to the recovery of an AK-47 assault rifle, two magazines loaded with 55 rounds of ammunition, 11 additional rounds of live ammunition, GHS3,000 in cash, a Samsung mobile phone, and an identification card bearing the name Innocent Elemuwa Akachukeu, aged 46.

Police also retrieved five spent AK-47 shells and two spent pistol shells from the scene.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Police Hospital mortuary for preservation, autopsy, and identification.

The Accra Regional Police Command has taken over investigations and says efforts are underway to arrest the fleeing accomplice.

The Police Service has also appealed to the public for assistance in tracking down the suspect still on the run.

Ghanaian stars, Gyakie and Amaarae, have cemented their positions among the top ten most successful African female artistes, according to Tanzania Charts.

Backed by millions of streams across platforms like Spotify, they share the elite continental pedestal alongside powerhouses like Nigeria’s Tems and Ayra Starr. Other artistes listed in the shortlist include Tyla, Angelique Kidjo, Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage, Zuchu and Oumou Sangare.

Amaarae has built an impressive global following, with her sophomore album Fountain Baby surpassing 1 billion streams. Her massive international appeal even led to her opening for major tours alongside acts like Sabrina Carpenter.

Gyakie, on the other hand, has sustained a massive footprint across the continent, frequently ranking as one of the highest-streamed Ghanaian acts in heavy-hitter markets like Nigeria. Her breakthrough single ‘Forever’ earned over 150 million streams and double-platinum certifications in South Africa.

She recently delivered a soulful and heartfelt performance on ‘Treasure,’ a beautiful Afro-fusion track filled with sweet melodies and emotional lyrics.

Colombia knocked out toothless Black Stars out of the World in their Round of 32 fixture at the Kansas Stadium on Saturday.

Many Ghanaians sacrificed their sleep to watch the stars take on Colombia in a game played at 1:30am local time.

But hope immediately turned into anguish and disappointment as the senior national team put up what was their worst game of the tournament.

Colombia took an early lead in the game, with Jhon Arias scoring in the 14th minute. That was enough to see the South American side set up a Round of 16 tie against Switzerland in Vancouver on Tuesday.

The Black Stars failed to register a single shot on target in the entire match, registering an expected goal (xG) margin of 0.27.

The team did not create any big chances over the course of the 90 minutes, raising further questions about the teams attacking play.

Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi was the standout player, making seven saves, four of which were big saves to ensure Ghana did not suffer a heavy defeat.

The Black Stars suffered an early injury when Marvin Senaya was forced off with a groin injury in the 13th minute. He was replaced by Alidu Seidu.

Colombia were earlier forced to make a substitution of their own after Jhon Cordoba pulled up with what appeared to be a groin injury and was replaced by Luis Suarez in the 8th minute.

The results notwithstanding, the fans made sure they enjoyed themselves in the stands, watching the stars for the last time in the competition.

A highlight of the match was when cameras at the stadium captured Colombian fans carrying Ghanaian fan ‘Powder Man,’ who captivated the tournament with his traditional regalia and often seen blowing white powder into the air and performing rituals from the stands.

The gesture further showed the power of football to unite people from all parts of the world.

As the Black Star exit the 2026 World Cup, questions remain about Carlos Queiroz’s position as manager and whether it is time for the likes of Jordan Ayew to step away from the team.

President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Kurt Edwin Okraku has expressed gratitude to Ghanaians and football supporters worldwide for their unwavering support of the Black Stars during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite the team’s Round of 32 exit.

In a message following Ghana’s elimination, the GFA President acknowledged the disappointment of falling short of progressing further in the tournament but praised the players for their determination, courage and commitment throughout the campaign.

He noted that the Black Stars had exceeded the expectations of many by advancing from a difficult group to reach the knockout stage, describing the achievement as a testament to the team’s resilience and fighting spirit.

Mr. Okraku stressed that the World Cup campaign should be viewed as an important learning experience, expressing confidence that the lessons gained by the players and technical team would strengthen the squad for future international competitions.

The GFA President also thanked the Government of Ghana, sponsors and partners for their support, while commending the coaching staff, players and backroom personnel for their dedication and sacrifice in representing the nation on the global stage.

He further acknowledged the role of Ghanaians and Black Stars supporters across the world, saying their encouragement inspired the team to compete with determination in every match.

Looking ahead, Mr. Okraku reaffirmed the Football Association’s commitment to building a stronger and more balanced national team capable of competing for honours at the Africa Cup of Nations and making a greater impact at future FIFA World Cups.

He urged Ghanaians to remain united behind the Black Stars, encouraging the nation to move beyond the disappointment of the World Cup exit and channel its energy into supporting the team’s future ambitions.

A joint study conducted by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD) has revealed that 100% of cabbage samples tested from Agbogbloshie and Madina markets failed safety standards.

According to the report, the study conducted in June 2026 found that all cabbage samples collected from the two markets exceeded the established Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for eight different pesticide chemicals.

‘Cabbage Failure Rate: 100% of cabbage samples tested from Agbogbloshie and Madina markets failed safety standards. Every sample exceeded the established Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for eight different chemical pesticides,’ parts of the report revealed.

It said each sample contained pesticide residues above internationally accepted limits.

It added that while 67% of okra samples met the required safety standards, some okra obtained directly from Agbogbloshie Market contained high levels of hazardous chemicals.

‘Okra performed slightly better, with 67% of samples meeting safety limits. However, specific okra samples taken directly from the Agbogbloshie Market were found to be highly contaminated, violating limits for hazardous chemicals,’ the study revealed.

Ghana Standards Authority indicated in the study that the contaminated cabbages could be traced to major vegetable-producing areas, including Kumasi, Tepa and Adetor.

The study attributed the contamination to the excessive and improper use of synthetic agrochemicals, citing poor pesticide mixing practices, over-application of chemicals and farmers’ failure to observe the mandatory pre-harvest waiting period before harvesting crops.

Among the pesticide residues detected were Dimethoate and Triticonazole, which were found in high concentrations in the contaminated okra samples.

The study mentioned that exposure to Dimethoate could lead to respiratory problems, blurred vision and convulsions, while Triticonazole could be associated with liver damage and skin irritation.

The study also identified Acetamiprid and Emamectin in several vegetable samples, which affect the central nervous system causing seizures and gastrointestinal distress.

The report also stated that Mevinphos, a highly toxic pesticide residue linked to rapid muscle twitching and respiratory paralysis, was also detected.

‘Exposure to these residues significantly elevates the risk of miscarriages, low birth weights, and congenital birth defects,’ it noted.

CIKOD and the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana following the reports are therefore calling for a transition to safer, nature-based agroecological farming practices to reduce dependence on synthetic pesticides as well as protect public health.

The two organisations also urged consumers to adopt measures that could help reduce pesticide exposure, and also advised the public to clean food crops thoroughly before consuming them.

‘Wash all leafy vegetables repeatedly under clean, running water. Use mild salt water or vinegar-water solutions to help break down surface chemical residues before cooking.

‘Discard the outermost leaves of cabbages entirely, as they carry the highest direct concentration of pesticide sprays,’ it added.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested six persons for allegedly dealing in unregistered pharmaceutical products during an intelligence-led operation at the Airport Roundabout in Kumasi.

The operation, conducted on Monday, June 29, 2026, was carried out by personnel of the Ashanti Regional Police Command in collaboration with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team (SOT) from the National Police Headquarters in Accra.

The suspects, identified as Abdul Karim Ramadan, 20; Wisdom Pakindam Jatuat, 38; Razak Issahaku, 37; Abdul Rahman Yakubu, 45; Iddrisu Mohammed, 26; and Nana Abio Godwin, 27, were arrested aboard a DAF XF truck with registration number AW 5113-21.

A search of the truck led to the retrieval of 17 fertiliser sacks containing pharmaceutical tablets suspected to be unregistered.

The exhibits comprised 10 sacks of tablets labelled Dyclosa 50mg and seven sacks labelled Royal Chest and Lungs.

The suspects are currently in police custody assisting the Drug Law Enforcement Unit (DLEU) with investigations.

According to the police, the seized pharmaceutical products have been retained as exhibits and will be handed over to the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for examination and further investigations to determine their registration status, composition and compliance with the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851).

The police reaffirmed their commitment to working with the FDA and other stakeholders to clamp down on the illegal sale and distribution of unregistered pharmaceutical products to protect public health.

They also appealed to the public to provide credible information on the illegal sale, distribution or manufacture of pharmaceutical products by reporting such activities to the nearest police station or through the appropriate emergency channels.

Gospel Minister, Diana Hamilton, took over the Kumasi Evangel Choir 14th anniversary celebration with jaw-dropping performances on the night dubbed ‘Total Praise.’

Held at the Higher Life Chapel Assemblies of God, Sokoban New Site, the Minister of God delivered choral rendition of her songs such as ‘Wani ku me ho’, Adom’, ‘Pentecostal Praise’ among others.

Diana Hamilton received an honorary award from the host choir, Kumasi Evangel Choir, for her dedication to the ministration of God.

The Kumasi Evangel Choir-Ghana (formerly called The Celestial Evangel Choir-Ghana), founded on July 1, 2012, is an interdenominational choir made up of young professionals from Kumasi, who are known for their exceptional musical performances across a wide range of genres including Classical, African American Spirituals, Traditional folk songs, Gospel music and many others.

The choir has gained widespread recognition for its musical excellence and social impact, performing in countries including Czech Republic, Germany, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, and beyond.