Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

ýýThe Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) will begin full global enforcement of the mandatory Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme for imported used vehicles on October 1, 2026, as part of measures to sanitise the domestic automotive sector and protect consumers.

The programme, being implemented through the Authority’s Vehicles Homologation Unit, is anchored in the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which empowers the Authority to set binding standards and prohibit importation or sale of substandard products, and the Customs (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 891 Section 61), which requires importers to provide GSA-issued certification before Customs clearance.

Ghana’s automotive market is heavily reliant on imports, with used vehicles accounting for over 90 per cent of the market compared to about 10 per cent for new vehicles.

The GSA says the structure is unsustainable, with the market flooded with pre-owned, accident-damaged, flooded, burnt and overaged vehicles, while most owners rely on uncertified mechanics and counterfeit spare parts. The country also lacks a structured framework for vehicle recycling, recalls and scrap management.

To support enforcement, the GSA has established or adopted 129 automotive standards covering general vehicles, used imports, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

Under the new regime, importers of new vehicles must register on the Vehicle Dealer Information System (VeDIS) and homologate their models.

Over 150 models from brands including Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan and Hyundai have already been approved.

Full enforcement for new vehicle importer registration took effect on April 30, 2026. For used vehicles, the PVoC protocol under standard GS 4510 requires physical inspection in the country of origin by licensed third-party inspection bodies to obtain a Certificate of Conformance (CoC) and QR-coded verification sticker. Inspections will occur before vehicles are loaded for shipment.

The programme bans flooded, burnt, right-hand drive, kit-assembled or structurally damaged vehicles, or those without speedometers in kilometres per hour.

However, the GSA says age will not be the sole indicator of compliance. Focus will be on environmental impact and structural safety – a four-year-old vehicle emitting high pollutants will be rejected, while a well-maintained 12-year-old vehicle that meets emission thresholds will be approved.

Pre-shipment checks will cover emissions and roadworthiness, structural integrity and accident history, speedometer accuracy and odometer verification, radiation levels, export documentation authenticity and theft verification through international platforms.

Cross-referencing Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) with INTERPOL and domestic police databases is expected to block stolen vehicles, while micro-dotting and secure QR-code stickers will curb under-declaration of duties, under-invoicing, age misrepresentation and vehicle misclassification.

Inspection fees have been structured by region. Standard inspection in Japan costs $200. The GSA has negotiated a rate of $250 for Korea, Singapore, China, India, the UAE and other African and Asian nations, and $300 for the UK, Europe, the Americas, Australia and New Zealand.

The Authority says the rates represent about a 25 per cent reduction across most markets outside Japan. Payment responsibility rests with the exporter in the country of origin.

Upon passing inspection, a certificate will be issued for Customs clearance in Ghana, valid for 90 days. Vehicles not shipped within the window must undergo re-inspection. Importers can appeal rejections within five business days, with re-inspections free of charge.

At Ghana’s ports, GSA inspectors will verify the physical unit, VIN and sticker against VeDIS records before authorising release through the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS). The system is expected to enable faster processing for pre-cleared vehicles.

The GSA says the policy addresses fraud such as odometer tampering, hidden flood damage and undisclosed accident histories, while also curbing revenue loss and duty leakages.

The Authority cites outcomes from similar PVoC systems elsewhere in Africa. Kenya, which implemented its system in 2005, recorded a 40 per cent increase in Customs revenue, Tanzania saw a 60 per cent reduction in substandard imports, and Uganda recorded an 80 per cent decrease in odometer fraud.

Representative of the Greater Accra Region, Lamiley, took centre stage on Ghana’s Most Beautiful (GMB) to deliver a powerful and flavourful showcase of Ga culture through its rich traditional cuisine.

From the sacred Kpokpoi to Tsile and everything in between, Lamiley served more than just food – she served history. With well-prepared props and a captivating delivery, she told the unforgettable story behind each delicacy, highlighting their significance to the Ga people.

She explained that Kpokpoi, for instance, is not just a dish but a spiritual and historical symbol of the Ga people, prepared during the Homowo festival to commemorate their triumph over famine. Tsile and other Ga delicacies also reflect the resilience, resourcefulness, and communal spirit of the GaDangme.

Her culturally rich presentation earned her a special acknowledgment from resident judge, Nana Adwoa Awindor, who praised her depth of knowledge and authentic representation.

At the end of the night, Lamiley’s outstanding performance was duly rewarded as she walked away with two top honours – Best Costume and Star Performer of the Night.

This marks her second major win, having already clinched the first ‘Star Performer’ award of the season in Episode 1, firmly establishing herself as a frontrunner in this year’s competition.

Emerging Ghanaian gospel musician, Prince Kwadwo Sarfo, has released a new single titled, ‘This Is Zion,’ a song he says was inspired during a prayer meeting.

Sarfo, who was born in Goaso in the late 1990s and hails from Ghana’s Central Region, is a chemist with the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA). He is also passionate about gospel music and Christian ministry.

The inspiration for ‘This Is Zion’ came during a prayer meeting led by Rev. Benhardt Ofosuapea.

According to Sarfo, Rev. Ofosuapea asked him to write a song about Zion after seeing the word boldly displayed at the entrance of the church.

Sarfo immediately went into prayer, and within minutes, the lyrics and melody came to him.

The song, he says, is a reflection of prayer, obedience, worship and God’s presence.

Sarfo is also the organiser of two annual worship gatherings – Glory in His Presence in Accra and the Give Us You Conference in Kumasi.

With ‘This Is Zion,’ the emerging gospel musician hopes to inspire listeners and draw them closer to God through worship.

The Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and members of the Police Management Board (POMAB) have received the Democracy Cup trophy from the Speaker of Parliament’s delegation ahead of the main tournament scheduled for Friday, August 28 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

The Speaker of Parliament’s delegation, led by Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, made its first stop at the Police Headquarters in Accra to engage POMAB on preparations for the tournament and to present the trophy to the IGP.

In his speech, IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno commended the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, for championing democracy through football to educate citizens on the need to uphold it.

‘The Ghana Police Service expresses gratitude to the Speaker for our involvement in this upcoming match. This is the third edition. Inaugurating this democracy cup means the Speaker decided to remind us of the benefits we have enjoyed all these years. Thirty years in democracy is such a joy.

We have considered other options, and democracy is the best. That is what Ghana stands for. That is what we, the security services, are also giving support to Ghanaians to make sure that we uphold this democracy strongly for Mother Ghana, for this generation and generations yet to come. So we are ready to receive the cup,’ he stated.

The IGP further indicated that he will ensure peace during and after the tournament, assuring that his men will be on the ground to enforce discipline.

Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, speaking on behalf of the Speaker, said: ‘Among all the options in governance, democracy appears to be the best. The Speaker subscribes to that and, having lived through 30 years of this journey, he conceived this idea of leveraging football to promote the values of democracy because football brings us together – friends and foes alike.

Football binds us together. So football appears to be a good vehicle through which the concept of democracy can be propagated, promoted, and sustained with unity of purpose. The Speaker launched the Democracy Cup three years ago, and we are reaping the fruits today.’

NCCE Visit

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has pledged its full support for the 2026 Democracy Cup, with Chairperson Kathleen Addy describing the initiative as a vital tool for reinforcing Ghana’s democratic gains.

The pledge came when a delegation from Parliament presented the Democracy Cup trophy to the NCCE at its headquarters in Accra on today, August 25, 2026, as part of a nationwide trophy tour.

Madam Addy commended the Speaker of Parliament for championing the initiative, noting that the Speaker did not have to organise the event but had chosen to do so at great cost to remind Ghanaians about the importance of democracy.

‘As Ghanaians, it’s very easy to take democracy for granted because it has served us so well for so long. We’ve forgotten how to live outside of it, and we’ve forgotten how difficult it can be outside of democracy,’ she said.

‘Some way, somehow, we all know that without democracy, things will be much worse. That is fundamentally accepted across all the surveys. Ghanaians know we all want something better. It doesn’t mean that we don’t know that this is the best type of governance for us to have.’

She noted that football was the perfect vehicle to promote democratic values, describing it as ‘the heart of the nation.’

‘All Ghanaians know that we love football. What other means but football to bring attention to all of this?’ she asked.

Ghanaian mental health advocate and media personality, Nana Abena Korkor Addo, has opened up on the reasons behind her prolonged silence after years of speaking openly about her personal experiences with bipolar disorder and her recent relapse.

Over time, Korkor has faced intense public scrutiny and criticism over her relapses. Some of the backlash followed her past social media episodes where she mentioned names of personalities she claimed to have had sexual encounters with.

Her most recent video on social media reignited debate. While some users accused her of ‘seeking attention’ and ‘not managing herself,’ others defended her, saying relapse is part of the reality of living with a mental health condition like bipolar disorder.

Korkor finally addressed the criticism in the comment section of her latest post. After a fan, Blaqpearl, commented, ‘Welcome Back,’ Korkor responded directly: ‘Back paa? Back you mean? Lol. Back to people of hypocrisy and haters. Back to where? To who? No.’

The response drew thousands of reactions, with many interpreting it as Korkor drawing a line between genuine supporters and critics she believes have contributed to stigma around mental illness in Ghana.

In follow-up comments, the advocate implied that her decision to stay quiet was deliberate. She explained that constant public judgment, ridicule, and misrepresentation of her condition made it difficult to continue speaking openly.

According to her, the cycle of opening up, being criticised, and then being told to ‘be strong’ left her exhausted. She suggested that she is now choosing to protect her peace and focus on her healing away from public noise.

Former Minister of Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has described the continued implementation of the Private Sector Participation (PSP) model used to restructure the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project as vindication of the policy introduced by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

According to him, the model was developed to address the difficulty of relying solely on public funds to complete major housing projects, while bringing private capital and expertise into their delivery.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said the model enabled the government to bring in a private sector partner to complete the project without requiring the state to provide additional funding for the outstanding works.

He said the private sector partner would recover its principal and margin after the completed houses were taken up by off-takers through mortgages, while the government would also recover its principal and margin under the arrangement.

He said the development was particularly significant because the PSP model had attracted criticism when it was introduced, with opponents alleging that the Saglemi project had been sold and that the arrangement was intended to benefit political insiders.

‘We insisted that, no, what we had done was clearly above the board, and had been done by some of the best practices in the world,’ he said.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said the current administration’s decision to continue with the model and proceed with the delivery of the first batch of about 700 housing units, with another 1,000 and subsequent 1,000 units in the pipeline, demonstrated that the approach was workable.

‘This is clear evidence for me, first of all, that the PSP model that we put in place has been vindicated, contrary to all the stories that were told at the time, and all the partisan sneer that was put out,’ he said.

He argued that the country could use the experience to rethink how it finances infrastructure and other public projects, instead of depending primarily on tax revenues or sovereign borrowing.

‘Instead of waiting for public sector money every time to be able to do a lot of our infrastructure projects, if we pay more attention to the PSP model, we can do a lot of projects,’ he said.

Affordability

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, however, stressed that affordability must remain a key consideration in the delivery of the housing units.

He said the pricing mechanism agreed between the government and the private sector operator should ensure that the houses remained affordable to ordinary Ghanaians.

He also called for a transparent sales process through which members of the public would be able to apply for the houses and purchase them through mortgage arrangements.

According to him, such a system would help dispel concerns that affordable housing projects could be distributed among public officials or politically connected individuals.

He expressed optimism that the transparent application process would increase public confidence in the housing programme.

More Public-Private Partnerships

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah urged the government to extend the PSP approach beyond Saglemi to other abandoned or incomplete housing projects across the country.

He cited proposed housing projects in the Ashanti Region and other areas, saying private-sector participation could provide the capital and expertise needed to complete them without placing additional pressure on public finances.

He said a framework for affordable housing through public-private partnerships had been put in place before the previous administration left office.

Under the framework, he explained, the state would provide support to private-sector developers to reduce their costs, enabling them to deliver houses at lower prices to consumers.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said successful implementation of the framework could significantly increase housing delivery while stimulating economic activity in the construction sector.

He said the resulting construction activity would create jobs and incomes while enabling more Ghanaians to acquire assets and build wealth.

Two years for Mahama

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said the current administration had about two years remaining in office to pay greater attention to the framework and expand affordable housing delivery.

He, however, indicated that if the government failed to implement the framework before the end of its tenure, a future NPP administration led by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia would give it greater attention.

He said the next NPP administration would seek to mainstream private-sector participation in the delivery of public goods and services.

He also criticised the tendency among politicians to reject initiatives introduced by their opponents for partisan reasons, only to adopt the same policies when they assume power.

‘If a model is rolled out, if a project is rolled out, and it’s good for Ghana, it’s good for Ghana. Let’s continue with it. And let’s give credit where credit is due,’ he said.

An alleged dispute over a piece of land between two families at Achiase, near Aboso in the Prestea-Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region, turned bloody following the alleged stabbing to death of a member of one of the factions, identified as Augustine Boah.

Boah was reported to have been stabbed with a pair of scissors by a 24-year-old man, Kofi Yena, also known as ‘Pogba’.

According to reports, tensions had been building between the families to the extent that Yena once warned the deceased’s son against passing behind their house with his tricycle.

However, some residents claimed that the disagreement was believed to be linked to the land dispute between the two families.

The issue reportedly escalated on Wednesday when Boah and Yena confronted each other over the matter.

Yena allegedly attacked Boah with a pair of scissors during the confrontation, leaving him with serious injuries, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

The suspect has been arrested and is currently in police custody, as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, the body of Augustine Boah has been deposited at the Tarkwa Municipal Hospital morgue, pending autopsy.

Mr. President, when something is described as an ‘existential threat’, it simply means the thing is so dangerous that it threatens the very existence of others. Galamsey, which is illegal small-scale mining, has been described as existential threat to the nation.

Studies upon studies that you must be familiar with have demonstrated the nature and extent of the threat that galamsey poses to the existence of Ghanaians.

Everywhere in the world, any threat to sources of water is seen as a threat to life and human existence. And no serious country will tolerate a threat to sources of water, no matter the reasons for the threat and no matter who is involved.

Why is Ghana so different, Mr. President? If galamsey is threatening the very existence of the people who elected you and gave you the executive authority of the State, why have you not stopped that existential threat, 20 months after taking office?

Why is it not possible for you to invoke all the powers of the Constitution and marshal all the forces of the State to stop something that threatens the very existence of the people of Ghana? What are you waiting for?

Every journalist, every campaigner, every institution and every independent observer who has been monitoring the galamsey menace has concluded that the situation has worsened since you took office.

Why is that so, Mr. President? Why is protecting our very existence not your priority number one? When campaigners call on you to declare a state of emergency in order to deploy emergency measures provided for by the Constitution, the usual refrain has been that galamsey affects the livelihood of about 4 million people and therefore we must be careful about the measures we take to address the menace.

Let us accept for a moment, Mr. President, that that is enough justification for not deploying emergency measures required to stop galamsey. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, Ghana’s projected population in 2026 is 34,378,768.

Mr. President, should the livelihood of 4 million people be allowed to continue to threaten the existence of over 30 million citizens, assuming the 4 million people don’t even care about their own existence?

But that’s even beside the point, Mr. President. Can’t the 4 million people still earn a livelihood by engaging in galamsey everywhere else in Ghana apart from water bodies, forest reserves and farmlands? Why are you and your government making excuses for people who threaten our very existence?

The call on you, Mr. President, is simple: protect our water bodies, forest reserves and farmlands. We are not asking you to stop 4 million people from earning a living. There are enough lands in Ghana, away from water bodies, forest reserves and farmlands, for them to go dig for gold.

Frankly, I would care less if illegal miners were permitted to dig beneath the Presidency (Flagstaff House) for gold. But whatever else may be permitted, Mr. President, do not allow them to continue to destroy our water bodies, forest reserves and farmlands. You must do whatever is in your power to stop them.

And let no one ask us to pray for the healing of our lands and water bodies. In China, they don’t pray for people to not pollute their rivers. Their leaders take firm actions and severely punish criminality. If they have to impose the death penalty on criminals, they do it.

As a result, all their rivers are clean, while almost every river in Ghana today is polluted. The difference, Mr. President, is strong leadership. When Ghanaians went to the polls on 7th December 2024, we were clear in our minds that we were voting for Mr. John Dramani Mahama, not Mr. Ens Spirituale Supranaturale, to solve the galamsey menace.

Mr. President, whatever your argument against declaring a state of emergency, let me ask you these three questions:

If Ghana were under a military regime, and the military promulgated a decree that bans mining on water bodies, in forest reserves and on farmlands, do you think the 4 million people whose livelihood depends on galamsey would defy the military?

If not, why would you not use the same military under a state of emergency with the same mandate, powers and rules of engagement as they would use under a military regime, to fight against galamsey?

And if the military is not able, under your leadership as the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, to protect citizens from this existential threat called galamsey, should citizens expect the same military to be capable of protecting this nation if rebels invaded parts of the country with the aim of exploiting our mineral resources, while also destroying water bodies, forest reserves and farmlands?

Mr. President, you may have many priorities and you may be doing your best to address many challenges facing the country. But if you fail to stop galamsey on water bodies, in forest reserves and on farmlands, something that every citizen knows is a threat to our very existence as a people, when we have given you an unprecedented mandate and executive authority to protect our lives, posterity will never forgive you!

Businesswoman, marketing icon and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH) star, Bozoma Saint John, has officially tied the knot with entrepreneur Keely Watson in a glamorous traditional Ghanaian wedding in Accra.

The ceremony was held on Friday, August 21, 2026 at the residence of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The celebration was reportedly attended by hundreds of guests.

According to reports, the festivities began with a welcome reception at Eve by Boz, Bozoma’s beauty and lifestyle headquarters, followed by another pre-wedding celebration on Thursday, August 20.

The wedding brought together Ghana’s political and entertainment elite. In attendance were former President Nana Akufo-Addo, former First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, former Second Lady Samira Bawumia, Nigerian star Tiwa Savage, Ghanaian hitmakers KiDi, Gyakie and Efya, and other notable personalities including members of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast.

This is a second chance at love for the business mogul. Bozoma was previously married to her late husband Peter Saint John. The pair welcomed their daughter Lael in May 2009 before calling it quits. Peter was diagnosed with cancer soon after and died in December 2013.

Bozoma has described her engagement to Keely as a testimony.

The couple, who got engaged in August 2025, met before Bozoma joined RHOBH Season 14 and were introduced through family. Watson previously revealed on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen that they would have two weddings – first in Ghana on August 21 and a second, larger white wedding in Los Angeles on November 21.

The Accra traditional ceremony marks the first of the two celebrations, honouring Bozoma’s Ghanaian heritage and family roots.

The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has disclosed that he has commenced legal action against persons and media organisations over allegations of extortion levelled against him.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin told Parliament that he had caused writs to be filed in two separate cases and expressed confidence that the courts would determine the matters.

He said one of the suits, numbered GT 1029/2026, had been filed at the Accra High Court against Samuel Adu Gyamfi, popularly known as Sammy Gyamfi, and the Multimedia Group Limited.

The second case, numbered GR/ACH/CC/C5/02/2026, was filed at the Achimota Circuit Court against Eric Adjei and Peace FM.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin said he had chosen to submit himself to the legal process in response to the allegations.

‘In the face of the allegations of extortion levelled against me, I have chosen to take the high moral ground by submitting myself to the processes of the law,’ he told the House.

He said he was confident that the courts would make an appropriate determination on the matters in due course.

The Minority Leader also challenged those behind the allegations to formally report him to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

He said if the allegations were reported to the police, the Office of the Special Prosecutor or any other investigative agency and he was invited, he would make himself available for questioning.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin said he was prepared to cooperate with any investigation into the allegations in order to establish the facts and clear his name.

‘I shall submit myself to every investigation so that eventually my name is cleared,’ he said.

He stressed that there were limits to political discourse, and warned that certain boundaries should not be crossed.

‘There are lines that must not be crossed, and these red lines, once crossed, they must be dealt with,’ he said.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin subsequently defended his record in public office, saying he had served with integrity and worked with a clear conscience.

He said he entered public office through hard work and determination, and had remained faithful to the responsibilities entrusted to him.

The Minority Leader said the judicial process offered the appropriate avenue for resolving the allegations rather than allowing them to remain matters of political accusation.

He expressed confidence that the legal proceedings would provide an opportunity for the allegations and his response to them to be properly examined.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s disclosure came during his opening statement on behalf of the Minority Caucus at Parliament’s emergency sitting.