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Ghanaian music executive, Richie Mensah, has been appointed as a voting member of the Recording Academy, the organisation behind the Grammy Awards.

The accomplished music producer, singer, songwriter, and Chief Executive Officer of Lynx Group of Companies, announced the news by sharing artwork from the Recording Academy confirming his appointment.

In a Facebook post, Richie captioned the artwork, ‘Thank you, Recording Academy, for the honor.’

His appointment has been met with excitement among Ghanaians, who view it as a significant milestone for the country’s music industry.

While a few Ghanaians are already members of the Academy but have kept it private, many believe Richie’s inclusion will further open doors for local talent.

Social media users have expressed hope that his appointment will positively impact the development of Ghana’s music scene.

Richie Mensah has produced numerous superstars from his label, Lynx Entertainment, which has launched talents such as Kuami Eugene, KiDi, Asem, Eazzy, MzVee, DopeNation, Zigi, and the late OJ Blaq, among others.

Team Ghana wrapped up their impressive campaign at the 2025 Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Championships with a total of 69 medals as the three-day competition concluded at the Borteyman Sports Complex in Accra.

The host nation’s Junior Team, comprising 12 swimmers, finished first overall with 43 medals, with Senegal finishing second while Nigeria took the third spot.

In the individual junior awards, Benin’s Lonnah Eliane Douillet was named Best Female Swimmer, winning seven medals-including six gold medals.

Ghana’s Lea El Haj finished second with five medals (three gold), while compatriot Jada Yankey claimed third place with 11 medals, including two golds.

On the male side, Nigeria’s Aidan Dumuje-Abilli earned the Best Male Junior Swimmer title after collecting eight medals (six gold). He was followed by Senegal’s Nael Lamine Vision, who won seven medals (four gold), and Ghana’s Kal-El Ntiamoah, who secured five medals, including two gold.

Ghana’s junior contingent included: Tamba Akin Boamah, Yamin Amankwah Boamah, Michael Crabbe-Mann, Kal-El Ntiamoah, Andre Nimoh, Johnson Gyarko, Kwasi Frimpong, Oduma Aba Agyei, Jada Yankey, Mercedes Abdallah, Yemen Bozuma Cornie, and Lea El Haj.

In the senior category, Ghana dominated, finishing as the best team with 26 medals – 13 gold, 7 silver, and 6 bronze. Senegal followed closely with 36 medals (12 gold), while Benin placed third with 8 medals.

Senegal’s Oumy Diop was crowned Best Female Swimmer, winning 11 medals, nine of them gold.

Ghana’s Joselle Mensah finished second with five medals (three gold), while Noelie Lacour from Gabon placed third after collecting 11 medals, including one gold.

The strong performances from both Ghana’s junior and senior teams underscored the country’s growing presence in African aquatics, as the Borteyman Sports Complex once again proved to be a world-class venue for regional competition.

The Federation of African Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (FAPMA) and the Vizuri Health Dynamics, has announced the African Healthcare Manufacturing Trade Exhibition and Conference (AHMTEC 2025) scheduled from October 7 to 9, 2025, at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.

The conference brings together more than 200 delegates from leading manufacturers and healthcare leaders. Also, 46 speakers and representatives from 111 organisations across 26 countries are expected to participate, as well as numerous Ghanaian manufacturers and stakeholders, who are central to delivering on the government’s agenda for jobs and its strategic goal of becoming a pharmaceutical manufacturing hub for West Africa.

Now in its second year, AHMTEC 2025 builds on the momentum of its inaugural event with the theme ‘Collaborate to Compete: Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Growth’ – driving an Africa-led shift from dependency to manufacturing self-reliance.

The Urgent Case for African Health Manufacturing

National health systems across the continent are grappling with disrupted global supply chains, less donor support, and an overreliance on imported medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics. African manufacturers currently supply less than 30% of the medicines consumed on the continent.

‘This is a life-threatening vulnerability, not just a market imbalance,’ says Dr. Skhumbuzo Ngozwana, FAPMA Board Member. ‘We are past the wake-up call. Our people’s lives depend on how quickly we move toward manufacturing self-reliance, and AHMTEC is the platform to drive that transformation.’

In response to this challenge, Ghana is taking decisive steps through initiatives like the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan and support for the African Medicines Agency (AMA). Hosting AHMTEC is a key strategy for success.

A Manufacturer-Led Agenda for Growth

Every session and panel session during AHMTEC aims to deliver practical solutions for: building competitive, financially viable manufacturing businesses and creating supportive policies, incentives, and investment. In parallel, AHMTEC will host a trade exhibition, investor-readiness workshops, visits to Ghanaian manufacturing facilities, and networking opportunities.

‘AHMTEC isn’t about speeches. It’s for manufacturers who are ready to grow,’ said Dr. Mariatou Tala Jallow, Council Chair of Vizuri Health Dynamics. ‘With Africa’s healthcare manufacturing at a crossroads, we either continue to wait for help or we actively build the systems ourselves, starting at AHMTEC.’

AHMTEC 2025 will debut the African Manufacturing Market Intelligence and Network Analysis (AMMINA), a groundbreaking data platform drawing from 700+ manufacturers and 2,500+ health products across 18 countries. With an interactive, data-driven dashboard, AMMINA is able to provide real-time data on manufacture capacity, products, and investment readiness.

It responds to a need long demanded by industry and partners. With AMMINA’s insights, decision-makers can better recognise opportunity and risk, inform policies, and mobilise greater investment across Africa’s manufacturing ecosystem.

Ghana’s selection as host underscores its leadership in advancing Africa’s health sovereignty. Its clear national agenda to become a pharmaceutical manufacturing hub for West Africa make it the ideal venue to forge the partnerships needed for a self-reliant healthcare future. Health security is a shared responsibility.

Ghana’s U17 national team, the Black Starlets, have safely returned home after an impressive showing at the 2025 WAFU B U17 Boys Championship in Ivory Coast.

The team arrived in Accra in the early hours of Sunday to a warm welcome from management members and officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Led by head coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum, the Starlets were applauded for their discipline, determination, and quality performance throughout the tournament, which saw them qualify for the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be staged in Morocco.

Ghana finished the competition with a silver medal after a spirited run to the final, reigniting hope in the country’s youth football.

Members of the GFA Executive Council visited the team at their hotel to commend the players and technical staff for their achievement and for restoring pride to the nation’s youth football setup.

In recognition of their efforts, the GFA presented both players and technical staff with undisclosed but substantial financial rewards.

The team expressed appreciation to the Association for its support and pledged to continue working hard as preparations begin for next year’s U17 AFCON in Morocco.

Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has called on Ghanaians to rally behind the Black Stars as they prepare for the decisive final round of matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Ghana will face the Central African Republic on Wednesday, October 8, before taking on Comoros on Sunday, October 12, in their final Group I fixtures.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Minister who doubles as Member of Parliament for Buem Constituency expressed confidence in the team’s resilience and determination throughout the qualification campaign.

‘Our Black Stars have shown incredible determination and skill throughout this campaign,’ Mr. Adams said.

‘I am optimistic about their ability to secure qualification and bring glory to Ghana. With your support through prayers, cheers, and positive thoughts, we can lift their spirits and motivate them to succeed.’

He further urged unity among Ghanaians, stressing that national support could be the decisive factor as the Black Stars push to make their fifth World Cup appearance.

Ghanaian comic actor and digital content creator, Isaac Kofi Dzokpo, popularly known as Hon Ike, has called on the government to take urgent and deliberate measures to make content creation a thriving source of employment for the country’s youth.

Speaking about the rising interest of young people in digital platforms, Hon Ike stressed that content creation has evolved into a global industry worth billions of dollars, yet Ghanaian creators remain at a disadvantage due to persistent challenges with monetisation and payouts.

‘Content creation is not just about comedy skits, music videos, or TikTok dances. It is a serious business and a powerful economic tool. Thousands of young people are already embracing it as a career, but they are trapped by barriers that deny them fair earnings,’ he said.

Hon Ike noted that most Ghanaian creators struggle to access their earnings from platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Meta because of the limited local payout systems, high transaction charges, and restrictive monetisation policies.

This, he explained, has discouraged many youth who could otherwise turn their creativity into a sustainable income. He therefore urged the government to negotiate with international digital platforms to expand monetisation access to Ghana, while also collaborating with local banks and fintech companies to simplify and speed up payout systems.

‘Imagine how many unemployed graduates and school leavers can find jobs if the digital economy is taken seriously. This is not about entertainment alone; it is about survival and national growth,’ he emphasised.

Hon Ike called for targeted government policies that recognise content creation as part of Ghana’s creative economy. These policies, he said, should include tax incentives for young entrepreneurs, subsidised data packages, and legal frameworks that protect creators from exploitation.

He further highlighted the need for nationwide digital skills training hubs to prepare young people to compete globally in areas such as video production, editing, branding, and online marketing.

Speaking on driving youth employment, Hon Ike argued that investing in the content creation industry could drastically reduce Ghana’s youth unemployment rate. By empowering creators, he believes the government can open new doors for entrepreneurship, export Ghanaian culture to the world, and boost the country’s image as a hub of digital innovation.

‘Content creation is a goldmine waiting to be tapped. If the right policies and support systems are put in place, Ghana can become a leader in Africa’s digital creative economy. Government cannot afford to ignore this opportunity,’ Hon Ike concluded.

THE ISSUE of using votes to determine the eviction of candidates in a competition, regardless of their performances, has sparked debate following the eviction of Central Region’s representative, Afedziwa, from the semi-finals of this year’s Ghana’s Most Beautiful (GMB) competition.

Afedziwa, referred to as the ‘Diamond’ of the season, was evicted from the competition last Sunday after putting up a sterling performance to the amazement of the audience.

She embodied the role of Nana Ayekra Adeboe, the first woman king of the Denkyira, where she honoured the ancestral stool – the Bankam Dwa, the beaded stool that symbolises authority and tradition.

Her performance drew wide applause from the audience and remarkable congratulatory remarks from the judges, winning her the Most Eloquent award for the night. She grabbed two nominations, which included the Most Eloquent and Star Performer.

Afedziwa exited the competition alongside Yeli from the Bono Region. A post on TikTok under the caption, ‘Two amazing queens bow out with grace, Afedziwa and Yeli. Your journey has been inspiring,’ drew a lot of reaction from viewers expressing disappointment in Afedziwa’s eviction.

@Deen wrote: ‘The judges were unfair; you said that night the performance was 60%, votes were 40%. Afedziwa performed great, and I think she should have been given the Star Performer, but because they knew their plan, they didn’t give it to her, so they could evict her. Adjorkor, who was saved, is nowhere close to Afedziwa when it comes to performance; Yeli is also better than Adjorkor. Adjorkor’s performance last night wasn’t something to write home about, yet the judges thought otherwise.’

‘Let’s not dwell on the fact that Afedziwa has been saved a few times (even Adjorkor has also been favoured in that regard). The semi-finals had to be a new sheet to really make the ladies justify their inclusion, as far as the contestants are concerned. What in God’s name made those judges save Adjorkor over Afedziwa and Yeli? I’m really disappointed in those judges who contributed to that decision-making; they should bow their heads in shame!!!’

The Central North Regional Police Command has secured a 30-year jail term for Frank Owusu, also known as ‘Lifer’, for armed robbery and possession of a firearm without authorisation.

Owusu was arrested in connection with a violent robbery at Assin Praso in the Central Region, where he broke into a victim’s residence and stole GHS1,950 in cash and personal belongings at gunpoint.

He fled the scene after abandoning a locally manufactured pistol, but was later identified and placed on the police wanted list.

On September 27, 2025, police arrested Owusu at his hideout at Assin Nyankomase. He was identified by the victim and subsequently charged.

On October 1, 2025, he was put before the Nsuaem Kyekyewere Circuit Court, presided over by His Lordship Justice Emmanuel Amo Yartey, where he pleaded guilty to both charges.

The court sentenced him to two months imprisonment for possession of a firearm without authority and thirty (30) years imprisonment with hard labour for robbery. The sentence will run concurrently.

The convict has since been transferred to the Ankaful Prisons to serve his custodial term. The Central North Regional Police Command assured the public of its determination to pursue armed robbery cases to their logical conclusion as well as ensure that offenders face the full rigours of the law.

Coventry City striker, Brandon Thomas-Asante, has been called up to replace Inaki Williams in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Central African Republic and Comoros.

The 26-year-old forward earned his place after scoring a brace for Coventry City over the weekend, taking his tally to five goals and three assists in nine Championship appearances this season.

Williams sustained an injury during Athletic Bilbao’s La Liga clash with Mallorca on Saturday, ruling the 31-year-old out of this week’s crucial qualifiers.

He had been named in Otto Addo’s 24-man squad for the double-header as Ghana aims to seal qualification for their fifth World Cup appearance.

The Black Stars are currently camping in Casablanca, Morocco, where they face the Central African Republic tomorrow, October 8, 2025.

They will then return home to host Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, 2025.

Ghana currently leads Group I with 19 points and need strong results in their final two games to book a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.