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With an unusual number of treatment plants being shut down by the Ghana Water Company, a situation occasioned by heightened illegal mining activities on water bodies, the Dormaahene’s picture of a declining incidence of illegal mining activities cannot be acceptable.

The water purification and distribution agency have had to take such difficult steps in the face of a consistent declining state of water at their intake points; muddied, arsenic and other heavy metals are proving too challenging to deal with.

The quantity of chemicals the water company must now use has to be increased, the cost and health implications of which should not be glossed over.

In the past eight months or so, food crops from galamsey areas are becoming toxic, a situation which has led to customers seeking to know the source of such items. The picture of reduced galamsey activities in the country as painted by the Dormaahene recently does not correspond with the reality on the grounds.

Last week, after becoming an Appeals Court judge, the Dormaahene gave a pass mark to the government for reducing illegal mining activities in the country.

The observation, a subtle commendation as it were for the government, went viral on especially political platforms because it was not in consonance with the reality on the ground.

The pitch of complaints about the seeming uncontrollable galamsey activities in the country is nearing rooftop, and attempts to change the narrative would incur the wrath of the people.

Our revered chiefs should especially be wary about how they jump into such delicate subjects lest they attract inappropriate reactions from their subjects.

Being custodians of our culture and regarded as representatives of our ancestors, we must be measured in dissecting and even responding to their remarks.

We are however in unchartered waters; the lives of the people have never been so threatened by an occupation which is not responding to treatment as represented by galamsey.

It is on this score that we wish to humbly tell the chief that his observation has attracted wry smiles among many Ghanaians who think that he could be observing the water bodies and forest reserves from another planet.

As a chief, he perhaps has not been briefed sufficiently by his subjects who might have not covered the galamsey hotspots.

National Security reports, restricted as they might be, offer a lot of insights into the galamsey menace.

The illegality has assumed an unprecedented rate, the reason for which reality is not farfetched. There is a certain brazenness among those engaged in the illegality which could be hinged upon the pre-election 2024 campaign promise to such persons by political actors.

The promise to release from imprisonment persons doing time because of their galamsey activities and the condemnation of sending soldiers to chase illegal miners both account for the boldness being exhibited by them.

That President John Mahama directed that Joseph Yamin and Abanga to be investigated by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for their alleged complicity in illegal mining and the subsequent non-action in that direction suggests a non-commitment to fight and eliminate illegal mining.

The recent engagement with civil society organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders on illegal mining is enough indication that matters regarding galamsey have come to a head.

Sending such signals to government about an abating galamsey is dangerous and does not help the cause of eliminating the menace.

The chief should seek another means of commending government but certainly not in the war against illegal mining, which from all indications has aggravated in scope and reach.

Delta Air Lines has reaffirmed its commitment to Ghana with the introduction of seasonal daily nonstop service between Accra and Atlanta, beginning December 1, 2025.

The move reinforces the airline’s long-standing investment in the Ghanaian market as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.

At a press briefing held in Accra recently, Michael Thomas, Delta’s General Manager of Communications, reflected on a century marked by innovation, reliability, and operational excellence, while highlighting Ghana’s pivotal role in the airline’s Africa strategy.

‘Ghana is a key gateway in Delta’s Africa network. Our decision to expand service from Accra reflects our confidence in this market and our commitment to delivering world-class travel experiences to our customers,’ he said.

‘Our nearly two decades of service in Ghana have shown us the strength, resilience, and ambition of this market. As we look ahead, we are not only investing in flights and aircraft; we are investing in people, partnerships, and Ghana’s growth story,’ he added.

According to him, Delta has served Ghana since 2006, carrying approximately 1.5 million customers on its New York-JFK route.

He stated that with the introduction of the new service, Delta will now operate two direct routes to Accra: year-round daily flights from New York-JFK and newly launched seasonal flights from Atlanta.

Mr. Thomas said for 19 years, Delta has served as a trusted link between Ghana and the United States, boosting economic activity, cultural exchange, and family connections across continents.

‘Delta’s commitment goes far beyond connecting markets. It’s about creating jobs, supporting local initiatives, and partnering with communities to make a difference where it matters most,’ said Mary Abisola Gbobaniyi, Manager, Sales West Africa.

‘We reinvest one percent of our global profits into programs like Junior Achievement Africa and Breast Care International, ensuring our impact extends far beyond aviation,’ she added.

She continued that Delta’s community partnerships in Ghana include a decade-long collaboration with Breast Care International (BCI) to promote breast cancer awareness and early detection.

Together, they have educated over 150,000 people, screened more than 20,000 individuals, and identified approximately 2,000 suspected cases. Through annual screenings and awareness walks, the partnership has reached rural areas, with over 65,000 women screened through targeted campaigns.

She said Delta remains the only U.S. carrier offering nonstop service from Accra to New York-JFK, providing seamless onward connections to over 200 destinations across North America.

The airline’s sustained presence in Africa underscores its strategic, long-term commitment to the continent.

Delta currently operates flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos, Accra, and Dakar, and will expand to Marrakech later this month.

Founded in 1925, Delta has grown into one of the world’s leading airlines, known for reliability, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence. A century of innovation – including the introduction of the Airbus A330-900neo on the Accra route – continues to define its legacy of excellence and service.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced plans to begin issuing vehicle number plates in the names of individuals starting January 2026.

This new system will link each registered number plate directly to its owner, making the individual fully responsible for all matters associated with the vehicle.

The move forms part of a series of sweeping reforms being undertaken by the DVLA to enhance security, accountability, and safety on the country’s roads.

According to the Authority, the new policy will ensure that each vehicle number belongs exclusively to the registered owner, who must remove the number plate when transferring ownership.

‘Once implemented, every vehicle owner is entreated to see their vehicle numbers as their personal numbers, with the added responsibility of protecting them,’ the DVLA said in a statement.

The statement further explained that when a vehicle is sold, the previous owner is required to remove the number plate, allowing the new owner to apply for and secure a new registration number.

‘This enables the Authority and security agencies within the transport ecosystem to link a unique vehicle number to an individual,’ it added.

The announcement follows just over a month after the DVLA unveiled another set of reforms, including the introduction of new number plate designs and enhanced tracking technology.

Under the new design, the year of registration will be phased out from plates beginning January 2026.

The revised plates will instead feature the regional name where the vehicle was registered, the vehicle’s unique identification number, and an area code.

Chief Executive Officer of the DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey, also revealed the introduction of Dealer’s Permit (DP) stickers to replace traditional aluminum dealer plates.

He explained that the new DP stickers will improve accountability and allow the Authority to trace vehicles from the ports into the nation’s transport system.

‘The new DP sticker allows us to track who is driving the car, when it arrived in Ghana, its destination, and when the sticker expires. Once scanned, the code reveals all these details. It was wrong to have cars in the system without knowing their owners, but now, right from the port, we know who owns the vehicle,’ Mr. Kotey explained in an interview on Channel One TV.

Dr. MATTHEW Opoku Prempeh’s extraordinary works in the smooth implementation of the famous Free Senior High School (SHS) policy in 2017, when he was the Minister of Education, has shot him to international fame.

Affectionately called ‘Napo’ in political circles, he is a proud recipient of the prestigious ‘Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program’s Medal of Achievement’ award, which was presented to him in the United States (US), few days ago.

He was recognised and duly awarded by Harvard University in 2020 for his key roles in the Free SHS implementation, but due to travelling restrictions at the time, which was occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, the award was presented to him virtually.

Napo, an alumnus of the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program, a non-prescriptive program designed to support appointed ministers serving their countries, was invited by Harvard University to share his experience.

The world acclaimed academic institution took advantage of Napo’s presence in the US and officially presented the prestigious award to him during a short and colourful programme, to the admiration of the ex-Education Minister.

‘This year, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, a distinguished alumnus of the Program (2017), and former Minister for Education in Ghana (2017-2021), returned to the Forum to share his experience as Minister with current participants.

‘As Minister for Education, he led reforms in secondary education, successfully fulfilling his mandate and leaving a legacy,’ a statement from the renowned academic institution stated.

‘Recognized for his achievements, Dr. Prempeh was awarded the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program’s Medal of Achievement in 2020. However, due to the pandemic, the award was presented virtually. This year, during the Forum, he finally received the honor in person,’ it added.

It further said ‘when appointed, Dr. Prempeh was tasked by his President to deliver Free Senior High School (Free SHS) in his country, a new policy program that would provide free education, paying for a total of 41 items, including tuition, meals, textbooks, and boarding for Ghanaian children qualified for secondary education.

‘Appointed in February 2017, he attended the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program in June of the same year. By September 2017, just seven months after his appointment, Dr. Prempeh launched Free SHS nationwide and, consequently, increased SHS attendance in Ghana.’

Napo Shares Free SHS Success Secret

Addressing his audience, Napo, who was beaming with smiles over the honour, said the training and education that he received from the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program helped him greatly to implement the Free SHS policy in 2017.

‘Harvard opened my eyes to delivery units, stakeholder mapping, and rapid implementation. It showed me how to track every detail, so nothing slipped through. That’s how we launched Free SHS in just seven months.

‘My participation in the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program gave me top-notch knowledge and skills in leadership, governance, and management.

‘I got the opportunity to hear and learn firsthand the success stories and the pitfalls to avoid from a wide range of current and former ministers from across the globe,’ he disclosed.

The programme, Napo said, ‘also provided a network and a pool of experts to contact in times of need. Overall, the programme gave me the needed confidence to execute my mandate as Minister of Education successfully.’

According to him, in the first year of Free SHS, ‘dropout rates in the South fell to match the North. Over 100,000 students each year, who would have been on the streets, were now in school.’

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the Ho Municipal has rolled out a special registration and renewal exercise with the aim of signing up at least 10,000 members during this year’s Asogli Yam Festival (Te Za).

The initiative, according to the Scheme, forms part of efforts to bring health services closer to residents of Ho and its surrounding communities.

To achieve the target, registration centres have been mounted at strategic locations, including the forecourt of Togbe Afede XIV’s Palace, Royal Hospital Forecourt, Ahoe Community Centre, and the Ho Municipal NHIS Office. An additional centre has also been set up at the grand durbar grounds to cater for festival patrons.

The Ho Municipal NHIS Manager, Saviour Amakpa, stated that the outreach exercise is expected to not only boost membership but also give residents an opportunity to directly engage with the Scheme.

‘This is a chance for people to register, renew, and at the same time learn more about how the Scheme operates,’ he stated.

The NHIS Volta Regional Accountant and Liaison Officer to the Asogli State, Mr. Raymond Boamah, emphasised the strategic importance of the festival.

‘The Asogli Te Za is one of the most significant traditional festivals in the Ho Municipality, making it an ideal platform to engage a wide audience. Our main goal is to increase membership, bring services to the doorsteps of our people, listen to their concerns, and educate them on our policies and innovations,’ he disclosed.

Aside from registration and renewals, the NHIS team will also distribute membership handbooks to improve public awareness of the Scheme’s benefit packages and processes.

By the close of the Yam Festival, the Authority is confident of achieving its 10,000 target, reaffirming its mission to expand access to quality healthcare for all Ghanaians.

The management and staff of the Daily Guide Network on Saturday joined family, friends, and colleagues to commemorate the one-week observance of the late George Clifford Owusu, a long-serving entertainment journalist with the Daily Guide newspaper.

The solemn ceremony drew a large gathering of relatives, media practitioners, and figures from the Ghana’s creative industry who came together to celebrate the life and legacy of one of the nation’s most respected showbiz writers.

Staff of the Daily Guide Network, where Clifford worked for many years, turned out in full force to mourn their departed colleague, whose professionalism, warmth, and commitment to promoting Ghanaian entertainment left an enduring mark on the industry.

Among the many who attended were the Acting President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bessa Simons, who led a delegation from the union, as well as veteran musician Sly Collins, President of the Rastafarian Association of Africa Daddy Bosco Ahuma, and former MUSIGA President Bice Osei Kuffour, popularly known as Obour.

They joined other creative arts stakeholders in paying tribute to a journalist who, through his pen and passion, amplified the voices of Ghanaian musicians and helped shape the growth of the local entertainment scene.

Throughout his distinguished career, George Clifford Owusu established himself as a leading figure in entertainment journalism, admired for his factual reporting, insightful analyses, and unwavering dedication to truth and creativity.

His coverage of music, film, and cultural events consistently celebrated Ghana’s artistic talent, both emerging and established.

The one-week observance featured heartfelt tributes, prayers, and songs of reflection in honour of his life’s work and enduring influence on Ghanaian media and culture.

The final funeral rites for the late George Clifford Owusu will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Apenkwa Presbyterian Church in Tesano, Accra.

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas to safeguard the nation’s water bodies.

According to the group, galamsey may not be contagious as COVID-19 but its long-term effects on health, the environment, and livelihoods are equally destructive.

FIDA is the latest body to call on the President to declare a state of emergency on galamsey to avert the devasting effect of illegal mining in the country.

Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference as well as some civil society organisations (CSOs) have called on government to take decisive measures in the fight against illegal mining in recent months.

The President, during an encounter with the press on September 10, 2025, rebutted calls on him to declare a state of emergency, indicating that his government had not yet exhausted measures in tackling the menace.

Last week, he told CSOs that he will not hesitate to declare a state of emergency if the National Security Council advises him that the time had come to do so.

FIDA Ghana Disagrees

FIDA Ghana, in an open letter signed by its President, Gloria Ofori Boadu, added its voice to calls for the institution of state of emergency in mining areas to protect the environment and individuals, especially women, who it says bear the heaviest burden.

‘Women who fetch water for households, farm food crops, process and trade in food and fish, or work and sell along the agricultural and gold value chains are directly endangered by the toxic chemicals used in small-scale mining,’ the letter noted.

It said anecdotal evidence suggests similar adverse effect on fertility, women’s reproductive health and foetal and child cognitive development.

‘Mercury and cyanide contamination threaten not only our health but also the very food security of the nation. Needless to say, we are all at risk,’ it said.

FIDA Ghana is therefore, calling on President Mahama to uphold the constitutional and international right to water-recognised by the United Nations in 2010 and enshrined in Article 33(5) of the 1992 Constitution-by declaring a state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas to safeguard our water bodies.

It is also calling for the immediate repeal of L.I. 2462 to permanently prohibit mining activities in forest reserves.

Again, the group wants the Ministry of Health and its agencies to urgently provide clear, nationwide guidance on how citizens can protect themselves from exposure to heavy metals in food and water.

It further called on the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to take decisive action to identify, warn against, ban, recall, and destroy local produce as well as bottled and sachet water found to be contaminated with heavy metals.

Finally, FIDA Ghana urged the Ministry of Agriculture, through its extension officers to conduct a comprehensive mapping of farming areas across Ghana, highlighting regions with elevated levels of heavy metals.

‘This must include full disclosure of associated health risks and provide the public with reliable information on how to access safe food sources,’ it added.

After a five-day search, the body of a seven-year-old boy, identified as Kwame, who went missing at Abrepo Bronikrom in the Ashanti Region, has been found at Akropong, several kilometres away from where he was last seen.

The tragic discovery last Monday stunned search teams, who said they had not anticipated the boy’s body would travel such a long distance.

Kwame went missing five days earlier while playing in the rain with two other children. According to eyewitnesses, one of the children’s slippers was washed away by floodwaters, and Kwame was swept into a gutter while attempting to retrieve it.

Wayomi, a member of the search team, expressed shock over the development. ‘They are really surprised because they didn’t know that the body will go that far,’ he told reporters.

The remains of the deceased have since been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for autopsy. The family and the search team are awaiting the release of the body for burial.

The incident has left the community in deep grief, though the recovery of the boy’s body brings some closure to his family and neighbours after days of uncertainty.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament has clarified the impression that the Kumasi Inner Ring Road Improvement Project is an initiative of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

According to the Minority, the initiative was conceived and negotiated under the erstwhile Akufo-Addo administration.

In a statement signed by the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee, Kennedy Nyarko Osei, the opposition said it welcomed the government’s decision to proceed with the project, describing it as ‘a hallmark of responsible governance.’

However, the statement stressed that the groundwork for the project – recently announced under a grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – was laid before the change of government.

According to the Minority, a JICA mission met with Ghana’s Ministry of Finance in February 2024 for technical discussions, followed by a Minutes of Discussions signed in September 2024, which ‘effectively sealed the deal.’

The formal signing, it said, had been scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in September 2025.

‘The grant arrangements and protocols were all completed by the NPP administration,’ the statement noted, adding that the project aims to expand capacity, reduce congestion, and improve safety on sections of the Kumasi Inner Ring Road.

The Minority urged the government to continue other key infrastructure projects started by the former administration, including the Suame Interchange, Sunyani Road Phase 2, and the Konongo Bypass.

‘For the people of Kumasi and the Ashanti Region, what matters most is not which government started a project, but continuity and delivery,’ the statement added.

Ghana midfielder Mohammed Kudus produced another standout performance for Tottenham Hotspur, scoring his first goal for the club in a 2-1 victory over Leeds United that ended the home side’s 23-game unbeaten league run at Elland Road.

Kudus was instrumental throughout the match, setting up the opener before sealing the win with a superb solo strike in the second half.

Mathys Tel gave Spurs the lead in the 23rd minute when his deflected effort found the net, but Noah Okafor equalised for Leeds shortly before halftime.

The decisive moment arrived in the 57th minute as Kudus weaved past Gabriel Gudmundsson on the right wing and fired a precise low shot into the bottom-right corner, leaving goalkeeper Karl Darlow with no chance.

The result lifts Tottenham to second place in the Premier League, just one point behind leaders Liverpool, while Leeds drop to 12th after suffering their third defeat of the season.

Since joining Spurs, Kudus made an immediate impact, registering one goal and four assists in seven league appearances.

Kudus now turns his attention to international duty, joining the Black Stars for Ghana’s final two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against the Central African Republic and Comoros during the upcoming international break.