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Ghana Health Service (GHS) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) is introducing the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination for girls between the ages of 9 and 14 years nationwide.

The HPV Vaccination is to fight against cervical cancer, particularly in girls starting from October 7, 2025.

Speaking at a media training, the country representative for WHO, Dr. Fiona Braka explained that cervical cancer is among top most cancers that affect women globally.

She stated that about 1,600 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer daily globally, with about 50% losing their lives due to this illness.

She stressed that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women in Ghana, adding that about 3,000 new cases and about 1,700 deaths are recorded every year.

According to Dr. Braka, about 70% of the cases are detected late, emphasising that the cost of treatment contributes to the devastation that affects women.

She stated that HPV affects 80% of sexually active individuals by the age of 45, noting that the HPV vaccines offer protection against the disease.

She lauded Ghana for introducing the vaccines, add that the HPV vaccines will join the list of immunsations in the country in order to support the global and national goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030.

Dr. Fiona highlighted that the strategy recommended by WHO to tackle the disease is the 90-70-90 strategy ? 90% of the girls will be vaccinated by the age of 15 with 70% of the women screened for cervical cancer by age of 35 and 45 and the other 90% of women who will be found with precancerous lesions will receive timely treatment which will eliminate the disease by the said time.

She stressed that the HPV vaccine is not new since it has been in use globally since 2006 with over 140 countries around the world using it, including 28 African countries.

She stated that WHO is remains committed help the country in the fight against cervical cancer.

Extended Programme on Immunisation Manager of GHS, Dr. Selorm Kutsoati, xplained that HPV is the necessary cause for the development of cervical cancer, stating that about 99% of the cases are caused by the high-risk HPV.

She emphasised that the early age of cervical cancer is quite asymptomatic thus women do not develop symptoms at all but will have signs such as unusual vaginal bleeding, pain during intercourse, weight loss, increased or foul smelling vaginal discharge and tiredness at the advanced stage.

She urged the media to educate the public and counter misinformation and disinformation regarding the HPV vaccination.

The Paramount Chief of Kome-Shime Traditional Area, in the Volta Region, Togbi Amey Zegu II, has made a passionate call for a united front against rising youth drug abuse.

Togbe Amey Zegu was speaking at 2025 Klefe Yam Festival packed durbar attended by dignitaries, including the Chief of Staff at the Office of the Vice President, Alex Segbefia.

Togbi Zegu blended the festival’s cultural celebration with an urgent message of collective responsibility.

He warned that substance abuse threatens the very future of the region’s young people.

‘The same spirit of togetherness that sustained our ancestors must guide us in overcoming today’s challenges invoking the Ewe people’s historic migration from Notsie to the Volta plains,’ he said.

He pointed out that ‘Unity is our greatest inheritance and our greatest weapon.’

Togbi Zegu underscored the pivotal role of the younger generation, describing them as ‘today’s energy, innovation, and hope.’

He commended community projects such as the construction of dormitories at the Klefe Technical Institute, calling vocational education ‘the cornerstone of independence and entrepreneurship.’

Citing recent surveys, the chief revealed alarming statistics: more than half of secondary school students admit to drinking alcohol, nearly one in five report using marijuana, and more than five percent have experimented with amphetamines.

Cases of tramadol and opioid abuse, he warned, are steadily climbing.

‘These are our sons and daughters. If we lose them to drugs, we lose our future,’ he warmed.

To counter the crisis, Togbi Zegu outlined an ambitious response, urging a regional alliance of traditional leaders, parents, educators, and law enforcement to confront the menace through education, family mentorship, counselling and rehabilitation, tighter controls on illicit substances, and expanded opportunities for youth employment and skills training.

He called on the people of Volta to draw strength from their shared history, envisioning future festivals that celebrate not only rich harvests but also the triumphs of empowered, drug-free youth. ‘Let us stand united in history, purpose, and action.’

The 2025 Klefe Yam Festival was on the theme ‘Youth Empowerment: The Future of Our Community.’

Ghanaian socialite, media personality, and actress Adu Safowah, known for her outspoken nature and involvement in controversies, has declared that her love for Dancehall artist, Shatta Wale, outweighs that of her own family.

Her public display of affection, which has sparked mixed reactions on social media, comes days after Shatta Wale’s star-studded performance at the Rapperholic Homecoming concert at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

Adu Safowah shared a photo of Shatta Wale on Instagram with the caption: ‘All I do is to pray for you, you will live long Shatta in good health. I love you than my own family members and they know #Iloveyou.’

Responding to a fan who questioned her declaration, she replied, ‘Listen to nobody bigger than God and you will understand my post better. His music keeps some of us going. Street crown oooo mine, I love Shatta.’

Her connection with Shatta Wale appears to stem from admiration rather than romance. She has previously described him as ‘the best’ following his performance at the 2025 President’s Cup, praising his originality and impact on Ghana’s music industry.

The much-anticipated ‘Tidal Rave Festival’ is set to take over the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel on November 14 and 15, promising an electrifying celebration of music, culture, and community.

Now in its 13th edition, the festival has grown into one of the country’s premier youth-driven experiences, built on strategic partnerships that continue to elevate both the event and the country’s creative industry.

Speaking at the official launch, the Event Director, Awo Ampadu Somuah, said this year marks a bold reimagining of the festival’s identity.

‘Over the years, Tidal Rave has been known for delivering the ultimate rave experience. But this year, for the first time ever, the spotlight shifts to the Culture Currents, a carefully selected team of top industry specialists.’

The Culture Currents – comprising some of the nation’s most exciting creative voices, including Lisa Quama, Ato Sekyi, Rev Erskine, Samuella Graham, Ellen Osabutey, Makafui Awuku, Kojo Junior, and Joewackle – have been tasked with shaping the festival from within.

Their role is to bring diverse perspectives that reimagine what raving looks and feels like in 2025, weaving together fashion, food, culture, dance, storytelling, and sustainability into the two-day celebration.

‘With fresh energy and fearless perspectives, the Culture Currents are ready to spark a wave that will ripple far beyond the coastline,’ Mr. Ampadu noted.

This year’s festival also features a landmark two-year partnership with the Black Star Experience (BSE), an initiative under the Office of the President that seeks to promote Ghanaian tourism and the creative arts.

Explaining the collaboration, Rex Owusu Marfo, Presidential Staffer and Coordinator of the BSE, said the partnership was an investment in the country’s cultural future.

‘We are not forcing young people to come to our museum; we are bringing the museum to their festival. We are creating living, breathing, pulsing cultural moments. This collaboration is a direct investment in our future, ensuring our culture not only survives but thrives for generations to come,’ he said.

The CEO of EchoHouse Africa, Beryl Agyekum Ayaaba, curators of Tidal Rave, described the partnership as a powerful step forward.

‘Tidal Rave has always been more than just an event; it is a platform to empower and showcase incredible Ghanaian talent. Partnering with the Black Star Experience is a strong affirmation of that mission and will help us project Ghana’s creative energy to the international stage, driving both cultural and economic value for the nation,’ she said.

According to her, with music at its heart but culture at its core, this year’s Tidal Rave Festival promises not just a weekend of entertainment but a once-in-a-lifetime experience designed to leave lasting ripples across the country’s creative scene.

The McDan Teshie Sports Complex will come alive on Saturday, October 18, 2025, when Police Ladies face Faith Ladies in the Women’s Champion of Champions clash. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM.

The encounter pits two of Ghana’s standout women’s football clubs against each other in a battle for silverware and bragging rights.

Police Ladies, famed for their discipline and resilience, will be eager to crown their campaign with a trophy.

Faith Ladies, despite suffering relegation, see the tie as an opportunity to make a bold statement and reaffirm their pedigree.

The Champion of Champions fixture not only crowns excellence in the women’s game but also serves as the curtain-raiser to the new season.

Supporters can look forward to tactical battles, flashes of brilliance, and the fierce competitiveness that has defined meetings between the two sides.

Fans are urged to turn up in their numbers at the McDan Teshie Sports Complex to witness what promises to be a captivating start to the women’s football season.

President John Dramani Mahama has assured private universities of government’s readiness to consider measures that will improve their operations and contribution to higher education in Ghana.

This assurance was given when a delegation from the Christian Service University (CSU) in Kumasi, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sam Afrane, paid a courtesy call on him at the Flagstaff House in Accra.

Prof. Afrane, speaking on behalf of the delegation, urged the government to extend the Stress-free Fee Programme for first-year students in private universities, arguing that the initiative should not only benefit students in public institutions.

He also appealed for scholarships to be made available to lecturers in private tertiary institutions to enable them pursue Doctoral programmes, thereby improving faculty capacity.

President Mahama, in his response, welcomed the delegation warmly and expressed appreciation for their support and prayers. He emphasised that private universities play a vital role in expanding access to higher education and deserve attention from the government.

To demonstrate his commitment, the President tasked the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, who was present at the meeting, to study the issues raised and make recommendations.

The CSU delegation included the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr. Stephen Banahene; the Registrar, Mr. Andrews K. Doku; the Dean of the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, Dr. Cynthia Akuoko; and the University Chaplain, Rev. Anthony Boateng Agyenim. Before their departure, they prayed for the President, his government, and the peace and prosperity of the nation.

Christian Service University, located in the Ashanti Region, is a leading private institution offering programmes in theology, business, health sciences, and applied sciences. Its call for support highlights broader challenges facing private universities across Ghana, particularly in the areas of funding, staffing, and student access.

Ghanaian gospel artist and public servant, Daniel Asamoah, popularly known as ‘The Singing Prophet’, has earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health from the Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management (LIUTEBM) in Lusaka, Zambia.

The graduation ceremony was held on Friday, September, 19, 2025, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.

Dr. Asamoah’s dissertation, titled, ‘Healthcare Facilities Regulations in Ghana: Compliance and Challenges’, highlights his expertise and innovative approach to addressing key issues in Ghana’s health sector.

His research is expected to contribute significantly to healthcare regulations and public health policy in Ghana and beyond.

Beyond his role as a gospel artist best known for the hit song ‘Di Yen Anim’, the musician has built a reputation as a respected professional in health regulation, healthcare facility establishment, and the development of Standard Operating Procedures.

His academic achievement reflects his dedication to advancing healthcare regulation and public health policy.

Eleven other Ghanaians who were also awarded PhDs in various disciplines such as Public Health include Dr. Jennifer Andoh, Dr. Mabel Afi Togbe, Dr. Catherine Armah, Dr. Gifty Dede Mateko Angmor, Dr. Augustina Ampah, and Dr. Hafez Adam Taher.

The rest are Dr. Felix Ahima-Adonteng, Dr. Raphael John Marfo, Project Dr. Joseph Okine and Dr. Isaac Setordzi.

The Anala family has organised a memorial mass for the late Wing Commander Peter Baafemi Anala and his late siblings Fr. Tony Anala and Grace Anala at OLA Catholic Cathedral Parish in Tamale in the Northern region.

The memorial mass was graced by the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tamale, Most Rev. Philip Naameh, the Clergy, Ghana Airforce, St. James Old Boys Association, Catholic Church groups, family members, sympathisers among others.

Leticia Anala, who read a tribute on behalf of the family, expressed their gratitude to the entire nation for their support and wished the late family members farewell.

‘Though we part for now, we await the day we will be united again in God’s kingdom,’ she stated.

Frank Hanson (Ltd), Ghana Airforce, described the late Wing Commander Peter Baafemi Anala as a dedicated, intelligent and welcoming officer who served the nation diligently.

Wing Commander Peter Baafemi Anala, tragically lost his life with seven others in a Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash near Adansi Brofoyedru in the Ashanti Region.

He was born on November 2, 1989 in Tamale.

He hailed from Siniensi, in the Builsa North District of the Upper East Region, and was the youngest child of Honorable Oscar Anala, former Member of Parliament for Builsa and Lucy Apung Anala, a retired educationist.

Peter began his primary and junior secondary education at Barwah Barracks, home to the Air Force Base in Tamale.

He later attended St James Seminary/Secondary School, where his discipline and academic excellence flourished.

Upon graduating from St James, Peter pursued a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) graduating in 2012.

He went on to obtain a Master of Science in Air Transport and Aviation Management from the same institution in 2023.

At the time of his passing, he was pursuing postgraduate studies in Safety and Accident Investigation in the United Kingdom.

The depreciation of the Ghana cedi eased over the past two weeks, with the interbank and retail markets recording modest dips.

In the interbank market, the US Dollar cedi pair closed the fortnight at GHS12.40 from GHS12.15, marking a 2.02% dip compared to 6.17% recorded two weeks earlier.

In the retail market, the cedi remained range-bound between GHS13.40 and GHS13.50 against the US dollar, posting a 0.74% decline from 6.72%. In parallel, the pound and euro closed at midrates of GHS18.05 (-2.49%) and GHS15.70 (-1.59%) from GHS17.60 and GHS15.70, respectively.

‘We note that the slowdown in the cedi’s depreciation confirms our earlier expectations of stability, supported by stronger FX [foreign exchange] inflows and softer market sentiments. Looking ahead, we maintain a cautiously optimistic near-term outlook, with seasonal FX inflows from commodity exports expected to filter through’, Databank Researchers said.

It acknowledged that heightened corporate demand, particularly from the services sector ahead of the festive season, may create upside risk.

However, it said sustained forex support from the Bank of Ghana, underpinned by a strong reserve buffer and positive expectations around the International Monetary Fund’s fifth programme review to anchor its outlook is expected.

It further noted that, the ongoing U.S. budget stalemate could sustain dollar softness, providing further support to the USD/GHS pair.

Yesterday, September 30, 2025, marked the end of an era for Ghanaian and African exporters as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) officially expires after 25 years of duty-free access to the U.S. market.

For two decades, AGOA was more than a trade arrangement – it was a lifeline for businesses, a source of foreign exchange, and a catalyst for industrialisation.

Ghana’s cocoa derivatives, processed fruits, apparel, and other goods found a competitive footing in the United States largely because of the preferential access AGOA guaranteed.

But as the curtain falls, exporters now confront an uncertain terrain. From today, Ghanaian products entering the U.S. market could face tariffs of up to 15%, instantly eroding competitiveness and thinning already tight margins.

For companies that have built supply chains, financing structures, and employment models around AGOA preferences, the shift is seismic.

The expiration of AGOA is not merely a technical trade development; it is a defining moment for Ghana’s economic direction. The policy conversation must now move beyond lamenting the loss of duty-free access to shaping a forward-looking growth agenda. Exporters and policymakers alike must ask: What next?

For Ghana, this means accelerating efforts to diversify exports beyond raw materials, investing in value addition, and building stronger trade resilience. Overreliance on external preferences such as AGOA has proven precarious. The future will depend on how quickly the country can harness its strengths – competitive agriculture, a budding manufacturing sector, and a youthful labor force – to reposition for global markets.

New Opportunities In A Shifting Landscape

While the end of AGOA appears like a setback, it also opens new opportunities. Firstly, Ghanaian businesses can re-orient toward niche markets within Africa and beyond, where rising demand for processed foods, textiles, and digital services is less exposed to abrupt policy changes.

Secondly, exporters can explore bilateral deals with the U.S. or other partners, pressing for terms that reflect mutual interests rather than broad continental preferences.

Equally important, the expiration should sharpen Ghana’s focus on industrial policy. Incentives for agro-processing, light manufacturing, and technology-driven exports could reduce dependency on unilateral trade schemes. This shift requires tighter collaboration between government and private sector players to ensure that exporters are not left stranded in the new tariff regime.

AfCFTA: The Unseen Advantage

Perhaps the most underappreciated cushion for Ghana and its peers is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). While AGOA opened a window to the U.S., AfCFTA offers access to a far larger and closer market: 1.4 billion Africans with a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.

By deepening regional integration, AfCFTA can absorb much of the shock from AGOA’s expiry. For Ghana, which hosts the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra, this is an opportunity to lead by example. Streamlining border protocols, eliminating non-tariff barriers, and improving logistics infrastructure would allow Ghanaian exporters to pivot more effectively into African markets.

Intra-African trade currently accounts for just 15% of the continent’s commerce; if Ghana can capture even a small share of the growth potential, it could offset the losses from U.S. market access.

Moreover, AfCFTA provides a platform for industrial collaboration. Instead of competing as individual countries, African firms can develop regional value chains – for instance, Ghana processing cocoa and partnering with Nigeria’s packaging industry or Kenya’s logistics firms to deliver products at scale. Such cooperation could create a more resilient base of export-driven growth than AGOA ever allowed.

Did African leaders miss the moment?

One hard question lingers: did Africa’s leaders squander the opportunity to negotiate as a bloc? For years, African ambassadors in Washington lobbied separately for AGOA’s renewal, often focusing on country-specific advantages rather than continental strategy. The result was a fragmented approach that left the continent vulnerable when U.S. political winds shifted.

A united African front, leveraging the combined weight of AfCFTA, might have secured better and longer-lasting terms. Instead, Africa’s dependence on unilateral concessions left its exporters exposed to sudden reversals. The lesson is clear: Africa must speak with one voice in global trade negotiations. Without it, the continent risks being played off piecemeal in a world increasingly defined by blocs and mega-deals.

Charting Ghana’s Growth Agenda

So, where does Ghana go from here? Three priorities stand out.

Invest in value addition: Exporting raw cocoa beans and unprocessed fruits will not sustain long-term growth. Ghana must push aggressively into value chains that capture more revenue at home – from chocolate manufacturing to processed juices and textiles.

Strengthen regional integration: With AfCFTA on its doorstep, Ghana has no excuse not to maximize intra-African trade. Policies that reduce logistics costs, harmonize standards, and expand industrial zones will be key.

Negotiate smartly with global partners: The era of waiting for unilateral trade gifts must end. Ghana should pursue reciprocal, strategic agreements that protect its exporters and create predictable frameworks for long-term investment.

A Test Of Resilience

AGOA’s expiry yesterday is not just the end of a trade agreement. It is a wake-up call for Ghana and Africa to craft a growth path rooted in self-reliance, smart partnerships, and regional collaboration. For businesses that have thrived under AGOA, the adjustment will be painful, but it could also spark the innovation and resilience needed for the next chapter of Ghana’s trade story.

The question is no longer whether AGOA will be renewed. It is whether Ghana, and Africa at large, can seize this moment to pivot from dependence to independence in shaping their economic futures.