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The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has announced plans to implement a series of actions aimed at compelling the government to intensify efforts in dealing with illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

UTAG, in a statement signed on July 30 by then National President, Prof. Mamudu Akudugu and National Secretary, Prof. Eliasu Mumuni following an emergency NEC meeting on Thursday, July 17, warned of potential industrial action if government fails to provide concrete steps to deal with the galamsey fight.

But speaking in an interview on JoyNews last Tuesday, immediate past President of UTAG, Prof. Akudugu, who expressed wider impact of illegal mining, said it was aware of the report by Peasant Farmers Association that over two million hectares of arable land have been affected by galamsey, impacting more than 500,000 farmers and farm households.

‘These are real, serious issues. We’ve also heard about the poisoning of our kontomire, cassava, and other crops. We are all deeply worried, and it is essential that we take action to ensure this menace is brought under control,’ he stated.

When asked whether UTAG might consider a strike action, he said, ‘Most definitely, we’ll take a decision that will be in the interest of the members of UTAG and also in the interest of the country. Today is Congress, we’ll go into conclave and the decision will be taken,’ he said.

The newly elected UTAG President, Prof. Vera Fiador, for her part, said while illegal mining may appear to offer employment opportunities, the overall impact is far more damaging, adding that the financial burden of restoring degraded lands and polluted water sources is negative in the long run.

She reiterated that the Association will soon unveil a set of measures to push for decisive action to hold the government accountable and drive national attention toward the urgent need to tackle galamsey.

‘At first glance, galamsey seems to provide jobs, and there’s often resistance when attempts are made to halt it. However, when you consider the financial burden of restoring degraded lands and polluted water sources, the net effect is negative in the long run,’ she stressed.

In a related development, President John Dramani Mahama, in a letter signed by Dr. Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, has invited civil society organisations (CSOs) to the Jubilee House on Friday, October 3, to discuss issues on the galamsey menace.

Founder of the International God’s Way Church, Bishop Daniel Obinim, has lashed out at critics spreading rumours about his marriage to gospel singer, Florence Obinim.

In a video shared on GHPage’s YouTube channel on September 30, 2025, the controversial pastor dismissed claims that his wife of 21 years is unhappy.

‘I am not afraid to divorce Florence, and she is equally not afraid to end our marriage, but we respect, love, and cherish each other. Who told you she is not happy?’ Obinim retorted.

He insisted his wife has never complained about their union and warned critics to stop dragging his family into public gossip. The bishop went further, issuing a spiritual curse on those peddling the rumours.

‘I swear on my kids and our 21 years of marriage, if you judge me or speak evil about our relationship, your own marriage will end, or your business will collapse,’ he declared.

Obinim urged Ghanaians to allow him and Florence to enjoy their marriage in peace, stressing that while his wife’s public life as a gospel singer is open for discussion, their private relationship should be respected.

Two suspected military personnel who allegedly hatched a plan, together with some civilians to rob a mining company, have been arrested.

The alleged military men and two of the civilians were arrested by the Prestea Police, who are under the Western Central Police Command in the Western Region.

The suspects attempted to rob LongShine Mining Company Limited located at Obuohu, a suburb of Prestea in the region.

They were reported to have stormed the mining site on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at about 10:30pm, to allegedly carry out their nefarious activity.

They first subjected the security guards of the company to some beatings before asking the guards to lead them to the company’s gold room.

However, some of the security guards managed to call the police and informed them about the incident.

The police rushed to the scene and were able to arrest the suspects, including the two men in military uniform.

Information gathered indicated that the suspects were six, but two civilians managed to escape.

The remaining four were arrested and a rented brand new Toyota pickup with registration number GN6116-25, which the suspects used for their operation, was confiscated by the police.

Gideon Ofori, a Tailing Officer (T.O) at LongShine Mining, who confirmed the incident, said initially the suspects, including the men in military uniform, claimed they came from Accra.

He said some of the civilians who were wearing masks, also indicated that they were from the National Security.

According to him, after some of the suspects ordered the company’s security guards to lead them to the gold room, ‘We suspected the men were there for a different mission, and some of us managed to call the Prestea Police.’

Sources disclosed that the suspects were later transferred to the headquarters of the Western Central Police Command in Tarkwa for further investigations.

Singer Cassie Ventura says she fears for her life as her ex-boyfriend, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, awaits sentencing this week.

In a victim impact statement submitted to court, Cassie revealed she moved her family out of New York because she believes Combs could seek revenge if he is released.

‘I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution towards me and others who spoke up,’ she wrote.

Cassie, the government’s key witness, testified during the trial that the hip-hop mogul abused her throughout their 11-year relationship, forcing her into drug-fuelled sex parties. She described the experience as leaving her with ‘tremendous emotional pain.’

Combs was convicted in July on two counts of transporting for prostitution involving Cassie and another ex-girlfriend, though he was cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

Prosecutors are asking for an 11-year sentence, while Combs’ defence team is pushing for just 14 months, citing time already served and claiming he has changed.

Cassie, however, disputes that claim, insisting in her letter: ‘He has no interest in changing or becoming better. He will always be the same cruel, power-hungry, manipulative man that he is.’

The judge is expected to deliver the sentence later this week.

The year-on-year inflation for September 2025 has dropped significantly, falling from 11.5 percent in August to 9.4 percent.

According to the Ghana Statistical Service, the decline reflects a shift in price dynamics and signals that the country is firmly on the path to macroeconomic stability.

Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, explained that the downward trend shows that the pressures which had been driving inflation in recent months are easing.

Food inflation recorded a decline from 14.8 percent in August to 11.0 percent in September.

Non-food inflation also dropped slightly, from 8.7 percent in August to 8.2 percent in September.

Inflation for locally produced items fell from 12.2 percent in August to 10.1 percent in September, while imported items declined from 9.5 percent to 7.4 percent over the same period.

Regionally, the North East Region registered the highest inflation rate at 20.1 percent, more than double the national average, while the Bono East Region recorded the lowest rate at just 1.2 percent.

Acting Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has urged judges in Ghana to approach cases involving illegal mining, known in local parlance as galamsey and drug trafficking with a sense of urgency, as a way of combating the growing menace.

According to him, the devastation caused to the environment and the nation are huge and the Judiciary must play its role in eradicating the canker.

‘As members of the Judiciary, we are not policy makers and we do not wield the enforcement powers of the executive. Yet our constitutional role is neither passive nor peripheral. We are the guardians of justice, custodians of the law, and interpreters of the nation’s conscience,’ Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said.

He was speaking at the 44th Annual Meeting of the Association of Magistrates and Judges Association of Ghana yesterday. It was under the theme ‘Leveraging Technology to Enhance Justice Delivery’.

The Acting Chief Justice indicated that the Judiciary’s responsibilities in confronting the challenges of illegal mining and drug trafficking include upholding the law, nothing that ‘we must ensure that prosecutions related to illegal mining and drug trafficking and abuse are handled with seriousness, impartiality, and urgency. And I mean urgency.’

He said where there is evidence, the law must be applied without fear or favour, emphasising that ‘no person, and I mean no person, regardless of their political affiliation or social status, should be immune from justice.’

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie also highlighted what he described as ‘a growing public perception’ that sentences for environmental crimes and drug offences are either too lenient or inconsistently applied.

‘We must work towards harmonising sentencing practices to ensure propriety, deterrence, and fairness. We must fiercely guard our independence from external pressures, be they political, commercial, or social,’ he added.

President of the AMJG, Justice Henry Anthony Kwofie, highlighted some of the challenges facing the Judiciary, particularly infrastructural facilities and welfare packages for judges and magistrates.

He pointed out that even when the Judiciary’s budgetary allocation has been approved and allocations made, getting it released then becomes the problem.

‘It suffices to say that facilities for the performance of functions of the Judiciary are released, given to us as if we don’t deserve it,’ he said.

He also stated that compensation packages for judges, including allowances, medical bills, and others are not paid on time, a situation which is affecting judges and magistrates who do not have any other source of income.

He called on the Ministry of Finance to at least expedite action on the financial packages for the Judiciary to address the challenges.

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, assured the gathering that he will to work ‘assiduously’ with his deputy to ensure that the challenges confronting the Judiciary are a thing of the past.

He urged judges and magistrates to bear the solemn duty of ensuring that technology supports rather than supplants judicial reasoning.

‘To this end, it is imperative to establish a clear regulatory framework to guide the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our courts, one that safeguards accuracy, integrity, and public trust in the administration of justice,’ he suggested.

Telecel Ghana concluded its annual Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Month celebrations with the Telecel Business Runway, a dynamic event designed to equip young entrepreneurs with practical skills and visibility to grow their businesses.

Held at the Labadi Beach Hotel under the theme ‘Gen Z Impact: Skills, Money and Mindset,’ the forum brought together emerging business founders, content creators, industry experts, and youth policymakers for a day of learning, discussions, networking, and product showcases.

Participants also benefited from free on-site services, including business registration by the Registrar General’s Department, tax orientation by the Ghana Revenue Authority, and a vendor market that highlighted innovative small businesses.

Opening the event, Telecel Ghana’s CEO, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, urged young entrepreneurs to embrace skills, money, and mindset as the foundation for sustainable growth.

‘The mission for SME Month is to back young entrepreneurs with the skills, networks, visibility, and digital tools to grow. Skills, money, and mindset are the three essentials for business growth, and today is about giving you these tactics to apply right now,’ she said.

The programme featured insights from leading entrepreneurs and business experts, including Sam Rodgers of Wild Fusion Ghana, who discussed content strategy for growth; content creator Kojo Junior, who spoke on authenticity and digital storytelling; and Jahzara Agyemang, CEO of JTE Business Consult, who guided attendees through grant opportunities.

Others, such as Innohub CEO Nelson Amo and Absa Bank’s Head of SME Banking, Edward Mawudem, focused on funding, investor expectations, and capital access.

Young entrepreneurs, including Baaba Ankrah of GOBA Kente and Joey Lit of Free the Youth, also shared candid stories about overcoming challenges, pivoting careers, and avoiding the pitfalls of comparison in business.

The government signaled its support through Mohammed Saani Adams, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, who reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to institutionalising SMEs as a key driver of Ghana’s economy.

Beyond panel discussions, Telecel unveiled three new SME-tailored products – the Boss Plan, One Business Mobile, and an enhanced Your Business Online service – aimed at helping small businesses stay connected, market themselves, and expand digitally.

Genevieve Dzifa Akpalu, founder of The AG Shop, said she was able to register her business on-site, gain clarity on tax obligations, and secure new customers from the vendor market.

‘I’m leaving with a registered business, a roadmap to apply for grants, file taxes, and even new customers for my products. This is a great opportunity,’ she said.

Now in its ninth year, SME Month has become a cornerstone of Ghana’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, reflecting Telecel Ghana’s broader commitment to empowering small and medium enterprises with digital tools, connectivity, and access to opportunities.

President John Dramani Mahama has sworn into office eleven new Ghanaian envoys to represent the country in missions abroad, as part of his government’s commitment to strengthening international relations and advancing Ghana’s foreign policy agenda.

The swearing-in ceremony, held in Accra yesterday, followed the granting of approval by host nations throughout September 2025. Each envoy received presidential instruments of commission, officially empowering them to assume their duties in their respective posts.

All the appointees are non-career diplomats drawn from varied professional backgrounds. Among those commissioned were Kwesi Ahwoi, named Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia; Kojo Choi, Ambassador to South Korea; Captain (Rtd.) George Kofi Nfojoh, High Commissioner to Togo; Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh, High Commissioner to Canada; Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Harruna Attah, High Commissioner to Namibia; Dr. Kwame Ampofo, Ambassador to Hungary; Benjamin Anani Quashie, High Commissioner to South Africa; Magnus Kofi Amoatey, Ambassador to the Republic of Congo; Benedict Batabe Assorow, Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican); Prof. Esi Awuah, Ambassador to Switzerland; and Mohammed Abubakari Manaf, Ambassador to Benin.

President Mahama charged the diplomats to project Ghana’s image as a stable democracy and a credible partner for trade, investment, and sustainable development.

He emphasised that their work should not only strengthen bilateral relations but also promote the welfare of Ghanaians abroad.

Addressing the envoys before their departure, the President used the platform to caution Ghanaians against overstaying their visas in the United States.

He explained that visa restrictions recently imposed by the Trump administration had stemmed largely from Ghanaian nationals overstaying their permits, particularly students and members of official delegations.

‘Many of you are aware that Ghana became the only country subject to U.S. visa restrictions to secure a complete reversal from the Trump administration. Let me state clearly that this outcome was negotiated in Ghana’s best interest,’ President Mahama said.

He noted that assurances were given to U.S. authorities that Ghana would work to reduce the number of overstayers.

‘I mean, these are people who go and instead of coming back, they decide to stay. And so, they have the record. So, when they draw the threshold and you’re above it, then they cancel your five-year visas and bring you to B-5, B-3. So those of you applying for visas, please, when you go, come back. Because you affect everybody else,’ he cautioned.

He further explained that there was no financial arrangement as part of Ghana’s negotiations with Washington. Instead, talks are continuing on U.S. trade tariffs and the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which previously provided African nations with tariff-free access to American markets.

Touching on the deportation of some West African nationals to Ghana, the President stressed that the country would not accept individuals who compromise national security. ‘I wish to assure my countrymen and women that our understanding with the U.S. does not undermine our sovereignty, security, or stability. Ghana will not, and I repeat, will not become a dumping ground for deportees, nor will we accept individuals with criminal backgrounds,’ he declared.

Youth leaders from the Ashanti Region, together with youth groups nationwide, have officially declared their support for Dr. Bryan Acheampong in the upcoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primary scheduled for January 31, 2026.

The youth announced their endorsement yesterday in Kumasi, amidst chants of ‘Bryan delivers’, ‘Unifier’, and ‘Bryan the Joshua’. According to them, they are backing a leader who delivers.

‘Ghana is at a crossroad. We need a statesman, a visionary, a builder. That leader is Bryan Acheampong,’ declared the conveners.

They cited his transformational work in agriculture-especially under Planting for Food and Jobs 2.0, which shifted the country from subsidy dependence to a credit-based value chain.

Also, his expansion of irrigation in Afram Plains and his leadership of the cocoa sector, where he secured fair pricing for cocoa farmers, were hailed as game-changers.

The youth further praised his international role as Chairman of the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative during which period he elevated West Africa’s bargaining power as well as his investments in the private sector through Rock City Hotel, which has created hundreds of jobs and empowered farmers, artisans, and the youth.

‘In Abetifi, his legacy includes scholarships, vocational training, health programmes, and infrastructure,’ they said.

The youth emphasised that Dr. Acheampong embodies the traits the NPP needs in its next leader. ‘Bryan Acheampong is not just a candidate, he’s a movement,’ they declared. He has the track record, the temperament, and the tenacity to unify the party and win for Ghana.’

They thus called on delegates, executives, and polling station officers to rally behind him, stating that his leadership offers the clearest path to victory in 2028.

GHANAIAN RAPPER, Medikal, has featured five leading stars in the country for his highly anticipated album ‘Disturbation II,’ set to be released on October 10, 2025.

The album comes with 18 songs and features musicians such as Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, Olivetheboy, Beeztrap KOTM, and Lalid.

The yet-to-be-released album has songs like ‘I Did It’ featuring Shatta Wale, ‘Too Bad,’ which features Olivetheboy, ‘DND,’ featuring Sarkodie, and ‘Fully Active,’ which features fast-rising artist, Lalid, among other tracks.

The album was produced, mixed, and mastered by Atown TSB and Beatz Vampire. The streets and fans have been waiting, ready to jam on it.

Born Samuel Adu Frimpong, Medikal’s music career took off in 2010 when he was signed by Criss Waddle’s Arab Money Gang (AMG) Business record label. He released his first mixtape, ‘MediKatioN,’ in 2013, followed by his debut album ‘Disturbation’ in 2017, which earned him several nominations at the Ghana Music Awards.

Medikal’s breakthrough single ‘Confirm’ featuring Sarkodie in 2016 catapulted him to fame. He went on to release several hit songs, including ‘Omo Ada’, ‘Ayekoo’, ‘How Much’, ‘La Hustle’ and ‘Odo’. His collaborations with prominent artistes like Shatta Wale, King Promise, and Joey B have solidified his position in the Ghanaian music industry.

In 2020, Medikal released his third album, ‘The Truth,’ and his fourth album, ‘Abonten,’ in 2021. He also released the ‘Healing EP’ album in 2024, featuring collaborations with Shatta Wale, Beeztrap KOTM, and Kojo Funds.