NAIMOS Fights ‘Galamseyers’ On Offin River

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has embarked on an operation to remove chanfang machines from the River Offin and disrupt illegal mining activities, also called ‘galamsey’, that directly affect the river and its banks.

The operation, codenamed ‘Water Shield’, was supported by the Ghana Navy Special Boat Squadron (SBS) and other security elements.

During the latest riverine patrol from Bedaabour to Beposo, the task force raided six illegal mining sites near the riverbanks and destroyed equipment found there.

Four floating chanfang platforms operating directly on the river were also destroyed.

The patrol team observed approximately 45 additional floating chanfang platforms abandoned along the route.

The chanfang machines, pumps, and other associated equipment were removed from the platforms before the task force arrived, suggesting operators vacated the river ahead of the sustained security presence.

According to a statement issued by NAIMOS, within just four days of sustained operations, illegal miners appear to be withdrawing equipment from sections of the River Offin.

NAIMOS assessed that awareness of the riverine force’s continued presence, particularly the SBS patrol capability, may be prompting illegal miners to abandon platforms before enforcement teams reach them.

‘The SBS plays a key role by providing the riverine capability needed to reach mining platforms and other locations that are difficult to access from land,’ the statement noted.

It added that the objective is to systematically clear floating chanfang platforms from the river, deny illegal miners freedom to operate on the water, and prevent them from simply relocating to other sections when pressure is applied.

The statement indicated that Operation Water Shield will also target mining sites along the riverbanks whose activities contribute to pollution, sedimentation, and degradation of the River Offin.

NAIMOS emphasised that patrols will continue, abandoned platforms will be cleared, and illegal mining sites affecting the river will remain targets for enforcement action.

‘NAIMOS remains committed to restoring effective protection of the River Offin and ensuring that areas cleared during the operation are not reoccupied by illegal miners,’ the statement pointed out.

Michael Blackson, Sarkodie, Cardi B, Others Mourn Javits Frimpong

Comedian, Michael Blackson, rapper Sarkodie and American music star, Cardi B, are among celebrities who have reacted to the killing of 15-year-old Ghanaian student Javits Frimpong in the Bronx, New York, expressing grief and raising concerns about bullying and youth violence.

Cardi B, who grew up in the Bronx, condemned the treatment of immigrant children in New York schools, saying newcomers were often bullied by their peers.

‘Everybody be bullying the new kids that come from foreign countries, that be coming from Africa or from DR (Dominican Republic). Everybody bullies them, even their own kind,’ she said during an Instagram Live session.

The rapper, who questioned what could drive young people to take another person’s life, also linked bullying to gang involvement, drawing from her own childhood experiences.

‘What does bullying make you do? That makes you want to join a gang,’ she said, adding that she would never raise her children in the Bronx or enroll them in a New York public school.

Michael Blackson, meanwhile, said Javits’ death brought back painful memories of his experience as a young African immigrant in Newark, New Jersey, where he was bullied and once punched because of his good grades.

‘This story broke my heart this morning. I remember being that age my first time in America when I lived in Newark NJ, I was bullied and once punched in the face because I had good grades,’ he wrote.

The comedian, who said the teenager reminded him of himself, added: ‘This 15-year-old kid couldn’t wait to come to America and now a year later he’s dead. This has to stop.’

He announced plans to visit high schools to speak to foreign-born students about dealing with bullying.

Sarkodie also expressed concern about the values being instilled in young people, calling on parents to take greater responsibility.

‘I honestly don’t know what kind of upbringing shapes children to become so evil. I think some of my fellow Black brothers and sisters out there need to do better when it comes to raising their children and instilling the right values in them,’ he wrote.

The rapper added, ‘It’s very unfortunate that we had to lose Javits this way. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.’

Bronx rapper, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, also honoured Javits during a concert at UBS Arena in New York, asking the audience to observe a moment of silence.

‘He just came here from Africa to America about a year ago, and he passed away due to a gunshot wound. So let’s give a moment of silence to him,’ he told the audience.

Javits was shot shortly before 9.30am on Thursday, October 29, near East 171st Street in the Claremont area of the Bronx while on his way to school. He later died at the hospital.

He moved from Ghana to the United States a year ago to join his father, Thomas Frimpong, and attended DreamYard Preparatory School.

His father said the teenager had previously complained of bullying at school and reported incidents involving other students. However, police have not confirmed whether bullying was connected to the shooting.

Authorities are searching for three teenage suspects aged between 16 and 18, who were last seen wearing black clothing and blue surgical masks.

Alcaraz Wins Vienna Open To Maintain Perfect Record

Carlos Alcaraz powered to a straight-set win over Alex de Minaur to win the Vienna Open and maintain his perfect record in ATP 500 events this year.

The Spanish second seed triumphed 6-1 6-4 in 87 minutes for his 16th straight win at that level in 2026.

Alcaraz has won 26 straight matches at ATP 500 events – a run that goes back to the 2025 Barcelona Open, where he lost to Holger Rune.

The 23-year-old’s run this year includes titles in Doha and Tokyo.

‘I tried to be aggressive and show him that if he wants to win, he has to play better, more aggressive, more solid, and be smarter than me,’ said Alcaraz.

‘I’m just really happy that at the end I found my way, played great, and obviously it has been a really emotional and amazing week for me.’

Alcaraz started the match strongly, with his groundstrokes causing De Minaur problems.

De Minaur took five of the seven games in the first set to deuce, but it was Alcaraz’s quality at key moments that made the difference as he secured three breaks of serve.

Alcaraz continued to apply pressure in the second set, and while De Minaur’s trademark defence helped the 27-year-old Australian save three break points, he could not fend off championship point.

After a gripping rally, Alcaraz whipped a forehand winner across court to seal victory, before raising both arms in celebration.

The win was Alcaraz’s seventh against De Minaur, maintaining his perfect head-to-head record.

FIFA To Build Two New Astro Turf Pitches At Ghanaman Soccer Centre

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has received a major boost after FIFA agreed to construct two new world-class Astro turf pitches at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.

The commitment followed a high-level meeting in Rabat, Morocco, between GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku and the FIFA Development Committee.

It marks a significant step in the drive to turn the technical centre into a world-class football development hub.

Under the agreement, both pitches will be built to the highest standards of the global governing body. One will have a high-level floodlighting system, allowing training and matches to continue into the night, while the other will be built without floodlights.

Once the project is complete, the centre will have four Astro turf pitches, alongside two new natural grass pitches that are nearing completion.

FIFA will take full responsibility for the entire process, overseeing every stage from design and tendering through to construction and final handover to the GFA.

The approach is expected to ensure the facilities meet FIFA standards, with quality, technical excellence and long-term sustainability at the core.

The floodlit pitch in particular will give the centre greater flexibility, creating opportunities for night sessions and making fuller use of the facility.

The project represents an investment in young footballers and the future of Ghanaian football, as the GFA works toward a stronger and more competitive football ecosystem.

Police Arrest Key Suspect In Sakumono Double Murder

The key suspect in the Sakumono double murder case, Samuel Osei Anto Christopher, who had been on the run, has been arrested.

Police sources confirm that the suspect was picked up from his hideout following intensive intelligence operations after a GHS100,000 bounty was placed on his head.

Full details of the arrest will be communicated in due course.

The suspect is alleged to have shot and killed George Atuguba and his niece, Irene Atuguba, in the head at their NTHC Estate residence in Sakumono on October 30, 2026, over an alleged GHS500,000 debt dispute.

His arrest comes after the earlier arrest of 47-year-old Beatrice Mumuni, who is believed to have led the principal suspect to the residence of the victims.

Police say investigations are ongoing.

’Govt Issues Service Passports To 6 With Fake Titles’

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the government of issuing diplomatic and service passports to six individuals who allegedly used fabricated or inaccurate public service job titles to secure the travel documents.

The party has since petitioned the United States Embassy in Ghana over the alleged irregularities, calling on the US Mission to strengthen its verification procedures for Ghanaian diplomatic and service passport holders.

In the petition presented by its General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the NPP is asking the embassy to deny visas, visa waivers and diplomatic courtesies to passport holders who cannot substantiate the official positions stated in their applications.

The party alleged that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved the passports based on false job titles purportedly associated with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Fisheries Commission.

In a statement explaining the petition, the NPP named three individuals it claimed were falsely presented as senior NADMO officials.

They are Twumasi Francis Kwame, described as Deputy Director of Climate Change; Shaibu Alhassan Abu, listed as Director of Hydro; and Gyabaah Anthony, described as Director of Geologicals.

The party also identified three individuals allegedly linked to fabricated or inaccurate positions at the Fisheries Commission.

They are Bennor Yussif, reportedly listed as Deputy Director of Information Technology; Issah Ayisha, described as Deputy Director and Aquaculture Specialist; and Adom Emmanuel Kwabena, whose stated position was Assistant Finance Manager.

The NPP claimed that some of the positions attributed to the six individuals either do not exist or are not held by them.

It said it had attached photographs of five public officers, identified as Ebenezer Vandyke, Dr. Bertha Kusimi, Bright Atama, Gideon Boakye and Robert Ampadu, to assist the embassy in verifying the identities and positions of those concerned.

According to the party, the attachments would help the embassy cross-check the information and guard against possible identity or biometric fraud.

The NPP said diplomatic and service passports were intended for official state business and that their issuance must be restricted to qualified persons holding genuine public service positions.

It expressed concern that the six cases might not be isolated, alleging that other unqualified individuals could have obtained diplomatic or service passports since the current administration assumed office on January 7, 2025.

The party is therefore asking the US Mission to require direct verification of applications involving official Ghanaian passports issued from that date.

It has also called on the embassy to share relevant information with other US government agencies to establish whether any irregularly issued passports have been used for improper purposes internationally.

The NPP said the petition was intended to protect Ghana’s international reputation and strengthen confidence in the integrity of its official travel documents.

It cited recent international incidents, including the reported seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French customs on September 10, 2026, and the interception of 866 parcels of cocaine at the Tema Port in August 2026.

The party also referred to prosecutions of Ghanaian nationals abroad over alleged fraud against elderly victims, arguing that Ghana needed to take steps to protect its standing in the international community.

Beyond the petition, the NPP is demanding that the government immediately cancel diplomatic and service passports issued to individuals who do not hold the official positions stated in their applications.

It has further called for the publication of a comprehensive list of all diplomatic and service passports issued since January 2025, including the names of the holders, their official positions and the legal basis for issuing the documents.

The party wants the entire passport issuance process subjected to an independent investigation led by the Auditor-General or another body operating outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It said the findings should be made public and all passports found to have been irregularly issued recovered, while persons found culpable should be referred for criminal prosecution.

The NPP is also demanding that the government formally notify accredited foreign missions of the findings after the proposed audit, saying this would help restore confidence in Ghana’s official travel documents.

It said it was acting in its capacity as the main opposition party to demand accountability and protect the country’s national integrity.

Armed Forces Display Firepower

The Ghana Armed Forces have demonstrated its operational readiness to defend the country against external aggression at the 2026 Land Combat Fire Demonstration Exercise held at Bundase Training Camp in the Greater Accra Region.

The exercise formed part of the training programme for students of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), Senior Division Course 48.

The exercise was executed by the Fifth Infantry Battalion as the lead and host unit, supported by elements of the First and Second Infantry Battalions, 16th Artillery Brigade, 15th Armoured Brigade, 14th Engineer Brigade, 17th Army Signal Brigade and the Army Special Operations Brigade.

It aimed at testing the operational readiness, firepower, and battlefield coordination of the Ghana Armed Forces in responding to external threats.

On the weapons display, various small arms and light weapons including rifles, RPGs, LMG L4A4, Pistol M and P-9, CZ 999 Scorpion, and Taurus PT 92 AF were put into practical demonstration on their effective use against enemy forces. Artillery equipment was also displayed as part of the exercise.

Addressing the exercise, the Vice Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, Peter Toobu Lanchene, described the demonstration as an important exercise to showcase the military’s capabilities and preparedness.

He said the 2026 Land Power Combat demonstration is an important exercise to demonstrate military capabilities and preparedness, in order for the military to show that they are capable of performing their constitutional mandated duty of defending the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa West said ‘the sovereignty of this nation, the defence of this nation, is in the hands of the Ghana Armed Forces.’

‘If there is any threat anywhere around us, and you find a way to witness what has been demonstrated today, you better go back and tell your masters that Ghana is a no-go area. Our Ghana Armed Forces is prepared and they are capable to protect and defend this nation,’ he added.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Southern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces Joint Taskforce, Brigadier General Edward Awaribey, described the Land Combat Firepower Demonstration as one of the key operational training activities on the Ghana Armed Forces annual calendar.

He added that the exercise serves as a forum for cross-service learning, professional exchange and capability demonstration, essential for developing the next generation of operational commanders.

Brig. Gen. Awaribey outlined five objectives for this year’s exercise: to demonstrate the integration and employment of fire support assets by a battle group operating within a joint task force across deep, close and rear operations; to illustrate the Ghana Army’s concept of operations and its current capabilities within the land component of joint warfare.

Also, the exercise aims to expose students to the realities of the land battle space, its complexity, tempo and the interdependence of manoeuvre, fires and sustainment; to familiarise participants with major platforms, systems and weapons that constitute the Ghana Army’s combined arms capability; and to reinforce interoperability and mission command principles in a contested multi-domain environment.

The demonstration also integrates the Ghana Navy and Air Force, whose participation underscores the Armed Forces’ ability to synchronise efforts across land, sea and air to achieve unified mission objectives.

‘This demonstration is not merely a training routine. It is a testament to our combat readiness, interoperability, situational awareness and command and control,’ he said.

Tanzanian Court frees ex-cop jailed for 20 years over standard gauge railway cable sabotage

Arusha. The High Court Sub-Registry in Morogoro has acquitted former police corporal Shadidu Kago, who was serving a 20-year prison sentence for sabotaging essential services by cutting copper cables along the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), stealing railway property and trespassing in a restricted area.

The court quashed his conviction and ordered his immediate release after identifying serious contradictions in the prosecution’s evidence, including discrepancies over the date of the incident and the type of cables seized, unreliable identification procedures, an uncorroborated caution statement and unexplained delays in bringing him before the court.

Court records show that Corporal Kago was charged alongside two co-accused persons on six counts.

The first five counts applied exclusively to him, while the sixth involved his co-accused.

The first count was sabotage of essential services, whereby the prosecution alleged that on May 18, 2024, at Kingolwira in Morogoro Region, the appellant cut copper cables along the SGR line between kilometres 181 and 183, belonging to the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC).

The alleged act was said to have endangered public safety by potentially disrupting power supply and causing train derailments.

The second count accused him of endangering railway safety under the Railways Act, while the third alleged that he caused TRC a financial loss exceeding Sh22.9 million.

The fourth count involved stealing railway property valued at more than Sh9.17 million, while the fifth accused him of trespassing in a restricted SGR zone at kilometre 194 on May 19, 2024, without authorisation.

The sixth count charged his co-accused with unlawful possession of TRC copper cables in Dar es Salaam.

At the conclusion of the initial trial, the Morogoro Resident Magistrate’s Court acquitted Corporal Kago on the second and third counts for lack of sufficient evidence.

However, it convicted him on the first, fourth and fifth counts, sentencing him to 20 years in prison for sabotage of essential services, alongside fines and alternative custodial sentences for theft and trespassing.

His two co-accused were acquitted on the sixth count after the prosecution failed to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Dissatisfied with the decision, Corporal Kago lodged an appeal on 15 grounds, arguing that the trial magistrate had misappraised the evidence, relied on a repudiated caution statement, admitted unreliable identification evidence and failed to reconcile major discrepancies between the charge sheet and prosecution testimony regarding the dates, weights and composition of the stolen items.

Opposing the appeal, the State Attorney maintained that there were no fundamental inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case.

The prosecution argued that the differences in the exhibits had already been addressed by the lower court and that confusion over the suspect’s position during the identification parade did not invalidate the identification evidence.

In her ruling, High Court Judge Aisha Sinda consolidated the 15 grounds of appeal into key legal issues concerning conflicting evidence, the admissibility of the caution statement, the reliability of identification made at night and procedural delays.

The court found that the prosecution evidence contained irreconcilable contradictions over the date of the alleged offence, with witnesses giving conflicting accounts of whether it occurred on May 18 or 19, 2024.

It also identified serious unresolved discrepancies in the chemical composition and description of the seized cables.

While some exhibits described them as pure copper, others referred to an aluminium-silver alloy.

The judge further found that the identification parade was defective, with witnesses contradicting one another over whether the suspect stood in the fourth or fifth position.

The visual identification was also considered weak because it was made at night.

In addition, the caution statement relied upon by the trial court was legally flawed, had subsequently been repudiated and lacked independent physical or documentary evidence to corroborate it.

In concluding the judgment, Judge Sinda said the cumulative effect of the substantial errors raised reasonable doubt that could not be remedied.

She held that the trial magistrate had erred in law by finding that the prosecution had discharged its burden of proof.

Consequently, the High Court allowed the appeal in its entirety, quashed all the convictions and sentences, and ordered Corporal Kago’s immediate release unless he was being lawfully held on other grounds.

Taifa Stars head to Nigeria on November 8 for Super Eagles showdown

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s senior national football team, Taifa Stars, will travel to Nigeria on November 8 ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying encounter against the Super Eagles scheduled for November 13.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Media and Information Manager Clifford Ndimbo confirmed that the players will report to the national team camp on November 8 to begin preparations for the important assignment.

Ndimbo said the early reporting date would allow head coach Miguel Gamondi and his technical bench sufficient time to organise the squad before travelling for the encounter.

The first meeting is expected to take place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria, with the two sides scheduled to meet again in Tanzania on November 17.

Gamondi has named a 24-man squad for the two encounters, combining domestic league performers with Tanzanian players plying their trade abroad. Azam FC lead the domestic representation with five players: goalkeeper Aishi Manula, Zuberi Foba, Abdul Hamis, Himid Mao and Feisal Salum.

Defending league champions Yanga SC have contributed five players, namely Selemani Mwalimu, Clement Mzize, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Dickson Job and Ibrahim Abdulla, while Simba SC have two representatives in Antony Mligo and Nathaniel Chilambo.

The other locally based players are Evastus Lukanima of Kagera Sugar and Sheikhan Khamis of Singida Black Stars. Gamondi has also recalled several foreign-based players, including Haji Mnoga of Belgium’s Patro Eisden, Novatus Miroshi of Trkiye’s Goztepe SK and Alphonce Manula of Algeria’s JS Kabylie.

Others are Ben Starkie of England’s Truro City, Simon Msuva of Iraq’s Newroz SC, Cyprian Kachwele of Ukraine’s Kryvbas, Kibu Denis of Libya’s Al Masry and Bernard Kamongo of the United States’ FC Dallas.

The November double-header presents Gamondi with an opportunity to assess his squad against one of Africa’s established football nations as he continues building a competitive side ahead of the continental finals.

Nigeria, meanwhile, will be under pressure to collect maximum points after experiencing an inconsistent start to their Group L campaign, including a 3-0 defeat away to Guinea-Bissau. Taifa Stars drew 1-1 with Madagascar in their previous qualifying outing after losing their opening match 2-0 to Guinea-Bissau.

Although Tanzania have already secured qualification for the 2027 AFCON finals as co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda, the matches remain important for the team’s preparations and international competitiveness.

The 2027 tournament will be staged in the three East African countries from June 19 to July 17, providing Taifa Stars with an opportunity to strengthen their standing ahead of playing on home soil.

Samia sends condolences to families of three students killed in Arusha

Arusha. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has sent condolences to the families of three Mringa Secondary School students who died after being struck by a vehicle while returning home from school, Arumeru District Commissioner, Ms Neema Lugangira, has said.

Ms Lugangira said President Hassan has asked her to convey her condolences to the families of Jessica Ngotiek, Catherine Mosha and Bianca Mgongo, who died in the accident on Friday, October 30, 2026.

The district commissioner was speaking on Monday, November 2, 2026, during a special farewell service held before the students were buried in their respective homes in Kilimanjaro and Mara regions.

Ms Lugangira said she was shocked to find cargo being transferred from the vehicle involved in the accident into another lorry when she arrived at the scene.

She ordered the goods detained at Ngaramtoni Police Station until the driver was arrested, insisting that vehicle owners should also be held accountable for accidents involving their vehicles.

‘The police should also investigate drivers’ employment contracts, licences and professional competence to prevent situations in which drivers cause fatal accidents and flee, leaving vehicle owners claiming they do not know them,’ directed Ms Lugangira.

The commissioner also highlighted the difficult circumstances facing Catherine’s family, whose father is bedridden.

She said the student had previously declined a sponsorship opportunity that would have enabled her to study in a more conducive environment because she wanted to remain at home and help her mother care for her father.

Ms Lugangira directed the Council Executive Director to ensure the father was transferred to Mount Meru Hospital and that his wish to see his daughter’s coffin was fulfilled.

Arusha Regional Education Officer, Mr Vincent Kayombo, said the deaths were a major blow to teachers, who regarded their students as children entrusted to their academic and parental care.

He urged teachers to intensify road safety education while calling on authorities to strengthen driver training, vigilance and enforcement of traffic laws.

School reports indicate that the three students were standing by the roadside waiting for transport when the accident occurred.

Arusha District Council Chairman, Mr Baraka Ole Mesiaki, described the deaths as a devastating loss to the families, community and nation, given the students’ potential.

The school’s headteacher, Mr Salimu Makaka, said the institution had lost three disciplined, hardworking and caring Form Three students with promising futures.

Police Gender Desk head Tausi Mbaramwezi urged motorists to observe traffic regulations and vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy, warning that legal action would be taken against offenders.