Three Injured As Building Collapses At Anwiafutu

Three people have been injured after a residential building collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Anwiafutu in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region.

According to the Atwima Mponua District National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Secretariat, the incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. and left the occupants trapped under the debris before being rescued by residents.

The victims, identified as 35-year-old Kidikpa Kpe, his wife, Mary Mako, aged 40, and their 11-year-old daughter, Selina Tetteh, all sustained varying degrees of injuries. Mr. Kpe suffered waist injuries, while his wife sustained wounds on her leg and waist. Their daughter sustained a serious head injury during the incident.

Preliminary investigations by NADMO revealed that the collapse resulted from the weak structure of the building.

NADMO officials have since visited the scene to assess the extent of the damage as well as provide emergency support to the affected family. The organisation has also cautioned residents to ensure that their buildings are structurally sound, to prevent future occurrences.

The victims are currently receiving medical care.

Betrayal of trust

Today, 24 October marks 2,411 days since the devastating Easter Sunday bombings shook Sri Lanka, leaving a trail of death, destruction, and despair in their wake. On 21 April 2019, coordinated suicide bomb attacks targeted churches and luxury hotels, claiming the lives of 270 innocent people and injuring over 500 others.

The painfully slow progress the investigation has traversed in is to create nothing more important than public distrust.

The attacks, initially said to have been claimed by the Islamic State, were a brutal reminder of the threat of terrorism and the importance of ongoing vigilance. Investigators have cast doubt on the Islamic State angle. If at all that angle is nothing more than a red herring.

A singular and spectacular judgement call was made by now disgraced Nilantha Jayawardena who was ejected by the Police Force for dereliction of his fundamental duty of care to the sovereign people of Sri Lanka. Criticism of Nilantha Jayawardena is even more potent considering he had military intelligence sent by India’s RAW. In spite of the devastating advisory coming to him a full two weeks before the event, Jayawardena failed to bring this to the notice of churches or hotels and the public at large. The carnage that followed was inevitable. And what was the motive for this attack? Why was the Taj Hotel spared, did Jameel kill himself or was he blown up by remote control after he met with Intel personnel? Indeed, did he meet such people at all?

However, as the years have passed, it has become abundantly clear that the Government’s response to the attacks has been woefully inadequate and certainly disgraceful.

A conspiracy of silence

Despite promises of a thorough investigation and swift justice, the Government has yet to hold those responsible for the attacks accountable. The lack of progress is staggering, with key officials implicated in the attacks and some still occupying positions of power.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the political beneficiary of the fear psychosis generated by the Easter bombings, described the Channel 4 documentary on the subject as being, ‘absurd . a tissue of lies’.

If anything, it is the State lethargy and lack of commitment that is absurd and the various statements and undertakings that have proven to be a tissue of lies.

Tonto Dikeh Goes Through Spiritual Rebirth

Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has revealed how she overcame depression and emotional pain through her renewed faith in God.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, the actress shared that she once struggled with anger, sadness, and suicidal thoughts before finding peace through spiritual rebirth.

‘Depression was my companion; I wore pain like a second skin until God said, ‘Rise,’ and I did,’ Dikeh wrote.

She explained that surrendering to God helped her replace anger with calmness and understanding. The mother of one added that her healing journey taught her to approach others with empathy instead of judgment.

Dikeh also revealed that she has embraced celibacy as part of her commitment to living a godly life, saying she has returned to her ‘first love, God,’ after years of struggle and emotional turmoil.

57 Nigerians Rescued, 5 Arrested In Human Trafficking, Cybercrime Syndicate Bust

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has arrested five individuals believed to be behind a human trafficking and cybercrime syndicate that smuggled 57 Nigerians into the country under false pretenses.

The suspects identified as Joel Nosa, Collins Rotimi, Shadrack Lulu, Austin Amahuaro, and John Uloko were apprehended in a coordinated intelligence-led operation at Adom Estates, Community 25, near Tema.

According to a statement signed by Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, Public Relations Officer for the CID, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects lured their victims, mostly young men and women aged between 18 and 26 years, from Nigeria with promises of employment and educational opportunities in Ghana.

However, upon arrival, the victims were coerced into engaging in online romance scams and other cyber-related crimes.

During the operation, the police seized 77 laptops, 38 mobile phones, two vehicles, three television sets, and several other internet-enabled devices suspected to have been used in committing the crimes.

‘All 57 rescued victims are currently receiving the necessary care and support, while the suspects remain in police custody assisting with ongoing investigations,’ said Chief Inspector Babanawo

The retrieved electronic devices have also been secured for forensic examination as part of efforts to build a solid case against the suspects.

The Ghana Police Service has cautioned the public particularly the youth to exercise vigilance regarding offers of employment, education, or travel made through social media or unverified sources, warning that such schemes are often used as fronts for human trafficking and exploitation.

The Ghana Police Service reaffirmed their commitment to fighting human trafficking and cybercrime.

The service further urged anyone with credible information on similar criminal activities to report promptly to the nearest police station.

SLC conducts Phase One of SLC Level III Coaching Course

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has successfully completed Phase One of the SLC Level III Coaching Course, conducted with the aim of developing coaches to strengthen the country’s elite level of the player pathway, which feeds into the national system.

Accordingly, 21 participants consisting of premier clubs and SLC Provincial Coaches followed the course, and among them were seven former national players.

The five-day course featured an intensive blend of classroom sessions, group discussions, and practical sessions, led by some of SLC’s most experienced educators and subject specialists.

The program covered a comprehensive range of areas vital to modern-day cricket, focussing on high-performance culture, athlete management, team branding, mental skills, skill adaptability and execution, biomechanics and movement analysis, performance analysis, high-performance planning and periodisation, strength and conditioning, and media and communication.

These sessions were conducted as part of the ongoing coach education and development initiative by SLC, aimed at strengthening the knowledge base of coaches and aligning their approach with international high-performance standards.

The candidates also completed pre-course assignments prior to the start of the course and were engaged with in-course assignments during the five-day program. They were given post-course assignments to be completed by 31 March 2026.

Completion of all assignments is required before progressing to Phase II, scheduled to commence in April 2026.

The Coach Education Unit is part of the National High Performance Centre of the SLC.

Bryan Explains Fertiliser Distribution Allegation

The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Ejura in the 2024 elections, Gifty Ndomah, has confronted Dr. Bryan Acheampong, former Minister for Agriculture and one of the flagbearer hopefuls of the NPP with a charge that fertiliser meant for distribution to constituencies were withheld by some parliamentary candidates who, she alleged, intended to smuggle same.

Dr. Bryan Acheampong, who is also Member of Parliament (MP) for Abetifi, has however refuted claims that he distributed government fertilisers to New Patriotic Party parliamentary candidates during the 2024 general election.

According to him, the fertilisers were distributed through the ministry’s district agricultural offices, not through political party structures.

Speaking later at a rally in Ejura as part of his campaign ahead of the NPP’s forthcoming presidential primaries, Dr. Acheampong described the allegations as false and misleading.

He insisted that fertilisers purchased with public funds could not have been allocated to political candidates, as that would constitute an abuse of government resources.

‘The government can’t distribute fertilisers from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to your parliamentary candidate on the ticket of a political party. That’s not how government funds are used,’ he said.

‘If that were the case, then during election period, government funds would have been taken and given to our parliamentary candidates across the country – but that’s not how a country is governed,’ he pointed out.

Dr. Acheampong further explained that all fertilisers under the government’s agricultural programmes were dispatched to the district level for accountability and proper supervision.

‘When the fertilisers are sent to the district, then during its distribution, as your party is in government, you can have an influence, but in terms of accountability and responsibility, it is not in your hands,’ he stated.

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo heralds festive season with annual cake mixing ceremony

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo recently welcomed the festive season with its much-anticipated annual cake mixing ceremony, held at the hotel’s scenic Pool Terrace overlooking the Beira Lake.

The cherished tradition marked the official start of Christmas celebrations at the property, bringing together corporate partners, media, and loyal patrons for an evening filled with festive cheer and camaraderie.

Guests joined the hotel’s culinary team in the age-old ritual of blending a rich medley of dried fruits, nuts, and aromatic spices – the heart of the hotel’s signature Christmas cakes and puddings.

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo General Manager Dushyantha Tittawella shared his thoughts: ‘The cake mixing ceremony is one of our most treasured traditions, symbolising the spirit of joy, gratitude, and togetherness. At Cinnamon Lakeside, we take pride in creating experiences that bring people closer – blending heritage, craftsmanship, and warm hospitality into moments that our guests carry with them well beyond the festive season.’

The celebration highlighted the artistry of the hotel’s culinary brigade, led by Executive Chef Ashan Liyanage, who guided guests through the ceremonial mixing. Enhanced by elegant festive décor, the event perfectly captured Cinnamon Lakeside’s signature charm as a true ‘Resort in the City’ – a tranquil escape in the heart of Colombo.

Now an eagerly awaited highlight on the city’s festive calendar, the cake mixing ceremony underscores Cinnamon Lakeside’s commitment to preserving timeless culinary traditions while celebrating community spirit. The event also set the stage for the hotel’s festive offerings, which include handcrafted Christmas cakes, hampers, and gourmet dining experiences across its restaurants and outlets throughout the season.

I’ll Quit Music If Kuami Eugene Rises Again – Kwame Yogot

Rapper, Kwame Yogot, has launched a blistering attack on fellow artist, Kuami Eugene, warning that he will quit the music industry if Eugene makes a comeback.

Speaking to Fiifi Pratt, Yogot left no doubt about his feelings: ‘If Kuami Eugene ever succeeds in music again, I, Kwame Yogot, will stop music,’ he added.

The feud, Yogot says, stems from an alleged betrayal – claims that Eugene tried to sell Yogot’s music to a political party without proper payment.

Yogot has also accused Eugene of greed and short-changing artists who collaborate with him.

The pair previously teamed up on the hit ‘Biibi Besi,’ but that shared history hasn’t cooled Yogot’s anger.

’E-Procurement System Key To Upholding Fiscal Discipline’

Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has called on stakeholders in the procurement sector to fully adopt the Public Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS) in order to help uphold fiscal discipline.

Speaking at the 11th Public Procurement forum in Accra yesterday, the Deputy Minister said the continued reform of Ghana’s procurement system is important to ensuring effective public procurement processes.

He indicated that next year would mark three decades since the country first embarked on comprehensive public procurement reforms noting that the enactment of the Public Procurement Act 2003 (Act 663) and subsequent amendments, including those in 2016 and 2025, laid the legal foundation for a transparent, fair, and accountable procurement system.

‘These reforms are not merely legislative changes, they represent a fundamental re-engineering of processes, anchored in digital transformation, through the Ghana Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS).’

He also stated that public procurement is not only meant for administrative purposes but a strategic tool that shapes government spending and drives the country’s economic growth.

According to the Minister, Public procurement accounts for between 13 to 20 percent of Ghana’s GDP, with over 40 percent of the country’s total domestic revenue for 2025 expected to pass through the procurement system.

That, he explained, highlights the importance of ensuring that procurement processes are conducted with the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

He further expressed the government commitment to integrating procurement systems and ensuring compliance with established frameworks to prevent leakages and ensure that every cedi spent serves its intended public purpose.

Chief Executive Officer of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), Frank Mantey, for his part said electronic procurement is useful in addressing corruption and improving efficiency in public procurement.

He cited the example of South Korea where e-procurement has over the years supported the growth of Small Medium enterprises (SMEs)

The PPA boss also added that ‘Incorporating e-procurement into Ghana’s procurement landscape will allow us to keep pace with global trends and reap the benefits of digital transformation.’

Amma Nissa celebrates second restaurant opening in Galle Fort

Amma Nissa, the beloved Sri Lankan restaurant known for its soulful home-style cooking and warm hospitality, recently celebrated the grand opening of its second branch in the heart of Galle Fort.

Following the success of its flagship restaurant, Amma Nissa continues its journey of sharing authentic Sri Lankan flavours inspired by family recipes passed down through generations. The new space reflects the brand’s signature charm – a blend of vintage warmth, local artistry, and contemporary comfort – inviting guests to experience the taste of Sri Lanka in a setting that feels like home.

The launch event welcomed loyal guests, friends, partners and members of the community for an evening of celebration, flavour, and togetherness. Guests were treated to signature dishes, traditional music, and heartfelt stories behind the restaurant’s journey – an embodiment of Amma Nissa’s belief that food connects people beyond tables.

Amma Nissa Founder Shaza H Muzammil said: ‘Amma Nissa has always been more than just a restaurant – it’s a celebration of our heritage, our mothers’ kitchens, and the flavours that define who we are. Opening our second branch is both humbling and exciting, and we’re grateful to everyone who’s been part of this journey.’

With its new opening, Amma Nissa aims to continue supporting local farmers and producers while offering guests an authentic taste of Sri Lankan cuisine – honest, heartwarming, and rooted in culture.

The celebration, held on 18 October, was organised as a heartfelt gesture of appreciation to all those who have supported and contributed to the success and continued growth of Amma Nissa’s second outlet in Galle Fort, Sri Lanka.

The team – Shaza, Madusha, and Yaso – extend their sincere gratitude to everyone who has been part of this journey who continue to inspire and uplift the Amma Nissa story.

Pix by Daminda Harsha Perera