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Ghanaian educationist and global thought leader, Professor Kwame Akyeampong, is set to launch his latest book, co-authored with Dr. Sean Higgins, titled, ‘Reconceptualising the Learning Crisis in Africa: Multi-dimensional Pedagogies of Accelerated Learning Programmes.’

The event will take place on October 22, 2025, at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra.

The book is a powerful critique of dominant global narratives that have long characterised Africa’s education systems as deficient. Drawing on decades of research, fieldwork, and real-world case studies in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Liberia, the authors argue for a radical shift in how Africa’s so-called ‘learning crisis’ is understood and addressed.

Rather than focusing narrowly on test scores and literacy gaps, the book advocates for inclusive, locally grounded, and African-rooted pedagogies that centre children’s lived experiences, local languages, and the relational philosophy of Ubuntu.

The event, supported by T-TEL Ghana, Luminos Fund, Jacobs Foundation, IDP Foundation, Yidan Prize Foundation, and mc2h Foundation, is expected to draw a distinguished audience of academics, policymakers, development partners, civil society leaders, and education practitioners from across the country and beyond.

Prof. Akyeampong, who is currently Professor of International Education and Development at the Open University (UK) and the Founding Director of its Centre for the Study of Global Development, has long championed educational strategies that reflect the cultural, social, and linguistic realities of African learners.

His career spans over three decades, including leadership roles in UNESCO and advisory positions with institutions such as the Luminos Fund, T-TEL, Jacobs Foundation, Yidan Prize Foundation, mc2h Foundation and the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development.

In Reconceptualising the Learning Crisis in Africa, Akyeampong and Higgins argue that:

The ‘learning crisis’ in Africa is not just a technical challenge but an ethical failure of the international development community to uphold educational justice.

Framing African children, teachers, and communities in deficit terms undermines their identity, agency, and potential.

The use of local languages in early education remains a critical but overlooked factor in improving learning outcomes.

Accelerated learning programmes (ALPs) offer effective, scalable models that mainstream schools can learn from.

The involvement of parents, families, and communities is essential to improving foundational learning.

African values and philosophies, especially Ubuntu, must underpin any sustainable education reform.

Case studies from the book, such as Ghana’s Complementary Basic Education (CBE) programme, Ethiopia’s Speed Schools, and Liberia’s Second Chance Programme, demonstrate how contextually relevant ALPs have delivered impressive results for out-of-school and underperforming children.

The launch will also feature a keynote address, a presentation by the authors, a panel discussion with education practitioners, and a book signing and networking session.

Attendees will discuss how the book’s insights can shape ongoing reforms in Ghana’s education sector and across the continent.

A Nigerian student, Isaac Jesutofunmi Oniti, has reportedly set a record at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

He is said to be the youngest overall graduating student, aged 19, since the founding of the institution in 1952. The former student of Seven Great Princes Academy bagged the enviable title of Valedictorian after earning a record Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA) of 87.23.

PRESIDENT Of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and CAF 2nd Vice President, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has been appointed as the Chairperson of FIFA’s Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee.

His appointment, which runs from 2025 to 2029, marks another milestone in his distinguished career and highlights Ghana’s growing influence in global football administration.

Okraku will oversee FIFA’s global strategy to combat racism and all forms of discrimination in football.

His leadership will focus on promoting equality, inclusivity, and respect across all levels of the sport from grassroots initiatives to elite competitions.

He will be supported by Mark Wade of Bermuda, who has been named Deputy Chairperson, along with 19 other members representing various FIFA Member Associations.

Okraku’s appointment reflects FIFA’s confidence in his experience, leadership, and dedication to using football as a platform for unity and social change.

Before taking up this role, Okraku served as President of the West African Football Union (WAFU Zone B) for two terms and currently holds the position of CAF 2nd Vice President – the third-highest office within the Confederation’s leadership.

Since being elected as GFA President in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, Okraku has led a far-reaching reform agenda that has brought renewed growth, transparency, and development to Ghanaian football.

Earlier in his career, he served on the GFA Executive Committee and worked as the Communications and Marketing Manager for Accra Hearts of Oak, one of Ghana’s most decorated football clubs.

A graduate of the University of Liverpool with an MBA in Football Administration, Okraku combines technical expertise with visionary leadership – qualities that have earned him a reputation as one of Africa’s most forward-thinking football administrators.

German-born Ghanaian model, actress and film producer, Nana Akua Addo has explained reasons behind her less appearance at public gatherings in the country.

Speaking on TV3’s Afternoon Show, Nana Akua Addo clarified that making appearances at public gatherings are very expensive and she can’t afford to be everywhere.

‘With us, it takes a lot of preparation, and I’m very meticulous about what l wear, what l do, especially where l am going. Basically it takes a lot of time; that is why you don’t see me out a lot of time, because l can’t just afford that plus I’m a mother as well. Juggling everything together is quiet tasking,’ she said.

Speaking about her acting journey, Nana Akua Addo stated that her first role was a lead character, acting as the wife of Van Vicker in the movie titled ‘Nkuli’.

‘Acting found me, l didn’t go looking to act. When l relocated to Ghana, a producer called me saying, ‘Nana, Van Vicker needs a replacement that is Yvonne Okoro and they say we look alike so l need you to pick up the role’.

‘And it was a lead role, and l said l have never acted before. I took the chance and met Van, he was happy with me, he mentored me and went through some few coaching, and that was it,’ she disclosed.

The style icon, known for her bold and daring fashion choices, recently made waves in the fashion scene after she was spotted in a wooden handbag that became the centre of conversations on social media.

She wore a 3D-printed gown to the 2024 African Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), which was valued at ?16.5 million. The dress was a masterpiece that highlighted her sense of style and willingness to experiment with new designs.

At the 2025 AMVCA, Nana Akua Addo wore a tech-infused costume designed by Nichole Stylish and Metal Bender Studio. The outfit featured wearable ABS material and a kinetic structure that added a mesmerising effect to her overall look.

Her ability to pull off different styles and designs has earned her a reputation as a fashion icon in Ghana and beyond.

Her fashion choices have been widely covered in the media, with many praising her creativity and sense of style.

First-year Senior High School (SHS) students from the Effia Constituency in the Western Region have been urged to study hard and strive for moral and academic excellence.

The Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Director of Education, Madam Gloria Biney-Donkor made the call at a ceremony to distribute 200 metallic trunks and 200 mattresses to the first-year students.

The items, donated by the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Effia Constituency, Isaac Yaw Boamah-Nyarko, also included school bags, exercise books and provisions.

The Education Director admonished the students to justify the huge investments being made by the MP for their own good as well as their parents and the constituency.

Madam Biney-Donkor indicated that the initiative by the Effia MP has reinforced his commitment to education and youth development in the constituency.

She was hopeful that the intervention would reduce the financial pressure on parents as they prepare their children for the next stage of their academic journey.

‘I am encouraging the students to remain disciplined, focused, and determined in their studies,’ she stated.

Speaking to journalists later, the MP for Effia, Boamah-Nyarko noted that education remains his number one priority.

‘So it is important that we send a signal to our children that when they work hard and pass their examination well, they will be rewarded,’ he stressed.

He disclosed that students going to boarding houses were given the trunks and mattresses in addition to the bags and provisions, while the day students received school bags and provisions.

Mr. Boamah-Nyarko also indicated that he was identifying some needy parents whose children have qualified into SHS so he can extend some support to them.

‘These and other initiatives are broader ways of ensuring quality of education in the constituency,’ he mentioned.

The MP revealed that he also gave a significant support to an initiative by the municipal education directorate christened ‘Teachers Prize’.

He said it was aimed among others to motivate the teachers to also give their best.

The MP gave special awards, including cash prizes to students who excelled in the last Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the constituency.

The incident, which occurred last week, has left many farmers counting their losses and struggling to make ends meet. They claim the guards stormed the area without prior warning and cleared the farmlands, leaving behind destruction and despair.

Several affected farmers told reporters that they had invested heavily in their farms and depended solely on their produce to sustain their families.

‘This is all we have worked for. Now everything is gone,’ one farmer said in tears. ‘We were not even given a chance to harvest our crops. How are we supposed to survive?’

Another farmer expressed similar sentiments, noting that the loss has thrown their families into uncertainty.

The Nkosuohene of Manso Af?de?, Nana Kwaku Agyapong, has condemned the actions of the forest guards, describing them as excessive and inconsiderate.

‘We support the preservation of our forests, but such actions should not come at the expense of people’s livelihoods,’ he stated. ‘There must be dialogue and understanding between the Forestry Commission and our communities before such operations are carried out.’

The destruction has caused widespread fear among farmers, many of whom are now reluctant to return to their farms for fear of further attacks. Some residents also warned that the situation, if not addressed swiftly, could lead to tension and unrest in the area.

Community leaders and affected farmers are therefore appealing to the government and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to investigate the matter and ensure justice is served. They also called for compensation and the allocation of alternative farmlands to help them rebuild their lives.

The farmers emphasised that they are not against the enforcement of forestry laws, but urged authorities to adopt a more humane and consultative approach in dealing with such matters to prevent future conflicts.

THE GHANA Football Association (GFA) has released the official programme for the first-ever MTN Elite U19 Championship, an 11-day youth tournament aimed at developing and showcasing emerging football talent across the country.

Set to take place from October 23 to November 2, 2025, the competition will bring together ten Regional Football Association (RFA) U19 teams at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.

Preparations for the event will begin with a media soiree on Monday, October 13, followed by the official launch and draw on Tuesday, October 14.

A stakeholder engagement meeting between the Organising Committee and the ten RFA chairmen will then be held on Wednesday, October 15 to finalise technical and logistical arrangements for the championship.

Participating teams are expected to report to Prampram on Thursday, October 23, with the tournament officially kicking off on Friday, October 24, 2025.

Sponsored by telecommunications giant MTN, the Elite U19 Championship serves as a key youth development initiative aimed at discovering, nurturing, and advancing young footballers from the grassroots.

It will provide a valuable platform for players from the second division and regional leagues to demonstrate their skills, gain competitive experience, and draw the attention of national selectors, top academies, and professional clubs.

The initiative forms part of the GFA’s broader ‘Power to the Youth’ policy, and aligns with major football development programmes such as the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS), the Elite Academies Project, and the Catch Them Young Refereeing Programme.

According to the GFA, the maiden MTN Elite U19 Championship represents a significant step in Ghana’s football development structure, serving as a bridge between grassroots participation and elite performance – and setting the stage for the discovery of the country’s next generation of football stars.

A 45-year-old woman at Assorko Essaman in the Shama District of the Western Region identified as Regina Nyame, has died under some bizarre circumstances.

The woman and her daughter, Sheila Baidoo, 21, were in their room when someone allegedly set the building ablaze, which led to the death of the woman.

Even though the perpetrator of the alleged crime has not been identified, the residents suspect a jealous boyfriend of the deceased might be behind the attack.

Sources had it that the alleged perpetrator poured petrol into the room through the window and set it ablaze.

According to the residents, the suspected boyfriend became very angry after the woman recently informed him that she could no longer marry him.

Narrating her ordeal in an interview with Takoradi-based Connect FM, Sheila Baidoo said she was in the bedroom with her mother around 10 p.m. on Tuesday when the incident happened.

She indicated that her mother was asleep while she was still on her phone browsing social media.

She said, ‘All of a sudden, someone poured petrol and set the room on fire. It happened so fast that I could not understand what was going on, the whole room caught fire instantly.’

She said in an attempt to save her mother, she managed to pass through the fire to call for help.

‘I managed to run through the flames to call for help. People in the area rushed in and managed to quench the fire and pulled my mother out.

‘She was rushed to the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital but passed away later due to the severity of her burns.

‘The doctors were preparing to transfer her to another facility yesterday morning, but she unfortunately passed away,’ she disclosed.

Sheila stated that she also suffered some burns on her back, and was receiving treatment at the same hospital.

She asserted that her stepfather had been having issues with her mother for some time.

‘I did not see him setting the fire, but witnesses say the person they saw allegedly pouring the fuel matched his description,’ she added.

‘My mother recently told him she could not marry him, a rejection that might have triggered the act,’ she alleged.

Meanwhile, the Assembly Member for the electoral area, Nana Kwesi Arko, has indicated that the police have begun investigations into the incident.

The Black Stars took a giant step towards automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 5-0 convincing victory over Central African Republic in Morocco.

The senior national team now need just one point from their remaining qualifying match against Chad which is scheduled for October 12, 2025 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ghana could still achieve automatic qualification even if they lose the next game against Chad as they have a superior 8-goal advantage over Madagascar.

A 20th minute goal from Mohammed Salisu set the Stars on course to qualify as the team held on to end the first half without conceding.

The Black Stars made a slow start to the game but gained momentum after the first goal, and dominated the game from that point on.

The second half was a one-sided game which saw Ghana ran riot with four unanswered goals from Thomas Partey Partey, Alxeander Dziku, Jordan Ayew and Kamaldeen Sulemana who scored his first goal for the Stars,.

Ghana now needs just a draw in their last game to play in their fifth FIFA World Cup.

The Black Stars will go into the last qualifying game with confidence after the eye-catching game against Central African Republic.

They now top Group I with 22 points, three clear of second-placed Madagascar who won defeated Comoros in a 2-1 dramatic game.

Otto Addo’s team has now won seven of nine World Cup qualifiers, losing one against Comoros and drawing the other 1-1- against Chad.