Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

THE ICONIC Ismailia-Suez Canal Stadium has been confirmed as the venue for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 qualifier between Egypt and Ghana’s Black Queens.

The much-anticipated first-leg clash is set for Wednesday, October 23, 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 19:00 local time.

It promises to be an exciting encounter as both nations battle for an early advantage in their quest to book a place at the continental showpiece in Morocco.

Ghana’s Black Queens, led by Head Coach Kim Lars Björkegren, will aim to build on their impressive resurgence in women’s football following their bronze medal finish at the previous WAFCON.

The team will be eager to make a strong statement on foreign soil before returning home for the second leg at the Accra Sports Stadium.

With both sides determined to secure qualification, fans can look forward to a thrilling night of top-class women’s football at the historic Ismailia-Suez Canal Stadium.

BLACK STARS captain Jordan Ayew has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Ghanaians following the team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

In a statement, Ayew thanked his teammates, coaching staff, the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Government of Ghana, and fans nationwide for their unwavering support throughout the qualifiers.

‘I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your undiluted support throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers,’ Ayew said.

‘As captain of the Black Stars, I’m honoured to lead this talented group of players, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together.’

He praised his teammates for their dedication and unity, acknowledged the technical team’s leadership, and commended the GFA and government for their continued backing.

Ayew also thanked fans for their love and passion, describing them as the team’s biggest motivation.

The Black Stars booked their fifth consecutive World Cup appearance after defeating Comoros 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium last Sunday to top Group I.

Ayew played a key role in the campaign, registering 14 goal contributions – seven goals and seven assists.

Mr. Stephen Adjokatcher, President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), has been elected Vice President of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), the global body for Freight Forwarders.

The election took place at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi, Vietnam, at the FIATA World Congress 2025, held from October 6 to 10.

His election marks a significant milestone not only for Ghana but for the African freight forwarding community, as Mr. Adjokatcher brings decades of experience and leadership to the global logistics platform.

In stiff competition with 13 other candidates, Mr. Adjokatcher emerged victorious. Other countries who contested the vice presidency included, India, Italy, Columbia, Vietnam, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Iran, Chinese Taipei and Egypt.

In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Adjokatcher expressed gratitude to the newly elected President, Thomas Sim from Singapore and the Director-General of FIATA, Mr. Stephane Graber for the confidence placed in him by FIATA’s member associations, and reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the pressing challenges confronting the global logistics and transport sector.

‘The world is experiencing rapid changes in supply chain dynamics, digitalisation, and sustainability expectations. As Vice President, I am dedicated to collaborating with stakeholders worldwide to develop practical, future-oriented solutions,’ he stated.

He added that ‘Together, we must ensure that the freight forwarding industry stays resilient, efficient, and inclusive amid global disruptions.’

Even before his election, Mr. Adjokatcher had already initiated measures aimed at connecting the Togolese Association, Union Professionnel Des Agrés en Douane du Togo (UPRAD TOGO) with FIATA. This has allowed the Togolese Freight Forwarders to access the benefits of the global organisation.

An astute Freight Forwarder of several decades, Mr. Adjokatcher is also the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Santa Shipping Company.

The 2025 FIATA World Congress, under the theme, ‘Green and Resilient Logistics’, brought together more than 1,000 leaders in the logistics and transport sectors from 100 countries across the world.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the congress after his election, Mr. Adjokatcher expressed gratitude to the delegates for the confidence reposed in him, promising to perform his duties diligently and to the best of his ability.

He thanked his colleagues from GIFF who went with him to the congress for the support they gave him, which paved the way for his election.

Under his leadership at GIFF, Mr. Adjokatcher has been instrumental in driving regulatory reforms, capacity building, and the digital transformation of freight forwarding in Ghana.

For almost 100 years, FIATA has been convening industry leaders and innovators in logistics at its flagship FIATA World Congress (FWC) to discuss industry challenges and trends.

This annual event, which takes place around September and October, brings together around 700 to 1,000 participants from the logistics, transport, and cargo industries, as well as observers from other sectors and a number of institutional attendees.

FIATA, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, represents over 40,000 forwarding and logistics firms worldwide.

About 49 breast cancer cases recorded in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Prestea Huni Valley municipalities of the Western Region over the past year, have been referred for further assessment and care.

The cases were recorded when 283 women were screened for breast cancer in various community medical outreaches organised by Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF).

This came to light when the Foundation hosted its Quarter Four (Q4) Breast Cancer and Community Medical Outreach programme at New Atuabo, under the ‘Pinktober’ 2025 theme: ‘Support, Screen and Survive.’

The event was held in collaboration with Telecel Ghana, Unilever Ghana and the Rotary Club of Tarkwa for residents from New Atuabo and surrounding communities.

A key highlight of the event was a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration exercise, during which Telecel Ghana sponsored 500 NHIS registrations and provided medical equipment for ultrasound scanning.

In all, 741 community members were registered or had their cards renewed.

Unilever Ghana also supported with the donation of toothpaste and hygiene supplies, which were distributed to all participants.

Ayishetu Mohammed, Project Coordinator of GFGF, explained that the outreach formed part of the Foundation’s Group Legacy Programme (GLP).

She said the GLP prioritises health awareness campaigns and access to quality healthcare as a cornerstone of sustainable community development.

‘It also reaffirmed Gold Fields’ alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,’ she added.

She noted that the outreach placed strong emphasis on breast cancer education and screening to commemorate the breast cancer awareness month, also called ‘Pinktober’.

She said beyond the cancer screening, attendees received an array of essential health services, including blood sugar and pressure checks.

They also received BMI assessments, malaria testing, dental and eye examinations, ENT consultations, and access to free medications.

‘To date, the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has invested over $4.9 million in health and wellness initiatives,’ she stressed.

Dr. Magdalene Bakari, Lead Specialist on Health at Gold Fields Ghana, described breast cancer as the most common cancer in the country, and said when detected early, it could be treated.

A total of hundred young ladies have been trained in digital skills, particularly in coding, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence (AI) during the 2025 Girl Code Hackathon organised in Accra.

Supported by MTN Ghana Foundation and Absa Bank Ghana, this initiative reaffirmed their commitment to digital inclusion and women’s empowerment through the 2025 edition of the Girl Code Hackathon.

At the end of the hackathon, participants were tasked to develop application to solve everyday challenges, Lockedin won the competition followed by Real Woman and A Connect taking the second and third positions respectively.

Each of the winning team members received one tablet, keyboard, wireless mouse, headset and a book.

Speaking at the 30-hour hackathon, Senior Manager of the MTN Ghana Foundation, Robert Kuzoe, said the programme reflects MTN’s broader mission to equip young women with the technical and soft skills necessary to excel in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

‘Today’s programme is something we do every year. We bring together young women from tertiary institutions – a couple of hundred girls – for a hackathon that challenges their minds and creativity. The goal is to empower them with digital skills, particularly in coding, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence,’ he said.

Mr. Kuzoe explained that the hackathon encourages participants to identify pressing social and business problems in their communities and to develop technology-driven solutions to address them.

He described this year’s edition as unique because it focuses exclusively on tertiary-level participants, who are expected to deliver more advanced and refined ideas.

Head of Technology and Service Management at Absa Bank Ghana, Anita Twum-Ampofo, encouraged young women in technology to develop innovative, inclusive, and secure digital solutions that respond to the needs of ordinary Africans.

Speaking under the theme, ‘Future-Proofing Africa: Innovation at the Intersection of Fintech, Cybersecurity, and AI,’ she noted the importance of using technology as a force for inclusion, empowerment, and ethical transformation.

She stressed that Africa’s young population and rapidly growing digital economy present not only immense opportunities, but also responsibilities to ensure trust and inclusion in technology.

CEO and Founder of GirlCode, Zandile Mkwanazi, outlined the main judging criteria for the competition, noting that teams would be assessed based on four key areas – innovation activity, technical execution, impact and usefulness, and presentation or demonstration.

A Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana, Justice Dennis Dominic Adjei, has launched a new book which explores the global framework of international human rights law and its relevance to Africa’s judicial practice.

The 20-chapter book, titled ‘International Human and Peoples’ Rights: Law and Practice,’ examines major human rights systems, landmark cases, and evolving legal principles from civil and political rights to economic, social, and collective dimensions.

The launch took place at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences last Friday in Accra.

Justice Adjei, who also serves as a Judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, mentioned that his motivation for writing the book came from the need to bridge the gap between theory and practice in international human rights jurisprudence.

‘Wherever I travel, whether to a library or a bookshop, I find literature on the African, Inter-American, and European human rights courts, as well as on the ICC and ICJ, but never in a single volume. This book brings them all together,’ he said.

He further explained that the book contains simple language which can help leaders to understand how international courts operate.

‘Everybody must get a copy. The language is simple and engaging. It will help not only lawyers but also institutional leaders and scholars to understand how international courts operate,’ he stressed.

Justice Adjei emphasised the need for countries to honour their treaty obligations once they ratify international conventions, and distinguished between ‘human rights,’ which belong to individuals, and ‘peoples’ rights,’ which are collective.

He also highlighted the importance of legal interpretation in adjudication, stressing that ‘interpretation is not common sense; it is the effective use of appropriate legal tools.’

The chairman of the book launch, former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Rev. Aaron Mike Oquaye, lauded Justice Dennis Dominic Adjei for his remarkable scholarly contributions to legal education and jurisprudence.

He described the author as a ‘distinguished scholar and luminary’ whose works have enriched both academia and the judiciary.

He further commended Justice Adjei for his diligence in keeping his writings current and relevant in a rapidly evolving legal environment.

‘He continues to revise his texts to maintain their accuracy and usefulness. That discipline is the hallmark of a serious scholar,’ Prof. Oquaye stated.

The launch also marked the reintroduction of three revised editions of Justice Adjei’s earlier works: ‘Modern Approach to the Law of Interpretation in Ghana, Alternative Dispute Resolution: A Ghanaian Perspective’ (co-authored with Justice Barbara Ackah-Yensu), and ‘Essential Laws on Credit Creation and Administration of Security Interests: A Ghanaian Perspective’.

Prof. Oquaye described each of the books as ‘authoritative and timely’ additions to Ghana’s legal literature.

‘It combines academic depth with practical insight-a one-stop resource that reflects deep research, global exposure, and unwavering dedication to advancing the law,’ he said, as he officially launched the 968-page publication.

The book was reviewed by media personality and private legal practitioner, Samson Lardy Anyenini.

A number of African parliamentarians have pledged to uphold The Accra Declaration on Freedom of Religion or Belief, recognising it as a significant document for promoting and protecting freedom of religion or belief across Africa.

This commitment was made during a three-day workshop organised by the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) and the International Panel of Parliamentary Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) Academy, held in Accra from October 6 to 8, 2025.

Parliamentary representatives from countries such as Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, and Malawi expressed their commitment to strengthening human rights in Africa by fostering interfaith dialogue and cooperation, protecting vulnerable communities, as well as promoting democratic values and good governance.

The declaration, adopted on October 8, 2025, affirmed their commitment to stand in solidarity with victims of religious violence and to denounce acts of violence as well as incitement to hatred based on religion or belief. It emphasised the importance of ensuring the right to remedy for victims and engaging with affected communities respectfully.

Additionally, the declaration seeks to ban harmful traditional practices, such as child marriage, and ensure that laws and policies related to freedom of religion or belief comply with international human rights standards at all levels. It also encourages various African countries to work in coordination with their governments to request the official visit of the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief to assess the situation regarding this fundamental right.

The parliamentarians pledged to refrain from weaponising religion for political purposes and to effectively combat incitement to hatred, as well as religious intolerance and discrimination, both online and offline.

Prof. Nazila Ghanea, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, delivered a presentation highlighting various UN mechanisms used to promote and protect this right, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 18).

Her presentation provided valuable insights into the UN’s role in advocating for freedom of religion or belief. The event sparked discussions and raised awareness among parliamentarians about the significance of UN mechanisms in advancing freedom of religion or belief in Africa.

Rev. Dr. Johnson Mbilla also delivered a talk titled ‘Politics, Religion, and Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB): Focus on Africa,’ offering a timely perspective on the regional context and underscoring the importance of FoRB in the continent. He explored the complex relationships between politics, religion, and FoRB in Africa.

Over hundred women and men at Tema community 23 and its environs gathered at the 3 Angels Medical Centre to partake in the Breast Cancer awareness programme .

The advocacy programme organised by Essential Cosmetics in partnership with 3 Angels Medical Centre seek to educate women on the importance of regular mammograms, clinical breast exams, and self-exams in detecting breast cancer early. Also, participants were educated on risk factors of the cancer which include genetics, family history, age, and lifestyle.

CEO of Essential Cosmetics, Joyce Konadu Idun, said the programme is based on her outfit’s strong commitment to health and community support by making breast cancer awareness a central part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

‘At essential, every year, we organise breast cancer awareness event with medical centers, and this year we decided to partner with 3 Angels Medical Center because they are also in support of the breast cancer awareness drive,’ she said.

Ms. Konadu Idun emphasised that many women are hesitant to undergo screening because they fear the potential diagnosis, saying, ‘they often think that ignorance is bliss, believing that if they don’t know about the cancer, it won’t affect them.’

However, Ms. Konadu Idun stressed that early detection is crucial in the fight against breast cancer. She encouraged women to take proactive steps and get screened, so that if cancer is detected, they can work together to combat it.

CEO of 3 Angels Medical Center, Samuel Tagoe expressed the medical center’s excitement to be part of the programme.

‘We partnered to create awareness on the need for everybody to know what is happening to their breast. You should know your breast so much so that when you notice any change in it, you can immediately seek advice, medical advice, that is the sense of this programme,’ he said.

He announced that their facility will be offering free breast screening throughout the month of October.

‘We’ve done breast cleaning, the goal is to spread awareness about breast cancer, which is treatable when detected early,’ he said, inviting women to walk in at any time for a screening by the medical staff.

A section of the participants

The Dzidula Pink Foundation Breast Cancer Survival, Fafa Gozo, said women should prioritise early screening to prevent the cancer spread.

GHANAIAN REGGAE and dancehall artiste, Larruso, known for hit singles like ‘Killy Killy’ and ‘Midnight,’ has dropped his highly anticipated album titled ‘We Thank God (WTG)’.

Songs on the album include ‘Holy,’ ‘Outside,’ ‘Dark Skin’ featuring Stonebwoy, produced by Gigz Beatz; ‘I Will Be With You,’ produced by Beatzdakay; ‘Lucky,’ produced by MixPro; ‘Glory,’ produced by Kwaku Zyme; ‘Enter,’ produced by Jesse Kyn; and ‘Gravest Shallows,’ featuring Sixbhad and produced by Network.

Larruso, in a couple of posts on X, appreciated the team behind the production of the album. He wrote, ‘The journey, the lessons, the blessings. all led us here. Each track tells a story, and every story ends the same: We Thank God (WTG). To everyone who made this possible, @stonebwoy, the Team at New Generation Records, and all the producers who made these words a melody.God bless!!’

He is signed to Jadon Shatta Entertainment and has collaborated with notable artistes such as Stonebwoy, Kwesi Arthur, Bella Shmurda, and Samini. Some of his popular works include the ‘New Gen EP’ and ‘Sounds from the Slums EP’. Larruso’s music style blends Afrobeat, reggae, and dancehall, making him a rising star in the Ghanaian music scene.

In a nation grappling with climate change, food insecurity, and a youth unemployment crisis, Ghana’s school gardens hold transformative potential.

These student-run plots are not just patches of dirt; they are living classrooms where children learn science by testing soil, math by measuring yields, and the value of sustainability by growing or rearing their own food.

With the 2025 Presidential Initiative on School Farms Initiative (SFI) aiming to turn over 700 schools into agricultural hubs, Ghana stands at a pivotal moment. But history offers a stark warning: good intentions alone won’t suffice. Without clear operational plans and a commitment to learning from past failures, this latest push risks becoming another romanticised dream left to wither.

School gardens have long been a symbol of promise in Ghana. In the 1970s, General I.K. Acheampong’s Operation Feed Yourself (OFY) programme rallied students to grow crops like sugarcane, envisioning schools as engines of economic self-reliance. The vision was bold, but execution faltered.

Inadequate supplies, poor storage, and economic turmoil led to wasted harvests and persistent food shortages. Successive governments have since championed school gardens as solutions to hunger and disengaged youth, yet each effort has stumbled over the same hurdles: insufficient resources, political favoritism, and a failure to shift perceptions of farming as punishment rather than opportunity.

The 1980s saw fleeting successes, like Peki High School’s award-winning gardens, but the 1990s brought a decline as structural adjustment policies sidelined community farming. A revival in the 2000s came through groups like 4-H Ghana, which by 2012 had cultivated over 70 acres, teaching leadership and agribusiness. Media outlets like the Daily Graphic pressed for mandatory school gardens, linking them to nutrition and jobs. By 2018, the National Service Scheme piloted farming projects, building on reports that gardens could bolster the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP).

A beacon of hope emerged in 2010 with the founding of the Reach Out to Future Leaders Movement (ROFLM) by environmental scientist Alfred Godwin Adjabeng. In 2011, its School Farms introduced community-driven gardens in schools such as Savelugu Senior High and St. Agnes Senior High in the Upper West Region, cultivating maize and sorghum that reduced meal costs by 40%.

Building on this impact, the initiative expanded to institutions like Mawuli School and Heritage Academy, and in 2022, ROFLM rebranded as School Farms. Today, it champions climate-smart practices including greenhouse farming, mushroom cultivation, animal rearing, and aquaculture, while fostering entrepreneurship and nutrition through its Nourish Lab. Its story demonstrates the transformative power of vision put into action.

Under President Nana Akufo-Addo (2017-2024), the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme encouraged schools to grow crops, with all public senior high schools included by 2018. But political patronage and patchy support limited impact, echoing OFY’s missteps.

The 2020 pandemic sparked renewed interest in self-sufficiency, followed by initiatives like the 2022 Blue Skies/KIC/Mastercard Foundation School Farm Competition. Now, in 2025, President John Dramani Mahama’s SFI aims to transform 15,000 acres across 700 schools, targeting crops like rice and maize to slash Free SHS feeding costs, which hit $2.8 billion in 2024. With plans for seeds, mechanisation, and 10,000 jobs for agriculture graduates, the initiative, aligns with the ‘Feed Ghana’ campaign. Yet, without addressing past pitfalls, it risks becoming another fleeting ambition.

History reveals persistent obstacles: limited partnerships with private sector actors such as nonprofit organisations, including School Farms, which has operated in Ghana for more than 11 years, or other social enterprises as implementers; unsustained funding; inadequate irrigation and tools; political interference; and the stigma of farming as punishment.

Overlapping academic and farming schedules, ecological shocks, and insufficient training further undermine engagement. The model of the School Farms organisation offers a blueprint that is community-driven, climate-smart, and focused on empowerment.

To succeed, the government’s SFI must establish clear guidelines, ensure sustained funding, and lead cultural campaigns that reframe agriculture as a career of pride.

The stakes are high. School gardens align with Ghana’s competency-based curriculum, teaching science, career technology, and mathematics through hands-on projects. Ghana’s leaders must move beyond rhetoric. Modest investments in infrastructure, training, and partnerships can yield outsized results.

As Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor has said, this is about empowering a generation to see agriculture as opportunity. The promise of school gardens or farms is real, but only if Ghana plants them with the wisdom of its past and the clarity of a focused future.