In response to the call by the Minister of Health, Madam Comfort Adu Poku suggests the government reconsiders its stance and withdraws the statement to benefit public discourse.

She emphasized that nurses assist doctors in all hospital activities, urging the health minister to provide them with proper incentives and benefits

PRO of the GRNMA in the Ashanti Region, Haruna Yakubu, has also asserted that the retired nurses are not able to take on the workload.

He says they have earned the right to enjoy their retirement and relax at home.

He expressed concern that, over the years, some well-connected individuals and their relatives have benefited from government-funded scholarships they could have easily afforded themselves.

Speaking to Nana Kwadwo Jantuah on Nhyira Fm’s ‘Kro Yi Mu Nsem’ show, Mr. Asafo Agyei asserted that Ghana’s scholarships are not for sale.

He revealed that a new vetting committee has been formed to scrutinize applications more rigorously and ensure that only deserving candidates benefit.

“That era must end; we are repositioning the Secretariat to focus on brilliant but genuinely needy Ghanaian students. There is a committee set up to validate all applications and ensure that scholarships are given on merit,” he stated.

According to him, scholarship awards will now be reviewed annually, with continued support tied to academic performance, a shift intended to reward hard work and promote accountability.

“If we give you a scholarship, we shall assess your performance every year and if it is below expectation the scholarship will be revoked. We will not waste public funds on you while you don’t learn and do other things,” he stressed.

The Registrar also pointed out that going forward, the Secretariat will no longer sponsor students to study courses that are already available at Ghanaian universities. Instead, priority will be given to disciplines that align with Ghana’s future workforce needs, particularly in the sciences, robotics, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies.

“I am informing all Ghanaians that the Scholarship Secretariat will no longer sponsor beneficiaries to do programs outside the country while such programs are available in Ghana. We are cutting cost on the public purse,” Mr. Asafo-Agyei indicated.

He indicated that the Secretariat would no longer focus solely on academia. The new policy direction includes extending support to individuals in the informal sector, recognizing their role in national development and the need to build their capacity as well.

“Scholarships will be given to those in the informal sector to travel outside the country to learn and come back to improve their respective sectors. For example mechanics, artisans and farmers,” he stated.

Touching on the financial strain the Secretariat is currently facing, he disclosed that Ghana owes significant scholarship-related debts to countries like the United Kingdom, France, and Russia, a situation made worse by the rising cost of overseas education.

He also revealed that the Secretariat currently has outstanding stipend payments totaling £13 million.

He expressed concerns about the high number of graduates who enjoyed government scholarships abroad but are unwilling to return to help the country.

According to him, any student who chooses that path will automatically forfeit future stipends.

“No Objection Letters will be approved for graduates who were funded by government to stay abroad. These letters allow them to remain and work in their host countries after graduation. Any student who wants to finish and stay abroad automatically forfeit their stipends as soon as your letter is received,” said Mr. Asafo Adjei.

To bring structure and enforcement to these reforms, the Registrar disclosed that a bill currently before Parliament’s Legal Committee seeks to transform the Secretariat into a statutory authority. If passed, this would give the institution power to convert scholarship benefits into loans, especially in cases where beneficiaries refuse to return to Ghana after their studies.

“These steps are necessary if we want to protect public resources and invest wisely in the future of this country. The goal is not just to send people abroad, but to develop minds that will return and help build Ghana,” he stated.

According to the prison, it has obtained accreditation and approval from the Food and Drugs Authority for mass production of the drinking water.

The water manufacturing plant, located in the Kumasi Central Prison barracks in Adum, is employing the services of the inmates and other personnel of the prison to produce the water under hygienic conditions.

The project is part of the broader efforts streamlined by the prisons to equip and hone the vocational skills of inmates for future job opportunities should they gain their freedom.

Deputy Director of the Prisons Services and the Ashanti Regional Commander of Prisons, James B. Mwinyelle says proceeds from the trade is used in expansion works of the facility to allow more inmates learn the skill.

“All the workshops we give the inmates is to train them and also generate income. This will help the inmates start a living once they exit the four walls of the prison,” he noted.

The prison is also currently cultivating a vegetable farmland in the region, where produce from the farm is fed to the prison’s kitchen to complement foodstuff for feeding.

The Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) has confirmed that its offices were raided by security operatives from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

Dr. Yaa Serwaa Sarpong, Director of Support Services at SML, disclosed the development in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, stating that the raids occurred at the company’s offices in Osu and Tema.

Contrary to earlier reports suggesting the operation was conducted under a court order with the support of the National Security Secretariat, Dr. Sarpong insisted that no search warrant was presented during the operation.

Sources suggest the OSP is in the advanced stages of investigating the controversial SML contract and is particularly interested in retrieving electronic data from the company’s servers.

Dr. Sarpong confirmed that SML had received a letter from the OSP and had assured full cooperation, making the unannounced operation puzzling.

“We therefore cannot understand why they raided our offices this morning, causing panic and confusion. Some staff were handcuffed and made to sit in the sun for hours,” she claimed.

She further accused the security team of causing financial loss to the state, alleging that several servers and valuable data were destroyed in the process.

The raid comes amid the OSP’s ongoing probe into former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta regarding a number of financial transactions, including the controversial SML deal.

This comes amid mounting calls for price reductions following the appreciation of the Ghana cedi and a recent drop in fuel prices.

However, many traders have maintained that they are not ready to slash prices, citing the need to first clear existing stock purchased at higher costs.

Despite this explanation, Parliament has called on them to justify their stance.

Committee Chairman Alexander Gabby Hottor-Dze acknowledged that although there have been some price reductions, they do not match the level expected given the cedi’s appreciation.

“There has been price reduction in some quarters, but these are not commensurate with the impact of the appreciation of the cedi,” he said.

He explained the rationale for the meeting: “The Committee on Trade, Industry, and Tourism called for this engagement to inquire into why businesses and service providers are reluctant to reduce their prices, the impact on the economy, and the way forward.”

“We have assembled here most of the relevant stakeholders who would assist the committee to deliberate on the matter,” he added.

Last month, the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association in the Greater Accra Region directed its members to reduce prices — a move expected to bring some relief to consumers and potentially trigger reductions in transport fares.

GUTA also hinted at similar price cuts in response to the cedi’s strong performance.

However, consumers say the cost of goods and services on the market remains high, despite these assurances.

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The President administered the Oath of Office and the Oath of Secrecy to the council members in line with constitutional provisions for oversight of the Police Service.

Presenting the official instrument of appointment, President Mahama urged the Council to help restore professionalism, rebuild public trust in the service, and support ongoing efforts to modernise the Ghana Police Service.

The Council is chaired by Vice President Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and includes senior public officials, police representatives, and presidential appointees.

Below is the full list of the new council members:

1. Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang – Chairperson (Vice President of the Republic)

2. Mr. Mutaka Mohammed Mubarak – Member (Minister for the Interior and Member of Parliament)

3. Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno – Member (Inspector General of Police)

4. Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine – Member (Minister for Justice and Member of Parliament, representing the Attorney General’s Department)

5. Mr. Daniel Owusu Nyampong, Esq. – Member (Representative of the Ghana Bar Association)

6. COP Nathan Kofi Boakye (Retired) – Member (Representative of the Retired Senior Police Officers Association)

7. DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor – Member (Representative of Senior Officers of the Ghana Police Service)

8. Chief Inspector Angel Lolo, Esq. – Member (Representative of Junior Officers of the Ghana Police Service)

9. Ms. Rose Atinga Bio (Retired) – Member (Appointee of the President)

10. Mr. Benson Tunga Baba – Member (Appointee of the President)

The Police Council is tasked with addressing internal challenges within the service, including matters related to promotions, postings, discipline, and the welfare of personnel.

According to reports, Herod had accompanied some colleagues to an illegal mining site in the area when the incident occurred.

While details remain unclear, his lifeless body was later retrieved from the pit.

Speaking to Adom News, the father of the deceased, Nana Kwabena Nipa III, said he was on his farm when he received a distressing call informing him of the tragedy. He immediately rushed to the scene, only to be confronted with the devastating sight of his son’s body.

The heartbroken father expressed suspicions of foul play, citing inconsistencies in the accounts of how his son died.

He has appealed to the Bibiani Police to launch a full-scale investigation to uncover the truth and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.

The heartbreaking incident has reignited concerns over the dangers posed by abandoned and unregulated galamsey pits across the country, especially to the youth who are often lured into illegal mining due to economic hardship.

Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, the Ranking Member on the Health Committee, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, accused the government of treating the association unfairly.

According to him, the demands of GRNMA are legitimate and justified, and he is at a loss as to why the government is reluctant to implement the 2024 Collective Agreement.

This troubling development comes in the wake of the ongoing nationwide strike by members of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).

The strike began after a breakdown in negotiations with the government, which requested to delay the implementation of nurses’ new conditions of service—agreed in 2024—until 2026, a proposal the GRNMA has firmly rejected.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, the General Secretary of MOWAG, Richard Kofi Jordan, described the current situation as “alarming.”

“Looking at the number of deaths compared to the past, the death toll has increased significantly. It’s not surprising because of the absence of nurses,” he stated.

Mr. Jordan noted that mortuaries across the country are overwhelmed by the surge in deaths, many of which he said are being reported from homes rather than hospitals.

“People are dying everywhere. Wherever there is a morgue, they are recording high deaths—and we attribute this to the nurses not being at post,” he said. “Many people are not going to the hospital, and that’s why we are seeing more bodies being brought from homes.”

He revealed that the situation is putting immense pressure and stress on mortuary workers.

“If it gets to a point where we can’t take it anymore, we’ll have no option but to refer families to the police station. It’s a serious issue that should never have gotten to this point—it should have been prevented.”

Mr. Jordan called on authorities to act swiftly to resolve the impasse, warning that the situation is becoming increasingly dire.

Meanwhile, the striking nurses have vowed not to return to work until the government implements the agreed conditions of service.

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In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, GRNMA Public Relations Officer Joseph Krampah questioned the efficiency and physical ability of the retirees, given their age.

“We thank the Minister for his efforts in trying to resolve our situation. But how can old people, some of whom are using walking sticks and have weak knees, take our jobs? How can they lift sick people? How many of these retirees do we even have?” he asked, amid subtle laughter.

The Minister made the appeal during a press conference on Tuesday, June 10, at the Jubilee House, acknowledging the impact of the strike which began on June 4.

The strike, which has severely affected healthcare delivery across the country, is aimed at demanding the implementation of the 2024 Collective Agreement, which is yet to be enforced.

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The altercation occurred on June 7, 2025, during the burial rites of the late Mamponghene and Krontihene of Asanteman, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II.

A video that surfaced online showed Adu Acheampong, a member of the private security detail for New Force’s 2024 presidential candidate Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar, assaulting an individual who attempted to approach his boss.

In response, the New Force Movement promptly suspended Acheampong. In a statement signed by General Secretary Charles Yomekpe, the Movement described the incident as “regrettable,” condemned the use of excessive force, and confirmed that Acheampong would undergo a comprehensive anger management program. He has since issued an unqualified apology to the victim.

Speaking to Adom News on the matter, security analyst Samuel Nana Appiah commended the swift disciplinary action and emphasized the urgent need for regulation in the private security industry, particularly among those offering VIP protection services.

“The New Force Movement took the right step by suspending the bodyguard involved,” Mr. Appiah said.

“However, this incident highlights a broader issue. There must be stricter standards and regulatory oversight for individuals providing close protection. Politicians, pastors, business leaders—everyone using private security—must ensure that their personnel are professionally certified and trained by recognized institutions.”

Mr. Appiah further called on the Ministry of the Interior and other relevant security agencies to establish a regulatory framework to oversee the recruitment and certification of private security operatives.

“It’s time for government to step in and regulate bodyguard services,” he urged.

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Speaking at a ceremony on June 10, 2025, Houadjeto described the event not just as a festival but as a bold declaration that “Africa is ready” to lead its own narrative and define its destiny.

Under the theme “Harnessing Health, Culture, Trade, Climate Change, Gender Equity, and Tourism for Sustainable Economic Growth”, FESTAC Africa 2025 aims to provide a forward-looking platform for collaboration, transformation, and global visibility.

“From Independence Square in Accra to Kumasi and Cape Coast, Ghana is ready to open its arms to the world,” she said.

“We welcome all of Africa and the Diaspora to unite in purpose, pride, and progress,” Houadjeto affirmed.

FESTAC Africa 2025 is expected to attract global attention and serve as a cultural and economic bridge between Africa and the rest of the world.

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Photojournalist Samuel Moore was in Mampong to document the final day of rites through the following photographs.

The session, Protecting Forests, Protecting the Planet: Financing Solutions for Nature and Climate, became a rallying point for rights-based solutions. Mr. Darko’s incisive questions and strategic framing connected forest protection to broader climate and biodiversity goals ahead of COP30.

Around 1,600 participants from across the globe—including high-level representatives from politics, international organizations, business, academia, and civil society—gathered in Hamburg on June 2 and 3 to forge new alliances and accelerate progress toward the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

HSC was organized by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Michael Otto Foundation, and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.

During the forest finance session, Mr. Darko, a journalist with JoyNews and Myjoyonline, opened the discussion by engaging Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN). Mr. Flasbarth emphasized Germany’s commitment to designing effective forest finance mechanisms, noting the importance of holistic and integrated approaches.

Kenneth advanced the discussion by underscoring forests’ dual role as biodiversity sanctuaries and carbon sinks, a theme echoed by panelists from Brazil’s Articulation of Indigenous Peoples (APIB), the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), and Greenpeace.

He remarked, “Forests, home to millions of people, two-thirds of the world’s biodiversity and crucial carbon sinks, are vital for achieving climate and nature protection goals. With deforestation contributing 15% of global emissions, we need to explore opportunities for COP30 and beyond to enhance financing mechanisms and accelerate action to end deforestation and forest degradation by 2030.”

Posing a pivotal question to Dinamam Tuxá, an Indigenous leader from Brazil, Kenneth asked how urgent it was to redesign forest finance to guarantee direct access for IP&LCs. Tuxá responded that without inclusion, even the best-intentioned funds fail. He highlighted the contradiction that Amazon territories safeguard 80% of global biodiversity, yet receive less than 1% of climate finance directly.

In a powerful address, Alcebias Mota Constantino of the Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB) expressed frustration at the gap between lofty commitments and meaningful action. He noted that as delays persist in developing mechanisms to support IP and community-led solutions, their living conditions continue to worsen.

Mr. Darko’s facilitation revealed both the stark realities and the potential solutions. Leslie Quarzazi of CAFI emphasized that Central Africa’s deforestation crisis demands “policy coherence and community-level funding,” a point Kenneth expanded upon by referencing Ghana’s forest conservation efforts and the promise of the SCALED initiative in bridging investment gaps.

Turning to COP30 as a key moment, Carolina Pasquali of Greenpeace Brazil, responding to Kenneth’s prompt, stressed the need for enforceable mechanisms beyond mere pledges, especially for high-integrity forests.

Quarzazi also spoke on the need for finance models that balance equity and effectiveness through holistic, long-term frameworks.

In closing, Mr. Darko synthesized the panel’s consensus by stating that credible solutions require respecting the people who live with the forests. His summary reflected the session’s key messages:

• Direct Access: Finance mechanisms must bypass bureaucracy to reach IP&LCs.

• Integration: Climate and biodiversity goals must be inseparable in forest policy.

• Accountability: COP30 must deliver tangible results, not just dialogue.

Kenneth Awotwe Darko’s leadership underscored a powerful truth: forest finance is not just about dollars—it’s about dignity. As global leaders prepare for COP30 in the Amazon, the call to prioritize the voices of those who guard these ecosystems offers a clear roadmap for converting promises into progress.

HSC 2025 successfully concluded its second edition, reinforcing its position as a vital global platform for advancing sustainable development.

This year’s event marked the launch of key initiatives and the achievement of broad consensus, including the Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the SDGs. Despite heightened geopolitical tensions and increasing fragmentation, the conference demonstrated that multilateral collaboration remains both possible and essential.

The four HSC initiators emphasized the need to forge new alliances and cross-sector initiatives to build a sustainable future, particularly in these uncertain times.

Key highlights from HSC 2025 include:

1. Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the SDGs
   On June 2, the UNDP and BMZ, alongside over 40 governments, private sector actors, civil society groups, and research institutions, endorsed this landmark declaration. It is the first global declaration focused specifically on AI in international development, committing to equitable, inclusive, and sustainable AI deployment—especially in developing countries.

2. SCALED: Unlocking Private Investment for Sustainable Development
   Also launched on June 2, the rebranded “SCALED—Scaling Capital for Sustainable Development” initiative aims to remove barriers to sustainable investment. A new company will be launched by the end of 2025 to mobilize private capital efficiently for ventures such as solar energy and entrepreneurship support, helping close financing gaps in developing nations.

3. Launch of the Global Alliance against Inequality
   On June 3, Germany, Sierra Leone, and the Pathfinders Initiative launched this coalition to tackle the structural causes of inequality that threaten democratic governance. The alliance will promote cross-regional dialogue, policy innovation, and efforts to rebuild trust in public institutions.

Additional notable developments during HSC 2025 include:

• A Memorandum of Understanding between GIZ and Euler Hermes to support sustainable German exports and investments in emerging markets.

• The Biodiversity Fund by the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), seeded with €500,000, to support biodiversity in global textile supply chains.

• New signatories to the Hamburg Declarations on Green Aviation and the Decarbonisation of Global Shipping.

• A joint statement on improving municipal access to private capital.

• The concept launch of the Institute for Sustainability Arbitration (ISA), envisioned as a legal body for resolving sustainability-related disputes.

In sum, HSC 2025 sent a timely and clear message: even amid global uncertainties, collective action and sustainable progress remain achievable.

The HR Manager, Anthony Kofi Oduro, returned from a meeting on Tuesday to find his office inaccessible, with warning tags left behind.

The inscriptions included: “Workers are working under a toxic environment, withdraw your service now or face our wrath”, “Tony must go” and “KATH workers deserve better.”

The facility’s security, the police, and regional security laison supervised the removal of the locks to allow the HR officer access.

Deputy Regional Security Coordinator, Alhaji Nje Abdullah Omar, denied authorizing the action and promised a joint investigation with the police to identify the perpetrators.

“We don’t have any idea about it. Captain Jabari [Regional Security Coordinator] says we have not sanctioned anyone to come and do what just happened,” he clarified.

He stated that “we cannot justify if this is an internal matter, but the investigation will determine. The HR wasn’t around when they came to locked up the office, so he has been shocked, and I have calmed him down.”

The incident left workers stranded and shocked.

Speaking during a meeting with the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), Dr. Forson emphasised the urgent need to clean the payroll system.

He revealed that preliminary findings from the Auditor-General’s audit point to the presence of numerous ghost names, and noted that addressing the issue could result in substantial savings for the nation.

“Payroll reform is not only about fiscal responsibility,” he said. “It is also about fairness and transparency in managing public resources.”

Dr. Forson urged the unions to lend their full support to the audit exercise to help build a more accountable and efficient system.

In the same meeting, the Minister assured the unions that their Book and Research Allowances have been fully captured in the 2025 Budget. He added that disbursement processes have already commenced in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to ensure timely payment.

The unions also proposed the establishment of a dedicated Labour Relations Desk within the Ministry of Finance to enhance engagement with organised labour. Dr. Forson welcomed the proposal, describing it as a step in the right direction toward improved coordination and responsiveness.

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The assurance was given during a meeting with leaders of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), who had formally sought clarification on the status of the allowance.

Dr. Forson confirmed that disbursement processes have already commenced in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to ensure the timely release of funds.

During the engagement, the unions proposed the creation of a dedicated Labour Relations Desk within the Ministry of Finance to strengthen dialogue and coordination on labour-related matters.

The Minister welcomed the proposal, describing it as a constructive step toward enhancing stakeholder engagement.

The meeting also reviewed ongoing payroll reforms, including an audit by the Auditor-General.

Preliminary findings, according to the Minister, have revealed the presence of ghost names on the government payroll. He stressed the need to address these irregularities in order to safeguard public resources.

Dr. Forson reaffirmed his commitment to fostering transparency, accountability, and equity in public sector compensation through continued collaboration with key stakeholders.

He confirmed that disbursement processes have already commenced in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to ensure the timely release of funds.

During the engagement, the unions proposed the establishment of a dedicated Labour Relations Desk within the Ministry of Finance to improve dialogue and coordination on labour-related matters. Dr. Forson welcomed the proposal, describing it as a constructive step towards enhancing stakeholder engagement.

The meeting also reviewed ongoing payroll reforms, including an audit by the Auditor-General. Preliminary findings reveal the presence of ghost names on the payroll, and the Minister underscored the importance of addressing the issue to safeguard public resources.

The Minister reaffirmed his commitment to fostering transparency, accountability, and equity in public sector compensation through continued collaboration with key stakeholders.

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The operation, which took place under the supervision of National Security personnel, was executed simultaneously at SML’s Osu and Tema offices in Accra.

Sources close to the investigation indicate that the OSP is in the advanced stages of its probe and is particularly focused on retrieving electronic data from the company’s servers.

This latest move comes amid challenges in the OSP’s effort to engage former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who has been sought for questioning over several transactions, including the SML deal.

The Special Prosecutor has since declared Mr. Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice following what he described as the former minister’s persistent evasion of official summons.

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Some have argued that the OSP should have travelled to the United States to engage Mr. Ofori-Atta, just as it went to the United Kingdom to investigate Samuel Mahama, brother of President John Dramani Mahama, in connection with the Airbus scandal.

But in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Darko clarified that the two cases are fundamentally different.

“An INTERPOL red notice was issued for Samuel Mahama and the three others involved in the Airbus case,” he said.

He explained that the OSP had no choice but to travel to the UK because the British authorities were unwilling to extradite the suspects, who are British citizens.

“The UK made it clear they wouldn’t extradite their citizens. That’s why we had to go there to continue the investigations,” he noted.

According to Mr. Darko, the suspects in the Airbus scandal—three white individuals and one black man, Samuel Mahama—were all British citizens and not Ghanaians.

“You can’t compare the situation to Ken Ofori-Atta. These individuals are not Ghanaians. Their country wouldn’t let them come to Ghana, so we had to make arrangements to interview them there. If they had travelled elsewhere, they risked being arrested because of the red notice,” he explained.

He also revealed that the OSP investigated former President Mahama for seven years during the Airbus case.

“When he was invited by the OSP, he made himself available. He was investigated. There was no fuss,” Mr. Darko added.

He expressed disappointment at the backlash regarding Ken Ofori-Atta’s case.

“Where were all these critics when INTERPOL notices were issued for the Airbus suspects? Nobody complained then. So why now? This is pure hypocrisy,” he said.

Mr. Darko dismissed the comparisons as misleading.

“People are just comparing apples to oranges. Some Ghanaians simply want to comfort themselves when the law catches up with them. But we are professionals. We are doing our work in accordance with the law,” he stated.

He concluded by questioning the basis of the public criticism.

“If non-Ghanaians could be placed on an INTERPOL red notice, how much more a Ghanaian like Ken Ofori-Atta?”

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Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, the Minister said the adjustments follow successful negotiations with network operators aimed at ensuring better value for consumers.

“I am pleased to announce that my engagement with the CEOs has resulted in the following specific measures,” he stated.

According to the new arrangements:

• AT Ghana (AirtelTigo) will implement a 10% increase across all data bundles. The GH₵400 bundle, for instance, will be upgraded from 195GB to 236GB.

• Telecel Ghana will also apply a 10% increase to all its data packages. Its GH₵400 bundle will rise significantly from 90GB to 250GB.

• MTN Ghana will introduce a 15% increase across all data bundles. In addition, the telco will restore the GH₵399 bundle to offer 214GB, after it was previously revised to GH₵350 for 92.88GB.

Minister George acknowledged the financial burden these changes may place on telecom service providers but commended their cooperation and national commitment.

“I am aware these increases will come at considerable cost to the network operators,” he said. “However, I am glad that our engagements and consultations are bearing fruit for the Ghanaian people.”

He expressed appreciation to the CEOs of the telecom companies for their support, describing the development as a clear sign of stronger collaboration between the government and the communications sector.

The revised data packages form part of broader efforts by the government to enhance digital access and ensure value for money in Ghana’s telecom industry.

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According to Dr. Amofa, the late chief will be remembered for his remarkable dedication to peace and development in the Mampong area.

“Daasebre was a peacemaker. He brought unity among his people. We will forever miss him,” he said, after joining scores of mourners to pay their last respects over the weekend.

Daasebre Osei Bonsu II ascended the Asante Mampong throne in 1996, becoming the 28th occupant of the Silver Stool and Krontihene of Asanteman. He passed away in April 2025 at the age of 85.

His burial rites, which drew thousands of mourners from all walks of life, were held in the Ashanti Regional town of Mampong. The royal farewell took place from June 6 to 9 and climaxed on Monday with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, honouring the final rites.

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He pleaded not guilty to the charge of defilement, but after the case had gone through full trial, Amankwah was found guilty of the offence.

Mrs Hathia Ama Manu, the presiding judge, said considering the extent of psychological trauma that the victim had endured for a period exceeding six months, she would give Amankwah a deterrent sentence to serve as a caution to like-minded people.

Prosecuting, Chief Superintendent of Police Alex Odonkor, told the court that the complainant is the mother of the victim, and they live in Brahabebome in the Western Region.

He said Amankwah had a good relationship with the complainant and the victim because they resided in the same house.

Chief Superintendent Odonkor said the convict took advantage of the friendship and since 2023, he started having anal sex with the victim when she was seven years old and in primary one without the complainant’s knowledge.

Prosecution told the court that Amankwah had sex with the victim multiple times in his room, especially when the complainant was away from home.

Chief Superintendent Odonkor explained that on June 16, 2024, a concerned citizen informed the complainant about the incident, and when she questioned the victim, she confirmed it.

The prosecutor said the complainant reported the case to the Western Central Domestic violence and Victims Support Unit in Tarkwa.

A medical report form was issued to the complainant on behalf of the victim for examination and report.

Prosecution said the medical report form was returned duly endorsed by a medical officer to the police.

He said Amankwah was later picked up for interrogation, but he denied the offence in his investigation caution statement in the presence of an independent witness.

The threats follow a failed attempt by the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) to demolish the slum structures under GRIDCO pylons last week, which was halted due to logistical constraints. The illegal occupants accuse school authorities of pressuring the RCC to carry out the demolition.

Earlier, the RCC had marked the illegally constructed wooden shelters beneath the power pylons for demolition by June 2, 2025.

However, after the demolition notice expired, the authorities reportedly attempted to enforce the order, prompting the violent threats.

Abdulraheem Mohammed, Secretary of the Haqqul Mubeen Institute (a stakeholder in the school’s PTA), confirmed that the threats were issued in retaliation against the demolition efforts.

“The equipment to be used for the demolition also delayed so they couldn’t complete the activity. We also learnt that some political forces came in and stopped the work,” he said.

Mr. Mohammed added, “The slum dwellers gathered in front of the school and started issuing threats, claiming the school has instigated the demolition of the slum. They said they will attack the staff and students.”

According to authorities, police intervention was required to restore calm and prevent the slum dwellers from carrying out their threats against the students.

Located a safe distance from the pylons is the Ghana Lebanon Islamic Secondary School, which has operated for about two decades.

Authorities report that a series of armed robbery incidents have occurred at the school since the slum emerged.

Mr. Mohammed expressed concern about the illegal activities taking place in the slum.

“Somewhere last week, there was an altercation between some of the people in the slum and it resulted in gunshots. If it has gotten to an extent that these people can use guns in this area, then the school and the environs are not safe,” he emphasised.

Over the years, demolition attempts targeting the illegal structures in the area have consistently failed.

Several months ago, a devastating fire swept through the slum – an incident many believed would mark its end. However, the settlement persisted.

Following the June 5, 2024, fire outbreak, the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) issued warnings and banned construction beneath its power pylons. Yet these measures have produced minimal results.

The Haqqul Mubeen Institute continues to pressure the government to take decisive action against these unlawful activities.

Dziwornu pleaded guilty with the explanation that he had sexual intercourse with the victim due to the influence of alcohol, but the Court said his explanation could not exonerate him of the crime, and therefore entered a plea of guilty for the convict.

Chief Inspector Charles Aziati, Prosecuting told the Hohoe Circuit Court presided over by Mr. Lambert Y. Keriba that the act of the convict was “barbaric, unacceptable and deviant” to ethics and culture.

He prayed the Court to give the convict severe punishment to deter others.

Chief Inspector Aziati, presenting the facts, said the victim was unemployed living in the same town with the complainant, a social worker, while the convict was a farmer and a biological brother to the victim.

He said mother of the convict and victim died, when the victim was very young, so it was the convict, who took care of her and the two stayed together at where the convict resided.

Chief Inspector Aziati said in the year 2020 to 2024, the convict started having sexual intercourse with the victim and in the process had terminated three pregnancies, adding that in March 2025, victim left the convict’s place to her boyfriend’s place with her three and half year-old daughter.

He said the convict traced the victim to her boyfriend’s house and forcibly took her daughter away.

Chief Inspector Aziati said the victim confided in the complainant being her neighbour, who led the victim to lodge a complaint with the Police, leading to the arrest of the convict, who was in custody of the victim’s daughter enroute to Aflao, on May 17, 2025, and subsequently handed over to the Hohoe Police.

He said during investigations, the convict admitted having had sexual intercourse with the victim.

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Emmanuel Boateng is reported to have impersonated a registered traditional herbalist, Bright Appiah, who presently is the Chief Executive of Nana Kofi Herbal located at Ntonsu in the Ashanti region.

He is said to have defrauded unsuspecting clients of various sums of money through his chicanery.

As part of his fraudulent scheme, Emmanuel manipulated videos shared on social media by replacing the original contact numbers of Mr. Appiah with his own numbers and misleading the public who sought herbal services.

Through an intelligence-led operation, he was apprehended at his hideout in Amangoase, a suburb of Nsuta.

Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the suspect has defrauded several individuals, both locally and internationally, including victims in Ghana, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

Investigations are still ongoing as the police urge the public to exercise caution when engaging with individuals online.

“Members of the public are advised to be vigilant and to verify all contact details before engaging in financial transactions. Suspicious activities should be reported to the nearest police station without delay,” the police statement read.

Although implementation was expected to start a month ago, the authority says it resolved to dedicate the previous month to educate the public before the full enforcement.

The new law would see motorists who fail to have a full complement of vehicle accessories face sanctions including a penalty fine of 225 cedis from its original, 45 cedis.

Ashanti Regional Manager of the DVLA, Jerry Aflabo says the new sanctions aims at ensuring vehicles and drivers’ safety and security on the roads.

“This was supposed to start in May but we wanted to complement education with enforcement. We used the previous month to educate the drivers” told Emmanuel Bright Quaicoe during a courtesy visit to the Kumasi Business Unit of the Multimedia Group.

The DVLA expects motorists to possess vehicle accessories including fire extinguishers, warning triangle, reflectors, among other road safety toolkits.

Mr. Aflabo also advised drivers should avoid using tinted windows in their vehicles.

Ghana’s road traffic regulation act 2012 section 67 sub-regulations 3 and 4 provides that, “A person shall not drive a motor vehicle with a tinted windscreen…A person may drive a motor vehicle which has glass other than the windscreen with light transmittance of at least seventy percent’’.

Highlighting the above provisions of the regulations, Mr. Aflabo indicated that persons found culpable will be made to face the rigours of the law.

“It’s for their security. Imagine if you are driving at night and you’re being robbed at gun point. Because the vehicle is tinted, nobody sees you being robbed. We know there are privacy concerns. But drivers must be cautious about their safety too,” he noted.

Your demands for fair pay, improved working conditions, and relief from burnout are not only legitimate but urgent. No one should have to endure the daily struggles you face in our health facilities.

Your fight for justice is valid, and the government must accelerate its efforts to genuinely honour its commitments and bring about a swift resolution.

Yet, as you stand firm in your protest, I ask you to pause for a moment and consider the profound impact of your absence—not as a critique, but as a reminder of the sacred responsibility you carry. In this country, nursing is more than a profession; it is a calling deeply woven into our cultural fabric—a symbol of care, compassion, and community.

It is a trust placed in you by every mother who brings her newborn to your care, every elderly father hoping for comfort in his twilight years, and every expectant woman praying for a safe delivery.

Right now, those prayers are echoing in hospitals and clinics left dangerously understaffed. The vulnerable children, the elderly, and pregnant women are the ones bearing the heaviest burden. Lives that could be saved, suffering that could be eased, and hope that could be restored are slipping through the cracks.

It is heartbreaking to witness, even from a distance, the avoidable loss of life unfolding in the absence of those who know best how to heal.

I do not blame you. The health sector’s challenges are real and complex, and the government must respond with urgency and empathy to your demands. But I ask you to weigh those systemic failings against the immediate human cost.

Every day without nurses on the frontlines is a day our people face heightened risks—a fragile child with pneumonia left to struggle without care, a mother laboring alone, an elderly patient deteriorating without comfort or timely attention.

Our nurses are the backbone of Ghana’s healthcare system. When you walk out, the system falters, and it is the most defenseless among us who pay the price. In Ghanaian society, where the value of “Obra pa ne Nyame” (a good life is from God) holds deep meaning, the nurse’s role is sacred—a guardian of life entrusted with the well-being of the community.

This is not just a job; it is a moral covenant to preserve life and dignity.

I ask you, in the spirit of that covenant, to consider returning to work even as negotiations continue. Your presence in hospitals can mean the difference between life and death for thousands.

It can restore a measure of peace to families anxiously waiting in wards, fearing the worst. It can reaffirm to the nation the enduring power of compassion and selflessness.

Your sacrifices are acknowledged and honoured. Burnout is real, and it is cruel to expect superheroes to work without respite or reward. But your role is irreplaceable, and your compassion unmatched. We need you back—not just as nurses, but as pillars of hope in this moment of crisis.

Let us not allow the necessary fight for better conditions to overshadow our shared humanity. The true victory lies in unity between you, the government, and the people you serve. We must engage in open, honest dialogue that respects your rights and safeguards the lives entrusted to your care.

Together, we can demand systemic reforms and advocate for fair treatment without forsaking the vulnerable lives that depend on your expertise and kindness every day. The road ahead is challenging, but it is not impassable. It calls for courage, empathy, and, above all, unity.

To the nurses of Ghana, I say this: your work saves lives. Your compassion heals wounds unseen. Your presence restores hope. Please come back to the wards. Ghana needs you now more than ever.

To the government and stakeholders, I urge immediate and sincere engagement with the concerns of our nurses. Let this be a moment not of division, but of solidarity, where every Ghanaian’s right to quality healthcare is upheld.

In the spirit of care, courage, and collective responsibility, let us walk this path together.

Your immediate return is not a surrender of your rightful demands; it is an act of extraordinary humanity. It demonstrates that even amidst your struggle, the sanctity of life remains paramount.

Please, return to your posts. Go back to the wards, to the bedsides, to the operating theatres. Look into the eyes of the mother whose child struggles to breathe, the elderly patient weakening without care, or the accident victim desperately awaiting your life-saving touch. These are our families, our neighbours, and vulnerable Ghanaians whose very survival depends on your skill and dedication.

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His remarks follow a nationwide strike by members of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), who are demanding urgent improvements to their service conditions.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Mr. Akandoh reiterated the government’s commitment to dialogue but highlighted the economic implications of the union’s proposals.

“The government remains open to further engagement, with the aim of implementing conditions of service in a way that does not disrupt the national budget,” he stated.

He noted that the proposed benefits were not included in the 2025 national budget and, if adopted in their current form, could place unsustainable pressure on the economy.

“We want to draw attention to the fact that the conditions being referenced are not captured in the 2025 budget and their immediate implementation would severely derail the country’s economic stability,” the Minister explained.

Mr. Akandoh emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility, pointing to the dangers of unplanned expenditure.

“We are fully aware of the serious economic consequences of unbudgeted spending. It is critical that we avoid a repeat of the economic challenges we’ve experienced in the past,” he said.

The Minister further appealed to the leadership of the GRNMA to return to the negotiation table in good faith to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.

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The Juaboso MP made the clarion call at a press briefing at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

Mr. Akandoh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to engaging with nurses to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome in the interest of the public.

“The Ministry will, in the next few minutes, publish a comprehensive list of facilities to complement facilities where nursing services are lacking, where patients can seek healthcare,” he stated.

A crucial meeting on Monday, June 9, to resolve the impasse hit a deadlock after the government proposed plans to postpone the implementation of the conditions of service until 2026, an offer the GRNMA outrightly rejected.

With some health professionals at post amidst the strike, the minister expressed appreciation them and urged others to demonstrate solidarity with patients while negotiations continue.

“Our deep appreciation to practising nurses who have opted to remain at post to help suffering patients; we urge others to show similar fellow feeling and assist our compatriots, even as efforts are made to address your concern,” he appealed.

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The association says the government’s proposal to implement it in 2026, with the excuse that the conditions were not captured in the 2025 budget, is unacceptable.

According to them, before the budget presentation, the Minister of Health gave them firm assurance that their conditions of service were going to be catered for.

A meeting between the striking nurses and the government on Monday, June 9th, did not yield any positive results.

Speaking at a joint news conference between the Finance and Health ministries at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, June 10, the Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh noted that the implementation of the nurses’ demands this year will throw the government’s budget out of gear.

He thus urged the nurses to come to the table for further discussions on the way forward, as lives are at risk due to their continuous strike.

He, however, announced that some immediate measures being taken to fill in the gap will include an announcement of a list of additional health facilities that patients can visit for healthcare.

He also announced plans by the government to engage some retired nurses and midwives to step in until the matters with the striking nurses are resolved.

Speaking on JoyNews, the General Secretary of GRNMA, David Tekorang, firmly stated that the agreed conditions of service between the union and the government must be implemented this year, rejecting the government’s request to delay until 2026.

He emphasised that the union is ready to sit with the government, not for further negotiation but implementation, even if it’s gradual.

“If you tell me you are deferring the entire payment of the condition of services until 2026, what is that supposed to be? It is unfair.”

His comments come after the Ministry of Finance and Health, at a joint news conference at the Jubilee House, appealed for patience, citing that the demands were not factored into the current budget.

The Conditions of Service agreement was reached and signed in May 2024, and implementation was due in July 2024. However, a splinter group went to court to place an injunction on the implementation because they claimed what was signed was not adequate and that they were not consulted.

The court process was finally resolved in January this year, during the transition from the old to the new government.

According to the GRNMA, they’ve since held several meetings with the employer, and specifically met with the Health Minister way ahead of the budget presentation, and had been fully assured that their conditions were going to be catered for in the budget.
Background to the Strike

The strike, which began on 3rd June, was after months of unsuccessful negotiations with the government over improved conditions of service, including allowances, risk benefits, and rural posting support.

The union has accused the government of failing to honour its commitments, citing stagnation in salaries amid rising cost of living and inflation.

Hospitals and clinics across the country have since been left operating with skeletal staff, causing significant disruption to healthcare delivery.

Emergency services have been prioritised, but many patients in public hospitals have reported delays or outright cancellation of care.

While the Ministry of Health insists it remains open to dialogue, it has not yet presented a revised financial framework that would incorporate the nurses’ demands without breaching budgetary limits.

The GRNMA, for its part, insists that it will not call off the strike until tangible commitments are made.

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His comments come amid recent remarks by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, who announced that Parliament is preparing to draft legislation that would formalise lifestyle audits as a legal tool in Ghana’s anti-corruption framework.

According to the Speaker, the move marks a significant step toward addressing illicit wealth accumulation and enhancing accountability.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, the MP emphasised that while he supports every effort to combat corruption, duplicating powers through new legislation would be both redundant and counterproductive.

“I have always believed that anything that supports the fight against corruption should be encouraged. There can never be too many tools in that fight,” he said. “But we must be careful not to create politically motivated or duplicative laws and institutions. Instead, let’s strengthen what we already have.”

According to Mr. Baffour Awuah, various state agencies already have the legal authority to investigate individuals and institutions whose lifestyles raise red flags, even if these investigations aren’t formally labelled as “lifestyle audits.”

“When the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) audits someone, they are exercising a mandate granted to them under the law. The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) also has the authority to investigate suspicious financial behaviour. That is already a lifestyle audit in action.”

He pointed to recent examples involving the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), which has acted on suspicious account activity by securing court orders to freeze bank accounts. These actions, he argued, are clear demonstrations of lifestyle auditing happening under current legal powers.

“If someone’s bank activity doesn’t match their declared income, the FIC steps in. That’s not a guess it’s an existing process. If we didn’t already have this path, then what would the FIC be doing? Every constitutionally established institution already has investigative powers that allow them to dig deep and that includes lifestyle-related investigations.”

He also reminded the public that although the Constitution guarantees the right to own property, that right is not without limits.

“Your right to property is protected but it can be restricted. Especially when there’s a need to investigate a crime, or even to prevent one. That’s clearly stated in the Constitution.”

For the Manhyia South MP, the push for an entirely separate law on lifestyle audits raises more questions than answers. He stressed that the focus should be on enforcing existing laws and equipping institutions with the resources they need —not layering more bureaucracy onto the system.

“If all these institutions already have the power to conduct lifestyle audits under existing laws, then what exactly are we trying to achieve by passing a new one?” he concluded.

In an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the Director of Strategy, Research and Communication at the OSP, Sammy Darko, clarified that the OSP cannot take a caution statement via Zoom, stressing that no one has ever been arrested virtually in Ghana.

“It seems Mr. Ofori-Atta wants to dictate to us how to handle his case, arrest, and interrogation—but the law doesn’t allow that. Which Ghanaian can do that at a police station?” he asked.

Drawing comparisons, Mr. Darko referenced Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Wontumi), Chairman of the New Patriotic Party in the Ashanti Region, to highlight the principle of cooperation with law enforcement.

“Why didn’t Wontumi resist or refuse to honour the interrogation, or tell the police how to deal with his case?” he queried.
“Before a caution statement can be taken, you must be arrested. Has anybody been arrested through Zoom? How is that possible?” he added.

He emphasized that a caution statement can only be taken after a formal arrest, which has not yet occurred in the case of Mr. Ofori-Atta.

“He is telling us to take his caution statement, as if anyone has told him that’s what we want to do. He is a suspect and cannot dictate how the case is handled. A caution statement can only be taken after an arrest,” Mr. Darko insisted.

He further explained that the caution statement is part of the pre-trial process and that the suspect has the right to remain silent or deny the allegations when it is taken.

“Even with a caution statement, he can decide to speak or not. That’s all part of the process before trial,” he added.

Mr. Darko’s comments come in response to criticism over the OSP’s refusal to conduct the interrogation virtually.

Ken Ofori-Atta has been in the news over the past week after the OSP on Monday, June 2, re-declared him a fugitive. The former minister failed to return to the country to respond to charges relating to alleged corruption and abuse of office during his tenure from 2017 to 2024.

The OSP has insisted that efforts to engage the former minister have been met with non-cooperation, noting that no official medical documentation has been submitted to justify his extended stay abroad.

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In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 10, Eduwatch described the current situation as a case of “unequal access, unequal exam”, warning that thousands of candidates, particularly from deprived districts, will be forced to take the Computing paper without ever having used a computer.

According to Eduwatch’s monitoring, only 2 percent of schools in deprived districts have functional computers.

These districts, mainly located in the five northern regions, Oti, and Western North, serve over 2 million children but suffer from critical deficits in ICT infrastructure.

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Even in relatively resourced areas, many schools struggle to provide basic access to computers for effective teaching and learning.

Eduwatch highlighted that 72 percent of children aged 6-14 in the Savannah Region have never used an ICT device, with similarly high rates of digital illiteracy in the North-East (67%), Northern (65%), Upper East, and Bono East (56%) regions.

“No child should be academically disadvantaged due to where they live or their school’s resources,” Eduwatch stressed.

“Transformative education must bridge inequality, not deepen it.” The organisation is calling on the government to roll out a targeted intervention that includes the provision of ICT infrastructure, electricity, and trained personnel in deprived schools to ensure inclusive access to digital learning.

Eduwatch emphasised that Ghana’s digital transformation must begin with inclusive digital literacy at the basic level.

A total of 603,328 candidates, comprising 297,250 males and 306,078 females from both public and private schools, are expected to take part in the examination.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced that it is fully prepared for a smooth and credible examination process, with all materials and timetables already dispatched to centres.

The BECE is scheduled to run from Tuesday, June 11 to Tuesday, June 18, across the country. Eduwatch’s call for action underscores the importance of ensuring that all students, regardless of their location or school resources, have equal access to digital learning opportunities.

The BET Awards 2025 proved once again why it’s called Culture’s Biggest Night. Hosted by the one-and-only Kevin Hart, the show brought together the brightest stars across music, film, TV, and sports to celebrate the talent shaping the culture and pushing it forward. From iconic moments to major milestones, the night belonged to both legends and new-school favorites.

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Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Tuesday, June 10, the MP expressed concern over proposals to formalise lifestyle audits as an independent tool outside the existing investigative structure.

He argued that key investigative institutions in Ghana, including the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), and the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), already possess the constitutional mandate to scrutinise suspicious financial behaviour.

“When you look at what we call lifestyle audit, all the investigative agencies exercising powers mandated under the constitution or their establishing laws have them,” Mr. Baffour Awuah stated.

“So when you take an institution like the Ghana Revenue Authority, when they are doing an audit on an institution or on a person, they already have that mandate.”

Citing examples of recent banking sector actions, the MP noted that accounts have been frozen by the FIC where deposit patterns appeared inconsistent over time. Such moves, he explained, are within the remit of state bodies acting under existing laws.

“Every institution of state set up by law in exercising the mandate or powers given by law has the power to do so – it might not be characterised as a lifestyle audit, but it is consistent with the constitution,” he said.

He further warned that legislating a standalone lifestyle audit regime may not only duplicate existing structures but also undermine institutional independence.

More alarmingly, he believes it could give undue power to individuals, thereby encouraging abuse.

“If we are not careful, we are going to build a country where people will be given the power to witch-hunt others,” he cautioned. “We are at risk of weaponising men rather than institutions, who could then use such authority to terrorise citizens.”

Mr Baffour Awuah stressed the need to remain grounded in the constitutional rights of Ghanaians, including the right to own property, which can only be limited under specific conditions such as the investigation or commission of a crime.

He acknowledged the critical role of state bodies such as the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, both of which, he asserted, already possess adequate legal frameworks to conduct necessary investigations.

“We must be careful. When someone is under pressure to deliver, they may resort to shortcuts. That’s why we need to strengthen existing institutions rather than create parallel avenues that may be misused,” the MP concluded.

The case was later brought to Nhyira FM’s Obra Show to help trace his family and fulfill the boy’s wish to be reunited with his grandmother.

The boy said he was sent on an errand by his grandmother on June 3, 2025. On his way, a man approached him and asked him to deliver an item to someone in a nearby car.

After the delivery, the driver offered to take him home; but instead drove him to an unknown location, which the boy later identified as Ahwiaa.

Realizing he had been misled and was far from home, he began walking to find his way back. He eventually arrived at Moshie Zongo, where two Good Samaritans, Mr. Razack Musah and Mr. Sulemena Musah, found him and took him to the police.

He was handed over to DOVVSU and taken under the care of Social Welfare officers Mavis Appiah Kubi and Prospera Oforiwaa Dapaah.

In an interview with Nhyira FM, Mavis Appiah Kubi said “the boy is so innocent that the money given to him by his grandmother was still in his pocket, even though he had gone hungry for days.”

The case featured on Nhyira FM’s Obra Show as part of efforts to locate the boy’s family and safely return him to his grandmother.

The police are also investigating to identify the man who took the boy away.

The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) commenced an industrial action on Tuesday, June 4, which has brought vital healthcare services across over 300 public hospitals and clinics in all 16 regions to a near standstill.

Thousands of patients have been left stranded, with emergency units operating minimally and scheduled surgeries postponed indefinitely.

The nurses and midwives initiated the strike over what they describe as prolonged delays in the implementation of their 2024 Collective Agreement, which addresses critical conditions of service and remuneration.

While acknowledging their indispensable role in healthcare delivery, the Deputy Minister emphasised the severe budgetary constraints facing the nation, stating that fully meeting the nurses’ current demands would add “in excess of GH¢2 billion” to the national compensation budget.

Speaking at a joint press briefing with the Minister of Health today, Mr. Nyarko Ampem conveyed the government’s commitment to resolving the industrial action, recognising the critical importance of Ghana’s over 120,000 nurses and midwives to the health sector.

“Our nurses are very, very critical to healthcare delivery, and we appreciate what they do,” he stated.

However, the Deputy Minister quickly pivoted to the challenging economic realities.

He explained that the magnitude of the nurses’ demands for improved conditions of service poses a significant threat to the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts.

A GH¢2 billion increase in the compensation budget represents a substantial financial burden, potentially consuming a significant portion of the annual budget allocated for essential services or capital investments.

For context, this figure could account for over 10% of the health sector’s entire annual budget or fund multiple crucial infrastructure projects.

Mr. Nyarko Ampem underscored the government’s overarching commitment to macroeconomic stability, particularly under the ongoing IMF Extended Credit Facility programme.

“We have all committed that in our resolve to reset the economy of this country, we must maintain a 1.5% primary balance surplus every year in order to bring our debt levels to sustainable levels,” he highlighted.

Ghana’s public debt-to-GDP ratio remains a concern, hovering around 75%, making stringent expenditure management paramount to avoid further debt distress.

“So it is important for us to manage expenditure,” he stressed, appealing to the healthcare professionals to understand the broader economic context.

“We want to appeal to our revered nurses that we are willing to negotiate to settle them and [for] the Ministry of Health to agree on a roadmap that will help us incorporate what can be accommodated in the budget for next year.”

The Deputy Minister expressed optimism that the nurses appreciate the “hard work we are all doing to manage the economy better,” urging a collaborative approach to achieve a “win-win situation for all of us.”

The proposed roadmap suggests a phased implementation of new conditions of service, likely spread across multiple budget cycles, to ensure fiscal prudence while addressing the legitimate concerns of the healthcare workforce.

In a statement, GNAT acknowledged that the week-long exam, scheduled to run from Wednesday, June 11 to Wednesday, June 18, marks a significant milestone in the candidates’ educational journey.

GNAT, therefore, encouraged all candidates to approach the examination with zeal and optimism for a brighter future.

“We urge you to observe all the rules guiding the examination, refrain from malpractices, and approach all papers diligently and consciously. Surely, you will come out with flying colours,” the association stated.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that a total of 603,328 candidates have registered for this year’s BECE. This figure comprises 297,250 males and 306,078 females from 20,395 schools nationwide.

The exam will be conducted at 2,237 centres across the country, with an additional 14 centres—mainly in regional capitals—designated for private candidates.

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Read the full statement below:

According to the VRA, some settlements near the Volta Lake are involved in activities that pose risks to the authority’s operations. Consequently, the VRA is calling for closer collaboration with these communities to help mitigate potential hazards.

During the engagement, the Sustainability Manager at VRA, Mr. Hagan Jonathan, appealed to residents who have built structures close to riverbanks to consider relocating. He explained that such developments increase flood risks and hinder efforts to manage water levels safely.

Mr. Jonathan outlined several practical flood prevention measures, including:

• Building homes and infrastructure on higher ground

• Avoiding construction in flood-prone zones

• Implementing effective drainage systems

• Planting trees and maintaining vegetation to prevent soil erosion

He reaffirmed VRA’s commitment to partnering with affected communities to improve safety and resilience.

The District Chief Executive for Kwahu Afram Plains South, Moses Tangmee, commended the VRA for the engagement and its proactive approach to flood management. He noted that such early interventions could save the government substantial costs during future disasters.

Mr. Tangmee further urged the VRA to address the concerns of resettlement communities such as Forifori and Kwame Dwamena, which, he said, have not received compensation like others in neighboring districts.

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He emphasized the critical role SSNIT plays in securing the financial future of workers and their dependents.

Speaking during his inaugural address, the Chairman expressed profound gratitude to God for the occasion and acknowledged the trust placed in the Board by President John Dramani Mahama.

“We recognize the high expectations from contributors, pensioners, and the wider public,” he stated. “Our task is immense, but we are united and determined to ensure the Trust’s sustainability.”

Nana Ansah Sasraku III noted that the Board aims to leverage its collective expertise to drive growth and improve service delivery, while maintaining transparent and productive relationships with all stakeholders.

He also highlighted the importance of sound corporate governance and pledged to uphold the highest standards in managing the Trust’s resources responsibly.

The Chairman further called for collaboration among the Presidency, regulatory bodies, labour unions, and the media, emphasizing that working together is essential to achieving the shared goal of securing the future for all Ghanaians.

The newly constituted SSNIT Board of Trustees was inaugurated today at the Ministry of Finance, marking a pivotal moment in Ghana’s pension administration.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and brought together key stakeholders from various sectors.

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The OSP has placed Mr Ofori-Atta on its wanted list and issued an INTERPOL Red Notice to facilitate his arrest and appearance in court to face charges of using his office for personal gain while serving in the erstwhile Akufo-Addo administration.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show (SMS) on June 10, Mr Kpebu acknowledged that while the family is entitled to its opinion, the strength of their claim is weakened by the OSP’s apparent unwillingness to respond to an alleged offer of cooperation from the former minister, who is currently outside Ghana.

He was reacting to a letter purportedly issued by the Ofori-Atta family, accusing the OSP of “persecution” and appealing to INTERPOL to remove Mr Ofori-Atta from its Red Notice list.

The family’s narrative has gained attention following the OSP’s recent reissuance of the Red Notice amid reports that Mr Ofori-Atta is out of the country for medical reasons.

Mr Kpebu cautioned against outright dismissal of the family’s sentiment, even if the legal merit is questionable.

“You can’t take that argument from them—no. That’s their interpretation,” Mr Kpebu stated, explaining that the family’s viewpoint stems from the OSP’s handling of the case.

He elaborated, “Once the OSP didn’t take that offer [for cooperation], we can’t take that argument from them that they see this as persecution.”

This, he suggested, opens the door for the family’s counter-narrative due to the OSP’s procedural stance, which required the former minister’s physical presence despite an alleged willingness to cooperate from abroad.

Mr Kpebu argued that the OSP could have explored alternative avenues.

He pointed to Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA), a formal process between sovereign states used to facilitate criminal investigations and prosecutions, including obtaining evidence, witness testimonies, or even transferring suspects across jurisdictions.

“I believe if we use the right processes, we can still go through and hold him accountable,” Kpebu asserted, adding that using the MLA framework would not only preserve the integrity of the investigation but also undercut claims of persecution.

While affirming that the family “can make that argument”, Mr Kpebu emphasized that “it doesn’t mean the family is right.” He noted that their statement “doesn’t appear to be unreasonable” under the circumstances, though that does not confirm its legal accuracy.

The legal expert’s comments introduce another dimension to the public discourse around Ken Ofori-Atta’s case, spotlighting both the accused and the procedural decisions made by the prosecuting authority.

In a statement, GNECC noted that this milestone marks an important transition in the academic journey of over 500,000 students nationwide.

As an education-focused civil society coalition, GNECC commended the dedication of students, the support of teachers, parents, and guardians, as well as the efforts of education stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to prepare these young learners for this pivotal moment.

“We recognise the challenges that many students have faced throughout the academic year, including limited access to learning materials, inadequate infrastructure, and in some cases, the lingering effects of disruptions to learning.

“Yet, despite these obstacles, the resilience, determination, and commitment of our young candidates have been remarkable,” GNECC noted.

GNECC further called on all examination officials, school administrators, and security personnel to ensure that the examination process is conducted with the utmost integrity, transparency, and fairness.

“We also urge candidates to approach the exams with confidence, discipline, and honesty, avoiding all forms of malpractice.

“To our BECE candidates, remember that this examination is just one step in your educational journey. Regardless of the outcome, your potential is limitless, and your dreams remain valid. We believe in you and are proud of your achievements so far,” the statement added.

GNECC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for a more equitable, inclusive, and quality education system in Ghana—one that provides every child the opportunity to succeed.

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No new deaths have been recorded, keeping the death toll at zero. Currently, four patients remain on admission.

The GHS attributes the recent rise in cases to enhanced surveillance efforts, including active contact tracing and increased public awareness.

These measures are aimed at identifying and isolating cases quickly within communities.

The GHS reaffirmed its commitment to early detection and containment, and urged the public to practice preventive measures such as avoiding close contact with symptomatic individuals, maintaining proper hygiene, and seeking medical care promptly if symptoms appear.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) is demanding justice for pharmacist Mohammed Zia-ulhak Zibrim, who was murdered in Bolgatanga.

The deceased was the Chief Executive Officer of Zimax Pharmacy and served as the General Secretary of PSGH’s Upper East Regional Branch.

In a statement, PSGH revealed that Mr. Zibrim was fatally shot on the evening of Thursday, June 5, 2025, in front of his residence. He was reportedly attacked while sitting in his pickup vehicle shortly after returning from work.

The Society expressed concern that the incident may be linked to the Bawku conflict, noting that Zibrim, who was of both Mamprusi and Kusasi heritage, symbolized unity in a region often marked by ethnic division.

PSGH condemned the incident as a “heinous and barbaric act” against a dedicated health professional and peace-loving Ghanaian.

“We’re deeply saddened and outraged by the killing,” the Society stated, describing Zibrim as a “young, vibrant professional who dedicated his life to the service of humanity through healthcare delivery.”

“We are alarmed that such a despicable act could be meted out to a pharmacist. This act represents not only a personal tragedy for his family and loved ones but also a loss to the entire pharmacy profession and the nation at large,” the statement continued.

The PSGH is calling on the Ghana Police Service and all relevant security agencies to investigate the murder urgently and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We call on the Ghana Police Service and all relevant security agencies to expedite investigations into this murder and ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

The Society further appealed to government to take stronger action to restore peace in Bawku and surrounding areas, and to ensure the safety of all workers, especially community pharmacists who often work late into the night.

“The needless shedding of innocent blood must come to an end. The PSGH calls for vigilance and security for all workers, including healthcare workers, especially community pharmacists who work and close late.”

Amid its call for justice, the Society also urged police to provide added protection for its members in the Upper East Region as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, PSGH has extended its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, especially Zibrim’s parents, wife, and four children.

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Read the full statement below:

The unprecedented demand levels of blood are putting a strain on the blood bank of Ghana’s key referral hospital, creating dire blood shortage as accidents and emergency cases surge.

The Transfusing Medicine Unit at KATH is entreating the public to eschew misconceptions and partake in safe blood donation exercises to support life-saving efforts.

Patients suffering from emergencies, including serious injuries from accidents and natural disasters, are often in need of blood transfusion.

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital uses an average of 80 units of blood, equivalent to 80 people a day, and further supplies other health facilities, enforcing more pressure on its blood bank.

Principal blood donor manager at KATH Transfusion and Medicine Unit, Shadrack Afful Appiah, described the restocking of the blood bank as a necessity.

“The first point of call at KATH is the emergency unit. You are either taken to the orange, red or yellow ward depending on the urgency of the situation. Red and orange wards treat severely critical cases. And 90 per cent of such cases require blood. That’s the blood situation at KATH. And so, blood is an urgent and necessary commodity at the hospital which is also a referral hospital. It means cases that get to KATH are in their severest form,” he said.

He was speaking at a blood donation event organized at the Calvary Charismatic Centre in Kumasi in celebration of the 69th birthday of the Founder and Senior Pastor of CCC, Ransford Obeng.

The initiative launched by Pastor Ransford Obeng aims to rally church members and the public to donate blood to hospital blood banks in efforts to address the critical shortage at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

According to Pastor Ransford Obeng, the blood donation drive is the only way to use his influence to support lives at the hospital.

“The backbone of CCC has been the young people. And this is the way I can use my influence to inculcate a behavior that saves other people. The church is 40 years old, and all through the years have been people selfishly supporting and assisting,” he said.

Shadrack Afful Appiah lauded CCC and the voluntary blood donors, while encouraging the public to eschew myths on donation.

“We are glad that some organizations including CCC have made it a priority to stock our bank. It’s a very safe exercise which every well-meaning Ghanaian should take part in. nothing stops you,” he said.

Some donors also spoke about the benefits and enthusiasm to participate.

“I have been donating for eight years. I have been made to believe that this saves life, and that’s what Christianity is about; looking out for the vulnerable,” Becky said.

“It’s been 16 years since I started, and I feel it has always been necessary that I do it as a Christian just like Christ’s sacrifice for us,” Winston said.

According to the release, the exams will begin on Wednesday, June 10, 2025, and end on Wednesday, June 18.

Candidates will start with Social Studies and Computing on the opening day.

WAEC noted that both Papers 2 and 1 for each subject are to be taken in one sitting without a break.

Earlier, the Council announced that a total of 603,328 candidates have registered to sit for this year’s BECE. This figure includes 297,250 males and 306,078 females from 20,395 schools across the country.

WAEC also confirmed that 1,661 private candidates, comprising 858 males and 803 females, will participate in the examination this year. This number represents a 19.49% increase over the 2024 private candidate entry of 1,390.

The examination will be conducted at 2,237 centres nationwide, with an additional 14 centres—mainly in regional capitals—dedicated to private candidates.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Professor Ernest Davies, has assured the public that all necessary preparations have been made to ensure a smooth and successful examination process.

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Kwabena Tawiah and Bismark Asiedu, both 22, admitted to conspiring to steal the vehicle, which belonged to Madam Agnes Azametsi.

They also pleaded guilty to causing damage to parts of the car.

Passing sentence, Ms Enid Marful-Sau, the presiding judge, considered their admission of guilt, noting that they did not waste the court’s time.

Meanwhile, Dennis Debrah, alias “Capone,” who was arraigned with them for dishonestly receiving the stolen vehicle, was found not guilty and discharged.

Police Chief Inspector Frederick Awuah-Ansah, presenting the facts, said Madam Azametsi, a businesswoman residing at Satellite, took her Hyundai Santa Fe to a washing bay near the Satellite Dish on April 24, 2025, where Tawiah and Asiedu worked.

She handed over the car to Tawiah, informing him she was travelling to Accra and would return shortly.

Upon her return later that day, she discovered that both Tawiah and Asiedu, along with the vehicle, had vanished.

A report was made to the Adjen Kotoku Police, and following intelligence and surveillance, the suspects were arrested at their Nkawkaw hideout on April 30, 2025, at 9:00 p.m.

They subsequently led police to Debrah’s residence in Pemenasi, where the stolen vehicle was recovered, resulting in his arrest.

The car’s bumper, fender mould, fog light, and petrol tank cover were found damaged, which Tawiah and Asiedu admitted had occurred due to reckless driving.

Further interrogation revealed that they had planned to sell the vehicle in Kumasi.

En route, they removed and sold a jack, wheel spanner, and car rim for GH¢100 to purchase fuel.

Upon arrival at Pemenasi, they requested GH¢2,000 from Debrah, who demanded the vehicle as collateral before granting them the funds.

After investigations, Tawiah, Asiedu, and Debrah were charged and arraigned before the court, resulting in the imprisonment of the duo.

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This followed an accident involving the vehicle at the Monome Bypass Junction in Akatsi, Volta Region.

The black-coloured car, bearing two different registration numbers—GS 234-17 and GC 7258-13—reportedly somersaulted and landed in a nearby bush after allegedly being chased by some security personnel.

Mr Dagbah, who rushed to the scene, said a search of the vehicle revealed large quantities of what is suspected to be Indian hemp.

“I got an alert around 6:40 pm on Saturday that a car was involved in an accident in my area, so I rushed to the scene with my security detail to bring the situation under control,” he told the Ghana News Agency (GNA).

The car was later towed to the Akatsi Police Station for further investigation.

Mr Dagbah, who also chairs the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) of Akatsi South, disclosed that the impounded contraband included 378 small-size, 43 flat-type, and 87 big-size compressed parcels of suspected Indian hemp, all packed in sacks.

According to the Akatsi Police, the driver of the vehicle is currently at large, and efforts are underway to apprehend him.

A team from the Volta Regional Police Command has since taken custody of the retrieved consignments for further action.

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In a statement, the Ghana Police Service said the suspect was arrested on June 6, 2025, during an intelligence-led operation.

At the time of his arrest, Fredrick was dressed in a white lab coat and a stethoscope and was preparing to meet another potential victim.

Police retrieved several medical items from him, including two stethoscopes, three intravenous (IV) drips, five syringes, two sample bottles, a roll of plaster, six bottles of vaccines, and an amount of GH¢8,500 in cash.

During interrogation, the suspect admitted to posing as a medical doctor at the United Brain Hospital located at Mallam, a suburb of Accra.

He also confessed to using the fake identity to initiate online relationships with women, whom he later defrauded under the pretense of facilitating travel arrangements to Europe.

Fredrick is currently in police custody assisting with investigations and is expected to be arraigned soon.

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Read the full statement below:

“Well, we are more than shocked. We are disturbed. We are worried that they could go into a decision of strike without much talk with us,” he said Monday night on JoyNews’ PM Express. “For a moment, you hear nurses are going on strike.”

The Wa Central MP said the strike, which has disrupted healthcare services across the country, was announced without adequate effort by GRNMA leadership to consult his ministry.

“I had a chat with the president of the Nurses and Midwives Association,” Dr. Pelpuo revealed. “I was complaining that they did not have the chance—the opportunity. They did not create the opportunity for me to have an interaction with them before the strike.”

The nurses and midwives are protesting a government proposal to defer implementation of their new conditions of service until 2026—a proposal the GRNMA has flatly rejected.

Dr. Pelpuo, however, believes the association acted too hastily, especially given the current economic situation and the administration’s willingness to engage with organised labour.

“I believe very strongly that if they started what they said they started a year ago or two years ago, this is a new administration,” he said.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure we have a stable economy, a stable society. We work with workers to get their full support for how we can run this country.”

The Minister noted that the strike undermines those efforts.

“I informed her that I wish we had had some conversation after she had had those kinds of conversations with other sector ministers or other stakeholders.”

Despite the impasse, Dr. Pelpuo said the government remains open to dialogue and a peaceful resolution. He emphasised that proper engagement is the only path forward.

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