Speaking after inspecting the heavily degraded Jimi River and the Jimi Dam near Obuasi, the Asantehene said he understands why many young people turn to galamsey, but cautioned that irresponsible mining will leave lasting consequences.

“I understand illegal mining has become an option because many young people have no jobs. But we cannot continue to do that because the river is also relevant to our lives. If we destroy the river, what happens to us then? We will give birth to deformed babies,” Otumfuo said.

The Asantehene was visibly distraught after seeing how illegal miners at Tasliman had diverted the course of the Jimi River with heaps of sand, causing siltation and threatening the Jimi Dam which treats water for over 200,000 people in Obuasi and Adansi.

He was accosted by some youth at the dam during the inspection, which is part of the 153-hectare Jimi Land Reclamation and River Watercourse Rehabilitation Project, a pilot under the Green Ashanti Initiative which is being led by Oheneba Nana Kwaku Dua with support from AngloGold Ashanti.

“I understand unemployment is a challenge, but we must also think about the damage we are doing to the river. We may get the money, but we will die after the environment is destroyed. I know that if there is no employment, the youth will always go and mine. But we should also know that the river cannot be destroyed,” he stressed.

The King called for a balance between job creation and environmental protection, urging responsible mining practices.

“We can find ways of mining responsibly. Because of gold, many are also felling their cocoa farms. We may end up destroying ourselves and the environment. I will plead with you, if you turn to galamsey due to unemployment, it must be done responsibly, without destroying the environment,” he appealed.

Otumfuo said he will take the matter before his chiefs to deliberate on lasting solutions.

The Jimi reclamation project is expected to restore degraded lands in six steps and provide alternative livelihoods through kenaf and other tree farming.

Two Ministers, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah and Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister, Mahama Ayariga, joined the Asantehene on the tour, which started with briefings at AngloGold Ashanti and tree planting at Lot 1 of the project.

Also read:

• Galamsey: Minister confirms fresh invasion of Jimirah Forest Reserve

• One shot as forest taskforce clashes with armed men at Jimira

Speaking on Joy FM, about his latest documentary, Manasseh said the initial information he received concerned five students.

However, when he arrived at the school to investigate, the number increased to 14. Two additional students subsequently came forward, alleging similar encounters with the headmaster, bringing the total to 16

According to Manasseh, the additional accounts emerged as his investigation into the alleged abuse progressed.

“Those who spoke, I have their names on record. When I went there, the number was 14; I am told two more names were added, so we have 16,” he said.

His documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, examines allegations against the headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.

Manasseh also expressed concern about what he described as widespread awareness of the allegations within the Obuasi community, including among members of the National Democratic Congress, despite an apparent reluctance to speak publicly.

The allegations remain subject to investigation.

Also read:

• KMA Mayor recalls what embattled Obuasi SHTS headmaster told him about alleged sexual abuse…

• Suspended Obuasi SHTS headmaster accused of sexually abusing students seeking NDC chairmanship

Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Sarpong, disclosed this while appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

He said the President had established a team comprising various security agencies to investigate the incident and examine weaknesses in the systems used to monitor goods exported through Ghana’s ports.

According to Mr Sarpong, the team was initially given two weeks to complete its investigations, with a preliminary report submitted to the President last week.

“The report was presented to the President in terms of what the state of the investigation is, and what the recommendations are to be able to close all the gaps substantially,” he said.

Mr Sarpong expressed optimism that the findings would guide policy decisions and investments aimed at improving security at Ghana’s ports and other entry points.

He said the measures would focus on identifying and addressing loopholes that could allow illegal consignments to leave the country without detection.

French customs officials seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the northern French port of Dunkirk on September 10, 2026.

The consignment, with an estimated street value of €225 million, was discovered concealed in a container carrying plastic waste that had arrived from Ghana. Part of the shipment was reportedly intended for Antwerp, Belgium.

In the aftermath of the seizure, Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) announced the arrest of three suspects over their alleged links to the shipment.

The commission said the suspects were allegedly involved in representing and facilitating the activities of Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as “Bolle Jos”, in Ghana.

Investigations are expected to help establish how the shipment passed through Ghana’s export controls and what additional measures may be required to prevent similar incidents.

Also read:

• 3.9 tonnes of cocaine worth €225m seized in France from Ghana shipment

• Cocaine seizures are hurting Ghana’s cocoa, cashew and timber exports – Afenyo-Markin

The escapees reportedly made their way out of the cells through a hole believed to have been dug towards the station’s detached washrooms before jumping down and fleeing.

Police immediately launched a manhunt following the incident, leading to the arrest of one of the escapees at a suburb of Kumasi. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining five.

Asante Akyem Central Municipal Chief Executive, Dr Ebenezer Ekow Aidoo, who confirmed the incident to Accra-based Citi News, said the Municipal Security Council was taking measures to strengthen security at the facility.

He said plans were underway to reinforce the walls of the police cells to prevent similar incidents.

Dr Aidoo also outlined longer-term measures, including the construction of a new police station and increasing the number of police officers deployed to the area, particularly during the night.

Additional security measures will include improving lighting at the station and installing surveillance cameras to help monitor activities and prevent future escapes.

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• Six suspects escape from Kotokuraba police cells

• Suspect tells court how policeman aided his escape from Manet cells

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, he said the remaining years of potential appointees could become a political consideration.

“If the president wants to wrestle power, he will go the route of picking people with short times to go,” he said.

Mr Bentil stressed that this was a possibility, rather than a claim about the President’s intentions.

“I said, if he wants, okay. The reason is simple. It will give him immense power.”

He explained that choosing judges with short periods left in office could allow President Mahama to appoint at least two Chief Justices before leaving office.

The succession question comes as Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie approaches retirement later this year. His departure will require another appointment to lead the judiciary.

Mr Bentil said competence remained essential. But he argued that it was unlikely to be the only consideration when choosing a Chief Justice.

“Competence is always important, but even in corporate life, above a certain level, the boss will pick somebody with sufficient competence and great loyalty.”

He said the judges under consideration were qualified for the position. “There can be no mistake, regardless of who is picked. They are all really fit.”

The decisive issue, he suggested, could be the President’s comfort with a candidate.

“I think that to the extent that it is the president who picks, he will pick a choice that is comfortable for him.”

For Bentil, however, the appointment should help rebuild public confidence following the turmoil surrounding the judiciary.

“I think the best thing would be someone who projects confidence in the judiciary.”

He acknowledged that no candidate would satisfy everyone. Still, he wanted a choice that could command broad acceptance among judges, lawyers and the public.

Despite his concerns about political considerations, Mr Kofi Bentil expressed confidence in the available candidates.

“I think ultimately the president will make a good choice because fortunately we have very good people over there, but he will make the choice.”

Also read:

• Loyalty can outweigh competence in Chief Justice selection – Kofi Bentil

• GBA’s criticism of Chief Justice lacks consistency – Deputy AG

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Boadi said he first heard the allegations during a weekend visit to Obuasi, where he is an indigene.

He said he subsequently contacted the school’s senior housemistress, who also shared rumours she had heard about the headmaster.

According to him, he advised the school authorities to prevent female students from visiting the headmaster’s bungalow while the allegations remained unresolved.

“If the allegations were only rumours against the headmaster, I suggested that the girls should not be allowed to go to his bungalow. They could allow only the male students to go there to work,” he recounted.

Mr Boadi said he also contacted Mr Abdulai, who denied the allegations and explained that he was facing resistance over efforts to enforce discipline at the school.

“He told me he was trying to instil discipline, but some people were resisting him, which he believed had led to the allegations. I also advised him not to allow female students into his bungalow,” the Mayor said.

He added that the headmaster visited his office three days later to thank him for the advice.

However, Mr Boadi said the rumours persisted, prompting him to contact the Ashanti Regional Director of Education to suggest that the headmaster be removed.

He said the Regional Director informed him that investigations were underway but that no concrete evidence had been established at the time.

According to Mr Boadi, the Regional Director also suggested that the allegations could be linked to resistance against new standards the headmaster was introducing at the school.

The Mayor said he didn’t hear anything about the issue, until the recent interdiction by the Ghana Education Service (GES).

The headmaster’s suspension comes amid investigations into allegations of sexual abuse involving students of the school.

Also read:

• Suspended Obuasi SHTS headmaster accused of sexually abusing students seeking NDC chairmanship

• Obuasi SHTS: My daughter may quit school to help on my cocoa farm –…

She said criminal networks were taking advantage of the ambitions of young people seeking professional football contracts, international trials and sports scholarships to deceive and traffic vulnerable individuals.

In a Facebook post, Ms Donkor said the growing threat required vigilance from parents, coaches, football academies, sports administrators, and young athletes to prevent unsuspecting talents from falling victim to trafficking networks.

She made the remarks after delivering an address on “Addressing Human Trafficking in Sports in Ghana” at a training programme supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

The programme focused on strengthening the capacity of officers to identify, investigate and prevent human trafficking.

Ms Donkor urged stakeholders to carefully verify promises of international contracts, scholarships and professional sporting opportunities before allowing young athletes to pursue them.

She stressed that no young person should lose their freedom, dignity or future in the pursuit of a sporting dream.

“At the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), we remain committed to strengthening intelligence-led investigations, protecting victims, and working with sporting institutions and international partners to identify and dismantle trafficking networks,” she stated.

She further emphasised that sports should serve as a pathway to opportunity, discipline and national pride rather than expose young talents to exploitation.

According to her, protecting aspiring athletes from trafficking requires sustained collaboration among law enforcement agencies, sporting institutions, families and international partners.

Ms Donkor called on all stakeholders to ensure that young people can pursue their sporting ambitions safely, without falling prey to individuals and networks that exploit their hopes for a better future.

“Let us protect their dreams, safeguard their future, and ensure that no child becomes a victim of trafficking in the name of sports,” she added.

The financial clearance marks a significant step towards the implementation of the two infrastructure projects, which are expected to improve road connectivity, facilitate transportation, and enhance economic activities within the municipality and surrounding communities.

The Samenya–New Town road is an important route for residents, motorists, traders, and other road users in the area, but the bad nature has become a headache for the Member of Parliament, Dorcas Affo-Toofey, chiefs, drivers, and the people.

The 25-kilometer stretch linking Samenye Barrier through Half-Assini to New Town at the Côte d’Ivoire border.

Its construction is expected to ease transportation challenges, improve access to essential services, and support the movement of goods and people within Jomoro and neighbouring communities.

Similarly, the planned rehabilitation of the Ankobra Bridge is expected to address infrastructure concerns associated with the bridge and improve the safety and efficiency of movement for commuters and commercial transport operators who depend on the route.

The two projects are particularly significant for communities whose livelihoods depend on farming, fishing, trading, and other economic activities that require reliable road infrastructure.

The financial clearance comes amid growing calls from residents for urgent investment in Jomoro’s road infrastructure.

In July 2026, residents appealed for improvements to the municipality’s road network, citing the effects of poor roads on transportation, access to healthcare, and economic activity.

The Ankobra Bridge has also attracted public concern over its deteriorating condition. In August 2026, residents called for urgent rehabilitation, warning that the bridge’s condition posed a potential danger to road users.

The completion of the financial clearance is therefore expected to raise hopes among residents and other stakeholders who have long called for improved transport infrastructure in the area.

The application seeks his release from custody pending an appeal against his conviction and 20-year prison sentence for illegal mining-related offences linked to a concession at Samreboi in the Western Region.

Mr Boasiako’s lawyers are seeking bail while the appeal process continues.

The application was initially scheduled for hearing on August 19 but was adjourned after Mr Boasiako and his lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, failed to appear in court. The matter was subsequently rescheduled to today.

The Attorney-General has opposed the bail application, arguing that the former NPP regional chairman poses a flight risk.

The court is expected to determine whether Mr Boasiako should be released on bail pending the outcome of his appeal when it delivers its ruling on November 4.

Mrs. Ofori-Ampofo expressed concern about individuals who are not professionally trained health practitioners wearing nurses’ and midwives’ uniforms to create content that promotes unethical behaviour and undermines the integrity of the professions.

She stressed the need to protect the dignity and professional image of nurses and midwives, emphasizing that their uniforms represent a profession built on ethics, discipline, responsibility, and public trust.

“The use of nurses’ and midwives’ uniforms in social media content must reflect the dignity, ethics, and professional standards of the nursing and midwifery professions,” Mrs. Ofori-Ampofo said.

She further urged trained nurses and midwives to uphold the ethical standards of their respective professions and exercise professionalism in their conduct, both online and offline.

According to the GRNMA President, healthcare professionals must remain conscious of how their actions and online activities shape public perceptions of the nursing and midwifery professions.

The Association maintains that the misuse of health workers’ uniforms for inappropriate social media content is unacceptable, calling for greater respect for the professional identity of nurses and midwives.

She also urged professionals to use social media to create awareness for the benefit of the public.

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• Govt’s decision to reduce nurse training long overdue – GRNMA

• Ghana Jollof case: GRNMA pledges continued legal support for Salomey Baffoe

The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadu, disclosed this in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, as he outlined key development projects the Assembly is undertaking to improve healthcare, security, and public infrastructure.

He said the breast care centre was a major priority for the Assembly, with the sod-cutting ceremony marking the start of the project.

“Over the years, most projects have been government funded, but this will be one of KMA’s first major funded project,” he said.

The facility is expected to strengthen healthcare infrastructure at KATH, although further details on its design, cost, and completion timeline were not immediately available.

Mr Ofori Agyemang Boadu also revealed that construction of a paediatric centre is about 70 per cent complete, with the Assembly targeting completion by the end of the year.

He said solar-powered billboards had also been installed as part of efforts to improve the city’s infrastructure.

The Mayor further announced plans to demolish the existing building in front of the Kumasi Central Prison and replace it with a two-storey office complex to improve the facility’s operations.

As part of the project, about nine offices are expected to be relocated to make way for the new development.

In addition, the Assembly has approved the construction of a modern divisional police station at the Central Police Station in Adum.

The project is intended to strengthen police operations and improve security within Kumasi’s central business district.

The planned breast care centre, paediatric facility, prison office complex and police station form part of the KMA’s broader development agenda for the metropolis.

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• Owners of temporary structures to seek specification approval as KMA introduces strict rules

• No disability access, no building permit – KMA boss declares

The award was presented by a delegation from The Business Executive, organisers of the Africa’s Most Influential Persons Awards, at the ICU-Ghana headquarters at the Hall of Trade Unions in Accra on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

Mr. Ayawine, who was unable to attend the award ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda, on September 25 due to other official engagements in Ghana and Europe, received a medal, plaque, citation, and book in recognition of his achievements.

His selection was attributed to his leadership in trade unionism, corporate governance and policy advocacy, particularly his efforts to promote socioeconomic development, business growth, and industrial advancement across Africa.

As head of a union representing workers in industry, banking, finance, commerce, hospitality, the informal sector, and various public boards and corporations, Mr. Ayawine has maintained engagement with employers and government in pursuit of improved working conditions and industrial harmony.

His advocacy has also been credited with contributing to efforts to protect strategic national assets from transfer to private investors and supporting the recapitalisation of some state-owned enterprises to help sustain their operations.

The recognition highlights his role in promoting constructive labour relations and creating a working environment that supports business sustainability and national economic development.

The citation accompanying the award commended Mr. Ayawine for his exceptional leadership, achievements, and contribution to Africa’s growth and development, describing his dedication, integrity, and commitment to excellence as an inspiration for positive change in society.

The latest honour adds to a series of recognitions received by the ICU-Ghana General Secretary in 2026.

In March, he received an award at the Ghana Development Awards for his outstanding contribution to labour rights and industrial harmony for national development.

He was also recognised in August at a continental awards ceremony in Zambia as Africa’s Most Respected CEO in Labour and Union Leadership.

Speaking after receiving the latest award, Mr. Ayawine attributed the achievement to the collective efforts and support of ICU-Ghana’s leadership, management, staff and members, as well as the union’s social partners.

He expressed gratitude to all those who had supported his work and reaffirmed his commitment to continued collaboration in advancing the interests of workers and promoting shared development goals.

The presentation was attended by the leadership, management, and staff of ICU-Ghana, who witnessed the recognition of their General Secretary for his contribution to labour relations and socioeconomic development.

In a statement, the family said Gamal passed away peacefully after suffering a stroke and receiving care at a rehabilitation centre in the Egyptian capital.

Gamal was a respected journalist, writer and intellectual who dedicated his career to examining the political, social and cultural forces shaping Africa and the wider world.

Throughout his life, he remained committed to the ideals of justice, human dignity, African unity and international solidarity.

The family described him as a man of profound intellectual curiosity, independent thought and quiet conviction who upheld his father’s legacy while building a reputation based on his own principles and achievements.

His death, the family said, represents a significant loss to his relatives, friends, colleagues and readers who valued his insight, humanity and engagement with critical issues of the time.

“The Nkrumah family remembers Gamal with immense love, gratitude and pride. His wisdom, kindness and devotion to the values he held dear will remain an enduring source of inspiration,” the statement said.

The family also expressed appreciation to all those who supported Gamal throughout his illness, particularly the medical professionals and caregivers in Cairo who provided him with care and dignity.

It extended its gratitude to the governments and people of Egypt and Ghana for their support during the difficult period.

The family has appealed for privacy as it mourns the loss, adding that details of memorial arrangements and opportunities to pay tribute to Gamal’s life and legacy would be communicated in due course.

Also read:

• Kwame Nkrumah’s son passes on

• Armah-Kofi Buah pays glowing tribute to Gamal Nkrumah

Read the full statement below:

STATEMENT FROM THE NKRUMAH FAMILY

On the Passing of Gamal Gorkeh Nkrumah

For Immediate Release

It is with profound sadness that the Nkrumah family announces the passing of Gamal Gorkeh Nkrumah, beloved son of Ghana’s founding President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and a respected journalist, writer and intellectual.

Gamal passed away peacefully in Cairo, Egypt, following a prolonged illness. He had been receiving care at a rehabilitation centre after suffering a stroke.

Throughout his life, Gamal remained deeply committed to the ideals of justice, human dignity, African unity and international solidarity. As a journalist and commentator, he dedicated his voice and intellect to examining the political, social and cultural forces shaping Africa and the wider world.

A man of profound intellectual curiosity, independence of thought and quiet conviction, Gamal carried forward, in his own distinctive way, the enduring legacy of our father, while building a life and reputation firmly grounded in his own principles and achievements.

His passing represents a profound loss not only to our family and loved ones, but also to the wider community of friends, colleagues and readers who valued his insight, humanity and unwavering engagement with the great questions of our time.

The Nkrumah family remembers Gamal with immense love, gratitude and pride. His wisdom, kindness and devotion to the values he held dear will remain an enduring source of inspiration.

At this time of sorrow, the family expresses its heartfelt appreciation to all those who stood with Gamal throughout his illness, particularly the medical professionals and caregivers in Cairo who provided him with care and dignity. Our deepest thanks also go to the governments and people of his two countries, Egypt and Ghana, for their generous support.

The family kindly requests privacy as it mourns this deeply personal loss.

Details concerning memorial arrangements and opportunities to pay tribute to his life and legacy will be communicated in due course.

May he rest in eternal peace.

Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, popularly known as King Zuba, says the measure forms part of efforts to improve the city’s appearance, promote orderliness and tackle unauthorised structures.

Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Boadi said the Assembly would no longer allow people to install containers using designs of their choice without first obtaining the required specifications.

“From January 2027, anyone who wants to erect a container or temporary structure in Kumasi must first obtain the approved design from the KMA’s Spatial or Physical Planning Department. You cannot simply engage a welder to construct any design you want,” he said.

He warned that structures erected without the required approval would be removed.

“We will remove any structure that does not comply with the approved specifications,” he added.

Mr Boadi said the standardised container design policy was being piloted around the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, with plans to extend it to other parts of the metropolis where the Assembly considers it necessary.

The initiative follows the Assembly’s demolition exercise on July 31 around the stadium enclave, where occupants of unauthorised structures were directed to vacate the area as part of efforts to improve sanitation, safety and the city’s general outlook.

The mayor said the policy would help create uniformity among commercial structures while ensuring that development across Kumasi follows approved planning standards.

Mr Boadi also announced plans to remove a number of billboards along selected stretches of the city as part of a broader decongestion and beautification exercise.

He cited the stretch from the KMA offices to Vienna, which he said is less than one kilometre long but has approximately 36 billboards.

According to him, the Assembly intends to remove about 28 of the billboards, leaving eight in place.

“The number of billboards along that stretch is excessive. Out of the approximately 36 billboards between the KMA and Vienna, we intend to remove about 28 and retain eight,” he said.

He encouraged businesses seeking to advertise in the city to consider digital billboards as an alternative.

Mr Boadi said the move was intended to reduce visual clutter and improve the appearance of public spaces as the Assembly intensifies efforts to decongest the metropolis.

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The hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Yakubu Seidu Adam, said the recruitment of more permanent medical personnel was critical to improving emergency care and strengthening services at the country’s leading referral facility.

Speaking during an engagement with Parliament’s Health Committee, Dr Adam disclosed that the hospital’s 64-bed Accident and Emergency Centre was struggling to cope with the growing number of accident victims and other emergency cases referred from different parts of the country.

He noted that the limited number of permanent medical staff was placing additional pressure on critical departments, particularly the A&E Centre and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

According to him, although the hospital has a significant number of doctors, a large proportion are medical trainees who leave after completing their training, creating challenges for the facility’s long-term staffing needs.

“This is a training institution. We have a number of doctors, but when we look at our numbers, most of them are not our staff. It’s a training institution; they come, we train them, and they go,” he said.

Dr Adam stressed that the hospital needed to recruit more medical officers who could provide sustained support for emergency and intensive care services, rather than relying heavily on doctors undergoing training.

He said management had already brought the staffing concerns to the attention of the hospital’s Director of Human Resources and the Minister of Health, but the meeting with Parliament’s Health Committee provided another opportunity to highlight the urgent need for additional personnel.

The Chief Executive Officer also called for more nurses to complement the efforts of existing medical staff and ensure patients receive timely and effective treatment.

The appeal comes as the hospital continues to face pressure on its emergency care services due to the volume of cases it handles from across the country.

Beyond addressing the shortage of personnel, management has also advocated the construction of a new facility to ease congestion and improve the hospital’s capacity to manage emergency cases.

The proposed intervention, alongside the recruitment of additional doctors and nurses, is expected to help strengthen emergency care delivery at the country’s premier referral hospital.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, he said professional ability remains important. But political considerations can determine who gets the nod when the candidates are all qualified.

“Competence is always important, but even in corporate life, above a certain level, the boss will pick somebody with sufficient competence and great loyalty.”

His comments come as Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie prepares to retire in December 2026, creating the need for a successor. The Judicial Service has confirmed that his tenure ends in December.

Mr Bentil was responding to questions from host Evans Mensah about whether competence should take priority, given the judiciary’s current challenges.

“We can only wish that, but you have to understand the real politic. Look, at that level, it is not about competence.”

He stressed that this did not mean the potential candidates lacked ability.

“There can be no mistake, regardless of who is picked. They are all really fit.”

For Mr Kofi Bentil, the President’s comfort with a candidate could become decisive.

“I think that to the extent that it is the president who picks, he will pick a choice that is comfortable for him.”

He also raised the political advantage of selecting a candidate with only a short period left before retirement.

Such a choice, Mr Bentil argued, could allow the President to make further appointments during his tenure.

“It gets the power to pick at least two chief justices before he leaves,” he said.

Mr Bentil presented that as an option available to the President, rather than a prediction of what he would do.

Beyond the political calculations, he said the appointment should help strengthen public confidence in the judiciary.

“I think the best thing would be someone who projects confidence in the judiciary.”

His preferred outcome would be a candidate whose suitability commands broad agreement among lawyers, judges and the public. He acknowledged that finding such consensus would be difficult.

Still, he expressed confidence in the quality of the available candidates.

“I think ultimately the president will make a good choice because fortunately we have very good people over there, but he will make the choice.”

The operation was conducted on Friday, October 9, 2026, as part of efforts to clamp down on the illicit drug trade.

The suspects have been identified as Jeremiah Chinedu, 33; Godsway Dabla, 29; Nwaiyo Charles, 64; Nwachukwu Kanawu, 41; John Divine; Gideon Edioke, 29; Ikechukwu Paul, 60; and Okwesibieze Precious, 23.

Items retrieved during the exercise include suspected Tramadol tablets of 225mg and 250mg, Rohypnol tablets, codeine-containing products, Benyling products and other assorted pharmaceutical substances.

According to the Police, all eight suspects remain in custody, while the seized items have been secured as exhibits to support ongoing investigations.

The Service reiterated its commitment to tackling the illegal distribution of narcotic substances and unregulated pharmaceutical products.

It said the operation forms part of broader efforts to protect public health and ensure the safety of the public.

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The reforms are intended to create a more transparent and equitable remuneration system, ensuring that differences in public sector earnings are justified by factors such as job responsibilities, skills, working conditions, and performance.

Chief Executive of the FWSC, Dr George Smith-Graham, disclosed this during a capacity-building workshop for media practitioners on the transition from the FWSC to the proposed IPEC.

He explained that although the Single Spine Pay Policy helped improve fairness in basic salaries, significant disparities remain in the total compensation received by public sector employees.

According to him, differences in allowances, housing benefits, transport support and other institution-specific arrangements have continued to create gaps in workers’ overall earnings, even where their basic salaries are similar.

Dr Smith-Graham noted that addressing these inconsistencies would be central to the proposed reforms, which seek to move beyond basic pay and consider the entire remuneration package of public sector employees.

“Two employees may have comparable basic salaries, yet receive very different total remuneration because of allowances, housing, transport, other benefits, or special institutional arrangements. Over time, these differences can recreate the very inequities that a salary reform sought to correct,” he said.

Under the proposed framework, IPEC will assess a broad range of payments, including salaries, allowances, benefits, board fees, performance-related bonuses, and certain retirement-related payments.

The objective is to establish a more consistent and evidence-based approach to remuneration while allowing legitimate differences based on responsibility, professional skills, risk exposure, hardship, market conditions, and performance.

The framework will also seek to ensure that public sector compensation remains within the limits of government’s financial capacity.

Dr Smith-Graham said the commission would develop a National Emoluments Methodology to provide common standards for job evaluation, grading, and salary structures across public institutions.

A certification process is also expected to be introduced to assess proposed remuneration arrangements before they are implemented.

The process would examine their legal basis, supporting job evaluations, fairness in comparison with similar positions, total financial implications and the availability of budgetary resources.

He said these measures would give public sector workers a clearer understanding of how remuneration decisions are reached and help reduce inconsistencies across institutions.

The FWSC chief executive also assured organised labour that the proposed changes would not take away workers’ right to collective bargaining.

Rather, he said, the new system would provide a stronger foundation for negotiations by making relevant information available, establishing clearer parameters for discussions and ensuring that proposed agreements are assessed against government’s ability to pay.

“Workers and their representatives remain essential participants in decisions affecting their livelihoods. The intention is to make negotiations more predictable through reliable information, transparent parameters, and proper assessment of affordability,” he stated.

The transition to IPEC is expected to take place in phases. Initially, the proposed commission will operate as a statutory body covering public institutions and selected state-owned enterprises, with Article 71 office holders excluded from its mandate at that stage.

Subsequent phases are expected to involve elevating IPEC to a constitutional body, with the possible inclusion of Article 71 office holders subject to the necessary constitutional procedures, including a potential referendum.

Dr Smith-Graham emphasised that the success of the initiative would depend on a sound legal framework, capable institutions, reliable data, and public trust.

He urged media practitioners to report accurately on the reform process, particularly by distinguishing between policy proposals, laws that have been enacted, and measures that have actually been implemented.

He said the broader objective was to establish a public remuneration system that promotes fairness among workers, strengthens public institutions, and ensures responsible management of state resources.

The workshop is part of stakeholder consultations being undertaken as the FWSC develops the framework for IPEC.

The proposed framework is expected to be submitted to the Attorney General for the preparation of a Bill for consideration by Parliament.

The initiative, announced by President John Dramani Mahama earlier this year, seeks to replace Ghana’s fragmented public sector pay arrangements with a more integrated system that promotes transparency, equity, accountability and productivity while safeguarding the public purse.

He said suspects were particularly vulnerable during police investigations and their first appearances in court, making early access to legal assistance essential to protecting their rights and preventing unlawful or prolonged detention.

“The most decisive moments in a criminal case often occur at the police station,” Dr Ayine said, calling for the introduction of a duty-lawyer scheme to give practical effect to Article 14(2) of the 1992 Constitution.

He made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf at the launch of the Legal Aid Commission’s 2026 Legal Aid Week at the Law Court Complex in Accra on Tuesday, October 13.

The event is being held under the theme “Justice at Your Doorstep.”

Dr Ayine urged the Commission to conduct regular reviews of cases involving people in custody to identify those who may be facing prolonged detention without legal representation.

He stressed that access to justice should not be determined by a person’s financial circumstances or geographical location, urging the Commission to expand its services beyond regional capitals through district offices and mobile legal clinics.

He proposed that the clinics operate on designated days at markets, community centres and traditional council halls to bring legal assistance closer to underserved communities.

“The Commission’s presence must be felt beyond regional capitals,” he said.

Dr Ayine also disclosed plans to engage the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to encourage lawyers to take up more pro bono cases, particularly for people who cannot afford legal representation.

He called on law faculties and the Ghana School of Law to establish supervised legal clinics and support the training of paralegals and community legal volunteers to provide basic legal guidance in rural communities.

According to him, legal aid is fundamental to ensuring that indigent persons can exercise their rights and receive fair treatment under the law.

Drawing on his experience in legal practice, the Attorney General observed that poverty often prevented people from having their cases heard, even when they had legitimate claims.

“A right that cannot be reached is a right denied,” he said, emphasising the need to transform legal aid from a constitutional and policy commitment into an accessible and effective service.

To improve access to legal assistance, Dr Ayine proposed the establishment of a toll-free legal aid line, alongside simple SMS and WhatsApp systems through which people could seek initial legal advice.

He also called for legal information to be made available in local languages to help people understand their rights and access assistance without unnecessary delays.

Additionally, he recommended a shared case-management system linking the Legal Aid Commission, the courts and the Office of the Attorney General to improve coordination and ensure that legally aided clients receive the support they need throughout their cases.

Dr Ayine further advocated stronger alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services to help resolve family, land, tenancy and debt disputes without the costs and delays associated with full court proceedings.

He said collaboration with traditional authorities and community mediators could make dispute resolution faster and more affordable, particularly for people in rural areas.

The Attorney General stressed that effective legal aid delivery would require predictable and adequate funding through the national budget, supplemented where possible by support from development partners.

He also urged the Commission to publish annual performance reports detailing the number of people assisted in various districts and the time taken to resolve their cases.

Dr Ayine assured the Commission of the Office of the Attorney General’s support for legal and policy reforms aimed at improving access to justice.

He added that prosecutors had a responsibility to respect and support the right of every accused person to legal representation.

“The measure of a justice system is not how it treats powerful people who can hire the best lawyers; it is how it treats the poor, the unlettered and the forgotten,” he said.

He urged the Legal Aid Commission to translate the theme of the week into practical interventions that would bring legal assistance closer to people who need it most, regardless of their financial circumstances or location.

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Reacting to the Fund’s upward revision from its April projection of 4.6%, Dr. Forson said the government remained committed to the fiscal discipline and reforms supporting the country’s economic turnaround.

“The IMF has upgraded Ghana’s 2026 growth forecast from 4.6% to 5.7%. We are confident we will exceed that projection,” he stated.

The revision represents an increase of 1.1 percentage points in the Fund’s growth forecast.

Dr. Forson’s remarks followed a meeting with the Director of the IMF’s African Department, Zeine Zeidane, on the sidelines of the ongoing IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.

“In Bangkok, I met with the IMF’s African Department Director, Zeine Zeidane, and reaffirmed our commitment to the fiscal credibility, discipline and bold reforms powering Ghana’s economic turnaround,” he said.

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The notice, dated Wednesday, October 14, 2026, claims that traditional hall allocation for fresh students would take place on Thursday, October 15, at a fee of GH¢2,000 per semester.

It also indicates that continuing students would pay GH¢4,300 per semester to access the university’s regular halls, including the Diaspora Halls.

According to the circulating notice, Level 100 students are expected to report to campus on Friday, October 16, while continuing students would resume on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

However, the university management has urged the university community and the general public to disregard the notice, describing it as fake.

The university has cautioned the public against relying on the unauthorised information and urged students to seek accurate updates through its official communication channels.

The warning comes amid the circulation of information purporting to outline arrangements for the reopening of the university and accommodation allocations for the new academic year.

In a Facebook post, Mr Buah said he received the news of Gamal’s death in Cairo with profound sorrow.

He described the late Gamal as an accomplished journalist and committed Pan-Africanist who upheld the ideals and vision of his father.

On behalf of the people of Ellembelle, which he described as the ancestral home of Ghana’s first President, the MP extended his sympathies to the Nkrumah family.

He also prayed for the peaceful repose of Gamal’s soul.

Gamal Nkrumah, a journalist and editor at Egypt’s Al-Ahram Weekly, died on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, according to family sources.

His burial is expected to take place in Egypt on Saturday, October 17, in accordance with Islamic traditions.

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In a statement issued on October 14, 2026, the Authority expressed concern over the growing number of such activities being carried out without the required authorisation and regulatory supervision.

The EPA instructed all operators engaged in reclamation, dredging, rehabilitation or restoration without a valid environmental permit to cease operations with immediate effect.

It further directed affected operators to report to the nearest EPA Regional Office or its Head Office for regulatory assessment.

The order covers a range of activities, including rehabilitation of mining sites, backfilling of excavated areas, restoration of abandoned mining locations, river dredging and desilting, as well as projects that affect wetlands and aquatic ecosystems.

Both public and private sector initiatives are covered by the directive, including projects funded by government and donor organisations.

The Authority warned that operators who disregard the order and continue working without the required permits will face enforcement action in accordance with Ghanaian law.

While acknowledging the importance of restoring land and water bodies degraded by illegal and irresponsible mining, the EPA stressed that such efforts must comply with environmental regulations.

It cautioned that the urgency of environmental restoration should not be used to circumvent established safeguards, warning that poorly regulated restoration activities could cause further damage to the environment.

Speaking in an interview, Mr. Abdul-Karim described education as the key to success, stressing that it remains essential to the development of individuals and communities.

He said the decision to provide the facility was aimed at improving access to quality education for children in Tikarni and creating a more conducive environment for teaching and learning.

According to him, education is a priority, and the new school building is part of efforts to strengthen educational infrastructure in the district.

He urged residents, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders to take good care of the facility to ensure it serves its intended purpose for many years.

The DCE stressed that protecting the building was a shared responsibility and called on the community to maintain it for the benefit of present and future generations.

Meanwhile, the Kpandai District Director of Education, Yaw Sarfo, expressed gratitude to the DCE and the President for providing the facility to support education in Tikarni.

He said the Directorate had made arrangements to deploy seven teachers to the school and provide furniture to ensure that teaching and learning could begin under the appropriate conditions.

Mr Sarfo said the necessary preparations had been made to support the effective operation of the school, adding that the provision of teachers and furniture would help ensure the facility was put to good use.

He also assured the DCE and the authorities that the community would take good care of the building to protect the investment in education.

The commissioning of the new school block is expected to improve the learning environment for pupils in Tikarni and contribute to efforts to expand educational opportunities in the Kpandai District.

The facility also highlights the importance of collaboration among government officials, education authorities, teachers, parents, and local communities in improving educational infrastructure and outcomes.

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The intervention is aimed at providing beneficiaries with practical tools to engage in income-generating activities and improve their living conditions.

Speaking in an interview with Adom News, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Kpandai, Haruna Abdul-Karim, advised persons with disabilities to prioritise requests for equipment and other productive items rather than cash when applying for support.

According to him, providing beneficiaries with machines and other working tools would help them establish sustainable businesses and generate income over a longer period.

He explained that cash support could be spent without necessarily achieving the intended purpose, whereas equipment such as fufu machines could serve as a lasting source of livelihood.

Hon. Abdul-Karim therefore encouraged persons with disabilities to request items that would help them develop their skills, establish businesses, and become financially independent.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the DCE and the Assembly for the intervention, describing it as timely and beneficial to their livelihoods.

They said the fufu machines would provide them with opportunities to engage in economic activities, earn income, and support themselves and their families.

The beneficiaries also expressed hope that the support would help improve their financial circumstances and reduce their dependence on others.

The intervention forms part of efforts to support persons with disabilities through practical assistance intended to promote inclusion, self-reliance, and improved living standards within the district.

He said the association agreed to suspend the industrial action on the condition that the commission provides the required communication on the outstanding issue.

His comments follow a directive from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) ordering all public universities to reopen by Friday and resume academic work by Monday at the latest.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsnight, Reverend Karikari said GAUA had no objection to GTEC directing universities under its regulatory authority to resume operations but maintained that the directive would not automatically end the strike.

“GTEC is our regulator, and they can go ahead to direct universities that they regulate to resume work. But we are on strike. So if the Deputy Director-General of GTEC, who issued the reopening directive under the instruction of the Education Minister, who was present at the meeting, was listening well and was attentive at the meeting, we agreed that we call off the strike based on a condition precedent: that we receive a letter from Fair Wages on our market premium issue,” he said.

Reverend Karikari also criticised the tone of GTEC’s letter, describing its language as unprofessional and excessive in its approach to university management.

He argued that public universities are governed by their respective councils and that GTEC should not act as though it has direct control over vice-chancellors and university councils.

“GTEC cannot and should not behave as if it is a headmaster remotely controlling vice chancellors and university council,” he said.

The GAUA president, however, clarified that the association did not necessarily feel insulted by the letter but objected to what he considered overreaching language.

GAUA began its nationwide strike in August over salary disparities and conditions of service.

One major concern is the market premium, which the association says has fallen behind that of teaching staff.

The strike has disrupted administrative operations in public universities, with GAUA maintaining that progress on its market premium demand is necessary before it can suspend the industrial action.

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Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Newsnight, GAUA President Reverend Amoah Karikari described the language of the letter as “unprofessional” and said the commission should respect the governance structures of public universities.

He said GAUA had no objection to GTEC directing universities under its regulatory authority to resume operations but insisted that the directive would not automatically end the association’s strike.

“We don’t have a problem. But I must be quick to say that the tone of the letter is not professional,” he said.

“GTEC cannot and should not behave as if it is a headmaster remotely controlling vice chancellors and university council,” he added.

He clarified that the association did not necessarily feel insulted by the letter but considered its language excessive.

The GAUA president also maintained that the association would call off its strike only after receiving a letter from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) addressing its market premium demand.

He explained that this was a condition agreed upon at the association’s last meeting with the Minister of Education.

His comments follow a directive from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) ordering all public universities to reopen by Friday and resume academic work by Monday at the latest.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed this during a working visit to the Ashanti Regional Passport Application Centre in Kumasi, where he examined logistical difficulties confronting the facility.

He said the vehicles would equip passport officers to carry out their responsibilities more effectively, particularly in providing mobile passport application services.

Mr Ablakwa noted that the Kumasi centre currently operates with only one vehicle, a situation that places considerable strain on its activities.

He said the facility would receive one of the newly procured pickups, with the remaining vehicles to be distributed among other regions and the ministry’s headquarters in the Greater Accra Region.

The allocation is expected to ease transportation challenges and enable staff to respond more efficiently to requests for mobile passport services.

Beyond the provision of vehicles, the Minister announced plans to renovate the Kumasi centre, with the cost expected to be captured in the 2027 national budget.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the state of some furniture and the general working conditions at the facility, stressing the need for a better environment to improve staff productivity and service delivery.

Mr Ablakwa said renovation works at the Accra Passport Application Centre had been included in the 2026 budget and completed, adding that a similar upgrade was planned for the Kumasi centre next year.

The visit marked his first to the Ashanti Regional Passport Application Centre since assuming office.

It was intended to give him a direct assessment of the challenges affecting operations, including inadequate vehicles, worn-out furniture and other equipment needs.

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The companies are Polytex Ghana Limited, JA Biney Packaging, Qualiplast Limited, Bragha Company Limited, Melcom Group of Companies and Menkish Impex Ltd.  

They were cited for operating without registering with the Commission, using expired certificates or failing to renew their registrations.  

The companies have been directed to report to the Cyber Security Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the Police Headquarters and the DPC by Thursday, October 15, to address the breaches.  

The violations were identified during compliance checks on Wednesday as part of a week-long enforcement exercise aimed at ensuring that organisations handling personal data complied with the law and adopted measures to safeguard such information.  

Briefing the media after the exercise on Wednesday, Mr Quintin Akrobotu, Director of Regulatory and Compliance at the DPC, said some companies had operated and collected or processed personal data for years without registering with the Commission.  

He said Polytex Ghana Limited had failed to demonstrate adequate knowledge of data protection requirements and could not produce a valid certificate to support its data processing activities. The company had been invited by the CID’s Cybercrime Unit to explain its failure to register.  

JA Biney Packaging was also found to be unregistered, although it had agreed to take steps to comply. It was directed to report to the CID to provide a statement.  

Qualiplast Limited similarly failed to produce a valid data protection certificate but had expressed willingness to implement the required measures. It was also expected to explain its non-compliance to the CID.  

Bragha Company Limited, an oil and gas firm, was cited for operating for about 30 years without a valid data protection certificate or completing its registration. It was invited to meet the CID and the DPC.  

Menkish Impex Ltd’s registration expired in 2019, and the company failed to renew it. It was directed to regularise its status with the Commission and explain the lapse to the CID.  

Melcom, however, received commendation for its compliance efforts. Mr Akrobotu said the retailer was processing its licence renewal and training three professionals, including one appointed as its data protection supervisor, as required under Section 58 of the Data Protection Act.  

He said the company was expected to take further steps towards full compliance after the training, warning that ignorance of the law would not be tolerated.  

“Ignorance is no excuse,” he said, adding that the Commission educated organisations on their obligations through publications, its website and social media platforms.  

Mr Akrobotu said Section 53 of the Data Protection Act prohibited data controllers from processing personal information without registering with the Commission.  

He said the enforcement exercise, conducted under Section 81 of the Act, would continue beyond the week and into next year, with further inspections planned across the country.  

He also commended companies cited in an earlier crackdown for contacting the Commission to work towards compliance.  

“Our target is not to embarrass institutions. We want them to comply,” he said.  

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The application seeks his release from custody while he appeals his conviction and 20-year prison sentence for illegal mining-related offences involving a concession at Samreboi in the Western Region.

The matter was initially set for hearing on August 19 but was adjourned after Mr Boasiako and his lead lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, failed to attend court.

The parties were later informed by the court clerk that the presiding judge would not be available for the rest of that week, leading to the rescheduling of the hearing.

At Thursday’s sitting, the defence is expected to outline its reasons for requesting bail while the appeal against the conviction and sentence remains pending.

The application was submitted in August as the former NPP regional chairman sought to secure his release during the appeal process.

The Attorney-General, however, is opposing the request, citing concerns that Mr Boasiako could abscond if granted bail.

The court will consider the submissions from the defence and the prosecution before deciding whether to grant bail pending the determination of the appeal.

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The delegation was led by the Global Chairman, Reverend Dominic Yeo, and the host, General Superintendent Reverend Stephen Wengam.

Reverend Wengam said all was set for the World Congress, which is taking place on African soil for the first time in the 115-year history of the Assemblies of God worldwide. He commended President Mahama and the government for supporting the organisation of the event.

Reverend Wengam explained that the change of venue for the morning conference, from Independence Square to the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre, was due to technical hitches, adding that the new venue is more conducive.

The Global Chairman of the Assemblies of God Fellowship, Reverend Yeo, congratulated Ghana on being the first country in Africa to host the World Congress, just as it was the first in sub-Saharan Africa to gain political independence. He expressed the gratitude of the Executive Committee to President Mahama and the Government of Ghana for their diverse assistance to ensure the success of the World Congress.

The Global Chairman commended the President for his visionary and transformational leadership, which he said is reflected in economic stability and massive road development. He urged the President to continue to represent Christ well in politics and to remain steadfast in his faith.

President Mahama welcomed the delegation to Ghana and assured them of the government’s continued support to ensure that the event is peaceful, successful and impactful. He recounted how he joined the Assemblies of God, saying, “I have no regrets.” He commended the current leadership of the church for its visible growth and transformation.

Reverend Yeo presented Congress souvenirs to President Mahama and led the delegation to pray for him and for the prosperity of the nation.

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His lawyer, Patrick Fafali Azameti, says his client was never formally notified of the termination of his employment following the change of government in 2025, despite repeated attempts to establish his status and recover outstanding entitlements.

Speaking to Accra-based Citi FM on Wednesday, Mr Azameti said some individuals entered Mr Kpemka’s office after the change of government and instructed him to leave and hand over to officials of the company.

He said Mr Kpemka subsequently made several efforts to obtain his outstanding benefits from BOST, but those attempts proved unsuccessful, prompting him to seek legal redress.

“After several demands on BOST to pay him his entitled benefits failed, he was left with no option but to take the matter to court for the appropriate remedy,” the lawyer said.

Mr Azameti maintained that his client had not received any formal correspondence confirming the termination of his appointment.

“The interesting part of it is that there was no official or formal communication of termination,” he added.

The lawyer explained that Mr Kpemka’s employment agreement outlined the terms and conditions governing his service, including the procedures the company was required to follow in ending his appointment.

He said the agreement also stipulated the benefits and remuneration due to his client.

Mr Kpemka is seeking compensation through the court action against BOST over the circumstances surrounding the end of his tenure and the outstanding entitlements he claims are owed to him.

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Kwofie was convicted on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, after pleading guilty to an assault charge before the Agona Nkwanta District Court, presided over by His Worship Kuma Selorm Dzata.

According to the police, investigations established that Kwofie is married to Diana Mensah, a second-hand clothing trader, and the couple live together at Domeabra in the Agona Nkwanta Municipality.

The assault occurred on October 8, 2026, after Kwofie allegedly accused his wife of having an extramarital affair. He subsequently subjected her to a severe beating, an incident captured in a video that circulated widely on social media.

Kwofie was arrested on October 12 and subsequently arraigned before the court on October 14, where he pleaded guilty to the charge.

The Agona Nkwanta District Police Command announced the conviction and sentencing, describing the case as one connected to the viral assault video.

The sentence follows the circulation of the footage, which brought the incident to public attention.

In a notice dated October 14, 2026, the GES said all applicants should visit the portal to access updates on their respective applications.

The directive, signed by Deputy Director-General in charge of Quality and Access, Munawaru Issahaque, on behalf of the Director-General, requires Regional Directors to ensure the information reaches all eligible applicants promptly.

The Service has also urged the directors to use the appropriate administrative channels to disseminate the notice and ensure compliance within the stipulated timeline.

Applicants can check their promotion application status through the link https://bit.ly/statuschecker2026⁠.

The GES described the directive as urgent and appealed for the cooperation of Regional Directors to ensure the successful implementation of the promotion exercise.

Read the statement below:

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Ghana cannot industrialize without skilled workforce – TVET Director-General

Afenyo-Markin to pursue GH¢15m defamation suit against Sammy Gyamfi despite court setback

His lawyer, F. Paa Kwesi Abaidoo, said the legal team had instructions from Mr Afenyo-Markin to continue with the matter and was awaiting the court’s written ruling to determine the next course of action.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Dehyena Chambers said the High Court, General Jurisdiction 1, presided over by Justice Akwasi Adjenim Boateng, set aside the writ because the alleged defamatory words attributed to Mr Gyamfi had not been sufficiently particularised.

The law firm said it had not received a copy of the ruling from the court registry as of 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

It indicated that the legal team would study the ruling before deciding on its next steps.

The lawyers expressed concern over what they described as Mr Gyamfi’s use of procedural obstacles rather than filing a defence to the allegations underlying the suit.

According to the statement, Mr Gyamfi had previously made categorical allegations against Mr Afenyo-Markin, claimed to have evidence to support them and challenged him to sue.

The lawyers argued that procedural irregularities could be remedied under Ghanaian civil jurisprudence, citing Supreme Court authorities and Order 81 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004 (C.I. 47).

They maintained that the court’s decision would not deter their client from pursuing the case.

“We will not be deterred by procedural setbacks. The Mills of Justice grind slowly, but with great surety,” the statement said.

The legal team said it would await the full ruling before determining the appropriate legal steps to take.

Read the statement below:

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He said Ghana could not achieve sustainable industrial growth, expand manufacturing, modernise agriculture or create quality jobs without equipping its workforce with the technical and occupational skills required by industry.

“Ghana cannot industrialize sustainably without a skilled workforce. We cannot build competitive industries, expand manufacturing, modernise agriculture, accelerate digital transformation, or create quality jobs without people with the right technical and occupational competencies,” Dr. Adzroe said.

He made the remarks at the TVET Policy Dialogue organised as part of the Ghana TVET Week 2026 celebrations, held under the theme, “Resetting TVET, Empowering Ghana’s Industrial and Economic Transformation.”

The dialogue brought together policymakers, government officials, industry representatives, development partners, academics and other stakeholders to discuss reforms needed to align technical and vocational training with Ghana’s industrial and economic development priorities.

Dr. Adzroe said the country must move beyond discussions about the relevance of TVET and focus on making it a central pillar of national economic transformation.

“The question, therefore, is no longer whether TVET matters. The question is whether we are prepared to position TVET at the centre of Ghana’s economic transformation,” he stated.

Calls for stronger industry partnerships

The Director-General identified stronger collaboration between training institutions and industry as one of the key measures needed to improve the delivery of TVET in Ghana.

He said institutions must respond more quickly to emerging technologies and changing labour market demands to ensure that graduates acquire skills that meet employers’ needs.

“We must strengthen the alignment between training institutions and industry. We must ensure that sectors respond faster to emerging technologies and changing labour market demands. We must deepen work-based learning, apprenticeship and industry partnership,” he said.

Dr. Adzroe also called for increased investment in modern training infrastructure, equipment and instructor development, alongside improved pathways connecting skills acquisition to employment, entrepreneurship and productive enterprise.

According to him, these measures would help produce graduates who are better prepared for the workplace and capable of contributing meaningfully to productivity and economic growth.

TVET must become a national development priority

Dr. Adzroe stressed that technical and vocational education should no longer be treated solely as an education-sector concern but as a national economic development priority.

“Most importantly, ladies and gentlemen, we must move from viewing TVET primarily as an education-sector issue to recognising it as a national economic development priority,” he said.

He explained that the transformation of Ghana’s economy required a coordinated effort involving government, industry, training institutions, development partners and other stakeholders.

The Director-General said the Ghana TVET Service remained committed to supporting the transformation but noted that the scale of the task required a broader national commitment.

“Ghana TVET Service is committed to playing its part in this transformation. However, the scale and complexity of the challenge require a whole-of-government and whole-of-economy approach,” he stated.

Stakeholders urged to produce practical outcomes

Dr. Adzroe urged participants at the dialogue to engage in frank discussions and develop practical recommendations capable of influencing policy and improving skills development.

He challenged stakeholders to examine whether training institutions were adequately equipped to deliver the skills needed for industrial growth, how TVET financing could be strengthened and what more industry could do to support training and apprenticeship programmes.

“I encourage us to make this dialogue practical and forward-looking. Let us ask the difficult questions,” he said.

He further emphasised the need to ensure that resources invested in TVET translated into measurable improvements in productivity, employment, innovation and economic value.

“The outcome of this dialogue should not end in this room. They should inform policy, strengthen partnership and translate into measurable actions,” Dr. Adzroe added.

Ghana TVET Week 2026

The Policy Dialogue forms part of the Ghana TVET Week 2026 celebrations, which seek to highlight the importance of technical and vocational education in developing the skilled workforce needed to support Ghana’s economic transformation.

Dr. Adzroe acknowledged the contributions of government officials, members of Parliament, the Ghana TVET Service Council, and principals of technical institutes, industry representatives, development partners, academics and the media to the advancement of the TVET agenda.

He called on stakeholders to strengthen existing partnerships and renew their commitment to positioning technical and vocational education as a key driver of industrialisation and economic growth.

“As we celebrate Ghana TVET Week 2026, let us therefore use this platform to reset our thinking, strengthen our collaboration and reposition TVET as a powerful engine of Ghana’s industrial and economic transformation,” he said.

The call comes amid growing emphasis on skills development, industry-led training and technical education as essential components of Ghana’s efforts to build a competitive economy and expand employment opportunities.

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According to him, the two parties should resolve the matter amicably, arguing that continued litigation could undermine cooperation between the government and opposition Members of Parliament.

Speaking on JoyFM’s Top Story on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Mr Kpebu said the dismissal of the suit meant there was no pending case preventing public discussion of the issues surrounding it.

“Once the writ has been struck out, or the case has been dismissed, there’s nothing before the court, so there’s no risk at all. You discuss it, you’re free to,” he said.

On Wednesday, October 14, the High Court’s General Jurisdiction 1 threw out Mr Afenyo-Markin’s GH¢15 million defamation suit, ruling that the writ was incurably defective and incompetent and could not properly invoke the court’s jurisdiction.

The court relied on Coleman v Newmont on the applicable procedural rule and Owusu Domena on the requirement to raise objections promptly.

The ruling brought proceedings under the defective writ to an end but did not determine whether the statements complained of were defamatory.

Mr Afenyo-Markin announced the lawsuit in Parliament on August 24, 2026, following allegations of extortion made against him amid a dispute involving GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

The suit named Mr Gyamfi and Multimedia Group Limited as defendants, with the Minority Leader maintaining that the allegations were false and intended to damage his reputation.

The case also generated disagreement over service of the writ. Mr Gyamfi authorised his lawyers, Ayine & Partners, to accept the court documents, while Mr Afenyo-Markin’s lawyers later said service had been completed and rejected claims that their client was avoiding it.

Responding to a question on whether the media could continue reporting on the controversy without risking contempt of court or breaching an injunction, Mr Kpebu said there was no legal impediment he was aware of following the dismissal of the suit.

He, however, cautioned that media discussions could still expose individuals to fresh legal action if they involved defamatory statements.

“Except, of course, if in discussing it, maybe certain statements are made which are defamatory, then I think Afenyo-Markin deserves the right to sue again,” he said.

Despite this, Mr Kpebu urged the Minority Leader not to return to court over the existing dispute, calling for an amicable resolution.

“I also believe he shouldn’t go. I think he shouldn’t go back to court,” he added.

Mr Kpebu argued that litigation of this nature could strain relations between the government and opposition lawmakers, particularly when both sides continued to engage in public business despite their political differences.

He said successive governments had supported opposition MPs in various ways, including through development projects such as road construction in their constituencies.

“It’s not just this government. For as long as I’ve been politically aware, government often engages opposition MPs and tries to support them,” he said.

He maintained that such engagements were not unusual in Ghana’s political system and questioned the sustainability of pursuing legal action while the government and opposition continued to cooperate on other matters.

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The anxiety follows the arrival of military personnel and bulldozers at the market around 3:00 a.m., despite a meeting between the traders’ leadership and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) on the previous day to seek a halt to the exercise.

Although no demolition was carried out, the early-morning presence of the security personnel and heavy equipment has left traders worried about the future of their businesses.

The Assembly had reportedly given traders a two-week notice, explaining that the structure had become weak and needed to be pulled down for renovation on safety grounds.

However, the traders, led by the President of the La Nkwantanang General Goods Traders Association, Samuel Konadu Darkwa, are challenging the planned demolition, describing it as unlawful and indicating that the matter has been taken to court.

Mr. Darkwa said the association’s leadership met the MCE on the previous day to appeal for the exercise to be suspended to allow further discussions, but the arrival of the military personnel and bulldozers in the early hours of the morning has heightened tensions.

He also expressed concern that the Assembly had not collected data on the traders occupying the shops, warning that proceeding with the demolition without properly accounting for them could leave about 1,000 traders without their source of livelihood.

Some traders are appealing to the Assembly to postpone any demolition until after the Christmas festivities, explaining that they have already stocked their shops in anticipation of increased sales during the season.

They fear that an immediate exercise could leave them counting significant losses at a time when many depend on festive-season trading to support their families and sustain their businesses.

The traders are therefore calling on the MCE and the Assembly to engage them in further dialogue and agree on a way forward that addresses the stated safety concerns without abruptly disrupting their livelihoods.

For now, uncertainty hangs over the market as traders await further engagement with the Assembly amid concerns about the future of their shops and businesses.

Add the traders’ strongest allegationsMake the court action more prominent

The incident left part of the vehicle’s engine compartment and the front of the car completely burnt.

According to the GNFS, the fire was reported to its Fire Master Control at 8:03 p.m., and a crew was dispatched a minute later to respond to the emergency.

The firefighters arrived at the scene at 8:18 p.m., but the fire had already gone out by then. An assessment of the vehicle showed that a possible overheating caused the engine to burst into flames.

No casualties were recorded in the incident.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation,

She has therefore asked scientists to look at alternatives the country can use to help address it.

She said this at the National Scientific Conference of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, ahead of the government’s plans to ban Styrofoam in January 2027.

“Styrofoam ban on its own will not deal with the plastic menace, it will not deal with the microplastics in our food chain, it will not deal with the exposure to toxic chemicals that leach into our water because it’s so hot and we keep our plastic bottles everywhere in the heat and we then drink these bottles of water that now have chemicals that have leached into them and then the impact on our kidneys and our various organs,” she said.

She added that the health consequences could extend to hospitals, warning that people might be encouraged to drink more water without considering whether chemicals leaching from plastic containers had contaminated it.

The minister urged scientists to look to plants for replacements.

“What are the alternatives to plastics that we can use? Plant-based, all right, whether it’s cassava or hemp. And I’m throwing this out there because by the 7th of January, we’re banning Styrofoam, but that’s just the first step in a whole journey of how we change our way of life as a people,” she said.

She called on the scientists to think boldly about the problem.

“We need to come up with solutions, we need to be disruptive in our thinking, let’s reinvent the wheel literally. There are things that have not been thought of yet and there are things that we can actually perhaps modify to suit our own purposes,” she said.

She described what success would look like.

“If we come up with a substance that looks like plastic, behaves like plastic and can hold whatever is in it, but once you have consumed what is in it, it breaks down into a harmless residue of some plant product which can then go back to nature, then I think we’re really making a difference,” she said.

He said the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) was engaging the Ministry of Finance to find a resolution to the outstanding issues.

Mr Iddrisu expressed optimism that the government would reach an agreement with the association’s leadership by Friday, October 16, 2026, paving the way for the strike to be called off and universities to reopen.

He made the remarks at the 64th Annual National Conference of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) in Ho in the Volta Region.

The Minister also assured teachers who have been promoted that the government would fulfil its commitment to pay their corresponding salaries by the end of October 2026.

He indicated that the first phase of the outstanding payments was expected to be made by Friday, October 16, based on the new grades of the affected teachers.

The payments, he said, form part of efforts to settle arrears owed to teachers following their promotions.

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The suspects, all males, were apprehended in the Sewua–Donyina–Appiadu enclave during a swoop by some officers of the National Security on Wednesday October 14, 2026.

Six trucks, including a wheel loader were also impounded during the raid in the enclave.

An Assistant Liaison Officer, Ivan Bilson Yeboah, says the suspects have been transported to the national office in Accra for custody and further investigations.

“They are on their way to Accra for our officers at the headquarters to carry out further investigations,” he said.

A viral video indicated the individuals have been excavating and removing white sand from the Accra-Kumasi Expressway for commercial purposes.

This raised concerns about the potential destruction of the right of way, which is crucial to the planned road infrastructure.

Mr. Yeboah described the illegal activity as unacceptable, advising the public to desist from such practices which impedes national development.

“We have seen a considerable damage being done to the road. It’s bad that resources of the state will be channeled to such a beautiful national activity, but people who want to loot and do whatever they did. This is unacceptable.

Mr. Bilson Yeboah further noted that the regional security council is expected to meet to deliberate on means to heighten patrols along the portion of the expressway in the region.

“REGSEC will be meeting on Thursday to look at how to sustain surveillance on the stretch to nip some of these activities in the bud,” he noted.

However, some suspects remain at large as the security force intensifies manhunt for their whereabouts.

Bosomtwe District Chief Executive, Ing. Abdullah Hamidu disclosed exclusively to JoyNews that preliminary investigations by the Assembly suggested the sand winners claimed to have obtained authorization from the Ejisu Municipality Assembly to undertake the excavation.

They however failed to produce a copy of the said permit.

“When they were directed to my office, they told me they had obtained a permit from Ejisu, but they could not provide a copy. I ordered them to stop the operation and referred the matter to the police for further investigations,” he said.

In its weather forecast, the Agency said a few inland areas of the coast could also experience rainfall as cloudy conditions prevail across the country.

The areas expected to experience thunderstorms or rain include Ho, Koforidua, Akim Oda, Kwahu Tafo, Kumasi, Obuasi, Tarkwa, Sefwi Bekwai, Kete Krachi, Atebubu, Ejura and Kintampo.

In the Northern regions, areas including Sampa, Bole, Bolgatanga and Wa are likely to experience thunderstorms of varying intensities.

GMet also indicated that Accra, Kasoa and their surrounding communities could experience rainfall during the night. Dark, cloudy skies are expected to persist in these areas through the night and into the following morning.

The Agency further forecast the development of mist and fog patches early Thursday morning over forested and mountainous areas, a condition that could lead to reduced visibility.

However, the state of the sea remains calm.

The equipment, comprising a peristaltic medicine filling machine and a particle inspection machine, is expected to improve the hospital’s production processes by making medicine filling faster and helping detect possible particulate contamination in finished products.

Operating under the Pharmacy Department, the Drug Manufacturing Unit has over the years compounded and produced customised medications to meet the specific needs of patients. The introduction of the new machines is expected to strengthen the unit’s capacity to deliver safe, effective and affordable medicines.

The Director of Pharmacy, Dr. Charles Ofei-Palm, expressed appreciation to the hospital’s management for providing the equipment, reaffirming the department’s commitment to producing quality medications at affordable prices for patients both within and outside the hospital.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining the equipment properly to ensure it remains in good working condition, operates efficiently and serves the hospital for years to come.

The Head of the Drug Manufacturing Unit, Specialist Pharmacist Pharm. Agatha Owusu-Nyamekye, demonstrated how the machines operate and explained the improvements they have brought to the production process.

She noted that the equipment had made medicine production faster and more efficient while reducing the risk of contamination, particularly in the filling of medicine containers, which was previously done manually.

Dr. Ofei-Palm appealed to hospital management and other stakeholders to sustain their support for the Pharmacy Department, saying continued investment would strengthen its ability to produce safe, effective and affordable medications for patients.

He said the lack of suitable housing had forced some officers to lodge in hostels and hotels, a situation he believes could undermine their welfare and effectiveness.

Mr Agbana made the appeal when the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

He urged the Authority to prioritise accommodation for officers posted to border communities and other revenue collection points, noting that the high cost and limited availability of housing could make living conditions difficult for personnel, particularly in the Volta Region.

The MP stressed the need for structured housing arrangements to ensure officers have decent places to live while carrying out their duties.

In response, Mr Sarpong said the GRA had begun plans to renovate its existing bungalows across the country to provide accommodation for officers.

The initiative, he said, is intended to make the Authority’s residential facilities habitable and improve the living conditions of staff posted to various locations.

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Daniel Boateng Mintah reportedly died on September 30, 2026, barely 12 days after reporting to the school to pursue his dream of becoming a computer engineer.

His father, David Mintah, told JoyNews that the family received a call informing them that Daniel was unwell and needed an injection for suspected malaria. His mother, Joyce Mintah, had spoken to him earlier that day.

Mrs Mintah sent GH¢50 after the caller requested money for the injection. The caller had also asked for Daniel’s health insurance details, she said.

“Repeated attempts to obtain updates on his condition proved unsuccessful. At about 3:10 p.m., another caller, who identified himself as the school’s headmaster, asked us to come urgently,” Mr Mintah said.

The couple set off for the school but received further calls directing them to Kwabeng Hospital, where they were told Daniel had been brought in dead.

According to Mr Mintah, a doctor told them that Daniel had complained of a headache and stomachache before being brought to the hospital.

The doctor reportedly advised them that a post-mortem examination would be needed to establish the cause of death.

Mr Mintah said he found aspects of the explanations provided by the school and hospital inconsistent.

“The following day, we requested that the body be transferred to Tafo. On October 4 and 5, we continued to receive information about its condition.

“My suspicions deepened when I visited Daniel’s body at the mortuary on October 6 and observed blood coming from his nose, ears, mouth and head,” he recounted tearfully.

He said the school had also told the family that Daniel left the orientation area to urinate but did not return.

Mr Mintah urged the police to establish the circumstances surrounding his son’s death.

“If he was murdered, the laws of Ghana must be applied to the letter. If he died a natural death, may his gentle soul rest in peace,” he said.

The family appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, to intervene and ensure a thorough investigation.

Mr Mintah also requested that Daniel’s body be transferred from the Tafo mortuary to the Police Hospital in Accra to support further investigations.

He expressed concern that another family could suffer a similar loss if the circumstances remained unresolved.

Mrs Mintah, who accompanied Daniel to school on the day he reported, recalled his determination to study computer science despite his father’s earlier suggestion that he consider another course.

She said Daniel had repeatedly promised to make the family proud.

“Having taken him with me to the market one day, he saw my daily struggles and told me, ‘Mummy, I will surprise you, okay,’” she recalled.

She had looked forward to seeing him develop his interest in computers and planned to buy him ahenema, or “royal slippers”, to wear with his cloth during an upcoming Parent-Teacher Association meeting.

Mrs Mintah said she had not been informed of any health problem before the call on September 30.

“I’m at this point pleading with the entire country, investigative agencies, parents and everyone who feels connected to help push for justice for our son,” she said.

“Wherever my Daniel Boateng Mintah is, I want him to know I love him so much,” she added, struggling to hold back tears.

Daniel’s elder sister, Vivian Mintah, also recounted the family’s unsuccessful attempts to obtain updates after the request for money for an injection.

She said she later questioned a teacher about her brother’s treatment.

According to Vivian, the teacher said Daniel had visited the school’s sick bay complaining of a headache. She said he could not identify the injection administered and referred her to a nurse who was unavailable at the time.

The family also raised questions about medication found among Daniel’s belongings returned by the school after his death.

Vivian identified the medication as carbamazepine, olanzapine and multivitamins, saying the family had not purchased them for him.

“My brother had never received psychiatric treatment and had not been diagnosed with a mental health condition,” she said.

She called for investigators to establish the origin of the medication and why it was among his belongings.

Vivian said Daniel’s last hospital visit before reporting to Abomosu STEM SHS had been for a dental appointment because he wanted braces.

She described struggling to sleep and concentrate following his death. She also said she saw blood on his uniform and gauze around his head, hands and feet when she visited his body at the mortuary.

Daniel’s former teacher, Ricky Kwabena Godigah, an assistant headmaster at Richenfel Academy at Dawhenya, Tema Community 25, described him as respectful, reserved and academically gifted, with a strong interest in computer science.

He said Daniel had no record of indiscipline and that the school had encouraged him to pursue his ambition.

“We all want answers to this unfortunate incident, and only a thorough investigation can establish the truth,” Mr Godigah said.

He added that establishing the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s death was essential to preventing a similar tragedy.

The reporter’s attempts to get someone from the school to speak on record have so far proved unsuccessful.

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He said the Authority was also working with the relevant security agencies to establish the full details of the incident and support efforts to address the concerns surrounding the shipment.

Mr Sarpong made the disclosure when he appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), in response to concerns about the reputational damage the drug-related cases could cause Ghana.

The question was raised by the Member of Parliament for Mpraeso and Vice-Chairperson of the Committee, who sought clarity on measures being taken to address the situation.

Mr Sarpong described drug trafficking as a serious concern for the GRA and called for collective efforts to prevent the country from being used as a transit point for narcotics.

He also revealed that the Authority regularly intercepts drugs and arrests suspected traffickers at the country’s entry and exit points, although such operations are not always made public.

According to him, publicising every interception could alert drug traffickers and allow them to devise new methods to evade detection.

Meanwhile, the GRA has urged taxpayers to take advantage of tax reliefs available under the law, saying many eligible individuals are missing out because of limited awareness.

Mr Sarpong said the Authority was intensifying public education to ensure taxpayers understood the reliefs available to them under the Revenue Administration framework and the relevant tax laws, including the Income Tax Act, 2015 (Act 896).

He said the GRA was committed to helping eligible taxpayers access the benefits provided by law and was working to improve awareness of the applicable requirements.

The Commissioner-General also addressed issues relating to online cross-border transactions and attempts by some financial institutions to impose additional percentage charges on products.

He explained that consumers were already paying the applicable 20 per cent charge but were not always aware of it, adding that the Authority was seeking to formalise the arrangement.

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According to Mr Anyaaba, the Member of Parliament failed to endorse the alleged defamatory statement on the writ of summons, a procedural omission that undermined the competence of the action.

“When Afenyo filed his defamation action, we took the view that the writ, which has just been set aside by the court, did not comply with the rules of court, particularly Order 57 (Rule 2), which mandatorily requires that you must endorse the alleged defamatory statements of the defendant on the writ. So we took the view that failure to comply with that rendered the entire action incompetent, and therefore the court should set it aside. Essentially, the court agreed with the argument that we canvassed before it,” they explained.

His explanation follows the High Court’s General Jurisdiction 1 ruling on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, striking out the suit. The court found the writ incurably defective and incapable of properly invoking its jurisdiction.

In reaching its decision, the court relied on Coleman v Newmont concerning the applicable procedural rule and Owusu Domena concerning the need to raise objections promptly. The ruling addressed the validity of the court processes rather than whether the statements complained of were defamatory.

The lawyer explained that the ruling effectively invalidates the suit filed by the Minority Leader.

“What it means is that the action which was instituted by the Afenyo-Markin on 24th August 2026 against Sammy Gyamfi is no more in existence in the sense that it has been set aside and dismissed by the High Court.”

Koku Abotsi, one of the lawyers for Sammy Gyamfi, told Myjoyonline that the team decided against going for costs to be awarded.

He said once their objection has been upheld by the court, that in itself can be described as a victory, although the plaintiff reserves the right to re-file the case.

Mr Afenyo-Markin announced the legal action in Parliament on August 24, 2026, following allegations of extortion made against him during a dispute involving GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

He maintained that the allegations were false and intended to damage his reputation. The suit also named Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant.

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He said the New Economy Policy, which targets investment in sectors with high employment potential, is expected to provide alternative sources of income and reduce the appeal of illegal mining among the youth.

The President made the remarks when the Western North Regional House of Chiefs paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House.

He said the government’s efforts to enforce the ban on illegal mining had exposed the extent to which economic hardship was drawing young people, including Senior High School students, into the activity.

“Often, when enforcing the fight against galamsey, we find even Senior High School students in illegal mining pits,” he said.

“When you ask them why they are there, they say their fathers could not give them money to go to school, so they have come to work and earn some money. It is a major issue we need to confront.”

President Mahama disclosed that several young people had been arrested in connection with illegal mining, with hundreds awaiting trial and others on bail as their cases remained pending.

He stressed that while the government would continue to enforce the law, it must also tackle the economic conditions that make galamsey attractive to vulnerable young people.

“The question we must ask is, what alternative do we have for them? Alongside enforcing the law against illegal mining, we must provide alternative livelihoods. That is why we are implementing the New Economy Policy,” he said.

The President expressed optimism that the planned US$10 billion investment in employment-generating sectors, including tourism, would create opportunities for young people and discourage them from engaging in illegal mining.

“I believe that if we invest US$10 billion in job-rich sectors of the economy, including tourism, one of the nine pillars, it should provide alternative livelihoods for our young people and discourage them from going into galamsey,” he added.

The New Economy Policy is designed to move Ghana beyond economic stabilisation towards job creation, wealth generation and sustained growth by directing investment into productive sectors capable of expanding businesses, boosting local production and creating employment.

President Mahama also appealed to traditional authorities to support the government’s campaign against illegal mining, particularly activities destroying forest reserves and polluting water bodies.

He acknowledged the work of the National Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Illegal Mining (NAIMOS), but said resistance from some communities continued to pose challenges to its operations.

“The National Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Illegal Mining (NAIMOS) is doing a good job, but in some communities, sometimes the youth, traditional authorities and others fight back against the task force,” he said.

As part of measures to strengthen the protection of water bodies, the President disclosed that the Finance Minister had allocated an additional GH¢400 million in the 2027 Budget for the recruitment of more Blue Water Guards to patrol rivers and other water bodies.

On forest protection, he said the government had cleared all nine reserves previously classified as red zones due to extensive destruction and the threat posed by heavily armed illegal miners.

He added that military personnel had been deployed to the affected areas and would remain there to prevent illegal miners from returning.

President Mahama further revealed that the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) had begun working with the military on efforts to restore degraded forest areas and reclaim land damaged by illegal mining.

The exercise will involve using bulldozers to level affected land for the planting of economic trees, with the Forestry Commission expected to support the reclamation process.

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During a visit by Adom News’ Obrempongba Owusu, residents were seen collecting water from a dugout believed to be contaminated. They use the water for drinking and household chores, which raises fears of waterborne diseases.

Several boreholes and water systems serving Kadentwe, Ehiamakyene, Kete-Krachi and nearby communities have broken down. Residents said some newly drilled boreholes worked for only about three months and now they queue for hours or walk nearly 40 minutes to the Oti River to fetch water.

Nana Addae Emmanuel, the Okyeame of Kadentwe, and other residents said the problem has persisted since the community was established. They said it is affecting education, healthcare and livelihoods, and some children miss school to search for water.

The residents are appealing to the government, development partners and non-governmental organisations to help build a treatment plant that would supply safe water from the Oti River.

They also believe the sacrifice their communities made in 1966, when they gave up land for the Akosombo Dam, should be matched with better access to basic services.

Watch the full report below: