Highly placed sources has told this reporter that the traditional authorities have concluded deliberations following their inspection of the mine earlier this week and have agreed to call on the government not to renew Gold Fields’ mining lease when it expires in April 2027.

The Council is expected to officially announce its position at a press conference on today (Friday).

For chiefs who have constantly praise and commend the mining company for the level of infrastructural development it has brought to host communities to make a sudden U-turn has come come as a surprise to many in Tarkwa most especially the youth who have been key beneficiary of the mine scholarship and apprentice and Graduate training program and many more.

According to information available to The Chronicle, the chiefs reached the decision after assessing what they described as the company’s limited impact on the customary land despite decades of mining activities.
Sources said the Council believes Gold Fields has not delivered sufficient development to justify the extension of its mineral rights and is therefore expected to urge government to reject the company’s application for a lease renewal.

The expected announcement is likely to have significant implications for the future of Gold Fields Ghana’s operations, as the position of the Apinto Divisional Council is expected to carry considerable influence in ongoing consultations over the lease renewal.
Although the final decision rests with the government, the views of the traditional landowners are regarded as a critical factor in the lease renewal process.

Background
The anticipated announcement follows an inspection tour undertaken earlier this week by about ten titled chiefs of the Apinto Divisional Stool, the customary owners of the land on which Gold Fields operates.
The inspection, though described by the company as part of its routine stakeholder engagement, attracted widespread public interest because it coincided with discussions over the renewal of the company’s mining lease.

Speaking after the inspection, the Gyasehene of the Apinto Divisional Stool, Nana Adarkwa Bediako, said the chiefs had deliberately toured the mine to acquaint themselves with its operations before taking a decision.

He explained that there had been considerable public debate surrounding the lease renewal and that the traditional authorities considered it prudent to inspect the mine firsthand before arriving at a verdict.

On its part, Gold Fields Ghana had expressed optimism that its long-standing relationship with the host communities would earn it the support of the traditional authorities.

The company’s Executive Vice President and immediate past President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Michael Akafia, maintained that Gold Fields had consistently engaged the traditional leaders through the Tarkwa Community Consultative Committee and had invested heavily in community development, environmental stewardship, local employment and procurement.
Mr. Akafia said the company had no doubt that its record of investment in the host communities presented a compelling case for the renewal of its lease.
However, information available to The Chronicle suggests the traditional authorities have taken a different view after their internal deliberations.

If confirmed at Friday’s press conference, the Council’s position will mark a major setback for Gold Fields Ghana as it seeks government approval to continue mining beyond the expiration of its current lease in April 2027.

The development is expected to generate intense debate within the mining sector, government circles and the host communities, given the strategic importance of the Tarkwa Mine to Ghana’s mining industry and the influential role of customary landowners in matters relating to natural resource governance.

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

The post Breaking:Apinto Chiefs Reportedly Kick Against Renewal of Goldfields’ Mining Lease appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review to Parliament, Dr. Forson said the funds had already been deposited into a dedicated Accra–Kumasi Expressway Account at the Bank of Ghana, and would only be accessed after the award of the main construction contract.

The 176-kilometre six-lane expressway, which links Ghana’s two largest commercial cities, is expected to reduce travel time between Accra and Kumasi to about two hours, improve road safety, ease congestion and lower transportation costs.

“As of 22nd July 2026, US$1.7 billion had been deposited into the dedicated Accra–Kumasi Expressway Account at the Bank of Ghana,” the Minister told Parliament, adding that the funds had been ring-fenced exclusively for the project.
Dr. Forson said preparatory work on the project was progressing steadily, with the Ghana Armed Forces clearing 122 kilometres, representing about 70 per cent of the required right-of-way within 12 weeks.

The remaining corridor is expected to be cleared by the first week of September, while feasibility studies, engineering designs, environmental assessments and compensation processes are ongoing. Procurement for the main construction contract is expected to commence in September.

The Accra–Kumasi Expressway is designed as a modern economic corridor to improve connectivity between the southern and northern parts of the country, strengthen regional trade and support ECOWAS transit activities.
The access-controlled highway will feature major interchanges, electronic tolling systems, emergency facilities and modern rest areas, while reducing congestion and improving the movement of passengers and freight along one of Ghana’s busiest transport routes.

The project forms the centre piece of the Big Push Infrastructure Programme, under which work has commenced on 87 projects across all 16 regions. These include 74 trunk roads and bridges, 10 urban roads and three feeder roads.
According to the Finance Minister, 13 projects had reached at least 50 per cent completion by the end of June, 2026 including six that had exceeded 75 per cent completion, while another 15 had progressed beyond 25 per cent.

Beyond infrastructure, the Mid-Year Review announced major reforms for the cocoa sector, with government preparing to submit a new COCOBOD Bill to Parliament to replace the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 1984 (PNDCL 81).
The proposed legislation will introduce a producer pricing mechanism that aligns cocoa producer prices with international cocoa prices, exchange rate developments and other market conditions.

Dr. Forson said the reforms were aimed at modernising the governance and financing of the cocoa industry, which remains a major source of export earnings and livelihoods for millions of Ghanaians.

The Minister also outlined measures to strengthen revenue mobilisation, including reforms to the VAT, Customs and Excise regimes.
He urged Parliament to support measures to crack down on businesses that collect Value Added Tax (VAT), but fail to remit it to the State, saying the deployment of Fiscal Electronic Devices would improve compliance and reduce revenue losses.

Government is also seeking approval for revised Customs and Excise Bills to tighten controls over bonded warehouses, reform the free zones regime and introduce the First Port Duty Rule to curb tax evasion through false transit declarations.
As part of the reforms, bonded warehouses will be required to operate electronic inventory systems linked directly to Customs, while statutory limits will be placed on warehousing periods.

Dr. Forson also highlighted the impact of the Publican AI Trade Solution, which has increased assessed customs collections by more than US$300 million since its rollout in March, representing a 17.5 per cent increase over values originally declared by importers.

He said the platform had analysed about 366,000 import declarations, with nearly one in four flagged for valuation risks. Monthly customs revenue has subsequently increased from an average of GH¢4 billion in 2025 to between GH¢5.3 billion and GH¢5.5 billion this year.

In the energy sector, the Minister reported that the Gas-to-Power Strategy had generated GH¢3.08 billion in fuel cost savings during the first half of 2026 by replacing light crude oil with natural gas for electricity generation.

The Review also announced the reallocation of GH¢400 million for high-capacity buses for Metro Mass Transit and the State Transport Company, while GH¢350 million has been redirected to support emergency flood response following the June floods.

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

The post US$1.7bn Ready For Accra–K’si Expressway -Ato Forson appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Addressing a news conference shortly after the Finance Minister presented the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament, on Thursday, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, alleged that the minister manipulated fiscal figures to create the impression that government had narrowly missed its revenue target.

“The minister deliberately understated it. The half-year revenue target is supposed to be GH¢134 billion, but he presented it as GH¢126 billion, so that when he tells you that the actual revenue is GH¢124 billion, you would think he has only missed it by GH¢2 billion,” Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said.

“But actually, the difference between GH¢134 billion and GH¢124 billion is GH¢10 billion. That is a 7% shortfall in revenue.

“He argued that the Finance Minister departed from the long-standing practice of presenting actual revenue and expenditure against approved targets during a mid-year budget review.

“This is the first time we have had a mid-year review in which the Minister of Finance refuses to mention the revenue target and actual, and the expenditure target and actual. The essence of the mid-year review is to compare target to actual performance.”

The former Information Minister further alleged that government had also suppressed expenditure by about GH¢31 billion in the first half of the year, to manufacture an improved fiscal balance.

According to him, while total half-year expenditure had been programmed at GH¢158 billion, the government released only GH¢127 billion.

“The difference is GH¢31 billion. That is a 20% shortfall in expenditure. This is how they are manufacturing their overall balance. This is how he is able to tell Ghanaians that the deficit has narrowed,” he stated.

He argued that the expenditure cuts had affected flagship government programmes, including the Big Push infrastructure initiative, the One Million Coders Programme, the 24-Hour Economy policy and payments to contractors.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah also challenged the Finance Minister’s assertion that the government had introduced no new taxes since assuming office.

“For the record, they introduced a 2% Growth and Sustainability Levy on mining companies, a 2% Special Import Levy, a 15% VAT on non-life insurance premiums, the Dumsor Levy, the fishing levy and several others. Those are eight taxes this government introduced,” he said.

He added that the government had introduced yet another tax through the removal of tax exemptions on bunkering services.

“When you remove the exemption, you have introduced a tax. But this is the PR setting they use. They hide it in flowery language.”

The Minority also disputed the government’s claim that Ghana’s economy had crossed the US$100 billion mark for the first time.

“They are hoping people have forgotten the figures. We crossed the one trillion cedi mark before. Why would you look Ghanaians in the face and suggest this is happening for the first time?” he questioned.

Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam

Former Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, also criticised the government’s fiscal performance, insisting that revenue mobilisation remained weak despite new policy interventions.

“As far as revenue is concerned, the minister has no presence because they are not meeting the targets. In fact, the programmed half-year revenue was reduced by GH¢2 billion in order for the minister to tell Ghanaians that he had met the target. It is misleading the people of Ghana. It is manipulating the data to look good.”

Dr. Amin Adam further accused the government of abandoning key campaign promises, noting that the Finance Minister failed to mention either the 24-Hour Economy or the One Million Coders Programme in his budget presentation.

“Did you hear a single mention of the 24-Hour Economy? Did you hear a single mention of the One Million Coders Programme? No. The young people of Ghana must now know that this government is not going to give them the jobs it promised.”

On the Big Push infrastructure programme, he claimed contractors were abandoning project sites because of delayed payments.

“The minister boasted that they have paid GH¢6.5 million to Big Push contractors. You signed contracts worth GH¢70 million and have paid only GH¢6.5 million. Most contractors have already backed out of their sites because they have not been paid,” he said.

The Minority maintained that the government’s claims of improved fiscal performance were based on manipulated revenue and expenditure figures rather than genuine economic gains, insisting that the administration was failing to deliver on its flagship programmes and economic promises.

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

The post Ato’s Revenue Target Was Deliberately Understated -KON appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

The launch, held in Accra ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, brought together government officials, development partners, security agencies, academia and civil society organisations to promote coordinated action against drowning, which claims an estimated 300,000 lives globally each year.

Addressing participants, the WHO Representative to Ghana, Dr. Fiona Braka, described drowning as one of the world’s most neglected but preventable public health and development challenges.

She said more than 90 per cent of drowning deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, where poverty, inadequate safety measures, rapid urbanisation, climate change and reliance on water for transport and livelihoods increase the risks.

“Drowning is, therefore, not just a public health issue; it is also a development challenge that affects child survival, education, livelihoods, equity and climate resilience,” she said.

According to Dr. Braka, the PROTECT Technical Package provides governments with practical, evidence-based guidance to strengthen policies and systems that keep people safe around water through collaboration across sectors, including health, education, transport, disaster management and child protection.

“We know what works to prevent drowning. Evidence-based interventions do exist. They are practical, affordable and effective. But they cannot reach scale without strong policies, legislation and systems that support them,” she added.

Speaking on behalf of the Government, the Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, revealed that Ghana records an estimated 1,100 drowning deaths annually, representing about three lives every day, with children and young adults among the most affected.

He said the figures require urgent and coordinated national action, stressing that drowning should not be treated solely as a health issue, but also as a public safety, disaster management, transport safety, education and climate resilience concern.

Mr. Terlabi described the PROTECT Technical Package as a practical roadmap for improving water safety, rescue and resuscitation services, swimming education, safer water transport and emergency preparedness.

He also called for institutionalised water safety training for emergency responders, noting that a recent flood rescue operation nearly resulted in the drowning of one responder.

“We cannot send personnel into floodwaters, rivers and other hazardous environments without ensuring that they possess the required swimming competence, water survival skills, rescue techniques and protective equipment,” he said.

Providing an overview of the global rollout of the package, WHO Communications Officer, Jin Ni said the launch also marked the beginning of the sixth World Drowning Prevention Day campaign, which WHO has coordinated over the past five years.

She said the campaign has grown significantly, attracting increasing global engagement from governments, development partners, organisations and the media.

According to her, WHO has featured the campaign prominently on its website and issued a global press release on the PROTECT Technical Package to more than 20,000 journalists and public health practitioners worldwide.

She noted that the campaign webpage attracts between 20,000 and 100,000 visitors weekly, while WHO’s social media campaign will highlight human-interest stories demonstrating successful drowning prevention efforts.

Jin Ni encouraged organisations to use WHO’s online campaign toolkit to share local success stories and amplify awareness.

By Jennifer Ambolley & Liz Michelle

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

The post WHO intervenes in ever increasing cases of drowning deaths appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

The United States has identified Ghana’s creative economy as a potential driver of economic growth and stronger bilateral cooperation, while Ghana’s Diaspora Affairs Office has urged stakeholders to shift attention from proving African creativity to building the institutions needed to commercialise it.

Delivering the closing remarks at the summit, held at Google’s office in Accra, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Ghana, Mr.Rolf Olson, said the creative sector should be supported by policies that strengthen intellectual property (IP) protection, uphold contract sanctity, improve production financing and inspire investor confidence.

According to Mr Olson, the creative economy has evolved beyond arts and entertainment into a strategic economic sector capable of creating employment, attracting investment, promoting entrepreneurship and strengthening Ghana-U.S. relations.

“Like any other sector, this sector creates jobs, builds competitive advantage, attracts investment and supports entrepreneurship and innovation,” he said.

Mr. Olson also encouraged Ghanaian creatives to preserve the authenticity of their stories, saying locally rooted narratives are increasingly finding global audiences through streaming platforms.

He cited the international success of Bollywood and Nollywood as evidence that compelling storytelling transcends national boundaries and urged creatives not to dilute their cultural identity in pursuit of international markets.

Strengthening Ghana-U.S. Partnership

Mr. Olson said the summit formed part of a broader U.S. effort to deepen cultural diplomacy and economic cooperation between Ghana and the United States through the creative industries.

He explained that the two-week programme preceding the summit brought leading American film and television professionals to Ghana to mentor African creatives through directing laboratories, masterclasses and public engagements.

Describing the initiative as an investment in Ghana’s creative ecosystem, he expressed optimism that the engagements would result in new partnerships, increased investment, expanded market opportunities and stronger commercial ties between the creative industries of both countries.

Beyond Proving Creativity

Earlier, the Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD), said Ghana had reached a stage where discussions about the creative economy could no longer be confined to celebrating talent.

According to him, the sector now requires the coordinated involvement of government, investors, businesses, financial institutions, technology leaders and development partners.

“Ghana’s economy has reached a stage where it cannot be discussed by creators alone. It now requires the attention of government, business, investment institutions and development partners,” he said.

KOD noted that for years the conversation had centred on proving that Ghanaians and Africans are creative, but argued that such a debate had become unnecessary because the evidence was already visible.

“The evidence already exists and it is with us. The more useful conversation is how we turn creativity into an organised economic sector to project the orange economy,” he stated.

He said the next phase of the industry’s growth should focus on strengthening intellectual property protection, improving access to finance, leveraging technology, expanding exports and creating sustainable jobs.

The summit was organised by the U.S. Embassy in partnership with the American Film Showcase and African Creative TV, with support from Google, the Diaspora Affairs Office and the Black Star Experience, brought together filmmakers, investors, entrepreneurs, technology leaders, policymakers and cultural stakeholders to explore opportunities within Ghana’s growing orange economy.

The programme featured internationally recognised creatives, including television producer Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, Hollywood producer Damien D. Smith, actress and filmmaker Joselyn Dumas, television director Rochelle Ramis, Paul Garns, President of Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Filmworks, global media strategist Kwon Fung and Cedra Smith, founder of 6inLine and former Head of Essence Studios.

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

The post U.S, Ghana Push Creative Economy As Investment Frontier appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

In the circular, dated July 20, 2026 and signed by its Director-General, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, the Commission expressed concern that some institutions had introduced entrance examinations as a precondition for admission, effectively replacing or bypassing the nationally approved minimum entry requirements, based on the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

According to GTEC, the practice undermines fairness, transparency and equitable access to tertiary education. It stressed that WASSCE remains the principal qualification for admission into tertiary institutions and that all admissions must be based on the prescribed minimum entry requirements.

The Commission clarified, however, that entrance examinations may only be used as supplementary assessment tools for highly competitive programmes and should never override WASSCE results or become mandatory for admission.

GTEC has, therefore, directed institutions that have issued or intend to issue admission notices requiring compulsory entrance examinations to immediately withdraw such notices and align their admission processes with the national regulatory framework.

The Commission also reminded tertiary institutions that under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), it has the legal mandate to formulate and implement policies governing admission criteria for higher education in Ghana.

In our view, this directive is not only timely but also necessary. The WASSCE is the nationally recognised examination used to determine whether students qualify for tertiary education. Students spend three years in Senior High School preparing for this examination, after which they are assessed by the West African Examinations Council under a standardised system accepted across the country and beyond.

It, therefore, defies logic that students who have successfully met the required grades must once again prove their academic ability through another examination before gaining admission into a university. If WASSCE is no longer considered credible enough for admission, then Ghana must have an honest national conversation about reforming the examination itself rather than allowing individual institutions to create parallel admission systems.

The Chronicle is even more concerned about the financial implications of these entrance examinations. Most of these tests come with additional charges, on top of application fees and other admission-related expenses. At a time when many Ghanaian families are battling rising living costs, imposing another financial hurdle on qualified students is difficult to justify. One cannot help but ask whether these examinations have become revenue-generating ventures disguised as academic assessments.

Universities certainly have the responsibility to maintain academic standards. However, that responsibility should not come at the expense of fairness, consistency and equal opportunity. Where specialised programmes require aptitude tests or interviews, such assessments should complement not replace the nationally approved admission requirements.

GTEC deserves commendation for stepping in before this practice became entrenched across the tertiary education sector. The Commission has acted within its legal mandate to protect the integrity of Ghana’s admissions framework and to ensure that access to higher education remains fair and transparent.

Universities should, therefore, comply without hesitation. Qualified students deserve a smooth transition from senior high school to tertiary education not another costly examination that serves little educational purpose. Ghana’s education system must inspire confidence, not unnecessary frustration.

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

The post Editorial: Scrap The Needless University Entrance Examinations appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Some observers saw these gifts as an attempt to display wealth. But can we really blame them?

Perhaps, for some parents, it was not about showing off. It was their way of saying, “I have cared for my child. I have fulfilled my responsibility.”

This article is not intended to justify parents who go beyond their means or make decisions that may not always be in the best interest of their children. Rather, it seeks to highlight an uncomfortable truth about parental responsibility in Ghana: many parents feel pressured to prove themselves and meet society’s expectations of what a “good parent” should be.

Parental responsibility is one of the noblest responsibilities in life. When carried out with love, respect, and mutual support, it strengthens families and helps children to grow into responsible adults. In reality, however, many parents face challenges beyond their control.

Financial hardship, demanding jobs, and the fear of being labelled irresponsible place enormous pressure on parents. The expectation to provide at all costs has driven some into debt, while others feel discouraged because they cannot meet society’s standards.

In some families, disagreements over financial support have led to court cases, separation, and even broken marriages. During divorce or separation, some parents are denied access to their children because they are considered unable to provide enough financially. While every situation is different, judging a parent’s commitment only by financial ability can deepen emotional pain and weaken family relationships.

The pressure can have even more painful consequences. Some people make difficult decisions about parenthood because they fear they cannot provide for a child. Others place their children in the care of relatives or other people because of financial hardship. Such decisions are often influenced by poverty, emotional stress, and the fear of social judgement.

Planning

Responsible family planning can help reduce some of these pressures. Having the number of children a family can adequately support enables parents to provide better care, attention, and opportunities.

Esther Adinorkie Lawerteh, Health and Environmental Officer of the Volta Resilient Foundation, has cautioned parents against sending their children to live with other people because of financial difficulties. She warned that such decisions could expose children to exploitation, abuse, neglect, child labour, and trafficking.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Madam Lawerteh stressed that parents have the primary responsibility to care for, protect, and guide their children regardless of their economic situation. She therefore encouraged responsible family planning and urged parents facing financial hardship to seek help from relatives, community leaders, social welfare institutions, and other support programmes instead of giving out their children.

Her message is an important reminder that protecting children is a shared responsibility, but parents should not have to carry that responsibility alone. (www.myjoyonline.com, 2026)

Today, some people regret becoming parents, while others may be afraid to have children because they fear they may not be able to meet society’s expectations of what a “good parent” should be.

I have seen some parents enrol their children in private schools they could not truly afford, only to transfer them later to government schools because they could no longer keep up with the fees. In many cases, this was not because they did not care about their children.

Somewhere along the line, they begin to believe they must prove they are caring parents through what they can provide.

But can we really blame them?

When the pressure to prove one’s worth becomes greater than recognising commitment and gradual progress, people may be pushed beyond their limits simply to gain society’s approval.

Fatherhood

This pressure is often felt more strongly by fathers because, in many Ghanaian homes, they are expected to be the main providers.

While financial provision is an important part of fatherhood, it should not be the only measure of a man’s value. A father’s love, guidance, presence, sacrifice, and commitment are equally important.

Unfortunately, many men are judged almost entirely by their economic contribution to the family. When they experience unemployment, illness, or financial hardship, their struggles are sometimes seen not as temporary setbacks but as personal failures.

In some homes, disagreements over money create tension and conflict. Some men have faced public embarrassment, complaints to in-laws, or even separation because they could not meet financial expectations. Constant criticism and disrespect can leave fathers emotionally withdrawn and discouraged from actively participating in family life.

Many fathers who continue to sacrifice for their children despite these challenges are unfairly labelled irresponsible simply because they cannot provide everything society expects. Sadly, some children also grow to judge their fathers by what they own instead of the sacrifices they make.

Even during Father’s Day celebrations, many fathers who quietly support their families receive little recognition because their efforts are not measured by expensive gifts or material success.

Parenting is not a competition, nor should it become a performance designed to satisfy society. A parent’s worth cannot be measured only by the size of a bank account or the cost of a graduation gift.

Instead of judging parents solely by what they can provide, we should also recognise their commitment, resilience, sacrifices, and presence in the lives of their children.

Perhaps it is time for Ghanaian society to move from demanding compliance with unrealistic expectations to appreciating compassionate parenting. When we measure growth instead of merely judging outcomes, we create stronger families, healthier relationships, and a more caring society.

WRITTEN BY:

Henry Atta Nyame

Institutional Assessment Practitioner

hattanyame@gmail.com

Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

The post Hidden Pressure Of Parental Responsibility appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

He explained that marrying the three principles together was the surest way of providing the best healthcare needed by all Ghanaians and the rest of the world, as well as the provision of the needed leadership for effective healthcare delivery.

Dr Anim Boamah made the call when he delivered an address during the launch of the 2026 Family Health University Medical Students Association (FHUMSA) week celebration in Accra on Monday.

The week-long annual event will see the students engaging in various activities such as a health walk, health screening, socialization, among other events. He stated that although professional excellence was very critical for the healthcare givers, there was the need for patients to trust the caregivers, which could only be asserted through integrity and ethical leadership.

Speaking on the theme “Advancing Healthcare through Professional Excellence, Integrity, and Ethical Leadership”, the Clinical Coordinator commended the leadership of the Medical Students for the theme since it was apt.

“Since the best healthcare systems are built on collaboration among doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, administrators and many others, respect every member of the healthcare team,”.  Dr Boamah said.

The Ledzokuku Municipal Director of Health Services, Dr Gifty Ofori Ansah, urged doctors not to restrict their services only to the consulting room, within the walls of their hospitals, but engage in community services towards health improvement and disease control, which is critical for a healthy life.

“Beyond the white coat, the role of the medical students in building healthy communities cannot be overemphasized, because medicine is not just about treating diseases, but it is also about understanding why people get sick in the first place and how to prevent it as well,”. She said.

The Municipal Director challenged the medical students not to wait till graduation before providing services to the people in their communities in diverse ways. “Medical students can lead school talks on menstrual hygiene, organize community forums on hypertension, and use platforms like Facebook, TikTok, radio, TV,  churches and mosques to challenge vaccine myths, teach hand washing and other crucial health education topics to improve the lives of people”.

The President of the FHUMSA, Bernard Opoku Junior, in his welcome address, said, “this week is more than just celebration as it is an opportunity to promote unity, leadership, service, and professional growth among us as future doctors, as our theme, ‘Healthy communities, strong nation: Empowering Medical Students to drive Change’. Connotes”

An Associate Professor of Paediatrics and Director, UVA travel abroad Programs, Evelyn Aboagye, and her students from the University of Virginia faculty extended  their warmest congratulations and best wishes to the Family Health University Medical Students’ Association as they celebrate their Students’ Association Week.

“We are proud of the growing partnership between the University of Virginia and Family Health University. Through our shared commitment to education, service, and global collaboration, we continue to learn from one another while preparing the next generation of compassionate, skilled, and socially accountable healthcare leaders,” She said.

Meanwhile the Family Health University Medical Students’ Association (FHUMSA), through the MSA Fund and the Ivy Naana Durowaa Fund (INDF)– Office of the Vice President -2025/2026 has donated GH₵5,000 to Cure Childhood Cancer Ghana in support of children battling cancer, including patients receiving care at Ridge Hospital.

This contribution reflects FHUMSA’s commitment to improving child health outcomes, supporting vulnerable patients, and contributing to the fight against childhood cancer in Ghana.

By Felix Baidoo

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

The post Doctors Should Not Restrict Services To Consulting Rooms Only – Anim Boamah appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

The Ashanti King made the commendation on Wednesday, when Commissioner of Police, Mr Arthur Osei Akoto, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, led the Director of the IGP’s Special Operations Team, Superintendent Augustine Dawson-Ahmoah, his deputies and other members of the team to pay a courtesy call on His Royal Majesty at the Manhyia Palace.

A press statement signed by the Head of the Ashanti Regional Police Public Affairs Unit, Superintendent Godwin Ahianyo, stated that the occasion marked the formal introduction of the Special Operations Team to His Royal Majesty.

COP Osei Akoto highlighted the IGP’s initiative in establishing the Team to strengthen intelligence-led policing and enhance public safety. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II observed that the sustained intelligence-led operations undertaken by the Special Operations Team have contributed significantly to improving security in the Ashanti Region, particularly through the reduction of drug trafficking, robbery, human trafficking and other criminal activities.

His Royal Majesty encouraged the officers to remain steadfast, disciplined and professional in the discharge of their duties.  He described policing as a noble profession that demands dedication, sacrifice and integrity, and advised personnel to prioritise their safety while carrying out their lawful responsibilities.

The Director of the IGP Special Operations Team expressed appreciation to His Royal Majesty for his encouragement and reaffirmed the Team’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations to protect lives and property, and to support the Ghana Police Service in maintaining peace and security across the country.

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

The post Otumfuo Commends IGP, Ashanti Police Command For Special Security Operations appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

The secret police said it was not satisfied with the verdict, stating that the sentence is not commensurate with the crimes committed.

According to the DSS, the beheading of two teachers by members of the terrorist organisation involved in the abduction is a capital offense which should attract the death sentence.

DAILY POST recalls that Justice Salim Ibrahim on Thursday sentenced the men to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to belonging to Darul Salam, an affiliate of the Ansaru terrorist organisation; concealing information on the kidnapping; and inciting through religious ideology.

The convicts include Abdulrazak Umar, alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar.

Abdulrazak Umar, alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid, pleaded guilty to counts 7, 8, 9 and 10, which bordered on training and passing instructions and inciting terror group members on a particular religious ideology.

They were put on trial by the DSS on a 10-count charge bordering on kidnapping, concealment of information, and terrorism-related offences, contrary to Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The charges stated that the defendants, all from Niger State, knowingly withheld information about individuals linked to terrorist activities, participated in kidnapping, and used a messaging platform to facilitate terrorist training.

The three defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment on Count 6. Abdulrazak Umar was sentenced to life imprisonment on Count 7; life imprisonment on Count 9 and a life sentence on Count 10.

Credit: dailypost.ng

The post DSS seeks death penalty for Oriire abductors, to appeal life sentence appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.