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KMA Embarks On An Inspection and Clearing Exercise in the CBD

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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The Public Relations Officer for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Madam Henrietta Afia Aboagye, has confirmed that the Assembly will be moving around the Central Business District (CBD) to check on the condition of the area and ensure that traders are complying with regulations. 

In an interview on the orange sunrise, the PRO revealed that some traders who have set up their trades in unauthorized places and littered were made to sweep and clear those areas.

She also mentioned that although the assembly acknowledges that there are not enough parking spaces within the Central Business District, unlawful parking by commercial vehicles contribute largely to the traffic and congestion within the business district.

She added that the exercise will create space for vehicles and people to move freely and reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to ensure that people are complying to regulations.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

New Juaben, Kwadaso and Old Tafo Records high numbers of PLHIV in the Ashanti Region

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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The Regional Technical Coordinator for the Ghana AIDS commission, Mrs Olivia Graham has confirmed that according to the 2024 report on HIV/AIDS  334,700 people in the country are currently living with HIV.

The latest data also show 15,200 new infections and 12,600 AIDS-related deaths recorded in 2024.

In an interview with Alfa Ali on the orange sunrise this morning Mrs. Olivia also revealed that the Greater Accra Region has the highest number of people living with HIV standing at 3436 followed by the Ashanti Region with 2997 people living with HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng, the Regional Director of Health Services, has also revealed that More than 40 per cent of people living with HIV in the Ashanti Region are currently not on treatment, posing a significant public health risk. 

According to him, out of an estimated 63,159 people living with HIV in the region that should be on treatment, only 33,199, representing 52.9 per cent are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy.

New Juaben, Kwadaso and Old Tafo have been reported to be the areas with high numbers of people living with HIV/AIDS in the Ashanti Region

She explained that people are still not getting tested because of fear of stigma and in some cases the misconception that the virus was spiritual. 

She added that in 2023 the number of people living with HIV was over 17 thousand and explained that although there has been a slight decrease, Ghana is still striving to achieve less than 3 thousand people living with the virus 

Mrs. Olivia Graham also mentioned that, although the main infection mode was through sex, Ghana has recorded less than 5% of positive mothers giving birth to positive babies and urged people to get tested.

Half of NSS Personnel Still Absent as Registration Deadline Nears

By
Ivy Hollys
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The National Service Scheme (NSS) has announced that its registration system will close on Friday, with half of this year’s deployed personnel yet to complete the registration process, according to Deputy Director-General for Operations, Fuseini Donkor.

Speaking on the AM Show, Donkor expressed concern over the low reporting rate, noting that repeated reminders have yielded limited compliance. He revealed that only 50% of the deployed personnel have officially registered, despite the system being capable of accommodating significantly more participants.

“By Friday, we are closing the system,” Donkor emphasised. “Today is Wednesday, and 50% of the personnel have not reported. Our system can handle even a million users, but registration must be completed.”

The Deputy Director-General criticised what he described as deliberate delays and attempts by some personnel to circumvent the official process. He explained that regional NSS offices have been underutilised due to the failure of many corps members to report, with some expecting to later change their postings by paying fees.

“The frustration they are giving to the system is becoming too much,” Donkor said. “Most of the regional offices are sitting idle because some individuals think, ‘I will bring money, I will change it for you.’ Please, by Friday, we are locking the system.”

He urged all remaining personnel to complete registration before the deadline, warning that no exceptions would be made after Friday. The NSS confirmed that further updates will be provided as the deadline approaches, highlighting the importance of adhering to official timelines to avoid complications with deployment and service obligations.

Mahama Inspects Accra Roads, Aims for West Africa’s Best

By
Ivy Hollys
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President John Mahama is set to tour multiple ongoing road projects in the Greater Accra Region today, underscoring his commitment to the Big Push agenda, a flagship initiative designed to transform Ghana’s road network within two years. The tour follows a series of project launches across the country, including major works recently inaugurated in the Greater Accra, Volta, and Upper West Regions, all aimed at accelerating infrastructure development and improving transportation efficiency nationwide.

The President has repeatedly emphasised that the scale and structure of the Big Push programme are engineered to deliver results quickly. He expressed confidence that “Ghana will, in the next two years, have the best roads in West Africa,” attributing this to the strategic division of contracts that prevents long delays and ensures continuous progress.

Explaining the project design, President Mahama noted that work was broken into manageable segments to allow contractors to operate efficiently while connecting their sections seamlessly. “No contractor has been given a stretch that will take 24 months to complete. We’ve divided the projects so each contractor can work quickly, and the sections will then be joined together,” he said.

The President also appealed to the public for patience, acknowledging the temporary inconveniences that widespread construction may cause. “From the launch of this Big Push, the whole of Ghana is going to become a construction site. Bear with the contractors, but know that we are suffering to gain,” he added.

To ensure accountability, monitoring will be rigorous and continuous, with frequent site visits, photos, and video documentation. President Mahama further explained that he would personally track progress from his office at Flagstaff House, overseeing every contractor and project, including the Ho–Aflao and Afienya–Dodowa roads, to guarantee timely completion.

Coach Björkegren Hails Black Queens’ Effort Despite Defeat

By
Ivy Hollys
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Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren says his players should hold their heads high despite their 2-0 defeat to England in an international friendly at Southampton’s St. Mary’s Stadium, a result he believes does not diminish the team’s effort or spirit. Ghana conceded an early goal in the sixth minute when Lucia Kendall punished a defensive error, before Alessia Russo converted a late stoppage-time penalty to seal the win for the European champions.

England, who recently secured back-to-back European Championship titles and are widely regarded as one of the strongest and most technically complete national teams in women’s football, posed a formidable challenge, yet Bjorkegren stressed that Ghana competed with determination and discipline throughout the match. He noted that while every coach desires victory, it is important to appreciate the context—Ghana currently sits 67th in the world rankings, and facing a team of England’s calibre requires not only preparation but mental strength, qualities he believes the Black Queens demonstrated impressively.

The coach highlighted the team’s resilience and work rate, stating that the players stood firm for the full 90 minutes and responded positively even after conceding under pressure, which he considers a sign of growing maturity within the squad. Bjorkegren expressed satisfaction with the overall performance, insisting that the friendly match provided valuable lessons the team can build on as they continue their preparations for upcoming international engagements.

Captain Portia Boakye and her teammates delivered several promising moments during the game, and the technical team remains optimistic that the Black Queens will transform these experiences into stronger performances in future competitive fixtures.

Fire Destroys Kadjebi-Asato SHS Dorm, Students Collapse During Blaze

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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A fire destroyed a boys’ dormitory at Kadjebi-Asato Senior High School. The blaze started Tuesday morning in the Oti Region. It burned a dormitory room completely. The roof structure and all belongings inside are now lost.

Several students collapsed during the incident. They passed out from exhaustion and panic. The students tried to save their possessions. They also helped control the spreading fire. School officials and locals provided aid. All affected students have now received care.

The Ghana National Fire Service faced major challenges. Their fire tender in the Kadjebi district is not working. Responding personnel had no operational truck. They used limited methods to fight the flames. This constraint hampered their firefighting efforts significantly.

The cause of the morning fire remains unknown. The event highlights critical infrastructure problems. Reliable emergency equipment is essential for safety. The community hopes for swift investigations and upgrades. Such incidents risk student health and property.

Ghana Not Affected by New US Green Card Review – Ablakwa Confirms

By
Ivy Hollys
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Ghana is not included in the United States government’s latest Green Card review and temporary immigration suspension, according to a clarification issued by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The Minister revealed that he received a detailed briefing from the Acting US Ambassador to Ghana, Rolf Olson, who provided full clarity on Ghana’s status regarding the newly announced US immigration measures.

Mr Ablakwa, speaking after his meeting with Ambassador Olson on Monday, December 1, 2025, noted that their discussion covered recent developments in Ghana–US relations, including assurances that Ghana is not part of the countries affected by President Donald Trump’s revised immigration directives. He explained that this confirmation should calm public concerns, especially given the widespread misinformation circulating on social media about Ghana’s supposed involvement in the suspension.

The meeting also addressed the restoration of five-year visas for Ghanaian travellers—an issue that had raised significant public interest—and the removal of the 15 percent tariffs that were previously applied to cocoa, semi-processed cocoa, and other eligible agricultural exports. Mr Ablakwa emphasized that these developments reflect Ghana’s continued efforts to secure trade conditions that favor the country’s long-term economic stability.

He further highlighted cooperative engagements under the Defence Cooperation Agreement, noting that the arrangement will involve enhanced intelligence sharing and training activities conducted with US military aviation resources, all of which will be closely coordinated with Ghanaian authorities. Although public information from US sources indicates no formal list of exempted countries, Ghana does not appear among those affected, reinforcing the Minister’s assurances.

Mr Ablakwa stressed that Ghana’s national interest remains the guiding principle behind all diplomatic engagements with the United States.

Court Directs Nana Agradaa to File Plea Bargain Terms Ahead of Key Hearing

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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A High Court in Accra has issued a key instruction in the case against celebrity evangelist Nana Agradaa. The court ordered her lawyers to formally submit a proposed plea bargain agreement. This must be filed at least three days before their next hearing on December 16, 2025. The directive includes her co-accused in the ongoing legal matter.

During Tuesday’s court session, state prosecutors mentioned a potential bench warrant. This was for the second accused person who was absent. Defense counsel argued they never received a proper hearing notice. The judge then instructed the court registry to ensure correct service before the next date.

Nana Agradaa’s lawyer stated negotiations with the Attorney-General are advanced. They requested a short adjournment to finalize the plea deal. Prosecutors confirmed the complainant, Pastor Osofo Biblical, is involved in talks. He was also present in the courtroom for the proceedings.

The case involves serious allegations against Nana Agradaa. She is accused of sharing private images of the pastor without his consent. This happened on her TV station and social media during a live broadcast. Panelists on the show allegedly mocked the complainant. These actions potentially violate Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act.

Nana Agradaa is currently serving a separate 15-year sentence for fraud. She attended this week’s court hearing from custody. Her lawyers also raised concerns about recent media interviews. They said the complainant discussed her prison condition publicly. The trial judge advised prosecutors to caution him against public comments. The court stressed the need for a fair process without outside influence.

The case will resume on December 16 after the plea bargain terms are filed.

Stricter Supervision Cuts Cheating in 2025 WASSCE, Says Education Watchdog

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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The head of Africa Education Watch credits stricter oversight for reducing exam cheating. Kofi Asare says the 2025 WASSCE saw a marked drop in malpractice. He believes tighter monitoring by WAEC made the difference. This vigilance stopped students from getting unfairly high grades.

The official results support this observation. WAEC cancelled results for 6,295 candidates. They were caught with unauthorized materials in exam halls. Investigations into another 1,066 cases are still ongoing. Authorities also withheld 908 subject results and 158 full results.

Core Mathematics performance declined sharply this year. Pass rates in the A1 to C6 range fell significantly. The number dropped from over 305,000 in 2024 to about 209,000. This is a reduction of more than 96,000 passes. Only 48.73 percent of candidates achieved a passing grade.

Kofi Asare explained the situation on national television. He stated the enhanced supervision was very visible. Students could not obtain grades they did not genuinely earn. His organization, Eduwatch, actively monitored the exams. They deployed trained observers to 150 schools nationwide.

Many of these monitors were experienced teachers. Their report found that 61% of respondents rated invigilation positively. They described it as good, very good, or excellent. New policy threats also helped deter cheating. The Education Minister warned of harsh penalties for implicated teachers.

Teachers could face dismissal instead of just suspension. This stricter signal reinforced WAEC’s operational vigilance. Together, these measures strengthened exam credibility. The focus now shifts to sustaining this integrity in future exams. The goal is maintaining fair and trusted results for all students.

Asenso-Boakye Defends Letter on Accra-Kumasi Expressway, Cites Value for Money

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-

Former Roads Minister Francis Asenso-Boakye has clarified his position on a major highway project. He insists his concerns were always about responsible spending. He was not opposing the planned Accra-Kumasi Expressway. His statement responds to recent accusations from Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

The Finance Minister claimed Asenso-Boakye advised canceling the expressway. He allegedly called the project unnecessary and wasteful. Asenso-Boakye strongly dismissed this claim in a media address. He called the minister’s interpretation both inaccurate and unfair.

The Bantama MP explained his letter to former President Mahama. He wrote it to advocate for prudent financial management. His note highlighted key technical and practical concerns. He stressed the need to finish current projects first.

He specifically referred to the ongoing Accra-Kumasi dualisation project. This upgrade has reached sixty-four percent completion. Abandoning it now would waste a massive prior investment. Ghana’s limited budget makes this duplication unwise.

Asenso-Boakye noted the corridor’s long development history. Work began under former President Kufuor’s administration. Major sections were built during that time. Progress stalled under subsequent governments before revival.

President Akufo-Addo’s government later resumed the dualisation work. The former minister urged continuing this existing plan. His primary goal was protecting national resources. He wanted to ensure real value for public money.

He argued for completing the upgraded highway before starting a new expressway. This approach avoids inefficient spending. It also delivers finished roads to citizens faster. His position focuses on strategic infrastructure planning.

The debate highlights tensions over Ghana’s development priorities. Limited funds force difficult choices between projects. Asenso-Boakye’s clarification seeks to correct the record. He reaffirms his commitment to fiscal responsibility.

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