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Kwesi Arthur advocates for fairness in the music industry

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Kwesi Arthur

Kwesi Aurthur, a Ghanaian singer and rapper, is advocating for fairness in the music industry. Speaking to Wonderland Magazine, the musician shared his experience in the industry and urged other artists to seek the right guidance and legal counsel.

This comes after the musician opened up about some controversies regarding his deal with his former record label. According to him, Ground Up Chale and its CEO, Glen Boateng, demanded USD $150,000 for him to use images of himself in his independent project, “Redemption Valley,” and claimed ownership of his music, image, and brand, dating back to 2016.

Kwesi Arthur also stated that he had not earned any income from music released during his time with the label, and warned publicly that his safety could be at risk, a statement that alarmed fans and the broader industry alike.

In Kwesi Arthur’s interview with Wonderland Magazine, he advocated for fairness, saying his experience should be a lesson for other musicians.

” Unfortunately, I signed a deal when I was young and hungry, and I didn’t really understand the terms. I didn’t have legal
counsel or the right legal advice. I want to use my experience as a lesson for other artists who are younger than me, and even older too, to just be aware and get the right guidance before they put their name on paper. I want to advocate for fairness for artists in every creative industry”, he stated.

The rapper also indicated that he hopes to break boundaries with his music and independent artistry.

“I want to create more music and break more boundaries. I’m focused on expanding and building something solid with the music independently”, the rapper added.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

Pastor remanded over attempted murder of baby in Bibiani

By
Ivy Hollys
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pastor-arrested-in-western-north

A pastor has been remanded into lawful custody for his alleged role in an attempted murder case involving a five-month-old baby in Bibiani.

The Bibiani District Court remanded Richmond Frimpong, also known as Prophet, alongside Beatrice Agyapongmaa and Emmanuel Appiah. The suspects allegedly attempted to bury the baby alive at a refuse dump at Abofrem in the Western North Region.

Richmond Frimpong and Beatrice Agyapongmaa, who is the baby’s mother, have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime, to wit attempted murder. Richmond Frimpong faces an additional charge of attempted murder.

Emmanuel Appiah and another suspect, Donkor, have been charged with abetment of crime. Donkor, a 53-year-old farmer, is currently on the run.

The Bibiani District Court, presided over by Mr Lord Delvin Essandoh, did not take their pleas. The court also refused a bail application filed by counsel for the accused persons.

The case has been adjourned to May 5, 2026.

Kumasi Fashion Week postponed to May 29, 2026

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Kumasi Fashion Week

The organisers of the Kumasi Fashion Week have announced the postponement of the much-anticipated 10th edition of the biggest fashion event in Kumasi.

In a press release, the organisers explained that the programme, which was initially scheduled for April 30 to May 2, will now be held from May 29 to May 31, 2026. The statement further explained that the postponement was to ensure a more refined, impactful, and memorable experience worthy of this milestone edition.

The 10th edition of the Kumasi Fashion Week will also introduce “Faces of Style” as a pre-event show to bring together some of the industry’s leading fashion stylists as a connective force within the fashion ecosystem. The event is designed to foster conversations, share insights, and spotlight the critical role of stylists in shaping fashion narratives, visual identity, and brand storytelling across the African fashion landscape.

The event will take place on May 2, 2026, at Zen Garden, Labone – Accra, starting at 11:00 AM.

The Kumasi Fashion Week has consistently served as a vital platform for both emerging and established designers, offering opportunities for visibility, collaboration, and industry growth.

The upcoming 10th edition is set to be a defining moment, bringing together innovation, culture, and global attention to Ghana’s fashion industry.

The event will celebrate African fashion and style. The 10th edition of the Kumasi Fashion Show promises to be monumental to the fashion industry in Ghana and also to project the Ashanti Region.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

ECG to deploy 300 transformers to improve power supply in Ashanti Region

By
Ivy Hollys
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ecg transformers

The Electricity Company of Ghana has announced plans to deploy 300 new transformers in the Ashanti Region to improve power supply.

The acting managing director, Julius Kwame Kpekpena, said the move aims to reduce persistent outages and stabilize electricity delivery.

He admitted that residents are facing challenges such as intermittent power cuts and low voltage, but assured that interventions are underway.

Mr. Kpekpena made the announcement during a working visit to the region, where he paid a courtesy call on the Ashanti Regional Minister, Frank Amoakohene.

He explained that some projects will be completed within three months, while others may take up to a year depending on their scale.

During the visit, the ECG team inspected key infrastructure projects, including the Anwomaso–Boadi–Kaase sub-transmission line, ongoing rehabilitation at the Ridge Bulk Supply Point, and a transmission line from Adoato through Barekese to Offinso.

The company says these projects form part of a broader plan to strengthen the power distribution network and improve service delivery across the region.

Ashanti Health Director urges vaccination during African Vaccination Week

By
Ivy Hollys
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vaccination week

The Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, Fred Adomako-Boateng, has called for increased public awareness on vaccination as Ghana marks African Vaccination Week.

Speaking at a media briefing in Kumasi, he described vaccines as one of the most effective tools for preventing diseases and saving lives.

Dr. Adomako-Boateng said vaccines have saved more than 154 million lives globally over the past 50 years, which translates to about six lives every minute.

He added that consistent immunisation efforts have improved infant survival rates by 42 percent in recent years.

The campaign, which runs alongside World Immunization Week, aims to promote equal access to vaccines and strengthen immunisation systems.

Dr. Adomako-Boateng noted that vaccines protect against more than 30 life-threatening diseases, including malaria, cholera, meningitis, and COVID-19.

He also raised concerns about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a virus transmitted through sexual contact and responsible for most cervical cancer cases.

According to him, cervical cancer remains a leading cause of death among women in sub-Saharan Africa due to late detection and limited access to treatment.

He urged parents to ensure that girls aged nine to 14 receive the HPV vaccine early to protect them before exposure to the virus.

GRIDCo substation fire triggers power outages in Ashanti Region

By
Ivy Hollys
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gridco substation

The recent GRIDCo substation fire at Akosombo has forced the Ghana Grid Company to shut down key operations, leading to power outages in parts of Ghana.

The incident has disrupted electricity supply, with engineers working urgently to stabilise the system and restore power.

The Electricity Company of Ghana has announced that parts of the Ashanti Region will experience outages from 6 PM to midnight on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Affected areas include Manso-Nkwanta, Asokore Mampong, Parkoso, Asafo, Nhyiaeso, parts of Magazine, Suame, Konongo, and Kwadaso.

The company explained that the temporary power cuts are necessary to manage the current challenges caused by the GRIDCo substation fire and to allow engineers to fix the fault.

ECG has apologised to customers for the inconvenience and assured the public that power will be restored once the generation situation improves.

Ghana to Receive $12.5 Million as FIFA Increases 2026 World Cup Payments

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Ghana Football Association

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is set to receive a total of $12.5 million from FIFA after the world football governing body approved increased financial support for teams participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The new package includes $2.5 million in preparation funds for each qualified nation, representing a $1 million increase from the $1.5 million given to teams ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Ghana will also receive an additional $10 million for qualifying for the tournament, up from the $9 million qualification payment made at the previous edition.

The announcement follows a decision by the FIFA Council during a meeting in Vancouver ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress. FIFA confirmed that the total amount to be distributed to all 48 participating member associations will rise to $871 million, marking a 15 per cent increase.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams, expanded from the previous 32-team format. It will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Under the revised structure, FIFA said participating teams will benefit not only from increased preparation and qualification funds, but also from added support such as subsidies for delegation costs and enhanced ticket allocations worth more than $16 million in total.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the organisation’s strong financial position has made it possible to increase support for member associations worldwide.

“FIFA is proud to be in its most solid financial position ever, enabling us to help all our Member Associations in an unprecedented way,” he said.

“This is one more example of how FIFA’s resources are reinvested back into the game.”

The decision comes as FIFA prepares for what is expected to be the biggest and most commercially successful World Cup in history. With more teams, more matches, and multiple host countries, the tournament is projected to generate significant revenue through sponsorships, ticket sales, and broadcast rights.

However, the scale of the competition has also raised concerns among some national associations, particularly in Europe, over travel costs, tax obligations, and other operational expenses linked to competing across North America.

UEFA is reported to have shared concerns from some of its member associations, with fears that teams may struggle to cover expenses unless they progress to the later stages of the tournament.

For Ghana, the increased FIFA funding would provide a major financial boost toward preparations for the Black Stars, including logistics, camping, player welfare, and technical planning if the team secures qualification for the global tournament.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

We Will Speak on National Issues Without Fear – Christian Council

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Rev. Cyril Fayose

The Christian Council of Ghana has defended its decision to comment publicly on governance and national issues, insisting that speaking truthfully on matters affecting the country does not amount to political partisanship.

Speaking on PM Express with Evans Mensah, the General Secretary of the Council, Rev. Cyril Fayose, said the organisation remains careful to maintain neutrality in representing church members with different political beliefs.

He explained that the Christian Council’s member churches are committed to being non-partisan in their engagements with congregants and the wider public.

“Because the members of our congregations belong to all the parties, as a leader of people from diverse party affiliations, you must respect their sensibilities,” he stated.

However, he stressed that neutrality should not be mistaken for silence, especially when important national matters are at stake.

“But that is not to say that we should not make comments on political happenings in our country without the fear that we will be branded as belonging to one party or the other,” he said.

“No, we have to say it as it is.”

His comments come at a time when faith-based organisations in Ghana are increasingly weighing in on issues such as economic hardship, elections, corruption, and leadership accountability. Critics have argued that such interventions could blur the line between moral leadership and political activism.

Rev. Fayose rejected that view, saying the Council’s statements are motivated by civic duty rather than political interest.

Referring to democratic values, he said all citizens have a responsibility to contribute to national discussions.

“We have described democracy in our local language as ‘Kabi na menka bi,’ to wit ‘Everyone must have their freedom of speech,’ so we all have the right to speak,” he said.

He also referenced former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s often-quoted call for citizens to be active participants in national development.

“Our former president is famously quoted as saying that we should be citizens and not spectators, and that’s all we are doing,” Rev. Fayose added.

He further clarified that the Christian Council is not campaigning for or endorsing any political party.

“We are not going out to declare our support for a particular party or a particular party’s position,” he said.

Instead, he said the Council sees its role as helping to ensure good governance through constructive criticism and engagement.

“We are out there to help comment on the actions of our leaders so that together, we’ll have a better country,” he concluded.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

Akosombo Dam: Fourth Power Generation Unit Restored to Stabilise Electricity Supply

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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John Abu Jinapor

The government has announced that the fourth power generation unit at the Akosombo Dam has been successfully restored and brought back into operation. This marks a major boost to efforts to stabilise Ghana’s electricity supply following recent disruptions.

The update was shared by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, April 28.

According to the Minister, the latest milestone came only hours after the successful restoration of the third-generation unit, signalling rapid progress in efforts to recover lost power generation capacity following the recent fire outbreak at the Akosombo substation.

“At 9:09 pm, the fourth unit at Akosombo Dam was successfully brought into operation, an encouraging step that strengthens power generation and reflects the dedication and expertise of the team behind the effort,” Dr Jinapor stated.

The fire incident reportedly damaged the control room and caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts of electricity from the national grid. The outage contributed to power supply instability and intermittent disruptions in several parts of the country.

The phased restoration of the damaged units is expected to significantly improve power generation output and enhance the reliability of electricity supply nationwide. Akosombo remains one of Ghana’s most important sources of electricity, making its recovery critical to the country’s energy security.

Engineers and technical teams have been working around the clock under challenging conditions to repair damaged infrastructure and restore operations at the facility.

The government says it remains committed to building a resilient and stable power system while providing the necessary support to personnel leading the recovery process.

The return of the third and fourth units is expected to ease supply constraints gradually, with authorities assuring the public that every effort is being made to fully restore stable electricity supply to homes, institutions, and businesses as quickly as possible.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

Power sector debt: Minority says government owes over $700 million to IPPs

By
Ivy Hollys
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power sector debt

Power sector debt concerns have resurfaced as the minority in Parliament reveals significant outstanding payments owed by the government. The minority says the government owes more than 700 million dollars to independent power producers and fuel suppliers. This, they argue, highlights deep financial challenges within the energy sector.

According to the minority, over 500 million dollars is owed to independent power producers. An additional 200 million dollars is owed to companies that supplied fuel for power generation.

The disclosure was made by the Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Energy Committee, Collins Adomako Mensah. The minority insists that power sector debt remains a major issue. They argue that the challenges in the sector are not only technical but also financial.

The figures presented by the Minority contradict earlier government assurances. The government had indicated that debts within the sector, including those linked to the Electricity Company of Ghana, had been cleared.

The minority is now demanding clarity on the true financial position of the sector. They are calling for a detailed and independently verified report on the Energy Sector Levy, also known as the “Dumsor Levy.”

The requested report should cover total collections, disbursements, and outcomes of all expenditures.

The minority warns that rising power sector debt could affect the sustainability of the energy sector. They stress the need for transparency and accountability to restore confidence.

The development adds to ongoing concerns about the sector’s ability to meet demand while managing its financial obligations.

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