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SSNIT Boss Assures Contributors of Financial Strength

By
Ivy Hollys
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SSNIT Boss

Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Kwesi Afreh Biney, has assured contributors and pensioners that the Trust remains financially strong and capable of meeting its obligations despite past challenges.

Mr. Biney said the institution has used past hurdles as opportunities to improve its operations and strengthen its sustainability.

He highlighted SSNIT’s consistent record of paying pensions since its establishment in 1965. “The institution remains strong. There were challenges, but there were opportunities in there. I inherited both challenges and positives, and we worked together to define a strategy for the future,” he said.

According to Mr. Biney, SSNIT has paid pensions without interruption for nearly six decades. “In 1965, there were only three pensioners. Today, we pay over 257,000 pensioners every month,” he added.

He disclosed that the Trust had disbursed more than GH¢5 billion in pension payments so far this year, reflecting its financial capacity and commitment to contributors. “This year alone, we paid in excess of five billion cedis in pensions. The trust will continue to evolve, become stronger, and put in systems to ensure that we never fail,” he stated.

Mr. Biney also explained that SSNIT operates a defined benefit scheme backed by government guarantees, ensuring contributors’ pensions remain secure. “This is a defined benefit scheme, so it’s one that we have to pay. The government guarantees it. There’s nothing like the trust failing and putting pensions in jeopardy,” he emphasized.

Mahama Warns AI Could Deepen Global Misinformation Crisis

By
Ivy Hollys
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John mahama on reparations at the UN

President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned that the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) could intensify global misinformation if not managed responsibly and transparently.

Speaking at the International Conference on Information Integrity in Paris, President Mahama said emerging AI tools such as deepfakes and algorithmic manipulation are distorting public perception and reshaping global narratives, making it harder for people to distinguish truth from falsehood.

“While AI offers immense opportunities for innovation, it also amplifies the risk of misinformation and economic disruption,” he said. “Deepfakes, synthetic media, and algorithmic manipulation are reshaping what our societies perceive to be the truth.”

He urged nations to act collectively to ensure AI serves humanity’s interests, warning that misinformation must be treated with the same urgency as security and economic challenges.

“Disinformation is shaping elections, distorting public health responses, fueling conflicts, and undermining the fight against climate change,” he noted.

President Mahama also called for deliberate investment in independent journalism, describing it as a public good vital to democracy and peace.

“When journalists can hold their governments accountable, societies flourish. When truth is defended, peace is preserved,” he emphasized.

He concluded by urging global cooperation to safeguard truth and integrity in the digital age, stressing that the world must “invest in truth as deliberately as it invests in infrastructure, energy, or defense.”

Quoting Nelson Mandela, he added: “A critical, independent, and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy.”

Ghana Becomes First African Country to Support Global Media Fund

By
Ivy Hollys
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Mahama on GAVI

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana is the first African country to make a financial contribution to the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM). He said the move shows Ghana’s strong belief in the importance of independent journalism and credible information.

Speaking at the High-Level International Conference on Information Integrity and Independent Media in Paris on October 29, 2025, President Mahama said “independent journalism and reliable information are indispensable public goods.”

He called on world leaders to take real action to protect the global information space. “The time has come for all of us to turn our shared ideals into action to support public interest media and defend the truth. Together, we must win the global fight against misinformation and disinformation,” he said.

President Mahama also announced Ghana’s decision to join the Partnership for Information and Democracy, a global initiative that promotes transparency, accountability, and open governance. He said Ghana’s membership has been formally communicated through diplomatic channels, reaffirming the nation’s dedication to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.

“Our decision sends a clear message to the world Ghana stands firm in advancing freedom and good governance,” he added.

At the conference, President Mahama joined French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders to endorse the Paris Declaration on Multilateral Action for Information Integrity and Independent Media.

The declaration renewed global commitments to fund the IFPIM, with a goal of raising €130 million between 2026 and 2028 to support independent journalism worldwide. It also created a Consultative Committee to improve coordination between governments, civil society, and the Forum for Information and Democracy.

President Mahama said the Paris outcomes showed a shared global understanding that defending truth requires collective and continuous effort that goes beyond national borders.

Bagbin Warns Absentee MPs of Sanctions for Skipping Parliamentary Sittings

By
Ivy Hollys
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Alan Bagbin at the Parliament

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has expressed deep frustration over the persistent absenteeism of some Members of Parliament (MPs), warning that disciplinary actions will soon be taken against those who fail to attend sittings.

Addressing the House on Wednesday, Mr. Bagbin revealed that he had received attendance reports for the first and second meetings of Parliament but chose not to publish them, hoping the situation would improve.

“It looks like that was a catastrophic mistake I made,” he admitted. “I should have brought it out and referred members to the Privileges Committee.”

The Speaker said he has now directed parliamentary clerks to strictly record attendance for the current meeting to ensure accountability. He cautioned that MPs who continue to absent themselves without permission risk losing their seats under Parliament’s standing orders.

“I have given directives to the clerks at the table to take the records for this meeting. We will be taking action to compel members to sit or to be considered to have vacated their seats,” Mr. Bagbin stated.

Fritz Baffour Recalls Rawlings as Fearless Defender from Childhood

By
Ivy Hollys
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Fritz Baffour

Former Minister of Information, Fritz Baffour, has shared a touching childhood memory of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, describing him as a fearless and fair young boy who stood up to bullies.

Mr. Baffour recounted how he, Mr. Rawlings, and the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, all attended the same early childhood school in Accra then known as Mrs. Sam’s School, later renamed New Nation.

“There was a school set up by a lady called Mrs. Adu Sam. It was called Mrs. Sam’s; later it became New Nation, and it attracted many elite Ghanaians. Nana Konadu went there and Jerry Rawlings was there… I was in that school. I went there about three years old. Rawlings was one year older than her,” he said.

According to Mr. Baffour, Rawlings was already known among his classmates for his courage and sense of justice.

“We all knew each other. I spent two years there, and we heard of Jerry John who, when anyone was bullied, they would say, ‘Go and call Jerry John.’ So at that age, he was already fighting bullies. This is the truth,” Mr. Baffour recalled.

The late former President Jerry John Rawlings, who led Ghana from 1981 to 2001, is remembered as one of the country’s most influential and controversial leaders. His bold leadership style, anti-corruption drive, and reforms continue to shape Ghana’s political history.

Mr. Baffour’s tribute came as part of a broader reflection on the life and legacy of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who passed away recently, marking the end of a historic political partnership that began long before their rise to national prominence.

US and South Korea Reach Broad Trade Deal

By
Ivy Hollys
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Getty Images

The United States and South Korea have reached a broad trade agreement following talks between their leaders in Gyeongju, both governments confirmed on Wednesday.

South Korea’s presidential aide, Kim Yong-beom, said the two sides agreed to maintain reciprocal tariffs at 15% but will reduce taxes on cars and car parts. He added that South Korea will invest $350 billion in the US, including $200 billion in cash and $150 billion in shipbuilding.

US President Donald Trump, who is on a week-long Asia tour, said the deal was “pretty much finalised” after nearly two hours of discussions with President Lee Jae Myung. “We had a tremendous meeting today with South Korea,” Trump said, adding that “a lot was determined.”

The agreement follows months of tension after Washington imposed a 25% tariff on Seoul earlier this year, later reduced to 15% after South Korea pledged major investments and LNG purchases.

Ties between the two allies had also been strained by a recent US immigration raid that saw hundreds of South Koreans detained.

Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in Busan, on the sidelines of the Apec Summit. “We’re going to have something very satisfactory to China and to us,” Trump told reporters.

During his visit, Trump received South Korea’s highest honor, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, and a golden crown “for his contribution to peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

His trip comes amid renewed North Korean missile tests and protests in Seoul. Earlier in Japan, Trump signed an agreement on rare earth minerals and reaffirmed a “golden age” of US-Japan relations.

Ameh Pushes for English-Local Language Blend in Schools

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Ruben Ameh
Ruben Ameh

Education policy analyst Ruben Ameh has urged the Ministry of Education to adopt a blended learning approach that combines English with local languages at the basic level.

Speaking on the Orange Sunrise program on Monday, October 27, 2025, Mr. Ameh expressed concern that the new directive which mandates instruction solely in local languages could harm children’s long-term learning outcomes.

He argued that limiting early education to local languages may weaken children’s grasp of English. “The way this policy is structured, comprehension of the English language risks becoming a mere prop. At the toddler stage, children are highly capable of learning multiple languages at once,” he said.

Mr. Ameh also raised issues about teacher deployment under the policy. He suggested that each teacher should receive training in a specific Ghanaian language and be posted to communities where that language is commonly spoken.

“If teachers are not aligned with the language of the local community, both teaching and learning will suffer. Proper training and strategic placement are critical,” he emphasized.

He concluded that while promoting local languages is essential for cultural preservation, early exposure to English remains vital for academic success and global competitiveness.

Health Minister Unveils 4-Week Plan to Restore Ghana’s Electronic Health System

By
Ivy Hollys
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kwabena mintah akandoh
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health

Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced a four-week plan to fix the nationwide breakdown in Ghana’s electronic healthcare management system.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, October 29, Mr. Akandoh revealed that a new digital platform, the Ghana Healthcare Information Management System, has been procured to replace the malfunctioning one managed by Lightwave Health Information Management System Limited.

He said the migration to the new system will be done in phases: teaching and regional hospitals in week one, district hospitals in week two, and clinics, health centers, and CHPS compounds in weeks three and four.

“The medical records of Ghanaians would never go back to the manual way. We are moving forward responsibly, confidently, and decisively,” he declared.

The system breakdown has caused long delays in hospitals, especially in the Ashanti Region, where many facilities reverted to manual operations.

Mr. Akandoh blamed Lightwave for the disruption, revealing that the company was awarded a $100 million contract in 2019 to connect 950 health facilities, but only 450 were linked by the 2022 deadline. The contract was extended to December 2024, yet the project remained incomplete.

A forensic audit also showed major gaps in the system’s performance and hardware delivery.

He said the government has since taken steps to assume full control of the infrastructure, which was previously hosted on cloud servers in India.

“The government is committed to restoring and strengthening the country’s digital health infrastructure,” the Minister assured, emphasizing that future digital projects will be managed with greater transparency and accountability.

Age Gaps in Relationships: Does It Really Matter?

By
Ivy Hollys
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relationships
Photo by Min An

Age gaps in relationships always spark debate. From social media arguments to lively radio discussions, everyone seems to have an opinion. But when it comes down to it, does age really determine the success of a relationship?

This topic was recently discussed on The Urban Mix with Adwoa Afranewaa, where listeners sent in their thoughts and experiences through Orange FM’s WhatsApp line. Some said age should not matter as long as there is love, respect, and understanding. Others argued that a large age difference can create challenges, especially when partners are at different stages in life.

Several messages focused on what people consider acceptable. Some said the minimum age gap should be four years and the maximum ten. One listener mentioned she would only date someone who is three years older and added that she doesn’t understand who made it compulsory to always date someone older.

Kojo said, “I’m 52 and I’m going out with a 22-year-old, but the vibe is very tasteful. I asked her if she’s okay being seen with me and she said she feels like a queen when she’s with me, so age doesn’t matter.”

Benjamin from Kronum also shared his experience, saying, “It’s a complicated issue because I was once dating a lady who is 10 years younger and she seemed more mature than me. We broke up, and I’m currently dating a lady with a one-year age gap and she feels like I’m bossing her around.”

It is common to see older men dating younger women, but attitudes are slowly changing. More people now support relationships where the woman is older, saying maturity and emotional connection matter more than the number on an ID card.

At the end of the day, love doesn’t check birth certificates. What matters most is how well two people connect and grow together.

Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica, Leaving Millions Without Power

By
Ivy Hollys
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Waves splash in Kingston, Jamaica, as Hurricane Melissa approaches, Tuesday, October 28, 2025. © Matias Delacroix, AP

Jamaica is reeling after Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm in its modern history, tore across the island on Tuesday, leaving catastrophic destruction in its wake.

About three-quarters of the island remains without electricity, and large parts of western Jamaica are under water. Homes, hospitals, and schools have been destroyed, while communication lines are down, leaving the full scale of damage unknown.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared the entire island a disaster area, warning of “devastating impacts” and “significant damage” to communities and infrastructure.

The Category 5 storm packed sustained winds of 298 km/h (185 mph), stronger than Hurricane Katrina, and uprooted trees, flattened houses, and submerged entire towns. Montego Bay’s mayor, Richard Vernon, said his first task at daybreak was “to check if everybody is alive.”

In the hardest-hit parish of St Elizabeth, known as Jamaica’s breadbasket, floodwaters have destroyed crops and trapped families in their homes. “Rescue teams are struggling to reach them because of the dangerous conditions,” said Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie.

Many residents described the hurricane as “apocalyptic.” One farmer, 73-year-old Verna Genus, lost her roof as she sheltered with her family. “You look up and the roof is gone,” her sister told the BBC.

The country’s vital tourism hub, Montego Bay, has been split in two by flooding. “One side of the city is now cut off from the other,” Mayor Vernon said.

Meteorologists say Hurricane Melissa’s rapid intensification was fueled by unusually warm Caribbean waters, a worrying sign of climate change’s growing impact.

The storm has since moved on to Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane, but Jamaica remains devastated and silent, its people facing a long road to recovery.

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