Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube
Listen to Orange FM Live
Home Blog Page 58

Ibrahim Mahama Urges the Wealthy to Support Communities

By
Ivy Hollys
-
Ibrahim Mahama (businessman)
Ibrahim Mahama (businessman)

Businessman and philanthropist Ibrahim Mahama has urged wealthy Ghanaians to contribute more to the development of their communities, saying that true success lies in helping others rather than hoarding wealth.

Speaking at an event with movie stars in Kumasi on Saturday, October 25, 2025, Mr. Mahama stressed the importance of generosity and social responsibility, especially among the affluent.

“If you live in a country where help is needed and you don’t help, you are not wise. You can’t be the richest man in the cemetery. One day, you’ll die and leave it all behind,” he said.

Mr. Mahama made the remarks during the launch of “Akwaaba vs Oobakɛ”, a collaborative dramalogue presented by Liezer-Legacy Productions in partnership with the Kumawood Ashanti Film Association (KAFA). The event forms part of efforts to revive Ghana’s movie industry through creative collaboration.

Proceeds from the event will go toward building a permanent office complex for KAFA to promote structured growth in the Ashanti Region’s film and theatre sectors.

The businessman encouraged unity and collective problem-solving, calling on all Ghanaians—regardless of political or social background—to support initiatives that uplift society.

His comments have drawn praise on social media, with many users applauding his humility and consistent advocacy for social responsibility.

Mr. Mahama’s statement reflects his broader belief that wealth should serve a purpose beyond personal comfort. He emphasized that those who have the means must use their resources to improve lives and strengthen communities.

“If you are blessed, use your blessings to support the needy,” he concluded.

Education Ministry Clarifies Ghanaian Language Policy for Basic Schools

By
Ivy Hollys
-
education
Dr. Clement Apaak, Deputy Minister for Education

The Ministry of Education has clarified that the compulsory use of Ghanaian languages as a medium of instruction applies only from Kindergarten to Primary Three, not throughout all basic school levels.

The clarification follows recent public debate after Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu directed schools to adopt Ghanaian languages as the language of instruction.

Speaking at the launch of the Foundational Learning Action Tracker on Monday, October 27, Deputy Education Minister Clement Apaak explained that the policy covers only lower primary levels.

“The Honorable Minister for Education has asked me to clarify that the policy directive he announced on Friday regarding the compulsory use of mother tongue as a medium of instruction in our public basic schools is confined, emphasis, confined to KG up to Primary 3,” Dr. Apaak stated.

He added that the clarification was to address public misconceptions and reassure stakeholders.

The Ministry maintains that the policy aims to strengthen literacy and comprehension skills among young learners by allowing them to learn in familiar languages before transitioning to English at upper primary levels.

Two Arrested Over $102M Louvre Jewel Heist

By
Ivy Hollys
-
louvre

French police have arrested two men in connection with last week’s $102 million jewel heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, while a nationwide manhunt continues for two others.

According to the French National Police, one suspect was arrested Saturday night at Charles de Gaulle Airport while trying to board a flight to Algeria. The second suspect was caught while preparing to travel to Mali.

Both men are French nationals from Seine-Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris. One holds dual citizenship with Mali, and the other with Algeria. Investigators say both have previous burglary records.

Police linked one of the suspects to the crime through DNA evidence found on a helmet left at the scene, leading to weeks of surveillance before the arrests.

The two men are believed to have taken part in the October 19 heist, where thieves stole eight priceless items, including crowns and jewelry once owned by Napoleon and his wife, from the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery.

Investigators say the thieves used a modified freight elevator and an angle grinder to break through a second-floor window and smash display cases in a seven-minute operation.

Authorities are still searching for the missing jewels and investigating whether an insider at the museum helped the thieves.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez praised police for their “tireless work” and said the probe will continue under the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office.

President Emmanuel Macron condemned the theft as “an attack on our national heritage,” while Culture Minister Rachida Dati called it “a simple but spectacular operation.”

The two remaining suspects are believed to have escaped Paris on motorbikes shortly after the robbery.

GES Dismisses Reports of Ongoing Recruitment

By
Ivy Hollys
-
ges

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has dismissed claims that it is currently conducting recruitment exercises, following widespread speculation on social media and other platforms.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Hasmin Mohammed, Press Secretary to the Minister of Education, clarified that the recent financial clearance approved by Cabinet was not for new recruitment but to facilitate the payment of salaries for over 6,200 teachers who were recruited in 2024 but had expired financial clearance.

“Please be advised that the Ghana Education Service is not currently conducting any recruitment exercises. The recent financial clearance received from Cabinet is specifically intended to facilitate the payment of salaries for over 6,200 teachers who were recruited in 2024 but had expired financial clearance,” Mr. Mohammed stated.

He added that while plans are underway for the recruitment of additional teaching and non-teaching staff, the public should wait for an official announcement.

“The public will be duly informed when the official recruitment window opens,” he assured.

Mr. Mohammed also cautioned Ghanaians to rely only on official GES and Ministry of Education communication channels for accurate and verified information, warning against misinformation circulating online.

The clarification comes amid growing interest in public sector employment opportunities and the spread of fake recruitment notices on social media platforms.

Haruna Iddrisu Vows To Ban Long Hair in Senior High Schools

By
Ivy Hollys
-
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has firmly stated that senior high schools (SHS) across the country will not permit students to wear long hair, whether natural or styled, on campus.

Addressing the 75th anniversary celebration of Mawuli Senior High School in the Volta Region on Saturday, October 25, Mr. Iddrisu emphasized that the secondary school environment is designed for learning and discipline, not personal fashion or beauty expression.

“We will not tolerate long hair today or tomorrow. Schools are institutions for character formation, not beauty contests,” he said.

The Minister’s remarks come amid a public debate sparked by a viral social media video showing a first-year female student of Yaa Asantewaa Senior High School crying as her mother took her to a barber to cut her long natural hair before admission. The video reignited national discussions about student grooming policies in senior high schools.

According to reports, the girl’s father later confronted the barber for recording and sharing the video without parental consent. The incident has since drawn widespread attention, with many people debating whether such policies are outdated or necessary to maintain discipline.

Mr. Iddrisu, however, maintained that grooming standards are an integral part of school discipline.

“If we give in to hair today, tomorrow it will be shoes, and the next day, how students dress,” he explained. “Headmasters and the Ghana Education Service are fully empowered to enforce rules that ensure discipline and order in schools.”

He reiterated that institutions of learning exist to nurture discipline, character, and academic excellence, not to accommodate trends or personal preferences

Minority Cautions Government Over Proposed Online Speech Law

By
Ivy Hollys
-
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah

The Minority in Parliament has expressed strong concern over what it calls an attempt by the government to criminalize free speech through a new draft bill targeting online communication.

At a press briefing on Sunday, October 26, former Minister of Information and Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said the draft legislation seeks to make it an offence for individuals to post or share messages in online chat groups that may be considered offensive or inciteful.

According to him, the proposal appears to follow President John Dramani Mahama’s recent directive to track the IP addresses of persons accused of spreading hate speech or inciting violence online.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah warned that such measures could pose a serious threat to freedom of expression in Ghana.

“What we are seeing appears to be a draft, and they want to consult on it. From what I have seen, this draft is dangerous,” he said.

He further criticized the move as part of a growing trend of government overreach.

“The President said they are going to use the national security apparatus to go after people who make comments on social media that they consider unfavourable. Now we are seeing a draft bill that could criminalise such comments. This is worrying,” he added.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah noted that many countries have been moving away from laws that punish speech, opting instead for civil remedies and public education to counter misinformation and harmful content.

“This represents a serious encroachment on free expression. The government must tread cautiously,” he advised.

The Minority has called on the government to withdraw the proposal, warning that criminalizing online expression could undermine Ghana’s democratic values and the spirit of open public debate.

Education Minister: Mother Tongue Now Mandatory in All Schools

By
Ivy Hollys
-
Honourable Haruna Iddrisu
Honourable Haruna Iddrisu

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that the use of Ghanaian mother tongues as a medium of instruction is now compulsory in all schools across the country.

He made this known at the launch of the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities initiative in Accra, where he directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to immediately enforce the new policy.

“I am directing the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service that, from today, the use of mother tongue instruction is compulsory in all Ghanaian schools,” Mr. Iddrisu stated.

He explained that the policy aims to strengthen cultural identity and improve learning outcomes by allowing children to begin their education in the language they understand best.

“The Ghanaian child was not born into an English family but into a proud Ashanti, Akan, or Ewe family and deserves to learn in that language,” he added.

The Minister noted that the initiative aligns with President John Mahama’s Reset Agenda, which seeks to restore national pride, promote cultural values, and reform the education system to better serve Ghana’s development goals.

Education experts have long argued that teaching in local languages enhances comprehension and critical thinking among pupils, particularly in early childhood education.

Finance Minister to Present 2026 Budget on November 13

By
Ivy Hollys
-
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister for Finace
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister for Finace

Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson is expected to present the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on November 13, Joy Business has learned from sources close to the process.

The proposed date, pending parliamentary approval, will mark the government’s first major budget presentation since its 2024 election victory and nine months in office. Analysts say the 2025 Budget mainly followed the framework of the previous administration.

In line with the Public Financial Management Act, the Finance Minister must present the national budget to Parliament no later than November 15 each year. The Ministry of Finance has already completed several rounds of stakeholder consultations to finalise the 2026 fiscal policy.

Dr. Forson has hinted that the upcoming budget will focus on job creation, tax reforms, and economic growth. Sources also indicate that new policies will aim to improve revenue mobilisation while easing the tax burden on businesses and households.

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner-General, Anthony Sarpong, has confirmed that the budget will include a review of the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate from 22% to 20% as part of broader efforts to make the tax system more business-friendly.

With Ghana expected to exit the IMF programme in May 2026, the budget will be a crucial roadmap for the country’s post-IMF economic strategy, focusing on managing the fiscal deficit, expenditure control, and maintaining macroeconomic stability.

Commonwealth Honored with Otumfuo Commemorative Coin

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-
Presentation of Otumfuo's Commemorative Gold coin to Commonwealth Secretary General, Her Excellency Shirley Ayokor Botchwey
Presentation of Otumfuo's Commemorative Gold coin to Commonwealth Secretary General, Her Excellency Shirley Ayokor Botchwey

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Her Excellency Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has lauded the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for placing peacebuilding at the heart of his reign. “His peace initiative is well documented, and as a Commonwealth, we associate with the initiative,” she stated.

Her remarks came during a brief ceremony at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London on Thursday, October 23, 2025, where she received the Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin. She praised the Asantehene’s enduring contributions to Asanteman and Ghana, describing them as exemplary.

In her address, the Secretary-General highlighted that all 56 member states of the Commonwealth operate under a shared charter that upholds democracy, good governance, human rights, and the rule of law. “Otumfuo is on the right path, and we wholeheartedly associate ourselves with what he is doing. We gratefully accept this gift of the gold coin,” she added.

The commemorative coin was presented by a delegation comprising Alex Dadey, Executive Chairman of KGL Group; Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori Atta, Executive Chairman of E.ON 3 Group; Kwami Sefa Kayi, broadcast journalist and media consultant to E.ON 3 Group; and Daniel Weitmann, founder of Golden Suisse.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Dadey said, “We have come here on behalf of Otumfuo to present one of the commemorative gold coins to you and also to invite you to next year’s peace concert event.”

The 24-karat gold coin is a symbol of peace and a tribute to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s enduring legacy. It represents a lifelong initiative that not only honors the 16th Asantehene but also serves as a cultural emblem, promoting Ghana’s heritage on the global stage.

Chef Abbys Feeds 20,000 People in Accra

By
Ivy Hollys
-
Chef abby street food fest

Ghanaian culinary humanitarian, Chef Abbys, has led one of the largest privately organised feeding projects in the country, serving more than 20,000 people on the streets of Accra through her initiative, “The Big Street Feast.” The event ran under the inspiring theme, “Wherever you are, free food will find you.”

Speaking after the event, Chef Abbys said she felt deeply moved by the joy and gratitude she witnessed. “Our goal was simple to make everyone feel happy and loved. In every plate we served, we added a smile. We made sure no one was left out and that each person felt seen, cared for, and appreciated. That was the true foundation of The Big Street Feast,” she said.

Meals were served across four major locations Efua Sutherland Park, Fadama Astroturf, Madina Astroturf, and Kwabenya Market. In addition, seven Yango trucks delivered meals to ten distant communities, including Dome, Pokuase, Ablekuma, Dansoman, West Hills, Jamestown, Bukom, Spintex, Teshie, and Ashaley Botwe. A mobile food truck also toured parts of the city to reach those unable to visit the feeding points.

The massive effort was made possible through the support of partners such as Kivo, Yango, Everpack, Rafimex Company Ltd, Fairway Care, Lucozade, Perla, the Diaspora Affairs Office, and many others.

Sponsors included Don Simon, De Rio Farms, Nita’s Bakery, Roadman Grill, Laly’s Eatery, Steezer’s Kitchen, Joemens Popcorn, and several food brands and catering services that joined to make the event a success.

Through The Big Street Feast, Chef Abbys demonstrated how compassion, teamwork, and food can unite people one plate at a time.

1...575859...175Page 58 of 175

Recent Posts

Email: info@focus1mediagh.com