Mr. Moh Damush, Chief Executive Officer of the Telecel Group, has emphasized the critical role of digital connectivity, skills development, and innovation in driving Africa’s economic transformation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He made the call when he delivered a message at the Presidential & Business Leaders’ Dialogue, held on Day Three of the 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD). The dialogue, held under the theme “Empowering SMEs, Women & Youth in Africa’s Single Market: Innovate. Collaborate. Trade,” took place at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Friday, 6th February, 2026. Mr. Damush mentioned that Africa’s wealth in land, minerals, and talent is only valuable when paired with knowledge, technology, and effective governance. “Resources alone are like seeds kept in a jar — dormant until knowledge and brains turn them into solutions that transform lives,” he said. Mr. Damush underscored that the era of artificial intelligence and digital acceleration has expanded the concept of knowledge beyond classrooms. It now encompasses skills, connectivity, and smart regulations — a combination he described as the engine of “prosperity-fueled growth.” The Telecel CEO argued that AfCFTA’s success will no longer be measured solely by the movement of goods, but by the creation of a digital single market across Africa’s 1.4 billion people. He illustrated this with the example of a young female entrepreneur in Kampala producing natural skincare products who, through digital platforms and simplified trade regulations, can sell to consumers in Lagos, Nairobi, or Kigali without a physical shop. “Connectivity isn’t just an economic tool; it’s an equalizer,” he said, noting that women account for nearly 70 percent of informal cross-border traders and are 17 percent more likely to adopt digital tools when trade barriers fall. Mr. Damush also stressed the importance of involving youth and SMEs, who make up over 60 percent and 90 percent of Africa’s population and businesses, respectively. "They should not only be beneficiaries but builders of Africa’s single market,” he added. At Telecel, Mr. Damush said, the company is advancing connectivity and digital innovation to enable trade and entrepreneurship. Through cross-border payment corridors, Telecel is facilitating regional integration and inclusive growth by making it easier for SMEs to conduct business across borders via mobile money. The company’s initiatives, including the Telecel Digital Academy and Starter Code for Education, equip youth with foundational and advanced digital skills, opening pathways into STEM and technology careers. Additionally, the Africa Startup Initiative provides mentorship, market access, and investment opportunities to early-stage ventures, enabling them to scale and create jobs. Telecel also supports women-led SMEs through its Women in Business initiative, which offers training, digital tools, networking, and financial access through a structured six-pillar ecosystem designed to accelerate female entrepreneurship. Mr. Damush highlighted that much of this work is led by women within Telecel, ensuring that investments create measurable impact. He argued that empowering SMEs, women, and youth is not charity but an economic necessity. “Africa’s single market is not a policy; it is a promise. A promise that innovation will be rewarded, that collaboration will replace fragmentation, and that prosperity will be shared,” he said. Mr. Damush further called for action to ensure that African SMEs scale, women lead, and youth build, adding: “If we do this, Africa will not simply prosper. Africa will redefine prosperity.” Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Hawa Abubakar

Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak (MP), has called for a coordinated and technology-driven border management system across Africa to support free movement, strengthen security, and boost economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Speaking on Day Two of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), the Interior Minister said integrating border operations across land borders, ports, and airports would enable real-time traceability, risk profiling, and efficient processing of goods and people. According to him, linking national digital identification systems to continental standards aligned with the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy would allow authorities to verify identities quickly, prevent fraud, and facilitate legitimate movement, citing Ghana’s ongoing reforms as a practical example. Mr. Muntaka noted that biometric technologies were not intended for surveillance but rather to build trust through systems that enhance both security and prosperity, while empowering law-abiding travellers and traders. “Our task is not to restrict movement, but to manage it intelligently,” he said, stressing the need for risk-based controls, stronger inter-agency collaboration, and modern border systems capable of separating legitimate trade from illicit activity. He identified non-tariff barriers—such as multiple checkpoints, overlapping institutional mandates, inconsistent documentation requirements, and poor coordination among border agencies—as the greatest challenge facing African traders, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Interior Minister warned that AfCFTA would not achieve its full potential unless security institutions, customs authorities, migration services, and trade regulators moved away from siloed operations toward integrated border management. He disclosed that Ghana is strengthening joint border operations through enhanced information sharing, capacity building for frontline officers, and the deployment of technology-driven clearance and verification systems. He said these reforms were aimed at reducing harassment and delays for traders while improving enforcement effectiveness. Mr. Muntaka underscored that trade facilitation and security were not competing goals but mutually reinforcing priorities. He urged participants to remain guided by the Make Africa Borderless Now initiative, noting that Africa’s integration agenda would only succeed if security, mobility, and economic opportunity advanced together. “When borders are efficient, SMEs grow,” he said, adding that the initiative challenges African leaders to move from rhetoric to results. “As Minister responsible for internal security in Ghana, I stand ready to play my part—not as a gatekeeper of exclusion, but as an architect of safe, inclusive, and prosperous movement across our continent,” he added. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Hawa Abubakar

The Amasaman High Court has slashed the prison sentence handed to controversial evangelist Nana Agradaa, ruling that the punishment imposed by the trial court was excessive. In a judgment delivered on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the court maintained her conviction but reduced the custodial sentence to 12 months. The presiding judge explained that the original 15-year sentence with hard labour did not fairly reflect the circumstances of the case and required revision. The court ordered that the new sentence should be calculated from July 3, 2025, when Nana Agradaa was convicted, effectively limiting her time in custody to one year. While stressing that the offence merited punishment, the court underscored the need for balance and proportionality in sentencing decisions, which informed the significant reduction. Nana Agradaa, a former fetish priestess who later rebranded herself as an evangelist, was initially sentenced to 15 years, a ruling that provoked widespread public discussion and legal examination nationwide. The latest decision leaves the conviction intact but substantially reduces the length of her imprisonment. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Hawa Abubakar

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has unveiled the Feed the Industry program, a key initiative aimed at strengthening Ghana’s agribusiness sector and promoting value addition across the country’s commodity chains. Addressing Day 2 of the 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Thursday, 5th February, 2026, Hon. Ofosu-Adjare emphasized that the program seeks to address raw material supply challenges by ensuring a sustainable flow of quality inputs to Ghanaian industries. "These efforts are intended to create jobs, increase incomes, and strengthen economic resilience,” she said. The Minister stressed the significant role of women and youth in Ghana’s economy, noting that nearly half of all MSMEs in the country are led by women, while Africa’s youth population represents an unparalleled source of innovation and productivity. “Empowering these groups is an economic imperative,” she said. Under the Feed the Industry initiative, the Ministry is actively facilitating stronger linkages between agriculture and industry, addressing underutilized processing capacity, and promoting higher value addition for commodities such as cocoa, shea nuts, cashew, and honey. The program is part of Ghana’s broader industrial strategy, which prioritizes technological adoption, export readiness, and innovation to enhance competitiveness. Since the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2021, Ghana has integrated women and youth-led enterprises into regional trade and industrial value chains. Hon. Ofosu-Adjare reported that over 2,800 businesses have been sensitized on export procedures and market access, while more than 155,000 entrepreneurs have received skills training, and over 6,000 startup kits have been distributed to MSMEs. The Ministry has also activated grants and financing mechanisms under the Ghana Economic Transformation Project, backed by the World Bank, to support enterprise upgrading, industrial growth, and private investment excellence. “Women-led enterprises across Ghana are already transforming local resources into high-quality branded exports that generate employment, elevate incomes, and enhance resilience,” the Minister said. Hon. Ofosu-Adjare also outlined four key priorities to maximize the program’s impact: full operationalization of AfCFTA, investment in digital infrastructure and logistics, innovative financing for women and youth-led enterprises, and strengthened public-private partnerships to scale regional value chains. “This is an opportunity to invest in women and youth-led SMEs, prioritize value addition in agribusiness, and collaborate across borders to build a single African market where sustainable prosperity, job creation, and structural transformation are driven by our own people,” she said. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Hawa Abubakar

“The vision of Africa as a single, integrated economic space remains unfinished,” Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has stated, stressing the urgent need for Africa to shift from dependency to self-reliance through deeper regional integration and inclusive growth. Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the opening ceremony of the Africa’s Prosperity Dialogues 2026 at the Accra International Conference Centre in Accra, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said Africa’s long-standing ambition of economic unity must move beyond aspiration to practical execution if the continent is to unlock shared prosperity. She noted that despite significant progress, Africa remains constrained by fragmented markets, weak intra-continental trade, and structural dependence on raw material exports, trends that continue to limit job creation and industrial growth. According to her, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), headquartered in Accra, provides a historic opportunity to reverse this trajectory by connecting African economies into a single market of about 1.3 billion people. The Vice President emphasised that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which account for over 80 per cent of employment across Africa, alongside women and young people, must be placed at the centre of the continent’s transformation agenda. She acknowledged the creativity and resilience of Africa’s youth and women entrepreneurs, while highlighting persistent barriers to finance, skills development, mobility, and cross-border market access. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang called for stronger political leadership, coordinated policies, and sustained investment in infrastructure, technology, and skills to translate Africa’s vast potential into tangible economic gains. She cited Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy Programme and Big Push infrastructure initiative as deliberate efforts to boost productivity, expand trade, and align national development priorities with those of ECOWAS and the African Union. She urged participants at the Africa’s Prosperity Dialogues to focus on concrete commitments and implementation, noting that Africa’s future would be shaped not by speeches alone, but by actions that deliver jobs, industrial growth, and shared prosperity for its people. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Hawa Abubakar

Calls to replace Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) as Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s running mate for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2028 ticket have been questioned by Philip Osei Bonsu, host of Asempa FM’s political talk show Ekosiisen. Mr. Osei Bonsu argued that the party’s post-election review, led by Prof. Mike Ocquaye, cleared the Bawumia–NAPO ticket of responsibility for the party’s 2024 electoral defeat. “If the Ocquaye Committee did not indict Dr. Bawumia or Dr. Prempeh for the loss, then on what basis are people demanding a change?” he asked. “You cannot ignore your own official findings and replace them with speculation and personal ambition.” The Ocquaye Report highlighted structural challenges, governance fatigue, messaging gaps, and broader political dynamics, but made no recommendation to alter the presidential ticket. For Osei Bonsu and other party insiders, recent calls to replace NAPO appear disconnected from facts and driven more by lobbying than reasoned analysis. Scapegoating individuals cleared by the official report, Osei Bonsu warned, risks repeating past mistakes. "We cannot be a party that commissions reports only to discard their findings when they don’t suit certain interests,” he said. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1843eQmCaE/ At the grassroots level, supporters argue that changing a running mate not blamed for defeat would signal a reversal of the party’s own findings. “You don’t fix what the doctor says is not broken,” one constituency executive remarked. Backers of the Bawumia–NAPO ticket emphasize that the Ocquaye Report was intended to guide internal reforms, not fuel internal contestation. They caution that reopening the running mate debate could divert attention from party reorganization, voter engagement, and messaging ahead of 2028. For Philip Osei Bonsu, the matter is one of discipline and consistency. "If we say we believe in institutions, then we must respect their conclusions. The report did not blame the ticket. So why are we trying to change one half of it?” As the NPP looks toward 2028, party insiders say the message is becoming clear: continuity, not change, is the most defensible course if both Bawumia and NAPO were absolved by the Ocquaye Report. Story by: Think News Desk

Ghana’s inflation continued its steady downward trend in January 2026, reinforcing signs of improving macroeconomic stability, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has announced. According to the January 2026 Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by the GSS, the CPI rose to 262.3 in January 2026 from 252.6 in January 2025, resulting in a year-on-year (YoY) inflation rate of 3.8 per cent. This means that, on average, prices of goods and services increased by 3.8 per cent over the 12-month period. Dr. Iddrisu Alhassan, Government Statistician, noted that the January 2026 inflation rate represents the 13th consecutive decline in inflation and the lowest rate recorded since the rebasing of prices in 2021. He added that the figure marks a 1.6 percentage point drop from the December 2025 inflation rate of 5.4 per cent and a significant 19.7 percentage point decline from the 23.5 per cent recorded in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, inflation stood at 0.2 per cent, indicating a marginal increase in the general price level between December 2025 and January 2026. Dr. Alhassan explained that inflation is measured monthly using price data on 307 items in the CPI basket, collected from 8,337 outlets across 57 markets nationwide. The items are organised into 13 divisions, 44 groups, 98 classes, and 156 sub-classes. While the weight reference period remains 2017, the price reference period has been updated to 2021 (2021=100) to reflect the inclusion of the six new regions. He highlighted recent innovations introduced in the CPI release, including reports on the decomposition of inflation into goods and services, analysis of contributions to inflation, annual average inflation trends, and the use of infographics to make price movements more accessible to the public. The report also now includes policy-oriented recommendations to support decision-making by government, businesses, and households. “The sustained decline in inflation from 23.5 per cent in January 2025 to 3.8 per cent in January 2026 signals a clear and sustained shift in price dynamics,” Dr. Alhassan said. “It demonstrates that Ghana is firmly on the path to macroeconomic stability.” The CPI and inflation figures are expected to guide fiscal and monetary policy decisions, as well as inform business planning and household budgeting across the country. Story by: Hawa Abubakar

Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has inaugurated 10 Revenue Enhancement Teams nationwide as part of a bold strategy to improve revenue collection, curb illegal connections, and reduce non-revenue water, Managing Director announced on Wednesday. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Managing Director said the initiative marks a “decisive turning point” in the company’s transformation, aimed at strengthening finances and improving reliable water delivery to Ghanaians. He noted that while water is a social good, its production and distribution are capital-intensive, requiring steady revenue to fund chemicals, electricity, infrastructure maintenance, and expansion. “Without sound revenue, there can be no sustainable service,” he said. The Managing Director outlined key operational and financial challenges confronting GWL, including rising costs of treatment chemicals, electricity, fuel, and spare parts, as well as aging infrastructure prone to frequent leaks and bursts. Production constraints driven by climate variability, pollution, and rapid urbanisation have further strained supply. National water demand currently stands at about 350 million gallons per day, while existing treatment plants can produce only 220 million gallons, leaving a daily deficit of 130 million gallons. In the Accra–Tema Metropolitan Area, demand exceeds supply by 73 million gallons per day. Customer indebtedness also remains a major concern, with outstanding arrears running into billions of cedis nationwide. According to management, unpaid bills directly limit the company’s ability to maintain infrastructure and expand services. Non-Revenue Water at 52% GWL’s non-revenue water level stood at 52 per cent as of December 2024. This means that out of 220 million gallons supplied daily nationwide, 114 million gallons are unaccounted for. In Accra–Tema, 71 million gallons out of 137 million gallons supplied daily are lost. The losses comprise about 22 per cent technical losses from leakages and bursts, and 78 per cent commercial losses due largely to illegal connections, meter bypassing, billing anomalies, and water theft. Early Results from Pilot Teams To address these challenges, GWL set up three pilot Revenue Enhancement Teams in August 2025. Between August 2024 and December 2025, the teams uncovered 239 illegal connections, raised charges amounting to GH¢8.6 million, and recovered GH¢2.1 million. Encouraged by these results, management has expanded the initiative by adding seven more teams, bringing the total to 10. The Managing Director stressed that the teams are not meant to be punitive. Their mandate includes improving revenue collection, detecting illegal connections, verifying meters, correcting billing anomalies, reducing non-revenue water, and educating customers to encourage voluntary compliance. “They are corrective, protective, and supportive teams. We seek compliance, not confrontation; fairness, not hardship; and sustainability for the benefit of all,” he said. He also highlighted GWL’s ongoing digital transformation, which allows customers to receive bills via SMS and email and make payments through mobile money, bank apps, and USSD platforms. Calling on customers to pay their bills promptly, the Managing Director said every cedi collected goes into chemicals, electricity, maintenance, pipe replacement, network expansion, technology upgrades, and overall service improvement. The inauguration signals GWL’s renewed commitment to protecting revenue and ensuring reliable and equitable water supply across the country. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ghana’s recent gains in gold revenue, foreign exchange generation, and economic stability are the result of deliberate reforms, strategic partnerships, and a renewed focus on value addition, according to Richard Nunekpeku, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). Speaking during a panel discussion on “Mining, Minerals and Strategic Resources” at the Africa Trade Summit 2026, held at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra, Mr. Nunekpeku said effective partnerships must be built on a clear understanding of national needs and capacity, rather than convenience or similarity. “At some point, partnerships can significantly support top-performing countries,” he noted. “But partnerships only work when they are designed to complement existing capacities. Too often, we enter partnerships without fully understanding our needs, and we end up with partners who offer the same capabilities we already have.” He stressed that Ghana’s approach to gold sector reform reflects lessons drawn from global best practices, particularly in natural resource management and revenue mobilization. Citing a visit to Qatar’s centralized gold market model in November, Mr. Nunekpeku said Ghana has adopted a similar structure to ensure that gold is sold through a regulated and transparent system that maximizes value for the state. “That centralized approach allows the sector to grow while ensuring proper revenue generation and national oversight,” he explained. Mr. Nunekpeku revealed that in 2025, Ghana exported over 100 tonnes of small-scale gold, generating more than US$10 billion in revenue, an achievement he described as unprecedented. According to him, the impact of this performance is being felt across the economy, including improved foreign reserves, a stronger debt position, and relative stability in the cost of living. “These results are unprecedented. Improved reserves, a stronger debt position, and relative stability in the cost of living are all linked to this performance,” he said. He emphasized that GoldBod’s mandate goes beyond figures and export volumes. “GoldBod is not a numbers-focused institution,” Mr. Nunekpeku said. “We look at how the numbers connect to value addition, sustainability, and national development.” As part of that strategy, he announced that GoldBod has signed a historic agreement with a local refinery to refine small-scale gold domestically before export—a move expected to retain millions of dollars in refining charges, create jobs, and reduce long-standing losses associated with offshore refining. “Local refining means retaining value here at home, creating employment, and strengthening our industrial base,” he stated. Beyond refining, Mr. Nunekpeku said GoldBod is investing in downstream activities, including jewelry manufacturing through GoldBod Jewellery, to further expand local value chains. He also highlighted the importance of small-scale miners in achieving sustainability and traceability in the sector, noting that GoldBod works closely with miners’ associations to formalize operations and promote responsible mining practices. “Responsible mining is not just about outcomes, but about how mining is done. That principle guides everything we do at GoldBod,” he said. Mr. Nunekpeku concluded by reiterating GoldBod’s role as a key economic institution, mandated to support foreign exchange generation and gold reserve accumulation, with a long-term national focus. “Our goal is simple,” he said. “To ensure that Ghana derives maximum and lasting value from its gold resources for the benefit of its people.” Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ghana Police Service has arrested five suspects in connection with a violent robbery that occurred at Nkaseim in the Ahafo Region, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, Esq., has announced. According to COP Donkor, the suspects—Mutar Kofi; Mahamadu Sagio, also known as Salifu; Shaibu Issah Jallo, alias Jibo; Abdul Suleman; and Bukari Sulley, alias Tailor—were arrested on separate dates following sustained intelligence gathering and forensic investigations. The robbery occurred on 2 December 2025 when the suspects, acting with other accomplices and armed with weapons, blocked the Goaso–Tepa road and simultaneously attacked the Nkaseim Police Station, Adwumapa Cocoa Buying Company, Kobby Gold Buying Company, and the Asutifi Rural Bank area at Nkaseim. During the attack, the assailants made away with two AK47 service rifles and stole cash, including GHS14,000 from the cocoa buying company and GHS12,000 from the gold buying company. An employee of the Adwumapa Cocoa Buying Company was shot and injured during the incident. COP Donkor disclosed that Mutar Kofi, 35, a commercial tricycle rider, was arrested on 16 January 2026 at a location known as “Ata ne Ata” near Nkaseim and admitted his involvement. Further investigations led to the arrest of Mahamadu Sagio, 45, an illegal miner and resident of Nkaseim. Subsequent operations resulted in the arrest of Shaibu Issah Jallo, 28, a trader at Chereponi; Abdul Suleman, 40, a herdsman at Tanga near Karaga in the Northern Region; and Bukari Sulley, 25, a trader at Alaba in Kumasi, who was arrested on 25 January 2026. Police have intensified efforts to arrest the alleged gang leader, identified as Hoyeefi, believed to be in possession of the stolen weapons and other firearms used during the robbery. Two additional suspects, Dauda and Mohammed Ali, are also on the run. COP Donkor urged the public to take personal security seriously, remain vigilant against cyber and online crimes, and avoid sharing personal or financial information with unknown persons. She also advised motorists and vehicle sellers to exercise caution, particularly at night and in isolated areas, and encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station. On behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, COP Donkor commended officers for their dedication and professionalism and thanked members of the public and media houses for their continued support and cooperation in the fight against crime. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Hawa Abubakar

The Ghana Police Service has arrested seven suspects in connection with a highway robbery involving a Member of the Council of State, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, Esq., has disclosed. Addressing a press briefing at the CID Headquarters in Accra on Thursday, 29 January 2026, COP Donkor said the arrests form part of intensified, intelligence-led operations aimed at combating robbery and other violent crimes nationwide. According to her, the suspects—Rashida Yusif; Aaron Abana Baswiefanga; Wilson Avasong; Muntaru Iddrisu, also known as Virgin; Aminu Zebrilla, alias Birdman; Inusah Sumaila, known as Agenda; and Haruna Safiano—were arrested following investigations into a robbery that occurred on 21 July 2025 along the Tamale–Buipe Highway. COP Donkor explained that the victims were travelling on the highway when they were attacked by six armed men who robbed them of personal belongings, including mobile phones, cash, wristwatches, reading glasses, a laptop, and other items. She said that on 11 January 2026, based on intelligence gathered by the CID, a team from the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit was deployed to Salaga in the Savannah Region, leading to the arrest of Rashida Yusif. An iPhone 7 Plus belonging to one of the victims was retrieved from her. Further investigations led police to a mobile phone shop at Dagomba Line in Salaga, where the shop attendant, Aaron Abana Baswiefanga, was arrested. He disclosed that the phone had been brought to the shop by his uncle, Wilson Avasong, the shop owner and an environmental officer residing in Tamale. Wilson Avasong was subsequently arrested in Tamale. COP Donkor noted that during interrogation, Wilson Avasong indicated he had purchased the phone from a phone repairer, Muntaru Iddrisu, also known as Virgin, for GHS1,000. Police later arrested Muntaru Iddrisu at the Tamale Aboabo Market, where he led officers to Aminu Zebrilla, alias Birdman, a 35-year-old okada rider, who was arrested at Dungu, a suburb of Tamale. Aminu Zebrilla admitted selling the phone to Muntaru Iddrisu for GHS650. A search conducted in the suspect’s room, COP Donkor said, resulted in the retrieval of several items, including locally manufactured firearms, assorted ammunition, mobile phones, wristwatches, pen drives, a motorbike, SIM cards, and other items believed to have been taken from victims during the robbery. Further investigations revealed that Aminu Zebrilla is an ex-convict who was previously convicted for robbery in 2012. Two additional accomplices, Inusah Sumaila, 42, and Haruna Safiano, 32, were later arrested from their hideouts behind the Tamale China Mall. COP Donkor stated that investigations are ongoing to arrest other suspects believed to be on the run and to retrieve a weapon suspected to be in their possession. She reaffirmed the Ghana Police Service’s commitment to protecting lives and property and urged the public to continue supporting police operations with credible and timely information. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Hawa Abubakar

The Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has assured residents of Anfoega and its environs of decisive measures to restore reliable water supply following persistent water shortages in the area. This follows a courtesy call by Mr Adam Mutawakilu, the Managing Director, and top management of GWL, on the Paramount Chief of Anfoega Akukome, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV at Anfoega Akukome in the North Dayi District of the Volta Region. The visit formed part of broader efforts by Ghana Water Ltd. to engage directly with communities as it works to address long-standing operational challenges across the country. It was also to pay respect to the traditional authority and to personally assess the water situation that has left several communities in Kpando in distress. Mr Mutawakilu was accompanied by Ing. Michael Botse Baidoo, Deputy Managing Director in charge of Operations, Mr Michael Klutse, Chief Manager in Charge of Corporate Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ing. Amidu Musah, Chief Manager of Operations, Mr Stanley Martey, Chief Manager for Public Relations and Communication, Ing. Emmanuel Johnson, Chief Manager Volta Region, and other senior officials, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, who is also President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, expressed appreciation to the Managing Director for what he described as the “seriousness attached to the water situation in the area.” He said previous attempts to engage management of the water company had yielded little result, leaving residents to continue relying on water from unsanitary sources, with attendant health risks. According to the Paramount Chief, the persistent lack of potable water had exposed residents to water-borne diseases and undermined livelihoods in the community. He commended the Managing Director for personally visiting Anfoega Akukome to assess the situation and to listen to the concerns of the people. “For you to come yourself to assess the situation and listen to our complaints is commendable. Let us engage and see how we can all resolve this problem once and for all,” Togbe Tepre Hodo IV said. He made the remarks in the presence of sub-chiefs and queen mothers, who also underscored the urgency of addressing the perennial water challenges confronting the community. Mr Mutawakilu explained that the Kpando Water Treatment Plant, which serves Anfoega and surrounding communities, has an installed capacity of approximately 6,400 cubic metres per day. However, average daily production currently stands at about 3,000 cubic metres, representing roughly 47 per cent of the plant’s installed capacity operating for about 11 to 12 hours daily. According to the MD, the gap between installed capacity and actual production meant that, with the right interventions, the system could adequately serve additional communities and significantly improve water delivery in the area. The Managing Director assured the traditional authorities that GWL would procure quality pipes of the right size to resolve the distribution challenges, not only to address current needs but also to cater for future demand. He stressed that the company was committed to implementing durable solutions rather than temporary fixes. Mr Mutawakilu noted that the company’s technicians were continuously assessing the system to identify and address all operational challenges affecting water production and distribution in the region. He said, as part of the Government’s Water for All agenda being championed by President John Dramani Mahama, the Company would ensure equitable access to safe and reliable water for all communities across the country. “I want to assure you that we will do everything possible to ensure that water flows again. His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama will be glad to hear that the communities here have water,” the Managing Director said. He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that all necessary steps would be taken to restore water supply to Anfoega and other affected communities, working closely with technical staff and management to bring lasting relief to residents. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith