Barely days after Somali football fans celebrated the historic selection of referee Omar Artan to officiate at the FIFA World Cup, hopes were dashed when United States immigration authorities barred his entry. Artan, Africa’s reigning top referee and the first Somali ever chosen for the tournament, was turned back at Miami International Airport despite holding a valid visa. He had been transiting through Istanbul en route to join fellow referees in training. US border officers cited unspecified “vetting concerns,” contradicting State Department rules exempting major sporting participants from the travel ban. The decision has provoked anger and disappointment across Somalia...
Manhunt Underway In South Africa After 12 killed In Mass Shooting
A manhunt is underway in South Africa after a group of 10 armed men opened fire killing 12 people at an informal settlement in Johannesburg late on Tuesday. Police said the shooters were dropped at the site in a minibus and moved through the area, opening fire on residents at multiple locations before fleeing in the same vehicle. As investigators work to establish the motive for the attack, Gauteng province’s top cop visited this latest scene of a deadly mass shooting in the East Rand region. Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni said it was too early to say if the...
Minority slams gov’t over delay in opening Afari Military Hospital
Minority members on Parliament’s Health Committee have criticised the John Mahama-led administration over what they describe as the failure to operationalise the 500-bed Afari Military Hospital, warning that the continued delay is undermining efforts to improve healthcare delivery in the Ashanti Region. Led by the Ranking Member of the Committee, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, the Minority MPs visited the facility on Wednesday, June 10, as part of a nationwide campaign aimed at highlighting abandoned health infrastructure projects and advocating for their completion. The visit comes amid growing pressure on health facilities in the Ashanti Region, particularly the Komfo Anokye Teaching...
Supreme Court set to rule on Noah Adamtey’s challenge to OSP prosecutorial powers on July 29
The Supreme Court is expected to deliver a landmark judgment on July 29, 2026, in a constitutional case brought by private citizen and lawyer Noah Ephraem Tetteh Adamtey, which questions the legality of the prosecutorial powers exercised by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The case has attracted significant public and legal interest because its outcome could have far-reaching implications for Ghana’s anti-corruption architecture and the future operations of the OSP. Mr Adamtey is asking the apex court to determine whether Parliament acted within its constitutional mandate when it enacted the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act...
Minority Leader Defends Free Speech as Cornerstone of Democracy
The Minority Leader, Hon. Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has mounted a strong defense of free speech in Ghana’s Parliament, warning against any attempt to suppress political dissent. Speaking on the floor of the House, he argued that history has shown the dangers of silencing opposing voices. “Governments that stifle dissent do not strengthen themselves but rather hollow out the very institutions upon which their own legitimacy depends,” he cautioned, stressing that civil liberties remain the bedrock of Ghana’s democratic order. The Minority Leader underscored that free speech is not merely the right to speak, but the freedom to criticise, to...
“Africa Must Finance and Lead Its Own Health Future,” Vice President Declares at Health Summit
The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has urged African nations to break away from aid dependency and prioritize healthcare as a matter of national security and economic stability. Speaking at the 2026 Annual Health Summit organized by the Ministry of Health, she emphasized that Africa’s health future must be driven by domestic investment and strengthened health workforces. “Healthcare must be treated as a strategic priority, anchored in our own resources and capacities,” she declared. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang underscored the importance of strategic recruitment, equitable deployment, and improved retention of health professionals. She called for stronger...
REGSEC Declares Emergency Measures in Greater Accra Ahead of Rainy Season and Homowo Festival
The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC), chaired by Regional Minister Hon. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has declared a state of heightened operational readiness across the capital. The move follows an emergency high-level review of ecological vulnerabilities and cultural activities, with the Council unveiling a comprehensive, intelligence-led blueprint to mitigate flood risks and safeguard the upcoming Homowo festival. Critical Risk Zones Identified Supported by terrain tracking from the National Investigation Bureau (NIB), REGSEC has isolated several flood-prone corridors and flashpoints requiring immediate intervention. Critical Risk Corridors: Odawna Sahara and Adabraka Official Town in Korle Klottey Municipality. High-Risk Flashpoints: Alajo Central...
Chef Nyhiraba Completes Her Cook-A-Ton Attempt, Awaits Guinness Review
Chef Nyhiraba Zulaiha has successfully concluded her historic cook‑a‑thon attempt at the Madina Zongo Astro Turf, drawing nationwide attention and international support. The marathon cooking challenge, which began on June 1, attracted dignitaries, government officials, media practitioners, and enthusiastic citizens who rallied behind her mission to celebrate Ghanaian cuisine. The initiative sought to inspire young people while promoting unity and pride in the country’s culinary heritage. In a press statement issued yesterday, Chef Nyhiraba expressed profound gratitude to the people of Ghana and supporters worldwide. She acknowledged the pioneering contributions of fellow chefs, including Chef Faila and Chef Abby, whose...
Ghana Launches Revised National Cultural Policy
Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has joined the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, traditional leaders, creatives, development partners, members of the diplomatic community, and stakeholders to launch Ghana’s Revised National Cultural Policy. The new policy underscores Ghana’s commitment to protecting, promoting, and preserving its rich cultural heritage while positioning the cultural and creative industries as drivers of national development. It recognizes culture as a tool for inclusive growth, job creation, education, social cohesion, and economic transformation. The framework aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions...
Parliament Launches Youth-Focused Civic Education Series
Parliament has unveiled a new educational initiative dubbed “Parliament and You” under the theme “Promoting Parliamentary Education Among the Young.” The programme, launched in partnership with Graphic Communications Group Limited, seeks to deepen young people’s understanding of parliamentary democracy, governance, and civic responsibility. Speaking on behalf of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the First Deputy Speaker, Hon. Bernard Ahiafor, underscored the importance of inclusive civic education. He stressed that investing in the education of young people and involving them in decision-making processes is the surest way to prepare them for future leadership roles. “Empowering the...