However, he emphasised that Asante tradition requires queenmothers to exert their influence behind the scenes, while chiefs publicly represent the stool. 'The report should bind us all' – Asantehene on peace efforts in BawkuOtumfuo Osei Tutu II made these comments at the final meeting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs for 2025, held on December 19, 2025. The Asante culture is different from other cultures. “The creation of the House of Chiefs is not our culture. The National House of Chiefs has no authority over me.

General News of Saturday, 20 December 2025Source: GNA-A cab driver, who picked up passengers at a non-designated bus stop has been ordered by the Tarkwa District Court Two to sign a bond to be of good behaviour or in default serve six months imprisonment in hard labour. Jonathan Arthur pleaded guilty to two counts of stopping at a place not designated as a bus stop. He was subsequently convicted on his own plea at the court presided over by Mr. Isaac Osei Asare. Prosecuting Police Sergeant Enoch Assan-Donkoh, told the court that the complainant, is the High Court Judge, in Tarkwa, while the accused is a resident of Tarkwa. He said the complainant reported the matter to the Tarkwa police and the accused person was arrested and detained to aid investigations.

General News of Saturday, 20 December 2025Source: starrfm.com.ghFormer Minister for Energy and Vice-Presidential Candidate for the 2024 election, Dr Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, has defended reforms introduced to Ghana’s student loan system, saying they significantly eased financial pressure on tertiary students. He explained that the earlier system, which demanded three state workers as guarantors, excluded many qualified applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds. Under the revised arrangement, students were allowed to apply using their national identification cards, making support more accessible. He noted that teacher trainees and other categories of students benefitted from allowances and student loan support, stressing that reforms in education financing must be implemented gradually to remain sustainable. The former minister added that while free tertiary education is an admirable objective, Ghana’s economic capacity must be strong enough to sustain such a policy, as seen in some developed countries.

Politics of Saturday, 20 December 2025Source: angelonline.com.ghThe Damongo Constituency has solidified its support for former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) prepares to elect its next flagbearer on January 31, 2026. All twelve Electoral Area Coordinators in the constituency have unanimously endorsed Dr Bawumia, citing his leadership, innovative policy ideas, and commitment to inclusive national development. The endorsement, backed by Member of Parliament (MP) Samuel Abu Jinapor, reflects a strong alignment of grassroots party structures and is expected to boost Dr Bawumia’s campaign. Jinapor praised Dr Bawumia’s clean public record, national profile, and ability to unite the party base and attract undecided voters. This development reinforces perceptions that Dr Bawumia’s message is gaining traction at the Grassroots level, positioning him as a strong contender in the NPP flagbearer race.

Business News of Saturday, 20 December 2025Source: classfmonline.comThe Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Randy Abbey, has expressed deep concern over the inability of both cocoa farmers and COCOBOD to benefit from the unprecedented surge in global cocoa prices that lasted for about eighteen months. According to Abbey, despite the historic rise in world market prices, the period instead left cocoa farmers and the state cocoa regulator grappling with excessive debt. He lamented that global cocoa prices, which peaked around 12,000 dollars per tonne and hovered between 10,000 and 9,000 dollars at various points, are now on a downward trend. Abbey said both farmers and COCOBOD should have reaped substantial benefits during this period of high prices. Abbey made these remarks during a courtesy call on him by members of the Best Cocoa Farmers Association of Ghana, who had visited to engage management on issues affecting cocoa production and farmer welfare in the country.

Paul started brightly, using movement and boxing off the back foot to frustrate Joshua, who swung and missed repeatedly in the early stages. Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury being lined up for long-anticipated fight in 2026The momentum shifted in the fifth when Joshua finally broke through, dropping Paul twice. The idea of Jake Paul sharing a professional ring with Anthony Joshua would have sounded ridiculous just a few years ago. At the same time, Paul was only just stepping into the professional ranks as YouTube boxing began to gain momentum. He won his debut against fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib, showing flashes of potential, though the opposition was far from conventional.

Crime & Punishment of Friday, 19 December 2025Source: classfmonline.comA 40-year-old Burkinabe national, identified as Christopher Kabore, has been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of his wife at Sefwi Kwasikrom, near Bonsu Nkwanta-Nkyesenkokoo in the Juaboso District of the Western North Region. The suspect is alleged to have attacked his wife, inflicting multiple wounds and later slashing her throat. After the alleged act, Kabore is said to have buried the body in an attempt to conceal the crime. Police further disclosed that the suspect later attempted to take his own life but was unsuccessful. Following intelligence-led investigations, Kabore was arrested and is currently in police custody at Juaboso, where he is assisting with ongoing investigations.

Crime & Punishment of Friday, 19 December 2025Source: GNAAn Accra High Court has granted bail of GH¢2 million with three sureties each to Mustapha Hamid, former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority, and two others in an alleged extortion and money‑laundering case. The accused are to report to the Court’s Registry twice monthly, on the first and last Tuesday, with the Registrar filing returns to the Court. Seven other accused persons were also granted bail of GH¢2 million each with three sureties, including public servants earning a net salary of GH¢3,000, and required to deposit valid identity cards. Hamid and nine others, now facing 54 charges in a GH¢291 million criminal case transferred to High Court Four, are accused of extortion, abuse of office and money laundering. The OSP has frozen assets exceeding GH¢100 million and US$100,000, including real estate, lands, fuel stations and tankers, with more assets being traced.

The Minister toured Nutrifoods’ manufacturing facility in the Tema Industrial Area, which produces Tasty Tom Enriched Tomato Mix and is recognised as the largest tomato-based processing and canning facility in West Africa. Dr Pelpuo also praised Nutrifoods for operating a 24-hour shift system, in line with the Government’s 24-hour economy policy, and for its contribution to job creation and economic growth. He added that his interactions with management and staff were encouraging, noting a healthy labour relations climate with compliance across occupational safety and health standards, as well as labour laws. The Managing Director and Business Head of Nutrifoods Ghana Limited, Jay Anjaria, stated that the company employs nearly 2,000 people and continues to invest in building local intellectual and technical capacity aligned with international manufacturing benchmarks. Nutrifoods Ghana Limited produces household brands such as Tasty Tom, NutriSnax, Royal King Cracker, and Perk.

Business News of Friday, 19 December 2025Source: www.ghanaweb.comExecutives of Gold Fields' Ghana met with their counterparts at the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) on Thursday, December 18, 2025, to discuss the company’s operations, potential investment opportunities for the Fund, and areas of collaboration. The discussions highlighted the critical role of Gold Fields’ investments in Ghana, which account for 31% of the company’s global production. The delegation from Gold Fields' Ghana Ltd was led by Elliot Twum, Senior Vice President and Managing Director; Emma Morrison, Regional Head of Corporate Affairs; and William Empeh, Head of Human Resources. “Collectively, these elements reflect our unwavering commitment to sustaining operations and advancing asset development in Ghana,” he added. The MIIF team expressed appreciation to Gold Fields for the engagement and emphasised the Fund’s keen interest in exploring future collaboration through knowledge sharing, capacity building, and other areas of mutual benefit.

Technology & Innovation of Friday, 19 December 2025Source: www.ghanaweb.comTech pioneer and IPMC founder Amar Deep Singh Hari has received a lifetime achievement award at this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF) in Accra, recognising more than three decades of work that helped transform Ghana’s digital landscape. Hari is widely regarded as one of the architects of Ghana’s modern technology ecosystem. His career spans early software development, large-scale business automation and a sustained push to expand digital skills across West Africa. Hari was praised as a visionary whose work helped accelerate Ghana’s entry into the digital era. This honour is really for the thousands of young people who passed through IPMC and went on to shape the West African IT landscape.

Regional News of Friday, 19 December 2025Source: classfmonline.comThe plight of passengers in Accra continues to worsen as some commercial transport operators allegedly impose unauthorised fare increases, especially during festive periods. Commuters say drivers of commercial vehicles are increasingly disregarding approved fares and charging passengers arbitrary amounts, leaving many with little option but to comply. The situation, passengers argue, has become a recurring problem whenever demand for transport rises. Passengers travelling to Nungua, who are expected to pay GH¢5.00, say they are instead being charged higher Accra fares. For low-income earners who rely on public transport daily, the arbitrary hikes are placing an additional financial burden on already stretched household budgets.

Regional News of Friday, 19 December 2025Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Western Central Regional Police Command has launched a public safety campaign aimed at ensuring a peaceful and incident-free Christmas season across the region. In a public announcement signed by ASP Beatrice Turkson, Head of the Public Affairs Unit, the Command urged residents, motorists, and revellers to prioritise safety as festive activities intensify in the coming weeks. “These measures are designed to protect lives and property while ensuring that everyone enjoys a peaceful festive season,” the statement said. The Command further encouraged community cooperation, urging the public to report suspicious activities and comply with security directives to support the overall safety effort. Residents were also provided with essential emergency contacts, including Police (18555 or 191), the Ghana National Fire Service (050 833 4390), and the Ambulance Service (192).

“Some of the suspects had substances suspected to be Indian hemp and some quantities of Tramadol in their possession. The police statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs of the Central East Region, DSP Victor Kofi Dosoo added that 45 motorbikes were impounded and one toy gun was retrieved. The Command noted that verification and documentation checks are currently ongoing for all the impounded motorbikes, while the suspects are being screened as part of investigations. “The arrested suspects are being screened as part of investigations. Three people impersonating Bagbin, IGP arrestedThe Police indicated intelligence-led operations will continue across the region to ensure the safety of lives and property during the festive period and beyond.

If ORAL fails, we are finished, and the very survival of our democracy is in peril,” he said. ORAL was formed by President Mahama to combat corruption and state capture as part of the government's efforts to promote accountability. In February 2025, the president handed over the ORAL report to the Attorney General with a directive to immediately begin investigations into the committee’s findings. He noted that the findings of the ORAL report call for sober reflection on the massive financial leakages that should have been invested in education, healthcare, infrastructure and social development. Presenting a summary of the findings, Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the value of thirty-six (36) financial cases reviewed is estimated at $20.49 billion.