Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, former Minister of Communications has announced her intention to contest for the position of General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) ahead of the 2028 general elections.
In a Facebook post on Monday, October 20, 2025, marking her birthday, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful reflected on recent internal challenges within the NPP and called for unity among party members.
She framed her decision to run as part of a broader mission to reorganise the party and restore public confidence.
“On this day of my birth, Patriots, I come before you, the fighter you have always known… I come to you in all humility, to ask you, dear patriots, to join me on this rescue mission as your next General Secretary,” she wrote.
Reflecting on the NPP’s recent internal and national challenges, the former Minister said the party had emerged bruised and humbled but not broken.
“We came out bruised, our individual and collective egos battered. We lie not in a good place. However, as our great tradition had demonstrated over the years, influenced by the then burgeoning spirit of resilience and purpose that heralded our birth in Saltpond, we will thrive,” she said.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful likened the NPP’s current state to a period of rebirth, urging supporters not to lose hope in the party’s mission.
According to her, the NPP’s current difficulties represent “a necessary phase of self-introspection and diagnosis” as the party charts a new course toward reorganisation and victory.
She pledged to work closely with the party’s grassroots structures to rebuild trust and unity from the polling stations through to the national level.
“From the polling stations, through to the electoral areas, constituencies, and regions to the top, we will restore confidence in our party and unity amongst ourselves. That is the only dose we need to booth out this accident-of-a-government,” she asserted.
Looking ahead to the next elections, the former Ablekuma West Member of Parliament underscored the urgency for the NPP to reposition itself as a credible alternative for Ghanaians.
“December 2028 is soon upon us, and by which time the good people of Ghana and us all, as it is today, will remain in dire need for change. That is why we need to re-shape, re-organise, and put ourselves in a good place to effectively represent the desired change and restore the belief of Ghanaians in us as the institutors of growth and development,” she said.Source: Karen Tei
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that the government is reviewing the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) to make it fairer and more efficient.
The Minister made this known during a visit to the Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC), Legon, on Monday, October 20 where he inspected facilities and assessed the school’s admission procedures.
The Minister expressed concern over reports that some students were not offered their preferred programmes or were denied school choices despite having excellent grades.
“I have observed that some parents are unhappy, justified. Some students are unhappy, justified, because they chose a particular course, Science, and was given General Arts or Business. That would be a disincentive even for that child to study hard and do his best.”He stated that the current placement system is not functioning as expected.
“It means that the computerised placement system is not working well for the country, and I’m happy to review it, and I will review it,” he said.
“I’ll put in place a committee to review its performance over the decade, and then give me a credible alternative. What we need is meritorious admission. Nobody would accept that you get an Aggregate 6, and you can’t get the spot of your first choice. That’s unfair, and we’ll look very closely into that.”
The Minister also used the visit to highlight the broader challenges facing the implementation of Free Senior High School education in Ghana.
“My understanding as I’ve gone around this morning is, we need to manage the crisis in the provision of quality Free Senior High School in Ghana. To manage it will mean deliberate, sustainable investment in education, expanded classrooms, expanded laboratories, expanded dormitories for the learners.”
While acknowledging the government’s role, Mr Iddrisu also commended the contributions of alumni and religious institutions in supporting educational development.
“What I’ve also particularly noticed is the role of old boys, old students, in supporting the state. I recognise a strong bond, a relationship between the church and the state in providing quality education. And for our purposes today, the Presbyterian Church, I want to salute them and pay tribute to them.”
Mr Iddrisu praised PRESEC for its long-standing record of excellence.
“From Odumase now to Accra, Presec have trained many young people, mentioning Okudzeto Ablakwa, Oko Boye, they are all proud students of this school,” he said.
On infrastructure, the Minister admitted that the school was struggling with inadequate facilities. “My assessment here is that classrooms are not adequate, dormitories not adequate, laboratories insufficient and not in good shape,” he said.To address these challenges, he announced that government plans to upgrade schools across the country. “Government will deliberately, in the coming years, particularly into 2026, work to upgrade 10 Category C schools to B schools, and 10 Category B schools to A schools.
“Then I’ll pick a special 10, and Presec will be part of that special 10. We will give you the needed intervention by way of improved infrastructure in the classroom, laboratories and dormitories,” he added.
About 590,000 first-year Senior High School (SHS) students started reporting to their respective schools from Saturday, October 18, and today, Monday, October 20, 2025, to begin the 2025/2026 academic year.Source: Myjoyonline.com
The Director of Education for the Ledzokuku Municipality, Mrs Theresa Tetteh, has advised teachers to take a keen interest in their capacity building to enhance their work.
She explained that, now that Information Technology (I T) has taken centre stage in every facet of life, there is a need for all teachers to leverage I T and sharpen their skills in the use of I T as a pedagogical tool for the teaching of various subjects and not as a subject itself.
Mrs Theresa Tetteh announced this at the closing section of a 4-day capacity building on ICT integration training for more than 500 basic schoolteachers in the Ledzokuku Municipality in the Greater Accra region.
Mrs Theresa Tetteh
The training organised by the Keep the Premium Solutions (a National Teaching Council (NTC) accredited institution), which spanned between 13th and 17th October and was divided into four cohorts.
Areas of training
The participants were taken through basic and intermediate computer skills, Introduction to key educational ICT tools, Demonstration on lesson planning with ICT, digital record-keeping and communication tools, as well as the Use of Artificial Intelligence to prepare lesson notes and assessments
The Municipal Director reminded the teachers to ensure that they made good use of the knowledge they have acquired during the training toward the promotion of effective teaching and learning in their schools.
She pledged to continue providing the right training as well as the provision of the right resources to improve teaching and learning in their schools.
Sharpen skills
Mr Godsway Kumado, Head of Statistics and Planning at the Ledzokuku Education Directorate, on his part, urged the participants to take advantage of the availability of AI to promote their teaching and learning.
He asked teachers to disabuse their minds that AI was going to take over their work, adding that it was rather going to enhance and promote effective teaching and learning at all times.
Mr Kumado urged the teachers to continue acquiring other critical skills on their own to help them enhance their performance as professional teachers towards the development of education in the country.Story by Felix A.Baidoo
Former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo has filed a legal action seeking to stop the vetting and subsequent appointment of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as the next Chief Justice of Ghana.
Her application at the High Court seeks to quash all proceedings of the Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang Committee established under Article 146 to consider petitions for her removal.
The former CJ is also asking the court to set aside all proceedings conducted by the Committee tasked with investigating petitions for her removal. She is also requesting that the Presidential Warrant that removed her from office be declared unlawful, null, void, and of no effect.
The development comes as the Appointments Committee of Parliament prepares to vet Justice Baffoe-Bonnie.
This legal challenge arises against the backdrop of Justice Torkonoo’s removal from office on September 1, 2025, by President John Mahama following findings by a constitutionally established committee of misconduct and stated misbehaviour under Article 146.
The inquiry, undertaken in consultation with the Council of State, determined that she had breached constitutional provisions, including the misuse of public funds, and recommended her removal.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has been Acting Chief Justice since April 22, 2025, following Torkonoo’s suspension, and was formally nominated by the President in September to take over the substantive role.Source: Kenneth Awotwe Darko
Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has revealed that the government has saved about $300 million through renegotiations with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) — a move he says is critical to safeguarding Ghana’s energy sector.
Speaking during a working visit to the Volta River Authority (VRA) in Accra on Friday, October 17, Mr. Jinapor expressed confidence that the renegotiation efforts will yield significant long-term benefits for the country.
“The IPPs, based on the numbers I’m seeing, I’m confident that we can save a lot of money. And so far, what the IPPs renegotiated team has done tells me that we’re saving about $300 million from the IPPs,” he said.
John Abdulai Jinapor
The Minister noted that the Mahama administration is building on the progress made by the Akufo-Addo government in tackling challenges within the energy sector, stressing that the ongoing reforms are not driven by politics but by national interest.
“The previous administration did its bit, and we have also come to improve on it. It’s not always about politics, but Ghana first. I don’t care about your political affiliation as you sit here. Let’s work and turn around this sector,” he added.
Mr. Jinapor reiterated his commitment to ensuring stability and sustainability in the power sector, urging all stakeholders to collaborate in the national interest.By:Samuel Ackom
Heavy metal pollution is a growing concern in many parts of Ghana, especially in communities near galamsey (small-scale gold mining) sites.
Toxic metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium can seep into rivers, soils, and food crops from mining runoff and mercury use in gold extraction.
Long-term exposure to these metals is linked to serious health issues – from nerve and brain damage to organ failure and cancer.
The good news is that families can take action at home.
This article explores truly cost-free methods to reduce or remove heavy metals from drinking water and foods using only readily available, discarded, or natural materials.
A Filtered water
It explains how each method works scientifically and provides step-by-step guidance, backed by research and public health sources, to help keep your household safe.
Heavy Metals and Galamsey: A Hidden Danger
Illegal and small-scale mining (galamsey) often contaminates nearby water sources and farmlands with heavy metals. For instance, mercury used to extract gold can wash into rivers and fish. Arsenic occurs naturally in some gold-bearing rocks and can leach into groundwater.
GroceriesLead and cadmium may also be present in mining waste and fertilizers, ending up in soils or water. These metals are odorless and tasteless in water and can accumulate in food crops without obvious signs. Consuming even low levels over time can cause chronic poisoning.
Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable – lead, for example, harms brain development. This makes it vital for households in mining-affected areas to adopt simple precautions in daily cooking and drinking habits.
Easy Water Purification Techniques
Ghana’s climate and local resources offer several low-cost water treatment methods that require no fancy filters or expensive chemicals. Below are effective techniques using everyday materials like fruit peels, charcoal from cooking fires, and even sunlight.
Each method targets heavy metal contaminants by either adsorbing (binding) the metal ions or physically separating them from the water. You can use these methods individually or even combine them for better results.
GroceriesAlways start with the clearest water possible (let muddy water settle, or filter debris with a cloth) before applying these treatments. And remember: after removing heavy metals, you should still boil or disinfect water to kill microbes if it’s not from a treated source.
Banana Peel Water Filters
Banana peels, a common throw-away item, turn out to be powerful natural water purifiers. Banana peels contain pectin and other compounds with negatively charged carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. These functional groups attract and bind heavy metal ions (which are positively charged) like a magnet.
Researchers have found that dried banana peel can adsorb substantial amounts of metals from water – for example, up to 7.97 mg of lead and 5.71 mg of cadmium per gram of peel in lab tests.
In fact, minced banana peel was shown to remove lead and copper from river water as effectively as or better than many commercial filtering materials. Banana peel filters worked across a wide range of water pH and could be reused multiple times without losing potency.
How To Use Banana Peels To Purify Water:
1. Collect and prepare peels: Rinse banana peels to remove dirt or pesticides, then cut them into small pieces. For best results, sun-dry the peel pieces or lightly heat them (not burning) to remove moisture – dry peels seem to adsorb metals more effectively. You can crush or grind the dried peels into a coarse powder if possible, to increase the surface area.
2. Soak or filter the water: Place the peel pieces/powder in the contaminated water. Use about one peeled banana’s worth of material per few liters of water (exact amounts aren’t critical; more peel can grab more metal). Stir the water and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. During this time, the heavy metal ions will attach to the banana peel. Studies show that simply mixing banana peel with arsenic-spiked water and shaking for 30 minutes removed up to 90% of the arsenic.
3. Separate the peels and use the water: After soaking, strain out the banana peels by pouring the water through a clean cloth or fine mesh. The heavy metals remain bound to the peels you remove. Discard the used peels in the trash or by burying – do not eat them or feed them to animals, since they now contain the concentrated toxins. Finally, for drinking water, it’s wise to boil or disinfect the filtered water.
Rice Husk and Plant Waste Adsorbents
Rice husks, coconut shells, maize cobs, or sawdust are excellent natural filters. Rice husks are rich in silica and cellulose, giving them a natural ability to bind metals like lead, cadmium, and copper. To use, pack a cloth bag with clean rice husks and pour water through.
Alternatively, burn the husks lightly to create rice husk ash, stir it into water, and let it settle before decanting. The ash’s fine silica attracts heavy metal ions, cleaning the water. Dispose of the husk or ash safely afterward.
Moringa Seed Powder (Natural Coagulant)
The seeds of the Moringa tree can clarify dirty water and remove some heavy metals. Shell the seeds, grind the kernels into powder, and stir one or two seeds’ worth into a bucket of water. After 30 minutes, particles settle at the bottom. Decant or filter the clear water at the top. The seed’s natural proteins bind with metals and microbes, helping purify the water.
Safer Food Preparation Techniques at Home
GroceriesHeavy metals also enter through food. These techniques can lower your exposure:
– Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly to remove dust and soil.
– Peel or discard outer layers of root and leafy vegetables.
– Cook rice or greens in plenty of water and discard the water afterward; this leaches out arsenic and lead.
– Soak produce in mild vinegar or lemon water for 10–20 minutes, then rinse. The acid helps dissolve metal residues.
– Avoid concentrating sauces or dried foods from contaminated produce, as this increases metal concentration.
– Choose smaller fish (like tilapia or sardines) instead of large predators like tuna or shark, which accumulate mercury.
– Eat a varied diet rich in calcium and iron to reduce heavy metal absorption in your body.
Safety and Disposal Tips
Used banana peels, charcoal, or rice husks will contain the metals they absorbed. Do not reuse them or add them to compost for food crops. Bury or discard them safely. Replace and adsorbents regularly. Combining methods – such as Moringa plus sand filter – can improve results. In severely contaminated areas, push for community water testing and alternative clean sources. Join the anti-galamsey campaign.
Conclusion
Heavy metal pollution from galamsey and other sources is a serious challenge, but families can protect themselves using simple science and local resources. Banana peels, rice husks, Moringa seeds, and sunlight can all make water safer. Proper washing, soaking, and cooking reduce metals in food.
These methods cost nothing yet can save lives. Clean water and safe food are possible when households take small, informed steps — turning waste into protection.
The writer is a lecturer at the Department of Food and Nutrition Education, Faculty of Health, Allied Sciences and Home Economics Education, University of Education, Winneba.
The leading telecommunications company in the country, MTN Ghana, has intensified cyber security awareness to the general public, especially its staff and customers, to be cautious of the dangers of cyber attacks.
The leadership of the company believes that there is a lot more to be done to ensure that the company is safe from cyber attacks, including its staff, customers and the general public.
As a result, the company organised a cyber security forum for its senior managers in the Northern Business Sector at its Kaase office in Kumasi yesterday.
The month of October is celebrated globally as cyber security awareness month. The annual global cybersecurity awareness month is usually used to educate the general public and businesses to be cautious about online cyber threats.
Some scenes from the forum
It is used to empower the public to protect their data, devices and also encourage everyone to adopt best practices, such as using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.
Besides, it is used to promote collaboration between government and private sector organisations to increase cyber resilience.
This year’s global cyber security awareness month is on the theme: “Securing our digital future”.
Jacqueline, Charity and Adwoa
In an interview with journalists about the cyber security forum for MTN Ghana senior managers, Jacqueline Hanson-Kotei,
Senior Manager Enterprise Information Security and Governance, said “today’s intervention is very important not only for individuals, staff of MTN but also for businesses and everyone.”
A section of the participants
“We’re living in a…digital space and it has become more than important to protect ourselves because there’s a lot of fraud and scams going on. We do a lot on our phones or internet and even our children at the age of three are conversant with what is going on on the internet, Tiktok, YouTube, among other social media platforms, and they need to be protected. Our families, businesses and individuals all need to be protected,” she stressed.
“I believe today’s intervention is timely and necessary for the staff of MTN and our customers,” she added.
Jacqueline Hanson-Kotei admitted that MTN Ghana has two responsibilities; firstly, to make sure the business is safe from cyber attacks; secondly, to ensure its staff and customers are all safe from cyber attacks.
She disclosed that MTN Ghana is working on a special nationwide intervention to educate students in senior high schools, especially in rural areas and some parts of urban areas, to be well educated about the dangers of cyber attacks.
She advised all Ghanaians to use strong passwords, change passwords regularly, avoid sharing their pins or passwords with others and cultivate the habit of updating security features which should be difficult for someone to trace.
“Let’s be aware that there’s a growing AI powered trends of cyber security attacks. Be cautious that A1 powered attacks are the order of the day, so don’t fall for juice or enticing offers from fraudsters or scammers,” she added.
The United Nations has sounded the alarm over Ghana’s food production system, describing it as riddled with worrying lapses that threaten both livelihoods and lives.
Speaking at the 45th World Food Day celebration in Accra, the UN Resident Coordinator, Zia Choudhury, said his personal observations of the country’s food value chain reveal troubling realities hidden behind the meals Ghanaians enjoy daily.
Zia Choudhury
“In all of that amazing food that I’ve enjoyed, I also want to say that behind everything that I eat, I try to think about the backstory of that food. Where did it come from? Who grew it? How did it get to the market? Who cooked it? Why is it on my plate? And there’s a long story—and it’s not always a pretty story. It’s not always a fairy tale,” he said.
Recounting a recent visit to Tema, Mr. Choudhury said he was shocked to discover the poor working conditions of fishmongers who smoke fish for sale in markets across the country.
“I went to Tema to visit the women who smoked the fish because I ate the fish in the market. In Nima market, I bought this smoked fish—so tasty, my kids loved it. But when I went to Tema, I saw that the women who are smoking it are suffering from respiratory illnesses. Their eyes are red and inflamed. Their skin is suffering from sitting in a smoky environment so many hours a day. So I want to recognise that hard work behind that smoked fish.”
He also pointed to the struggles of yam farmers who are unable to make profit despite bumper harvests due to a lack of storage and transportation.
“I’ve also just learned from the Minister that the yams which we enjoy in Accra—the farmers this year are getting a low, low price for those yams because there’s a surplus. They can’t find a place to store it. They can’t find a way to easily transport it. So the yam farmers are struggling. I’m enjoying the cheap yam, but they’re struggling with their prices,” he noted.
Mr. Choudhury further expressed concern about rising undernourishment, stressing that access to nutritious food must be treated as a basic right, not a privilege.
“I went to Savannah Northwest and met some children there. I asked one of the kids, who looked about the height and size of my eight-year-old, how old she was — and she said, ‘I’m 14.’ I couldn’t believe that. The answer is very simple: she’s stunted.”
“Stunting comes when a child is chronically malnourished, not getting enough good quality or quantity of food. And the sad truth is that whilst we enjoy our food here in Ghana, there is a large number of children who don’t get enough. The figures now stand at around 17 % of children in Ghana who are chronically undernourished.” He added.
He commended successive governments for progress made over the years, but said the current figures remain worrying.
“About 20 years ago, that figure was twice as high. So successive governments have done very well to ensure that the population gets better quality, better quantity of food. But still, 17%—that’s a figure I want you to keep in your mind.
17 %of children in this country are chronically undernourished. That’s something we need to fight every day to reverse. There’s no way I can continue enjoying food fully until I know that every child in this country also enjoys that right. It’s not a privilege—it’s a right to have enough good quality and quantity of food,” he saidSource: Maxwell Agbagba
Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen’s Movement for Change has officially rebranded, adopting the name United Party (UP).
The rebranding, announced at a ceremony in Accra on Thursday, marks a new chapter for the former Trade and Industry Minister’s political ambition to contest Ghana’s highest office outside the traditional two-party system.
“The vision of the United Party is to make Ghana the economic powerhouse of Africa by 2040,” .Alan Kyerematen, Leader, United Party, who resigned from the NPP in 2023, cited unfair treatment and internal divisions within the governing party as his reasons for breaking away.
Alan Kyerematen speaking at the event
He subsequently launched the Movement for Change, campaigning on the symbol of a butterfly and calling for what he described as a “transformational leadership agenda.”Source: Caleb Ahinwakah
Ghana’s small-scale gold export sector has generated over US$8 billion in foreign exchange between January and 15th October 2025, according to new figures from the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC).
Data released by GoldBod shows that small-scale miners exported 81,719.23 kilograms of gold during the period, valued at US$8.06 billion. This marks a sharp increase from US$4.61 billion recorded in 2024 and nearly quadruple the US$2.19 billion achieved in 2023.
The data highlights a consistent upward trend in both gold volume and export value over the three-year period, reflecting improved regulation, transparency, and compliance within Ghana’s small-scale mining sector.
Sammy Gyamfi,CEO
Significant monthly gains were recorded in May (US$1.17 billion), June (US$957.9 million), and April (US$897.6 million), underscoring strong performance in the second quarter of the year.
GoldBod attributed the positive results to its continued partnership with PMMC and strengthened oversight of small-scale gold exports.
The collaboration has been instrumental in curbing illicit trade and ensuring that proceeds from gold sales are properly repatriated into the Ghanaian economy.
The surge in export earnings is expected to boost Ghana’s foreign reserves and support the country’s ongoing economic recovery efforts.By:Kobina Welsing
