CSO warns of contaminated food & water… urges public vigilance and Stronger government action against illegal mining
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Isaac Amoah
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Tanzania is Pioneer of Mobile Money Interoperability in the World & Africa, and John Mahama is Pathfinder for Mobile Money Interoperability in Ghana-Razak Kojo Opoku
Tanzania was the first African country to start mobile money interoperability. In 2014, it pioneered the introduction of interoperability between mobile money operators, with initial bilateral agreements signed that year between providers like Airtel and Tigo Pesa. This marked the continent’s first such system, enabling transfers across different networks. Full market-wide interoperability was achieved by 2016 when Vodacom (M-Pesa) joined, but the start dates to 2014.
Ghana started the process for Mobile Money Interoperability in 2016 under John Mahama’s government, and eventually succeeded in 2018 under Akufo-Addo’s government, but Tanzania holds the pioneering position in Africa.
Tanzania was also the first country globally to start Mobile Money Interoperability.
While mobile money services launched earlier elsewhere (e.g., Kenya in 2007, Philippines in 2004), interoperability—allowing seamless transfers between competing providers—was still rare and in its infancy worldwide at that time.
Tanzania’s 2014 rollout set the global precedent, as confirmed by regulatory and industry analyses noting it as the pioneering example before expansions in Africa and beyond.
Even in Ghana, the idea of implementing Mobile Money Interoperability started under the first term of Mahama’s government, commencing in 2016, with the contract awarded to Sibton Switch Systems Limited(SSSL) by the Bank of Ghana.
The Akufo-Addo’s government terminated the contract of Sibton Switch Systems Limited(SSSL) in 2017 citing inflated cost of GHS 4.6 billion($1.2 billion at exchange rate of about $1 to 3.84ghc in 2016). The parent company of SSSL is Sibton Communications Limited.
Therefore, John Mahama’s government was the pathfinder for Mobile Money Interoperability in Ghana, and Akufo-Addo’s government led the successful continuation of the Mobile Money Interoperability in Ghana which was under the direction of the Bank of Ghana aided by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
These are the real facts about Mobile Money Interoperability. It is never true that, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia started Mobile Money
Interoperability in Ghana, Africa, and the World. We need to speak the truth even if it hurts.
It is also incorrect to say that Mobile Money Interoperability created over 900, 000 jobs in Ghana because there is no proper scientific data supporting this mentioned figure. Majority of Momo vendors were already in business before the commencement of Mobile Money Interoperability in Ghana.
Issued by: Razak Kojo Opoku(PhD)
Mother tongue policy from KG to Primary 3-Education Ministry clears air
The Ministry of Education has moved swiftly to quell public debate surrounding the compulsory use of Ghanaian languages as the medium of instruction in basic schools.
Deputy Education Minister Dr Clement Apaak clarified that the new directive issued by the sector minister, Haruna Iddrisu, is strictly limited to the earliest stages of basic education and does not extend across all levels.
Mr.Haruna Iddrisu,Education Minister
The clarification was delivered on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the launch of the Foundational Learning Action Tracker, following widespread public discussion and concern over the initial announcement.
Dr. Apaak stated that the minister specifically instructed him to delineate the exact scope of the mother tongue policy to resolve public apprehension.
Dr Clement Apaak
The policy is designed to reinforce foundational learning by utilising local languages during a child’s critical cognitive development years.
“The Honourable 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.”
He further summarised the scope to ensure no ambiguity remained:
“In other words, KG and Lower Primary. Having clarified what seems to have given a few persons sleepless nights, I bring you greetings,” the deputy minister said.
This means that while students from Kindergarten to Primary Three (Lower Primary) will be taught primarily in their mother tongue, instruction will transition to English in Upper Primary (Primary 4) and beyond.
Meanwhile, education experts have commended the policy’s potential but warned that its success hinges on strong governmental support and resource mobilisation. Source: Myjoyonline.com
Finance Minister expected to present 2026 budget on Nov. 13
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 persons familiar with the preparation process.
The proposed date, which is subject to parliamentary approval, will mark the government’s first major budget presentation since winning the 2024 elections and having nearly nine months to steer the economy.
Some analysts have observed that the 2025 Budget largely operated within the framework established by the previous administration.
Under the Public Financial Management Act, the Finance Minister—acting on behalf of the President—is required to present the national budget to Parliament no later than November 15 each year.
Dr Ato Forson
The Finance Ministry has reportedly completed several rounds of stakeholder engagements and industry consultations to finalise the policies and programs that will feature in the 2026 Budget.
Dr Forson has indicated in earlier interviews that the 2026 Budget will focus on job creation and economic growth stimulation.
Sources also suggest that the Finance Minister is set to introduce new policy measures aimed at reforming the tax system and improving revenue mobilisation.
According to the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Sarpong, the 2026 Budget will include a review of the Value Added Tax (VAT), with the effective rate expected to be reduced from 22% to 20%.
This adjustment is part of ongoing reforms to simplify the VAT structure and make it more business-friendly.Additionally, Dr Forson is expected to review several tax levies, including the COVID-19 levy, as part of efforts to ease the tax burden on businesses and households.
With Ghana set to exit the IMF programme in May 2026, attention will also be on how the Finance Minister plans to manage the economy in the post-programme period.
The 2026 Budget will, therefore, be one of the government’s most significant economic policy documents, setting the tone for fiscal management and growth strategy after the IMF programme.
Another key area of interest for industry players and economists will be how Dr Ato Forson intends to manage the fiscal deficit and expenditure in 2026 while maintaining macroeconomic stability.Source: Joy Business
Kofi Yeboah donates books to Miaso Krobo D/A Basic School
Source: tntnewspapergh.com
A communication lecturer at Wisconsin International University College, Ghana, Kofi Yeboah, has donated about 700 basic school books to Miaso Krobo D/A Basic School, in the Fanteakwa North District, in the Eastern Region.
The books, including textbooks for Basic 1 – 9 and story books mainly for lower primary pupils, were donated at a durbar at Miaso attended by district education officials, traditional leaders, opinion leaders, teachers, schoolchildren and parents, on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Mr.Kofi Yeboah making the presentation
Mr Yeboah said the books were made donated through the kind support of Adwinsa Publications (GH) Ltd and some individuals, including the Chancellor of Wisconsin International University College, Ghana, Dr Paul Kofi Fynn and the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour.
He thanked the contributors for their support and expressed the hope that others would respond to similar calls in the future to help the underprivileged in society.
Motivation
Mr Yeboah undertook his post-secondary national service at Miaso Krobo D/A Basic School in 1992 during which period he was deeply touched by the deplorable condition of the school.
“It has always been my wish to return to this school and I’m happy after 33 years, I’ve gotten the opportunity to come back and to donate these books to the school,” he said.
Mr Yeboah recalled that during his national service, the school building was made of mud and palm front-roofing, adding that anytime the weather became cloudy classes closed because whenever the heavens opened up, it also rained in the classrooms.
“Today, I’m happy to see a beautiful school building, and I’m told the classrooms even have ceiling fans. This is a huge improvement and there is the need to support the school with more learning materials like computers to give the schoolchildren better and brighter future,” he said.
Mr Yeboah advised the teachers and schoolchildren to make good use of the books, adding that they could create reading periods before and after school hours to encourage and improve the reading habits of the schoolchildren.
He also advised parents to invest in their children’s education and encourage them to go to school.
Appreciation
The Fanteakwa North District Chief Inspector of Schools, Seth Kofi Darko, who chaired the function, thanked Mr Yeboah for the gesture and expressed the hope that the books would impact positively on the lives of the schoolchildren.
The Head Teacher of the school, David Siame and the Odikro of Miaso, Nana Kwabi Opoku, also expressed profound gratitude to Mr Yeboah for the book donation.
Mr Siame appealed for more support from individuals and corporate institutions to help.
Asanko Gold Mines wins 2025 national inter-mines first aid & safety competition
Source: tntnewspapergh.com
Asanko Gold Mines Limited has hosted the annual National Inter-Mines First Aid and Safety Competition organized by the Ghana Chamber of Mines. Staff of large-scale mining firms and their community teams showcased their preparedness in responding to emergencies both within mining sites and in host communities.
In the community teams category, Asanko Gold Mines emerged winners with 98%, beating Abosso Goldfields Damang with 89%, AngloGold Obuasi Mine with 85.5%, and the Ghana Manganese Company, which scored 27%.
Golden Star Wassa, Asanko Gold Mine, AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi, and the Ghana Manganese Company Limited were among the companies that participated in the competition with both staff and community teams.
In the staff category, however, Golden Star Wassa scored 59%, Asanko Gold Mine 58.5%, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi 52%, and AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem 50%. The oral component of the competition will be held a week later in Accra on Ghana Television (GTV).
According to the Ghana Chamber of Mines, such engagements not only align communities with corporate safety goals but also provide practical knowledge applicable at home and at work.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber of Mines, the Director for Analysis, Research, and Finance at the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Christopher Opoku Darko, said the annual competition, in particular, was a demonstration of lifesaving first aid techniques that can mean the difference between life and death in real-world emergencies.
He stated, “A mine is not truly safe unless the community around it is also safe. That is why we continue to engage community teams and especially empower women to actively participate in safety competitions.”
Managing Director for Asanko Gold Mine Limited, Dr. Charles Amoah, emphasized that safety was not a one-day event, but a mindset and a way of life that must be prioritized at all times.
He pledged Asanko Gold Mine’s commitment to improving its safety standards not only within the mine environment but also in the host communities to ensure everyone’s safety at all times.
“At Asanko, safety defines who we are. It shapes our culture, drives our discipline, and reflects our commitment to excellence. Hosting this year’s competition is therefore not just an honour but a clear demonstration of our belief that safety is a shared duty across the entire mining industry,” he noted.
He commended the Ghana Chamber of Mines for granting Asanko Gold Mines the privilege to host this year’s National Inter-Mines First Aid and Safety Competition.
The Paramount Chief for the Manso-Nkwanta Traditional Area lauded the initiative by the Ghana Chamber of Mines and commended Asanko Gold Mine for hosting the event in his area to create awareness on safety, noting that it moves the industry one step closer to zero harm.
This year’s competition was themed, “Every Moment is an Ambush, Think Safety All the Time.”
NHIA announces temporary disruption of electronic hospital management systems
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced a temporary disruption affecting some electronic hospital management systems across the country.Buy vitamins and supplements
The move follows complaints from patients at several government hospitals in the Ashanti Region about delays in record-keeping caused by challenges with the Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS). Patients have expressed frustration as hospitals revert to the manual folder system, resulting in long waiting hours and slower service delivery.
A Citi News visit on Friday, October 24, revealed that medical officers at Ejisu, Suntreso, and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospitals have resorted to manually recording patient medical records.
In a statement on October 26, 2025, the NHIA assured the public that the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders are working to restore full system functionality as soon as possible.
The Authority directed all NHIS-credentialed healthcare providers to continue offering uninterrupted services to NHIS members despite the setback. Providers have been advised to use the mobile phone–based platform to generate Claims Check Codes (CCC) to ensure continuity of care.
The NHIA emphasised that NHIS members should not pay out of pocket or incur additional costs due to the disruption. Members experiencing difficulties are encouraged to contact the NHIA Call Centre on 054-444-6447 for assistance.
The Authority expressed gratitude to healthcare providers and NHIS members for their patience and cooperation as the issue is resolved.Source: Leticia Osei
Mankranso SHS stuns Adonten SHS to snatch victory in NSMQ
Adonten Senior High School’s seeded journey in the National Science and Maths Quiz has come to an abrupt end after a stunning defeat by Mankranso SHS.
A section of the students
In a contest that also featured St Paul’s SHS, Mankranso took early control and never looked back. They led the first round with 13 points, while St Paul’s and Adonten trailed with 9 and 6 points respectively.
By the second round, Mankranso widened the gap to 18 points, leaving St Paul’s on 11 and Adonten struggling with 8.
The contestants
The momentum continued into the problem-solving round, where Mankranso scored 6 out of 10, followed by St Paul’s with 5, and Adonten with 3.
Their sharp performance in the True or False round and quick response to two riddles sealed the victory — earning Mankranso 43 points at the end of the contest. St Paul’s finished with 23, while Adonten, once a seeded school, bowed out with just 14 points.School supplies
This loss means Adonten SHS will now return to the preliminary stage in the next edition of the competition.
Source: Benedicta Adobea Asare
KGL Group Chairman honoured with Forbes Best of Africa Corporate Leadership & Innovation award
Source: tntnewspapergh.com
Alex Apau Dadey, the distinguished Executive Chairman of KGL Group, has been celebrated with the prestigious Forbes Best of Africa Corporate Leadership and Innovation Award at a high-profile Leadership and Philanthropy Forum held at the House of Lords in London.
The award was formally presented by Mark A. Furlong, President of Custom Solutions Media for Forbes Media, who commended Mr. Dadey’s exceptional achievements in steering KGL Group to remarkable technological heights.
Presenting the honor, Mr. Furlong stated:
“On behalf of the Forbes Best of Africa Award Committee, it is my honor to present to you the Forbes Best of Africa Corporate Leadership & Innovation Award.”
The official citation praised Mr. Dadey’s transformative leadership:
“As Executive Chairman of KGL Group, you have successfully led the company’s expansion into digital solutions, fintech, and technology-driven platforms that have revolutionized Ghana’s lottery and gaming industry while fostering financial inclusion. Under your stewardship, KGL Group has risen to become a leading African corporate brand, exemplifying innovation, social impact, and sustainable business practices.”
Receiving the award alongside his wife and children, Mr. Dadey expressed heartfelt appreciation:
“I am truly humbled by this recognition. My sincere gratitude goes to the Forbes team for this honor, and to the extraordinary team at KGL Group, including our Board, Management, and Staff, whose dedication has made this possible. I want to encourage all Africans in the diaspora to return home and contribute their knowledge to building the continent. After living in London for over 20 years, I made the decision to return to Ghana to serve and create impact. Ten years on, I am proud to have built one of Ghana’s most successful technology-driven businesses, and I am honored that Forbes recognizes this journey.”
The Forbes Best of Africa Awards celebrate visionary business leaders who are building globally competitive enterprises while making significant contributions to Africa’s economic and social development.
Other distinguished honorees included:
• Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria’s Bank of Industry (BOI), the country’s oldest and largest development finance institution
• Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, Group CEO of Konga, renowned for advancing e-commerce, digital infrastructure, and payments across emerging markets.
CSR Dominance of KGL Group in Ghana:
Apart from leading KGL Group to become the leading corporate brand in Africa, Mr. Alex Dadey has also achieved significantly in the areas of Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) and Corporate Social Investment(CSI) projects in Ghana including sponsoring the Ghana Black Stars to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, construction of multimillion-dollar ultra-modern Mental Health Facility in the Ashanti Region in partnership with the King of Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, free supply of incubators to various hospitals in Ghana, GHS 3 million annually to support Stabilization Fund of NLA, GHS 2 million annually to support NLA Good Causes Foundation, Scholarships to several orphans & destitute children,
Mr. Alex Dadey receiving his award
sponsorship packages for various charity organizations across Ghana and Africa, and currently steps are being taken by KGL Group to partner Ghana Medical Trust Fund(also known as MahamaCares), a landmark initiative of President John Mahama aimed at providing financial assistance to individuals living with chronic diseases across Ghana.
Mr. Alex Apau Dadey displaying his award
The Mahamacares seeks to cover the cost of care and medication for Non-communicable diseases not currently included under the National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS), as well as invest in health infrastructure, medical equipment, specialist training, and research to enhance access to quality healthcare delivery in Ghana.
Indeed, Mr. Alex Dadey deserves to be celebrated as a Statesman and successful entrepreneur who uphold service to God, Country, and Humanity, and Forbes Media is proud to be associated with the brand of KGL Group and Mr. Alex Apau Dadey.
