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08/18/2026

Body of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji cremated in Beijing

China's President Xi Jinping shakes hands with a family member of Zhu Rongji to express deep condolences in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 18, 2026. Image Credit: Xinhua

The body of former Chinese Premier, Zhu Rongji, has been cremated in Beijing on Tuesday morning, August 18, 2026 at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery.

President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese leaders attended the farewell ceremony, paying their final respects with three bows and offering condolences to Zhu’s family.

Former President Hu Jintao also sent a wreath.

China’s state media indicates that Zhu died of illness in Beijing on August 12 at the age of 98. He served as China’s premier from 1998 to 2003 and was a key figure in the country’s economic reform and rapid growth during that period.

In an official obituary, Zhu was described as a loyal Communist Party member, statesman and leader who made important contributions to China.

08/18/2026

Eight years on, Kofi Annan’s legacy of peace and goodness endures

Today Tuesday August 18, 2026, marks eight years since the passing of former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, a towering Ghanaian diplomat whose life and service left an enduring mark on the United Nations and the global pursuit of peace.

Kofi Annan died on August 18, 2018, in Bern, Switzerland, at the age of 80, following a short illness. The United Nations mourned the loss of a leader who had come to embody the ideals of diplomacy, dialogue, human rights and international cooperation.

Eight years later, his memory remains deeply cherished by the United Nations, Ghana and people across the world.

In a tribute issued following his death, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described Annan as “a guiding force for good”, adding that in many ways, “Kofi Annan was the United Nations.” Guterres praised his dignity, determination and lifelong commitment to giving people a space for dialogue and a path towards a better world.

Born in Kumasi, Ghana, in 1938, Annan spent more than four decades working within the United Nations system before becoming the organisation’s seventh Secretary-General in January 1997. He served two terms, leaving office in December 2006.

His tenure coincided with some of the most challenging moments of the post-Cold War era. He championed multilateral cooperation, human rights and sustainable development while seeking diplomatic solutions to conflicts around the world.

Under his leadership, the UN advanced initiatives that helped shape the international development agenda, including the Millennium Summit and the Millennium Development Goals. His reform efforts also sought to strengthen the organisation’s ability to respond to the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Beyond his work at the UN, Annan continued to devote himself to peace and humanitarian causes. After leaving office, he established the Kofi Annan Foundation and later served as chair of The Elders, where he remained engaged in efforts to resolve conflicts, promote democracy and defend human rights.

For many who worked with him, however, Kofi Annan’s legacy extended beyond institutions and diplomatic achievements. He was remembered for his calm temperament, humility, warmth and ability to bring people together.

The UN described him as a “proud son of Africa” who became a global champion for peace and humanity. His passing prompted tributes from world leaders and diplomats who recalled not only his achievements but also his personal generosity and wisdom.

Eight years after his death, the values Annan championed remain as relevant as ever: peaceful dialogue over confrontation, cooperation over division, respect for human rights and a belief that global challenges require collective solutions.

For Ghana, his legacy carries a particular significance. Annan rose from Kumasi to become one of the most recognisable African figures on the world stage, demonstrating the influence an African diplomat could wield in shaping global conversations on peace, development and human dignity.

Today, and every day, Kofi Annan is remembered not only for the office he held, but for the principles he represented.

A guiding force for good, his example continues to challenge the world to pursue peace, listen to one another and work together for a better future.

08/18/2026

Minority Questions BoG role in GOLDBOD Transactions & Demands Accountability

The Minority in Parliament is questioning the role of the Bank of Ghana in the domestic gold purchasing programme operated in collaboration with GoldBod, particularly the manner in which financial risks associated with the transactions were allocated.

The Minority Leader, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, says the reported losses linked to the programme expose what he describes as a serious governance and accountability gap between the institution undertaking the commercial transactions and the institution carrying the financial risk.

Addressing journalists in Parliament, Mr Afenyo-Markin said GoldBod cannot distance itself from the financial consequences of the programme merely because the losses were recorded on the books of the central bank.

He described the arrangement as one that requires deeper scrutiny, particularly because GoldBod was involved in critical stages of the gold trade.

“GoldBod participated directly in buying, aggregating, assaying and exporting the gold. Bank of Ghana provided the financing. GoldBod earned fees from the transactions, but when the programme generated substantial financial losses, those losses were not reported on the balance sheet of GoldBod.”

The Minority Leader questioned the rationale behind an arrangement where one institution earns transaction-related fees while another absorbs the bulk of the financial downside.

He said such a structure could create what economists and governance experts would regard as a moral hazard, where the incentives of the institution executing the transactions may not necessarily align with those of the institution providing the financing.

“The structure creates an obvious governance problem, where the entity carrying out the commercial activity receives fees based on transactions, while another institution bears the principal financial risk.”

Mr Afenyo-Markin said the issue goes beyond determining which institution’s balance sheet ultimately carries the loss.

According to him, Parliament must establish who designed the arrangement, who approved it, who executed it, how risks were monitored and why existing safeguards failed to prevent losses of the reported magnitude.

“We must ask who designed the arrangement, who approved it, who executed it, who controlled the risk, and why safeguards failed to prevent losses of this magnitude.”

He said an agency relationship between GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana cannot completely absolve GoldBod of responsibility for how the programme was implemented.

The Minority Leader is also demanding information on the pricing and commercial arrangements surrounding the transactions.

He said GoldBod must account for the prices at which gold was purchased, how those prices were determined, premiums paid to secure supply, the selection of international off-takers and the discounts, if any, at which gold was sold.

He also wants information on the fees and service charges earned from transactions financed by the Bank of Ghana and the risk-management mechanisms that were deployed.

“Agency does not extinguish operational responsibility. An agent entrusted with billions of cedis of public resources remains responsible for the quality of its execution.”

Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Minority is not opposed to the development of Ghana’s gold industry or the participation of local institutions in the sector.

Rather, he said, its concern is the protection of public resources and ensuring that state institutions operate within transparent and accountable frameworks.

He warned that the reported financial losses should not be allowed to disappear behind technical accounting explanations.

“GoldBod cannot hide behind accounting technicalities.”

The Minority is therefore calling for greater transparency in the operations of the domestic gold purchasing programme and wants Parliament to fully examine the relationship between GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana.

The Caucus says such scrutiny is necessary to safeguard Ghana’s financial system and prevent similar losses in future.

08/17/2026

President Mahama pledges to complete long-delayed Bolgatanga–Bawku–Pulmakom road by 2027

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed government’s commitment to completing the long-delayed Bolgatanga–Bawku–Pulmakom road project, with the remaining works now being financed from government’s own resources following the termination of the previous loan arrangement.

The President, accompanied by the Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr. Governs Kwame Agbodza, inspected the project during his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper East Region.

President John Dramani Mahama says government is determined to complete the Bolgatanga–Bawku–Pulmakom road, which has suffered several setbacks since construction began.

He said the road is critical to the Upper East Region as it connects its eastern and western parts and will contribute to an improved road network linking the region to the Eastern Corridor.

The project, initially awarded to Brazilian contractor Queros Galvão, was suspended in 2016 amid investigations into the award of contracts. Work later resumed after the contractor secured financing but was halted again following Ghana’s economic crisis and debt defaults.

President Mahama said he subsequently directed the Ministry of Roads and Highways, led by Mr. Governs Kwame Agbodza, and the Ministry of Finance to secure the contractor’s return to site.

He said the previous loan arrangement has now been terminated, with government financing the remaining works from its own resources.

Although the project is not directly under the Big Push Programme, President Mahama described it as an associated Big Push project, assuring the contractor that certified works would be paid within the programme’s 30-day payment period.

He expressed confidence that the road would be completed by next year and commissioned thereafter.

President Mahama said government is also scoping the Nakpanduri–Garu–Kulungungu stretch to connect the road to the Eastern Corridor and create an alternative route to Accra.

He commended the contractor for its swift return to site and urged it to maintain the quality of work, assuring the company of timely payments to ensure completion on schedule.

08/17/2026

Antoine Semenyo targets new milestones after breaking Tony Yeboah’s Ghanaian Premier League record

As Premier League giants Manchester City prepare for the domestic campaign under new manager Enzo Maresca, forward Antoine Semenyo has channeled the historic milestones of his record-breaking season into a fresh mission to elevate both his club and the expanding global landscape of African football.

Breaking Records and Chasing Childhood Idols

Antoine Semenyo established a new milestone for Ghanaian football by scoring 17 goals in the English Premier League last season. The forward surpassed the previous benchmark of 12 goals set by Tony Yeboah during the 1994/95 and 1995/96 campaigns. Growing up, Semenyo drew inspiration from several legendary African forwards who starred on the English stage.

“Tony Yeboah is a player I always looked up to. Asamoah Gyan too, (former Ivory Coast star) Didier Drogba, the names are endless,” Semenyo told CNN.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Talent

Reaching the milestone previously held by his childhood hero carries profound personal significance for the 26-year-old forward. Semenyo hopes his achievements on the pitch will serve as a guiding light for aspiring footballers in Ghana.

“When they were playing in the Premier League, scoring every week, you wanted to the same thing as a young kid. To think I’m doing it now, I’m grateful to God. It’s a dream of mine to have kids looking up to me, following in my footsteps. It gives me more motivation to keep going,” he added.

Unconventional Journey to the Elite Stage

Born in England to Ghanaian parents, Semenyo navigated a challenging path to the upper echelons of professional football. He encountered numerous early rejections and competed within the English non-league system before securing a transfer to Premier League club Manchester City from AFC Bournemouth in January. Reflecting on his formative years, the forward embraced his identity as a late bloomer.

“When you don’t go through the normal (youth) academy route, playing through teams all the way to (Under) 18s, it’s very, very different,” he said.

“When you go through the Sunday League route, it’s very unorthodox. Not many tactics, and you just have to learn on the go. When you join a professional environment, you just have to learn everything all at once.”

Adapting to Tactical Shifts Under Enzo Maresca

Football club Manchester City entered a new era following Pep Guardiola’s departure after a decade of immense success. Enzo Maresca assumed managerial duties, bringing a distinct tactical philosophy and meticulous attention to detail. Semenyo expressed optimism regarding the team’s swift adaptation to the new coach’s methods during their preseason tour at the Hong Kong Football Festival.

“He’s been great so far,” Semenyo said of his new coach. “He’s joined with us very, very quickly, tactically. You can see it’s very similar with our last manager. It’s going to take some time to get used to, but everyone’s buying into it.”

He further emphasized the collective ambition within the squad under the new leadership structure.

“You can see he’s driven and wants to win everything, like how we do as a team. He’s going to implement what he needs to, and we’ve still got experienced players from the seasons before. That will help lead us to hopefully victory in all the trophies this year.”

African Football on the Global Stage

Beyond domestic competition, Semenyo reflected on the historic strides made by African nations in international tournaments. Cape Verde’s impressive run during the 2026 World Cup resonated deeply across the continent, though the Manchester City football star noted that the team’s capabilities were already well known to their continental peers.

“We played against them in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022. I remember coming off that game thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, this is one of the best African teams I’ve played.’ They

were so, so good. So this wasn’t any news to us, but obviously to the world it was,” Semenyo said.

This success reflected a broader shift in international football as nine out of ten participating African nations advanced to the knockout stages, with Morocco reaching the quarterfinals.

“It shows African football is evolving. It shows the world we’re competing at the highest levels. Long may it continue.”

During the tournament, Semenyo played every minute of Ghana’s campaign as the Black Stars reached the Round of 32, which included a resilient 0-0 draw against England in the group stage.

Heritage and On-Pitch Identity

Drawing from his cultural roots provides Semenyo with a distinct advantage when competing at the highest levels for both club and country. The forward credits the core traits instilled by his heritage for his dynamic style of play.

“Strength, for sure. Pace. Excitement is another thing,” he noted when asked about his Ghanaian identity.

“All the Ghanaian fans are so excited when we play. All the tricks, flicks and goals. That’s what I like to think my traits are.”

Ultimately, representing the nation of his parents remains a profoundly emotional experience driven by deep personal affection.

“And love. Love is all I get from Ghana. My mom and dad grew up there, so it’s a dream come true to say that I represent the nation.”

Bridging Past Heritage and Future Ambition

As club football transitions into its latest chapter, Semenyo’s trajectory bridges the rich legacy of African pioneers in Europe with a rising generation that views international excellence as an expectation rather than an exception. Whether that momentum translates into silverware under Manchester City’s new tactical framework or further continental triumphs remains to be written, but the foundation has firmly been set.

Pride, Passion, and Local Inspiration

Across Ghana and throughout the wider African sports ecosystem, Semenyo’s ascent carries a unique resonance. By crediting his work ethic and on-pitch flair to his Ghanaian roots, he reinforces a vital connection between European elite leagues and the grassroots development thriving back home. For young fans watching from local pitches across the continent, his journey from non-league football to the summit of the English Premier League serves as tangible proof that African talent belongs on the global center stage.

08/17/2026

Volta Cup launched as rebranded Regional Football Tournament

The Volta Regional Ministers’ Cup has been rebranded as “VOLTA CUP”. Volta Regional Minister Mr. James Gunu said the change is to ensure the tournament outlives successive administrations and builds a lasting legacy for football development in the region.

The Regional Minister said this at a joint press briefing with the Volta Regional Football Association (VRFA) Chairman, Mr Daniel Agbogah in Ho on Thursday.

“Last year we played the Volta Regional Ministers Cup. We want to have it annually, but this year we have decided to change the name of the game from Regional Ministers Cup to Volta Cup, because we believe that regional ministers will come and regional ministers will go, but Volta Region remains Volta Region,” Mr. Gunu stated.

The Minister said the vision for the rebranded competition extends beyond football.

“Football is not only the passion of the nation and the region, but football is also not only a profession. Football has become a business, and we believe that if we can groom young talents who will play international football, they will become breadwinners for their families, they will be able to transform their communities, the region, and the entire country,” he said.

Mr. Gunu added that the ultimate goal is to produce future Black Star players.

“So the next time we are going to the World Cup, we will see some young talents who will come out of this Volta Cup to be playing with the national team, the Black Stars, in the World Cup.”

He also confirmed that top performers from this year’s tournament will get the opportunity to feature in trial matches in Portugal this November.

VRFA Chairman Mr. Daniel Agbogah said the tournament, initially slated for February, was postponed allowing for a more profitable and legacy-driven model.

“A new date has been set, and there’s a new model for the program. The Minister made us aware that he wants the Regional Ministers Cup to be profitable to the participants, and so we needed to have a comprehensive discussion about it, and so to come up with something that will be a legacy for the region,” Mr. Agbogah said.

The 2026 edition will serve as the official selection exercise for Volta Region’s U19 team for the GFA Elite U19 Championship.

“We have drawn players across the region. During the league, we selected the best players. So over 80 players have been picked from the various zones. We have divided the region into eight zones, and so eight teams will be participating in the program, and so it’s on a knockout basis,” he explained.

“Selection will be made from that exercise, and then the players that are picked from the exercise will be camped for the subsequent programs,” he added.

Mr. Agbogah said the region is targeting success both locally and internationally.

“We will go to the national U19 tournament, the Elite Championship, with a team to test the strength of the team. In any case, we really want to win that tournament too before November comes, and then we will take the team to Portugal with the support of the Minister and his partners who are on board.”

He said Volta will use the GFA Elite Championship from 24th to 30th August to “test the strength of the team” ahead of the planned Portugal trip.

The Volta Regional Minister’s Cup was first introduced on 14th February 2025, with a mandate to promote unity and love while hunting for the next big football talent from the Volta Region.

07/30/2026

Govt pushes COCOBOD Bill to boost local processing, protect farmers and reform sector financing

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has defended the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) Bill, 2026, saying the proposed legislation is designed to introduce a sustainable financing model for cocoa purchases, expand local cocoa processing, protect cocoa farms from illegal mining and guarantee a greater share of cocoa earnings for farmers.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament during the consideration of the Finance Committee’s report on the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, on Wednesday July 29, 2026, Mr. Ampem said the legislation seeks to address longstanding financing challenges confronting the cocoa sector while positioning it to create more jobs and add value to Ghana’s cocoa production.

According to him, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) relied on syndicated loans for more than three decades to finance cocoa purchases until Ghana’s debt restructuring limited access to that source of funding.

“Mr. Speaker, for 32 years, COCOBOD relied on the syndicated loan structure to finance cocoa purchases in this country, but following the mismanagement of the economy that led to our debt restructuring, COCOBOD could not access syndicated loans again. That forced COCOBOD to resort to the buyer-led funding model. That funding model too has actually proven to be unsustainable,” he stated.

Mr. Ampem explained that the Bill introduces a new financing arrangement that will enable COCOBOD to mobilize funding locally to purchase cocoa from farmers, reducing reliance on external borrowing.

He noted that the existing financing model, which depended heavily on forward sales contracts using cocoa beans as collateral, had also limited the availability of cocoa beans for domestic processing industries.

“This new Bill is bringing out a new arrangement where the beans will be available for our local processing companies, and the Bill is saying that at least 50 per cent of our cocoa produced here should be processed locally to add value and to create jobs for our people,” he told Parliament.

The Deputy Finance Minister said the proposed legislation also seeks to give legal backing to government’s policy of ensuring cocoa farmers receive a minimum of 70 per cent of the Free on Board (FOB) price of cocoa.

He argued that embedding the policy in law would protect farmers from future policy reversals.

“Apart from the policy announcement that government has made that we want a minimum of 70 per cent of the FOB price of cocoa to go to the hardworking farmers, we should go further to legislate this so that it becomes very binding for nobody to get up tomorrow and say, ‘We said 70 per cent, but today we are doing 60 per cent,'” he said.

Mr. Ampem further disclosed that the Bill designates cocoa farms as protected lands to safeguard them from illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, which continue to threaten cocoa production across the country.

“The Bill is seeking to protect our cocoa farms and environment. We all know the debilitating effect of galamsey on our cocoa farms today. So, the Bill is designating every cocoa farm as protected land so that we can protect our cocoa farms,” he added.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted reforms to the COCOBOD scholarship scheme, explaining that while children of cocoa farmers would continue to benefit, greater emphasis would be placed on programmes that contribute directly to the growth of the cocoa sector.

He cited disciplines such as agronomy, soil science and related agricultural fields as priority areas, stressing that students pursuing other programmes, including law and engineering, would not be excluded from support.

According to Mr. Ampem, the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, also seeks to consolidate existing laws governing the cocoa sector into a single legal framework to strengthen regulation and improve the administration of Ghana’s cocoa industry.

He appealed to Members of Parliament to support the Bill, describing it as a major reform that will strengthen the cocoa sector, improve farmers’ livelihoods and promote value addition for sustainable economic growth.

07/10/2026

Ghana begins nationwide clean-up exercise after floods

Ghana has begun a nationwide clean-up exercise in areas affected by recent floods, with security personnel, local authorities and residents joining efforts to clear waste, remove debris and restore public spaces.

In Accra, military personnel, police officers and other security agencies were deployed Friday morning to support the clean-up operation. Along several routes in the capital, security officers were seen leading activities to clear refuse, desilt blocked drains and remove debris from public areas.

Residents, traders, businesses and community groups have also joined the exercise, sweeping streets, clearing gutters and removing waste from communities as part of efforts to prevent further flooding.

The two-day exercise, themed “Our Actions, Our Future: Cleaning Ghana after the Floods,” is being carried out in the seven regions affected by the recent floods.

The first phase began on Friday, July 10, involving security agencies, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and waste management companies, while members of the public joined the second phase on Saturday.

President John Dramani Mahama has directed government appointees, including ministers, Members of Parliament, chief executives of public institutions and MMDCEs, to participate in the exercise and lead clean-up activities in their respective communities.

The operation is focused on clearing refuse, fallen trees, abandoned vehicles and other materials blocking roads, drains and waterways.

The clean-up follows recent floods caused by heavy rainfall, which affected parts of Greater Accra, Central and Volta regions, resulting in deaths, displacement of residents and damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure.

Authorities say poor sanitation, indiscriminate disposal of waste and construction on waterways remain major contributors to flooding in many urban communities.

Government says the clean-up exercise will be followed by longer-term flood prevention measures, including improved drainage systems, enforcement against illegal structures on waterways and increased investment in disaster preparedness.

07/10/2026

Poor sanitation worsening floods; let’s do the right thing – Vice President tells Ghanaians

Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called on Ghanaians to adopt responsible sanitation practices, warning that indiscriminate waste disposal is exacerbating flooding and exposing communities to avoidable risks.

Speaking during a community clean-up exercise in the Nungua area as part of the ongoing National Clean-up Exercise, the Vice President said many of the environmental challenges confronting the country stem from human behavior rather than natural causes alone.

“We are here because something has gone wrong,” she told journalists. “A lot of it is something that you and I have caused. We know that nature will do its own thing, but sometimes we also contribute negatively to the outcomes.”

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that the indiscriminate disposal of refuse into drains obstructs the natural flow of water, increasing the likelihood of flooding that often affects people who may not have contributed to the problem.

“There are times when even the person who suffers may not necessarily have been the one who caused the damage. When we throw garbage into our drains, maybe that is the reason why somebody’s house is finally flooded because we are blocking the water from taking its natural course,” she said.

She stressed that preventing floods requires collective responsibility, urging citizens to make proper waste disposal a daily habit rather than relying solely on government interventions after disasters occur.

She said that National Clean-up Exercise should serve as a reminder that environmental protection begins with individual action and a shared commitment to keeping communities clean.

“We all know the right things. We don’t need any sermon. We know. Let’s do the right things and protect each other and protect our country,” she urged.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also expressed appreciation to residents, volunteers and other participants who joined the clean-up exercise, describing their commitment as a strong demonstration of community spirit and civic responsibility.

“I want to thank you all for coming out to help because there’s a time we should all show love,” she said.

Her remarks come amid renewed national attention on sanitation and flood prevention following recent heavy rains that caused widespread flooding in parts of the country. Government has since intensified clean-up campaigns and public education efforts aimed at promoting proper waste management and reducing the blockage of drains, which authorities say remains one of the leading causes of urban flooding.

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