To preserve cultural heritage and promote community development, GCB Bank PLC has donated 2,000 bags of cement to support the reconstruction of the historic Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, the traditional seat of the Dagbon Kingdom in northern Ghana.

The donation underscores the bank’s dedication to national development and cultural preservation. The Managing Director of GCB Bank, Alhaji Farhan Dandaawa, formally presented it to the Public Relations Officer and Secretary of the Gbewaa Palace during a brief ceremony held at the palace grounds.

Speaking at the event, Alhaji Dandaawa highlighted the symbolic importance of the project and GCB Bank’s role in supporting national culture. “The Gbewaa Palace is not just a symbol of Dagbon’s tradition, but also of Ghana’s rich cultural diversity. GCB Bank is proud to contribute to this historic reconstruction effort,” he stated.

The Gbewaa Palace reconstruction is a flagship cultural initiative aimed at restoring the seat of the Dagbon Kingdom to its former grandeur. As the heart of the Kingdom, the palace represents authority, unity, and continuity for the Dagbon people.

Representatives of the palace expressed deep appreciation for GCB Bank’s contribution, noting that the 2,000 bags of cement will significantly accelerate progress on the project. They described the donation as timely and impactful.

This act of corporate citizenship further positions GCB Bank as a leading financial institution and a reliable partner in national development, particularly in the areas of culture, education, and community welfare.

The final funeral rites of the late Mion Lana, Nyab Abdulai Mahamudu, have commenced in Sambu, the traditional capital of the Mion Traditional Area, marked by a solemn display of Dagbon’s rich cultural heritage.

The Mion Lana—paramount chief of Mion and one of the key successors to the Dagbon Skin—passed away on August 17, 2022, at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra after a short illness.

The final rites, which began over the weekend, are expected to span the entire week and will be climaxed on Thursday, May 30, with a grand ceremony attended by chiefs, royals, dignitaries, cultural enthusiasts, and mourners from across Ghana and beyond.

The atmosphere in Sambu is already solemn, filled with a vibrant mix of reflection, ritual, and reverence. Traditional drumming, dirges, and sacred performances fill the air in honour of the late chief, fondly remembered as “The Peacemaker of Dagbon.”

Born in 1974, Nyab Abdulai Mahamudu was enskinned as Bolin-Lana at the age of 14 following the death and burial of his father, Ya-Na Mahamadu IV. He remained in royal seclusion for over thirty years before ascending to the position of Mion Lana on March 3, 2019—a role considered one of the most powerful and symbolic within the Dagbon Kingdom.

As heir apparent of the Abudu Royal Gate and a widely regarded successor to the Ya-Na throne, the late Mion Lana played a pivotal role in restoring peace and stability in Dagbon after decades of succession disputes.

His public endorsement of Ya-Na Abukari II in 2019 was a turning point in easing tensions and promoting unity between the royal gates.

According to the Secretary to the Planning Committee, Alhaji Abubakari Sadiq Abdallah, the funeral rites involve a series of sacred rituals led by elders of the Abudu Royal Family and the Mion Traditional Council.

To support the final funeral rites, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr. John Ali Adolf, led a high-level government delegation to Sambu on behalf of the President.

The delegation presented the Mion Traditional Council with assorted items, including rice bags, bottled water cartons, soft drinks, livestock, and a monetary donation.

In a brief remark, the Minister conveyed the President’s condolences to the family and people of Mion, describing the late chief as “a unifier and visionary leader whose legacy will remain deeply etched in the history of Dagbon and Ghana at large.”

During his brief but impactful reign, the Mion Lana championed several developmental initiatives. He organised peace durbars, promoted inter-ethnic dialogue, and actively engaged the youth. He also led campaigns against illegal logging and bush burning, advocating environmental conservation as a core element of cultural preservation.

In education, he launched a “Back to School” initiative, distributed learning materials, and lobbied for infrastructure support. He secured classroom blocks through the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC). He facilitated drilling over 15 mechanised boreholes to improve access to potable water across Mion.

Tributes continue to pour in from political leaders, traditional rulers, and ordinary citizens, who describe the late Mion Lana as a humble and visionary leader deeply committed to peace and progress.

The annual 3G Awards and Celebrity Bash returns to New York on October 24, 2025, promising a night of elegance, inspiration, and a star-studded celebration. The event will occur at the Ukrainian Youth Center, 301 Palisade Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10703, with red carpet festivities starting at 7:00 p.m. and the main show kicking off at 9:00 p.m.

Now in its 14th year, the 3G Awards—short for God, Global & Giving (Triple G)—has grown into a prestigious platform honouring the sacrifices and achievements of unsung heroes from Ghana, across Africa, and the global diaspora.

This year’s edition will spotlight a diverse group of Ghanaian artists, actresses, and celebrities nominated for their leadership, influence, and commitment to social impact. Each awardee is carefully selected for their public presence and behind-the-scenes contributions to community development and humanitarian causes.

Launched in 2009 following the release of the 3G Magazine, the awards have since evolved into a cultural highlight for the Ghanaian and African communities in the United States. More than just an award ceremony, the night has become a gathering of purpose-driven individuals where philanthropy, achievement, and recognition take centre stage.

Organizers describe the 3G Awards as a night “where purpose meets prestige” and where hard work, generosity, and service are celebrated with style and global attention.

For more information and ticketing details, follow 3G Media across its digital platforms or visit the official 3G Awards website.

Let me know if you’d like versions tailored for social media, an official press release, or a nominee spotlight section.

In the quiet neighbourhood of Tishigu in the Northern Region, a young mother, Hansawu, watched her son Umar slowly waste away despite being born without any apparent health complications. Over the years, Umar’s weight plummeted, and his stomach swelled, leaving doctors puzzled. Medical advice and countless hospital visits yielded no answers, and when traditional remedies were suggested, his condition only worsened.

Eventually, specialists at the Tamale Teaching Hospital diagnosed Umar with Hirschsprung disease, a rare intestinal disorder that blocks normal bowel movement. His first surgery involved a colostomy—creating an opening in the abdomen to allow waste to exit. However, with treatment costs mounting, Hansawu’s small business collapsed. She turned to begging in market squares to pay hospital bills. Her marriage also fell apart under the strain, with her husband leaving and branding her a beggar.

As Umar required a second surgery to restore normal bowel function, Hansawu found herself out of options—until hope arrived in the form of Hereafter Ghana (MHP), a local nonprofit. In September 2023, the organisation raised over GH¢10,000 through local crowdfunding. The funds covered surgery, medication, and feeding support, and the operation at Tamale Teaching Hospital was successful. Today, Umar eats freely, plays with friends, and attends Islamic school—milestones that once seemed impossible.

Another child, two-year-old Nasara Mohammed from Dalogyili, faced a rare condition known as urethral agenesis, which left him unable to urinate. Within days of birth, the joy of his arrival gave way to panic. His family sold everything they owned to pay for emergency procedures and temporary relief. In June 2022, Hereafter Ghana stepped in again, raising GH¢12,000 to cover a catheter, multiple surgeries, and associated medical care. Though he battled infections and malaria, Nasara eventually recovered and now lives a healthy, pain-free life.

In the Ashanti Region, Giovanni, a three-year-old from Kumasi, was born with ruptured skull arteries that led to persistent bleeding. The condition was mismanaged initially, worsening the crisis. His mother, Mary Mandiya, depleted her business capital to save him. With nowhere else to turn, she contacted Hereafter Ghana in April 2022. The organisation raised GH¢19,000 in two weeks to fund corrective surgery at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. They later provided GH¢2,000 in capital to restart Mary’s fish-smoking business and covered rent to keep the family housed. Like any other child his age, Giovanni now thrives in school and play.

These are only a few of the nearly 168 emergency cases. Hereafter, Ghana has supported nationwide. Over the past decade, the organisation has raised over GH¢600,000 through social media campaigns on platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and GlobalGiving. Under the leadership of Health Education Specialist Nuhu Halima Sadia, the youth-led movement has become a beacon of hope for families in medical distress.

Halima and her team promote equitable healthcare, particularly in underserved rural areas. Their ability to mobilise donations quickly—often within days—has earned them praise online and among healthcare professionals, who frequently refer patients directly to the group when financial aid is the only option left.

Beyond emergency aid, MHP has registered more than 6,977 individuals onto Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), ensuring continued access to healthcare for women, children, and older adults. The organisation has plans to partner with regional and national NHIS secretariats to expand coverage to up to one million people, although a change in government recently delayed this initiative.

Looking forward, Hereafter Ghana aims to build a permanent healthcare facility for the most vulnerable, delivering free services in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 3—ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all.

To manage sustainability, MHP now caps support at GH¢100,000 per patient. While this strategy helps balance donor fatigue and rising medical costs, it also means turning away some of the most critical cases—an emotional burden Halima and her team carry heavily.

The origins of MHP trace back to a simple act of compassion. While in senior high school, Halima and her friends noticed leftover food and items being discarded. They gathered these resources and donated them to an orphanage, an experience that ignited a lifelong commitment to service.

From collecting leftovers to saving lives, Hereafter Ghana has grown into a national force for good—fueled by empathy, driven by action, and sustained by the belief that no child should die from poverty and no mother should suffer for lack of medical care.

Let me know if you’d like a shorter version for radio, TV, or social media or if you’d like to highlight one child’s story as a standalone piece.

Two Men Sentenced to Five Years for Stealing Immigration Officer’s Firearms

Two young men have been sentenced to five years in prison, each with hard labour, for stealing firearms and ammunition from an immigration officer in Walewale, North East Region.

The convicts, 18-year-old Mustapha Basit and 22-year-old Baba Rashid, admitted to charges of conspiracy to steal and stealing. Their plea was entered before Justice Francis Asobayeri at the Walewale Circuit Court on Thursday, May 22.

According to police reports, the theft occurred on May 17 at around noon, when the two men broke into the immigration officer’s room while not at home. They made away with a Smith & Wesson pistol loaded with ten rounds of ammunition, along with two CZ rifle magazines, each containing 30 rounds.

Following their conviction, authorities have confirmed that arrangements are being made to transfer the duo to begin serving their prison sentences.

The case has drawn attention to the need for improved security measures around the personal belongings of security personnel.

A middle-aged woman and her two children were trapped inside their home for close to three hours after a massive fig tree toppled during a windstorm. They sealed off the main entrance of their building in Wa, Upper West Region.

The uprooted tree, brought down by a violent storm, completely blocked all accessible exits, leaving the family stranded and unable to leave the house. Desperate for help, they contacted emergency services, friends, and relatives. A family member eventually came to their rescue, managing to clear a path and free the trapped occupants.

In response to the incident, Wa Municipal Chief Executive Issah Nurah Danwanaa visited the site and disclosed that the assembly works with relevant agencies to identify and remove aged and potentially hazardous trees throughout the municipality. This move, he said, is aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future.

He added that the municipality has been hit by a series of intense windstorms over the past month, which have caused several large trees to fall, resulting in property damage estimated in the thousands of Ghana cedis.

JoyNews’ Upper West Regional correspondent, Rafik Salam, captured the dramatic rescue live and was present at the scene as events unfolded.

The Northern Regional Police Command has raised serious concerns about Tamale’s growing role as a transit point for illegal arms and narcotics, linking the development to the protracted conflict in Bawku. According to the Regional Commander, ACP Wisdom Lavoe, the city’s strategic location and connectivity to all five northern regions have made it increasingly vulnerable to these activities while also becoming a refuge for internally displaced persons from Bawku.

Despite these emerging threats, the police respond swiftly and professionally to mitigate the situation. ACP Lavoe expressed confidence in his officers’ efforts, highlighting that their dedication and timely interventions have been key in tackling the security risks.

The concerns were raised during a meeting with the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mutaka, on a working visit to the region. The Minister acknowledged the security challenges outlined by the Commander and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting communities nationwide. As Ghana prepares to transition to a 24-hour economy, he stressed the need to strengthen the welfare and operational capabilities of the security services.

He noted that the shift to a round-the-clock economy would place new demands on law enforcement agencies. To meet this challenge, the Ministry is partnering with the Youth Employment Authority (YEA) to recruit and train about 12,000 young men and women. This initiative, led by the Police Administration, will prepare the recruits to support frontline duties, enhance community safety, and assist with other essential law enforcement responsibilities.

The Interior Minister emphasized that these recruits will play a vital role in reinforcing the work of existing personnel, helping to sustain security operations as the country embraces a more demanding economic model.

Let me know if you’d like this adapted further for a press release, report, or social media use.

The World Bank has lauded Ghana’s progress under the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project, highlighting the initiative’s success in surpassing its initial targets and achieving results that exceed expectations.

This endorsement came from Mr. Robin Mearns, the World Bank’s Global Director for Social Development, who led a high-level delegation to visit SOCO project sites. The delegation engaged with key stakeholders to review the project’s midterm progress, strengthen partnerships, and explore opportunities for further expansion.

“The SOCO Project is not just meeting but surpassing its targets. It is bringing significant economic growth to areas that have long lacked investment. The project’s scale and inclusiveness are truly impressive, and I strongly urge for further funding to extend its impact to more vulnerable districts,” Mr. Mearns commented.

During their visit, the delegation explored various community interventions along the Salaga corridor, including a CHPS compound and a guinea fowl rearing project.

Mr. Mearns shared the inspiring story of Fatima, a local farmer who saw her guinea fowl stock grow from 30 to over 100 birds thanks to SOCO’s support.

“Fatima’s story illustrates how SOCO is enhancing local livelihoods and strengthening resilience,” he said.

The delegation also interacted with other income-generating groups, including the Shishegu Soap Makers, and toured a newly constructed livestock market. These activities are part of SOCO’s Local Economic Development (LED) component, which focuses on sustainable community empowerment.

The Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Ali Adolf John, praised the project for addressing infrastructure deficiencies and social vulnerability in the six Northern regions. He emphasised that SOCO’s integrated approach is fostering peaceful and thriving communities.

SOCO Project Coordinator, Ms. Elizabeth Ohenewah Agyei, shared that the first cycle of the project had delivered 530 community infrastructure subprojects, with 489 completed and handed over by February 2025. These include 33 roads and culverts, 59 educational facilities, 66 health centres, 210 water systems, and 73 rural markets. Additionally, more than 6,200 jobs, many for women, youth, and people with disabilities, have been created, and 744 livelihood groups with over 24,000 members have received support to enhance local productivity.

Ms. Agyei also noted that the second cycle is underway, aiming to deliver 680 more subprojects across 48 districts. “The SOCO Project is about more than just infrastructure,” she said. “It’s about fostering community ownership and participation. Our goal is to strengthen the social fabric through inclusive leadership and shared responsibility, which are fundamental to social cohesion.”

The delegation also attended the inauguration of the Tamale Metropolitan Youth Parliament, a civic engagement initiative under SOCO that promotes youth involvement in governance and peacebuilding.

Mr. Nicolas Perrin, World Bank’s Practice Manager for Social Sustainability and Inclusion in West Africa, described the Youth Parliament as a model for other regions to replicate.

“This Youth Parliament exemplifies civic inclusion and leadership development,” he said.

Funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, the SOCO Project operates in 48 selected districts across Ghana’s six northern regions. It focuses on building inclusive, peaceful, and economically empowered communities in the northern border zones.