Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has lost more than GH₵88 million between January 2024 and May 2025. The losses were caused by illegal connections and pipeline tampering in the Northern Region. This is said to largely contribute to the Tamale Water Crisis.
This was revealed at the launch of a new initiative called “Tamale in Focus.” The campaign aims to stop the revenue leakages affecting GWCL’s ability to supply reliable water.
A Non-Revenue Water Officer at GWCL said the illegal activities have made it difficult for the company to operate effectively. He noted that the problem is widespread and urgent.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is leading the initiative in partnership with GWCL and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).
PURC’s Regional Manager, Ali Simon Jarana, said the debts facing utility companies are now at dangerous levels. He warned that if the situation is not addressed, companies like GWCL and NEDCo could collapse.
He added that utility providers are under financial pressure, and rising customer debts are exacerbating the situation.
Northern Regional Minister Adolf Ali John also spoke at the event. He said anyone caught tampering with utility infrastructure will face the law.
He stressed that GWCL and NEDCo are the only public utility companies serving the region. He warned that their survival is at risk due to mounting debts and illegal connections, especially in Tamale.
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the much-anticipated 24-hour Economy policy will officially begin on July 1, 2025. The policy, a key promise in the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s 2024 manifesto, is expected to transform productivity across multiple sectors of Ghana’s economy.
Speaking at the 2025 Ghana Horticulture Expo in Accra on Wednesday, June 11, President Mahama called the initiative a “game-changing strategy” designed to fully unlock the country’s production capabilities. He said the move will enhance round-the-clock operations in various industries, especially in agriculture and agribusiness.
Mahama stressed the policy’s impact on the horticulture industry, noting that 24-hour operations will help reduce post-harvest losses by enabling faster transportation of perishable goods — such as pineapples, vegetables, and herbs — to international markets.
“This policy will provide the framework for continued production, processing, and logistics in horticulture,” he said. “It allows perishable goods to move swiftly from the field to international shelves, minimising losses and maximising value.”
He also revealed plans to extend the 24-hour framework to key logistical points, including Ghana’s two main ports. According to Mahama, the Ministries of Trade, Industry, Agri-business, and Transport are collaborating with agencies like the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the Ghana Shippers’ Council to soon designate the Tema and Takoradi ports as full 24-hour operational hubs.
Ghanaians will soon enjoy visa-free travel to Morocco under a new bilateral agreement aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries. Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, made this known after a two-day official visit to Morocco.
Under the new policy, travellers from Ghana will no longer need to apply for a traditional visa through the Moroccan embassy. Instead, they will use a simplified online travel authorization process that takes less than 24 hours and does not require an in-person interview or embassy appointment. Ablakwa believes the arrangement significantly eases the burden of travel and will lead to stronger people-to-people connections.
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He emphasized that the agreement is expected to boost tourism and trade, opening up opportunities for closer collaboration in various sectors. The policy change was finalized during a meeting between Ablakwa and Morocco’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Nasser Bourita, as part of a broader push to improve African cooperation.
To support the new policy, the number of direct flights between Ghana and Morocco will also be increased, making travel more accessible and convenient. Ablakwa framed the development as a step toward redefining African borders—not as barriers but as bridges connecting communities and cultures.
The Alliance for Gban Development, a youth group in the Gban community of the Talensi District in the Upper East Region, has raised the alarm over what it describes as growing threats, intimidation, and insecurity allegedly orchestrated by Zongdan Boyak Kolog, popularly known as Poloo and his associates.
Speaking at a press conference held in Gban over the weekend, the group’s secretary, John Kpal Bognaab, laid bare the community’s grievances and called for swift government and security intervention to avert looming chaos.
The Alliance for Gban Development accused Poloo, a native of the nearby Yameriga community, of repeatedly disturbing the peace in Gban through unauthorized mining activities and violent attacks.
The group stated that Poloo, who had made his fortune through small-scale mining in Gban, had failed to respect the collective transition to large-scale mining, which Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited manages.
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According to Mr. Bognaab, Poloo was part of prior engagements and agreements between stakeholders during the transition to large-scale mining. “We have evidence that Polo participated actively in these engagements sponsored by the mining company. Yet, he now denies any involvement and has resorted to threats, intimidation, and provocation,” he stated.
The youth group narrated a series of violent incidents, including a shooting spree on January 25 and 26 this year when Poloo allegedly led a group believed to include armed men to storm the community mining area. “They fired sporadic gunshots, causing panic and forcing residents, including schoolchildren and health workers, to flee,” Mr. Bognaab recounted.
In response to this accusation, Tiroug Yaro Zumah, who identified himself as personal Secretary to Poloo, denied the claims that Poloo was trying to destabilize the peace of Gban. But when he was pushed further, Mr. Zumah said that even though Poloo “was taken to court for allegedly firing arms and possessing arms,” the claims against him may not be valid.
In a more recent development on May 31, a combined team of police and military officers arrested eight men allegedly hired by Poloo, who were reportedly armed and moving menacingly through the area. The youth group claims that Poloo holds no valid mining lease in Gban, a claim they say is backed by checks with state mining regulatory agencies.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the press, we wish to state clearly, based on our checks with the state agencies regulating the mining sector, that Poloo has no valid lease or concession anywhere in Gban. The lease he has been holding onto is currently not valid and, for want of a better word, non-existent,” Bognaab emphasized.
Regarding this claim, Secretary to Poloo Tiroug Yaro Zumah refuted it. “Poloo owns a legitimate concession, and his license is very active. He had an issue with Earl International, where Earl International wanted to acquire his concession by force. He went to court, and the court injunctured Earl International from operating on his concession. We have written to the police that people who are mining on Poloo’s concession are illegal miners,” Mr Zumah stated.
Members of the group who came out in their numbers expressed deep concern that without immediate intervention, the region could become the next flashpoint of violence. They called on the Minerals Commission to publicly clarify that Poloo has no legal mining claim in Gban and urged security agencies to expedite their investigations, applying the law firmly and impartially.
“We are lucky to have avoided casualties twice. But who knows what a third visit from Poloo might bring?” Bognaab warned.
In addition to law enforcement action, the group appealed to the Tongraan, the traditional overlord of the Talensi area, to summon the Yameriga chief and elders to caution their relative. “We believe if he has any respect for family and tradition, he may be restrained,” said the secretary.
The group also extended an invitation to the regional authorities, MDCEs, and the Upper East Regional Minister to intervene and help mediate the rising tensions. They also encouraged Earl International to deepen its engagement with the local youth and chiefs to ensure sustainable coexistence and employment for the people of Gban.
“We want peace, not war. But if we are forced to defend our lives and future, we will do so,” Secretary Mr. Bognaab concluded, reiterating the Alliance for Gban Development’s commitment to defending their community through lawful and peaceful means.
Info Radio 91.1 FM, a commercial radio station based in Wa, has launched an ambitious new music reality show titled “The Next Upper West Music Star.” Premiering on Friday, June 5, 2025, during a live radio broadcast, the show is designed to uncover, nurture, and promote musical talent from the Upper West Region on both national and international platforms.
The show’s launch, led by the station’s Events Committee, revealed a prize package valued at GHC25,000—offering not just cash but also a recording deal, promotional opportunities, and structured mentorship. The organizers view the initiative as a full-scale investment in artistic development.
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For Osuman Kaapore Tahiru, News Editor at Info Radio and a member of the organizing team, the project stands as more than a standard music competition. It represents a concrete effort to build pathways for raw talent backed by tangible resources and structured mentorship. In his view, the competition offers a professional springboard for emerging artists to break into the mainstream music industry.
Auditions will begin in July at the Info Radio studios, with registration open to anyone aged 12 and above. Entry forms are available for GHC100.00 via the station’s website, its front desk, and through partnering radio stations across the Upper West Region.
According to Marcelinus Seiworb, the show’s Event Lead and Info Radio’s in-house Music Studio Producer, a panel of respected music professionals will serve as both judges and mentors throughout the four-month contest. Weekly episodes will air on Info Radio and its digital channels, and audience voting will be instrumental in deciding who advances and ultimately wins.
The unveiling event drew attendees from industry stakeholders, including representatives from the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and celebrated local performers such as Prince Karim, Samson B, and Sypha. Their enthusiastic endorsement underscored the importance of platforms like this in supporting a region rich in musical talent but often lacking in industry infrastructure.
Details regarding audition schedules, the judging lineup, and the official premiere date of the competition will be shared in the coming weeks. Interested artists and fans are encouraged to follow updates on Info Radio 91.1 FM and through the station’s website at www.inforadio.online.
With its mix of mentorship, exposure, and significant rewards, “Next Upper West Music Star” could prove a game-changer for local musicians aiming to take their craft to the next level.
The Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has announced a new directive aimed at reducing juvenile loitering and improving public safety: children under 18 found roaming the streets at night will be arrested and detained.
This move was unveiled by Northern Regional Minister Adolf Ali during Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the Tamale Jubilee Park, an event attended by hundreds, including Professor Amin Alhassan. The minister raised concerns over a growing trend of unsupervised minors wandering the streets after dark, a pattern that poses serious risks to their safety and development.
Authorities believe these nighttime wanderings are exposing young people to dangerous behaviours, particularly the abuse of illicit substances like tramadol and cannabis—an increasing threat in communities such as Tamale and Yendi.
Parents were strongly cautioned to take responsibility for their children’s whereabouts during nighttime hours, with the Regional Minister warning that those who fail to do so could face punitive consequences. The new measure, REGSEC suggests, is as much about parental accountability as it is about child protection.
This isn’t the region’s first attempt to confront child delinquency. In 2017, a similar campaign under the “Tamale Project” was launched to address youth misconduct and drug abuse. While it led to the arrest of hundreds of children in its early days, the initiative was marred by criticism over lack of stakeholder consultation, particularly accusations levelled at then-Mayor Mr Superior.
This time, the regional leadership is opting for a more inclusive approach. In a recent visit to the region, Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak met with traditional leaders, religious figures, and local stakeholders to build consensus around the broader effort to tackle rising social vices.
The current initiative signals a renewed commitment to community-led discipline and child protection in the Northern Region.
The Sherigu forest belt in Ghana’s Upper East Region is under serious threat as illegal mining and firewood harvesting steadily degrade the environment. The Anglican Diocesan Development and Relief Organisation (ADDRO) highlighted growing environmental damage and its impact on the local community during a World Environment Day Street campaign.
According to ADDRO’s Northern Ghana Climate Resilience Program, illegal mining is gradually taking hold in Sherigu. Young men and women are increasingly drawn into small-scale, unregulated mining activities—commonly known as galamsey—leading to environmental destruction and significant health risks for those involved.
Sherigu’s forest once served as a natural anchor for the community, but its role is being undermined. Many women have turned to harvesting firewood from the forest as a primary source of livelihood. However, there is little or no effort to replace the trees being cut down. This destruction of the last remaining trees could ultimately make life unbearable for everyone.
The campaign also raised alarms about the widespread use of plastic, especially in food and shopping packaging. Representatives from the Forestry Department, the Department of Food and Agriculture, and local assembly members joined the call for more responsible waste practices and stronger environmental protections.
Women participants urged for increased livelihood support to reduce reliance on environmentally harmful practices. Some have already begun benefiting from ADDRO interventions, including support for small ruminants, savings and education programs, agricultural inputs, and entrepreneurship training.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has raised the alarm over rising exam malpractice, spotlighting the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions as the worst-affected areas in the country.
In 2023 alone, 18,504 candidates were found to have engaged in various forms of cheating. Early indicators for 2024 suggest the problem is not abating.
At a recent stakeholders’ forum, Daniel Nii Dodoo, Head of Humanities at WAEC’s Test Division, warned that the surge in malpractice threatens not just academic integrity but national security. “It undermines institutions and erodes public trust,” he said, calling for immediate intervention in hotspot regions.
Dodoo emphasized that while the Ashanti Region continues to record significant irregularities, the Bono areas now lead in confirmed cases. He clarified that the data is not meant to stigmatize any area but to prompt targeted interventions by regional education directors.
He urged stricter enforcement of regulations and tighter monitoring across schools: “Unchecked malpractice devalues certificates and risks exposing underqualified individuals in the job market.”
The Council also listed modern cheating tactics, including the use of phones, AI platforms, and photocopied answer sheets. Some candidates even smuggle foreign materials into exam halls.
WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, underscored the role of evolving technologies in fueling the trend and warned that without strong cooperation from stakeholders—including the Ghana Education Service, school heads, and local authorities—the education system’s credibility is at risk.
WAEC states that a coordinated national response is crucial to restoring integrity and safeguarding the future of Ghana’s students.
