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Nayiri Reiterates Call for Complete Removal of Walewale Curfew as Youth Demand the Dismissal of Regional Minister

The Overlord of the Mamprugu Kingdom, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sherigah II, has called for the complete removal of the curfew in Walewale and surrounding areas, citing its detrimental impact on local livelihoods and social life. Nayiri’s appeal comes amid rising tensions, with youth groups planning protests to demand the removal of Northeast Regional Minister Ibrahim Tia, accusing him of mishandling the region’s security challenges.

The curfew was initially imposed on February 15, 2025, after a violent attack on the Walewale-Bolgatanga Highway, which resulted in the deaths of seven people, including two foreigners, and the destruction of several commercial vehicles. Since April 28, 2025, the curfew has been in effect from 10 PM to 4 AM, but it has faced opposition from locals, who argue that it has disrupted daily life and worsened economic hardship.

During a recent visit by President John Mahama to Nalerigu, the Nayiri urged the government to reconsider the curfew, noting that the region had been peaceful for some time. He believes that lifting the curfew would restore normalcy, boost local commerce, and ease the burden on residents.

Naa-Bohagu-Mahami-Abdulai-Sherigah-II (Nayiri)

The tensions have been exacerbated by reports of military operations in Walewale and nearby communities, which led to the deaths of two civilians, Imoro Hafiz, 36, and Alhaji Sumaila, 45, and left several others injured between January 14 and February 15. Youth leader Alhassan Sandah accused Minister Tia of imposing the curfew without consulting the community and of failing to address the ongoing violence along the Tamale-Walewale-Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom highway. Sandah warned that the local economy is on the brink of collapse, criticizing Tia’s handling of the situation and calling for his removal. He emphasized that while the community does not want violence, the youth will continue protesting until their demands are met.

While the Interior Ministry argues that the curfew is necessary to maintain peace and has banned the carrying of weapons with violators facing arrest, residents are calling for more highway patrols and community-based security measures. The Nayiri’s renewed appeal, backed by the youth’s persistent protests, reflects a growing demand for dialogue and security solutions that do not stifle daily life.

Residents are now awaiting the government’s response to address both the curfew and the underlying issues contributing to unrest in the Northeast Region.

PIN Codes for 2025/2026 National Service Released; Registration Deadline Set for July 1

The National Service Authority (NSA) has released PIN codes for 132,393 eligible graduates for the 2025/2026 service year. Registration begins today, June 17, and will run until July 1, 2025, giving prospective personnel just two weeks to activate their PINs and complete the online registration process.

To activate their PIN, applicants are required to pay GHS 40 at any ADB Bank branch or GHS 41 via MTN Mobile Money. Registration can be done through the NSA portal at smarthub.nss.gov.gh, where users can retrieve their PIN codes and follow detailed instructions.

The NSA advises all applicants to complete their registration as soon as possible and utilize available support tools to prevent delays or potential disqualification.

National Service is a mandatory one-year program for all graduates from accredited tertiary institutions. Coordinated by the NSA, it aims to instil discipline, promote national development, and offer practical experience before entering the job market. Completing the service is legally required and often a key factor in securing employment in both public and private sectors.

University of Ghana Sanctions Over 100 Students for Misconduct and Exam Malpractice

The University of Ghana has sanctioned 115 students for various acts of misconduct and examination malpractice following a decision by the Academic Board. A notice from the Office of the Registrar, dated June 16, 2025, outlines the range of sanctions, including suspensions, expulsions, grade penalties, and reprimands.

Disciplinary Actions

The sanctions are divided into two categories: general misconduct and examination-related offences. Fourteen students, including Mr Abdul-Yakini Lukman and Mr Daniel Ansah, were suspended for two academic years due to “disorderly conduct and failure to observe the orders of University authorities,” as per Statutes 42(1)(a) of the University of Ghana Statutes 2011. These suspensions are retroactive, covering both the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic years.

Examination-related offences made up the majority of the cases. Students like Mr Christian Owusu Yeboah and Ms Linda Attah Lambongyi were expelled for impersonation during exams. Other students, such as Mr. Ramsey Akoto Junior, received a Grade Z for leaving the examination hall with answer booklets. Possession of unauthorized materials, such as mobile phones and written notes, led to penalties ranging from Grade X to Grade Z, depending on the severity.

Notable Cases

Mr. Eugene Nimo Obeng was suspended for one semester and received a Grade Z for possessing unauthorized materials and sharing his answers with another candidate. Ms Lilian N.L. Miller faced a similar suspension and Grade Z for repeated offences involving unauthorized notes during exams.

Ms. Fatimah Iddriss and Justice Nii-Amo were reprimanded for rudeness toward invigilators and inappropriate communication during exams, respectively.

University’s Stance

In the notice, signed by Registrar Mrs Emelia Agyei-Mensah, the university emphasized the importance of adhering to university regulations. “All students are advised to familiarize themselves with the University’s regulations and conduct themselves in a manner befitting members of our community,” the notice stated. It was distributed to all university employees and students, with copies sent to senior administrators.

Find the entire notice below:

june-2025-sanctions-publication-250617080034-e4ba9cb8 Download

Govt Secures European Funding for Damongo Water Supply Project – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government has successfully secured funding to address the water crisis in Damongo, located in the Savannah Region. The European Union has committed financial support for the construction of a new water supply system for the area.

“We have all the designs ready, and the European Union has offered funding to execute the project,” President Mahama revealed.

During his ‘Thank You Tour’ in the Savannah Region, the President reassured the residents of Damongo that the government is dedicated to resolving the ongoing water shortage, with the project set to begin soon.

He emphasized the importance of clean water, stating, “Your Majesty, access to clean water is not a luxury but a basic right.” He also informed Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I that the long-awaited Damongo water supply system would soon be operational.

Once completed, the project will supply clean water to Damongo and its surrounding areas. “This project will draw water from Yapei and supply it to Damongo. I am pleased to announce that it will serve the 8,000 residents of Damongo and its environs,” President Mahama added.

The previous NPP administration had laid the groundwork for the Damongo Water Supply Project, which involved a $49 million credit facility from UK Export Finance and Deutsche Bank AG.

Currently, Damongo’s water supply relies on an irrigation dam. However, due to siltation issues caused by adverse climatic conditions, the existing plant has been non-operational since 2005. As a result, residents have had to depend on private hand-dug wells and boreholes with hand pumps for their water supply.

The new Water Supply System is designed to meet the needs of Damongo and surrounding communities until 2040, in line with government policy. The system is expected to serve a population of around 68,000 people, with an average daily water demand of about 8,800 cubic meters.

Tamale Constitution Review Forum Moves to New Venue

The Constitutional Review Committee has announced a new venue for its upcoming public engagement in Tamale.

The session, scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, 2025, will now take place at the Modern City Hotel Conference Centre, Big Hall 1. The location is in the Northern Region capital, Tamale.

All other details—including the time and structure of the event—remain the same.

In a statement signed by the Committee’s Secretary, Dr. Rainer Akumperigya, the Committee apologized for any inconvenience. It urged the public, guests, and stakeholders to take note of the new venue.

The Tamale session is part of the Committee’s ongoing nationwide consultations. These sessions aim to gather views on the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

“This public forum is part of a broader effort to ensure that the voices of all Ghanaians are reflected in the future of our democratic governance,” the statement said.

The Committee encouraged citizens to attend and take part in shaping possible changes to the Constitution.

“Your voice matters, and we look forward to your active participation,” the statement added.

7 Drowned Lawra SHS Students Laid to Rest

A tragic incident struck Lawra Senior High School on Saturday, June 14, 2025, when seven students from the school’s cadet corps drowned in the River Dikpe. The students, two boys and five girls had been crossing the river as part of their morning routine when their canoe capsized midstream.

While three students managed to swim to safety, the others, unable to swim, were swept away by the strong undercurrent. All seven bodies were recovered and sent to the Lawra Municipal Assembly morgue for preservation. By 3 p.m. the following Sunday, six of the bodies had been released to the families for burial. The final two bodies were retrieved the following day.

The students were part of the cadet corps’ early morning jogging routine. The accident occurred when they used a different route across the river, opting for a canoe instead of crossing on foot. Typically, the crossing was shallow enough for them to wade across, but this time, they chose to board a canoe.

A Burkinabè with the canoe was seen crossing the river at the same time, and ten of the 15 cadet corps members joined him. The rest waited behind. Unfortunately, the canoe capsized during the crossing, leading to the drowning of the seven students. Three students, two girls and a boy, managed to swim to the bank, but the others were pulled away by the current.

The Upper West Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Razak Abdul Korah, confirmed the incident and stated that the GES would issue a detailed report soon. By 2 p.m. on Sunday, the GES visited two of the deceased students’ families in the Daffiama Bussie Issa District and was on its way to see a third family in Nadowli.

All seven students were buried by the time the report was filed. The GES has been visiting the affected families to offer condolences and support.

Abdul Latif Osman, the Upper West Regional National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Coordinator, explained that the cadet corps usually crosses the river during their routine jog. Still, the crossing was typically done on foot as the water was shallow. This time, the cadets used a different route and boarded the canoe after seeing the Burkinabè crossing. The canoe capsized while crossing, and seven students drowned. The Burkinabè, who was in charge of the canoe, fled the scene and has not been found.

The accident occurred at around 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The surviving students informed the community, and rituals were performed before the search began. The search team started at 10 a.m., and within an hour, five bodies had been retrieved. After a brief pause in the search, the remaining two bodies were found the following morning.

Teachers Aiding Candidates to Cheat in BECE Raises Concerns — WAEC

The Upper West Regional Controller of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Donald Tuor, has raised the alarm over the involvement of teachers and supervisors in examination malpractice during the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

Mr Tuor revealed that some teachers have been helping candidates cheat by solving exam questions and hiding them in the examination halls or pre-arranged locations for candidates to pick up.

He noted that several candidates had been caught with unauthorized materials, while others had swapped their question papers.

Donald Tuor – Upper West Regional Controller of WAEC

Method of Malpractice

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Tuor explained, “The teachers would hide in bushes, solve the questions, drop them in the examination halls for the candidates, or place them in toilets for the candidates to retrieve.” He added that the teachers already informed the candidates about where to find the solved questions. “The candidates know exactly when and where to go for them,” he stated.

Mr. Tuor expressed disappointment, mentioning that many supervisors and invigilators had been compromised and were assisting candidates in their cheating activities.

Handling Malpractice

Typically, when candidates are caught with foreign materials or found cheating, they are asked to fill out a form acknowledging the infraction, which is witnessed by the supervisor. After this, they are allowed to continue with the rest of the exam. For the teachers involved their names have been submitted to the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) for disciplinary action.

Other Incidents

While the examination has generally proceeded smoothly, there have been isolated incidents of cheating and swapping of question papers. Mr Tuor mentioned an unusual occurrence last Friday when a bee invasion at Wa School for the Deaf led to two candidates being stung and rushed to the hospital. One of the victims, a girl, was detained and unable to sit for the second paper, while the boy was treated and discharged.

PURC Launches the “Tamale in Focus Project” to Curb Utility Losses

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), in collaboration with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), has introduced the “Tamale in Focus Project.” The project aims to reduce commercial losses and enhance service delivery across the Northern Region.

This initiative is part of a broader campaign aimed at enhancing the financial health and operational efficiency of utility service providers. It specifically targets the rampant issue of power and water theft, a problem threatening the stability of NEDCo and GWCL.

According to GWCL, between January 2024 and May 2025, the company lost GH¢88.5 million due to illegal connections, recording 1,145 theft cases. Similarly, NEDCo reported GH¢195 million in electricity losses in Tamale alone after purchasing GH¢370 million worth of power during the same period.

The PURC states that the Tamale in Focus Project will foster closer collaboration between utility providers, the media, and the public. The goal is to raise awareness, promote responsible consumption, and improve enforcement.

The Northern Regional Minister and other leaders from institutions that would facilitate the Tamale in Focus Project

At the launch in Tamale, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Ali Adolf John, called the initiative a much-needed intervention. “This project brings stakeholders—especially utility companies, the media, and the public—into a common space to work together toward reducing the high commercial losses these service providers face,” he said.

The Minister warned that the rising levels of illegal connections and debt in Tamale are pushing utilities to a breaking point. “If care is not taken, we may wake up one day to find these institutions on the verge of collapse,” he cautioned.

He urged consumers to pay their bills on time and avoid illegal practices, emphasizing that sustainable services depend on shared responsibility.

Mr. Adolf John also praised the Northern Regional Office of PURC for addressing over 93% of the 319 complaints it received in the first quarter of 2025. He encouraged the Commission to maintain its efforts to protect consumers and ensure high-quality service.

Northern Regional Minister – Honourable-Ali-Adolf-John-Mburidiba

The Minister further urged public and private institutions with utility debts to commit to repayment plans, stressing the importance of timely debt settlement in maintaining operations.

“Tamale in Focus Project” has received full support from the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, with Mr. Adolf John calling on the media and all stakeholders to get behind the initiative.

PURC’s Northern Regional Manager, Mr. Simon Ali, expressed confidence in the Tamale in Focus Project’s potential. He announced the formation of a media coalition to combat power and water theft, which will identify and publicly expose individuals involved in illegal activities.

After the launch of Tamale in Focus Project, NEDCo’s Northern Regional Manager, Ing. Elvis A. Demnyakor, addressed the alarming energy loss figures. He shared that the Tamale and Yendi Bulk Supply Points account for 96% of NEDCo’s total energy losses in the Northern region. “We procured about GH¢370 million worth of electricity, and nearly GH¢195 million was lost in Tamale alone,” he stated. “These losses are simply not sustainable.”

Although areas like Damongo and Buipe report lower losses, he warned that unchecked losses in Tamale and Yendi could disrupt power supply across the region. “If this trend continues, we risk waking up one day without power,” he warned.

Ing. Demnyakor also cited operational challenges, such as limited access to transformers and ageing power lines, which hinder reliable service delivery. “Our inability to raise enough revenue is hindering investment in critical upgrades, which in turn affects our service quality,” he added.

He called for urgent, collective action from all stakeholders to reverse the current trends and stabilize the electricity supply in the Northern Region. Tamale in Focus Project.