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WaterAid and Guinness Ghana Expand Clean Water Access in Upper West

In a significant boost to safe water access in the Upper West Region, WaterAid Ghana and Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC have jointly commissioned two expanded water supply systems in Nadowli and Nandom.

The newly completed facilities are capable of producing up to 200,000 cubic meters of water annually. Community members say the project couldn’t have come at a better time, as many households have faced persistent water challenges in recent years.

For Guinness Ghana, the initiative reflects its long-term commitment to improving water access across the country. Over the past five years, the company has delivered 13 such projects, with the latest additions expected to improve supply in the beneficiary communities significantly.

According to the organisations involved, the expansion will ensure consistent access to clean, safe water—an essential step toward improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases, and enhancing livelihoods.

Officials at the commissioning ceremony described the move as a game-changer, not just for the towns involved, but also as a model for private-public partnerships in development.

Garu NDC Youth Accuse MP of Bias and Poor Leadership

Discontent is brewing in the Garu Constituency of the Upper East Region as a youth group aligned with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused their Member of Parliament, Dr Thomas Winsum Anaba, of nepotism and poor leadership.

At a press conference held in Garu on Monday, June 2, 2025, the youth staged a peaceful protest to register their grievances. They described Dr Anaba’s leadership as “worrisome,” claiming he has consistently shown bias in the distribution of political opportunities.

According to the group, the MP has favoured only those who supported him during the NDC’s recent parliamentary primaries. One of their key concerns is the alleged manipulation of appointments under the Ghana School Feeding Programme. They also alleged that the MP attempted to reinstall a former Youth Employment Agency (YEA) director in the district—despite the recent official appointment and assumption of duty by Thomas Tampuri Wennam.

They believe such actions amount to running a parallel administration within the constituency and have urged the party leadership to act. “We call on the national and regional executives of the party to call Dr. Anaba to order and to desist from running a parallel administration,” the group stated.

However, District Chief Executive (DCE) John Abugba Abaare pushed back on the allegations. He argued that the MP should not be held solely responsible for the tensions surrounding political appointments. “The appropriate body to be held accountable is the NDC Garu Constituency Executive Committee,” he said, pointing fingers at the local party leadership as the root of the current confusion.

As frustrations mount, the youth are calling for swift action to restore fairness and unity within the constituency’s political ranks.

‘Okra’ Jailed 18 Years as Police Crack Down on Robbery in Wa

The Upper West Region has achieved a significant victory in the fight against violent crime. Adnan Mahmoud, a 25-year-old man widely known by the alias “Okra,” has been sentenced to 18 years in prison with hard labour for his role in a string of armed robberies.

Okra was arrested on Saturday, May 31, 2025, during a high-risk, intelligence-led operation at his hideout in Sandemuni, a suburb of Wa. He had long been on the police radar for his alleged involvement in multiple robberies that had terrorised residents across the region.

At his court appearance on Monday, June 2, Okra pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and robbery. The Wa Circuit Court presided over by His Honour Jonathan Avogo, handed down the 18-year sentence.

Police say his removal from the streets has brought a sense of relief to many. “Residents can now feel more secure in their communities,” said ASP Michael Toya, the Regional Public Affairs Officer. He described the conviction as a turning point that would help rebuild public trust and restore calm in the region.

Two other suspects—Abdulai Ibrahim, also known as “Baba,” and Abdulai Kipo—have denied the charges. Both were remanded into custody and will continue to face trial on Tuesday, June 3.

For the police, Okra’s sentencing marks more than just a courtroom victory. It reflects a broader commitment to dismantling robbery networks and restoring long-term peace. “The Command remains resolute in its efforts to track down and bring to justice all individuals who pose a threat to peace and security in the region,” the Police Service noted.

Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and support law enforcement efforts. With one notorious figure behind bars, the police believe the tide may be turning in the fight against armed robbery in the Upper West.

Paramount Chief of the Sagnarigu goes hard on drugs

The Paramount Chief of the Sagnarigu Traditional Area, Naa Ambassador Yakubu Abdulai, has strongly criticised the government’s response to illicit drug trafficking and abuse, calling it ineffective and, at times, oppositional to local efforts.

Speaking at a stakeholder forum organised by Savana Signatures on the theme “Strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Solutions for a Substance-Free Northern Ghana”, he said the state had failed to capitalise on public outrage and the formation of task forces in Tamale and surrounding areas. Instead of supporting these grassroots initiatives, he noted, the government remained largely passive or even obstructive.

“The public, traditional leaders and communities are ready to share intelligence on traffickers, traders, and users,” he said, stressing that the state’s inaction had allowed the situation to worsen. He blamed the current drug crisis on institutional failures, including lax border controls that have permitted drugs to flood communities.

The chief also expressed concern over children as young as ten wandering the streets at night, warning that such conditions put their education and future at risk. He urged parents to take greater responsibility and called for immediate government action, saying, “This is not the time for long speeches but for action.”

He acknowledged recent public statements by officials and the Regional Security Council as a hopeful sign that authorities were finally beginning to respond to the crisis.

Commending Savana Signatures for bringing stakeholders together, the chief thanked the organisation for fostering collaboration among key actors, including the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, Narcotics Control Commission, law enforcement, and civil society.

Dr. Stephen Agbenyo, Executive Director of Savana Signatures, urged the media to amplify the call for reforms and support efforts to secure the nation’s borders. He said the campaign would continue beyond senior high schools, extending to tertiary institutions and out-of-school youth to address the growing threat of substance abuse.

Plan International Pushes for Period-Friendly Ghana at Walewale SHS

At Walewale Senior High Technical School (Walewale SHS) in Ghana’s Northeast Region, menstrual hygiene is a growing concern. The school, which has 2,013 students—including 939 girls—is facing serious challenges due to the lack of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure.

During the 2025 Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration on Saturday, May 31, school authorities highlighted how these gaps are affecting female students. Many girls lack access to sanitary pads, private changing rooms, or clean water. Some are forced to use unsafe alternatives or miss classes altogether.

The school receives water once a week from the Community Water and Sanitation Agency. That supply runs out within two days, often disrupting academic activities as students search for water off-campus. In many cases, this leads to disciplinary issues and health risks.

To address this, the Headmaster of Walewale SHTS called for immediate support. The appeal focused on the construction of female-friendly KVIP toilets, private changing rooms, and a more reliable water system.

Speaking at the same event, the Country Director of Plan International Ghana said that most schools across the country lack essential facilities for menstrual hygiene. Without private spaces, running water, and disposal systems, many girls are pushed into isolation or miss out on their education entirely. He stressed that treating menstruation as a problem only worsens inequality.

In response, Plan International pledged to build girl-friendly WASH facilities at the school in the coming months. The organisation also distributed thousands of reusable sanitary products to students as part of the day’s activities.

The event also acknowledged government action. A budget allocation of ₵292.4 million in 2025 is set to provide free sanitary pads to schoolgirls. This move fulfils a campaign promise made by President John Dramani Mahama and represents a significant step in addressing menstrual poverty.

The message to the nation was clear: menstruation must not be a source of shame or disadvantage. Instead, it should be recognised as a natural part of life that deserves dignity, support, and policy attention. The campaign concluded with a powerful call to action, advocating for awareness today, policy change tomorrow, and long-term empowerment for girls across Ghana.

OSP to Charge Top NPA Officials Over GH¢280 Million Corruption Scheme

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is set to press criminal charges against high-ranking officials of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) over an alleged corrupt scheme involving more than GH¢280 million. The OSP will file the charges before the end of June.

The alleged offences occurred between 2022 and 2024, following months of investigation into the operations of the NPA. In February 2025, the OSP announced a probe into former NPA Chief Executive Mustapha Abdul-Hamid over the suspected embezzlement of GH¢1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF). The investigation also targeted three other officials: Jacob Amuah, UPPF Coordinator; Freda Tandoh; and Wendy Ashong Newman.

At a press conference on Monday, June 2, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng confirmed that criminal charges would be filed against four senior officials of the NPA. Although he withheld names, he noted that investigations launched in November 2024 had uncovered widespread abuse of public office.

According to the OSP, officials at the NPA orchestrated a scheme using intimidation, bribery, regulatory pressure, and coercion to extract payments from oil marketing companies and other regulated entities. The illicit activities were reportedly carried out under the guise of licensing, monitoring, and regulatory duties in the petroleum downstream sector.

By tracing financial transactions, the OSP uncovered GH¢280,516,127.19, which is believed to be the proceeds from the scheme. Investigators found that part of this money was used to acquire properties in Ghana and abroad, including apartments, suites, and houses. Some funds were used to purchase 22 fuel haulage trucks, while others helped set up or acquire oil marketing companies. These new businesses then directly competed with the very firms the NPA officials were tasked with regulating.

The OSP said that the first round of charges would target both individual perpetrators and complicit companies. Once charges are filed, a full public briefing will follow, detailing the roles of each accused person, the assets acquired, and any recoveries made.

National Peace Council Working to Resolve 10 Conflicts in Northern Region

The National Peace Council (NPC) is actively working to resolve about 10 ongoing conflicts in the Northern Region, most of which are rooted in chieftaincy and land disputes.

According to Rev. Fr Thaddeus Kuusah, former Northern Regional Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council (NPC), these disputes are concentrated in the eastern part of the region. He noted that while the ethnic aspects of the conflicts have diminished, the tensions persist.

Fr Kuusah shared these insights during a stakeholder dialogue focused on strengthening civilian-security relations to prevent violent extremism. The event was part of the Preventing Violent Extremism through Social Accountability (PoTVESA II) project, supported by the Netherlands Embassy and implemented in partnership with the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).

The dialogue brought together youth groups, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and security personnel to promote trust and cooperation in communities considered vulnerable to extremist threats.

Fr Kuusah warned that conflicts often escalate during the rainy season—a time extremist groups may exploit to infiltrate communities. He pointed out that existing tensions, combined with youth unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, poor access to essential services, and limited government presence, create conditions that extremists could use for recruitment.

He called on all stakeholders—traditional leaders, youth, civil society organisations, and security forces—to collaborate in addressing these issues. He stressed that preventing violent extremism requires community-wide involvement and not just the efforts of security agencies.

Frank Wilson Bodza, Deputy Director for Conflict Management and Resolution at the National Peace Council (NPC), also addressed the forum. He highlighted the Northern Region’s heightened vulnerability due to its history of conflict and its proximity to the Sahel, where extremist activity is increasing.

He praised participants for their dedication to building trust between communities and security agencies. Bodza said sustained dialogue and information sharing will be key in addressing potential threats and ensuring long-term peace in the region.

World Vision Launches THRIVE 2030 Project to Support Over 800,000 Farmers in Ghana

World Vision International has launched the THRIVE 2030 Project, a bold initiative aimed at enhancing household resilience and transforming the livelihoods of over 800,000 farmers across Ghana.

The launch followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with six key partners: Fairtrade Ghana, Esoko, PANGEA Africa, Vision Fund Ghana, Ghana Commodity Exchange, and Farm Concern International.

The project targets vulnerable farming communities and is built around four key pillars: mindset transformation, financial empowerment, sustainable agriculture, and access to capital.

Justice Tsegah, who leads the project, said it begins with shifting mindsets through the use of the Empowered Worldview Curriculum. This approach enables farmers to identify their needs and develop household business plans as a pathway out of poverty.

The second phase introduces a savings model called “Savings for Transformation,” where community groups pool funds every week and access small loans to start or expand their businesses.

Farmers are then trained to adopt inclusive and sustainable agricultural practices and learn how to tap into market value chains.

The final stage involves injecting capital through VisionFund Ghana, the microfinance arm of World Vision. The goal is to help savings groups grow by offering financial support matched to their business activities.

Tsegah noted that digital tools will replace manual systems. A mobile app will allow members of savings groups to track their finances and ensure greater transparency.

Frank Alornu, CEO of VisionFund Ghana, said loans will be tailored to each farmer’s business type and size. Financial literacy training will be provided before disbursement, and funding will only be allocated to individuals already engaged in viable economic activities.

Esoko CEO Solomon T. Mensah said his organisation will provide farmers with real-time market information through the Digimart platform. This digital support will help boost incomes, especially in the 14 districts targeted by the project.

The THRIVE 2030 Project combines mindset change, finance, market access, and technology to equip Ghanaian farmers with the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and build long-term resilience.