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Akyem Oda: 6 Excavators, Weapons Seized in Fresh Galamsey Crackdown Along Birim River

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Akyem Oda: 6 Excavators, Weapons Seized in Fresh Galamsey Crackdown Along Birim River

The Birim Central Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Solomon Kusi Brako, has led a fresh operation to clamp down on illegal mining activities along the Birim River in Akyem Oda and its surrounding communities in the Eastern Region.

During the exercise, authorities seized six excavators, a control board, a pump-action gun, and other mining equipment allegedly used in the illegal operations.

The crackdown was triggered by intelligence reports pointing to renewed galamsey activities in the area, which threaten water bodies and farmlands.

‘A Precarious Situation’

Speaking to Adom News, Mr. Brako described the environmental destruction as alarming and warned of dire consequences if immediate action was not taken.

“The illegal activities have blocked the river’s flow and caused significant pollution, affecting the Ghana Water Company Limited’s treatment plant that supplies water to Akyem Oda, Akwatia, and Winneba,” he said.

He added that the continued degradation of the Birim River poses severe health and livelihood risks to surrounding communities.

Call for Swift Action

The MCE urged government agencies, security services, and residents to work together to halt the menace and restore the river to its natural state.

“This situation is a major disaster in the making. Swift action is the only way to save our environment and protect the lives of our people,” Mr. Brako cautioned.

Broader Anti-Galamsey Efforts

The operation forms part of the government’s renewed commitment to combat illegal mining, which continues to devastate Ghana’s ecosystems, destroy farmlands, and pollute water sources across the country.

Authorities say follow-up operations will be intensified to ensure the seized equipment does not return to illegal use.

Source – My News Ghana

UNGA 2025: Netanyahu Slams Palestinian State Recognition as ‘Mark of Shame’ Amid Walkouts and Protests

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UNGA 2025: Netanyahu Slams Palestinian State Recognition as ‘Mark of Shame’ Amid Walkouts and Protests

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a fiery address at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, lashing out at recent decisions by several Western nations to formally recognise a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu described the recognition as a “mark of shame” that signalled to the world that “murdering Jews pays off.” His comments prompted dozens of officials and diplomats to stage a walkout, leaving vast sections of the Assembly hall empty. Outside, large crowds of protesters against Israel’s war in Gaza gathered in New York’s Times Square.

The backlash comes after the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia and other nations formally recognised Palestine this week, intensifying international pressure on Israel over its military campaign in Gaza.

Netanyahu’s Combative Address

Opening his speech, Netanyahu displayed a map labelled “The Curse”, which he said illustrated Iran’s network of proxy groups across the Middle East. He cited Israel’s military operations over the past year against Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas in Gaza and Iran itself.

The Israeli leader went on to thank former US President Donald Trump for American involvement in bombing Iran’s Fordo nuclear site in June, drawing parallels between Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and the September 11 attacks in the US. “We are fighting the same enemies,” he said, pointing to anti-American and anti-Israel slogans chanted by Iran-backed groups.

Netanyahu doubled down on his long-held rejection of Palestinian statehood, insisting that the “vast majority of Israelis” oppose such a move. He dismissed the findings of a UN commission that accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, branding the claims “baseless.”

He also rejected reports from multiple UN agencies that Israel has deliberately restricted aid deliveries into Gaza, despite a UN-backed body confirming famine conditions in parts of the enclave in August.

Controversial Messaging Tactics

In a controversial move, Netanyahu’s office ordered the Israeli military to mount loudspeakers along the Gaza border to broadcast his UN speech live into the territory. He also claimed Israeli intelligence had hacked smartphones in Gaza to stream his words directly—a claim not confirmed by residents or independent sources.

Addressing the 48 remaining hostages in Gaza, Netanyahu declared: “We have not forgotten you, not even for a second. The people of Israel are with you. We will not falter, and we will not rest until we bring all of you home.”

Critics in Israel swiftly condemned the spectacle. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said Netanyahu’s address reflected a “weary and whining” leader who relied on “overused gimmicks.” Yair Golan, head of the Democrats party, blasted the loudspeaker stunt as “invalid, childish, and insane.”

Calls for Peace and International Reactions

Netanyahu’s speech contrasted sharply with remarks from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas a day earlier. Abbas told world leaders he was ready to work on implementing a peace plan with Israel, urging global cooperation to end the decades-long conflict.

Meanwhile, former US President Trump, speaking separately after Netanyahu’s speech, claimed, “I think we have a deal on Gaza,” though he provided no details.

Human Toll of the War

Israel’s war in Gaza began in response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage. Since then, at least 65,549 people have been killed in Israeli attacks, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.

With independent journalists barred from freely entering Gaza, verifying figures and claims from either side remains difficult.

As the conflict grinds on, the recognition of Palestine by major Western nations has added new diplomatic momentum to calls for a political solution—yet Netanyahu’s defiant UN appearance underscored just how far apart the parties remain.

Source – My News Ghana

Interpol Arrests 68 Ghanaians, 260 Total in Africa -Wide Crackdown on Online Romance and Sextortion Scams

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Interpol Arrests 68 Ghanaians, 260 Total in Africa -Wide Crackdown on Online Romance and Sextortion Scams

Interpol Arrests 68 Ghanaians, 260 Total in Africa

Interpol has arrested 260 suspects across 14 African countries in a coordinated operation targeting online romance and extortion scams that defrauded more than 1,400 victims of nearly US$2.8 million.

According to DW Africa, the crackdown underscores the escalating threat of digital fraud schemes that exploit vulnerable people worldwide.

In Ghana, security agencies arrested 68 suspects, seized 835 electronic devices, and identified 108 victims. Investigations revealed financial losses of about US$450,000, of which US$70,000 was recovered. The scams included fake online profiles, stolen photos, and forged identities used to demand bogus courier and customs fees. In sextortion cases, perpetrators secretly recorded explicit video chats and blackmailed victims with the footage.

Senegalese police arrested 22 suspects who ran a network impersonating celebrities on social media and dating platforms. The group defrauded 120 people of roughly US$34,000, with authorities also seizing 65 devices, forged IDs, and money transfer records.

In Côte d’Ivoire, security forces dismantled a cybercrime ring that created fake online identities to trick victims into sharing intimate images, later used for blackmail. Police arrested 24 suspects, confiscated 29 devices, and identified 809 victims.

In Angola, eight suspects were arrested after targeting 28 local and international victims on social media. The group used fraudulent documents to create false identities for financial transactions.

Interpol stressed that the coordinated arrests highlight the global reach of romance-related scams and sextortion schemes, which prey on trust and emotional vulnerability. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cross-border cooperation and intelligence sharing to disrupt the criminal networks behind such fraud.

Source – My News Ghana

World Bank Urges Ghana to Rebuild Economic Credibility Before Returning to Capital Markets

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World Bank Urges Ghana to Rebuild Economic Credibility Before Returning to Capital Markets

The World Bank has advised Ghana’s new administration to prioritise restoring economic credibility and fiscal discipline before seeking re-entry into the international capital markets.

In its latest assessment, the Bank cautioned against any hasty return to the Eurobond market, warning that international investors could perceive such a move as “taking the easy way out.” Instead, it stressed that credibility must be rebuilt through transparency, fiscal discipline, and politically difficult reforms.

“Credibility cannot be rebuilt through fresh borrowing but only through discipline, transparency, and politically difficult reforms,” the report stated. It urged government to strictly implement the Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy and fully disclose the Annual Borrowing Plan to strengthen market confidence.

The report further highlighted Ghana’s long history of fiscal instability, noting that the country has been under International Monetary Fund (IMF) programmes for 40 out of its 68 years of independence. It argued that the 2022 financial crisis was largely self-inflicted, caused by years of fiscal indiscipline, excessive borrowing, and weak public financial management—not solely external shocks like COVID-19 or the Russia-Ukraine war.

According to the World Bank, easy access to Eurobond financing in the past decade encouraged political short-termism and delayed critical structural reforms. Even with debt restructuring and ongoing IMF support, the Bank cautioned that restoring credibility will take time but can begin immediately if the government uses its early mandate to push through difficult but necessary changes.

President John Mahama has already signalled alignment with this position, stating at a recent media engagement:
“We have survived without going to the capital markets. We’ve survived without borrowing. … As President, I would not favour a quick return to the international capital market. I think we should go like this for a while and consolidate the economy before we look at external financing.”

The World Bank’s recommendations include enforcing fiscal rules, broadening the tax base, and reforming state-owned enterprises, particularly in the energy and cocoa sectors, to break Ghana’s recurring cycle of debt and bailouts.

Source – My News Ghana

Man Killed in Fatal Truck Accident at Alajo Junction

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Man Killed in Fatal Truck Accident at Alajo Junction

An unidentified man lost his life around midday on Friday, September 26, 2025, when a truck ran over him at Alajo Junction in Accra.

The truck, with registration number GS 4295-21, reportedly ran over the victim with its left rear tyres.

Details of how the accident occurred remain unclear, though eyewitnesses suggested the man may have been riding a motorcycle and was knocked down while attempting to meander and overtake the truck. He became trapped under the vehicle and was dragged along the road before the truck came to a stop.

The incident caused heavy traffic congestion, stretching from the Abeka Junction traffic light through the frontage of the Police Training Academy at Tesano to the Alajo Junction traffic light.

Police officers responded to the scene to assess the situation and convey the body to the morgue. However, as of 12:50 p.m., the victim’s body was still pinned under the truck.

Source – My News Ghana

2 Missing After Canoe Capsizes on Offin River in Atwima Mponua

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2 Missing After Canoe Capsizes on Offin River in Atwima Mponua

Two men are missing after a canoe carrying six people capsized on the Offin River near Achiase in the Atwima Mponua District on Thursday morning.

The accident occurred around 8:00 a.m. when the canoe’s paddler, described by locals as inexperienced, reportedly lost control of the vessel.

“All six fell into the river. We managed to rescue four, but we are still searching for the other two, who are adult males,” Daniel Adu, a unit committee member in the area, told Asaase News.

Personnel from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) visited the scene but suspended their rescue operation until Friday, 26 September.

Traditional leaders also performed rituals at the riverbank in hopes of aiding the search, though Mr. Adu admitted “they appear helpless now.”

This is not the first tragedy on this stretch of the Offin River. In 2021, four people drowned in a similar incident. Three bodies were recovered at the time, while the fourth was never found.

Source – My News Ghana

Bank of Ghana (BoG) Sells US$243m in FX Forward Auction, Largest Single Intervention of 2025

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Bank of Ghana (BoG) Sells US$243m in FX Forward Auction, Largest Single Intervention of 2025

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has sold US$243 million in its latest 7-day FX forward auction, marking the highest single intervention in the foreign exchange market since the start of 2025.

Market data reviewed by Joy Business indicated that the Central Bank initially offered US$300 million, but commercial banks took up US$243 million at a price range of GH¢12.15–GH¢12.40.

Market Reaction

Some commercial banks expect the cedi to stabilise in the coming days following the BoG’s move. Despite the intervention, interbank activity remains modest, with only about US$4 million changing hands on Wednesday.

The injection follows President John Mahama’s recent statement that the Central Bank was scaling back routine interventions to strike a balance between supporting exporters and reducing the burden on importers.

At the latest Monetary Policy Committee briefing, Governor Dr Johnson Asiama assured that banks had been sufficiently supplied with dollars to meet client demand.

Trend of Declining Interventions

BoG has been deliberately cutting back its FX forward sales in recent months. In August 2025, the Central Bank sold US$737 million through spot and forward auctions, down 18% from the more than US$900 million recorded in July.

Market watchers say the latest US$243 million sale, while significant, reflects BoG’s tactical interventions aimed at cushioning the market without overextending dollar supply.

Outlook for the Cedi

Dr Philip Abradu-Otoo, BoG’s Director of Research, told PM Express Business Edition that the cedi’s current pressure is expected to ease soon. He cited new regulatory measures, including a directive requiring mining companies to repatriate dollar inflows through local banks, as already improving liquidity.

He added that rising remittance inflows, upcoming cocoa export proceeds, and expected donor disbursements will further boost forex supply.

“All these inflows should go a long way to improve the supply situation when it comes to the forex market,” Dr Abradu-Otoo stressed.

Source – My News Ghana

Three Killed in Galamsey Pit Collapse at Twifo Mampong; One Still Missing

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Three Killed in Galamsey Pit Collapse at Twifo Mampong; One Still Missing

Three young men have died following the collapse of an illegal gold mining pit at Twifo Mampong in the Twifo Atti Morkwaa District of the Central Region in the early hours of Thursday.

According to the Twifo Praso District Police Command, the victims were among five people who allegedly sneaked into the abandoned site around 1 a.m. to undertake illegal mining activities.

A fourth body is still being searched for, while a fifth person, who was operating a pumping machine at the site, managed to escape and raise the alarm.

Rescue efforts, which lasted several hours, were carried out by the police with support from the District Chief Executive, Isaac Yawson, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and the Ghana National Fire Service.

The tragic incident adds to the rising death toll linked to illegal mining, locally known as galamsey. Despite repeated government crackdowns, galamsey continues to claim lives and cause widespread environmental destruction across Ghana.

 

Source – My News  Ghana

Over 1,000 Indonesian School children Fall Ill in Latest Free Meal Poisoning Outbreak

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Over 1,000 Indonesian School children Fall Ill in Latest Free Meal Poisoning Outbreak

More than 1,000 schoolchildren in Indonesia have fallen ill this week after consuming free school lunches, marking the latest in a series of food poisoning incidents linked to President Prabowo Subianto’s multi-billion-dollar nutritious meals programme.

Officials from West Java’s Cipongkor Community Health Center reported that between Monday and Wednesday, 1,258 children became sick, adding to the 800 students affected last week in West Java and Central Sulawesi. Victims reported symptoms including stomach aches, nausea, dizziness, and in some cases, shortness of breath.

The free school lunch programme, a flagship initiative of President Prabowo, aims to provide meals to 80 million schoolchildren nationwide as a strategy to combat stunting and malnutrition. However, repeated outbreaks have raised serious health concerns.

Dadan Hindayana, head of Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN), attributed this week’s outbreak in Cipongkor to a technical error by the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG), whose operations have since been suspended. West Bandung Regent Jeje Ritchie Ismail declared the situation an “extraordinary event” to allow for faster and more comprehensive handling.

Despite the outbreaks, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar said authorities have no plans to suspend the programme. Non-governmental organisations, however, have called for a temporary halt to review safety protocols, with some proposing that funds be redirected to parents to prepare meals at home—a suggestion previously rejected by the BGN.

Since the programme began in January, tens of thousands of children have been affected. The Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) reports that as of 21 September, 6,452 children nationwide have fallen ill, while official figures cite 4,711 cases. Most incidents have occurred on the island of Java.

While the initiative has helped President Prabowo gain political support, its $28bn cost and repeated safety failures have drawn criticism. Experts warn that the programme’s scale could increase the risk of corruption and mismanagement, noting that Indonesia already allocates more than $10bn this year for free school meals—far higher than similar schemes in India and Brazil.

Defenders maintain the programme is crucial to tackling child malnutrition, but public concern continues to grow as more children fall sick. Authorities face mounting pressure to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the scheme while maintaining its ambitious reach.

Source – My News Ghana

Oti Regional Minister Distributes 100 Water Pumps to Farmers to Boost Food Security

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Oti Regional Minister Distributes 100 Water Pumps to Farmers to Boost Food Security

Farmers in the Oti Region have received a major boost in irrigation support as Regional Minister John Kwadwo Gyapong distributed 100 water pumping machines across all nine districts and municipalities.

The initiative aims to strengthen food security by enabling farmers to cultivate a wider variety of crops, including tomatoes, okra, cabbage, and carrots—produce considered vital to Ghana’s agricultural supply chain.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Minister Gyapong urged farmers, cooperatives, and local authorities to manage the machines responsibly to ensure maximum agricultural output.

“The government remains committed to supporting our farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture. I personally understand the challenges of farming and want to see our farmers succeed,” he said.

Prosper Addo, Municipal Chief Executive for Krachi West, praised both the Minister of Agriculture and the Oti Regional Minister for the initiative. He assured that Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) would actively supervise the proper use of the machines by farmer groups. He also noted the strategic potential of the Oti River in further expanding agricultural productivity to support national food supply.

The distribution forms part of government efforts to empower farmers, enhance irrigation systems, and promote sustainable agricultural practices across the region.

Source – My News Ghana

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