Hundreds of Homes Submerged in Weija as Dam Spillage Forces Mass Evacuation
Chaos and uncertainty gripped communities in Weija, Accra, after a controlled spillage from the Weija Dam left hundreds of homes underwater and thousands of residents stranded. The sudden flooding, which began after Ghana Water Limited (GWL) opened all spill gates, forced many families to flee for safety, abandoning homes and treasured belongings. The crisis unfolded after GWL announced on May 27, 2026, that water levels in the dam had surged above 48 feet, well beyond safe operating limits, due to persistent heavy rainfall. In an official statement, the utility company explained that the decision to release excess water was a necessary precaution to protect the dam’s structural integrity and prevent a catastrophic overflow. According to GWL, controlled spillage is a standard safety measure activated when intense inflows threaten to overwhelm the dam’s capacity. However, the move has come at a high cost for the surrounding communities, which have been inundated by floodwaters. Streets have turned into rivers, homes have been engulfed, and residents could be seen wading through chest-high water, clutching whatever items they could salvage. With the scale of devastation still unfolding, emergency response teams are mobilizing to assess the damage and bring relief to those affected. Authorities have pledged to intensify rescue and support operations in the coming days as Weija’s residents face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives after the flood. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Volta Regional Minister Launches Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme to Tackle Poverty and Boost Food Security
Regional Minister James Gunu officially launched the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme, a flagship intervention under the Government of Ghana’s Feed Ghana Programme. The lively event marked the start of a major initiative designed to reduce poverty, create jobs, improve household incomes, and strengthen food security throughout the region. Addressing an enthusiastic crowd at the launch, Mr. Gunu emphasized that Nkoko Nkitinkiti is more than a poultry farming project, it is a practical tool for economic empowerment aimed at households, young people, and aspiring agribusiness entrepreneurs. “This initiative goes beyond rearing chickens,” Mr. Gunu said. “It is about empowering families, stimulating local economies, and setting the foundation for agribusiness success stories across Volta.” At the heart of the programme is a simple but powerful idea: poultry farming as a catalyst for grassroots economic development. As part of the rollout, the region will receive 180,000 day-old chicks, allocated to beneficiaries—especially households and enterprising youth, looking to build sustainable livelihoods. The Minister expressed confidence that this intervention would provide long-term economic relief for families, promote self-employment, and foster the growth of agribusiness throughout the region. Mr. Gunu also drew on the region’s rich history, recalling how, for generations, families relied on the sale of a few chickens to pay school fees, cover healthcare costs, and meet urgent household needs. “Nkoko Nkitinkiti is a revival of an age-old poverty reduction strategy that empowered families at the grassroots level,” he remarked. The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting agricultural programmes that directly benefit rural communities and bolster food security. He applauded the stakeholders and partners behind the initiative and called on beneficiaries to make the most of the support provided, ensuring the programme’s sustainability and lasting impact. The Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme forms a key component of the broader Feed Ghana vision, which seeks to boost domestic agricultural productivity, improve food availability, and create economic opportunities nationwide. By distributing three million birds to 60,000 households across all 276 constituencies, the government aims to reduce Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported frozen chicken. This practice has cost the country over $350 million annually. Under the Household/Backyard Poultry Initiative, each participating household will receive 50 chicks, feed support, and technical guidance to help them transition from subsistence farming to self-sustaining poultry enterprises. The programme also includes support for 50 commercial anchor farmers, each set to receive up to 80,000 chicks and the resources needed to produce poultry at scale, thus strengthening the supply chain from farm to market. Local leaders echoed the optimism. The Municipal Chief Executive for Ho, Stephen Adom, assured residents that the programme would open up job opportunities for the youth and help reduce poverty and unemployment. He reiterated the John Mahama administration’s commitment to supporting Ghanaians through additional interventions, urging beneficiaries to use the chicks wisely to realize the initiative’s full potential. As the first batch of chicks arrives and households prepare their coops, the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme is poised to transform lives, foster food sovereignty, and build a more resilient agricultural future for the Volta Region and beyond. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
MTN Ghana Employee Volunteers To Equip Health Centers As Part Of Its 2026 21 Days Of Y’ello Care Campaign
MTN Ghana will officially launch the 2026 edition of 21 Days of Y’ello Care, its flagship employee volunteerism campaign, from June 1 to 21, 2026. This year’s campaign aims to equip various health centres with hospital beds to help address critical healthcare challenges in Ghana. Now in its 19th year, Y’ello Care continues to demonstrate the impact of employee-led action in driving meaningful and sustainable change across the communities we serve. Since its inception, the campaign has mobilised thousands of MTN employees to support initiatives spanning education, healthcare, youth development, and economic empowerment. Over the past six years, the campaign has reached more people through the efforts of MTN employee volunteers, contributing significant hours to community engagement, evolving each year to respond to the most pressing needs in our communities, guided by MTN’s purpose of leading digital solutions that drive Africa’s progress. This year’s theme, “Expand Equitable Health for Every Community,” addresses persistent healthcare access challenges in many parts of Ghana. Despite significant progress, large segments of the population, particularly in rural, remote, and underserved areas, continue to face barriers to essential health services due to distance, cost, limited infrastructure, and shortages of skilled health workers. These gaps disproportionately affect women, children, youth, and vulnerable populations. Y’ello Care 2026 will see MTN staff implement practical, community-led health initiatives aimed at improving access to preventative, primary, and responsive care. These interventions will leverage MTN’s connectivity, digital platforms, and strategic partnerships to help scale healthcare access to underserved communities and strengthen long-term health resilience. Planned activities include the repair of hospital beds, and donation of new beds, community health outreach programmes (WASH), digital health education campaigns, telemedicine-enabled services, public health screening to support the campaign against the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases, and the use of data and digital tools to strengthen the delivery of health services. By focusing on prevention, early detection, digitally enabled healthcare solutions, and community-based care, the campaign aims to expand access to services, strengthen healthcare resilience, and improve health outcomes at scale. Commenting on the upcoming Y’ello Care, Adwoa Wiafe, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer said, “Y’ello Care reflects our belief that meaningful progress begins with meeting communities where they are. We are focusing our efforts on expanding access to quality healthcare, particularly in communities where it remains out of reach for many”. “MTN is uniquely positioned to help scale equitable healthcare access across Ghana through the power of connectivity, digital innovation, and strategic partnerships. Through Y’ello Care 2026, we are leveraging these capabilities to help communities access healthcare services that are more inclusive, responsive, and sustainable,” she concluded. In line with MTN’s values, the campaign prioritises collaboration, responsible delivery, and community-led implementation. Through trusted partnerships with governments, NGOs, and local stakeholders, the campaign aims to deliver solutions that are responsive to real needs, respectful of local contexts, and designed for lasting impact. Through Y’ello Care, MTN reaffirms its commitment to enabling inclusive development and strengthening the communities we serve. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Tema Oil Refinery Welcomes One Million Barrels of Bonga Crude in Major Step Toward Revitalization
A new wave of optimism swept through Ghana’s energy sector this week as Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) announced the safe arrival of approximately one million barrels of Bonga Crude Oil aboard the MT Cap Felix. The delivery marks a significant milestone in the refinery’s ongoing campaign to rejuvenate its operations and fortify the nation’s petroleum supply chain. The management of TOR revealed that the high-quality crude cargo, purchased from global energy giant Shell, was supplied via TOR’s tolling partner, Triangle Commodities Trading. This strategic arrangement, officials explained, is part of a broader plan to restore TOR’s operational capacity and guarantee a secure, stable flow of petroleum products to consumers across Ghana. For TOR, the delivery of Bonga Crude represents more than just a shipment; it is a signal of renewed momentum in the refinery’s push to restore reliable refining activities, strengthen national energy security, and reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuels. Management highlighted that Bonga Crude is valued in the industry for its low-sulphur content and excellent refining yields, promising substantial output of premium products such as LPG, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, aviation turbine kerosene (ATK), and fuel oil. These products are expected to serve both domestic needs and regional markets. Expressing gratitude, TOR’s leadership thanked the Government of Ghana, regulatory agencies, financial institutions, and other partners for their steadfast support during the refinery’s resurgence. They emphasized that collaborative efforts have been crucial to reaching this new phase of operational recovery. Looking ahead, TOR reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, operational excellence, and environmental stewardship. The refinery reiterated its long-term vision to transform itself into a commercially sustainable energy hub, not just for Ghana, but for the entire West African sub-region. As the first barrels of Bonga Crude are prepared for processing, hopes are high that this latest development will pave the way for a new era of stability and growth in Ghana’s energy landscape. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Zoomlion Defends Integrity Amid Auditor-General’s Claims of Billing Irregularities at All-African Games
Tension simmered in Accra this week as Zoomlion Ghana Limited found itself thrust into the spotlight following an Auditor-General’s report that scrutinized the company’s billing practices during the 13th All-African Games. The report, released in late May, questioned possible duplication of labour charges in Zoomlion’s invoices for cleaning and vector control services provided throughout the high-profile sporting event. But Zoomlion was quick to push back. In a pointed statement issued on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, the waste management giant dismissed the Auditor-General’s findings as “untrue,” insisting that the allegations stemmed from a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature and scope of its work. According to Zoomlion, the report failed to distinguish between two entirely separate service contracts, vector control and janitorial services, erroneously interpreting labour costs appearing on both sets of invoices as duplication. “The findings misinterpret operational reality, ignore the distinct scope of services provided under separate contracts and overlook the fact that all supporting documents were already available to the Auditor General at the material time,” the company’s statement read. Zoomlion detailed the breadth of its operations during the Games. Vector control, the company clarified, encompassed mosquito fogging and the management of reptiles, rodents, and cockroaches using specialist technology and teams. Janitorial services, meanwhile, included daily cleaning, waste evacuation, toilet maintenance, and mopping across key competition venues. Each service, they stressed, required its own personnel, schedules, and specialized equipment, justifying the separate labour charges. To underscore its transparency, Zoomlion revealed that all relevant documentation, ranging from invoices and contracts to daily supervision logs and equipment deployment records, had been submitted to the Ministry of Sports and other institutions overseeing the event. The company also highlighted the comprehensive scope of its work, which included over 30 different activities such as waste collection, vacuum cleaning, medical waste treatment, mobile toilet provision, water supply, and cesspit management. The logistical challenge was immense: Zoomlion deployed more than 350 specially trained personnel and a large fleet of equipment across four major venues, Accra Sports Stadium, Borteyman Sports Complex, Achimota Cricket Oval, and Bukom Trust Emporium. Staff underwent intensive training at the Army Peace Operations Training School in preparation for around-the-clock sanitation and vector control throughout the Games. In reflecting on its contribution, Zoomlion emphasized that its efforts helped ensure the Games proceeded smoothly, without a single sanitation incident or outbreak of disease. The company ended its statement with a firm rejection of the allegations: “Zoomlion unequivocally denies these allegations. The company is a responsible corporate entity that upholds the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability in all its dealings.” As the dust settles, Zoomlion maintains that its reputation and the successful, hygienic staging of the All-African Games, speak louder than any report. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana welcomes Pope’s apology over Catholic Church’s role in slavery
Ghana has welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s apology for the Catholic Church’s historic role in slavery, describing it as an “act of moral courage” that was important in the global pursuit of “truth, human dignity and justice”. The Pope issued the clearest apology yet for the Church’s involvement in legitimising slavery and its delay in condemning it for centuries. Between the 16th and 19th Centuries, 12-15 million Africans were shipped to the Caribbean, with about two million dying during the journey. Ghana has long been leading efforts for compensation and apologies from Western nations for the slave trade. The West African nation’s government said the Pope’s recognition of the painful past was an important step towards healing, reconciliation and a just society. ”[The apology] reinforces the growing global understanding that confronting historical injustices demands truth-telling and moral responsibility as essential foundations for justice and reconciliation,” its statement, released late on Tuesday, said. The Pope’s apology was delivered in what is known as a encyclical – technically a letter to Catholic bishops, but which over recent decades have been how a pontiff passes on messages to the world. In the papal letter – titled “Magnifica Humanitas” (“Magnificent Humanity”) – Pope Leo sincerely asked for a pardon in the name of the Church, adding that it was “impossible not to feel deep sorrow when contemplating the immense suffering and humiliation endured by so many”. Leo said Church authorities had at times responded to requests of rulers by “regulating and legitimising forms of subjugation, including the enslavement of of [non-Christians]”. He also acknowledged that earlier in the Middle Ages, ecclesiastical institutions had their own slaves. “This constitutes a wound in Christian memory,” he said of the Church’s record. In April, Pope Leo completed a 11-day, four-nation of Africa – his first visit to the continent as pontiff – and where he made several forthright remarks including lashing out at foreigners who exploit Africa’s wealth for profit. | AFP via Getty Images (Pic): Pope Leo visited Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea in April Ghana said the Pope’s acknowledgment of the “painful history” was significant, at a time the world was having a “deeper reflection” on the effects of slavery and colonialism. The country successfully pushed for a UN resolution in March, which recognised the enslavement of Africans as the “gravest crime against humanity”. Submitted by Ghana’s President John Mahama and backed by the African Union, it aims to provide a pathway to healing and the payment of reparations. It also seeks to address the enduring consequences of slavery like inequality and racial discrimination. Ghana, which still has some of the forts that were used for holding captives under inhuman conditions as they waited to be shipped to the Americas by European powers, is due to host a conference in June to discuss the next steps following the adoption of the UN resolution. On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch said the Pope’s apology marked an important step, but stressed apologies alone were not enough and that real reparative justice needed to go further. Religious institutions, along with states and corporations that benefited from slavery, should “reckon seriously” with their histories and take part in reparative efforts, the rights group added. Source: bbc
US Religious Freedom Panel Alleges Collusion in Nigeria’s Deadly Attacks, Urges Tougher US Policy as Violence Escalates
A report from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) landed like a thunderclap in both Washington and Abuja. The commission, tasked with monitoring global religious rights, accused some officers within Nigeria’s police and army of colluding with Fulani militias in a wave of deadly attacks and mass abductions that have terrorized religious communities across the country. The allegations were not made in a vacuum. The commission’s new report, bluntly titled “Non-state Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” painted a grim picture: government censorship and conflicting media narratives had obscured the true scale and motivation of armed groups violating Nigerians’ religious freedom. Even as the news spread, attempts to get a response from Nigeria’s police and military headquarters were met with silence, calls went unanswered, and messages went unread. Behind closed doors, US officials were already taking action. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth revealed that President Donald Trump had ordered the Pentagon to prioritize the protection of Nigerian Christians targeted by ISIS. This directive, Hegseth said, led, quietly but decisively, to the killing of ISIS’s second-in-command in Nigeria. “There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes that the president deserves credit for,” Hegseth remarked. The commission’s report was unflinching in its detail. It spoke of unknown fates for kidnapping victims, the opacity of ransom negotiations, and the possible complicity of some police and army officials. It described an environment where 30,000 armed actors, operating in loosely organized bands, roamed the country, with violence concentrated in the North-West, Middle Belt, and parts of the South. Escalating violence in the Middle Belt had, according to the commission, driven at least 1.3 million people from their homes, forcing them into overcrowded and unsafe displacement camps. The attacks were often meticulously timed, sometimes to coincide with Christian holidays such as Christmas or Easter, maximizing terror and psychological harm. The report recounted a litany of horrors: the massacre of more than 200 Christians, mostly women and children, in Benue’s Yelwata; mass killings in Plateau State; and the abduction of priests and imams alike, as violence targeted both churches and mosques. Observers, the report noted, debated the motivations behind the Fulani militants’ violence; some saw economic and environmental roots, others a campaign of genocide against non-Muslims. The truth, the commission concluded, was likely a tangled web of overlapping grievances, with religion playing a significant role. As the violence continued, the commission criticized Nigerian authorities’ inadequate response and highlighted claims of favoritism toward Muslim communities during investigations. It noted that some state governors had tried to address the crisis by establishing ranch lands for herders, hoping to reduce clashes over grazing routes. The report’s impact was not limited to Nigeria. In Washington, the commission urged Congress to bar lobbyists representing governments blacklisted for religious freedom violations from receiving payment for their services, a move directly targeting Nigeria’s recent re-designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) by President Trump. The commission also recommended that Congress allow US residents to sponsor persecuted relatives for resettlement and to fund humanitarian aid for displaced populations. Meanwhile, Nigerian politicians ramped up their own lobbying efforts. The federal government signed a $9 million contract with Washington-based DCI Group to shape US perceptions and counter criticism, while opposition figure Atiku Abubakar engaged another US firm to burnish his reputation and counter rival narratives. Back in Nigeria, reactions to the USCIRF report were immediate and passionate. Dr. Bitrus Pogu, National President of the Middle Belt Forum, insisted the findings merely confirmed what many had long believed: elements within the security services were aiding insurgents. He recalled past warnings, like those from General T.Y. Danjuma and former President Jonathan, about collusion within the security apparatus, and called on US authorities to use their intelligence capabilities to help root out the conspirators. “This conspiracy is too large for peace-loving components of the security agencies to deal with alone,” Dr. Pogu warned. “No stone should be left unturned in addressing this terrible conspiracy against the Nigerian nation.” A similar note was struck by Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization. Spokesman Jare Ajayi said he was not surprised by the commission’s findings, arguing that terrorism’s persistence in Nigeria pointed to complicity by powerful actors. While he praised the government’s stated determination to end banditry, he lamented the spike in violence and urged security agencies to look inward for saboteurs, politicians included. Ajayi concluded, “The US Commission’s assertion may be uncomfortable, but it must not be dismissed. It should serve as a beacon for a thorough investigation.” As Nigeria faces another perilous year, the ghosts of the missing and the displaced haunt both its countryside and its corridors of power. The world, now watching more closely, wonders how long the violence and the alleged complicity will continue unchecked. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Unpaid Allowances Threaten to Halt School Feeding in Krachi East, Leaving Thousands of Pupils at Risk
In Krachi East Municipality, the future of daily school meals for thousands of pupils hangs in the balance, as cooks and caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme threaten to halt their services over months of unpaid allowances. For many of these cooks, responsible for preparing meals for public basic schools, working without pay has become the norm. Despite the financial strain, they have continued to serve the children, often dipping into their personal savings or taking out loans just to keep the kitchens running. Madam Mariama Adisah, one of the affected cooks, shared her frustration: “We have been patient for too long. Some of us borrowed money just to continue cooking for the children because we know many of them depend on the meals. If the money is not paid soon, we will have no option but to stop.” Repeated appeals and discussions with programme caterers have brought only empty promises, with no funds disbursed to date. Now, the cooks and caterers have issued a final ultimatum, unless the government settles their outstanding allowances, they will withdraw their services, leaving pupils without their much-relied-upon meals. Caterers, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that they have received no financial support from the government since they joined the programme. The prolonged delays in payments have forced many to operate on borrowed funds, credit purchases, or dwindling personal resources. The situation has become critical, with food suppliers now demanding cash upfront due to unpaid debts, making it increasingly difficult to secure basic ingredients like rice, beans, oil, and fish. “We have been using our own money because we didn’t want the children to go hungry, but things have become extremely difficult. Traders are refusing to supply on credit because previous debts have not been settled,” one caterer explained. The rising cost of food and transport has only deepened their troubles, leaving many indebted to both traders and financial institutions. The cooks and caterers warn that, without immediate government intervention, they will have no choice but to suspend their services, an action that threatens to disrupt academic work and jeopardize the welfare of thousands of children who rely on the programme for daily nutrition. They are urgently appealing to the government, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the National School Feeding Secretariat to release the outstanding funds and save the school feeding programme from collapse in Krachi East. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Queiroz Names 28-Man Black Stars Squad for World Cup Preparations, With Key Returns and Cardiff Camp
As anticipation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup mounts, Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has unveiled a 28-man provisional squad set to anchor Ghana’s preparations in Cardiff. The group, which includes five goalkeepers, nine defenders, seven midfielders, and seven forwards, kicked off their intensive training camp at Wales’ National Football Development Centre, Dragon Park, on Monday, May 25, 2026. The camp marks the start of a crucial phase for Ghana’s World Cup ambitions, highlighted by a marquee friendly against the Welsh national team on June 2. This high-profile fixture is expected to test the Black Stars’ readiness ahead of their departure for the global tournament in North America. Queiroz’s selection has generated excitement, thanks to the return of key players and the inclusion of fresh talent. Among the squad is experienced left-back Baba Abdul Rahman, who reclaims his spot after a stellar season with PAOK FC in Greece, where he impressed with three goals and three assists in 35 matches. Another headline inclusion is winger Ernest Nuamah of Olympique Lyonnais, who rejoins the team after overcoming a serious ACL injury that sidelined him for nearly a year. Youngster Paul Reverson, currently with Ajax in the Netherlands, is also making waves with his first-ever national call-up, a move seen as part of the technical team’s long-term vision. Other notable names on Queiroz’s roster include Abdul Mumin of Spain’s Rayo Vallecano, Alidu Seidu from French side Stade Rennais, and Augustine Boakye with AS Saint-Étienne. The Black Stars will remain in Cardiff for the duration of their training camp before heading to North America, where they have been drawn into Group L for the World Cup’s opening phase. Their group stage journey will see them play across three major cities: Panama in Toronto, Canada; England in Boston, United States; and Croatia in Philadelphia, United States. With the squad assembled and preparations underway, Ghanaian football fans are eagerly watching as the Black Stars gear up for another shot at global glory. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Bank of Ghana Halts New 0.75% Wallet-to-Bank Transfer Fee Pending Review
The Bank of Ghana has stepped in to halt the planned introduction of a 0.75 per cent charge on direct wallet-to-bank transfers by Mobile Money Fintech Limited (MMFL), following a wave of public concern and debate. MMFL had announced that the new fee would be implemented starting June 1, 2026, sending ripples across the digital payments landscape. Many Ghanaians voiced worries about how the extra charge could discourage mobile money transactions, undermine financial inclusion, and increase the cost of accessing digital financial services. Responding to the mounting concerns, the central bank issued a statement on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, directing MMFL to put the proposal on hold. The Bank of Ghana emphasized the need for broader stakeholder engagement and a thorough review of the planned fee. According to the central bank, any changes to charges within the mobile money ecosystem must be approached with caution to safeguard consumers’ interests and ensure the continued growth and fairness of the mobile financial services sector. The Bank of Ghana reiterated its commitment to protecting users and supporting their financial well-being. While the central bank’s intervention has temporarily paused the fee, it remains unclear when the consultation process will be completed or whether the proposed charge will be revised, approved, or scrapped altogether. For now, customers and industry stakeholders await the outcome of further discussions and the future direction of mobile money fees in Ghana.