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Spectator Reporter grabs Merck Foundation’s ‘More Than a Mother’ Award
Raissa
A Journalist with the New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of The Spectator and the Ghanaian Times newspapers, Raissa Sambou, was adjudged winner in the print category of the Merck Foundation’s ‘More Than a Mother’ Awards 2023.
Her stories, which shed light on crucial societal issues were published in The Spectator.
Ms Sambou highlighted the urgent need for advocates to intensify awareness campaigns, urging African governments to eradicate the abhorrent practice of trans-border Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
With meticulous research and compelling narratives, she underscored the devastating impact of the practice on young girls and called for action to end it.
In another impactful piece, Ms Sambou addressed the pressing issue of abusive marriages and their detrimental effects on children.
She urged women to break free from the shackles of abusive relationships, emphasising the importance of protecting children from witnessing and internalising such harmful behaviour as normal.
Furthermore, she tackled the pervasive stigma surrounding breast cancer, whiles challenging negative societal norms and advocating for compassion and support instead of judgment and discrimination against fighters of breast cancer.
This is the second time Ms Sambou has been honoured by the Merck Foundation, a testament to her unwavering commitment to journalistic excellence and social advocacy.
Her previous accolades include recognition from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), where she was named the Most Promising Journalist of the Year at the 2020 awards ceremony.
In 2020, she also received the GJA award for Best Reporter for the Child Protection category of the awards scheme.
Her contributions to promoting the welfare and rights of students have been recognised by the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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Prof Alidu Seidu files nomination for Tamale Central seat
The newly elected parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Tamale Central, Prof Alidu Seidu, has submitted his nomination forms to the Electoral Commission.
As of 10:00 a.m. today, he was the only person who had filed to contest the seat.
Nomination of candidates will close at the end of the day.
Associate Professor and Head of the Political Science Department at the University of Ghana Legon, Prof. Alidu Seidu won the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries in the Tamale Central constituency with a landslide victory.
The elections, supervised by the party’s Elections and IT Directorate in the Northern Region, saw Prof. Seidu poll 840 votes out of the total valid ballots cast.
His closest contender, Lawyer Hanan Gundadow Abdul-Rahaman, secured 536 votes.
The other aspirants could not make significant gains, with Dr. Seidu Fiter obtaining 44 votes, Aliu Abdul-Hamid 23 votes, and the rest recording fewer than 10 votes each.
In all, 1,500 ballots were cast, with 6 ballots rejected and 7 spoilt ballots recorded.
The results were signed and declared by Dr. Arnold Mashud Abukari, NDC Northern Regional Director of Elections and IT.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) held parliamentary primaries in Tamale Central to choose a candidate for the upcoming by-election following the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. Dr. Mohammed, who also served as Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, tragically died in a military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District on August 6, 2025, alongside seven others.
His passing left the Tamale Central seat vacant, as required by Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
The Electoral Commission has scheduled the by-election for September 30, 2025. While the NDC moved quickly to open nominations and vet aspirants, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) announced it would not contest the seat, citing the need to respect the somber circumstances and promote national unity.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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Ghana to locally refine its gold starting October 2025 – Sammy Gyamfi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has announced that plans are far advanced for the establishment of a state-owned gold refinery in the country.
Speaking at the 2025 Minerals and Mining Convention, Mr Gyamfi said the refinery will process locally mined gold into bullion instead of exporting it in its raw state.
According to him, it is unacceptable that Ghana, despite being a leading gold producer in Africa, continues to export raw gold known as dore.
He explained that the Gold Board, working with the Bank of Ghana and local refineries, will from October 2025 begin refining gold locally.
He also disclosed that an ultramodern assay laboratory will be built to ensure international standards in testing gold quality.
Mr Gyamfi noted that the refinery will be wholly state-owned and will help Ghana move away from raw mineral exports to value addition.
This, he said, will boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and position Ghana as a hub for gold refining and jewellery production in Africa.
The CEO stressed that the project forms part of government’s strategy to ensure the country benefits fully from its natural resources and to transform the mining sector into a driver of economic growth.
By: Jacob Aggrey
