News
I nearly committed suicide after losing everything in June 3 disaster – Fred Kyei Mensah
Veteran music producer Fred Kyei Mensah, popularly known as Fredyma, has shared a heartbreaking story of how he almost took his own life after losing everything in the June 3, 2015 flood and fire disaster in Accra.
Speaking in an interview, the renowned sound engineer recounted how the tragedy destroyed his recording studio, musical instruments, and ten vehicles, wiping out his entire livelihood in one night.
“I lost my studio, ten cars, and three buses full of live band instruments. Everything that gave me my daily bread was gone in one day. That moment, I nearly committed suicide. I really thought of giving up,” he said.
Fredyma said what stopped him from taking his life was thinking about his children, especially his youngest one.
“I told myself, if I leave this boy, how is he going to survive? That thought kept me alive,” he revealed.
He explained that his studio was located only about 30 meters away from the filling station that exploded during the disaster, killing and injuring many people.
“If I had been there that night, I would have died,” he said.
Describing the extent of the damage, he said the floodwater mixed with sea salt destroyed the engines of his vehicles and all his equipment.
“The water stayed so long that the salt particles rusted everything,” he lamented.
Fredyma, who has worked with several top Ghanaian musicians, said the experience was one of the darkest moments of his life.
He added that despite helping many people in his career, some were happy about his downfall, a reality he has learned to accept as part of human nature.
“Some of the people I helped were happy when I fell, but that’s life. Sometimes, you just have to thank God for keeping you alive,” he said.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, has disclosed that poor coordination and weak communication among security agencies contributed significantly to the violence recorded during the 2020 and 2024 general elections.
In his address on the findings of the Election-Related Violence Report, the Minister said the task force that investigated the incidents discovered that the lack of proper coordination between security institutions often led to confusion on the ground, resulting in clashes and excessive use of force in some areas.
Mr. Muntaka explained that in several instances, security agencies operated without clear communication channels, which created gaps in response and accountability. This, he said, made it difficult to control situations that later turned violent.
He emphasised that the report had recommended stronger collaboration and improved coordination mechanisms among the various security agencies to ensure effective communication and joint planning during future elections.
The Minister further noted that the report has been submitted to the Attorney General’s Department for legal advice and for determining appropriate compensation for victims and families affected by the violence.
He assured that the government is committed to implementing the task force’s recommendations to strengthen inter-agency coordination, enhance professionalism, and maintain peace and order in future electoral processes.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has announced that all mobile loan applications and digital credit service providers currently operating in the country without a license must regularize their operations by June 30, 2026.
In a public notice issued on October 31, 2025, the central bank said it will begin accepting applications from companies seeking to operate as Digital Credit Services Providers starting November 3, 2025.
The Bank explained that all entities offering digital loans or credit services must submit the required documents and meet the licensing requirements before the deadline.
It warned that any company that fails to comply with the directive will face regulatory action.
The Bank of Ghana urged operators and the public to contact its FinTech and Innovation Office in Accra for details on the licensing process or visit its official website, www.bog.gov.gh
By: Jacob Aggrey
