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Back-to-base Kotoko aim to silence Bechem
After one year and eight months, Asante Kotoko will now have a new feel of the renovated Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi when they slug it out against leaders Bechem United in the week-two fixture of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) on Sunday.
Kotoko will be eager to pick a second straight victory against a well-organised Bechem United who kicked off their campaign in grand style with an emphatic 4-0 win over Medeama SC last Saturday.
With both sides yet to taste defeat, much will be centred around the cracker as the headliner.
The Porcupine Warriors produced a sweet 3-1 come-back against Dreams FC last Saturday after which gaffer Dr Proaper Narteh Ogum has been praised by many for his tactical brilliance – effecting two mind-blowing changes which resulted in all three goals in the dying stages of the afternoon.
With the return of former GPL top scorer Augustine Okrah, Emmanuel Avornyo who bagged brace on his debut, Francis Twene and Kofi Agbesimah, can the Hunters surprise the Porcupine Warriors in Kumasi?
At the Len Clay Stadium today, Ashantigold will play host to Karela United – a game Karela will give their all for a win after a hard-fought stalemate at home against Aduana Stars.
Returnees Real Tamale United (RTU), who drew at home in their first game with Great Olympics, lock horns with a rejuvenated Legon Cities side today.
At the Accra Sports Stadium, it will be an Accra derby when new entrants Accra Lions lock horns with Great Olympics in a fearsome contest.
Wounded Medeama SC will come guns blazing against debutants Bibiani Gold Stars at the Tarkwa TNA Park on Sunday – as the former aim to bounce back from their humiliation last weekend.
Aduana Stars will be at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park tomorrow when they host tricky King Faisal.
On Sunday, Elmina Sharks will tussle it out with poor Dreams FC at the Ndoum Park in Elmina. The Sharks will be poised to give the visitors a run for their money.
At the Golden City Park, Berekum Chelsea will face off with Eleven Wonders tomorrow. Both will be itching for a win after defeats on their first game played last weekend.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
Alberta Afia Asomaniwa Akoto, popularly known as “Landlady,” has declared her intention to contest as the Parliamentary Candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Okaikwei North Constituency.
In a statement shared on Friday, Ms. Akoto said Okaikwei North has been her home for more than 40 years, where she has lived among the people, shared in their joys and challenges, and built lasting connections with the community.
“I am in the race because I believe our community deserves dedicated service, a listening ear and a strong voice. I am ready to work with you, listen to your concerns and help build a brighter future for Okaikwei North,” she said.
“Dear Okaikwei North, your girl is here one of your own, ready to serve,” she added.
Ms. Akoto said service is not just a responsibility but a commitment to the people and the community they call home.
Having dedicated herself to serving and supporting the people of the constituency, she said she wishes to continue the journey of service with renewed commitment, greater dedication and a stronger vision.
Her vision, she noted, is to build on the progress made, listen to the concerns of the people, empower the youth, support women, create opportunities and champion development that benefits every community in the constituency.
“I believe that together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous and inclusive Okaikwei North,” she added.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the government and the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to explain the shutdown of critical Ghana Health Service (GHS) digital platforms over an outstanding cloud hosting bill of US$64,510.95.
The platforms were reportedly suspended by technology company Akamai on October 29, 2026, after the Ghana Health Service failed to settle the outstanding payment.
In a statement signed by the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Health Committee, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie, the Minority said the development had disrupted digital health reporting across the country, forcing health facilities to temporarily return to paper-based systems.
The affected platforms include the District Health Information Management System (DHIMS2), Planning and Budget Management Information System (PBMIS), eTracker, HIV and Tuberculosis trackers, the National Malaria Data Repository and other health information systems.
The Minority expressed concern that the disruption had occurred barely a year after the government announced the introduction of the Ghana Health Information Management System (GHIMS) in October 2025 to replace the Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS).
It questioned the government’s investment in the new system and the progress made since its announcement, asking why adequate financial and contractual arrangements were not put in place to prevent the disruption.
The caucus questioned how critical national health information platforms could become inaccessible over an outstanding bill of US$64,510.95, despite an increase in the Ministry of Health’s budget from GH¢17.8 billion in 2025 to GH¢22.8 billion in 2026.
The Minority is demanding the immediate restoration of all affected platforms, full disclosure of GHIMS expenditure and implementation progress, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspension.
It is calling for an independent audit of the country’s digital health infrastructure, hosting arrangements and data security, as well as sustainable funding to prevent similar disruptions.
Although the Ghana Health Service has assured the public that no data has been lost and that encrypted backups remain available, the Minority says the preservation of data does not guarantee uninterrupted access to essential health information.
It has pledged to pursue parliamentary oversight to ensure that the institutions and officials responsible account for the disruption.
By: Jacob Aggrey
