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Children abandon classroom school for game centres
Despite effort by the Gaming Commission to phase out analogue and non-digital slot machines within the gaming landscape in Ghana, it appears the taskforce still has a long way to go.
The ‘clampdown’ initiated on January 1, 2022, formed part of measures by the Comission to upgrade the industry to meet international best practices and protect minors.
However, a number of these children at Alabar in the Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region and some parts of Accra continue to while away time at gaming centres at the expense of their education.
These children aged between eight and 12 are often seen in makeshift wooden structures in the early hours of the morning playing their favourite video games while others gamble with slot machines.
Mr. Mohammed Kudus, a game centre owner at Alabar, admitted the centre was opened to adults but the children found their way to the place at odd times.
According to him, some of them lived in the slum with single parents who struggled to cater for their basic needs and that some of the parents also tried to prevent their wards from patronising the venue but “they kept coming.”
He said the centre had strict rules of conduct including sacking children who came there in school uniforms.
Madam Beatrice Baiden, Public Affairs Manager of the Gaming Commission, said the proliferation of slot machines and exposure of children to raffles in obscure places were against the law.
She said the Commission would continue to ensure that persons below 18 years were not exposed to gaming, as stipulated in the Gaming Act, 2006 (Act 721) and appealed to the public to report operators who assembled such machines.
Ms Baiden added that the regulator was committed to the development of an industry that supported gaming as a recreational or leisure activity in a responsible manner.
Speaking to Ms. Daniela Ruedisueli Sodjah, one of the founders and the Executive Director of Chance for Children, a Non-Governmental Organisation, commenting on the issue of street children attributed the challenge to weak social support systems.
She, therefore, called on partners and the government to develop strategies to protect vulnerable children and help secure their future.
By Geoffrey Buta
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) says it generated US$1.011 billion in foreign exchange from its artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) gold trade operations in October 2026.
According to the GoldBod, the entire amount was sold to authorised commercial banks through its GoldBod GoFX platform to support stability in the foreign exchange market.
In an announcement issued on Monday, November 2, the Board projected to generate US$1.2 billion in foreign exchange from its ASM gold trade operations in November.
It added that US$800 million of the projected amount would be made available to commercial banks to support foreign exchange market stability.
GoldBod said the sales would be conducted through its GoFX platform in line with the approved FX Sales and Intermediation Framework to ensure transparency, fairness and regulatory compliance.
The Board reaffirmed its commitment to generating foreign exchange for the country and supporting the Bank of Ghana’s foreign reserve accumulation under the Ghana Accelerated National Reserve Accumulation Policy (GANRAP).
By: Jacob Aggrey
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened applications for members interested in contesting as its parliamentary candidates in the 2028 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the party said interested members must declare their intention to contest between Sunday, November 1, and Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
According to the statement signed by the party’s Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, prospective candidates must complete an online form within the specified period.
The party said a non-refundable application fee of GH¢5,000 would be charged to each prospective candidate.
It added that all applicants would undergo vetting and screening to determine their eligibility to contest on the party’s ticket.
The NPP announced plans to organise capacity-building workshops for prospective candidates in December 2026. The workshops will be held across the Northern, Middle and Southern zones, with details of the venues to be announced later.
The party stressed that the guidelines would apply to all prospective candidates, including sitting NPP Members of Parliament who wish to contest again.
It further warned aspirants against starting campaign activities following the opening of the application process.
According to the statement, the existing directive prohibiting campaign activities remains in force until the party gives official clearance.
It cautioned that anyone who violates the directive would face appropriate sanctions under the party’s constitution and regulations.
The NPP said the process was designed to promote fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for all aspirants as it prepares to select candidates for all 276 constituencies ahead of the 2028 elections.
It urged prospective candidates to follow the guidelines and conduct themselves with discipline and respect for one another throughout the process.
The party said its broader objective was to strengthen unity within its ranks and rebuild public confidence ahead of the 2028 general elections.
By: Jacob Aggrey
