Hot!
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
Accra’s creative industry is preparing for one of the most ambitious film projects in recent Ghanaian cinema as award winning filmmaker Big Ghun and acclaimed media personality and producer Doreen Avio officially open auditions for their upcoming feature film, Scarlett Unveiled.
The highly anticipated auditions will take place on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM at MCB Studios, Lapaz Tabora, with actors of all ages invited to participate.
Presented by PB Studios Africa, Scarlett Unveiled is a bold and emotionally charged Ghanaian creative project.
The project is expected to resonate strongly with young audiences in Ghana and across the diaspora..
The production is being developed in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland in Ghana, which is supporting the project’s executive launch.
Renowned textile brand Woodin has also come on board as the official clothing partner, while MCB Studios is serving as a support partner for the audition process.
According to Big Ghun, known for directing internationally recognized projects such as Koro (One), Leaked, and Vibes the Movie, Scarlett Unveiled is designed to become a landmark cultural production that will travel from cinema screens to schools and global platforms.
Producer Doreen Avio, one of Ghana’s most respected media personalities and event hosts, says the project aims to discover both established and emerging actors who can bring authenticity and emotional depth to the story.
She added that “This is more than an audition,” the producers say. “It is an opportunity for talented individuals to become part of a one of a kind Ghanaian story with the potential to inspire audiences around the world.”
Interested participants are encouraged to come with a passport sized photograph and be prepared to showcase their talent and confidence before the casting team.
With an award winning creative team, respected institutional partners, and a story rooted in truth and transformation, Scarlett Unveiled is shaping up to be one of Ghana’s most significant cinematic undertakings in the coming year.
Parliament has confirmed that the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Kwame Ohene Frimpong, has been detained at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
In a statement signed by the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, Parliament said the incident had been brought to the attention of the House leadership.
According to the statement, the Speaker of Parliament and the leadership of the House are currently in contact with Ghana’s Mission in The Hague to gather detailed information about the matter.
Parliament, however, did not disclose the reasons behind the MP’s detention.
“The public will be duly informed appropriately on this matter,” the statement added.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News3 days agoGhana’s Chris Koney participates in high-level dialogue at Africa Forward Summit 2026
- News1 week ago
Isaac Adongo defends BOG Governor, says Ghana “in safe hands”
- Features3 days ago
Fix It Fast or Lose Them Forever: The Ever-Rising Importance of Service Recovery in Competitive Industries
