News
Diplomat calls for promotion of Ghana’s untapped potential to boost GDP
THE Barbados High Commissioner to Ghana, Madam Juliete Bynoe-Sutherland, has called for the promotion of Ghana’s excess untapped potentials within its private sector to boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
She said since the real growth in a country’s economy stems from the private sector, it was imperative for the country to invest in its young entrepreneurs in order to elevate its economy, internationally.
Ms Bynoe-Sutherland made the call at the ‘Entrepreneurship with Bola Ray’ closing dinner for its third cohort in Accra last Friday.
The programme, organised by the Bola Ray Institute, was a comprehensive five-month start-up support initiative for 15 deserving entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 to 35.
Ms Bynoe-Sutherland who was the grand mentor for the training expressed gratitude to the institute for giving her the opportunity to engage and learn with the mentees.
The High Commissioner, who made a pledge to avail herself as a faculty member for the next cohort, highlighted the contributions of Bola Ray towards the development and growth of the country and needed recognition.
The Chairman for the institute, Mr Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi, known as Bola Ray, acknowledged the High Commissioner and other mentors for believing in his dream.
Bola Ray who is one of Ghana’s most renowned, pioneering radio and television personalities, also congratulated the entrepreneurs for their resilience, creativity and determination throughout the journey.
He charged the mentees to be audacious in charting new territories with their enterprises.
Touting achievements of the participants, the Team Lead of the BR Institute, Mr Alex Brown, announced that six of them have been selected to pitch their business ideas in the BOMA Africa Prize Award taking place in the subsequent weeks ahead.
Out of the 15 participants, two were disqualified based on consistently flouting the business process.
The 13 qualified mentees who were presented with certificates of participation were Shadrack Kofi Ansah, Sylvia Andzie-Quainoo, Alberta Nana Ama Awuku, Agnes Agyemang, Kwabena Owusu, and Hannah Appiah.
The others were Joshua Kobina Baah, Solomon Bentum Mensah, Keziah Naa Odorkor Daniels, Aboagye Theophilus, Yvonne Nuoriyee, Queenstar Nsakie and Sarah Lartey.
The CEO of AGE Industries, Mr Theophilus Aboagye, was adjudged the overall winner of the cohort with a cash prize of GH₵20,000 and the Jeff Sowah Award of GH₵20,000. He was also honoured with the Most Innovative Business Idea Award.
Founder of Crochel, Mrs Alberta Awuku, came second with a cash prize of GH₵10,000 whiles the Founder of Hibitea and Beverages, Mrs Agnes Agyemang won GH₵5,000 as the third runner up.
Most Promising Female Entrepreneur Award went to Mrs Yvonne Nuoriyee and Best Bootstrapped Business Award, given to Mr Shadrack Kofi Ansah.
By Spectator Reporter
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The Volta North Regional Police Command has secured a conviction of a 27 year old man Mohammed Rafiu for making unlawful entry and stealing church musical instruments at Hohoe in the Volta Region.
On June 5, 2026 the accused was observed near the Faith International Ministry Church carrying a sack containing various items rushing to hail a car.
The witnesses suspected his action and approached to check the content in the sack. The following items were found, One (1) Amplifier, One (1) equalizer, One (1) mixer and
Cross-over Machine all belonging to the church.
The accused was arrested and brought to the Hohoe Police District where he admitted to police to the charges leveled against him.
On Monday June 8, 2026 the accused was put before the Hohoe circuit cout where he pleaded guilty on two counts and was convicted and sentenced to three (3) years for unlawful entry and four (4) years of stealing.
Both sentences are to run concurrently.
The Volta North Regional Police Command has urged the general public to immediately report any suspected criminal activities to the Police for action.
News
Dome-Kwabenya MP, Ga East MCE tour flood-prone areas in the constituency, assure victims of support
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome-Kwabenya, Elikplim Akurugu, together with the Municipal Chief Executive for the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Edmund Agboh, and officials of the assembly, have toured several flood-prone communities in the constituency to identify the causes of recent flooding and inspect structures obstructing waterways.
The inspection made on the Monday, 8th June, 2026 formed part of efforts to assess the extent of the flooding, identify structures built on waterways, and develop plans for their demolition to prevent future occurrences.
Some areas visited during the tour included Christian Village, Sesemi, Abokobi Station, Falaku and the Pure Water area, all of which were affected by the recent floods that hit parts of the constituency.
Speaking to the media after the inspection, the MP expressed sadness over the destruction caused by the floods, noting that although no lives were lost, many residents had suffered significant property damage.
She attributed much of the flooding to human activities such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains and the construction of buildings on waterways and drainage channels.
The MP appealed to residents to change their attitudes towards sanitation and environmental management, stressing that the country did not have a deficit of prayers but rather an attitude deficit.
She assured residents that the assembly and its technical team would immediately begin work to address some of the drainage challenges identified during the tour.
Ms. Akurugu sympathised with residents whose homes and businesses were affected by the floods and assured them that efforts were being made to secure relief items to support them.
The Municipal Chief Executive of the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Edmund Agboh, said the inspection was intended to take stock of the causes of the recent flooding, which he described as unprecedented.
According to him, the assembly wants to be proactive by identifying and addressing the factors responsible for the flooding before the next rainy season.
Mr. Agboh blamed part of the problem on the increasing number of structures being erected on waterways and drainage paths, as well as the failure of some residents to comply with building regulations.
He disclosed that many of the structures identified during the inspection would be marked for demolition after the necessary procedures had been completed.
The MCE further announced plans to intensify inspections, particularly on weekends, explaining that some developers often undertake unauthorised construction works on Saturdays and Sundays when assembly officials are not at work.
He said the assembly would collaborate with neighbouring jurisdictions and deploy additional resources to improve drainage systems and reduce flooding in the municipality.
The MCE assured that the assembly will use the findings from the inspection to implement immediate and long-term measures aimed at reducing flooding and protecting lives and property in Dome-Kwabenya.
The Director of Works at the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Engineer Justine Glover, said the team inspected several critical locations along the Dakobi River and other flood-prone areas.
He explained that at Pantang Village, officials directed contractors to excavate and open blocked culvert outlets to allow the free flow of water during rainfall.
At Sesemi, he said the team observed extensive damage caused by upstream developments and the absence of proper drainage infrastructure.
Engineer Glover added that officials recommended dredging drainage channels at Abokobi Station to improve the performance of existing culverts.
He further revealed that some structures identified on waterways at Falaku had been earmarked for demolition as part of efforts to restore the natural flow of water.
In addition to the inspection, the MP and the MCE visited residents affected by the floods in the Pure Water area to offer words of encouragement and assure them of support.
The tour also revealed that many residents had constructed buildings on waterways, while several structures lacked the required building permits, a situation officials said had contributed significantly to the flooding experienced in the constituency.
By: Jacob Aggrey
