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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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A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
