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Happy FM celebrates 20th anniversary of flagship Valentine Mass Wedding Initiative
Happy 98.9 FM, Ghana’s leading radio station, marked the 20th anniversary of its Valentine Mass Wedding initiative, a community investment project that promotes family values and celebrates love.
The ceremony, held at Bethel Baptist Church in Dansoman, brought together nine couples in holy matrimony after over a month of intensive premarital counselling conducted by Rev. Gabriel Sekyi-Yorke, Senior Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, alongside Rev. Kofi Annan and Mrs. Mary Anna Adu-Gyamfi.
“Twenty years ago, Happy FM embarked on a journey to bring people together, to create bonds, and to celebrate the beauty of love in all its forms. We are proud of this initiative and the fact that successive leaders have kept the dream alive to date, “ said Dr. Timothy Karikari, Director of Broadcast at Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company. “Through this initiative, we have witnessed over 800 couples take the step of walking down the aisle, united in their promise to one another.”
The event drew numerous dignitaries, including H.E. Ambassador Edward Boateng(Founder of Global Media Alliance for former Ambassador to the Peoples Republic of China), Mr. Charles Osei Asibey, Director of Ghana Armwrestling, Reverend Canon Dr. Selwyn Sylvanus Adama Okine (Deputy Director of Prisons) among others.
Mr. Ernest Boateng, Chief Executive Officer of Global Media Alliance, emphasized that the initiative extends beyond the wedding day itself. “Pre-marital counselling became the cornerstone of this program because a wedding is not just a day but for a lifetime,” he explained. “The essence is standing together, lifting each other up, and walking hand in hand throughout life’s journey, even in challenging times.”
For a commitment fee of GH₵1,000, participating couples received a comprehensive wedding package including costume, church ceremony, reception, professional photography and videography, makeup, hotel accommodation for honeymoon, luxury vehicles and official marriage registration with both the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the Registrar General’s office.
The event was supported by numerous sponsors, including Blue Jeans Energy Drink, Tasty Tom, Perla, Cake Tekniks, Kasapreko, TSG Drive, 2nd Image International, Erata Hotel, among several others committed to strengthening community bonds and family values.
As part of the anniversary celebration, long-standing counsellors, sponsors, and partners were honoured with citations in recognition of their continued support over the two decades.
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
