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Take studies seriously, don’t make partying priority – Diocesan Bishop
Rt Rev Samuel Ofori-Akyea
The Diocesan Bishop for the Tema Diocese of the Methodist Church of Ghana, Rt Rev. Samuel Ofori- Akyea, has advised students to take their studies seriously and not make partying their priority.
He said it was also important for students to eschew bad company to avoid getting themselves into trouble.
Rt Rev. Ofori-Akyea gave this admonition at the launch of the 40th anniversary of the Methodist Day Senior High School in the Tema Metropolis of the Greater Accra Region (GAR).
In a speech read on his behalf by the Secretary of Synod for the Tema Diocese, Very Rev. Ebenezer Popeson Adjei, he was optimistic that “those who do not spend their time partying in the name of enjoying their youth but made their books their companions are more likely to make good grades to better their lives”.
Speaking on the theme “Quality infrastructure development for a sustainable and impactful education: the role of stakeholders”, he observed that some of the students felt they were less privileged considering the infrastructural challenges of the school, but assured them that with determination and obedience to instructions of their teachers, they could make it despite the circumstances.
He advised them to take advantage of everything at their disposal and avoid wasting time on unnecessary activities that could cost them their education in future.
Rt. Rev. Ofori-Akyea commended the school authorities for doing their best to support the young people entrusted in their care, and ensuring they become responsible citizens.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tema Central Constituency, Yves Hanson-Nortey, noted that education was prominent in breaking the cycle of poverty, and so they should give it their all.
He made reference to how some students from deprived communities had been able to change their lives and that of their families because they took their studies seriously and made progress.
“Nobody can study for you so take advantage of the opportunities around you to be a better person in future. Remember that what you learn today can never be taken away from you,” Mr Hanson-Nortey told them.
He cautioned them against spending all their time on social media, but rather devote their time to researching and reading more to improve their knowledge to excel in various spheres of life.
He called on old students and well-meaning people who had also benefitted from the institution to support the school because great institutions were built by people who sacrificed their time, energy and resources.
The Chairman for the anniversary launch committee, Rev. Solomon Nartey, assured the students that they could make a difference if they put in their maximum effort.
The Headmistress of the School, Mrs Juliana Nancy Frimpong, said it was heartwarming that the membership of the school, which started with 33 students, has shot up to 1,500, and mentioned that they would continue to work hard to train more people to help build the society.
The President of the Methodist Day Senior Secondary School Association (MEDASSOSA), John Aseeph, said it was refreshing to know that the school was doing well academically, but there was the need to give the school a massive face-lift to be well-resourced to complement the efforts of management of the school.
He said plans were underway to build a multi-purpose complex for the school which needed all hands on board to make it a success.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called on the government and Parliament to undertake major reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including the construction of a dedicated prison hospital and the introduction of regulated conjugal visits.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Dr Boakye-Danquah shared Chairman Wontumi’s observations and recommendations following his remand on July 20, 2026.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi’s experience in prison has given him the opportunity to interact with prison officers and inmates and observe the challenges facing the Ghana Prisons Service.
The statement noted that the NPP chairman believes the correctional system must move beyond punishment to focus on rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.
One of his major concerns is the lack of dedicated, well-equipped prison hospitals, ambulances and standby generators in several prison facilities.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had raised concerns about the difficulties in providing medical care to seriously ill inmates, including those suffering from tuberculosis.
He is therefore calling for the construction of a modern prison hospital to serve facilities across the country. In the interim, he has proposed emergency arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.
On the welfare of prison officers, Chairman Wontumi has urged the government to review their salaries, accommodation and conditions of service.
He has also called for proper classification of inmates, arguing that minor offenders should not be housed alongside armed robbery convicts and that persons facing trial for serious offences, including treason and terrorism, should be appropriately separated from other inmates.
The statement further highlighted concerns about the need for counselling and behavioural support for young inmates, particularly those serving sentences for defilement-related offences.
Chairman Wontumi has also called for a clear policy on the classification and management of LGBTQI+ inmates within the prison system.
On family relationships, he has proposed the creation of designated private areas where prisoners can receive visits from their spouses and children.
He believes regulated conjugal visits could help preserve marriages, reduce tension among inmates and support rehabilitation.
“The prisoner is the one in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement noted, explaining his position on the need to protect family relationships during incarceration.
Chairman Wontumi has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms with the necessary equipment to improve food production.
According to the statement, the Ghana Prisons Service has access to vast lands and skilled labour but faces a shortage of agricultural equipment, with only one tractor reportedly available for farming and garbage-related activities.
He has further proposed greater collaboration between prison authorities and the justice sector, suggesting that regional prison commanders should be included in relevant discussions because of their knowledge of prison conditions and inmate rehabilitation.
On infrastructure, Chairman Wontumi has called on the government and private sector to invest in modern prison facilities and factories, arguing that the system has seen limited structural improvements over the years.
Appeal to Parliament
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had made a special appeal to Parliament to lead efforts towards comprehensive prison reform.
He is urging the Speaker of Parliament to initiate discussions on prison conditions as a human rights and national development issue.
He has also called on the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.
Additionally, he wants the Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to undertake working visits to prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi believes bipartisan cooperation between the Majority and Minority caucuses is necessary to secure the legal and financial reforms required to improve the prison system.
He has called for broader prison reforms across Africa, expressing hope that Ghana could lead the continent in improving correctional facilities.
Reflecting on his experience since July 20, Chairman Wontumi stated: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”
The statement added that Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits.
By: Jacob Aggrey
England captain Harry Kane says it was extra special to be presented with the Ballon d’Or by one of his childhood idols.
Kane made the comment after receiving the prestigious award from former Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario.
“Ronaldo was one of my idols growing up,” Kane said.
The Bayern Munich striker described the moment as surreal, being honoured by a player he looked up to as a young footballer.
Kane was announced as the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium, marking the 70th anniversary of the award and the first time the ceremony was held outside France.
The 33-year-old beat stiff competition from second-placed Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal to win his first ever Ballon d’Or.
He becomes the first Englishman to win the coveted individual award in 25 years since Michael Owen in 2001, and only the fifth Englishman ever after Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen.
He is also the first Bayern Munich player to win the award since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.
Kane won the award after a remarkable season in which he scored 61 goals in 51 club matches, the most a Bayern player has ever scored in one campaign.
Including England matches, it was 73 goals plus eight assists in 65 matches. His 73 goals is the second-highest single-season total ever behind Lionel Messi’s 82 in 2011-12.
Despite the goal haul, Kane did not win the Champions League or World Cup, with Bayern losing 6-5 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals and England losing 2-1 to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final before finishing third.
The award was presented by Brazilian great Ronaldo Nazario, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner himself, adding what was described as a special dimension to Kane’s historic achievement.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
