Author: Constance Awunor

A life jacket worn by a survivor of the Titanic disaster has sold for £670,000 (about $904,500) at auction, significantly surpassing its estimated value in what auctioneers described as a rare, once-in-a-generation sale. The item, believed to be the only known life jacket from a Titanic survivor ever offered at auction, was sold by UK-based auction house Henry Aldridge and Son. It had been expected to fetch between £250,000 and £350,000. The vest was worn by Laura Mabel Francatelli, a first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic, which sank in 1912 after striking an iceberg during its maiden voyage. Francatelli, who…

Ghanaians living in Spain have been encouraged to take advantage of a new immigration amnesty introduced by the Spanish government, which is expected to benefit hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants. The appeal was made by Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang during an engagement with the Ghanaian community in Spain, where she urged eligible nationals to regularise their immigration status under the programme. The Spanish initiative is expected to grant legal residency to around 500,000 undocumented migrants who have lived in the country for at least five months prior to December 2025. The Vice President described the policy as a positive development…

A father has killed seven of his children and an unrelated child in a mass shooting in Shreveport in the US state of Louisiana that police have described as a “domestic disturbance”. The children were aged from one year old to 14 years old, the BBC’s US news partner CBS reported. Officers said the shooting began about 05:00 (10:00 GMT) on Sunday. The suspect shot 10 people before fleeing in a stolen car, Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Chris Bordelon said. Police then chased and killed him. Two adult women, including the mother of the children, are in critical condition. The…

John Abdulai Jinapor has announced plans by government to introduce a WhatsApp-based system for reporting power outages, as part of efforts to modernise service delivery in Ghana’s energy sector. The initiative is designed to enable consumers to instantly report faults using their mobile phones, eliminating the need to rely on traditional call centres. Authorities say this will significantly reduce delays and improve communication between electricity providers and users. Speaking during the final leg of the President’s resetting tour of the Northern Region, Jinapor stressed the government’s commitment to strengthening the electricity, renewable energy, and petroleum sectors, while also enhancing customer…

The National Service Authority (NSA) has cautioned employers against recruiting individuals who do not possess valid national service certificates, warning that such actions could attract sanctions under Ghanaian law. Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Moses Dok Nach Kpeungu, Deputy Director General in charge of Operations, emphasized that hiring individuals who have not completed the mandatory national service programme constitutes a punishable offence. His remarks come as the Authority steps up efforts to strengthen compliance across both public and private sector institutions. The national service scheme has long faced challenges, including ghost names, payroll fraud, and…

John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s determination to maintain inflation within single digits, following a significant decline in the rate to 3.2 percent. The President described the progress as part of a wider effort to stabilise Ghana’s economy through strict fiscal discipline and responsible financial management. Speaking during a citizen engagement at the University for Development Studies on Sunday, April 19, he noted that inflation has dropped sharply from over 24 percent when his administration assumed office to below 4 percent. Mahama credited the improvement to deliberate measures aimed at controlling public expenditure and reducing excessive borrowing, particularly at…

The Bank of Ghana has released its latest exchange rate figures for Monday, April 20, showing the Ghana cedi trading at 11.0445 to the US dollar on the buying rate and 11.0555 on the selling rate. For other major currencies, the British pound was buying at 14.9891 and selling at 14.9730, while the euro was trading at 13.0370 on the buying side and 13.0499 on the selling side. Compared to Friday’s figures, the cedi recorded a slight depreciation. It was then buying at 11.0375 and selling at 11.0485 to the dollar. The pound and euro also saw marginal movements within…

John Dramani Mahama has stated that the government’s plan to construct modern multipurpose markets nationwide is a key strategy to stimulate economic growth and create wealth within local communities. According to him, the proposed 24-hour market model represents a shift from traditional trading systems. The new markets will incorporate essential services such as banking facilities, storage units, fire and security systems, as well as restaurants, crèches, and clinics to support traders’ welfare. Speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony for a new 24-hour market project in Bimbilla, the President reaffirmed that all 261 districts across Ghana will benefit from the initiative. He…

Sammy Kuffour has called on Ghanaians to unite behind incoming Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz, urging patience and collective support as the national team enters a new phase. Queiroz is expected to take over from Otto Addo, with his official unveiling anticipated later this week. The seasoned coach, known for his experience across international football including in Africa has been tasked with revitalizing the Black Stars and steering Ghana toward a fifth FIFA World Cup appearance. His tenure is set to begin quickly, with international friendlies against Wales and Mexico lined up in May. Focus will then shift to…

Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has outlined a series of priority interventions aimed at strengthening Ghana’s economy and improving social welfare. Central to these plans is a renewed focus on agriculture, with measures designed to increase local production and reduce dependence on imports. She also highlighted key social programmes intended to ease financial burdens and improve quality of life. These include the No-Fees Stress Policy for first-year tertiary students, the provision of free sanitary pads for schoolgirls, and expanded access to primary healthcare services across the country. In addition, the Vice President pointed to broader economic and development initiatives such as the…