The Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has warned pastors against lying in a bid to sustain or promote their ministries.
Speaking at the third service held at the church’s international headquarters, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, on Sunday during the final day of the 21-day fasting and prayer programme, Oyedepo said liars do not last in ministries.
“You won’t last in the ministry telling lies. I stand before God, I will never tell lies about what God did not do just to impress anyone,” he said.
The Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has warned pastors against lying in a bid to sustain or promote their ministries.
Speaking at the third service held at the church’s international headquarters, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, on Sunday during the final day of the 21-day fasting and prayer programme, Oyedepo said liars do not last in ministries.
“You won’t last in the ministry telling lies. I stand before God, I will never tell lies about what God did not do just to impress anyone,” he said.
The cleric emphasised the importance of holding firmly to the truth of the Scriptures and giving glory to God alone, noting that such commitment is what enables ministers to attain enviable heights.
He equally advised believers to keep their love for Jesus alive, saying total dependence on God guarantees victory over life’s challenges.
The bishop further shared a personal testimony, recalling how a close associate in Ile-Ife who was afflicted with insanity was restored after Scripture was read to him.
He affirmed his confidence in divine protection, declaring that no evil plan against him would succeed.
Transparency International Ghana (TI-G) has held a high level roundtable discussion in Kumasi aimed at strengthening multi-stakeholder engagement and advocacy for policy reforms that promote a transparent, accountable, and attractive investment climate in Ghana.
The forum, which was under the theme, “Advocating Policy Reform for a Positive Investment Environment in Ghana”, brought together civil society organisations, business associations, policymakers, regulatory institutions, private sector actors and development partners to discuss evidence-based challenges and actionable policy reforms needed to enhance Ghana’s investment ecosystem.
The objective is to present TI Ghana’s research findings on governance and investment climate challenges to key stakeholders, to facilitate dialogue between CSOs, business associations, policymakers, and regulators on investment policy reforms.
Group picture of participants and facilitators
The aim was also to identify actionable policy recommendations that enhance transparency, accountability, reduce administrative bottlenecks and improve investor confidence, and as well as to build a coordinated advocacy platform for sustained engagement on investment and governance reforms.
Ms. Mary Awelana Addah, Executive Director, TI-G disclosed that the forum was grounded in a clear reality as a conducive investment climate is essential for economic growth, job creation and sustainable development.
She noted that persistent governance gaps, particularly weak regulatory enforcement, limited transparency, cumbersome administrative processes, and inconsistent policy implementation; continue to undermine investor confidence in Ghana and across the region.
Ms Mary Addah further disclosed that these challenges do not only affect capital flows, but they shape productivity, public revenue, and trust in state institutions, indicating that recent assessments and research undertaken by TI-G underscore the need for targeted, coordinated reforms that strengthen accountability.
She said the assessment also improves public-private sector engagement, and shift the focus from attracting any capital to attracting constructive, value-adding investment that delivers long-term national benefit.
To address these challenges, the Executive Director noted that it requires deliberate and inclusive engagement, adding that no single institution can resolve systemic governance constraints alone, hence, civil society, the private sector, policymakers, regulators and development partners must work collaboratively to identify bottlenecks.
They must align reform priorities, and advocate for policies that ease the cost of doing business while enhancing predictability and investor trust.
Ms. Addah noted that structured dialogue platforms such as the forum remain essential for translating evidence into practical reform, revealing that it was within this context that TI-G, with the valued support of the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), convened a policy dialogue in December 2025 on advocating policy reform for a positive investment environment in Ghana
According to her, a central lesson from that engagement, and one that remains relevant, is that Ghana’s challenge lies less in the absence of laws and more in gaps in enforcement, coordination, and accountability.
Ms Addah disclosed that the engagement was intended to be candid, practical, and forward-looking, hoping that it moves beyond diagnosis to concreting reforms that strengthen accountability and restore confidence in Ghana’s investment environment.
The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) has urged local investors to join forces and form a company, instead of maintaining their sole proprietorship status, to take full advantage of the provisions of market opportunities under the law.
Mr. Michael Otchere, the Ashanti Regional Head, GIPC, disclosed that there are so many opportunities in Ghana but one cannot single-handedly take advantage of it, hence the need to pool resources.
He encouraged local investors through AGI and other business associations to educate and sensitise their members to ensure that they join forces to take full advantage of these provisions in our laws.
“…Owning 100 percent of nothing can never be compared to owning one percent of something…” Mr. Otchere noted, in an interview on the sidelines of Transparency International Ghana Forum on Advocating Policy Reform for a Positive Investment Environment, in Kumasi, last Friday.
Touching on the issues of foreigners taking over the retail sector, the Regional Head disclosed that there was a clear-cut instrument (Act 865) which ensures foreigners do not enter into the retail space.
He, however, noted notwithstanding this law, there is still a requirement (for foreigners) to meet and participate in the retail sector.
He explained that foreigners are enjoined to raise a capital of one million dollars, and also employ 20 skilled direct Ghanaians as measures by the government to ensure that the sector is protected for Ghanaians.
Mr. Michael Otchere further told reporters that what GIPC was seeking to do was to revise these requirements to make it a bit toughe.
On the suggestion of government ensuring and forcing foreigners to go into wholesaling rather than retailing, Mr. Otchere noted that the fact that other countries are doing it did not mean Ghana should also do same.
Ibrahim Yamba Nelson Isasaka, DCE - Ahafo Ano South East
Mr Ibrahim Yamba Nelson Issaka, the District Chief Executive for Ahafo Ano South East has acknowledged significant progress in the fight against illegal mining activities in his district, but emphasised that the battle is far from over.
Speaking on Kessben Maakye show, Mr. Issaka attributed the progress made to strong collaboration between his office, the Member of Parliament, security agencies, traditional authorities and other stakeholders.
According to him, the fight against illegal mining has not ended, but it has improved greatly compared to the past, saying it is not an easy fight but we are determined to see to its end.
The DCE noted that coordinated patrols, community engagements, intelligence gathering and public education have contributed to the decline in illegal mining operations, particularly in previously identified hotspots.
He warned that the Assembly would continue enforcing mining regulations and prosecuting offenders, as illegal mining undermines sustainable development and long-term economic growth.
The DCE assured residents that the Assembly remains committed to protecting the district’s natural resources and ensuring safety and livelihoods.
He called on community members to support the fight by providing credible information and resisting the temptation to shield offenders.
Mr Issaka reiterated that the fight cannot be won by the Assembly alone, and that needed the full cooperation of chiefs, opinion leaders, youth groups and the general public.
The DCE expressed optimism that with consistency, discipline and stakeholder cooperation, the menace could be eliminated, reaffirming his administration’s resolve to leave a legacy of environmental protection and responsible resource management.
President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to establish Ghana’s first state-of-the-art Cyber and Electronic Warfare Centre at the Tamale Air Force Base, marking a major shift in the country’s defence strategy towards modern and technology-driven security operations.
The facility, to be located in the northern sector, will be responsible for real-time border surveillance and will also possess offensive cyber and electronic assault capabilities in the event of external threats to national security.
Speaking at the 2025 West African Soldiers’ Social Activity (WASSA) at the Headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces in Burma Camp, Accra, President Mahama said preparations were far advanced to procure strategic drones, armoured personnel carriers and advanced communication systems to support the establishment of the centre.
“As I announced earlier, we are going to set up a cyber and electronic warfare centre at the Tamale Air Force Base.
“This centre will maintain surveillance of our borders and also have an assault capacity should our country come under any attack,” the Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces stated.
The cyber warfare initiative forms part of a broader modernisation drive aimed at retooling the Ghana Armed Forces to respond effectively to emerging security threats across land, sea, air and cyberspace.
President Mahama also announced additional acquisitions for the military, including offshore patrol vessels for the Ghana Navy, four brand new Eurocopter helicopters for the Ghana Air Force, and a new executive jet to support official travel by state officials.
In a further expansion of the country’s security architecture, the government has taken a strategic decision to establish two new military units in the Oti and Central regions to respond to evolving internal and regional security dynamics.
Earlier at the event, President Mahama commissioned a new fleet of vehicles for the Ghana Armed Forces as part of the first phase of a nationwide military retooling programme.
The fleet includes pickup trucks, buses and Land Cruisers intended to improve troop mobility and operational efficiency.
“This is just the first phase of vehicles that the Armed Forces are to receive,” he noted, adding that further logistical support would follow.
The commissioning ceremony took place during the annual WASA event, which brings together personnel of the security services to foster camaraderie and allow them a brief respite from their demanding duties.
President Mahama reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening national defence capabilities, stressing that security investments were critical to safeguarding Ghana’s sovereignty and regional stability.
The Road Safety Advocates-Ghana (RoSAG) has called for the immediate ban on new registration and licensing of Toyota Voxy vehicles, because they are fundamentally unsafe on our roads.
RoSAG is a leading NGO dedicated to promoting safer roads, responsible driving and effective transport policies in Ghana through advocacy, public education and technical analysis.
A statement issued by RoSAG alerted the Ministry of Transport, Driver, Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) of the widespread use of the converted Right Hand Drive (RHD) Toyota Voxy vehicles as commercial passenger transport, which it described as “predictable and preventable public safety crisis”.
A Toyota Voxy vehicle
The NGO has declared the conversion of Voxy vehicles as a crisis and a rolling deathtrap on long haul routes.
The position of RoSAG follows the horrific fatal crashes on the highways as revealed by the Investigative Committee of NRSA that these vehicles crudely converted from RHD to Left Hand Drive (LHD) are fundamentally unsafe.
The statement, signed by its National Chairman, Nana Annor Amihere II, noted that the fatal crashes involving these vehicles are not simple accidents but inevitable mechanical failure of compromised vehicles.
According to Nana Amihere, who is also the Overlord of Aiyinase-Basake Stool Lands, in the Western Region, the artisanal conversion process destroys the vehicle’s very skeleton, blinds the driver on a critical side and when combined with gross overloading, creates a perfect storm for tragedy.
He noted that passengers believe they are boarding a reliable transport unaware that they are in “a coffin on wheels.”
RoSAG, according to Nana Amihere, has identified the fatal flaws from the conversion from RHD to LHD, the cut and weld of the core structure rendering the protective ability of the airbag and seat belt useless, and the overload multiple from the increase in passengers for the vehicle originally designed as a family car.
“The economic incentive to use these cheap converted vehicles must not outweigh the sacred value of human life”, Nana Amihere emphasised.
RoSAG has, therefore, called for the immediate moratorium on the inspection, registration and licensing of all newly converted RHD-to-LHD vehicles for commercial use.
It also proposed an “Operation Overload” programme on all major highways to enforce passenger load limits and as well called for a shift in policy to encourage the importation of safer, factory-built LHD minibuses as well as the development of a compulsory Ghana Standard to regulate any future conversions to ensure that safety is not compromised.
It also suggested National Public Awareness campaign to educate operators, drivers and the public on the inherent risks of converted vehicles
As a result, RoSAG has since submitted a Four-Point Action Plan to the authorities (Ministry of Transport, DVKA, NSRA, GPRTU and Ghana Standard Authority (GSA) demanding a regulatory action against safety challenges in Toyota Voxy conversion.
RoSAG has pledged its support to agencies in any capacity required and demanded a meeting to discuss the implementation of the life saving recommendations.
Officials of the Kpong Irrigation Scheme Rehabilitation and Modernisation Project seated at the meeting with the Minister.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, has assured farmers and contractors of the Kpong Irrigation Scheme that government is taking steps to immediately resume rehabilitation works, which have stalled due to funding challenges.
Mr Opoku gave the assurance during a working visit to the project site at Asutsuare, where he inspected ongoing works and engaged stakeholders on challenges confronting the project.
According to the Minister, four outstanding payment certificates submitted by contractors have already been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for prompt action.
“Within the shortest possible time, payment will be effected and work will resume on site,” he stated.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, together with some officials touring the project
The Kpong Irrigation Scheme Rehabilitation and Modernisation Project, being executed under the World Bank-funded Food System Resilience Project (FSRP) covers a total area of 4,040 hectares.
The 22.5 million dollar project, which commenced in November 2024, is about 75 per cent complete, but has been suspended due to financial constraints.
Mr Eric Opoku, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Asunafo South Constituency, described irrigation development as a key pillar of government’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation agenda and the Feed Ghana Programme, which seeks to move Ghana away from dependence on rain-fed agriculture.
“Kpong is the largest irrigation infrastructure in the country and it is where our focus must be,” he said, adding that government would ensure the project is completed without undue delay.
He further announced government’s approval for the establishment of Farmer Service Centres on both the Left and Right Banks of the scheme to provide farmers with access to machinery, inputs, training and modern farming technologies.
On the technical front, Mr Kofi Modzaka, Technical Supervising Consultant for the FSRP under the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) said the ongoing works were a continuation of interventions started under the Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP), which was completed in 2021.
He explained that the rehabilitation includes the conversion of open canals into closed pipe systems, canal lining, road and drainage rehabilitation, as well as the installation of automation and instrumentation systems.
Mr Kofi Modzaka disclosed that about 96 per cent of the 62 kilometres of open canals earmarked for conversion had been completed, while rehabilitation of major access roads stood at about 65 per cent. Automation and instrumentation works, he said, were approximately 30 per cent complete, with key equipment yet to be imported. Overall project completion, he noted, stands at about 75 per cent, with 25 per cent remaining.
On behalf of farmers, the President of the Kpong Irrigation Scheme Water Users Association, Mr Charles Tetteh Hombey, welcomed the Minister’s visit but raised concerns over difficulties in marketing rice produced under the scheme.
“We produce, but we cannot sell,” he said, appealing to government to engage aggregators and off-takers to purchase farmers’ produce, as some had defaulted on loans due to unsold rice. He also warned that prolonged suspension of the project could negatively affect livelihoods in the area.
Responding, the Minister of Food and Agriculture said government, through the National Food Buffer Stock Company, was engaging millers and aggregators to mop up excess rice to sustain production and farmer confidence.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting farmers, stressing that functional irrigation systems were critical to ensuring food security, particularly in the face of climate change.
US YouTuber IShowSpeed visited Nigeria’s cultural and economic capital Lagos as part of his African tour on Wednesday, where he celebrated his 21st birthday by hitting 50 million subscribers.
The YouTube and Twitch star’s tour kicked off on December 29, travelling through some 15 countries across Africa and drawing crowds at every stop.
Rolling Stone magazine named him the Most Influential Creator of 2025 while Forbes estimates his net worth at $20 million.
IShowSpeed began his Lagos visit at the bustling Balogun Market in the Lagos Island district, where crowds heckled him and asked for money.
“What are they saying? It’s like they’re speaking English, but a different kind of English,” the influencer, surrounded by bodyguards, remarked as he quickly left the market.
At Freedom Park, located on the site of a former prison, he jumped at the spicy kick of his first bite of jollof rice before heading to the Nike Art Gallery — a must-see for every celebrity and high-ranking political figure who comes to Lagos.
“IShowSpeed is showcasing the culture, relationships, cultural differences and food,” Stephen Oluwafisayomi, a 24-year-old YouTuber known as Stevosky, told AFP at Freedom Park.
“He wants Americans to see Africa as a place they can also come to,” he added.
Born in Cincinnati as Darren Jason Watkins Jr., the YouTube star began gaining traction 10 years ago, first by publishing video game content and later by posting about his travels around the world.
His Africa tour has featured a race against a cheetah in South Africa, a football match with 100 children in Angola, a visit to Kenya’s Maasai and the AFCON final in Morocco.
Chef Hilda Baci displaying her Guinness World Plaque
Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has become a three-time Guinness World Record holder after her September 2025 achievement was confirmed to have earned her an additional global title.
Baci announced on Tuesday that her record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice also qualified as the largest serving of rice overall, bringing her total Guinness World Records to three.
She shared the update on Instagram, where she also amended her bio to read “Chef X3 Guinness World Record Holder”.
“Woke up a three-time Guinness World Records holder and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. What a way to step into 2026,” she wrote.
According to an email from Guinness World Records, signed by Andrew Fanning, Head of Client Partnering at the Records Creative Team, the overlap between the two record categories meant Baci had broken both titles during the same attempt.
“Congratulations, you are Officially Amazing (again)! It has come to our attention when comparing record guidelines of the two record titles, that when you and your team attempted and achieved ‘Largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice,’ you also achieved the record title of ‘Largest serving of rice,’” Fanning wrote.
Reacting to the confirmation, Baci said the discovery came as a surprise months after the initial announcement.
Barcelona moved one point clear of rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga with a comfortable victory over bottom side Real Oviedo.
Dani Olmo slotted into the bottom corner for the opener in the 52nd minute.
Raphinha increased Barca’s lead five minutes later with a dinked finish over Oviedo goalkeeper Aaron Escandell, pouncing on a mistake from David Costas.
Teenage Spain forward Lamine Yamal made sure of the success in the 73rd minute with a sublime bicycle kick from Olmo’s looped ball into the box.
It was a 10th La Liga home win under boss Hansi Flick – last doing so in December 2019 under Ernesto Valverde (W14).
Flick’s side were below par in the first half and their best chance came moments before the break when Raphinha was denied at the near post by Escandell.
But Barca stepped up their performance in the second period to maintain their slender advantage over Real, while Oviedo remain rooted to the bottom and eight points from safety.
Attention for Flick’s men now turns to Wednesday when they host Copenhagen (20:00 GMT) in the final game of the Champions League league phase as they aim to finish in the top eight and avoid the play-offs.
