Barcelona secured an emphatic win over 10-man Athletic Club in their first match at the Spotify Camp Nou since May 2023.
Robert Lewandowski scored their first goal back in their iconic home, which had been closed for extensive renovations, in the fourth minute. Poland striker Lewandowski got his side off to the perfect start when he drove his low shot in off the arm of Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simon for an eighth league goal of the season.
Ferran Torres netted towards the end of both halves, each assisted by wonderful skill from Lamine Yamal, who was aged just 15 in his only previous Nou Camp appearance. Yamal’s superb pass off the outside of his foot set up Torres for a good finish.
Lopez made it 3-0 three minutes after the restart, drilling a shot past Simon from near the penalty spot.
Sancet’s tackle from behind on Lopez was initially deemed a yellow card, but upgraded to red after the referee consulted with the video assistant referee (VAR).
And just before full-time, Yamal twisted and turned before sending Torres away to claim his second goal, which was originally disallowed for offside but overturned following a VAR check.
Large sections of the Nou Camp remained closed for the game, which was played in front of a 45,157 crowd.
The rebuilding work, which was originally scheduled to be finished in November 2024, will eventually increase the stadium’s capacity to 105,000.
Morgan Rogers scored twice as Aston Villa came from behind to beat Leeds United at Elland Road and pile more pressure on home manager Daniel Farke.
Leeds took the lead in chaotic style after just eight minutes. A Sean Longstaff free-kick was played back across goal by Gabriel Gudmundsson and Villa keeper Emi Martinez was outjumped by Anton Stach.
Stach’s header was cleared off the line – but deflected in off Leeds striker Lukas Nmecha, with the goal finally awarded after a long check by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Villa needed a response after the break, and found it when Donyell Malen – one of two half-time changes by manager Unai Emery – provided a low cross which Rogers flicked home.
And Rogers completed the turnaround when he fired home a stunning free-kick from the edge of the area 15 minutes from time.
The hosts thought they had netted an immediate equaliser, but this time VAR went against them as replays showed Dominic Calvert-Lewin had handled the ball in.
Leeds stay in the Premier League relegation zone after a third straight loss, which will raise further questions about the future of Farke.
The Essipong Sports Stadium in the Western Region, a key sporting facility built in 2008 for the African Cup of Nations, is in a state of serious deterioration.
This was revealed during an inspection conducted by the Minister for Sports and Recreation. Kofi Iddie Adams and the Director General of the National Sports Authority Mr Yaw Ampofu Ankrah.
The stadium, with a capacity of twenty thousand spectators, has not undergone significant rehabilitation since its construction, raising concerns about its current condition and suitability for hosting sporting events.
The planned rehabilitation for Phase I and II included reroofing with anti-rust materials, replacing seats, refurbishing washrooms, installing air-conditioning systems, fitting sunglasses, lighting system, and installing of a new scoreboard.
It was observed that private developers have taken over the land on which the stadium is situated, posing a significant challenge.
In response, Hon. Adams called on the Regional Coordinating Council and local chiefs to intervene and address these land issues.
In addition to these upgrades, there are plans to further improve the stadium by refurbishing the playing pitch, upgrading public address systems, enhancing corporate boxes, hostel facilities, security zones, and dressing rooms areas not covered in the initial contract. These efforts aim to fully restore the stadium’s capacity to host sporting activities and events.
Hon. Adams emphasized the urgent need for funding to support the maintenance and development of sports infrastructure across Ghana.
He appealed to the media to back the initiative to generate revenue through the National Sports Development Fund, stressing that the government is committed to giving the sports sector serious attention, as reaffirmed by President John Dramani Mahama.
While inspecting the facility, Hon. Adams expressed satisfaction with the quality of work completed so far but voiced disappointment over the slow progress of work. He underscored the importance of accelerating the work to ensure the stadium is fully functional soon.
Hon. Adams assured that urgent measures would be taken to make the stadium operational in the shortest possible time, reaffirming the government’s commitment to revitalizing sports infrastructure nationwide.
The Minister was accompanied by the Chief Director, Mrs. Wilhelmina Asamoah, Mr. Michael Esoun – Director F&A and Mr..Issah Mahami- Director (PPBME) all from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.
Source- PRO & COMMUNICATIONS UNIT MINISTRY OF SPORTS AND RECREATION
Primary Group Global Foundation has retracted comments it made against the Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah, during a recent press conference concerning suspected circumvention involving humanitarian funds intended to support government development projects.
In a statement dated November 20, 2025, the organisation clarified that the reference to the Chief of Staff was made solely to draw his attention to concerns about suspected circumvention by certain individuals who had been working with the Foundation.
The Foundation noted that it had no intention of bringing the Chief of Staff’s name into disrepute, adding that subsequent engagements with some of the parties involved made it clear that the mention of his name was regrettable.
Primary Group Global Foundation has therefore issued an unqualified apology to the Chief of Staff and formally withdrawn the earlier comments.
The organisation, however, stressed that it remains committed to pursuing individuals believed to be actively involved in the suspected circumvention of the humanitarian funds. It added that further updates will be communicated in due course.
The Volta Regional Police Command on Monday, November 17, 2025, at about 14:30 hours, destroyed by burning 600 fertilizer sacks of Indian hemp seized in 2022 in the case : The Republic vs. Yao Kwadwo @ Wallako and Two Others, after the exhibits had been tendered in evidence.
The 600 sacks contained a total of 47,530 kilogrammes of the substance, with an estimated face value of about GH¢4.2 billion.
The Ho Circuit Court, presided over by His Honour Felix Datsumor Esq., ordered the destruction of the narcotic exhibits after years of trial. This was contained in a statement issued by the Police. The exercise was supervised by Mr. Moses Dzanfi, Circuit Court Registrar; Mr. Joseph Opusomah, State Attorney; Mr. Daniel John Pekyi of the Narcotics Control Commission; and Mr. Emmanuel Mensah Gbekor of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The exhibits were completely burnt at about 22:30 hours at the Klefe dumping site in Ho, under strict supervision by the Police, National Security, and the media.
The Regional Police Command expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their continued support in the fight against drug-related crimes.
The Weija Divisional Police Command has arrested a 54-year-old mason, Isaac Adonteng, for the death of his 13-year-old daughter, Celestine Adonteng, following alleged severe abuse at their Kokrobite residence. This was contained in a statement issued by the Police in Accra.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect accused the child of taking food meant for her younger sibling and allegedly subjected her to repeated physical assault using various objects. He is also reported to have confined the girl and failed to seek medical attention even after she showed signs of serious distress.
A police team, acting on a complaint, visited the home and found the child unconscious. She was rushed to the Police Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Her body has been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue pending preservation and autopsy.
Police retrieved a cutlass and a metal pipe from the scene as part of ongoing investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command has cautioned parents and guardians against the use of excessive force when disciplining children, stressing that such acts are unlawful and can lead to tragic consequences. The Command further urged the public to promptly report all forms of child abuse and domestic violence to ensure the swift protection of vulnerable persons.
The construction of the 60-bed capacity ward at the Police Hospital in Accra, which commenced three months ago is currently at 45% completion. The whole project will be completed in February, 2026 barring any hitches.
It began with a ground-breaking ceremony by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno a couple of months ago.
The sixty bed capacity ward under construction
The police administration is relying mainly on donations from individuals and organisations to finance the project.
The hospital expansion aims at improving the delivery of healthcare services to Police personnel and the general public.
Meanwhile, the Medical Director in charge of the hospital, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Dr Otu Nyarko, has appealed for more doctors to augment the existing human resource at the facility.
According to Dr Otu Nyarko, apart from medical doctors whose services are needed urgently, other paramedics would also be welcomed to strengthen the staff.
He told The Chronicle that the declared vacancies are attributable to retirements and some of the staff members joining the bandwagon in search of greener pastures respectively.
The Medical Director opined that police would forever be grateful to the government for the ongoing recruitment into the service, which includes the medical unit, so as to alleviate the human resource challenges presently facing the hospital. He also prayed for equipment to support those in operation now.
Dr Nyarko concluded by saying that, apart from the three hospitals in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale (yet to be commissioned), the service also boasts of twenty clinics dotted across the country.
Established in 1976, the police’s premier hospital currently operates a 120-bed capacity wards.
Zoomlion, the waste management giant, under the Jospong Group of Companies, is making strategic inroads into Namibia, as the Southern African nation signals strong interest in adopting Ghana’s circular economy model to transform its waste sector.
At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the Government of Namibia opened formal discussions with the Jospong Group toward a major partnership in integrated waste management, methane reduction and green job creation.
Hon. Indileni N. Daniel (in white jacket) in a group photograph with Jospong officials
The engagement was led by Namibia’s Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Indileni N. Daniel, who hosted the Jospong delegation.
The meeting marked a significant moment for Jospong’s growing continental footprint, with both parties describing it as the beginning of a “promising and strategic working relationship.”
The Jospong team, led by Chief Investment Officer, Mr. Noah Gyimah and the General Manager of the Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant (IRECOP), Ms. Betty Brown Nyadu, made a detailed presentation on the Group’s waste transformation model, which has attracted increasing attention across Africa.
Mr. Gyimah explained that the Jospong system is a comprehensive, scalable waste solution capable of treating multiple waste streams, including solid and liquid waste.
The delegation highlighted that 32 similar plants currently operate in Ghana, with replication ongoing across Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Zanzibar, Angola and others.
Jospong also disclosed that it has ongoing advanced documentation and planning work in 25 additional African countries.
The team noted that a Namibia Jospong partnership could support the country’s commitments under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), particularly in reducing methane emissions.
They referenced Ghana’s own milestone – the $20 million carbon finance agreement signed with Switzerland at COP28, implemented through the Jospong Group.
Responding, Minister Indileni N. Daniel expressed strong confidence in the potential partnership, describing Jospong’s work as “a model aligned with Namibia’s environmental and industrialisation aspirations.”
She said Namibia was actively seeking scalable, sustainable waste solutions, especially for rapidly urbanising communities.
“We are not just looking for a waste solution. We want a solution that fits our context, one that empowers communities, creates sustainable jobs, contributes to climate goals and builds pride in African innovation,” she stressed.
The Minister further revealed that Namibia was considering an official ministerial visit to Ghana to assess Jospong’s facilities first-hand.
She said the discussions would be elevated to inter-governmental levels involving Namibia’s industry, local governance, finance and climate portfolios.
“The opportunity to turn waste into value, create hundreds of green jobs for young people, and help reduce carbon emissions is significant,” she added.
Jospong’s Model Continues to Attract Continental Interest
Ms. Betty Brown Nyadu assured the Minister that the technology and model developed by Jospong are tested, effective, and adaptable, noting that the system integrates community impact, value recovery, and strong job creation potential.
Observers at COP30 described the Namibia Jospong engagement as one of the most promising South–South climate innovation discussions at the summit.
As Namibia eyes Ghana’s circular economy success story, Zoomlion and the wider Jospong Group appear poised to strengthen their role as Africa’s leading homegrown waste management and climate-solutions brand.
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to preventing unwholesome products from entering the market through 24/7 monitoring of advertisements.
Stakeholders at the Training
Mr Nathaniel Nkrumah, Ashanti Regional Head of FDA, emphasised the Authority’s dedication to protecting public health and safety.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ training, the Ashanti Regional Head of FDA expressed the importance of collaboration in minimising the presence of heavy metals in food products.
He noted that some issues can arise from the processing and raw materials used in cereal production.
According to him, the FDA has been conducting market surveillance and sampling, which has revealed the presence of heavy metals in some cereal products, for which the Authority is working to educate stakeholders on best practices and regulatory requirements.
Prince Adutwum Opoku, Head of Enforcement Unit, outlined the FDA’s mandate, which includes regulating products, inspecting manufacturing facilities and granting marketing authorisation.
He also emphasised the importance of public education and awareness in ensuring consumer safety.
Zeinab Serwaa Acheampong, Head of Unit Products Registration, stressed the need for urgent regulatory enforcement, continuous monitoring and public awareness to safeguard public health and restore consumer confidence.
She reiterated that the FDA remains committed to protecting public health and safety by ensuring that only wholesome products are available on the market.
Some participants and officials of CPS at the event
The Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Scrutiny (CPS), Dr. Adu Owusu Sarkodie, has warned that the government’s heavy reliance on expenditure cuts in 2025 to achieve fiscal consolidation severely affected the credibility of its spending plans and disrupted the work of critical state institutions.
The Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Scrutiny (CPS), Dr. Adu Owusu Sarkodie addressing the gathering
Presenting a detailed assessment of the 2026 Budget, Dr. Sarkodie said the government’s strategy of tightening expenditure in 2025, especially the deep cuts to capital investment and goods and services had “disrupted the operations of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)” and sent “a negative signal to the private sector and investors about the credibility of government expenditure plans.”
According to the CPS review, although the fiscal deficit improved significantly from 5.7% of GDP to 1.5% on commitment basis, the adjustment came at a cost that may undermine confidence in the government’s ability to execute its annual budgets faithfully.
Severe spending squeeze
Dr. Adu Owusu Sarkodie stressed that the consolidation in 2025 was “expenditure-driven,” forced partly by weak revenue mobilisation and partly by strict adherence to fiscal targets.
The report observed that capital expenditure for the first three quarters of 2025 fell to GH¢11.01 billion—almost 60% short of the GH¢26.59 billion target.
Spending on goods and services also dropped by almost 25%, despite MDAs already struggling with arrears, limited logistics and operational constraints.
“These cuts were unusually restrictive,” the review noted, adding that they left many government agencies unable to implement planned programmes, maintain service delivery levels, or complete ongoing projects.
The CPS argued that while fiscal discipline was necessary to stabilise the economy after years of volatility, the intensity of the contraction raised questions about planning and the overall predictability of public expenditure.
The review highlighted that revenue mobilisation fell consistently short throughout 2025. By the end of the third quarter, revenue and grants had missed target by GH¢7.71 billion, equivalent to 0.5% of GDP.
“This underperformance in revenue mobilisation has compromised budget execution,” CPS warned, stressing that inadequate inflows forced the government to rely heavily on cutting capital and operational spending to meet fiscal targets.
Dr. Adu Owusu Sarkodie added that the persistent shortfall in revenue “worsened progressively,” which further heightened the strain on implementation.
Expansion in 2026 raises new risks
Looking ahead, CPS said the 2026 Budget marks a dramatic shift from contraction to expansion, with total expenditure expected to increase by 20.1% on commitment basis and 24.8% on cash basis.
Capital spending is set to rise to GH¢57.5 billion, representing a 141% jump from projected 2025 outturns.
But the think tank cautioned that the credibility of this expansion depends heavily on improved revenue mobilisation and domestic borrowing capacity.
“The 2026 fiscal programme is anchored on an increase in expenditure that surpasses revenue growth,” the review noted, emphasising that the deficit will be financed largely from the domestic market, a choice that could trigger additional interest rate pressures.
CPS warned: “The projected widening of the fiscal deficit in 2026… could trigger financing and interest rate pressures.
“These risks are magnified by the uncertainty surrounding the government’s ability to achieve its revenue target.”
Concerns over GRA resourcing
One of the strongest concerns raised in the report relates to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), which is expected to implement new digital tax measures, AI-based customs enforcement systems, and VAT reforms.
Despite these expanded responsibilities, the GRA’s allocation increased by only 1.5% in the 2026 Budget, much lower than the 28.3% increase it received in 2025.
CPS warned that such limited resourcing “raises doubts about how effectively it can pursue the measures set out in the budget.”
According to Dr. Adu Owusu Sarkodie, this heightens the risk that the revenue targets might again fall short, which would derail the government’s entire 2026 spending plan.
Monetary sector implications
The review also examined the monetary policy environment, noting that inflation dropped sharply from 32.1% in December 2024 to 8% by October 2025, the fastest disinflation in two decades. It attributed this success to coordinated fiscal restraint and aggressive monetary tightening.
However, CPS flagged concerns that the Bank of Ghana’s sterilisation strategy, which soaked up GH¢62 billion in liquidity, had unintended consequences.
The report noted: “By issuing high-yielding sterilisation bills, BoG was competing with the private sector for funds… this dynamic meant less credit was available for businesses.”
It warned that although inflation stabilised, the private sector suffered from restricted access to credit, undermining job creation and investment.
The austerity also affected infrastructure and human capital development. Several major road, energy, and health projects slowed due to the shortfalls in CAPEX releases.
The education and health sectors, though relatively protected, still faced operational pressures because of reduced goods and services allocations across MDAs.
CPS noted that while the 2026 Budget restores funds to these sectors, success will depend on stable revenue and disciplined execution.
To restore confidence, CPS recommended that government increases resourcing for GRA to close revenue gaps, improves planning, prioritisation, and procurement to ensure efficient use of increased 2026 spending.
The government should also strengthen coordination with the Bank of Ghana to manage interest rates and domestic borrowing pressures.
There must also be balance stability-oriented monetary policies with the need to increase credit to the private sector.
Dr. Adu Owusu Sarkodie concluded that the overarching challenge for 2026 is ensuring that the government’s renewed ambitions are matched by realistic revenue measures and credible implementation.
