Yerson Mosquera’s stoppage-time own goal gave Premier League leaders Arsenal victory over bottom of the table Wolves in a dramatic finish at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners were frequently frustrated by a stubborn five-man Wolves defence and took until the 70th minute to take the lead, when Bukayo Saka’s curling corner was pushed on to the post by Sam Johnstone and the ball bounced off the goalkeeper’s back to put them ahead.
Arsenal were nervy as they looked to see out the win, but that allowed Wolves to send numerous balls into the box before Mateus Mane crossed for Tolu Arokodare to head home in the 90th minute.
Supporters had their heads in their hands as it appeared Arsenal had handed title rivals Manchester City the chance to move level on points against Crystal Palace on Sunday – before the final act in the late drama.
Saka cut in from the right before curling a cross towards substitute Gabriel Jesus, and Mosquera, trying to head clear, glanced the ball past his own keeper to the unbridled joy – and immense relief – of the home support.
“It was a rollercoaster,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told BBC Match of the Day. “The longer the game went on, they had hope and we had to accelerate our game and take more risks.
“We did find a way and that’s a very positive thing, if not we’d be very frustrated and rightly so, but there are things to improve obviously.”
Morgan Rogers scored five minutes into the second half for Aston Villa
Morgan Rogers scored two second-half goals as Aston Villa twice came from behind to beat West Ham and extend their winning run in all competitions to nine matches.
The England midfielder, who had made it 2-2 five minutes in the second half, hammered an unstoppable shot into the top corner with 11 minutes left to put the visitors ahead for the first time in a topsy-turvy encounter.
Struggling West Ham, who were searching for their first victory since 8 November, were gifted an opener after just 29 seconds when Mateus Fernandes dispossessed Ezri Konsa on the edge of the penalty area before beating Marco Bizot with a powerful drive into the top corner from a tight angle.
Konstantinos Mavropanos inadvertently headed John McGinn’s inswinging cross into his own net, while under pressure from Ollie Watkins, to draw Villa level in the ninth minute.
But Nuno Espirito Santo’s side restored their advantage when Jarrod Bowen diverted Freddie Potts’ volley past Bizot to give the Hammers a 2-1 half-time lead.
Unai Emery’s team managed only one shot before the interval, but they restored parity for the second time when Rogers found the bottom corner after West Ham had failed to clear Youri Tielemans’ low cross.
Bowen then had a low, left-footed strike disallowed for offside, before Rogers struck again superbly to move third-placed Villa to within three points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Erling Haaland scored twice to help Manchester City dispatch Crystal Palace and maintain the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
City would have been eyeing top spot on Saturday night when Wolves grabbed a late equaliser at Arsenal but Yerson Mosquera’s injury-time own goal provided Mikel Arteta’s men with much-needed relief.
City did their job in the capital but did not have it all their own way as Palace carved out the best opportunity early on – Yeremy Pino breaking the offside trap from Adam Wharton’s dinked pass but only managing to strike the crossbar when one-on-one with Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The hosts were creating chances without being able to apply the finishing touch and that lack of cutting edge proved costly as Matheus Nunes swung in a cross to the back post for Haaland to thump home a header four minutes before half-time.
England international Wharton has not scored for Palace since joining from Blackburn in February 2024 but came close to breaking his duck at the start of the second period when a rasping strike rattled the foot of the post.
Tijjani Reijnders’ low drive was kept out by Dean Henderson before Phil Foden drove home a delightful finish and Haaland added a third late on from the penalty spot after Savinho was brought down by the Palace goalkeeper.
A 67-year-old Sudanese trader, Hassan Gaga Youssouf, has been arraigned before Circuit Court ‘6’ in Accra for allegedly conspiring with three others to defraud two foreign businessmen of US$400,000 under the guise of a gold deal.
Youssouf appeared before the court, presided over by His Honour Kwabena Kodua Obiri Yeboah, and pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit crime, namely defrauding by false pretence, and defrauding by false pretence.
The three other accused persons—Prince Eric William, Adam Hamoda Mohammed Awad Alla, and Sami Suliman Kahtir—are currently at large.
Youssouf was admitted to bail, while the court ordered the prosecution to continue efforts to arrest the remaining suspects.
Prosecution’s case
The court was told the accused persons allegedly conspired in August 2025 in Accra to defraud the complainants, Nizar Naji Mohammed Alassaf and Samy Mohammed Metwaly Khalifaa, both businessmen and nationals of the United Arab Emirates.
The court heard that the accused, posing as operators of a gold dealership company, allegedly convinced the complainants to part with US$400,000 on the false representation that the money would be used to purchase and ship four containers of gold to Dubai.
Prosecutors said the accused persons failed to deliver the promised gold after receiving the money and allegedly went on to demand additional funds from the complainants.
Arrest and investigations
On December 2, 2025, following intelligence gathering and surveillance, the PID arrested Youssouf at the Labone Bosphorus Restaurant in Accra. He was subsequently charged and brought before the court.
The prosecution told the court that investigations are ongoing, with efforts underway to apprehend the remaining accomplices.
The case has been adjourned to a later date for continuation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed that childhood vaccines do not cause Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), following a comprehensive review by its Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS).
The GACVS, a panel of international experts established in 1999 to provide independent scientific advice on vaccine safety, examined evidence from 31 primary research studies published between January 2010 and August 2025. The analysis included data from multiple countries and focused on both thiomersal-containing vaccines and vaccines in general.
This was contained in a statement it shared on its X page, in which the committee said the evidence strongly supports the safety of vaccines administered during childhood and pregnancy, confirming there is no causal link between vaccines and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The review also looked at vaccines containing aluminum adjuvants, analyzing studies conducted from 1999 through March 2023, including a large cohort study of children born in Denmark between 1997 and 2018. Findings indicate that the trace amounts of aluminum used in vaccines are not associated with autism.
“The available high-quality evidence continues to show that vaccines, including those with thiomersal and aluminum, do not cause autism,” GACVS stated, reaffirming conclusions from similar reviews conducted in 2002, 2004, and 2012.
WHO emphasized that national authorities should base vaccine policies on the latest scientific evidence to maintain confidence in immunization programs. The organization highlighted that global childhood immunization efforts over the past 50 years have saved at least 154 million lives, significantly improving health, livelihoods, and societal prosperity.
WHO’s statement comes amid ongoing public concern about vaccine safety and aims to strengthen public trust in immunization as a critical tool for preventing disease.
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested Suleiman Danjumah, also known as Solomon Addai and Innocent, for unlawful possession of a firearm, narcotic substances and stolen items. His arrest on 10th December 2025 comes just two weeks after the Adabraka District Court granted him bail for a separate offence involving a Smith & Wesson pistol and 30 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Police say they acted on intelligence, leading a team from the Accra Regional Command and the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) to re-arrest Danjumah. He was found with yet another unregistered pistol. During a search, officers also retrieved a 9mm Parabellum Arcus 94 pistol, a set of military uniforms and caps, a Police Huawei handset, four assorted mobile phones, a shocker, a jack knife, 34 blisters of Tramadol 225mg, and an unregistered jungle motorbike.
Further investigations established that Danjumah admitted to dealing in narcotics at Las Vegas, Achimota. He also confessed to firing warning shots during a confrontation with another drug dealer identified as Mutala Mohammed. Mutala was subsequently arrested, and a search at his residence uncovered two parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and nineteen blisters of Tramadol 120 (“Red”).
Danjumah additionally mentioned one Usman Ali as the supplier of the firearm. Checks by police have confirmed that the Police Huawei handset retrieved from him had been stolen from a police officer.
The two suspects — Danjumah and Mutala — are currently in police custody assisting with investigations, while efforts continue to apprehend Usman Ali. All the narcotics seized have been retained as exhibits and will be forwarded to the Police Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis. The suspects are expected to be processed for court in the coming days.
The Accra Regional Police Command is urging the public to continue providing credible information to support crime-prevention efforts and has reaffirmed its commitment to clamping down on illegal firearms and narcotic drugs within the region.
Ghanaian Investigative Science journalist, Ibrahim Khalilulahi Usman has won the Best News Story / Feature Category at the Africa Science Journalism for his investigative piece on coastal erosion in Ghana.
Now in its second phase, the awards organised by the Science For Africa Foundation seek to honour journalists whose reporting strengthens public understanding of science and combats misinformation across the continent.
The announcement was made during the just-concluded 13th World Conference of Science Journalists in Pretoria, South Africa, marking the event’s first-ever African host.
“These awards recognize more than excellence. We celebrate the vital forces behind it,” stated Dr. Evelyn Gitau, Chief Scientific Officer, SFA Foundation. “The courage to investigate, the persistence to verify, and the creativity to translate —these are the qualities our finalists exemplified. Each winner has used their talent not just to report, but to ignite public curiosity, safeguard factual discourse, and demonstrate that science is not locked away in institutions. It is a living, breathing part of Africa’s daily life and future.”
In his acceptance speech, the award-winning science journalist reframed journalism’s fundamental challenge in the AI era. Referencing Tom Kovach and Rosenstiel’s 2001 book “The Elements of Journalism,” he highlighted the first principle: journalism’s obligation is to the truth.
Twenty-five years ago, that statement addressed traditional verification challenges.
He stated that, today, with AI generating and assisting in content creation, science journalists face dual verification requirements
“As science journalists, our responsibility is to prioritize truth, leveraging AI responsibly to enhance our work. This means we’ve two task:” he noted
“verifying information created with AI by humans and verifying information created by humans using AI. It’s a challenging task, but it presents an opportunity to use AI responsibly and enhance our reporting.”
Khalilulahi’s award-winning investigation, supported by Dialogue Earth and Wits University, required four months of research and fact-checking.
That timeline, he explained, reflects the depth necessary for responsible science journalism in an era where AI can generate plausible-sounding but potentially inaccurate content at scale.
President John Dramani Mahama who is not prepared to compromise on his resolve to fight against all forms of bribery and corruption has directed Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga and the Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor, to immediately withdraw the Private Member’s Bill seeking to repeal the Act that established the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The directive, issued through a statement from the Jubilee House, comes amid widespread public uproar following the tabling of the motion by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor.
Before the President’s intervention, several prominent Ghanaians—including seasoned lawyer Inusah Fuseini and IMANI Vice President Kofi Bentil—had strongly criticised the attempt to abolish the OSP. They warned that scrapping the office would deal a dangerous blow to the country’s already-fragile anti-corruption fight.
However, civil society actors and a growing list of public critics maintain that the OSP despite its challenges remains one of Ghana’s few institutions with a mandate strong enough to hold politically exposed persons accountable.
Despite these concerns, on Wednesday, December 11, 2025, reports emerged that the Majority leadership had gone ahead to file a motion to dissolve the anti-graft body. The move sparked renewed debate about Parliament’s posture toward the OSP and whether legislators were acting in good faith.
Last week, during the Parliamentary exchanges, Majority Chief Whip, Dafeamekpor cautioned that Parliament may have no option but to “dissolve” the OSP if it continued “abusing its powers.”
But MP for Ofoase Ayeribi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, pushed back, insisting that complaints about the OSP often surface only when investigations affect political allies. He pointed to repeated warnings from the Minority Leader about state investigative bodies being accused of weaponising their authority.
Speaker of Parliament Alban S.K. Bagbin also weighed in, questioning the justification for continuously allocating public funds to an institution that, in his view, had not delivered expected outcomes. He suggested that the OSP was among agencies Parliament must critically re-evaluate.
Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga further dismissed the office’s achievements over its nearly eight years of existence, arguing that multiplying anti-corruption institutions does not translate into progress without genuine political will.
But the Jubilee House says President Mahama’s directive to withdraw the repeal bill aligns with his earlier public remarks at a meeting with the National Peace Council, where he emphasised his commitment to strengthening not dismantling the OSP as a key pillar in the fight against corruption.
The President reiterated that the OSP must work harder to build public confidence and tackle corruption decisively, in line with the purpose for which the office was established.
Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament
Honouring a towering statesman and mentor from the Northern Regions
Standfirst: Ghana has produced remarkable leaders from the Northern Regions, yet few have embodied dedication, resilience, and service like Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin. From humble beginnings to the apex of parliamentary leadership, his life story is a testament to perseverance, mentorship, and national impact.
Opanin Yaw Baah
A Legacy of Northern Leadership
Ghana must acknowledge the towering statesmen it has produced from the North, especially under the First and Second Republics. Among the eminent trailblazers and breeders of leadership qualities in our five Northern Regions were S.D. Dombo, Yakubu Tali (Tolon Naa), J.S. Braimah, Mumuni Bawumia, B.K. Adama, Jato Kaleo, Emmanuel Mahama, Mumuni Dumbe, C.K. Tedam, Abavana, and Abeifaa Karbo.
The Third Republic, though lasting less than three years, also saw Ghana producing the first ever president from the Northern Regions in the person of Dr. Hilla Limann, alongside Professor J.S. Nabila, Colonel Zuanrugu, and other distinguished leaders.
Under the current dispensation of the Fourth Republic, our five Northern Regions can boast of two-term President John Dramani Mahama, Vice Presidents Aliu Mahama and Mahamudu Bawumia, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, Alhassan Malik, Ndebuguri, Martin Amidu, Cletus Avoka, Dr. Kubour Ambros Derry, Kofi Adda, Fuseini, Mahama Ayariga and the brilliant and energetic Haruna Iddrisu.
The common feature among these remarkable leaders is that they either hail from privileged backgrounds, had strong sentimental ties to influential ‘skins’, or emerged from humble beginnings through sheer hard work. Classical examples of these royals include Dr. Limann, who died as Tumu Paramount Chief; Tolon Naa Yakubu Tali, chief of Mion; S.D. Dombo, the Diori Chief; Abeifaa Karbo, the Nandom Naa; Wulugu Naa Prof. J.S. Nabila; Mumuni Bawumia of the Mamprusi State; and J.S. Braimah of the Gonja dynasty.
Privileged educators such as S.D. Dombo, Jato Kaleo, B.K. Adama, Mumuni Dumbe, and Abavana were early entrants into active Northern politics. Children of political giants, like President Mahama and Vice President Bawumia, were born into positions of advantage. Yet, a third group emerged from obscurity through relentless dedication, including Amidu, Kumbour, Haruna Iddrisu, Ndebugri, Avoka, and Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, who has risen as one of the greatest Northern politicians of all time.
Early Life and Entry into Politics
Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin’s story is one of perseverance against the odds. Born to illiterate peasant farmers as the 13th child of over 30, he was initially destined for a life of hoe and cutlass or cattle rearing. By what he describes as divine intervention, he began schooling at the age of six at Sumbo, completing ten years of barefoot elementary education before gaining admission to Wa and Tamale Secondary Schools for his O- and A-level certificates.
In 1977, he entered the University of Ghana and, by 1982, qualified as a barrister-at-law and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana. Remarkably, throughout his education, he supported himself through various odd jobs, including selling and repairing aluminium utensils.
Ten years later, through the trust and goodwill of the people of Nadowli North, Bagbin made a dramatic entry into politics. In 2008, President J.A. Kufuor, the greatest leader of our 4th Republic recognised his exceptional wisdom and versatility and sought to honour him with the state award of the Order of the Volta. Due to political pressures, Bagbin respectfully declined at that time.
As Professor John Akopari, a Ghanaian political scholar in South Africa, aptly observed, “No literature on Alban Bagbin can ever be complete; he has achieved the nearly unachievable. Wherever Bagbin sets foot, he leaves an indelible imprint.”
Bagbin as Legislator
While J.H. Mensah, of blessed memory, is revered as a master of parliamentary debate, Bagbin remains Ghana’s greatest legislator. His contributions surpass those of any politician since the First Republic.
He is the only parliamentarian to have served as Minority Leader for eight years, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business for five years, Deputy Speaker for four years, and Substantive Speaker for four years, now beginning another four-year term. Following Justice D.F. Annan, Bagbin holds the distinction of being among the longest-serving Speakers in Ghanaian history. He has chaired or ranked more parliamentary committees than any other MP.
Bagbin is known for his boldness, fearlessness, and fairness. As Chair of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, he led the charge against the Constitutional Amendment Bill on the status of the Vice President in the early 1990s, despite it being sponsored by his own party.
He also championed reforms reserving the chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for professional accountants, while Legal Committees remain chaired exclusively by Lawyers. Following this reform in 2005, he ceded PAC leadership to Hon. Sallas Mensah, an accomplished accountant. Many supporters credit Bagbin’s leadership in Parliament for helping the NDC secure victory in the 2008 national elections.
Bagbin and the Executive
After the NDC’s 2008 national victory, Bagbin was invited by President Mills to bring his expertise to the executive. Between 2013 and 2016, he served as Minister for Health and Minister for Works and Housing, delivering notable performance in both capacities.
He has chaired numerous Boards since 1993, demonstrating leadership and service across a wide spectrum of national interests.
Bagbin – The Colossus of Speakers
The dictum that people “throw in the towel” when applause is high does not apply to Bagbin. After 28 years of national service, he chose to continue.
In January 2021, Bagbin contested and won the Speakership by a single vote against incumbent Prof. Mike Oquaye, making history as the first opposition candidate to win Speakership in a Hung Parliament (137 seats each, with one independent). Previous Speakers, including J.F. Annan, Ala Adjetey, Bagyina Sekyi Hughes, Justice Bamfo-Addo, Doe Ajaho, and Professor Oquaye, all served single terms, except Annan who served two.
As Chair of the Parliamentary Service Board (PSB), the engine of Ghana’s Parliament, Bagbin is the only Ghanaian to have chaired the PSB for eight years. He had previously served on the Board during the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th sessions of Parliament. Political commentators have described him as “Primus inter pares” or the “Alpha and Omega” of Fourth Republic Parliament affairs.
Under his leadership, Parliamentary Services have been overhauled to align with the Civil Service of Ghana, introducing reforms, promotions, and expanded opportunities. The Parliamentary Service now stands tall in comparison to Commonwealth and African democratic jurisdictions, thanks in part to contributions from clerks Cyril Oteng Nsiah and Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror.
Bagbin as Mentor
Bagbin has inspired politicians across Ghana, North and South, including the writer. No politician from the Northern Regions has received more citations, awards, and recognitions, including multiple honorary doctorates. He has been a source of hope and solutions, providing scholarships for the less privileged through the Northern Scholars Network.
He has addressed every paramountcy in the North and, in a recent meeting with Ya-Na, emphasised the fight against extreme poverty, disease, and underdevelopment. Today, many youths recognise him as Ghana’s foremost mentor, a testament to his humble beginnings and extraordinary achievements.
Global Recognition
Ghana has long played a pivotal role in global politics. Distinguished citizens such as Kofi Annan (UN Secretary-General, 1997–2006), Dr. Quaison-Sackey (Ghana’s first Permanent Representative at the UN), Dr. Ibn Chambas (ECOWAS Secretary-General), Dr. A.Y. Amoako (Economic Commission for Africa), and Hon. Ayorkor Botchwey (Commonwealth Secretary-General) have all earned global acclaim.
In 2022, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin was elected President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in Canada and was re-elected for another term in Accra in 2023. In early 2025, he was elected President of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures and Chairperson of the African Geopolitical Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), solidifying his status as a leading voice in global parliamentary affairs.
Conclusion
It is unfortunate that, despite these extraordinary achievements, the State of Ghana has yet to formally acknowledge and honour him. As Shakespeare wrote in Julius Caesar, “If you don’t say ‘I am,’ people will never say you are.”
It is against this backdrop that all former and current MPs, the Board of Parliamentary Service, and Parliament staff—from cleaners and security personnel to the Clerk—should unite in naming the Speaker’s Block Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin Block, honouring this fearless, patriotic, and visionary son of the land.
By Opanin Yaw Baah
Former MP, Kumawu Constituency
Acting Secretary, Forum for Former MPs of Ghana
The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has announced a major revision to its pension administration process, introducing a mandatory annual Pensioner Certificate renewal for all retirees, effective April 2026.
The new policy requires every pensioner—whether they retired compulsorily at age 60 or voluntarily from age 55—to renew their Pensioner Certificate each year during their birth month. According to SSNIT, the move is designed to safeguard the integrity of the national pension system by ensuring that monthly benefits are paid only to living and eligible pensioners.
In a media release dated December 10, 2025, the Trust explained that the renewed process forms part of efforts to strengthen accountability and eliminate irregular payments within the scheme. The institution emphasized that continuous pension payments will depend on successful annual renewal.
To make the process accessible, SSNIT has outlined multiple channels through which pensioners can complete the renewal, including: SSNIT Mobile App using facial verification for both resident and non-resident pensioners, SSNIT Virtual Branch, Partner bank co-locations,
All SSNIT branches nationwide.
In a bid to support elderly pensioners with mobility limitations, SSNIT has also introduced home verification services. Such pensioners can request a home visit by calling the SSNIT Contact Centre on 0302 611 622 to book an appointment.
As part of the rollout plan, pensioners will receive reminders at least one month before their birth month through SMS, email, and other approved communication channels to ensure smooth compliance. SSNIT is urging all pensioners to adhere to the revised policy to avoid any disruptions in payment.
