Ghanaian rapper Nana Yaw Adjei Yeboah Maradona, popularly known in showbiz as Guru, has announced that he is ready to relaunch his music career after completing his final examinations at the University of Ghana.
Speaking in an interview with Myjoyonline’sAlbert Kuzor on the university campus during an event on Thursday, the Lapaz Toyota hitmaker revealed that balancing academic work, family life and his music career had been a challenging experience, but one he valued greatly.
“It hasn’t been easy combining academic and music and also combining academic with student leadership…. these collaborative things has really empowered me.”
He said that with his exams now behind him, fans should expect his full return to the showbiz scene. “I just wrote my final exams, I am done and I am still going back to the show business.”
“I am coming all out, I have to because this is me, this is my life, my life is also centred on three major things, family, music and also leadership role, so I am coming all out.” he added.
Guru also disclosed that he recently released a track titled Ashawo, adding to his catalogue of hits. “I have a new song called Ashawo, it will be coming out shortly and hopefully I will be coming back for more content”
According to him, his return is expected to inject fresh energy into Ghana’s music industry as he reconnects with his audience and builds on his legacy as one of the country’s celebrated artistes.
In 2021, he gained admission to the University of Ghana (Legon) to further his education. The songwriter, under the record label NKZ, studied Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.
In last year, Guru won the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) presidential election at the University.
The king of South Africa’s large Zulu community has challenged a professor and cultural expert to a stick fight, saying he had been insulted, along with the entire Zulu nation.
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini issued the challenge to Prof Musa Xulu in front of thousands of people who had gathered at his newly built royal palace for the annual Reed Dance.
“We are angry and we will do anything to protect and preserve our cultures,” he said, according to the Timeslive news site.
Prof Xulu told the BBC he took the king’s personal challenge as a joke, however he said he was worried for his safety in case he was attacked by other Zulus.
“I have received threats from hired assassins,” he said, adding that he had lodged a formal complaint with the police.
King Misuzulu did not specify exactly what Prof Xulu had said to anger him but he was quoted as saying: “It pains me to see another man telling me how to do my job.”
Prof Xulu told the BBC he believes the king was angered by an interview he gave to local media, in which he said that the move to the new eMashobeni palace could be seen as wasteful, given that 152 million rand ($9m; £6.5m) had been spent on renovating the Enyokeni palace where the reed dance had been held since 1984, when the ceremony was introduced to South Africa.
But “talking about public finance is not an insult,” he said.
On the question of stick-fighting, he said this was part of Zulu culture but those fighting had to be equals and “I’m not equal to the king”.
The 64-year-old professor also said he had not done any stick-fighting since before he was a teenager.
China’s military has warned the Philippines against any provocations in the tense South China Sea as it continues to launch patrols and advance plans to solidify its control of the area.
A spokesperson for the Chinese military’s Southern Theater Command issued a statement directed at the Philippines that referenced joint drills with the United States and Japan in the major waterway carrying more than $3 trillion of annual commerce.
“We sternly warn the Philippine side to immediately stop provoking incidents and escalating tensions in the South China Sea, as well as bringing in external forces for backing such efforts that are destined to be futile,” the spokesperson said.
Philippine maritime and military authorities have not commented immediately.
The warning comes after the US Asia Pacific Command said in a statement that Japan, the Philippines and the US conducted joint maritime exercises in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone from Thursday to Saturday to strengthen regional cooperation and support a free and open Asia Pacific region.
This comes days after China’s State Council on Wednesday revealed its intention to establish a nature reserve spanning 3,500 hectares (8,650 acres) on the disputed islet of Scarborough Shoal, a contested territory claimed by both China and the Philippines in the South China Sea.
F-16 aircraft detected a Russian drone in Romanian airspace
Romania says a Russian drone has breached its airspace – the second Nato country to report such an incursion. Romanian fighter jets were in the air monitoring a Russian attack in Ukraine on Saturday and were able to track the drone near Ukraine’s southern border, the defence ministry said in a statement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the incursion could not be a mistake – it was “an obvious expansion of the war by Russia”. Moscow has not commented on the Romanian claims.
On Wednesday, Poland said it had shot down at least three Russian drones which had entered its airspace.
In its statement, Romania’s defence ministry said it detected the Russian drone when two F-16 jets were monitoring they country’s border with Ukraine, after “Russian air attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure on the Danube”.
The drone was detected 20km (12.4 miles) south-west of the village of Chilia Veche, before disappearing from the radar. But it did not fly over populated areas or pose imminent danger, the ministry said.
Poland also responded to concerns over Russian drones on Saturday. “Preventative operations of aviation – Polish and allied – have begun in our airspace,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a post on X. “Ground-based air defence systems have reached the highest state of readiness.”
Earlier this week Russia’s defence ministry said there had been “no plans” to target facilities on Polish soil.
Belarus, a close Russian ally, said the drones which entered Polish airspace on Wednesday were an accident, after their navigation systems were jammed.
On Sunday, the Czech Republic announced it had sent a special operations helicopter unit to Poland.
Rubio and Netanyahu visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Israel to discuss the war in Gaza following Israel’s attack on Hamas members in Qatar, which has drawn international condemnation.
Before his departure, Rubio said US President Donald Trump was unhappy with the Israeli strike on the key US ally, but stressed that the US-Israeli relationship was “very strong”.
“Obviously we’re not happy about it, the president was not happy about it. Now we need to move forward and figure out what comes next,” Rubio said.
His visit comes as Israeli forces continue to destroy residential buildings in Gaza City, forcing thousands to flee ahead of an expected ground offensive to seize the city.
In his remarks at Joint Base Andrews, Rubio added that Trump’s priority remained the return of all hostages and an end to the war. Hamas members had been in Doha to discuss the latest US proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza when Israel launched its strikes.
When asked whether the strike on Doha complicated Qatar’s willingness to work with the US, Rubio said “they’ve been good partners on a number of fronts”.
Qatar – a key US ally in the region and the location of a major American air base – will host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit on Monday to discuss next moves.
Doha has condemned Israel’s attack as “cowardly” and a “flagrant violation of international law”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move was “fully justified” because it targeted senior Hamas leaders who organised the 7 October 2023 attacks.
Some 48 Israeli hostages, of whom 20 are believed to remain alive, are being held by Hamas in Gaza. Their families have said Netanyahu is the “one obstacle” preventing their return and reaching a peace deal.
A senior lecturer at the Department of Environmental Science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Isaac KowTetteh, has called for the creation of a dedicated National Action Plan to tackle PFAS contamination in Ghana, warning that the country currently lacks a focused policy framework to deal with the emerging threat posed by so-called “Forever Chemicals.”
PFAS—Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Pubstances—are synthetic chemicals widely used in consumer and industrial products because of their water, grease, and stain-resistant properties. Known for their persistence in the environment and the human body, PFAS can take decades to break down, and have been linked to a range of health problems including cancer, liver damage, thyroid dysfunction, infertility, and developmental disorders.
PFAS
“Ghana does not currently have a specific National PFAS Action Plan. While there are broader environmental efforts that indirectly address PFAS, such as the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) and the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act (Act 1124), these initiatives are not tailored to the scale and complexity of PFAS pollution,” Prof.Tetteh told The Chronicle in response to written questions.
Legal Framework and Monitoring Capacity
Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under Act 1124, has the legal mandate to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution, which provides a basis for PFAS regulation. The Hazardous Chemicals Committee (HCC) within the EPA monitors the importation, use, and disposal of hazardous chemicals, including PFAS.
Prof.Tetteh explained that Ghana already has some technical capacity for PFAS detection through SociétéGénérale de Surveillance (SGS Ghana), which conducts PFAS sampling and testing using international standards such as the EPA Method 1633. This capacity, he argued, should be scaled up and institutionalized to support nationwide surveillance and policy action.
Current Water Treatment Methods Are Ineffective
Despite Ghana’s efforts to improve water safety, conventional water treatment methods such as chlorination, coagulation, sand filtration, ultrafiltration, and UV oxidation have proven ineffective at removing PFAS from drinking water.
“The carbon-fluorine bond in PFAS is among the strongest in organic chemistry. It resists most treatment processes, which is why PFAS can pass through traditional systems and remain in water consumed by the public,” Prof. Tetteh explained.
He noted that more advanced treatment technologies including granular activated carbon filtration, ion exchange resins, reverse osmosis, and nanofiltration have demonstrated much higher efficiency in removing both long-chain and short-chain PFAS, as well as other organic and inorganic impurities.
Low Public Awareness a Major Barrier
Another key concern, according to Prof. Tetteh, is the lack of public education campaigns specifically addressing PFAS exposure in Ghana.
“There is no structured public awareness campaign on PFAS, despite scientific evidence confirming its presence in our environment. This gap in public health communication is dangerous because it limits community-level protective actions and delays policy pressure,” he warned.
He cautioned that many Ghanaians might unknowingly expose themselves to PFAS through consumer products, cosmetics, contaminated water, or e-waste, and urged policymakers to launch nationwide awareness programmes to empower individuals to make informed choices.
Given the complexity of PFAS contamination, Prof.Tetteh recommended a collaborative approach involving government agencies, industry, researchers, and the public. He suggested that industries could support research at institutions like KNUST to identify cost-effective and sustainable solutions for PFAS mitigation, while communities must cooperate in monitoring and adopt behavioral changes to reduce exposure.
The KNUST researcher also drew attention to the scarcity of baseline PFAS data in Ghana and Africa at large. Few studies have measured PFAS concentrations in environmental matrices such as soil, air, and water, or in biological samples including human blood, breast milk, and wildlife tissues.
He pointed out that Ghana lacks advanced analytical tools like high-resolution mass spectrometry, trained personnel, and legal thresholds for PFAS in water and soil. Also missing are studies on how Ghanaians are exposed outside of e-waste sites and what the long-term health effects may be.
Ghana’s Stockholm Convention Commitments
Prof.Tetteh disclosed that the ongoing update of Ghana’s National Implementation Plan (NIP) under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) now includes PFAS as a target chemical.
“This inclusion is significant. The NIP offers a structured national mechanism to plan, fund, and implement PFAS research, surveillance, and control. It can become the main tool to drive change if supported politically and financially,” he emphasized.
He further noted that Ghana has a strong record of international cooperation on environmental issues and urged that these partnerships be extended to cover PFAS. Existing collaborations with UNEP, UNIDO, WHO, and the US EPA, he said, could provide technical expertise, funding, and training for PFAS detection and remediation.
“No matter how useful these chemicals are, if they harm the population, we must choose safer alternatives. If we value lives, we must act,” Prof.Tetteh said.
Time for Action
The message from Prof.Tetteh is clear: Ghana cannot afford to delay action on PFAS. He called for the urgent development of a National PFAS Action Plan, stronger regulation, public awareness campaigns, investment in advanced water treatment technologies, and expanded research and monitoring programmes.
Without these measures, he warned, the invisible threat of Forever Chemicals will continue to quietly undermine Ghana’s public health, environment, and the wellbeing of future generations.
Mr Ken Ashigbey, Member of anti-galamsey coalition
The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) has issued a scathing critique of President Mahama’s recent statement on illegal mining, accusing the government of failing to confront the galamsey crisis with the urgency and severity it demands.
In a powerful response to the President’s comments during the “Presidential Media Encounter” on September 10, GCAG argued that the government’s posture on the issue was alarmingly passive, downplaying what has become one of Ghana’s most destructive environmental and social crises.
The Coalition, which represents a broad spectrum of society including media organizations, labour unions, youth groups, traditional leaders, businesses, and civil society organizations emphasized the escalating damage caused by illegal mining activities, which have ravaged over 60% of the country’s water bodies, devastated forest reserves, and displaced countless farmers.
GCAG’s statement on Wednesday morning called out the President for his failure to grasp the scale of the environmental “terrorism” being inflicted on the nation. “The President’s remarks were woefully inadequate. The seriousness of the galamsey disaster cannot be overstated. Our water bodies are poisoned with heavy metals, our forests are decimated, and we are staring at the potential collapse of our agricultural sector,” the Coalition said.
A Crisis of Urgency and Leadership
GCAG’s condemnation focused primarily on President Mahama’s perceived indifference to the urgency of the crisis. “What the President failed to acknowledge was that we are in the midst of an environmental catastrophe. Every day we delay, the damage grows irreparably,” said a spokesperson for the Coalition. He added that “his statement lacked the urgency needed to pull us back from the brink. This is no longer just a political issue—it’s a life-or-death situation for future generations.”
One of the most contentious points raised by GCAG was the President’s comments on the police’s role in curbing galamsey activities. Mahama suggested that law enforcement had failed to distinguish between legal and illegal miners, and subsequently pulled police forces out of anti-galamsey operations. GCAG, however, pushed back, arguing that the police had shown considerable courage and progress in confronting illegal mining.
“We saw first-hand how the police, though not perfect, made significant strides in controlling the galamsey menace. They were fearless in their efforts, and now, the President’s decision to withdraw them only emboldens those operating outside the law,” the Coalition asserted.
A Call for Accountability
In a direct challenge to the President, GCAG demanded that the government name a single licensed small-scale mining operation that is operating responsibly and in line with the law. They also questioned whether newly established bodies like the National Alternative Initiatives for Miners (NAIMOS) are adequately funded and equipped to address the problem.
“There is no doubt that the government has failed to provide the necessary resources to combat illegal mining. We welcome initiatives like NAIMOS, but we ask: has the government truly committed to supporting them with the capacity needed to make a tangible difference?” GCAG questioned.
The Coalition further argued that the President’s assertion that alternative livelihoods must be provided before taking action against illegal miners effectively justifies the widespread lawlessness, allowing criminals to continue destroying the environment without consequence.
“It’s unacceptable to suggest that illegal activities can be allowed to continue until an alternative is provided. This is a dangerous justification for the destruction of our land, our water, and our future,” GCAG declared.
An Unfolding Environmental Crisis
The President’s speech also touched on the government’s reluctance to declare a state of emergency in response to the growing crisis. GCAG was unequivocal in its stance, claiming that the failure to declare such a measure, despite the deteriorating conditions, shows a government that is either out of touch or unwilling to act.
“The government’s refusal to declare a state of emergency is a slap in the face to Ghanaians who are watching their livelihoods and futures vanish in real time,” said a GCAG member. The Coalition cited a report from the Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), who confirmed that turbidity levels at the Kwanyarko Water Treatment Plant had surged to a staggering 32,000 NTU—a dangerously high level that rendered the water unfit for human consumption.
On the same day, the Central Regional Minister confirmed the closure of the plant, underscoring the crisis’s deepening impact on public health and access to clean water.
The Path Forward: A Call to Action
GCAG is not backing down. They have announced a ‘Comprehensive Media Briefing’ scheduled for Monday, September 15, 2025, at the International Press Center, where they will provide further evidence of the government’s failings and outline a more forceful approach to tackling the galamsey crisis.
“We will continue to hold the government accountable. We are uniting every sector of society to demand immediate, decisive action,” GCAG said in its statement. “The government’s inaction is failing us all—farmers, businesses, children, and the environment. Our very future is at stake.”
Palm oil is made from the fruit of the African oil palm. Over the past several decades, it has become one of the most produced oils in the world. Palm oil is in nearly half of the packaged products you find in supermarkets. It’s used in toiletries, cosmetics, and processed foods.
Zero Cholesterol This is the most important health benefit provided by palm kernel oil. This makes it a perfect replacement for lard and butter in the cooking process. People with high cholesterol and heart disease can easily switch over to healthy palm oil without worry.
Loaded With Antioxidants
With a sufficient amount of Vitamin E, rarely found tocotrienols and being loaded with anti-oxidants, palm oil provides amazing anti-aging benefits. It prevents the occurrence of wrinkles and fine lines. It is capable of providing protection against harmful UV rays and other toxins. Therefore, it is wise to include palm kernel oil in your daily diet. It will keep your skin healthy and youthful.
Unsaturated Fats
The palm kernel oil is an amazing source of healthy unsaturated fats as well as medium chain fatty acids. This is what makes it perfect for use as a cooking medium. Moreover, these qualities make it ideal for healthier skin, bones and joints.
Rich In Vitamin K
Vitamin K is one of the most important fat-soluble vitamins that the body requires. It boosts bone health and also acts as a blood coagulant. Palm kernel oil contains high amounts of the vitamin and hence, is recommended for daily use.
Zero Trans-Fat
This is another great benefit of palm kernel oil. This amazing oil does not contain any trans-fat, and is hence considered the ideal cooking oil for those looking to shed extra pounds.
Contains Vitamin A
Another important benefit of palm kernel oil is that it is loaded with Vitamin A. This vitamin is required for proper vision. Vitamin A also prevents the occurrence of different eye disorders, like night blindness .
Long Shelf Life
Besides the comprehensive health benefits offered by palm kernel oil, there are also other benefits that can be useful for the food industry. The oil doesn’t get oxidized under high cooking temperatures and during the course of storage. This makes it a better choice compared to vegetable oil. The oil can be used for commercial cooking, such as French fries and potato chips.
Filled With Nutrients
In addition to containing important fat-soluble vitamins, palm kernel oil also is packed in nutrition. It has numerous nutrients that are essential for maintaining good health. The presence of palmitic acid, considered as a 16-carbon saturated fatty acid, makes it distinctive from other cooking oils.
Improved Hair Growth
Have you ever used Palm kernel oil for haircare? Palm kernel oil shows amazing results on hair growth. It provides thorough conditioning, thickens hair and reduces hair fall by making it stronger. Used as a hot oil treatment, it provides a soothing effect along with the desired nourishment.
Provides Naturally Soft Skin
Besides the amazing anti-aging benefits provided by the palm kernel oil, it also makes the skin naturally soft and glossy without it getting a greasy appearance. This is the reason the oil is a key ingredient in many soap bars and skin creams. It also provides relief to ragged cuticles and itchy skin.
The health benefits of palm kernel oil can be attributed to its essential fatty acids and vitamins A, E, and K. These nutrients help promote heart, bone, and eye health. The oil is also beneficial to your hair and skin. This oil is also used for soap making and is an effective biodiesel fuel that provides sustainability for economic development. In addition, vitamin K in this oil aids in wound healing and promotes bone health. However, excess intake may cause issues. If you experience any adverse effects, limit its use and seek medical advice. (Dr Archana Batra, a dietitian, and physiotherapist)
Karela United began their 2025/26 Ghana Premier League campaign on a positive note with a 1-0 victory over Aduana FC at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale on Sunday.
The decisive moment came in the opening minute when Malik Abubakar fired home to stun the two-time champions and ignite the home crowd.
Neither side was able to find the net again, with chances at a premium as both teams struggled to convert opportunities.
The win places Karela United among six clubs to secure victories on the opening weekend of the new Ghana Premier League season.
Karela United will travel to face Samartex next weekend, while Aduana FC return home to host Nations FC in Dormaa.
Nations FC began their Ghana Premier League campaign on a winning note after edging Swedru All Blacks 2-1 in a dramatic opener at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex on Sunday.
The visitors, making their first topflight appearance in 15 years, struck first in the 13th minute through captain Kweku Asuandze Baffoe.
But Nations FC fought back strongly, with Samuel Tetteh equalising in the 57th minute.
Just when the match looked set to end in a draw, Emmanuel Annor popped up in the 95th minute to hand the home side all three points.
The result gives Nations FC an early boost in their title charge, while Swedru All Blacks will have to regroup quickly for their next game against Berekum Chelsea.
