Vice Pres Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and the Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has paid a courtesy visit to the Oguaa Traditional Council at the Emintsimadze Palace in Cape Coast, ahead of the 2025 PANAFEST celebration slated for July 26.
The visit was to pay homage to the Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, and to reaffirm the government’s commitment to deepening collaboration with traditional authorities across the country.
Accompanied by the Central Regional Minister, Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, the Mayor of Cape Coast, George Justice Arthur, and other dignitaries, the Vice President was warmly received by the Queen Mothers of the area as well as Municipal and District Chief Executives from the region.
As part of the visit, Professor Opoku-Agyemang donated to the upcoming festival, which included crates of soft drinks, bottles of whiskey, and cartons of bottled water.
In her address on Friday, July 25, she emphasised the crucial role traditional leaders play in national development, calling on the Council to maintain their support and vigilance.
“I will plead with you that, as we are going forward, continue to support us. If in any situation at all, we make a decision that you think will not favour the country, we plead with you to draw our attention; we are not above advice,” she appealed.
She also expressed deep appreciation to the Council for their continuous support and prayers over the years.
As a gesture of recognition, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II presented the Vice President with a “Certificate of Achievement” and a plaque, urging her to stay resolute in her service to the nation.
“It is because of your love for humankind that God has blessed you with this position to bless everyone in Ghana. Politics comes with a lot of impediments, but as you have started, when you depend on God, you will never fall,” he said.
Adding to the occasion, Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Policy Advisor at the Vice President’s Office, highlighted some achievements of the current administration, including the payment of monthly allowances to assembly members.
At least 38 people have been killed and 15 others injured in an attack on a church in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The attack, carried out by suspected members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) wielding guns and machetes, took place at the church in Ituri province’s Komanda city early on Sunday.
The ADF, with ties to ISIL (ISIS), is a rebel group that operates in the borderland between Uganda and the DRC, and has routinely conducted attacks against civilian populations.
Several houses and shops were also burned down, and many people remain missing after the attack, which happened while Catholic Christians were attending a prayer vigil at the church, run by the Caritas charity.
“The rebels mainly attacked Christians who were spending the night in the Catholic church,” said Christophe Munyanderu, a human rights activist present at the scene in Komanda. “Unfortunately, these people were killed with machetes or bullets.”
DRC’s Radio Okapi reported the death toll as 43, blaming it on the ADF. “More than 20 victims were killed with bladed weapons during a prayer vigil in a church,” the radio said. “Other bodies were found in burned houses nearby.”
“What we know this morning is that there was an incursion by armed men with machetes into a church not far from Komanda,” DRC army spokesperson Jules Ngongo said.
A civil society leader told The Associated Press news agency that people were shot dead inside and outside the church, adding that they found at least three charred bodies.
Greece is continuing to battle five major wildfires across the country amid a severe heatwave, with extreme temperatures expected to persist.
Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 44C (111.2F) on Sunday, as firefighters focus their efforts on two major fires on the islands of Kythira and Evia.
Fire brigade spokesman Vasilios Vathrakoyannis said the situation had improved after an “all night battle”, but warned that the risk of new fires on Sunday remained “extremely dangerous”.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Turkey has recorded its highest ever temperature as fires raged in several regions.
Greece’s climate crisis and civil protection minister Giannis Kefalogiannis previously said: “We have injured firefighters, human lives were put at risk, properties have been burned, and forest areas have been destroyed.”
High winds continued to fan the flames on Sunday. Greece has formally requested assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for six firefighting aircraft.
In Kythira, a blaze spread rapidly after breaking out on Saturday morning in the village of Pitsinades. According to initial estimates, about 20% of the island has been affected by the fire.
New evacuation alerts were issued on Sunday ordering residents of several villages to leave.
Local authorities said there were signs of improvement on Sunday, but a significant risk of flare-ups remained due to strong winds.
Cambodian forces near the disputed area with Thailand
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to hold talks in Malaysia on Monday in an attempt to negotiate an end to a conflict that has lasted four days.
Thailand said on Sunday a delegation led by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai would attend, after US President Donald Trump called the leaders of both countries on Saturday to press for an immediate ceasefire.
The Thai government said it had been told by Malaysia that Cambodian Prime Minister Hum Manet would also attend.
At least 33 soldiers and civilians have been killed while thousands of Thai and Cambodian nationals have been displaced since border fighting broke out on 24 July.
At the beginning of a private visit to his Scottish golf courses, Trump wrote on Truth Social that both nations “have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!”
Both countries thanked him for his concern and efforts, though shelling continued overnight into Sunday. Cambodia accepted his request for a ceasefire, while Thailand stressed the need for a dialogue between the two countries.
Cambodia had already proposed a ceasefire; its military is weaker than Thailand’s and it has been losing ground and equipment to the Thai artillery bombardments and air strikes. On the other hand, Thailand says it is willing to consider a ceasefire, but is sticking to its previous demand that dialogue with Cambodia must come first.
Residents of Gaza have cautiously welcomed reports of a temporary humanitarian pause to allow aid into the besieged enclave, but many say the relief must be the beginning of a broader, lasting solution to the deepening crisis.
Israel’s military said it will open humanitarian corridors to allow convoys of food and medicine to enter, after warnings of starvation and weeks of international pressure.
For months, Gaza’s population of more than two million has faced extreme shortages of food, clean water, and basic medical supplies as bombardment and border closures have brought daily life to a standstill.
“Of course I feel a bit of hope again, but also worried that starvation would continue once the pause is over,” said Rasha Al-Sheikh Khalil, a 39-year-old mother-of-four in Gaza City.
She added: “One convoy of aid or a few air drop packages won’t be enough. We need a real solution, an end to this nightmare, an end to the war.”
Israel’s announcement on Sunday came after it said it made an airdrop of aid into Gaza of “seven packages of aid containing flour, sugar and canned food”.
Jordan and the UAE also say they have a plan, backed by the UK, to drop aid into the territory, but aid agencies have said such moves would do little to mitigate the hunger of Gazans.
Israel denied what it called “the false claim of deliberate starvation” in Gaza.
Medical experts in Gaza say malnutrition is becoming widespread, especially among children and those with specific dietary needs.
Dr. Martin Agyei , senior dermatologist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH)
Baaba Sarpong, a teacher and makeup enthusiast, walked into a shop in Kumasi to purchase cosmetics to enhance her appearance. Like many others, she was unaware that her lipstick or eyeliner might contain harmful chemicals known as PFAS — “Forever Chemicals” linked to cancer, infertility and hormone disruption.
Even the shop attendant assisting Baaba was unfamiliar with PFAS and the growing global concern around their use in everyday products, including cosmetics.
Their shared unawareness reflects a national gap in consumer education and regulation – one that health experts warn could have severe consequences.
Unlike Ghana, countries such as France, Canada, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands and Sweden are taking action.
A variety of cosmetic products, some of which may contain PFAS chemicals.
Beginning in 2025, several of these nations will begin banning household products like non-stick cookware that contain PFAS.
Ghana, however, lacks a clear national policy or regulatory framework on the matter.
PFAS in Cosmetics: A Hidden Threat
Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals used to make products resistant to water, grease, stains and heat.
Nicknamed “Forever Chemicals” because they persist in the environment and human body for decades, PFAS are found in a wide range of items from fire fighting foam and fast-food wrappers to mascara, nail polish and feminine hygiene products.
Dr. Martin Agyei, a senior Dermatologist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) is sounding the alarm.
In an interview with The Chronicle, he urged the government to take immediate action to regulate PFAS in cosmetics and personal care products sold in Ghana.
Without naming specific brands, Dr. Martin Agyei identified products such as lipsticks, eyelash glues, nail polish and feminine wash as examples of cosmetic items that may contain PFAS.
He emphasised that while such products are not ingested, the skin remains a major absorption route for toxic compounds, making their long-term use a serious public health concern.
“Cosmetics are things we apply to the skin, we don’t swallow them but many of the chemicals used in them are easily absorbed through the skin.
“Even lipsticks, though applied externally, can find their way into the mouth through licking or habitual moistening of the lips.”
Among the most worrying revelations Dr. Agyei shared was the potential presence of PFAS in feminine wash products.
He explained that the mucosal lining of the female private part is very similar to the lining of the lips, making it highly absorptive.
“When I read about it, my heart sunk. Applying PFAS-laced products to such sensitive areas is like directly ingesting them,” he said, expressing concern about long-term exposure in women and girls.
Why PFAS Are Called “Forever Chemicals”
According to Dr. Agyei, PFAS earned the nickname “Forever Chemicals” because they take several decades to break down in the environment or in the human body.
“Even if you stop exposure today, it takes many years for just half of the PFAS burden to be eliminated from your body,” he revealed adding “what’s worse is that you keep unknowingly adding more to what’s already inside you through water, food, air, or everyday consumer products.”
Dr. Martin Agyei, a senior Dermatologist at KATH revealed that mounting scientific evidence links PFAS exposure to a wide range of health conditions, including: Thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism), increased cholesterol levels, Liver damage, Kidney cancer and Testicular cancer.
He further mentioned Breast cancer, reduced fertility in men and women, Pregnancy-induced hypertension, Delayed or early puberty, Low birth weight, Obesity and Miscarriages as health challenges which could be linked to PFAS.
“Sometimes couples struggle with unexplained infertility, not knowing it might be linked to years of exposure to PFAS in cosmetics or household items,” Dr. Agyei remarked.
He added that even early menstruation in girls as young as eight or nine years old, a growing concern in Ghana, could be associated with PFAS disrupting normal hormonal development.
“Once a girl starts menstruating early, she is biologically capable of conceiving, whether her body is ready or not. We have to ask hard questions about what we are exposing our children to.”
Breast Development, Birth Defects and Obesity
The senior Dermatologist at KATH also mentioned that PFAS may affect breast development in adolescent girls, leading to underdeveloped mammary glands even after puberty. Moreover, PFAS exposure during pregnancy can result in low birth weight, preterm birth and even long-term metabolic effects like obesity in both mothers and their children.
“You may think it is just a lotion or lipstick, but over time, these small exposures add up and affect critical developmental milestones.”
The Bigger Picture: PFAS Is Everywhere
While his concerns were centered on cosmetics, the KATH dermatologist clarified that PFAS exposure is not limited to personal care products. “It is in our drinking water, rainwater and groundwater. Even if you dig a well in your house, chances are the water may contain PFAS. That’s how widespread this is,” he lamented.
From Teflon to Time Bomb
Dr. Agyei traced the history of PFAS to 1938, when scientists developed Teflon, a non-stick coating designed to resist heat, oil, stains and water. “The chemical bonds in PFAS are among the strongest in chemistry. Once it enters the body, it is nearly impossible to break down. It has been with us for decades, and it is not going away anytime soon.”
Although he acknowledged some beneficial applications of PFAS, particularly in industrial and military settings, he emphasized that the health risks far outweigh the benefits in daily consumer use.
A Call to Action: Government Must Lead
Dr. Martin Agyei called on the Ghanaian government to follow the example of countries like France, which is phasing out PFAS in consumer products. He urged the state to take the lead in public education, research and regulation.
“We need a national body to address this. It should not be left to individuals or journalists alone. If you don’t have strong state intervention, you risk being accused of sabotage,” he said.
He praised pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies that have voluntarily stopped using PFAS in their products and called for more to do the same.
“Some companies are resisting because they know the public is not aware. But we are sitting on a time bomb. This is not something to joke with,” he warned.
In his parting remarks, Dr. Martin Agyei stressed that no matter how durable or useful PFAS products are, human health must come first.
“What is the point of a product that lasts long but kills the people it was meant to serve? Let’s value the lives of our citizens over corporate profits,” he concluded.
Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits or may be a sign of other health problems. Certain types of foods you eat and unhealthy lifestyle habits can worsen bad breath. You can take steps to prevent and treat halitosis, at home and with the help of your dentist or doctor.
Bad Breath Causes
Bad breath can result from several factors, from medical conditions and medications, bad habits such as smoking, and the foods you eat.
Food and bad breath
The food you eat begins to break down in your mouth, leading to a buildup of bacteria that can cause bad breath. Also, foods are absorbed into your bloodstream and move to the lungs, affecting the air you exhale. If you eat foods with strong odors (such as garlic or onions), brushing, flossing, and even mouthwash can cover up the odor only temporarily. The odor will not go away completely until the foods have passed through your body. Other common foods that can cause bad breath include:
Cheese
Pastrami
Certain spices
Orange juice or soda
Alcohol
Likewise, dieters who don’t eat often enough can have bad breath. When your body breaks down fat, it releases chemicals that can give your breath an unpleasant smell.
Hygiene habits
Most of the time, bad breath results from not taking good care of your teeth, such as not brushing and flossing daily and not seeing the dentist regularly for a deeper cleaning. This ups your risk of gum disease and allows bacteria to build up in the spaces between your teeth and gums. The subsequent breakdown of that bacteria releases chemicals that give your breath a rotten egg or sulfur-like smell.
Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) from poor dental hygiene can also cause bad breath. Also, odor-causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath if you don’t clean your tongue or dentures.
Infections. Sinus and throat infections can cause postnasal drip, a source of bad breath. Pneumonia (a lung infection) can make you cough up an unpleasant fluid that smells bad. Bacterial infections can lead to tooth abscesses, or pockets of pus, that may make your breath stink.
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath
There are some quick and easy ways to get rid of bad breath. Just remember, the odor from what you eat can stick around until the food works its way completely out of your system — up to three days later.
Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you:
Treat what’s causing your bad breath. If it’s due to an underlying health condition, treating that condition should improve your breath.
Brush and floss more often. Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your teeth after you eat. (Keep a toothbrush at work or school to brush after lunch.) Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or after an illness. Trapped food also adds to the problem. Use floss or an interdental cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between teeth at least once a day.
Rinse your mouth out. A mouthwash adds extra protection by getting rid of bacteria. You can also help your breath if you swish your mouth with plain water after you eat. It can help loosen up and free those trapped bits of food particles that get stuck in your teeth.
Scrape your tongue. The coating that normally forms on your tongue can be a host for smelly bacteria. Tongue scrapers are designed specifically to apply even pressure across the surface of the tongue area and clear any buildup.
Avoid foods that sour your breath. Onions and garlic are big offenders. But brushing after you eat them doesn’t help.
Skip after-dinner mints and chew gum instead. The bacteria in your mouth love sugar. They use it to make acid. This wears down your teeth and causes bad breath. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless candy also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria. Gums and mints containing xylitol are best.
Keep your gums healthy. Antiseptic mouthwash can help kill bacteria that cause bad breath and plaque that can lead to gingivitis — an early, mild form of gum disease.
Moisten your mouth. You can get tooth decay and bad breath if you don’t make enough saliva. If your mouth is dry, drink plenty of water during the day. You can also try a humidifier at night to moisten the air in your house.
Keep your dental devices clean. Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning. Clean braces and retainers as directed by your dentist.
See your dentist regularly, at least twice a year. They will do an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning and will be able to find and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad breath.
Stop smoking and chewing tobacco-based products. Ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
Eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat. Apples, carrots, celery, and other hard fruits and vegetables help clear odor-causing plaque and food particles from your mouth.
Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think they may be causing bad breath, bring the log to your dentist to review. Similarly, make a list of the medications you take. Some drugs may play a role in creating mouth odors.
My name is Prophet Victor Yawson servant of the Lord, an author, a counselor and a preacher. For over 4 years of even more the lord has been opening my understanding into Ghana’s present economic condition and the reason why Ghana is going through a time of economic hardship which is not seeing any end in sight.
From 2021 God through his grace made me to understand the reason why since 2020 he has plagued this Country economically. I know there are many Prophets and great preachers in this country, However I will ask that Ghanaians and for that matter the President of the republic to pay heed to what the Spirit of Truth is saying because it has the power and the authority to ease our present economic hardship.
The foundation of the National Cathedral
I would like to put on record that our present economic and the general hardship in the Country is not physical but Spiritual, and it points to only one fact, our refusal and inability to fulfil the promise that was made unto God. That is what the Lord God made me to understand, nothing more than that, which is the National Cathedral.
I started speaking about it since 2022, but unfortunately no one paid attention, and I have watched God plagued this Country economically and with this kind of hardship.
CAUSE
The lord made me to understand that he was not really happy with our leader then who entered into a Covenant with him
In the run-up to 2016 elections, a Cathedral was promised as a fulfilment for an electoral victory, And in 2024, an election was lost Spiritually for the breach of a Covenant not fulfilled. H. E. Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo, could not fulfil a Covenant he entered into God, that is why his reign faced huge setbacks especially in his second term and as such the people also faced their part of the challenge necessitated the quest to be voted out of power, ponder over the winning in 2016 and take a look at the loss in 2024 and you will see the seemingly power of the most high God.
Whenever God reveals a vision to his prophet and ask the prophet to write down the vision it means God has something else coming, so am not surprise that since 2020 whatever God showed me and ask me to write it down come to pass. In Habakkuk 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. In February 2024 I granted an interview on Radio and TV, and I made a revelation that God says, there something the then President has to do where the National Cathedral is concern, if he would not do it then God will not allow him to hand over to his vice Dr Bawumia, and it came to pass as the Lord has said it.
One thing that God made me to understand is that “He will not allow any leader to be successful until the National Cathedral is built. Just mark this word, that will bear the proof that God is expecting a promise that was made to him to be fulfilled. Today there is a huge debate around the National Cathedral, as to whether it should be built or not, From what God has given to me, it has to be built, that is the only way our economic hardship will subside and prosperity will come to the people.
TO THE CURRENT PRESIDENT God has revealed his word for the current President to consider, and I will particularly urge him to really consider them because it can bring help and respite to his administration. Because paying hid to God’s warning changes his plan of punishment.
In the book of Jonah 3:10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said he would do unto them; and he did it not. When God saw that the people of Nineveh has listened to his servant and turned from the evil ways he repented of the evil he had planned to bring upon them.
Therefore I believe very strongly that if the President will listen to the Spirit of truth God will turn things around for him so this Country will ride on the pedestal of prosperity. Thus sayeth the Lord to the current President
If you cannot continue with the National Cathedral project, leave it the way it is, for I the lord of Host have chosen and prepared someone who will complete it.
Do not change the name of the National Cathedral into anything apart from its original name.
Do not change the cause of the National Cathedral, maintain the location, it is me the Lord of Host who have chosen the location. In John 16:12, Jesus Said, I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Therefore everything I have said on this matter since 2021 is not coming from me, but from the Spirit of truth. I will end here with a special plea to the President, John Dramani Mahama, that if he believes there is something untoward with regards to the National Cathedral project which merit investigations he can do so, because God always want things that are being offered to him to be clean and pure.
However if any Man of God, whether he is a Bishop or what, tells him not to continue with the project, or I don’t know what am saying, they are seeking just one thing for him failure in his administration, and God through his power will cause him to fail.
But if he believes God and his word to continue with the project God will help him with his administration and he will see progress. In 1 kings 13 God send his servant from Judah to bring his word to Jeroboam who stood before an Alter to burn incense, as at the time God was sending his servant from Judah to Bethel there was an old Prophet in Bethel but God did not use the old Prophet, the reason that the old Prophet was not Truthful.
So God has to use a different Prophet to deliver his message to Jeroboam. When we turn from the fountain of living waters and hew out for ourselves broken cisterns that can hold no water, we start on a course of unfailing disaster and loss.
Obedience to God is indispensable to those who would carry his messages. It was a fit and proper answer that the prophet, in the first instance, gave the king. He rightly told Jeroboam that he must abide by the exact terms of his commission, This minute, rigorous obedience stood out in striking contrast to the conduct of Jeroboam. God is exact and requires exact obedience.
Al-Nassr have agreed a deal worth up to £43.7m for Chelsea forward Joao Felix.
The 25-year-old has been given permission to travel to Riyadh for his medical to complete the move.
Felix will link up with fellow Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo at the Saudi Pro League side after they saw off interest from his former club Benfica.
Chelsea recoup the £45m they paid Atletico Madrid for Felix last summer, having also sent the attacker out on loan to AC Milan for six months in January for a £5m loan fee.
The Blues, who won the Club World Cup this month, have already sold goalkeepers Djordje Petrovic and Kepa Arrizabalaga and winger Noni Madueke to balance the books this summer.
They have raised about £130m with further players like forward Raheem Sterling, left-back Ben Chilwell, midfielder Renato Veiga and striker Armando Broja currently up for sale.
Chelsea have spent £212m on signings like striker Liam Delap, winger Jamie Gittens and forward Joao Pedro with interest in midfielder Xavi Simons and defender Jorrel Hato ongoing.
However, they are also under pressure from Uefa to come out of the summer with a “positive transfer balance” after being initially fined £27m with conditions placed on the club to comply with rules, or risk not being able to register new signings for the Champions League this season.
The Lionesses have roared to victory in a nailbiting penalty shootout that saw them triumph over Spain.
After a gruelling 120 minutes of play against the World Cup winners and holding their nerve through penalties, the team soared to victory for the second year in a row.
It was Chloe Kelly again who scored the decisive goal after coolly slotting the crucial penalty into the back of the net, following two huge saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
Ultimately England won 3-1 after an initial scare when Beth Mead slipped on the opening kick.
Supporters stood on tables, waved flags, threw drinks in the air and excitedly hugged each other as England claimed victory, while the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer watched on from the stands in Basel, Switzerland.
Fans draped in England flags joined the Prince of Wales and his daughter Princess Charlotte in holding their heads in their hands as Mariona Caldentey put Spain 1-0 up at the end of the first half.
But thankfully Arsenal striker Alessia Russo managed to successfully divert Chloe Kelly‘s cross into the back of the net in the 57th minute – sending Lionesses supporters into raptures and equalising the score.
Speaking after the match Chloe Kelly gushed that she was ‘so proud of this team, so grateful to wear this badge’ and ‘so proud to be English’.
William was spotted in the stands applauding and celebrating with those around him – including his daughter Princess Charlotte.
As the presentation ceremony took place, the Prince of Wales was among those to congratulate star striker Michelle Agyemang on being named young player of the tournament.
William exchanged words with Agyemang, appearing to say ‘well played, fantastic, well done’.
Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses’ quarter-final and semi-final comebacks.
