Solomon Owusu Antwi, Assemblyman Yabi Electoral area
The Yabi community in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti Region, under the auspices of the Chief of Yabi, Nana Kwame Frimpong Kontonmire II and the Assembly member has organised a Fundraising in aid of the construction of a proposed Community Centre.
The organisers have targeted to raise GHC560,000 for the completion of the 1,000 capacity facility on an acre of land released by the chief.
The programme was chaired by Nana Osei Banahene, the Aduana Abusuapanin of Yabi.
Front View of the Proposed Community Centre
Solomon Owusu Antwi, Assembly Member for Yabi Electoral area disclosed at the launch of the fund raising ceremony that after engagement with the Chief of Yabi and the Unit Committee, it was decided that the community needed a Community Centre for social gatherings, engagements and funerals, among others.
He explained that the project is a “self-help” initiative and that with the land for the project already available, each household in the area has been levied to contribute one bag of cement and one iron rod (14mm) towards the project.
The Assemblyman assured that with the help of the Unit Committee members every penny received would be accounted for and also ensure it is used for its intended purposes.
Antwi, therefore, called on philanthropists, civil societies, government and NGOs to come to their aid towards the successful completion of the project.
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved an additional ₦50,000 to state workers’ salaries for May.
The move is part of efforts to cushion the prevailing economic hardship, particularly the impact of rising fuel prices.
The governor announced this during the 2026 Workers Day celebration themed “Insecurity, Poverty: Bane of Decent Work”, held on Friday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.
“Our job has always been to make sure that the city we are building is also a city that works for you,” the governor said.
“We know that the prices of fuel are rising. We know we did not cause the war in Iran, but we are feeling its impact. So this government has made the decision that for this May, there will be an additional ₦50,000 for every worker in Lagos State, irrespective of grades – ₦50,000 across the board.”
Sanwo-Olu reiterated that the intervention, which will be reviewed, underscores his administration’s resolve to ensure that Lagos remains not only a functional city but one that works for its residents, especially the workforce that drives its growth and development.
The governor, represented by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, emphasised that the welfare of workers remains central to his administration’s agenda, adding that the government will continue to deploy sustained support measures to ease economic pressures and improve living conditions.
According to him, the administration has spent the past seven years systematically tackling these challenges through targeted interventions aimed at improving welfare, dignity, and productivity.
Presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, has announced his “decision to leave” the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a reflective message shared on his official X handle on Sunday, Obi cited a worsening political climate marked by internal crises, external interference, and growing hostility within party structures.
The former Anambra State governor, who ran for president on the Labour Party platform in 2023, described Nigeria’s political space as increasingly toxic, where intimidation, insecurity, and persistent scrutiny have become the norm.
He lamented that systems meant to protect citizens now often work against them, while individuals striving for sincere service face mounting pressure both publicly and privately.
Clarifying his decision, Obi stated that his exit was not due to any personal grievances with party leaders, including former Senate President David Mark or former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, both of whom he said he continues to respect.
Instead, he pointed to a pattern of internal division, legal disputes, and what he described as the infiltration of destabilising forces—similar to challenges he previously encountered in the Labour Party.
“Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them.
“However, the same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division, instead of focusing on deeper national problems and playing politics built more on control and exclusion than on service and nation-building.”
Obi also decried a broader societal trend where integrity, humility, and adherence to due process are often misinterpreted as weakness. He expressed concern that genuine efforts toward nation-building are increasingly undermined by suspicion, exclusion, and political maneuvering focused more on control than service.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks
Nigeria has summoned South Africa’s acting High Commissioner over a spate of recent attacks on foreigners in the southern African nation.
Nigeria will formally convey its “profound concern” at a meeting on Monday over incidents in South Africa, saying they could affect existing relations between the countries, according to a foreign ministry statement.
The meeting will focus on recent marches held by anti-immigrant groups and “documented instances of mistreatment of Nigerian citizens and attacks on their businesses”, it said.
At least two Nigerians and four Ethiopians have been killed in recent weeks, local media reported, while there have been attacks on citizens of other African countries.
As Africa’s most industrialised country, people from elsewhere in the continent have long travelled to South Africa to seek work.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks but also cautioned foreigners to respect local laws.
He used his Freedom Day address last week – marking the country’s first democratic elections in 1994 – to remind South Africans of the support other African nations had given in the struggle against the racist system of apartheid.
But some South Africans accuse foreigners of being in the country illegally, taking jobs from locals and having links to crime, especially drugs trafficking.
Anti-immigrant groups have been stopping people outside hospitals and schools demanding to see their identity papers.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will embark on a three-nation trip to Kenya, Rwanda, and France. President Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, said Tinubu will first stop in France. Onanuga said President Tinubu will later leave France for Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the Africa-France Summit scheduled from May.
This was contained in a statement Onanuga issued via his X handle @aonanuga1956 on Friday, May 1, 2026.
According to the statement, the summit with the theme “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth” is co-chaired by President Emmanuel Macron of France and President William Ruto of Kenya. The presidential aide said Tinubu’s participation underscores Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with African nations and the French Republic.
Onanuga explained that the summit focuses on energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, restructuring of global financing architecture, and climate action. President Tinubu will depart Nairobi at the end of the Kenyan summit for Kigali, Rwanda.
Tinubu will attend the annual Africa CEO Forum, with the theme “Scale or Fail”, taking place between May 14th and 15th. “At the two summits, President Tinubu will deliver statements highlighting his administration’s ongoing reforms to reposition the nation as a prime destination for investment and growth.”
“He will also hold high-level meetings with top-tier global and African business leaders,” Onanuga said President Tinubu will be accompanied on the trip by some of his ministers and senior aides. The presidential aide said Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the end of the Rwanda summit.
This year’s May Day celebration in the Western Region was marked by strong calls for improved worker welfare and a renewed push for development initiatives, as labour leaders demanded the adoption of a living wage while government highlighted plans to expand healthcare and economic opportunities.
The Western and Western North Regional Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Samuel Polley, led calls for government to move beyond the current minimum wage framework and adopt a living wage system that reflects the true cost of living and guarantees dignity for workers.
“While government may have made efforts towards achieving macroeconomic stability, the critical questions remain: how does this impact the everyday life of workers? Does this translate into decent jobs for our teeming unemployed youth?” he questioned.
The May Day parade held at GSTS
Mr Polley maintained that sustainable livelihoods and decent work must be the true indicators of economic progress, urging authorities to ensure that growth translates into tangible benefits for workers.
“We, as workers, respectfully call on government to move beyond the concept of minimum wages and work towards the implementation of living wages—wages that fairly meet the cost of living and ensure dignity for all workers,” he appealed.
The concerns raised by organised labour resonated strongly with the theme for the 2026 celebration, “Pivoting to Growth, Jobs and Sustainable Livelihoods Beyond Macroeconomic Stability,” which underscored the need for inclusive growth and job creation.
Addressing the gathering, Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson described the occasion as more than a ceremonial event, but a moment to recognise the contribution of workers across all sectors.
“To every worker in the formal and informal sectors… I say on behalf of Government and the people of the Western Region—Ayekoo! Well done,” he said, extending greetings on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Regional Coordinating Council, and traditional authorities.
The Minister stressed that macroeconomic stability must translate into real improvements in people’s lives. “Stability must translate into jobs. Stability must translate into increased productivity. Stability must translate into improved incomes, business expansion, industrial activity, and sustainable livelihoods for ordinary workers and their families,” he stated.
He emphasised that economic recovery would only be meaningful if workers experienced it in the form of decent employment, secure incomes and improved working conditions.
Highlighting ongoing initiatives in the region, Mr Nelson pointed to expanded round-the-clock operations at the Port of Takoradi, efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education through the Ghana TVET Service and Takoradi Technical University, and investments in infrastructure, small and medium-scale enterprises, and market access.
“True growth is measured by the number of decent jobs created, by the security of the worker, by the fairness of wages paid, and by the hope a family has for tomorrow,” he added.
The Minister also acknowledged concerns among workers, including low remuneration, rising living costs, occupational risks and job insecurity, and called for sustained dialogue between stakeholders to address these challenges.
He urged employers in both the public and private sectors to uphold labour standards, stressing that “workers are not expendable tools; workers are development partners.”
At the same time, Mr Nelson encouraged workers to match demands for improved conditions with discipline, punctuality, integrity and productivity, noting that the evolving global economy requires adaptability and technological readiness.
He directed a strong message to the youth, urging them to invest in skills and innovation to remain competitive in the future job market. “The jobs of tomorrow will reward skill, creativity, technology and enterprise. Your hands and your minds are your greatest capital,” he said.
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s economic recovery into tangible benefits for workers, promising expanded job opportunities, improved livelihoods, and stronger accountability in governance as the nation charts a path beyond macroeconomic stability.
Speaking before thousands of jubilant workers, labor leaders, and government officials at Jackson Park in Koforidua during the 2026 May Day celebrations on Friday, May 1, President Mahama declared that the next chapter of Ghana’s economic reform agenda would focus squarely on inclusive growth, employment generation, and sustainable livelihoods for all citizens.
The colorful national event, held under the theme, “Pivoting to Growth, Jobs, and Sustainable Livelihoods: Resetting Ghana Beyond Macroeconomic Stability,” brought together workers from diverse sectors across the country, members of Organised Labour, and key state officials in a united reflection on Ghana’s economic progress and the future of work in an evolving national economy.
Delivering the keynote address, President Mahama stressed that the government’s mission goes beyond restoring fiscal discipline and economic balance, noting that real success would be measured by how economic growth translates into opportunities and prosperity for ordinary Ghanaians.
“Our mission is clear -we want to turn stability into opportunity. We will not just manage the economy; we will expand it to create jobs and prosperity,” the president declared to loud applause from the gathering.
In a direct assurance to Ghanaian workers, the president pledged that the gains of economic recovery would not remain confined to economic indicators and policy reports, but would be felt in homes, workplaces, and communities nationwide.
He emphasized that teachers, technicians, industrial workers, health professionals, and employees across key sectors would be among the first beneficiaries of the country’s renewed growth agenda.
“I wish to promise the Ghanaian worker that as the economy grows; you will be the first to benefit. Growth must filter down to the pocket of the Ghanaian worker,” he stated.
President Mahama also used the occasion to underscore his administration’s determination to strengthen transparency and accountability in public service, reiterating that leadership must remain answerable to the people.
He noted that corruption continues to undermine national development and pledged intensified efforts to combat the menace through stronger institutional enforcement and judicial efficiency.
In that regard, he commended the judiciary for establishing additional High Courts to accelerate the prosecution of audit-related offences, describing the move as a significant step toward ensuring public officials are held accountable.
On the nation’s energy front, President Mahama offered reassurance following recent disruptions linked to the Akosombo Dam fire incident, announcing that technical teams had successfully restored full power generation capacity.
He said the government remains focused on strengthening Ghana’s energy infrastructure to guarantee stability for industries, businesses, and households.
The president’s address resonated strongly with workers gathered at the national celebration, many of whom view employment security, fair wages, and improved living conditions as central to Ghana’s broader economic recovery.
This year’s May Day observance not only celebrated the resilience and contribution of the Ghanaian worker, but also set the tone for a renewed national conversation on productivity, decent work, and inclusive economic transformation, one in which workers are expected to be at the heart of Ghana’s reset agenda.
Stanbic Bank Ghana has presented brand new Lenovo laptops to five journalists in the Ashanti region.
The recipients include Kingsley E. Hope (Ghanaian Times), Sebastian R. Freiku (The Chronicle), Nicholas Osei-Wusu (GBC News), Isaac Justice Bediako (EIB Network) and Mr. Vanderpuye (GBC TV).
The gesture is in appreciation of their active collaboration with the bank over the years and an affirmation of the bank’s commitment to deepening partnership with the media in the Ashanti Region, promoting capacity building and long-term impact, and helping the beneficiaries enhance work output at their various workplaces.
The presentation ceremony climaxed a day’s financial wellness training programme in Kumasi for 20 selected journalists in the Ashanti region.
The financial fitness programme was designed by the Stanbic Bank Ghana, following a request by the leadership of the media in the region to equip journalists with financial literacy and personal wealth management at the Workshop.
The initiative forms part of the bank’s broader effort to support media professionals with practical tools to improve financial stability and long-term independence.
Participants in a pose after the workshop
The two main facilitators, Messrs Nabil Abubakar Hussayn, Head of Employee Value Banking and James Otchere, an investment advisor, took the participants through practical strategies for moving from financial stress through financial stability to financial freedom.
The training covered areas including savings and investment planning, debt and asset management, the effective use of financial tools and investment opportunities.
The participants were also taken through Good and Bad assets, Creating and Building Wealth and effective mapping of financial life journey to ensure debt free by practitioners.
The Head of Communication and Reputation Management at Stanbic Bank, Mr. Derick Romeo Adogla, said the training was designed to help journalists to better manage their finances as well as strengthening their professional output.
Mr. Adogla noted that the workshop is part of a wider initiative by the bank to promote financial literacy across different sectors.
He described the training as timely and impactful, stressing that financially stable journalists are better positioned to uphold ethical standards and deliver high-quality public-interest journalism.
Mr. Adolga emphasised that the bank will maintain its partnership with the media stressing the importance of the well-being of journalists.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Kofi Adu Domfeh, on behalf of his colleagues, applauded Stanbic Bank for the support over the years.
He described the workshop as a game changer and called for more of such engagements in the future to build the capacity of journalists for the benefit of society at large.
Lagos-based socialite and entrepreneur, Emeka Okonkwo, widely known as E-Money, has honoured his pledge to reward comedian Carter Efe with N50 million following his victory over singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly called Portable.
The prize was announced after Carter Efe defeated Portable via unanimous decision at the Chaos in the Ring 4 event, which took place at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
E-Money confirmed the cash reward at the end of the event after being prompted by the Chief Executive Officer of Balmoral Group Promotions, Ezekiel Adamu.
“You know we put our money where our mouth is, and so congratulations Carter on your win. N50 million for you,” he said.
Adamu also commended the event, describing it as a successful and entertaining show that lived up to expectations.
“We promised Chaos in the Ring and we have delivered very entertaining fights tonight. There is more coming, thanks to everyone that made this a success and to the fighters for the great display,” he said.
The celebrity bout between Carter Efe and Portable served as the headline attraction of the night, following weeks of heated exchanges and public challenges between both entertainers.
Portable had earlier expressed confidence ahead of the fight, boasting that he was on course to secure a third boxing belt after previous exhibition wins over Charles Okocha and Speed Darlington.
However, in the ring, Carter Efe took control of proceedings, leveraging his height and reach advantage to outclass the singer over three rounds.
At the end of the contest, all three judges scored the bout 27–30 in favour of the comedian, crowning him the latest celebrity boxing winner.
US rapper Kanye West will perform in the Albanian capital Tirana in July, Culture Minister Blendi Gonxhe told AFP on Saturday, exulting that the country was on its way to becoming a destination for top cultural events.
The US rapper, also known as Ye, is known for glorifying Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and for antisemitic and hate-filled rants which he blames on having bipolar disorder.
Due to his controversial comments and songs, West’s appearances in London and in Poland have been cancelled.
Britain said it has blocked West from entering the country, leading to the cancellation of a London music festival where he had been scheduled to perform over three nights in July.
The Polish stadium where West was due to perform on June 19 has also cancelled the event.
“The widely discussed actions of Kanye West, linked to his promotion of Nazism, are in manifest contradiction with Poland’s values,” Culture Minister Marta Cienkowska had said earlier.
The 48-year-old musician has lost fans and several sponsorships in recent years following inflammatory comments and actions.
Gonxhe said the July 11 concert “marks a new step in making Albania a destination for major cultural events.”
A special structure is being built for the concert to accomodate 60,000 people.
