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Chamber of Digital Assets Engages BoG on Future of Virtual Asset Regulation

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In an important move toward shaping Ghana’s digital financial future, the Chamber of Digital Assets and Blockchain Innovation Ghana (CDABI-GH) has paid a courtesy call on the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).

The meeting, held at the Bank Square in Accra, marked the Chamber’s first formal engagement with the central bank and focused on fostering collaboration around the regulation of virtual assets in Ghana.

The delegation from CDABI-GH met with the Governor and senior officials from the central bank to discuss the Bank’s ongoing work to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework for virtual assets and blockchain technology.

The Governor congratulated the Chamber on its recent establishment and emphasized the Bank’s commitment to engaging with industry stakeholders as it works to balance innovation with consumer protection and financial stability.

During the meeting, the Bank outlined key milestones in its digital asset regulatory roadmap. These include the upcoming registration of Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), the launch of a regulatory sandbox to support innovation in a controlled environment, and stakeholder consultations on a proposed Bill and accompanying regulations.

The Governor assured the Chamber of its inclusion in upcoming engagements and reaffirmed the Bank’s goal to finalize the framework by September 2025.

In response, The President of CDABI-GH, Mr Caleb Kwaku Afaglo, expressed his appreciation for the Bank’s open-door approach and pledged support in promoting ethical practices within the digital asset space. He emphasized the Chamber’s commitment to supporting policies that encourage innovation, while safeguarding users and the broader financial system.

About CDABI-GH

The Chamber of Digital Assets and Blockchain Innovation Ghana (CDABI-GH) was established as a non-profit industry association to advocate for the growth and responsible use of blockchain technology and digital assets in Ghana. The Chamber brings together companies, entrepreneurs, developers, legal and financial experts, and academia to advance industry standards, provide policy input, and raise public awareness on the benefits and risks of emerging digital technologies.

This engagement with the Bank of Ghana signals growing momentum in Ghana’s digital transformation agenda and marks a pivotal step toward regulatory clarity in a rapidly evolving global financial landscape.

GNASSM calls on gov’t to rescue small-scale miners from injustices and intimidation

By
ERNEST BEST ANANE
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Abdul -Razak Alhasaan addressing the press conference

The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has expressed grave concern over the systematic harassment, intimidation and alleged extortion of small-scale miners by some elements within the law enforcement agencies and politically exposed persons.

Mr Abdul-Razak Alhasaan, National Communication Director of the Association at a news conference in Kumasi called on the government to intervene and protect the rights of small-scale miners.

According to him, small-scale miners in various regions are being targeted and terrorised by security agencies and politically exposed persons who manipulate the system for profit and power.

The association alleged that some police officers and security agencies storm mining sites, confiscate equipment, demand illegal payments, and violently eject miners from land they have been legally licensed to mine.

GNASSM is, therefore, demanding stronger protection for licensed small-scale miners, including clear protocols for police operations on mining sites.

The association has, therefore, suggested that the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operation Secretariat (NAIMOS) should be adequately resourced to handle illegal mining issues in a more coordinated approach.

It proposed an alternative approach that involves engaging with illegal miners and working with them to correct the mess they have created and formalise their operations where practicable and assured that the association was prepared to lead in realising this approach if given the opportunity.

GNASSM also called for capacity building for security agencies to understand the small-scale mining operations and licensing regime suggesting that Regulatory agencies like the Minerals Commission should be part of the operations of the taskforce to reduce the rate at which licensed small-scale miners are abused.

It said the small-scale mining sector has huge socioeconomic prospects if properly managed highlighting the employment opportunities, supply of raw gold for value addition, and integration into the local economy as benefits that cannot be overemphasised. GNASSM also demanded the immediate release of all excavators and other machinery seized from licensed small-scale mining sites.

The association calls on all stakeholders to demand accountability and justice for small-scale miners, emphasizing that “if justice does not reach the deepest pits where miners toil under the sun, then our democracy is only a word, not a reality.

Connie Francis: Pretty Little Baby singer dies at 87

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Connie Francis

Connie Francis, who was at one time the world’s biggest-selling female artist, has died at the age of 87.

The musician, whose hits included Stupid Cupid and Who’s Sorry Now, had recently enjoyed a resurgence after her 1962 song Pretty Little Baby went viral on TikTok.

Francis had recently been treated for pelvic pain caused by a fracture. Her death was first reported by the president of her record label, Ron Roberts, and confirmed to the BBC by Universal Music.

“It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night,” Roberts wrote on Facebook.

“I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news.”

The star’s death comes just months after Pretty Little Baby became a trending song on TikTok.

Millions of people, including Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, lip-synced to the easy listening ballad, while showing off their children and pets, or making displays of affection.

One video, by social media influencers Brooke Monk and Sam Dezz, was watched more than 158 million times.

ABBA singer Agnetha Fältskog also posted the song, saying that Francis had long been her favourite singer. And the actress Gracie Lawrence, who is currently playing Francis in the Broadway musical Just in Time, also shared a video of herself singing the track, while dressed in character.

Credit: bbc.com

Performing on global stages is about having right investors, not big record labels –Stonebwoy

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Stonebwoy

Ghanaian afro-dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy, has addressed the common perception that African artistes particularly Nigerians are performing on global stages due to the major record labels they are signed to.

Stonebwoy has dismissed such notions, stating that African artistes rather need the right investors not major record labels to perform on global stages.

In an interview on Asempa FM on July 16, 2025, Stonebwoy explained that what is needed most to achieve such success is investment, not necessarily an affiliation to a major record label.

“Every time you just say that because this person is on a record label that is why they are achieving such feats. What is a record label? A record label is not necessarily an investor,” Stonebwoy said.

He further elaborated on the different kinds of deals artistes sign with record labels.

According to him, these agreements vary, and not all of them guarantee financial backing from the label.

“Recording labels have different set of agreements. There is licensing agreement that you can license your songs on. Some people have a 360 agreement where the labels are in charge of everything from marketing to everything else so, therefore, they are able to invest their money and everything is coming to them basically,” he said.

Stonebwoy mentioned that another factor is the focus of these major record labels based in the US, noting that they don’t necessarily focus on African artistes.

He believes Nigerian artistes, who are often seen leading the charge on global stages, work with independent investors who support their craft.

“The major labels, most of them are from the outside, America, and they are focused on artists not necessarily African artistes… These our Nigerian counterparts that do the big stuff, they do so many things for themselves, they have independent investors who actually support. It’s not a matter of having a big record label,” he added.

Credit: 3news.com

Assemblies of God, Peniel Temple Hosts Inspiring Cultural & Heritage Service to Celebrate Unity in Diversity

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Rev. Emmanuel Paul Entsie preaching

The Assemblies of God, Peniel Temple, New Bortianor, proudly held its annual Cultural & Heritage Service. The programme, led by Rev. Emmanuel Paul Entsie, Lead Pastor, brought together worshippers from diverse cultural backgrounds in a spiritually enriching celebration of unity, peace and love.

Rev. Emmanuel Paul Entsie, displaying his drumming skills

The service was a remarkable blend of cultural displays, music and powerful messages that emphasised the importance of embracing cultural diversity within the Christian faith.

Rev. Entsie passionately conveyed that Christ does not seek to diminish culture but to welcome and fulfill it, urging the congregation to honour their roots while professing faith in Christ.

A church member in GA traditional wear

“Our culture is very expensive,” Rev. Entsie noted. “Building a family-based church is vital because family is the bedrock of every culture. The church is not just a place to join, but a family to belong to a family bound by the blood of Jesus Christ.”

The event also underscored the role of culture in promoting national development. Rev. Entsie encouraged members to support locally produced goods and agriculture, urging churches to venture into farming as a testimony to the power of self-reliance and cultural pride.

He highlighted the economic benefits of “eating what we grow” and wearing garments made from Ghanaian fabrics as a means to build a stronger and more prosperous nation.

The day’s program featured notable speakers, colorful traditional attire, and uplifting worship music, all converging to send a clear message: despite our diverse backgrounds, we are united in Christ.

Some Asante members of the church displaying their culture

Rev. Entsie emphasised that love, respect and unity are essential pillars that the church must uphold, reminding all that “the only thing that stands the test of time is love.”

The Cultural & Heritage Service not only celebrated Ghana’s rich traditions but also served as a call for churches nationwide to embrace cultural heritage as a foundation for spiritual growth and national cohesion.

Members and attendees left the service inspired to live out the values of unity in diversity, carrying the message of peace, love, and cultural appreciation into their communities.

Pope expresses sadness after Israeli strike on Gaza church kills three

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Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV has renewed his call for a Gaza ceasefire after three people sheltering in the Catholic church in Gaza City were killed in an Israeli strike.

A telegram said the Pope was “deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack” on the Holy Family Church.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees the church, said it was “struck by the Israeli army”. Nine other people were wounded, one of whom is in a critical condition in hospital. The parish priest was lightly injured.

Israel’s foreign ministry said it regretted any harm to a religious site or uninvolved civilians and the Israeli military said the incident was under review.

Many displaced families from Gaza’s small Christian community have been living in the church compound since the war began after their own homes were destroyed.

While he was alive, the late Pope Francis called them on a near-daily basis.

A video and photos shared with the BBC showed the roof of the Holy Family Church was hit, close to the cross, and that windows were broken.

TV footage showed the Argentine parish priest, Father Gabriele Romanelli, walking unsteadily and checking on a man on a stretcher at the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, told the Vatican News website that the Holy Family Church was hit by a tank shell.

“What we know for sure is that a tank, the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] says by mistake, but we are not sure about this. They hit the church directly,” he said.

The charity Caritas Jerusalem said the shell hit the church roof, “scattering shrapnel and debris across the yard”.

Credit: bbc.com

Ecuador’s capital rocked by water shortage crisis

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People in Quito, Ecuador, transport water gathered from a nearby spring

Desperation is mounting in Ecuador’s capital as thousands of people remain without drinking water a week into Quito’s worst shortage in 25 years.

The daily lives of some 400,000 residents have been seriously disrupted by the emergency, which happened after a landslide damaged a pipeline that supplied water to much of southern Quito.

“We can’t live without water!” shout residents of the Chillogallo neighborhood as they line up along a street, waiting for a tanker to deliver water.

Emergency crews have been racing to distribute water supplies to six affected areas and remove sludge from the damaged pipelines, all while officials in Quito city government and national government officials bicker over how to address the crisis.

With buckets, bottles, trash cans and other kinds of containers, residents wait in the street for a water tanker to arrive. Among them is Inés Castro, 74, who sits on a sidewalk under the sun.

“We’ve been waiting in line since morning, and no one has arrived,” Castro said, with tears welling up in her eyes when asked if anyone accompanied her. “I live alone, I’m all alone,” she replies and said she hopes a neighbor will help her carry the bucket home if she manages to fill it.

The municipality has mobilized some 70 water trucks, but they are not enough to serve everyone and don’t always adhere to a schedule.

Credit: cnn.com

Pakistan monsoon rains kill 63 in 24 hours

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The latest deaths take the toll since the arrival of the monsoon in late June to nearly 180 nationwide

Torrential rains in Pakistan’s Punjab province have killed at least 63 people and injured 290 in the 24 hours since downpours started on Wednesday morning.

Most of the victims were crushed by collapsing buildings, while the rest either drowned or were electrocuted, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.

Authorities in the city of Rawalpindi, next to the capital Islamabad, declared Thursday a public holiday to keep people at home, while those living near a swelling river which runs through the city have been asked to evacuate.

The latest deaths take the nationwide toll to nearly 180 since the monsoon started in late June. More than half of them were children. The floods have closed several expressways throughout Punjab and either cancelled or delayed dozens of flights.

On Thursday, the province’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said an emergency had been declared in a number of areas. “Government institutions are working with utmost effort,” she wrote in a post on X, urging residents to abide by safety guidelines.

In Chakwal, a city deluged by 400mm of rainfall in the past day, photographs and video showed rescue boats trying to locate people stranded in floodwaters.

Military helicopters can also be seen circling heavily flooded areas.

Punjab authorities have warned that more rains and flash floods are expected throughout the weekend. Thousands of rescuers across the province have been put on standby.

Pakistan, which has a population of nearly 250 million, is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.

It bears the brunt of two major weather systems – one can cause high temperatures and drought, while the other brings monsoon rains.

Pakistan is also home to more than 13,000 glaciers which have been melting at an accelerated pace.

Credit: bbc.com

Iraq’s shopping centre fire leaves 61 dead, many missing

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Iraq's burnt shopping centre

A fire that tore through a five-storey shopping centre in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut has left at least 61 dead, local officials said.

The blaze at the mall, which opened seven days ago, broke out on Wednesday night and has since been brought under control.

Videos posted on social media showed firefighters rescuing people from the mall’s roof, but state media reported that many were still missing.

“A tragedy and a calamity has befallen us,” regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi said, adding that legal action would be brought against the shopping centre’s owner. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

The governor has also declared three days of mourning.

Videos on INA’s news channel show flames ripping through several floors of the Corniche Hypermarket in the city’s centre, as firefighters try to douse them.

Other clips circulating on social media appear to show a small number of people on the roof during the fire, as well as the burned out insides of the centre.

A number of people were rescued from the building by firefighters, al-Miyahi told local media.

Ambulances were still taking casualties to hospitals in the city, which is about 160 km (100 miles) southeast of Baghdad, at 04:00 local time.

“The tragic fire claimed the lives of 61 innocent citizens, most of whom suffocated in bathrooms, and among them 14 charred bodies yet to be identified,” the interior ministry said in a statement.

It added that 45 people were rescued from inside the building.

Credit: bbc.com

7 Effective Ways to Properly Remove Acne Scars

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Acne scars can be a troubling issue that significantly lowers self-confidence.

For those seeking to quickly remove acne scars, several solutions are available, including natural remedies, medications, and medical procedures.

Why Do Acne Scars Appear on the Face? 

Acne scars commonly result from habits like picking or squeezing pimples, which can inflame the skin further. Other factors that make acne scars difficult to remove include:

  • Deep skin damage from nodular acne, which tends to leave stubborn scars.
  • Excessive collagen production during the healing process, leading to protruding scars, especially in individuals with darker skin.
  • Genetic factors, where family members also have acne scars.

Effective Ways to Remove Acne Scars 

Here are some effective methods to address acne scars at home.

  1. Regularly cleanse your face

Regular facial cleansing is essential for removing acne scars. Use a gentle cleanser twice a day to remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells that can clog pores.

  1. Use moisturizer

Keep your skin hydrated by using a non-comedogenic moisturizer daily. This aids the healing process and keeps your skin moisturized without clogging pores.

  1. Use sunscreen

Sun exposure can worsen acne scars and darken them. Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to your face, especially on scarred areas, to prevent darkening and protect your skin from UV damage.

  1. Use exfoliating products

Exfoliating products, such as scrubs or masks, can help fade acne scars. Be gentle when using scrubs to avoid damaging the scarred skin.

  1. Utilize natural ingredients

Natural ingredients can also help remove acne scars. Some beneficial ingredients include:

  • Aloe Vera: Reduces inflammation and helps heal the skin.
  • Honey: Has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing redness and accelerating healing.
  • Coconut Oil: Increases moisture and kills acne-causing bacteria.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Contains succinic acid, which controls inflammation and prevents scar formation.
  • Lemon: Rich in vitamin C, brightening the skin and reducing scar appearance.

Although these natural ingredients are believed to help with acne scars, further research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.

  1. Use medications

In addition to natural remedies, over-the-counter medications can help remove acne scars. Some recommended products include:

  • Verile Acne Gel: Removes acne scars and treats acne-prone skin. Apply three times a day.
  • Acnemed Gel: Treats acne and its scars. Use 1-3 times a day.
  • Acnol For Acne Gel: Reduces inflammation and accelerates acne drying. Use as needed.
  • Nourish Beauty Care Acne Gel: Accelerates skin regeneration to prevent scar marks. Apply twice a day.
  • Erha Acneact Acne Spot: Relieves acne and prevents dark marks. Apply 1-2 times a day.
  1. Medical procedures

The Journal of Clinical Medicine stubborn acne scars may require medical procedures performed by trained professionals, such as dermatologists.

These treatments include:

  • Chemical Peels: Use chemical solutions to remove damaged skin layers and stimulate new skin growth.
  • Dermabrasion: Mechanically removes damaged skin layers, effective for deep scars.
  • Filler Therapy: Use fillers or collagen injections to fill in deep or pitted scars.
  • Laser Therapy: Stimulate collagen growth and smooth the skin to reduce scar appearance.
  • Steroid Injections: Reduce inflammation in inflamed scars to prevent further scarring.
  • Microneedling Therapy: Create small holes in the skin to stimulate collagen production and reduce scar appearance.

Removing acne scars takes time, but with patience and consistency in following the right treatments, satisfying results can be achieved.

Source: prodiadigital.com

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