Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, former Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe Constituency has commended students of Bosomtwe Girls STEM Senior High School for their impressive performance at the 2026 Robofest World Championship, held in Michigan, United States.
Section of the students with teachers
The school represented Ghana at the global robotics competition and emerged fourth in the Time Trial Bottle Sumo Category.
Dr. Adutwum described the achievement as a remarkable milestone for the school and Ghana’s growing focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, as contained in a statement he shared on his Facebook page.
According to him, the school’s rise from winning the Ghana Robofest National Championship to competing on the world stage within just five years of its establishment demonstrates the transformative potential of STEM education in Ghana.
“I am immensely proud of the remarkable achievement of the Bosomtwe Girls STEM Senior High School for representing Ghana at the 2026 Robofest World Championship in Michigan, USA, and emerging fourth in the Time Trial Bottle Sumo Category on the world stage,” he stated.
Former Education Minister (middle) with Bosomtwe Girls after winning on Ghana Robofest National Championship
Dr. Adutwum noted that supporting the team financially for the competition was personally fulfilling because of his strong belief in the importance of critical thinking, problem-solving and innovation in national development.
He congratulated the students, teachers, parents and the entire school community for making Ghana proud and proving that Ghanaian students could compete confidently with their peers globally. “This is only the beginning,” he emphasised.
Vice President Kashim Shettima and President Bola Tinubu
Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that some individuals from his home state of Borno once accused him of plotting to assassinate President Bola Tinubu through traditional outfits he gifted to him during the 2023 election campaign.
Shettima said the allegation surfaced barely three months after Tinubu assumed office, when some people reportedly visited the President and urged him to stop wearing the Borno-style clothes and caps that the Vice President had given him.
The Vice President disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking at the public presentation of the autobiography of former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, titled My Life of Duty and Allegiance.
Representing Tinubu at the event, Shettima used the anecdote to illustrate what he described as the growing culture of suspicion in Nigeria’s political space.
“When we were campaigning for him to emerge as the aspirant of the APC, we were going around the North. We, the people of Borno, unlike the people of Sokoto, are the best-dressed Northerners.
“So I got some materials and caps for him to blend with the northern crowd. It fitted him very well, and his aides said, ‘Please, produce more.’
“Barely three months, he was sworn into office. Some of my people from Borno came to him and said, please, stop wearing those Shettima clothing. He must have charmed them, and you are going to die, and he will become the President,” Shettima recounted.
The Vice President further said that after he returned from China, where he had represented the President at the Belt and Road Initiative Forum, Tinubu reportedly summoned him and relayed the startling accusation.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday said it dismantled what it described as a sophisticated Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine production syndicate operating from a clandestine laboratory hidden deep inside a forest in Ogun State.
The operation, carried out by operatives of the agency’s Special Operations Unit (SOU), led to the arrest of 10 suspects, including the alleged kingpin, three Mexican nationals, and six Nigerian collaborators.
It also led to the seizure of methamphetamine and chemical substances valued at over ₦480 billion.
Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and coordinated raids across Ogun and Lagos states within 48 hours.
“Barely two weeks ago, we announced the successful takedown of a high-profile Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) headed by Simon Amadi in a complex, multi-country operation involving the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Swiss, French, and the Greek law enforcement agencies. Today, I am proud to announce that the NDLEA has struck another crippling blow to the heart of transnational organised crime,” said Marwa.
“Through a clinical, simultaneous operation executed by the elite operatives of our Special Operations Unit (SOU), we have successfully dismantled a sophisticated, transnational methamphetamine production syndicate run jointly by a Nigerian drug cartel and their Mexican counterparts,” he added.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has been cleared to contest in the presidential primary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
Chairman of the NDC National Screening Committee, Sam Egwu, formally announced Obi’s clearance in a video shared on the party’s official X account on Wednesday.
The party’s screening exercise was held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Egwu said the committee was satisfied that Obi met all constitutional and statutory requirements to contest for the presidency.
“This is to certify that, following the screening of His Excellency Peter Obi by the National Screening Committee of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and having satisfied ourselves that he has complied with all the requirements of the constitution of the party, the Electoral Act, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), dealing with eligibility to contest the presidential election, and having provided satisfactory answers to all questions put to him by members of the committee, he is hereby cleared to contest in the presidential primaries of the party for the 2027 presidential election on dates to be announced by the party,” Egwu stated.
Reacting to the process on his official X account on Wednesday, Obi said the process lasted more than two and a half hours, during which members of the screening committee examined his credentials and questioned him on his vision for Nigeria.
“Yesterday, May 19, in Abuja, I attended the presidential screening organised by our party, which took over two and a half hours. They carefully reviewed all my documents, including my degree certificates, NYSC credentials, and age declarations.
Dr Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of Nigeria Central Bank
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria has voted to retain the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 26.5% following its 305th meeting, which recorded the attendance of 11 members.
The Governor of the Central Bank, Olayemi Cardoso, who spoke at the end of the committee two day meeting on May 19 and 20, said the committee retained the Standing Facilities Corridor around the MPR at +50/-450 basis points.
The committee maintained all key policy parameters at their current levels, signalling a continued cautious stance on inflation management and broader macroeconomic stability.
Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) for Deposit Money Banks was retained at 45.00 per cent, Merchant Banks at 16.00 per cent, and 75.00 per cent for non-TSA public sector deposits.
The CBN said the decision to hold rates steady was influenced by persistent inflationary pressures and the need to sustain macroeconomic stability.
The MPC’s decision to retain rates occurred after an increase in Nigeria’s inflation rate.
According to the recent Consumer Price Index report released by the National Bureau of Statistics, the country’s headline inflation rose marginally to 15.69 per cent in April 2026 from 15.38 per cent in March 2026, representing a 0.31 percentage point increase.
The CBN committee noted the recent rise in inflation figures, particularly the back-to-back increases recorded in March and April 2026.
Nigeria’s inflation rate has continued to shape monetary policy decisions in recent months despite signs of moderation earlier in the year.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 15.69% in April 2026 from 15.38% recorded in March 2026.
The CBN has continued to balance inflation control with efforts to support exchange-rate stability and broader economic recovery.
Augustine Ewiah (Executive Partner, AYS DEVELOPERS Africa) cutting the tape to commission the new office
Dubai-based real estate company, AYS Developers, has expanded into the Ghanaian market with the opening of its new office at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra, within the prestigious Gallery Mall area in the capital.
AYS Developers is known for delivering high-end developments across key Dubai locations, including Dubai Islands, Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) and Arjan.
The newly opened Ghana office is expected to serve as a central hub for clients interested in Dubai property investments, off-plan developments, luxury apartments and long-term portfolio growth opportunities.
AYS Developers Africa rep (middle) and Kiran Daswani from The Greens development
AYS Developers, which has become increasingly recognised in Dubai for its premium residential developments, investor-focused projects and modern luxury lifestyle concepts, aims to bridge the gap between African investors and Dubai’s booming luxury property market by creating a trusted local presence in Ghana.
The office will offer personalised investment advisory services, property consultations and direct access to AYS Developers’ portfolio in Dubai.
The launch marks a major milestone in strengthening real estate investment ties between Dubai and Ghana while positioning the company closer to Africa’s growing community of international property investors.
The event celebrated AYS Developers’ commitment to providing direct access to Dubai’s luxury real estate market for Ghanaian and African investors seeking global property opportunities.
According to company representatives, Ghana was selected as a strategic expansion destination because of its rapidly developing economy, growing middle class and increasing demand for international real estate investment opportunities.
Dubai continues to attract global investors due to its tax-friendly policies, world-class infrastructure, high rental yields, and investor protection regulations.
The choice of Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra and the Gallery Mall area reflects the company’s premium brand identity and international business positioning.
The Kempinski enclave has become one of Accra’s leading destinations for luxury hospitality, business networking, and international corporate operations.During the launch event, guests were introduced to several of the company’s flagship projects, featuring smart-home technology, luxury finishes, wellness amenities, and sustainable urban living concepts.
Congo Brazzaville Ambassador in Ghana and partners of AYS Developers
AYS Developers also shared its vision of creating stronger partnerships between the UAE and Africa through property investment and innovation.
The company has recently gained international attention following its Guinness World Record achievement for hosting the world’s largest real estate training session in Dubai, attended by more than 2,500 participants.
AYS Developers recently inaugurated a new headquarters in Dubai as part of its continued global expansion strategy.
Industry observers believe the establishment of the Ghana office will further encourage cross-border investment collaboration between Ghana and the United Arab Emirates while opening new opportunities for entrepreneurs, professionals and property investors seeking international exposure.
As Ghana’s real estate sector continues to evolve and Dubai remains one of the world’s most attractive property investment destinations, the opening of the AYS Developers Ghana office symbolises a new chapter of innovation, growth, and international partnership between Africa and the Middle East.
In attendance at the opening ceremony were business executives, investors, entrepreneurs, members of the Ghanaian Diaspora, and representatives from the real estate and financial sectors.
The whale's carcass is now beached a few metres off the coast of Anholt
Danish environment officials are planning to remove the carcass of a humpback whale from the island of Anholt, as concerns are raised of a potential health risk.
The dead whale was discovered last weekend, two weeks after a private bid aimed at rescuing the humpback that spent weeks stranded along Germany’s Baltic Sea coast.
“It’s around 20-30m (65-100ft) from the beach but it’s drifting along the beach,” said one woman on Anholt who preferred to remain anonymous.
Denmark’s environmental protection agency will also conduct a post mortem examination on the whale, which was released in the North Sea some distance from Anholt.
The agency has urged islanders to keep away from the carcass because of the risk of infection but has not yet detailed when it intends to move the animal.
It gave no update on Wednesday, and no timeline for when or how the whale would be removed. However, it said earlier that work was under way for a solution that would allow for both “a post mortem examination and for valuable scientific samples to be secured for research purposes”.
The whale has gained in size in recent days because of a build-up of gas as the carcass decomposes, and some islanders are worried it may explode.
A Spanish court has ordered the country’s tax authority to refund €55m (£48m, $64m) to singer Shakira after ruling that the money was improperly collected in a dispute over her taxes.
The national high court has acquitted the Colombian singer of tax fraud and ordered the Treasury to repay the money plus interest to her.
It said tax authorities had failed to prove she spent 183 days in Spain in 2011 – the minimum required for residents to pay personal income tax there.
Shakira said the court had “finally set the record straight” after she had spent eight years “enduring brutal public targeting, orchestrated campaigns to destroy my reputation, and sleepless nights that ultimately impacted my health and my family’s well-being”.
The 49-year-old star, who is known for hits like Hips Don’t Lie and Wherever, Whenever, added: “There was never any fraud, and the Administration itself could never prove otherwise, simply because it wasn’t true.
“Yet, for nearly a decade, I was treated as guilty. Every step of the process was leaked, distorted, and amplified, using my name and public image to send a threatening message to the rest of the taxpayers.
“Today, that narrative crumbles, and it does so with the full force of a court ruling.”
The repayment includes about €24m (£21m) in income tax and almost €25m (£22m) in fines for what authorities had described as a “very serious” infringement.
The tax agency said it would appeal to the Supreme Court and that no payment would be made until the final ruling.
Shakira lived with former Barcelona and Spain footballer Gerard Pique for more than a decade after reportedly meeting in 2010 while filming the music video for Waka Waka, the official song of the World Cup in South Africa.
After two decades of grooming and projecting some of Ghana’s biggest music stars, Richie Mensah says Lynx Entertainment is stepping away from artiste management to focus on music distribution and electronics.
The venerated producer and entrepreneur, in a video shared on his social media pages on his 40th birthday (May 17, 2026), disclosed that the decision forms part of a long-term personal goal he set years ago to retire from active music production at the age of 40.
“I promised myself that when I turned 40, I was going to retire from music. And I am honouring that promise because I value promises to myself. So what I did was I started to phase out the music management part of Lynx. So currently Lynx no longer manages any artistes. Lynx is officially out of the artiste management business.
I mean never say never. I cannot predict what the future holds, but currently as it stands Lynx does not manage any artiste. What we have done is we have converted the record label to a distribution company. And then the next thing that I will be focusing my full energy on is Lynx Electronics,” he noted.
Richie explained that his interest in electronics dates back to childhood when he spent time studying gadgets and trying to understand how sound equipment worked. According to him, that curiosity eventually pushed him into sound engineering and later music production.
The Lynx boss said the company’s new direction is aimed at improving the listening experience for music lovers after years of creating hit records for audiences across Africa.
“For 20 years I have been creating sound and music for people to enjoy and now I am focusing on creating a way they can enjoy that music how they can listen to that music,” he said.
As part of its expansion into electronics, Lynx has already introduced products including the Lynx Reverb headphones and is preparing to release more speaker systems such as the Lynx Octave. .
Ghanaian musician Okyeame Kwame says he was among the first artistes in Ghana to publicly involve his family in building his music brand, despite facing criticism at the time.
Speaking in an interview on Angel FM in Kumasi, the rapper revealed that many people initially discouraged the idea, warning him it could negatively affect his popularity among female fans.
“Before now, people did not want to involve their family in their music,” he said. “When I suggested this, they told me that if I did that, women who listened to my music would stop.”
According to Okyeame Kwame, the concerns did not discourage him from showcasing his family life publicly as part of his brand identity.
“But that did not deter me,” he added. “I did it, and now I get phone calls from some of these artistes who want to involve their families in their music.”
The musician explained that portraying personal growth and stability is important, especially for public figures whose lives influence society.
