In the Ghanaian context, the term “slay queen” typically refers to women who use their physical appearance to charm men into granting them favours.

Some define it as a female whose primary aspiration is to go through life looking attractive and having fun. 

Many women find this label offensive and degrading.

However, a communications professional, social entrepreneur and gender advocate, Perfectual Linnan Labik, believes that one can be a slay queen and also a successful boss in her field.

In an interview with The Mirror last Friday, Miss Labik said she enjoyed looking good and is often described as a “slay queen.”

She said that people were often surprised and confused when they saw her as the organiser of conferences and a leader in her industry. 

Having initiated the Northern Education Support Initiative between 2012 and 2017 right after high school, she noted that many who encountered her were surprised when they compared her appearance with her accomplishments. 

“For me, it’s always the expression of shock and confusion on their faces because I love to dress well and look fabulous. I enjoy life and many people see me as a slay queen, as the term is used in Ghana,” she said.

Miss Labik explained that those who initially looked down on her believed she was a woman without ambition.

However, they were taken aback upon realising that she is a graduate with multiple degrees and is actively promoting social projects while working with an international organisation, U.S Agency for International Development (USAID).

“Many people are quick to judge based on appearance, but I believe an industrious woman can also look good.

A woman can be versatile in her looks and still excel in her field.

My life is a testament to the idea that women shouldn’t feel constrained.

Women must be assertive because you can achieve anything while looking great,” Miss Labik told The Mirror.

Reflecting on her journey as a social entrepreneur and communications professional, she noted that her experiences helped her transition into the corporate world.

In 2018, after earning her first master’s degree from the University of Media and Communication (UniMac), she applied for an internship on a development project implemented by the University of Rhode Island, USA. Despite lacking job experience, she secured the position.

“During the interview, when I was asked about my job experience, I shared details about the projects I had undertaken through the Northern Education Support Initiative. I received the job offer and worked there from 2019 to 2021,” she explained.

Through the Northern Education Support Initiative, Miss Labik conducted education seminars, spelling competitions, career guidance and mentorship programmes and addressed topics related to adolescent reproduction in the Northern Region. 

“Looking back, I realised how significant it was because I was very young. Just imagine the Ghana Education Service (GES) entrusting students to my care, transporting them to various locations in the region and ensuring they received meals. I managed this for five years before I was selected for the internship,” she said.

“Two months later, I was informed that I would be taking on the role of communications lead, marking the beginning of my career in communications.”
Miss Labik noted that many of her supervisors commented that her contributions far exceeded those

Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George

The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has provided details on ongoing efforts to reduce data costs in Ghana.

He emphasised that while he cannot unilaterally set data prices, significant policy measures are being implemented to influence affordability.

According to him, a Data Pricing Committee was established and given 14 days to produce a roadmap, but a report was submitted in just 13 days.

“I set up a Data Pricing Committee and gave them 14 days to come to me with a roadmap for implementation. And in 13 days, they submitted their report. It was made up of stakeholders, MNOs, and the regulator.

“So, we had that engagement, and they submitted their reports to me. The report included short-, medium-, and long-term policy reforms that needed to be implemented,” he stated during a press conference on April 11, 2025.

He further stated that the report, which contained short-, medium-, and long-term reforms, has been referred to the regulator.

Meetings have also been held to develop implementation strategies, including specialised data packages for students and gig workers.

“I referred it to the regulator. The regulator has gone on to meet with the MNOs about it. I’ve met with the MNO CEOs myself regarding the proposed framework. People expect me to simply set data prices, but that’s impossible. What I can do is use policy tools.

“For example, with some of the steps I’ve taken on spectrum allocations and tech neutrality, I’ve used those to negotiate with industry players. I’ve asked them to introduce specific packages, such as cheaper data bundles for students, which are more affordable per megabyte than regular data bundles,” he explained.

The minister continued, “Again, I’ve told them that for content creators and those working in the gig economy, we also want specialised, lower-cost data bundles. These discussions are ongoing. The regulator is finalising the technical modalities for these pricing models, which will soon be rolled out.”

The minister also mentioned ongoing discussions with Google concerning the Equiano subsea cable, which offers high-capacity bandwidth.

He criticised the previous government for missing the opportunity to secure a landing in Ghana, leading to the cable being routed through Togo instead.

“I think that in the medium to long term, we need to do two key things, first, bring in much more bandwidth into the country. I’ve already started conversations with Google about the Equiano cable, which is a high-capacity subsea cable. Because of its new technology, it carries a large amount of bandwidth. Unfortunately, due to shortcomings in the previous administration, Ghana missed out.

“Google initially wanted to land the cable in Ghana. They came here and were even given a licence by the NCA. But due to internal conflicts within the ministry over who got the licence, Google opted to reroute the cable through Togo. Now, it’s going to cost us around $50 million to reroute and create a patch landing here in Accra.

“I’ve held conversations with Google executives, and we’re working to ensure Ghana is included in the second phase of the Equiano project. That would significantly increase bandwidth in the country. And as you know, it’s a matter of demand and supply, the more bandwidth we have, the lower the data prices can become,” he pointed out.

He also highlighted the need for a dedicated telecom tariff to reduce electricity costs for telecom services, along with tax rationalisation to resolve instances of double taxation.

“Another thing we need to address, which I’ve been discussing with my colleague John and will also raise with the PURC, is the creation of a telecom tariff. Electricity is a major cost component in the pricing of telecom services,” Sam George said.

He continued, “We have mining tariffs and industrial tariffs, but no dedicated tariff for the telecom sector despite the heavy power usage. A lower telecom tariff would create a ripple effect. I’m also hopeful the Finance Minister will implement a VAT rationalisation. If we address double taxation and the cost components of data and voice services, we’ll start seeing a positive impact on data pricing.

“These are medium-term issues, likely to see results by the end of the year or next year, but we expect to see some initial reductions soon,” he concluded.

RAD/MA

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By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu

Anloga (VR), April 11, GNA – Zion College (Zico), a second circle institutions in Anloga district of the Volta region, has held second edition of academic excellence awards ceremony to honour some hardworking and deserving students and staff for 2023-2024 academic year.

The move was to motivate, encourage and applaud exceptional staff and students for their hard work and dedication to the improvements and progress of Zion College.

Madam Nutifafa Abla Kwawukume, the Headmistress of the school, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said that the awards was to distinguish and celebrate the achievements of students and staff who have excelled in various academic disciplines.

“The current management team has recently instituted various programmes to transform the school, it is our goal to set award day aside as an annual event to motivate students as well as staff that merit it. It will also inspire others to improve learning outcomes to attain the school’s target, she said.

She said the school set ambitious goals that aimed to recognise as one of the top ‘A’ grade schools in Ghana and were focused on improving the WASSCE performance to increase the number of students progressing to tertiary institutions and foster healthy competition among all learners.

Madam Kwawukume explained that the Academic Excellence Award Day played a crucial role in the journey of change which did not only celebrate students’ achievement but also inspired others to strive for academic excellence which contributed to overall academic improvement.

“As part of our comprehensive academic policy, we have implemented the ‘Minimum Grade C6 strategy’ and other initiatives, this strategy in particular sets a high standard for our students, encouraging them to aim for excellence in their academic pursuit.”

She said that other objective of the award was to cover great milestones in term of academic work by 2027 when the school would celebrate its 90th anniversary and the performance are expected to improve while the management has also put in mechanism to monitor and track all students’ work systematically.

Madam Kwawukume said that the awards were merited based on the performance of the first and second semester learning outcomes during the 2023/2024 academic year and the results were displayed consistently on the notice board for all to observe to trigger students to put in maximum effort towards academic work.

She said that the categories of the awards include overall best WASSCE performance for both genders, overall best SHS 2 and 1 students as well as excellence awards in all the various elective and core subjects’ areas.

She said, “according to the 2024 WASSCE analysis, out of the 742 candidates presented for the examination, 40.6 per cent (301 students) obtained A1 to C6 and 60 per cent (515 students) qualified to progress to the tertiary level. The best aggregate was 8, and it was an improvements of 2023 results which 425 out of 740 got aggregate A1 to C6, with the best aggregate of 10.”

Some staff and student awardees GNA interacted with, expressed excitement over the wards and pledged to work harder to raise the flags of Zion college high among various secondary schools in Volta region and the entire country.

They urged teachers, stakeholders, corporate organisations and old students at the school to continue with the various forms of support to improve proper learning and teaching environment for better results and future.

GNA observed that about 40 students and 10 staff received various forms of awards which include textbooks, plaques, computers, certificates, among others.

GNA

MA/KOA

Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh has criticised the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno over what he describes as a reckless and unfortunate statement concerning the ongoing Bawku conflict.

Addressing  a press conference held by the Minority on the Bawku crisis, Annoh-Dompreh expressed deep concern over the IGP’s comment suggesting that individuals who lay down their arms could be considered for recruitment into the police service.

“The comment of the IGP — this is purported to be his major public statement ever since he was appointed. And maybe he made that statement just on the spur of the moment, but it is clearly an unfortunate statement.

“It is most unfortunate to say that if you lay down your arms, you’ll be considered for recruitment. It is out of place. If any other person said this, yes, we may not attach seriousness. But coming from the IGP — and the ramifications of that statement — it is critical,” Annoh-Dompreh said.

He warned that such remarks risk setting a dangerous precedent in other parts of the country, where similar crisis may occur.

Annoh-Dompreh urged the IGP to reconsider the statement, adding that such comments undermine the integrity of law enforcement and could embolden violent actors in volatile areas.

“Does it mean that people from other parts of the country will also just fight, and then when they lay down their arms, they will be considered for recruitment into the police service?” he asked.

The Bawku conflict, which has lingered for years, has seen a resurgence of violence, prompting national concern and renewed calls for lasting peace.

Meanwhile, President John Mahama has assured that the Asantehene-led peace mediation process, spearheaded by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will resume next week as part of intensified efforts to restore calm in the conflict-hit Bawku area.

Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has called for Elon Musk’s Starlink to establish a physical office in Accra as a condition for operating in the country, citing regulatory accountability and the need to protect Ghanaian consumers.

In an interview with TV3, the Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the current operational model of Starlink, which has no physical presence in Ghana despite having received approval to roll out services.

“I’ve asked the regulator to inform the company that they need to open an office in Accra. I don’t understand. They need to have an office,” Mr George said, adding: “You can’t operate in our country and not have presence here.”

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According to him, it was a strategic oversight for the National Communications Authority (NCA) to grant a licence to Starlink without requiring local residency. 

He noted that the absence of a local office makes it difficult for the regulator to engage effectively with the company on matters that affect consumers.

“Today, if there’s a problem involving a client of Starlink and the regulator needs to speak with Starlink, we need to send an email to someone sitting somewhere in the US, and it will take them two to three weeks to come down. What kind of regulation is that?” he questioned.

Mr George further argued that all other telecom operators in Ghana have a local presence, making them accessible for swift consultations.

“When I need to meet the CEO of any MNO, I can call, and in an hour, he’s sitting in my office or at the office of the regulator for me to protect the interest of the Ghanaian people.”

He disclosed that the concern is not unique to Ghana, revealing that ICT ministers across the West African sub-region are collectively pushing for Starlink to establish local operations in each country.

“It’s a cause of concern, not just here in Ghana, across the sub-region. Most of the ICT ministers are worried about it… We [are] taking collective action. They must show physical presence in our countries,” he said, hinting that Starlink would “be hearing from us.”

I have asked the regulator (StarLink) to open an office in Ghana. They must have physical presence in the country – @samgeorgegh #TV3NewDay

pic.twitter.com/PkiFBQUbsI

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) April 11, 2025

Background

Starlink, a satellite internet service developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, received approval from the NCA to operate in Ghana and is expected to officially launch by the end of August 2024. The service is being managed locally by SpaceX Starlink GH LTD.

The technology uses a constellation of over 5,800 low-Earth orbit satellites to deliver high-speed internet, with some users enjoying download speeds exceeding 100 Mbps. Starlink’s entry is expected to revolutionise internet access in underserved rural communities where traditional infrastructure is limited.

However, the affordability of the service remains a challenge. In Nigeria, for example, Starlink charges $314 for initial setup and $27 monthly—costs far above those of local providers.

Prior to its official approval in Ghana, a black market allowed unauthorised users to access Starlink through its global roaming feature.

CEO of the Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE), Ben Nsiah

The Chief Executive of the Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE), Ben Nsiah, has disclosed that Ghana is likely to experience a drop in fuel prices starting in May this year.

He projected that petrol and diesel could fall to GH¢13 per litre, while Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) may drop to GH¢14 per kilogram.

His projection follows a recent decline in Brent crude prices on the international market.

On Sunday, April 6, 2025, crude oil fell below US$60 for the first time since 2021, a development linked to import tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on certain countries.

By Tuesday, April 7, 2025, Brent crude had dropped further, dipping below US$57 amid escalating trade war tensions.

In an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb Business, Nsiah stated that the consistent drop in Brent crude prices comes at an opportune time, as the Ghanaian government is actively exploring ways to reduce fuel costs.

He explained that this significant drop in crude oil prices could help ease fuel costs at the pump, ultimately cushioning consumers.

“Crude oil dropping to its lowest in five years will have three key impacts. The first is that petroleum users will benefit in the coming pricing windows, particularly if the cedi remains stable or appreciates slightly against the dollar. Prices are likely to decline further in May and June, potentially reaching around GH¢13–14 per litre for petrol and diesel, and around GH¢14 per kilogram for LPG,” he said.

Nsiah also noted that the fall in crude prices may lead to a marginal drop in inflation in the coming months.

“We are likely to record lower inflation soon due to this decline in international crude prices,” he added.

SP/MA

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President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has called for a united national front in response to the 10% tariff imposed by the United States on Ghanaian exports.

Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke stressed that this is no time for isolated or reactionary decisions but for “collective engagement” involving government, industry, and regional partners.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, April 10, he stated the need for Ghana to respond strategically, rather than emotionally, to the unfolding development, which threatens to undermine the country’s already fragile export earnings and fiscal stability.

“We don’t have to be issuing statements that might bring ripples into the system,” he cautioned. “It is still an unfolding event—we are studying it and the dynamism it comes with.”

While a 90-day pause in implementing the new U.S. tariff regime has provided some breathing room, the AGI president stressed that this window must be used wisely.

“But for the 90-day pause, we would have been in a higher anxiety. But for now, we are taking the opportunity to consult—engaging government and our counterparts.”

In this regard, he called for a holistic national approach.

“It will be useful if the country does some form of collective engagement. We need collective engagement,” he said, underscoring that the consequences of inaction or disjointed responses could ripple across sectors, from trade to inflation to monetary policy.

Dr. Ayim-Darke did not mince words about what’s at stake.

“The Finance Minister knows that if he doesn’t get it right, he’ll have a tough time balancing his books, getting his revenue, getting domestic revenue, which is largely based upon imports,” he said.

“Significantly, about 50% of domestic revenue comes from the ports, and these are largely imports, and then from exports as well, which are from the cocoa.”

But the cocoa sector has already taken hits.

“Unfortunately, we know we had a cocoa drop by virtue of the events of the galamsey and the cocoa export,” he said.

“Leave that of the crude oil aside.”

Dr. Ayim-Darke warned that if the government fails to stabilise export markets like cocoa, the ripple effects will touch every aspect of Ghana’s economy.

“Are you worried about the uncertainty and the impact on fiscal and revenue as well? Oh yes, because it has a ripple effect,” he said.

“If you’re not getting enough domestic build, you slap more monetary policies on us, and it will trigger the policy rate, lending rates. And the cycle continues—and it has a consequential effect on the U.S. dollar as well, which is a medium of trading.”

He also expressed concern about disparities in how Ghana and its West African neighbor, Côte d’Ivoire, are being treated under the U.S. tariff regime.

“That is why we are also concerned about the disparity between the tariffs on Ghana and Ivory Coast,” he said.

“We are together seeking to harmonize our total cocoa export and the benefits to the farmers. Now, within 10, they are being 14.”

This, he warned, could create long-term trade distortions.

“So what will be the impact on our trade? When we think that, oh, we have a 10%—it’s good for us? Look, once today you are happy, the next time, it will all catch up with you.”

Dr. Ayim-Darke also raised alarms about the indirect effects of the tariffs, including potential inflation in the United States and its knock-on effect on remittances to Ghana.

“Remittances have become part of our inflows,” he noted.

“If the inflationary rate hits the U.S. by virtue of the tariffs on cocoa or chocolate or other products, and the consumers’ disposable income is reduced, how much remittances will come to your family? And that will affect government too.”

His conclusion was clear: Ghana cannot afford to look at this crisis in isolation. “You cannot look at this in isolation,” he warned.

“We need to be concerned with looking at the macro picture and the micro picture.”

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