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Elegant Kente Styles for Engagement in Ghana

Ghana News
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Elegant Kente Styles for Engagement in Ghana

Kente cloth stands as a beloved and iconic fabric in Ghana, intricately woven into the fabric of the nation’s culture and traditions. It embodies profound significance, showcasing a rich tapestry of colors, patterns, and narratives that resonate on both personal and communal levels.

For many Ghanaians, donning Kente is a powerful expression of pride, history, and sophistication, particularly during significant events like engagements. The vibrant and distinctive patterns of Kente make it a perfect choice for engagement ceremonies, where style and cultural authenticity unite to create unforgettable experiences.  

Engagement ceremonies in Ghana are moments to display elegance, with Kente styles taking center stage in fashion selections. For brides, a stunning Kente dress or gown symbolizes grace and tradition. Many brides choose elaborate designs such as the “Nkyinkyim” or “Adinkra” patterns, each rich with meaning, from bravery to wisdom. These gowns are often adorned with luxurious details like beads and sequins, enhancing the beauty of the Kente fabric.  

Grooms also celebrate Kente by incorporating it into their attire, whether through a finely tailored suit or traditional garments like the “Fugu” or “Smock.” These outfits typically feature Kente as a sash or wrapped around the waist, harmonizing beautifully with the bride’s attire. Coordinating the Kente colors and patterns with the overall theme of the engagement adds a sense of unity and symbolism to the occasion.  

Additionally, the adaptability of Kente offers a variety of styles, ranging from classic straight-cut dresses to mermaid gowns or peplum tops paired with elegant skirts. The colors selected for the engagement Kente carry significant meanings—gold symbolizes wealth, red represents strength, and green signifies fertility—ensuring that the fabric serves as both a fashion statement and a heartfelt expression of well-wishes.  

In summary, Kente transcends being merely a fabric in Ghana; it is a vibrant celebration of heritage, beauty, and cultural identity.

Akwatia MP Ernest Kumi convicted for contempt; Court issues bench warrant

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Akwatia MP Ernest Kumi convicted for contempt; Court issues bench warrant

The High Court in Koforidua, Eastern Region, has convicted the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi, for contempt of court.

The ruling follows his defiance of an interim injunction barring him from being sworn in as a legislator.

Presiding Judge, Justice Senyo Amedahe, also issued a bench warrant for Kumi’s arrest after he failed to appear before the court for sentencing.

The court had earlier restrained the MP from presenting himself for swearing-in, pending the resolution of a legal dispute. However, despite this directive, Kumi proceeded to take the oath of office in Parliament.

Citing overwhelming evidence of willful defiance, the court ruled that the lawmaker had acted in contempt.

Attempts by the Minority Caucus in Parliament to justify his absence from the hearing through an official letter were dismissed by the judge, who maintained that Kumi had disregarded the court’s authority.

With the bench warrant now in effect, authorities are expected to enforce his arrest and ensure compliance with the court’s ruling.

12 Black Americans apprehended in Nkwanta South while tracing ancestral roots

Ghana News
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12 Black Americans apprehended in Nkwanta South while tracing ancestral roots

About 12 Black Americans, including six females, have been arrested in Nkwanta South in the Oti Region while traveling from Sokodé in Togo to Odomi-Challa.

The group was embarking on a journey to trace their ancestral roots.

However, the timing of their mission raised concerns due to the unrest in the municipality, leading to their arrest.

Community members have been very vigilant due to suspicions that some tribesmen are hiring foreigners to support them in the recent conflict.

The travelers, who were reportedly in search of their family histories, were detained by residents in a nearby community under suspicion of being part of a rising trend of individuals seeking to reconnect with the ongoing unrest.

Although the group maintained that their intentions were purely cultural and personal, the residents expressed concerns about the potential for unrest and the implications of such movements.

The travelers were rescued through the timely intervention of the police and were very cooperative, explaining their purpose and sharing stories of their ancestors who had been displaced during the transatlantic slave trade.

Items retrieved included mats, personal belongings, a mobile canopy tent, travel passports, and other valuables.

Speaking with Adom News, the Nkwanta South Sector Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service, Chief Superintendent Philip Gyekye Ninfa, said no illegality was detected.

He stated that the travelers had all the necessary documentation en route to Ghana for their activities.

However, on their way to Odomi, some individuals who suspected them to be warriors brought from Togo to fight in the ongoing conflict blocked the road to deny them access.

The immigration commander urged calm among the residents as he allayed fears that they were not intruders and had nothing to do with the ongoing conflict.

He said the group, including four drivers from Togo, had been sent back to ensure their safety due to rising concerns about their visit.

Interior Minister urges Gaming Commission to curb underage gambling

Ghana News
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Interior Minister urges Gaming Commission to curb underage gambling

By Eric Appah Marfo

Accra, Feb. 19, GN – Mr Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, the Minister of the Interior, has urged the Gaming Commission of Ghana to implement stricter measures to prevent minors from engaging in gambling.

He expressed concern over the growing number of underage gamblers, noting that many minors had become addicted, often skipping school to spend time at gaming centres.

“I want to urge you, please make sure that you put in measures that will prevent underage from participating. So that we don’t destroy the future of our country by sitting to watch as people make profit. I’ll be very grateful that you take this very, very seriously,” Mr Muntaka said during a familiarisation visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Accra on Tuesday.

The Interior Minister said his visit was to gain firsthand knowledge of the Commission’s operations and to discuss collaborative strategies to promote responsible gaming in Ghana.

He acknowledged its efforts in regulating the gaming industry, emphasising that responsible gaming practices must be prioritised.

Mr Muntaka mentioned the Commission’s mandate under the Gaming Act of 2006 (Act 721) to license, monitor, and supervise gaming operators, ensuring compliance with the law.

He highlighted the importance of enforcing existing regulations, particularly in curbing underage gambling, and ensuring the industry remained a positive contributor to national development.

Touching on the challenges facing the Commission, particularly the need for expanded office space, the Minister assured of discussions with the Ministry of Finance to secure a more spacious location for its operations.

“I must admit that the work that you are doing is very, very important. The staff can be rest assured that we are there and we have your back. Here in the ministry, we have your back,” he said.

“We’ll do whatever we can, however possible, to make you have a very cordial working environment.”

Mr Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo, the Acting Gaming Commissioner, recounting the Commission’s progress over the years, said when he first assumed office, it had only nine staff members and generated an annual revenue of GHC 159,000.

Through rigorous efforts, revenue rose to nearly GHC 20 million.

He highlighted the need for discipline among staff, warning against unauthorised visits to gaming facilities and illegal activities.

Mr Quainoo outlined efforts to curb illegal gambling, including working with service providers and the Cybersecurity Authority in the near future to block unauthorised gaming platforms.

He highlighted the Commission’s role in shaping the gaming industry beyond Ghana, citing its contributions to sports betting regulations in Nigeria and its leadership in the Gaming Regulators African Forum.

He assured the Minister of the Commission’s commitment to strengthening regulatory frameworks and boosting revenue generation while ensuring responsible gaming.

GNA

Adinkrafest Delegation To Visit Canada

Ghana News
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Adinkrafest Delegation To Visit Canada

Joseph Adinkra

 

Following the successful launch of AdinkraFest in Accra on January 28, 2025, a 12-member delegation from Adinkra Promotions, the organisers of this one-of-a-kind Ghanaian cultural festival and trade expo, will be embarking on a working visit to Toronto, Canada.

This visit will focus on conducting an official reconnaissance (RECCE) ahead of the main event, which is scheduled to take place from April 19 to 22, 2025, at the National Events Centre in Toronto.

AdinkraFest is a vibrant celebration of Ghanaian culture, music, and art, aimed at bringing the Ghanaian and African diaspora in Canada together.

It will serve as a platform to promote Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, showcase the country’s tourism offerings, and shine a global spotlight on Ghanaian music, arts, and crafts.

The festival is designed not only to share Ghanaian traditions with the international community but also to engage Ghanaian youth and those of African descent born in Canada, fostering a deeper connection to their cultural roots.

The three-day festival will feature a variety of activities, including a grand opening ceremony with cultural dances, exhibitions of Ghanaian crafts, and a musical performance by the Shebre Cultural Troupe.

Day two will focus on the continuation of the trade exhibition and a special durbar of chiefs, where traditional Ghanaian practices will be on full display, with an emphasis on educating young people about their heritage.

The final day will conclude with a musical concert featuring headline artisteSamini, Bessa Simons, and other supporting acts, along with a dinner and dance event.

In an exclusive interview, Mr. Joseph Adinkra, CEO and Founder of Adinkra Promotions, shared that the delegation will visit the event venue to formally begin preparations. Additionally, the team plans to meet with officials at the Ghana Embassy in Toronto to seek their support for the festival and to brief them on the upcoming event.

The delegation will also engage with various Ghanaian communities in Canada to promote the festival and build excitement for its arrival in April.

The team, which will depart Ghana on March 26, 2025, and return on March 31, 2025, will be led by Mr. Alexander Kwame Nketia, the Greater Accra Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), and Nana ObokeseAmpah I, the Apagyahen of Asebu Traditional Area and Cultural Lead for AdinkraFest.

Other members include Mr. Bessa Simons, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), along with key event planning and execution personnel from Adinkra Promotions.

During their visit, the delegation will meet with community leaders to inform them about the event and continue preparations for the main festival.

The event planning/production team accompanying the delegation is also expected to produce audio visual commercials capturing breath-taking scenes from Canada’s beautiful landscapes, iconic images and captivating tourist sites to promote the festival.

Mr. Adinkra also highlighted that the festival will serve as a unique opportunity for Ghanaian musicians to engage with a global audience, fostering collaboration and networking opportunities.

With support from the Ghana Tourism Authority and other government tourism promotion agencies, Mr. Adinkra remains optimistic that the festival will achieve its goals of showcasing Ghanaian culture on a global scale.

 

By George Clifford Owusu

Minority Leader urges President Mahama to reverse alleged mass dismissals of public servants

Ghana News
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Minority Leader urges President Mahama to reverse alleged mass dismissals of public servants

By Elsie Appiah-Osei

Accra, Feb 19, GNA – Minority Leader, Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has expressed deep concerns over the recent alleged revocation of appointments of public servants across key institutions in Ghana by President John Dramani Mahama.

“… The 1992 Constitution of Ghana is unambiguous in its protection of public sector workers… These mass dismissals, conducted without individualised assessments or adherence to legal protocols, appear to contravene these foundational legal principles and erode public trust and confidence in our State Institutions,” a statement issued by Mr Afenyo-Markin to the President said.

It urged the President to withdraw the Chief of Staff’s directive, recall the affected employees, and ensure compliance with the constitutional rights of public servants.

It said: “By taking immediate corrective action, you can undo what is clearly a constitutional breach and spare the victims and their families the trauma of prolonged legal battles to vindicate their right to work and to be shielded from discrimination,”

“… Task the Minister for Labour, Jobs, and Employment with monitoring compliance by all public institutions with the directive to reinstate affected employees. The Minister should also provide a comprehensive report to Your Excellency and Parliament within 30 days, detailing the steps taken to rectify the situation and prevent future occurrences,” it said.

The statement quoted Mr Afenyo-Markin as saying that those actions being proposed will not only address the immediate injustices but also reinforce the President’s administration’s commitment to the principles of good governance, inclusivity, and the rule of law.

“… They will serve as a testament to your leadership and your unwavering dedication to the welfare of all Ghanaians. Your Excellency, while affected individuals may seek legal recourse through Articles 2(1) and 130 of the Constitution, I firmly believe that your prompt intervention can pre-empt the need for protracted litigation.”

GNA

Local Banks expand in secured lending as Foreign Banks decline

Ghana News
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Local Banks expand in secured lending as Foreign Banks decline

Foreign-owned banks maintained dominance in secured loan issuance during the fourth quarter of 2024, but their market share declined significantly, according to the Bank of Ghana’s latest Quarterly Collateral Registry Brief.

The report shows a drop in foreign banks’ share from 74.6% in Q4 2023 to 51.5% in the same period of 2024, while domestic banks increased their portion from 25.4% to 48.5%.

This shift underscores the growing role of local banks in secured lending, even as foreign banks remain the primary players.

The average lending rate for secured loans stood at 28.6%, slightly down from 28.8% in 2023, keeping banks as the most competitive lenders.

Other financial institutions recorded the following lending rates:

  • Finance and leasing companies: 33.1% (down from 38.8%)
  • Rural and community banks: 33.5% (down from 34.4%)
  • Savings and loans firms: 43% (down from 44.1%)
  • Microfinance institutions: 46.5% (down from 51.1%)
  • Microcredit companies: 49.5% (up from 47.7%)
  • Finance houses: 59.4% (down from 60.3%)

While foreign banks continue to lead the secured loan market, the increasing participation of domestic banks signals a gradual shift in Ghana’s financial sector.

I Was Dismissed for Criticizing Nana Addo—Should I Also Fire Those Who Criticized Mahama?_ Koku

Ghana News
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I Was Dismissed for Criticizing Nana Addo—Should I Also Fire Those Who Criticized Mahama?_ Koku