Ghanaian socialite Efia Odo has criticised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over what she describes as their failure to decisively tackle illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

In a post on her X account, Efia Odo questioned whether political leaders are unaware of the extent of damage illegal mining is causing to Ghana’s water bodies.

“There’s no way our leaders are blind to the damage galamsey is doing to our water bodies,” she wrote.

She said the two major political parties have failed Ghanaians on the issue over the years, despite making promises to fight illegal mining during their campaigns.

“In my view, both the NDC and NPP have failed us for years,” Efia Odo stated.

According to her, political parties often campaign with promises to address the galamsey menace, but the urgency surrounding the issue changes once they gain power.

“They campaign on promises to fight galamsey, yet once in power, the urgency disappears,” she wrote.

Efia Odo further questioned why governments have not matched their response to the scale of the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.

“If they can see the destruction, why does their response never match the scale of the crisis?” she asked.

Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has appealed to the Ghanaian government to support efforts to revive the country’s struggling film industry.

Speaking in a video shared by TINA NEWS, the veteran actor expressed confidence that President John Dramani Mahama would be willing to support Ghanaian filmmakers if they presented a clear proposal and formally requested financial assistance.

“His Excellency sir, don’t let our industry die in Ghana. He will respond. He has heard me,” Pete Edochie pleaded.

He proposed that the government could provide funding to filmmakers to produce movies, with an arrangement for the money to be repaid after the projects are completed.

“I believe that if you make a direct appeal to him, ‘Support us, sir, challenge us with this amount of money, let’s go and shoot films, give us so and so time, we shall…’” he said.

Edochie stressed that the development of Ghana’s film industry should also be viewed within the broader context of African cinema, rather than being centred solely on Nigeria’s Nollywood.

The veteran actor also praised President Mahama for his efforts to engage members of the African diaspora.

According to Edochie, the initiative reflects Ghana’s willingness to welcome people of African descent who have faced discrimination and challenges elsewhere.

“The way he opened his arms to our brothers in America and all of the diaspora, ‘Come over here and settle down.’ People who have been victimised all these years, Ghana is here for you. I think he’s the first African president to do that,” he said.

Edochie said his admiration for President Mahama gives him confidence that the president could respond positively if stakeholders in Ghana’s film industry made a direct appeal for support.

Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy has opened up about his deep connection to Ghana, revealing that the country is one of the few places where he finds what he describes as “actual genuine peace.”

The award-winning musician made the revelation in an interview shared on X by AduTheBorga, explaining why he often chooses Ghana when he needs to step away from the pressures of his demanding music career.

According to Burna Boy, Labadi Beach in Accra holds a special place for him because of the peace he experiences while standing by the sea and taking in the view.

Asked why he chose Ghana when starting the year, Burna Boy simply responded:

“Because, like, that’s the only place I have, like, actual genuine peace. You get me?”

He went on to describe his experience at Labadi Beach, saying the scenery gives him a feeling that is difficult to find elsewhere.

“It’s like when you go to, like, Labadi Beach and then you’re looking in the water, man, and then like you see there’s this line at the end where it’s like it separates the sky from the water.”

For Burna Boy, the horizon at the beach carries a deeper spiritual meaning.

“I feel like that’s where God lives.”

The singer explained that Ghana becomes particularly important to him after periods of intense work, during which he pushes himself through a hectic schedule and performs multiple shows in a day.

Describing his work routine as being in “robot mode,” Burna Boy said:

“I go on mad robot mode where it’s like I’ll do like four shows a day.”

He added that maintaining such a demanding pace eventually takes a toll on him.

“In the end, I’ll just break down. The robot breaks.”

According to Burna Boy, it is at that point that he returns to Ghana to recharge and regain his peace.

“Then that’s when I go to Ghana.”

The conversations about Ghana’s place in the lives of international music stars, particularly those who see the country as a destination for rest, relaxation and personal reflection.

The interview was shared on X by AduTheBorga, alongside a reflective message about places that have created lasting memories for many people.

The post also carried the emotional line:

“Rest in peace to a place that gave so many people memories.”

Ghanaian musician and entrepreneur Criss Waddle has cautioned the government to ensure that demolished beachfront businesses are replaced with better, safer and more meaningful developments.

In a post shared on his X page on 2 October 2026, Criss Waddle argued that demolishing structures at beach fronts without providing suitable alternatives could have political consequences for the government.

He said any replacement project must be completed before the next elections, warning that affected business owners and their employees could use the situation as a reason to vote against the government.

“The thing about demolition at beach fronts is you will have to replace it with something meaningful, nicer and safer than what was demolished,” he wrote.

Criss Waddle added that the replacement must be done before the elections because the affected businesses and workers could make the issue a factor in their voting decisions.

He wrote: “That has to be done before ELECTIONS or the business owners and employees will use that as leverage to vote against you.”

The family of veteran Ghanaian actress Grace Naa Kwarley Nortey has announced plans for her final funeral rites, with her burial and funeral service scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 2026.

The veteran actress, who passed away on August 26, 2026, at the age of 89, will be laid to rest following a funeral service at the forecourt of the State House in Accra.

According to the family’s arrangements, there will be no wake ahead of the funeral.

The main funeral service will begin at 8:00 am, after which her body will be privately interred.

The final rites will continue on Sunday, November 1, with a thanksgiving service at St Barnabas Anglican Church in Osu at 8:00 am.

The family has asked mourners attending both ceremonies to wear white attire.

Grace Nortey is survived by five children and her siblings, who are expected to join relatives, colleagues and admirers in paying their final respects to the celebrated actress.