General News
Ghana Wastes GH¢762.32 Billion Worth of Food Annually—Above Global Average
Ghana is facing a major food waste crisis, discarding an estimated 3.2 million metric tonnes of food every year—an amount valued at GH¢762.32 billion. This alarming figure places the country above the global average in food waste, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In 2024 alone, Ghana’s per capita food waste stood at 84 kilograms, surpassing the global average of 74 kg. The bulk of the waste includes 66% of fruits and vegetables, 40% of root crops, and 21% of grains.
These statistics were revealed during a lecture organized by the Communications Initiative for Change (CIC) Ghana as part of activities to mark World Earth Day/Month. The event formed part of CIC’s Meatless Monday initiative and was supported by the Johns Hopkins University Centre for Communication Programmes.
Where the Waste Happens
Professor Mariam Asantewah Nkansah, an environmental chemist and Director of Student Affairs at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), explained that most of the food waste in Ghana occurs at three key points: during harvest at the farm gate, during transport to markets, and at the markets themselves.
Restaurants and schools contribute significantly to this problem, accounting for about 40% of the total food waste, translating to a staggering $25 billion in losses.
In the Ashanti Region alone, just 120 restaurants waste approximately 320 metric tonnes of edible food every year, resulting in financial losses exceeding $2 million.
Despite the food surplus, Ghana faces a looming food insecurity threat. By 2029, around 11.7% of the population—approximately 3.6 million people—are expected to be food insecure. To put the waste into perspective, daily kitchen and plate leftovers from just 49 restaurants could feed 5,000 people for three weeks.
A Global and Environmental Challenge
Globally, about 931 million tonnes of food is wasted each year, valued at over $1 trillion. Around 60% of that waste comes from households, the equivalent of 23 million fully loaded 40-tonne trucks—enough to circle the Earth seven times if lined bumper to bumper.
The UNEP report also highlights a difference in the source of food loss between economies. In lower-income countries, waste occurs mostly during production and distribution, while in wealthier nations, it’s mainly at the consumption stage.
Food waste also has severe environmental consequences. Professor Nkansah revealed that producing food that ends up wasted consumes:
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21% of the world’s freshwater
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19% of fertiliser
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18% of arable land
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21% of landfill space
Agriculture also consumes 11.5 million hectares of land, while 900 million hectares of non-arable land are used for livestock to meet global meat and dairy demands. This overuse leads to land degradation, making it unfit for natural growth.
Wasted food also pollutes water bodies, threatens aquatic life, and contributes to climate change. As food rots in landfills, it releases methane—a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide—which traps heat in the atmosphere for up to 12 years.
The Way Forward
To curb the waste, Professor Nkansah encouraged:
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Farmers to adopt wise harvesting and proper storage methods
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Transporters to ensure timely and safe delivery of produce
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Food processors to turn surplus food into products like sauces, juices, or dried goods
Emmanuel Fiagbey, Executive Director of CIC, used the opportunity to promote the Meatless Monday campaign—a global movement urging people to skip meat once a week for better health and sustainability.
He emphasized that the theme for this year’s Earth Month, “Our Power, Our Planet,” is a reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our environment and securing the future of the planet.
General News
C/R:Apostle Kojo Safo Kantanka Funeral: Church Members Deny Knowledge of Court Injunction
Some members of the Kristo Asafo Mission have dismissed reports that a High Court injunction has halted the final funeral rites of the church’s founder and leader, the late Apostle Emeritus Dr Kojo Safo Kantanka.
The funeral, which is taking place at Gomoa Mpota in the Gomoa Central District of the Central Region, is proceeding as planned despite widespread reports that the High Court in Accra granted an interim injunction on Wednesday to stop the funeral and burial arrangements.
Scores of mourners, family members, church leaders, and Kristo Asafo Mission members from various branches across Ghana have gathered at the funeral grounds to pay their final respects to the late Apostle, with activities continuing uninterrupted.
Speaking to Mireku Nyampong, some church members and funeral attendees said they were unaware of any court order preventing the funeral from taking place.
According to them, no official communication has been served on the church or the organisers directing them to suspend the funeral activities.
The members maintained that they would continue with the funeral programme as scheduled and appealed to the public to join them in celebrating the life, achievements, and legacy of Apostle Kojo Safo Kantanka.
They also urged the public to disregard reports suggesting that the funeral had been halted, insisting that they have not received any official notice of an injunction.
The comments come amid an ongoing legal dispute over the funeral arrangements following reports that the High Court issued a temporary injunction restraining the planned burial and funeral rites pending the determination of a legal case.
General News
2026 BECE Results Out; WAEC Takes Firm Action Against Examination Malpractice
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the provisional 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) Results for school candidates.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, WAEC announced that candidates who sat for the examination can check their provisional results through their respective schools. The Council also stated that candidates who wish to access their results online may do so through its official website.
According to WAEC, the release of the 2026 BECE Results follows the completion of the marking process and the consideration of examination irregularities by the appropriate committee.
The Council noted that investigations into examination malpractice led to the cancellation and withholding of a number of candidates’ results.
WAEC disclosed that 105 candidates had their entire results cancelled, while the subject results of 496 candidates were also cancelled.
In addition, the Council announced that the subject results of 119 candidates have been withheld, while the entire results of 48 candidates have also been withheld pending further investigations.
According to the Council, these sanctions were approved following investigations into cases of irregularity detected during the conduct of the examination and the marking of scripts.
WAEC explained that the decisions were taken by the 37th Meeting of the Final Awards and Examiners’ Appointment Committee for the BECE, 2026, held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
The approved sanctions are as follows:
- Cancellation of Subject Results of 496 candidates;
- Cancellation of Entire Results of 105 candidates;
- Withholding of Subject Results of 119 candidates; and
- Withholding of Entire Results of 48 candidates.
The Council further revealed that the subject results of 2,722 candidates from 229 schools have been withheld for further scrutiny.
It explained that the withheld results may either be released or cancelled depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigations, which are expected to be completed by August 31, 2026.
WAEC stated:
“Meanwhile, the subject results of 2,722 candidates from 229 schools have been withheld for further scrutiny. The withheld results may be cancelled or released based on the outcome of investigations by August 31, 2026.”
The Council urged candidates, parents, guardians and other stakeholders to use only official channels to access the 2026 BECE Results, adding that candidates can obtain their results either through their respective schools or via WAEC’s official online results portal.
The release of the 2026 BECE Results marks the end of this year’s examination process, although investigations into examination malpractice involving affected candidates will continue until the Council reaches a final determination on the withheld results.
General News
Don’t Dare Attend Our Father’s Funeral to Cause Trouble” – Adwoa Safo Warns Akofena
A fresh dispute has erupted within the Kantanka family ahead of the funeral and burial of the late Apostle Prof. Emeritus Kwadwo Safo, as lawyer and former MP Sarah Adwoa Safo has issued a strong warning to her younger brother, Israel Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, popularly known as Akofena.
The disagreement centers on the scheduled funeral and burial rites, which are expected to take place on Thursday, July 30, and Friday, July 31. While Akofena, who describes himself as the leader of the Kristo Asafo Church, insists that no funeral activities will be held on those dates, Adwoa Safo has maintained that the ceremony will proceed as planned.
The latest disagreement follows an earlier confrontation between the siblings during Akofena’s installation ceremony as head of the Kristo Asafo family. The incident reportedly turned violent, with Adwoa Safo alleging that gunshots were fired at her vehicle. She was subsequently taken to the hospital for medical attention.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Akofena urged members of the Kristo Asafo Mission and the public to disregard the announced funeral dates.
“I stand by my authority as the head of the Kantanka family and leader of Kristo Asafo to say that any date circulating should be ignored. There is no truth in it,” he stated.
However, during an interview on Okay FM’s morning show, Adwoa Safo dismissed Akofena’s claims, insisting that the funeral arrangements remain unchanged.
“He did not set the funeral date, neither is he the leader. The funeral will go ahead exactly as scheduled,” she said.
Adwoa Safo further revealed that the family has formally requested police protection and informed state authorities about the event to ensure adequate security.
According to her, several high-profile dignitaries, including the Chief of Staff, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, and the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, are expected to attend the funeral.
She also cautioned Akofena against attempting to disrupt the event, reminding him that he and others involved in the earlier confrontation are reportedly on bail and are required to maintain good behavior.
“He should not dare come to the funeral to create chaos. By the grace of God, he failed in his alleged attempt to kill me. We have notified all the security agencies, and anyone who tries to cause violence will face the full force of the law,” Adwoa Safo said.
The public disagreement has intensified tensions within the Kantanka family as preparations continue for the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo’s final funeral rites.
General News
Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka Funeral Halted by High Court with 10-Day Injunction
Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka funeral arrangements have been temporarily suspended after the High Court in Accra granted a 10-day interim injunction stopping the planned burial and funeral ceremonies.
The court’s order prevents the Kristo Asafo Mission and all individuals involved in organizing the funeral from proceeding with any burial rites or related activities scheduled for July 30 and 31, 2026.
According to the court’s ruling, all funeral events must be put on hold until the expiration of the 10-day injunction or until the court issues further directives on the matter.
The reasons behind the legal application that resulted in the injunction have not yet been made public.
The Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka funeral had been planned as a two-day state-recognised event expected to attract thousands of mourners, dignitaries, church members, and sympathizers from across Ghana and beyond.
Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, founder and spiritual leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission, passed away earlier this year. His death marked the end of an era for one of Ghana’s most influential religious leaders, widely known for his contributions to faith, education, technology, and local industrial development.
With the interim injunction now in force, the future of the Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka funeral remains subject to the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings before the High Court.
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