Chief Dr Doliwura Zakaria has honoured Amenfi Central Member of Parliament, Hon. Dr Joana Gyan Cudjoe, in recognition of her exceptional support during the successful launch of his book, “Rebuilding Confidence, Restoring Strength: The Leadership Behind NIB’s Historic Turnaround.”

The courtesy visit served as a heartfelt expression of gratitude from the renowned academic, traditional leader, policy analyst, banker, Chartered Accountant, entrepreneur, and author, who acknowledged the MP’s significant contribution to the success of the historic book launch.

During the visit, Chief Dr Doliwura Zakaria hhonouredJoana Gyan Cudjoe by presenting her with several autographed copies of the publication, including a specially dedicated edition carrying a personal inscription that recognised her remarkable encouragement and unwavering confidence in the project.

According to the author, the gesture symbolised an important leadership principle—that individuals who support meaningful initiatives deserve public appreciation and recognition.

Joana Gyan Cudjoe Emerged as Highest Purchaser

One of the highlights of the launch was the extraordinary support from Hon. Dr Joana Gyan Cudjoe, who emerged as the largest purchaser of the book, contributing an impressive GH₵200,000.

Her purchase was widely viewed as more than an act of generosity. It represented a strong endorsement of the book’s message on transformational leadership, institutional reforms, and national development.

The MP’s decision reflected her commitment to promoting scholarship, leadership development, and knowledge-sharing as essential tools for Ghana’s progress.

A Leader Committed to National Development

Hon. Dr Joana Gyan Cudjoe has established herself as one of Ghana’s influential political and business figures.

As the Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central, she has consistently championed policies and initiatives aimed at improving education, youth empowerment, healthcare delivery, infrastructure development, women’s economic participation, employment creation, and community development.

Before entering Parliament, she earned national recognition as a successful entrepreneur with major investments in Ghana’s mining industry.

Through her businesses and philanthropic activities, she has created employment opportunities while supporting the socio-economic development of communities, particularly within the Western Region.

Her leadership philosophy centres on empowerment, creating opportunities, and investing in people, making her support for a publication on transformational leadership both fitting and significant.

About the Book

The book, “Rebuilding Confidence, Restoring Strength: The Leadership Behind NIB’s Historic Turnaround,” documents the remarkable recovery journey of the National Investment Bank (NIB), one of Ghana’s oldest indigenous financial institutions.

Drawing from firsthand experience, Chief Dr Doliwura Zakaria offers readers an insider’s account of the leadership decisions, governance reforms, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, resilience, and institutional reforms that contributed to rebuilding public confidence in the bank.

Beyond documenting NIB’s history, the publication explores practical lessons on:

• Transformational leadership
• Crisis management
• Corporate governance
• Organizational culture
• Public sector reforms
• Ethical leadership
• Strategic decision-making
• Institutional recovery

The book is intended to serve as a valuable resource for public administrators, policymakers, banking professionals, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, researchers, students, and anyone interested in understanding how visionary leadership can transform struggling institutions.

Its central message emphasises that no institution is beyond redemption when leadership is grounded in integrity, discipline, strategic thinking, accountability, and commitment to excellence.

Historic Book Launch Drew Distinguished Audience

The official launch attracted an impressive gathering of distinguished personalities, including government officials, Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, diplomats, academics, banking professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, development partners, students, and friends of the author.

What began as a book launch evolved into a national dialogue on leadership, governance, institutional reforms, and the future of Ghana’s public institutions.

Several speakers commended Chief Dr Doliwura Zakaria for documenting an important chapter in Ghana’s financial history while providing practical leadership lessons applicable across both public and private institutions.

The overwhelming patronage demonstrated the growing public interest in authentic stories of institutional transformation and effective leadership.

Presentation of Specially Dedicated Copy

During the presentation of the specially autographed copies, Chief Dr. Doliwura Zakaria expressed profound appreciation to Hon. Dr. Joana Gyan Cudjoe for believing in the vision behind the publication and for her extraordinary contribution to its successful launch.

He emphasized that while authors produce books, their impact becomes greater when influential individuals recognize the value of preserving knowledge and making it accessible to future generations.

According to him, authentic leadership is not only about driving change but also about acknowledging those whose support makes transformational initiatives poss

The visit represented far more than the presentation of books.

It became a public acknowledgment of generosity, encouragement, and the importance of supporting ideas that contribute to Ghana’s development.

As “Rebuilding Confidence, Restoring Strength: The Leadership Behind NIB’s Historic Turnaround” continues to reach readers across Ghana and beyond, the visit serves as a reminder that gratitude remains one of the defining qualities of authentic leadership.

One of the surviving widows of the late Ghanaian highlife legend Daddy Lumba, Odo Broni, has made an emotional appeal for the musician to “clear her name” amid allegations linking her to his death.

The emotional moment occurred during Daddy Lumba’s one-year memorial service, where family, friends, and fans gathered to honour the music icon’s memory. The event has generated widespread discussion on social media following the first anniversary of the legendary singer’s passing.

In a video that has since gone viral, Odo Broni was seen weeping uncontrollably at Daddy Lumba’s graveside as she addressed the late musician, insisting that she had always been loyal to him during his lifetime.

According to her, she has endured severe emotional pain and public criticism because of accusations connecting her to the musician’s death.

Speaking through tears, she recalled that Daddy Lumba had often defended her while he was alive and knew the truth about their relationship.

“Papa, while you were alive, I was never at loggerheads with you. You were the only person who knew the truth because you always defended me,” she said.

Odo Broni further pleaded with the late highlife icon to clear her name, saying the allegations have caused her immense suffering and damaged her reputation.

She emotionally stated that she was crying at his graveside because she had been unfairly accused and wanted the public to know the truth.

The touching video has sparked mixed reactions online, with many social media users expressing sympathy for Odo Broni, while others continue to debate the circumstances surrounding Daddy Lumba’s death.

The one-year memorial ceremony also saw family members, close associates, and admirers gather to celebrate Daddy Lumba’s remarkable legacy and lasting contribution to Ghana’s highlife music.

The Odo Broni honours Daddy Lumba with Forever in My Heart tattoo tribute has touched the hearts of many Ghanaians as the widow of the late highlife icon unveiled an emotional tattoo in memory of her husband during events marking the first anniversary of his passing.

The touching tribute was revealed as family, friends and loved ones gathered to commemorate one year since the death of legendary Ghanaian musician Daddy Lumba, one of the country’s most celebrated highlife artistes. The anniversary observance featured traditional rites, widowhood ceremonies and prayers in honour of the late music icon, whose timeless songs continue to inspire generations.

Odo Broni Unveils Emotional Tribute

Odo Broni, the widow of Daddy Lumba, unveiled a tattoo inked on her left arm featuring a portrait of the late musician performing on stage with a microphone. Beneath the image are the touching words “Forever in My Heart,” symbolising her enduring love, admiration and commitment to preserving his memory.

The tattoo quickly attracted widespread attention after videos and photographs from the anniversary ceremony surfaced on social media, with many fans describing the gesture as one of the most emotional tributes paid to the legendary musician.

The heartfelt tattoo reflected the deep bond the couple shared and served as a lasting reminder of Daddy Lumba’s impact not only on Ghana’s music industry but also on the lives of those closest to him.

Family Marks One-Year Remembrance with Traditional Rites

As part of the one-year remembrance ceremony, members of Daddy Lumba’s family performed traditional rites at his burial site in accordance with Ghanaian customs.

Videos circulating online showed family members, including former family elder Abusuapeni Tupac, pouring libation and performing customary rituals while praying for the peaceful repose of the late musician’s soul.

The solemn ceremony attracted close relatives, friends and supporters who joined the family in celebrating Daddy Lumba’s remarkable life and extraordinary musical legacy.

The one-year anniversary also marked the conclusion of several traditional mourning activities observed by the family following his death.

Widowhood Rites Held for Odo Broni

In line with Ghanaian tradition, Odo Broni and the couple’s children participated in widowhood rites organised in honour of the late highlife legend.

Family members and loved ones gathered to support the widow throughout the ceremony, while her brothers also paid their final respects to their late brother-in-law, affectionately known within the family as “Akonta.”

The ceremony highlighted the cultural significance of widowhood rites and the importance of family unity during periods of mourning.

Many supporters who attended the event praised Odo Broni for remaining strong throughout the difficult period while continuing to honour the memory of her late husband.

Family Confirms Daddy Lumba’s Final Resting Place

One of the major revelations during the anniversary observance was the confirmation of Daddy Lumba’s burial site.

For several months, speculation had surrounded the exact location where the legendary musician was laid to rest.

However, the family confirmed during the ceremony that Daddy Lumba was buried on a parcel of land he personally selected before his death.

According to the family, the burial site is located close to, but not inside, his East Legon residence in Accra.

The confirmation finally puts to rest months of public debate and speculation regarding his final resting place.

Family Introduces Representative According to Tradition

In keeping with long-standing Ghanaian customs, Daddy Lumba’s family also introduced one of his cousins to serve as the family’s representative within Odo Broni’s family following the musician’s passing.

The customary arrangement signifies the continued relationship between both families even after the death of a spouse and is an important aspect of many Ghanaian traditional practices.

The introduction formed part of the broader anniversary activities and reflected the family’s commitment to observing cultural traditions.

Remembering Daddy Lumba’s Legacy

Daddy Lumba passed away on July 26, 2025, at The Bank Hospital in Accra after a brief illness. He was 60 years old.

Widely regarded as one of Ghana’s greatest highlife musicians, Daddy Lumba enjoyed a career spanning more than three decades and released dozens of hit songs that shaped the country’s music industry.

His timeless classics continue to resonate with fans across generations, while his influence on highlife music remains unmatched.

The first anniversary of his passing served as both a solemn remembrance and a celebration of an extraordinary life dedicated to music, culture and entertainment.

For many fans, the image of Odo Broni’s “Forever in My Heart” tattoo became the defining symbol of the day’s events, reflecting the lasting love she continues to hold for her late husband.

As tributes continue to pour in from admirers across Ghana and beyond, Daddy Lumba’s legacy lives on through his music, his family and the millions whose lives were touched by his remarkable career.

Ghana has secured a major international commitment to strengthen the preservation of its cultural heritage after the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, successfully led the country’s delegation to the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, Republic of Korea.

The high-level mission resulted in significant financial, technical and capacity-building support aimed at improving the conservation, management and sustainable development of Ghana’s World Heritage properties, particularly the country’s historic Forts and Castles.

During the session, the Ghanaian delegation actively participated in deliberations of the World Heritage Committee while holding strategic bilateral meetings with key international heritage institutions. These included the Africa World Heritage Fund (AWHF), the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region (WHIPIC), the Assistant Director-General for Culture of UNESCO, and the Executive Director of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO.

The discussions focused on enhancing Ghana’s heritage management systems, strengthening technical expertise and mobilising international resources to address the conservation challenges facing the country’s World Heritage sites.

One of the major outcomes of the visit was a commitment by the Africa World Heritage Fund to support the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) through specialised human resource development and capacity-building programmes. The initiative is expected to strengthen professional expertise in heritage conservation and improve the long-term management of Ghana’s heritage assets.

In addition, WHIPIC pledged technical assistance by providing specialised training for officers of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board in heritage site interpretation and visitor experience management. The programme is expected to improve the presentation of Ghana’s historical sites to both local and international visitors, enhancing tourism and public appreciation of the country’s cultural heritage.

A major highlight of the visit was a US$3.5 million pledge by the Korean National Commission for UNESCO to support restoration works at six selected Forts and Castles in Ghana. The funding will complement the Government of Ghana’s ongoing efforts to implement UNESCO’s conservation recommendations and preserve some of the country’s most important historical monuments for future generations.

While in South Korea, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, accompanied by Ghana’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Kojo Choi, and members of the Ghanaian delegation, also attended the graduation ceremony of six Ghanaian officials who completed a specialised heritage capacity-building programme organised by the Korean National Commission for UNESCO in Seoul.

The beneficiaries were drawn from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Ghana National Commission for UNESCO, the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They received intensive training on managing the impacts of climate change on cultural heritage sites, equipping them with the technical knowledge and skills required to strengthen the resilience of Ghana’s World Heritage properties against climate-related threats.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Hon. Gomashie congratulated the participants for completing the programme and expressed Ghana’s appreciation to the Korean National Commission for UNESCO for its continued investment in building the country’s heritage management capacity.

She further expressed Ghana’s gratitude to the Government and people of the Republic of Korea, UNESCO, the Africa World Heritage Fund and WHIPIC for their continued partnership and confidence in Ghana’s commitment to protecting its cultural heritage.

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, to safeguard and promote Ghana’s cultural heritage as a key driver of tourism development, education, employment creation and sustainable national development.

The Ghanaian delegation comprised Mrs Meredith Naakai Lamptey Addy, Ghana’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO; Prof. Usman Damba, Secretary-General of the Ghana National Commission for UNESCO; Mr Kwesi Essel Blankson, Acting Executive Director of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board; and Mr Divine Kwame Owusu-Ansah, Director for Culture and Creative Arts at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.

The successful mission is expected to significantly strengthen Ghana’s heritage conservation efforts while enhancing the country’s tourism potential through improved preservation and management of its internationally recognised cultural sites.

KOREA PRESS RELEASE

Gospel musician Obaapa Christy has paid an emotional tribute to Mabel Intuah, the late sister of actress Vivian Jill Lawrence, describing her as a selfless and supportive person whose kindness had a major impact on her life and career.

Speaking in an interview on Okay FM, the award-winning gospel singer said Mabel was more than just a friend or acquaintance, but someone who played a significant role in helping her connect with influential people and grow professionally.

According to Obaapa Christy, Mabel consistently created opportunities for her by introducing her to important personalities and helping her build valuable relationships that contributed to her journey.

She revealed that she had spent time with Mabel only a few days before her passing, during which she requested her assistance with some errands. She said Mabel willingly offered to help without hesitation.

The gospel artiste also spoke about their close relationship, noting that Mabel often drove her to various places because of how frequently they spent time together. She jokingly referred to herself as Mabel’s “personal chauffeur” due to their constant movement together.

Obaapa Christy recalled that Mabel had been assisting her with preparations for an upcoming programme and had promised to personally take her to meet some prominent personalities she wanted to invite.

“I even spoke to her on Wednesday when she told me she was in the hospital,” she said.

Although Mabel informed her that she was not feeling well, Obaapa Christy said she never imagined the situation would become tragic, as they had plans to meet the following day.

She explained that she was devastated after receiving a phone call informing her of Mabel’s passing.

“I asked what was wrong, and she said her condition wasn’t looking good, but I assured her everything would be fine. Then later in the evening, I heard she had passed away. Since then, I have been devastated and have had to cancel most of my appointments,” she recounted.

The singer admitted that the loss has taken a heavy emotional toll on her, adding that she is still struggling to accept the death of someone who had been such a dependable and important presence in her life.

Mabel Adwoa Intuah, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mayan Stitches, passed away shortly after celebrating her 50th birthday.